Month: February 2025

The ol’ push, push in the tush maneuver may be about to be banned.

No, not by the Trumpster and his MAGA cronies looking to legislate what is allowed in the bedroom. Rather, the NFL.

You’ve seen it in games. 3rd down and goal at the 1 yard line. One or two 330 lb. guys get behind the QB and literally push him that last yard through the defensive line for the touchdown. The NFL is looking into banning that.

Today is National Chili Day.

The zoo is hiring a full-time education manager.

King’s Palace Cafe on Beale is hiring a bartender.

Poundcake presents R&B Comedy Night at the Halloran Centre Saturday.

The Memphis Redbirds will host the St. Louis Cardinals in an exhibition game at AutoZone Park March 24.

That’ll do it. Back tomorrow or Saturday.

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I’ll start today’s post with a personal note: I may not be out Friday and Sunday. Just letting you know in advance so you won’t worry I’m sick or dead or something when you don’t see me out those days and there is no blog post.

The reason why is that my Venmo account will be automatically debited to pay my annual web hosting bill early next week. The good news: I have the money to pay it. The bad news: Paying it will drop me to just above zero.

I do plan to be out Saturday. I’ll have to forego my chocolate chip brownie at Memphis Chess Club in the morning, though.

On to the news…

Penny’s #18 Memphis Tigers host Rice in a 7 PM game. This is a game that has virtually no upside for the Tigers, but a loss could drop them to an 8 or 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Being in a conference with Rice sucks. TV: ESPN+

Ja stepped up big time to give the Grizzlies a 151-148 overtime win over Phoenix last night.

These days, Ja’s only on social media because he has to be.

Crank up the AC… the MemphisWeather.net forecast has us at 75 this afternoon.

Save the date: Momma’s will have a crawfish boil Saturday, March 22. $5 Wiseacre Sky Dog all day. Live music.

Happy For Pete’s Sake Day to all the Petes out there.

Grape. plays Earnestine & Hazel’s Saturday at 9.

A, Schwab will screen The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) at 1 PM Sunday.

That’s it. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Controversial Memphis radio host Thaddeus Matthews has died at 67, his wife told local media. RIP Thad… you made Memphis a more interesting place.

Also RIP Roberta Flack (“Killing Me Softly”)

Comedian Carrot Top turns 60 today.

Uptown resident Julie Ray, whose house sits on a curve at Thomas and Looney, is sick of damage to her property caused by reckless, speeding drivers.

Today is National Chocolate Covered Peanut Day. The Peanut Shoppe at 121 S. Main can help you celebrate.

Eli Adams plays Tin Roof Saturday night.

The Burger of the Week at Momma’s is the Bandito: 1/2 Certified Angus Beef, bacon, tobacco onion, pepper jack, avocado & chipotle aioli.

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

Looks like Little Petals Chinese is open on Madison.

Grizzlies Prep is hiring a special education teacher.

The next egg you eat might have been laid in Istanbul (not Constantinople). Turkey is sending the U.S. 33 million pounds of eggs to help ease our shortage.

Penny Hardaway has been named to the Coach of the Year watchlist. His Tigers rose to 18th in this week’s AP poll.

Watch the Trumpster suck Elon Musk’s toes (AI generated)

Back tomorrow probably.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Memphis Tigers men’s basketball hosts Florida Atlantic at 1 PM today. GoTigersGo.com says this is a “6th Mane Game,” whatever that means. TV: ESPN2

The Grizzlies visit the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 6 PM game. TV: ESPN

A couple of nice Grizzlies swag giveaways happen this week at home games at FedExForum:

• Friday vs. NY Knicks – Gospel Night – free Grizzlies building blocks set to the first 5000 fans
• Saturday vs. San Antonio Spurs – Wrestling Night – free Bane Mane wrestling buddy to the first 5000 fans

It’s National Banana Bread Day. Celebrate with a Wells Banana Bread beer at the Saucer. Yes it tastes just like it.

Sculpt Memphis will present The Faces of Bowie Tuesday at 6 PM at 158 Vance.

