Category: Uncategorized

My bartender at the Flying Saucer gave me some rather surprising news last night. Oregon-based Rogue Ales, one of the first and most successful microbreweries, has closed.  A group of investors acquired the business and mismanaged it. A note-on-the-door situation informed employees they no longer had jobs.

There’s still some Rogue Dead Guy on tap at the Saucer. Get it while you can.

Like ol’ Willie (Nelson, not Herenton), Penny’s Memphis Tigers are on the road again. They play the Rice Owls at 2. TV: ESPN+

The U.S. has captured Venezuela’s president following military strikes on that country, the Trumpster announced.

Congrats to Navy on their 35-17 Liberty Bowl victory over Cincinnati yesterday.

It was good catching up with C.J. and Kyla of Saturday Sunset at Earnestine & Hazel’s last night. Their full 4-piece band will play downstairs there two Fridays this month, the 16th and 30th.

KUYA, the Filipino restaurant going in at Main and Vance, will bring in local DJs. Dancing with Filipina women??? I am SO there!

Action News 5 is looking to hire a news anchor.

First Horizon Bank seeks a marketing/creative intern.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Here’s a tip I picked up from a bartender at Earnestine & Hazel’s: Order Deep Eddy lemon vodka mixed with Tito’s handmade vodka. It’s a lemon drop, but ALL vodka, rather than just part.

How bout that college football action yesterday! I was NOT expecting Indiana to blow out Bama 38-3. I thought the Hoosiers would win a close 60-minute battle. As my friend Randy says, this’ll shut up all the doubters. IU’s run is clearly not a fluke.

Nor was I expecting Ole Miss to git-r-done vs. Georgia. Lots of “Kiffin, who needs him?” signs.

So we have Oregon vs. Indiana and Miami vs. Ole Miss in the semis. I’ll take Indiana and Miami to get to the championship game, with the ‘Canes pulling a huge upset.

Today is Swiss Cheese Day. Celebrate with a Huey burger topped with Swiss. So good!

The L.A. Lakers host the Grizzlies tonight at 9:30. TV: FanDuel Sports

The Liberty Bowl, 22 Navy vs. Cincinnati, is today at 3:30. TV: ESPN

Considering making an investment in myself. I need to do some product research over the weekend and will have more to say about it after that.

Gonna watch the Liberty Bowl at the Saucer. After that I’ll probably stay out all night. There are only 4 hours (E&H close to Chess Club open) when I’ll have to wander around outside in the cold.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Happy New Year and happy National Bloody Mary Day! It’s time for the professionals to get out and about. Amateur Night is over! Also, we made it through the darkest and historically the second coldest month of the year.

The Miami Hurricanes punched their ticket to the CFP semifinals last night with a 24-14 upset of Ohio State.

WREG has a look at today’s SkiFreeze event.

Where the Hogmanay parties at??? Someone work on this for 2027 please!

U.S. quarters, dimes, and nickels minted in 2026 will have a special design commemorating our nation’s 250th birthday.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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It’s the night when people who can’t handle their alcohol come out to play. A night of expectations that fail to get met. Of projectile vomiting. Of explosive diarrhea. Of breakups. Of DUI arrests. Of overinflated cover and parking and rideshare charges. Of crying. Of losing your wallet or your keys or your phone. Of being crowded into a bar like sardines. Of cheap, shitty champagne.

Have fun with that. For some, NYE is the real Friday the 13th.

How fast do champagne corks fly?

Slider Inn will have brunch all day on New Year’s with half-price Jameson slushies.

As I mentioned earlier, Bardog will do brunch on New Year’s. Opening time, according to Bardog’s parent company’s weekly email, will be 10 AM.

Music City Bowl: Illinois 30, Tennessee 28. Illini coach Bret Bielema put on a master class in clock management in the final minutes.

Waterski, barefoot, wakeboard, or wakesurf the mighty Mississippi on New Year’s Day – SkiFreeze

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Today is Bacon Day.

Memphis Chess Club has announced it will be open regular hours (7 AM-9 PM) New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. That means it’s MCC to start NYD for me! The chess club has released its specialty cocktail list for January:

Chicago: A brandy-based sipper with a little kick.

