Paul Ryburn's Journal

Do you use the stairs leading from the river bluff to Tom Lee Park (Huling and Butler entrances) to exercise? Join Grizzlies star JaMychal Green this afternoon at 4:30 to see the unveiling of the latest Grizzlies stair art.

3 Doors Down plays the Orpheum tonight. Tickets $39.50-$69.50; $194.50 VIP.

FedExForum has announced the cancellation of the Amy Schumer show on October 14 due to a schedule conflict. Refunds can be made at the point of purchase.

Job news: The airport is looking to hire a Human Resources Generalist.

The Green Beetle announced a new menu item:

Introducing the Heinz 57 steak wrap! It’s steak however you want it, sautéed onions, pepperjack cheese, and Heinz 57 in a spinach tortilla! pic.twitter.com/BjcwV8Sk0C

— Green Beetle (@GreenBeetle39) September 21, 2016

Downtown Huey’s is having a 20th birthday party Sunday, Ocober 16. Drink specials, special edition T-shirts, and live music including The Joe Restivo 4 2-4, Deering and Down Trio 4:30-7:30, and Gary Escoe’s Atomic Dance Machine 8-12. Of course they will have great food as always. A portion of the party’s proceeds will go to Urban Bicycle Food Ministry to feed up to 300 of Memphis’ homeless. Here’s the party’s Facebook event page.

Tonight is the release of the Flying Saucer’s annual Oktoberfest glass. It goes on sale at 7 PM.

There will be an Elysian Brewing Bar Crawl tonight with stops at Alfred’s, Tin Roof, and Twilight Sky Terrace atop the Madison:

See you on September 21st!!!@ElysianBrewing @AlfredsonBeale @TinRoofMemphis @TwilightMemphis @MadisonMemphis pic.twitter.com/TR7T2K6IkA

— Eagle Distributing (@901BEER) September 16, 2016

Adam Heart Memphis plays the Brass Door Friday from 7 to 11 PM. Drink specials, no cover.

The River Series in Harbortown has announced its fall schedule. The series kicks off Saturday with Steve Selvidge and Daniel Bachman.

The former Memphis College of Art building at South Main and Butler will be converted into a 66-room boutique hotel.

That’s it for this second post of the day. Back tomorrow with Farmers Market news and more. I’ll be celebrating the three-quarters-done milestone of my work week at happy hour at the Silly Goose this evening.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are coming to the New Daisy Theatre Saturday, December 3. Tickets are $25-28. Doors at 7, show at 8. I have to admit I had no idea who these people were, but several of my friends acted like this was a big deal, so I figured I’d mention it. According to Wikipedia Rateliff is known for folk-based, pensive songwriting, and the Night Sweats are a soulful R&B combo.

This is a really, really cool story involving anaplastology and two of my friends. Bardog Tavern chef John Haley recently received a new nose, crafted by anaplastologist Maddie Singer at the UT Health Science Center College of Dentistry. The silicone nose will be held in place by magnets. I’ve known John since his days managing the Saucer 13 or so years ago. Maddie is one of my bar buddies at Blind Bear. She is a keen observer of people and it is always interesting to hear her insights.

Catherine & Mary’s, the new restaurant by famed local chefs Hudman and Ticer, is set to open in the Chisca on Monday. The restaurant is named for the chefs’ grandmothers.

Bacon lovers: The Dirty Crow Inn has bacon-wrapped shrimp on special this week.

Memphis Made is bringing back its cornhole tournament on Saturday, October 1 from 2 to 6. Two people per team, double elimination. Free to enter and there are prizes for first, second and third. Must be 21 or up to enter.

MemFix happens at Film Row on South Second this Saturday, September 24. It’s a chance to re-imagine the neighborhood and think about what it could become.

I finally got Burger Fest photos posted. The death of Picasa left me in a predicament and I had to figure out whether Google Photos is an acceptable substitute (it is, but I liked Picasa better). Over 100 photos of the Moody Ques, our neighbors Weekend at Porky’s, and a photo of a sushi roll I had from Sushi Jimmi.

