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NISSAN Ghosn Gone… Tavares In

June 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Nissan CEO Carlos Tavares

UPDATE BELOW REGARDING CARLOS TAVARES AS NISSAN CEO

Cool Springs is excited to learn Nissan is about to make a huge announcement!

Current Nissan Motors CEO and President Carlos Ghosn is stepping aside and being replaced by Carlos Tavares.

This big auto industry news has been confirmed with our Nashville and Portuguese sources.  As most are aware, Nissan Americas is headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee.

Nissan insiders have kept the it close to the vest, but the announcement is starting to leak almost as fast as the BP oil spill.

Carlos Tavares is presently the Executive Vice President of Nissan Americas Operations.

After Nissan relocated operations to Tennessee, the general sentiment has been that Nissan quality and customer service had suffered a decline.

Since Tavares took control of Nissan Americas region and under his leadership, Nissan has increased market share in addition to improving efficiency and customer service.

Carlos Ghosn

At the present moment, Carlos Ghosn is CEO and President of Nissan Global, in addition to being CEO and President of Renault of France.  Ghosn will be taking the Nissan hat off very soon and focusing on Renault, which like every auto maker was hard hit during this economic crisis.  Ghosn has been in the headlines recently, for earning $9.8 million in annual compensation for 2009, making him one of the highest paid executive of any Japanese company, including Sony.

Carlos Ghosn comic book

The Renault Nissan alliance also just took on Daimler as a partner.  Rumor is the Renault Nissan alliance is now looking for an American automaker to join.  This corporate leadership shift gives Ghosn more time to focus on the alliance.  Ghosn was just reelected to serve another four year term at Renault as CEO and President.

Ghosn started at Nissan as Chief Operating Officer in June 1999, then became president in 2000 and was named chief executive officer in 2001.  He enjoys near cult status in Japan with his life story having been turned into a comic book series.

A Japanese manga character has even been developed based on Mr. Ghosn’s life.

Carlos Tavares

An executive who has not yet reached comic book or manga status, is a Portuguese native whose weekend passion is race car driving.  Tavares is well known within the automotive industry for his driven, focused and results oriented management style.  He left Renault and joined Nissan in 2004.

In February 2009, Nissan announced that Carlos Tavares was moving to North America to be the first Nissan Executive Vice President to reside in the United States.

Carlos Tavares has served as Executive Vice President of Nissan Americas Operations.  Mr. Tavares also served as an Executive Vice President, Design, Product Planning and Corporate Planning of Nissan Motor Co Ltd.  Tavares was responsible for Corporate Planning, Product Planning, Market Intelligence and LCV Business at Nissan Motors.

How ironic is it, that the two business leaders to make it to the top of a Japanese company are both named Carlos and speak Portuguese?  It’s a small world!

UPDATE: We’ve been told Carlos Tavares will finally be replacing Carlos Ghosn on or around March 31 2011, the end of Nissan’s fiscal year.  Automobile recalls and other house cleaning are supposedly being taken care before Tavares becomes Nissan CEO, so he is able to start with a clean slate.

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Amerigo Chef & Sommelier Pairing

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Amerigo restaurant in Cool Springs

At the Amerigo restaurant in Cool Springs, come in Thursday – Sunday for this week’s Chef and Sommelier pairing! The chef is featuring a Braised Short Rib in a red wine and herb sauce, served with Celery Root and Horseradish Mashed Potatoes.

Enjoy this succulent dish with a glass of Eremo Barbera e Nebbiolo for the perfect combination. This Italian wine is sweet and smooth on the palate, offering flavors of red currant and blackberry with nuances of chocolate and toasted cofee.

Enjoy the Braised Rib and glass of Nebbiolo together for $24, or a la carte: $15 for the Braised Rib; $9 for the wine. Reservations are not necessary, but accepted.

Also, join us for a Ruffino Wine Tasting on Tuesday June 1st from from 6:00-8:00pm.  We will be sampling four varietals sourced from vineyards in the Umbria, Chianti, and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of Italy. Enjoy our wine tasting and light appetizers for $13 per person; reservations are not necessary.

Ruffino Pinot Grigio, 2009
Ruffino Aziano, 2007
Ruffino Chianti Superiore, 2007
Ruffino Orvieto Classico, 2008

We’re open on Memorial Day!

Come celebrate Memorial Day at Amerigo! We’ll be open for Lunch and Dinner, from 11:00am – 10:00pm. Reservations are accepted. We hope to see you there!

Amerigo – Cool Springs
1656 Westgate Circle
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 377-7070

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Tractor Supply Donates $100k

May 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ann Buchanan & Kim Vella w/ Tractor Supply Company

Tractor Supply Company, located in Cool Springs, has presented United Way of Williamson County with a check for $100,000 to support relief efforts following recent record floods that ravaged Middle Tennessee.

Tractor Supply Company, which has its corporate headquarters in the Williamson County town of Brentwood, has a longstanding relationship with the community. Presently, Tractor Supply Company serves its customers through four Williamson County locations: Fairview, Franklin, Thompson’s Station and Triune.

