Paul Ryburn's Journal

THE living legend of the competitive eating world, Joey Chestnut, will be at AutoZone Park on Saturday, July 18 for some eatin’ and competin’, his first event since Coney Island on July 4. His opponent… I dunno… maybe YOU??? All you have to do is win one of the prelim events, to be held at the ballpark

• Thursday, July 2 – 10-inch pizzas by Exlines
• Friday, July 3 – Memphis sliders by Slider Inn
• Saturday, July 4 – Grandma’s meatballs by Aldo’s Pizza Pies

More info / register

This morning I saw a squirrel fall out of one of the Court Square trees from about 25 feet. You know the way cats always land on their feet? Squirrels, not so much. He was out cold for a minute, then woke up and scampered back up the tree.

The Brass Door will be closed today to let its staff catch up on rest. It’ll be open Monday and Tuesday.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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On the advice of my high school principal, Mr. Barnhouse, I re-took the SAT in Fall 1986 and raised my verbal score by 70 points.

oh wait. “SAT update” in the context of my blog means “Saturday update.” You don’t care about my standardized test scores.

I bet Mr. Barnhouse is dead now.

EXCITING NEWS for Downtown Memphis: WREG reports that a public market is in the works for two long-abandoned buildings on the northwest corner of Madison and B.B. King. The news station reports,

About 24 stalls will house vendor spaces for farmers, grocers, butchers, bakers, prepared food operators, artisans, and specialty retailers, along with business incubation programs, workforce development initiatives, and more.

Today is Bartender and Mixologist Day.

Cordelia’s Market seeks a meat cutter.

Memphis Medical District Collaborative seeks a streets & public spaces specialist.

The zoo seeks a full-time keeper who specializes in farm animals.

Tennessee Vintage Fest is at the Renasant Convention Center today. Don’t forget, 3500 Jehovah’s Witnesses are also there.

Electric 30 plays Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight. Curtis B. Scott upstairs.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Disappointing last-second loss to Turkiye last night, but the USMNT moves on to the World Cup round of 32. They will face Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night at 7 in Santa Clara, CA. TV: FOX

A new business called Soultown Supply Co. is going in 352 S. Main. Anyone got details?

According to Google Gemini, Cam Boozer will make 11.8 million dollars as a Memphis Grizzly next season. Not bad for a 19-year-old.

I got the Whistle Stop yesterday at the Flying Saucer. That’s the burger special with purple slaw, pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, and tomato jam. My recommendation would be to get this one with the turkey patty instead of the beef patty.

Chris Canterbury plays South Main Sounds tonight 7-9 for Trolley Night.

Catch Hank & Willie in the courtyard next to Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight 5-7.

The Orpheum will show classic movie Cooley High Saturday at 2.

Park yourself at the intersection of hip-hop and dance music for Summer Soulstice at Grind City Brewing Saturday afternoon and evening.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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In 2027, you’ll be able to post to social media that you’re hanging out Downtown with the bros at the ‘bro.

According to The Daily Memphian, Libro restaurant, the restaurant inside novel. bookstore out east, will open a second location inside Memphis Art Museum.

Quality “get.” Quality fit. A big win for Downtown.

USA vs. Turkiye, final group play match for both teams, 9 PM tonight, FOX.

NBA draft recap: The Grizzlies

• Took Duke power forward Cam Boozer with the 3 pick. Bleacher Report gave the selection an A+. A player with a high floor and one you build a team around.
• Traded the 16 pick for the 17 pick and two future second-round picks.
• Traded the 17 pick for the 21 pick and three future second-round picks.
• Took Mexican small forward Karim Lopez with the 21 pick. Said to be the type of player Zach Kleiman loves.
• Traded three second-round picks for Detroit power forward/center Isaiah Stewart. Stewart recently got votes for Sixth Man of the Year.
• Took BYU shooting guard Richie Saunders with the 32 pick. Saunders’ great-grandfather invented the Tater Tot.

“The Memphis Grizzlies may have won the NBA draft.” –Bleacher Report

Max’s Sports Bar and Huey’s made the 2026 Memphis Flyer list of late night eats.

Glad to see the City Council voted to fund improvements to AutoZone Park that’ll keep the Redbirds here in town. Some of the council members were being doo-doo heads about it a couple of weeks ago.

There’s a burger special at the Saucer with pimiento cheese, fried green tomatoes, slaw, and tomato jam. Gonna cash in the $15 gift certificate I won Tuesday at trivia to try it this afternoon. Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

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Tonight is the first round of the 2026 NBA draft. It’ll be on ABC and ESPN at 7:00. The Grizzlies have the third and 16th picks. I hope to see Memphis take Duke F Cam Boozer with the 3 and then trade up into the 5-6 range to snag Arkansas PG Darius Acuff Jr.

Bardog  will be closed 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. today for a staff meeting.

Suspended general sessions court clerk Tami Sawyer has had two lawsuits filed against her by employees of the office. They claim that Sawyer, their boss, mistreated them after they blew the whistle on Sawyer’s alleged financial abuse as clerk.

The convicted killer of Chef Jody Moyt was sentenced yesterday. Moyt was stabbed to death in a road rage incident 6 years ago.

RIP Clive Davis, the music exec who signed Springsteen.

The Starbucks at Main and Monroe is hiring a shift supervisor and a barista.

