Chuck Beard Talks Fatherhood and More on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes as we profile organizations, leaders, and volunteers who lead by example. With extraordinary acts of kindness and charitable giving that help countless lives daily, these organizations, leaders, and volunteers  embody, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

On Saturday, June 18, 2016, join me to hear a wonderful friend, Chuck Beard, owner of East Side Story, share his journey to fatherhood. (Emily Beard, wifey, shared her story in May.) Often times, the road to parenthood can be rocky and filled with ups and downs.

Chuck, like Emily, will be share his perspective about his hopes and dreams of starting a family after getting married and how he handled several years of trying. Chuck will give a rare glimpse of how men handle loss and the longing to become a parent. Tune in to hear how he balanced his emotions while staying supportive and encouraging to his wife.

On December 26, 2015, Chuck and Emily became the proud parents of baby bubbles, Avett Otis Beard, who has changed their world and the world of family, friends, and even customers of East Side Story! Avett Otis is so darn cute, he even has garnered a huge following on social media! Hear about the adventures of Chuck, now known as Super Dad, raising Avett Otis! Tune in to hear how he balances bouncing one of the happiest babies ever on his knee while managing East Side Story and how he stayed focused to finish graduate school this year. Whew! Hear his encouraging words to couples trying to become parents and life lessons he has learned along the way.

Avett Otis..some one hire this kid!

This show promises to bring you a few tears and tons of laughter this Father's Day weekend!


More about East Side Story! 

The Beards!

East Side Story is more than Nashville’s first, all-local bookstore.  East Side Story is more than a platform for Nashville-area writers to tell their best story while igniting, teaching, and encouraging the spirit of reading and writing in others.  East Side Story is an idea; a blank canvas for all local literary ideas to help make Music City more of a book town.

Like any good idea, East Side Story really started when more and more people besides the person who initially thought about it believed in its mission.  Chuck Beard, a freelance writer, editor, and author, realized that there was a lack of opportunities and spotlights for local aspiring writers and published authors not known on a national scale to hone their craft and share their stories.
In the Summer of 2012, Chuck entered his idea for what would become East Side Story into a nationwide idea contest titled Launch that was put together by Nashville’s own Proof Branding Solutions.  The contest asked anyone with a good idea to explain what it was about, what it would become if realized, and how it would positively affect the community that it is located inside and beyond into the future.  The winner of the contest would be rewarded with a number of services that Proof Branding Solutions provides to help small businesses get started.  Lo and behold, after receiving over a 100 solid ideas for the contest, East Side Story was chosen as the best one!

Chuck then met with the good people of Proof to begin things such as business and marketing plans on top of logo and website designs.  After meeting with Proof and defining the goals and essence of what East Side Story would become, the next step was to find a physical location.  Chuck met with good friends Bret and Meg MacFadyen of Art & Invention and The Idea Hatchery in East Nashville, and, as his running good fortune would have it, they had an opening at The Idea Hatchery for the perfect spot for East Side Story to officially begin and join the creative family of shops on “The Row” at 1108 Woodland Street.

On August 1st, less than a month after winning the idea contest, a lease was signed, keys were exchanged, and door at 1108 Woodland Street, Unit B, first opened … just in time to paint, design, and start loading the bookstore with local literature-based artwork and shelves of beautiful, locally written books.  Since idea inception, the snowball of positive feedback, more great ideas to make a good thing even better, and pure excitement for more original stories to be shared has grown more by the day.

East Side Story encourages, supports, cultivates, and provides a platform for local writers to tell their best story.  Our goal is to be a viable outlet to share these stories online through this website and at the bookstore.  East Side Story was first inspired by all of the creative talent that is evident in the Nashville area, and we hope to inspire and grow with this community for a long time going forward.

For more info about East Side Story click here:

Photo credits: East Side Story and the Beards

Artist to Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Popes on Living Your Best Life with Genma Homes

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes as we profile organizations, leaders, and volunteers who lead by example. With extraordinary acts of kindness and charitable giving that help countless lives daily, these organizations, leaders, and volunteers  embody, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

On Saturday, November 14, 2015, tune in to hear the artist to Presidents, Prime Ministers, and three Popes, Igor V. Babailov. Igor V. Babailov, Hon RAA, world-renowned portrait and figurative artist, Honorary Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757), scholar and spokesperson for the traditional school of art, was born on February 9, 1965 in  the town of Glazov, Udmurt Republic of Russia, into a family of academia. Listen to him share about being selected out of thousands of applicants for one opening at the Moscow Secondary School of Fine Arts later renamed The Moscow State Academic Art Lyceum under the Russian Academy of Arts.

