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More info on that muffuletta pizza Memphis Chess Club just added to its menu:

• All Chess Club pizzas are named for famous chess players.
• The dollar amounts are the prices for 8-, 12-, and 18-inch pizzas.

Today is Jackie Robinson Day, McDonald’s Day, and National Banana Day.

The Orpheum seeks a resident teaching artist.

The Last Call is the burger of the week at Momma’s: Angus beef patty topped with onion rings, bacon, sauteed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and Creole mustard aioli.

Learn how to build a budget Thursday evening at Cossitt Library.

The Southern Sleep Society annual meeting and technologist course is at the Sheraton Thursday-Saturday.

Stax Music Academy gives a free concert in Handy Park on Beale at 5:30 Thursday. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

The world championship hot wing festival is at River Garden Saturday.

Porter-Leath’s Rajun Cajun crawfish fest is on Riverside Drive between Jefferson and Union Sunday.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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J Woods, the new sports bar and grill on Mud Island, has announced an opening date of Friday, May 1. That’s contingent on them getting their liquor and beer licenses on time.

There’s a liquor shortage in Mississippi right now. Here’s why.

The Grizzlies finished 25-57, the 6th-worst record in the NBA. Per Tankathon, they have a 37.2% chance at a top-4 pick in the 2026 draft and a 9% chance of picking first.

The Africa in April festival is this weekend at Church Park, Beale Street at Ida B. Wells Street. The Republic of Guinea is the honored country this year.

The Redbirds host Gwinnett tonight at 6:05 and tomorrow for an 11:05 day game.

CeCe Winans comes to the Orpheum this Friday. Hey CeCe, you’ve got a lot of fans at the Union Mission here, how about popping in the 6 PM chapel service and singing a song? The sound system is the most badass you’ll ever see in a homeless shelter.

There will be a self-care workshop at the Cossitt Library Wednesday 6:00-7:30 PM.

Congrats to Uptown event venue The Kent on its recent 100 on its health inspection.

The Saucer has a mango beer now. I asked Google Gemini to research it: “Golden Road Mango Cart is a fruited wheat ale inspired by the iconic fruit cart vendors of Los Angeles. It’s designed to be a highly approachable, refreshing ‘lawnmower beer’ with a heavy emphasis on tropical aroma.”

Get your Mount Puffsmore 4/20 glass at the Saucer Wednesday at 7 PM:

National Guard members tackled content creator South Memphis HypeMan on Beale Street last weekend.

The worldwide map of sidewalk joy

The Farm Market Co-op on South Main is set to transform into a 16-seat restaurant.

Poker returns to Bardog next Monday, April 20. The game is free to play and it’s a fun way to meet some of your Downtown neighbors. 7 PM every Monday. Drink specials for players.

A new happy hour menu is dropping at Bardog this afternoon.

One more piece of Bardog news: Cinnamon churro cheesecake is a dessert special this week.

Soul & Spirits will have a Belgian beer fest Saturday 1-8 PM.

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

• Tue: Nachos with rice and beans
• Wed: Lemon butter shrimp pasta with a spring salad
• Thur: Chopped cheese sandwich with fries
• Fri: Seafood nachos

Looks like Memphis Chess Club is adding a muffuletta pizza to the menu.

Back on my daily posting routine. See you 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

Didja know you can get a walking tour of Downtown, or wherever you happen to be, using an app that you probably already have installed on your phone? Thanks to the Recomendo newsletter for this tip:

1. Install the Wikipedia app if you haven’t already
2. Configure your phone to allow the app to use your location
3. Open the app and go to the Explore tab
4. Scroll down to “Places near” and you’ll get links for the 5 locations that have Wikipedia pages that your phone thinks are nearest you.

I’m typing this at the chess club on Madison and the app is giving me entries for Visible Music College, the Toof Building, the Sterick Building, the Scimitar Building, and the Medical Arts Building. When I move to another location, I’ll get a different 5.

Give it a try… back tomorrow or maybe later today 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 is National Dive Bar Day. Go see London at the upstairs bar at Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight. Or go get a Firebird chicken sandwich at “the diner and dive off 55,” Momma’s.

Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns lead The Masters after the first round. Catch second-round action today at Birdie’s on South Main. It’s the golf bar’s 3rd anni and Cheers & Co. will have a photo booth there on Saturday.

The Artemis 2 moon mission capsule is scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at 7:07 Memphis time. Watch coverage on NASA’s YouTube channel beginning at 5:30.

Artemis 2 phone wallpapers

Online game you should play with your grandparents: Spot the Scam

FOX 13’s Chelsea Chandler has a look at BEE 901, a nonprofit that gives back to the community by making and selling honey. Find BEE 901 Saturdays at Memphis Farmers Market at Front and G.E. Patterson.

I walked past KUYA, the new Filipino snack bar at Main and Vance, about midnight last Friday night and the place was JAMMIN’ with a DJ and good vibes. What a great addition to that block.

The police cleared out a homeless encampment under an overhang at Fourth and Washington this week. It sprung up during the ice storm and grew to about 20 people. For those of you who worry about me, I never stay in encampments.

