Paul Ryburn's Journal

Shepard (1923-1998) was not only the first U.S. astronaut in space, but he’s also the patron saint of misspelled pie.

I’ll open with an easy way to brighten the lives of the homeless, based on my past 4 months’ experience staying at Room in the Inn churches:

A surprising number of homeless people love a good Arnold Palmer.

No, not the deceased golfer. Rather, the drink named after him. Half iced tea and half lemonade. They find it refreshing on a hot summer day, but they’ll drink it in the winter too.

Another random fact I learned yesterday: Mercedes makes tennis shoes, or at least licenses its logo to be used on tennis shoes. I discovered this in Union Mission chapel last night.

Penny Hardaway will be back next season as the Memphis Tigers head coach, but three of his assistants and the team’s strength coach won’t be with him.

The immersive Baron Von Opperbean exhibit on Mud Island is now looking at an opening date of May 1.

Check out the Orpheum’s 2026-27 Broadway season lineup.

Slider Inn Downtown is hosting a South Main neighborhood mixer tonight starting at 5:30. 2-for-1 margaritas.

The Peaky Grinder is the burger of the week at Momma’s – Angus beef topped with Canadian bacon, sharp white cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and Guinness mayo.

Cordelia’s 11-2 hot lunch specials this week:

• Tue: Milanesa with green spaghetti and black beans
• Wed: Pot roast with rolls
• Thur: The Italian with baked potato salad or Miss Vickie’s sea salt chips
• Fri: Catfish po’boy with fries

New Edition with Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton play FedExForum Thursday.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Arkansas defeated Vanderbilt yesterday to become the SEC men’s basketball champions. The win vaulted them up to a 4 seed in the West when the NCAA tournament bracket came out. The Hogs will face 13 Hawai’i in the first round. If they win, they’ve got the winner of 5 Wisconsin/12 High Point in the second round.

Calipari’s starting to look like a good hire!

Keep your eye on Arkansas PG Darius Acuff Jr. in the tournament… rumor has it that the Memphis Grizzlies front office is keen on him.

In the Midwest, 6 Tennessee has the winner of the 11 seed play-in between Miami of Ohio and SMU. Sounds like a recipe to send the Vols’ bozo fans home early.

Here’s a list of last night’s Oscar winners. It’s the award named after a green Muppet in a garbage can.

Congratulations to Peabody Hotel restaurant Chez Philippe on earning five diamonds from AAA.

From WREG: At the Memphis Zoo, a curious otter paid a gibbon a visit.

WhatNow has more info on Lost Art cocktail bar coming to the corner of S. Main and Pontotoc.

Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls, 7 tonight on FanDuel Sports.

The Orpheum’s 2026-27 season reveal is tonight. Free to attend.

Any of my readers been to KUYA yet? I’m ready for some Filipino food and am thinking about going Thursday or Friday. What should I order? Email me at paul.ryburn@gmail.com and let me know.

Hey, let’s ask AI! Gemini says lumpia (egg rolls), skewers, adobo, and the halo-halo shaved ice dessert.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Longtime readers of my blog know that every beer sold at a bar has a Value Drinking Index.

VDI = ounces * pct. ABV / price

The higher the VDI, the more bang for your drinking dollar.

I had AI agent Google Gemini research VDIs of beers at the Memphis Flying Saucer, leading to this chat. It’s quite interesting and illustrates how AI can be used outside of work.

On to today’s news…

Cordelia’s will have a Giving Grill 11-1 today – get a hot dog, chips, and pesto pasta salad for $5 with proceeds benefiting the Hospitality HUB.

Don’t forget! Beale Street St. Pat’s parade is at 2 today.

Remember, folks, holiday pub crawls whose organizers have a generic name (like Crawls R Fun) nearly always overpromise and disappoint.

Redline Cheer & Dance’s CheerChella is this weekend at the Renasant Convention Center.

A cocktail bar called Lost Art will open in the former Pearl’s Oyster House space.

The former food hall at 409 S. Main could turn into a hub for nonprofits.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Yesterday I wrote that Penny is too “nice” to coach Memphis players, as was Josh Pastner, and that our university would be better off with a men’s basketball head coach who is, for a lack of a better term, an a-hole.

So I asked AI agent Claude to make a list of younger and lesser-known coaches whose style resembles those of Rick Pitino, John Calipari, and Bob Knight. Claude came back with

• Richard Pitino, Xavier
• T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State
• Todd Golden, Florida
• Jerrod Calhoun, Utah State
• Will Wade, NC State
• Takayo Siddle, UNC Wilmington

So there’s ya a list to watch during conference tourney week and March Madness, although Golden and Otzelberger are perhaps already out of Memphis’ reach. Wade is said to have a polarizing personality much like Calipari.

