Paul Ryburn's Journal

Sunset Jazz returns to Court Square this Sunday. Ted Ludwig will perform 6 to 8 PM. Drinks will be available for purchase and food trucks will be on site.

The Majestic rolled out a new cocktail menu. Visit their Facebook page to check it out.

The NBA draft lottery is this Sunday at 2 PM on ABC.

The Redbirds host Norfolk at 6:05 tonight.

High winds and large hail could come to Memphis overnight.

Beale Street entrepreneur John Elkington thinks the bars there should close at 2 AM. Currently they can stay open until 5.

Today is National Have a Coke Day I’m doing that as I type this.

The Flyer’s latest edition of We Saw You comes from Zio Matto Gelato in Central Station.

Madison Tavern, sibling restaurant to Local on Main, opens Friday. The Flyer recently talked with the owners. Downtown news: Local on Main will be rebranded as Quinn’s at some future point.

That’s it for today! Don’t worry, I will be sheltering inside tonight. Back tomorrow.

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Question- am I crazy or do I remember reading that the construction closing Monroe between Main and Second would take about six weeks and would be done the fourth week or April?

Because we’re coming into the second week of May and it’s not done.

Between that construction and the construction of the future Brooks Museum, we have a situation where Monroe Avenue is closed, then open, then closed, then open, all on a 4-block stretch from Riverside to B.B. King.

It’s confusing to drivers and I’m sure it’s costing businesses on that street money.

Wryly Bigger headlines Central Station’s Live at the Tracks party Thursday night.

On Saturday, Canadian DJ and producer Skratch Bastid comes to Central Station’s Eight & Sand Lounge.

Bobbie and Frankie play Momma’s patio Saturday during the lunch hour. It’s an event to thank Streetdog Foundation’s sponsors. There will be no cover.

Memphis legend Jerry “The King” Lawler’s contract has been allowed to expire by WWE without being renewed. I wonder if the King, 74, will ease into retirement or move on to new creative ventures. He’s had a couple of strokes, so his in-ring days are almost certainly over.

Investor Warren Buffett, 94, has appointed a successor, Greg Abel, who will make investment decisions for Berkshire Hathaway going forward. Buffett’s longtime business partner Charlie Munger passed away at 99 recently.

Auto-Chlor at Poplar and Manassas seeks a videography and photography expert.

A petition has been filed to remove Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert from office.

At the Union Mission where I’ve been staying for most of the past 3 months, we have to attend chapel 6:00 to 7:00 PM daily. Well, our lead pastor, who seems to be a big fan of the late Rev. Billy Graham, is bringing in a preacher from out West and from Sunday to Wednesday, “We’re going to have a good old fashioned revival.”

Hmmm. As someone who showed up at the Mission with already well-defined spiritual beliefs, I can’t say I’m real excited about this. I’ll give it a chance Sunday, but if it’s what I think it is, I may stay out all night Monday and Wednesday.

Then again, attending a revival in person might be fascinating. It might give me ideas for articles to write on Medium.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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If anyone out there uses an iPhone for Wi-Fi only – no cell service- I made a discovery yesterday that I want to pass on. On modern versions of iOS, you can turn on Airplane mode, which will turn off Wi-Fi, but you can then switch it back on.

You’ll still be able to use all your apps, including ones that connect to the Internet, as normal. Your notifications will still work. The benefit comes, though, when you’re not using your phone. It consumes almost no battery because it’s not constantly trying to connect to cellular.

Last night I charged my phone before bed and slept with it in my pocket for 10 hours. This morning the battery was at 91%. Before I learned the Airplane mode trick, it’d start the day at about 75%.

TACOnganas has added a second food truck to its new location at Danny Thomas and Adams. I guess one truck couldn’t keep up with demand by. itself. I’m not surprised!

The late Johnnie Taylor got his Brass Note on Beale Street yesterday.

It’s gonna storm this week.

It’s National Beverage Day. May I recommend the PBR?

The Blues Music Awards are Thursday at the Renasant Convention Center.

Action News 5: Businesses, hotels say they expected more business from RiverBeat

That’s the news for now. Back tomorrow.

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Congratulations to former Memphis Grizzly Mike Conley on winning the NBA’s Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award. It is based on selfless play, leadership and being a role model to other players, and commitment and dedication to his team.

There was a fire at 201 Friday night.

The DM has a look back at the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival that happened at the Civil Rights Museum Saturday.

End of an era: UT Health’s COVID testing center is shutting down

The Tigers’ Nae’Qwan Tomlin has received an invitation to the NBA G-League Elite camp.

Memphis 901 FC got a 4-1 win over Tampa Bay yesterday.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Shirt I just saw on the Main Street Mall: “Some people like to stir the pot. I prefer to smoke it”

There’s a new pop-up speakeasy in Central Station.

There’s a dispensary truck parked on Beale:

Not sure how that’s gonna work since weed is illegal in Tennessee, but whatever.

The Saucer is ready to rock for Cinco:

That’s it for today. Back tomorrow.

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Longshot, the shuffleboard bar in the ARRIVE Hotel, is having a Kentucky Derby watch party Saturday afternoon. Prior to the race, pick a horse you think will win; if you’re right, you get drinks for a penny. They’ll have Prickly Pear Juleps all night long.

Luanne, DNA’s executive director, reported earlier this week that the new cigar bar at 109 G.E. Patterson plans on doing some co-promotions with next-door neighbor Max’s Sports Bar. Sounds like a sure winner to me.

Silly Goose is now serving coffee 8 AM-2 PM weekdays and 9 AM-1 PM weekends. That, too, sounds like a winner.

