Paul Ryburn's Journal

Yesterday I asked AI agent Claude to identify THE up-and-coming neighborhood in Memphis.

Claude picked The Edge.

I revised my query. “No, no, no, Claude, in 2026 The Edge is no longer up-and-coming. It’s already there. It has arrived. I want to know, what neighborhood is where The Edge was 7-8 years ago?”

Claude admitted I had a fair point, thought for a moment, then said Klondike/Smokey City. Claude noted that those neighborhoods are near the beginning of a cycle, not the end.

Now that’s a pick I can get behind.

Klondike is the call — it has the exact cocktail the Edge had: deep history, affordability, a massive anchor project just landed, and nobody outside of community development circles is talking about it yet.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ -Claude

The Grizzlies host Dallas tonight at 7. TV: FanDuel Sports

Corrected correction: Now I’m hearing that Mich Ultra will be the $3 green beer at Bardog Saturday-Tuesday. Rahul who works for the distributor dropped off a tap handle for that purpose this morning.

Penny’s 13-19 Memphis Tigers had their season come to an end yesterday with an 81-69 loss to Tulane. Penny has the same problem Josh Pastner had here – he’s too nice and these 19-year-old players stop taking him seriously after a while. Memphis bball is a program in bad need of a coach who’s an asshole. I wonder how much money we’d have to throw at Rick Pitino to get him here?

There will be a Women Who Build panel discussion on Thursday, March 26 at 5 PM at Soul and Spirits, 845 N. Main. Come meet developers who have broken the glass ceiling.

It’s now possible to pay $500 rent to open a restaurant Downtown.

Cerrito Trivia will host a special-edition St. Paddy’s Day trivia Tuesday at 7 at Max’s Sports Bar. Ireland, booze, and green things are potential topics.

Black Tulip Press will hold a market at Flyway Brewing Saturday 11-6. Literature, readings, chamber music, artwork, handmade goods.

There’s a part-time dishwasher position open at AutoZone Park.

Bass Pro is looking to hire a laundry attendant.

Could a fine for tanking be coming for the Grizzlies?

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

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I got in Room in the Inn last night! I spent the night in The Cottage in Germantown. Shepherd’s pie for dinner, sausage egg cheese croissant for breakfast, and a pack full of snacks. Thanks to everyone who sent me good energy.

I asked AI to pick the winner of the upcoming men’s NCAA tournament.

• Claude picked Michigan
• Gemini picked Duke, while also listing Miami (OH) as a sleeper pick
• Perplexity wanted me to pay for an upgrade

Hot N Heavy Dogs will have their cart at Union and Main for lunch Thursday 10:30-2:30.

The Grizzlies are being sued over allegations of racial discrimination on the security team.

Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat scored 83 points in a game against the Washington Wizards last night, an individual total second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 in a 1962 game.

THREE CHEERS to United Airlines for threatening to ban passengers who play videos, talk on FaceTime, play games with sound, etc. on their phones without putting headphones in!!! Such behavior is RUDE to those around you! Restaurants and coffee shops should consider similar bans.

430 Monroe has received a 10-year PILOT to encourage commercial development. Another win for The Edge…

Fly north with geese

Correction: This morning I heard a bartender say that the $3 green beer at Bardog this weekend will be Busch Light, not PBR as I previously reported.

Back tomorrow with more news and another AI-answered question.

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IFTAR AFTER DARK: On Tuesday, March 17, Good Fortune Co. goes halal for one night only, teaming up with the Memphis Muslim community for a night of friendship and delicious food. See Good Fortune’s Facebook page for complete details.

South Main Association’s monthly social is tonight at 6 PM at Doug Carpenter and Associates, 11 W. Huling.

