Downtown Memphis Download

Smooth Moves at Union and Main

2010-06-04T14:28:00.002-05:00

A renovation is planned for the Smooth Moves building on the southwest corner of Union and Main, an intersection with some of the highest pedestrian counts in the city.

This 17,000-sf building will undergo a $1.66 million facelift that will include ground-floor retail space and office space on the basement level and on the second and third floors. Exterior improvements include window enlargements, a canopy and a redesign of the entry. Because of the prime location of this building, Center City Development Corporation (CCDC) awarded the owners a $200,000 loan for property improvements.

CCDC also awarded a $15,000 office grant to Thompson & Company to relocate its 26-member firm into the building. The agency will be occupying 10,400-sf.

Work is expected to begin this summer and be complete late fall. Union Main Holdings, LLC is the developer of the project. The development team also includes Montgomery Martin Contractors and Looney Ricks Kiss Architects.

New Charter School Comes to Uptown

2010-06-02T15:38:00.006-05:00

This building at 278 Greenlaw in Uptown is the future home of Downtown's newest charter school, The Memphis College Preparatory Elementary School. The school will open in fall of 2010 with 90 kindergarten students and will grow each year to accommodate students up to the 5th grade.

The school's founder, Michael Whaley, has demonstrated a passion for working with inner-city students. Whaley came to Memphis through Teach for America, a program that recruits outstanding college grads to commit to teach for 2 years in urban and rural public schools.

To help with renovations to the the 12,870-sf facility, the school received a $200,000 development loan from the Center City Development Corporation in May. Construction is scheduled to begin this month.

Downtown's Endangered Gems

2010-06-01T10:22:00.003-05:00

Last week the Commercial Appeal reported that two of Downtown's structures are now listed among the Tennessee Preservation Trust'10 most endangered historic sites in Tennessee: The Sterick Building and the historic cobblestones.

Unlike many downtowns across the country, Downtown Memphis is fortunate to have retained asubstantial inventory of prime historic properties that tell the story of our city, add character and authenticity, and incidentally, present excellent opportunities for redevelopment. Following are other downtown historic sites that the Center City Commission highlight as important to the health and vitality of our city.

Sears Crosstown Building, c 1912

One of 9 mail order and retail centers erected nationally by Sears between 1910 and the Great Depression. VERY large-scale buildings, making them a true challenge to renovate. In fact Memphis' is 1.4 million-sf.

Woolworth Building, c 1900

This property has one of the best locations in Downtown on the Main Street trolley line and in the heart of the Downtown Core near Peabody Place and Gayoso, restaurants, parking garages. Amazing architectural features, 14-ft ceilings.

Tennessee Brewery, c 1890

Former home of the Tennessee Brewing Company and Goldcrest Beer. The facade remains the same as it was built 110 years ago. The building is 67,120-sf, has river views and is located in the South Bluff Historic District.

Goyer-Lee House, c 1871

Sits in the heart of Victorian Village and represents the 19-century upper class architectural design. The 7,521-sf building is located just west of the Medical District.

Hickman Building, c 1929

Located across from the Downtown Elementary School and AutoZone Park, this 60,00-sf, 8-story building has an attached parking garage with 80 spaces. The building is on the National Historic Register. Originally built as a medical arts building, the property is being marketed as a residential property or commercial with retail on the ground-floor.

Alabaster Building, c 1926

This 4-story building sits on a 32,960-sf lot. The building is in clean shell condition and is already wired for fiber optics.

Nylon Net Building, c 1909

This property is located at Vance and Wagner amid a neighborhood experiencing tremendous residential growth. The property is 220,000-sf.

147 Jefferson Place, c 1956

This 12-story building is the earliest example of a post WWI International Style design in Memphis. The structure was also the first in Downtown to provide off-street parking for tenants. It is located across from Court Square. The 80,00-sf building has an attached 4-story parking garage with 360 spaces.

Toof Building, c 1913

The Toof Building is a vacant 6-story brick office building Adjacent to AutoZone Park and located on the Medical Center Rail Extension. This 53,667-sf building recently received a partial facelift with the installation of mural called "A Note of Hope" by artist Jeff Zimmerman.

South Main This Friday Under the Big Top!

