Paul Ryburn's Journal

Big development news for Uptown. Yesterday the City Council approved the sale of the former Community and Housing Development division office at 701 N. Main to a partnership including Billy and Benjamin Orgel for $452,000. The partnership plans to develop as many as 400 multifamily and single-family apartments on the site, and they are in negotiations with a craft brewery and a golf entertainment complex for the site as well.

Memphis Flyer Burger Week begins today. From now through the 17th, enjoy some of the city’s best burgers for $5.99. Downtown participating restaurants include the Green Beetle, Bardog Tavern, Huey’s, Carolina Watershed, the Flying Saucer, and Tin Roof.

The Orpheum announced a Postmodern Jukebox show for November 16, with tickets going on sale this Friday.

Elmwood Cemetery will show the film The Bad Seed as part of its Cemetery Cinema series this Friday at 8:30 PM. The movie starts as the final rays of the sun disappear, and it will be projected onto the roof of the cemetery’s 1852 Cottage. Films are shown outdoors, so keep the weather in mind when deciding what to wear, Lawn chairs and coolers are welcome, and there will be libations and food truck food available for purchase.

Councilman Edmund Ford Jr. had a talk with the folks at MATA about finding the funding they need to transform the organization so it can offer public transportation that is among the best in the U.S. So happy to see they get it that great public transportation offers improved opportunity and quality of life for all.

Wiseacre has received a certification from the Brewers Association as a true independent craft brewery. This is a big deal because there are many “craft brewers” out there that really aren’t, companies that started as independent but have since been purchased by Big Beer, or which were started by Big Beer as fake craft breweries.

You can win a 2011 Harley-Davidson CVO in the Orpheum’s 2018 raffle. Other prizes include a Broadway season in a luxury suite, a table at Dinner on Stage, or a night at the movies with popcorn and soft drinks. Raffle tickets are $100 each.

I gotta say a little bit more about my decision to stay out of South Main for a while…

Friday afternoon I got to Max’s Sports Bar about 6 PM and took a seat at the bar. Five people, four of whom I considered longtime friends, were at the table next to the 2012 and 2017 group photos. After a while, they got up and went to the back patio. I looked over at the empty table and noticed that the people who had been sitting there had positioned the menu stand to cover up my image in the 2012 group photo. I have absolutely no doubt they did it on purpose.

I just don’t feel like being in an environment where I am disrespected like that anymore. I have so many alternative environments where I am well respected, listened to, and understood.

Apologies to Max and the folks who work there for not being around for a while. I assure you it is nothing against you. You are still my “home away from home on the south side” and I will be recommending you anytime I hear someone ask where’s a good place to watch the game.

Trump

Trump, at the NATO summit, said Germany is totally controlled by Russia when in fact he is totally controlled by Russia. This is called “projection” and it is a very common behavior among narcissistic sociopaths.

That’ll do it for this post. Back tomorrow with more news.

The Memphis Hustle will have to begin a search for a new head coach, Glynn Cyprien has accepted a new position as an assistant at Texas Tech. Previously, Cyp was an assistant coach for both the Grizzlies and the Tigers. The Red Raiders have got themselves a talented man.

Congratulations to local craft brewery Meddlesome, whose Broad Hammer took second in the American Brown Ale category at the U.S. Beer Open recently. Over 6500 breweries competed in this event.

Spindini has announced its July wine dinner on July 25. Check Spindini’s Facebook page for the details and menu.

Yahoo has a good article on how the trade war is affecting businesses in Tennessee.

The Grizzlies are hiring a social media & digital content producer.

Kind of a short post today. Back tomorrow with more news.

I had a few people check on me after this morning’s post. I am fine. I’ve just decided to stay away from South Main for a while (with the exceptions of Pontotoc Lounge, Civil Pour and maybe the occasional meal at Rizzo’s). Too often I feel like an outcast among my friends there lately. Better to just say “F it,” walk away, and spend more time in the places where I am listened to and respected. Even without South Main, I still have quite an abundance of awesome people to spend my time with.

