Author: paulryburn

Friday update

Quick post before 8 AM. I’m going to work from home today to avoid having to drive in heavy rain. My adorable but useless assistant will be helping me.

Everyone’s got their mind on the holidays this weekend, but here’s something to keep in mind: The International Blues Challenge is less than a month away, January 16-20. Solo artists, duos, and bands representing the very best in blues flock to Memphis and play in the clubs on Beale and the surrounding area, hoping to win their category and attract interest from record producers. However, if you check out the schedule, you will see there’s a lot more than just music performances: book signings, keynote panels, documentaries, awards presentations. There will be a book signing by John Oates on Wednesday, January 17. Come out and meet him and maybe he’ll play a few songs. Well, come meet him unless you’re one of those people who’s all like, “John Oates? I can’t go for that. No can do.”

In all seriousness, though, other cities would kill to have this vast array of talent performing in their clubs… but other cities are not the Home of the Blues. If you have never been to this festival, you owe it to yourself to check it out. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, there are wristbands that get you into all the participating clubs for one low price. You can pick and choose the blues you want. It’s a musical buffet!

The removal of Confederate statues in Memphis has been getting a lot of national press. The Atlantic has a good look at Memphis’ inventive new approach to removing these statues.

Drew & Ellie Holcomb play the Orpheum tonight along with their band The Neighbors. They’ll perform Christmas standards and some Holcomb originals.

Lifehacker has a good point: always carry $20 in small bills. That allows you to tip people who would not typically get tipped on credit or debit cards: valets, housekeepers, bands, open bar bartenders, etc.

Tubby will go head-to-head with his son as the Memphis Tigers host Loyola at FedExForum. Tomorrow will be a doubleheader at the arena with the Grizzlies playing at 7.

That’ll do it for now. Time to fire up email and my other apps and be productive. The office closes at 3 so I will be at Silly Goose shortly after that. If more news comes in I will do a post before going out.

City removes symbols of hate, heals racial wounds + Thursday news

The Confederate statues in Memphis Park and Health Sciences Park were taken down last night.

This letter from Mayor Strickland explains it all, but here’s the short version:

Mayor Strickland was determined that the statues should come down legally. Unfortunately the Tennessee Historical Commission ruled that the city could not legally remove the statues from city-owned parks.

However, the city does have the right to sell parks it owns at below-market value. Owners of private parks can legally remove items on the land they own, including statues. Yesterday the City Council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Strickland to sell those two parks to a newly formed nonprofit, Memphis Greenspace, for $1000 each. The sale was completed yesterday afternoon and the statues were taken down last night. It was done with a swiftness that kept those who would oppose the removal of the statues (possibly with violence) from having time to mobilize.

Well done City Council, Mr. Mayor, the organizers of the new nonprofit, and everyone involved. Those statues were monuments to racism, discrimination, and hate. If they are to be viewed, they should be viewed within context that those statues were put up in the days of Jim Crow and in the days of the backlash by whites to the Civil Rights Act, and that those are not the values we as a society hold anymore.

On to the news..

The Orpheum will host LeMoyne-Owen College’s A Soulful Holiday Evening tonight at 7. Chanté Moore and renowned group CAMEO will perform. Proceeds will benefit The United Negro College Fund.

The inaugural Sip & Shop kicks off today from 4 to 9 PM. The way it works is, you start at LYFE Kitchen and pick up a passport. Then you go visit participating South Main shops and restaurants, getting your passport stamped at each place you visit. Participating locations include

  • Rizzo’s
  • South Main Book Juggler
  • Red Velvet Clothing
  • 409 S. Main food hall
  • Inspired Christian Design
  • Peddler Bike Shop

Collect at least 3 stamps and return to LYFE Kitchen before 9 PM to receive a free appetizer.

MATA has announced that the rubber-wheeled trolley buses will not run December 25 and January 1.

The DMC has named its Top 10 “Game Changer” properties for redevelopment.

Max’s Sports Bar at 115 G.E. Patterson will have Miller Lite specials and swag tomorrow night:

Last night at the Blind Bear was holiday movie trivia night, and Charles asked a question about Miracle on 34th Street. “Is New York City the only city that has a 34th Street?” Charles commented after giving the answer. Um, Charles, most major cities have 34th Streets. Memphis is the rare exception (I think Seventh is as high as it goes here). My hometown of Little Rock has a 34th Street, although it’s not the kind of street anyone would ever make a movie about.

