Author: paulryburn

BREAKING NEWS: Marc Gasol is reported to have re-signed with the Grizzlies in a 5-year, $110 million deal. Gasol will have a player option after year 4.

Blind Bear regulars: There will be a special Wednesday night edition of D-RANKS with B-RAD this Wednesday. That’s right, Brad, who normally only works one shift a week, Sunday brunch, will be doing a weekday closing shift. The reason why is there will be a wedding down the street with everyone going to the Bear afterward. “We need someone experienced behind the bar, because there are going to be a lot of heavy hitters all ordering drinks at once,” Brad explained to a brunch patron yesterday. “Lots of service industry people… and people like Paul.” I’m a heavy hitter!

Union Avenue from Second to Front will be closed Wednesday at approximately 9:30 AM until at least Saturday at 8:00 AM for emergency sewer repair work. Local traffic will still have access to parking garages on Union during this period. If you take Union to work, start planning an alternate route.

Amazon will have a one-day sale with deals so good that it will dwarf Black Friday. July 15 is the day, in celebration of Amazon’s 20th birthday. The catch? You have to be a Prime member. If you’re not, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial.

A new improvement has come to the game of beer pong: Beer pong without the germs that get on the ball, and in the cups.

I hope you weren’t planning to eat at Central BBQ tonight, because all locations are closed today (Monday, July 6) for their annual Christmas in July employee holiday party.

I had no idea this was a thing, despite having been on a BBQ team for nine years: White BBQ sauce. It’s mayonnaise-based, rather than tomato-based or mustard-based as are most BBQ sauces we see in Memphis. The white sauce is popular in North Alabama.

Ladies, mark Thursday, July 16 on your calendar: You get a 10% discount from Quench all day that day. Also (and this applies to men as well as women), if you make a purchase at City Market, they will give you a coupon for a Quench discount.

Know what sucks? Walking home from the Farmers Market, the last 12 blocks or so in the rain, and then getting home and seeing a notification on my phone: “You have 3 free Lyft rides.”

I’m home from work, so it’s time to walk over to Bardog and be a heavy hitter at Melissa Monday. Later in the evening I will be a heavy hitter at Jeannette’s bar at Blind Bear. Time for beer. Back tomorrow with more news.

 

About a year and a half ago I posted a list of my top five Fireball pushers. If I were to revise the list now, these would be the top two: Michele from Max’s Sports Bar and Kaylea from South of Beale. Hanin and Jessica from the Goose would be on the list as well. I would have to think about who would get the fifth spot.

From Gizmodo: How to drink all day and not pass out

For those of you going to the Memphis Farmers Market this morning (and I will be joining you) here are 13 healthy kale recipes for you to enjoy. You know how, when I used to do Tube Top Month, I used to offer to buy a drink for the first woman in a tube top who asked me for one? Let’s do a variation on that this morning. I will buy a bag of kale (maximum $7 value) for the first woman in a tube top or yoga pants at the Farmers Market who asks me.

Today is the City of Memphis fireworks celebration, with fireworks being shot off the foot of Mud Island a little after 9. Beale Street Landing should have a good view of the fireworks, as should the Peabody and Madison hotels, but of which are holding watching events on their rooftops.

There will be a Memphis Shorts Festival at the Hard Rock Tuesday evening. I got all excited when I saw that, because I wear shorts almost year ’round. However, after further reading I realized that it’s a festival of short films, not short pants. The festival will happen every Tuesday during the month of July, a variety of film genres will be shown, and there will be no cover charge.

Don’t forget that there’s a beer pong tournament at Flying Saucer today. Starts at 4 PM. $10 to enter.

First July 4 in several years when I have no definite plans. I will lead off at the Farmers Market and then see where the day takes me. Happy Fourth and God Bless America!

“4th on the Farm” will be the theme at this Saturday’s Memphis Farmers Market. You can buy everything you need for your Independence Day picnic, including meats, produce, spices, and even serving dishes. There will be a July 4 parade that you’re invited to join, leaving from the market at 10:30, with popsicles to cool participants off at the end of the parade. Live music by Bruce Barham 8:30-10 and Sing with Glenn 11-12:30. From 9 to noon you can design your own flag to wave at your July 4 events. 7 AM to 1 PM in the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson. I will try to make it down there for a little while, although due to the long holiday weekend I am not sure whether it will be an early or late visit or a visit at my normal time.

The Market will hold its annual Rock ‘n Wild Picnic Saturday, July 25 from 5 to 8 PM. There will be food from Rock ‘n Dough Pizza and wraps by So Fresh, as well as beer by Rock ‘n Dough (in an MFM commemorative glass) and wine by Frederick Wildman and Sons. Your $30 ticket includes four drink tasting tickets, and you can buy more for $5 each. You can also buy bottles of wine for $20. You’re welcome to bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, or whatever you want to lounge around on as you listen to live music by The Three Kings. You can buy tickets here. There’s a special $15 ticket for those who wish to skip the alcohol or are under 21.

