Paul Ryburn's Journal

The chess club is closed today for maintenance. I relocated to the Saucer but that is not as good an environment for composing blog posts. So I’m gonna keep this brief.

Memphis Tigers football plays NC State in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa on Friday, Dec. 19.

Our city’s own Liberty Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2 will feature the Navy Midshipmen vs. the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Full bowl schedule

Sorry, y’all,, my Parkinson’s is acting up really bad today. I’ll try again tomorrow.

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HOOOOO HOOOOO HOO HOOSIERS! My friend Randy is a happy man this morning after Indiana upset Ohio State to claim the Big Ten title and presumably the top seed in the college football playoff. The CFP selection show is at 11 AM today on ESPN.

Gift shop Feelin’ Memphis at 509 S. Main is having a Jingle and Mingle today 1-4 PM. Free hot chocolate and apple cider. Free goodie bags to the first 60 people. Special visits by Ron Olson, David Lynch, and Jade Miller. Live music, holiday discounts. Also stop by Muse and Old South Florist nearby for holiday open houses.

The Grizz host Portland today at 5 and it’s Adoptable Pet Night. TV: FanDuel Sports

Memphis Medical District Collaborative has a holiday market today noon-3 at Ugly Art, 635 Madison. Free gift wrapping. Boys’ choir and DJ. Food, cocktails, hot chocolate.

For my service industry readers: 10 cities with the best tippers. NO, Memphis did not make the list. Number one: Denver.

CeQuita Monique plays a Jazz Jam pop-up concert at Center for Southern Folklore this afternoon at 2.

Today is National Cotton Candy Day.

Charles Huff is the new head football coach at the University of Memphis. He’s a former associate head coach and running backs coach at Bama. He’s also known as a top recruiter.

Cordelia’s Market will have a holiday open house 5:30-7:30 PM Wednesday with more than 20 local vendors.

MemphisWeather.net posted that a light wintry mix is possible 3-10 PM today. Extra care should be taken on bridges and elevated roadways.

The Memphis Irish Society will have its 2025 Ceili (party) at Memphis Made Brewing 1-4 this afternoon. Irish dance lessons, silent auction, raffle. $10 at the door.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Today is Bartender Appreciation Day.

The Grizzlies host the L.A. Clippers tonight at 7. There’s a Friday Buckets & Brews ticket special. Fans in attendance get a pair of City Edition sunglasses. TV: Action News 5

Drew & Ellie Holcomb’s Neighborly Christmas comes to the Orpheum tonight.

Silly Goose will open at 8 AM tomorrow for the race.

CARB UP: Kooky Canuck will have $9.99 all-you-can-eat spaghetti today.

Check out details of former Memphis football HC Ryan Silverfield’s new deal with Arkansas. He’ll make $6.5 million this year.

Christmas music by the MDs will headline a tacky sweater party Saturday at 6 at Downtown Wiseacre.

Half a dozen galleries will be open for Saturday’s Edge District Art Crawl. 5-9 PM.

Free pics with Santa tonight and next Friday night 5-7 on Beale Street.

Take a survey on what you’d like to see in the Cossitt Library’s West Wing renovation.

Union Ave. between Danny Thomas and B.B. King is already closed for the race tomorrow.

Cyrena Wages plays Hotel Pontotoc’s Garden Stage Saturday 6-9.

Celebrate Christmas with C.S. Lewis at the Halloran Centre Saturday. 2 PM and 7:30 PM performances.

Enjoy salsa by the fire including a free dance lesson from a Rumba Room instructor at Fire Pit Friday today 4:30-6:30 in Tom Lee Park.

There will be a holiday artists’ mixer tonight 6-8 at Contemporary Arts Memphis, 652 Marshall. Free food by Chef Eli, free drinks, some NICE door prizes.

No update tomorrow because of the race. Back Sunday.

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Peppermint cake at the Memphis Chess Club

Looking for a warm, cozy place to work or chill? Try the mezzanine of the Memphis Chess Club. Heat rises. When it’s 70 in the main dining area, it’s about 76 up there.

The latest CBS Sports bowl projections have Memphis vs. Arkansas State in the Birmingham Bowl Monday, December 29. For the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on January 2, they project TCU vs. Tulane.

Today is National Cookie Day. Makeda’s at 301 Jefferson, Cookie Plug and Butteriffic on Second, and Insomnia Cookies on Beale Street would be my recommendations to celebrate.

Get 20% off food now through Sunday at the following restaurants when you show your St. Jude race registration, bib, or medal.

• Bardog, 73 Monroe
• Aldo’s Pizza Pies, 100 S. Main
• Slider Inn, Mulberry at Talbot
• Momma’s, E.H. Crump Blvd. at Kentucky

RIP Steve Cropper of Booker T & the MGs.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

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Last night the regular first-Tuesday-of-the-month guest preacher at the Union Mission canceled. The reason was that he and nearly his entire family had come down with COVID.

It’s still around, folks. Just a reminder.

