Paul Ryburn's Journal

Have you ever dreamed of opening your own restaurant? There’s an opportunity to do just that through the DMC’s Table Ready program at 12 S. Main, the former Cafe Keough space.

Clayborn Temple will be rebuilt as a replica after being badly damaged by fire last April. Experts determined that enough of the original building survived the fire for it to be saved.

The Grizzlies are in Miami tonight for a 7 PM CST game vs. the Heat. TV: FanDuel Sports

USA vs. Canada, men’s hockey gold medal game, 7:10 AM Sunday.

A Downtown convenience store is for sale.

The SovereignTea Cafe at 140 Monroe has its grand opening this afternoon. Tea samples, chair yoga, sound bath, meditation.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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MUST-READ X/Twitter thread on the state of AI as of February 2026 (long but worth it)

That may be the most important and timely link I have posted in 22 years of doing this blog. I’m therefore tempted to just write “back tomorrow” and call it a day so you won’t be distracted by other info.

I gotta mention one other thing, though: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested for improper conduct during his years as a trade envoy. The former Prince Andrew, Duke of York is his country’s first senior royal to be arrested in modern times.

I stayed out the past 3 nights in a row carrying a heavy backpack around. EXHAUSTED. Back tomorrow with more news.

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RiverBeat Music Festival, scheduled for Tom Lee Park the first weekend in May, has announced this year’s lineup. The Red Clay Strays, Wu-Tang Clan, and Dave Matthews Band will headline the festival’s 3 nights.

The mosquitoes are biting like it’s July! Might want to spray yourself with Off before you go out.

Did you know that UT College of Dentistry, just minutes from Downtown, offers a full range of dental services at significantly reduced prices?

Coach Penny dismissed a senior from his 12-13 Tigers yesterday for repeated violations of team rules. The .480 Tigers are in Tampa for an 8 PM CST game at South Florida tonight.

Action News 5 talked to the child actors in The Sound of Music at the Orpheum this week to learn how they balance their roles with school.

There’s new reason to suspect life may have existed on Mars in the past.

A new poll revealed Americans’ favorite condiments. Peanut butter, honey, and salsa went 1-2-3. Ketchup, a child’s condiment, was 6th, with ranch 9th, mayonnaise 10th, and mustard 13th. Hoisin sauce finished last. “No condiments” (the Randy way) was not a listed option.

Wiseacre will have $1 off margs Sunday for National Margarita Day.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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The burger of the week at Momma’s is the Cowboy Burger, made with Angus beef, Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar, fried onions, house-made slaw, and BBQ sauce.

Breakfast/lunch spot By the Brewery has closed, Hoodline reports.

Amtrak is getting ready to roll out a new fleet.

Astronauts no longer have to leave their smartphones at home.

Today is National Drink Wine Day.

The Flyer’s Michael Donahue has a preview of the yummy food that Calvary Episcopal’s Waffle Shop will serve during Lent. Good history lesson, too.

The Metal Museum seeks a marketing manager.

Bass Pro seeks a part-time greeter.

BarWare will hold an adult spelling bee Thursday 7-9. $50 in bar bucks to the winner.

The ArTist Experience, a curated DJ listening experience, Bad Bunny edition will happen at The Artist Table Friday night.

Hard Times Deli celebrates 1 year Saturday with their take on a polarizing fast food sandwich.

VJ Chandler plays your music video requests 5-close at Birdie’s today.

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 as I sat in the Union Mission watching the morning news, I thought to myself, I’ve got to get out to The Edge soon and try one of those Playa Bowls – particularly, the one with the banana base. I imagined the color, the taste, how it would feel in my mouth. I really involved all the senses. I wasn’t intending anything; just sitting there, bored, entertaining myself.

A short time later, I checked my backpack out of storage and started the trek Downtown.

On Fourth Street, a woman in a white SUV pulled up alongside me and asked if I wanted a banana. Of course, I did.

I think I manifested a banana.

