Paul Ryburn's Journal

I’ve been hanging out at haunted South Main dive bar Earnestine & Hazel’s a lot more lately because two of my friends got hired there. Last night I stayed until close. “I don’t even bother turning off the TVs or jukebox when I lock up,” said my friend who’d been bartending.

“Why not?” I asked.

“The ghosts will just turn them back on,” she said.

She wasn’t kidding. Last night I witnessed the jukebox and the Vent-a-hood light come on without human assistance several times.

There are believed to be as many as 13 ghosts living (poor choice of words) in E&H. You can learn about them by taking one of several Downtown ghost tours.

Jurassic Park will be the free Downtown Neighborhood Association movie shown this Wednesday. 7:30 PM, Slider Inn. Card-carrying DNA members get 20 percent off.

Flying Saucer, in partnership with Kiwanis, Grind City Brewing, Hollywood Feed, and Orion FCU, is holding a dog photo contest this month. Your dog could be selected to be on the label of a Grind City beer. You could also win a custom portrait of your dog or a gift certificate for pet products. Scan the QR code at the Saucer’s bar to get started.

Malcolm X 100, featuring a conversation with his daughter Ilyasah Shabazz, will happen Saturday afternoon at the National Civil Rights Museum.

Comedian Heather McMahan comes to the Orpheum Friday night.

Planted Rock Vegan Festival happens 1-6 Sunday in Court Square. Live cooking demos, local vendors, live music, community wellness, speakers, workshops.

Will Graves and Soul will perform at Soulin’ on the River Friday evening at  Fourth Bluff. Free admission, gates and DJ at 6, band at 8.

StyleBlueprint looks at 8 specialty markets in Memphis, including South Point Grocery and Cordelia’s Market.

Save the date: On September 5, Old Dominick will launch an 8-year reserve bourbon.

Back tomorrow.

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The People’s Hip-Hop Awards went on at the Cannon Center last night despite the last-minute withdrawal of a title sponsor. As of right now, it is unclear why FUBU backed out.

Fellow pro wrestling fans: Remember when Kevin Nash used to wear FUBU on WCW Monday Nitro?

Dyer’s on Beale made Food & Wine’s list of top burger spots in the U.S., coming in at number four. The double-double is in my opinion the best burger in Memphis, although the burgers at Majestic Grille, Kooky Canuck, and Earnestine & Hazel’s are must-eats too.

Today is Pinot Noir Day.

Here are some cute rescue dogs to help take the edge off your Monday.

College football is back this Saturday. 22 Iowa State battles 17 Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland at 11 AM U.S. Central Time. There will be four other games on later in the day, but I-State vs. K-State is the only ranked-ranked.

What Now Memphis has more info on Tonica opening a Downtown Memphis location. It’ll be on Front in the former Pretty Taco space and they’re shooting for an October opening.

You can now get Indo-Pak-style food in Memphis thanks to a new food truck.

Did you know there’s a food club in Memphis? The Hungry Tiger

That’s it! Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips:
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The weekly Packed House e-newsletter this week contained a couple of news tidbits that I want to mention here.

First of all, Momma’s now has frozen Irish coffee. It’s made with Jameson, Atomic black coffee liqueur, fresh coffee, Irish cream, and vanilla hazelnut milk.

Secondly, Bardog has a new head man in the kitchen. His name is Nick Angelo and most recently he was the food/beverage manager at Slider Inn. He’s also been in the kitchen of Gray Canary and FedExForum. Nick is a graduate of Miami Culinary Institute.

The Hebe Fountain has been reassembled and is back in operation in Court Square.

Both the DM and CA are reporting that Midtown restaurant Tonica may open a Downtown location.

Today is National Pineapple Juice Day. I recommend having some in a mimosa at Automatic Slim’s.

Back tomorrow.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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A slate of events celebrates hip-hop in Downtown Memphis this weekend. Here’s what you need to know.

The Bardog alley party, celebrating 17 years in business, will return Sunday, September 21. Details to be released.

The NBA has revealed the Grizzlies’ 2025-26 regular-season schedule. It’s loaded with home games early on.

