Paul Ryburn's Journal

Having trouble posting today

Today is Sweet Potato Day. Cheers to my friend Billy from Vardaman, Mississippi, considered the sweet potato capital of the world. The main thoroughfare in Vardaman is called “West Sweet Potato Street” west of Main Street and “East Sweet Potato Avenue” east of it. 

LeBron James acknowledged the potential of Memphis Grizzlies rookie GG Jackson. LeBron apparently kept a watch on GG long before he got to the NBA.

The Grizzlies are back on the road tonight, taking on the Detroit Pistons at 6 PM. TV: Bally Sports. Memphis is mathematically eliminated from the NBA playoffs, so this game doesn’t matter much.

Tennessee has now been in 26 NCAA tournaments without ever making a Final Four. LOSERS

UConn, Alabama, Purdue, and NC State are the 2024 NCAA men’s Final Four. NC State made it as an 11 seed.

The Iowa-LSU women’s Elite Eight game is at 6 tonight on ESPN tonight at 6. Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese. That should be a good one. Reese should consider joining the WWE at some point in the future: She’s got great facial expressions and a personality that would work as a face (fan favorite) or a heel (rulebreaker). She and Bianca Belair would make an awesome tag team. She already does John Cena’s “you can’t see me” gesture.

Keep an eye on the weather. Storms are set to move through overnight and into the Tuesday morning rush hour. Fox 13 predicts a high of 78 today and 80 tomorrow but only 59 Wednesday.

Winfield’s clothing store at Main and Madison is having a sale.

Stop by and get you some rock star clothes. Carl Winfield doesn’t just sell clothes that look like what rock stars would wear. He sells clothes to rock stars. Robert Plant is known to stop by the store whenever he’s in town.

Davinci (or Davinchi, I’ve seen it spelled both ways) Restaurant and Lounge has opened in the former Pearl’s Oyster House space at S. Main and Pontotoc. Looks like they’re keeping the seafood theme but transitioning it into more of a fine dining experience.

A cappella country group Home Free comes to the Cannon Center Tuesday.

Red Deluxe seeks a Senior Creative Advertising Manager for Amazon Studios Marketing.

I got back to the Union Mission just in time for dinner last night. We had Easter ham piled high on our trays, corn, cabbage cooked with red peppers and pork, a roll, and Oreos. Grateful to the Mission and the church that came out to volunteer.

I may or may not post tomorrow, depending on the weather. I don’t want to get soaked and blown away trying to get to Wi-Fi. Back no later than Wednesday.

I gratefully accept tips! 
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I went on a walk this morning. Here are some photos.

Thursday is the 56th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If you’ve never been to MLK Reflection Park at Second and MLK Ave., this would be a good week to check it out. PRO TIP: Download one of King’s speeches or essays to your phone to read there.

The vacant lot next to The WKND Hang Suite (the original Raiford’s building) is vacant no longer. Looks like apartments are being built there.

The Bunk House is a South Main District event space you can rent. It’s on G.E. Patterson Avenue near St. Martin St. and is operated by my friend David Bunk who also has an art gallery and a Segway tour business on the same block.

Location, location, location: Four storefronts at 107-113 G.E. Patterson are for lease. Foot traffic on this block is substantial, with the building anchored by Memphis’ oldest restaurant, The Arcade, and popular sports bar Max’s. There’s a pizzeria and Memphis Escape Rooms across the street. This area is especially bustling the last Friday of every month for South Main Trolley Night. These storefronts are rare opportunities and someone needs to jump on them.

Is South Main getting an arcade? When I search for “Level Up Memphis,” the first result I got was a church.

If you walk your cat on South Main, please clean up after it. Also, WTF are you thinking, walking your CAT????

Slider Inn Downtown’s patio, known as “Slider Out,” is ready for spring concert season.

Green Beetle has frozen shirts. Those are gonna be niiiiiiiice in the steamy months of July and August.

My walk ended at the Flying Saucer, where I found this Easter egg. It contained some candy and a piece of paper that read, “1 free beer.”

I traded in my Easter egg for a Bearded Iris Double Homestyle, beer number 180 toward my ninth plate at the Saucer. 

