1 February 2014

Issue 2

Volume 1

By: Kevin Martin

Thank you for taking the time to read my magazine! This month we are featuring Nashville, Tennessee. Cam Bell and myself set out to explore and understand the city and the vibe that comes along with Music City. A friend of mine who lives in Nashville said that we had seen more in one day than he had in six years of living there! This gave me hope that what we are bringing you is, in some cases, even more informed than the folks who live there. And, speaking of local, be sure to check out the antiquing article this month. It is brought to you by a Nashville area native who knows her stuff. We are always looking for articles! Submissions@IndulgeSE.com. In March, get ready for Tampa, Florida. Indulge is heading south for the winter to bring you coverage of an ocean town, a bay town, a gulf town! Much as we did in Nashville, follow us on Twitter @IndulgeSE to get the inside scoop and behind the scenes look at the crazy running around and hectic schedules that allow us to gain total coverage! We are constantly striving to improve your experience and our own. If you have questions or suggestions, contact me at Kevin@IndulgeSE.com. Thanks for your patience with the website that, as much as I’ve tried, I still don’t have quite right. I do have a tech guru contacting me this week in order to, hopefully, give you a much more aesthetically pleasing viewing experience in the future.

A Letter From The Creator

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

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Many times during the year, you can find “great” airline ticket deals. More times than not though, these great deals come with stipulations. It makes sense that the cheapest tickets will be in the least desirable seats, but many times, the airline won’t tell you which seats those are, so you are left to guess and be charged more if you don’t select correctly. Generally, your best bet will be to let the airline pick the seat number that will correspond to the cheaper price.

Also, be aware that just because you can fly for cheap doesn’t mean that your luggage can, as well. For most major airlines, checked luggage will cost you money; particularly if you are flying domestically. Plus, bags over a certain weight (usually 50 lbs.) are considered heavy and will cost an additional fee. Some airlines even charge you more to check your luggage if you do it on the day of your flight, while others will charge you extra if you have a purse AND a laptop bag as carry-on items.

The other thing that you will see a lot with special airline pricing is blackout dates. Make sure before you buy that the dates you want to fly are available at the discounted price. Many times, there are restrictions involving flights during holiday periods. Make sure you find out how many times a week they make the flight you are considering, as well.

That being said, don’t stop searching for inexpensive flights to where you want to go. Depending on your closest airport, you might be able to find very cheap flights, especially if you’re open to their pick of destinations. You just may end up somewhere you never expected!

My important tip this month is to be aware! Check the website or call the airline and make sure that you have all of the details you need so that your cheap $85 roundtrip flight doesn’t turn into a typical $250+ airfare.

By: Kevo B

ooker

Music City, USA – Nashville, Tennessee

Music City, USA A majority of Nashville sights are in the mile and a half between Music Row and Broadway at the riverfront and within a few blocks in either direction. There are obvious exceptions. LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans, sits opposite Broadway across the river next to Cumberland Park, President Andrew Jackson lived at the Hermitage, 10 miles east of downtown, and Opry Mills, which houses the Grand Ole Opry, is about a 20 minute trip from Broadway.

There is so much to get into downtown that it may be hard to figure out where to

start or how to conquer it all. Fear not! That’s why Indulge does the exploring for

you. Nothing can really be accomplished without parking and that is the one big

negative about the downtown area. There may be plenty, but it can cost a small

fortune! Most meters have a two hour time limit and it is illegal to leave a vehicle

there for more than two hours. Plentiful parking structures charge based on the day

of the week. A nice trick, if the weather is pretty and no events are taking place, is to

park across the river at LP Field (free parking), hop the color changing elevator up to

the Shelby Avenue pedestrian bridge, and stroll across the river into downtown.

Music City, USA

Music City, USA Otherwise, plan to pay $10 to $15 whenever

you park. If you’re headed downtown, plan to stay for the day to save money on spaces. Or, if your hotel is near downtown, catch a cab for around $8 in each

direction. The advantage there is that you don’t have to worry about driving and cabs are always at the ready. Truly though, staying all day is not a

problem. Street polls have attached city maps to help you navigate.