2010-05-27T10:50:00.003-05:00

"The Greatest Show on Earth" invades South Main this month! This Friday, May 28 head downtown from 6 - 9 pm for the South Main Circus Night with street performances from magicians, fire throwers and sideshow acts. Bring the kids for face painters and cotton candy and music by the barbershop quartet "Five and Dime", DJ Sean & others. Indie Memphis will offer a free outdoor showing of the award-winning film "Act One".

Trolley Night Stops:

SEE The Difference Interiors, RiverArts Festival Poster unveiling party with artist Jimpsie Ayres
Doug Carpenter & Associates, Grand opening celebration
Christines by Shelton, new women's boutique ... cute cute!
Art on a Hot Tin Roof, art opening for David Hinske's "Transendental Vocabulary"
The Warehouse, Grace Askew's CD Release Party at 7 pm
Art Village Gallery, 20 year celebration with 50% off all prints in stock
Jack Robinson Gallery, New work by Suzie Millions and Lester Sivets
Sue Layman Gallery, "Salsa & Sangria Party" with salsa music, new work by Sue Layman, jewelry designer Ellen Web
D'Edge Art & Unique Treasures, George Hunt's show "Potpourri"
Muse Inspired Fashions, Music by DiAnne Price
409 South Main, Art opening with Regis Lawson, Christopher Reed,Joel Halpern, Mae Aur, Ashley Leem, Colin Kidder, Paul Edelstein, Qazi Ahmad, Max Richardson, Elisha Gold
Concept Gallery, Art opening with David Pentecost David Pentecost Art Opening
Drs. Rentrop and Geater, Opening with artist Judy Vandergrift

And in keeping in tone with the circus theme, let's not forget the freakshow to end all freakshows ... the Zombie March. Hundreds of mutated ghouls will gather near GE Patterson and Main at 6 pm to make their annual stumble to Beale Street. If for some reason you want to get "zombified", just duct tape an X on your chest and enjoy your vicious, but good-natured, attack.

CCC Corrals Stray Newspaper and Magazine Bins

2010-05-25T14:35:00.004-05:00

Tired of seeing newspaper and magazine bins scattered throughout Downtown? Good news.

The Center City Commission recently reached an agreement with local periodical publishers to relocate stray stands and racks into designated hitching posts. The CCC is installing about 70 fabricated stationary racks throughout the Downtown core this fall.

An RFP has been issued for a newspaper / magazine corral fabricator and installer. To view the RFP, click here.

BBQFest 2010

2010-05-22T10:00:00.000-05:00

Survivor: Memphis BBQFest 2010
"Outeat, Outplay, Outlast"
4 days, 50,000 people, 1 survivor.

This year's BBQFest featured honored country Tunisia and many of the "booths" were sporting designs based on the Tunisian theme of Memphis in May. The booth I spent most of my time at, The Ques Brothers, won 2nd place in the booth design contest!

Day 1: Friends and Family Night

Day 2: Thirsty Thursday

Day 3: Freaky Friday

Day 4: Survivor Saturday

This booth was nice enough to name their team after my initials. Great job guys! ;-)

Memphis Farmers Market Dinner Tour

2010-05-21T08:00:00.004-05:00

The Memphis Farmers Market's next dinner tour will be at the Madison Hotel on the rooftop and will feature live music along with a great dinner.

Details can be found below as well as at the facebook event linked here:

Grillout on the Madison Rooftop Saturday May 22 6:30pm
$45 includes tax/gratuity
Call 333.1224 for reservations

Join all your friends and Executive Chef Chris Windsor featuring local products from the Memphis Farmers Market including Neola Farms, Whitton Farms and Ghost River Brewery on the Rooftop of The Madison Hotel. Featuring live music by MFM musicians Maria Spence and Alan Rankin.

One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday morning, especially since I live REAL close to it, is to go to the farmers market. The Farmers Market has been growing and growing over the years and has recently featured a TV Chef from the show "Lidia's Italy" who signed books a few weeks ago. I wasn't familiar with her, but many were and stood in line to get her book autographed and to meet her.

The market has a nice chalkboard now that details what's available, upcoming events, etc.

My friend Kitty is one of the great dog sitters you'll find at the market. If you need a dog sitter while shopping, stop by the tent and let Kitty and the other sitters take care of your dog. You'll also find the Hooper Troopers, a group of girls who demonstrate and teach you how to hula hoop with style!

There's also various workshops so you can learn about different things. During BBQFest weekend, my friend Erin had a table set up so you could learn about Meat, Beans, portion control and even how to make your own spices! I must say, by the 4th day of BBQFest, all I really wanted was veggies anyway.

