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Facing some tough decisions this Halloween weekend…

Tonight is South Main Trolley Night, with trick-or-treating and other Halloween fun. So I have to decide: Go in costume, or not? I’m thinking not. It took me 45 minutes to put on and apply the costume last night, which would cut into Trolley Night time. Plus, I want to have a beer at the Saucer to celebrate with a newly-employed friend, and I don’t know if I want to be in costume for that. May change my mind though.

Tomorrow I have to decide between the Halloween parties at the Flying Saucer and Silly Goose, and a private party in the South Main area. With the trolley running I could do both, but my costume this year has contest-winning potential, which makes me think I need to be in the Downtown core during prime time (which is about 11 PM to 1 AM). Also, there are more females in their early-mid 20s in the core, and “Bruce Pearl” needs to be blatantly hitting on those young women to be in character.

Sunday is the really hard decision. Kooky Canuck and Bardog Tavern both have their parties that night. I’ve said for years, Kooky parties are can’t-miss – always a super time. On the other hand, I really want to see who wins that hearse at Bardog. Both have costume contests. The good news is, they’re only a 2-3 minute walk from each other. I’ll probably scope out both, and figure out where my chances are better of winning if the contests happen at the same time.

Monday is really going to suck… I was going to take a half day to recover, but our web programmer is taking a seminar offsite so I have to go in. I’ll take it real easy on the alcohol Sunday night for that reason. I’m still going to stay out late though.

Anyway, back to tonight’s Trolley Night… Mark’s Menus is running a “Where’s Waldo” kind of contest tonight… Mark will be somewhere on South Main, and will tweet clues to @marksmenus where he is. Find Mark and he might buy you a beer. More details here. I guess it would be cheating if I participate, since I already know what Mark looks like.

Don’t forget that Mayor Wharton’s GreenUp festival is tomorrow at “The Green at South Front Street,” adjacent to the Memphis Farmers Market at G.E. Patterson. Learn how to make Memphis more attractive and eco-friendly while enjoying live music, festival food, exhibits and prizes. It kicks off at 10 AM and it lasts until 3.

Also don’t forget that tomorrow is the last day of the year for the Memphis Farmers Market. Closing time is extended until 3 PM for this one, so you can sleep in and still have plenty of time to make it down there.

Time to munch a lunch and then get back to work… Saucer then Trolley Night this evening for me.

The South Main Association is planning a Halloween party for Trolley Night this Friday, October 29. As usual, most of the shops and galleries on South Main will be open from 6 to 9, but this month there will be some additional events. Bring your kids for trick or treating – orange paper pumpkins in the store windows will designate safe venues where trick or treaters are welcome. There will also be apple bobbing, a cake walk, face painting, and fortune telling.

Weather permitting, the SMA will once again be grilling burgers and serving complimentary Ghost River beer in the parking lot next to Bluff City Coffee. Free for SMA members, $5 for non-members. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

Is anyone dressing up for Halloween Trolley Night (meaning adults)? I’m looking for an excuse to bring “Bruce Pearl” down there, but I don’t want to be the only adult in costume.

A recruiter friend of mine has some open C#.net positions she’s trying to fill. If you’re looking for a job and know C#, shoot me an e-mail at paul@paulryburn.com and I’ll get you in touch with her.

A group of men in Memphis has renamed November Movember and has committed to growing moustaches for the month of November, to raise awareness of men’s health, and men’s cancer in particular. You can view their video here for more details. They’re looking for a few more Mo Bros to join the team. If you’re female, you can join as a Mo Sista and recruit other bros. You can join the team here.

If for some reason you’re not allowed to grow a moustache, but you still want to contribute, you can do so here.

There will be a big party to celebrate the end of Movember at Max’s Sports Bar (formerly Calhoun’s) on Friday, December 3. Moustachy prizes will be given away, and there will be awards for the best, worst, and cheesiest moustaches.

Union Street Bath House has posted layouts of their future upstairs and downstairs on Facebook. You can view the plans here. Attn Yuri: Facebook is one word. Not “face book.” Hmmm did I see a bar included in those plans? My chances of trying the place just went up. Actually I’ve already promised Yuri I’d try it, after our phone conversation when he said “You try Russian banya, Mr. Paul” about 30 million times. “You promise. You try. You like banya.”

Tonight I put on the Bruce Pearl costume for the first time this Halloween weekend. It’s my apartment building’s party, and I’m excited… I’ve been unable to attend the past couple of years because it’s conflicted with other events. This year it’s wide open, though, and always a good time, with food and beer. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up. Tonight will allow me to give the costume a dry run, and determine if any tweaks need to be made before the big parties Saturday and Sunday.

Apologies in advance for acting like a big douche all weekend… but what else would you expect from the Bruchebag?

The Redbirds are looking for interns for 2011. There are 2 openings in marketing, 3 in sales, and 1 each in media relations, operations, and ticket operations. Positions start in January-February and you must be able to work through the completion of the internship in mid-September. If you want a career working with professional sports teams, this would be a good way to get in. More info on the internships can be found here.