His selection into this prestigious  school was a stepping stone to a lustrous career that has allowed him to paint official portraits of world leaders and teach master classes at some of the most highly regarded institutions of higher education around the globe. 

Mr. Babailov will also share about his meetings with Pope Benedict XVI (Vatican, Rome), Pope St. John Paul II (Vatican, Castelgandolfo) and the unveiling of Pope Francis (Vatican, Rome) portrait when the Pope visited the United States. For those who would love the opportunity of a lifetime to have one of his sketches or portraits to add to their family treasures, tune in to hear how you can own one of his masterpieces that will help benefit a fundraiser with the Brentwood Woman's Club on December 1, 2015.

Living Your Best Life, a radio show that empowers, inspires, and motivates us to live our BEST life, is heard on 760AM The Gospel in the Middle-TN area, Tune In,  military bases and on Ustream.TV worldwide from 9:00-10:00am CST.

More About Igor V. Babailov 

 Igor V. Babailov, Hon RAA, world-renowned portrait and figurative artist, Honorary Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757), scholar and spokesperson for the traditional school of art, was born on February 9, 1965 in  the town of Glazov, Udmurt Republic of Russia, into a family of academia. His father, Valery Babailov, was a portrait and landscape painter, he taught art in a preparatory art school. He was also poet and composer. Igor's mother, Rosa Kudasheva Babailova, was an acclaimed and award-winning teacher of biology & chemistry. In the family of cultured and academic intelligentsia, Igor and his brother Vladislav, grew up in an environment of ethics and inspired creativity.

 Igor V. Babailov is one of the most sought after portrait artists of the historic academic tradition. Deemed Living Master by the Art Renewal Center and recipient of national and international awards and honors, his paintings of world leaders, celebrities and distinguished individuals are in official public, private, corporate and museum collections, including those of: 

 President George W. Bush (Bush Presidential Library), former First Lady Hillary R. Clinton (Clinton Presidential Library); Supreme Court Justice, The Hon. Joseph P. Sullivan, (Supreme Court, New York); General David H. Petraeus - United States Army Commander and CIA Director (West Point Museum), historic new portrait of George Washington (George Washington’s Mount Vernon Museum); Pope Benedict XVI (Vatican, Rome), Pope St. John Paul II (Vatican, Castelgandolfo); Nelson Mandela (Presidential Collection, SA); HRH Prince Andrew (Buckingham Palace); Mayor Rudolph Giuliani of New York, (Giuliani Partners, NYC); Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, Kirill (Moscow Patriarchate); President Vladimir Putin of  Russia (The Kremlin); Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, (Parliament Hill, Canada); Gov. Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England; Senator Michael Pitfield; TV personality Regis Philbin; actor James Gandolfini; Isadore Sharp, Founder & CEO (Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts); Dr. Wayne Streilein (Harvard University); pianist Byron Janis and Maria Cooper Janis, (daughter of film star Gary Cooper); Ted Lazenby (The Board, Kennedy Center, by Presidential Appointment);  hockey legends Bobby Hull and Vladislav Tretiak, American football stars Boomer Esiason and Tiki Barber; Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, world-renowned Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa (Steven Spielberg’s Starlight Starbright Foundation, Japan) and many others.

Dr. Susan H. Edwards to Speak at Brentwood Woman's Club April Meeting

Dr. Susan H. Edwards, Executive Director and CEO of the Frist Center for the Visual Art, will be the Brentwood Woman's Club's guest speaker for their monthly meeting on April 7, 2015. Dr. Edwards will share about leading one of the most dynamic museums in the world and upcoming exhibitions to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

The Brentwood Library is located at 8109 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027. The meeting starts at 11:00am promptly. BWC's general meetings are open to the public.

More About Dr. Susan H. Edwards:

Dr. Susan H. Edwards was decorated as a Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters) in a ceremony at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in 2011. The medal was presented by the Consul General of France, Pascal Le Deunff.

