Author: paulryburn

Tuesday update

Well, I think yesterday is a day we’d all like to forget. I just really don’t know what to say about the mass shooting in Las Vegas. It seems like the 2010s will go down as the decade when humans were terrible to each other. As for Tom Petty, his death was tough to read about because it happened the same way my mom’s did: Cardiac arrest, no brain activity, had to be taken off life support. Also sad to read an article where Petty said that 2016 was the last big Heartbreakers tour because he had a granddaughter now, and wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.

And now there was news this morning that longtime Memphis wrestling commentator Lance Russell has died. RIP Lance and prayers to his family and friends. He helped so many realize their potential, the two most obvious examples being Dave Brown and Jerry Lawler.

The 40th anniversary Downtown Memphis Commission meeting happens tomorrow, Wednesday, October 4, on the Civic Center Plaza and at the DMC building at Main and Adams. Open to the public and admission is free but you need to click the link and RSVP. Open house tour 5:00-5:30 PM, opening remarks from Mayors Luttrell and Strickland 5:30-5:45, and then awards presentation 5:45-7:00. From 7 to 9 there will be live music by the Nick Black band, free photos in the Amurica booth, food, drinks, games, and more. The awards will honor Old Dominick, the Madison Avenue pocket park, and Hotel Napoleon.

The 3rd annual Sinners for Saints Ball will happen Saturday, October 28. Stop 345 and Tad Pierson’s Indoor Trailer Park are back as event venues, and this year they have added Brinson’s for even more event space. Hair band cover band Aquanet will headline, along with Charvey Mac, DJ SuperBrad, a songwriters’ showcase, and karaoke at Brinson’s hosted by DJ Lil’ Eggroll. Your $50 admission ($60 at the door) includes beer, mixed drinks, punches, and Hipner’s craft Jello shots. Costume contest with lots of prizes. Food by local restaurants including Stanley BBQ and Pete and Sam’s. Costumes strongly encouraged. Proceeds benefit the Church Health Center.

Peppa Pig Live visits the Orpheum tonight at 6 PM. This was said to be the #1 family show of 2016. Tickets are $29.50-$139.50

The MBJ has a slideshow of progress on the Tennessee Brewery redevelopment.

There will be a Creative Works Market at the Halloran Centre Friday and Saturday from 10 to 6. Over 30 makers, designers, and artists are in town for a creative conference, and Friday and Saturday they will sell their works to the public. Might be a good chance to pick up a unique Christmas gift. Click the link to see a list of vendors.

Michael Butler, guest blogger for I Love Memphis, has an article about Two Girls and a Whip, the new cakery at Front and Huling. They sell delicious cakes in shop, but if you need a custom cake, definitely give them a call! They can do amazing things with custom cakes. Hmmm I bet they could make a custom cake that looks exactly like my troll. Hopefully not scaled to size though, because that wouldn’t be much of a cake. (Edit: Now hearing that they are not quite open yet. Shouldn’t be long thouigh.)

The New Daisy announced that tonight’s Morgan James event has been canceled.

Cooks’ meeting for Best Memphis Burger Fest is tonight at 6:30. I’m not a cook and therefore not attending the meeting; however, if any of my teammates want to meet up for delicious and affordable $2 PBRs prior to going over the meeting venue, I will be at the Silly Goose tonight around 5:30. Back tomorrow with more news.

A visit to the Memphis Made taproom

Yesterday was a slow day Downtown, so I decided to hop into a Lyft and go visit my friend Hannah who bartends at Aldo’s Midtown. Having had pizza four times in the past 7 days, I wasn’t in the mood for more of the same. So, after putting down a PBR, I decided to wander next door and see what food truck was at the Memphis Made taproom.


What a great place they have there. High quality brews on tap, pinball machines. Fun place to be.

Eddy’s Pepper was the food truck.

I ordered the Cotton Mouth Quesadilla with ground beef.

