Author: Samuel X. Cicci

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Sports Upper 90

901 FC Rolls On with Victory in Tulsa; da Costa in, Goodrum Gone

Rodrigo da Costa is Memphis' latest acquisition. (Credit: 901 FC/USL Championship)

Aaron Molloy warned them, to be fair. His first-half left-footed pile driver had thundered off the crossbar after some nifty footwork, but the Irishman was in no mood to show such mercy again. So when Molloy collected a layoff just outside the box in the 2nd half, it was no surprise that his shot found its way into the bottom corner to give Memphis a 2-1 victory over Tulsa. The 901 FC captain is leading by example, and the rest of his teammates are following suit. And that’s a good thing, since the last couple days have seen a sizable shake-up at the top of the pitch.

Early-season foibles aside, 901 FC have been humming along nicely under coach Stephen Glass. They haven’t quite yet achieved the stoutness of Ben Pirmann’s peak last season, with goalkeeper Bill Hamid having to make several crucial stops last Friday. But everything’s moving in the right direction, as evidenced by the team’s current seven-match unbeaten streak in the USL. A big part of that is the dynamic midfield duo of Molloy and Jeremy Kelly, who are helping Memphis control possession (an average of 55 percent-per-match so far this season) and frequently pop up in goal-scoring sequences. The two bossed Tulsa’s midfield last weekend, leading all players on the field with 63 and 60 completed passes, respectively.

And most crucially, Molloy scored the winner with his first goal of the season, while it was Kelly’s deflected shot that led to 18-year-old Nighte Pickering opening the scoring for Memphis. Pickering eased into action after he signed last season before breaking out with a debut bicycle kick goal, but his importance to the team is growing. In seven appearances, he has two goals and two assists, and already looks like he belongs among the rest of last season’s Eastern Conference semifinalists.

Memphis has gone goalscorer-by-committee, with plenty of players contributing to the attack. Luiz Fernando leads the way with four goals and two assists in nine appearances (evidence of his own growing influence on the team), while three players are sitting on two goals scored. That’s just as well, since last season’s top scorer Phillip Goodrum has been ice cold in league play since he accused Memphis of blocking his exit over the summer. But that’s immaterial now, as 901 FC announced Monday that Goodrum would be headed to Tulsa, in exchange for Rodrigo da Costa and an undisclosed transfer fee.

It’s a bit grating to see another high-caliber striker depart, but it just hadn’t been clicking for Goodrum in Memphis this season. But newcomer da Costa should provide yet another high-quality option for an attack that already boasts Laurent Kissiedou, Bruno Lapa, and Dylan Borczak, among others. The Brazilian debuted in USL in 2019, and since then has notched 36 goals and 25 assists. This season, he’s got three goals and one assists in nine appearances, and in terms of chances created, his 30 is second only to … that’s right, Molloy. da Costa can function as both a midfielder and an attacker, giving Glass another option to unleash as part of a fluid attack.

Memphis doesn’t play again until Saturday, June 3rd against Miami FC. That should give da Costa plenty of time to bed in and help Memphis move up from its 6th position in the Eastern Conference Standings.

Categories
Film Features Film/TV

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Rocket’s backstory forms the emotional core for one last adventure with James Gunn’s Guardians.

The first installment of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy foreshadowed the wacky space antics to come by opening with Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), grooving to Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love” on a deserted planet. Volume 2 followed Baby Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) as he boogies to Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky,” blissfully unaware that his fellow Guardians are locked in combat with a giant octopus monster.

But Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 offers no such playful dance number intro from a joyful audience surrogate. Director James Gunn’s Marvel swan song (he’s now creative director for rival DC Studios) opens in darkness. A group of baby raccoons in a dirty cage hears footsteps echo from a hallway, and a silhouette emerges. All the raccoons flee from the cage door except one, his eyes wide in terror as a hand extends slowly into the cage.

That frightened face morphs into the present-day Rocket (Bradley Cooper), the anthropomorphic gunslinging raccoon (but don’t call him that) and Gunn’s preferred “secret hero” of the franchise. When the bristles on Rocket’s face come into sharp focus — the most accomplished CGI that we’ve seen in a Marvel film for quite a while — it’s clear Gunn is not interested in repeating himself.

