CK's, C-USA News

Memphis-area late night dining options has taken another hit. First, Downtown's Cockadoos shut its doors a couple of weeks back. And it was announced yesterday that 10 of the 12 CK's locations have shut down. The two remaining locations are at Poplar and Evergreen and Shelby Drive near Millbranch. With the closures, where is the best place to get late night breakfast fare? IHOP, Denny's, Waffle House? Any local options out there?

The road to the Conference USA championship and football and men's basketball got a little easier for the Memphis Tigers today. The NCAA has banned Central Florida from post-season play for the upcoming academic year. The ban is just one of several penalties handed to UCF today. UCF was picked by most pre-season publications to win the C-USA East Division in football and the Knights would have most likely been a top 4 C-USA basketball team.

Speaking of sports, Living Social is has a special offer for Fanatics. You can get a $20 Fanatics credit for $10. You can learn more about Fanatics by clicking the Grizzlies ad near the top of the page. This is great offer for all sports fans just in time for football season.

Overton Square Upgrades, Grey Goose Tasting, Memphis Football Rivalry Renewed.

More upgrades are on the way for Overton Square. Local Gastropub is adding what appears to be a double-decker patio at its new location in the former Yosemite Sam's on the corner of Cooper and Madison. And national chain Bar Louie announced it will open its first Memphis location on the opposite corner of Madison and Cooper in the space that used to be the home to Vortex. Local businesses would be preferred, but the new addition of Bar Louie will add more flavor to the square. Franchise owners are encouraged create an atmosphere reflective of the local culture.

Cafe Society will be hosting a Grey Goose cocktail tasting Wednesday, July 25th at 6:30PM. For $25 (plus tax and tip), you will get 5-6 cocktails. Small plates will also be available for $5. Seats are limited, so call  722-2177 soon to snag your reservation.

The University of Memphis has announced it will renew its football rivalry with Mississippi beginning in 2014. The four game series will feature two games at the Liberty Bowl and two in Oxford, with the 2014 game being played at Ole Miss. It's good to see the new athletic directors at both schools could work together to get the rivalry going again. Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen said "this is just the start" of the new Memphis scheduling philosophy and that there is "more to be announced". Future out of conference games for Memphis includes series with Arkansas State, Duke, Miami, Middle Tennessee State, Missouri and Tennessee-Martin. Both schools also announced that they are working to renew the men's basketball series as well.

Best of Memphis, Early Voting, New Grizzlies Guard, Fino's Groupon

The Memphis Flyer's 2012 Best of Memphis voting begins today. Vote for your favorite places to eat, drink and shop. The results will be published in the fall.

Early voting begins Friday for local, state and federal elections. Visit ShelbyVote.com to learn more about where to vote early and to see an updated ballot.

According to several media outlets, the Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to terms with former Toronto Raptors guard Jerryd Bayless. He should be a cost-effective, solid pick-up who will replace O.J. Mayo on the Grizzlies roster.

Midtowners should enjoy today's Groupon offer. $7 for $14 worth of food at Fino's on the Hill. Get one before they run out.