COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!

Looks like I’ll be heading to the Red Rooster tonight to see Snozberry.  Show starts at 9 PM I believe.  Haven’t been to the Rooster in a few weeks and am looking forward to hearing the band there.  Friends, cute girls in tube tops, BFFs, BFF wannabes, and whoever else are welcome to meet up.

I’ll have a Molson, eh?

Updated information on the discounts for Canada Day at Big Foot Lodge, Sunday June 29 (that’s a week from this Sunday – this Sunday is Pub Olympics at Hoop’s Bar and Crawfish Boil at Calhoun’s):

  • $3 34 oz. Big Foot Molson Canadian drafts
  • $3 Forty Creek Canadian Whisky
  • Canadian Burger, Poutine, and Nainamo Bar, $12.99.  I added up the prices and this combo would normally be $18.97 a la carte.  It’s enough food for two people to eat unless you’re really, really hungry.  Poutine is a unique canadian dish, a Big Foot-sized portion of French fries and Canadian cheeses smothered in gravy.  The Nainamo bar is an extremely rich chocolate bar.  All of it is really good.

$3 for beer huh?  Wonder if former BFF Meghan had a hand in that decision, so I can’t go get a stack of $3 bills to pay her.  That’s fine, I have several Kennedy half-dollar coins lying around the house… two of those plus a $2 bill equals a Molson.  Let’s see how she manages her register drawer when I shove that in front of her.

In other news:  I sent TubeTopalooza Evites to my co-host Suzy and Kacy’s guest lists yesterday.  One clarification to invitees, because this came up yesterday:  Of course you’re welcome to bring your boyfriend/husband/signficant other, if you have one.  We only put “Gentlemen by invitation only” on the Evite so people wouldn’t bring entourages of 5 extra guys none of us know.  We’re just trying to keep a fairly accurate head count so I can plan how much liquor to buy and Air Traffic Mike can plan food.  And, we’re trying to make sure we keep it to guests who know how to behave at a party (so I don’t have to pay for damage to the rooftop) and we’re trying to ensure that the male-female ratio doesn’t resemble the Flying Saucer on a weekend night.

Took the night off last night, except for a few beers at the Saucer with Air Traffic while we planned food for the tube top party.  I have to take the car in at the ungodly hour of 7:30 AM, so I knew I needed to turn in early and get some sleep.  I’ll be out tonight, not sure where.

Later today – I’ll share my thoughts on Barack Obama rejecting public funding for his bid for the White House.  Also, maybe I’ll post the rumors I’ve heard about BBQ Fest since no one at MIM is talking.

More on cars possibly returning to the Main Street Mall

The CA reported today on 4 different plans to open the Main Street Mall back up to vehicular traffic.  Cost would range from $50,000 to $9 million, depending on plan.

Up until this point I was in favor of opening the mall back up to cars.  I thought (and still do think) it would stimulate retail growth and foot traffic in the area… eventually it would lead to the opening of more restaurants and more boutique-type stores (some of which would hopefully sell tube tops).  I don’t think it would make panhandling worse on Main, especially with the new security patrol in place (assuming it continues past the end of the trial period on June 30).

However, after reading the article’s comments I see a major concern.  On the weekends, what’s going to stop the cruisers from taking over Main Street the way they have taken over Second, Union, etc.?  At times it’s nearly impossible to navigate Second on Friday and Saturday nights, due to the number of teenagers out cruising with their stereos turned up all the way.  I can easily see the cruisers deciding to make Main and Second from, say, Poplar to Peabody Place their main loop.  That would clog up traffic (cruisers + trolley… just imagine) and ruin the quality of life for people who live on Main.  I used to live on Union, in an apartment at Fourth which was right on the main cruising drag, and it was near impossible to get to sleep before 3 in the morning due to the noise.

So, here’s my take on it… I’d be in favor of re-opening Main to vehicle traffic, if the former pedestrian mall portion is closed to traffic from 9 PM to 5 AM Fridays, Saturdays, and major party holidays like Halloween and New Year’s Eve.

Just my 2 cents worth.  Oh, also, I favor the $50,000 plan.  Try that one, and if it doesn’t work, go back and revisit the more expensive plans.

Here comes the judge! Plus: party planning pic, another wine tasting, new time for Downtowners for Obama meetup

Exciting news this morning… I’ve been asked to be a judge for this Sunday’s Pub Olympics at Hoop’s Bar.  I’m not sure what being a judge entails, but I’m happy to do it, especially since the words “we will provide beer” were part of their request.  They told me to be there at 1 PM Sunday, which is when the festivities kick off.  More info about Pub Olympics on the Hoop and Tony Show blog.

