Hello all. This blog is now restarting after the holidays and I am feeling good. I scored some nice items and had some interesting experiences this Christmas time.

Let us get to the heart of the matter. Our town.

Smyrna town government has planned for the next week just one meeting.

Next Town Council Workshop is: December 30, 2008 -7:00PM

Locally I feel parents are burned out on travel with family and all and simply wish to hide from everyone, but I still think that listing some cultural and other events is for the best.

War! War! War!

Stones River Campaign Anniversary Programs
December 26, 2008 - January 02, 2009
Held at the Stones River National Battlefield, 3501 Old Nashville Highway, Murfreesboro. Visitors can enjoy a variety of programs that tell the story of one of the most significant campaigns of the Civil War. Contact: Stones River National Battlefield, (615) 893-9501

A little confused on this one...but here it is

Countdown to Noon
December 31, 2008
Held at Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad Street, Murfreesboro. 10:30 a.m.-12 noon., $5 for non-members ages 2 and up, free to members. Join in the museum's biggest pajama party! Contact: Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, (615) 890-2300

For the cowboy in your life

Cabin Fever Cowboy Mounted Shooting
January 02, 2009 - January 04, 2009
Held at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum, 304 B West Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro. Contact: Shana Risinger, (615) 494-8879

Things will pick up in our town after the new years.

I hope to speed things up on the blog. With the issue of package sales coming up I will have a lot of material to rant on...I hope.

Merry Christmas!

Just in case anyone missed it... here's the story behind the season from the good doctor Luke, chapter 2. ;)


In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

(Have a very Merry Christmas!)

New sources of revenue?

I heard mention of this in some circles early last year. The idea that red light cameras might be coming to our town. I dismissed the idea because they don't really work and are mostly a form of revenue enhancement.

Channel 4 website has an article about local red light systems and it ends with this ominous line.

Several other middle Tennessee cities are also looking at installing red-light cameras, including Smyrna and Shelbyville.

I'll hold back on this subject for now, but as the ordinances held my attention so much last year with the recodification, and lack of availibility of them...this would easily become my new whipping horse.

I might attend the town workshop this month and find out if this is a rumor or something that is in the works.

Reward offered!

I am a first time home buyer and with that said I am very proud of my new home which is in a nice part of town, but when I came home from work I found that someone had spray painted graffiti all over the side of my garage. I called the police and they informed me that since school is out that it's probably some teens in the area acting up. Well, I know that teens will brag if they do something bad so If anyone hears that some teens in the area spray painted someone's home please let me know and if we catch them I will give out a small reward to that person. I have worked so hard to have a nice home and some punk is going to try to ruin it for me is just insane! I have taken pictures and called the insurance company so they will be out soon to look at the damages and let me know what I should do. I was thinking about painting over this but its way to cold out right for the paint to stick. Please parents make sure you teach your children not to destroy someone else's property!

Hello all

Unless a UFO lands this blog will be slow for the next week or so. Enjoy the holidays and I'm off to have steaks at moms.

Non-Profits

When our town decides the budget they set aside some for non-profits. The amounts given out were as low as $750 for the MCHRA-HOMEMAKER and as high as $65,000 for the Boys and Girls club. The ones receiving money this budget year are here.

SMYRNA SENIOR CITIZENS, INC.
SAM DAVIS MEMORIAL ASSOC.
RUTHERFORD CO. CRIME STOPPERS
SMYRNA/LAVERGNE ASST. COALITION
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM
LEADERSHIP RUTHERFORD
MCHRA-MEALS ON WHEELS
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS
SMYRNA/LAVERGNE FOOD BANK
CASA OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY, INC.
EXCHANGE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION CTR
MCHRA-OMBUDSMAN
MCHRA-HOMEMAKER
CHILD ADVOCACY Ctr.

For those who end up with the towns largess, there is a list of those who did not get anything.

SMYRNA RESCUE SQUAD
NEW MASTER'S TOUCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
NEW SMYRNA HIGH BAND BOOSTERS
NEW MCHRA-PER CAPITA DUES CONTRIBUTION
NEW READ TO SUCCEED

The three new ones made their first request this year and the Smyrna Rescue squad did not make a request at all according to the town budget.

In all the town for this budget year set aside $161,210 for non-profits.

For those like me who did not know that the MCHRA is the Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency I have added this link for you.

Helping others.

Well the season is about caring and a local company has an offer that I'll let them telll you about.

My husband John and I own Lotus Blossom Photography, an on-location photography company based here in Smyrna and we have joined the cause Giving is Awesome . Through this cause we are giving away a portrait session to one needy family in the middle Tennessee area to include all edited digital negatives. We would love to be able to provide this gift to a Smyrna family and we were hoping you would consider posting about it on the Smyrna blog. Thank you in advance for your help!! Here are the details which are also listed on our blog:

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. We guarantee it.

We want to know who they are, and we want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $300 worth, to be exact. That covers a complete portrait session with Lotus Blossom Photography to include the digital images of all edited photos, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $150 gift certificate to apply towards their own photography session - that's a full 50% towards a portrait session of their own. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:
* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)
* The nominee must reside in the Middle Tennessee Area. Tell us who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve our artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.
* You must e-mail me the full story : amber@lotusblossomphotography.com.
The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve — get nominating! We can't wait to read all of your entries!
Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving us the opportunity to open ours.
With love,
Amber and John
Owners, Lotus Blossom Photography

Help someone out this holiday.

Hello all and boy am I relaxed. This semester of school for me is over and I get just short of a month off. I mentally need this breather badly.

Well the town has for this week the last two meeting currently scheduled for the month.

Storm Water Advisory Committee: December 15, 2008 - 7:00 PM
Parks Advisory Board: December 16, 2008 -6:00 PM at Chatterbox Coffee and Tea Café, 197 Enon Springs Road, West

The Board of Zoning Appeals, the beer board, and the Historic commission have no meetings this month. During the last town council meeting there was talk of a special meeting to start regulating and organizing the new package liquor sales. while this is not currently planned I have to say that the subject will interest me greatly and I'm going to have fun dealing with this one. Fun for me...not for them.

Locally we really have one historical event.

Victorian Holiday Tours for Children
December 08, 2008 - December 19, 2008
Held at Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro. Experience Victorian holiday customs through decorations and tales from the past as you tour Oaklands. The program is available to home school groups and school groups. Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum, (615) 893-0022

The DNJ does have an online article listing three local Christmas events produced by local churches for those interested.

For those interested. Our Sister city website This is LaVergne is having a get-together for those who have a strong connection with LaVergne.

It is with great pleasure that I invite the writers and readers of This is LaVergne to celebrate the holidays on Thursday, December 18th from 6:30 - 8:30′ish p.m. at Sir Pizza. Located at 1928 Madison Square Blvd., Suite 100 (behind Burger King and in the same shopping area as WillStan’s Grille), the manager Lucky Maze is welcoming us with open arms.

Well have fun this holiday and I hope you all keep the holiday spirit.

Town council meeting

The Tuesday night town council meeting (streaming video link) started with a public comment from Steve Morgon about parking on the grass and limits on vehicles. Like I suspected he talked about the towns enforcement of this ordinance and the affect it is having on him and his home business.

