Author: paulryburn

The opening ceremony of the Paris Summer Olympics is today. Rather than march through a stadium, athletes will float down the Seine. Watch at 12:30 PM on NBC.

Tonight is South Main Trolley Night. Come enjoy the shops and galleries of that neighborhood until 9 or later and meet your neighbors.

Deanna Dixon and Silas Reed play South Main Sounds tonight. 7 PM at 550 S. Main.

Rate plays Central Station Hotel tonight 9 to 1.

Simulated golf has returned to Birdie’s. To celebrate, they’re offering off-peak hours pricing all weekend. The simulators were out for several weeks due to an unexpected lightning strike on their building.

I witnessed a dine & dash at one of the Downtown watering holes this morning: Male, 30s, spiky/poofy hair, soft-spoken with accent, claimed to be from Philadelphia, double vodka, very picky ordering food.

Memphis Women’s Expo is at The Kent this weekend. 40 local vendors, expert panels, live music.

Sad to hear of the death of community activist Chelsea Glass. MLK50 has a look at her life.

The Civil Rights Museum has a. community symposium on the 60th anniversary of Mississippi Freedom Summer Saturday.

Mick Jagger is 81 today.

Eric Barnes and Jennifer Chandler discuss why restaurants close on the DM’s latest Sidebar podcast.

Southwest Airlines is ending open seating.

Penny’s Tigers will have road games against Clemson December 14 and Virginia December 18.

One person was pulled from the Mississippi River this morning after a citizen heard cries for help. His boat had capsized and there may have been other people aboard.

Learn about Memphis during the 1878 yellow fever epidemic at an August 16 lecture at the Woodruff-Fontaine House. $25 per person.

Ja Morant will be inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame Saturday.

Today is World Tofu Day. Celebrate with a Baconator from Wendy’s for lunch then go get the meat sweats at dinner at Texas de Brazil.

Henry Turley Co. seeks a property manager.

FiveThirtyEight looks at 8 potential vice-presidential running mate picks for Kamala Harris. Harris got a big endorsement this week from Barack and Michelle Obama.

Last night a guest preacher at Union Mission chapel warned us of the spiritual dangers of hanging out on the street corner with Elrod and Boo-Rod. I need a night off from the Mission soon.

Not sure if I’ll have time and Wi-Fi to post this weekend. Back Monday at the latest.

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The Memphis Flyer tells the story of immigrant Manuel Rivera Martinez, who came to Memphis and opened Maciel’s.

Fellow writers, here’s an exciting opportunity: The Cossitt Library will host a Carnegie Writers Workshop September 3-October 22.

Memphis 901 FC will host San Antonio FC Saturday night at 7:30. The Brass Door will have pregame specials including $14 Amstel Light buckets.

Blind Bear specials this week

• Chicken noodle soup
• Fried catfish po’boy
• Pastalaya – smoked sausage, Blind Bear specials this week chicken, celery, onion, green and red bell peppers on a bed of penne pasta in a creamy Creole sauce
• Fried apple pies with Margie’s 901 vanilla bean ice cream with caramel sauce

There was a shooting at Danny Thomas and Poplar around 9 last night that left a woman injured.

Here’s a transcript of President Biden’s speech last night explaining why he has decided not to run for a second term.

FiveThirtyEight looks at past presidents who have dropped reelection bids.

There’s a Sunset Skate tonight on Riverside Drive. Free 30-minute skate rental. Food, music, free lessons.

It’s National Chili Dog Day. Max’s Sports Bar would be my recommendation to celebrate.

It’s also National Wine and Cheese Day.

Ready for this stupid rain to get out of here. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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A few weeks ago, I told you I’d heard one of Downtown’s best parties, absent from the scene the past several years, was coming back, and to circle the date Sunday, September 8 on the calendar.

Well, the cat is now out of the bag… or, should I say, the dog is back in the alley.

The Bardog alley party is back.

For the first time since the stupid pandemic ruined everything, Downtowners and friends will gather in Center Lane (that’s the alley next to Bardog) for an afternoon of music, food, and fun. I’m happy to see it’s once again “the Bardog alley party” rather than “Monroe Fest.” Looking forward to OG alley party vibes.

More details to come. Eric, whatever I can do to help you guys promote this awesome event, just ask… just keep in mind I only have access to Wi-Fi from about 7 AM to noon most days.

