Your rights? Wrong!
Posted by Anne Clayton
(03.27.07, 05:14 PM)
I have just returned from an idyllic week in Seagrove Beach, where I mostly ignored everything but sunscreen, my next meal, sunscreen and cocktail hour…my idea of the perfect vacation. So I get home and am listening to the local news, and what I heard really made me mad. I actually heard some high school kid telling me that being asked to adhere to a dress code—not a uniform, but a dress code—was a violation of her rights and inhibited her ability to express herself. What a load of crap!
Caribbean dream. Not.
Posted by Anne Clayton
(03.27.07, 09:24 AM)
I recently returned from a 10-day Caribbean Cruise. About a year ago, two girlfriends and I decided to stop talking about taking a big-girl vacation and actually do it. Because of my previous experience with the Holland America cruise line on an Alaskan tour, we chose to book our dream vacation with them for February. We were to set sail on “The Beautiful and Elegant Massdamm” after a one-night stay in Ft. Lauderdale. My traveling buddies and I went down to the hotel bar for a cocktail where I noticed we were the youngest people in the place…not too unusual for Florida in February. I soon realized these folks were also setting sail with us the next day.
Spring garden fetish
Posted by Mary Proctor
(03.25.07, 03:21 PM)
Springtime…when a young man's fancy turns to…mulch! Yes, mulch. It’s not only in Nashville, but everywhere. People are equating gardening with mulching. One of my favorite cartoons shows the final day of creation and concludes with the new eighth day, when God created MULCH. With so many new lawn service companies, it is no wonder that the quickest way to make money is to mulch around any vertical object in your yard. Have you ever seen a sleeping dog surrounded by a deep and wide circle of brown chips? Please stop the mulching, folks! You only need it on young trees and in garden beds to save the moisture. more
Tupper at the Basement
Posted by Beth Alexander
(03.25.07, 02:18 PM)
A memorial service of sorts took place last night at The Basement for Tupper (see previous post), and the place was packed with the eclectic sort of individuals who found Tupper fascinating—from fans like me to his four children; an ex-wife; his current, age-appropriate girlfriend (whom he fondly called "the widow Earthman"); to the kind of young people who populate Music Row and the kind of Nashvillians of a certain age who grew up in local, now-open-to-the-public mansions. Those latter are familiar with Tupper's Purity Dairies ads (by Carden and Cherry ad agendy where Tupper worked after teaching 7th-grade English at MBA) from the '60s that featured the cartoon cow toting a half-gallon of milk, who was always bested by the kangaroo.
Shiny New Things
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(03.21.07, 5:02 PM)
Everyone loves a good investment. A new home in a wonderful area, a great piece of artwork, even a classic, goes with everything handbag. When it came time to buy a new car however, I wondered what kind of investment a vehicle would be. After all, they don't appreciate in value over time, and newer, better models are always out there somewhere. What's a girl to do? I did the only logical thing I could think of in this situation...I chose based upon appearance. After all, if you're going to buy something that will not allow for financial gain, at least purchase what you love! Taking into consideration gas conservation and maintenance, I chose a car that would make me happy, at least for the short term. Who knows, a year from now perhaps I'll find something new to spark my interest!
Pause and reflect
Posted by Jordana Rothstein White
(03.21.07, 12:05 PM)
I visited the Hermitage for the first time over the weekend. Slave life there was described as being better than in most other places. Families of seven or eight lived in tiny rooms with ceilings so low I, at 5”3, had to duck to enter.
Schoerke family visits Elliston Soda Shop
Posted by Beth Alexander
(03.21.07, 09:28 AM)
Since we aren’t leaving town for spring break for a few more days, I treated my kids to lunch at Elliston Place Soda Shop. It’s our favorite “old-timey” place to go. Jane, a fixture there since 1956, was our waitress, as always. My son ordered chicken tenders. She asked if he wanted some bread to go with it. He said “no.” She said, “Sure you do.”
