Month: November 2015

This morning, in an effort to get the Moody Ques’ website current, I added a BBQ Fest 2015 photo gallery. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ve seen all these photos before. I picked the best 50 of the approximately 600 I took. The 50 I selected say it all about the team: We have an excellent cookteam that puts out some delicious food, our booth designers kick ass, we have a lot of fun in our booth and we’re the best damn party in Tom Lee Park. I also think the fact that we’re a fairly young team, with an average team member age of about 35, is an asset. If you’ve never been on a BBQ team before and are curious what it is like to be on a team, have a look at the photos. If you like what you see and are interested in membership or sponsorship, talk to us.

Memphis saw its college football playoff hopes dashed yesterday with a 45-20 loss to Navy. If there had to be a team to lose to, I’m glad it was the Midshipmen – can’t hate on those who serve our country, after all. Meanwhile, Bret Bielema’s bold call to go for two in the first overtime vs. Ole Miss paid off, giving Arkansas a 53-52 victory. The Hogs are now one game from bowl eligibility, with Missouri looking beatable and maybe Mississippi State too.

An Ole Miss fan called 911 during the game and asked for Arkansas’ quarterback to be removed from the stadium. Typical Ole Miss.

Chris Johnson plays the Green Beetle tonight at 8. It’s part of the Beetle Sundays series with food and beer bucket specials all night long.

There will be a Veterans Day parade Wednesday. It will march down Second Street from Exchange to Monroe starting at 10 AM.

Straight No Chaser, the male a capella group that is gathering a viral following, plays the Cannon Center for Performing Arts Wednesday at 7:30.

Don’t forget that Downtown Dining Week begins tomorrow. 40 restaurants offering special menus for $20.15 or $10.15. If you haven’t made reservations yet, you need to do it now.

Leading off at D-RANKS with B-RAD at the Blind Bear today, then later in the day I have a BBQ meeting. If anything interesting happens at the meeting I will have a report tomorrow.

I updated the Moody Ques website this morning, getting the sponsors current on the sidebar and typing a long post on what we’ve been up to in the off-season. I am going to add a 2015 team roster to the sidebar as well as soon as I get a list from one of the team leaders.

I must say I am conflicted about college football today. I want Memphis to make it to the college football playoff. For that to happen, the Tigers’ resume needs to be as strong as possible. The best way for that to happen is for Ole Miss to win out, capture the SEC West, and win the SEC title game. That would give Memphis a victory over the SEC champion, which would look spectacular in the eyes of the playoff committee.

The trouble is, Ole Miss plays Arkansas today. It just kills me to root for Ole Miss in the first place, it kills me even more to root for Ole Miss against my Hogs, and it kills me even more because Arkansas really needs a win today to make it to bowl eligibility. I guess I should look at it as a win-win for me: A win for Memphis, or a win for Arkansas.

Earlier this week I mentioned that Blues City Cafe will give a free lunch to veterans on Veteran’s Day, November 11 from 11 AM to 2 PM. Here’s a list of other restaurants giving veterans free meals that day or around that day. They’re mostly chains, but as the Nuh-Uh Girl would say, free food is free food.

Remember my friends Dennis and Mary Pat who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for St. Jude? They made a video documenting every day of the climb. They have raised over $15,000 for the children’s cancer research hospital, but are still about $3800 short of their goal. Want to help them raise the remainder? Donate here.

I was in Bardog last night, and the guy to the left of me asked what the app was for his smartphone for the bar’s jukebox. Dude, you really don’t get Bardog at all, do you?

From the MBJ: The new Malco theater going in Central Station will include an open-air mezzanine

If you’re going to the Liberty Bowl for the Memphis-Navy game, a FedEx 777 jet will conduct flyovers at 5 and 6 in honor of veterans.

A contemporary addition has been approved for the Artspace Lofts, soon to open in an old warehouse on St. Paul Avenue.

Here’s a really good CBS Sports article on the problems the Grizzlies are having this year. I’m not saying I agree with this, but the writer points out that the least painful change the team could make would be the coach.

That’s it for this post. Brunch with Bloom at Bardog and a trip to Blind Bear are my first two stops of the day. Plans for tonight are yet to be determined.

This weekend is truly going to the dogs with a couple of Downtown events. Tomorrow from 6-11 PM, Streetdog Foundation’s third annual Howl at the Moon happens at The Warehouse, the green building at the northeast corner of Front and G.E. Patterson. It will be emceed by Kristin Tallent, with music by Alessandra Danielle, Bending Time, Southern Edition, Shufflegrit, South Side Supper Club, and DJ Tree. Food, beverages, live and silent auctions, with 100% of funds going to the dogs. Tickets in advance here or $50 at the door, and there’s a Paw Pass if you want the party without the alcohol.

