by Crystal Davis | Sep 2, 2012 | Uncategorized
The Well, a coffee shop with a special mission, opened its doors this summer in Green Hills. This trendy new spot for students to lounge and study has a slight twist. It’s a non-profit organization geared toward ending poverty. The Well is tucked away on Richard Jones Road in Green Hills, just across from Trader Joe’s. The coffee house donates its proceeds to help create sustainable solutions for people without water and food across the world. Adjunct Bible Professor Rob Touchstone and five other men comprise the board of directors that essentially runs the booming new business. “It’s a way of addressing poverty in the world,” Touchstone said. “This is our effort to give back. “Our goal here is to be a non-profit missional coffee house where we’re giving away all of our profits to try and alleviate poverty by bringing sustainability to different parts of the world, mainly in Africa.” While it’s only been open for a little over a month, The Well has already completed one project to give back. Touchstone said the coffee shop’s proceeds bought a new washing machine for an infirmary–essentially a nursing home–in Jamaica. Touchstone said he was enrolled in Earl Lavender’s missions graduate course about five years ago when he was asked the question, “What would the church look like outside the walls of the church building?” He challenged his group of friends to tackle this question head on. Touchstone said his goals for The Well were to “take down the religious barriers that sometimes get put up by church buildings, stained glass and formal religion and to try and get in to the...
by Sarah McGee | Aug 6, 2012 | Uncategorized
It’s hard to believe that soon summer is going to be over. It feels like it only just began! One of my favorite parts of a new school year is back-to-school fashion. There is never a better time to add on to your wardrobe! These are a few of the things that I find to be fun ways to brighten up the beginning of the school year. Polka dots: I have noticed more and more how many polka dot things there have been in stores lately. I don’t want to admit it, but I definitely have a problem with buying polka dot clothing in excess. The good thing about dots is that you can mix and match them, or wear a fun skirt with a T-shirt or blouse tucked into it. Polka dots are such a versatile print! High-waisted shorts: I have been absolutely obsessed with high-waisted shorts lately! I started seeing them all over the place and had to try them out myself. They are now one of the most essential things in my closet. The only problem is that sometimes it can be hard to find a decent pair without spending a lot of money. I would suggest going to a thrift store to buy a pair. I found my pairs of shorts at Goodwill! That way, you can get the look without the insane price tag. Ankle boots: This is another trend that I have noticed surfacing on the fashion scene....
by Cory Woodroof | Jul 23, 2012 | Uncategorized
The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan’s iconic follow-up to Batman Begins, has nothing left to prove. It’s one of the few films of the last decade to solidify its classic status – a film that impacted and influenced cinema in a way that will forever shape the idea of what a superhero movie is and what it can be. When plans were announced for a third installment – a follow-up to one of the most successful films of all time – many wondered if Nolan would be able to create a product that could top The Dark Knight. The idea of a sequel being better than its predecessor isn’t that hard to grasp. Time after time, we’ve seen second installments all but eclipse the films they follow. Third installments, though, are another ball game. Time after time, these efforts are written off as money-grabbing exploits that wring out every last bit of creative zest the said franchises have left. Rare films like Toy Story 3, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi managed to give worthy closes to their franchises – beloved products that honor the films that precede them. Thankfully The Dark Knight Rises has joined that small group of worthy “threequels.” In the grandest sense possible, Nolan wanted to give his Batman series a proper send-off – a definitive end to a story that he has spent over seven years crafting. In many ways, Nolan succeeded in giving the franchise an ending worthy of the first two films. This fact alone is worth celebrating. But did he top...
by Emily Snell | Jul 18, 2012 | Uncategorized
Produce stands and farmers’ markets are popular throughout Nashville during the summer, and Howell Farms takes advantage of prime real estate with its produce tent in Green Hills along Glen Echo Road, only one mile from Lipscomb’s campus. In addition to the Glen Echo location, Howell Farms sells its products at Sharondale, the Nashville Farmers’ Market and their farm in Bellevue. The stand at Glen Echo is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chad Howell, whose grandfather owns the farm, said his family has been in business for three decades. “We’ve farmed the same farm for 30 years,” he said, taking a break from unloading a truck full of fresh goods. “My great papa farmed tomatoes, and it’s just been passed down from generation to generation to generation.” Under the red and white tent, shoppers will find a variety of fruits and vegetables. Included in the vegetable options are: potatoes, corn, tomatoes, squash, asparagus, peppers, onions, beans, okra and more. The fruit selection includes blueberries, grapes, apples, peaches, bananas, lemons, limes, eggplants, watermelons and cantaloupe among other things. The stand has baked items like breads and muffins from Anne’s Cakes on Trousdale Drive. Howell Farms also sells jams and jellies from Spring Valley Farms in Holland, Ky. The stand also has local honey, syrups, fresh herbs, peanuts and other items like bottled black or green teas. Howell said his family specializes in tomatoes. “Our tomatoes basically speak for themselves,” he said. “It’s hard to beat a homegrown Tennessee tomato.” Dry weather this summer has harmed the farm’s crops, Howell said. “We irrigate, but dry weather has...
by Whitney Jarreld | Jul 11, 2012 | Uncategorized
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...
by Cory Woodroof | Jul 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
If when watching The Amazing Spider-Man a feeling of sincere déjà vu looms over your collective memory, then don’t worry. You’re not alone. The newest incarnation of everyone’s friendly neighborhood hero might seem a bit too familiar to some since this origin story has already been told to greater success. I’m talking, of course, about 2002’s Spider-Man. The original take on Peter Parker’s rise to hero status featured Tobey Maguire’s nerdy Parker, Willem Dafoe’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-esque Norman Osborne/Green Goblin, Kirsten Dunst’s dreamy love interest Mary Jane Watson, James Franco’s cool-but-jaded best friend Harry Osborne, the infamous upside-down rain kiss, pumpkin bombs, a jerky Flash Thompson and, of course, Uncle Ben’s legendary call for great responsibility to follow great power. Two sequels soon followed. Five years removed from Spider-Man 3 (the final film in the original trilogy), the new Spider-Man flick feels a little too close for comfort. This time, Andrew Garfield plays a hipper version of Peter (skateboard and angst included), Rhys Ifans plays the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-esque Dr. Curt Connors/Lizard, Emma Stone plays the dreamy love interest Gwen Stacy. There’s no best friend for Parker this time (he’s a loner, naturally), but we’ve got another jerky Flash Thompson, more kissing, another scientific weapon and, of course, a call for responsibility from Uncle Ben. See what I’m coming from? I don’t want to make this review seem more negative than it is (I actually liked elements of the film quite a bit), but as origin stories go, you’re going to have to shake off the inert feeling déjà vu if you have any desire to truly enjoy this reboot....
