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Cycling for Libraries Day 10-11: Last Days on the Road

In Conferences, Travel on October 10, 2012 at 8:00 am

Day 10 – 47 miles

Rakvere Library

We began the day by touring the delightful Rakvere Public Library. In the photo above you can see Katarina Jee, Estonia’s only bookmobile, parked next to the library.

The Katarina Jee is part of the Tallinn Public Library system, and she followed us throughout our journey from Vilnius to Tallinn. We had many fun events that involved Katarina Jee, including this fantastic performance of a folk song performed by Estonian school librarians.

Later that day we cycled to the Palmse Korts, an amazing restaurant that is on the grounds of one of Estonia’s manor house. We had Avery tasty meal that included some of the best pork we’ve ever eaten.

Palms Korts

Day 11 – 49 miles

The last day had finally arrived. It was a long ride in a headwind and took forever. I think we were just getting excited to be in Tallinn and to reach the our final destination. When we had lunch at the half way mark, it felt like we had already been riding for the entire day. We had been on the  highway and then took a detour through the forest. When we stopped for lunch we understood why we had taken this route, we walked past the lunch tent to discover this amazing waterfall! What a wonderful surprise and beautiful backdrop to our last lunch on the road.

Estonian Waterfall

To pass the time on the long, hard last day. We belted out the hits of the 70s, 80s, and today. We definitely entertained ourselves and our captive audience seemed to enjoy the musical styling of the Texas Girls (the name of our new coverband!). When we hit the city limits of Tallinn we were so excited. Our trip into the center of town was along the coast and we had this incredible view of Old Town. Cycling by the ocean is pretty, but the wind was blowing so hard we had to concentrate on not blowing over.

View of Old Town from Tallinn Coast

We cycled through the cobble stoned streets and were greeted for the last time by the smiles, waves, and cheers of the Estonian people. When we got to Freedom Square, we jumped off our bikes and hugged and congratulated everyone. We had done it! We cycled a total of 366 miles over 11 days. We met the most incredible librarians from around the world and we were changed by the international experience off a lifetime. Where are we going next year?

Celebration in Freedom Square

By April Kessler of bizologie and Karen Holt. April & Karen are librarians at the University of Texas at Austin.

Cycling for Libraries Days 7-9: From Mountain Retreats to the City

In Conferences, Travel on September 24, 2012 at 8:00 am

Day 7 - 30 miles

We left the mountain trails for actual mountains during the next stretch of the trip. This part of Estonia is called the Switzerland of the Baltics and now we know why. We cycled in the same spot the Russians send their Olympic skiers to train in the summer! The ride to Otepää was actually pretty short but the climbs were incredibly difficult. If you could get some momentum from the down hill, you could make up the next hill a little easier. That meant we were doing some serious flying downhill. Very fun, but kinda scary too. We visited just one local library, and then stopped early for the day at the mountain ski resort for some much needed R&R. We had a dip in the lake, a sweat in the sauna, and a soak in the hot tub. Just what our warn out bodies needed.

The sauna in Otepää

Day 8 – 55 miles

We call this part of the ride the highway to hell. We were actually on the way to the lovely Tartu and the scenery around us was gorgeous, but it was difficult and scary to ride single file along a busy highway. Because we could not talk to our peers, we realized how much we appreciated the library discussions that keep our minds busy and buzzing.

We stopped in the little town of Elva to tour their beautiful library.

This is also where Karen’s bike got arrested.

We also visited a little public library in Ülenurme, which is on the outskirts of Tartu. They had charming little nooks in their library where you could visit with friends.

Once we arrived at some very nice dorms in Tartu, we cleaned ourselves up and met as a group for a discussion on library issues like marketing and publishing. It was very interesting to learn more about how libraries in other countries tackle issues like eBooks. We have so much in common, but when the topic turned to copyright we learned so much about we differ as well. We take the concept of Interlibrary Loan for granted in the States, but it is not the norm in Europe.

That evening we were free to explore the city of Tartu on our own and we went to the seriously amazing Italian restaurant, La Dolce Vita, which we would highly recommend to anyone traveling to Tartu. Thanks to our new Cycling for Libraries friend, Eve, for the recommendation!

Eve & April in the Ülenurme Public Library

Day 9 – 10 miles

This day involved very little biking. We spent the morning and afternoon in Tartu. We rode by Tartu University Library, the oldest and largest research library in Estonia. Then, after meeting the mayor and riding with him to the Tartu Public Library, we had a discussion about book publishing by libraries in Finland and Estonia. The Tallinn Public Library works with a local author to publish a book each year and then every 2nd grade student in Tallinn gets their own copy. The catch is that this book isn’t for sale. It is only available from the library. Of course this limited printing makes it quite special for the country. All the kids and teachers are trying to get their hands on this hot commodity!

The discussion was followed by a special session on eBooks. Because libraries in Estonia can’t buy eBooks, the Tartu Public Library has partnered with the Estonian Literary Museum to convert print books in eBooks, and one of the leaders of this project gave a very interesting demonstration for us on how they convert the books into a digital format.

mural

Mural in the Tartu Central Library.

Next, we took a bus ride to Rakvere. That evening we went to the historic castle ruins, which featured a reenactment of castle life.

And then we had a lovely dinner and danced to a local rock band. Like we always say, there’s no party like a librarian party.

Cycling for Libraries Day 5 & 6: On to Estonia

In Conferences, Travel on September 11, 2012 at 8:00 am

Day 5  – 34 miles

After waking up at the mountain day spa in Ligatne, Latvia, we were treated to a delicious breakfast buffet and we got the see for Cycling for Libraries videos of the trip on the big screen. Hopefully, you have been following along with the videos. It was truly amazing for have an entire film crew following our every move. This just wasn’t any film crew. These guys are from the Finnish Library television station, Kirjastokaista. Their job is to film library events and promote libraries full-time. How cool is that?!

Mountain Biking

One of the many forest trails we rode (or maybe walked :) in Latvia

We set off for Cesis on a cool overcast morning. We had no idea what a treat we were in for. We cycled down the mountain and then did some real mountain biking over the river and through the woods. We biked to a castle in Cesis where we were greeted by the local librarians and the mayor. To top it all off our fearless leader Mace Ojala was knighted during the reenactment ceremony. Although it rained on us, that didn’t stop the party atmosphere. While waiting  for lunch, we danced in the drizzle to disco and the Beach Boys.

Cesis Librarian

Cesis Castle

The knighting ceremony

That afternoon we arrived in Valmeira and were treated to a feast of traditional Latvian food and local beer at a museum. After dinner there was a ceremony of folk traditions and peals of laughter rang out as we attempted to dance some traditional Latvian dances. One of the highlights of our trip was the focus on the singing culture of the Baltics. All three countries, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, have strong folk song traditions, and many of our Cycling for Libraries cultural events involved singing. We loved it!

Our delicious meal in Valmeira

Day 6 – 50 miles

This was another long day of riding that took us to the half way point of the trip. We saw two very different types of libraries as finally made our way to Estonia. Our first stop was the Valmeira Library. It is a combined academic and public library with the Vidzeme University College in one half of the building and the public library in the other. The library just opened in 2007 and it was  a beautiful space. Questions raised during the presentation and tour were about shared spaces and resources and how it was possible. Valmeira is making it work and it brings to light a different approach to allocating limited resources.