Champagne Cocktail: Bubbly and bright with a side of sparkle.

Americano (Low-Proof): Light, bittersweet and the precursor to the Negroni.

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The Brass Door, Downtown’s Irish pub, will have a “midnight in Dublin” New Year’s celebration. Dublin is 6 hours ahead of Memphis, so the big moment will occur at 6 PM our time. Now that’s a New Year’s party concept I can get behind… you can get out and party and get home before Amateur Night even begins.

BUT THE DOOR ISN’T THE ONLY BAR CELEBRATING DUBLIN THIS WEEK: “The Dubliner” will be this week’s burger of the week at Momma’s. Angus beef, bacon, cheddar, lettuce, onion, Guinness mayo.

GRIZZLIES ON NATIONAL TV ALERT: Tuesday’s 7:00 home game vs. the Philadelphia 76ers will be broadcast on NBC/Peacock. Free Superhero Ja Morant & Jaren Jackson Jr. Lunchbox to the first 3000 fans through the gate.

Penny’s Tigers are on national TV this week too: Their 3 PM home game hosting North Texas this Wednesday will be on ESPN2.

Memphis Filling Station is having a Music City Bowl watch party Tuesday 4:30-7:30. Go Fighting Illini! Make “NEXXXXT YEEEEARRRR” start for the Tennessee Vols a couple of days early!

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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It seems like I can’t go anywhere these days without my trolls making new friends.

Bardog will do brunch the morning of January 1st. That means an opening time of 11:00 rather than the typical weekday time of 7:30, giving staff extra time to recover from the “Bardog Royale” New Year’s Eve party the night before.

The Grizzlies are in our nation’s capital for a 5 PM game today with the Wizards. TV: FanDuel Sports

Flying cars exist now.

What makes an organization a cult?

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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Severe weather is expected to move into the Memphis metro Sunday afternoon and evening. That’ll be the end of the 70+ degree temperatures we’ve been enjoying.

The civil rights museum will throw a huge celebration on Monday, January 19, the 40th anniversary of the holiday celebrating Dr. King’s birthday.

The 25th was Santa’s day, but the 26th was Santi’s day. Aldama dropped in a career-high 37 to carry the Grizzlies past Utah. I wonder if he played Santi Claus at the company Christmas party?

The Grizz improved to 15-16 and ninth place in the West with the win. 7th-10th place is the play-in zone.

The only college football game you watch to see the sponsor is today. Miami, OH and Fresno State square off in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at 3:30 on the CW Network.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I took advantage of the nice weather and stayed out… it was so wonderful to catch up with friends. Friday I entered the Room in the Inn lottery and got chosen to spend the night at a church on Jackson just past Alex’s. Spaghetti, green beans, banana pudding, 10 hours sleep, sausage egg and cheese biscuit, back Downtown.

One more night out tonight before the weather goes to hell in a handbasket. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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At Earnestine & Hazel’s yesterday, I was told about a Christmas delight I’d never before heard of: A Baltimore lemon stick. It’s a thick (nickel diameter) stick of peppermint inserted inside half a lemon, then pulled out and sucked on. Anyone else heard of this holiday treat?

The Grizzlies host the Milwaukee Bucks tonight at 7. Giveaway: City Edition scarf. TV: FanDuel Sports.

Today is National Whiners Day.

Work for “the U Club”: The University Club of Memphis seeks a tennis pro.

Mid-South Dueling Pianos provide the live music at the Saucer tonight. 8-10.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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There’s one thing that sucks about Christmas in Downtown Memphis… waiting for the bars to open at 5 PM. Tick, tock, tick, tock…(sad face)

This year, however, we have 360 fewer minutes to wait. Earnestine & Hazel’s opened at 11 AM today. No special Christmas food menu, just Soul Burgers and good vibes and ghosts and football on TV. They will be open tonight until 1 AM.

Congratulations to South Main gift shop Feelin’ Memphis on winning the DMC‘s holiday storefront competition.

A pop-up called Lucha Wine Bar returns Sunday to JEM Fine Dining.

Catherine and Mary’s is hiring a line cook.

Merry Christmas. Come to E&H and have a PBR with me.

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