OK, so you’ve been to a haunted house and you’re just not impressed (yawn) by people in masks and make-up. Well, how about some real ghosts, hmm, you up for that?

Maybe you didn’t know that downtown Nashville is haunted. Lucky for you I’m warning you. They’re all over the place. You can see how haunted on the Nashville Ghost Tour. This unusual excursion is led by professional storytellers who take you around downtown, pointing out where the ghosts and goblins hang out. Screaming in fear is optional.

The 90-minute tour takes you by lantern light to all the spine-tingling spots in town, from the Ryman Auditorium, haunted by the ghost of the wife of President Andrew Jackson, to Printer’s Alley, home to the spirit of David “Skull” Shulman.

That should put the r.i.p in your t.r.i.p. to Nashville. The tour goes Wed.-Mon, but they do have special October times.

Boo!
Sabrina

Tired of the typical Saturday? Want to get out and do some good? Well, how about donating your morning, and temporarily lending your legs, to the 2007 Race for the Cure run/walk on Nov. 3?

You can sign up for the 1-mile walk/run or the 5K run/walk. If you’re not a runner, get a group of friends together for a mobile coffee klatch. The route starts and finishes at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and wanders through historic Germantown. Which has got some really cool architecture, by the way.

Then treat yourself to a nice lunch and maybe, I don’t know, take in a bit of shopping. Anyway, it beats the heck out of yard work or washing the car. Or doing math homework… Plus, you’re helping raise money and awareness for a great cause, which makes for a great Saturday.

Ready, set, go,
Sabrina

You know what one of my favorite things to do on Saturday is? After I take the dogs for a walk? And before I watch “Iron Chef”? I love to stroll around the Nashville Farmer’s Market.

There’s just something about checking the fresh produce, sniffing the flowers, sampling the cheeses and whatever else. It puts me in a good place. It could also be the po’boys I’ve been known to get (at Nooley’s).

One of the vendors informed me the market has been around since 1828. Now that’s a lot of rutabagas! Once a month there’s a craft fair. You can get out, walk around, have a po’boy and then go home with a bag of flowers. If you’re lucky, like I was recently, you may even wind up with a squash that looks like Jay Leno.

See you there,
Sabrina

A guest just told me about this haunted place out by Hickory Hollow Mall in Antioch. Even the name of the mall sent a chill down my spine.

“Haunted?” I asked.
His eyes widened. “I didn’t know if I’d get out alive,” he said.
“How, how do you know it was haunted?” I asked nervously.
His face went pale. “I saw him…,” he said.
I swallowed hard. “Saw him?”
“The winged Barnabas Webb!”

Boo! Tis the season for teasin’ out the blood-curdling shrieks. Just getting you in the mood for the Demons’ Den Haunted House, which actually is across from the mall. In Antioch. We haven’t been yet, but we’re absolutely going. It runs through Halloween. I’ll report back … if I survive…

Muwhahaha,
Sabrina

The only thing better than finishing a big exam is finishing a big exam and then celebrating with a dinner out and a good bottle of wine. Actually, I suppose skipping the exam and going right to dinner would be better. Every mathematician can appreciate the elegance of that logic.

But if you’re thinking of going out to dinner, exam or not, consider this an arrow pointing you to Bound’ry — and their crayfish-stuffed-trout. The peanut butter and chocolate guys thought they had a good combination. And it’s wrapped in bacon. Seriously, I’m not kidding.

We just ate there and the food was incredible. It was a beautiful night, too, which is even better. So we got to sit outside, breathe in deeply (often from our glasses of wine), and talk. I became so relaxed I almost forgot that I had class the next morning. Numbers are never so cruel as when they’re blinking at you from your alarm clock…

Bon apetit,
Sabrina

Tired of the same old Halloween activities? Are you boo-ored with the whole thing? Well, if you happen to be in Nashville on the October 26-27, I’ve got an idea for you. Try a combo movie and live version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show!

Nashville’s Live Shadow Cast, “Little Morals!,” will perform the movie right in front of the screen both nights. If you’ve never seen this campy musical (starring a young Susan Sarandon), it’s a cult classic. People often dress up for it, but seeing the whole thing acted out, that should be a gas.

Best of all it’s at the Belcourt Theater, a great old theater in Nashville’s Hillsboro Village. Halloween costumes and audience participation is highly encouraged. And there’s bar for those over 21. By the way, it’s a late show. Doors open at 11:30 p.m., and shows start at 11:59 p.m.

Talk to you later,
Sabrina

OK, I have a confession to make: I love “So You Think You Can Dance?”. I know, I know, someone who is getting their master’s degree in mathematics and all that. But I want to tell the truth and nothing but the truth in this blog. And the truth is I love it.

Maybe it’s because I don’t actually think I can dance, and it’s a kick watching others who think they can, but actually can’t. And then there are those incredible people who can actually dance. They’re what’s really fun. I don’t know how they do what they do.

Why am I telling you this in a blog for the Hotel Preston? Well, it just so happens, fortune of fortunes, that the tour of the show is coming to Nashville! Yes way. Oct. 24 at the Sommet Center. Just a little something for your trick or treat basket.

Till next time,
Sabrina

OK, now about the music in Nashville. We don’t call it Music City for nothing. Artists come here to see if they can make it big. And fans come to see them try, and to see those who’ve succeeded.

Where to start, that’s the question, right? It’s a good one, because there are so many choices you could visit a different spot every night. But the granddaddy of all the venues has to be, say it with me, the Grand Ole Opry. So why not start there?

Go on a Friday and Saturday night and you get to enjoy the live radio show, complete with a bunch of performers. One night it could include Travis Tritt, the next night Patty Loveless. It’s a real country music smorgasbord.

While you’re at it take the Opry Backstage tour!

Have fun!
Sabrina

I didn’t used to be a football fan. I actually found it pretty boring. Which was hard in Alabama where so many people I grew up with were big Bama rooters. I just couldn’t get very interested. (I can only say that now that I’m out of Alabama…)

But in Nashville we’ve got Titan fever these days. I don’t know, there’s just something about the whole city getting behind the team. It’s exciting. They’ve started off the season like gangbusters. We’ve won all but one of our games and things are looking good.

So if you happen to be in Nashville, I’d recommend taking in a game at LP Field. (Unless you’re from Indianapolis!) The stadium is in a nice spot, too. It’s situated on the east bank of the Cumberland River overlooking downtown Nashville.

Go Titans!
Sabrina

When you think of Nashville you probably think of music. And there’s a lot of that to be found and enjoyed here. But in the south we’re also known for our literature. Being a book lover I just have to tell you all about the Southern Festival of Books, which is coming right up on Oct. 12-14.

There are so many writers (more than 200!) scheduled to participate in the event, it’s really more like who’s not going to be there. (You can visit their web site for a complete list.) There are sure to be some of your favorites there.

Readings, panel discussions, book signings, exhibitor booths, music, children’s events, it’s all there and lots more. So get on over to the War Memorial Plaza—because the festival won’t be back in Nashville till 2009!

See ya’ll there,
Sabrina