Paul Ryburn's Journal

Javon Small, the Memphis Grizzlies’ second-round draft pick who played college ball for good ole West Virginny, selected number 10 to wear for the Grizz. That means free agent Luke Kennard, who wore number 10 for Memphis last season, likely won’t be back.

Join the Memphis Astronomical Society for a night of stargazing on the grassy rooftop of Beale Street Landing tonight 7:30–9:30. Seating is limited and first come, first serve.

The last Saturday of every month, Flyway Brewing becomes a comedy club. Tonight they’ll have Sam Evans from New York City, Gwen Sunkel from Indianapolis and formerly from Memphis, and a lineup of local comedians. Two shows, 7 o’clock and 9 o’clock. Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 online.

Then on Sunday morning, Flyway will host a Taylor Swift Eras Tour drag brunch. Seating at 10 o’clock, show at 11. Drag queens will represent each of the eras, and there will be games to test your Swiftie knowledge.

Rubber—wheel trolleys will return to the Main Street route beginning Monday. One dollar to ride. Hours will be 8 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM Sunday.

Downtown Memphis Commission has announced a partnership with national company Block by Block. The partnership will lead to a more efficient delivery of services and an expansion of ambassador programs such as the Clean and Green Team and Blue Suede Brigade.

Ja Morant and his family are launching a media company called Catch12.

OH, NO: Car inspections could be coming back to Memphis to fight fake drive-out tags and drivers with no insurance.

RIP Blue Screen of Death: In the future, users will get a black screen informing them Windows has crashed.

Watch former Memphis Tigers in NBA Summer League: Dain Dainja will play for Miami and Moussa Cisse for Dallas.

Belle Tavern is hiring a solo line cook/chef.

Attention St. Jude employees: Venezuelan restaurant Sabor Caribe will be at Kay Cafe 11 AM-2 PM this Monday through Wednesday. Go get some handmade arepas.

City Market at Main and Union has a new salad bar.

Lori Willis Band plays Club 152 on Beale tonight at 6.

Slider Inn is doing a USA-themed silent disco tonight 8 to 11.

That’s all I’ve got.

I gratefully accept tips:
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Earnestine & Hazel’s is open for lunch now, according to a bartender who works there. Go get a Soul Burger and take your mind off the rat race with some jukebox tunes.

The longest running street party in Memphis, Trolley Night, returns to South Main this evening. Shops and galleries will stay open until 9 or later.

Last night, the Grizzlies selected Javon Small from good ole West Virginny with the 48th pick and then selected Jahmai Mashack from Tennessee with the 59th pick.

Memphis Snake Doctors Blues Band plays the Memphis Made taproom tonight.

Dain Dainja won’t get another season with the Memphis Tigers. He has been ruled ineligible.

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

A huge tree fell at the southwest corner of Court Square last night. The trunk cracked about 10 to 15 feet in the air. This does not appear to affect food truck Thursday in the park.

The Memphis Grizzlies traded up five places in last night’s NBA draft first round, selecting Cedric Coward of Washington State with the number 11 pick. Coward is a 6’6” wing who is said to fit the mold of a Grizzlies grit-and-grind player.

Southbound brings country, rock, and soul to the Peabody rooftop tonight, with DJ Sledro between sets. $15 to get in, $40 VIP. VIPs get a buffet of chicken satay with peanut sauce, veggie pot stickers, beef satay with sweet chili sauce, and seasoned edamame pods.

The folks at the Downtown Memphis Commission want to connect with you and get your feedback on their strategic plan for the neighborhood. They will be at Wiseacre Downtown today from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. There is no formal program, just a chance for you to share your thoughts.

The Uptown Porch Series returns today 5:30 to 7:00 PM with a performance by Chinese Connection Dub Embassy in the alley between Main and Second, Looney and Saffrans. Light snacks will be provided. Lawn chairs are welcome.

Sunset Skate returns tonight with a Summer Bash under the canopy in Tom Lee Park. Free 30 minute skate rentals, DJ sets, skate dance lessons.

Liana Williams, Jeremy Stanfill, and Graham Winchester play Trolley Night at South Main Sounds Friday at 7 PM.

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

The first round of the NBA draft is tonight at 7 on ESPN and ABC. Teams have five minutes apiece to make their picks. The Grizzlies have the 16th pick, acquired from Orlando in the Desmond Bane trade. The second round will be on ESPN Thursday at 7. Teams will have four minutes apiece to make picks.

Frank Ray plays this week’s edition of KIX on Beale Thursday night at 7:30 in Handy Park. Free to attend, family friendly. No coolers. Listen to KIX 106 for your chance to win VIP tickets.

Today is National Catfish Day. The obvious place to celebrate is Flying Fish on S. Second, but Kooky Canuck down the street also serves up a fine plate of “The Salmon of the South.”

Julia Magness plays Live at the Tracks at Central Station 6:30-9:30 Thursday.

Tutti Frutti, a new musical about the life and music of Little Richard, comes to the Halloran Center Saturday at 7 PM.

Streetdog Foundation will have a dog adoption event at Memphis Farmers Market Saturday. They will be there from 8 AM until noon.

Thinking about a drive to St. Louis to take in a Cardinals game? Be sure to stop at Old Town Donuts, recently voted the best donut shop in America.

View the life of blues legend Robert Johnson in 29 paintings at Gallery Albertine at 55 S. Main.

Wiseacre Downtown seeks an assistant kitchen manager for its in-house Little Bettie pizza cafe.

Multiple positions are open at the hotels facing Court Square.

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

WREG reports an overheated sound system led to the party bus fire at Main and Huling Saturday night.

