Author: paulryburn

The National Civil Rights Museum will present Remembering Dr. King: The Man. The Movement. The Moment from 5 to 7 PM today. Performances, tributes, a keynote speaker, and the changing of the balcony wreath with a moment of silence at 6:01. This hybrid event is scheduled for the museum’s courtyard and will be moved inside in case of rain.

All Memphis Public Libraries branches will be closed today for Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Day. I will say it once again: THAT IS NOT WHAT DR. KING WOULD HAVE WANTED.

NCAA men’s Final Four – Saturday on CBS

• Florida vs. Auburn 5:09
• Houston vs. Duke 7:49

News of the 409 S. Main event space ghosting a booked wedding has made it across the pond.

The former Daily News office building on Jefferson is for sale.

There are penguins in Africa. I had no idea.

Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen 50 years ago today.

Bruce Springsteen will release 7 lost albums in June.

Vintage901: The Ultimate Wine Experience on the River is this weekend.

Weather permitting, I’ll be back tomorrow.

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Heavy rain is expected to continue on and off through Sunday morning. Meteorologists are calling this a “generational” rain event for Memphis. Forecasts show the city getting 12 inches of rain by the end of the day Sunday. Please be careful if you get out today.

Random thing I learned in Union Mission chapel yesterday morning: Rocker Alice Cooper is a born-again Christian. They played an interview on the big screens where he discussed balancing his faith with the character he plays on stage.

Memphis Made Brewing, you almost got me with your April Fool’s post about your new Imperial BBQ nacho stout. I had that in my notes as a news item to blog this morning.

Today is National Burrito Day. Maciel’s, of course, is my recommendation to celebrate.

The Grizzlies are on the road in Miami tonight. 6:30 tip. TV: TBS, TNT, truTV.

NBA standings: What happens in the case of ties?

The Memphis Redbirds have some great promotions going on this week, if the games don’t get rained out. The opponent all this week is the Buffalo Bison.

• Friday – first pitch 7:05 PM: first 2500 fans get a 2024 Grizzlies-Redbirds crossover jersey.
• Saturday – first pitch 3:05 PM: Sandlot Day with special jerseys and themed fun. A specialty ticket for Bark in the Park admits both you and your dog.
• Sunday – first pitch 1:05 PM: kids 12 and under get a free ice cream treat from Prairie Farms as they enter the ballpark. Specialty ticket gets you Sunday brunch in the air conditioned Coors Light Chill Zone. Fans 21 and up will have access to a Bloody Mary bar and bottomless mimosas.

Happy birthday, iPad. Apple released the tablet 15 years ago today.

Oh no… the NBA is investigating Ja Morant again. This time it concerns Morant and Golden State’s Buddy Hield allegedly making finger guns/shooting motions at each other.

Loflin Yard will have crawfish by Glaze and live music by Brimstone Jones on Sunday.

Memphis Tattoo Festival is at the Renasant Convention Center this weekend.

Songbird Jones with Alexis Jade plays South Main Sounds Friday 7-9 PM.

Opening Day for Memphis Farmers Market is Saturday. Live music, food trucks. Yoga with YogaSix 9-10. Dog adoption with the Humane Society 9-1. The Market happens 8 AM to 1 PM Saturdays April-October under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson, behind Malco Powerhouse.

There’s a corgi meetup at Mud Island Dog Park this Sunday at noon.

Weather permitting, I’ll be back tomorrow.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
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Level 5 (the highest) risk of severe weather late afternoon into tonight. Tornadoes, torrential rain, large hail, and strong wind are all possible.

To introduce Saturday night’s performance at the Halloran Centre, here’s Heart:

Try to understand
Try to understand
Try,, try, try to understand
He’s a magic man

Mike Super brings his “Third Time’s a Charm” show of magic and illusion to the Centre.

Next door at the Orpheum, you can have Brunch on Stage Saturday.

Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills will play FedExForum Sept. 21.

There will be a free movie night series at AutoZone Park this spring. Inside Out 2 will kick things off May 10.

The 409 S. Main event venue appears to have closed, leaving a bride out thousands of dollars.

NBA insider Sam Amick says a Ja Morant trade is possible.