This news story is SO Memphis: 400 lb. man tells police he’s too large to steal a car

Rock that Tennessee Vols orange and white for National Failures Day.

Reimagining and rebuilding Downtown is the discussion topic on this week’s Behind the Headlines.

The Trumpster meets Russian leader Putin in Anchorage this afternoon for a high-stakes negotiation to end the war in Ukraine. Trump will have a legit shot at winning a Nobel Peace Prize if he gets results.

Jaren Jackson Jr. explains the mindset behind his selection of a new number, 8.

Data analysis determined the most underrated 1980s song.

The Nike Ja 3 sneaker is out.

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

Congratulations to the Arcade, recently voted the best locally-owned business in Tennessee which defines the city in which it exists.

Memphis Chess Club is closed this week… Monday-Friday. They’ll be back open Saturday the 16th.

The annual Patio Porkers competition returns to Handy Park on Beale this Saturday. That used to be the backyard grilling category of BBQ Fest and now it stands alone. $4000 in prize money will be awarded. Unfortunately the teams’ ‘cue won’t be available for public sampling, but there are 10 restaurants in the entertainment district that serve BBQ (go to Blues City).

MATA’s incompetent past administration bungled getting the trolleys back online for years and now business owners are saying they may sue.

The zoo seeks a full-time special events coordinator.

Live next door to Max’s Sports Bar

Very cool: Experience NASA’s Apollo missions in real time

See cool photos from the International Space Station

INTOCABLE’s Antalogia tour stops at the Cannon Center tonight.

Sing along to the movie The Sound of Music at the Orpheum Saturday afternoon.

Yesterday was a RED LETTER DAY at the Union Mission, even more so than Thanksgiving or Christmas. In general, the second Wednesday of even-numbered months is a day to turn up there, because Mosaic Memphis comes out. They love on us via food like no other. They want our meal with them to be more than just sustaining. They want it to be memorable.

Last night was Mexican night.

Each man got dos tacos,  in those square Old El Paso shells, loaded with seasoned ground beef and cheese… ballpark nacho chips and melted cheese… a big cup of salsa… a big scoop of Mexican rice… a big scoop of refried beans topped with shredded cheese… and a Drumstick ice cream treat.

The absolute best. Thank you, Mosaic.

This week I’ve received Venmo and Cashapp donations for amounts like $18 and $42. Thank you, and the significance of the amounts is understood. They’re multiples of 6, the amount of the Mission’s now-unavoidable daily fee. You want me to take a night off from the streets and stay where it’s climate-controlled and SAFE. Will do. I plan on staying at the Mission tonight, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Then Monday I’ll stay out and see my friends.

I’ll tell you a GREAT question to ask a homeless person: “What’s the one thing I could do right now that would most improve your immediate quality of life?” It’s a question that looks beyond basic needs like food and shelter.

My answer: I need help getting my toenails cut.

They’ve grown long to the point that they brush the other toes, making it  HURT when I walk. The toes on my left foot are curled under. I lack the dexterity, privacy, and tools to properly trim the nails.

What do I do? Try to save up the money for a mani/pedi at Gould’s? Try to get a referral to a podiatrist who’ll see me pro bono?

I just don’t know. Thoughts? paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Thanks for reading. Back tomorrow.

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

If you have trouble understanding why the city wants to buy the Sheraton and replace its management, read this health inspection report.  Remember, that is our convention center hotel and a first impression of Memphis for many.

WikiTok – Wikipedia and TikTok had a baby

MATA’s interim CEO says Downtown’s trolleys can be put back in service way more quickly, and at a much lower cost, than previous management indicated. Good. We want our steel wheeled trolleys back!!

Due to my hospital stay I missed weekend brunch at Bardog, but I heard there were some changes. For one, the bar is now completely nonsmoking, upstairs and down, during brunch hours of 11 to 3. Makes sense – when you have the city’s best bar food, might as well let patrons enjoy it without it being ruined by cigarette smoke.

As for the other changes, I’ll hold off discussing them until I experience them for myself – which I will Saturday and Sunday.

The Lobbyist will have a 5-course Heaven Hill Distillery cocktail tasting and dinner Thursday, August 21.

