Paul Ryburn's Journal

Saturday I was talking to a well-known Downtown chef about mods – modifications people request to restaurant menu items they order. Mods have gotten WAY out of hand since the pandemic. 

I’m not talking about: I’ll take the burger as it comes, with fries, but can I get ranch instead of ketchup for dipping? That’s a normal mod. 

What I’m talking about: I’d like the burger, turkey patty instead of beef, Swiss cheese instead of American, no onion, add mayo and mustard, but can I get the mayo in a cup on the side, fries very lightly salted and extra crispy?

I hear this kind of order ALL THE TIME. 

And you know what’s really ridiculous?

The person with no mods except a different dipping sauce tips 25%. 

The person with a million bazillion mods zeroes out the tip line. 

If what I just described sounds like you, do us all a favor and EAT AT HOME!!!!!

Catherine & Mary’s seeks a line cook with at least 2 years experience. 

Penny’s Tigers will host Mississippi State at FedExForum 4 days before Christmas. 

Day 1 of BBQ Fest is tonight at Tiger Lane. SmokeSlam kicks off tomorrow at Tom Lee Park. 

City. Council members asked for police on Downtown rooftops last night.

Today is National Chocolate Chip Day. Insomnia Cookies on Beale would be my recommendation to celebrate.

From Beale Street Bears: The Grizzlies would be an ideal landing spot for Golden State’s Klay Thompson. There’s a good possibility the Warriors will break up their Big Three in the offseason.

The Redbirds host Gwinnett at 12:05 this afternoon. 

There’s going to be a Strawberry Hennessy Summer Festival in Court Square on Sunday, June 15. 

The Molly Ringwalds will bring the’80s hits to this Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party. If you pay extra for the VIP section this week, here’s the menu: Crab Cakes, Lobster Mac Croquettes, Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp, Blue Cheese & Bacon-Wrapped Meatballs, Mushroom & Truffle Arancini, Goat Cheese & Honey Triangles

DNA will show Jurassic Park for free at BRIDGES Thursday night at 7:45. A food truck will be on site. 

I attended day 3 of the “good old-fashioned revival” at the Union Mission last night. It started off with the guy who got baptized Monday night getting a certificate documenting his achievement. He could hang it on his wall, except he’s homeless and therefore has no wall. 

Then the Atlanta preacher led us through about 6 songs on his keyboard. In the early ‘90s he was in a nationally known country/Southern rock band called Confederate Railroad. But, he said, he got no joy out of his life of music, drugs, and girls, and he didn’t understand at the time it was because he didn’t have Jesus in his life. 

Then the Arizona preacher came up and preached a sermon, which was followed by the usual ending we get to so many of these chapel services:

1. All heads bowed, all eyes closed. 
2. If you know that you know that you know that you know that you’ve been saved, that you’ve accepted Jesus into your heart, raise your hand. (He told us less than 50% of the audience raised their hands.)
3. If you’ve never been saved, and you feel you’re ready to accept Jesus, come up and let us pray with you. 

They gave out thin red and blue paperback books to the 25 or so that came up, books that are kind of orientation guides to being “saved.”

The weather forecast suggests I should take tonight off from staying at the Mission, but I’ve come this far; I guess I might as well see this “revival” thing all the way through. Otherwise I’ll wonder what I missed. 

Back tomorrow. 

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Well, I survived the second night of the “good old-fashioned revival” at the Union Mission last night. It started with the Mission’s lead pastor performing a “believer’s baptism.” Then the preacher from Atlanta leading us in about 6 songs on the piano. Then he told us a very personal story about God’s forgiveness

Next, the preacher from Phoenix delivered a sermon and then invited people who felt they needed to be prayed for to come up front.

Tonight or tomorrow- can’t remember which- we’re supposed to have visitors from a Korean church who don’t speak any English. We also have visitors from Calvary, the city’s other major men’s mission. And we have visitors from the local churches that send speakers to the Mission throughout the month.

For the second night in a row, there was nothing in the revival that made me feel peer-pressured. I’m still gonna continue to sit in one of the back rows the next 2 nights, though.

