Paul Ryburn's Journal

Memphis woke up to flurries this morning, but Friday could be a bigger deal.

Action News 5’s forecast map for Friday shows ice and snow moving over the metro all day Friday. They’ve declared it a First Alert weather day. Low 29, high 36, 60% chance of precipitation. Keep an eye on this one.

A driver took out the trolley stop in front of the ARRIVE Hotel about 5 Sunday morning. The person was charged with DUI.

Alcenia’s was burglarized Sunday morning. An arrest was quickly made.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers got an uncomfortably close 68=64 win over North Texas yesterday. Next up: vs. East Carolina 1 PM Saturday.

The Grizzlies host Dallas tonight at 7. It’s Memphis Hustle Night – that’s our G-League developmental team – and the first 5000 get a Hustle poster. TV: FanDuel Sports

Kooky Canuck has closed its Cordova location. The Downtown location remains open.

WWE Monday Night RAW moves to streaming on Netflix tonight. WWE’s other flagship show, Friday Night Smackdown, will remain on cable.

Memphis Astronomical Society will host Stargazing at Tom Lee Park Saturday. Telescopic views of the moon, some planets, and star clusters.

The Ghost River taproom at Main and Crump will host Records & Drafts Saturday:

Connect through music, find your groove at our 1st annual “Records & Drafts”. A market of music collectors, dealers & other media works. Enjoy cold Ghost River Gold and dig deep, find your beat!
Live Djs spinning records!

Do you sell records,vhs,tapes or any other media works? Please apply online. VENDORS WANTED.
www.mintcreamarket.com

For those wondering, I changed into long pants yesterday. January 5 is the latest I’ve ever made it into the fall/winter season in shorts. Never thought I’d again see the day I could fit into 32/30 jeans.

Back soon with more news.

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This week I learned something kinda cool about the Memphis Union Mission: When they built their new shelter building, they arranged for hot water pipes to run under the hard floors in common areas.

Why? Because they anticipated overflow conditions, nights on which the new building’s 232 beds would fail to meet demand and mats would have to be laid out on the floor to accommodate the additional guests. Better to lay a mat on a warm floor than a freezing cold one.

Oh also… they just got new mats. The new mats are twice the thickness of the old ones. I slept on a new mat last night and I couldn’t feel the floor under me at all. They really do care about us there.

IT’S TIFFY TIME! If you know, you know. And if you don’t know…

Penny’s Memphis Tigers host North Texas at FedExForum Sunday at 4:00.

The Grizzlies visit Golden State tonight. 7:30 tip. TV: FanDuel Sports

WREG asks whether the currently installed bollards are enough to keep Beale Street secure.

A pop-up concert series could come to Mud Island this spring. Organizers hope to prove the viability of the amphitheater as a concert space.

Today is National Spaghetti Day. Get it with Aldo’s grandma’s meatballs at Bardog.

The Trumpster will be sentenced in his hush money trial Friday, but he need not fear stormy days: No jail time is expected.

Apple TV+ is free this weekend.

Enhanced lighting has been installed around the Orpheum to keep patrons safe.

ESPN’s latest Bracketology projects Penny’s Tigers as a 5 seed in the NCAA tournament.

International Blues Challenge is on Beale Street this coming week. You are not truly a Memphian if you haven’t been to this event at least once.

Thanks to those of you who tipped me on Venmo this week. Because of your generosity, I’m enjoying another chocolate chip brownie at Memphis Chess Club this morning. The cinnamon rolls look good too but I haven’t tried one yet.

Did you know that three-player chess is a thing?

That’s all. Have a good weekend.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips!
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com

The Grizzlies visit the Sacramento Kings tonight at 9. TV: FanDuel Sports

FOX 13 Memphis’ Chelsea Chandler has lots of good tips on how to prepare for the Arctic blast that is predicted to hit our city next week.

MLGW’s Downtown office will close two hours early today, at 4 PM, for some repair work.

Congratulations to Kooky Canuck, recipient of a 100 on its recent health inspection.

Cache 42 has opened in the ground floor of the 99 N. Main building.

PornHub has decided to block access to Tennesseeans rather than comply with new age verification laws.

Canopy by Hilton seeks a bartender.

Catherine and Mary’s seeks servers.

WREG looks at Beale Street security following the New Year’s terror attack on New Orleans’ Bourbon Street.

LOL @ CFP seeds 1, 2, 3, and 4 all losing in the quarterfinals.

Probably 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
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com

Cold days are coming. The forecast is calling for highs in the low 30s and lows in the lower 20s starting Monday. Get ready to bring your pets inside and drip your faucets.

Grind City Brewing is holding a Christmas tree bonfire Saturday.

