When the Crazy Cactus on Summer Avenue closed abruptly earlier this year, Francisco ‘Poncho’ Gonzales promised his restaurant would return. Now, the name isn’t back, but the menu is. 

This week brings holiday lights (and Lizzo lasers) galore, a chance to hike off Thanksgiving excesses, monster trucks and various adaptations of the classics.

“We want everybody to have a great holiday. We want them to have a great shopping experience. And we want our businesses to thrive. We want to see Memphis thrive.”

“The reality is we have about 25,000 children living in poverty in this city. It’s one child at a time. We have to attack it at that level.”

As half the country was in a drought — Lake Mead turning into Pond Mead and our own Mighty Mississippi becoming the Measly Mississippi — the ginkgoes didn’t turn yellow. Until they did. 

Chris Herrington ranks the Mid-South’s coffee shops by best atmosphere, best pastries, best outdoor seating and, with a humble asterisk, best coffee. 

“We talk a lot about ‘the Memphis Sound,’ which means something very different if you’re discussing rock or soul or hip-hop. Our goal was to build a lineup that showcases what the ‘Memphis Sound’ means in various contexts.” 

In the musical “It’s Christmas Again,” Lawson Touliatos takes on the role of Jake Young, a teenager who isn’t yet familiar with the true meaning of Christmas. 

The Tigers lost to Seton Hall when a 6-10 player who hadn’t made a 3-pointer all season before Thursday banked one in at the buzzer. So how does the team get ready to play another game Friday? Former Memphis guard Trey Draper tried to help.

Seton Hall forward Tyrese Samuel banked a buzzer-beating 3-pointer off the glass to seal a 70-69 victory for his team.

Related story:

Box Score: Seton Hall 70, Memphis 69

“This time of the year, I feel so good inside knowing I’ll get some clothes and something to eat, and I’ll leave full.”

After years of problems affecting its luster, new Bonne Terre owners have restored the Nesbit, Mississippi event venue and will host a wedding expo in hopes of resurrecting its status.

“That tree is a part of the experience. It’s one of those good old fashioned family experiences that you can have.”

Memphis’ defensive coordinator said his unit tries to take away what teams do well. Against the Mustangs, that means limiting the No. 1 receiver in the country and a top-10 quarterback. 

Last year’s state runner-up, McKenzie High, travels to Orange Mound for a Class 1A semifinal match-up of undefeated teams. Bartlett High plays host to Class 6A semifinal game.

Daily Memphian CEO Eric Barnes interviews Lil Buck and Katie Smythe, the CEO and Artistic Director of New Ballet Ensemble and School, on The Sidebar.

For decades, a group of alums from Memphis’ Bishop Byrne High School gathered for an annual Thanksgiving Day tradition that earned the name The Cranberry Bowl.

As the utility met or surpassed key fiscal 2022 goals, its workers have each been rewarded with a median check of $6,610. 

Gallimore was worried that night about her her 21-year-old granddaughter, who was at Gallimore’s house in Dresden, a small town about 120 miles northeast of Memphis near the Kentucky state line.

Related story:

Dresden Tornado: A year later, devastated town strives, struggling to recover

Why all the upROAR in Memphis about athletic director Laird Veatch’s plea to boosters to raise money for student-athletes? Some questions and answers that hopefully will help.

Will Drennan died a hero the first day of flag football practice. His team of five and six year olds played on. Ten days ago, they tried to win the championship “for Daddy.” Why a kid’s game meant so much. 

Plus, it’s time to sign up for next year’s Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. 

Baptist Memorial Rehabilitation Hospital at 1240 S. Germantown Road will begin its second expansion in two years in April. 

A win would tie the Tigers for the fifth-best record in the conference. 

The Grizzlies have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. On Wednesday, the team of players, coaches and support staff will partner with MyTownMiracles to assemble Thanksgiving baskets for 100 families across the city.