Paul Ryburn's Journal

BREAKING NEWS: The Denver Nuggets have told 2013 NBA Coach of the Year George Karl that they’re not bringing him back for the final year of his contract. Karl and the Grizzlies are already talking. Ironically, Lionel Hollins is being mentioned as a candidate for the Nuggets job.

Part of my responsibility as a blogger during Tube Top Month is to make my readers aware of tube topportunities, opportunities to wear tube tops. One such tube topportunity happens tonight, at the weekly rooftop party atop the Peabody Hotel. Seeing Red will be the featured entertainment, and the buffet will have mini pizzas and an antipasto platter. The drink special will be a Svedka orange cream pop for $4. If you’re in VIP, the buffet there will have lasagna al forno, meatballs in marinara, an antipasto platter, and garlic bread. The VIP Budweiser tasting this week will feature New Belgium products.

Another tube topportunity will happen July 4, also atop a hotel roof, in this case the Madison. Twilight Sky Terrace will host a fireworks-watching party from 7 to 10 PM. $35 ticket gets you a BBQ plate plus one alcoholic beverage. 21 and up only, reservations required. Call 901-333-1243 to make a reservation, or visit the website for more information. July 4 is the final day of Tube Top Month and this would be a great way to celebrate.

In other news: Bass Pro’s opening date has been pushed back. *Sigh* The new store is now set to open in the Pyramid at the end of 2014. Previously, the opening date had been planned for this fall.

Mud Island may get a dog park soon. The money for it is said to already be in the budget.

Sports writers are reporting that it’s likely FedExForum will host the AAC tournament in 2014. The American Athletic Conference is the successor to the Big East and is the Memphis Tigers’ new league. A rabid basketball market and an NBA arena makes FedExForum an excellent choice to host the tournament.

Yo Gotti & Friends play the Orpheum tonight, 8 PM.

Congratulations to my friend Christopher “Skippy” Blank, new news director at WKNO-FM 91.1.

From The Consumerist blog: Mommy, this orange juice tastes funny – because it’s a mimosa

I will probably start at the Goose tonight like I usually do on Thursday, with a possible venue change to Bear or Saucer if it gets super crowded pre-Yo Gotti. PBR is only a few hours away and I am ready.

After a couple of days without much news, today there’s plenty. Let’s get to it.

Aldo’s Pizza Pies has announced that they are adding an awning to their patio. That should help keep things shady and comfortable for patio dining at the pizzeria during the summer months. They already have misters installed on the patio.

Representatives from Bass Pro Shops have been meeting with Mud Island residents about signage on the north side of the Pyramid, scheduled to open as a Bass Pro Shop later this year. Residents are concerned that signage could ruin their scenic view of the Downtown skyline.

The Lumineers have announced an October 8 concert at Mud Island Ampitheatre. Tickets will be on sale through Ticketmaster Friday. Great outdoor venue and in early October the weather is still warm enough to wear a tube top to the concert.

There will be a Wolf River Harbor cleanup Saturday from 8 to 10 AM. If you want to help, meet at the cobblestones at 8, and wear long pants and hard-soled shoes. They will provide trash bags, gloves and water. The cleanup is part of the preparation for the Outdoors Inc. Canoe and Kayak race on the 15th.

There will be a Southern Tide event this weekend, Friday-Sunday at the Lansky shops in the Peabody. Featured will be sportshirts, Skipjack polos, shorts, T-shirts. You’ll be able to register for a chance to win $250 in Southern Tide merchandise from Lansky. More info about the event here.

Here’s a Memphis Daily News article about progress renovating the Chisca Hotel. When it was vacant it was described as a “black hole” that sucked the energy out of the vital area between the entertainment district and South Main. Indeed it was. Once the project is complete, it will instead serve as a bridge between those two neighborhoods.

That’ll do it for now. I’ll probably lead off at the Goose tonight. Last night I went to the Saucer and had someone 5 seats down leaning back every 20-30 seconds so he could see what I was doing. Maybe I should build him a periscope so he doesn’t have to strain to see me over the other customers. This was the same weirdo who followed me around Saturday before last, by the way. Anyway, I don’t feel like dealing with that again tonight so I’ll start at the Goose for some $2 PBR. Plans after that TBD.

This has been a really slow news week. It’s not that I was slacking yesterday. I just didn’t have anything to report. This happens every June after festival season/Grizzlies season ends. It’s slow news time until late August.

In fact, I was going to type a “I got nothing” post for today, up until a few minutes ago when one news item came in. Delta is going to de-hub Memphis effective September 3. They will reduce to 60 flights per day, and 230 jobs will be cut. This is bad news, but it’s also an opportunity for a much better airline – Southwest – to step up.

