(KPF [QWT UV[NG CV &KNNCTFoU 6JG /CNN CV )TGGP *KNNU 0CUJXKNNG 4KXGTICVG /CNN )QQFNGVVUXKNNG %QQNURTKPIU )CNNGTKC (TCPMNKP 5VQPGU 4KXGT /CNN /WTHTGGUDQTQ )QXGPQToU 5SWCTG %NCTMUXKNNG
TN-000107339 TN-000 TN-0001073398 1073398 107339 8
Kroger is donating
2.5 million to local schools & nonprofits $
And you can help! To get started, enroll at Kroger.com/CommunityRewards Then, just swipe your Plus Card every time you shop, and you’ll earn rewards for your favorite local organization! Thank you for helping Kroger support local nonprofits through Community Rewards.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS: PUBLISHER’S LETTER
AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO THE IT CITY
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Laura Hollingsworth
publisher@tennessean.com
NEWS DIRECTOR Maria De Varenne
mdevarenne@tennessean.com
CONSUMER EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR David Anesta
danesta@tennessean.com
VICE PRESIDENT/ MARKETING & STRATEGY Jim Weigert
Get to know LivinNash M
usic City is hot right now, and thousands of newcomers like you have decided to call it home. Nashville and the surrounding region have much to offer — from great music, food and sports to world-class parks, greenways, rivers and scenic lakes.
jweigert@tennessean.com
VICE PRESIDENT/ ADVERTISING Dan Krolczyk
dkrolczyk@tennessean.com
CONTENT STRATEGIST Duane Gang
dgang@tennessean.com
COMMUNITY CONTENT EDITOR Julie Dwyer
jdwyer@tennessean.com
PRODUCER Brian Belt
bbelt@tennessean.com
FEATURES TEAM LEADER Brian Goins
bgoins@tennessean.com
DESIGNER Heather Shije-Page
hsshije@tennessean.com
DESIGNER Tylor Loposser
tloposser@tennessean.com
Not only that, but we’re a friendly city with sense of community. We think it is a pretty great place, too. A team from The Tennessean, many of them newcomers themselves, came together with the mission to create the “insider’s” guide to just about everything you need to know about the area as you make it home. Here, you’ll find where Nashvillians go to live, shop and play and make the most of life in Middle Tennessee. Inside, you’ll find snapshots of Nashville and Middle Tennessee neighborhoods, with details on each one’s personality, unique hot spots and places to shop. Our own Ms. Cheap, food columnist Jim Myers, sports columnist Dave Ammenheuser, The Tennessean’s music team and others have shared their expertise, too, spotlighting area bargains, the city’s dining scene and must-see sports and live music venues. If you like to dine out, you won’t want to miss Nashville Lifestyles’ picks for the 25 best Nashville restaurants. There’s also information on volunteering, resources for our city’s growing creative scene and a guide to area parks and greenways. But LivinNash is much more than this magazine. LivinNash.com is your everyday, go-to digital guide to the “It” city. At LivinNash.com, we’re updating constantly to provide you the most relevant information about living in our area.
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We have a fun, lively Podcast series — hosted by the newcomers on our staff and our Nashville natives — to help you navigate Music City. We’ll bring you engaging video from your neighborhood and beyond and award-winning coverage to get you grounded in the Nashville sports scene. Each week, you’ll find information about the latest shopping deals and new stores popping up near you. You can read about the region’s growing economy and thriving health care sector. Our columnists and regular contributors will help you navigate everything from local real estate to personal finance. And you’ll find updates on the best concerts to catch and new restaurants to try. Don’t miss the “Where We Live” section, a guide to neighborhood news throughout Nashville and the region. Each month, we’ll also bring you something we call the Simple Answer, where we break down the complex and little-known aspects of life in Middle Tennessee. Why are some of our roads called pikes? What makes a whiskey a Tennessee Whiskey? The Simple Answer will tell you. We strive every day to actively influence and better the quality of life here in our home, and LivinNash is just one way we do that. We hope you enjoy this edition of LivinNash, and then check out and bookmark LivinNash.com for much more! — Laura Hollingsworth
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHERE WE LIVE
THINGS TO DO
» Live music spots every newcomer needs to know about. 60
Your guide to Nashville’s hottest neighborhoods and what makes them unique: Davidson County, 8 Wilson County, 24 Williamson County, 26 Sumner County, 32 Rutherford County, 34
» Ms. Cheap shares her favorite free and cheap places to visit. 64 » Popular Nashville attractions. 70
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COVER STORY
A group of Tennessean newcomers and longtime Nashvillians share what you need to know about your new home, from choosing a neighborhood to making friends and exploring the city. 46
ON THE COVER
CONSTRUCTED & DESIGNED BY TYLOR LOPOSSER
GET INVOLVED
Volunteerism is a big part of what defines Music City and a great way to engage. 58
» Food columnist Jim Myers recommends seven restaurants that will help you understand Nashville’s dining scene. 76 » Nashville Lifestyles’ picks for 25 best Nashville restaurants. 78 » Sports columnist Dave Ammenheuser spotlights the area’s must-see athletic teams, venues and events. 86 » Five Nashvillians you need to meet, according to Brad Schmitt. 92 » A guide to Middle Tennessee parks and greenways. 94
JOBS
Resources for our city’s growing creative scene. 40 l
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Time: 09-29-2015 14:41 Product: NASMag2
PubDate: 09-27-2015
Zone: LivinNash
Edition: 1 Page: Special-G
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NEIGHBORHOODS: DOWNTOWN
LIVE, SHOP, PLAY AS WE GROW
Housing options, commercial tenants are among additions
Getahn Ward gward@tennessean.com
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lder Nashvillians remember downtown as largely a place to work and play at Lower Broadway bars with limited shopping options. Now for more than 8,300 people including telecommunications executive Parker Turner, it’s also home. And in addition to swanky condos and apartment towers, new office buildings and hotels are further expanding the reach of increasingly mixed-used neighborhoods. After picking Nashville to relocate from Sarasota, Fla., Turner and his dog Bella settled into a condo at the Twelve Twelve residential tower in the Gulch in March. “It’s a thriving area with new construction, new additions every month,” Turner, 31, said, attributing his choice of downtown Nashville to quality of life. “And the people that live here are very active and vivacious.” Turner said he’s overwhelmed by the number of social activities and events. He cites the new ballpark for the Nashville Sounds, the newly opened Ascend Amphitheater on the riverfront and many new restaurants and hotels as signs of Nashville’s transformation into an even more desirable place to live. Turner also enjoys using ride-sharing services, and with Bella tagging along driving in his truck to Centennial Park. “I really like the ability to take Uber everywhere,” he said. “I hardly ever drive.” Over 14 years through last year, downtown’s population grew 300 percent, according to the Nashville Downtown Partnership and U.S. census data.
DOWNTOWN The Partnership defines downtown as bordered by Jefferson Street on the north, the Cumberland River on the east, and the interstate loop on the south and west. Like Parker, most residents live in the apartment and condo towers being built in areas such as the Gulch and SoBro mostly after residential zoning was reintroduced downtown during the mid-1990s. Single-family homes are concentrated in the Hope Gardens neighborhood near the Nashville Farmers’ Market. There’s a record-low just over a month of inventory of downtown condos for resale, while apartment units are 97 percent occupied, said Tamara Dickson, vice president of economic development with the Nashville Downtown Partnership. “Looking at everything under construction or planned downtown, we can expect to have 15,000 residents here by the end of 2018,” she said. New office buildings such as Gulch Crossing and construction under way of Eakin Partners’ 1201 Demonbreum and headquarters for Bridgestone Americas and two subsidiaries of the HCA hospital chain are expected to bring thousands of new workers downtown. l
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THINGS TO DO » Top shopping spots: Lower Broadway, The Arcade, The Gulch » Restaurants: Virago, Prima, Kayne Prime » Attractions: Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, Ascend Amphitheater » Entertainment: The Listening Room, First Tennessee Park » Schools: Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High » Fun facts: Printer’s Alley was a publishing hub before becoming a nightclub district. — Picks by new downtown resident Parker Turner; other information from The Tennessean
A planned redevelopment of the city’s old convention center at Broadway and Fifth Avenue also should provide new retail options, while retail space also is part of the master plan for the Capitol View mixed-use project in the North Gulch. “There’s a shortage of locations for retailers wanting a presence there,” Dickson said about downtown. Reach Getahn Ward at 615-726-5968 and on Twitter @getahn.
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Time: 09-29-2015 14:41 Product: NASMag2
PubDate: 09-27-2015
Zone: LivinNash
Edition: 1 Page: Special-H
DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE PARTNERSHIP’S
DOWNTOWN: GETTY IMAGES; SATION INN & PARKER TURNER: JAE S. LEE; PRIMA: ANDREA BEHRENDS
User: jbscott
2015 RESIDENTIAL SURVEY RESULTS
FOUR MOST POSITIVE INFLUENCES FOR CONTINUING TO LIVE DOWNTOWN 1. (tie) Urban experience and location – convenience (46%) 3. Arts & cultural events (32%) 4. Restaurant selection (31%) 5. Nightlife (30%)
THREE ELEMENTS NEEDING MOST IMPROVEMENT DOWNTOWN 1. Grocery store options (59%) 2. Panhandlers (36%) 3. Retail options (34%)
RESTAURANT TYPES DESIRED BY RESIDENTS 1. Chef-owned local restaurants (35%) 2. Healthy/salad bar (31%) 3. Seafood (25%)
Retail types desired by residents 1. Grocery and produce (68%) 2. Movie theater (43%) 3. Drugstore (27%) 4. Clothes and shoes (24%)
PRIMA
Results based on 442 completed surveys (11% response rate)
meet
PARKER &BELLA
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NEIGHBORHOODS: 12SOUTH
THINGS TO DO 12 South Taproom & Grill: Drink a craft beer on the taproom’s patio or go inside, soaking in the business’ casual, eclectic ambiance. Grab a bite to eat while you’re there. 2318 12th Ave. S. 12southtaproom.com
Las Paletas: If you want a refreshing snack, try one of their traditional Mexican treats, similar to ice pops. They use fresh ingredients to make their fruit and creambased paletas, and offer 20 or more flavors each day. 2911 12th Ave. S.
EMERSON GRACE
REVIVED BY RESTORATION Once-blighted area now stylish, charming place to live, play Holly Meyer hmeyer@tennessean.com
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he neighborhood south of The Gulch and downtown Nashville is one of the city’s restored communities. The wave of redevelopment in the once-blighted area began a generation ago, and it has transformed 12South into one of Nashville’s most desirable neighborhoods. Restaurants, bars and boutique shops line 12th Avenue South, whose pedestrian-friendly bustle divides the otherwise residential community. Primarily made up of single-family homes, houses in the neighborhood can fetch prices of $600,000 and higher. Shoppers can enjoy upscale retail options, such as Hero and Emerson Grace. Hungry residents and visitors can choose from a variety of both fine-dining and casual eateries, including Josephine and Edley’s Bar-B-Que. Sevier Park, on the southern edge of the community, is a popular neighborhood gathering spot. The 20-acre green space offers playgrounds, picnic shelters and walking trails, as well as the Sevier Park Community Center and the 12South Farmer’s Market.
EDLEY'S BAR-B-QUE The farmers market operates from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and features produce and meat stands, music and food trucks. The Sevier Park Fest, which helps raise money to maintain the park, happens every May. Reach Holly Meyer at 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer. l
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Imogene + Willie: This high-end denim label and storefront calls 12South home. The owners manufacture what they can at their Nashville location, and all design, pattern making and fit development are done in the shop. 2601 12th Ave. S. imogeneandwillie.com
POPSICLE : GETTY IMAGES; EMERSON GRACE: GEORGE WALKER IV ; EDLEY’S BAR-B-QUE THE TENNESSEAN
laspaletasnashville.com
SHELBY PARK: SAMUEL M. SIMPKINS ; THE PHARMACY: TENNESSEAN
NEIGHBORHOODS: EAST NASHVILLE
YOUNG, HIP AND CREATIVE This laid-back and eclectic area offers diversity for residents
Holly Meyer hmeyer@tennessean.com
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aid-back and eclectic East Nashville attracts the young, hip and creative, but a diverse group of the city’s residents call the community home. In recent decades, a strong revitalization effort has taken the onceforgotten neighborhood and transformed it into a vibrant and well-loved part of the city. East Nashville, across the Cumberland River from downtown Nashville, keeps growing as it continues to attract trendy retailers and restaurants that complement residential projects, including the remodeling of existing homes. The near-constant change often has residents and community officials searching for the balance between new development and maintaining the fabric of the neighborhood.
A key focal point of East Nashville is the quirky Five Points, a Woodland Street intersection lined with bars and restaurants. Visitors can grab a slice at Five Points Pizza, a beer at 3 Crow Bar and a show at The 5 Spot. But Five Points doesn’t have a monopoly on fun, East Nashville offers a variety of places to hang out, including the Shoppes on Fatherland, a retail startup community of more than 20 local businesses. East Nashville also is home to a community gem: Shelby Park. The large multi-use park sits alongside the Cumberland River and features playgrounds, a dog park, ballfields and the Shelby Park Community Center. The Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Nature Park and its miles of paved and primitive trails can be accessed from Shelby Park. Reach Holly Meyer at 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.
FARM BURGER & TATER TOTS
THINGS TO DO
at The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden
The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden: Eat a handcrafted burger, drink a cold beverage and enjoy the ambiance of this restaurant’s beer garden. 731 Mcferrin Ave. thepharmacynashville.com
The 5 Spot: Grab a drink and listen to live music at this hip Five Points hangout. On the second Wednesday of every month, hear a tight-knit group of local Americana artists sing classic country songs during Country & Western Wednesday. 1006 Forrest Ave. the5spotlive.com Shelby Bottoms Greenway: Bike or walk the greenway’s more than 10 miles of paved and primitive trails. The greenway runs along the Cumberland River and features bottomland hardwood forests, open fields, wetlands and streams.
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Time: 09-29-2015 14:42
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Zone: LivinNash
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NEIGHBORHOODS: HILLSBORO VILLAGE
STEP INTO A LIVELY SCENE
Area offers variety of locally owned retailers, restaurants
Lizzy Alfs lalfs@tennessean.com
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nce a streetcar suburb just southwest of downtown Nashville, Hillsboro Village has evolved into a lively shopping and entertainment district that draws visitors from across the region. Commercial development started taking shape in the neighborhood in 1920, when two grocery stores and a drugstore opened. A post office, dry cleaners and more food stores followed. Today, Hillsboro Village is home to a mix of restaurants and retailers, the majority of which are locally owned. A line of customers often trails outside the decades-old Pancake Pantry, while the nonprofit, independent Belcourt Theatre is a longtime Nashville favorite.
BELCOURT THEATRE
Meanwhile, recent development and steadily rising rental rates have brought more urban residents and retail changes to the walkable neighborhood. Hillsboro Village is nestled between Belmont, Vanderbilt and Lipscomb universities, and the neighborhood attracts students, professors, musicians, young families and those who have lived in the area for decades. Tree-lined streets and heavily populated sidewalks characterize the area that also boasts high real estate values. In the early 1900s, depending on the decade, bungalows, cottages, foursquare and Tudor homes were built, many of which still stand today, alongside more contemporary designs. Hillsboro Village also has a popular urban park with picnic tables, tennis courts, a full playground and a mosaic dragon structure.
THE DRAGON MURAL
Reach Lizzy Alfs at 615-726-5948 and on Twitter @lizzyalfs.
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HILLSBORO VILLAGE
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PubDate: 09-27-2015
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THINGS TO DO What to do: Visit the nonprofit, independent Belcourt Theatre in the historic building at 2102 Belcourt Ave. for film, music and performing arts events. Where to shop: Hillsboro Village has more than a half-dozen boutiques on a two-block span along 21st Avenue. Options include mainstays, such as the eclectic clothing and gift shop Pangaea, and newcomers such as Native + Nomad and Revv. Where to eat: Longtime Nashville restaurateur Bob Bernstein opened Fido at 1812 21st Ave. in 1996. The casual coffeehouse and restaurant serves an all-day menu and emphasizes organic and local food. Bonus: Fido also has a limited selection of wine and beer.
Start the Rest of your Life Today. Judy Turner
I am an experienced and certiďŹ ed Realtor helping families who are buying or selling a home in the Nashville Area and surrounding counties. I am a trusted source for information about the process from the start through the closing and beyond. Contact me today!
Realtor/Broker ABR,CRS,GRI,SFR Senior Residential Specialist www.CallJudyTurner.com Office: 615-822-8585 Direct: 615-972-4355 Email: TurnerJu@realtracs.com
TN-0001073111
Time: 09-29-2015 14:42
BELCOURT THEATER: SHELLEY MAYS ; HILLSBORO VILLAGE: JAE S.LEE ; DRAGON MURAL: THE TENNESSEAN; PANCAKES: GETTY IMAGES
User: jbscott
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User: jbscott
Time: 09-29-2015 14:43
Product: NASMag2
PubDate: 09-27-2015
Zone: LivinNash
Edition: 1 Page: Special-M
NEIGHBORHOODS: GERMANTOWN
GRAB A TASTE OF FOODIE CULTURE
After years of steady growth, area has become a posh dining destination Holly Fletcher hfletcher@tennessean.com
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ermantown and its next-door neighbor Salemtown are having an “it” moment after several years of steady growth. The neighborhoods bounded by Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, Jefferson Street and the Cumberland River are an epicenter of the city’s hottest places to eat and drink. It’s best, and nearly required, to have a reservation at most of the restaurants on weekends. Germantown Cafe, Rolf and Daughters and City House along with newcomers 5th & Taylor and Butchertown Hall bustle with cocktail sippers who venture over for a night out. It’s easy to get around. The commute from downtown or Midtown is minutes long, and East Nashville is a quick drive across the Jefferson Street bridge. The local composition is swiftly changing from a poor to working-class neighborhood to a posh destination neighborhood. Home and townhouse prices are booming — a 3,000-square-foot townhome recently sold for more than $1 million, setting a record. The longtime fabric and old Nashville staples, such as meat-and-threes, are vanishing, highlighting a clear distinction between those who want the neighborhood to retain a mix of affordable housing with those who want to be surrounded by the growing number of coffee shops and yoga studios. Nashville’s minor league baseball team, the Sounds, play at the new First Tennessee Park, which brings spectators several nights a week for the seven-month season.
GERMANTOWN Parking is a headache for those on date night and for residents — although some additional parking, particularly for the baseball stadium, is being built. Some homes, both rental and to purchase, have street parking that can be overtaken by visitors. The area is on a trajectory for more commercial bustle. The Nashville Farmers’ Market is rebranding as a local produce staple and offers a variety of quick fare during the weekdays with varying weekend hours. Germantown is light on — or almost fully lacking — fast-casual restaurants, although that could change as more apartment buildings crop up and baseball fans clamor for quicker fare. 312 Pizza, known across the city for its Chicago-style pizza, changed up its menu recently to offer a wider variety of faster food as alternatives to the deep-dish pies, which can take 45 minutes to bake.
