Paul Ryburn's Journal

The annual Bardog Tavern 5K and alley party is barely more than two weeks away. This party is a huge fundraiser for St. Jude, with multiple means of raising money: 5K registrations, a dunk tank, a raffle, a meatball-eating contest… and a head-shaving. This year, Bardog server Lauren Dunn (or “LD”) has stepped up. She says that her hair has always been her identity, one of the first things that people notice about her, so much so that she has not dyed it even once in her entire life. Now, at the alley party on August 30, she is going to shave it off for St. Jude. Amanda “Panda” Parks got her head shaved last year, and raised over $10K for the kids. Lauren is determined to top that with only 17 days to campaign for donations. Donations large and small are accepted – cash or good checks. Those who donate $100 or more will get their name on Bardog’s board above the bar. LD, I will be bringing you a donation when I come in Saturday for Panda Time!

The Land Control Use Board has agreed to rename a portion of Third Street. B.B. King Boulevard will extend from Jackson on the north to Crump on the south. A very well-deserved honor for the late musician.

The sixth annual Cooper-Young Beerfest has been announced for Saturday, October 17, and tickets will go on sale September 1. You can view the list of participating brewers on the CY Beerfest website. If you love beer and want to LEARN about it, rather than seeing and being seen, this is the beer festival to attend. A beer fest that has an education booth and does not have a photographer from RSVP is my kind of festival. It’s in a large, open parking lot with plenty of room, not a cramped museum courtyard. No sheep droppings to smell as you try to drink your beer.

Thanks to Robo for making me aware of this: Flamethrowers, given up by the military, are now being sold to the public

(I mentioned flamethrowers )

One of my favorite people on Twitter is Bruce VanWyngarden, publisher of the Memphis Flyer, who goes by the handle @sylamore1. A couple of days ago he tweeted this:

New poll showing Kasich surging is surprising and encouraging. Maybe GOP voters have had enough of the wackadoos.

— Bruce VanWyngarden (@sylamore1) August 11, 2015

I couldn’t care less about the GOP race, but I had to embed this tweet just because I thought “wackadoos” was funny.

Time to go hang out with MY wackadoos at happy hour. Silly Goose is first up.

This is my second update of the day. There’s more Thursday news in the post before this one, so be sure to check it too.

If you’re planning on playing Harry Potter trivia at the Green Beetle tonight at 8, here’s an important announcement: Trivia host Kevin Cerrito has implemented a reservation system for tonight. Most of his trivia nights will remain first-come, first-served as they have been in the past, but due to the size of the crowd that showed up for trivia last night at Tamp & Tap, he is using the reservation system tonight. (Edit: I have been informed that reservations have filled up for tonight.)

The Peabody is set to open a resort-style luxury spa called Feathers Spa in mid-September. Feathers will offer spa and salon treatments including massages, body wraps, loofah scrubs, facials and facial enhancements, wax treatments, manicures and pedicures, hair styling, and make-up application. It will have high-end products from Zents and Pevnonia. Feathers will be the only spa in Tennessee to offer Pevonia skincare products. Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage will be one of the highlighted treatments, including a couples’ massage. There are jobs open at Feathers. Apply here.

The Peabody has a special offer for tonight’s rooftop party finale: $107.50 room rate for tonight only. 1-800-PEABODY for reservations. That is a heck of a deal.

To-MAY-to, To-MAH-to is the theme Saturday at the Memphis Farmers Market. The market will celebrate “maters” of all shapes and sizes. There will be a tomato tasting from 9:30 to 10:30, and you can vote for your favorite tomato among the market vendors. (Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.) UT Extension agent Sheryl Miller will demo how to make tomato bruschetta at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30. Live music by Paul Waits 8:30-10, and The Zoo Girls 11-12:30. The market is located under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson. 7 AM to 1 PM Saturdays.

