Paul Ryburn's Journal

I had the pleasure of meeting the Bartlett Bee Whisperer yesterday. Very friendly guy! He and his assistant were Downtown looking at a hive attached to the Goodwyn Building. You might want to avoid the southwest corner of Second and Madison while they figure that situation out.

9 to 5 on 9/25: FREE screenings of the late Dolly Parton’s classic movie at the Halloran Centre on Dolly Day.

Looking for commercial real estate in the 38103? Go on the Downtown Property Crawl next Thursday and see what’s available.

MemphisWeather.net blog: When will this summer weather end?

Today is National Hot Dog Day.

I had a slice of Grandma’s Pizza from Little Italy yesterday. YUM… so good.

Memphis football under head coach Charles Huff has benefited from the advice of a sleep physician.

MPD has released suspect video in the Labor Day Court Square shooting case.

Back soon with more news.

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Let’s look at college football games of interest this Saturday:

• 11 Oklahoma at Michigan, 11:00 AM, FOX
• 16 Penn State at Temple, 11:00 AM, ESPN2
• Western Kentucky at 2 Georgia, 11:45 AM, SEC Network
• 12 Alabama at Kentucky, 2:30 PM, ABC
• Mississippi State at Minnesota, 2:30 PM, CBS
• 30 Memphis at 26 Boise State, 5:00 PM, USA (Xfinity 28/HD 848)
• 18 Tennessee at Georgia Tech, 6:00 PM, ESPN
• West Georgia at Arkansas State, 6:00 PM, ESPN+
• 1 Ohio State at 4 Texas, 6:30 PM, ABC
• Louisiana Tech at 8 LSU, 6:30 PM, SEC Network (if LSU is still an SEC member by then)
• Charlotte at 9 Ole Miss, 6:45 PM, ESPN2
• Southern Miss at Auburn, 6:45 PM, SEC Network
• Arkansas at 20 Utah, 9:15 PM, ESPN

Hey SEC, if you’re gonna expel schools, can you get rid of Tennessee too?

KEER releases her debut EP at Ugly Art Thursday at 6:30. Immersive experience, poetry, track-by-track breakdown, snacks, beverages.

8Ball and MJG team up with Bun B featuring The Renaissance Orchestra at the Orpheum Friday and Saturday night.

Fall Bash: There’ll be free family fun with bounce houses Saturday 10-3 at the Renasant Convention Center. Face painting, yard games.

Marky Mark Wahlberg was in town yesterday to celebrate the grand reopening of his restaurant Wahlburgers Wild in the Pyramid.

Where, oh where, has the National Guard gone?

Back soon with more news.

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Congratulations to the Memphis Redbirds, whose main kitchen recently scored 100 on its health inspection. Winning off the field as well as on! The Birds host Norfolk tonight at 6:45.

This is Taste of Memphis: Black Dining Week. Participating Downtown: Sage, SugaShack, Curry N Jerk, The Genre, One11 Madison, Cozy Corner, Cache 42

HBCU celebration the Southern Heritage Classic is at the Liberty Bowl Saturday. UA-Pine Bluff will face Alcorn State.

“The Lorraine,” a documentary about the South Main hotel that is now the National Civil Rights Museum, will kick off Memphis Indie Film Fest on November 5.

There was a shooting in the 7 PM hour in Court Square last night. One wounded, one detained.

Dy-no-MITE!!! There will be a script read of 2 episodes of 1970s TV show Good Times at Withers Gallery on Beale Friday night 7:00-8:30. IMHO, Good Times is the best sitcom ever.

The Memphis version of Monopoly is one of the games you can play on a $5 game day pass at Memphis Chess Club. Free for members. If you want to own the game, Feelin’ Memphis gift shop at 509 S. Main sells it.

Back soon with more news.

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RIP Memphis wrestling icon Superstar Bill Dundee. The lil’ Aussie was 82. He was diagnosed with dementia in 2023. He was a 9-time AWA Southern Champion and twice held the AWA World tag title with friend/foe Jerry Lawler.

Does Taco Bell have a secret menu?

We finally have a giveaway date for that sweet Flyway Brewing cooler bag that’s been on display at the Flying Saucer – Wednesday, September 16. Buy any Flyway or High Cotton beer for a raffle ticket.

PBR is offering a $20,000 reward for information about a 40,000-lb. beer theft in Cali.

Popular drag racing and stupid car trick strip Riverside Drive is now closed between Beale and Georgia 11 pm-6 am weekends.

Convert text documents into audio files: Paper2Audio

Labor Day trivia

WREG has a look at the Tennessee state chess championship tournament happening Downtown this weekend. I am writing this post from the chess club. At the table next to me, a vendor is selling a chess database.

Boise State looked strong in its loss to 2 Oregon Saturday… and the Broncos’ opponent this coming Saturday is none other than Memphis. The Tigers will have the chance to pick up a signature win on Boise’s blue field.

Back soon with more news.