On to the rest of the news…

Elon is hiring! xAI seeks a network engineer and a project manager for its new “gigafactory of compute” in southwest Memphis.

Local brewery WISEACRE will be featured at the Flying Saucer’s Glass Night tonight. 7 PM.

Plant Health 2024 will come to the Renasant Convention Center Saturday through Tuesday. Y’know, when I was 5, I brought my grandmother’s nearly-dead African violet back to life by talking to it every day. I’m available Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday if this convention would like to book one more speaker.

The Mud Island monorail isn’t coming back. It’s outdated tech.

The Downtown Memphis Commission is suing developer Tom Intrator in hopes of getting work moving on empty, blighted properties. Many of those properties are in the Pinch District. Also on the list: the former Royal Furniture building, planned to be turned into a Dream Hotel.

It’s National Tequila Day.

There will be an art market with Shop Made in Memphis this Friday evening from 5 to 9 at Loflin Yard.

Soulin’ on the River with Zsa Davis happens at Fourth Bluff Park Friday at 7. Lawn chairs, coolers, and picnic baskets are welcome. Food trucks and a full bar will be onsite. Free admission.

It’s Christmas in July tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 at Cordelia’s Market. Accordion tunes by Aaron Brame. Special appearance by Santa. Holiday meal sneak peek, local beer & food samples, summer cocktails, T-shirt pop-up, Muddy’s Sweet Treats.

That’s all for today. I should 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)
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Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

The DM reported today that Ben Yay’s on Main Street will close this week and its concept will be incorporated into sibling restaurant Sugar Grits a couple of blocks away. The reason cited was a lack of foot traffic on Main.

The Summer League Grizzlies lost last night’s championship game to Miami, 120-118. Does it matter? No! The big takeaway is that Scotty Pippen Jr. and GG Jackson looked great throughout the league games. Beale Street Bears: Scotty deserves a main roster spot

The Cossitt Library is back open.

Mamma Mia!, featuring the music of ABBA, is at the Orpheum today through Sunday.

Voting is now open for the Memphis Flyer’s Best of Memphis poll.

The monthly Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting is this Wednesday 5:30-7:30 at Artesian Tower. Mayor Paul Young will speak.

Our Memphis Tigers have been picked to win the American conference football championship. That could secure Memphis one of the 12 NCAA playoff berths.

Bass Pro seeks a business assistant.

UT Memphis seeks a media specialist.

Out in The Edge, Memphis Made Brewing Co. will host an evening of ghost stories Friday.

My double charger is on its last legs after someone at the Union Mission sat on it:

It lets me change 2 devices at once, using only one electrical outlet, using standard USB connections. I can get by without it, but it’s been nice to have in a place where power outlets are in high demand.

Currently reading How to Be, Do, or Have Anything by Laurence G. Boost. Thoroughly enjoying it, at least through the 130 pages I’ve read so far.

Gonna go sit in the library and read my book. 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
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Question from one of my readers:

You’re highly complimentary of the Union Mission’s efforts to feed people (as evidenced by your recent dessert post), as well as clothe them and give them shelter. You’ve told us all they offer is free to those who check in for the day before 2 PM. So why are there so many people still eating out of trash cans and living on the streets Downtown?????

Great question.

My answer is based on personal observations only, not empirical data or interviews with Mission staff.

Let’s change “people” to “men” in the question above, because there is no women’s shelter Downtown that offers an array of services comparable to what the Mission offers men. And there needs to be.

One reason some men find staying at the Mission is not for them is they find the rules too restrictive. I’ll give you an example: If you play music or video with sound on your phone, you must use headphones. It’s a totally sensible rule, designed to prevent a guest from disturbing others. But some men don’t want to obey it.

A second big reason many men turn down opportunities to stay at the Mission is that you can’t bring alcohol or drugs in, and you can’t be obviously under the influence when you check in. If you get in for free and stay the night, you’re there from at least 2 PM to 5:30 AM. 15.5 hours is a long time for an alcoholic to go without a drink, or an addict to go without using.

A third reason is some men don’t want to attend the mandatory chapel service. Believe me, I sympathize with this point of view; if I had the option of skipping chapel, I would. But it’s a trade I’m willing to make for a hot dinner and a good night’s sleep in a safe environment.

A fourth reason some homeless men don’t stay at Union Mission is that they’ve been barred from coming in. On a previous stay there, they stole, fought, threatened another guest, blatantly refused to obey a supervisor, or committed some other egregious violation of the rules.

