Category: Uncategorized

Sources have told WREG that the SmokeSlam BBQ festival, usually held the third weekend of May in Tom Lee Park, will be suspended for 2026 and “reimagined” for 2027. If true, that leaves Memphis in May BBQ Fest way out in Parkinglotville as the only game in town that weekend.

The College Football Playoffs could expand to 16 teams this year… or even 24. Why not go ahead and make it 68 like March Madness? YOU get an invite… and YOU get an invite… and YOU get an invite!!!!! Teams like Coastal Carolina and Fresno State and the University of Tennessee would be gettin’ in.

Westy’s is up for sale due to the difficulties of operating a restaurant in The Pinch these days. Now B.J. Chester-Tamayo, owner of nearby Alcenia’s, has weighed in.

Music Export Memphis is hiring a director of development.

St. Jude is hiring a station chef.

The Detroiter is the burger of the week at Momma’s: an Angus beef patty topped with Exhaust Pipe chili, cheddar, diced onion, and mustard.

Save the date: Mayor Young’s State of the City address will be Monday, February 2.

Three pieces of Bardog news for you today:

1. You may have noticed the jukebox is missing. It’s been sent off to Chicago for repair.
2. The kitchen is once again open until 2 AM. For a while there they were cutting it off at 1.
3. They’ll do a Galentine’s Day celebration on Friday,, February 13. Martini bar, Girl Dinner (Caesar salad, fries & a martini), drink specials.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Over the weekend the news broke that Westy’s restaurant in The Pinch is for sale. Westy’s, also known The North End, is iconic for its huge menu, hot fudge pie, and for feeding those in need on holidays. It has survived the closure of nearby restaurants like TJ Mulligan’s, Precious Cargo, and Cafe Francisco.

But those closures, owner Jake Schorr told WREG, along with St. Jude construction in the area and a lack of trolley service, have caused Westy’s revenues to fall to a point of unsustainability. Jake doesn’t want to sell but feels he has no choice. It sounds like he’s looking for a buyer who understands and respects the Westy’s brand.

Work for the Grizzlies!

• Production designer
• Director, IT operations
• Coordinator, events

Work for the Redbirds!

• Graphic designer

Orthodox Christians blessed the Mississippi River this past weekend.

Today is International French Onion Soup Day.

Spaceman’s Dead Friends will play to celebrate Bobby Weir’s life on Sunday, January 25 at Crosstown Brewing.

Cordelia’s Market 11-2 hot lunch specials this week:

• Mon: Chicken marsala pasta
• Tue: Loaded potatoes w/ charro beans
• Wed: Shrimp Creole
• Thur: Chicken parmesan sandwich w/ vodka sauce
• Fri: Cod, fries, hushpuppies, slaw

Walking in Memphis in High Heels lists our city’s 18 best date night restaurants. Downtown options include Amelia Gene’s, Catherine & Mary’s, Chez Philippe, Felicia Suzanne, Flight, Itta Bena, and The Lobbyist.

The Grizzlies play Desmond Bane and the Orlando Magic in Berlin at 1 PM CST Thursday. TV: Amazon Prime

Too cold to stay out tonight. Gonna pay the six-dollar fee to stay at the Mission. Looking at the forecast, it looks like I’ll be paying several of those fees this week. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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It looks like the iFix phone repair business that was in the ground floor of the Exchange Building has closed up shop. However, you can still get your phone fixed without leaving Downtown – take it to Sandra’s Sundries convenience store at 77 Adams (in the Claridge).

Today is National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friend Day.

RIP Bob Weir, Grateful Dead guitarist.

Penny’s Tigers are in Boca Raton for a noon game at FAU. TV: ESPN2

Loflin Yard has a happy hour for readers this Thursday. BYO book.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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Big news from ESPN’s Shams Charania yesterday: For the first time since drafting him in 2019, the Grizzlies are actively entertaining trade offers for Ja Morant. The Heat, Twolves, and Kings are said to have shown interest in Morant.

Just remember, potential trade partners… when you trade for Ja Morant, you get Tee Morant and Davante Pack as part of the package deal.

SI.com has 3 things to know about a potential Ja trade.

Indiana stomped Oregon 56-22 last night to advance to the CFP title game.

