Friday, August 31, 2007

Lynyrd Skynyrd Stopped In



Some of the guys from Lynyrd Skynyrd stayed at our hotel for a few days this week before jumping on their busses Wednesday night and leaving town. They had to get Tulsa and their tour goes through the end of October and then they will be back in the studio. Most of them are working on side/solo projects and so it won't be all fun and games. They were very laid back and very nice to everyone.


Tour info:

8/31/07
Buffalo Run Casino
Miami, OK

9/1/07
Tunica Event Center
Robinsonville, MS

9/2/07
Fort Leonardwood Army Base
Waynesville, MO

9/3/07
Star Plaza Theatre
Merrillville, IN

9/6/07
Hard Rock Casino
Biloxi, MS

9/7/07
Silver Star Casino
Choctaw, MS

9/9/07
Loudon Music Fest
Ashburn, VA

9/11/07
York County Fair
York, PA

9/13/07
Blossom Music Center
Cuyahoga Falls, OH

9/14/07
Post-Gazette Pavilion
Burgettestown, PA

9/15/07
PNC Bank Arts Center
Holmdel, NJ

10/4/07 & 10/5/07
Harrah's Cherokee Pavilion
Cherokee, NC

10/6/07
Carolina Entertainment Complex
Marion, SC

10/12/07
Nokia Theater
Grand Prairie, TX

10/13/07
Texas World SpeedwayBig State Fest
College Station, TX

Muddea's Chicken and Waffles

We tried the fried chicken, green beans, macaroni and cheese and sweet tea. For dessert we had the peach cobbler that is an old family recipe that only the lady who makes it knows. It was like going to someone's home and getting good home cooking. Now I just can't wait to try the waffles. Today's special was fried cabbage, corn bread and peach cobbler. As of today, I would have to say that Muddea's has the best chicken in Nashville. It was delicious and juicy. I tried a breast and a leg so that I could have both white and dark meat.

Shawanda was our server and she was wonderful. She was friendly and never left us in need of anything. The chef and co-owner Steve came by our table to ask if the food and service was good and we talked to him for a bit. It was a great experience and I look forward to another visit because I was quite impressed.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Back Under the Original Management

Due to pressure from our sponsors and such, Webbspun Ideas has handed the reins back to me... There was fallout, hints and allegations and because of that we will, from this day forth, only discuss food, travel, architecture, music, Nashville and things along those lines. The culture war and things things involving the changing of our country will no longer be discussed here.

Keep in touch and be well. Stay tuned for more fun talk coming up.....

The original purveyor of Webbspunship,
C.S. Webbspun

Monday, August 27, 2007

Billy Falcon at Fuel Tonight

Going to see Billy Falcon tonight at Fuel.

Performing tonight will be Mr. Falcon, his daughter Rose Falcon, Billy Block, the Mulch Brothers, maydayground and surprise guests. We don't know who the guests are but we hope it is Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora.

8:00pm
Free

Fuel
114 Second Avenue S.
Nashville, Tn
379-2120

More Talk Around the Culinary Campfire

Omni Hut
Teriyaki steak, grilled swordfish, deep fried shrimp, scallops, clam strips, ribeye steak..

The food was good but the ribeye was a little fatty and the seafood sampler wasn't quite as good as the Mahi-Mahi that we had the previous visit. The teriyaki steak was delicious but not the highest quality of steak.

