Fallingwater

You're welcome, Hankster. Nashville was one of my three homes (Clarksville, Nashville, Murfreesboro) and it was home for 14 years. I moved in 1995. The place has changed alot even from that time.

I will include a few photos here as the entire set has over 50 photographs. Hope you like.

I ventured into Nashville to hopefully get some evening photographs. I used film and it did not turn out well at all so I went back on Saturday night with a camcorder and extracted still images from the video. Those turned out better. I put them in a photo set on Flickr if you care to see them. Just click on any of the thumbnails that you wish to see and it will enlarge. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fallingwater1...57611782889720/ I also took many of the photographs and made a video which was placed on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8stfqVopCXs...re=channel_page Generally, I would stay away from presenting or featuring that side of Nashville which is mostly tourist as I think Nashville has much more to offer that is not part of the traditional outside perception but it was night and Lower Broad still has the most action. I actually approached from the West down West End Avenue and I could not believe how little traffic there was for a Friday night (6:00 O'Clock PM). Saturday evening was the same. Where is everybody? Why have most of the floodlights on the Parthenon been turned off? The Parthenon was dim as were most of the buildings downtown. 4th, 5th Avenues, Commerce and Union Streets, Legislative Plaza; They were all desolate. Has the expansion south of downtown drained those areas of pedestrians? It was weird.

I don't know anything about Two Rivers but I believe funding has just been approved for the Marina and water park.

I agree about the powerlines especially since I enjoy taking photographs. Power lines will ruin a picture every time! Grrrrrr. I wasn't aware there was going to be a second office building. Cool. It's good to see Clarksville getting some of these.

Some pics taken this weekend. The first is the new office building being constructed across from the new Gateway Hospital. Below is the new Gateway Hospital (Rear Side) Below are some shots of the refurbished Legion Street now known as Strawberry Alley. This was really an eyesore before with electrical lines all over the place and dumpsters on the street. It is now a one way street with wide sidewalks and a new 22 foot fountain.

Im going to try to get some photos of the Strawberry Alley project and also the new office building going up across from Gateway Medical Center. I think the new office building looks very nice and is certainly an upgrade on the majority of what has been built in St. B. I'm excited about the Dow Corning project which is supposed to be announced by Gov. Bredeson on Monday. I don't think it will be employing a tremendous amount of local people but I do think this mega-investment (said to be the largest industrial investment in Tennessee history including the VW plant in Chattanooga) could possibly bring in other businesses.

I read an article which stated the plant could employ 4,000 or 400. Haha, I don't think it is very clear how many would be employed. I would like to see Clarksville get this project much, MUCH more than I would have liked them to get the VW plant. Also, I'm not sure but I do believe the land being eyed is the certified megasite.

Well, Clarksvillians, the census estimates are in and Clarksville comes away the winner. Clarksville ranks #9 in the nation among "large cities" (pop. 100,000 and up) in rate of growth. The estimated population is now approximately 119,500. Clarksville constituted the largest population increase in the State speaking of mere raw numbers; 5,400 new residents. Nashville Davidson County added 5,200. Knoxville and Chattanooga each added over 1,000 and Murfreesboro added 4,500. Edited: Looks like Miami beat me to the punch.

With much jocularity from what I have read especially since the city just adopted the new "Tennessee's Top Spot" slogan which nearly everyone seems to hate. In regard to that slogan, many asked the question; Top spot in what? So now the slogan has some true meaning. I think the distinction was worst city in the country to raise a family. Well, I think nearly everyone would strongly disagree with that, myself included. It is far from the worst place in the country to raise a family although I would not consider it anywhere near the best either. The funny thing is that Clarksville has rated quite highly in other such studies and polls such as Places Rated, etc.

Insofar as LCM is concerned with respect to APSU I am only familiar with the new Rec. Center and I do consider that building to be very aesthetically bland especially on three sides of it! However, I thought the Courts Bldg. and FM Bank buildings, while not daring, were nice additions to downtown and complimentary of the surrounding architectural landscape. That being said; I have no objection to someone pushing the envelope as you say - daring and bold! I do not like the idea of a city that sees its downtown as being completely married to what builders erected back in 1890.

A good article today in the Leaf Chronicle about the resurgence of downtown residential construction. One project that was mentioned was the planned 2nd Street Lofts and mentioned a rendering by the Architects, Lyle, Cook & Martin. I like the work of this firm and was wondering if that rendering is available to view on the internet? I love the fact that more people are building and moving to the downtown area. Hopefully this will generate new life for that area of so much potential. All the projects do seem like small ventures thus far but it's a start.