It really broke my heart to hit the unfriend button on a few people this morning, but I felt it had to be done.

Speaking of Pontotoc Lounge, I got an insider tip from one of the other customers there. Get a side of greens (which I believe they only have on the weekends) and mix them in with the Mississippi Pot Roast. If desired, add a little Louisiana hot sauce.

Another customer got a salad that was so good, she asked to personally speak to the chef and thank him. The salad had goat cheese and pecans.

While at Pontotoc yesterday I had the pleasure of talking to Cristina from City Tasting Tours. She had a group of 12 at Pontotoc yesterday, where they had the chorizo scramble. I asked her what the other Brunch So Hard Tour stops were, and she told me they go to Rizzo’s for the blackened catfish, the The Vault for eggs Sardou and chicken and waffles. Of course, the tour includes a brunchy drink at each stop. No wonder those tours are so popular! It’s a great way to meet people and get familiar with the great food of South Main.

It is absolutely a miracle that eight boys have been rescued from the cave in Thailand. Along with the rest of the world I am praying for the four remaining boys and their coach.

Back tomorrow, hopefully in a better mood.

This morning I realized I’ve been making a mistake.

I have an abundance of people here Downtown who make me feel respected, listened to, and understood. Why in the world have I been hanging out with those kinds of people 75-80% of the time, when I can hang with them 100% of the time?

To the owners/staff of a couple of Downtown businesses: If you don’t see me as much in the coming months, it’s not you or your place. I just need a break from the crowd.

I unfriended some people on Facebook this morning too.

Sorry for the weird post. Back at lunchtime with whatever news I can scrape together.

This was the scene from the crafts table at the Farmers Market yesterday. Beans were the theme of the week and kids could make portraits using all different kinds of beans. I posted this photo to Facebook and my friend Jasmine commented, “So seriously jealous. Not even kidding.”

I had to re-route my plans yesterday because, as I was walking south to the Market, I heard “Paul!” from across the street. It was B-RAD, arriving at Pontotoc Lounge. He was picking up a shift and working day bar. I had a quick beer at Clarence’s bar at Earnestine & Hazel’s, did my arts and crafts at the Farmers Market, then was back at Pontotoc for opening time right at 11.

B-RAD put the World Cup on for those who wanted to watch. Steve Cohen posted to Facebook that he was rooting for Croatia in their match against Russia. I commented that it would be quite the coup for Russia if they could win a World Cup and a U.S. presidential election within 24 months of each other.

Pontotoc’s owner Daniel came in and I picked up a piece of news about one of his other businesses: The Silly Goose is getting a wood-fired pizza oven soon.

After B-RAD got off and award-winning bartender Cady got behind the bar, I took a couple more photos of the Smoked Manhattan at Pontotoc.

Hmmmm I wonder if a BBQ Fest version of a Smoked Manhattan would be possible. I will have to run that idea by our bar manager… er, I mean, our quartermaster Chad.

After Pontotoc I hit Oshi Asian Kitchen for some sushi.

A little inside information: If you’re a fan of Oshi’s food and want to eat there one more time, I would advise you to go today. There might be some specials.

Bluff City Soap on Main just north of Gayoso is having a 10 for $40 sale this weekend, in-store only. Mix and match soaps, bath bombs (including the one that makes you smell like a stripper), and shower fizzes.

I ended up at the Blind Bear last night, where the conversation topic was who has the scariest astrological profile. Sun in Scorpio, moon in Scorpio, Aquarius rising. I think I win this.

If you missed The Rusty Pieces last night at Blind Bear, you have another chance to see them Downtown this weekend. They play Belle Tavern at 5:30 tonight. It’s a weekly Sunday gig for them.

Don’t forget that tonight is Sunset Pop-Up Jazz in Court Square from 6 to 8 PM.

In other pop-up news, there’s a Young Entrepreneur Pop-Up Shop today at Jack Robinson Gallery at 44 Huling.

Woof River Animal Rescue is the non-profit of  the day for the Redbirds. Buy tickets to today’s Redbirds game through their link and $4 of the ticket price goes to the rescue. Plus, this special ticket gets you a free Redbirds hat. First 2500 kids get an ice cream treat and kids run the bases after the game. First pitch is at 2:05.