Steve made a few comments worth noting. The first was that the town issued during the last 60 days 414 citations for parking on the grass and another 160 letters about having 5 vehicles or more. He also had pictures of town vehicles that were parked on the grass seemingly in violation of their own codes.

He asked that there should be adjustments to the ordinance. Removing the restrictions on boats, campers, and trailers, and that allowing for short term cars for sale to be placed in yards.

Steve ended by saying that unless something could be done he might have to move his business out to the county. Sadly this would be the result of restrictive regulations. A loss of taxes and another unneeded cost for a business.

The town council did say a special workshop is needed to start the process to pass a package liquor ordinance. The law will take two months to pass and since we are just shy of 40,000 they will only allow three permit/licenses to be initially issued.

The rest of the meeting had little in the way of eye opening events.

Sworn in

Just seconds ago the town of Smyrna swore in Tim Morrell, Paul Johns, and Mary Esther Reed as town council members of Smyrna Tennessee.

Congratulation.

What is in your air?

A USA Today news article has some bothered, and some not about the air quality in a local school.

During an eight-month investigation, USA Today found that potential problems associated with air quality in schools across the country. Some schools in Middle Tennessee were included in its problem list.

But state and local school leaders dismissed the study, which used the Environmental Protection Agency "model to track the path of industrial pollution and mapped the locations of almost 128,000 schools to determine the levels of toxic chemicals outside," according to USA Today.

According to the study, one of the most vulnerable schools in the nationwide survey is John Coleman Elementary School in Smyrna.

There is little online about the study and how they got their numbers, but it is interesting.

Hello all! Let's see what is happening around town.

The Town has only two meetings scheduled for this week.

Project Assistance: December 9, 2008 -5:30PM
Next Town Council Meeting is: December 9, 2008 - 7:00 PM

The Porject Assistance meeting takes on more meaning now that the economy is troubled.

local events

A Victorian Christmas

Victorian Holiday Tours for Children
December 08, 2008 - December 19, 2008
Held at Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro. Experience Victorian holiday customs through decorations and tales from the past as you tour Oaklands. The program is available to home school groups and school groups. Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum, (615) 893-0022

Theatre

It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play
December 11, 2008 - December 14, 2008
Held at the Lamplighter's Theatre, 14119 Old Nashville Highway, Smyrna. You've likely seen the movie, but unexpected humor happens when a 1940's radio troupe performs this show before a live audience. Contact: (615) 534-0148
DNJ ARTICLE

An older Christmas

Christmas at Cannonsburgh
December 13, 2008
Cannonsburgh Village, 312 South Front Street, Murfreesboro. 1:00 p.m- 4:00 p.m. Cannonsburgh will be dressed in old-time tradition. Music and fun for the family. Contact: Cannonsburgh Village, (615) 890-0355

Is it possible to have too many parades?

Rutherford County Christmas Parade
December 14, 2008
Parade begins at 1:00 p.m. on Middle Tennessee Boulevard (Bell Street Parking Lot). The parade goes down East Main, around the Historic Murfreesboro Square, onto West Main and then ends on Walnut Street. This will be the largest parade with bands, floats, and other special entries. Contact: WGNS, (615) 893-5373

If you have a local event you would like posted please drop me a line.

on the grass

I like getting letters from people who read my columns. One issue that has jumped out is the town's zeal in enforcing the codes on people parking on the grass. The town council meeting this month, the first with Tim Morrell I believe, will have public comments from...

Steve Morgan, 550 Carter Lane – “Parking on Grass”

While I'm only guessing on which side he will come down I hope he is for "it's my yard" side of things.

Sadly there are asses in town who abuse their yard and they are the reason why the town has been 'grounded' from parking there. A form of collective punishment. I fall to the side that feels that there will be victims one way or the other. I just wish the victims are due to too much freedom and not from too much regulation and power in the governments hands.

Here is the town councils agenda for the Dec 9 meeting.

2008-12.09TCA

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

A few well directed emails to the council members that some regulations might need to be loosened or dropped might help Mr. Morgan.

The first story of Christmas

This here looks like it might be nice treat in tune with the holidays.

Stones River Baptist Church will present a combined dramatic and musical performance in honor of the birth of the Messiah at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Stones River Baptist Church is located at 361 Sam Ridley Parkway East.

Fifteen Biblical characters will retell their part in the events surrounding the birth of the Christ child while the church choir intermingles music from a new Christmas arrangment entitled “Hope Has Hands.”

For more information, contact the church at 615-459-2933.

Looks like this might be fun.

Take a survey

The Smyrna Police department would like your feedback on an online survey.

SMYRNA POLICE DEPT. 2008 COMMUNITY SURVEY
Your participation will help us serve you better!
Chief Of Police Kevin Arnold has implemented this survey to gather your valuable input on our Community and our Police Department.

Take a moment and check it out.

Parks and Recreation December newsletter

Newsletter December 08

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

The Smyrna Parks and Recreation has a fun activity planned for kidsnext week, but they need you to register real soon.

Smyrna Parks and Recreation Department would like to invite you to our Gingerbread House and Cookie Decorating Workshop December 9th, 2008 from 5:30pm –7:30pm
Rosenwald Community Building at Hilltop Park
565 Mason Tucker Drive
This program is for children of all ages and is FREE! We will have Mini Gingerbread Houses for big kids and Gingerbread Men to decorate for little children. We encourage parents to help their children decorate.
GINGERBREAD WORKSHOP
Please register early as space is limited.
Register by calling the Park’s office at 459-9773 between 8am - 4:30pm or email us at:christina.manus@townofsmyrna.org

Sounds like fun.

“Breakfast with Santa”

A local private Academyis holding a fund raising event and would like to invite you to take part.

The Master’s Touch Christian Academy
Christian Education for Special Needs Children

Presents the first annual “Breakfast with Santa” on December 6, 2008, from 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. at the Smyrna Presbyterian Church, 540 Sam Ridley Pkwy., Smyrna, TN

Enjoy breakfast with you’re family

Have you’re picture taken with Santa (Package’s will be available to order)

Write a letter to Santa and hand deliver it

Make a Christmas ornament to take home

Visit the Little Elf Shoppe where children can
Purchase gifts for their siblings and parents

Clowns and face painting

Baked goods, crafts, gift baskets for auction and MTCA cookbooks for sale
Tickets available at the door $5.00 adult $3.00 children
For advance tickets call (615) 202-7411

This is to help fund a school that is run for special kids that sometimes get lost in the normal school system.

The Master's Touch Christian Academy (MTCA) was established in 2002. MTCA is a school that provides a Christian education to children with special needs. MTCA accepts students who are academically, mentally, and physically challenged such as those with multiple disabilities, orthopedic handicaps, attention deficit disorders, learning disabilities, slow learners, educable mental disabilities, trainable mental disabilities, autism, and emotional disabilities.

A big thanks to Deborah Balthrop for emailing this to me. I'm very glad to post information on fund raisers like this.

I hope all of you had a nice Thanksgiving. I have enjoyed greatly this time with my wife as she got a long four day weekend. We did little and had fun doing nothing.

The town has planned the following.