Last night, I went to the Saucer where I met up with my BFF Suzy, wonderful party planner Kacy, and some other girl to plan the details of TubeTopalooza, the event that will wrap up Tube Top Month at the end of the month.  Here’s a pic of the planning session:

Note that Suzy and Kacy have tube tops on.  They were picking out colors for the Evite when this pic was taken.  They wanted a pink background, but as a co-host I shot that idea down immediately.

Another wine tasting to tell you about:  Joe’s Liquors is doing a tasting at The Vine, 1819 Madison, on Thursday, June 26, 6:30-8:30 PM.  $35 per person.  Joe’s will be pouring a selection of wines from around the world, with each station pouring wines from a different region such as California, Washington, Australia, etc.  The Vine is the building next to Neil’s that used to be Red Square years ago.  Stop by Joe’s at 1681 Poplar or call 901-725-4252 for tickets.

The time for the Downtowners for Obama meetup at the Majestic Grille on Saturday, June 28 has been moved to 3 PM.  The reason for the time change is that so many people have been signing up to attend that the meetup is going to take over a significant portion of the restaurant.  By doing it at 3 there will be plenty of room for everyone to spread out and be comfortable and get done before the Majestic’s dinner crowd shows up.  If you want to attend the Downtowners for Obama meetup, you can find details here.

May do the Peabody rooftop tonight, since I now have free passes.  Not sure though.  They’re promoting the parties as networking events, and this week’s networking theme is “Ole Miss alumni and students.”  Longtime readers of this blog know that I’m not an Ole Miss fan.  I may sit in the lobby and sip on a drink at the bar and see who comes in.  If I feel like going upstairs, I will.  If not, there’s always the Rooster or whatever else is down the street.

The “what’s going on Thursday night” post

I’ll go ahead and get the weekly Thursday night party list out of the way a day early this week:

  • Gabby Johnson on the Peabody rooftop, 6-10 PM, $5 cover, ladies free til 8.
  • Billy Gibson Band on the Madison rooftop, 5:30-10:30 PM
  • Rooftop party on the roof of the River Inn of Harbor Town, 6:30 PM.  Also, Ladies’ Night downstairs in Tug’s casual bar & grill with half-price drinks for ladies.
  • Not sure who is at EP Delta Kitchen because their web server has exceeded its bandwidth, but it’s probably the Q107.5 patio party with Garry Goin and G3, 9:30 on.
  • KIX 106 Country on Beale with Jason Michael Carroll and Jypsi at Handy Park, 7 PM.  Free, all ages.  I’m not much into country music, but even I have to admit, this is a great place to see tube tops.
  • Swelter at the Flying Saucer, 9:30 PM, $3 cover.
  • Afterglow at the Red Rooster, ladies free all night, trip giveaways and stuff.
  • Eric Hughes Blues Band at Ground Zero
  • ’80s for the Ladies Night at Hollywood Disco (Raiford’s).  No cover for ladies, mixed drinks available.
  • Poser Night at Club Lame… I mean, Ladies’ Night at Club Atlas
  • Trivia night at TJ Mulligan’s Pinch, 8 PM

Wed update: Yet another wine dinner (ostrich!), pole dancing, no one’s buying condos, crawfish, Canadian beer, electoral map

Today I learned what happens when you drive your car an average of once a month for a year… it fails inspection. The guy said I needed an oil change. Might as well get the A/C fixed while I’m at it, so I guess I’ll be making an appointment with the dealership this afternoon.

Another wine dinner to come Downtown… Currents, the fine dining restaurant at the River Inn of Harbor Town, will host a wine dinner on Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30 PM. The special dinner, featuring wines from Napa Valley, is $68 per person plus tax/gratuity. Four-course menu below:

Amuse Bouche

First Course
Seared Scallops with Asparagus, Morels and Ramps, Grapefruit Beurre Blanc

Second Course
Pan Seared Scottish Salmon, Steamed Little Neck Clams, Roasted Corn, Chorizo

Third Course
Corriander-Chili Rubbed Ostrich Loin, Celery Root-Parsnip Puree, Chanterelles, Veal Reduction, Cilantro Gremolata

Fourth Course
Cool Caramel Mousse with Cinnamon Cake, Orange Tuile

Address/phone is 50 Harbor Town Square, 901-260-3333. Ostrich loin! That’s something you don’t see every day on menus.

