Category: Uncategorized

For safety reasons, I keep my possessions in my pockets when I sleep at the Union Mission. Unfortunately that sometimes leads to unexpected consequences.

Wednesday night I rolled over in my sleep and accidentally snapped my troll’s neck.

You were a great troll, Perjorie. I never expected you to live seven and a half years. You remained a fixture on this blog long after completing your original mission.

Today is Bikini Day

There’s a national gospel music workshop coming to the Renasant Convention Center the week of July 14-19.

Get ready for an alley party in Barboro Alley (bordering Sage, Local, and Aldo’s) next Wednesday, July 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. There will be a DJ and local vendors. Nearby restaurants will have specials. Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to learn about the history of the alley.

Your group can apply to be in the 901 Day parade on September 1. 901 Day is a huge celebration of all things Memphis and a day to raise awareness of ways to get plugged into the community.

Free Sol plays Beck & Call in the Hyatt Centric Hotel tonight 7 to 11.

USA TODAY recently named two Downtown Memphis hotels among the top 10 pet-friendly hotels in the U.S.: The Peabody and Central Station.

Ben Yay’s is looking for a couple of line cooks.

Golden State power forward/center/loudmouth Draymond Green seriously considered becoming a Grizzly during 2023 free agency. He went as far as saying his goodbyes to GSW teammate Steph Curry.

DJ Hush plays Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station tonight. Future Everything label heads Strooly and TEKKAL will play the lounge Saturday night.

The weather looks to be decent tomorrow, so I may take tomorrow off from posting and go to the Farmers Market. Back Sunday or Monday with more news.

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The Redbirds are giving away patriotic bucket hats to the first 1500 attending their 6 PM game vs. the Nashville Sounds tonight. Don’t forget to stay after the game for fireworks.

The Grizzlies tip off the NBA Summer League in Salt Lake City vs. the Utah Jazz at 8 PM Monday. It’ll be the first of 7 July games they play in Utah and Las Vegas. Watch all the games on the Grind City Media app.

Sitting in the Cossitt Library typing this… and yikes, an attempted rape was reported here Monday. It’s alleged that a man followed a woman into the restroom, kissed her, and touched her chest. A security guard saw the man coming out of the women’s room and detained him.

Watch fireworks from one of Downtown’s most fashionable rooftops at this Thursday’s Peabody party featuring Formerly Known As. If you upgrade to the VIP admission package, you’ll get access to a buffet of Nathan’s mini hot dogs, beef sliders, and house-made potato chips with ranch. Enter a drawing to win a Bud Light acoustic guitar and tailgating chairs or a Jack Daniel’s cornhole game kit.

The new Hanover Welcome Center in Tom Lee Park is ready to serve you. It’s at the Huling Avenue entrance near Sunset Canopy. Hours are 8 AM to 8 PM. Equipment loans and free dog treats.

French restaurant Bishop is closing. It sounds like Central Station wants a restaurant in that space that’s a better fit for its overall theme.

Caleb Mills won’t be returning to Memphis Tigers basketball. The NCAA denied his eligibility waiver.

New Hampshire has flipped to toss-up status in RealClearPolitics’ latest presidential electoral projection. Totals are now 198 for Biden, 219 for the Trumpster, and 121 toss-up votes. 270 is the magic number to win.

Take CNN’s interactive Where Should I Live? quiz

Biscuits & Jams Downtown will be open 8 AM to 2 PM on the Fourth.

Not sure of my schedule tomorrow, so I don’t know if there will be a post. I’ll be at Bardog 7:30-10:00 AM as usual, but I don’t know what I will do after that since the library won’t be open. Back Friday if not tomorrow.

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Board game bar Board to Beers will bring your favorite games (but not your favorite beers) to the Cossitt Library July 18 and 25 from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. Games will include both classic and modern favorites.

Specials this week at the Blind Bear:

• Broccoli cheese soup
• Meatloaf
• Cheese ravioli marinara
• Strawberry cream cake

Automatic Slim’s is hiring a cook.

Flight is hiring a waiter or waitress.

The Grizzlies are hiring concierge.

The Malmo Oat Milkers baseball team will perform at a 7:05 game between the Redbirds and the Nashville Sounds at AutoZone Park.

The CA reported that South Main shuffleboard bar Longshot has closed.