The Memphis Medical District Collaborative seeks a senior employer and talent relations specialist.

Battle of the zz: Grizz at Jazz, 8:30 tonight, FanDuel Sports

Memphis Flyer: How is Downtown Memphis really doing?, part 1 of 4

I’m a fanhausen: Danhausen is the best thing going in WWE today.

There’s a new beer at Flying Saucer called Edmunds Oast Strawberry Shortcake, and I sampled it on Tuesday. I have to recommend you take a PASS on this one. The flavor is neither strawberry or shortcake. Order a Blake’s triple berry hard cider instead.

Also take a HARD pass on a new concept popping up at bars Downtown: CinnaMINT flavored Rumple. I didn’t have to try that one to know it is a bad idea.

Probably 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

PROGRAMMING NOTE: There will probably be some days over the next week and a half when I’m unable to post. Part of this is due to a planned equipment upgrade, and part of it due to a health issue related to my Parkinson’s disease. Thank you for your understanding, your prayers, and your support. I love writing this blog for all of you.

can’t write more right now, shaking too much

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

 

BarWare will host a Pretty & Loud sing-along brunch to benefit the South Main Association Sunday, April 26 at 11 AM. Tickets include a bottle of bubbly and a swag bag. Seating is limited, so don’t delay.

WNBA news: The Chicago Sky have traded Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for 2 first-round draft picks.

11 AM-2 PM hot lunch specials at Cordelia’s this week:

• Tue: Fajitas with penne and beans
• Wed: Pot roast with house salad
• Thur: Cajun crawfish and shrimp pappardelle pasta
• Fri: Shrimp po’boy, fries

Today is International Beaver Day. Celebrate with a Beaver Eater shot at Bardog.

Read about the plan to keep people safe at Riverbeat music fest.

Back tomorrow with more news. I will also try to explain more about the problems this f-ing computer is having.

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

Folks, the computer I’ve been using for the past year is on its last legs. Does anyone have a spare laptop they could donate to a homeless blogger with Parkinson’s disease?

Flyway Brewing has added a sausage & cheese platter to its menu – grilled sausage, pepper jack, cheddar, dill pickle spears, house chips, smoked hickory mustard. Recommended pairing is a Flying Duck amber ale.

Memphis Filling Station will host a 420 market… but on Sunday 4/19.

From Quora: How do Chinese restaurants that appear to have hardly any customers stay in business?

Riverside Drive has closed between Beale and Georgia for RiverBeat music fest prep.

The Grizzlies host Cleveland tonight at 7. Get there early to get a free Grizzlies poster. TV: FanDuel Sports

Yesterday I received a brunch invitation to the cafe in Wilson, AR on a yet-to-be-determined future Sunday. You better believe I accepted that one!

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 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: Redbirds host Norfolk at 1:05

• A specialty ticket gets you access to a meet-and-greet with Bluey & Bingo
• The Heavenly Hot Dog Buffet is back
• Bark in the Park ticket admits you and your dog
• Dri-Fit hoodie giveaway to the first 1500

Did you know the Redbirds are 7-0 and are the only AAA team with that record?

Flying Saucer recommendation: Blake’s Triple Jam hard cider. Refreshing berry flavor and 6.5% ABV.

Expect storms with strong winds to blow through Memphis today.

Confrontation between coaching legends Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma at the end of the UConn-South Carolina women’s Final Four game:

Ja Morant’s home in Eads is listed for sale.

Memphis in May has announced its entertainment lineup for BBQ Fest.

Probably gonna take Easter off. Back Monday 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 met a member of a traveling circus this morning at Bardog. He was on vacation (and in town to get a tattoo) before the next gig in Henderson (not -ville), Tennessee.

The show there will be free, with only a charge for concessions. The circus owner’s philosophy is that small-town kids deserve the big show too.

We were all making recommendations for things in Memphis for our new friend to check out. I recommended Saturday Sunset 7 at Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight.

A new vintage clothing store called Tako’s Secondhand has opened in the Commonwealth Building on Madison near Fourth. I have not been in but it looks like they have some groovy threads.

LeBron James thinks Memphis is trash and says the Grizzlies should move to Nashville.

Pooh Shiesty and several other rappers have been indicted for kidnapping and robbing Gucci Mane and others in Dallas in January. I stayed at the Union Mission last night and I’ve never seen the people there take such an interest in a news story.

Penny said he needed help. Now he’s got it. Gabriel Harris is the new general manager of Memphis Tigers men’s basketball. According to Action News 5, “Harris will be oversee roster management, recruiting operations, revenue share strategy and player personnel evaluation.”

The Grizzlies host the Toronto Raptors tonight at 7. Get there early for a free City Edition T-shirt. TV: FanDuel Sports

The Memphis Redbirds host Norfolk at 1:05 PM today. It will be the Infinity and the Ballpark game and there will be a special ticket for a Good Friday fish fry.

There will be a riverfront Easter festival on Mud Island Saturday 11-4.

The Memphis Farmers Market has its opening day Saturday. 8 AM-1 PM under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson.

The Orpheum is hiring a presentations and engagement manager.

Playa Bowls seeks a GM.

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