Cognac Cars & Cigars happens at Fourth Bluff Saturday 5 to 9.

Drive boats in the Mud Island Marina in Skier’s Marine Demo Days this coming weekend.

That’s it. Back tomorrow probably.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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This morning I saw that Wendy’s has a new limited-time menu item: A Girl Scout Cookie Thin Mints Frosty. Yummmmm, I must get one of those soon. Read Good Housekeeping’s review

Today is National Margarita Day.

It’s also Open That Bottle Night. Dang, this is a day for drunks on par with St. Pat’s and Cinco de Mayo!

There’s now a Facebook event listing for the Mid-South Korean BBQ Fest at Grind City Brewing on April 12. They’re now accepting team applications through March 12. You do not have to be Korean to form a team. Fee is $150. Competition categories are beef, pork, and dumplings. Tickets are $15 general admission, but a $50 ticket gets you in an hour early and gets you unlimited beers, seltzers, and sours, as well as a parking spot.

Jasper Float Spa seeks an assistant spa manager.

There will be ribbon cutting for Cache 42 Downtown by the Greater Memphis Chamber today at 1. Complimentary champagne. 97 N. Main.

The Memphis Made taproom is back open, water pressure having been restored.

There’s a vocal workshop at the Cossitt Library with Miz Stefani and Valetta Brinson today at 2 PM. Open to all adults and no experience is required.

The Grizzlies came back from down 19 to defeat Orlando 105-104 last night.

Momma’s news: Guess how many gumballs are in the Milagro bottle at the bar no later than February 28. Whoever’s closest wins two tickets to the Grizzlies vs. OKC Thunder on March 5.

Buy me a Thin Mints Frosty! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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The Memphis Tigers picked up a 6th Quadrant 1 win this week… and they did it off the court. Their November win over San Francisco got reclassified by the NCAA and is now considered a true road game.

Today is National Breakup Day.

Look for miniature paintings by artist Ephraim Urevbu on South Main sidewalks.

Celebrate National Caregivers Day today noon to 2 in Medical District Park. Artist Molly Gochman’s sculpture exhibit Monuments to Motherhood will be unveiled and there will be food and music.

The annual Soup Sunday event, raising funds for Youth Villages, is this Sunday at The Kent. Come sample soups and other goodies from Memphis’ best restaurants and chefs.

Danny Go! Live! comes to the Cannon Center Saturday.

The Grizzlies are away at New Orleans tonight. 6 PM tip. TV: FanDuel Sports

A season-ending injury to the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama has propelled the Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. into the odds-on favorite spot for Defensive Player of the Year.

Too cold to type any more. Back tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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It’s 11 degrees F outside as I type this. Feels like -4. I wonder how many people’s cars won’t start this morning?

The roads I walked Downtown this morning are in good shape. Ice patches here and there.

The official total for Memphis for this week’s winter storm is 1.6 inches combined sleet and snow.

The NBA all-star break is over and the Grizzlies are back in action at Indiana tonight at 6. TV: FanDuel Sports

It’s National Cherry Pie Day.

Elon Musk finally explained why his company xAI chose Memphis to locate its new supercomputer. Time was of the essence and the Electrolux building was empty and available.

Groove on Demand rideshare will be closed again today.

The Grizzlies will retire Tony Allen’s number 9 jersey on March 15. A documentary film about Allen, “Tony Allen: The Grindfather,” will be released on YouTube March 6.

Yo-Yo Ma, backed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, comes to the Cannon Center Tuesday.

The Mid-South Farm and Gin Show will be back at the Renasant Convention Center at the end of this month.

Make-a-Wish Mid-South presents Wine for Wishes at the Cadre Building Friday night.

That’s it, 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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Memphis is getting a new BBQ competition. The Mid-South Korean BBQ Festival (“Korean BBQ Fest”), to be held on the grounds of Grind City Brewing on Saturday, April 12, will feature cookteams’ interpretation of South Korean style. South Korea is Memphis in May’s.2025 honored country.

