Exciting news from Webbspun Ideas in Nashville

I will have some new services to offer very soon for groups and businesses so check back shortly after Christmas. These will be fun for local Nashvillians and visitors to our great city as well. I look forward to sharing this news and I look forward to an exciting 2010!

Customer service and hospitality

When you go into a hotel or any type of business and you hear about customer service and hospitality, does it ever feel fake? The words ring hollow to often because they say them as long as you can bring money to them and it is a one way street. Once you need them to extend a favor or the hospitality back your way they just don't seem to care about you like they did before.

I've heard many frequent flyers and hotel chain members who complain about being one night or flight short of reaching the top level of membership and when they ask for the night to be given to them, they are told no. Yet when these companies need the business of the travelers, like now or after 9/11 they said and did all the right things to get people to come back and stay or fly with them. Soon after business was back to normal, they eased back and starting changing they way they handled frequent travelers needs.

Now I understand that businesses are in business to make money and I'm all for that but please don't be fake and pretend like you care so much about the customer. Yes, I've been in the hospitality industry for most of 20 years and most people that I've worked for truly care to keep the guest happy and it can be discouraging when you are told to do things a certain way and then at some point in begins to change and it is solely to save money.

Getting out and communicating with the public through Twitter, blogs, emails, newsletters and the like are great but people can see when you truly care and when you are just looking to get their money. They don't want to be nickeled and dimed to death but would be willing to pay a decent price to have everything included.

I would love to see the best of both worlds come together. The modern convenience and technology mixed with the old-school way of caring for the person right in front of you and not just seeing them as a dollar sign or a number.

As the economy changes and people reevaluate how they do business and whether or not they even have to travel will begin to see many businesses change how they treat the public. If not, they may not make it long term.

Southwest Airlines is a great example of that. They do things that make flying with them a joy. The other airlines don't and then they complain about the things that Southwest Airlines does. Change or close up shop may be the answer.

I just want the companies and businesses to do what they say and be genuine. Don't be shy about making money but don't try to rip everyone off in the process or be two-faced about it.

Thanks and have a good day.

Chef Joe Shaw leaves The Standard

Thanks to Chezbez for the tip.

Waffle House, A & R bbq, Julie and Julia

Nashville Post story about the Waffle House and Maria Tangredi. http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2009/8/2/tangredi_venture_bids_to_buy_southeast_waffles ~
Memphis bar-b-que! http://www.aandrbbq.com/

Good story about the food in Julie & Julia. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/dining/29movie.html?_r=1

Andrew Chadwick's restaurant has closed

Sad to say it but it is true, another incredible restaurant in our fair city has closed it's doors. Andrew Chadwick's at Rutledge Hill, an upscale California-inspired restaurant that was located in the southern edge of downtown was a truly unique restaurant and will be sorely missed. I wish Andrew all the best and hope he stays in Nashville and comes up with something else incredible.

He spent nearly two years restoring a Civil War-era home on Rutledge Hill near downtown Nashville before opening the restaurant in November 2007. Such a shame that all that work and passion is all for nothing now but I'm sure he will move on to bigger and better things soon.

