Tunisia; Trolley Night; Canoe & Kayak Race

And so, starting tomorrow Memphians become Tunisiaphiles for a month. The Tunsian flag in Silky O'Sullivan's window on Beale Street:

Not going to Music Fest tomorrow night? How about that fun little thing that happens year round on South Main on the last Friday of the month?

It’s Trolley Night!
Friday, April 30
6:00 p.m. — ‘Til…
Visit the shops, restaurants & galleries on South Main, Huling & GE Patterson

Should the weather cooperate we’ll be grilling hamburgers & offering complimentary Boscos beer to our SMA members.
(Only a $5 charge for non-members)
Join South Mainers in the parking lot next to Bluff City Coffee@ 6pm.

And don't forget the Outdoor's Inc. Canoe & Kayak Race this Saturday, May 1st. I have some friends who participate in this every year. It's fun to stumble down the hill with Poppy and my coffee on the morning of this race and see them paddle around the tip of Mud Island to the finish at Jefferson Davis Park. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will be nice.

Memphis in May Music Fest: Parking, Rules, Weather

The Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival is this Friday, April 30 through Sunday, May 2nd in Tom Lee Park.

Here are some links that you may find useful:

A DOWNTOWN PARKING MAP

The following link from the Memphis in May website spells out THE FESTIVAL RULES:

And a link for WEATHER

Where to buy rainboots and rain gear downtown, you're gonna need 'em:
Alley Katz, 156 Beale Street
A. Schwab's, 163 Beale Street

Billboard of Two Billboards and a Billboard with a Tiny Target, Tiny Taco Bell, Tiny Kroger, Bunches of Money and Other Stuff

The billboards are at the intersection of Marshall and Monroe in the Edge neighborhood. Click on the images to enlarge them.


I believe, but don't know for sure, that these are in conjunction with the University of Memphis *"spring 2010 BFA Senior Thesis Exhibition, The Purest Show Ever, at Jones Hall Gallery, April 30-May 8. The opening reception is April 30 from 6 to 7 p.m. Additional thesis work will be on display on April 30 in the FFA room of the University of Memphis' Art Building (6 to 7 p.m.) and from 7 to 9 p.m. at Marshall Arts Gallery (639 Marshall Ave.). Opening receptions are free and open to the public." *info from this U of M website link: http://www.memphis.edu/ccfa/releases/spring10/bfashow_2010.php

Downtown Dates

1890-Tennessee Brewery ; 1909- building on S. Main; 1917 - building in the Pinch District on Overton; 1904 - the Pontius Building in the Pinch; 1923 - Monroe & Danny Thomas; 1912 - train bridge on S. Main

Persian Ice Cream

It's time for a recipe and this one's about as far from a Memphis concoction as you can get. I should be doing Tunisian recipes since this year's Memphis in May honored country is Tunisia but I'll get around to it as I have a lamb couscous recipe I want to try soon.

Alas, for now you get the Persian Ice Cream recipe as I made it for my friend who visited me over the weekend. Distinctive ingredients give this a taste that is addictive. This is not homemade ice cream but by taking a base of vanilla ice cream and adding in the ingredients it becomes "homemade" in a sense.

1/2 gallon Blue Bell homemade vanilla ice cream
1/8 cup rosewater (get it at Fresh Market, Mediterranean markets)
2/3 cup chopped, unsalted, roasted pistachios
2 pinches of saffron, ground into powder then dissolved in a little hot water
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Let the ice cream soften by setting it out on the counter top for a while. Pour the cream into a small flat dish or pan. Small meaning about 6" by 6". Place the dish with the cream in it in the freezer for about 30-40 minutes. Meanwhile, transfer the softened ice cream to a large mixing bowl and add the rosewater, pistachios and saffron. Stir, stir, stir very thoroughly. Remove the cream from the freezer and cut it up into small pieces and stir the frozen pieces of cream into the ice cream. Spoon the ice cream back to the ice cream carton and return it to the freezer for at least a few hours before serving. My measurements by the way are guesses. I don't measure things out, I just eyeball it or add things to taste. So, when I say 2/3 cup of cream, it could be more or less, just be sure the plate or dish is covered by about - here I go again - 1/4" of cream.

