Month: December 2017

Tuesday update

The Cardinals Caravan will return to AutoZone Park on Friday, January 12. This is an opportunity to sit down and talk baseball with Cardinals players, alumni, and announcers. Kids 15 and under can get tickets to receive autographs from each current and former player in attendance. There will be Cardinals prize drawings as well. The event will begin at 6:30 PM.

A Christmas Story and Home Alone will be the featured movies this Thursday at the holiday movie extravaganza at the Ghost River taproom. Two Girls and a Whip will be back with a special boozy cupcake they whipped up just for this event. This week the cupcake will be “Red Ryder,” a red velvet cupcake made with Ghost River Riverbank Red.

Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson will return to the Orpheum Wednesday, February 7, 2018, to teach us “Ten Things You Should Know About the Universe.”

Construction permits have been filed for the Benchmark Hotel, the shell of a hotel building that has been visually polluting the corner of Union and B.B. King for years.

Anyone else getting spammed HARD by the Grizzlies Online Store? I don’t mind hearing from them occasionally, but once or twice a day every day for a week is a bit excessive.

Interesting article on Psychology Today: Five things psychopaths do in conversation. Give it a read and see if you are reminded of anyone you know.

Most people know about the Union Mission’s facility at 383 Poplar, but they have another facility at 600 Poplar. Among other things at this facility, they minister to people in the neighborhood. There are 10 girls and 3 boys in the neighborhood who need Christmas toys. You can drop off donated toys between 8 AM and 4:40 PM at the 600 Poplar location; ask for Jesse.

I’m not a movie person so I read the plot for The Last Jedi on Wikipedia. I have a theory on who Rey is. I won’t share it here because it could be considered a spoiler, although more so the 9th movie than this one. Ask me about it in person if you’re curious.

For those of you who follow @Counterchekist, one of my favorite sources of updates on Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation, here’s a spreadsheet of all the FEATHERS missions he has mentioned. Three hits have already been scored.

Looks like a wet ride home tonight. Everyone be careful out there! Back tomorrow with more news.

Sunday update

So, this was my day yesterday. Thanks to my friends Staci and Darin for an awesome Christmas party. As you can see, there was no shortage of food.

Fireball

Rahul had a little extra pep in his step yesterday.

Bruschetta

This bitch

Staci’s famous stuffed shells

Thanks to B-RAD for the ride down there. Apologies to everyone for ghosting there at the end. I didn’t mean to make such a quick exit but when I pulled up Lyft I discovered there was a driver literally turning onto the street a block away.

You know, usually I am not into Christmas/holiday parties that much but this year I have been having a blast. The DNA/SMA party is today at Jack Robinson Gallery (Front and Huling) and I am considering going. I have a feeling it will easily be worth the $10 non-member fee.

Acoustic Sunday Live happens at the Halloran Centre today at 7. There will be a performance by Three Women and the Truth, featuring Gretchen Peters, Kathy Mattea, and Mary Gauthier. Also performing will be Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient Tom Paxton and the Don Juans.

I was joined at the Blind Bear by a special guest yesterday:

This Twitter thread is a good one to read if you want to get a thorough understanding of why this is likely to be a very bad week for Jared Kushner, senior adviser to the Trumpster and Ivanka’s husband.

Sinful Sister is the featured beer for 12 Days today at Ghost River’s taproom. Bring a donation for the Memphis Union Mission, the Mid-South Food Bank, or Memphis Pets Alive and get the beer for 50% off.

The Rusty Pieces play Belle Tavern tonight at 6:30.

Sunday Fun Day followed by a week at work and then yet another 4-day weekend. Back tomorrow with more news.

 

Saturday update: Chicken & waffles cupcakes and more

Big thanks to the folks at my apartment building, Number 10 Main, for an outstanding holiday party last night. Amy LaVere and her band performed.