Next Town Council Workshop is: December 2, 2008 - 6:00 PM (PDF Agenda)
Beautification Committee: December 2, 2008 - 6:30 PM
Planning Commission: December 4, 2008 - 7:00 PM
Sister City Committee: December 2, 2008 -6:00 PM

Other local events are

Kids dancing

2008 Tennessee State High School Dance Competition
December 05, 2008
Held at Middle Tennessee State University, Murphy Center, Murfreesboro. Contact: TSSAA, (615) 889-6740

Santa in Murfreesboro

Celebrate Christmas Downtown
December 05, 2008
Annual Rutherford County Christmas Tree Lighting and arrival of Santa Clause on the Murfreesboro Public Square at 6:00 p.m. Also included in the festivities will be choral and dance performances. Downtown merchants and restaurants will be open to welcome guests.

Open Houses

Discovery Center at Murfree Spring Holiday Open House
December 06, 2008
Held at Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad Street, Murfreesboro. 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Free admission. Contact: Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, (615) 890-2300

The Smyrna Parade

The 34th Annual 2008 Christmas parade in Smyrna is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008at 2 p.m

Events will stay rather slow as Christmas time has gotten most peoples attention.

As always. If you have an event you would like posted please email it to me and I will add it to the list or put it in its own post.

Close to home

The news on the Tennessee State trooper accessing private computer files for possibly political reasons was big in the news the last few months...now a similar situation hits close to home.

Wilson County Commissioner Chris Sorey used a state Web site to run unauthorized background checks on citizens, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says.

Sorey misused what's known as the Criminal Justice Portal to access private records while he was a member of the Smyrna Airport's police department, TBI spokeswoman Kristin Helm said. His actions came to light during an audit of the portal's use, she said.

Helm would not identify those whose backgrounds were checked, but Mt. Juliet City Manager Randy Robertson has told his employees that the portal was used to run private information on some city employees and a person of prominence within the city.

He was placed on suspension and has since resigned to work elsewhere, but it is a troubling occurrence of old school politics that raises its head more often then anyone would like.

He says he had a good reason to do it.

"Any activity that has taken place regarding the alleged misuse of the integrated criminal justice portal system was done in connection with my investigation of the past and ongoing fire code violations" in Mt. Juliet, within his district and elsewhere, he said earlier this week. "... I am very concerned that I now seem to be the subject of the investigation instead of officials addressing any possible safety issues."

The Smyrna airport has its access to the criminal justice website blocked for the current time.

Being a good neighbor...Oregon style

In Philomath Oregon they have poultry codes like I wish Smyrna did.

Here you need to get your neighbor's permission like I suggested.

6.10.080 Restrictions on keeping animals and fowl.

B. Any person desiring to keep any such animal shall submit to the city manager an application for a permit, accompanied by written evidence that three-fourths of the adjoining property owners or residents within a 200-foot radius from the site where the applicant proposes to keep said animals do consent to the keeping of such animals. The city manager shall cause a record to be made of its approval or disapproval of such permit, and provide a copy thereof to the applicant and to the police department.

I can even see how this would be good. To keep it from being to redneck looking.

C. No stable, barn, shed, coop, hutch, pen, or shelter in which any animal is kept shall be located within 30 feet of a city street or sidewalk. Such structures, with their pens and yards, shall be kept clean and sanitary.

Keeping it clean is of course part of being a good neighbor.

E. The manure and offal shall be removed by hauling beyond the city limits, unless used for fertilizer, in which case it shall be spread upon the ground evenly and turned under at once. Manure must be removed with sufficient frequency to prevent offensive odors.

Now that we have a new member on the council I might hit him up with the idea of the value of this plan.

Amendments at last.

Once a year is a lot better then it used to be.

Last year on October 3rd 2007 I was happy to announce that the town ordinances went online for all to see. A joyful occasion when you understand that the last time they had been updated was in 2001. It was announced that they would be able to update them as changes occurred.

Well they sat and sat and no changes were made until the last week or so. I noticed just today that the codes that had set so stagnantly now have 'amendment' links by a few of them. The additions are the amendments from the end of last year until just recently.

One of the older ones is

EXCAVATIONS
SECTION
16-204. Deposit or letter of credit.
16-204. Deposit or letter of credit. No such permit shall be issued unless and until the applicant therefor has deposited with the town a cash deposit. The deposit shall be in a sum set the director of public works in an amount determined by the director of public works if the excavation is in a paved area and shall insure the proper restoration of the ground and, laying of the pavement, if any.
Where the amount of the initial deposit is clearly inadequate to cover the cost of restoration, the director of public works may increase the amount of the deposit to an amount considered by him to be adequate to cover the cost. From this deposit shall be deducted the expense to the town of relaying the surface of the ground or pavement, and of making the refill if this is done by the town or at its expense.
The balance shall be returned to the applicant without interest after the tunnel or excavation is completely refilled and the surface or pavement is restored.
In lieu of a deposit the applicant may deposit a letter of credit from a
financial institution in Rutherford or Davidson County in such form and amount as the director of public works shall deem adequate to cover the costs to the town if the applicant fails to make proper restoration. (Amended by Ord. #07-___,
Nov. 2007, Ord. #02-03, Feb. 2002, modified)

and one of the more recent ones are

FIRE PROTECTION AND FIREWORKS
CHAPTER 1
FIRE CODE
7-103. Modifications. The fire code is adopted with the following exceptions:
(1) Chapter 2, § 202 definitions. Group I-4, child care facility, the exception is deleted.
(2) Chapter 9, §903.2.7 group R, add "Exception, detached one and two family dwellings shall not be required to install an automatic fire sprinkler system except where special conditions exist as determined by the authority having jurisdiction.”
(3) Chapter 9, § 907.2.2 group B. Change the occupant load from 500 or more persons to 200 or more persons.
(4) Adopt appendices A, B, C, and D.
(5) Chapter 33, § 3308.11 retail display and sale. The first sentence of this section is deleted. (Amended Ord. #08-07, March 2008; Ord. #05-04, Feb. 2008,modified)

I'm glad they have updated the codes with the amendments from the last year.

A big thanks to Lori Morrison for constructing the amendment PDF files.

The Thanksgiving week is upon us and hopefully for most it is a short week. Turkey and food and family is the basic images brought up when you think of this holiday. I have enjoyed two Thanksgiving dinners already and will get one more most likely.

Let's get to the business at hand.

First there are no meetings scheduled for this week by the town government and they will even be closed Thursday and Friday. No government for four days...how will we ever survive?

Locally it is pretty slow also.

Books

Scholastic Book Fair:

Saturday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Smyrna Library, 400 Enon Springs Road W. Fair continues through the next week. Proceeds from the sale benefit the library's children's department.

That is it.

Well I hope your Thanksgiving holiday is a fun one and please travel safe.

Businesses opening

I am glad that someone has taken me up on the offer to post any grand openings in town. A new Salon is opening and Dee Haupert asked me to post on it.

Grand Opening December 6 Saturday "Studio T " hair &colour, An Independently owned Salon in the bustling Town of Smyrna. The Salon is new to the area but not new to the business. The Design Team at Studio T offer styles and colour for men,women and children from classic to trendy. Let Studio T create every element of your personal style.come by and celebrate our grand opening 900 Grammer lane Suite 300 (by CeCi's Pizza) phone number 615-223-8990

Drop by and give a locally owned store your business...after December 6th that is.

