Paul Ryburn's Journal

Today is the 100th anniversary of Tom Lee’s daring Mississippi River rescue. Although he did not know how to swim, he pulled 32 people out of the river and into his boat. One boatload at a time, he ferried them to safety on a nearby sandbar.

Memphis was shocked yesterday as three former MPD officers were found not guilty in Tyre Nichols’ death trial. There will be a community gathering at the National Civil Rights Museum today at 4 in response to the verdict.

The Redbirds will rebrand as the Memphis BBQ Nachos for SmokeSlam/BBQ Fest weekend.

Know who’s happy about the completion of the I-55 roundabout? The folks at Momma’s. They are throwing a celebration Saturday with

• Bobbie Stacks & Frankie Hollie – noon
• Heartbreak Hill – 8 pm
• $5 award-winning Wiseacre Sky Dog draft

Sunset Jazz returns to Court Square every second Sunday of the month through October. It kicks off May 11 with Keenan Shotwell.

The Flyer’s Michael Donahue reports that Felicia’s is back.

Today is National Have a Coke Day. I’m having one as I type this post.

That’s all I’ve got.

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The new roundabout is now open. Head all the way south on Riverside Drive and you can exit onto

• I-55 North
• Alston Ave. (where the Super 8 motel is)
• I-55 South
• Or keep going for westbound E.H. Crump Blvd.

A press conference was held Monday to encourage the restoration of Clayborn Temple. The Memphis landmark was nearly destroyed in a fire last month.

There will be no Triple Crown winner this year. Sovereignty isn’t running the Preakness.

Memphis Tourism will be at the Court Square food truck rodeo Thursday to celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week.

Landslide, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, will headline the Peabody rooftop party this Thursday. $15 gen adm, $40 VIP. Enter for a chance to win tickets to BBQ Fest. VIPs get a buffet of crispitos, savory beef tacos, warm queso, salsa and chips, and sweet churros. DJ A.D. will spin and there will be cornhole games in the ballroom.

Rail Yard Ramblers play Live at the Tracks at Central Station Thursday 6:30 to 9:30.

Melanie MacLaren, Hannah Aldridge, and Caitlin Mae play South Main Sounds Friday at 7.

Documentary film Bluff City Chinese will be shown at the civil rights museum Thursday evening.

Coach Bill Courtney interviews 9/11 firefighter Tim Brown on a live podcast at Grind City Brewing Thursday. Max 150 audience members.

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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Starting Monday, May 12, Ferraro’s Pizzeria in The Pinch will be open 7 days a week. On Monday they’ll do $10 pizzas and $5 cork fees. BYO wine and beer.

A man died after being hit by a car about 5:40 Monday morning at Poplar and Danny Thomas.

Did you know Little Petals, the new Chinese restaurant on Madison, has 7 flavors of wings?

Memphis Magazine has local staycation suggestions.

That’s all I’ve got. Apologies for the kinda brief post 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

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Sunday is Mother’s Day.

From the Tri-State Defender: MPD puts criminals on notice with its new high-tech command center at 250 Peabody Place

An arrest has been made for an early Sunday morning shooting. The suspect was found hiding behind Davinchi’s Restaurant and Lounge at South Main and Pontotoc. That intersection needs attention from MPD and city officials in the 2-5 AM hours.

94-year-old Warren Buffett is retiring as Berkshire Hathaway CEO.

Teacher Appreciation Week starts today.

Bonnie Raitt plays the Orpheum Friday.

Catch Inside Out 2 on the big screen Saturday at AutoZone Park. Free. Pre-ordered food packages available.

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

Kooky Canuck has started doing brunch Saturday and Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM. Posts to their Facebook page indicate the specials include

• Biscuit and gravy
• Boozy bread pudding
• Steak eggs benedict
• French Canadian toast
• Brunch poutine
• Maple sunrise sandwich
• “The Forty Ninth”
• Timber tart mimosa
• Mimosa flight

Ladies, thanks to science your next purse could be made of T. rex leather.

May the Fourth be with you. Expect Star Wars Day-themed promotions at AutoZone Park today as the Redbirds close out their series with Louisville. 1:05 first pitch.

That’s all I’ve got. I stayed out all night and today I am running on fumes.

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

The Memphis Grizzlies took the “interim” tag off head coach Tuomas Iisalo yesterday. Congrats to him.

The Redbirds are off on Monday, May 5, so they’re having their Cinco de Mayo celebration today, two days early. First pitch is 3:05. $5 margaritas, $5 16 oz. Dos Equis Lager, and 2 for $5 tacos. Live mariachi band. Copa de la Diversión inspired jersey for the first 1,500 fans. Pre-game autograph signing on the concourse.

ABC 24 has everything you need to know about this year’s Kentucky Derby.

The CA has photos of RiverBeat music festival day 1.

Pop is stepping down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after 29 years and will transition to president of basketball operations.

The Trumpster wants to rename Veterans’ Day and start calling it “Victory Day for World War I.” Because Trump likes winners. He doesn’t like people/countries that lose.

Also yesterday, the Trumpster signed an executive order cutting off federal funding to NPR and PBS.

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

Today is Forget Work Friday and the Redbirds have your excuse with a 12:45 day game. Take the kids with you for the Memphis Redbirds Kids’ Zone with a bounce house, obstacle course, slide, and a cooling mister.

