Suggestions For 2007 Halloween In The Park

Halloween in the Park is fantastic, don't get me wrong, but I gotta tell you that I had a really enjoyable time at the movies in the park event that Smyrna Parks and Recreation put on. I think it would be great fun to have a Halloween movie in the park at sunset. Maybe even two screens, one for a scary movie and one for the kids.

What say you, Smyrna?

More Spooktacular Delights for Your Eyes

These people are too old to be trick or treating.

Stop by the J to the A to the G irl's newest blog to see more.

The Flu returns

Like a horror movie villan that will not die, the spectre is back in town.

StoneCrest Medical Center in Smyrna reported its first two confirmed cases of the flu this fall, an official said.

Human Resources Director Joe Hill Jr. said the patients came through the hospital's emergency department early last week.

Flu shots are being offered several places around town. A call to the health department may be in order for those more prone to the flu.

Murfreesboro, Smyrna airports receive TDOT grants

Good news for the Smyrna airport. Th D.N.J. is reporting this. I think this will help our airport alot and the money will hopefully get more businesses to come here and locate by the airport!!
If you want to learn more about our wonderful airport visit here!!

Did you know?

From time to time I am going to ask you "Did you know?" This will be some things about our great town of Smyrna.



Today's did you know is this......

We have our own celebrity living here in town and heR name is Roni Stoneman. Here is alittle about her from off the internet. ENJOY!





Veronica Loretta "Roni" Stoneman (born May 5, 1938) is a noted bluegrass banjo player and former member of the Hee-Haw gang having played the role of Ida Lee Nagger, the ironing, nagging wife of Gordie Tapp.
She is the youngest daughter of Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman, patriarch of the Stoneman Family, one of the most famous family groups in early country music. Drawing on his Southern Appalachian heritage, Pop Stoneman realized as early as 1924 the commercial potential of traditional music, and carved a career from it. That year, he wrote country music’s first million-dollar seller, "The Sinking of the Titanic." The Stoneman Family won the Country Music Academy’s "Vocal Group of the Year Award" in 1967. After Pop’s death a year later, Roni Stoneman, known as a virtuoso banjo player in both country music and bluegrass, pursued a musical career on her own.
In the 1970s, Roni reached a national audience when she joined the cast of Hee Haw, the most successful syndicated program and country music show in the history of television. She picked banjo and sang from time to time, but it was the character of Ida Lee Nagger that made her unforgettable to millions of viewers.
Roni continues to entertain at numerous state and county fairs each year, and recent appearances include the UCLA Folk Festival, the Florida State Fair and the International Sport Show in Canada. Her CD, "First Lady of Banjo," features various members of the Stoneman family.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roni_Stoneman"

Malco

I am so glad that the town of Smyrna and the city of La Vergne will soon be home to
Malco Thearters. This movie chain seems to be one of the best in the Memphis area and I am so glad they are coming here next summer. They say it will be a 14 screen theater and by the pictures it looks like it is very modern and kept very very clean. I havent been to a movie since FOOTLOOSE came out. I will go to this movie house since it is right down the street. What was the last movie you went to see? Visit the website and learn alittle about the new business moving here and when they open everyone come out for the grand opening!!!

Who Am I? Now Who Are You?

I came, I saw, I shot.

Just In Case You Missed It

I understand some are having Flickr problems. Are you? Anyway, here is another great shot from last night's festivities. Oh, and by the way, you know you've been blogging too much when someone asks for your address and your first response is a url.

I Grow Weary Of These Intrusions

For the second week in a row we've received notice from the office at Meadow Wood Apartments that investors will be coming by for random inspections of apartments. Last week we received the first notice on Monday. They came by on a Wednesday. Now, today we receive a letter dated 10/27 and this is clearly 10/29 that inspectors will be going into apartments at random again tomorrow!

How many times can they do this without it being considered unreasonable?

A Second Introduction

Hello! I'm Kathy T. and I want to also extend my thanks to M. for adding me as a contributing author to the This is Smyrna web log. Although I don't live in Smyrna, I do work here, spend my money here, have friends here, and am quite fond of this community. As stated in my profile, I am a girl scout leader, and several of my girls live in Smyrna. I am also heavily involved in my company's Christmas for the Children event which gives a helping hand during the holidays to the kids most in need in Smyrna and LaVergne. I'm very excited about the new stores coming to Smyrna - Kohl's, Target, movie theater, and more! I'm happy to see Raz's here and am anxiously looking forward to Home Depot's grand opening! In addition to spending time with my family and being involved in the community, I am also a realtor. From that focus, I ran some numbers just for Smyrna this morning!