Tupper Saussy dies
Posted by Beth Alexander
(03.18.07, 01:07 PM)
Musician, composer, artist, tax evader and most entertaining dinner partner passed away in the wee hours of Saturday morning while sitting at his computer at age 70. Tupper was a sometime ad man, a former teacher at MBA, watercolorist, Grammy-nominated songwriter and early tech-user—and a fascinating raconteur. Father of four, he was twice married, and was a charmer at any age. More than anything he was a wordsmith, from blogs to books to bedtime stories. He was about to launch a new version of his web page and was planning a new musical show the week he died. Nfocus did a story on Tupper when he came back to town several years ago, and there's a good piece on him in the Memphis Weekly Wire from May, 1998 when he went to prison to serve 12 months for tax evasion. If you want to read more from Tupper himself, check out his blog at honestthings.blogspot.com. more
Costco turn-around
Posted by Anne Clayton
(03.18.07, 10:11 AM)
I was killing a little time on Saturday and decided to check out the new stores on Charlotte. New Target...same store, new address; Marshall's, just another T.J. Maxx but not nearly as good. These places may be on Charlotte, but I spotted several `05 residents cruising for bargains. Marshall's buyers need to be aware that they are playing to an upscale clientele and get better quality merchandise. Then I decided to drop into Costco to see what was new. Horrors—I left my Costco card in another purse! No worries, I'll just get a temporary card.
Vacation, All I Ever Wanted
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(03.16.07, 4:34 PM)
Monday was the last day of my spring vacation this year. Four days back into the daily grind and I need another, longer getaway. While my purse strings are currently in lock-down, my mind is screaming and generally pitching a hissy fit that I didn't stay in Florida for an extended amount of time. Shall I simply move to the land of eternal sunshine for good, or wait for the pools to unlock their gates and let the sun worshippers in to bask? While it would be lovely, reality strikes and I realize that vacations come along infrequently due to the money they cost. But that doesn't stop my fingers from typing "last-minute cruise specials" into google just to see what I could get for my remaining $25.
Where does all the money come from?
Posted by Gloria Houghland
(03.16.07, 10:03 AM)
I drive by Laurelbrooke every day, and every day I wonder, what do all these people do to be able to afford these homes—other than Oprah's father, I know what he does. HUGE mansions! And it's not just Laurelbrooke, there are hundreds of multi-million dollar homes and multi-million dollar subdivisions. They can't all be Titans. Anybody got a clue? Signed, The old woman that lives in a shoe
Julie Schoerke's night out: by JULIE
Posted by Beth Alexander
(03.16.07, 10:00 AM)
On this stormy evening, several dozen of us braved the torrential rain. We were rewarded with a stimulating 90-minute conversation led by Vanderbilt History Professor Michael Bess, author of Choices Under Fire. We came from all parts of town, all ages and all walks of life to discuss the moral ambiguity of WWII, the topic of Bess’s book. It was a lively discussion with lots of perspectives and questions. Ginna Foster, who just moved to Nashville from New York City in Oct., 2006, created this series, "An Evening With An Author," which was hosted by Bret and Meg MacFadyen, proprietors of Art & Invention Gallery in East Nashville. Foster was inspired to bring a smart evening of wine and conversation with an author at various creative locations in Nashville when she attended Thinking Out of the Lunch Box at the Nashville Public Library. She is always encouraging others to attend that wonderful program. Prior to moving here, Foster was an executive with McGraw-Hill in Manhattan. She is a thirty-something Harvard and Columbia Business School grad who has the gift of gathering people together who do not know each other at the beginning of an evening and yet all leave best friends. The next An Evening With An Author event will be held Thurs., April 19, featuring Robert Benson leading a discussion about his just released (in April) book Digging In: Tending to Life In Your Own Backyard, The event will run from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Plowhaus Artists' Cooperative in East Nashville (211 South 17th Street). Please join us.
Codependency Part II
Posted by John Denson
(03.15.07, 07:24 PM)
To paraphrase Jeff Foxworthy, "You are a codependent if..." 1. A guy writes a column on people-pleasing, emails it to you with a tongue-in-cheek note saying: "I really, really, really hope you like it! If you don't I'll try to change it." And you reply how much you like it, and that he is liked, too - even special - and that everything will be all right. (You promise!) 2. You read a column on codependency, tear it out, 'make' your mother read it, and afterward she says "I need to save this for your Aunt Helen."
Ann Frances
Posted by Jordana Rothstein White
(03.15.07, 4:46 PM)
For those of you prospective brides out there, here's something that you may not be aware of. Ann Frances is no longer selling retail; instead, they are in the midst of launching their own bridal line. Look for the Ann Frances label in fine bridal boutiques in the months to come!