Businesses closing

I took a drive to go pick up the Angel Food Ministry order for the month and saw in just a few short blocks signs announcing the closing of two stores. One is Bella Blue on Lowry right near the turn for front street. Sadly a horrible place to start a business due to parking and traffic. The frontage of the store has a sidewalk and that's it. They have signs out announcing their going out of business sale so drop by if you have time please.

The other business is the car lot to the right of Mrs. Winters. They had a sign that announced simply "Closing. Make an offer". Number two to be closing.

Last week I called the company that was the developers for "The Shopped at Smyrna Commons" and was told that they had sold the property to another developer. I'm not sure who but this likely will not help the project to open next year as planned.

We are in an economic slump, if not a recession or a depression. This will derail a lot of planned projects in Smyrna and maybe even cancel some. What is going up today was planned well before things went to pot. A good measure of figuring out how bad things are is to see the speed and type of businesses that start to occupy the smaller stores next to the anchor businesses like Publix. If those smaller store fronts stay empty then we should really worry.

About that Bookstore...

As we head into Depression Pt. II, I'm starting to wonder if we'll actually get a Books-A-Million in town.

Anyone else see their share prices lately?

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=BAMM

Guess we can still hit the library if BAM doesn't pull through.

And who knows, I may be proven wrong.

I hope so - I want books, darn it!

UPDATE: Books-A-Million just posted their third quarter results. Not good:

LINK

Got kids?

The Smyrna police department is offering a service to you that might save your child.

The Smyrna Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit will be conducting a child safety seat check up on Wednesday November 19th from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the new Smyrna Justice Center located at 400 East Enon Springs road. This is a free service offered by the Smyrna Police Department to you.

This will only take a bit of time and is very much worth the wait.

Welcome to this edition of "this week in Smyrna".

The town government is having this week several meetings.

Storm Water Advisory Committee: November 17, 2008 - 7:00 PM
Project Assistance: November 18, 2008 -5:30PM
Parks Advisory Board: November 18, 2008 -6:00 PM
Board of Zoning Appeals: November 20, 2008 - 5:00 PM

For those who might have missed it. I posted on the opportunities offered to people to become more involved in their community. These meetings are just a few of the meetings that can give you such a chance.

In local events the buildup to Thanksgiving is heading our way very fast so this weeks calendar is very light.

Murfreesboro Craft Artists Studio Tour
November 22, 2008 - November 23, 2008
Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, Tennessee area craft artists will open their studios to the public, offering a unique, wide selection of artwork and demonstrations. There will be nine craft studios open with displays selling the work of regional crafts people. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Free admission. Contact: (615) 848-1079

Native American Culture Program:
November 21st.
2 p.m., Smyrna Library, 400 Enon Springs Road W. Sally Wells, a member of the Mississippi band of Choctaw, will present a program on Native American culture.

Holiday Lighting Ceremony.
For the Town of Smyrna
Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Sunday, November 23, 2008 – 3:30-5:30 PM at Smyrna Town Centre – 100 Sam Ridley Pkwy

SPECIAL GUESTS & PERFORMERS

Dan Whittle, Master of Ceremonies
Mayor Bob Spivey
Vice-Mayor Tony Dover
Town Manager Mark O’Neal
Lamplighters Theatre Group
Smyrna High School ROTC Color Guard
Sarah Upchurch & Bethany Cothran sing
Lancaster Christian Academy - K-3
Dance with Stacy Academy – K-5
Thurman Francis Arts Academy Orchestra
and
A special visit by
Santa & Mrs. Claus

Well I wish I had more to post but this is a very light week.

Let's go Bulldogs, Let's go!!

Smyrna high Bulldogs have won another game once again and this makes me so proud to have a team that I know will go all way.

Senior running back Jarvis Hicks scored two rushing touchdowns, and Smyrna defeated Wilson Central 24-2 tonight in a TSSAA Class 5A second-round football playoff game at Robert L. Raikes Stadium.

Can they win the 3 championship in a row? I really so. Want to see the whole story Why not jump over to D.N.J and read more!

Volunteer in our community

Smyrna is a great town and I want it to be better. I decided a few years ago to get involved and it has truly been fun.

One of the ways I have become involved is to volunteer to serve on a couple of town committees. I have served a one year term on the Board of Adjustments and Appeals and am into my second year for the Storm water Advisory Committee.

There is a whole list of committees and boards you can serve on.

I'm bringing this up now because they pick the members in March...Just 4 months away.

NOTE: Board and Committee terms of office usually begin April 1. Most meet once a month, unless otherwise specified, and are open to the public. Members do not receive compensation for service on Town of Smyrna Boards and Committees.

To recognize, promote and strengthen the sense of community, diversity and multiculturalism, all Smyrna residents are invited to get involved.

This would allow you to go and view as a guest observer a meeting or two of a committee you might be interested in. Yes. I'm asking you to think about stepping forward and volunteering to serve on a committee.

I feel the readers of 'This is Smyrna' can make a difference. We don't talk about Brittney Spears or other flighty subjects. We deal with the people and places of our community. If you're a regular reader that means the community interests you more then "when does cornflakes go on sale at Food Lion?". Take the next step past 'interest' into 'involvement'.

It's an idea to think about.

Now Showing!

It is finally time to go see a movie! Yes our 14 screen cinema opens next Friday night! I am so excited that we now have a choice to either go bowling or go see a movie! It looks like the prices aren't too bad. The cinema is located over behind the Logans and really close to the I-HOP! Make plans to attend The opening next weekend. The D.N.J. and employees I have talked with told me it was going to open today but the website shows next weekend plus the phone number is not a valid one! This cinema was suppose to ope this past summer and I know everyone is excited about this so hurry up and open your doors!

So short lived.

On July 15th I complimented the town on posting on their websites new businesses coming to town. I even made a screen shot to show the readers.

Earlier this week I noticed that the link was gone. I'm not too surprised. When originally posted they had the information up to date...but then it just sat...and sat...and sat. Until this week when it was changed. To this. (Google cache to remember it by)

Not sure why they removed it. Maybe because it was not being updated and was looking a bit bad. Oh well.

Fall Thoughts

I don't know about you all, but I think this is the prettiest Fall I've experienced here.

A great time to take a walk, enjoy the crisp air, catch a falling leaf and meet your neighbors.

I live in the old part of town and on days like this, as I look at the historic houses and think about the changing of the seasons, I can really feel the past.

In many ways, this is a lovely town... and right now is a great time to enjoy it.

Maybe I'll meet you on the road.

Are you on this list...or know who is?

Remember Bush's big stimulus plan? Well not everyone got their check.

The Internal Revenue Service is looking for Tennessee taxpayers who are missing more than 5,800 economic stimulus checks totaling about $3.3 million and nearly 2,000 regular refund checks totaling about $1.7 million that were returned by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors.

Some 243 Rutherford County residents are due economic stimulus or refund checks. These 247 checks are worth $155,450. A list of the Rutherford County residents with undeliverable is below.

Here is the list for those who might want to take a look at it.

The weather at Steve's house

A local commenter named Steve runs his own weather station webpage and it is all from his own back yard.

