Author: Andrew Caldwell

Categories
News The Fly-By

Storefront Art

New life is coming to two long-vacant buildings at the corner of South Main and Union.

The Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) is working with the owners of 82 and 85 S. Main to convert their storefronts into miniature gallery spaces.

“We like active spaces,” said Leslie Gower, DMC’s vice president of marketing and communications. “Even if a building is vacant and has a good storefront, that’s still okay.”

The property at 85 S. Main was previously home to the Smooth Moves smoothie shop and has recently undergone a million-dollar renovation. The other building, 82 S. Main, is currently in the renovation process and has been vacant for nearly 10 years. Over the years, it has housed Stewart Brothers Department Store and Three Sisters clothing store.

Though both buildings are looking better than they have in years, the DMC wanted to go a step further to rejuvenate the corner of South Main and Union.

“That corner,” Gower said, “is one of the highest pedestrian intersections in the city, and two of the four buildings were vacant. We didn’t want them to just sit there.”

Both storefronts will showcase at least one artist for a month at a time and then new pieces by different artists will be cycled in.

“We’re discovering [new artists] and asking them [if they’re interested in showing their work in either building],” Gower said. “We can actually showcase more than one artist in each storefront, but because the spaces are really raw and there’s no electricity, we’re looking for artists who are low maintenance. We can’t put in works of art that are worth thousands of dollars.”

The first two artists to be featured are Memphis-based photographers Chip Chockley and John Henry. Chockley’s exhibit at 85 S. Main features a series of photographs taken at Memphis Rock-N-Romp events. Henry’s landscape photography is featured at 82 S. Main. Both will be shown until the first of February.

According to Gower, the Downtown Memphis Commission is looking for artists to be featured in the future.

“We’re working with people who don’t have a lot of requirements and want to have the opportunity to showcase their work,” Gower said. “We’re just looking for art that draws people to that space.”

The project will continue indefinitely with new artists each month until the spaces are filled with new businesses.

“The real hope is that the spaces get filled soon,” Gower said. “But until they do, we’ll continue to work with the property owners who’ve been really excited about improving their spaces.”

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Memphis Beer Beat: Q&A with Chuck Skypeck, Part 3

First off, I hope everyone had a great and beer-filled holiday season. Well, I guess we can jump right into the third installment in my Q&A with Boscos and Ghost River co-owner and head brewer, Chuck Skypeck in which experimentation, collaboration, and Memphis are discussed.

Do you feel like you have become more experimental, more willing to push styles over time?

I think you have to look at that in two perspectives, and one of those is that when we opened Boscos, our four beers on tap were the Tennessee Cream Ale which still sells well whenever we brew it, the Germantown Alt— a German-style brown ale, a beer we called Bluff City Amber which kind of morphed into a pale ale over time, and a real mild winter warmer. When we first introduced an IPA in 1993 or ’94, it was only 38 or 40 IBUs which at the time was probably the hoppiest IPA east of the Mississippi. That was Bombay IPA, and that’s grown over the years to the IBUs it has now.

flyby_p9_ghostriver.jpg

It’s really interesting to me when we take that beer to the [Great American Beer Festival], people will come up and taste it and say things like, “This isn’t an IPA.” It sells like crazy for us, and I’m not going to make it extremely hoppy for a couple of hop heads who tell me I should be ashamed for calling it an IPA. It used to be around 40 IBUs, and now it’s closer to 60. So in that sense yes, [we have experimented]. You see what people are buying and drinking over time. Lately, there’s been a gravitation to hoppier beers.

Categories
Cover Feature News

End of the World Party (Just in Case)

The end of 2011 is drawing near, and with it, apparently, our last full year on this Earth. But worry not, friends. Though the end is nigh, we’ve got innumerable New Year’s Eve festivities to cushion ourselves against impending doom — and whatever it is the Maya predicted will consume us all.

