Music City, TN June 2023

B Yourself Prom

When B Hayes was barred from their school's prom for wearing a suit, AB Hillsboro Village, a live music and event venue, joined forces with Apple & Oak, @AGirlHasNoPresident, and Hannah Schneider to throw the the ultimate prom. On May 6, 60+ local businesses plus artists Tone Stith, Bryant Taylorr, Grace Bowers, Paul McDonald, and DJ Housequake helped make the B Yourself Prom experience unforgettable for all.

1000 donors from 47 states raised nearly $40,000 via GoFundMe for the event and B’s charities of choice, Inclusion Tennessee and Oasis Center.

Thank You to all the Local

photos by Emily April Allen

Ever Wondered, “How Much Do Fathers Matter?"

Let’s start with the simple answer — the importance of a father is tremendous. Fathers make countless differences in their homes and family. However, how much impact you decide to make as a dad is entirely up to you. A father’s gifts of quality time, life-giving words, and positive actions have a long-lasting impact on his children.

As I reflect on fatherhood this month, here are just a few of the ways dads can build up their homes:

• A father’s strength can be powerful.

• A dad’s words can be fueling and inspirational.

• Hugs from a dad can be deeply comforting.

• A dad’s smile can instill joy and confidence.

• Time with a dad can be fun and productive.

• A dad’s physicality can be challenging.

• A dad’s guidance can be life-changing and foundational.

• A father’s correction can be life-saving and life-giving.

• Adventures with a dad can be exciting and memorable.

Let your father, or a father figure in your life, know how much he matters to you. And if you're a dad, let us be the first to say, thank you. You're invaluable to the people who know and need you as well as the community around you.

“Dad: A son’s first hero, a daughter’s first love.” Happy Father’s Day!

June 2023

PUBLISHER

Jennifer Kaufman | j.kaufman@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sue Baldani, Julie Brown Patton, Amanda Oswalt, Myra Simmons McEntire

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Nashbox Studios, Michael Gomez, James Williams, Katherine Green, David Bailey, Josh Vaughn

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

@MUSICCITYCITYLIFESTYLE

The New Frontier of Fertility Medicine

For couples struggling with the heartbreak of infer�lity, the journey to achieving a healthy live birth is o�en long, expensive, and both physically and emo�onally exhaus�ng.

While in vitro fer�liza�on (IVF) offers a promising route for some, there’s another op�on that is o�en faster, less expensive, and provides a higher probability of producing a healthy baby: embryo adop�on.

“Many people don’t know about embryo adop�on, even some specialists in the field,” says Jaime Vasquez, M.D., a global industry leader and owner of the American Embryo Adop�on Agency in Nashville, a clinic that facilitates over 150 embryo adop�ons each year. “It’s one of the greatest demonstra�ons of love there is for both donor parents and adop�ve parents.”

The Gi� of Life

The embryo adop�on process begins with an IVF pa�ent who has frozen embryos remaining a�er they have successfully completed their family and achieved a healthy live birth or births. Rather than paying for indefinite storage or allowing for termina�on, couples can choose to preserve this precious life and, without compensa�on, donate the embryos, as “there’s no currency to match the value of

human life,” says Dr. Vasquez.

“Donor parents are o�en so grateful for their successful IVF experience that they want to share that success with another couple going through the same fer�lity challenges,” he adds.

Adop�ve embryos undergo rigorous gene�c tes�ng to ensure the absence of abnormali�es that would prohibit a successful pregnancy or live birth. The embryo’s DNA quali�es are so in�mately known that adop�ve parents can select the gender, race, and even hair and eye colors of their adop�ve child. The process of receiving donated embryos is private, discreet, and allows the intended parents to have their future children resemble their own features or racial heritage if desired.

The financial requirements, too, are a significant considera�on in comparing embryo adop�on with tradi�onal adop�on or IVF. Both tradi�onal adop�on and each IVF cycle

can cost upward of $50,000, while the en�re embryo adop�on process is typically less than $15,000 and requires drama�cally less medical interven�on for the host mother.

Embryo adop�on is par�cularly helpful for women struggling with low-quality eggs. “The process is more reliable than IVF because the donated embryos have already received the highest level of DNA tes�ng, and unlike tradi�on adop�on, embryo adop�on mothers can s�ll experience the miracle of pregnancy, childbirth, and even breas�eeding, if they choose,” says Dr. Vasquez.