The Brass Door has 2 for 1 brunch drinks today 10 AM to 3 PM.

That’ll do it for now. Back to Pontotoc for more D-RANKS with B-RAD. Back tomorrow with more news.

Tonight AutoZone Park turns into Hogwarts as the Redbirds celebrate Harry Potter Night. Prior to the game there will be a parade for those dressed up in costumes. There will also be a photo booth, Butterbeer (alcoholic/non-alcoholic), and fireworks after the game. The Redbirds will be wearing special Harry Potter jerseys, which will be auctioned after the game to benefit the Redbirds Community Fund. There will be a Handmade Wand Specialty Ticket entitling the holder to their choice of handmade wand. Opponent is Omaha and first pitch is 6:35.

The Redbirds’ Patrick Wisdom has been selected to compete in the upcoming Triple-A Home Run Derby.

Carolina Watershed is having a Second Sunday in July: Luau at Brunch tomorrow from 10 to 3. Come dressed up in your best luau attire, whether that means leis, a hula skirt, or however you want to play it. Best dressed gets a bottle of champagne to share with their table.

City Market Downtown is hiring full or part time. They need people 6 AM to 2 PM full time, 9 AM to 9 PM part time, and 2 PM to 11 PM part time. They are looking for reliable, experienced cashiers. Must be available to work weekends. Pay is $9 to $12 per hour. Email info@citymarketmemphis.com if interested.

Very sad to hear of the passing of my college classmate, actor and educator Greg Krosnes. Where many choose only to wade ankle-deep in the pool of life, Greg was the type of guy to jump full in with gusto… and who inspired others to do the same. The Flyer’s Chris Davis shares memories of Greg.

There’s an open mic with comedy, poetry and music at Regina’s Cajun Kitchen, 60 N. Main, today at 4.

The Rusty Pieces play the Blind Bear tonight at 10.

There’s a ghost tour at the Woodruff-Fontaine House tonight at 7:30.

The Brass Door will be open for the Sweden vs. England World Cup quarterfinal today at 9.

For the first time in my life, I had Filipino food yesterday. I drove out to 670 North Germantown Parkway to Estelle’s Philippine Cuisine (entrance is actually around the corner on Trinity). While they had items like Pork Blood Stew on the menu that I have heard are delicacies, I decided to pick something that sounded a little less gory. I decided on the Kare-Kare, an oxtail stew in a rich peanut sauce.

The dish came with a side of rice. There were chunks of meat as well as a full ox tail in there, along with Filipino veggies. The server brought me shrimp paste which I was not quite sure what to do with. Later a Filipino friend of mine told me that the paste is like a condiment – you add a little to every bite of ox and rice. The stew was quite delicious, a flavor that is recognizable as Southeast Asian but different from any other ethnicity of that region. The server was very helpful and friendly. I was her only table! I was like, are you kidding me, people are eating the hell out of some crappy corporate food at Rafferty’s down the street and missing out on this fantastic authentic Filipino cuisine? Fine, I’ll just have the place all to myself. I will be back, although maybe not too often given that Estelle’s is just about the outer boundary of how far I can drive to lunch from work.

Senator Tim Kaine had the best response to the news that Donald Trump send Kim Jong-un a CD, an Elton John compilation that included “Rocket Man,” a nickname that Trump used for Kim in the past. Kaine replied that he bet Kim sent Trump a CD back: American Idiot by Green Day.

Farmers Market then Bardog this morning. I’ll squeeze in a quick Earnestine & Hazel’s stop if time permits.

Kayfabe suffers a fatal blow at AutoZone Park tonight.

