Paul Ryburn's Journal

Monday’s the day of the week when this blog usually gets the most views, and I’ve been holding back this live music recommendation until today so the most people will see it. Charvey McLemore plays the Blind Bear Thursday at 10 PM. Several of my friends raved about him, and when I caught his performance at the Green Beetle this summer I understood why. His vocal range and talent are off the charts. You will not regret coming to this performance, even if you have to stay up a bit later than usual.

Filmmaker Craig Brewer is offering free downloads of his first feature film, “The Poor & the Hungry.” Here’s how to get it.

Beer news from the Fuzzy Brew blog: Cash Saver on Madison unveils a 96-foot cold beer box. They will also have a growler fill station coming soon.

The I Love Memphis Blog has the list of 2013-14 Grizzlies watch party schedule for away games. I hate to be negative but as a Downtowner, this list pretty much sucks. The only watch party Downtown is December 13 at the Rendezvous.

If you don’t feel like cooking for the holidays, the Flying Fish is taking pre-orders for fried turkeys. The turkeys are 12-15 pounds and are $40 each. Ask a manager for details.

Dishcrawl Memphis has posted a recap of its slider crawl that happened Downtown last week.

I see that @CopelandCoach has been tweeting about jobs and networking opportunities in Memphis. Follow her if you want to read about them in the future.

Random pro wrestling video of the day: Ox Baker, at over 300 pounds with the look of a devil, was one of the most vicious villains of the 1970s and 1980s. His “heart punch” was said to have killed two opponents. Here’s a video from February 1981 of Ox Baker as a contestant on The Price is Right. The Ox “comes on down” at about the 6-minute mark in the video. Even the most evil of bad guys can use some nice wicker furniture, you know.

If you’re a veteran, you get 2000 extra chips tonight at the Mad Earl’s poker games. 6:30 and 8:30 start times.

Thanks to all the veterans reading this for your service. That’ll do it for now. I’ll be out at the usual spots tonight.

Today’s blog post starts with a birthday announcement. Happy birthday to Buttercup the Duck, who turns one year old today. Buttercup is the duck that was born with a deformed foot, and a 3-D printer was used to create a prosthetic foot for him so he can walk like a normal duck. He’s having a birthday party today, and those in the Memphis area are invited.

Local artist Chris Little will unveil his new artwork at The Barking Lot from 2-4 PM today.  The new work will serve as a mascot to welcome visitors. There will be treats for dogs and light snacks for humans. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up. The lot is at the corner of Main and Jefferson.

Hungry Memphis blogger Susan visited Monsieur Demarcus French Creperie for lunch with two of her co-workers yesterday. Of course, they had the crepes, and were quite happy. The creperie is in the former Neely’s space on Jefferson.

The American Legion Post I will have a Veterans’ Day parade on Second Street Monday morning between 9 AM and noon. The parade will run from Exchange to Monroe.

Speaking of Veterans’ Day, WMC posted a list of places around Memphis offering free or discounted meals or free services for veterans on Monday. Downtown restaurants participating include Spaghetti Warehouse, Hooters, and Denny’s.

There’s a Journey tribute show at the New Daisy tonight. It will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Purple Heart Homes. Showtime is 7 PM.

Meanwhile, over at Earnestine & Hazel’s, there will be a Harvest Party at 8 that is a benefit for the Cotton Museum. Live music from the Earnestine & Hazel’s House Band, dancing, a piano sing-a-long upstairs, classic Memphis food, a silent auction and an open bar.

The Grizzlies have a home game against the Golden State Warriors tonight at 7. Hey FedExForum, isn’t about time you update your event schedule on your website will all the Grizzlies and Tigers games for the season?

Memphis Made Brewery has announced the release of two new beers next weekend, Fireside Ninja and Harvest Porter. Details here.

The Tigers did well in an exhibition against CBU last night. I was pleased to see that Dominic Woodson hit all 7 of his field-goal attempts. He didn’t make Coach P’s weight target this season (Woodson is 6’10” and 310) and wasn’t expected to play much, but injuries forced Pastner to reconsider. Woodson is about the same size as center Dwight Stewart from the 1994 National Championship Arkansas team, and Stewart had no problem being a major contributor. I hope Coach will give the big guy a chance.

