Memphis G Mack transfers to New Orleans

Let's go, Tigers ?

Read more here.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, featuring T-Bone Burnett in concert July 8, 2008.

At the Mud Island Amphitheatre. Reserve seating and general admission bleachers are $56.00 plus service fee. Doors open at 6:30 pm, concert starts at 7:30 pm. On sale ticket date May 16 at 10:00 am at Ticketmaster.com all Ticketmaster Outlets and Mud Island Box Office 901-525-1515.

Buy your tickets here.

AT&T announces iPhone 3G pricing plans

Suddenly I am urged to dial 911 on my iPhone and report highway robbery !!

Basically, the $199 (8Gb model) price is only valid :

• If you purchased an iPhone prior 7/11
• If you are activating a new line with AT&T
• If you are currently with AT&T and eligible for an upgrade (normally after 2-yr contract)

If you are a current AT&T customer but not eligible for an upgrade discount, you have to purchase the iPhone 3G for $399 (8GB) or $499 (16GB). Both options require a new two-year service agreement.

Read more here.

NBA Rookies Top 20 List (Grizzlies have 2 in the Top 10)

Original Article:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=thorpe_david&page=Rookies-080627

Draft's over. Time to look ahead to the 2008-09 season. Which rookies will have the biggest impact? Who are the Rookie of the Year contenders?

Here's David Thorpe's list of the top 20 rookies:

1. Michael Beasley, PF, Heat
He's a prodigious talent who will be extremely productive in Miami or wherever he ends up. The Heat pride themselves on being a top-notch organization, so if they keep him they will focus heavily on wringing all of Beasley's talents out of him in short order.

2. Greg Oden, C, Trail Blazers
This is based on his playing on two healthy legs, naturally. Out all of last season after microfracture surgery, last year's No. 1 pick becomes the other man-child of this rookie class. Oden is a true force on both ends and will compete with passion and purpose every night.

3. Rudy Fernandez, SG, Trail Blazers
I love players who have been productive in the best leagues in Europe (think Luis Scola and Juan Carlos Navarro). Fernandez is ready to play and has the potential to develop even further.

4. Marc Gasol, C, Grizzlies
Skilled, experienced and full of confidence. Don't discount the effect of having his brother, Pau, in his ear all summer, teaching him the nuances of the NBA.

5. Derrick Rose, PG, Bulls
Let's not forget he is still very young and the Bulls still have Kirk Hinrich, who has lots of talent. Rose is going to be great, but not overnight. Still, he projects to be an All-Rookie performer.

6. Kevin Love, PF, Timberwolves
I know his athleticism and overall physique are in question, but he's too tough, smart and skilled not to be an effective player early on. Thanks to the trade to Minnesota, he should get major minutes. He is a perfect fit (offensively) next to Big Al.

7. O.J. Mayo, SG, Grizzlies
Obviously, a talent like Mayo should rank higher, but Conley and Gay are youngsters who will get lots of minutes. Playing three young players together is a disastrous recipe most of the time, so O.J. may have to wait his turn just for a little bit.

8. Danilo Gallinari, SF, Knicks
Another highly skilled and experienced player from Europe, Gallinari is in a system that perfectly complements his skill set. I get the feeling he'll have a special bond with head coach Mike D'Antoni, a la Steve Nash.

9. Eric Gordon, SG, Clippers
Brilliant shooter/scorer who should get minutes in L.A. He's got a motor and some talent around him that will help his transition.

10. Brandon Rush, SG, Pacers
Has a beautiful outside stroke and is ready to defend -- a perfect fit in Indy. Newly acquired point guard T.J. Ford will get him shots in half-court sets and in transition.

11. Courtney Lee, SG, Magic
Very athletic with polished skills, Lee was drafted by Orlando mainly because he can really defend. He's a classic Stan Van Gundy guy.

12. Russell Westbrook, PG, SuperSonics
He's ready to defend at the next level, but he might struggle to run the Sonics' offense. His heart and character should earn him quality minutes.

13. Jerryd Bayless, PG, Trail Blazers
Should be looked at as a serious scoring option off the bench. He is highly confident and an excellent shot-maker with quickness.

14. Brook Lopez, C, Nets
Big guys who can score using their size, or craftiness, have a place in this league. Lopez can do both.

15. Roy Hibbert, C, Pacers
Highly skilled and smart. And huge, too. Should be able to get minutes on this team and be a half-court option right away.

16. Joe Alexander, SF, Bucks
The league loves athletic energy guys, and Alexander is that and more. His skill game may need work, but his strength and agility will allow him to make a difference from the get-go.

17. Jason Thompson, PF, Kings
The most surprising pick of the draft, Thompson is multitalented and going to a team desperate for help inside. He can shoot, too, which is a must for Kings GM Geoff Petrie.

18. Donte' Greene, SF, Rockets
Pure shooters like Greene can find their way into the rotation. Dropping so low in Round 1 may end up inspiring him to work harder this summer.

19. Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG, Nets
Very solid shooter and scorer who loves to compete when the lights are on. Should be highly motivated after the first-round snub.

20. Nicolas Batum, SF, Trail Blazers
I know that most stat gurus don't like him, but it's not easy to put up big numbers as a 19-year-old in the Euroleague.

