Thursday, January 31, 2008

Bible park open house

In a push to aliviate the angry, or to tell people of the inevitable, the people behind the Bible park are going to have three open houses to answer all of your questions.
Officials for Bible Park USA have scheduled three public open houses to inform members of the community about the Bible Park themed attraction planned for northwestern Rutherford County.

The sessions, set for Feb. 11 and 12, will be held in La Vergne, Smyrna and Murfreesboro, and will provide an opportunity for citizens to ask questions, provide comments, and obtain information about the educational, entertainment and historical venue being planned for the area.
.......
The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

The open house dates, times, locations and schedule follows:

• Monday, Feb.11, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in La Vergne at the City of La Vergne’s Multi-Purpose Building, 5093 Murfreesboro Rd. (behind La Vergne City Hall)

• Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 pm in Smyrna at the Smyrna Town Centre, 100 Sam Ridley Pkwy.

• Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Murfreesboro at the Lane Agri-Park at 315 John R. Rice Blvd.
I know a lot of people are against this park, but the beliefs of many are based on hearsay and second hand tales of the coming destruction of their quiet rural lifestyles. This can be the time you finally get all..or at least most of your questions answered.

Blast???

It's not the fourth of July so there are no "rocket's red glare, bombs bursting in air", but something went "blast".

On tonights town workshop agenda there is an item that says so little, but brings forth many questions.


I called around and no one seems sure what happened, when, and how to define blast. Bottle rocket "blast", or "Run for your lifes!!!" blast. I suspect it has more to do with a construction blast as there has been a lot of talk about new fuel tanks and such of late. I am putting my money on construction damage.

Be interesting to watch tonight. I was going to go, but life is interesting of late.

Where's Gunner?

I havent heard or seen from our friend Gunner and wondered if he is ok? Has anyone heard from him? We missed him last week at the blogger meet-up! I know he is in school and all but we are worried since we haven't seen or heard from him!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The great Tennessee airshow coming soon!!

I am so excited by this great news I just can't stand it!!

The Great Tennessee Air Show 2008, a two-day aviation entertainment spectacular is confirmed to take to the skies April 12-13 at the Smyrna Airport in Smyrna, Tennessee. The public can expect two days of family-oriented top military and civilian aerobatic performances, ground displays of aircraft and equipment from all armed services, as well as displays by local police, fire and EMS providers. Guests will be treated to a special appearance by the world famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels each day of the show. It is their first appearance here since 1999, according to a press release.



also in the Smyrna A.M

maurices, a leading national specialty fashion store,coming to Smyrna

Great news LADIES!!! You now have even more choices to shop for clothes this spring.

maurices, a leading national specialty fashion store, has announced a new store will be opening at the Colonial Town Park planned for spring 2008, according to a press release.

"We're very excited to open in Smyrna and look forward to bringing customers a new option for young women's clothing as well as an exciting new shopping experience," said John Schroeder, maurices Senior Vice President of Stores. Schroeder adds, "We look for the best opportunity in each market. The development in the area we are moving into looked like the perfect opportunity to continue to reach maurices target customer and continued success of our business


Today in the Smryna A.M.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Fred Thompson gone? ***update***

Rumors are flying around that local boy Fred Thompson may be dropping out of the race for the republican nomination.
Jonathan Garthwaite passes on word that, “Fox News is reporting that Fred Thompson has told Fox he will not be participating in Thursday’s debate and may make an announcement about his candidacy soon.”
Rumors are not worth much, but I'll follow up on this as it develops.

update
Fred has officially dropped out.
The exit of the former actor came as little surprise to those who had taken notice of his speech on the night of his defeat in South Carolina, when the normally laconic Thompson talked at length, and with an air of nostalgia, about his campaign.

"We will always be bound by a close bond because we have traveled a very special road together for a very special purpose," he told supporters.
The main question now is who will his supporters lean to. With it seeming that the republican candidates take turns winning states no single one has risen to the top, and Thompson's supporters may change that in the near future.

If you wanted to support Thompson I ask this. Who would you vote for now? Anonymous comments welcomed

Middle Tennessee Bloggers and Podcaster Meet-Up

Saturday, Saturday, Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The January meeting of the Middle Tennesee Blogger and Podcasters is set for this Saturday, Jan 26th at 2 p.m. CST. We're meeting at Espresso Joe's in beautiful Smyrna, TN to hang out, catch up and enjoy some caffeinated beverages.

