Category Archives: Area Information

The Summer of 2013 – (Part 2)

We returned to Nashville to find my mother had fallen the night before and was in St. Thomas Hospital.  Back in March, she experienced a serious fall, breaking her jaw and nose, which kept her hospitalized at Vanderbilt for 2 weeks, followed by 2 months at rehab, where she healed remarkably.  She had only been back at Park Manor less than a month when she fell again.  At least this time, nothing was broken.

If anyone has aging parents, there is not a better place for them to live than Park Manor on Woodmont Blvd.  It compares to being on a cruise ship, with gourmet meals and daily activities.  The staff there is simply marvelous.  They even stayed with her at St. Thomas until our return.  After a few days, she was back home at Park Manor, with arrangements made for 24-hour care when necessary.

We also found The Blue Moon Waterfront Grill at Rock Harbor Marina was in full swing upon our return.  The new slip where we were to keep our boat was nearing completion too!

BlueMoonRockHarborNewDocks

When we moved into the new slip, I installed some neat color changing lights on the top deck.

PartyLightsNewDock

It was great to see Rock Harbor Marina come to life after the new additions.  It seemed like a Hatteras Convention one weekend!  The new sport of Stand-Up Paddle Boarding was also in full swing at Rock Harbor.  PaddleUpTn has been a great addition to the marina.  www.paddleuptn.com

HatterasesAtRockharborPaddleBoards

Although summer was in full swing according to the calendar, the weather seemed not to get the message!  Rain was constant and almost ruined the July 4th Fireworks celebration at Riverfront Park.  The rain stopped just in time, but the sky was not clear at all.  Ruby, our Blue Doberman, slept through it all.

July2013FireworksRubySleep

We had a kicking summer at our own Rock Harbor Yacht Club.  We were glad to find the Brit Stokes Band available for our Jimmy Buffet theme party, and also the end-of-summer celebration Labor Day weekend.

BritStokesBand

Since Nashville’s Cane Ridge High School opened its doors, I have had the pleasure to represent Ole South Properties by serving on the Advisory Board of the Academy of Architecture and Construction, along with many other business leaders.  It is really rewarding to see just how much a difference can be made when everyone works together.

CRHS

One of the Corporate Partners at Cane Ridge is The Rogers Group, who arranged for board members to visit their Louisville operations and become more familiar with their company and its operation.  Board members arrived at Nashville International Airport to join Darin Matson, of Rogers Group, on the company’s jet for the short flight to Louisville.

RogersJetJetInfoScreen

We arrived in Louisville, just as rock stars do, to be escorted to the underground quarry operations.  One thousand feet below the ground is this mine, where approximately 10,000 tons of rock products are mined daily.  One thing for sure, we all take rock for granted!  Nashville is very fortunate to have The Rogers Group as a Corporate Citizen.

RogersQuarry

Everyone on the Cane Ridge Academy of Architecture and Construction Board is excited that the academy just received National Accreditation!  The first of its kind in the country!  The 2013-2014 school year will be even better.

Meanwhile, the Summer of 2013 continues in Nashville, Tennessee, the greatest place to live in the world!

downtown nashville

Part 3 of the Summer of 2013 coming soon!

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019 & direct 615.593.6340; and VP Sales for Tennessee’s largest home builder, OleSouth.com, specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Gallatin, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Independence Day Celebration in Nashville – Fireworks on the River

The Fourth of July is upon us and it doesn’t seem like summer has hardly started yet! If you like fireworks, there is no better place to be in the country Thursday evening than right here in Nashville!

The celebrations at Nashville’s Riverfront Park start at noon and a variety of acts will be playing throughout the afternoon and the Family Fun Zone will be open. At 6:45 pm the main river stage events kick off with performances by Striking Matches, Barry Scott, Keb’ Mo’, The Band Perry and The Nashville Symphony, who will accompany the fireworks display at 9:50 pm.  It is all a part of LET FREEDOM RING 2013!

NashvilleJuly4

For a complete list of activities and more information, please CLICK HERE.   Nashville’s July 4th celebration is always rated among the top in the nation and 2013 will be no exception!

