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I had something different at the Flying Saucer last night.

This is a Boulevard cranberry-apple seltzer, just in time for the holidays, and it is delicious. Brings back memories of those Ocean Spray cranberry juice blends from when we were kids.

Enjoy holiday music played on the Mighty Wurlitzer organ at the Orpheum Tuesday, December 2 at 7 PM.

Memphis experienced a wake low yesterday. That’s why it got so windy. MemphisWeather.net explains.

Let’s look at college football games of interest this weekend.

Thanksgiving

• Navy at Memphis, 6:30 PM, ESPN

Friday

• 7 Ole Miss at Mississippi State, Egg Bowl, 11:00 AM, ABC
• 13 Utah at Kansas, 11:00 AM, ESPN
• 4 Georgia at 23 Georgia Tech, Governor’s Cup, 2:30 PM, ABC
• 2 Indiana at Purdue, Old Oaken Bucket game, 6:30 PM, NBC/Peacock
• 3 Texas A&M at 16 Texas, 6:30 PM, ABC

Saturday

• 1 Ohio State at 15 Michigan, 11:00 AM, FOX
• 5 Texas Tech at good ole West Virginny, 11:00 AM, ESPN
• 12 Miami at 22 Pitt, 11:00 AM, ABC
• UCF at 11 BYU, noon, ESPN2
• Arkansas State at Appalachian State, 1:30 PM, ESPN+
• 6 Oregon at Washington, 2:30 PM, CBS
• LSU at 8 Oklahoma, 2:30 PM, ABC
• 14 Vanderbilt at 19 Tennessee, 2:30 PM, ESPN
• Missouri at Arkansas, Battle Line game, 2:30 PM, SEC Network
• Florida State at Florida, 3:30 PM, ESPN2
• 10 Alabama at Auburn, Iron Bowl, 6:30 PM, ABC
• 9 Notre Dame at Stanford, 9:30 PM, ESPN

The Memphis Grizzlies have an away game in New Orleans tonight at 7:00. This is one of those games that counts toward the league’s stupid in-season tournament. TV: Action News 5

Penny’s Memphis Tigers are back at FedExForum tonight, hosting the Southern Illinois Salukis. 7:00 tip. TV: ESPN+

I hear the MATA buses, particularly “that 50 bus” that runs down Poplar, have been standing room only since they stopped charging fare.

Happy National Jukebox Day.

The I Love Memphis blog has a list of what’s open on Turkey Day.

I’m gonna be so bored tomorrow. Dinner isn’t until 2 PM. No place open with electrical outlets and Wi-Fi before then. I’m looking at six-plus hours of wandering Downtown, sitting on park benches, and playing the cribbage app on my phone.

Back in 2 days with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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New musical & Juliet, which “flips the script on the greatest love story ever told,” opens at the Orpheum tonight and runs through Sunday. That is a BOLD move by theater management to schedule a show to run Thanksgiving week. Shows how much they believe in it.

Tri-State Symphony plays the Cannon Center Saturday.

Memphis Escape Rooms is hiring a room host.

The city of Memphis’ newly-owned property, the Sheraton Hotel on N. Main,  seeks a GM.

Band recommendation: Geese. Michael has been playing them a lot on Sundays at Bardog.

Cordelia’s Market holiday hours:

• Wed: 7 AM-9 PM
• Thur: closed
• Fri: 9 AM-6 PM
• Sat: 8 AM-9 PM
• Sun: 8 AM-9 PM

Your sports knowledge can pay off at Loflin Yard’s Trivia Egg Bowl this Wednesday at 7.

I hope none of you are using any of these passwords.

RIP DOGE

WREG is in here filming a feature on the Memphis Chess Club.

Back tomorrow with news and a college football preview for the week.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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I had a panic attack about 8:00 last night, beginning at the Flying Saucer and continuing on a green park bench on the Main Street Mall. It was the first one I’ve ever had in my life.

There was no one major cause of the attack – rather, about a dozen stimuli/frustrations that added up. Also, my intuition was telling me I was in danger if I remained on Downtown’s streets all night long. It was past the Union Mission’s closing time.

I put an SOS out on Facebook explaining the situation. Several friends said I should go to the ER but I don’t have health insurance. Finally, after about an hour a kind friend messaged me that I could crash in her spare room about 5 blocks away. I walked over there and after about 30 minutes, fell asleep, safely off the streets for the night.

It’s 10:50 Monday morning as I type this at the Memphis Chess Club. I have $6 in my pocket that I will use to get into the Union Mission tonight. So dinner and a place to sleep are guaranteed.