In other Downtown news, I’m seeing photos on Facebook today that make me sad. There was a festival yesterday and attendees left a lot of trash on the street and sidewalks. The trash was still there this morning. I find this particularly offensive because the site is less than a 2 minute walk to the location where Dr. King was shot.  We love festivals, but please clean up after they’re over!

Flying Fish has some cool new T-shirts. They feature a picture of a crawfish holding up a sign that reads, “Just say NO to pot!” As in, a pot used to boil crawfish.

UConn and Bama have advanced to the NCAA men’s Final Four. They’ll be joined by the winners of Tennessee vs. Purdue (1:20 PM, CBS) and NC State vs. Duke (4:05 PM, CBS).

The DM has a look at Pinch retail business Greenhaus, selling houseplants. 

The Grizzlies lost by 30 to the Orlando Magic last night. TANK TANK TANK

Today is International Taco Day. Too bad Maciel’s isn’t open.

It’s also National Tater Day, a good day to get an order of Rocket Tots at the Saucer.

Cafe Keough at 12 S. Main is looking for a barista.

Broadway hit WICKED comes to the Orpheum this Wednesday through April 21. 

The LaQuinta Inn at Union and Danny Thomas will have a hiring event Thursday.

The Broom Closet at 552 S. Main will host a Mercury Retrograde Sound Bath Monday at 6:30 PM. The host is a certified sound therapist and they have zero-gravity chairs for participants to sit in.

Tandem Restaurant Partners is hiring a GM for one of its restaurants:

Memphis, we’re on the hunt for a specific General Manager profile for the midtown area: looking for strong working knowledge of mixology and cocktail preparation, bar ordering, inventory, cost controls, general operations management.

Please email your resume to:

julien@tandemrp.team

There will be a floral & nature painting workshop on Riverside Drive Saturday.

Ice Cube has offered Iowa basketball phenomenon Caitlin Clark $5 million to play in his BIG3 tournament. That’s more than 60 times what she could make as a WNBA rookie.

That’ll do it for this rather long post. I think I’ll stick around the Saucer for the Purdue game. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips! 
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Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Don’t forget… Monday is the day Downtown Walgreens marks down all it Easter candy. Go get you some Peeps and some Cadbury eggs and a chocolate bunny. The doors open at 7 AM.

Grizzlies at Orlando Magic tonight at 6 PM on Bally Sports. Watch party at Loflin Yard.

ABC 24 has a look at yesterday’s Redbirds opening day at AutoZone Park.

Today is Turkey Neck Soup Day.

Are Downtown bar curfews coming, following recent violence in the area?

Part of the old Commercial Appeal building at 495 Union have been sold. Those parts may become a storage facility. Some feel that’s not an ideal use of real estate at the gateway to Downtown.

The Blind Bear will have a watch party for the Tennessee vs. Purdue NCAA men’s tournament game at 1:20 PM Sunday. Food & drink specials, giveaways, prizes, live music by Adam Heart after the game. Go Boilermakers!

Thanks to the burrito ministry, which stopped by Court Square this morning. I had a couple of sausage & egg burritos, a bag of buffalo ranch chips, a Caramello bar, and a Coke Zero.

April Garcia & Stephany Medina play soul, funk, and dance music at Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel tonight.

Time to meet friends at Bardog. Back tomorrow or Monday.

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

A fight outside a Downtown bar led to a shooting near Main and Gayoso a few minutes after 2:00 this morning. One person was seriously injured and a man was detained.

Today’s blog is being brought to you from a bench on Main Street because the F@$KING library is closed for Good Friday. Thank goodness I can hit a local business’s Wi-Fi from here. At 11 I’ll move to the Saucer and spend $6.25 on a beer I don’t want.

The former Hard Rock Cafe location on Beale Street will be the future home of both the Rock & Soul Museum and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Priscilla Presley was on hand to make the announcement yesterday. Great to see two iconic Memphis venues occupying the gateway to Memphis’ most famous street.

Tonight is the first South Main Trolley Night of the year. Many of the shops and galleries in the South Main district will stay open until 9 or later. It’s a fabulous opportunity to meet your neighbors. Some businesses put out booze.

