Looking for an unusual and far-out evening activity that even your kids will get a kick out of? Take them over to the Dyer Observatory for their Open House Telescope Night.

Seriously. It goes on once a month from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. (this month on Aug. 8th) and they let you use their telescopes to see the sun, moon, planets, and stars up close. Plus it’s free, which you can’t say about a lot of things your kids might be interested in.

Dyer Observatory is part of Vanderbilt University and is located on one of the tallest peaks near Nashville. If it’s cloudy they do tours instead and have one of their astronomers available to answer questions.

You can also bring your own telescope if you want and they’ll help you learn how to see the most with it. Though I’m going to bet their equipment is a little better.

Dane

A state reptile? The people that put that list together had a lot of time on their hands. But I guess if you’re going to have one the Eastern Box Turtle will work as fine as any.

I’m going to add a new category to that list: State burger – Fat Mo’s. Coming to Nashville and not going over to Fat Mo’s is like, I don’t know, skipping the Grand Ole Opry or something. It’s Nashville between two buns.

I can’t go all the time the way I used to, but when we do go, I’m a deluxe burger guy. They say they have the biggest burgers in town, and that seems a good bet. If you’re really hungry, you can try the super deluxe, which is a full 27 oz!

But save room for the spicy fries. And a milk shake. Maybe you need to take two trips.

Dane

I guess they’re expecting about 100,000 people at Riverfront Park for the show, so if that’s not your idea of fun, here are a couple of other options for how to celebrate the fourth:

1. Shores & Stripes — This one’s at Nashville Shores on July 3 and 4. It has a boat parade, a beach concert with the Stretta band, fireworks, and a Dive-In Movie of, you guessed it, “Independence Day.”
2. Music City Hot Chicken Festival — Head over to East Park for some hot chicken. This one runs only 12 to 3.
3. The Nashville Sound vs. Round Rock Express — It’s fireworks night and a big show is scheduled to follow the game (AAA baseball, if you didn’t know). If that’s not enough to get you there, the first 2,000 fans receive a complimentary foam guitar, courtesy of CMT.

Have a good one!
Dane

I love, love, love the fourth of July! I love the picnics, the fireworks, the summer, the whole family feeling! Everyone’s in a great mood. This year’s Nashville celebration is called Let Freedom Sing.

It will happen down at Riverfront Park and is a huge event in the city. There’s going to be all kinds of stuff happening. Festivities start at noon with the free Family Fun Zone. Music starts 3:00 pm and includes The WannaBeatles, Les Kerr and The Bayou Band and The Lost Trailers.

The main stage kicks off at 7:00 pm with Max Q (a barbershop quartet) performing the national anthem. Barry Scott, the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Phil Vassar and Michael McDonald will also perform.

It all wraps up with the South’s largest fireworks show at about 9:25 pm! Can’t wait!

Happy fourth everyone!
Dane

We were having a discussion here at the front desk the other day about what animal we are in the Chinese calendar. (I’m the year of the rooster. Andrew is the year of the pig. Ha!) And a guest asked if Nashville has any Chinese New Year stuff going on. I had no idea.

So I thought I should do some checking. (I learned a lot!) Did you know that the date of Chinese New Year changes every year? It can be pretty much anytime between late January and late February.

And did you know that Nashville does have events happening for it? Yes! It’s on February 9 this year. The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville is putting it on at the Belcourt Theater. Looks really cool, including a performance by the “Lion Dance and Drum Team”.

Have a good year of the rat!
Jennifer

Hi everybody! Well, I survived New Year’s. I sort of knew it would happen but we just ended up staying at the Tin Roof. Everybody was there and the music was too good (plus vodka drinks were only $2.00!).

But I decided the best way to get the year started right was to treat myself to a spa day! That’s my first resolution. I’ve been asking everyone and here’s what I’ve found out about places, just in case it’s on your list, too.

1.    Essential Therapy Store and Spa:
It’s on West End downtown. Even the waiting room is supposed to be relaxing.
2.    Adagio Massage Co. and Spa:
It’s right on Music Row. My girlfriend said it doesn’t look like much but said it’s cozy and they’re really nice.

If a spa day isn’t one of your resolutions, it’s time to update your list!

TTFN,
Jennifer

I’m not so much of a go-out-on-the-town sort of person for New Year’s. I tend to like to avoid the craziness out there. So in the past Dora and I usually just do a barbecue and stay pretty close to home.

But this year Hotel Preston is doing a package inviting people to come on down to the hotel for the night to ring in the new year in style – and off the street. It’s the best of being at home, because your room’s right upstairs, and out and about.

The hotel will have Nashville’s own Grammy-nominated Stacy Mitchart performing and there’ll be appetizers, a New Year’s champagne toast and party favors. For the next day, the hotel will also provide welcome hangover relief and a 1 p.m. check-out. Sounds like not a bad way to start ’08.

Actually, Jennifer just mentioned we’re sold out of the New Year’s Eve package already; however, give us a call about concert information at 615.361.5900

Talk to you later,
Dane

I love New Year’s! It’s really one of my favorite nights of the year. I guess it’s just all the anticipation and that people are out and having a good time. Everyone is happy. It’s just a big party!

The hard part for me is deciding where to go. There are so many choices! I’ll probably start at the Tin Roof of course. But then I’m not sure. If I decide I want crazy I’m thinking it might be the Stoli party at Fuel. It has food, live music, a DJ, and I’m sure it’ll be a rocking all night.

But I’ve heard heading out on the General Jackson showboat can be a real blast too. Hmm… You get a four-course dinner, a big Broadway-type show, a live band and dancing. Plus you get the great views of the city as you cruise down the Cumberland. I can’t decide!

Have a great time wherever you go!

Happy New Year’s!
Jennifer

OK, I’ve got the perfect thing for you for the holidays! It’s not really your traditional sort of activity, but it sounds like a lot of fun. A couple of guests saw it and were raving about it. You’ve probably heard of the Rockettes, well, this is their Radio City Christmas Spectacular and it’s running until Dec. 30.

It sounds like a total blast to me. I just love those extravaganzas with music and dancing and everything. I was a cheerleader after all! It includes all of that with about 100 or so people on the stage doing the 12 Days of Christmas, a living nativity, and the one our guests said was their favorite — the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.

Anyway, I bet it’s great. And what’s wrong with taking a break from A Christmas Carol or the singing Christmas tree every once in awhile?

Happy holidays everyone!
Jennifer

My wife Dora is getting in on the blog here. She said I need to tell everyone about “A Tuna Christmas,” even though we haven’t even seen it yet. You might’ve heard of the play “Greater Tuna”. If you’re lucky you’ve seen it.

Well, “A Tuna Christmas” is the second part. It’s done by the same two actors. You’ve really got to see these guys. They’re incredible. The two of them play like 20 different characters. Seriously, I don’t know how they do it.

The whole thing takes place in Tuna, the third smallest town in Texas. I’m told this second one uses the same characters, only this time they’re trying to put on a play of “A Christmas Carol”. Ha.

If you’re interested, it’s over at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and goes from 12/18 to 12/23. Go see it. It will make my wife happy.

See ya in Tuna,
Dane