A fifth reason is fear of the unknown. Fear that the shelter will be unsafe, or filthy, or that the people running it will be abusive to the guests. These fears, which turned out to be completely unfounded, kept me from availing myself of the Mission’s services for about 7 weeks longer than I should have in December and January.

Sixth reason- Some homeless have mental health issues that are incompatible with a congregate shelter. For example, a man who wakes up screaming several times during the night. The Mission isn’t equipped to help him deal with his issues and he’d keep 40 other men from getting a good night’s sleep.

I’m sure there are other reasons as well, but these are the big ones that I have observed.

I’ve been offline and need a day to digest the Biden news. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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A man was shot at South Main and Pontotoc a little after 4 this morning following an argument. Seems like the police are getting a LOT of calls to that intersection lately.

There was also a fatal shooting at Beale and Ida B. Wells about 11 Saturday night.

Cops caught a man with a stolen gun on Beale Street Saturday morning.

Fox 13 has a look at the All-White Party held in Tom Lee Park last night.

It’s National Ice Cream Day. Celebrate at Margie’s 901.

The Grizzlies are hiring a marketing project manager and an A/V technician.

Memphis Medical District Collaborative seeks a real estate coordinator.

Back tomorrow with more news and a reader question.

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

As I was walking down the Main Street Mall this morning, I noticed a marker in the shape of a white cross in front of Downtown Walgreens. I went over to investigate.

Shoeshine (I think his real name was Dale) sat on that corner for as long as I’ve been a Downtowner. I never saw him bother people or ask anyone for anything. He just wanted to exist, to wave hello to his Downtown neighbors.

Rest in peace, sir.

NBA trade announcement:

• Brooklyn Nets get Ziaire Williams, 2030 Grizzlies second-round draft pick
• Memphis Grizzlies get Mamadi Diakite. This gets the Grizz $10 million under the luxury tax and $14 million under the first apron. It sets them up to re-sign Luke Kennard.

The CA has recommendations for where to watch the Olympics, and three of their picks are Downtown: Max’s Sports Bar, Loflin Yard, and Green Beetle.

Birdie’s is back open today and through the weekend so you can grab a drink and watch The Open Championship. Their sim-golf experience will be back online soon.

It’s National Daiquiri Day. A Call-a-Cab at Wet Willie’s is the way to celebrate.

It’s also Stick Out Your Tongue Day.

Bud Light has fallen to the third-best-selling beer in America. Mich Ultra climbed to second, and Modelo remains number one.

Bob Newhart has died at 94.

DJ Hush plays Eight & Sand Lounge tonight.

The DM has a preview of Memphis Made’s new taproom in The Edge. It overlooks The Ravine and has 16 beer taps. A game room will have video games and pinball.

The Cossitt Library is closed for the third consecutive day. So I decided to give the Cornelia Crenshaw Library at 531 Vance a try. I walked all the way over there in the sun and heat, only to be told by a maintenance man that Crenshaw is closed too – plumbing issues. So here I am, back at the Flying Saucer, spending money so I can use the Internet and charge my devices.

I seriously doubt I’ll have access to both Wi-Fi and a working power outlet to do a post tomorrow morning. I’ll be back when I get things figured out.

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

STILL a power outage. This is the second day. That little library closes unexpectedly more than any institution I’ve ever seen. The closures aren’t the staff’s fault, but still, it’s frustrating. It means this post is gonna cost me $6.25 (cost of a Fire Sale + tip at Flying Saucer) rather than $0.00 to write.

Walking to the Saucer, I saw a car with license plate MUFF DVR. How did they get away with that?

Reminder: The Memphis Made taproom grand opening in The Edge is this Saturday from 1 to 10. The taproom is at the corner of Madison and Lauderdale. That’s sorta on my Saturday late afternoon walking route. Maybe I’ll stop by.

If you upgrade to VIP for Memphis Soul Remedy and DJ Jordan Rogers on the Peabody rooftop tonight, you’ll get a buffet of Mediterranean chicken kabobs, lamb meatballs, and red pepper hummus with pita bread.

Michael from Blind Bear, once upon a time the Easter Bunny, is now the Nestle Quik bunny. The man is a master of reinventing himself. He can’t get enough strawberry milk these days, according to one of his coworkers.