From the terminus of Broadway at the Cumberland River, begin your

adventures downtown in the shadow of the AT&T Batman building.

Find and grab a copy of Nashville Scene. If the weather is suitable, find

a Nashville B-Cycle Bike Sharing rack and rent a bicycle to get around.

The Music City Trolley Hop has 7 stops between 2nd Avenue and the

Parthenon at Centennial Park. A fee gains you access for a full day.

Taxis are another option for transportation and cost around $10 if you

stay in the downtown area.

Music City, USA Downtown Street Post With City Map

Music City, USA • . I recommend walking, though. Particularly when the

weather is pretty, there is so much to see and interact with in downtown Nashville that being on foot is likely the easiest way to take it all in.

Shortly after parking, cross the Deaderick Street Bridge, turn right, and walk past the Titans LP Field. Work your way south to the Shelby Avenue pedestrian bridge via Cumberland Park, a pretty little area at the base of the bridge that has scenic views and is kid friendly. Take the bridge from the end to save a few stairs, take the stairs to save a few steps, or take the elevator so save on both and enjoy the view of the Nashville skyline as you make your way back towards Broadway across the Cumberland River. Take the stairs down to 2nd Avenue, move back towards the river to 1st Avenue, turn left and in one scenic block you will arrive at the eastern end of Broadway, the Hard Rock Café, the Music City Trolley Hop main stop is visible at the corner of 2nd and Broadway, and the whole of The District lays in wait in front of you! Behind you are Riverfront Park and Fort Nashborough and around you, music plays from boxes on street corners.

If hunger is the priority, head north

on 2nd or straight up Broadway. There are

many themed food options in The District.

There are also many record shops, bars,

giant, well lit signs of the purveyors,

souvenir stores, and beautiful old

architecture. And, this is where to people

watch. Street musicians bellow tunes or

pick pleasantly, mostly, on guitars or

mandolins.

Music City, USA

Once it is time to see the sights, why not

start with the Ryman Auditorium? It is the

gem of Nashville, holds the soul of country

music, and has housed all of the most

influential and famous country artists of the

20th century. That’s not even mentioning that

it’s a beautiful structure. There are tours

available and coupons are attached to city

maps to save you a few dollars.

Music City, USA

After the Ryman, the Johnny Cash Museum, containing the largest

collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia in the world, is

waiting. After visiting there, trek through Printers Alley, where many bars

and restaurants are located. This is a world famous section of Nashville

that contains some great Victorian architecture!

That means it’s time to spend a little bit

outside. Head due north for four blocks and

see the Capitol Building of the state of

Tennessee. Beyond that is the long grass

green of Bicentennial Capitol Mall where a

chorus of bells rings in each hour. If you

want to picnic in downtown Nashville, this

is a perfect place. Adjacent to the park is

the Nashville Farmers Market.

Music City, USA At the northern end of the mall

is the Germantown section of Nashville.

There are shops and restaurants in the

little community. They have a yearly

street festival with street vendors and

community shops displaying their

wares to the sounds of live music. Once

you make your way back down toward

The District, make sure to see the

Tennessee State Museum for a history

lesson on the state, or the Musicians

Hall of Fame and Museum, where

artists from every genre are celebrated.

Afterwards, check out the library. It is an amazing example of architecture. Then, if you’re still in an architectural mood, head west on Broadway to Union Station Hotel, formerly the main train station in Nashville, to see a spectacular view of the gothic, castle-like structure. Back towards the river and a block south of Broadway is the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which has its own beautiful architectural styling.

Music City, USA However, if you’re still in a

museum mood, walk past the

Bridgestone Arena to the Country

Music Hall of Fame. See photos

and relics of the greatest names in

country music. It is a must visit for

fans of the genre! And, while you’re

there, visit Hatch Show Print for

some of the most amazing music

posters you will ever see in one

place. It’s not a gift shop but a fully

operational poster company.