What’s kayfabe, you ask? It’s a pro wrestling term from the old carnival days, referring to hiding the fact at all costs that wrestling is scripted. Tonight, at Wrestling Night with the Redbirds, we have an advertised match of former WWE star Kevin Thorn (Mordecai) versus Rockey Redbird. We all know the bird’s gonna win, right? Rockey is being trained by Jerry “The King” Lawler and Dustin “Five” Starr. That will be just one of the pre- and post-game wrestling matches in the Plaza, and there will be autographs signed by Lawler as well as “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware, “The Superstar” Bill Dundee, “Mr. Personalities” Derrick King, and Dave Brown. The Redbirds’ opponent tonight is Omaha and first pitch is 7:05.

Def Leppard and Journey co-headline a concert at FedExForum tonight. I wonder which is higher, the average age of the wrestlers signing autographs at the ballpark or the average age of the members of Def Leppard and Journey?

1939 movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington plays the big screen of the Orpheum tonight at 7. It’s about an idealistic man filling a vacancy in the U.S. Senate, only to collide with political corruption. Seems like this movie could have been made in 2018 as easily as 1939.

Spill the Beans is the theme at this Saturday’s Memphis Farmers Market. The great thing about shopping at the Market rather than the grocery store is that you can chat with the growers and get first-hand information about the food you are eating. Magic Beans will be the theme in kids’ Craft Corral this week. There will be live local music throughout the day. The Market runs from 8 AM to 1 PM every Saturday under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson. I plan on being there tomorrow morning!

This coming week is Memphis Medical District Week and there will be activities every day. Here’s the list:

Monday, July 9 – Kickoff breakfast at Sunrise 6-9 AM. Open to employees and students of Medical District anchor institutions.

Also Monday, July 9 – Kickoff ice cream popups at Health Sciences Park, Southwest Tennessee Community College, and Baptist College with Scoops, MEMPops, and Sweet Gelato participating. This is open to the public.

Tuesday, July 10 – Professional Lunch & Learn at the Southern College of Optometry

Wednesday, July 11 – Service Day partnering with MIFA, Memphis Food Bank, and the Ronald McDonald House

Thursday, July 12 – Happy hour at Mollie Fontaine’s 5:30-7:30 PM

Friday, July 13 – Carnival celebrating the Medical District 4-7 PM at Treedom, between Second and Third on A.W. Willis Avenue

Saturday, July 14 – Back to School Health Fair 8 AM-noon at Health Sciences Park

The MBJ has a profile of Anisa Troutman, new executive director of Clayborn Temple. Her long-term vision sees the building not just as a spiritual hub, but as a self-sustaining center of community, education, and ideas.

Memphis Animal Services has too many animals at the shelter, so they are offering a special: Adopt any pet for only $30, and also a special where you can adopt two kittens under 6 months old for the price of one. View adoptable pets at the shelter

Some of my readers have expressed hope that I will once again be friends with someone returning to town later this month. I am willing to consider that if he sits down with me and hears the entire truth, and then decides what to do with it.

Today on the reality show called America: Trump plans on gifting Kim Jong-un an Elton John CD with “Rocket Man” on it. At the summit last month, Trump asked Kim if he had ever heard the song and he said he had not. So Trump is personally gifting Kim the CD, autographed by Trump. You just can’t make this stuff up. July is “be kind to a dictator month” I guess.

Having a productive day at work and I plan on rewarding myself with beers at Max’s Sports Bar and later Nate’s bar at Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight. Back tomorrow with more news.

The South Main Association will have quite a slate of speakers at their monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 10 at Loflin Yard. Kemp Conrad, the City Councilman largely responsible to bringing the Bird scooters to Memphis, will speak. Rebecca Dull, executive director of the Memphis Farmers Market, will provide an update on the Market season. Vince Smith, the Downtown Memphis developer, will outline his new project next to the National Civil Rights Museum. Lisa Akbari of the Tennessee House of Representatives will provide a legislative update.

Loflin Yard will provide light apps, and the first 50 guests will receive a ticket for a free beverage. Free for members, $10 for non-members. Social at 6 PM with the program starting at 6:30.

There will be an Unapologetic/Goner Records Downtown Meltdown alley party in Barboro Alley next Thursday, July 12 after work. The Oblivians & Stephanie McDee will headline.