Sunday from 12 to 4 the Harbor Town Dog Show happens at Nursery Park on Mud Island. Well-behaved dogs are invited to enter for $35. Prizes will be awarded for Most Original Costume, Terrific Pet Trick, Most Glamorous, Best Tail Wagging, Best Rescue, Best Float & Best in Show. Live and silent auction, vendors, games, food. You can go here to pay to enter dogs or buy VIP tickets.

A week from tomorrow, Saturday, November 14, the 4th annual Jon Paulin Memorial Chili Cook-Off will take place from 11 AM to 3 PM at Tiger Lane. Come eat, or come compete! I have not been to this but I have heard it it is a lot of fun. $10 admission, $5 with student ID. Food trucks by Local, Say Cheese, and Chick-fil-a. Cornhole, raffle prizes.

There’s a Nuvo Dance Convention at the Cook Convention Center today through Sunday.

Congratulations to local BBQ team Team Canada on their 4th place showing yesterday on the first day of the World Food Championships. It was a big day for another reason as well: It was team member Shawn Danko’s birthday. Happy birthday, Shawn!

I don’t know if any vegetarians read this blog, but if they do, local foodie Ben Carter posted a link to Epicurious on how to prepare a vegducken, the meatless version of a turducken. I have to admit this article makes me awfully glad I eat meat.

Moody Ques news: Our fearless leader, team president Moody, is movin’ on up in her career. She has accepted a position with the federal government in McAllen, Texas. As a result, her one-bedroom apartment in Number 10 Main will be up for rent in early December. 1 BR, W/D, 810 square feet, rent pretty reasonable given the location and the amenities. Hit me up at paul@paulryburn.com if you want to know more. There will be a going-away party for Moody at Cafe Keough Friday, December 4 from 7 to 10 PM, and those who want to keep going will stumble over to Bardog afterward.

Obviously Moody won’t be able to run the team from hundreds of miles away. The team leaders are meeting Sunday to discuss restructuring the board of directors.

That’s it for now. I’ll be out after work, not sure where yet.

Warming Hearth and Home is the theme of the Memphis Farmers Market this Saturday at the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson. This is the first week of the Market’s November hours, opening at 8 AM rather than 7, and still closing at 1 PM. Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, and a good way to give thanks is by filling your home and table with goods from local producers. There will be a “Name the Gourd” contest from 9 to 11, with the person submitting the winning name receiving $10 in market tokens to spend any way they choose. Master carver Carl Jones will give a demo at 10, turning ordinary fresh produce into objets d’art. Live music by David Twombly 8:30-10 and Davy Ray Bennett 11-12:30. Pet adoptions by Dogs 2nd Chance.

Business owners: There’s still time to enter the Downtown Memphis Commission’s storefront decorating contest. Decorate your business’s facade for the holidays, and you could win prizes of $1500, $700, or $300. Deadline to submit an application is Monday.

Friday, November 13 vs. the Portland Trail Blazers is the first of six Beer Tasting Nights with the Grizzlies. Beer tastings happen in the Draft Room located in the First Tennessee Club Level and kick off two hours before game time. Included in the cost of the beer tasting is your ticket to the game, craft beer sampling, a commemorative pint glass (different for each game) and hors d’oeuvres. Seats are $97.50 for Club Level and starting at $42.50 for Terrace Level. Deadline to order beer tasting tickets for the November 13 game is 5 PM Thursday, November 12.

Even the New York Times is talking about Memphis Tigers football: Memphis is powerful, but the problem is, its league isn’t. I get what the author is saying – the Tigers are not in a Power Five conference – but the AAC has two undefeated teams and three teams in the Top 25. The article also notes that Memphis has been mentioned as a possible addition to the Big 12. The best way to get into a Power Five league is to win, win, win and Memphis is doing exactly that right now.

Wrestling fans: Big news from the WWE today. WWE champ Seth Rollins injured himself trying to powerbomb Kane off the top rope at a house show in Dublin, Ireland last night. He tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus, and could be out as long as 9 months. He has been stripped of the WWE title and the new champion will be decided at Survivor Series… Daaaaamn. That injury f’s up every major storyline in the WWE’s main event scene right now.

Headed to the Silly Goose for happy hour. Plans TBD after that, but I must say that watching the Grizzlies on the big screen at the Fire Haus is an idea that rather intrigues me.

