Up and running

I finally have my school project up and running on the web. While it is a school project, I intend to keep updating it and filling out the information on it for the near future. I have registered the site and purchased a years hosting through Go Daddy.

The Streets of Smyrna
thestreetsofsmyrna.com

I have to give credit to my wife for doing the computer end of the job. I have no idea how to transfer the files and get it running. Her work was a life saver.

Yes!

Today , according to our logs, our website was visited by someone from Montgomery Alabama. They came to our site with the Google search "is Smyrna tn a good place to live?"

Yes. Yes we are.

They spent 26 minutes looking at the site, the fund raisers, the town committees, the chickens, the fun that a strong community has to offer. The music from a local tavern to the zombies crawling around the town. We have a lot to offer you.

Yes!. Smyrna is a good place to live.

This is Smyrna TV

On our other Smyrna website, This is Smyrna TV, there are a handfull of Zombie videos for those interested, and others. Drop by.

oops. forgot to add the link

The odd things online

I was looking up some information on Lee Victory for my class project. While online I came across this small item on him.

Lee Victory He had many interesting, colorful stories to share about the area. he knows so many people and has done so much that he was a wonderful resource

It seems another class had a project and put together a website called "The Jefferson Springs Project".

Now that's nice, but it is the writeup on Knox Ridley and his brother that got me laughing.

Knox Ridley discussed bootlegging and how the bootleggers delivered the booze. One of the bootleggers would ride it in on a motorcycle, and the guys would fill up flasks to take into the dance hall. They lived behind the park (see Ridley map on wall of office). He talked about the different ways to make moonshine and said that if it was made a certain way the moonshine would taste different and make you sick. He described the cabins, the store, the bowling alley (even the number of pins and size of balls), the swimming hole, the bridge, the dance hall (but it was the rebuilt, open-air dance hall), cars (but they are 30's models), clothes (they wore nice pants and a jacket to dance, no ties), food (pimento cheese and tuna sandwiches from the store), and music (he names a song-it's on the tape).

Once, He and his twin brother drove their car into the dance hall one night. They were drunk and just goofing around. He talked about taking the girls riding after the dances. Didn't give more detail than that really - just that they "parked" - we can all assume what that means. Many people (women mostly) would not even own up to leaving the dance hall. He talked about rigging the nickelodeon with "slugs" -fake coins or even tripping the wires to make it play more songs. He talked about fights between local boys and Nashville boys over the girls. He mentioned the catholic sororities (high school - St. Bernards) called the Cats that would come to Jefferson Springs. He talked about the constable who would leave the bootleggers alone but cite girls who were walking around with just robes and bathing suits for being improperly dressed. If there was a more serious legal matter, people would go before the magistrate and plead their case.

He said that the traveling medicine men never came into Jefferson Springs because there were not enough people there - they would just go to Smyrna to draw a bigger crowd. He talked about the mail wheel - pretty much what we already know from the history Dr. Kates gave us. He talked about the punch cards for gambling and other games like dice. I think that's about it!

Bootlegging, slugs, fights, parking with young ladies. Oh the horror....and delight at finding the richness of our area.

A map for you.

DataSchenk (I keep pronouncing it Datashack in my head...Sorry) is a local company that says this about its self.

DataSchenk, Inc. is the premier information technology training and consulting services company in the Nashville and Murfreesboro area. Since our inception in 1998, we have quickly asserted ourselves as a leader in IT education and staffing.

They are more then a company in our town, they also have online a map of am Ridley that might hold your interest. It is a full map of the restaurants along the Sam Ridley corridor with links to their respective websites.

Fund raiser update:

As the month of April comes and goes and we get ready for the month of May, I am working hard on a fund raiser for the Red Cross, Rutherford county chapter. I have secured a dunking machine that is provided by the La Vergne Lions Club, also an airbrush tattoo artist, A d.j. spinning 70's music, Smyrna fire dept will be bringing a firetruck, and our very own congressman Bart Gordon is going to try to attend this event. What I need from the people of Northern Rutherford county is things for donation to the silent auction. I am also needing volunteers to help with getting things together plus help out the day of the fund raiser. anyone want to work the dunking booth would be great too! Our state is known as the Volunteer state so Smyrna and La Vergne step up and lets make this event one to remember. Feel free to comment here or email me at bearroller9640@yahoo.com.

UPDATE: I have now reserved an inflatable from spacewalk of Murfreesboro and they also own Cox martial arts which they are donating a gift cert for 6 months of martial arts class valued at $650. this is a great item for our silent auction!

update #2: Our sponsors:

I wanted to give a big shout out to our sponsors so far that are helping us with this huge event coming up at the end of May. I want to thank them and hope we get many more that want to attend this event.

here are their links:

Totally connected D.J. service

Spacewalk of Murfreesboro and Cox Martial Arts

Check these great people out and do business with them because they care about our community!

The Zombies are coming....soon

Dead Start is a Zombie movie that will be filming in Smyrna.

