VOL. 37 | NO. 21 | Friday, May 24, 2013

How Amy Grant led the way to connect country music with people in need
In Nashville, it’s almost a requirement for celebrities to get involved with charities by donating time, money and talent. But how does a country star choose an organization to represent?
For decades, country music and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have shared a special relationship that now includes title sponsorship of Nashville’s annual Country Music Marathon.
Dolly Parton, country singer/songwriter and movie star – Dolly grew up without much, so she wanted poor kids in and around her hometown in East Tennessee to have access to books. So she started buying them. Today, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has provided almost 40 million books in more than 1,600 communities in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom.
Nothing kills a good mood like filling up the tank and seeing gas a nickel cheaper two miles down the road.
Despite having an array of skills that would be valuable to any employer, many veterans find the civilian job market a tough place to gain traction.
Maybe it’s the authentic Irish music, both live and on the sound system. Perhaps it’s the food, certainly likely with a chef named Magic.
REALTY CHECK
With the reality of the recession fresh in the minds of many investors, there has been more and more interest in realty. While stocks may climb and fall, the need for shelter is consistent, and people somehow manage to pay rent in order to keep the roofs over their heads and their enormous television screens.
REAL ESTATE
Top April 2013 commercial real estate transactions for Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner counties, as compiled by Chandler Reports.
NEWSMAKERS
Guy joined TriStar Centennial as the chief medical officer of TriStar Centennial Women’s & Children’s hospital in September 2012 and has been serving as interim chief medical officer of TriStar Centennial since November 2012.
THE WORLDLY INVESTOR
The “Sell in May, and Go Away” slogan is common vernacular within the investment sphere. However, for some of our readers who might not be as familiar with this phrase, we will use this week’s writings to review.
KAY'S COOKING CORNER
I recently served as a wedding coordinator for a sweet, young couple at our church. This past weekend was the wedding, which was an experience like no other, including when my daughter married.
I SWEAR
(With apologies to Schmick, Wheelan, Rowling, Lamott, Wallace, Sedaris and others, here is the graduation speech I’ve never been asked to give – in two parts.)
MIDSTATE
9:43amNASHVILLE (AP) — State officials say that automotive seat manufacturer NHK Seating of America Inc. plans to expand its facility in Murfreesboro, adding 94 jobs in the process.
STATEWIDE
9:43amNASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Highway Patrol is stepping up seat belt and DUI enforcement over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
NASHVILLE (AP) — Rep. Scott DesJarlais, a licensed physician, was reprimanded and fined by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners for having sex with patients before he was elected to Congress, according to documents released Thursday.
MUSIC INDUSTRY
NASHVILLE -- Darius Rucker is a fan of Old Crow Medicine Show, but says he didn't really get what was so infectious about the string band's signature hit "Wagon Wheel" at first.
NATIONAL BUSINESS
9:46amWASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. orders for long-lasting manufactured goods rebounded in April, buoyed by more demand for aircraft and stronger business investment. The gains suggest economic growth may be holding steady this spring.
11:44amNEW YORK (AP) — The stock market headed lower in midday trading Friday, putting it on track for its first weekly loss in a month.
11:45amNEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil was knocked below $94 a barrel Friday by a combination of ample supplies and lukewarm demand.
9:48amWASHINGTON (AP) — When President Barack Obama pushed his health care overhaul plan through Congress, he counted labor unions among his strongest supporters.
9:48amNEW YORK (AP) — Household products giant Procter & Gamble Co. is hoping its former CEO can work his magic once again.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell 23,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 340,000, a level consistent with solid job growth.
NATIONAL POLITICS
WASHINGTON (AP) — The economy is recovering, the White House is dealing with multiple controversies, and President Barack Obama appears generally unaffected either way.