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THINGS TO DO
COFFEE: GETTY IMAGES; BUTCHERTOWN HALL: ALAN POIZNER; GERMANTOWN; SUBMITTED
User: jbscott
• BUY NOW, EAT LATER Lazzaroli Pasta, 1314 Fifth Ave. N.; www.lazzaroli.com Little’s Fish Company, 1234 Sixth Ave. N.; www.littlesfishcompany.com • CLASSIC BITES Mad Platter, 1239 Sixth Ave. N.; www.madplatternashville.com Monell’s, 1235 Sixth Ave. N.; http://monellstn.com Germantown Cafe, 1200 Fifth Ave. N.; http://germantowncafe.com • MAKE RESERVATIONS City House, 1222 Fourth Ave. N.; http://cityhousenashville.com Fifth & Taylor, 1411 Fifth Ave. N.; www.5thandtaylor.com Butchertown Hall, 1416 Fourth Ave. N.; www.butchertownhall.com Silo, 1121 Fifth Ave. N., www.silotn.com Rolf and Daughters, 700 Taylor St.; www.rolfanddaughters.com • SIPS AND SWEETS Red Bicycle Coffee & Crepes, 1200 Fifth Ave. N.; www.redbicyclecoffee.com Steadfast Coffee, 603 Taylor St.; http://steadfast.coffee Tempur Chocolate Shoppe, 1201 Fifth Ave. N.; http://temperednashville.com Christie’s Cookies, 1205 Third Ave. N.; www.christiecookies.com The Cupcake Collection, 1213 Sixth Ave. N.; www.thecupcakecollection.com
Product: NASMag2
PubDate: 09-27-2015
Zone: LivinNash
Edition: 1 Page: Special-N
Meeting & Exceeding Your Real Estate Needs With a proven track record, Susan is listed as one of the top 3 real estate agents in middle Tennessee for consecutive years & Top Agent for PARKS. Call Susan For Your Real Estate Needs!
Susan Gregory 615.207.5600 gregorys@realtracs.com
8119 Isabella Lane - Brentwood, TN 37027 - 615.370.8669
W W W. H O M E S A R O U N D N A S H V I L L E T N . C O M
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Time: 09-29-2015 14:43
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PubDate: 09-27-2015
Zone: LivinNash
Edition: 1 Page: Special-O
NEIGHBORHOODS: GREEN HILLS
SHOPPING OPTIONS ABOUND
Peruse the mall, grab a good book, enjoy some lunch, all within this bustling strip
Holly Meyer hmeyer@tennessean.com
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reen Hills is home to a plethora of restaurants and retail, marking the affluent neighborhood as one of Nashville’s main shopping centers. Businesses line the ever-busy Hillsboro Pike that runs through the heart of the community, about five miles south of downtown. While the neighborhood remains vehicle-focused, its core retail area is walkable.
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THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY AT THE MALL AT GREEN HILLS The upscale Mall at Green Hills and the Trader Joe’s grocery store are popular spots for residents and visitors alike. The Mall at Green Hills has grown dramatically since it opened in 1954 as a two-story, open-air strip center, which was enclosed by 1984. Today, the mall boasts more than 100 specialty stores, including luxury brands such as Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Nordstrom, Tiffany & Co. and Tory Burch. Travel just a few blocks south to find another high-end shopping experience at The Hill Center Green Hills. The mixed-use outdoor lifestyle center is anchored by Anthropologie and Whole Foods and features more than 20 specialty shops and four restaurants. In addition to shopping options, Green Hills also is home to the faith-based, liberal arts school Lipscomb University, the Metro public school Hillsboro High School, as well as a branch of the Nashville Public Library. Tucked into a strip mall along Hillsboro Pike is the Bluebird Cafe, an iconic
country music club that has grown in popularity after becoming a staple setting for ABC’s drama “Nashville.” The 90-seat listening room has welcomed some of the industry’s most significant artists and songwriters to its stage. Reach Holly Meyer at 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.
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BOOKS & SHOPPING BAG; GETTY IMAGES; THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY & PARNASSUS BOOKS: THE TENNESSEAN; TABLE 3: JAE S. LEE
User: jbscott
Product: NASMag2
PubDate: 09-27-2015
Zone: LivinNash
Edition: 1 Page: Special-P
TABLE 3
THINGS TO DO
PARNASSUS BOOKS
» Parnassus Books: Visit this independent bookstore co-owned by bestselling author Ann Patchett and publishing veteran Karen Hayes. Don’t be surprised if you’re greeted by one of its four-legged friends, the shop dogs. Hillsboro Plaza Shopping Center, 3900 Hillsboro Pike; www.parnassusbooks.net » The Greenhouse: Grab a beer or cocktail at this unique bar that has a look and feel inspired by its namesake. The bar is connected with The Food Company restaurant next door. 2211 Bandywood Drive; 615-385-3357 » Table 3 Restaurant & Market: If you’re hungry, visit this authentic brasserie/ bistro and dine in a setting that combines contemporary design with an old world atmosphere. 3821 Green Hills Village Drive; www.table3nashville.com
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NEIGHBORHOODS: THE NATIONS
THE STONE FOX
Hammers, power saws echo along with laughter of children as families move in to ever-evolving area
Adam Tamburin atamburin@tennessean.com
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t’s a familiar sound in The Nations. Hammers and power saws echoing along with kids’ laughter during afternoon bike rides. One recent estimate suggested hundreds of homes in the neighborhood of Charlotte Pike are under construction, and it’s not hard to believe. Several posh new townhomes were built in this neighborhood after the May 2010 flood, which destroyed several homes and drove many residents to sell. Now they’re replacing old houses on almost every block, and quickly luring young families and professionals to the area. The influx of newcomers has attracted a carousel of trendy developments, shops and restaurants, including The Stone Fox, Fifty First Kitchen & Bar and the new location of Fat Bottom Brewery, which is still under construction. But not everyone is thrilled with The Nations’ status as a new hipster hotbed. Some folks worry
that new developments and skyrocketing home values will squelch the neighborhood’s diversity. The neighborhood association has worked with residents to develop a vision that might help steer future development. And the recent Metro Council race brought concerns about affordable housing and smart development to the fore. Reach Adam Tamburin at 615-726-5986 and on Twitter @tamburintweets.
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Many have speculated on how The Nations neighborhood got its name — was it because all the streets are named after states or because of its ethnically diverse population? Brian Diller, executive director at St. Luke’s Community House on New York Avenue, said the truth stretches back to the earliest Nashvillians. Before colonization, different Native American tribal nations would meet there to communicate with each other. CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT: GETTY IMAGES; THE STONE FOX: ALAN POIZNER
EXCITING CHANGES
NAMING THE NATIONS
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NEIGHBORHOODS: BELLEVUE
HUB FOR FAMILIES
This longtime residential nook of Davidson County contines to see growth
BISCUITS & JAM
Jen Todd jtodd1@tennessean.com
AT LOVELESS CAFE RED CABOOSE PARK Residents can get in touch with nature at Warner Parks, Harpeth River State Park and the organic farm Green Door Gourmet, as well as enjoy the playground and an occasional concert at Red Caboose Park. Reach Jen Todd at 615-313-2760 or on Twitter @jentoddwrites.
SRI GANESHA TEMPLE
THINGS TO DO » Loveless Cafe: Famous for its fluffy biscuits, this historic Southern eatery has captured the appeal of countless chefs, celebrities and, of course, locals. 8400 Hwy. 100, www.lovelesscafe.com » McKay Used Books: This hub of used books, CDs, movies, vinyls, video games and more moved from Charlotte Pike and now calls Bellevue home. 636 Old Hickory Blvd., www.mckaybooks.com » Sri Ganesha Temple: Built in 1985, this active Hindu temple boasts intricate architecture and welcomes the public to take a guided tour and learn more about the Hindi culture. 527 Old Hickory Blvd., www.ganeshatempletn.org
SRI GANESHA TEMPLE: THEN TENNESSEAN; RED CABOOSE PARK: GEORGE WALKER IV; LOVELESS: SUBMITTED
W
hile many Nashville neighborhoods have seen an influx of condos, apartments, shops and more, Bellevue has remained a family-friendly residential nook in southwest Davidson County. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t getting attention. After a hard hit from the 2010 flood, the neighborhood has a new public library, the Royal Range in the renovated Regal theater, plus plans for a new high school, movie theater, hotel, Sprout Farmers Market and more.
NEIGHBORHOODS: DONELSON
THE NOSEY FLYNN BAND AT MCNAMARA’S IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT
YOUNG, HIP MAKE IT HOME Donelson has emerged among most desirable suburbs Holly Meyer hmeyer@tennessean.com
D
onelson has emerged as one of Nashville’s most desirable suburbs, especially among young families who feel priced out of other neighborhoods. Realtors report that home buyers are engaging in bidding wars in order to move into the nowpopular community, which is just a few miles east of downtown Nashville. Residents have helped give the community, long known as a quiet place along Interstate 40 and Lebanon Road, a new identity — Hip Donelson. The idea of Hip Donelson started in 2009 with a Facebook group by the same name. It has grown into a key community resource, and also has offered financial support to the area’s schools and nonprofit groups. In addition to its ranch-style homes, Donelson is home to several amenities that draw people to l
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the community, including the Music City Star commuter rail service and outdoor recreation options, such as the Stones River Greenway and Two Rivers Park. The 374-acre park is in the heart of the community and offers wave-action swimming pools, a skate park and a golf course. The farmers market, on Lebanon Pike in the Ace Hardware parking lot, is a weekly summertime staple for the community. The market welcomed 60,000 visitors in 2014 and operates 4 to 7 p.m. on Fridays from May to October. Reach Holly Meyer at 615-2598241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.
» Phat Bites: Grab a beer and a sandwich at this charming, hippie-esque delicatessen. Stick around for the live music and stand-up comedy. 2730 b. Lebanon Pike phatbites.com » McNamara’s Irish Pub: A well-known authentic Irish pub. From music to food, the restaurant is dedicated to giving its patrons an experience found throughout Ireland. 2740 Old Lebanon Road mcnamarasirishpub.com » Stones River Greenway: Take a bike ride on the greenway that runs through the community. It connects to Shelby Bottoms and the Percy Priest Dam.
BICYCLE: GETTY IMAGES; MCNAMARA’S IRISH PUB: JOHN PARTIPILO
THINGS TO DO
NEIGHBORHOODS: NORTH NASHVILLE
HISTORY & PROGRESS
In a community known for its celebrated past, this diverse area is arguably in a class all its own Dave Paulson dnpaulson@tennessean.com
I
n a town teeming with celebrated history, North Nashville is arguably in a class of its own. Almost a century before country music took over Nashville, Fisk University’s Jubilee Singers were making “Music City” internationally known. North Nashville is where students from the area’s numerous schools (Fisk, Meharry Medical College and what’s now known as Tennessee State University) planned sit-ins and boycotts of local businesses during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. At that same time, rock-and-roll legends such as Little Richard and Jimi Hendrix frequented the famous nightclubs of | Jefferson Street. Today, the area is in the midst of a momentous new chapter. The new Nashville Sounds ballpark — First Tennessee Park — opened in the area known as Sulphur Dell in April, and 2012 saw the opening of the 28th/31st Avenue Connector, an $18 million project that allows easier passage between the area and Nashville’s West End.
Among the biggest changes in recent decades: the nearby redevelopment of the historic Germantown, Hope Gardens, Salemtown and Buena Vista neighborhoods, which has brought more families and young professionals to the area. MetroCenter also is based in North Nashville and is home to the Tennessee Titans’ headquarters and Watkins College of Art, Design and Film. Jefferson Street United Merchant’s Partnership has spearheaded the rejuvenation of businesses on Jefferson Street. Today, more than 100 businesses and organizations are J.U.M.P. members. “Heritage Plaza” isn’t the only way North Nashville’s history is being preserved as new developments abound. In June, J.U.M.P. produced the 14th annual Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival, which celebrates the area’s rich musical traditions.
EXPLORE HISTORY » Jefferson Street: The area was a hotbed for rhythm and blues from the mid-1940s through the ’60s. Among the legends who performed at its clubs: Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Otis Redding and Etta James. » Historic schools: Fisk University, Meharry Medical College and Tennessee State University are all centered in North Nashville.
FISK UNIVERSITY’S JUBILEE SINGERS
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BAND BOX: KAREN MITCHELL; JUBILEE SINGERS: SHELLEY MAYS
THE BAND BOX AT FIRST TENNESSEE PARK, HOME OF THE NASHVILLE SOUNDS
Brentwo o d
Morgan Farms is settled among the rolling hills of prestigious Brentwood with the feel of a sophisticated country estate. Forestar Group has gone to great lengths to maintain the natural beauty of the countryside while creating a community unlike any other in Middle Tennessee.
THE MANOR
Custom Homes from $1 million The Manor consists of custom homes built by some of the best custom home builders in the Middle Tennessee area: Barlow Builders, Firethorne Custom Homes and Hidden Valley Homes. Each home design will incorporate your unique tastes in order to provide a home that is distinctly you. Home prices begin at $1 million.
For more information or make an appointment 615-300-4695 or visit www.MorganFarmsLiving.com
Cindy Jasper
Hidden Valley +
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DIRECTIONS: From Nashville, take I-65 south to Mooreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lane exit east. Right on Wilson Pike. Left on Split Log Road. Morgan Farms is on the right.
FAMILY: LARRY MCCORMACK; CHILD: SHELLEY MAYS
NEIGHBORHOODS: MT. JULIET
EDGE CITY GROWING
Influx of residents brings many retailers, restaurants
Andy Humbles ahumbles@tennessean.com
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t. Juliet grew 98 percent from 2000 to 2010 and has continued growing becoming the edge city to Nashville many leaders envisioned. The steady influx of new rooftops that put Mt. Juliet’s population at more than 28,000 also has brought a bevy of retailers and restaurants to give residents plenty of options in town. Proximity to nearby lakes, often more affordable housing options compared to other Middle Tennessee neighborhoods and the Wilson County school system have all been selling points for the city. Mt. Juliet also has been recognized for playful and safe city awards. Keeping up with infrastructure has been a challenge with multiple new and widening road projects attempting to keep up with substantially increased traffic demands. The city restarted its own fire department in 2013 after 27 years and the Mt. Juliet Police Department recently moved out of a shared space at City Hall into its own facility at the former Joy Church, which was renovated. Mt. Juliet’s library is being expanded as well. Leaders also have tried to provide more jobs so more residents can work without leaving the city. FedEx is building a 310,000square-foot automated facility that will employ around 330 workers and Under Armour will move into a 1 million square foot facility that has committed to 1,500 employees in the first five years. Both are scheduled to open in 2016. City leaders hope to attract corporate office development as the next piece to Mt. Juliet’s financial landscape.
THINGS TO DO » Charlie Daniels Park: Includes community center with gymnasium, the 9,000-square-foot fencedin Planet Playground, tennis courts, pickle ball courts, skate park, Ava’s Splash Pad, Squirrel’s Run Toddler Park, walking trail, four pavilions, gazebo and amphitheater. » Providence Marketplace: Approximately 50 retailers, around 20 restaurants and a 14-screen movie theater. The Paddocks of Mt. Juliet and the surrounding area also includes more restaurants and retail options. The north side of Mt. Juliet is full of locally owned MT. JULIET specialty stores. GROWTH » Wilson County Schools: The district has been a draw for families; recently Year/Population five schools were recognized by the state 1980: 2,879 as Reward Schools for being in the top 2000: 12,366 5 percent in academic performance or 2010: 24,548 improvement. Mt. Juliet High, W.A. 2015: 28,159 Wright and Gladeville Elementary in Mt. Juliet were each selected for both.
Reach Andy Humbles at 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @AndyHumbles. l
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You might be surprised at how quickly and easily you can make a new Jones Home your own. With a wide selection of move-in ready homes (and some that are just a few weeks away) throughout our 16 middle Tennessee communities, your new home is just around the corner. Now, it’s time to make your move.
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User: jbscott
Time: 09-29-2015 14:44
Product: NASMag2
PubDate: 09-27-2015
Zone: LivinNash
K Y M Edition: 1 Page: Special-Y Color: C
NEIGHBORHOODS: BRENTWOOD
PUT DOWN ROOTS, STRETCH, GROW
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Families love great schools, parks, area development
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Collin Czarnecki cczarnecki@tennessean.com
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ith posh homes on 1-acreplus lots sprinkled along its rolling green hills, affluence is in abundance in Brentwood. But there are other factors that draw residents to the small city of 40,000 besides its lavish residential properties. Known for its inherent belief in family and tradition, Brentwood is a place to put down roots and raise a family. Williamson County students outperformed state averages on last year’s state exams and made slight gains in nearly all tested subjects. In Brentwood, schools continually produce top standardized test scores and consistently high scores on the ACT college entrance exam. Brentwood High School and Ravenwood High School, also in Brentwood, have achieved the county school board’s goal of an average composite ACT score of 23.4 out of a possible 36. The national average is 20.9. About 90 percent of Brentwood is zoned for residential with a 1-acre density, and that’s the way the most vocal Brentwood residents want to keep it, minimizing commercial growth of any kind.
However, game-changing developments are on the horizon. After construction was completed earlier this year, restaurant and retail tenants are beginning to fill Brentwood’s CityPark. Also in the works is Hill Center Brentwood, a 600,000-square-foot, mixed-use development scheduled to open in October 2016. Coupled with residential development, Brentwood’s landscape will continue to evolve over the next several years. Reach Collin Czarnecki at 615-852-1130 or on Twitter @CollinReports. l
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BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
OWL’S HILL NATURE SANCTUARY
10 MILES OF HIKING TRAILS
Product: NASMag2
PubDate: 09-27-2015
Zone: LivinNash
Edition: 1 Page: Special-Z
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DR. MIKE LOONEY
SUPERINTENDENT OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY SCHOOLS
THINGS TO DO » Marcella Vivrette Smith Park: Nestled within 400 acres of rolling hills, Marcella Vivrette Smith Park is Brentwood’s newest attraction and a must-see for any newcomer. Along with more than 6 miles of running and hiking trails, the park is home to Ravenswood Mansion, a 189-year-old antebellum home, which serves as a venue for weddings, special events and other types of receptions. Residents can look forward to new additions in the future as the park continues to be developed. Wilson Pike; 615-371-0060 » Crockett Park: Brentwood offers an abundance of parks, trails and greenways, but if you’re looking for a park that provides both recreation and entertainment, look no further than Crockett Park. Home of the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater, Crockett Park is the place to be for Brentwood events and activities including the summer Concert in the Park Series and the annual 4th of July celebration and fireworks. The park also is home to the Williamson County Parks & Recreation Indoor Soccer Facility. 1500 Volunteer Parkway; 615-371-2208 » Shopping: Retail options within city limits include the recently opened CityPark development. Several restaurants and retail shops such as a Texas-based men’s salon, Boardroom Salon, ice cream shop The Comfy Cow, as well as fullbody workout studio Neighborhood Barre held grand openings in 2015. Also on the horizon for Brentwood is the Hill Center Brentwood. The 600,000-squarefoot development will hold office and retail space once it opens in the fall of 2016.
GETTY IMAGES
Time: 09-29-2015 14:44
OWL’S HILL: SANFORD MYERS; HOMES: THE TENNESSEAN; BRENTWOOD HIGH: MARK ZALESKI; MIKE LOONEY: JOHN PARTIPILO
User: jbscott
K Y M Color: C
TOP SHOPPING SPOTS Whether you’re looking for unique antique finds, a trendy new outfit or you want to stroll through the mall, Franklin has plenty of shopping options. » Downtown Franklin’s Main Street has a range of boutiques and a handful of high-end chains, such as Anthropologie, as well as restaurants and bars. Nearby antique stores sell unique finds. downtownfranklintn.com » CoolSprings Galleria is a major regional mall that’s in the midst of its biggest transformation ever. Stores include an American Girl doll store and H&M. coolspringsgalleria.com » For foodies, the shopping center off West McEwen Drive near Interstate 65 features a Whole Foods Market, as well as the Bottle Shop, a wine and spirits shop. Nearby, yogis can shop at Lululemon or Mountain High Outfitters. » The Factory at Franklin has become a destination for boutique shopping, as well as dining and coffee, in addition to a popular event space.
SMALL TOWN FEEL
City growing fast, but many longtime residents still love homey comforts
HISTORIC SITES Franklin isn’t all subdivisions of new homes and under-construction business parks. Here are a few sites where you can get your fill of Franklin’s history: » The Carter House and Carnton Plantation are both run by the nonprofit Battle of Franklin Trust. Both host historic tours where visitors can learn about the homes’ roles during the bloody Battle of Franklin. See the bullet-riddled brick walls of buildings on the Carter Family property and check out the family cemetery and slave quarters at Carnton. Carnton also hosts events. www.boft.org » The rows of Toussaint L’Ouverture Cemetery are filled with stories of African-American families stretching back to before the Civil War and is named for a Haitian slave leader. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and is full of names that helped build Franklin. » The Park at Harlinsdale Farm is a Tennessee Walking Horse farm-turned-city park where the first ever Pilgrimage music festival is set to be held in September. But the park also has a historic barn and is a great place to take a stroll. The area is mostly open space, but soon a multipurpose horse arena will be complete.
