Month: April 2026

Today is a personal holiday for me. Everyone should have personal holidays, days on which they celebrate the important milestones in their lives that arrive with the changing of the seasons.

Yesterday after I made my blog post, I walked to the Union Mission and checked in for the night. My name got called to take a shower and I proceeded to the clothes closet desk. “Do you have any shorts that are size 34?” I asked.

The attendant went to a shelf and pulled a pair of jean cutoff shorts. In the past I have refused to rock the jorts, but what the hell. I have no shame anymore. I rolled up the legs to hit right above the knee.

So yeah, today is the first full day in shorts in 2026, a personal holiday for me. I’m gonna celebrate by staying out of the Mission and playing Saucer trivia tonight. I’m also gonna pet a dog named Grizzy.

Oh, by the way… guess what was for dinner last night at the Mission? Beef stew. As I typed about it yesterday, I imagined chewing the fat & gristle… I could smell it… I could taste it. It was a classic case of manifesting the very outcome I didn’t want. I need to stop doing that.

Today my energy is better and I’m imagining chewing, tasting, and smelling one of those new muffaletta pizzas at Memphis Chess Club.

From the Memphis Flyer: Food veterans Hugh Balthrop and David Lorrison have reimagined the menu at The Archives, the bar inside Hotel Napoleon. Go get you some Elvis Overnight Oats for breakfast!

Good Fortune Co. will launch Mekong Sticky Rice Lager, a collab with Flyway Brewing, Friday at Trolley Night. 4 DJs. Free beer samples if you dance.

Two eastbound lanes will be closed on the I-40 bridge through Saturday for Mighty Lights repairs.

HUNGRY, a movie about a raging hippo, hits theaters this week.

The Mama Jama is the burger of the week at Momma’s: smoked Gouda cheese, bacon jam, caramelized onions, and BBQ sauce.

In other Momma’s news, crawfish return this Saturday, noon til they run out. Live music on the patio by Skyler King and Roy Highland.

$12.99 lunch specials at Cordelia’s 11 AM- 2 PM this week:

• Tue: Picadillo with chile rellenos, rice
• Wed: Pastrami sandwich with sea salt chips
• Th: Italian Genoa salami sandwich with jalapeno chips
• Fri: North Shore beef sandwich with fries

The Blooms, Birds, & Brews event returns to Cordelia’s 11-3 Saturday with

• product samplings from local vendors
• beer samplings
• a plant sale
• a grill-out

RIP Oak Court Mall.

Memphis has a new concert venue on the river: Grind City Amp

Back tomorrow with more news. I may do a personal post this week too, possibly as soon as later today.

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Yesterday I visited Loflin Yard for the first time in several years. Some friends I made invited me to join in on their sausage & cheese plate, the biggest I’ve seen in Memphis. It can easily feed 4 hungry people. The website says it’s $25… one heck of a good value.

They had a 1983 episode of The Price Is Right on the TV in the Safe House. BARKER’S BEAUTIES!!! Diane, Janice, and Holly!

New Flying Saucer promotion: Show the current day’s Memphis Redbirds ticket stub to get 15% off your meal. This deal will remain in effect all season.

Wrestlemania night 2 results

A new Michael Jackson biopic is coming out Friday.

CanvasRebel interviews local artist Jessica Faro.

Edible Memphis takes a look at new South Main Filipino snack bar Kuya.

It has been recommended to me that I try THC seltzer to alleviate the synptims of my Parkinson’s disease, especially feeling on edge and shaking. I will look into it. That stuff is expensive though.

Dead tired so I’m gonna cough up $6 to stay at the Mission tonight. I sure hope dinner is not beef stew again. Back tomorrow with more news.

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The Redbirds wrap up their homestand with Gwinnett at 1:05 today with a space-themed “901 to Orbit” game. Kids get to run the bases after the game concludes.

Broadway show SIX, featuring the six wives of King Henry VIII, comes to the Orpheum this week.

Wrestlemania night 1 results

FOX 13 has a recap of Hot Wing Fest.