The site is taken from my weatherstation in the back yard, and the data is both for my use and is given to the National Weather Service.

I had a crash on my server a few months ago, so the YTD totals on things aren't accurate, but the current info is all good. I will have time off in December, and was going to redo the website then anyways so that it would be easy to use. If you link it, then I'll finally have a good reason to get it done.

Now you can find the weather in his backyard...and for Smyrna in General in an instant.

I welcome Smyrna Weather to our resources role. Now he has to redo the site. Ha!

This edition of 'This week in Smyrna' is coming out Sunday night as Monday I will be rather busy starting a multi page report on the advances in rifling in Civil War artillery.

Well the town government has a meetings to start with.

Beer Board: November 10, 2008 - 7:00 PM

My motto is "no free samples, no attending beer meetings'..

Local events are as such...but is pretty light

Living History

Homefront/Battlefront: The Hord Farm of Rutherford County Program
November 13, 2008
Held at the Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, 225 West College Street, Murfreesboro.7:00 p.m., Discover how one local plantation coped with the trials of battle and occupation during the Civil War.No admission charge. Contact: Heritage Center, (615) 217-8013

Horses

Tennessee Volunteer Ranch Horse Show
November 15, 2008 - November 16, 2008
Held at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum, 304-B West Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, Free admission. Contact: Miller Coliseum, (615) 494-8879

This is a light week...almost a let down after an election week.

Parks and recreation

The fall season is here and the Smyrna parks and recreation November Newsletter is here for you to check out what is up. Newsletter November 08

Get your own at Scribd or explore others:

Hello Guests

The numbers are showing that our website is getting a lot of guests visiting. Well let me say "Hi" and extend to you an invitation to stay a while.

Our archives go back years and we deal with a lot of subjects here. This website is written by and for Smyrna residents. It is updated regularly and is a great place to find out what is going on around town, special events, and some commentary on issues that we feel are important to us.

We invite you to become a regular reader here.

Final numbers

The election is over and here are the final numbers.

24.05% PAUL HITE JOHNS
22.88% TIM MORRELL
29.99% MARY ESTHER REED
22.60% JAMES YATES
0.33% WRITE-IN
0.08% WRITE-IN
0.06% WRITE-IN

A few comments on this election. James Yates lost and in a way that bothers me. You might remember a month or so ago that a few of his signs were vandalized. The idiocy of some people amaze me, so the fact that he lost and had his signs damaged taints the whole thing for him and bothers me. I hoped and wished that people were above that here. I'm not surprised, but I was hoping.

The campaigns were clean and they all ran a good election. I wish I knew how Johns got so many signs out so fast. I believe it was the Seniors center. A little something to keep in mind for later.

The liquor sales issue won.

55.86% To permit package sales
44.14% Not to permit package sales

Well it won if you were on the side to allow it. This was pretty much above board but even this was bothersome. One of the complaints against the organizers of this 'push' was that they were "from out of town". As if I give a rat's arse about where someone lives. That was a small town "keep out them out of towners" mentality that was so wrong to input into the issue.

I'm glad it past for the right reasons. Not taxes, but the right to make your own choices.

The election is over and now the town will sit back and start writing regulations on how to control the increase of the "russian vodka" that will soon wash our streets in blood....y maries. Small alcohol joke there..sorry.

and the winner is.......

all of Rutherford county. Because we all know that elections are like kidney stones. Painful until they pass, and drugs help the process.

Absentee and Early Votes only so far

In Smyrna the vote count is currently
24.53%...Paul Johns
30.30%...Mary Esther Reed
22.19%...James Yates
22.67%...Tim Morrell
00.31%...Write-in
00.06%...Write-in
00.04%...Write-in

The numbers for the liquor referendum are
53.81%...Freedom to purchase what you desire
46.19%...All your freedoms belong to us

I'll update and comment as the night passes. Then I have to right rite write my column for next week. I might use that kidney stone line.

Todays vote

The local media outlets have got their people all ready to get the vote count information to you in a speedy manner.

Smyrna AM

WGNS 2008 Election page

US. as soon as they post...I'll steal borrow the information and post it here.

It does not matter if you vote for Mary Esther Reed, Paul Johns, James Yates, or Tim Morrell for town council of Smyrna, or what side of the liguor issue you're on. I just hope you vote so your voices can be heard.

Link to Smyrna Am corrected.

Good morning Smyrna. I hope you remembered to set your clock and did not get to work late/early today.

Let's get to the business at hand. The town has lined up for you this week a few meetings.

Planning Commission: November 3, 2008 - 7:00 PM
Beautification Committee: November 4, 2008 - 6:00 PM
Sister City Committee: November 4, 2008 -6:00 PM
Next Town Council Meeting is: November 6, 2008 - 7:00 PM

The next town council meeting will be the first after the election so we just might have a new face on the stand.

In local events

Bark!

Middle Tennessee Dog Festival
November 08, 2008
Held at the Murfreesboro Bark Park, 1526 West College Street, Murfreesboro. 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Free admission, Dogs must be on leashes. Purina Incredible Dog Team Shows, Canine Carnival, Mutt Market, Dog Contests, Mr. and Miss Barkaroo Family Dog Contest and more. Contact: Bark Park at (615) 893-2141

Run!

Foundation 5K Run
Saturday, Nov. 8
The first-ever Snyder Foundation 5K Run for the Kids: 8 a.m., at the Wal-Mart in Smyrna. Benefits Smyrna's FOP's Shop with a Cop Program, which buys coats, shoes and Christmas presents for children 12 and younger in the Smyrna area. Advanced registration is $25. Race-day registration is $30 and donations are always accepted. Participants can contact Snyder. EMAIL

This is a light week when it comes to activities...not counting the election.

Remembering

Earlier this year on Feb 5th there was an election and Ginger at Ginger Snaps from LaVergne did not have a good experience at her voting site.

Suddenly, two men came up to me, one man had on a “crossing guard” vest over a Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department shirt. He proceeded to raise his voice at me and tell me that it was against the law for me to have a cell phone in the building, and I had no right to take any pictures. I said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t see any signs stating that I couldn’t, and I wanted to get some pictures of the long voting line.” That wasn’t good enough, and he moved toward me, reached his hand to me, and said that he wanted me to give him my cell phone right then.

Ginger did not take this lying down and the story gets rather interesting. Even people in line spoke up in her defence. Drop by and read about how a little power, and a few 'homemade' rules can make someone become all controlling.

request

I normally go to the town website by typing "Smyrna Tennessee" into Google. The town government website has ALWAYS been number one in the returned results.

I went this afternoon and the town website is not listed on the first or the second page.

Would you do a simple Google search and see if you get the same results. Thanks.

A helping hand

Robin Garner, another of the Smyrna AM columnists, emailed this to me. A fire displaced 10 people and one of them is a SHS student.

The 16 year old listed in the story is a member of the SHS Football team. SHS is collecting donations for this family, and the Quarter Back Club is joining in their effort.

The QB Club will also be collecting donations during our last home game this Friday night against Wilson Central.

If you would like to donate, please contact me (Robin Garner) or SHS.

Her email address is bnshopn (AT) hotmail (dot) com.Time to help a local family in need.