Susan H. Edwards is Executive Director and CEO of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, Tennessee.  She also originates exhibitions, publishes, and lectures in the areas of modern and contemporary art and photography.  She is the author of Ben Shahn and the Task of Photography in Thirties America as well as articles that have appeared in The History of Photography, The Print Collectors’ Newsletter, and numerous exhibition catalogues.  She serves on the Bogliasco Foundation Advisory Board, Harvard University Art Museums Collections Committee and is an advisor for the Stephen Taller Archive at Harvard University. She is a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors.


More About the Brentwood Woman's Club:

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.  With 100,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members are community leaders who work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding.  The Brentwood Woman’s Club has been a chartered member of GFWC for over 40 years.

Genma Holmes Shares Highlights from Fort Campbell's Black History Program

It was an honor to be the keynote speaker at Fort Campbell's Black History Month Program. The room was packed with not only men and women in uniform but there was a large number of veterans and many members from the Clarksville Area community.

I was met at the door by a number of soldiers who expressed their thanks for keeping their family and the life of an enlisted member in the public eye through my broadcasts on Living Your Best Life Radio. Not only was I surprised by their heartfelt words but deeply humbled.

I heard the wonderful sounds of the Fort Campbell Band before I saw them! The lively music set the tone that we were assembled to celebrate the accomplishments of Americans whose contributions help make our country great. We were there to shine the spotlight on well known as well as unsung heroes, like my grandparents, who gave their all for the betterment of mankind.

We were warmly welcomed by the staff of Fort Campbell's EEO and EO office. After a beautiful opening prayer, we watched a brief film that was made by the US Army in 1944.  The film recognized the many contributions of African Americans prior to the film's debut. To see the Army, which at the time was dealing with the executive order to desegregate, produced a film that not only profiled the many pioneers from the African American community but also showed Army's appreciation of the "Negro Solider" was truly inspiring. The film was truly ahead of its time and one I highly recommend everyone to watch.

I was introduced by my dear friend, Dr. Gregory P. Stallwork, who I met several years ago in Leadership Middle TN. The introduction made me feel as if  I had won an Oscar and had me choked up before I even said one word.

I shared with the packed room at Commons Park about my life growing up in rural Mississippi and not seeing the division that I see today in our country. I remember two kinds of people: "poor and po". The economic plights of the poorest county in the country, Jefferson County, united Blacks and Whites, Jews and Gentiles, Catholics and Protestants. Working together for the greater good of all was the mantra of my grandfather's politics that still influences me today.

My only views of the world growing up were the ones my grandparents and parents showed me. They showed me that everyone mattered and that we all have something in common if we take time to get to know our neighbors and fellowman. Of course, as a child you really do not understand what is being taught to you but the foundation that was given to me by my family was paved with Godly intentions and that took root in my life. It is my guiding source today that allow me to lead from behind and to not rush to judge others, what I may not know, or understand.

Sharing pest control stories usually gets me a few laughs and this day was no different. I shared with the audience who were beginning to feel like family half way through my talk that being in the pest control industry was not an easy endeavor. But I have no regrets. I have learned more about people by being in industry that is not glamorous or sought after but is very much needed. My customers are friends who have been with us through the good, bad, and ugly. The Holmes Pest Control has allowed my family to raise our kids, has funded several other ventures and gives me an opportunity to give back to many worthwhile endeavors.

I also shared how much I enjoyed working in the media representing clients as well writing and allowing Living Your Best Life to bring to the airwaves stories like the Montford Point Marines and men like USMC Vietnam Veteran Bert Watkins who received a Purple Heart for his heroism in the Battle of Operation Swift.

I challenged the audience to take a moment to spend time with someone who do not look like them. I asked them to deposit a few words of kindness in that person's life and find a way to make our world a better place. The service of the men and women in uniform unites our country not to divide it. We can show our appreciation for the many firsts made by Americans by being a united country. Instead of focusing on what divides us, let us become more determined to find common ground. I ended sharing about my son, Lance Corporal Roger Cornelius Holmes, II, who became a Marines was a hard pill to swallow at first but because of him, I too. serve my country, proudly, as the mother of one of "The Few, The Proud, The Marines."

