Paul Ryburn’s Journal

Daily thoughts of a Downtown Memphis resident

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Entries from June 2008

Pregnant? Smoke crack? This RV has a deal for you

June 30th, 2008 · Comments Off

This RV is parked across from Court Square, next to the SpringHill Suites hotel, today:

This RV is here to advertise Project Prevention, a program that gives cash incentives to women who are addicted to crack, alcohol, or other substances who agree to use long-term or permanent birth control.  Their website notes that 11-15% of babies [...]

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Pics: Downtowners for Obama rally

June 30th, 2008 · Comments Off

Here are a few pics from this past Saturday’s Downtowners for Obama rally at the Majestic Grille:

Here’s a crowd shot.

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen gave the best speech of the day, covering the major issues and how Obama is the best candidate to address each. He had just come from the Sidney Chism picnic and [...]

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Pics: TubeTopalooza 2008

June 29th, 2008 · Comments Off

Here are the pics from TubeTopalooza, the event held on my rooftop last night to celebrate the end of Tube Top Month in my blog.

The hosts.  Me (center) with my BFF Suzy and TubeTopalooza visionary Kacy.  I couldn’t have done it without these two.

Nor could I have done it without Air Traffic Mike, who supplied [...]

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Real quick Saturday recap

June 29th, 2008 · Comments Off

Excellent day yesterday.  I attended the Downtowners for Obama rally in the afternoon, which had received so many RSVPs that the Majestic Grille had to move it from their Innovators’ Room to their larger meeting space upstairs.  Probably about 100 people showed up between 3 and 5.  A couple of candidates for Senate, running against [...]

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Downtowners for Obama RSVP list tops 100

June 28th, 2008 · Comments Off

The organizer for today’s Downtowners for Obama event tells me that the RSVP list, counting speakers and dignitaries, has now topped 100. This is going to be a HUGE event. But, it’s being held in a huge space, the Majestic Grille, so come on down. 3 to 5 PM today. U.S. [...]

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That new Hawaiian bakery on Front – Big Ono Bake Shops

June 27th, 2008 · Comments Off

Several people have e-mailed asking me, “What’s the deal with that new shop on Front Street, at Gayoso across from Barton Flats and AutoZone?”  So today as I was walking back from free pizza at the Orpheum, I stopped in.  It’s called Big Ono Bake Shops and it’s a Hawaiian bakery.
They have enormous rolls and [...]

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South Main Trolley Art Tour tonight

June 27th, 2008 · Comments Off

It’s the last Friday of the month, which means all the art galleries and other shops on South Main will open from 6 to 9 PM for South Main Trolley Art Tour.  Many of them will put out appetizers, cocktails, and wine, and you can expect to hear a few bands playing on the streets.  [...]

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Lost puppy needs a home

June 26th, 2008 · Comments Off

Members of one of the local kickball teams found this puppy in Willow Field yesterday after their weekly game:

He was pretty skinny when they found him. After a bath and some food, he turned out to be a very well-behaved little guy. They believe he is a mix of German shepherd, terrier and [...]

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Very important announcement: FREE PIZZA at the Orpheum tomorrow!

June 26th, 2008 · Comments Off

In conjunction with the Downtown Alive program, the Orpheum is giving away free pizza and soft drinks tomorrow, Friday, June 27, from 11:30 to 2 PM. This is one of several things that will be happening at the Orpheum tomorrow: Organ concert at 12; backstage tour by Pat Halloran at 12:30; backstage tours [...]

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Bye bye bums! Downtown safety patrol extended for another 12 months

June 26th, 2008 · Comments Off

Just received a text from Mikey the Camera Nazi, who is at the Center City Commission attending their monthly board meeting. He told me that they have voted to extend the Downtown safety patrol for another 12 months.
The patrol, which started April 1, was brought on mainly to target aggressive panhandling in the Downtown [...]

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