New Fashions Downtown

2010-05-20T15:44:00.011-05:00

In this photo you see the smiling face of Tom Shelton standing in front of his new store Christine, named after his beautiful wife. Christine opened the first of May and I must say it seems to be a hit. Every time I stop in the store is full of shoppers. I happened to stop in today in between meetings and found a few new styles that are worth your consideration.
Christine is located 119 South Main on the Main Street Mall just across the way from Circa.

Peabody Rooftop Party tonight! The Venus Mission

2010-05-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

Due to BBQFest 2010, I took a break from the Peabody Rooftop parties and downed a lot of BBQ with friends, but tonight, the partying continues with The Venus Mission!

Oh yeah, for all your foursquare players out there, I'm currently the mayor of the Peabody Rooftop Party! How I didn't lose that title during BBQFest is beyond me, but I hope to retain the title again tonight!

Still haven't made it to a Peabody Rooftop Party? Here's what you've been missing with photos from the past two parties I've been to featuring the bands Party Planet and Dr. Zarr's Amazing Funkmonster!

Festivus: A Survivor's Story

2010-05-19T18:00:00.001-05:00

Okay, okay, it's been a week since I've last blogged, but I have a good excuse: FESTIVUS! I am happy to say I survived BBQFest 2010 and will post some photos soon from another great festival of BBQ, Beer, and fun with friends and family!

BBQFest is almost here!

2010-05-12T02:00:00.004-05:00

The smell of BBQ will soon grace Downtown Memphis like a fine cologne!

It's that time of year again, BBQ Fest 2010 is almost here!

When: May 13-15; Friends & Family May 12
Where: Tom Lee Park
Tickets: Click here for more information

Here's a few random pics from last year's BBQ Fest, hope to see you down here!

Rock Sunday

2010-05-10T22:23:00.004-05:00

I started a little earlier on Sunday, so I could see Rock Sugar at 2pm. And am I glad I made myself get out of bed! What a show! Playing mashups of hard rock, metal, and 80's pop, they kept the crowd completely hooked, never knowing what piece of what song was next! I would definitely go see them again.

Rock Sugar rocks it out! The boys throw up the rock star sign.

Vince Neil put on a hard rocking show, including several popular Motley Crue songs in his set. And I made it to the south stage just in time to hear Boys Like Girls sing Two is Better than One (featuring local star Alexis Grace) and the Great Escape. In the late afternoon, we headed to the center stage where a large crowd was eagerly awaiting Earth, Wind, and Fire. And we were not disappointed! Opening with Boogie Wonderland and taking us through their catalog of hits, EWF kept us dancing for over an hour. Closing with a medley, beginning with September (a personal fave), then blending into Get Down, it is one show that will stick in my mind as one of the best of the weekend.

Vince Neil puts on a show. The Blues Shack was a great place to hang out. Boys Like Girls play their hits.

The mud we stood in for 2 days - my boots where the best $15 I have ever spent. Posing with the girls during Girls, Girls, Girls. I also made a quick stop by Booker T.

Everyone was having a great time at the Flyer Tent. EWF put on an amazing show. End-of-the-night Saratoga Chips? Yes please!

Our final stop of the evening was supposed to be 3 Doors Down. But after waiting for 45 minutes, it was announced they couldn't make it due to flooding. Rock Sugar did set up to play a second set, but at that point I was exhausted and headed home to clean off the mud.

Yeah yeah, some of the headliners weren't there, but it did not take away from some of the other fabulous performances. BSMF DID live up to the Mudfest reputation though. Overall – it was a great weekend of live shows. 70 bucks for 3 days of music? Yes please! See you next year - with my boots and poncho!

Beale Street Music Fest

2010-05-08T12:00:00.006-05:00

On Day 2, I became the Mayor of the
Beale Street Music Fest on foursquare!

I LOVE MUSIC FEST! I repeat, I LOVE MUSIC FEST! It's obviously not for everyone, but I've been going to musicfest for over 15 years now and love going each and every year no matter what the weather is like... and let's face it, IT'S GOING TO BE RAINY AND MUDDY. Get some boots and a poncho and be ready for some fun!

Little known fact: Mother Nature is a huge Beale Street Music Fest fan and attends every single year.

