Category: Uncategorized

A fight outside a Downtown bar led to a shooting near Main and Gayoso a few minutes after 2:00 this morning. One person was seriously injured and a man was detained.

Today’s blog is being brought to you from a bench on Main Street because the F@$KING library is closed for Good Friday. Thank goodness I can hit a local business’s Wi-Fi from here. At 11 I’ll move to the Saucer and spend $6.25 on a beer I don’t want.

The former Hard Rock Cafe location on Beale Street will be the future home of both the Rock & Soul Museum and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Priscilla Presley was on hand to make the announcement yesterday. Great to see two iconic Memphis venues occupying the gateway to Memphis’ most famous street.

Tonight is the first South Main Trolley Night of the year. Many of the shops and galleries in the South Main district will stay open until 9 or later. It’s a fabulous opportunity to meet your neighbors. Some businesses put out booze.

Stock & Belle will have a Women’s Makers Market for Trolley Night.

Deep Roots plays Slider Inn Downtown 7-11 tonight.

Alexis Grace will play Beck & Call in the Hyatt Centric tonight at 8.

Grind City Brewing will have an Easter egg hunt Saturday – kids’ hunt at 1, adults’ hunt at 2. Adults can win beer and merchandise. The Tacos Tampicoso truck will be on site, and there will be games and a photographer.

Amber Rae Dunn and Mario Monterosso play The Central BBQ Sessions at Central BBQ Downtown Saturday at 6.

From Action News 5: The Redbirds are looking to make some noise as the season opens this afternoon.

Today is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. Plenty of good options Downtown to celebrate this day!

Hatiloo Theater presents Sing, Sistah, Sing! at the Cannon Center Saturday.

At the Saucer now… Duclaw Unicorn Farts After Dark is the Fire Sale and beer 179 toward my 9th plate.

DUUUUUUUDE! This Fire Sale is 8.5% ABV!!!  

Soul & Spirits Brewing Co. will have an Ophelia Saison & Seafood Release Party on Saturday, April 6.  Ophelia is one of their most requested beers. I wonder if it’s named for former State Sen. Ophelia Ford? The Sushi Jimmi   and Poke Paradise food trucks will be there.

Memphis Tigers football will have its spring game Saturday, April 20 at the Liberty Bowl. You can get in for free, but wait until after the game to light one up.

Screw it, I don’t feel like getting back to the Union Mission by 2 to get in free today. I’m gonna have a couple more Fire Sales then head back about 4 so I can be there in time for dinner. I’ll pay the sic dollar cover charge in exchange for a few extra hours out. Back tomorrow, or Sunday or Monday, with more news.

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Today is Maundy Thursday, the day Jesus had The Last Supper with his disciples.

It’s also Weed Appreciation Day.

The Grizzlies lost to the Lakers 136-124 last night but we got Brandon Clarke back. BC had 6 points and 1 assist in about 21 minutes on the court.

The Grizz now head back out of town for 3 more away games. There will be a watch party Saturday at 6 at Loflin Yard for the away game at the Orlando Magic.

The CA investigates whether developer Tom Intrartor is done with the Pinch District. It appears he might be looking for a partner. 

The Grizzlies seek a building engineer.

The Blind Bear will celebrate Easter with Adam Levin on the keys 4-7 pm and DJ Tree 10 pm-2 am. The Easter Bunny will be there too.

The NCAA president wants states to prohibit prop betting on college sports He claims the bets make players vulnerable to outside influence. Prop bets are bets on individual player stats rather than the game as a whole.

Paris has a version of Wine Race.

Brass Door will have Easter hours of 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM with Arsenal vs. Man City at 10:30.

How jelly beans became an Easter candy

The Doubletree seeks an assistant front office manager.

The Renasant Convention Center has been named best in the country by Smart Meetings.

I’ve made the switch to DuckDuckGo as my browser and search engine. The browser imported my Chrome bookmarks and passwords without any issues.

Last night I was in the dinner line at the Union Mission, and fried chicken was the entree. The pieces looked big and juicy, not what people might expect to find coming out of a homeless shelter’s kitchen.

I got my tray to a table and took a bite of chicken. SPICY!!! I took a few more bites and thought to myself, “… Is this what I think it is???”