To close this post, here’s a pic of Rebekah in a tube top dress, taken back in April.

You know what I was thinking the other day? Online dating sites would be a lot more appealing if they had “tube top” in their name. For instance:

TubeTopMatch.com
eTubeTopHarmony.com
ChristianTubeTopMingle.com

On to the news. Tomorrow Silky Sullivan will be remembered in perhaps the most appropriate way: There will be a parade in his memory on Beale Street. It starts at 2 PM.

Earlier I posted a “save the date” notice for a fundraiser to be held for the Moore, Oklahoma public schools, badly damaged in the May 20 tornado outbreak. Here are the details: The fundraiser will be called Memphis to Moore and it will be held in the ballroom at the Westin Hotel on Friday, June 14, beginning at 7:00. My friend Angie, a Moore native and a product of the Moore public schools, partnered with the Westin and Red Rover to make this happen. Guests will enjoy complimentary food from Bleu, free drinks(!!!!!!!!!), and free valet parking. There will be live entertainment, T-shirts for sale, and a silent auction as well. $50 in advance, $60 at the door. Funds raised will go to the Moore Public Schools Tornado Relief Fund. I am buying a ticket and will absolutely be there.

It’s Texas de Brazil day! Now and then a group of about 12 of us will descend upon the Sunday brunch buffet. I try not to load up on the salad bar too much to save plenty of room for meat, but the lobster bisque, au gratin potatoes, and bacon are not to be missed. I always get extra lobster bisque to dip the meats in. So good. I’ll get my usual Flying Saucer visit in later in the day, but since I tend to sit at the bar it won’t be until after 5. Undecided whether I’ll play poker at the Blind Bear at 6:30. Outta here for now… time for MEAT!!!

 

Yesterday afternoon I took my usual walk down Main Street toward the bars. I saw signs saying, “Enjoy happy hour in The NOB before you head to South Main for Trolley Tour.” Apparently people are trying to name my section of South Main – the section between Beale and Madison – The NOB, for North of Beale. Acronym neighborhood names are popular in the big cities – SoHo, TriBeCa, etc. The problem is, nob is a slang word for penis.

In particular, it’s British slang. In 1969, Led Zeppelin was on tour in Europe. At that time, only their first album was out, the one with the image of the Hindenburg crashing on the cover. In one country, a countess who was heiress to the Zeppelin family saw the album cover and was horrified. She filed an injunction preventing the band from performing under their name. So they performed as The Nobs.

You know, there’s a Foursquare venue you can check into called “Biking in Downtown Memphis.” There needs to be one specifically for people who bike ride on Main between Beale and Madison. It could be called “Riding the NOB.”

Or, someone could go to Maggie Moo’s and order a milkshake to go. As they walk out, they could say they’re slurping on the NOB.

Now and then I see city employees with leaf blowers on the Main Street Mall. I guess they’re blowing the NOB.

Someone could shop at City Market, then as they walk out they could take a photo of their grocery bag with the Main Street Mall in the background. They could caption it “The NOB and the sack.”

You know, they should have pre-announced this thing about happy hour on the NOB. Maybe they could have put out a little teaser about a week in advance. They could have said, “The NOB is about to come.”

What if a pimp were to have a bad day on the Main Street Mall? Maybe his hoes weren’t gettin’ no business, even though they had tube tops on. Normally he would say, “It’s hard out here for a pimp,” but instead he might say, “The NOB is hard today.”

(Note: I’m just having fun here. I’ve never actually seen hookers on that area of Main.)

Okay, let’s get on to the news. Dishcrawl is coming to Downtown Memphis on Wednesday, June 26. You’ve heard of pub crawls, I’m sure. Dishcrawl is similar in that you move from place to place, but you eat instead of drink (you can drink too for an extra charge). The venues aren’t announced until a day or two before the event, but rest assured you’ll be sampling some of Downtown’s best food. Cost is $45. Follow @dishcrawlmem on Twitter for more information.

In memory of Silky Sullivan, the Blind Bear will have $4 shots of Irish whiskey (the good stuff) and $4 pints of Guinness all weekend, or until they run out.

The petition has worked. Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle has filed proposed legislation to create a state of Tennessee Grizzlies license plate. The plate would require 1000 pre-orders, which I don’t think would be a problem at all. If approved, money raised from the plate would support the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation.

That’ll do it for now. About 11 I will walk down the Main Street Mall (stepping on The NOB. OUCH!), then turn right on Monroe and head to Bardog for my usual stop at Panda’s bar. Plans after that TBD.

