Great quote by John Wooden, legendary UCLA coach

“Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but what you should have accomplished with your ability.”
~John Wooden

How the Grinch Stole Christmas on ICE!

Now thru January 4, 2009

Admission*:

Adults
Monday-Wednesday
$20.00
Thursday–Sunday
$22.00

Children (ages 4 – 11)
Monday-Wednesday
$12.00
Thursday-Sunday
$14.00
*Prices are tax inclusive, handling fees not included.

For more information or to order tickets visit Grinch on ICE.

A European couple review Zola the restaurant

So we wanted to try fine cuisine in the US. Probably, having had the choice, for this experiment we wouldn’t have selected Nashville, a city famous for other offerings. But this is where work brought us to, and anyway we had heard nice things about Zola, where Chef Debra Paquette (co-owner with husband Ernie Paquette) produces dishes inspired by Mediterranean (notably Spanish/Moroccan) and French cuisine.

Let us come clean at the outset: the experiment was not successful. We don’t want to play the part of the snotty Europeans (though what else are we?) so we would prefer to attribute the failure to a seemingly impassable gulf between our concept of fine dining and the Nashvillian one.



As you might have guessed already the main problem for us was that the multitude of ingredients expressed only muted flavours at best. We prefer dishes with fewer ingredients, but with clear, well extracted flavour. We read in an interview with Chef Paquette (you see, we really do our research) that fun is an essential feauture of her cooking philosophy. And no doubt her cuisine looks joyful, if ungenerous in the meat portions. We wish good luck to Zola, which anyway does not need our wishes because it clearly meets the local taste.

Read the entire review and visit their site at Eat Drink Man Woman.

Farm subsidies are going to universities and institutions

As the sun prepares to set over the ridge that borders his Speedwell farm, Freddie Wells quickly wraps up afternoon chores. It's the same set of tasks his grandfather did before his father did.

Dairy farming is not only a living for Wells, it's his way of life.

"Freedom," he said. "I like the freedom. Not having to answer to someone."

In East Tennessee and the country, he's become part of a dying breed. According to the University of Tennessee, dairy farmers are getting rid of their operations like spoiled milk.

In 1995, there were about 1300 dairy farms in the Volunteer State. Today, there are fewer than 600.

"The guy looks at it like, 'Man, I could sell the property and have a whole lot more money than I'm going to make,'" Wells said.

Read the rest of the story at WBIR.

I love my car but I'm ready to start riding a horse instead

Chief executives from General Motors Corp, Ford Motor Co, and Chrysler LLC pleaded on Wednesday for $25 billion in federal assistance to help pay their suppliers, workers and other expenses at a time when car sales have plunged along with a souring economy.

But skeptical lawmakers blasted them for flying private jets to Washington and failing to make personal sacrifices in exchange for federal assistance.

"It's almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in a high hat and tuxedo," said Rep. Gary Ackerman, a Democrat from New York.

"Couldn't you have downgraded to first class or something, or jet-pooled or something to get here?" Ackerman asked the executives at a hearing held by the U.S. House Financial Services Committee.

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Read the entire story in Trading Markets.

Horse head stuck in the tree

A passer-by came to the rescue after he heard the horse whinnying Photo: Wenn

The young filly needed to be freed from the tree after curiosity got the better of it and it wedged its head between separate sections of the trunk.

The horse, called Gracie, was unable to free itself and could have been in danger were it not for a passer-by who was able to come to the rescue after he heard the horse whinnying.

Jason Harschbarger, a neighbour in the town of Pullman, West Virginia, USA, arrived at the scene which resembled the image of Winnie the Pooh getting stuck in the honey tree.

Mr Harschbarger collected his tools and was able to carefully set the horse free by using a chainsaw to slowly cut the wood around its neck.

However, before he did so, he was able to take a few photographs.

Fortunately for Gracie, she was able to escape her ordeal with only a few minor injuries and, according to Mr Harschbarger, is on the road to recovery.

Following his rescue operation, Mr Harschbarger told a local television station: "She has a few cuts on her face and ear.

"Last I heard her jaw was a little dislocated but I think it is healing up and she can eat on her own again."