Once you’ve finished the Hall

of Fame, head five blocks west to

The Gulch, an upscale Nashville

neighborhood with several retail

shops and dining choices. Then, it’s

off to Music Row! There are many

recording studios, ASCAP has

offices there, streets are named

after famous musicians, bike racks

look like giant microphone cords,

and you’ll pass a majority of the

bars if you get there on

Demonbreun Street.

Music City, USA Owen Bradley Park sits at the roundabout at Demonbreun

and is dedicated to Nashville’s musical heritage.

The park contains a full scale sculpture of Owen

Bradley playing a grand piano.

From there, it is a healthy walk or a tiny taxi ride to Centennial Park,

which houses Nashville’s replica of Greece’s Parthenon. This is another

great place to picnic within the confines of downtown, since they offer

acres of green grass and a pond. A visit into the Parthenon will reveal the

44 ft. tall Athena Statue, which pays tribute to the original Athena Statue

in Greece’s Parthenon. The art museum won’t take your whole day and is

definitely worth a stop. While you are in Nashville’s West End, be sure to

see Vanderbilt University’s football stadium across the street from

Centennial Park. There are food options in this area but not a lot of bar

action. If you’re a fan of American Pickers, there is an Antique Archaeology

just minutes from the West End.

Music City, USA There you have it, loosely! The downtown section of

Nashville is easily dense enough to explore for two or three days if you

really want to experience everything that Music City has to offer. If your

time is limited, it may be easier to decide what to see by your own personal

interests, since there are countless restaurants, bars, cafes, gift shops,

and attractions downtown. A final note here, The District, Germantown,

The Gulch are relatively close to one another. And, while, Music Row and

West End are within walking distance of downtown, be aware that there

are some areas of heavy traffic and it may be safer to catch a ride, either

by taxi or the Trolley Hop.

The Hermitage, the home of President Andrew Jackson stands just a few miles out of town. As a matter of fact, according to the Nashville map, the Belle Meade Plantation, Belmont Mansion, Carnton Plantation, Rippavilla Plantation, James K. Polk Home, Sam Davis Home and Museum, the Carter House and the Lotz House, all Antebellum and Civil War related sites, are within 45 minutes of downtown.

Music City, USA Referred to as Music Valley, the area around

Opry Mills is an explosion of entertainment options

with a 24 mph speed limit. Not only are there two golf courses right there,

more shopping than most of us have money for, themed restaurants to

keep the kids happy, and hotels, Music Valley is the home of The Grand

Ole Opry, where the biggest stars in country music play today!

The Opry Mills Mall has retail and outlet shops and may very easily be the premier people watching establishment in Nashville. The Gaylord Opryland Hotel is one of the more posh establishments in Nashville. Within the confines of Opry Mills is a dock for the General Jackson paddle wheel river boat. And, just across the street to the north is Cooter’s Garage, a free museum dedicated to everything Dukes of Hazzard. Next door is the Willie Nelson and Friends Museum and Gift Shop.

Music City, USA Nashville is a 21st century city with a two hundred year

old history. The city has done what is necessary to thrive for centuries and

it shows in a visit. Finally, for the million dollar question – Would I visit

again? That answer is a resounding YES! Nashville has a vibrancy and life

that is optimistic. Southern Hospitality is in full swing. This is a great

place to visit and most of what I’ve discussed here is all for before the sun

sets. After that, Nashville lights up! There is a great live music/bar scene,

particularly in The District. Great architecture and historical sites abound.

I understand the draw and I will be back there again soon!

Any Nashville antique hunter worth the butter on his biscuit knows the best kept secret in town. About 20 minutes outside of Nashville, and even closer to the airport, there is a quaint town square. In the center of this square is a monument to the Confederate war dead, with a statue of General Robert Hatton on top. A public parking lot surrounds the green space. Once you park your car, get ready for to get all your exercise for the week. You will spend the rest of the day taking a trip through what feels like the storerooms of a museum.