Now that's what I call an Easter Egg!
Posted by Anne Clayton
(03.13.07, 5:55 PM)
As many of you know, I work at Cheekwood, Nashville's Home of Art and Gardens. Last week, my fellow employees and I were treated to a sneak peak at the upcoming Fabergé exhibit. It is simply stunning! The magnificent Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation collection, previously housed at the New Orleans Museum of Art, has a new home here at Cheekwood. The collection is displayed in a small treasure box of a gallery that lets visitors get up close and personal with some of the most famous and tragic jeweled art in the world. In the collection are three of the fabled Imperial Easter Eggs, as well as one of the most comprehensive collections of Fabergé's bejeweled botanicals. The Lilies of the Valley are considered to one of the masters best works. After seeing it, I agree and so will you. The exhibit opens to the public on March 20th. Spring has sprung up here on the hill...hope to see you in the gardens and the galleries!
What vegetarian means to me
Posted by Jordana Rothstein White
(03.12.07, 2:04 PM)
Bear with me because I’m new here, but how is it that five pieces of gnocchi and a few roast vegetables are considered equivalent to rack of lamb? Don’t we green types deserve some protein?
Not so positive thoughts
Posted by Anne Clayton
(03.11.07, 07:40 PM)
Yesterday I blogged about the power of positive thinking, a theory that I believe is the basis for living happliy with yourself and your fellow man. Last night I tried...I tried for hours and hours to think positive thoughts, but they were drowned out by my backyard neighbors' insane barking dog! Evidently, they went out clubbing as usual and left the poor mutt locked on their upstairs screen porch. "Muttley" was not amused and began five hours of rhythmic barking. It is true that dogs have no sense of time; they are just as frantically glad to see us when we come back from getting the paper as they are when we have been gone all day.... Evidently, they also are lacking the ability to realize there is no one home to let your sorry flea-bitten a** back in the house!
What's in a name...
Posted by Julie Eskind
(03.11.07, 04:13 PM)
Recording the names of party-goers isn’t as easy as it looks. I am not an Nfocus Rolodex; and, contrary to popular belief, Beth does not have us study a facebook of Nashville’s A-listers. Don’t get me wrong, if I’ve taken down your name in the past, I probably remember doing so…even if I can’t remember exactly what name I took down. Unfortunately, even after only a few years of attending fundraising events, galas, and the like, the names and faces of the hundreds of socially active community volunteers and bigwigs start to jumble. I can’t count the number of times I’ve fumbled upon introducing Suzy Socialite to a friend, resorting either to: a. introducing the friend first (hoping Suzy will stick out her hand and introduce herself) or b. blabbering on about the context of our acquaintance until the friend can’t help but to stick out a hand to initiate the forgotten name-sharing (for which, of course, I apologize for neglecting). Yikes.
The Secret
Posted by Anne Clayton
(03.10.07, 04:14 PM)
Okay, I admit it. I was one of the millions who rushed out and bought The Secret after watching Oprah gush over it for an hour. For any of you who have been locked in a closet lately, The Secret is a self-empowerment theory set down in a book and a DVD movie by Rhonda Byrne. With the help of testimonials from some leading self-help gurus and a smattering of ancient philosophers and dead scientists, Rhonda explains the “law of attraction” as she sees it in relation to the human condition. Positive thinking on steroids. “Ask, Believe, Receive” is her mantra. Believe you are rich, ask for what you want and the universe will hear you and give what you have asked for. The Secret applies to money, relationships and health. Be a negative person emitting negative thoughts and energy to the universe, and by the “law of attraction,” you will call upon the universe to send you bad things.
Building for the boomers
Posted by Mary Proctor
(03.10.07, 4:04 PM)
I know that I am getting old, but really, some of the new houses going up around me need a ski lift to get to the front door. What are people thinking? Do they not know that knees will need to be replaced and that hips are not permanent bones? I am horrified the builders are not taking the baby boomers into consideration when building these McMansions. I bet the sinks don't even have lever handles and that the toilets are not the taller handicap styles. (My best Christmas present ever was a handicap toilet four years ago.) You will hear more griping in the future since I have stopped watching the news and just watch the activity of over-zealous builders and mulchers. Don't get me started on mulching—that will be in my next blog.