South Main Block Party Tonight; Zombies

According to the Delphinium Boutique newsletter, there's a block party tonight...

"The South Main Historic Arts District is having a BLOCK PARTY! Friday, April 23rd from 6-9 PM. There will be live bands, one night only sales and big give-a-ways. Come out and enjoy the beautiful weather, visit with friends and neighbors and just have a good time."

This may be a good opportunity to make the most of the weekend since tomorrow's weather looks bleak.

This time of year, I look out for the zombies who stream down Main street like the undead do. May 28 is the date for their walk which coincides with May's South Main Trolley Tour.

Adaptive Reuse; Redbirds; Rooftops

I have always liked the Gruenberg Building at 339 Madison but didn't know its history until doing a little research yesterday after snapping some shots. Cronin, Baker & Tindall was a plumbing company operating here in the early 1900's as evidenced by the names on the facade. Construction of the building began in 1913 but due to WWI was delayed until 1917. Advance Rubber Stamp Works has been operating here since the 40's. Paul Gruenberg restored the building and opened Advance Rubber Stamp Works in 1945. It is considered the first adaptive reuse project in Memphis. Gruenberg also lived in the building with his family. The Paul Gruenberg Award is given by Memphis Heritage for excellent work in adaptive reuse of an historic property.

It's baseball season once again... GO REDBIRDS! And it's rooftop party season as well, Thursdays nights on the Peabody rooftop and on the roof of the Madison Hotel.

Makeda's Butter Cookies

On the Madison Trolley line just west of Cleveland is a sweet little place called Makeda's. They make 16 different kinds of cookies, their butter cookie being the star creation. Strictly in the interest of research I have consumed several kinds, including the butter cookies, and I am a fan of them all. They also have cookie trays, baskets and bouquets. 1329 Madison, www.makedascookies.com

Cookies pictured above: chocolate chip, peanut butter chocolate chip, double chocolate dream cookie with pecans

Beale Street Wine Race Poster

Last week I attached the 2010 Wine Race poster by artist David Lynch, but failed to tell you anything about it! Here's the information ...

Size: 36" x 24"
$20 each

Since these are just in, any number of the edition of 200 is open until tomorrow (4/21) when they begin to be distributed to the area retailers, so, if you are interested in a certain number please let him know and he'll reserve it. Otherwise, feel free to visit an area retailer or the Beale Street Merchants Association.

Also, as a side note, there is a small assorted number of the 2009 Beale St. Wine Race posters still available.

http://www.davidlynchart.com/

Harbor Town Block Party; Cossitt Library; New Patio; River Inn Roof

Add to the list of festivals/parties the Harbor Town block party this Saturday, April 24.



The Cossitt Library at Front & Monroe is 117 years old this year! Below is a photo from the Library of Congress online collection of the former building in all its original splendor.


And this, unbelievably, is what it looks like today. 'Round about 1959 folks thought this might look swell sort of tacked onto the front. That's not crime scene tape around the lawn, though some would say it should be. The back of the building that remains today is actually an addition from 1924 constructed in the same style as the original building.



This picture below doesn't really do justice to how good this very large outdoor seating area looks when it's all arranged. This is at the new Courtyard by Marriott at Main and Jefferson. This past Saturday I walked by and all of the tables were out and orange cushions were on the wicker-look chairs. Of course, I didn't have my camera at that moment. With the street trees overhead and the beautifully restored Lowenstein and Lincoln American buildings across the street this once desolate corner now feels alive and looks great.