Small shops abound in Lebanon, the seat of Wilson County. They may not seem like much from the street. Don’t let their simplicity fool you. Step through the screen door of The Screen Door shop, and enter a world of eclectic wonderment. The seemingly unimposing shop holds an ever-changing array of things from many eras, from before the Civil War up to the 1950s. To the uninitiated, those who would take a look at the plainness of the establishment, they would miss the hidden treasures to be found. In amongst the Pyrex refrigerator dishes and the Depression Era glass, you may just find a Japanese marquetry cabinet secreted in a dark corner, with a price so low as to give a body chills.

Near the Screen Door, there’s Cottage Rose. This is a larger shop, and it is filled, warehouse style, with furniture. Whereas Screen Door had smaller antiques, Cottage Rose plays host to a massive collection of household goods. Beds, dressers, chests, dining tables and sideboards large enough for a banquet hall are stashed. There is no artful arranging here, no creative display, just furniture put in a building to make the most of the allotted space. As with any buying, the savvy shopper will carefully examine their chosen item of living history, to ascertain the true age and condition of a piece before speaking with the staff and trying to strike the best deal. Spend some time there. There are whole bouquets of roses to be found, and only a few thorns. On the western corner of the square is the misnamed Downtown Antique Mall. The term “mall” implies there are multiple vendors under one roof. Not so. The merchandise here is all the personal finds of the proprietor. The jovial bearded man behind the counter is happy to discuss the provenance of any piece in the store if he is able. He knows where everything is, what it does, and how it got there. That is no small feat in this emporium of diversity. There are three floors inside the large store. The first floor, naturally, contains the larger, less moveable pieces. Not one, but two pianos grace the ground floor; one, an artistic display of burled walnut made in Nashville in the mid-1920s and the second a player piano from a 1950s arcade, complete with a quarter slot on the side.

Unfortunately, the largest store on the square closed recently. However, the Arcade will be opening very shortly in the adjoining space, and it is anticipated that the space formerly held by the Buster Family as Cuz’s Antiques, will be quickly filled by one or more new dealers.

Don’t want to leave Nashville proper? Then check out Antique Archeology, in the old Marathon Motor’s building on 11th Avenue, off Charlotte Avenue. Antique Archeology is operated by one half of the team from the American Pickers television show. Not only can you find some fantastic things in the store, but you just might find yourself rubbing elbows with Blake Shelton or maybe Carrie Underwood.

Finally, while the date has yet to be announced, be watching for the Nashville Antiques Week, traditionally held around the second week in February. From the Nashville Convention Center to the Bridgestone Arena to several hotels in the area, antiquing takes over the town!

*** Editor’s Note: As of publication, there are no listed dates or events for Antiques Week 2014***

I had no intention of doing more than mentioning the Pharmacy Burger Parlor

& Beer Garden in the Nashville story as a place we had popped in for a bite. Bell

ordered the Farm Burger and I the Chili Burger.

It rapidly became apparent that these were more than

gimmicky burgers. “May be the best burger I’ve ever

tasted,” said Bell, our staff photographer, around a

mouthful of burger and bun. And it does rank right up there

among the best I have ever had, as well.

Even better, there is an awesometastic (you find a better

description) beer garden connected to the patio that gives

the Pharmacy the potential to be one of the more enchanting

places in Nashville to spend an afternoon or evening.

The Pharmacy As I stuffed my face relentlessly, I decided I might try to speak to one of the

authorities on the Pharmacy and find out what the place is all about. Then, in a

state of near comatose from not being able to put down the burger, we had the

pleasure of meeting Weston, the kitchen manager, who took a bit of time from his

day to speak to us about the Pharmacy. We had, after all, just gorged ourselves

with a couple of the best burgers on the planet!

Since Tuesday 27 December 2011, The Pharmacy has been pulling

phosphate sodas & craft draft beers and have been making burgers by hand. When

I asked Wes what was made in house, he promptly replied, “Everything! We hand

cut our own fries. I’m starting to learn the science of potatoes!”