I’m going to have to poll my friend group and see if anyone I know is going to the picnic… I have never been, but would consider it this year. I feel like I have a stronger connection to the market than in previous years, especially after my BBQ team cooked for their 5K.

Tomorrow night, Friday, July 3, will be a big night at AutoZone Park. The Redbirds close out their homestand with a game vs. Oklahoma City, 6:05 first pitch. The ‘birds will don Independence Day uniforms and there will be Red, White and BOOM fireworks after the game. There will be two Independence Day buffet tickets available, including not only your seat, but all-you-can-eat food from 5:30 to 7 PM. For $38 per person you can get on the Third Base Party Deck and enjoy BBQ pork, BBQ chicken, hot dogs, baked beans, watermelon wedges, potato chips, assorted cookies, Coca-Cola products, and bottled water. Or, you can choose a $19 ticket for a Field Box Picnic of hot dogs, stadium brats, potato chips, assorted cookies, fruit punch, lemonade, and water.

Fun kids’ event for the Fourth: The Cookie Monster will make an appearance at Makeda’s Cookies at 488 S. Second at noon Saturday. Kids can get their photos taken with Cookie Monster and they get free ice cream with the purchase of a three-bag cookie purchase.

For adults who prefer to do the Fourth on the cheap and maybe win something, Tin Roof will hold “Star Spangled Hammered” beginning at 1 PM. There will be $1 hot dogs and $1 beers, with live music by the Wes Cook Band. Prize giveaways will happen every hour, with a grand prize at 5 PM.

Free Yoga Day: Classes are free at Downtown Yoga Saturday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 15.

An event called the Memphis International Rockabilly Festival will happen in The Edge at Monroe and Marshall the weekend of August 15-16. “Like” the festival on Facebook to keep up with news about this festival.

Les Paul’s Big Sound Tour, an exhibit of the guitar maker’s creativity and innovation, will come to Memphis Friday-Saturday, September 25-26, on Beale between Main and Second outside the Hard Rock. 30,000-50,000 people are expected.

Felicia Suzanne’s Restaurant will be closed today through the 6th for family vacations.

Ghost River will be closed on the Fourth, so if you need beer go get it tomorrow.

The Majestic Grille will be closed Saturday, with regular hours Friday and Sunday. The restaurant recently tweeted a pic of one of its summer craft cocktails, the Strawberry Lemon Smash with fresh muddled berries, Cathead Vodka, and lemon juice. Looks refreshing.

Two dogs, spaniel puppies I think, were found on Mud Island near Harbor River Drive today. The Dankos who own Kooky Canuck have them safe and sound. If a reader of mine lost the dogs, contact me at paul@paulryburn.com and I will get you in touch.

There’s a Community Communications Officer position open at MIFA.

Three day weekend has begun! Heading out to Silly Goose to kick off the celebration. Will hit other spots later, including a possible trip south.

I don’t normally do Throwback Thursday posts, but I found this one in the archives and thought it was worth a share.

From January 1, 2008: A first visit to Calhoun’s Sports Bar and Grill, now known as Max’s Sports Bar. I went there the second day Max’s was open. The “bartender” referred to in the post was Max himself. It looks like he more or less fulfilled his vision for the place. Hard to believe that there was a time when the bar didn’t have PBR on draft, or school lunchroom pizza on the menu.

The 17th Floor headlines tonight’s Peabody rooftop party. Special cover charge of $15 this week. Doors open at 6, ladies free until 7. Admission includes a Backyard BBQ buffet of fried chicken legs and BBQ smoked sausage (7-8 PM). If you’re in VIP there is a second buffet of BBQ chicken, potato salad, vegetable kabobs and blueberry cobbler (7-9:30 PM). Strawberry margaritas and Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade will be on special.

LUNCHBOXeats has announced it will be open on the Fourth from 10 AM to 3 PM.

The Flyer has margarita fest winners in various categories. The festival was held on the 27th and the Blue Monkey took home the big prize.

As I said yesterday, there won’t be a lunchtime post because I have an office fish fry. Possibly a post after work, so check back.

An era has come to an end. I lost my Foursquare/Swarm mayorship of the Flying Saucer last night. I had been mayor of the Saucer since early 2011, but I’m going there less these days (although I still very much consider it one of my “big five” Downtown bars). At least a good guy stole it from me. Congratulations Jeremy.

Save the date: There will be a Friday night wine tasting at Quench Friday, July 17 from 4 to 6 PM.

