Category: Uncategorized

Trivia Q: What is the only non-human animal that will ACTIVELY hunt gorillas?

My friend Prince Mongo passed away this week. Mongo was an eccentric landlord, nightclub operator, and mayoral candidate who came here on a spaceship from the planet Zambodia. He had some unique ideas on how to run this city – for instance, he wanted to surround Mud Island with alligators and turn it into a prison.

RIP Spirit Mongo, I’ll always be grateful for that night you came up to me at Raiford’s and introduced yourself.

I hear the PGA rented out BB King’s and Itta Bena for a private event last night. Their tournament is at Southwind this week.

Bluey returns to the Orpheum this weekend for his Big Play.

Today is Vinyl Record Day.

Paint the King by numbers: An Elvis Week experience Friday 11-2 at the Westin

Trivia A: Leopards

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Happy Elvis Week, everybody! From the CA: Here’s a list of Memphis restaurants Elvis loved that are still around.

From Hollywood to Burning Love: Acclaimed Elvis tribute artist Marcus Sugg plays the Halloran Centre Saturday. Did you know that Elvis used to rent out the Orpheum so he could watch current hit movies in private?

The Neon Mooners play the final Peabody rooftop party of the season Thursday 6-10 PM. $15 entry / $40 VIP. VIPs get a buffet of ribs, mac & cheese, and chocolate chip cookies. Special guest Baylee Littrell. If that last name sounds familiar, it may be because his dad is one of the Backstreet Boys.

The Elvis is the Burger of the Week at Momma’s: Angus beef, bacon, peanut butter, caramelized banana on Texas toast.

From Memphis magazine: An artist inspired by local food and the people who prepare it

Today is National Panini Day. Celebrate with a ‘nini (and a ‘tini) at Aldo’s Pizza Pies.

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So sad to read the news that Grizzlies backup center Brandon Clarke died from the effects of heroin and cocaine. If you want to ride, don’t ride the white horse. And despite what the song says, don’t ride the white pony either.

I asked AI agent Claude how, when a current NBA player dies, it affects the money that counts toward his team’s salary cap. The answer is that death voids a player’s contract, so Memphis has immediate access to spend the amount of BC’s salary on a replacement.

Banana pudding cheesecake is a dessert special at Bardog this week.
Professional pillow fighting is a thing.

once again i have to cut off a postt prematurely due to health reasons. y’all im so sorry. maybe tomorrow.

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I played Sporcle trivia at Memphis Chess Club last night. They have 6:30 and 7:30 games every Thursday night. Each game pays off a $20 gift card for first place and a $10 gift card for second place.

You don’t need to install the Sporcle app on your phone to play. You just scan the QR code and enter the game number provided by the host. Easy peasy.

Each game has eight regular questions, which you weight 1-8 points based on your confidence in your answer. Some Q’s offer a chance to pick up an additional nerd point.

Questions 5 and 10 are quick 4-part questions around one topic for 2 points each.

Question 11 is Final Jeopardy-style. You’re given the category and wager 0-15 points before seeing the question.

Fun and fast-paced. I finished third, just out of the money, in both games. I swung for the fences both final rounds. I should have been more conservative.

Memphis Chess Club has a full bar and coffee shop… however, I got the $5.50 bottomless Mountain Dew.

I will play trivia there again, although not every week since Thursday is my normal E&H night.

Sunset Jazz returns to Court Square this Sunday 6-8 PM. Lawn chairs are welcome.

The Grizzlies will hold a garage sale at FedExForum Saturday, August 22.

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I gratefully accept tips: 
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The Memphis Flyer is back with its latest in a series of articles about the state of Downtown. This one is about restaurants and retail.

Huey’s has added 2 new sandwiches: a crispy chicken sandwich and a chicken BLTA, both on Brioche rolls.

Pre-sale early bird tickets are now available for Taste of the (Memphis Medical Center) District on October 6 from 4 to 6 PM.

RIP Dory Funk Jr.

MATA wants to get the trolleys back online this fall.

Today is National IPA Day.

$2 PBR at the Redbirds tonight. 6:45 first pitch.

The Owen Gooch Band plays The Dame, Hotel Pontotoc’s bar, Friday at 7:30.

Volunteer to help clean up the Memphis Flyway at Tom Lee Park Saturday morning.

On a personal note, I’m close to returning to writing on Medium. I have an article coming out next week. It’s about the phrase “thank you” and negative associations it can carry over from childhood, how those associations can disrupt an adult gratitude practice, and what to do about it.

