School supplies.

I was asked if I knew of a school supply giveaway at MTSU. I could not find anything, but there will be one Wednesday in Smyrna.

Alert Community Development Corporation, in partnership with MTEMC Customer Cares and Living Truth Christian Center, is giving away 500 backpacks filled with school supplies to K-12 students at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6 at Living Truth Christian Center.

I hope this helps.

$100,000 or more

Nissan has started another round of buyouts and the money is looking good.

Nissan is offering lump-sum buyouts of $100,000 or more to employeesat its assembly plants in Smyrna and Decherd, Tenn., the companyannounced this morning.

The voluntary buyouts for technicians and salaried employees also include medical and car purchase benefits.

Employees can receive lump sums of $100,000 or $125,000, depending on tenure, the company said.

The last round of buyouts produced a lot of accusations of abuse of the temp workers and other general ill defined charges. I wonder what they will be this time.

Question for Smyrna

The question is simple. Why do so many churches meet on a Wednesday? I have tried to find it online, but have come up with nothing. A lot of hits on "Ash Wednesday, but nothing that goes into detail on the history of why there is a common meeting among so denominations on that specific weekday.

Hello Smyrna! The last week in July is upon us and parents rejoice as the school year gets closer and closer.

The town government is rather slow this week with only one meeting planned.

Next Town Council Workshop is: July 31, 2008 - 7:00 PM

No agenda yet, but I will post it when available.

Local events include music

Main Street's Friday Night Live Concert Series
August 01, 2008
Held on the Public Square in Downtown Murfreesboro. Free admission, food vendors and more. Bring your lawn chair! 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Contact: Main Street, (615) 895-1887

'Free' is good.

Also a tax free holiday is coming this weekend.

Tennessee Sales Tax Holiday
August 01, 2008 - August 03, 2008
Tennessee’s third annual August Sales Tax Holiday, which gives back-to-school shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain clothing, school and art supplies, and computers free of Tennessee sales tax, will begin on Friday, August 1 and end on Sunday, August 3, at 11:59 p.m. Visit www.tntaxholiday.com for updated lists of exempt items, retailer information, news and more.

This coming weekend Stonecrest will be host to a Anime ...something.

StoneCrest Medical Center is sponsoring the Cartoon Network’s 2008 GET ANIMATED Tour. GET ANIMATED will be coming to the Middle Tennessee area on from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, August 1. The event will be held in a tent in the front parking lot of StoneCrest, next to the hospital fountains.

Activities will include:

— Ben 10 Omnitrax Challenge
Pedal as hard as you can on a stationary bicycle to beat the countdown clock…and each other!
— Foster’s Soccer Imaginary World Cup
By kicking the soccer ball from various spots in the field, you can score the ultimate goal – getting Bloo home to Madame Foster’s house!
— Camp Lazlo Camp Kidney Open
Tennis has never been so much fun! Competing on a miniature tennis court—complete with a special slow bounce ball—is sure to make for an interesting match!
— My Gym Partner’s a Monkey Jungle Gym
You will love monkey-ing around while you bounce, climb, slide, and swing on this colorful inflatable obstacle course!
— Chowder Bowl
You can help feed the lovable Chowder as you roll magical bowling balls down the tongue and into the fantasy fruit and vegetable pins.
— FDA Spot the Block
Test your puzzle-solving skills on a life-sized nutrition label puzzle and learn more about nutrition charts on food packaging.

That last one. Learning about nutritional labels. I hear the kids are just screaming to do that most weekends.

Please people. Please do not forget that this is the last week for early voting. It is a lot better then the lines on election day.

Remedy Comics

I briefly mentioned a new comic book store coming to town soon. While not open yet, I do have some new information on it, and they even have a website up already.

This from Dempsey Howard who runs the City Guide network.

