Game of Thrones wrapped on Sunday, and let’s just say “it’s so hard to say goodbye.” As a faithful watcher of the show, it’s difficult to ignore the resemblance between the realm and the city of Memphis. One of the boldest comparisons is through the shared centering of families and their houses. Memphis is a city of families who are almost one degree of separation from the next family. You can always trace folks back to where they live or were raised by asking two simple questions “What high school did you attend?” and “What’s your church home?”

Give or take a few elements in the 8-year tv series, GOT houses easily mirror some of Memphis’ communities. If Westeros had a 901 zip code, here’s where you’d find some of your favorite characters and houses:

1. House of Stark – North Memphis

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Two words: Not. Today.

Have you ever met anyone from Frayser?

Is your spouse a native of Smokey City?

Maybe you’re a teacher at Douglas or Craigmont High.

One thing is for sure: people from North Memphis don’t go down without a fight and even if they lose, they don’t stay down.

You can find Arya learning to fight at Ed Rice Community Center. Sansa is a graduate of Raleigh Egypt High and now acts as the Executive Director of the Frayser Community Development Corporation. Meanwhile, Bran sits in the middle of Ridgecrest Apartments listening to Yo Gotti all day, clapping at birds.

2. House of Lannister – Central/Chickasaw Gardens

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The Lannisters are the richest family in Westeros. Can you not see Cersei standing at the top level foyer with a glass of red wine overlooking that lake in the middle of the Chickasaw Gardens community? Of course you can. Central and Chickasaw Gardens hold some of the finest families and homes in the city. Just ride through on a gorgeous summer day and admire the homes (unless you’re being creepy). There’s a hidden richness (no pun intended) in these areas.

3. House of Tyrell – Cooper Young/Midtown

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So Olenna Tyrell – while perched on her porch across from Peabody Elementary – is the old lady you speak to when dropping your kids off but doesn’t speak back. Her garden is perfect and she shops alone at the Farmer’s Market in the parking lot of First Congregational. Margarey is often found at Cafe Ole, but more recently hangs out at Side Street Grill after Joffrey died, in search of her next king, but Loras got there before her at 4 p.m. Tommen rides through Overton Park on one of those Bird scooters, speaking to everyone on the Crazy Noodle patio until he was brought to an untimely demise attempting backflips on the motorized machine. His memorial was held at Rainbow Lake.

4. The White Walkers – (Elmwood Cemetery)

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Some of the most notable Memphians who have ever lived are buried at Elmwood Cemetery, from civil rights leaders and politicians to racist confederate war generals. If they were to ever resurrect, we do hope Arya’s training from Ed Rice will come in handy.

5. House of Frey – South Memphis

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The Red Wedding was facilitated, orchestrated and executed by someone from South Memphis. Period. Stone Bridge connects the two keeps of the Frey’s ancestral seat, the Twins. The new and old bridge is a dead giveaway that the Frey’s would reside in South Memphis with the house words, “We Stand Together.” People from South Memphis are extremely territorial, and they aren’t afraid to take action against those who break their promises. Walder Frey grew up around Hamilton but sent all his children (wives) to Booker T. Washington.

6. House of Targaryen – The Suburbs

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If any Memphian would have dragons in their backyard, they would be in the suburbs because of all that acreage. All Targaryen’s are graduates of Collierville High where the mascot is, coincidentally, the dragon. It explains why Daenerys was attracted to men from the inner-city. Now that we know Jon Snow is really a Targaryen and therefore, a natural at riding dragons – it would only be right that we award him an honorary degree from Collierville.

7. House of Baratheon – Hickory Hill

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Remember the 2008 tornado that took our Hickory Ridge Mall? People of Hickory Hill are Storm Lords, not unfamiliar with revitalization after disasters like the tornado. Since, the mall has been revived quite a bit. Folks from Hickory Hill are resilient people. They’re stylish, but they play to win like the Ridgeway High basketball teams. They know how to party and have a good time. Just stop by Winchester Bowl or East End Skating Rink and you’ll see what we’re talking about.

Tell us if we hit the nail on the head or the dragon on the Greyjoy. What house and Memphis community do you resonate with the most?

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Things to do in East Memphis

Although East Memphis is more of a residential area than the hubs of entertainment in the downtown or midtown areas, its lush neighborhoods offer up some of Memphis’ finest food, not to mention opportunities to explore expansive outdoor spaces and absorb Memphis culture.

Speaking of food, top-rated restaurants in East Memphis include Folk’s Folly, Mosa, Hog and Hominy by chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman and Circa by John Bragg. To make sure you get a table at one of these hot spots, call ahead to make reservations.