Stock & Belle will have a Women’s Makers Market for Trolley Night.

Deep Roots plays Slider Inn Downtown 7-11 tonight.

Alexis Grace will play Beck & Call in the Hyatt Centric tonight at 8.

Grind City Brewing will have an Easter egg hunt Saturday – kids’ hunt at 1, adults’ hunt at 2. Adults can win beer and merchandise. The Tacos Tampicoso truck will be on site, and there will be games and a photographer.

Amber Rae Dunn and Mario Monterosso play The Central BBQ Sessions at Central BBQ Downtown Saturday at 6.

From Action News 5: The Redbirds are looking to make some noise as the season opens this afternoon.

Today is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. Plenty of good options Downtown to celebrate this day!

Hatiloo Theater presents Sing, Sistah, Sing! at the Cannon Center Saturday.

At the Saucer now… Duclaw Unicorn Farts After Dark is the Fire Sale and beer 179 toward my 9th plate.

DUUUUUUUDE! This Fire Sale is 8.5% ABV!!!  

Soul & Spirits Brewing Co. will have an Ophelia Saison & Seafood Release Party on Saturday, April 6.  Ophelia is one of their most requested beers. I wonder if it’s named for former State Sen. Ophelia Ford? The Sushi Jimmi   and Poke Paradise food trucks will be there.

Memphis Tigers football will have its spring game Saturday, April 20 at the Liberty Bowl. You can get in for free, but wait until after the game to light one up.

Screw it, I don’t feel like getting back to the Union Mission by 2 to get in free today. I’m gonna have a couple more Fire Sales then head back about 4 so I can be there in time for dinner. I’ll pay the sic dollar cover charge in exchange for a few extra hours out. Back tomorrow, or Sunday or Monday, with more news.

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

Today is Maundy Thursday, the day Jesus had The Last Supper with his disciples.

It’s also Weed Appreciation Day.

The Grizzlies lost to the Lakers 136-124 last night but we got Brandon Clarke back. BC had 6 points and 1 assist in about 21 minutes on the court.

The Grizz now head back out of town for 3 more away games. There will be a watch party Saturday at 6 at Loflin Yard for the away game at the Orlando Magic.

The CA investigates whether developer Tom Intrartor is done with the Pinch District. It appears he might be looking for a partner. 

The Grizzlies seek a building engineer.

The Blind Bear will celebrate Easter with Adam Levin on the keys 4-7 pm and DJ Tree 10 pm-2 am. The Easter Bunny will be there too.

The NCAA president wants states to prohibit prop betting on college sports He claims the bets make players vulnerable to outside influence. Prop bets are bets on individual player stats rather than the game as a whole.

Paris has a version of Wine Race.

Brass Door will have Easter hours of 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM with Arsenal vs. Man City at 10:30.

How jelly beans became an Easter candy

The Doubletree seeks an assistant front office manager.

The Renasant Convention Center has been named best in the country by Smart Meetings.

I’ve made the switch to DuckDuckGo as my browser and search engine. The browser imported my Chrome bookmarks and passwords without any issues.

Last night I was in the dinner line at the Union Mission, and fried chicken was the entree. The pieces looked big and juicy, not what people might expect to find coming out of a homeless shelter’s kitchen.

I got my tray to a table and took a bite of chicken. SPICY!!! I took a few more bites and thought to myself, “… Is this what I think it is???”

I didn’t have to wonder long. About 5:35 the mission’s lead pastor got on the dining room mic and said, “Anyone who wants seconds of Gus’s, get back in line.” THANK YOU GUS’S for your donation! Food is never bad at the mission, but last night we ate like kings!

Looking forward to dinner tonight. Back tomorrow with more news.

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

The Redbirds start off their season at home on Good Friday, March 29, taking on the Charlotte Knights at 3:05 pm. The first 1500 fans through the gate will get a Memphis Redbirds blanket.

The Redbirds will host Charlotte Saturday and Sunday as well. Both of those games will be at 1:05. The Easter Bunny will be at Sunday’s game, and there will be an Easter egg hunt on the field after the game. Kids 12 and under will get a free Prairie Farms ice cream sandwich upon entering the ballpark.

