Paul Ryburn's Journal

It’s that time when soccer elitists come out of the woodwork, contemptfully correcting you when you say

• “soccer” instead of “futbol”
• “the game” instead of “the match”
• “the field” instead of “the pitch”
• “zero-zero” instead of “nil-nil”

Their favorite term, though, is one of endearment, not correction. They’ll see someone watching soccer on TV and go up to them and ask,

So, you like the footy, eh?

“Footy.”

Typing this from Court Square. The robins are attacking the squirrels. Claude AI says they do this because the squirrels will eat eggs in the nest or even baby birds.

It’s Backyard Sports Day at the Redbirds. The first 1500 fans get a reversible Melonheads bucket hat. Kids run the bases after the game. First pitch vs. Nashville 1:05 PM.

Works in Progress: Ideas to improve the world

Back tomorrow with more news.

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It’s Friday afternoon as I start this post at the Memphis Chess Club. GM Mike is recommending places for a tourist to check out, and his recommendations are awesome: Boycott Coffee, Cxffeeblack, Crosstown Concourse, Flip Side pinball bar, the new flyway at Tom Lee Park, BVO The River of Time, Momma’s, Sun Studio, Stax Museum.

Bluey comes to AutoZone Park tonight as our ‘birds host Nashville. 6:35 first pitch. Fireworks after the game. Specialty tickets are available for a VIP meet and greet with Bluey and for a Heavenly Hot Dog Buffet.

It’s National Ice Cream Soda Day. Celebrate at the old-fashioned soda fountain at A. Schwab.

This month’s Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting will be Thursday at 5:30 PM at Beale Street Landing. They’ll be joining Memphis River Parks for their “Sunsets at Beale Street Landing” series. DNA members, your first cocktail is on the Association.

Hive Bagel & Deli is hiring. Send your resume to hello@hivebakes.com.

Ethnos Coffee Roasters is coming to Harbor Town.

Bogie’s Deli will be closed next week.

WKNO: Memphis Art Museum leaders say cultural change begins with more eyes on art

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Max’s Sports Bar opens at 1 today, giving you plenty of time to pick out your seats for the USA-Australia match. $3.50 Liberty Longnecks when the Americans are on the pitch.

A fireworks and drone show has been announced for Tom Lee Park on Saturday, July 4. The show is at 9, but get there as early as 5:30 for 3 stages of live entertainment, food trucks, and vendors.

Back-to-back BBQ Fest grand champion Heath Riles reflects upon his journey.

Today is National Martini Day. Celebrate at The Dame in Hotel Pontotoc.

B.B. King’s Blues Club celebrates the 50th anniversary of Lucille Talks Back next Thursday.

It’s Memphis Red Sox Night at the Redbirds. Come honor the 1938 Negro League champs. Fiesta Friday: $5 margs and Dos Equis beer. 2 for $5 street tacos. Teacher Appreciation ticket: $13 field box seat, hot dog, and soda.

See Jaws on the big screen at the Orpheum Saturday.

Back this weekend with more news.

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You’ve heard of motor fests in The Edge District before… well, on Saturday, August 22 there’ll be a MATER fest out there! Get the maters at the Edgy Tomato Festival, presented by Edible Memphis.

• Tomato-themed art contest at Ugly Art
• Food specials featuring tomatoes at area restaurants
• Curated vendor market

There’s a ticker tape parade today in New York City to celebrate the Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years.

In other basketball news, Caitlin Clark has announced her first signature Nike sneaker.

It’s 1980s Night at the Redbirds, who host the Nashville Sounds at 7:05. $2 PBR. $7 tickets for college students.

It’s International Sushi Day. STIX and South Main Sushi can help you celebrate.

Daniel Larsen plays a free show today 5-7 in the Flyway Brewing taproom.

Future homebuyers, there will be a party for you Saturday 11 to 5 in Court Square. Mortgage lenders, title companies, home warranty providers. Leave pre-qualified. Food trucks, DJ, giveaways, games.

Join the DMC and the MMDC at the intersection of Walnut Street and MLK Ave. Saturday morning 8-10 for the unveiling of bike-hitchable bike lane sweepers.

USA vs. Australia in World Cup Group D action, 2:00 CDT Friday, FOX. Take a half day off work and watch the match at Max’s.

General Sessions judges have suspended court clerk Tami Sawyer for 60 days with pay. Sawyer is facing federal charges of illegally using her office for personal gain.

The Memphis Art Museum at Front and Monroe, scheduled to open December 6, will have free admission for Shelby County residents – forever.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Fleetwood Mac tribute band Landslide headlines this Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party. DJ A.D. spins between band sets. 6-10 PM, $15 to get in, $40 VIP. VIPs get a Greek buffet of chicken kabobs, lamb meatballs, roasted red pepper hummus, and baba ghanoush with pita bread.

Today is Global Garbage Man Day.

Renasant Convention Center will host an Off the Clock after-hours social 4-7 PM Thursday.

On Friday, which is Juneteenth, the National Civil Rights Museum will host a full day of programming, performances, and resources based around a theme of health equity. Free admission to the museum 9 AM-2 PM.

Union between Front and Second will be closed for MLGW work beginning today and lasting approximately 2 weeks.

Flying Saucer will give you a free $25 gift card for yourself when you buy Dad a $100 gift card for Father’s Day.

I tried the Loaded Croissant – bacon, egg, and cheese – at Memphis Chess Club yesterday. Excellent flavor and it didn’t fall apart the way a lot of breakfast sandwiches do. I’m told it’s their best-selling menu item. I put mustard on my loaded croissant but sriracha would also be an option.

McDonald’s is bringing back fried apple pies. Those things burned my mouth and tasted like ass. But, hey, nostalgia.

