Paul Ryburn's Journal

A new restaurant opens its doors in the Downtown core next week. Tuscany Italian Eatery will open Monday at 116 South Front. That is across the street from AutoZone. That will be a handy lunch location for the folks in the red/gray and black but everyone else keep it in mind as well; they will be open for dinner too.

A new exhibit featuring original works of art inspired by 46 of the greatest album covers of all time will soon be on display at the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. Inspiration came from Aerosmith, Bee Gees, Black Oak Arkansas, Black Sabbath, David Bowie, Canned Heat, Alice Cooper, Earth, Wind & Fire, Grand Funk Railroad, Iron Butterfly, Jefferson Airplane, Tony Orlando & Dawn, The Rolling Stones, The Turtles, and others. There will be a public talk about the exhibit on Thursday, July 21 at the museum. Curated by Grammy-nominated designer Ernie Cefalu, the work includes original paintings, calligraphy, pen-and-ink drawings, and pencil.

Bluefin closed its side bar a couple of months ago and moved its bar back to the main front entrance. If you were wondering what they had planned for the side space, wonder no more.

The side bar is open for the day serving nonalcoholic beverages, coffee, smoothies, and breakfast and lunch items. I know that the owners of both Bluefin and Silly Goose are well-connected to the New York scene. Is this the latest thing up there? Swanky restaurants and bars opening during the day for lunch?

Life is Good is now selling Life Is Good, the book – “How to Live with Purpose and Enjoy the Ride.” It was written by the founders of the company. My readers who are building businesses at Start Co. might want to take a break and walk a block south to pick up some inspiration at LiG.

The South Side Supper Club has announced that they will be the featured entertainment at the next Tacos & Tunes on Felicia Suzanne’s patio, Thursday, July 14. This event happens every Thursday during the patio weather months and features $2 tacos and $5 margaritas.

Anyone else think a reality show starring Jon Jones and Johnny Manziel as roommates would make for some damn entertaining TV?

Rain may be in the forecast but I am on my way to the Memphis Farmers Market to spread a little sunshine! I am hungry and am interested to see what food truck they recruited to take the tandoori truck’s place. After that it’ll be Bardog time for business as usual on a Saturday. If I pick up any good news tidbits while I’m out I will post ’em later today or tomorrow.

I’ll start off this post with a linky link for those who love fresh produce as much as I do, a link from the Cleveland Clinic that was shared by the Memphis Church Health Center: Five vegetables that don’t deserve all the hype they get. Neither the article author nor I are saying these are bad, per se, it’s just that they’re not as incredible as people make them out to be. There are two on the list with which I particularly agree. Whether a “superfood” or not, kale tastes awful to many people, and it’s hard to mix with other ingredients. Mixing in or substituting a variety of greens will make meals tastier and provide more minerals.

Another overhyped item on the list is not a vegetable, but an activity. You can’t go anywhere these days without hearing about “juicing.” The trouble is, when you juice vegetables, you lose all the extra benefits of the fiber and nutrients in their skins, which are eliminated in the process. Cooking veggies in a way that retains the skins is healthier. On a side note: I wonder if people who juice shart more than those who do not? I bet they do. For those not familiar with the word, a “shart” is what happens when you attempt to let out a fart, but in addition to intestinal gas a little “something extra” accidentally comes out.

The secret to replacing these overhyped vegetables and techniques, the article says, is variety. And there is no better way to vary your veggies than a shopping trip to the Memphis Farmers Market! MFM offers you the Berry Best is the theme at the Market this week. The Market is bursting with blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries for you to enjoy. The South Main Association will have a booth on hand from 9 to noon, where you can learn how the SMA works to promote and preserve this historic neighborhood. Live music by Steve Pittman 8:30-10:00 and MFM Music Director Mark Parsell will have a “surprise” musical guest 11:00-12:30. Real Good Dog Rescue will be there for adoptions 8 AM to noon. The Market happens every Saturday under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson every Saturday from 7 AM to 1 PM.

