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Eat lunch or dinner at Chili’s today!  100% of the profits at participating restaurants go to St. Jude.

A great day yesterday… thanks to the South Main Association for a fantastic Oktoberfest party yesterday afternoon.  John Bragg from Circa provided some delicious German food, and I loaded up on brats and kraut and corned beef and potato salad and other German goodies.  And, of course, there was Oktoberfest beer.  I got quite a few pics, but Firefox crashed when I tried to upload them to Facebook last night.  I’ll try again when I get home from work.  And yes, there are several pics of the Nuh-Uh Girl eating.

Before Oktoberfest, the gang gathered at the Saucer for John D’s plate party.  The Bud Light aficionado and namesake of a Majestic Grille breakfast got his catchphrase, “HEY NOW,” on his plate.  Thanks to John for the couple of Dos Equis Lagers I enjoyed on his plate party tab.

Speaking of plates… I’m now only 13 beers away from my third plate, and there are two new seasonal beers on the menu which I think are on Pint Nite prices ($2.75) tonight.  One is New Belgium Hoptoberfest, which I tried at Circa’s anniversary party and it is an outstanding beer, although rather hoppy.  There’s another Oktoberfest which is new on the menu as well – can’t remember if it’s Paulaner or Spaten.  Anyway, those will be beers 188 and 189 tonight as my chase to change my plate’s color to green continues.

The Saucer isn’t the only place in the Downtown core with beer specials tonight… right down the street, the Silly Goose is doing pitcher night, with $5 domestic pitchers and $8 imports.  Also, Kooky Canuck has specials on beer and wings during Monday Night Football.

The semi-annual Architects Party will benefit the International Children’s Heart Fund this time… it’s charity founded by Dr. William Novick who had his home on the DNA Home Tour several years ago, so there’s a Downtown connection despite the event being held in Midtown, at 1500 Union.  Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster and The Snake Doctors will perform, and the theme is Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”  They hope to fill the entire parking lot with people doing the Thriller dance.  Event will be October 30, the day before Halloween, so tickets will be $20 for this in costume and $25 for those who are not.  The International Children’s Heart Fund makes it possible to get aid to children with congenital heart conditions in developing countries.  So far more than 4,000 children have received operations, and more have benefited from the education and resources ICHF provides.

 Several more hours of sitting at a desk, then it’ll be time for beer.

The SMA’s Oktoberfest celebration is today from 3 to 7, in the courtyard next to Harry’s Detour on GE Patterson.  If you’re a member, you get free Boscos beer, and you get delicious German food cooked by Chef John Bragg.  Free food?  Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

Not a member and want to come?  Well, you have two options.  One is to pay the $15 non-member entry fee.

Or, for $10 more you could become an individual member, which will not only get you access to today’s party, but various other events during the year.  They have a couple of parties with free food and booze – Cinco de Mayo is the other one – and during most months, they grill out at Trolley Tour, with burgers, dogs, and beer for members.  Many of their membership meetings have complimentary hors d’oeuvres from some of the best restaurants Downtown.  One restaurant, the Happy Mexican, put out a free dinner buffet that was so good that the Nuh-Uh Girl had 4 helpings.  Plus you get to keep up with what’s going on in the South Main area, and you’ll learn about volunteer programs where you can pitch in and help make the neighborhood better.

If you join today at the party, your membership will run through 2010.

Should be a fun day.  I’m skipping brunch this morning to make room for John’s food at the party.  About noon I’ll hit the Saucer for a friend’s plate party, then head south to Oktoberfest.  Afterward, maybe across the street to Calhoun’s or maybe back to the Saucer, after seeing what certain people decide to do next.

Sunday Fun Day!!!

I ended up missing Trolley Tour altogether last night… I stopped by the Saucer for a beer first, and ended up going to dinner with friends.  We were going to do Pearl’s, but on the way there saw more friends in South of Beale and went there instead.

You know what I’m really impressed with at SOB?  The sides.  I loved the crispy Cajun potatoes that came with my SOB burger.  I can’t decide if they qualify as fries – what’s the definition of “fries?”  Do they have to be long and slender?  If they do qualify, I’ll definitely vote for them for “Best Fries” in next year’s Memphis Flyer poll.

Speaking of the Flyer poll… nice to see the winner of the 2008 Best Cougar Bar award standing outside his restaurant last night at Trolley Tour.

Back to SOB’s sides… my friend Lauren let me try her Pink-Eyed Pea Ragout, and it was excellent.  Definitely getting that next time I go in.  Another excellent experience at SOB… great to have a new restaurant in that area with great service and reasonable prices.

There will be a mayoral debate watch party at 6 tonight at SOB sponsored by MPACT Memphis, so if you’re looking for an excuse to go by and try their great food, now you’ve got one.

Suggestion for iPhone users who sit at the Flying Saucer bar:  Download the “Service Bell” app.  It’s free in the App Store.  You touch the screen and it goes ding-ding-ding like a bell.  Brittney LOVES it when you use the Service Bell to let her know you want another beer.