Twisted Cat Outdoors Fishing Expo comes to the Renasant Convention Center this weekend.

Bass Pro is hiring part-time sales associates in women’s apparel and firearms.

Civil rights leader and presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson has died. He had deep ties to Memphis.

Bleacher Report has a recap of WWE Monday Night RAW from FedExForum last night.

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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Are you glad we have ice cream here in the U.S.? Thank Thomas Jefferson.

Soup Sunday, the annual fundraiser for Youth Villages, is this coming Sunday at The Kent in Uptown. Sample soups and yummy treats from the best restaurants in town.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association will hold its February meeting Wednesday the 25th at Central Station Hotel. President Jerred Price will have the latest neighborhood news and there will be free beer and wine for members.

The city is hiring an office assistant.

Hot lunch specials at Cordelia’s this week:

• Mon: Hot honey fried chicken sandwich with totchos
• Tue: Chipotle chicken spaghetti with black beans
• Wed: Ash Wednesday veggie plate – maple sweet potatoes, mac n cheese, corn pudding, green bean casserole, roll
• Thur: Pork belly BLT with fries
• Fri: Blackened catfish with broccoli and Spanish rice

The grand opening of Baron von Opperbean and The River of Time, the interactive exhibit going into the old river museum on Mud Island, has been delayed due to water damage.

A new sports bar is coming to Harbor Town.

The Sound of Music is at the Orpheum Tuesday through Sunday.

Sorry there was no post yesterday. The rain and cold weather made my Parkinson’s act up. I was shaking too bad to type.

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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Flying Saucer is giving away this Flyway cooler. Ask you server for details on how to win.

The NBA All-Star 3-point contest, shooting stars challenge, and dunk contest are tonight. NBC/Peacock beginning 7 PM.

Mark P. at South Main Sounds is considering having a Punk Night once a month. DO IT DO IT DO IT

MATA is extending its free bus and trolley fares through the end of March.

Downtown Nutrition has introduced a Sweet Street Serenade drink with pineapple, peach, strawberry, and rainbow candy.

Jerry Seinfeld will do a show at the Orpheum Saturday, May 9.

Kooky Canuck seeks a server.

Lansky 126 is looking for a salesperson with an eye for customer style. Must have previous sales experience.

Penny’s 12-12 Tigers are at Utah State tonight. 7 PM CST tip. TV: CBS Sports Network

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

Last night, a friend I’ll call A described an upcoming professional situation. She isn’t sure how to handle it and it’s stressing her out.

Another friend, B, pulled out his phone. “Hey, Perplexity, can you hear me?” he asked.

“I can hear you,” it replied. Perplexity is an AI chatbot like ChatGPT, Grok, and Google Gemini.

Friend B took 2-3 minutes describing Friend A’s situation. He was very conversational, and he stopped mid-sentence several times to gather his thoughts. If I hadn’t known better, I’d have believed he was talking to another human.

Then Perplexity responded, also taking 2-3 minutes. Its answer was chock full of insights and tips Friend A could put to immediate use.

Wow wow wow. That was the first time I’d witnessed how powerful modern AI can be.

If you don’t know how to use and talk to AI agents by the end of 2026, you’ll be as outdated as someone in 1999 who didn’t know how to connect to the Internet.

I installed Perplexity on my iPhone this morning. I asked it my fav question to ask AI – List several reasons why the Beatles broke up. Perplexity hit all the points I expected to see and a few I hadn’t considered.

I finally tried an Exclam!Burger at Memphis Chess Club today.

For the longest time, I avoided the Exclam!, thinking the cute name might indicate a veggie patty. But no, it’s meat and it’s good. With fries, $9.88 for a single including tax.

There will be a Mardi Gras party Tuesday at the bar inside the Moxy Memphis hotel on Court Square. $9 naans, cocktail specials all day, free king cake slices with drink purchase.

Heart-shaped pizza pies are back at Aldo’s today through Sunday. 2 toppings max, dine-in/take-out only.

