Good morning! And just a head’s up that this is the last day we’re offering The Early Word free to non-subscribers. So, if you don’t want to return to the short version on Monday, subscriptions are still 20% off with the special code at the bottom of this email. 

It’s Friday, Dec. 20, and you can take your pick between two holiday concerts tonight featuring guys named Kenneth — jazz saxophonist Kenneth Whalum III at Tailors’ Union or guitarist-vocalist Kenneth Jackson at the Orange Mound Library. 

Winter isn’t just coming; it’s here on Saturday, the winter solstice. Get into the spirit by dressing your dog up in an ugly sweater for a photo with Santa Paws at Celtic Crossing, or head down to Tom Lee Park to carol with singer Keri Lee. As for sports, there’s a Memphis Tigers basketball double-header at FedExForum: The men play Mississippi State at 11:30 a.m., and the women play Louisville at 4 p.m. The Memphis Grizzlies will play the Atlanta Hawks in an away game, too. 

On Sunday, you can catch touring Christmas act Mannheim Steamroller (not to be confused with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra) at the Orpheum Theatre. And for even more holiday concerts, check out The To-Do List. 

THE NEED TO KNOW

Following a comprehensive assessment of the role of FedEx Freight, the company intends to spin it off. (The Daily Memphian file)

FedEx Freight trucks away: FedEx plans to spin off its FedEx Freight trucking division, creating a new publicly traded company. The Memphis-based shipping giant announced the separation, which should happen within 18 months, on Thursday, ahead of its second-quarter earnings call. FedEx revenue was down more than $100 million in the second quarter through a combination of factors, including the anemic global economy and the company’s decision to end its U.S. Postal contract. But it wasn’t all bad news: The company’s operating margin was up .5% over the period last year, a sign the corporate focus on cost-cutting and higher-yield packages is paying off.

Alternative to a consent decree? The City of Memphis has said it will not enter into a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice, following its report on civil rights violations made by the Memphis Police Department. But there is a backup plan: The city plans to hire former federal judge Bernice Donald to monitor the MPD. She would helm a task force that could include experts on various areas where the MPD needs to improve. The city says their plan would offer the city more flexibility than an agreement with the DOJ.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools board member Sable Otey argued with an audience member during a board meeting to potentially oust superintendent Marie Feagins on Dec. 17. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Total recall? On Tuesday, the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board voted to delay a termination vote for Superintendent Marie Feagins, citing allegations of her mishandling financial matters. Right now, it seems the board has enough votes to fire Feagins, unless someone changes their mind. Supporters of Feagins are calling for the recall of board members who want Feagins gone, but the law doesn’t allow for that. If Feagins’ supporters really want to fight that battle, they have two options: try to amend the Shelby County Charter or push for a change in state law. Recent political opponents for a Memphis statehouse seat, state Rep. Mark White and MSCS teacher Noah Nordstrom, are coming together on the issue. They appeared at a press conference on Thursday to urge school board members to work out their issues with Feagins without a termination vote. 

Eventually, a five-lane road will be the entrance to Memphis International Airport. (The Daily Memphian file)

Airport work gets ‘serious’: If you’re one of the 8,000 people flying out of Memphis International Airport today for the holidays, you might hear some jackhammers. The Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority approved $63 million in funding on Thursday to demolish the outer drive in the front of the terminal. It will be replaced with a five-lane road. “This is really where we get serious. This is where the big construction is going to be very noticeable to the public,” said Terry Blue, president and CEO of the airport authority. And that work will be going on for quite a while, so I guess, um, deal with it, frequent flyers.