Jill Cowan jcowan@tennessean.com
T
o understand Franklin is to know a series of seeming contradictions: It’s a rapidly developing city — among the fastest-growing in the country— but many longtime residents and leaders still see it as a small town. Its Cool Springs area is home to massive health care companies and Nissan’s North American headquarters, but as the site of a bloody Civil War battle, Franklin also is an increasingly visible heritage tourism destination. It’s a suburb of Nashville, but one with its own distinct identity. Of course, it is struggling with many of the same issues that Nashville does. For example, housing prices are skyrocketing, which has brought the city to a kind of crossroads about its approach to affordable housing. But as long as the area is home to high-paying jobs and schools in the state’s top-ranked Williamson County School district, experts say the city will continue to grow.
MAIN STREET
STILL PLENTY OF FARMS TO GRAZE
SCHOOLS Williamson County is known for having the best schools in the state — it’s a major draw for the families moving into Franklin. Public schools are in either the Williamson County School District or the Franklin Special School District. But private schools such as Battle Ground Academy have a long history in the area.
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MAIN STREET & HORSE: SHELLEY MAYS; THE CARTER HOUSE: JEANNE REASONOVER
THINGS TO DO
NEIGHBORHOODS: FRANKLIN
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GIRL: SHELLEY MAYS ; CAFE RAKKA: JEANNE REASONOVER
NEIGHBORHOODS: HENDERSONVILLE
SUMNER CITY KEEPS GROWING
It has quickly changed from small farming community
Tena Lee tlee@mtcngroup.com
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relatively young city 18 miles northeast of Nashville, Hendersonville is experiencing a tremendous amount of commercial and residential growth. Once a small farming community, many — including country music icon Johnny Cash and the Oak Ridge Boys — began flocking to the area after the creation of Old Hickory Lake in the mid-1950s. The lake, a variety of recreational opportunities in any of four city parks and a consistently recognized Sumner County school system continue to draw residents to this family-friendly town of around 55,000. Once here, attractions such as the Hendersonville Performing Arts Company, the Hendersonville Arts Council and Historic Rock Castle offer plenty to keep residents entertained without having to trek to Nashville. The list of dining and shopping opportunities continues to grow as well. Within the past year, retailers including Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, The Fresh Market and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse have either opened their doors or announced plans to open soon. New restaurants include The Egg and I, Pie Five Pizza Co., N.Y. Pie and Culver’s, as well as the soon-to-open Five Guys Burgers and Fries and locally owned Blossom Thai-Lao Cuisine and Cellar Door Craft Tavern.
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Tennessee’s #1 Home Builder
MONTHAVEN MANSION & HISTORIC ROCK CASTLE: SUBMITTED
NEIGHBORHOODS: HENDERSONVILLE
MONTHAVEN MANSION HOME OF THE HENDERSONVILLE ARTS COUNCIL
HISTORIC ROCK CASTLE Retailers and restaurateurs are most certainly anticipating more business as 1,700 homes are planned for two new residential “lifestyle” developments, Durham and Millstone. Although still mostly suburban (the average commute time to work is 25.1 minutes), leaders have made a concerted effort to lure industry and corporate offices to the area. Several national and international companies call Hendersonville home, including Novita Technologies, Xtend Healthcare and Accelerated Christian Education. Most recently, Jeff Roberts and Associates, a nationally renowned booking agency, announced plans to open an office in the 400-acre mixed-use development, Indian Lake Village. The company will join Bone McAllester Norton PLLC, Leidos Engineering LLC, Optimech LLC and Windham Professionals in Indian Lake Village.
The city has received national attention as well. The online real estate brokerage Movoto named it one of the best places to move after comparing it to 100 cities with populations of less than 60,000, citing cost of living, a low crime rate and median household income data. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median value of owner-occupied housing units is $199,500 — well above the state average of $139,200. Residents have a median household income of $62,525, also above the state average of $44,298. Family Circle magazine in 2009 named it one of the top 10 places to raise a family, and in 2012 Money magazine named the city the 86th-best place to live in its America’s 100 Best Small Cities ranking. Reach Tena Lee at 615-575-7116 and on Twitter @tenalee1. l
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THINGS TO DO » Where to eat: While Hendersonville has its share of restaurant chains, some off-the-beaten-path favorites include Café Rakka, 71A New Shackle Island Road; Moores Hot Chicken, 115 Walton Ferry Road; and Jumbo and Delicious (awardwinning burgers), also at 115 Walton Ferry Road. » Where to shop: The city’s two main shopping areas, Glenbrook and the Streets at Indian Lake, feature several nationally known chains, including Target, Kohl’s and Victoria’s Secret. Smaller specialty shops include Black Dog Boutique, 386 W. Main St.; Tre’ Bellas Boutique, 112 Saundersville Road; The Ruffled Nest, 111 Stadium Drive; and Ginger Bean, 305 Indian Lake Blvd.
Brittain Downs
Westhaven
in Williamson, Davidson, Rutherford and Maury Counties
Lockwood Glen
NOLENSVILLE:
FRANKLIN: Williamson Co.
Williamson & Davidson Co.
Berry Farms:
Brittain Downs: Williamson Co.
Condos, Townhomes & Live Work from $190,900
Homes from $449,900
Lockwood Glen:
Burkitt Place: Davidson Co. Homes from $359,900
Townhomes from $339,900
Westhaven:
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Condos & Townhomes from $342,900
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Burkitt Springs: Davidson Co. Townhomes, Cottage & Traditional Brick Homes from $189,900
SPRING HILL: Williamson Co. Woodside:
Sherwood Green Estates:
Williamson Co. Homes from $444,900
Townhomes from $171,900 Coming Soon! Shirebrook Townhomes
BRENTWOOD Area: Davidson Co. SMYRNA: Rutherford Co. High Point:
Lenox of Smyrna:
Townhomes from $234,900
Homes from $209,900
Parkside at Christiansted Valley: Primm Springs Estates
Homes from 359,900
WEST END PARK NASHVILLE: Coming Soon! Mason Rowhouses from the $380â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
COLUMBIA: Maury Co. Arden Village:
MURFREESBORO: Rutherford Co.
Primm Springs Estates: Homes from $337,900
East Main Village:
Townhomes from $209,900
Homes from $189,900
Sherwood Green Estates Prices subject to change.
Offered By Regent Realty Regent Homes Builds With LP Building Products
For Model Hours & DirecQons Visit www.RegentHomesTN.com
NEIGHBORHOODS: MURFREESBORO
OFFERING A BIT OF EVERYTHING Top schools, real estate, entertainment big draws
STONES RIVER GREENWAY
Nancy De Gennaro degennaro@dnj.com
M
urfreesboro, the geographic center of Tennessee and former state capital, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. Far from the sleepy town it was 20 years ago, the population has grown to more than 100,000 residents that benefit from top-rated schools, along with growing real estate and industry markets. Murfreesboro is also home to Middle Tennessee State University, the largest university in the Midstate, with a student population of more than 23,000. Plenty of entertainment opportunities are available, too. The city offers trendy shopping options at The Avenue Murfreesboro and Stones River Mall. Residents also have plenty of places to dine, from national chain favorites to locally owned eateries. History is another draw to the city. Murfreesboro was the location for the Civil War’s Battle of Stones River, where nearly 24,000 Confederate and Union troops lost their lives. Civil War buffs come from all over to tour the Stones River National Battlefield. The Stones River Greenway also is a central aspect to the city, with around 12 miles of trails for bikers, walkers and runners. The 430-acre Barfield Crescent Park boasts playgrounds, a baseball complex, covered pavilions, paved and unpaved hiking trails, camping and a multitude of regular programming centered around the great outdoors.
THINGS TO DO » Sal’s Pizzeria, 536 N. Thompson Lane; www.salsmurfreesboro.com » Maple Street Grill, 109 N. Maple St.; maplestreetgrill.com » Julia’s Bakery, 1911 Medical Center Parkway; borobakery.com » The Alley on Main, 223 W. Main St.; alleyonmain.com » Kleer-Vu Lunchroom, 226 S. Highland Ave.; 615-896-0520 » Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad St.; explorethedc.org » Barfield Crescent Park, 697 Veterans Parkway; 615-217-3017 » Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 N. Maney Ave.; oaklandsmuseum.org » Stones River National Battlefield, 1563 N. Thompson Lane; nps.gov/stri
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STONES RIVER GREENWAY & STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD: FILE ; THE AVENUE HELEN COMER
Contact Nancy De Gennaro at 615-278-5148 and on Twitter @DNJMama.
STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
At Home With Parks
Choosing a Parks realtor for your home-selling and buying journey is kind of like choosing your best friend. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got 40 years of best friend experience and our Agents rank among the top realtors in home sales each month. Translation: Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re pretty good friends. parksathome.com Brentwood 8119 Isabella Lane, Suite 105 (615) 370-8669
Gulch 311 12th Ave. South (615) 522-5100
Hendersonville 305B Indian Lake Blvd, Suite 220 (615) 826-4040
Franklin 415 Main Street (615) 790-7400
Murfreesboro 1535 W Northfield Blvd, Suite 7 (615) 896-4040
Mt. Juliet 547 N. Mt. Juliet Road (615) 583-5050
Green Hills 4025 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 601 (615) 383-6600
Smyrna 557 Sam Ridley Pkwy, West (615) 450-4040
The Wilson Group 302 42nd Ave (615) 385-1414
SAM DAVIS HOME: SHELLEY MAYS ; NISSAN PLANT: SUBMITTED
NEIGHBORHOODS: SMYRNA
MERGING PAST AND FUTURE Forward-looking attitude enhanced by history Nancy De Gennaro degennaro@dnj.com
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myrna is a city where history merges with the future in a very visible way. Located just minutes apart are the Sam Davis Home, where the Civil War’s boy hero once lived, and Nissan North America auto manufacturing plant, which employs around 7,000 workers. Close proximity to Interstate 24 offers easy access for industry as well as commerce. The convenience of major big-box retailers as well as a variety of dining opportunities means Smyrna residents no longer have to drive out of the county for most consumer needs. But there’s plenty of local flavor, especially in the renovated Smyrna Depot District, which offers a glimpse into the city’s past. Education is provided through 20 Rutherford County Schools in the system, including a magnet school. Motlow State Community College has a campus in Smyrna, and the new Tennessee Promise scholarship program led to record enrollment at the school. Bordered by Percy Priest Lake, Smyrna also offers plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities. Multiple boat docks and watercraft drop-in sites draw thousands each year. There’s plenty to do on land, too, from multiple athletic fields throughout the city to a greenway system and recreational city parks. Smyrna Airport is home to high-flying entertainment with the biennial Great Tennessee Air Show. Smyrna Depot Days, held each fall, is also a popular local event that draws thousands to downtown. Contact Nancy De Gennaro at 615-278-5148 and on Twitter @DNJMama
SAM DAVIS HOME
THINGS TO DO » La Tavola Italian restaurant, 114 Front St. » Smyrna Town Centre, 100 Sam Ridley Parkway » Omni Hut, 618 S. Lowry St. » Carpe Artista, 115 Front St.
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» Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road » Nissan North America, Nissan Parkway » Smyrna Depot, Front Street (off South Lowry Street)
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WORD ON THE STREETS Many of Nashville’s streets reflect both local and national history or geography. Others also took their names from streets in cities such as Philadelphia, Boston and Baltimore, according to local historian Ridley Wills II’s 2012 book “Nashville Streets & Their Stories.” How about Broadway? No surprise here. Originally named Broad Street and laid out in 1803, it was named because of its width. In his book, Wills noted how after a major snowstorm in 1895, the street from the Customs House to the river was a popular sledding spot. Since the 1930s, city maps have shown the street as Broadway. Naming streets after prominent Nashvillians was common. Charlotte Pike, for instance, was named for Charlotte Reeves Robertson, the wife of Nashville co-founder Gen. James Robertson, who has a street named in his honor, too. Charlotte Pike was built in 1804. Demonbreun Street was named for Timothe Demonbreun, a French-Canadian fur trader and Revolutionary War officer. And Deaderick Street was named after Nashville’s first banker, George M. Deaderick.
CELEB SIGHTING Plenty of celebrities live in and around Nashville — Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are among those who call the area home. And their famous friends visit often. It helps that there’s no paparazzi stalking their every move and the locals generally leave them alone when they are out and about (although most have been Hillbilly Days Festival known to be amicable to fans in Lafayette requesting selfies).
LESS FANCY LAFAYETTE While everywhere else this small town northeast of Nashville (and the city street) would be referred to as LAH-fee-ett, in and around Middle Tennessee, it’s Luh-FAY-ett.
STREET OR AVENUE? What’s the difference between First Avenue and First Street? The Cumberland River. Something to make note of: First Avenue is in downtown Nashville while First Street is across the river in East Nashville. If the street you’re looking for is an avenue, you’ll know which side of the bridge to be on.
WELCOME TO MAURY COUNTY Newcomers may refer to this county south of Nashville as MAW-ry, but the locals will tell you it’s MUR-ry County.
“I’LL HAVE A GLASS OF TEA, PLEASE.”
If you order tea at a restaurant in Middle Tennessee, it’s going to be sweet iced tea. If you want yours unsweetened or prefer a cup of hot tea, you’ll have to specify.
“STOP BY THE BORO”
This is the shortened, lovable name for Murfreesboro (pronounced MURfreeze-burro) in Rutherford County.
Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban
“GRAB A GOO GOO”
“BUT WHERE ON BRILEY PARKWAY?”
Just for the record, Briley Parkway is about 35 miles in length, and connects to all three major interstates. In all, it would take up to 90 minutes to finish the complete loop. In south Nashville, Briley becomes Thompson Lane, then Woodmont Boulevard, then White Bridge Road and then back to Briley again. Briley starts at Interstate 40 in the east and ends at Interstate 40 in West Nashville.
“DEMON-WHAT?”
There’s nothing “demonic” about this street near Music Row. The correct pronunciation for Demonbreun Street is Da-MUN-bree-un. l
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At 103 years old, Nashville’s signature candy remains a tasty sweet snack — although probably not a “nourishing lunch” as was advertised in its beginning. The classic confection is a hodgepodge of milk chocolate, peanuts and marshmallow nougat, while its brothers have peanut butter or pecans. Watch how it’s made and grab souvenirs from its downtown store at 116 Third Ave. S.
BRODWAY: LARRY MCCORMACK; BLUEGRASS MUSICANS & GOO GOO CLUSTER: THE TENNESSEAN; NICOLE & KEITH: SANFORD MYERS ; TEA: GETTY IMAGES
THE SIMPLE ANSWER
DISCOVER Nashville
.com
FORT HOUSTON: KAREN KRAFT; THE SKILLERY: SUBMITTED
CREATIVES
MANDY HERRING WORKS ON HER CANVAS SCREEN PRINT DURING A WORKSHOP WITH HIP HUES AT FORT HOUSTON. HIP HUES IS AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MOBILE SCREEN PRINTING SERVICE HOSTING PRIVATE WORKSHOPS AND IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC EVENTS.
Carving a creative business niche New organizations, spaces have blossomed to help support those trying to make it here
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o you saw the many lists highlighting Nashville’s quality of life, its thriving music scene, its restaurant boom and its focus on entrepreneurs and decided you didn’t have to be in New York, San Francisco or Chicago to make your dreams come true. While the rapid rise in rents may have caught you off guard and commuting options leave something to be desired, there is a lot to get excited about in Nashville’s small business and creative communities. The local entrepreneurial scene has long centered around health care and Nashville’s creative class has been strongly rooted in the music industry — the songwriters, performers and musicians that helped shape the city’s ethos. Nashville creatives now include coders, artisans, chefs, designers, brewers, book binders, even soap makers, and its entrepreneurs are building businesses in software, education, e-commerce, retail and tourism, in addition to music and health care.
THE SKILLERY
These communities are known for their supportive, welcoming cultures. Newcomers often share stories of established professionals, even direct competitors, who were willing to meet with them for coffee or share their insights and network.
A COWORKING & LEARNING SPACE
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In recent years, new organizations and physical spaces have blossomed throughout the city to help support those trying to make it in their respective fields. Here is a snapshot of some groups that could help Nashville newcomers build their own businesses or find their entrepreneurial niche: See NICHE, Page 42
One city. One university. BOTH RISING.
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS IN 1890,
Belmont has risen to become a U.S. News & World Report TOP 5 REGIONAL UNIVERSITY serving more than 7,400 STUDENTS. Achievements due in no small part to the meteoric rise of NASHVILLE, THE CITY WE PROUDLY CALL HOME.
BELMONT.EDU
CREATIVES
Niche » The Skillery : In Germantown, The Skillery is a co-working space that also hosts classes and workshops for and by local entrepreneurs. Courses range from business development to poetry to Q&A sessions with Nashville makers. The 7,000-square-foot building offers meeting rooms, work space and presentation areas. Both Porch Writer’s Collective and Stoke.d Studio, a design company that solves problems with innovation, work out of The Skillery. Details: www.theskillery.com. » Fort Houston: Fort Houston is a work space for makers, transformed from a former hosiery mill. It is a 10,000-square-foot space in Wedgewood-Houston that includes a wood shop, print shop, mechanical shop and darkroom for photographers. Details: forthouston.com. » Yep, or Young Entertainment Professionals: This group is for aspiring or already established young music professionals. Formed in 2011, it has grown to 10,600 members. The organization seeks to connect members and support them through mentorship, networking and educational events. Details: www.yepnashville.com.
PHOTO: JAE S. LEE
Continued from Page 40
» Nashville Entrepreneur Center: The Entrepreneur Center is in the old trolley barns off Peabody Street and serves as a hub to hundreds of local entrepreneurs. Business accelerators Jumpstart Foundry and Project Music are based out of the center, and Google has a presence there as well. Details: www.ec.co/. » Nashville Business Incubation Center: On 10th Avenue North downtown, the NBIC offers space and advising services for small business owners, as well as loans to help them grow. Details: nbiconline.com.
2 X W V W D Q G L Q J ACADEMICS. & O R V H Ħ N Q L W COMMUNITY.
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YOUNG ENTERTAINMENT PROFESSIONALS
» Software Schools: Nashville Software School and Iron Yard: Created in 2012, the Nashville Software School sprang out of a need for more software developers. Eight cohorts of about 25 developers have graduated from the nonprofit program, with many going on to apprentice and work at local companies. Iron Yard is a new South Carolina-based, for-profit software school that began offering courses in May. Details: nashvillesoftwareschool.com, theironyard.com. » WE Nashville: WE stands for Women in Entrepreneurship and this group of women entrepreneurs meets twice a month to share business insights, challenges and strategies. » Pathway Lending: Operating out of Nashville, this nonprofit helps small businesses gain financing. A new Pathway Women’s Business Center is dedicated to providing legal, accounting and advising services for female entrepreneurs in the area. Details: www.pathwaylending.org. » User groups : Nashville has a thriving community of coders who host regular meetups within their software niches. There are more than 30 such groups that gather on any given weeknight. » Girl Geek Dinner : The Nashville branch of this organization meets regularly to support women in software. Details: ggdnashville.com. » Nashville Chapter of Social Enterprise Alliance: Nashville is the headquarters of the national alliance and has its own chapter. The group focuses on supporting nonprofits and social purpose businesses in the area. Details: nashvillesocialenterprise.org. Reach Jamie McGee at 615-259-8071 and on Twitter @JamieMcGee_.
