Month: October 2009

Block party tonight on the Main Street Mall just north of Peabody Place.  Food & drink specials by area restaurants, music by Two Way Radio and Oracle & the Mountain, and a cruise giveaway.  Details on the flyer below (click it for a larger image).

There’s a new book out, Sputnik, Masked Men, and Midgets: The Early Days of Memphis Wrestling.  It’s published by Shangri-La Projects, the same folks who put out several great books about Memphis Music.  They were nice enough to send me a media copy, so here’s a review.

The book opens with a photo gallery of early Memphis wrestling in the 1940s and 1950s. There are pics of Gorgeous George, who revolutionized wrestling during that era playing the role of the cocky, obnoxious heel. Muhammad Ali based his interview style on Gorgeous George. Then there’s Johnny Valentine, also a cocky heel who cheated to win. There’s Farmer Jones, popular with the rural fans because he brought his pig to the ring with him. Perhaps the scariest individual of all, though, was a bald wrestler named The Swedish Angel… just one look from him would be enough to make most people run.

Then there’s a chapter on foreigners and fake foreigners. German Nazis, evil Japanese like Tojo Yamamoto (until he turned babyface in the 1970s, he was evil), Russians, Mongolians. Pics of an Italian wrestler named Joe Scarpa who had a mediocre career until he reinvented himself as Chief Jay Strongbow.

Next up the book takes a look at Memphis wrestling in the ’60s. Sputnik Monroe was the biggest name during this era, and he was an important figure in Memphis race relations… he refused to perform in Ellis Auditorium until his African-American fans were allowed to sit up front with the whites. There’s a news clipping about him being arrested for disorderly conduct for being in what was then a blacks-only bar on Beale Street. Jackie Fargo and Tojo Yamamoto, the other big names of the ’60s, were featured heavily in this section as well, as was Lou Thesz, the NWA world champion from 1963 to 1966.

Next up are chapters on women wrestlers and midget wrestlers, and a section on music recordings made by Memphis wrestlers. The book contains a bonus music CD.

Next up are the “brown bombers,” African-American wrestlers who were popular in the ’50s through ’70s. Bobo Brazil is heralded as one of the first black wrestlers to appeal to all races. Sailor Art Thomas was popular in Memphis too. In the early ’70s Sputnik Monroe formed one of the first mixed-race tag teams in wrestling with Norvell Austin. Austin would later form another famous tag team, the PYTs, with Koko Ware. There were also pics of “Soul Man” Rocky Johnson, who was very popular in the ’70s and received many regional and world title shots… he’d go on to further fame as WWF Tag Team champion, and he’s the father of one of the most famous wrestlers of this century, The Rock.

The last, and largest chapter, covers Memphis wrestling in the 1970s. When the decade started, the two top names were Jackie Fargo and Jerry Jarrett (father of Jeff Jarrett with whom he co-founded TNA, the major competitor to WWE today). However, not long into the ’70s Memphis wrestling had a new King… Jerry Lawler. There are dozens of photos of Lawler’s matches, as well as news clippings about his memorable feuds. “Superstar” Bill Dundee and Tommy “Wildfire” Rich are also profiled, as is “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant (who didn’t get his “Boogie Woogie Man” nickname until the 1980s). Lawler’s manager Sam Bass, who died in a car wreck in 1976, appears in several photos. The legendary TV announcing team of Lance Russell and Dave Brown is profiled as well.

Here’s something for you to hunt for if you own the book: The man who would later put on a mask and become the legendary Mr. Wrestling II is pictured, not as II but rather under his own name in a circa 1970 picture. Can you find him?

Definitely a book worth having if you’re into the rich history of Memphis wrestling.  Available from Shangri-La Projects, or at various locations around town (I saw it on sale at Valle’s Italian Rebel where I ate lunch today).  You can also order it from Amazon.

On Sunday the 18th from 1 to 4 PM, the following historic churches of Downtown Memphis will open their doors for a free public tour: St. Mary’s Catholic, First Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Trinity Lutheran, St. Peter Catholic, Calvary Episcopal, St. Mary’s Episcopal, Collins Chapel, Church On The River, Holy Community United Methodist, St. Patrick’s Catholic, St. John Baptist and Mississippi Boulevard Christian. You’ll get to learn about the history of these churches and view their sanctuaries, altars, and stained glass windows.  Cameras are encouraged.

