Monday update

Penny’s 13-18 Tigers may not be going to the Big Dance, but they punched their ticket to the little dance – the American Conference tournament – with a 96-95 overtime win over Tulane yesterday. The Tigers will travel to Birmingham, where they’ll face Tulane again Wednesday, March 11 at 6 PM. TV: ESPNEWS

Bardog will have the following specials from Saturday, March 14, the day of the Downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade, through the holiday proper on Tuesday, March 17:

  • $3 green PBR
  • $7 Jameson
  • $7 green tea
  • $7 car bombs
  • $7 Guinness
  • Shepherd’s pie
  • Corned beef

Flying Saucer’s St. Pat’s celebration is Saturday from 2 PM-til featuring

  • Bagpipers
  • Blessing of the kegs
  • Live music
  • Food and drink specials

There’s an ongoing manhunt for a suspect who escaped custody at Regional One yesterday. He’s said to be wearing a black Adidas tracksuit and is wanted on assault, weapons, and drug charges.

The Moxy Hotel on Court Square seeks a public space attendant.

Loflin Yard seeks a food runner.

US Ghost Adventures seeks a ghost tour guide.

The Grizzlies are in Brooklyn for a 6:30 game. TV: FanDuel Sports

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Sunday update

Today is Senior Day for many college basketball players… but really, in these days of the transfer portal, what does Senior Day mean to a kid who’s attended 4 different colleges in 4 years?

WhatNow reports that burger/wing restaurant Bandos is relocating to 260 Poplar. Previously it had been on Thomas St. just north of Downtown.

There will be a crawfish boil at Loflin Yard next Sunday, March 15.

JOOKINWARZ comes to the Rumba Room this afternoon.

Diana Ross performs at the Orpheum Saturday.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Saturday update

Hoodline reports that an unnamed grocer has shown interest in the long-vacant location at 544 Jackson. Such a store would be a major asset to the Uptown neighborhood.

Get a free Classic Edition dubrae (ornamental shoelace tag) tonight at FedExForum as the Grizzlies host the L.A. Clippers. 7 PM. TV: FanDuel Sports

From Far Out magazine: The Memphis bar that inspired a Rolling Stones classic

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Frupdate

Karaoke night at Earnestine & Hazel’s received an upgrade last night. Pros showed up and sang… specifically, cast members from Back to the Future:: The Musical, in the middle of a week-long run at the Orpheum.

As of this morning, Penny’s 12-18 Tigers sit in 10th place in the American conference. That means their final game matters a lot, surprisingly, because only the top 10 teams get in next weekend’s conference tournament. That final game is at Tulane on Sunday, 1 PM, ESPN+.

If you have tickets to see Banana Ball at AutoZone Park Saturday, keep an eye on the weather. T’storms and heavy rain could show up.

The Orchestra Unplugged performs works of Gustav Mahler tonight at the Halloran Centre.

Butteriffic Bakery will celebrate its 5th anniversary with a block party noon to 5 Saturday. DJ, live performances, food trucks, vendors. 488 S. Second.

Archery championships are happening at the Renasant Convention Center this weekend.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Cinco de Marcho update

It’s Cinco de Marcho, a practice day for two months from now. If you have trouble telling the two Cincos apart, just remember… you can’t get Marcho on your Soul Burger.

KUYA, the Filipino bar and restaurant, has its grand opening Friday at 3:30 PM. It’s in the former Bedrock Eats space at S. Main and Vance. They’ll have DJs and stay open ’til 1 on the weekends once they get their liquor license.

There will be a big all-day party Saturday at Flyway Brewing out in The Edge. See their Facebook page for details. Hoodlums and hooligans in particular are invited.

The Flyer’s Michael Donahue answers the question: What happened to Kinfolk? Why did Cole Jeanes’ popular Harbor Town restaurant, known for its biscuits, close after mere months of being open?

RIP Lou Holtz.

Insider tip I got last night: The Shell station on Crump across from Momma’s has really good turkey wings, but they only have them several days a week.

What has to happen before we can get our trolleys – REAL trolleys – back?

Hilton Garden Inn is hiring a lounge bartender.

The Orpheum is hiring a bartender.

Mid-South Dueling Pianos play the Flying Saucer Friday night.

