Paul Ryburn's Journal

At Earnestine & Hazel’s yesterday, I was told about a Christmas delight I’d never before heard of: A Baltimore lemon stick. It’s a thick (nickel diameter) stick of peppermint inserted inside half a lemon, then pulled out and sucked on. Anyone else heard of this holiday treat?

The Grizzlies host the Milwaukee Bucks tonight at 7. Giveaway: City Edition scarf. TV: FanDuel Sports.

Today is National Whiners Day.

Work for “the U Club”: The University Club of Memphis seeks a tennis pro.

Mid-South Dueling Pianos provide the live music at the Saucer tonight. 8-10.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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There’s one thing that sucks about Christmas in Downtown Memphis… waiting for the bars to open at 5 PM. Tick, tock, tick, tock…(sad face)

This year, however, we have 360 fewer minutes to wait. Earnestine & Hazel’s opened at 11 AM today. No special Christmas food menu, just Soul Burgers and good vibes and ghosts and football on TV. They will be open tonight until 1 AM.

Congratulations to South Main gift shop Feelin’ Memphis on winning the DMC‘s holiday storefront competition.

A pop-up called Lucha Wine Bar returns Sunday to JEM Fine Dining.

Catherine and Mary’s is hiring a line cook.

Merry Christmas. Come to E&H and have a PBR with me.

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Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. is the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week. This is the second time in his career JJJ has received that honor. Congratulations, Jaren!

The Grizz are in Utah tonight for an 8:00 PM CST game against the Jazz. TV: FanDuel Sports

Brandon Clarke won’t be available to help Memphis get it done tonight. He’ll be out several weeks with a calf injury. He’s only been healthy for 2 games this season.

The Trumpster has signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule 3 drug. That doesn’t make weed legal in this ass-backwards Southern state, but it does acknowledge that weed isn’t dangerous in the ways that drugs like heroin and cocaine are.

The Liberty Bowl parade on Beale Street is always the day before the football game… and guess what… due to the Liberty’s late placement on the bowl schedule this season, WE GONNA HAVE A PARADE ON NEW YEAR’S DAY!!!!! It starts at 3 PM. I’m assuming Navy is bringing its band. That’ll be a blast!

The MemphisWeather.net blog looks at the potential for record high temperatures this week.

Break out the aluminum pole: Today is Festivus.

I’m staying out tonight!!!!! Back tomorrow.

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Two Memphis River Parks Partnership employees in their work truck were robbed at gunpoint this morning around 3 near the Shell station at Crump and Florida.

The Grizzlies have an 8:30 road game at the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight. TV: Peacock

There was an observance of National Homeless Memorial Day in Morris Park yesterday.

I tried Bardog’s newest dessert, Chocolate Overload Cake, Saturday:

This is a must-try for chocolate lovers. The photo above (click it to zoom in) doesn’t begin to do it justice.

The Orpheum will show classic Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life tonight. Prior to the movie, there will be remarks by the daughter of Donna Reed. Toy drive for Porter-Leath.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers host Alabama State tonight at 7 at FedExForum. TV: ESPN+

I will try to post this week, but Parkinson’s disease + holiday depression is not a good combination. Maybe the warm weather will help.

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Some Memphis fire stations are decked out in Christmas lights, including Downtown’s Station #5 at 400 Adams Ave.

The Memphis Tigers looked like a massive turd sandwich in the Gasparilla Bowl yesterday, losing to NC State 31-7.

Alabama won its rematch with Oklahoma yesterday to kick off CFP action. The Crimson Tide advance to the Rose Bowl January 1, where they’ll play 1-seed Indiana in a quarterfinal game.

More CFP first-round action today

• 10 Miami at 7 Texas A&M, 11:00 AM, ABC, ESPN
• 11 Tulane at 6 Ole Miss, 2:30 PM, TNT, HBO Max, truTV
• 12 James Madison at 5 Oregon, 6:30 PM, TNT, HBO Max, truTV

The Grizzlies host the Washington Wizards tonight at 7. There’s a Hoops and Hoodies ticket deal. TV: Action News 5, FanDuel Sports

Penny’s Tigers travel to Starkville this afternoon for a 3:00 game at Mississippi State. TV: ESPN

Tour the international space station

A Muppet Show 50th anniversary special is coming February 4.

From WREG: Why Downtown Memphis is a great place to work remotely

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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The college football playoff gets underway tonight with 9 Bama vs. 8 Homa. 7:00 PM. TV: ABC/ESPN

The forecast for next week has been revised upward. Memphis is likely to hit 70 on Christmas Eve and Day.

If you know of anyone in need this holiday season, let them know about an event in Morris Park this Saturday. Volunteers will be handing out warm clothes and other supplies and also refreshments. 10 AM-2 PM.

Sing holiday and Christmas songs with Sing It Memphis this Saturday 2-4 PM at Beale Street Landing.

Memphis Tiger players who violate team rules are getting some of their NIL money taken away by Coach Penny. Accountability!

The holiday season’s unhealthiest drinks

DJ Icon plays a pre-holiday set tonight 8 to late at Slider Inn Downtown.

Cordelia’s Market one-day sale today:

• Produce: Strawberries $3.99/lb. (was $5.09)
• CafePanera: 4 soups $4.99 each (was $5.99)
• Meat dept.: Seafood dip party tray $8.99 (was $11.50)

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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It’s a slow news day, so let’s have a look at the Gasparilla Bowl in which the Memphis Tigers play tomorrow.