Off to work. 4-day week so this is my effective Thursday. Possibly another post later today.

WWE Monday Night Raw at FedExForum last night was outstanding. Let me get the news out of the way, then I will talk about the show.

All the local breweries do a great job with their special events, but I have to admit Wiseacre’s are the most intriguing. On Saturday, October 29 they will host a Symfonic Fermentation Fair. It will be a celebration of all things fermented as well as the release of their Red Wine Barrel Aged American Wild Ale Symphonic. There will be entertainment from two Memphis Symphony troupes as well as The Drinking & Writing Theater from Chicago. Fermentation stations will feature goods from Porcellino’s, Miss Cordelia’s and Cordelia’s Table, Philip Ashley Chocolates, Metropolis Coffee Company, Bounty on Broad, and Bonnie Blue Farms. Tickets are $30 and include 6 beer pairings plus additional beer. Buy tickets here.

The Triple-A National Championship Game is tonight at AutoZone Park. You can buy tickets here and there are several good ticket packages you can choose. Personally, I would be all about that whole hog roast. The game will be nationally televised on NBC Sports Network.

Rizzo’s Diner has announced a wine dinner with Athens and Corkscrew tomorrow night. I haven’t seen a menu but let’s face it, with Michael Patrick in the kitchen you know it’s going to be good.

Dokken comes to the New Daisy Friday, November 4 at 9 PM.

If any of my readers hang out at Slider Inn in Midtown, “Yazoo Cellar Man” Ivan Chester tweeted out that you might see some Yazoo folks there later today.

The fourth annual Deal Cancer Out poker tournament will happen on November 4 at Downtown Central BBQ. $45 buy-in includes door prizes and a BBQ buffet. Winner gets a 3-day trip to Las Vegas, with the top 5 finishers awarded prize packs, stuffed full of gift cards ranging in value from $350 (second place) down to $100 (fifth place). Teresa from River Rat Rounders will be running the game and it will be run like the World Series of Poker.

I think this is a positive sign: Memphis Animal Services is getting rid of breed listings. They hope this will encourage people to judge animals by their individual personalities and not on pre-conceived notions of the breed.

Well, blast it all! After spending $40 on a ticket to Farm Fest last week, the Memphis Farmers Market notified me today that I’m on the media list and would have had complimentary tickets waiting on me anyway. The Farmers Market loves me! I’ve been absent from the Market the last few weeks but will be there this Saturday before catching a ride out to BreakFest. Hey Squeal Street, if you need anything from the Market last minute, text me.

Okay, with the news done let’s move on to my thoughts about RAW:

Parts of the show I really liked:

• Chris Jericho. He got over with nothing more than a clipboard and a scarf and made the crowd totally get into what he was doing. Definitely the most entertaining segment of the show.
• The cruiserweights. That division is new to RAW and put on quite the spectacle as The Brian Kendrick won to earn a Cruiserweight Championship match at the PPV Sunday. However, the one I predict will be a breakout star is Rich Swann. Given the chance to let his personality show, I bet he would become a crowd favorite quickly.
• The second pre-show taping match for Superstars: Golden Truth (Goldust and R-Truth) completely fired up the crowd right before RAW with a very good tag team match. Badly needed after the match before (see below). WHAT’S UP!!!!
• The main-event cage match. Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens put on a good match. Post-match attack by Rusev and the save by Seth Rollins were good too. They teased a reunion between Rollins and Reigns as the show went dark at the end.
• Enzo and Cass. They didn’t do anything special but the crowd popped huge when their music came on.
• One of The Shining Stars doing Enzo’s shuffle on the ring apron, only to eat a boot from Big Cass. Good stuff.
• The women. Such a treat to see Bayley on the main roster.
• The fact that John Cena was not on the show. He’s exclusive to the Smackdown brand now. I respect the work Cena does in the ring and in the community, but as a wrestling fan he’s just not my favorite.
• The fact that, unlike the last live RAW I went to two years ago, there was not a match featuring a man in a bunny suit.