JOBS
One of nation’s hottest job markets Lance Williams
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hen looking at job growth, Nashville’s economy came roaring out of the Great Recession. Employment in the Nashville Metro area grew nearly 20 percent from 2009 to 2015, outpacing the region’s overall population growth of 10 percent during that time period. That’s good enough to rank third in the country during that time frame, according to a study by the Pew Charitable Trusts. In 2013, the Nashville area’s economy officially crossed the $100 billion mark, a new benchmark for local growth. A report released by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis ranks Nashville as the nation’s 34th-largest economy. Why the momentum? A growing tech sector, a Southern shift in auto manufacturing and a resilient health care sector. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s tax rates are favorable for relocating and growing businesses and the region’s low cost of living is attractive to future employees.
ON TUESDAY, FIREARMS MAKER BERETTA USA ANNOUNCED IT HAS DECIDED TO MOVE ALL OF ITS MANUFACTURING FROM MARYLAND TO A NEW FACILITY IN GALLATIN.
The growth doesn’t appear to be slowing anytime soon. The Nashville region just topped Business Facilities’ list of cities with the greatest economic growth potential. “Nashville is home to a diverse health care cluster with leaders in a number of industry niches that impact the healthcare landscape locally, nationally and internationally,” according to the magazine. “Nashville has become a worldclass health care hub.” The biggest challenge for Nashville’s workforce over the next five years: replacing retiring baby boomers. Nearly 20 percent of all occupations have one in five workers who are 55 and older, according to a new report by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.
We live at the intersection of life and technology. How’s that for a work address? ;LJOUVSVN` OHZ ILJVTL HU PUKPZWLUZHISL WHY[ VM V\Y SP]LZ >L OLSW RLLW V\Y J\Z[VTLYZ \W HUK Y\UUPUN I` WYV]PKPUN YLWHPY HUK YLWSHJLTLU[ ZLY]PJLZ HJYVZZ HU` KL]PJL WSH[MVYT VY WYV]PKLY" X\PJRS` ZVS]L WYVISLTZ" HUK OLSW WLVWSL \USVJR UL^ ]HS\L L]LY` KH` 3LHYU TVYL H[ JHYLLYZ HZ\YPVU JVT
PHOTO :SUBMITTED
lwilliams@tennessean.com
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Time: 09-29-2015 14:46
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COVER STORY: LOCAL PODCAST PANEL
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eet The Tennessean's LivinNash podcast panel. This group of newcomers and Nashville natives teamed up for a series of podcasts to talk about the city they love and to share their experiences. And in true Nashville fashion, they had a little fun in the process (especially with the photo props). You'll find excerpts from their conversations on the following pages and you can visit LivinNash.com to hear the whole story. But before you get started, here's why they love Nashville â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and why you will, too.
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ALL PHOTOS: SAM SIMPKINS
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From neighborhoods and schools to food, friends and fun, we’ve got you covered when it comes to living in our humble ‘IT CITY’
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elcome, new Nashvillians! We’re happy to have you in our wonderful city. Don’t be misled by how much we’ll complain about traffic problems you cause and about how the cranes constructing your shiny new apartment building block our view. Those are the costs of being what y’all call an “It City.” We just call it home. You’re one of the lucky ones who doesn’t care about all that — though you will, just give it time —because you’re focused on the perks. And there are many. A group of reporters from The Tennessean got together to create a guide to just about everything you need to know before you arrive, and when you get here: Where to live and how to find the perfect place. Things to do. How to make friends. How to research schools if you’ve got kiddos. What to eat and drink. Many of the reporters are newcomers, just like you, and offer fresh advice from their own explorations. Others have been here a bit longer and offer sage — and sometimes silly — advice. You can listen to their discussions at LivinNash.com, where you’ll find the full podcasts with the most detail. In the following pages, you’ll find shortened versions of their conversations and the most helpful tips. Read on, newbie.
User: jbscott
Time: 09-29-2015 14:46
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COVER STORY: WHERE WE LIVE
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD Looking for a place to live?
DON’T BE SHY
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WHO SAID WHAT
Hillsboro Village
Holly: I remember when I was moving here. It was so overwhelming to figure out where to live. I was thankful to have my sister in the Franklin area to help me out. Stacey: When I moved in October, walkability was one of the things that I was really looking for. I am three blocks from a really nice strip of coffee shops, restaurants, bars — all of them are locally owned, too. Jason: My move to Nashville was a bit impulsive. I didn’t know Nashville so I just hit Craigslist and answered an ad. That’s how I met my roommate. We talked on the phone a couple times and I moved into his basement.
The Nations
Adam: When I was leaving East Nashville — which I sadly had to do because I was priced out — Holly, you told me to sign up for If This Then That. It’s a website that will troll Craigslist listings and let you know every time someone posts one that meets your criteria. I used it and I pounced in The Nations. Holly: I love that. It was such a slog to go through all those Craig-
slist listings. Stacey how did you find your place? Stacey: When I moved here, I had three days to find a place, which is not ideal. I drove around in the neighborhoods that I thought I wanted to live in. I saw a “for rent” sign with a phone number and I called. I got really lucky that it’s not crazy expensive. See signs, call them. Holly: I also belong to neighborhood Face-
book groups and see regular rental postings. Jason: This conversation is helping me out because I’m trying to figure out whether or not I’m going to move soon. I want to be closer to one of the happening places. Stacey: If you’re coming here, expect to pay more than you want to if you want to live in the city. ... Maybe consider roommates, depending on how much money you make. Adam: If you’re someone who wants to live on your own, I think it’s kind of a calculus you play — adding roommates to bring down the cost in those cooler neighborhoods or going a little bit further out. ... I think part of it is luck.
THE FOLLOWING PODCAST EXCERPTS HAVE BEEN EDITED FOR BREVITY AND CLARITY. FIND THEM ONLINE AT LIVINNASH.COM l
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PHOTOS BY JAE S. LEE, JOHN PARTIPILO/ THE TENNESSEAN; NATIONS: SHOW CASE PHOTOGRAPHERS
olly Meyer, the Tennessean’s neighborhood’s reporter and a Green Hills resident, gathered a group of reporters to discuss where to live in Nashville. Joining her are Adam Tamburin, a Nashville native living in The Nations; Stacey Barchenger of Hillsboro Village; and Jason Gonzales, who calls Crieve Hall home.
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Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson perform together at the Bluebird Cafe.
Bluebird Cafe
The Nations
TIP!
When searching for a place to call home, sign up for If This Then That. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a website that will troll Craigslist listings and let you know every time someone posts one that meets your criteria..
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COVER STORY: HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS
Pinewood Social
Nashville offers many ways to widen social circle
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o you’ve moved to Nashville and figured out how to get to essential places. Now let’s talk about making friends.
JOINING A BOOK CLUB IS A GREAT WAY TO MEET NEW PEOPLE.
FINDING FRIENDS Hosting this discussion is Tennessean reporter Stacey Barchenger, who moved to Nashville less than a year ago. Joining her are reporters Holly Meyer and Lizzy Alfs, both Nashvillians for less than a year, and columnist Jessica Bliss, who’s as good as a native with 13 years lived in the area. Stacey: So what works when meeting and making new friends? Lizzy: The first thing I did when I moved here was got together with my co-workers. That’s a really great natural place to start. I remember us all going for a beer at Flying Saucer. Holly: That’s how I’ve made the majority of my friends. I did go out of the newsroom … Jessica: What?! Holly: To another department, where I was like, “Hey, do you want to be my friend?” Pulling a leaf from my 4-year-old nephew’s book, and it seemed to have worked. We’re friends still. Stacey: It’s about getting out of your comfort zone. When I moved I was looking for a roommate — maybe — and met this cool girl before I moved. It ended up I didn’t live with her, but I asked if she wanted to go get a drink. She has incorporated me into her friend group. l
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Lizzy: Just reach out. Ask people to go get a beer. Nashville is such a friendly town. For me the fitness community was helpful in building friendships ... Even being here for nine months I feel this renewed energy to meet more people. Jessica: That’s one of the things I did in the last year was I joined a book club. I do have my group, my core people. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to meet new people. Having new friends, you experience new things or the same things in a new way. Lizzy: One thing I’ve wanted to do, too, is get into professional networking because that’s good for work and social life. Jessica: That’s something that’s been huge for me. I got into volunteering, and the Center for Nonprofit Management had a young professionals networking group and I got involved in that. After I joined Cable — the women’s professional networking group — I felt I could go anywhere in the city and know somebody. It takes that city feel and takes it back to that small town. Lizzy: I feel like I’m still waiting to get to that point. Jessica: You’ll get there. It’ll happen much sooner than you think.
PINEWOOD SOCIAL: LARRY MCCORMACK/THE TENNESSEAN; BOOK: ISTOCKPHOTO/THINKSTOCK
WHO SAID WHAT
‘‘
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‘‘
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DON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN YOUR PERFECT MATCH
And then finally, I fell in love with natural gas.
NaturallyAffordable. Naturally Comfortable. Learn more at piedmontng.com or give us a call at 1.877.279.3636.
bit.ly/ piedmontperfectmatch
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Time: 09-29-2015 14:46
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PubDate: 09-27-2015
Zone: LivinNash
COVER STORY: THINGS TO DO
OUT & ABOUT
Music City offers plenty of tunes, and much more
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ashville native Adam Tamburin, The Tennessean’s resident homebody, sat down with music expert Dave Paulson, neighborhoods guru Holly Meyer, professional shopaholic Lizzy Alfs and the especially sporty Jason Gonzales to chat about the bevvy of things to do in Music City.
Adam: You can’t talk about Music City without talking about music. Dave: Would you like to talk about music? Adam: I think I would. Dave: Probably when people you come to town, you check out the honky-tonks. I think I remember a few of you guys after coming here went out on Lower Broadway. Holly: Totally. Dave: They’re lovely places, but if you want to move past that, I’d say you’ve got to see a show at the Ryman. You’ve got to see a show at The Bluebird Cafe. It’s hard to get a seat now, thanks to the “Nashville” TV show. It’s great that we’re getting lots of big shows now. Every touring act seems to be
stopping through here. But it’s also great to go see places where local talent’s playing week to week. Any night you go to the Station Inn you’re going to see something cool, some cool bluegrass or roots stuff. And then there’s 8 off 8th every Monday at Mercy Lounge. It’s sort of like musical speed dating where every band plays three songs and gets off the stage. You’ll see eight rock bands in one night. Adam: I know we have a couple people here today that enjoy the great outdoors. Holly: Cheekwood Botanical Garden is awesome. It’s beautiful, there’s cool art exhibits. I recommend walking around there. Lizzy: Jumping off of that, there are so many great places to hike in Nashville. I
Garrison Keillor brought “A Prairie Home Companion” to the Ryman Auditorium in 2015. PHOTOS BY LARRY MCCORMACK, SAMUEL M. SIMPKINS/THE TENNESSEAN
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WHO SAID WHAT
moved from Ann Arbor, Mich., and you definitely don’t have the hills there. That’s been a cool thing, going over to Percy Warner Park and the different greenways around town. Jason: I play sports. I’m part of the Middle Tennessee Soccer Association. The Nashville Sports League is good for people who might not be as competitive but want to get out and play. The Tennessean actually organized a kickball team through them. Adam: How sporty do you have to be to participate? Lizzy: If The Tennessean’s kickball team
is any indication, you don’t need any skill whatsoever. Adam: Well, realistically, I’ll get most of my exercise by walking through malls and shops. Lizzy: I know all about shopping. You can actually combine a little bit of fitness with shopping because a lot
of the neighborhoods around downtown Nashville have unique shops. I love to go to East Nashville and the Shoppes on Fatherland. I also like to walk around 12 South and Hillsboro Village. Holly: I should mention my favorite bookstore in town,
Cheekwood Botanical Garden
Parnassus Books in Green Hills. Lizzy: Tell us about that super cool warehouse book store that I still haven’t been to. Holly: McKay’s. It’s huge. And they also have used vinyl records there, too, which I’m a big fan of. Lizzy: We can’t talk about things to do in Nashville without mentioning all the events that happen every weekend. Adam: How do you guys keep track of all of them? Holly: As the neighborhoods reporter, I belong to a lot of Facebook community groups. They often post interesting stuff that’s going on.
TIP!
YOU CAN COMBINE A LITTLE BIT OF FITNESS WITH SHOPPING BECAUSE A LOT OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE, EAST NASHVILLE, 12SOUTH AND HILLSBORO VILLAGE, HAVE UNIQUE SHOPS. The High Garden owner Joel Larabell talks with customer Jarrod Bolus. East Nashville’s first herbal tea emporium is just one of many businesses in the Shoppes on Fatherland.
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COVER STORY: FOOD
ON THE MENU
Nashville’s culinary scene continues to expand
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Jason: I came here from Wilmington, N.C., originally from Colorado, and I’ve been here since December. I’ve been especially impressed by the number of coffee shops this city has. Adam: I’ve also seen you drink a lot of beer, Jason. Jason: I have drank a few. Jim: Coming from Colorado and then being on the East Coast, how did Nashville strike you, the craft beer scene? Jason: There are a few really great ones. The l
Yazoo Pale Ale really impressed me. Jackalope actually is one of my favorites here in town. Lizzy: And the breweries that are here are experiencing a ton of growth. You have Fat Bottom moving into a brand new facility in The Nations because they ran out of room in East Nashville, and a couple other new breweries coming to town that we’ve written about. Jim: That’s a really great point, Lizzy. Coming here from Ann Arbor (Mich.), what was your biggest shock as to being in Nashville in a new food scene? 54 l
ALL-AMERICAN HAMBURGER AT
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Lizzy: Definitely the unhealthy food. The biscuits, the fried food, the meat and three.
Jim: I know, but what’s your point? Lizzy: I’m not saying it’s problematic, I’m just saying if you’re vegetarian or vegan in this landscape, you have to find your favorites and know that a lot of chefs here are willing to work with people with dietary needs. Jim: So, Adam, you’ve seen some perspective and change, what are some old-school places that are still around that you like to go to? Adam: I grew up going to the Elliston Place Soda Shop, Rotier’s, Pancake Pantry — which, believe it or not, has a pretty
JOHN PARTIPILO, LARRY MCCORMACK, FILE PHOTO/THE TENNESSEAN; DINNERWARE ICON: ISTOCKPHOTO/THINKSTOCK
Barista Parlor Golden Sound
ennessean food columnist Jim Myers sat down with Nashville native Adam Tamburin, vegetarian and healthy food enthusiast Lizzy Alfs and beer connoisseur Jason Gonzales to talk about Nashville’s thriving culinary scene.
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WHO SAID WHAT
good burger. What I love is they’re still there and co-existing with the new places. Jason: So what’s the best burger? Adam: Well, back then, it was Pancake Pantry. I think it might have been overtaken now by PM, which is another one of those places that’s crept up along Belmont Boulevard. Jim: What I’d love to know is what’s the last best meal you had in town? Lizzy: I’d have to say definitely the pizza from City House and any seasonal salad they have on the menu. Jim: I love the fact that Lizzy, the vegan, is going to a house that is built on using every part of the pig. My son, the first time he ever had pork tails was at City House. Adam: I recently had the turkey avocado sandwich at Mitchell Deli. It’s simple and there’s just something about anything with bacon. Sorry, Lizzy. Lizzy: They also have an Asian tofu sandwich. Jim: When you go out and you’re in a bar that has a decent mixologist, or as I like to call them, a bartender, what do you order? Adam: I like going to Patterson House and here’s why: I usu-
ally go in there and have long conversations about my feelings and then say, “OK, make something based on that.” At Patterson House, they totally roll with it. Lizzy: I feel like Pinewood Social is my spot. I go there to work in the morning and have coffee. I love having drinks there, and I think the bartenders are awesome. Jim: You really are Ben and Max Goldberg’s perfect customer. They built Pinewood to do that. It really was one of the first intentional places to try and have people there throughout the day. Lizzy: Even though I know you guys are going to make fun of me, the fried broccoli, it’s amazing. Adam: I want to know what you would pick, Jim. Jim: My barometer drink to order is a Manhattan. I think Patterson House does a great job. Probably the best one I’ve had recently is at the Oak Bar at the Hermitage Hotel. Adam: You changed my mind; can I amend my answer? I was at Sperry’s last week and it’s another great old Nashville relic in Belle Meade and I had a cafe Sperry’s.
For more on Music City’s culinary scene, see Page 78 for Nashville Lifestyles’ 25 best Nashville restaurants.
NASHVILLE AREA BREWERIES ARE EXPERIENCING GROWTH.
Jackalope Brewery
“I like going to Patterson House and here’s why: I usually go in there and have long conversations about my feelings and then say, ‘OK, make something based on that.’ At Patterson House, they totally roll with it.” ADAM TAMBURIN, Nashville native l
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COVER STORY: EDUCATION
SCHOOL LESSONS PERCEPTION CHANGES FROM COUNTY TO COUNTY
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etro Nashville Public Schools reporter Jason Gonzales and Williamson County Schools reporter Melanie Balakit talked with a few Tennessean moms regarding education in Nashville and the surrounding counties. Content specialist Misty Emery is a Nashville mother of a 13-year-old daughter; storytelling columnist Jessica Bliss has two boys in preschool; and community content editor Julie Dwyer has two daughters in elementary school and a son who will start kindergarten next year.
“ The perception of Williamson as a top-performing district — that is absolutely the case … For Williamson and Wilson counties, there isn’t a large amount of school choice but that’s by and large because it is neighborhood schools.” MELANIE BALAKIT Williamson County Schools reporter l 56 l
Jason: To start us off, I’d like to talk about perception of schools in the surrounding area. Jessica: It surprised me how quickly the (schools) conversation became a part of the picture (even with kids) at such a young age … and then it was all about the perception of Davidson County schools. Misty: When we moved (to Davidson County), we sort of knew there were issues at the middle school and high school level, but that was 10 years ago. Now, here we are, we’ve done the lottery* every year and never made it. We had also hoped there would be another high
school in Bellevue. So we’ve had some mixed experiences. (*Nashville families can apply at any time for an optional school where they’ll be entered into a lottery. Getting assigned to that school is based off of a random drawing.) Julie: We moved to Wilson County before having kids and the schools were a big part of that (decision). The school that you are zoned for is the school that you will go to. We have had nothing but positive experiences there so far. Jason: I often hear there is a perception that Metro Nashville Public Schools is a struggling district. That’s not the case. So
JOHN PARTIPILO, SAMUEL M. SIMPKINS, FILE PHOTO/THE TENNESSEAN; APPLE: HEMERA/THINKSTOCK
Lipscomb Elementary School
WHO SAID WHAT
SCHOOL RESOURCES » » » »
Leul Mesfin watches for his student ID number to scroll by to see if he got into his school of choice during the Metro school lottery at Martin Development Center in 2013. Nashville families can apply at any time for an optional school where they’ll be entered into a lottery. Getting assigned to that school is based on a random drawing.
talk to me about choosing the right option (for your child). Misty: I think there is a perception that Metro is struggling. I think one of the biggest issues is consistency. … I also think turnover is a big issue facing the district. By and large, it has
been a good experience. But I think I would say if we do encounter the struggles that we have had for the past couple years, we’d seriously consider looking outside the district. Jason: Williamson County is a very highperforming district.
Melanie, as education reporter out there, what have you seen? Melanie: The perception of Williamson as a top-performing district — that is absolutely the case … For Williamson and Wilson counties, there isn’t a large amount of school choice (like there is in Davidson County), but that’s by and large because it is neighborhood schools. Jessica: Once you get into a district and place you like, that’s where you’re settling your family, right? So you want to make those choices as early as possible. Jason: When you talk about slow growth over time … (retired MNPS Director) Dr. Jesse Register said many times that this is l
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www.mnps.org/pages/mnps/Academics www.tn.gov/education/topic/report-card https://tvaas.sas.com/ www.tn.gov/education/topic/naep-results
a 15-year turnaround. (State test results) were recently released and they did see growth and put some faith back in people. Still, there are challenges. Jessica: Some of the things we see in The Tennessean speak to some of the positive things that are going on. But it’s hard to change that engrained perception. In the end, two things moved us to a different county. We wanted to afford a house and be able to have the education. Julie: That is the same thing that moved us to Wilson County. Jessica: I’ve also heard this many times, it’s what kind of teacher you have. Who is to say our child couldn’t flourish in Metro Nash-
ville Public Schools, but we won’t know that. It does depend on the type of child you have. I don’t like the blanket statements of all good or bad. Jason: How do you stay informed in making choices? Jessica: I very much looked at school report cards and grades of each individual schools. I looked at (state test scores). And the best way was I talked to the families that are at those schools. Julie: I found Facebook and different school groups on social media as a great resource. Staying involved is necessary. Misty: And knowing teachers is always a plus.
