Fantasy Lapides on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day will be here before you know it. Folks, don't act like Boat, waiting until the last minute, settling for wrong-sized gifts and overbooked restaurants. Take my advice: plan ahead. Here are my tips guaranteed to make that someone special feel like someone special.

Jewelry
Frankly, this is table stakes - you simply have to give it. But don't worry. Just go to Doron and mention my name to get an extra special discount.

Chocolate
Another must have. There's only one place to go - Dinstuhl's. Incidentally, pick up a bag of Cashew Crunch for yourself while you're there (trust me).

Dinner
Lots of fabulous options. Paulette's. Jim's Place Grille. JG Trattoria (Judd Grisanti's new place). Some folks think Germantown Commissary isn't romantic, but I'd argue that few things are more arousing than a beautiful woman eating a bar-b-que rib.

Hotel
Hilton Memphis or River Inn of Harbortown. Enough said.

Bonus
On your way back home the next day, wrap things up with breakfast at The Cupboard. Frankly, that's really going above and beyond.

There you have it. Plan ahead and you'll come out ahead. Who knows, maybe Boat will read this and heed my advice for a change.

Fantasy Lapides reveals top ways to drive from East Memphis to Downtown

Between driving to sports events, to interviews, and to visit my sponsors, I've driven a lot of miles in Memphis. And I really know how to get around this place. Today I'll highlight some of the best ways to get from East Memphis to Downtown.

Best route overall: Walnut Grove to Perkins to Sam Cooper to E. Parkway to N. Parkway to 3rd Street.

2nd Best route overall: Park to Goodlett to Central to Cooper to Peabody to Linden to 2nd Street.

Best route 9am-4pm: Park to Goodlett to Poplar to Union to 2nd Street (avoid during rush hour).

Best route through Orange Mound: Park to Lamar to Linden to 2nd Street.

Best route between 8pm-6am: Walnut Grove to Poplar to 3rd Street.

Best Interstate Route: I-40 Westbound, exit on 2nd/3rd St.

Streets to avoid at all times: Madison, Highland between Central and Park, Summer.

I also have directions and best routes for all sorts of places outside Memphis such as Brownsville, Birmingham, St. Louis, etc. I'll post those later.

Water tasting

As a service to the listeners of Sports Time yesterday, Geoff and I conducted a water taste test. We tested Ozarka, Evian, Aquafina, Dasani and good ole Memphis tap water. The Dasani was colder, but that doesn't matter, it's all the same. Take it from me, stick with the tap.