There will be a Prince tribute tonight at the Cadre Building, Second at Monroe, starting at 8:30 PM. Tickets are $50-250 and proceeds benefit local school music programs and youth empowerment nonprofit programs. There will be live musicians, celebrity appearances, and food.

Meanwhile, another music legend will be celebrated at the New Daisy tonight. Larry Springfield, Angie Holmes, Cassie Bonner, Shea Norman and Johnathan Richmond along with David Mason, Jason Clark and a talented group of musicians called the “Suga Daddies” will perform Stevie Wonder’s classics. DJ Len will spin soul classics as well. Doors at 8, music begins around 8:30. Food and full bar available. Tickets are $20-120.

Job news: The Memphis Airport is hiring a Manager of Operations and a couple of other positions too.

The Grizzlies have photos from Summer League practice. First game is this afternoon at 5:30.

Looking for an activity that involves drinking local craft beer? Memphis Made Brewing Co. on South Cooper hosts Cerrito Bingo tonight (and every Friday night) from 8 to 10.

That’s it for now. Be sure to scroll back and read this morning’s post. Plans for tonight to be determined at this point, but I plan for sure to be at the Farmers Market in the morning around 10.

I have not yet made it to 99 Cent Soul Food Express at 414 South Main, but many of my friends have, and they have said the food is delicious and very reasonably priced, and the service outstanding. I found their menu on Facebook and here are a couple of links: Page 1 – Entrees Page 2 – Desserts Glad to see this new place make it, and I must get down there myself sometime soon. I want some neck bones!

If you need a reason to go down to 99 Cent Soul Food Express, I will give you one. The July South Main Association meeting happens at the restaurant Tuesday, July 12 with social at 6:00 and a presentation at 6:30. The speaker will be Will Nash, owner of the soul food restaurant, who fulfilled a lifelong dream to open an eatery on South Main providing affordable and delicious soul food at an attractive price. Soulful bites will be provided by the restaurant, beverages by SMA. The event is free for SMA members and $10 for non-members.

The Grizzlies are having a plaza party today outside FedExForum. There will be food trucks, inflatables, and giveaways from 11 to 1, and then a major announcement at 1 PM. The announcement is expected to be the signing of forward Chandler Parsons. “Be the first to secure your jersey of the newest member of the Grizzlies,” the team tweeted.

Big, big, big night at AutoZone Park tomorrow, Saturday, July 9. It’s Christmas in July and all kinds of activities will be happening. First 1500 in the gate get a Redbirds holiday scarf, you know, to help keep you warm while you watch the game. There will be an appearance by Santa along with Christmas-themed music, graphics, and activities throughout the game. After the game, there will be fireworks and game-worn Christmas-themed Redbirds jerseys will be auctioned off. There is a special ticket ($18 field box, $21 dugout) that includes a special Redbirds Nutcracker as a giveaway. Game is versus the Round Rock Express and the first pitch is 6:35 PM, but come early; there will be a Block Party on the plaza prior to the game, with live music and select beers $2. If the Redbirds score six runs, you’ll receive a 50% off Papa John’s coupon to order online the next day.

One of my favorite authors, Joe Navarro, has released an app. Navarro was a top FBI agent over a period of 25 years. Since retiring, he has written books about body language. His books not only cover clues to guilt or innocence, to lying or the truth, but he has teamed up with top poker players to write about “tells” at the poker table. Now he has released an app that will help you spot psychopaths including a 50-question checklist.

Jeremy Stanfill and Josh Cosby play the outdoor deck at The Dirty Crow Inn tomorrow night, Saturday, July 9, from 9 to midnight.

There’s a soccer watch party tomorrow at noon at the Brass Door as the US Women’s Team takes on South Africa in a warm-up match for the Olympics. It’s hosted by the American Outlaws. They invite everyone to come meet the new bar manager at the Brass Door, Tara Bolton, a 3-tour military vet.

That’s the news for this Friday morning. Still waiting for Farmers Market info to come in. Hopefully it will and there will be another post at lunchtime.

