Memphis Area College Baseball Heating Up

With the weather we have been having, its hard to believe that college baseball season is just a few weeks, if not days away. For Memphis area college baseball programs, the warmer temperatures we are seeing the weekend are coming at the perfect time.

Memphis will be hosting a few "marquee" games this season. On March 23, the Tigers will host the Arkansas Razorbacks at Autozone Park, the Mississippi Rebels on 4/5 Autozone Park, Southern Miss 4/8 - 4/10 at FedEx Park and Mississippi State on 5/17 at Autozone Park.

It's disappointing to not see the smaller schools face each other this year. It seems like a 3 game set spread out through the season between Rhodes and Christian Brothers would make the most sense. Best record wins a some sort of trophy, etc. It would also reduce travel costs for out of conference midweek games. 

2011 College Baseball Schedules

Memphis Tigers

Christian Brothers Bucs

Rhodes Lynx

Charlie's Meat Market Groupon, Basketball

There is a great Groupon offer today from Charlie's Meat Market. You can get $25 worth of steak, chicken, etc for only $12. Charlie's already provides quality cuts at low prices. Add in the the Groupon offer and it's can't miss deal.

The Grizzlies and Tigers are both in action tonight. With a win at New Jersey, the Grizzlies will improve their overall record to 23-23. The Tigers have been on a tear over the past few games and hope to continue the streak tonight at FedEx Forum against Central Florida. Rumors are floating around that Michael Jordan will be in attendance. Jordan's sons play for the Knights.

More Snow, Canadians Love Rudy Gay

It looks like more snow is on the way to the Mid-South this evening. Weather reports are forecasting that anywhere from 1-3 inches of snow will fall between 4pm today to 3am tomorrow morning. Its not looking like temperatures will be cold enough for everything to ice over, so a snow day is not likely, but you never know.

The Grizzlies beat the Toronto Raptors last night with Rudy Gay's game winning shot with less then a second left in the game. Check out this fan video and see how much Toronto fans really love Gay. Language in the video is NSFW.

Tigers Win, Rankings, Interpol, Another Snow Day?

What a game in Hattiesburg tonight. Memphis was down as much 18 points to Southern Miss, but the Tigers fought back and earned a "W" with a last second three-pointer by Charles Carmouche. I told you guys earlier this season that "Mouche" would be a key player down the stretch. Did anyone else notice Pastner going nuts on the sidelines all game? It looked like he wanted to beat someone up.

So Memphis made the Top 20 in a not-so-friendly list. The Bluff City is ranked #13 in the America's Rudest Cities list compiled by Travel and Leisure and AFC. Here's the description from the site: "Even if the locals here don’t win raves for being friendly, they do better on this front than on other personal qualities. AFC readers rank these Tennesseans dead last for being attractive, athletic, and smart. Good thing that barbecue (No. 1) and music (No. 8) are such tourist magnets." Wow!

Tickets go on sale this Friday for Interpol's April 25th show at Minglewood Hall. I continue to be impressed with the concerts that Minglewood is lining up.

There's a good chance that Memphis will see sleet, snow and ice tomorrow afternoon and into the evening hours. Could Memphis be in for another snow day on Friday? Short work/school weeks can be really fun.

Free Museum Day, Restaurant Notes, MLK Weekend

Keeping with tradition, a handful of Memphis-area museums will offer free admission on Saturday to celebrate the governor's inauguration. Some of the local museums on the list include Sun Studios, the National Civil Rights Museum and the National Ornamental Metal Museum. Check out which Memphis-area museums will be offering free admission this weekend.

Cockadoos BBQ Omlet

Here a few quick restaurant notes.

I finally had a chance to stop by Cockadoos a couple of weeks back. There were several breakfast options, including all the basics, catfish and grits and more. I went strong and selected the Memphis Bar-b-que Omelet, a three egg omelet stuffed with pulled pork and provolone cheese, topped with bar-b-que sauce. You can't go wrong with this choice.

Jim's Place has opened in East Memphis on the corner of Poplar and Perkins Extended. So far, I have only experienced the spacious, smoke-free bar. The bar was fun, with great bartenders and good crowd and even better drinks. May have to try the food at some point. 