They will have fireworks left over, so another fantastic celebration evening is planned for Friday night, July 5th starting at 6:30 pm with the fireworks display at 9:30 pm.  Performing Friday evening is Chris Mulkey and Deluxe followed by Ten Out Of Tenn.

This year’s celebration will be somewhat different for area boaters who like to bring their boats from Old Hickory Lake to downtown Nashville.  Old Hickory Lock will close each evening at 10:00 pm.  Boats that are not at the lock by 9:15 pm will not be able to lock through until the next morning.  CLICK HERE for the full story.

It has been said that the Nashville Convention Visitors Bureau has offered to compensate the Federal Government to keep the lock open until midnight.  It is also rumored that the lock operators even volunteered their time for the effort also.  It is obvious the government wants boaters to feel the pain of the sequestration.

sequester

Boaters are very creative, resilient, and resourceful.   If they still want to view fireworks, they will be there.  The newly renovated Rock Harbor Marina and Blue Moon Restaurant downstream from Riverfront will also have accomodations for boats wanting to spend the night.  Call 615.356.1111 for information.

 

The public docking facilities on both sides of the river downtown are closed for the period July 1st through July 5th, reopening July 6th.  Former Mayor Bill Purcell started this practice of slapping area boaters in the face during his administration.  Maybe one of these days Nashville will further embrace its Riverfront and the boating public that uses it.

But until that happens, we’re going to have fun anyway!

 

Happy Independence Day!

independenceday

 

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Gallatin, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

 

Just what is a BLUE MOON?

Folks, tonight is the night of BLUE MOON!

But just what is a BLUE MOON anyway?

Is it a former famous floating restaurant at Rock Harbor Marina that is scheduled to reopen in March 2013?

 

Is it a brand of beer?

YES.  It is.  But it is really more  than that.  CLICK HERE to find out everything about tonight’s BLUE MOON.

What are your plans to celebrate?  Here is a neat idea to consider – PaddleBoarding on the river:

Check out the details of this cool event:  http://www.paddleuptn.com/blue-moon-paddle-boarding-on-the-river/

Yes..you can sip on a BLUE MOON while you are at the BLUE MOON looking at the BLUE MOON from the Cumberland River.  It just doesn’t get any better than that!

But if you can’t get there in person, just look up to the east!

 

 

A New Riverboat is Christened in Nashville!

Many people were downtown this weekend to welcome the brand new Queen of the Mississippi to the Nashville Riverfront.  This riverboat carrying 150 passengers made it’s Inaugural Call in Nashville, which was also the destination of it’s very first passenger voyage.

Read more about it here.  http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2012/08/queen-mississippi-paddle-wheeler-nashville-/831156/1

The Queen of the Mississippi is owned and operated by American Cruise Lines.

We caught our first glimpse of the Queen as it rounded Cockrill Bend, traveling much faster than I expected it could, my guess approximately 10 knots.  She is on her way to Clarksville, Paducah, and St. Louis.

There are only two overnight passenger paddle-wheelers plying the rivers today.   Nashville is proud to have hosted the Queen for her Christening and we look forward to seing her here again soon!

 

Nashville New Homes: Glad to be here!

We’re really blessed to live in a country that allows us to live where we want to.  I am glad to live in Nashville and happy to see more and more heading our way every day!  Aren’t you?

I think it is safe to say that Nashville has reached the status of being a “world class” city.  And the world is finding more and more about Middle Tennessee every day.

# 4 ranking in the US in economic strength?

Yes!  CLICK HERE FOR THE STORY

#1 ranking in the US for job growth?  

Yes!  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

#1 in Fun  (I think so anyway).   There’s never a bad time to be in our Music City, but the Fourth of July festivities are beyond comparison, and 2012 is no exception!  CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON “LET FREEDOM SING 2012”

There are fireworks displays and celebrations scheduled all over Middle Tennessee to celebrate Independence Day.  CLICK HERE TO FIND THE ONES IN YOUR AREA.

Simply put, Middle Tennessee is the place to be.  Get out there and enjoy it!

