Daily thoughts of a Downtown Memphis resident
Are you a WNBA fan? Catch all the games at Max’s Sports Bar. They have the league pass TV package.
Cordelia’s Market will host a Half Batch Brewing Co. beer tasting Monday, Aug. 3.
A studio for creators called TappedIN has its grand opening Saturday.
I have food poisoning again. Sorry for brevity. Back soon 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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Requesting feedback from my readers: Occasionally I get asked, where do I board my dog in Downtown Memphis? However, I am unqualified to answer, having never been a dog owner.
I am aware of two such facilities:
Anyone tried both of these and have a preference? Are there other places I should mention? Let me know: paul.ryburn@gmail.com
Tickets are now on sale for the Memphis Flyer’s 2026 Best of Memphis party Wednesday, September 23 at Loflin Yard.
In honor of the Ducks Unlimited expo in town this weekend: Play Duck Hunt online
The four generations of The Arcade
I’ve been told the chess tournament coming Downtown Labor Day weekend is a BIG DEAL. It’s the Tennessee state championships, which Memphis gets only once every 4-5 years. Cash prizes awarded at all levels. Also cash prizes for top female, top junior, top senior, best upset, and brilliance. 80+ players expected including masters.
Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.
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
As most of you are aware, when the weather is warm I avoid the Union Mission and stay out all night as much as I can. That way, I get to see friends in the evenings and I save the $6 nightly cover charge at the Mission. I’d spend the hours between late-night Saucer/E&H closing and early-morning Bardog/Chess Club opening sitting on a park bench on the Main Street Mall in front of the Moxy Hotel.
Last night I got an unwelcome surprise, though. Sometime Monday or Tuesday the city removed the 2 benches in front of the hotel. 
Basketcase returns to headline another Peabody rooftop party Thursday, with special guest Jordan Frye. $15 to get in, $40 to go VIP. VIPs get a buffet of assorted hors d’oeuvres, fruit, and cheese/vegetable crudite trays.
KICK’N MAC is the burger of the week at Momma’s. Angus beef, four-cheese macaroni, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickled jalapeño.
The Majestic Grille seeks a part-time bartender.
Today is National Chicken Wing Day and National Lasagna Day.
The Flying Saucer will sell flying saucers on Saturday, which is National Disc Golf Day. First come, first served with very limited supply available. Doors open at 11 AM. $20. They will have a disc golf swag sweepstakes August 1-7; redeem your Untappd badge to enter.
I got 3rd place at Saucer trivia for the third week in a row. I like those $15 gift certificates; I use them as burgers-n-fries on demand whenever I’m out Downtown and hungry.
I had a cucumber lime setzer at the Saucer last night. Refreshing on a day when the feels-like temp makes me wonder if I relocated to Venus.
Back soon with more news.
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
DUX – Ducks Unlimited Expo is at the Renasant Convention Center this weekend. A look at the schedule is probably the best way to understand what goes on there.
Tony Award-winning musical SUFFS comes to the Orpheum Friday through Sunday. It tells the story of women who fought for the right to vote.
Trolley Night returns to South Main this Friday, July 31. Get out and meet your neighbors. Many area businesses will have deals and specials. 6-9 PM or later.
Bardog has announced its 18th anniversary party Sunday, September 20. Live music, raffle, meatball eating contest.
I suffered an unexpected and embarrassing financial setback Sunday evening. That, plus a flare-up of my Parkinson’s, plus this miserable heat and humidity, threw me out of the mood to make a post yesterday. Sorry. BTW I read that Carly Simon has joined me in the Parkinson’s club.
Back soon with more news.
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
Downtown got an unwanted show this morning as one of our street people decided to take a stroll down Main Street COMPLETELY BUTT ASS NEKKID. He was last seen near Walgreens about 7:55. He was followed by 2 DMC safety patrol officers, who were attempting to limit his movements but not detain him.
Now playing at Memphis Chess Club: “Ninety-Six Degrees in the Shade.” Appropriate.
I haven’t seen it myself, but I’ve been told they knocked a wall down upstairs at Earnestine & Hazel’s last week. Oh my. I wonder what the ghosts think of the renovation.