I am either taking a break from the Farmers Market this week or going super early. The past month I have gone down there about 10, got a smoothie from the So Fresh Juice truck, and walked around and mingled. The thing is, though, the juice truck has gotten very popular, and the past two weeks there have been 15-20 minutes worth of orders ahead of me. When I’m moving around the Market I’m pretty comfortable, but when I have to stand there and wait on my order, it is HOT! By going early it will be cooler, and not as many people will be in line. If I don’t wake up in time to go early, I have no problem taking a week off.

The CA has some good information about the upcoming International Rockabilly Festival this weekend. Holly has some good info too including an interview with the festival organizer.

This keg of Arcas, a brown ale, will be on tap at tonight’s Memphis Made Brewing Co.’s pint night at Central BBQ Downtown.

Job news: BRIDGES is seeking a Bridge Builders Facilitation Specialist.

You never know, there may be a Thursday update #3 tonight, so check back after work. I’ll be out for happy hour at one of my usual spots, Silly Goose the most likely.

Tonight is the final Peabody rooftop party of the 2015 season, featuring Ingram Hill and special guest Karmin. $15 cover, doors open at 6, ladies free until 7. Buffet from 7-8 is included in price of admission and includes pineapple chicken with coconut rice and bok choy with lime. If you’re in VIP there is a second buffet 7-9:30 with whole roasted pig, black beans and rice, grilled pineapple slices, yucca, and mini rum cake.

Felicia Suzanne’s will not hold Tacos & Tunes tonight because they will be closed for a private event.

One of my newest blog readers has apparently been reading my old posts, because she picked up on the chicken fried steak meme that has been running for about a month on here. She sent me a text that OK Cafe is the place to get a chicken fried steak in Atlanta. I looked it up and… oh, no. It’s a COUNTRY fried steak. Not the same thing, as I recently learned. When we meet up for drinks at the Blind Bear again, we better not make it a weekday happy hour. If we do, expect some cross words from my friend Rodger. He was the one who educated me on the difference.

Our litigious society: I had previously mentioned that Lambert’s Cafe, Home of the Throwed Rolls, in Sikeston, MO is a great place to get a chicken fried steak. However, Lambert’s is being sued. At Lambert’s the servers throw rolls to you, or some would say, at you. The plaintiff is suing over an injury claimed to have been caused by a throwed roll.

Register for the Breakaway-Bardog 5K by tomorrow and you will have the chance to be drawn to win $25 gift cards to Bardog, Slider Inn, or Aldo’s Pizza Pies.

The field in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest has been trimmed to ten. They will compete at the Orpheum tonight at 7, and afterward the top five will be selected for tomorrow’s final, also at the Orpheum.

The full schedule for the Grizzlies 2015-16 has been released.

Congratulations to Jennifer Oswalt, current CFO of the Memphis Flyer’s parent company, on being hired as the new CFO of the Downtown Memphis Commission.

Time to head to work. Possibly back with a lunchtime post or after-work post.

Sometimes, when I want to be out and about, but I need to keep my wits about me, I will go to the Flying Saucer and get a pint of Abita Root Beer. It’s delicious – really, based solely on taste, I prefer it to any beer – and there’s no alcohol in it. “Root beer is always safe,” I thought.

Well, root beer is about to no longer be “always” safe. Last night I was in Max’s Sports Bar, and Max told me that Small Town Brewery is about to roll out their beers in the Memphis market. Among their selections is a root beer that Max says tastes as good as Abita’s, but is 5.9% alcohol by volume. On the walk back north I saw this poster in the Green Beetle’s window:

The Redbirds return to AutoZone Park Saturday when they play Albuquerque at 6:05 PM. If you’re looking for something to do with the kids that night, this might be the thing. It will be a Superhero Night where fans are invited to come dressed up as their favorite superhero. Thanks to Cause-Play Memphis, Spider-man, Batman and others will be mingling with fans during the game. First 2000 fans get a free Redbirds-themed superhero poster, featuring Stephen Piscotty, Marco Gonzales, and Rockey Redbird. There’s a special ticket you can purchase for $19/$16 that gets you a Redbirds superhero cape as well as your seat. After the game there will be fireworks.

