Hot & Cold supplies coffee lovers with fresh venue, tasty treats

Hot & Cold, part of the Bongo Java company, adds diversity to the cluster of restaurants and shops found in Hillsboro Village on 21st Avenue South. Hot & Cold, located on the same side of the street as Fido, features Bongo Java‘s coffee, a variety of tea mixes, Las Paletas, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and a few treats to munch on. Not quite as packed as Fido, Hot & Cold is the perfect place to get in-and-out with an order. If you prefer to sit, you can enjoy free Wi-Fi while catching up with friends, or if you’re a loner, sit by yourself and pretend to do something important on your computer. Like Bongo Java, they have summer specialties. The flavors at Hot & Cold, which opened in November 2010, are more unique than just a cappuccino or plain vanilla. But if that’s how you like it, they’ll make it. On the walls, there is a full menu for you to read. Pricing is moderate and worth the quality. Hot & Cold’s location in Hillsboro Village makes it easier to find parking than some coffee shops on 12th Avenue South. Hot & Cold is open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 11...
[Photos] CMA Fest 2012

[Photos] CMA Fest 2012

Cowboy hats, cutoff blue jeans, cowboy boots, country music stars, street performers, locals and people from out of state and out of the country. Each summer country music fans flock to Nashville for the CMA Fest.  With a record of 71,000 daily patrons, this year’s CMA Fest attendance jumped over nine percent from last year. Here are some photos from the Riverfront and Broadway festivities.          ...
The abstract being of Maurice Sendak

The abstract being of Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak, died May 8, 2012, at the age of 83 from complications of a stroke according to The New York Times. The name might not be familiar, but his work is. Sendak, is most famous for his book “Where The Wild Things Are.” Other works by Sendak include “In The Night Kitchen,” “Bumble-Ardy” and “Outside Over There.” NPR’s show Fresh Air dedicated the entire program to Sendak by airing previous interviews with him. Past the subdued fog and alluring designs of his books, his writings deal with deeper issues. Sendak created a protagonist child that battled the conditions of being a well-mannered and groomed character who triumphed in an attractive manner. His characters, which would exist in creative dreamlike circumstances, would bring the reality of life into childhood. Sendak broke boundaries with his writings and illustrations that brought the reality of monsters into children’s book. Sendak grew up in a Jewish home, where Yiddish was spoken, and lived with his relatives that were brought over by his parents because of the Holocaust. In a 1986 NPR audio interview, Sendak spoke about his childhood. As a child, Sendak said he had fears that were different than others. The vacuum cleaner, when turned on, became a huge monster that billowed and was very frightening. After watching the 1933 movie, “The Invisible Man,” he became petrified of the Invisible Man who became “[the] most terrifying [fear] and led to being an insomniac for rest of life.” As a child he saw adults as “…big and grotesque… and couldn’t see it happening to him.” Later in the interview, he suggested that being...

Taylor Swift joins The Civil Wars for live song debut

Met by a cheering crowd, Taylor Swift joined The Civil Wars Jan. 12, at the Ryman Auditorium for a surprise appearance, debuting their new song “Safe and Sound.” The Staves opened for The Civil Wars. The sold-out show’s audience was enthralled with The Civil Wars, giving them a standing ovation after the song ‘Barton Hollow.’ Before the event, Nashville was buzzing with rumors about a possible Swift appearance during the concert. After performing several of their songs, the duo began joking that they like helping other artists and asked the audience to be nice to their guest because she was new and wasn’t well known. As soon as she stepped onto stage, the audience welcomed Swift with a long and loud cheer. The song “Safe and Sound” was written by all three artists for the “Hunger Games” soundtrack. It mashes together their talents for a folky, harmonious and mellow ballad. The Civil Wars are on the rise in the indie music scene, and Swift by all nature is a hit country music star. The musical duo has a natural talent for this type of song, but Swift was surprising in her mature lyrics and soothing voice. After another standing ovation at the end, The Civil Wars performed two encores, the latter one being all...

[Photos] Lighting of the Green 2011

Following another year of tradition, Lipscomb hosted the annual Lighting of the Green. Hosted by Amy Grant, over five-thousand people attended to enjoy the music and festivities. Before the concert began, the merry marketplace provide some shopping oppurtunies, snacks and beverages and children were able to have their photo taken with Santa Clause. With Amy Grant hosting and performing along with other musicians, the whole night provided an entertaining concert. Other headliners were Gene Miller, Jenny Gill, Sterling Gittens, Miranda Doolittle, Point of Grace, Miranda McCaslin and Lipscomb’s own chorus. The night ended with the traditional singing of Silent Night and Mayor Dean pushing the button to light the Christmas...