The rage and frustration of Radiohead’s “Creep” follow Rocket in an early scene as he walks through Knowhere, the Guardians’ new HQ. His found family of oddballs are in a bad place following the events of Avengers: Endgame. A permanently drunk Quill is despondent that former teammate and love interest Gamora (Zoë Saldaña) doesn’t remember her time as a Guardian, while Nebula (Karen Gillan), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) do their best to pick up the pieces. Meanwhile, comic relief Kraglin (Sean Gunn) is joined by newcomer Cosmo the Space Dog (voiced by Maria Bakalova), cracking wise, playing cards, and trying to keep the mood up.

The early sidelining of Quill establishes that this is Rocket’s story, with frequent flashbacks to his time as a genetic experiment under the eye of the maniacal High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), a man that harbors a twisted obsession to create the perfect being. Rocket is critically injured during an early skirmish with newcomer Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), but the crew needs the High Evolutionary’s tech to save him. From there, the story gets dark and even depressing, at one point delivering the franchise’s first “Fuck.”

Previous Guardians films have explored the core crew’s backstories, but Rocket’s tragic past has only been hinted at. Guardians has always been about fatherly trauma, whether it’s Gamora and Nebula’s years of torture under Thanos, Drax’s failure to protect his late daughter, or the revelation that Quill’s father was Ego the Living Planet. Rocket’s grueling backstory gives the movie something that’s been missing from recent Marvel films: an emotional core.

Young Rocket dreams big with his fellow experimental subjects; they’re excited to be a part of the High Evolutionary’s new world, even as they undergo grotesque, body-horror alterations. Pet lovers beware: There are some pretty brutal depictions of violence enacted upon animals in this movie.

Star-Lord’s attempts to win back Gamora provide the series’ usual semi-comic tone, and we get the requisite space shoot-outs, and even a Nathan Fillion cameo. But pathos is never far from the surface; Rocket’s journey through his trauma is always front and center. It’s a refreshing change of pace from the sanitized corporate slop that has given moviegoers superhero fatigue during the MCU’s latest phase. Gunn even manages to introduce Warlock, who is set to be a big player in future MCU films, as an organic part of this story, rather than a distraction.

Guardians Vol. 3 is the most creative Marvel film in years, a fitting end to Gunn’s time with Disney. It should serve as the template going forward, but will it? It seems unlikely super-producer Kevin Feige will afford this much creative leeway to directors with lesser reputations, and with Gunn off to DC, the MCU will probably return to the assembly line approach that’s left Phases 4 and 5 feeling stale. At least Gunn, Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Nebula, Mantis, Groot, and especially Rocket can all go out with a bang.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Now playing
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News News Blog News Feature

First Horizon, TD Bank Merger Deal Off

(Photo: Samuel X. Cicci)

One of the region’s biggest financial institutions won’t have a new name after all. On Thursday, First Horizon Corporation and TD Bank Group announced they had mutually agreed to terminate their merger agreement.

“While today’s announcement is unfortunate and unexpected, First Horizon will continue on its growth path operating from a position of strength and stability,” said First Horizon chairman, president, and CEO Bryan Jordan in a statement. “Our strong capital position, disciplined credit quality, expense control measures, and well-diversified and stable funding mix have enabled our business to navigate challenging banking industry dynamics and remain focused on executing our client-centric growth plan. We continue to develop and expand deep client relationships across all of our markets, which include some of the fastest-growing U.S. markets, while maintaining a strong, asset-sensitive balance sheet well-positioned for the current rate environment.”

First Horizon had announced in February 2022 that it would be acquired by Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries in an all-cash transaction valued at $13.4 billion. However, the acquisition had been delayed twice — to an ultimate May 27th deadline — due to pending regulatory approvals. With the deadline approaching, the companies were not confident about hitting that date, and TD could not provide a new projected timeline in which regulatory approvals might be obtained. Because of that uncertainty, the two companies decided to call off the merger. It would have made TD the sixth-largest bank in the United States, measured by assets.

