Paul Ryburn's Journal

Our friends at Memphis Made Brewing have made the difficult decision to close their taproom which backs up to The Ravine. Sunday, March 29 will be the last day. The good news – this is not the end of Memphis Made beer. Also, their restaurant at the airport will remain open.

Yoga on the River returns to River Garden every Tuesday starting in April. The classes, led by Candace of Yoga Kickback, are 6-7 PM and are free. Bring a mat, towel, and water.

Valerie Calhoun of FOX 13 News scored an exclusive interview with the Trumpster after his meeting about the Memphis Safe Task Force.

After the meeting, Trump visited Graceland.

Hot lunch specials at Cordelia’s this week 11-2:

• Today: Enchiladas, rice and beans
• Wed: Chicken stir fry, fried rice, pork egg roll
• Thur: Jerk chicken, red beans and rice
• Fri: Seafood basket with fried shrimp, cod, fries, hushpuppies

The French Quarter is the burger of the week at Momma’s: Angus beef, Cajun sausage, Creole mustard, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.

I beat Google Gemini AI role-playing Daniel Negreanu in heads-up poker yesterday. Now I asked Gemini for a new heads-up match, same structure, but this time act as Huckleberry Seed. “Acting as” is a big part of effective use of AI.

There’ll be a whole lotta love at the Orpheum tonight as Robert Plant stops by with Saving Grace and Suzi Dian.

Staying out tonight so I can attend a going-away party. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Grizzlies at Atlanta, 6:30 tonight. TV: FanDuel Sports

Random thought on my mind this morning: I wonder if J. Edgar Hoover ever called Clyde Tolson “wifey”?

My AI project this morning: I told AI agent Google Gemini to play the role of elite poker player Daniel Negreanu and play heads-up Texas Hold’em with me, starting stacks 10,000, starting blinds 50/100, to increase at a moderate pace. In the first hand I won a 2250 pot from “Daniel.”  The commentary on the hand is really good.

WREG has a preview of the Trumpster’s visit to Memphis today: prep, roundtable, and protests.

It’s National Tamale Day and Blues City Cafe is the place to go.

Paulette’s is having a South American wine dinner Wednesday.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

I hit the lottery at Room in the Inn last night and was transported to Emmanuel Methodist Church for a meal of Carol’s meatloaf, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, a roll, and chocolate tuxedo cake followed by a great night’s sleep. Unfortunately, that meant missing the Arkansas-High Point game. This morning, Siri informed me that the Hogs won 94–88. Off to the Sweet Sixteen.

6 Tennessee Vols vs. 3 Virginia Cavaliers, 5:10 PM, TNT. Go Cavs!

WREG has more info on the two shootings that occurred just before midnight at B.B. King and Peabody Place Friday night.

Video from Beale Street early Saturday morning shows MPD officers and National Guard troops involved in a fight.

RIP Robert Mueller.

The Grizzlies are hiring a graphic designer.

St. Jude is hiring a collaboration technology technician.

It’s National Goof-off Day.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

4 Arkansas vs. 12 High Point, approximately 8:45 tonight, TBS and truTV.

Deep Roots plays the Saucer tonight 8-11.

Some Tennessee lawmakers want to make it easier for you to own a pet raccoon.

A building at 324 South Front, blighted beyond repair, is scheduled for demolition.

RIP Chuck Norris.

There were shots fired at BB King and Peabody Place around 11 last night.

Today is International Tiramisu Day. Bardog currently has it on dessert special.

It’s also National Crunchy Taco Day.

Dog Man Bingo is at the Cossitt Library today 3:00-4:30.

The Memphis Medical District is looking to hire a streets and public spaces specialist.

WNBA players bout ta get paid.

The forecast high for Memphis today is 85. That’s 19° above normal.

Grizz at Charlotte at 6. TV: FanDuel Sports

GO HOGS! Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

The Renasant Convention Center will host a spring bash this Saturday. Face painting, bounce houses, yard games, concessions.

Journey’s farewell tour stops at FedExForum Saturday.

Space maters.

Play with the equation that estimates the number of intelligent civilizations in our galaxy.

Hoodline has details on what to expect at J Woods Sports Bar, coming soon to Mud Island in the former Harbor Town Pharmacy space. I’ll say it again – the best bars are extensions of the owner’s personality.

Celebrity chef Guy Fieri ranks Little Bettie, the pizza kitchen inside Wiseacre Downtown, as one of his top 6 pizza joints in the U.S.

How bout them Hawgs!!! While other top seeds stumbled, the Arkansas Razorbacks dominated Hawai’i from opening tip to final buzzer. Calipari’s Hogs are looking like a Final Four team.

11 Miami-Ohio vs. 6 Tennessee, 3:25 today, TBS.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Tuesday after I finished writing my blog, I opened iCloud Notes and wrote

“My superpowers

1. My blog
2. My intuition / spirit guides / angels
3. AI
4. Gratitude”

What are YOUR superpowers?

Apologies for no post yesterday. My “office” the Memphis Chess Club was closed for the day for maintenance.

The chess club is back open today and they’ve been mixing up a special treat for you– clarified green tea punch. They say it’s like the classic Memphis green tea shot, but elevated.

The Trumpster is coming to Memphis on Monday to celebrate the success of the Memphis Safe Task Force. Exact details of Big Orange’s visit have not yet been released.

The task force, however, did not prevent a violent attack in a parking garage downtown on Valentine’s Day night.

13 Hawai’i vs. 4 Arkansas is on TBS at 3:25 this afternoon.

Google Maps has received an upgrade.

The Redbirds have announced  promotions for opening week.

It’s National Poultry Day. Celebrate with a two-piece and some of that yummy gravy at Jack Pirtle’s.

