Paul Ryburn's Journal

The Brass Door will present a Samhain Irish Festival next Saturday, November 1, at the pocket park across the street. It’ll be a fun and free day filled with traditional Irish music, dancing, and culture, and of course food and drink.

We may be near the end of the age of potholes.

The Grizzlies host the Indiana Pacers tonight at 7. The $25 ticket deal celebrating 25 seasons is still in effect. Fans attending get a Grizz trick-or-treat bucket. TV: FanDuel Sports

What Now Memphis has the info on Good Fortune Co.’s upcoming expansion.

New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton are coming to FedExForum March 19.

Today is Hug a Sheep Day.

Because of rain in the forecast, I’m not sure I’ll be able to get out and do a post tomorrow. See you Monday.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Today is National Food Day. Celebrate with a delicious bowl of boiled cabbage.

WREG has a look at the immigration court in Brinkley Plaza and the steps involved in becoming a U.S. citizen.

World Series game 1, Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays (Shohei Ohtani vs. Vladimir Guerrero on the mound), 7 PM CDT tonight. TV: FOX

Y’all. I’m exhausted. I stayed out all night last nigh and was at Earnestine & Hazel’s until 1. Two different groups sang that “all she found was Earl” song. It was awesome. Not the song itself (which is terrible), but the fact that bartenders Dani and Allison couldn’t get on stage and sing it because it had already been done.

There’s an Edgar Allan Poe speakeasy going on at the New Daisy this weekend.

There’s a Fall Fun Fest in Tom Lee Park Saturday 4-8. Face painting, lemonade, and all that other crap kids like. Maybe there’ll be balloon animals or a pony or something. $10 adults/$5 kids.

Dinstuhl’s will have candy apples beginning Tue 10.28… not to be confused with caramel apples, which are already in stock.

Too tired to type more. I contemplated taking today off from posting, but Frupdates gotta frup.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: something weird is going on with that account, please use one of the other payment methods until I get it figured out
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Hello readers, I’ve got my sleuth hat on today and I could use your assistance. Has anyone else had a debit card transaction canceled in the past week or so?

I don’t mean declined. I made a purchase last Friday, there was enough money in the account to cover it, and the transaction completed successfully. Then yesterday – Wednesday, 5 days later – I got a notification on my phone that the purchase had been canceled. I checked and found that the money had been credited back to me.

As luck would have it, I was in the very same business when I got the notification. I told the manager and he was unaware of any reason that would happen. The item I purchased was food, so I couldn’t exactly return it.

Has anyone else had a recent similar experience? If so, could you email me at paul.ryburn@gmail.com and tell me

1. The issuer of the debit card you used;
2. The business where you made the purchase;
3. The time between purchase and cancellation – was it also 5 calendar days/3 business days for you?

Embarrassing news for the NBA today: Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has been arrested on gambling charges involving an illegal poker operation tied to the Mafia. It’s believed more arrests could be coming. Fraud amounts are estimated in eight figures and the Genovese, Gambino, and Bonanno crime families are suspected of involvement.

In better NBA news, Ja Morant put up 35 last night as the Grizzlies won their regular-season opener against New Orleans. Please let us have this version of Ja for a full 82 games!

Next up for the Grizz: Home against the Miami Heat at 7:00 Friday. There’s a $25 (for 25 seasons) ticket deal.

WREG looks at how Meal on Main brought the community together last night, drawing 200. Other neighborhoods are already talking about replicating this very successful event.

An action plan for the neighborhood was announced yesterday at the DMC’s State of Downtown event.

Aldo’s Pizza Pies Downtown has a deal on Grizzlies game days: Show your ticket to the game for $5 glasses of wine all day, as well as $1 off slices and drinks.

Don’t have a ticket to the Grizz game? Enjoy $5 drafts while it’s on TV at Bardog.

Springhill Suites is hiring a front desk agent.

Curious about those Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way signs you’ve been seeing Downtown? Click the link.

Learn about the ways you can celebrate Thanksgiving at the Peabody (or have a Peabody Thanksgiving at home)

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 final Alley Dayz party of the year, presented by the Downtown Memphis Commission, happens tonight 5-7 on Beale Street. Live music by DJ A.D. and Da M-Town Band. Local vendors. Free to attend and a short walk to the Grizzlies’ season opener.

From Memphis magazine: Mud Island, the muddy elephant in the room

Action News 5 looks at crime and arrest data since the Memphis Safe Task force came into existence. The task force’s primary mission is said to be to arrest criminals with outstanding warrants for violent crimes.

School of Rock seeks a studio coordinator.

Renasant Convention Center seeks a maintenance technician.

ChatGPT is launching its own web browser. It’s available for Macs now and will be out for Windows soon.

Recently I’ve posted photos of dinner at the Union Mission on a couple of nights when very generous sponsoring churches supplied the food. That led to a reader request: “Paul, can you show us what dinner looks like on an AVERAGE night, when there is no partner church providing the meal?”

