Mornin’, Memphis. It’s Friday, Aug. 15, which means everybody’s working for the weekend. 

Local hip-hop crew Unapologetic will be celebrating its 10th anniversary tomorrow night at Memphis Made Brewing. “The Sound of Music” (as a sing-along) and “The Big Lebowksi” will be screening at the Orpheum and Pink Palace, respectively, on Saturday.

Tonight, the annual Elvis Week culminates with the Candlelight Vigil, a walk through the gates of Graceland to the Big E’s gravesite and back. 

Meanwhile, the Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency is hosting an open house to let people see inside the Old Brick Church on Chelsea Avenue, where reuse ideas are wanted. 

THE NEED TO KNOW

While owned by Memphis-Shelby County Schools, both Florida-Kansas Elementary and Humes Middle (pictured) most recently housed students from charter schools that were part of the state-run Achievement School District. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

For vandals, ‘empty’ is an invitation: Across the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district, a dozen buildings and early-childhood education wings are vacant, and vacant buildings attract vandals. In response, school board members are set to vote on a contract for a mobile surveillance system, with a north of $600,000 price tag. An MSCS spokesperson says that deterring vandalism will allow the district to maintain vacant buildings in a condition that will better positon them to be sold.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools leaders said they immediately shut off contaminated water sources last week. (Laura Faith Kebede/Chalkbeat)

Blood-lead screening available for students: Vulnerable empties are not the only problem with local school facilities. After 24 Memphis schools reported lead-contaminated water last week, the Shelby County Health Department is offering free blood testing for all students at those schools. “Early detection and treatment is the best way to protect children who have been exposed to lead,” Health Department Director Bruce Randolph said in a Thursday statement.

Lakeland Town Square developer Vince Smith was be the guest speaker at the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Exercise first, eat later?: While a couple of new restaurants — Ahi Asian Bistro and Rotolo’s Craft & Crust — are on their way to the mixed-use Lakeland Town Square development, some other new businesses will already be waiting for them, including Sol 2 Soul hot yoga studio. The yoga isn’t the only thing that’s hot, claims developer Vince Smith, who’s talking about expanding the development. In other business news, board-game bar Board to Beers is postponing its planned East Memphis relocation opening for a month, but the East Memphis location of Cocozza American Italian will open this weekend. 

MEET MEMPHIS

University of Memphis lineman William Whitlow Jr. came up with a loose ball during a Sept. 23, 2023, game against the University of Missouri in St. Louis. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

In the age of multimillion-dollar name/image/likeness deals, Memphis Tigers defensive lineman William Whitlow Jr. had a choice to make: play for money or the love the game. He chose the latter. Whitlow, who was a freshman in Memphis in 2021 when the NIL era began, entered the transfer portal in late December. Then, he announced his return to Memphis about two weeks later. Whitlow said he was offered big bucks, but he was turned off by the focus on money.  — Bianca Phillips

THE NICE TO KNOW

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the second half on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at FedExForum. (Wes Hale/Special to The Daily Memphian file)

New schedule just dropped: From the plan-ahead department, the NBA’s regular-season schedule came out yesterday. In addition to a home-opener against down-river rivals the New Orleans Pelicans, the Memphis Grizzlies will host four of what we’re calling national TV games in this streaming-service era, including the lone FedExForum visits from Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors and LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers. Eight of the team’s first 11 games are on the home floor. How many of the games this season will feature an active Ja Morant? Alas, there are questions a schedule-maker cannot answer. Drew Hill has more. And my own annual “consumer’s guide” to the full home schedule will follow … soon. 

New Melrose football co-head coaches Gerald and Jarrett Morrow during practice on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Seeing double in Orange Mound: With high school football kicking off this month, John Varlas checks in on the team at Melrose High, in historic Orange Mound, which boasts literal twin head coaches in brothers and players Gerald and Jarrett Morrow. The brothers Morrow are beginning year two at the helm of the program after making it to the Class 4A state championship game in year one. “We were successful,” said Gerald. “But we didn’t win it all. The goal is always to win. God blessed us to go as far as we could possibly go, but we didn’t win. Our goal is to win it all.” (Closed circuit to “Sinners” director Ryan Coogler: Maybe these are the next set of twins Michael B. Jordan could play.)

The cast of “Something Rotten!” at Theatre Memphis. (Courtesy Theatre Memphis)

Trodding the boards: When is “Something Rotten!” quite welcome? When it’s a Tony-winning parody musical rather than a soggy peach. That’s one of a few new August openings on the Memphis theater scene that Alys Drake tells us about. And now it might be easier to get your seat to some productions, with Playhouse on the Square upgrading its ticketing system. 

Memphis rapper Big Boogie appears at the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards at Drai’s Beach Club on Oct. 08, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mike Dockery, an organizer of the People’s Hip Hop Awards said he hopes the Memphis event could eventually replace the BET Hip Hop Awards, which is currently suspended. (Credit: Walik Goshorn/MediaPunch /IPX)

For the People, By the People? OK, that’s either a political slogan or a lawyer’s ad copy. Who can remember? But what was the “For Us By Us Hip Hop Awards Experience” is now the “People’s Hip-Hop Awards Experience.” But the more things change, the more they stay the same: The awards — or experience — is still happening in Memphis this weekend, at the Cannon Center. And Memphis rapper Big Boogie (now there’s someone who doesn’t need a name change) is still slated to be among the performers. Here’s to a good awards experience weekend for all who partake. You can learn more here. 

WE’RE TALKING ABOUT 

In the era of computer-generated everything, the hand-forged only becomes more precious. So it is with this annual masterpiece of NBA schedule obsessiveness from Memphis Grizzlies sideline reporter/snazzy dresser Rob Fischer, which is frame-worthy as a work of personal craftsmanship even if you aren’t sweating the details. Shoutout to you, Rob!

And … we’re out. Bianca Phillips is hitching across the country (OK, probably not; I made that up), which means I’ll be back with you on Monday morning. Have a weekend, Memphis. 

.....