Aspiring actors and/or armies of the undead are invited to report to Smyrna later this month, where the director of a new monster movie is holding an open casting call for zombie extras.

Would-be zombies will attend a Zombie Class at 119 Front St. in Smyrna from 7-8 a.m. on April 26. There, the extras will learn the ways of the undead: shuffling around, groaning, fighting, devouring the brains of the living, and so forth.

One of the film crew did a walk through and discussed what they would be doing that day. The film does suffer from the wind we have been enjoying.

Applications NOW!

This was on the town website.

The Town Council will appoint members to the Package Liquor Board during the May 12 meeting. Applications are available in the Town Hall Lobby and here on the website. Completed applications should be submitted to the Town Manager at 315 S. Lowry Street, Smyrna, TN 37167.

A new board and a new set of regulations. If you feel you have time think about applying for this board. PDF application link.

Go 2 Smyrna

I'd like to bring your attention to a new website in town. Go 2 Smyrna. A site that is describes itself as..

We are proud to announce that the Go2Smyrna.com web site is now live and serving the residents of Smryna, Tennessee!

Go 2 Smyrna is the place on the Internet for residents of Smyrna, Tennessee to come together and catch up on what's new in our hometown and to talk about the local things that matter.

Go 2 Smyrna is an online reflection of our community. It is who we are as residents of Smyrna individually and corporately. It is my neighbor across the street and the guy who owns the restaurant where my family eats once a week. It is the pastor at my church and the police officer who patrols my neighborhood and keeps the wolves away from my door.

In short, Go 2 Smyrna is me. It is you. It is all of us, talking about life here in Smyrna. It's what we make of it... so let's make it a great place to be, just like our town is a great place to live.

Their main section will be their forums where people can come and talk about the local issues that interest them.

So drop by and say 'Hi' to them.

A musical interlude from Ron's Tavern in Smyrna

Fundraiser planned for the Red Cross!

I am planning on holding a fundraiser on May 30th (Sat.) from Noon till 4pm at the Smyrna bowling center. Tickets will be $10 for one game and shoes. Also there will be activities out in the parking lot for all to enjoy. I am going to try to get the blood mobile to come out so those of you that to donate blood can and you will receive a pass for 4 free games. anyone interested in volunteering or donating can email from the left side of this site! would love to have many turn for this event! Let's make this one of the biggest event in town this year!! The Red Cross helps with many that are in need of help. Fires, floods, and tornados so lets show our support and help raise money!

I have confirmed that Smyrna fire dept will have a firetruck on hand for the kids to play on. Many things are in the work for this event.

email me at: bearroller9640@yahoo.com if you want to help or donate something for this event.


UPDATE: HERE IS WHY WE ARE DOING THIS.

Help people affected by disasters like the recent tonradoes by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.

The American Red Cross name and emblem are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position.

The American Red Cross will not receive your contact information.  Should you require a receipt from the American Red Cross, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to donate by phone or give online at www.redcross.org.

For more information about the American Red Cross, please visit www.redcross.org.

An influx of illegals in Smyrna

No I am NOT being insensitive towards our neighbors. Instead I am referring to an on going theme in these postings, chickens. Last week my wife and daughter came home with six new chicks that they bought at Tractor Supply here in Smyrna. It is their annual "Chick Days" in which you can buy chicks and ducklings and all the needed supplies to set up an egg factory in your own backyard. I asked the salesman if he knew if it was legal to raise chickens in Smyrna. He said he did not know, but, that it was legal in the state of Tennessee and he knew of several people in Smyrna that did raise chickens. He also told me that they have been selling quite a few chicks since the sale started. I for one fully support the selling of chicks to the citizens of Smyrna and I wish all those illegals the best in their new homes. Stay productive and out of the stew pot.

The Curse of David the Good

On March 2nd I posted that it was the last day to apply for committee positions on town boards. David the Good commented that he had applied for the beautification committee.

I must've missed you. I stopped in about an hour ago to put in an updated application to the Beautification Board. Here's to Smyrna!

Sadly the agenda for the town meeting this coming week has this bit of information.

Consideration of an ordinance relative to the amendment of Town of Smyrna Municipal Code, Title 2 “Boards and Committees, Etc.”, Chapter 1 “Beautification Committee”, related to disbanding of the committee and the elimination of the Beautification Ordinance. First Reading.

It seems that their duties are being sent to other boards such as Parks and Rec and even Storm Water. They talked at length about this issue during the last town council workshop.

Sorry David. Unemployed before you even start. Harsh.

Happy Easter, Smyrna!

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend. Glad it's warmer out there. Don't eat too many peeps!

Now here's the original event that started it all, from Matthew 28:


After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV)

Not yet - Already

My wife and I stopped by the new WalGreens on Hazzelwood and Old Nashville and found them closed. It seems their announced opening date of Monday has now turned to Thursday.

In glazed covered news. My wife was invited to an early 'tasting' at the local Krispy Kreme and has already enjoyed a Smyrna Hot Now.