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Redbirds first pitch times and promotions this week

• Thur 6:45: $2 PBR; $7 student tickets
• Fri 7:05: Halfway to St. Pat’s, presented by Silky’s, featuring a pregame parade and green beer; free Halfway jersey to the first 1500 fans; $5 margs and Dos Equis beer; 2 for $5 street tacos; hot dog buffet specialty ticket
• Sat 6:05: Wrestling Night; free Rockey Redbird bobblehead to the first 1400; postgame fireworks; Stitch + Pitch specialty ticket
• Sun 1:05: Sunday brunch specialty ticket; kids run the bases after the game

Today is National Baby Back Ribs Day.

Mud Island Amphitheater is making an ADA-compliant comeback.

FreeWorld plays Slider Inn Downtown 8-11 Friday.

Walking in Memphis in High Heels looks beyond just dinner with cozy fall date ideas.

Volunteer with the Grizzlies and Hospitality Hub Wednesday, September 23.

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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BUH-BYE Wanda!!! Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out! Halbert exited the county clerk’s office in typical Wanda fashion yesterday.

Downtown restaurants remain open despite multiple Front Street closures. Go get some hot wing egg rolls at the Monkey!

The Tigers’ Coach Huff has been named Bear Bryant National Coach of the Week.

901 Day events today

• Loflin Yard
• Ghost River taproom
• Old Dominick Distillery
• Cache 42
• Slider Inn Downtown

The Redbirds host the North Little Rock of North Carolina, Durham, tonight at 6:45.

Seafood bar Walt & Ricky’s opens today.

Memphis garage rock band The Gentrys, featuring Jimmy Hart, have a new release out.

ESPN: College football September storylines

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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DEFENSE, TIGERS, DEFENSE! Coach Huff and Memphis improved to 1-0 Sat night, beating a UNLV team oddsmakers and ESPN FPI expected to win. That’s how you do it, Tigers!

Toughest challenges remaining for our boys in blue:

• At Boise State September 12
• At Tulane Friday, October 16

Let’s look at college football games of interest this coming Saturday:

• East Carolina at 13 Alabama, 11:00 AM, ABC
• Tennessee State at 3 Georgia, 2:00 PM, SEC Network
• Boise State at 2 Oregon, 2:30 PM, CBS
• Furman at 20 Tennessee, 2:30 PM, SEC Network
• Baylor at Auburn, 2:30 PM, ABC
• North Alabama at Arkansas, 3:15 PM, SEC Network
• Arkansas State at Memphis, 6:00 PM, ESPN+
• Clemson at 11 LSU, 6:30 PM, ABC

Sunday:

• 24 Louisville vs. 9 Ole Miss, in Nashville, 6:30 PM, ABC

Labor Day

– 19 SMU at Florida State, 6:30 PM, ESPN

The big drama in college football this week is that LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is trying to put players who were cut from NFL training camps on his team’s roster. The SEC is not happy about it.

New rule at Earnestine & Hazel’s: You can’t get modifications on Soul Burgers ordered after midnight. Which is OK because the defaults of mustard, mayo, pickles, grilled onions, and American cheese are PERFECT.

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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The Memphis Flyer takes a look at what is needed to achieve gap reduction, the stated goal of new Memphis Tigers head football coach Charles Huff.

Unfortunately the Tigers start the season on the road at UNLV as 30-70 underdogs, according to ESPN FPI. Kickoff is at 9 PM Saturday on FOX.

South Point Grocery now offers catering. I got to try a couple of their smok’d whole wings at Trolley Night last night, and oh boy, they were good. catering menu

The inaugural Memphis Jazz Festival will happen Downtown October 9-11. It will be free and open to all.

City Lifestyle looks at thrift shopping in Memphis including Takos Secondhand near the ballpark.

From Airbnb: Rent a pink luxury loft Downtown

I’m going old school today! Farmers Market at 10:30, Earnestine & Hazel’s at 11. Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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There’s a movement afloat to get September 25 named Dolly Parton Day. 9/25. Sound out each digit.

A day that has been declared: September 1 is Dave Brown Day in Shelby County. The retired weatherman will be 80 on 9/01.

The Grizzlies have announced their 2026 calendar of preseason community events. Downtown:

• Fri 8/28, Legacy Park at the civil rights museum for Trolley Night, concert by Memphis artists, 7-9 PM
• Sun 8/30, Beale Street, live music + family zone, 11-6
• Sat 9/12, AutoZone Park, Grizzlies Day with the Redbirds, Isaiah Stewart appearance, 4:30
• Sat 10/3, lantern parade at Tom Lee Park, 5-8 PM
• Sun 10/4, open practice at FedExForum, noon
• Sat 10/10, Wine on the River, Tom Lee Park, 5-9
• Sat 10/17, Boo at the Ballpark, AutoZone Park, 4:00

Wiseacre Downtown / Little Bettie Pizza seeks a line cook.

ARRIVE Memphis Hotel is hiring a full-time room attendant.

Kooky Canuck is hiring a server and a line cook.

901 Weekend events

I’m short on money, so I’m not sure how much I’ll be out to celebrate the 901 the next several days. Back soon 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