Paul Ryburn's Journal

Flyway Brewing is taking signups for vendors for its Summer Market. It’ll be 2-6 PM on Saturday, June 20. That’s the day before Father’s Day!

Cherry-flavored Delirium Red is back on tap at the Flying Saucer.

Elmwood Cemetery will host a Stars, Stripes & Stories tour Tuesday, June 16.

Auditions are coming up for the 2026-27 Grizz Girls, Grizzlies Grannies and Grandpas, and other performance and spirit teams.

Birdie’s sim-golf bar will be closed today for Memorial Day.

Memphis Italian Festival is this weekend in Marquette Park.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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BARDOG LOST AND FOUND – a plastic bag was left there, containing

• Two (2) photos of the same cat
• Dill pickle cheese curds
• Sour cream & onion cheese curds
• A small wrapped gift box

You can pick up your crap, er, I mean your belongings, from the bartender on duty. P.S. nice cat.

Follow thatdocumentarygirl on TikTok and IG for recs of good documentaries to watch.

Sorry for the lack of news this weekend. It’s the holiday I guess.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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This morning I woke up in Dorm 3 of the Union Mission. A few of the other men were milling about, but the supervisors had not yet come by to get us all up. In Dorm 3 that normally happens around 6:00.

I pulled back the blanket and pulled my phone just far enough out of my pocket to see the time. It was 5:36.

Suddenly I got an overwhelming feeling to GO DOWNTOWN NOW, even though my first planned stop, Bardog, wouldn’t open until 7:30. I put my shoes on, rushed downstairs, checked my backpack out of overnight storage, and hit the streets. It was obviously about to rain.

At Second and Jefferson, an SUV pulled up and a lady offered a to-go box. As I took it, it started to rain hard – but I quickly made it to Court Square, where there are awnings and scaffolding to stand under.

I opened the to-go box. It contained a huge piece of cornmeal-breaded catfish and a slice of bread. I stayed totally dry while I ate, only getting wet when I ventured out to the trash can to throw my box away. (I don’t litter.)

The rain slowed by 7:05 and I moved to a different awning around the corner on Main. By 7:25 it had cleared up and I walked the remaining block to the ‘dog.

If I hadn’t heeded that nudge – which I firmly believe was from my spirit guides, or angels if you prefer that term – I would have gotten soaked for the entire three-quarter mile walk. Also, I’d have missed out on a delicious and filling breakfast.

If you want to develop a relationship with YOUR spirit guides, join Medium.com for 5 bucks a month and read the posts of Anne Bellamy.

On to the news…

Take a tour of Old Dominick to celebrate National Craft Distillery Day.

Memphis Hope Fest is today in Tom Lee Park from 2 to 8 PM. Celebrate Memphis’ 207th birthday and get connected with local organizations.

There will be a lemon drop festival in Tom Lee Park this Sunday. $45 gets you 10 flavored lemon drops and a souvenir glass.

Trivia: Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day.

The May Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting will be at the Hu. Hotel Wednesday at 5:30. City Councilman JB Smiley will speak. Free beer, wine, and food for members.

The Oscar Meyer Wienie 500 is today at 1 PM. TV: FOX

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Last night I took a walk around South Main. The managers of Earnestine & Hazel’s were outside as I passed by. “You should come in,” they told me. “C.J. and Kyla of Saturday Sunset are playing 7 to 10.”

Come in I did. If Soul Burgers are comfort food, C.J. and Kyla play comfort music. The new Wednesday night gig will be a weekly thing, apparently, so mark that on your calendar.

Between songs the musicians broke the news that a gospel brunch is in the works.

Action News 5 posted the following last night:

Want to open a brewery? Now’s your chance. An online auction is underway to sell off equipment from Memphis Made Brewing Company.

In other beer news, the Saucer has a new key lime pie hard seltzer on draft that is delicious.

RIP Memphis wrestling legend and Jackson radio DJ Phil Hickerson. Phil was 79.

Downtown Memphis Commission is hiring an outreach coordinator for its ambassador program.

ARTSmemphis seeks a director of external affairs & communications.

Master Gardeners will be at the Memphis Farmers Market Saturday to answer whatever questions you may have.

The Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward has been named to the NBA’s all-rookie first team.

Downtown restaurant Curry N Jerk is opening a new location in the FedEx World Hub.

Starbucks is looking to add a shift supervisor.

MAJOR comes to the Orpheum Friday night.

Memphis Flyer cover story: The Downtown Project: Tourism

A huge THANK YOU to the reader who stuck a little money in my Venmo yesterday. That’ll allow me to stay at the Union Mission on a night I actually want to be there – Crossroads Baptist Church is coming out with Commissary BBQ sandwiches, slaw, baked beans, and cookies.

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

Looks like a new Afro-Caribbean restaurant may be opening in the Downtown core. There’s a sign in the window of 16 S. Second advertising that style of cuisine. That would be the former Elliott’s Burgers location, next door to Paula & Raiford’s Disco.

J Woods Sports Bar is now open in Harbor Town.

Book him, Dan-O! The Hawaii Five-O is the burger of the week at Momma’s: Angus beef topped with grilled pineapple, ham, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, and teriyaki sauce.

All the way from Louisiana, the Lauren Lee Band is here to headline this Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party. 6-10 PM. $15 to get in, $40 VIP.

NBA players recently voted Memphis the number-one franchise they did not want to be traded to.

Ritual Coffee at 505 S. Main will have its grand opening celebration next Wednesday, May 27 from 4 to 6 PM. The first 50 customers will receive a free drink ticket. Ribbon-cutting at 4:15.

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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“Precipitation” will be the word of the day for the next 10 days. MemphisWeather.net reports that on every day in the extended forecast, there will exist the possibility of at least a scattered shower.