What’s the deal with torpedo bats this season in Major League Baseball? CNN explains. Could 2025 be the next 1920, when changes in the composition of the ball, the rise of Babe Ruth, and the ban of the spitball altered baseball forever?

Is privacy important to you? Don’t use Chrome.

I can’t promise I’ll post Thursday and Friday because of the weather forecast. Back as soon as I can be with more news

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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No April Fool’s Day gag for you today, but I will share an April 1 memory. Back in the ‘80s, that was the day The Weather Channel would switch over from the Snow & Ski Report to the Boat & Beach Report. A harbinger of warm weather…

I haven’t been to Hard Times Deli out in The Edge yet, but people who have been there have told me they have lines out the front door for their sandwiches. Any suggestions what to order there?

Happy birthday to Gmail. Google’s email service is now old enough to drink legally.

The Downtown Aldi grocery store will open April 10 at 785 Union. Hours will be 9 AM-8 PM.

Extreme flooding is possible in Memphis later this week.

The CA reports that the former Family Dollar space on Main is going to be converted into offices and retail. There will also be 8 apartments.

Mix Odyssey, the annual fundraiser for Volunteer Odyssey, will be at Baron von Opperbean on Mud Island April 30.

YOGA! Yoga on the River is back every Tuesday at 6 PM in River Garden. Free, all levels. Bring a mat or towel and water.

Get a taste of Mexico City at Amelia Gene’s this Thursday or next.

That’s it for today. Back soon…

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
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Somewhere yesterday, a Tennessee fan was weeping in his Miller Lite. His Tennessee Vols got embarrassed by the Houston Cougars from start to finish.

Dude, stop that. Your beer is watered down enough without your tears.

And remember… this year may be over, but NEEEXXXXT YEEEAAAAARRRR… I JUST HAVE A FEELIN ATTTTT’S GONNNNN BEEEEEE YERRRR YEEEEAAAAR.

All four 1 seeds made it to the Final Four. People who played their bracket challenges conservatively will be rewarded richly this year.

Real2Reel Photography is offering a special through Friday. Headshots are normally $150, but if you schedule and call ahead, at 901-508-7324, it will only be $25. It includes a 15 minute session in their studio and one picture touched up. Real2Reel is at 136 E. GE Patterson Avenue.

Action News 5 explains the importance of the Grizzlies’ remaining games. Currently the 5 seed in the West, it’s conceivable they could finish as high as 2 or as low as 8.

The Trumpster is looking for a way to serve a third term.

It’s International Taco Day and National Tater Day.

Back in approximately 24 hours.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
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Horn Lake comfort food restaurant and bar Cheers has announced the location for its expansion into Downtown Memphis. It will be in the MLGW building at 245 S. Main and will be open Monday-Friday for lunch only.

From Bleacher Report: Ja Morant complained about the Memphis Grizzlies’ offensive system prior to head coach Taylor Jenkins’ firing. However, T-Jenk may have earned the wrath of GM Zach Kleiman by giving in and running more of the plays Ja likes.

Will the front office therefore try to get rid of Ja, too? BR says there may not be much of a trade market.

Did you know Memphis Chess Club serves brunch 8 AM-2 PM on the weekends? Today’s menu:

They have a chef who prepares the food in-house. You do not have to be a member of the chess club to dine there. It’s on Madison just east of B.B. King Blvd.

There’s a good chance Memphis will see severe weather tonight.

Memphis Showboats Touchdown Light Lager has debuted at Ghost River.

These hacker laws and principles contain a lot of wisdom, even if you’re not a computer nerd. Example: If you can’t feed a work team with two pizzas, it’s too large.

Black Violin comes to the Orpheum Tuesday.

Back tomorrow.

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TOAST: The Ultimate Bread Experience is coming to the Cannon Center on October 30. Normally I don’t blog about events that far in advance, but there’s a story about this one.

“I have never, ever in my life heard of a band called Bread,” I thought when I saw the show advertised on the center’s billboard. “Bands like the Beatles and the Stones and Zeppelin have tribute bands. Big names.”

I came to the conclusion that TOAST must be a tribute to a band that never existed. “That’s absolutely brilliant,” I thought.