A message on the restaurant's confirmed it, they were closed. "Unfortunately, we are no longer in business, we thank Nashville for the opportunity and hope you have a great day."

~~~
A little bit about Andrew and his restaurant...(this comes from the restaurant's website)

The technology he used:
Andrew Chadwick's is one of only three American institutions that use a professional induction cooktop. An induction-cooker element (what on a gas stove would be called a "burner") is a powerful, high-frequency electromagnet. When a good-sized piece of magnetic material--such as, for example, a cast-iron skillet--is placed in the magnetic field that the element is generating, the field transfers ("induces") energy into that metal. Basically, the pan itself is where the heat comes from and not the elements.

About Andrew:
The majority of Andrew's culinary training took place in California, where he acquired an uncanny discernment for food and wine pairings. Prior to moving to Nashville, Andrew served as executive chef at the prestigious Meadowood Napa Valley, a private estate featuring fine dining inspired by the traditions of Napa Valley, and at the Ritz Carlton Resort St. Thomas, a Virgin Island resort offering Caribbean-inspired cuisine. Andrew also served on the prestigious culinary team providing cuisine for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

After graduating from the California Culinary Academy in 1991, he worked at acclaimed restaurants in New York, California and Europe. In New York, he helped establish a Four Star restaurant with Donald Woods. Following his tenure in New York, he served as chef of the Fine Dining Restaurant at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort, where he was ranked one of the top ten chefs in Southern California. He also was an executive sous chef at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort and Spa.

Nashville restaurants and the economy

Paul Harvey died on Saturday at age 90.

He was an original radio personality and will be greatly missed by many of us.

Gaylord Entertainment is cutting 350 jobs

Sad to hear the news but this will affect Nashville and also affect all locations of the company. I'm assuming this also seals the coffin on the expansion of the Opryland Hotel for a while longer.

Read about the layoffs in the Nashville Business Journal.

The University of Tennessee creates an organic farming initiative

This story was written by Chloe White
As U.S. organic food production is increasing at a steady pace of about 20 percent a year, UT has launched an organic farming initiative to "jump-start organics in Tennessee" and "help keep family farms in the family," said Annette Wszelaki, UT Extension commercial vegetable specialist.

Organic production can increase profits by reducing the use of off-farm inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, she said.

There are currently 21 acres under cultivation at the 90-acre organic research farm at UT's Agricultural Research and Education Center off of John Sevier Highway. Fourteen acres are under transition to organic farming. It typically takes three years for a plot of land to be certified suitable for organic production, Wszelaki said.

The organic research farm was dedicated to organic crop production in fall 2007, and crops tested have been mainly vegetable crops, including carrots, beets, peppers, tomatoes, squash and watermelon.

"Nothing has been unsuccessful," Wszelaki said, noting that the first year was low-disease, which is "unusual for any farm system."

Meanwhile, the Organic and Sustainable Crop Production program is a statewide initiative aimed at involving more Tennessee farmers in organic production.

Read the entire story in the Knoxville News Sentinal.

Volkswagen and BMW cuts jobs

German automakers BMW AG and Volkswagen AG said Tuesday that they would put thousands of German employees on reduced working hours as they slow production in the deepening economic downturn.

Volkswagen said it would put about two-thirds of its employees in Germany — some 60,000 workers — on shorter hours for five days late in the last week of February.

The company said some areas, such as component production and research and development, would be exempted.

BMW said a total of approximately 26,000 employees would work shorter times on some days in February and March, with workers at four plants affected. The company employs some 75,000 people in Germany.

German manufacturers' exports have been declining sharply, and demand at home also has been falling as the economy — Europe's biggest — sinks into recession.

Merle Haggard sues Green Train

Country star Merle Haggard has sued an environmental awareness group, claiming it illegally used his name and likeness to raise money.

The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Chancery Court against the Green Train, a Nashville-based organization, and its founder, Robert K. Wolf. It seeks unspecified compensatory damages.

Haggard claims in the lawsuit that the group forged his signature and exaggerated his involvement with the organization to solicit money. He says his reputation could be irreparably harmed by continued association with the group.

The Green Train bills itself as a nonprofit that educates the public about environmental issues. Its concert-and-train tour scheduled to depart Portland, Ore., in April and travel through 28 states on a six-week whistle-stop tour with several concerts along the way before ending in Washington D.C.

