Paul Ryburn's Journal

I had a delicious piece of tiramisu at Bardog yesterday:

 

These dessert specials usually last for several days, so if the photo above gets your mouth a-waterin’, you may be able to satisfy that craving today.

I hear rumors that a new brunch menu may roll out at Bardog soon… if it’s true, I hope they put strawberry/blueberry pancakes, chicken & waffles, the lobster omelette, the grilled pork chop, and the blackened fish of the day on the menu. They aren’t “specials” if you have them every week.

Today is National Cocktail Day.

Court Square is fenced off for today’s Casa Palooza tequila festival:

Keep an eye on the weather tomorrow. Todd Demers of News Channel 3 forecasts storms to roll in Monday afternoon. They could be at their worst right around the evening rush hour. Expect wind gusts and more than an inch of rain.

Thursday is Major League Baseball’s Opening Day.

The Grizzlies wrap up a road trip Monday at the Denver Nuggets. 8:00 PM tip. TV: Bally Sports

Action News 5 has a look at the pop-up basketball event on Beale yesterday. It was sponsored by Starry and even Mayor Paul Young took a shot.

Chips Ahoy! is upgrading its chocolate chips.

Mighty Lights on the river bridges tonight will be blue and white in honor of the NCAA and its two men’s tournament games to be played here today. Thanks to Jerred Price for posting this info to Nextdoor.

The secret to getting more meat in your burrito at Chipotle. Thanks to the Recomendo newsletter for the info.

Shelby County seeks a deputy court clerk for its Circuit Court.

This morning I checked my backpack out of storage at the Union Mission and began my daily walk to the Downtown core. Normally I take Jefferson, but something told me, “Take Adams instead.” I wondered if there was something I was supposed to notice about the Magevney House, the oldest residence in the city. But, no, nothing was different.

As I was about to cross the intersection of Adams and Second, a car pulled up alongside me. “Good morning, sir,” said a family, holding a McDonald’s sausage biscuit and a bottle of water out the window.

I take this as another sign that the plan I adopted Friday is working. Author Andrew Kap calls these signs “manifestational raindrops” and a considerable number of them have landed in my life. If this is only day 3 of my 30-day plan, I can’t wait to see what day 30’s gonna look like.

I’ve got a long to-do list tomorrow, but I’ll try to squeeze a blog post in there. It should be up no later than 1 PM.

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In the two years since the Cossitt Library reopened, its space has been put to good use. Chef Eli Townsend’s Dos Hermanos Cafe opened last year. What a fantastic concept – a restaurant in a public library! Demand for Eli’s food was so high that library staff roped off nearly half the first floor so restaurant customers would have a place to sit.

Late in 2023, the library made a change. They moved the children’s section upstairs, and began booking many more private events in a second-floor collaborative space sponsored by AutoZone.

All the space that remains for traditional library activities like reading, studying, or working on your laptop is on the left (as you walk in the front door) half of the first floor.

But that half houses public computers, shelves full of books, and meeting rooms.

So, when the upstairs is reserved, there’s only room for two 4-top tables for people who want to use the library for traditional library purposes.

What’s more, not everyone who sits there uses the library for traditional library purposes.

Recently there was a guy at my table listening to music videos on his phone. He didn’t use earphones. He wasn’t blasting the music by any means, but two and a half feet away, any volume at all was enough to distract me from the Medium article I was trying to write.

Meanwhile, the guy sitting across from me was charging his phone on one of the library’s plentiful outlets. He was also talking on his phone. The conversation was not urgent or important, just shooting the bull with a friend. It went on for 40 minutes as he described how his girlfriend’s brother looks like Wesley Snipes.

The Cossitt Library needs a quiet room. It seems absurd to suggest that, though, because traditionally, ENTIRE LIBRARIES were quiet rooms. Any unnecessary noise would have earned me a “sssssshhhhhh” from an annoyed librarian.

