Paul Ryburn's Journal

Yesterday wasn’t a great day. My Ziploc bag containing toiletries, hygiene items, and my charger for my iPhone and Apple Watch got stolen at the Union Mission. 

But, it could have been worse. There was a witness who pointed the thief out to me. I confronted him and recovered my charger, razor, and deodorant. 

The witness and I then went to a supervisor, who threw the thief out of the building and banned him. The supervisor was kind and helpful.

I’ll be out about $20 replacing stolen items, but thank God I got my charger back. And thank God my phone and wallet were on my person and not in the Ziploc bag. 

This does not change my highly positive opinion of the Mission. In fact, hours after the theft I got an additional reason to like the place. Crossroads Baptist Church showed up and fed us Commissary BBQ sandwiches, baked beans, and mini-Chips Deluxe cookies with M&Ms. 

On to the news, of which there is plenty today…

Memphis 901 FC hosts Monterey Bay FC at AutoZone Park Saturday night at 7.

FedEx has announced a $25 million, multi-year agreement to fund NIL (name, image, likeness) deals for University of Memphis athletes. That agreement, along with Liberty Bowl upgrades, will help the U of M stand out as a possible addition to a power conference.

The U of M has agreed to a home-and-home basketball series with Mississippi State. It’ll be the first time the Tigers have hosted the Bulldogs since 1983.

The DMC will offer a beginner biking class for adults from 2 to 4 PM Sunday, May 5. The class will be run by expert instructors and will use Explore Bike Share bikes. Each participant will receive a personal helmet to use and take home.

The DM has coverage of last night’s community meeting at Central Station to discuss a possible new bridge over the Mississippi that would replace the I-55 bridge.

Also in Central Station, Zio Matto Gelato has opened. They offer 14 gelato flavors including several seasonals.

Action News 5 reports that crime concerns were a major factor in the decision to close Downtown steakhouse 117 Prime.

Today’s Chef Special at Momma’s is The El Caminero: open-faced turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes, bacon, fried onion, and caramelized apples.

Today is National Amaretto Day.

The Orpheum seeks a barback. Pay is $15 an hour plus tips. ABC card is desirable but if you don’t have one, you’ll have 60 days to apply.

Collage Dance brings its show Elevate to the Cannon Center this Saturday and Sunday.

Today is the first free French fry Friday at Wendy’s. Ordering within the app, you can select any size fries for free with additional purchase. The promotion will run through the rest of the year. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

There were multiple car break-ins on Mud Island overnight.

Grace Morrison, Andy Sydow, and Brian Blake play South Main Sounds tonight 7 to 9.

Church Health presents Rhythm of Care at Comeback Coffee tonight 7 to 9. Raneem Imam with Fergus Barnes on guitar will perform, as will QEMIST.

Soilpimp’s Riesling Study with DJ Muggs will come to Eight & Sand Lounge at Central Station this Saturday at 9 PM.

Posts this weekend may be sparse. Tomorrow I want to hit the Farmers Market in the morning then head over to Bardog about 11. Bardog’s brunch will have a guest bartender who’s #1 in my book. Then on Sunday I want to go to Rajun Cajun crawfish fest, so I’m not sure if I’ll be in the vicinity of Wi-Fi long enough to write a post.

Back sometime soon with more news.

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The Cossitt Library is unexpectedly closed today. “Maintenance issues,” says the sign on the door. Sigh… that complicates life for me. I had already decided that I was gonna take today/tonight off from staying at the Union Mission in order to work on my blog/Medium articles. Without the Cossitt’s free Wi-Fi, device charging, and bathrooms, I am at a disadvantage.

I’ll try the next closest branch, the Cornelia Crenshaw Library at 531 Vance, this afternoon. In the meantime, I’m renting Wi-Fi, electricity, and bathrooms at the Flying Saucer for a $5.00 Fire Sale plus tip.

The TacoNganas location at Danny Thomas and Adams is open for business:

The public is invited to a meeting Thursday to discuss a new $787 million bridgr crossing the Mississippi. It would replace the 1949 “old bridge” connecting I-55 and Crump Blvd. The meeting will be 5-7 PM at the Central Station Hotel.

The Memphis Flyer has a review of WICKED at the Orpheum. You have until Sunday to go see it.

Vintage901 will have a grand wine tasting at The Medicine Factory (85 W. Virginia Avenue) Saturday. From the website:

The Grand Tasting, our flagship event, features an array of wine vendors from numerous Old World and New World wine producers. A series of classes are curated for guests to learn about wine and food pairings. Guests also have an opportunity to talk directly with wine and food professionals. Chef demonstrations and good Memphis music are all part of this event.