Memphis Made has announced that they will open their taproom early, at 10 AM, on Saturday, December 30, the day of the Liberty Bowl. They will have the game on their huge projector in the event room.

Sam’s Hamburgers is moving across Madison to 7 N. Main.

NBC News has a look at how Russian trolls hijacked conversations on Twitter during key moments in the 2016 presidential election campaign to strike fear and the need for autocracy in the hearts of Americans. Don’tcha hate those crazy trolls?

That’ll do it for now. One more day until the holiday weekend.

Wednesday update

Holly has a list of hours places are open Christmas Day and Christmas Eve on the I Love Memphis Blog. Of particular interest to Downtowners: Flying Saucer and Bardog open at 5 on Christmas, Blind Bear at 6. I will add that I’ve confirmed that the Silly Goose opens at 7 that night.

The Flyer reports that The 5 Spot, the restaurant behind Earnestine & Hazel’s on G.E. Patterson, is coming back in early 2018. Cliff’s notes version of the Flyer article: Lots of shrimp dishes including a shrimp pasta dish in memory of Russell George; menu by John Wills; Delta-style tamales; French-press coffee and beignets; bar menu after-hours; delivery.

Evelyn and Olive has an immediate opening for a dishwasher/prep position. Apply in person at 630 Madison.

It’s Yule Fuel glass night at the Flying Saucer tonight at 7.

Classic Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street will be on the big screen at the Orpheum tonight.

The voice of Daphne from the Scooby-Doo cartoon series has passed away.

High Ground News has an article on the new food hall at 409 South Main.

GiveCamp Memphis is coming in February. Marketers, designers, and developers will have the chance to donate their skills to benefit some great local charities.

The Tigers host Siena tonight at 7 at FedExForum. A victory over the 271st-ranked team in the KenPom standings would look mighty impressive to the NCAA tournament selection committee. I saw a live stream link for tonight’s game but have not tested this myself yet.

I’m happy to report that after being dropped in enchilada sauce on Sunday, my troll has been cleaned off and has survived unscathed. She will be out with me this weekend. You know, trolls are often cast as nasty creatures, but this one has been a better friend and better listener than several humans who come to mind.

Holidays at the office are great because people bring food. Yesterday there were Christmas cookies. Today there were sausage biscuits. Yum! My co-worker who made those should enter them in that breakfast festival they have on a parking lot in the Medical District, if it returns in 2018.

That’ll do it for now! Back tomorrow with more news.

Tuesday update

The Cardinals Caravan will return to AutoZone Park on Friday, January 12. This is an opportunity to sit down and talk baseball with Cardinals players, alumni, and announcers. Kids 15 and under can get tickets to receive autographs from each current and former player in attendance. There will be Cardinals prize drawings as well. The event will begin at 6:30 PM.

A Christmas Story and Home Alone will be the featured movies this Thursday at the holiday movie extravaganza at the Ghost River taproom. Two Girls and a Whip will be back with a special boozy cupcake they whipped up just for this event. This week the cupcake will be “Red Ryder,” a red velvet cupcake made with Ghost River Riverbank Red.

Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson will return to the Orpheum Wednesday, February 7, 2018, to teach us “Ten Things You Should Know About the Universe.”

Construction permits have been filed for the Benchmark Hotel, the shell of a hotel building that has been visually polluting the corner of Union and B.B. King for years.

Anyone else getting spammed HARD by the Grizzlies Online Store? I don’t mind hearing from them occasionally, but once or twice a day every day for a week is a bit excessive.

Interesting article on Psychology Today: Five things psychopaths do in conversation. Give it a read and see if you are reminded of anyone you know.

Most people know about the Union Mission’s facility at 383 Poplar, but they have another facility at 600 Poplar. Among other things at this facility, they minister to people in the neighborhood. There are 10 girls and 3 boys in the neighborhood who need Christmas toys. You can drop off donated toys between 8 AM and 4:40 PM at the 600 Poplar location; ask for Jesse.

I’m not a movie person so I read the plot for The Last Jedi on Wikipedia. I have a theory on who Rey is. I won’t share it here because it could be considered a spoiler, although more so the 9th movie than this one. Ask me about it in person if you’re curious.

For those of you who follow @Counterchekist, one of my favorite sources of updates on Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation, here’s a spreadsheet of all the FEATHERS missions he has mentioned. Three hits have already been scored.

Looks like a wet ride home tonight. Everyone be careful out there! Back tomorrow with more news.

