How do you know summer is nearly over? (Sad, I know.) Because a bunch of guys on skates start beating the heck out of each other over at the Sommet Center. That’s right, it’s nearly Predators time!

Get in gear with a little pre-season taste of the carnage to come when our hometown heroes take on the Atlanta Thrashers on Sept. 17. And this is going to be a year you’re not going to want to miss. With maybe the best young defense in the league, things promise to be hot on the ice.

If you’re new to the Preds, here are some players to keep your eyes on: Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Dan Hamhuis. Weber and Hamhuis tore it up at the orientation for the 2010 Canadian Olympic team and Suter did the same with the U.S.

So come on out on the 17th and see the blue-ring brigade in action. I have a suspicion it’s going to be the start of something downright beautiful.

Dane

I’ve been going to the state fair since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Never did I think I’d see the day when the fair became hip. OK, I should reserve judgment until I’ve been there, done that, but the hype definitely seems to suggest my fair has modernized some.

I look forward to the usual shenanigans: racing pigs, mule pulling, cow milking, sorghum making, all the cooking competitions. But get a load of what you’ve missed if you haven’t been to the fair in a while: a Family Fun Zone, footprints you can follow all over the fairgrounds to all kinds of surprises; Kid’s country for youngsters; and Game Hype Experience with Wii, Xbox360, and Ps3 games. There’s even a Guitar Hero Competition.

And it wouldn’t be 2009 if the event wasn’t in on the environmental movement, so check out the Greenway Energy Expo. Throw in 4-H, Volunteer Village, ALL-YOU-CAN-RIDE wristbands, and you’ve got yourself a better than fair fair.

Dane

September’s tough. Seems like all the good stuff happens just over Labor Day Weekend. Makes sense: Three days, that end-of-summer feeling, the kids heading back to school. So, there’s lots to do, and choices to be made.

But, if you’re a music fan like me, it might be a bit easier. If you head to Riverfront Park on Sept. 5-6, that’s where you’ll find me and Dora: at the Music City Jazz, Blues & Heritage Festival. Held on the banks of the Cumberland River, it’s a great venue that’s also truly family friendly (children under 12 are free).

As usual, there’s a great line-up, including Boney James, Con Funk Shun, Diane Marino, Minister DeWitt Johnson, and many more. Bring your lawn chair and settle in to enjoy the art, food, and drink booths. Oh, and yeah, the music. Thank you, summer. It’s been nice knowing ya.

Dane

I applaud any effort made by anyone to bring Shakespeare to the masses. I’ve now seen Shakespeare in the Park in more parks than I can remember, have seen just about every filmed version Hollywood has churned out, and even sat through a version of Hamlet set in a modern day metropolis (you haven’t lived until you’ve seen Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in three-piece suits).

So, when I hear that there is a trio performing, all in one show, the complete works of William Shakespeare, I say this I’ve got to see. But I wonder, as do you I’m sure, how they will do it?

Well, this is how: It’s three men, 37 plays, 90 minutes. If you go to Centennial Park expecting anything deep, you didn’t do the math right. By all accounts, it’s great fun, and even the Bard needs to be brought down a peg every once in a while. Runs Aug. 27 through Sept. 13.

Dane

Seems these days that every city is trying to stay “weird.” First Austin, then Portland, and who knows who else. Well, if we’re trying to keep Nashville weird, too, I think this will help.

In mid-August, if you’re not too scared, check out the 4th Annual International Killer Nashville Literary Conference, Aug. 14-16 (starts today!). Turns out, upon closer examination, that no one actually gets killed at the conference, nor does it feature murderers of any kind. What is does do is celebrate the mystery, thriller, and crime literature genres.

There are three days of panel discussions, writing and promotion workshops, and author presentations. You’ll also have a chance to hobnob with some publishers, so be ready with your killer material.