Overall numbers show there is almost a SIX MONTH (5.93 months) supply of homes in Smyrna. This means that technically it is still a sellers market, but once the supply officially hits six months, it will shift to a buyers market. That means that if you are interested in selling your home, you must price it exactly right and it had better be in top condition in order to sell in less than six months.

Under $100,000
There are 8 homes currently available, and 55 have sold in Smyrna since January 2006. There is a little over a month supply in this price range.

$100-150,000
150 homes currently available or pending, with 290 sold since the beginning of the year. The supply for homes priced in this range are 5.43 months.

$150-200,000
With 143 homes now available or pending, and 266 sold over the last ten and a half months, we now have a 5.64 months supply.

More than $200,000
There are 126 homes available or pending in this price range. Buyers solidly have the upper hand in this price range, with an 8.64 month supply.

So there's a snapshot of the residential real estate market in Smyrna right now! Thank you for letting me share the numbers. It really is a privilege to be allowed to contribute to this site, so I will continue to strive for posts of value and interest.

Last Night's Favorite Photos From Others

Got photos from last night? Let me know. Here are some favorites from others.


From Chip Talks:

New Photos Posted

Today I spent time at the 2006 Halloween in the Park and later attended a Halloween party hosted by the lovely Jag of I'm About To Be Brilliant. There are new photos on my flickr account. There is a link at the top and then there is the badge in the lower right hand of this web page. Check it out. The picture below is my favorite creepy pic. There were some spots that were showing up on some of my pics but not on all. Not sure how to explain them. Anyone got any ideas?

Mark your calendars

I found this and thought it would be ok to go ahead and post this so everyone can mark their calendars to attend and I know its still early but hey guys we have less than 60 days before Christmas and I havent a thing bought....




Smyrna Christmas Parade
12/10/2006
Held at 2:00 p.m., Parade will leave the Soccer Park, travel north on Lowry Street, proceed through town, onto the ramp at Sam Ridley Parkway and conclude at Lee Victory Recreation Park. Contact: Smyrna Town Hall, (615) 459-2553 or email: parade@townofsmyrna.org

A reminder all!!

I want to take this time now to remind everyone to set your clocks back tonight before bed. Fall is now here, so we fall back on the clock and some of us get an extra hour of sleep tonight. As for myself I will be hard at work at 2am while most get to take that extra hour of sleep..enjoy it friends!!!

Greetings

I want to say hello to everyone and give a great big shout out to M. For letting me have this wonderful opportunity to post here on a wonderful site as This Is Smyrna.

a little about me: I moved to Tennessee in 1980 and then moved to the Smyrna area back in 1984 and remember when things were a lot different back then. Sam ridley was just made into 4 lanes and I remember visiting here and watching Nissan being built. Times have changed and I am so glad to see this town grow. I am a single guy at the right age of 40 and love being around family and friends. I work at the Smyrna skate center as a custodial engineer.

We are going to have so much fun on this blog with the wonderful Mrs. M., Gunner, Elizabeth and Myself. I promise to bring you issues about our town and growth items that I see happening.

Once again I want to say thank you to M. for giving me this oppunity to post here

Time to change the batteries

The Smyrna Fire department has pointed out that this is a good time to change the battery in your smoke detector.

Eighty three percent of all civilian fire related deaths are a result of home fires, and on average, nearly three children a day die in these fires. An early warning can provide critical extra seconds to escape, smoke alarms double your family’s chance of getting out of a home fire alive, but only if they work.

So, when you turn your clocks back on October 29 make a lifesaving change in your household, change the batteries in your smoke alarms. This simple habit takes just a moment, but is the best defense your family has against the devastating effects of a home fire.

I regretfully have the phrase confused in my head.. Spring forward, and fall back, or fall forward and spring back. I just end up waiting for someone to tell me.