I didn’t have to wonder long. About 5:35 the mission’s lead pastor got on the dining room mic and said, “Anyone who wants seconds of Gus’s, get back in line.” THANK YOU GUS’S for your donation! Food is never bad at the mission, but last night we ate like kings!

Looking forward to dinner tonight. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips! 
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The Redbirds start off their season at home on Good Friday, March 29, taking on the Charlotte Knights at 3:05 pm. The first 1500 fans through the gate will get a Memphis Redbirds blanket.

The Redbirds will host Charlotte Saturday and Sunday as well. Both of those games will be at 1:05. The Easter Bunny will be at Sunday’s game, and there will be an Easter egg hunt on the field after the game. Kids 12 and under will get a free Prairie Farms ice cream sandwich upon entering the ballpark.

Sunday there will be a specialty ticket that includes Easter brunch on the club level with the Easter Bunny and Rockey Redbird.

The Grizzlies return home tonight for a 7 pm game vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. Memphis isn’t headed to the playoffs this season, but we can help keep LeBron out of them too. TV: Bally Sports

Today is International Whiskey Day.

The Blind Bear has upgraded its guests’ game-watching experience, now offering 5 TVs in the main room and 2 more in the Den.

Bob Dylan’s Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour comes to the Orpheum Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $59.50-$137. Note that this will be a phone-free experience.

Memphis Pickle Fest comes to Growlers Sunday.

Shea Harris hosts a Camera Setup for Podcasting workshop at the Cossitt Library this Thursday at 5 pm.

Did some state or county government agency crack down on dogs in restaurants recently? Just wondering…

Remember I told you that the Union Mission had a guest speaker in town this week from Perth, Australia? He’s part of a team that publishes Challenge: The Good News Paper, which is internationally distributed. The newspaper’s Easter edition came out this week.

Former Mayor Jimbo from Mempho, Jim Strickland, is the new University of Memphis Law College dean.

Sprock n Roll is hiring people to drive party bikes.

You’ll soon be able to buy a limited selection of Krispy Kreme donuts at McDonald’s.

That’s it. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips! 
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Did you know that NBA legend Chris Paul was Grizzlies player GG Jackson’s AAU coach a few summers ago? CP3 says it’s a surreal moment playing against his former pupil.

GG has come a long way in a short time, hasn’t he? He’s no longer “the other Jackson” of the Grizzlies. He’s no longer Tito.

Denver handed the Grizzlies a 123-103 loss last night.

Not Downtown but worth a Lyft or Uber: The Hi-Tone will host a Punk Rock Vintage Market on Saturday, April 27 from 7 pm to midnight. Live bands to be announced. Clothing, records, art, jewelry, oddities.

Tandem Restaurant Partners is hiring (Ben Yay’s, Sugar Grits, Front St. Deli, Zinnie’s)

Memphis Chess Club has games other than chess. There was a little girl in there yesterday playing Hungry Hungry Hippos. Games are free for members to play, $5 for nonmembers.

Downtown Neighborhood Association will meet this Wednesday at JEM Fine Dining at 644 Madison Free wine and a menu tasting for DNA members.

The South Main Association will hold its first South Main Social of the year Tuesday, April 9 at Wiseacre Downtown. Each member attending gets a free beer, and there will be bites from Little Bettie’s. Live music by Raneem Imam & Better in Color. There will be several guest speakers starting at 7 pm. Free for members, $20 for non-members.

The Flying Saucer will have an Easter egg hunt for free beer Sunday at 11. One free beer per customer.

Overheard at the Union Mission this morning: “If you have that on speakerphone, you have to go outside.” If Downtown’s homeless shelter can have such a sensible policy, WHY CAN’T OUR RESTAURANTS AND BARS???

Jasper Float Spa inside The Washburn seeks a Licensed Massage Therapist Benefits include a parking stipend.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has collapsed after one of its pillars was hit by a cargo ship.

Slider Inn Midtown seeks an Assistant Manager

That’s all I’ve got for today. Back tomorrow.

I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Strong storms are expected to track through Memphis between 5 and 10 PM. FOX 13 Weather is forecasting SIXTY mile an hour wind gusts and 1.9 inches of rain before it’s all over.

Better news: The extended forecast has sunshine and 77/59 for Easter.

Golden Girls – The Laughs Continue comes to the Orpheum Thursday.