On to the news…

1 Houston, 9 Texas A&M, 3 Baylor, and 6 Clemson were NCAA tournament first-round winners at FedExForum yesterday. Tomorrow Houston faces A&M (7:40 PM, TNT) and Baylor faces Clemson (5:10 PM, TNT).

The Grizzlies got a 99-97 win over San Antonio last night, a win that came down to the final seconds with a basket by Jaren Jackson Jr.

It’s a rare Saturday when Bogie’s Deli in Brinkley Plaza is open:

The aforementioned Dos Hermanos Cafe in the Cossitt Library is serving brunch until 4 today.

The Dunkin’ Donuts truck is back next to Court Square. Today it’s parked on Main Street.

Today is National Chip and Dip Day and National Tamale Day.

South of Beale Downtown seeks a bartender.

Tennessee has become the first state to pass a law protecting musicians from AI.

That’s it for today. Probably back tomorrow with more news.

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There’s a Dunkin’ Donuts truck parked on Second next to Court Square. Looks like you play a pop-a-shot hoops game for the chance to win coffee or a donut.

Penny’s Nitty Gritty, we hardly knew ye. The restaurant in the Westin named for the U of M men’s basketball coach has closed and is evolving into a new restaurant, Courtside Grill. Penny Hardaway will have no involvement with Courtside.

Starry Hoops Madness Memphis happens Saturday from noon to 4 pm. There will be basketball games and prizes, including a fan 3-point contest with former Grizzlies Mario Chalmers, Rudy Gay, and Tony Allen. Free lemon-lime beverage Starry. Grizz, the Grizz Girls, the Claw Crew, and Grizzline will be there.

Memphis International Auto Show comes to Renasant Convention Center today through Sunday. Admission is free.

One Hallelujah comes to the Orpheum Saturday.

Next door at the Halloran Centre, magician Arthur Trace, The Artful Deceiver, will perform Saturday night.

Standup comedian Kountry Wayne will be at the Orpheum Sunday.

Downtown Wines & Spirits is expanding its hours to 10 AM-11 PM Thursday-Saturday. The liquor store is on Madison, next door to Winfield’s Clothing at the intersection of Main.

It may soon be illegal to marry your first cousin in Tennessee.

Save the date: Memphis Farmers Market is having a crawfish boil Saturday, April 20.

DJ Mark Anderson plays Beck & Call in the Hyatt Centric tonight 6 to 9 PM.

DJ Alpha Whiskey plays Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel tonight.

Saturday night Ill Syl will be at Eight & Sand spinning the ’90s R&B.

It’s funny how life works sometimes. Just yesterday I posted a Medium article saying how much I hate it when someone asks me “What’s your plan?” Less than 24 hours later, I’m proud to announce that I HAVE A PLAN. I’m not gonna go into great detail, but I see it as a 30-day plan with the option to extend it another 30 (or some other time frame as I see fit), and there’s a strong spiritual aspect.

I mentally signed up for the plan at some point between 6:30 and 7:00 this morning as I sat in the Union Mission’s day room. At 9:12 this morning, as I was walking down Monroe Avenue, I received an indication that the plan is already bearing fruit.

Not sure if I’ll post tomorrow or not… my priority is gonna be to get to Court Square as close to 9 AM as possible and see if the burrito ministry is there again. Back Sunday if not tomorrow with more news.

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The second article I’ve published since returning to Medium is now online: 9 Kind Things You Can Do for Your Homeless Friend (and 3 that seem kind, but really aren’t).

Loflin Yard is having a crawfish boil this Sunday at noon. The cook is Glaze Hardage who does the awesome Saturday boils at Max’s Sports Bar. $13 a pound. Live music by the Grassfire Bluegrass Band.

Megan Thee Stallion brings her Hot Girl Summer Tour with special guest GloRilla to FedExForum May 30. Tickets go on sale Friday.

West Memphis Dispensary seeks a bartender/receptionist. I bet that’d be an interesting job.

River Inn of Harbor Town seeks front desk agents and housekeepers

In other River Inn news, the Terrace restaurant is launching a seasonal menu.

