You guys know me. I think Hotel Preston is a great place to work, and a great place to stay. There’s just no other spot like it in the city. And that is not bragging it’s just a fact. But I tend to leave it at that. It’s one of those things you’ve got to just experience for yourself.

But here’s the thing. Right now we’re having this great deal going and I just don’t want anyone saying I didn’t tell them. So here’s the skinny. Right now we’ve got a deal running that will give you 10% off our best available rate, as long as you pre-pay. A seriously great deal.

I’ll tell you, there’s nothing like one of our beds to help you relax and accentuate the positive.

Dane

OK, so here’s the deal. This month is what we call Awesome April around here. And there are so many music events going on during the month that it’s impossible to write about all of them. So, here are a few teasers to get you started.

First, get your spiritual groove on and hit Gospel Music Week, with more than 100 musical performances, panels, and workshops. It runs April 18-22.

And then on the last Saturday in April, the 25th, head over to Centennial Park for the Country Music Marathon and half Marathon. There will be 50 bands playing on 27 stages.

You better take some days off work. You could be busy this month.

Dane

You’re not going to believe this, because I didn’t believe it. I just had maybe the best hamburger I’ve ever tried. That’s rare enough. But what makes it really unusual is the fact that it was at an Asian type restaurant.

The place is called the PM Café and is located on Belmont Boulevard. We were over in the neighborhood minding our own business and just popped in for an early dinner. I don’t have anything against Asian food. Ask Dora, I’ll eat anything. But I was in the mood for a burger and our waiter convinced me to try theirs.

And this is a darn fine burger. Perfectly cooked with onions, garlic, Thai sweet chili sauce. And fruit juice. That’s what he told me. Fruit juice. Add some lettuce, cheddar, and wasabi mayo on a soft Kaiser roll and you’ve got a reason to head to the PM. Best of all it’s only $7 for all that.

So go. Their cocktails are probably worth a post of their own.

Dane

The news is enough to really make a guy depressed these days. All the gloom and doom. I’ve had to just stop reading the paper. At least for awhile. I personally think part of it has to be winter, too. It’s been a long, cold one it seems like.

Anyway, with all that extra time you have from not reading the newspaper or watching TV, I recommend the Improv Nashville show called ChickIN Wangs. Actually, any Improv Nashville show is a good antidote for the blues.

But we saw ChickIN Wangs last week and I’m still laughing about it. Basically it’s a guys against girls improv show that they do every Friday night at 10 p.m. At least through March it looks like. I mean even the name gets me — ChickIN Wangs? Ha!

Dane

(photo courtesy of FuseBoxTheatre from Flickr)

Dora and I have made a New Year’s resolution to get out a few times a month and be “tourists.” When you live in a place like Nashville for a while, it’s easy to forget that people travel a long way to get a look at our history and attractions.

So last weekend we went and toured the United Record Pressing plant in downtown Nashville. It’s been around since 1949 and is one of only four places in the whole country still making vinyl records. Man, I just love that some place is still doing it. It’s a really amazing process.

While you’re at it, check out their “Motown Suite” and party room, both of which have great stories to tell. But, you’ll have to visit the plant yourself to get the scoop.

Dane

People are going to start thinking that I’m working for the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, but I promised Dora I’d write about one of her favorite things to do: flea-marketing (is that even a real term?).

Even the name, flea market, should give you pause, but I’ll admit that the one at the fairgrounds is pretty great. The market claims to be one of the top ten in the country, and I can believe it. There are vendors from over 30 states and booths hold everything from tools and antiques to rugs and shoes.

The market is held on the fourth weekend of each month (except in December when it’s on the third weekend of the month). I defy you to walk away without something you didn’t know you needed.

Dane

Say you’re out and about. You’re hungry. And you happen to be on Belcourt Ave. If all these different things happen to you at once like they did to me yesterday, consider yourself lucky. Because Savarino’s is close by.

I actually have to thank Nashville Scene for putting me onto the place. And I can say that they earned their title as best place for a lazy lunch. And it has to be lazy if you order the lasagna, which is, and I’m not kidding here, mammoth. Better turn your cell phone off.

But they’ve got all kinds of great stuff, sandwiches, pasta, etc. as well as Italian sodas. Gotta try the stuffed pepper next time. And I’m told that a lot of days you could run into some local big names.

So start wandering around Belcourt till you’re ready.

Dane

OK, you know I’m a sports fan, but I’ll bet you never thought I’d be plugging this: You’ve got to get yourselves to the Nashville roller derby. No kidding.

The season opener double-header is this Saturday, February 7, at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. The Brawl Stars, Nashville Rollergirls’ newest team, are up first, battling the Jacksonville Rollergirls. Next, our own Nashville Rollergirl All Stars battle the Texas Hotrod Honeys. That’s right, people. The Hotrod Honeys. Come on, need I say more?

With names like Jersey Jackhammer, Comanche Red and Olive Turmoyl, I’m betting on some fast, stiff-arm action. Might be good to get tickets online in advance. It is the season opener after all.

Dane

Hey hockey fans. I know it’s not looking too good for our hometown Preds making it to the playoffs. Heck, I haven’t done the math and we may already be out of it. But people counted us out last season and we still made it.

So my point is get over to the Sommet for a game. Playoff bound or not, the guys are great on the ice. Especially J.P. Dumont because he’s great to watch (even though he’s not scoring these days…). Dora isn’t a huge fan but she likes to watch him.

I’d say the upcoming game on Feb. 10 is probably the must see one. Detroit will be in town and they’re at the top of the Central Division. They’re the team to beat and should make for a good show.

A shameless plug as well…we’ve got a Predators package going on right now ($99 + tax, includes breakfast for 2). Just enter in the code B&B when you book your stay. We also offer free parking and complimentary shuttle service from the airport.

Dane

Times are tough out there. The economy is not exactly firing on all cylinders these days. So everybody is tightening their belts. Thankfully, Cheekwood Art and Gardens are doing what it can to help us out by having dollar days until the end of January.  January is almost over, though, so hurry over there!

That means that you only need a buck to get in to see things in the museum and gallery like Innerspace, Permaculture and UFOs, an exhibit on science fiction films and sustainable agriculture; Reverse Angle, which is a bunch of video artists; and a big Faberge collection.

That’s just some of the stuff to see. And then there are the gardens, which are just as beautiful in winter with the evergreens, flowering apricots, and colorful twig dogwoods. Not bad for a buck.  Just 5 days left!

Dane