2006 Halloween in the Park is Tomorrow

The most anticipated event of the year is tomorrow. Well, at least for me and mine. That is Smyrna's annual Halloween in the Park. Wooo Who!

The Town of Smyrna has more information on their website at www.townofsmyrna.org but here are some of the highlights.

• Saturday, October 28th from 3-8 pm at the Sharp Springs Natural Area.
• Food, Games, Contests, Vendors and Hayrides.
• Regular hayrides from 3-6 and Haunted hayrides are from 6-8 pm.

Skate Center Rocks - Child Still Sick

I had karate tonight. Second class was cut because I was the only one who signed up for it. Dreary night. I had taken my oldest to the Smyrna Skate Center for the fundraiser. Bigger turnout tonight than the other night. I also donated $5 in Big Orange Michael's name and $5 in mine. Smyrna Skate Center rocks for being so generous.

I had posted yesterday that my son was sick. He was much better this morning and screamed at me that he wanted to go to school. Couldn't send him because, though he was feeling better, he had a slight fever. My husband stayed home with him today. When I got home he seemed much better but after I got back from this evening's festivities, his fever had returned. :(. Hopefully he will be feeling better soon.

My daughter took some photos of tonight which I will post to my flickr account very soon.

I want to say welcome to a new Smyrna blogger. If you are interested in being a contributor to the Smyrna blog, email me. There is a link at the top. This is a family read blog so no profanity, no hate, no evil or malcontent. My goal is to raise the profile of this community. To elevate it and to promote it and the good deeds of the citizens and businesses of this community.

Also, all you young people, I posted yesterday about this blogger scholarship. Check it out.

What's Shakin', Smyrna?

I got myself a sick kid with a 100.5 degree fever. Joy.

Tomorrow is the Skate for Children at the Smyrna Skate Center. Get your butt over there and check out the silent auction goodies and other vendors that are going to be there.

Looking for contributing members to the Smyrna blog. If interested, email me.

Check out the first ever blogger scholarship! Woot!

Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group Meeting Recap

I would like to give special thanks to Paul Chenoweth of Chasing the Dragon's Tale for inviting the Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group to be a panel of experts at Belmont University. On Saturday a group of MTBPG Members met at Jackson's in Nashville for lunch and then went to Belmont.

We were interviewed by the school paper and had opportunity to share our knowledge. If you would like to become a member of the Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group, simply come to the meetings. Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 18th at 2:00 PM. Now, you can listen to the podcast. This is the first time that I've worked on this without Michael so it may be rather large. I'll work on making it smaller over the next couple days. If you have suggestions, let me know. I'm also trying out the internet archive hosting.

Listen here.

I would like to say thanks to all those who came to speak. The following people were members of the panel:

Amy, better known as Bad Bad Ivy, the blogger behind "The Life and Times of One Hot Mama" and "Movin' On Up".

Elizabeth, who in her not-so-copious spare time she occasionally posts on her blog: "The Harelipfrog" and has been invited to post on "This is Smyrna".

Gunner, who posts on "No Quarters", "This is Smyrna, TN", and occasionally on "Say Uncle" and "Harelipfrog".

Katherine, of "Just Another Pretty Farce" that is read either by three hundred people a day or three people one hundred times a day.

Myself, of course, who blogs for "This Is Smyrna, TN" (and owns the domain, thisissmyrnatn.com and .org), "Comment Tater" and "Warehousing and Distribution".

Malia, blogging on "Musings From Malicious", Malia finds blogging an intriguing outlet for the adventures and trials of being a parent and a way to express herself in a grown-up world while living in a decidedly child centered atmosphere.

Michael, who began his Nashville famous blog, Big Orange Michael, close to three years ago with one mission in mind--to meet women.

Shout out to Kathy T., Mark, Chip and Christian.

Controversy Brewing At Smyrna High

There is apparently a controversy brewing over at Smyrna High over a student wearing a shirt that said "Gay Royalty". Now this is a blog and I've a full time job so do your own fact checking... However, sources say that the student refused to change and went home instead. Now that the student is back in class he is the ridicule and the subject of controversy.

According to my sources there is a My Space Smyrna High Forum where you can read all about this. The student has had to endure a myriad of insults including being yelled at in the hallways by those who are less tolerant. Doesn't the bible say "thou shall not judge"?