The comic shop you reference is being opened by my son Ryan. They have a web site up and running along with a shop that is being populated now, yet they only have a few items listed. The date on the web site is being changed for the opening as they still need the rest of the funds to do so,... But rapidly working towards it as they only want the best to offer! They have acquired a vendor for the books and items they will be selling and believe me, the product line will be TOPS!

I hope they also have a selection of books and graphic novels.

Smyrna is so inclusive

that we make sure our signs to warn criminals that the safe is time locked are in two languages. Now that is neighborly.

Do you have a spare bed?

Also a little extra time on your hands? I have gotten a request to ask you in Smyrna if you can offer something to a kid they may never experience. Fresh air.

The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer vacations to New York City children from disadvantaged communities since 1877. This is your summer to help!

The end of July is growing closer and we still have 200 children who need to be placed with host families for this August

Unless all prospective host families are screened and vetted by the end of July these 200 children may miss out on an invaluable experience

Please host a child or help us get the word out that we need folks who can welcome a child from the city into their homes next month

One last thing that is actually very important. We are looking for families who want to extend an invitation to a 9-12 year old. We really need more families who want older children and boys

Please Email Angie, angie@freshair.org, immediately and she'll speed you through the process!

Or, you can call us at 1-800-367-0003 (212.897.8900) -- ask for Angie

If you want to help but don't live in these areas - BLOG about this program, tell your friends, recommend someone, or DONATE

People talk about foreign exchange students and how enriching an experience it has been, while there are kids in America who could gain so much from a bit of time here.

Take a moment and see if you have something to offer them.

Election information

Early voting sites.

080708 earlyvotingad - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: 080708 earlyvotingad

List of August 7th candidates.

080708 candidates - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: 080708 candidates

Budget in general

Does anyone out there have a copy of the town budget they would like to barter for? I cannot seem to find it online so I guess trade is the only way to get it. Now where can a guy get three beaver pelts, a bag of shiney beads and some arrow heads to trade?

Town fee schedule out for the current budget year.

Up on the town website they have posted the fee schedule for the town of Smyrna. Everything from impact fees to court cost and green fees are included. Most are straight forward and easy to understand, but one item seemed odd.

something new this year is a "city litigation tax" of $13.75 on each court cost. I do not recall hearing about this during a town meeting, but I might have missed it. I;ll inquire during the town workshop at the end of the month. It might be something that the state has done recently. I'll find out.

The first page has some funny moments. If you require a copy of something such as a record, a town meeting etc. the cost of a DVD(and VHS tape) is.....drum roll.....$35 (audio CD's are just $12.50) . Those cheap things that AOL sends out in an avalanche cost our town $35. Maybe now you understand why I harp over and over on how records should not just be open, but free online. Bandwidth cost a crud load less then $35.

The town fee schedule can be found here in PDF form. Note how wide the price range in stores are when impact fees are charged.

Time to expand?

Outside of a few flyer's we gave out at the last Depot days, and the Historical district expansion workshop, we have not really advertised. Word of mouth is about it.

Maybe it is time to step up and ask for your help.

The Rotary Club of Smyrna is having their annual Wings of Freedom Fish Fry and are asking for donations...with resulting advertising that would ensue.

Now they have a form with donation levels, and it starts at $100 and goes up to $1,500.

All sponsorships include your business logo incorporated into an electronic presentation; in addition, you will receive the following per level of sponsorship
. ___$1,500 Platinum Sponsor Business recognition in pre and post event media coverage. Reserved table with ten tickets to the event. Your business recognized from the stage during the event. A sponsorship plaque to be displayed at your business
___$1,000 Gold Sponsor Business recognition in pre and post event media coverage. Your business recognized from the stage during the event. A sponsorship plaque to be displayed at your business. Eight tickets to the event
___$ 500 Silver Sponsor Six tickets to the event
___$ 250 Bronze Sponsor Four tickets to the event
___$ 100 Titanium Sponsor
___$ Donation

It would be great if This is Smyrna, TN. and This is LaVergne, TN. could both donate and qualify for Titanium...or better. A bit of advertising, and some good will come from it.