They had a vast array of hot sauces to apply to your food.

Perhaps the scariest pepper sauce of all is the clear one. I stayed away from this sauce.

I was impressed by the prices at Eddy’s Pepper. A good portion of food for not a lot of money. And I like the food truck concept at breweries. You get something different every day, so you never get bored with the food. The one day Memphis Made is open that they don’t have food trucks, you can grab a snack from Aldo’s next door.

A fun little Sunday excursion. If you like great beer, give the Memphis Made taproom a try.

Sunday update

I have a recommendation for my readers… go to City Market on a Friday night and get a piece of tiramisu for $7.99. It’s a huge piece and I have resisted the temptation to buy one for quite some time because it seemed like a lot to spend for dessert. But, do it. You can snack on it over the course of a weekend and it is so good. If you’re a couple you can take it out of the plastic box and put it on a plate and get two forks and share it. I didn’t bother taking it out of the plastic box.

Speaking of sweets, Two Girls and a Whip opens Tuesday. This is a cakery/cupcakery that has been talked about for a while. Any idea for what you want a cake to be, no matter how off the wall, these women can make it happen. Go talk to them next time you have a birthday, anniversary or whatever to plan for. They’re at 383 S. Front at Huling.

Little Rock blog The Mighty Rib made a stop in Memphis to visit The Dirty Crow Inn, just about a half a mile from the Mississippi bridge. Read what they had to say.

Couple of photos from yesterday:

Tony celebrated Pride Week yesterday at the Blind Bear. He was looking butch in his lumberjack shirt, always a good choice when it’s 80 outside. He commented “this is how the men dress in Portland.” Okay then.

Guess who’s coming to Best Memphis Burger Fest this Saturday!

Yep! B-RAD is off work Saturday! Although an invited guest of the Moody Ques, I am sure Brad will visit other teams as well. Feel free to ask him anything you want about me. He knows me well and I have nothing to hide. Also, other teams, notice if any of your invited guests scurry away like bugs running for a crack in the asphalt when they see him. Some people just can’t handle the truth. People have actually unfriended him because he’s too vocal about me.

Just in time for Halloween, there will be a class about potions on Sunday, October 15 at 7 N. Main.

Here’s a cooking blog post about goose eggs. And speaking of goose eggs, how bout dem Tennessee Vols! Not all the orange shoelaces in the world could save the Vols from the special needs adult known as their head coach. The Dawgs of Georgia put a 41-0 whoopin’ on Tennessee. First shutout since 1994. We sure didn’t see much of that trash can yesterday!

That’ll do it for now! Off to Sunday brunch. Back tomorrow with more news.

Majestic folks to take over Brass Door + more Saturday news

Big news on Madison Avenue, as reported by Hungry Memphis: The Majestic Grille folks are taking over the Brass Door. The deal was recently finalized for Patrick and Deni Reilly, owners of the Majestic Grille and the folks responsible for the recent success of the restaurant in Beale Street Landing, to take over operations. The Irish pub will retain its name, and they hope to have the side bar open for sports watching in as little as a couple of weeks. The Brass Door itself will be open by the end of 2017.

Hmmm I don’t know about this. Has Patrick Reilly ever been in an Irish pub in his life? What does he know about fine Irish whiskys? Or Irish stouts? Can you really see him designing a menu of authentic pub food? Man… this could be the biggest flop since Ricky Martin released “She Bang.”

Just kidding, of course. :mrgreen: The Reillys are the perfect people to offer their perspective on how to make the Brass Door prosper. It is a beautiful pub with a beautiful bar and three stories. It’s just slightly hidden away in a Downtown district where most people incorrectly think of Monroe as the northern boundary of the bar and restaurant scene.

I will offer one piece of advice: You have got to be consistent with the hours. If your posted closing time is 11, you can’t shut down at 8:15 because it’s a 35-degree misty November night and you currently have no customers. You have got to stay open until 11. If someone walks up to your door at 9 and sees the “closed” sign, guess what: They’re probably never coming back.