Today one of the true legends of Downtown Memphis, Silky Sullivan, passed away. Silky was proprietor of Silky O’ Sullivan’s, an anchor of Beale Street for years. Silky loved a good party and knew how to throw one – and he threw one in his bar every night, with dueling pianos, an Irish theme, Diver buckets to drink, and neon palm trees and pet goats in the courtyard.

Silky could frequently be seen holding court on his throne on Beale in front of his bar. In particular, he was known for throwing St. Patrick’s Day extravaganzas, with the blessing of the kegs, the receiving of Irish dignitaries, and the raising of the goat. His courtyard was always packed for St. Pat’s, and in years when the weather was warm you could even spot a few tube tops.

Rest in peace, Silky, and thank you for all you did to make Downtown a fun place to be.

And now, let’s get on to the news…

It’s Trolley Night on South Main Street tonight, as it is the last Friday of every month. Galleries, shops, and restaurants will be open from 6 to 9, and many will have appetizers, wine, beer, discounts, fashion shows. There will be live music by Misty Rae at ArtJamN, and by Kitty Deering at D’Edge. There will be art demos at American Apparel, the Folk Alliance, the fire station lawn, Main at Butler, and Main at Nettleton. The Streetdog Foundation will set up next to Earnestine & Hazel’s with adoptions and merchandise, and the Memphis Roller Derby League will make an appearance. If you’ve never been to a Trolley Night, May is a great month to check it out before the weather gets super hot in the summer.

Ever want to sit on the field and watch a movie at AutoZone Park? You can on June 15. The park will screen The Sandlot at 7:30 that evening. Third-base seats will be available for those who don’t wish to sit on the field. If you sit on the field, you’re encouraged to bring a blanket. There will be a trivia contest with a pair of PF Flyer sneakers as the prize. After the screening, fans will have a chance to meet the writer/director. He will be signing a variety of items with proceeds going to charity.

The Travel Channel’s “Burger Land” visit to Memphis will air Monday at 8 Central time. The show toured Dyer’s and Alex’s, and got local commentary from Best Memphis Burger blogger Seth. Here’s a preview.

Plans for tonight: I’ll probably start out at one of my bars where I’m Foursquare mayor in the Downtown core (I regained the Silly Goose last night). Then about 7:30. I’ll decide whether to stay put or head to South Main. All right, off to do something I haven’t done on a lunch break this week: eat.

On Sunday, June 9, AutoZone Park will hold Brunch with the Redbirds. For $40 you will get a club-level seat for the 1:35 game, and a brunch buffet from 12:30 to 2:00. Check out this spread:

AZP Bloody Marys and Mimosas
Classic Eggs Benedict
Brioche French Toast with Macerated Berries
Grilled Country Sausage and Biscuits
Rendezvous Famous Dry Rub Ribs
Rendezvous BBQ Nachos
Chef Carving Rendezvous Beef Brisket
Picnic Style Fried Chicken
Horseradish Cream and Silver Dollar Rolls
Country Scrambled Eggs
Rashers of Apple wood Smoked Bacon
Savory Slaw
Pasta Salad Primavera
Fresh Sliced Melon and Berries
Assorted Muffins and Pastries
Chef Preparing Bananas Foster

All you can eat? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up. Ticket ordering information can be found here. Ladies, this sounds like a great day for you to put on a tube top and enjoy brunch and the game.

The Eagles have been announced for an October 14 concert at FedExForum.

Kerry went to Havana’s Pilon, the new Cuban restaurant on Madison, and had good things to say about the ropa vieja. I’ve been incorrectly omitting the apostrophe-s when typing the restaurant’s name. The restaurant’s menu is now available online.

The CA reports that Memphis in May executive vice-president Diane Hampton is leaving after 15 years. Thanks Diane for all you have done to grow this month-long celebration. Diane personally helped me out in 2001, when the person I attended Sunset Symphony with was too drunk almost to stand, much less walk the quarter-mile to her car. Diane gave us a ride in her golf cart.

There’s a petition to the state of Tennessee to start making a Grizzlies license plate. Over 1500 people had signed as of noontime today.

The annual Scion Rock Fest will happen Saturday on Beale Street. 32 metal bands will play in five different venues. Venues, bands, and festival info can be found here.

Fun day at work, working on some cutting-edge stuff. Now it’s time to follow that up with a beer.

A local fundraiser for the Moore, Oklahoma Public Schools is being organized. SAVE THE DATE: It will happen Friday, June 14 and it will be Downtown. More details to come. Money will go directly to the school district to rebuild damaged/destroyed schools rather than going through a third-party organization like the Red Cross.