The American Embryo Adop�on Agency does not discriminate based on a pa�ent’s marital status or sexual orienta�on.

“Our job is to serve people,” says Dr. Vasquez. “We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to have a family, and it’s a wonderful gi� for an adop�ve parent to offer an unborn child the opportunity of life.”

The American Embryo Adop�on Agency is a sister organiza�on of The Center for Reproduc�ve Health, a comprehensive Nashville-based fer�lity clinic that has helped couples achieve their dreams of family for over 20 years. www.crhnashville.com

The

American Embryo Adop� on Agency offers

a unique, reliable, and cost-effec�ve path for achieving a healthy pregnancy and live birth.

Jaime Vasquez, M.D.

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1-3: More than 1,000 teachers, educators, staff and administrators in Nashville gathered at Belmont’s Fisher Center for the “Hope and Healing for Heroes” event, as an evening to equip, encourage and uplift Nashville teachers, school, staff and administrators and provide them with an opportunity to connect in community and gain tools for navigating stress, fear, trauma and grief following the recent Covenant School tragedy.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @musiccitycitylifestyle

Our work is rooted in helping women heal, and it takes a community to make this possible.

Whether you volunteer, have lunch at The Cafè, or purchase products, everyone can support our work and share the love.

Shop now

thistlefarms.org

WHERE MINIMALISM MEETS MEANINGFUL

Kristy Edwards, organization expert and owner of Neatly Balanced, transforms lives through recreating the sacred spaces of homes. By incorporating her low maintenance method, she sets clients up for success, allowing them to follow her minimalist configuration of each space.

At Thistle Farms, we believe that love is the most powerful force for change in the world.

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Iroquois Steeplechase: Honorary Chair, Child Ambassador, Official Artwork

The Iroquois Steeplechase benefiting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt had as the honorary chair John (Jay) C. Wellons III, MD, MSPH, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery chief and Cal Turner chair in Pediatric Neurosurgery at Monroe Carell. This year’s Child Ambassador is 10-year-old Rivers DeLisle, who was born with a rare heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot. In addition, the official artwork of the Iroquois Steeplechase was painted by Michael J. McBride.

Nashville Ranks No. 3 Among Best Cities For Pet Owners

Forbes Advisor researchers compared data across 13 key metrics from 91 of the most populated American cities, and found Nashville ranks third among best cities for pet owners. Nashville pet owners pay the third lowest veterinary fees for both dogs and cats. Music City renters also have access to the 12th highest percentage of pet-friendly apartments (88.68%) among the other top 10 cities. Three other Southern, top 10 cities were: Louisville, Raleigh and Plano, Texas.

Local Performer Oliver Steele Makes ABC's American Idol Top 12

Nashville-based Oliver Steele performed a cover of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One” as a contestant for TV singing competition American Idol . He received a standing ovation from Idol judge Luke Bryan. At Lifestyle's press time, Oliver shared on social media, “I made the Top 12 of American Idol! Get ready to support me again next Sunday! It’s the first, live coast-to-coast vote! Thank you so much for helping me to this point!”

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/MusicCity

Photography by Michael Gomez

Photography by ABC/Eric McCandless

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SOLES4SOULS THANKS YOU FOR A GREAT RACE4EVERYKID

Thank you to all who participated in providing joy and dignity to kids experiencing homelessness. If you weren’t able to join, it’s not too late to provide a brand new pair of shoes as they head into the summer! You can be the reason a student starts the summer on the right foot!

Soles4Souls.org/4EveryKid

Meet the Gentlemen of Adams Wealth Partners

TITANS' NEW GM

Ran Carthon Shares What He's Thinking About Future Football Plans And The Music City

Ran Carthon became the Tennessee Titans franchise's 14th general manager in January.

Previously, he served for two seasons as director of player personnel with the 49ers after handling five seasons as the director of pro personnel in San Francisco.

Ran, 42, was one of seven candidates to interview for the position with the Titans. "I want us to build the best team possible – a competitive, sound football team that Nashville and other surrounding areas are proud of," he says.

"We're excited to add Ran to our organization," Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk states. "He brings a variety of valuable experiences to our team. I was impressed with his natural leadership qualities and ability to connect with people. With talent evaluation being critical to this role, the roster they've built in San Francisco stands out. He played an important role there constructing one of our league's best teams."

