Paul Ryburn's Journal

Hari’s, the restaurant on Main that serves Indian food, burgers and more, was reviewed in the Commercial Appeal. I need to check that place out this weekend. I love Indian food, and am not afraid of extra spice.

Ferraro’s Pizzeria & Pub has announced that they will show UFC 116 tonight on two big screens. Lesnar vs. Carwin… that’s gonna be a good fight. As a pro wrestling fan, I guess I have to root for Brock in this one.

The Orpheum is inviting the public to a “Stage Door Soiree” on Thursday, July 8. For $25 you get to go backstage for a tour. You also get food from the Majestic Grille, Ghost River beer, and entertainment by DJ Witnesse. Call 901-525-3000 for tickets.

Also, on the 8th, the Flying Saucer has announced that Tom Schlafly of Schlafly brewery will be at the bar at 6 PM. If you’re into beer, this is a good chance to come talk to an expert.

Speaking of the Saucer… last week I mentioned that there’s a “Ghetto Rides of Memphis” Facebook group, where people take pics of ghetto cars with the big rims, lime green paint, etc. and upload them. Sunday afternoon/evening, the window seats at the Saucer are likely to offer you lots of ghetto ride photo opportunities. The windows facing Second are probably the best but you really can’t go wrong with any window seat.

Tuesday the 13th is the day of the next SMA meeting. It will be at Muse at 517 S. Main, with featured speaker John Moore, the president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber. Social at 6, meeting at 6:30. Cash bar, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres provided by Beignet Cafe. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

Fun night last night… started with a couple of Labatt Blues at Kooky Canuck for their Canada Day celebration. Then I headed to the Peabody rooftop, where Lauren and Ashley waved our group up front to dance to Aquanet. Lauren unfortunately wasn’t wearing the tube top dress I photographed her in earlier in the week. After rocking out to Poison’s “Unskinny Bop” and Warrant’s “Cherry Pie,” I walked over to Bardog, where a friend tried to convince me that Poland is the new Romania.

Starting to see “office closing early, weekend has started” tweets from friends… think I may have to shut down Twitter for the afternoon so I don’t have to see those.  At least, once 5 PM gets here, I’ll have a super-sized four-day weekend to look forward to…

Tube Top Month was supposed to come to an end tonight.  I took a survey and the best tube top of the month was deemed to be

However… this time around we have Tube Top Month Extended.  It’s overtime.  It’s extra time.  It’s sudden death and you are still in the running.  Until 11:59 PM Monday, July 5, you have the opportunity to knock Lauren off her perch.  Will you step up?

(Edit:  Thanks to Moody who e-mailed that the Netherlands-Brazil game is Friday.  The e-mail from Bardog said “Saturday 7/2.”)

If you’re looking for a place to watch the World Cup match this Saturday at 9, Bardog Tavern has gotcha covered.  They’ll be open at 8, with $3 Guinness during all games, 3 HDTVs, sound on.  Remember, even though it will be July 3 it will still be Tube Top Month Extended, so wear a tube top and jump up and down a lot when your favorite team scores.

In other news, in case you missed it:  Woot will be acquired by Amazon but will continue to operate as an independent division.

First of all, huge congratulations to the city and Bass Pro Shops for getting a deal done for the Pyramid. I admit I wasn’t always a supporter of the project, but after hearing a presentation from outgoing CCC president Jeff Sanford in 2009, I was won over. It will bring 1,000 jobs to Downtown Memphis and will transform the nearby Pinch/Uptown neighborhood. There are still city, county and state hurdles to be cleared, but it looks like this will finally move forward!

Canadian celebrity recording artist Val Halla, from Regina, Sasketchewan, will perform at Kooky Canuck tomorrow night, July 1, as they celebrate Canada Day. $2.50 34 oz. Labatt Blue draft, $2.50 Black Velvet shots. The Montreal steamie will be back, as well as a special on the Canadian Trio consisting of a Canadian Burger, Poutine, and Nainamo Bar. “Dress up in Canadian attire,” says their event listing on Facebook. I traveled to Montreal several years ago in August, and saw plenty of women in tube tops, so I think that must be what they mean by “Canadian attire.”

Lansky at the Peabody has several new Robert Graham MLB shirts. They have a shirt with autographs from the 2009 World Series champions stitched in, and they have themed shirts and cufflinks for the Cubs, Cardinals, and Yankees.

I saw a link on Twitter about the dos and don’ts for getting blog coverage. It is spot on and small business owners and PR people need to read.

Still not sure what my plans are tonight… not in a stay-home mood though so I’ll probably go out.