“Tractor Supply is acutely aware of the dramatic impact the recent flood has had on residents of Williamson County, which has been declared a federal major disaster area,” said Jim Wright, chairman and CEO of Tractor Supply Company. “This contribution to United Way is one of the means we have of demonstrating our support to those families and individuals in need.”

In addition to the United Way donation, Tractor Supply Company is raising and matching funds from its employees to assist other Tractor Supply Company employees who have been affected by the flood. True citizens of the Volunteer State, numerous employees have also given their time to help neighbors get back on their feet.

“We are firmly committed to the residents of Williamson County and are proud to support United Way’s exceptional efforts in responding to this disaster,” Wright said. “We encourage other businesses to join us and others in supporting this wonderfully unique community we call home.”

Incorporated in 1961, United Way of Williamson County is assisting local agencies and organizations that offer help to victims devastated by the flood through support and replacement of lost or damaged items.

Checks, made out to United Way of Williamson County with “Flood Relief” in the memo section, can be sent to:
United Way of Williamson County
209 Gothic Court, Suite 107
Franklin, TN 37067

Tractor Supply Company, the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States, operates more than 900 stores in 44 states. The Company’s stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers. The Company also serves the maintenance needs of those who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses. Stores are located in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. The Company offers the following comprehensive selection of merchandise: (1) equine, pet and animal products, including items necessary for their health, care, growth and containment; (2) maintenance products for agricultural and rural use; (3) hardware and tool products; (4) seasonal products, including lawn and garden power equipment; (5) truck and towing products; and (6) work/recreational clothing and footwear for the entire family.

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McEwen Whole Foods Update

May 10, 2010 By 1 Comment

McEwen Whole Foods under construction

Now under construction, the Whole Foods grocery store at McEwen Town Center in Cool Springs is making fast progress.  The new store will be located at the corner of McEwen Drive and Mallory Lane.  Southern Land broke ground a little over three months ago.

We’ve been anxiously waiting ever since the new Whole Foods was announced three years ago.

Footers have been poured and the back cinder block wall is up, seen at left.

The new Whole Foods store in Franklin will be 45,000 square feet.  Whole Foods Market’s current location in Cool Springs is 1735 Galleria Blvd, adjacent to Target, HH Gregg and Toys R US.

The Southern Land Company is developing McEwen Town Center and Whole Foods will be the first retail anchor in the 93 acre Cool Springs mixed-use project.  Despite several delays, bad timing and a horrible economy, the project is still moving forward.

Other tenants that have announced intentions on opening at McEwen Town Center include California Pizza Kitchen, Anthropologie, and Cosmetic Market.  Rumors have abounded regarding a Pinkberry or Red Mango style frozen yogurt concept.

New Whole Foods in Cool Springs

When complete, Southern Land Company’s McEwen Town Center will offer Middle Tennessee 250,000 square feet of retail space, 250,000 square feet of Class A office space, apartments, town homes and an “upscale boutique hotel”.

One finished portion of the McEwen Town Center project is already for sale, that is the “Dwell at McEwen” apartment complex.  The $40 million upscale apartments in Cool Springs are rumored to have registered well over 130 interested buyer parties.

Some area commercial real estate brokers were surprised to hear Michael McNally, vice president of mixed-use development with Southern Land Company, quoted as saying “Dwell is 71% leased” and also “leasing rates haven’t been as brisk as we hoped two years ago, a result of the economy”.

Several of Southern Land Company’s other mixed-use projects in the South include Westhaven Town Center in Franklin, TN as well as The Lofts at Watters Creek and Arthouse Keller, both in Texas.

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Franklin Theatre Benefit Tonight

May 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Mixed Nuts Poster

Brentwood producer/director Johnny Peppers is opening his comedy “Mixed Nuts,” by Simon J. Donogue and Nancy Manera, a day late Back Stage at Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre and using his opening night, May 7, as a benefit for area flood victims.

“The flood devastation in the Bellevue area has been overwhelming for so many people. We are fortunate to have only faced the challenge of power and phone disruption. We want to support so many of our neighbors who have lost their homes by dedicating our opening night performance to them,” Peppers said.

Peppers said donations of canned food items and clothes will be accepted at the door along with a suggested donation of $20 per person which will be taken directly to the Bellevue flood relief efforts. For show information, contact Peppers directly at 615-642-8327.
“If someone wants to come out and get a free night of entertainment to forget about their problems, come on in. We are asking that those who are able bring a donation for your neighbor. It is going to take our efforts duplicated many times over to help those folks begin to get back on their feet. Bellevue has been hit hard,” Peppers said. For more information on attending, 615-646-9977, ext. 0.

“Mixed Nuts” Review: Nancy McNulty

As an avid theatre fan, I enter the charming Back Stage of Chaffin’s with high expectations of a big night of “Mixed Nuts” laughter to escape the stress of this week’s tragic

The cast assembled by Peppers, of Brentwood-based 3Ps Productions, are heavy weights in the Middle Tennessee area community with a ton of experience and talent represented including off-Broadway actress Megan Murphy, Nash favorites Dietz Osborne and Layne Sasser, recently returned London School of Musical Theatre actress Jennifer Richmond and starring Franklin actor Flynt Foster, part of April’s cast of the well-received, original comedy, Southern Fried Funeral.