The Arkansas Razorbacks play #3 Alabama at 2:30 on CBS.  Guess I’ll be heading up to the Saucer to watch it.  The Hogs proved last week that they can hold their own against a Top 25 team.  Will ‘Bama be the second Top 5 SEC team to go down in flames this weekend?  Maybe not – the oddsmakers have the Crimson Tide as a 17.5-18 point favorite.  An upset would be sweet though.

Attn Facebook users:  I’m getting a lot of friend requests from people I’ve never met and with whom I have no friends in common.  Be very careful when you get requests like these – they may be spreading KoobFace or a similar virus/trojan.  This is a good way to mess up your computer and get Facebook blocked at work if you use it there… only add people you know.

Good to see our friends Wayne and Judy back in town visiting for the weekend.  A lot of people are very happy they’re here.

That’s all for now… going to take some laundry out of the dryer, then head to the Saucer to watch the game.

If you’re excited about RiverArtsFest next month, there will be a sneak preview of the art vendors tonight at South Main Trolley Art Tour.

This sneak peek mini-market event will be held at Huling Row off South Main. Each RiverArtsFest artist will be given a 10×10 space to exhibit their work. The Facebook event listing says there will be beer and wine. It didn’t say anything about free food, so I’m not sure if the Nuh-Uh Girl will be there.

Be sure to check out my friend Shane Paris who will be showing his work. Look for the logo below.

In the news: Check out this CA story – Police report: ‘Attendant’ parked in jail. Actually, it should read, ‘Bum’ parked in jail. Although, then the quotes would be unnecessary. Yep, it’s another one of our regular Downtown scammers who likes to wander onto lots and pretend to be the attendant collecting money. Folks, if you park on a Downtown lot and have ANY doubt whether the attendant is legit, ask for company ID. If they can’t produce it or if it looks fake, leave the lot and call the police. Also, parking meters are free on weekends and holidays and after 6 PM on weekends. If someone tries to charge you to park in a metered city space, they’re scamming you.

Hmmm Jeffrey and the Pacemakers, the ’60s British Invasion band I keep meaning to go see, plays Nocturnal (formerly the Antenna) in Midtown tomorrow at 10… maybe I should make a trip out there. Of course that would involve staying sober enough to drive until 10 PM on a Saturday night… yeah OK I probably won’t make it. Should be a great event though.

Looks like the rain is outta here and we’ll all clear for trolley tour. High 78, low 64 according to the Weather Channel. You just can’t ask for much better than that. After I get home, I’ll probably start off with a Dos Equis Lager at the Saucer, then head to Trolley Tour 6:30ish.

South Carolina 16, Ole Miss 10.  Love it.  To quote Air Traffic Mike, “The only thing worse than being overrated is being way overrated.”  See ya, Ole Miss.  Hope you enjoyed your short stay in the Top 10.

South Main Trolley Tour is tonight.  The SMA won’t have its usual burgers-and-beer deal because they are getting ready for Oktoberfest on Sunday, but plenty of other galleries and shops will be open until 9 PM, and many of them will put out complimentary wine, beer, and/or food.  Free food?  Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

Oh, speaking of the Nuh-Uh Girl, she tweeted last night, “Anyone want to take me to Encore for one last meal before they close?”  She’s a food panhandler.

I got an e-mail from the people who organized the swingers’ party at Hollywood Disco last Saturday.  They’re in the process of organizing a two-day Swingers’ Double Header weekend here October 16-17.  “Details to come,” they told me, “but we’re looking for a sexy lady who can give pole dancing lessons.  Do you know anyone?”  If anyone is interested, shoot me an e-mail at paul@paulryburn.com and I’ll pass on the info.

They offered to hook me up with free admission and a complimentary beer at last Saturday’s party, as thanks for mentioning it in the blog.  But I didn’t go.  I admit I was somewhat curious about what happens at a “swingers party”… but, I don’t know… I guess I was afraid I’d look like “that guy” if I went.  You know, “that guy” who’s just standing at the bar, taking up space, just kind of… there, staring at everyone, not really talking to anyone and getting “wtf” reactions when he tries.  No one wants to be “that guy.”  Plus, I was dead tired from Cooper-Young.  Did anyone go to this party?  If so, how was it?  (and no, I won’t blog your response)

Apparently the swingers are also Wooters, and they informed me that the Woot-off has been extended to a third day.

That’s the news for this morning, so let’s wrap this up and get to work.

Bim bam
Flim flam
OLE MISS SUCKS
By damn!

Encore in Peabody Place will close either after tonight’s dinner service or Friday’s.  Details here.

Don’t forget that the MPACT Outlet is tonight at Ground Zero – excellent opportunity to find out what’s going on in MPACT Memphis these days.  The executive director just posted that they will have free food.  Free food?  Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

The Woot-off is continuing for a second day, possibly due to problems with their servers yesterday.

Bardog Tavern now has a Facebook page for their Wednesday night poker tournaments. You can see it here. They’ve also expanded their breakfast menu to include breakfast burritos, and they’ll soon have hot chocolate, yogurt, bananas, and apples.