Idea: Maybe if they were to swap the Sunset Symphony and Beale Street Music Fest (aka: BSMF) around and not tell her... she'd show up at the Symphony instead! Since the Symphony could easily be moved around the weather while 3 days of 100s of bands is much harder to move around, this would just be too good to be true huh? Seems there's MUCH less rain the last weekend in May so....

Day 0: The stages are being built and the ground is being prepped as much as it can for Memphis in May to begin!

Day 1: The Beginning - I met up with some of the In-laws (boy do they know how to party) at Silky O'Sullivan's along with Sandy's "Tiny Elvis". Later ended up at Tom Lee Park for the concerts and snagged a photo with Steve and Pam.

Blues Traveler, a photo op with John Popper and the B-52s! Made a stop at the Memphis Flyer Tent (thanks again, you all were great hosts!) and ended the night with Limp Bizkit!

Day 2: Jägerbombs - I started the day with the Inlaws and their friends (Dave, John, Karin and Sandy - see photo below) and was given not one, but four Jägerbombs! They even had Jägerbomb cups and everything. They shipped (via FedEx) a box to our house and these cups were part of the party supplies. They also wanted photos recreating their night with the tornado sirens going off all night long. Too funny, but at least they kept Tiny Elvis safe!

FedEx Blues Tent, Muddy people having fun and Jerry Lee Lewis

Group of friends ready for Day 2 (photo courtesy of Edison)! Me, Penelope, Rebecca and Chad at the Michael McDonald concert, Hall & Oates (two songs into it we had to flee the park with sirens going off)...

Day 2: After Party - About 2 years ago, my friends and I formed a group called the South Main Dirty Dozen and we throw 2-3 parties each year. The Day 2 of Beale Street Music Fest 2008 "After Party" was our first party and what better way to celebrate than throw the 3rd annual party back where it started, Earnestine & Hazel's.

Me and Randy, the Angies (I know like 14 Angies so wanted a "reunion" of sorts), the hired band for the party, Dynaflow and the "Hoyts special drink"... it was so special I don't remember the last hour of the party. Thanks a lot guys... ;-)

Day 3: Survival of the Fittest - I actually felt really good despite all the partying the day and night before! Sunday was a beautiful day with barely a cloud in the sky... if anything, I was worried about getting sunburned! I started the day at Pearl's Oyster House for a quick meal with the family and then headed to the park for more BSMF fun!

Rock Sugar, the dudes, Vince Neil groupies and Vince Neil

Mud, Earth, Wind and Fire (that sounds like a cool new name for the band), and Rebecca and I demonstrating just how deep some of that mud was... we found deeper mud but I did not want to risk getting my camera out and dropping it into the 4-6 inches of mud of that pit.

Day 4: The Aftermath - Ah.... another music fest has come and gone and what is left is an area full of memories... and left behind muddy shoes. Can't wait for next year!

Siren Saturday

2010-05-05T22:14:00.004-05:00

I worked out and power napped Saturday (stupid sirens), then decided to get over the exhaustion. I headed down to the fest around 5, in time to see parts of Government Mule. Drive By Truckers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Michael McDonald and Puddle of Mudd. Even not being completely familiar with many of the songs, all acts put on some amazing shows.

Then came what we had been waiting for - Hall and Oates! Opening with Maneater, they had the crowd completely entranced. Unfortunately, after one more song, the park had to be evacuated due to impending bad weather and tornadoes. Disappointing? Yes. Understanding? Absolutely!

Brian and I walk to the park. We made a quick stop in the Blues Tent. Drive By Truckers perform.

Jerry Lee Lewis! The view from the Coke Zero bar. Hanging with the ladies at the Flyer tent.

Michael McDonald performs. Corn Dogs! Carney food is the best! Hall & Oates sing for a few minutes.

Not to let our night end, we headed to a party thrown by the infamous South Main Dirty Dozen. The rock n rolling Dynaflow provided music, test tube and jello shots were plentiful (uh oh!), and the specialty cocktail was quickly being consumed. I partied for a bit, then decided I had enough and walked home to rest up for the weekend closer!

Dynaflow performs, the party fills up, hanging with some friends, jello shots!

I Did It All for the.... Music!

2010-05-05T22:00:00.006-05:00

If you have seen me at all in the last week, you know what Limp Bizkit song has been stuck in my head. But I didn't think it was quite appropriate for the title of the post, lol! They DID rock that song on Friday night though!