Sunday update

So, this was my day yesterday. Thanks to my friends Staci and Darin for an awesome Christmas party. As you can see, there was no shortage of food.

Fireball

Rahul had a little extra pep in his step yesterday.

Bruschetta

This bitch

Staci’s famous stuffed shells

Thanks to B-RAD for the ride down there. Apologies to everyone for ghosting there at the end. I didn’t mean to make such a quick exit but when I pulled up Lyft I discovered there was a driver literally turning onto the street a block away.

You know, usually I am not into Christmas/holiday parties that much but this year I have been having a blast. The DNA/SMA party is today at Jack Robinson Gallery (Front and Huling) and I am considering going. I have a feeling it will easily be worth the $10 non-member fee.

Acoustic Sunday Live happens at the Halloran Centre today at 7. There will be a performance by Three Women and the Truth, featuring Gretchen Peters, Kathy Mattea, and Mary Gauthier. Also performing will be Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient Tom Paxton and the Don Juans.

I was joined at the Blind Bear by a special guest yesterday:

This Twitter thread is a good one to read if you want to get a thorough understanding of why this is likely to be a very bad week for Jared Kushner, senior adviser to the Trumpster and Ivanka’s husband.

Sinful Sister is the featured beer for 12 Days today at Ghost River’s taproom. Bring a donation for the Memphis Union Mission, the Mid-South Food Bank, or Memphis Pets Alive and get the beer for 50% off.

The Rusty Pieces play Belle Tavern tonight at 6:30.

Sunday Fun Day followed by a week at work and then yet another 4-day weekend. Back tomorrow with more news.

 

Saturday update: Chicken & waffles cupcakes and more

Big thanks to the folks at my apartment building, Number 10 Main, for an outstanding holiday party last night. Amy LaVere and her band performed.

The food buffet was delicious, but I want to mention one item on the buffet in particular. Sorry I didn’t get a better photo but SOMEONE insisted on jumping right in the middle of the picture. :mad:

If you look past the green hair, you’ll see cupcakes topped with icing, a waffle, and a piece of chicken. That’s right, chicken & waffle cupcakes. They’re from Two Girls and a Whip. I doubt they carry them in the case at their shop at Front and Huling, but you can custom-order them. I’m beginning to wonder if there’s anything they can’t do with a cupcake.

December 2017 is a month that has given us Downtowners many reasons to party, and this weekend you can party in style. Sesame Street Live: Let’s Party! comes to the Cannon Center with two performances today and two tomorrow. Party and dance with Grover, Elmo, Butch Jones Oscar the Grouch, Big Bird, Bert and his husband Ernie, and all the Sesame Street characters.

I used to be afraid of Guy Smiley the game show host Muppet when I was a kid. Whenever he came on Sesame Street, I would run to the bedroom and hide behind the curtains until his segment was over.

There will be a book signing for The Last Quarterback at South Main Book Juggler from 3 to 5 this afternoon. Here’s a description:

A small-town lawyer, his mysterious girlfriend Nicki, and a preacher have one simple thing in common—a missing quarter.

But for attorney Wesley Williams, the return of the quarter is only a small part of his problems. An exploding train kills Wesley’s friend, and he is determined to find the culprit, even if it means taking on the Klan. With the help of Nicki, Wesley finds himself mired in crime, church politics, conspiracies, scandals and a domestic terrorism plot that could kill them all. But when all is said and done, only one thing really matters.

How to get the quarter back.

As your number-one source of news and information about The Edge District, it is my duty to inform you that there will be a neighborhood meeting this Monday, December 18 at the Riverdeep Church at 627 Monroe. Neighborhood safety will be discussed, and information will be shared about the new camera system.

If you’re curious what happens at the South Main Sounds songwriter concerts, Twitter user @markpsrsell tweeted a number of videos yesterday. Here’s an example:

Teachers: The Orpheum wants to help you enhance your classes with live arts experiences.

The Flying Saucer is adding an ugly sweater contest to its Tuesday trivia next week.

Lorenzen Wright’s ex-wife has been charged in connection to his murder.

Full schedule for me today. Brunch with Bloomers at Bardog, D-RANKS with B-RAD at the Blind Bear, and then more D-RANKS with B-RAD at a holiday party at a friend’s condo in South End. Happy Saturday everyone, back tomorrow with more.