It remains unclear why Gracie put her head into the gap.



This came from the Telegraph UK.

Changes

Congrats to the Fisk Jubilee Singers and Centennial Park

Visit the official Fisk Jubilee Singers website to learn more about these amazing folks.

Visit the Nashville parks website to learn more about the plans and history of Centennial Park.

Holiday travel deasl with Southwest Airlines

$49 - $109 one-way (Monday – Thursday & Saturday) or $59 - $159 one-way (Friday & Sunday)!

Book by November 20 for travel December 9, 2008 - February 28, 2009. 21-day advance purchase.
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Fares do not include federal excise tax of $3.50 per takeoff and landing, airport-assessed passenger facility charges (PFC) of up to $9, and government-imposed September 11th Security Fee of up to $5.00 one-way.

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  Available only on southwest.com and swabiz.com 21-day advance purchase is required.
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  Purchase November 18 through November 20, 2008, midnight central standard time.
• 
  Travel December 9, 2008 through February 28, 2009.
• 
  Fares do not include federal excise tax of $3.50 for each flight segment. A flight segment is defined as a takeoff and a landing.
• 
  Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility charges (PFC) of up to $9.00 and government-imposed September 11th Security Fee of up to $5.00 one-way.
• 
  Seats are limited. Fares vary by destination and may not be available on all flights during key travel dates (12/20/08 - 1/4/09). Seats may be limited to/from FL between 2/11/09 and 2/28/09 due to Spring Break.
• 
  Travel not available to/from New Orleans, LA, Orange County, CA, Salt Lake City, UT, or Washington (Dulles), DC.
• 
  Offer applies to Southwest Airlines-operated, published, scheduled service.
• 
  This fare is available for one-way travel.
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  If combining with other fares, the most restrictive fare's rules apply.
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  Tickets are nonrefundable but (except for tickets purchased through our Group Tickets program)may be applied toward future travel on Southwest Airlines.
• 
  Fares are subject to change until ticketed.
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  Any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare.

Visit Southwest Airlines Hot Fares to get these special deals.

"I wasn't losing, I was learning how to win"

Recently CNN was interviewing Ted Turner and they asked Ted how he kept going when his sailing team lost year after year and his baseball team was in last place for four years before going on to win the World Series. Without any hesitation Ted said, “I wasn’t losing, I was learning how to win.”

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

Great quote by Denis Waitley

A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.
~Denis Waitley

The Image Makers – the Artistry of Manuel and Cambridge Jones

November 1st to November 29th

The Image Makers – the Artistry of Manuel and Cambridge Jones an exclusive exhibition of works from award winning British photographer Cambridge Jones’ upcoming coffee table book on Manuel, the legendary couturier to the stars. Jones is in the process of creating a unique collection of portraits featuring the iconic designer’s high profile clients wearing their favorite Manuel creation.

Jones, a celebrity in his own right has photographed four British Prime Ministers, The Queen, and everyone who is anyone from Sir Anthony Hopkins to James Bond. Some of his recent work resides in The Queen's private Library at Windsor Castle. Educated at Oxford University (Honors Degree in Politics, Philosophy & Economics) his commercial work centers primarily on the music business, politicians and actors.

Manuel, universally known for his exquisite diverse custom creations is more than a clothing designer. An image-maker, he put Johnny Cash in black, the Lone Ranger in a mask, and Elvis in a jump suit. He has dressed just about every country star to come out of Nashville and beyond. From Dwight Yoakam to Dolly Parton, Keith Urban to Kenny Chesney, the list is endless.

Visit Tinney Contemporary to learn more about this exhibit.

Walnut Hills Farm; Local business of the week

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Doug and Sue Bagwells' Walnut Hills Farm provides locally raised beef and goats. They are located in Bethpage, Tn and their farm is all-natural. The Boer Goats and Limousin Cattle graze over the 50 acres and consume the grass/clover pastures.

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Their beef is raised on grain and in the pastures and they do not sue pesticides, herbicides, steroids or antibiotics.

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Visit their website Walnut Hills Farm to find out more or to place an order.

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Wine and gift bags for the holidays

Visit Threadventures Embroidery to find out more about wine and gift bags.