Paul Ryburn's Journal

by Perjorie T. Roll

I’m Perjorie, Paul’s troll. During Paul’s leave of absence, I wanted to make sure something got posted to this blog. I’m over in Little Rock this week. Little Rock makes the best cheese dip!

This was at Izzy’s on Ranch Drive off Cantrell Road. Get the Shrimp Garden Pasta. Warning: The rush hour traffic on Cantrell coming back to I-430 can get backed up for miles!

Tuesday afternoon I went to the Lost Forty Brewing taproom in the east warehouse district of Little Rock. I am terrified of brewery taprooms and looked out the window the entire time. Paul had a beer which I hid behind. Of note: They do not have food trucks as Memphis breweries do. They have their own kitchen and menu. Cheese dip and Petit Jean bacon for $7!

After the taproom, I went to one of the true Italian classics, Bruno’s Italian Villa, for dinner. Bruno’s has been around since 1949 and sponsored the Arkansas Travelers games Paul used to go to in the 1980s. It just doesn’t get more classic than their lasagna.

Next up was another brewery, Blue Canoe. Again I hid.

I’m scared of taprooms but this was a nice little place on 3rd Street east of Rock. There’s a lot of condos around. I hope the neighbors are nice.

I finished up the evening at the Flying Saucer Little Rock where they had 16 ounce cans of PBR. You can’t find that at the Saucer in Memphis. Apparently “those kinds of people” who like PBR aren’t wanted at the Memphis Saucer. Who is that exactly? People with discretionary income who go out every night and appreciate a drinking value? Plastic trolls who stand an inch and a half tall and have green hair? Boo.

That will do it for this post. Paul should be back Saturday or Sunday, although give him mid-week next week to get back into his groove.

Hey everyone I need to take a leave of absence from the blog for about a week to deal with a family matter. Please keep me in your prayers as I am about to do the hardest thing I will ever have to do in my life.

Lots of local brewery news to report today! Thanks to a change in state law, breweries in Tennessee will be able to produce and sell beers as high as 10.1% in alcohol by volume. That will allow Memphis Made Brewing Co. to produce styles like Double IPAs and Imperial Stouts, which were not possible at the previous limit of 6.2%. The first high-gravity release, Slumber Party, an Imperial Stout at 9% ABV, will be released today. It will be available in Memphis Made’s taproom, and a limited number of kegs will be released next week.

Oh, speaking of that taproom? It’s expanding its hours in February. Currently open Friday-Sunday, the taproom will open as well on Monday 4-10 PM and Thursday 1-10 PM.

Another piece of Memphis Made news: I Love Memphis is having a watch party for Grizzlies vs. Jazz on Saturday, March 28 at the taproom at 8 PM.

Bleus and Brews, a beer and cheese pairing and tour, comes to the Wiseacre taproom Saturday, January 28 from 2 to 8. They will pair Snowbeard Barleywine and other beers with a plethora of bleu cheeses. You’ll get to learn about the development of the barleywine style, get a brewery tour, and learn about bleu cheeses from all over the world. There will be blues music in the taproom. Tickets are $20. Sign up on Wiseacre’s website for a 2 PM or 4 PM tour.

Pair to Be Great, a Ghost River beer dinner, will happen at Loflin Yard Friday, January 27 from 7 to 9 PM. Four courses from Chef Andy Night will be matched with four Ghost River beers. Dinner + beer is $65, not including tax and grat. Following the dinner, at 10 PM there will be a free show by Austin-based soul band The Nightowls. Email info@loflinyard.com to reserve your seat.

While we’re on the subject of Loflin Yard, South Side Supper Club is back Sunday at 2. Hmmmm… this could be interesting. Sundays are a dilemma for me, because I want to go down to Loflin and hear my friends play, but I always get comfortable at D-RANKS with B-RAD at the Blind Bear and never make it that far south. However, B-RAD is not working this Sunday. If ever I am going to catch South Side at Loflin, this is the week! If I go I will probably lead off there when Loflin opens at noon. Not sure I’m going to do this, just an idea I’m kicking around.