Oh no… Marsha Marsha Marsha is considering running for governor to replace term-limited Bill Lee. Why can’t that horrible woman just go away?

Katt Williams’ The Golden Age Tour comes to FedExForum Friday night.

Bardog is hiring experienced cooks. Compensation package includes health insurance. Apply in person or email bardogtavern@gmail.com.

Fun guessing game involving maps (not Geoguessr)

Etowah Dinner Series has an event Downtown Saturday.

Penny’s 12-17 Tigers’ crap season has produced a 7-figure shortfall in ticket sales.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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The Good Samaritan City of the Mississippi

This morning I asked Perplexity AI, Claude, and Google Gemini to tell me an interesting fact about Memphis.

Two of the three AI agents gave me the usual junk: Graceland blah blah birthplace of rock ‘n roll blah blah Piggly Wiggly blah blah.

Google Gemini, however, replied with a fact I’d never heard in my 39 years as a resident and my 22 years as a blogger.

The author Mark Twain once traveled to Memphis to be at his dying brother’s bedside. He observed the way our city clawed back following the yellow fever pandemic, and he was grateful for the kindness locals showed him. For these reasons he nicknamed Memphis The Good Samaritan City of the Mississippi.

That’s an identity we would do well to adopt in 2026.

Don’t forget to spring the clocks forward Sunday as Daylight Time begins at 2 —> 3 AM.

Grizz @ Wolves tonight at 7. TV: FanDuel Sports

Hilton Garden Inn across from the ballpark is hiring a dining room attendant.

Try not to get hit in the head by a cabbage at the Beale Street St. Pat’s parade Saturday, March 14 at 2 PM.

Ted Horrell and Canaan Stanley bring the live music to South Main Sounds Saturday 6-8 PM.

Today is National Moscow Mule Day.

A geological society convention will bring more than 1000 people to Downtown Memphis early next week.

The Crossroads is the burger of the week at Momma’s: Angus beef patty, smoked Gouda, jalapeno-tomato jam, and arugula on a ciabatta bun.

Did you know? Full family memberships at Memphis Chess Club include rooftop access during all baseball games.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Monday update

Apologies for the brief post yesterday… they were filming a movie at the chess club and along that block of Madison. I had to relocate to a venue that does not have Wi-Fi (but does have $3 mimosas). When I get a chance I’ll find out the name of the movie and who’s starring in it.

Flying Saucer has Donna’s Pickle Beer on draft. Beertender Jordan was kind enough to pour me a sample last night and yep, it tastes like pickle juice. Although, I wonder if habanero is also in the recipe. The beer left a burn in the back of my throat.

Bardog now has lemonade on the soda gun.

Penny’s 12-17 Tigers, fresh off an L to East Carolina, have 2 games left and then this disaster of a season will be over:

  • Thursday vs. South Florida, 8 PM, ESPN2
  • Sunday at Tulane, 1 PM, ESPN+

No I don’t want Penny to be fired. But I wish we could put him on sabbatical for a year and send him to Vandy to be an assistant. That school has transformed into an athletic powerhouse in the NIL and transfer portal era. Penny could learn a lot there and bring that knowledge back to Memphis in 2027-28.

The forecast has Memphis in the 70s for the next 9 days – except Thursday, when the high will be 80 or 81, depending on which TV meteorologist you follow. Yay for March!

The Majestic Grille is hiring bartenders, expos, food runners, and BOH staff. Great bosses, great benefits.

Cordelia’s Market’s 11-2 hot lunch specials this week:

  • Mon: Italian meatloaf sandwich with Italian pasta salad
  • Tue: Nachos with rice and beans
  • Wed: Shepherd’s pie
  • Thur: Char-grilled black & bleu burger with fries
  • Fri: Tilapia with yellow rice and broccoli

Banana Ball comes to AutoZone Park Saturday and Sunday.

The Grizzlies provided a medical update on C Zach Edey, and it’s not good. Edey is out for the rest of the season.

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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Saturday update

RIP Neil Sedaka.

County mayor candidates disagreed last night on the future of 201 Poplar.

Sammy Anzer headlines comedy at Flyway Brewing tonight. 8:00.

A service organization called Army of Normal Folks has its kickoff meeting at Grind City Brewing Sunday at 4.

Back to the Future: The Musical runs next week at the Orpheum.

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