Month: August 2024

Let’s have a look at college football games this weekend of interest to Memphians:

• Arkansas 70, Ark-Pine Bluff 0 (yesterday)
• 14 Clemson vs. 1 Georgia in Atlanta, 11:00 AM, ABC
• Chattanooga at 15 Tennessee, 11:45 AM, SEC Network
• 19 Miami at Florida, 2:30 PM, ABC
• Eastern Kentucky at Mississippi State, 5:00 PM, SEC Network
• Western Kentucky at 5 Alabama, 6:00 PM, ESPN
• Furman at 6 Ole Miss, 6:00 PM, SEC Network
• Central Arkansas at Arkansas State, 6:00 PM, ESPN+
• North Alabama at Memphis, 6:00 PM, ESPN+
• 7 Notre Dame at 20 Texas A&M, 6:30 PM, ABC
• 23 USC at 13 LSU, 6:30 PM Sunday in Las Vegas, ABC

Nice to see a few matchups that aren’t Power Four powerhouse vs. cream puff in Week 1.

Welcome to Memphis will host a Hospitality Night on Beale Street Tuesday, September 3 from 6 to 8 PM. Servers, housekeepers, wait staff, bartenders, chefs, cooks, bussers, come on out. Free food & drinks to the first 100. Discounts, giveaways, live music at Alfred’s, history tour of the street. RSVP

Beer recommendation: Old Nation Boss Tweed, a New England IPA. I tried one at Pint Nite at the Saucer on Monday and it was the most delicious IPA I have had in years. 97 score on Beer Advocate.

In other Saucer news, they’ll have half-priced wings (dine-in only) during NFL Thursday Night Football games this season. Also, the Saucer will have the NFL Sunday Ticket package again this season.

It’s National Mai Tai Day.

St. Jude has purchased Tom Intrator’s properties in the Pinch. They were expected to be developed into 900 hotel rooms as well as office space. The purchase will give the children’s hospital a presence on North Main.

The DM has a list of ways to celebrate 901 Day on September 1.

The CA has a look at Tom Lee Park’s first year.

Why people put rubber ducks on Jeeps

South Main Trolley Night is tonight 6 to 9.

That’s it for now.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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In my last post, I said I got one more piece of bad news last week, in addition to losing my computer and iPhone – but it was a piece of news that would affect many more people than just me.

In the six-ish months I have been staying at the Union Mission regularly, it has always been free to check in for the night, as long as you checked in before 2 PM. After that (until 7 PM when the front office closes) it was 6 dollars. It gave guys ample time to go out around Downtown and take care of their personal business, and then still get back and get in free.

Last week the mayor and City Council members met with the folks who run the Mission and toured the facility. I wasn’t there that day; it was one of the days I chose to stay out.

Shortly thereafter, a new policy was announced: Beginning September 1, the daily get-in-free cutoff time would be moved to 11 AM.

So we’re going to have 3 hours a day less free time.

Let me give one example of how this will affect the lives of myself and other guys. We come to the Cossitt Library every morning to check our email, social media, bank accounts, etc. on the public computers or on the library’s Wi-Fi.

But the library’s posted opening time is 10:00 AM. And some days the library is late opening and it’s more like 10:10.

And it’s a 20-minute walk to the Mission.

And if there’s a sharp 11 AM cutoff at the Mission front window to get in free, guys are going to need to be in line by 10:30 in order to make it to the window.

Do the math. We’re left with no time to get our personal stuff done at the library.

And this is just one of probably many examples of how guys’ lives will be affected by taking away 3 of our hours. I’ll give you another.

The Mission is a 1-block walk from the Hospitality Hub. Guys who are more able-bodied than I will walk over there in the mornings, attempting to get a spot in the Hub’s Work Local program for that day. If selected, they go out on trucks and help clear nearby neighborhoods of trash and blight for 3-4 hours.

What they get from Work Local in return for their labor is $50, lunch, and the good feeling that comes from earning a day’s pay.

A friend of mine did Work Local yesterday. “What time did you get done?” I asked.

“Around 11:45,” he said.

That means that starting September 1, his $50 pay will be devalued to $44. He won’t be back to the Mission in time to get in free and will have to cough up six bucks – 12% of his pay.