Swan Lake soirée
Posted by Beth Alexander
(03.09.07, 09:04 AM)
Wonderful cocktail party last night at Lynn and Elizabeth Greer’s house celebrating the arrival of Alfred Fiandaca for the Ballet Ball weekend. Both Elizabeth and her co-chair Anita Baltimore are wearing Alfred’s designs Saturday. He’s a longtime Nashville favorite, having made Emily Perkins Zerfoss’s wedding dress and several more for her through the years. Now that she’s chairing the Swan Ball, that’s his assignment, too.
Velvet rules
Posted by Beth Alexander
(03.08.07, 5:15 PM)
Thanks to all our buddies who came to Model Behavior at Radius10 Tuesday night. I’m still recovering from those special blueberry martini things and the yummy hors d’oeuvres on sticks that were being passed around. Aggressively and often, I might add. Bless you, Jason Brumm. And the models! Gorgeous. No, not just the runway beauties in their stilettos—our real-life volunteer models who brought their friends out to celebrate. Every last one is a super woman and a super model—just check them out in this month’s issue. I know you’re dying to know who won the two $1,500 checks. Lake Eakin and Cumberland Heights brought the most attendees, and Clare Armistead and Tennessee State Museum won the random drawing. Congratulations to two wonderful nonprofits, and our thanks to all ten of the participating agencies whose daily work makes Nashville such a great place. The issue of the evening seemed to be, how long can you wear velvet here? It was plenty cold, and Leigh Hendry sported a velvet jacket, having been told it was okay to wear velvet until Easter. But the consensus seemed to be closer to spring break. On the wintry end, when can you bring out the velvet? After Halloween is what I recall. I think velvet is allowed from All Saints’ Day through Ash Wednesday. Pick your own mnemonic pagan holidays. Or go by nature’s cues: first frost to buttercup’s bloom.
From guest writer Julie Schoerke
Posted by Beth Alexander
(03.08.07, 11:19 AM)
Nashville native and 1994 David Lipscomb High School graduate Christian Baker has completed his first big movie, My Brother, starring Vanessa Williams and Tatum O’Neal, which premiered Tuesday night at the AMC Magic Johnson Theater in Harlem. His sister Laura Lyn Donahue and her husband Don, Michael W. Smith’s business partner, flew out Monday to watch Christian, editor of the movie, walk the red carpet. His brother Rob Baker and wife Jenny and his parents Lyn and Carolyn Baker all live here in Nashville. The movie tells of a strong bond between two brothers, the younger of whom is developmentally disabled. They live in poverty with their dying mother who instilled a love between them that remains even during life’s most difficult circumstances. It is similar in tone to Will Smith’s Pursuit of Happyness, drawing on values of love, pride and honor. Last weekend in Washington, D.C., Christian gave a private screening for Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her son Tim and some international participants of the Special Olympics. My Brother will be released nationally on March 16. Will Nashville get a shot at seeing our friend’s new movie?
Driving under the influence...of text messaging
Posted by Mandi Coleman
(03.08.07, 10:43 AM)
While dodging vehicles and doing my best NASCAR impersonation, a loud beep alerts me that I have a new message on my cell. I open it and glance down. “Can you make it tonight at 8 for dinner?” I know my friend is asking this while making the entree. Should I text right back? All senses say yes, but I don’t. Not anymore, that is. Not since my brother totaled his car while texting a friend and not paying close enough attention to a curve the road was taking a few feet in front of him. Everyone uses cell phones, especially while bored in the car. It's a great time to get things taken care of, after all. But as technology advances, the capacities of our cells are growing. Downloading music and multitasking behind the wheel of a heavy vehicle are not uncommon. The government has noticed and is starting to take action. And while, yes, inevitably completely restricting cell use while behind the wheel may delay timely replies to invitations and sales calls, it will also cause more lives to be spared. Remember the days when you had to use a payphone? Consider this legislative trend a chance to take a break from corporate America. Or even tonight’s dinner plans.
Mary Kay...who knew?
Posted by Amy Lee Bell
(03.08.07, 10:33 AM)
I’m always looking for better mascara. They all promise to add “dangerously sexy” volume, length and curl, while keeping dangerously sketchy smudges and raccoon eyes at bay. So far, none have lived up to the hype. I’ve tried everything, from drug store favorites like Maybelline’s “Great Lash” to Chanel’s extravagant “Extracils.” Within two hours of application, they all leave me looking like Lindsay Lohan after a night on the town with Paris and Britney.
