Letters were mailed on January 11 from Mayor Karl Dean to all Davidson County registered voters whose identifying information was likely listed on the laptops that were stolen from the Davidson County Election Commission offices over the Christmas holiday. The letters offer a year of identity protection service from Debix Identity Protection Network at no charge. Included in the protection are: warnings by phone whenever someone attempts to open credit in your name, optional placement on the National Do Not Call Registry, and $10,000 of identity protection insurance (although the Debix website indicates $25,000 of coverage will be provided). In addition, Debix will place a fraud alert on your account with each of the three major credit bureaus and renew that alert every three months.

I received my letter recently and went to the Debix website to learn more.
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Following on the success of last summer’s BarCamp new media “unconference,” tech-savvy musicians, marketers, bloggers and developers will gather next month in Nashville to discuss new media and podcasting. PodCamp Nashville, which is free to the public, will be held at the historic Cannery Ballroom on Saturday, February 9, and is designed for anyone interested in online media to share ideas, hear from industry experts, and participate in discussions and demos.

“This is all about building community,” said Dave Delaney, one of the local PodCamp organizers. “That’s what we’re trying to do here. By attending PodCamp Nashville, members of the blogging, podcasting, marketing, development and business communities will be able to join forces to put Nashville on the digital world map. After the huge success of BarCamp Nashville, it’s clear that Nashville’s tech community is alive and kicking.”
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After reading Andrew’s pre-opening prospectus on Lot 7, I was intrigued when a friend of mine chose it for her bar-de-birthday. To continue MetBlog’s intrepid coverage of all things nightlife, here’s how they are doing now that they’re open:

Lot 7

125 12th Ave N

Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 251-9519

http://www.lot7.net

Standing outside Lot 7, your first impressions may lead you to believe that its just another chic ultra-lounge. It’s off-the-strip location and frosted exterior doors may lead you to believe that it’s desperately attempting achieve an air of exclusivity, reserved only for celebrity fly traps.

Inside, however, is a whole different ball game.

The first thing that hits you is that Lot 7 pulses with a distinctive beat, in part because of its brilliantly designed, conversation-friendly sound system, but also because of its great balance of style and intimacy. Using the space remarkably well, Lot 7 may feel a bit cramped once the party gets going (sometime around midnight) but otherwise it’s lounge-like tables and banquettes beckon both trendy as well as “trendy-lite” Nashvillians.



The Good

Heading up any list of this lounge’s features is service. From the door guys to the friendly and attentive servers and bar tenders, Lot 7 gets it right. Without pretension, without over-complicated menus the staff makes everyone feel welcome while reinforcing the style and sophistication of the venue.

The Bad

Though its a non-smoking club, avoid the “patio.” It’s a roofed space off the main dance floor that’s great for smokers (it actually features its own bar) but asphyxiating for almost anyone else.



The Bottom Line

Lot 7 definitely impresses. Crammed once it gets going, Lot 7 retains its stylish composure with affordable drinks and a great dance DJ. Check it out, bring your friends (with reservations, hopefully) and have a great time.

Technorati Tags: Lot 7, Nashville, nashville nightlife, nashville lounges

The following post is courtesy my friend, Sam.

To read more of Sam’s rants, click here.

Saturday afternoon my wife received a letter in the mail from the Davidson County Election Commission. As she had recently changed her name legally, along with the fact that there’s a primary looming on the horizon, we thought little of it. But rather than the expected updated voter registration card, we got the following (copied from Nashville.gov):

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 47-18-2107, the Davidson County Election Commission is notifying you that there was a breach of the security of the data in the Office of the Davidson County Election Commission and personal information about you is reasonably believed to have been acquired by an unauthorized person.

The letter goes on to say that a laptop containing sensitive personal data, including names, social security numbers, and addresses (or as I like to call them, the “Take a Credit Card Out in My Name Trifecta”) was stolen.

Conspicuously absent from this letter or, for that matter, any of the subsequent press releases, was any mention of data encryption.

I mean, seriously, how many laptops containing sensitive personal data have been stolen in the past year or so? And how many pundits and prognosticators have come out in favor of data encryption?

As Luke Froeb likes to say, perhaps the people at the election commission should be allowed to move their assets to higher value uses …

Technorati Tags: Davidson Country Election Commission, Davidson County, laptops, Nashville

Is it just me or does anyone else find this incredibly disturbing: Truckload of rodeo bulls stolen in downtown Nashville?

Apparently, while loading 12 bulls slated the Professional Champion Bullriding show, the truck carrying said bovines was hijaked. Let me repeat that…12 bulls, the kind I assume have their you-know-whats tied in order to make them angrier, were loaded into a truck, that was ALREADY RUNNING, when some idiot jumped in the truck’s cab and drove off.

The truck was recovered this morning, according to WKRN on the interstate with all of the bulls (apparently valued at over $100,000 each) intact.

The thing I can’t get over is the closing line to the original story: “I just hope he doesn’t go out somewhere and set them loose.”

Way to go, Tennessean! Responsible journalism, as always.

Though I seriously can’t stop thinking that running of the bulls on Broadway on a Saturday night might be worth the price of admission, I am glad the thief didn’t stick around long enough to pick up a newspaper.

Technorati Tags: bullriding, Bulls, Hijack, Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Professional Champion Bullriding show, Tennessean

If you haven’t yet registered to vote, but want to participate in the February 5 Tennessee presidential primary (and trust Metro with your identifying info), this coming Monday, January 7, is the last day to register. Early voting starts on Wednesday, January 16, and runs through Thursday, January 31.

More information about voter registration is available from Metro Election Commission or Tenn. Dept. of State.

First and foremost, Happy 2008 everyone! I didn’t get a chance to ring in the New Year Nashville style since I was at the beach with my girlfriend, but my buddies all reported a good time - except for the throngs of sullen Kentucky fans that were swamping some of the more touristy bars downtown.

So what’s the deal with Lonnie’s on West End? Driving back into town yesterday from my holiday vacation, I was cruising down West End Avenue when I spotted the familiar Lonnie’s logo newly posted above the former nail salon space next to Cumberland Transit. The windows were blocked out, so I couldn’t see what was going on inside, but if Lonnie’s is about to open a satellite karaoke bar that I can walk to, I’m all for it. Anyone know what’s going on with this?

More good news: Lime has finally opened on Broadway next door to Broadway Brewhouse. All the Rage reports that the much-anticipated hotspot had a soft opening last weekend. Since I just got back in town yesterday, I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, but hopefully I’ll give it a go over the weekend.

Finally, if you don’t have plans for Monday night (or don’t really care to watch the big game on TV), by all means check out Eli Young Band at Third and Lindsley. EYB is one of my favorite bands and a great group of musicians. The show starts at 6:00pm.