“This decision provides our colleagues and shareholders with clarity,” said TD Bank Group president and CEO Bharat Masrani. “Though disappointed with the outcome, we move forward with a strong, growing franchise in the United States, servicing more than 10 million customers across our footprint. I want to thank First Horizon for their partnership over the last several months and wish them enormous success for the future. Above all, I want to thank our colleagues at TD Bank, America’s most convenient bank, for their tremendous efforts and steadfast dedication to the bank, the millions we serve and the communities in which we live and work.”

The termination agreement means that TD will make a $200 million cash payment to First Horizon (on top of a “$25 million fee reimbursement due to First Horizon pursuant to the merger agreement”).

First Horizon’s share price had dropped about 40 percent over the last few months, far below the $25 per share that TD had offered when the merger was announced. The stock closed at $15.05 on Wednesday and fell almost another 40 percent, currently sitting at $9.24.

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Phillip Ashley Chocolates Teams Up With Miller High Life

Miller High Life Bar Snack Truffles (Credit: Justin Fox Burks / ICF Next)

Memphians love a good lemon pepper chicken wing. But have they tried lemon-pepper-chicken-wing-flavored … chocolate?

If there’s anyone who can pull it off, it’s Phillip Ashley Rix, owner of Phillip Ashley Chocolates. And a recent partnership with Miller High Life means that Rix will be bringing an intriguing selection of six bar-snack-inspired truffles to Memphis next month.

“Miller reached out to me, and their objective was to create an ode to bar food and bar culture,” says Rix. “The group asked, ‘How do we capture the flavor and sensory experience of being in a dive bar and washing some snacks down with a Miller High Life?’ So I started telling them about how I used to enjoy a grilled cheese and wash it down with a Miller High Life, and the ideas just started flowing from there.”

Starting May 2nd, Phillip Ashley Chocolates will produce 1,000 limited-run boxes of Miller High Life Bar Snack Truffles. No stranger to incorporating fascinating flavors into his creations, Rix will include six different truffle varieties in each box.

“This is our wheelhouse,” he says. “I’ve always sought to do avant-garde-centric flavor profiles. Not for the sake of being sensational, but to create something sensational, to create something that has a great flavor profile, tastes good, and is also something that piques the imagination of the consumer.”

Phillip Ashley Rix (Credit: Justin Fox Burks / ICF Next)

Rix hopes that the creative flavors will make buyers curious about his new styles. The aforementioned grilled cheese and lemon pepper flavors are two of his favorites, but the others cover a broad range of bar snacks. There’s the “beernut,” which is Rix’s take on a peanut butter cup, while he calls the pretzel praline truffle a perfect mix of “sweet and salty.” The buttery popcorn truffle is infused with the flavors of movie-theater-style popcorn, while the sweet potato fry blends a sweet potato mash with blond chocolate.

“The ingredients really live in the chocolate,” says Rix. “With the lemon pepper, we have a cool way of making cracklin out of chicken skin. Then I have a background in chemistry, so we turn it into a format where we can infuse it into the ganache. So you’ll get all the chicken flavor without all the unpleasant texture.

“And we infuse the ‘champagne of beer’ in the truffles as well. It’s a collaborative effort because my goal is to design and deliver a product that Miller will be pleased with, but also to create something that encapsulates my experience with Miller as a consumer of theirs. And the memories I have of enjoying snacks in dive bar with a Miller, maybe munching on some popcorn or sweet potato fries, I synthesize those with my expertise in science and food, and the result is a really fun exercise in two brands coming together.”

Even after the Miller box goes on sale, Rix will continue to push the envelope when it comes to chocolate, as his passion for the craft keeps him eager to unlock new taste combinations. “I’ve always made it a point to be an encyclopedia of flavor, always staying up on trends and then just having ideas in the locker, so that when someone like Miller calls, I have something to work through. I hadn’t done grilled cheese before, but I had incorporated cheeses into my chocolates. And I hadn’t done chicken wings, but I did pioneer a fried chicken chocolate. So they are natural evolutions of the ideas I’ve had before.”

Boxes will be available to order on the Phillip Ashley Chocolates website for $35 starting May 2nd.