I don’t mean to criticize the pastors and supervisors who run the Mission. Everything they do is a reflection of their love – and God’s love – for us. I am grateful for them beyond words. And I’m sure there are issues that led them to change the get-in-free cutoff, possibly with the “encouragement” of city officials.

But it sure feels like it punishes a lot of innocent people as a side effect – people who don’t do anything to the detriment of the community surrounding the Mission – people who simply want to get to a better place in life.

Thanks for reading. I’ll try my best to be back tomorrow with a normal news update, if any such thing as “normal” exists on this blog.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com

Wednesday night my backpack was stolen in front of the Moxy Hotel on Main. My MacBook was in it, as was my Ziploc bag containing hygiene items.

Thursday I lost my iPhone and my charger either at Momma’s or on South Main or somewhere in between. I checked Friday morning and Momma’s didn’t have it. Find My indicates that the phone is on W. Norwood Ave. in the Riverside neighborhood in South Memphis.

I’m on a public computer in the library. It’s currently the only way I have for people to contact me – email paul.ryburn@gmail.com. (I can’t get in Facebook either.) I’m also at my usual spot from about 7:30 to 10:00 AM weekdays and 11 to 6 AM Saturdays. R and T, I hope to see you Saturday.

KN – I need your help especially, please email me.

To top it all off, I fell crossing Second at Madison Saturday morning and injured my shoulder. No I had not been drinking. I spent Friday night at the Union Mission and had stopped to get a Coke at the Memphis Chess Club and was walking to the library.

There’s one other piece of bad news that affects a lot of people, including me, as of September 1. I’ll talk about that later.

I still have my wallet and my debit cards and can still use them and access those accounts.

That’s what’s going on and why I haven’t posted in 5 days. Please pray for me.

A new bistro will soon open in Hotel Napoleon at Madison and B.B. King, according to a subscriber-only article in The Daily Memphian. It’ll be called The Archives Bar & Bistro, and the man in the kitchen will be Chef Phillip Dewayne, who has built a name for himself at Park + Cherry, the Dixon Museum’s restaurant.

The shutdown of the trolleys, which I reported a few days ago, is just one aspect of massive budget cuts by MATA. About 200 employees will be laid off and routes will be cut. World-class cities have world-class public transportation and Memphis is moving in the opposite direction.

OBAP, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, meets at the Renasant Convention Center today through Sunday.

It’s A Little More Love Night at the Redbirds. Send some love to a friend via a Snapchat pic. The first pitch vs. the Charlotte Knights is at 6:45. 

Pretty Taco’s GM Halsey is moving to Las Vegas, and there will be a going-away party for him at the Taco Friday night from 11 to 3. Ladies will get in free and guys can use password HALSEY for $5 admission. There will be music by DJ Ben Murray and DJ Tree and drink specials.

For those of you who knew and loved Bill Crawford, there will be a Beer Bash in his memory Sunday from 5 to 8 PM at Earnestine & Hazel’s. Wear your favorite Memphis shirt. 

Not a Downtown event, but it features a band with Downtown connections… Island 45 plays Bike Night at Sidecar Cafe tonight 6 to 10.

The second floor of the Cossitt Library will be closed much of this week for some light construction. That means the children’s area will be temporarily inaccessible.

Congratulations to the I Love Memphis Blog, which will have its 15th anniversary celebration Thursday at the new Memphis Made taproom out in The Edge. Live music and DJs, food trucks, and some BIG giveaways (must be present to win).

That’s it for today. I’ll be back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Finally, oatmeal raisin cookies have leveled up to put themselves on par with chocolate chip.

My friend Joe went to DVOUR Desserts at 523 S. Main last Saturday to get donuts. They threw in an oatmeal raisin cookie as a bonus. It was filled with cheesecake filling!

In other food news, I finally got around to trying the Famous Smoked Wings at Momma’s last night.

I got 6 with Momma’s dry rub and 6 with lemon pepper. The smoked flavor was outstanding!

Penny’s Memphis Tigers will play Alabama October 28 in a preseason charity exhibition.

Today is National Bacon Lovers Day.

It’s also World Mosquito Day.

RIP Phil Donahue. Before there was Oprah, there was Phil. He revolutionized the talk show concept.

The Humane Society will present a kitten yoga class at YogaSix Downtown this Saturday.

