Paul Ryburn's Journal

Disappointing last-second loss to Turkiye last night, but the USMNT moves on to the World Cup round of 32. They will face Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night at 7 in Santa Clara, CA. TV: FOX

A new business called Soultown Supply Co. is going in 352 S. Main. Anyone got details?

According to Google Gemini, Cam Boozer will make 11.8 million dollars as a Memphis Grizzly next season. Not bad for a 19-year-old.

I got the Whistle Stop yesterday at the Flying Saucer. That’s the burger special with purple slaw, pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, and tomato jam. My recommendation would be to get this one with the turkey patty instead of the beef patty.

Chris Canterbury plays South Main Sounds tonight 7-9 for Trolley Night.

Catch Hank & Willie in the courtyard next to Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight 5-7.

The Orpheum will show classic movie Cooley High Saturday at 2.

Park yourself at the intersection of hip-hop and dance music for Summer Soulstice at Grind City Brewing Saturday afternoon and evening.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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In 2027, you’ll be able to post to social media that you’re hanging out Downtown with the bros at the ‘bro.

According to The Daily Memphian, Libro restaurant, the restaurant inside novel. bookstore out east, will open a second location inside Memphis Art Museum.

Quality “get.” Quality fit. A big win for Downtown.

USA vs. Turkiye, final group play match for both teams, 9 PM tonight, FOX.

NBA draft recap: The Grizzlies

• Took Duke power forward Cam Boozer with the 3 pick. Bleacher Report gave the selection an A+. A player with a high floor and one you build a team around.
• Traded the 16 pick for the 17 pick and two future second-round picks.
• Traded the 17 pick for the 21 pick and three future second-round picks.
• Took Mexican small forward Karim Lopez with the 21 pick. Said to be the type of player Zach Kleiman loves.
• Traded three second-round picks for Detroit power forward/center Isaiah Stewart. Stewart recently got votes for Sixth Man of the Year.
• Took BYU shooting guard Richie Saunders with the 32 pick. Saunders’ great-grandfather invented the Tater Tot.

“The Memphis Grizzlies may have won the NBA draft.” –Bleacher Report

Max’s Sports Bar and Huey’s made the 2026 Memphis Flyer list of late night eats.

Glad to see the City Council voted to fund improvements to AutoZone Park that’ll keep the Redbirds here in town. Some of the council members were being doo-doo heads about it a couple of weeks ago.

There’s a burger special at the Saucer with pimiento cheese, fried green tomatoes, slaw, and tomato jam. Gonna cash in the $15 gift certificate I won Tuesday at trivia to try it this afternoon. Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

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Tonight is the first round of the 2026 NBA draft. It’ll be on ABC and ESPN at 7:00. The Grizzlies have the third and 16th picks. I hope to see Memphis take Duke F Cam Boozer with the 3 and then trade up into the 5-6 range to snag Arkansas PG Darius Acuff Jr.

Bardog  will be closed 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. today for a staff meeting.

Suspended general sessions court clerk Tami Sawyer has had two lawsuits filed against her by employees of the office. They claim that Sawyer, their boss, mistreated them after they blew the whistle on Sawyer’s alleged financial abuse as clerk.

The convicted killer of Chef Jody Moyt was sentenced yesterday. Moyt was stabbed to death in a road rage incident 6 years ago.

RIP Clive Davis, the music exec who signed Springsteen.

The Starbucks at Main and Monroe is hiring a shift supervisor and a barista.

Wiseacre Downtown is celebrating success with Medal Mondays every week: From 4-10 on Mondays, get $4 pints of award-winning Tiny Bomb, Sky Dog, Sky Dog Amber, or Oktoberfest.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A International League first-half-of-season champions. That will guarantee our ‘birds a spot in the playoffs come late September.

Go to Huey’s today for National Onion Rings Day.

The official bird of Madison, Wisconsin is a pink plastic flamingo.

A 3500-person Jehovah’s Witness convention is Downtown this weekend.