And drink lots of water too!

 

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Its called Memorial Day for a Reason.

Monday is Memorial Day, a day for many that includes a celebration of hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, chicken, and basically anything that can be cooked on a grill.   It is also the holiday weekend that signals that summer has arrived!

But it is a lot more than that also.  Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those that have died serving our country, was originally called “Decoration Day.”  It was first observed on May 30, 1868 when the graves of fallen Union and Confederate soldiers were decorated with flowers at Arlington National Cemetery.

It was not until after World War I that the day became “Memorial Day” to honor the fallen soldiers of any war.  In 1971, Congress passed the bill proclaiming the last Monday in May as the official recognized “Memorial Day.”

Here is a link to the history of this all-important day:

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

There are a number of ideas that come to mind on what to do this weekend.  With record high temperatures forecasted, the lake is probably the best place to be!

Two-Foot Cove is a popular cooling off spot on Old Hickory Lake.  There is a volleyball net to keep things jumping!  Don’t worry, the channel is clearly marked and just the volleyball area is the “two-foot” deep part.

While you’re at Old Hickory Lake, why not visit Blackjack Cove Marina, and The Black Pearl Restaurant.  They are already on their second batch of Captain’s Punch and the weekend hasn’t even started yet! The Black Pearl is open all weekend and you will not want to miss it’s awesome Sunday Brunch, a great atmosphere accompanied by steel drums.

Here are more scenes from Old Hickory Lake for your enjoyment.

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Everytime I see Ingram boats on the river, I am amazed.  In the above picture, the HB Stewart is pushing 6 barges filled with coal.  Hard to believe that it would take 318 tractor-trailers to haul the same amount.

Another fun and inexpensive outing would be a boat ride from the legendary Cherokee Steak House, near Gallatin.  Visit www.cumberlandrivercruises.com for more information.

So get out there, fire up the grills and ice cream churns, slice some watermelon, and enjoy this weekend.  But please, take a few minutes for remembrance and tribute of those who died protecting these very things we enjoy.  And if you get a chance, thank a living soldier or veteran too!

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee

Spring Hill & Thompsons Station New Homes: MARS HAS LANDED!

Well it’s now official!  Mars Petcare has officially landed in Thompsons Station, just south of Metropolitan Nashville.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held today with a huge crowd present, emcee’d by Mars’ Director of Public Affairs and Government Realtions, Mark Broadhurst.

  Also on hand were Linda Mars, former Chairwoman of the Board of Mars Corporation, Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, and other Mars’ Corporate Officials.  CLICK HERE for the full story.

Here is Linda Mars, unveiling the new Innovation Center design:

 

 

On a side note, I personally got tickled hearing Linda Mars introduced as Ex-Chairman of the Board, and Marsha Blackburn introduced as “Congressman.”  So much for political correctness.   A welcome change, I might add.

About the announced project in Thompsons Station, Mars Petcare is building an approximate 88 million dollar Regional Innovation Center, one of five in the world.  The project, which will create 144 new jobs in Williamson County, will be complete in 2013.

The company’s mission is to make the lives of pets better.  Our Ruby the Doberman is certainly jumpng for joy about that!  If she had only been there today!

As Marsha Blackburn so eloquently said, “we welcome Mars to Williamson County Tennessee and we hope you will stay a LONG, LONG TIME!  From the looks of the proposed facility, and the excitement of the event, it certainly appears that they will.

Mars graciously accepted their welcoming by presenting a donation of $50,000 to the Thompsons Station Greenway and Walking Trail fund.

Just a few miles down the road, we at Ole South are building brand new homes to accommodate the growing demand for new homes in the area.  We are excited about their presence and look forward to their involvement in the community!

Another side note, this is not the first time Mars Corporation has created jobs in Middle Tennessee.  Back during the Great Depression, company founder Frank Mars purchased a large tract of land in Giles County, near Lynnville, and employed hundreds of Giles County residents to build his  “Milky Way Farms,” named after his famed candy bar. 

This hsitoric jewel still exists today and we will dive into that amazing piece of history later in the blog, but you can CLICK HERE for a quick idea!