• MPD Sgt. Cathey on the Camera Connect program
• Mack Weaver from Memphis in May
• An opportunity for SMA business members
• Food by KUYA and South Point Grocery
• Drinks by Wiseacre and Southern Glazer’s

This weekend’s events at Downtown’s Irish pub, The Brass Door:

Friday the 13th

• 5 PM – Alice Hasen, traditional Irish fiddler
• 6 PM – Blessing of the Kegs
• 6:30 PM – Dermot & The Pints

Saturday the 14th

• 9 AM – International rugby: Ireland vs. Scotland
• 2 PM – Head to Beale Street for the parade
• 4:30 PM – Dermot & The Pints

The Peabody will celebrate St. Pat’s with Irish tea service in Chez Philippe Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Slider Inn Downtown will celebrate the holiday all day Saturday with DJ sets and vendor pop-ups.

Memphis Joy Orchestra performed at the Union Mission last Friday.

Loflin Yard is hiring bartenders.

The Memphis Made taproom has new hours:

• Fri 4-9 with Opinionation trivia 7-9
• Sat 1-9
• Sun 1-7 with Boss Lady’s line dancing 4-7

I asked Perplexity AI what NCAA tournament seed Penny’s 13-18 Tigers would be in the highly unlikely event they run the table in the American conference tournament and capture its automatic bid. Perp thinks they’d be a 15 or at most a 14.

As for the Grizzlies, their postseason hopes are also slim but not zero. With 19 games left to play, Memphis sits 7 games behind Portland for the final play-in spot.

The Grizzlies tip off in Philly tonight at 6. TV: FanDuel Sports

Flying Saucer has a new burger special, the Get Lucky. It’s a blue cheese-stuffed beef patty with an Irish whiskey glaze, Guinness beer cheese, Tabasco onion straws, arugula, and garlic herb mayo.

The farmers market is hiring an executive director.

Send good vibes my way – there’s a rare men’s-only church partnering with Room in the Inn on a weekday tonight. They can only take 10 men, though, so I’m gonna need some lottery luck.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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Penny’s 13-18 Tigers may not be going to the Big Dance, but they punched their ticket to the little dance – the American Conference tournament – with a 96-95 overtime win over Tulane yesterday. The Tigers will travel to Birmingham, where they’ll face Tulane again Wednesday, March 11 at 6 PM. TV: ESPNEWS

Bardog will have the following specials from Saturday, March 14, the day of the Downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade, through the holiday proper on Tuesday, March 17:

• $3 green PBR
• $7 Jameson
• $7 green tea
• $7 car bombs
• $7 Guinness
• Shepherd’s pie
• Corned beef

Flying Saucer’s St. Pat’s celebration is Saturday from 2 PM-til featuring

• Bagpipers
• Blessing of the kegs
• Live music
• Food and drink specials

There’s an ongoing manhunt for a suspect who escaped custody at Regional One yesterday. He’s said to be wearing a black Adidas tracksuit and is wanted on assault, weapons, and drug charges.

The Moxy Hotel on Court Square seeks a public space attendant.

Loflin Yard seeks a food runner.

US Ghost Adventures seeks a ghost tour guide.

The Grizzlies are in Brooklyn for a 6:30 game. TV: FanDuel Sports

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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Today is Senior Day for many college basketball players… but really, in these days of the transfer portal, what does Senior Day mean to a kid who’s attended 4 different colleges in 4 years?

WhatNow reports that burger/wing restaurant Bandos is relocating to 260 Poplar. Previously it had been on Thomas St. just north of Downtown.

There will be a crawfish boil at Loflin Yard next Sunday, March 15.

JOOKINWARZ comes to the Rumba Room this afternoon.

Diana Ross performs at the Orpheum Saturday.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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Hoodline reports that an unnamed grocer has shown interest in the long-vacant location at 544 Jackson. Such a store would be a major asset to the Uptown neighborhood.

Get a free Classic Edition dubrae (ornamental shoelace tag) tonight at FedExForum as the Grizzlies host the L.A. Clippers. 7 PM. TV: FanDuel Sports

From Far Out magazine: The Memphis bar that inspired a Rolling Stones classic

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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Karaoke night at Earnestine & Hazel’s received an upgrade last night. Pros showed up and sang… specifically, cast members from Back to the Future:: The Musical, in the middle of a week-long run at the Orpheum.