The only thing I disliked was this guy about 22 sitting next to me who was giggling throughout the service. WTF is wrong with people?

On to the news…

Pools are fun. Summer is fun. Especially if you’re a member of the South Main Association. Their May Social will be a pool party atop the roof of the Hyatt Centric Tuesday, May 21.

Just heard a rumor that poker night at Bardog may be coming back.

Friday is Bike to Work Day. Ride by stations around town to pick up a free breakfast.

It’s Dance Like a Chicken Day.

If you’re a DM subscriber, check out this story about a farm in Como, MS where some of the BBQ Fest teams get their pigs.

That’s a. Not a terribly newsy day. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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ABC 24 investigated why the Madison and Riverfront trolley lines are still out of commission. All trolley lines were shut down following a 2014 fire, but the Main Street line was brought back into service in 2018.

The Memphis Grizzlies will pick ninth in the 2024 NBA draft. I predict they’ll trade the pick and Ziaire Williams for an established 23-24-year-old center. One intriguing trade target that’s been mentioned: Jalen Duren, the former Memphis Tiger who has built a solid career with the Detroit Pistons.

Speaking of centers, Moussa Cisse will be back in Tiger blue this fall via the NCAA transfer portal.

Attention dog owners: Court Square is not an off-leash dog park!!! Please use The Barking Lot at Main and Jefferson if you want your dog to run unleashed.

Some of bars Downtown now carry cannabis-infused seltzer with CBD and Delta-9. The drink runs about $8.

TDOT recently showed what a new I-55 river bridge could look like.

Daaaamn, even Penny’s son entered the transfer portal Ashton Hardaway is off to Saint Mary’s

It’s World Cocktail Day.

The Metal Museum seeks a manager for its Museum Store.

The CA has a look at top teams competing in SmokeSlam on the river this week.

Last night was night 1 (of 4) of the “good old-fashioned revival” in the chapel at the Union Mission. I walked in with a lot of skepticism. I saw religious revivals as exercises in crowdthink and expected to be peer-pressured to stand up and declare I’d been “saved.” I sat in the far back to avoid individual notice by the preachers or by audience members way into the service.

Really, it was not bad. There were two preachers, one from Arizona, one from Atlanta. They tag-teamed the service in a way that reminded me of Silky’s dueling pianos. There was singing and the preachers told us their personal stories. The mood was lighthearted, upbeat, even celebratory. I never felt pressure to say on do anything.

Rain is in the forecast, so I’m scrapping my plan to stay out tonight and will be there for night 2 of the revival at the Mission.

Back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

From a graphic the Grizzlies posted to social media:

• 1st pick – 7.5%
• 2nd pick – 7.8%
• 3rd pick – 8.1%
• 4th pick – 8.5%
• (A pick in the top 4 – 31.9%)
• 7th pick – 19.7%
• 8th pick – 34.1%
• 9th pick – 12.9%
• 10th pick – 1.3%

The lottery happens at 2 PM Sunday on ABC.

The first round of the NBA draft happens June 26.

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The Orion 5K, Fun Run, and Pickleball happens this Saturday, departing from Orion FCU headquarters at 400 Monroe. 5K runners will traverse The Edge and the Downtown Core. Stay afterward for pickleball from 10 to 4. This event benefits MIFA Meals on Wheels.

Strangewaze Wednesdays, a series of neighborhood concerts in Health Sciences Park, next happens Wednesday evening, May 15. Free food, free drinks, free music.

By the way, the items above came from The Vitals, the newsletter of the Memphis Medical District. Subscribe to The Vitals

The annual Manes on Main party is tomorrow at Soul & Spirits. Smoked Festbier release, beard and hair competitions, Hot n Heavy Dogs and Sno Junt food trucks.

Save the date! Slider Inn Downtown will host a silent disco Saturday, June 8. Beach/summer will be the theme. Free to enter; $15 to rent a headset.

Today is National Small Business Day.

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias brings his Don’t Worry, Be Fluffy Tour to FedExForum tonight.