Picked up a copy of Tiki magazine before we left. Cool magazine that revolves around the "island" lifestyle.

~~~~~~~
P.F. Chang's

appetizers:
Chicken lettuce wraps, seared ahi tuna, salt and pepper calamari

Entrees:
Crispy honey shrimp and pan-fried rice chicken.

It was all delicious and I can't wait to go back again.

Las Paletas







We tried the hibiscus Popsicle to know what it will taste like for the upcoming culinary event.

Pfunky Griddle in Berry Hill


The Pfunky Griddle


Paying for breakfast


The Entryway into the restaurant


The Prairie Room


The Forest Room

Review:
A fun, unique place with really good food. We sat at a Hibachi-like table, ordered our pancakes and the toppings to go on them and proceeded to make our own pancakes. We had regular pancake mix as well as whole wheat pancake mix and our toppings were chocolate chips, walnuts, strawberries and apple slices. It was a real good time and the food was delicious. Great place to take friends, family or whoever and I can only imagine how much children would love this place.

My thoughts on it...You just have to check it out and see how fun it can be.

Other Places Where I Enjoyed a Good Meal Recently

~~Nashville Airport Marriott~~
French Toast, omelettes, biscuit and gravy, bacon, fresh fruit, coffee, juice and milk. It was a delicious way to start a Saturday.

~~Uncle Gio's~~
Lasagna

~~Olive Garden~
Shrimp & Asparagus Risotto, Tuscan Garlic Chicken, Chicken & Gnocchi Veronese

~~Noshville~~
Eggs, bacon, potatoes, everything bagel and coffee.

~~Hermitage Cafe~~
Bacon, eggs, biscuit and gravy, fried potatoes, coffee and sweet tea.

Lenny at the Dragon Boat Races


Taking pictures during the day at the Dragon Boat Races.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

ChezBez is a Titans Fan

My friend Chezbez is a Titans fan and has a wonderful story of the 1999 season and his time on the field. Click HERE to read the full post by Michael.

Welcome home, Michael. Welcome home...

The Nashville Experience jacket




This won us first place in the "multi-media" category at the Embroidery Mart 2007 show held recently at the Nashville Convention Center.

One of our Competitors and Friends Jacket



This jacket was created by our friend Barbara Stumer and won first place in the "jacket" category. She had another that also did very well.

Our Hats at the Dragon Boat Races


They sold really well and we had fun being there. See ya'll next year.

Dragon Boat Races in Pictures







The View from our Booth




Dragon Boat Race at Riverfront Park in Nashville.

Looking up the Spiral Staircase


Friday, August 24, 2007

Come Out to the Nashville Dragon Boat Race and Get a Discount on our Nashville Hats


Saturday
August 25, 2007
Riverfront Park
Nashville



36 Teams will be competing in the Nashville Dragon Boat Race.
Cumberland River Compact and Tennessee Scenic River Association are the beneficiaries of the race.
Come out to see the excitement of the event and stop by to see our Nashville hats and Race hats. We have another version of the Nashville hat as well that we will be showcasing at the race.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Bring this coupon to our booth and get a discount on a Nashville Dragon & River Festival or a Nashville, Music City hat for only $12.00*
~~
*Regular price: $15.00
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I Think He's a Star

Last night a famous Nashville rapper, that we will call "Young Huck", quietly came in and got a room for the night. He wasn't flashy and he wasn't trying to draw attention to himself but the car he was driving definitely stood out from the rest. He was driving a light blue Bentley with wild rims that probably cost as much as a house. It wasn't my style but it was a beautiful car. He seemed like a nice guy.

Before the night was over, the hotel shuttle was getting gas and he was there as well. He was getting gas, snacks and drinks. While pumping the gas on this side of the pump he walks out and gets into his car and it smelled like a Cheech and Chong movie. Nice smell cuz it was obvious to be good stuff but I haven't smelled that much in a long time.

Just a note from last night.

Tennessee Festivals- August and September

8-31
Cookeville, TN
WhiskeyStock Music Fest, 4 day Music Festival over Labor Day Weekend
828-286-1553

9-07
Elizabethton, TN
Sycamore Shoals Celtic Festival, Celtic Music, Clans, Vendors and more
423-975-0045

9-07
Loudon, TN
Smoky Mountain Fiddlers' Convention, Bluegrass music and competitions for bands, adults and children. Food, Fun, Crafts.
865-458-3036

9-07
Loudon, TN