Plans for today: Well, the birthday party I’ve been invited to this evening is entitled “Fireball Overdose.” That could be trouble. I better have some warm-up shots this morning at Panda’s bar at Bardog to get ready. As I’ve learned from marathon runners, training is of paramount importance in any endeavor.

Sad news to report this morning. Elliott’s, the burger joint open for lunch and breakfast on S. Second Street, will close on November 22. Although best known for its burgers, I was an even bigger fan of Elliott’s breakfast sandwiches and burritos. The MBJ reports that layoffs at nearby Downtown businesses (including me, five years ago) have slowed the breakfast and lunch crowd, and as a result the restaurant is unable to pay the usage fee to comply with the new Downtown dumpster ordinance. If you’re not familiar with the Downtown dumpster ordinance, this article has an explanation.

BB King’s club on Beale Street is back open today. It has been closed since early October due to a fire. They will have hot food, with the Will Tucker Band performing at 5 and BB King’s All-Stars at 9.

Bonnie Raitt plays the Cannon Center tonight. Details here.

WMC-TV recently took a look at the new Downtown parking meters that will accept credit and debit cards.

Howl at the Moon, a fundraiser for the Streetdog Foundation, happens this Saturday at The Warehouse on G.E. Patterson. Live and silent auctions, live music, food, Amurica photo booth and more.  Visit streetdogfoundation.com for tickets. $30 in advance, $40 at the door.

The trainer who is in town for work this week shared an interesting link which I thought I would pass along. Ever wonder who is collecting data on you while you are surfing the web? If you use the Firefox browser, the Lightbeam plugin will show you a graphical representation. You would be surprised how many companies are interested in your surfing habits.

The Memphis Tigers host CBU in an exhibition game tonight at the FedExForum. Forward David Pellom will not play, and will be out with an injury for five weeks.

There’s a Groupon for The Nutcracker by Ballet Memphis at the Orpheum December 13 or 14. $23 for tickets with a face value of $45.50.

Time to hit Publish and go eat. We’re having a chili cook-off at work, so there should be some good stuff out there. I’ll be out at the usual spots Downtown around 5:30.

Special guest post
by the Nuh-Uh Girl

It’s T minus 11 days until Downtown Dining Week, one of my favorite times of the year. By the numbers, DDW is 7 days of 30+ restaurants offering 3 course dinners for $20.13, November 17-23.

This week is a great opportunity to try out places you haven’t been before, eat at places that are normally more expensive, or just eat at a favorite place on the cheap. My personal strategy is to visit the places that are usually a lot pricier, for example Felicia Suzanne’s, Chez Philippe, Itta Bena, Bleu, Majestic. However, don’t discount (pun intended) the more casual places, as the chefs, owners, and staff will often go above and beyond to provide a unique dining experience this week.

I could go on for quite awhile on how I pick restaurants, but instead I will just provide some tips on the best way to maximize your dining experience.

• Check out the menus at downtowndiningweek.com. Compare them to the restaurant’s regular menu – Are the dishes new? Standard? Same “fanciness”? Decide what you want and filter from there.

• Make reservations! If a place takes reservations, odds are they will book up before the week even starts. Call or use OpenTable – just be sure to follow any specific instructions on the DDW or restaurant website. That being said, if you are not going to use a reservation, please be sure to cancel. There will always be someone on a waiting list that would love the opportunity to attend the dinner.

• Please tip appropriately. Keep in mind that a normal meal could cost anywhere from 5-10x more than the $20.13 price tag. I always try to tip on what a real meal would cost, so the restaurants and servers will continue to support this project.

• Several places will have drink specials, so check their websites if that aspect would sway you one way or the other. Also, regular menu options may vary, so if anyone in your party is not interested in DDW, check that before you go.

• If you don’t mind sharing food (which we all know I don’t), go with at least one other person, order one of each choice per course, and try everything!

• Be prepared to eat a lot, especially if you go out every night. And be prepared to spend more than the $20.13. With tip, tax, and drinks, your final bill could be $40-$50 (or more).

• This year, several places had added lunch options for $10.13. Unfortunately, I do not work downtown, but I will try to gather some feedback for next year.

• Be patient! Almost all of the places I have gone have provided the same dining experience as a normal night. But of course, there are always unforeseen things that happen, especially with higher than normal table turns and new menu items. Give them a break and take your time to just enjoy the food and company.