(Credit: Phillip Ashley Chocolates)
Categories
Editorial Letter From An Editor Opinion

May Flowers

A Santa Fe (not Memphis) skyline. (Photo: Paul Brady | Dreamstime)

Editor’s note: Flyer writers will occasionally share this space.

The stormy spring season has thrown a wrench into my carefully crafted plans this year. Power outages, lost internet connections, new patio furniture hurled from my balcony thanks to strong winds, and rained-out soccer games have been April staples (although my hamstring is grateful for the last one). But as the old saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” April has indeed been a bit of a wet blanket, but it’s set to usher in some other notable moments for yours truly.

One such moment is May 12th, a day I’ve had circled on the calendar for the better part of this year. That day, as I’m sure most of you readers are aware, is the official release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, in which the intrepid hero Link will continue to traipse around the wild expanse of an open kingdom of Hyrule. That big mountain off in the distance? You can go there, if you want. The ocean stretching off into the horizon? Go build a boat and sail. Or just fly around the floating island in the sky, soaking up the joy of unparalleled freedom in digital format.

While the game and its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, do capture a freedom unlike anything else in the medium, such wanderlust was a big part of my live, non-digital time growing up in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The views from our patio unfolded endlessly into an expanse of snow-capped mountains, infinite blue skies, and rollicking fluffy clouds. And the recurring pastel sunsets, I must inform you all, put Memphis’ to shame. That little peak jutting up way in the distance? Well, odds are that you can probably head over, hike up to the top, and catch a different view of the sunset.

I picked up a friend before heading to the Porter-Leath Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival this past weekend, and she stopped by my car trunk for a few beats. “Why do you still have your New Mexico license plate?” she asked, with a mixed look of both interest and distaste. And that proved to be an excellent question. This summer marks the start of another year in Memphis and as a citizen of the Mid-South. And I don’t regret a second of it, learning about the city, finally having a professional basketball team to root for, and having close proximity to the best kind of barbecue. But as I’ve settled into the humdrum routine of life as an adult in a city that requires a car for traversal, it has sometimes felt like a balancing act of absorbing the influences of my new city and holding on to that fleeting feeling of freedom from my Santa Fe years.

No longer can I step outside and immediately set foot onto an interconnected series of complex mountainous hiking trails or turn to my left and see someone walking their llama up a dirt road. The yellow license plate, complete with the requisite Zia symbol in the middle, has always been a pleasant reminder of the sky-blue desert days before I begin a journey to work Downtown that requires nimble maneuvering through myriad speed bumps, construction zones, and our patented potholes. This might all sound a bit negative, but I love my new city. I wouldn’t change a thing about my time here and hope to have many more memorable Memphis years.

But my pieces of Santa Fe have been drifting away in the past couple years. My New Mexico driver’s license disappeared along with my entire wallet at a Grizzlies playoff game last year (still worth it), and now this summer, the state of Tennessee is insistent that my NM license plate finally be replaced with one of their own. The dilly-dallying of our county clerk has given me a little extra time with my beloved yellow plate, but my last material connection to New Mexico isn’t long for this world. It’s been a steady companion over the years, as I’ve navigated some mild fish-out-of-water feelings while functioning alongside many friends and colleagues who have personal and long-standing connections to Memphis and the Mid-South. I’ve always wondered when I can truly call myself a Memphian, or perhaps that benchmark was passed long ago. Again, I love being part of the 901 and all it entails. But letting go of the yellow license plate has just been that little bit harder than I thought.

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Belle Meade Social to Open in East Memphis

Rendering of the Belle Meade Social entrance (Credit: DCA)

Anyone need an extra order of Parmesan truffle fries for the table? The upcoming Belle Meade Social has you covered, alongside plenty of other refined American favorites.

Named for the surrounding residential neighborhood, Belle Meade Social plans to open this spring at 518 Perkins Extended. The menu aims to deliver contemporary and elevated takes on classic American cuisine; look out for the Belle Meade burger, a spicy tuna stack, Asian chopped salad, and brick chicken.

Founding partners Jules Jordan and Paul Stephens are leading the effort alongside executive chef Eric Ingraham, who most recently has worked with Pimento’s for the better part of a decade. “We’re excited to add to the energy of the Poplar-Perkins corridor and serve as a destination for everyday yet upscale dining,” said Jordan in a statement. “Whether for business lunch, happy hour, a special occasion, or family dinner, we’re creating a space that can authentically serve as everyone’s neighborhood spot.”