Ran's father, Maurice, also played in the NFL with the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts.

Ran himself played running back  for  University of Florida and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in 2004. He played for three NFL seasons with the Colts and Detroit Lions.

This new Titans' leader says he doesn't miss playing as much as he misses locker room camaraderie. "In my new role, I have to leave the locker room more to the guys and let it be their personal space."

So far, he says one of the toughest parts of his new job is being away from his family. "In terms of the job, I’ve been doing this for a while, but I knew things would come up that I had no experience with. In those cases, you lean on your mentors and people who've been there."

Football executives and former players Martin Mayhew and John Lynch Jr. are a couple of the advisers with whom Ran says he's fortunately collaborated.

Regarding Ran's main considerations heading into the NFL draft as a first-year general manager, he says, "The cool thing about this experience was having a partner in Mike Vrabel. He’s done it all before. Of course, there was pressure because this was my first time facilitating an NFL Draft as a general manager, but I had a lot of experience around me to lean on and bounce ideas off of.

We also had to just trust our board, and not allow outside circumstances dictate our plan. I think we did that well."

ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON

Ran says he's looking forward to exploring Nashville. "I’ve found a few places I already frequent, so I’m excited to keep growing that list."

Regarding hobbies, Ran quips, "If you ask my wife, she’ll tell you I have no hobbies. I have no life outside of my family and football. I do like music, though. I'm not musically inclined myself, but I appreciate it."

He says he relishes being around creators, so when he goes to Miami in the summers, he joins studio artists to just watch them create their music. "I’m looking for a studio in Nashville to engage with and spend time drawing inspiration from artists and musicians," he announces.

Ran's charitable interests lie in taking action on things that touch his heart. "I always want to lend a hand and show up for things that make an impact," he adds.

A good example of Ran's idea of support is the "Fatherhood Ticket Program" he created in Atlanta, which gives two tickets and two sideline passes to a deserving father.

"Usually kids write-in and tell us why their dad deserves it. We hear those stories about single parent households where dad wasn’t really involved, but you rarely hear the stories about where dad was involved and played a big role. It’s a great way to celebrate the men who are stepping up to fill such an important role in a kid’s life. I definitely want to bring the Fatherhood Ticket Program to Nashville. I think the community will love it," he says.

Regarding how his family's brood is getting acclimated, he says, "Our daughter is going off to college this year. I also have an assistant general manager in my house. My oldest son, at 6 years old, critiques every signing we do and every draft pick. My kids are amazing. I love spending time with them. Our house is always busy, and no one is short on opinions."

He shares that he met his wife, Heaven, during college in a Haitian-Creole class.

Ran's Father's Day tradition? "It's the best. I like to just chill out for the day. The kids will bring me breakfast and then I just have a relaxing day for myself."

David Adams

Make Money Work

Lifestyle Asks David Adams About Smart Work-Life Balance

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI

1. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE FINANCE INDUSTRY?

When I was around 12 years old, I started a yard business cutting lawns. I got used to making money and saving it. When I was about 16, I also started doing some investing in the stock market. It just came naturally to me.

2. WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE FINANCIAL ADVISORS HANDLE THEIR MONEY?

The advantage of working with a professional is that we're going to ask the right questions and build a custom plan. We've been through this thousands of times with different families, and there's so much more to it than just choosing stocks and mutual funds online. It's complicated. This is your money and if you make a mistake, it's gone.

3. WHAT DO YOU THINK DIFFERENTIATES YOU FROM MANY OTHER CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS?

We have a very unique vibe in our office. We're very casual and approachable. My office used to be an art gallery, and I’ve made it into a place that feels like a home. My dog, Jolene, is here every day. She's our director of stress management.

I also have a patented Retire While You Work philosophy. I wrote a book, Currency of Time, and also have podcasts and a radio show centered around it. I became passionate about this philosophy after seeing hundreds of clients working themselves to death until 65, saving up money and not really having a purpose or a life.

So, I started coming up with ways for people to use money to help them do the things they love with the people they love and really utilize their time better. I’ve helped clients do some really cool things mid-career, while in their 40s and 50s, versus working a job 60 hours a week until they’re 65.