What’s going on with me: I’m reading a book by a non-physical collection of entities who call themself Abraham. I won a $35 gift certificate at Saucer trivia last night, thanks to a “presidents” round.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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The big news today is that Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer has been federally indicted on theft, fraud, and money laundering charges. If found guilty, she could get as much  as 20 years.

WOW. I was a fan of Sawyer when she was an activist and in her early days as an elected public official. She lost me, however, when she supported proposed COVID restrictions that would’ve kept Shelby County locked down for months and bankrupted several of my friends’ small businesses.

But I never thought she was capable of crimes like the ones she’s been accused of this week.

And maybe she’s not. Innocent until proven guilty, ya know? I pray Ms. Sawyer will get vindication or an orange jumpsuit, whichever she deserves.

The Quartet Show is at the Cannon Center this week. This appears to literally be a bunch of gospel quartets.

Cash Money Records and No Limit Records will team up for a hip-hop showcase at FedExForum on October 24.

Fun geography game: Get from country A to country B while crossing the minimum number of borders. The Flying Saucer sometimes has trivia questions like this. Trivia is tonight!! 7:00 and 9:15.

I played the game and got from Bulgaria to Belgium via Romania, Hungary, Austria, and Germany.

Brew Hop is ongoing through Sunday. FUN FUN FUN at Downtown’s craft breweries!

The Bahama Momma is the weekly burger special at Momma’s. It starts with a half pound of Angus beef and is topped with teriyaki-glazed pineapple, bacon, red onion, pepper jack, and honey mustard.

Comedian Ali Siddiq comes to the Orpheum Thursday and Friday.

The Redbirds host Nashville at 7:05. Tomorrow there’s a 12:05 day game with a Heavenly Hot Dog Buffet.

Feeling much better today. 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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If you’ve ever been out on the Main Street Mall in the 6 AM hour, you may have seen a white-haired man in a LifeBlood shirt out jogging. His name is Shaun Bernard and he was recently recognized nationally as a hero,  having made over 500 donations of blood, plasma, and platelets over his lifetime. The next time you see him out running, tell him thank you.

Friday is Juneteenth. Sunday is Father’s Day.

There will be nightly lane closures on the I-40 bridge this week.

WREG has video from South Main Songwriter Fest.

Everyone, I’m sorry for the lack of posts over the weekend. I had another bout of food poisoning, but also my Parkinson’s continues to get worse. Thank you for your patience. I have some marvelous friends and supporters. If I seem frustrated at times, it’s frustration with myself.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Those who say “There’s nothing for kids to do Downtown” need to check out Saturday’s calendar:

• SciPlay at Tom Lee Park celebrates National Rivers Month 10:00-11:30 AM
• Mini Museum of Monstrous Mayhem, presented by the Beale Street Monsters Club, at A. Schwab 11:00 AM-3:00 PM. Tours, lectures, screenings of A Trip to the Moon (1902; one of my favorite movies!) and Frankenstein (1910)
• “Where the Wild Things Are” chalk walk art party at the Cossitt Library noon-2:30 PM

Fun fact I learned yesterday: Otters have favorite rocks

PRO TIP: Go to Los Comales Downtown (the old Stop 345) when Mexico is playing in the World Cup. Great vibe in that place. I discovered this quite by accident yesterday.

Bardog has $5 Wiseacre Sky Dog Lagers during World Cup matches.

Game: Thwart the cyberattack

Back this weekend 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 found a debit card on the sidewalk this morning. I left it with the cashier at the nearest business.

Today is National Corn on the Cob Day.

Soul & Spirits has acquired the Memphis Made brand and will soon start serving Memphis Made beer in its taproom. Memphis Made filed for bankruptcy several months ago.

World Cup opening ceremonies are today. Host venues are having to de-brand because the Cup isn’t giving away any free advertising.

Parks and public green spaces have excellent ROIs. A study found that, on average, every $1 investment leads to $3 in economic benefits for the surrounding community.

Chrome users, update your software now.

Boats in the Mud Island harbor caught fire this week due to I-40 repairs.

Mosaic Church brought Commissary BBQ to the Union Mission for dinner last night. They put a personal touch on it by giving each man a homemade deviled egg and a Drumstick ice cream cone. Brother Wes kicked off chapel by telling us, “I’ll have you out of here in 10 minutes.” And he did. Truly Mosaic is the gold standard of partner churches.

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

Did you know there’s farmland within the Memphis city limits? Yesterday I met an urban farmer who works a plot of land near James Road and Warford.

Many mock NBA drafts have Memphis selecting Cam Boozer with the 3 pick. But what if he’s already off the board by then? Cam’s dad Carlos could influence his employer, the Utah Jazz, to take Cam with the 2 pick. The answer is, the Grizzlies will be just fine, and will still be able to grab a franchise-transforming player.

The Baron von Opperbean immersive experience on Mud Island received 4500 visitors in its first month of opperation. (See what I did there?)

The City Council is looking to hire a legislative analyst.

Today is National Egg Roll Day. Celebrate with lumpia at Filipino snack bar Kuya.

StumbleUpon has returned. It’s a tool for discovering websites.

The schedule is out for South Main Songwriter Fest this weekend.

The idiots on the City Council are standing in the way of AutoZone Park progress. Memphis could lose the Redbirds if council members don’t get their heads out of their asses.

Memphis Tequila Festival happens in Uptown the evening of the 27th.

Mosaic Church is the guest church tonight at the Union Mission. Of all the guest churches, they bring the best food & the biggest portions. Plus they get the chapel service done in 15-20 minutes, which is MUCH APPRECIATED. So I’m staying in tonight. 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
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com