Drink of the Month at Max’s Sports Bar: Pink Drank (coconut cream rum, strawberries, and strawberry sparkling water).

The USA Powerlifting Master’s World Cup comes to the Renasant Convention Center this weekend.

Today’s Redbirds home game vs. the Norfolk Tides is a matinee game. 12:05 PM first pitch. 

Saturday the Redbirds will give away a throwback Memphis Chicks T-shirt to the first 1500 fans. Size XL only. 3:05 PM first pitch. 

Kinfolk’s breakfast is this week’s $10 Deal in the DM. Kinfolk opened recently at 111 Harbor Town Square. 

There was a fire at Loflin Yard about 2 this morning. Two dogs were rescued. 

RIP Chevy Malibu. With the retirement of the Camaro last year, the automaker is down to producing one traditional car, the Corvette. 

I wonder what the city will do? Most City of Memphis vehicles are Malibus.

Bardog has new “Have You Dogged It Lately?” shirts for $30.

There’s a dog party at Grind City Brewery Co. Saturday. There will be freebies for humans & dogs and Albee’s Tex-Mex food truck will be on site. This is a fundraiser for Kiwanis. Free to attend for all ages. 

Uncle Red’s turkey legs, which has had a location inside Carolina Watershed in the past, is coming to the University of Memphis area. Look for a location opening soon on Echles. 

Apaolo plays the Tap Room on Beale tonight 8 to 12.

There’s a push to revive the Mud Island Amphitheater. The venue hasn’t hosted a concert in 6 years. $17 million has been proposed to get it back into shape.

Teachers and nurses get 10% off all week at Butterific Bakery & Cafe at 488 S. Second.

There will be comedy on Beale in Handy Park 2-6 PM Saturday. Free and family-friendly.

Gia Welch and JD Westmoreland play The Central BBQ Sessions at Central BBQ Downtown Saturday from 6:00 to 8:30 PM.

Tonight from 5:00 to 7:30, Sheet Cake Gallery at 405 Monroe presents an opening reception for “The Real & Imagined,” an exhibit by Erin Harmon and Kong Wee Pang.

From the DM: Downtown Happy Mexican keeps the good, loses the bad. The restaurant kept the same staff and added Second Street Tacos & Tequila.

The weather is perfect and nights at the Union Mission are getting a bit repetitive, so I’m staying out tonight. Back sometime in the next 72 hours with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Soul & Spirits brewery on North Main is having a “hoochie coochie party” today and tomorrow. Details will be posted on their Facebook page.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association has announced its May meeting on the rooftop of the Hyatt Centric the evening of the 22nd. Free drinks and snacks for all DNA members.

Looks like the Saucer is giving away a Duvel-branded guitar:

Russ to the Grizz this summer?

DJ A.D. plays tonight’s Peabody rooftop party. Doors open at 6 PM.

A woman allegedly killed and robbed a man of $60. It’s said she spent the money on 2 wing combos. It doesn’t get much more Memphis than that.

The Blues Music Awards are tonight at the Renasant Convention Center.

The Orpheum is hiring a manager of food and beverage operations.

From the MBJ: How the Sterick Building’s best use is being ironed out

What food product came out the year you were born? Me: Tic Tacs

Currently on fire sale at Bardog:

That’s it for today. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Sunset Jazz returns to Court Square this Sunday. Ted Ludwig will perform 6 to 8 PM. Drinks will be available for purchase and food trucks will be on site.

The Majestic rolled out a new cocktail menu. Visit their Facebook page to check it out.

The NBA draft lottery is this Sunday at 2 PM on ABC.

The Redbirds host Norfolk at 6:05 tonight.

High winds and large hail could come to Memphis overnight.

Beale Street entrepreneur John Elkington thinks the bars there should close at 2 AM. Currently they can stay open until 5.

Today is National Have a Coke Day I’m doing that as I type this.

The Flyer’s latest edition of We Saw You comes from Zio Matto Gelato in Central Station.

Madison Tavern, sibling restaurant to Local on Main, opens Friday. The Flyer recently talked with the owners. Downtown news: Local on Main will be rebranded as Quinn’s at some future point.

