Video evidence has emerged that pretty much confirms that the Sacramento Kings’ protest against the Grizzlies’ last-millisecond win last week will be upheld. Watch this video from the folks over at GrizzlyBearBlues and see if you’re not convinced they have a pretty good case:
Today is the day Midtown’s new, long-awaited Fresh Market opened, so I decided to drop over on my lunch hour and check it out. In fact, I tweeted my visit …
I didn’t buy much. But it was pricey, just the same.
People wanted to know how much.
And some were a tad snarky.
And, of course, there’s already a parody account.
It’s been a long time since I woke on the day after an election in Shelby County feeling as optimistic and grateful as I do today. Let me count the ways:
First, my state senator, the mentally and physically impaired embarrassment, Ophelia Ford, was soundly defeated in the Democratic primary by Lee Harris, a smart, young law school professor with, I suspect, a bright political future hereabouts. This was the result I wanted most from this election cycle. Win.
Across the state in Knoxville, GOP primary voters turned out in droves to demolish the re-election bid of lunatic state senator Stacey Campfield, aka “Mr. Don’t Say Gay.” Thanks, Knoxville. Love ya. For grins, check out Campfield’s reaction to his defeat on his blog.
Perhaps the result that surprised me most was the defeat, statewide, of Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey’s attempted purge of three Tennessee Supreme Court justices. The upshot: Ron spent a few hundred thousand dollars to let Tennesseans know the names of three Supreme Court justices. Epic fail. Couldn’t happen to a sleazier jackass. This vote, and Lamar Alexander’s victory over anti-immigration nut Joe Carr, gave me some real hope that the Tea Party tide may have finally turned in Tennessee. I hope so, anyway.
Joe Brown and Henri Brooks were resoundingly trounced in their races for attorney general and Juvenile Court clerk, respectively. I’ve had my issues with Brown’s opponent, Amy Weirich, but Brown, like Brooks, simply self-destructed, making Weirich the winner by default, and by a landslide.
To recount, Memphis purged itself of Ophelia Ford, and along with other Shelby County voters, soundly rejected two potential lightning rods/potential embarrassments for public office.
On the other hand, Germantown and Collierville re-elected self-promoting loon Brian Kelsay and public drunk Curry Todd to the state legislature — without opposition. Shades of Ophelia Ford. The next time you hear some suburbanite snarking on Memphis politicians, remind them to check their own backyard.
And I was glad to see Steve Cohen retain his 9th District Congressional seat. Some advice: If local Democrats want to win county-wide races, they would do well to figure out how to organize behind Cohen and his presidential support and national clout, instead of lobbing a futile and divisive primary challenge at him every two years. The muddle-headedness of the SCDP is self-defeating.
There also needs to be serious state legislation passed to crack down on the illicit fake “official ballot” business hereabouts. It’s scandalous. But, all in all, not bad results to wake up to, IMO.
Journalist Bruce Murphy of UrbanMilwaukee.com, offers a Milwaukee perspective on the sale of the Commercial Appeal. And yes, I’m quoted in it.
If you’ve always wanted to listen to a 30-minute interview with Bruce VanWyngarden, well, here’s your chance. He’s the subject of this month’s “I Love Memphis” podcast.
Representative Curry Todd (R-Collierville) has ticked off the Memphis Restaurant Association big-time. According to an MRA email alert, Todd attached an amendment lobbied for by wholesale liquor distributors to a non-related bill dealing with wineries. The amendment requires COD payment for any liquor delivered to restaurants, instead of the current 10-day window allowed for payment.
Below is the full text of the MRA email:
MRA Member,
On behalf of MRA President, Patrick Reilly, and the Board of Directors, we ask you to please take action TODAY!
Please reach out to the Governor and ask him to “VETO” HB 2027 / SB 2415 – At the bottom of this email you can click on the link to send a “Veto” letter. The amended version of the bill, specifically amendment number three restricts the terms of payment from restaurants and hotels to wholesalers so that the wholesalers are guaranteed payment at the time of delivery of alcoholic beverages. The old rule / current law allows for 10 days to pay for the liquor.