However, as a parent, whether my child were straight or gay I would not have them walking around with a shirt that says "heterosexual royalty" or "gay royalty".

Tolerance, people and a bit of discretion, please. I don't want my kid advertising their sexual preference on their clothing. What say you, Smyrna?

Country Ham Breakfast this Saturday

The Smyrna Rescue Squad will have a country ham breakfast on Saturday, October 21st, 2006. The cost is $6.

Find out more by calling 615-613-8631.

Located at:
203 N. Front Street
Smyrna, TN 37167

Holiday Shopping Is Just Around The Corner

Many of you probably already know that Wal-Mart is doing away with its layaway. Are you ready?

Black Friday is just around the corner. Get a head start here. Don't forget to support your community and contribute to the Christmas Challenge campaign.

Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group To Be Panel At Belmont on Saturday

Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group will be holding their October meeting at Belmont University as a panel of experts courtesy of Paul Chenoweth of Chasing the Dragon's Tale. Paul has LITERALLY been off the grid this past week.

At 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 21st, the Middle Tennessee Bloggers and Podcasters will gather in the Vince Gill Room of Belmont to meet with students and faculty for a little Q & A...

This event will be streamed to iTunes and I will also try to record as much as possible on my laptop.

There are some members who have expressed an interest in meeting for lunch at Johnathan's prior to the panel. Please email/leave comment or post on the Google Group forum if you would like to meet and head over for lunch. I have no idea where Johnathan's is.

Carpool anybody?

Tang Soo Do Testing on Friday and Saturday

On Friday and Saturday of this week, Smyrna Martial Arts will be conducting their quarterly testing.

Testing begins at 6:30 on Friday and 12:00 on Saturday. The community is welcome to come and watch. There is no charge for this. Come on out and have a great time. Each student gets to break a board during testing as well!

All you stalkers, I'm breaking my board Friday.

Classes and testing are held at:
100 Sam Ridley Parkway
Smyrna, TN 37167
615-459-2553

Special Edition Podcast

Live from an undisclosed location in Smyrna, it's a super-deluxe special edition of the Middle Tennessee bloggers and podcasters group podcast featuring Big Orange Michael, M. of this is Smyrna, TN and Gunner.

In this short edition (for us), we talk about the Christmas Challenge being done by This is LaVergne, TN, our own thoughts on the Angel Tree challenge and our upcoming blogger panel this weekend (be there or be square!)

Michael raves about a local business and we all wonder where Gunner is--at least until he shows up late and gets in on the podcasting fun.

You can listen directly here.

Smyrna Skate Center To Host Special Skate Night For Fundraiser

Another night is planned at the Smyrna Skate Center to help raise money for the Christmas for the Children event. Please mark your calendars for Thursday, October 26th from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Smyrna Printing generously donated printing of over 8000 coupons to take to the Smyrna and LaVergne schools. Mark of Drama Llama has also confirmed a firetruck from the SFD will be there. In addition, the silent auction will be a part of and end at this event.

I also expect Christine Hooper, an Arbonne representative, will be there and is going to donate a portion of her sales to the charity. If you haven't got your spouse a gift for her birthday/anniversary or Christmas you are sure to find something that will please her in Christine's collection.

Thanks to Mark of Drama Llama. Stop by Drama Llama's to find out what will be auctioned.

Smyrna Skate Center
Located at:
1505 Plaza Drive
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 459-7655
Email: smyskate@bellsouth.net
Web Site: http://www.skatecenter.com/Smyrna/

What Makes A Great Town - The Conversation Continues

Back in September I posed the question to the readers, "what makes a great town?"

I'd like to continue that conversation. I want the residents of Smyrna and our surrounding towns to hear what people have to say so tell me here about what you think makes a great town. Some of the ideas that have been shared are:

Green spaces
sidewalks
Cleanliness
Underground utilities
Close knit neighborhoods where you know your neighbor (Kathy T.)
Well managed resources with politicians that spend within means and controlled growth (Michael)
Restaurants that have patios and open air dining (Josh)

So, what else?

