In sports news, it looks like an agreement between the NCAA and conferences will allow ACC, SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 schools to start paying athletes directly. Memphis isn’t in any of those conferences and is therefore looking at the very real possibility of permanent second-tier status.
Prediction: Arkansas wins a national football title by 2034.
There were only three trucks in Court Square for the food truck rodeo yesterday. I hope that was only because of the weather. In case anybody is wondering, Smurfey’s Smokehouse (which has a brick-and-mortar location a block away), Tacotitlan, and Rice Burner were the three that showed up.
Choose901 profiles Sarah Cai, co-founder and chef at Good Fortune Co.
Flying Fish has a deal on crawfish this Memorial Day weekend:
Given the shortages we’ve had this season, 4 pounds for $30 is an excellent price.
The Cossitt Library will host an artist mixer from 5 to 7 today.
Sunny Bleau and Nic Cocco play South Main Sounds tonight at 7.
Memphis 901 FC hosts the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Saturday at AutoZone Park. 7:30 PM. Fireworks after the match.
Slider Inn Downtown is celebrating Tennessee Whiskey Week with two cocktails: Gold Rush with Blue Note Bourbon and Sour Cherry Negroni with Old Dominick gin. Get them through Saturday.
There’s Star Wars trivia tonight at 7 at Downtown Slider.
Time for me to get on my soapbox again.
This is looking eastbound on Washington Avenue. The intersection in the background is Danny Thomas. Note how the two Bird scooters are parked on the sidewalk. There is NO WAY someone in a wheelchair could get by.
What makes me mad is, this time I know the people in the wheelchairs. This photo was taken about a block from the Union Mission, where I’d estimate 40-60 of the nightly guests have mobility challenges.
I betcha anything those scooters were parked by teenagers on their way to Wendy’s on the corner. Parents, please teach your kids to be considerate of others.
Today is our friend Nappin’ Ass Nate’s heavenly birthday. There will be a celebration at his favorite place at 5 and Nate’s parents will be there.
Effective July 1, drag racing will become a Class E felony in Tennessee.
Thumpdaddy headlines tonight’s Peabody rooftop party. Upgrade to the VIP experience and get a buffet of popcorn shrimp, BBQ sausages, spanakopita, and fruit skewers.
If you work in hospitality, show proof and get a free general admission ticket to tonight’s Peabody rooftop party to celebrate National Hospitality Week.
That’s it 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
The Cossitt Library is back open and it’s nice and cool inside! Yay!
Also, if you saw a “Temporarily Closed” sign on Bardog’s door this morning, that lasted only a few minutes. They’re back open and Allie Cat is ready to serve you.
Graceland WON’T be auctioned on the courthouse steps tomorrow. A judge ordered the sale to be put on hold.
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
The Cossitt Library was STILL closed yesterday for maintenance issues (A/C out). It leads me to a question for anyone in the HVAC industry who can answer.
When I lived in a high-rise, there were several occasions where the air conditioning was out for 1-2 weeks. The issue was that a needed part had to be shipped from California in each case. Why is California A/C central? Half the state doesn’t even need air conditioning! Email paul.ryburn@gmail.com if you have insight into this.
Having the library closed is not hurting my ability to write this blog, but it is hurting my ability to publish on Medium and earn money.
Backbeat Tours is the subject of Action News 5’s latest 5 Star Story.
Been wondering what’s up with that Pac-Man themed building on South Main near Huling? The DNA posted an update this week.
Level Up by Ryan Marsh will be a “barcade” with classic arcade games, pinball, classic video game systems, sports on 10 TVs, and a secret downstairs entrance. The downstairs will be a speakeasy with craft cocktails, live music, and comedy. Late summer is the hopeful opening date. For the full announcement, visit Downtown Neighborhood Association on Facebook.
Widespread Panic plays Radians Amphitheater Friday and Saturday.
Max’s Sports Bar will host a watch party for Karen Waldrup on The Voice tonight at 7. Karen has been a musical staple at the Farmers Market and other South Main venues for more than a decade.
My buddy Kendall recently redid Local on Main’s website and it looks great. Check it out.
Sad to hear that the Pizza Dis, Pasta Dat food truck was ransacked Saturday morning. The owner is known for hiring people with felonies who otherwise would have trouble getting work.
A bookstore is opening at 55 S. Main in the former Feast & Graze location.
E.T. will be this week’s free movie presented by the DNA at BRIDGES. 7:45 PM Thursday.
Thanks to Labelle Haven Baptist Church of Olive Branch for-coming out to the Union Mission to feed and preach to us last night. Their monthly meal of Salisbury steak in onion gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and banana pudding is always received with a warm welcome.
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
The weatherpeople have reintroduced the “muggy meter” to their forecasts. The feels-like reading will be in the 90s all week, and the actual temperature could hit 90 Monday and Tuesday.
I finally gave into temptation this morning and had a chocolate parfait from the Brazilian bakery at the Memphis Farmers Market. They had 5 flavors. The guy working the booth said lemon is his favorite but I got strawberry.
The city removed the park benches on the Union-Gayoso block of Main Street. I wonder if the benches’ frequent flyers were drawing complaints for making noise late at night? Or smoking weed? There was definitely a group that made that area their home.
The first 1500 fans in AutoZone Park tonight get a free Memphis Redbirds replica jersey, button-up, navy with the musical M logo. First pitch 6:35. Fireworks after the game.
WordPress ate half my post yesterday. If it seemed like it ended abruptly, that’s why. Between that and the library closing 20 minutes after opening, things just weren’t going my way.
Day 4 (final day) recap of the “good old-fashioned revival” at the Union Mission:
There were. no additional believer’s baptisms. The preachers had said they’d be thrilled if last night’s service was nothing but baptisms, so that may have been a bit of a disappointment for them.
A number of religious leaders from around the city who guest-preach at the Mission one day a month were lthere. Brother Ronnie Johnson from a church out in Nutbush gave the opening prayer.
A traveling group from the Korean Baptist Church came in and gave a video presentation. Seoul is the home of the largest Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches in the world. Koreans are grateful to America for saving their church in the 1950-1953 war. Now they want to repay the favor by helping restore American churches to greatness.
Most of the Koreans were in jeans, but a few wore traditional religious clothing. They did a song- and-dance performance with colorful props.
Atlanta preacher – whose name is Chris McDaniel- led us through about 6 songs on his keyboard.
Then David (Ford? Fort? Something like that) from Buckeye, AZ got up to preach. He’s much more of a fire-and-brimstone guy, preaching about JEEEEEsus, than Chris.
At one point David asked us to turn to the person next to us and pray for them. The “Interact with a stranger” thing is one of the things I hate about church. Especially in a homeless shelter. Fortunately my seat neighbors weren’t feeling it either.
Davjd called all the religious leaders in the room to the front, then told us if we need JEEEEEsus in our life, to come up and talk to one of them. About 30 people came up.
And that was it. No mass-saving like we had Tuesday. The service still went 45 minutes over. Most in the audience didn’t seem to mind but I did hear some complaining.
On to the news…
Sam’s Hamburgers at 7 N. Main had added a new side business: Humble Drip, serving coffee, tea, and pastries.
Well damn… Scottie Scheffler has been arrested while arriving to the second day of the PGA Tournament. Valhalla I am coming…
A suspect has pled guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Phil Trenary.
