Category: Uncategorized

Friday update

The Daily News has a fantastic interview with Memphis Tigers head coach Tubby Smith that is a must-read if you follow the team. He responds to common criticisms on talk radio and social media, and discusses how he instills the values players need to succeed on the court and off. For anyone who has listened to Gary Parrish’s recent discussions of the Memphis program under Tubby, you need to read this. I’m not saying you have to stop agreeing with Parrish (nor have I), but you need to be fair and hear both sides. It’s amazing how some people come to judgment having heard only one side of a story.

Got hungry all of the sudden while composing this post. Can’t decide what I want though, probably either breakfast food or hot dogs.

I’m not Downtown for lunch break, so this is not an option for me today, but if you are Downtown, you can now order online from Lisa’s Lunchbox. Just fill out the online order and it’ll be ready when you get there. Then you have the choice of grabbing a table or taking your food with you. They call it the “No Stress Lunch Break.” The East Memphis location has online ordering too.

Two Girls and a Whip at Front and Huling will have Boozy Suzy Brunch (GOSH I wonder who that is named after) tomorrow from 11 AM to 1 PM. There will be courses of savory and sweet cupcakes, each paired with a brunch drink. They will start off with that awesome chicken and waffles cupcake that was served at my building’s Christmas party:

Then the next three courses will be a cornbread cupcake with maple syrup and bacon, a Sausage Baller cupcake, and a Poinsettia cupcake. Space is limited so call 901-472-CAKE or email info@twogirlsandawhip.com to save your spot. $25 per person.

Trolley Stop Market will be serving a Hoppin’ John family meal New Year’s Day 11 to 8. This dish is made of purple hull peas, greens, cabbage, pork, and organic rice with homemade cornbread, all from locally sourced products. Good news for vegetarians – there’s a meatless option for you too. $7.99 a plate, $5 for a kid’s plate.

FreeWorld plays The Dirty Crow Inn tonight 9-12.

The Gray Canary, the new Hudman-Ticer restaurant going into Old Dominick Distillery, has set up Facebook page. “Like” the restaurant on there to receive updates.

Liberty Bowl parade and pep rally on Beale Street today:

ESPN’s matchup predictor has Memphis as a 57.1% favorite to beat Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl tomorrow.

Don’t forget, New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday so liquor stores will be closed. Get your booze today or tomorrow.

Thursday update

If you have plans on New Year’s Eve, you will definitely want to keep a watch on the weather. Forecasts are varying, with MemphisWeather.net predicting a chance of flurries. WREG, however, calls for a 40% chance of a wintry mix. The high will be 33 and the low 13 according to WREG, so anything that falls will have a high likelihood to stick.

Wintry Mix on Amateur Night, when thousands come Downtown to party and many people drive home drunk? That is going to be a shitshow. Let’s hope the MemphisWeather. net forecast turns out to be the correct one.

Tonight is the last holiday movie Thursday at the Ghost River taproom, with a special boozy cupcake by Two Girls and a Whip.

On New Year’s Day, Ghost River will have the taproom open for New Year, New You. Not Today. Put your New Year’s fitness resolutions off by a day and come enjoy some craft beer. Flying Sobies Hen House food truck will have a “Hen House NYD SPECIAL” which includes a crispy fried Cornish game hen with a side of southern-style greens, lucky black eyed peas, and cornbread. The Rusty Pieces will perform 2-4. They’ll have brunch drinks, and college football will be on the TVs all day.

Who else Downtown has blackeyed peas on New Year’s? Email me at paul@paulryburn.com or hit me up on Facebook. For those who don’t understand, it’s a tradition in the South that you eat blackeyed peas on New Year’s for good luck throughout the year.

THIS.

The Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team hosts LSU tonight at FedExForum. A win over a Power Five school would give the Tigers some needed momentum going into conference play.

The Flying Saucer is doing a roaring ’20s theme for its New Year’s Eve party. There will be music and cocktails from that era with a prize to the best-dressed partygoer. Champagne toast at midnight. $10 a person to reserve a table.

The Grizzlies have released photos of their MLK50 City Edition uniform. The design is a nod to the I AM A MAN signs carried by the sanitation workers in the 1968 strike that brought Dr. King to town. The uniforms will be worn by the team for the MLK Day game next month.