Truth:

There will be a Goldcrest bock party tonight at Westy’s starting at 7 PM. Free tastings of Bock, the latest addition to Goldcrest 51’s family of beers. Live music on the patio by The Breeze featuring Jerry Lucas of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Southern rock, country and bluegrass.

The Circuit Market pop-up market returns to Peabody Place at Main Street today 11-3. Here’s a look at some of the vendors.

The Flyer is back with more tumbleweaves spotted around Memphis.

Photos from the Memphis Farmers Market’s Farm Fest are now online.

Politico recently did an article about controversial Nashville radio host Clay Travis. If that name sounds familiar, he is the one whose recent commentary on CNN was cut short after he said the two things he believes in are “the First Amendment and boobs.” After months of wondering “why would anybody tune in to this guy’s show?”, I’ve figured out his audience: People who will go on and on about sports for hours because they lack the intellectual and emotional depth to discuss topics of substance. When a topic comes up that requires thought and introspection and examination of one’s inner values, they go, “Hey, did you see that Ortiz hit in the top of the ninth?” to return the conversation to waters that are sufficiently shallow. Those are the kind of people who are fans of Clay Travis.

Bardog is once again having a burlesque show on Halloween night. Start time is 9 PM.

Business Insider has a comparison of “cheap” domestic beers. See which beer won. Technically, Yuengling had a higher score than the winner, but it isn’t a beer you can drink a lot of in a short time, and it’s not a cheap beer except on the east coast.

Memphis Type History has a podcast about the histories of the Peabody and Hotel Pontotoc.

Bracketology!

The New York Times has an article on how Rick Pitino can’t escape being held accountable this time. I can’t stand people who see lying as just a normal part of day-to-day life.

Time to kick things off at Bardog! Best Bartender winner Bloom has the day off, so I guess it will be Panda Time. After that I’ll walk over to Blind Bear for D-RANKS with B-RAD. Yep, he’s working Saturdays now, and they have Hung Over Like a Bear brunch until 6 PM, with $3 cinnamon whiskey, moonshine, mimosas, and Bloody Marys, as well as $15 bottles of bubbly. Come see him. B-RAD, I have a story for you today that is going to blow your mind.

Back tomorrow with more news and possibly a photo or two of the troll.

Friday update

The final event in the event in the Fall Concert Series happens tonight at the pocket park at 151 Madison across from the Brass Door. Tonya Dyson and Thomas Crivens will perform and beer will be available for purchase. 4-6 PM.

Happy Friday, YOGA! Downtown Yoga is holding free yoga classes all day today. They will be collecting donations for hurricane relief.

Memphis Pride Fest kicks off today at Handy Park near Fourth and Beale.

Don’t forget that Fridays in the fall are Fourth Bluff Dance Parties. From 6 to 9 this evening there will be a dance floor set up just west of the University of Memphis law school at 1 N. Front. The dance parties are free to attend. Beer and wine will be sold on site, and the Arepa 901 food truck will be there to sell food.

Important: Depending on your phone and your provider, you have options for thwarting scam calls.

Tonight at South Main Trolley Night, Stock & Belle (387 S. Main) will have a meet and greet with Dil & Kali of The Ekata Collection. Ekata teaches refugee women how to make jewelry. At this event, two refugee women from Nepal will show off the skills they have learned. They will have a bead bar and will make custom pieces for you. Light refreshments will be served and the Sushicide Squad food truck will be outside.

Down the street at South Main Book Juggler (548 S. Main) there will be The End of Healing book signing. I’m just going to paste in the description from Facebook: “DR. JIM BAILEY has dedicated his career to empowering people to take charge of their health. But after working as a physician, professor, community health advocate, and healthcare researcher for ten years, he realized that his scientific papers on improving health care quality were not likely to reach the general public. For Americans to get safe, effective and affordable health care, they first had to know why and how they were getting scammed. An avid reader of novels and lover of the classics, Dr. Bailey became convinced that America needed a story to point the way to the true healing Americans need most.”