Parts I didn’t like:

• The pre-show match taping for Superstars: Darren Young (with Bob Backlund) beat Curtis Axel. Backlund’s crazy old guy gimmick is just annoying. As for Axel, he didn’t inherit any of the charisma his dad Mr. Perfect had. They could have played a lullaby and got the crowd more into it. This was the first match of the night and not a good way to start off.
• Mick Foley. The General Manager of RAW completely flubbed his lines and seemed to have little idea who the cruiserweights were – the very people he was introducing. I bet Vince McMahon ripped him a new one backstage after that segment. The usually-excellent Foley was terrible here.

Here’s a complete recap for those who missed the show last night.

WWE’s other brand, Smackdown Live, was announced for a show on January 17. If you like Cena, he’s one of the top stars on that show, along with A.J. Styles, Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton, and Becky Lynch.

Thanks again to my friend Chicken Fried Steak Rodger for the use of the extra ticket. “Paul, you need to come with me for some Grizzlies games this season,” he told me. “The great thing about my seats is that they include an all-you-can-eat buffet and free beer.” AYE AYE, SIR! You just tell me when you want me to go!

That’s it for now. Getting through day 2 of a four-day work week, then will be out at the Blind Bear for happy hour. I finally got Burger Fest photos uploaded so there may be a post about that sometime soon.

This Sunday is the Memphis Farmers Market’s annual fall party, Farm Fest at Loflin Yard. The food at Farmers Market parties is always tantalizingly scrumptious, prepared by local vendors as well as by some of the best restaurants in town. The Farmers Market has released a list of who will be serving and oh boy, does this ever sound good. Trolley Stop Market, Mosa Asian Bistro, The Farmer, Central BBQ and Amerigo Italian Restaurant.

Wait a minute, I think I may have left somebody out.

Hmmm… I see I need to re-write a part of a sentence in that first paragraph.

“… prepared by local vendors as well as some of the best restaurants and BBQ teams in town.”

That’s right folks… THE MOODY QUES will be cooking!!!!!

It makes perfect sense. Our pitmasters Frank and Erik are both on the Board of the Memphis Farmers Market, and Frank is a past president. What an opportunity to get some practice in on the new cooker (still unnamed after more than a year, by the way) while supporting a nonprofit that is one of our very favorites!

If anyone attending Farm Fest is a certified BBQ judge, we would love for you to come by and tell us what you thought of the food. Heck, everyone is invited to come tell us what you thought! We’ll take all the feedback we can get!

Now, I must admit that last year at the fall party, I tended to hide behind the cooker and not really get around and mingle, other than brief trips to the beer stand. This year will be different. I’m gonna be social! I know some of my friends on Squeal Street BBQ are going to Farm Fest, and I hope to spend a good bit of time chatting with them. Most likely I will be complimenting them on their excellent performance at BreakFest the day before!

Tickets are only $40 in advance, and include not only the food, but great craft beer as well as live music by Star & Micey. Seriously, why would you not go to this?

A few people have asked me “what time does WWE Monday Night RAW start at FedExForum tonight?” Although the TV show itself starts at 7:00, the live event starts at 6:30. There are a couple of reasons for this. First of all, they want the arena to be full and the crowd fired up for the start of the show. It doesn’t look good if the arena is half full and people are still finding their seats in the opening shot.

The second reason is that they tape a couple of matches for the B-shows. Superstars and the like, the syndicated shows that no one cares about much. This is “Hey, Fandango still has a job!” time. Also, the emcee for the pre-show may introduce special guests. Last time I went to RAW two years ago they introduced Lance Russell, which I thought was nice.

