AutoZone Park seeks a premium suite attendant.

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

• Tue: Enchiladas, rice & beans
• Wed: Chicken tostada salad
• Thu: Corned beef Reuben or hot pastrami sandwich & chips
• Fri: Chicken & shrimp pesto linguine

Catch a free screening of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off tonight at Slider Inn Downtown. 7 PM.

Comedians Jeremy Hellwig and Milly McDermott headline a show at Flyway Brewing Saturday night. I wonder if Jeremy is related to the late Ultimate Warrior?

Marcella Simien plays Hotel Pontotoc 7-10 Saturday.

Memphis Record Pressing seeks a graphic designer who can be a brand manager and think in terms of creative strategy.

Jasper Float Spa seeks a licensed massage therapist (LMT).

Humble Drip coffee shop at 7 N. Main will be closed today, Friday, and Monday, June 1. They’ll resume their normal schedule on Tuesday.

Team USA’s World Cup Group D schedule:

• Friday, June 12, 8:00 PM CDT: USA vs. Paraguay in Los Angeles
• Friday, June 19, 2:00 PM CDT: USA vs. Australia in Seattle
• Thursday, June 25, 9:00 PM CDT: Turkiye vs. USA in Los Angeles

The former Commercial Appeal building at 495 Union is set to be torn down, making room for the new Regional One hospital.

Back tomorrow with more news.

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Yesterday morning, I needed to get some information about a local business. So I did a search for it on Facebook. The results contained a link to the business’s Facebook page and a description of the business automatically generated by Meta AI.

That description said the business would be closed until noon in observance of Memorial Day.

I was sitting in the business. It was 8:00 AM and the business was wide open. Had been for 30 minutes. Meta AI was speaking with confidence and it was dead wrong. This is known as hallucination in the AI world.

Business owners/managers, I suggest you check what Meta AI is saying about you frequently.

Okay. The next two warnings are for Downtowners in general.

Watch out for a tall, skinny guy on a bike with a green frame who rides around the Main Street Mall, particularly around Court Square, between sunset and 12:30 AM. He is there to steal your stuff and he is VERY bold.  If you turn your back on your bag for 1 minute, it’ll be gone.

Also watch out for people who try to sell you shoes on the street on Sunday mornings. They get these shoes from a church clothes closet that operates 6:15-7:45 AM. They are not supposed to be turning around and selling the shoes for profit.  If you buy them, you’re potentially taking shoes off the feet of a homeless person who needs them.

Rock the Boat brings the ’70s and ’80s yacht rock to the weekly Peabody rooftop party this Thursday from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. $15 to get in, $40 VIP. VIPs get a buffet of chicken and beef sliders, grilled vegetables, and tater tots.

From WREG: What to expect at the South Main Songwriter Festival June 13-14

Ritual Coffee at 505 S. Main will have its grand opening Wednesday 4:00-6:00 PM. Complimentary light bites. Free drinK ticket for the first 50. Ribbon cutting at 4:15.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
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Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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Cherry-flavored Delirium Red is back on tap at the Flying Saucer.

Elmwood Cemetery will host a Stars, Stripes & Stories tour Tuesday, June 16.

Auditions are coming up for the 2026-27 Grizz Girls, Grizzlies Grannies and Grandpas, and other performance and spirit teams.

Birdie’s sim-golf bar will be closed today for Memorial Day.

Memphis Italian Festival is this weekend in Marquette Park.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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• Two (2) photos of the same cat
• Dill pickle cheese curds
• Sour cream & onion cheese curds
• A small wrapped gift box

You can pick up your crap, er, I mean your belongings, from the bartender on duty. P.S. nice cat.

Follow thatdocumentarygirl on TikTok and IG for recs of good documentaries to watch.

Sorry for the lack of news this weekend. It’s the holiday I guess.

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 pulled back the blanket and pulled my phone just far enough out of my pocket to see the time. It was 5:36.

Suddenly I got an overwhelming feeling to GO DOWNTOWN NOW, even though my first planned stop, Bardog, wouldn’t open until 7:30. I put my shoes on, rushed downstairs, checked my backpack out of overnight storage, and hit the streets. It was obviously about to rain.

At Second and Jefferson, an SUV pulled up and a lady offered a to-go box. As I took it, it started to rain hard – but I quickly made it to Court Square, where there are awnings and scaffolding to stand under.

I opened the to-go box. It contained a huge piece of cornmeal-breaded catfish and a slice of bread. I stayed totally dry while I ate, only getting wet when I ventured out to the trash can to throw my box away. (I don’t litter.)

The rain slowed by 7:05 and I moved to a different awning around the corner on Main. By 7:25 it had cleared up and I walked the remaining block to the ‘dog.

If I hadn’t heeded that nudge – which I firmly believe was from my spirit guides, or angels if you prefer that term – I would have gotten soaked for the entire three-quarter mile walk. Also, I’d have missed out on a delicious and filling breakfast.

If you want to develop a relationship with YOUR spirit guides, join Medium.com for 5 bucks a month and read the posts of Anne Bellamy.

On to the news…

Take a tour of Old Dominick to celebrate National Craft Distillery Day.