As of this morning, Penny’s 12-18 Tigers sit in 10th place in the American conference. That means their final game matters a lot, surprisingly, because only the top 10 teams get in next weekend’s conference tournament. That final game is at Tulane on Sunday, 1 PM, ESPN+.

If you have tickets to see Banana Ball at AutoZone Park Saturday, keep an eye on the weather. T’storms and heavy rain could show up.

The Orchestra Unplugged performs works of Gustav Mahler tonight at the Halloran Centre.

Butteriffic Bakery will celebrate its 5th anniversary with a block party noon to 5 Saturday. DJ, live performances, food trucks, vendors. 488 S. Second.

Archery championships are happening at the Renasant Convention Center this weekend.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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It’s Cinco de Marcho, a practice day for two months from now. If you have trouble telling the two Cincos apart, just remember… you can’t get Marcho on your Soul Burger.

KUYA, the Filipino bar and restaurant, has its grand opening Friday at 3:30 PM. It’s in the former Bedrock Eats space at S. Main and Vance. They’ll have DJs and stay open ’til 1 on the weekends once they get their liquor license.

There will be a big all-day party Saturday at Flyway Brewing out in The Edge. See their Facebook page for details. Hoodlums and hooligans in particular are invited.

The Flyer’s Michael Donahue answers the question: What happened to Kinfolk? Why did Cole Jeanes’ popular Harbor Town restaurant, known for its biscuits, close after mere months of being open?

RIP Lou Holtz.

Insider tip I got last night: The Shell station on Crump across from Momma’s has really good turkey wings, but they only have them several days a week.

What has to happen before we can get our trolleys – REAL trolleys – back?

Hilton Garden Inn is hiring a lounge bartender.

The Orpheum is hiring a bartender.

Mid-South Dueling Pianos play the Flying Saucer Friday night.

Oh no… Marsha Marsha Marsha is considering running for governor to replace term-limited Bill Lee. Why can’t that horrible woman just go away?

Katt Williams’ The Golden Age Tour comes to FedExForum Friday night.

Bardog is hiring experienced cooks. Compensation package includes health insurance. Apply in person or email bardogtavern@gmail.com.

Fun guessing game involving maps (not Geoguessr)

Etowah Dinner Series has an event Downtown Saturday.

Penny’s 12-17 Tigers’ crap season has produced a 7-figure shortfall in ticket sales.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

check back around 2 pm. sorry for the inconvenience and for missing a day yesterday.

This morning I asked Perplexity AI, Claude, and Google Gemini to tell me an interesting fact about Memphis.

Two of the three AI agents gave me the usual junk: Graceland blah blah birthplace of rock ‘n roll blah blah Piggly Wiggly blah blah.

Google Gemini, however, replied with a fact I’d never heard in my 39 years as a resident and my 22 years as a blogger.

The author Mark Twain once traveled to Memphis to be at his dying brother’s bedside. He observed the way our city clawed back following the yellow fever pandemic, and he was grateful for the kindness locals showed him. For these reasons he nicknamed Memphis The Good Samaritan City of the Mississippi.

That’s an identity we would do well to adopt in 2026.

Don’t forget to spring the clocks forward Sunday as Daylight Time begins at 2 —> 3 AM.

Grizz @ Wolves tonight at 7. TV: FanDuel Sports

Hilton Garden Inn across from the ballpark is hiring a dining room attendant.

Try not to get hit in the head by a cabbage at the Beale Street St. Pat’s parade Saturday, March 14 at 2 PM.

Ted Horrell and Canaan Stanley bring the live music to South Main Sounds Saturday 6-8 PM.

Today is National Moscow Mule Day.

A geological society convention will bring more than 1000 people to Downtown Memphis early next week.

The Crossroads is the burger of the week at Momma’s: Angus beef patty, smoked Gouda, jalapeno-tomato jam, and arugula on a ciabatta bun.

Did you know? Full family memberships at Memphis Chess Club include rooftop access during all baseball games.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com