Banana Ball was on ESPN yesterday. I asked Google Gemini AI to compare those players’ salaries to those of our Triple-A Redbirds. Gemini said Banana Ball players tend to make more than $100,000 a year (for a much smaller number of games). Minor League Baseball players mostly make $20,000-$42,000 a year, with top prospects capped at $100,000.
KCP is a Grizzly no more. LeBron wanted him in Philly to help chase a championship.
WhatNow has the info on the Afro-Caribbean restaurant going in next door to Raiford’s.
Back soon with more news.
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
Looks like Margaritas on S. Second across from the Peabody is closed permanently. I can’t say I’m surprised or disappointed.
It’s Caitlin vs. Bueckers in the WNBA All-Star Game Saturday. 7:30 PM, ABC.
The Moxy Hotel on Court Square is celebrating National Tequila Day today with $7 margaritas, tequila sunrises, and BBQ nacho walking tacos.
That cool-ass building behind Westy’s on Jackson is still for sale.
Redbirds host Durham 7:05 tonight. First 1000 fans through the gate get a cooler bat bag.
Back soon with more news.
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
I went to Methodist University Hospital last night about 9:00. By 4:30 I walked out the front door, fully released. I had figured on being there at least into the weekend.
I did have cellulitis. But this time, sepsis had not developed. They also scanned my legs for blood clots and didn’t find any.
My blood pressure was 107/66, pretty amazing given my age, diet, and housing situation.
So that worked out pretty well. Only negative is, I may not be able to afford the prescription Methodist is sending to Walgreens today.
On my way back Downtown, I strolled through The Edge, where I discovered that soon-to-open speakeasy Gussied Up has its sign up.
Photo taken at the intersection of Marshall Avenue and General Washburn’s Escape Alley, looking west down the alley.
Wanna score a chance to win a Michelob Ultra golf bag?
Would you be a good air traffic controller? Find out in this game
It’ll be raining queens at the Orpheum on October 2.
Sushi Gang will do a kitchen takeover at Bar Ware tonight 6 to 10. First come, first served.
Back soon with more news.
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
It looks like I’m gonna have to check myself into the hospital in the very near future with cellulitis and (I fear) sepsis. Same thing I had a year or two ago. So my blog posts may be interrupted for a few days.
Or, maybe not. I have my Chromebook with me. Hospitals have Wi-Fi.
Bardog fire-saled Rumple Minze Cinnamint for $5. HELL NO I did not partake while I was there this morning.
Thomas Cain headlines Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party.
Memphis Chess Club is getting a Pepsi-branded drink dispensing machine installed. MOUNTAIN DEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Back soon with more news.
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
DNAMemphis.org is reporting that South Main ramen joint Good Fortune Co. will undergo an expansion and renovation beginning Monday. Changes will include an expanded kitchen and new dining room.
The Brass Door will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday to give staff time to recover from a busy World Cup season.
Congratulations to Jay’s Coffee and Cuisine on its recent 100 on its health inspection. Jay’s is in the former Tamp & Tap location on Gayoso.
The California Kid is the burger of the week at Momma’s: Angus beef, ham, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, American, Swiss, Momma’s Mayo.
Voting is open in the ’26 Memphis Flyer Best of Memphis poll. By the way, #VoteForAllison has left the service industry and therefore is ineligible to defend her second-place Best Server crown.
The Redbirds host the Durham Bulls this week. First pitch tonight is 7:05.
Back soon with more news.
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
Yesterday’s Spain-Argentina final was proof that low-scoring soccer matches can still be thrillers.
For those of you who spent halftime wondering “How OLD is Madonna, anyway?”, she’s 67.
In an age-related milestone closer to home, Thomas Richardson AKA Memphis wrestling legend Tommy “Wildfire” Rich – turns 70 on Sunday.
Beer recommendation: Wiseacre Uniconucopia. I had that beer last night and it was tasty. It’s only one of two local beers the Flying Saucer rates “Transcendent.” $8.50 list price at the Saucer, but get it for $5 Sundays (local beer night) or Mondays (Pint Nite).
Gussied Up, the speakeasy in the back of Hard Times Deli, will be open by the end of the summer.
Turn your handwriting into a computer font
Back soon with more news.
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