Valmiera Library

Valmiera Library

Our next stop was what we called the prairie library. The Jaunklida Public Library is located in a rural community of 250 inhabitants. Because it is so remote, the library also serves as a community center. Once a month the library hosts the local doctor, social worker, and even the hairdresser, making the library the epicenter of the town. It is such a cool space that patrons also have their weddings there.

Jaunklida Community Library

The Jaunklida Public Library

The sister cities of Valka, Latvia and Volga, Estonia share a border where you cross seamlessly between countries, but they don’t share the same language or currency. We were greeted with music and fruit in Valka.

Valka Town Hall

Valka Town Hall and Mayor (in the distance)

Latvian Berries

The delicious berries and water that were presented to us at nearly every Latvian library we visited.

Then, we rode our bikes across the border to Estonia. We were hours late by the time we got to the town of Volga, but our greeting party was still there waiting. We toured the local library. Then, we met the mayor and saw an entire show put on by the dance/singing troupe in Volga. We were blown away by the talent and generosity of the people there.

Dinner that night was a traditional Estonian meal and it was worth staying up late and cycling in the dark to get there.

Stay turned for more Cycling for Libraries adventures!

By April Kessler of bizologie and Karen Holt. April & Karen are librarians at the University of Texas at Austin.

Cycling for Libraries Day 4: The Longest Day

In Travel on August 28, 2012 at 5:42 pm

Day 4 – 63 miles

This was the longest ride of the trip. We were in the saddle for 6 hours (do you like the new biking lingo?) breaking our own personal records for most miles cycled! We rode through the Latvian forest, toured two community libraries, visited a castle, and stayed the night at a rehabilitation spa in the mountains.

We were welcomed at every single library we visited, but the Alluzi Public Library greeting had to be the best! The neighborhood kids made us signs, the librarians fed us delicious soup for lunch, and then the kids led us on the library tour.

Alluzi

Inside, the Alluzi Library is bright and cheery – we loved the open doors and fresh air.

Following a beautiful concert in one of Latvia’s most architecturally significant churches, we rode to Sigulda where we went through a beautiful botanical garden and stopped for a few minutes at a castle. Check out this amazing view, it even includes yet another castle. The entire day was like cycling in a fairy tale. We even had cake and coffee in the beautiful forest. It was truly magical, even if we did have to stay out of the wet grass to avoid ticks and Tick-borne encephalitis. Every fairly tale has it’s dark side, right?

The Sigulda Public Library is a shining example of a new community library and it had all the latest equipment and the cutest children’s room. They welcomed us with a beautiful selection of fresh berries. Just the pick me up we needed in the late afternoon.

Sigulda Public Library

When we got to Sigulda we thought we had made it to our stop for the night. Not so fast! Turns out this was just a short stop.

Karen had to make a much bigger stop after this library due to her second flat tire of the day. Because we didn’t have the necessary equipment with us to make the repair, our excellent bicycle repair team of Patrick Otton and Michel Guegan (to whom we are eternally grateful) wasn’t able to change the tire. So, Karen’s bike was transported on top of a Yugo that was traveling with our group, and Karen got to ride the last few km in style in the Yugo.

We were behind schedule and a couple hours late so we didn’t get to tour of the paper mill, but we were not too late to catch the band playing for us on top of the mountain. Not a great picture, but if you look up you can see the railings and the band is on that stage. We were exhausted by this point, but there were a few diehards that even did a little polka.

Then, we were back on the road, or shall I say mountain, to get to out hotel outside of Ligatne for the evening. I don’t think the last few hills were that steep, but you should know that the previous 20 miles were on a washboard dirt road and did I mention just moments before we thought were done riding for the day? That will mess with your head.  After a great dinner and a warm shower, we were were ready for bed. We had done it. We completed the longest day of the tour, but we had 7 more days to go.

Stay tuned for more of our cycling adventures!

By April Kessler of bizologie and Karen Holt of Librarian Lifestyle. April and Karen are librarians at the University of Texas at Austin and they are missing their cycling buddies and the deep library discussions they had on the road.

Cycling for Libraries Day 2 & 3

In Conferences, Travel on August 23, 2012 at 3:26 pm

Day 2 – 23 miles cycled

After the fist day and and a whirlwind of library tours, day 2 was double the cycling and only one library visit. The 23 miles seemed more difficult, because it was unseasonably warm in Lithuania. That day we got our first glimpse of the types of cycling we were in for – mountain bike trails and hills. Along the route we were surprised and thrilled to be supported by members of the Lithuanian Library Association. The group wore bright green t-shirts and followed us in cars along the route and honked and waved and met us at our destination in Trakai. Their support made a huge difference during the long, hot ride.

After lunch we had one of our first cultural visits when we visited the beautiful castle on the lake in the picturesque vacation town of Trakai.

When the castle tour was over we loaded our bikes on a truck and filled up two buses with librarians for a 4-hour ride into Latvia.

During the bus ride we got to meet more of colleagues when we had discussions about our library careers and future plans. We arrived in Riga a few hours late so we skipped the showers and jumped on a train into the city for a traditional Latvian dinner.

Day 3 – 13.5 miles

On day 3 we had another police escort through the city of Riga. This was the first time we saw what kind of press was following the tour. It reminded us first hand that one of the goals of Cycling for Libraries is to bring awareness to libraries and library services. That morning we were interviewed by the Latvian news as were waiting for the Latvian Minister of Culture to meet our group.

The backdrop for the interviews was the construction site National Library of Latvia which opens next year.

Even though Day 3 was spent in the city of Riga, we had a packed day. After meeting with the mayor, we cycled through the city to a charming public library. There is nothing quite like cycling through a city with a police escort. All of the streets were open to us and it felt like being in a parade. We greeted many curious passerbys with rings of our bells and shouts of hello.

Following the ride in the city and a tour of the Turiba University Business Library, we turned our thoughts to current library issues, namely librarians and entrepreneurship. We gave a very brief talk about the way libraries could foster entrepreneurship among staff. Åke Nygren followed us with a very interesting talk about his work and his powerful ideas on libraries and entrepreneurship.

We capped the evening by taking a Riga tour of our choice. On offer were tours of a bike shop, an adventure tour, the Art Nouveau tour, and a craft/maker evening. Being an architecture lover, Karen choose the Art Noveau tour, which featured a fascinating personalized tour of the Art Nouveau architecture in Riga and the beautiful Art Nouveau Museum. (Highly recommend for anyone traveling to Riga.)

Then, it was off to bed to prepare for our longest day of cycling.

By April Kessler of bizologie and Karen Holt of Librarian Lifestyle. April and Karen are librarians at the University of Texas at Austin and had an amazing time at Cycling for Libraries.

Cycling for Libraries Day 1: Living Without a Hair Drier for Two Weeks

In Conferences, Travel on August 23, 2012 at 2:56 am

Photo by Panu Entresse

Day 1 – 12.5 Miles Cycled

We met at the National Library of Lithuania with our luggage, bikes, and our newfound, crazy love for cycling with 100 people we didn’t yet know.