Radio host Kevin Cerrito and local wrestler Dustin Starr will be hanging out at Jerry Lawler’s bar on Beale this evening starting around 5, if you are looking for a place to pre-game. That is also my most likely guess as to where the wrestlers will be post-RAW. I wonder if five-time, five-time, five-time, five-time, five-time WCW World Champion Booker T will join his pre-show broadcast colleague Lawler at the bar.

Back in the ’90s they usually went to Platinum Plus post-RAW. Wonder how much money Shawn Michaels dropped at that place. Or Kevin Nash. Wonder how much booze Scott Hall and Jake The Snake drank there. A couple of days before RAW in Memphis, The Godfather (who had a pimp gimmick, for those not familiar) would go to Platinum to scope out girls to be his hoes on RAW.

Some of the wrestlers were at 152 last night, so you might want to check that place too post-RAW (it’s across the street from Lawler’s, not a far walk). I can just see Viktor from the Ascension and DJ Woo Woo partying it up big time tonight.

On to the news…

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been announced for a January 12 date at FedExForum.

The 5K and alley party were last month, but today is Bardog’s real 8th birthday. It would be a good day to stop by, because they usually do some good specials on the real birthday. Due to RAW I will miss my usual Melissa Monday visit tonight, though.

Historian Jimmy Ogle will conduct his famous manhole cover tour tomorrow, Tuesday, September 20, at lunchtime. The tour is free to attend. Meet at the Cotton Museum, at the corner of Front and Union, at 11:45.

The El Paso Chihuahuas play the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in the Triple-A National Championship Game. Wow is Triple-A ball fixed so that the teams with the worst names have the best records? I have no real reason to root for one team or the other, but I guess I will pull for El Paso because the Blind Bear patio is chihuahua-friendly. The Flyer’s Frank Murtaugh has a list of reasons why you should go to the game.

Tonight is MNF, or MN MF’N F as I like to call it. The Brass Door is rolling out some sweet new specials for the game. You can get wings, fries and a PBR for $10. Loaded chicken BBQ nachos for two and two PBRs are $12. Also $12 is Loaded Shepherd’s Chips and two PBRs. Loaded Shepherd’s Chips? Gonna have to try those sometime soon, sounds interesting. I’m guessing these specials will be in the pub side (former Mad Earl) since that’s the sports bar part of the Brass Door.

News you can use, from Thrillist: Memphis’ best taco trucks, ranked

Memphis-Ole Miss for October 1 has been announced for a 6 PM kickoff. My Hogs have the early game against Cupcake State that day, so I guess my plan will be to go straight to Max’s Sports Bar after the Farmers Market. It’s about time I got a PBjaRni visit on the calendar! This is a Little Rock game for the Razorbacks. It’s nice to see Arkansas getting to a point where they are good enough that they don’t need the cupcakes to get bowl-eligible.

I love my job but this is a “4:45 can’t here fast enough” day. I am ready to go watch The Realest Guys in the Room and KO and Seth Rollins and the new cruiserweight division! This is going to be a lot of fun!

Before I get to the news, let me say CONGRATULATIONS to my friends Chicken Fried Steak Rodger and Lily on their recent engagement. I had the pleasure of hanging out with the happy couple Friday night, and Rodger has got himself a lovely lady indeed. Rodger and I are going to WWE Monday Night Raw at FedExForum tomorrow. “I’ve got the tickets, all I ask is that you buy the beer,” he told me. Rodger, as The Rock would say, I smell what you’re cookin’. Or as they say up in the Appalachians, I smell what you’re steppin’ in there, Rodger.

Max’s Sports Bar is looking to hire a barback/cook who would work primarily 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday and Sunday with some weeknight hours also possible. Stop by the bar for more information or to apply. It’s at 115 G.E. Patterson at the eastern end of the Arcade building. If you’re a social person and looking to make a lot of friends down here this would be a great gig for you. The kitchen is not enclosed and you would get to interact with the customers. Max’s crowd is almost entirely regulars so you would see the same people frequently.

Brandy Zdan, a singer-songwriter from the acclaimed Canadian folk band Twilight Hotel, plays the Coach House porch at Loflin Yard tonight at 6.

