Joe Six Packs and soccer moms turned out en masse to see Barack Obama in Columbus, Ohio this weekend with special guest Bruce Springsteen. The Boss recently made a very special donation to the Obama campaign: Along with his co-headlining a benefit in New York City with Billy Joel, a group of very special campaign volunteers got free tickets to a Saturday show in Philadelphia.

But with the second presidential debate coming up Tuesday, he's off preparing until tomorrow night's bout at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. While he crams, Michelle Obama will be meeting and greeting the populace tomorrow in Jacksonville, North Carolina.]]> egw 2008-10-06T13:30:40-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/18/7191/15515

Attention fans of Tennessee and Christianity: Rumor has it that developers are close to deciding on the specific location for a Bible-inspired theme park in the state. A spokesman for the Entertainment Development Group wouldn't discuss any specifics regarding the park this week, but stated that the company was close to making an announcement.

The Nashville-area theme park has been in the works for more than a year, but with the new development group taking over, some believe that it's this is close to becoming a reality.

The people behind the park plan to have attractions based on biblical history and archeology but won't take an ideological stance on the Bible. Of course, residents are a little apprehensive: Many don't want the traffic and congestion associated with a theme park so close to their homes.

Related Stories:
· Bible Park Site Selection Expected Very Soon [The Tennessean]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of a Bible-based park in Argentina: blmurch]]]> kjb 2008-09-18T11:15:29-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/20/23563/7368

Coolest airport ever: A Tennessee representative has put forth the proposal to remember musician Isaac Hayes by naming Memphis-Shelby County International Airport after him.

Normally we scoff at celebrity-airport monikers -- fifty years from now some comedian will still be dining out on D.C.'s transit hub named for Ronald Reagan -- but it sounds like Steve Cohen, D-TN, was truly moved by Hayes' memorial in Cordova, near his birthplace of Covington. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton also came to the memorial service, while Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington paid a visit to Hayes' private burial over the weekend.

We'll gladly fly in to Isaac Hayes International if every airline will play the "Shaft" theme upon landing in Memphis.

Related Stories:
· Memphis: Airport Eats [Jaunted]
· Isaac Hayes to Get an Airport Named after Him [ICYDK]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: E! Online]]]> egw 2008-08-21T08:45:14-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/19/163650/885

Sometimes, it takes a good look back to see the present for what it is. Here, Victor Ozols plumbs the depths of his memory - as well as a handful of very retro websites - to suss out the meaning behind the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee.

I can still recall the commercial jingle: "You've got to be there! The 1982 World's Fair! You've got to be there!" And I was there, a skinny eleven-year-old kid, traveling with his family to take in the cutting-edge concepts of a fair designed to explore the ways in which "Energy Turns the World." A brief look back underscores the fact that history always repeats itself, often in sad, pathetic ways. Just like today, people in 1982 were concerned that the world had become too reliant on fossil fuels, and there was a push to develop alternative energy sources. To that end, national pavilions across the fairgrounds displayed fancy new technology designed to harness the power of the sun, wind, water currents, biomass, and, yes, nuclear technology to provide the energy we'd surely need in the 21st century - even though it was a long way away. But as a Pac-Man-obsessed youngster I was mostly awed by the colorful displays and flashing lights of exhibits from the Philippines to France, and everywhere I turned it seemed like something very important was happening and that big changes were on the horizon.

Related Stories:
· World's Fair Park [Official Site]
· Flashback 1982: You've Got To Be There [gate21.net]
· World's Fair Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Victor Ozols]]]> Victor Ozols 2008-07-19T16:40:19-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/13/0164/65322

So picture it: You're off to Bonnaroo this weekend--or maybe you're already there in which case we say get off your smartphone!--and you are so very excited. You love the open air, the trees, even the bugs...

But by Sunday, you'll need to get to civilization ASAP. We hear you. We want to help you find a fellow human who does not smell of Eau de Camping. Hit up these hot spots in nearby Nashville:

The Red Door Saloon :: At this local micro beer garden, pick up local pale ales and cute cigarette bums. 1816 Division St.

Beyond the Edge :: Feed the jukebox and talk tattoos at this bar and restaurant. 112 South 11th St.

Bricktop's :: All the waiters are cute and all the classic dinners, like prime rib, are delicious at this mini-chain. 3000 West End Ave.

Related Stories:
· Missed Connections coverage [Jaunted]
· Nashville Hotels [HC]

[Photo of Love Circle in Nashville: mostlymaple]]]> egw 2008-06-13T15:00:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/12/152753/681

If you long for the glory days of festivals like Woodstock, where the mud seeps into your Converse sneakers and there are no VIP accommodations, Bonnaroo '08 is your bag: The tent-camping-centric, off-the-beaten-path concert weekend draws ever increasing star wattage this weekend in Manchester, Tennessee while still being its sweet hippie self.

We're definitely catching MGMT and Lez Zeppelin tonight, Chris Rock and The Swell Season (the musicians from "Once") tomorrow, Kanye "Almost Mr. M.I.A." West on Saturday and, if we haven't died from heat stroke by then, Aimee Mann on Sunday. Drink your water and wear sunscreen, people.

And remember, if you absolutely must live-blog your concert experience, check out the Fuse TV barn. They'll have cell phone charging stations and computers with web access so you can make your friends jealous without even leaving the fest!

Related Links
· Bonnaroo [Official Site]
· Summer Music Festivals: We Heart Bonnaroo [Jaunted]
· Bonnaroo coverage [Jaunted]
· A Travelpod for Bonnaroo? [HC]

[Photo from Bonnaroo '07: batesvillebreeze]]]> egw 2008-06-12T16:15:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/11/231721/033

Justin Timberlake began blowing off steam on the links when he was barely out of the Mickey Mouse Club. Now the singer, most recently guesting on Madonna's track "4 Minutes," has purchased his own golf course with a high sentimental value: He learned to play on it as a youth.

The Club at Big Creek was known as Woodstock Hills Country Club in the 70s when members of the Timberlake family played there. Justin also belongs to the Mountain Creek Golf Club in Los Angeles, a membership that comes with a $50,000 initiation fee. Hopefully his planned upgrades to Big Creek won't include hiking greens fees by that much.

Related Stories:
· Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel Make a Push for Super World Traveler Status [Jaunted]
· Golf Travel: Swinging For Cuba [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: PartMule.com]]]> egw 2008-06-12T10:45:01-05:00 35.295820 -89.988464 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/