Paul Ryburn's Journal

The director of the FBI has called Memphis the homicide capital of the USA. Kash Patel said on a Sunday news show that he plans on sending a task force here.

Game show Wheel of Fortune is coming to Minglewood Hall on December 14.

Paul Chandler has been named the new CEO of Memphis River Parks Partnership.

To-go now makes up 75% of all restaurant orders.

The Great American River Run is Saturday. Half marathon, 10K, and 5K.

That’s all I’ve got.

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HUGE, HUGE, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to my friends on Heath Riles BBQ. They won the Ribs category at BBQ Fest and went on to be named Grand Champions. BBQ Fest winners

Also, congrats to my friends at Robinson Smokehouse and the Silly Goose, collaborators to win first place in Best Cocktail at SmokeSlam. SmokeSlam winners

Volunteers are needed for the National Veterans Golden Age Games, to be held May 31-June 5 at the Renasant Convention Center.

Choose901 will throw our fair city a birthday party Thursday at Downtown Wiseacre. The mayor will be there. Live performances by STAX Music Academy.

Two beautiful but disappointed young ladies sat to my right at the bar yesterday, and I feel the need to remind everyone once more to be wary of events, supposedly at local bars, organized by out-of-towners. The ladies were there for speed dating, but there were no men, no organizer. BEFORE PAYING for speed dating events, pub crawls, etc. that seem suspicious, CALL THE BAR(S) listed and ask

• Do they even know they’re being advertised for this event?
• Are they aware of any drink or food specials being promised?

Time to celebrate my half-birthday! Back tomorrow.

I gratefully accept tips:
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BBQ Fest and SmokeSlam closed early Friday night due to severe weather. BBQ Fest will honor Friday tickets on Saturday, and awards normally given out on Friday will be pushed to 6 PM Saturday.

We could get severe weather tonight, but probably not until after midnight, so go enjoy the BBQ festival of your choice.

The Preakness Stakes will be on NBC Sports and Peacock at 5:50 this afternoon. Today is the final run of that race before Pimlico Race Course is torn down.

It’s World Whisky Day.

Next Saturday, catch an outdoor showing of The Wild Robot on the Wolf River Greenway, 1320 N. Mud Island Drive. 6:30-8:00. Free MemPops.

Brain Food, serving pasta and seafood, will open this summer in the former The Nine Thai Sushi space on Union. The signature Alfredo Fries sound yummy.

Strangewaze Wednesdaze is back May 21 at 5 PM in Medical District Park. Food & drink from area restaurants, DJs, shopping/vendors, yoga, axe throwing, children’s activities, photo booth. FREE. Food and drinks are first come, first served.

Draymond Green almost got traded to the Grizzlies in summer 2023. Memphis would have sent out Dillon Brooks (one loudmouth for another), Steven Adams, and Tyus Jones.

First 1500 fans at the Redbirds tonight get a BBQ nacho grilling shirt as the ‘birds play this weekend as the Memphis BBQ Nachos. First pitch vs. Nashville is set for 6:35. Stay after the game for fireworks.

Poker group River Rat Rounders is holding a deuces wild tournament at MFS Brewing, 206 G.E. Patterson, today at 3. You can even drop a deuce in the brewery’s restroom while the game is on break.

Memphis Made Brewing has new bike racks in The Ravine.

That’s all I’ve got.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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Attention BBQ teams: Severe weather is a possibility later in the day today. FOX 13 weather has a forecast radar showing the worst moving through between 8 and 10 PM. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather as you go about your day.

The timeframe is terrible. As a former shoulder team member, I know that 8-10 PM is just a few hours after the championship shoulder goes on the smoker. What if they have to evacuate the park?

Today is National Mimosa Day.

Irish singer-songwriter Pat Byrne debuts at South Main Sounds tonight, 7 PM.

Beale Street made this list of 31 beautiful and historic streets.

The MBJ reports that the new food hall going in the Mesquite Chop House location on Union will be delivery-only.

One of my former students just bought me a PBR, so I’m gonna sign off and drink it. Back tomorrow.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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Enjoy yacht rock with Rock the Boat at tonight‘s Peabody rooftop party. $15 to get in, $40 VIP. If you’re in VIP you get a buffet of pulled pork and pulled chicken sliders and waffle fries.