THINGS TO DO: VOLUNTEERING
Join Nashville’s culture of service Volunteerism is a big part of what defines Music City and a great way to engage
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he day was the kind of muggy environment that makes you feel like you stepped into the summer sun wearing a snowsuit. Bugs incessantly circled near your ears and, on that early May morning, parts of the backyard at an East Nashville residence squished like a swamp beneath the traffic of shoes. Stepping through the back door into the home’s basement should have offered some relief, but there was only devastation. Years of family keepsakes and collected history destroyed by water that just days ago filled the space like an unwanted swimming pool. And the smell — musty, moldy, almost asphyxiating — was too much to handle without a mask covering the face. It was 2010, less than a week after Nashville’s historic flood, and I stood in that basement hoping to help a family of strangers sort through the water-wrecked pieces of their past. We pulled out box after box of old record albums. Crates of photographs. A collection of tools that would be the envy of any carpenter. And we salvaged what we could — listening to
the homeowners tell stories behind each LP while working through the tears. It was — without doubt — the most influential volunteer experience I have ever had. At that time, throughout the city, many in the community were experiencing the same — either as residents giving time to those in need or as grateful flood victims marveling at the generosity of spirit. That volunteerism is a big part of what defines us as a city. Whether it is a major tragedy or simply a middle-of-the-month Saturday, Nashville knows how to give back. In fact, in 2014, Nashville ranked 22nd out of the country’s 51 largest cities in terms of volunteerism, according to a report by the Corporation for National and Community Service. And for those who move here, becoming part of the culture of service will be one of the best choices you make. Not only will it help you engage with the people and the needs of the city, it’s a great chance to meet others with the same giving spirit and possibly make new friends. There are so many options for giving back, and we have one of the best agencies in the country to help us figure out what opportunity fits us best, Hands On Nashville. The local organization, which connects volunteers to service opportunities supporting local See VOLUNTEERISM, Page 69 l
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NASHVILLE VOLUNTEER RESOURCES » Hands On Nashville connects volunteers to service opportunities supporting local nonprofits, as well as its programs in urban agriculture, home energy savings, youth leadership development and public education. The organization’s website allows you to search for volunteer options by date, zip code, what you would like to do or who you would like to serve. Options include everything from serving dinner to cancer patients or working in a community garden to mentoring children and providing resources to the homeless. Details: www.hon.org. » United Way focuses on the building blocks of education, financial stability and health, creating days of action to address those needs and providing opportunities to take part. There are volunteer reading days in local schools, facility makeover days at family resource centers that provide support for families in need, and chances to provide financial assistance in local tax preparation. Details: www.unitedwaynashville. org/volunteer » Volunteermatch.org locates local service opportunities in your area and connects volunteers to cause areas such as education, health, children, seniors and veterans. Details: www.volunteermatch.org
FILE/THE TENNESSEAN
HANDS ON NASHVILLE VOLUNTEERS HELP NEW RIDERS SELECT THEIR BIKES AT HANDS ON NASHVILLE’S RECYCLE FOR KIDS GIVEAWAY EVENT AT KIRKPATRICK COMMUNITY CENTER.
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THINGS TO DO: MUSIC
Nashville music venues Sample the sounds New to Nashville? You need to know about these live music spots
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ere’s a great way to explore all corners of Music City — go hear some live music. Yes, there’s Lower Broadway and Music Row, but many of our top music spots aren’t clustered together in one part of the city. They’re sprinkled all over town, from the Bluebird Cafe in Green Hills to the Gulch’s Station Inn. And whether we’re talking about an arena or 90-seat club, artists and audiences feel right at home at these famed venues.
RYMAN AUDITORIUM Ryman Auditorium, known as the Mother Church of Country Music, is one of Music City’s most beloved and historic venues. The first event was held at the venue that would become Ryman Auditorium in 1890. About 50 years later, the space became home to the “Grand Ole Opry” until the Opry moved to the Grand Ole Opry House in 1974. Over the past 125 years, the Ryman has been updated by a host of renovations and housed events ranging from lectures from Teddy Roosevelt to concerts delivered by the top acts of today including Keith Urban, Coldplay and Foo Fighters. 116 Fifth Avenue N., ryman.com
EXIT/IN Music City’s most historic rock room opened in 1971 and has hosted everyone from R.E.M. and The Ramones to B.B. King and Billy Joel (you can see all of those names etched on a mural in front of the club). In recent years, this Elliston Place haunt has been a haven for indie rock, punk, metal and hip-hop performers. 2208 Elliston Place, www.exitin.com
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GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN
LORETTA LYNN PERFORMS AT RYMAN AUDITORIUM.
THINGS TO DO: MUSIC
ASCEND AMPHITHEATER Ascend Amphitheater opened on Nashville’s riverfront in July of 2015. The venue, downtown’s most sizable outdoor music space, holds 6,800 fans. Its first concert schedule included Eric Church, Janet Jackson and Phish. The 2015 season runs through October. 301 First Ave. S., www.ascendamphitheater.com
ASCEND AMPHITHEATER
MERCY LOUNGE Perhaps no other club in town gets as many hip and hit-making acts as this second-floor spot on Cannery Row, just off Eighth Avenue — especially when you include its two adjoining venues, Cannery Ballroom and The High Watt. On one night, it might be hosting eight up-and-coming local acts (as part of its 8 off 8th series), or hosting a private gig for The Black Keys. The Rolling Stones even stopped by one night to watch a group of local musicians tackle some of their tunes. 1 Cannery Row, www.mercylounge.com
BRIDGESTONE ARENA Bridgestone Arena is Nashville’s largest indoor entertainment venue and also serves as home to the Nashville Predators hockey team. At capacity, the facility holds approximately 20,000 people depending on the event. In 2015 the venue is scheduled to host concerts from acts including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Foo Fighters, sporting events and family entertainment programs. 501 Broadway, www.bridgestonearena.com
SHELLEY MAYS/THE TENNESSEAN
STATION INN This glorious dive is a bluegrass lover’s dream. Over the past four decades, legends such as Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, Alison Krauss and Jesse McReynolds have all taken the stage at the Station Inn. One tip: Get there early, since tickets can’t be purchased in advance for these shows. 402 12th Ave. S., www.stationinn.com
WOODS AMPHITHEATER AT FONTANEL The Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater is about 15 minutes outside of downtown Nashville in Whites Creek. The venue is on site at Fontanel, the former home of Country Music Hall of Famer Barbara Mandrell, and has a capacity of about 4,500 guests. The VIP boxes are cut out of a hillside, and there are more than two miles of walking trails on the property. The 2015 lineup includes Kid Rock’s first Fish Fry. 4225 Whites Creek Pike, www.woodsamphitheater.com
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THINGS TO DO: MUSIC
MORE NASHVILLE MUSIC VENUES B.B. King’s Blues Club and Restaurant, 152 Second Ave. N. Hard Rock Cafe, 100 Broadway Acme Feed & Seed, 101 Broadway Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Fifth Ave. S. Belcourt Theatre, 2102 Belcourt Ave. Blair School of Music, 2400 Blakemore Ave. Café Coco, 210 Louise Ave. Foobar, 2511 Gallatin Road Grimey’s New & Preloved Music, 1604 Eighth Ave. S. Loveless Cafe, 8400 Highway 100 Puckett’s Grocery, 500 Church St. Rocketown, 601 Fourth Ave. S. Sambuca, 601 12th Ave. S. Soulshine Pizza Factory, 1907 Division St. Springwater, 115 27th Ave. N. The 5 Spot, 1006 Forrest Ave. The End, 2219 Elliston Place Johnny Cash Museum, 119 Third Ave. S. Listening Room Cafe, 217 Second Ave. S. The National Underground, 105 Broadway The Sutler Saloon, 2600 Franklin Pike Third Man Records, 623 Seventh Ave. S. Tin Roof, 1516 Demonbreun St. Wildhorse Saloon, 120 Second Ave. N. Winners, 1913 Division St.
TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Tennessee Performing Arts Center (or TPAC) is home to Andrew Jackson Hall, James K. Polk Theater, Andrew Johnson Theater and War Memorial Auditorium, which is across the street. The four performance spaces have a combined capacity of 5,500. Jackson Hall is the largest room in the complex and is a seasonal home to touring Broadway shows as well as other entertainment acts. Polk Theater and Johnson Theater often serve local and regional touring companies, while War Memorial Auditorium is primarily a music venue. 505 Deaderick St., www.tpac.org
NASHVILLE JAZZ WORKSHOP The hub of Music City’s often overlooked jazz scene, the Nashville Jazz Workshop brings professionals, aspiring musicians and jazz enthusiasts together in east Germantown. The complex includes a cozy music venue known as The Jazz Cave, where the city’s best players take the stage for weekly events such as “Snap On 2 and 4.” 1319 Adams St., www.nashvillejazz.org
GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE
3RD & LINDSLEY
The Grand Ole Opry House has been home to the “Grand Ole Opry” since the house opened in 1974. The “Opry” conducts multiple shows at the Opry House every week in the spring, summer and fall before the famed country radio show moves to Ryman Auditorium for its winter run. The Opry House is also used for Christmas productions in conjunction with Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas and various other concerts and theatrical productions over the course of the year. 2804 Opryland Drive, www.opry.com
It’s been a live music staple for three decades – and smart renovations made in 2012 have seemingly ensured 3rd & Lindsley’s future for years to come. Local music makers feel at home on this stage, including Western Swing favorites The Time Jumpers, who perform every Monday night. But that also goes for massive Music City stars such as Miranda Lambert, who held a songwriters round-style concert there in July. 818 Third Ave. S., www.3rdandlindsley.com
BLUEBIRD CAFÉ
SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER
The Bluebird is one of the area’s best listening rooms and, thanks in part to ABC’s “Nashville,” now one of the most popular tourist attractions in town. The famous “in the round” shows featuring singer-songwriters might be the most popular events at the Bluebird, but for those looking for something a little louder, Mike Henderson’s played blues there nearly every Monday night for 20 years. 4104 Hillsboro Pike, bluebirdcafe.com
It’s best-known as the home of the renowned Nashville Symphony, but the Schermerhorn — named after former Nashville Symphony conductor Kenneth Schermerhorn — holds a wide variety of music events, from pops to jazz to the “Legends of Music” series. During the 2010 flood, the building was filled with more than 20 feet of water and required more than $40 million in repairs. 1 Symphony Place, nashvillesymphony.org
THE BASEMENT EAST
MARATHON MUSIC WORKS
Local music champion Mike Grimes (of Grimey’s fame) is one of the forces behind East Nashville’s newest music venue. It’s a roomy spot — in contrast to the cozy digs of the original Basement, which is still in action on Eighth Avenue. 917 Woodland Ave., www.thebasementnashville.com
Since opening in 2011, Marathon has hosted everyone from rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson to rappers Ghostface Killah and Raekwon. The midsize venue, in Marathon Village, counts radio station Lightning 100 among its neighbors. 1402 Clinton St., marathonmusicworks.com
MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM Soon after opening in 1962, Nashville Municipal Auditorium became the place to see music’s biggest names in Nashville. Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and The Rolling Stones all graced its stage in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Since the arrival of Bridgestone Arena in the late ‘90s, NMA hasn’t enjoyed the same status, though it hosts its fair share of touring rock, R&B and country acts. It’s doubly historic as the new home of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. 417 Fourth Ave. N., www.nashvilleauditorium.com
WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM Built in 1925 in honor of the men and women who died in World War I, this performance hall sits across the street from the state Capitol. It was home to the “Grand Ole Opry” in the 1940s before the show moved to Ryman Auditorium. For the past 60 years, it’s been a unique, regal setting to catch rockers and other acts on their way up – from Elvis Costello and the Attractions to Skrillex. 301 Sixth Ave. N., www.wmarocks.com
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HONKY-TONKS OF LOWER BROADWAY For those willing to brave the bachelorette and tourist crowds on Lower Broadway, honky-tonks such as Robert’s Western World (416 Broadway) and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge (422 Broadway) are pieces of country music history and conveniently located within stumbling distance of one another.
CITY WINERY The City Winery — which began in New York before expanding to Chicago, Napa and Nashville — is, as its name implies, also a fully functioning winery in addition to being a fine listening room with a palate-pleasing menu. Recent acts to play this stage include Stephen Stills, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell. 609 Lafayette St., www.citywinery.com/nashville
COMING TO NASHVILLE’S GRAND OLE OPRY® HOUSE
FOR THE FIRST TIME...
NOVEMBER 20 – DECEMBER 27, 2015 Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage at the Grand Ole Opry House. Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday story. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos.
ON SALE NOW!
Purchase Tickets & Packages Today
GrinchMusicalNashville.com (888) 677-9872 TM & © 1957, 2015 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P.
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Percy Warner Park
FUN ON TH JAE S. LEE / TENNESSEAN
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PubDate: 09-27-2015
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Get your fill of free and inexpensive things to do in Middle Tennessee
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f you are looking for free and cheap things to do and places to go, or if you are in search of bargains, Middle Tennessee is your kind of place. Here is a sampling of where to get started:
THE CHILDREN'S AREA AT THE SOUTHEAST DAVIDSON COUNTY LIBRARY.
PARKS As far as inexpensive and free things to do, your best bets are our local park and library systems. The Metro Nashville Parks department (www.nashville.gov/parks) not only has a full schedule of free concerts and events during warmer months, but also art shows, dance and music classes, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and tennis courts, golf courses, community centers, nature and fitness programs and hikes for all ages year-round at various locations around Davidson County. The parks’ lineup includes everything from free big band dances and Shakespeare in the Park performances to Nashville Symphony concerts. Plus, there are dog parks, greenways, waterplay areas and more.
LIBRARIES Our Nashville Public Library (library.nashville. gov) also has a wide reach with books, movies, concerts, classes, wonderful children’s programs (don’t miss the award-winning Wishing Chair Productions puppet theater) and great used book sales. You can definitely get a lot of mileage out of a free library card, including online access to thousands of resources, as well as the offerings at the brick-and-mortar facilities. In addition to the Nashville library system, check out others such as the Brentwood Library, Williamson County Library, Spring Hill Library, Sumner County Library and the Linebaugh Library in Murfreesboro for more wonderful free programs.
HE CHEAP FILE / THE TENNESSEAN
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IF YOU LIKE TO HIKE A GREAT RESOURCE IS THE NASHVILLE HIKING MEETUP, AN INFORMAL GROUP (WWW.MEETUP.COM/ NASHVILLE-HIKING) THAT YOU CAN JOIN FREE.
For exercise and exploring the great outdoors, check out our greenways. These are great if you like to walk, bike or explore. Greenways have been one of the biggest additions over the past few years to the Metro Nashville parks system (www.nashville.gov/parks), which now claims 190 miles of various trails, including 80 miles of multiuse greenway trails that primarily follow Nashville’s waterways. Other communities such as Murfreesboro also have developed lovely greenways (murfreesborotn.gov/parks). Outdoor enthusiasts will want to explore our state parks. There is a state park within a 30-minute drive of every Tennessean, and they offer amazing resources for day visitors as well as campers and lodge and cabin guests. Some are rustic, with swim beaches and pavilions, while others are fully developed with golf courses, swimming pools and restaurants. All have many levels of hiking trails, and some, like Montgomery Bell and Long Hunter, have mountain biking trails. Plus, all are beautiful! Details: www.tn.gov. If you like to hike, another great resource is the Nashville Hiking Meetup, an informal group (www.meetup.com/nashville-hiking) that you can join free. It organizes dozens of hikes and walks every month. There also is a paddling meetup for those who like to kayak, canoe or paddleboard (www.adventuresunlimited.com).
RICHLAND CREEK GREENWAY
GREENWAYS have been one of the biggest additions over the past few years to the Metro Nashville parks system (www.nashville.gov/parks), which now claims 190 miles of various trails, including 80 miles of multiuse greenway trails that primarily follow Nashville’s waterways. l
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SAMUEL M. SIMPKINS/THE TENNESSEAN
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FIRST SATURDAY ART CRAWL ON FIFTH AVENUE OF THE ARTS IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE.
ART If you like art, the Tennessee State Museum is free, and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts is free for ages 18 and younger. The Frist also has several free days for all ages throughout the year. At the Parthenon, a true Nashville treasure, it only costs $6 to get in. The local colleges and universities also have galleries that are free and often have receptions and interesting shows. Details: belmont.edu, www.fisk.edu and vanderbilt.edu/gallery. You also should know about the regular monthly art walks/crawls that give you a healthy dose of the new artwork around town. The biggest and most established is the First Saturday Art Crawl downtown (www.nashvilledowntown. com) that includes more than a dozen galleries showing off new artwork from 6 to 9 p.m. the first Saturday of every month. There is even a free shuttle that takes you from gallery to gallery, and free wine and light appetizers are offered at most of the galleries. There also is a downtown Franklin Tour of the Arts (downtownfranklintn.com/the-franklin-
THE PARTHENON IN CENTENNIAL PARK.
THE FIRST SATURDAY ART CRAWL downtown includes more than a dozen galleries showing off new artwork from 6 to 9 p.m. the first Saturday of every month. There is even a free shuttle that takes you from gallery to gallery, and free wine and light appetizers are offered at most of the galleries. l
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PHOTOS BY LARRY MCCORMACK, SAMUEL M. SIMPKINS / THE TENNESSEAN
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art-scene) from 6 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of every month. And a Wedgewood/Houston art and music crawl on the first Saturday night each month (www.am-wh.com).
SHOPPING Middle Tennessee is full of consignment clothing shops for ladies clothing and accessories. There are a few for men and children, too, as well as shops that specialize in consigned furniture. Opry Mills has a mixture of full-price and off-price stores, including H&M, Vera Bradley, J. Crew, Carter’s and Nike. The Lebanon Premium Outlets offer an array of outlets including Gap, Nike, Coach and others. Other popular bargain stores are Nordstrom Rack; Essex Bargain Hunt, which sells a large variety of merchandise from clothing to electronics to baby things to home goods at variable discounts; and Marti & Liz Shoes and French’s Shoes, both with multiple Midstate locations offering overruns and returns of men’s and women’s shoes (and a few children’s shoes) at great prices. The Nashville Flea Market (www.thefairgrounds.com) is another popular destination for bargain shoppers. It is the fourth weekend of every month (except December when it is the third weekend) at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, with sales going on Friday through Sunday. Admission is free, but parking is $5. Thrift stores are popular, with 36 Goodwill stores, as well as lots of other thrift stores such as ThriftSmart and This ’N That in Nashville, Our Thrift in Franklin, Graceworks in Franklin, Greenhouse Ministries in Murfreesboro, Samaritan Center in Sumner County and Help Centers in most of the surrounding counties.
ACCESS PASS AND MEMBERSHIPS Sometimes you have to spend money to save money, and one of the best deals for newcomers is the Music City Total Access Pass, which you can buy for $60 at the Nashville Visitor Information Centers (at Fifth Avenue South and Broadway and Fourth Avenue North and Commerce Street). The Access Pass (www.visitmusiccity.com) is sort of a build-your-own-tour program for people (locals and tourists) who want to hit the high points. You pay $60 and then choose admission to any four attractions from a list of 16 destinations. Plus, you get free admission to The Parthenon and discounts in the visitor center gift shops.
