If you are into country music, there will be a free concert this Sunday, June 28. Soooo grab you foflding chairs or blanket and head out to the Jim Warren Park in Franklin, Tennessee (2 - 9 p.m.).There will be activities for kids including game booths, music (their brand), skateboarding, skateboard demonstrations, etc. Headlined by Jeffrey Steele, Country Music Hall of Fame member, other performers will include American Bang, LoCash Cowboys, Ricky Young & Red White Blue, and Pearl Harbor.

I attended last year’s festival and had a wonderful time. Living in Middle Tennessee, home of country music, does have its perks. Where else could you be sitting in a public park enjoying the music and Billy Cyrus just drops by to sing a few songs and then a short time later Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) shows up.

The festival is held in memory of Jeffrey’s son, Alex LeVesseur, who died in an ATV accident. Money raised during the festival goes to Alex LeVesseur Memorial Fund through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to help underprivileged children with a passion for skatboarding to improve self-esteem, grades, and become involved in community service.

There is a great article describing the cause and festival at www.williamsonherald.com. It is the first article with a picture of Stephanie LeVesseur, Alex’s mom, titled Tragedy into Hope.

Hope to see you there!

Posted By: Dee Cole

April in Tennessee is about as good as it gets…warm days, cool nights and low humidity! Best of all, it is the unofficial kick-off month for local festivals. No matter how small, just about every town in Tennessee has something to be proud of! And, the fun-loving communities celebrate in a big way with a festival, like South Pittsburg’s National Cornbread Festival.

The 13th annual National Cornbread Festival will be held April 25-26 in South Pittsburg, TN (take I-24 toward Chattanooga - exit 152, you can’t miss it). This tiny little hamlet of 3,000 is nestled in the beautiful Sequatchie Valley and will host over 40,000 red blooded American “corn bread lovers” for what promises to be a great two days.

If you love cornbread, don’t miss the Cook Off (10 finalists from as far away as Utah!) or the Cornbread eating contest. Other fun activities will be Fireworks, a 5 K Run, Blue Grass Music, Quilt Display, Historic Tours, a Classic Car Cruise-In, and Pancake Breakfast.

And, no festival would be complete with out a Beauty Pageant (held Saturday April 18th at the high school if you want to enter) where the winner will be crowned “Miss National Cornbread Festival, 2009”.

Saturday 9-6, Sunday 9-5, $3.00 per person (infants free), and NO PETS!

www.nationalcornbread.com (check out the web site and listen to the official festival song!)

Hope to see you there!

Posted By: Dawne Davis

It’s Jazzfest time in Murfreesboro ! The 13th annual Mainstreet Jazzfest is only days away. On May 1 & 2 located on the historic Courthouse Square this 2 day celebration will be attended by thousands. It has become one of Tennessee’s premier festivals. My family looks forward to this event each year. We pack up the tailgate chairs, make sure we have some pocket change for munchies & shopping and off we go to meet up with friends.

The Jazzfest is more than just a concert. It’s people watching, you never know who you will see! It’s the yummy food, you can’t help but sample from several of the food vendors. Its’s shopping, and who doesn’t love that?! The kids can let loose and enjoy the activities in the kids area. Shop, mingle and just relax all while hearing some of the best live contemporary jazz. Admission is FREE . You can’t beat that! Good Friends, Good Food and the sounds of smooth Jazz under the stars, now that’s a Good Evening!

For a list of local bands and musicians go to www.mainstreetjazzfest.com

Posted By: MaryAnn Fisher

Do you remember when Chesney’s and The Parthenon were about the only “fancy” restaurants in Murfreesboro? Haven’t things changed! I had a wonderful dining experience at Murfreesboro’s newest Asian restaurant, Cathay Asian Bistro on Church Street (Hwy 231). I ordered the Chicken and Vegetable Tempura dinner which included Miso soup and salad for starters, steamed rice (which I prefer), and a beautifully presented plate of chicken and vegetables. Their Jasmine tea was also very good. My server was friendly and checked to see if I needed anything. A couple nearby sat at the Sushi/Sasimi Bar. The creations they had looked beautiful. The restaurant also features hibachi dining. Although not required, I would probably make reservations for the hibachi tables. For more information and menu, visit www.CathayAsianBistro.com.

Posted By: Dee Cole

For a little while last week and even a day or two this week, it felt like spring was really coming. The weather was clear, temperatures warmed up a bit, birds were chirping, and the mosquitoes started biting again. And then the rain came.

Here are five things you can do in order to stave off a bad case of the grumpies caused by all this dampness:

1. Instead of watching the rain pour out of your gutters, head to the Smyrna Bowling Center and try to avoid those gutter balls! You can spend about $7 – 10 p/person for shoes, games, and even some munchies from the snack bar. The smoke-free facility is great for family fun.

2. Super Target. They have everything from clothes to exotic foods at this clean, easy-to-reach store. Still fairly new to the area, Target is right off of I-24 on Sam Ridley Parkway.

3. When you finish at Target, try out one of the nearby restaurants. They now have Cheddars, Zaxby’s, Red Robin, CiCi’s Pizza, IHOP, and more!

4. The Smyrna and LaVergne libraries are a haven. You can access computers, find some good books to curl up with, and even check out movies.

5. If you want a real adventure with food, go to Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse and eat at the Hibachi grill side. Tell the chef it’s your first time and they’ll do some fancy flame work (volcanic onion, anyone?). It’ll cost you to go at night, but the lunch menu will run about $10 p/person (plus tips).

Enjoy the weekend!

Posted By: Kathy Tyson