 For more photos of my wonderful day at Fort Campbell click here.

Photo credits: Otis Toussaint

Genma Holmes Black History Month Keynote Speaker at Fort Campbell

Fort Campbell EEO & EO Offices will hold its Annual Black History Month Special Emphasis Program Observance Luncheon, on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, from 11:00-12:30 at Cole Park Commons with Genma Stringer Holmes as the keynote speaker. This year's theme is:

"Civil Rights in America with Liberty and Justice for All!"

Holmes will share how her childhood experiences in rural Mississippi have enriched not hindered her worldview. She will discuss how her grandfather's Civil Right activism molded her volunteer work in the community and her grandmother's influence that led to her love of the arts. Holmes credits her childhood experiences as one of the reasons why she has held her own in an industry that is not known for attracting minorities or women.

Holmes will also discuss her personal motto "Others 'no' should not shape your destiny in life." She will share the challenges of being at the helm of two companies; the lessons she has learned from the demands of producing a weekly radio program, Living Your Best Life Radio; and her journey as a proud mother of a Marine.

Marine Ball 2013

Chuck Beard and David Walker to Speak at Brentwood Woman's Club Celebration of Youth Reception

 On Saturday, March 2, 2013 Brentwood Woman's Club (BWC) will host its annual Celebration of Youth Writers and Artists' reception. The reception will honor finalists who entered the BWC's fall and winter short story, poetry, and art contests for Williamson County Students.

This year, contestants will hear from local individuals who thrive in the writing and creative arts communities.

Chuck Beard is the author of Adventures inside A Bright Sky, writes a blog for nashvillesheART.com, is the editor of Number Inc.-arts publication covering art happenings in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee, and is the owner of East Side Story Bookstore, a book store that for local authors.


East Side Story is more than Nashville’s first, all-local bookstore.  East Side Story is more than a platform for Nashville-area writers to tell their best story while igniting, teaching, and encouraging the spirit of reading and writing in others.  East Side Story is an idea; a blank canvas for all local literary ideas to help make Music City more of a book town.

East Side Story sets itself apart because of its focus on Nashville authors. “Here the stars are local writers, whose books will be right next to New York Times Bestsellers,” Chuck says. He knows the importance of supporting local writers — a self-published author, he’s passionate about giving talent a chance to be seen and read. - See more at: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/08/08/nashvilles-new-literary-hub-east-side-story/#sthash.hdNgdzFk.dpuf

As a entrepreneur and artist, David Walker has taken on the role of supporting businesses and organizations in their branding and marketing ventures. In operation for over 8 years, his company, Rhealistic, has done business with organizations, large and small, all over the country. Primarily working with universities and businesses, David has found his stride providing graphic and web design needs. As the design community has recognized the struggle of the print community, David has embraced the task of providing web solutions to those very same companies. In addition to being a business owner, David is an Associate Professor of Graphic Design at Middle Tennessee State University. He serves as the Education Chair of AIGA Nashville, the local chapter of the national design organization, AIGA and is on the Student Advisory Committee at the Frist Center.

David is a graduate of Tennessee State University and the University of Memphis, attaining a Bachelors of Fine Art in studio arts (2004) and an Master of Fine Art in Graphic Design (2011).

Today's reception will be held at FiftyForward's Martin Center, 960 Heritage Way, Brentwood, TN from 2-4pm CST. 
 
More About the Brentwood Woman's Club

The GFWC Brentwood Woman’s Club (BWC) is proud to be celebrating its 40th year of community service in the Brentwood area. We are a part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. GFWC’s history can be traced back to 1868, and now is the largest, oldest, nonpartisan, nondenominational, international volunteer service organization of women in the world.

BWC educational support includes monetary donations to local schools for library books and art supplies; musical equipment and supplies; and three $1000 college scholarships to local students.