The Sugar Bowl (7 Notre Dame vs. 2 Georgia) has been rescheduled to 3 PM today (ESPN) due to the Bourbon Street terror attack in New Orleans.

Today is Happy Mew Year for Cats Day.

Club Haus, featuring house music all night, comes to The Cadre Building at Second and Monroe Saturday, February 15. Tickets are $25.

Lafayette’s will hold a Blake’s Legacy event this Sunday at 3 PM, a celebration of life for musician and music teacher Blake Rhea.

That’s all for now. Back soon.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips!
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com

There’s now an opening date set for Crazy Coop, the new wing place the southwest corner of Madison and Main. It’s January 10. I bet that place will have some good synergy with Fat Tuesday across the street. Here’s the menu from the Coop’s Stage Rd. location.

You’ve heard of gifts for the man who has everything, but here’s a gift for the man who has too much. (Warning: Possibly NSFW depending on how uptight your corporate culture is)

Bleacher Report reports that the Grizzlies are interested in acquiring Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith. Memphis would likely have to give up Luke Kennard, John Konchar, and a first-round pick. UPDATE: The Nets went with a Lakers offer instead.

Former president Jimmy Carter has died at 100.

Today is Bacon Day.

Back soon with more news. I did a post on Saturday, so keep scrolling if you haven’t seen it.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips!
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com

This week I got to experience something most Memphians never do – Christmas at a local homeless shelter.

Tuesday morning, Christmas Eve, I walked Downtown with my new (to me) laptop and hopped on a Wi-Fi network to check my email. Then I walked back to the Union Mission at 10, beating the 11 AM deadline to get in free for the night. After chapel and lunch, I took a shower and changed into fresh clothes.

I tend to spend the hours before dinner in the hallway outside the Mission’s chapel, rather than in one of the main TV rooms. It’s quieter with few people around. Tuesday afternoon the supervisors and resident assistants were wheeling wrapped presents into the chapel.

Are those presents for us?, I wondered.

About 4:30 people started lining up for 5:00 dinner. Once the dining hall got full, one of the in-house pastors, Pastor R, called for “one accord.” That’s Mission speak for “everyone be quiet and listen.”

“We have turkey and dressing for dinner,” the pastor said. “After that we’ll have chapel, and thanks to generous donors, each of you will get a present. We have 322 donated presents, more than enough. If you don’t like your present, you can trade with another man or leave it to go in our supply closet.”

We wolfed down our food and headed to chapel. One of the men was playing Christmas songs on the piano. Pastor R wasn’t kidding – the stage was loaded with presents. Wrapped gift bags and boxes and tubs.

“I’m going to read you the Christmas story from Luke 2,” Pastor R said. “I’ll keep it to 5 to 7 minutes, I promise. Then we’ll hand out the presents.”

Row by row, we came up and supervisors handed each of us a present. Mine was a plastic tub. I took it out into the hallway and unwrapped it. It contained

• a knit cap
• socks
• an undershirt
• deodorant and other toiletries
• a word search puzzle book and pen

I decided to leave my gift for another man to take. There are people at the Mission who are completely destitute and need that stuff far more than I do. I did take the pen though.

Some of the men got shoes. I wonder how that worked, since shoes come in so many different sizes.

My Christmas Day plans took an unexpected turn, leaving me with nowhere to go and, because my phone was stolen last week, no way of knowing I had nowhere to go. I spent the hours of 10:15 to 11:30 pacing Poplar in front of the Mission.

… But, things have a way of working out.

Some ladies had set up a food buffet station on High Street on the east side of the Mission. When it became clear my ride wasn’t coming, I walked over there to investigate.

They made me a huge to-go box of turkey, ham, chicken, dressing, Hamburger Helper, cornbread, and cookies. It was a plentiful and delicious Christmas dinner.

I may not agree with the Mission’s in-house pastors on every little detail, but I agree with them on one thing…

The Lord provides.

Grateful. Blessed.

On to the news…

How bout them HAWGS with a 39-26 Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech!

Stormy weather is expected today.

Ja Morant suffered a minor shoulder injury in last night’s win against New Orleans.

The Downtown Sheraton seeks a general manager.

Downtown Memphis Commission’s Blue Suede Brigade is hiring.

The Neon Mooners play New Year’s Eve at Loflin Yard. Classic country.

That’s all. Back soon 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
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com

I’ll start this post with a dessert recommendation: Memphis Chess Club makes awesome chocolate chip brownies. Big ones, too.

