Paul Ryburn's Journal

One of the benefits of attending Sunday brunch at Bardog is that I have a bartender who loves 1970s disco as much as I do.

And this week he turned me on to the rarest thing: a disco album that flew under my radar all these years. It’s called Supernature and it’s by the French artist Cerrone.

FESJC result: Scottie wins by 8 shots

Leanne Morgan brings comedy to the Orpheum Friday-Sunday.

The Southern Lodging Summit will bring hospitality professionals to the Renasant Convention Center Tue-Wed.

Back soon with more news.

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St. Louis Cardinal Joshua Baez, recently called up from the Memphis Redbirds, swatted 3 home runs out of Wrigley Field yesterday, becoming the first player to homer 3 times in his Major League Baseball debut.

Memphians are not surprised. On June 17, then-Redbird Baez racked up 4 HRs against Nashville. In 93 games played for Memphis, Baez had 32 home runs, 81 runs batted in, and 16 stolen bases. This kid is one to watch, for sure.

Who remembers River Time Deli on Court Square? Pam is sharing her famous chicken chili recipe. PayPal her $1.00 and include your email address or indicate in the message box where to send the recipe card. Coming soon: cornbread recipe

The Green Beetle has a new GM, Meredith, a veteran of the Downtown restaurant and bar scene. Stop by and wish her well in her new role.

The South Main Association has its monthly social Tuesday at Memphis Filling Station. SMA members get 10% off full menu of pizzas, calzones, snacks, beer, and Memphis Whistle-inspired seltzers.

It’s National Rum Day.

I’m going to go cherish this Sunday without NFL football. Back soon with more news.

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The Pinch District is officially dead: Westy’s closes today

From History Facts: Why is Oklahoma shaped like that?

A judge has denied dismissal of the criminal indictment against Tami Sawyer.

There’s a South Main pool party with DJ Katie Loopz this afternoon at The Rambler, 400 S. Main. $50

South Main stopped waiting for the last Friday of the month

Blue Christmas: There will be an Elvis-themed DJ set 6-9 tonight at Bar Hustle inside the ARRIVE Hotel.

There’s Jazz in the Cavern at Irish pub The Brass Door tonight 7:30-9:30 featuring Memphis native / Nashville pianist Eli Ibrahim. $30

Save the date: Create your own Tom Lee kerosene lantern at Beale Street Landing on Saturday, Sept. 12. You’ll be able to show off your lantern at the annual Tom Lee parade on October 3.

Back soon with more news.

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Congrats to Kooky Canuck, which has made the top 4 for America’s Best Wings.

There’s a Downtown-based flatbed truck driver job open that is entry-level but pays almost fifty an hour.

Real toys are making a return to boxes of popular cereals including Frosted Flakes and Froot Loops.

The full 2026-27 Memphis Grizzzlies schedule is out.

Latin Soul Sessions, where Memphis soul meets Latin rhythm, happen this weekend.

Like dinosaurs? This event at A. Schwab is for you:

Join Beale Street Monster Club on August 15th from 1PM – 3:30PM as we take you on a journey to rediscover a lost world. See real fossils on display along with original pieces of dinosaur theme film memorabilia. Learn about the origins of paleontology and see early reconstructions of dinosaurs which first caught the publics imagination. The event will concluded with a screening of the 1925 silent classic “The Lost World”!

Boxing on Beale returns to the New Daisy Saturday.

The Medical District seeks a job placement & retention specialist.

Back soon with more news.

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One of the guests Elvis invited to his private movie screenings at the Orpheum was singer/songwriter Mac Davis. Davis was a huge country/pop crossover success in the late 1970s.

I’m really surprised his work hasn’t aged better; when I was in about third grade, “I Believe in Music” was a huge hit, and I loved it, and my parents loved it, and my teachers loved it. He had his own variety show on TV. But you never hear his music today.

Out in southeast Memphis, the FESJC round of the PGA playoffs is underway. 69 are playing; only 50 will move on to the next round. The Messenger has an explainer and WREG has what locals need to know.

Keep in mind, forecast highs will be between 98 and 102 this weekend. I recommend watching the tournament at Birdie’s where there’s A/C and ice cold PBR.

Memphis Chess Club (where I’m typing this) is featured in Hobbies are Hot in this week’s Memphis Flyer.

Cheers to Mosaic Memphis, who brought tacos, salsa, sour cream, chips and nacho cheese dip, rice and beans, snickerdoodle cookies, and ice cream to the Union Mission last night. 9.5 out of 10 – minus half a point because Brother Wes wasn’t there to preach us a sermon. We missed you Wes!

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

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Trivia Q: What is the only non-human animal that will ACTIVELY hunt gorillas?

