Paul Ryburn's Journal

By now, you have probably heard that Ricky Floyd, a well-known Memphis pastor, was shot and killed about 1:15 Wednesday morning outside Momma’s, a bar at the intersection of Crump and Kentucky.

First of all, my prayers for Pastor Floyd’s family and congregation. I am so sorry for your loss.

The question is inevitably going to come up: Is Momma’s a safe place to go?

Over the past 12 months, the nights I decided to stay out late, more often than not I ended up at Momma’s. I tended to come there about 9 to 1 if it was a weekday and 11 to 3 if a weekend.

One reason I always liked Momma’s was the diversity of the crowd. On any given night, you might sit at the bar with a neighborhood factory worker, a medical doctor, a truck driver, a Beale Street bartender, and a writer who went to college with a Supreme Court justice.

Another thing I liked was the food. The burger topped with pimiento cheese. The smok’d wings. The fried cheese curds.

So, you may wonder, will the news about Pastor Floyd keep me away from Momma’s going forward?

NOT A BIT. It won’t deter me from going to Momma’s at all.

The parking lot and surrounding streets Kentucky and Crump are extremely well lit. The employees are awesome and look out for you as you come and go. I’ve never encountered any bad characters in or around that bar.

I truly believe what happened Wednesday morning was an isolated incident that could have happened just as easily at Main and Madison, or at Germantown Parkway and Macon Road.

I’m going to keep going to Momma’s and I hope you will too.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled blog post…

Save the date! The Memphis Redbirds will have their 2025 Fan Fest Saturday, March 29 from noon to 4 at AutoZone Park. Clubhouse tours at 12:30. Watch the Cardinals on the big screen at 1:15. Run the bases at 3:45. Yard games, inflatables, face painting, scavenger hunt. Ballpark food will be available. Season ticket holders have an exclusive food event at the Home Plate Club.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. will celebrate St. Pat’s Saturday. 10-ounce Drew’s Day Off Stout for $2.50, GreenerBrau Pilsner, Always Sunny on the big screen, Irish food by Albee’s food truck.

The Grizzlies beat the Utah Jazz last night 122-115. That win has caused Memphis to regain the second spot in the West, tied with Denver at 42-24.

BRIDGES USA is hiring a Vice President of Development and Communications.

Learn to play Magic: The Gathering at Memphis Filling Station tonight.

Again, my deepest condolences to all who knew Pastor Floyd.

I may have to take tomorrow off due to finances. Back Saturday if not sooner.

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Five men were arrested Sunday night for blocking traffic at Second and Union. Cops said they got out of their car and were twerking in the middle of the street.

The Grizzlies are back in action tonight at 7, facing the Utah Jazz at FedExForum. It will be Divine Nine Night and Sustainability Night with the first 5000 fans getting biodegradable coasters.

Jaren Jackson Jr. will still be out with injury… and that’s a bigger concern than you might realize. If JJJ doesn’t play in 65 regular-season games this season, he’ll be ineligible to be named to an All-NBA or All-Defensive team. Without one of those accolades, the Grizzlies would be unable to offer him a 5-year, $345M supermax extension. Without that leverage, Memphis would have to worry about JJJ hitting free agency and signing with another team.

There will be a Fine Dining for the Homeless event in Morris Park Saturday 3-7 with food prepared by the city’s best chefs. Live music, gift bags, health & wellness resources, free haircuts.

Game to watch Thursday: South Florida vs. Wichita State, 11:30 AM, ESPNU. Winner plays Memphis in the AAC quarterfinals on Friday.

Watch out for strong storms late Friday night.

Back tomorrow.

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Today is National “Eat Your Noodles” Day, and normally I’d have an easy recommendation for that: Good Fortune Co., the ramen bar on South Main.

However, it’s Tuesday. Good Fortune is not open on Tuesday.

Thanks to a recent opening, I still have a recommendation for you: Little Petals Chinese at 149 Madison, the sibling restaurant of Petals of a Peony. Their menu on Uber Eats says they have spicy Dan Dan Noodles. Get those.

Memphis Songwriters Series, hosted by Mark Edgar Stuart, returns to the Halloran Centre Thursday evening.