The Grizzlies took a 137-116 loss at Golden State last night. TANK TANK TANK

Today is International Tiramisu Day.

Memphis 901 FC seeks a marketing director.

The University of Memphis has hired a few people in an attempt to bolster its NIL efforts.

Kinfolk has opened on Harbor Town Square and the CA has a gallery. The restaurant is Chef Cole Jeanes’ creation, once in the former Puck Food Hall at 409 S. Main. Biscuit sandwiches are the things to get there, although they also have a yummy-looking steak and eggs plate.

Gary Topper performs at the Cossitt Library Friday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 in its Five Fridays of Jazz series.

 There will be a Walkin’ in Memphis Celebration for World Down Syndrome Day this evening at 6 PM. The walk will start at the I-55 bridge and end at Beale Street Landing.

Last night during chapel at the Union Mission, our lead pastor shared more details of the men’s drug & alcohol recovery program at the facility. It is free and it starts with a 30-day stay on the second floor of the Mission at Poplar near Danny Thomas. Then participants move for six months out to a facility in northeast Shelby County, described as being a fun outdoor playground for adults that is perfect for keeping their minds off booze and drugs.

After participants graduate, they can live at a Mission-operated facility near Poplar and Tillman for up to a year. Facility residents have to pay rent, which is a couple hundred bucks a month, and past participants told me you get your own room with a TV. Participants have to go get a job in the community and are required to save 60% of their income. At the end of the year, they often discover that they have enough to pay cash for a vehicle or for a down payment on a house.

Sounds like a fabulous program, especially for the price. Let me repeat something I mentioned in the past, though – the program uses the Bible as its textbook, not AA’s twelve steps and Big Book. If you’re not on board with Christian principles – accepting Jesus as your savior, repenting for your sins, and so forth – I don’t know how successful you’d be in this program.

That’ll wrap it up for today’s post. Welcome to all the people in town for March Madness. Go get you some Gus’s chicken or some Central BBQ while you’re here. Be sure to check out A. Schwab’s on Beale Street. Don’t leave valuables in plain sight in your cars.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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I finished my Medium article: What it’s Like Living in a Homeless Shelter, an examination of my day-to-day life at the Memphis Union Mission. I wrote this article because I refused to give the Mission a try for weeks longer than I should have (particularly, the last half of December and the entire month of January).

Out of fear of what I might find at the Mission, I wandered the streets of Downtown Memphis all hours of the night, staying up without sleep 4-5 nights in a row. I started hallucinating. I started sleepwalking. During one of my sleepwalking episodes, I walked away from my backpack, losing my belongings including the MacBook Air I used for two years to type this blog.

That was the breaking point. I had no other choice but to give the Mission a try.

And I discovered there was nothing to fear. The Mission is safe, the meals it serves me are nourishing, and I’m getting plenty of sleep. No more hallucinations.

I will eventually move on to a more permanent place, but the Mission has made a fan of me for life.

I’m working on a second article, tentatively titled “10 Kind Deeds You Can Do for Your Homeless Friend (and 3 that are not so kind).”

And now, let’s get on to the news.

Today is National Poultry Day. Gus’s, Uncle Lou’s, and Pirtle’s would be my suggestions.

Today is also the first day of spring.

From the DM: Money could be taken away from Memphis Tourism (the convention & visitors bureau) in order to allocate more funds raised from the hotel-motel tax to FedExForum renovations.

Speaking of renovations: The DM has a timeline for Liberty Bowl renovations. The first phase will wrap up before the Tigers’ first kickoff this fall.

This Friday is your final chance at fish pudding as the Calvary Waffle Shop wraps up for the year.

The Grizzlies lost in overtime to Sacramento last night, 121-111.

Remember that shooting that occurred around 310 Beale (formerly Jerry Lee’s) this past weekend? The dispute that led to it was over a spilled drink. Ridiculous.

Terrace at the River Inn on Mud Island will be closed today for a private event.