Signs, signs, and a phone call UPDATES

Smyrna is enjoying a bumper crop of political signs. what I did not expect was an automated phone call from one of the candidates. Just a few minutes ago I received on my cell phone (how they got the number I'm not sure) an automated message from Tim Morrell reminding people that tomorrow was the last day for early voting and how he would fight against any tax increase (He might have said property tax increase but don't hold me to it).

I almost did not answer it because it came through as a "private" call. Luckily for him I get intrigued enough to answer most private calls.

UPDATE:
I received a "private call" yesterday and today. I missed both so I can only best assume they are political calls, but not who from. From comments some are bothered by them and rightly so, but they are a tool to get a quick message across with having to answer a door or throw more paper fliers into the landfill.

Since I already voted they are pretty much wasted on me.

UPDATE II
Sprint sucks...and so do these Razor cellphones. It took a few days but the message was recorded and finally showed on my phone. They both were from Tim Morrell and they were different from each other and from the first I got. He's really hitting the full media playbook for votes.

UPDATE III
It's 7:25pm Monday and I received another Tim Morrell call, this time from "Unknown".

I wonder how much he paid for these calls?

7th Annual Smyrna Fire Department Food Drive

click for larger image

The Smyrna Fire department is having a food drive for the Smyrna/LaVergne food bank. I hope you understand how important this service is to our town and how much good it does. The Daily news Journal has an article on how the economy is hurting their supplies of food.

The Smyrna-La Vergne Food Bank saw a 30 percent increase in applications in September 2008 compared to the previous year, according to Denise Esker, director of the food bank in Smyrna. Earlier this month, 10 families applied for help for the first time in the same day.

"Denise is the greatest person in the world," said Dan Fedele. "Even though I showed up an hour late she took care of me right then."

The Smyrna-La Vergne Food Bank has been providing food to needy families since 1982 and is one of 47 agencies and programs supported by the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

The food bank depends heavily on donations of nonperishable food through area food drives to stock its shelves.

I'm one who feels this economic turmoil we are suffering is not going to end soon, so we need to do what we can to voluntarily help others.

Take a little money and go check out the sales at ALDI's or some other place and do what you can. Be a good neighbor. Also for those who shop at Krogers. They have a small bundle of food items that you can purchase for 5$(If I remember correctly) that goes right to the food bank also.

Good afternoon Smyrna. Here's your regular (mostly) update on happenings around town.

Our town government has a few meetings planned.

Historic Zoning Commission: October 27, 2008 - 5:00 PM
Next Town Council Workshop is: October 28, 2008 - 7:00 PM

The Historic commission's meeting tonight will have on it's agenda the property owned by Phyllis Campbell who made the horrible mistake of asking to have her property rezoned. Her property is within eye sight of the Historical district so our fine town council said that it should be added. She did not ask for it, but what the heck. Tonight she will find out if she loses a lot of property rights in the name of pretty'fication.

In local events
Mourning

Widows, Weepers and Wakes: Mourning Customs Exhibit
October 01, 2008 - October 31, 2008
Held at Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro. Victorian mourning customs will be explored. Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum, (615) 893-0022

More mourning

A House in Mourning - Expression of Mourning Customs in the 19th Century
October 08, 2008 - November 02, 2008
held at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna. The Sam Davis Home will host "Cult of Mourning" which was at its peak during 1850-1890. The house will be prepared for a funeral, with mirrors draped in black cloth and clocks stopped at the time of death. View the Mourning Artifacts and learn the history of this practice to respect and mourn for the deceased. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341

Pumpkins

Pumpkin Patch Days
October 27, 2008 - October 31, 2008
Held at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna. For educational groups only. Tours of the historic home, Halloween games and activities, reading circle, and an opportunity to pick your favorite pumpkin.Call to schedule your event. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341

Hunting ghosts

Tuesday, Oct. 28
Presentation on the Paranormal: 6:30 p.m., Smyrna Library, 400 Enon Springs Road. Noe will talk about paranormal activities and guide the audience through an investigation.

Well that's it for this week. I hope to have some good material during the next week or so. As always if you have material you wish posted please contact me or leave a message in comments. I'm hoping Rebecca who wrote this wonderful comment will volunteer to do a guest column...or two.

I don't have two heads...honest!

Earlier this year I went in front of the town council and asked for them to review my idea of a good neighbor fowl program. let's say I was looked at like a two headed freak. I was VERY disappointed in how the subject was addressed by the administration of the town.

In comments and in posts(item 6) by OTHERS on this blog the idea lives on. This article I found from the Christian Science Monitor addresses the idea that some people just go ahead and do it be damned the laws, and some have a town council that looks openly at the subject and agrees that it isn't an idea that will destroy a town.

The Worldwatch Institute reports that a growing number of US city-dwellers are raising their own chickens, often in defiance of local ordinances.

Citing unsanctioned henhouses in Denver, Boston, and other cities, Worldwatch’s Ben Block notes that an “underground ‘urban chicken’ movement has swept across the United States in recent years,” flouting authorities’ concerns about noise, odors, and public health.

But in some cities, such as Ann Arbor, Mich., Ft. Collins, Colo., South Portland, Maine, and Madison, Wisc., owners of these clandestine coops have successfully changed the laws to allow them to keep a limited number of hens. (Roosters, whose characteristic crowing can disturb neighbors, are usually more restricted, but they’re not needed for hens to lay unfertilized eggs.)

Take a moment and read just a few of the comments to the article.

I don't have two heads and damned if I feel that if I can be a good neighbor then why the heck is the town government involved? I live in a town where we have already been judged as doing it wrong before we even try.

Smyrna. Where you're a bad neighbor before you even start...

more from Worldwatch.org

The Perfect Council-Person in 12 Easy Points

Here's a recipe for the perfect town council candidate, in line with the traditional American values of private property, low taxes and small government.

1. Candidate is anti-debt. The town would avoid taking on any new debt and would actively pay down any debt currently owed. Debt is more often a trap than a tool! If paying off debt requires selling city land or property, then it should be sold. We're in economic decline right now because of federal and corporate profligacy - let's set a better example on the local level.

2. Candidate recognizes sovereign right of citizens over their own property. This means that codes would be minimized and citizens would be encouraged to "talk over" issues between each-other without involving the city. It also means that city property taxes on homeowners would be eliminated.

3. Did I mention NO property taxes on homeowners?

4. Candidate would fight to abolish historic district and its draconian rules. Then property owners in the current district could run their businesses without the long noses of the city being poked in everywhere. It's tough enough to make money already!

5. Candidate would support a savings fund for emergencies to avoid having to take out any new debt.

6. Candidate would push for "good neighbor" poultry policy and loosening of codes. Gardening, urban homesteading, and composting should be encouraged.

7. Candidate would oppose any new boondoggle programs like a bus system, digital signs and other silliness. We don't need them, we don't want them!

8. Candidate should agree that development should only proceed without running over the property rights of homeowners.

9. Candidate should respect the senior citizens of Smyrna. They made this town what it is and their voices should be honored in return.

10. Candidate should fight to reduce the size and scope of town government.

11. Candidate will not cow-tow to established interests, old families, or those with money and power. Alternately, candidate should not oppose established interests for the sake of being reactionary. Rich, poor, black, white, old, young - all voices should be noted and respected.

