Paul Ryburn's Journal

Smurfey’s Smokehouse at 149 Madison has its grand opening Friday and Saturday. If you’ve eaten at their food truck, you know; if you haven’t, you must go. Pulled pork baked potato with cheese, veggies, and Smurfey sauce; dat is all da people need to know.

WWE Monday Night RAW will be broadcast exclusively on Netflix beginning in January 2025. Yeah, I know some of you will respond, “Who cares, it’s a fake sport,” but RAW has consistently been one of the highest-rated cable TV shows of the past 30 years. This deal will generate a lot of subscriptions for Netflix… just as Thursday Night Football has for Amazon Prime. Tremendous assets are being leveraged in new ways.

Content is king. All hail King Content.

Starbucks at Main and Monroe is back open.

It’s National Peanut Butter Day.

Shen Yun comes to the Cannon Center this Saturday and Sunday.

Shufflegrit with the Scrub Jays play South Main Sounds, 550 S. Main, this Friday at 7.

And – one more reminder about a BIG show happening this Saturday: Island 45 plays the Blind Bear at 9 that night. Not only will our awesome friend, Downtown regular Jenn, be fronting the band, but it will be a BIG birthday celebration for another well-known Downtowner, Butt Slut #1. There’s still time to get her a gift – she likes hippos, soup, and the Dallas Cowboys.

IBIS is throwing a service industry New Year’s party tonight. It’ll be upstairs with DJ Tree spinning. $4 High Noons, $5 Mexican Tea shots, $6 Red Bull vodka. Door prizes for the first 50 guests and VIP cards for all service industry folks.

The Cooking with Chef Eli event at Cossitt Library’s Dos Hermanos Kitchen that got snowed out last week has been rescheduled for this Thursday at 6. Learn to make pan-seared salmon with a bechamel sauce, spinach, and fettuccine.

Nerd Nite Memphis happens at the Memphis Chess Club this Friday from 7 to 9. Nerdy knowledge about architecture and biology, great food and drink, and a musical interlude.

Rowdy Franks plays Momma’s tonight. 7 PM. $2 off apps. $15/$17 domestic buckets.

The Boil Water Advisory has been lifted for MLGW customers.

A pizza festival is coming to the Agricenter in September. It’ll benefit the Mid-South Food Bank and admission will include unlimited pizza samples.

Beale Street Bears proposes a trade that would bring Tyus Jones back to Memphis. The Grizzlies would also add a second-rounder to their bag of picks.

The Grizzlies have a 6:30 game at Miami. It’ll be on Bally Sports.

I may post Bardog and Local specials later this morning, so check back.

 

 

Well, the Memphis Tigers didn’t fall as far in the polls as I had thought – number 19 in the AP and number 22 in the coaches’ poll.

Ben Yay’s just announced that popular local singer/guitarist Charvey Mac will play at the restaurant Valentine’s night. That should fill up the reservation book quickly!

I added some more reasons to love the Residence Inn – Memphis at Main and Monroe to last Friday’s post.

If you haven’t been to happy hour at Max’s Sports Bar in a while, here’s what you’re missing:

• $7.50 PBR and Fireball combo
• $14.50 domestic buckets
• $5.00 wells
• $5.50 drafts
• 25% off items on the appetizer menu

Today is National Pie Day.

Atomic Rose announced that they have parted ways with Bella Duballe as host of their stage shows. Going forward they plan to use rotating hosts.

Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis faces a reappointment confirmation vote and this one counts. The vote that took place a few weeks ago was merely a committee vote and was nonbinding.

The Grizzlies beat Toronto on the road 108-100 last night. JJJ had 6 steals in the first quarter.

The New Hampshire primary is today.

That’s all for now. Back tomorrow probably.

They’re writing the specials on the board and I’m here with the MacBook. Let’s do this.