The MBJ has new renderings of ArtSpace Lofts, the affordable live/work space for artists that is being constructed on St. Paul Avenue in South Main.

The RiverFit workout course at Tom Lee Park will be back beginning Saturday. From 8 AM to 2 PM that day Memphis Rowing will be there with rowing machines you can use. There will also be free yoga by Delta Groove Yoga at RiverFit Saturday from 9:15-10:15. Bring a mat or towel if you want to participate.

Felicia from Felicia Suzanne’s has a video on making the best grits ever.

From Toyland: Laptop scratching post lets your cat create its own viral content

Life Is Good on the Main Street Mall will give 10% off to Elvis fans who show their Graceland ticket.

Goldcrest 51, Memphis’ original beer, now has merchandise you can purchase.

Don’t be surprised if the price goes up on some of your favorite dishes when you eat out. The price of pork belly has gone up 174% since April.

That’s it for now. I’ll be out at the usual places after work. Happy hour location undecided but leaning in the direction of Silly Goose.

There was a big announcement yesterday: The Indie Memphis film festival will double in length and expand to Downtown. A venue that is being added to the film fest is the new Halloran Center for the Performing Arts and Education that has been built on the Orpheum’s grounds.

Speaking of the Halloran Center: Holly has a first look at the center on the I Love Memphis Blog. She also has info on the Southern Circuit Independent Film Series to be held there this fall.

Two Elvis Week events will happen at Lansky Bros. Clothier to The King at 126 (Hard Rock Cafe building). On Thursday, August 13 from 11 to 1, acclaimed Elvis artist Joe Petruccio will be signing his new poster “Come On In,” available for sale for $20. The poster portrays the story of how store founder Bernard Lansky met Elvis.

On Friday, August 14, Brad Birkedahl, formerly of The Dempseys, will perform a free acoustic show at the store. Brad’s style is mostly rockabilly but he does some Elvis too.

The Center for Southern Folklore will have some rockin’ rockabilly with Roy Brewer Friday at 8 PM. $10 tickets.

Singer CharveyMac has a rare appearance Downtown tonight. He will perform at the Silly Goose from 10 until 1.

South Main Sounds at 550 S. Main has a Friday Night Doubleheader this Friday from 7 to 10. Nashville’s Kassie Miller and Ben Wilson will perform, and the Tallent Brothers will have an album release show for “Back on the Old Stuff.”

Interesting: The Tennessee Attorney General issued an opinion that a nonprofit, such as Memphis in May, cannot prevent handgun owners with valid permits from carrying their guns into a public park. Thanks to BBQ team president Moody for the info.

On Sunday, August 23 from 1 to 5 High Cotton Brewing Co., Hollywood Feed and StreetDog Foundation will present a fundraiser for StreetDog Foundation at the High Cotton taproom. There will be discounted pints and a silent auction. You are welcome to bring your dogs, provided that they are on a leash and are sociable with other dogs and humans. Dog treats will be given away that use grain normally used in the brewing process.

That’s all for now. Off to lunch, probably out at one of the usual places after work.

Big concert announcement this morning: The Jacksons are coming to the Orpheum Saturday, October 10. Original members Jackie, Tito and Marlon will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of The Jackson 5. The Jacksons will perform their hits, as well as hits by their late brother and bandmate Michael. Tickets go on sale Friday and start at $45.50 plus fees

Street closure alert: Wendi Hays (@trafficbabe) reported that the second phase of trolley track maintenance on South Main has begun. Main between Dr. MLK Avenue and Vance will be blocked until 10 PM Wednesday.