But a visit to Wikipedia proved me wrong. Bread was a soft rock band active in the 1970s. Their biggest hit was “Baby I’m-a Want You,” which I kinda vaguely remember.

Is anyone going to this show?

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins has been fired. Beale Street Bears speculates that TJ may have lost the support of the locker room.

The Flying Saucer is getting in on some of that crawfish boil action. Their boil will be a fundraiser for firefighters on Saturday, April 12. Arm wrestling, cornhole, live music.

The Saucer is giving away tickets to Wiseacre’s April 26 Taste the Rarity event. Ask your server how to get a chance to win. …Except, you won’t win. Gary “Mr. 64 plates” Smith will win. He wins everything.

Momma’s has PBR on draft now but I think it’s only temporary.

I had a fantastic time sitting outside South Main Sounds with friends for South Main Night Market last night.

Tomorrow at 1:20 we are all Houston Cougars fans. It’s up to the Cougs to keep Tennessee out of the Final Four.

Back tomorrow with more news.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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The new number was voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) through a company called TextNow.

Turns out many websites that use 2-factor authentication won’t send 2FA confirmation codes to VoIP numbers. That makes the new number practically worthless to me.

I had a chance to earn some money doing remote work. But the website which connects workers with work requires a phone number for 2FA and it can’t be VoIP.

I am so frustrated. I am incredibly grateful for everything the Union Mission has done for me the past year, but it’s time to move on. But it seems like every time I get close to earning money regularly, something like this VoIP thing comes up and knocks me back to square one.

Last summer I had my most viral article ever on Medium. It paid out in September, just as the weather was getting nice.

I stayed out of the Union Mission approximately 17 of October’s 31 days. It was wonderful. I reconnected with friends. I had some good meals and gained back a little bit of the weight I lost.

But then I spent most of November in the hospital. And my phone got stolen in December. I haven’t had a. viral article since. The weather is getting nice again and it sucks that I don’t have the resources to enjoy it as I did last October.

That’s enough griping for now… thanks for reading… ON TO THE NEWS…

The Grizzlies are back in town, and Downtown Wiseacre will hold a pregame pep rally for them Saturday. Attendees will have a chance to win two tickets to the game. The Grizz Girls, Claw Crew, and Grizzline will be there. Food and drink specials and samples of award-winning Sky Dog beer.

Stax Music Academy students invite you to relive the sounds of Stax Records tonight at 7 at the Cannon Center. The performance will include a tribute to Sam & Dave.

Jazz Meets Broadway, a night of classic Broadway hits, comes to the Halloran Centre Saturday evening.

Old Dominick will hold its annual crawfish boil Saturday 2-5 PM. Live music, drink specials. Get 1 lb. of crawfish plus all the fixings for $16 plus tax plus service fee. Or, get all you can eat plus one cocktail for $48 plus tax plus service fee.

YOGA! Puppies! Join Streetdog Foundation and SANA Yoga Saturday 2:00-3:30 PM at the Memphis Made taproom for Puppy Yoga. $25 fee includes one beer. Tickets: https://givebutter.com/SDFyoga Bring your own yoga mat/towel/water.

By the way, Memphis Made has $5 pints of Purple Drink in the taproom while supplies last.

Ghost River at Main and Crump will host a spring fever market Saturday noon to 5. “A market of vintage goods, plants, arts, oddities & more.” Easter egg hunt!

Action News 5 reporters experienced firsthand how unreliable MATA is.

Room in the Inn seeks a volunteer coordinator.

Honor our first responders with a grill-out Saturday at Cordelia’s Market. 11 AM to 1 PM.

Memphis Tacos and Tequila Festival happens Saturday noon to 5 at Butterific Cafe.

I think I’m gonna stay out of the Mission tonight and go to South Main Trolley Night tonight. Or South Main Night Market, whatever it’s called now. Perhaps I’ll  see you there.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Can you tell from my recent posts that I have considerably more zest for life than I did a few months ago?