Bishop is having a wine dinner tomorrow night. You get a welcome glass of wine and four courses with pairings. $85 plus tax, tip, and any bar tab you run.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow probably.

I gratefully accept tips! 
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We now know the 8 teams coming to FedExForum to play in the first two rounds of the NCAA men’s tournament. Friday’s games will be

• 3 Baylor vs. 14 Colgate 11:10 (West bracket)
• 6 Clemson vs. 11 New Mexico 2:10 (West bracket)
• 8 Nebraska vs. 9 Texas A&M 5:50 (South bracket)
• 1 Houston vs. 16 Longwood 8:20 (South bracket)

The winning teams will have the day off Saturday and will play in the second round here Sunday. So, let’s take a minute to think about whose fans are likely to be packing Downtown’s restaurants, bars, gift shops, and attractions on Saturday when they don’t have a game to watch.

Most likely it’ll be the three Texas teams and Clemson. Houston and Baylor are gonna be heavy favorites in their games. As for Texas A&M, 9 seeds have a winning record against 8 seeds in March Madness, and Aggies fans travel so well that it’ll be effectively a home game for the school.

With the A&M fans here in town, it’ll be a fun weekend and plenty of money will be spent. They’re a great fan base that travels well. I’ll be rooting for them because my second cousins once removed, Grayson and T.J., went to A&M, going through their famous ROTC program.

The DM reports that Memphis football is close to signing an extension with head coach Ryan Silverfield. Nice to have a piece of good news coming out of the university’s athletic department this month.

The Grizzlies are out West this week. Tonight they’re at Sacramento at 9. TV: Bally Sports

Today is National Sloppy Joe Day. Ah, brings back memories of Little Rock Public Schools cafeterias.

A fight in and around Little Italy South Main resulted in a man’s death Saturday. A Memphis firefighter was charged with criminally negligent homicide and was relieved of duty pending an investigation.

The Rock blasted Ja Morant during The Rock Concert that kicked off WWE Smackdown Friday night.

MemphisWeather.net predicts a low of 30 tonight, about 15 degrees below normal.

The Cossitt Library wants you to Come Tell a Story this Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. This is the first of the year and the theme will be “Boundaries.”

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra will present Pink Floyd & The Planets, the latest in its Masterworks series, at the Cannon Center Saturday at 7:30 PM.

Happy Tails Canine Rescue presents Pints, Poses, & Pups at Grind City Brewing Co. at 2 PM this Sunday. They’ll have 7-week-old adoptable puppies and a yoga class as well. $25 at the door, with all proceeds helping to rescue more dogs.

That’s it for this post. I’m typing this at the Cossitt Library. My next order of business is to finish my return-to-Medium article, “What it’s Like Living in a Homeless Shelter,” and publish it today. That’ll probably take me past the 2 PM deadline to get in for free at the Union Mission. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna stay out all night tonight – TOO COLD!!! I’ll scrape together the 6 bucks required to get in the Mission after 2 and before the front window closes at 7 PM. It’ll be a good investment if I get that article published this afternoon.

Back tomorrow.

I gratefully accept tips! 
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Cash App: $Paulryburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

 

So, at the Union Mission, we have chapel every night at 6. Most nights we have guest preachers. The one we had Friday night rattled off a list of places he used to go in the late ‘90s, back before he found Jesus and was just a lowly sinner. And one of the places on his list was… RAIFORD’S!!!

HELL YEAH brother! I was right there sinning with you!

November 1999: I made out with one of my former calculus students on Raiford’s dance floor. She had her sister with her so I couldn’t take her home to finish what we started. Then, less than a week later, she accepted a job offer in a Midwest city and poof, she was gone. Typical of my luck with women.

The Nine Thai Sushi on Union is back open following an approximate 6-week closure for renovations.

Desmond Bane did indeed return for the Grizzlies last night, dropping 22 points and 7 assists, but Memphis fell to OKC regardless.

Auto-Chlor at Poplar and Manassas, which makes dishwashing products for restaurants, seeks an Assembly Associate.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is meeting at the Renasant Convention Center today through Thursday.