The food buffet was delicious, but I want to mention one item on the buffet in particular. Sorry I didn’t get a better photo but SOMEONE insisted on jumping right in the middle of the picture. :mad:

If you look past the green hair, you’ll see cupcakes topped with icing, a waffle, and a piece of chicken. That’s right, chicken & waffle cupcakes. They’re from Two Girls and a Whip. I doubt they carry them in the case at their shop at Front and Huling, but you can custom-order them. I’m beginning to wonder if there’s anything they can’t do with a cupcake.

December 2017 is a month that has given us Downtowners many reasons to party, and this weekend you can party in style. Sesame Street Live: Let’s Party! comes to the Cannon Center with two performances today and two tomorrow. Party and dance with Grover, Elmo, Butch Jones Oscar the Grouch, Big Bird, Bert and his husband Ernie, and all the Sesame Street characters.

I used to be afraid of Guy Smiley the game show host Muppet when I was a kid. Whenever he came on Sesame Street, I would run to the bedroom and hide behind the curtains until his segment was over.

There will be a book signing for The Last Quarterback at South Main Book Juggler from 3 to 5 this afternoon. Here’s a description:

A small-town lawyer, his mysterious girlfriend Nicki, and a preacher have one simple thing in common—a missing quarter.

But for attorney Wesley Williams, the return of the quarter is only a small part of his problems. An exploding train kills Wesley’s friend, and he is determined to find the culprit, even if it means taking on the Klan. With the help of Nicki, Wesley finds himself mired in crime, church politics, conspiracies, scandals and a domestic terrorism plot that could kill them all. But when all is said and done, only one thing really matters.

How to get the quarter back.

As your number-one source of news and information about The Edge District, it is my duty to inform you that there will be a neighborhood meeting this Monday, December 18 at the Riverdeep Church at 627 Monroe. Neighborhood safety will be discussed, and information will be shared about the new camera system.

If you’re curious what happens at the South Main Sounds songwriter concerts, Twitter user @markpsrsell tweeted a number of videos yesterday. Here’s an example:

Teachers: The Orpheum wants to help you enhance your classes with live arts experiences.

The Flying Saucer is adding an ugly sweater contest to its Tuesday trivia next week.

Lorenzen Wright’s ex-wife has been charged in connection to his murder.

Full schedule for me today. Brunch with Bloomers at Bardog, D-RANKS with B-RAD at the Blind Bear, and then more D-RANKS with B-RAD at a holiday party at a friend’s condo in South End. Happy Saturday everyone, back tomorrow with more.

Friday update

The Memphis Business Journal has a slideshow of Carolina Watershed, the new bar with silos and a large backyard at 144 E. Carolina. There will be a large menu (photos in the slideshow) with brunch on the weekends. Food will be locally sourced and have a Southern feel. Andy Knight will be the executive chef. He previously worked as a chef at Loflin Yard, Bounty on Broad, and Interim. They plan to do a soft opening today and a grand opening sometime after Christmas.

@MemphoNewsLady Joyce Peterson has the details on the Spaghetti Warehouse auction.

How much for the “How Hot Is Your Love?” arcade machine?

Ghost River is giving away Grizzlies tickets.

Holiday online sale: Get 10% off orders of $35 or more at Sun Records through December 20.

The plot for The Last Jedi has been posted on Wikipedia for those who prefer that to going to see the movie.

Blackwater Trio is back at the Blind Bear tonight after making a great impression two weekends ago.

I have notifications set up on my phone to let me know whenever our BBQ team’s email address receives mail. Yesterday I received a pleasant surprise: a notification that people are already paying their dues for 2018! Teammates, if you want to pay, the PayPal form is on the team website (right sidebar on web, bottom of the page on mobile). If you don’t wish to pay by PayPal, email us (moodyques@gmail.com) and we can make arrangements for you to pay by cash or check. If any of my readers are interested in joining the Moody Ques, feel free to inquire – it’s possible we may have open spots.

