Nashville Lifestyles Magazine December 2019

As a teenager, Ming fought valiantly to escape one of history’s darkest eras — China’s Cultural Revolution — during which millions of innocent youth were deported to remote areas to face a life sentence of poverty and hard labor. He eventually made his way to the U.S. with $50 in his pocket, where against all odds, he later earned a PhD in laser physics and graduated with the highest honors from Harvard Medical School and MIT. To date, Dr. Wang has performed over 55,000 eye procedures including on over 4,000 physicians. He has published 9 textbooks, holds several U.S. patents, and performed the world’s first laser artificial cornea implantation. Dr. Wang is currently the only surgeon in the state who performs 3D SMILE and 3D LASIK (18+ ), 3D Implantable Contact…

It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…and I love it! This is the second year that we’ve partnered with Living With Landyn’s Landyn Hutchinson to produce her Favorite Things event. By the time you’ve read this, the event will likely be done, but let me tell you it was (and will be) amazing. Once a year I get to feel like Oprah making dreams come true, but more importantly, making wishes come true. This year’s tickets sold out in under five minutes, and we raised enough money to grant a dozen wishes for Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee. I want to thank everyone involved for making it a huge success and raising money for a cause near and dear to me. Also, I want you to know about another good cause…

While it may be cliché to say that the holidays are my favorite time of year, it’s true. From cozying up with a hot cocoa (or, let’s be real, a glass of red wine) in front of the fire, to picking out the perfect present for everyone on my list, to visiting every single light display in town, it’s about to get real festive up in here, and I can’t wait! Fortunately, this issue is filled with all of the above and more. Whether naughty or nice, you’ll find something for everyone in “Giving A to Z,” our annual holiday gift guide, on p. 52. If you’re as Christmas obsessed as I am, you’ll want to check out “Get Lit” on p. 72, complete with a slew of festive holiday experiences around…

Puppy Power Forget reindeer! What better way to get in the holiday spirit than with some snuggly puppies? We had so much fun cuddling, chasing after, and getting puppy kisses from these sweet babies from Retrieving Independence. The Nashville-based nonprofit breeds, trains, and places service dogs with people who are living with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. Because these pups (we hosted nine in total—heaven!) are early in their training (and some have already been retired from the program), we were able to pet and play with them, unlike older service dogs who are on the clock and should not be interrupted. We are so grateful to RI for bringing these babies by and for everything they do to promote independence in those who may not otherwise have it. Read more…

12-22 JURASSIC WORLD LIVE TOUR A dino-sized family entertainment experience is coming to Bridgestone Arena. The Jurassic World Live Tour is coming to Bridgestone Arena to excite and entertain fans of all ages from December 19 through 22. With unrivaled production quality, the thrills of Jurassic World come to life against a backdrop of captivating scenery. This live production will include more than 24 film-accurate, life-sized dinosaurs including fan-favorites like the Velociraptor Blue and a 40-foot-long Tyrannosaurus Rex operated by animatronics and performers. Projection and scenery, combined with Jurassic World’s iconic score, transport audiences from Bridgestone Arena straight into the jungles of Isla Nublar. With pulse-pounding stunts and an authentic storyline, Jurassic World Live creates memories for generations of fans sure to last another 65 million years. (jurassicworldlivetour.com) —Nicole Brown 1-31 HOLIDAY…

Since 1985, the Nashville Symphony Ball has hosted this winter white-tie gala fundraiser. This elegant evening of dinner, drinks, and dancing in the stunning setting of Schermerhorn Symphony Center includes a Nashville Symphony performance and presentation of the Harmony Award to an influential entertainer. This year, 2019 chairs Laura Kimbrell and Amy Jackson Smith have announced that country music recording artist Kelsea Ballerini will receive the prestigious honor, which recognizes individuals who exemplify the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s musical community. She will also perform during the gala on December 14. Kimbrell and Jackson Smith also announced that Symphony president and CEO Alan D. Valentine will be presented with an honorary Harmony Award at the event, in recognition of his 20-plus years of service to the organization and the Middle Tennessee…