Hello Rural King, I do hear what you are saying and can concur with much of what you have stated. For instance, I will in no way deny that cities and communities reap tremendous economic benefits from such an industry. My point is at what cost to the vast number of people who actually work there. I have worked in one such facilty for over 15 years. It is not just the US manufacturers which use Temps extensively. As a matter of fact, Nissan outlined plans to its workforce about one year ago an idea borrowed from "The Big Three" whereby work is now designated as being either "core" or "non-core"; "non-core" meaning any individual job which is not directly and physically involved with actually placing a part on the car as it is being built. "Non-core" jobs would be filled by temps "through attrition." That is worth 600 forklift operator jobs alone. Toyota has been considering another idea; In a fairly recent memo produced and circulated amongst Toyota Management, they stated that when they first entered the US market as a maunfacturer that they used the big three as a benchmark for hourly wages. However, they stated, Toyota is now the leader in the industry and can now set the benchmarks. Rather than paying wages established within the industry they are looking into paying wages comparable to all industries in a region which, of course, would bring the hourly wages down considerably to around $15 per hour. Yes, I agree that the city officials would not want to rid themselves of the Nissan plant and see it as a definite economic plus for the city. Afterall, Canton and the Jackson area was in desperate need for jobs and Nissan supplied them. However, I have not been looking at it from that perspective but from the perspective of the ones who obtained jobs there. Canton has had a most difficult time retaining workers and the Canton workforce is not a happy one in the least. After having written the last sentence, I just did a quick Google search for an old article I once read about the vast number of workers leaving the Canton plant. I found a few other articles instead such as the one provided below where a Mississippi Senator called the plant a "slave labor camp." article A big albatross hanging around the necks of the American Manufacturers is their vast number of retirees and the cost for their penchants and continued healthcare. The foreign transplants do not have that expense as of yet to any large degree and make no mistake that the transplants do NOT want to find themselves in the same position. they are doing everything possible to avoid it. Tis better to rid themselves of older workers before they retire than to keep the promises made to them when hired. The Nissan Smyrna plant opened in 1981 and many would be entering reitrement but one does not hear of very many retiring because not very many of those then hired remain. Most don't make it! Of the 16 new hires (along with myself) within my original small workgroup over 15 years ago, only four of us are still employees and of that four only one of us has not had surgery due to some work related injury - that one being me - although I have been carried to the hospital once and have had more cuts, contusions, sprains, etc., that I can even count. Walking is now difficult and became so when I was still in my 30's. My prediction is this; Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn will close the Smyrna plant within the next 5 - 8 years. You think I will be pleasantly surprised by VW? Ha, I've been in this business too long for that. BTW, people at work, Management included, consider me to be a "company man" and one of the better attitudes. Unfortunately, they are right.

I agree fully with you, miami1855, that Clarksville needs more white collar businesses and jobs. It is severely deficient in that area. I also do not completely understand Clarksville's prioritizing getting an auto manufacturing plant. To be sure, such a facility would bring a lot of jobs to Clarksville and if that is the bottom line then so be it. However, the trend in the auto industry is toward severely decreasing wages and benefits for new hires and many areas of automobile assembly which were once performed by company employees are now outsourced. Many employees now going into work at an auto plant are actually Temps who work for some Temp service and they receive only a fraction of the wages and none of the benefits. The UAW has been trying to force auto manufacturers to at least hire a temp into the auto company if that temp has worked there x amount of time. At any rate, one of the reasons I do not understand cities trying to lure these auto manufacturers (aside from creating jobs) is that one reason auto manufacturers were able to gain such high wages at about $25-$35 an hour is because that industry has an abysmal injury rate. Surgery or the need of surgery is commonplace as workers are especially susceptible to repetative stress disorders but also traumatic type injuries as well. Hence, I would think any city would want better for its citizens than to see so many of them crippled. It could potentially be good for physical therapists, pharmacys and physicians in a city but auto companies have brought all that "in-house" too.

Yep, I was in that area also on Saturday afternoon and had the good fortune to see a few selections from the US Navy Band. Didn't sample any wines though.

Attended the Rivers and Spires Festival on Saturday 4/19/08. The clouds were dark and dreary as the temperatures plummeted. It was cold and this seemed to keep the usual crowds a bit lower than the past two years. However, my daughter and I saw a good Blues Rock group in Blue Mule who had an "axe man" who could really tear it up. As the evening descended we ventured to another stage to watch Hot lanta. Much to our delight it was the same band that appeared last year on another stage but they were called "Cousin Hogg," an Allman Bros. Tribute Band. Last year they absolutely mesmerized the crowd and they certainly did not disappoint this year. They are the consumate professionals who do not miss a note. The Country group LONESTAR was the headliner for the evening on that stage and they followed Hot lanta but we did not stay for LONESTAR. Making our way back to the vehicle we noticed that the crowds were jam packed which was nice to see. I love that festival but my only big complaint is the practice of having to buy tickets to purchase food and other items. In the past, most vendors were more than happy to simply accept a customers cash and I doubt anyone wants to fool with tickets. Get rid of the tickets altogether.