From ESPN: Find out where Grizzlies guard Mike Conley gets his sense of style

Off to work for a half day, then an afternoon and evening of mischief! I am in a no-filter kind of mood, so we shall see where the day takes me. Back tomorrow with more news.

Shout-outs to BOM winners and Thursday news

Before I start with the news, I have to give a couple of shout-outs to winners of the Memphis Flyer’s Best of Memphis poll. The BOM issue hit the stands yesterday, and the winners will be put on the Flyer website today.

Congratulations to Brittany Bloom Leach on her first place win in Best Bartender. I start the weekend at Bloom’s bar at Bardog Tavern at 11 most Saturday mornings for their weekend brunch. They have brunch on Sunday too. On Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays you can visit Bloom starting at 8 AM for breakfast at Bardog. It can be very therapeutic to sit there and watch the Today Show and play the jukebox and sip a PBR and chat with Bloom early in the morning.

I also want to congratulate Mike Mustapha at Max’s Sports Bar. He didn’t make the top three but just being nominated in a city full of great bartenders is an honor. Go see him for chocolate salty balls in the evening Wednesday-Sunday. Also, congratulations to Max’s Sports Bar for making the Readers’ Choice list for Best Sports Bar. I’m going to speculate here that going nonsmoking indoors was the tipping point that brought Max’s back into the winners’ circle.

You like us, you really like us! was what Ghost River posted to their Instagram account yesterday. The brewery and taproom at Main and Crump finished second in Best Local Brewery. They put out a consistent product (love that Grindhouse Cream Ale) and it is always a treat when I am able to make it all the way south to the taproom. Let’s see what they’ve got coming up this week.

  • Today: Cornhole tournament and Memphis Mojo food truck
  • Friday: Ono Poke pop-up lunch 12-3, with the Memphis Mojo food truck returning at 4
  • Saturday: Small Shop featuring Replinish Kombucha (wait a minute, that wasn’t what I blogged yesterday; I need to check on this) with the Sushiside Squad food truck at 5
  • Sunday: Flying Sobies food truck serving fried Cornish game hens and waffles. Bloody beers, beer-itas, and Gose-mosas. Songwriter Night 5-7:30 with host Tiffany Harmon and this week’s guest Ben Ricketts.

Wiseacre took the top spot in Best Local Brewery and Memphis Made rounded out the top three. If you’re visiting Memphis, or if you have yet to put a toe in the waters of local craft beer, you cannot go wrong with any of the three winners. Congratulations to all of them.

Excited to read that the Memphis Grizzlies have signed JaMychal Green to a 2-year, $17 million deal. It’s a major and deserved pay upgrade for Green. It’s also a short-term deal, giving the Grizzlies and Green the right to explore the market in 2019. Here’s hoping he makes a big impact at power forward in the coming year and establishes himself as Z-bo’s rightful successor.

The Grizzlies, by the way, are signing kids 7-16 up for a Fall Break Clinic on Friday, October 13. Attendees will develop their shooting, dribbling, and defensive skills. They will receive a ticket to the Grizzlies-Pelicans game that night and will have the ability to watch top stars like Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Chandler Parsons practice before the game.

The Downtown Memphis Commission has opened its search for president/CEO following the departure of Terence Patterson.

The MBJ reports that progress on a new hotel at Jefferson and B.B. King is finally moving forward.

The bus system in Memphis gets a badly needed review as part of the Memphis 3.0 plan. I will say it one more time: This will not be a great city until all of its residents have access to reliable and prompt public transportation.

Job news: The Overton Park Conservancy is hiring a Director of Development.