There is an International Hair Fest benefiting St. Jude at Court Square this afternoon from 1 to 5.

Congratulations to my favorite meteorologist, Erik Proseus of MemphisWeather.net. His Twitter account @memphisweather1 was recently named by Forbes as one of 76 Twitter accounts to get you started getting great weather information on that medium.

GREAT quote I saw on Facebook recently: “You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness.” Very true.

From NYMag.com: How Internet trolls won the 2016 presidential election. Among other things, they co-opted the Pepe the Frog meme that has been all over Facebook for years. Don’tcha just hate those crazy trolls?

The Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum celebrates its 160th birthday today. At 3 there will be a program with ministers speaking on the topic “The Role of the Church in the Black Liberation.” The museum is on North Second Street near the north entrance to Mud Island.

Sunday Fun Day! Time for D-RANKS with B-RAD at the Blind Bear. Later in the day I will go see Christina for evening shift at the Flying Saucer. It’s PBR season and I’m putting on my hunting vest.

Two events happen at the New Daisy tonight. At 7, the Magic Mike Tour stops by for a visit. For those of you who don’t know what that is (I didn’t until I was told), it’s a tour of male strippers. One person who works Downtown is very excited about this – I won’t name names who, but I will hint that I am most likely to see this person on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Tickets $25-50.

Then at 10, Daisyland XL: Styles and Complete comes to the New Daisy. Tickets $10-15. Seems like they’re going to have a tight turnaround getting the strippers out of there to get ready for Daisyland. It’s kind of the New Daisy version of the Tigers and Grizzlies playing on the same day at FedExForum.

This sounds really cool: A free class, Typography 101, at Emerge Memphis from 2 to 4 PM on Sunday. Designer Allie Mounce (I follow her on Twitter!) from Paradigm Marketing will explain why typography is such an important element of design, communication, and branding. Mounce is said to be type-obsessed. The class is free but you do need to click through the link and RSVP.

Several weeks ago, I asked if any of my readers were the type who like to play the victim to get attention and sympathy. Now I’m asking again. The reason why is that the Shelby County Health Department is holding a public health emergency preparedness drill on Thursday, September 29 from 7:30 AM to 3 PM and is seeking volunteers. Playing the victim will get you complimentary breakfast and lunch. You must register in advance to volunteer to be a victim. You may be moulaged in order to look injured.

I wonder if there will be any dessert with lunch. Cake maybe?

The King of R&B, R. Kelly, brings “The Buffet Tour” to FedExForum tonight at 8. He promises a full band, dancers, and songs he has never performed in public before.

It’s St. Practice Day! On the 17th of every month, The Brass Door throws a party to practice for the big event, St. Patrick’s Day, on March 17. I’m sure the September party will be a good time. Perhaps I will swing by since one of my favorites is now working there.

I totally agree with sports writer/radio host Gary Parrish on this point: The NCAA has a chance to make a statement. The college sports sanctioning body recently punished the state of North Carolina by taking away NCAA tournament games to be held in the state. The punishment came because of the incredibly stupid transgender bathroom law the state legislature passed. Parrish wrote, give the games to South Carolina! Last year that state stepped out of the 19th century and into the 21st by taking down the Confederate flag flying over the state capitol. Why not reward South Carolina for doing the right thing? Also, fans who bought tickets because the North Carolina tournament location was within driving distance would also be within driving distance of Columbia.

Beale between Riverside and Wagner will be closed 7 AM Wednesday through Thursday afternoon to allow CN Railroad to make repairs on its overpass. If you need to get to Riverside, use Union as an alternate.

High Ground News has a good article on Freewheel, the slow-ride bike tours through the Medical Center District that build community and introduce people to new areas. Rides are about an hour long and you can borrow one of their bikes if you don’t have one. The rides are come-as-you-are and there is no pressure to keep up with the pack. Future rides will be held on September 21, October 5 and 19, and November 2. I’m booked up this coming Wednesday but perhaps I will air up the bike tires (my friend Bicycle Bobby always gets on me about under-inflated tires) and join them for one of the October rides.