Famous for hot fudge pie, Westy’s is listed on LoopNet as being for sale.

The Brass Door needs to be closed one more day to finish the resurfacing of its bar. They’ll reopen 7:30 Sunday for the Arsenal match.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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Ole Miss put forward an outstanding effort last night, but Miami punched in a TD with 24 seconds left to win the first CFP semi, 31-27.  The other semifinal matchup, 5 Oregon vs. 1 Indiana, kicks off tonight at 6:30 on ESPN.

Orion Financial is hiring for the following positions:

• Member service rep
• Director of network architecture
• Commercial real estate annual review specialist

AI is coming to Gmail, turning it into a personal assistant.

Gillette offered ZZ Top $1 million per member to shave their beards. The band rejected the offer.

Cordelia’s Market is having a 1-day sale on

• Kerrygold Dubliner cheese reg. $7.29 today $5.29
• Fresh blueberries reg. $3.89 today $2.99

St. Jude is hiring a pastry chef/manager.

The city is hiring a director of Memphis Public Libraries.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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

Today would have been Elvis’ 91st birthday.

Looks like Momoya is no “Mo.” I walked by there yesterday afternoon and workers were throwing – literally THROWING – furniture in the back of a big truck. Downtown will have to get by without a restaurant that serves upscale Asian fusion cuisine and a 10 pc hot wings with fries.

Memphis Made Brewing will host a Memphis Comedy Night 7:30-9:00 Saturday evening.

Today from 5–7 PM is the monthly Meet Your Neighbors Mixer at Cordelia’s Market. Snacks, beers, mingling.

Reader Q:

Have you seen The Ratter lately?

Hey, hey, The Ratter! I haven’t seen him, but one night when I stayed out recently, way off in the distance I heard MRAAWRAWWRRR and some squeaking. Got one!

You can look for The Ratter yourself. He looks like the cat in the “woman yelling at cat” Internet meme. He’s most active right after sunset and before sunrise. The Main Street Mall between Exchange and Madison is his territory.

The Brass Door is resurfacing the bar today and tomorrow and will reopen Saturday.

Fiesta Bowl: 10 Miami vs. 6 Ole Miss, CFP semifinal, is tonight. 6:30 on ESPN.

There’s a new Girl Scout Cookie flavor this year: Exploremores. Think rocky road.

Soul & Spirits Brewing will have a speed dating series on consecutive Fridays later this month.

• Jan. 16: boy/girl
• Jan. 23: girl/girl
• Jan. 30: boy/boy

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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Folks, if you like hearing great live music, make plans to be on Beale Street next week for the 2026 International Blues Challenge. Solo artists, duos, and full bands will play 20 clubs on the street, hoping to get noticed by music industry professionals. A wristband ticket gets you in all the venues. You’re not really a Memphian until you’ve attended an IBC.

Stormy weather will threaten the Memphis metro later this week, particularly Friday afternoon and evening.

Gym 11: Body by Daavon has its grand opening Saturday from 2 to 8 at 405 Monroe in The Edge. Ribbon cutting, games, giveaways, bites, cocktails.

Apartments above McEwen’s have come onto the rental market.

WREG interview with Mark Parsell of South Main Sounds

Optimize your Taco Bell order for value

Back tomorrow with more news.

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

Congratulations to MIFA Meals on Wheels. The program, which ensures meals get delivered to homebound seniors and the disabled, turns 50 this year. In its lifetime, MoW drivers and volunteers have delivered 26 million meals.

Bottomless buttermilk pancakes are back at IHOP through March 30. You have to order them as part of a breakfast combo, and specialty pancakes (like chocolate chip) are not part of the promotion.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds local PBS and NPR stations, is dissolving after 58 years due to the Trump regime cutting off its funding.

Map: Each state’s fav fast-food chain. HARDEE’S? Really? Do better, Tennessee.

It’s National Take Down Your Christmas Tree Day.

Wishing a very happy birthday to Air Traffic Mike!

Don’t Tell Comedy returns to The Underdog at Bardog Friday-Saturday, January 16-17. 6 PM early show, 7 PM late show.

Key lime pie is back on the dessert menu at Bardog.