We at the Flyer wish to see all our readers through the fiery apocalypse as safely (or at least as comfortably) as we can, so we’ve compiled this list of nine survival tips to ensure that you’ll be prepared.

Tip #1: Don’t forget to stretch.

Only the strong will survive, so stay limber and make sure you’re fit to escape whatever chaos the apocalypse has tucked up its sleeve.

And what better way to make sure you’re in the fittest of conditions than by running in the 4th Annual DAC Fitness Collierville 10K Relay, which begins in Cox Park at 9 a.m. on New Year’s Eve? Runners will have the option to take on the full 10K or split it with a partner. Registration is still open at $25 in advance and $30 the day of the race. All proceeds go to Page Robbins Adult Day Care Center. Call 861-2110 for more information, and visit racesonline.com to register.

For those who would rather be simple spectators to feats of athleticism, check out the AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Vanderbilt Commodores. The afternoon begins with a pre-game buffet from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds’ Creative Arts Building. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. Visit libertybowl.org for details.

Tip #2: Don’t panic on an empty stomach.

Trust me on this one. When the heavens are doing everything in their power to destroy all signs of humanity, the last thing you want to worry about is finding a good steak. So fuel up now while you’ve got the chance.

Capriccio Grill will host a three-course New Year’s Eve dinner from 5 to 11 p.m. The meal costs $70 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and includes admission to the Grand Lobby party. Diners will also have the option to purchase a Peabody New Year’s Eve Party Pass for an additional $25 per person. Call 529-4199 for reservations and more information.

In another part of the Peabody … the New Year’s Eve Dinner at Chez Philippe, from 6 to 11 p.m., features a five-course dinner and admission to the Grand Lobby for $135 per person plus tax and gratuity. Diners will also have the option to purchase a New Year’s Eve Party Pass. For more information, call 529-4188.

South of Beale is offering a three-course prix fixe meal at $40 a person, champagne included in price. A few of the options include filet mignon, SOB Bar Pie, seared scallops, butterscotch mousse, and chocolate crème brûlée. Call 526-0388 for details.

For a more eccentric take on New Year’s Eve dinner, drop into the Spaghetti Warehouse for the Death Du Jour Mystery Theater. Something of a tradition for the downtown eatery, this year’s theme is “Putting on the Blitz!” The dinner and show begins at 7:30 p.m. For reservations or more information, call 210-0545.

In Harbor Town, Paulette’s has a special four-course New Year’s Eve menu. It begins at 5:30 p.m. Call 260-3300 for details and reservations.

Jack Binion’s Steakhouse in Horseshoe Casino Tunica will be offering a four-course meal with both wine and champagne for $100 per person. Diners can add a lobster tail to any entrée for an additional $35. For more information, visit horseshoetunica.com and call 800-303-SHOE (7463) for reservations.

Celtic Crossing will host a New Year’s Eve Midnight Masquerade. It’s $45 per person for champagne and a three-course dinner, which includes a donation to the Memphis Humane Society. They’re also offering a sans-dinner “champagne package” for two for $40, which includes a bottle of champagne, appetizer, and donation to the Humane Society. The evening will include party favors, champagne toast, and a balloon drop at midnight. Entertainment provided by DJ Tree starting at 10 p.m. Call 274-5151 to make reservations and for more information.

Tip #3: Stay classy.

We’d like to believe that last impressions are just as important as first, so here are a few elegant options to spend your last hours in decadence.

The Great Hall and Conference Center in Germantown will play host to the Great New Year’s Eve Dance, from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and features the Memphis Knights Big Band, hors d’oeuvres, coffee, dessert, and plenty of champagne. Cost is $50 per person. For details, call 751-7661.

The New Year’s Eve party in the Grand Ballroom at The Peabody has live music from FreeSol, the Bo-Keys, and DJ Mark Anderson, as well as party favors and a balloon drop at midnight. The party runs from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m., and tickets (for admission and a glass of champagne) are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. They also offer a limited number of VIP Party Passes for $100, which include entry into the New Year’s Eve Party’s private VIP Lounge, an appetizer buffet, and a split of champagne and a gift from Budweiser of Memphis. For more information, call 529-4000 or visit peabodymemphis.com.

