Category: Uncategorized

FREE WATCH PARTY tonight: USMNT vs. Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 on the Jumbotron at AutoZone Park. Gates open at 6, kickoff at 7.

This match is not without controversy. The U.S. team’s ace striker Folarin Balogun has been declared eligible for tonight’s match despite getting a red card last week in the round of 32. The Belgians are very unhappy that he will be on the pitch tonight and are “exploring all options.” SPOILER: Belgium ain’t gonna do shit.

MY PREDICTION (or at least hope):
USA 1-0 BEL
USA: Balogun 90′ + 7′ (PK)

I wonder if Trump bribed international soccer’s governing body.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Utah Jazz, NBA Summer League, 8:00 PM, ESPN. Grizzlies marketing dept: Please tell me you’re gonna run a “Boos with the Booz” promotion for Halloween.

Nerd out, map nerds.

Two National Guard troops who are part of the Memphis Safe Task Force shot and killed a 20-year-old man near Union and Ida B. Wells St. around 4 in the morning Sunday. Sounds like the guy was fooling around with a gun and paid the ultimate stupidity tax.

I watched the Mexico-England soccer match last night. It was rain-delayed and they put the local weather conditions on the screen – 57F. “57? In July in Mexico City? That can’t be right,” I thought. After all, Mexico City is south of warm U.S. states like Texas and Arizona, so I always assumed it would be hot there, especially in summer.

A visit to Mexico City’s Wikipedia page said otherwise. There I learned that the city

• Has a higher elevation than Denver
• Sits in a natural bowl formed by mountains and volcanoes
• Is sinking more than a foot a year(!!!!!)
• Has high temperatures similar to Los Angeles: upper 60s winter, 70s-low 80s the rest of the year
• But its lows are similar to San Francisco: 40s winter, 50s the rest of the year

So, if you ever visit Mexico City, pack a light jacket.

Happy National Air Traffic Control Day.

It’s also National Fried Chicken Day. Celebrate at Gus’s, Pirtle’s, or Uncle Lou’s.

Bored watching TV this morning, I asked AI the names & ages of the Morgan boys of the “Morgan & Morgan” law firm. They are Matt, 42; Mike, 40; and Dan, 38. John and Ultima are the parents. Bonus fact: John once fired Dan and made him get a job at Firehouse Subs.

9 subtle signs your accounts or devices have been hacked

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Since this is a slow news weekend, I want to share a personal story.

I firmly believe that every human has non-physical entities who watch over them. I call these beings my Spirit Guides. If you’re more into mainstream Christianity than I am, you may prefer to think of them as your angels. Or simply, your intuition. Or collectively, your Higher Power.

Yesterday I  met up with my Saturday brunch friends Randy and Theresa. I hadn’t seen them in 2 weeks, so we had lots of catching up to do.  I ate the July 4th food special and had a few Cokes, then got a PBR.

About 1:30 a case of indigestion came over me. It wasn’t painful, just annoying to have all that undigested food in my stomach. “Is this going to ruin my holiday?” I wondered.

About 2:00 I ran to the restroom and forced myself to throw up. I didn’t NEED to, it wasn’t urgent; I just felt as though clearing all that food from my stomach might make me feel better.

I made another trip to the restroom around 3. Randy and Theresa left shortly thereafter.  I threw up one more time about 3:30.

As I returned to my seat from that most recent restroom trip, I felt a nudge from my Guides. They communicate in feelings. Translated into words, what they were telling me was,

“We gave you indigestion because we want you to take shelter tonight. We wanted to make it too uncomfortable for you to stay out. This is the July 4 holiday and you will be in danger if you stay out Downtown all night tonight.”

I don’t mess around when my Spirit Guides communicate. I left the bar immediately, leaving 3/4 of a glass of PBR and a future one that Randy had bought me. I high-tailed it to the Union Mission, spending my last 6 dollars “on the books” there on admission.

I skipped dinner in the interest of indigestion management. Having to sit through chapel was irritating. Having to take a shower after chapel was irritating.

However, getting 10 hours sleep in the air conditioning was wonderful. Surviving the night without hearing a single gunshot was wonderful. Knowing my backpack, Chromebook,  and other possessions were safe overnight while I slept was wonderful.

