Today in Memphis, we celebrate the opening of our very own IKEA, take ice skating lessons, and make our plans for the holidays. Also, we have some bragging rights.

Thanks to Leah G. for this photo and the one above!

- The Memphis International Airport will offer direct flights to Toronto, Canada starting May 1, 2017. This is the first international daily direct flight since 2012. Read more/book your flight here.

- Looking for a last minute gift? You can order I Love Memphis t-shirts, tanks, and baseball tees from our handy dandy brand spanking new online shop.

- The CMT show Million Dollar Quartet (filmed in Memphis) has been renamed Sun Records and will premiere on February 23 at 9 p.m.

- IKEA is open.

- Downtown Memphis now has an ice skating rink! The Fourth Bluff Ice Rink (located at Mississippi River Park) is open six days a week through January 29, 2017. It's $10 for both skating time and skate rentals; they do have kids' sizes. Also, the Rink will offer free lessons on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. and have other events. Here are the weekly hours:

Sundays: noon to 6 p.m.
Mondays: closed
Tuesdays - Thursdays: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fridays: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

- Thanks to everyone who ran in the St. Jude Marathon races two weeks ago and to all who joined me at the I Love Memphis Cheering Section at Mile 22. The events raised $10 million for the hospital and have a $20 million economic impact on the city.

- If you're looking for guides to the holidays, I got you covered:

- Memphis Holiday Events
- New Year's Eve Events
- Neighborhoods With Good Holiday Lights

A list of places open on Christmas and Christmas Eve is coming later today.

And now, for some bragging rights:

- Marc Gasol is the Western Conference Player of the Week after leading the Grizzlies to a HUGE UPSET WIN against the Golden State Warriors on December 10, 2016, otherwise known as one of the greatest days in my life. Thanks Grizz.

- Travel + Leisure included Memphis on its list of the top 20 Friendliest Cities.

- Expedia calls Memphis on of the 15 Best Places To Experience American Culture.

- ICYMI, the Improper Bostonian's September city profile on Memphis was pretty freaking awesome. An excerpt:

...if [Nashville] is Carrie Underwood—a center-stage idol with big, high hair and big, shiny belt buckles—then the latter is her scrappier, soulful younger sister, strumming the blues in the state’s southwest corner and shooting whiskey out of a plastic cup.

Be honest. Who would you rather hang with?

Y'all can read the whole article here.