Next door, the Orpheum will be rocking on Thursday. Catch 90 minutes of rock and metal by The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight.

Speaking of orchestras…. An approximately 16 piece group called The Memphis Joy Orchestra performed for the men at the Union Mission last Friday in chapel. They were truly excellent! Surprisingly, not all the numbers they performed were Christian music. They led off with some Glenn Miller standards, then progressed to Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind and Fire. By that point they had the audience in the palm of their hand and they turned to worshippy songs.

I tried to find a Memphis Joy Orchestra video on YouTube to embed in this post, but I can’t find one. Is it possible I have the name wrong?

The Rock ‘n Soul Museum will move into the former Hard Rock Cafe location on Beale.

The Grizzlies seek a director of arena security.

A floating classroom on a barge will be docked near Mud Island until May 9.

Comeback Coffee in The Pinch is closing permanently.

I’m back in shorts! I changed out of jeans yesterday. I wanna shed the winter coat too, but it’s too early in the season for that. Back tomorrow with more news.

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KASSO – That’s what we were watching at Bardog yesterday. Japanese skateboarding obstacle courses. Sunday sports TV is so much more fun during the NFL offseason.

Something I overheard yesterday: There’s supposedly some weekend-long party in Memphis this coming weekend that could draw 5000 people from 4 states. Anyone got details on this, a link to a website or anything? Email paul.ryburn@gmail.com if you have info.

The hotels are already gonna be packed due to that bridge (card game) tournament that’s in town this coming weekend and next. Expect restaurants and bars – the few of them left Downtown – to be super busy.

One thing I like about the egg shortage is that it’s forcing restaurant kitchens to get creative with brunch dishes that don’t contain eggs. Eggs have been way overused in brunch dishes for a long time. Not everyone likes them and those who don’t tend to have extremely limited options for brunch. Bardog had a chicken, pesto, mozzarella sandwich on focaccia special yesterday. I got to try it and it was outstanding.

The Downtown Memphis Commission has a list of St. Patrick’s events in the area. They’ve done a lot of these lists lately – they did lists for Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras. My compliments to whoever at the DMC came up with the idea for these lists. Very helpful and hopefully the lists will get more people out spending money at local businesses.

Car theft suspects caused a crash with injury about 7:30 last night at South Main and Talbot. Three people were detained by MPD and the red Fin Fin they were in was found to be stolen.

The Grizzlies (40-24) remain 4th in the West following a 107-104 win over New Orleans last night. Memphis is 1 game back of the 2nd-place L.A. Lakers and 3rd-place Denver.

It’s National Ranch Day. Get it with fries instead of ketchup.

It’s also Mario Day. MAR10.

There’s a Downtown hot dog business for sale on Craigslist.

That’s all. Back tomorrow with more news.

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Cafe Ole in Cooper-Young is closing temporarily. It will rebrand as a new concept under the same owners. Read discussion of this news on Reddit

LeBron James has gone down with an injury and it “could be a matter of weeks” before he returns. The Grizzlies’ next game against the Lakers is in Memphis on March 28.

Today the Grizzlies are in New Orleans to play the Pelicans at 6 PM. TV: FanDuel Sports

It’s National Meatball Day. Spaghetti and Grandma’s meatballs at Bardog is the way to celebrate.

A Lyft driver was carjacked at the Exxon at Crump and B.B. King Thursday around 9 PM.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers play at noon Friday in Fort Worth in the AAC tournament quarterfinals. Opponent TBD.

The Tigers moved DOWN to a projected 8 seed in ESPN’s latest NCAA bracketology. WTF?

Flying Saucer will have a Saint Patrick’s party this Saturday. Food and beer specials, blessing of the kegs, bagpipers.

Grind City Brewing is also having a St. Patty’s party Saturday. $5 beers, chances to win bonus beer, live music, Diamond Dave’s Pizza truck.

Back tomorrow or Tuesday with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to root for the following men’s basketball teams to LOSE BIG in their conference tournaments:

• Oregon
• Louisville
• Missouri
• UCLA
• Michigan
• Saint Mary’s
• Clemson
• Marquette

You see, ESPN’s latest bracketology has YOUR AAC REGULAR-SEASON CHAMPIONS AND AAC TOURNAMENT 1 SEED MEMPHIS TIGERS projected as a 7 seed in the NCAA tournament. The teams listed above are projected 5 and 6 seeds. We need them to LOSE so our Tigers can move up.

