Monthly Archives: December, 2011
Bright & Early: Take Us Out To The Ballgame Edition
Good morning, Nashville. We’re running short on time this morning, so you know the drill. Your abbreviated Bright & Early:
- Happy opening day, baseball fans! Not that we have any major league teams around here to follow, but at least a few of us limped into Nashville from other parts of the country with our baseball obsession intact. [Tennessean]
- In what seems like an obvious choice to us, the Academy of Country Music named the Ryman Auditorium the 2011 Music Venue of the Year. [WKRN]
- A bill that would require first time DUI offenders to use breathalyzer ignition devices is being delayed while lawmakers figure out how much it’s costing taxpayers. By law, offenders are supposed to purchase the device themselves, but if they can’t afford it, then taxpayers foot the bill. [WKRN]
- More than 120 dogs are recovering at the Fairgrounds after being rescued from a puppy mill in Warren County this week. Many of the pups may be up for adoption as early as next week. [Tennessean]
- The cloudy-and-cold is hanging on just a little bit longer, but we’re probably in for a nice weekend to make up for it. [Nashville WX]
Photo by Gary Voland.
Good morning, Nashville. We’re running short on time this morning, so you know the drill. Your abbreviated Bright & Early: Happy opening day, baseball fans! Not that we have any major league teams around here to follow, but at least a few of us limped into Nashville from other parts of the country with our [...]
Happy Hour: Feeling Choppy
- Finally, a good ranking for our fair state! According to Transportation for America, Tennessee is the eighth best state for bridge maintenance. [WTVF]
- Someone has been calling folks in Tennessee claiming to be a TBI debt collectors, except the TBI isn’t really in the business of debt collection. So if you receive one of these calls, which will generally be from a 901 area code, just ignore it. [WTVF]
- Speaking of scammy things, an 81-year old lady in Cookeville was arrested and sentenced to three years in prison for scamming people out of thousands of dollars on the internet. Sheesh, we always thought our grandparents were good at the computer because they could simply double-click. [WKRN]
- The TBI says campus crime is down about 4.6% on college campuses all across the state from this time in 2010. [WKRN]
- The Nashville Public Library system isn’t immune to the proposed 3% budget cut for all Metro departments. They say a cut could mean less staff and decreased hours of operation for some of the smaller libraries. They’re also feeling the pressure to host author signings and appearances since we basically have no bookstores anymore. [WSMV]
- The CMA Fest could really use your help, if you’re really brave! It’s for a good cause. [WKRN]
Photo by Capt. Jason Scott.
Finally, a good ranking for our fair state! According to Transportation for America, Tennessee is the eighth best state for bridge maintenance. [WTVF] Someone has been calling folks in Tennessee claiming to be a TBI debt collectors, except the TBI isn’t really in the business of debt collection. So if you receive one of these [...]
Chago’s Cantina Brings A Burst of Latin Flavor To Belmont Boulevard [Nashvillest Eats]
Chago’s Cantina (Formerly La Fiesta)
2015 Belmont Blvd
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 386-0106
Rating: 
$15-20 per person
Our Picks:
- Grilled Sweet Plantain, pulled pork, beans and Spanish rice
- Grilled Mahi Mahi with salsa, beans and Spanish rice
When Chago’s Catina first opened up, I was a bit skeptical that it could be any good. If any of you have ever had the traumatic opportunity to eat at the old La Fiesta, you know what bottom-of-the-barrel Mexican food tastes like, and I was worried I was in for a repeat. Oh, how I was wrong. The first sign that this was going to be good was the St. Patrick’s Day Special, Drunken Tacos. This regular menu item consists of two tacos, a can of Tecate and a shot of Tequila for only $10. If ever there was a dish that’s custom made for a Friday night, this is it.
The second sign was that the new owners had gone all out redecorating the place with bright paint and I’m pretty sure some new TVs. The menu is a mix of the normal Mexican fare and some more eclectic dishes from Latin America. They also clearly label their vegetarian and vegan dishes, so alt eaters, dig in! Unfortunately, most of the vegan dishes are sides, so options are limited.
