Paul Ryburn's Journal

Artist/photographer David Bunk is closing his gallery at 136 G.E. Patterson and that brings a chance to pick up some holiday gifts at a great value. Art is 50% to 70% off, first come first served. David will be there this week and next and out-of-towners can call+1 (901) 508-7324 to arrange a virtual tour.

Actor/director Rob Reiner and his wife were found dead at their Los Angeles home, victims of an apparent homicide. Reiner’s son Nick, 32, has been taken into custody. Reiner is best-known for playing Archie Bunker’s son-in-law Mike Stivic AKA The Meathead on ’70s sitcom All in the Family.

Closer to home, a Beale Street Flipper was shot and killed over the weekend.

Freakpages is a curated list of some of Wikipedia’s most interesting pages.

The CA has a list of restaurants offering Christmas meals to-go. Rendezvous smoked Christmas ham sounds pretty darn good.

Max’s Sports Bar is giving away a holiday prize pack of a $50 gift card, a T-shirt, a beanie, and koozies this Friday. Check their Facebook page to find out how to win.

Cordelia’s Market hot lunch specials this week:

• Monday (12/15): Red Beans & Rice
• Tuesday (12/16): Rice Bowls
• Wednesday (12/17): Goulash with Kale Caesar
• Thursday (12/18): Grilled Chicken Chipotle Penne Pasta
• Friday (12/19): Catfish Po-Boy & Fries

Grizz at L.A. Clippers at 9:30 tonight. TV: FanDuel Sports

The musical version of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas is on stage at the Orpheum this week.

Could microbarge cruising come to the Mighty Mississip’ one day?

Back tomorrow with more news.

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While writing my morning blog posts at the Memphis Chess Club, I’ve discovered Dr. Brown’s sodas, the black cherry and cream ones being my current favorites.

Yesterday I came across a flavor I had not previously heard of… Cel-Ray.

Celery-flavored soda?

YUK!!!!!

Wikipedia says the stuff is a Jewish delicacy and it tastes “reminiscent of ginger ale but with a pronounced celery flavor that is more pungent or peppery than ginger ale.”

Again, yuk.

Alabama Shakes will play the opening show at the Grind City Amphitheater on April 22.

WREG looks at holiday shopping in Downtown Memphis.

Choose901 looks at how The Artist Table is making South Main the place for culinary creativity. The concept is built around 3-month chef residencies.

The river’s cobblestone landing at Memphis has reopened following renovations.

WWE Superstar John Cena has his retirement match tonight.

Dick Van Dyke turns 100 today.

I hit the lottery again at Room In The Inn last night, but this time I didn’t board a bus to Germantown or Millington. The host church my name got drawn for was Calvary Episcopal, a mere two and a half blocks down the street. I walked with 13 others to our night’s accommodations in the old Hospitality Hub building on Second next to the church.

I was excited, and not just about the location. I am a confirmed member of the Episcopal Church – Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Little Rock, 1982. I quit going shortly after confirmation and my spiritual views began to diverge from mainline Christianity. But recently, I’ve thought about attending a Sunday service at Calvary to see if I connect with the message at all.

The volunteers couldn’t have been nicer. We had chicken pot pie and salad and Christmas cookies. There were showers and laundry service available for those who wanted them. Following a good night’s sleep, we woke up to pancakes, sausage, bacon, muffins, and yogurt. On the way out, there were goodie bags. Thanks to RITI churches, my backpack is so full of snacks that I can barely zip it shut.

Hmmm they have Sunday services at 8 and 10:30. The late service would be a no-go for me because of its proximity to Bardog’s opening time, but perhaps I will try the 8 some Sunday. Will people look at me funny if I show up in a T-shirt and jeans?

Back tomorrow with more news. I promise I won’t stay outside all night, given the wind chill forecast.

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Last night at Room In The Inn, my odds did not look promising. There were 56 spots available, but families and women take precedence. We were told there would be less than 10 spots available for men.

I hit the lottery and got one of those spots. I boarded the van and headed ‘to a community center in Germantown, where my hosts would be Collierville‘s Incarnation Catholic church. There we had a dinner of salad, lasagna, broccoli, and strawberry birthday cake.

About that birthday cake….

One of the guys serving us was celebrating his 17th birthday.

When it’s your birthday, you have the right to make the day all about you.

He could’ve spent the evening with his friends.

He could’ve spent the evening at the movies or playing video games or whatever else 17-year-olds do.

Heck, few would have faulted him if he’d snuck off and had a beer.

But no. He spent the evening serving others.

LADIES. THAT GUY is the one you want. Just trust me.

Robert Plant with Saving Grace and Suzi Dian comes to the Orpheum March 24. This latest collaboration of the 77-year-old former Zeppelin frontman is said to be based on a common love of roots music. Tickets start at $65.25.