Trey Lewis is VP Sales & Marketing for Ole South Properties Inc, Tennessee’s largest independent home builder,  615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340 or emailTLewis@olesouth.com.  Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

The Return of Steamboating to Tennessee!

There were three Queens that once plied the US inland rivers.  The Delta Queen, The Mississippi Queen, and The American Queen.  All were once owned and operated by The Delta Queen Steamboat Company.  In 2008, each of these boats ceased operations.

The Delta Queen was fortuante enough to continue her service as a hotel in Chattanooga.  The Misissippi Queen was sold for scrap.  CLICK HERE for a previous blog article about The Delta Queen. 

Meanwhile, The American Queen, originally launched in 1995, was idled in foreclosure at the US Maritime Reserve Fleet in Beaumont, Texas to await its fate.

Fast forward to 2011, and the start-up of the Great American Steamboat Company, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.  The American Queen was purchased and towed to a shipyard in Sulphur, Louisiana for renovation.  The American Queen Steamboat Company is putting the that third queen back into service!

CLICK HERE for the history of the American Queen.

Thanks to The American Queen Steamboat Company, the only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat in America will have Memphis has its home port!  And the new Godmother of this reborn legend is none other than Priscilla Presley.

The maiden voyage of The American Queen departs New Orleans on April 13th, 2012.  On April 27, 2012 the Queen will arrive in Memphis for its christening ceremony at Beale Street Landing.

For the rest of 2012, The American Queen will offer a variety of 5 to 10 night cruises departing from New Orleans, Vicksburg, Memphis, St. Louis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Chattanooga, and St. Paul, MN.  Here is the current American Queen website.

To learn more about the rebirth of this grand vessel, visit the American Queen Steamboat Company website.

Who knows, maybe The American Queen will pay a visit to Nashville in 2013.  We’ll be there when she does!

(photos courtesy of American Queen Steamboat Company website and Facebook Page)

 

Trey Lewis is VP Sales & Marketing for Ole South Properties Inc, Tennessee’s largest independent home builder,  615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340 or email TLewis@olesouth.com.  Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Nashville New Homes: The HBAMT Home Show – Don’t miss it!

You know Spring is just around the corner when it is time for the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee’s HOME SHOW.  The event is being held at the Williamson County Agricultural Center and it is going on NOW through Sunday!

CLICK HERE for all the details.

Exhibitors began setting up their booths early Thursday morning and from what I saw then, this year’s show will be better than ever.  Not only will new home builders (LIKE OLE SOUTH) be there, but you will also see the latest in home improvements and services!

Whether by choice or not, we are all spending more of our free time at home.  Why not check out the latest trends in home enjoyment, especially outdoor living?  You will be happy that you did.

And while you are there, drop by and see Ole South.  Yes, you really can buy a $275,000 all brick home in Williamson County without making a down-payment!  While you’re there, register with Annette Spicer to win a $100 Gift Card.  Find out why thousands of Tennesseans are proud to say, “Ole South Built It.”

 

 

Trey Lewis is VP Sales & Marketing for Ole South Properties Inc, Tennessee’s largest independent home builder,  615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340 or email TLewis@olesouth.com.  Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, Gallatin, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.

 

 

 

Nashville Homes Blog: Nashville, a true “world-class” city.

For those that don’t think that Nashville has yet become a “World-Class” city, here’s some more food for thought:

Just released, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena is the 6th most popular venue in the entire United States.  That’s NUMBER SIX, behind LosAngeles, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington DC.   Bridgestone Arena also places 8th in all of North America, and 20th in the entire world!

 

Click here for the full story in The City Paper.

And right across the street, the massive “World-Class” Music City Center continues to rise skyward for its 2013 opening.  And the world is taking notice too!  Over 600,000 room nights have already been confirmed!  See the full story here.

If you haven’t visited Downtown Nashville lately, GO!

You will be proud that you live here.  And if you don’t live here yet, you’ll want to make moving plans….soon!

It’s only going to get better!

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, www.OleSouth.com, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee.