Griz center Darko Milicic participated in a full-contact practice today and wasn’t bothered by the sprained left thumb that’s kept him out of action the past two weeks.

Team brass continues to say that Milicic will be a “game-time decision” when the Griz host Minnesota tomorrow. But all signs point to Milicic returning after a seven-game layoff.

“It’s fine,” Milicic said. “My conditioning feels good. I’m ready.”

Milicic re-iterated that he won’t play with the thumb heavily taped nor will he wear a protective brace. The 7-footer is left handed so he wouldn’t be able to catch the basketball.

He’ll deal with some pain and hope the thumb doesn’t get whacked again.

Griz head coach Marc Iavaroni said he’s still toying with whether to re-insert Milicic into the starting lineup or continue to play a small group with Juan Carlos Navarro at shooting guard and Rudy Gay at power forward.

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Many people will be headed to the malls this weekend in search of that perfect Christmas present.

And for the politically-oriented person on your list, there are quite a few gift options available through catalogs, too.

For example, the holiday catalog for What on Earth (www.whatonearthcatalog.com is the web version) features a Hillary Clinton nutcracker on its cover.

I’ll leave it for you to decide whether that gift would be more appropriate for Hillary’s fans or her foes.

Then there’s the catalog for Uncommon Goods (www.uncommongoods.com), which includes at least two coffee mugs that are politically bent.

The Global Warming Mug shows a map of the world, with polar caps that melt and oceans that rise when hot liquids are poured into it.

Or there’s the Disappearing Civil Liberties Mug, on which the words to the Bill of Rights disappear when a hot beverage is poured inside.

I’m trying to think of some local variations on the latter theme:

A Disappearing Tax Base Mug, perhaps.

Or a Disappearing Case for Building a Brand New Football Stadium Mug.

Or maybe the Disappearing Confidence in Former City School Superintendent Carol Johnson Mug.

I’m sure you can think of others. Anyway, happy shopping!

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Looking at some local restaurant wine lists online, I couldn't help noticing this range of prices for Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut, the non-vintage French champagne that's one of the most highly visible and relentlessly marketed brands in the world.

Ready?

Umai .................... $70
Encore ..................$80
Felicia Suzanne's .....$85
The Grove Grill ........$95
Erling Jensen ..........$96
River Oaks .............$98
Chez Philippe ......... $99
Interim .................$112
The Majestic .........$113
Circa ...................$130

That's right, readers, there's a difference of $60 between the lowest and the highest prices of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label on these 10 wine lists, this for a champagne that retails usually for $35 to $45. Of course the restaurants don't pay the retail price; they pay wholesale. Yes, I know, the price in the restaurant includes the high Tennessee sales tax on wine as well as the city tax, but still, if Umai, a small establishment that can't move a lot of the stuff, can charge $70, it means that places charging over, say, $90 are making a killing. And $130!!!!! Does the word "unconscionable" mean anything to you? You pays yer money and you takes yer choice.

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I tried again today to have a little yummy chicken stuff that I love, or loved before yesterday. I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened to it before it got to my fork. I just couldn’t put it in my mouth. I’m not going to go all crazy PETA chick, but [...]Continue Reading »

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The Memphis-made feature film "The Book of Noah" earned the "Spirit of Independence Award" in the "Originality" category this month at the prestigious Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.

The win puts "The Book of Noah" in some impressive company. Also honored at the 22nd annual Fort Lauderdale filmfest were Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman, named Best Actress and Best Actor for "The Savages"; "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," named Best Film; Mary Stuart Masterson, whose directorial debut, "The Cake Eaters," won the Audience Award for Best American Indie; and Gary Sinise (perhaps best known as "Lt. Dan" in "Forrest Gump"), who was presented with the festival's Career Achievement Award.

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OK everyone, it's almost time for the year-end restaurant wrap-up, and this year we want to include your favorite spots. Post 'em here...

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