Friday update

I learned some stuff about the Memphis Union Mission in morning chapel yesterday, and I wanted to share it with you, my readers.

First of all, I need to correct something I’ve said in previous posts. I wrote that the older of the buildings at the 383 Poplar location was the original 1945 building. I had that wrong. The original Union Mission building was at 117 Poplar, in the area that is now Civic Center Plaza. The building currently thought of as “the old building” – also called MES – at 383 Poplar was built in the early 1960s.

It’s hoped that the 1960s building will come down this year to make room for Phase 3 of the modern 2020s building. Phases 1 and 2 are already complete, sleeping 232 in beds and overflow on clean and very comfortable mats.

Pastor J told us there was a book written about the Mission in the 1950s called Skid Row Stopgap. There are copies of this book at the public library.

There’s also a second book about the Mission, Mud ‘n Mercy in Memphis.

I mentioned yesterday that eggs have become so expensive that many restaurants have adopted a $1/egg upcharge for dishes containing them. I wonder how this is affecting the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry? They hand out breakfast burritos in Court Square on Saturday mornings, and of course scrambled eggs are the burritos’ primary ingredient.

Congratulations to the Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr., who has been named an NBA All-Star. Although, we may not see the best of JJJ in the All-Star game since there is just about no defense.

Uptown is getting a new concert venue. DNA prez Jerred Price posted:

Grind City Brewing Company is opening a new outdoor music venue in DOWNTOWN!
Grind City Amp is slated to open in 2026 in Uptown Memphis and will feature a scenic view of Downtown Memphis.
“Our goal is to create a space where music lovers and our community can gather to celebrate what makes Memphis special,” said Grind City Brewing Company President and Founder Hopper Seely. “This venue is for Memphians and by Memphians.”
Grind City Amp will have a general admission capacity of 4,500 or 3,500 seated. The venue will host 8-12 concerts and comedy shows per season. After the venue is completed, Grind City Music Festival will return in 2026.

A FedExForum employee is accused of stealing her co-worker’s identity.

Cookie Plug, a hip-hop themed dessert shop, is coming to the former RawGirls location on Second.

Great weather is coming next week. Upper 60s most days and 70 on Wednesday. Normal for the first week of February is 53.

Back tomorrow.

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Thursday update

This morning on Wikipedia, I learned why there used to be a panini called The Trenton Makes at Aldo’s Pizza Pies. In 1806, the Lower Trenton Bridge opened, connecting Trenton, New Jersey to Morrisville, Pennsylvania. A motto was added in 1935: TRENTON MAKES, THE WORLD TAKES. 

The panini, by the way, is still on the menu but its name has been shortened to The Trenton: prosciutto, capicola, genoa salami, ham, American, provolone, marinated mushroom, pickled red onion, banana pepper, oil & vinegar, mayo, black pepper.

Army vet Karl Loucks pleaded not guilty to killing a homeless man near his Downtown apartment last year. This story is getting picked up by a lot of TV stations nationwide.

The big story nationally this morning is the collision of an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter in DC. No survivors are expected.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers play Tulane tonight at 8 in New Orleans. TV: ESPN2

Crawfish and shrimp are back at Max’s Sports Bar Saturday. First batch will be ready at noon.

FROST’D limited release tasting party is back at Grind City Brewing Saturday. Raffles, food trucks, live music. Someone will win free beer for a year. (52 6-packs)

More and more Downtown restaurants are upcharging for items that include eggs in response to the recent price spike.

That’s all. Everyone stay dry.

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Wednesday update

Grizzlies rookies Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells have been picked to play in the NBA Rising Stars Game in San Francisco on February 14. The game showcases first- and second-year and G-League talent.

Properties have been purchased along Union for a rebuild of Regional One Health that is being called “transformative.”

The Grizzlies host the Houston Rockets Thursday at 8:30 PM. It will be a Lunar New Year celebration. TV: TBS, TNT, truTV

The Flyer has a look at Dvour Desserts on South Main.

Win tickets to the Anthony Q and Friends Birthday Bash at the Orpheum Saturday.

The Rise on the Ravine development in The Edge has been put on hold.

Nerd alert: a free web version of the TI-84 graphing calculator

South Main Sounds has its 10th anniversary show Friday.

There’s an exotic pet expo in Southaven this weekend.

There’s a Lunar New Year celebration and cocktail competition tonight at Old Dominick.

The Memphis Restaurant Association has its food festival at The Kent this Friday. Speakeasy Chic is the theme.

That’s it. I may take tomorrow off because of the rain.

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Monday update

The Tennessee Board of Regents seeks a men’s college basketball social media specialist. This is almost certainly a position at the University of Memphis. It is a college work-study position.

The Daily Memphian seeks a junior digital advertising sales representative.

St. Jude seeks a global liaison specialist.

Van Duren plays South Main Sounds this Saturday at 7. $15 cover. Special guest Sophie Chertow.