There will be a Mayoral Candidate Forum tonight at 7 at the National Civil Rights Museum. Participating candidates include A C Wharton, James Strickland, Harold Collins, Michael Williams and Sharon Webb. It is free to attend, and seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Action News 5 will broadcast and live-stream the event, and the moderators will be Joe Birch and Ursula Madden.

Tomorrow at 10 AM, as part of Elvis Week there will be two historic marker unveilings Downtown. The first will be at the former site of Poplar Tunes, the record store where Elvis shopped, at 308 Poplar. Then the group will “walk where Elvis walked” down to Uptown Square, formerly Lauderdale Courts, 282 North Third, to unveil a marker at the apartment where Elvis grew up. The apartment is available for public tours during Elvis Week.

I remember back in my early days as a Memphian, when Lauderdale Courts was still a gang-infested housing project. There was a wall with dollar signs spray-painted all over it, which is code for “dope sold here.” Some extremely literate gangster painted “LAUADALE CORTS” on the wall as well.

There will be a fan reception at the Elvis Presley Trauma Center at Regional One Health tomorrow at 10. There will be light refreshments and tours, and Dixie Locke Emmons, Elvis’ first girlfriend, will be a special guest.

Shout-out to the friend I made Saturday afternoon. Have a good trip to Atlanta this coming weekend! Let me know if the really awesome Cuban restaurant in Little Five Points is still there. (PAELLA!) I hope we can hang out when you get back, we can talk about how much we hate UT football.

It’s National S’mores Day. You can get ’em Downtown at Kooky Canuck. They’ll set you up to make your s’mores right there at the table.

The Nathan Bedford Forrest statue Downtown was vandalized over the weekend. Can we just take that stupid statue down already? I’m sick of hearing about it.

The newest addition to The Internet of Things: A bra that tweets every time it is unclasped

If you want to know what it’s like for a Memphian to move to the Big Apple, check out Robo’s blog. He and his wife Shawna moved on up to the East Side, to a deluxe apartment in the sky, last week.

Assuming there are no fires to keep me at work late (and there have been fires aplenty this weekend), I will hit Melissa Monday at Bardog about 5:30. Melissa likes talking to members of BBQ teams that win trophies, so “Mr. Load-in” will make sure she has one of those at her bar. Over to Blind Bear after that. Time to walk a few laps around the building, then back to work.

The BBQ team is getting fired up for the fall competition season, and we decided to have a practice cook at the Holliday Flowers warehouse on Monroe in The Edge. Brent and his team from Holliday Flowers have turned vision into reality at Tom Lee Park for us for several years now, leading us to four consecutive finishes in the top three for Best Booth, including two first-places. Brent was kind enough to invite us to his warehouse for the practice cook.

What a neat space! I didn’t get the chance to ask Brent what this building used to be. It looks like it was an old motor hotel or apartment building. Whatever it was, I bet it was cheap to stay there – not many years ago, The Edge was not the finest of neighborhoods. In any case, it is a neat building and Holliday made a great find.

It is farther east than I realized. Google StreetView put 444 Monroe just east of Danny Thomas, but really it is about a block farther down.

The seafoam green color scheme of the building reminds me of the days when I lived in San Diego and would drive around Point Loma.

Head cook Frank grilling up the brats using Royal Oak charcoal. Because of the cookout, Memphis Farmers Market board president Frank had to be away from the Market yesterday A.M. He counted on “Mr. Load-in” to step up and hold down the fort.

Otto, John D, and Mike

Moody Ques cookouts are dog-friendly.

Nice to have Duck (in the Mississippi State shirt) back with us.

Our inspirational leader/father figure helping set up the buffet

Chloe

Frank and Erik preparing the pulled pork

Our fearless leader, fresh off the plane from Jamaica, mon.

Duck

Full photo album here. What a neat group of people that I am proud to call my BBQ family. We may not have a case full of cooking trophies – yet – but we are improving and most importantly, we are having a lot of fun. If you are not on the Moody Ques but would like to be, shoot me an email at paul@paulryburn.com and I will put you in touch with the team leaders. Of course, we are always happy to talk to potential sponsors too.