Apology

…to the anonymous person who sent me half a sandwich and chips at the Saucer. When I left, I was freaking out so bad that I couldn’t handle carrying a to-go box around. I appreciate the generous gesture and I am sorry your food went uneaten. I sure wish I had it this morning.

Reminder

If you ask someone “What’s going on with Paul?”, please make sure the person you’re asking

1. lives in Memphis; and
2. has had recent face-to-face contact with me.

Thanksgiving

I’ve accepted an invitation from friends in the service industry to come to the Thanksgiving dinner they are having. So I won’t be alone on the holiday.

I’m gonna spend my remaining time at the Chess Club reading spiritual authors’ articles on Medium. Linh Hunyh and Anne Bellamy are two of my favorites.

Thanks for reading. Back tomorrow with the usual blog stuff.

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

Math nerds: 11/23 is Fibonacci Day. Those of us who learned computer programming in the 1980s had to write a Pascal program to output the Fibonacci sequence using recursion.

WREG has a recap of the Downtown Christmas tree lighting yesterday.

Why local food pantries deliver food past its sell-by date

Grizz update on G Ty Jerome: He’ll be good to go in 6 to 9 weeks.

Rain will return to Memphis Monday around noon and will last into Tuesday morning.

Free meal for the homeless today noon-2 in Morris Park.

Have a look at another Memphis: Memphis, Texas.

I spent last night at Germantown’s Emmanuel United Methodist Church through the Room in the Inn program. For dinner we had honey-baked ham, mac & cheese, green bean casserole, and brownie trifle. Grateful for the lovely, welcoming church folks and also the organizers at RITI.

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

901KIDSFEST is happening today 11 AM-3 PM at the Cossitt Library. Book giveaways, holiday arts and crafts, cookie decorating, hot cocoa bar.

The Grizz play an away game at the San Antonio Spurs tonight and the official watch party in Memphis is at Slider Inn Downtown. Drink specials, Claw Crew, giveaways. The party gets going at 5:30 with a 7:30 tip. TV: FanDuel Sports

Aldo’s Pizza Pies has announced its annual Pizza with Santa party for Saturday, December 13 4-6 PM. That’s right after the Christmas parade on Beale. Get your kid’s photo with Santa. Cookies, crafts.

Movie The Last Story of David Allen is wrapping up filming Downtown this week.

The DM shares the recipe for Alcenia’s candied yams.

Bring canned goods or other non-perishable food items to the Downtown Christmas tree lighting at Main and Peabody Place today at 4. Bring 5 of them and get $10 off jewelry at event vendor Silk N Honey.

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

Action News 5 has more info on KUYA, the Filipino restaurant opening at Main and Vance in the old Bedrock Eats space.

MATA just made its bus and trolley fares free for 90 days. The NYT reports what happened when Iowa City tried something similar.

Tonight is songwriter night at 550 S. Main with Yubu, Curtis Scott, Deion James, and Natalie Uhlenhake.

You can now park in The Ravine for your next visit to the Memphis Made taproom. Use the entrance on Union.

A lane of Front Street will be closed for about a week as the city puts in a new gas line for the art museum.

There will be a Blind Bear reunion at 1 PM on Saturday, December 6 at the 40 et 8 in West Memphis. Bear Balls on the menu, DJ Tree on the turntables.

I’ve stayed out the past 3 nights for birthday and post-birthday fun. Tonight I MUST stay at the Union Mission and catch up on sleep a little. Back tomorrow.

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

I watched Scooby-Doo yesterday for the first time in more than 40 years. There was a line in there about how Shaggy likes it in a baggie. They really were not subtle with the drug references at all in the 1970s.

The TEN Nail Bar has opened at 732 Madison in Orleans Station.

Shedeur Sanders (Coach Prime’s son) gets his first NFL start Sunday at 3:05 as the Cleveland Browns take on the Raiders. TV: CBS

Stumbling Santa, the 1000-person pub crawl where everyone dresses as Santa (or Mrs. Claus, an elf, a reindeer, etc.) returns Saturday, December 6. Meet at the Downtown Flying Saucer at 7 PM and bring a toy for Porter-Leath. Those who can’t make it to the Stumbling Santa event can donate online or text JOLLY to 50155. They can also drop off toys at Poplar Plaza on Thursday-Saturday, Dec 4-6; WMC Action News 5 (1960 Union) on Friday-Saturday, Dec 12-13; or IKEA (7900 IKEA Way) on Friday-Saturday, December 19-20. For more information, visit toytruckmemphis.com.