Beale Street Music Festival...the very words bring rain to Memphis. But that didn't stop tens of thousands of people to crowd into Tom Lee Park, wearing rain boots and toting ponchos. And what a great weekend of music! Yes, there were disappointments, there were cancellations, there was rescheduling. But keep in mind mother nature was not very nice, and there were also tornadoes. My personal opinion is MiM did everything they could to keep patrons safe, and I am thankful for that. We were lucky most of the severe weather missed us. However, I do also think communication was not quite handled right, and I urge the committee to audit that aspect of it. However, I am not going to let these few hiccups overshadow an otherwise fabulous weekend.

I rushed home from work Friday afternoon, pulled on my mud boots, shoved my rain jacket, a backup poncho, and a few other necessities into my purse, met up with Brian C., and headed down to Tom Lee. Our first stop was the Memphis Flyer tent, where we were lucky enough to have access. A HUGE thanks to the Flyer for your wonderful hospitality. Readers - if you have never looked at this paper, please walk out right now and read it! It contains news, events, and stories from all over Memphis, and its FREE!!

We grabbed a quick beer and headed to our first band of the weekend - Blues Traveler! John Popper may have lost weight, but his harmonica playing is as good as ever. Taking us through hits that were familiar and some that were not, they put on a great show for an energetic crowd.

The line was really long to get in! Blues Traveler!! John Popper snuck into our picture!

Next were the B52s. Yes, they did sing Love Shack, but also completely rocked on the encore Rock Lobster. Fun fun show! They still sound exactly the same! Then came the Goo Goo Dolls who sang a variety of new and old hits, including one of my faves, Iris.

Finally, it was time for the headlining Limp Bizkit! I don't know a ton of their songs, and the night is quite fuzzy by this point (beer being about the same price as water!), but I know they completely killed it. We had been lucky with the weather all night, but it did rain for about 20 minutes off and on during this show. But, I think it only added to the ambiance. As previously mentioned, they played my favorite song with the entire crowd jumping and singing along. They closed with a cover of Faith among a shower of confetti! Awesome!!

The B52s perform. The view from a friend's shoulders at Goo Goo Dolls. Limp Bizkit closes with Faith.

After a (wish it were shorter) stop at Calhouns for beer and trivia, it was time to call it... I wish! The sirens kept me up all night!! But still – what a great Day 1 of BSMF!

Party Planet at the Peabody

2010-05-04T13:36:00.004-05:00

Another Thursday, another Peabody Rooftop Party! This time it was a Texas Cowboy themed food and beer night, with Party Planet rocking all genres of music. When I arrived around 7:30, the band was already well into their first set, and everyone was already raving. After a few songs, I could see why! Playing music from the 60's and 70's to Beyonce and everything in between, there was something for everyone to dance to.

Alternating between the inside ballroom and VIP area, I got my fill of brisket, beans, & barbecue, plus samples of Shiner Bock and Miller Lite! Then my friend Frank and I hit the dance floor to work some of it off. We danced to Shake Your Booty then a medley of Lady Gaga hits. After another hour or so of party songs, they closed with, what else, but a Kool and the Gang song! Another fun Thursday night up on the roof!

Hanging with the ladies in VIP. Then, we headed inside to eat dinner!

Dancing with Frank. Party Planet rocks it out!

Don’t miss this week with another great party band – Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster. They always put on a GREAT show! The theme this week is Celebrate Europe:

Menu: Boeuf Bourguignon, Cheese Fondue with French Bread Squares, French Fries with Assorted Toppings

VIP Menu: French Cheese Platter with Grapes, Strawberries, Assorted Crackers and French Bread, Artichoke Breaded with Boursin, Assorted Open Faced European Sandwiches

VIP Featured Beer: Blue Moon

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116098245080090&index=1

2010 Festivus Round 2

2010-05-04T09:08:00.011-05:00

Festival Season 2010 continued with a bang! I actually even decided to stay in Friday night to rest up :-).

Round 2 started with the newly instated Memphis Brewfest at Autozone Park. Since it was delayed an hour due to afternoon storms, the weather ended up being absolutely perfect - sunny and warm, without being too hot. Arriving a few minutes after 5, I could definitely tell there would be a great crowd, judging from the lines to get in.

I waited as patiently as possible to get in, grabbed my glass and map, and then it was on! There was definitely no rest for the weary here. The entire concourse was lined with booths, each offering 2 or 3 or even 4 different beers to taste. I tried to stick to ones I haven't previously had at first. I was pleasantly surprised to find there was quite a few there! My faves were the paler ones from Vietnam and Russia.

