Author: paulryburn

Saturday I was at the Cossitt Library and there was a nicely-dressed woman with a suitcase there asking questions of the librarians. At 11 I moved down the street to meet friends for brunch. The same woman came in about 30 minutes later. She sat at the far end of the bar and ordered a drink and began chatting up the bartenders.

About 45 minutes later, one of the bartenders came over to me. “Paul, the lady with the suitcase is homeless and just arrived in Memphis,” she told me. “Do you have suggestions for where she needs to go to connect with resources?”

I had NOT pegged her as homeless. As I said, she dressed with style. She had makeup on and her hair looked taken care of. She also seemed to have good manners; when I’d sneezed at the library, she’d immediately turned toward me and said, “bless you.”

However, on this particular day, I had NO IDEA where to send her. That was because

• It was Saturday. Normally the Hospitality Hub is the clearinghouse for resources to help those in need of temporary housing and related resources in Memphis, but the Hub is open Monday-Friday.
• Normally I’d recommend Room in the Inn as an organization that could get her shelter for the night, but (and I could be wrong about this) I think they operate on two “seasons,” November-March and May-September.

I tried Googling resources on my phone, but there was not one definitive “go here” point I could find. There isn’t a big women’s shelter Downtown like there is the Union Mission for men. The Union Mission operates the Moriah House for women, but that’s all the way in East Memphis.

She left before I could help her. I felt like a failure. I kinda feel like I have a responsibility to help people in such situations, and this time I didn’t know how.

Where should I have sent her? Let me know at paul.ryburn@gmail.com or hit me up on social media.

This coming Saturday is the last one before Halloween, which means there will be a lot of spooky parties that night in Memphis. Let’s check the weather… WREG has us sunny with a high of 79 and a low of 57. That means you won’t freeze your butt off this weekend, no matter what your costume is.

There’s going to be a Barboro Alley block party Sunday, October 27 from 11 AM to 5 PM. Aubrey McCrady Band, live DJ, kids’ and dogs’ costume contests, pumpkin painting station, local craft vendors. Food specials, drink deals.

Some treats for the kid in you just landed at the Flying Saucer:

• Duclaw Peach Sherbet
• Wicked Weed Milk & Cookies

The WNBPA has opted out of its 2020 collective bargaining agreement with the WNBA. Go get that money ladies. You deserve it.

The DM has a look at the new Aloft Hotel on North B.B. King Blvd.

Today is the International Day of the Nacho. I recommend celebrating at Slider Inn with Nachos for the People. Huey’s nachos are another outstanding way to celebrate.

Action News 5 has a look back at this year’s RiverArtsFest.

A take on the age-old question: Is a hot dog a sandwich? (TL;DR: No, it’s a taco)

I learned something interesting this morning from the TODAY Show: If you have trouble staying awake, you may be iron-deficient.

Felicia Suzanne Restaurant has its new sign up at 383 S. Main.

Much of the island nation of Cuba is in a blackout. The antique power grid is to blame.

Is it possible Army-Navy will play back-to-back weeks in December? The AAC championship the first Saturday, then their regular game the week after that?

Meme I saw this morning:

Yeah, I know Darth Vader is from the Dark Side, and I know he blew up a planet, but I feel like I just don’t know enough about Princess Leia to support her.

I’ve seen this attitude a LOT the past few weeks. It will doom America in 2025 and beyond.

Back as soon as I can be.

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Bally Sports, home to most Grizzlies games, is rebranding as FanDuel Sports Network.

Artist Kevin A. Williams, known as WAK, has an exhibit opening at the Hyatt Centric today. Williams has been commissioned to create paintings for celebrities including Bernie Mac and Oprah.

Beale Street Bears gave Ja Morant a B+ for his return this week. Rookie center Zach Edey got an A-.

Angel Reese said her WNBA salary doesn’t even cover her rent. Thank goodness for endorsement money. She makes about $73,000 a year in salary.

Prague is banning agency-organized pub crawls. Drunk tourists are negatively impacting quality of life for the locals.

Be a part of the NBA’s G-League. The Memphis Hustle seek a part-time team assistant.

Happy birthday Allie Cat!

That’s it for today. Back soon. Time to go watch college football. ROLL TIDE

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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A garbage truck, one of those big ones that lifts dumpsters, took out trolley lines, utility poles, and street lights Thursday morning on South Main near the Civil Rights Museum. The driver apparently forgot to put the rear of the truck back down.