Memphis Hope Fest is today in Tom Lee Park from 2 to 8 PM. Celebrate Memphis’ 207th birthday and get connected with local organizations.

There will be a lemon drop festival in Tom Lee Park this Sunday. $45 gets you 10 flavored lemon drops and a souvenir glass.

Trivia: Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day.

The May Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting will be at the Hu. Hotel Wednesday at 5:30. City Councilman JB Smiley will speak. Free beer, wine, and food for members.

The Oscar Meyer Wienie 500 is today at 1 PM. TV: FOX

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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Come in I did. If Soul Burgers are comfort food, C.J. and Kyla play comfort music. The new Wednesday night gig will be a weekly thing, apparently, so mark that on your calendar.

Between songs the musicians broke the news that a gospel brunch is in the works.

Action News 5 posted the following last night:

Want to open a brewery? Now’s your chance. An online auction is underway to sell off equipment from Memphis Made Brewing Company.

In other beer news, the Saucer has a new key lime pie hard seltzer on draft that is delicious.

RIP Memphis wrestling legend and Jackson radio DJ Phil Hickerson. Phil was 79.

Downtown Memphis Commission is hiring an outreach coordinator for its ambassador program.

ARTSmemphis seeks a director of external affairs & communications.

Master Gardeners will be at the Memphis Farmers Market Saturday to answer whatever questions you may have.

The Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward has been named to the NBA’s all-rookie first team.

Downtown restaurant Curry N Jerk is opening a new location in the FedEx World Hub.

Starbucks is looking to add a shift supervisor.

MAJOR comes to the Orpheum Friday night.

Memphis Flyer cover story: The Downtown Project: Tourism

A huge THANK YOU to the reader who stuck a little money in my Venmo yesterday. That’ll allow me to stay at the Union Mission on a night I actually want to be there – Crossroads Baptist Church is coming out with Commissary BBQ sandwiches, slaw, baked beans, and cookies.

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

J Woods Sports Bar is now open in Harbor Town.

Book him, Dan-O! The Hawaii Five-O is the burger of the week at Momma’s: Angus beef topped with grilled pineapple, ham, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, and teriyaki sauce.

All the way from Louisiana, the Lauren Lee Band is here to headline this Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party. 6-10 PM. $15 to get in, $40 VIP.

NBA players recently voted Memphis the number-one franchise they did not want to be traded to.

Ritual Coffee at 505 S. Main will have its grand opening celebration next Wednesday, May 27 from 4 to 6 PM. The first 50 customers will receive a free drink ticket. Ribbon-cutting at 4:15.

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 Lobbyist will have a grand reopening party for its patio Thursday beginning at 5 PM. Food and drink specials.

Ballet dancer Misty Copeland performs at the Cannon Center Saturday.

There will be a Cuban-themed Taste of the City Monday, June 15 at Hotel Pontotoc. Featuring the cuisine of Kyle Gairhan of Buen Sabor.

Butteriffic Bakery & Cafe will have a block party Saturday noon-7 in Army Park, Second at G.E. Patterson. BBQ cooking competition, food trucks, 50 local vendors, live music, kids’ corner, community gathering spaces.

Catch a free showing of The Princess Bride Wednesday night at 7:00 at Slider Inn Downtown.

Tom Lee Park’s new Storybook Trail opens Friday at 4. The trail will feature the pages of Shelby County A to Z, a children’s book.

Outdoors Inc. is closing.

Riverboats docked downtown got broken into recently.

One of the Victorian townhouses on Jefferson is for sale.

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 think there are shrimp on the salad bar at Texas de Brazil
• There are a Captain D’s and Long John Silver’s on Crump
• Bardog has shrimp skewers on its appetizer platter
• Rendezvous does 5 lbs. of BBQ skillet shrimp (feeds about 6) on a day’s notice

There’s a new Jagermeister machine at Bardog. Monday night poker would be a great excuse to try it out.

Yesterday I asked AI agent Google Gemini what traditional gas-powered American cars are still being produced. Not many.

• Dodge Charger, recently revived after a 2023 death sentence;
• Ford Mustang
• Cadillac compact car CT4 and mid-sized CT5
• Chevrolet Corvette

A man faces charges in court this morning regarding setting a food truck parked near St Jude on fire.

A bomb threat was called in Sunday afternoon to MPD’s Downtown precinct.

Sugar Grits now serves lunch beginning at 11 AM. Honestly, I had no idea that place was still open. I hadn’t heard a peep from them or about them in months. The lunch menu is on Facebook.

The Chicago vs. Memphis annual series of parties returns this weekend. Most of the events are out east but your Saturday brunch spots Downtown could fill up early with partygoers pre-gaming.

Stops to see on the Nashville-Memphis drive

It’s going to storm Tuesday.

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

Congratulations to Heath Riles BBQ on repeating as BBQ Fest grand champions!

A bomb threat evacuated the Civil Rights Museum Saturday.

Random things I learned from AI agent Claude yesterday

• Bardog’s building was built in 1920
• Earnestine & Hazel’s building was built in 1918

The Starbucks at Main and Monroe seeks a barista.

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