Morning, Memphis. It’s Monday, June 16, and the Shelby County Commission will be doing some heavy lifting today to wrap up budget season before the new fiscal year starts July 1. See what else is happening in This Week in Memphis.

One more thing: We’re giving away two free tickets to see Third Eye Blind at Live at the Garden on June 21. So, if you want something else to get you through this semi-charmed kinda life, enter here.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) looked on during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, April 18, in Memphis. (Wes Hale/Special to The Daily Memphian file)

Boon or Bane? Goodbye to the most beautiful arms on the Memphis Grizzlies team. The Grizzlies front office shocked fans Sunday with the announcement that it’s trading core member Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. In exchange, they’ll get Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, as well as four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap. The Daily Memphian’s Chris Herrington says Bane, though one of the best single-position scoring guards in the NBA, was also in one of the “least valuable, most easily replaceable” positions. He dissects what the Grizzlies are getting in return.

Federal officials have yet to say who will operate the Head Start preschool program in Shelby County this fall. (Jim Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Late start on Head Start: Federal officials have not made public who will operate Shelby County’s Head Start preschool program next school year. The $30 million undertaking serves about 3,200 preschoolers. Memphis-Shelby County Schools previously ran the program and have applied to do so again, but the district has its share of Head Start problems, including a recent incident where a 4-year-old walked off campus at a Raleigh elementary school. 

The protest at Poplar Avenue and Highland Street Saturday was one of many “No Kings” demonstrations around the country. (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian)

No Kings … except Elvis and Jerry Lawler. That was the sentiment at the massive “No Kings” demonstration at the corner of Poplar Avenue and Highland Street on Saturday. The Memphis protest, which attracted an estimated 2,000 people, was part of a national day of protest on the same day as President Donald Trump’s birthday and a $45 million, taxpayer-funded military parade in Washington, D.C. The Daily Memphian’s Jody Callahan was on the scene at the Memphis protest, where he talked to demonstrators and recapped some of the most creative signs. 

“This is another step in modernizing our hub,” said a representative from FedEx of its new power substation. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Power play: FedEx Corp. is opening its own power station. The Memphis-based shipping giant’s new substation will provide dedicated power to the FedEx World Hub without straining Memphis Light, Gas and Water’s grid.

QUOTED

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said it’s more important to fund schools than a new jail. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

“The jail is a priority. But it’s not as important as the schools.”

— Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris
Last week, a study revealed possible locations for a new jail to replace the 44-year-old Shelby County Jail. It also highlighted deteriorating conditions at 201 Poplar, including leaks, rust and mildew. But Harris, speaking on WKNO’s “Behind the Headlines,” said he’d rather invest money into repairing public schools to stop the “pipeline of individuals who end up in jail.”

THE NICE TO KNOW

South Parkway can get a little confusing. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)

Parkways primer: If you’ve ever gotten lost on the windy and weirdly configured South Parkway, you may have wondered what’s up with all the confusing turns and directional names: South Parkway East, South Parkway West. In today’s Ask the Memphian, our own Jody Callahan answers those questions, and he dives into the history of the Parkway system. He also offers some background on the “Parkway” name, which was renamed from the original “Speedway.” It seems “Speedway” encouraged some bad habits among early Memphis drivers. (Never change, Memphis.)

The Good Roots bowl at City Silo has a base of brown rice and quinoa, topped with roasted golden beets, grilled onions and peppers, kale, black sesame seeds, and a tahini ginger sauce. (Ellen Chamberlain/The Daily Memphian)

What to order at City Silo: If you haven’t been to the new-ish location of City Silo — just a couple blocks from its old spot — get there soon. But first, read our own Ellen Chamberlain’s recommendations on what to order. She did the hard work of sampling her way through the menu and offers up tips on her favorite grain and veggie bowl and a couple of loaded toasts. (And you didn’t ask for my opinion, but I’m going to tell you anyway to get the Buffalo Tempeh and Sesame Cauliflower bowl. But make it a wrap for an extra $1.50 and dip each bite liberally into the vegan ranch.)

Cordova Skating Center threw a “glow in the dark” skate party May 23. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)

Skate, dance or do Magic: The iconic Crystal Palace may be long gone, but roller skating is still very much alive. One local skate center believes so much in its future that it recently spent $100,000 to upgrade the rink. The Daily Memphian’s Jody Callahan looks into why roller skating just won’t die. And speaking of hobbies that live on, line dancing is back in a big way. Freelancer Christin Yates highlights the reemergence of choreographed group dance and offers some tips on where to learn the moves. (Don’t forget your fans!) But if you’re more into sedentary hobbies, it seems card games like Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon are more popular than ever.

 “As a small business owner, I don’t see any value that the chamber provides,” said Bartlett Alderman David Reaves of the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce. (The Daily Memphian file)

Drama in Bartlett: There’s a fight brewing between some Bartlett aldermen and the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce. And now the Bartlett Board of Mayor and Aldermen wants to hire someone to audit the chamber before it gives the organization any more money. Alderman David Reaves, who co-owns Side Porch Steakhouse and Pharmacy Coffeehouse, told the BACC’s president during a May meeting that he doesn’t “see any value that the chamber provides” before storming out of the meeting. Alderman Monique Williams, owner of Biscuits & Jams, also offered a critique of the BACC. 

PURE Academy students talked with xAI executive Brent Mayo (right), who said that welding changed his “whole life.” (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Saw the sign: xAI’s Brent Mayo, who oversees construction of Elon Musk’s Colossus supercomputer, had humble beginnings as a welder. And now, Mayo is passing those skills on to Memphis teens from PURE Academy. Earlier this month, the teens got some welding practice while helping restore the chipped and rusted metal sign for Mt. Joyner Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

THIS WEEK’S WEATHER

Summer starts Friday, and it’s going to feel like it!

Have an excellent Monday, and don’t forget your rain jacket. 

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