So, make your plans and come on out. We are mostly harmless and a good time will be had by all.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

State tournament coming to Smyrna soon...

I want to give everyone a heads up about an event that is coming to our fine city next weekend. Its the TSSAA State bowling tournament to be held at Smyrna Bowling Center. This event is always open to the public and is a fun way to watch the high schoolers bowl to try to win the state title. Festivities begin on Thursday a.m. at 9am at the bowling center. I will let everyone know now its always a full house with not much room to stand and watch. Smyrna is playing today in Columbia to try to advance to this tournament next week. Can Smyrna do it? I bet they can! 2 times state champions I have faith in them.More to come as the week nears and I hope to see everyone out there for people come from all over out great state to attend this event plus they also spend alot of money in our fine city. If you own a business and want to donate something for the teams goody bags please call Kelly Marlin at 355-0501. I know there will be a reception held next Thursday night from 6pm till 8pm at the town center which is sponsored by the Town of Smyrna!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Austin's Karate School Holds Awards Night

Tonight at 6:00, Austin's Karate School is holding its annual awards banquet behind the Food Lion on Brookhaven off of Sam Davis Road. At the banquet tonight, Melissa Atkin will be recognized as Student of the Year. Melissa was slain two weeks before Christmas and her former boyfriend has been charged with her murder. Today would have been Melissa's birthday.

The award banquet is open to the public!

Monday, January 14, 2008

The times are hard

I take government and study based numbers with a bit of salt as any set of numbers can be manipulated. Recent numbers on poverty, and Rutherford county's numbers don't look good.
The latest U.S. Census numbers show Tennessee's poverty rate rising more quickly than the national rate. Economics experts say things have probably gotten worse since these figures were tallied in 2005.
..........
In Nashville, traditionally the area's most impoverished county, census figures showed the poverty rate actually went down 1 percentage point from 2004 to 2005. The stats put Davidson County's 2005 rate at 14.7 percent; almost 1 point lower than the state poverty rate but about 1.5 points higher than the national rate.
We don't stack up that well when it comes to other Nashville area counties.
According to the census figures, Rutherford County's poverty rate is increasing faster than any of Nashville's other neighbors. Figures show the county's 2005 poverty rate at 11.8 percent, almost 2 percentage points higher than the previous year and 4.3 points higher than the 1997 rate.
These "latest numbers" are a bit old as they are 2005, but how do they stand up to the praise county politicians repeat about the growth and success of our county?

Possible find

The news services are reporting that the remains found recently between M'boro and Smyrna may be Analyce Guerra.
The Smyrna mother of a missing 2-year-old girl and the detective who has dedicated himself to finding her are angry over unconfirmed reports that remains found last week could be hers.

"I know that's not her," Eva Guerra told The Daily News Journal Friday after hearing about the report that aired on Nashville's WSMV television station and Fox17.

WSMV cited information gained from "four different law enforcement sources," who stated the remains found near the Stones River National Battlefield a week ago were likely those of Analyce Guerra. Analyce vanished from her Smyrna apartment April 23, 2006, while the family was sleeping.
This would be a horrible ending for many who still have hope that she is out there alive and well.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

More stores coming soon..

I have been searching some online and found that two dress stores are hiring for new locations in Smyrna by the new target. Dressbarn and Rue21 are now hiring for certain positions. Go to yahoo hotjobs and find these great jobs and apply. This hasnt been made public yet through the city but if they are now hiring then they must be coming. Let's all meet these new stores with open arms and support them!!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Target is hiring

The town Centre is in the middle of a hiring storm as the new SuperTarget needs to hire 300. Today, Friday and Saturday they will be interviewing and hiring people on the spot.
Representatives from SuperTarget will be interviewing and testing applicants from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday at Smyrna Town Centre, 100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. Store team leader Phillip Niedergeses said he expects to hire about 300 people and he needs them to start quickly to prepare the store for its grand opening on March 9.

“When they get to (the Town Centre), they can leave with a job,” he said.
Good luck people.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Local elections this year

While the news is on the presidential elections there will be local elections the same time that will affect you.