Lines to get in (everyone was excited!), beers keeping cold, the crowded concourse of thirtsy festival goers.
Lederhosen! Beers stands lined the entire concourse, live music in the courtyard.

Tasting with the guys. But women drink beer too!

After about three hours of tasting, some friends and I decided we had been served enough. We headed for much needed food. After lots of food (especially fries), but very little additional drinking (I couldn't even finish my glass of wine!), I headed home. I was asleep by 11! But it ended up being a great decision, as the next day would be big one!

And by big, I am talking about a full day of Wine Races!! After a full night's rest and some morning gym time, fellow blogger Brian C met me at my apartment for our annual bloody mary tradition (yes, I do this before a lot of festivals). We made it to Handy Park just in time to see the first group of the parade walk in. Each bar or restaurant created some sort of float or pedestal to carry in their Queen of the Vine contestants. Once all had come down Beale and paraded into the park, it was time for the pageant competition. Each girl was announced and then strutted her stuff across the stage. After a 20 minute dancing round, each contestant was asked a question. Most answers involved dancing or drinking rather than actual answering, but it was still fun to watch! Finally there was a bit more dancing before Mesquite Chophouse Southhaven was declared the winner.

The parade begins! Teams enter the park carrying their Queen contestants.

The Queen of the Vine contestants are all lined up, and the winner is crowned.

Next up was grape stomping. The premise is simple - a carton of grapes is placed in a bucket and the contestant has to try to get as much juice out of them using only their feet in a few minutes. Thanks goodness (for some!) there was not as many falls as last year. We were even lucky enough to score some extra grapes as a snack (ones that were NOT stomped)!

These grapes are made for stomping! Awaiting the start with my friends.

Stomping! Even Muck Sticky got in the action for the New Daisy.

Finally it was time for the main event - the wine races themselves! Teams race relay-style by opening a bottle of wine, pouring a glass, running down an obstacle course, and handing off the tray. Some of these teams are FAST. And some tried to go TOO fast. There was the usual oh-no-is-it-going-to-fall bobbles. And most of the time the answer was yes. The first team to compete ended up being the winner, congrats to Spindini!

The Wine Race course is all set up, as the crowd gets fired up. And they're off!

Opening bottles, a massive spill on the first race, navigating the obstacles.

The weather held up for most of the day. Being quite warm when the sun was out, what else to drink but frozen treats from Wet Willie's. Most of my friends opted for the extremely strong Call-a-Cabs, but is tuck to the sugar free Naked Willie with a splash of the Blue Attitude Improvement thrown in for fun. The heavier rain coinciding with the ending of the races, so we headed to the Saucer to continue the party. Of course, it was time for me to switch to wine. How else to end a day of Wine Races! Til next year.... Check out more action pics on FB: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=170177&id=57152440767

The Great Wine Race

2010-05-03T12:00:00.005-05:00

Having survived the weekend of Beale Street Music Fest, thought I'd get back to blogging but let me tell you... this past weekend was all about survival with tornados, and storms and the annual mud fest. More on that soon, for now, last Sunday's the Great Wine Race!

The first event on the day of the Great Wine Race is the Queen of the Vine contest that takes place in the Pepsi Pavilion and features beautiful girls from various restaurants and bars around the city. Muck Sticky, Kevin Kane were among the judges of the competition.

And the winner of the 2010 Queen of the Vine contest is... Elizabeth Sears - Mesquite Chop House (Southaven, MS)

The grape stomping contest is next and Muck Sticky even joined in competing for the New Daisy. Muck is an avid Twitter user so I asked him to pose for a TwitPic I posted right from the event.

And finally... the Great Wine Race! Waiters and waitresses from various restaurants and bars compete in a race down Beale Street with a tray of wine glasses and wine bottles... you spill, you lose (or are penalized anyway). The winning team in the competition happened to be the team I took a picture of on Friday while practicing for the event. Great job Spindini!

The rains started to come down on us hard so we ran from Beale Street to take refuge in the Flying Saucer where Gary Smith was about to have his 13th Plate Party! Great guy we met the night before at BrewFest and famous amongst the Flying Saucer community!

Oh yeah, I also scored two more badges on foursquare. The second one has been broken in the foursquare system for a long time as I've been to Grizzlies games where there were at least 3 girls checked in. A bunch of us got this badge that day.