Three University of Memphis alumni are going to the Super Bowl as members of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Grizzlies have a 6:30 game tonight at the New York Knicks. TV: FanDuel Sports

A 3BR/2BA penthouse condo is for rent in the 655 Riverside tower.

Memphis Made Brewing has a new website. You can now book brewery tours online.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Saturday update

Miami Heat star forward Jimmy Butler will accept a trade to any NBA team that will have him… except Memphis.

F you, Jimmy. I’d rather have Hasheem Thabeet back.

Typing this at Memphis Chess Club. A disco remake of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” is playing. It’s pretty awesome.

And now they’re playing “Istanbul, Not Constantinople”.

It’s National Irish Coffee Day.

The Orpheum will host a performing arts camp for kids who stutter March 22-23.

Grizzlies PG Ja Morant has the 7th highest jersey sales in the NBA.

Memphis Fire Department is hiring.

The Grizzlies host the Utah Jazz tonight at 7. Free Grizz Girls poster to the first 5000 fans. TV: FanDuel Sports

Penny’s Memphis Tigers host UAB Sunday at noon. TV: ESPN2

ESPN’s Lunardi still has the Tigers at a 5 seed in his latest Bracketology.

Jad Tariq brings R&B to Old Dominick Distillery tonight at 6.

That’s it for now. Headed to Bardog for my usual Saturday. Back tomorrow.

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Friday update

I’m drafting a new article called “15 Things You Hear at a Homeless Shelter” that I plan on publishing on Medium next week. If any of you would like to read it, shoot me an email at paul.ryburn@gmail.com and I’ll send you a friend link when it’s done. That’ll circumvent Medium’s paywall, allowing you to read it for free.

Today is supposed to be the rescheduled grand opening of chicken joint Crazy Coop. 11:30 AM at 3 S. Main. They’ve been open for to-go only for a couple of weeks.

Today is National Peanut Butter Day.

A possible passenger rail line from Memphis to Atlanta is being discussed in Congress. The line would run through Nashville and Chattanooga.

Memphis International will soon offer direct flights to New Orleans, Fort Lauderdale, Nashville, and Austin.

FUBU will present a 4-day hip-hop festival and awards weekend in Memphis August 14-17. The awards ceremony will be at the Cannon Center on the 17th.

The first 5000 fans at the Grizzlies vs. New Orleans tonight get a free City Edition car air freshener. Tip time is 7 PM. TV: FanDuel Sports

Musical collective Sweet Honey in the Rock comes to the Halloran Centre tonight.

Memphis City Council is looking to hire a legislative analyst.

Probably back tomorrow with more news.

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Thursday update

Health Sciences Park, bordered by Madison, Union, Manassas, and Dunlap, has changed hands. It’s now owned by a subsidiary of the Memphis Medical District Collaborative and will be renamed Medical District Park.

Elmwood Cemetery will hold a seminar on genealogy tips & tricks Saturday morning at 11.

Today is National Pie Day.

Memphis in May is adding a steak cook-off to its lineup.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers host Wichita State tonight at 6. TV: ESPN2

There will be a Dinosaur Adventure at the Renasant Convention Center this weekend.

The CA has a list of Downtown restaurant meals under $15.

From CBS Sports: The Grizzlies have two frontrunners for Rookie of the Year

The electrical outlets under Bardog’s bar are working once again.

Here’s a tracker of Term 2 executive orders the Trumpster has signed.

That’s it, back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Wednesday update

These things really work!

They’re disposable hand warmers. Shake them up and put them in your pockets and they’ll keep your hands toasty.

The Shelby County school board fired the superintendent yesterday.

Today is National Southern Food Day. Celebrate at Alcenia’s.

Shinedown will come to FedExForum August 30. Morgan Wade and BUSH will open.

Felicia Suzanne Restaurant is hiring a line cook.

Rhodes College seeks an assistant football coach.

The Grizz host Charlotte tonight at 7. TV: FanDuel Sports

The Memphis Flyer has a look at Hard Times Deli, soon to open in The Edge. That New York style chopped cheese burger sounds fantastic!

Winter Storm Enzo is a certified G and a bona fide stud, and you can’t teach that. Parts of New Orleans got 9.5 inches of snow Tuesday.

Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Tuesday update

The lineup for RiverBeat Music Fest in Tom Lee Park the first weekend in May just dropped. Missy Elliott, The Killers, and Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals will headline.

The Memphis Tigers dropped 6 spots to 24 in this week’s AP poll.

Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. Celebrate with a visit to Court Square.

Hundreds of people came to the civil rights museum for King Day yesterday.

Steve Martin & Martin Short come to the Orpheum Saturday. Tickets start at $107. Special guests Jeff Babko and the Steep Canyon Rangers.

It’s Tuesday Tunes 5-7 tonight at the Renasant Convention Center. Live music, great food, drink specials.

There’s a pool tournament every Tuesday at Peoples on Beale. $5 entry fee.

Wiseacre Downtown will host a beer and blue cheese pairing Saturday at 1.

That’s it for today. Go feed a squirrel.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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