The day began as quite a few of our Cycling for Libraries days would. We mingled, did some stretches led by the fantastic Patrick Otton, hopped on our bikes, and followed the police escort that took us to several beautiful libraries in Vilnius, including a new branch library of Vilnius University that opens in September, the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University Library, the Lithuanian Technical Library, and the Vilnius University Library.

Karen Holt at the cool new Scholarly Communication and Information Center of Vilnius University.

Founded in 1570, Vilnius University Library is the oldest academic library in Lithuania.

Cycling for Libraries participants at the Vilnius University main library in the oldest room in the library.

One thing that we discovered on the tours this day is the trend for individual subject-based reading rooms in Baltic Libraries. We really love the concept of the reading rooms. Each one has its own look and feel and we found them all very charming.

Asian Studies Reading Room at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University Library

Philology Reading Room

Graduate Study Carrels with a view at Vilnius University

Another trend we discovered in the Baltics is that whether you are at a cafe or a library, blankets are always on hand to keep you warm. This could be a trend for us to bring back, especially since our library is always freezing in the summer.

Blankets on a book cart at Vilnius University Library

Stay turned for more information on the amazing places we saw over the 11 day tour. If you are just catching up, be sure to read all about the Cycling for Libraries Unconference and see the route.

By Karen Holt of Librarian Lifestyle and April Kessler. Karen and April are librarians at the University of Texas at Austin and are still coming off the high of cycling through the Baltics and seeing the coolest libraries and meeting amazing librarians.

The Beginning of Cycling for Libraries aka Hanging Out in Vilnius

In Careers, Cocktails, Food, Travel on August 18, 2012 at 8:38 pm

We arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania, three days before the start of Cycling for Libraries, so we had a chance to explore this great city.

(For those of you who haven’t heard of Cycling for Libraries, it is an unconference featuring two weeks of library workshops, debates, and tours with a diverse group of international librarians. This year the unique format combined library discussions with 387 miles of bicycling from Vilnius, Lithuania to Tallinn, Estonia. Yep, that’s right, we biked through the Baltics and solved global library issues! The 100+ participating librarians came from 26 countries and worked for national, public, academic, and special libraries. We’ll be writing more about the cycling in the next few posts.)

Vilnius’s new airport was quaint and easy to navigate. We were greeted with signs advertising “Recharge in Vilnius!”which turned out to be exactly what we did there. While walking around town for 7 hours (trying to beat jet lag), we saw some great gems. If you’re travelling to Vilnius, we highly recommend a visit to Vingio Park, a relaxing park dating back to the 16th century with a really cool Soviet-era stadium where both the annual Lithuanian song festival and Lady Gaga appear in concert. You can rent bicycles there, run through the beautiful forest paths, or just bring a book and chill in the park.

Vingio Park stadium

Gediminas Castle was completed in 1409 and a wonderfully restored tower remains today. You can take a funicular or the stairs up to the top, where you are rewarded with glorious views of the city that show the juxtaposition of the old and the new architectural styles.

View of Vilnius from Gediminas Castle

We were very charmed by Vilnius. The Old Town was picturesque, the restaurants were excellent, and the shopping was some of the best we’ve experienced in Europe. Plus, there’s nothing like sitting in a cafe with a latte watching the rain to make you fall in love with a city.

Our Favorite Places in Vilnius:

Sue’s India Raja totally knocked our socks off. Mint chicken may not sound good, but after one bite, you’ll be hooked. Who knew that the best Indian food we’ve had outside of India would be in Lithuania?

The Coffee Inn chain is the Starbucks of Lithuania, but so much better. Great furniture, free wifi, and good coffee. Recommend are the Frappes and the Almond Latte.

Alchemikas Cocktail Lab – They handcraft the most delicious cocktails. Each drink is a 5-minute work-of-art and as tasty as it is pretty. At half the price of what you would pay in the US, it is also a bargain.

Rental Bike Pick-Up

Picking up our rental bikes from BaltiCCyle for Cycling for Libraries was quite the adventure. We went to the bike shop in the Old Town and were told that the Cycling for Libraries had a special pickup location at the “bike warehouse.” The description of the warehouse was “Go to the big white building with a hook.” Huh? Once we found the building (you’ll note in the picture that the hook was much more obvious than one would imagine), we followed the spray painted signs to the back, where we could pick up our bikes. After a 3 hour ordeal, where we met many of our cycling colleagues, we set out on the streets of Vilnius by bike with our Po Campo bags in tow.

The building with the bike warehouse in the back.

One of many spray painted green bicycle signs leading us to our destination.

     

After hours of waiting, we had our bikes!

That night we had our first informal meeting at Town Hall, where we got to meet many more members of our new cycling family. We had a great dinner of traditional Lithuanian food, including potato pancakes and beet soup, which comes with more potatoes, the theme of the entire trip. (Seriously, after two weeks of potatoes twice a day, we can never eat another boiled potato. Luckily, we had Chef Pasi on the bike ride and he fed us the most amazing meals ever out of a tent.)

Many of the Cycling for Libraries participants at the Vilnius Town Hall the night before it all started.

Beet soup with potatoes – yum!

Stay tuned for more posts about all of the exciting adventures we had on the road with Cycling for Libraries in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia!

By Karen Holt and April Kessler of bizologie.com. Karen and April are librarians at the University of Texas at Austin and are now super fit after biking nearly 400 miles with amazing librarians from around the world.

A Librarian’s Comprehensive Guide to Nashville

In Cocktails, Coffee, Food, Shopping, Travel on July 25, 2012 at 6:46 pm

Known as Music City, Nashville is home to Country Music (and more recently, the Christian Music industry). Although this does make up a great deal of the city’s history and reputation, Nashville has grown into a modern, cultural metropolis, with nary a cowboy hat to be found (except on the head of a tourist). Although still steeped in the Country and Americana tradition, Nashville is becoming quite a draw for all types of musicians and has become home to many famous rock stars in recent years (Jack White, Ben Folds and the Black Keys, for instance). Like many Southern metropolitan areas, Nashville proper is a Democratic stronghold and the plethora (24 in all) of universities and colleges make for many young, hip residents. Let’s take a look at the best the city has to offer!

Restaurants

La Hacienda Taqueria  
Choosing a Mexican joint can be a difficult exercise in Nashville, since there are so many good ones, but I’ve found La Hacienda to be the most consistent when it comes to quality. Every dish is good, some are excellent and a few just can’t be replicated anywhere else. If an authentic, greasy, cheap Mexican meal is what you desire, La Hacienda is the only place to go. Their happy hour margarita deals are a plus, too. Make sure you don’t confuse the restaurant on Nolensville Pike with other La Haciendas in the area. It’s not a chain and the others will disappoint.

Best bets: Fish Tacos, Enchiladas Tapatias, Molcajete, Fajita Nachos, Carne Asada Steak Tacos
Address: 2615 Nolensville Rd


Las Paletas
When you think about cool treats on a hot day, most people gravitate towards ice cream. However, when you’re in Nashville, a Mexican popsicle from Las Paletas is a much better choice. The Paz sisters, originally from Guadalajara, create gourmet popsicles in traditional flavors like chocolate chip and raspberry-lime but the truly original flavors, like hot-pepper-spiked cucumber, turn the concept of a popsicle on its head. With the list of 15-20 flavors changing daily, you may want to visit more than just once.

