Paul Ryburn's Journal

This morning I was in the Cossitt Library for the first time in several months. They’ve rearranged and have a nice collection of Memphis and Tennessee history books right by the front door.

Beale Street Wine Race, that fabulous day of debauchery, has been announced for Sunday, April 26.

Cordelia’s Market will have Fish Fridays every week through April 3, with fresh fish entrees in the hot box ready to take home and eat.

The burger of the week at Momma’s is The Truck Stop: Angus beef, bourbon bacon jam, fried egg, Swiss, lemon Dijon aioli.

The Brass Door will have Jazz in the Cavern with the Jackson Hankins Quintet Saturday. Tickets

CBS News has a full transcript of the Trumpster’s State of the Union address.

Memphis’ convention center hotel, the Sheraton on N. Main St, is getting a rebranding and a new name.

NBA stars often complain about the hotels when they stay in Memphis. A hospitality expert responds.

Gould’s seeks a massage therapist for their downtown location.

Didja know Rootstock Wine Merchants has a wine club called The Buzz? Members get detailed info on the latest wine finds, invitations to special events, and discounts on purchases.

Good to follow on Facebook: Memphis Memories. I followed that account this morning and it’s already shown me

• a 1926 video of traffic and people on Main Street
• a 1960 video of a plane taking off from the Mud Island airport

To whomever stuck some cash in my Apple Wallet yesterday: The notification I got did not include a name, but, thank you!

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Join me tomorrow as I write my Wednesday update! Did you know Earnestine & Hazel’s opens at 11 AM Wed-Sun? On Wednesdays, Dani is behind the bar open to close. A lot of her regulars go see her at lunchtime. I’m gonna bring my laptop and join them. Same delicious Soul Burgers they have late-night. Same delicious PBR too!

If you can’t make it for lunch, I’ll still be there at happy hour!

Let’s get on to today’s news…

A drug kingpin was murdered in Mexico and the cartels are expected to wreak havoc. Americans in the country are advised to shelter in place.

Science proves what many Downtowners already knew: Being a regular at a bar or coffee shop can boost your well-being

State of the Union bingo

Congratulations to Insomnia Cookies on Beale Street on its recent 100 on its health inspection.

Menopause the Musical 2, Cruising Through the Change comes to the Orpheum Thursday.

Soul & Spirits now has free public Wi-Fi and they’re having an event Thursday 6-8 PM to celebrate. Bring your phone or laptop and bang out some emails, close some JIRA tickets, update your LinkedIn profile, whatever you want to do.

Fish pudding and tomato aspic! Calvary Waffle Shop is now open Wed-Fri 11:00 AM-1:30 PM through March 27. I Love Memphis has a preview.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Yesterday I asked AI: Who builds better dams – beavers or otters? The consensus across several AI models is that beavers are master engineers, while otters don’t “build” dams at all – they simply use what’s there. Other facts about the two species:

• Beavers are herbivores and rodents
• Otters are carnivores and belong to the weasel family

My name got drawn at Room in the Inn last night and I boarded a bus to West Union Cumberland Presbyterian in Millington. They had the BEST dessert there. It was like sweet potato pie, but as a casserole. If I get back to West Union before the RITI season ends March 31, I’ll tell them I have a blog and ask permission to post the recipe.

On my bus rides to Millington, I’ve noticed there’s a bar called BAR near where Lucy Rd. splits off from 51. Anyone been there? To the owners of BAR, if you’ve ever thought of opening a second location, there are two storefronts on the Main Street Mall in Downtown Memphis (formerly Blind Bear and Local) you should look into.

A BIG convention comes to Downtown Memphis this weekend: The Mid-South Farm and Gin Show. The “ginners” have a reputation for being very nice people and great tippers when they dine out.

The City of New Orleans, the Amtrak passenger train that runs from Chicago to New Orleans with a stop at Memphis’ Central Station, was involved in a collision with a freight train on Sunday in Southwest Memphis and there were injuries. The NTSB will investigate.

It’s Lunar New Year night at the Grizzlies. They host Sacramento at 7. TV: FanDuel Sports

Next Tuesday, March 3, there will be an open house at Victorian mansion The James Lee House featuring art from Sheet Cake Gallery. An RSVP is required.

The Trumpster will deliver the State of the Union address tomorrow night, Tuesday, February 24.

WREG has a look back at this year’s Soup Sunday benefiting Youth Villages.

Kids who live in Shelby County are invited to submit a design for this year’s Memphis in May T-shirt.

MLGW says a vintage 1900s-era pipe was to blame for a recent water main break at Fourth and Pontotoc. It has been fixed.

The Winter Olympics are over, but today is Curling Is Cool Day. Worth a drive to Olive Branch (I can’t believe I just typed that): Learn to curl on March 18. They’ll have you throwing stones like Ernest T. Bass!