Memphis Soul Remedy headlines Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party. DJ FERB spins between sets. Special guest Maleigh Zan. $15 to get in. $40 to go VIP. 6-10 PM. VIPs get a buffet of chicken satay with peanut sauce, veg spring rolls, fried rice, and seasoned edamame pods.

First Horizon is hiring a network admin.

Will Ja end up in New Orleans?

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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It’s that time when soccer elitists come out of the woodwork, contemptfully correcting you when you say

• “soccer” instead of “futbol”
• “the game” instead of “the match”
• “the field” instead of “the pitch”
• “zero-zero” instead of “nil-nil”

Their favorite term, though, is one of endearment, not correction. They’ll see someone watching soccer on TV and go up to them and ask,

So, you like the footy, eh?

“Footy.”

Typing this from Court Square. The robins are attacking the squirrels. Claude AI says they do this because the squirrels will eat eggs in the nest or even baby birds.

It’s Backyard Sports Day at the Redbirds. The first 1500 fans get a reversible Melonheads bucket hat. Kids run the bases after the game. First pitch vs. Nashville 1:05 PM.

Works in Progress: Ideas to improve the world

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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It’s Friday afternoon as I start this post at the Memphis Chess Club. GM Mike is recommending places for a tourist to check out, and his recommendations are awesome: Boycott Coffee, Cxffeeblack, Crosstown Concourse, Flip Side pinball bar, the new flyway at Tom Lee Park, BVO The River of Time, Momma’s, Sun Studio, Stax Museum.

Bluey comes to AutoZone Park tonight as our ‘birds host Nashville. 6:35 first pitch. Fireworks after the game. Specialty tickets are available for a VIP meet and greet with Bluey and for a Heavenly Hot Dog Buffet.

It’s National Ice Cream Soda Day. Celebrate at the old-fashioned soda fountain at A. Schwab.

This month’s Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting will be Thursday at 5:30 PM at Beale Street Landing. They’ll be joining Memphis River Parks for their “Sunsets at Beale Street Landing” series. DNA members, your first cocktail is on the Association.

Hive Bagel & Deli is hiring. Send your resume to hello@hivebakes.com.

Ethnos Coffee Roasters is coming to Harbor Town.

Bogie’s Deli will be closed next week.

WKNO: Memphis Art Museum leaders say cultural change begins with more eyes on art

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Max’s Sports Bar opens at 1 today, giving you plenty of time to pick out your seats for the USA-Australia match. $3.50 Liberty Longnecks when the Americans are on the pitch.

A fireworks and drone show has been announced for Tom Lee Park on Saturday, July 4. The show is at 9, but get there as early as 5:30 for 3 stages of live entertainment, food trucks, and vendors.

Back-to-back BBQ Fest grand champion Heath Riles reflects upon his journey.

Today is National Martini Day. Celebrate at The Dame in Hotel Pontotoc.

B.B. King’s Blues Club celebrates the 50th anniversary of Lucille Talks Back next Thursday.

It’s Memphis Red Sox Night at the Redbirds. Come honor the 1938 Negro League champs. Fiesta Friday: $5 margs and Dos Equis beer. 2 for $5 street tacos. Teacher Appreciation ticket: $13 field box seat, hot dog, and soda.

See Jaws on the big screen at the Orpheum Saturday.

Back this weekend with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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You’ve heard of motor fests in The Edge District before… well, on Saturday, August 22 there’ll be a MATER fest out there! Get the maters at the Edgy Tomato Festival, presented by Edible Memphis.

• Tomato-themed art contest at Ugly Art
• Food specials featuring tomatoes at area restaurants
• Curated vendor market

There’s a ticker tape parade today in New York City to celebrate the Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years.

In other basketball news, Caitlin Clark has announced her first signature Nike sneaker.

It’s 1980s Night at the Redbirds, who host the Nashville Sounds at 7:05. $2 PBR. $7 tickets for college students.