That’s it for today! Don’t worry, I will be sheltering inside tonight. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Question- am I crazy or do I remember reading that the construction closing Monroe between Main and Second would take about six weeks and would be done the fourth week or April?

Because we’re coming into the second week of May and it’s not done.

Between that construction and the construction of the future Brooks Museum, we have a situation where Monroe Avenue is closed, then open, then closed, then open, all on a 4-block stretch from Riverside to B.B. King.

It’s confusing to drivers and I’m sure it’s costing businesses on that street money.

Wryly Bigger headlines Central Station’s Live at the Tracks party Thursday night.

On Saturday, Canadian DJ and producer Skratch Bastid comes to Central Station’s Eight & Sand Lounge.

Bobbie and Frankie play Momma’s patio Saturday during the lunch hour. It’s an event to thank Streetdog Foundation’s sponsors. There will be no cover.

Memphis legend Jerry “The King” Lawler’s contract has been allowed to expire by WWE without being renewed. I wonder if the King, 74, will ease into retirement or move on to new creative ventures. He’s had a couple of strokes, so his in-ring days are almost certainly over.

Investor Warren Buffett, 94, has appointed a successor, Greg Abel, who will make investment decisions for Berkshire Hathaway going forward. Buffett’s longtime business partner Charlie Munger passed away at 99 recently.

Auto-Chlor at Poplar and Manassas seeks a videography and photography expert.

A petition has been filed to remove Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert from office.

At the Union Mission where I’ve been staying for most of the past 3 months, we have to attend chapel 6:00 to 7:00 PM daily. Well, our lead pastor, who seems to be a big fan of the late Rev. Billy Graham, is bringing in a preacher from out West and from Sunday to Wednesday, “We’re going to have a good old fashioned revival.”

Hmmm. As someone who showed up at the Mission with already well-defined spiritual beliefs, I can’t say I’m real excited about this. I’ll give it a chance Sunday, but if it’s what I think it is, I may stay out all night Monday and Wednesday.

Then again, attending a revival in person might be fascinating. It might give me ideas for articles to write on Medium.

Back tomorrow with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

If anyone out there uses an iPhone for Wi-Fi only – no cell service- I made a discovery yesterday that I want to pass on. On modern versions of iOS, you can turn on Airplane mode, which will turn off Wi-Fi, but you can then switch it back on.

You’ll still be able to use all your apps, including ones that connect to the Internet, as normal. Your notifications will still work. The benefit comes, though, when you’re not using your phone. It consumes almost no battery because it’s not constantly trying to connect to cellular.

Last night I charged my phone before bed and slept with it in my pocket for 10 hours. This morning the battery was at 91%. Before I learned the Airplane mode trick, it’d start the day at about 75%.

TACOnganas has added a second food truck to its new location at Danny Thomas and Adams. I guess one truck couldn’t keep up with demand by. itself. I’m not surprised!

The late Johnnie Taylor got his Brass Note on Beale Street yesterday.

It’s gonna storm this week.

It’s National Beverage Day. May I recommend the PBR?

The Blues Music Awards are Thursday at the Renasant Convention Center.

Action News 5: Businesses, hotels say they expected more business from RiverBeat

That’s the news for now. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Congratulations to former Memphis Grizzly Mike Conley on winning the NBA’s Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award. It is based on selfless play, leadership and being a role model to other players, and commitment and dedication to his team.

There was a fire at 201 Friday night.

The DM has a look back at the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival that happened at the Civil Rights Museum Saturday.

End of an era: UT Health’s COVID testing center is shutting down

The Tigers’ Nae’Qwan Tomlin has received an invitation to the NBA G-League Elite camp.

Memphis 901 FC got a 4-1 win over Tampa Bay yesterday.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Shirt I just saw on the Main Street Mall: “Some people like to stir the pot. I prefer to smoke it”

There’s a new pop-up speakeasy in Central Station.

There’s a dispensary truck parked on Beale:

Not sure how that’s gonna work since weed is illegal in Tennessee, but whatever.

The Saucer is ready to rock for Cinco:

That’s it for today. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com