Read the entire story, HERE.

Barack Obama Metro Cards in Washington D.C.

I think this is cool but it would be nice to do something like this for all incoming presidents.
~Corey


~
There are three options. For $10, you can purchase a rechargeable SmarTrip card with Obama’s face and “January 20, 2009, Inauguration Day” printed on the front; this card has no fare preloaded. Twenty dollars will get you the same plastic SmarTrip card with $10 in Metro fare preloaded. SmarTrip cards can be used on trains and buses.



A one-day paper pass is also available for $10. Printed with a black-and-white image of the President-elect, the pass gives you unlimited subway travel starting at 9:30 AM. You can use the pass any day of the week, including Inauguration Day, but it expires at midnight Sunday through Thursday and at 3 AM Friday and Saturday.



By comparison, a regularly priced SmarTrip card costs $30 and comes with $25 in Metro fare preloaded. A one-day rail pass costs $7.80.





Read more in the Washingtonian.

DaVido, the Java Jitter, and his Starbucks Rejection Tour

DaVido used to sing at Mere Bulles in downtown Nashville but now has moved on to bigger things. He now sings the "Java Jitter" and is currently on the Starbucks Rejection Tour. This is funny and good stuff. I knew he had a unique way to get himself "out there."

Here is the video


NEW YORK, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- DaVido, the outrageous crooner, has been thrown out of over 200 Starbucks and it's all captured on video on YouTube.com. Because of his courage and tenacity, DaVido's Starbucks Rejection Tour Video is rapidly getting worldwide attention.After Starbucks Corporation rejected his song "Java Jitter," DaVido decided to take matters into his own hands, and performed his song in as many stores as humanly possible hoping that corporate headquarters would take notice and embrace him and his quest.

Unfortunately, every time DaVido tried to sing "Java Jitter" in the stores, he was consistently kicked out. DaVido's relentless goal: have his CD on the Starbucks music racks next to superstars such as Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and Ray Charles.

Gaylord Hotels pulls out of Chula Vista resort project

Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego were reeling yesterday after Gaylord Entertainment dropped plans for a 32-acre resort, another disappointment in 35 years of failed attempts to develop the city's waterfront.



In separate afternoon meetings with the Port District and the city, Gaylord Senior Vice President Bennett Westbrook said the regulatory and financial hurdles were deal-breakers.

The project had been held out as the bayfront savior that would bring jobs, tourism and cash to Chula Vista, the port and Gaylord, based in Nashville, Tenn.

“I'm really disappointed,” said Mayor Cheryl Cox, who added that she had no idea Gaylord planned to pull out. “There is no doubt in my mind that Gaylord's decision is final.”

Read the complete story in the San Diego Union Tribune.

Timeline
February 2005: A group from Gaylord Entertainment, based in Nashville, Tenn., visits Chula Vista City Hall unannounced to ask about building a massive complex on the city's bayfront.

Aug. 9: The Port Commission opens up the project for other developers to bid.

Nov. 1: The Port Commission chooses Gaylord over local developers.

July 2006: Gaylord, Chula Vista and the Port Commission sign an agreement, and the company begins negotiating with labor.

March 15, 2007: Gaylord unveils a detailed concept design for a 32-acre complex, including 1,500 to 2,000 hotel rooms, meeting space, shops, a spa and fitness center, six restaurants and a rooftop bar.

June 29: A Gaylord official meets with union leaders in San Diego after negotiations stall, but no deal is reached.

July 6: Gaylord pulls out of the project for the first time.

Aug. 7: Gaylord resumes talks with the city and the Port District.

September 2008: Gaylord announces plans to build in Mesa, Ariz.

Yesterday: Gaylord withdraws from the Chula Vista project, citing infrastructure costs and a complicated regulatory and legal structure.

Online: Read Gaylord Entertainment's letter to city and port officials at uniontrib.com/more/documents

Tennessee needs to start using wind and clean energy

“I’m a big fan of Tennessee,” he said. “We picked Tennessee because it felt right. … To be successful you have to rely on your heart as well as your head.”

Jacoby’s remarks came Tuesday during a keynote address to a lunch crowd at the Governor’s Summit on Clean Energy Technology, an event that wraps up today at the Knoxville Convention Center. The summit, hosted by Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker and the University of Tennessee Baker Center for Public Policy, focused on ways that green technology can help spur economic growth in the state.

Read the entire article and learn how companies and the Tennessee government are moving to make changes to help the environment.



Wind power has started to become a popular way for homeowners to generate their own energy, but some new rules in Nashville could limit how green homeowners can get.

One resident in the city is already using a wind tower on his property to pump power into his home.