And back on the Island... I went to the River Inn to have a look at the rooftop terrace. I have a friend who, against all odds, flew from Europe to NYC yesterday on one of a handful of flights available. Said friend will be working Up North this week and then coming Down South for the weekend. I thought a drink on a relaxing rooftop may soothe the nerves a bit from all that harried travelling.




The River Inn is quite the jewel box...

The Bar-Kays

A documentary about the legendary Memphis band the Bar-Kays airs tonight on the TV One network according to a Memphis Daily news article.

Festival Photos..and a Video

Photos and a video from Africa in April and the Crawfish Festival...

Two Pizzerias; Steeplechase 5K; Escape Alley Sundry; Downtown Photos

Soon you will be able to get New York style pizza in the Pinch, at a place called Ferraro's. It will be opening at Main and Jackson and they have free delivery. Also, Aldo's Pizza Pies is on the way to serve the core at Union and Main.







The sourdough boule I bought at Little Cafe Eclectic this afternoon in Harbor Town Square. I love the flour flower.


A banner advertising the Steeplechase 5K this coming Saturday, April 24th. Benefits the St. Mary's Catholic Church building fund.



A "sundry" is open in the Edge neighborhood next to Quetzal.

And some downtown photos:

The plain black cat that was showing up in a variety of odd places has now become several whimsical cats. But they still show up in random places. What's goin' on with that lightnin' bolt?

Shot of downtown with Downtown Elementary in the foreground

The Festivals Are Here: Hotwings, Crawfish, Farmers, Trolley Tour, Beer, Wine, Canoes, Kayaks & Music Fest

Memphians shouldn't be bored for the next three weekends as downtown is set to host some big events:

This Saturday, April 17th we have the 8th Annual Southern Hotwings Festival on S. Main and G.E. Patterson and it's also the Memphis Farmers Market opening day.

The Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival will be Sunday, April 18 at Wagner and Union.

Africa in April events kick off this Thursday, April 15th and run through Sunday, April 18th in Robert Church Park.

Photo from 2008's Crawfish Festival

The Bike's on Beale Kick Off Party is April 21st at 6 pm.

A note from Delphinium Boutique with some information about April's Trolley Tour: "Just a heads up...April's Trolley Night falls on the first night of Memphis in May's Music Fest. A number of stores will be open that night and continue with Trolley Night as usual. However, a nice selection will be having a "Pre-Trolley Night" event the Friday before, April 23rd. We'll have bands and great store give-a-ways! Just like a real Trolley Night. We'll send out reminders... but we hope to see you on the 23rd!"

The 2010 Memphis Brewfest will be Saturday, April 24th from 4pm - 8pm in the plaza area of Autozone Park at Third and Union.

Beale Street Wine Race is Sunday, April 25th.

Outdoors Inc. 29th Annual Canoe and Kayak Race is Saturday, May 1st. Starts at the boat ramp at north end of Greenbelt Park and ends at Jefferson Davis Park. Party afterwards in the park.

And, of course, Memphis in May Music Fest is April 30, May 1 and May 2.

Good Morning Helicopter

It's happened before down here. It's 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning, you are snoozing away when suddenly you hear what sounds like an airplane flying awfully, frightfully low and the sound is getting louder. You look out the window to see the reflection of a hovering helicopter in the windows of the building across the street. This time the One Commerce Square building was having three giant HVAC units transported to the roof. Guests at the Residence Inn had their tired faces pressed up against the windows watching these monstrous pieces of equipment slowly ascend up above Monroe 28 - 30 stories to be placed ever so precisely on the rooftop.

In the bottom right above, you can see three guys on the rooftop of Toyota Plaza filming it. I was on my rooftop taking this photo. Lots happening on rooftops yesterday.

You can barely see the helicopter in the shot above.

And an exciting video which you will have to bend your neck to the left to watch as I am unable to rotate it. Such an amateur. Anyway, be sure to turn your volume all the way up so you can get the full effect of how loud this was.