Back in December, I was deeply depressed because my phone and laptop had been stolen. That made it nearly impossible for me to express myself creatively and stay in contact with my friends. I had to rely on the computers at the public library. But due to the contrast between the library’s hours and the Union Mission’s hours, I could either write my blog or get in free to the Mission on any given day, but not both. That’s why there were weeks when I made only 2-3 posts, and they were short. I hated that. I love writing for all of you.

My phone and computer have been replaced, and I’m back to 6-7 posts a week, many of them in the 400-word range as opposed to 100.

So, yeah, my zest for life is back. With that zest, though, comes a new source of frustration.

I’ll continue in a future post… but now… ON TO THE NEWS…

The Grizzlies are back in action at Oklahoma City tonight at 7 PM. TV: FanDuel Sports Network and locally on Action News 5

There are a couple of pretty cool Grizzlies giveaways on back-to-back nights next week:

Monday, March 31 – 6:30 tip vs. Boston – free Grizzlies 30th anniversary watch to the first 5000. I can’t recall the Grizzlies ever giving away a watch before.

Tuesday, April 1 – 7:00 tip vs. Golden State – free Jaren Jackson Jr. hoodie to the first 3000 fans. Awesome free gift, wrong time of year? …Seems like a hoodie giveaway would be more appropriate in November.

The Memphis Flyer’s cover story this week is about the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum’s move to 126 Beale. Though not in the entertainment district proper, the museum will be an anchor of Beale Street.

Former Memphis Tigers men’s basketball head coach Josh Pastner has a new job. UNLV has reportedly hired Pastner as head coach on a five-year contract. Best of luck to Josh. He definitely has the mind for the game. I think getting out of the South will be key to his success.

Today is International Whiskey Day.

Today is also Major League Baseball’s Opening Day.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T., a tribute to Aretha Franklin, is at the Orpheum Sunday, March 30.

It’s time to CALL THOSE HOGS!!! 10 Arkansas vs. 3 Texas Tech at approximately 9:09 PM. TBS, truTV.

The Metal Museum is looking for a guest services assistant and a retail gallery manager.

From ABC: Check to see if you have unclaimed cash. 1 in 7 Americans do.

The Lobbyist is opening a new outdoor bar.

Elvis Presley Enterprises seeks a digital content specialist.

Back tomorrow.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Those of you who are just here for news, who are not personal contacts of mine, can skip ahead to ON TO THE NEWS… below.

Yesterday, for the second time in three months, I missed out on an opportunity to earn money because I didn’t have a working phone number. I was so incredibly frustrated. I’m sick and tired of having almost no money, staying at the Union Mission. I desire something better for myself .

I think I found a solution. I found a company called TextNow that gave me a 901 phone number. Unlike Google Voice, I did not have to have an existing number to get the new one.

I can use the new number to text ONLY WHEN ON WI-FI, because I currently do not have cellular service. That limits me to about 7-10 AM on weekdays, a little longer on weekends – you see, the Union Mission where I stay at night does not have Wi-Fi. Still, having a working phone number a few hours a day is for better than nothing.

FRIENDS- email me at paul.ryburn@gmail.com if you want the new number.

ON TO THE NEWS…

Wiseacre’s Sky Dog Lager was recently named the best light beer in the U.S. at the Great American Beer Festival.

Slider Inn Downtown hosts Taylor Swift Music Bingo this Thursday at 7.

Memphis Farmers Market’s opening day is April 5. Salon has named a must-have item at farmers markets… shrooms.

Paris has voted to make 500 streets pedestrian.

A Yelp-like app called ShelterBridge allows the homeless to review shelter service, meals, etc. PLEASE add the ability to review and rate guest preachers from local churches who preach at shelters!!!!!

The National Civil Rights Museum could lose its federal funding. Thanks Elon!

The Grizzlies got a W over the Utah Jazz last night, 140-103. That moves Memphis up to 4th in the West, a half-game behind Denver and ahead of the Lakers.

The City Council is moving forward with a hotel-motel tax increase to fund FedExForum improvements. Those are important to keep the Grizzlies here.

MPD has shared new Downtown safety initiatives.

The monthly Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting is tonight at historic Conwood Flats, 711 N. Front. Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery will speak. Free wine and food for members.

Today is National Make Up Your Own Holiday Day. Happy PBR Day everyone.

Back tomorrow.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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