This morning I was surfing a site called WeLoveWP.com. I was looking for examples of well-done company websites using the MMA Memphis, which offers Muay Thai, judo, jiu-jitsu, and kickboxing. Figured I’d give them a shout-out on the blog… very well-done site, and proof that WordPress is not just for bloggers anymore.

Short blog post this lunchtime hour… I find myself craving fried shrimp today, and the Chinese buffet across Goodman Road has them. Off I go. Dos Equis Lager is the $3 Fire Sale at the Saucer today, so I’m sure I don’t need to tell you where I’ll be after work.

This is my second draft of Halloween parties I’m aware of that are open to the public Downtown. More to come probably… if you’re having one and I left you out, e-mail me at paul@paulryburn.com.

Friday, October 29

Haunted South Main Trolley Night

Costume contest at Hollywood Disco, doors open 10 PM

Saturday, October 30

Night two of Halloween party at Hollywood Disco with costume contests

Friends For Life, the largest HIV/AIDS service organization in the Mid-South, will have their annual fundraiser at BRIDGES. This year’s theme is “Shipwrecked!” There will be music by DJ Steve Anne, a cash bar, music, and a costume contest for cash prizes. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door. For an extra $100 you can get additional perks including access to a VIP room, premium liquor, a private bartender and signage recognition. Last year over 500 people showed up. Visit FFL’s website for more information.

The Flying Saucer’s annual Halloween party will start at 8 PM. There will be a $2 mystery beer tub – pay your $2 and reach in and grab one. Maybe you’ll get an expensive premium beer; maybe you’ll get a Schlitz. You never know. Music by DJ Porter and Scotty B. Costume contest with best costume getting $500 cash. Runner-up prizes for Saucer Girl look-alike and most original. Free if you’re a UFO member, $3 if not.

South of Beale will have its Halloween party Saturday night, with a costume contest from 10-midnight, with judging at midnight. Ghost River Brewery will be giving away prizes, with the grand prize being a private tour of the brewery for 12, including food and drink. They’ll have $3 Ghost River Black Magic all night.

The Silly Goose will have its party on Saturday. Costume contest with prizes $200 overall, $100 sexiest and $100 funniest. Live DJ with BCON, happy hour from 5 to 9 PM including $3 Fireball. There will also be a pumpkin carving contest with $50, $25 and $10 prizes. If you want seats call 901-435-6915 and make reservations in advance; after 10 they cannot reserve seats. This would be worth attending just to see what Brick is wearing.

Rehab Disco will have a Halloween Dance Party Saturday with special guest DJ Empir3 from St.Louis. Prizes for the best costumes; special performance by Larena from Pyramid Dance.

Celebrate the Day of the Dead at Rio Loco with a live mariachi band and drink specials. Starts at 8:30 PM.

Spindini will have its second annual Kittens and Cougars bash, with cash prizes and drink specials.

Sunday, October 31

There will be a family event at Mud Island River Park from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Kids can trick-or-treat along a haunted River Walk. There will be candy, prizes, games, hayrides, and haunted train rides.

One of the best parties of the year is always the Kooky Canuck Halloween party. This year they’ll be kicking it off at 6 PM, with $2.50 34 oz. Super Cold Bud Light, as well as drink specials and a costume contest.

Bardog Tavern will have its Halloween party. Costume contest at 10, and at 11 they’ll have the drawing for the Cadillac hearse parked out front. There will be door prizes and drink specials.

Blues City Cafe will have a Halloween party with FreeWorld, with music starting at 10:30. Prizes will be awarded for the scariest, hottest, freakiest, and most creative costumes. FreeWorld will be throwing on some Halloween jams; they’ve played there almost every Sunday night since 1991.

A fall foodie event returns to Downtown the first Sunday in November… the Harvest Celebration is your chance to sample food from some of Memphis’ top restaurants, while supporting the Memphis Farmers Market. From 4-7 PM on Sunday, November 7, you’ll be able to sample food from

Amerigo Italian Restaurant
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen
Felicia Suzanne’s
Henny Penny Catering
Inn at Hunt Phelan
Interim Restaurant & Bar
The Majestic Grille
McEwen’s on Monroe
Mesquite Chop House
Owen Brennan’s Restaurant
Restaurant Iris
Sole Restaurant & Raw Bar
Thyme Bistro
Trolley Stop Market

and more restaurants may sign on as well. There will also be a silent auction with over 100 items to be sold, and live music from some of MFM’s best artists. Event will be in Hudson Hall at Central Station, Main at G.E. Patterson. You can buy tickets on the MFM website. $45 advance, $55 at the door, $35 for members, volunteers, and kids under 12.

Marc Gasol has purchased 500 tickets to tomorrow’s season opener, and he’s giving them away to the public for free. Be at the FedExForum’s Grand Lobby tonight (Tuesday) at 5:30 to get your free tickets. First come, first served, limit 2 per person.