12. Candidate will fight for individual rights - not corporate interests, government control, or personal power.


Whaddya say, Smyrna? As far as I can tell, we don't have a freedom-oriented candidate like that in this race.

Maybe next time?

Maybe it'll be you?

-DG

What is a...

I was looking at the Smyrna town government website for the meetings Monday when I noticed something new. I'm just not sure what it is or why.

The town has always been good at putting up minutes for their meetings and you can find them here near the bottom of the page. what is new...at least to me, is something called a "legislative report that lists like a set of minutes the happenings in a more formalized fashion. I'm curious about why this has been added.

Here is a copy of the only one posted as of yet.

2008-10.14LR - Upload a Document to Scribd

I'll ask someone the next time I go to a town council meeting. Maybe they have been putting them up as an informational item until the minutes can be agreed on by the council. I might have missed this item but it is interesting to me at least.

Voted today and an admission

I went to meet my wife for lunch in Murfreesboro and after we sat at Stones River park and enjoyed the weather for a bit we decided to vote. The lines at the Park building are short and we spent only a minute or two in line.

Sadly my legs were killing me so I could not do something that I had planned on doing. I simply could not stand long enough to do it, but my wife did have time and she cast a write in vote for...me. I was hoping to get at least two votes.

Fun activity planned

HIP 2008 -5th Copy for Web - Upload a Document to Scribd

Afew adult happenings this week

Here is a few happening for adults to do this week in town s I hope you get out and support these businesses but remember if you drink dont drink and drive!

1. Open Mic Tonight with $2.00 Domestic Long Necks - Open to Close.
Open 3 PM
No Cover.
Blend Into Our Scene at Chameleons!
6528 New Nashville Hwy
Smyrna Tennessee
615-585-3242

2. We are hosting our "Horse of a Different Color" event ths Saturday.
The theme is "Cowgirls and Cowboys Gone Country"!
Grab your boots and grab your stetson's!
County Line Dance lessons begin at 8 PM and 10 PM with Jamilynn.
Anyone riding in on a real horse drinks half price all night best Dressed Cowgirl and Best Dressed Cowboy Awards.
Food Tent Available with hot off the grill foods by T & T Grillmasters.
Open 5 PM Saturday till 3 AM.
Ice Packed Beer/Coolers for the Coldest Beer in Town!!
No Cover.
NO ID/No Entry.
Additional Parking in Rear.
Horses Parked in Back Play Area Only!
Blend Into Our Scene @ Chameleons
6528 New Nashville Hwy
Smyrna Tennessee


3. Thursday October 23rd is My birthday bash being held at the Smyrna Bowling Center. The fun starts at 11:30pm with 3 hours of free bowling and includes shoes, so come on out and help me celebrate my 42nd birthday and you may wear your halloween outfit if you desire. I hope to see some of you there!


If anyone has anything else they would like to have me post about adult happenings please feel free to email at bearroller9640@yahoo.com.

Now I am off to enjy my vacation this week so I will see some of you out and abut this week in Smyrna Tn.!!

Music at Ron's

Ron's Tavern at 104 Front Street in Smyrna's historic downtown is just one of many live music establishments that are not well known. Here is a performance by Chris Kempen performing a piece he composed.

Slow down in planned growth

The last few years heralded the new comprehensive plan the town had put together. In March Mark O'Neal commented about the economy and its possible affect on the plan, an issue I worried about last year.

A while ago Mark O'Neal said that if the growth is not there, then the town will delay the plan till the city keeps up. No hammering ahead be-damned the numbers.

well it seems that parts of the plan may be deferred for the near future. The town council discussed this subject in the last town meeting they had.

Town Council members discussed postponing a portion of a $26.74 million bond this budget year until January 2010, for projects such as sidewalks and the development of Cedar Stone Park, the 80-acre community park for residents in the Almaville Road area.

Finance Director Mark Tucker said only $10 million of the bonds would be sold by the end of the year, with the additional portion to be sold at various other times.

However, due to market conditions, some projects may be put on hold or altered. For a week, some variable interest rates were higher than 9 percent.

I'm glad this is the approach they're taking. A hammer ahead be damned the economy is how a lot of municipalities end up with empty arenas and other projects. A sensible way to deal with the world going to pot.

Good Monday Smyrna. A truly lovely week as it is almost assured that the heat of summer will now be touched by the coolness the night brings for the rest of the year. As someone who works tirelessly for the banning of summer I find much pleasure in that small bit of knowledge.

Now what is our town government up to this week? It looks like only two meetings this week.

Storm Water Advisory Committee: October 20, 2008 - 7:00 PM
Parks Advisory Board: October 21, 2008

A slow week, but news reported by the DNJ last week is mentioned in another post about the planned projects that town had in mind.

In other local events we have a lot that you can do listed
more pumpkins

Great Pumpkin Fest
October 23, 2008
Held at Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad Street, Murfreesboro. 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Reduced admission to $4 per person with a donated canned food item. Contact: Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, (615) 890-2300

A fare fair?

Middle Tennessee Fair
October 22, 2008 - October 26, 2008
Held at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum, 304-B West Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, Free admission. Contact: Miller Coliseum, (615) 494-8879

Death

Widows, Weepers and Wakes: Mourning Customs Exhibit
October 01, 2008 - October 31, 2008
Held at Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro. Victorian mourning customs will be explored. Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum, (615) 893-0022

More death

A House in Mourning - Expression of Mourning Customs in the 19th Century
October 08, 2008 - November 02, 2008
held at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna. The Sam Davis Home will host "Cult of Mourning" which was at its peak during 1850-1890. The house will be prepared for a funeral, with mirrors draped in black cloth and clocks stopped at the time of death. View the Mourning Artifacts and learn the history of this practice to respect and mourn for the deceased. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341

Death by candlelight

Mourning by Candlelight at Oaklands Historic House Museum
October 24, 2008 - October 25, 2008
Held at Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro. A tour of Evergreen Cemetery and Oaklands Mansion by candlelight will be given by reservation only. Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum, (615) 893-0022

A tour of death

Ghost Tours at the Sam Davis Home
October 24, 2008 - October 25 2008
Held at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna. Ghost Tours begin with a haunted hayride of the Sam Davis Home plantation. Once the hayride comes to a dead stop, enter the historic home to hear tour guides share their own strange experiences from beyond. This tour is not recommended for anyone under the age of 10. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341

A night of fright...plus dinner?

A Frightful Night at the Sam Davis Home
October 25, 2008
Held at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna. A Frightful Night at the Sam Davis Home will feature a catered dinner, a frightful movie, and all that is included with our Ghost Tours. First enjoy dinner and a movie before embarking on a haunted hayride of the plantation and guided ghost tours of the Sam Davis Home. Reservations are required for the dinner and movie. Call for pricing, movie details and times. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341

Fun in the park

Halloween in the Park
October 25, 2008
Held at the Sharp Springs Natural Area Park, Smyrna. 3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Costume contest for ages 3 years and under through age 14. Hayrides from 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Haunted Hayrides from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Games and inflatables, vendors and food booths. Contact: Monty Perkins, (615) 459-9742

Smyrna Parks and Recreation

Halloween in the Park: 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday October 25, Sharp Springs Natural Area Park, Smyrna. Event features costume contest, hayrides, games, inflatables and candy. Bring carved pumpkins to enter in contest. Call Monty Perkins at 615-459-9773. (PDF link to flyer)

A real busy week for those with kids due to the holiday.

