Paul Ryburn's Journal

Real quick update because this one’s time sensitive… just found out that the Majestic Grille will have Barack Obama’s nomination acceptance speech on their big screen tonight, with sound.

Hmmm… I still have gift cards left to use… I may have just figured out my dinner plans.

I typed up a “Reading this week’s Memphis Flyer so you don’t have to” post last night, but about the time I finished it, Comcast slowed to a halt and I couldn’t post.  Checked to see if I could jump on my neighbor “linksys”‘s network, but it wasn’t available either.  It was about 11 PM.  “No Internet, guess I’ll go to bed,” I thought.  “Or, I could go have a beer.”  So I went to the Saucer and then Hoop’s Bar and stayed out until about 2.

Anyway, the main thing I wanted to mention that there’s an article on page 9 about CouchSurfing.com.  This is a site where you can register and let travelers know that you have a couch available for them to crash on, or that you’re traveling and are looking for couches.  The cost of crashing on someone’s couch is $0.  So, why would you offer total strangers a place to crash?  Because it’s a great way to meet people, and help travelers see new cities from a local’s perspective.  If you don’t want to offer your couch to travelers, you can sign up and select “no couch, but willing to meet for coffee or a drink.”  There are measures in place to verify people’s identities.  The system works surprisingly well and many friendships have been forged as a result.

This is very cool.  I love to meet new people and show them around and let them see why I love Downtown Memphis.  I’m definitely going to sign up as being willing to go out for coffee or a drink, and I’ll go “maybe” on the couch offer.

You can befriend people on CouchSurfing.com much as you can on MySpace and Facebook, and it helps your reputation because then you have people to vouch for you.  This is important when you’re dealing with total strangers.  I’ll sign up this weekend after I get the Comcast problem straightened out.  If you’re on there, be sure to look for me and befriend me.

Other stuff in the Flyer (doing this from memory, don’t have one in front of me):  An article about the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival, with an interview with Center for Southern Folklore director Judy Peiser; an ad reminding people that Big Foot Lodge will have 34 oz. super cold Coors Light for $2 all day Sunday; and an article about Circa chef John Bragg and his history in restaurants.  When he was at La Montagne he made tofu fajitas.  I’m sure my health guru AL is salivating at the thought of those.

I just got a hold of the specials the Red Rooster will be running for football season.  Here they are:

Yesterday I wrote that I had heard there was a death related to the Bon Tom Cafe.  I’m sad to have since learned that it was Sam, the owner.  Thanks to one of my readers for sending this to me.

Sammy Zambelis, owner & manager of the Bon Ton Cafe, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday morning.  He was 50 years old.  He has been at the Bon Ton almost every day for as long as I have been working downtown, at least 17 years.  His family owns and runs the restaurant, and they are devastated at this loss.  I do not know the family’s plans for the restaurant.  He will be missed by all that knew him.    Funeral arrangements were sent to everyone at our office, and I have included them below.

For those of you who are interested, visitation will be on Friday from 5-8 PM at the Family Funeral Home on 4925 Summer Ave. The funeral will be held on Saturday at 11 AM at St. George Greek Orthodox Church at 6984 US Hwy 70. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery on Poplar and Yates.

Fellow blogger Buck Daddy saw my “Where to watch college football Downtown” post and linked to it.  He then typed up his own list of places to watch college football in East Memphis and East Bumblefuck.  Here’s his list.

A reader sent me a link to convention watch parties in Memphis that will happen tomorrow night.  People will gather to listen to Barack Obama’s acceptance speech.  There are a few Downtown, including one at Stop 345.  I’ve been told that in Midtown, the Overton Park clubhouse will be the place to be to watch the speech.

With all the Labor Day stuff going on this weekend – people coming in town, people going out of town, the Center for Southern Folklore’s festival, college football – it’s easy to forget that this Friday is the last Friday of the month, and therefore South Main Trolley Art Tour.  Many of the art galleries and shops will be open from 6 to 9 PM Friday and some will be serving beer and wine.  There will likely be musicians performing on the street as well.  So, come on down if you’re looking for something to do Friday night.  Always a lot of fun.

If you’re a South Main Association member, you get free burgers, hot dogs, and Boscos beer, sponsored by Boscos and Shelton Clothiers.

’80s hair band cover band Aquanet plays the Red Rooster this Friday night.  Aquanet is one of the most unique bands ever to perform in Downtown Memphis – it’s not just music, it’s a show.  Could be a great way to start off a 3-day weekend.

So, about a month ago I met two St. Jude scientists, postdocs at St. Jude, at the window at the Saucer.

Hung out with them several times and they were very cool girls.  They told me they go to trivia nights around Downtown – recently they’ve been doing the Corner Bar at the Peabody.  Up until this week, though, they’ve known better than to challenge the Rapscallions at the Saucer.  Tonight they finally decided to give it a try, bringing 14 of their closest friends with them, including Stephanie from the CCC who named her cat June Bug after a bum.  Now, you’d think with all those Ph.D.s (and Stephanie) on the team, they’d get the job done.

They didn’t.  The Rapscallions coasted to first place.

Oh, man.  I’ve always considered the MBA to be the most worthless degree in the history of mankind, but after seeing how these Ph.D.s performed, I’m rethinking it.

The new three-month expiration period on the certificates begins today, so we’re looking at November 26 or before with a 50 in the bank.

There’s a new promotional code for the restaurant discount gift certificates accepted by many restaurants Downtown – enter LABOR at checkout for 60% off.  You can scroll to the bottom of the right sidebar of this blog to get them.  Enter 38103 (or your zip code) in the box to search, or use the link that’s there to get to their website.  The $25 value certificates, which normally sell for $10, are now $4 with the LABOR coupon code through August 31.

I don’t have all the details, but apparently one of the people who worked at Bon Ton Cafe passed away.  A reader reported that there was much sadness and crying there today.  I’ll try to get more details.  My condolences to the staff at Bon Ton.

The Coors Light at Big Foot Lodge is apparently a bigger deal than I realized.  I knew it was a good deal – $3.99 for 34 oz. – but I didn’t know they exclusively have “super cold” Coors Light in this area.  It’s served below freezing.  Also, Bud Select is back on tap for people (me included) who prefer that to Coors Light.

The Peabody Hotel is making a unique offer – “Amnesty for Artifacts.”  Those who pilfered something from the hotel over the years have the chance to return it, no questions asked.  They figure there have been a lot of well-intentioned guests over the years who just wanted a souvenir to take home with them, and that some of those guests might like to give their souvenirs back to decorate the hotel’s new Memorabilia Room.  Artifacts can be sent to the Peabody Hotel, attn: Public Relations, 149 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38103.  Call 901-529-4179 if you have questions.

Website I found the other day – Dial a Human.  It’s a guide for how to get past the automated phone directory and get straight to a human operator at many major corporations.

I’ll be at trivia tonight at the Saucer, 7:00.