Paul Ryburn’s Journal

Got a request for my readers. I didn’t go to the trolley meeting Monday night, but a friend of mine who was with me at Bardog got a text that “the trolley meeting is getting a bit heated.” Can anyone provide details? Email paul@paulryburn.com if you can.

In related news, MATA chose a new general manager at a board meeting last night. Keep in mind he was hired the day after the trolley meeting and can’t be blamed for anything that happened there.

Tiger basketball news: Josh Pastner is expected to hire Keelon Lawson as an assistant by the end of the week. Lawson has three sons who are top prospects for college ball within the next five years, and a fourth son who is a sixth-grader.

Downtown agency RedRover has a new logo. It’s part of the #RoverRefresh campaign in what is expected to be a big year for the agency.

The Grizzlies have posted a photo of the 2014-15 Grizz Girls and video of their final audition last night at the Orpheum.

@ObsidianPR tweeted a good Henry Kissinger quote this morning. “If it’s going to come out eventually, better have it come out immediately.” Very true.

Pink Pig polos, formerly sold Downtown at Shelton Clothiers, are back in stock at the Poplar, Union, and Cordova Outdoors Inc. locations. They also have a new item: Pink Pig performance T’s.

Like to read? Amazon is prepping an unlimited Kindle book rental service that will likely cost around $10 a month.

High Ground news about national developer Artspace’s plan to renovate United Warehouse at 138 St. Paul into artist studios and living space.

Plans for tonight: Nothing. This is going to be a rare day when I don’t do happy hour. My company is kicking off a 12-day tournament in Las Vegas this afternoon, and I need to be available in case there are issues posting results. So, I’ll spend a rare evening at home, probably giving the apartment a much needed cleaning. If I get the all-clear on the results I will be out about 8, but I really don’t care too much if this is completely a night at home.

What a crazy afternoon I had yesterday. Heavy storms were heading straight for I-55 as I was wrapping up the day at work, so I stayed put for about 15 extra minutes. I missed the rain, but there was a wreck on 55 North right before Malfunction Junction, and I could see that there must be another wreck on 240 North around Norris because traffic was all backed up. “No problem, I’ll stay on 55 and take Riverside home,” I thought.

After dodging another wreck on 55, I got on Riverside to discover that there was a train stopped on the tracks and I couldn’t turn onto any of my usual routes home – Union, Monroe, Court, Jefferson, Adams. I had to get on 40 east and get off on Danny Thomas, then weave through a bunch of side streets. What a pain. WTF was that train doing there? This is not Highland and I am not on my way to class!

I guess I can’t complain too much, though. I heard that power was out from Cooper-Young to points east. Downtown is on a double circuit so we don’t have to worry about that. Also, there was Courtney in a tube top dress to brighten my evening:

Quote from last night (not mine): “There are three levels of hot. Level 1 is, I’d listen to her fart over a cell phone. Level two is, I’d drink her bath water. Level three is, I’d eat the corn out of her shit.” In case you’re wondering what kind of stuff we talk about at Monday happy hour at Bardog, now you know!

Okay, let’s get on to the news. TJ Mulligan’s in the Pinch is closing at the end of the month. They hope to remodel and open later, but for the time being they will be closed. It’s a shame Bass Pro didn’t finish on their original schedule. if they had, the Pinch would be booming and Mulligan’s would possibly not have had to close.

Want to get a first-hand look at what first responders do in an active-shooter drill? You can volunteer to be a victim for drills at Wolfchase on September 14 and Oak Court Mall September 28.

The MBJ has a photo of the new college playoff championship trophy.

Former Memphis Tiger Joey Dorsey has signed a two-year deal with the Houston Rockets. He’s been playing overseas the past several years. With the Rockets, Dorsey will play a backup role to Dwight Howard.

I’ll be out at the usual places after work. Flying Saucer is my likely first stop, although I may not stay depending on who’s working. Undecided on whether I’ll play Blind Bear poker at 8.

Great news for Downtown Memphis this morning. Old Dominick, a high-end spirits distillery, will open at 301 S. Front by the end of 2015. It will be opened by D. Canale, a beverage distributor which has been in Memphis for many, many years. There will be a tasting room (yaaaaaayyyyy!) The distillery is named for company founder Dominic Canale.

Major pickup for the Grizzlies: The team has signed Vince Carter, a shooting guard and NBA All-Star who most recently played for the Dallas Mavericks. He is in the twilight of his career, but still, he will give us some badly needed depth at the wing.

From the Daily Mail: Taylor Swift shows off her slim figure in tiny tube top on outing with her parents.

Author Samantha Crespo will sign copies of her book 100 Things to Do in Memphis Before You Die this afternoon at 5 at A. Schwab. There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres. A new classic cocktail menu by head soda jerk Patrick Gilbert will be available. There will also be non-alcoholic beverages and frozen goodies for sale.