Just got make from lunch at Valle’s Italian Rebel on Winchester… very very good, and the only place I can find in Whitehaven that has the Memphis Flyer.

I just saw that DowntownMemphis.com has canceled their alley party scheduled for tonight, featuring Goner Records acts.  They decided to call it off after the forecast threatened more rain.  No word on when it will be rescheduled tonight.

Hmmm that frees up my Wednesday evening… trying to decide between glass night at the Saucer or poker night in Bardog’s Underdog Room.

So I didn’t stick to my Tuesday night plans of Mpact Memphis at Kooky Canuck, then trivia at the Saucer, then air guitar at Bardog.

First of all, since the air guitar competition started at 11, I figured I needed to pace myself.  Starting with a 34 oz. mixed drink is not “pacing.”  So I skipped Kooky.  Did trivia at the Saucer.  As it wrapped up, my friend Shawn who had the birthday party last weekend said, “We still have half a keg left over from the party,” and invited the team over.  Of course, there’s just something about free beer that’s hard to turn down.  I never made it to air guitar.  I wanted to, but my work presentation on Twitter got moved back a day, so I have to be able to put complete sentences together at 9:30 in the morning.  Bardog at nearly midnight just didn’t seem like such a good idea given the circumstances.

The trip to Shawn and Joe’s led me to make a recommendation.  If you’re looking for a beautiful and unique apartment in the most exciting part of Downtown – the core – check out Radio Center Flats at Union and Main.  The building is absolutely stunning.  Yay for more rentals in the core.

Monday night some friends and I met at Kooky Canuck for a beer to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving.  Then we walked down to the FedExForum for the Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic in a preseason game.  The Grizzlies lost, but we still had a great time.  Here are a few pics.

The view from our seats

A closer view of the action on the court

Allen Iverson (in the white headband) watching the game with his new teammates

Terry, Edison, Gary and Sarah

This guy had a chance at winning season tickets if he made a half-court shot.  He didn’t get it, but he did win an 11-ticket Power Pack from hitting one from the free throw line.

Before the game at Kooky Canuck

At the game: Pint Nite at the Saucer

Don’t forget that you can get great deals on tickets to the October 28 regular season opener at the FedExForum… complete details here, or call Carlos Sinde at 901-205-1491.

Don’t forget about “Air Guitar on the Bar” tonight at Bardog Tavern at 11 PM. There will be an air guitar competition, with the winner receiving an electric guitar. $3 Cabo Wabo shots (they are sponsoring the event) and it’s also Bardog’s regular Tuesday night pint night with all pint drafts $3.

I read this morning that “Tamale Tuesdays” are back at the BP on Riverside. They make some good tamales. If you’re Downtown and trying to figure out what to eat for lunch, keep them in mind.

If you’re in front of a TV at 9 AM Thursday, check out Live at 9 on News Channel 3 that morning. Lansky 126 will be on to promote fall fashion and their 7 Diamonds event.

Put the week of November 8-12 on your calendar as Downtown Dining Week… 20 area restaurants will offer 3-course meals for $20.09 (does not include beverage, tax, and tip). You can see the list of restaurants here, and once you get to the list, click on the restaurant logos to see their menus. The only problem I have with this is that there are 20 restaurants and only 5 days – no way I’ll be able to try them all. After looking at the menus, I’d say Bardog and Itta Bena will be definitely be on my list that week.

Kooky Canuck is having a “Pick Your Purse Preview Party” Thursday night, October 15, from 8 to 10. 25 designer purses will be on display, and you’ll have a chance to sample two new products, Bud Light Golden Wheat and Budweiser Select 55.

My plans for tonight: Most likely I’ll stop by Kooky Canuck around 6. Not only will it be Mpact happy hour, but it’s also Super Tuesday when all their signature 34 oz. drinks are only $5. I haven’t had a Flying Moose in a while. By 7 I’ll have moved down the street to the Saucer for trivia. Final stop of the evening will be Bardog for the air guitar contest. A fun-packed Tuesday night for sure. Doesn’t look like I’ll make it to the SMA meeting at South of Beale though… if anyone goes, shoot me an e-mail (paul@paulryburn.com) if they announce anything interesting.