This is where you come in. I can throw some money in, but I sure could use your help to get the amount higher. Every penny counts, and since I suck at sucking up for money, this is pretty much it. If we can get a hundred we will do it, but if not then we will just wait till another opportunity arises.

Either no meetings are scheduled, or someone put next months information up to fast, because all dates on the town website for meetings are August except for a single July 31st Town Workshop meeting.

You might want to take time to vote as early voting for the August election is occurring now. Outside of the larger Boner signs, I know nothing about what is different between one candidate and another.

Early voting got underway in Rutherford County on Friday and ends on August the 2nd. The actual election day is August 7th. Some of the seats up for grabs include the property assessor, road superintendent, and circuit court judge. In the state, the seats that are currently up for a vote include state house of representatives and senate. US Congressman Bart Gordon is also running for office again.

This August election looks as exciting as cheese whiz. Interesting to look at, but no substance. Take a moment and look how exciting the forum section in the DNJ is on elections. Two posts from an unusual person from the east cost. Nadda on the local election. But before I get off on a tangent and compare the election to burnt toast and watching mold grow...I'll change the subject. (My apologies to any mold or burnt toast with high standards).

I normally post information here on events gathered from the Rutherford County chamber of Commerce. Nothing. Even they are dry. Unless you want to go to a walking horse show.

This week seems a good week to open a classic and start reading. With our regulatory loving town government I would recommend something by Thomas Paine or Henry David Thoreau.

Starbucks is safe.

Starbucks had announced that they had plans to close 600 stores. This PDF file shows all 600, and while Murfreesboro will lose two, ours will stay. Now we just need to get them to sell a simple cup of Colombian coffee in a cup with sugar and cream and no markup for the cute names.

Tennessee over all will lose 12 stores.

From the oddest places.

I feel that if a problem exists then the first thing you should do is overcome the feeling that the government should fix it. In many ways going to the government can complicate the problem. I came across a short few lines in an article that might be of interest to you, and fits in nicely with my view that people should try first to fix things.

Many neighborhoods feel that "young whipper snappers" drive to fast on their street, and endanger the local youth. Likely they are. Outside of having a officer parked their 24 hours a day the police can not do that much. Why not try to get the government to allow you to do something?

An article about this kid with his speed gun ended with these words.

Officials say the city will install speed bumps in the neighborhood if 70 percent of residents agree and are willing to put up half the money.

Sounds great to me...but why stop there? If you can use the "good neighbor" approach that the town government here in Smyrna did not like with my poultry, and get 70 percent to agree, and you put up 100% of the money, then why not. I say 100% so you would not be spending other peoples tax money.

In most of these cases the road is not a major road, and slowing down would be nice. Heck people. Have a block party to fund it.

Of course you will have to ask the gov for permission, but swallow that bitter pill and do it the good neighbor way (minus poultry).

Great step.

I noticed on the towns website that they seemed to be making a good step in the right direction to getting some light to shine on new businesses, and the small ones also.

The Murfreesboro Post has a section where they list all new business licenses in the county a month at a time.

For example in Smyrna in June the following business got a license.

