For those of you who are not friends with me on Facebook, I’ll share a little rant I posted there yesterday. I was sitting at Panda’s bar at Bardog. In an hour and a half, there were four Russell Stover commercials pimping Valentine’s Day candy.
Guys, don’t be one of “those people” who buys Russell Stover candy for your girl. If you aren’t familiar with “those people” I’m talking about, Germantown exists for those people. Chevrolet Suburbans exist for those people. Applebee’s and Red Lobster exist for those people. And Russell Stover exists for those people. Don’t be those people.
There’s a locally-owned, family-run store in the heart of Downtown where you can choose from a huge selection of candy, nuts, and other treats for your Valentine. The Peanut Shop is a little shop on the Main Street Mall, halfway between Madison and Monroe. The friendliest people you will ever meet will help you pick out a custom selection for your Valentine and they have beautiful tins and other gift packages in which to put your candy. They will remember you by name years later and ask how your sweetheart is doing. It’s a little store but it’s a big part of what makes Downtown the community it is.
The Tennessee Equality Project Gumbo Contest and Mardi Gras party is this afternoon at BRIDGES at 4:30. Your ticket (purchase here) lets you taste gumbos from some of the best cooking teams in Memphis, vote in the People’s Choice Award, and enjoy live music, beer, and soft drinks. Those under 21 are welcome, and there’s a special ticket they can purchase that gets them everything but the beer. They released the list of gumbo judges on Wednesday and I am pleased to see my friend Tawanda Pirtle on the panel. She certainly knows a thing or two about food. I don’t believe I will be able to make it to this event, but I am proud to be a straight person who fully supports equality for Tennessee’s LGBT community.
The Metal Museum is having a special Champagne Sunday today where you can sip champagne while looking for artist-made Valentine’s Day gifts.
Two of the best teams in the NBA collide today at FedExForum when the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Atlanta Hawks at 5.
Ever thought about being a teacher? There will be a teacher job fair at the Downtown Central BBQ at 5 Tuesday afternoon, hosted by Teach901. More than 20 organizations will be there to talk to those interested in pursuing a career as an educator.
Sunday Fun Day time… brunch with Bloom at Bardog at 11, D-RANKS with B-RAD at Blind Bear at 1 and then I’ll figure out the rest. By the way I’ve written a D-RANKS with B-RAD theme song that you may hear later today…