Memberships also are a good way to save at attractions including the Parthenon, the Nashville Zoo, Cheekwood, the Frist Center, Country Music Hall of Fame and Adventure Science Center.
COLLEGES One of Nashville and Middle Tennessee’s strengths is that it is full of colleges and universities that offer untold benefits to the community. The Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt (blair.vanderbilt.edu) and Belmont School of Music (www.belmont.edu/music) together have more than 200 free (and absolutely top-notch) concerts that are open to the community. Our colleges also offer wonderful and affordable art shows, theater and dance programs and a full range of sports. Plus, a few of the colleges, such as Vanderbilt and Lipscomb University, have affordable and provocative learning opportunities for seniors. Our public and private high schools also have marvelous theater offerings and sports competitions at great prices, too.
AND ME! Last but not least, I invite you to get to know Ms. Cheap! I know it may sound self-serving but, I mean, where else do you have a full-time reporter such as myself who writes about nothing but deals and ways to save money in Middle Tennessee? Find my Ms. Cheap columns at Tennessean.com/mscheap and in The Tennessean on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I also put together seasonal guides highlighting free fun things to do. I am also constantly posting deals and information at Tennessean.com and I’m on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mscheap and at @Ms_Cheap on Twitter.
Volunteerism Continued from Page 58
nonprofits, as well as its programs in urban agriculture, home energy savings, youth leadership development and public education, is a model for good work in this community. Its role in response and recovery efforts during the historic 2010 Nashville flood exemplified its power and importance, as its volunteer coordination efforts made it a go-to resource for volunteer agencies and government entities across the country seeking to emulate Nashville’s disaster preparedness plans. And that is just one example of its community-centered efforts. Just a quick stop at the organization’s website and you can find opportunities to serve meals to cancer patients, harvest a local community garden, connect kids in need with bicycles and restore a dilapidated home. Of course there are many, many, many other organizations — big and small — that also work to connect those who want to help with those who need it. To name them all would be impossible. But here’s what I know: Without volunteers, so many of our community’s needs would go unaddressed and we all would feel that impact. So take the initiative and take part in efforts that are inspiring and impactful. Start now in making a meaningful difference in Middle Tennessee. To do so emulates what this city and this state are all about — volunteer spirit. Our community is better for it. Reach Jessica Bliss at 615-259-8253 and on Twitter @jlbliss.
Bringing Fitness Home
SouthernSculptFitness.com
Give Us A Call: (615) 807-0474
THINGS TO DO: ATTRACTIONS
ATTRACTIONS ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER 800 Fort Negley Blvd. 615-862-5160 www.adventuresci.com The Adventure Science Center, located near downtown just off I-65, is a great spot for science enthusiasts and the kid who dreads biology class. The exhibits are interactive and put a fun spin on an academic subject. It's a popular spot for family outings and school field trips, and parents can book it for birthday parties. There are mazes and towers to climb on, plus an out of this world planetarium. Adventure Science Center even hosts events for adults, such as the Way Late Play Date, an evening event for those 21+ to explore the exhibits for themselves.
BELLE MEADE PLANTATION 5025 Harding Road 615-356-0501
FILE/THE TENNESSEAN
BELLE MEADE PLANTATION
www.bellemeadeplantation.com This 30-acre historic property features the famous Greekrevival style mansion, home to the Harding-Jackson family for generations. Now families can enjoy the land for events like fishing with authentic cane poles or a tea party on the porch, complete with gloves and a tour of the mansion. A magnet for field trips, it also makes a stunning backdrop for a wedding or birthday party. Tons of camps are also available, such as museum theater, perfect for your budding diva.
BELMONT MANSION
This 19-acre park that sits beneath the State Capitol in downtown Nashville was designed to complement the Tennessee State Capitol building. The park, which features 31 erupting geyser fountains, carillons that ring on the hour and a large grassy area that is bordered by the Nashville Farmers Market, Jefferson Avenue, Sixth Avenue and the front plaza on James Robertson Parkway. Its surrounding walls are etched with a timeline of Tennessee history. Park rangers are available to educate visitors about the state's historical, natural and recreational areas.
1900 Belmont Blvd. 615-460-5459
CHEEKWOOD ART & GARDENS
www.belmontmansion.com
1200 Forrest Park Drive
In the heart of Belmont University lies the crown jewel of the campus (and its namesake). The elaborate Italianate-style villa that housed Adelicia Hayes Franklin Acklen Cheatham boasts an unimaginable 19,000 square feet of ornately decorated interior. Today, the mansion is one of Middle Tennessee's most prestigious architectural specimens from the antebellum era. The mansion is also the perfect setting for private parties such as weddings, receptions and dinners.
615-356-8000
BICENTENNIAL CAPITOL MALL STATE PARK 600 James Robertson Parkway 615-741-5280 www.tnstateparks.com
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum houses an incredible collection of artifacts that tell the history of country music from the hillbilly singers of yesteryear to the modern country swingers of today with displays, interactive exhibits, historic video clips and much more. See the stars’ glittering costumes, colorful Hatch Show Print posters and priceless instruments that were used to make the music.
GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE 2804 Opryland Drive 615-871-6779 www.opry.com
www.cheekwood.org Cheekwood boasts breathtaking gardens and rare art collections year-round — notable past exhibits include “Andy Warhol’s Flowers,” as well as David Roger’s sculpture feature, “Big Bugs.” Cheekwood is a great family outing during the day and is romantic at night.
COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
The Grand Ole Opry House is a staple in the county music history and lifestyle that surrounds Music City; the performances there are the stuff of legends.
OPRY MILLS 433 Opry Mills Drive 615-514-1000 www.oprymills.com The shopping mall offers 200+ stores to meet all your fashion needs.
222 Fifth Ave. S. 615-416-2001 www.countrymusichalloffame.org
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THINGS TO DO: ATTRACTIONS
GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER 2800 Opryland Drive 615-889-1000 www.gaylordopryland.com Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is the place to stay here. It features beautiful rooms amid upscale eateries and extravagant gardens.
THE HERMITAGE 4580 Rachel's Lane, Hermitage 615-889-2941 www.thehermitage.com Presidential history comes to life at The Hermitage, the home of America’s seventh president, Andrew Jackson. This plantation house was originally a working farm. Today, it is an 1,100-acre historical site. Visitors can tour the impressive Greek Revival mansion, which is preserved to its 1840s appearance. At the visitors center, learn about Jackson and his family through film and historic displays. There are more things to see than one could possibly cover in one trip.
THE PARTHENON
NASHVILLE ZOO AT GRASSMERE
Centennial Park
3777 Nolensville Road
25th Avenue North and West End Avenue
615-833-1534
615-862-8431
www.nashvillezoo.org
www.nashville.gov/parthenon
Nashville's Zoo is a remarkable opportunity tucked away just off of Nolensville Road. With countless activities and programs for the community and the curious, as well as a diverse and extraordinary assortment of animals on display in expansive and non-confining habitats, the zoo works for the purposes of education, entertainment or the perfect backdrop for a romantic outing with that special someone.
The building in Nashville’s Centennial Park is a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon, the ancient temple in Athens, Greece, built to honor Athena. The first replica was constructed of temporary materials for the Centennial Exposition in 1897 (celebrating Tennessee’s first 100 years of statehood), to symbolize Nashville’s claim as “Athens of the South.” Because of the popularity of the structure, the city reconstructed the building to be a permanent facility in the 1920s. Local sculptor Alan LeQuire was commissioned in 1982 to re-create the nearly 42-foot-tall Athena statue inside, and the 12-ton sculpture was unveiled in 1990. On the lower level, check out art galleries with permanent and changing collections.
TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM 505 Deaderick St. 615-741-2692 www.tnmuseum.org This three-story museum underneath the Tennessee Performing Arts Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, so you've got plenty of opportunities to check out this downtown center for history and art. Permanent exhibits include historical features on Native Americans, the Old South, the Civil War and Reconstruction. The museum also has an art gallery for traveling exhibitions, which have spanned a diverse range including European masters, music-related photography and homemade furniture. Best of all, admission to permanent exhibits is always free.
GEORGE WALKER IV/THE TENNESSEAN
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
ɤȽȐɑǸȵ 3501 Clarksville Hwy. • Joelton, TN 37080 Original Family Ownership Since 1952 PRE-NEED FUNERAL PLANS AVAILABLE
(615) 876-2968
“Where Funeral Service Is A Ministry, Not A Business” Monument Sales Pre-Need Plans 101 Elizabeth Street Office (615) 792-4677 Ashland City, TN 37015 Fax (615) 792-3453 Info Line: (615) 792-6010
Ellis Funeral Home & Cremation Service 2627 Nolensville Pike Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 255-5412
Family Owned and Operated
“The friendship of those we serve is the foundation of our success”
LAWRENCE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES 203 South Horton Parkway Chapel Hill, TN 37034
“There Is A Difference”
PRE-NEED FUNERAL PLANS AVAILABLE (931) 364-2233
London Funeral Home 324 West Church St. Lewisburg, TN 37091 931-359-1541
Cornersville Funeral Home 310 North Main St. Cornersville, TN 37047 931-293-2862
Family Owned Since 1937 Greg Hardison & Adam Perryman, Owners At-Need & Pre-Need Funeral Service & Monument Sales
ɄȹȐɕ BASS FUNERAL CHAPEL, INC.
Springfield (615) 384-1000 • Greenbrier (615) 643-4000 White House (615) 672-5000 • Pleasant View (615) 746-4433 www.austinandbell.com
Gordonsville Chapel Carthage Chapel 807 Main Street North 71 Main Street East Carthage,TN 37030 Gordonsville,TN 38563 (615) 683-8212 (615) 735-1212
Cheatham County Funeral Home 15 minutes from downtown Nashville
Serving all of Middle Tennessee
We honor all ins. policies and pre-need contracts
(615) 792-2552
Johnny H. Jones, Funeral Director 117 Elizabeth Street, Ashland City TN 37015
HOOPER HUDDLESTON HORNER Cookerville Algood 931-526-6111
931-537-6312
Baxter
931-858-2134
Monterey 931-839-2266
David & Jill Horner, Owners
and Cremation Services
Fairview Chapel 615-799-0022 White Bluff Chapel 615-797-3106
Dickson Chapel 209 East College Street • Dickson, TN 37055 615-446-2313 • www.dicksonfuneralhome.com
J.W. Adkins Servicing Nashville for over 60 years Funeral Home Service measured not by God, 2510 12th Ave. So but by the Golden Rule Nashville, William Taylor, Director 37204 (615) 292-8367 www.jwadkinsfuneralhome.com
Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors
**Family Owned Since 1946** 2500 Clarksville Hwy, Nashville, TN 37208 Richard A. Lewis, Sr., Director “Get the Best - It Costs No More” Pre-Need Services Available * 615-255-2371
McDonald Funeral Home, Inc.
MCREYNOLDS NAVE LARSON FUNERAL HOME 1209 Madison Street • Clarksville, TN 37040
(931) 647-3371
Offering Pre-Planned Funeral Arrangements Member SIFH, NFDA, TFDA 102 West End Street Serving Hickman Co P.O. Box 69 Since 1946 Centerville, TN 37033
241 West Main St., Lebanon, TN (615) 444-2142 • www.ligonbobo.com David L. Brooks & Walter Clark McKinney Owners, Funeral Directors & Embalmers
ED LARSON, OWNER FAMILY OWNED
931-729-3561 Fax 931-729-2072
Pre-Planned Funerals and Cremations www.navefuneralhomes.com
ɤȽȐɑǸȵ
ɄȹȐɕ Oakes & Nichols, Inc.
“Dedicated To Those We Serve” Family Owned And Operated 402 South Cumberland, Lebanon, TN 37087 (615) 444-7007 ~ Obit Line (615) 444-7700 www.partlowchapel.com
Trusted Since 1945
Smith Brothers Funeral Directors, Inc.
320 West Seventh Street Columbia, Tennessee 38402-1015 Telephone (931) 388-4711 www.oakesandnichols.com
Committed to Excellence
Committed to Excellence
Carthage 615-735-2118 • Kempville 615-774-2118 www.sandersonfh.com
STRAWTHER & WHITE FUNERAL HOME
150 N. Blakemore Ave., Gallatin, TN 37066
(615) 230-0810 Fax (615) 230-0812
Family Owned and Operated Owner, Albert Strawther, LFD “Where Dignity, Quality and Excellent Service is Provided” Offer Pre-Need Plans • Burial Insurance
TB
PARTLOW FUNERAL CHAPEL
Funeral Directors Since 1856
Melvin J. Smith, Funeral Director
1412 Jefferson Street Nashville, TN 37208
In Time of Need…
• Dignity, Quality & Excellent Service • 24-Hour Personal Service • Cremation • Pre-Arranged Funerals • Monuments • Custom Made Programs • Notary Service 706 Monroe Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37208 (615) 726-1476 smithbrothersfd.com
Telephone: 615/329-9880 ~ Facsimile: 615/329-8214
www.scalesfuneralhome.com scalesfuneralhome@yahoo.com
“Quiet, Dignified Service”
“Committed to serving your funeral needs for more than a half century.”
Wilkinson ~ Wiseman Funeral Home
Funeral Directors:
715 South Broadway Portland, TN 37148 615-325-4191 Serving Our Families Since 1906
NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY OTHER FIRM THAT BEARS THE SCALES NAME…
Obituaries online at wilkinsonwiseman.com
* Direct Cremations * Immediate Burials * * Graveside Services * Traditional Funerals * * Custom Funerals * Economy Funerals * Gwendolyn R. Johnson
A. Brandon Starks
Terrell Broady FUNERAL HOME, INC. 3855 Clarksville Pk • Nashville, TN 37218
615-244-4755
Terrell Broady, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer • Byrettia Broady, Licensed Funeral Director “Family Owned and Operated”
WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME AND GARDENS 3009 Columbia Avenue, Franklin, TN 37064 (615) 794-2289
SPRING HILL MEMORIAL PARK AND FUNERAL HOME 5239 Main Street, Spring Hill, TN 37174 (931) 486-0059
ɤȽȐɑǸȵ
ɄȹȐɕ
(615) 823-5010
AFamilyLegacy.com COLE & GARRETT
Funeral Home and Cremation Services 127 North Main Street Goodlettsville, TN 37072
(615) 859-5231
CRESTVIEW
212 Highway 76 White House, TN 37188
(615) 672-3936
HARPETH HILLS
Memory Garden, Funeral Home, and Cremation Services
Memorial Gardens, Funeral Home & Cremation Center
1623 Highway 109 N Gallatin, TN 37066
9090 Highway 100 Nashville, TN 37221
(615) 452-1943
3620 Nolensville Road, Nashville, TN 37211 615-832-1948 Est. 1955 Hickory Chapel 5852 Nolensville Road, Nashville, TN 37211 615-331-1952 Est. 1987 Waller Chapel 7281 Nolensville Road, Nolensville, TN 37135 615-776-7009 Est. 1875
(615) 646-9292
HENDERSONVILLE
SPRINGFIELD
Memory Gardens, Funeral Home & Cremation Center
Memory Gardens, Funeral Home & Cremation Center
353 Johnny Cash Parkway Hendersonville, TN 37075
4005 Memorial Blvd. Springfield, TN 37172
(615) 824-3855
Family Owned and Operated
(615) 384-5437
WEST HARPETH
Funeral Home and Crematory 6962 Charlotte Pike Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 352-9400
CELEBRATE LIFE. REMEMBER FOREVER™
(615) 893-5151 or (615) 459-3254 Serving Rutherford County, TN Since 1983 www.woodfinchapel.com
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THINGS TO DO: FOOD
Discover Nashville’s dining scene
R
ecent transplants to the Nashville area may find some of our restaurant traditions a bit anachronistic, but isn’t food always that way? Rather than point newcomers to the latest and hippest, much of which can be found in other cities, or to the growing number of global cuisines, here’s a list of some Nashville peculiarities to help get you grounded in how the locals eat.
First, there’s the meat-and-three, which pretty much is a holdover from the plate lunch restaurants of the South. The fact that they have endured so well in Nashville is one of our historical quirks, but the numbers have dwindled. Here are two truly iconic places that attract celebrities, pro athletes, judges and pipe fitters in their shared appreciation for authentic Southern comfort food.
Arnold’s 605 Eighth Ave. S. 615-256-4455 www.arnoldscountry kitchen.com
Swett’s 2725 Clifton Ave. 615-329-4418 http://swetts restaurant.com
SHELLEY MAYS, JOHN PARTIPILO, FILE PHOTOS/THE TENNESSEA
NESSEAN
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PubDate: 09-27-2015
Zone: LivinNash
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THESE ARE JUST TO GET YOUR BEARINGS AND GAIN AN APPRECIATION FOR NASHVILLE’S ORIGINAL FOOD SCENE. AFTER THAT THE CITY IS YOUR OYSTER. While other states such as Mississippi might have a lock on the catfish farming industry, Tennessee is no stranger to this ugly yet delicate whitefish. Just west of Nashville, Ashland City on the Cumberland River used to be home to several great catfish joints, but time and the flood of 2010 reduced them to one. The Riverview was, in fact, deep underwater, but
it was rebuilt as a riverfront attraction. Take Charlotte to River Road for a great leisurely drive and don’t forget to try the hushpuppies.
Riverview Restaurant and Marina 110 Old River Road, Ashland City 615-792-7358 www.riverviewrestaurantandmarina.com
Nashville’s love of barbecue has always been a constant, but the city is reawakening to the old-school joys of slow-cooked hogs. These places do it right with attention to method and a stable of proper side dishes. Some have even brought back the art of cooking whole hogs, which adds new meaning to the the phrase “pit in my stomach.”
Edley’s BBQ 908 Main St. 615-873-4085 www.edleysbbq.com
Martin’s BBQ Joint 3108 Belmont Blvd. 615-200-1181 www.martinsbbqjoint.com
Peg Leg Porker 903 Gleaves St. 615-829-6023 www.peglegporker.com
I saved the hottest for last. For aficionados of Nashville hot chicken, a scorching local specialty that has garnered national praise and attention, just the mention of the mean bird causes scalps to pop and brows to sweat. Start slow and work your way up to the really hot stuff or you’ll be clearing your calendar for the next 48 hours. I’m only giving you one option here because you have to worship at the altar before becoming a hot chicken acolyte.
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack 123 Ewing Drive #3 615-226-9442 www.facebook.com/PrincesHotChicken Reach Jim Myers at 615-259-8367 and on Twitter @ReadJimMyers. l
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THINGS TO DO: FOOD
NASHVILLEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S
25 BEST REST
NASHVILLE LIFESTYLES AND ITS TEAM OF FOOD EX Nashville Lifestyles
E
ach year, Nashville Lifestyles gathers a team of food experts and sets out to compile a list of the city compiled by Chris Chamberlain, Jennifer Justus, Kristin Luna, Erin Byers Murray, Jim Myers and Viv
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Time: 09-29-2015 14:48
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JUSTIN CHESNEY
JOSEPHINE AT 2316 12TH AVE. S.
STAURANTS
OD EXPERTS SHARE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS
t of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best restaurants. Here are the restaurants recommended for reservations tonight, yers and Vivek Surti.
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THINGS TO DO: FOOD
THE 404 KITCHEN
THE 404 KITCHEN 404 12th Ave. S. 615-251-1404; the404nashville.com Within 24 hours of arriving in Nashville five years ago, chef Matt Bolus was showing off his considerable culinary skills as a competitor in the Iron Fork contest. Although he didn’t win, Nashville was put on notice that a young gun was ready to take over the town. Since then, his cuisine has matured, and his mastery in the kitchen is showcased nightly at The 404 Kitchen in The Gulch. Known for his contemporary take on traditional European cuisine, Bolus emphasizes seasonal local ingredients along with seafood sourced from the Atlantic that plays to his strength as a former fish butcher at Mike Lata’s acclaimed FIG restaurant in Charleston, S.C. No meal at The 404 is complete without an order of housemade burrata, a fresh cheese made from mozzarella and cream, or a beverage from either the inventive wine list or the cocktail menu, which features an eclectic selection of liquors. With only 56 seats and Bolus at the helm, The 404 is one of the city’s top dining destinations.
