Author: paulryburn

The Downtown Neighborhood Association will hold its May meeting on Wednesday the 28th at 5:30 PM at the Ghost River taproom on Beale Street. Downtown Memphis Commission President Chandell Ryan will be the featured speaker. DNA President Jerred Price and Executive Director Luanne Yeley will share the latest neighborhood news. Free beer, wine, and food for members.

Priscilla Presley is 80 today.

The Trumpster is considering a tariff on iPhones.

Memphis in May’s Great American River Run went virtual this morning because of the heavy rain, thunder, and lightning.

Jaren Jackson Jr. did not get named to an All-NBA team. That means the Grizzlies can only offer him a four-year veteran extension, not a five-year supermax.

Comedian Alvin Newsome performs at the Flyway Brewing taproom tonight at 9.

Playground Memphis at 109 N. Main is hosting a game night tonight.

That’s all I’ve got.

I gratefully accept tips:
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There’s going to be a lemon drop festival Sunday from noon to 6 in Court Square. More than 20 stations will offer different takes on the popular cocktail, including strawberry, blueberry, apple, peach, and traditional lemon drops. Vendors and food will be on site as well.

The annual Sundresses & Linen party happens on Mud Island Sunday evening and there are related events all weekend.

Songwriter night returns to Momma’s the evening of Tuesday, May 27. Six hand-picked artists will perform. Five dollar Flyway drafts all day.

Riverside Drive is getting more parking but it will reduce the street to 2 lanes. The construction will keep Riverside closed until August.

Jaren Jackson Jr. has been named to the NBA All-Defensive second team. BUT… will that make it harder for JJJ to make an All-NBA team and earn a supermax contract extension?

Buskers will return to Main Street this summer in a project funded by the DMC.

This f*&%ing laptop has died on me 4 times this morning. It got wet as I walked to the Memphis Chess Club in Tuesday morning’s rain. Grateful it still functions well enough to let me post.

That’s all I’ve got.

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 April 28 fire that destroyed Clayborn Temple has been ruled arson, and a person is wanted in connection with the case.

The temple will hold a remember & reimagine event Wednesday.

Miranda Lambert plays AutoZone Park Saturday. The concert is part of the ballpark’s Music on the Diamond series. Gates at 5:30, showtime at 7:00.

Bourbon and Boxing II happens Friday at the Renaissance Convention Center.

The Metal Museum seeks a director of collections and exhibitions.

NFL owners declined to ban the tush push.

Silent Disco returns to Downtown Slider Inn Saturday. ’80s classics, top 40, house, full bar, Jameson slushies, food truck.

I think this laptop a blog reader gave me in December may be on its last legs. If I stop posting one of these days, that’s likely why.

That’s all I’ve got.

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 Union Mission has informed its clients that effective the second week of July, there will be no more free stays, with limited exceptions. From that point forward, the price will be $6 per night to stay there, charged from 9 AM to 7 PM, the entire time the cashier‘s window is open.

Admission policy has changed over the past year and a half:

• Prior to September 2024, it was free to get in between 9 AM and 2 PM, and six dollars per night from 2 PM to 7 PM.
• Since September 2024, it’s been free to get in between 9 AM and 11 AM and six dollars per night from 1 PM to to 7 PM (the cashier’s window is closed between 11 and 1).
• Starting in approximately November 2024, clients who have a guaranteed monthly income, such as Social Security or Social Security Disability, have had to pay six dollars a night regardless of the time they checked in.

Now everyone, with limited exceptions, is going to pay six dollars a night regardless of the time they check in.

The limited exceptions are referred to by staff as “tracks.” For example, if you are in the Mission’s drug and alcohol recovery program, you’re on a track and not charged daily admission. If you’re a veteran awaiting housing, that’s considered another track. There are a total of 6 tracks.

And now, on to the rest of the news…

Memphis Chess Club has added Exclamburgers to the menu. Get a single, double, or triple patty. They are messy and melty. They come with the chess club’s secret sauce and a side of golden tots.

The DM reports that councilman Jeff Warren wants to see more public bathrooms downtown. He complained in a meeting about people doing their business, including “number two,” in alleys.

Google is rolling out a new search feature. It will answer questions with AI chatbot-like queries.

RIP George Wendt. (Norm from Cheers)

Here’s more info on Gussied Up, the dive bar coming to The Edge.

DJ A.D. and The Vibe Tribe headline this Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party.

The Double D’s play Live at the Tracks at Central Station Thursday 6:30-9:30 PM.

Congrats to the Grizzlies’ Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells, who have been named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

That’s all I’ve got.

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

Last Saturday, a fight broke out at the Douglass High School graduation at the Renasant Convention Center. One participant dropped a loaded Glock on the ground.

The Memphis Flyer’s 2025 Best of Memphis nominations are now open.

Sesame Street is going to Netflix.

The CA reports that a dive bar called Gussied Up will open next to Hard Times Deli out in The Edge District.

Edible Memphis’ Hungry Tiger Food Tour comes to Good Fortune Co. 5-10 tonight. Karaoke room, Korean pop-up menu. The place is small, so early arrival is suggested.

Edible reported in their weekly newsletter that Front Street Deli has TWO FOOT LONG subs.

Bloom Bakery and Cafe is now open at Second and Union.

