Paul Ryburn's Journal

DUX – Ducks Unlimited Expo is at the Renasant Convention Center this weekend. A look at the schedule is probably the best way to understand what goes on there.

Tony Award-winning musical SUFFS comes to the Orpheum Friday through Sunday. It tells the story of women who fought for the right to vote.

Trolley Night returns to South Main this Friday, July 31. Get out and meet your neighbors. Many area businesses will have deals and specials. 6-9 PM or later.

Bardog has announced its 18th anniversary party Sunday, September 20. Live music, raffle, meatball eating contest.

I suffered an unexpected and embarrassing financial setback Sunday evening. That, plus a flare-up of my Parkinson’s, plus this miserable heat and humidity, threw me out of the mood to make a post yesterday. Sorry. BTW I read that Carly Simon has joined me in the Parkinson’s club.

Back soon with more news.

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Downtown got an unwanted show this morning as one of our street people decided to take a stroll down Main Street COMPLETELY BUTT ASS NEKKID. He was last seen near Walgreens about 7:55. He was followed by 2 DMC safety patrol officers, who were attempting to limit his movements but not detain him.

Now playing at Memphis Chess Club: “Ninety-Six Degrees in the Shade.” Appropriate.

I haven’t seen it myself, but I’ve been told they knocked a wall down upstairs at Earnestine & Hazel’s last week. Oh my. I wonder what the ghosts think of the renovation.

Banana Ball was on ESPN yesterday. I asked Google Gemini AI to compare those players’ salaries to those of our Triple-A Redbirds. Gemini said Banana Ball players tend to make more than $100,000 a year (for a much smaller number of games). Minor League Baseball players mostly make $20,000-$42,000 a year, with top prospects capped at $100,000.

KCP is a Grizzly no more. LeBron wanted him in Philly to help chase a championship.

WhatNow has the info on the Afro-Caribbean restaurant going in next door to Raiford’s.

Back soon with more news.

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Looks like Margaritas on S. Second across from the Peabody is closed permanently. I can’t say I’m surprised or disappointed.

It’s Caitlin vs. Bueckers in the WNBA All-Star Game Saturday. 7:30 PM, ABC.

The Moxy Hotel on Court Square is celebrating National Tequila Day today with $7 margaritas, tequila sunrises, and BBQ nacho walking tacos.

That cool-ass building behind Westy’s on Jackson is still for sale.

Redbirds host Durham 7:05 tonight. First 1000 fans through the gate get a cooler bat bag.

Back soon with more news.

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I went to Methodist University Hospital last night about 9:00. By 4:30 I walked out the front door, fully released. I had figured on being there at least into the weekend.

I did have cellulitis. But this time, sepsis had not developed. They also scanned my legs for blood clots and didn’t find any.

My blood pressure was 107/66, pretty amazing given my age, diet, and housing situation.

So that worked out pretty well. Only negative is, I may not be able to afford the prescription Methodist is sending to Walgreens today.

On my way back Downtown, I strolled through The Edge, where I discovered that soon-to-open speakeasy Gussied Up has its sign up.

Photo taken at the intersection of Marshall Avenue and General Washburn’s Escape Alley, looking west down the alley.

Wanna score a chance to win a Michelob Ultra golf bag?

1. Go to Max’s Sports Bar
2. Buy a bucket of Mich Ultra
3. Pick the winner of the St. Jude Classic golf tournament

Would you be a good air traffic controller? Find out in this game

It’ll be raining queens at the Orpheum on October 2.

Sushi Gang will do a kitchen takeover at Bar Ware tonight 6 to 10. First come, first served.

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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It looks like I’m gonna have to check myself into the hospital in the very near future with cellulitis and (I fear) sepsis. Same thing I had a year or two ago. So my blog posts may be interrupted for a few days.

Or, maybe not. I have my Chromebook with me. Hospitals have Wi-Fi.

Bardog fire-saled Rumple Minze Cinnamint for $5. HELL NO I did not partake while I was there this morning.

Thomas Cain headlines Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party.