The Commercial Appeal has reported that Derrick Linwood, 51, was arrested Monday for allegedly peddling flowers near Beale Street.  He was standing in a valet lane at Second and Beale (I guess that would be Itta Bena’s valet lane) and according to the police report, he was forcing people to take flowers.  He was charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing a highway or passageway, and public intoxication.

“Flower man” is a common scam among the panhandlers in the spring and summer.  Some will hit dumpsters as florists empty their stock for the day.  Others will hit church dumpsters to dive for funeral arrangement flowers.  Most pick flowers out of public beds in the Downtown area.  They will then walk the streets, targeting couples especially, aggressively pressuring males to buy a “flower for the lady.”  Often this will lead to a “donation,” more out of fear for safety than because the flowers are actually worth any money.

Mr. Linwood, according to the article, has been arrested 88 times since 1982.  Maybe “three strikes” is a bit too much for these minor quality-of-life violations, but it seems like there at least ought to be a “ten strikes” rule.

Off to work… will be out somewhere tonight.  Remember, today is NOT the last day of Tube Top Month; it has been extended to July 5.  So let’s see those tube tops this holiday weekend!

The Flying Saucer has announced that on Sunday, July 4, they will unveil new beers from 2 PM until 12 AM.  Hardly anyone has to work the next day, so come on down.  They will be giving away prizes, and the window seats outside will have a good view of the Handy Park fireworks.  Also, “Samual Adams” will be on Fire Sale.

Suggestion to management:  Have all the staff wear American flag tube tops for the day (and please give Jim the day off, because no one wants to see that).  If you do that I will be there for sure.

UPDATE:  Lucy (see previous puppy post) has been adopted.

Abita, which is based in Louisiana, has released a Save Our Shore beer in response to the situation in the Gulf of Mexico. Rather ironic, since Abita’s beer Turbo Dog tastes like an oil spill. No word on when/if Save Our Shore will be available in Memphis.

Good Twitter account to follow: @mfdalert. It’s the Memphis Fire Department. I learned of a church fire in Uptown an hour before it hit the news this morning, thanks to their presence on Twitter.

Here’s a Memphis Daily News article on the opening of Barboro Flats apartments.

You can see a preview of South of Beale’s new summer menu here on MarksMenus.

If you run with the Salty Dogs group that meets at Bardog 7 PM Mondays/7 AM Wednesdays, or if you’ve thought about running with them, be sure to join their group on Facebook. Just search for “Salty Dogs” under Groups.

The Redbirds are having a special Independence Day deal July 3rd. For $37 you get a club level ticket and a 2-hour all-you-can-eat buffet. Buffet includes hot dogs, Rendezvous pork and chicken, Rendezvous BBQ nachos, fried chicken, baked beans, slaw, potato salad, potato chips, watermelon, cookies and soft drinks. You’ll have access to air conditioning in the club level, but still, I suggest tube tops as the attire for ladies. Fireworks after the game.

All-you-can-eat buffet? Well, I guess the Nuh-Uh Girl will be hinting around that she wants to go see the Redbirds Saturday.

The Madison Hotel is hosting a cookout on the Fourth. Elmo & the Shades will perform on the rooftop. Food will be Neola Farms burgers, Ashley Farms chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and side items featuring local meats, cheeses, and produce wherever possible. $30 per person, reception style with limited seating. Call 901-333-1224 to make reservations.

Trivia at Saucer with Pete the Trivia Guy tonight at 7.  I’ll be there.

I’ve been asked to help find a home for a stray puppy who is being fostered after showing up on someone’s door.  Her name is Lucy.  Here’s a description: “Lucy is a 6-week old, 4.5 lb, Lab/Shepherd/other mix, a real Heinz 57 according to the vet. She’s playful when it’s playtime and loves her tug, but is also already crate trained! She loves to go back in her crate and hardly makes a peep. She’s sweet to nap with and loves to romp in the grass. Seems like she’d make a great puppy for just about anyone. She has been dewormed and treated for fleas and the vet says she looks healthy. Here is a link to the youtube video of her playing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SNNPt0Vj4Y. If interested, please email Jen at adoptlittlelucy@gmail.com.”

In other news:  Don’t forget that Tube Top Month has been extended through July 5 to include the Independence Day weekend.  So let’s see those tube tops for the Fourth!

Several more news items, so probably back at lunchtime with more.

I hit the Saucer after work for a well-deserved beer.  One of the regulars had brought a couple of pans of brownies, which resulted in a feeding frenzy.

In particular note Kelly at the right, there, with her fingers in her mouth.  And if you look closely, Lil’ Kim.

Later Lauren came in, wearing a tube top dress.

Yeah I’m just gonna stare at my most recently uploaded pic for a while.  Y’all have a good night.