FedExForum NCAA Tournament results:

– 6 Clemson 72, 3 Baylor 64

– 1 Houston 100, 9 Texas A&M 95 in OT

The DM has a look at this past weekend’s Memphis International Auto Show.

The repairs are over and the I-55 bridge is open

We’re going to have a guest preacher at the Union Mission this week from Perth, Australia. I don’t have any questions about Jesus, but I’d like to ask him if the water really does swirl the other way when you flush down there.

Charge your devices. We all know MLGW has trouble keeping the power on during and after storms.

That’s it. Back tomorrow.

I gratefully accept tips! 
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Cash App: $Paulryburn1
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I had a delicious piece of tiramisu at Bardog yesterday:

 

These dessert specials usually last for several days, so if the photo above gets your mouth a-waterin’, you may be able to satisfy that craving today.

I hear rumors that a new brunch menu may roll out at Bardog soon… if it’s true, I hope they put strawberry/blueberry pancakes, chicken & waffles, the lobster omelette, the grilled pork chop, and the blackened fish of the day on the menu. They aren’t “specials” if you have them every week.

Today is National Cocktail Day.

Court Square is fenced off for today’s Casa Palooza tequila festival:

Keep an eye on the weather tomorrow. Todd Demers of News Channel 3 forecasts storms to roll in Monday afternoon. They could be at their worst right around the evening rush hour. Expect wind gusts and more than an inch of rain.

Thursday is Major League Baseball’s Opening Day.

The Grizzlies wrap up a road trip Monday at the Denver Nuggets. 8:00 PM tip. TV: Bally Sports

Action News 5 has a look at the pop-up basketball event on Beale yesterday. It was sponsored by Starry and even Mayor Paul Young took a shot.

Chips Ahoy! is upgrading its chocolate chips.

Mighty Lights on the river bridges tonight will be blue and white in honor of the NCAA and its two men’s tournament games to be played here today. Thanks to Jerred Price for posting this info to Nextdoor.

The secret to getting more meat in your burrito at Chipotle. Thanks to the Recomendo newsletter for the info.

Shelby County seeks a deputy court clerk for its Circuit Court.

This morning I checked my backpack out of storage at the Union Mission and began my daily walk to the Downtown core. Normally I take Jefferson, but something told me, “Take Adams instead.” I wondered if there was something I was supposed to notice about the Magevney House, the oldest residence in the city. But, no, nothing was different.

As I was about to cross the intersection of Adams and Second, a car pulled up alongside me. “Good morning, sir,” said a family, holding a McDonald’s sausage biscuit and a bottle of water out the window.

I take this as another sign that the plan I adopted Friday is working. Author Andrew Kap calls these signs “manifestational raindrops” and a considerable number of them have landed in my life. If this is only day 3 of my 30-day plan, I can’t wait to see what day 30’s gonna look like.

I’ve got a long to-do list tomorrow, but I’ll try to squeeze a blog post in there. It should be up no later than 1 PM.

I gratefully accept tips!
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In the two years since the Cossitt Library reopened, its space has been put to good use. Chef Eli Townsend’s Dos Hermanos Cafe opened last year. What a fantastic concept – a restaurant in a public library! Demand for Eli’s food was so high that library staff roped off nearly half the first floor so restaurant customers would have a place to sit.

Late in 2023, the library made a change. They moved the children’s section upstairs, and began booking many more private events in a second-floor collaborative space sponsored by AutoZone.

All the space that remains for traditional library activities like reading, studying, or working on your laptop is on the left (as you walk in the front door) half of the first floor.

But that half houses public computers, shelves full of books, and meeting rooms.

So, when the upstairs is reserved, there’s only room for two 4-top tables for people who want to use the library for traditional library purposes.

What’s more, not everyone who sits there uses the library for traditional library purposes.

Recently there was a guy at my table listening to music videos on his phone. He didn’t use earphones. He wasn’t blasting the music by any means, but two and a half feet away, any volume at all was enough to distract me from the Medium article I was trying to write.

Meanwhile, the guy sitting across from me was charging his phone on one of the library’s plentiful outlets. He was also talking on his phone. The conversation was not urgent or important, just shooting the bull with a friend. It went on for 40 minutes as he described how his girlfriend’s brother looks like Wesley Snipes.

