Happy Wednesday, Memphis (especially to those of you who are professional basketball or independent movie fans).

Today is Oct. 20, and the Memphis Grizzlies will play their season home opener this evening, taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Indie Memphis’ 2021 Film Festival also begins this evening, and Chris Herrington was nice enough to put on his film critic hat and break down all of the offerings for us. And Shelby County Schools is hosting a virtual town hall to get feedback on its 2021-22 district improvement plan. 

THE NEED TO KNOW

Steven Adams. during the Memphis Grizzlies’ media day last month. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

The bears are back: On Nov. 1, 2001, the Grizzlies played their first game in Memphis. As Geoff Calkins notes, opening nights since then haven’t always been great. (One was “a major disaster.”) But he also suggests fans take a minute to enjoy the moment: “Because in 2001, there were a whole lot of folks who would have told you that the Grizzlies wouldn’t be in Memphis to celebrate their 20th anniversary, that they’d have long since picked up and left. But the Grizzlies have survived and flourished.” As the season begins, you may want to know more about how new center (and New Zealander) Steven Adams is taking to Memphis — and my site analytics suggest you do — so don’t miss this interview/Memphis 101 study session. Last thing: Drew Hill has put together a handy-dandy guide to the individual players’ Twitter and Instagram accounts. 

Covering the Council: During something of a busy day at Memphis City Council yesterday, the body approved $20 million of line items in American Rescue Plan funding. The money will go, in part, to improving solid waste collection, incentivizing a North Memphis grocery store, and an affordable housing grant and loan program. Another hot topic was what process the city should use to do its redistricting, an ad hoc group like Shelby County is or a more internal process with the new boundaries drafted by an attorney. The council also delayed its final vote on downzoning 20 commercial business districts around the city, and a proposal for the Annesdale Mansion was formally withdrawn.

Crews use a crane to remove piles of branches left by MLGW workers in Midtown in January 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian file)

Tree trimmers targeted? Memphis Light, Gas & Water is having trouble keeping tree trimmers on the job, and it’s for a strange reason. They keep getting robbed. The utility’s contract crews, often including people from outside of Memphis and even from other countries, have been robbed 15 times this year. And, as an MLGW VP told the Memphis City Council yesterday, “When they get robbed, they want to leave.”

More COVID legislation likely: The Tennessee legislature is expected to hold its third special session this year, beginning later this month. So far, Tenn. Gov. Bill Lee has resisted calling for a session solely focused on COVID-19 measures, but the state’s top legislators say they have enough support to hold one. Though specific bills have not been revealed, it’s likely the proposals will provide an opportunity for “the General Assembly’s voice [to be] heard on issues regarding masks, vaccines, executive power and federal mandates.” 

MEET MEMPHIS

Chicks n Cheese co-owners Alessandra Daniele (left) and mother Kelly Daniele make charcuterie boards for all kinds of gatherings and special occasions. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Mother and daughter entrepreneurs Kelly and Alessandra Daniele love charcuterie. In fact, mother Kelly says charcuterie boards are “kind of my love language.” So, to share that love with more people, the duo have opened Chicks N Cheese in Lakeland. Alessandra Daniele was studying fashion design in Los Angeles when Long Beach City College closed due to the pandemic; she came home, initially only temporarily, but then the pair’s board business took off.

THE NICE TO KNOW

Bartlett youth watch Melissa Joan Hart play — and win — “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” at the Bower Activity Center. (Courtesy Youth Villages)

Former child star wins for Youth: Actress Melissa Joan Hart has supported Youth Villages through a variety of initiatives in the past few years, but she recently won the nonprofit more than $1 million on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. And though the organization knew back in May that Hart had competed on a pre-taped episode, they didn’t know the final results of the show until their watch parties Sunday night. “Of all things, to win $1 million on the answer bran muffins,” said Youth Villages’ chief development officer. “That was pretty amazing.”

Slim & Husky Pizza will be one of the offerings at the FedExForum this season. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Making concessions: As we begin Grizzlies basketball season, we also begin FedExForum snacking season. The Rendezvous and Wiseacre will return as the major local food vendors inside the arena and will be joined by Slim & Husky’s. The venue has also opened a brand new sports bar that will be open even when the Forum itself is not.

Potential for growth: Three inner-city applicants are looking for loans to help grow their businesses. And while that sort of sounds like a set up for “Shark Tank,” in this case it’s the agenda for today’s Economic Development Growth Engine finance committee meeting. One applicant is a training center for visual and performing arts in Midtown; another is a business development center; and another is what seems to be a beauty salon/fresh produce market. 

WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer getting arrested with former child star Alyssa Milano ... 

Sawyer and Milano were among 25 activists arrested during a rally in Washington, D.C., asking President Joe Biden to end the filibuster over the Freedom to Vote Act. 

All in all, it’s already shaping up to be a very interesting Wednesday. Y’all take it easy and we’ll be back here tomorrow morning. Hope to see you then! 

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