Another big impetus was seeing what happened to my father. He had worked 40 years in retail, and was working 60 hours plus a week when he had a near stroke at age 63. He wasn't ready to retire and thought he needed more money. I had this moment with him where I said, “Dad, I'm not losing you to retail. You're going to retire and we're going to figure this out.”

1 | Awards

• Barron’s Top U.S. Advisors List 2023.

• One of the top 40 under 40 independent financial advisors in the U.S. by WealthManagement.com and REP magazine.

• Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors for the state of Tennessee five straight years.

• Recognized by Raymond James as part of Chairman’s Council for the top 1-2% U.S. advisors.

2 | Lifestyle

• Avid tennis and pickleball player, wake surfer, snow skier, and yoga and bootcamp enthusiast.

• World traveler.

• Dog lover.

• Home renovator/interior designer hobby.

3 | Volunteerism

• On the board and chair of the Capital Campaign Committee for AncoraTN.

• On the executive committee for the Nashville Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

• Served on the board of the Onsite Foundation.

• Wish grantor with Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee.

Certified Financial Planner  CPA Founder CEO of Adams Wealth Partners

4. WHAT IS THE THREE BUCKET APPROACH?

It’s the backbone of Retire While You Work. To make it simple, the first bucket is for emergencies and short-term needs. This is money that's in the bank. People should have at least six months’ worth of expenses set aside, plus money for any big expenses coming up in the next year.

Jumping over to bucket three, that's longterm money, think retirement (IRAs, 401(k)s), and money that you can't touch until you're 59 ½. This is money that may be invested aggressively in the market.

And then that middle bucket is the fun one. That's for all the life that happens between your 20s until you retire. That's where you are starting a new business or buying your dream home or vacation home, sending the kids to college -all those dreams are coming out of this bucket. We invest in a combination of the stock market, but also bonds and things that are conservative. We build this bucket that's growing at a moderate rate, but it’s also super liquid so you can have access to it and not have to pay penalties.

5. WHAT FEEDBACK HAVE YOU RECEIVED FROM CLIENTS ABOUT THIS PHILOSOPHY?

Some of the stories have been life-changing. There was this couple who were high-profile doctors working 70 hours a week. They were making tons of money, but they rarely saw each other. We came up with a plan where they actually gave all that up in their 40s to open a very unique hobby business. Now, they're enjoying life.

6. BEING IN NASHVILLE, YOU REPRESENT MANY PEOPLE IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. WHAT ARE SOME OF THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS, AND WHY IS IT CRITICAL TO HAVE AN ADVISOR WHO UNDERSTANDS A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY?

We work with everybody, but that's our biggest niche. A lot of times, they’re working their tails off writing songs for 10-plus

years and never knowing if they're going to have a number one hit. When they do hit it big, they need people like us to help them invest their money and come up with a lifetime plan in case they never write another big hit.

So, we have to be really specific because they have irregular incomes. During COVID was the perfect example. We had clients that went from making millions a year touring to all of a sudden making nothing for two years.

7. WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?

I live in Nashville, in Green Hills, and I’m very passionate about a couple of nonprofits. One is called AncoraTN, which was formerly End Slavery Tennessee, and we’re trying to eradicate human trafficking in Tennessee. I'm on their board and the chair of their capital campaign committee.

I'm also involved with the Alzheimer's Association. My mother just passed away after a four-year fight against Alzheimer’s. Since I love to travel, I took my dad on his first-ever international trip to Spain. We had a great time. The silver lining has been getting really close with my dad and making the best of our time together since we couldn't help my mom.

Another thing I love to do is renovate houses and do interior design. I've done five pretty large scale historic and mid-century modern home renovations in Nashville.

615.435.3644

DavidAdamsFinancialPlanning.com

David Adams is founder and CEO of Adams Wealth Partners.

MEN OF MUSIC CITY

CITY LIFESTYLE ASKS BUSINESS LEADERS ABOUT WHAT CONSTITUTES BEST IMMERSIVE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES

Immersive customer experiences: These days, customers seem to crave certain kinds of ‘experiences’ with products and services, along with equitable price points and quality. City Lifestyle asked local business leaders the following two, key questions: 1) In 2023, what do you believe most influences the way that consumers experience the process of choosing, purchasing and enjoying goods and services?

2)Where do you think this interactivity between businesses and consumers is heading in the future?

ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON

TODD TRESSLER

OWNER, TRESSLER ASSOCIATES

"Approachable brands win in today’s market. Fair pricing and quality products and services are market expectations. Customers want to feel appreciated, valued and less like a number or transaction. That’s where approachability shines. A brand who shares who they are with sincerity can have more opportunities to build meaningful connections with their customers, who make choices based on how an experience made them feel. It’s what people remember most. When the experience is true and real, it is powerful. It can be the key differentiator for your business, no matter what industry you are in. Staying approachable ensures you stay focused on them and not on yourself.

Who isn’t talking about Artificial Intelligence these days? Artificial Intelligence has exploded into the market and shows no signs of slowing down. While AI will have extraordinary benefits in many industries, there will still be the need and desire for human connection and a human workforce. The legal industry must stay on the leading side of these conversations as AI continues to integrate across the world. Businesses who serve consumers must continue to prioritize and focus on soft skills to ensure their consumer experience stands out in the AI age."

JOHN WALKER

OWNER, AKT & STRIDE FITNESS

"Today's social media and online research are the main ways people discover the value, quality and suitability of products they're interested in, and therefore will have the biggest influence over purchases. Internet search engines, along with social media companies, have become very proficient at tracking every click and swipe made on every cell phone, computer and tablet, using this information to tailor advertising to the person receiving it.

As the speed of communication becomes ever faster and artificial intelligence becomes more mainstream, I believe in the future we'll see a revolution in advertising where billboards can predict and adjust which messages to post by detecting the cell phones (and their owners) that are approaching, choosing displays that will be of the most interest to the coming audience. This theme could be repeated wherever advertisements can be found from movie theaters to grocery stores. We may even see movies and television shows that are self-adjusting according to the audience watching them, all with the purpose of introducing the right person to the right product at the right time.

While effective, all of this technological marketing can cause a separation from human connectivity which everyone craves whether they know it or not. That is where the brands I'm bringing to Nashville, Stride Fitness and AKT, can really make a difference. Our strong community is what keeps them coming back, day in and day out, to experience our unique fitness workouts and reach their goals along with their friends."

TODD LAWRENCE

"My experience as a consumer myself mirrors that of the clients we serve. A competitive price is important; however, value is equally, if not more important. As a service provider, consumers are looking for ease, reliability and communication.

At Blingle!, we focus on delivering an exceptional experience from start to finish. Our process starts with listening to our clients to understand their vision for a particular project. From there, we get to work on a customized design and collaborate with our client along the way. When it comes time to execute on the agreed upon plan, we utilize superior quality products and we stand behind our work. As a result, we have the pleasure of lighting up our clients lives and creating a memorable moment and experience.

I anticipate the engagement between consumers and businesses will continue to evolve. It will be essential to have various options for consumers to choose how they communicate with you, whether it through phone, web, text or chat. A business must be able to educate, communicate effectively, and articulate their value through every interaction."

OWNER, BLINGLE’S NASHVILLE WEST TENNESSEE

Photo by Nashbox Studios

AL OR WA SFO 2 1 1 1 B E L C O U R T A V E H I L L S B O R O V I L L A G E A N Z I E B L U E . C O M E V E N T I N Q U I R I E S : D E R E K @ A N Z I E B L U E . C O M 26

Winemaker Series

Westin Nashville Reinstates Popular Package Of L27 Rooftop Setting, Exceptional Wine, Exquisite Cuisine

Team members at The Westin Nashville are eager to reoffer their intimate winemaker series for this year, which  features renowned winemakers showcasing their finest wines, thoughtfully paired with a delectable, five-course dinner at the stunning L27 Rooftop. The meal includes valet parking at the hotel, 807 Clark Place.

It’s a great opportunity for guests to indulge in a variety of exceptional wines, including but not limited to the 100-point Napa Valley wines from JH Wheeler and the farm's portfolio, as well as the exquisite

offerings from Melka Estates, founded by Phillipe and Cherie Melka.

For those seeking a taste of the Pacific Northwest, the event series also will feature the best of Willamette Valley's Gran Moraine and Zena Crown wineries.