• Buffalo chicken wrap with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and ranch – 16
• Blackened chicken & shrimp Alfredo over spaghetti – 18
• Soup: Lobster bisque
• Dog: Chili, cheese
• Mussels: Garlic, tomato, white wine
• Bourbon pecan pie
• Caramel cake

In other news, there was a boat in one of the Price Is Right showcases this morning:

Also, Butt Slut #3, my hotel neighbor for now, is here. That’s not him in the photo, but there IS a male butt slut. We don’t discriminate around here.

I’m gonna update my “reasons to like the Residence Inn” post from Friday and then I’ll be back tomorrow with more news.

The Memphis Tigers lost to Tulane on the road yesterday, 81-79. That’s Memphis’ second bad loss in a week. The Tigers were AP number 10 and a projected 4 seed in the NCAA tournament. Predictions as to how far they’ll drop?

Some are saying Memphis will be out of the Top 25 and on the tournament bubble. I think that’s too drastic. I’m gonna guess AP number 24 and a projected 8 seed. But I do agree, the Tigers need to fix their chemistry and execution issues pronto or they will play themselves right into the NIT.

Three big dates on the Tigers’ calendar:

• Sunday, February 18 at SMU
• Sunday, February 25 vs. Florida Atlantic
• Saturday, March 9 at Florida Atlantic

These are Memphis’ remaining Quadrant 1 games and the best chances to impress the NCAA seeding committee.

A writer for Beale Street Bears thinks that Memphis Grizzlies center Xavier Tillman Sr. is a top trade target for NBA title contender the Boston Celtics.

Memphis’ weather made the national news on ABC.

You can adopt a pet for only $20 through the rest of January.

I discovered another treat at this hotel breakfast buffet: Single-serve packets of Nutella. Perfect for dipping a banana. They have single-serve packs of Jif peanut butter, too, but I’m not Elvis.

Bardog will have Don’t Tell Comedy in The Underdog Saturday at 6.

MLGW’s CEO says the boil-water advisory could end Thursday.

Memphis’ famous Charlie’s Meat Market is now known as Triangle Meat Market.

Restaurant owners and managers: My friend Kendall has enjoyed success in the service industry and as an IT professional. So I want to recommend his product ROI on Tap which can improve your ratings on Google. Kendall can also do marketing for your business via email and text, brainstorm and schedule social media posts, and build or upgrade your company’s website.

Today is National Hot Sauce Day.

Saturday’s fire at Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum caused $70,000 in damage.

Gas station chain Kum & Go will get a new name.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis suspended his presidential campaign over the weekend and endorsed the Trumpster.

That’s it for today. Back tomorrow probably.

 

 

I got to Bardog right at 11 yesterday, interested to see what kinds of changes the city’s Boil Water Advisory would bring to the tavern’s operations. Not surprisingly, delivery people were rolling in cases of bottled water and 12- and 18-packs of Coke and Sprite.

My right-hand neighbor at the bar ordered coffee and the bartender told him she couldn’t do it. Coffee gets hot (around 160 I think?) when brewing but it doesn’t come to a boil. The advisory states that tap water needs to come to a boil for 1 minute to be safe to drink. For the same reason, Starbucks at Main and Monroe is closed until the advisory is lifted.

They were serving dine-in food in to-go containers cut in half – not the aluminum bottom and transparent top Bardog uses for actual to-go food. The containers had the shape of Styrofoam containers but they weren’t Styrofoam. They seemed to be made of a thick paper. Project Green Fork would have approved.

They were minimizing the number of dishes they had to wash, so my PBR came out in a transparent plastic cup. It made me think I should have ordered a bag of peanuts, a box of Cracker Jack, and a hot dog with my beer.

Seriously, though, Bardog did a great job responding to the circumstances. Well done, indeed.