Rizzo’s Dinner kicks off a series of monthly beer and wine dinners this month on Tuesday, July 19 from 7 to 9 PM. The Ghost River beer dinner will see Chef Michael Patrick team up with Brew Master Cory York to explore which foods and which beer styles pair up best. $50 for 4 courses.

Job news: A friend of mine who manages restaurants at the airport is expanding and is in need of 2 bartenders and 6 servers. Hours are far better than most of the bars Downtown (no getting out of there at 4 in the morning) and the tips are better than what you might expect. He is a great person to work for and goes out of his way to take care of the people who work hard for him. If interested hit me up at paul@paulryburn.com and I will make the introduction for you.

You’ve got $1 night only, 1 night only… the New Daisy wants to introduce 901 locals to its Saturday night Daisyland dance series. So for one night only, this Saturday, July 9, it will be 901 Night at Daisyland with $1 cover, $1 beers, and $1 specialty cocktails. DJ Kaz will spin in the Big Star room upstairs, and on the main stage will be residents JJ Wilson and Tree 10-2, and a late night set with Shallow starting at 2 AM.

Fleet Feet Sports Pub Run Series is hosting a run departing from the Brass Door Tuesday, July 12 at 6 PM. It will be an evening of running and socializing, starting with a 3 mile run downtown and followed by a drink or two.

Grocery stores can sell wine effective July 1, but in less than six months, stores other than liquor stores will be able to sell high-gravity beers. Currently non-liquor stores are limited to selling beers 6.25% ABV and less. As the co-owner of one of the local breweries said, this will be a game-changer.

Cirque du Soleil comes to FedExForum this weekend. Show times are 7:30 Friday, 4:00 and 7:30 Saturday, and 1:30 and 5:00 Sunday (all times PM).

The Silly Goose is having another “We Luv House” Sunday day dance party starting at 2 PM Sunday, July 17. It may be your last chance to hear DJ Cody Rogers and DJ CRUMBZ play together, so come on out. By the way, Cody will be spinning tunes and playing videos tonight at the Goose post-Peabody party.

Sen. Bob Corker has withdrawn from consideration as Donald Trump’s vice-presidential running mate. Corker said he is more policy-oriented than political, and the VP candidacy is highly political. He is willing to serve as an informal advisor to Trump.

Loflin Yard kicks off its live music weekend tonight with a Southern Avenue CD release party 6 to 9. Tomorrow Le Tumulte Noir plays 6-9 and Star & Micey 9-midnight. Lightnin Malcom takes the stage 4-7 Saturday, and Tennessee Ripple 4-7 Sunday.

Urban Innovation Exchange highlights innovator Tommy Pacello, president of the Memphis Medical District Collaborative. He wants to turn the Medical Center District into a vital lynchpin between Downtown and Midtown.

Elvis Week is coming up August 10-16, and events have been announced for the week to remember Elvis Presley on the 39th anniversary of his death.

That’s all for now. Still waiting for this weekend’s Farmers Market info to come in, so that will have to wait for later. I’ll be out at the Silly Goose after work, possibly posting again before I go.

I want to alert everyone to a particularly good band at this week’s Peabody rooftop party. Aquanet is a cover band that does ’80s hair band tunes, all dressed up in hair band style. If you like Motley Crue, Ratt, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Cinderella, Warrant, and other bands of this genre, you owe it to yourself to go see Aquanet. They play Thursday night, July 7, with doors opening at 6 and entertainment starting at 7. $10 at the door (or you can buy a VIP pass for the rest of the season for $75). First 200 ladies get in free.

It’s also a particularly good week to eat at the rooftop party. Every week a buffet is included in the price of admission, and this week it will feature highlights from Capriccio Grill’s Modern Southern Comfort Lunch Menu. Blackberry margaritas and Firefly cherry cola are the drink specials, with an additional drink special of pineapple passion punch in VIP.

This is a pretty good parody piece by the Flyer, appropriate for this time of year: MATA CEO still not sure when burgers will be done

Job news: There is a position open for a Director of Communications & Marketing at Memphis College of Art.