The winemaker series schedule is:

• June 17

• July 14

• Aug. 4

• Sept. 8

Tickets are $150 per person, and can be secured at Eventbrite.com. For each

of these dates, a reception starts at 6:30 p.m. with dinner following at 7 p.m. One of the reception plus four-course menus planned includes shrimp ceviche, lobster/ scallop ravioli, coffee-rubbed venison and veal cheek cassoulet and ice cream and caviar. Another evening spotlights pan-seared halibut, maple leaf duck breast, grilled New York strip and opera cake or berry compote.

615.248.2800

NashvilleDowntown.com/go/ The-Westin-Nashville

ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON

THURSDAY, MAY 25

Caylee Hammack

Catie Offerman WITH

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

Tyler Rich

Graham Barham WITH

THURSDAY, JULY 20

Georgia Webster

Meg McRee WITH

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25

King Calaway

Ben Chapman & Co WITH

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Kassi Ashton Abbey Cone WITH

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

David Morris

To Be Announced WITH

L27 ROOFTOP LOUNGE AT THE WESTIN NASHVILLE

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Good news happening right in your neighborhood.

Local content by local creators.

Inside scoops on local businesses & events.

Dave Stewart And The Nashville Stars

BRINGING MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TO NASHVILLE

ARTICLE BY MYRA SIMMONS MCENTIRE

Dave Stewart and the Nashville Stars leadership team are ready for Major League Baseball to come to Nashville. Specifically, a minority-majority, Black-owned major league team that focuses on diversity, inclusion and equity.

“Major League Baseball has minority representation ownership through Arte Moreno with the Anaheim Angels,” says Dave, who is a former pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics, and Toronto Blue Jays, as well as an All-Star and a three-time World Series Champion. “But there’s never been a majority Afro-American team ownership. So leadership started having conversations with team owners, staying close to the commissioner's office, and having conversations there. I learned as much as possible so this process can succeed.”

This city has a rich baseball history with the Negro Leagues, and Dave wants to honor that. After a presentation to the baseball commissioner, Rob Manfred, petitioning to bring a team here, the commissioner acknowledged that the Nashville Stars deserved to be seriously considered.

“Before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, the Negro Leagues were doing very well,” he says. “They had Black ownership except for one team, and it was a successful league. Years after Jackie broke that barrier, the Negro League deteriorated and went away. We want to honor that history.”

The original Nashville Stars were part of the Negro League.

Dave believes baseball should represent who we are as a country and nation. The Nashville Stars leadership is focused on diversity and inclusion; that doesn’t mean just who’s on the field. “You’ll walk through the offices of the Nashville Stars, and if you get a peek at the decision-makers, they will look like what our country is representative of, in all aspects. When people hear 'majority Afro-American owned,' they get the impression of sole Black ownership. That is not the intent or the story at all. The story is that Afro-American ownership breaks a barrier in baseball, but everyone is accepted. The 51% is the majority, leaving 49% for everyone else. This is the right thing to do for Major League Baseball,” he says.

“I’ve been in this sport for 48 years,” Dave continues. “I’ve been an executive, a player, an agent, and a broadcaster. There’s a place for this idea, and we’re putting everything we have in it. Right now, we’re looking at north Nashville, and we have 200 acres. Everything that’s happening in Nashville proper hasn’t extended to north Nashville. So we have an opportunity to build a community. There are four historically Black colleges and universities all within walking distance of each other in the area: Tennessee State University, Fisk University, Meharry College, and the American Baptist College. It’s an economic driver, allowing the area to flourish and grow.”

With a roster of advisers from Luke Combs to Tony La Russa, the future is bright for the Nashville Stars. “Since early in my childhood, I loved the game of baseball and what it stood for,” Dave says. “As baseball has advanced through the years, through all the great commissioners that we had, the game has evolved. It recognizes all nationalities and all types of people. The one place it hasn’t reached is minority-majority ownership, and I believe the game is ready for it."

"The story is that Afro-American ownership breaks a barrier in baseball, but everyone is accepted. The 51% is the majority, leaving 49% for everyone else."

BEING PAR FOR THE COURSE

ARTICLE BY AMANDA OSWALT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BAILEY

Pro Golfer Bill Breen Says Planning For Aging While Still Healthy Enables Well-Lived Lives

Bill Breen and Hanna Paramore Breen share how Bill improves his golf game and life through planning, tips and their membership with LiveWell by Blakeford.

When it comes to top recommendations someone can do to stay active and healthy to improve their golf game on and off the course, Bill suggests that one starts with eating right. "Practice daily stretching and have a workout plan. Just move, play golf regularly. Walk as much as possible to stay in shape," he says.