For all your mobile needs, FedEx is there: mobile.fedex.com

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Starbucks closing 600 stores in the US

No coffee for you !!

Read more here.

Grizzlies agree to three-year, $10m contract with Pau Gasol's brother

Fill 'er up with Gasol in Grizzlies Basketball.
Read more here

Amtrak considering pulling out of Memphis if sink hole isn't fixed soon

Way to go for city authorities on Memphis tourism !!

Amtrak considering pulling out of Memphis if sink hole isn't fixed soon. The sinkhole at Central Station is causing a lot of pain in the butt for passengers. Read more here.

Muvico to Close in Peabody Place

Quick Note:

I've heard the news before, but today I've read it in two different places.

Supposedly, the Muvico located in Peabody Place is scheduled to close after this weekend.

The rumor is that Belz is going to reposition the Peabody Place Mall, and possibly to create lodging inside of it.

So, if you're like me and have a movie that you've been dying to see, you need to head over quick before it's gone!

July 4th Weekend

• Tuesday - Canada Day
• Thursday - Firecracker 5K , 7:00pm - Racquet Club Memphis. Click here for more details.
  
• Friday - USA Day
• Friday - Star Spangled Banner Celebration 2008, 3:00-9:00pm, Fireworks immediately after - Tom Lee Park. Click here for more details.
• Saturday - Farmer's Market, 7:00am-1:00pm - Central Station Pavilion
• Saturday - Cookout on S Main - TBA
  

Weekend Schedule for the Rest of Us

OK, it's gonna be another fun summer weekend. Here are the SOMA Dozen events / parties laid out for the weekend for those who are staying downtown or close to downtown:

• Thursday - NBA Draft Party, 6:00pm - FedExForum
• Friday - Rooftop Happy Hour at the Lofts, 5:30-7:00pm - The Lofts
• Friday - State Place Fountain Party, 5:30-7:00pm - State Place Fountain Courtyard
• Friday - Wall-E Movie opens
  
• Friday - June Main Street Trolley Tour, 6:00-9:00pm - Main Street
• Saturday - Happy Birthday G !
  
• Saturday - Farmer's Market, 7:00am-1:00pm - Central Station Pavilion
• Saturday - Brunch at Renee's, 11:00pm - Renee's Sandwich Shop
  
• Saturday - Tiki in the Burbs, 7:00pm-til - Mississippi Burbs
• Sunday - Memphis Redbirds Game, 1:35pm - Autozone Park
• Sunday - Dimsum Dinner, 7:00pm - Lobster King Seafood Restuarant
  

NBA Draft Party at FedExForum Thursday

Top picks are #1 Derrick Rose (Memphis Tigers) for the Chicago Bulls and #2 Michael Beasley (Kansas State Wildcats) for Miami Heat.
More about the event at:
http://www.fedexforum.com/displayEvent.aspx?id=483

Beer Brats won 2nd Place

According to Hoops and Tony's blog, the Beer Brats won 2nd place.

http://www.thehoopandtonyshow.com/blog/?p=33

Story of The Beer Brats

G couldn't form a team for a week. He was calling and texting everybody but no replies. In the final desperate hours there were only 4, but he needed 1 more member to make up for the 5 required. Finally at 11th hour, the team was formed as The Beer Brats.

These seemingly benchwarmers simply walked-in into the fighting ring of 20 teams of barhandlers, booze heavyweights, college frat boys and other close encounters of the the pub drinking kind. Brawns, bellies, tattoos, piercings were hardly enough to rattle them. At the end of the day, with hardly any practice, preparation or ceremony, they snagged 3rd place in the EP's (Hoops) 2008 Pub Olympics last Sunday on Beale Street. Nobody knew who they were or where they came from. Talk about the underdog. Let 'em drink more beer !!

SOMA Trolley Tour Happy Hour: Lofts Roof Friday, June 27th

Don't forget: This Friday, June 27th: Happy Hour from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM on the Lofts Roof :~)

Bring friends and drinks!

Details below:

June Trolley Tour is just around the corner. Once again, it's time for HAPPY HOUR!

To celebrate this month, head down early & get your drink on.

Happy Hour will be Friday, June 27th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM on the roof of The Lofts. At 7:00 PM, we'll walk to the South Main Trolley Tour.

To make this happy hour a little bigger than before, please bring your favorite wine or beer along with a friend. :~)

Park on the street outside of The Lofts (Tennessee Street & G.E. Patterson) and dial 422 on the box to open the door. When inside the elevator, push the button for "RG" (Roof Garden). When you reach RG (5th floor), walk straight off of the elevators, through multiple sets of doors until you reach the roof deck.

Friends are welcome.

See you there!

State Place Fountain Party Friday

Terry Lynch and company of the Southland Companies are planning to host a "Fountain Party" the last Friday of every month at State Place.   Terry's group own most of the condos and a few townhomes at State Place.  They have started a lot of improvements in the area.   For one thing, they have started building the swimming pool and expected to be completed by July.   Their vision is have South End to be a walkable place with a mix of  retail, residential and parks.  

This month's party is this coming Friday June 27th from 5:30 until 7:00pm at the Entry to State Place Courtyard.  Refreshments will be provided and friends and neighbors are welcome.    See you there !!