Sure. Here ya go. Taken last night.

A baked chicken leg quarter, dinner roll, rice, green beans, and a Rice Krispy treat for dessert. As you can see, even an “average” meal at the Mission is a step above what you’d find at a soup kitchen. My only complaint would be that the portion sizes are a bit small. Overall, though, I’m very thankful for dinners like this one.

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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Check out the menu for Mitchell’s Breakfast Burritos, operating out of the Rumba Room weekdays 6 AM to 2 PM. There’s also a Mitchell’s location in West Memphis.

Michelle McKissack, a Memphis–Shelby County school board member, competed on The Price Is Right Monday.

Another Grizzly falls to the injury bug: Ty Jerome is out at least four weeks with a calf sprain.

College football games this weekend of interest to this blog’s readers:

Saturday

• 18 South Florida at Memphis, 11:00 AM, ESPN2
• 8 Ole Miss at 13 Oklahoma, 11:00 AM, ABC
• Auburn at Arkansas, 11:45 AM, SEC Network
• 4 Alabama at South Carolina, 2:30 PM, ABC
• 15 Missouri at 10 Vanderbilt, 2:30 PM, ESPN
• 22 Texas at Mississippi State, 3:15 PM, SEC Network
• Georgia Southern at Arkansas State, 6:00 PM, ESPN+
• 3 Texas A&M at 20 LSU, 6:30 PM, ABC
• 17 Tennessee at Kentucky, 6:45 PM, SEC Network

Does anyone else see a problem here?

Memphis and Ole Miss fans are both gonna show up at the bars at 11 expecting their game to be on the best TV.  I can see heated arguments breaking out.

The solution is to go Max’s Sports Bar, where there are many “best” TVs.

Catch Nightmare on Elm Street on Slider Inn Downtown’s patio tonight at 7.

Speaking of Slider Inn, today is the International Day of the Nacho. Celebrate with Nachos for the People.

Today is also National Mezcal Day.

Anne Wilson plays the Orpheum Friday night with support from Jordan Rowe.

Doug Stone’s farewell tour comes to the Halloran Centre Friday night with special guest Megan Barker.

Memphis Symphony Orchestra: SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE comes to the Cannon Center Saturday.

Juvenile Court at 616 Adams is hosting a trunk or treat Saturday 11-3.

Firefox is giving out a free VPN to randomly selected users.

Back tomorrow with more news.

Tip me so I can afford one of those yummy breakfast burritos (most likely the 3 Alarm. I like spicy!): 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Early this morning I was in Bardog getting caffeinated and checking my sources for this blog. An old friend whom I had not seen since the Blind Bear days came in. We chatted and caught up. “I had some really good pizza at the Peabody this weekend,” he told me.

“Wait, WHAT?” I replied. I associate the South’s grand hotel with fine dining and afternoon high tea. Not pizza!

He pulled up Capriccio Grill’s menu on his phone. Sure enough, there was a 12″ wood-fired pizza on there, topped with short rib, gorgonzola, balsamic-onion, arugula, and forest mushroom. So there’s your Downtown dining hidden gem of the day.

Another day, another far-above-average meal at the Union Mission. Last night LaBelle Haven Church brought Salisbury steak with onions, mashed potatoes, green beans, and their signature banana pudding. As Pastor Jeff likes to say, “You know what would go well with that bowl of ‘naner puddin’? Another bowl just like it.”

By the way, THANK YOU to the readers of this blog who tipped me last week, giving me the $6 nightly cover charge at the Mission. As you can see, I spent the money wisely!

Memphis Tigers football fell completely out of the AP poll thanks to its bad loss to UAB. Memphis failed to get even a single vote!

It’s homecoming week for the Tigers as they prepare to host the South Florida Bulls Saturday at 11 AM.

There’s been some confusion as to whether you have to be present to win the hearse parked outside Bardog, to be raffled off at 11:59 PM on October 31 (give or take – you know how bar time works). The answer is NO but you better have your phone’s ringer turned up all the way. If you win but you don’t pick up when they call, they re-draw and you lose.

Kids can trick-or-treat at participating South Main businesses 5-7 PM on the 31st. The final Trolley Night of 2025 will be a haunted one.

Comedian Katt Williams will bring the Golden Age Tour to FedExForum March 6.

It’s Make it a Dozen Monday at Butterific Cafe. Get 12 cookies for $20.25.

WhatNow Memphis has the info on Gussied Up, a new dive bar to open soon in The Edge adjacent to Hard Times Deli. “Our cult favorite burger pop up, Secret Smash Society, will serve from a hidden drive thru window inside the bar,” the owners wrote. Owners, I have a question for you – you gonna have PBR?

Big River Crossing is temporarily closed due to a malfunctioning gate on the Memphis side.