Here’s a look at Memphis basketball for the coming week:

• Sunday, January 21: Memphis Tigers away at Tulane, noon. TV: ESPN2
• Monday, January 22: Memphis Grizzlies away at Toronto Raptors, 6:30 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Wednesday, January 24: Memphis Grizzlies away at Miami Heat, 6:30 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Friday, January 26: Memphis Grizzlies at home vs. Orlando Magic, 7:00 PM. Faith & Family Night. TV: Bally Sports
• Sunday, January 28: Memphis Grizzlies away at Indiana Pacers, 2:30 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Sunday, January 28: Memphis Tigers away at UAB, 4:00 PM. TV: ESPN

C.S. Lewis on Stage: Further Up & Further In comes to the Orpheum this afternoon at 3.  Actor Max McLean steps into the persona and mind of Lewis. 90 minutes, no intermission, recommended for ages 13 and up.

At the Orpheum Wednesday through Saturday: The 34th International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance

A mansion at the corner of Lauderdale and Pontotoc, the West J. Crawford House, has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. The two-story home was built in 1876-77 with a carriage house added in 1888. The neighborhood around South Lauderdale was known as “Millionaire’s Row” during that period.

The Chicago Bulls got a 125-96 win over Memphis last night. The Grizz are looking pretty sweet in the standings… well, the ones for Tankathon’s 2024 NBA draft lottery simulator. I ran five simulations and Memphis ended up with the 8, 9, 7, 4, and 7 picks.

By the end of the day, MLGW may have an idea when it can end the Boil Water Advisory. I notice the water pressure in my hotel room has gotten considerably better overnight.

Center Jordan Brown will rejoin the Memphis Tigers today on the road against Tulane. He’s been on an extended leave of absence.

Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. Leave some nuts on the ground outside Local on Main for Steve the Squirrel.

Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum on North Second is temporarily closed following a fire.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

My first-ever make-your-own waffle at the Residence Inn’s hot breakfast buffet. Thanks to the extremely friendly, courteous staff for helping me through the process. After the waffle was done I added strawberries and whipped cream.

I got a couple of sausage patties on the side and topped them with syrup. One of my readers would be so proud of me.

I do have one complaint about this hotel room though: The bed is too warm and soft and comfortable! I was lying in it last night watching WWE Smackdown and fell asleep and missed both main events – Randy Orton vs. Solo Sikoa and A.J. Styles vs. L.A. Knight. I also missed Pete Dunne take his real name back: No more “Butch.”

MLGW has issued a Boil Water Advisory for all its customers as pressure continues to drop. From the DM: Why some Memphians have low – or no – water pressure

The DM also has a list of roads which the city considers priorities for treatment during snowy or icy weather.

Today is National Cheese Lovers Day. Go get a pizza with extra cheese and whatever other toppings you desire from Aldo’s Pizza Pies. Or go get some fried mozzarella sticks from Huey’s.

Ill Syl plays Eight & Sand Lounge at Central Station tonight.

The International Blues Challenge finals are this afternoon at the Orpheum. $50.

The Grizzlies are headed to Chicago for a 7 PM game. Catch it on Bally Sports.

MemphisWeather.net predicts a high of 21 today. No precipitation but winds out of the north at 13. Ugh. The low tonight is expected to be 10. This should be the last night for lows below 20. The folks at Channel 5 think it’ll get to 61 Thursday, 10 degrees above normal.

Many Memphis restaurants have been closed all week, leading to hardships. Food has hit the expiration date and servers haven’t made any tip money.

Most of Sports Illustrated’s staff was laid off yesterday.

The Hyatt Centric seeks an assistant front office manager.

From FOX 13: Mud Island roads leave some residents stranded

Today’s breakfast bell is tolling! Back tomorrow with more news.

 

 

 

I’m in my second day of several staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott – Downtown Memphis at Main and Monroe, and I’ve come to a conclusion: This place is heaven! Let me list some of the things I like about this room and this hotel stay:

• All the rooms are suites, with a living room (including sofa), kitchen, bedroom and bathroom
• There’s a hot breakfast buffet that far exceeds the “continental breakfast” found in most hotels. Yesterday morning I had several slices of ham, a sausage and egg-white biscuit, and an egg & cheese omelet. There was a waffle maker but I didn’t notice it until I’d already loaded my plate. Different kinds of bagels (with cream cheese), different kinds of cereals, different kinds of juices. Easily the best free breakfast I ever had in a hotel.
• The kitchen has a full-size refrigerator
• There are a full set of dishes in the kitchen cabinets, and a dishwasher
• I won’t use it, but there’s a coffee maker with gourmet coffee
• The TV pivots so you can see it from the living room or bedroom
• There are electrical outlets everywhere!!! USB ports too!
• The bathroom has a walk-in shower
• Too cold to go up there, but the hotel has a great rooftop

(Monday 1/22/24: Edited to add a few more)

• If you have Netflix and/or Amazon Prime, you can log into your account and watch your shows
• Free access to HBO Max and Pluto TV; get YouTube videos on the hotel TV
• There’s a market where you can charge household items and snacks (and beer!) to your hotel room
• Wi-Fi is BLAZING fast, both in my room and the lobby (unlike the previous hotel I stayed in!)

I could not be more impressed. This is better than any hotel I stayed in when I was a traveling corporate trainer. Five stars, easily!

I walked out of the Residence Inn yesterday morning about 8:20, anticipating a short walk to Bardog to see my friend Allie Cat. It turned out to be one of the scariest walks of my life. There were pathways on the sidewalk on Monroe Avenue that were clear of snow and invited me to walk at a normal pace…

… but the pathways weren’t clear at all! There was a thin, glass-like layer of completely transparent ice. I slid all over the place but thank goodness I didn’t fall. I decided to look at the bright side… at least I didn’t have to drive a car in that mess!

I now have a better understanding of something I’ve heard meteorologists say for years: A tenth of an inch of freezing rain is enough to royally screw things up.

I have The Weather Channel on and they’re talking about “Winter Storm Indigo.” Oh shut up. Naming winter storms is so stupid.

SANA Yoga Downtown is having an open house this weekend with free yoga and hot Pilates classes. SANA Yoga is in The Edge at 696 Madison.

MLGW is asking customers to limit their water usage due to low pressure.

Today is National Popcorn Day. Butt Slut #1 would want me to remind you that there’s a popcorn machine at Momma’s, “the diner & dive off 55.”

MLK50 is hiring a juvenile justice & youth reporter.

Not Downtown, but an awesome company: Global Cafe is hiring for the front of house.

Memphis in May has sold its Front Street headquarters to Memphis Tourism. Memphis in May will remain in the Front Street building as a tenant, with Memphis Tourism occupying the two floors of leftover space.

Did you know you can celebrate your special occasion with a custom message on the scoreboard at a Grizzlies game?

I so agree with something the TV announcers said at last night’s Memphis Tigers game. When you’re up against inferior opposition, and you get a lead of 15 or so, it’s time to FINISH them. You go in for the KILL. Our Memphis team didn’t do that. They got lazy and sloppy and they deserved to lose – and they did, 74-73. Next up: At Tulane on Sunday.

Later in the evening, the Grizzlies lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but with so many players out, that kind of result was expected. Jaren dropped 36 and might have had more if not for foul trouble.

A man was shot yesterday at the Medical District Burger King.

There’s a freezing fog advisory for the area until 9 AM. Black ice is a concern as temps will remain below freezing through the weekend.

Time to go get some breakfast. Back tomorrow.

Huge news in the Daily Memphian this morning but it’s subscribers-only… Cristina McCarter of Feast & Graze will take over operation of the cafe in the Brooks Museum as of next week. CONGRATULATIONS Cristina!!!!!!!!!!

Cooking with Chef Eli returns to Dos Hermanos Cafe inside the Cossitt Library tonight at 6. On the menu: Pan Seared Salmon with Bechamel Sauce, Spinach, and Fettucine. Can’t make it to the library? Follow along on Dos Hermanos’ Instagram page.

Bluesman Johnny Burgin will play Huey’s Downtown 3-6 PM this Sunday, touring in support of his new “Ramblin’ from Coast to Coast” CD.

Battle of the Sexes: A Night in Hip-Hop comes to Rumba Room Monday.