The Grizzlies’ division is about to get tougher. Klay Thompson, formerly of Golden State, has signed with Dallas where he’ll be part of a new Big Three with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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I tried something I’ve never done before Sunday morning – I “checked in for the day” at 9:30 in the morning at the Union Mission. Normally I go Downtown in the morning and come back in time to beat the get-in-free deadline of 2 PM. What was different with my four-hours-earlier-than-usual checkin?

• I got a much nicer than normal dorm assignment for Sunday night, because it’s first-come, first-served. I slept like a baby!
• I had to go to 10:30 morning chapel service. The speaker was Larry Baskin who preaches at 201 a lot. 
• I got a hot dog, a bag of potato chips, and a cup of applesauce for lunch. 
• I got in the shower line right when it opened at 1 and didn’t have to wait most of the afternoon for my name to be called. 

So there are advantages to checking in early. Am I gonna start doing that regularly? HELL NO for 2 reasons:

1. Once you’re checked in, you can’t leave – you’re stuck at the Mission for the rest of the day! Which would be tolerable except…
2. The Mission doesn’t have Wi-Fi, so I’m cut off from the Internet when I’m there. If you tried to contact me yesterday, sorry for the very slow reply!

That’s why there wasn’t a blog post yesterday. Let’s get on to the news. 

Red sauce Italian restaurant Cocozza, which has enjoyed success on Mud Island, is opening a second location on Yates Rd. in East Memphis. 

There’s also a new Maciel’s, in Bartlett at 3108 N. Germantown Parkway. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but my rec would be the chorizo huarache.

Behind the Headlines takes a look at the immersive “River of Time” exhibit being installed by artist Chris Reyes on Mud Island.

D.J. Jeffries, a former Memphis Tiger, will be on the Grizzlies’ NBA Summer League team.

Grind City Brewing will present the Downtown Memphis fireworks on July 4. Doors open at 3 PM with food trucks Chi Phi, MemPops, El Mero Taco, and Champs BBQ. Drink specials. Live music 6-9 by Mike Hewlett & The Racket and others. $20 secured parking or park for free on the street at your own risk.

Today is International Chicken Wing Day. I recommend the smoked wings at Central BBQ or Momma’s.

The Redbirds host Nashville in a rare Monday game tonight at 7:05.   

Wimbledon begins today. Watching I as I type this. Carlos Alcaraz versus an Estonian with weird hair. The Estonian is not gonna advance but he’s surprisingly competitive.

The weather is beautiful today… it could easily be a stay-out-all-night day, but I don’t have an agenda of stuff to write. I don’t want to stay out without a to-do list, so back to the Mission I go around 1.  I should be back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Bronny James is going to play alongside his dad LeBron on the Lakers, the first-ever father-son duo to play on the same NBA team. Happy for the James family. They deserve it.

In Memphis NBA draft news, the Grizzlies selected Washington State forward Jaylen Wells with the 39 pick. They then traded up to 53 and snagged UConn guard Cam Spencer. Both picks will add shooting on the wing.

Here’s a transcript of the June 27 Biden-Trump debate.

This week they were installing signage at Aloft, the new boutique hotel at North B.B. King at Jefferson. It must be getting close to opening.

NFL Sunday ticket subscribers have money coming from a class-action settlement.

David Jones signed a two-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Downtown Memphis Commission has a new plan to deter crime.

Today is National Food Truck Day.

Dave Lambert and Friends play The Central BBQ Sessions Saturday from 6 to 9 at Downtown Central BBQ.

Artist Mary Ellen Kelly will have an exhibit at 387 S. Main tonight for Trolley Night.

Brittany Haynes, Jack Linsey, and Ava Rose play Songwriter Night at South Main Sounds tonight at 7.

Rev. Omma will lead an exploration of ancient Egyptian religion Saturday at 2 at The Broom Closet.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow or Sunday or Monday.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
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So the Grizz picked Zach Edey. I hope my reservations expressed yesterday about the 7’4” Purdue center are dead wrong. Welcome to Memphis, Zach.

I remember 2008, when a husky center draftee was sent to Memphis as almost an afterthought in a trade with the Lakers. He was known mainly as “Pau’s brother” and the expectations were low. That player, Marc Gasol, became an All-Star. Let’s hope Edey develops similarly.

The DM’s Geoff Calkins tweeted that the Edey-Thabeet comparison is unfair. Edey cares way more about the game than Thabeet ever did.