Starting off today’s post with several pieces of beer-related news. If you like stouts, the Flying Saucer is the place to be tonight at 6. They will be tapping the cask version of Memphis Made Brewing Co.’s Drew’s Day Off. Only two of these casks were produced, the other being tapped at the Saucer in Cordova at 5.

Brew for a Cure is tomorrow night at 7:30 at the Cadre Building, raising money to fight Type 1 diabetes. The event will feature beers from local breweries High Cotton, Memphis Made, and Ghost River, as well as regional breweries Tennessee Brew Works and Sweetwater. Food provided by the Arcade, Ciao Bella, La Hacienda, One and Only BBQ, Tzaiki’s, and Woodridge Farms. Live music by the Super 5. Silent auction as well. Suggested attire is “Friday Night Out,” whatever the hell that is supposed to mean.

Another beer-related fundraiser happens Sunday at the High Cotton taproom. The Brew Movement Against Mutiple Sclerosis Fall Mixer runs from noon to 6 and is intended to raise money and awareness for the Mid-South Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis society. Your $5 entry fee gets you discounted High Cotton pints, homebrew samples, a silent auction, and music by the Penny Kings. The El Taco Mero food truck will be on site.

Gould’s has proposed a patio at its new location at the southwest corner of Main and Union, but the DMC’s Design Review Board has concerns that it would not be used. What are they talking about? Of course it would be used! That crazy homeless woman who shouts random things at passersby would use it all the time, I am sure.

South Main Sushi and Grill now has its own Facebook page that you can “Like” to keep up with news from the restaurant.

University of Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch is one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

Job news: Aerotek is having a job fair tomorrow to fill several hundred warehouse positions in Memphis and North Mississippi. The fair is at 1255 Lynnfield Rd Suite 110, Memphis, Tn 38119 from 9 AM to 2 PM and they will be interviewing and making offers on the spot. They are looking for all levels in the warehouse. If you are interested and can’t make it tomorrow, hit me up at paul@paulryburn.com and I will pass word on to the recruiter, who is a friend of mine.

The Grizzlies play Portland on TNT tonight. 9:30 tip-off time, which means midnight bedtime if you plan to stay up and watch.

Possibly another post after work with Farmers Market news and more. Most likely I will lead off at the Silly Goose after work, with stops after that TBD.

I’m going to start off this post with a link to a post on Loving My Memphis: Just Say No to Boring Dates. They suggest a date for Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and absolutely nailed it. Stop 1 is Hung Over Like a Bear brunch at the Blind Bear. They point out that there are couches so you can have an intimate setting for two if you don’t want to sit at the bar, and that “If you go on Sunday bartender Brad Wilson is awesome!” Yes! D-RANKS with B-RAD! I won’t reveal Stops 2 and 3 so you’ll be encouraged to click through and read the entire article, but let’s just say I agree with them. I really like the idea of a Sunday afternoon date. So much more laid-back and less pressure than Saturday night.

Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday fellas… keep the Bear in mind.

Only two more days until it’s time for Tiger basketball! The Tigers host Lemoyne-Owen at FedExForum at 8 PM Friday night. Please don’t lose, guys!

Something I didn’t know: There’s a Memphis job board for teachers.

Urgent message from MIFA: They are dangerously low on their senior gift bags. Here’s how you can help.

You should not post selfies where you are holding anything of value that has a bar code on it. For example, a winning lottery ticket. You just can’t fix stupid.

From the Daily News: Rick Shadyac gives more clues on St. Jude expansion plans. He says the changes will not only affect the children’s cancer research center, hospital, and fundraising arm ALSAC, but will affect surrounding neighborhoods the Pinch and the Medical Center district as well.

Shout-out to my apartment community Number 10 Main! They gave me a free deep bathroom cleaning for renewing my lease. The cleaning happened today and the place looks amazing! Cleaner than it has ever been!

Off to the Goose for a beer. Good night!

There are a couple of concerts Downtown tonight. Everclear plays the New Daisy and Mary J. Blige plays the Orpheum. Both shows start at 8.

The Majestic is now taking reservations for its holiday events. Here’s the lineup:

The annual half-price gift card sale will be Wednesday, December 2. 8 AM until they sell out (and I do not recommend waiting until afternoon to go down there). You can get as many $50 gift cards as you want for $25 each. There are some restrictions – you can’t use them until 2016, and you can’t use them to buy alcohol.

