One of my favorite things about the Tomato Fest this is the theme, which is; The Tomato – A Uniter, not a Divider – Bringing together Fruits and Vegetables.

If only Washington could be so brave as to bring all the “fruits” and “vegetables” together.  We could celebrate more than a community coming together for a day. Oh, but I regress… let’s get back to The Tomato Art Fest.

If you have been before then you already know how much fun and excitement there is to be had by all. Art and crafts for the grown-ups (note; I did not say adults), a kids area for the children in tow, music for just about everyone (just hang around long enough and you will hear something you like) and food for everyone. It’s just a great time to be had by all.

You will find all this fun going on across the river on the east side of downtown Nashville in a wonderful historical part of town called, East Nashville. Located at Five Point’s, which is located at the corner’s of 11^th & Woodland, the Tomato Art Fest is mainly outdoors so make sure you are prepared for hot weather; did I say HOT weather?!

Bring or be prepared to buy a lot of water and don’t worry so much about parking. Most of the locals will walk or ride in leaving those visiting the area pretty good access. If you’re luck enough to know someone who lives in the neighborhood, they may let you park at their house and walk in as well. However, once you are there, make a day out of it. You can’t miss with a completely free day of wonderful tomato art, tomato fun and tomato worship (don’t be offended, it’s just an endearment for those of us who grow the almighty fruit that is viewed and a vegetable).

The goal is to have fun. Come planning to make it a great day!

Investing in a home with a solar energy system installed is a great way to take advantage of renewable energy while adding value to the home. Yet, most homes don’t offer such technological advances. If you’re interesting in investing in a home that will lower energy costs, look for smaller updates. Energy Star appliances, like refrigerators and dishwashers are great energy savers, and can also save you a lot of money. Beyond this, updated windows and doors can trap heat and cool air in your home, also saving you money on your power bills. Look for homes that utilize an abundance of natural light. Skylights are also a great way to light rooms during the day to save on energy costs. If you want to invest in a home that will save you money on your energy bills, look for homes with minor improvements that can make a big difference.

With fuel prices constantly in flux, it’s no wonder people are flocking to homes that are great for solar power, or already have solar power systems installed. If you are considering purchasing a home with a solar power system, consider several things. Firstly, there is a level of maintenance involved with every solar system, so consult with the homeowners about what this entails. Oftentimes, the price of a home will increase due to solar energy systems, so inquire about this too. In many states, excess power generated from a residential solar energy system may be credited back to the homeowners, and there are tax rebates and other incentives to entice homeowners to continue purchasing homes with solar energy systems. There’s a lot to learn, so be sure to consult with your real estate agent, the existing homeowners, and a solar expert before deciding on a solar energy home.

You can take an online energy audit on the Nashville Electric Service’s website and receive a package called and Energy Conservation Kit to help you save energy in your own home.

The kit includes:

• 2 compact fluorescent bulbs
• Outlet & light switch gaskets
• Filter whistle
• 2 faucet aerators
• Hot water temperature gauge
• Home thermometer
• How to Save brochure

It’s a great start and a good way to learn more about what you can do to help yourself.