ARNOLD’S COUNTRY KITCHEN
PHOTOS BY RON MANVILLE
ARNOLD’S COUNTRY KITCHEN
605 Eighth Ave. S. 615-256-4455; facebook.com/ arnoldsmeatand3 When Kahlil Arnold took over the reins of Arnold’s Country Kitchen from his father, Jack, he moved slowly. It’s a venerable meat-and-three steam table, for crying out loud, and with customers who return every week for that one thing, you don’t mess with it. The thing is, Kahlil does mess with it, but in a nuanced way that coaxes the food into the 21st century without leaving the past behind. From hot sauce in his catfish brine to his play on tomatoes and grits, he makes simple Sunday table food an exaltation of Southern art. And with the current expansion, we may finally see three things we all pine for: breakfast, dinner and hooch.
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THINGS TO DO: FOOD
BISCUIT LOVE BRUNCH 316 11th Ave. S. 615-490-9584; biscuitlovebrunch.com They paid their dues serving biscuit sandwiches from a borrowed food truck. Then they renovated an Airstream to do the same. And now they have a bright, airy space with no wheels attached. You can’t help but root for Karl and Sarah Worley of Biscuit Love Brunch for their hard work and creative interpretations of our regional fare — from mod bonuts (yes, biscuit doughnuts) to the all-but-forgotten beaten biscuit offered as homage to beloved writer John Egerton through the restaurant’s “John’s Ham Bar.” The line can wind out the door on weekends, so it’s best to visit weekday mornings. The early bird gets the biscuit, after all.
THE CATBIRD SEAT
BISCUIT LOVE
PHOTOS BY JUSTIN CHESNEY
THE CATBIRD SEAT
1711 Division St. 615-248-8458; thecatbirdseatrestaurant.com When it opened in 2011, The Catbird Seat was a game changer. Suddenly, Nashville had a national spotlight, and from there, the floodgates opened. Founding chefs Josh Habiger and Erik Anderson impressed diners with their carefully constructed, multi-course feasts, all whipped up within a tiny kitchen surrounded by bar seats. And then, in 2014, the restaurant rewrote its own rules. Habiger and Anderson moved on, opening the door to chef Trevor Moran. Almost immediately, Moran’s Ireland-by-wayof-Denmark cuisine had the food elite buzzing. Here he was, putting out dishes that incorporated Southern ingredients, recalled his Irish heritage and looked like Noma masterpieces — all to harmonious effect: Think potato-broth tea infused with herbs; beef tartare served with hibiscus leaves, snail eggs — and no utensils (it works, we swear); and poached oysters with buckwheat hollandaise foam. Get yourself a seat — reservations still fill up fast, but if you’re flexible and check back often, cancellations can quickly work in your favor.
THINGS TO DO : FOOD
CITY HOUSE
CITY HOUSE
1222 Fourth Ave. S. 615-736-5838; cityhousenashville.com Among the new restaurants and “It” city-ness in Nashville, this place feels like a warm quilt we can count on. It’s still a great space for getting dressed up and celebrating over family-style bowls of cornbread gnocchi and sopping up egg with slices of wood-fired pies. And it offers a bevy of clever surprises at Sunday Supper, such as pork snacks, wings and lamb chops under Sunday gravy. But it’s also a safe spot to grab a seat at the bar for some of the best cocktails in town. Do dessert first with pastry chef Rebekah Turshen’s modern takes on classic cakes or cookie plates, or split a simple off-menu kitchen pizza pie ( just tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, grana padano and chili oil used to test the heat of the oven). With chef Tandy Wilson melding his travels, Southern studies and Nashville roots, it’s far more real than any newfangled showplace, but you still can’t spell “It city” without it.
EPICE
ETCH
ETCH 303 Demonbreun St. 615-522-0685; etchrestaurant.com There’s no stopping Deb Paquette. The chefowner of Etch continues to rack up accolades, including Etch being named top restaurant in Nashville last year by Zagat. And with an inventive roster of dishes such as a cornmeal-fried catfish dressed up with walnut, red bell pepper and pomegranate sauce, fiery plum preserve, lime crema, pickled onion, pumpkin seeds and greens, it’s easy to see why. Desserts are truly the icing on the cake and weekday happy hour (from 4 to 6:30 p.m.) is the perfect time to drop in for discounted drinks and small bites.
EPICE:THE TENNESSEAN; CITY HOUSE & ETCH: RON MANVILLE
EPICE
2902 12th Ave. S. 615-720-6765; epicenashville.com Maher Fawaz’s Lebanese bistro is still a hidden gem in Nashville’s restaurant scene. Fawaz, who also owns the popular fast-casual joint Kalamata’s, named his more upscale endeavor after the French word for spice. On the menu? A journey of exotic Mediterranean flavors. Start with the makdous (pickled eggplant with walnuts and olive oil) and work your way through the kabobs (especially samak, the spiced fish) before ordering the fassoulya (lamb shank with white beans). Finish off with a glass of hot tea — then sit back and savor one of the city’s coolest dining rooms.
THINGS TO DO: FOOD
FLIP BURGER 4111 Charlotte Ave. 615-454-2917; flipburgerboutique.com In a town that seems to be rapidly filling up with gourmet hamburger emporiums, chef Richard Blais would appear to be very brave, or perhaps foolhardy, to open the fifth location of his Flip Burger chain of restaurants here in Music City. But Blais isn’t scared. He calls it a “restaurant that happens to serve burgers,” with chefs who “treat a $6 burger like a $65 steak.” Indeed, those burgers are upscale, like the Oaxaca, made with Angus beef, avocado and cilantro-lime aioli; there’s also the raw tuna tartare sandwich with Asian pear, pine nuts and wasabi mayo. Then there’s his version of Nashville’s iconic hot chicken: the Hot Rabbit appetizer. Served with the traditional white bread plus bread and butter pickles, that bunny packs a punch. In addition to a full bar with wine, beer and cocktails, Flip offers up a selection of decadent milkshakes that show off the former “Top Chef Masters” winner’s skill for molecular gastronomy — they use frozen nitrogen to freeze the alcohol without diluting the drink. Add-ins like Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Cap’n Crunch and even foie gras ensure that you’ll be back for more.
FLIP BURGER
FLIP BURGER: EMILY B. HALL; KAYNE PRIME: JUSTIN CHESNEY; JOSEPHINE: JUSTIN CHESNEY
JOSEPHINE
JOSEPHINE
KAYNE PRIME
2316 12th Ave. S. 615-292-7766; josephineon12th.com Here’s what we know: Andrew Little is a really talented chef who is not afraid to inject into Nashville the robust Teutonic-laden flavors of his Pennsylvania upbringing. But it’s really not that weird to link the rural traditions from there to here. What’s more, we think that chef Little is building a good team around him that just plain gets it and can move his vision forward. Nowhere is that more evident than in his large-format menu for groups of six, with platters of tongue and marrow to curry emotional outbursts of joy.
KAYNE PRIME 1103 McGavock St. 615-259-0050; mstreetnashville.com You can thank the team behind M Street Nashville for kick-starting The Gulch’s culinary revolution. Restaurateur Chris Hyndman was considered a groundbreaker when he opened Whiskey Kitchen in 2009. As his empire’s grown, changed shape and improved, Kayne Prime has consistently offered some of the city’s best steaks — from American filet to Australian wagyu. And the sides can make a meal all on their own: Creamed spinach gets a fried egg and bits of truffle, while risotto tater tots are crusted in brown butter bread crumbs.
THINGS TO DO : FOOD
360 Bistro 6000 Hwy. 100 615-353-5604; 360bistro.com Caffe Nonna 4427 Murphy Road 615-463-0133; caffenonna.com Chauhan Ale & Masala House 123 12th Ave. N. 615-779-3770; chauhan nashville.com Hattie B’s 5209 Charlotte Ave., 615-7127137 112 19th Ave. S., 615-678-4794 hattieb.com Husk 37 Rutledge St. 615-256-6565; husknashville. com Mas Tacos Por Favor 732 McFerrin Ave. 615-543-6271; facebook.com/ mastacos Nashville Farmers’ Market 900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. 615-880-2001; nashvillefarmers market.org Little Octopus 604 Gallatin Ave., Suite 201 615-454-3946; popnashville.com The Silly Goose 888 Eastland Ave. 615-915-0757; sillygoose nashville.com Thai Esane 907 12th Ave. S. 615-454-5373; thaiesane.com
LOCKELAND TABLE
LOCKELAND TABLE
1520 Woodland St. 615-228-4864; lockelandtable.com Some restaurants feel instantly comfortable and lived in from the moment they open their doors. Lockeland Table, which served its first woodfired pizzas and chicken liver pâté in 2012, is such a place due partly to the good bones of a historic building and partly to the good stock running the place, with chef Hal Holden-Bache in the kitchen and Cara Graham welcoming regulars up front. And a comfortable spot means comfortable food. Holden-Bache was making a version of chimichurri long before Lockeland opened, yet with its bright bits of green set alongside a juicy strip steak, it’s a taste that always feels fresh.
PINEWOOD SOCIAL 33 Peabody St. 615-751-8111; pinewoodsocial.com It’s hard to deny Pinewood Social’s star power. Open for three meals a day — and all the hours in between — seven days a week, it’s a much-needed constant in the ever-changing downtown landscape, particularly for the remote worker who can take full advantage of Pinewood’s living room, outfitted with comfy couches and workstations and conveniently located next to the Crema coffee counter. The outdoor lounge and adjoining pool area — complete with a tiki-style Airstream trailer bar boasting its own drinks menu — gives us even more excuses to hole up at Pinewood.
PINEWOOD SOCIAL
ROLF AND DAUGHTERS
ROLF AND DAUGHTERS
700 Taylor St. 615-866-9897; rolfanddaughters.com Chef Philip Krajeck has made very few changes to his Germantown restaurant since it opened in 2012. And those he has made seem to have been carefully plotted and quietly installed. There was the addition of a chef de cuisine from New York, Owen Clark, in 2014. Then, the menu shifted gears ever so slightly, with dishes being listed from small to hardy and pastas standing out on their own (well warranted, considering those pastas are typically the stars of a meal there). Guest chef dinners featuring some of the country’s top culinary talent — like Jonathan Benno (Lincoln) and Ari Taymor (Alma) — continue to sell out with little more than a casual email invite sent by manager Mollie Ward. All this is to say that Krajeck has his head on straight when it comes to both his business and his food — meaning you can expect a consistent and exceptional experience with every visit. Just don’t forget to order the pasta.
PHOTOS BY RON MANVILLE
10 MORE TO CHECK OUT
UNION COMMON: JUSTIN CHESNEY; TWO TEN JACK: RON MANVILLE
THINGS TO DO: FOOD
TWO TEN JACK
UNION COMMON
TWO TEN JACK 1900 Eastland Ave., Suite 105 615-454-2731; twotenjack.com No matter when you find yourself at Two Ten Jack, it always feels like youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve arrived at the party precisely on time. Aside from the addition of a few more vegetable-focused options, the menu hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t changed much since the spot opened in 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we, however, have learned how to better navigate the offerings by, say, making a meal of the hot starters, specialty rolls and yakitori on some nights or pulling up a stool at the bar and slurping down a bowl of rich, heady broth nestled with noodles.
UNION COMMON 1929 Broadway 615-329-4565; unioncommon.com When picking a dinner destination, you can count on two hands the number of places in Nashville that know how to cook a great steak. Add in the requirement that they also serve excellent seafood, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re down to five. Combine that with a refined ambiance, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Union Common. From a sophisticated bar menu to perfectly cooked steaks to decadent desserts, Union Common provides just the right elements for a contemporary steakhouse experience.
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Time: 09-29-2015 14:49
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THINGS TO DO: SPORTS
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20 Midstate sports teams, venues and events to see
W
hether you’re a newcomer to Music City or a lifelong resident of the Midstate, the area offers sports fans many opportunities to cheer on their favorite college and professional teams. Here’s a list of 20 sports venues, teams and events you should see around the region.
THE TITANS Nashville is home to one of the 32 NFL franchises. The Tennessee Titans arrived in 1998, playing their first season in Nashville at Vanderbilt. They moved to Nissan Stadium (then known as Adelphia Coliseum) in 1999. Although the Titans are coming off a rough 2-14 season, there is a lot of optimism surrounding the team after it selected Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota in the first round of the NFL Draft. For ticket information, go to titansonline.com.
TITANS TRAINING CAMP If you want to meet the Titans and get autographs, there’s no better place than visiting training camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park. For specific dates and times during training camp, go to titansonline.com. GEORGE WALKER IV / THE TENNESSEAN; FILE / USA TODAY SPORTS
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Time: 09-29-2015 14:49
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THINGS TO DO: SPORTS
When Nashville landed an NHL franchise in 1997, a lot of professional hockey purists questioned how the team would succeed. After a bumpy start, the team has flourished. There’s not a better sports entertainment event in Music City than an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators play an 82-game schedule, 41 of them at home. The franchise has two of the league’s best players in goalie Pekka Rinne and defenseman Shea Weber. They also have two of the league’s best young players in defenseman Seth Jones and center Filip Forsberg. For ticket information, go to predators.nhl.com.
NHL ALL-STAR WEEKEND The world’s best players will play in Nashville Jan. 30-31, when the Predators host NHL All-Star Weekend at Bridgestone Arena. While tickets to the Jan. 30 Skills Competition and the Jan. 31 All-Star Game will be difficult to obtain, there will be many other hockey-related events around the city, including a hockey fan festival at Music City Center.
GEORGE WALKER IV, LARRY MCCORMACK / THE TENNESSEAN
THE PREDATORS
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THINGS TO DO: SPORTS
COUNTRY MUSIC MARATHON Held in April each year since 2000, the Country Music Marathon is one of the biggest single-day sporting events in Nashville. More than 30,000 runners compete in the marathon or half-marathon. It routinely has one of the largest fields for a half-marathon in the country. The next event is scheduled for April 30. For more information, go to runrocknroll.com/Nashville.
SEC BASKETBALL Bridgestone Arena will again host the Southeastern Conference men’s basketball tournament. The 2016 tournament is scheduled March 9-13. The tournament was held previously at Bridgestone in 2010, ’13 and ’15. The tournament will be in Music City in 2016-17, 2019-21 and 2023-25. The SEC women’s tournament will be played at Bridgestone in 2018, 2022 and 2026. For ticket information about the 2016 tournament, go to secticketoffice.com.
MUNICIPAL AUDITORIIUM There was a time when Nashville Municipal Auditorium was one of the top music and sports venues in the South. When Bridgestone Arena opened in 1996, a lot of the sports events left Municipal. A few events remain, including the Ohio Valley Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in March. The Nashville Venom, a member of the Professional Indoor Football League, will begin its third season in March.
NASHVILLE SOUNDS
PHOTOS BY LARRY MCCORMACK, JAE S. LEE, SHELLEY MAYS/THE TENNESSEAN
BRIDGESTONE ARENA WILL AGAIN HOST THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT. THE 2016 TOURNAMENT IS SCHEDULED MARCH 9-13. FOR TICKET INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2016 TOURNAMENT, GO TO SECTICKETOFFICE.COM.
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The Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s plays a 144-game schedule, including 72 home games in Music City. Members of the Pacific Coast League, the Sounds played their inaugural season at the 10,000-seat First Tennessee Park in 2015. Before that, the Sounds played at Greer Stadium for 37 seasons. For ticket information, go to nashvillesounds.com.
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THINGS TO DO: SPORTS
VANDERBILT STADIUM
PHOTOS BY JAE S. LEE / THE TENNESSEAN
Nashville is home to Vanderbilt University, one of the founding schools in the Southeastern Conference. The Commodores’ football team plays a 12-game regular season schedule, including home games at Vanderbilt Stadium. Head coach Derek Mason is in his second season at Vanderbilt.
FLOYD STADIUM Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium is the home of the Middle Tennessee State University football team. Opened as Horace Jones Field in 1933, the stadium seats 30,788. Coach Rick Stockstill’s Blue Raiders play in Conference USA. For ticket information, go to goblueraiders.com.
GOVERNORS STADIUM
HAWKINS FIELD
The Austin Peay University football team plays at Governors Stadium. Opened in 1946, the stadium seats 10,000 and was refurbished before the 2014 season. Coach Kirby Cannon’s team plays in the Ohio Valley Conference. Visit letsgopeay.com.
The Vanderbilt baseball team is one of the most successful NCAA Division I baseball teams in the country. Coach Tim Corbin’s Commodores, who play home games at 3,700-seat Hawkins Field, won the College World Series in 2014 and were runners-up in 2015. Several dozen Commodores have been selected in the annual Major League Draft over the past dozen years, including No. 1 overall picks David Price (2007) and Dansby Swanson (2015). The Commodores play a 60-plus game schedule each season, beginning in February. l
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THINGS TO DO: SPORTS
MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM The Vanderbilt men’s and women’s basketball teams have played in Memorial Gymnasium since 1952. With a seating capacity of 14,326, the venue is one of the few basketball courts in the nation where the benches are on opposite ends of the court.
MURPHY CENTER The Charles M. Murphy Center is the home to Middle Tennessee State University’s multipurpose athletic facility and includes Monte Hale Arena, home of the NCAA Division I Blue Raiders’ men’s and women’s basketball programs. Opened in 1972, it seats 11,520 for basketball games.
ALLEN ARENA The indoor arena at Lipscomb University, Allen Arena is home to the NCAA Division I Bisons’ men’s and women’s basketball programs and the women’s volleyball program. Opened in 2001, the arena seats 5,028 for basketball games.
CURB EVENT CENTER The multipurpose arena at Belmont University, the Curb Event Center is the home to the NCAA Division I Bruins’ athletic programs. The Bruins’ men’s basketball program has been one of the most consistently successful programs in the country, winning 20 or more games in 10 of the past 12 seasons. Opened in 2003, the Curb Event Center seats 5,085 for basketball.
GENTRY CENTER The Gentry Center is the home of Tennessee State University’s indoor athletic teams, including the NCAA Division I Tigers’ men’s and women’s basketball programs. Opened in 1980, the basketball arena seats 10,500.
FAIRGROUNDS SPEEDWAY
IROQUOIS STEEPLECHASE
On the grounds of the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, the independent racetrack is the second-oldest continually operating track in the country. Opened in 1904, the half-mile paved oval track hosts monthly races. The track’s premier event, The All-American 400, is scheduled for Oct. 3-4. For ticket information, go to fairgroundsspeedwaynashville.com.
More than 25,000 people annually attend the steeplechase competition on the second Saturday of May at Percy Warner Park. The 2016 races, scheduled for May 8, will celebrate the event’s 75th anniversary. For more information, go to iroquoissteeplechase.org.
PHOTOS BY GEORGE WALKER IV, JAE S. LEE, FILE PHOTO/ THE TENNESSEAN
Reach Dave Ammenheuser at 615-259-8352 and on Twitter @NashSportsEd. l
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AND DON’T FORGET » Ernest L. Stockton Field / Woody Hunt Stadium: Home of Cumberland University baseball. » Dugan Field: Home of Lipscomb University baseball. » Rose Park: A Metro park, which is used by Belmont University for baseball, softball and track.
