Paul Ryburn's Journal

I watched Scooby-Doo yesterday for the first time in more than 40 years. There was a line in there about how Shaggy likes it in a baggie. They really were not subtle with the drug references at all in the 1970s.

The TEN Nail Bar has opened at 732 Madison in Orleans Station.

Shedeur Sanders (Coach Prime’s son) gets his first NFL start Sunday at 3:05 as the Cleveland Browns take on the Raiders. TV: CBS

Stumbling Santa, the 1000-person pub crawl where everyone dresses as Santa (or Mrs. Claus, an elf, a reindeer, etc.) returns Saturday, December 6. Meet at the Downtown Flying Saucer at 7 PM and bring a toy for Porter-Leath. Those who can’t make it to the Stumbling Santa event can donate online or text JOLLY to 50155. They can also drop off toys at Poplar Plaza on Thursday-Saturday, Dec 4-6; WMC Action News 5 (1960 Union) on Friday-Saturday, Dec 12-13; or IKEA (7900 IKEA Way) on Friday-Saturday, December 19-20. For more information, visit toytruckmemphis.com.

There’s a FOR LEASE sign in the former Pearl’s Oyster House location at Main and Pontotoc. I guess the “Davinchi XCIX” concept that was recently in there didn’t work out.

Cordelia’s Market is having a big holiday produce sale. Cranberries, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and more at special prices.

A man was found dead this week under the I-40 bridge over North B.B. King Blvd.

Today is Beaujolais Nouveau Day.

The Ghost River taproom at Main and Crump will host a wreath festival Saturday, November 29.

There will be a masquerave Saturday, January 17 at the Cadre. Von FERB, Scotty B B2B Delyrius, Alpha Whiskey, Andy Chance, Katie Loopz, Blazebunny.

Busted water main at Second and Union

New York Times: How to spend 36 hours in Memphis

Penny’s Memphis Tigers play 1 Purdue in the Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas at 5 today. TV: CBS Sports Network

The Grizzlies are back home tonight hosting the Sacramento Kings at 7. Wonder how they’re going to approach this game without point guards…. make Jaren a point-forward maybe? TV: Action News 5

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

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Let’s start things off with a look at college football games of interest this weekend.

Thursday

• Louisiana at Arkansas State, 6:30 PM, ESPN

Saturday

• 22 Missouri at 8 Oklahoma, 11:00 AM, ABC
• 15 USC at 7 Oregon, 2:30 PM, CBS
• Kentucky at 14 Vanderbilt, 2:30 PM, ESPN
• Arkansas at 17 Texas, 2:30 PM, ABC
• 24 Tulane at Temple, 2:45 PM, ESPNU
• 20 Tennessee at Florida, 6:30 PM, ABC

You’ll notice that the listings are a little skimpy this week. That’s because several SEC powerhouses have gone and booked themselves against cream puffs for the second-to-last week of the regular season.

The lights on the Main Street Mall now operate on motion detection sensors at night. Move around and it’ll get BRIGHT. Well done, Downtown Memphis Commission. This’ll make it harder for the bad guys to conceal themselves.

We Are Memphis has the info on the amphitheater/concert venue going in at Grind City Brewing.

The Metal Museum seeks a development and communications coordinator.

Today is World Toilet Day.

B2K and Bow Wow come to FedExForum Saturday, February 21.

Action News 5 has a look inside the new Memphis Art Museum. The planned public opening is December of next year.

The Peabody Hotel has announced an event series called The Duck Days of Christmas: caroling, tastings, movies, dinners, and more.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you who made my birthday special yesterday.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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I share a birthday with a mouse.

Well, I probably share a birthday with millions of mice… but one in particular.

On to the news… and the big local news is that a Tennessee court has ruled that the Trumpster illegally deployed the National Guard to Memphis. The ruling is subject to appeal, though.

The latest bowl projections by CBS Sports have our Memphis Tigers in the Birmingham Bowl vs. Duke on Monday, December 29.

International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exhibition is at the Renasant Convention Center this week.

The hearse is no longer parked in front of Bardog. New owners Ariel and Kenny picked it up. That thing was starting to remind me of the Silly Goose Christmas tree of 2018, which was taken down February 5, 2019.

The one food you must try from each state

• TN: Nashville hot chicken (disagree!)
• AR: Delta tamale
• MS: Royal red shrimp

The Grizzlies do not have a healthy point guard.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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The Memphis Redbirds’ parent company is hiring a coordinator of digital and social media marketing.

The Grizzlies have an abysmal record against good teams, notes a Beale Street Bears writer.

NutRemix comes to the Cannon Center this weekend.

The I Love Memphis Blog hosts a happy hour at the Orpheum this afternoon.

This Friday is a fire pit Friday in Tom Lee Park. Ugly sweater contest. Photos with Santa starting at 4:45. Get there early for s’mores.

Bailey Bigger, Talibah Safiya, and Lina Beach play Memphis Songwriters Series, hosted by Mark Edgar Stuart, at the Halloran Centre Thursday.