26th Annual Smoky Mountain Fiddlers, Fiddle/guitar/banjo & Dance Competitions, great music, Arts & Crafts, Antiques Show & Sale
865-458-7525

9-07
Surgoinsville, TN
Surgoinsville Riverfront Festival, free food car show tractor show fireworks craft & food vendors kids games, Live Bluegrass
423-345-4306

9-07
Elizabethton, TN
Sycamore Shoals Celtic Festival, Celtic Music, Clans, Vendors and more
423-975-0045

9-15
Greenback, TN
Maple Lane Farm Corn Maze, Corn maze, music, hayrides, pumpkin patch, homemade jams and jellies in the farm store.
865-856-3511

9-15
Greenback, TN
Maple Lane Farms Corn Maze, One of the largest corn mazes in the SE. Handmade jams & jellies, hayrides, campfires.
865-856-3517

9-22
Butler, TN
Butler-Apple Butter Festival, Going back in time for the history and heritage of our area
423-768-3105

9-28
Nashville, TN
TACA Fall Craft Fair, The state’s premier outdoor showcase for Tennessee craft artists.
615-385-1904

9-29
Tellico Plains, TN
6th Annual KOA Harvest Festival, 6th Annual KOA Harvest Festival!! Free Admission to public! Crafts, Food, Fun!!
865-966-4878

Viva Las Vegas! the video

Monday, August 20, 2007

Corey's Culinary Club- From Howdy to Hawaii

Friday, August 31st, 2007
7:00PM

Price: $40.00

This will be a night for PolynAsian foods and Hawaiian shirts. Bring your sense of adventure and be ready to enjoy a trip to the South Pacific. Feel free to wear boots, jeans, cowboy hat along with lei's, Hawaiian shirts, sandals, etc..



Some of the foods we will be trying include:

Egg Flower Soup
Bora Bora (bacon-wrapped pineapple chunks)
Won Ton (tender pork and Oriental parsley in a crispy shell)
Crab RangoonEgg Roll
Rumaki (bacon-wrapped chicken livers and water chestnuts)
Polynesian Pit Ribs
Beef Teriyaki Sticks
Shrimp Panamanian (giant prawns in a herb sauce, batter-dipped and deep fried)
Tahitian Tid Bits (rib ends cooked in the Omni Hut Teriyaki Sauce)



Las Paletas Popcicles inspired by the Pacific islands. Flavors we will enjoy are Hisbiscus, Coconut and Pineapple.

There will be a massage therapist at the event with her chair.

Fun door prizes will be given away as well.

Contact info at Webbspun Ideas

Josh Rouse- Former Valet at the Opryland Hotel



I worked at the Opryland Hotel in the 1990's as a Bell Captain and one of the guys who parked cars for us was Josh Rouse. He worked there for only a few months but I remember him talking about trying to make it in music and not country music either.



I hoped he would but never gave it much thought until a few years ago when I saw the name and his picture and realized they I used to work with him and it is hard to imagine it is the same guy. Gotta love it!


Here is a story from NPR about Josh:
Josh Rouse was close to giving up his professional music dreams when his first album came out eight years ago. A Nebraska native, Rouse had settled in Nashville after travelling extensively.

A couple of years later, he had a record label deal and an acclaimed debut album, Dressed Up Like Nebraska. Two years after that, he was able to give up his day job as a hotel valet parking attendant.

Visit NPR for the entire story.

Movie Monday: The Simpon's Movie

This movie didn't do anything for me. Right from the start the mocked the church, pulled current politics into the already lame storyline and made a point of discussing global warming and all. So why can't we go see a movie and not get a lecture or be talked down to by some numbskull Hollywood type?

We had two teenagers with us and they even sat there without laughing one time during the movie and it was there idea to see it. The movie had the violence of Itchy and Scratchy in the very first scene which I thought was inappropriate for all the kids in the theatre to see.

I think what got me more than politics, clear disdain for Christianity and environmental stuff was seeing the characters give each other the "finger" and to see Bart's penis. Yuck!

Give me a break Hollywood, is this the best you can do? Give me something to feed my head or just go away. I don't mind some mindless entertainment sometimes but not when it is mindless and lecturing at the same time. Now again, I didn't want to see this but I did and I was so disappointed in parents that thought this was good "family entertainment.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Inspiration from the Reining Blog

If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you like to win but think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will.
It's all in the state of mind.

Read more in "The Victor" from the Reining Blog


This is the picture that was on "The Victor" post.