Belle Meade Social will feature lunch, dinner, and late-night dining. The Garden Room can accomodate fine dining for a nice evening meal, while the expansive bar is perfect for a more casual night out. Meanwhile, the Tuckahoe Room is available for private receptions and cocktails.

More info, such as the full menu and hours, will be available closer to opening, so stay tuned.

The Brick Chicken (top) is one of Belle Meade Social’s featured dishes. (Credit: DCA)
Steak Noodle Salad (Credit: DCA)
Tuna Salad (Credit: DCA)
Categories
Sports Upper 90

901 FC Falls to Loudoun in Season Opener

Jeremy Kelly should be a key player for 901 FC again this season. (Credit: USL Championship)

Memphis 901 FC approached the new season with a sense of excitement, and a heightened set of expectations, after last season’s run to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Former head Coach Ben Pirmann had departed to the Charleston Battery, but Scotsman Stephen Glass arrived to lead a team which had kept much of its talented core intact. But nothing comes easy in the USL, and an opening day 3-1 loss to visiting Loudoun United reinforced that point.

The caveat here is that this was by no means a bad overall performance. For the first time in 901 FC history, there was continuity among the squad, showcased foremost in the midfield, with critical players Jeremy Kelly (pitching in with 8 goals and 10 assists last season) and Aaron Molloy (also 8 goals and 10 assists) lining up alongside each other in midfield. Memphis had more shots (15-9) and held more possession (53 percent), but Loudon came out on top in several key moments during the game. Indeed, the visitors signaled their potential danger early when Kalil ElMedkhar’s fourth minute diving header squirmed past Memphis keeper Drew Romig, but the offside flag kept the score at 0-0.

The warning was not heeded, however, as Memphis found themselves down 2-0 within the first 12 minutes. The first Loudoun goal, admittedly, was an astounding sequence of one-touch passing that carved the defense open before Tommy Williamson slotted his shot past Romig for 1-0. Just three minutes later, 901 FC defender Graham Smith turned the ball over with an errant pass just outside his own box, and Zach Ryan’s deflected finish left Memphis down two goals. 

That’s a pretty big hole to climb out of, but Memphis gave it a go, and summer signing Bruno Lapa was the catalyst for the fightback. The forward stole the ball on the halfway line before driving forward solo, eventually playing a perfect pass in for Laurent Kissiedou, who settled before firing past Hugo Faroux at the near post to reduce the deficit.

But the match turned following a bizarre kerfuffle in the 2nd half. Loudon midfielder Houssou Landry started what looked like a series of patronizing pats on Kissiedou’s head after a coming together. The 901 FC midfielder took exception and swung his arm back while walking away, and hit Landry on what looked like his collarbone. Landry, however, went down clutching his face, and after deliberation, he received a yellow card for simulation. The referee also deemed that Kissiedou’s action constituted “violent conduct,” and sent him off with a straight red card, leaving Memphis to play with 10 men for the rest of the contest.

But 901 FC continued on unperturbed and did their best to attack Loudoun’s goal. Star striker Phillip Goodrum had a couple of decent looks saved, while Jeremy Kelly, Carson Vom Steeg, and Dylan Borczak all had decent chances to level the score. But while pushing for an equalizer, Memphis players were caught upfield in stoppage time and conceded a garbage time third to Ryan. A disappointing way to start the season, especially after spotting the opposition two goals within the first quarter hour, but on the overall balance of play, there’s no need to worry. This is still a very talented squad that can generate high quality chances, and most of these players are familiar with each other.

But looking ahead, there are a few wrinkles to examine. Coach Glass decided to experiment with Rashawn Dally at left back for opening day, and … it didn’t work. Dally, after all, is a forward, not a defender. He brings a lot of good qualities to the table, but that position is just not his game. Loudoun could be selective about their pressing, choosing to funnel the play over to Dally while they defended, and could usually count on him to cough up a turnover with which to spring their own attack. 

