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This sign is hanging in the Mesquite Chop House location on Union:

A food hall in the Downtown core? I’d be all for that.

For its 17 years of existence, Bardog Tavern has had two rules: “No backwards hats” and “No Red Bull, no bullshit.”

Well, this past weekend, the staff told me that one of those rules is no more. You can now wear backwards hats at Bardog.

It makes sense. In 2008, when the popular neighborhood bar opened, Memphis was teeming with Affliction- and Ed Hardy-wearing douchenozzles. Forcing them to turn their hats around made them look a little bit less like the assholes that they were.

In 2025, however, guys who wear backwards hats are just average guys who want to wear baseball caps, but with an increased field of vision. Might as well let them be themselves.

I doubt that the other rule will be relaxed, though. No Red Bull, no bullshit. May I recommend the PBR?

HUGE CONGRATS to Memphis’ Central High, which took first in a global jazz band competition in New York City!!!!!!!!!!!

This Google hack lets you view uncluttered search results.

Sunset Jazz in Court Square last night was postponed due to weather. Rescheduled date TBA.

That’s all I’ve got for today.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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Blog posts may be hit-or-miss in the coming days. My motor skills have deteriorated recently. I hope it’s not permanent. Simple things like getting my laptop into its pocket in my backpack can take me as long as 10 minutes.

My God. MATA owes its vendors more than $10 million.

Local barbershop The Hair and Beard Station on N. Fourth gives back to the community. The owner recognizes that a well-groomed look can make a big difference in a job interview or court appearance.

Find out what Aldi does with unsold food

The 50 best bars in North America

There’s going to be a dog fashion parade in Handy Park on Saturday, July 26 from 4 to 7 PM. It’s hosted by Friends of Dog in coordination with the Downtown Memphis Commission. Local vendors. Prize for best dressed pup.

An eating championship has been added to next week’s SmokeSlam event lineup.

That’s all I’ve got.

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

If Nathan Frazer & Axiom had a blog, that’s what they’d title this post.

Recommendation for next Wednesday, May 14: Hop a Lyft or Uber out to Rooster’s Blues House on Highland, where Island 45 will take the stage at 7. Now, why would the Downtown blogger advise you to travel east of Danny Thomas? Because

1. Band frontwoman Jenn is a Downtowner and an awesome person and singer; and
2. Julien has GMmed many Downtown spots and deserves our support in his latest venture

Club 152 WILL BE OPEN this weekend. DJ Tree will spin starting at 10 Saturday and 9:30 Sunday.

Today is Lost Sock Memorial Day.

From Opera America: An opera on Beale Street: How Opera Memphis reinvented itself

The  Catholic Church has a new pope, the first American ever. He’ll go by the name Leo XIV.

The Saucer will have rare beer finds, flights, and specials for American Craft Beer Week May 12-18.

if anyone sees nicole today pls tell her i said happy birthday

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 the 100th anniversary of Tom Lee’s daring Mississippi River rescue. Although he did not know how to swim, he pulled 32 people out of the river and into his boat. One boatload at a time, he ferried them to safety on a nearby sandbar.

Memphis was shocked yesterday as three former MPD officers were found not guilty in Tyre Nichols’ death trial. There will be a community gathering at the National Civil Rights Museum today at 4 in response to the verdict.

The Redbirds will rebrand as the Memphis BBQ Nachos for SmokeSlam/BBQ Fest weekend.

Know who’s happy about the completion of the I-55 roundabout? The folks at Momma’s. They are throwing a celebration Saturday with

• Bobbie Stacks & Frankie Hollie – noon
• Heartbreak Hill – 8 pm
• $5 award-winning Wiseacre Sky Dog draft

Sunset Jazz returns to Court Square every second Sunday of the month through October. It kicks off May 11 with Keenan Shotwell.

The Flyer’s Michael Donahue reports that Felicia’s is back.

Today is National Have a Coke Day. I’m having one as I type this post.

That’s all I’ve got.

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 new roundabout is now open. Head all the way south on Riverside Drive and you can exit onto

• I-55 North
• Alston Ave. (where the Super 8 motel is)
• I-55 South
• Or keep going for westbound E.H. Crump Blvd.

A press conference was held Monday to encourage the restoration of Clayborn Temple. The Memphis landmark was nearly destroyed in a fire last month.

There will be no Triple Crown winner this year. Sovereignty isn’t running the Preakness.

Memphis Tourism will be at the Court Square food truck rodeo Thursday to celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week.

