Easiest Shopping Experience

My colleague just showed me this web site. It is an amazing site that is easy to use and the layout is much better most sites and focused. Please check it out by following the banner below.

Vanderbilt University Hospital Ranked 16

You should all be proud in Nashville to have one of the best hospitals in the US. US News and World Report just ranked Vanderbilt University Medical Center 16th best hospital in the US. Details of the ranking can be found here: USNWR Best Hospitals

Rock Band Competition and Lecture

This is going to be a very unique opportunity to hear a lecture about the creative and practical aspects of putting together video game projects. I'm sure the information will be useful in many other fields. The best part is the competion which follows the lecture. Kick some Rock Band butt! More information here: http://www.rockbandvandy.com.

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Fall Colors

Last Fall, at the hight of the leaves color, I shot some video of some of my favorite places in Nashville. Some of the places in the video are Natchez Trace Parkway, Radnor Lake, Love Circle, and some spots in Franklin. I loved putting this all together, for I forgot how beautiful it was last Fall!

Getting Ready for Fall 2009 from Jake Stein on Vimeo.

Haunted Houses

The leaves on the trees are starting to change their colors again. Fall is in the air which means one of my favorite nights is upon us... Halloween! I didn't go to any Haunted Houses last year, because I have always been sadly disappointed in the scare quality. This year I am going to as many as I can, so I can rate them for you, my readers.

Last weekend, two of my friends and I went to Death Valley Haunted Woods and Monster Mountain. Both are located north of Nashville.

Death Valley Haunted Woods ranks the best between the two. In terms of fright factor, ease of navigation, and uniqueness, Death Valley kept all three of us happy throughout. There were actually a few spots where I was afraid the REAL pic-axe could have slipped out of the actor's hands and hit me. It didn't, but it could have and I hope that actor has good skills with the axe. Everything else seemed mostly safe if not totally freaky at times.

It took us a total of about 45 minutes to get through Death Valley, which includes two pitch dark mazes that are legitimately hard to navigate out of, tons of ghouls, and great sound effects. In terms of entertainment value, it is, hands down, the best haunted house I've seen.

None of that is to degrade Monster Mountain! It was a good haunted house. The special effects at this place were incredible. Much more time and money was spent to make this place look the part of a haunted mining town. The burning house we had to walk through was "off the hook" cool, the 40 foot suspended monster, the caverns, and old town were really well done. The frights were good, but the navigation left some to be desired. I enjoyed the openness, but the ghouls had to keep telling us where to go. Another thing I really liked about Monster Mountain, was that it was in the middle of nowhere. It made me feel like something bad could actually happen and no one would ever know. In total it took us about 25 minutes to get from start to end.

Overall, both houses were great fun and worth the $15 admission price. If we had gone to Monster Mountain without seeing Death Valley, it would have been the best in my life, but Death Valley was unanimously the better of the two.

This week we hope to hit a couple more, so look out for the reviews.

What to do on the 4th of July?

Music City Hot Chicken Festival: 11am to 3pm at East Park
(700 Woodland Street)
http://www.musiccityhotchickenfestival.com/
Proceeds to benefit Friends of Shelby Park & Bottoms

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Before you eat, do the

Details are at their website.
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Take a swim in one of Nashville's public pools.
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After all that don't forget about the fireworks and performances at Riverfront Park. You can find all the information here.

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If Riverfront Park and the mass of people is not what you are interested in, then Nashville's own AAA baseball team, the Sounds, play the Albuquerque Isotopes. The first pitch is at 6pm at Greer Stadium. Fireworks follow the game.

Living Roof

With the potential of a new Nashville convention center in the works, I think this concept is worth some major investigation. Vancouver has a great idea here and Nashville needs to be next!

Living Roof: Vancouver Convention Centre - BC, Canada from Vancouver Convention Centre on Vimeo.

Clouds on a sunny day in Nashville

I was at work and couldn't help but be amazed at what a beautiful Spring day it was through my window. So I used what tape was left in my camera to film some of the afternoon over Vanderbilt University. I turned it into a 2 min time-lapse where you can see the clouds morph and the traffic below. Hope you enjoy. The music is from the band Nite Club. They just came out with a video for a remake of a Kanye West song. I'll let you look it up and let the mystery be for you to figure out.

Clouds from Jake Stein on Vimeo.

Eric McMillen Band

This is a new artist who recently returned to Nashville from North Carolina. He recently performed a show at The Basement in preparation for his new album which should be out soon. Keep an eye out for this guy, for his work is ready for the radio and it will be mainstream one day soon. He has some of the best musicians in Nashville playing with him, so you know he has something really good to offer even before he melts your face off at the live show! Enjoy the video I recorded of him at his first live show. Find out more on his website: http://www.myspace.com/ericmcmillen

Eric McMillen Band from Jake Stein on Vimeo.

College Night at the Wild Beaver

All Access Entertainment put on a great party while college was in regular session. As always, it takes place downtown at the Wild Beaver Saloon on 3rd and Commerce Street. The Wild Beaver is a cross between a honky tonk with lots of live music, a pub to just chill and drink, and a hot girl centric bar staff that Coyote Ugly seems to have inspired. In contrast to Coyote Ugly, they pack the people in on more than just attractive bar staff; this place is about the party.

Now that summer is upon us, university is out, and they've keep the college night party and is hosting a ton of "back home for the summer" parties that promise to be tons of fun with lots of really hot folks.

I took this video of one of the wild nights we had at college night at the Wild Beaver Saloon. Music is pretty fitting, I hope you agree.

Wild Beaver Saloon, College Night from Jake Stein on Vimeo.

