Paul Ryburn's Journal

Sorry the post is a little late getting up. I got an Internal Server Error before I left for lunch, seems to be fixed now.

Great news was announced for the Liberty Bowl yesterday. They’ve renewed a 6-year agreement for an SEC team to play a Big 12 team in 2014-19. The really good news, though, is that the pecking order has changed and in some years the Liberty Bowl will move up. The top SEC teams go to the national title game (when eligible), the Sugar Bowl, and the Orange Bowl. The Capital One Bowl selects next from the SEC. After that there is a pool of six bowls: The Liberty Bowl, Gator Bowl, Outback Bowl, Music City Bowl, Texas Bowl, and Belk Bowl. All six bowls will be considered of equal importance and schools will be assigned where they make most sense. So, Memphis could end up with the 4th best team in the SEC some years, and it’s a step up for the Liberty Bowl to be considered on equal footing with the Gator Bowl and Outback Bowl.

I heard the Liberty Bowl news on 92.9 FM’s The Gary Parrish Show as I was driving home from work yesterday. That wasn’t the only big announcement, though. They also announced that starting on Monday, August 26, a new sports talk show will be on the radio station from 9 to 11 AM weekdays: The Geoff Calkins Show, with executive producer John Martin. Those two are two of the most hard-working, insightful and informative guys in Memphis sports media. Congratulations to them both. I will be listening on my TuneIn Radio app as often as I can.

The Orpheum’s summer classic movie series has been such a success that they’re expanding it, with five more classics personally picked by theater exec Pat Halloran. All five movies will be shown on the big screen Friday nights at 7 PM. Here’s the lineup:

August 23: An Affair to Remember
August 30: Rebel without a Cause
September 6: King Kong (1933)
September 13: Animal House
September 20: Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Tonight is growler night at Tamp & Tap. You can get 64 ounces of Yazoo beer for $12 and keep the growler.

There’s a web developer and marketing specialist position open at CBU. Reading the job description, I’m pretty ideally qualified for this, but I like the job I have now so I’ll blog about the CBU one and hope a good person gets it.

Good website I found yesterday: GraduateMemphis.org. It offers complete support for adults who want to go back and finish their college degree.

Last night I started at Pint Nite at the Flying Saucer, but by the middle of my first beer the bar was swarmed by UT-Memphis students who were having orientation. There must have been 150 of them, and they were all trying to order at once. I told the manager I was going next door to the Silly Goose, and I’d be back in a while to close out my tab. I came back about 9:30, and the place had halfway cleared out so I decided to stay and have a couple more beers.

Glad I did. Eric Mathews from Seed Hatchery was there. He’s currently mentoring a group of female entrepreneurs who are going through Seed Hatchery’s 90-day boot camp. He came over and said hello and asked if I would like to meet the women and hear about their businesses. “Of course,” I said. “Send them over.” So they came over and practiced their elevator pitches on me. This week I’m going to blog about the businesses that were discussed with me. I’ll try to do one per day.

One of the businesses was GemPhones. This business turns earphones into jewelry, really attractive pieces that look good while giving you convenient access to your music and phone conversations. The company also makes attractive mini-speakers. Both the earphones and speakers are compatible with most devices.

That’s all for now. I’ll be back at the Saucer after work, and probably will play Blind Bear poker at 8.

There will be a “Mapping Elvis” event tonight at A. Schwab from 5 to 7 PM. The event will mark the premier of a new map of Memphis for people who are fans of The King. Andrea Shaw and Alan Grossman will talk about the map, and there will be discussion by Mike Freeman as well and a book signing. There will be complimentary wine and donuts. Free donuts? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

Tamp & Tap is celebrating Elvis week with $7 grilled peanut butter, banana, and local honey sandwiches for $7 all week long.

The tallest building in Memphis, 100 N. Main, has a new owner.

Save the date: There will be a Howl at the Moon fundraiser to benefit The Streetdog Foundation on Saturday, November 9 at The Warehouse. Live music, live auction, food and drinks. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door, and can be purchased here.

Over the weekend I completed my 8th plate at the Flying Saucer. Not only do I get a $150 plate party for myself and my invited guests, but people who complete their 8th plate get a very nice beer stein as well. For my 9th plate the party tab goes up to $175.

Other than that, the weekend seemed to fly by. I only have a 3-day work week this week, so next weekend will seem longer. Outta here for now. I’ll be at Pint Nite at the Saucer after work, and I may try the 8:30 poker game at The Mad Earl tonight.

It’s Saturday and I’m happy. Know why I’m happy about Saturday, besides the usual reasons? Because I won’t have to see anyone’s “kid’s first week of school” photos on social media today. Facebook needs a “hide pictures of kids” filter. Instagram even more so.

The Breakaway-Bardog 5K was featured yesterday on WREG’s Live at 9, and viewers got an additional treat: They learned how to make Bardog’s tuna wontons. If you missed it you can watch the video here.

