Bon appétit, Memphis. It’s Thursday, May 16 — National Barbecue Day. And it’s certainly no coincidence that we’re squarely in Memphis Barbecue Week. The new SmokeSlam BBQ Festival kicks off today in Tom Lee Park, and the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is underway in Liberty Park. 

Today in Lakeland, Arlington and Bartlett, students are saying, “No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks.” School is out for those three districts, but kids in the rest of the county have a few days left.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Bryce Whitman and Chris Coles participated in the barbecue-sauce wrestling competition on the opening day of the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest at Liberty Park on May 15. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Clash of the ’cue: In one corner, we’ve got the 46th Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest at Liberty Park, where on Wednesday, 129 teams from the U.S. and four countries kicked things off. Our own Kambui Bomani was there for the ceremonial grill lighting and that sticky-sweet opening-night tradition you all know (and either love or are repulsed by): the barbecue-sauce wrestling contest. And in the other corner, we’ve got Mempho’s new SmokeSlam BBQ Festival, which officially opens today at Tom Lee Park. But our own Holly Whitfield got a sneak peek yesterday at the fest’s B&B Charcoal: Live Fire Extravaganza area, which promises to offer food to ticketed masses, even if you don’t know someone with a tent. In other barbecue news, Whitfield offers a broad look at the Memphis barbecue scene — from the origin of barbecue nachos to non-traditional restaurants serving everything from African barbecue to vegan options — in our Battle of the Barbecue series.

Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert looked toward her team as they presented to the Shelby County Commission during a meeting on Wednesday, May 15. (Benjamin Naylor/The Daily Memphian)

Halbert’s got a plan, but … Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert told Shelby County Commissioners on Wednesday that she’s working to fix problems in her office. But she wants different software than what the rest of the state uses in other clerks’ offices, and without it, she warned that her monthly revenue reports may continue to be incomplete. Halbert also complained that her office hadn’t gotten the funding it needed from the county, a claim that County Mayor Lee Harris called “erroneous” in a statement that also offered figures to back that up. Halbert’s report to the commission came a day after she vowed to fight a petition calling for her ouster. 

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner says if the Shelby County Commission passes a budget that cuts 441 vacant positions from his office, he will take the commission to court. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Defunding the police? Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner is threatening to sue the Shelby County Commission if it eliminates 441 vacant positions from the sheriff’s office. The proposal to cut positions is part of County Mayor Lee Harris’ budget proposal, which also trims vacant jobs across other departments in county government. But in a Shelby County Commission committee session on Wednesday, Bonner’s chief administrative officer accused the county of trying to “defund the police.” So, on what grounds could Bonner sue? It seems a state statute might be on his side. 

Olive Branch Airport, with a runway length of 6,000 feet, is one of Mississippi’s most active airports for landings and takeoffs. (The Daily Memphian file)

Airport expansion cleared for takeoff: The Olive Branch Airport received more than $5 million in state and federal funding this year to go toward its ambitious expansion goals. The airport’s manager, David Taylor Jr., said the private facility will look like a whole new airport by the time they get done with all the remodeling plans, which includes apron improvements and a terminal renovation. And he’s hoping all those updates will convince new customers to build hangars at the airport. 

MEET MEMPHIS

Sara Koffi’s debut novel “While We Were Burning” was released in April. (Courtesy CPearce Photography)

Local author Sara Koffi’s debut novel, “While We Were Burning,” was released in early April. The thriller, mostly set in Harbor Town, follows the story of a well-to-do woman who hires a personal assistant while she deals with the death of a friend. But that assistant is also dealing with a death, and the two women’s lives become entangled in messy and unexpected ways. Koffi, a Whitehaven High School graduate, has been writing since she was around 10 years old. And she began brainstorming her novel in the summer of 2020 after the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Jerry’s Sno Cones' original location at 1657 Wells Station Road is closing. (Jennifer Biggs/The Daily Memphian file)

Sno more: RIP, Jerry’s Sno Cones. The owner of the iconic Memphis icy treat stand has closed the original Jerry’s on Wells Station Road. Owner David Acklin originally closed for maintenance, but he said crime concerns led to his decision to sell the building. “We’ve never been robbed or anything like that, but Memphis is a little bit different right now,” Acklin said. If it’s just the cones and not the original, 1980s-windsuit-hued building you love, you can still get those at the Jerry’s in Cordova. In other icy treat news, Sweet Magnolia Gelato is celebrating 13 years in business with the opening of its first Memphis production facility. 

“There is no competition in this zip code for what we offer,” Christopher Beavers said. “We will be the first restaurant in Whitehaven to offer live music and four-star food.” (Sophia Surrett/The Daily Memphian file)

Hot asparagus tip: The Grilled Asparagus, a vegan- and pescatarian-friendly eatery from Chef Christopher Beavers, is planning a comeback in Whitehaven. Beavers previously ran two locations — one in Crosstown and one in Raleigh — but he closed both due to rising rent. Beavers was awarded an economic development loan on Wednesday from the Economic Development Growth Engine, and he hopes to be open in 60 days.

Dream Magic Daily Market will have two entrances: one on Madison Avenue and one from the lobby of the Exchange Building. (The Daily Memphian file)

Stuff of dreams and magic? Filmmaker Miroslav Mitic is planning to open a new convenience store in the Exchange Building Downtown. The mystically named Dream Magic Daily Market will feature your typical convenience-store snacks and beverages, cold grab-and-go selections and a cafe and deli and lots of seating. No word on where the magic comes in, but Mitic, who was awarded a grant for the new business on Wednesday, says he has a song prepared to sing for the grand opening. 

Memphis forward David Jones was defended by SMU forward Samuell Williamson during the first half of an NCAA basketball game on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Memphis. (Nikki Boertman/AP file)

Will he stay or will he go? That’s what Memphis Tigers basketball fans are wondering about the fate of star player David Jones. Jones is participating in the NBA Combine this week, and he’s had a mostly good showing in front of the pro coaches and managers. But he told our own Drew Hill the same thing he’s publicly stated already: “If I don’t like what I hear, I’m going back to Memphis.” Jones said he could make more money playing at the college level, but he just wants to play “at the highest level.”

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

This may be a little too late, but here’s an important PSA for your friends and family flying in and out of Memphis this weekend.

Happy Barbecue Day! Put some pork on your fork if that’s your thing. If not, barbecue jackfruit is a fine substitution.

Editor’s note: Kevin McEniry — a member of the board of Memphis Fourth Estate, the nonprofit that owns and operates The Daily Memphian — is founder and master producer of the Mempho Festival and Mempho Presents.

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