Landslide, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, will headline the Peabody rooftop party this Thursday. $15 gen adm, $40 VIP. Enter for a chance to win tickets to BBQ Fest. VIPs get a buffet of crispitos, savory beef tacos, warm queso, salsa and chips, and sweet churros. DJ A.D. will spin and there will be cornhole games in the ballroom.

Rail Yard Ramblers play Live at the Tracks at Central Station Thursday 6:30 to 9:30.

Melanie MacLaren, Hannah Aldridge, and Caitlin Mae play South Main Sounds Friday at 7.

Documentary film Bluff City Chinese will be shown at the civil rights museum Thursday evening.

Coach Bill Courtney interviews 9/11 firefighter Tim Brown on a live podcast at Grind City Brewing Thursday. Max 150 audience members.

That’s all I’ve got.

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

Starting Monday, May 12, Ferraro’s Pizzeria in The Pinch will be open 7 days a week. On Monday they’ll do $10 pizzas and $5 cork fees. BYO wine and beer.

A man died after being hit by a car about 5:40 Monday morning at Poplar and Danny Thomas.

Did you know Little Petals, the new Chinese restaurant on Madison, has 7 flavors of wings?

Memphis Magazine has local staycation suggestions.

That’s all I’ve got. Apologies for the kinda brief post today.

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

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Sunday is Mother’s Day.

From the Tri-State Defender: MPD puts criminals on notice with its new high-tech command center at 250 Peabody Place

An arrest has been made for an early Sunday morning shooting. The suspect was found hiding behind Davinchi’s Restaurant and Lounge at South Main and Pontotoc. That intersection needs attention from MPD and city officials in the 2-5 AM hours.

94-year-old Warren Buffett is retiring as Berkshire Hathaway CEO.

Teacher Appreciation Week starts today.

Bonnie Raitt plays the Orpheum Friday.

Catch Inside Out 2 on the big screen Saturday at AutoZone Park. Free. Pre-ordered food packages available.

That’s all I’ve got.

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

Kooky Canuck has started doing brunch Saturday and Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM. Posts to their Facebook page indicate the specials include

• Biscuit and gravy
• Boozy bread pudding
• Steak eggs benedict
• French Canadian toast
• Brunch poutine
• Maple sunrise sandwich
• “The Forty Ninth”
• Timber tart mimosa
• Mimosa flight

Ladies, thanks to science your next purse could be made of T. rex leather.

May the Fourth be with you. Expect Star Wars Day-themed promotions at AutoZone Park today as the Redbirds close out their series with Louisville. 1:05 first pitch.

That’s all I’ve got. I stayed out all night and today I am running on fumes.

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 Grizzlies took the “interim” tag off head coach Tuomas Iisalo yesterday. Congrats to him.

The Redbirds are off on Monday, May 5, so they’re having their Cinco de Mayo celebration today, two days early. First pitch is 3:05. $5 margaritas, $5 16 oz. Dos Equis Lager, and 2 for $5 tacos. Live mariachi band. Copa de la Diversión inspired jersey for the first 1,500 fans. Pre-game autograph signing on the concourse.

ABC 24 has everything you need to know about this year’s Kentucky Derby.

The CA has photos of RiverBeat music festival day 1.

Pop is stepping down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after 29 years and will transition to president of basketball operations.

The Trumpster wants to rename Veterans’ Day and start calling it “Victory Day for World War I.” Because Trump likes winners. He doesn’t like people/countries that lose.

Also yesterday, the Trumpster signed an executive order cutting off federal funding to NPR and PBS.

That’s all I’ve got.

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 Forget Work Friday and the Redbirds have your excuse with a 12:45 day game. Take the kids with you for the Memphis Redbirds Kids’ Zone with a bounce house, obstacle course, slide, and a cooling mister.

Old Dominick will have a Derby Day celebration beginning at 3 PM Saturday. Mint Juleps, Honeybell Iced Tea, and other craft cocktails. Hand-crafted charcuterie boards by Salt Cured Blues.

Winds have brought down one of the remaining walls of historic Clayborn Temple, which was destroyed by fire earlier this week.

The Hebe Fountain in Court Square has been temporarily removed for renovation. Don’t worry it’ll be back soon.

Max’s Sports Bar is getting a patio expansion. This weekend will be the last one for the patio until construction is done.

SI.com: New report reveals NBA-wide concern around Ja Morant

That’ll wrap it up. Not sure how much time I’ll have to post this weekend. Back Monday or sooner.

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