Memphis Medical District Collaborative will present two free concerts in Health Sciences Park 5 to 7 PM October 24 and 31. Homegrown musicians, food trucks, Grind City beverages.

* On October 24, the first 100 UTHSC, SCO, Southwest, St. Jude-ALSAC, Regional One Health, Methodist University, Le Bonheur, and BHSU employees will be offered a $10 food
coupon with employee ID while supplies last. Registration does NOT guarantee a voucher.*

* On October 31, the first 200 BHSU, SCO, SWTCC and UTHSC students will be offered
a $10 food coupon with student ID while supplies last. Registration does NOT guarantee a voucher.*

Ja Morant is likely to play in the final Grizzlies preseason home game tonight vs. Miami.

It’s International Legging Day.

Short post today. Back maybe tomorrow.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
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Edible Memphis reported that Bar Hustle inside the ARRIVE Hotel at 477 S. Main now has bar pizzas which they described as “Roman/Detroit style.” Choices include sausage, classic pepperoni, roasted mushroom, Hawaiian, or you can design your own.

Robusto by Havana Mix, the cigar bar on Peabody Place that Jon Taffer rescued several years ago, has a full bar once again. As a result, BYOB is no longer permitted. They have happy hour 3-7 weekdays.

Grind City Brewing Co. will have Flights & Frights this Friday evening: $10 flights, $5 fills (Poppy’s Pils or Oktoberfest) of Oktoberfest steins, live music by Alexis Jade & The Gemstones, Happy Brunch Spot food truck, film playing in the background for ambiance. No cover.

Beale Street Bears has the info on how to watch Grizzlies games for 2024-25, including how to watch if you live out-of-market.

The Grizzlies have announced events for Grizz Week, the week leading up to the October 26 regular-season home opener vs. Orlando. This is your chance to pick up some swag at locations around the city and get a chance to win tickets.

The MOXY Hotel at Main and Court will host Poses & Mimosas this Sunday, October 20, from noon to 1. $15. YOGA!

The Last Word: Epitaths of Elmwood Cemetery, a tour examining the final words of Elmwood’s residents, happens Saturday from 10:30 to noon.

A nurse told me yesterday she’s nearly 100% sure I have Parkinson’s disease. That’s why my hands have been shaking so bad lately. I guess I need to go get an official diagnosis.

Back sometime soon (maybe not tomorrow though) with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Congratulations to Downtown’s very own Wiseacre Brewing Co., whose Sky Dog Premium Lager won a gold medal in the American Light Lager category at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver this week.

Early voting has started in Shelby County, and the DM’s Bill Dries is back with all you need to know in his Ballot Basics. It’s free to read even if you’re not a subscriber.

Downtown Dining Week will be back November 4-10 with great deals at more than 50 area restaurants.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers took a very respectable 84-76 loss in a Hoops for St. Jude exhibition game vs. 9 North Carolina last night. This gave Hardaway a chance to see his team play quality competition and determine what needs to be worked on.

Today is World Food Day. I recommend you celebrate with an Old El Paso microwave burrito.

A man has been breaking into Memphis Chess Club, King’s Palace Cafe, and Blues Hall over the past month and stealing thousands in liquor.

The Orpheum seeks a manager of individual giving.

Maxwell: The Serenade Tour comes to FedExForum tonight.

Tonight is the annual Memphis Sports Hall of Fame induction at the Renasant Convention Center.

Memphis Symphony Orchestra presents Amadeus at the Cannon Center Saturday.

That’s all for now. Back later this week with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

This morning I sat and watched as Bardog sold 60 raffle tickets to win a hearse before 9 AM. You may have seen the hearse parked outside on Monroe. I believe it’s a 2003 Cadillac DTS model and it seems way nicer than previous hearses they’ve given away.

How does the drawing work? It’ll be on October 31 between 10 PM and midnight. You write your name and phone number on each raffle ticket you purchase. You don’t have to be present at the drawing to win, but if you’re not and they draw your ticket, you better answer the phone when they call or they’ll move on and draw another.

In other Bardog news, they have Coors Banquet on tap for the month of October and they’re donating a portion of the purchase price to St. Jude each time you buy one. They took PBR off tap to make room for the promotion, but I was told they’ll have it in cans beginning approximately today.