Make-a-Wish Mid-South will host Wine for Wishes Thursday, February 16 from 6:30 to 10 PM at the Cadre Building. This is a wine-tasting event for young professionals, with a silent auction, live entertainment, and food.

There’s a good article on Patrick and Deni Reilly who own the Majestic Grille in the Daily News today.

The Grizzlies host the Sacramento Kings at FedExForum tonight in the first of back-to-back 7 PM home games.

Follow @MatureTrumpTwts to see what Trump’s tweets would look like if he behaved in a presidential manner.

Let me reiterate that today is about you – ALL Americans. So w/gravity & solemnity, I’ll endeavor to lead you w/strength, dignity & grace. https://t.co/NXBNMSY3VP

— PresidentialTrump (@MatureTrumpTwts) January 20, 2017

The 45th President of the USA pic.twitter.com/kA2SrkJEeS

— History In Pictures (@HistoryInPix) January 20, 2017

I wonder at what point my blog will be labeled “not patriotic” and my domain will be taken away from me… May? June?

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

Got a couple of scam alerts to start of this Thursday post. The first one is a bar scam that I personally witnessed. A guy will come in and say that the night before, he and his wife had been in there and someone had spilled a drink on his wife’s very expensive jacket. He will say that the manager told him to bring in a receipt to be reimbursed for the dry cleaning bill. This is totally false. Don’t fall for it.

The second is an email scam that is affecting Gmail users. You will be sent an attachment in an email that appears to be from one of your contacts. When you click on the attachment, you’re directed to a fake Google login page. If you fall for the scam, the hacker will have access to all your email.

The Memphis Redbirds announced a rebrand yesterday that is, in my opinion, gorgeous. The new logos still make it clear that the St. Louis Cardinals are the ‘birds parent MLB team, but at the same time are a nod to nearby Beale Street and Memphis’ rich music history. Among the new uniforms are powder blue ones that were inspired by Cardinals uniforms of the 1980s. You can buy merchandise with the new logos in the online store.

For those of you who haven’t made it to Belle Tavern yet, I snapped a photo of their cocktail menu last night when I was in there. (Click photo to see larger size)

Thanks to Luluemon, the flow is free at a 5:30 PM class at Downtown Yoga tomorrow, Friday, January 20. YOGA!

Fish & Associates, a holistic wealth management company, is going to be buying some beers for people at the High Cotton taproom tonight around 6:15. The Gourmade food truck will be parked outside.

I want to remind everyone to walk where it is well lit and well traveled after dark. Don’t walk down alleys as a shortcut! A woman was sexually assaulted and robbed in the alley between AutoZone Park and Downtown YMCA Sunday at 1:35 AM.

The CA’s Jennifer Biggs reviewed The Dirty Crow Inn on E.H. Crump Blvd.

Renovations are almost complete on the food hall and event space at 409 S. Main.

Small Shop Saturday is your chance to get to know a local vendor while enjoying Ghost River beer in the brewery taproom. The vendor this Saturday from noon to 4 is Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies. The cookies are made with 100% pure butter, and the freshness and highest quality are guaranteed.

The Trumpster is preparing major budget cuts for after he takes office, including the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities. However, The Orange One does plan to spend money on military parades. You know, the kind of parades they have in great countries like Russia and North Korea.

There used to be a website called Television without Pity that would feature snarky reviews of popular television shows, particularly reality shows. Guess what… it’s coming back.

From ESPN: Meet Amara Baptist, the Grizzlies’ social media manager. As part of a four-person crew known as Grind City Media, she manages the team’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat accounts.

There was an incident while the WWE Smackdown roster was in the area this week. Randy Orton got into an altercation with a fan at a gym in Jonesboro. However, as retired wrestler Lance Storm writes (if I can be serious for a minute), the altercation was not Orton’s fault. The fan interrupted Orton while he was resting between sets, a violation of gym etiquette. If the fan had waited until Orton was done with his workout routine and then approached him, that would have been fine.

