Memphis Celebrates Elvis Week Amid Exciting Citywide Events, Sports, and Cultural Happenings

Good morning, Memphis! It’s a fantastic day to be in our vibrant city as we kick off Elvis Week today, August 9. Fans from all over the globe are set to fill the streets, celebrating the legendary King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. If you’re not keen on navigating through the buzzing Graceland area, you might want to check out a list of events happening throughout the week. The festivities start with a tribute artist showcase that’s sure to get everyone in a festive mood.

In addition to the Elvis happenings, food lovers should make a beeline to Millington this morning for a sweet treat! The 2KC Cookie Co. is having its grand opening, and rumor has it that breakfast cookies are all the rage. You’ll definitely want to get some of that fresh cookie goodness. And over at the East Memphis’ Officer Geoffrey Redd Branch Library, a huge party is slated to celebrate its impressive 60 years of service. A piece of history right in our neighborhood!

If you’re a sports fan, you’ll be interested to know that our very own Memphis Grizzlies superstar, Ja Morant, will be celebrating his 25th birthday this Saturday. Grab your jerseys and show your appreciation for this crowd-pleaser! For those looking for a little quirky fun, how about taking a trip down nostalgia lane at the Skol-astic Book Fair? It’s just like the book fairs from school, but this time, with some cold drinks! And hey, you might catch our very own local author, Holly Whitfield, there promoting her latest book, 100 Things to Do in Memphis.

As night falls, the Memphis Redbirds will be stepping up to the plate as the Memphis Red Sox to celebrate the historic Black baseball community in the city. It’s sure to be an exciting game filled with pride and fun, and our To-Do List has plenty more options for weekend plans if you’re still looking for something to do!

Now, let’s dive into some news that might catch your interest. It seems like the old “get out of jail free” card from Monopoly isn’t such a joke after all. Frederick Agee, the district attorney in Tennessee’s 28th judicial district, recently shared some insights about bail processes that might amaze you. Typically, when folks are in jail, they’re expected to pay a certain percentage – usually around 10% – of their bail to bonding companies to be released. But it turns out those companies can charge much less than that, thanks to state law. This has led to some inconsistencies and lack of accountability for bonding companies when defendants don’t show up for court.

The Daily Memphian did a little digging and found five local bonding companies that are offering these lower rates. One of the companies, Tiger Bonding, shared their perspective through Vice President Andrew Banyon, who stated that these reduced costs often become the only option for defendants. It’s a sobering situation where families have to leverage their wages or property as collateral just to help their loved ones out of jail.

Are you in need of a last-minute getaway from Memphis? Well, you’re in luck! You can ditch the countless hours you’d spend rummaging through various travel sites to find the best deals. Instead, check out the new online hub called FlyMyAirport, which connects you to all your options leaving from Memphis International Airport (MEM) at the click of a button. Not only can you easily book flights, but you can also find hotels and rental cars, all while you sip your coffee. How convenient is that?

Speaking of closures, we’ve heard that three downtown restaurants have closed recently. However, one is making a comeback! It’s always encouraging to see our local dining scene evolving, so keep an eye out for more options soon. And if you’re craving late-night greasy tacos, we’ve got a hot tip on a spot that will satisfy your cravings!

As we round up this morning’s news, it’s heartening to see our community engage in so many wonderful activities this weekend. Whether you’re soaking in the Elvis vibes, cheering on our Grizzlies or Redbirds, munching on delicious cookies, or planning your next vacation, Memphis clearly has something for everyone. Enjoy this fabulous Friday, and let’s make the most of what our lovely city has to offer!