I doubt there are many royal-watchers on BBQ teams, but Prince Harry is going to get married on Saturday of BBQ Fest next year.

Traffic alert: From tomorrow at 5 AM to Monday at 5 AM, two lanes will be closed on I-40 from Danny Thomas to the river bridge for repairs to the bridge over Second and B.B. King Blvd.

Comcast is saying on Twitter that in the aftermath of yesterday’s vote to end net neutrality, they won’t block or throttle and they’ll be transparent. As much lying as I’ve encountered the past few years, I have little reason to believe them.

There’s been some discussion about what the outcome of the Alabama Senate race means in Tennessee. I tell you one thing, Phil Bredesen ought to start organizing town halls where he speaks with black women and asks them, “What are your most important concerns about government? How can I amplify your voice in Washington?” And really LISTEN to them and plan to TAKE ACTION based on their advice, not just patronize them and use them as Trump does white evangelicals. Because that’s a group that has not been properly been represented in Congress since… well, ever.

Hearing that Jared Kushner may find some criminal charges under his Christmas tree. Wait, he’s Jewish. Anyway, you get my point.

Weekend! Two, possibly three holiday parties to attend. Back tomorrow with more news.

Thursday update

Tomorrow is Star Wars Night at the Grizzlies, a 7 PM game vs. the Atlanta Hawks. In celebration of the release of The Last Jedi, the first 5000 fans through the gate will receive a Memphis Grizzlies lightsaber.

Ballet Memphis’ Nutcracker plays four shows at the Orpheum tomorrow through Sunday.

Second Edition, a pop-up bookstore at 9 N. Main, is open through tomorrow. Great chance to pick up a gift for a friend or a new read for yourself.

Ghost River celebrates its 10th birthday on New Year’s Eve.

What’s interesting is that Ghost River (the brewery, not the taproom) opened on the same day as another great South Main business: Max’s Sports Bar.

Hello, Dalai! The Dalai Lama has an iPhone app now.

I played trivia with friends last night at the Blind Bear, and I was tasked with coming up with the team name. Team names based on current events are always a good strategy, and no event is more current than Roy Moore’s loss in the Alabama Senate race. So the name I wrote down was “See you later, alligator. After a while, pedophile.” It didn’t win but nevertheless I was pretty proud of it.

Charvey Mac played after trivia, but I had this wild idea that if I went home early, I could get up at 5 and drive out to Sunrise Memphis for breakfast before work. What actually happened was, I woke up at 6:52. So no Charvey and no breakfast. I’m sure I’ll get insomnia one of these days and be up at 5.

Politico speculates that Paul Ryan may retire, and will almost certainly step down as Speaker of the House, in 2018. Of course, he can’t say that publicly because it would hurt fundraising and his ability to get legislation passed. Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out, Pauly!

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with more.

Wednesday update: Decency prevails and more news

Got a couple of pieces of brewery news to report. This Thursday at 7, Ghost River will host Ginger, Beer & Holiday Cheer in its taproom along with Two Girls and a Whip. Each Thursday in December they’ll have holiday movies, boozy cupcakes, and craft brews. This week Two Girls and a Whip will have a “Ginger Beer” cupcake, made with Ghost River’s P.S. I Love You American Strong Ale. They’ll also have non-boozy cupcakes available for purchase. They’ll show National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at 7, followed immediately by Elf.

Way, way out east, Meddlesome Brewing Co. will conduct a video game drive for the troops on the 30th:

New Memphis, a nonprofit committed to attracting, developing, activating and retaining talent in order to forge a prosperous and vital new Memphis, is hiring a Communications Specialist.

South Main is throwing a special Liberty Bowl Night at South Main Trolley Night Friday, December 29. The Liberty Bowl is the next day, and our guests from Iowa State will be in town. Let’s show them some Southern hospitality. Most of the shops in the South Main Arts District will be open until 9 or later, many offering discounts, appetizers, beer or wine. Delta Heart will be playing the Arcade Restaurant from 7 to 9 and Sean Apple will play The Vault.