The second round of the 2024 NBA draft will start at 3 this afternoon and will be broadcast on ESPN. The Grizzlies have picks 39 and 57. Who’s gonna take Bronny?

Here’s a presidential debate drinking game you can play tonight.

The Lucky 7 Brass Band headlines the Peabody rooftop party tonight, with acoustic openers Shinedown and the Wallows. DJ AD will also perform. If you upgrade to VIP status at the door, you’ll get a buffet of mini shrimp and oyster po-boys, jambalaya, and beignets.

Stop by Margie’s 901 to celebrate National Ice Cream Cake Day today.

David Haffner from Portland (Oregon, not Maine, I assume) plays Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel Saturday from 9 to 1. He’s said to be “a tastemaker’s tastemaker” in soul, funk, and boogie.

Sunset Skate happens tonight at River Garden. DJ, food vendors, free 30-minute skate rentals.

Friday will be Pride Night at Memphis 901 FC as they host Phoenix Rising at  AutoZone Park at 7:30.

Saturday there will be a benefit concert for Clean Memphis in The Ravine. It will be a tribute to ‘90s grunge and alt-punk featuring After the Rain, The Contradictions, and Macrophonics. Doors at 5:30, music at 6:00. $10 cover. Enter at 16 S. Lauderdale. Food will be available from the Good Groceries food truck and Memphis Made will have beer.

Deion & Curtis play the Saucer tonight at 7.

A nonprofit will redevelop several Prince Mongo-owned buildings Downtown into art hubs.

ABC 24 has a list of Fourth of July events in Memphis. Downtown, the Redbirds will have fireworks following the July 3 game. First pitch is 6:05.

I stayed out all night last night and it wasn’t fun. I got soaked by torrential rain and ended up shivering so bad I could barely bend my leg. After Momma’s closed, I walked back to the core where the mosquitoes TORE ME UP. Then this morning the Cossitt Library remained closed well past 10 (computer upgrades).

I’m worn out but I’ll try to be back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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The first round of the NBA draft will be broadcast live on ABC tonight at 7 PM. The Grizzlies have the ninth pick in the draft but could trade up. Player to keep your eye on: 7’2” UConn center Donovan Clingan would fill the Grizzlies’ greatest need. He’s unlikely to be available at pick number 9, though. The Grizzlies would have to trade up to get him. 

Another possibility is 7’4” Purdue center Zach Edey. He’s really tall but I’ve read that he’s not as complete a player as Clingan. The Grizzlies need to be careful here. They once drafted a player who was really tall. His name was Hasheem Thabeet.

A Beale Street Bears writer proposed a Grizzlies-Miami Heat trade. Memphis gets Jimmy Butler, Miami gets Desmond Bane. NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! Des should be untouchable, and Jimmy is a poor fit for the Grizzlies in both age and attitude. Klay Thompson would be better organization-wise, but I still wouldn’t give up Bane to get him.

Today is Tropical Cocktails Day. Bahama Breeze in Cordova would be my reco… KIDDING! Only on April Fools’ Day would I recommend driving half an hour to go to that place. Go get one of those fish bowls at Silky’s.

I saw about 12 cop cars near the intersection of Poplar, Carroll, and High one block east of Danny Thomas yesterday around 1 PM. Witnesses told me a gray car came speeding out of the Exxon parking lot, crossed into opposing traffic on Poplar, and hit a woman standing at a bus stop and then a telephone pole.

Never been to one of the South Main Trolley Nights? Choose901 has a fantastic guide. The next Trolley Night will be this Friday, June 28.

Slider Inn Downtown will have its food truck and a full bar on its back patio beginning at 6:30 for the ultimate Trolley Night hangout. Heartbreak Hotel will play at 8.

Friday is Pinch District Community Day and you can sign up to help beautify the neighborhood from 10 AM to 3 PM. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and bring a water bottle.

LEO Events seeks a sales & marketing project manager.

Keeping Downtown informed, the DNA’s Jerred Price reported that wing restaurant The Crazy Coop is planning to open a location by August 2 in the former Hu. Diner location at Main and Madison. They have more than 30 wing flavors. If the wing’s not your thing, they have catfish dinners too.

Memphis Flyer writers made some good picks for late-night eats in this week’s issue. Two of the three restaurants covered, Blues City Cafe and Momma’s, are Downtown; the third, Madison Tavern, is the sister restaurant of Downtown’s Local on Main.

This week’s Flyer also has photos from Project Green Fork’s Loving Local event in We Saw You.