Tennessee Reining Horse Association - Upcoming Event



October 19, 20 & 21, Murfreesboro, TN, Miller Coliseum

TNRHA SMOKY MOUNTAIN REINS
SMOKY MOUNTAIN REINS FUTURITY
SMOKY MOUNTAIN REINS “PENNY-LESS” DERBY
VOLUNTEER BREEDERS CLASSIC DERBY

Judges: Craig Sutter, Brian Dygert, & Nick Walters

The arena will close at 7:30 am each day, with the show starting at 8 am (central). In the case when both arenas are used, each arena will start at 8 am.

***Entries for the first class each day close at 9pm the evening prior***


To reserve stalls, camper slots, and warm-ups please contact Connie Westerman at 865.856.4127 or 865.604.2973, e-mail: jad1108@msn.com.

Stalls $35/night, with 2 bags of bedding included – 2 night minimum.
Camper Hook-Ups $22/night. Office fee $10/horse. Warm-ups $20/5 mins.

Warm-ups will be held throughout the day on Thursday, October 18th and may be reserved in advance.

Show Secretary: Katy Joyner 770.378.2959, e-mail: katyjoyner@comcast.net

Hotels:
Days Inn 615-893-8170
Hampton Inn 615-896-1172
Super 8 Motel 615-867-5000
Microtel 888-771-7171, 615-904-2000

Reservations are being accepted NOW!

Some Reining Horse People

Hilldale Farm- A great place in Tennessee with some of the nicest people who just happen to also be some of the best in the reining world. It is a beautiful drive to their place and they have such a great business. It is inspiring to visit and to see what they do.

Hanson Performance Horses- We met them in Oklahoma City last November at the NRHA Futurity. Phenomenal horse trainers that are also truly nice people.

Brian Bell- Watched him at a clinic in Murfreesboro, Tennessee recently and the man is pure magic on a horse. Taught "Chuck", the horse, how to dig in more when he spins and made him a better horse overall. It is incredible to watch someone that good at something.

"Alexis" Horse Trailers- An incredible lady with a dreams and a passion that just won't be stopped. She has created a line of trailers that are so nice and hopefully we can get one in the future.


Thursday, August 16, 2007

Back To School Supply Drive

Chiropractic Nashville is having a school supply drive to help underpriviliged families with school supplies. Take in school supplies (valued at $20.00) in August and receive a free Initial Exam (including x-rays and consultation) or a re-exam. Existing patients get a free spinal manipulatioin* on August 23 with school supplies.

Things needed:
Lunch boxes
Crayons
Pencil box
Back packs
Pocket folders
Hand sanitizer
#2 pencils
8 count set watercolors
Notebooks

*Offer does not include extremity adjustments or therapies

Backpacks and your Family

Chiropractic Nashville will be hosting a healthcare class on Thursday, August 23. They will provide a lunch and a dinner for those in attendance. They will discuss how backpacks can cause back pain and how to avoid that with your children. There is no charge to attend and children are welcome.

Times:
Lunch Class
12:30pm

Dinner Class
6:30pm

Location:
Chiropractic Nashville
718 Thompson Lane, Suite 119
Nashville, Tn 37204
615-292-2797

Food provided by:
Caffe Di Pranzo
2806 Columbine Pl
Nashville, Tn 37024
615-298-2600

Sunday Lunch at Joe's in Hendersonville

A really good restaurant in Hendersonville with delicious food. The service has always been nice but sometimes they need some help during those really busy times. The layout of the restaurant is unique and cold. They really need to add some art, put another type of floor down or something to feel more inviting and homey.

The food is good and that is the main thing. So take your appetite and enjoy some good Southern food and be sure to save room for dessert. Maria is the main cook and she is fantastic, funny and a real talker.

What we ate:

2 Cheeseburgers
1 Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Fried Chicken with green beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and sweet tea.

Desserts:
Key Lime Pie
Banana Pudding
Chocolate-Coconut Pie
Peach Cobbler

Grand Opening of the Arrington Winery and Vineyard



This past Saturday night we went out to Arrington Winery and Vineyards for the grand opening. They were offering all sorts of tastings and Pat McLaughlin did a concert with Kix Brooks jumping on stage to jam with him towards the end of the concert. It's a beautiful place with a friendly staff and some really good wines. It is located in a nice, rural area outside of Nashville which makes the drive out there beautiful.

It was a really great experience.



Some of the wines we tasted:

Syrah 2004- This was my favorite, it was outstanding and just was a delightful experience for my tastebuds.

Merlot 2005- A really nice delicious wine.