Tip #4: Stock up.

Those of you staying home (and by that, we mean those staying well below the Earth’s surface in a jury-rigged underground bunker) should remember to bring plenty of supplies. We’re talking bare necessities. Here’s a list of some beer and bubbly from the survival experts at Buster’s that will see you through the night with the right bottled fortitude.

Five beers worthy of your end-of-the-world celebration:

1) La Fin du Monde by Unibroue. From Quebec, among the highest-rated Belgian-style Tripels with a name that couldn’t be more appropriate (French for “The End of the World”), $8.99 for a 750 ml bottle.

2) Hennepin by Ommegang, a Belgian-style Saison from Cooperstown, New York, $11.99 a four-pack.

3) Chimay Grande Reserve, a Trappist-brewed Belgian strong dark ale, $12.99 for a 750 ml bottle or $29.99 for 1.5 L bottle.

4) SteenBrugge Tripel by Brouwerij Palm, $9.99 for a 750 ml bottle.

5) Rodenbach 2009 Vintage Oak Age Ale by Brouwerij Rodenbach, a Flanders Red Ale with a crisp sourness and notes of cherries, $18.99 for a 750 ml bottle.

And the top-five champagnes and sparkling wines:

1) Segura Viudas Brut Reserva, a Spanish Cava, $8.99.

2) Lamberti Prosecco, Italian Prosecco, crisp and elegant, $15.99.

3) Chandon Blanc de Noirs, a California sparkler from the makers of Dom Pérignon, $19.99.

4) Scharffenberger Brut Rosé, from California with hints of strawberry, $19.99.

5) Stella Rosa Imperial Moscato White, sweet bubbly Moscato that’s all the rage, $19.99.

Tip #5: Don’t forget the children.

For parents who are planning to join in on the inevitable mass hysteria the night will bring, these kid-centric events are perfect for giving the younger generation a fun and safe evening off the streets.

Children’s Museum of Memphis will be hosting their ¡Fiesta de Año Nuevo! from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, with a Latin American twist, will feature a dance party, crafts, door prizes, face painting, and balloon art. For more information, call 458-2678.

For an overnight experience, check out the New Year’s Eve Snooze at the Memphis Zoo from 7 p.m. until 9 a.m. Includes a sleepover in the zoo, a moonlight safari, chances to meet some of the more cuddly animals up close, and plenty of fun games and crafts. Cost includes pizza dinner, an evening snack, breakfast, a Zoo Snooze T-shirt, and admission to the zoo the next morning. For more information, call 333-6765.

Tip #6: Rock on!

Turn up the volume, and go out with a bang:

Young Avenue Deli: Minivan Blues Band and Copper Possum, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 278-0034.

Buccaneer Lounge: Subteens, 11 p.m. Call 278-0909.

Hadley’s Pub: New Year’s Eve Party with Jonez’n, 9 p.m. Call 266-5006.

Kudzu’s: The Sin City Scoundrels, Los Psychosis, and Chinese Connection Dub Embassy. $5 cover includes a “Champagne of Beer” toast at midnight. Doors open at 7 p.m. Call 525-4924 for details.

Hi-Tone: Jack O & the Tennessee Tearjerkers with River City Tanlines and Limes for $7. Show begins at 9 p.m. Call 278-8663.

Blues City Cafe: Greg Hardy and the Memphis 2 at noon, Brad Birkendahl and the Burnin’ Love Band at 5:30 p.m., Stunning Cunning Band at 9:30 p.m., and DJ G’REG at 1:30 am. Call 526-3637.

The Cove: Hope Clayburn’s Soul Scrimmage at 10 p.m. Call 730-0719.

Old Whitten Tavern: singer/songwriter duo Susie and Bob Salley, 9 p.m. Call 379-1965.