The security team keeping you safe at RiverBeat music festival this weekend has worked the Super Bowl in the past.

Memphis Medical District Collaborative seeks a workforce strategies training coordinator.

Today is No Pants Day.

That’s all for now. Back Monday or maybe sooner with more news.

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2005-era photo. This pigeon is dead now. 

Court Square and the Main Street Mall used to be overrun with pigeons. They were more plentiful than the squirrels.

In fact, at one point around 2008 the DMC bought a predator, a falcon, to control the pigeon population.

The falcon flew away.

But by 2014 or so, the pigeons were gone.

Well, this week I found them. They hang out on the vacant lot behind KFC at Poplar and Danny Thomas.

People get food and then sit at the bus stop. Naturally, they drop some of that food.

Groups cook out in that lot and feed the hungry. Naturally, they drop some of that food.

The pigeons are there. So if you miss seeing rats with wings, now you know where to find them.

Almost Famous headlines tonight’s Peabody rooftop party.

STIX Downtown gives you 10% off your tab when you show a Redbirds or FedExForum ticket.

There will be a trade contractor outreach for the redevelopment of 100 N. Main on Wednesday, May 22.

The Cossitt Library will have Crafternoons every Saturday in May for kids under 8. Noon to 1:30 PM.

From FOX 13: Final preparations are underway for RiverBeat

Today is World Tuna Day.

May the Fourth Be With You: The Music of Star Wars comes to the Cannon Center Saturday.

Bardog will celebrate Cinco de Mayo Saturday and Sunday with

• Tacos
• Margaritas
• High Cotton Mexican Lager
• Fireball

I stayed out last night. I’m so tired, I can barely type. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Deion Corley and Curtis B. Scott will play the Flying Saucer’s Summer Saucer Jam Sessions Thursday at 7. No cover.

“The Little General” Andre Turner, who was the Memphis State Tigers’ point guard in the 1980s, has joined Penny Hardaway’s coaching staff.

Two Maseratis were recently reported stolen in downtown Memphis.

The juvie court building on Adams has been closed indefinitely due to asbestos, mold, and lead.

There’s a Code Orange air quality alert in effect for Memphis today.

It’s Phone in Sick Day.

Sabor Caribe seeks a bilingual server.

Longshot seeks a kitchen manager and front of house.

Automatic Slim’s seeks a full-time bartender.

The Lobbyist seeks a host/hostess.

Bad news for Grizzlies and Cardinals fans: Xfinity is dropping Bally Sports.

ABC 24 has a look at the Green Beetle.

I’m currently reading The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer. I checked it out of Memphis Public Libraries’ e-collection and am reading it on my phone. Great book; good stuff on letting go of what’s stressing you in life, what’s holding you back. I think those who enjoy the works of Eckhart Tolle would appreciate this book.

Allergies are killing me. Back tomorrow.

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Friday night at RiverBeat music festival could be a soggy/muddy one. FOX 13 weather has Memphis on track to get 1.1 inches of rain by Saturday morning.

Download the MEMPHO Presents app to have the RiverBeat festival schedule on your phone, as well as band bios and a park map.

The CA has a list of the food options at RiverBeat. Gus’s!!!!!

The DM has things to know before you head to SmokeSlam, the new BBQ festival to be held in Tom Lee Park Thursday-Saturday of the third weekend in May. SmokeSlam is also presented by Mempho.

Midtown Tavern, a new restaurant and bar on Overton Square, is hiring this week. It is the sibling restaurant of Downtown’s Local on Main, but is NOT affiliated with Local on the Square, the restaurant that was last in Midtown Tavern’s location.

Memphis Tigers basketball coach Penny Hardaway is confident the team can schedule John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks next season. That was an awesome rivalry in the 1990s and it would be great to have it back.

Memphis-distilled Blue Note Bourbon has been named the official bourbon of Major League Pickleball. Did you know that pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.?

In other Blue Note news, the bourbon achieved platinum status at the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco.

Holy crap there was a huge brawl at Southaven Springfest!!! It had to be closed down early. When I was on a BBQ team, we always did Springfest’s BBQ competition to practice for Memphis in May. Just goes to show you, the suburbs are NOT safer. 

At least people out in that neck of the woods still have Hernando Water Tower Fest in the fall to look forward to…

Videos and photos have been released of an alleged shooter on Beale Street this past weekend.

Today is Bugs Bunny Day. On this day 86 years ago, dat wascally wabbit made his first appearance.

It’s also National Mr. Potato Head Day.

Come to Soul & Spirits on May the Fourth (Be With You) dressed as your favorite Star Wars character and get 10% off your tab. $5 Hound Dog beer all day.

The Blind Bear has rolled out new menus.

Vice & Virtue Coffee in the ARRIVE Hotel on South Main is closing.

Shred415 has closed.

The Grizzlies may have their eye on the Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton to fill a need at center.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association will kick off its free spring movie series with Sister Act on the lawn of BRIDGES at 477 N. Fifth this Thursday at 7:45. A food truck will be on site and there will be plenty of free parking.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow probably.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $Paulryburn1
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After Burners Cigar Lounge has opened at 109 G.E. Patterson. That’s in between Arcade restaurant and Max’s Sports Bar, in the former Cheesecake Corner and Walking Pants Curiosities locations.

The DM reports that work restarts this summer on the river cobblestone landing project.

The DM has a photo gallery from Saturday’s Bark in the Park at the Redbirds.

Three Memphis Tigers football players got NFL contracts despite not being drafted.

From YouTube: Volunteers do some spring cleaning in Downtown Memphis

Short post today on I can head out to Beale. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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There’s one leaving from the Cotton Museum at noon Tuesday. See image below for details.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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