The DM has a Beale goes green gallery from yesterday.

Selection Sunday is on CBS at 5 Memphis time. We want to pay special attention to the eight teams playing Friday and Sunday in the South Regional, because those teams will come to FedExForum – and their fans will spend money in nearby hotels and restaurants.

God I hope the Tennessee Vols don’t come here.

There was a shooting in front of 310 Beale Sunday morning about 2 AM and a man is dead.

Memphis in May seeks a receptionist.

Road closures today to make way for a crane:

• Second between Cout and Adams
• Jefferson between Front and B.B. King

The work should be complete by 7 PM.

A coworking concept will open in 18 S. Main. It’ll be part of a chain called Spaces.

Cheers to the burrito ministry, who fed me yesterday morning in front of Court Square a few minutes after 9. I had two delicious sausage, egg, and cheese burritos, a Dr. Pepper, and two packs of SweetTarts Minis. They offered pretzels too but I get plenty of those at the Mission, where they’re a frequent dinner side dish.

That’s it for now… I may miss a day or two posting to the blog this week as my focus will be getting back on Medium.

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Mississippi State 73, Tennessee 56. LOVE IT!!!

Has anyone been to the Makeda’s Cookies location at 301 Jefferson? I know it’s more of a warehouse, but do they sell individual cookies like the Airways location? It’s on my walking route and I’d love to support a great local business.

Today is National Corn Dog Day.

It’s Wrestling Night at the Grizzlies as they play Oklahoma City at 7. Free luchador mask to the first 5000 fans. TV: Bally Sports. Desmond Bane is expected to return tonight.

Marc Gasol’s number 33 will be retired following the Saturday, April 6 home game vs. the Philadelphia 76ers with the following happening:

– The first 5000 fans get a commemorative vinyl record honoring Gasol

– Pre-game plaza party

– In-game music by DJ Paul, 8-Ball & MJG, and Al Kapone

– Gasol and Core 4 shirts in the team store starting April 5

The Memphis Tattoo Festival will be held at the Renasant Convention Center April 5-7.

From The Takeout: Every new Peeps flavor in 2024, ranked

The Mighty Lights on the river bridges will glow green tonight and Sunday to celebrate St. Patrick’s weekend.

The MBJ reports that a planned conversion of the Raymond James building into apartments is now off, and that the owners are open to selling.

Sabor Caribe has specials this weekend: green tea shots, emerald green tea, Paddy’s sours, Irish mules, shamrock margaritas, and wines.

Here’s a recap of last night’s WWE Smackdown from FedExForum.

Fox 13 Memphis reports that you can expect to see more MPD officers Downtown

The Sheraton seeks an associate director of events

There’s an opening for a college basketball scout in Memphis.

Still working on my “what living in a homeless shelter is like” article which will be my return to professional writing platform Medium. This has the potential to be one of the strongest articles I’ve ever written.

Speaking of homeless shelters, I took a shower in a handicapped stall at the Union Mission yesterday. The shower head was only four and a half feet high. That took some figuring out. Better than no shower at all, I guess. I’m grateful for being in a facility that offers them.

Gonna go enjoy a few hours with friends. Probably back tomorrow with another post.

Readers’ generosity helps keep this blog afloat. Donations:
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Apologies for typos, doing this from my phone.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers lost to 13 seed Wichita State in the first round of the AAC tournament yesterday, reducing their chances of a Match Madness berth to zero.

Penny says the Tigers won’t accept an NIT bid.

67/51 tomorrow and no rain according to meteorologist Chelsea Chandler who I’m watching on TV as I type this. That should draw a good crowd for the Beale Street St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Chelsea is predicting 52/31 for Monday. YUCK

Want an Egg McMuffin this morning? You may not get it. McDonald’s is experiencing a systemwide outage.

The new Downtown Rock ‘N Dough Pizza opened yesterday. It’s in The Edge District at 704 Madison, in the old Trolley Stop Market space.