The Tennessee legislature is considering a bill that would let hair stylists sell drinks in their salons.

Monday, April 22 is Earth Day, and the DM has a guide to events. Two of those happen Downtown:

• Saturday of Service at Tom Lee Park 8-10 AM Saturday, April 20
• Storytime Celebration with Chris Cooper at the aforementioned Crenshaw Library 10-11 AM Monday

Today is Malbec World Day.

The Grizzlies seek a cabling technician and a carpentry and maintenance technician.

The Saucer is rolling out some special dishes for 4/20 weekend.

You can’t burn one at the Saucer, but you can come there to eat afterward. The annual 4/20 Saucer pint glass goes on sale tonight at 7.

From the Flyer: Approachable fine dining comes to The Edge as JEM opens April 25

The Moxy Hotel is hiring a combination front desk clerk and bartender, someone who can assist, educate, and entertain guests.

There will be a Downtown Spring Clean Friday, April 26 from 1 to 5 PM. A variety of tasks will be available, and a post-cleaning party will happen from 5 to 7.

Action News 5’s latest 5 Star Story explores the Gattas family’s (big names locally in jewelry) partnership with St. Jude.

Velvetina’s Speakeasy Burlesque returns to the Blind Bear Friday, April 26. Tickets are $20.

The New Wing Order food truck will be at Cordelia’s Market from 4:30 to 7:30 PM today.

I’m finding myself in the midst of an issue most homeless men in Memphis face: when to make the switch from jeans to shorts. I made the jump yesterday. That’s considered pretty early – the average low for Memphis today is only 53, and it’s expected to dip into the mid-40s Monday AM. But we all know I like to wear shorts when it’s cold out.

Back tomorrow with more news. I sure hope the Cossitt Library will have its maintenance issues fixed.

I gratefully accept tips! You can help pay for the Wi-Fi I used to compose today’s post.
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There’s a squirrel that got run over this morning at Main and Madison. I didn’t take a photo but you can go by and see him.

For those who prefer news about squirrels that aren’t dead, they were humping this morning in Court Square. Expect litters of squirrel babies around June 1.

Based on a sign I saw this week, it appears Calvary Episcopal has taken over the old Hospitality Hub building on N. Second and is transforming it into something called “The Welcome Inn.” The Hub moved out of the building and into 590 Washington several years ago.

… Okay, here we go, Calvary has info about the Welcome Inn. It will be a place to stay with showers for youth groups serving in Memphis. Also, Calvary will host a Room In The Inn space there for the next several years. Calvary owns the building and rented the space to the Hub for $1/year for 8 years.

Speaking of Room in the Inn, First Congo out in Cooper-Young is having a fundraiser for that organization on April 27.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers will begin a home-and-home with UNLV next season.

From Beale Street Bears: 4 Memphis Grizzlies players who definitely won’t be back next season

Mid-South Jeeps will have Takeover Tuesday at the Blind Bear tonight. Specials at the Bear this week:

Hamburger Soup

Cup 6 Bowl 10

Ground beef, Green Beans, Carrots, Onions, Celery, Tomatoes, Sweet Peas in a Seasoned Broth

Southern Style Fried Fish Dinner 20

Seasoned Fried Fish, Spaghetti, topped with our House-made Sauce & a Side of Coleslaw

Colossal Cheesecake 8

Strawberry Purée topping

India Ramey debuts at South Main Sounds Saturday.

Africa in April, this year saluting The Republic of Gambia, takes place in Robert Church Park at Fourth and Beale this weekend.

The Grizzlies’ young breakout star GG Jackson is expected to play in NBA Summer League this year.

Today is Day of the Mushroom. I recommend the Grateful Shroom burger at the Flying Saucer to celebrate.

Automatic Slim’s seeks a full-time bartender.

The Cossitt Library hosts Spring’s Metamorphosis: A Celebration of Storytelling Saturday from 1 to 3 PM.

That’s all for now. I am very tired but I’ll be back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

The NBA regular season is over, so we’re going to lead off with a bunch of basketball.

The Memphis Grizzlies are light-years away from this year’s NBA playoffs, which means they’ll have entries in the 2024 draft lottery. It’ll be on May 12 in Chicago. Let’s have a look at Tankathon and see what it tells us.