And the evening was not a disappointment.

Being a little spoiled by the fast-paced humor and the rich reactions of the characters on Glee, I’m not very patient waitin’ on a laugh. Donogue and Manera have a very well-written story with quirky characters that could be a little off-putting if not for the ownership each actor takes of their respective roles.

Taking place in the run-down New York City apartment of Ohio transplanted writer Michael Caldwell, Peppers takes full advantage of his intimate stage. An interesting side note, Peppers son, Davy, designed the set as a Boy Scout Merit Badge project and local artist Teri Daly does a nice job of transforming the vision including the exposed, brick worn walls which wrap the apartment.

With tons of fun 80s references and nostalgic music, “Mixed Nuts” is full of lots of laughs as well as charm with the chemistry of a good ensemble cast making for a night when you can forget for a second the struggles of the day and definitely take a couple of hours to re-charge. For more info, www.3psproductions.com or 615-646-9977, ext. 0.

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Franklin TN Flood Relief Benefit

May 7, 2010 By 1 Comment

Stoveworks owner delivering dinners to flood victims

In light of the recent flood disaster, Stoveworks Restaurant at the Factory in Franklin is appropriately transitioning their Thursday, May 13 re-opening celebration into a Flood Relief Benefit for the Williamson County Red Cross and the neighborhoods of Cottonwood and Fieldstone Farms located by the Harpeth River off Hillsboro Road which were severely impacted.

In the photo on the left Stoveworks Restaurant owner Pat McCracken delivered dinners for 30 to 40 families to community volunteer Lisha Pope for distribution in the hard hit Cottonwood subdivision off Hillsboro Road in Franklin.

Thursday through Sunday, May 13 – 17, donations of clean-up items, water, non-perishable food, clothing and financial donations for the Williamson County Red Cross will be accepted at the restaurant and then distributed Monday, May 18 to these neighborhoods with checks delivered to the local Red Cross office.

During the May 13 benefit, Cardinal Crossing and the Bethlehem Bluegrass Band will be performing with Stoveworks offering food and refreshments and also accepting donations that night as well. For more information, contact Pat McCracken at Stoveworks Restaurant at 615-791-6065.

Stoveworks Restaurant in Franklin

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Nashville Symphony Free Concert

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Nashville's Shermerhorn Symphony Center

Over the past week, Cool Springs and the entire Nashville community have come together and shown just what a remarkable city we live in.

This Friday night at 8 p.m., the Nashville Symphony will perform a FREE public concert to thank all of you for helping your friends, neighbors and fellow citizens through the unprecedented events of the last few days.

The concert will take place on Nashville’s Public Square, located directly in front of the Metro Courthouse.

Here is a map of the concert location.

Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero and Resident Conductor Albert-George Schram will lead a program of symphonic favorites, and recording legend Christopher Cross will join the orchestra to perform a selection of his beloved hits.

The Nashville Symphony has decided to present this concert as a way of helping the community find solace and healing. This night of great music will help remind everyone that there’s hope for our community, and that together we can overcome the obstacles before us.

Thanks to the generosity of the Nashville Downtown Partnership and Metro Nashville Government, we will be offering FREE parking for this event at the Metro Courthouse/ Public Square Garage. Located directly under the Public Square, these parking spaces will be available from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. Bring chairs or blankets, and come enjoy an evening of wonderful music with the Nashville Symphony!

Nashville Symphony Free Concert

We’re also pleased to announce that the Nashville Symphony will offer most of the remaining concerts in its 2009/10 season at alternative venues while Schermerhorn Symphony Center undergoes repairs. Both the Symphony’s upcoming presentation of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its performances of Bartók’s stunning Bluebeard’s Castle will take place in TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall. We will continue to keep you updated via e-mail regarding other upcoming events. Current information can also be found on our website, NashvilleSymphony.org.

Schermerhorn Symphony Center will return stronger than ever in the 2010/11 season, and we look forward to what promises to be one amazing year of music.

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Downtown Franklin Rodeo Parade

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Rodeo Parade in Downtown Franklin

South of Cool Springs, flood damage in the heart of the Downtown Franklin historic district was minimal, and mostly in basements. All roads into Downtown Franklin are clear, and Main Street is back to its usual, pleasant self.

Everything is open!

This year will be the 61st annual Franklin Rotary Rodeo Parade held in downtown.

The Franklin Rotary Rodeo Parade will be hoofing down Main Street at high noon this Saturday, May 8.

And what a great place to get your Mothers’ Day shopping done! Think about it:

* A gift card for a massage at Serendipity Spa….
* Something for the gardener from Yarrow Acres….
* Teas and tea accessories from Franklin Tea…
* A long soak from Bathos….
* A nice meal at Zolo’s, Dumplin’s, Red Pony….
* A pie from Merridee’s…..
* Something pretty to wear from The Cellar…
* A special arrangement from Franklin Flowers on Columbia Avenue, and you can mention this ad for 10% off.

Franklin Rodeo poster in downtown

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