Address: 2905 12th Ave S
Neighborhood: 12 South

Barbara’s
The “meat and three” is a Nashville tradition and if you’re looking for true home cooking, Barbara’s is the best. Tucked away in a small house in Franklin, a historic town

20 minutes from Nashville, Barbara’s is unassuming but beloved by locals. The menu is small and doesn’t change from Monday to Friday and every single item is homemade by Barbara herself. The drive is beautiful and the dinner rolls alone make it worth the trip.

Best bets: Skillet Fried Chicken, Poppy seed Chicken Casserole
Hours: M-F: 11-8; Sun: 11-3; CLOSED Saturday
Address: 1232 Old Hillsboro Rd, Franklin 37069

Pancake Pantry
A Nashville tradition in the heart of Hillsboro Village. Be prepared for celebrity sightings, big helpings and long wait times. Every weekend, the line snakes down 21 st Ave as early as 7 a.m. but they get you in (and out) relatively quickly and the pancakes (every combination and type you could ever imagine) are worth it. Come early with your patience and a good attitude and you won’t be disappointed.

Best bets: Sugar & Spice Pancakes, Sweet Potato Pancakes
Address: 1796 21st Ave S
Neighborhood: Hillsboro Village

Ru San’s
Although it may surprise you, Nashville has a plethora of top notch sushi joints. Ru San’s, located in the trendy Gulch district, is my favorite because of the variety and price. From Monday to Saturday, you can get an all you can eat sushi buffet for $9.95! No, really. The restaurant is small and the odd, club-like atmosphere with constantly pumping house music can be distracting but also holds its own charm. Even if you don’t go for the buffet, the evening prices are decent and the helpings are large.

Best bet: Daily lunch buffet, M-Sat: 11:30-2:30
Address: 505 12th Ave S
Neighborhood: The Gulch

Broadway Brewhouse & Mojo Grill
A great bar with an even better Cajun menu, the food at the Brewhouse is cheap, hearty and just really damn good. You can eat in the bar but there’s also a small, quieter seating area in the lobby if you want to avoid the Vanderbilt frat boys. With 5 Nashville area locations, it’s hard to miss but the original location on Broadway is the most rambunctious and a great place to fuel up for a night downtown. (You’ll also get a chance to visit the smallest bathroom in Nashville. I challenge you to find a tinier one.)

Best bets: Cajun burrito, Gumbo, Rice & Beans
Address: 317 Broadway
Neighborhood: Downtown

Bosco’s Bosco’s is known for its award-winning handcrafted beers and gourmet pizzas. A buzzing meeting place, perfect for after work beers, a group outing or a Friday night out with your sweetie, it’s always busy. With the perfect Hillsboro Village location, you can walk to the Belcourt Theatre after dinner or create your own 21st Ave bar crawl. Calling ahead for reservations is your best bet, especially on the weekends.

Best bets: Chocolate Porter, Bombay IPA, Fried Artichoke Hearts, Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Grilled Portabella Club Sandwich
Address: 1805 21st Ave S

Loveless Café
Famous for its biscuits and southern charm, the Loveless Café is a must for any first time Nashville visitor. In addition to the café, the former Loveless Motel now houses privately owned shops, perfect for souvenir browsing and walking off the thousands of calories you just consumed. The Loveless Barn hosts all kinds of events, including Music City Roots, a weekly concert and live radio show, every Wednesday.

Best bets: Famous Fried Chicken, Hashbrown Casserole, Country Ham
Address: 8400 Tennessee HWY 100

Baja Burrito
You’ll find burrito chains a-plenty in Nashville but locally owned Baja Burrito is the superior choice. There’s not much to elaborate on (it’s a burrito joint, after all) but the ingredients are fresh and whatever you choose, you can personalize it to your heart’s content. Parking can be frustrating and tables fill up quickly, so visit during non-peak hours if you can.

Best bets: Fruit tea (seriously, don’t leave without it), El Pescador (fish burrito), taco salad (steak, chicken or veggie), pineapple salsa
Address: 722 Thompson Lane

SATCO (San Antonio Taco Company) Located across the street from Vanderbilt’s main campus, SATCO’s patio is the perfect place for a long lunch and a bucket of beers. Once inside, you fill out your order slip while in line, pass it along to the cashier and wait for the Tex-Mex goodness to appear. Do not skip the queso: it’s the best in Nashville!

Best bets: Chips & Queso, any kind of taco (Try to resist the temptation to fill ‘em up with every topping option. The tortillas are very small and only fit a couple of toppings comfortably.)
Address: 416 21st Ave S
Neighborhood: Hillsboro Village/Vanderbilt

Coffee Shops

Fido
The focus of Vanderbilt’s Hillsboro Village, this pet-shop-turned-coffee-shop attracts all kinds. Offering locally roasted Bongo Java coffee and a robust, mostly organic menu, Fido is the best place to get breakfast or brunch in town. Charmingly continuing the pet shop theme, original coffee creations, like the Hot Dog and Pink Poodle, fulfill the need for caffeine while serving up a chuckle or two. Vandy students can be frequently found on their laptops, so don’t expect to find an available outlet. Come early for breakfast, then spend the morning browsing the shops in the village.

Best bets: The Hot Dog, Hangover Bomb, Spuds McCheesy, Pumpkin Chip muffin (Just get one and throw it in your bag for later. It’s amazing.)
Address: 1812 21st Ave S
Neighborhood: Hillsboro Village

Portland Brew
If you’re looking for a bit of the northwest vibe in Nashville, 12 South is the place to be. If you want northwest coffee, look no further than Portland Brew. Their recently renovated location on 12th Ave is roomy and open, with plenty of seating options. There are cozy booths for studying and large, open tables for socializing. The baristas are true artisans, even if they tend to take themselves a bit too seriously (although, as a former Starbucks barista, the “No, we will NOT make you a caramel macchiato” sign always make me chuckle) but what else would you expect from a coffee shop that is purposefully attempting to transport you to Portland?

Website: no official website but they do have a Facebook page
Address: 2605 12th Ave S. and 3431 Murphy Rd (a quieter Sylvan Park location with more parking)

Crema Crema takes its coffee seriously. This coffee “brewtique” roasts their own artisan beans, offers coffee classes and is committed to buying local and improving the Nashville community. They’re a little hard to find, located in the historic and up-and-coming Rutledge Hill area downtown, but it’s worth the trip. Coffee purists, you won’t find syrups or additions (with the exception of a mocha), but what you will find is damn good coffee for people who (gasp!) actually like the taste of coffee!

Best bets: Cortado, Cuban, homemade granola
Address: 15 Hermitage Ave
Neighborhood: Rutledge Hill/Downtown

Drink Haus Espresso & Tea
A teeny, tiny, unassuming little place in Germantown, Drink Haus produces the best cup of coffee I have ever had. Ever. (And I’ve had A LOT of coffee!) The hours are strange and change frequently and they close on random days, possibly due to staff shortages and/or employee holidays, so be sure to check out the website before you go. I can’t seem to break away from the cappuccino but I have no doubt everything on the menu is outstanding.