Loflin Yard’s New Year’s Eve party will include one s’mores package per guest and a champagne toast at midnight.

The Blind Bear’s New Year’s Eve party will feature live music by The Rusty Pieces from 8 PM to 11 PM and Blackwater Trio 11 PM-2 AM. $18 cover starting at 7 PM. Three course dinner menu available starting at 5 PM – $35 per person or $60 per couple.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

Wednesday update

Thanks for those of you who helped me get through my first Christmas without my mother. I have many wonderful people in my Downtown family.

Rizzo’s is having a New Year’s Eve party from 8 PM to 12:01 AM on Sunday. $20 gets you in the door and includes food, live music by Bobbie Stacks, and a champagne toast at midnight. There will be a cash bar with drink specials. Sounds like a good way to avoid Amateur Night that will be going on in most of the rest of Downtown.

Havana Mix, which is apparently known as Robusto by Havana Mix, is having a New Year’s Eve party as well. Cigar specials, raffles and giveaways, as well as food, live music, and a champagne toast at midnight.

Welcome to Cyclones fans making their way into town for the Liberty Bowl! If you’re looking for something fun to do Friday night, it’s South Main Trolley Night. Many of the shops of South Main and surrounding streets, between MLK Ave. and a couple of blocks south of G.E. Patterson, stay open until 9 in the evening or later. There’s much good shopping and mingling. Insider tip: Check out the live music at 550 S. Main from 7 to 9 that night.

Start Co. is holding a minority business workshop at the main library on Poplar on January 16. Learn about Elevator Pitching, Customer Discovery, and Business Model Canvassing. After the workshop from 1-2, you will be able to sit with mentors to get advice on different aspects of your business. I have gotten to know the people at Start Co. well and they are a fantastic resource. If you own a minority business that you’re looking to grow, this would definitely be worth your time to attend.

Uh oh… MemphisWeather.net’s extended outlook for January 3-9 reads “temperatures below average; precipitation above average.”

Eric Hughes Band plays The Dirty Crow Inn Saturday night from 9 to 12 on their covered, heated patio.

Volunteer opportunity Downtown:

Attending a wake after work, so I’ll be late getting out to the usual spots. Back tomorrow with more news.

Festivus update

The annual Mix-Odyssey party is just around the corner!

This is a fundraiser for Volunteer Odyssey, a fantastic organization that helps connect people with ways to volunteer here in Memphis. You’ll get to taste craft cocktails from some of the city’s top mixologists.

Pontotoc Lounge posted its New Year’s Eve menu (click for larger size):

Smoked trout deviled eggs? Yum.

A tweet yesterday confirmed that Max’s Sports Bar will be among the places opening in the evening on Christmas Day.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in Concert comes to the Orpheum February 10. Film on the big screen with music by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.

The XFL may be coming back. WWE owner Vince McMahon recently sold $100 million of stock and formed a company named Alpha Entertainment LLC. Alpha recently applied for five XFL-related patents. Could be big if Vinnie Mac allows college freshmen and sophomores to be drafted. Also could bring names like Manziel, Tebow, and Kaepernick to the league. Maybe could bring Rod “He Hate Me” Smart back too.

It’s a Festivus for the rest of us! I’m going to lead off the day at Max’s Sports Bar to watch the Tigers, and there might be a Festivus airing of grievances if the right people show up. After that I’m going to check out new bar The Civil Pour at the 409 S. Main food hall, then over to Blind Bear for D-RANKS with B-RAD. Back tomorrow with more news.

 

Friday update

Quick post before 8 AM. I’m going to work from home today to avoid having to drive in heavy rain. My adorable but useless assistant will be helping me.

Everyone’s got their mind on the holidays this weekend, but here’s something to keep in mind: The International Blues Challenge is less than a month away, January 16-20. Solo artists, duos, and bands representing the very best in blues flock to Memphis and play in the clubs on Beale and the surrounding area, hoping to win their category and attract interest from record producers. However, if you check out the schedule, you will see there’s a lot more than just music performances: book signings, keynote panels, documentaries, awards presentations. There will be a book signing by John Oates on Wednesday, January 17. Come out and meet him and maybe he’ll play a few songs. Well, come meet him unless you’re one of those people who’s all like, “John Oates? I can’t go for that. No can do.”