Huey’s will be hosting a number of events to celebrate New Year’s. The Ghost Town Blues Band will be playing at the Cordova location (754-3885), the Mud Flaps will be playing the Midtown location (726-4372), Beat Generation will play the Poplar location (682-7729), and Nite Life will play the Southwind location (624-8911). All bands will play from 9 p.m. through 12:30 a.m.

Tip #7: There’s safety in numbers.

When nature finally turns against us, your best bet for survival when out in the open is large groups. Beale Street, then, should be just the place to be when things gets real.

New Year’s Eve on Beale will include free live music in Handy Park and the traditional midnight guitar drop at the Hard Rock Cafe. On top of that, there are a number of shows to be seen along Beale throughout the evening:

Rum Boogie Cafe: Patrick Dodd Trio from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and James Govan & the Boogie Blues Band from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 528-0150 for details.

Blues Hall: Juke Joint All Stars play from 3 to 7 p.m., and The Memphis Bluesmasters from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Call 528-0150.

King’s Palace Cafe: Eric Hughes Band, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Call 521-1851.

Beale St. Tap Room: Plantation All Stars, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 527-4392.

If you happen to venture out from Beale, make your way to one of these designated shelters:

Southland Park will be hosting their Big Top Bash 4 with entertainment by DJ Crumbz. This free circus-esque New Year’s Eve bash will include enough carnival rides, games, and numerous champagne stations to see you through the new year. Festivities begin at 8 p.m. and run until 1 a.m. For more information, call 800-467-6182 or visit southlandpark.com.

For a Memphis-Canadian take on the New Year’s Eve bash, check out Kooky Canuck. The party begins at 9 p.m. with $2 glasses of champagne and $3 34-ounce Bud Lights throughout the evening. And best of all, there’s no cover. Call 578-9800 for details.

Flying Saucer Downtown will feature music from Cover Shot, $10 for UFO members, $15 for nonmembers. Includes free party favors and a toast at midnight. Call 523-7468. At the Cordova location, stop by to see some live music featuring Impeccable Miscreants and join in on the champagne toast at midnight for a $5 cover. Call 755-5530.

Tip #8: Throw caution to the wind.

While preparing for the worst, it can’t hurt in these, our last hours on Earth, to really enjoy ourselves. Life has never been shorter, so why not indulge in these all-inclusive New Year’s Eve celebrations?

At Horseshoe Tunica, there will be live music Terry Mike Jeffrey, Rob & the Rage, and the Soul Shockers and Las Vegas Showgirls on the casino floor throughout the night. Includes complimentary party favors. Call 800-303-7463 or visit horseshoetunica.com.

Tunica Roadhouse will feature live music from Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. For more information, call 800-391-3777 or visit tunica-roadhouse.com.

At Harrah’s Tunica, it’s CIROC du Night with video DJ Ben Cohen and acrobats, aerial artists, and fire performers. The party’s from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with a free champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $20 through Ticketmaster and $35 at the door. For details, call 800-949-4949 or visit harrahstunica.com.

Sam’s Town‘s New Year’s bash will include live music from Brian McComas and Bobby Marquez as well as complimentary party favors, a champagne toast, and a balloon drop at midnight. Call 800-456-0711 for more details.

Gold Strike will end the year with a champagne toast. Almost Famous and Gabby Johnson will provide the entertainment. Call 888-245-7529 for more information.

Tip #9: Survive.

Wake up on New Year’s Day 2012 remembering that the end of the world isn’t actually scheduled until some time next December, and besides, it’s all pretty absurd anyway.

So sit back and sigh your sigh of relief while celebrating the new year and renewed life with some brunch.

Majestic New Year’s Day Brunch at The Majestic Grille is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are recommended. For more information, call 522-8555.

New Year’s Day Brunch at the Beauty Shop is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information or to make your reservations, call 272-7111.