Birdie’s, the sim-golf bar on South Main, wants to keep its golfers safe and cool in this sweltering Memphis heat. They have a deal for you – half-off rates for golf when there’s an Excessive Heat Warning in effect. Just show staff the warning on your phone and the discount will be automatically applied.

Bogie’s Deli in the Brinkley Plaza building will be closed next week.

Old Dominick Distillery is having an event 5-8 PM this Thursday:

• $7 Old Fashioneds
• Mini tours
• Live music
• Complimentary samples of new whiskeys
• Meet Grizz

Elevation Memphis plays Live at the Tracks at Central Station Hotel this Thursday from 6:30 to 9:30.

RIP Sika Anoa’i. Sika and his older brother Afa formed The Wild Samoans, WWF tag team champions in the early ‘80s. Sika was the father of current WWE star Roman Reigns.

I’m staying out tonight! I’m going to miss dinner at the Union Mission, but I’m willing to sacrifice the calories for control over my schedule for a day. My tentative plan is to hang out at the Cossitt Library all afternoon writing, then over to the Saucer for at least the first 9 picks of the NBA draft, then south to Momma’s.

I’ll be back tomorrow with Grizzlies draft reactions.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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I’m back!!! Merry Half-Christmas!

The drive-through sign at the Wendy’s on Danny Thomas got an unplanned makeover last week.

I’ve seen several people in their cars ordering since, so apparently the drive-thru still works.

Sad to hear of the passing of Elizabeth Lemmonds. I had the pleasure of working with her on several projects as part of MPACT Memphis, a young professionals’ organization, about 20 years ago. She was both an idea person and a “get things done” person, and she believed everyone should have equal opportunity to make their mark on our great city.

Happy 26th to Desmond Bane!

Fans of Momma’s, “the diner and dive off 55,” great news: The I-55 river bridge has reopened. If you’re coming across the bridge from Arkansas, here’s the fastest way to get there:

1. Take the new flyover & exit at McLemore Ave.

2. East on McLemore Ave.

3. North on Kansas St.

4. East on W. Illinois

5. North on Kentucky St.

In other Momma’s news, they have a new Root Beer Float. It’s made with Barq’s root beer and vanilla ice cream, and optionally you can add vanilla vodka for a grown-up float.

Presidential candidates “Joltin’ Joe” Biden and Donald “Agent Orange” Trump go head-to-head in a CNN debate Thursday night. 

Bardog has a new addition to brunch, the chilaquiles stack: chorizo/beef blend, fried egg, cheese on a toasted, stacked English muffin. 

Looks like Bardog’s new opening time of 7:30 on weekdays is paying off. They had a 16-top of health care workers in there this morning. Health care workers get 10 percent off breakfast and a morning happy hour. 

Specials at Blind Bear this week 

• Chicken and wild rice soup 
• Grilled fish tacos with strawberry and peach salsa
• Creamy pesto chicken and sun-dried tomato pasta 
• Strawberry cream cake 

Walking Downtown on Adams this morning, I noticed a couple of office spaces for rent.

251 Adams – a 1-story building near Fourth. Seems like it’d be perfect for a lawyer in private practice or maybe a partnership, or maybe a real estate agent who specializes in Downtown properties.

212 Adams – Who wouldn’t want to work in a building with a New Orleans-style gallery?

One of the things on U of M basketball coach Penny Hardaway’s mind last season was his mom’s throat cancer. Great news: The cancer is in complete remission.

St. Jude fundraising arm ALSAC is hiring a Senior Designer, Distribution.

Cool site I found last week: Explain That Stuff explains technical stuff in terms people without a technical background can understand.

The former Peabody Place Mall (now the Terminix building) is going to temporarily house 500 St. Jude office workers displaced by construction.

Groovy Gratitude, a wellness cafe, is now open Monday-Saturday 9 AM-2 PM (hours will be extended soon) at 605 N. Second in Uptown. Brittany Brown, the chef there, was formerly at Salt | Soy.

Gift shop ARCHd, at 65 Monroe a couple doors down from Bardog, will close at the end of July. The women-owned store will retain an online presence.

The Flyer has more info about the $50 Five-Course Thursdays tasting menu at Amelia Gene’s.

The Gentrys are going in the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. You may not have heard of this 1960s Memphis garage band. However, you’ve surely heard of one of its members, “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart, who found fame in a different branch of entertainment.