Up top, it was always going to be interesting to see how Goodrum fared. Not too long ago, the striker sounded off with a pretty withering comment at a press conference:

“I had opportunities to go into Major League Soccer and go into Europe this offseason, and the club held me back from that. So I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t devastated to be back here. But look, I signed a two year contract, and so I’m here one more year. So play it out and see how it goes and hopefully we can go set a record and win some championships this year.”

That’s not what you want to hear from your record goalscorer heading into week one. And, of course, that’s only one half of the story, but it doesn’t help having an unsettled player. The striker wasn’t his usual sharpshooting self on Saturday, but still got into decent positions. It might be soon, or it might be a little longer, before he’s back in the right headspace. But in my mind, Goodrum has banked some credit after his stellar last season (22 goals!). He’s a pro, after all, and pros get on with it even if things aren’t going their way. (On a side note, the kit man probably needs to double check his work, as evidenced by the noticeably misspelled “Goodum” on the back of Phil’s jersey on Saturday.)

Up next weekend is a home match against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday, March 18th at 4 p.m.

Categories
Editorial Opinion

The Battle for Belle Harbour

Stay out of my apartment, ladybug. (Photo: Pixabay)

Editor’s note: Flyer writers will occasionally share this space.

They came with the first wave of warmish weather that washed over Memphis this year. It started with the briefest rustling of the blinds near my apartment window, occasionally supplemented by the soft fluttering of wings in the dead of night. But then, slowly, spots of red and orange hues began to appear everywhere, taking over my living space and making themselves at home.

The ladybugs had returned. And they didn’t even offer to pay rent!

Although, according to Google, these aren’t your run-of-the-mill ladybugs. This other species that has set up shop with me over here on Mud Island is likely a family of Asian lady beetles, a more invasive variety that simply can’t stop helping itself to prime suntanning spots on my windows and buzzing around some of my lamps. I don’t really mind bugs, but these ones kind of unnerve me, with their little tails (ladybugs shouldn’t have tails!) and their occasional propensity for extra wing flutters as I lie in the dark trying to sleep. That’s not okay, bugs.

Maybe the rest of you Mid-Southerners are used to this. But not me; where I grew up, in Santa Fe, we got used to centipedes, millipedes, prowling tarantulas, and even the occasional bat hanging from the veranda. So my battle for the last week has revolved around a single-minded goal: to get rid of these scarlet squatters and restore peace to my abode. Okay, sure, they’re pretty harmless, and I could wait for my pest control work order to kick in, but by golly, I can occasionally be obstinate and have to draw the line somewhere when it comes to interlopers.

At first, it was simple enough to coax the bugs onto a sheet of paper or a book cover and deposit them back outside to enjoy the nice weather we’ve been having. But mine was a persistent foe. As I clacked away on my keyboard, helping to edit some of the great columns you’ll read by the talented writers here in the Flyer, my ears would pick up an occasional rustle or another flutter. A quick peek at the window revealed one … no, two, wait, four more ladybugs hanging around? And is that another one hanging out by my bookshelf? How vexing.

The ladybugs occupied my obsession for a week, an unwanted distraction next to real responsibilities that actually matter, like turning this column in on time and getting the issue off to the printer. But this is a problem that I chose to focus on. And as my internal clock ticked past 30 years of age last year and the feeling of old age began to settle, the idea that I needed to more carefully select my battles has never seemed more appealing.

The outrage machine both online and off never even sputters these days, throwing up weird controversies that demand an emotional outpouring of fury and rage. Gas stoves? M&M’s mascots? More stuff about England’s royal family?

To be blunt, on certain days it feels like I can’t care anymore. Maybe a decade ago I would don my armor as a soldier of the Twitter wars, but engaging with a too-online rando who might clearly be a troll now is just, well, a waste of time.

Some days, my brain hurts trying to wrap itself around nonstop vitriol surrounding mundane problems. Not when there are real issues that demand our attention. Not when our governor is trying to police gender or paint scarlet letters on drag performers. Not when innocent people are beat to death in the street.