Thank you, Spirit Guides.  You took a mighty strange way to make your point, but nothing short of what you did would have kept me inside last night.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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SAVE THE DATE – I just found out that my friends Saturday Sunset will play the Peabody rooftop party two Thursdays from now (July 16). Over the past year they have become my absolute favorite band to play Earnestine & Hazel’s. Go see them! Go VIP!

Can’t wait until the 16th? Catch the full band downstairs at E&H tonight and C.J. & Kyla upstairs tomorrow night.

I met the coolest dude last night! He operates Mississippi River Expeditions, which does 12-person canoe trips down the river. “It’s not so much paddling as it is drifting,” he explained.

Feelin’ Memphis at 509 S. Main has the official America 250 3-D fireworks viewing glasses.

The Cannon Center will host a re-creation of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence noon to noon-thirty Wednesday, July 8. Free to attend and family-friendly. Attendees will be invited to come on stage and be part of the event, signing a replica.

The Downtown Memphis Gould’s Salon is hiring a massage therapist.

Chef Flava’s is closing its Downtown location.

Tom Lee Park will be closed Saturday from 8 AM until gates open for the Independence Day celebration at 5:30 PM. Performance schedule for the event:

Beale Street Landing Stage:
6:00–7:30 PM — DJ YoBreezye
7:30-8:45 PM — DJ Zetta

Shell on Wheels Stage:
5:30–6:15 PM — DJ Bizzle Bluebland
6:20–6:50 PM — 926 Stax Music Academy Alumni Band
6:50–7:15 PM — DJ Bizzle Bluebland
7:15–7:35 PM — Raneem Imam
7:35–8:00 PM — DJ Bizzle Bluebland
8:00–8:30 PM — Da M-Town Band
9:00-9:30 PM — UNAPOLOGETIC. X IMAKEMADBEATS

Canopy Stage:
6:00–8:45 PM — DJ Nico

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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In NBA Summer League he’ll be a star.
Mmm, mmm, mmm…
Mmmmm, mmmmm…
I love this bar.

Grizz tip off Summer League Saturday with a 2 PM tip vs. OKC. TV: ESPNU

Santi Aldama is off to Dallas in the latest Grizzlies trade. Memphis gets back A.J. Johnson, a top-20-protected 2030 first-round pick, and two second-rounders.

A restaurant concept called Motion Water has filed permits to open in what’s currently a warehouse space at 163 Pontotoc. It’s described as “an upscale neo urban experience like none other.”

USA vs. Belgium, World Cup round of 16, will happen Monday at 7 PM. TV: FOX

The Renasant Convention Center will have a free, family-friendly, indoor, air-conditioned 4th Fest Saturday evening.

Itta Bena seeks a server assistant, an expo, a dishwasher, and a server.

Running a little short on cash this holiday weekend… if anyone wants to leave a tip in one of the online jars below, it’d give me some much-appreciated breathing room.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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It’s July 1, the day when a lot of newly-passed laws and ordinances go into effect – most notably in Memphis, the ban on THC and kratom products in smoke shops and convenience stores.

Now, readers, I know what you’re thinking… “What about THC seltzers? Will we still be able to order & drink them in bars?” Ever your faithful blogger/journalist, I ventured out to a bar at 7:30 this morning to get an answer to your question.

The bartender said

• There are loopholes on top of loopholes in the new law
• Therefore, YES, bars can still sell THC seltzers
• The problem is the DISTRIBUTORS can no longer sell the seltzers to the bars
• So the bars will sell the seltzers until they run out of inventory… and then that’s it until the law changes again

Memphis police and first responders will have a safety plan in place for Downtown’s July 4 celebration.

Don’t scratch that ‘squito bite!

Sorry for the short post. July 4 week is rarely newsy. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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The deal is done for Ja Morant, ESPN’s Shams reported yesterday. The Portland Trail Blazers get him, and it’s being said they’ll run an unusual starting 5 with both him and Dame Lillard on the floor at the same time.

Memphis gets Fs Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. I’ve been hearing the Grizzlies front office has had their eye on Grant for some time now. As for Murray, keep him, waive him, dress him up in a tutu and teach him ballet, I don’t care as long as it gets Morant’s massive contract off our books.

Loflin Yard will have a watch party for USA vs. Bos.-Herz. Wednesday night. The match will be on the big screens with $20 Mich Ultra buckets and $30 NUTRI vodka seltzer buckets.

