Janie Masterson Realtor GRI CLHMS Trusted Real Estate Resource

Think one Mother's Day a year simply isn't enough? Well, I agree in the interests of exploring other cultures and customs. My grandmother came from France with her family when she was 8 years old. I am always interested in what that culture has in store.

All of us Moms can get a second dose of attention by celebrating France's Fête des Mères on May 25. A French tradition that was inaugurated by Napoleon and made official in 1950, this day honoring mothers dates back to Ancient Greece and is found in several countries.

In France, the tradition calls for a variety of honors for mother. She might receive a gift from her children, or the children might let mom (or mère) relax, and, as all things in France, it usually culminates in a large dinner in mom's honor. These dinners are usually a major family affair.

The main thrust is that this is a day when, much like in America, mothers do not work and their families cater to their whims. Mothers here also usually get cards and flowers. Sometimes children write short poems for mom. I would love it if my son, Grant or my daughters wrote me a POEM! Wow, what a treat that would be.

Why not offer your mom ~ or suggest to your family a chance for two Mother's Days in a year. She doesn't need to get another full-blown Mother's Day, but perhaps moms can get a nice meal or even a poem. Just in the interests of exploring other cultures and customs, of course.

One thing I really miss about Florida is the roadside produce stands. But the other day I was riding along Madison St just down from my office and I noticed the sight of a roadside vegetable stand. Basically, a small table laden with okra, beans, strawberries and succulent tomatoes. But the southern hospitality here is in full bloom along with all of the beautiful flowers.

The vendor, Eddie, will ask you to sample the fresh strawberries, which is such a delight. He has a truck load of melons and other goodies. He has fresh corn and okra too. Stop by and see Eddie and tell him Janie Masterson sent you over for a taste test of those strawberries.

Eddie (a.k.a. E & D Produce) will have this little stand at the corner where Gateway Towing and Recovery sits (518 Madison). On weekends, Eddie shifts his stock to the Flea market at Fort Campbell Boulevard and Dover Road, across from Krogers. shop at Eddie's stand. For more information on E & D Produce call 931.627.2650.

If you know of any other stands please let me know. I love them.

Tiny Town Road has gained a taste of all things Mexican, conveniently in front of the northeast Montgomery County mecca that is the Great Escape movie theater.

Nicolas Onate Jr. has opened El Bracero Mexican Restaurant there, seating about 150 people when you include the bar, and employing 20.

The lure to that side of town was obvious for Onate, of Madisonville, Ky.

"We saw that that area of Clarksville had been building up with the movie theater being there. We had been thinking about opening up a restaurant in Clarksville for some time.

"We chose this particular location because we felt that it was far enough away from other Mexican restaurants in Clarksville to have success."

The El Bracero menu is typical of popular Mexican cuisine, with the usual tacos, enchiladas and fajitas, and margaritas to drink, but Onate has added a few twists as well.

"Our best sellers are our Durango Special and Jalisco Special," he said. The Durango features a split chicken breast with cheese, shrimp, rice, lettuce and guacamole, topped with Mexican spice. The Jalisco starts with a bed of rice topped with steak, chicken and shrimp, cooked with onion, bell pepper and tomato all smothered in cheese. This dish is his own creation.

If you are in the area, or just out looking for a great new place to eat out, you should give this restaurant a try, I think the food is excellent!!!

Clarksville, TN has a new slogan and logo that has a few folks around here pretty excited. Clarksville is no longer the "Gateway to the New South." The city is now "Tennessee's Top Spot."

On Friday at the downtown branch of F&M Bank, the new brand for Clarksville was unveiled to a room full of people anxious to catch a glimpse of the new brand that will follow the city in all of its marketing efforts for the next several years.

And the early reviews were stellar.

"The best comment I heard was it was a home run," said Jim Durrett, city chief of staff.

The new logo is clean and simple. It uses a compass pointer as the "I" in Clarksville, bringing attention to the geographic location of the city being Tennessee's northern-most city.

The colors are red and blue, which were no coincidence, according to Ward 2 Councilwoman Deanna McLaughlin, who also served on the communications committee that helped design the new logo.

"Red and blue are colors that are not going to fade," McLaughlin said after the unveiling. "We didn't want to go with the hot colors for now, we wanted something that we can have a long life with."

The slogan of "Tennessee's Top Spot" was also intentional - designed to be versatile with almost any marketing effort that might come about in the future.

Mike McCloud, president and CEO of MMA Creative, the design firm behind the logo, made the presentation and hinted at potential marketing ideas such as "Tennessee's Top Spot ... for tourism" or Tennessee's Top Spot ... for shopping."

"We're not looking at just creating a logo," McCloud said. "We're looking at creating a movement."

The concept of a new branding for the city came up just under a year ago at a planning retreat where one of the top initiatives the city had for the future was to "put Clarksville on the map."

City leaders, including McLaughlin, had also voiced their displeasure with the old brand and logo of a river passing by one of the city's coveted spires.

Mayor Johnny Piper was on hand and said the new logo will first appear on city letterhead and business cards, and will be phased in over a period of time.

The first place many residents will see the new logo will likely be on city vehicles, he said.

"The marketing capabilities of using this theme is significant," Piper said. "What a great marketing tool to use."

Article compliments of "The Leaf Chronicle"

Sponsored by: Friends of Dunbar Cave Warioto Audubon Chapter

Tennessee Trails Association Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

ALL ACTIVITIES BEGIN AT THE VISITOR CENTER AND ARE FREE OF CHARGE.

SOME PROGRAMS MAY OVERLAP TIMES; EVENT WILL BE HELD RAIN OR SHINE.

Hike the trails at the park; watch and identify birds with members of the Warioto Audubon Chapter. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them.

Merri Hinton, an experienced backpacker and long-distance hiker, will demonstrate the needed equipment for backpacking, day hiking and camping.

Duane Rice, local Audubon Society leader and bluebird expert will talk about how to host Eastern Bluebirds around your home and property.

Amy Wallace, the park's naturalist, will lead you on a hike to appreciate the abundant wild flowers & other plants found in the park.

Save Our American Raptors will give an educational program showing various birds of prey. They will tell about each bird and its personal history, describe its species and how it fits into the natural world. Several of the birds are flighted which should make for some lively audience encounters.

Nathan Parker, APSU naturalist, will talk about some of our local native salamanders, frogs and snakes.

Walden's Puddle will discuss some of the animals that you will find living in your town or community. Live animals will be displayed.

Save Our American Raptors will provide an educational program showing a various birds of prey.

Sherry and Donny Howell and Logan Snyder, local reptile experts, show you native and exotic snakes and other reptiles. Learn why these gentle creatures are so important to our ecology.

Walden's Puddle will discuss some of the animals that you will find living in your town or community.

Suva Bastin, member of Clarksville's Tennessee Trails Association, will lead us on a hike on the park's trails. She can provide valuable pointers for day-hiking in our region.

Enjoy the beauty of Swan Lake and Dunbar Cave State Natural Area from a canoe. Canoes, paddle and life jackets provided for brief excursions on the lake.

For More Information Contact: Janie Masterson 931 801-3348. I'll see you there!