Hmmm I wonder if Squeal Street BBQ will get back together for this event? There’s definitely an interest in #asianfood among members of that team. 

When are we going to see a NORTH Korean BBQ festival? A photo of Kim Jong Un would be mandatory, of course, in every team booth, and competition categories could include “dog,” “cat,” and “rodent.” Prediction if such an event occurs: A team from Knoxville will win Grand Champion with its BBQ Squirrel Fried Rice dish.

Hard Times Deli is now open at 655 Marshall, and Choose901 has a look (includes a photo of the menu).

Closed today due to winter weather

• Terrace at River Inn
• Groove on Demand rideshare
• Cossitt Library

Memphis Made will have Junt fresh cream ale back on tap in its taproom for a limited time starting Saturday.

That’s it for today. 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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Cold today (39°) with increasing wind, then wintry conditions tonight.

Timing/type: Light rain/sleet/snow mix starting ~4-6pm. Sleet/snow (and freezing rain in MS) by 7-9pm. All snow by midnight.

Accumulation: 1-2″ snow (higher Tipton, lower MS). Up to 0.1″ of sleet, light glaze in MS.

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— MemphisWeather.net (@memphisweather.net) February 18, 2025 at 6:13 AM

There’s going to be a Mardi Gras parade traveling up Main St., Saturday at 11 AM. It will start at G.E. Patterson Avenue and will proceed north to Madison. Damn that’s a long parade! There will be food trucks, drink specials, and vendors all along Main Street. After party at Esco with DJ Mannie Fresh.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association will have its monthly meeting at Withers Gallery at 333 Beale Street Wednesday, February 26. Celebrate Black History Month by viewing the work of this influential photographer. Free margaritas and food for DNA members. The founder of A Tour of Possibilities, Carolyn Michael-Banks, will speak.

Credit Jerred Price’s excellent #KeepingDowntownInfformed newsletter for the 2 items above.

Today is National Drink Wine Day.

The Memphis Tigers fell 8 spots to 22 in the AP poll following Sunday’s loss to Wichita State.

The Pet Hospitals Downtown seeks a receptionist.

There will be a total lunar eclipse the night of March 13.

The burger of the week at Momma’s is Momma’s Mac Attack: 4 smashed patties, Momma’s Special Sauce, shredded lettuce, American, dill pickles, diced onion on a sesame seed bun.

That’ll do it for today. Back tomorrow, weather permitting.

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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Recently, while checking upcoming events at the Renasant Convention Center, I saw that the company I worked for 2009-2018, the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), is bringing one of its North American tournaments to town March 13-23.

Bridge is a trick-taking partnership card game similar to spades, but with more layers of complexity. Your great grandparents may have played it around the kitchen table. If you’ve ever wanted to learn the game of bridge, or you play casually and you want to get better, there will be plenty of games and events designed for you.

I’ll come back and see more at the end of this post. But for now let’s get onto the news…

Penny’s Memphis Tigers suffered a road loss to Wichita State yesterday. That’ll probably drop Memphis to a 6 seed in bracketology projections.

Next up for the Tigers: They host Florida Atlantic on Sunday.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 2 blocks for Team Kenny in last night’s NBA All-Star Game. WHAT??? Defense in the ASG? They lost to Team Chuck though.

It’s Presidents’ Day, so government offices are closed.

And now, back to bridge…

The full name for the game the ACBL sanctions is duplicate contract bridge. It’s duplicate because you’re not really playing against your opponents at the table; you’re playing against all the other partnerships sitting the same direction as you (north-south or east-west), who are playing the same hand as you.

It’s called contract because you bid on what you want the trump suit to be (no trump suit also being an option), and how many tricks you believe your partnership can take if that is agreed upon as the trump suit.

During the 11 days at the Renasant Convention Center, the ACBL will offer

• Games you can play against other bridge players with no or limited experience
• Education seminars where you can learn bridge in a day
• One-hour celebrity speaker seminars featuring some of the best bridge teachers in the world

You don’t need to have a partner to participate in games; they have a partnership desk that can match you up with one.

More information

Back tomorrow with more news.

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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