If anyone’s thinking about moving to Mud Island, there’s a really nice condo for lease – details here. 2 story, 2 BR, 2.5 bath, 3 balconies, whirlpool, both bedrooms have private baths, W/D, and a lot more.

Someone who works at AutoZone sent me this: There will be a 20 minute aerobatic demonstration by the Lucas Oil plane over the tip of Mud Island at 11 AM on Monday, September 28. Should be visible to most of Downtown.

It’s rock climbing wall night at BRIDGES, Auction at Fourth, from 6 to 9.

Check out this TIME magazine article on Detroit. There are some parallels to Memphis.

Yesterday all the new people at work got to go on a field trip to Sam’s Town to see a regional bridge tournament. It was very interesting… there was this big room that must have held 150 tables, maybe 200. It was absolute chaos until 2:00 as people were milling around, getting registered, finding their partners… and by 2:10 the room was quiet and everyone was playing cards. Before the tournament, we got a free buffet (Nuh-Uh Girl: “Free buffet? Paul, do you know if your company is hiring?”) and a free hour to do whatever we wanted. I wandered upstairs to the poker room. There was a table but it was something like $1/3 blinds for No-Limit Hold’em, and that sounded like a good way to leave the casino several hundred dollars poorer. So I played a 25 cent video poker machine and lost about $5.

After work I attended the Alley Jams alley party in Gayoso Alley and it was a lot of fun. Good music, good beer (Dos Equis Lager? good call!), and I got to talk to a lot of people I haven’t seen in a while. Next Wednesday’s party will be in the Rendezvous alley, and the Dempseys will play – sadly, I have to miss this one due to a conflicting event. I saw on Twitter that these things are going on until 9 in the evening, so plenty of time to get out there and enjoy.

Plans for tonight:  Not sure, beyond the fact that beer will surely be involved.

This is a drunk post.  Let me pull up the “Notes” app on my iPhone and see what I’m supposed to talk about.  Please forgive spelling/grammar mistakes.

Saucer has New Belgium Hoptober on draft.  Awesome beer.  I had it at Circa’s party last month.  They also just got Sam Adams Oktoberfest.  Wait til Pint Nite to drink those two if you’re going for UFO credit.  They also have Dogfish Head Punkin Ale in bottles.

Question:  I’m 15 beers away from my 3rd plate, what should my saying on it be?  “I Love Romanian Girls” is out of date.  It’s been 3 years since we had Romanians here.  Shoot me an e-mail at paul@paulryburn.com with suggestions

I was informed tonight that if you get on Facebook and search for “DTO 2009” and are willing to waste 15+ minutes of your life watching the Downtown Olympics video, you can see Sweaty McDrippy who accused Calhoun’s of lying about free wireless (when he did not know how to configure his computer) and Michele chasing him out/cussing him out.  He’s at the beginning of Benjie’s segment.

Alley Jams party was fantastic tonight.  Kudos on having Dos Equis Lager on tap.  I thought I saw the world’s largest rodent in the alley, but it had on a light blue T-shirt and camo shorts, and rodents usually don’t dress up for concerts.  It headed in the direction of restaurant row on Second.

Daisy of Daisy of Love will be at Republic Nightclub Saturday night.  “THE ULTIMATE BAD GIRL INVADES MEMPHIS!  THIS WILL BE THE PARTY WHO MEMPHIS TALKS ABOUT ALL YEAR!” says the club’s Facebook post.

I posted about the iHog application for Arkansas fans the other day.  Secret fact:  If you open the app and shake the phone 5 times, you’ll get a surprise.

Congrats to Kacy on her move into the Downtown core.

Mpact Memphis is having their “Outlet” at Ground Zero tomorrow, Thursday September 24.  It was originally scheduled for the Red Rooster but was moved next door.  Details why later.  Networking, orientation to what Mpact has going on, all kinds of good stuff.

Drunk. Going to bed.

Very quick and early lunchtime post today… I’m back at work, but I’m going on a field trip in a few minutes.  There’s a regional bridge tournament going on at one of the casinos in Tunica, and the company wants the new hires to see what a bridge tournament is like.  We get a free buffet out of it, so it sounds like a good deal to me.

If it doesn’t rain, the weekly Alley Jams party will happen tonight in Gayoso Alley off Peabody Place.  The theme tonight is Neosoulville with The City Champs, Candace Ashir, Tim Terry, Tonya Dyson, and Cassie Bonner.

There’s a Woot-Off going on today.

Tonight is Oktoberfest glass night at the Saucer.  I’ve seen the glass – it’s an extra tall one which is a take-off on Google’s logo (“Brewgle”), and is pretty cool looking.  I’ve heard that the fall seasonal beers are on their way in – pumpkin ales and stuff.  I love a good pumpkin ale.

Here’s an article on how to act if you attend the real Oktoberfest in Munich.

Time to go eat and watch people play bridge.  Will be away from the computer for most of the rest of the day.