Read in The Ravine with Cafe Noir this Sunday at 2. Book vendors, poetry readings, food trucks, Memphis Made beer. The 2025 Memphis Poet Laureate will be named. Free to attend.

Memphis Magazine talks to the bartender behind Bar Limina in The Edge.

Curtis Givens III has committed to play for Coach Penny’s Memphis Tigers.

That’s all I have for today.

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 director of the FBI has called Memphis the homicide capital of the USA. Kash Patel said on a Sunday news show that he plans on sending a task force here.

Game show Wheel of Fortune is coming to Minglewood Hall on December 14.

Paul Chandler has been named the new CEO of Memphis River Parks Partnership.

To-go now makes up 75% of all restaurant orders.

The Great American River Run is Saturday. Half marathon, 10K, and 5K.

That’s all I’ve got.

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

HUGE, HUGE, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to my friends on Heath Riles BBQ. They won the Ribs category at BBQ Fest and went on to be named Grand Champions. BBQ Fest winners

Also, congrats to my friends at Robinson Smokehouse and the Silly Goose, collaborators to win first place in Best Cocktail at SmokeSlam. SmokeSlam winners

Volunteers are needed for the National Veterans Golden Age Games, to be held May 31-June 5 at the Renasant Convention Center.

Choose901 will throw our fair city a birthday party Thursday at Downtown Wiseacre. The mayor will be there. Live performances by STAX Music Academy.

Two beautiful but disappointed young ladies sat to my right at the bar yesterday, and I feel the need to remind everyone once more to be wary of events, supposedly at local bars, organized by out-of-towners. The ladies were there for speed dating, but there were no men, no organizer. BEFORE PAYING for speed dating events, pub crawls, etc. that seem suspicious, CALL THE BAR(S) listed and ask

• Do they even know they’re being advertised for this event?
• Are they aware of any drink or food specials being promised?

Time to celebrate my half-birthday! Back tomorrow.

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

BBQ Fest and SmokeSlam closed early Friday night due to severe weather. BBQ Fest will honor Friday tickets on Saturday, and awards normally given out on Friday will be pushed to 6 PM Saturday.

We could get severe weather tonight, but probably not until after midnight, so go enjoy the BBQ festival of your choice.

The Preakness Stakes will be on NBC Sports and Peacock at 5:50 this afternoon. Today is the final run of that race before Pimlico Race Course is torn down.

It’s World Whisky Day.

Next Saturday, catch an outdoor showing of The Wild Robot on the Wolf River Greenway, 1320 N. Mud Island Drive. 6:30-8:00. Free MemPops.

Brain Food, serving pasta and seafood, will open this summer in the former The Nine Thai Sushi space on Union. The signature Alfredo Fries sound yummy.

Strangewaze Wednesdaze is back May 21 at 5 PM in Medical District Park. Food & drink from area restaurants, DJs, shopping/vendors, yoga, axe throwing, children’s activities, photo booth. FREE. Food and drinks are first come, first served.

Draymond Green almost got traded to the Grizzlies in summer 2023. Memphis would have sent out Dillon Brooks (one loudmouth for another), Steven Adams, and Tyus Jones.

First 1500 fans at the Redbirds tonight get a BBQ nacho grilling shirt as the ‘birds play this weekend as the Memphis BBQ Nachos. First pitch vs. Nashville is set for 6:35. Stay after the game for fireworks.

Poker group River Rat Rounders is holding a deuces wild tournament at MFS Brewing, 206 G.E. Patterson, today at 3. You can even drop a deuce in the brewery’s restroom while the game is on break.

Memphis Made Brewing has new bike racks in The Ravine.

That’s all I’ve got.

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

Attention BBQ teams: Severe weather is a possibility later in the day today. FOX 13 weather has a forecast radar showing the worst moving through between 8 and 10 PM. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather as you go about your day.

The timeframe is terrible. As a former shoulder team member, I know that 8-10 PM is just a few hours after the championship shoulder goes on the smoker. What if they have to evacuate the park?

Today is National Mimosa Day.

Irish singer-songwriter Pat Byrne debuts at South Main Sounds tonight, 7 PM.

Beale Street made this list of 31 beautiful and historic streets.

The MBJ reports that the new food hall going in the Mesquite Chop House location on Union will be delivery-only.

One of my former students just bought me a PBR, so I’m gonna sign off and drink it. Back tomorrow.

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

Enjoy yacht rock with Rock the Boat at tonight‘s Peabody rooftop party. $15 to get in, $40 VIP. If you’re in VIP you get a buffet of pulled pork and pulled chicken sliders and waffle fries.

StyleBlueprint lists 13 must-taste ice cream joints in Memphis. Downtown: Zio Matto Gelato and Margie’s 901.

Today is National Chocolate Chip Day. Celebrate with a chocolate chip brownie at Memphis Chess Club.

TGI Friday’s now has 3 different flavors of mozzarella sticks. Aren’t you sorry we don’t have one Downtown anymore?

Clayborn Temple is said to be stabilized following the fire there several weeks ago. Now investigators can move in and attempt to determine cause.

Lil Wayne’s stop at FedExForum scheduled for tonight has been postponed until September.

Egg prices are finally dropping.

Giannis to the Grizz? He’s interested in living in a state with no income tax.

That’s all I’ve got.

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