Author: paulryburn

One more snow day special, and many of you knew about this one already: $3 Fireball at Bardog when it’s snowing.

Congrats to Chef Jimmy Gentry of The Lobbyist on being named a James Beard semifinalist.

The Grizzlies host the New Orleans Pelicans at 7. The DM reports that Ja will not play tonight. TV: Action News 5, FanDuel Sports

Heartbreak Hill Trio plays Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight.

Over on the peninsula we call an island, Tug’s Casual Grill is planning an Anti-Valentine’s Day party 4-9 PM February 14.

Other than that, there’s no news but snow news.

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This is not the post I intended to publish today.

But we’re less than 48 hours away now from the predicted arrival of a major winter storm. The chances of this thing being “just a big nothingburger” are rapidly diminishing.

In fact, the forecast looks eerily similar to the forecast a day or two before the famous Memphis ice storm of ’94.

Not yet a Downtowner, I was living in The Gilmore at Madison and McLean. I was a credit hour from wrapping up my master’s degree at the U of M, and I was working there in a full-time computer support role.

I tried to come to work the morning the ’94 ice storm hit. But my ’79 Mustang hatchback wouldn’t move a foot in any direction on the Gilmore’s parking lot. A neighbor gave me kitty litter to put under the tires. It didn’t help.

I went back inside and called into work, then turned on the TV. Trees and power lines were down all over the city. Linden Avenue between Barksdale and Cooper looked like a war zone.

Some neighborhoods went 10 days or longer before the power was restored.

My point in telling you this is, don’t take the threat of an ice storm lightly.

No, I don’t think Downtown ’26 will resemble Linden Avenue ’94. There are not as many trees Downtown, and the power lines are underground. But I’d recommend avoiding driving at all costs. If you walk, wear shoes with good traction and remember, there could be a half-inch of solid ice under those several inches of snow.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Memphis Chess Club took down its Christmas tree yesterday, for those of you wondering when or if that was going to happen.

Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. Celebrate in Court Square, or “Squirrel Park” as it’s informally known. Maybe stop by Walgreens and buy them a pack of peanuts or trail mix.

Slider Inn wants you to know that if it does indeed snow this weekend, they’ll be ready for you with the following specials:

• $5 Whiskey Wednesday prices
• 1/2 price chili dogs
• 1/2 price chili bowls
• $3 Fireball if you show up in your PJs

Slider Inn’s sibling restaurant Momma’s will have snow-contingent specials as well:

• $6 Jameson green teas
• $6 Whiskey Wednesday prices
• $10 grilled cheese and chili combo

The city has revealed the snow and ice plan it will implement this weekend if needed. Map of roads that will be treated

Penny’s Memphis Tigers are in Tulsa for a 7 PM game. TV: ESPN+

No soup for you: Recipes for the Seinfeld Soup Nazi’s soups

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Planet Ozz plays the Flying Saucer Friday night at 8. Yes, they are an Ozzy cover band.

Indiana did it. 16-0. Congratulations to them. First national title for the IU football program and the first 16-0 for a major college football team since Yale did it in 1894.

Friends of mine who are Indiana fans traveled to Bloomington to watch the game on TV with their people. They texted me that people were lining up Sunday night to get into bars that opened at noon on Monday.

There’s a proposal that would expand the college football playoff to 24 teams, but it would require the conferences to give up their championship games. The two conferences that matter, the SEC and the Big Ten, are said not to be on the same page on this matter.

Cordelia’s Market now carries Duck Donuts. They are delivered to Cordelia’s fresh three times a week. They have varieties ranging from classic glazed to chocolate-covered.

Cordelia’s hot lunch specials this week:

• Tue: Enchiladas with rice and beans
• Wed: Taco salad
• Thur: Chicken fried chicken, mac & cheese, sweet potato casserole
• Fri: Bang bang shrimp with fried rice and an egg roll

Interesting Wikipedia link I found: The AFL-NFL merger of 1970, which actually began in 1966. it answers a lot of questions I had about the NFL, including why the Dallas Cowgirls are in the NFC East.

Momma’s has cold weather specials this week: tomato bisque, grilled cheese, and a jalapeño popper burger.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting for January will be Wednesday, January 28 at 5:30 at the Orpheum Theatre’s newly-renovated Broadway Club. Members will hear about other planned improvements to the Orpheum/Halloran Centre campus. Plenty of other Downtown news too. Free wine and beer for members.

TV stations are saying it’s looking more and more like Memphis is going to get a winter storm this weekend. Erik from MemphisWeather.net weighs in: Why winter storm forecasts so far out are not reliable

Wednesday is Mentoring Night at the Grizzlies as they host the Atlanta Hawks at 7. Free Mentor Shirts to the first 3000. TV: FanDuel Sports

Broadway musical The Outsiders plays the Orpheum this week.

Once Upon a Midday Dreary, a celebration of Edgar Allen Poe, will happen Saturday 1:00-3:30 on the top floor of A. Schwab on Beale. Two films based on Poe’s works will be shown. Free.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Penny’s Memphis Tigers host UTSA today at 5 at FedExForun. TV: ESPNU

Back tomorrow with more news.

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The Most Interesting Man in the World is back. Look for him in a commercial during college football’s championship game on Monday.

Kooky Canuck seeks a server and a sous chef.

The operator of Uptown Chick-fil-A has been honored for her support of the Shelby County Mental Health Court.

There’s a Masquerave at the Cadre Building tonight.

Dolly Parton turns 80 Monday.

There will be a Memphis music tour of Elmwood Cemetery today at 1.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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The DM reports that Crazy Coop at the corner of Madison and Main is closing. The owner said the restaurant never did develop a regular crowd.