Jagged Edge brings the Cuffing Season Tour to the Orpheum Sunday.

Memphis Farmers Market is having a cider fest at Grind City Brewing this Saturday.

Memphis Public Libraries will host a silent book club & silent disco at Beale Street Landing Saturday at 4.

The Tennessee Bridal & Wedding Expo comes to the Renasant Convention Center Sunday afternoon.

Watch fighters in full medieval armor battle it out Saturday at 6 at Havenhaus.

Foodies, there will be a soul crawl through Downtown Thursday evening. Stops will be The Artist’s Table, The Juke, and Sugashack.

Back on my birthday with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Another Grizzlies on national TV alert: On Tuesday, November 18 (my birthday!), they’re set to tip off at 7 PM in San Antonio. According to the online schedule, this game will be broadcast on NBC/Peacock.

Today is National Fast Food Day.

The Downtown Christmas parade on Beale Street has been set for Saturday, December 13 at 2 PM.

I had another successful night at Room in the Inn last night, again being sent to Emmanuel Methodist in Germantown. We had hamburger steaks in onion gravy, potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls, and salad. I got seconds on the brownie/vanilla ice cream dessert. I visited the church’s clothes closet and got a puffy down jacket that’ll keep me warm until I can get access to the winter jacket my friends have in storage.

South Main is getting a new liquor store. Main Street Liquor will occupy the space at 321 S. Main, next door to and immediately north of the Green Beetle.

MATA’s 90-day Zero Fare pilot program kicks off tomorrow. Ride the buses and trolleys for free until February.

WREG looks at the fantastic work Urban Bicycle Food Ministry does getting nutrition and supplies to those in need on Downtown’s streets.

Penny’s Tigers host UNLV Sunday at 4 at FedExForum. TV: ESPN

Local musician Todd Snider has passed away.

Best US cities to go to for Thanksgiving – Memphis ranked 94th.

Picking up litter is now a competitive sport.

Why songs don’t fade out anymore

Birthday weekend festivities continue today at Bardog. Tonight I’ll try to get into Room in the Inn. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Tuesday at the Veterans Day parade, a man handed me a 20. “I’m one of your blog readers,” he told me, “So that’s a tip. Go get yourself a nice meal with it. Maybe at Bardog.”

It was too cold to stay out on Tuesday, so the 20 stayed in my wallet. I remembered it yesterday as I was at Memphis Chess Club typing my blog post. “Bardog is a fine place to eat, of course,” I thought. “But I treat myself to lunch so rarely. I should go somewhere I haven’t been before.” I was hungry for Mexican, rice in particular.

I then remembered that there’s now a Los Comales location in the former Stop 345 space on Madison near Danny Thomas. I packed up my stuff and walked down there.

One of their lunch dishes, the Rice Comales, sounded like it was exactly what I was in the mood for. It was a base of rice covered with queso and a choice of fajita meat – pollo, carne asada, or camerones. I chose “mixtos” – a little of each.

The server asked if I wanted to add vegetables for $2 more, and I decided I did.

This was absolutely DELICIOUS. The flavors all went so well together. The portion size was substantial.

The price was nice, too. With the upcharge for veggies and sales tax, I was only at $14.77. The service had been outstanding, so I tipped $4.00 and still had a little of my 20 left.

I drank water with lunch, honoring my reader’s request that the money not be spent on PBR.

See that bottle filled with light green stuff in the upper right of the photo? That’s an avocado dipping sauce for your complimentary tortilla chips. It’s very good, so definitely give it a try. Watch out, though – it’s sneaky spicy.

A+ experience and I will be back for more.

Next up was a visit to Flying Saucer, where I noticed a new, cleverly-worded plate on the wall.

Don’t get it? Let Tennessee Ernie Ford explain.

I ended the day at Earnestine & Hazel’s, where I had the pleasure of catching up with old friend and former Memphian Chad MO. Late in the evening E&H GM Keith and bartender Dani were watching the video surveillance system and told me there was a ghost about 20 feet to my left.

Today I’m back at the Chess Club, where I’ve discovered how good Dr. Brown’s black cherry soda is. Probably staying out tonight. The weather is perfect, Deep Roots is playing E&H, and I am simply not in the mood for homeless shelter chapel. Tomorrow I’ll try to get into Room in the Inn and catch up on sleep.

Grizzlies on national TV alert: at Cleveland Saturday at 4. TV: NBAtv and FanDuel Sports

Flying Saucer has $2 off bottles and cans all day Saturday.

WREG has the scoop on KUYA, a Filipino snack bar going into the former Bedrock Eats space at Main and Vance.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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The government shutdown is over after 43 days. The Senate passed a bill Monday, the House passed it Wednesday, and the Trumpster signed it. It will extend government funding until the end of January. Air traffic controllers will be able to buy their kids Christmas presents. The bill gives those with SNAP benefits two snaps up.