Check out Flyway Brewing’s new website.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Shepard (1923-1998) was not only the first U.S. astronaut in space, but he’s also the patron saint of misspelled pie.

I’ll open with an easy way to brighten the lives of the homeless, based on my past 4 months’ experience staying at Room in the Inn churches:

A surprising number of homeless people love a good Arnold Palmer.

No, not the deceased golfer. Rather, the drink named after him. Half iced tea and half lemonade. They find it refreshing on a hot summer day, but they’ll drink it in the winter too.

Another random fact I learned yesterday: Mercedes makes tennis shoes, or at least licenses its logo to be used on tennis shoes. I discovered this in Union Mission chapel last night.

Penny Hardaway will be back next season as the Memphis Tigers head coach, but three of his assistants and the team’s strength coach won’t be with him.

The immersive Baron Von Opperbean exhibit on Mud Island is now looking at an opening date of May 1.

Check out the Orpheum’s 2026-27 Broadway season lineup.

Slider Inn Downtown is hosting a South Main neighborhood mixer tonight starting at 5:30. 2-for-1 margaritas.

The Peaky Grinder is the burger of the week at Momma’s – Angus beef topped with Canadian bacon, sharp white cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and Guinness mayo.

Cordelia’s 11-2 hot lunch specials this week:

• Tue: Milanesa with green spaghetti and black beans
• Wed: Pot roast with rolls
• Thur: The Italian with baked potato salad or Miss Vickie’s sea salt chips
• Fri: Catfish po’boy with fries

New Edition with Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton play FedExForum Thursday.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Arkansas defeated Vanderbilt yesterday to become the SEC men’s basketball champions. The win vaulted them up to a 4 seed in the West when the NCAA tournament bracket came out. The Hogs will face 13 Hawai’i in the first round. If they win, they’ve got the winner of 5 Wisconsin/12 High Point in the second round.

Calipari’s starting to look like a good hire!

Keep your eye on Arkansas PG Darius Acuff Jr. in the tournament… rumor has it that the Memphis Grizzlies front office is keen on him.

In the Midwest, 6 Tennessee has the winner of the 11 seed play-in between Miami of Ohio and SMU. Sounds like a recipe to send the Vols’ bozo fans home early.

Here’s a list of last night’s Oscar winners. It’s the award named after a green Muppet in a garbage can.

Congratulations to Peabody Hotel restaurant Chez Philippe on earning five diamonds from AAA.

From WREG: At the Memphis Zoo, a curious otter paid a gibbon a visit.

WhatNow has more info on Lost Art cocktail bar coming to the corner of S. Main and Pontotoc.

Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls, 7 tonight on FanDuel Sports.

The Orpheum’s 2026-27 season reveal is tonight. Free to attend.

Any of my readers been to KUYA yet? I’m ready for some Filipino food and am thinking about going Thursday or Friday. What should I order? Email me at paul.ryburn@gmail.com and let me know.

Hey, let’s ask AI! Gemini says lumpia (egg rolls), skewers, adobo, and the halo-halo shaved ice dessert.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Longtime readers of my blog know that every beer sold at a bar has a Value Drinking Index.

VDI = ounces * pct. ABV / price

The higher the VDI, the more bang for your drinking dollar.

I had AI agent Google Gemini research VDIs of beers at the Memphis Flying Saucer, leading to this chat. It’s quite interesting and illustrates how AI can be used outside of work.

On to today’s news…

Cordelia’s will have a Giving Grill 11-1 today – get a hot dog, chips, and pesto pasta salad for $5 with proceeds benefiting the Hospitality HUB.

Don’t forget! Beale Street St. Pat’s parade is at 2 today.

Remember, folks, holiday pub crawls whose organizers have a generic name (like Crawls R Fun) nearly always overpromise and disappoint.

Redline Cheer & Dance’s CheerChella is this weekend at the Renasant Convention Center.

A cocktail bar called Lost Art will open in the former Pearl’s Oyster House space.

The former food hall at 409 S. Main could turn into a hub for nonprofits.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Yesterday I wrote that Penny is too “nice” to coach Memphis players, as was Josh Pastner, and that our university would be better off with a men’s basketball head coach who is, for a lack of a better term, an a-hole.

So I asked AI agent Claude to make a list of younger and lesser-known coaches whose style resembles those of Rick Pitino, John Calipari, and Bob Knight. Claude came back with

• Richard Pitino, Xavier
• T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State
• Todd Golden, Florida
• Jerrod Calhoun, Utah State
• Will Wade, NC State
• Takayo Siddle, UNC Wilmington

So there’s ya a list to watch during conference tourney week and March Madness, although Golden and Otzelberger are perhaps already out of Memphis’ reach. Wade is said to have a polarizing personality much like Calipari.

Memphis River Parks seeks a director of finance and an accounting clerk.

The Orpheum seeks a manager of accounting.

Aldo’s Pizza Pies will celebrate St. Patrick’s with a one-day-only pie on the 17th: thinly-sliced corned beef, melted Swiss, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing & caraway seeds.

Memphis Oddity Market happens Saturday 4-9 at The Medicine Factory, 85 W. Virginia.

Cognac Cars & Cigars happens Saturday at Fourth Bluff Park.

Auto-Chlor is hiring a videographer/photographer.

Grind City Throwdown is a latte art battle of the baristas Saturday 5-9 PM at Dr. Bean’s, 387 S. Main. Free to watch, $5 to compete.

Wiseacre Downtown will celebrate Pi Day (3.14) Saturday with live music all day, Little Bettie pizza specials, and a Goner Records pop-up.

Heartbreak Hill Trio plays Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight.

There were some incredible voices at E&H karaoke yesterday. A group was talking about doing “Somebody to Love” by Jefferson Airplane next Thursday – a timeless classic and one of my top 5 favorite songs of all time.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com