The Union Street Bath House is hiring attendants. They had an ad in last week’s Flyer (page 56), and I spoke to the owner Yuri about it on the phone yesterday. The ad said it’s beneficial if applicants know Russian, but I explained to him that there are really not a lot of people in Memphis who speak Russian, and those that do most likely have college degrees and would not be looking for bath house attendant positions. So, if you think you’re a good fit, go ahead and contact them about filling out an application. You can learn more about the bath house on their website, or you can e-mail unionstreetbathhouse@gmail.com. Yuri is an interesting individual to say the least. Will post more about him later. Wonder if he’s talked to the people in the foreign language department at the U of M? Perhaps the bath house could work out an internship program for credit for students studying Russian.

I’ve received more info about a few more Halloween parties – Hollywood Disco, Rehab Disco, Rio Loco – and hope to get my list updated soon.

I had a good time playing darts with Mark from Mark’s Menus last night. We were filmed at the dartboard for a documentary that is being made about Mark’s Menus and other entrepreneurial ventures. As soon as it’s released, I’ll link to it.

It’s Tuesday, so I guess that means it’s trivia night. I’ll be at the Saucer at 7.

So tonight I went to the Silly Goose to play poker. Brick, on her night off, showed up to play. She survived a long time for her skill level – two hands.

I eventually got put out as well and went to the bar where she was sitting, and where the poker players were watching intently every time she leaned over to order a drink. She asked if I’m a pro football fan. I said, not really, and told her I’m more into college.

She said, “Well, I like the Vols.”  I asked, “It’s not football, but do you know what my Halloween costume is going to be?”

She said no. “Bruce Pearl,” I told her.

“Oh,” she said, “13 men on the field?”

“Yes,” I replied. “And what’s the difference between 13 and 11?”

“A lot of men,” Brick replied.

Once she realized I’d taken out paper and was taking notes, she chased me around the bar trying to rip my note paper up. Doesn’t matter, Brick. I have a mind like a steel trap.

Good playing darts with Mark from MarksMenus earlier tonight. Wanted to introduce him to the Nuh-Uh Girl but she didn’t show up.

Tonight I played poker at the Silly Goose. After I lost I ordered to-go food off their new menu. I got the parmesan chicken rolls, pictured above.

The real story at the Goose, though, was not the poker or the food, but the fact that I got a new “Brick” Quote of the Week. Check back soon for another post.

The Memphis Redbirds have been nominated for the Triple-A Minor League Team of the Year. You can help the ‘birds win it by going here to vote for them.

This is the final week for the MIFA Store. Go by there to pick up some great deals on clothing, furniture, books and more. It’s at 910 Vance inside the MIFA building.

I’m glad we got some rain, but did it really have to happen yesterday? Seeing red on the radar, I decided to park myself at the Saucer and wait for it to move through before heading south. By 2:30 I was still waiting, and I saw a tweet that the festival organizers had given up and they were shutting it down at 3. Too bad. Great job to the folks who put RiverArtsFest together – absolutely excellent event.

Short post this Monday. I’m tired from the weekend. Maybe I’ll post more after work before I head to Pint Nite. Considering the 9:00 poker game at the Silly Goose too… will see how I feel about it when the time rolls around.

If you didn’t make it to RiverArtsFest yesterday, I highly, highly recommend that you go today. And once you get there, I highly, highly recommend that you find this booth:

They make flavored roasted nuts that are absolutely delicious. I got cinnamon roasted pecans and strolled around the festival munching on them. Even if you are not a big fan of nuts in general, you really ought to give these a try.

I didn’t take a whole lot of RiverArtsFest photos, because many artists don’t like having their work photographed, and I respect that. However, I did want to take some photos of the food vendor booths – the food selection is among the best I have ever seen at an outdoor street festival.

I’ll be back at the festival today, weather permitting… hope to be there around noon. If the weather is bad I’ll stop at the Saucer for a few rainy day beers before heading south.

RiverArtsFest happens on South Main today, centered at Main and G.E. Patterson and extending a couple of blocks north and south. This is one of the best fall festivals of the year, running 10-6 today and 10-5 tomorrow. There will be 180 artists selling their works in just about every medium imaginable. These are the best of the best – more than twice that number applied for booth space. I love wandering around, looking at art, running into people I rarely see.

Good music too – check this CA article for the full line-up of bands. (Attn RiverArtsFest: Don’t you think you ought to have the full schedule on your own site, under the Live Music link? Just sayin’.) Wow the National Civil Rights Museum stage has some really good bands today.

Beer value tip: If Max’s Sports Bar (formerly Calhoun’s) is within the boundaries of the festival, and I think it is, you can buy $2 PBR there and get a to-go cup.

What to wear? It’s a rare late October weekend when the highs are predicted to be in the mid-80s. Therefore, ladies, my festival clothing recommendation would be a TUBE TOP. Guys, I don’t really care what you wear, although I will suggest Arkansas Razorbacks attire.

Time to remind everyone of my festival rule: When there’s a street festival going on, I tend to spend most or all of my time at the festival, not at side parties near the festival. Although, I might make an exception and spend a little time in Max’s watching the Arkansas-Ole Miss game, which kicks off at 11:21.

I’m getting a free T-shirt at the festival today, after smoothing things over with the new business owner who called me Thursday afternoon to complain about a blog post I did. I hope to have more details to post about his business soon.

Should be a fantastic RiverArtsFest! Hope to see you there!