The Orpheum will have an art sale tomorrow at 1 PM. Artists will receive 75% of the sale price for pieces they sell, with the remaining 25% going to the Orpheum’s new Centre for the Performing Arts & Leadership. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online.

Congratulations to Silly Goose bartender Nikki on being profiled on GoMemphis.com’s Meet the Bartender. Nikki works poker night on Monday and Tuesday happy hour.

Dishcrawl has released a list of venues and menus for its Saturday, August 24 Neighborfood event. Participants include Tamp & Tap, LUNCHBOXeats, Eighty3, The Mad Earl, Bleu, Bluff City Coffee, and Front Street Deli. There will be a VIP lounge on the Madison rooftop and an after-party at Bleu with a summer cocktail menu for participants only. Click the link to see menus and more info about Neighborfood.

The latest in tube top fashion. I think I last saw this outfit in the dance line on a 1979 episode of Soul Train.

If you’re an Elvis fan, Backbeat Tours has a Hound Dog Tour leaving from Blues City Cafe tomorrow at 2:30 that sounds like it would be a good time.

That’s it for now. I’ll be at Panda’s bar at Bardog at 11 as usual. A friend of mine has recommended the Picadillo (ground beef hash) from Havana’s Pilon, so I’m thinking about that for lunch.

Elvis Week events kick off today. One of the biggest events is the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest. Dozens of Elvii around the world have qualified to participate, but there’s still one spot left. The Hard Rock Cafe will host the Ultimate Last Chance Elvis Tribute Artist contest, with semifinals tonight and tomorrow at 9 PM and finals Sunday at 9 PM. Winner moves on to the main contest next week.

Speaking of Elvis, the venues have been set for the Stumblin’ Elvis pub crawl on the 17th, and there’s now a Facebook event page where you can let people know you’re attending. The crawl will start at the Flying Saucer at 7:30 PM, then will proceed to the Blind Bear, Silky O’ Sullivan’s, and Purple Haze. Come dressed as Elvis. Free to participate, but they will be collecting non-perishable food donations for the Ronald McDonald House.

One of the most awesome Downtown parties of the year is coming back. Feed the Soul, celebrating and benefitting MIFA, will happen at The Warehouse, 36 G.E. Patterson, from 6 to 10 PM Thursday, October 3. Music by Trio Plus band, singer Marcela Pinilla and DJ Stan “The Bellringer” Bell of radio station V101. Food buffet, rum tastings in the MIFA cave, fall and winter fashions modeled by Laurelwood freeze models, oxygen bar with multiple flavors, raffle with prizes from area merchants. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased on MIFA’s website or by calling 901-529-4525. If you attend only one fundraiser a year, make it this one. Always a fabulous event.

Classic movie Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone plays the Orpheum tonight at 7 PM.

Homeless man shot with paintball gun while sleeping at Poplar and Danny Thomas. People suck.

South Front Street needs this sign. Thanks to Aaron (@amprather) for tweeting.

The Brass Door will be showing the Machester United vs. Wigan Athletic game Sunday at 8 AM, for those who like soccer enough to get up that early.

Every so often, the Flying Saucer will send a beer quiz to its UFO members, and if you score 7 out of 10 you get a certificate for $5 off your tab. Here’s one of the questions from this week’s “Capt. Kieth Quiz” (I’m not kidding, they spelled his name wrong in the video preceding the quiz):

8. Did Elvis have any siblings?
A No, he was an only child
B Yes, he had two sisters
C Yes, a twin brother
D All of the above

How could the answer POSSIBLY be “all of the above?” Geez.

That’s the news for now. I’ll be out at the Saucer spending my $5 free beer tab after work.

I see I made the Memphis Flyer’s “Who’s Who on Memphis Twitter” list in this week’s cover story. I’m honored to be included and am glad people think I “keep it real” on that social medium. However, I agree that the list is quite subjective, and that there are Memphians who use Twitter far more effectively than I do who deserve to be included. At any rate, welcome to whatever new Twitter followers I pick up from the article. And I still believe there should be a PBR Hall of Fame and I should be in it.

Hilbilly Casino headlines the Peabody rooftop party tonight. “French stuff I can’t pronounce” is the buffet theme this week. Your $10 admission includes a drink ticket and a buffet of Croque Monssieur sandwiches and Pommes Frites. According to Wikipedia a Croque Monssieur sandwich is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with a fancy name. If you’re in VIP you’ll have a second buffet of Tartines, Coquilles St. Jacques En Croute, Country Pate – Rosemary, and Boursin-Breaded Artichoke. Okay, I think I understand the others but I have no idea WTF Coquilles St. Jacques En Croute is. Help, Wikipedia? Okay, the name redirects to the page for scallop. Oooo la la! Drink specials are Svedka cherry vodka for $4 and Red Bull + vodka for $8. Since when is an $8 Red Bull vodka a SPECIAL???

Mean Girls plays the Orpheum tonight at 7. The 2004 movie is one of the chick-flick classics the theater is showing as part of its summer movie series.