Since it was only Thursday, I controlled myself and ordered a dish consisting of grilled sweet plantain, pulled pork, rice and beans. The sweet and savory flavors of the plantain and pork were a bit jarring at first, but I quickly got used to the traditional Latin American pairing. My companion had grilled Mahi Mahi with a spicy salsa on top. It was perfectly cooked with just enough kick in the salsa to make it interesting, but still palatable to most taste buds.
The service was a bit overbearing with the waitstaff checking up on us every five minutes or so, but I suspect that it’s only because they’re brand new. Hopefully they’ll tone things down just enough to be attentive, but not annoying.
Overall, Chago’s Cantina is HUGE step up from the disappointing La Fiesta. They successfully brought the bold flavors and freshness of Latin American cuisine to Belmont Boulevard at a reasonable price. Our dinner trip to Chago’s cost us 26.22 for food alone, before we tipped our omnipresent waiter. (Don’t worry, we still tipped him well!)
This definitely won’t be my last trip to Chago’s; after all, I still have to try the Drunken Tacos and the liver-killing 30 ounce “Chupacabra” margarita.
Editor’s Note: Guest author Kevin Heim is a Belmont student who is not in a band. He likes extreme mini-golf, a good grilled cheese and shooting the paper off of straws.
Photo by Kevin Heim.
Chago’s Cantina (Formerly La Fiesta) 2015 Belmont Blvd Nashville, TN 37212 (615) 386-0106 Rating: $15-20 per person Our Picks: – Grilled Sweet Plantain, pulled pork, beans and Spanish rice – Grilled Mahi Mahi with salsa, beans and Spanish rice When Chago’s Catina first opened up, I was a bit skeptical that it could be any [...]
Bright & Early: This Cat Is Wearing A Sweater Edition
Good morning, Nashville. After a somewhat disastrous winter snow-wise, Metro Schools officials are proposing a few major changes to next year’s schedule to accommodate some extra snow days. This, of course, means that temperatures probably won’t dip below 50 degrees next winter because that’s just how things work around here! At any rate, there will be eight allotted snow days next year rather than four. Additionally, fall break will be shortened from a week to two days, and two more school days will be tacked onto the end of the first semester and the beginning of the second. The new schedule will go before the Board of Education for a final vote in two weeks.
- BREAKING: Nashville likes soccer. The US fell 1-0 in last night’s friendly soccer match against Paraguay at LP Field. The real story, though, is that more than 29,000 people showed up to watch the game, making it the largest soccer-watching crowd in Tennessee history.
- Health nuttery. Congratulations, Williamson County! You’re officially the healthiest in the state based on fitness, longevity, premature births and a handful of other factors. The the least healthiest is Benton County, which is about two hours west of here.
- Bits & pieces. AT&T is bringing 4G to Tennessee sometime this year, they announced yesterday … AT&T also added some fancy new thing to the Bridgestone Arena that should make it easier to fiddle around on our iphones when we’re supposed to be watching hockey or Justin Bieber or whatever … One lawmaker is proposing an amendment to the wine in grocery stores bill that would allow liquor stores to also sell beer … Nashville Shores is hiring a ton of new people for the summer … In a strange twist of fate, Houston County’s fire station burned down on Monday … Despite it being completely gross outside right now, things should be drier for the rest of the week.
Photo by Katety Allen.
Good morning, Nashville. After a somewhat disastrous winter snow-wise, Metro Schools officials are proposing a few major changes to next year’s schedule to accommodate some extra snow days. This, of course, means that temperatures probably won’t dip below 50 degrees next winter because that’s just how things work around here! At any rate, there will [...]