In Smyrna Paul Johns, Mary Esther Reed (Bell), and James Yates terms expire, and their seats are up for grabs. No news this early in the year if they plan on running again, but this will be fun for me. I was not really paying attention to local politics when the 2005 election occurred, but I am now, and I plan on having fun.

Also there will be other elections that have had little press.
Closer to home, races for state House and Senate are under way, and Murfreesboro will hold elections April 15 for three City Council seats and Murfreesboro City School Board seats.

County general and state primary elections will be held Aug. 7 for state House seats and the 16th Senate District. Finally, state general and the presidential election will be held Nov. 4. Smyrna, La Vergne and Eagleville will also hold elections that day.
I'm thinking of making up a candidate questionnaire with your help for the local candidates and seeing what response I get as I share their answers with you.

1..2..3..4..5..6..

Get ready to be counted for a new local census will be happening soon. In an effort to make sure that the town gets the proper ammount of state matching funds a new census is planned for this year.
In a sluggish budget year, local governments in rapidly-growing areas can do one thing to bring more revenue into city coffers: hold a special census.

It's the smart thing to do to ensure they get their fair share of state tax revenue to provide services to the public, especially when they have to make a minor investment to bring in more money.
......
Smyrna, which had 25,569 people in 2000 and saw its head count increase to 33,123 in 2005, is projecting a new population of 38,000 that could generate an extra $541,000.
In addition to the census the town police have purchased new software for their dispatch and for tracking crimes in Smyrna.
The Town of Smyrna, Tennessee—purchased four (4) seats of LGdispatch Community Connect and seven (7) seats of LGcrimes
Looks like things are busy at town hall.

Friday, January 4, 2008

They are coming

The middle of last year the town council okay'd the funds to purchase new poles for the purpose of adding traffic lights to the Sam Ridley/Motlow intersection.

Since then a new left turn lane onto Motlow Blvd has been added, but no poles have appeared. Last night during the Storm Water advisory committee I asked a town employee and they said the poles should be here by the end of the month.

So look for traffic lights going up near the beginning of February.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Online radio broadcast tomorrow

The Smyrna City Guide is having their initial online broadcast tomorrow to talk about Smyrna and I'll be their guest.
On Jan 4, 2008 4:30 PM we will be welcoming Gunner Miller of This Is Smyrna TN Blog Spot to CGNLive as our special guest.

He knows the community and proudly showcases Smyrna in every way either through his online blogs or through his column in Smyrna AM read by literally thousands each week. You will not want to miss this opportunity to hear the voice behind the writing as we discuss Smryna TN.

This is the innaugural broadcast of CGNLive on BlogTalkRadio.com and we invite you as well to participate by listening or calling in to the show. We look forward to seeing you there!
I'll be sure to put on my good t-shirt so I look all respectful and such.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

One Book - Community Read

This winter (and with it currently flurrying outside, it feels like winter!), residents of Rutherford County are encouraged to take part in the One Book Community read program/challenge. The novel selected for Rutherford County is The Great Santini by Pat Conroy. Conroy is a best-selling author who also wrote The Prince of Tides and The Lords of Discipline.

The community effort even has a blog, where you can interact with others and get suggestions of other novels you might be interested in reading if you enjoyed The Great Santini.

So, what's the book about you ask? Well, here's a description of the book from the blog.

"Step into the powerhouse life of Bull Meecham. He's all Marine - fighter pilot, king of the clouds, and absolute ruler of his family. Lillian is his wife-beautiful, southern-bred, with a core of velvet stell. Without her cool head, her kids would be in real trouble. Ben is the oldest, a born athlete whose best never satisfies the big man. Ben's got to stand up, even fight back, against a father who doesn't give in-not to his men, not to his wife, and certainly not to his son. Bull Meecham is undoubtedly Pat Conroy's most explosive character-a man you should hate, but a man you will love."

The book is available at the Smyrna branch of the library and I'm sure you can also pick it up from bookstores in the area (speaking of which, Smyrna needs its own bookstore. If anyone's listening, please consider opening one here!).

So, why not pick up a copy and give it a read?

Maybe reading the book could be something for consideration by the Middle Tennessee bloggers and podcasters groups that meets monthly in Smyrna....