INSIDER TIP: “Percy,” as he was known to his Led Zeppelin bandmates, loves the fashion at Winfield’s clothing store at Main and Madison. When you hear they sell rock star clothing there, it’s not just talk.

Downtown Slider Inn will have a tacky sweater silent disco this Saturday 8-11.

The space on Marshall Ave. that was legendary nightclub Six-1-Six in the 1990s is being parceled into a restaurant and a co-work space. There were already plans to convert The Dungeon into restaurant Cafe Noir.

Greater Memphis Chamber CEO Ted Townsend talked to Action News 5 about the tech hub being planned across from AutoZone Park.

KP Hawthorn and Caitlin Cannon play Songwriter Night tonight at South Main Sounds. 7 PM.

Earnestine & Hazel’s will have A Soul Burger Christmas Party with Electric 30 Saturday night.

The Grizzlies just can’t catch a break… the latest bad news is that Memphis will be without big Edey for 4 weeks due to a stress fracture to his ankle.

There’s a 12 on 12 deal ($12 tickets) for tonight’s Edey-less Grizzlies home game vs. the Utah Jazz. 7:00 PM. TV: FanDuel Sports

Penny’s Memphis Tigers have a big game tomorrow at 11 Louisville. 2:30 PM. TV: ESPN

Work for Donnie and Marky Mark! Wahlburgers is looking for a regional director of operations. Wonder if Marky Mark still wears his baseball cap turned backwards.

Learn all about Victorian mourning customs and jewelry at Elmwood Cemetery the day after Valentine’s.

Cordelia’s Market has a couple of one-day specials today. Pasted from the ‘book:

Seafood Dip Platters

Featuring jalapeño crab spread, premium seafood spread, pretzels, and pita chips — all for $10.95 (save $1.30!)

Perfect for snacking, parties, or treating yourself.

 

Halos California Mandarins

Fresh, sweet, and easy to peel — just $5.99 (save $1.70!)

Tonica will have its grand opening and ribbon cutting next Thursday.

Are we headed toward a measles pandemic in 2026?

Gather ’round together, the hora we’ll do: Hanukkah starts Sunday at sundown.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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A two-block neural nexus has been announced to be built at Union and Ida B. Wells/Fourth. What’s that you ask? It’s a combination of live, work, stay, and public spaces producing an environment conducive to the fast development of AI technology.

Former veep Kamala Harris will speak at the Orpheum on January 15. The stop is part of Harris’ national book tour. Tickets go on sale this Friday. Order her book: 107 Days

Today is National Have a Bagel Day. Hive Bagel on S. Front is the place to celebrate Downtown. Although, this holiday makes me miss hanging out at Otherlands in Midtown.

Beer recommendation: I was just at Bardog, where a rep commented that High Cotton Sandy Claus has been selling like wildfire. Description on Untappd: “Winter Seasonal. Brewed with Pecan Sandies Cookie finished with in-house roasted pecans, cinnamon, and nutmeg.”

An Uber Eats driver is accused of stealing several packages from a Downtown apartment building’s lobby after dropping off McDonald’s to a resident.

University of Memphis AD Ed Scott asked Nick Saban for a reference before hiring new head football coach Charles Huff.

Get deals before & after Grizzlies games. Nice to see Max’s Sports Bar’s shuttle to and from FedExForum is back.

Ireland is the 2026 Memphis in May honored country.

My chances of getting in Room in the Inn tonight look decent, so I’m gonna give that a shot. If I don’t get picked, I’ll head to Earnestine & Hazel’s and see friends. I haven’t had a night out in a while and I need one badly and I need to get it in before the wind chill drops to 9 Sunday morning.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Ja Morant is buying 250 Grizzlies fans tickets to Friday’s 7 PM home game against the Utah Jazz. Want to get in on that action? Be in FedExForum’s Grand Lobby today at 2 PM. First come, first served, limit 2 tickets per adult.

Once a Coug, always a Coug: Grizz rook Cedric Coward is having the time of his life playing alongside all of his teammates, but especially Jaylen Wells who also played for Washington State.

The CA speculates on when there might be an In-N-Out Burger location in the Memphis area. There are now three in Middle Tennessee.

Take a quiz: What dog breed is right for you? I got “greyhound.” But the correct answer is “cat.”

In case you don’t keep up with world news, Cambodia and Thailand are fighting.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Feeling much better today.

The DMC is sponsoring a week-long pop-up holiday shoppe at suite 175 of the 100 Peabody Place office tower December 16-22. There will be 12 local vendors curated by local entrepreneurs. Gourmet hot cocoa bar, holiday workshops.

WhatNow reports that Soul & Spirits Brewing at 845 N. Main is expanding its outdoor presence with a new patio, a dog park, and an area for food trucks.

Cheers to Ghost River on Beale on their recent 100 on their health inspection.

Beginning this Thursday, Itta Bena will offer its customers a complimentary valet service.