FBI Still Having Problems With Arabic

Just caught this on CNN... After five years most of the FBI agents still have limited Arabic Language skills. Here's an idea. Podcasts. Of course, it doesn't teach you the written language but one can learn a great deal from a podcast. Podcasts have been a blessing to me. I spend a great deal of time in my car to and from work and listen to podcasts while driving. Last night my son played on the computer while I cleaned and listened to podcasts on my laptop. A very convenient path to enlightenment.

Check out this Arabic Language Podcast on Podcast Alley.

http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_details.php?pod_id=38202

Smyrna Fire Department Open House Today

From 1:00 - 5:00 today the Smyrna, TN Fire Department will be conducting their annual Open House. There'll be refreshments and demonstrations. Contact information as provided by their website:

Town of Smyrna - Fire Department Headquarters
145 South Lowry Street
Smyrna, TN 37167

615.459.6644
Info. Line:615.459.9742
ext.7550

Hours of Operation
8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Monday - Friday

Want To Be A Member of This Is Smyrna, TN?

If you are interested in being a contributing member of "This Is Smyrna, TN" please email by clicking on the email tab above.

2006 Halloween In The Park Coming October 28th

Mark your calendars for one of the most anticipated Smyrna Events of the year... Halloween in the Park.

Halloween in the Park is my favorite Smyrna festivity. Every year my family and I head over to the Sharp Springs Natural Area to take part in Halloween in the Park. Year after year you can expect costume contests, food, inflatables, hayride and music. It is a great time for the whole town.

The Town of Smyrna has more information on their website at www.townofsmyrna.org but here are some of the highlights.

• Saturday, October 28th from 3-6pm at the Sharp Springs Natural Area.
• Food, Games, Contests, Vendors and Hayrides.
• Haunted hayrides are from 6-8 pm.
• For more information, contact Monty Perkins at monty.perkins@townofsmyrna.org.

Christmas Challenge Website Launched

Kathy T. is at it again. This time she has created a whole new website for the Christmas Challenge. The Christmas Challenge was created to help generate donations for the Bob Park Realty Christmas for the Children event. For many years they have brought Christmas to children identified by school counselors who otherwise may not have had anything.

The offer still exists to businesses and to bloggers that if you donate time or money, I will list you on my special CCBloggers and CCBusinesses page. For businesses that includes a link to your website, if you have one, and your address, phone number. Many companies would pay considerable dollars to get a link on a website that has a page rank of 5. I'm offering you this for a mere donation.

Yesterday, Big Orange Michael and I got together and did a podcast about some Christmas initiatives. As soon as he has it loaded you should check it out.

Check out Kathy's new website at http://christmaschallenge.blogspot.com.

Enjoyed a blogger moment.

Blogging has allowed me to get to know people that I likely would not ever have known. To make friends that have enlightened me on many subjects. It also has given me a few pleasant surprises along the way.

I posted on my blog about attempting to go to the libertarian party get together in Murfreesboro. The surprise was whom I met.

At this time I enjoyed a blogger moment. The manager is the husband of Bad Ivy, a local blogger I know, and I sat next to him at the luncheon just last Friday. He told me he had not seen the Libertarians or the Young Republicans for many months. We talked a little but I excused myself to dash to the Smyrna city council meeting. A meeting I had skipped to go to the Libertarian get together.

It's nice to run across people in situations like this.

Smyrna Skate Center to Hold Silent Auction and More Tomorrow Night

Graphic lovingly created by our friend in Norway, Tim of A Tennessee Redneck In King Harald's Court

The Smyrna Skate Center will be open tomorrow, Tuesday, October 10th from 6:30 - 9:00 for charity! Come on out for a silent auction, there will be an Arbonne representative there with great gift ideas and a portion of the sales will go to the charity. The Smyrna Skate Center will donate a portion of the admission to the fundraiser.

Thanks to Mark of Drama Llama. Stop by Drama Llama's to find out what will be auctioned.

Smyrna Skate Center
Located at:
1505 Plaza Drive
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 459-7655
Email: smyskate@bellsouth.net
Web Site: http://www.skatecenter.com/Smyrna/

Hey, Middle Tennessee Businesses there is, in case you haven't read, a real possibility that kids will miss out on the kindness of Bob Parks Realty this year because they haven't been able to raise the money they need for the Christmas Gift program! We can't let that happen.

Donate! To donate, contact Kathy Tyson of the LaVergne blog and Bob Parks Realty realtor.