You know, I was thinking this morning… the part of Madison Avenue that’s in the Downtown core is a coffee shop lover’s dream. Walking west from Fourth, you have

• Boycott Coffee
• Memphis Chess Club (which has a full coffee bar and you don’t need to be a club member to hang out there)
• The Cray Gander
• Humble Drip (just off Madison at 7 N. Main inside Sam’s eatery)

Cheers to the folks who did the South Main Pajama Pub Crawl, which led off at Bardog yesterday. I hope you had as much fun at your remaining stops as you had at your first one.

The Downtown Memphis Commission is hiring a clean & green assistant.

ABC’s of Life passed out essentials and a hot meal to the homeless Downtown this past weekend.

The DM reports that Catherine & Mary’s will get a $175,000 renovation.

DJ Funktual will play Central Station Hotel’s New Year’s Eve party.

DJ Ryanthemind will play NYE at Pretty Taco.

The Grizzlies host the L.A. Clippers tonight at 7.

New troll!

I was given the troll a week ago Saturday, but I held off introducing him to my blog readers because I hadn’t thought of a name. He now has one: Tuscadero, because I’m taking him as a sign that happy days are right around the corner.

Possibly back with a quick post tomorrow, but in case I’m not, Merry Christmas.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips!
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com

Did you know that brunch is not just for the weekend anymore? Automatic Slim’s serves the same great brunch 11-3 Monday-Friday that they do 9-3 Saturday-Sunday. That includes the $3 Bloody Marys and mimosas. Delicious food and fun staff.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers got a 64-62 road win at Virginia last night. Mississippi State is next up – Saturday at 11:30 (CBS). Those W’s against Power Four universities matter.

The DM reports that Cafe Keough is closing Saturday. The owner cited the challenge of a pedestrian mall location amid declining tourism and more people working from home.

You can now call or text AI bot ChatGPT. 1-800-CHATGPT

Grizzlies fans over 50 can dance with the Grizzlies Grannies and Grandpas dance team at the January 9 game. To qualify, you must attend all rehearsals and you must buy a ticket to the game.

From Reddit: Someone with BIM (Building Information Modeling) experience is sought to model historic Downtown buildings

The holiday market at Peabody Place and Main, postponed last Saturday because of weather, has been rescheduled for this Saturday, December 21, 11 AM to 2 PM. Train rides, local vendors, free snacks, Santa visit (1-2 PM).

Come sing Christmas songs at Sing the Season, 2-4 PM Saturday in Tom Lee Park, at The Prospect near the Butler Avenue stairs.

That’s all for today. Probably back tomorrow or Saturday 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
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com

Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl: Memphis 42, good ole West Virginny 37: Memphis Tigers football capped off a fantastic season last night with an 11th win and one over a Power Four program. Way to go Tigers!

A Downtown restaurant has been praised by the New York Times. The Times named The Lobbyist’s Corn Mash dish among the 26 best across the U.S. its food writers ate in 2024. Corn Mash recipe

The DM explores what NCAA tournament seed is attainable for Penny’s basketball Memphis Tigers. Writer Parth U. thinks a 4 seed is not out of reach.

Today is National Ham Salad Day.

Memphis City Beautiful seeks a program coordinator.

The first 5000 fans at Thursday’s Grizzlies game vs. Golden State get free Grizzlies City Edition wrapping paper. 7 PM tip. TV: FanDuel Sports Network

And be one of the first 5000 at Monday’s game vs. the L.A. Clippers to receive a free Grizzlies holiday ornament. Same tip time and TV.

Miz Stefani plays The Central BBQ Sessions at Central BBQ Downtown Saturday at 6.

The Moxy Hotel will hold a Shaken + Stirred cocktail class (Elvis Christmas edition) tonight at 5:30. Free.

This Friday is ugly sweater night at Fire Pit Friday in Tom Lee Park. 4:30-6:30 PM.

Memphis Filling Station brewery will host a holiday pajama party all day Sunday. It will also be a sock drive: Get $1 off your tab (up to $5) for every NEW pair of socks you bring in. The socks will be donated to deserving local organizations. Holiday music and trivia.

Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s Magic of Memphis comes to the Cannon Center Saturday.

Thanks to a generous reader, I once again have a laptop for the first time since August. That means I no longer have to deal with the library’s public computers and their 1-hour time limits. Which means, you can expect more regular, and longer, posts from me in the future.

Unfortunately, the time it took me to write this post put me past the 11 AM deadline to get in the Union Mission for free today. That means writing this post is going to cost me 6 dollars. And I’m starting to run real low on money. To use ’70s lounge singer lingo, if anyone wants to put some bread in my jar at the accounts below, I sure would appreciate it.

Back tomorrow or Friday 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
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com

My iPhone was just stolen from the Cossitt Library. It was my own fault. I left it on the table when I got up to go to the restroom. If you need me email paul dot ryburn at gmail dot com.

Right as things were beginning to look up for me, too. This sucks