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Memphis Beer Beat: Q&A with Chuck Skypeck, Part 2

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with co-owner and head brewer of Boscos and Ghost River Brewing Co, Chuck Skypeck. We’ll pick up here where we left the first part of the interview, in which Skypeck began discussing the seemingly exponential growth of passion and geek-dom from those at the front lines of the craft beer revolution, as well as a brief history of craft beer.

flyby_p9_ghostriver.jpg

From what I’ve noticed, and this is certainly the case with me, most people who drink craft beer are extremely passionate about it. Any idea why this might be the case?

I think another thing besides craft beer becoming hip and cool among the 21 to 25 year old drinker is another thing that’s really pushed craft beer sales recently, and it’s the local food movement. I find it really fascinating that I’ve been preaching fresh and local from day one— that’s twenty years— and it hasn’t really resonated until now because it’s across a broader spectrum of products that people think of as being fresh and local. I honestly think that that the local food movement of the last few years has really helped craft brewing, and I think there’s a huge percentage of our customers drink our beer because it’s local, not because its considered craft.

Categories
News The Fly-By

Eyesore to Art

Like so many vacant, boarded-up homes throughout the city, the house at 2514 Harvard in Binghampton lies somewhere in foreclosure limbo.

Its windows and doors are boarded shut, and rotting wood hangs from the banister on the front porch. But the abandoned home may be on its way from blighted eyesore to artistic symbol of community revitalization.

People First, a local nonprofit partnered with the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center, plans to paint the house and the boards sealing the doors and windows with scenes of a healthy household.

“We wanted to find a way to bring art to that space in a way that wouldn’t alienate anyone in the neighborhood,” said Brad Watkins of the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center. “The idea is to paint over the boarded-up doors and windows with paintings of windows and doors looking into this house, as if people lived there.

“It serves a practical need. I don’t want to live next to a house like that. Nobody does,” Watkins continued. “We want to begin shining a light on the systemic problems that cause [blight] in the first place.”

Some of those problems include negligent out-of-state landlords and banks that allow homes to fall into disrepair and refuse or avoid paying taxes on the properties.

“[With this project] we can start to connect that vacant house to the larger abstract issues of why we have all these vacant houses and what’s stopping the city and county from finding out who owns them and collecting taxes from them,” Watkins said.

People First planned to paint the house last weekend, but the weather was too cold for the paint to dry properly. A new date for the action has not yet been determined. So far, Binghampton residents, local art students, and art teachers have signed up to volunteer. Sherwin-Williams and Home Depot donated the paint.

Watkins hopes the home will serve as a call to action for Binghampton residents.

“I’m hoping that once we get this project done, there will be other people in the neighborhood who are going to see it and want that to happen [to the other condemned houses in Binghampton],” Watkins said. “Maybe we can even make a competition out of it. Sadly, there’s no shortage of houses like that one, so the idea is to take on other houses across Binghampton over the next year.”

In January, People First will be hosting a one-day government benefits screening and application assistance workshop for residents looking to request food stamps and TennCare. They’ve also planned a renters’ rights workshop.

“A lot of times, these slumlords get away with victimizing people because people just don’t know what their rights are,” Watkins said. “[Residents] need to know how to organize themselves to fight against these unfair practices.”

Continued Watkins, “We’re not trying to fix Binghampton. There’s nothing about Binghampton that needs fixing. We want to be a partner with the people of Binghampton, helping them do what they want to do in the community.”

Those looking to get involved, join the People First committee, or donate paint to the project may email Brad Watkins at brad@midsouthpeace.org.

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Memphis Beer Beat: Ghost River Bottling Line and Q&A with Chuck Skypeck

On Tuesday, Ghost River Brewing Co. hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the brewery to celebrate their new bottling line and the distribution of bottled Ghost River Golden Ale to local stores, restaurants, and bars. The addition of the new bottling line is part of a recent $750,000 expansion that began early this year. Additional fermentation tanks were also added, increasing Ghost River’s production from 5,000 to 10,000 kegs a year.