Image credit: Miguel Discart, CC-by-SA-2.0 license, from Wikimedia Commons

Today is National Catfish Day.  Flying Fish, Kooky Canuck, and Huey’s are 3 good options to celebrate.

Food & Wine has info on how long before different types of alcohol go bad. Diamonds are forever, and so is vodka.

Memphis River Parks Partnership receives about $3 million annually from the city. This week there was a resolution to take away $2 million of that money, but it got put on hold.

I want to apologize to my readers for the week without a post. I just felt burned out creatively, emotionally, and physically, and I couldn’t pinpoint any one reason why. My intuition told me to take some time to go along with the flow of life, that if I attempted to exert a lot of energy it’d make my situation worse, not better.

I’ve had a couple of outstanding meals staying at the Union Mission the past 2 nights. Sunday night, Mission Church brought us homemade meatball subs – 2 of them per man, 3 meatballs per sub, with fresh mozzarella to sprinkle on them, green beans on the side, and Moon Pies for dessert.

Then on Monday, Kirby Woods Baptist brought us spaghetti and meatballs, buttery garlic bread, green beans, and Oreos. Church volunteers lovingly sprinkled Parmesan on our main course as they handed us our trays.

I wish I’d taken photos, but I was too hungry. I bet some of you thought the Union Mission dining room served mystery meat and stale bread. My blog these past few months has sure been an eye-opener, huh?

I’m feeling much better and don’t anticipate more days off for a while, unless there’s just no news to report. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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My break from blogging is almost over. Thanks to those who reached out to me to make sure I was okay.

That’s how one of the other guys staying at the Union Mission described summer in Memphis. Not much at the Mission makes me laugh, but that did. 

Yesterday around 4 PM at the Mission, word got out that a donation of individual cartons of chocolate milk had arrived in the dining room. A stampede practically broke out. I had no idea chocolate milk was so in-demand among that audience. I would’ve guessed it would take something at least 70 proof to get some of those men to move that fast.

Baron von Opperbean, the interactive exhibit being installed on Mud Island by artist Chris Reyes, now has a Facebook page you can “Like” to get news and updates in your feed.

Flying Saucer is doing Singo Bingo from 1-3 PM on Saturdays. Don’t know what that is? Check out the Singo site – it’s bingo played with clips of songs rather than numbers. Win up to $50 in gift cards.

Today is International Sushi Day. The Nine Thai Sushi, STIX Express, and South Main Sushi would be good places to celebrate.

Beale Street Bears looks at three players the Grizzlies could send to Houston along with the number 9 pick in the upcoming NBA draft in exchange for the Rockets’ 3 pick. I’ll spoil it for you: Santi, Kennard, Smart.

It’s Time Tour: Girls Night Out tonight at the Orpheum has been canceled.

The Redbirds host Jacksonville today at 12:05. The heat is giving us a break today (the “mosqueet,” probably not so much), so it’s a good day for a day game.

There will be a Puppy Pride Parade in Court Square at noon Saturday. It will be hosted by the Moxy Memphis hotel across the street from the square. Strooly will DJ and there will be vendor giveaways.

By the way… if you’ve been mourning the loss of the bocce ball court at Main and Talbot since Slider Inn Downtown installed its back patio – the Moxy has a court. I’m sure hotel guests have priority, but I bet if you bought a drink at the Moxy’s lobby bar, they’d let you play. Fun fact: The Moxy’s front desk agents double as bartenders. That’s very Downtown Memphis.

Edible Memphis, in its most recent “Where Should I Eat?” e-newsletter, reports that fine dining restaurant Amelia Gene’s has a $50 tasting menu on Thursdays. (That’s a bargain for fine dining.) If you choose, you can add a $30 wine sampling that includes five glasses.

Blind Bear specials this week:

• Cream of asparagus soup
• Fried crawfish po’boy with fries
• Cajun sausage and peppers pasta
• Strawberry cream cake

New hours for the Soul & Spirits taproom at 845 N. Main, starting July 2 (they’ll be closed July 4):

• Mondays: Closed
• Tuesdays-Wednesdays: 4-9 PM
• Thursdays: 4-10 PM
• Fridays-Saturdays: 1-10 PM
• Sundays: 1-6 PM

Apologies for the typos in yesterday’s post. I did that one entirely on my phone where it’s easy to make and not notice accidental keystrokes. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
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