It’s International Sushi Day. STIX and South Main Sushi can help you celebrate.

Daniel Larsen plays a free show today 5-7 in the Flyway Brewing taproom.

Future homebuyers, there will be a party for you Saturday 11 to 5 in Court Square. Mortgage lenders, title companies, home warranty providers. Leave pre-qualified. Food trucks, DJ, giveaways, games.

Join the DMC and the MMDC at the intersection of Walnut Street and MLK Ave. Saturday morning 8-10 for the unveiling of bike-hitchable bike lane sweepers.

USA vs. Australia in World Cup Group D action, 2:00 CDT Friday, FOX. Take a half day off work and watch the match at Max’s.

General Sessions judges have suspended court clerk Tami Sawyer for 60 days with pay. Sawyer is facing federal charges of illegally using her office for personal gain.

The Memphis Art Museum at Front and Monroe, scheduled to open December 6, will have free admission for Shelby County residents – forever.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Fleetwood Mac tribute band Landslide headlines this Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party. DJ A.D. spins between band sets. 6-10 PM, $15 to get in, $40 VIP. VIPs get a Greek buffet of chicken kabobs, lamb meatballs, roasted red pepper hummus, and baba ghanoush with pita bread.

Today is Global Garbage Man Day.

Renasant Convention Center will host an Off the Clock after-hours social 4-7 PM Thursday.

On Friday, which is Juneteenth, the National Civil Rights Museum will host a full day of programming, performances, and resources based around a theme of health equity. Free admission to the museum 9 AM-2 PM.

Union between Front and Second will be closed for MLGW work beginning today and lasting approximately 2 weeks.

Flying Saucer will give you a free $25 gift card for yourself when you buy Dad a $100 gift card for Father’s Day.

I tried the Loaded Croissant – bacon, egg, and cheese – at Memphis Chess Club yesterday. Excellent flavor and it didn’t fall apart the way a lot of breakfast sandwiches do. I’m told it’s their best-selling menu item. I put mustard on my loaded croissant but sriracha would also be an option.

McDonald’s is bringing back fried apple pies. Those things burned my mouth and tasted like ass. But, hey, nostalgia.

What’s going on with me: I’m reading a book by a non-physical collection of entities who call themself Abraham. I won a $35 gift certificate at Saucer trivia last night, thanks to a “presidents” round.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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The big news today is that Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer has been federally indicted on theft, fraud, and money laundering charges. If found guilty, she could get as much  as 20 years.

WOW. I was a fan of Sawyer when she was an activist and in her early days as an elected public official. She lost me, however, when she supported proposed COVID restrictions that would’ve kept Shelby County locked down for months and bankrupted several of my friends’ small businesses.

But I never thought she was capable of crimes like the ones she’s been accused of this week.

And maybe she’s not. Innocent until proven guilty, ya know? I pray Ms. Sawyer will get vindication or an orange jumpsuit, whichever she deserves.

The Quartet Show is at the Cannon Center this week. This appears to literally be a bunch of gospel quartets.

Cash Money Records and No Limit Records will team up for a hip-hop showcase at FedExForum on October 24.

Fun geography game: Get from country A to country B while crossing the minimum number of borders. The Flying Saucer sometimes has trivia questions like this. Trivia is tonight!! 7:00 and 9:15.

I played the game and got from Bulgaria to Belgium via Romania, Hungary, Austria, and Germany.

Brew Hop is ongoing through Sunday. FUN FUN FUN at Downtown’s craft breweries!

The Bahama Momma is the weekly burger special at Momma’s. It starts with a half pound of Angus beef and is topped with teriyaki-glazed pineapple, bacon, red onion, pepper jack, and honey mustard.

Comedian Ali Siddiq comes to the Orpheum Thursday and Friday.

The Redbirds host Nashville at 7:05. Tomorrow there’s a 12:05 day game with a Heavenly Hot Dog Buffet.

Feeling much better today. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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