In all seriousness, though, other cities would kill to have this vast array of talent performing in their clubs… but other cities are not the Home of the Blues. If you have never been to this festival, you owe it to yourself to check it out. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, there are wristbands that get you into all the participating clubs for one low price. You can pick and choose the blues you want. It’s a musical buffet!

The removal of Confederate statues in Memphis has been getting a lot of national press. The Atlantic has a good look at Memphis’ inventive new approach to removing these statues.

Drew & Ellie Holcomb play the Orpheum tonight along with their band The Neighbors. They’ll perform Christmas standards and some Holcomb originals.

Lifehacker has a good point: always carry $20 in small bills. That allows you to tip people who would not typically get tipped on credit or debit cards: valets, housekeepers, bands, open bar bartenders, etc.

Tubby will go head-to-head with his son as the Memphis Tigers host Loyola at FedExForum. Tomorrow will be a doubleheader at the arena with the Grizzlies playing at 7.

That’ll do it for now. Time to fire up email and my other apps and be productive. The office closes at 3 so I will be at Silly Goose shortly after that. If more news comes in I will do a post before going out.

City removes symbols of hate, heals racial wounds + Thursday news

The Confederate statues in Memphis Park and Health Sciences Park were taken down last night.

This letter from Mayor Strickland explains it all, but here’s the short version:

Mayor Strickland was determined that the statues should come down legally. Unfortunately the Tennessee Historical Commission ruled that the city could not legally remove the statues from city-owned parks.

However, the city does have the right to sell parks it owns at below-market value. Owners of private parks can legally remove items on the land they own, including statues. Yesterday the City Council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Strickland to sell those two parks to a newly formed nonprofit, Memphis Greenspace, for $1000 each. The sale was completed yesterday afternoon and the statues were taken down last night. It was done with a swiftness that kept those who would oppose the removal of the statues (possibly with violence) from having time to mobilize.

Well done City Council, Mr. Mayor, the organizers of the new nonprofit, and everyone involved. Those statues were monuments to racism, discrimination, and hate. If they are to be viewed, they should be viewed within context that those statues were put up in the days of Jim Crow and in the days of the backlash by whites to the Civil Rights Act, and that those are not the values we as a society hold anymore.

On to the news..

The Orpheum will host LeMoyne-Owen College’s A Soulful Holiday Evening tonight at 7. Chanté Moore and renowned group CAMEO will perform. Proceeds will benefit The United Negro College Fund.

The inaugural Sip & Shop kicks off today from 4 to 9 PM. The way it works is, you start at LYFE Kitchen and pick up a passport. Then you go visit participating South Main shops and restaurants, getting your passport stamped at each place you visit. Participating locations include

  • Rizzo’s
  • South Main Book Juggler
  • Red Velvet Clothing
  • 409 S. Main food hall
  • Inspired Christian Design
  • Peddler Bike Shop

Collect at least 3 stamps and return to LYFE Kitchen before 9 PM to receive a free appetizer.

MATA has announced that the rubber-wheeled trolley buses will not run December 25 and January 1.

The DMC has named its Top 10 “Game Changer” properties for redevelopment.

Max’s Sports Bar at 115 G.E. Patterson will have Miller Lite specials and swag tomorrow night:

Last night at the Blind Bear was holiday movie trivia night, and Charles asked a question about Miracle on 34th Street. “Is New York City the only city that has a 34th Street?” Charles commented after giving the answer. Um, Charles, most major cities have 34th Streets. Memphis is the rare exception (I think Seventh is as high as it goes here). My hometown of Little Rock has a 34th Street, although it’s not the kind of street anyone would ever make a movie about.

Memphis Made has announced that they will open their taproom early, at 10 AM, on Saturday, December 30, the day of the Liberty Bowl. They will have the game on their huge projector in the event room.

Sam’s Hamburgers is moving across Madison to 7 N. Main.

NBC News has a look at how Russian trolls hijacked conversations on Twitter during key moments in the 2016 presidential election campaign to strike fear and the need for autocracy in the hearts of Americans. Don’tcha hate those crazy trolls?