Memphis Chess Club is getting a Pepsi-branded drink dispensing machine installed. MOUNTAIN DEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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DNAMemphis.org is reporting that South Main ramen joint Good Fortune Co. will undergo an expansion and renovation beginning Monday. Changes will include an expanded kitchen and new dining room.

The Brass Door will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday to give staff time to recover from a busy World Cup season.

Congratulations to Jay’s Coffee and Cuisine on its recent 100 on its health inspection. Jay’s is in the former Tamp & Tap location on Gayoso.

The California Kid is the burger of the week at Momma’s: Angus beef, ham, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, American, Swiss, Momma’s Mayo.

Voting is open in the ’26 Memphis Flyer Best of Memphis poll. By the way, #VoteForAllison has left the service industry and therefore is ineligible to defend her second-place Best Server crown.

The Redbirds host the Durham Bulls this week. First pitch tonight is 7:05.

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Yesterday’s Spain-Argentina final was proof that low-scoring soccer matches can still be thrillers.

For those of you who spent halftime wondering “How OLD is Madonna, anyway?”, she’s 67.

In an age-related milestone closer to home, Thomas Richardson AKA Memphis wrestling legend Tommy “Wildfire” Rich – turns 70 on Sunday.

Beer recommendation: Wiseacre Uniconucopia. I had that beer last night and it was tasty. It’s only one of two local beers the Flying Saucer rates “Transcendent.” $8.50 list price at the Saucer, but get it for $5 Sundays (local beer night) or Mondays (Pint Nite).

Gussied Up, the speakeasy in the back of Hard Times Deli, will be open by the end of the summer.

Turn your handwriting into a computer font

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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As a former computer literacy teacher, I love this site: In Plain English

The Kia K4 is the Datsun B-210 of the 21st century.

The electrical outlets at Memphis Chess Club are working again. The one by the piano got my Chromebook and phone to 100% yesterday. In other MCC news, the cafe has S’mores mochas now.

Spain vs. Argentina, World Cup final, 2:00 PM, FOX.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors, NBA Summer League championship, 8:00 PM, ESPN.

Hearing from friends that the wings are the thing to get at J Woods, the new sports bar on the island.

Back soon with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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left little toe is killing me

cellulitis is back in my legs and feet

sorry for brevity and capitalization

redbirds host iowa 705 pm. special tix – hot dog buffet, terrace picnic

https://cardsandmoretour.com/event/memphis-tcg-con/ – tcg con at conv center – trading caard games

for the girls market at grrindd city brewing 430-930 today

dude perfect – squad gamees tour fedexforum 700

https://tinyurl.com/MemphisWrestlingvsKAW – memphis wrestling vs kick ass wrestlling at ghostt river sunday

mojo brookzz comedy at oorpheum tonight  aand sat

dj treee dj saint barware 10 pm sat

thanks readers for understanding. randy can  you bring ibuprofen tomorrow

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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The latest question I asked Claude AI: Why do so many firefighters sport mustaches like those of 1890s baseball players? I’ve wondered about that for a while. We have some off-duty firefighters who come in Bardog in the mornings now and then, and many of them sport killer ‘staches.

The answer, it turns out, has nothing to do with the 1890s or baseball. Firefighters are prohibited from having beards because they would interfere with safety equipment that must be worn. So they make the most out of the only facial hair they’re allowed to have.

If any firefighters are reading this, by the way, thank you for your service.

Competitive eater Joey Chestnut will see if his gobbling prowess extends to BBQ nachos this Saturday at AutoZone Park.

NBA Summer League: Grizzlies vs. Atlanta, 7:00 PM. TV: Amazon Prime

The Ida B. Wells Plaza at Fourth and Beale is back open.

Paulette’s will host a Blue Note bourbon dinner on Wednesday, September 16.

The DMC reports that 767 Kentucky is being developed into 26 apartments, the occupants of which will have a short walk across Crump to Momma’s.

Itta Bena is hiring servers. Employee discounts on She-Crab soup! careersmemphis@ittabena.com

Bass Pro seeks a sales associate – firearms.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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