StyleBlueprint lists 13 must-taste ice cream joints in Memphis. Downtown: Zio Matto Gelato and Margie’s 901.

Today is National Chocolate Chip Day. Celebrate with a chocolate chip brownie at Memphis Chess Club.

TGI Friday’s now has 3 different flavors of mozzarella sticks. Aren’t you sorry we don’t have one Downtown anymore?

Clayborn Temple is said to be stabilized following the fire there several weeks ago. Now investigators can move in and attempt to determine cause.

Lil Wayne’s stop at FedExForum scheduled for tonight has been postponed until September.

Egg prices are finally dropping.

Giannis to the Grizz? He’s interested in living in a state with no income tax.

That’s all I’ve got.

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

No news post today, but there’s a good reason.

I may have a chance to talk to a lawyer about whether I qualify for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). Gotta prepare. I’m nervous as hell.

I finally tore open the discharge papers from my stay at Methodist last November. Two words – “Parkinsonian tremor” – may give me the ammo I need.

Pray for me, if you’re into that.

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

50 ways to be ridiculously generous and feel ridiculously good

St. Jude seeks a teacher for the visually impaired.

There’s free yoga at Downtown Wiseacre Saturday 10:30-11:30 AM.

The Redbirds host Nashville at 6:45.

Grind City Brewing will host the Uptown Arts Festival Saturday.

Melanie A. Davis will play Live at the Tracks at Central Station Thursday evening.

That’s all I’ve got.

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

This sign is hanging in the Mesquite Chop House location on Union:

A food hall in the Downtown core? I’d be all for that.

For its 17 years of existence, Bardog Tavern has had two rules: “No backwards hats” and “No Red Bull, no bullshit.”

Well, this past weekend, the staff told me that one of those rules is no more. You can now wear backwards hats at Bardog.

It makes sense. In 2008, when the popular neighborhood bar opened, Memphis was teeming with Affliction- and Ed Hardy-wearing douchenozzles. Forcing them to turn their hats around made them look a little bit less like the assholes that they were.

In 2025, however, guys who wear backwards hats are just average guys who want to wear baseball caps, but with an increased field of vision. Might as well let them be themselves.

I doubt that the other rule will be relaxed, though. No Red Bull, no bullshit. May I recommend the PBR?

HUGE CONGRATS to Memphis’ Central High, which took first in a global jazz band competition in New York City!!!!!!!!!!!

This Google hack lets you view uncluttered search results.

Sunset Jazz in Court Square last night was postponed due to weather. Rescheduled date TBA.

That’s all I’ve got for today.

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

Blog posts may be hit-or-miss in the coming days. My motor skills have deteriorated recently. I hope it’s not permanent. Simple things like getting my laptop into its pocket in my backpack can take me as long as 10 minutes.

My God. MATA owes its vendors more than $10 million.

Local barbershop The Hair and Beard Station on N. Fourth gives back to the community. The owner recognizes that a well-groomed look can make a big difference in a job interview or court appearance.

Find out what Aldi does with unsold food

The 50 best bars in North America

There’s going to be a dog fashion parade in Handy Park on Saturday, July 26 from 4 to 7 PM. It’s hosted by Friends of Dog in coordination with the Downtown Memphis Commission. Local vendors. Prize for best dressed pup.

An eating championship has been added to next week’s SmokeSlam event lineup.

That’s all I’ve got.

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

If Nathan Frazer & Axiom had a blog, that’s what they’d title this post.

Recommendation for next Wednesday, May 14: Hop a Lyft or Uber out to Rooster’s Blues House on Highland, where Island 45 will take the stage at 7. Now, why would the Downtown blogger advise you to travel east of Danny Thomas? Because

1. Band frontwoman Jenn is a Downtowner and an awesome person and singer; and
2. Julien has GMmed many Downtown spots and deserves our support in his latest venture

Club 152 WILL BE OPEN this weekend. DJ Tree will spin starting at 10 Saturday and 9:30 Sunday.

Today is Lost Sock Memorial Day.

From Opera America: An opera on Beale Street: How Opera Memphis reinvented itself

The  Catholic Church has a new pope, the first American ever. He’ll go by the name Leo XIV.

The Saucer will have rare beer finds, flights, and specials for American Craft Beer Week May 12-18.

if anyone sees nicole today pls tell her i said happy birthday

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