You don’t have to wait until the 17th to sample wines though… there’s a wine tasting TODAY. The first Wednesday of every month, Riverfront Grill in Beale Street Landing will offer free tastings of select wines. Today’s tasting starts at 4:30.

Here’s a really good deal from Spaghetti Warehouse for the 4th and 5th. Pick three entrees from a list of four, and they will serve double-sized portions of those entrees, family style, for $30. Be sure you print out the coupon and take it in for the deal.

There’s a petition going around to keep the I-55 bridge open during the redesign of the I-55/Riverside/Crump intersection. The Arkansas State Chamber has endorsed it.

From Cooking Panda: Breakfast sushi is filled with cheese, tater tots, eggs and jalapenos, and wrapped in bacon. BBQ team: Are we thinking about a breakfast-for-lunch day for 2016? This might be a recipe to bookmark.

From Bored Panda (what’s up with all the pandas today?): This $596 point-and-shoot camera’s zoom is so insane that you can see the moon moving.

It’s too bad there’s not a way people can call the Memphis Farmers Market on Saturday morning and ask if I’m up there, the way you can call a bar (for example, the Blind Bear on Sunday morning) and ask if I’m there. Such a service would be very convenient for people who are a bit obsessed with my whereabouts.

Programming note: Probably no lunchtime post tomorrow because I won’t have time. Our office is having a fish fry tomorrow catered by Boiling Point. If there’s enough news I will try to get a post online after work, or before work if I get up early enough.

A bunch of my friends are traveling back to Memphis from Cancun today. I can’t wait to hear the stories. I have a few stories to tell you, too.

I’ll lead off at Jessica’s bar at about 5:30 at Silly Goose. Trivia at the Blind Bear later in the evening. Outta here for now.

Sorry for no post yesterday. I had to take a personal day, both from work and from the blog. I’d rather not go into the reason why.

But never mind that, because I have a happy note with which to start this post: Congratulations to my friends Lee and Lisa, who got married yesterday evening at a resort about 30 minutes outside Cancun. Lee lived in Memphis from 2006ish to 2010 when his job transferred him to another cities. He is one of the most solid guys I have ever known in my life – always someone I could turn to for great advice. Lisa is his high school sweetheart. I wish you many, many happy years together.

Independence Day is the free movie being shown on the big screen at Beale Street Landing this evening. The show starts at 8:30.

“Hot Rods on Beale” happens tonight starting at 6 PM.

It’s dollar King Cotton hot dog night at the Redbirds. The Oklahoma City Dodgers are the opponent and first pitch is 7:05.

Are you proud to be an American? Show your knowledge of our great nation tomorrow night at 7 at America trivia with Kevin Cerrito at Tap & Tamp. Some great prizes are up for grabs.

For the first time ever, Elvis Week will include a tutorial on the King and his impact on popular culture.

Venus and Jupiter will appear to merge and form a double star tonight. Some think this was the Star of Bethlehem that was seen around 32 BC.

So, anyway, about my personal day yesterday… Sometimes it’s nice to have a bar around the corner that opens super early. Usually I’m not a fan of ordering my first beer at 8:54 in the morning, but yesterday it was much needed. The Today Show was on at Bardog and as the clock moved into the 10:00 hour we got “The Scoop with Kathie Lee and Hoda.” As I watched, I thought to myself, how in the world do people watch this show WITHOUT drinking? It was awful. Man, if I were a housewife, I’d probably need several handles of vodka a week to get through that show.

Possibly the most important match of the entire Women’s World Cup happens tonight: USA vs. Germany at 6 PM Central time. Mashable has a preview of the match. I can think of no better place to watch than Max’s Sports Bar, so I will head that way after work.

One of my very favorite people Downtown, Gary, had a birthday party at the Tennessee Brewery last night, complete with a replica Brewery cake. Good people, excellent craft beer, good times.

What a beautiful space. Thank you Gary for inviting us to join in this wonderful evening.

The Blue Team (Pastner’s kids) beat the White Team (Calipari’s kids and previous) in the first annual Tiger alumni game, 95-84, last night.

Thanks to one of my BBQ teammates for posting this. Flow chart: Are you against gay marriage because: The Bible?

Don’t forget that today is Canada Day at Kooky Canuck. Drink specials, Canadian menu.

Jimmy Ogle leads a free tour on Mud Island today at 2. If you want to join him, meet him at Greenbelt Park at Island Drive North. The tour will progress to the Wolf River Harbor.

It’s Faith & Family Night at the Redbirds tonight. Local churches and worship centered organizations are encouraged to come out. First 2500 kids get an ice cream treat, and kids run the bases after the game. The opponent is the Colorado Sky Sox and first pitch is 6:05.