Happy Hour: It Must Be Food Truck Day
- A measure that would allow wine to be shipped directly to any house in Tennessee has at least passed the state Senate. So if we can’t buy it in grocery stores, at least we may be able to have it delivered to our front doors. [WTVF]
- That other bill allowing supermarkets to actually sell wine was delayed in a Senate committee today after a colorful debate about how it might affect liquor stores. Supporters took the opportunity to point out that it could generate as much as $14 million in extra tax revenue for both the state and its localities. [WTVF]
- Metro is still going back and forth on the redistricting process, and not everyone is pleased with it. [City Paper]
- Someone decided to hang a confederate flag from the Shelby Street Bridge this morning, which is apparently not such a rare occurrence. Folks noticed quickly and the flag was removed by Metro Public Works. [City Paper]
- Well done, Nashville! You raised more than $50,000 for Japan disaster relief at last weekend’s Cherry Blossom Festival. [WTVF]
- If Nashville’s looking a bit more fashionable this week, it’s because our very first Lexus Nashville Fashion Week kicked off today and runs through Saturday. Project Runway’s Christian Siriano will be in town along with a whole slew of other designers from near and far. Check out the website for the schedule and details. [WKRN]
- Also, Tin Pan South got off to a great start today, featuring some of the best songwriters from all over the country. Check their website for the rest of the lowdown. [WSMV]
Photo by Dustin Rumbaugh.
A measure that would allow wine to be shipped directly to any house in Tennessee has at least passed the state Senate. So if we can’t buy it in grocery stores, at least we may be able to have it delivered to our front doors. [WTVF] That other bill allowing supermarkets to actually sell wine [...]
Bright & Early: Even Elvis Needs Marshmallows Sometimes Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Owners of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Broadway Brewhouse and Rippy’s have dropped $2.1 million on purchasing the old Seanachie Pub building at Fourth and Broadway, which has been vacant for nearly ten years. Since it was shuttered in 2002, the building has changed hands a couple of times between banks and out-of-town investors, though most folks seem hopeful that these locals with a track record of success may finally be able to bring something good into the space. The new owners haven’t given many details about their plans, but they did say that it’ll include some “Broadway honky-tonk flavor.” Good news is, it probably won’t be a CVS.
- Fútbol City. The US soccer team will take on Paraguay tonight at LP Field, which is sort of a rare thing! So if you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, head over to Ticketmaster to pick ‘em up. And say hey to Landon Donovan for us.
- New police precinct on the way. Metro Police are working on acquiring some space near 12th and Edgehill for their proposed new precinct, Midtown Hills, which would serve Belmont, Lipscomb and Vanderbilt universities in addition to the surrounding neighborhoods.
- Bits & pieces. Bud Adams promised fans last night that there will eventually be a 2011 football season … Metro accidentally let their 11pm curfew for unaccompanied minors lapse, but continued making arrests for curfew violations after the law was no longer valid. It could take a few weeks to pass a new one … Tennessee is getting a fancy new music-themed vanity plate … Mt. Juliet could move to a subscription-based service for fire protection … Sheriff Daron Hall says that one of Davidson County’s jail facilities is completely empty.
Photo by Jon Erickson.
Good morning, Nashville. Owners of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Broadway Brewhouse and Rippy’s have dropped $2.1 million on purchasing the old Seanachie Pub building at Fourth and Broadway, which has been vacant for nearly ten years. Since it was shuttered in 2002, the building has changed hands a couple of times between banks and out-of-town investors, [...]
Bright & Early: Wine Whine Edition
Good morning, Nashville. We’ve been hearing some buzz this year about the wine in grocery stores debate coming back to the forefront in the legislature. Turns out lawmakers are considering several proposals that could at least get us a little closer to being able to buy wine in the grocery store like normal people. Option one would simply allow grocery stores to sell wine like any other product. Option two would allow them to sell wine as long as it’s only consumed in the store (Bar Kroger, anyone?!) Option three would allow localities to vote on it.
- Minorities on the rise. According to the latest US Census data, minorities now make up almost 60% of the youth population in Davidson County. In Rutherford County, whose overall population has just about doubled in the last ten years, 32% of those under 18 are minorities.