• At 27-55, Memphis finished the regular season with the 7th-worst record in the NBA
• Memphis will have a 31.9% chance of moving up to pick in the top 4 of the 2024 draft
• There’s a 7.5% chance the lottery will land the Grizzlies the number-one pick
• Tankathon’s lottery simulator, run 10 times, has the following outcomes for Memphis: 7th, 7th, 8th, 7th, 1st, 8th, 7th, 8th, 8th, 7th

How the draft lottery works, in detail, by the NBA

Tonight is the WNBA Draft, to be televised on ESPN at 6:30 Central. It’s a foregone conclusion that Caitlin Clark will be claimed with the 1-pick by the Indiana Fever. The more interesting question, though, is where does LSU center Angel Reese go? Some analysts believe she falls short of being a complete player; however, she’s got marketability for days. In a league like the WNBA, that’s worth a lot. CBS Sports’ mock draft has Reese going 7th to the Chicago Sky.

Back to the men for a minute: Boban Marjanovic of the Houston Rockets, you da real MVP. Houston was on the road at the L.A. Clippers, and Marjanovic had just missed his first of 2 free throws.

There was a promotion stating that if a Clips opponent missed 2 free throws in a row, all fans in attendance got free chicken.

Marjanovic, knowing this, intentionally missed the second free throw. Yay for chicken.

Today is National That Sucks Day. I recommend wearing Tennessee Vols attire to celebrate.

Porter-Leath’s Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest is Sunday on Riverside Drive. Buckets of Cajun cooked crawfish for sale and food trucks for those not into crawfish. Live music by FreeWorld and Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe. Crawfish races. Bobbing for live crawfish. This is one of the few Downtown festivals left that does not charge a cover, and one of the best events on the spring calendar.

I don’t have Bardog’s complete special list today, but I know guava cheesecake is on there. That should be good. In other Bardog news, Joe is returning to manage Tuesday and Wednesday days.

Today is the first day of the Trumpster’s hush money criminal trial, with jury selection underway. Trump has to defend himself against 34 counts of falsifying business records.

The Cossitt Library will host a Literacy in Motion: Ballet program for children 3-6 Wednesday evening. Only a couple of spots remain.

From MSN: 29 famous streets around the world, and their fascinating stories

Pickleball courts will open at Sunset Canopy in Tom Lee Park this week. There will be free open play 8 AM-8 PM Thursdays-Sundays. You can borrow a paddle and ball or bring your own.

Speaking of Tom Lee Park, Ben & Jerry’s will hand out free ice cream cones there tomorrow, Tuesday, April 16, from noon to 8 PM. Standing in line multiple times is allowed, even when you already have a cone in your hand.

I’m staying out of the Union Mission tonight. It’s a beautiful day and I don’t want to have to head back there by 2 PM which is the cutoff to get in free. I haven’t done a night outside in nearly a month. I need one every now and then to maintain my sanity. The predicted low tonight is only 65 and I have plenty of snacks in my backpack. I’ll be fine. My only regret is that I didn’t swap out my jeans for a pair of shorts from the Mission’s clothes closet before I left.

Back tomorrow with more news.

117 Prime posted this week that its 6-year run is coming to an end. Its last day will be next Saturday, April 20. They would love to see their regulars and fans one last time.

The good news is that Belle Tavern, the bar in the back with the alleyway entrance, will NOT close. It will continue to be a destination for whiskey lovers and Downtowners with Harold, Brie, and Sara taking good care of you.

Today is the final Memphis Grizzlies home game of the season. The Grizz host Denver at 2:30. It’s Fan Appreciation Day and all fans attending get a free 12-piece nuggets via the Chick-Fil-A mobile app. They will also receive a Grizzlies poster. TV: Bally Sports 

Seeing a fair number of Denver fans out and about this morning… I did not realize they traveled so well.

The Flying Saucer’s list of Just Landed drafts looks like a fruit salad:

Cherry, peach, banana, and mango. Wow. Bartender Buddy poured a couple of Perjorie T. Roll-sized samples:

That’s the peach on the left and the banana on the right. Maybe I’ll come back for Pint Nite on Monday and have one of these in full size.

It’s National Pecan Day. Bardog has pecan pie on special, or at least they did yesterday. I’m not there today to check.

Artist Larry Walker unveils his Visible Points of Light exhibit today at the Renasant Convention Center. 

Reminder: Downtown Huey’s is closed this Tuesday, April 16, through Wednesday, April 24. 

Fox 13 reports that 2 men were injured after shots were fired on Vance Avenue about 11:30 Friday night.

From the DM: Rock’n Dough looks to create a rolling good time at 704 Madison in The Edge 

Iran attacked Israel overnight Sunday. CNN explains why and what’s next.

The International Santa Celebration happens in Memphis April 25-28. The event is sponsored by the world’s largest professional association of Santas and Mrs. Clauses.