She didn't invite me along.....maybe I should leave her.....I think I would have grounds.

An invite

I hope he did not think it was a joke. On April 1st I emailed the following to Tim Morrell. He is the newest council member on the Smyrna town council.

Tim.

I'm not sure if you know about the local website I write for. It is called "This is Smyrna, TN". I would like to invite you to do a guest column for the website on any subject you feel strongly on, or just about how your first few months on the council have been.

Drop by and get a feel on the website if you've never been before. We have archives back to 2004 on a whole slue of subjects.

http://thisissmyrnatn.blogspot.com/

Gunner Miller

I am waiting for a reply, and hope that he will submit a column for your reading enjoyment.

Blood from a turnip

In the last town workshop they discussed a whole peck of issues, but one NOT on the agenda was interesting.

A local developer has been working on a project for three years. When he got the original PCD (planned commercial development) from the city part of it was in response to local complaints. They were worried how it would look and they requested a berm. This raised area with trees and bushes and even fence would cut down on the harsh commercial view from a residential area.

Three years on and no berm...but there are a lot of factors. Council member Johns requested that the town might call in the developers letter of credit to construct this. The locals already had petition going. Kevin Rigsby said that the letter of credit likely would not cover the construction and in his talk he stated the following. The developer said that trying to force him to because it was a PCD but it would be like "getting blood from a turnip" as the developer said.

Just looking around town there are many housing developments and other projects on hold. Behind Kroger's on south Lowry is a whole torn up area, plus across from Nissan, and even a giant empty area down Rocky Fork road are just a few areas that have fallen behind in finishing.

The Plowhaus Presents: Abstrakta

The Plowhaus Artists Cooperative has announced an opening this week. They put on good shows - and the openings are full of interesting people. As a side note, if you've never done the "Nashville Gallery Crawl," it's worth doing. It's a long party of art openings and free drinks and food. The only way to beat something this cool would be to get some art here in Smyrna. I'm still working on that.

Now here's the Plowhaus info:


Plowhaus Artists Cooperative presents
ABSTRAKTA
April 4- 25, 2009
Opening Reception during Nashville Art Crawl: April 4th from 6-10pm

The Plowhaus Artists Cooperative of Nashville proudly presents ABSTRAKTA, an exhibition of abstract art. In this group exhibit, Plowhaus artists delve into art without limits, where form, color and composition become a universal means of communication to create an emotional response and spiritual connection with the community.


Artists include:
Carrie Mills, Beth Winnett, Susan Striepe, Franne Lee, Franco Scaramuzza, John Holland, Candice Brett, Barry A. Noland, Judy Klich, Stephen McClure, Nubian Sun, Tom Winnett, Robert Bruce Scott, Beth Inglish, Mandy Peitz. Jamie Bandtin, Marsha Rusk, Odenedo
Betsy Clapsaddle, Mel Davenport, Celeste Holliman, Catherine Chaput, Michelle Schrieber, Shonna Sexton, John Barcus, Peach McComb, and Tammy Rochelle


The Plowhaus Artist's Cooperative
www.plowhaus.org
Tennessee Art League Building
808 Broadway, 2nd Floor
Nashville, Tenn.
Gallery Hours: Tues. - Sat. 10am to 4pm
About Plowhaus
Plowhaus is a 501(c)(3) artist-supported cooperative and gallery space dedicated to presenting new art to the Nashville community. Plowhaus was the first gallery to open in East Nashville. It is committed to support, challenge and inspire artistic growth among its members and to build, educate and sustain audiences for contemporary art.
www.plowhaus.org

More Smyrna History

After reading Gunner’s school project on the streets of Smyrna, I decided to do a little research of my own into the history of our town. I’ve passed Baller Rd at least a hundred times but never knew where the name came from.

So I went to the library. There’s a book I found titled “An Abbreviated History of Middle Tennessee” that mentions the Ballers as being a somewhat successful mid-1800’s Smyrna family.

The patriarch of the family, Arnold P. Baller, moved to Smyrna from Virginia in the 1840s, looking for a new life and a woman to share it with. In the 1850s, Arnold courted and then married Jill Mellon, a feminist pioneer. Interestingly, court records record Jill’s married name as “Mellon-Baller,” which may be one of the earliest uses of the now ubiquitous hyphenated last name.

They had three children, Gregory, Charles and April. Not much is mentioned about the boys, but during the Civil War, a newspaper records that as a teenager April fools three Union scouts by skinny-dipping in Stewart’s Creek, attracting their attention. While the soldiers were playing “peeping tom,” April’s friend Missy stole their messenger bags, preventing them from providing intelligence on Confederate troop movements to the Union commanders.

In 1872, a commemorative statue of the event was unveiled by the The Confederate Naturist Society, but was quickly covered again amidst outcry.

Sadly, the Baller family has now passed into history… but the street name remains, a silent testimony to a Virginian pioneer’s almost-lost legacy.

Thank you, Gunner, for inspiring me to start digging.