Mike Gordon Band

Another good cover band hitting the Nashville streets and clubs. This video is backed up with a live recording of an original song by Mike. They put on a great show and will be playing the Wild Beaver this Thursday, for college night. No cover and 50 cent beer? Are you kidding? Downtown? This will be a fun event for all. Get there early for the place is packed out by midnight.


Mike Gordon Band from Jake Stein on Vimeo.

Loretta Jane/Hunter Dixon Fashion Show

This is the entire runway show for the Spring 2009 Hunter Dixon and Loretta Jane clothing lines that took place at A Fashion Affair event put on by A Vintage Affair. The show took place at the Factory in Franklin, TN. All money raised was donated to Williamson County non-profits.


Loretta Jane/Hunter Dixon Runway Show from Jake Stein on Vimeo.

Best In Show

Dog people are always the best people. Don't know why and I am probably a bit biased, but it is the truth. One of my day job coworkers has been training her dogs to do agility for years, so I wanted to visit a local competition after hearing from her how much fun it is for the dogs and the owners. I went to the Williamson County Agriculture Center south of Franklin to see what this agility was all about.

It turns out it is just a huge playground for dogs that have been appropriately trained. The dogs loved it and agility creates a great way for owners and pets to bond. Several years ago I had a Siberian Husky who was trained to sit, lay down, and "stay," but she didn't get the weaving, tunnel rushing, and jump training. Looking back, the additional training would have helped us both out a lot in the early years. With my husky and goddog in mind this event gave me a great chance to hang out and bond with other people's dogs. I do miss having my husky around to nudge me awake in the morning or in the middle of a nap so she can spin around in circles to tell me she is ready for a walk (one of those tricks you teach without knowing).

There is another agility trial this weekend at the MTSU Livestock Center in Murfreesboro. Anyone can go for free to watch the dogs run, jump, weave and play. The chances of seeing your favorite breed are pretty high, for they all come to the trials. Sadly, no huskies when I went, but I've heard there is one who won a trial a few years back. Oh, and don't forget to leave your fido at home. Only those dogs who are in the trials can show up at the event.

If you want more information about agility in Nashville, contact the Nashville Dog Training Club at www.nashvilledog.org. You can also look at www.pawsabilitiestn.com and www.cleanrun.com for even more information about future events and training.


Nashville Dog Training Club from Jake Stein on Vimeo.

Left Can Dance

Courtney Wilder, Kelly Taylor, and Sam Patton lead the movement known as Left Can Dance. Left Can Dance (LCD) started two and a half years ago with the idea that Nashville needs a new dance night with music that the three previously mentioned members love. Turns out is was a great idea, for they have been bringing out the people for a long time now.

I was first introduced to LCD by my former roommate who knew some of the members when they had all their parties at Ombi. LCD provided several great nights of dancing to wonderful music, flirting with cute girls, and eating at Cafe Coco after the party. I knew it was associated with Vanderbilt University, and now I know the members are all active DJs on the Vanderbilt Radio Station, WRVU (91 Rock) as I call it. Back in my day it was the only alternative radio station in town--Lightning 100 was not even around yet. I support it in every way I can because it helped me through a lot of childhood angst.

To get back to my story, I went to The End for the latest instalment of LCD, Robot Rock II. The music was great and a few people were wearing costumes to go along with the robot music theme. Lots of pretty people were dancing and standing around totally enjoying themselves just as one is supposed to at a joint like LCD. They don't have a date yet, but their next event will be something called Return to the Garage. I will be looking forward to seeing all the friendly faces again. Speaking of which, there is none of the silly pretentious goop I experience at some other local parties, so go and enjoy yourself however you desire. You might know no one or everyone... it won't make a difference here.

To check out the next party go to their Myspace page: www.myspace.com/leftcandance
You'll get all the information you need there.


Left Can Dance--Robot Rock II 2009 from Jake Stein on Vimeo.

Other Great Events On Their Way...

Vanderbilt is hosts the Great Performances series. January 29, Argentina's Tango Fire, will be on stage. It looks like it is going to be incredible.

Also, starting this week to February 1, 2009, The Nashville Shakespear Festival is performing Richard the Third. Find out all the information you need at their web site.

Events Week of Jan 13

Tonight is 80's night at Hollywood Disco:

Saturday we have the hip hop phenomena Boom Bap:

At the end of the month is A Fashion Affair January 31. We will be there with our cameras taking footage of the events, fashion, and people who make this event great.

We've also got confirmation for the Sugar is Art Gallery at the Cannery Ballroom March 8th and the Fashionology 101 show May 16th at Marathon Village. So keep your schedules open for all the excitement.

Events This Week

Promote Nashville will be back out this week filming a couple of events this week. First, tonight is 80's night at Hollywood Disco. They have ONE DOLLAR drinks between 9 and 10pm. Free cover.

Thursday night at Hollywood Disco is college football championship game night. Brent Young and friends will be hosting a party serving free pizza and beer.

Bodhicitta Belly Dance troupe will be performing Saturday January 10 at the Exit/In:

After the show, we will be crossing the street to catch up with latest Left Can Dance party at The End:

At the end of the month we will be supporting our friends at Nashville Fashion Group by working the A Fashion Affair fashion show to support local non profit organizations. Get more information at http://www.avintageaffair.org/cms/ava/ava-fashionaffair.

This is it for this month so far. I am setting up to do a piece on an incredible local artist, a sugar art show, and Fashionology 101. I hope to have video of our past fall colors up soon. It is taking me a lot longer to edit it just right, but it is one of those things I love about Nashville and wanted to document for other to see and maybe take advantage of next fall.

Hope you all had a great new year celebration. Welcome back!