In addition to offering excellent cuisine, East Memphis is a fantastic place to tour with the kids. Many of its attractions are family-friendly and educational—not to mention free of charge, which is good news for families looking to minimize vacation expenses. If you’re planning a trip to East Memphis, be sure to visit the following:

• Wolf River Greenway Trail: Looking to hit the trail, bond and burn off some calories from lunch while exploring the outdoors? The Wolf River Greenway Trail runs about 1.67 miles, is located along the Wolf River and connects to Shelby Farms Park and the Germantown trails.
• Shelby Farms Park: Speaking of Shelby Farms Park, this lush and expansive attraction has 4,500 acres of ground to cover, so pack a picnic and go for it! For a nominal fee, you and your family can enjoy horseback riding and paddle boating. Other options include taking in the beautiful Wolf River, hitting the playgrounds, relaxing by the lake, exploring the woods and more.
• University of Memphis Art Museum: This art museum is free to the public, with permanent exhibits that include collections of antique Egyptian and African art, as well as contemporary displays that are updated regularly.
• Dixon Gallery & Gardens/Memphis Botanic Garden: These two botanical expanses are located within walking distance of each other and collectively feature a children’s garden, horseback riding, fishing and more. A bonus for those without their own transportation in Memphis: You can catch the Greenline back into town at the end of your day.
• Theatre Memphis: The members of this community theatre group thrive on entertaining local residents, interacting with audience members and providing community opportunities to entertain and teach. Check out a production or two, and if you’re in town at the right time, why not participate in one of the educational workshops offered throughout the year?
• Audubon Park: This park offers 373 acres of outdoor and indoor fun in the form of a fitness trail, two picnic areas, play equipment for outdoor activities, outdoor and indoor tennis courts, and an 18-hole golf course (note that golfing requires an additional fee).

When visiting East Memphis, take the time to truly enjoy all that this Memphis region has to offer.

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We have some good news for you: Starting on Saturday, Sept. 1, you won’t have to choose. That’s right, another exciting year of University of Memphis Tiger football is coming up fast, with season tickets available now and single-game tickets going on sale in August.

First up, Georgia’s Mercer University meets the University of Memphis at the home opener on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. Kroger stores will be selling $10 discounted tickets for the game in August.

2017: A hard act to follow

Last year, the Memphis Tigers not only took the American Athletic West Division Championship first-place trophy but beat Navy for the first time in the school’s history! Even with an early kickoff against 27-mph winds and a delayed start due to lightning in the fourth quarter, the Tigers defeated SMU for the 2017 conference win.

2018 Tigers football schedule

Don’t miss another season in Memphis

Whether you’re in town for a football game, a business trip, a vacation or something else, be sure to make time to check out the sights and sounds of Memphis. There’s no shortage of things to do in these parts, no matter what season you visit. Here are some of our favorites:

• An October riverboat ride on the historic Mississippi River is the perfect way to see the city without melting in the process.
• As the temperature plummets, get a head start on your holiday shopping at Memphis’ wide variety of neighborhood marketplaces and urban malls.
• Memphis has more than 160 parks and green spaces, which means you can spend every spring weekend outdoors. In fact, Memphis is home to one of the largest urban parks in the country, Shelby Farms Park.
• Get in touch with your wild side as you stroll around the Memphis Zoo on sunny days.

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Fishing, boating and more

Shelby Farms Park is home to more than 20 lakes where individuals can partake in fishing (look out for catfish and largemouth bass), canoeing, paddle-boating and kayaking. If you’re more into relaxation than action, why not take advantage of a park package that bundles a calming time on Hyde Lake with cocktails and delicious treats afterward?

Playgrounds

For visitors with children, the park’s two playgrounds are not to be missed. The woodland discovery playground, which has won international awards for its innovative design, offers six different play nests for children of all ages to explore and play. And when the temperature spikes, look no further than the water play spray ground, complete with a water tunnel and spray jets for kids to splash around supervised. Why bear the intense heat all summer long when you can cool off at this playground?

Dining

Whether you enjoy a long day at the lake or spend time on the playground, you’re sure to work up an appetite at Shelby Farms Park—and the kitchen bistro and the kitchenette are here for you! The kitchen bistro overlooks Hyde Lake, allowing you to enjoy a sit-down meal with a view, while the kitchenette offers quick bites for those who want to eat on the go.

Photo Credit: Shelby Farms Website

Hiking and biking

Shelby Farms Park contains more than 40 miles of trails where visitors can walk, run, hike and bike alone or with family and friends. This is the ideal place for taking time to discover and explore nature when you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Memphis.