- Symphony finally gets some new pianos. The Nashville Symphony has already replaced one of the Steinway grand pianos they lost in the flood last year, and the second is on its way from Hamburg, Germany and will hopefully be in Nashville sometime next month. With the exception of some remaining work on the pumping system, they’ve nearly made a full recovery.
- Bits & pieces. A species of salamander that only lives in Tennessee caves warrants federal protection, according to US Fish and Wildlife, but it won’t be added to the endangered species list just yet … The Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival/Japan Relief event went off without a hitch … A brand new Mobile Market food truck featuring fresh produce has been making the rounds around some parts of town that don’t have much access to healthy food, thanks to the Frist Foundation … University of Tennessee hired a replacement coach and it was not Rick Byrd … Parents and students at Hillsboro High School are fighting the transfer of a beloved teacher to another school.
Photo by Ashton Ballard.
Good morning, Nashville. We’ve been hearing some buzz this year about the wine in grocery stores debate coming back to the forefront in the legislature. Turns out lawmakers are considering several proposals that could at least get us a little closer to being able to buy wine in the grocery store like normal people. Option [...]
The Weekendist: Yes, That’s A Super Colon Edition
What do podcasts, Bach, hockey, cherry blossoms and a Super Colon have in common? Well, nothing really, except that you can experience all of these things (and more!) this weekend in Nashville. Here are our picks for the weekend.
(We really just wanted an excuse to talk about that Super Colon. How often do you get to blog about a Super Colon?)
FRIDAY
- 5th Annual BACHanalia. Christ Church Cathedral (900 Broadway), 5-11pm, free. As a gift to the community, Christ Church Cathedral presents BACHanalia, a 6-hour musical celebration of Johann Sebastian Bach. Yes, that says 6 hours – but you don’t have to stay for it all! Visitors are encouraged to come and go as they please, and refreshments are available for purchase if you want to brave the whole evening. Expect to hear a variety of both traditional and unusual interpretations of Bach’s masterpieces from over 100 Nashville musicians.
- Party at the Gerst Haus! Gerst Haus, 6-9pm, cost of beer & food will vary depending on how much you want to consume. Yazoo is bringing Gerst back to Nashville, so come celebrate with the Gerst Haus’ famous fishbowls of beer, and raise a toast with the mayor as the commemorative cask of the new Gerst is tapped. Also, we read something about a chicken dance?
SATURDAY
- PodCamp. Cadillac Ranch, 9am-4pm, free. If you’ve been reading Nashvillest for a while, you probably keep seeing us talk about these things called “PodCamp” and “BarCamp,” and you may have even attended one with us in the past. If you’re new, here’s the low-down. PodCamp is an “unconference” for anyone interested in online communication (which, let’s face it, is everyone these days). It’s a free day of learning from your local peers who wear a bunch of different hats in the online world – Everyone from bloggers to marketers to podcasters and more. Got some expertise to share? Sign up to lead your own session in the Impromptu room! That’s the beauty of an unconference (that and the whole “free” pricetag). On top of all that, there’s a free afterparty at the Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar. Don’t take that as us suggesting you wait until 4 to imbibe, though. The bar’s open all day.
- Prevent Cancer Super Colon™ Walk-Through. Nashville Farmer’s Market, 8am-3pm, free. So a Super Colon (™, of course) is a thing, and it’s going to be at the farmer’s market for all to see this Saturday. Touted as an “inflatable, interactive model of the interior of a human colon,” it’s big enough for the whole family to walk through! We know you can’t resist.
- Nashville Cherry Blossom Japan Relief Event. Public Square Park, 9am-4pm, free. This year’s Cherry Blossom Festival has become a relief event for Japan, and the Japan-America Society of Tennessee will be accepting donations for the Tennessee Tomodachi Fund for disaster relief. At 9am, Mayor Dean will lead the 2.5 mile Cherry Blossom Solidarity Walk, followed by day of music, performances, cultural demonstrations, children’s activities and Japanese food.