The Downtown Memphis Commission has received a $74 million state grant to improve Beale Street. It’ll go toward safety, lighting, accessibility, things like that. Some of the money will be used to create event spaces.

College basketball players at mostly lesser-known schools have been accused of point shaving in connection with a gambling ring. The University of Memphis was not named in the allegations, but conference rival Tulane was.

Butteriffic Bakery and Cafe on S. Second is planning a big celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday. They’ll have cookie samples, a DJ, vendors, and food trucks. The bakery is less than a 5 minute walk from the civil rights museum.

Reminder: My friends Saturday Sunset – the full 4-piece band – play downstairs tonight at Earnestine & Hazel’s.

Get ready for lows in the teens and single-digit wind chills Sunday morning.

The Grizzlies lost to the Orlando Magic yesterday in Berlin. They’ll get a rematch in London at 11 AM CST Sunday. TV: Amazon Prime

Bleacher Report is now saying the Heat are unlikely to trade for Ja Morant even though he recently bought a house in Miami.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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The folks at Rachel’s Salon have decided that, after more than 40 years, it’s time to close their doors. January 31 will be the last day for the salon in the Porter Building on North Main. If you have an appointment after that date, your stylist will reach out to you to let you know where to find them.

I saw something that kind of surprised me this morning… Georgia tags on a Groove on Demand rideshare van. Seems like those vehicles ought to be registered in Tennessee.

Amazon is opening a same-day delivery facility in Memphis.

The #1 breakup food in every state

• TN: candy
• AR: donuts
• MS: cake

Today is National Bagel Day.

There’s a taekwondo tournament at the Renasant Convention Center this weekend.

Tyler Herro for Ja Morant?

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

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Typing this post with a gash in my left arm. I’ll explain, but let’s do the news first.

CONFIRMED: The SmokeSlam BBQ festival is going on pause for 2026 in hopes of working out a unified event with Memphis in May for 2027.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers battle Temple tonight at 7 at FedExForum. It’s autism awareness night. TV: ESPN+

Choose901 seeks an in-house social media photographer.

The National Civil Rights Museum announced plans, including free admission, for its MLK Day celebration on Monday.

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has stepped down after 19 years. Did you know he was once a graduate assistant at the University of Memphis?

RIP Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert.

“Sober dating” is a trend in 2026.

Diana Ross comes to the Orpheum March 14.

More bad news for the Grizz: There’s still no date set for Zach Edey’s return. He’ll be re-evaluated in 6 weeks.

All-you-can-eat ramen!

So, yeah, about that gash in my arm. Yesterday I checked Room in the Inn’s calendar of partner host churches and discovered there was one taking men only. It’s unusual for men to score a RITI bed on a weeknight because it’s families and ladies first. However, the church taking men only meant I had a chance.

I stood on a sidewalk on Poplar waiting for the call for men to be admitted for the bed lottery about 4:30. One of the neighborhood street thugs (not there for RITI, just hanging around) walked past.

And he shoved me.. On purpose.

I teetered and shuffled to my left about 20 feet, trying to regain my balance. But due to the weight of my backpack, I couldn’t. I fell hard on my left arm. It was weird – the fall didn’t tear my jacket at all. It sure tore the skin underneath, though.

Retaliation never crossed my mind. I was there in hopes of a great dinner, some friendly conversation, and a quality night’s sleep – not an argument with a crackhead and possibly a trip to 201. I simply walked away. Several of the other RITI regulars asked if I was OK.

Off in the distance I heard the man call me a “punk ass” and tell people “it’s his fault, I told him to get out of the way.” Again, I chose not to respond.

My name ended up being called for a bed at The Cottage on Germantown Road. I had a salad, two servings of chicken pot pie, a roll, and four mini-brownies. I slept on a soft mattress, covered by a plush comforter. A sausage, egg & cheese biscuit and Frosted Flakes were this morning’s breakfast, and I was given a to-go lunch in a Ziploc bag.

The gash on my arm will heal.

The RITI host calendar is not looking as favorable for men tonight. With a forecast low of 24, staying out all night is not an option. I will spend six dollars to get in the Union Mission. I’ll walk over there about 2, which will give me time to get on the sign-up list for an afternoon shower.

As for the man who shoved me, I forgive him & I wish him peace and freedom from whatever makes him so angry.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Sources have told WREG that the SmokeSlam BBQ festival, usually held the third weekend of May in Tom Lee Park, will be suspended for 2026 and “reimagined” for 2027. If true, that leaves Memphis in May BBQ Fest way out in Parkinglotville as the only game in town that weekend.

The College Football Playoffs could expand to 16 teams this year… or even 24. Why not go ahead and make it 68 like March Madness? YOU get an invite… and YOU get an invite… and YOU get an invite!!!!! Teams like Coastal Carolina and Fresno State and the University of Tennessee would be gettin’ in.

Westy’s is up for sale due to the difficulties of operating a restaurant in The Pinch these days. Now B.J. Chester-Tamayo, owner of nearby Alcenia’s, has weighed in.

Music Export Memphis is hiring a director of development.

St. Jude is hiring a station chef.

The Detroiter is the burger of the week at Momma’s: an Angus beef patty topped with Exhaust Pipe chili, cheddar, diced onion, and mustard.

Save the date: Mayor Young’s State of the City address will be Monday, February 2.

Three pieces of Bardog news for you today:

1. You may have noticed the jukebox is missing. It’s been sent off to Chicago for repair.
2. The kitchen is once again open until 2 AM. For a while there they were cutting it off at 1.
3. They’ll do a Galentine’s Day celebration on Friday,, February 13. Martini bar, Girl Dinner (Caesar salad, fries & a martini), drink specials.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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