The Pharmacy Only 8 minutes from downtown, the Pharmacy is worth

every minute of the trip. I would recommend grabbing a cab if you’re going on

a weekend, though. You don’t become Nashville Scene’s Writer’s Choice

Runner Up for Best Burger and Reader’s Choice for Best Burger without some

people walking through the door. On weekend evenings, the wait can be up to

two and a half hours. But, don’t let that stop you from visiting. The wait is long

because it is worth it! “It’s bananas,” said Wes, “It looks like a street fair on

the weekends when you come.” Parking may very well be an issue. Just cram

your ride in wherever you can.

They will take your phone number and text you with a short lead time, if

there is a substantial wait. There are no reservations, though. And you can

always go drink in the beer garden while you wait for your table. Wes went on,

“You should definitely try to come in and feel the Saturday thing.” Once you

are seated and have placed your order, you are forced to wonder how they can

move food so quickly; especially considering the quality of what you are about

to taste!

The Pharmacy What makes the Pharmacy special, Wes?

“It’s a huge combination of everything. It’s the beer, it’s the phosphates,

it’s the soda jerk, [and] the soda rail. We don’t take any shortcuts and you feel

the energy and the love put into it. You can taste the love!”

Drinks are one the specialties of the pharmacy. I asked our server, Kira,

which was the best phosphate. She said quickly that her favorite is the

Creamsicle (orange soda, cream, vanilla syrup). There are no preservatives,

caffeine, corn syrup, or artificial flavorings, as found in modern commercial

sodas. “They hand make them,” said Wes about the phosphates; sodas made

with pure cane sugar and in a variety of flavors. The soda jerk is there to craft

these unique creations. And, if you just want to be boring, they carry bottled

Mexican Coca-Cola, made with real sugar.

As for beer, “A lot of seasonals and a lot of local stuff,” described Wes.

The tap beer rotates through. Seasonal beers are found throughout the year to

appease the taste buds of most beer lovers.

The Pharmacy Obviously, a beer garden will be better spring

through autumn. “In the summertime, it’s really cool out here; especially at

night when all the lights are on.” Wes continued, “We even won 2012 Best

Alfresco Beer & Burger in Nashville Scene [for the beer garden].” And it is

one of the better beer garden environments I’ve seen in a minute!

Of course when talking to a kitchen manager there’s one definite

question that must be asked. What’s your favorite item on the menu? Wes’

answer? “Well, personally, my favorite is the Chili Burger (I get that). But, we

sell more Farm Burgers than anything else (Bell gets that). We do what we can

to absolutely try to make [our ingredients] as local as possible.” It shows in

the food! Hand cut fries, handmade burgers, and freshly cut toppings from

fresh ingredients are the reason that the Pharmacy is special.

The Pharmacy offers not one, but two vegetarian types of patties. You

can replace a regular burger with a veggie one, but make sure that all of the

other toppings are vegetarian, too! There are lots of options for yumminess!

The Pharmacy We learned that there is a fantastic place to enjoy a

magnificent burger, fresh soda, and good beer only minutes from downtown.

Not only do we endorse the Pharmacy, we will be back there again soon. The

staff was wonderful and the food was even better.

Visit them at 731 McFerrin St in Nashville. The phone number is

615.712.9517 should you ever need to call!

Old Fashioned Irish Cooking

Is it possible to find authentic Irish food in the Music City?

Quite! McNamara’s Irish Pub & Restaurant sits approximately 10

minutes from downtown Nashville. And, it is about as Irish as you’ll

find west of Dublin.

The restaurant flaunts that all of their dishes are made from

scratch and that everything is fresh. They back that up with their

menu items. There are several Irish options that you simply won’t find

in other restaurants in the area. This is a great place to go to enjoy the

atmosphere of a pub with Irish home cooking.

There are vegetarian options and a leprechaun (kids) menu.

They offer lunch specials except for on Monday’s when they are

closed. The rest of the week, they open at 11am and close between ten

and midnight, depending on the day of the week.

K. Booker

Old Fashioned Irish Cooking

What Irish pub would be a pub without pints of ale? They have several draft selections, mostly from Irish brewers.