Fun fact I discovered: December 21 is the winter solstice and shortest day of the year, but it is neither the date of the latest sunrise or the earliest sunset. The earliest sunset for Memphis (4:47 PM) occurs from December 3-6 and then sunsets start getting later again. The latest sunrise (7:09 AM) doesn’t happen until January 4-9. Actually, though January 4-9 is not the latest sunrise of the entire year. By the last days of Daylight Saving Time in early November, the sun rises as late as 7:24 AM.

I don’t have this officially confirmed, but I am hearing that Hot Wing Fest is moving to Tiger Lane next year. That is an ideal spot for cooking festivals and is far better than closing a street.,

You have a chance to win a boat at The Memphis Boat Expo the second week of February at the Cook Convention Center.

Radio/trivia host Kevin Cerrito (@cerrito on Twitter) reports that WWE is now advertising The Shield vs. Samoa Joe, Sheamus and Cesaro and Kane vs. Braun Strowman for the Monday, January 8 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw live from FedExForum.

Decency prevailed last night as Democrat Doug Jones defeated racist/homophobe/accused child molester Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate race. I hope this leads the GOP to understand what a chaotic and negative influence Steve Bannon is on their party and exile him once and for all. If they don’t, November 6, 2018 is going to be a fun day for Democrats.

That’s all for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

Elect a Pedophile Day update (I hope this title is wrong)

I’m going to break my rule about saving politics until the end of my post today, because this is an important day in American history. Residents of Alabama will go to the polls and possibly send an accused pedophile, a man with 8 accusers including one as young as 14, a man who was reportedly cruising the mall for teenage girls when he was in his 30s, to the United States Senate. This New York Times article written by a 21-year-old woman, a senior at Auburn who values her faith and attends Bible study regularly, is well worth a read.

Catherine & Mary’s will be open for brunch starting this weekend. 10:30-2:00 Saturday and 10:30-3:00 Sunday.

I went to Las Margaritas and had the Camarones a la Diabla, shrimp in a spicy sauce, on Saturday.

This dish was good and I’d get it again, but you know what would really make it awesome? An “add slices of avocado and bacon” option. That spicy sauce would be perfect for dipping bacon, and avocado would take the edge of the heat off.

Instead, I took the edge off with fried ice cream for dessert.

While we’re on the topic of taking the heat off, the CA has a list that will help you take the heat off the holidays. It lists restaurants that will cook turkey, ham, etc. that you can take home, and what places will be open Christmas Day.

Congratulations to Tamp and Tap, recent recipient of a perfect 100 score on their health inspection. That is not an easy thing to do!

The Silly Goose has a Christmas shopping tip:

‘Reke’s in some pretty good company here:

Join hundreds of your fellow Memphis Tigers fans in the stands tonight at FedExForum as the Tigers host Albany at 8 PM. This seems like another in the list of “they have a basketball team?” opponents along with Samford, Mercer, and Bryant, but watch out… Albany is number 105 in the KenPom power rankings, whereas the Tigers (despite being 6-2) have slipped to 159. This is probably an L for Memphis. Hope I’m wrong.

Gary Parrish made a good point yesterday. Tubby ran Keelon Lawson and his sons off. Keelon has connections to all the AAU programs in the city, and therefore he could easily sabotage any efforts Tubby makes to recruit within Memphis. I’m starting to come around to the “write Tubby a check to go away and hire Penny Hardaway as head coach” school of thought. What other options do we have? He’d put butts in seats and he’d recruit well within the city.

Happy first day of Hanukkah to my readers who observe that holiday. That’s all for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

Monday update

Rare weekend without a blog post… I had one planned for Saturday morning, but at 9:17 AM my computer decided it was time to do a Windows Update and it was still running when I went out at 11.