East Side Story sets itself apart because of its focus on Nashville authors. “Here the stars are local writers, whose books will be right next to New York Times Bestsellers,” Chuck says. He knows the importance of supporting local writers — a self-published author, he’s passionate about giving talent a chance to be seen and read. - See more at: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/08/08/nashvilles-new-literary-hub-east-side-story/#sthash.hdNgdzFk.dpuf

East Side Story sets itself apart because of its focus on Nashville authors. “Here the stars are local writers, whose books will be right next to New York Times Bestsellers,” Chuck says. He knows the importance of supporting local writers — a self-published author, he’s passionate about giving talent a chance to be seen and read. - See more at: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/08/08/nashvilles-new-literary-hub-east-side-story/#sthash.hdNgdzFk.dpuf

East Side Story sets itself apart because of its focus on Nashville authors. “Here the stars are local writers, whose books will be right next to New York Times Bestsellers,” Chuck says. He knows the importance of supporting local writers — a self-published author, he’s passionate about giving talent a chance to be seen and read. - See more at: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/08/08/nashvilles-new-literary-hub-east-side-story/#sthash.hdNgdzFk.dpuf

East Side Story sets itself apart because of its focus on Nashville authors. “Here the stars are local writers, whose books will be right next to New York Times Bestsellers,” Chuck says. He knows the importance of supporting local writers — a self-published author, he’s passionate about giving talent a chance to be seen and read. - See more at: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/08/08/nashvilles-new-literary-hub-east-side-story/#sthash.hdNgdzFk.dpuf

East Side Story sets itself apart because of its focus on Nashville authors. “Here the stars are local writers, whose books will be right next to New York Times Bestsellers,” Chuck says. He knows the importance of supporting local writers — a self-published author, he’s passionate about giving talent a chance to be seen and read. - See more at: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/08/08/nashvilles-new-literary-hub-east-side-story/#sthash.hdNgdzFk.dpuf

East Side Story sets itself apart because of its focus on Nashville authors. “Here the stars are local writers, whose books will be right next to New York Times Bestsellers,” Chuck says. He knows the importance of supporting local writers — a self-published author, he’s passionate about giving talent a chance to be seen and read. - See more at: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/08/08/nashvilles-new-literary-hub-east-side-story/#sthash.hdNgdzFk.dpuf

East Side Story sets itself apart because of its focus on Nashville authors. “Here the stars are local writers, whose books will be right next to New York Times Bestsellers,” Chuck says. He knows the importance of supporting local writers — a self-published author, he’s passionate about giving talent a chance to be seen and read. - See more at: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/08/08/nashvilles-new-literary-hub-east-side-story/#sthash.hdNgdzFk.dpuf

East Side Story sets itself apart because of its focus on Nashville authors. “Here the stars are local writers, whose books will be right next to New York Times Bestsellers,” Chuck says. He knows the importance of supporting local writers — a self-published author, he’s passionate about giving talent a chance to be seen and read. - See more at: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/08/08/nashvilles-new-literary-hub-east-side-story/#sthash.hdNgdzFk.dpuf

East Side Story sets itself apart because of its focus on Nashville authors. “Here the stars are local writers, whose books will be right next to New York Times Bestsellers,” Chuck says. He knows the importance of supporting local writers — a self-published author, he’s passionate about giving talent a chance to be seen and read. - See more at: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/08/08/nashvilles-new-literary-hub-east-side-story/#sthash.hdNgdzFk.dpuf

East Side Story sets itself apart because of its focus on Nashville authors. “Here the stars are local writers, whose books will be right next to New York Times Bestsellers,” Chuck says. He knows the importance of supporting local writers — a self-published author, he’s passionate about giving talent a chance to be seen and read. - See more at: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/08/08/nashvilles-new-literary-hub-east-side-story/#sthash.hdNgdzFk.dpuf

East Side Story sets itself apart because of its focus on Nashville authors. “Here the stars are local writers, whose books will be right next to New York Times Bestsellers,” Chuck says. He knows the importance of supporting local writers — a self-published author, he’s passionate about giving talent a chance to be seen and read. - See more at: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/08/08/nashvilles-new-literary-hub-east-side-story/#sthash.hdNgdzFk.dpuf

Adventures Inside a Bright-Eyed Sky

Adventures Inside a Bright-Eyed Sky

Adventures Inside a Bright-Eyed Sky

Adventures Inside a Bright-Eyed Skywrites an blog for nashvillesheART.com and is the editor of Number Inc.-arts publication covering art happenings in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Chuck i

Jennifer Cole and Rebecca Berrios on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes will celebrate Artober Nashville throughout the month of October with the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and the Metro Arts Commission. Tune in as we shine the spotlight on art, culture, history, and community.