Wiseacre Downtown is celebrating success with Medal Mondays every week: From 4-10 on Mondays, get $4 pints of award-winning Tiny Bomb, Sky Dog, Sky Dog Amber, or Oktoberfest.

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
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The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A International League first-half-of-season champions. That will guarantee our ‘birds a spot in the playoffs come late September.

Go to Huey’s today for National Onion Rings Day.

The official bird of Madison, Wisconsin is a pink plastic flamingo.

A 3500-person Jehovah’s Witness convention is Downtown this weekend.

Memphis Soul Remedy headlines Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party. DJ FERB spins between sets. Special guest Maleigh Zan. $15 to get in. $40 to go VIP. 6-10 PM. VIPs get a buffet of chicken satay with peanut sauce, veg spring rolls, fried rice, and seasoned edamame pods.

First Horizon is hiring a network admin.

Will Ja end up in New Orleans?

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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It’s that time when soccer elitists come out of the woodwork, contemptfully correcting you when you say

• “soccer” instead of “futbol”
• “the game” instead of “the match”
• “the field” instead of “the pitch”
• “zero-zero” instead of “nil-nil”

Their favorite term, though, is one of endearment, not correction. They’ll see someone watching soccer on TV and go up to them and ask,

So, you like the footy, eh?

“Footy.”

Typing this from Court Square. The robins are attacking the squirrels. Claude AI says they do this because the squirrels will eat eggs in the nest or even baby birds.

It’s Backyard Sports Day at the Redbirds. The first 1500 fans get a reversible Melonheads bucket hat. Kids run the bases after the game. First pitch vs. Nashville 1:05 PM.

Works in Progress: Ideas to improve the world

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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It’s Friday afternoon as I start this post at the Memphis Chess Club. GM Mike is recommending places for a tourist to check out, and his recommendations are awesome: Boycott Coffee, Cxffeeblack, Crosstown Concourse, Flip Side pinball bar, the new flyway at Tom Lee Park, BVO The River of Time, Momma’s, Sun Studio, Stax Museum.

Bluey comes to AutoZone Park tonight as our ‘birds host Nashville. 6:35 first pitch. Fireworks after the game. Specialty tickets are available for a VIP meet and greet with Bluey and for a Heavenly Hot Dog Buffet.

It’s National Ice Cream Soda Day. Celebrate at the old-fashioned soda fountain at A. Schwab.

This month’s Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting will be Thursday at 5:30 PM at Beale Street Landing. They’ll be joining Memphis River Parks for their “Sunsets at Beale Street Landing” series. DNA members, your first cocktail is on the Association.

Hive Bagel & Deli is hiring. Send your resume to hello@hivebakes.com.

Ethnos Coffee Roasters is coming to Harbor Town.

Bogie’s Deli will be closed next week.

WKNO: Memphis Art Museum leaders say cultural change begins with more eyes on art

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Max’s Sports Bar opens at 1 today, giving you plenty of time to pick out your seats for the USA-Australia match. $3.50 Liberty Longnecks when the Americans are on the pitch.

A fireworks and drone show has been announced for Tom Lee Park on Saturday, July 4. The show is at 9, but get there as early as 5:30 for 3 stages of live entertainment, food trucks, and vendors.

Back-to-back BBQ Fest grand champion Heath Riles reflects upon his journey.

Today is National Martini Day. Celebrate at The Dame in Hotel Pontotoc.

B.B. King’s Blues Club celebrates the 50th anniversary of Lucille Talks Back next Thursday.

It’s Memphis Red Sox Night at the Redbirds. Come honor the 1938 Negro League champs. Fiesta Friday: $5 margs and Dos Equis beer. 2 for $5 street tacos. Teacher Appreciation ticket: $13 field box seat, hot dog, and soda.

See Jaws on the big screen at the Orpheum Saturday.

Back this weekend 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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You’ve heard of motor fests in The Edge District before… well, on Saturday, August 22 there’ll be a MATER fest out there! Get the maters at the Edgy Tomato Festival, presented by Edible Memphis.

• Tomato-themed art contest at Ugly Art
• Food specials featuring tomatoes at area restaurants
• Curated vendor market

There’s a ticker tape parade today in New York City to celebrate the Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years.

In other basketball news, Caitlin Clark has announced her first signature Nike sneaker.

It’s 1980s Night at the Redbirds, who host the Nashville Sounds at 7:05. $2 PBR. $7 tickets for college students.

It’s International Sushi Day. STIX and South Main Sushi can help you celebrate.

Daniel Larsen plays a free show today 5-7 in the Flyway Brewing taproom.

Future homebuyers, there will be a party for you Saturday 11 to 5 in Court Square. Mortgage lenders, title companies, home warranty providers. Leave pre-qualified. Food trucks, DJ, giveaways, games.

Join the DMC and the MMDC at the intersection of Walnut Street and MLK Ave. Saturday morning 8-10 for the unveiling of bike-hitchable bike lane sweepers.

USA vs. Australia in World Cup Group D action, 2:00 CDT Friday, FOX. Take a half day off work and watch the match at Max’s.

General Sessions judges have suspended court clerk Tami Sawyer for 60 days with pay. Sawyer is facing federal charges of illegally using her office for personal gain.

The Memphis Art Museum at Front and Monroe, scheduled to open December 6, will have free admission for Shelby County residents – forever.

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