Sunday there will be a specialty ticket that includes Easter brunch on the club level with the Easter Bunny and Rockey Redbird.

The Grizzlies return home tonight for a 7 pm game vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. Memphis isn’t headed to the playoffs this season, but we can help keep LeBron out of them too. TV: Bally Sports

Today is International Whiskey Day.

The Blind Bear has upgraded its guests’ game-watching experience, now offering 5 TVs in the main room and 2 more in the Den.

Bob Dylan’s Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour comes to the Orpheum Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $59.50-$137. Note that this will be a phone-free experience.

Memphis Pickle Fest comes to Growlers Sunday.

Shea Harris hosts a Camera Setup for Podcasting workshop at the Cossitt Library this Thursday at 5 pm.

Did some state or county government agency crack down on dogs in restaurants recently? Just wondering…

Remember I told you that the Union Mission had a guest speaker in town this week from Perth, Australia? He’s part of a team that publishes Challenge: The Good News Paper, which is internationally distributed. The newspaper’s Easter edition came out this week.

Former Mayor Jimbo from Mempho, Jim Strickland, is the new University of Memphis Law College dean.

Sprock n Roll is hiring people to drive party bikes.

You’ll soon be able to buy a limited selection of Krispy Kreme donuts at McDonald’s.

That’s it. Back tomorrow with more news.

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

Did you know that NBA legend Chris Paul was Grizzlies player GG Jackson’s AAU coach a few summers ago? CP3 says it’s a surreal moment playing against his former pupil.

GG has come a long way in a short time, hasn’t he? He’s no longer “the other Jackson” of the Grizzlies. He’s no longer Tito.

Denver handed the Grizzlies a 123-103 loss last night.

Not Downtown but worth a Lyft or Uber: The Hi-Tone will host a Punk Rock Vintage Market on Saturday, April 27 from 7 pm to midnight. Live bands to be announced. Clothing, records, art, jewelry, oddities.

Tandem Restaurant Partners is hiring (Ben Yay’s, Sugar Grits, Front St. Deli, Zinnie’s)

Memphis Chess Club has games other than chess. There was a little girl in there yesterday playing Hungry Hungry Hippos. Games are free for members to play, $5 for nonmembers.

Downtown Neighborhood Association will meet this Wednesday at JEM Fine Dining at 644 Madison Free wine and a menu tasting for DNA members.

The South Main Association will hold its first South Main Social of the year Tuesday, April 9 at Wiseacre Downtown. Each member attending gets a free beer, and there will be bites from Little Bettie’s. Live music by Raneem Imam & Better in Color. There will be several guest speakers starting at 7 pm. Free for members, $20 for non-members.

The Flying Saucer will have an Easter egg hunt for free beer Sunday at 11. One free beer per customer.

Overheard at the Union Mission this morning: “If you have that on speakerphone, you have to go outside.” If Downtown’s homeless shelter can have such a sensible policy, WHY CAN’T OUR RESTAURANTS AND BARS???

Jasper Float Spa inside The Washburn seeks a Licensed Massage Therapist Benefits include a parking stipend.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has collapsed after one of its pillars was hit by a cargo ship.

Slider Inn Midtown seeks an Assistant Manager

That’s all I’ve got for today. Back tomorrow.

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

Strong storms are expected to track through Memphis between 5 and 10 PM. FOX 13 Weather is forecasting SIXTY mile an hour wind gusts and 1.9 inches of rain before it’s all over.

Better news: The extended forecast has sunshine and 77/59 for Easter.

Golden Girls – The Laughs Continue comes to the Orpheum Thursday.

FedExForum NCAA Tournament results:

– 6 Clemson 72, 3 Baylor 64

– 1 Houston 100, 9 Texas A&M 95 in OT

The DM has a look at this past weekend’s Memphis International Auto Show.

The repairs are over and the I-55 bridge is open

We’re going to have a guest preacher at the Union Mission this week from Perth, Australia. I don’t have any questions about Jesus, but I’d like to ask him if the water really does swirl the other way when you flush down there.

Charge your devices. We all know MLGW has trouble keeping the power on during and after storms.

That’s it. Back tomorrow.

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

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.

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