That’ll do it for now. One more day until the holiday weekend.

Wednesday update

Holly has a list of hours places are open Christmas Day and Christmas Eve on the I Love Memphis Blog. Of particular interest to Downtowners: Flying Saucer and Bardog open at 5 on Christmas, Blind Bear at 6. I will add that I’ve confirmed that the Silly Goose opens at 7 that night.

The Flyer reports that The 5 Spot, the restaurant behind Earnestine & Hazel’s on G.E. Patterson, is coming back in early 2018. Cliff’s notes version of the Flyer article: Lots of shrimp dishes including a shrimp pasta dish in memory of Russell George; menu by John Wills; Delta-style tamales; French-press coffee and beignets; bar menu after-hours; delivery.

Evelyn and Olive has an immediate opening for a dishwasher/prep position. Apply in person at 630 Madison.

It’s Yule Fuel glass night at the Flying Saucer tonight at 7.

Classic Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street will be on the big screen at the Orpheum tonight.

The voice of Daphne from the Scooby-Doo cartoon series has passed away.

High Ground News has an article on the new food hall at 409 South Main.

GiveCamp Memphis is coming in February. Marketers, designers, and developers will have the chance to donate their skills to benefit some great local charities.

The Tigers host Siena tonight at 7 at FedExForum. A victory over the 271st-ranked team in the KenPom standings would look mighty impressive to the NCAA tournament selection committee. I saw a live stream link for tonight’s game but have not tested this myself yet.

I’m happy to report that after being dropped in enchilada sauce on Sunday, my troll has been cleaned off and has survived unscathed. She will be out with me this weekend. You know, trolls are often cast as nasty creatures, but this one has been a better friend and better listener than several humans who come to mind.

Holidays at the office are great because people bring food. Yesterday there were Christmas cookies. Today there were sausage biscuits. Yum! My co-worker who made those should enter them in that breakfast festival they have on a parking lot in the Medical District, if it returns in 2018.

That’ll do it for now! Back tomorrow with more news.

Tuesday update

The Cardinals Caravan will return to AutoZone Park on Friday, January 12. This is an opportunity to sit down and talk baseball with Cardinals players, alumni, and announcers. Kids 15 and under can get tickets to receive autographs from each current and former player in attendance. There will be Cardinals prize drawings as well. The event will begin at 6:30 PM.

A Christmas Story and Home Alone will be the featured movies this Thursday at the holiday movie extravaganza at the Ghost River taproom. Two Girls and a Whip will be back with a special boozy cupcake they whipped up just for this event. This week the cupcake will be “Red Ryder,” a red velvet cupcake made with Ghost River Riverbank Red.

Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson will return to the Orpheum Wednesday, February 7, 2018, to teach us “Ten Things You Should Know About the Universe.”

Construction permits have been filed for the Benchmark Hotel, the shell of a hotel building that has been visually polluting the corner of Union and B.B. King for years.

Anyone else getting spammed HARD by the Grizzlies Online Store? I don’t mind hearing from them occasionally, but once or twice a day every day for a week is a bit excessive.

Interesting article on Psychology Today: Five things psychopaths do in conversation. Give it a read and see if you are reminded of anyone you know.

Most people know about the Union Mission’s facility at 383 Poplar, but they have another facility at 600 Poplar. Among other things at this facility, they minister to people in the neighborhood. There are 10 girls and 3 boys in the neighborhood who need Christmas toys. You can drop off donated toys between 8 AM and 4:40 PM at the 600 Poplar location; ask for Jesse.

I’m not a movie person so I read the plot for The Last Jedi on Wikipedia. I have a theory on who Rey is. I won’t share it here because it could be considered a spoiler, although more so the 9th movie than this one. Ask me about it in person if you’re curious.

For those of you who follow @Counterchekist, one of my favorite sources of updates on Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation, here’s a spreadsheet of all the FEATHERS missions he has mentioned. Three hits have already been scored.

Looks like a wet ride home tonight. Everyone be careful out there! Back tomorrow with more news.

Sunday update

So, this was my day yesterday. Thanks to my friends Staci and Darin for an awesome Christmas party. As you can see, there was no shortage of food.