Whew. I tried to get the photos uploaded last night, but halfway through I lost my Internet connection and didn’t get it back until this morning when I rebooted pretty much every device I own, including the router. And of course it happened as I was on call for work and had them asking me to do stuff remotely. This weekend has pretty much been Murphy’s Law as far as work is concerned. Good thing the places I go have Wi-Fi. The netbook is probably going to be my companion today when I go out. I may do a news post before going out, so check back.

One of the best parties of the fall season, Feed the Soul, will happen once again at The Warehouse at Front and G.E. Patterson (the green building on the northeast corner, across from the Memphis Farmers Market) on Thursday evening, August 8. A crowd of 1000 will gather for food, drinks, and live music, Tameka “Big Baby” Goodman, The Soul Therapy Band and DJ Stan “The Bellringer” Bell of radio station V101 will provide the live entertainment. There will also be a raffle for prizes donated by area merchants, an oxygen bar, and rum and bourbon tastings. Proceeds benefit MIFA and tickets can be purchased for $45 apiece on MIFA’s website. I have been to this party several years past and it is a lot of fun. Recommended, for sure.

Choose901 is having a pop-up back-to-school shop today from 11 to 7 at 50 Peabody Place. It is in observance of Tennessee’s tax-free weekend for back-to-school clothes and some supplies. Around the corner, Life is Good will also have a tax-free weekend celebration.

A Hound Dog Tour (on bus) leaves from Backbeat Tours, 140 Beale, today at 1. Rock out to the music of Elvis while seeing where he grew up, went to school, and worked, as well as sites that were important to his early career. $28-32, and since it is a bus I assume space is limited.

WREG Live at 9 had the chef at Agave Maria stop by to do a seared scallops recipe. I had them on their shrimp and scallop enchilada a few weeks ago at my friend Tony’s birthday party, and they are good.

Fresh produce news: The Easy Way at 596 S, Cooper in Midtown could become a locally-sourced market under new ownership.

Hungry Memphis has a visit to 387 Pantry. They may add a growler station soon. That would be good for South Main! They’re also considering a grab & go and possible partnerships with food trucks.

Folks in the French Fort neighborhood are fed up with the old, dilapidated former Quality Inn building on Alston Avenue. It is the first building I-55 drivers see as they enter Tennessee, and sexual encounters, drug deals, and other bad stuff happen in there. Vagrants who hang around the old hotel are discouraging people from coming to the neighborhood.

Excited about a weekend free from drama. I’m on call for work, so I will be taking it extremely easy today, but unless I get a call or text I am going to stick to my usual plan: Panda Time at Bardog (she’s been promoted to bar manager now, but she’s still in the building, and “Michael Time” doesn’t have the same ring to it), librarian glasses at Blind Bear, a visit to Max’s Sports Bar, and then over to the Moody Ques cookout on Monroe. Hopefully a stress-free, fun-filled August Saturday.

I just wanted to give my Moody Ques BBQ teammates one more reminder that we are having a combination cookout/fundraiser tomorrow, Saturday, August 8. The event is from 7 to 10 PM at the Holliday Flowers warehouse, at 444 Monroe just east of Danny Thomas. You’ll be able to taste some of the first food cooked on our new smoker, which still does not have a name.

We are asking all team members for a $20 donation per team member for this fundraiser. If you bring guests, pay what you can for them. The donations will help pay our way into two regional cooking contests, Al Chymia and The Art of Q, which will give the cookteam some good practice for BBQ Fest ’16. It will also help pay our entry into Best Memphis Burger Fest, which we’re doing just for fun.

If you don’t have any other plans for Saturday evening, we hope that you will show up and support the team. We plan to have events like this throughout the year, so that the cookteam can practice and the team as a whole can build a sense of camaraderie.