A second story: AJ Styles had cash and belongings stolen while performing in Jonesboro. His bag had $1000 in American dollars and $7000 in Japanese yen in it, along with an iPhone and some Xbox 360 stuff.

That’s it for now. I’ll be out at the usual spot after work.

Congratulations to Elite Total Health Downtown Memphis, celebrating its 2-year anniversary this month. People said, “A clinic will never work Downtown, you should open it out east.” However, Elite proved them wrong! To celebrate two years, they are offering buy-1-get-1 Lipo shots this month. Bring a friend and help them start their weight loss journey. Several of my friends have raved about the weight loss success they have had at Elite.

The city has unveiled a transformation plan to complement the investment St. Jude is making in the Pinch District and to transform the experience motorists have as they arrive in Memphis via I-40. Zip lines and fire, you can’t make this stuff up!

If you want a sneak preview of Old Dominick Distillery, don’t forget that the Memphis Flyer’s 20 Under 30 party is tonight and the public is invited. The distillery is on Front Street near Gus’s.

The Memphis City Council has passed a resolution related to MLGW’s Save the Pennies program. Those enrolled in the program have their MLGW bills rounded up to the next whole dollar, with the difference in cents going to keep the lights on for those in need who can’t pay their bill. The program is currently opt-in, meaning you have to ask to join Save the Pennies. The resolution changes the default to opt-out, meaning you automatically get your bill rounded up unless you tell MLGW you don’t want them to. This will help a lot of families in poverty. Please don’t un-enroll from Save the Pennies unless you are in dire financial straits.

Soccer on the river! There will be a league competing for the Memphis Riverfront Soccer Cup Sundays from March 5 to April 9. Sign your team up to compete.

Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers perform at the Halloran Centre Saturday, February 4. Saxophonist/vocalist Abair has collaborated with Stax legend Booker T. Jones on two of her albums. She was the featured saxophonist on American Idol, she has performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, and she joined Aerosmith for their 2012 tour.

My home state of Arkansas is voting on whether to ban junk food purchases with food stamps. I have mixed feelings about this. Some areas of the state simply don’t have easy access to healthy food choices. I would rather see programs to encourage healthy choices when available rather than a ban on unhealthy ones. On the other hand, it bugs me when I see a sign reading “THIS ITEM CAN BE PURCHASED WITH EBT” hanging next to a king size Snickers at Circle K. I’d be in favor of a ban on such signs, for sure.

It’s Bestie Day at the Fourth Bluff Ice Rink. Buy one admission, get another half off. There will be $1 funnel cakes from 5 to 8 PM.

Jim and Carrie Brock play The Dirty Crow Inn this Friday night from 9 to midnight.

One of the latest exercise crazes to hit the area is to have a yoga class at a brewery, then socialize over beer. However, there’s a new trend that takes the idea one step farther. Over in Germany, students in BierYoga classes drink beer WHILE they are doing yoga. The concept is spreading internationally and has reached Australia. YOGA! BEER!

Russians have minted an In Trump We Trust coin to honor the incoming president of Russia’s newest vassal state.

If you didn’t make it to FedExForum last night, here are the results from WWE Smackdown Live broadcast from the arena. “The Lass-Kicker” Becky Lynch made the rounds yesterday doing interviews with local radio hosts and podcast hosts, as she prepared to challenge Alexa Bliss for the Smackdown Women’s Championship inside a steel cage. Unfortunately the cage did not prevent the mysterious La Luchadora from interfering, allowing Bliss to retain the championship. After the match Bliss and La Luchadora beat down Lynch, and then La Luchadora unmasked to reveal that she was returning superstar Mickie James.

In addition, here are the results from 205 Live, the cruiserweight show which was filmed last night at FedExForum. There was also a dark match following 205 Live where John Cena and Dean Ambrose defeated The Miz and Baron Corbin.