Red Fox Red (non-vintage)- A fun wine that tasted so good.

Sweet Liberty (sweet wine Muscat)- Really nice wine with a nice taste of honeysuckle in it.

Gewurztraminer (semi-sweet)- A white wine with a delicious taste and finish.

Desert Rose (dry rosé non-vintage)- A nice wine.

Raspberry (sweet)- Another good wine.


Arrington Vineyards
6211 Patton Road
Arrington, TN 37014
(615) 395-0102

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Christophers's Pizza in Nashville

I had the "Swap Meat" pizza for 1 person and she had the "Nashville Star" salad. The pizza was really good. I tasted the salad and it was good as well and they had a pizza crust under the salad. The salad was huge and the pizza was a "personal pan" size but it was really good.

The interior was pretty cool but I can imagine would be to noisy and crowded on the weekends since the place is so small. Try it during the week in the early afternoon because we only had a couple of of tables being used after we arrived.

We also had some delicious Yazoo Hefeweizen beers to wash it all down.

I'd recommend it that you give it a try.


Christopher Pizza
1524 Demonbreun St # A
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 742-7464

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

US photographer who shot photos of Hiroshima aftermath, 5 presidents dies at 85


photo by Madge Franklin

Associated Press

Joe O'Donnell, who shot some of the first photographs after the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and who served as a White House photographer spanning the terms of five presidents, has died, his wife said. He was 85.

O'Donnell's health had been declining for several years before his death Thursday, family and friends said.

O'Donnell grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and began his photography career as a young Marine at the outbreak of World War II, where he recorded the Pacific Campaign.

In September 1945, O'Donnell was one of the first outsiders to visit Hiroshima after its destruction by the atomic bomb. He put many of those photographs away in a trunk because he felt they were too painful to look at and did not revisit them for nearly 45 years.

In the 1990s they were displayed for the first time in Europe and Japan and in 2005 they were put into a book published by Vanderbilt University Press, "Japan 1945: A U.S. Marine's Photographs from Ground Zero."


Photo by Joe O'Donnell

After the war, O'Donnell began working as a freelance photographer in Washington, where he was recruited by the U.S. Information Agency to photograph presidents.

He worked as a White House photographer during the administrations of Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon. O'Donnell was one of several photographers to capture a picture of John F. Kennedy Jr. saluting his father's casket.

Because his photos were made for the government, they are considered public domain and he rarely received personal credit for his work, but they continue to be distributed throughout the world.

O'Donnell moved to Nashville after he retired in 1968 with a medical disability that was discovered to have been caused by the radiation exposure he suffered while photographing Japan after its surrender.

"He suffered without complaint," said Anne Brown, owner of The Arts Company, a Nashville gallery that often displayed his work. "In the time I've known him he's had many ailments and operations, but he felt that others suffered worse."

Brown described O'Donnell as "crusty, original, fun-loving" and "a generous person in his friendship."

Friend Furman York said, "He had in life the spark that he could also give to the pictures he took."

O'Donnell is survived by his wife, Kimiko Sakai, three sons and one daughter.

A memorial service will be held later, his family said.

White Squall; the movie



I loved this movie when I saw it in the mid to late 1990's and I loved the adventure of it and wished I could be on that boat with them. Although he ran a tight ship the Captain taught life lessons that could be used for the rest of your life.

The scenery was incredible and I now want to go and find it to watch again, soon.



"White Squall" is the true story of a ship school called the "Albatross." The school is run by the captain, Christopher "Skipper" Sheldon (Jeff Bridges) and his wife, Dr. Alice Sheldon (Caroline Goodall). In the of 1960, the couple took aboard eight teeanage boys from around the country for eight months of learning how to sail, be a crew, and respect one another. the crew goes through hardtimes and more laid-back times, but they must come together when a freak storm gets them in trouble in the middle of the ocean.