Memphis Farmers Market will hold its fall harvest gala at Central Station Hotel on Saturday, November 9 from 5 to 9 PM. 3-course dinner, live music by Graber Gryass, silent auction.

Juried artists’ market RiverArtsFest returns to Riverside Drive this Saturday and Sunday. Fabulous opportunity to pick up some unique Christmas gifts. Live music, yummy food, and a performing arts stage.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association will hold its October membership meeting at the newly-opened Aloft Hotel, 63 North B.B. King (at Jefferson), from 5:30-8:30 PM Wednesday, October 23. DA Steve Mulroy and MATA director Bacarra Mauldin will speak. Free beer and wine for all DNA members.

Today is National Cheese Curd Day. Momma’s has ’em.

It’s also National Red Wine Day.

College football games of interest Saturday:

• Auburn at 19 Missouri, 11:00 AM, ESPN
• 7 Alabama at 11 Tennessee, 2:30 PM, ABC
• 24 Michigan at 22 Illinois, 2:30 PM, CBS
• 14 Texas A&M at Mississippi State, 3:15 PM, SEC Network
• LSU at Arkansas, 6:00 PM, ESPN
• Arkansas State at Southern Miss, 6:00 PM, ESPN+
• 5 Georgia at 1 Texas, 6:30 PM, ABC
• North Texas at Memphis, 6:30 PM, ESPNU
• Kentucky at Florida, 6:45 PM, SEC Network

That Bama-Vols game figures to be a College Football Playoff elimination game. ROLL TIDE

Y’all, I figured out why there’s a star on the Dallas Cowboys’ helmets.

It’s because the Cowboys are the NFL’s jobber to the stars.

In professional wrestling, a jobber (or jabroni) is someone who always loses. A jobber to the stars (JTTS) is someone who routinely beats other jobbers, showing an amount of skill and talent in the process. However, against top-level competition, the JTTS reverts to their losing ways.

As the Cowboys did against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

But look at the bright side, Cowboys fans… the way things are going, this year you won’t have to make excuses for your team losing in the first round of the playoffs.

That’s it. Back later this week with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

The big news today is that Mayor Young has replaced MATA’s entire board of directors. WELL DONE, MR. MAYOR. I know of no comparably-sized city with a public transit system as bad as Memphis. MATA tends to trend toward last in results and toward first in spending. A world-class city has world-class public transportation and we are FAR from meeting that standard.

Any of my readers got an upcoming trip to Las Vegas planned? Pro tip: When you get there, ride the bus. Note how clean, efficient, and convenient it is.

Nevada has flipped red on RealClearPolitics’ no toss-up states map. That brings the projected electoral count to 302 for the Trumpster and J.D. to 236 for Harris and Walz.

Beatles tribute band The Mersey Beatles plays the Orpheum Wednesday.

Bardog has parfaits on its brunch menu now:

Apologies for the lack of posts this week. The ailment is back in my legs – especially my left one, which is so swollen that it hurts to walk. Back early next week with more news.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

I want to share an observation I’ve made recently. When I’m out with friends and people need to exchange money with each other – including leaving me a tip for writing this blog – they usually do it using Venmo. Sometimes Apple Pay, sometimes Zelle.

Occasionally there’ll be someone at the front window at the Union Mission who realizes he lacks the six dollars cash to get in. He’ll turn around and ask, “Who has Cash App? Pay my $6 and I’ll transfer it back to you.” ALWAYS Cash App.

In the 8 months I’ve had tipping methods in my blog’s footer, I’ve only received one payment via Cash App. For the longest time I wasn’t even sure I had it set up right.

Is there a reason people of different socioeconomic classes use different payment apps?

Let’s get on to the news… with neon pink and blue accents, the Aloft Hotel at North B.B. King and Jefferson is now open. The hotel has a lounge inside called WXYZ… apparently these lounges are staples at Alofts.

Michigan has flipped red in RealClearPolitics’ no toss-up states electoral projection. That gives Mango Mussolini and his mini-Lini a 296-242 advantage over Harris and Walz.

Two fire engines crashed at Second and Jefferson yesterday evening.

Action News 5 has a look at the production of Girl from the North Country at the Orpheum this week. The musical is set in the Great Depression and features music by Bob Dylan.