Best bets: Cappuccino
Address: 500 Madison St #108

Provence
A French coffee & pastry shop in Hillsboro Village, Provence is a great spot for lunch or treating yourself to a decadent dessert. The food is what shines here, although the coffee is good, too. Beware: the staff may not be the friendliest you’ll encounter but I like to think they’re taking their “Frenchie-ness” very seriously. (I remember my first trip there when I asked for Hazelnut syrup and got a look that would make Donald Trump quiver.) If you’re making a trip to the Nashville Public Library while you’re in town (and you should), there’s also a Provence in the courtyard of the Main Branch on Church St.

Best bets: Cold Brewed Iced Coffee, Croissant Sandwich, Fruit tart, Opera Torte, Macaroons Website:  Address: 1705 21st Ave S and 601 Church St. (Main Library)

Bars

The Patterson House
If you only visit one bar during in Nashville, it should be this one. A classy, modern speakeasy, the Patterson House is nationally renowned for its first class, handcrafted cocktails. 30 original and 20 classic cocktails make up the menu, while the house-made bitters and syrups and meticulously crafted ice (no watery drinks here!) take center stage. The appetizer centric food menu is great but don’t ask for silverware – they literally don’t have any in the building. The drinks may seem pricey but one drink at the Patterson is worth (at least) 2 drinks elsewhere in terms of flavor, quality and alcoholic punch. Librarians and books lovers will enjoy the dark, bookshelf-lined bar and I always get excited when my check comes, not in a typical black folio, but in an old book. Although you may be tempted to sit in the cozy booths that line the walls, the best seat in the house is at the bar, where you can watch the bartenders create these crazy cocktails up close. It’s mesmerizing.

Best bets: Bacon Old Fashioned, Stingy Brim or be adventurous and ask your bartender to whip something up for you. You won’t be disappointed!
Address: 1711 Division St

The Villager
This small, smoky, divey Vanderbilt bar is known for 2 things: darts and dog bowls. If you’re lucky enough to be in town on your birthday, head to the Villager for you free dog bowl full of beer! The bartender will snap your picture and you’ll be pasted on the walls with countless others (myself included). If you love to throw darts while you throw down a beer, the Villager is the place. There’s also a foosball table for those not inclined to throwing things. Oh, and remember when I said it was smoky? Yeah, I’m not kidding. If you have an aversion to cigarette smoke, you may want to skip it.

Address: 1719 21st Ave S
Neighborhood: Hillsboro Village

Legends
If you’re looking for the honky-tonk, cowboy hat side of Nashville…well, it’s probably already apparent that you’re reading the wrong travel guide, but if you just want a taste of it, Legends is a good place to start. Locals (including myself) usually avoid Broadway like the plague, especially on the weekends. The country music Nashville is there but in reality the city has evolved past it, for better or worse. With that being said, Legends is considered the home of country music. It’s a loud, rambunctious bar with live music all the time. It’s the only locale in this guide I have never actually been to myself (for shame, I know) but I feel like it should be included nonetheless.

Address: 428 Broadway
Neighborhood: Downtown/Broadway

Shopping

The Mall at Green Hills An upscale mall in the equally upscale Green Hills neighborhood, The Mall at Green Hills includes everything from the usual retail stores (The Gap, Victoria’s Secret, J. Crew.) to couture (Bebe, Tiffany & Co., Juicy). The immediate area also includes several restaurants (mostly chain) and the best for-profit movie theatre in town.

Address: 2126 Abbott Martin Rd
Neighborhood: Green Hills

Opry Mills Mall
Recently reopened after the devastation of the 2010 Flood, the Opry Mills Mall took the place of the Opryland USA Amusement Park after its demolition in 1997. Opry Mills is technically an outlet mall but there are some unique stores and restaurants there as well. Although some of the retailers did not return after the closure in 2010, the reopening also saw some new additions. The mall is also the location of the only IMAX movie theatre in Nashville and the Grand Old Opry House, the General Jackson Showboat and the legendary Opryland Hotel are in the immediate area.

Address: 433 Opry Mills Dr

Cool Springs Galleria
The most typical mall in the Nashville area, Cool Springs is a quick 20 minute drive from Nashville and, if you include the greater Cool Springs area, encompasses just about very retail store or restaurant you could ever want and/or need….and a few you don’t.

Address: 1800 Galleria Blvd; Franklin, TN
Neighborhood: Cool Springs/Franklin

Hillsboro Village
A cute, hip set of stores and restaurants close to the Vanderbilt campus. Good for picking up unique souvenirs and one-of-a-kind gifts and fashion.
Recommended Shops:
o A Thousand Faces
o Pangaea
o Posh
o Fire Finch
o Book Man/Book Woman

12 South
A relatively new trendy neighborhood that evokes the feeling of the Northwest, 12 South hosts a variety of local businesses, art galleries and restaurants for just about any taste or type.
Recommend Shops:
o Imogene & Willie’s Jean Shop
o Corner Music
o Fork’s Drum Closet
o Minor Jewelry
o Savant Vintage
o Serendipity
o Katy K’s Ranch Dressing

Hatch Show Print
A Nashville icon, Hatch Show Print opened in 1879 and is one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in the nation. Even if you’ve never heard of them, chances are you’ve seen the work. Now owned by the Country Music Hall of Fame, Hatch’s focus has always been country music and that tradition continues today. Hatch Show hand prints all concert posters for the Ryman Auditorium and other events and businesses around town. The shop itself does have a handful of prints to sell but the coolest thing about visiting is watching the artists at work.

Hours: M-Sat 9-5
No website but they do have a Facebook page
Address: 316 Broadway

Bookstores & Libraries

B&N
With the exception of the newly opened Vanderbilt B&N college bookstore, the Cool Springs location is the only chain bookstore in the immediate Nashville area. It’s your typical Barnes & Noble, with a café serving Starbucks coffee and a music & DVD department. I spent 9 years working as a bookseller here. The booksellers are good people and will help you find what you need.

Address: 1701 Mallory Lane, Franklin
Neighborhood: Cool Springs/Franklin

Parnassus Books
After the closing of 3 major bookstores in the Nashville area, local author Ann Patchett saw a gaping need for a local bookstore and opened her own. The space is small and librarians might be a little frustrated by the wonky shelving system (mostly due, I think, to the limited inventory) but it’s quite charming and the booksellers are incredibly dedicated. Parnassus also pulls in quite a few high profile author signings, most likely due to Patchett’s own status as a prize winning author.

Address: 3900 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 14
Neighborhood: Green Hills

Book Man/Book Woman
With over 100,000 books, you can get lost in Book Man/Book Woman, a historic used bookstore in Hillsboro Village. Although they specialize in first editions and rare books, they pride themselves on always keeping the New York Times Bestsellers in stock and at discounted rates. Check out their website for a 20% off coupon!