Yikes, my monthly payment to Medium.com for membership bounced. I guess figuring out how to load more money onto my Venmo debit card is my project of the day. Back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Tickets are now on sale for SmokeSlam, the new BBQ festival on the river in Tom Lee Park May 16-18. They are

• $24.99 single-day
• $65 three-day pass

St. Paul and the Broken Bones will be the headline musical act for the festival. April Michelle Bureau, who hosts a BBQ series on Netflix, will emcee the awards ceremony.

OJ Simpson died Wednesday. Please please please let the hearse be a white Ford Bronco.

The Flying Saucer will have 4/20-themed trivia Tuesday night.

The Grizzlies host the L.A. Lakers tonight at 7 at FedExForum. TV: Bally Sports

Cody Johnson: The Leather Tour comes to FedExForum Saturday.

The Memphis Fairy Tale Ball happens at the Renasant Convention Center Saturday.

Cheley Tackett returns to South Main Sounds Saturday.

I only counted 4 food trucks in Court Square yesterday for the return of Food Truck Thursday. And they weren’t parked in the square itself, but on Second adjacent to it. They had games including table tennis and pool set up on the square’s sidewalks.

Saturday is SCIPlay with CAESAR and Connect Crew at Tom Lee Park 10:00-11:30 AM. This month the theme is Earth Day. There will be Pollution of Prevention Bingo and Story time.

Dr. MLK Jr. Avenue will be closed 7 AM Tuesday through 7 PM Thursday between Main and Second for sign installation at The Chisca.

String lights may be coming to the intersection of South Main and Beale where The Orpheum sits.

It’s my day! National Only Child Day

It’s also National Dive Bar Day. The Tap Room on Beale, Momma’s, and Earnestine & Hazel’s are three places to get that celebration going.

The festival presenters may change but the road closures don’t: Section of Riverside Drive to close for most of May

Our buddy Shrek is going to join Randy, Theresa, Butt Slut #1, and me for Bardog brunch tomorrow. Excited to hear about his latest adventures in sports TV production.

Before Bardog, I’ll hit the Farmers Market tomorrow morning. Back Sunday with more news.

Apologies for typos. I’m typing on my phone and there have been a couple of shots this morning.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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I mentioned earlier this week that virtual golf bar Birdie’s is giving away an annual membership in a Closest to the Pin contest this weekend. What does an annual membership get you, you ask?

• 10 hours of golf simulator use per month
• 20% discount on food, merchandise, and standard golf rates
• Fees waived for tournaments, league play, and special events
• 10% discount on gift cards
• 10% discount on golf fees for your guests

The Grizzlies have broken the record for most starting lineups by an NBA team in one season.

Memphis magazine’s Ask Vance column takes a look at oFlagg Bros. Shoes,, riginally located on South Main Street

The Grizzlies lost 110-98 to Cleveland. TANK TANK TANK

Today is National Alcohol Screening Day.

Bardog specials for today: (Go see Dani! She’s working breakfast and lunch today and tomorrow)

• Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes with brown gravy, broccolini – 19
• Fried chicken Caesar wrap with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and parm
• Soup: Creamy chicken and veggie
• Dog: red onion, red pepper, pepperoncini, spicy mayo
• Mussels: white wine, garlic butter, tomato
• Banana cake
• Coconut cake

That’s all for now. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

As I was walking this morning, I noticed that the TacoNganas food truck trailer has been pulled onto the parking lot of the future location at Danny Thomas and Adams.

They’ve already resurfaced the lot, fenced it in, and landscaped around the edges. But renovating the building on that lot, a 60s-style gas/service station, into a restaurant is going to be a major undertaking. I wonder if the trailer is a sign they plan to start serving food sooner rather than later?

Further along my walk, I discovered this flyer. Looks like Happy Mexican has a new sister bar/restaurant.

STIX, the fast casual Asian restaurant on Second, posted that they now have their Endless Sake deal all the time.

Ephraim Urevbu,, who owns an art gallery at South Main and Huling, is opening a gallery in Smokey City.

Momma’s, the “diner and dive off 55” on Crump, is giving 15% off to industry on Tuesday nights. What’s more, truck drivers get the discount too with presentation of a valid CDL.

The DM reports that the Green Beetle is expanding into breakfast. They’ll put a new concept in the old Bedrock Eats space next door: Frank’s Biscuits and Briskets. It’ll be named after a liquor store that once sat in that location.

Mayor Young will meet with COGIC leaders to try to convince them to keep their annual convocation in Memphis. They’re said to have offers from other cities.

Today is National Farm Animals Day.