When it comes time for dessert, make sure to save space! Everything is made in house, which means you get the freshest bread pudding around. This is also a nice time to sip on a warm cup of coffee or Irish Tea.

Since it is a pub, there are live musical events throughout the year. Just check their website for the list of upcoming acts.

They are located at 2470 Old Lebanon Rd. in Nashville. Call if necessary at 615.885.7262

When you’re in and around Nashville and craving a meal that’ll stick to your ribs and give you that warm, fuzzy feeling that you get after a great meal, try McNamara’s Irish Pub and you’ll have a new favorite and cozy place!

K. Booker

In the sweet sunny south, there is very little ice and

even less snow. Some places in the south rarely even see freezing temperatures. But, much like the Jamaican Bobsled Team, we entertain notions of playing on frozen surfaces. As the Jamaicans make their second Olympics appearance, I’ve made my first trek into icy excitement at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. This home of the Nashville Predators NHL team has a hockey capacity of over 17,000 spectators. While my visit wasn’t a capacity night, the home crowd roared as the Pred’s skated between the sabre teeth and swarmed like yellow and blue wasps on the ice.

Smashville I love college football and boxing. Boxing lasts

almost year round but football lives only through those enchanting

fall Saturdays and dies a frozen death early in January each year.

Suddenly, the void has been filled! The action is anything but

slow in ice hockey. Truth be told, there were times when I was

searching out the puck! That doesn’t matter! The body checks

(smashing another player) into the boards were constant and awesome.

The tension built, players hit the ice, sticks broke, and finally the

gloves came off! Some poor fool from the Minnesota Wild picked on

the wrong Predator. Then, they both got a break to the penalty box

(after a good 30-45 seconds of punches) and play resumed.

Unfortunately for me, Smashville was shut out 4-0 in my first visit. I didn’t get to experience the ridiculous, frenzied excitement caused by the home team scoring. I did get to feel the vibe of hockey, though! It’s a fast paced, thrilling game played in three periods of 20 minutes. There’s 18 minutes between each period, giving you plenty of time for bathroom and concession stand visits.

Smashville

Smashville Once play has begun, a penalty or lost puck is

the only thing that stops the clock. Line changes (replacing tired players) are done by handling the puck in such a fashion that you have time to get people on and off of the ice without losing the puck to the other team. Each team does get one 30 second timeout per game, and while the game I went to wasn’t televised, you can bet there will be TV timeouts at one that is televised.

The whole point is that the game move in a zoom zoom fashion, occasionally has good fist fights, and it’s all on ice! Between periods, super-hot females shovel excess ice into barrels before the Zambonis roll out and make the ice smooth and skate ready.

As with every sporting event these days, prices on food and drink are exorbitant. But, tickets start around fifteen bucks. With prices like that, you can afford the small popcorn AND a beer! Parking, at least for the Predators game was $5 and up. It really just depended on how close you wanted to park to the action. As far as events go, you can really get out pretty cheap going to a hockey game in the south. You should keep in mind though, that the seats in the upper levels are tiny!

Smashville At the beginning of October, hockey kicks off.

It runs through March and into April when the best two teams play for

the Stanley Cup. For those of us in love with the gridiron, hockey can

be just the thing to fill in the spaces between Saturdays and shorten

the offseason just a bit. Plus, sitting there in person, it is a hell of a lot

of fun!

In Raleigh, North Carolina, the Carolina Hurricanes take the

ice. At BB&T Center outside of Fort Lauderdale, the Florida Panthers

skate. Tampa, Florida is the home ice for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Last, certainly not least, and the newest team on my favorites list -

Nashville’s Predators defending the Bridgestone Arena! And there,

my friends, are your down south hockey choices, since the Thrashers

bailed out on Atlanta.

When you have the opportunity, go see hockey! It’s an exciting

game that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Remember, it’s ice

hockey, it won’t be too warm! Enjoy the coolest southern sport

What’s Coming Up…

Awesome Line I Forgot to Put In the Story

Silly Trip Pics