Cordelia’s Market hot lunch specials (11-2) this week

• Today: Shepherd’s pie
• Tue: Cabbage soup and penne
• Wed: No lunch, but they’ll have a holiday tasting 5-9
• Thur: Crawfish Monica
• Fri: Fish and chips

Today is National Mozzarella Stick Day. Huey’s would be my recommendation to celebrate.

Peter Frampton plays the Orpheum Saturday night.

Back tomorrow with more news and a look at weekend college football games.

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 rarely am at the Union Mission for Saturday dinner, but yesterday I came in early to avoid approaching severe weather… and I was rewarded with a fabulous dinner from Faith Baptist Tipton. A HUGE chunk of meatloaf, cheesy buttery mashed potatoes, green beans, a dinner roll, and peach cobbler.

I also solved my problem of staying warm in the upcoming cooler weather, pulling a nice, thick hoodie out of the Mission’s clothes closet. That’ll keep me comfortable on mornings in the 40s. It’s not cold enough to give up the shorts yet.

Wednesday is the regular-season home opener for the Memphis Grizzlies. They tip off against the New Orleans Pelicans at 7. The giveaway will be a 25th anniversary T-shirt.

Unfortunately the team will be without backup point guard Scotty Pippen Jr., out 12 weeks recovering from a toe procedure.

It’ll be a day of craft beer, live music, outdoor games, and 901 Wrestling as Memphis Filling Station hosts Mocktoberfest Saturday.

A Chevy Avalanche crashed into a building at Front and Gayoso this morning.

Today is Dress Like a Dork Day.

It’s also International Gin and Tonic Day.

First Horizon seeks a senior graphic designer.

Cordelia’s Market’s fall festival is today 12-4. Trunk or treat, live music, local vendors, food and drink, costume parade, photos.

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 is National Leggings Day.

The Blue Monkey is selling 12-ounce cans of local beer for only $3.50 all day Sundays and Mondays.

The Saucer will have true crime trivia Tuesday, October 28 at 7 PM.

YogaSix Downtown closes its doors for good Wednesday. They’ll say goodbye with community classes the last three days.

Lenny’s Day is Wednesday. Get any 7½-inch sub for $2.99 with drink purchase. Win free subs for a year. Hourly giveaways. Wednesday is also Rusev Day and NightHawk’s birthday.

AutoZone is hiring a manager for their digital asset program.

Allworld is hiring a project manager trainee.

My undergrad alma mater Rhodes College recently added a data analytics major.

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

RIP Ace Frehley, original lead guitarist of KISS. Rock on, Spaceman.

Severe weather is expected to roll through Memphis in the early evening hours Saturday. Damaging wind gusts are said to be a threat in the storm. Behind the storm, cooler temps are expected – highs around 70, lows around 50.  Yikes, I only have a light windbreaker jacket. And, of course, shorts.

Today is Edge Day. I recommend you celebrate at Slim & Husky’s, Hard Times Deli, or one of the other great restaurants in The Edge. Bonus points if you drive a Ford Edge SUV out there.

The Grizzlies have their final preseason game at the Miami Heat tonight at 7 Central. TV: FanDuel Sports

The Union Mission received and handed out a large donation of Colgate Hum electric toothbrushes yesterday. They came in containers that made them look like giant Old Spice deodorant sticks.

StyleBlueprint has a 15-stop BBQ tour of Memphis.

The DMC has compiled a list of Halloween happenings in Downtown Memphis.

FOX 13 has a look at basketball fans – and the National Guard – on Beale Street last night for the Memphis Tigers’ Ballin’ on Beale.

Uber drivers will soon be able to make extra money training AI.

Are pop songs getting sadder?

That concludes your Frupdate. 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

The Neon Mooners’ outdoor ’90s country show, scheduled for this Saturday at Slider Inn Downtown, has been rescheduled for October 25 due to predicted severe weather.

Want to have ducks as co-workers? Chez Philippe, the French restaurant in the Peabody Hotel, is hiring a fine dining manager. Just think… you could work there for a few years, then put the ducks down as references when you’re ready to move on to the next gig.

Catherine & Mary’s seeks a general manager and a bartender.

From Action News 5: Downtown leaders are begging people to come out (headline paraphrased according to my observations), highlight upcoming events

The CA has 5 Memphis burgers you must try… and 2 of them are on G.E. Patterson Avenue. I’m sure you won’t be surprised to read that one of them is the Soul Burger at Earnestine & Hazel’s. The unpretentious but delicious burger at Renee’s Sandwich Shop is the other.

Action News 5 has a look at the upcoming Meal on Main, which will LITERALLY be on Main.

From Vanity Fair: Book preview by Virginia Giuffre describing her treatment by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago when Giuffre was 16

MLK50 has an article on how the homeless are faring now that the Safe Memphis task force is in town.

I stayed at the Union Mission last night… and in addition to the shower, meal, and sleep, I got a new pair of shoes. I wear the same size as one of the pastors there and he keeps an eye out for me. Elastic shoelaces are the best.

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
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com