Memphis River Parks seeks a director of finance and an accounting clerk.

The Orpheum seeks a manager of accounting.

Aldo’s Pizza Pies will celebrate St. Patrick’s with a one-day-only pie on the 17th: thinly-sliced corned beef, melted Swiss, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing & caraway seeds.

Memphis Oddity Market happens Saturday 4-9 at The Medicine Factory, 85 W. Virginia.

Cognac Cars & Cigars happens Saturday at Fourth Bluff Park.

Auto-Chlor is hiring a videographer/photographer.

Grind City Throwdown is a latte art battle of the baristas Saturday 5-9 PM at Dr. Bean’s, 387 S. Main. Free to watch, $5 to compete.

Wiseacre Downtown will celebrate Pi Day (3.14) Saturday with live music all day, Little Bettie pizza specials, and a Goner Records pop-up.

Heartbreak Hill Trio plays Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight.

There were some incredible voices at E&H karaoke yesterday. A group was talking about doing “Somebody to Love” by Jefferson Airplane next Thursday – a timeless classic and one of my top 5 favorite songs of all time.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Yesterday I asked AI agent Claude to identify THE up-and-coming neighborhood in Memphis.

Claude picked The Edge.

I revised my query. “No, no, no, Claude, in 2026 The Edge is no longer up-and-coming. It’s already there. It has arrived. I want to know, what neighborhood is where The Edge was 7-8 years ago?”

Claude admitted I had a fair point, thought for a moment, then said Klondike/Smokey City. Claude noted that those neighborhoods are near the beginning of a cycle, not the end.

Now that’s a pick I can get behind.

Klondike is the call — it has the exact cocktail the Edge had: deep history, affordability, a massive anchor project just landed, and nobody outside of community development circles is talking about it yet.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ -Claude

The Grizzlies host Dallas tonight at 7. TV: FanDuel Sports

Corrected correction: Now I’m hearing that Mich Ultra will be the $3 green beer at Bardog Saturday-Tuesday. Rahul who works for the distributor dropped off a tap handle for that purpose this morning.

Penny’s 13-19 Memphis Tigers had their season come to an end yesterday with an 81-69 loss to Tulane. Penny has the same problem Josh Pastner had here – he’s too nice and these 19-year-old players stop taking him seriously after a while. Memphis bball is a program in bad need of a coach who’s an asshole. I wonder how much money we’d have to throw at Rick Pitino to get him here?

There will be a Women Who Build panel discussion on Thursday, March 26 at 5 PM at Soul and Spirits, 845 N. Main. Come meet developers who have broken the glass ceiling.

It’s now possible to pay $500 rent to open a restaurant Downtown.

Cerrito Trivia will host a special-edition St. Paddy’s Day trivia Tuesday at 7 at Max’s Sports Bar. Ireland, booze, and green things are potential topics.

Black Tulip Press will hold a market at Flyway Brewing Saturday 11-6. Literature, readings, chamber music, artwork, handmade goods.

There’s a part-time dishwasher position open at AutoZone Park.

Bass Pro is looking to hire a laundry attendant.

Could a fine for tanking be coming for the Grizzlies?

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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I got in Room in the Inn last night! I spent the night in The Cottage in Germantown. Shepherd’s pie for dinner, sausage egg cheese croissant for breakfast, and a pack full of snacks. Thanks to everyone who sent me good energy.

I asked AI to pick the winner of the upcoming men’s NCAA tournament.

• Claude picked Michigan
• Gemini picked Duke, while also listing Miami (OH) as a sleeper pick
• Perplexity wanted me to pay for an upgrade

Hot N Heavy Dogs will have their cart at Union and Main for lunch Thursday 10:30-2:30.

The Grizzlies are being sued over allegations of racial discrimination on the security team.

Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat scored 83 points in a game against the Washington Wizards last night, an individual total second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 in a 1962 game.

THREE CHEERS to United Airlines for threatening to ban passengers who play videos, talk on FaceTime, play games with sound, etc. on their phones without putting headphones in!!! Such behavior is RUDE to those around you! Restaurants and coffee shops should consider similar bans.

430 Monroe has received a 10-year PILOT to encourage commercial development. Another win for The Edge…

Fly north with geese

Correction: This morning I heard a bartender say that the $3 green beer at Bardog this weekend will be Busch Light, not PBR as I previously reported.