• Founded 2008
• Originally the St. Petersburg Bowl
• Renamed in 2017 for José Gaspar, a Tampa-area pirate
• Memphis Tigers (8-4) vs. NC State Wolfpack (7-5)
• Friday, Dec. 19, 1:30 PM Central, TV: ESPN
• Memphis a 53.7% ESPN FPI favorite to win; but currently +160 at the sports books
• Official website
• Wikipedia page

Breaking news this morning: Memphis International Airport will be renamed after FedEx founder Fred Smith, who died in 2025.

AutoZone is looking for a creative content editor and designer specializing in photography and videography. Part-time/freelance.

Check out Atlas Obscura’s list of places to visit in Memphis.

The Xbox Bowl (Missouri State vs. Arkansas State) is today. I wonder if every player gets a complimentary Xbox?

Edible Memphis has published a shop local holiday guide.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Penny’s Memphis Tigers have another chance to get a notable win tonight as they host 13 Vanderbilt at 6. TV: ESPN2

The Grizzlies are on the road at Minnesota tonight at 7. TV: NBAtv, FanDuel Sports

Paulette’s will host a Charles Dickens-inspired 5-course Christmas Eve dinner. Harbor Town Roasted Goose? HONK HONK, I say! If the goose doesn’t get you loose, you can alternately choose a main course of prime rib or redfish. $79.99 + tax and auto-grat.

JEM Fine Dining is having a holiday bake sale.

Goodness gracious, great balls of ice! Interstellar comet 31/ATLAS will pass by Earth on Friday.

Decorate a 6-inch Grinch themed cake at Cake and Sip at Memphis Filling Station Saturday at 1. $35 gets you the cake and a pint of MFS beer.

Demolition of the old Commercial Appeal building at 495 Union will begin in the spring, making way for the new Regional One hospital.

A wild night on Mud Island led to a domestic assault charge for one man and also a cop firing warning shots to back off a pit bull.

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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I’m Mr. Heat Miser
I’m Mr. Sun
I’m Mr. Green Christmas
I’m Mr. Hundred-and-one

They call Heat Miser ’cause
Whatever I touch
Starts to melt in my clutch
I’m too much!

WREG’s extended forecast for next week:

• Mon 12/22: 63/53
• Tue 12/23: 65/51
• Christmas Eve: 65/52
• Christmas Day: 65/52

YESSSSS! We deserve this, after the crap weather we’ve had this week. FUN FACT: 65/52, our forecast for Christmas, is the average high/low for late July in Anchorage, Alaska.

TASK FOR COMPUTER NERDS WHO HANG OUT AT BARDOG: Write a regular expression that evaluates to “Maddie” or “Madi” but no other names/words.

Over at Bardog’s sibling restaurant Momma’s, the burger special of the week is El Chapo, topped with pepper jack, cheddar, chili, salsa, fried onions, and sour cream.

Today is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day.

Congrats to South Main restaurant Catherine & Mary’s on its recent 100 on its health inspection.

Memphis Filling Station is hosting its 2nd annual Christmas pajama party and sock drive Sunday from 1 to 7. From 5 to 7 there’ll be trivia hosted by Santa.

Memphis Made is tapping a cask of a Scottish ale called Ice Storm of ’94 at its taproom Saturday at 5. The beer is made with black strap molasses, whole clove cinnamon, persimmon peel and nutmeg. It’s the work of Tyler Brown, who used to work at Memphis Made and is now the head brewer at Boscos.

The pop-up Memphis Holiday Shoppe is now open.

Bring the kids to Flyway Brewing on Monroe Saturday from noon to 2. $20 gets you

• a beer, if you’re of age
• the chance to design your own Flyway duck ornament
• cookie decorating
• hot cocoa
• a photo with Santa
• a poster autographed by Santa

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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Artist/photographer David Bunk is closing his gallery at 136 G.E. Patterson and that brings a chance to pick up some holiday gifts at a great value. Art is 50% to 70% off, first come first served. David will be there this week and next and out-of-towners can call+1 (901) 508-7324 to arrange a virtual tour.

Actor/director Rob Reiner and his wife were found dead at their Los Angeles home, victims of an apparent homicide. Reiner’s son Nick, 32, has been taken into custody. Reiner is best-known for playing Archie Bunker’s son-in-law Mike Stivic AKA The Meathead on ’70s sitcom All in the Family.

Closer to home, a Beale Street Flipper was shot and killed over the weekend.

Freakpages is a curated list of some of Wikipedia’s most interesting pages.

The CA has a list of restaurants offering Christmas meals to-go. Rendezvous smoked Christmas ham sounds pretty darn good.

Max’s Sports Bar is giving away a holiday prize pack of a $50 gift card, a T-shirt, a beanie, and koozies this Friday. Check their Facebook page to find out how to win.

Cordelia’s Market hot lunch specials this week:

• Monday (12/15): Red Beans & Rice
• Tuesday (12/16): Rice Bowls
• Wednesday (12/17): Goulash with Kale Caesar
• Thursday (12/18): Grilled Chicken Chipotle Penne Pasta
• Friday (12/19): Catfish Po-Boy & Fries

Grizz at L.A. Clippers at 9:30 tonight. TV: FanDuel Sports

The musical version of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas is on stage at the Orpheum this week.

Could microbarge cruising come to the Mighty Mississip’ one day?

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
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com