The Tigers defeated South Florida 84-68 last night to ensure they wouldn’t have to share their regular-season title with anyone. I love it when the Tigers get greedy.

Today is National Be Nasty Day.

A former Memphis Showboats football player is set to be honored next month. Larry Pfohl played for the team in 1984. He went on to become professional wrestler “The Total Package” Lex Luger. His induction into the WWE Hall of Fame was announced yesterday.

Bookstore and coffee shop Cafe Noir is coming to The Edge at 635 Madison. It is Black-owned and woman-owned.

The annual Beale Street St. Patrick’s Day parade is next Saturday at 2 PM. WREG forecast a week out: 72/50, 40% chance of rain.

Quinette and Alpha Whiskey spin the tunes at Central Station tonight.

Authorities are investigating possible drink tampering at restaurants out in C’ville.

From The Takeout: Elvis and his crew loved Krystal burgers

Back tomorrow probably.

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The Grizzlies are on the road at Dallas tonight. 6:30 tip. TV: ESPN and FanDuel Sports.

I mentioned that the Grizzlies had already dropped from second to fourth in the Western Conference since Jaren Jackson Jr. went on the injured list. Why’s that a big deal? Because at the end of the regular season,

• The top seed in the West gets home court advantage in the playoffs all the way through the Western Conference Finals
• The top two seeds get home court advantage through the first two rounds
• The top four seeds get home court advantage in the first round
• The top six seeds avoid the play-in round

LeBron’s Los Angeles Lakers and Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors are surging following big trade deadline moves. With teams like that in the conference, the Grizzlies need every advantage they can get.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers are at home for Senior Night vs. South Florida at 8:00. TV: ESPN2

Former Tiger Jalen Duren is doing well as a Detroit Piston.

It’s National Tartar Sauce Day. A 3-piece catfish basket at the Flying Fish would be my recommendation to celebrate.

YogaSix Downtown will hold a Self Care Sunday Retreat on March 30.

The Trumpster is preparing an executive order to eliminate the Department of Education.

There will be an arm wrestling tournament at the Flyway taproom Saturday.

Grind City Brewing hosts a vintage market Saturday.

Houston comedian Ali Siddiq comes to the Orpheum Saturday. His style was influenced by a stint in prison.

Back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Memphis Made Brewing Co. out in The Edge has made a big announcement: Friday happy hour launches this week. They’ll have $4 pints in the taproom 4-7 PM every Friday.

Plus, Drafts & Laughs returns to the brewery’s taproom Saturday. Free comedy show benefiting St. Jude.

The Memphis Grizzlies will have to get by without Jaren Jackson Jr. for an unspecified amount of time. He’s “week to week” with an ankle sprain.

NO NO NO NO NO

DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT

Why does our best player get injured EVERY year????? The Grizz have fallen to 4th in the Western Conference standings.

Condé Nast Traveler has named the Rhodes College campus one of the most beautiful in the U.S.

Condiment maker Kraft Heinz is entering the booze market. It’s going to produce a hard seltzer infused with Crystal Light.

Beatles vs. Stones: Tribute bands Abbey Road and Satisfaction face off Saturday, May 31 at the Orpheum.

Action News 5 will broadcast at least 10 St. Louis Cardinals games on its channels this year. Go Cards!

Memphis Symphony Orchestra performs Beethoven’s Fifth at the Halloran Centre tonight.

The zoo seeks a zookeeper for its African Veldt area. The keeper will tend to giraffes, rhinos, zebras, ostriches, and other animals.

I hope you enjoyed my post about the Chess Club yesterday. Not only did I want to spread the word about a place unexplored by many Downtowners, but I also wanted to remind everyone that I do know how to write professional-style copy. You can hire me to write for you; hit me up at the Gmail address in the footer.