The Grizzlies play at Cleveland tonight at 6. TV: Bally Sports

Bardog specials for today:

• Grilled shrimp pasta with pesto cream sauce over spaghetti – 19
• Grilled buffalo chicken sandwich on Texas toast- lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, bacon, ranch, American cheese-18
• Soup: creamy chicken and veggie
• Dog: red onion, red pepper, pepperoncini, spicy mayo
• Mussels: White wine, garlic butter, tomatoes
• Banana cake

Advance Memphis is hiring a part-time communications coordinator.

Global Cafe is hiring for part-time front of house to work Thursday-Friday-Saturday.

The Daily Memphian seeks a director of fundraising and development.

The official announcement has been made: John Calipari is the new head basketball coach of Arkansas.

That’s it. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

The Grizzlies host rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs tonight at 7. TV: Bally Sports

Today is National Gin and Tonic Day.

It’s also Pimiento Cheese Day. I recommend celebrating with a Cheese Wagon Burger at Momma’s bar on Crump.

There was a shooting Monday at Danny Thomas and Mississippi.

Birdie’s, the virtual golf bar on South Main,, will give away a one-year membership this weekend in a Closest to the Pin contest. There will also be some other sweet prizes given away. $3 Mich Ultra drafts this weekend and they’ll open at 9 Thursday and Friday for early-round Masters viewing.

A deal has been struck that would fully fund FedExForum renovations. Keeping the arena up to date is necessary to keep the Grizzlies in Memphis.

Downtown Hooters will show UFC 300 Saturday night.

It was amazing how bright it was outside yesterday with the moon blocking 95 percent of the sun. I loved the temporary drop in temperature, though.

The annual Hopped festival happens at Memphis Made on S. Cooper this Saturday. Live music, food trucks, limited-edition beers, comedy.

Friends for Life Corp. seeks a Development Manager.

That’s it for today. Back tomorrow probably.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

I feel like there should be a Pink Floyd soundtrack to today’s post.

BUT… Eclipse Day is not the only holiday we celebrate today… it’s also Dog Farting Awareness Day. Put a couple of hard-boiled eggs in your dog’s bowl and you’ll be plenty aware.

I’m seeing rumors all over the Internet that John Calipari to Arkansas is basically a done deal. Bleacher Report says Cal and the Hogs are close to finalizing a five-year deal. Wow I have mixed feelings about this. Calipari is the very essence of the word “slimy,” but Arkansas hasn’t been highly relevant basketball-wise since the Nolan Richardson days.

If Frank Broyles were alive and still Arkansas AD, would Cal have a job offer? Methinks no. But it’s a different world out there now that we have NIL and Cal knows how to navigate it.

Something called The Thorn is coming to the Cannon Center Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s said to be a cross between the passion of Jesus and a cirque performance.

Bardog specials for today:

• Blackened mahi mahi salad with red onion, tomato, blueberries, carrots, Gorgonzola, balsamic reduction – 19
• Country fried chicken with mashed potatoes, brown gravy, and asparagus – 18
• Soup: Italian sausage and veggie
• Dog: Bacon-wrapped with BBQ and coleslaw
• Mussels: White wine, garlic butter, tomatoes
• Banana cake
• Bourbon pecan pie

The Memphis Redbirds will be in town this week for a 6-game homestand vs. the Nashville Sounds.

• Tuesday: 6:45 PM
• Wednesday: 12:05 PM
• Thursday: 6:45 PM. It’ll be Throwback Thursday, sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon, with the team in throwback Memphis Chicks uniforms and $2 beers.
• Friday: 7:05 PM. No special promotion on a FRIDAY??? Redbirds marketing team, you’re slacking!
• Saturday: 3:05 PM. It’ll be Star Wars Day with your favorite character roaming the concourse and the Redbirds in Star Wars-themed jerseys. The first 1500 fans get a 2003 Grizzlies replica jersey. It’ll also be Bark in the Park, with a specialty ticket that’ll admit you and your dog to the game.
• Sunday: 1:05 PM. Kids receive a Prairie Farms ice cream treat upon entering. After the game, they can run the bases.

Almost Elton John will perform on the Hyatt Centric rooftop Saturday.

There’s a free beginner salsa class Saturday evening at Fourth Bluff.

Bass Pro will have a hiring event for a number of positions Thursday.

Rock ’n Dough Pizza at 704 Madison in The Edge will have its grand opening celebration Saturday. From 5 to 10: $2 off draft beers, $1 off wine and well drinks, DJ Alpha Whiskey, DJ Capital A, and duckpin bowling. Can’t wait until Saturday? They’re officially open as of today.

Time to put on my eclipse glasses and look up. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
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