One more night of lows in the 20s before a significant warmup happens. I’ll be handing over six bucks for a night’s stay at the Mission. It’s a no-brainer, not only because of the temperature but because Kirby Woods is the guest church. They always provide a far-above-average dinner.

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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LOTS of material to cover. Will take me a while to type.

Check back around 2:00.

Penny’s 12-14 Tigers host UAB at FedExForum this morning at 11. TV: ESPN2

Is Penny on the hot seat?

Today is National Margarita Day.

The Cossitt Library will host a celebration of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:30. Period costumes are encouraged and there will be light refreshments.

Downtown Nutrition has a limited-time loaded tea called the Leprechaun Lemonade, made with lemonade, green apple, and blue raspberry.

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

Have you ever dreamed of opening your own restaurant? There’s an opportunity to do just that through the DMC’s Table Ready program at 12 S. Main, the former Cafe Keough space.

Clayborn Temple will be rebuilt as a replica after being badly damaged by fire last April. Experts determined that enough of the original building survived the fire for it to be saved.

The Grizzlies are in Miami tonight for a 7 PM CST game vs. the Heat. TV: FanDuel Sports

USA vs. Canada, men’s hockey gold medal game, 7:10 AM Sunday.

A Downtown convenience store is for sale.

The SovereignTea Cafe at 140 Monroe has its grand opening this afternoon. Tea samples, chair yoga, sound bath, meditation.

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

MUST-READ X/Twitter thread on the state of AI as of February 2026 (long but worth it)

That may be the most important and timely link I have posted in 22 years of doing this blog. I’m therefore tempted to just write “back tomorrow” and call it a day so you won’t be distracted by other info.

I gotta mention one other thing, though: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested for improper conduct during his years as a trade envoy. The former Prince Andrew, Duke of York is his country’s first senior royal to be arrested in modern times.

I stayed out the past 3 nights in a row carrying a heavy backpack around. EXHAUSTED. 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

RiverBeat Music Festival, scheduled for Tom Lee Park the first weekend in May, has announced this year’s lineup. The Red Clay Strays, Wu-Tang Clan, and Dave Matthews Band will headline the festival’s 3 nights.

The mosquitoes are biting like it’s July! Might want to spray yourself with Off before you go out.

Did you know that UT College of Dentistry, just minutes from Downtown, offers a full range of dental services at significantly reduced prices?

Coach Penny dismissed a senior from his 12-13 Tigers yesterday for repeated violations of team rules. The .480 Tigers are in Tampa for an 8 PM CST game at South Florida tonight.

Action News 5 talked to the child actors in The Sound of Music at the Orpheum this week to learn how they balance their roles with school.

There’s new reason to suspect life may have existed on Mars in the past.

A new poll revealed Americans’ favorite condiments. Peanut butter, honey, and salsa went 1-2-3. Ketchup, a child’s condiment, was 6th, with ranch 9th, mayonnaise 10th, and mustard 13th. Hoisin sauce finished last. “No condiments” (the Randy way) was not a listed option.

Wiseacre will have $1 off margs Sunday for National Margarita Day.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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The burger of the week at Momma’s is the Cowboy Burger, made with Angus beef, Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar, fried onions, house-made slaw, and BBQ sauce.

Breakfast/lunch spot By the Brewery has closed, Hoodline reports.

Amtrak is getting ready to roll out a new fleet.

Astronauts no longer have to leave their smartphones at home.

Today is National Drink Wine Day.

The Flyer’s Michael Donahue has a preview of the yummy food that Calvary Episcopal’s Waffle Shop will serve during Lent. Good history lesson, too.

The Metal Museum seeks a marketing manager.

Bass Pro seeks a part-time greeter.

BarWare will hold an adult spelling bee Thursday 7-9. $50 in bar bucks to the winner.

The ArTist Experience, a curated DJ listening experience, Bad Bunny edition will happen at The Artist Table Friday night.

Hard Times Deli celebrates 1 year Saturday with their take on a polarizing fast food sandwich.

VJ Chandler plays your music video requests 5-close at Birdie’s 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
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

 

Today as I sat in the Union Mission watching the morning news, I thought to myself, I’ve got to get out to The Edge soon and try one of those Playa Bowls – particularly, the one with the banana base. I imagined the color, the taste, how it would feel in my mouth. I really involved all the senses. I wasn’t intending anything; just sitting there, bored, entertaining myself.

A short time later, I checked my backpack out of storage and started the trek Downtown.

On Fourth Street, a woman in a white SUV pulled up alongside me and asked if I wanted a banana. Of course, I did.

I think I manifested a banana.

Twisted Cat Outdoors Fishing Expo comes to the Renasant Convention Center this weekend.

Bass Pro is hiring part-time sales associates in women’s apparel and firearms.

Civil rights leader and presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson has died. He had deep ties to Memphis.

Bleacher Report has a recap of WWE Monday Night RAW from FedExForum last night.

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