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Wrestling with Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee is on the verge of a reinvention, like a lot of cities these days, drawing deeply upon its own local tradition and ingenuity of its residents, to create things all over again. It’s a fantastic time to visit this city, because the reinventions are much more innovative than most, bringing to life some of the most captivating ideas, and certainly not afraid to appear low-brow. This willingness to cross forms and barriers has served the music scene very well, and some of the best new performance work might be variations on an old theme: professional wrestling.

It would be ironic perhaps but also very fitting if this sport could start bringing more visitors from around the country and the world, spending time at Nashville luxury hotels and enjoying all the other things the town has to offer. There’s a lot of feast to choose from, but the United States Wrestling Organization is offering some of the best spectacle. This isn’t the new wave of wrestling, where the performers acted a bit like athletes, and seemed to take themselves as seriously. It’s true that there is some of those macho boasts and taunts, but there is also a particularly fantastic kind of tongue-in-cheekness here about the whole thing.

The father-son circuit angel is just one clue as to what’s seeming to be happening here. In a room that doesn’t fit more than 200 people, this isn’t meant to be the large-scale spectacle that other wrestling fosters. Looking at Tony Falk, one of the regulars here, there is suddenly an idea that this might actually be a return to the very first wave in the US. That was the era where wrestlers would adopt super-hero like alter egos, based in a kind of vaudevillian sense of humor that verged on the absurd, and sometimes grotesque. Earlier photos of Falk in his days where he was quoting Boy George in his dress, something else comes to the surface, and this sport starts to fall into the realm of art.

Tags: nashville luxury hotels

Hip Honolulu Hop

Honolulu is a paradise on earth in many ways, and one of the more complex places in the world historically. This makes it rather interestingly positioned to be a kind of powerhouse for hiphop. That particular music, which is composed of many other kinds of music mixed together, depends upon historical complexity and cultural diversity. It also needs a lively youth culture for it to really work, and all of those ingredients are here. Honolulu may not be the first place that comes to mind with underground hiphop, but it has a growing and developing scene, that’s absolutely worth paying attention to.

There are lots of clubs in town, and many out of the ordinary places, where people can go to see hiphop. Nontraditional spaces really are a tradition in the music, and they lend themselves to the almost-secretive nature of the musical form. It’s a pleasure to be able to find your way into a space that’s recently converted, and listen to new beats and innovations into the deep hours of the morning. And all this surrounded with the natural splendor that is Hawaii, this is some new kind of paradise that has precious resonation. It’s sometimes a hit and miss operation, where places like Higher Ground close their doors on some of their operations, like the coffee house part, and a lot of the hip hop, and it takes a little persistence, but it’s a rare treat to find the real thing in town.

It’s totally possible to find the real thing, too. Tempo Valley , with its astoundingly large line-up and revolving band of collaborators, has been playing for a few years now, and they have talent and skill. The styles are all over the map, making for a new form of music that is undeniably hippity hoppity, and also very much a product of the place. The islands that are famous for gorgeous hotels also offer terrific developments in world culture, and it’s worth a look, because the future could be right here.

Tags: gorgeous hotels

Shipwrecked in Atlantic City

There are lots of people coming to Atlantic City to try out their luck, and some of the more unlucky ones might feel like they’ve been through a shipwreck. However, there are other shipwrecks in the area, and one in particular, that was no metaphor. In the days before the city became a gambler’s paradise, before the turn of the 20th century, even, there were other gambles being taken. In the middle of the 19th century, there were massive waves of immigrants coming from Europe to the U.S., traveling by ship, and the voyage to a new life was often perilous, and there was never any guarantee that they would get there for sure.

Judging from the makeup of the citizens of the country, many of these hopeful immigrants did make it to the shores, but there are plenty of stories of those who did not. One of the most infamous, and certainly of interest to residents and visitors in Atlantic City, was the sinking of the Powhattan . This happened in April of 1854, where an estimated 300 plus people lost their lives as the ship crashed and sunk, in a hurricane that combined with a snowstorm, for disastrous results.