Speaking of Rock, finally, The Rock has come back to Memphis for WWE Smackdown Live tonight. Can’t make it to FedExForum to see him in person? Catch the show locally on Fox 13 from 7 to 9 pm.

The Blind Bear has $5 Slane Irish whiskey today through Sunday.

Slider Inn Downtown will have a 2-day St. Pat’s celebration Saturday and Sunday. Green beer, Guinness draft, Jameson, car bombs, green tea, breakfast shots. Raffles and giveaways. Live music by Matt Wilson, Sky King, Austin Gray, Lucky 7 Brass Band, and Madaline Collins. DJ sets by Parikh, Andy Chance, and FERB. Also on site: Dose Pilates, HIGHER, Memphis Spine & Sport, YogaSix, and Rumble Boxing.

FedExForum will host 8 NCAA men’s basketball tournament teams next week, with 4 first-round games March 22 and 2 second-round games March 24. The CA notes that this could be a huge economic boon to Downtown Memphis if a basketball school whose fan base travels well – like Kansas, Kentucky, or (ugh) Tennessee – comes here.

(My iPhone’s predictive text suggested “Tennessee” after I typed “(ugh).” I love technology.)

The Rendezvous, normally closed on Sundays, will open 11 am to 6 pm on March 24 to accommodate fans who want BBQ.

The Tennessee Tribune has a look at Daughters of Ztion, a food truck that feeds the homeless in Memphis. First Presbyterian at Poplar and B.B. King is a regular stop.

From WKNO Behind the Headlines: New Downtown Memphis Commission leader Chandell Ryan discusses improving the Downtown core. She also talks about a possible second convention hotel.

Steve Mnuchin, who was Treasury secretary under the Trumpster, wants to buy TikTok to keep it from getting banned in the United States.

Aldo’s Pizza Pies Downtown is instituting Aldo’s After Hours on Fridays from 10 pm to midnight with slices only and a full bar.

Herradura tequila will be the star of a four-course dinner at the Peabody on March 21. The price of $200 per person includes a tequila tasting.

That’s all for today. Probably I’ll be back tomorrow with another update.

Readers’ generosity helps keep this blog afloat. Donations:
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Apologies for typos, doing this from my phone.

I made a discovery yesterday as I was freaking out about my phone, which I thought had stopped charging. Ben-Yay’s has $2 cans of PBR during happy hour.

Thanks to Mark for cleaning the Lightning port on my phone. I’m connected again. And now I know where there’s cheap PBR. Hard to find these days.

Memphis magazine has a look at urban pioneers Terry and Phil Woordard, who made major investments in the South Main district 30 years ago. At the time, the area was mostly abandoned.

Today is National Reuben Sandwich Day. Huey’s would be my suggestion to celebrate.

It’s also Popcorn Lovers Day. Celebrate at Momma’s, which has a popcorn machine.

Memphis Flyer’s Michael Donahue visited Crave Cheesecakes, the new shop on South Main, recently.

Learn how to develop a target audience for your podcast with presenter Ena Esco today at the Cossitt Library at 5 PM.

A subscribers-only article in the DM reveals that I-55 river bridge construction could last through 2030.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers face Wichita State in the second round of the AAC tournament today at 1:30. Memphis had a bye in the first round; the Shockers defeated Rice. TV will be ESPNU.

The Metal Museum seeks a museum store manager.

Hampton Inn & Suites – Beale Street seeks a front desk agent.

100 N. Main developers have received approval to attempt to partner with Marriott to put an Autograph Collection hotel in the building.

Brad Birkedahl plays the Ghost River taproom on Beale Friday at 7.

MPD wrote 62 parking tickets on Riverside Drive in one evening.

A pedestrian was struck by a car yesterday at Union and Danny Thomas. He later died.

Strong storms will bring high winds and heavy rain overnight tonight. Post-storms, the wind will whip around to the north and it will turn cooler.

TikTok could be banned soon.

That’ll wrap it up. Back tomorrow.

Readers’ generosity helps keep this blog afloat. Donations:
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