Members of the greater Memphis Chamber (John Duncan), the Barzizza’s of Southwest Distributing, members of the Wolf River Conservancy, and a crowd of about 100 Memphians gathered between fermentation tanks and pallets of kegs to show their support of Memphis’ own microbrewery.

photo.jpg

Categories
News The Fly-By

Relic Restoration

Midtown’s East End trolley stand has long been left to the elements, and today it appears tagged with graffiti and nearly swallowed by overgrown vegetation.

But the historic structure may soon see new life. Preservation Memphis has set its sights on restoring the trolley stop on the south side of Poplar across from Overton Park.

“Historically, it was a trolley turnaround [built in the early 1900s],” said Alex Turley, co-founder of Preservation Memphis. “But if you look at it in its current state, it’s become a place for people who sit, drink beer, and probably sleep. The trash around it is insane, and a good portion of that ends up in Lick Creek.”

A relatively new organization, Preservation Memphis aims to take on “manageable, small restoration projects” for $15,000 or less. They typically focus on neglected or dilapidated historic structures, according to Turley.

The group plans to transplant the East End trolley stand across the street from its current location near the Belleair neighborhood. The stand will sit on the edge of Overton Park where it will serve as a functioning bus stop.

“You can’t really see it when you’re driving down Poplar because it’s buried in shrubbery,” said Kenny Jabbour, another of Preservation Memphis’ founders. “It’s just one of those relics left behind. It’s completely untouched, and someone needed to take charge and restore it.”

Turley and Jabbour estimate that restoration of the trolley stand should be fairly easy and will involve a paint job, replacing rotting wood in the frame, and giving the structure a new cedar shingle roof.

“Things built back then were built rather well,” Jabbour said. “There’s some rotten wood on the back of [the trolley stop]. Other than that, it’s in pretty solid shape.”

As announced last week, Preservation Memphis is still in the fund-raising phase of the project. Jabbour estimates that at least $6,000 will be needed to complete the restoration process, which should begin in as little as two weeks. Once work begins, Turley says restoration will only take a couple of days.

The project has the support of the city’s Park Services department, Memphis Area Transit Authority, the Memphis Landmarks Commission, Memphis Heritage, the Overton Park golf course, and local historian John Dulaney.

The East End trolley stand will be Preservation Memphis’ second project. Earlier this year, they restored the pavilion in Midtown’s Peabody Park.

“Everyone’s been very pleased with the way it turned out,” Jabbour said. “It was in bad shape, and it shines now. Once it gets warmer, we’re going to host a concert or a block party there.”

“People are letting their kids play on it now,” added Turley, who believes that their work inspires others to take action. “The city has really stepped up now, and Peabody Park looks great. It’s like everyone has taken notice.”

Preservation Memphis is seeking donations to fund the restoration of the trolley stand. Donations can be mailed to Kenny Jabbour, 65 Union Ave. (Mezz. Floor), Memphis, TN 38103.

Said Turley: “If we get more money than we need, we’ll apply those surplus funds to the next project.”

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Barrel-Aged Memphis Beer Beat

Barrel-aged Memphis Beer Beat—

Unfortunately, there aren’t too many barrel-aged beers available in Memphis, but there are a few to be found…and they’re absolutely worth trying. Last week I picked up a bottle of Hitachino Nest XH (a Belgian-style strong dark ale aged in sake barrels) by the Kiuchi Brewery of Naka, Japan as well as a bottle of Ola Dubh Special Reserve 16 (an old ale aged in 16 year old single malt scotch whiskey barrels) from the Scottish Harviestoun Brewery.