Aaarrrrrrggghhhhhh!

An article in today's Clarksville Leaf Chronicle says that work has begun on revamping Legion Street downtown. This is a major project. Legion Street is one block over from Clarksville's darling avenue which is Franklin Street. Whereas Franklin street has all the charm and receives all the attention, Legion Street is an absolute eyesore with power lines running its length and sidewalks which are not up to code and garbage dumpsters along the street. The Clarksville City Hall building terminates this street. The power lines are being buried underground and the street will receive new 20' wide sidewalks. The street will become a one way avenue with landscaping, period lighting and a large fountain and clock. Definitely an improvement and one I am anxious to see when it is complete.

If you look at the 3rd photo posted by Miami1855 (Public Square) you will notice a building with a black awning and a red brick building next to it. Today's Leaf Chronicle (4/1/08) has an article abut the city council building a new chambers building where the buildings cited above will be razed. The Architect, Jerry Clark and Associates, says final plans are still one year off but he wants the council to "Think Big." If he means "big" in terms of size then the building will need to be vertical because it looks like it is a rather small lot for anything "big" other than a tall multi-storey building. It should be noted that directly behind those buildings is part of the River Walk known as the Upland Trail and also a street. It is also on a very steep grade sloping downward toward the river.

The Rivers and Spires Festival began in 2003 as a way to honor troops returning from Iraq. It hsa since grown to include much more than that as the festival committee also wanted to celebrate Clarksville's diversity of population. The festival is three days long but, again, I think the best times to go are on Friday and Saturday nights. This past year the festival garnered the prestigious Gold Grand Pinnacle Award from the International Festival and Events Association. The American Bus Association has also given it props as among the "Top 100 Events in North America." The Southeast Tourism Society gave it the distinction of being one of the "Top 20 events in the Southeast." The State of Tennessee gave it the Tourism Spotlight Award. Uhm, I don't know if I would call it one of the top events in North America but it is pretty cool nonetheless and I have certainly been impressed by it. Not connected but I also believe that the city is being granted funds to restore Fort Defience which was the Civil War fortress overlooking the Cumberland River at the confluence of the Cumberland and Red Rivers. The plan was to extend the River Walk to the fort which would include a pedestrian bridge across the Red River to the fort. The earthworks to the fort are already pretty well preserved but the interpretive signage and such could be much better. UHm, the fort itself sits in a pretty bad neighborhood though. Incidentally, the fort was abandoned shortly after the fall of Fort Donelson as it was decided that Clarksville would surrender in order to bolster a defense of Nashville. Of course, Nashville surrendered without a fight too (initially).

Nice pics, Miami1855. I've always wanted to take some pictures from those balconys on the FM Bank Bldg. The very first photo reminds me; Do you know the status of the surface parking lot in your first photo? I know the Roxy wanted it to expand but the Roxy and the City were at odds concerning the property.

I agree completely that the aesthetic looks are hardly inspiring. However, it is supposed to be a state of the art facility and it has attracted some medical specialists which were not previously available in Clarksville. But, yes, I too was disappointed in the physical aesthetics of the structure especially since it occupies a location of high visibility from I-24. The immediate area is seeing some building going on and it looks as if there is room for quite a bit more along Ted Crozier Blvd..

I don't live there, Rural King, so I do not know everything that is happening but I do know that a group from Springfield purchased the Knights of Pythias building and is rehabbing that wonderful structure. It will be a mixed use building and I think will offer a few lofts. Also, the Rivers and Spires Festival will be held downtown from April 17-19. This festival, while less than 10 years old, has garnered some major awards. I first attended two years ago with my daughter and went last year as well. Will definitely be attending this year as well. GREAT event! It now covers about 8 city blocks. I think it is better to go on a Friday or Saturday evening when the streets are packed.

I like that picture too, Relient J. There is a nice blend of beautiful landscaping and rising structures and I like views where an avenue seems terminated by a large structure although in this case, MCP merely makes a bend. Overall though this picture shows an area of town which appears very beautiful and exceptionally clean. Very inviting.

No, I'm not speaking of a "fall" in any physical or economic sense; I am speaking of the Fall season in Murfreesboro - had you going, didn't I? I have been a little disappointed in the Fall colors this year. I have seen seasons in the past which offered greater diversity and brilliance in color but I decided to take my camera to a few locations around Murfreesboro and attempt to capture some of Murfreesboro's Fall foliage. I came away with two new sets of photogrpahs posted to my Flickr page. One set features photos taken almost exclusively on East Main Street whereas the second set was taken at various locales such as my neighborhood, the Greenway, and out near the Rockvale Community. My Webpage My Webpage Above should take you to the two links if you care to view the photos. Below I will provide a few of my personal favorites. Hope you enjoy.