He stresses how having a plan is "a big deal," and how everyone should set goals for all aspects of their lives. "Making plans can be a motivator to look back on because writing down goals holds you accountable," he adds.

When it comes to golf, Bill says it’s important to be patient and to keep learning how to improve one's game. For instance, as an instructor at Harpeth Valley Golf Center, he regularly gives his students an assessment to determine what plan of action to take at that time and then reassesses a month later.

He also suggests seeing a nutritionist, which he did after he noticed he was getting tired mentally. One of the benefits was determining to which foods he was allergic. After eliminating those triggers from his diet, he was able

to manage his weight and mental toughness, which helped improve his golf game.

Preparing for the future is important to the Breens, both personally and professionally. Hannah says it gives them peace of mind and allows them to focus on what they enjoy day-to-day.

Personal experiences led them down this planning path. Hannah says her mother has been in Alzheimer’s care for the past five years, and Bill has lost uncles during that time as well. This also showed them how expensive and confusing medical care can be, which is one of the reasons they chose to become members of LiveWell. The program pairs members with a care coordinator who helps navigate the health care system with members by attending appointments and breaking down medical jargon.

Planners by nature, LiveWell allows the Breens to remain active while taking the burden off family members. They can use Blakeford’s amenities, including a new wellness center set to open this summer, while living at home.

It all started with a simple phone call, and now a little more than a year into the program, the Breens are happy with their decision and looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

615.665.0694 | Blakeford.com/LiveWell

Senior PGA golfer Bill Breen’s career wins include the Tennessee State Senior Open he won four times. A PGA member since 1989, Bill has taught tens of thousands of golfers from the beginner to the tour level professional for more than 30 years. He has played in the U.S. Senior Open twice. He played in the PGA Professional Championship in Albuquerque, New Mexico, televised on national television in April this year.

He has two tournaments coming up this summer. In June, he says he will try for his fifth win at the Tennessee PGA Senior State Open. In July, he will travel to Wales to attempt the British Senior Open.

An important part of his preparation and planning include LiveWell, which combines the best aspects of a long-term care plan, private home care and retirement community living into an innovative package. Although more than 35 Life Plan at-home programs are in operation across the country, company representatives indicate LiveWell by Blakeford is the only program in Middle Tennessee, with a new location in Sewanee, Tennessee.

NASCAR IS BACK!

PRIMETIME RACE OF THE ALLY 400 AT THE NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH VAUGHN

Nashville Superspeedway, Middle Tennessee’s racing jewel, is a family-friendly destination and proud host of NASCAR's Ally 400 race weekend this June 23-25.

Middle Tennessee's can’t-miss event of the summer, the Nashville Superspeedway’s race weekend includes the Rackley Roofing 200 Craftsman Truck Series race on June 23, the Tennessee Lottery 250 Xfinity Series race on June 24, and the Ally 400 Cup Series race on June 25 and under the lights in prime time.

Award-winning country music singer/songwriter Parker McCollum will get fans revved up for the Ally 400 when he takes the stage as the official pre-race concert performer on June 25. McCollum is expected to sing many of his popular songs including his first ever No. 1 platinum-selling hits “Pretty Heart” and “To Be Loved By You” from his critically-acclaimed debut album Gold Chain Cowboy.

World-renowned country music band Old Dominion will serve as grand marshal as the Nashville-based group, which received its eighth consecutive Academy of Country Music

Awards nomination for Group of the Year earlier this spring and claimed the past five straight such accolades, is set to give NASCAR’s Cup Series drivers the command to start their engines before the 6 p.m. CT race under the lights.

Nashville Superspeedway has been a fixture in the Middle Tennessee community for many years. But it’s more than just a racetrack; it’s a year-round hub for entertainment, a venue for community events and a source of economic activity for the region. Nashville Superspeedway hosts a wide range of events that bring together people from all walks of life, while attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and also creating jobs and generating revenue for local businesses.

Nashville Superspeedway is committed to giving back to the community to support education, health and wellness initiatives that benefit its neighbors in the region – such as providing opportunities for young people to learn about STEM fields and careers in motorsports.

Call 1.866.RACE.TIX or visit  NashvilleSuperspeedway. com to get tickets today.