Back tomorrow with more news and another AI-answered question.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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IFTAR AFTER DARK: On Tuesday, March 17, Good Fortune Co. goes halal for one night only, teaming up with the Memphis Muslim community for a night of friendship and delicious food. See Good Fortune’s Facebook page for complete details.

South Main Association’s monthly social is tonight at 6 PM at Doug Carpenter and Associates, 11 W. Huling.

• MPD Sgt. Cathey on the Camera Connect program
• Mack Weaver from Memphis in May
• An opportunity for SMA business members
• Food by KUYA and South Point Grocery
• Drinks by Wiseacre and Southern Glazer’s

This weekend’s events at Downtown’s Irish pub, The Brass Door:

Friday the 13th

• 5 PM – Alice Hasen, traditional Irish fiddler
• 6 PM – Blessing of the Kegs
• 6:30 PM – Dermot & The Pints

Saturday the 14th

• 9 AM – International rugby: Ireland vs. Scotland
• 2 PM – Head to Beale Street for the parade
• 4:30 PM – Dermot & The Pints

The Peabody will celebrate St. Pat’s with Irish tea service in Chez Philippe Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Slider Inn Downtown will celebrate the holiday all day Saturday with DJ sets and vendor pop-ups.

Memphis Joy Orchestra performed at the Union Mission last Friday.

Loflin Yard is hiring bartenders.

The Memphis Made taproom has new hours:

• Fri 4-9 with Opinionation trivia 7-9
• Sat 1-9
• Sun 1-7 with Boss Lady’s line dancing 4-7

I asked Perplexity AI what NCAA tournament seed Penny’s 13-18 Tigers would be in the highly unlikely event they run the table in the American conference tournament and capture its automatic bid. Perp thinks they’d be a 15 or at most a 14.

As for the Grizzlies, their postseason hopes are also slim but not zero. With 19 games left to play, Memphis sits 7 games behind Portland for the final play-in spot.

The Grizzlies tip off in Philly tonight at 6. TV: FanDuel Sports

Flying Saucer has a new burger special, the Get Lucky. It’s a blue cheese-stuffed beef patty with an Irish whiskey glaze, Guinness beer cheese, Tabasco onion straws, arugula, and garlic herb mayo.

The farmers market is hiring an executive director.

Send good vibes my way – there’s a rare men’s-only church partnering with Room in the Inn on a weekday tonight. They can only take 10 men, though, so I’m gonna need some lottery luck.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Penny’s 13-18 Tigers may not be going to the Big Dance, but they punched their ticket to the little dance – the American Conference tournament – with a 96-95 overtime win over Tulane yesterday. The Tigers will travel to Birmingham, where they’ll face Tulane again Wednesday, March 11 at 6 PM. TV: ESPNEWS

Bardog will have the following specials from Saturday, March 14, the day of the Downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade, through the holiday proper on Tuesday, March 17:

• $3 green PBR
• $7 Jameson
• $7 green tea
• $7 car bombs
• $7 Guinness
• Shepherd’s pie
• Corned beef

Flying Saucer’s St. Pat’s celebration is Saturday from 2 PM-til featuring

• Bagpipers
• Blessing of the kegs
• Live music
• Food and drink specials

There’s an ongoing manhunt for a suspect who escaped custody at Regional One yesterday. He’s said to be wearing a black Adidas tracksuit and is wanted on assault, weapons, and drug charges.

The Moxy Hotel on Court Square seeks a public space attendant.

Loflin Yard seeks a food runner.

US Ghost Adventures seeks a ghost tour guide.

The Grizzlies are in Brooklyn for a 6:30 game. TV: FanDuel Sports

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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Today is Senior Day for many college basketball players… but really, in these days of the transfer portal, what does Senior Day mean to a kid who’s attended 4 different colleges in 4 years?

WhatNow reports that burger/wing restaurant Bandos is relocating to 260 Poplar. Previously it had been on Thomas St. just north of Downtown.

There will be a crawfish boil at Loflin Yard next Sunday, March 15.

JOOKINWARZ comes to the Rumba Room this afternoon.

Diana Ross performs at the Orpheum Saturday.

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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Hoodline reports that an unnamed grocer has shown interest in the long-vacant location at 544 Jackson. Such a store would be a major asset to the Uptown neighborhood.

Get a free Classic Edition dubrae (ornamental shoelace tag) tonight at FedExForum as the Grizzlies host the L.A. Clippers. 7 PM. TV: FanDuel Sports

From Far Out magazine: The Memphis bar that inspired a Rolling Stones classic

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