I’m being released from the hospital today so I gotta cut this post off and pack up.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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I’m in Methodist University Hospital fighting infection and swelling in my left leg. I believe “peripheral edema” is the technical term for it. I knew I was sick Thursday after but I tried to tough it out. Friday morning the 11-block walk to the Downtown core dehydrated me and left me with a high fever. Once there, friends talked me into calling an ambulance.

After a weekend of treatment, my fever is gone, the swelling is down, and the infection is under control. I expect to be outta here by tomorrow.

On to the news…

BB King’s Blues Club is throwing a 100th birthday party for BB on Sunday, September 14. Eric Gales, Corey Lou and the Davillage Band, Rodd Bland and Friends, Mr. Sipp, Beale Street Flippers, Grizzline drum line, Southern Avenue, Stax Music Academy. 2-6 PM, free and family friendly.

You can contribute your thoughts on the riverfront master plan this Thursday at The Kent, 61 Keel, 5:30-7:00 PM.

Mayor Young will speak to the South Main Association Tuesday. 6-8 PM at the Civil Rights Museum.

they just put an iv in my arm – hard to type – catch up tomorrow or wed

I gratefully accept tips:
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Maybe. If this stupid Wi-Fi doesn’t crap out on me. Check back.

I got 10.5 hours quality sleep last night at the Union Mission, my first real sleep since Saturday morning. Again, thank you to those who donated so I could pay the now-mandatory $6 Mission fee.

A few of my readers donated a little extra and told me to use it to get something good to eat. So I returned to Little Petals, which is quickly becoming my favorite restaurant. I wanted to  try their bento boxes, which I’d read were a great value on Google Reviews.

Tuesday I started with a base of fried rice and chose an entree of spicy cumin beef. I decided to “Peony up” an extra $2.50 for an egg roll and orange Fanta. Oh boy that was a good lunch.

Wednesday I took a Google reviewer’s suggestion, ordering General Peony’s chicken on a lo mein noodle base. Very good!

Hal and Julie Lansky will have a joint book signing in their Peabody lobby clothing shop Friday and Saturday from 10 to 3. Each has a book out about what Elvis means to them personally.

Action News 5 profiles a woman who has dedicated her life to providing hot, fresh meals for those who are hungry.

The Metal Museum seeks an education and outreach manager.

Today is National IPA Day.

The city hopes to be the new owner of Downtown’s main convention hotel the Sheraton soon. There have been a lot of complaints from convention-goers about the upkeep of the hotel under current ownership, costing Memphis future convention business.

Cherisse Scott headlines Soulin on the River Friday night at Fourth Bluff. All ages. Food trucks and vendors will be on site.

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha wants to be Tennessee’s next governor. At least it would get her out of that Senate seat.

I voted for #VoteForAllison for Best Server this morning. You have less than a week left to vote.

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

THANK YOU to folks who stuck money in one of my online tip jars yesterday. You got me out of a place of scarcity and worry and into a place off abundance and reassurance.

Community Alliance for the Homeless is hiring a homeless management information systems director.

The future Uptown Chick-Fil-A is hiring a back-of-house team leader.

New Memphis River Parks Partnership leader Paul Chandler shared his vision for the riverfront.

The Redbirds host Durham tonight at 6:45 in the first game of a 6-game homestand.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association presents the movie E.T. this Wednesday at 7:30 in its summer movie series at Slider Inn.

Protect Our Aquifer will host a happy hour single barrel whiskey release Wednesday at Old Dominick. It’s a chance to mingle with others who care about the environment. Lead distiller David Valentine will speak.

Grind City Brewing will host Uptown’s National Night Out celebration today at 5.

Memphis Filling Station will host MFS Rhythm and Brews 2025 Saturday. featuring singer/songwriters on the back lot. 3-10 PM.

Soul & Spirits will have its third annual book fair Saturday.

Elvis Week begins Friday.

Memphis will be the topic of a special themed trivia night Tuesday, August 26 at 7 PM at the Flying Saucer. Y’all have fun battling it out for second place, because I plan to show up and win.

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