There is a mass grave at the Old Manahawkin Baptist Church , where 145 unknown victims were buried, and the Abescon Lighthouse was even erected as a memorial to the event. Visitors staying in the local hotels would have the chance to explore some of this history, where the majority of the people on board were coming from either Germany or France. It would appear that there were people from all walks of life on board, as well, from the well-to-do to the moderately poor, hoping to begin a new life here. This sad tale also underscores how recent these things happened here, and how the hope for a better life is something that hasn’t eroded with time.

Tags: local hotels

Stars of Missouri

What do Vincent Price, Dick Van Dyke, Betty Grable and Ginger Rodgers all have in common? They were all born in Missouri and went on to make it big in Hollywood. Vincent Price is known for his horror movies like “Tower of London,” “The Invisible Man Returns” and “House of Wax.” Dick Van Dyke is best known for his television series “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in which he played Rob Petrie, a writer for a TV comedy series. Betty Grable, who was made famous for her bathing suit photo during the World War II era, went on to make “Whoopee!,” “The Gay Divorcee,” and “Mother Wore Tights.” Ginger Rodgers became famous for her partnership with Fred Astaire and won an Academy Award for her role in “Kitty Foyle.” It is nice to see the local folk make it in the big city.

For all you future Missourian movie stars, or better yet, movie buffs like me, you may want to attend one of the state’s film festivals. Pick a date, find a place to stay , and come on out to the Show Me state. Two smaller scale film festival offerings include The Kansas City FilmFest from April 14-18 and the Springfield Little Film Festival . The St. Louis International Film Festival has been named one of the ten best international festivals and focuses on American independent productions and human experiences from around the globe. Those interested in making films have the opportunity to interact with the filmmakers during question and answer sessions or during educational sessions. This type of offering is invaluable to amateurs like me. Past years schedules included films from China, Canada, France, and the Philippines, to name a few. The film categories include features, documentaries, and shorts. Audiences are involved in voting for three awards: Best Film, Best International Film, and Best Documentary. There are also juried competition awards that include both the films and filmmakers. Plan on attending the St. Louis International Film Festival in early November and maybe you can be one of the Stars of Missouri.

Tags: st louis international film festival

Cleveland Indians Look Good at Spring Training

While the Cleveland Cavaliers continue their reign of terror on the basketball court, the Indians are making a strong showing during the Spring Training games in baseball. Sports are a strong aspect of most of the nation’s major cities, and the residents of cities such as Cleveland take great pride in their teams and are very supportive. Of course when most of your professional sports teams are demonstrating top of the line potential and season winding down results, it is extremely easy to show your support. And while the out of town guests in the luxury hotels of Cleveland may be aware of their city’s winning teams, they are likely not as enthusiastic as the residents themselves.

And most of the players on the great sports team are also prone to becoming local and sometimes national celebrities. Of course players that are strongly associated with specific teams, such as Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants, he may be famous across the nation, but he is most loved by his hometown and regional supporters. The rest of the country certainly knows who he is, but greats sports stars tend to generate a love or hate response and this is typically based on which team the play for.

The Cleveland Indians , though they are still in Spring Training, look like they have a solid season ahead of them. Pitcher Justin Masterson is just one of the players on the team who is getting some attention. He first joined the Indians, after having been traded by the Red Sox, in 2009 and the young relief pitcher is showing his skills and potential early. He did the same thing while he was with the Red Sox and became the first pitcher since the year 1912, almost a hundred years ago, to make his first four starts winning ones and have them take place in Fenway Park. And while this might not have meant much to Cleveland fans two years ago, it demonstrates high hopes for their new team member.

Tags: luxury hotels of cleveland

Wax Celebrities and Scares in Las Vegas

At one time, the only way to see one of Madame Tussauds’ wax creations was to travel to the United Kingdom and make your way down Baker Street in London. If you’re in the United States, whether you’re on the East Coast or West, you may see a Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in New York and Washington D.C. or Hollywood and Las Vegas. Each museum draws from its local surroundings, as well as traditional wax figures. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Las Vegas is especially interesting, adding an interactive twist to the wax creations, featuring everyone from the President of the United States, to Hollywood celebrities, and famous Las Vegas magicians.

