Hi everyone!  I hope you’re all surviving the dog days of summer.  Thank goodness the drought appears to be winding down.  My flowers and veggies are thriving, a good sign.  

So many of you are still looking forward to a fab summer vacay, so I thought I’d introduce you to my fave travel guru, Rick Steves.  My talk with him was tons of fun and so encouraging about foreign travel.  I never leave home without one of his guide books and now he’s got an app to help you make the most of your time off.  Listen to Rick then grab his latest Rick Steves Europe Through The Back Door 2012 and download his app for even more travel fun!  

Nashville is abuzz with so much creative energy and I just love to share it with all of you.  My next interview is with an inspiring local author who’s story will definitely move you.  Teasi Cannon’s memoir “My Big Bottomed Blessing” chronicles her struggles with her body image, self esteem, and ultimately her self acceptance.  It’s funny, heartwarming and thought provoking.  Enjoy hearing from her, then go out and get the book.  It will change your life!  

Here is Middle Tennessee, opportunities abound to get involved and help solve some weighty issues.  I was privileged to meet a couple of amazing women who saw a problem, felt led to help and now have created loving safe homes for victims of domestic violence.  Cheryl Hays, co-founder of Re-New at the YWCA of Middle Tennessee, talks about what inspired her and partner Julie Davis to make a difference in hundreds of lives.  Listen, be inspired and help this amazing organization.  

On a more serious note, our US Congress has taken lots of heat of late for its failure to pass a Federal budget.  But, there are many representatives that have had enough with the deadlock, partisanship and game playing.  Leading the charge for change, is our very own Representative Jim Cooper whose “No Budget, No Pay Act” is making its way through Congress.  I spoke with Representative Cooper to learn more about how the system broke down and why his proposed bill can fix it.  He explained it so beautifully, and made sense of a tough subject.  

Well, there is so much more I want to share.  So stay tuned to 103.3, 104.5 The Zone, and of course, this blog, for more great voices from Middle Tennessee and the country!  And, if you’d like to share your thoughts with me, email me at barbara.dab@cumulus.com. 

Ciao darlings!