Constance Gee whiz
Posted by Beth Alexander
(03.07.07, 07:56 PM)
Maybe you saw the announcement last week that Constance Gee has filed for divorce from Chancellor Gordon Gee. Two wonderful people, one sad story. One paragraph in the Tennessean was particularly one-sided; Gordon was described as a non-smoking, non-drinking Mormon, while Constance was characterized as a social person who loves a party. The truth is that he was often quoted in the press as saying he’d like to entertain or go out every night of the week if he could, and they both certainly win praise from the Nfocus community for accepting as many invitations as their demanding schedules would permit. These two seemed—notwithstanding the Wall Street Journal’s article last fall—to be well-suited and happily matched for twelve years of marriage. The big question, of course, is which insider wishes for Constance—or both of them—to be gone? Who squealed to the Journal?
"401-K? Huh?"
Posted by Grace Clayton
(03.07.07, 7:19 PM)
So, I have recently graduated from college and am attempting to make the transformation from financially supported college student to financially independent 20-something professional woman. Wow—it’s harder than I thought it would be! And the funny thing is—this seems to be the “hot topic” of conversation in my age group. It seems that the majority of us young women have never been educated about personal finances, investing, 401Ks-etc. Most of my friends would actually respond, “a 401-K? Huh?” if asked about it. All those years at fancy private schools and universities, and though we were offered loads of useful information like how to wire an electric lamp in science class or diagram a sentence in English and in college—I was even taught how to “jog correctly” in Jogging 101 at Alabama—we were never offered any personal finance courses or advice! Now I love to jog and all, but I must admit that in the end, I love money even more. So my question is, why is it that young women are typically left out of the financial knowledge loop? And are all those guys out there jogging correctly?
To err is human....
Posted by Jordana Rothstein White
(03.07.07, 4:33 PM)
We all make mistakes. Some days are better than others—those are the days when I walk out of the house with two matching socks, my husband’s shirt is ironed and all the dishes are clean and stored away. On the other days, things don’t run as smoothly. Having said that, I would like to apologize for an error made in our March issue and post the following statement from Second Harvest: Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee (www.secondharvestnashville.org) did merge with Nashville’s Table which is now a program of SHFB. However, Second Harvest did not merge with Bread for the World; each are non profit organizations that have on occasion collaborated on advocacy issues to help them fulfill their missions. If you need additional clarification, please call Marina Falzone at 627-1568.
Dixie means Country
Posted by John Denson
(03.02.07, 12:52 PM)
Life gets confusing when people don't get what they expect; problem is, they expect too much. Some radio stations and their owners who say they won't play the Dixie Chicks because either, a. “They ain't country,” or b. They are too liberal or are unpatriotic. These folks should pause, take a breath, and try to remember the not so long ago, or even the present. Really, just taking a breath would be good. So, are they country? The Dixie Chicks, in this order: have "Dixie" in their name (not considered a very left-wing term, would you say?); have "Chicks" in their name (ditto); play banjo; play the fiddle; and are southern. Plus, they used to have bad hair. One more thing: did anybody say they weren't country before Natalie made that comment?
Dr. Orcutt's take on advances in plastic surgery
Posted by Beth Alexander
(03.01.07, 09:58 AM)
The following was written by Tom Orcutt, M.D.: The hottest, newest treatments in plastic surgery and skin care aren’t always as advertised: the companies that make these products market them heavily in a very competitive arena, frequently before significant results and safety issues have been validated. “FDA-approved” doesn’t mean the treatment works as advertised or that it lacks complications. Breast implants have been the longest and most studied item, and their safety has been supported by numerous scientific studies. However, very new products have not been subjected to this scrutiny.
COSTCO addiction
Posted by Sinclair Kelly
(03.01.07, 09:43 AM)
I’m addicted to COSTCO. I can’t stop buying in bulk. I kept hearing about it, how great it was, all the amazing things you could find there. When the Charlotte Ave. store first opened, we were editing the October issue. We were trying to check a few names and called a few sources, Tony Rose being one. He answered with, “You won’t believe what I’m doing? I’m walking around COSTCO, and I’ve run into four other people I know.” All I could picture was Tony carrying one of those enormous jars of mayonnaise in a warehouse, not too far off I guess, but at COSTCO? Why?
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