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

Friday

• Troy at 25 James Madison, Sun Belt championship, 6:00 PM, ESPN
• 24 North Texas at 20 Tulane, AAC championship, 7:00 PM, ABC

Saturday

• 11 BYU vs. 4 Texas Tech, Big 12 championship, 11:00 AM, ABC
• 3 Georgia vs. 9 Alabama, SEC championship, 3:00 PM, ABC
• 2 Indiana vs. 1 Ohio State, Big Ten championship, 7:00 PM, FOX
• Duke vs. 17 Virginia, ACC championship, 7:00 PM, ABC

Itta Bena will have a Veuve Clicquot dinner Thursday, December 11 at 6:30 PM. Four courses paired with champagne, plus a warm welcome. $150+. Reserve your spot

Today is Green Bean Casserole Day. If you celebrate, invite me!

The Beale Street Christmas parade on Saturday, December 13 has been moved up an hour to 1:00 PM. That’s likely because of the 2:30 tip that day for Tigers-Louisville basketball.

Tonight the Tigers host New Orleans at 7. TV: ESPN+

Amber Rae Dunn, Sydney Carty, Zach Borenstein, and Ashtyn Miller play Songwriter Night at South Main Sounds Friday at 7. On Saturday, you can catch Amber and her band at Central BBQ Downtown at 6.

MPD is ready to keep Downtown safe and the traffic flowing Saturday for the St. Jude Marathon.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Saturday is going to be a HUGE day Downtown, with

• The St. Jude Marathon (and half-marathon, 10K, 5K, etc.) in the morning
• Bars crowded all day with people watching conference championship football games
• Memphis vs. Baylor men’s basketball at 3:30 at FedExForum
• The annual Stumbling Santa pub crawl, over 1000 expected, departs from Flying Saucer at 7 PM
• NEEDTOBREATHE at the Orpheum

Allow EXTRA, EXTRA, EXTRA time driving Downtown that day, especially between 6 AM and noon, and expect to pay EXTRA, EXTRA, EXTRA to park and to walk EXTRA, EXTRA, EXTRA far from your parking space to your destination. But you know what? If just one kid beats cancer without their family receiving a bill, it’s worth every bit of the EXTRA, EXTRA, EXTRA. Check out the guide to navigating the marathon.

Bardog will open early for the race at 7:30 with bartenders Magic Mike and (back for one day only) Allie Cat. I plan on being there supporting the runners by drinking PBR.

The University of Memphis is without a football coach as Arkansas hired Ryan Silverfield on Sunday.

The Grizzlies have added two games to their schedule after being eliminated from the NBA Cup:

• Dec. 12 vs. Utah
• Dec. 15 at L.A. Clippers

Tonight the Grizz play at San Antonio at 7. TV: FanDuel Sports

Vandy 45, Tennessee 24… I bet the Vols will fall out of the CFP Top 25 tonight. I hope they get invited to a bowl on the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia.

Classic horror movie fans, check out this article about Monsters on Beale.

Earth has a new most populous city – Jakarta, Java, Indonesia.

Jay’s Coffee and Cuisine will have its grand opening of its Memphis location Friday at 11. 122 Gayoso in the old Tamp & Tap space.

The South Main Association has its holiday party at Havenhaus next Tuesday. DJ Alpha Whiskey, “epic” raffle, drinks, snacks. Free for SMA members, $30 non-members.

Soul & Spirits will have a Swiftie Party next Friday, December 12 to celebrate TSwift’s birthday. Bracelet making and themed sandwiches, drinks, and trivia.

The Peanut Shoppe is now open 7 days a week through Christmas.

Sorry for no post Sunday-Monday. Nothing major is/was wrong. Rather, it was death by a thousand cuts as many little nuisances popped up. The wind was killing me, my backpack got so full I had trouble putting it on, one of my hangouts got unexpectedly busy Monday and another was unexpectedly closed. Today I am considerably less stressed out.

It’s too cold to stay out, so the Mission is gonna get my 6 bucks tonight. Back tomorrow.

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Pre-sale tickets are now available for Baron Von Opperbean, the “immersive experience” being installed on Mud Island. The first phase of the museum opens Saturday, March 7.

A body was found Friday morning at Danny Thomas and Jefferson.

Today is Jerry “The King” Lawler’s 76th birthday.

Today is Small Business Saturday. I recommend celebrating with a little shopping at Feelin’ Memphis, 509 S. Main.

Fresh off a 38-19 Egg Bowl win, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin is expected to announce his plans for the future today. LSU is said to be throwing money at him. Just don’t take a huge step backwards and return to Tennessee, Kif.

Recovering from a case of food poisoning. Rough night last night. It seems to have passed today so I’ll be out.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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I stayed out all night last night. Check out this song I wrote overnight about a white cat I see from time to time.

Hey, hey, The Ratter!
Hey, hey, The Ratter!
Hey, hey, The Ratter…

Because of this big white cat
There is no place at all
Anywhere on the  Main Street Mall
That is safe for mouse or rat.

Hey, hey, The Ratter!
Hey, hey, The Ratter!
Hey, hey, The Ratter…

He doesn’t make a sound
But this big ball of fur
Well, he sure knows how to purr
After he takes his rodent down.