On Saturday, October 6, 2012 join us to hear Jennifer Cole and Rebbecca Berrios of the Metropolitan Arts Commission. Hear them share how Artober Nashville has grown by leaps and bounds in less than two years and how the city of Nashville's growing art scene helps us to embrace the rich, diverse, cultural growth of our region. Jennifer and Rebecca will give us an overview of the month and share how art the art community "inspire people through art to look at their world in new ways".  Artober Nashville is a one stop portal to finding events in theater, music, art, and dance from October 1-31in Music City.
  
Living Your Best Life, radio that empowers, inspires, and motivates you to live your BEST life, is heard on 760AM in the Middle Tennessee Region, the Inspirational Network, military bases and live streamed at Ustream.TV from 9-10AM CST.

More About Jennifer Cole and Rebecca Berrios

Jennifer Cole stepped into the role of Executive Director of the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission in 2009. After success at the helm of numerous high-profile national projects with Points of Light Institute and Hands On Network, she brings a unique skill set to public art in Nashville. Cole recently released the Creative Vitality Index Report—a survey that put the creative character of this city into tangible terms. Through hard data, Cole uses this survey to tell the story of the centrality of the arts in Nashville. Gifted with a vision for the future and grounded by a sense of responsibility to Nashville’s roots, Cole is taking public art in the Music City to the next level.
Excerpt from Nashville Arts Magazine

Rebecca Berrios  is the Community Events Manager for the Metropolitian Nashville Arts. Rebecca joined Metro Arts in July 2011. Her role as community project coordinator includes managing the Gallery and the Artist Registry, coordinating Artober Nashville and leading various initiatives to expand and support the arts in Nashville.
 

 More About Artober Nashville

Artober Nashville is a month-long celebration of arts and culture in Nashville, designed to inform and inspire the community’s awareness of and participation in the array of activities during the month of October. It is held in conjunction with National Arts and Humanities Month, designated by Americans for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. The goal for Artober Nashville is for every Nashvillian to experience the arts. The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission and NowPlayingNashville partner with dozens of arts and cultural organizations throughout Nashville to highlight the depth and breadth of arts activities with official Artober Nashville events. The celebration includes all arts and cultural activities, including visual and performing arts, music, craft, film and commercial businesses that may present arts activities. Enjoy an Artober Nashville signature event during the month. Purchase an Artober VIP Pass. Find out more about the Yelp Check-In Challenge. Connect with Artober Nashville on Facebook and Twitter to share updates and events with friends and family!

History
In recognition of National Arts and Humanities Month, the Metro Nashville Arts Commission and NowPlayingNashville.com hosted the first Artober Nashville celebration in October 2011. They partnered with more than 160 arts and cultural organizations to highlight the depth and breadth of arts activities with official Artober Nashville events. More than 660 events were posted through NowPlayingNashville.com on the Artober Nashville website.

Partnering organizations included: the Nashville Symphony, Ballet, Opera; TPAC; Tennessee Repertory Theatre; Frist Center for the Visual Arts; Film Nashville; Nashville Shakespeare Festival; Street Theatre; Watkins College of Art, Design & Film; NECAT; Jazz Workshop; Southern Word; Global Education Center; Nashville Public Library; Belcourt Theatre; Arts & Business Council; Actor’s Bridge Ensemble; the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; the International Black Film Festival; Fifth Avenue of the Arts; Nashville in Harmony and Vanderbilt University.

National Arts and Humanities Month

 Every day we celebrate the arts, but October is the month to commemorate the arts in a big way. It is National Arts and Humanities Month—the largest annual celebration for the arts and humanities in the nation! National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM) is a coast-to-coast collective recognition of the importance of culture in America. It is designed to encourage all Americans to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives, and to begin a lifelong habit of active participation in the arts and humanities. From hosting a Creative Conversation or arts center open house to securing a mayoral proclamation or better newspaper coverage of the arts, people in every community across the United States can celebrate NAHM by helping recognize the contributions of cultural organizations in their region.