It’s Sunday, and that means it’s time for D-RANKS with B-RAD at the Blind Bear for brunch. I’ll lead off there then figure the rest of the day out. The past few Sunday Fun Days have been epic and I expect nothing less from this one.

A retweet of a customer’s photo by Blues City Cafe yesterday led me to an awesome discovery: The restaurant now has gumbo cheese fries. OMG. Want. These. Now.

The MBJ has a photo gallery of Quench. See inside the new liquor and wine store on Second that has its grand opening today at 2.

The Redbirds have added four new promo giveaways this season. On July 30, the first 1500 fans will receive a bobblehead of iconic Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith.

On July 31, the first 1500 fans will receive a replica St. Louis Cardinals 1982 World Series ring.

On August 16, the first 1500 fans will receive a replica Cardinals 1985 NLCS ring.

On August 21, the first 1500 fans take home a bobblehead of St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter. Carpenter is a former Redbird.

A new hotel on N. Front Street between Overton and Jackson will provide a cheaper option than Bass Pro’s Big Cypress Lodge for people wanting to stay in the Pinch. The Front Street hotel’s rooms will start at $120, whereas the Bass Pro hotel’s rooms start at $350.

The World UFO Festival touches down in Memphis for the first time Thursday.

Congratulations to 13-year-old entrepreneur Moziah Bridges of Memphis, founder of Mo’s Bows, who stole the show at NBA Draft Day Thursday.

Downtown agency archer < malmo is expanding. The agency has acquired a digital marketing agency in Austin.

Cool thing I learned from Facebook this morning: The flight paths into San Francisco are named with Grateful Dead references

It’s fireworks night at the Redbirds and on the way out of the park you’ll receive a Burger King coupon good for a free Whopper with purchase of fries and a drink.

Fun weekend ahead. Very excited to attend a friend’s birthday party this evening in one of my very favorite venues. Farmers Market at 10 to lead off the morning then Panda Time at 11.

In case you’ve been living in a cave the past 4 hours or so: The Supreme Court of the United States legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. It was a 5-4 vote, Justice Kennedy siding with the liberals. When I was in grade school, I remember learning about landmark decisions like Brown v. Board of Education and Miranda v. Arizona. Today’s decision will sit alongside them. Although the decision does not affect me personally, it makes me proud to be an American.

“The right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of the person.” Amen.

Hey conservatives: Know who nominated Anthony Kennedy to the Supreme Court? Your hero. Ronald Reagan. So you have Reagan to thank for gay marriage. That’s pretty awesome.

I can’t wait to be invited to my first gay wedding reception. Let’s face it, gay people throw the best parties.

The SCOTUS decision is not my only reason for celebration this morning. The creator of the Pudding Shots Facebook Fan Page emailed to thank me for mentioning the page on my blog. I’m kind of a big deal in the world of pudding shots.

Number of Moody Ques members who have received an email from the creator of the pudding shots page: 1. Number of Squeal Street BBQ members who have received an email from the creator of the pudding shots page: 0. Just sayin’.

The Flying Saucer is having an oversized beer pong tournament on July 4. $10 to enter. American beers will be on Fire Sale all day. Compete for “a kick-ass grand prize” (i.e. whatever swag they can get their beer distributors to donate).

Stax Music Academy performs in a free show at Handy Park for the Memphis Jams on Beale concert series tonight at 6.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban plays on the big screen at the Orpheum tonight at 7. Doors open at 6 and there will be Harry Potter-themed activities prior to the movie.

The Ghost Town Blues Band plays the block party at AutoZone Park prior to the Redbirds game tonight. Gates at 5, first pitch 7:05. $2 select domestic drafts at the block party.

Quote retweeted by Tony Allen this morning: “The worst distance between two people is misunderstanding.” Very true, TA, very true.

This is pretty cool: Free Code Camp: Learn to code by developing projects for nonprofits. You can learn HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, databases, DevTools, Node.js. Angular.js, and Aglie development practices. You’ll also build relationships with others learning to code.

Holly reported on the @ilovememphis Twitter account that Agave Maria is now open for dinner 4-midnight, with 2 for 1 margaritas 4-7.

The CA has an article on the opening of liquor and wine store Quench tomorrow.

Welcome Andrew Harrison to the Grizzlies!

My happy hour bartenders this week: Mary, fav pair of librarian glasses, Jessica, fav pair of librarian glasses, and (assuming schedule is the same as last Friday) Mary. Remember when I used to do happy hour at the Saucer five days a week? My how times have changed. All the bartenders I named are former Saucer girls who now work at other bars.

Undecided whether I will hit South Main Green Bus Night tonight. Depends on the weather really. Outta here for now. Possibly another post around 5:30.