Turn on WREG in the 3:00 hour this afternoon to catch South Main Sounds’ Mark Parsell discussing the venue’s Friday night show and other live music happenings around town.

Central BBQ seeks

• a line cook/pit crew member
• a cashier
• a busser

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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On Friday I mentioned I was considering making an investment in myself this winter or spring. I’m ready to say more about that now.

I’m considering buying a Chromebook to replace my current HP Windows laptop.

The current laptop was gifted to me by a blog reader in December 2024. I’m so grateful for it. Without it, this blog would be a shell of itself, composed on a combination of my phone and library computers.

But it’s time for the old HP to ride off into the sunset.

• The trackpad is janky, the mouse pointer jumping from place to place. There’s no way to turn off tap-to-click on the trackpad. These factors reduce my typing from 45-50 WPM to 5-7 WPM.
• There is ZERO battery life. The laptop must be plugged in to turn on. This limits the locations in which I can use it.
• The laptop weighs about 7 pounds, which is heavy to carry around town in my backpack. It makes my back hurt.

Chromebooks typically weigh less than 2 pounds and have batteries that can go 10-14 hours between charges. There are several models on Amazon in the $170 range, which I could afford if I saved up for a while.

Anyone have experience with Chromebooks? Do you think I’d be happy with my purchase? Email me at paul.ryburn@gmail.com or on Facebook Messenger.

On to the news… Let’s start with the hot lunch specials available 11-2 this week at Cordelia’s Market cafe:

• Monday: Mississippi pot roast poutine
• Tuesday: Picadillo with potatoes and rice
• Wednesday: Lasagna with kale Caesar
• Thursday: Chicken Caesar sandwich with fries or chips
• Friday: Catfish with fries and slaw

Ritual: Bistro, Coffee, and Sips is coming to the old Bluff City Coffee location at 505 S. Main.

There are signs that raccoons may be on the first steps to domestication, taking a place alongside dogs and cats as our pets.

You have four opportunities to catch the Grizzlies at the Grindhouse this week:

• Tuesday: vs. San Antonio, 7:00
• Wednesday: vs. Phoenix, 7:00
• Friday: vs. OKC, 7:00. Classic Edition Super Grizz bobblehead giveaway.
• Sunday: vs. Brooklyn, 2:30

All of these games will be on FanDuel Sports and Friday’s game will also be on NBAtv.

Trouble No More, an Allman Brothers tribute band, will play the Flying Saucer 8-11 Saturday.

Houseplant bingo is a thing in Memphis.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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Y’all! I hit the JACKPOT at Room in the Inn last night.

It was a last-minute decision. I’d planned to spend last night at the Union Mission. But then I thought, why not at least try to avoid the $6 Mission cover charge and its evening chapel service? So I walked up to RITI headquarters at First Pres on Poplar and threw my name into the lottery for a free night’s lodging at one of the participating partner churches.

My name got called for Emmanuel United Methodist in Germantown. I boarded a bus with 13 others and we hit the road out there. Church volunteers served us a delicious dinner of hamburger steak with onion gravy, roasted potatoes and carrots, green beans, cupcakes, and ice cream.

After dinner I glanced over at the church’s clothes closet and realized I had a need. I’m grateful for the fabric tennis shoes a Mission pastor gave me back in October, but they’ve been a poor fit for my feet. I’d nearly walk out of them on inclines and uneven surfaces. They’d come close to making me fall several times.

So I asked the lady at the clothes closet desk, “Do you have any size 10s, preferably ones that don’t have laces?”

She handed me a brand-new pair of gray Skechers slip-ons, firmly built and as much padding as anything in Nike’s Air Max line. I tried them on. Perfect fit!

After the bus dropped us off this morning, I walked around Downtown for an hour in my new shoes. I was so much more steady and confident on my feet!

THANK YOU Emmanuel UMC and RITI!

WREG stopped by Sabor Caribe last night to get Venezuelans’ reactions to the Trumpster-ordered U.S. military capture of their president.

Blood donors are needed in Memphis, particularly type O.

Today is National Spaghetti Day.

LeBron and the Lakers host the Grizzlies again tonight at 8:30. TV: FanDuel Sports

The Magic of Motown comes to the Cannon Center Saturday evening.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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