The Cossitt Library needs a quiet room. It seems absurd to suggest that, though, because traditionally, ENTIRE LIBRARIES were quiet rooms. Any unnecessary noise would have earned me a “sssssshhhhhh” from an annoyed librarian.

On to the news…

1 Houston, 9 Texas A&M, 3 Baylor, and 6 Clemson were NCAA tournament first-round winners at FedExForum yesterday. Tomorrow Houston faces A&M (7:40 PM, TNT) and Baylor faces Clemson (5:10 PM, TNT).

The Grizzlies got a 99-97 win over San Antonio last night, a win that came down to the final seconds with a basket by Jaren Jackson Jr.

It’s a rare Saturday when Bogie’s Deli in Brinkley Plaza is open:

The aforementioned Dos Hermanos Cafe in the Cossitt Library is serving brunch until 4 today.

The Dunkin’ Donuts truck is back next to Court Square. Today it’s parked on Main Street.

Today is National Chip and Dip Day and National Tamale Day.

South of Beale Downtown seeks a bartender.

Tennessee has become the first state to pass a law protecting musicians from AI.

That’s it for today. Probably back tomorrow with more news.

Readers’ generosity helps keep this blog afloat. Donations:
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There’s a Dunkin’ Donuts truck parked on Second next to Court Square. Looks like you play a pop-a-shot hoops game for the chance to win coffee or a donut.

Penny’s Nitty Gritty, we hardly knew ye. The restaurant in the Westin named for the U of M men’s basketball coach has closed and is evolving into a new restaurant, Courtside Grill. Penny Hardaway will have no involvement with Courtside.

Starry Hoops Madness Memphis happens Saturday from noon to 4 pm. There will be basketball games and prizes, including a fan 3-point contest with former Grizzlies Mario Chalmers, Rudy Gay, and Tony Allen. Free lemon-lime beverage Starry. Grizz, the Grizz Girls, the Claw Crew, and Grizzline will be there.

Memphis International Auto Show comes to Renasant Convention Center today through Sunday. Admission is free.

One Hallelujah comes to the Orpheum Saturday.

Next door at the Halloran Centre, magician Arthur Trace, The Artful Deceiver, will perform Saturday night.

Standup comedian Kountry Wayne will be at the Orpheum Sunday.

Downtown Wines & Spirits is expanding its hours to 10 AM-11 PM Thursday-Saturday. The liquor store is on Madison, next door to Winfield’s Clothing at the intersection of Main.

It may soon be illegal to marry your first cousin in Tennessee.

Save the date: Memphis Farmers Market is having a crawfish boil Saturday, April 20.

DJ Mark Anderson plays Beck & Call in the Hyatt Centric tonight 6 to 9 PM.

DJ Alpha Whiskey plays Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel tonight.

Saturday night Ill Syl will be at Eight & Sand spinning the ’90s R&B.

It’s funny how life works sometimes. Just yesterday I posted a Medium article saying how much I hate it when someone asks me “What’s your plan?” Less than 24 hours later, I’m proud to announce that I HAVE A PLAN. I’m not gonna go into great detail, but I see it as a 30-day plan with the option to extend it another 30 (or some other time frame as I see fit), and there’s a strong spiritual aspect.

I mentally signed up for the plan at some point between 6:30 and 7:00 this morning as I sat in the Union Mission’s day room. At 9:12 this morning, as I was walking down Monroe Avenue, I received an indication that the plan is already bearing fruit.

Not sure if I’ll post tomorrow or not… my priority is gonna be to get to Court Square as close to 9 AM as possible and see if the burrito ministry is there again. Back Sunday if not tomorrow with more news.

Readers’ generosity helps keep this blog afloat. Donations:
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The second article I’ve published since returning to Medium is now online: 9 Kind Things You Can Do for Your Homeless Friend (and 3 that seem kind, but really aren’t).

Loflin Yard is having a crawfish boil this Sunday at noon. The cook is Glaze Hardage who does the awesome Saturday boils at Max’s Sports Bar. $13 a pound. Live music by the Grassfire Bluegrass Band.

Megan Thee Stallion brings her Hot Girl Summer Tour with special guest GloRilla to FedExForum May 30. Tickets go on sale Friday.

West Memphis Dispensary seeks a bartender/receptionist. I bet that’d be an interesting job.