Friday update

The Memphis Business Journal has a slideshow of Carolina Watershed, the new bar with silos and a large backyard at 144 E. Carolina. There will be a large menu (photos in the slideshow) with brunch on the weekends. Food will be locally sourced and have a Southern feel. Andy Knight will be the executive chef. He previously worked as a chef at Loflin Yard, Bounty on Broad, and Interim. They plan to do a soft opening today and a grand opening sometime after Christmas.

@MemphoNewsLady Joyce Peterson has the details on the Spaghetti Warehouse auction.

How much for the “How Hot Is Your Love?” arcade machine?

Ghost River is giving away Grizzlies tickets.

Holiday online sale: Get 10% off orders of $35 or more at Sun Records through December 20.

The plot for The Last Jedi has been posted on Wikipedia for those who prefer that to going to see the movie.

Blackwater Trio is back at the Blind Bear tonight after making a great impression two weekends ago.

I have notifications set up on my phone to let me know whenever our BBQ team’s email address receives mail. Yesterday I received a pleasant surprise: a notification that people are already paying their dues for 2018! Teammates, if you want to pay, the PayPal form is on the team website (right sidebar on web, bottom of the page on mobile). If you don’t wish to pay by PayPal, email us (moodyques@gmail.com) and we can make arrangements for you to pay by cash or check. If any of my readers are interested in joining the Moody Ques, feel free to inquire – it’s possible we may have open spots.

I doubt there are many royal-watchers on BBQ teams, but Prince Harry is going to get married on Saturday of BBQ Fest next year.

Traffic alert: From tomorrow at 5 AM to Monday at 5 AM, two lanes will be closed on I-40 from Danny Thomas to the river bridge for repairs to the bridge over Second and B.B. King Blvd.

Comcast is saying on Twitter that in the aftermath of yesterday’s vote to end net neutrality, they won’t block or throttle and they’ll be transparent. As much lying as I’ve encountered the past few years, I have little reason to believe them.

There’s been some discussion about what the outcome of the Alabama Senate race means in Tennessee. I tell you one thing, Phil Bredesen ought to start organizing town halls where he speaks with black women and asks them, “What are your most important concerns about government? How can I amplify your voice in Washington?” And really LISTEN to them and plan to TAKE ACTION based on their advice, not just patronize them and use them as Trump does white evangelicals. Because that’s a group that has not been properly been represented in Congress since… well, ever.

Hearing that Jared Kushner may find some criminal charges under his Christmas tree. Wait, he’s Jewish. Anyway, you get my point.

Weekend! Two, possibly three holiday parties to attend. Back tomorrow with more news.

Thursday update

Tomorrow is Star Wars Night at the Grizzlies, a 7 PM game vs. the Atlanta Hawks. In celebration of the release of The Last Jedi, the first 5000 fans through the gate will receive a Memphis Grizzlies lightsaber.

Ballet Memphis’ Nutcracker plays four shows at the Orpheum tomorrow through Sunday.

Second Edition, a pop-up bookstore at 9 N. Main, is open through tomorrow. Great chance to pick up a gift for a friend or a new read for yourself.

Ghost River celebrates its 10th birthday on New Year’s Eve.

What’s interesting is that Ghost River (the brewery, not the taproom) opened on the same day as another great South Main business: Max’s Sports Bar.

Hello, Dalai! The Dalai Lama has an iPhone app now.

I played trivia with friends last night at the Blind Bear, and I was tasked with coming up with the team name. Team names based on current events are always a good strategy, and no event is more current than Roy Moore’s loss in the Alabama Senate race. So the name I wrote down was “See you later, alligator. After a while, pedophile.” It didn’t win but nevertheless I was pretty proud of it.

Charvey Mac played after trivia, but I had this wild idea that if I went home early, I could get up at 5 and drive out to Sunrise Memphis for breakfast before work. What actually happened was, I woke up at 6:52. So no Charvey and no breakfast. I’m sure I’ll get insomnia one of these days and be up at 5.

Politico speculates that Paul Ryan may retire, and will almost certainly step down as Speaker of the House, in 2018. Of course, he can’t say that publicly because it would hurt fundraising and his ability to get legislation passed. Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out, Pauly!

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with more.

Wednesday update: Decency prevails and more news

Got a couple of pieces of brewery news to report. This Thursday at 7, Ghost River will host Ginger, Beer & Holiday Cheer in its taproom along with Two Girls and a Whip. Each Thursday in December they’ll have holiday movies, boozy cupcakes, and craft brews. This week Two Girls and a Whip will have a “Ginger Beer” cupcake, made with Ghost River’s P.S. I Love You American Strong Ale. They’ll also have non-boozy cupcakes available for purchase. They’ll show National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at 7, followed immediately by Elf.