Direct your outrage towards real issues that merit it, and have some leftover brainspace for the little things important to you. Maybe one of my friends thinks a specific local beer is the best in town (it’s not). No problem, he enjoys it, it’s not hurting me, I’ll save my incredulity for something else. And maybe I’ve wasted time dealing with a bug problem that requires a professional hand. That’s okay; working more actively to tune out all the excess noise means that the smaller issues that pop up week after week won’t become the proverbial straws that break the camel’s back, and I remain motivated for the real challenges that still lie ahead.

But the battles continue. If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got another bug to squash.

Categories
Sports Sports Feature

Big Game Players

INDvMEM Indy Eleven vs Memphis 901 FC .07/23/2022.IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium.Indianapolis, IN.Photo: Don Thompson

The Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant reached new heights in 2022, the team tying a franchise record with 56 wins as the player started his first All-Star Game and earned second-team All-NBA accolades. Better yet, the Griz became the youngest team in NBA history to win as many as 55 games, good enough to earn the franchise its first Southwest Division championship. It turns out that leading the NBA in rebounding, steals, and blocks is a good thing, as Memphis finished the 2021-22 campaign with the second-best mark in the entire league, this despite Morant missing 25 games with various ailments. The Grizzlies turned aside Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs before fizzling out against the title-bound Golden State Warriors. It was the kind of season that leaves a fan base wanting even more. Lots more.

The Tigers — both basketball and football — had “yes but” seasons in 2022. Penny Hardaway’s hoop squad reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in eight years, but wasn’t able to reach the big dance’s second weekend (extending a drought that dates back to 2009). Highlights of the season on the hardwood included a pair of wins over top-10 foes (Alabama and Houston). On the gridiron, the Tigers reached bowl eligibility for the ninth straight season, but finished merely 6-6 (a second straight year). Coach Ryan Silverfield will be back for a fourth season, but expectations — both within the program and outside — are high and heavy for 2023.

The Memphis Redbirds fell short of the playoffs in their first season in the International League, but a pair of players achieved some history for the franchise. Outfielder Moisés Gómez slammed 16 home runs for Memphis after being promoted from Double-A Springfield (where he had hit 23) to establish a new minor-league record for the St. Louis Cardinals with 39 bombs for the season. And Alec Burleson — another rising outfielder — hit .331 to win the International League batting title, the first such crown in Redbirds history.

Memphis 901 FC catapulted the organization to new heights, thanks to stellar player recruitment from the front office, coach Ben Pirmann’s tactical tweaking and man-management, and team-of-the-season performances from multiple players. There were plenty of things to be happy about. Memphis finished the year with a 22-8-6 record, racking up the franchise’s highest season totals for wins, points, and goals scored. 2022 saw a first ever playoff win for the organization, a 3-1 victory over Detroit City FC, before the team just missed out on the conference finals with a tight loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Along the way, striker Phillip Goodrum tallied 21 goals, midfielder Aaron Molloy chipped in with 8 goals and 10 assists, and defender Graham Smith marshaled the team to 11 clean sheets. Once the dust fell, 901 FC quickly announced contract extensions for all three players, each of whom were named in either the first or second USL All-League teams. And plenty of other key players had their contracts extended, including captain Leston Paul. The only sour note is that Pirmann announced his exit from the club, accepting the head coaching role with Charleston Battery FC. But looking back, this squad made Memphis and its AutoZone Park matchday fans proud. After a couple years, 901 FC showed that it belongs in the USL.

Meanwhile, sports infrastructure got a big boost when Mayor Jim Strickland announced an ambitious $684 million proposal to renovate the FedExForum, Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, and AutoZone Park. Plus, the plan called for a new soccer-first Memphis 901 FC stadium (with options to host other programming and events). The city is asking the state of Tennessee to cover $350 million after seeing Nashville’s plans for a new $2 billion stadium for the Tennessee Titans, with state assistance. But nothing’s set in stone.

Youth sports have a shiny new home in the Memphis Sports & Event Center (MSEC) at Liberty Park. At 227,000 square feet, the $60 million complex’s enormous footprint can accommodate young athletes for anything indoor sports related, from basketball to futsal to volleyball and so many others. While final construction won’t be complete until early next year, Liberty Park began showing off the new facilities in December, and it’s enough to get any sports fan excited.