Get your website listed here or if you don't have a website, get your company information listed here!

Meet the bloggers who have donated or who are helping promote the effort! Bloggers, HELP us, PLEASE.

Why Should Bloggers Get All The Love?

Graphic lovingly created by our friend in Norway, Tim of A Tennessee Redneck In King Harald's Court

Because they care! Hey, Middle Tennessee Businesses there is, in case you haven't read, a real possibility that kids will miss out on the kindness of Bob Parks Realty this year because they haven't been able to raise the money they need for the Christmas Gift program! We can't let that happen.

Donate! To donate, contact Kathy Tyson of the LaVergne blog and Bob Parks Realty realtor.

Get your website listed here or if you don't have a website, get your company information listed here!

Meet the bloggers who have donated or who are helping promote the effort! Bloggers, HELP us, PLEASE.

Mark of Drama Llama was able to get the Smyrna Skate Center on Tuesday, October 10th from 6:30 until 9:00 PM to open and donate a portion of the admission to the fundraiser. There will also be a silent auction... Oooooh... fun.

Pictures of Walden Farms uploaded to Flickr

Some Middle Tennessean Bloggers got together today to go out to Walden Farms with their families. We met first for lunch at O'Charley's in Smyrna then headed out to Walden Farms.

Here's a sample of what you'll see:
Who was there:
Amy and kids
DeWayne and Todd
Gunner
Mark
Kathy T.
Myself

We did discuss the Christmas Challenge. I hope that Middle Tennessee Bloggers and Companies will come together to make this the best year and surpass all hopes and expectations in raising money to buy gifts for underprivleged children. Won't you help?

Mark of Drama Llama was able to get the Smyrna Skate Center on Tuesday, October 10th from 6:30 until 9:00 PM to open and donate a portion of the admission to the fundraiser. There will also be a silent auction... Oooooh... fun.

Shout Out To McMinnville For The 2006 Christmas Challenge Love

Okay, it is the Kathy T. and Bob Parks Realty Christmas Fund Raising initiative to raise money to buy gifts for underpriveledged children of Smyrna and Rutherford County but I lovingly challenged Rutherford County Bloggers and Businesses and called it the Christmas Challenge.

A HUGE shout out to anonymous in McMinnville for making a contribution.

Remember, if you are a business I'll put you on my CC Companies page until December of 2007 for a donation and if you are a blogger I'll put you on my CC Blogger page until December of 2007.

Don't forget that the darling Mark of Drama Llama was able to get the Smyrna Skate Center on Tuesday, October 10th from 6:30 until 9:00 PM to open and donate a portion of the admission to the fundraiser. There will also be a silent auction... Oooooh... fun.

Yes, I Said the C Word

C, it stands for Charity, Clarity, Caring and Christmas. Oops, a lot of C words. I would like to remind you that Tuesday, October 10th is the charity skate night at the Smyrna Skate Center. A portion of the proceeds go to this charity.

I've challenged bloggers and businesses alike and made some offers to those who participate. It takes very little time and very little money to help.

Middle Tennessee Blogger Get Together on Friday

The delightful Kathy T. of LaVergne, TN's blog and Where's the Mute Button and Dewayne of Chip Talks has coordinated a get together on Friday, during the day. Interested in learning more, stop by her blog. It goes a little something like this:

We are planning a mini-meeting of bloggers! A lunch date! So come one, come all!

WHERE: O'Charleys in Smyrna (kids eat free)
TIME: 11:30 a.m.
WHEN: Friday, October 6th
WHO: Middle Tennessee Bloggers and Friends

Afterwards, we're going to Walden Pumpkin Farm!

Rutherford County, While You Slept

I posted a call for help to Rutherford County Bloggers last night. I am posting once again this morning so that any of you who only make your hits off the aggregator can see this post this morning.

Thank you for all your help in making The Christmas Challenge a success.

To All Rutherford County Bloggers

Greetings all. You may have never visited this site before so if that is the case, welcome. The reason why I titled this post "To All Rutherford County Bloggers" is because I wished to issue a call for help to you.