Ballet Memphis’ The Nutcracker is at the Orpheum this weekend.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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The chess club is closed today for maintenance. I relocated to the Saucer but that is not as good an environment for composing blog posts. So I’m gonna keep this brief.

Memphis Tigers football plays NC State in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa on Friday, Dec. 19.

Our city’s own Liberty Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2 will feature the Navy Midshipmen vs. the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Full bowl schedule

Sorry, y’all,, my Parkinson’s is acting up really bad today. I’ll try again tomorrow.

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HOOOOO HOOOOO HOO HOOSIERS! My friend Randy is a happy man this morning after Indiana upset Ohio State to claim the Big Ten title and presumably the top seed in the college football playoff. The CFP selection show is at 11 AM today on ESPN.

Gift shop Feelin’ Memphis at 509 S. Main is having a Jingle and Mingle today 1-4 PM. Free hot chocolate and apple cider. Free goodie bags to the first 60 people. Special visits by Ron Olson, David Lynch, and Jade Miller. Live music, holiday discounts. Also stop by Muse and Old South Florist nearby for holiday open houses.

The Grizz host Portland today at 5 and it’s Adoptable Pet Night. TV: FanDuel Sports

Memphis Medical District Collaborative has a holiday market today noon-3 at Ugly Art, 635 Madison. Free gift wrapping. Boys’ choir and DJ. Food, cocktails, hot chocolate.

For my service industry readers: 10 cities with the best tippers. NO, Memphis did not make the list. Number one: Denver.

CeQuita Monique plays a Jazz Jam pop-up concert at Center for Southern Folklore this afternoon at 2.

Today is National Cotton Candy Day.

Charles Huff is the new head football coach at the University of Memphis. He’s a former associate head coach and running backs coach at Bama. He’s also known as a top recruiter.

Cordelia’s Market will have a holiday open house 5:30-7:30 PM Wednesday with more than 20 local vendors.

MemphisWeather.net posted that a light wintry mix is possible 3-10 PM today. Extra care should be taken on bridges and elevated roadways.

The Memphis Irish Society will have its 2025 Ceili (party) at Memphis Made Brewing 1-4 this afternoon. Irish dance lessons, silent auction, raffle. $10 at the door.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Today is Bartender Appreciation Day.

The Grizzlies host the L.A. Clippers tonight at 7. There’s a Friday Buckets & Brews ticket special. Fans in attendance get a pair of City Edition sunglasses. TV: Action News 5

Drew & Ellie Holcomb’s Neighborly Christmas comes to the Orpheum tonight.

Silly Goose will open at 8 AM tomorrow for the race.

CARB UP: Kooky Canuck will have $9.99 all-you-can-eat spaghetti today.

Check out details of former Memphis football HC Ryan Silverfield’s new deal with Arkansas. He’ll make $6.5 million this year.

Christmas music by the MDs will headline a tacky sweater party Saturday at 6 at Downtown Wiseacre.

Half a dozen galleries will be open for Saturday’s Edge District Art Crawl. 5-9 PM.

Free pics with Santa tonight and next Friday night 5-7 on Beale Street.

Take a survey on what you’d like to see in the Cossitt Library’s West Wing renovation.

Union Ave. between Danny Thomas and B.B. King is already closed for the race tomorrow.

Cyrena Wages plays Hotel Pontotoc’s Garden Stage Saturday 6-9.

Celebrate Christmas with C.S. Lewis at the Halloran Centre Saturday. 2 PM and 7:30 PM performances.

Enjoy salsa by the fire including a free dance lesson from a Rumba Room instructor at Fire Pit Friday today 4:30-6:30 in Tom Lee Park.

There will be a holiday artists’ mixer tonight 6-8 at Contemporary Arts Memphis, 652 Marshall. Free food by Chef Eli, free drinks, some NICE door prizes.

No update tomorrow because of the race. Back Sunday.

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Peppermint cake at the Memphis Chess Club

Looking for a warm, cozy place to work or chill? Try the mezzanine of the Memphis Chess Club. Heat rises. When it’s 70 in the main dining area, it’s about 76 up there.

The latest CBS Sports bowl projections have Memphis vs. Arkansas State in the Birmingham Bowl Monday, December 29. For the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on January 2, they project TCU vs. Tulane.

Today is National Cookie Day. Makeda’s at 301 Jefferson, Cookie Plug and Butteriffic on Second, and Insomnia Cookies on Beale Street would be my recommendations to celebrate.

Get 20% off food now through Sunday at the following restaurants when you show your St. Jude race registration, bib, or medal.

• Bardog, 73 Monroe
• Aldo’s Pizza Pies, 100 S. Main
• Slider Inn, Mulberry at Talbot
• Momma’s, E.H. Crump Blvd. at Kentucky

RIP Steve Cropper of Booker T & the MGs.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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