Sunday Supper and a Movie features classic holiday movies shown on the Majestic’s giant screen with sound. There will be a special dinner menu each Sunday, and the Majestic’s regular menu will be available too. Reservations are required for these dinners. Movies start at 6:30 and here is the lineup:

Sunday, November 29: Miracle on 34th Street

Sunday, December 6: Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn

Sunday, December 20: It’s a Wonderful Life

The 8th annual Clark’s Christmas Dinner will happen Thursday, December 17 at the Majestic. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation will be shown on the big screen with sound. Costume contest based on the movie, and a tacky sweater contest too. I have been a costume judge in years past, and this event is a LOT of fun. 7 and 7:30 seatings, Reservations are required and will fill up quickly, so if you want to attend, you need to call the Majestic NOW. Do not delay. 901-522-8555.

Brunch with Santa at the Majestic is Saturday, December 19 with 9:30 AM, 10 AM, 11:30 AM and noon reservations available. There will be kids’ brunch menu items, holiday movies on the big screen, and appearances by the North Pole elves, Mrs. Claus, and Santa himself. Reservations required and once again, this will fill up early, so do not delay.

New Year’s Eve Dinner will be Thursday, December 31 at the Majestic beginning at 5 PM. Special menu by Chef Patrick Reilly and the regular menu will be available too. You can pre-game for your New Year’s Eve plans with a great dinner, or you can stay late and ring in the new year. Entertainment by Paul McKinney and the Knights of Jazz.

There will be New Year’s Day brunch at the Majestic 10:30-2:30 and dinner 4-9. Reservations highly recommended.

Pam and Terry fans: The duo will be performing live between 9 and 10 tomorrow morning on Local Memphis 24.

Set one more place at the table: Help Memphis Union Mission provide 24,542 meals by Thanksgiving

Ever wonder what it is like to be a firefighter? Find out in this Copeland Coaching podcast with Barry O’Neill of the Memphis Fire Department.

I saw several reports on social media yesterday of hundreds of ladybugs swarming, invading people’s homes. I checked Google News and this is a natural phenomenon around this time of year. The ladybugs are looking for a place to stay warm as the weather gets cooler, and they squeeze inside cracks in people’s homes. The best practice seems to be to vacuum up the ones that get inside.

That’s it for this post. I’ll be at happy hour with Jessica at the Silly Goose after work, then over to Blind Bear for trivia.

Somehow this flew under my radar when it was announced back in September: A new J. Brooks coffee will help the homeless. Part of the purchase price of every bag of HUB Coffee will go to the Hospitality HUB, a Downtown nonprofit that helps the homeless get a hand up, rather than a handout. Groceries Downtown that sell the coffee include Miss Cordelia’s and Trolley Stop Market.

I remember a conversation I had earlier this year with a vegan (can’t remember who, think Chris Reyes maybe?) who told me that there are certain kinds of beer he wished he could drink, but can’t. Among the ones he mentioned was Guinness, which was filtered with fish bladders. Well, good news: Guinness is putting a new filtration system in place that will be completely animal-free.

Job opportunity: The Mid-South Food Bank is searching for a Director of Programs.

For my “DAWG” John D: Artist combines Smiths lyrics and Peanuts characters in best Tumblr ever

Best wishes to my friends The Fabulous Burger Boys who are headed to Orlando to compete in the World Food Championship, following an excellent showing at Best Memphis Burger Fest. Also, best wishes to Seth who organized the burger festival, who was accepted as a judge at the World Food Championship this year.

Get a taste of paranormal investigation at the Ghost Tour at the Woodruff-Fontaine Museum this Saturday at 7:30. $25 cover charge.

Chicken fried steak sushi roll? Rodger, we need to make a field trip to Austin!

All right, time to be an adult. Possibly back at lunchtime or after work with another post.

This is my second update of the day. I did a huge insomnia-inspired news post about 6 this morning, so be sure to check that one too.

The total is in from the Sinners for Saints Ball, held on Halloween at Stop 345: After expenses, $14,288.34 was raised for the Church Health Center. That is just a mind-blowing number and I am quite sure it was more than they expected. Thanks to the Beale Street Loft Remnants and South Main Dirty Dozen for giving Downtowners the best Halloween party in years while at the same time raising a huge sum for a deserving charity. For those of you who attended, there’s a 2-minute survey you can fill out to give your feedback. They are already planning for next year.

The first College Football Playoff rankings will be released tonight at 6 PM. Memphis has a perfect record and a better quality win (Ole Miss) than several other undefeated teams that are expected to be highly ranked.

The Grizzlies play an away game at Sacramento tonight after suffering the worst loss in team history last night at Golden State. 9 PM tipoff.

