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Friday, February 26, 2010

New McGuiness, Van Pelt, Stern Beauty Pageant.

Dan McGuiness has opened a new location in Southaven. Not sure how big of a space they have, but it would be nice to see Aqua Net playing there.

ESPN's Scott Van Pelt was recently a victim of Captain Jenks on a live broadcast of SportsCenter. Jenks, who is a somewhat a regular on Howard Stern's satellite radio program, convinced ESPN screeners/producers that he was NFL running back Brian Westbrook. Van Pelt's reaction was priceless.



This is still the best Van Pelt clip of all-time.



Speaking of Stern, soon after the Tiger Woods downfall story broke, Stern announced that he wanted to have a beauty pageant featuring Tiger's mistresses. On March 10, Stern will air the Tiger Woods Mistress Beauty Pageant available only on Sirius/XM. Four of the 13 known Woods mistresses will compete in several categories for a $100,000 prize. There is no doubt that this will be one of the most listened to satellite radio programs ever produced. Another great move by Stern to sell more subscriptions.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Crawfish Festivals, Grizzlies Roster Moves

Two of the more popular spring festivals in Memphis are just around the corner and they both involve mudbugs. The 15th Annual Overton Square Crawfish Festival will on Saturday, April 10 at Bayou Bar & Grill on Madison. The Overton festival is a great tune up for Downtown's Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival the following weekend on Sunday, April 18. Both events have sub par crawfish (have to be honest), but they are made better by live music, beer, great weather and large crowds.

The Memphis Grizzlies are sending Lester Hudson and Hasheem Thabeet the the NBA Development League effective immediately. Hudson, a Memphis native, was recently acquired as a free agent after being released by the Boston Celtics. Thabeet , the second overall pick in the NBA draft by Grizzlies, had recently been demoted to third string. Is it too soon to call Thabeet a bust?

Mascot Change In Oxford?, New Cooper Young Eateries, Tigers In Trouble

Students at Ole Miss voted to start searching for a new mascot to replace Colonel Reb. Even though the mascot was retired a couple of years ago, the overall thought is that Colonel Reb brings back thoughts of the Old South, slavery, etc. Does anyone really think that a simple mascot change will make these thoughts go away? No. Once a new creepy costumed figure is roaming the sidelines, a new focus will be given to the other parts of the university are deemed offensive.

Those looking to erase history will aim there sites at the use of Rebels and Ole Miss. Rebels, the common nickname for Confederate soldiers, will be an easy one to eliminate. With the new mascot, why keep the Rebel name? And you have to drop "Ole Miss" to prevent people from thinking of the old days in Mississippi. What's next? Dropping Mississippi?

Keeping on the mascot change in O'town, TMZ has some inside scoop on a potential mascot candidate. At least Ackbar shares a resemblance to one of Mississippi's favorite foods...catfish.


And let's not forget the original Colonel Reb replacements proposed just a few years back. Would love to meet the marketing geniuses that came up with juiced up Bruiser and skin head Rowdy. 



Changing subjects, a couple of new restaurants will be opening soon in the Cooper-Young area. The owner of Grace will be Au Fond Farmtable in the space adjacent to Grace. Au Fond will be a breakfast and lunch concept with a relaxed atmosphere, will reasonably priced plates and specialty products available for purchase. The other new spot will be Sweet Grass, located  in the old Squared Foods building.  Sweet Grass will be a low-country Carolina inspired concept.


After an embarrassing loss at Houston last night, the Memphis Tigers streak of NCAA tournament appearances is in jeopardy. The only realistic way for the Tigers to get there now will be to make it to the finals of the Conference USA tournament. If not, Memphis will be in the NIT.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Grizzlies Trade For Brewer - Lose Him For 3 Weeks, Gay Considering Nets?, Hockey

The Memphis Grizzlies pulled the trigger just before the trade deadline and acquired guard Ronnie Brewer from the Utah Jazz for protected 2011 first-round draft pick. And now the evil twist, Brewer tore his hamstring in his first game with the Grizzlies. He will be sidelined for at least three weeks.

In an interview with the Bergen Record, Rudy Gay let it be known that the Nets horrible 5-51 record is not important when considering big free agent contracts. "The record doesn't mean much when you're dealing with a team," Gay said. "You're thinking about yourself and how you can contribute, and that's what other teams think." Most players want to compete for a championship, Gay just wants the cash. Luckily for Gay, the Nets have a large bank roll for free agents next season.

What the h-e-double hockey sticks was NBC thinking last night? The USA-Canada hockey game was of one the more anticipated events of the Winter Olympics and NBC opted to show ice dancing? Men in loin clothes, French couples dancing to country tunes or airing USA hockey's first win over Canada since 1960? Seems like an easy choice to most, but not to the suits at NBC sports. On a positive note, MSNBC probably had their highest rating for any broadcast in the history of the cable network for the 5-3 USA victory.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Memphis At Mardi Gras, Side Street Fire, More Awards For Iris, Trade Deadline

Memphis high school bands represented the city well during several Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. Kirby was hands down the best representative from the Bluff City. Others included East, Hillcrest and Fairley.