An Affair To Remember, Event Planning, 603 High Ridge Drive, Smyrna, 37167
Dreaming Ink Tattoo Company, LLC, Tattoo Company, 242 S Lowery Street, Smyrna
Espresso Joe’s, Coffee, Tea & Food, 901 Rocksprings Road, Suite 125, Smyrna, 37167
CC&M Precious Metals & Coins, Precious Metal Refining, 309 Gracy Avenue, Smyrna, 37167
Ice Cream, 7015 Bridgewater Drive, Apt 7015, Smyrna, 37167
Central Trading Company, Internet Sales, 3046 Denny Brooke Lane, Smyrna, 37167
Heaven Sent Cleaning Services, Cleaning Services, 293 Jefferson Pike #4, Smyrna, 37167
Craig Smith Construction, LLC, Remodeling, Lee Hollow Lane, Smyrna, 37167
Exceptional Weddings and Events, Other Services, 104 Lakewood Circle, Smyrna, 37167
Chatterbox Coffee & Tea Café, Coffee, Tea, Restaurant, 197 Enon Springs Road West, Smyrna, 37167
Hulsey Publishing, Other Services, 3826 Hendricks Hill Drive, Smyrna, 37167
Ms. Nichole’s Inc., After School/Summer Care, 890 Rock Springs Road, Smyrna, 37167
Isabella’s Cleaning Construction, Construction Cleaning, 116 Joella Drive, Smyrna, 37167
Eating Places, 491 Sam Ridley Parkway West, Smyrna, 37167
Nature’s Way Landscaping, Landscaping/Lawncare, 804 Weakley Lane, Smyrna, 37167
Los Amigos, Eating Places, 555 South Lowery Street, Smyrna
Lotus Blossom Photography, Photography – on location only, 826 Chaqueta Court, Smyrna, 37167
P’s Lawn Service, Other Service, 400 Barking Drive, Smyrna, 37167
Jenny Kitchen Mia, Eating Places, 422 Barking Drive, Smyrna, 37167
RBK Marketing Group, 902 General Barksdale Drive, Smyrna, 37167
Mojo LLC Sta-Chem Industries, Water Treatment Chemicals, 1101 Ramsgate Court, Smyrna, 37167
Remedy Comics and Collectables, Comics and Collectibles, 224 South Lowery, Smyrna, 37167
Smyrna Technology, Web Design/Software Dvlmt., 370 Stewart Springs Drive, Smyrna, 37167
Smyrna Viseo & Tanning, Video Rentals/Tannng, 1208 Jazelwood Drive, Smyrna, 37167
Styles by Kysha @Spoolies Hair & Co., Hair Stylist, 301 Jefferson Street, Smyrna, 3716
Trott’s Heating & Cooling Services, Heating And Cooling Service, 430 Sondra Drive, Smyrna, 37167
Unlimited Connect, Cell phones & Service, 641 President Place, Smyrna, 37167
Wall Trucking, Inc., Trucking, 833 Gen. Forrest, Smyrna, 37167
Williams Equipment & Supply Co., Inc., Sale/Rental Equip., 1086 Courier Place, Smyrna, 37167

This is not all of the businesses, as a business does not need a license until they have a certain amount of income. I'm not sure how they will get the names for this information site, but I'm glad they are starting down this path.

Take note of the comic book store highlighted. Yippee! Just a short step from a bookstore. Soon my precious. Soon.

Let's get ready to rumble.

The fight has been scheduled and the sides will soon start squaring off for a rematch on the lost battle two years ago. The issue is liquor sales and it is here again.

More than enough signatures have been collected to place a referendum regarding package stores on the town's Nov. 4 ballot.

Hooper Penuel, the county's election administrator, confirmed recently that Lee Nettles of College Grove and Tommy Tolleson of Memphis gathered 966 valid signatures to give voters the option of whether wine and spirit stores will be allowed within town limits. Penuel said the petition will be presented to the election commission at its Aug. 18 meeting for approval.

The rhetoric has started in the comments on the article. I like this one.

Do you know what you get with liquor stores? Che/ck/ Cas/hi/ng stores and discount tobacco stores. Those things don't come with restaurants that serve alcohol.

Too easy. Let's just say that my column this week addresses the issue and my view on it. I likely will irritate some...but when has that stopped me.

EDIT:
I added some slashes to a word in a quote to stop robots from spamming comments.

With hat in hand I bring you this weeks Smyrna roundup. A little info on local events, politics, and happenings that may get you excited.

The town government only has two meetings scheduled this week.

Project Assistance: July 15, 2008 -5:30PM
Parks Advisory Board: July 15, 2008 - 6:00 PM

There are two shows this coming weekend you might want to plan for.

