Happy Pi Day, Memphis. It’s Friday, March 14, and if you’re looking for a pie recipe to celebrate 3.1415926535, Jennifer Chandler’s bourbon-chocolate pecan pie is a good place to start.

The No. 1 seed Memphis Tigers will play their first game — against Wichita State — in the American Athletic Conference Tournament at noon today. And the No. 2 in the West Memphis Grizzlies play the No. 1 in the East Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at FedExForum. Speaking of sports, we’re doing a live Q&A with our Memphis Tigers reporters next Tuesday, but it’s only for the first 50 subscribers who sign up. You can do that here.

Saturday is not St. Patrick’s Day, but it’ll feel like it when the Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Day Parade rolls down Beale Street. There’s a good chance of rain, but the parade is set to happen rain or shine, so pack a green umbrella. It’ll be worth getting wet to see former Memphis Grizzly Tony Allen in the parade’s royal court. Later that night, the Grizzlies will retire his No. 9 jersey during a game with the Miami Heat.

Sunday marks the start of Memphis Black Restaurant Week, when Black-owned eateries will be offering deals all week. For more weekend fun, let The To-Do List be your guide.

THE NEED TO KNOW

From left: Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members Tamarques Porter and Towanna Murphy at a Feb. 25 meeting. (Greg Campbell/Special to The Daily Memphian)

Power outage? The yet-to-be-filed state proposal allowing for a takeover of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board would give a new state-appointed board most of the control. The MSCS board would only be permitted to discuss items like hiring a superintendent when the state board authorizes its meetings, and then the new board could still veto the MSCS board’s decisions. The legislative proposal, which is set to be discussed next week, would also allow for such a takeover in other districts statewide. And it would allow the state education commissioner to recommend that public schools be taken over by charter operators. 

From left to right: Former News Channel 3 (WREG-TV) evening anchors Claudia Barr and Richard Ransom delivered the news with meteorologist Jim Jaggers. (The Daily Memphian file)

Ransom notes new gig: ABC24’s nightly news anchor Richard Ransom is making a career shift that so many journalists have made at least once in their careers: a move into public relations. He’ll sign off from TV news on March 19 after more than 30 years in the anchor chair at several local stations. And beginning March 24, he’ll be the director of strategic communications for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Ransom announced his plan to leave ABC24 a few weeks back, but he revealed the new position on Thursday. 

A rendering of the Legend Parks South development at 934 Poplar Ave. (Courtesy Self + Tucker Architects)

Affordable housing otw: The Memphis Housing Authority is planning four new apartment buildings along Poplar Avenue in the Medical District. Called Legend Parks South, it’ll be an extension of the MHA’s nearby Legend Parks housing development. The building will house 66 affordable rental apartments for eligible residents. That project was approved by the Land Use Control Board on Thursday, as well as a request to close streets in the Hollywood area to make way for Memphis Light, Gas and Water’s North Service Center expansion. 

MEET MEMPHIS

Whitney Hardy, the new head of the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Memphis, has big plans for the center. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)

Whitney Hardy, the new director of the University of Memphis’ Crews Center for Entrepreneurship, was a born entrepreneur. When she was just seven years old, she was working on detailed blueprints for how to turn a skateboard into a hovercraft using her parents’ vacuum cleaner. Her innovative spirit carried over into adulthood, as she designed hydrogen drinks for her beverage company, held high-level positions at Epicenter, co-owned a logistics company and much more. These days, she’s helping young minds find their own entrepreneurial energy through the Crews Center.

THE NICE TO KNOW

“You can lounge around and be really comfortable in the space,” said The Juice Joint owner Darious Robertson. “That’s one thing we want to push in this new space, which is double the size.” (Sophia Surrett/The Daily Memphian file)

When one juice junt closes, another opens: The Juice Joint, which was previously in Cooper-Young, is reopening this fall in the former Vibe Foods spot across from East High School. The new space will be designed by social-media influencer/designer David Quarles IV, and the menu will expand beyond cold-pressed juices and smoothies to include some lunch options. Read more on that in Food Files, plus news of a Germantown juice bar that’s closed and a Downtown juice bar that’s opened. In meatier food news, food writer Joshua Carlucci tells us why you’re doing it wrong if you’re not ordering the “hefty, cheese-wrapped” Birriburro at Chukis Tacos No. 2.

University of Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway (middle) celebrated after a victory over Louisiana Tech on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Tigers to be tested today: The Memphis Tigers will take on Wichita State in an American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal matchup at noon today. Wichita State has won eight of its past 11 games, including an overtime win against Memphis back in February. The Daily Memphian’s Parth Upadhyaya offers three things to watch as the Tigers take on the Shockers.

Kia Shine and ChrisP designed “Standing on Grizzness” merch for the Memphis Grizzlies. (Courtesy Kia Shine)

Stand on Grizzness: If you’re in need of fresh Grizz gear, head to tonight’s Memphis Grizzlies home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Local fashion designer Brezay’s “Home Made” collection, which features hoodies bearing that phrase with the Memphis hand symbol in place of the “M,” will be available at game. The collection is part of the Grizzlies’ 191 Collabs program, which gives local artists and designers a chance to create and sell limited-edition Grizzlies fashion. Can’t make it tonight? No worries; artist Kia Shine and ChrisP’s “Standing on Grizzness” collection drops at the April 10 game.

GOT GAME?

Memphis Pom turned 50 this year, and last week, the University of Memphis cheer squad put on a special performance with current and former dancers spanning generations. Maybe that’ll inspire you to get moving this weekend. But if not, you could just stay seated and do this week’s Jigsaw instead. 

Members of 1980s-era University of Memphis Pom Squad rehearsed for an anniversary performance. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

Speaking of moving, this week’s Word Search was inspired by the coming-soon gym, Grit Group Fitness, where you won’t hear about “burning calories or bikini season.”

One of this week’s 5 by 5 clues came from a story that’s about pretty much the opposite of fitness: vaping.

Now, go eat some pie! See you Monday.

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