There’s a Groupon for Itta Bena that is available for the next three days. Itta Bena is an elegant restaurant on the third floor of B.B. King’s Blues Club, and is one of the hidden secrets of Beale. You have two options for this Groupon: $49 for a contemporary Southern dinner for two (one appetizer, two entrees, two desserts), or $25 for $50 worth of contemporary Southern food for two or more.

Kid Ego plays the weekly Peabody rooftop party tonight. There will be a hot dog buffet. (Two tourists from Georgia were in the Goose last night and mentioned they were VERY EXCITED about that hot dog buffet. Mmmkay.) Those in VIP will have a hamburger buffet, chicken-onion-pepper skewers, and grilled vegetables. Drink special will be Svedka cherry with Coke for $4. Doors open at 6, $10 cover includes first drink, ladies free until 7.

This isn’t a Downtown event, but a lot of people are going to the Memphis Italian Festival this weekend. It kicks off at 4:30 today and goes all day tomorrow and Saturday. The festival is in a large park out east at Park Avenue and Mt. Moriah Road. Format is similar to BBQ Fest, where teams build booths and compete.

Last night I watched pork cook “on the stone” at the Silly Goose.

It’s really neat. They give you several spices and seasonings which you can choose to sprinkle on your meat, and then it cooks on the stone right in front of you. They have filet and chicken on the stone as well. They were going to have salmon but apparently that didn’t work out. While at the Goose, the bartender asked if I’d come sit in her section Friday night if she wears a tube top.

The American Athletic Conference, of which Memphis will be a member this fall, debuted its new logo today. The @memphisroar Twitter account commented that it looks like it was designed with WordArt. Well, you know, it kinda does.

Pigeon news: Pigeons peck for computerized treat

There’s enough news for a second post today, so check back 5:30-6:00ish.

All Coyote Ugly locations are having an Oklahoma storm relief benefit today. 100% of the proceeds go to Red Cross storm relief. The Coyote Ugly location on Beale opens at 4 PM today.

Want to see a Redbirds game for cheap? It’s 529 Day at AutoZone Park. In honor of the TNStars College Savings 529 program, select Redbirds tickets will be on sale for $5.29. Game is 7:05 vs. Albuquerque. It’s going to be a warm night at the ballpark. Wearing a tube top would be a good way to stay cool.

Soccer fans: The Brass Door will show Ireland vs. England at 2, Belgium vs. USA at 7. No Brass Door Bingo tonight but it will be back next week.

The Memphis Flyer has a really good article about the Grizzlies roster in order of prognosis of return.

The Fuzzy Brew blog has a post about the rare beers at the Flying Saucer’s 16th birthday party. Although it’s billed as a one-day-only event, there are still some “leftovers,” so you still might have time to try one of these beers.

The Flyer’s Hungry Memphis blogger visited Havana Pilon. That ropa vieja looks good.

The Daily News reports that a milestone has been hit securing matching funds for the Main-to-Main project. This will spur the construction of a pedestrian bridge to West Memphis and much-needed improvements for the Main Street Mall.

That’ll do it for now. I’ll be out after work about 5:30.

The Grizzlies’ season has come to an end, after a 93-86 Game 4 loss to the San Antonio Spurs last night. Despite the series sweep, all I can say is CONGRATULATIONS to the Grizzlies on their best year ever. 56-26 and a trip to the Western Conference Finals – we’ve never done that well before. A fine year and I can’t wait for the 2013-14 season to start.

Yahoo! Sports reports that Coach Lionel Hollins’ future is uncertain. His contract is up June 30, and as of yet the organization has not offered him an extension. If he doesn’t return, he will have plenty of suitors: The L.A. Clippers, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Milwaukee Bucks are said to be interested in talking to him.

Touching story on CBS Sports: Grizz healed the broken heart of a little girl after the Grizzlies’ loss last night.

From Fox 13: Downtown Memphis booms during May’s events

Tube top news from Celebuzz: Courtney Stodden’s tube top is a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen

I’m no longer a triple mayor of Downtown bars. Congrats to my friend Katie Mac, who stole the Foursquare mayorship of the Silly Goose from me yesterday. I still have the Flying Saucer and Blind Bear mayorships.

Power was out in parts of Downtown this morning due to a substation being down. It was restored about 11 AM. This was just in time for the Peabody, whose duckmaster nearly had to walk the ducks down 12 flights of stairs.

For the first Tuesday in several weeks, there is nothing standing in the way of me playing poker at the Blind Bear at 8. Looking forward to getting back to the table and playing with my friends. I’ll probably pre-game at the Saucer about 5:30 after work.