Got more information on the pole dancing game that is rumored to be coming out for the Wii. It will be made by Peekaboo, a company that already makes a Carmen Electra pole dancing exercise kit and DVD. However, this blog suggests that the game may be made for the Xbox rather than the Wii. Originally thought to be an April Fools’ joke, the product has been confirmed several times.

Downtown condo sales went completely down the crapper in May. According to this Memphis Business Journal article, only 8 condos were sold Downtown during the month of May, compared to 25 in May 2007 and 52 in May 2006. At the South Main Association meeting, we were told that there are 1800 condos under construction here. At May’s rate it would take almost 19 years to sell all of them… wow. Bet we see some conversions to rentals, which is a good thing because rentals are needed Downtown, especially in areas other than Mud Island.

Calhoun’s Sports Bar on GE Patterson is doing another crawfish boil at 4 PM this Sunday, June 29. I had a lot of fun at the last one. Not sure I’ll make it to this one though, since it’s a conflict with Pub Olympics at Hoop’s Bar. Either event is a winner though. Calhoun’s back patio is a great place to chill out in a tube top on a hot summer day.

I learned that Big Foot’s Canada Day celebration on Sunday, June 29 will include $2 Canadian beers. Looks like I’ll have to go back to the bank and get some more $2 bills for former BFF Meghan.

RealClearPolitics shows that the electoral map is shifting in Barack Obama’s favor… they now project the race at 258 solid or leaning Obama, 190 solid or leaning McCain, and 90 toss-ups. That means Obama would only need to win 12 of the toss-up electoral votes to become president. Recent shifts show Ohio moving from toss-up to leaning Obama, and Virginia moving from leaning McCain to toss-up. If there were no toss-up states, RCP projects Obama winning 285 to 253. Glad to see that… I had previously said I could live with either as president, but this New York Times article reveals that McCain is a lot closer to Bush than I thought on many issues, and even more conservative on some. I really don’t want him in the White House. Don’t forget, there’s a Downtowners for Obama meeting Saturday, June 28. If you’re interested please follow the link and sign up. They’ve had something like 34 responses already, so it looks like there’s a lot of support for the Democratic nominee down here.

All right… back to work. I’ll be at the Saucer laptopping from about 5 PM on. Tire Bite is the Fire Sale.

We missed out on good times in Boston last night

Wish I had known about this sooner… Boston Magazine’s website listed an event in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, called the Beacon Hill Beach Party, that took place last night.  If I had heard about this a week ago, I would’ve bought a plane ticket.  Why?  Because one of the featured drinks on the menu was the Tube Top Martini.  Don’t know what’s in it, but it sounds like the best drink ever!

I got on iDrink.com and searched for the martini… couldn’t find it, but I did find a recipe for a Tube Top Shot.  Here are the ingredients:

  • 1 oz. Grenandine
  • 1/2 oz. Orange juice
  • 2 oz. Peach Schnapps
  • 2 oz. Vodka

Have a chilled low ball glass and add peach schnapps, vodka, oj, and grenandine.  Take in one shot!

Attn Kacy and BFF Suzy:  Maybe we should come up with a Tube Top drink of some sort when we have our planning session for TubeTopalooza tonight.

Drunk post: Obama gear, pole dancing, and a BFF of the Month candidate takes a commanding lead

Just got home from the Saucer.  The Rapscallions took a much-needed first place at trivia, bringing our gift certificate stash to $210.  Then I pulled out my laptop, which I brought with me, and worked on my next online store for 3 hours while listening to Leo Lazarus and a very entertaining guest singer.  The next online store is not the one I thought would be done first, which will have widespread appeal to this blog’s demographic.  However, it is an appropriate store to open around this time of year.  It’ll be up by the end of the week.

One of the waitresses at the Saucer saw my “Obama for President” sign on my blog.  She said she’s for Obama too, and wanted to know where she could get a “my daughter’s for Obama” shirt.  I surfed the web and couldn’t find one, but I had a backup plan… my friends Pete and Josh who run a screen printing business in the basement of Winfield’s (Madison at Main).  They can put most anything on a shirt.  So I gave her their number.  If you need custom Obama gear made, stop by Winfield’s (open Mon-Sat 11ish to 7) and ask for them.  They do other custom printing too, not just political stuff.

I bet they could even do an Obama tube top if you brought them one.  You can buy solid-colored tube tops here, and then take them into Winfield’s for customizing.  A friend of mine is doing an Obama meetup 3 hours before my TubeTopalooza party later this month.  One outfit, two events.

The same friend bought a Wii video game console tonight.  He told me he’s heard there’s a pole dancing game coming out for the Wii.  Is that true?  If so, I know what the next online store I build will be selling.  Plus I’ll buy a Wii myself and start inviting “friends” over to play video games.