• Check the event schedule downtown and plan accordingly. Justin Timberlake is at the FedEx Forum Monday, November 18. The Tigers play Saturday, November 23.

• If you drive, many places are offering $1 parking for those participating in DDW. See downtowndiningweek.com for details.

Overall, ENJOY! The culinary scene in Memphis continues to grow and improve every year. Take this time to truly appreciate some of the best restaurants the city has to offer. Oh, and take pictures of course! You are going to want to brag to people that decided not to go. If you see me, come stop by, say hi, and give me your opinions on the food!

In the meantime, check out the variety of dishes we got to try last year. Stay hungry my friends!

A trolley caught on fire near Madison and Bellevue this morning. Four ambulances had to be called to treat passengers for smoke inhalation. The Madison Avenue line is expected to be closed for the rest of the afternoon.

If you want to take some Memphis Made beer home, you can bring a growler to Tamp & Tap and they will fill it for you. This is a limited-time offer, because when they get their wine license they will have to discontinue the growler sales due to state law.

Tiger Kuran Iverson has been suspended by the NCAA for the November 14 opening game against Austin Peay. This is a result of an unauthorized summer league game he played in.

Historian Jimmy Ogle will give one of his free Tuesday walking tours tomorrow, touring Court Square and the surrounding areas. Meet up with him at 11:45 AM if you want to participate.

Usually I don’t allow guest posts on this blog, but I am going to make an exception this month. The Nuh-Uh Girl has asked to do a guest post for Downtown Dining Week, and I think that is an excellent idea. However she wants to do it is OK with me, whether before, during, or after the week, or multiple times if she wants. I know of no one who takes full advantage of DDW more than she does, sometimes eating multiple dinners in one night.

The Grizzlies take on the Boston Celtics tonight at the FedExForum at 7. Fans who attend will receive a free magnet schedule for the 2013-14 season courtesy of First Tennessee.

The Dirty Dozen had over 500 attend their Halloween party at Earnestine & Hazel’s Friday night and raised a lot of money to help keep the bar in operation. Great job!

Back to work. I’m in my final week of training. After work I will be out, most likely leading off at Melissa’s bar at Bardog.

Starting off today’s post with a congratulatory message. Longtime readers of this blog will remember Brick who worked at the Flying Saucer and the Silly Goose in years past. Brick got married yesterday. I have not met her new husband, but according to Facebook she married her best friend and that’s usually a very good sign. Congratulations to Brick and Colby.

On to the news. Today is Memphis Farmers Market’s end-of-season celebration, the Barnyard Ball. There will be food from local restaurants as well as beer and wine on the Central Station pavilion. It will happen from 4 to 7 this afternoon and there will be a “boots and buckle” contest.

Speaking of the Central Station pavilion, there will be a recycling drive there on Friday, November 15 from 3:00 to 6:30 in the afternoon. Most items will be able to be recycled free of charge, although there will be a charge for some large items like wood console TVs. If you bring a computer to recycle, it will have its hard drive wiped according to Department of Defense standards, so no worries about someone else seeing your data.

Another event happening today is the SPAYtacular Gala and Silent Auction at the Jack Robinson Gallery on Huling, starting at 2 PM. This is the annual fundraiser for Mid-South Spay and Neuter Services. Ron Childers will emcee, and there will be a mimosa and Bloody Mary bar (it’s Sunday Fun Day!) and brunch food. Live music by Deering and Down and Vanessa Winter, wine and beer.

Next Saturday, November 9, Shelton Clothiers will hold its final event. For $5 you can enjoy BBQ, beer and wine and the money will go to the Memphis Union Mission. The store will close permanently on November 16, so this is a good chance to do some shopping while you eat and drink.

Finally, here are a couple of Halloween pictures.

That’s me on the left. I dressed up as Mike Miller this year. I bought his jersey at the FedExForum and wore a hair band and painted on a brown goatee. Well, I did Thursday night anyway. At some point Thursday I lost the brown makeup crayon so no goatee when I went to the Dirty Dozen party Friday night. As you can see my friends went to great lengths to dress up for Halloween.

Lacey and Wingsauce

That’ll do it for now. I’ll lead off at Blind Bear at noon today.