I have an event to attend on the south side today, so don’t worry about me when I don’t show up at Bardog as usual at 11. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Shell Daze, the free concert planned for the Overton Park Shell this weekend, is moving Downtown to the New Daisy today only due to weather.

The Redbirds host Gwinnett for a 1:05 PM game and it’s County Fair day. What’s that mean?

• The mechanical bull is back
• Touch-a-Tractor experience
• Free County Fair T-shirt to the first 1500 fans

There are 2 specialty tickets to today’s game:

• Bark in the Park admits you and your dog
• Homeplate Club access including a chicken wing buffet

Illusionist Leon Etienne has a show at the Halloran Centre tonight.

Wrestlemania is this weekend. Watch the first hour of the action FREE Saturday 5-6 Central on ESPN2 and Sunday 5-6 on ESPN.

The former Momoya and Bubble Tea Shop locations near the Majestic Grille are being renovated to make them more appealing to potential tenants, the CA reports.

Elmwood Cemetery will host a tour of its stone monuments Saturday, May 2. $20 / 90 minutes.

Old Dominick will have a crawfish boil this afternoon. $48 VIP all-you-can-eat.

Probably back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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First of all, wishing a very happy birthday to the one and only LONDON!!! She’ll be behind the upstairs bar at Earnesrine & Hazel’s tonight from 8:00, 8:30 or so until close. Go see her and tip her ALL THE MONEYZ! Even that $2 coin you brought back from a vacation in Canada a few years ago. TIP HER THAT TOO!

Speaking of Canada, I met the NICEST tourists last night. They were from Lethbridge, a town about 2 hours south of (if I can be serious for a minute) Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The actor who played Mr. Drummond on the TV show Diff’rent Strokes was from Lethbridge. Whatchu talkin’ bout, Mr. D?

You can ride a mechanical bull tonight at Rockey’s Rodeo at the Redbirds. First pitch vs. Gwinnett is at 7:05. It’s Fiesta Friday at the ballpark with $5 margaritas, $5 Dos Equis beer, and $5 street tacos. The Heavenly Hot Dog Buffet is back with 21 toppings to choose from. First 1500 fans in the gate get a Dri-Fit hoodie.

There will be a vegan block party at Martyrs’ Park Saturday.

Get ready for an all-day pub crawl on and around the Downtown/Edge section of Madison Avenue Saturday, May 2:

Also on May 2: Tell your homeless and less-fortunate friends there will be an event for them in Court Square. They’ll be fed, clothed, and supplied.

Someone wanted to know, what are the 21 toppings on the Redbirds’ Heavenly Hot Dog Buffet? I asked ChatGPT:

• mustard
• ketchup
• relish
• mayo
• lettuce
• tomatoes
• onions
• pickle chips
• crispy onions
• peppers & onions
• shredded cheddar
• nacho cheese
• sauerkraut
• jalapenos
• bacon bits
• pico de gallo
• coleslaw
• BBQ sauce
• buffalo sauce
• cream cheese

ChatGPT suggested some elite-tier combos:

• Memphis Smokehouse Dog: chili, coleslaw, BBQ sauce, onions, cheddar
• Spicy Street Dog: jalapenos, pico, nacho cheese, onions, buffalo sauce
• Chili Cheese Overload: chili, nacho cheese, shredded cheddar, onions, bacon bits
• Bacon Ranch-ish Remix: bacon bits, lettuce, tomato, mayo, cheddar
• Tangy Crunch Dog: sauerkraut, relish, mustard, pickle chips, onions
• Sweet Heat Southern Dog: BBQ sauce, jalapenos, coleslaw, bacon bits, pico
• Chaos Mode: chili, nacho cheese, jalapenos, sauerkraut, BBQ sauce, onions

I’m gonna add one of my own:

• The “Paul”: cream cheese, BBQ sauce, peppers & onions. Wash it down with a PBR.

PBR Pickle is a thing. A fellow Downtowner and I are considering a road trip to Crosstown next week to investigate.

