Kimble Bosworth

Hungry for something new to do in Nashville? Not the usual movies, music, shopping or arts - but some actual FOOD?

On most days in Nashville, you may find yourself racking your brain for which of our city's finest eateries you will choose.

On most days, once you get all gussied up and get to that place you chose, you have one more choice...which of those fabulous meals you will pick.

Sadly, although you have enjoyed the pleasure of that scrumptious meal prepared by that famed chef; you may have regrets about the meal you couldn't venture to try out. You may not have room for tastes of other meals or that dessert you saw carried to someone else's table.

Well, on June 21st ALL THAT WILL CHANGE! For, on that one special night, Nissan brings all the greatest food of Nashville downtown. (and much of the drink, too).

Nothing beats the backdrop of our beautiful city from the Gateway Bridge - except maybe the food! And the bite sized portions leave room for experiencing all the tastes this city has to offer.

Get your tickets early and save a little. They are $45 online and $55 at the door. So, for a fraction of what that trip to the actual restaurant might cost, you can enjoy over 37 restaurants (at last count).

There's more good news! You won't just leave feeling full; you'll also feel fulfilled, knowing that a portion of your ticket price benefits the Second Harvest Food Bank of Nashville, bringing food to the tables of Nashville's less fortunate.

If you haven't seen the changing skyline in awhile...

If you have been meaning to try that restaurant but haven't found the time...

Or if you just want a night of jazz and crowds of other foodies...

Sign up and we'll see you there!

It's not often a free night on the town comes along that includes this level of culture and fun. If you haven't been to Nashville Downtown's First Saturday Art Crawl...or just haven't been in awhile; don't miss the next one on Saturday, June 7th!

The event's sponsor, the Nashville Downtown Partnership, recently added 2 free shuttles that wrap around the route, which now includes 30 galleries.

Most of the galleries serve free wine and other refreshments; but the real draw is the world class art showcased at the event. Galleries rotate the exhibits each month and there is always something new and different.

So, if you're shopping for art to fill the walls of your new home, or just looking for an inexpensive way to fill an evening with low cost and high culture entertainment, you may want to check this out.

Learn more at Nashville Downtown Partnership's website or visit a few of our favorite galleries:

TAG

The Arts Company

Estel Gallery

The Rymer Gallery

I got an interesting call from another agent this week that got me thinking...thus, also got me blogging.

She was working with a client who found a great loft at Werthan Mills (the same condos, coincidentally, where I have lived since 2006). He loved the place! But not the view. He was concerned that the unit he was considering looked out over a Metro Nashville Development Authority Housing Community, Cheatham Place.

Looking out on that community made him feel guilt. Guilt that he had so much and that the people he was looking down at did not.

I was touched. Touched that she came to me to ask for more information on how I feel about that. (For the record: I share the same view as her client - definitely not the same perspective, though.) Touched that her client shared such honest feelings.

I shared my perspective with her - and subsequently, in this blog, with others.

I live in the urban core - a neighborhood on the border of Germantown and Salemtown in Nashville. This neighborhood is filled with that something unique and special - DIVERSITY - that is so rare in the fabric of our suburbs. There are people of all incomes, races, religions...I call it the spice that keeps our neighborhood from tasting bland.

Looking back to when Boz and I moved here in 2006; we heard sirens at 1AM on our first night. They came from Cheatham Place. We both woke up when we heard them. And we made assumptions that I am ashamed of today.

The next day, I ventured out to learn a little more about Cheatham Place, which I had heard would someday be torn down and redeveloped into some fabulous housing community. The greyhounds and I went on a walk through the community. And, since neither of us has ever met a stranger, we made some friends. And over the years, we have learned a lot that has changed our view of the Cheatham Place neighbors.

I was lucky enough to meet Peaches, the sensational woman who manages the public housing program for Metro Nashville, whose office is across the street and next to Cheatham Place. She introduced me to the property manager, who explained those sirens I heard were an ambulance. Many of the residents of Cheatham Place are older, with limited health resources...ambulances are actually some of the only sirens we hear there.

Why not police cars? Turns out Cheatham Place is on the National Historic Register. It is an exceptionally well maintained community with long waiting lists to get in and close to a zero tolerance policy when it comes to bad behavior.

Over the years, Werthan and Cheatham have built a special relationship. There are many stories of this friendship, here are just a few:

• One of my Werthan neighbors does light errands and grocery shopping for an elderly Cheatham resident. She was surprised to see a fridge full of casseroles and prepared meals when she first dropped off groceries. The resident explained that ladies in her church across the street bring her more food than she could possibly eat, so she shares with other needy neighbors on a regular basis.
  
• Werthan organizes an annual Christmas gift drive for the Cheatham Place kids. As is typical of these events, the gift to us if far greater than the gifts the kids receive.
• We also teamed up with the kids of Cheatham Place to spend an afternoon painting the NumberWall mural on 8th Avenue

So, I explained to that agent the view of Cheatham Place from where I sit on my Werthan balcony:

• I see camaraderie as neighbors share the bounty of their lives with a community of friends and family during picnics and gatherings on our beautiful Nashville spring afternoons

• I see fellowship at the Friday Fish Fry of the adjacent Baptist Church

• I hear laughter of the children from both of our communities playing in the fire hydrants opened by the local firemen during the hot months of summer

• I feel hope for people who are getting help from our city to improve their lives and raise happy, healthy families

• I have respect for these people who have become my friends and neighbors.

So that's my view from the balcony...If you're considering Germantown or Salemtown, I hope this perspective helps.