Hey, hey, The Ratter!

It needs one more verse and a bridge, but not a bad start considering I was sitting on a park bench in 30 degrees. I also have an idea for a follow-up song in which The Ratter discovers squirrels.

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Downtown family is everything.

Action News 5 had a conversation with the actress who plays Juliet in the musical & Juliet at the Orpheum this week.

St. Jude recently ranked second in a recent poll to determine America’s dream employer. The children’s research hospital was bookended by tech companies – NVIDIA at number one and Microsoft at number three.

The annual 50% off gift card sale at Aldo’s Pizza Pies is ongoing through December 5. The cards become valid to use after January 1.

SPIN Magazine recently published a list called 40 Best Albums You Probably Didn’t Hear But Should’ve. Memphis band The Subteens had an album on there.

Ice cream shop Margie’s 901 now has hot chocolate.

The restaurant inside the Central Station Hotel is now called Brakeman’s.

Keep an eye on the weather this weekend, because freezing precip is looking possible for Monday. Memphis appears to be right on the line between rain and ice.

Get Merry on Main and shop local this Saturday noon to 7. The South Main District will have carolers, a golf cart parade, Santa’s workshop, live music, and a tree lighting.

Cordelia’s Market has Black Friday deals on beer today.

Back tomorrow. Hey, hey, The Ratter!

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I had something different at the Flying Saucer last night.

This is a Boulevard cranberry-apple seltzer, just in time for the holidays, and it is delicious. Brings back memories of those Ocean Spray cranberry juice blends from when we were kids.

Enjoy holiday music played on the Mighty Wurlitzer organ at the Orpheum Tuesday, December 2 at 7 PM.

Memphis experienced a wake low yesterday. That’s why it got so windy. MemphisWeather.net explains.

Let’s look at college football games of interest this weekend.

Thanksgiving

• Navy at Memphis, 6:30 PM, ESPN

Friday

• 7 Ole Miss at Mississippi State, Egg Bowl, 11:00 AM, ABC
• 13 Utah at Kansas, 11:00 AM, ESPN
• 4 Georgia at 23 Georgia Tech, Governor’s Cup, 2:30 PM, ABC
• 2 Indiana at Purdue, Old Oaken Bucket game, 6:30 PM, NBC/Peacock
• 3 Texas A&M at 16 Texas, 6:30 PM, ABC

Saturday

• 1 Ohio State at 15 Michigan, 11:00 AM, FOX
• 5 Texas Tech at good ole West Virginny, 11:00 AM, ESPN
• 12 Miami at 22 Pitt, 11:00 AM, ABC
• UCF at 11 BYU, noon, ESPN2
• Arkansas State at Appalachian State, 1:30 PM, ESPN+
• 6 Oregon at Washington, 2:30 PM, CBS
• LSU at 8 Oklahoma, 2:30 PM, ABC
• 14 Vanderbilt at 19 Tennessee, 2:30 PM, ESPN
• Missouri at Arkansas, Battle Line game, 2:30 PM, SEC Network
• Florida State at Florida, 3:30 PM, ESPN2
• 10 Alabama at Auburn, Iron Bowl, 6:30 PM, ABC
• 9 Notre Dame at Stanford, 9:30 PM, ESPN

The Memphis Grizzlies have an away game in New Orleans tonight at 7:00. This is one of those games that counts toward the league’s stupid in-season tournament. TV: Action News 5

Penny’s Memphis Tigers are back at FedExForum tonight, hosting the Southern Illinois Salukis. 7:00 tip. TV: ESPN+

I hear the MATA buses, particularly “that 50 bus” that runs down Poplar, have been standing room only since they stopped charging fare.

Happy National Jukebox Day.

The I Love Memphis blog has a list of what’s open on Turkey Day.

I’m gonna be so bored tomorrow. Dinner isn’t until 2 PM. No place open with electrical outlets and Wi-Fi before then. I’m looking at six-plus hours of wandering Downtown, sitting on park benches, and playing the cribbage app on my phone.

Back in 2 days with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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New musical & Juliet, which “flips the script on the greatest love story ever told,” opens at the Orpheum tonight and runs through Sunday. That is a BOLD move by theater management to schedule a show to run Thanksgiving week. Shows how much they believe in it.

Tri-State Symphony plays the Cannon Center Saturday.

Memphis Escape Rooms is hiring a room host.

The city of Memphis’ newly-owned property, the Sheraton Hotel on N. Main,  seeks a GM.

Band recommendation: Geese. Michael has been playing them a lot on Sundays at Bardog.

Cordelia’s Market holiday hours:

• Wed: 7 AM-9 PM
• Thur: closed
• Fri: 9 AM-6 PM
• Sat: 8 AM-9 PM
• Sun: 8 AM-9 PM

Your sports knowledge can pay off at Loflin Yard’s Trivia Egg Bowl this Wednesday at 7.

I hope none of you are using any of these passwords.

RIP DOGE

WREG is in here filming a feature on the Memphis Chess Club.

Back tomorrow with news and a college football preview for the week.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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