South Main Trolley Night will be known as South Main Night Market going forward. This is a good move by the organizers of the gathering, held the last Friday of every month, since we don’t know when or if the trolleys will be back.

The Grizzlies host the Charlotte Hornets in preseason action tonight at 7. Ja Morant is out nursing a sprain. Coach Jenkins believes he will be available for the regular-season opener in two weeks.

FedExForum is now a Coca-Cola arena. Bye, Pepsi! Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.

Tuesdays are Twice as Nice Pint & Slice days at Wiseacre Downtown, with $5 specials on select pints and select Little Bettie pizza slices.

That’s it for today. Get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather, because the forecast is cooler next week.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

A word of caution to my readers who like to dine out Downtown: Don’t rely on Apple Pay on your iPhone as your only option for payment.

The reason why is a scam run by the crowds of wonderful (dripping with sarcasm) customers that have overtaken Downtown restaurants since COVID. They’ll go out in a big group, consume copious amounts of food and drink, and pay with Apple Pay. Then when they get home, they’ll get on the phone and dispute the charge. It’s harder for a business to prove a transaction took place if there was no physical swipe of a card’s magnetic strip and no read of its chip. The customer almost always gets refunded and the restaurant has to eat the food and drink cost. This is affecting some restaurants to the tune of thousands of dollars a month. So they’re no longer accepting that payment method.

Yesterday I witnessed an awkward moment where a couple found out they couldn’t use Apple Pay until AFTER they’d had a meal and a couple of mimosas each. They had used Apple Pay successfully at the restaurant a month ago, so they had every reason to believe it would work again. They eventually figured it out – I think they Venmo’d the bartender, who then paid the tab with her debit card. You don’t want to have to depend on workarounds like that, though.

They say cash is king, but even that won’t work everywhere, as business like Birdie’s and Zio Matto have put up WE ARE CASHLESS signs. Understandable; in a city like Memphis, you want to disincentivize people from robbing your business.

My point is this – take two methods of payment when you dine out, just to be safe.

How bout them HOGS!!!! I just had a feeling they would be the team to take down the Tennessee Vols.

Let’s look at this Saturday’s games of interest:

• South Carolina at 7 Alabama, 11:00 AM, ABC
• Memphis at South Florida, 2:30 PM, TV: ??? (Rescheduled due to Hurricane Milton)
• 1 Texas at 18 Oklahoma (Red River Rivalry), 2:30 PM, ABC
• Mississippi State at 5 Georgia, 3:15 PM, SEC Network
• Florida at 8 Tennessee, 6:00 PM, ESPN
• Arkansas State at Texas State, 6:00 PM, ESPN+
• 2 Ohio State at 3 Oregon, 6:30 PM, NBC
• 9 Ole Miss at 13 LSU, 6:30 PM, ABC

Keep an eye on Hurricane Milton. It has the potential to do heavy damage to central-west Florida later this week. Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for areas around Tampa Bay.

Girl from the North Country is at the Orpheum this week.

The Cannon Center will throw a party, free to the public, Friday evening from 5:30-7:30 to celebrate 100 years of events and concerts at 255 N. Main.

Momma’s is adding a $5 pint night 7-11 PM to its Tuesday lineup, which already included a chicken fried chicken food special and karaoke on the patio.

Posts may be a bit less frequent than last week. Having foot and leg problems again. I’ll be back when I can.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Two Edge District breweries, Memphis Made and Flyway/High Cotton, will put on a joint Oktoberfest event next Saturday, October 12. The details:

• $35 Oktoberfest 32 oz. steins
• Food trucks: Smoke & Toast, MemPops, Big River Dogs
• Wyly Bigger at HC 1-3 PM
• Hillbilly Mojo at MM 3-5 PM
• Paint Memphis with DJ at MM 5 PM
• Bluff City Backsliders at HC 7:30-10 PM

In other brewery news, Hampline out on Broad Ave. seeks a pizza chef.

Flying Saucer will have serial killer and true crime trivia Tuesday, October 29 at 7 PM.

To celebrate joining DNA, Gould’s Salon & Spa is offering Downtowners 25% off any one service during October. Simply show your photo ID to claim your discount.

That’s it for today. Time for a PBR.

It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips! 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com