Bluefin is in the news after a manager refused to allow a service dog to come in the restaurant, a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The dog’s owner posted to Facebook, and it got shared more than 1100 times.

There’s a specialty ticket to tonight’s Redbirds game that gets you access to a two-hour all-you-can-eat buffet of penne pasta with meat, alfredo, and tomato sauces, plus garlic bread and hot dogs. $2 beers around the park for Thirsty Thursday, and the Redbirds will have their Memphis Chicks throwback on.

It’s Military Appreciation Night at Whet Thursday tonight at the Metal Museum. James and the Ultrasounds will perform, the Memphis Mojo Cafe food truck will be onsite, gallery talk at 6, yard games, scavenger hunt.

I had lunch at the Flying Fish yesterday. Pro tip: Get a hushpuppy basket and grab some butter and horseradish from the condiment bar. Cut a hushpuppy in half, spread some butter on it and just a touch of horseradish. So incredibly good.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

July 4 is a day to ponder the freedoms and liberties our forefathers guaranteed us 241 years ago. However, since many of us are off work, might as well do that pondering at a bar! For those who plan to spend Independence Day doing a little day drinking, here are a list of opening times for Downtown bars that may come in handy.

Bardog – 8 AM
Flying Saucer – 11 AM
Aldo’s Pizza – 11 AM
Kooky Canuck – 11 AM
Local – 11 AM
Westy’s – 11 AM
Dirty Crow Inn – 11 AM
Green Beetle – 11 AM
Blue Monkey Downtown – 11 AM
Silly Goose – 2 PM
Blind Bear – 3 PM
Max’s Sports Bar – 4:30 PM
Earnestine & Hazel’s – 5 PM

I am only listing bars where I am just about positive their opening time remains consistent on July 4. Pontotoc Lounge and South of Beale normally open at 11 for lunch on Wednesdays but am not sure they will today. Brass Door and Carolina Watershed have posted that they will be closed.

Also, don’t forget, the Flying Saucer’s patriotic $15 seafood boil will be today at 4. That’s really not a bad deal at all. Just wish I could get a PBR to drink with my seafood…

Riverside Drive between Beale and Georgia will close at 6 tonight for the fireworks festivities. There will be no parking in the river parks, but you can walk, bike, or scooter your way there.

Beale Street Bears has a spot-on post of the handling by the Memphis Grizzlies front office of the Tyreke Evans situation. There is no better word to describe it than incompetence.

The Memphis Flyer’s Hungry Memphis blog has information about the first annual Memphis Chicken & Beer Fest happening at the Liberty Bowl Saturday, August 11. (Side note: I know First Annual is grammatically incorrect but I like to throw it in there in case Seth looks at my blog). There will be all kinds of chicken dishes from various restaurants, with offerings including Messy Crow wings from the Dirty Crow Inn, chicken sushi from Oshi, and even a chicken cupcake. The event is run by iHeartMedia and is envisioned as recess for adults. There will be hula hoops, inflatables, jousting, and a photo booth. This event benefits the Dorothy Day House and tickets are $40.

A design, planning, and engineering firm named Stantec has been selected to build Downtown Memphis’ most comprehensive master plan in over 30 years. Stantec’s portfolio includes the recent $500 million overhaul of Chicago’s Wrigley Field. Stantec was selected out of 21 firms that submitted RFPs. The budget set for the plan is $447,000 with a portion designated to go to businesses owned by minorities and women.

The new Starbucks at Main and Monroe is now open.

People riding these Bird scooters need to understand they’re on a vehicle and they have to obey traffic regulations. I have seen several people on them run red lights without even looking, as well as go the wrong way down one-way streets.

For lunch out in Germantown yesterday, I returned to the Exlines’ Pizza on Wolf River Boulevard for three of their tamales. They are $2.50 a piece, but for 50 cents more each you can make them ultimate tamales, loaded with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and peppers.

They really are not shy with the cheese at all. The tamales are locally made. A fine lunch indeed.

B-RAD, I have a great story to tell you about our girl when I see you on Sunday.

Time to take advantage of my own list! Back tomorrow with more news.