The Church Health Center is introducing doctors to the concept of culinary medicine. I have known about this for years. Once a few years ago I caught a cold, and there was nothing to eat in the house. So I ordered Bardog’s sliders for delivery, of course adding bacon. In less than five days my cold was gone. Thank you, bacon!

I wonder if I could have used a tax-free medical savings account to pay for those sliders?

Marc Gasol has been medically cleared for training camp. Great news about the big fella!

Job fair happening October 7. FedEx, Waffle House, Durham, Regions, and Medtronic are among the companies. I think I may sneak out for a few hours that day and put in a Waffle House application. Just gotta add smothering, covering, chunking, dicing, peppering, capping and topping to my resume. I should update my LinkedIn profile with those skills too.

Arkansas plays a cupcake today (Texas State) so I probably will not wander south to Max’s Sports Bar. However, with the conference schedule kicking in, this is probably the last Saturday I will not be spending considerable time at Max’s. Better put an extra keg in the cooler, PBjaRni!

Y’all who are going to Cooper-Young Fest, enjoy and try to stay dry. I will hold down the fort at the usual Downtown places, leading off at Bardog with my “DAWG” John D at 11. Go Tigers, go whoever is playing Tennessee, go Hogs.

Anyone want to adopt a dog? No-kill shelter Sunny Meadows Safe Haven for Pets at 4066 Getwell is closing its doors after 15 years of operation. If you can adopt one of their remaining fur babies, or if you can volunteer to help with adoptions tomorrow, it would be much appreciated.

In other dog-related news: Donald Trump wants that mean ol’ FDA to stop regulating poisoned dog food. What’s a little listeria and salmonella when there are profits to be made? Get ready to explain to your 6-year-old little boy that his best friend went to Heaven so Purina could squeeze out an extra 0.5% profit margin.

Two events are coming up at the High Cotton brewery taproom… and the first one is tonight. It’s their one year anniversary of Friday night trivia and they are having a big party. There will be cool prizes given away and more raffled off (I hear one of the prizes is a small keg of beer). Trivia is free to play, and open to all ages. Top three winners of trivia win prizes as well as High Cotton swag, beer and more. Hot Mess Burritos will be parked outside for those who get hungry.

On Thursday, September 29, United Housing will celebrate its 22nd birthday at the High Cotton taproom. UH has helped more than 4000 homebuyers with homebuyer education, foreclosure mitigation, and lending. FREE BEER ALERT: The party starts at 5 and the first 120 pints are on UH. After that pints are $3.50. A Southern Delight Food Truck will be parked outside. A short program will happen at 6, with Executive Director Tim Bolding and Board Chair Laura Harris giving short speeches. Come on out and learn about a nonprofit that has been helping people buy homes for over two decades. Sounds like there will be a lot to celebrate September 29!

The Grizzlies have announced their upcoming Round Town Tour. The tour is for everyone but if you’re an MVP season ticket holder you have some perks – a hospitality booth at Cooper-Young Fest this Saturday, and a recognition at the Mid-South Corn Maze, this year featuring the likeness of Mike Conley. They’re changing the annual Open Practice to a Blue/White Scrimmage on October 1.

John Paul Keith plays Loflin Yard tonight at 7.

Looks like rain may douse Cooper-Young Fest and Tigers-Kansas tomorrow. I hate that for those who plan on attending, but I just have to say this… IT BETTER NOT RAIN NEXT WEEKEND! I’ve already spent fifty bucks on tickets to outdoor festivals! I wonder if it’s possible to buy outdoor festival ticket insurance? Hmmm Start Co. there’s an idea for you…

Speaking of tomorrow’s game, the Tigers will celebrate the Memphis State era. The team will wear throwbacks, and the first 10,000 fans get a free Memphis State University cap.