The line up (plus Founders Backwoods Bastard: a Scottish-style Wee Heavy aged in Bourbon Barrels)

  • The line up (plus Founder’s Backwoods Bastard: a Scottish-style Wee Heavy aged in Bourbon Barrels)

Over the past decade or so, the conditioning of beer in barrels recycled from distilleries has become a significant trend among craft breweries…and beer geeks can’t seem to get enough of these boozed-up gems. Your typical candidate for barrel-aging is found in the strong, age-able beer (imperial stouts, barleywines, old ales, wild ales, Belgian strong ales, etc.). While oak barrels were once the normal container used for aging and shipping beer, nowadays craft brewers use them to impart certain flavors and depth to their beer. For a short history on barrel-aged beers, check out this article by beer blogger, Michael Tonsmeire.

Categories
News The Fly-By

Occupy Winter

CREDIT: Andrew Caldwell

“I’m not usually this fat,” said Occupy Memphis member Jack Armstrong, pointing to his multiple layers of clothing.

Over a month into their occupation of Civic Center Plaza, Occupy Memphis is preparing for the holidays and cold weather. The group has gotten a decent amount of financial support from individual donors, which, along with donated food items, clothing, and tents, has helped keep campers warm and fed.

“We are going to be getting a generator and some space heaters,” Armstrong said. “We’ve set up a tent city with all these tents in the front to buffer the wind coming off of the river, and we’re bundling up with lots of layers.”

After city officials banned the group from plugging into light poles for electricity, they’ve turned to U.S. Marine-issued batteries to power electronics, such as space heaters, cell phones, and laptops.

Despite cooling temperatures, spirits seemed high at the Occupy Memphis camp last week. Protesters scattered throughout the campsite played guitars, spoke to curious passersby, and prepared for an early Thanksgiving dinner.

“We’re going to be doing Thanksgiving here on Saturday,” Armstrong said. “We’ll cook a turkey dinner offsite and bring it here. If we cook here, we’ll have to go through the health department.

“And it’ll probably be pretty similar for Christmas,” Armstrong continued. “For New Year’s, we’ll be swinging from the chandeliers and having a good ole time out here. But drinking and drugs aren’t allowed so it’ll have to be fairly tame.”

Numbers have been growing steadily, according to Armstrong. He said around 50 people sleep onsite during the week and up to 115 on weekends.

“Most of the time, we’ll have around 45 people actually staying here and the rest will come and go,” Armstrong said.

“It’s addictive,” said Armstrong, when asked why he chooses to camp onsite. “I have to leave during the day for work, but when I’m off work, I’m back down here. I stay most nights. I’ve been here since October 15th, and [I’ve come to love] the camaraderie. They’re family.”

The Occupy Memphis group plans to remain at Civic Center Plaza indefinitely, which could mean camping straight through the winter. The Memphis Police Department and the city of Memphis have agreed to allow the protesters to stay, so long as they remain peaceful.

Armstrong, who plans to stay as long as the camp is intact, said there’s plenty going on at the Occupy camp to keep his mind off the cold weather.

The occupiers have developed a daily schedule, and while most of the day is spent kicking back, holding meetings, and talking to people who stop by the campsite for more information, some of the members march to the Bank of America every day at 3 p.m. to protest.

“Nothing is ever the same,” Armstrong said. “I’m always learning new things. I’m watching people work together at the [general assemblies], where you get to see civics going on. We’re writing proposals. We’re passing them. It’s really cool watching that interaction. Everyone should come down here and spend a day. What you see on TV, it’s nothing like that.”

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Memphis Beer Beat: Teach a Friend to Brew Day

Last Saturday morning, I had the pleasure of attend the Bluff City Brewers & Connoisseurs’ “Teach a Friend to Brew Day” in the Bayou Gill parking lot. As a part of the American Homebrewer’s Association‘s National Learn to Brew day, the event was geared towards those with little to no brewing experience, and the morning held demonstrations on both the relatively quick and easy extract brewing method and the more advanced all-grain brewing method, as well as a rundown on equipment, ingredients, the pros and cons of bottling and kegging, and the ins and outs of starting yeast cultures.

Bluff Citys J.L. Thompson goes over basic equipment

  • Bluff City’s J.L. Thompson goes over basic equipment