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

Wed update #2: Trolley Night and more news

Friday night of this week is the last Friday of the month, and you know what that means… it’ll be South Main Trolley Night with most shops in the neighborhood open until 9 or later. The South Main Association will be having their Oktoberfest celebration with food and beer in their usual spot next to Bluff City Coffee. If you’re a member, the celebration is free… even if you’re not a member, the $10 they are charging for all-you-can-drink beer is a very reasonable price point compared to other Oktoberfest celebrations. Come on out and join your neighbors!

If you want to check out some live music that night, it will be Trolley Night Shakedown at 550 S. Main from 7 to 9. Singer-songwriters Sean Apple, Maria Spence, Guy Venable, and Massimo Bevilacqua will perform.

Also that evening, Bailey Bigger will play outside Guiding Point Financial at 465 S. Main. Karen Brown will play the MLK 50 concert at the National Civil Rights Museum Amphitheater. Opera Memphis will conclude its 30 Days of Opera celebration with performances on South Main.

From AP: A lot of other nervous people are waiting for the other shoe to drop as an investigation into corruption in college basketball continues. Already, four college basketball assistant coaches have been named, along with a shoe company, financial advisers, agents, and the Universities of Louisville and Miami. Let me make this clear – this is not the NCAA investigating and handing down slap-on-the-wrist sanctions. This is the FBI investigating and people will likely be going to prison. The underlying issue here is systemic exploitation of student-athletes that the NCAA never had the authority or the balls to prevent.

Sports writers report that Rick Pitino was fired as Louisville’s men’s head basketball coach this morning (or, put on administrative leave, meaning effectively fired). Buh-bye, Rick! Also, AD Tom Jurich was fired (or placed on leave, but again, effectively fired) after refusing to fire Pitino. Hmmm, I would not be surprised to see another head coach at Louisville (whose last name rhymes with Pitino) implicated in this before all is said and done.

Josh Pastner and Tubby Smith may not have taken Memphis to any Final Fours the past 8 years, but you can damn sure bet they have steered the university away from getting caught up in this mess.

The City of Memphis is offering Manhood University for six Saturdays this fall.

The America, a cruise ship operated by American Cruise Lines, will be docked at Greenbelt Park from 8:30 AM to 6 PM tomorrow.

Bluff City Soap will be the featured vendor at Small Shop Saturday at the Ghost River taproom this Saturday. This is a chance for you to get to know one of our local makers while drinking great craft beer. Bluff City Soap makes all-natural soaps that contain no animal products or detergents. Their soaps are safe for your skin and contain ingredients that you can actually pronounce.

The City of Memphis is looking to hire a Recreation Program Manager – Parks & Neighborhoods.

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

Wed update: Maciel’s to reopen next week and more news

Recently I have been asked several times, “When is Maciel’s Tortas and Tacos going to reopen?” The much-loved authentic Mexican restaurant on the Main Street Mall had to close July 15 after a ceiling collapse. Around that time the owner said it would be about five weeks to get open again. However, five weeks came and went and I heard nothing, leading me to wonder if the question should be changed to “Is Maciel’s going to reopen?”

Hungry Memphis has an answer to that question: Yes. Maciel’s plans to open toward the end of next week. Same menu, same decor. This news will make a lot of people very happy.

Ghost River is hiring an Assistant Brewer. They’re looking for someone who wants to learn everything about the brewing process, including fermentation, sanitation, quality control, packaging and more. They want someone with an eye for detail who works well as part of a team, and if you have an interest in the science of beer, that’s a bonus. Also a bonus if you have experience working with lab or technical equipment. They have full- and part-time positions available. Send cover letters and resumes to info@ghostriverbrewing.com.

In other Ghost River news, the Ono Poke Pop-up Shop is back for lunch this Friday noon to 3.