I saw a great post on Facebook about the doormat of the SEC… it was a doormat with a big orange T on it. Love it!

Also seen on Facebook today? “What’s the difference between Joe Paterno and Harambe?

… Harambe tried to save the kid”

Ladies… Feathers spa in the Peabody is running a September special. Book a mini-facial and they will give you a Peabody manicure and pedicure for half-price.

Long week is almost over. Not sure where I will be after work, possibly down in South Main.

 

Throwback Thursday: September 14, 2013: Max’s Sports Bar as I see it

There is going to be a Day of the Dead Fiesta Friday, October 28 at the Cadre Building. It will be a celebration of life, culture and tradition with partners including Ballet Memphis, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Caza Teatro, Aztec, dancers, Colombian singer Marcela Pinilla and her band, Dominican DJ Giovannia Rodriquez, and more. There is way too much happening at this event to list it all here; click through to the Facebook event page to learn more. The event is 21 and up and this is not a Halloween party, so no Halloween costumes please.

Wouldn’t you have to be “that one guy” who didn’t get the memo and came to Day of the Dead dressed as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?

You’re the apple of our eye is the theme at the Memphis Farmers Market this Saturday. Apples are in season, and you’ll find many varieties of the fruit at the Market. Bring the kids to the craft table from 8 to 11:30, where they will learn about Johnny Appleseed and all that the apple tree has to offer. Live music by Ronnie Caldwell 8:30-10 and Melinda Milligan 11-12:30. The Market is at the corner of Front and G.E. Patterson under the pavilion every Saturday from 7 AM to 1 PM.

One more reminder that YOU should come to Farm Fest, the Farmers Market’s annual fall party, at Loflin Yard on Sunday, September 25. Live music by Star & Micey, great food by vendors and local restaurants, beers, wines, silent and live auctions. I WILL BE THERE spreading a little sunshine! Oh and by the way I HAVE MONDAY OFF so “maybe I shouldn’t have that one more beer so I will be fresh for work tomorrow” will not be a thought going through my mind!

(Special note to my Moody Ques/Squeal Street/etc. friends: If you plan to go to Farm Fest but haven’t bought your tickets yet, buy them from Frank)

Inside tip from Michael Donahue of the CA: The Rendezvous gives away red beans with rice with sausage for free when you purchase lunch Friday or Saturday. Also, I don’t know if I have any people who read this blog every day who are vegetarians, but if I do, they will give you vegetarian red beans and rice instead of the sausage version upon request at those times.

If you want to watch some quality college football, there’s a game tonight with big implications for the American Athletic Conference: #6 Houston vs. Cincinnati. It will be on ESPN at 6:30. I’m really not sure who to root for here. On one hand, I would like Cincy to prove Houston is beatable, so Memphis can beat them down the road. On the other hand, it would be kind of cool if Houston became the first Group of Five team ever invited to the College Football Playoff.

There may be some of you who are reading my blog from other cities, considering moving here. If you are, Thrillist has a guide that will help you pick a neighborhood to live in Memphis. Yes, the rent prices are a little higher Downtown, but let me make an argument for my part of the city: There is no place I have ever been where it is so easy to meet people and make friends, and everything you need is in walking distance or at most trolley bus distance.

Drafts and Laughs returns to the Memphis Made taproom Thursday, September 22. The Comma Comedians will perform. 7:30 showtime.

I’ve learned a couple of things about the $20 ticket to the Triple-A National Championship Game that includes a whole hog buffet: 1) The whole hog will be prepared by Victory Lane BBQ, one of the most successful BBQ Fest teams ever; and 2) the ticket now includes complimentary beer. Can’t get much better than that… buy tickets here. (Several other promo packages on that page as well… scroll down to near the bottom for the ticket that includes whole hog)

Tori Tollison will perform at The Dirty Crow Inn Saturday from 9 to midnight.