Way, way out east, Meddlesome Brewing Co. will conduct a video game drive for the troops on the 30th:

New Memphis, a nonprofit committed to attracting, developing, activating and retaining talent in order to forge a prosperous and vital new Memphis, is hiring a Communications Specialist.

South Main is throwing a special Liberty Bowl Night at South Main Trolley Night Friday, December 29. The Liberty Bowl is the next day, and our guests from Iowa State will be in town. Let’s show them some Southern hospitality. Most of the shops in the South Main Arts District will be open until 9 or later, many offering discounts, appetizers, beer or wine. Delta Heart will be playing the Arcade Restaurant from 7 to 9 and Sean Apple will play The Vault.

Fun fact I discovered: December 21 is the winter solstice and shortest day of the year, but it is neither the date of the latest sunrise or the earliest sunset. The earliest sunset for Memphis (4:47 PM) occurs from December 3-6 and then sunsets start getting later again. The latest sunrise (7:09 AM) doesn’t happen until January 4-9. Actually, though January 4-9 is not the latest sunrise of the entire year. By the last days of Daylight Saving Time in early November, the sun rises as late as 7:24 AM.

I don’t have this officially confirmed, but I am hearing that Hot Wing Fest is moving to Tiger Lane next year. That is an ideal spot for cooking festivals and is far better than closing a street.,

You have a chance to win a boat at The Memphis Boat Expo the second week of February at the Cook Convention Center.

Radio/trivia host Kevin Cerrito (@cerrito on Twitter) reports that WWE is now advertising The Shield vs. Samoa Joe, Sheamus and Cesaro and Kane vs. Braun Strowman for the Monday, January 8 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw live from FedExForum.

Decency prevailed last night as Democrat Doug Jones defeated racist/homophobe/accused child molester Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate race. I hope this leads the GOP to understand what a chaotic and negative influence Steve Bannon is on their party and exile him once and for all. If they don’t, November 6, 2018 is going to be a fun day for Democrats.

That’s all for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

Elect a Pedophile Day update (I hope this title is wrong)

I’m going to break my rule about saving politics until the end of my post today, because this is an important day in American history. Residents of Alabama will go to the polls and possibly send an accused pedophile, a man with 8 accusers including one as young as 14, a man who was reportedly cruising the mall for teenage girls when he was in his 30s, to the United States Senate. This New York Times article written by a 21-year-old woman, a senior at Auburn who values her faith and attends Bible study regularly, is well worth a read.

Catherine & Mary’s will be open for brunch starting this weekend. 10:30-2:00 Saturday and 10:30-3:00 Sunday.

I went to Las Margaritas and had the Camarones a la Diabla, shrimp in a spicy sauce, on Saturday.

This dish was good and I’d get it again, but you know what would really make it awesome? An “add slices of avocado and bacon” option. That spicy sauce would be perfect for dipping bacon, and avocado would take the edge of the heat off.

Instead, I took the edge off with fried ice cream for dessert.

While we’re on the topic of taking the heat off, the CA has a list that will help you take the heat off the holidays. It lists restaurants that will cook turkey, ham, etc. that you can take home, and what places will be open Christmas Day.

Congratulations to Tamp and Tap, recent recipient of a perfect 100 score on their health inspection. That is not an easy thing to do!

The Silly Goose has a Christmas shopping tip:

‘Reke’s in some pretty good company here:

Join hundreds of your fellow Memphis Tigers fans in the stands tonight at FedExForum as the Tigers host Albany at 8 PM. This seems like another in the list of “they have a basketball team?” opponents along with Samford, Mercer, and Bryant, but watch out… Albany is number 105 in the KenPom power rankings, whereas the Tigers (despite being 6-2) have slipped to 159. This is probably an L for Memphis. Hope I’m wrong.

Gary Parrish made a good point yesterday. Tubby ran Keelon Lawson and his sons off. Keelon has connections to all the AAU programs in the city, and therefore he could easily sabotage any efforts Tubby makes to recruit within Memphis. I’m starting to come around to the “write Tubby a check to go away and hire Penny Hardaway as head coach” school of thought. What other options do we have? He’d put butts in seats and he’d recruit well within the city.

Happy first day of Hanukkah to my readers who observe that holiday. That’s all for now. Back tomorrow with more news.