The Redbirds will be back in town tomorrow for the first game of a 5-day homestand, and you know they’re pulling out all the stops for a July 4 celebration. Before the game, there will be a T-1 flyover from Columbus Air Force Base. Frank Anderson, a 104-year-old World War II veteran, will throw out the first pitch. There will be $2 beers in the Plaza before the game. The Redbirds will be wearing special Fourth of July-themed jerseys which will be auctioned off during the game. High bidder for each jersey gets to go on the field and meet the player or coach who wore the jersey and get an autograph. After the game there will be fireworks, all up close and personal from center field.

For tomorrow night’s game, there will be a special ticket that you can purchase that gets you access to a two-and-a-half hour, all-you can-eat buffet of all-American food: hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, cookies, bottled water, and Coca-Cola products.

Memphis is getting a new newspaper called Storyboard. This newspaper will be free and monthly, and the intention is not to compete with the Memphis Flyer, Memphis Business Journal, or Memphis Daily News. It will feature great local coverage by community advocates, the kind of coverage that has been missing since the Commercial Appeal was reduced to practically nothing.

Free concert at Wiseacre tonight. At 8:30, the Dixie Dicks will pull up their pickup into the outdoor pavilion and perform a live concert. This show is intended for mature audiences only (21+). This sounds like the kind of performance my friends Rahul and Tony would enjoy.

I watched the Grizzlies vs. Atlanta Hawks Summer League game last night at the Silly Goose, and #4 pick Jaren Jackson Jr. looked fantastic, scoring 29 points in 23 minutes and draining threes left and right. His totals for rebounding and shots attempted in the paint were a bit low, but I have a feeling the coaching staff told Jackson to make the three ball his main contribution for the opening game. Perhaps in future Summer League games JJJ will be told to focus on other aspects.

Guy sitting next to me at the Goose bet $100 on the game. That’s ballsy, betting on Summer League.

Memphis Escape Rooms are holding a city escape game, departing from their location at South Main and G.E. Patterson, on Saturday, July 21 from 2 to 5. The yellow fever panic of the late 1870s forced 62% of Memphians out of their homes, leaving behind their homes, belongings, and livelihoods. In hopes of restoring the city, one family left behind clues hid all over the city, clues which have gone undiscovered for 140 years. See if you can find them and solve the mystery on the 21st.

The Memphis Flyer and the Tennessee Beef Council are having a Rescue My Grill contest. Send in photos of your oldest, ugliest, dirtiest, most hopeless grill, captioned with what you would like to cook on your grill if you had it rescued. The winner will get a prize pack that includes a 22″ Weber grill, spatula/tongs, spice pack, Guide to Summer grilling recipe brochure, charcoal, and a $50 Beef Gift Card. Enter your photo before 8 PM on July 4, and voting will begin on July 6.

The Dirty Crow Inn is altering their Wednesday music schedule tomorrow, moving Bobbie & Keith to 4-7 PM so those who want to watch fireworks will have time.

Local BBQ team Squeal Street BBQ got their logo (which was printed on a hat) on the Today Show this morning.

I stopped by Bardog Tavern for a Deluxe Grilled Cheese last night, and they have their chalkboard sign up for the Breakaway-Bardog 5K and Monroe Avenue Fest to be held on Sunday, August 19.

That link is runpartyeat.com. This is one of Downtown’s greatest street parties of the late summer, with a beer garden, food, a dunk tank, a raffle for fabulous prizes by great Memphis businesses, a meatball eating contest, and a head shaving. All of these things are to raise money for the kids of St. Jude, and in the years Bardog has been throwing these parties a total of over $200,000 has been raised. This should be an especially big party because Bardog will be celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Looking for a place to watch the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest tomorrow at 11 AM? I would suggest Kooky Canuck, where many of the competitive eaters have stopped by to take on the giant Kookamonga burger.

Carolina Watershed tweeted that they will be closed on the Fourth.

That’s the news for now. Effective weekend night for me with work closed tomorrow! I haven’t yet decided if the core or South Main will be in my plans tonight. Back tomorrow with more news.