MATA will be testing the trolleys today and tomorrow but don’t get too excited, because yet ANOTHER delay has come up. The company restoring the trolley cars ran into some unexpected issues, and MATA has announced April as the expected return.

Congratulations to Memphis Tiger Anthony Miller, named a first-team All-American this week by the Associated Press.

If you were wondering what the Bi Bim Breakfast at Sunrise Memphis looks like, they tweeted a photo:

The annual Silly Goose Christmas Soiree has been set for Thursday, December 21 starting at 9 PM.

The DMC is gathering information on whether Downtown residents support a proposed changed by a member of the City Council. The proposal would allow open containers of alcohol on Main Street from A.W. Willis to Crump. Email your opinion to Jennifer Oswalt, DMC president, at oswalt@downtownmemphis.com; or Cathy Weaverm SMA president, at cathyw1007@yahoo.com.

A Montreal couple is renovating an office building at 250 Court. They previously bought a building on Adams.

The Grizzlies host the Miami Heat at 7 tonight at FedExForum.

The Medical District is looking for volunteers to participate in a street light audit tomorrow evening.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow.

Friday update

I was driving home from work last night, going north on I-55 having just crossed back into Tennessee. In the far right lane there was a minivan, going about 60, with its flashers on. 65 is the speed limit, so the driver was going a bit slow, but it’s OK because 1) He was driving in the slow lane and 2) He had his flashers on, indicating some kind of emergency.

People were TAILGATING him. I mean, half a car length behind tailgating.

What if his check engine light had come on and he turned on his flashers because his engine could stall out at any minute? When it does, that half car length is not going to give you sufficient time to avoid rear-ending him.

What if he was driving his pregnant wife to the hospital to give birth? What if he slows down and you hit him, and for the rest of your life you have to live with the fact that you killed a baby moments before it was to be born?

Drivers in this town need to get some common sense. Slow down. Have some consideration for your fellow drivers. And get off your damn phones!

The Navy’s new tagline, “Forged by the Sea,” was created right here in Downtown Memphis by Y&R Memphis. It’s part of a $457 million campaign for rebranding recruitment by the Navy.

I’ve got a reader who is looking to volunteer to feed the homeless Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. Anyone know of places where she can volunteer? Email me at paul@paulryburn.com and I will pass it on.

I loved my Weather Channel calendar I got for Christmas as a teenager. So much information. Now you can shop local for a weather calendar to give as a gift:

Get discounts on beer at the Ghost River taproom for 12 days (December 9-24 on the days they are open) when you give to receive. They will be collecting donations for three charities:

: Pet food and more, follow link to see other desired donations

50% off the Beer of the Day when you bring a donation. Beers of the Day:
Dec 9th – Golden Ale
Dec 10th – 1887 IPA
Dec 13th – Grindhouse Cream Ale
Dec 14th – Midnight Magic
Dec 15th – Citra SMASH
Dec 16th – Bruns Upe (or Red)
Dec 17th – Sinful Sister
Dec 20th – Howzit Gose
Dec 21st – P.S. I Love You American Strong Ale
Dec 22nd – ULFBERHT
Dec 23rd – Prestige
Dec 24th – SMASH Test Dummy’s Daddy

The 23rd will be a sweater party at Ghost River: Wear a sweater, bring a sweater to donate to the Union Mission.

Ono Poke will be set up in the Ghost River taproom today not only for lunch as usual, but dinner as well.

Liberty Bowl news:

Mint Cream Studios at 525 N. Main has a grand opening party tonight from 6 to 10. The shop appears to be an extension of the Mint Cream lifestyle blog.

The Redbirds have a holiday package complete with tree ornament:

The Grizzlies host the Toronto Raptors tonight at 7 at FedExForum. They have also announced Social Media Night ticket promotions for their 8 PM game against Oklahoma City tomorrow at FedExForum.

Tin Roof’s inaugural onesie party is tonight.

