Paul Ryburn's Journal

I got an e-mail today from a fairly new group called “Friends of St. Jude.” They are a group of young professionals who believe in “networking for a cause,” the cause being St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They hold monthly events for members, and for non-members who want to come check them out. This month’s happy hour is at South of Beale, this Thursday, August 20, from 6 to 8 PM. There’s a $5 cover, $10 for non-members. SOB will run specials for attendees: $3 drafts, $4 wells, and $4 house red and white wine. If interested in attending e-mail fosj.memphis@gmail.com or visit the Facebook group “Friends of St. Jude – Memphis.” More info about the group available on their website.

I also got an e-mail from Nat who is the new GM of Ground Zero. She says a lot of good things are in the works, and after I talk to her in person I’ll have details to come. However, one piece of good news I already know about, that I think Downtowners will like… PBR on tap $2 all the time, 7 days a week.

The Madison Hotel is starting a monthly cigar series. The next Smoking Up High: High Class, Low Key event will be Tuesday, September 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, on the Madison rooftop. There will be selections from Havana Cigar Mix Emporium, a cash bar with sophisticated drinks, and a special menu with distinctive tapas and small place. Smokers can bring their own, or purchase from the selection on the rooftop. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are limited because of the rooftop’s small size. Call (901) 333-1224 to make reservations. The series will continue through November. Cigars? Wonder if Pete will be there.

Oh. Speaking of which… about 1 PM Sunday I showed up at the Saucer for Sunday Fun Day, and Pete was there with a big ol’ smile on his face, bragging that he had won three games of pool in a row. I dropped a set of quarters in the table, and about 10 minutes later he was saying

Later in the afternoon we had a rematch, and after I left him with 6 balls on the table, he was saying

Before I went to the Saucer on Sunday I had brunch at Bardog Tavern, and the lobster sandwich was every bit as good as I’d heard. The hash browns on the side were excellent too.

In other Bardog news… Aldo is already doing the $3 “ladies can drink what you want” happy hour from 5 to 7 weekdays, but he’s decided to give the guys a little something too… $3 Buffalo Trace during happy hour. Both sexes can get the Original Memphis Slider for $1.50 during those times.

Additional news on the September 20 Bardog anniversary party… seating for 64 outside in the alley, and the Underdog Room and the upstairs bar will be open too. The Jagermeister girls will be there from 2 to 4. There’s also something in their newsletter about lap dances from Demitrie and Jay, but I hope that’s a typo.

Congrats to South on Beale… just checked their Facebook page and saw that they scored 100 on their health inspection at the bar, and a 96 in the kitchen.  They’re celebrating with $3 Kirin and Sam Adams Summer until they run out.

Time to head to trivia… we should have a very good group there tonight, looking forward to it.

Just got Bardog’s weekly e-mail… will recap parts of it later but one item can’t wait… bartender Amanda, who recently had her baby, is picking up a shift tonight and will be there until 8 PM.  So, stop by and see her if you’re an Amanda fan.  She’ll resume her regular happy hour shift in September.

Circa by John Bragg has a new website that you can check out here. Features include new, easier reservation sign-ups; subscriptions to their e-mail newsletter; ability to purchase gift certificates online; photo galleries; and more.

I posted last week about their August 27 second anniversary party. I’ve now learned that the proceeds from the party will benefit Help the Least of These, a charity which helps the extreme poor in Africa, primarily in Kenya and Uganda. There will be a silent art auction and live charity auction, and you’ll also be able to make a donation at the door.

Party will feature complimentary beer and wine and hors d’oeuvres from 6 until 8 PM that night. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

There will be a special dinner with three course menu available at 8 – limited seating though, so be sure to call for reservations. Dinner menu will include a Circa House Salad, your choice of entree (Beef Tenderloin, Trout Grenobloise, or Roast Ashley Farms Chicken) and choice of dessert (Creme Brulee, Lemon Tart, or Il Diplomatico). There will also be a cash bar with happy hour prices throughout the night.

That’s all for now… I’ll be at trivia tonight at 7… I’ve been told that Pete the Trivia Guy is not feeling well, so Mikey the Substitute Trivia Guy will be calling it.

Couple more updates about last weekend’s Stumbling Elvis event…

I learned that the TV show that filmed us on Beale Street was the BBC’s Around the World in 80 Days. They had us pose for a shot outside Silky’s. Not sure when it will air.

I also learned the pub crawl raised $280 in donations for the Mid-South Food Bank. However, the Food Bank gets $3.70 in purchasing power for every dollar donated, so we effectively purchased $1,036 of food for Memphians in need.

If you missed the pub crawl but want to help out the Food Bank, here’s a link to their donation form.

