For my entire life, I took it for granted that I live in the greatest country in the world and that it would be that way until the day I died. Never once did I think there would be a threat that could destroy our democracy in my lifetime. When President Obama and Mitt Romney ran in 2012, although my beliefs were more in line with one candidate than the other, I knew that either one was a fine man who would defend the Constitution and who truly wanted to shape the best America he knew how. I knew my country would be safe under either man’s leadership.
I do not have the same feeling about this election. This year we have a candidate whose primary motivation is his own self-aggrandizement. He does not have the experience to be president, nor the temperament. I truly fear the end of our democracy, and the downfall of the Constitution, may be imminent if this man is elected. I also fear that we will find ourselves in a nuclear war before 2021. That man is Donald Trump.
As for Hillary Clinton, I do believe her goal is to shape the best America she knows how, and I’d be hard-pressed to think of anyone who has more experience to qualify her to be president. She’s not my first choice, and I will agree that there is a gray area between doing what is best for America and enriching herself – in fact, once this election is over I will compare her to a historical figure with whom I see similarities. Nonetheless, I sincerely hope Ms. Clinton is pronounced the winner this evening.
(By the way, if you want to try to guess the historical figure, hit me up at paul@paulryburn.com or on Facebook. I am interested to know if anyone else has made the comparison.)
As for election watch parties Downtown, the only one I have heard of that’s not political is Vote to #EndAlz at the High Cotton Brewing taproom this evening from 5 to 9. Suggested $10 donation gets you your first beer, and there will be discounted pints after that. As you watch the results, you’ll get a lot of good information on the way Alzheimer’s Disease is being fought.
You know, I try to mention all the local craft breweries’ taproom events, but it seems like I cover High Cotton’s more than any of them. If I keep this up, I bet one day the HCB taproom manager will get on Facebook Live and post a video telling everyone how awesome my blog is and how awesome I am.
The Downtown Memphis Commission will have its annual meeting honoring Downtown visionaries at the Halloran Center November 16 starting at 4:30 PM. There will be a cocktail reception, a presentation of strategic priorities by Terence Patterson who runs DMC, and recommendations for improving the Main Street Mall and its surroundings by international experts. Then the Visionary Awards will be presented: three for Individual Achievement and one each for Organizational Achievement, Lifetime Achievement and a Special Award of Merit. I will avoid mentioning any names for now but I will say I am VERY EXCITED for one of the recipients of the Individual Achievement Award. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $20 and seating is limited.
Not a beer sold in Memphis, but nevertheless, whoa:
On tap tonight: mint chocolate chip wheat stout! This is our stout infused with fresh mint leaves & cocoa nibs! #dessertbeer #treatyoself pic.twitter.com/nhpESDu3fW
— New Province Brewing (@NewProvinceBrew) November 7, 2016
Here’s another “whoa” moment for you: The Phorrito. Many people enjoy pho, the popular Vietnamese noodle soup, but these days, who has time to sit down to eat a bowl of soup? The Phorrito is all the goodness of pho but it can be eaten on the run. The burrito’s ingredients include thinly-sliced rib-eye steak, bean sprouts, cilantro, onions, Thai basil, jalapeño, lime juice and phở noodles. It’s wrapped in a tortilla and served with sriracha and hoisin sauce. No, this is not available in Memphis (yet; you food truck people need to get on it). If you’re ever in L.A., you can get one at Komodo at 8809 W. Pico (just a few miles down the road from Gus’s).
By the way, if you’ve ever wondered what we talk about during these happy hours at Silly Goose and Blind Bear and our other places, that’s what: phorritos.
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, the annual lighting of the Downtown Christmas tree, will happen from 5 to 7 PM next Friday, November 18 (hey, that’s my birthday!) A lot will be going on at this event but let’s get to what’s important – BEER! The Tap Box mobile craft beer truck will be on hand to pour you a cold one. There will be caroling by Downtown Elementary, holiday treats, and face painting, along with a tree-lighting ceremony by Mayor Strickland. The tree will be located at the corner of Main and Peabody Place.
Do you just want to rock some hair, rescue dogs & drink craft coffee? Come to Bark Bistro at 101 S. Main Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. There will be Dr. Bean’s Coffee, goodies from Beth Spencer Design, and dogs and puppies from Memphis Animal Services. Adoptions that day will be $35 (half the shelter’s normal price) and will be cash only. In addition to enjoying coffee and dogs, you will be able to learn about MAS volunteer and fostering opportunities.
Now and then the Shelby County Health Department contracts with graphic designers on one-off projects. They are looking to build their list of designers for when they have a need. More information here.
Here’s a cheat sheet for those of you who aren’t good at Electoral math and/or who don’t want to stay up past 10 PM tonight watching the results:
- If Clinton wins Florida, North Carolina, or Ohio, she’s our new president.
- If Clinton wins New Hampshire, she’s probably our new president.
- If Trump wins Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, or Minnesota, he’s probably our new president. Remove the word “probably” if he wins two of these.
That’s it for now. Off to work. Possibly another post later in the day.