I got a copy of the program for the celebration at the Shelby County Courthouse, 140 Adams, today marking its 100th anniversary. Here it is:

4:30-5:30 PM:
Music by the Christian Brothers High School Band,
directed by Patrick Bolton, on the south lawn
Tours & historical exhibits inside the building
Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments
Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

5:30-6:00 PM:
Welcome by Jim Eikner of WKNO
Special thanks by the president of the Memphis Bar Association
Keynote address, Walter Durham, TN State Historian
Presentation of proclamations by the mayors
Closing by Jim Eikner

6:00-7:00 PM:
Music by the Christian Brothers High School Band,
directed by Patrick Bolton, on the south lawn
Tours & historical exhibits inside the building
Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments
Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

If you work for a nonprofit or are part of a civic group, club, or congregational group, there will be a PR class this Saturday that you may want to attend. It will be at the U of M from 10 to noon, and is part of their Continuing Education program.

Participants will learn to create news briefs, calendar items, and public service announcements. You’ll also learn how to pitch story ideas, and how to book guests on TV and radio to get publicity.

Cost is $49. Visit this link to register or call 901-678-6000.

In the news: Suhair Lauck, owner of the Little Tea Shop and one of Downtown’s best ambassadors, received a couple of well-deserved honors this month. First of all, Delta Magazine named the Tea Shop’s corn sticks a Critic’s Choice in their September/October issue. Suhair also received an award from the Minority Enterprise Development Corporation last Friday for the Minority Service Firm of the Year. Congratulations!

One more reason why I hate Ole Miss: Click on this Flyer blog post and scroll down to the 6th pic and look at the ridiculous argyle pants some dude is wearing in the Grove. My God, he looks like a court jester.  (Edited to add: And a white belt too.  Does Herb Tarlek from WKRP in Cincinnati have any kids at Ole Miss?) Ole Miss, by the way, has officially dropped out of both Top 25 polls. Also encouraging is the fact that Arkansas received votes in both polls.

Preparing a presentation on Twitter for a meeting tomorrow… I like anything that involves teaching or presenting. Just a few more hours until I’ll have a 34 oz. beer in my hand.

Yesterday at Sunday Fun Day, I learned about a couple of rather interesting iPhone apps.

The first app is called PUFF!, and it will especially appeal to guys who hang out at the Saucer. Available in the App Store for 99 cents, it features images of cute girls in skirts. Blow on the iPhone’s microphone while one of the girls is onscreen, and her skirt blows up. How high it comes up is in proportion to how hard you blow. This app is sheer genius. If you search for it, make sure to include the exclamation point. There’s a different “puff” app without the exclamation point that has nothing to do with skirts. Oh, by the way, all the girls are Asian. Lauren commented, “Those girls have on some cute undies.” John D commented, “HEY NOW!”

The second app is called Brewler and is used to determine whether you’re getting your money’s worth out of a beer. You choose your beer glass from 8 different styles, and Brewler gives you a ruler to hold up to the glass. For a standard 16 oz. pint glass, for example, it will show you what level is 15 ounces, 14, 13, and so on. So, you can use it to determine if you’re getting all your beer… although, a little foam should be on top. According to a recent quiz the Saucer e-mailed out, a beer should have one finger’s worth of head when poured.

I’m going to the Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic pre-season game tonight at the FedExForum. Should be a fun evening… after the Grizzlies offered me 10 free tickets, I e-mailed the offer to the usual gang I hang out with at the Saucer, and there was little interest. So then I blogged it, and ended up with a very cool and diverse group that’s going… some people from the core, some people from South Main, one of our favorite bartenders, and one person I don’t even know, but part of the fun of Downtown is meeting new people.

Meeting up at Kooky Canuck beforehand. Our friend Edison suggested it, saying that it’s Canadian Thanksgiving, so it makes sense to celebrate it at a Canadian restaurant. I don’t know if 34 oz. super cold Bud Light is a tradition for Thanksgiving in Canada, but it’s about to become one. Hmmm Thanksgiving… wonder if the big turkey will be there tonight? Long-time readers of this blog know who I’m talking about.

Wish I was Downtown for lunch… Majestic Grille tweeted their lunch specials… blackened tilapia sandwich today. Meanwhile, I’m out by the airport with a Burger King and a Domino’s and a bunch of strip clubs.

Got another post in drafts… education opportunity for nonprofit people, and honors for a well-known Downtowner. Check back.