My friend Prince Mongo passed away this week. Mongo was an eccentric landlord, nightclub operator, and mayoral candidate who came here on a spaceship from the planet Zambodia. He had some unique ideas on how to run this city – for instance, he wanted to surround Mud Island with alligators and turn it into a prison.

RIP Spirit Mongo, I’ll always be grateful for that night you came up to me at Raiford’s and introduced yourself.

I hear the PGA rented out BB King’s and Itta Bena for a private event last night. Their tournament is at Southwind this week.

Bluey returns to the Orpheum this weekend for his Big Play.

Today is Vinyl Record Day.

Paint the King by numbers: An Elvis Week experience Friday 11-2 at the Westin

Trivia A: Leopards

Back soon with more news.

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Happy Elvis Week, everybody! From the CA: Here’s a list of Memphis restaurants Elvis loved that are still around.

From Hollywood to Burning Love: Acclaimed Elvis tribute artist Marcus Sugg plays the Halloran Centre Saturday. Did you know that Elvis used to rent out the Orpheum so he could watch current hit movies in private?

The Neon Mooners play the final Peabody rooftop party of the season Thursday 6-10 PM. $15 entry / $40 VIP. VIPs get a buffet of ribs, mac & cheese, and chocolate chip cookies. Special guest Baylee Littrell. If that last name sounds familiar, it may be because his dad is one of the Backstreet Boys.

The Elvis is the Burger of the Week at Momma’s: Angus beef, bacon, peanut butter, caramelized banana on Texas toast.

From Memphis magazine: An artist inspired by local food and the people who prepare it

Today is National Panini Day. Celebrate with a ‘nini (and a ‘tini) at Aldo’s Pizza Pies.

Back soon with more news.

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So sad to read the news that Grizzlies backup center Brandon Clarke died from the effects of heroin and cocaine. If you want to ride, don’t ride the white horse. And despite what the song says, don’t ride the white pony either.

I asked AI agent Claude how, when a current NBA player dies, it affects the money that counts toward his team’s salary cap. The answer is that death voids a player’s contract, so Memphis has immediate access to spend the amount of BC’s salary on a replacement.

Banana pudding cheesecake is a dessert special at Bardog this week.
Professional pillow fighting is a thing.

once again i have to cut off a postt prematurely due to health reasons. y’all im so sorry. maybe tomorrow.

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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I played Sporcle trivia at Memphis Chess Club last night. They have 6:30 and 7:30 games every Thursday night. Each game pays off a $20 gift card for first place and a $10 gift card for second place.

You don’t need to install the Sporcle app on your phone to play. You just scan the QR code and enter the game number provided by the host. Easy peasy.

Each game has eight regular questions, which you weight 1-8 points based on your confidence in your answer. Some Q’s offer a chance to pick up an additional nerd point.

Questions 5 and 10 are quick 4-part questions around one topic for 2 points each.

Question 11 is Final Jeopardy-style. You’re given the category and wager 0-15 points before seeing the question.

Fun and fast-paced. I finished third, just out of the money, in both games. I swung for the fences both final rounds. I should have been more conservative.

Memphis Chess Club has a full bar and coffee shop… however, I got the $5.50 bottomless Mountain Dew.

I will play trivia there again, although not every week since Thursday is my normal E&H night.

Sunset Jazz returns to Court Square this Sunday 6-8 PM. Lawn chairs are welcome.

The Grizzlies will hold a garage sale at FedExForum Saturday, August 22.

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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The Memphis Flyer is back with its latest in a series of articles about the state of Downtown. This one is about restaurants and retail.

Huey’s has added 2 new sandwiches: a crispy chicken sandwich and a chicken BLTA, both on Brioche rolls.

Pre-sale early bird tickets are now available for Taste of the (Memphis Medical Center) District on October 6 from 4 to 6 PM.

RIP Dory Funk Jr.

MATA wants to get the trolleys back online this fall.

Today is National IPA Day.

$2 PBR at the Redbirds tonight. 6:45 first pitch.

The Owen Gooch Band plays The Dame, Hotel Pontotoc’s bar, Friday at 7:30.

Volunteer to help clean up the Memphis Flyway at Tom Lee Park Saturday morning.

On a personal note, I’m close to returning to writing on Medium. I have an article coming out next week. It’s about the phrase “thank you” and negative associations it can carry over from childhood, how those associations can disrupt an adult gratitude practice, and what to do about it.

The eccentric aunt who gives you socks for your birthday. Parents: “Tell your aunt thank you!” Image by Google Gemini AI.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate. I’ll leave you with some fabulous advice from my fellow Medium writer Anne Bellamy.

Stop imagining monsters under your bed.
Start imagining angels at your side.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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