Recently, Kathy Tyson of LaVergne, TN blog wrote about the Bob Parks Realty Christmas fundraiser coming in under budget so far this year. Well, a few of us have taken it upon ourselves to help out. Mark of Drama Llama was able to get the Smyrna Skate Center to open on Tuesday, October 10th and donate a portion of the admission to the cause and Sam Davidson is currently in contact with Kathy about helping to publicize this on Coolpeoplecare.

I issued an announcement to Companies donating to the cause that I would list their company on my website for a full year.

Now I want to further the effort by asking all the Rutherford County Bloggers to publcize this fundraiser on their blogs. All you need to do is make one short post about the 2006 Christmas Challenge, leave me a comment or email me with a link to the post and I will put a link to your blog on my blog in the 2006 Christmas Challenge Bloggers page.

So, what do you say? Heck, even if you don't live in Rutherford County and would like to particpate, I'll list your site. Family friendly sites only, please.

2006 Christmas Challenge Bloggers

Graphic lovingly created by our friend in Norway, Tim of A Tennessee Redneck In King Harald's Court

This page is dedicated to all those Bloggers who have helped in publicizing or contributed time or money through the 2006 Christmas Challenge to the Bob Parks Realty Christmas charity. To donate, contact Kathy Tyson of the LaVergne blog and Bob Parks Realty realtor.

Kathy Tyson of LaVergne, TN Blog (who started the whole thing)
Mark of Drama Llama
Sam Davidson of Sam Davidson
Dewayne of Chip Manor
Michael Hickerson of Big Orange Michael
Bad Bad Ivy's Mom Bad Bad Ivy
Tim of A Tennessee Redneck In King Harald's Court
Glen and Jen of GlenBlogJennBlog
Brittney of Nashville is Talking
Les Jones of Les Jones
Debbie of Right Truth
James of James' Space

Town meetings for the month

Smyrna town meetings are not exactly a party awaiting to happen. What they are is a glimpse into the future of the city I live in.

I now know why there are work barrels along certain streets. I know what buildings are going to be moved, and torn down long before it happens. I even know what streets will be widened for future growth.

It isn't all dull city business. I get to see a lady talk passionately about her $800,000 lawsuit against the city, and see the crowd of visitors from our sister city.

So if you have time, here is a list of meetings that may interest you.

Next Town Council Meeting is: October 10, 2006 - 7:00 PM
Next Town Council Workshop is: September 28, 2006 - 7:00 PM
Planning Commission: October 5, 2006 - 7:00 PM
Beautification Committee: October 3, 2006 - 5:30 PM
Board of Zoning Appeals: October 19, 2006 - 5:00 PM
Beer Board: October 9, 2006 - 7:00 PM
Parks Advisory Board: October 17, 2006 - 6:00 PM
Sister City Committee: October 3, 2006 - 6:00 PM
Storm Water Advisory Committee: October 5, 2006 - 5:00 PM

Only Elizabeth(Harelipfrog) will be going and reporting on this months town hall meeting. I will be attending a Libertarian Party of Tennessee get together in Murfreesboro on the 10th.

Blogger and Podcaster's Group's One Year Anniversary

October 22nd marks the one year anniversary of the Blogger and Podcaster's Group. I remember meeting Amy of Bad Bad Ivy and DeWayne of Chip Talks. At the time I knew nothing of NiT (don't have a heart attack, yes it is possible). Since then the group has grown and we've been graced with the presence of:

Amy of Bad Bad Ivy
DeWayne of Chip Talks
Michael of Big Orange Michael
Gunner of No Quarters
Elizabeth of Harelip Frog
Kathy of Lavergne Tn Blog
John of Salem's Lots
Aunt B. of Tiny Cat Pants
Malia of Musings from Malicious
Kerry Woo of Wonderdawg
Michael of Mashby
Christian of Christian Grantham
Kathryn of Just Another Pretty Farce
Rachel of TN Girl
Brittney of Nashville is Talking

What better way to celebrate our anniversary than by being a panel of experts at Belmont University? If you would like to participate, you must email your bio and picture to me. It will be posted on a special page for the Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Members and will be used by Belmont in materials for the event.

Next Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group Meeting: The Panel of Experts

I've confirmed October 21st, 2:00 PM at Belmont University for our Panel of Experts session. We will be in the Vince Gill Room. I will be gathering more information this week.

Don't forget to send me your profile and picture.