Pictures still to come… been lazy about getting them off the camera.

The Phoenix Club will hold their 2009 Luau this Friday night, the 21st, at Minglewood Hall from 8 PM to 1 AM. Entertainment by Conch Nation, and sponsors Celtic Crossing, Itta Bena, Newby’s, Owen Brennan’s, Bardog, D. Canale, and Bosco’s will provide hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Tickets are $50, but this year they’re offering a special VIP ticket for $100 that gets you access to a top-notch setup including private bar, private bathrooms, and 4 skyboxes overlooking the stage. VIP access is limited to 65 guests. The Phoenix Club’s parties always benefit a great charity, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Memphis. You can buy tickets here.

In the news: The owner of Automatic Slim’s and Dyer’s has started a catering business.

The Electic Eye eyeglass boutique is having another eyeglass makeover contest. Visit their website and upload a photo of yourself in old glasses, and you could win the makeover. Winner will be announced at a red-carpet reception at their store on Houston Levee on September 3. If you upload your pic between now and August 30, you get a 10% discount on your next purchase.

Sorry for the lack of posts for the past two days… been recovering from the weekend. The Stumbling Elvis pub crawl was a blast. Thanks to the Flying Saucer, Blue Fin, Silky’s and the Red Rooster for having us. About 50 Elvises turned up… we filled a 50 gallon tub half full with cans for the Food Bank, and there was also a can in which cash donations were collected to give to them. Outside Silky’s we were filmed for a show which will air on BBC.

We had all kinds of Elvis, ranging from ’50s leather Elvis to 1961 Blue Hawaii Elvis to 1970s white jumpsuit Elvis. Some people only had the glasses and sideburns, but we only announced the pub crawl a couple of weeks in advance, so many people didn’t have time to go find costumes. There’s a very good chance this event will be back next year… Mike King and I discussed it and next year we’re going to require participation from those who come with us, meaning a Food Bank donation and something at least resembling an attempt at a costume.

Photos to come. I have a few other posts in Drafts that need to go up soon too.

Yes, I know it’s quite a distance to travel.  However, if you read this article I think you’ll understand why I’m recommending it.

I saw this on Facebook this morning – vote for Memphis Farmers Market as the best local farmers’ market, and help them win a prize of $5,000.  I voted, citing the local produce, the meat and crafts, the entertainment, and the fact that it’s a gathering place for Memphians.

Tonight’s the night when a bunch of us are going to dress up like Elvis and wander from bar to bar Downtown, in honor of the King.  We’re also collecting cans and cash donations for the Food Bank.  The running order is

7 PM – meet at Flying Saucer
8 PM – leave Saucer, walk to Blue Fin
8:10  – Blue Fin
8:45 – Leave Blue Fin.  From here we will walk to Beale, maybe through the Peabody.
9:15 – Arrive at Silky’s
10:00 – Leave Silky’s, parade down Beale
10:30 – Arrive at Red Rooster
11:15 – Leave Rooster
11:30ish – Back at Saucer

Be sure to bring cash to pay your bar tabs, to avoid the hassle of having to close dozens of credit card tabs at the same time when we leave a bar.  Also be sure to bring your ID – you’ll need it to get on Beale.  The clubs listed have agreed to waive cover for people who are part of the pub crawl and are who are dressed up as Elvis.  The Saucer will have a tub where you can place your donated canned goods for the Food Bank; if you arrive to the pub crawl late, please stop by the Saucer to drop off your donation before meeting up.

If you’re on Facebook search for the event “Stumbling Elvis.”

Details here.  I guess the BBQ team can start our research for shirt and booth ideas now.

A few links for your Thursday afternoon reading pleasure:

Here’s a link to a CA article about a new 298-room luxury hotel planned to be built across Linden from the FedExForum, at the corner of Fourth.  Always good to see more luxury rooms come to Downtown Memphis… that will help attract conventions.

Here’s a link to Jerry Lawler’s 2009 mayoral campaign website.  I was a supporter of The King in his 1999 run… not sure who I’ll vote for this time… probably either Wharton or interim mayor Lowery.  I’m a huge fan of Lawler but this city just has too many problems to let a pro wrestler run it.  I’d damn sure pick him over Herenton though.

Here’s a link that will explain why Twitter was down for a couple of days last week.  It wasn’t an attack on Twitter itself, but rather an attack by a pro-Russian group who was trying to silence criticism of Russia’s was with Georgia on social networking sites.

More to come today or tomorrow… one of my favorite chefs has taken over management of what has up until now been one of my least favorite Downtown restaurants… hopefully he’ll turn it around… anyway, it’s worthy of a post of its own.  That post will be up today or tomorrow, I hope.