Broadway musical Kimberly Akimbo comes to the Orpheum this week.

Fireworks return to the river on the evening of Friday, July 4. Free and family friendly.

Ritual Bistro is moving into the old Bluff City Coffee space at 505 South Main.

The NBA draft is tomorrow. Beale Street Bears looks at 2 potential picks the Grizzlies could take at 16.

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

A nasty stomach bug, heat, exhaustion, and early stage Parkinson’s have combined to sideline me for today. Sorry about that. I’ll try again tomorrow.

If you performed any financial transactions online Tuesday, you might want to check and make sure they went through. Large portions of the Internet were down for some time that day.

The reason I bring this up is that a blog reader tried to leave me a tip on my Zelle account Tuesday afternoon and got rejected. I know for a fact there is nothing wrong with that Zelle account and it is tied to an active bank account. He re-tried the transaction Saturday and it worked. Just a heads up.

The U.S. launched Operation Midnight Hammer this weekend, destroying much of Iran’s nuclear potential.

FedEx founder Fred Smith has died.

Automatic Slim’s is now opening for brunch at 9 on Mondays. It already opens at 9 on Saturdays and Sundays. Why not call in sick tomorrow and go get you a three dollar mimosa or Bloody Mary.

College World Series finals game 2, LSU versus Coastal Carolina, today at 1:30 on ABC. LSU takes the championship with a win. Coastal Carolina forces game 3 with a win.

NBA finals game 7, OKC versus Indiana, tonight at 7:00 on ABC.

A party bus caught fire last night near Main and Huling.

WREG has photos of the Memphis Pride Parade and the puppy pride parade.

It’s National Onion Rings Day. Huey’s is the place to celebrate.

Death Clock – find out when you’re going to die. Saturday, March 10, 2035 is the end for me.

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

It’s Fiesta Night at the Redbirds as they host the Norfolk Tides tonight at 7:05. $5 margaritas, $5 16 ounce Dos Equis Lager, 2 for $5 tacos, autograph signing before the game. Kids’ Zone with bounce house, obstacle course, and slide.

Max’s Sports Bar now has Busch Light Apple.

Today is National Ice Cream Soda Day. The old-fashioned soda fountain at A. Schwab‘s is the place to celebrate.

It’s also National Daylight Appreciation Day. Sunset is 8:17.

The Tennessee Bridal and Wedding Expo will take place at the Renasant Convention Center Sunday.

Tonight from 6 to 9, Old Dominick will host a Tiki Takeover Summer Solstice Cocktail Competition. Your ticket includes a limited edition welcome cocktail, samples of at least five competing cocktails, snack plus cocktail pairing, and two tickets to vote for the winning cocktail.

There’s a public spaces security operations manager job open downtown.

From Smithsonian magazine: The effervescent history of seltzer

Kroger is giving away free pints of ice cream to celebrate the beginning of summer. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has accepted Mayor Young’s invitation to come to Memphis. Smith bashed Memphis on TV earlier this week, saying NBA players don’t want to come here because of the crime. Mr.  Mayor: You gotta take Stephen A. to Max’s so he can see how passionate the sports fans are here.

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

Memphis Soul Remedy is the featured entertainment at the Peabody rooftop party tonight. $15 general admission, $40 VIP. If you’re in VIP, you get a buffet of Mediterranean chicken kabobs, lamb meatballs, and red pepper hummus with pita bread.

Today is National Eat an Oreo Day. Celebrate with the Oreo waffle on Automatic Slim’s brunch menu, served 11 AM to 3 PM weekdays.

It’s also National Martini Day. Once again, my recommendation to celebrate would be Automatic Slim’s. They have a menu of martinis.

There’s a city vs. county Juneteenth softball game at AutoZone Park today at 5 o’clock. The Redbirds game will follow at 7. A ticket is required.

Grizzlies center Zach Edey has been charged with reckless driving. He was observed doing 101 in a 55 in Indiana.

I-240 flooded near the Jefferson Ave. bridge this morning as heavy rain passed through the metro.

LSU defeated Arkansas in the men’s College World Series last night to advance to the finals versus Coastal Carolina.

Catherine and Mary’s is hiring a server.

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

The Old Daisy Theater on Beale Street, built in 1913, caught fire overnight. It was an electrical tire that the fire department ruled accidental.

According to a Facebook post the restaurant made, Green Beetle is using Heath Riles BBQ Rub on its wings. The Riles team won the grand championship at BBQ Fest this year.

Today is International Sushi Day. South Main Sushi would be my recommendation to celebrate.

The Bubba Feathers Band plays Live at the Tracks at Central Station Hotel 6:30-9:30 Thursday.

The CA has a photo gallery of the Mississippi River over the years.

Brian Blake, Abbye West Pates, and Daniel Neihoff play South Main Sounds Friday at 7.

The matriarch of the Neely BBQ empire in Memphis has died.

Sally’s Saloon, A Soulful Murder Mystery, has 3 PM and 7 PM performances at the Halloran Centre on Sunday.

Motorcycle Sports looks at what new Grizzly Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could do in Memphis.

Moxy Hotel is organizing a Puppy Pride Parade through Court Square 9:30 to 11:30 AM Saturday. DJ spinning on Moxy’s patio, drag queens, and a doggy drag contest.

Slider Inn Downtown is hosting a local vendors’ market Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith says that NBA players don’t want to be traded to Memphis because of the crime here.

There was a stabbing at Danny Thomas and Washington last night at 6:18 PM.

Men’s College World Series: Arkansas vs. LSU, 6 PM tonight, ESPN.

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