Back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Even if you don’t play chess

I got the idea to write this post because the league that sanctions the card game bridge is having its spring national tournament Downtown this month. Many bridge players take up chess as a side hobby and I want them to be aware of the club’s existence.

But then I realized, this post has a much larger audience. You see, I’ve been going to Memphis Chess Club for about five months now, and it’s a place tourists and locals need to know about. Even ones who don’t play chess. (I don’t. There are probably 6-year-olds out there who could beat me.)

Here are 7 reasons the club has become a home to me.

Coffeehouse Vibes

Our neighborhood Starbucks doesn’t even feel like a coffeehouse. It’s inside a boutique hotel and there’s barely enough room to stand in line for a to-go order.

Not so at Memphis Chess Club. There’s plenty of room to spread out and work, play, or relax. The vibe reminds me of Central Perk from the TV show Friends. Wood tables (with inset chess boards, of course) and comfy couches are everywhere. There’s a mezzanine where you can get away from it all. Just don’t expect to run into 7’4” Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey on the mezzanine – he’d hit his head on the ceiling!

They have a full menu of coffee drinks – lattes, macchiatos, and such. Instead of small, large, grande, and venti sizes, Memphis Chess Club has pawn, knight, king, and queen.

For those who don’t drink coffee, they have a huge tub of cold drinks – Coke products (including Mexican Coke in glass bottles), Dr. Brown’s premium sodas, water, and more.

Excellent Pizza

I would put Memphis Chess Club‘s pizza in the top three downtown. They offer an 8 inch personal pizza, a 12 inch, and an 18 inch. Pizzas are named after famous chess players. My favorite is the Carlsen, white sauce based with sausage, onions, mushrooms, and lots and lots of mozzarella. The meat lover’s with sausage and pepperoni, and again lots of mozzarella, is another favorite of mine. They have offerings for vegetarians too.

The Carlsen

Veggie pizza

Open Early

It can be hard to find places open early in downtown Memphis. Most restaurants don’t open till 11.

Memphis Chess Club, however, opens at 8 Sundays and 7 the other days of the week. It’s ready to go as early as I am. There’s a small breakfast menu on weekdays and a brunch menu on Sundays.

Sweets Selection

Memphis Chess Club‘s baked goods are to die for. The chocolate chip brownies are my favorite, with the cinnamon rolls a close second. They have cookies too, and bags of M&Ms.

Groovy Crowd

Memphis Chess Club draws a crowd from nearby colleges and universities, including Southern College of Optometry and the University of Tennessee Health Sciences College. They bring their laptops and connect to MCC’s lightning fast Wi-Fi.

MCC also draws tourists from the Hotel Napoleon next door and employees from the First Horizon bank building down the street.

Full Bar

I’ve never had an alcoholic drink there, but I could – Memphis Chess Club has a full liquor bar. They also have mimosas on weekend mornings.

Memphis has a fantastic craft brewery scene and MCC has a refrigerator stocked with canned beers from local breweries.

Board Games

A rental pass for five dollars a day get you access to Memphis Chess Club’s approximately 100 board games; they have everything from Chinese checkers to Risk to Hungry Hungry Hippos. MCC is kid friendly and they have plenty of games kids love.

Where Is It?

Memphis Chess Club is at 195 Madison, just east of B.B. King Boulevard, on the ground floor of Press Box Lofts.

Phone: 901-501-3257

Website: memphischessclub.com

Back tomorrow with a regular news post.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Penny’s Memphis Tigers moved up 2 spots to 16 in the latest AP poll. They can clinch the AAC regular-season title with a win at UTSA tonight.

WREG has a look at the good work done by the Memphis Medical District Collaborative. They’re building an identity for the area. It’s not simply “the space between Downtown and Midtown” anymore.

The Peabody gave Action News 5 a sneak peek of its new rooms as an $18M renovation begins.

Today is National Snack Day. I recommend A. Schwab on Beale and the candy store across the street.

Live music returns to South Point Grocery later this month as the store celebrates its 3rd birthday.

From Memphis Beer Blog: Memphis Filling Station brews up a King Cake Stout for Mardi Gras

The Kremlin says that U.S. foreign policy now “largely aligns” with its vision.

That’s all. Everyone stay safe from today’s severe weather.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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