Fireball

Rahul had a little extra pep in his step yesterday.

Bruschetta

This bitch

Staci’s famous stuffed shells

Thanks to B-RAD for the ride down there. Apologies to everyone for ghosting there at the end. I didn’t mean to make such a quick exit but when I pulled up Lyft I discovered there was a driver literally turning onto the street a block away.

You know, usually I am not into Christmas/holiday parties that much but this year I have been having a blast. The DNA/SMA party is today at Jack Robinson Gallery (Front and Huling) and I am considering going. I have a feeling it will easily be worth the $10 non-member fee.

Acoustic Sunday Live happens at the Halloran Centre today at 7. There will be a performance by Three Women and the Truth, featuring Gretchen Peters, Kathy Mattea, and Mary Gauthier. Also performing will be Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient Tom Paxton and the Don Juans.

I was joined at the Blind Bear by a special guest yesterday:

This Twitter thread is a good one to read if you want to get a thorough understanding of why this is likely to be a very bad week for Jared Kushner, senior adviser to the Trumpster and Ivanka’s husband.

Sinful Sister is the featured beer for 12 Days today at Ghost River’s taproom. Bring a donation for the Memphis Union Mission, the Mid-South Food Bank, or Memphis Pets Alive and get the beer for 50% off.

The Rusty Pieces play Belle Tavern tonight at 6:30.

Sunday Fun Day followed by a week at work and then yet another 4-day weekend. Back tomorrow with more news.

 

Saturday update: Chicken & waffles cupcakes and more

Big thanks to the folks at my apartment building, Number 10 Main, for an outstanding holiday party last night. Amy LaVere and her band performed.

The food buffet was delicious, but I want to mention one item on the buffet in particular. Sorry I didn’t get a better photo but SOMEONE insisted on jumping right in the middle of the picture. :mad:

If you look past the green hair, you’ll see cupcakes topped with icing, a waffle, and a piece of chicken. That’s right, chicken & waffle cupcakes. They’re from Two Girls and a Whip. I doubt they carry them in the case at their shop at Front and Huling, but you can custom-order them. I’m beginning to wonder if there’s anything they can’t do with a cupcake.

December 2017 is a month that has given us Downtowners many reasons to party, and this weekend you can party in style. Sesame Street Live: Let’s Party! comes to the Cannon Center with two performances today and two tomorrow. Party and dance with Grover, Elmo, Butch Jones Oscar the Grouch, Big Bird, Bert and his husband Ernie, and all the Sesame Street characters.

I used to be afraid of Guy Smiley the game show host Muppet when I was a kid. Whenever he came on Sesame Street, I would run to the bedroom and hide behind the curtains until his segment was over.

There will be a book signing for The Last Quarterback at South Main Book Juggler from 3 to 5 this afternoon. Here’s a description:

A small-town lawyer, his mysterious girlfriend Nicki, and a preacher have one simple thing in common—a missing quarter.

But for attorney Wesley Williams, the return of the quarter is only a small part of his problems. An exploding train kills Wesley’s friend, and he is determined to find the culprit, even if it means taking on the Klan. With the help of Nicki, Wesley finds himself mired in crime, church politics, conspiracies, scandals and a domestic terrorism plot that could kill them all. But when all is said and done, only one thing really matters.

How to get the quarter back.

As your number-one source of news and information about The Edge District, it is my duty to inform you that there will be a neighborhood meeting this Monday, December 18 at the Riverdeep Church at 627 Monroe. Neighborhood safety will be discussed, and information will be shared about the new camera system.

If you’re curious what happens at the South Main Sounds songwriter concerts, Twitter user @markpsrsell tweeted a number of videos yesterday. Here’s an example:

Teachers: The Orpheum wants to help you enhance your classes with live arts experiences.

The Flying Saucer is adding an ugly sweater contest to its Tuesday trivia next week.

Lorenzen Wright’s ex-wife has been charged in connection to his murder.

Full schedule for me today. Brunch with Bloomers at Bardog, D-RANKS with B-RAD at the Blind Bear, and then more D-RANKS with B-RAD at a holiday party at a friend’s condo in South End. Happy Saturday everyone, back tomorrow with more.