The Blind Man Stage Play comes to the Premiere Palace Ballroom this Sunday at 1.

OMG

Cordelia’s Market seeks a meat cutter.

Specials this week at Local on Main:

• Cowboy chili
• Homemade potato soup (add lobster for $4)
• Crab cake sandwich with fries
• Jalapeno lobster roll with fries
• Chili cheeseburger with fries

Penny’s Tigers host South Florida at 6 tonight. Watch on ESPN.

The Grizzlies play the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road tonight at 9, a rather odd tip time for two Central Time Zone teams. It’s because the game is being broadcast exclusively on TNT.

Ben Yay’s GM has announced that the restaurant will sell king cakes and slices of king cake. Fat Tuesday is on February 13 this year, so you have a few weeks.

MPD arrested armed suspects following an attempted car theft Downtown yesterday morning.

Nelly, Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Lil Kim are coming to FedExForum on the My Platinum Playlist Tour February 24.

Michael Donahue reports in the Memphis Flyer that Front St. Deli will reopen this month. Tandem Restaurant Group (the Westmorelands’ company) will operate the place. Sandwiches will be on the menu, obviously, but cast-iron pizzas are part of the plans too.

The Flyer has an interview with baseball legend Ozzie Smith, recipient of an NCRM Sports Legacy Award this year. The shortstop earned 13 Gold Gloves over the course of his career.

The CA has a look at the coldest temperatures ever in Memphis.

Draymond Green sounds off on Grizzlies fans: “They really hate me there”

We’ve got one more shot at winter precipitation today.

All checked into the Residence Inn at Main and Monroe. They have a hot breakfast buffet. I better get down there!!! Back tomorrow with more news.

 

 

 

I checked out of the hotel and began the long walk Downtown in 10 degrees. Fortunately I was intercepted at Union and Marshall by a friend in a Humvee and caught a ride the rest of the way.

Hanging out at my personal warming centers until 3 PM then I’ll check into the next hotel.

Keep scrolling down for today’s news.

The Grizzlies have signed Scottie Pippen Jr. to a two-way contract. Pippen Jr., a 6’1 ” guard, played mostly in the G-League last season but did play 6 games for the L.A. Lakers. He moves into the spot opened by Memphis when they converted Vince Williams Jr. to a standard contract.

Bluff City Media has a look at Williams and GG Jackson, two young Grizzlies with a ton of upside who once did the Hustle.

Today is National Bootlegger’s Day.

It’s also Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day. So if you’ve been doing Dry January, you can give that up and celebrate National Bootlegger’s Day.

And it’s Judgment Day. Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and Dominik Mysterio hope you will celebrate.

MIFA’s offices will be closed the rest of this week. Last week their Meals on Wheels clients received 5 emergency meals in anticipation of this week’s weather.

Magician Craig Karges presents Experience the Extraordinary at the Halloran Centre this Saturday.

Memphis Symphony Orchestra presents Dvorak New World Symphony Saturday at the Cannon Center.

DJ Hush plays Central Station’s Eight & Sand Lounge Friday night.

The Lobbyist celebrates its one-year anniversary next week.

Drake has rescheduled the date for his Memphis concert and will be here March 5.

MLGW issued an energy conservation alert yesterday afternoon. However, the utility denies rolling blackouts are going to happen.

The Walgreens at Union and Pauline was closed Monday and Tuesday. I had no idea a Walgreens store would close for this amount of snow, especially when no freezing rain or sleet was involved. And especially a location in a medical district.

Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire will come to FedExForum May 29.

The Weather Channel team got a very appropriate welcome to Memphis: Their cars got burglarized at their hotel.

Alcohol-delivery company Drizly is shutting down.

Here’s an article on Feast & Graze’s move from the Main Street Mall to Poplar Plaza. Owner Cristina McCarter will team up with her cousin and they’re adding a new side venture, HighP Hour Wellness. The new location will have a made-to-order charcuterie bar and a juice bar.

About to walk Downtown from 240 and Union in 9 degrees. Pray for me.