The eccentric aunt who gives you socks for your birthday. Parents: “Tell your aunt thank you!” Image by Google Gemini AI.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate. I’ll leave you with some fabulous advice from my fellow Medium writer Anne Bellamy.

Stop imagining monsters under your bed.
Start imagining angels at your side.

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It makes me VERY, VERY HAPPY to walk past Downtown restaurants/bars and see a new house rule posted near the entrance:

No speakers on phones

YES YES YES. Talking on your g-damn speakerphones is RUDE to those seated near you. This includes FaceTime! Finish your conversation before coming inside! Or learn to use text to converse! I, for one, am THRILLED to see neighborhood businesses FINALLY cracking down on this.

Third Coast headlines this Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party. 6-10 PM. $15 to get in, $40 to go VIP. VIPs get a buffet of chicken Rotel, tortilla chips, and fried potato skins.

Redbirds host Nashville at 6:45 tonight. Our ‘birds whooped dat ass last night 13-2.

Elvis Week 2026 kicks off Saturday.

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I gratefully accept tips: 
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Happy National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! Insomnia Cookies at 200 Beale has gotcha covered for the holiday: Buy a warm  chocolate chunk cookie and get a second cookie of equal or lesser value for free.

This morning at breakfast, my friend Patrick brought up a “rocky” problem – a problem I saw myself as I walked around Downtown later.

 

Concrete trucks are letting loose piles of big rocks every time they stop at a traffic light. These rocks can get kicked up and break someone’s windshield. Can anything be done about this?

Your Memphis Redbirds are back at home this week for a homestand against the Nashville Sounds. The first pitch tonight is 6:45 p.m. Check out the new value menu at the Cantina Stand near section 114.

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I gratefully accept tips: 
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Folks, I’ve been waiting for 20+ years to post a news item like this first one.

Downtown Memphis appears to be close to getting an Indian restaurant!!!!!

What Now reports that a concept called Flavors of India is coming to 150 Peabody Place Suite 115. That’s the Terminix building (old Peabody Place mall building), I believe. “Like” the restaurant on Facebook I LOVE Indian food and can’t wait for it to open!

Last night, one of my Saucer beertenders told me about a hidden gem of Downtown dining: Flyway Brewing’s taproom at 598 Monroe. She especially likes the crispy duck tenders and loaded fries. Menu

The Woodruff-Fontaine House invites you to take a walk through the yellow fever epidemic of 1878 on Sunday, August 23rd.

Today is Grab Some Nuts Day.

Sage seeks a lead bartender. Send your resume to sagememphis94@gmail.com.

The Rocky is the burger of the week at Momma’s. Angus beef, red & yellow peppers, jalapeños, provolone, chipotle mayo.

Feeling better today than I have in a while… but I’m staying at the Mission tonight because I need sleep and a shower. Plus the guest church at chapel, New Salem MB, is one of my fav guest churches. Back soon with more news.

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Addictive website: Neal.fun

I walked past KUYA about 12:15 AM and there was no party spilling out onto the sidewalk as we’ve come to expect. Wonder what happened?

The space formerly occupied by The WKND Hang Suite on Vance Ave. is now Novel Social Club. What Now has the details. I wonder if the East Memphis bookstore is gonna be OK with the use of that name.

WWE SummerSlam night 1 results

The Metal Museum is closed to the public for the rest of 2026 as preparations are underway for its move to Overton Park.

Want a reminder to get a haircut every 6 weeks? Want to count down the days until vacation starts? This app can help.

Itta Bena is hosting a dinner on Thursday, August 27 pairing Old Forester bourbon cocktails with the restaurant’s delicious cuisine. reservations

UGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH NFL football is back in a few days. Cardinals vs. Panthers preseason game, Thursday 7 PM CDT, NBC/Peacock.

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I gratefully accept tips: 
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The Ruby Bridges Reading Festival is today at the civil rights museum. Free books, free health screenings, story readings, DJ.

The old, boarded-up police station on Adams near Fourth could be a future home for juvie court.

If your pup likes water, bring them to Streetdog Foundation’s Summer Splash noon to 4 at Loflin Yard. Dog pools, splash pads, giveaways.

Happy National Mustard Day. Also, happy International Blues Music Day.

There was a fire at an apartment complex at Vance and Orleans Friday morning.

How weird are you?

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I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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