Revolutions Bicycle CoOp is having a Bike to Dinner night that will end in dinner at the Downtown Huey’s. Meet up at First Congo in Cooper-Young. On the way Downtown Huey’s GM Dax Nichols will talk about Revolutions and Huey’s.

The Memphis brewing community will present a fundraiser for Al Sakan and Josh Walton Saturday, August 13 at High Cotton Brewery. These are the men who were shot in the incident that eventually led to the vehicular death of Officer Verdell Williams. The two men are still in the hospital and need help with their medical bills. All five local breweries will be on hand with samples, as well as Bernoulli Brew Works, Memphis Filling Station, The Brew Movement Against Multiple Sclerosis, Midsouth Malts, and local brewers will be on hand as well. It is very nice to see all the local breweries come together on this. Cooperation benefits everyone.

Bonnie Raitt with the California Honeydrops will play the Orpheum at 8 PM Friday, October 21.

Random comment: The Downtown Walgreens plays the best background music. There have been several times over the years when I have gone in there to shop for light bulbs or Mountain Dew and discovered songs that became personal anthems for me. Today I went in there to pick up some trash bags and discovered The Sound of Sunshine by Michael Franti and Spearhead.

Great song and just what I needed right now. I’ve been in a dark period in terms of the songs I select (anyone who’s heard me play Bardog’s jukebox the past year knows this well) and I am ready for some sunshine. The dark clouds of drama are movin’ on out to points far east of here and Downtown is about to feel like Paul’s Playground once again. I’m usually kind of a quiet guy but I have a feeling I am going to be very, very talkative for the remainder of the summer.

What was I doing at the Downtown Walgreens, you ask? I have an unexpected day off. I’m having HVAC issues and while I could have phoned it in, I decided I needed to be here to talk to the maintenance supervisor in person. Looks like things are going to be wrapped up here in a bit, so I may get out early this afternoon. Back tomorrow with more news. Thursdays are always Farmers Market news days so the next post should be a good one.

What a fantastic 3-day weekend. It just couldn’t have gone much better. Saturday I danced at Mr. Handy’s Blues Hall with a beautiful woman who was traveling through town. Sunday I spent the afternoon and evening at the Tap Room with friends, and yes I will admit Pete gained a rare victory against me at pool. If you weren’t there, you missed out! I spent my July 4 evening doing one of the most American things possible – playing dominoes.

The Redbirds play the Nashville Sounds at AutoZone Park tonight with first pitch 7:05. It’s Tuesday, so there will be $1 King Cotton hot dogs. If you want to go big, the all-inclusive Club Level ticket is on sale for $40 tonight. An all-you-can-eat buffet and air conditioning are among the perks.

This is a site that has needed to happen for a while: Hot Dog Legs. It’s a Tumblr of women who take photos of their legs as they lay out at the pool or beach. Thanks to Seth from Best Memphis Burger for finding this and posting.

The Wizard of Oz will be shown on the big screen at Beale Street Landing tonight at 8:30. It is free to attend.

MPD reports that six guns have been confiscated since the Saturday night cover charge on Beale Street began last night.

From the NY Times: Why tech support is (purposely) bad. Who else thought COMCAST as soon as they saw the headline?

That’s all for now. I’ll be out at the Blind Bear after work most likely. Possibly another post later today.

This is going to be a quick post because I only have one news item. Rockey, the Memphis Redbirds mascot, will make an appearance at Aldo’s Pizza Pies from 2 to 3 this afternoon. All 30 drafts on the wall will be only $3 and you might score some free tickets to tonight’s game and fireworks afterward.

Happy Fourth everyone! I’m off to see Teryn at Bardog. Later in the afternoon, you never know, I might crash a cookout.

Alert for those of you who like French fries: I had some of the best fries of my life yesterday at Oshi Burger. On previous visits to the burger bar I had loaded my fries up with toppings like kimchi and chili, and had never tried them the simple way. Yesterday I got them with truffle oil and black sea salt. Really good.

