“Chicago” was one of the two DT-2 Bombers that successfully completed the circumnavigation. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
If we were to step back 100 years (and a few days) in time, we’d find ourselves on the cusp of an impressive world event that was tied just as much to Nashville as Seattle, the city in which it took place. We’re talking about the first global circumnavigation by plane.
On April 6, 1924, four airplanes took off from Seattle with the hopes of being the first team to circumnavigate the Earth by airplane. You might know them as the “Magellans of the Sky,” and among them, was Nashvillian Jack Harding.
What was his role?
Jack Harding was aboard New Orleans, a plane that celebrated a successful landing. He served as Lt. Eric Nelson’s navigator, and together they overcame various obstacles on their journey, from an oil leak to getting caught in the propeller wash of another plane over the ocean.
You might be asking, “How did he get here?” Harding was a mechanic from a child, taking apart his mother’s sewing machine just to see how it functioned, before later attending Vanderbilt University with money he earned from working in a garage.
As soon as the US entered the war, Harding became a private in the Army Air Service. After some trial and error, he was eventually sent to aviation mechanics training school where he thrived. Here, he received the opportunity make a “Round the Rim” flight in 1919 (or the first circumnavigation of the continental US), and well, now you’re all caught up.
Spread your wings a bit further
To commemorate the great technological feat, the Nashville Public Library’s Main Branch unveiled an exhibit in the Metro Archives West Reading Room on Saturday.
Tour the room for a detailed timeline of the events that unfolded, with a special focus on Jack Harding, while also viewing accompanying photos and artifacts. Don’t miss: Interactive QR code elements — like this one modeling a Douglas aircraft in 3D A/R.
A. New Orleans, Seattle, Boston, Chicago B. Phoenix, Chicago, Tulsa, New Orleans C. Seattle, New Orleans, Chicago, Houston D. Chicago, Santa Monica, New Orleans, Seattle
Nashville Sounds vs. Omaha Storm Chasers | Thursday, April 18-Sunday, April 21 | Times vary | First Horizon Park, 19 Junior Gilliam Way | $10+ | Cheer on the Nashville Sounds as they take on the Omaha Storm Chasers on Throwback Thursday.
Friday, April 19
OneGenAway Spring Breakfast Fundraiser | Friday, April 19 | 6:15-8:15 a.m. | Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Rd., Franklin | Free+ | The breakfast fundraising event supports OneGenAway’s mission to rescue surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, and caterers to distribute to neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
Morning Ritual with Courtney Elliot | Friday, April 19 | 7 a.m. | W Nashville, 300 12th Ave. S. | $23 | Start your morning with this somatic breathwork class and then receive 20% off at The Restaurant.
Saturday, April 20
Dogs & Dogwoods | Saturday, April 20-Sunday, April 21 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Dr. | $22+ | Celebrate the blooming of Cheekwood’s dogwood collection with your pup.
Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair | Saturday, April 20-Sunday, April 21 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | oneC1TY, 8 City Blvd. | Free+ | Shop from 70+ artisan craft vendors showcasing jewelry, candles, fine arts, home goods, and more.
Sunday, April 21
Sourdough Bread | Sunday, April 21 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Bell Garden Nashville, 855A Colice Jeanne Rd. | $10 | In this class, you will learn tips for starting your homemade sourdough journey.
Monday, April 22
Walkin’ After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline | Monday, April 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Ryman Auditorium, 116 Rep. John Lewis Way N. | $273+ | Over 20 artists will come together for an evening of music paying tribute to Patsy Cline — performers include Ashley McBryde, Hailey Whitters, Kristin Chenoweth, and more.
Enjoy downtown’s largest rooftop pool deck (and two cocktails) with the “Summer in Music City” room offer. | Photo provided by JW Marriott Nashville
ICYMI, there’s a new hot spot in Music City. Enter: The newly-renovated tropical rooftop pool at JW Marriott Nashville — aka, the largest pool deck in downtown.
Resort guests enjoy:
A freshwater pool surrounded by sweeping skyline views
Ready to plan your summer staycay? Book your stay with code ZJL and save up to 20% on luxurious accommodations. Psst... Two poolside craft cocktails are included.
Metro gave final approval for key East Bank legislation on Tuesday — a master developer agreement with The Fallon Company and the memorandum of understanding with TPAC. This means 1,550 residential units (695 affordable) are a go, as well as split infrastructure costs between Metro, The Fallon Company, and TPAC. (Nashville Post)
Development
Work on the first of two towers planned for Midtown’s former Beaman property has begun. Albion Music Row’s first tower, expected to open in 2026, will offer 29 stories, 458 units, and 4,000 sqft of restaurant and brewery space. The developer received a $102 million construction loan for the project last week. (Nashville Business Journal)
Sports
Justin Timberlake with another Nashville adventure? It’s par for the course. The star has partnered with a luxury golfing company to bring a 475-acre, 18-hole course to the Whites Creek neighborhood later this year. The private course will be called Bounty Club and boast a curated membership structure. (The Tennessean)
Biz
Five Points Pizza is exploring another slice of the pie with a permanent food truck trailer in the works outside of Jackalope Brewing Co.'s The Ranch Taproom. No opening date has been released yet. (Nashville Business Journal)
Award
Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi is one of 32 nominees for the NHL’s King Clancy Trophy, which is awarded to the player best exemplifying leadership on and off the ice. Next, a selection committee will vote for the winner, who will also receive $25,000 to donate to charity.
Announced
The lineup is here for Centennial Park’s Musicians Corner, which kicks off its free five-week concert series on May 17. Nashvillians can expect 12 concerts featuring performances by Phosphorescent, Rayland Baxter, Corook, Strand of Oaks, and more. Bonus: Vince Gill will take the stage as a guest on May 18.
Considering hiring a financial advisor? Here’s what you need to know beforehand. | Photo provided by SmartAsset
A financial advisor could help you best determine if you’re on track to meet your long-term financial goals. This expert could help you establish a plan that factors your assets and taxes into your overall retirement and estate-planning goals.
How much money should you have before hiring a financial advisor? Find out the level of liquid assets at which an advisor’s benefits potentially outweigh the costs.
Four neutral throw pillow covers, all for $24.99. We love: The price point + how you can choose which neutral tones best suit your living space — gold-neutral, cream-neutral, or navy-neutral.
Ahead of Record Store Day on Saturday, you might notice a new coat of paint outside of Grimey’s. Two muralists painted a display celebrating Taylor Swift’s forthcoming album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” The store opens at 11 a.m. on Friday and will offer four vinyl variants: “The Manuscript,” “The Bolter,” “The Albatross,” and “The Black Dog.”
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