Midtown's Side Street Grill was destroyed by fire over the weekend. There is good news. Owners intend to rebuild and will remain open in the Magnolia Room next door to Side Street.

Restaurant Iris continues to be recognized by restaurant insiders. Chef Kelly English has been named semi-finalist for the 2010 James Beard Foundation Awards. The foundation's Restaurant and Chef Committee selected the nominees from 21,000 online entries.

Today is the NBA trade deadline. The Grizzlies have a draft pick or two that they can give to pick up a player that can take the Grizzlies deep into the playoffs. A strong sixth man would be a huge pick up. Will the front office pull the trigger today?

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Blue Fish Closed, Iris

Cooper-Young's Blue Fish has officially closed its doors. In its place will be The Reef. Spokespeople from The Reef are touting a similar menu with lower prices. At least the food be cheaper, the food was never good. People will pay for good food. Restaurants close when the product is bad. Lowering prices may not be the answer.

Speaking of great food that people will pay for, Restaurant Iris is still the best food in Memphis. If you get a chance to go, be sure to try the Oysters Three Ways, Lobster Knuckle Sandwich, Surf and Turf or the trout. The wine list is also one of the best in Memphis.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Colbert Grills Ford

Even if you are not a fan, you have to give Harold Ford, Jr. credit for appearing on the Colbert Report last night. This will probably be these nicest criticism that Ford will receive as he considers running for U.S. Senate in New York.

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Harold Ford Jr.
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorEconomy

Super Bowl Predictions

There is still a lot to consider when picking this year's Super Bowl winner. Injuries, weather and team distractions are just a few things that can weigh into the the decision. Apparently these cats have already made up their minds.

Kitty Cats in Oregon Pick Saints


Monday, February 01, 2010

Grizzlies Win

Big win for the Grizzlies tonight over the Lakers. If Zach Randolph keeps it up, he should be an MVP candidate at the end of the year.

Bryant scored 44 points on the way to breaking the Lakers scoring record formerly held by Jerry West.

Posted with altBlogger.

Grizzlies/Lakers Update

The Grizzlies are up 52-50 at the half. It looks like Kobe Bryant will break the Lakers all-time scoring record tonight. Bryant has 23 first half points and only needs six more to break the record.

How about Memphis native Lester Hudson? He has a career high 11 points at the half for the Grizzlies.

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Basketball, No More Ice, Soup Sunday

The Los Angeles Lakers visit FedEx Forum tonight to face the Grizzlies. The big story tonight is that Kobe Byrant can become the Lakers all-time leading score with 29 points. Will he get it tonight or save a few for the Lakers next home game?

The Grizzlies may have received a little help in the playoff race today. New Orleans Hornets all-star, all-everything guard Chris Paul is out indefinitely with a knee injury. There is no doubt that the Hornets will struggle without Paul.

After losing to UTEP, Memphis Tigers fans knew that additional conference losses were possible this season. Many expected to drop a game to UAB or Marshall, but SMU? Saturday's loss to the Mustangs was definitely a tough blow. Perhaps a blow strong enough to motivate the Tigers to run through UAB this week. Situations like this will prove how good of a coach Josh Pastner really is. Sure he can recruit, but can he rally the troops after a shocking loss? Or better yet, can he win a big game?

Is anyone else ready for the ice to go away? After a weekend of slips and falls on the ice, many Memphians are looking forward to bright skies and warmer temperatures with no ice on the ground. Sorry kids, no more four day weekends.

Clear your calendars on Sunday, February 28 from 11am-2pm for Soup Sunday. For those that haven't attended, Soup Sunday features the favorite soups, breads and desserts of more than 30 Memphis-area restaurants. This one of the bigger fundraisers for Youth Villages.

2010 Youth Villages Soup Sunday Participating Restaurants:

* "A Moveable Feast" Catering Company
* Backyard Burgers
* Bahama Breeze
* B.B. King's & Itta Bena
* Central BBQ
* Cordelia's Table
* Custom Cakes by Glenda
* Dixie Cafe
* Draper's Catering of Memphis
* Folk's Folly Prime Steak House
* Food with Class - Youth Villages Catering
* Houston's Restaurant
* Huey's
* L'Ecole Culinaire
* Old Venice Pizza Company
* Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
* Paula Deen Buffet at Harrah's Casino Tunica
* Qdoba Mexican Grill
* Rafferty's Restaurant & Bar
* Range Steakhouse at Tunica Roadhouse Casino
* Red Lobster
* Ruth's Chris Steak House
* Sharky's Gulf Grill
* Silky O'Sullivan's
* The Flying Fish
* The Flying Saucer
* The Grove Grill
* The Half Shell
* The Melting Pot
* Tug's Grill
* Wang's Manderin House