QUOTED

Memphis Tigers Coach Penny Hardaway watched from the sidelines during a game against Michigan State at the Maui Invitational on Tuesday, Nov. 26, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Lindsey Wasson/AP)

“They’re all best friends. They go everywhere together. .... They root for one another. … That’s never, ever happened on my team. ”

— Coach Penny Hardaway
Hardaway explained on ESPN’s “Jason & John” show Thursday how this season’s Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team is different from any others in his coaching career. The players seemed to be meshing better than ever, and he credits that to his new recruiting strategy that goes beyond talent on the court. Also on Thursday, Hardaway was nominated for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. shot against Golden State Warriors forward Lindy Waters III on Thursday, Dec. 19. (Brandon Dill/AP)

Grizz whooped the Warriors: Call it karma, maybe, but the Memphis Grizzlies delivered an absolute whooping on the Golden State Warriors Thursday night. The 144-93 win (that’s a 51-point margin, folks) came a few weeks after Warriors forward Draymond Green called Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins “soft” on his radio show. Green finished Thursday’s game with zero points, zero rebounds, zero assists, four turnovers and four fouls in 19 minutes. So, yeah, keep talking, Draymond. We’ll be over here blasting Al Kapone’s “Whoop That Trick.” By the way, I’m trash-talking the Warriors here, but the Grizzlies were more mature on Thursday night. 

Mary Oglesby, left, and Paul Gilliam, the creators of Cameo cocktail bar in Midtown, opened Mary’s B.O.T.E. in April 2024. Now, they plan on bringing two more concepts to Midtown. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)

Thank you, next: Just a day after I lamented the loss of Knifebird’s wine flights in this very column, we learned that a new wine bar with pretty much the same concept and menu — and yes, wine flights — is opening in the space. Called No Comment (that’s not going to be a problem for journalists or anything), the bar will be run by Cameo’s owners Paul Gilliam and Mary Oglesby. The only changes: less light, more music. They’re also taking over The Public Bistro space, which will reopen as a seasonal tapas bar called Fawn.

Pickleball’s still king: Memphians apparently haven’t soured on pickleball yet, because yet another pickleball complex is opening soon. Chandler, Arizona-based Pickleball Kingdom is planning a space in the Cross Creek Shopping Center in Southeast Memphis. The Kingdom will have climate-controlled indoor courts for all levels, and if you’re not already a convert, no worries: They’ll rope you in with a free beginner class. 

The baba ganoush at Ali Baba Restaurant, which is dotted with pomegranate seeds, carries a pleasant smokiness in the creamy eggplant puree. (Joshua Carlucci/Special to The Daily Memphian)

Prince Ali: If you’re looking to cozy up with an affordable bowl of hummus and some lamb shawarma, food writer Joshua Carlucci thinks Ali Baba is king — or, to make a cheesy Disney reference, prince. Carlucci says this Levantine spot on Raleigh LaGrange Road serves “lamb that’s impossible to beat,” and he explains why Mediterranean food is the perfect remedy to “bitter, cold and grey afternoons.” Speaking of hummus, longtime Mediterranean restaurant Petra Cafe is closing its Germantown spot as Carrefour at Kirby Woods undergoes redevelopment. But they could use your help finding a new spot.

This rendering shows the heights of a proposed development for the Arthur property in Germantown. (Courtesy LRK Inc.)

Back to the drawing board: Former Germantown Mayor Boyd Arthur Jr.’s 33-acre property near The Shops of Saddle Creek has seen a few proposals in its day. But past ideas have failed because of drainage issues that would affect homes west of the site. But there’s a new plan for the Arthur land — a mixed-use development with a hotel, homes, office and retail — and the sketches seem to indicate the drainage problem would be fixed. 

GOT GAME?

If you haven’t been to the new City Silo location, which just opened a few blocks from the old spot, this week’s Jigsaw might just be the kick in the pants you need. The larger space comes with a larger menu, and this whipped carrot dip is among the new items.

City Silo Table + Pantry added a whipped carrot and feta dip to its menu at its new East Memphis location. (Sophia Surrett/The Daily Memphian)

Know where to find the Women’s Exchange? It’s tucked in a little spot on Racine Street behind Pho Saigon. So now you won’t have to search any longer — unless you’re doing this week’s Women’s Exchange-themed Word Search. 

Have a great weekend! And go ahead and subscribe now if you haven’t already. You can save 20% here using the code EARLYWORDEVERYDAY.

.....