That’s it for now. Family medical situation is improving, for those wondering. Probably out at Silly Goose happy hour after work.

Hi everyone. Please forgive me if my updates are bit sparse and if my wit is not as sharp this usual this week. I have a family medical matter going on that is consuming a lot of my thought.

Next Tuesday, January 24, will be the grand opening of Hotel Napoleon. The boutique hotel is at the corner of Third and Madison in the former Press-Scimitar Building, built in 1902. There will be a reception at the hotel from 4:00 to 6:30 PM.

Country singer Scott Southworth performs at the Green Beetle tonight 6:30-8:30. All tips will benefit MIFA’s Meals on Wheels program.

The Flying Saucer will have its annual Beerknurd Appreciation Party Thursday evening. Just show them your UFO card (or MOU card, if you’ve made it to that level) and have a plate of BBQ and a beer on the Saucer.

You might have free money coming your way if you received a robocall from one of several companies named in a class-action lawsuit.

I don’t know if I have any readers who do yoga and also run, but if I do, Downtown Yoga has a class for you that will help you get in shape for summer running.

Winter Training for Summer Running Success – Sun., Feb. 12 @ 130pm https://t.co/elAiHD3Mpv pic.twitter.com/l8K98BLBMm

— Downtown Yoga (@dtown_yoga) January 16, 2017

There will be a Memphis Women’s March down Second Street (sidewalks and crosswalks) from Adams to Huling between 10 and 12 AM Saturday. The purpose is to promote women’s rights.

I see in my daily wrestling news email that Jerry “The King” Lawler is getting ready to open a second restaurant. This one will be in Cordova, at 465 N. Germantown Parkway. By the way, the Downtown location on Beale Street is probably the best place to see WWE wrestlers after Smackdown Live from Memphis is over tonight.

If you’ve thought about volunteering and want a little inspiration, Mayor Jim Strickland has been volunteering one Sunday a month at a soup kitchen for decades. The WMC-TV cameras caught him serving food at St. Vincent de Paul on Monroe in Crosstown recently.

Loflin Yard has started opening on Mondays from 6 PM to midnight.

Memphis Made will host the the 3rd annual Tilted Hearts pinball tournament from 2 to 6 PM on Saturday, February 18. The tournament is IFPA endorsed, three-strike knockout, $10 entry but no coin drop.

That’s all for now. Apologies if typos.

Yesterday I predicted that President-Elect Donald Trump’s Twitter account would be a dumpster fire on MLK Day (I mean, even more so than it is every other day), as Trump appropriates MLK’s legacy to make the day all about himself. We shall see what happens, but would anyone really bet against me that this will happen?

Now I have another prediction: On April 4 of this year, whoever turns out to be Trump’s biggest lap dog in the House of Representatives will introduce a bill. The bill would make it illegal for any U.S. citizen, under penalty of fine and jail time, to observe the third Monday in January as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. In its place a new holiday would be added to the calendar, President Trump Day, to be observed every year on January 20.

On to the news… if you’re an animal lover, you were probably sickened by photos and videos of dogs and cats being abused on their way to being put to sleep at the Memphis Animal Shelter a few years ago. Thankfully those days are behind us, thanks to Mayor Strickland throwing the bums out. Do you want help make sure that animals are treated humanely there? There are volunteer opportunities at MAS, several different positions. The first step is to attend the volunteer orientation at MAS on Saturday, January 21 at 10 AM at 2350 Appling City Cove.

Did you buy milk or milk products anytime in the past 14 years in Tennessee? You’re owed cash back because of a class-action lawsuit against milk producers. There’s a form you have to fill out to join the lawsuit as a plaintiff. Some of you are probably thinking, “Is there any Tennessee resident who has NOT bought milk in the past 14 years?” Actually there is. Me. I don’t cook, and I don’t like the taste of milk besides. I was the kid in kindergarten who wouldn’t touch his milk carton that was handed out as an afternoon snack. I guess I could fill out the form anyway and get some free money; I can’t imagine them requiring receipts. However, I am not the type of person who would ever commit perjury on a court petition. So, no free money for me.