As more people decide to go green by using wind power, Metro councilman Charlie Tygard said he doesn’t want some people’s efforts to save money to alter other people’s quality of living.

Read the entire article in National Wind Watch.



Get more news here as well.

Big Brown injured and has been retired

Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown has been retired after suffering an injury during training at Aqueduct on Monday morning.

The Rick Dutrow-trained colt, who also won the Haskell Invitational and Monmouth Stakes this summer, was expected to face 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin in the $5million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on October 25.

"Big Brown has been retired," Michael Iavarone, co-owner of IEAH Stables, told www.bloodhorse.com.

"He not only tore the bulb off his foot, but half the foot was torn off. We did everything we could to get to the Breeders' Cup. It's devastating and what makes it even worse is that he worked great."

It is a bitter end for Big Brown, who looked every inch a superstar when becoming the first horse in 79 years to win the Kentucky Derby from stall 20.

Read the entire story in the Press Association.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International to Buy the Bluebird Cafe

The Nashville Songwriters Association International will buy the famed Bluebird Café in Nashville to use as a songwriters venue, a source at the NSAI has confirmed. Details of the agreement are to be announced next week.

Founded 25 years ago by impresario Amy Kurland, the club has hosted performances by virtually every major songwriter in Nashville. It has also attracted music publishers and record label executives in search of fresh talent. Capitol Records executives signed Garth Brooks after catching one of his Bluebird shows. So renowned has the tiny venue become that it was an inspiration for The Thing Called Love, a 1993 film starring River Phoenix and Sandra Bullock, in which singer K.T. Oslin played the club owner.

Story from Country Music Television.


Picture from Bridge and Tunnel Club

Orme, Tennessee Has Run Out of Water

As twilight falls over this Tennessee town, Mayor Tony Reames drives up a dusty dirt road to the community's towering water tank and begins his nightly ritual in front of a rusty metal valve.

With a twist of the wrist, he releases the tank's meager water supply, and suddenly this sleepy town is alive with activity. Washing machines whir, kitchen sinks fill and showers run.

About three hours later, Reames will return and reverse the process, cutting off water to the town's 145 residents.

The severe drought tightening like a vise across the Southeast has threatened the water supply of cities large and small, sending politicians scrambling for solutions. But Orme, about 40 miles west of Chattanooga and 150 miles northwest of Atlanta, is a town where the worst-case scenario has already come to pass: The water has run out.

The mighty waterfall that fed the mountain hamlet has been reduced to a trickle, and now the creek running through the center of town is dry.

Three days a week, the volunteer fire chief hops in a 1961 fire truck at 5:30 a.m. — before the school bus blocks the narrow road — and drives a few miles to an Alabama fire hydrant. He meets with another truck from nearby New Hope, Ala. The two drivers make about a dozen runs back and forth, hauling about 20,000 gallons of water from the hydrant to Orme's tank.
"I'm not God. I can't make it rain. But I'll get you the water I can get you," Reames tells residents.

Visit Town With No Water on Yahoo to read more.

Record Companies Sue Minnesota Woman Over Music Downloads

This may or may not change some of the record labels and how they do business in the future. Downloading has been a blessing and a nightmare for them since it began in the 1990's.
~C.S. Webbspun

Now read the story and decide which side you believe to be right...

The recording industry won a key fight Thursday against illegal music downloading when a federal jury found a Minnesota woman shared copyrighted music online and levied $220,000 in damages against her.

Record companies have filed some 26,000 lawsuits since 2003 over file-sharing, which has hurt sales because it allows people to get music for free instead of paying for recordings in stores.

This was the first such case to go to trial. Many other defendants have settled by paying the companies a few thousand dollars.The jury ordered Jammie Thomas, 30, to pay the six record companies that sued her $9,250 for each of 24 songs they focused on in the case. They had alleged she shared 1,702 songs in all.

Read the entire story in the Tennessean newspaper.

Tennessee Honors Fallen Soldiers

Officials on Friday named 15 bridges and overpasses on state Route 840 after National Guardsmen killed in Iraq.

The 78-mile stretch dubbed Tennessee National Guard Parkway runs in a southern half-circle around Nashville, intersecting Interstate 40 in Lebanon in the east and Dickson in the west.

"I'm proud that we're doing this and I do think it gives some tangible recognition," said Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat. "There will be a lot of people who see those names on the bridges long after we're gone, and perhaps it will remind them that there are people who have sacrificed everything."

Bredesen said it's probably unlikely that these will be the last bridges named after fallen guardsmen.

This news comes from WSMV in Nashville.