THINGS TO DO: PEOPLE TO KNOW
Renata Soto
5 people you need to know in Nashville
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Marcus Whitney Avi Poster
George Armistead Joey Newkirk
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BRAD SCHMITT, FILE PHOTOS /THE TENNESSEAN; JOEY NEWKIRK, ARMISTEAD ARMISTEAD : SUBMITTED
ew to town? Welcome to Nashville! Yeah, yeah, hot chicken, country music, celebrity chefs, exploding growth. But the people make it special. Here are five you should know. These folks will get you plugged in fast. Renata Soto — The city’s (and maybe Tennessee’s) leading immigrants’ activist, Soto runs Conexion Americas, home to all sorts of agencies and activities for new Americans — and longtime ones, too. Soto’s bright personality and easy demeanor endear her to virtually anyone she meets. That includes President Barack Obama, who visited Conexion Americas in December. George Armistead — A former Metro councilman, Armistead is a big guy with a gigantic personality. In a room of 200 Kiwanis and guests, Armistead can call about 180 names. Marcus Whitney — The coolest of Nashville’s tech entrepreneurs, Whitney has pumped up innovation more than any other. Oh, and the guy gives TED talks! And talk about diverse: Whitney changed the look of the congregation at The Temple when he converted to Judaism a few years back. Joey Newkirk — A longtime hot bartender at PLAY Dance Bar on the city’s gay club strip, Newkirk charms with natural high energy and a super-positive outlook. Oh, and he’s a singer, too. That’s sooooooo Nashville. Avi Poster — A Chicago native, Poster is an energetic, funny Nashville figure in all things education, liberal, cross-cultural, human rights and deli. Poster has hosted every Middle Tennessee community leader — and a few celebrities — at his favorite restaurant, Noshville, in Midtown.
Toast of Music City Reader’s Choice Awards
2015 presented by
CONGRATS
to all your favorite Middle Tennessee businesses who were voted the best in The Tennessean’s Reader’s Choice Awards presented by First Tennessee. Find out who the winners are today!
ToastOfMusicCity.com
THINGS TO DO: PARKS
PARKS
FILE/THE TENNESSEAN
Bledsoe Creek State Park
BARFIELD CRESCENT PARK MURFREESBORO
This 430-acre community park has many facilities to occupy the free time of Murfreesboro residents. College students as well as hard-core players take full advantage of the 18-hole championship disc golf course, and there are picnic shelters to rent for your next summer party. More than seven miles of paved and unpaved trails are perfect for jogging or an easy walk. The park also has a well-maintained baseball and softball complex, and a Wilderness Station with two outdoor classrooms.
BICENTENNIAL CAPITOL MALL STATE PARK NASHVILLE This 19-acre park that sits beneath the State Capitol in downtown Nashville was designed to complement the Tennessee State Capitol building. The park features erupting geyser fountains, carillons that ring on the hour and a large grassy area (the mall) that is bordered by the Nashville Farmers Market, Jefferson Avenue, Sixth Avenue and the front plaza on James Robertson Parkway. Its surrounding walls are etched with a timeline of Tennessee history. Park rangers are available to educate visitors about the state's historical, natural and recreational areas.
BLEDSOE CREEK STATE PARK GALLATIN A relaxing getaway for when life gets too fast-paced, Bledsoe Creek State Park is where visitors can be greeted at their tent flap by deer and see wildlife at every turn of the six miles of walking trail. With campsites equipped for tents or campers, this park is where time stands still and the catch of the day from Old Hickory Lake can include bass, blue gill and crappie. Playgrounds and picnic sites are the perfect place to get away from it all and commune with nature.
BURGESS FALLS STATE PARK SPARTA
BROOKMEADE PARK
The 154-acre Burgess Falls State Park is 8 miles south of Interstate 40 near Cookeville. A stream-side nature trail winds through lush woodlands, descending below scenic limestone cliffs to the still water of Center Hill Lake. Falling Water River offers beautiful cascades and scenic overlooks. The park shelters an abundance of wildlife and more than 300 species of trees and plants. Visitors should check out the large Native Butterfly Garden located adjacent to the upper parking lot. Picnic facilities are available.
NASHVILLE
CEDARS OF LEBANON STATE PARK
A greenway located at Kelly’s Point Battlefield, the site of a battle in the Civil War, anchors Brookmeade Park in West Nashville off Charlotte Pike between the Lowe’s superstore complex and the Cumberland River. There’s parking near the trailhead, which leads to a bike-friendly greenway and a small, simple overlook of the river. The trail here will eventually be connected with other sections of the Metro Nashville Parks Greenways Project to create the Cumberland River Greenway.
LEBANON
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Named for the dense cedar forest that existed in the biblical lands of Lebanon, Cedars of Lebanon State Park consists of 900 acres of intensive recreational area. There are 117 campsites, with all the camping amenities, a modern group lodge, trails, swimming, picnic facilities, a meeting facility and nature programs. The unique natural ecosystems found in and around Cedars of Lebanon are natural rock gardens called cedar glades. This park should certainly be on your list of must-sees.
THINGS TO DO: PARKS
CENTENNIAL PARK
CHEATHAM LOCK AND DAM
NASHVILLE
ASHLAND CITY
Nashville's flagship park is home to large grassy areas, several picnic pavilions, a small lake and, to top it all off, a decommissioned locomotive and fighter jet. It also houses The Parthenon, a replica of the Greek Parthenon in Athens, built for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition. Inside, visitors will find the world's tallest indoor sculpture, a 42-foot statue of the Greek goddess Athena, and a world-class art gallery. In warmer months, it's the place to be for Frisbee tossers, soccer players and sunbathers.
The Nashville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes visitors to Cheatham Lake. Lock A Campground is located very close to the lock and dam on Cheatham Lake on the Cumberland River System, and is surrounded by environmentally important wetlands and wildlife management areas. Boating, swimming, and fishing are among the activities offered at Lock A. The campground offers 45 sites with hook-up; seven sites are tent only. Additional amenities include hot showers, a boat launch, interpretive trail, playground, a shelter and swimming area.
CHARLIE DANIELS PARK MT. JULIET Entertainer Charlie Daniels is larger than life in the music world and in his current residence of Mt. Juliet with a park that bears his name. Folks entering the city-owned park can head to the renovated playground area or Avaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Splash Pad in warmer weather. Picnics and fun are the name of the game at the gazebo. And what would a place named for Charlie Daniels be without a spot for music? That feature is there for all to enjoy with an amphitheater just right for all types of tunes.
CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN STATE PARK CROSSVILLE South of I-40 on U.S. Highway 127, this 1,720-acre wooded park is centered on the Cumberland Plateau, elevation over 1,000 feet, America's longest forested plateau. The state's grandest Civilian Conservation Corps structure, a seven-arch sandstone bridge, spans Byrd Lake in the park. A lakeside trail winds between tall pines and hemlocks. Nestled among the hardwoods are cabins, a recreation lodge and a restaurant overlooking the lake. There are also campgrounds, swimming and play areas. Nearby are the historic Cumberland Homestead tower, Piney and Ozone Falls Natural Areas, the scenic Sequatchie Valley and Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, plus Jack Nicklaus' signature Bear Trace Golf Course.
LARRY MCCORMACK/THE TENNESSEAN
Fall Creek Falls State Park
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DUNBAR CAVE STATE NATURAL AREA CLARKSVILLE The gaping mouth of Dunbar Cave is ominous but at the same time curiously enticing. This massive cavern has attracted mankind for countless years, evident by the recent discovery of cave paintings â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a rare find in North America. Three nearby hiking trails complement the cave, as well as the scenic Swan Lake, which offers recreation for those who would rather fish than spelunk.
FALL CREEK FALLS STATE PARK PIKEVILLE An oasis of more than 26,000 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau, Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of the most scenic and spectacular outdoor recreation areas in America. There are cascades, deep chasms, virgin timber and the Fall Creek Falls themselves, which plunge 256 feet into a shaded pool. Over half of the park is designated a natural area wilderness. The Nature Center provides exhibits on the geology, plants and animals of Fall Creek Falls. A 345-acre lake has yielded record-size fish. The 18-hole championship golf course has been listed among the top public courses in the United States. This area was once a home site for Gilbert Gaul, renowned Civil War genre painter.
THINGS TO DO: PARKS
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
LONG HUNTER STATE PARK HERMITAGE
GATLINBURG
Named after the early explorers of the 1700s, Long Hunter is located along the shore of Percy Priest lake. The 2,600-acre park offers a variety of day-use recreational opportunities and protects a unique cedar glade environment. The park has a 110-acre lake with a fishing pier. A visitor's center provides exhibits and key information on the flora and fauna you'll find on more than 20 miles of hiking trails suitable for day hiking and overnight backpacking.
The Smoky Mountains are world-renowned for the diversity of their plant and animal life and the remnants of Appalachian culture. The Appalachian trail runs through part of the park, and untold miles of hiking trails await the intrepid adventurer.
HAMILTON CREEK PARK NASHVILLE
MONTGOMERY BELL STATE PARK
Hamilton Creek offers 11 miles of mountain biking trails. The beginner-to-intermediate trail, aka the Lakeside Trail, is 4.5 miles. The advanced trail, the Pinnacle, is 6.5 miles and popular in the mountain biking community. Pinnacle is rated by local mountain bikers as the fifthmost "technical" trail in Tennessee, meaning it's rocky, rooty and requires coordination of mind and legs.
BURNS They say there used to be iron in them there hills; now the rolling landscape of Dickson County serves up more awe than ore as 3,850 acres of luscious Montgomery Bell State Park landscape draw visitors just as the metallic treasure used to in days of old. Sightseers can visit the location of the first Cumberland Presbyterian Church, fish in one of the parks three lakes, hike 19 miles of trails or hit the links at the golf course. Accommodations include vacation cottages, campsites or the park inn.
HARPETH RIVER STATE PARK KINGSTON SPRINGS This unique linear park located along the Harpeth River in Middle Tennessee offers natural, cultural and recreational day use areas rich in historic significance and natural beauty. Canoe access areas are located at all sites (excluding archeological areas) providing beginner and advanced paddlers opportunities to float this beautiful class II river. Downstream, the Narrows of the Harpeth provides an upstream and downstream access, the Bell's Bend five-mile float, a unique quarter-mile portage and breathtaking views from the bluff trail. A 100-yard tunnel, hand-cut through solid rock, was one of the great engineering feats of the time and is today an industrial landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. A mile upstream, Mound Bottom preserves a Mississippian Village. Group tours, hiking and other activities are available.
MOUNT VIEW GLADE STATE NATURAL AREA ANTIOCH Encircled by subdivisions, Mount View Glade State Natural Area is a nine-acre pocket of woodlands and fields that somehow survived the rampant sprawl that began racing across Antioch decades ago.
MURFREESBORO BARK PARK MURFREESBORO JAE S. LEE/THE TENNESSEAN
Long Hunter State Park
HENRY HORTON STATE PARK CHAPEL HILL The park is on the old estate of Henry H. Horton, the 36th governor of Tennessee. It's located on the Duck River, the longest remaining stretch of free-flowing river in the state of Tennessee, which supports on of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. The 1,140-acre park provides a 65-room inn, eight cabins and a restaurant that seats 255 along with meeting room space to accommodate convention and family groups. The park's 18hole championship golf course, with bent-grass greens and a pro shop, is one of finest in the state. The state park system's only skeet and trap range is located here. Family canoeing is also popular on the scenic Duck River. Camping and swimming are available.
HIWASSEE / OCOEE SCENIC RIVER STATE PARK DELANO Hiwassee Scenic River State Park is located on Maggie Hill Road at U.S. The Hiwassee was the first river managed in the State Scenic River program. A 23-river mile section, from the North Carolina state line to U.S. Highway 411 north of Benton, has been declared a Class III partially developed river. This stretch of river offers
canoeing, rafting, fishing, hiking, and nature photography. A scenic portion of the John Muir trail winds through the river gorge. Numerous public access sites provide boat launch ramps. At the Gee Creek campground, picnic areas, bath houses and primitive camping are available. Adjacent is the Gee Creek Wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest. The Ocoee River is a premier white-water river in the Southeastern United States, possessing the Class III and IV rapids. Access sites are maintained.
J. PERCY PRIEST LAKE Boaters, fishermen, campers and hikers visit year-round at this lake that straddles Davidson and Rutherford counties. The lake, named for the late Congressional representative James Percy Priest (also a high school teacher, coach, reporter and editor), features three campgrounds, Long Hunter State Park, recreational areas and trails including a horse trail. It is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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People who love their dogs love the fact that they can take them to their very own off-leash park. There is plenty of green space for dogs to romp around in, and maybe meet a new panting pal or two. And don't miss the annual Barkaroo festival where you can even win a dog-owner look-a-like contest or impress all with your dog's best trick.
OLD FORT PARK MURFREESBORO This 50-acre park offers plenty of outdoor fun for all ages. Lighted tennis courts attract players, and on summer evenings you can catch a game out on one of the baseball fields. Hikers take advantage of the greenway trails, while teens can go off with their friends and hit the volleyball area. Toddlers find endless entertainment at the Kids' Castle playground, giving moms a small break for conversation while they watch the tots. Picnic shelters are available to rent for large gatherings during the summer months. It also features a trailhead for the Greenway, the paved trail that winds all the way through Murfreesboro.
THINGS TO DO: PARKS
RIVERFRONT PARK NASHVILLE Located in the heart of downtown on the Cumberland River, this has been a longtime venue for outdoor concerts and summertime festivals. The “Ghost Ballet” art sculpture is on full display from here, so visitors can debate whether it is an eyesore or a boon to the city. A great spot for a cozy picnic if it isn’t too humid.
SOUTH CUMBERLAND STATE PARK MONTEAGLE
JOHN PARTIPILO/THE TENNESSEAN
Warner Parks
South Cumberland Recreation Area is the state's largest wilderness park, with over 23,000 acres in nine separate areas. The Visitors Center on State Highway 41 between Monteagle and Tracy City has exhibits and information on each component of the complex. The Stone Door and Savage Gulf Complex contains spectacular vistas, waterfalls, miles of trails and beautiful forests. Hikers on the much-loved Fiery Gizzard Trail may observe nature and swim in a creek. Grundy Lakes, a day-use area near Tracy City, provides swimming, picnicking and fishing.
STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD AND CEMETERY OLD HICKORY LAKE
RADNOR LAKE STATE PARK
MURFREESBORO
HENDERSONVILLE
NASHVILLE
Millions of boaters, fishermen, skiers, campers and hikers each year visit this manmade lake located on the Cumberland River, which spans into five counties -- Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Trousdale and Smith. Fishing is popular year-round while swimmers and skiers jump in during the spring and stick around well into the fall. An abundance of wildlife can be seen in and around the lake, which is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The 85-acre man-made lake in Nashville is surrounded by a variety of scenic overlooks and diverse natural habitats. Hikers, families and photographers will enjoy the wildlife and scenery along the park’s trails, which range from an easy walk to a challenging hike.
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day in 1862 and was one of the bloodiest battles of the war. The cemetery on site may be where all the rumors of ghost activity come from. That doesn't stop local schools from bringing kids there for field trips to learn part of their state's history.
PATTERSON PARK
TIPTONVILLE
MURFREESBORO An indoor/outdoor multipurpose sports and recreational facility composed of two gymnasiums, 1/8-mile track, aerobics area, fitness equipment, game room, conference center with three meeting rooms and dining room, indoor pool with 25-yard lap area, zero-depth area, interactive play system and triple-loop slide, theater, arts-and-crafts room and MGL Library. Multi-purpose field for soccer, flag football, two tennis courts, outdoor basketball courts, small and large picnic shelters located by parking lot and playground.
R. H. BOYD-PRESTON TAYLOR PARK NASHVILLE This park, which sits catty-corner to the Tennessee State University campus is a pretty straightforward affair where nature lovers will find gentle hills and scattered trees. It's a great place to walk dogs or to simply kick back and relax in a grassy, natural spot in the midst of a busy area. Bring a blanket and snacks to enjoy a picnic with friends or head to the park's small dirt field for a game of softball.
REELFOOT LAKE STATE PARK
Tennessee's largest natural lake, 15,000 acre Reelfoot Lake, was created by severe earthquakes in 1811 and 1812. This picturesque area is a favorite wintering ground of the American bald eagle. Guided tours to view the majestic birds are offered by park naturalists during the winter months. Located on the Mississippi Flyway, the lake hosts thousands of migrating waterfowl, and has a diversity of other wildlife. Reelfoot's partially submurged forest, with its acres of water lilies, creates an abundant fish hatchery, which makes it an ideal spot for fishing. On the north side of the lake, a unique inn is built over the lake among bald cypress trees.
RICHLAND CREEK GREENWAY, MCCABE TRAILHEAD NASHVILLE This two-mile paved path connects McCabe Park, Nashville State Community College, White Bridge Road and the Sylvan Park area. You can walk your dogs or go for a run while watching golfers on the green, as much of the path follows the edge of the McCabe Park golf course. Like any good greenway, it's lined with wildflowers and takes occasional turns into shady, wooded areas. Like the Shelby Park greenway, it's largely flat, and so provides a great setting for a leisurely bike ride or walk. l
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TRIPLE CREEK PARK GALLATIN Meander through the wooded trails or turn that stroll into a power walk. Triple Creek Park offers an abundance of recreational opportunities. Operated by the city of Gallatin, the park features a playground for kids and the opportunity to play disc golf.
WARNER PARKS NASHVILLE The Nature Center is the starting point for exploring the 2,684 acres of Nashville’s Percy Warner and Edwin Warner parks. Visitors can view organic, wildflower and fern gardens as well as the Frist teaching pond. The 625-acre Edwin Warner Park boasts three trailheads. Several shorter trails offer a learning playground for nature enthusiasts who aren’t necessarily hiking friends, while the longest trail, a 2.5-mile loop, is a moderate hike that features a 1930s rock quarry. Great stone steps serve as the gateway to Percy Warner Park, the largest of the two parks. This spectacular expanse features a vehicleaccessible scenic overlook, a cross-country course, a scenic overlook, a cross-country course, a steeplechase and picnic areas. Locals undertake the 5.6- and 11.2-mile loops through the park by bike and on foot. Less-taxing trails meander through the woods.
Š Robert Benson Photography
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
A comprehensive university, MTSU offers more than 245 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and concentrations in its nine colleges. The new 257,000-square-foot MTSU Science Building is one of the most significant investments made by the state of Tennessee for the enhancement of science and technology education. With more than 50 labs, 1,500 student stations and an outstanding faculty, it provides an opportunity for a state-of-the-art learning experience.
www.mtsu.edu AA/EEO/disability/vet
chronicles the remarkable life journey of Dr. Ming Wang, a world-renowned laser eye surgeon and philanthropist. As a teenager, Ming fought valiantly to escape one of history’s darkest eras – China’s Cultural Revolution – during which millions of innocent youth were deported to remote areas to face a life sentence of poverty and hard labor. Through his own tenacity and his parents’ tireless efforts to provide a chance of freedom for their son, Ming eventually made his way to America with $50 in his pocket and an American dream in his heart, where against all odds he would earn a PhD in laser physics and graduate magna cum laude with the highest honors from Harvard Medical School and MIT. He embraced his Christian faith and tackled one of the most important questions of our time – Are faith and science friends or foes? – which led to his invention of a breakthrough biotechnology to restore sight. To date, Dr. Wang has performed over 55,000 eye procedures and has treated patients from nearly every state in the U.S. and from over 55 countries worldwide. He is considered the “doctor’s doctor,” as he has op operated on over 4,000 physicians. Dr. Wang has published 8 textbooks, holds several U.S. Proceeds donated to pa patents and performed the world’s first laser artificial cornea implantation. He is the recipient of sight foundation th Honor Award from American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Lifetime Achievement the $11.46 A Award from American Chinese Physician Association. Dr. Wang is currently the only surgeon in the state who performs 3D LASIK (age 18+), 3D Forever Young Lens Surgery (age 45+), 3D La Kamra (age 45+) and 3D Laser Cataract Surgery (age 60+). Dr. Wang established a nonLaser profit foundation which provides sight restoration surgeries for indigent patients who otherwise would never have the opportunity to receive them free-of-charge. This is a story of one man’s inspirational journey, of turning fear, poverty, persecution and prejudice into healing and love for others. It demonstrates how focus, determination, humility and profound faith can inspire a life that, in turn, impacts that of countless others.
“Dr. Wang is not only a dear friend and the very best eye surgeon, he is also one of the greatest people I have ever known.” - Dolly Parton