As for the Trumpster, he was grateful for the distraction from yesterday’s other major news story. An email from the late Jeffrey Epstein surfaced that said “Trump knew about the girls.”

In the interest of nonpartisanship, Bill Clinton probably knew about the girls too.

Let’s move on to the news…. and the big local story is GREAT WEATHER. The 14-day extended forecast calls for highs and lows to be well above normal. WREG predicts highs for the next six days – my extended birthday weekend – to be 72, 76, 77, 72, 71, and 70. Lows in the mid to upper 50s. No more than a 20 percent chance of rain any day.

The Downtown Memphis Commission will light the Downtown Christmas tree Saturday, November 22 at South Main Street and Peabody Place. 4-6 PM. Holiday market with local vendors. Live music, free cookies & hot cocoa, free photos with Santa. PRO TIP: Hide a bottle of peppermint schnapps or spiced rum in your pocket or purse and spike that cocoa.

Friday is Songwriter Night with Bob Ray, Steve Pittman, and Kitty Dearing at South Main Sounds. 7 PM.

Action News 5 reports that there’s so much to discover in Uptown.

There will be a vintage market at Soul & Spirits Saturday from 1 to 7.

Arnie Brenn and Joybomb play Havenhaus tonight at 7. 84 G.E. Patterson.

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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There will be a Loflin Yard Sale Saturday, November 22. Artists and makers will be there selling their creations; it’ll be a great chance to shop local for the holidays. If the weather’s nice they’ll be on the promenade along Carolina; if it sucks, they’ll be in the Coach House.

Today is Happy Hour Day.

Memphis Zine Fest happens Sunday at Havenhaus, 84 East G.E. Patterson Ave. Free, all ages, with a focus on self-published local authors, poets, artists, and comics.

Let’s look at college football games of interest this week.

Saturday

• South Carolina at 3 Texas A&M, 11:00 AM, ESPN
• 9 Notre Dame at 22 Pitt, 11:00 AM, ABC
• 24 South Florida at Navy, 11:00 AM, ESPN2
• Arkansas at LSU, Battle for the Boot, 11:45 AM, SEC Network
• North Texas at UAB, 1:00 PM, ESPN+
• 11 Oklahoma at 4 Alabama, 2:30 PM, ABC
• 21 Iowa at 17 USC, 2:30 PM, Big Ten Network
• Appalachian State at James Madison, 2:30 PM, ESPN+
• Memphis at East Carolina, 3:00 PM, ESPNU
• New Mexico State at 23 Tennessee, 3:15 PM, SEC Network
• Florida at 7 Ole Miss, 6:00 PM, ESPN
• 10 Texas at 5 Georgia, 6:30 PM, ABC
• Mississippi State at Missouri, 6:45 PM, SEC Network

Mark your calendars: You’ll be able to watch 7 Grizzlies games for free in November, December, and January on Action News 5.

It’s not one of the free broadcasts, but the Grizzlies are in Boston to play the Celtics tonight at 6:30. TV: FanDuel Sports

FOX 13 looks at yesterday’s Veterans’ Day parade down Second.

There’s a new format to the NBA All-Star Game this year and boy does it sound stupid.

Choose901 is looking for a marketing coordinator.

I was a lottery loser at Room in the Inn last night. About 18 men showed up and the church had 10 spots. My name didn’t get drawn. So I headed back down Poplar to the Union Mission and paid $6 to get in. I missed dinner. And they had Gus’s! BLAST IT ALL! Bellevue Baptist was the guest church for chapel and they sent their Welcome U band/choir, which develops the next generation of church youth leaders. They were excellent!

I showered and found a mat on the floor – I got there too late to get a bed – and fell asleep and dreamed that I had a red ‘68 Cutlass.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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“On the road again… Just can’t wait to get on the road again…”

“It’s up to you, New York, New York!”

The Grizzlies are on the toad again with a 6:30 tip time tonight vs. the New York Knicks. TV: FanDuel Sports

Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers are on the road as well. They tip off in Oxford at 8 PM vs. Ole Miss. TV: SEC Network

On this day in history: Many US cities hit a daily record high AND record low within a 24-hour period on November 11, 1911.

Last Friday a woman fell off a Bird scooter and was hit by a car at Second and Union.

A rendering of a proposed new I-55 bridge over the Mississippi River has been unveiled.

Speed dating comes to Loflin Yard Wednesday, November 19.

There’s a Queen tribute band at the Cannon Center Friday.

There will be a front porch blues bash at the home of W. C. Handy, Beale Street at Ida B. Wells Street, Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM.

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the film Phantom of the Opera Saturday 1-3 PM at A. Schwab. The event includes a screening and photos with the Phantom.

There’s a church in Whitehaven that is part of Room in the Inn that takes men only tonight, so I have a chance of getting in. Not a great chance, though; they only take 10 people a night. Say a prayer for me; I really don’t want to stay at the Union Mission tonight. I will if I have to, though; it’s too cold to stay out.

Back tomorrow with more news and a look at college football this weekend.

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