Here’s a look at the MLK Day celebration events with the Grizzlies leading up to tonight’s 8 PM tipoff game as the Grizzlies host the Chicago Bulls.

Zeke Johnson will bring the blues and stories about bluesmen and blueswomen to the Center for Southern Folklore store today from 3 to 6 this afternoon.

Kooky Canuck is hiring for both the Downtown and the Cordova location. Good people to work for.

Jerry “The King” Lawler has announced that The King’s Court will return to WWE Smackdown this Tuesday night, broadcast live from FedExForum. Smart move by the WWE to put Lawler on the show.

The International Downtown Association and Springboard for the Arts has awarded the Downtown Memphis Commission a $5000 grant. The grant will support the DMC funding buskers, street musicians, to fill one of 50 slots performing on the streets of Downtown Memphis in April and May of this year.

Arf… for Art happens this afternoon from 2 to 6 benefiting Dogs 2nd Chance, a rescue organization. Come take a look at original artwork and adopt a castaway that needs a home.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow.

 

Surely the successor to the highest office in the land wouldn’t take a day celebrating the life of a civil rights icon and make it all about himself, would he?

Would he?

Today on grizzlies.com, there will be a live stream of a discussion on the intersection of race and sports by National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award honorees Grant Hill, Steve Smith and Lisa Leslie starting at 5 PM. The panel will be hosted by ESPN’s Mark Jones. The discussion will follow a invitation-only 4 PM tour of the museum led by the honorees. The honorees will be joined for the discussion by Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale, Marc Spears from ESPN’s The Undefeated and other special guests.

This sign was found on the door of Oshi Burger this week:

Oshi is rebranding as a new restaurant, although I understand some of the concepts of Oshi may be retained. Sad news for people who loved meeting on the patio for group lunches in the warm months. They won’t be able to do it when it warms back up in 2017, at least not under the Oshi banner.

The Memphis Tigers host South Florida this afternoon at 5 at FedExForum.

There’s a “Memphis vs. Everybody” dance competition featuring 15 elite dancers at Hard Rock Cafe tonight from 7 to 11. The event was founded by a “So You Think You Can Dance” season 12 contestant and founder of “Memphis Jookin,” Montrell Britton. Dancers will have a chance to visit different parts of the city and taste the food to get that Memphis authentic feel. Donations will be collected for the Hard Rock Heals Foundation.

Job news: Latino Memphis is looking for a full-time Events Planning and Production Manager.

Childsplay Theatre brings its smash hit musical Rock the Presidents to the Orpheum’s Family Series Friday, February 3 at 6:30 PM. It’s a high-octane, multimedia musical review looking at the 44 people who have held the nation’s highest office. There will be songs like “Sons of Washington” celebrating our greatest presidents, as well as numbers like “Who in the World is Millard Fillmore?” to salute the lesser-known ones.

The MBJ reports that the original Raiford’s location at Vance and Mulberry is being remodeled to prepare for a showstopper upscale restaurant and bar concept. The owners have been approached with several ideas, and are determined to choose the concept that is the right fit for the space and the neighborhood.

FedExForum has a look at the matches planned for Tuesday night’s WWE Smackdown show broadcast live from FedExForum. The main event is scheduled to be Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose and the returning John Cena facing off in a tag team match against The Miz and WWE World Champion AJ Styles. In addition there will be a cage match for the Smackdown women’s championship as Alexa Bliss defends against former champ Becky Lynch. Will the cage keep the mysterious La Luchadora from interfering once again? Also filmed that evening will be 205 Live, the weekly WWE Network-exclusive show featuring WWE’s cruiserweights. Note that the card is subject to change.

 

The Grizz beat The Beard on The Beard’s home court in Houston last night. Can you believe there are analysts who, pre-season, predicted the Grizzlies would win 38 games and end up in the draft lottery? The fact that Tony Allen is getting minutes at point guard shows what a fantastic player development coach Fizdale is.

All right. Time to go out and do things. Back tomorrow.

I hope Friday the 13th doesn’t live up to its reputation in your life or mine today! I have several really interesting events to write about in this post. Hopefully one of them will bring you luck.

Before I got on to them though, one announcement – Friday the 13th has already affected one event today. Unfortunately bad weather in the St. Louis area has caused the cancellation of Cardinals Caravan tonight at AutoZone Park. An ice storm is headed toward St. Louis and travel in and out of the area is dangerous.

Coffee lovers, there’s an event coming up for you on Trolley Night Friday this month. On Friday, January 27, Memphis’ first latte throwdown will take place at 387 S, Main. This will be a bracket-style latte art competition between baristas. For each head-to-head competition, a panel of three judges will pick the best creation made with steamed milk and espresso. Prizes of $400, $100, and $50 to the top three finishers.

In addition to the competition, Memphis roasters will be serving up their favorite roasts for free. Roasters confirmed so far include Dr. Bean’s, French Truck, and J. Brooks. These latte throwdowns are common in other cities, and are a phenomenal way to bring coffee professionals together for a day. The latte throwdown is free to attend. If you want to compete, signups are at 6 PM with a $5 fee to enter. The first pour will be at 7. This event is open to all.

Holy handstands, Batman! There will be a hand balancing workshop with Laurie Jean (“LJ”) at Downtown Yoga Sunday, January 22, from 1 to 3:30 in the afternoon. Course fee is $40. Since I don’t speak the language of yoga, I’m just going to paste the course description from Facebook.

This workshop will focus on the fundamentals of hand balancing, beginning with Bakasana (Crow or Crane Pose). We will progress from this pose into other arm balances, in order to explore and build strength in the shoulders, upper arms, and core. These poses will allow us to explore taking the weight of the body into the hands, building strength, balance, and confidence. From there we will move into inverted poses. We will spend time discussing proper form, alignment and breath, as well as different ways to enter and exit these poses.

Mix-Odyssey IV will happen on Saturday, March 4, on the second floor of 88 Union from 7 to 10 PM. This is a competition among the city’s finest mixologists to see who can craft the best cocktail. The event benefits Volunteer Odyssey, whose mission is to build pathways to volunteering that enriches our lives and communities. Learn more about Volunteer Odyssey’s programs here. The all-star lineup of mixologists competing:

Justin Dobbs & Grant Whittle
Vincent Hale, Bari & Dodici
Aaron Hanna, Hog & Hominy
Colbie Jones, Catherine & Mary’s
Dan Price, Proper Cocktails
Andrew Ratts & Matt Lexow
Cady Smith, Cafe Pontotoc

Save the date, because early bird tickets will go on sale the first of February.

The Fourth Bluff Ice Rink will be back in business today after being closed Tuesday and Wednesday (wind) and yesterday (too warm). Hours will be 2 to 10 PM with Brennan Villines performing 5 to 8.

What a classy move by President Obama to surprise Vice-President Joe Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Biden may have said he didn’t deserve it, but many Americans including myself would disagree.

The city has been awarded a $400,000 grant by the National Park Service. It will be used for the renovation of Clayborn Temple, an important site in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. It served as a starting point for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s campaign in the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike of 1968. The grant was secured with the help of a recommendation by Congressman Steve Cohen.

Congratulations to Congressman Cohen, by the way, on being appointed to the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.

Netflix users: There’s a pretty sophisticated phishing scam going around. You may get an email saying you need to update your customer information. If you click the link, you’ll be taken to a fake login page that looks like Netflix’s login. Somehow this login page is flying under the radar of web browsers’ phishing detection ability, so be careful.

That’s all for now. Back tomorrow.