–end post–

October may be over, but there’s still one more Halloween party to go. The Dirty Dozen Does Halloween party is tonight in the back room of Earnestine & Hazel’s starting at 9 PM. In the past this has been a private party, but they gave me permission to go ahead and put the word out on the blog. It has been a fundraiser for several years, and this year it is fundraiser for Earnestine & Hazel’s itself. E&H is the Dirty Dozen’s favorite bar, and they want to help make sure it lives on after the death of owner Russell George. Minimum suggested donation $10. Rockasaurus Rex will perform, and there will be a photo booth, a costume contest, liquor, wine, and Jello shots. Party is 21 and up. This is Downtown’s best Halloween party of the season, so come on down.

That’s not the only worthy cause you can support tonight. At 7 PM, Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band will host a benefit concert at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.  They are performing to raise funds to build a smarthome for wounded Marine CPL Christian Brown of Munford. Special thanks to American Airlines for flying the band in.

If you’re going to the Grizzlies’ home opener tonight at FedExForum, you’ll get one of these T-shirts. Memphis takes on the Detroit Pistons at 7 PM.

Speaking of the Grizzlies, they signed Quincy Pondexter to a 4-year, $14 million contract extension. SMART move by the organization.

New technology is being used to fight date-rap drugs. Cups, glasses, straws, and stirrers are being manufactured that change color when one of the common date-rape drugs is slipped in. Paula Raiford is on board and plans to buy the cups for her nightclub. She says it will help her know what is going on in her bar, and that customer safety is very important to her.

Off to work for half a day. I’ll be at the Dirty Dozen party tonight.

Okay, folks. Here’s a list of public Halloween parties I’m aware of that are going on tonight. Usually I try to be more descriptive than this in my Halloween posts, but I’m pressed for time today. You can assume that most of these places will have a costume contest with prizes.

Blind Bear (best bear costume contest)

Flying Saucer (mystery beer tub $3)

Bardog (hearse raffle at 11:59 PM)

Kooky Canuck

Double J

Twilight Sky Terrace (pirate party)

Peabody rooftop (Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster)

Silly Goose

Don’t put your costume away after tonight… tomorrow I will post about one more opportunity to party for Halloween Downtown. This has been one of the best parties of the year and this is the first year they have opened it up to the public.

I’ll be out in costume around 6 tonight and I have tomorrow morning off so I will be out late. Not revealing my costume on the blog but I’ll give you a hint: I’m recycling a costume prop from a previous Halloween. The difference is, that year I was dressed as a giant douchebag, whereas this year I will be dressed as a really nice guy who we’re happy to have back in the city. Hope to see you out tonight!

The Memphis Flyer’s Hungry Memphis blog reports that Lunchbox Eats will start serving Saturday brunch from 10 AM to 3 PM. They will keep with the school lunch theme, and offerings will include the Cheerleaders’ French Toast Pyramid, the Snow Day Salmon, the Naptime Pig in a Blanket, and the Game Winning Quail Shot.

There’s a wine tasting at Belle Diner tonight at 5. Seasonal wines will be paired with Chef David’s Southern dishes. 901-433-9851 for reservations. It’s $10 per person. Belle Diner is in the old Rio Loco space on Union.

WMC reports that there was an incident outside K’Presha boutique last Friday at South Main Trolley Night. People were outside freestyle rapping and some were arrested by the police. It was caught on video and some claim that the police overreacted.

This isn’t a Downtown event, but it benefits a wonderful Downtown charity so I’m going to blog it anyway. On Friday, November 8, there will be an event called Musicians for the Kids at Young Avenue Deli. There will be four unique bands, and all money raised at the door goes to St.Jude. More info here.

Chef Kelly English intends to bring his food to the FedExForum’s Lexus Lounge. Details here.

An artist is painting a huge American flag on the new police station on Beale to honor an injured Marine.

The Tigers play Cincinnati tonight in a nationally televised football game on ESPN2. This is football, so Memphis’ chances of winning are slim to none.

The Grizzlies open the regular season on the road against San Antonio tonight. The Spurs swept us in the Western Conference Finals back in the spring, so a win tonight would kind of be a big deal.

Probably a good thing I’m pressed for time, or I’d comment on some behavior I observed last night that was absolutely pathetic. Plans for after work: Go to the Goose, where I may see a Duck.