Text INSPIRE to 99000 to win a VIP Pass
Text INSPIRE to 99000 to win a membership the Frist Center

Photo credit: Jennifer Cole/Nashville Arts Magazine
                      In Studio shots/Genma Holmes

Living Your Best Life at East Side Story Book Store with Authors Christopher Scott and Eric Higgs

Now that one of Nashville largest outdoor festivals, Tomato Art Feast, is over; Genma Holmes invites you to come back to "east side" to enjoy the shoppes and food venues in the area.

Join Living Your Best Life at East Side Story Book Store, 1108 Woodland Street, as we spotlight a local author and his brother and trendy Nashville entrepreneurs who think outside of the box with businesses that have revitalized a community by thriving economically.

On Saturday, August 17,2012 Christoper Scott, co-author of Honor Thy Mother, Find Thy Father, along with his brother, Eric Higgs, will share a powerful story about reconciliation and redemption. Honor Thy Mother, Find Thy Father is a true story of two brothers who set out on a journey to find their father. In the process, they found each other, other siblings, and a deeper sense of self. Christopher and Eric were also able to answer questions about who they are and where they came from. A story steeped in love and forgiveness, they will talk about how their lives have changed, for the better, since meeting their father and the challenges they encountered on the road to forgiveness and wholeness.

Living Your Best Life, is a radio show that empowers, inspires, and motivates one to live their BEST life. Living Your Best Life can be heard on 760 The Gospel in the Middle TN Region, Inspirational Networks, military bases, and UStream.TV from 9-10AM CST.

More About Christoper Scott

Christopher R. Scott currently serves as President\CEO of Point of Contact Concierge Services in Nashville, Tennessee. Point of Contact provides temporary personal assistants and service to company executives, celebrities, professional athletes and clergy, on both a national and international basis.

Over the past two decades he has honed his strong communications skills and acquired invaluable human resources (HR) and recruiting experience. In addition to Point of Contact, Christopher has held positions with Kelley Services, Randstad Staffing, Nursing Resource Solutions and Anthem Career College.

Christopher’s passion is helping men see and reach their full potential and has reached out to the community as a volunteer, donating countless hours working with the Nashville Rescue Mission and many other transitional homes for men.

Christopher resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Tonia and has four children, Christopher (CJ) 25, Desmond 22, Jeffrey 21, Trenity 12.

More About Eric Higgs

Eric D. Higgs currently serves as the Marketing Director for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center,in Cincinnati Ohio. The mission of the institution is to reveal stories of freedom’s heroes from the era of the Underground Railroad to contemporary times, to inspire you to take courageous steps for freedom today.

With 17 years P&G professional experience, Eric’s career has spanned a variety of assignments and disciplines including Marketing and Product Supply. Eric started his career at Procter and Gamble in 1994 spending 10 years in manufacturing and engineering working in several locations in the US and in Canada. Eric moved to Marketing in 2004 and has served in many roles including: Associate Brand Manager for Bounty; Brand Manager for Ethnic Scale where he helped to launch the “My Black is Beautiful’ initiative, recognized by Ad Age as Ten Most Influential Marketing programs; Brand Manager for the $2B NA Bounty business, delivering 2 consecutive years of record business results, and most recently he served as the Associate Marketing Director for Global Fabric Care Innovation. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana (1994) and a MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University (2004).

Outside of work, Eric is involved in several activities ranging from social to philanthropic. Eric currently serves on the Fuqua School of Business’ Minority Alumni Board and the Fatherhood Initiative for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc, – Beta Iota Chapter in Cincinnati. Eric is a passionate football, basketball, baseball and Destination Imagination Coach for his three sons.

Eric Higgs is a Chicago native but proud to call Cincinnati & Mason, OH home. Eric is married to Jennifer and they have three sons, Isaiah (13), Elijah (11) and Noah (7). They attend New Jerusalem Baptist Church.

More About East Side Story Book Store

Nashville is rich with talented writers who can ignite, teach, and encourage the spirit of writing in others.

East Side Story will provide a platform for Nashville writers to tell their best story. This quaint bookstore is located in the Idea Hatchery next to the Arts & Invention Gallery at 1108 Woodland Street (Unit B). Doors opened on August 11th, 2012 during the popular Tomato Art Fest!

If a local author is interested in submitting work, or supporting the mission of East Side Story, please contact Chuck Beard at 615-915-1808 or @eastsidestorytn on Twitter.

Store Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 1-6pm | Saturdays, 11-5pm