- Nashville Preds vs. Dallas Stars. Bridgestone Arena, 7pm, ticket prices vary. The Preds are riding on a five-game winning streak, so come cheer them on to a sixth victory as they near the end of the regular season.
SUNDAY
- Reflections in a Golden Eye. The Belcourt, 12:20pm and 7pm, regular ticket price. As a tribute to the late Elizabeth Taylor, the Belcourt will screen Reflections in a Golden Eye this Sunday. If you can’t make it this weekend, they’re screening it again on Thursday evening.
- Free Family Day. Frist Center, 1-5:30pm, free. If you’re anything like us, you probably had all the best intentions to visit the Frist every weekend when they offered almost a month of free admission earlier this year. And then life got in the way. So here’s your second chance to experience the Frist for free. Even if you did visit every weekend earlier this year, they’ve opened a few new exhibitions since then. Don’t miss Vishnu: Hinduism’s Blue-Skinned Savior and Simen Johan: Until The Kingdom Comes.
Photo by us.
What do podcasts, Bach, hockey, cherry blossoms and a Super Colon have in common? Well, nothing really, except that you can experience all of these things (and more!) this weekend in Nashville. Here are our picks for the weekend. (We really just wanted an excuse to talk about that Super Colon. How often do you [...]
Bright & Early: Blastoff Edition
Good morning, Nashville. We’re short on time this morning, so you know the drill. Here’s your abbreviated Bright & Early.
- We may be losing our Cool Springs and West End Borders bookstores, but workers at the LaVergne Borders distribution center got some good news on Wednesday. Formerly slated to close in July, the LaVergne distribution center will now stay open and save about 300 jobs. [WSMV]
- The Preds squeaked by with a 5-4 win last night against the Anaheim Ducks, moving them up to 90 points and putting them that much closer to the playoffs. [Tennessean]
- The unexplained transfer of celebrated teacher Mary Catherine Bradshaw has upset many members of the Hillsboro High community. Under Bradshaw, Hillsboro’s IB program flourished and was widely recognized as the best in the state. [City Paper]
- The State Collaborative on Reforming Education released their annual report yesterday, finding that many Tennessee schools have been making great progress. You can read the full report here. [WSMV]
- Residential neighbors of Belmont University are concerned that the blasting on campus may be permanently damaging the structures of their homes. Belmont says there’s nothing to worry about. [WKRN]
- Bed bugs, brown recluse, cicadas… We guess we’ve seen worse than stink bugs? [WSMV]
Photo by amyallmand.
Good morning, Nashville. We’re short on time this morning, so you know the drill. Here’s your abbreviated Bright & Early. We may be losing our Cool Springs and West End Borders bookstores, but workers at the LaVergne Borders distribution center got some good news on Wednesday. Formerly slated to close in July, the LaVergne distribution [...]
Happy Hour: Flush Flush Flushing
- The National Weather Service has confirmed that at least three tornadoes touched down in Middle Tennessee last night in Dekalb, Smith Rutherford, Wilson and White counties. [WTVF]
- Renderings of the Music City Center’s new 800-room Omni hotel were revealed today. Plans include a connector to the Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as street-level restaurants and a coffee shop. They’ll be breaking ground on the hotel in June, so get ready for a bunch of new detours! [Nashville Post]
- Our very own Greer Stadium has been ranked 7th best minor league baseball stadium in the US by Livability.com, and hey! We’ll take it. [Post Business]
- Governor Bill’s tenure reform bill passed the House today. The bill will require teachers to remain in a job for five years instead of the current three to secure tenure. [WTVF]
- Toilet or planter? Both or neither? It’s just so hard to decide! Fair warning – don’t click the link if you’re allergic to toilet puns. [WSMV]
Photo by firemind.
The National Weather Service has confirmed that at least three tornadoes touched down in Middle Tennessee last night in Dekalb, Smith Rutherford, Wilson and White counties. [WTVF] Renderings of the Music City Center’s new 800-room Omni hotel were revealed today. Plans include a connector to the Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as street-level restaurants [...]
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