As always if you have an activity you would like listed, or something of the like, please email me at the contact link.

Have a good day people.

nice mill

nice mill
Originally uploaded by Donna In Tn

This is right off of Sulpher Springs road near Smyrna and a wonderful place to go and relax.

Meet your candidates

The Smyrna AM has a series on the four candidates running for town council.

Mary Esther Reed

James Yates

Paul Johns

Tim Morrell

I thought the one candidate who admitted that "I once woke up with a tattoo I don't remember getting" was very revealing....if I was telling the Truth.

Good afternoon Smyrna. Sorry about the lack of updates on our lovely town last week, but life and school overwhelmed me and the blog had to be placed last.

Let's get down to the business of Smyrna. The town government has planned a few meetings that might interest you.

Project Assistance: October 14, 2008 -5:30PM
Next Town Council Meeting is: October 14, 2008 - 7:00 PM
Board of Zoning Appeals: October 16, 2008 - 5:00 PM

The town council meeting is unusual in my eyes for what is not there...but that's the subject of another post.

In local events there are not as many as normal
Death

Widows, Weepers and Wakes: Mourning Customs Exhibit
October 01, 2008 - October 31, 2008
Held at Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro. Victorian mourning customs will be explored. Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum, (615) 893-0022

More death

A House in Mourning - Expression of Mourning Customs in the 19th Century
October 08, 2008 - November 02, 2008
held at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna. The Sam Davis Home will host "Cult of Mourning" which was at its peak during 1850-1890. The house will be prepared for a funeral, with mirrors draped in black cloth and clocks stopped at the time of death. View the Mourning Artifacts and learn the history of this practice to respect and mourn for the deceased. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341

Legacy

The Legacy of Stones River: Pathways to Freedom
October 18, 2008
Held at the Stones River National Battlefield, 3501 Old Nashville Highway, Murfreesboro. A symposium featuring lectures and park programs that focuses on emancipation during the Civil War. Park programs will feature demonstrations by United States Colored Troops. Contact: Stones River National Battlefield, (615)893-9501

People having fun

Fortress Rosecrans Encampment
October 18, 2008 - October 19, 2008
Held at the Stones River National Battlefield, 3501 Old Nashville Highway, Murfreesboro. A variety of living history demonstrations will tell the story of soldier and civilians during the Union occupation of Murfreesboro. Contact: Stones River National Battlefield, (615)893-9501

Old Cars

Saturday, Oct. 18
Team Chevrolet second annual Cruise-In, Swap Meet and Car Corral: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., swap meet and car corral (no charge for participants); 1 to 5 p.m., cruise-in (no charge for participants or spectators), Team Chevrolet, Smyrna. On display will be Sterling Marlin's UT National Championship No. 14 Monte Carlo. Open to muscle cars, classics, hot rods, antique race cars and motorcycles. Music, fun, food, drinks available. Proceeds benefit the Smyrna High School varsity cheerleaders.

let us not forget safe kids.

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children. Over eighty percent of children riding in motor vehicles are at risk because they are not restrained properly. Parents and caregivers can receive guidance on how to correctly secure a child in an appropriate child safety seat by using the services offered by the Smyrna Police Department this Wednesday, October 15th from 3pm to 6pm. As a reminder to Smyrna Police will be doing these checks on the third Wednesday of every month. We encourage you to take advantage of this service.

Looks like a good ammount of 'stuff' to do. As always. If you have something you wish me to post please email me or leave the information in comments.

Gardening in Smyrna

Well, I suppose if Gunner can post on economics, I can post on gardening. If we're really heading into the next Great Depression, gardening might soon become more than a hobby for a lot of folks. So... let's jump in and get dirty!

First of all - it's Fall! I'm originally from South Florida (zone 10!) so this is the time I would be planting if I was still there.

Now that I'm in TN, however, I'm learning to work with the seasons, the clay, and the variety of different fruits and veggies that thrive here.

This last week I've been taking advantage of the leaves to "sheet compost" some new planting beds in my backyard. In order to do this, you lay down some newsprint and/or cardboard, then stack leaves, hay and other compostable material on top of it. This is also called "Lasagna Gardening." Basically, the idea is to kill the weeds and improve the soil at the same time.

This is my first attempt. I like the idea of killing crabgrass and re-using cardboard that would normally be disposed of. I just wish I could find a source of more free "green" compost, like chicken manure, rabbit droppings, grass clippings, rotten fruit, etc. Leaves are easy to find, but the "active" ingredient of nitrogen-rich material is a taller order. Anyone have any ideas?

And please... share any suggestions, gardening tips, etc., as we head into Winter! I'd love to know more about your garden.

Happy planning.

-DG

Filler

I write a lot of stuff that I never submit to the Smyrna AM, and never even show others, but in this time of economic turmoil I wrote this weekend a small piece I want to share with you.

The whole system is collapsing and the wolves are at the door. Why? Poor people of course. Those ignorant people who took out loans to buy houses that they could barely afford and now that the interest rate is up and the economy is down their bad choices have ruined the country.

In the papers, in comments, and on the TV I hear over and over that it all started with bad loans to people who could not afford it. They’re right and damnably wrong in the same breath. How amazing is that?

You don’t know poor unless you grew up with no doctor. Poor is getting your shots at the local health clinic after taking two buses there and waiting an hour, the repeating it in reverse to get home while being dragged behind your mom.

Poor is living several years in the projects of Kentucky and remembering the boxes. The boxes of food from your mom’s church that comes extra big during the holidays, and normal during the rest of the time. Boxes of clothing donated by someone who’s kid just grew too big for them…”but it might fit your kids”.

I never understood why mom got so mad when I was young and absent mindedly lost my jackets. It’s just a jacket to a kid, but an extra expense to a lone mom. I know that now and wish I knew that then. Kids normally never really think they’re poor if there is food.

Poor is when you hope and dream of owning your own house and one day you hear about the programs, those HUD (housing and urban development) programs to get low income people to purchase housing.

Poor is buying a house and living the dream because the government might have helped you and that means it must be alright…right?

Then a rate is changed by the Federal Reserve, or the economy turns and that house that was a dream become another stone around your neck. You see the cost go up and up, and you hear the people screaming about those damned evil poor people who purchased houses they could not afford destroying the economy and you wonder how your dream could go away so fast.

Then the clock starts, you get the paperwork telling you that you need to move and those old feelings come back. Where do I live, where do I move, and why did it go bad so fast?

You never knew you were so powerful, a member of a movement so strong as to bring down a whole market and ruin the economy of the worlds greatest super power. Maybe that poor person even laughed at their “power” as they shoved their kid’s toys into the empty cardboard box they picked up from behind the liquor store…the one not in Smyrna thank God.

I’m rather tired of people sitting down and laying the blame of the world on the ones who bought into a dream they could not afford. Unless you’ve lived at the bottom and found the only place to look is up, then don’t you dare look down in judgment on them. Maybe many did over reach when trying to grab the dream…but to give them the power to pull down a whole economy is foolish in the extreme.

Just something to think about.