That’s it. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

MATA announced yesterday that they are suspending trolley service indefinitely. The reason is said to be an issue with the brake lines that would be a very costly fix. They recommend the Groove on Demand rideshare service as an alternate. It costs about the same as the trolley and covers all of Downtown Memphis as well as surrounding neighborhoods.

Hideki Matsuyama won the FedEx-St. Jude golf tournament held in Memphis this past weekend.

Today is International Talk Like Jar Jar Binks Day.

College football kicks off Week 0 this Saturday with four relatively inconsequential games. In the biggest of those games, Georgia Tech takes on 10 Florida State in Dublin, Ireland (11 AM, ESPN).

There’s now a Facebook event listing for the grand opening of the all-new Ghost River taproom September 13-15. Brand new menu, and of course Ghost River is still kid- and dog-friendly. Live music on the new large stage.

Hot N Heavy Dogs will be back where it all started, the corner of Union and Main, Tuesday from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Drive-by pickups can be arranged.

Soulin’ on the River featuring Deonna Sirod happens Friday evening at Fourth Bluff Park.

It’s the first day of the Democrats’ national convention. We’ll get to see if  Hillary Clinton rocks the lavender pantsuit as she speaks tonight. Also tonight: President Biden.

Some bad news for the Dems, though, as they start their big week: Arizona has flipped back to red in the RealClearPolitics averages (no toss-up states). That widens the Trumpster’s projected electoral lead to 287-251.

That’ll do it for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Great news! Jesse McDonald, who was the culinary mastermind behind the New Wing Order food truck, has accepted a job cooking at the Ghost River taproom at Main and Crump. The kitchen has been expanded and Jesse anticipates a grand opening the weekend of Sep. 13-15. He writes,

The menu will be released soon and I promise you’re going to love it! We are even featuring some of New Wing Order’s most popular items: a handful of signature wing sauces and seasonings, the popular avocado and buffalo chicken tacos, and even the Philly cheesesteak egg rolls!! 

And I’m just as excited to offer other new menu items now that I don’t have limited space! A few things I’m working on: a couple signature burgers, a beer braised brisket sandwich, fish tacos, and even ribs on weekends! 

Bardog is now running a limited late-night menu from 11 PM to 1 AM, with the kitchen closing promptly at 1. Before 11 the full menu is available. 

In other Bardog news, I hear we’ll have Melissa behind the bar for Thursday and Friday happy hours this week. Allison is working a rare Saturday brunch shift, although I’m not sure if she’ll be bartending or serving.

It’s Pinot Noir Day.

From Reader’s Digest: 14 horrifying state fair foods. Fried scorpions! Fried beer! (Wonder if it’s PBR?)

That’s all. Back tomorrow.

I’ve only got about 45 minutes to get this done. In the words of the great philosopher-shoe salesman Al Bundy, let’s rock.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. will host 901 Days in The Ravine August 30-Sept. 1. From the brewery’s Facebook page:

Come celebrate your city with us down in the Ravine over three days!.
We’re hosting 901 Days at our place with movies, bands, food trucks, DJs, vendors, and more from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1.
Friday night, we’ll have Memphis-themed movies with Soi #9 parked in the Ravine.
Saturday features James and the Ultrasounds, Turnstyles and James playing a DJ set. Smoke and Toast will be the food truck.
On Sunday, Jeff Hulett and the Church Brothers will be performing. We’ll have a vendor market and Good Groceries will be providing the food.

Arizona has flipped blue in RealClearPolitics’ polling averages. That narrows the Trumpster’s projected lead to 276-262 with 270 needed to win. Remember, Kamala has a convention bounce coming next week.

Which vegetable are you? I got green bean.

I forgot to take a photo of last night’s dinner at the Union Mission last night but here are my prediction results:

• 3 points for getting black beans, peaches & pears medley, and bread correct
• Entree was a baked chicken thigh and leg (I guessed chicken & dumplings)
• Dessert was a chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing (I guessed a glazed donut)

Back Monday.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

The Memphis Grizzlies have released their full 2024-25 schedule. The Beale Street Bears site has some must-watch dates. 

Reminder: Momma’s, “the diner and dive off 55,” has its birthday party tomorrow. The fun starts at noon at Crump and Kentucky.

Primus plays Grind City Brewing Tuesday night. Tickets are $70-$210.