Quotes from Captain Christopher "Skipper Sheldon:

You can't run from the wind. You trim your sails, face the music, and keep going.

Nothing happens on this ship that I don't know about. She speaks to me in the night. So don't test me, not even a little.

Lunch Today in Tokyo


Today we had lunch at Tokyo Japanese Steak House in Smyrna and it was delicious and the interior was a nice change of pace on a hot, dry day outside. The service was very prompt, efficient and pleasant and the food was delicious and the portions were just right.

If you are ever in the Smyrna area and wanting some good Japanese food, take the time to visit these folks and I'm sure you will enjoy the experience as well.

For starters
Miso Soup

Main Course- Sushi
Spider Roll
(Fried soft shell crab w/ cucumber, lettuce, mayo, sesame seeds and inside out*)

Spicy Tuna Roll

Japanese Bagel Roll
(Salmon, avocado, cream cheese, sesame seeds and inside out*)

Drinks
Beer; Kirin and Bud Light



Tokyo Japanese Steak House
701 President PL #100
Smyrna, Tn 37167
615-459-6988

Saturday, August 11, 2007

The Winery it is

This Saturday, I'm going to Arrington Vineyards and Winery in Arrington, Tennessee and listen to some good music and enjoy some good wine


Here is the deck at Arrington Vineyards and Winery.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens Needs Guides and Docents

Cheekwood is currently seeking energetic volunteers to train for weekend museum docent positions. The weekend docent is a vital link between the visitor and their experience at Cheekwood. This is an excellent opportunity to pursue your interest in art and in Nashville’s cultural history. Other than a love of people and learning, no experience is necessary.


MUSEUM DOCENT TRAINING
Tuesdays,
September 11 - mid-November
6:00 - 8:00 pm

A special evening training session will be offered this year with topics including the Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation FabergĂ© collection, Cheekwood’s porcelain, silver, American art pottery and snuff bottle collections, American fine art paintings, drawings and sculpture. There will also be classes on art history, touring techniques, school tours, and Cheek history. These sessions will be taught by education staff and museum curators.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Walking in Nashville One Summer Night


This past Tuesday evening, we were downtown for a brief meeting at Past Perfect. Afterwards we walked around for a bit and we took a few minutes to admire the Ryman, our grand dame, which is silent and stood with pride and dignity over the honky-tonks which were all noisy, busy and much like children running around the feet of their grandmother. We soaked up the night air and thought of the history of Nashville and how things have been so good here.

We were recently looking at some old and new pictures of the Parthenon and there were people in each of the pictures. We thought of how that wonderful building has stood the test of time while people have come and gone. It seems like the people are so insignificant, in comparison, while these proud buildings watch us run around like we are the ones who are so important.



Let us not forget their are people who will be around after we are all gone, so think of how our city is led. Let's be careful with the images that we put out there for the world to see us in certain ways. Let's be the types of people who care for each other and lead this city, this state and this country forward and into further greatness. Don't let a "quick buck" or instant gratification stand in the way of doing what is best in the long term.

Take care everyone, thanks for stopping in and let's keep Nashville as wonderful and magical as it has always been.

"Paid it Forward" Tuesday

We had paid for parking until 6am and since we wouldn't be using it I went over to give it to a guy who was getting ready to buy a parking ticket. When I first said "excuse me sir", he turned with a look that clearly gave away the fact that he was expecting someone to ask for money. Instead I told him that we would not be using the rest of our parking ticket and he could have it for free. He was pleasantly surprised and thanked me as he started to walk back to his truck.

After a few steps he turns and asks me if I am from "out of town" and I told him nope, I'm a Nashvillian. He smiled and said, "yeah, I thought so...you don't get this kind of stuff from anybody else." We both laughed, wished each other a goodnight and went our separate ways.

Past Perfect
122 3rd Ave S
(615) 736-7727