Categories
Food & Wine Food & Drink

Restaurant Recs 2022

Paella at Tonica (Photo: Samuel X. Cicci)

Restaurant Iris’ new location is probably the most anticipated restaurant opening of the last year. The restaurant at 4550 Poplar Avenue, where the old The Grove Grill was located, is stunning. The main dining room includes serpentine booths and Italian glass-balloon-looking fixtures that add to the energy. Executive chef Russell Casey describes the fare as “classic New Orleans” with some Iris staples. Additional murals, private dining spaces, and even more serpentine booths make the new Iris an exciting place to dine.

Tonica, another elegant/tasty addition, is at 1545 Overton Park. It’s two doors down from Ecco, which, along with Libro, is one of the bar/restaurants from Sabine Bachmann and her sons, chefs Armando and Mario Gagliano and general manager John-Paul Gagliano. The food, Armando says, has “a Spanish influence with a little bit of Italian-Mediterranean twist.” The decor is “as close to a Mediterranean Spanish style” as they can get, John-Paul says.

South Point Kitchen at Downtown’s South Point Grocery at 136 Webster Avenue serves sandwiches, most of them created by chef/musician/comedian Josh McLane. They include HEELS, named after his band that consists of himself and Brennan Whalen. It’s made of spicy peanut butter, jalapeño strawberry jam, bacon, and provolone cheese.

Jimmy “Sushi Jimmi” Sinh introduced his Poke Paradise food truck, which will officially hit the road in 2023. He now is booking the food truck for events. Recently, he has been busy doing pop-ups, special orders, private dinners, and other catering events. Poke is diced fresh fish, usually served with soy sauce and onion.

Tops Bar-B-Q is known for its great hamburgers. But during the year, Tops introduced new food items. Smoked BBQ Bologna, which launched in April, was the first new Tops item in 10 years. “We score it and season it with our rib rub and then we smoke it,” says Tops Operations LLC vice president Hunter Brown. “After smoking it, we grill each one to order.” They then put it on a bun and add their “famous slaw and our signature Tops barbecue sauce.”

Then in November, Tops introduced its Fire-Braised Chicken Sandwich with Memphis white sauce. It’s chicken seared over fire and then topped with the sauce, says Tops CEO Randy Hough. — Michael Donahue

New Wing Order, one of Memphis’ most popular food trucks over the past couple years, found a roost on Beale Street earlier this year. The truck continues to operate, but owners Cole Forrest and Jesse McDonald set up their first brick-and-mortar shop inside Ghost River Brewing Co. Now, brewery-goers can sip on their favorites ales while munching on Memphis Buffalo, Ja’s Sweet Heat, or any of the other delectable sauces. “Having this space really allowed us to increase our capacity,” says Forrest. Adds McDonald, “We get to experiment with a lot of new menu items now, too.”

The former Pontotoc Lounge space is open once again, but with a whole new concept that draws upon OG Memphis’ roots as an Egyptian city. Called IBIS, the new bar and lounge by Jeremy and Matthew Thacker-Rhodes promises plenty of craft cocktails and fine dining in a chic space on Main Street. Think lobster rolls, lamb meatballs, and plenty of other colorful mixed drinks that will wet your whistle (I recommend the tequila- and grapefruit-based “Por Que”). Look forward to gospel and mimosa Sundays, drag shows, live music, and plenty of other live programming in the upstairs lounge.

Carlisle Restaurant Group launched the first unique dining concept planned for the One Beale project. Fancy’s Fish House opened back in April in The Landing Residences, offering a wide variety of fresh and raw seafood to Downtown diners. But the menu recently underwent a complete makeover thanks to new chef Nate Henssler, who has quickly put his stamp on things. A raw bar serves everything from East and West Coast oysters to ahi tuna tartare, and there’s a gargantuan seafood tower that combines all the raw bar options for a full seafood bounty. Meanwhile, Henssler focuses on simple flavors and techniques to elevate his à la carte fish dishes (the miso-marinated cod is a must-try). There are some other surprises, like a delicious steak frites entree or the rosemary roasted half chicken. Some interesting cocktails, like a chai old fashioned or frozen pineapple margarita, round out a compelling riverside experience. — Samuel X. Cicci