Address: 1713 21st Ave S
Neighborhood: Hillsboro Village

McKay: Used Books, CDs, Movies & More
When I go to McKay, I block out at least 2 hours of time to check in my items for trade and browse around. This place feeds my book addiction more than anywhere else. How can you pass up a copy of that book you’ve been “meaning to read” for only $1? Or a hardcover edition of your favorite book for $5? You can also find good prices on movies (DVD and BluRay), TV box sets, video games and CDs. (You know, if you’re old school and still buy CDs.) They even have some used electronics, like iPods and e-readers and video game consoles. Be prepared to get comfortable with fellow browsers in the slightly narrow aisles, see a local character or two and search. Like Parnassus, the librarian in me shudders at the shelving system from time to time but the bargains make it worth the time trying to find out where they put the random thing you’re on the hunt for.

Address: 636 Old Hickory Blvd
Neighborhood: Bellevue/West Side

Nashville Public Library (Main)
I may be a bit biased but the Nashville Public Library is one of the best in the country. In 2010, NPL received the IMLS National Medal for Museum & Library Service for several programs developed at the library, including Bringing Books to Life, a day care program, Limitless Libraries, an impressive partnership with Metro Nashville high schools, and their continuous promotion of cultural understanding. The NPL’s main branch, built in 2001, is a beautiful, 300,000 sq ft building and any librarian (or library lover) will enjoy spending a few hours there. Enjoy a coffee break or lunch at the Provence Café in the courtyard, wander around the art gallery or kick back with a book in the Grand Reading Room. There are always great (and free!) events at the library, so check the website to see what’s happening when you’re in town.

Parking in the garage is free for the first 90 minutes, with a weekday maximum of $8 and a weekend maximum of $4. (Be sure to take your parking ticket in to be validated.)

Address: 615 Church St Neighborhood: Downtown

Tennessee State Library & Archives
The Tennessee State Library & Archives is a treasure trove for scholars, history buffs and those wishing to learn a bit more about their family history. Genealogy research is the main focus of the State Library but it also contains the complete Legislative History of Tennessee, the Governor’s papers and millions of other original records. TSLA is located directly across the street from the State Capitol and next to the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Address: 403 7th Ave N
Neighborhood: Downtown

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Frist Center for the Arts
A non-profit art gallery, the Frist Center presents art from both local and regional artists and
hosts major national and international touring exhibitions. There are at least 2 exhibitions at
any given time, usually including a main, large exhibit and a second smaller exhibit. Upstairs is
the Martin ArtQuest Gallery, an interactive space for kids of all ages to explore, create and learn
about art. The Frist Café is a good place to grab a quick lunch or snack and the Gift Shop is a
great place to pick up unique, artful souvenirs. College students get in for free on Thursday and
Friday evenings with a valid college ID and at a discounted rate during all other hours. Guided
iPod tours are available for $2 and docent- guided walk- up tours are available for free Monday-Friday at 1:30 pm.

Address: 919 Broadway
Neighborhood: Downtown

Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art
Originally the home of the Cheeks, one of Nashville’s premier entrepreneurial families and
original investors in Maxwell House Coffee (also home to Nashville), Cheekwood is now a
beautiful public garden and art museum. Although simply walking the gardens and the mansion
alone is worth the trip, there are always separate inside and outside art exhibits that make
the visit even more exciting. You can bring a picnic lunch and eat in the grounds, or eat at The
Pineapple Room restaurant. Admission discounts given for seniors, college students and military
personnel. Cheekwood is always closed on Mondays, with the exception of Memorial and Labor
Day.

Address: 1200 Forest Park Drive
Neighborhood: Bellevue/West Side

Country Music Hall of Fame
Operated by the Country Music Foundation, the Hall of Fame operates as both a Nashville
history museum and an international music museum to identify and preserve the history and
tradition of country music. The original Hall of Fame lived on Music Row for almost 40 years
before moving to its current location on the riverfront in 2001. In addition to the permanent
collection, there is always a featured exhibit. Guided tours of the Historic RCA Studio are also
available for an additional fee. (These tours require a reservation made at least 24 hours in
advance.)

Address: 225 5th Ave S
Neighborhood: Downtown

Belcourt Theatre
A local treasure, the Belcourt is a non-profit movie theatre and concert venue dedicated to
bringing Nashville “the best of independent, documentary, world, repertoire and classic cinema.” Showing both current, independent cinema and classic film on the big screen, the Belcourt is one of the best art house theatres in the nation and also hosts music concerts, educational film lectures and other events. In addition to the traditional movie theatre fare, the Belcourt also offers a full bar to those over 21. If you buy your tickets online, a parking pass will print out with your ticket for the lot directly behind the theatre. This is strongly recommended since parking in the Village can be a nightmare, especially on weekend evenings.

Address: 2102 Belcourt Ave
Neighborhood: Hillsboro Village

Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC)
Home to the Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera and Tennessee Reparatory Theatre, TPAC
presents a series of touring Broadway shows, as well as concerts, special events and educational
programs. They do offer”rush” students tickets, if available, for $10 45 minutes before show
time (but not for any of the Broadway shows).

Address: 505 Deaderick St
Neighborhood: Downtown

Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Home to the Nashville Symphony, the Schermerhorn, named for a Grammy award winning
former maestro of the Nashville Symphony, is an incredibly beautiful building recently opened
in 2006. The focus of the Laura Turner Concert Hall is the custom built concert organ with
3,568 pipes. Even if you can’t make it to one of the symphony concerts, you should stop by the
building, which is directly across the street from the Country Music Hall of Fame. Free tours are
given on most Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1 pm. An official tour schedule is posted on the
website but calling ahead is recommended.

Address: 1 Symphony Place
Neighborhood: Downtown

Grand Old Opry
Known as the home of American Music, the Grand Old Opry Radio Show has had many homes
since its inception in 1925 but has lived at the current location near Opryland Hotel and Opry
Mills Mall the longest. There are more than 150 Opry shows every year, with performances from
country music legends, current country stars and talented artists from all genres. In addition
to performances on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, guided Opry tours are given seven days a
week from February to October. Reservations can be made up to 2 weeks in advance.

Address: 284 Opryland Dr.
Neighborhood: Opryland/Opry Mills

Photo by TRAFFIK [US]

The Parthenon

The focus of Nashville’s Centennial Park, the Parthenon and Athena statue are full size replicas
of the Athenian originals originally built for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897 and
alludes to Nashville’s nickname as the “Athens of the South”, due to the 24 higher education
institutions in the metro area. Inside the Parthenon is a permanent art collection and museum.
The museum is open year round Tuesday to Saturday from 9-4:30 with an adult admission price
of $6.

Address: corner of West End and 25th Ave
Neighborhood: West End/Vanderbilt

The Hermitage
The Hermitage is a 1,000 acre plantation purchased by Andrew Jackson before he was elected
as the 45th President. Jackson oversaw the building of the mansion, gardens and other buildings
on the grounds. It is considered to be the most well-preserved presidential home in the nation,
with 16 million visitors since its opening as a museum in 1889.

The Hermitage is open daily from 9-4:30 from October 16 – March 31 and 8:30 – 5 from April
1 – October 15. Admission discounts include seniors, active military, students (ages 16-18) and
children (ages 6-12).

