{"id":10449,"date":"2011-08-12T12:56:34","date_gmt":"2011-08-12T17:56:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.paulryburn.com\/blog\/?p=10449"},"modified":"2011-08-12T12:56:34","modified_gmt":"2011-08-12T17:56:34","slug":"fri-update-swankys-historical-marker-map-downtown-museum-day-bass-pro-city-market-elvis-tribute-artist-finals-nfl-deals-at-kooky-kayak-giveaway-and-stumbling-elvis-pub-crawl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.paulryburn.com\/blog\/2011\/08\/12\/fri-update-swankys-historical-marker-map-downtown-museum-day-bass-pro-city-market-elvis-tribute-artist-finals-nfl-deals-at-kooky-kayak-giveaway-and-stumbling-elvis-pub-crawl\/","title":{"rendered":"Fri update: Swanky’s, historical marker map, Downtown museum day, Bass Pro, City Market, Elvis tribute artist finals, NFL deals at Kooky, kayak giveaway and Stumbling Elvis pub crawl"},"content":{"rendered":"

There was a big presentation yesterday at One Commerce Square about improvements in the works for that building. Memphis Daily News has coverage in this article<\/a>. The article notes that Swanky’s Taco Shop catered yesterday’s event, as well as an earlier dinner featuring the mayor. Swanky’s owner was asked about the rumor, which I reported in this blog on Tuesday, that they are taking over the space formerly occupied by McAlister’s Deli in the building. However, he didn’t want to “speak out of school” about it.<\/p>\n

So I guess they haven’t signed the paperwork, but I’ve now heard from two sources who I consider pretty reliable that it’s all but a done deal. I’ve been wrong before on these rumors – I was wrong about Maria’s Cantina coming downtown last year – but I’m hearing the scoop on Swanky’s from much more credible sources.<\/p>\n

The Memphis Redbirds now have a smartphone app. It’s available in the application store for both the iPhone and the Droid. (By the way, I’m in violation of AP Stylebook guidelines for not making it two words – “smart phone.” I need to order a copy of the AP Stylebook. It would be a good thing to have around, in case I run out of toilet paper.)<\/p>\n

This is really cool: A tour of all the historical plaques in the Downtown core<\/a> via Google Maps.<\/p>\n

Eleven Downtown museums will offer free or half-price admission September 10. Details are available in this PDF<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Good to read reports of progress happening in Downtown Memphis… in addition to the One Commerce Square improvements, it was announced this week that construction that will turn the Pyramid into a Bass Pro Shop will begin October 11<\/a>, with an opening date of August 2013. Thank goodness this project is finally happening – that’s great news for the Pinch District. Also, a permit has been filed for the next phase of the Beale Street Landing project<\/a>. So exciting to see these things moving forward, after years of lying stagnant.<\/p>\n

Nice review of City Market’s food<\/a> on the Commercial Appeal website today.<\/p>\n

The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist finals are tonight at the Orpheum at 7 PM. The top 10 tribute artists will perform on stage. Tickets are $51.50. More info here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Kooky Canuck has announced some special deals for Monday\/Thursday night NFL games: $3.00 34 oz. super cold Bud Light draft, and 20 wings for $11.99. Wings come with fries, celery and carrots. Since last season they’ve upgraded to 7 flat-screen TVs, all in HD. They will have the NFL Network with Redzone<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Two big events at the Flying Saucer this weekend: First of all, the drawing for the kayak that has been hanging from the ceiling happens tonight at 8. If you want to win, just go by there before 8 and drink a Yuengling to get an entry slip.<\/p>\n

Tomorrow night is the Stumbling Elvis pub crawl. A large group of Elvii will meet at the Saucer at 6:30, then stumble through the Peabody lobby, to various bars on Beale, then back to the Saucer. It’s a fundraiser for the Food Bank, so stop by the grocery store on the way there and pick up some canned goods (or, alternately, you can make a cash donation). If you don’t have time to go buy\/rent an Elvis outfit, at least stop by the Blues City General Store on Beale and pick up some Elvis glasses, or a wig or a scarf or something. No one wants to be “that guy” who doesn’t dress up, doesn’t bring a donation, yet comes along on the pub crawl anyway and gets in everyone’s way.<\/p>\n

This is the first year I’m going to miss the pub crawl… a friend’s birthday party got rescheduled for the same night. The party doesn’t start until 8:30 though, so I’ll stop by the Saucer to take pics of the Elvii and drop off some canned goods. As for tonight, not sure but I’ll be out. Time to go munch a 99 cent Nachos Supreme at Taco Bell, then wrap up the last few hours of the week in the cubicle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"