There’s a FOR LEASE sign in the former Pearl’s Oyster House location at Main and Pontotoc. I guess the “Davinchi XCIX” concept that was recently in there didn’t work out.

Cordelia’s Market is having a big holiday produce sale. Cranberries, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and more at special prices.

A man was found dead this week under the I-40 bridge over North B.B. King Blvd.

Today is Beaujolais Nouveau Day.

The Ghost River taproom at Main and Crump will host a wreath festival Saturday, November 29.

There will be a masquerave Saturday, January 17 at the Cadre. Von FERB, Scotty B B2B Delyrius, Alpha Whiskey, Andy Chance, Katie Loopz, Blazebunny.

Busted water main at Second and Union

New York Times: How to spend 36 hours in Memphis

Penny’s Memphis Tigers play 1 Purdue in the Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas at 5 today. TV: CBS Sports Network

The Grizzlies are back home tonight hosting the Sacramento Kings at 7. Wonder how they’re going to approach this game without point guards…. make Jaren a point-forward maybe? TV: Action News 5

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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Let’s start things off with a look at college football games of interest this weekend.

Thursday

• Louisiana at Arkansas State, 6:30 PM, ESPN

Saturday

• 22 Missouri at 8 Oklahoma, 11:00 AM, ABC
• 15 USC at 7 Oregon, 2:30 PM, CBS
• Kentucky at 14 Vanderbilt, 2:30 PM, ESPN
• Arkansas at 17 Texas, 2:30 PM, ABC
• 24 Tulane at Temple, 2:45 PM, ESPNU
• 20 Tennessee at Florida, 6:30 PM, ABC

You’ll notice that the listings are a little skimpy this week. That’s because several SEC powerhouses have gone and booked themselves against cream puffs for the second-to-last week of the regular season.

The lights on the Main Street Mall now operate on motion detection sensors at night. Move around and it’ll get BRIGHT. Well done, Downtown Memphis Commission. This’ll make it harder for the bad guys to conceal themselves.

We Are Memphis has the info on the amphitheater/concert venue going in at Grind City Brewing.

The Metal Museum seeks a development and communications coordinator.

Today is World Toilet Day.

B2K and Bow Wow come to FedExForum Saturday, February 21.

Action News 5 has a look inside the new Memphis Art Museum. The planned public opening is December of next year.

The Peabody Hotel has announced an event series called The Duck Days of Christmas: caroling, tastings, movies, dinners, and more.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you who made my birthday special yesterday.

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

I share a birthday with a mouse.

Well, I probably share a birthday with millions of mice… but one in particular.

On to the news… and the big local news is that a Tennessee court has ruled that the Trumpster illegally deployed the National Guard to Memphis. The ruling is subject to appeal, though.

The latest bowl projections by CBS Sports have our Memphis Tigers in the Birmingham Bowl vs. Duke on Monday, December 29.

International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exhibition is at the Renasant Convention Center this week.

The hearse is no longer parked in front of Bardog. New owners Ariel and Kenny picked it up. That thing was starting to remind me of the Silly Goose Christmas tree of 2018, which was taken down February 5, 2019.

The one food you must try from each state

• TN: Nashville hot chicken (disagree!)
• AR: Delta tamale
• MS: Royal red shrimp

The Grizzlies do not have a healthy point guard.

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

The Memphis Redbirds’ parent company is hiring a coordinator of digital and social media marketing.

The Grizzlies have an abysmal record against good teams, notes a Beale Street Bears writer.

NutRemix comes to the Cannon Center this weekend.

The I Love Memphis Blog hosts a happy hour at the Orpheum this afternoon.

This Friday is a fire pit Friday in Tom Lee Park. Ugly sweater contest. Photos with Santa starting at 4:45. Get there early for s’mores.

Bailey Bigger, Talibah Safiya, and Lina Beach play Memphis Songwriters Series, hosted by Mark Edgar Stuart, at the Halloran Centre Thursday.

Jagged Edge brings the Cuffing Season Tour to the Orpheum Sunday.

Memphis Farmers Market is having a cider fest at Grind City Brewing this Saturday.

Memphis Public Libraries will host a silent book club & silent disco at Beale Street Landing Saturday at 4.

The Tennessee Bridal & Wedding Expo comes to the Renasant Convention Center Sunday afternoon.

Watch fighters in full medieval armor battle it out Saturday at 6 at Havenhaus.

Foodies, there will be a soul crawl through Downtown Thursday evening. Stops will be The Artist’s Table, The Juke, and Sugashack.

Back on my birthday 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