The museum contains a wax figure of the President Barack Obama, his arms folded, standing behind his desk in a partial recreation of the Oval Office. It’s possible to sit in a replica of the chair in the most powerful office on the planet. Among the celebrities, you’ll find comedienne and two time Emmy award winner Kathy Griffin, who stars in her own television program on Bravo, titled Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List. You can now find her wax figure among A-List celebrities, such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Madonna, and Britney Spears. You’ll also find here Criss Angel , magician and star of a magic show at the Luxor hotel, titled Believe. Some of the figures you’re even invited to touch, such as Jennifer Lopez or J-Lo, who will blush if anyone should grope her lower cheeks. Certainly, wax museums have changed from the days in which you could only look from a distance.

Most recently, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas has added a permanent scare maze to its attraction, titled “Scream! One Way Out.” The theme of the maze reads like an old horror movie. Visitors are warned that they’re going to go into the Neveda State Institute of Wax (NSIX), where researchers conducted horrifying experiments with the criminally insane, killers who were once all workers in the secret army base, Area 51. The implication is that these killers are now looking for someone else to kill: The guests who choose to enter this exhibit. The London Madame Tussauds certainly didn’t have an exhibit like this one when I was there. After this experience, you might be ready to lie down for a while in any one of a number of great rooms , from New York, New York, Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas, or the Venetian (where Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is located).

Tags: great rooms

Keeping the Summertime Sun Out

With a few exceptions, like the beautiful hawaiian islands , summer is a pretty torturous time across the country. The Midwest and East coast suffer from high temperatures made worse from equally high humidity. Here on the West coast we, fortunately, do not have much humidity; however we suffer from extremely high temperatures. I live here in Phoenix where we do not just have 100 degrees hot, but frequently close to 120 degrees hot. Whatever side of the country you live on, as much of your summer as possible is spent indoors away from the sun. Meaning you do not want any more of the sun coming into your home than necessary.
To keep the heat from the sun out and your air conditioning bill down, begin by looking at your window coverings . There are several designs that look nice but do not do much to keep the heat; which is particularly important if you don’t have dual pane windows. As far as window designs go, shades are your best bet. They keep the highest levels of UV rays out, which will help keep your electric bill down, and they come in a variety of styles and designs to fit any room decor. Shades are also good if you want to keep the light out because they are available in many different materials, both light and thick. There are many tips and ideas on blind company websites .
Summer is unbearable enough without having to suffer inside your home. Before this summer hits, do yourself and your wallet a favor and invest in some summer appropriate window coverings. Cut down on your air conditioning bill and at the same time make the summer more enjoyable for everyone . With so many styles out there, there is just no reason not to.

Tags: company websites, hawaiian islands, make the summer more enjoyable for everyone, window coverings, window designs

Missouri Legend of the Ghost of Goat Milk Woman

My boyfriend Carl and I were visiting my aunt and grandma in Jefferson County Missouri last summer. They live in a little rural area and my family all thought it would be the perfect place for a family reunion. I hadn’t been back to visit my grandmother in years and was eager to see her so I decided to help my mom make the trip happen and I applied for the time off of work and tried to help plan it. As it turns out only a couple of cousins were able to go and the whole reunion agenda kind of fell apart. And because of the small response I decided to ask my boyfriend to go with us because it didn’t seem like a lot of reunion activities were going to happen and I thought maybe we could take my cousin and go into St. Louis to see a show or something and spend the night in one the hotels to kind of night burden my grandma and aunt so much.

So, it turns out the four day visit was actually really fun and not only did Carl get to meet everyone, but my cousins and I were able to have a great time and it was so good to see my grandma. One afternoon my cousin Shirley asked my grandma about a ghost town that was supposed to be in the area. My grandma said she must be talking about Hematite, though it really wasn’t much of a ghost town, according to grandma. We decided to make a little road trip out of it though and followed the directions three miles off of highway A. It was actually more fun to explore some of the area’s history than to investigate a stereotypical ghost town setting. Hematite, named after the iron ore that was mined there, was established about 1867 after the railroad had been there for about ten years. There are few old vacant homes and a graveyard from the time. We heard a story about an old lady outside of town that used herd goats and sell their milk. This was a remedy at the time and she used to care for people using the goat milk. Apparently she died of a heart attack and her ghost can still be fond wandering around trying to help people. We looked for her on our way out though we never saw anything.

Tags: goat milk, Hematite, spend the night