Paul Ryburn's Journal

A new bistro will soon open in Hotel Napoleon at Madison and B.B. King, according to a subscriber-only article in The Daily Memphian. It’ll be called The Archives Bar & Bistro, and the man in the kitchen will be Chef Phillip Dewayne, who has built a name for himself at Park + Cherry, the Dixon Museum’s restaurant.

The shutdown of the trolleys, which I reported a few days ago, is just one aspect of massive budget cuts by MATA. About 200 employees will be laid off and routes will be cut. World-class cities have world-class public transportation and Memphis is moving in the opposite direction.

OBAP, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, meets at the Renasant Convention Center today through Sunday.

It’s A Little More Love Night at the Redbirds. Send some love to a friend via a Snapchat pic. The first pitch vs. the Charlotte Knights is at 6:45. 

Pretty Taco’s GM Halsey is moving to Las Vegas, and there will be a going-away party for him at the Taco Friday night from 11 to 3. Ladies will get in free and guys can use password HALSEY for $5 admission. There will be music by DJ Ben Murray and DJ Tree and drink specials.

For those of you who knew and loved Bill Crawford, there will be a Beer Bash in his memory Sunday from 5 to 8 PM at Earnestine & Hazel’s. Wear your favorite Memphis shirt. 

Not a Downtown event, but it features a band with Downtown connections… Island 45 plays Bike Night at Sidecar Cafe tonight 6 to 10.

The second floor of the Cossitt Library will be closed much of this week for some light construction. That means the children’s area will be temporarily inaccessible.

Congratulations to the I Love Memphis Blog, which will have its 15th anniversary celebration Thursday at the new Memphis Made taproom out in The Edge. Live music and DJs, food trucks, and some BIG giveaways (must be present to win).

That’s it for today. I’ll be back tomorrow with more news.

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Finally, oatmeal raisin cookies have leveled up to put themselves on par with chocolate chip.

My friend Joe went to DVOUR Desserts at 523 S. Main last Saturday to get donuts. They threw in an oatmeal raisin cookie as a bonus. It was filled with cheesecake filling!

In other food news, I finally got around to trying the Famous Smoked Wings at Momma’s last night.

I got 6 with Momma’s dry rub and 6 with lemon pepper. The smoked flavor was outstanding!

Penny’s Memphis Tigers will play Alabama October 28 in a preseason charity exhibition.

Today is National Bacon Lovers Day.

It’s also World Mosquito Day.

RIP Phil Donahue. Before there was Oprah, there was Phil. He revolutionized the talk show concept.

The Humane Society will present a kitten yoga class at YogaSix Downtown this Saturday.

That’s it. Back tomorrow.

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MATA announced yesterday that they are suspending trolley service indefinitely. The reason is said to be an issue with the brake lines that would be a very costly fix. They recommend the Groove on Demand rideshare service as an alternate. It costs about the same as the trolley and covers all of Downtown Memphis as well as surrounding neighborhoods.

Hideki Matsuyama won the FedEx-St. Jude golf tournament held in Memphis this past weekend.

Today is International Talk Like Jar Jar Binks Day.

College football kicks off Week 0 this Saturday with four relatively inconsequential games. In the biggest of those games, Georgia Tech takes on 10 Florida State in Dublin, Ireland (11 AM, ESPN).

There’s now a Facebook event listing for the grand opening of the all-new Ghost River taproom September 13-15. Brand new menu, and of course Ghost River is still kid- and dog-friendly. Live music on the new large stage.

Hot N Heavy Dogs will be back where it all started, the corner of Union and Main, Tuesday from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Drive-by pickups can be arranged.

Soulin’ on the River featuring Deonna Sirod happens Friday evening at Fourth Bluff Park.

It’s the first day of the Democrats’ national convention. We’ll get to see if  Hillary Clinton rocks the lavender pantsuit as she speaks tonight. Also tonight: President Biden.

Some bad news for the Dems, though, as they start their big week: Arizona has flipped back to red in the RealClearPolitics averages (no toss-up states). That widens the Trumpster’s projected electoral lead to 287-251.

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

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Great news! Jesse McDonald, who was the culinary mastermind behind the New Wing Order food truck, has accepted a job cooking at the Ghost River taproom at Main and Crump. The kitchen has been expanded and Jesse anticipates a grand opening the weekend of Sep. 13-15. He writes,

The menu will be released soon and I promise you’re going to love it! We are even featuring some of New Wing Order’s most popular items: a handful of signature wing sauces and seasonings, the popular avocado and buffalo chicken tacos, and even the Philly cheesesteak egg rolls!! 

And I’m just as excited to offer other new menu items now that I don’t have limited space! A few things I’m working on: a couple signature burgers, a beer braised brisket sandwich, fish tacos, and even ribs on weekends! 

Bardog is now running a limited late-night menu from 11 PM to 1 AM, with the kitchen closing promptly at 1. Before 11 the full menu is available. 

In other Bardog news, I hear we’ll have Melissa behind the bar for Thursday and Friday happy hours this week. Allison is working a rare Saturday brunch shift, although I’m not sure if she’ll be bartending or serving.

It’s Pinot Noir Day.

From Reader’s Digest: 14 horrifying state fair foods. Fried scorpions! Fried beer! (Wonder if it’s PBR?)

That’s all. Back tomorrow.

I’ve only got about 45 minutes to get this done. In the words of the great philosopher-shoe salesman Al Bundy, let’s rock.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. will host 901 Days in The Ravine August 30-Sept. 1. From the brewery’s Facebook page:

Come celebrate your city with us down in the Ravine over three days!.
We’re hosting 901 Days at our place with movies, bands, food trucks, DJs, vendors, and more from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1.
Friday night, we’ll have Memphis-themed movies with Soi #9 parked in the Ravine.
Saturday features James and the Ultrasounds, Turnstyles and James playing a DJ set. Smoke and Toast will be the food truck.
On Sunday, Jeff Hulett and the Church Brothers will be performing. We’ll have a vendor market and Good Groceries will be providing the food.

Arizona has flipped blue in RealClearPolitics’ polling averages. That narrows the Trumpster’s projected lead to 276-262 with 270 needed to win. Remember, Kamala has a convention bounce coming next week.

Which vegetable are you? I got green bean.

I forgot to take a photo of last night’s dinner at the Union Mission last night but here are my prediction results:

• 3 points for getting black beans, peaches & pears medley, and bread correct
• Entree was a baked chicken thigh and leg (I guessed chicken & dumplings)
• Dessert was a chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing (I guessed a glazed donut)

Back Monday.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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The Memphis Grizzlies have released their full 2024-25 schedule. The Beale Street Bears site has some must-watch dates. 

Reminder: Momma’s, “the diner and dive off 55,” has its birthday party tomorrow. The fun starts at noon at Crump and Kentucky.

Primus plays Grind City Brewing Tuesday night. Tickets are $70-$210.

The St. Jude Marathon needs volunteers to help things run smoothly. Volunteer days are November 16-December 4. The race is always the first Saturday of December. This is a fabulous way to participate for those who don’t run.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, Memphis could have a cold and snowy winter coming up. 

It’s National Kool-Aid Day. Strawberry and cherry Kool-Aid are 2 of the 4 ingredients in a Call-a-Cab at Wet Willie’s. (The others are ice and 190 PGA.)

It’s also National Rum Day.

The Downtown Sheraton is hiring a senior event planning manager.

I had a reader ask, “You showed us a pic of the food at the Union Mission on the best of the best nights, when a church brings a very generous food donation. How about showing us what dinner looks like on an average night?”

Can do. There’s rarely a church donor on Fridays, so it’ll be whatever the Mission kitchen staff decides to cook. I’ll try to remember to take a photo before I start eating and include it in my next post.

In the meantime, I’ll make a prediction of what I’ll find on my tray tonight:

• chicken & dumplings
• black beans
• peaches &. pears medley
• bread
• a glazed donut

Not sure if I’ll have time to post tomorrow, but I’ll be back soon.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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The Blind Bear was given a proper goodbye Sunday night. This week its former employees will be looking for jobs. 

I want to point out that ALL those people have huge followings. The bartenders. The servers. The kitchen manager. Even the barbacks. If you run a bar, and you’ve wondered, “What can I do to get more Downtown locals to frequent my establishment?”, here’s your chance. Hire a Bear alumnus. 

Can I tell you a quick story?

In February 2007, Sleep Out Louie’s, located on Union in what is now Mesquite Chop House, closed its doors. That had been the locals’ spot. There was no place Downtown even close to approximating it. We didn’t know where we were going to go. 

The people who ran the Holiday Inn at Union and Second heard about our dilemma, and they did something incredibly smart. They hired Frenchie, one of our favorite Sleep Out’s bartenders. 

It worked. On nights Frenchie worked, the lobby bar was so full of locals that the hotel guests could barely find a seat. 

With all the recent closings, conditions are right in 2024 for a similarly unlikely bar to make a good hire and land itself a load of neighborhood regulars.

Graceland Ninjaz headline tonight’s Peabody rooftop party. They combine rock, hip-hop, soul, and a touch of Elvis. If you’re in VIP tonight, you’ll have access to a buffet of peanut butter and banana sandwiches (Elvis’ favorite) and chicken wings. $25 general admission, $50 VIP. Enter for a chance to win a $100 gift card good at any Lansky shop in the hotel.

Renovations to the Civil Rights Museum, telling the movement’s story post-Dr. King, are expected to be completed in early 2026.

St. Jude seeks a program coordinator for volunteer services and special events.

Tito’s drinks are $5 at Birdie’s all weekend to celebrate the FedEx-St. Jude golf tournament. Vodka soda, vodka tonic, screwdriver, greyhound… yes, any of those are five bucks.

Community Legal Center seeks a director for their pro se parents’ clinic.

Beale Street Bears has a list of NBA Cup games featuring the Grizzlies. The NBA Cup, held in November and December, is the league’s in-season tournament.

The Baron Von Opperbean interactive exhibit being installed on Mud Island needs your junk.

The CA has info on the construction going on at Second and Vance. It’s going to be a Home2 Suites by Hilton.

Soul & Spirits will host a Halloween Market October 5 and 6.

The DM has a photo gallery of the 70th anniversary celebration of Elvis’ tune “That’s All Right” at Sun Studio.

Today is National Hazy IPA Day. Flying Saucer’s beertenders can recommend a good one.

The Memphis Flyer has a look at Fannie Lou’s Gourmet Chicken & Waffles on Tennessee Street.

Alley Dayz, combining live music, local vendors, and dining deals, returns August 28. This month the alley party will be 5:30-7:30 PM on Maggie H. Isabel Street between Madison and Monroe.

Look what Mosaic Memphis brought to the Union Mission last night for dinner!

 

Two hard-shelled beef tacos, salsa, shredded cheese, chips and nacho cheese, Mexican rice, refried beans, a cinnamon sugar cookie, and a cup of vanilla ice cream. FIVE STARS 

After dinner we had a really interesting sermon on who John The Baptist was. I’m told Mosaic will be back the 3rd Thursday of even-numbered months, so look for another yummy dinner pic in October. 

I’ll be back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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The CA reports the latest on Aldi’s plan to open a grocery store at 785 Union, the former Office Depot site.

Today is National Prosecco Day.

It’s also National Filet Mignon Day. The Majestic Grille would be a great place to celebrate.

The Orpheum is hiring a bartender.

Memphis Tourism (the convention & visitors bureau) is hiring a part-time receptionist.

Not a very newsy day. I’ll try again tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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From Action News 5: City leaders make an effort to reinvigorate Downtown Memphis following numerous restaurant and bar closures  this spring and summer. WMC sent a reporter to the Blind Bear’s goodbye party last night, which was at an offsite location, and my friend DeVonte shared his thoughts.

To my readers who hang out in bars… enjoy your favorite watering hole like it’s the last time you’ll ever be in there… because it just might be.

And for heaven’s sake SPEND YOUR GIFT CARDS IMMEDIATELY… don’t wind up with 37 now-worthless bar bucks in your wallet. I speak from experience.

The FedEx St. Jude Championship (golf) is at Southwind Thursday-Sunday with the pro-am this Wednesday. Don’t feel like leaving Downtown? Don’t feel like broiling in the Memphis summer heat, which will be back tomorrow? Watch the action over a cold one at Birdie’s.

Songwriter Night returns to South Main Sounds Friday night from 7 to 9. Kata Hay, Angelina David, plus a couple more TBA.

Mark Farina DJs Saturday night at Central Station.

The Greenlaw Community Center is open and it offers a lot of services to Memphis residents. The center will be a model for future resource centers in other districts.

Food writer Jennifer Chandler recommends the matzo ball stuffed chicken at new restaurant JEM Dining in The Edge District. (DM premium article)

The preseason AP Top 25 football poll is out and the Memphis Tigers, despite being picked to win the American Athletic Conference, didn’t make the list. Memphis got 16 votes, 124 less than 25th-place Iowa.

The CA has vintage 1965 photos of Elvis at his Memphis estate Graceland.

Elvis tribute artist Bill Cherry performs at the Halloran Centre Wednesday night. There will be a meet & greet with Ginger Alden, Elvis’ girlfriend in 1976-1977, at 3:45 that afternoon.

Next door, the Orpheum will play 1925 silent movie The Phantom of the Opera, accompanied by the theater’s Wurlitzer organ, Friday night. $10 suggested donation at the door.

The Lott Carey annual session will be at the Renasant Convention Center today through Thursday.

It’s Vinyl Record Day. River City Records on the Main Street Mall is an obvious place to celebrate – but don’t miss a hidden gem, the collection of Memphis records on the second floor of dry goods store A. Schwab on Beale.

The family of a man who appeared on some of those records, Isaac Hayes, is suing the Trumpster for copyright infringement for using “Hold On I’m Coming” at rallies over a period of 2 years.

The weather is nice, so I’m taking a night off from staying at the Union Mission. Back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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I went to Memphis Made’s new taproom in The Edge last night. It had been 7 months since I last walked through The Edge, and it was barely recognizable. That part of town is exploding with apartments, parking, and retail.

As for the taproom, you MUST see it. You enter through 16 S. Lauderdale and kinda go over under sideways down to get there. There’s a huge patio that backs up to The Ravine. The space is gorgeous and family-friendly. The Soi Number 9 truck was selling food. I had the Wonderbeer, a witbier which is a tribute to the old Wonder Bread factory.

Baptist Health Sciences University seeks an educational technologist.

Crosstown Concourse seeks a visitor services coordinator.

Short post today because my MacBook’s battery is out of juice.