KIX on Beale: Travis Denning and Kelsey Hart play a free show in Handy Park tonight to celebrate the music series’ 20th anniversary.

All White Affair Festival, the annual Curtis Givens party, will be at Tom Lee Park this Saturday beginning at 4.

Front Street Deli, in addition to its sandwich menu, is being used to test a new concept called Pasta Cosa Nostra. Chef Nick Scott is said to be behind the pasta concept, while Chef Duncan Aiken masterminded the sandwiches.

The liquor rep down the bar from me is discussing peanut butter-flavored tequila. YUCK

Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock, and Dana White will speak prior to the Trumpster at the Republican convention tonight. My God what a lineup.

That’s all. No idea if the library will be open for me to do a post tomorrow.

This began as a Wednesday post but I didn’t have time to finish it and hit Publish. The Cossitt Library was unexpectedly closed (power outage) and a thunderstorm was threatening to move through any minute, forcing me to hightail it back to the Union Mission for cover.

——-

You wanna know what the hardest part of staying at the Memphis Union Mission is?

For me, it’s walking past the Wendy’s at Danny Thomas and Washington and seeing they have the Triple Berry Frosty for a limited time and not stopping in to get one.

Really, though, the desserts served in the Mission dining room with dinner are not bad at all. Some recent examples:

• Chocolate mint cake with chocolate chips
• A cinnamon roll with lots of yummy icing
• 5 Oreos – and the guy next to me didn’t want his, so, 10 Oreos. That was a good day.

I’m going to get one of those Frostys before summer ends, though. Maybe this Sunday…. And now, on to the news.

Ja Morant’s second signature sneaker will be out in October, just in time for the NBA regular season.

There’s an emergency need for Type O blood right now. Make an appointment at Vitalant to donate.

There were 22 arrests in MPD’s “Saturday Night Live” traffic crackdown last week. The effort focused on the intersection of B.B. King and Gayoso. Charges included DUI, disorderly conduct, and possession of a stolen gun.

Today (which was Wednesday when I typed this) is National Hot Dog Day.

Leadership Memphis seeks a President and CEO.

———

That’s what I got done before the thunderstorm. And now, here’s the rest of the Wednesday news and the Thursday news.

CodeCrew seeks a Director of Development.

Ingrid Andress has announced she’s going into rehab after singing the national anthem drunk at Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby.

The Downtown Sheraton Hotel is hiring an Assistant Director of Finance.

Ars Technica explores why major earthquakes occur in the middle of the U.S.

That’s it for today… and yesterday.

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

New Orleans-style restaurant Ben Yay’s has some awesome new drink specials, and here’s the cool thing- you don’t have to show up a particular day of the week or during the narrow window of a happy hour to get them. They’re OPEN TO CLOSE, EVERY DAY:

(Click image to view it in a larger size.) Ben Yay’s is on the Main Street Mall between Monroe and Union.

This morning I learned what “puff paint” is: It consists of

• Elmer’s glue
• Shaving cream
• Food coloring

My friend showed me a picture of an ice cream cone her 7-year-old painted at vacation Bible school with puff paint. “The paint stays soft even after it dries,” she said.

Grind City Brewing will host Harry Potter trivia Wednesday at 6:30, and they’ve brewed Butterbeer and Poly Juice Potion for the occasion. $50 gift cards for 1st place and for best dressed team. $25 gift card for second place and a six-pack for third.

Blind Bear specials this week 

• Tomato basil soup
• Philly cheesesteak tortellini
• Citrus honey glazed chicken breast 
• Molten chocolate mini layer cake 

The team redeveloping 100 N. Main wants some more money… $1.8M of it.

Wiseacre seeks a front-of-house manager.

The Downtown Sheraton Hotel seeks an associate director of events.

Central Station Hotel is hiring a general manager.

The Redbirds will be back in town Friday, hosting the Iowa Cubs at 7:05 PM. The first 1500 fans will get a vintage-inspired snapback rope hat. There will be inflatables and face painting for kids on the left field bluff.

A cave has been discovered on the moon. It or others like it could be used as a base for astronauts in the future.

Birdie’s is closed through Wednesday as they upgrade their golf simulators. They’ll open again Thursday morning.

From Vox: How computers made poker a game for nerds

The Trumpster has made his veep pick: 39-year-old Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio. It’s believed Vance will appeal to voters in the Rust Belt swing states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

That’s 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
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com