On the way home, I ran into BFF of the Month candidate Melissa, working one of her two jobs out on a restaurant patio.  “Where did you go last night?” she asked.  “I went home and put on a tube top just for you.  But you were gone when I came back.  I had it on and got tipped $5 at the Saucer, and I don’t even work there!”

“I didn’t know you were coming back,” I replied.  “I drank 4 Flying Mooses from 6 to 7, and then three 34 oz. beers.  By 11:30 I was done.  But, if I had known you were coming back in a tube top, I would’ve stayed out until 6 AM to see it!”

Then Melissa had a brilliant idea.  “Maybe I should start carrying a spare tube top around in my purse.  That way, when I see you, I can run into the bathroom and change into it.”  That, my friends, is the voice of pure genius right there.  She earned herself massive bonus points in her quest to become BFF of the Month for July.  “And I wasn’t even trying!” she said.  That’s the best part of it all.  The best BFFs naturally know how to be great BFFs.  They don’t have to try.  Meanwhile her competition is going around naming their cats after bums.  It reminds me of when Memphis was leading Michigan State 50-20 at halftime in the NCAA playoffs.  It may not be over, but it’s going to take a superhuman effort for any of the other candidates to come out a winner.

I haven’t heard anything from Memphis in May people about the rumors about BBQ Fest.  However, I did hear from several people who heard the same thing I did, and sent me “Is this what you heard?” e-mails.  I’ll give MIM until Thursday morning to tell me what’s going on, otherwise I’m going to post what I heard.

Guess I’ll go to bed now.  Tomorrow I get to take the car in to get inspected and sit in a long line during my lunch hour.  Did I mention that I never bothered to get the A/C fixed?  Yeah tomorrow is really going to suck.

Photo album: Closing night at McGuinness

The photo album of the last night at Dan McGuinness Pub is up.  80 pictures taken Saturday night between 8:30 and 1:30.  Most were taken by Mikey the Camera Nazi.  I accidentally deleted 29 more, but most of those were ones I took Friday night and were really not that good.  I only lost two or three of the Saturday ones.  Here’s a link to the album. I’m only going to bother to post the tube top pics on the blog itself, as I have important things to do tonight, like go to the Saucer and drink beer.

Here’s a pic of Ryan and Harmony.  Harmony has a tube top on.

And here’s Meredith, with her second tube dress appearance on the blog in the same day.

BFF update:  BFF of the Month candidate Stephanie sent me pictures of her cat.  It’s a cute cat but there’s a problem… the cat’s name is June Bug.  June Bug is also the nickname of one of Downtown’s most visible panhandlers, the one who crossed the street and cussed me out Friday night as a matter of fact.  Naming your cat after a bum is not the best way to improve your BFF of the Month chances.

Time to go drink beer.  Killian’s is the Fire Sale, which Air Traffic Mike compared to turning on an episode of the Three Stooges, and hoping for a Curly episode and getting a Shemp instead.  If that’s the case then Turbo Dog would be a Joe.

Rumors I heard last night

These are rumors I heard last night… none of them are confirmed, mind you…

– Ruth’s Chris steakhouse is actively seeking a Downtown location. Wow, there are already a number of places to get a good steak down here – Majestic Grille, Capriccio, Butcher Shop, Texas de Brazil – but I guess they feel there’s room for one more.

– The Melos Taverna building on Madison, across from the Midtown Blue Monkey, is a possible relocation spot for Dan McGuinness Pub, which closed its Peabody Place location last weekend. Hmmm… with two bars nearby that have loyal crowds (the Monkey and Boscos) and another Irish pub less than a mile away (Celtic Crossing), I wonder if McGuinness would work in that location. Just because you own the building doesn’t mean your restaurant concept will work there (and I’m very tempted to cite a Downtown example, but I’ll refrain). I wish them the best of luck though. And I’ve also heard that a spot in the South Main area is a possibility, which would be a much better fit and is their only shot at retaining most of their former regulars.

– I’ve heard Itta Bena is trying to get finished up by 10 every night and not have a late night crowd. WHY? You have people sitting at the bar wanting to spend money… why would you want to close early? It took them months to build up a loyal Downtown crowd that hangs out there until 1, sometime 2 on the weekends, and now they’re going to turn that crowd away? Doesn’t make any sense.

– BBQ Fest. Rumors have been FLYING that the event is going to be re-configured next year. I know the Memphis in May people read this blog… what’s really going on?  Shoot me an e-mail and let me know.  Otherwise I’ll post the rumors that I’ve heard.