The St. Jude Marathon needs volunteers to help things run smoothly. Volunteer days are November 16-December 4. The race is always the first Saturday of December. This is a fabulous way to participate for those who don’t run.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, Memphis could have a cold and snowy winter coming up. 

It’s National Kool-Aid Day. Strawberry and cherry Kool-Aid are 2 of the 4 ingredients in a Call-a-Cab at Wet Willie’s. (The others are ice and 190 PGA.)

It’s also National Rum Day.

The Downtown Sheraton is hiring a senior event planning manager.

I had a reader ask, “You showed us a pic of the food at the Union Mission on the best of the best nights, when a church brings a very generous food donation. How about showing us what dinner looks like on an average night?”

Can do. There’s rarely a church donor on Fridays, so it’ll be whatever the Mission kitchen staff decides to cook. I’ll try to remember to take a photo before I start eating and include it in my next post.

In the meantime, I’ll make a prediction of what I’ll find on my tray tonight:

• chicken & dumplings
• black beans
• peaches &. pears medley
• bread
• a glazed donut

Not sure if I’ll have time to post tomorrow, but I’ll be back soon.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

The Blind Bear was given a proper goodbye Sunday night. This week its former employees will be looking for jobs. 

I want to point out that ALL those people have huge followings. The bartenders. The servers. The kitchen manager. Even the barbacks. If you run a bar, and you’ve wondered, “What can I do to get more Downtown locals to frequent my establishment?”, here’s your chance. Hire a Bear alumnus. 

Can I tell you a quick story?

In February 2007, Sleep Out Louie’s, located on Union in what is now Mesquite Chop House, closed its doors. That had been the locals’ spot. There was no place Downtown even close to approximating it. We didn’t know where we were going to go. 

The people who ran the Holiday Inn at Union and Second heard about our dilemma, and they did something incredibly smart. They hired Frenchie, one of our favorite Sleep Out’s bartenders. 

It worked. On nights Frenchie worked, the lobby bar was so full of locals that the hotel guests could barely find a seat. 

With all the recent closings, conditions are right in 2024 for a similarly unlikely bar to make a good hire and land itself a load of neighborhood regulars.

Graceland Ninjaz headline tonight’s Peabody rooftop party. They combine rock, hip-hop, soul, and a touch of Elvis. If you’re in VIP tonight, you’ll have access to a buffet of peanut butter and banana sandwiches (Elvis’ favorite) and chicken wings. $25 general admission, $50 VIP. Enter for a chance to win a $100 gift card good at any Lansky shop in the hotel.

Renovations to the Civil Rights Museum, telling the movement’s story post-Dr. King, are expected to be completed in early 2026.

St. Jude seeks a program coordinator for volunteer services and special events.

Tito’s drinks are $5 at Birdie’s all weekend to celebrate the FedEx-St. Jude golf tournament. Vodka soda, vodka tonic, screwdriver, greyhound… yes, any of those are five bucks.

Community Legal Center seeks a director for their pro se parents’ clinic.

Beale Street Bears has a list of NBA Cup games featuring the Grizzlies. The NBA Cup, held in November and December, is the league’s in-season tournament.

The Baron Von Opperbean interactive exhibit being installed on Mud Island needs your junk.

The CA has info on the construction going on at Second and Vance. It’s going to be a Home2 Suites by Hilton.

Soul & Spirits will host a Halloween Market October 5 and 6.

The DM has a photo gallery of the 70th anniversary celebration of Elvis’ tune “That’s All Right” at Sun Studio.

Today is National Hazy IPA Day. Flying Saucer’s beertenders can recommend a good one.

The Memphis Flyer has a look at Fannie Lou’s Gourmet Chicken & Waffles on Tennessee Street.

Alley Dayz, combining live music, local vendors, and dining deals, returns August 28. This month the alley party will be 5:30-7:30 PM on Maggie H. Isabel Street between Madison and Monroe.

Look what Mosaic Memphis brought to the Union Mission last night for dinner!

 

Two hard-shelled beef tacos, salsa, shredded cheese, chips and nacho cheese, Mexican rice, refried beans, a cinnamon sugar cookie, and a cup of vanilla ice cream. FIVE STARS 

After dinner we had a really interesting sermon on who John The Baptist was. I’m told Mosaic will be back the 3rd Thursday of even-numbered months, so look for another yummy dinner pic in October. 

I’ll be back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com