Happy Friday, Memphis. It’s June 14, which is both Flag Day and National Bourbon Day, so cheers to America, y’all. It’s also opening night of Tone’s Juneteenth celebration, which kicks off with a spades tournament. And the con-man-inspired musical, “Catch Me if You Can,” opens at Playhouse on the Square.

You could spend the whole day in Crosstown on Saturday, but bring your wallet. There’s the Crafts & Drafts festival on the Crosstown Concourse plaza, a vintage clothing sale at Blue Suede Vintage and Bendy Beast Fitness is hosting a grand opening — all within one block. If you’ve got money left, head Downtown for the first End of All Art pop-up.

Sunday is Father’s Day, and you can treat dad to a plant-based meal at the Memphis Vegan Festival. But maybe buy him some bourbon, too, because, with dads, every day is National Bourbon Day (or at least that’s the case with my dad). For more weekend fun, check out the To-Do List.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Nearly 50 shootings have occurred on Memphis interstates so far this year, according to the Memphis Police Department. (Carolyn Kaster/AP file)

Moving targets: Two interstate shootings have made headlines this week, one of which left four children and their father, Antonio Meeks, in critical condition. Now, the suspects in both shootings are facing attempted-murder charges. The incidents have likely made some drivers a little nervous to get behind the wheel. But interstate shootings are actually down 23% from the same point in 2023, and both of the recent incidents appear to be road rage-related. The Memphis Police Department offers a few tips on how not to become a target of another driver’s unchecked anger.

A group of employees lead by Nabretta Hardin (center) protested for union rights outside of the Starbucks at Poplar Avenue and Prescott Street on Dec. 16, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Supreme Court favors Starbucks: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Starbucks in a case that stemmed from union organizing at the Poplar Avenue and Prescott Street location. It’s a decision that may make it more difficult for a federal agency to intervene when a company is accused of illegally interfering with union organizing. In 2022, seven Memphis Starbucks employees were fired, which they alleged was in retaliation for their votes for union representation. Later that year, a U.S. District judge ordered Starbucks to reinstate the workers, and last year, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that ruling. Starbucks then appealed to the Supreme Court, which ruled this week that federal courts must show that fired workers are likely to face irreparable harm if not reinstated while their case is in court. 

A Whataburger planned for Union Avenue in Midtown has been denied. (Eric Gay/AP file)

What the what?! Midtown Whataburger fans, you may have to drive to Germantown Parkway to get your Triple Meat Whataburger fix. The Land Use Control Board rejected a plan to build a new Whataburger at the site of the old Crump Station police precinct on Union Avenue. The plan included a drive-thru, which the LUCB deemed inconsistent with the city’s design guidelines for the area. (Nevermind that Union is already a sea of chain-restaurant drive-thrus.) But there was better news for a new Poplar/Highland gas station planned for the site of the Hop-In that burned down in January. Meanwhile, approval for a new Cordova-area high school is on hold, as cost estimates for the project have increased.

Escaped inmate found: James Patrick Marshall, a Shelby County Corrections Center inmate who escaped a work detail on Wednesday, was located on Thursday morning at a Cordova hotel. At the time of his escape, Marshall was serving three years on a theft charge.

QUOTED

Memphis Mayor Paul Young spoke during the ribbon-cutting for the fifth phase of the South City development on June 13. (Benjamin Naylor/The Daily Memphian)

“There was a lot of hard work that got us to this moment. But at the end of the day ... it was about transforming lives.”

— Memphis Mayor Paul Young
Young spoke at the ribbon-cutting for a 120-unit senior-citizen building at the South City at Foote Park development on Thursday. The overall Foote Homes redevelopment, which began when Young was the city’s director of Housing and Community Development, is transforming the last of the city’s housing projects into mixed-income housing.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Southaven Kyuramen owners Lorena Leong and Andy Sengmany recommend the Yinyang Bow. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Everybody loves ramen: Have you ever eaten a meal in another city and thought, “If only I could order this in Memphis …” That’s what happened when Lorena Leong and Andy Sengmany ate at the Kyuramen chain in Chicago. But then they actually did bring it here. The two friends opened their first Kyuramen franchise in Southaven this week, and two more Memphis-area locations are coming. Kyuramen serves three styles of Japanese ramen and offers private dining in adorable, little booths shaped like sake bottles.

Craft Beer & Pretzel caramels, available at the Memphis-based Shotwell Candy Co., could make a good Father’s Day gift. (Courtesy Shotwell Candy Co.)

Last-minute Father’s Day food gifts: Father’s Day is Sunday, and if you haven’t bought a gift yet, it’s probably too late to order anything online. But you’re a lucky procrastinator today, because The Daily Memphian’s Jennifer Chandler has compiled a list of foodie gifts (think steaks, cheese dip and popcorn) that you can buy right here in Memphis. If you’d like to treat dad to a nice — and affordable — Sunday brekky, you’ll find a hot tip on challah French toast (which was cool before Elon Musk; let’s be clear) in this week’s $10 Deal.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, left, went up for a basket against Boston Celtics forward Xavier Tillman during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball finals on Wednesday, June 12, in Dallas. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)

Deep Grizz thoughts by Chris Herrington: In his Memphis Grizzlies column this week, our own Chris Herrington wonders why former Grizzly Xavier Tillman Sr., who may be about to win his first ring with the Boston Celtics, is still struggling to establish himself as an every-night rotation player. He also shares a fond memory of “straight shooter” Jerry West, the former Grizzlies GM who died this week. And he digs into some draft/offseason rumors that have popped up this week. And in the Grizzlies Insider, we’re back on Tillman with a much-deserved tip of the hat for X from our own Drew Hill.

Detroit Mercy head coach Mike Davis during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Butler, Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Darron Cummings/AP file)

New Tigers: Coach Penny Hardaway is expected to add Detroit Mercy head coach Mike Davis to his Memphis Tigers basketball staff ahead of the 2024-25 season. The addition of Davis comes a few weeks after Hardaway parted ways with assistant coach Andy Borman, but it’s unclear what role Davis will fill. In Tigers football news, the team now has their second commit for the 2025 recruiting class: Cedar Grove High School receiver Andrew Leslie of Georgia. Three-star receiver Xavier Johnson out of Richland High School in Texas was the first commit earlier this week. 

GOT GAME?

A horse during the 75th anniversary of the Germantown Charity Horse Show on Tuesday, June 4. (Benjamin Naylor/The Daily Memphian)

Oh hay, girl. (Or guy!) If you find yourself with extra time this weekend, here’s a Germantown Charity Horse Show-inspired Jigsaw. Think you’ve got what it takes to put it together? Yay or neigh?

Jerry Lee Lewis’ former home in Nesbit, Mississippi, could be turned into a museum if a prospective buyer gets his wish. Until then, you can dream about a dip in Lewis’ piano-shaped pool while doing this week’s Word Search.

This week’s 5x5 crossword pays tribute to the late, great Jerry West — former Memphis Grizzlies GM and the inspiration for the NBA’s logo.

Happy Father’s Day! And have a great weekend.

.....