41st Annual Murfreesboro Antique Show
July 18, 2008 - July 20, 2008
Held at the Murphy Center, MTSU campus, Murfreesboro, TN. Quality glassware, furniture, silver, china, crystal, door prizes, silver and metal repair and restoration. Admission: $6.00-good for all three days. Friday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Contact: Don Detwiler, (615) 893-8524 or (615) 631-0734

Artillery Battery Programs
July 19, 2008
Held at the Stones River National Battlefield, 3501 Old Nashville Highway, Murfreesboro. Artillery played a decisive role in the Battle of Stones River. Visitors will hear the story of the Fifth Indiana Light Artillery and see a battery (4-6 cannon) in action. Contact: Stones River National Battlefield, (615) 893-9501

The last one sounds like fun for young boys. Cannons and boys go together like..well. Cannons and boys.

On the home front. The news that Smyrna is now official...at least the census that is

The state Department of Economic and Community Development has confirmed special census counts submitted by Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne during the month of May.

La Vergne turned in a count of 26,472, while Smyrna tallied 38,073. The cities had goals of 27,000 and 38,000, respectively. Murfreesboro expected to be close to 100,000 and ended up with a count of 100,575.

Sorry LaVergne. You seemed to have have come up short.

Ban Ban Ban

A murfreesboro politician went on patrol and was burned by idiots with fireworks. Of course this means he now wants to ban or add more limits to them.

A Murfreesboro city councilman may have more ammunition now to fight the continued use of fireworks in the city limits.

Councilman David Edwards said his arm and leg hairs were singed by a firework shot at a police cruiser he was riding in on the Fourth of July.
.....
The incident, coupled with the other "attacks" on police officers, may fuel further debate about the continued use of fireworks in the city.

Officials pulled the fuse on bottle rockets inside the city three years ago after having to answer calls of crowds engaging in street battles with the incendiary devices. Officials further curtailed the hours fireworks could be discharged and set limits on the length of time vendors could offer their wares for sale leading up to Independence Day.

I played "bottle rocket battle" as a kid, and if you are dumb enough to walk in amongst them as they play it, then you're the fool, not the fools with the rockets. Yes I was one of them fools.

This is at least a year old, but gives you an idea of some of the crap the police have to put up with in some areas of Tennessee.



My view is simple. These kids, adults, and fools can be charged with a numerous number of crimes. Examples such as vandalism, assault, interference with an officer in his duties, disorderly conduct, etc. One more law or limit will not stop this. A ban means they simply travel to buy, then come back, and if caught a single extra misdemeanor will mean nothing to a felony charge.

Of course logic and politicians do not go hand in hand often.

YARD SALE!!!!

The Smyrna High School band boosters are holding a fund raising yard sale.

The Smyrna High School Band Boosters are hosting a community yard sale on Saturday, July 19 in the front of Smyrna High School at 100 Bulldog Drive, starting at 7 a.m. and running through the afternoon.

The boosters are raising money to assist in the purchase of new marching uniforms for the band, and welcome yard sale donations from the community. This is a great opportunity to clean out your closets and help the Smyrna High School Marching Bulldogs.

This is a great way to help fund a program.

YMCA skateboard competition

The Y will be hosting the second annual Skateboard competition this coming weekend for those with kids or those who just want to watch.

The next Shaun White or Ryan Sheckler could very well be spending their afternoons at the North Rutherford YMCA.

The center will host its second annual Skate Park Competition beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday. The competition is open to ages 7-18.

Have fun.

Water, water everywhere

and the town of Smyrna wants to share.

1st Annual Boat Day / 3 Annual Water-fest

July 12, 2008 from 9:00AM til 1:00PM at Stewart Creek Recreational Area (West side of Weakly Lane - Just north of the Smyrna town limits - adjacent to the boat ramp on the Corps or Engineers' property.)

This event is free of charge and open to the public.