I got them as a side with the El Guapo Patty Melt. As you all know, I take notes in Evernote to prepare for future blog posts. My phone corrected it to El Guano Patty Melt. I promise this burger did not taste like bird droppings.

Earlier in the day, I was at Bardog Tavern, where they have started the Baller Board for 2016. Donate $100 toward the cause of shaving burlesque dancer Kitty Wompas’s head for the kids of St. Jude, and get your name on the board.

Of course my name had to be up there. I was the second one on the board, and by the time I had left two more names had been added. $400 down, $19,600 to go.

While at Bardog, I chatted with two of my neighbors from Number 10 Main, catching up on news about people who used to live in the building. They have a friend from Morgantown, West Virginia who is moving to Memphis and looking for places to live in the Downtown core. I recommended our building, of course, the Washburn, the various Flats apartments, the Pembroke, and the Chisca. Did I leave out any other good apartments? Let me know if you know a unit for lease and I will pass it on.

My friend Bicycle Bobby and I have long complained that there are so many sports bars in Memphis, and yet no weather bars. I mean, seriously, why can’t you go to a bar where the TVs are tuned in to the Weather Channel? Bob wasn’t there to see it, but yesterday my favorite pair of librarian glasses made it happen at the Blind Bear.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. has started a new tradition: Bingo in the taproom every Friday. Play Cerrito Bingo at Memphis Made every Friday while drinking great craft beer and enjoying fare from some of Memphis’ finest food trucks. If you need an additional reason to go, the aforementioned favorite pair of librarian glasses bartends there on Fridays.

The Orpheum Summer Movie Series hosts its first ever Spanish language film at the Halloran Centre this Friday, July 8. Pan’s Labyrinth is set in World War II-era Spain and has English subtitles. Movie is at 7, but come early (doors open at 6) for trivia with La Prensa Latina and sweets from Memphis’ new Mexican bakery, The Sweet Cake Shoppe. There will be drink specials and a selfie station pre-movie as well.

On the Players’ Tribune, Mike Conley explains his decision to stay in Memphis. My favorite quote from the article: “In Memphis we don’t talk. We ball.”

Yonder Mountain String Band plays the New Daisy tonight at 8. This bluegrass band has redefined the genre, pushing the boundaries into rock & roll and improvisation.

I had a rare night on Beale Street last night, dancing at Mr. Handy’s Blues Hall. My friend C was in town for a night, and she hit me up on Facebook Messenger. C is one of those people who sees deeper than a person’s words, deeper than a person’s actions; she sees their inner light. The fact that she was in town for one night and of all the people she knows in Memphis, she chose to hang out with me, is a huge compliment.

D-RANKS with B-RAD at Blind Bear at 11 is first on my agenda today. I have several juicy tidbits of information to pass along to B-RAD. Later in the day I will try to stop by Cody’s house music dance party at Silly Goose. I have also heard that a wild Sunday Fun Day at the Beale Street Tap Room could develop, and I would definitely be inclined to partake in that experience if it does happen. A trip to the south side is possible as well. A Sunday Fun Day without a Cubicle Monday behind it has unlimited possibilities. Time to get things started!

Yesterday was a day that shaped the future of the Memphis Grizzlies. It was Day 1 of free agency, and midday news had come through that the team had signed swingman Chandler Parsons. He will fill a spot at small forward that has lacked a permanent piece since Rudy Gay left. Then, later in the day I was sitting at the bar at my “home away from home on the south side,” Max’s Sports Bar, when news came through that the Grizzlies had re-signed Mike Conley to a 5-year max deal. The deal will be the largest in league history. Great first day of free agency for Memphis’ team.

Paulette’s is having a wine dinner by executive chef Jeremy Jaggers on Tuesday with wines from Italy, France, California, and Oregon. $65 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Dance your ass off during the DAY on Sunday… DJ Cody Rogers and DJ CRUMBZ will be spinning house music at the Silly Goose tomorrow afternoon. There will be mimosas, food, and more.