Cafe Keough will have $3 mimosas tomorrow from 11 to 6. Those should pair nicely with their great breakfast menu.

Team I don’t care about plays team I don’t care about in a sport I don’t care about at 3. Maybe I should drive out to Fox & Hound Cordova so I can watch it in a bar I don’t care about. Right now it’s time to get dressed and get to Panda’s bar at Bardog for my usual Saturday visit.

This sucks: City sends cease-and-desist to Lyft and Uber

Events going on tonight: The Dead Soldiers will play Handy Park tonight in the summer weekly concert series. I’ve already mentioned the Green Beetle anniversary party at 5, and Office Space at the Orpheum at 7. Here’s a hint as to what you will find at the Beetle party.

Tomorrow’s Memphis Farmers Market theme is to-MAY-to, to-MAH-to. Or “maters” as my grandfather called them. There will be a tomato-tasting contest from 10 to 11 where you can taste tomatoes from multiple vendors and judge which is the best. At 10:15 there will be a preview performance of Stage Door Productions’ Godspell. Music by Jason Middlekaoff at 7, Heather and Sam at 8:30, Rob Halford at 11. 7 AM-1 PM, Front at G.E. Patterson.

Great feature about our BBQ team sponsor Start Co. on WREG.

Tomorrow is Family Day at the Cotton Museum, with free admission for adults and kids. There will be crafts, snacks, and activities tailored especially for kids and parents. It’s in the Cotton Exchange Building on Union at Front.

Speaking of the Cotton Museum, I was in there last night for Craig David Meek’s booksigning and “‘cue and a” session for his book Memphis Barbecue: A Succulent History of Smoke, Sauce, and Soul. “Mr. Load-in” and The Free Agent were there, so the Moody Ques were represented. Squeal Street didn’t send anyone but I guess that’s okay since their team wasn’t mentioned in the book. There was a BBQ buffet by Leonard’s and High Cotton beer. Craig read a few selections from his book and took questions. Several audience members brought up restaurants that even Craig hadn’t heard about. Maybe there will be material for a second book. Thanks to Craig, Leonard’s, and the Cotton Museum for a good time. Later The Free Agent and I debated which one of us is smarter (I am, although I admit it’s a very close race).

Tentative plan for tonight is to hit the Beetle birthday party. Also, if the Blind Bear’s password for tonight is who I think it is, may have to make a stop there later in the evening.

Usually I wait until lunchtime to post, but I’m up early and there’s news, so let’s do this…

I don’t have the official word yet, but last night I heard from a very reliable source that the sixth annual Stumblin’ Elvis pub crawl is being planned for Saturday, August 9. I’ve also heard several smoking hot women say they’re doing the pub crawl again, and there wasn’t much to their outfits last year. Guess I’ll be doing it again this year too, especially now that I’ve figured out my “annoying Elvis tourist” gimmick that allows me to not have to wear a polyester jumpsuit when the heat index is 107 outside. I’ll post more details as I get them.

Hey guys, if Stumblin’ E is indeed happening, how about creating an event on Facebook and inviting people now? Instead of waiting until five days before like you did last year. People need time to plan costumes, y’know.

The Orpheum is showing Office Space tomorrow at 7 on the big screen. Come early at 6 for a tasting of beers and ales from High Cotton Brewery. There will be a button-making machine so guests can make their own flair. Tickets are $7 for the movie, and $5 for four beer tasting samples.

This is very cool: A new company called MadeIn will launch its website next week. MadeIn will be a website where people can buy and sell local goods, kind of a local version of Amazon. This startup will also sell gift boxes that include an assortment of local products. Founder Jennifer Sadler wisely used the resources of Start Co. to get her company going.

Here’s info on a Memphis Made Brewing Co. beer dinner happening at Bardog next Thursday (click for larger size):

The Memphis Farmers Market is having their second annual Rock n Wild picnic on Saturday, July 26. There will be food From Rock n Dough and SO Fresh food trucks, and wine from Castello Monaci Wines by Frederick Wildman. Of course, there will be plenty of beer, and Big Barton will provide the live music. Guests can feel free to bring lawn chairs or picnic blanket. It’s a fundraiser to support the market and locally-grown produce. Tickets are $25 in advance on the website or $35 at the gate.

Lively discussion last night between a couple of the Squeal Street team leaders, a couple of Moody Ques regular team members, and “Mr. Load-in.” I’m the guy everyone gives feedback to because I’m approachable and will listen. Too bad we had someone who isn’t a part of either team and who had no business in the conversation attempt to be a part of it. It’s a rare person who manages to pull off being a d-bag and an r-tard simultaneously. People were texting me last night telling me they’ve noticed a strong correlation between my announced “plans for tonight” on the blog and his Foursquare checkins. Ya think?

Plans for this morning: Drive to Horn Lake and have another Texas Death Match with jQuery. I may be back at lunch with another post.