The Lobbyist will have a grand reopening party for its patio Thursday beginning at 5 PM. Food and drink specials.

Ballet dancer Misty Copeland performs at the Cannon Center Saturday.

There will be a Cuban-themed Taste of the City Monday, June 15 at Hotel Pontotoc. Featuring the cuisine of Kyle Gairhan of Buen Sabor.

Butteriffic Bakery & Cafe will have a block party Saturday noon-7 in Army Park, Second at G.E. Patterson. BBQ cooking competition, food trucks, 50 local vendors, live music, kids’ corner, community gathering spaces.

Catch a free showing of The Princess Bride Wednesday night at 7:00 at Slider Inn Downtown.

Tom Lee Park’s new Storybook Trail opens Friday at 4. The trail will feature the pages of Shelby County A to Z, a children’s book.

Outdoors Inc. is closing.

Riverboats docked downtown got broken into recently.

One of the Victorian townhouses on Jefferson is for sale.

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 week I was asked where to get boiled shrimp Downtown, now that Flying Fish is closed and boils by Glaze are out of season. At the time, I had no good answer. However, thinking about it more:

• I think there are shrimp on the salad bar at Texas de Brazil
• There are a Captain D’s and Long John Silver’s on Crump
• Bardog has shrimp skewers on its appetizer platter
• Rendezvous does 5 lbs. of BBQ skillet shrimp (feeds about 6) on a day’s notice

There’s a new Jagermeister machine at Bardog. Monday night poker would be a great excuse to try it out.

Yesterday I asked AI agent Google Gemini what traditional gas-powered American cars are still being produced. Not many.

• Dodge Charger, recently revived after a 2023 death sentence;
• Ford Mustang
• Cadillac compact car CT4 and mid-sized CT5
• Chevrolet Corvette

A man faces charges in court this morning regarding setting a food truck parked near St Jude on fire.

A bomb threat was called in Sunday afternoon to MPD’s Downtown precinct.

Sugar Grits now serves lunch beginning at 11 AM. Honestly, I had no idea that place was still open. I hadn’t heard a peep from them or about them in months. The lunch menu is on Facebook.

The Chicago vs. Memphis annual series of parties returns this weekend. Most of the events are out east but your Saturday brunch spots Downtown could fill up early with partygoers pre-gaming.

Stops to see on the Nashville-Memphis drive

It’s going to storm Tuesday.

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 Hometown Heroes day at the Redbirds as they conclude their homestand with Jacksonville at 1:05. Veterans, active military, and first responders will be honored. Kids run the bases after the game.

Congratulations to Heath Riles BBQ on repeating as BBQ Fest grand champions!

A bomb threat evacuated the Civil Rights Museum Saturday.

Random things I learned from AI agent Claude yesterday

• Bardog’s building was built in 1920
• Earnestine & Hazel’s building was built in 1918

The Starbucks at Main and Monroe seeks a barista.

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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The Memphis Redbirds will adopt a new persona tonight, the Memphis BBQ Nachos, with special jerseys for their 6:35 game vs. Jacksonville. Did you know BBQ nachos were invented at AutoZone Park? Fireworks after the game.

It’s Judging Day at the big parking lot in Southeast Midtown. Good luck to all the BBQ teams.

Chef residency/event space The Artist Table is closing its South Main location and will relocate at a later date.

Today is National Mimosa Day.

The Preakness Stakes runs at 6:01 this afternoon. TV: NBC

Legacy Experience,  a new exhibit at the civil rights museum, challenges visitors to look past the death of Dr. King and think about what came next.

Learn all about Bigfoot on Beale Street today.

There’s jazz in The Cavern tonight 7:30-9:30 at The Brass Door.

Business Casual has your 2000s punk and pop rock tonight at Flyway Brewing. 7-10 PM.

Tonight is a Farmhouse Studio takeover at South Main Sounds featuring Gerry Finney, Bryan Hayes, and Dave Miller. 7-9:30 PM.

AI agent Claude thinks the Grizzlies should offer Brooklyn the number-16 pick and an unprotected 2028 or 2030 first-rounder in exchange for the 6 pick in the upcoming NBA draft. That’s a route to landing both Duke PF Cam Boozer (with the 3 pick) and Arkansas PG Darius Acuff Jr. (with the 6) on draft 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
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

I’ll start off with a bit of inside info I got from manager Tony at Earnestine & Hazel’s: The band tonight, the Hank Knight band, is supposed to be REALLY good. Check ’em out after BBQ Fest.

Memphis Chess Club has some cocktail specials for May (descriptions copied from Facebook):

Rome With A View – An elevated Campari-based beverage that tastes like your favorite refresher.

American Trilogy – The perfect blend of dark spirits, brown sugar, and a kick of orange.

Intro To Aperol – A combination of gin, Aperol, and lemon juice that will become your summer favorite.

Bob Barker would approve of the promotion Soul & Spirits is running Saturday, May 30: ROLL THE DICE, NAME THE PRICE for a liter of Bring It Home beer. Roll 3 dice, pay the total number of dots that come up ($3-$18).

Memphis Hope Fest comes to Tom Lee Park next Friday, May 22.

Strangewaze Wednesdaze are back in Medical District Park May 20. Music, free food and drinks, friends. How Strangewaze became a symbol of The Edge’s revitalization

St. Jude threw a prom night for its teen patients.

Amateur boxing comes to Handy Park Saturday at 1 PM. Free admission.

Tonight is Game Show Night at the Redbirds. Win prizes playing interactive games between innings. $5 margs and Dos Equis. 2 for $5 streetc tacos. 7:05 first pitch.

Steve Cohen is dropping out of the race for his ninth district U.S. Congressional seat. His district was the victim of gerrymandering by the Tennessee legislature last week.

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