More details about tonight’s Galentine’s Day celebration at Bardog: In addition to the Tito’s martini bar and the $20 Girl Dinner, there will be strawberry shortcake shots and a Ladies’ Night playlist all night long.

Next Gen Kim

Time to hit Publish and go play with AI. 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

It’s time to reintroduce a website I mentioned a lot in 2018 and 2019 – Tankathon, which tracks the race to the bottom of the NBA in order to get good odds in this year’s draft lottery. Currently the Memphis Grizzlies, at 20-33, have the 8th-worst record in the league, which would give them

• a 6.0% chance of getting the number-1 pick
• a 26.3% chance at a top-4 selection

Rickey Smiley and Friends will have a Valentine’s comedy show at the Orpheum Friday night.

More comedy at the Orpheum Saturday: Gary Owen: No Hard Feelings Tour

On Sunday there’ll be a soulful 1920s murder mystery at the Halloran Centre: The Rellik Casino & Hotel

Momma’s has Old Dominick Valentine’s cocktail specials through Saturday. Today:

• Ladies’ Night happy hour starting at 5
• $7 specialty cocktails all night
• Karaoke of Love starting at 8

This Friday-Saturday at Momma’s:

• Cornmeal-dusted oysters
• Seared NY strip steak au poivre
• Shrimp & sausage etouffee
• Peanut butter cookie

Memphis Chess Club has a couple of holiday cocktails. Descriptions copied from Facebook:

• The Pink Lady: This classic gin-based beauty is blush-pink, silky smooth, and just the right amount of sweet. It’s Valentine’s Day in a glass!
• The Contessa: A vibrant and sophisticated play on a Negroni. It’s light, floral, and the perfect bittersweet companion.

Cordelia’s now carries 3 varieties of Hive Bagels: everything, cinnamon raisin, and plain.

Penny’s 12-11 Tigers travel to Denton, Texas for an 8:00 game tonight at North Texas. TV: ESPN2

StyleBlueprint lists 13 spots to grab dinner at the bar. Downtown picks include Loflin Yard, Silly Goose, The Lobbyist, Green Beetle, JEM, Majestic Grille

The Memphis Flyer has the info on new menu items at Felicia Suzanne’s, Amelia Gene’s, and The Lobbyist.

Bleacher Report gives the Grizzlies’ rookie class a collective grade of A-.

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

Crawfish boils return to Max’s Sports Bar this Saturday and will happen on Saturdays, weather permitting, through April. The details:

• First batch will be ready at noon
• But the place gets super packed for the first boil of the year, so come at 11
• Crawfish are $15.50 for one pound or $28 for two
• Shrimp are $20 for one pound
• Sides – corn, taters, and sausage – are included in the boxes of crawfish and shrimp but don’t count toward the weight
• They ask that you leave the kids and dogs at home

I’ll say what I say every year – during the spring months, restaurants and festivals will offer you numerous opportunities at crawfish, but you won’t find tastier ones than those boiled by Glaze Hardage @ Max’s. The spice level is perfect.

The burger of the week at Momma’s is a big one – the Momma’s Mac. Basically the same ingredients (but much better quality) as the Mac put out by a famous burger chain. It’ll make you smile… or maybe it’ll make you grimace.

The Grizzlies have an 8:00 away game tonight with Jokic and the Nuggs. TV: FanDuel Sports

Paulette’s has a Chef’s Mardi Gras menu through Fat Tuesday (17th) except on Valentine’s Day.

There’s a Mushroom Masterclass with The Mushroom Queen at The Artist Table tonight.

Play Some Skynyrd plays Flying Saucer 8-11 PM on Valentine’s.

The Cossitt Library will hold a combination celebration of Friday the 13th and Palentine’s Day Friday afternoon from 2:30 to 5:30. There will be crafts and movies. Come make a new pal.

(Palentine’s Day should not be confused with Palpatine’s Day, a holiday that leads you down a path to the Dark Side.)

The city council is hiring a budget analyst and a communications analyst.

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