Felicia Suzanne Restaurant is hiring.

The Grizzlies are looking to hire a UI/UX developer.

Loflin Yard posted their updated seasonal cocktail menu:

Our Crimson Siesta is a Loflin play on an aperol spritz, the Vodka Verde is like a spa in a cup, the Duck Clubbed has lots of herbal notes, and A Dash of Passion brings some fun and fruity vibes! Try them out at a steal during our happy hours from 4-7pm every Wednesday-Friday!

Winzell’s Oyster House is coming to the former Hooters location on Peabody Place. This Alabama-based chain has been around for nearly 90 years.

Probably back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Sit. Stay. Good beer. I made some new friends from Arkansas yesterday morning at Bardog, and they recommended a brewery to visit: Southern Tail in Little Rock. They tell me it’s a beautiful space and the food is outstanding. Hey, they have beer can chicken – that’s a must-try, as I learned at a previous BBQ Fest.

Peabody rooftop party szn kicks off tonight with Almost Famous and DJ A.D. 6-10 PM, $15 to get in, $40 to go VIP. In case of rain, they’ll move the party indoors to the Skyway.

It’s 1960s Night at the Redbirds. Enjoy classic hits and groovy vibes as Memphis plays the Gwinnett Stripers at 6:45. It’s also $2 PBR Thursday at the old ball game.

From USA TODAY: The rise of FedEx as an American brand

The former Longshot location in the basement of the ARRIVE Hotel is set to become a cocktail bar called Spoken For. It’ll open this summer and smash burgers will be featured on the menu.

What Now has an update on the Brain Foods restaurant coming to Union Ave. down the street from Huey’s.

Cordelia’s Market is now selling Willow Oaks hanging baskets featuring 3 different flower varieties.

Tom Lee Park will close this coming Monday through May 10 for festival prep & events. So if you plan on smoking up in the park for 4/20, it’ll have to be a different park.

Watch Friday’s NBA play-in game between the Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic… and root for Charlotte. If the Magic lose, Memphis will have TWO lottery picks in this year’s draft.

The fire museum will have a yard sale & auction Saturday.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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More info on that muffuletta pizza Memphis Chess Club just added to its menu:

• All Chess Club pizzas are named for famous chess players.
• The dollar amounts are the prices for 8-, 12-, and 18-inch pizzas.

Today is Jackie Robinson Day, McDonald’s Day, and National Banana Day.

The Orpheum seeks a resident teaching artist.

The Last Call is the burger of the week at Momma’s: Angus beef patty topped with onion rings, bacon, sauteed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and Creole mustard aioli.

Learn how to build a budget Thursday evening at Cossitt Library.

The Southern Sleep Society annual meeting and technologist course is at the Sheraton Thursday-Saturday.

Stax Music Academy gives a free concert in Handy Park on Beale at 5:30 Thursday. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

The world championship hot wing festival is at River Garden Saturday.

Porter-Leath’s Rajun Cajun crawfish fest is on Riverside Drive between Jefferson and Union Sunday.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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J Woods, the new sports bar and grill on Mud Island, has announced an opening date of Friday, May 1. That’s contingent on them getting their liquor and beer licenses on time.

There’s a liquor shortage in Mississippi right now. Here’s why.

The Grizzlies finished 25-57, the 6th-worst record in the NBA. Per Tankathon, they have a 37.2% chance at a top-4 pick in the 2026 draft and a 9% chance of picking first.

The Africa in April festival is this weekend at Church Park, Beale Street at Ida B. Wells Street. The Republic of Guinea is the honored country this year.

The Redbirds host Gwinnett tonight at 6:05 and tomorrow for an 11:05 day game.

CeCe Winans comes to the Orpheum this Friday. Hey CeCe, you’ve got a lot of fans at the Union Mission here, how about popping in the 6 PM chapel service and singing a song? The sound system is the most badass you’ll ever see in a homeless shelter.

There will be a self-care workshop at the Cossitt Library Wednesday 6:00-7:30 PM.

Congrats to Uptown event venue The Kent on its recent 100 on its health inspection.