If you’re looking for something to do after either of the events above, John Paul Keith will play another rare solo show at the Blind Bear at 10 PM.

Chef Jason Doty of Bluff City Bakery Instagrammed a pic of his most recent creation: Caramel cake. He described it as his take on a classic, rich butter cake, drenched in caramel sauce, topped with caramel cream cheese butter cream and more caramel. Looks delicious.

Last night I started the evening at the Silly Goose. While there I drank 4 beers and all of them were PBR. I did not consume any other beers there. For those of you who prefer your information in a graphical format, here’s a pie chart.

I’ll hit the Goose again after work tonight, with other bars to follow. Maybe tomorrow I’ll do a bar graph of my PBR consumption.

South of Beale celebrates its 4th birthday today. To celebrate, they will have 15% off food until 7 PM. They will also have drink specials all night long, including $3 draft beer, $4 high-gravity beer, and $4 birthday cake shots.

I’ve learned of a couple of job openings. The Corked Carrot, the wine and cupcake bar at 314 S. Main, is looking for a creative culinary team member. They want someone who loves wine, loves cooking, and who wants to learn and have fun. You can apply in person between 3 and 5 PM any day.

Healthy Memphis Common Table is seeking a Healthy Shelby Program Coordinator. The successful candidate will need to have a Master’s degree in a relevant field.

Police need your help in identifying two suspects involved in a hit-and-run at the 110 Peabody Place parking garage. The incident happened around 5 AM Sunday morning, July 28. Photos of the suspects and their car here.

Here’s a link to the 2013-2014 Memphis Grizzlies schedule and a link to schedule analysis by Memphis Flyer writer Chris Herrington.

To get you in the mood for Elvis Week, here’s a pic of Elvis and his hound dog from 1957. The image was posted to the Historical Pictures Twitter account. I followed it a couple of days ago and there’s some really excellent stuff. I’ve seen an 1890s one-man band, a 1930s construction worker sitting atop a beam in New York City, a 1969 photo of Jimi Hendrix and Mick Jagger, and the 1972 “blue marble” photo of the Earth from space. Follow the account at @HistoricalPics.

I took a night off from Blind Bear poker last night and got three high-alcohol beers done for my next plate at the Flying Saucer. One of them in particular, Stone w00tstout, was really tasty and not badly priced at $8 considering it’s a 13% beer. I’ll be back at the poker table next week.

All right I’m outta here. I forgot to eat lunch yesterday and want to make sure that doesn’t happen again today.

I don’t have a picture because I already ate half of it, but the curry spinach in City Market’s to-go counter is the bomb.

Sunny and Hamida: Will you let me know when you have that again? I run by your to-go section pretty much every night anyway these days, but let’s make sure.

There’s a new Pint Night coming to Downtown Memphis. On Thursday night, Tamp & Tap will have $3 pints starting at 5 PM. Normally the closing time is 9 PM, but if the place is packed at 9, they will stay open.

The city council will consider a proposal this afternoon to move funds around, so that funds to MATA are not cut. This would prevent MATA from having to cut back on bus and trolley service.

The winner of the Create Your Own Burger contest at Huey’s has been announced. Employees were eligible to enter – after all, they know Huey’s burgers better than anyone – and an employee of Downtown Huey’s won. Kitchen manager Patrick Burfield created The Hawaiian. It will be on Huey’s menu beginning in October.

Sullivan Branding is hiring a Media Coordinator. Details here.

The NBA releases the Grizzlies’ 2013-14 regular-season schedule this afternoon. I’ll try to post a link in my next post.

Plans for tonight: Taking a week off from poker at Blind Bear. Last week’s game didn’t end until 12:30 AM and that’s too late for me to be out when I have to support a national tournament going on this week for work. I may go over to the Bear and watch my friends play for a while, after the usual stop by the Flying Saucer to do some more work on my plate. I’ll be out about 5:30.

Sorry there weren’t any posts this weekend. I was busy with stuff from work. We’re having a national tournament in Atlanta, and I had to help out to make sure files and results were being posted in as timely and as accurate a manner as possible. I may go out and party and have fun, but I never lose sight of the fact that there are 167,500 reasons (the dues-paying members of the nonprofit I work for) that I am able to live the lifestyle I live. They have to come first.

Tomorrow is the 30th anniversary of National Night Out, and there will be a celebration in South Main. It will be at Central Station Pavilion from 6 to 8. Come bring lawn chairs and meet the police officers that keep Downtown the safest neighborhood in the city. The event is free and there will be live music and food. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

My friend Angie has an update on Memphis to Moore. Karen Wilder Fitness had donated $18,000 worth of gym equipment to be used at a Moore, Oklahoma junior high gym once it is rebuilt following the May tornadoes. The problem was, though, how to get the equipment to Moore, 8 hours away? Big League Movers stepped up, and the equipment is scheduled to arrive today.

That’s all for now. I’ll be out at Pint Nite at the Saucer about 5:30.