Hmmm interesting, because you know who’s off Friday afternoon? Me! I put in a request for that half-day I had been thinking about, and it was approved. Gonna be in the mood for some good food followed by some mischief! Ghost River, you just might see me at the taproom.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. is hosting the Memphis Bigfoot Festival on Saturday, October 21 from 5 to 8 PM. 50 years ago that day, the famous film footage presenting evidence of the existence of Bigfoot was taken. Panel discussion with Bigfoot footage shown, and a Bigfoot town hall. Festival organizer Toby Sells will be there recording the very first episode of his podcast, The Southern Dark, with Bigfoot as the topic.

A movie is being filmed in Downtown Memphis. It’s a film about Brian Banks, a football player who went to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. The film site is near Main and Jefferson and the director is Tom Shadyac.

That’s it for now. Off to work. Possibly a second post at lunchtime.

Wednesday update: Important PBR and Fireball news, Blessing of the Animals, and more

Got more information on specials at Max’s Sports Bar:

$5 for a PBR and a Fireball during happy hour? That’s a special with “Paul Ryburn” written all over it. Think of it this way – pay full price for a PBR (a very reasonable $2.50 all the time at Max’s) and get a Fireball for $2.50. Hmmm I’m thinking about taking a half-day on Friday… perhaps I will roll up to Max’s right when it opens at 4:30 and give the new special a try. $30 bar tab by 6:30? Very, very possible.

I really ljke the way Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys handled the playing of the national anthem last night. Prior to the start of the anthem, they locked arms and knelt together as a team. Then they stood, united as a team with arms locked, out of respect to the flag as the anthem played. That’s an action that brings everyone together and says “we respect each other’s points of view.” We need more of that at a time when so many are seeking to divide this country rather than unite it.

There will be a Blessing of the Animals in Court Square at 4 PM Saturday, in an event organized by Calvary Episcopal Church. There will be a procession from Calvary to Court Square, songs by a choir, a prayer, and a reading. Bring your pets and join Rockey Redbird, MPD K-9s and mounted patrols, and MFD Dalmatians.

Teachers: The honored country curriculum guide has been released by Memphis in May for the 2017-18 school year. Help your students learn all about 2018’s honored country, the Czech Republic.

Well this is not good: A man was allegedly beaten unconscious with a stool inside Purple Haze nightclub about 4 in the morning Sunday, Action News 5 reports.

Explore Bike Share, a 600-bike bike sharing nonprofit that will begin operations in Memphis in 2018, is seeking an executive director.

Following an investigation by the FBI, fraud and corruption charges have been brought on 10 people involved with men’s college basketball, including four assistant coaches and the director of global sports marketing for Adidas. Hmmm one of the assistant coaches is from Auburn… wouldn’t it be nice to see Bruce Pearl dragged into this?

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

Miso Tonkatsu Ramen @ Oshi Asian Kitchen + Monday news

Yesterday I tried the Miso Tonkatsu Ramen at Oshi Asian Kitchen. It’s a creamy pork broth with sliced pork, boiled egg, seaweed, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, spinach, kimchi, daikon, and red ginger. Very very good.

Oktoberfest season is upon us and this coming Saturday, September 30 you can celebrate Oktoberfest at Wiseacre Brewing Co. from 1 to 10. There will be plenty of singing of Ein Prost and The Mighty Souls Brass Band will be playing Polka. Discounts if you show up in costume. The taproom will be decorated, and Dave’s Bagels will be on site.

High Ground News has a great news story on Memphis pop-up food vendors.

Max’s Sports Bar has new bourbon and hot dog menus. Check ’em out (click to see a larger size):

There will be a Monster Market opening soon at 88 N. Main. Although the first day it will be open is October 4, they will have a grand opening celebration Friday, October 13. After work they will have spooky cocktails and light munchies, and they will stay open until 9 that evening.

No. 2 Vance will host Costumes & Cocktails on the Rriver – Happy Hour Edition from 6:30 to 11 PM Tuesday, October 31. Food, open bar, and one of Memphis’ hottest DJs. Tickets are $20 and you can buy them here.

Busy day at work, time to get back to it. Back tomorrow with more news.