River Inn of Harbor Town seeks front desk agents and housekeepers

In other River Inn news, the Terrace restaurant is launching a seasonal menu.

The Grizzlies took a 137-116 loss at Golden State last night. TANK TANK TANK

Today is International Tiramisu Day.

Memphis 901 FC seeks a marketing director.

The University of Memphis has hired a few people in an attempt to bolster its NIL efforts.

Kinfolk has opened on Harbor Town Square and the CA has a gallery. The restaurant is Chef Cole Jeanes’ creation, once in the former Puck Food Hall at 409 S. Main. Biscuit sandwiches are the things to get there, although they also have a yummy-looking steak and eggs plate.

Gary Topper performs at the Cossitt Library Friday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 in its Five Fridays of Jazz series.

 There will be a Walkin’ in Memphis Celebration for World Down Syndrome Day this evening at 6 PM. The walk will start at the I-55 bridge and end at Beale Street Landing.

Last night during chapel at the Union Mission, our lead pastor shared more details of the men’s drug & alcohol recovery program at the facility. It is free and it starts with a 30-day stay on the second floor of the Mission at Poplar near Danny Thomas. Then participants move for six months out to a facility in northeast Shelby County, described as being a fun outdoor playground for adults that is perfect for keeping their minds off booze and drugs.

After participants graduate, they can live at a Mission-operated facility near Poplar and Tillman for up to a year. Facility residents have to pay rent, which is a couple hundred bucks a month, and past participants told me you get your own room with a TV. Participants have to go get a job in the community and are required to save 60% of their income. At the end of the year, they often discover that they have enough to pay cash for a vehicle or for a down payment on a house.

Sounds like a fabulous program, especially for the price. Let me repeat something I mentioned in the past, though – the program uses the Bible as its textbook, not AA’s twelve steps and Big Book. If you’re not on board with Christian principles – accepting Jesus as your savior, repenting for your sins, and so forth – I don’t know how successful you’d be in this program.

That’ll wrap it up for today’s post. Welcome to all the people in town for March Madness. Go get you some Gus’s chicken or some Central BBQ while you’re here. Be sure to check out A. Schwab’s on Beale Street. Don’t leave valuables in plain sight in your cars.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips! 
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I finished my Medium article: What it’s Like Living in a Homeless Shelter, an examination of my day-to-day life at the Memphis Union Mission. I wrote this article because I refused to give the Mission a try for weeks longer than I should have (particularly, the last half of December and the entire month of January).

Out of fear of what I might find at the Mission, I wandered the streets of Downtown Memphis all hours of the night, staying up without sleep 4-5 nights in a row. I started hallucinating. I started sleepwalking. During one of my sleepwalking episodes, I walked away from my backpack, losing my belongings including the MacBook Air I used for two years to type this blog.

That was the breaking point. I had no other choice but to give the Mission a try.

And I discovered there was nothing to fear. The Mission is safe, the meals it serves me are nourishing, and I’m getting plenty of sleep. No more hallucinations.

I will eventually move on to a more permanent place, but the Mission has made a fan of me for life.

I’m working on a second article, tentatively titled “10 Kind Deeds You Can Do for Your Homeless Friend (and 3 that are not so kind).”

And now, let’s get on to the news.

Today is National Poultry Day. Gus’s, Uncle Lou’s, and Pirtle’s would be my suggestions.

Today is also the first day of spring.

From the DM: Money could be taken away from Memphis Tourism (the convention & visitors bureau) in order to allocate more funds raised from the hotel-motel tax to FedExForum renovations.

Speaking of renovations: The DM has a timeline for Liberty Bowl renovations. The first phase will wrap up before the Tigers’ first kickoff this fall.

This Friday is your final chance at fish pudding as the Calvary Waffle Shop wraps up for the year.

The Grizzlies lost in overtime to Sacramento last night, 121-111.

Remember that shooting that occurred around 310 Beale (formerly Jerry Lee’s) this past weekend? The dispute that led to it was over a spilled drink. Ridiculous.

Terrace at the River Inn on Mud Island will be closed today for a private event.

Bishop is having a wine dinner tomorrow night. You get a welcome glass of wine and four courses with pairings. $85 plus tax, tip, and any bar tab you run.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow probably.

I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com