Good morning on this lovely Friday, friends. It’s June 28, and if you happen to be driving near Poplar Avenue and Kirby Parkway and see someone scaling the side of the Forum I office building, don’t worry. That’s just the annual “Over the Edge” fundraiser for Memphis Rox, and those brave souls will be firmly attached to a rappelling rope.

Down in Mississippi, the annual North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic will feature a star-studded line-up tonight and Saturday that includes Duwayne Burnside, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Jimbo Mathus and plenty more. “The 24-Hour Plays: Memphis” at TheatreWorks at Evergreen Saturday will feature six plays written over the course of 24 hours. And at Crosstown Concourse, the Queer Prom will give LGBTQ+ adults and allies a second chance at the high school dance.

On Sunday, there’s another musically inspired picnic. The Glam Rock Picnic at Off the Wall Arts is indoors and gives Memphians a chance to contribute to artist Mike McCarthy’s 10-foot-tall David Bowie sculpture, which will be installed in Overton Park. For more weekend fun, check out The To-Do List.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Washington State forward Jaylen Wells drove in front of Iowa State guard Keshon Gilbert in a college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, on Saturday, March 23, in Omaha, Nebraska. (Charlie Neibergall/AP file)

Sure shots? The Memphis Grizzlies have two new shooters after Thursday’s second-round of the NBA Draft. Washington State forward Jaylen Wells was selected at pick No. 39. Then, the Grizzlies traded back up in the second round to pick at No. 53, selecting UConn’s Cam Spencer. Thursday’s draft moves followed Wednesday’s No. 9 pick of big man Zach Edey. And when I say big, I mean big — like 7-foot-4 big. Edey’s former head coach at the nationally renowned basketball camp, IMG Academy, recalls his first meeting with the “gargantuan” Edey and just how far the center has come since those days. And our own Chris Herrington tells us why he’s “extremely bullish” on Edey’s fit and impact on offense for the Grizzlies. In other draft news, former Memphis Tigers star David Jones signed a two-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Inmate hit by car: Shelby County Corrections Center inmate Elijah Jenkins is in critical condition after being struck by a car following an escape attempt. Jenkins broke out of a window in a transport van as he was being taken back to the SCCC at Shelby Farms. He was struck near Interstate 40 and Danny Thomas Boulevard. At the time of his escape, Jenkins was facing charges of carjacking, aggravated robbery, drug possession and evading arrest. 

A West Tennessee Forensic Center autopsy report indicated that its unclear from video footage what caused Alegend Jones’ death in Youth Villages’ care. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Youth Villages teen died after restraint: Alegend Jones, 17, likely died from complications of a restraint that Youth Villages staff used against her, according to an autopsy report. But the report says it’s unclear from video footage the exact cause of her death. Earlier this week, before the autopsy was made available to The Daily Memphian, Youth Villages issued a statement saying the autopsy cleared its staff of any wrongdoing. But the nonprofit’s statement failed to mention positional asphyxia, a suspected contributor to Jones’ death. That can occur when the body becomes positioned in a way in which a person’s breathing is compromised, according to the autopsy. Jones was placed in a “therapeutic hold” after two physical altercations with Youth Villages staff.

What went wrong at closed schools: The three charter schools that closed this week struggled with enrollment, meaning they couldn’t generate enough money to sustain operations. But findings from Tennessee’s Achievement School District showed that charter operator Memphis Scholars was also not meeting other financial, governance and academic requirements, including a failure to offer special-education services at two of the three schools. The closures have left hundreds of students without a school to call home in the fall. In other education news, many of the candidates for the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education offered praise for new MSCS Superintendent Marie Feagins and her recently passed budget Thursday night at a political forum.

MEET MEMPHIS

Preston Jackson is the Metal Museum’s newest Master Metalsmith. (Submitted)

When Preston Jackson was a kid, he would draw on everything. Of course, lots of kids do. But Jackson never grew out of his love for art; he just changed mediums. These days, he’s a metal artist, as well as a School of the Art Institute of Chicago professor emeritus and art gallery owner. And now he’s also the Metal Museum’s 38th annual Master Metalsmith. Jackson uses bronze, steel and stainless steel to create sculptures that tell stories about the Black experience.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Jimmy Birkholz and his dogs got a new room key during his extended stay at Big Cypress Lodge. (Benjamin Naylor/The Daily Memphian)

45 days in the Pyramid: For 45 days, Jimmy Birkholz — and his two dogs — were living the dream. After Birkholz’s Downtown apartment burned down, he needed a place to stay, but the only hotel he could find that would allow his two dogs (one of whom is 115 pounds!) was the Big Cypress Lodge inside Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. Birkholz was given $30,000 for “loss of occupancy,” so he did what anyone would do. He spent it on a fancy hotel, a daily breakfast buffet, a new wardrobe of Bass Pro shirts and all the fudge a man can eat. The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins shares tales from Birkholz’ 45 days in the Pyramid.

Cheesemonger Kurt Mullican prepared a raclette sandwich at Greys Fine Cheeses and Entertaining. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

This is cheesy: Kurt Mullican, co-owner of Greys Fine Cheeses, is “really passionate about Alpine cheeses.” So, it should come as no surprise that he’s added the centuries-old Alpine dish, raclette, to the cheese shop’s offerings. If you’re not familiar, raclette involves melting cheese over a special grill, and at Greys, you can get it served over potatoes and sausage or added to a sandwich. And there’s a new fondue, too. Want some wine with that cheese? Check out these Memphis restaurants recognized by Wine Spectator magazine for their wine lists.

I Love Pho is opening a location near Poplar Avenue and Perkins Extended. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Other things to eat and drink: This week’s Food Files is a big ole lovefest with updates on a new I Love Pho restaurant in East Memphis and a Just Love Coffee Cafe opening in Midtown. And in this week’s $10 Deal, food writer Joshua Carlucci offers a tip on a new popsicle shop to cool off on a hot summer day. And he asks you to ponder this deep question: If you were a popsicle, what flavor would you be? (Not that you asked, but I’d be chili-mango — a little sweet and a little spicy).

The resolution to remove Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy, if it is to come, would be filed sometime after the November general election. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

No comment: The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference isn’t weighing in on a Republican-led ouster push against Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy. At least for now. The body, which serves as a liaison between the Tennessee General Assembly and district attorneys in the state, is waiting for state Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Eads, to file his official ouster resolution first. “Until such a resolution is filed and the conference has an opportunity to read, review and analyze the same, we reserve comment,” conference President Bryant Dunaway. But that didn’t stop one member of the body from coming out against a possible ouster.

GOT GAME?

Pine Hill is at 930 E. Mallory Ave. in South Memphis. (Benjamin Nayor/The Daily Memphian)

The weekend has arrived, and you may be ready to par-tee. But first, I’ve got a putter idea. How about you take a few moments and try to put together this week’s Jigsaw? It features a photo from the Pine Hill Golf Course, which dedicated its new clubhouse last weekend to two Black golf pioneers.

Chances are, you’re not competing in the 2024 Olympics in Paris — unless your name is Harrison Williams. But you can compete against yourself with this week’s Olympics-inspired Crossword.

The ribbon was cut on the updated Tillman Cove Apartments in Binghampton this week. And you can probably cut out a few moments of your day to test your skills with this Tillman Cove-themed Crossword.

Hope your weekend is fabulous!

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