Address: 4580 Rachel’s Lane
Neighborhood: East Side/Opryland

Arrington Vineyards
Owned and operated by Kix Brooks, one half of the award winning country duo Brooks & Dunn,
and 2 business associates, Arrington is the closest winery to Nashville. A quick 25 minutes drive
from town, Arrington is a great place to escape the tourist trappings of the big city. Although
there is no restaurant on the premises, guests are welcome to bring a picnic meal. You can also
have a picnic meal delivered to you from Simply Living Life (online ordering is available). The gift
shop also sells chocolates, cheese, crackers and sausage. Free wine tastings are available on a
daily basis and the “Music in the Vines” events on the weekends make for a fun night under the
stars. They only sell wine by the bottle (no glasses) but you can bring your own glasses, use the
winery’s plastic wine cups or purchase Arrington glasses in the gift shop. No other alcohol or wine is allowed on the premises.

Address: 6211 Patton Rd, Arrington, TN

Music Venues

It’s not surprising that there are a plethora of music venues in Music City. I’ve highlighted four of my
favorites and listed a few more.

The Basement
Owned and operated by Mike Grimes, one of Nashville’s favorite entrepreneurs, the Basement
is a small venue located in the basement of Grimey’s, Mike’s nationally renowned record store.
The Basement books mostly local bands, with rare “secret” shows by some of Nashville’s more
famous recording artists. 21 + only and no smoking (although there is a large outdoor smoking
patio).

Address: 1604 8th Ave S
Neighborhood: Belmont/Downtown

Bluebird Café
The Bluebird Café is legendary both to Nashville and the national music scene at large. Many
Nashville stars got their start here, including Garth Brooks, who was “discovered” during an
open mic night. Although you never know which superstar might pop in, the focus here is on
the songwriters, the “heroes behind the hits”. The scene is intimate and purposefully serene,
with seating for only 100. Although the early shows have some “first come, first served” seating
around the bar, all evening shows require a reservation, which can be made online. Early shows,
Sunday shows and Monday night open mic shows do not have a cover charge. All other shows
do have a cover charge which goes directly to the musicians. There is also a $7 food & drink
minimum purchase for ALL shows. Artists such as Leann Rimes, John Prine and Phil Vassar have
been known to make appearances.

Address: 4104 Hillsboro Pike
Neighborhood: Green Hills

3rd & Lindsley
One of my favorite places to see a show in Nashville, 3rd & Lindsley books local and nationallyknown recording artists. Their restaurant is also good, so come early, snag a table and have dinner before the show. Many shows during the week are under $10 or free.

Address: 818 3rd Ave S
Neighborhood: Downtown/Broadway

Ryman Auditorium
Known as the Mother Church of Country Music, the Ryman has a rich and varied history. It’s
rumored to have the best acoustics in the country, second only to the Mormon Tabernacle in
Salt Lake City. It is, hands down, the best place to see a show, not only in Nashville, but quite
possibly anywhere. Museum by day and concert venue by night, the Ryman began as a church
and was the home of the Grand Old Opry and the WSM radio show for 50 years. Originally built
by Tom Ryman for Rev. Sam Jones and named the Union Gospel Tabernacle, the structure has
been cosmetically remodeled many times over the years but still retains the church pews and
the original structure remains intact. If there’s a show you’re even slightly interested in while
you’re visiting, go. It will be worth it, I promise. Artists on the Ryman stage understand the
sanctity and gravity of performing at the venue and pull out all the stops.

Tours are given daily from 9-4. Self-guided tours are $13, $6.50 for children 4-11 and guided,
backstage tours are $17, $10.50 for children 4-11.

Exit/In
The “CBGB” of Nashville

Address: 2208 Elliston Place
Cannery Ballroom/Mercy Lounge

Address: One Cannery Row

Bridgestone Arena

Address: 501 Broadway

Record Stores

Grimey’s
Widely known as the best record store in Nashville (and one of the best in the country),Grimey’s is a must for any audiophile. New and used vinyl and CDs line the walls and take up the aisles, while your new favorite band you haven’t heard yet pumps through the store speakers. If you can, be sure to visit for Beer Thirty. Every weekday at 5:30, employees pass out free beer to everyone over 21. Most indie artists in town for a performance will play a free show at Grimey’s the day before (or afternoon of) their performance. The in-stores are crowded but very worth it.

Address: 1604 8th Ave S
Neighborhood: Belmont/Downtown

Phonoluxe
The closest you’ll get to High Fidelity in Nashville, Phonoluxe is not nearly as friendly and
welcoming as Grimey’s but if you can get past the lousy attitudes of the staff, you could find
some treasures. Plus, it’s right next to do La Hacienda, so stop in after your margaritas.

No website
Address: 2609 Nolensville Pike

Great Escape
The old Great Escape location on Broadway was a Nashville legend. Unfortunately, rent became
too high for the small record store and they decided to expand their west side location and
leave the store on Broadway. I haven’t been to the new location but many say it doesn’t have
the charm of the grubby, older store. It’s still worth a visit, especially if you’re a comic book
fan. Along with the used vinyl and CDs, you can find photographs, prints, collector’s items,
memorabilia, DVDs and all kinds of crazy things you could only find in Music City.

Address: 5400 Charlotte Ave
Neighborhood: West Side/Bellevue

Photo by Josh Bousel

Ernest Tubb Record Shop
Ernest Tubb, a country music pioneer, founded this legendary record shop in 1947. Selling only
Country, Americana and Bluegrass, you’ll find long forgotten artists, hard to find releases and
the generally obscure. Located right in the heart of Downtown, on the Broadway strip, it is a
prime destination for country music fans and tourists. It’s also home to the country’s second
longest running radio show, the Midnight Jamboree, on Saturday nights.

Address: 417 Broadway
Neighborhood: Downtown/Broadway

Yarn Stores

Bliss Yarns
Bliss is my favorite local yarn store (yeah, they know me by name). Everyone there is incredibly
knowledgeable, friendly and ready to help. Even if you’re not shopping, you can stop by and knit
whenever you like (there are always people gathered around the table) or come in for help with
a knitting question or disaster. They have great sales on Wednesdays during the summer and
if you’re lucky enough to be in Nashville at the end of August, you cannot miss their Junk in the
Trunk sale. Dozens of people bring yarn to sell, many simply pulling up their cars and opening
the trunk (hence the name). But be warned: set yourself a dollar limit before you go, or you will
end up buying every single skein you see.

Address: 127 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN
Neighborhood: Brentwood/South Nashville

Haus of Yarn
I don’t visit Haus of Yarn very often, mostly because Bliss is so close to my heart (and my
apartment) but the new location is much larger and more welcoming than the old and with the
increase in square footage, the selection has expanded as well.

Address: 265 White Bridge Pike
Neighborhood: West Side

Sports, Parks & Recreation

Centennial Park
Created for Nashville’s Centennial celebration, Centennial Park is located at the corner of West
End and 25th Ave and includes the Parthenon, a one mile walking trail, a man-made lake, band
shell and other amenities. Centennial hosts many events during the year, including the Arts &
Crafts Festival and Shakespeare in the Park.

Address: 2500 West End Ave
Neighborhood: West End/Downtown

Edwin & Percy Warner Park
The largest municipal park in Tennessee, the two Warner Parks include 2684 acres of forestless than 10 miles from downtown Nashville. The two neighboring parks include picnic areas,walking and hiking trails, an equestrian center and horse riding trails, athletic fields and golfcourses. If you’re looking for a place to run while you’re in town, this is one of the best (but beware of the crazy hills).