Dane

On August 7, Dora and I headed over to the Frist Center for a night of theater, film, and art. The evening began with a presentation from the Nashville Opera, discussing their production of The Fall of the House of Usher, coming this fall. Soprano Sabrina Warren, followed up the presentation by singing excerpts from the opera.

Next, we took in a screening of the film Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts, chronicling the life of the extraordinary conductor. The documentary was directed by the Academy Award nominated director of Shine, Scott Hicks.

Lastly, we checked out the Chuck Close exhibit. OK, I’ve talked about this one before, but he was a friend of Glass’s and Close is actually featured throughout the film.

And, did I mention that the whole shebang is free?

Dane

A lot of people talk about being environmentally sensitive or eco-friendly, but the truth is it’s a lot harder to do. I learned this past weekend about one local Nashvillian who is putting his restaurant where his mouth is and providing an inspiring example.

The man is Jeremy Barlow and the restaurant is tayst on 21st Ave S., the first Nashville restaurant to earn certification from the Green Restaurant Association. (There are only 60 in the country.) As well as doing things like using paraffin candles instead beeswax, running a recycling program, and cutting water output in his sinks, Barlow chooses his ingredients wisely. Just check out the chalkboard as you walk in that highlights the local farmers he’s working with. I’d never seen that before.

This means that as a diner you know that you’re getting the freshest local items on your plate. If lettuce is done for the year, for example, there’s the arugula. Things are always changing. And the flavors don’t disappoint. You just can’t beat fresh for flavor. Try their beef short rib and foie gras starter. Oh, and the bread pudding. That’s worth it right there.

Dane

(photo courtesy of betheats on Flickr)

I saw some of Chuck Close’s paintings about 20 years ago. They totally blew me away and ever since then I’ve tried to sort of keep track of what he’s up to. Can you believe it; Dora had to point out that there’s actually an exhibit going on right here in Nashville!

Let me say that I’ve not been yet, but I don’t feel weird about recommending you go just because I think you’re likely to have the same reaction I did. The pieces are usually big, which makes them dramatic. But they are also brilliantly done and so meticulous and creative they’ll blow your mind.

Most of his work is portraiture (though he calls them “heads”), but the way he does them is unlike anything you’ve seen. Actually, these days we might recognize a sort of digital inspiration in a lot of the pieces. But you just to have to see them up close and in person.

So if you’re visiting our fair city or if you live here, make some time to get over to the exhibit. It’s called Process and Collaboration and is at the Frist until Sept. 13. See you there.

Dane

Not really a tour sort of person? You think tour and immediately see a bus crammed with retirees in visors and Sansabelt slacks? I’m with you. But Citystage Productions here in Nashville is reinventing the idea.

Imagine a tour combined with interactive theater combined with a spy thriller. This first one is called “The Safehouse” and has tour groups visit six historic locations downtown while solving puzzles, interacting with actors, and following clues as the plot unfolds. Their site even says you will “practice actual techniques used by spies throughout history.” It’s a great idea and I have to admit, they’ve got me intrigued.

It starts downtown at Printers Alley at noon each Saturday, goes every half hour, and lasts about 2.5 hours. And no bus ― the entire thing is on foot and covers less than a square mile, they say, which makes it doable for just about everyone, including kids.

So whether you’re a local or new to Nashville, here’s your chance to polish up your sleuth’s magnifying glass and see the city in a brand-new way.

Dane

So, if you have been keeping up with our blog you know by now that we aren’t your average hotel. You probably realized this when you heard about our Spiritual Menu or Divorce Package.  Hotel Preston has a “you want it, you got it” philosophy and we want to know what YOU want! That is why we have developed a contest to create our next big amenity. We already offer lava lamps, a pet fish, even a package for those looking to get divorced….but we know travelers out there will have great ideas for other amenities!

If you have a great idea for a new package or amenity that you’d like to see at the Hotel Preston, go
to Hotel Chatter and let us know.  The sky is the limit! The winner that comes up with the next big amenity will receive a weekend at the Hotel Preston. …and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see me!

Dane