The amended bill is unanimously and vigorously opposed by the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association (TnHTA). Since the creation of the three tier system, restaurants and hotels have had a ten day window by which to pay invoices to the wholesalers. This ten day window is critical to the industry and especially to smaller operators with limited purchasing power. Please contact the Governor office and ask for him to “Veto” HB 2027 / SB 2415. letter from the association:
Governor’s Office Contact Info:
Email: bill.haslam@tn.gov
Phone: 615-741-2001
Intro & Background:
During the last days of the legislative session, the liquor wholesale lobby attached an amendment by Representative Curry Todd onto a piece of legislation related to manufactures of distilled spirits.
The amendment says:
“In order to facilitate the prompt payment of state taxes imposed upon wholesalers, payment for all sales to any licensee holding a license under this part by a wholesaler shall be made upon delivery of the product and shall be made by electronic funds transfer, credit card, debit card, or such other method as approved by the commission that will facilitate full payment at or near the time of delivery.”
The amendment applies only to liquor by the drink establishments and replaces the old “ten day rule,” which read, “No holder of a license for the sale of alcoholic beverages for wholesale or retail shall sell, deliver, or cause, permit or procure to be sold or delivered, any alcoholic beverages on credit, except that holders of wholesale licenses may sell on not more than ten (10) days’ credit.”
Talking Points:
1. During the last days of session, the liquor wholesale lobby (potentially a few of the larger ones) attached an amendment by Representative Curry Todd onto HB2027 / SB2415 related to wineries. This was done with no discussion between the affected parties and without any discussion in committee, which is the normal transparent procedure. In fact, the amendment was described on the floor of the House as affecting the ways that payments could be made to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The passage of this amendment will completely change the landscape of relations between wholesalers and retailers with a grand total of 15 seconds of debate on the House floor. It is clear that there was no open and full debate about this amendment.
2. There was no discussion with TnHTA or any of our Restaurant or Hotel members on how this could affect the hospitality industry. Since the creation of the three tier system, restaurants and hotels have had a ten day window by which to pay invoices to the wholesalers. This ten day window is critical to the industry and especially to smaller operators with limited purchasing power. This bill huts small businesses that are the backbone of the TN economy.
3. There was no agreement from anyone in our industry for any changes to the current process.
4. The amended bill treats restaurants and hotels differently from retail package stores, a change that is fundamentally unfair for businesses that sell the same liquor products.
5. The amended bill places into law contractual matters between two private parties. The TnHTA believes that if changes to these provisions of law are to be made, they should seek to lessen state involvement in private contracts, not require more onerous terms.
6. Some liquor wholesalers contend they did not know about the change – if that is true, ask them to help you as their customer and ask for the Governor to “Veto” the bill.
7. Overall, we are asking for the Governor to “Veto” HB2027/SB2415 and we are asking for immediate relief on this issue. This only hurts an industry that is the second largest in Tennessee and creates more than $16 billion dollars in economic impact, employs over 270,000 Tennesseans and pays more than $1 Billion in taxes to the government.
These are general talking points – also please reach out to your wholesalers and put the heat on them. Thank you for your help.
Greg Adkins
CEO/President
Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association
Sure, anybody who hasn’t been hunkered down with the Nevada Bundys for the past week knew that British royals Prince William and Kate Middleton were headed to Memphis this weekend for the wedding of their friend Guy Pelly to Memphian (of sorts) Lizzy Wilson. Hope you got your invite. It’s going to be swell. Here’s what the handsome couple will look like as they ponder whether to hit Gus’s Fried Chicken or the Rendezvous.
But, as they say on the infomercials, there’s more! Now, it seems, William’s brother, Prince Harry will also make the Memphis scene. He looks like this 
Prince Harry in Vegas
so keep an eye out while you’re down on Beale this weekend, ’cause we all know Harry loves to party.
Guy Pelly, the groom
But let’s get real. We know these boys aren’t going to be hanging out with the hoi polloi in Memphis this weekend. Though I guess it wouldn’t hurt to hang out around Royal Studios. Could happen, right? Nah. They’re probably going to behave themselves. And they’re probably going to be dressed like this.
Harding Academy has produced one of the most charming and entertaining local videos I’ve seen in a while. Oh, just click it:
I’ve written before about former Flyer reporter Phil Campbell’s film project to document and assist the town of Phil Campbell, Alabama, after that town’s destruction by a massive tornado.
The film is now finished and they’re looking for a few more bucks to get it out to the public. Go here to learn how to help.