Exactly one year after I got her, I found out my troll’s official name in the Trolls movie collection. She’s not one of the more widely-known trolls, so up until yesterday I didn’t know. I found this video talking about each of the 12 trolls in the Trolls Blind Bag Series 2 (fast-forward to 8:50). There are six Blind Bag Series total, each with 12 for a total of 72. Damn, that’s a lot of trolls!

I’m not changing my troll’s given name at this point but her movie name is Karma. I swear, some days the jokes just write themselves.

Weekend! Having had a 4-day weekend followed by a 4 1/2-day weekend, this 2-day weekend is going to fly by. Check back tomorrow for more news.

Thur update #2: Joycean dinner, BBQ team update and more

Ghost River will be showing The Nightmare Before Christmas on the big screen tonight at 7. Two Girls and a Whip will be there with a boozy cupcake called Black Magic, made with coffee and Midnight Magic Black Ale. Eddy’s Pepper food truck will be parked outside.

The Cossitt Library will host lunchtime Booker T and the MGs album listening sessions this Friday and next at 12:15. Take a break from work and use headphones provided by The Fourth Bluff and Beale Street Caravan to relax, with a different album each week. Bring a lunch or order from one of the food trucks on site. if the weather is bad this event will be moved to the library’s second floor. Admission is free but headphones reservations are recommended.

James Joyce fans: On Tuesday, January 9 from 6:30 to 9:30,The Brass Door will offer a culinary interpretation of short story The Dubliners, called Day of the Dead: A Joycean Feast. Expect multiple courses, wine, whiskey and stout, readings, maybe a song or two. Here’s the menu:

Smoked Ham Croquettes with parsley sauce
Oysters, a few ways
Duck Pate with figs
Spiced Beef Tenderloin with colcannon
Bread and Butter Pudding with whiskey butter
Cashel Blue, roasted nuts & fruit

Tickets are $75 with limited availability. Call 901-572-1813 for reservations. Period dress optional but encouraged.

I wanted to give everyone an update on what is going on with the BBQ team for 2018. We are partnering with a team that has been very successful in KCBS regionals for over a decade, but which has never been big enough to compete in BBQ Fest. They’ll handle the cooking and we will supply the party, continuing under the Moody Ques name although they will use their own team name for spring regionals. They have a 30-foot air-conditioned cooking rig and have beaten some of the big names in BBQ. They did a practice cook for a few of the team leaders November 18 down in Hernando. It was said to be a smashing success and we found we had many commonalities.

Since Memphis in May is looking for a different flavor profile than KCBS, our new pitmasters attended judging school last month to understand what the judges will want to see. They are excited about the presentation aspect of BBQ Fest, realizing it’s a sales job to an extent.

The board members and team leaders had a meeting last night. We appointed a couple of new people to leadership positions and changed some titles (mine didn’t change). We laid out a timeline for the next 5 months, set team dues, and discussed ideas for packets to give to potential sponsors. Then, after pizza from Little Italy, it was time for the fun stuff. We went through a virtual tour of Czech architecture (Czech Republic being the 2018 Memphis in May honored country) and got some ideas to go for Best Booth again. We even came up for a design for our team T-shirts. I don’t think we’ve ever thought about T-shirts before April in the past! Great meeting.

Team members, if you have any questions, feel free to hit me up at paul@paulryburn.com or moodyques@gmail.com. If you weren’t a team member last year but would be interested in being put on the waiting list to join in 2018, talk to me about that too. We would also be happy to talk to anyone wishing to sponsor, and can create custom packages to fit your needs.

Good comment on the Tennessee coaching situation:

Hearing a lot of talk about the rapid rise in the value of Bitcoin. Google “tulip mania” if you don’t know what that is. History has a way of repeating itself.

I need this button:

I did a post in the very early AM hours, so keep scrolling if you haven’t read it. After work it will be time to take the birthday troll out for drinks:

That’s it for now, back tomorrow with more.