I went home early last night, about 8:30. I thought to myself, “Hey, it’s still early enough to get a to-go order at the Majestic Grille!” I got the Majestic Burger, cooked medium with Swiss cheese and parmesan fries on the side. Folks, if you tend to pick only from the entrees at the Majestic, you are missing out on one of the best burgers Downtown. This is a case where the flavor of the bun really adds a lot to the burger.

Oh, the irony: Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl is hosting a BBQ cookout for the Auburn soccer team. For those who don’t know, Pearl was given a three-year show-cause penalty by the NCAA for lying about recruits being at a BBQ he hosted at his home.

The public is invited to the South Main Artspace Lofts groundbreaking on Thursday, September 29.

The Trumpster recently went on The Dr. Oz Show to discuss his health and fitness physically to be president. From Mashable: Five controversies that will make you roll your eyes at Dr. Oz. I would give my opinion of Oz but it’s nothing any duck couldn’t say better.

Whew… long one today! I plan on being out at the Silly Goose for happy hour later today.

Part of the reason I write this blog is to make sure new Downtowners, and new Memphians, know about everything that is going on. Although it is not a Downtown event, I would be remiss if I did not mention that the annual Cooper-Young Festival happens Saturday in the southeast part of Midtown. This is a giant festival, stretching for half a mile down Cooper and two blocks down Young. This event is expected to draw over 130,000 people, with 435 booths up and down the streets. Booths include vendors selling arts and crafts as well as organizations handing out information. There is live music on multiple stages. There are food vendors and of course beer vendors as well.

Should you go? If you have never seen it, absolutely. It is quite the spectacle. If you don’t like any of the food vendors, there are many restaurants in the area offering indoor dining, and in some cases patio dining giving you a great view of the festival. Celtic Crossing in particular always does it up big for Cooper-Young. The neighborhood is among the most progressive/liberal in the city, so there’s plenty of opportunity to find out how to get involved with groups that address environmental, animal rights and LGBT issues. The people-watching is phenomenal. You’ll see some of the best tattoos ever.

As for me personally, though, I doubt I will attend this year. The festival has just gotten TOO big, too crowded, too many strollers. My friends and I went last year and lasted less than an hour before we were ready to leave. However, for people who feel the same way I do about Cooper-Young Fest, I have an insider tip for you, a hidden gem – Cooper-YORK Fest.

This is a festival on the corner of Cooper and York, just past Cooper-Young Fest’s northern boundary, on the parking lot of Memphis Made Brewing Co. Throughout the day there will be performances by DEVIL TRAIN, The Velvet Dogs, New Ballet Ensemble and School, and The Tinglers. Memphis Made will have its usual craft brews on sale, plus they will have some special limited-edition beers brewed just for this event. Two of Memphis’ best food trucks, El Mero Taco and Sushi Jimmi, will be on hand all day. If you are looking for an outdoor festival with a more intimate feel than Cooper-Young, this might be the party for you.

In other news, the Hospitality HUB is starting a jobs program for area panhandlers and homeless. Every Tuesday and Thursday, a van will pick up homeless and panhandlers in Downtown and Midtown and take them to locations where they will perform 5 hours of work at $9 an hour pay. They will work with the Public Works program to clean up blight. The homeless/panhandlers will also receive lunch. The program is patterned after one in New Mexico. This is a great program for those who got a bit down on their luck and genuinely want to be working, contributing members of society on their way to a better place in life. The bums on the corner who just want to beg for money for their next liquor bottle (if you live down here, you know the people I am talking about) probably won’t be applying to be part of this work program. If you want to donate to sustain this program, you can do so here.

The monthly Downtown safety meeting has been scheduled for 6:00-7:30 PM in the High Point Ballroom at 330 North Main. Come share your safety concerns and get information you can use.

Cerrito Trivia is bringing the Match Game to the Rec Room September 20. It will be based on the popular TV show. RSVP/reserve tickets (free) here.

That’s it for now… getting a haircut after work then will be out at Silly Goose for happy hour.