Old Dominick will have a Derby Day celebration beginning at 3 PM Saturday. Mint Juleps, Honeybell Iced Tea, and other craft cocktails. Hand-crafted charcuterie boards by Salt Cured Blues.

Winds have brought down one of the remaining walls of historic Clayborn Temple, which was destroyed by fire earlier this week.

The Hebe Fountain in Court Square has been temporarily removed for renovation. Don’t worry it’ll be back soon.

Max’s Sports Bar is getting a patio expansion. This weekend will be the last one for the patio until construction is done.

SI.com: New report reveals NBA-wide concern around Ja Morant

That’ll wrap it up. Not sure how much time I’ll have to post this weekend. Back Monday or sooner.

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

Formerly Known As and DJ Sledro play the Peabody rooftop party tonight. $15 general admission, $40 VIP. VIPs get a buffet of crispitos, beef tacos, warm queso, salsa & chips, and churros.

Kata Hay and Friends play Live at the Tracks at Central Station Hotel tonight from 6:30 to 9:30. Catch Kata Friday with Lorenzo Piccone at South Main Sounds.

I found out exactly what the deal is with Boycott Coffee in the Commonwealth Building. They have a new patio just off Madison Avenue.

You take a seat on the patio and then call them between 9 AM and noon and they will bring your coffee out to you.

Soul & Spirits Brewery will wrap its Star Wars Day and Cinco de Mayo celebrations all up into one day called Fourth de Mayo this Sunday from 1 to 6. There will be some special themed beers and new food truck Carmelito’s Taqueria will be on site.

The Redbirds have a day game today, hosting the Louisville Bats at 11:05 AM. It will be Education Day and the theme will be Weather. Students will learn about the science of weather from the meteorologists of Action News 5.

Fun fact I learned yesterday: The pilot and first officer of a flight never eat the same meal. That way there’s one left to land the plane if the other gets food poisoning.

GloRilla will come to FedExForum July 25 for a special “Glo Bash” concert.

Bike to work Friday, May 16 and stop at the DMC office at Main and Adams for a free breakfast.

You may have seen a man in a LifeBlood shirt jogging on Main Street early in the morning. Southern Living has his story.

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

I continue to hear that a Ja Morant trade in the offseason is a possibility. Let’s think about what the Grizzlies might get back in return. Their starting shooting guard (Bane) and power forward (JJJ) are locked into their spots. Zach Edey has made a compelling case to retain his role as starting center. Pippen Jr. is showing potential as a starting point guard, especially at an average annual value of $2.4 million a year.

That leaves the small forward role. Let’s ask ChatGPT, what small forward could the Grizzlies get in a trade for Ja Morant? The reply:

Star-for-star trades:

1. Brandon Ingram, Toronto
2. Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn
3. Scottie Barnes, Toronto (ChatGPT says: More of a combo guard, but still fits)

Package-based targets:

1. OG Anunoby, NY Knicks + picks or role players
2. Khris Middleton, Milwaukee + assets

Wildcard ideas:

1. Michael Porter Jr., Denver
2. RJ Barrett, Toronto

I like the Ingram idea a lot. He’d be a great fit here.

A few weeks ago, I made a prediction that panhandling Downtown would see a major increase in the late spring. I can now put a date on that prediction: June 1. I’ll say more about it at a later time.

The Redbirds host Louisville tonight at 6:05. There’s a $55 Coors Light Chill Zone specialty ticket that gets you an all-you can-eat buffet and unlimited beer and wine.

StyleBlueprint had a look at Felicia Suzanne’s new location and proclaimed it gorgeous.

The CA looks at what’s different about RiverBeat music festival this year.

The CA also tells you what you need to know before heading to the festival.

Andre Agassi makes his pro pickleball debut today.

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

Let’s have a look at the forecast for the upcoming RiverBeat music festival weekend. From FOX 13 Weather:

• Friday: 76/53, 50% chance of rain
• Saturday: 73/52, 14% chance of rain
• Sunday: 72/54, 4% chance of rain

I bet that Friday rain, if it happens, will come early in the day and won’t affect the festival much. All those predicted temps are below normal, but just slightly.

Happy birthday to Willie Nelson, who is 92 today. I bet he’d want you to celebrate 4/29 the same way you celebrated 4/20.

Oak Court Mall in East Memphis is going to be torn down, making space for new development.

Chef Arturo Leighton (Good Fortune Co.) recently competed on Food Network’s 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing.

Cre8, a content creation studio, has opened.

The conclave to elect a new pope will begin May 7.

Caption by Hyatt will host an Asian American and Pacific Islander Month happy hour Thursday. Tickets are $40.

Today is the Trumpster’s 100th day in office.

Memphis is getting a sandwich festival on September 20. It’ll be at Minglewood.

Memphis International Auto Show comes to the Renasant Convention Center this weekend..

Peter and the Wolf by The Orchestra Unplugged comes to the Halloran Centre Thursday… it’s more than just a children’s story!

Alton Brown Live: Last Bite comes to the Orpheum Saturday.

Allison Krauss & Union Station will be at the Orpheum Tuesday, May 6. Featuring Jerry Douglas.

The Redbirds are back home, hosting Louisville at 6:45 tonight.

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