Walking in Memphis in High Heels lists the best hotel pools for a staycation.

If you see me staggering around this week, I’m not drunk. Cellulitis is back in my left leg & has swollen it and my toes hurt like hell. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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The Redbirds host Charlotte this week.

• 7:05 PM Tue – A specialty ticket gets you a BBQ picnic on the terrace
• 7:05 PM Wed
• 7:05 PM Thur – $2 PBR; Red, White & Boom weekend; $7 student tickets; Terrace BBQ and hot dog buffet specialty tickets
• 7:05 PM Fri – Fireworks after the game; $5 margaritas and Dos Equis beer; 2 for $5 street tacos; cookout and teacher appreciation specialty tickets
• 7:05 PM Sat – Fireworks after the game; cookout specialty ticket
• 1:05 PM Sun – Dinosaur Day with free jersey to the first 500 kids; kids run the bases after the game

DJ A.D. and the Vibe Tribe headline Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party. 6-10 PM. $15 entry or $40 to go VIP. Those in VIP get a buffet of mini Nathan’s hot dogs, mini cheeseburgers, house-made chips with ranch, and snickerdoodles.

3 cars including a police cruiser were involved in a crash at Union and Danny Thomas about 1 this morning.

All-American burger “THE 250” is the Burger of the Week at Momma’s: Angus beef, bacon, onion rings, cheddar, and house-made slaw.

Hershey’s just south of Downtown seeks a process lead. Close enough to Momma’s to hit it for breakfast (make your biscuit better!) or lunch.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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THE living legend of the competitive eating world, Joey Chestnut, will be at AutoZone Park on Saturday, July 18 for some eatin’ and competin’, his first event since Coney Island on July 4. His opponent… I dunno… maybe YOU??? All you have to do is win one of the prelim events, to be held at the ballpark

• Thursday, July 2 – 10-inch pizzas by Exlines
• Friday, July 3 – Memphis sliders by Slider Inn
• Saturday, July 4 – Grandma’s meatballs by Aldo’s Pizza Pies

More info / register

This morning I saw a squirrel fall out of one of the Court Square trees from about 25 feet. You know the way cats always land on their feet? Squirrels, not so much. He was out cold for a minute, then woke up and scampered back up the tree.

The Brass Door will be closed today to let its staff catch up on rest. It’ll be open Monday and Tuesday.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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On the advice of my high school principal, Mr. Barnhouse, I re-took the SAT in Fall 1986 and raised my verbal score by 70 points.

oh wait. “SAT update” in the context of my blog means “Saturday update.” You don’t care about my standardized test scores.

I bet Mr. Barnhouse is dead now.

EXCITING NEWS for Downtown Memphis: WREG reports that a public market is in the works for two long-abandoned buildings on the northwest corner of Madison and B.B. King. The news station reports,

About 24 stalls will house vendor spaces for farmers, grocers, butchers, bakers, prepared food operators, artisans, and specialty retailers, along with business incubation programs, workforce development initiatives, and more.

Today is Bartender and Mixologist Day.

Cordelia’s Market seeks a meat cutter.

Memphis Medical District Collaborative seeks a streets & public spaces specialist.

The zoo seeks a full-time keeper who specializes in farm animals.

Tennessee Vintage Fest is at the Renasant Convention Center today. Don’t forget, 3500 Jehovah’s Witnesses are also there.

Electric 30 plays Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight. Curtis B. Scott upstairs.

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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Disappointing last-second loss to Turkiye last night, but the USMNT moves on to the World Cup round of 32. They will face Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night at 7 in Santa Clara, CA. TV: FOX

A new business called Soultown Supply Co. is going in 352 S. Main. Anyone got details?

According to Google Gemini, Cam Boozer will make 11.8 million dollars as a Memphis Grizzly next season. Not bad for a 19-year-old.

I got the Whistle Stop yesterday at the Flying Saucer. That’s the burger special with purple slaw, pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, and tomato jam. My recommendation would be to get this one with the turkey patty instead of the beef patty.

Chris Canterbury plays South Main Sounds tonight 7-9 for Trolley Night.

Catch Hank & Willie in the courtyard next to Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight 5-7.

The Orpheum will show classic movie Cooley High Saturday at 2.

Park yourself at the intersection of hip-hop and dance music for Summer Soulstice at Grind City Brewing Saturday afternoon and evening.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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