Charvey Mac will play the Silly Goose tonight at 10. $2 local beers.

As I posted earlier, the City Council will discuss the idea of extending the time frame for which parking meters charge to midnight. At least one person has tweeted that such an extension would eliminate Downtown restaurants as potential dining choices for his family. Would the city be padding its own revenue at the expense of Downtown businesses? Quite possibly.

Felicia Suzanne’s is hosting the third annual Banjos & Bonfires in honor of Movember and Felicia’s late dad this Friday. Info and tickets here.

The Mid-South Heart Walk is Downtown this Saturday. Info and registration here. If driving Downtown that morning, be aware that you will need to allow extra time for the walkers.

The Central Station project will add 200 apartments to South Main. The new apartments will be on Front near G.E. Patterson, on Main at Carolina, and on the elevated railroad platform.

Blues City Cafe will serve a free meal to veterans on Veteran’s Day, 11 AM to 2 PM. You need to show VA Card or DD-214 with photo ID.

Memphis in May’s annual BBQ championship judging seminar, to be held Saturday, November 14, has its registration closing soon, on Monday, November 9. Details on how to register here. The seminar qualifies people to judge at BBQ Fest. Participants will sample BBQ in a simulated judging process and learn about blind, on-site, and final judging, as well as the different championship categories and Memphis in May rules.

That’s it for now. I plan on watching the Grizzlies at the Silly Goose where I can catch Charvey as well. Plans prior to 9 PM are undecided, but I’m sure I will be out before the game.

I woke up about 4 AM and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I might as well get the news out now instead of waiting for my lunch break.

I know a lot of restaurant and bar employees read this blog, so here’s some news for you. You can get a free flu shot to help keep you healthy during the cold winter months. Here’s how to get it.

If you’re in the restaurant industry and looking to change jobs, here’s a tweet for you:

Trolley Stop is looking for hard- working, punctual, chipper, servers to come join our team. Applications available after 2pm daily.

— Trolley Stop Market (@TrolleyStopMkt) November 2, 2015

In case you have never been there, Trolley Stop Market is in the 700 block of Madison, in The Edge neighborhood.

Would you and your group like to march in the Beale Street holiday parade, on Saturday, December 5 at 4 PM? Apply here.

Paul Morris who runs DMC is leaving this year to work at his family business, and the South Main Association is giving him an exit interview at their monthly meeting Tuesday, November 10. The meeting will be held at 5 Spot’s Hole in the Wall in the Earnestine & Hazel’s building on G.E. Patterson. Free for SMA members, $10 for non-members. Cash bar, complimentary appetizers by 5 Spot. 6 PM start time.

Paul reports that a last minute item has been added to the City Council agenda for today, to discuss extending the time parking meters charge for parking until midnight.

On ioby, you can help raise money for a Little Free Library in the Nettleton Community Orchard. The library would not only loan books, but would be modified so that those who live in the neighborhood can share seeds with one another. Donations will also go toward two benches, a hose cabinet, hardscaping (gravel area) and an additional pet-waste station. The Nettleton Community Orchard is a community fruit tree orchard in the South Main district established by neighbors to serve the community.

This sounds like a cool event: We Gotta Get Out of this Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War at STAX Museum on November 18. For those unfamiliar with the area, STAX Museum is not walkable from Downtown, so you’d need to drive there or take a taxi or Lyft or Uber.

Before you click this next link, take a guess how much a musician in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra makes a year. Go ahead, just write down a number on a piece of paper.

The contract with Memphis Symphony Orchestra musicians is being restructured to include “community engagement.” That will allow the musicians to receive a generous raise, all the way up to $22,813 a year. Daaaamn. Didn’t realize that guy standing in the food stamp line played the cello.

There was more of a reason former president Jimmy Carter was in town than just to build a house. He was here to announce that the 33rd Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project for Habitat for Humanity will take place in Memphis’ Uptown neighborhood August 21-17, 2016.

Glad to hear this: The Hickman Building at Madison and Fourth has been purchased. The plan is to redevelop it as a mixed-use building, with retail on the ground floor and any mix of office, retail, and residential on the floors above. It makes me very, very happy to see development along this stretch of Madison. As you know, I live near Madison and Main, and attended a party at Madison and Danny Thomas this weekend. Because I’m pretty damn fearless, I walked there, but I have to admit I was a little nervous on the stretch from Third to Danny Thomas where there are a lot of vacant buildings. Madison is one of the gateways into Downtown and we don’t need people seeing blight as they make their way into our neighborhood.

All right. Time to take a shower and head to work. Possibly another post later today.