Staying out east, The Grove Grill is hosting an Aninori Family of Wines Dinner on Thursday, January 20 at 7:00pm. The dinner is $55 plus tax and tip. Reservations are recommended. Here's the menu:

Yellow Fin Tuna Carpaccio
preserved lemons and Grana Parmesan

Santa Cristina Orvieto, 2009

****

Wood Grilled Shrimp and Sweet Potato Gnocchi
with fresh sage brown butter

Bramito Chardonnay, 2009

****

Braised Short Rib and Swiss Chard Pappardelle Pasta

Cristina Chianti Superiore, 2007

****

Porchini Mushroom Stuffed Veal
with roasted root vegetable risotto

Peppoli Chianti Classico, 2007

****

Fresh Winter Berries and Italian Sponge Short Cake
with honey pine nut gelato

This weekend will be of the three-day variety for most people to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. In addition the free museum day on Saturday, there is a good bit of fun stuff going on this weekend, including the Tigers and Grizzlies both playing at home and Walrus playing at the East Memphis Swanky's Taco Shop. There will also be cheap suds (99 cent Bud Light draft) at Kooky Canuck on Sunday.

Aldo's Update, More On AT&T vs Verizon

For those that have been waiting, a few Bardog staffers mentioned that Aldo's Pizza Pies target opening date is now March of 2011. Better late than never?


If you are looking for more info on the Verizon iPhone, check out this comparison of AT&T vs Verizon. Verizon should see a a new customer pick up with this new product, especially from New York City customers. Apparently, AT&T coverage there is weak at best. Has anyone had any AT&T coverage problems in Memphis? I've been a customer for almost ten years with zero issues.

BCS Game, Tommy West, Verizon iPhone

Congrats to Auburn on the win. If you didn't watch the BCS Championship game between Auburn and Oregon last night, you missed one of the best championship games since the inception of the BCS. Overnight ratings are indicating that it might be the highest rated cable TV broadcast. The weather seemed to keep many football fans home last night, but fans who showed up at the few bars I went to seemed to be have a blast.

If you are a Auburn fan, check out this essential BCS Championship gear.


Former Memphis football head coach Tommy West has been hired as UAB's defensive coordinator. West has always been a highly respected DC and should instantly make the Blazers a better team. 

In what was probably the worst kept secret of all time, Verizon announced today that a Verizon iPhone will be available beginning on February 10th. Before AT&T users start bailing to the new network, it should be noted that the AT&T iPhone will not work on the Verizon network. If you want get in on the Verizon plan, you will have to buy a new phone, probably beginning in the $200 range.

Snow Day, Spirits Tasting

Its looking like tomorrow will be a snow day in the Memphis area. City and county schools are already closed and businesses will make announcements in the morning about closures. If you are off tomorrow, how will you enjoy your snow day? Playing in the snow? At home watching trashy daytime tv? At a local pub? Make the most out of the day. Check myfoxmemphis.com for updates. Fox also has some great live shots of the snow falling in Memphis.

Midtown's Cafe Society is hosting a Corsair Artisan Spirits Tasting on Wednesday, January 12th at 6:30PM.

Featured spirits will be Vanilla Bean Vodka, Spiced Rum, Gin-Head Style Gin and Triple Smoked Whiskey.  Each spirit will come with its own small special plate.  The cost per person is $25 plus tax and gratuity.  Additional small plates will be available for $5. This may be the perfect way to warm up with the cold weather we are expecting this week.

Paulette's on the Move

The were were rumors floating around over the past couple of week's that Overton Square's Paulette's was closing. Those rumors proved to be some what false. Paulette's will leave its Midtown location and move to Mud Island. Their new location will be in the current space occupied by Currents beginning in early March, with the last service at Paulette's current location being on February 27.

I'm hoping so the changes, including adding some of Currents staff, will improve the Paulette's experience. The quality, service and overall feel of the restaurant had gone stale. If not, we may be talking about Paulette's shutting its doors around this time next year.