Paintball and laser tag

Paintball and laser tag at Shelby Farms Park can be a fun activity for everyone from a small family to a large group. Don’t have your own gear? No problem—equipment is available, and the vast 10-acre outdoor space means you can expect the games to get exciting. Players are divided according to their age and skill level, making this an inclusive activity for all ages.

Zip-lining, swinging and climbing

Shelby Farms Park has an outdoor adventure course where visitors can zip-line, swing or climb through trees—after taking an instructional course on safety, that is. With obstacles that include rope ladders, bridges and swings, get ready to unleash your inner Tarzan!

Photo Credit: Shelby Farms Facebook

Events

Venue is one of the most important considerations when it comes to hosting an event. With this in mind, Shelby Farms Park offers distinct indoor and outdoor venues for any type of event, including banquets, concerts and weddings.

Horseback riding

Shelby Farm Park offers horseback riding for people of all ages, with experienced guides on hand. Ponies are a favorite of younger visitors, but people of all ages can enjoy a ride through the peaceful surroundings. In addition to the already affordable price, there is a 10 percent horseback riding discount for park members.

Golf

Ever played disc golf? If not, Shelby Farms Park is a great venue for your first experience, thanks to the 18-hole disc golf course on the grounds. Instead of using golf balls, players use discs to aim for golf baskets.

Shelby Farms Park offers a variety of outdoor activities to choose from. There’s something for everyone—which is your favorite?

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Whether we’re talking about community-based startups or new businesses with high-growth potential, Memphis entrepreneurs have a friend in the form of Entrepreneurship-Powered Innovation Center, better known as EPICenter Memphis.

The non-profit organization, located in Co-Work Memphis in the heart of the city’s Cooper-Young neighborhood, helps entrepreneurs conceive, launch and scale their businesses.

EPICenter has become a hub of the Greater Memphis entrepreneurial movement by connecting existing entrepreneurs and those who want to launch a business with helpful partner organizations and resources across the region.

When you step into their welcoming, colorful space, you immediately feel the energy and excitement of connectivity and creativity happening in the Bluff City. You’re surrounded not only by the supportive, passionate EPICenter team, but by Memphis creatives from all backgrounds and walks of life, working together to enrich the city by infusing its economy with new business models for a sustainably robust future.

The organization and its partners provide programs, workshops, office hours, networking events, co-working spaces and more to ensure everyone from tech startups to makers and artisans to community based small businesses across a wealth of industries and stages of growth have what they need to prosper. EPICenter also connects Memphis-based entrepreneurs to companies and individuals interested in supporting them as customers, investors or mentors.

Memphis is a city of ideas – from our pioneering place in music history and status as a continuing creative force in that field to our innovation in the fields of healthcare, medical device development, agriculture and logistics.

As Memphians say, we hustle – we grit and we grind. That applies both to our beloved basketball teams and our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“Memphis has a gritty and innovative culture, which enables an entrepreneurial movement that’s catalyzing transformational growth here,” said Leslie Smith, president and CEO of EPICenter. “While the history of entrepreneurship runs deep — from Elvis, Sun Studios, and Stax, to Holiday Inn, AutoZone, and FedEx — we’re seeing new technologies in agriculture, logistics, medical devices, home services, and social innovation succeed and grow roots here. Beyond technology, our artists, designers, makers, chefs, musicians, and shopkeepers around Memphis are the heart and soul of our creative small business community. Most importantly, however, Memphis intentionally supports and attracts entrepreneurs who reflect the diversity of our city, and we are a more vibrant and innovative community because of that.”

EPICenter and its partners – which include Start Co., The Memphis Chamber, Memphis BioWorks Foundation and the Black Business Association of Memphis — share a common goal of creating a robust and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Memphis to service the Mid-South region. The organization hopes to help create 500 companies and 1,000 entrepreneurs by 2024, through four core areas of support: idea creation, development, funding and growth.

To date, they’ve served more than 250 entrepreneurs, helped create or incubate at least 116 companies, which have created more than 150 jobs, and helped raise more than $25 million in capital.

EPICenter Memphis will offer a wealth of opportunities for budding local entrepreneurs in 2018. Their 2017 events included angel investment mixers, mixers for entrepreneurs to get to know, collaborate with and support one another, educational sessions called “So You Think You Want To Be An Entrepreneur,” and “Rock Star Office Hours,” which bring in experts in the fields of public relations, social media and accounting for free one-on-one sessions to guide founders.

If you’re considering starting a business and need a launchpad, EPICenter can be your co-pilot. Give them a shout, check out their wealth of workshops and networking opportunities, and get involved in building a brighter, innovative economic future for Memphis. Definitely follow them on Facebook.

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