Miss Cordelia’s and Cordelia’s Table host the monthly Drink a Beer, Save a River on Tuesday, July 12 from 5 to 8 PM. $1 of each beer sold will be donated to the Wolf River Conservancy, as well as all proceeds from the sale of a specialty beer.

The Memphis Says “No More” campaign is a year old. Mayor Strickland was not in charge when the campaign started, but he has let the city know he has signed on to it. It is a campaign to end rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence in Memphis. I support this effort 100% and hope to see them DO SOMETHING soon other than send out feel-good press releases. If there is anything I can do to help with Memphis Says “No More,” please let me know.

People.com StyleWatch has important information about tube tops that is a must-read.

The Memphis Flyer has announced participating restaurants for Flyer Burger Week. Get some of the best burgers in the city for only five bucks July 13-19.

Farmers Market time! With the tandoori truck gone for a while, I will explore my other food options. Pizza from Rock & Dough? A muffin from Bluff City Coffee? Back to Carrington Catering for breakfast? Or another vendor? I have options galore and I am on my way down there to explore them. Bardog at 11 after that, and yes Bloom, barring anything crazy happening at the Market I will have mint for you.

 

Sometimes there are advantages to commuting to Horn Lake, Mississippi for work. Horn Lake has something almost no other part of the Memphis metro has, including Downtown… a Hardee’s. A Hardee’s that serves breakfast. This morning I was checking out their online menu, and they have what they call a Monster Biscuit. From the bottom up, it’s ham, a slice of cheese, sausage, another slice of cheese, an egg, and bacon on a biscuit. Cardiologists probably don’t recommend this breakfast sandwich, but I do!

Longtime Downtowners will remember the “Tribute to Bill Saba” at now-closed Elliott’s restaurant. It was sausage, bacon, country ham, an egg, and cheese on heavily-buttered Texas toast. I used to get the Saba all the time when I worked in the Falls Building. The Monster Biscuit at Hardee’s is the closest approximation I have seen since.

By the way, if you’re curious, the Monster Biscuit has 730 calories and 49 grams of fat.

Next Thursday, July 7, the Redbirds are bringing back All You Can Eat night. With a special ticket ($19 field box, $22 dugout) you get an all-you-can-eat buffet. This time around the buffet will be… RIBS! Sounds like a good one,

I don’t know if I have any vegetarians who read this blog every day, but if I do, you’re probably not enjoying this post much so far.

Tori Tollison plays the outdoor deck at The Dirty Crow Inn tomorrow night, Saturday, July 2, from 9 PM to midnight.

Best Memphis Burger Fest is still seeking qualified judges for this year’s competition on Sunday, August 28. Must have cooking, food preparation, or food judging experience. MBN judging experience is acceptable, but KCBS and WFC certifications preferred. With Burger Fest possibly producing as many as three automatic bids to the World Food Championship, it is time to step up the judging game. The Fabulous Burger Boys have already made it to compete in the WFC. Maybe it’s time for another Downtown burger team (Moody Ques, Weekend at Porky’s, Flyer team, Squeal Street, Bardog team) to make the trek this year.

Don’t forget that today is Canada Day at Kooky Canuck with food and drink specials. Here are 11 days to spot a fake Canadian, courtesy of Canada’s National Post.

There’s a new locally sourced and produced probiotic drink called Memfizz that is now available in Downtown and Midtown stores.

R. Kelly tickets are now on sale for his September 17 FedExForum show.

Feed the hungry, get a beer: The Wiseacre taproom will have special noon to 8 PM hours on July 4, with Big Barton playing and the RAWK’n Grub food truck selling. Bring three canned goods to donate to the Mid-South Food Bank and get a 7 oz. beer.

Donald Trump may have used money people donated to his charity to buy himself a football helmet signed by Tim Tebow for $12,000. That’s unethical and illegal.

ESPN has a quiz where you can find the ideal city for you to go in free agency. I got the Miami Heat because they’re the ultimate work-hard, play-hard franchise.

Office closes at 3, so it will soon be PBR and Fireball time. Happy weekend everyone!