The Saucer has a mango beer now. I asked Google Gemini to research it: “Golden Road Mango Cart is a fruited wheat ale inspired by the iconic fruit cart vendors of Los Angeles. It’s designed to be a highly approachable, refreshing ‘lawnmower beer’ with a heavy emphasis on tropical aroma.”

Get your Mount Puffsmore 4/20 glass at the Saucer Wednesday at 7 PM:

National Guard members tackled content creator South Memphis HypeMan on Beale Street last weekend.

The worldwide map of sidewalk joy

The Farm Market Co-op on South Main is set to transform into a 16-seat restaurant.

Poker returns to Bardog next Monday, April 20. The game is free to play and it’s a fun way to meet some of your Downtown neighbors. 7 PM every Monday. Drink specials for players.

A new happy hour menu is dropping at Bardog this afternoon.

One more piece of Bardog news: Cinnamon churro cheesecake is a dessert special this week.

Soul & Spirits will have a Belgian beer fest Saturday 1-8 PM.

Cordelia’s hot lunch specials 11-2 this week:

• Tue: Nachos with rice and beans
• Wed: Lemon butter shrimp pasta with a spring salad
• Thur: Chopped cheese sandwich with fries
• Fri: Seafood nachos

Looks like Memphis Chess Club is adding a muffuletta pizza to the menu.

Back on my daily posting routine. See you tomorrow.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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Didja know you can get a walking tour of Downtown, or wherever you happen to be, using an app that you probably already have installed on your phone? Thanks to the Recomendo newsletter for this tip:

1. Install the Wikipedia app if you haven’t already
2. Configure your phone to allow the app to use your location
3. Open the app and go to the Explore tab
4. Scroll down to “Places near” and you’ll get links for the 5 locations that have Wikipedia pages that your phone thinks are nearest you.

I’m typing this at the chess club on Madison and the app is giving me entries for Visible Music College, the Toof Building, the Sterick Building, the Scimitar Building, and the Medical Arts Building. When I move to another location, I’ll get a different 5.

Give it a try… back tomorrow or maybe later today with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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Today is National Dive Bar Day. Go see London at the upstairs bar at Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight. Or go get a Firebird chicken sandwich at “the diner and dive off 55,” Momma’s.

Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns lead The Masters after the first round. Catch second-round action today at Birdie’s on South Main. It’s the golf bar’s 3rd anni and Cheers & Co. will have a photo booth there on Saturday.

The Artemis 2 moon mission capsule is scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at 7:07 Memphis time. Watch coverage on NASA’s YouTube channel beginning at 5:30.

Artemis 2 phone wallpapers

Online game you should play with your grandparents: Spot the Scam

FOX 13’s Chelsea Chandler has a look at BEE 901, a nonprofit that gives back to the community by making and selling honey. Find BEE 901 Saturdays at Memphis Farmers Market at Front and G.E. Patterson.

I walked past KUYA, the new Filipino snack bar at Main and Vance, about midnight last Friday night and the place was JAMMIN’ with a DJ and good vibes. What a great addition to that block.

The police cleared out a homeless encampment under an overhang at Fourth and Washington this week. It sprung up during the ice storm and grew to about 20 people. For those of you who worry about me, I never stay in encampments.

The Memphis Medical District Collaborative seeks a senior employer and talent relations specialist.

Battle of the zz: Grizz at Jazz, 8:30 tonight, FanDuel Sports

Memphis Flyer: How is Downtown Memphis really doing?, part 1 of 4

I’m a fanhausen: Danhausen is the best thing going in WWE today.

There’s a new beer at Flying Saucer called Edmunds Oast Strawberry Shortcake, and I sampled it on Tuesday. I have to recommend you take a PASS on this one. The flavor is neither strawberry or shortcake. Order a Blake’s triple berry hard cider instead.

Also take a HARD pass on a new concept popping up at bars Downtown: CinnaMINT flavored Rumple. I didn’t have to try that one to know it is a bad idea.

Probably back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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