Address: Edwin Warner, 50 Vaughn Rd; Percy Warner, 2500 Old Hickory Blvd
Neighborhood: Bellevue

Ellington Agricultural Center
Encompassing 207 acres, the Ellington Agricultural Center is home to the Tennessee Department
of Agriculture, the Tennessee Agriculture Museum and the official Tennessee Iris Garden and
includes a greenway (great for running) and the Rogers Walking Trail. Buildings (including the
museum) are open to the public from Monday through Friday 9 to 4m, except for state holidays.

Address: 440 Hogan Rd

Tennessee Titans (NFL)
Home: LP Field
Season: August to December

Nashville Predators (NHL)
Home: Bridgestone Arena
Season: October to April
Nashville Rollergirls (Roller Derby)
Home: Nashville Municipal Auditorium
Season: March to September
Nashville Sounds (Minor League Baseball)
Home: Greer Stadium
Season: April to September

Written by Laura Sheets. Laura is a recent MLIS graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a Reader Advisor at the Tennessee Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped. She has lived in Nashville for ten years where she knits, reads, runs, watches too much British TV and plays fetch with her cat.

Biking in Style

In Conferences, Fashion, Health & Fitness, Shopping, Travel on July 23, 2012 at 4:12 am

This week we’re headed to Cycling for Libraries and of course, the first thing we did to prepare for the ride was to find the cutest cycling clothes and accessories around. Here are some of our favorites.

April’s Picks (aka Not being a sporty girl, but wanting to look like Sporty Spice…)

Shopping for padded drawers is new for me. I was hoping that they would add a little junk in the trunk and I’d look like JLo. Turns out they made my butt look even flatter (which I seriously didn’t think could happen). Plus, as an added bonus, it feels like you are wearing a diaper. Knowing that I would really appreciate that padding after 12 days of 35 miles each, how was I going to make these cute?

Leave it to a fashionable, professional triathlete to figure out how to make it work – she added an adorable skirt! Check out Skirt Sports. I laughed when I read that this skirt would get you whistles, but I did get my first cycling cat call while wearing it the first time.

Bling out your bike with LED wheel valve lights. Check out the pink. I need to do some serious night riding now!

First off, how can you go wrong with that name like We Flashy, second these are really cute designs for guys and gals. It’s “reflective clothing for modern times” and they work the reflective material right into the pattern of the adorable clothes. I’m in love with this polka dot pullover.

Being a big fan of the handbag, I couldn’t just get any bag for my bike. Po Campo combines style and function. The ladies from Chicago know how to make a cute versatile bag. It can be used on the bike, to carry your yoga bag, or even as a diaper bag.
The clutch is perfect, it goes from the handlebars to the bars seamlessly.

Po Campo is offering a 15% discount to our readers – just enter PoCampo15 when checking out at pocampo.com

Another accessory that is must, but is usually not very attractive is your helmet. Yakkay is making helmets into hats. Pick the color of your helmet and then pick the cover you want. Then, you can change the look by changing the cover. My favorite is the Tokyo Flower and Karen is a fan of the Tokyo Blue Stripe. We both want to check out the 60s shaped hat, you know the one that looks like a horse riding helmet. These could be perfect or so wrong.

Karen’s Picks:

From bells to bags, I love accessories!  Since we started training for Cycling for Libraries, I’ve been doing lots of research to find the cutest accessories around, and here are some of my favorites.

With all of the things you need to buy for your bike, who doesn’t love getting a good deal?  Chain Love offers primo pieces of cycling gear on their site for ridiculously low prices. Sign up for Instant Alerts so that you always know what the deal is.

I find the most adorable and unique things at museum shops, and these all weather bike lights from Stockholm’s Moderna Museet are no exception. Functional and adorable, they come in 4 cute color ways.

                          

These horns, also from the Moderna Museet, are a blast. Cute and retro, they are sure to help you make any pedestrian or cyclist aware of your presence.

Electra makes some of my favorite bicycle bells. They have some really fun abstract designs and I love the simplicity and the pink color of this I Heart My Bike bell.

Helmet design has come a long way in the last 5 years and there are some great designs out there for women.  I’ve become a big fan of the Bern helmet and I love their color combos.

(Who doesn’t look great turquoise!)

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the cute helmets for kids. I just got this adorable Nutcase helmet for my daughter. She hates hats, but she loves her cute helmet and refuses to take it off.  Nutcase also makes some fun helmets for adults. The best part is that on the back it says “I love my brain.” I can’t think of anything more fitting.

April already mentioned these, but I just wanted to say that Po Campo bike bags are the best!  Seriously, if there is one accessory you buy (apart from a helmet and lights), get one of these bags. They fit easily onto your bike rack, so you don’t have to worry about what to do with your bag, and when you’re done with your ride, you have a cute bag to carry around. I just picked up this cute satchel at Rocket Electrics in Austin. (They have last year’s styles if you’re looking for Po Campo vintage.)  Also, you can use our discount code if you buy at PoCampo.com. Enter the code PoCampo15 to get 15% off.

Me, my Bianchi, and my Po Campo bag.

Interested in seeing more great cycling clothes and accessories?  Check out these sites!

Cycle Chic

Cycle Fashion

By April Kessler and Karen Holt. April and Karen are librarians at The University of Texas at Austin and they departing tomorrow for Cycling for Libraries in the Baltics. They tweet @bizologie and @karenholt respectively, and you can follow their biking adventures on Librarian Lifestyle and Bizologie.

Conferences and Shoes

In Conferences, Fashion, Travel on June 27, 2012 at 7:17 pm

The subject of what shoes to bring to conferences, and what not to, has been on my mind lately since this is conference season for a lot of us. I just got back from the 2012 ALA convention in Anaheim, CA and while I didn’t have to go too far from the convention center and surrounding hotels, I did get  in a lot of walking.

Before I left for the conference I dithered about what shoes to bring. Did I need a dressy pair? How about sneakers? Were the Birkenstocks too flat, too frumpy, just too Birkenstocky? Heels or flats? Black, nude, brown? How much room in my carry-on luggage did I have for x-number of shoes?

I packed and unpacked different pairs of shoes until right before I left for the airport, and even then questioned my choices. (As for clothes, no problem – just threw in mix ‘n match T-shirts, denim skirts, one pair of black pants, cardigans, and voila!)

I ended up with these:

And these:

(I also packed cheapo flip-flops, and sneakers, but I never did wear them.)

The Cole Haan wedge shoes were comfy and easy to walk in, for the first day. I ended up wearing them for 3-1/2 days and by the time I got home I just wanted to burn them. The Clark wedges were fine, but not for extended walking.

Why, oh why, didn’t I bring these?

and/or these?

By the last morning of the conference, I was craving comfort and cursing myself for leaving my less stylish (OK dowdy) shoes at home. The trek through the airport wasn’t so delightful either.

Will I ever learn? I know I’ll be facing the same dilemma the next time I pack for a trip.

How about you?

(Alexandra Simons is the History/Political Science/Gov Docs librarian at the University of Houston. She has a hard time finding shoes that fit. She has spent too much money at Nordstrom and Zappos.)

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