Come out and join the Town of Smyrna and the Stones River Watershed Association for an opportunity to try out a variety of canoes and Kayaks, either solo or tandem, while on calm smooth water. Experienced paddlers from the Tennessee Scenic River Association will be on hand to demonstrate skill and safety requirements. Minors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information on this event contact Greg Upham, Storm Water Management Coordinator at 615-355-5701

Looks like this would be a fun activity

Another Cracker Barrel?

The word has it that Cracker Barrel is looking to open a second restaurant in Smyrna.

Lebanon based Cracker Barrel is looking to Smyrna for a new location.
....
A second location would be located at exit 70 off of I-24. That is the Almaville Road exit. No word on when the store would start construction if approved.

No details from WGNS on how solid this information is, but as one commenter on their website asks. Is Smyrna big enough, and is there enough traffic to support it?

Can you hear me? I ask that question because mt brother and a neighbor set off enough fireworks at my mom's house to deafen us, and leave a massive carbon footprint for the year. My ears where ringing, and we were dodging the falling mortar fragments while laughing.

But let's get down to the business of Smyrna.

The town government this week is having only two meetings.

Notice is hereby given that the Town of Smyrna Beer Board will conduct a public hearing at its regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall relative to the beer application for the following business:

1. Los Amigos, Inc. (John Varon) dba Los Amigos, 555 South Lowry Street – on premises permit
...
Next Town Council Meeting is: July 8, 2008 - 7:00 PM

The town council agenda is at the end of this post.

Locally Murfreesboro has a fine activity set to go this coming weekend.

31st Annual Uncle Dave Macon Days Festival
July 11, 2008 - July 13, 2008
Cannonsburgh Village, 312 South Front Street, Murfreesboro. This free old-time music and dance festival is one of the very few old-time festivals in the country, featuring the National Championships in Old-Time Banjo, Old-Time Buck Dancing and Old-Time Clogging. You will enjoy juried arts and crafts, specialty foods and impromptu jam sessions throughout the village on Friday and Saturday. The Motorless Parade takes place on Saturday morning. The prestigious Heritage Award is presented on Saturday evening. Other exhibits taking place during the festival include the Macon Memories historic photo exhibit, clogging demonstrations and Shape-note singing in the little white country church. The Gospel Showcase and Ministry Fair takes place on Sunday. Contact: Gloria Christy, (615) 893-2369

Dancing and music for all.

For those who have no plans for this coming Friday, there is free music for you in Murfreesboro.

Main Street's Friday Night Live Concert Series
July 11, 2008
Held on the Public Square in Downtown Murfreesboro. Free admission, food vendors and more. Bring your lawn chair! 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Contact: Main Street, (615) 895-1887

In LaVergne there is a care show.

La Vergne Rotary/DARE Car Show
July 12, 2008
Held at La Vergne City Hall, 5093 Murfreesboro Road, La Vergne. 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The event will take place rain or shine.Contact: Baker Raborn, (615) 459-4145
A commenter left this note.
The car show in LaVergne is on the 26th at Veterans Memorial Park

Well that is about it for this week in Smyrna. We always welcome submissions to the website and if you have an activity you wish to share please email me.

2008-07-08TCA - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: 2008-07-08TCA

Details on the 5th of July

From the town website.

Bring the whole family and all your friends to Smyrna' s most explosive party of the year. There will be great food, live music and spectacular Flyover by a Blackhawk Helicopter.

Family Fun Activities – Look for the rock climbing wall sponsored by the Tennessee Army National Guard , fun soft playgrounds, and much more.

Food and Beverages – There will be plenty of food and beverage booths at the Lee Victory Park.

When: It all begins Saturday, July 5 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: Smyrna's Lee Victory Recreation Park – Sam Ridley Parkway

This presentation is brought to you by the Smyrna Fire Department.

This event is sponsored by Smyrna Gas and The Smyrna Parks and Recreation Departments. Special thanks goes to Smyrna Police.

Enjoy and remember to be safe. I did not say be legal, just safe.