Shop local

SIMA wants you to think of them in thesse economic times, and to think locally.

The Smyrna independent Merchants Association is urging the citizens of Smyrna to unchain themselves on Nov. 21—to do any business they plan to do on that day only at local independent businesses. Smyrna Unchained! is part of America Unchained, a national campaign of the American Business Alliance.

SIMA can be found at SIMATN.ORG

I finally got my hotdog

if you have ever seen a street scene of a movie shot in new York you would be hard pressed to miss the pushcart vendors selling hot dogs and other victuals. When I first moved to Smyrna there were several "Taqarias" around town selling massive burritos and other south American cuisine for a good price.

I'm not quiet sure why they went away. I thought they added a bit of variety and color to a pretty'fied white bread town. Life needs spice. Now we are slowly morphing into a franchise hell...but damn don't we look pretty'fied and regulated.

So not long ago when I saw a hotdog stand being set up at the car wash near the Hazzelwood and Old Nashville highway intersection I was overjoyed...and puzzled. The first time I saw it the stand was open, but I was rushed, and then I have never seen it open again. It just seemed to sit there wrapped in a tarp. and gather dust.

Until last weekend.

It was open and we pulled over to give them some business and ask a few questions. It seems they have NO set hours and are run by the same people who run the car wash. A nice Oriental lady sold me a good meaty hot dog and a bottle of water for $1.50. Compared to the $1.39 for the same size water bottle at Krispy Kreme I walked away feeling it was a good deal for a drink and a bite to eat.

So if you see them open drop in and get a good hot dog and say "hi".

3 fundraisers this weekend

This is a busy weekend for causes and for those who care.

For a young girl

Fundraisers will be held Friday and Saturday for a 5-year-old girl diagnosed with Stage IV cancer shortly after being adopted.
...
Sigma Beta Xi, a community-based sorority dedicated to mothers of which Berry is a member, along with the Rutherford County office of the Department of Children’s Services, is holding a benefit dinner at 7 p.m. Friday at Patterson Park Community Center, 521 Mercury Blvd., to raise funds for the family. Custom Addicts will hold from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 5602 Jefferson Pike in Smyrna.

For Dialysis patients

On Saturday, the Kidney Disease Awareness Association is hosting a barbecue fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Fresenius Medical Care Smyrna at 1100 Rock Springs Road. The group plans to use the money to plan a Christmas dinner for dialysis patients like Stanulis.

For a fallen soldier

Presented by Vets Rock, the benefit will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday at the post, 10157 Old Nashville Highway. A number of bands will perform. Karaoke and door prizes will be available. A donation of $10 is requested for admission.

All funds raised will go to Hercules’ wife and two children. For more information, call Dominick Grimaldi at 615-294-8352.

A lot of people care in Smyrna and in many ways that makes our community stronger.

Art and the city

In just a few moments Christina Cudworth will hopefully join a growing rank of people who will become a more visible site in Smyrna. Activists. People with ideas and a mission. Hers is based upon art and she is addressing the town council tonight. She has given me permission to post here her speaking notes so wish her luck.

My name is Christina Cudworth and I own a local business “Cudworthcreative” that is a service business in where I teach and make custom murals and art. I moved here to Smyrna, and have enjoyed the growth and community here, The only thing I have noticed is a lack of connection with visual art. I know there are art leagues in Murfreesboro and Nashville, but those who live here in Smyrna have to leave and drive a distance for time to work and relax in the realm of art. Which brings me to my desire to start an art league /community art center here in Smyrna.

I plan on having the league family friendly, children, teens, adults and seniors, but not denying artists who paint more than just landscapes.. I am looking to educate, encourage art in the community of Smyrna. I plan on for profit, and membership based, capacity in the community. I also teach art at Jerry's Artarama. I want a strong emphasis about redefining art in Smyrna as being more than just paintings or sculpture. I would even like to have themed rotational art exhibits. New art festivals here and group with others for a large event showcasing art, in all mediums. The only restrictions for the immediate gallery would be nudes or offensive material., the artists are free to explore these areas, but for the sake of children being present members would be asked not to show work depicting such things .

Currently I am seeking a building or meeting place that is visible to the public, and can accommodate 50 or more artists. Any offers or suggestions are welcome. Also a place to host a fundraising event would be very helpful.

I am open to any questions regarding this matter. Thank you for your time I greatly appreciate it.

Art today...Chickens tomorrow...who knows what activist might decide needs addressing the day after.

2010 Citizens Police Academy

As an alumni of this academy I can say it is a learning experience and worth the time.

SPDCPA class for 2010 is gearing up. We will begin class on Thursday, January 14, 2010. The class will run 12 weeks and we will have our final class on Thursday, April 1, 2010. All classes will occur on Thursday night and will begin at 6 pm and end at 9 pm.
This is a great opportunity for members of the community to become closely acquainted with the roles and responsibilities of the police department. Students will leave this training with a greater understanding of the Smyrna police department and how the department serves the community.


All information about the class can be found on the police department section of the website under the Citizen's Police Academy link. All interested participants must complete an application and give permission for the Smyrna Police Department to conduct a criminal background check.
Click here (PDF) for SPDCPA Application

I went in 2007 and it was a blast. I met a lot of interesting people and learned a lot of how the inner working of the Smyrna police department plays out in their daily activities.

Restricted

In many ways...many cruel ways I enjoy telemarketers. If they are polite and speak slowly enough to let me interrupt with questions I'll take the time to honestly listen to them. If instead they come on and speak at a speed that would make an auctioneer proud, or to use a recording I end up less impressed....or the ultimate sin of calling on a number that ID's as restricted.

I just got a recorded message(Strike One) that I answered that was listed on my caller ID as restricted (Strike Two) for a customer appreciation day for the Stewartsboro Crossing shopping center where the Dollar general, Foxes Pizza and others are. The recording on an upcoming customer appreciation say was rather fast, not auctioneer fast but fast enough to un-impress me and to disappoint me that they would use blind number calls like this.

I'm also wondering how they got my number. Now I use my cell phone for many things, but mostly personal only, but I limit it's exposure for family business as we use my wife's number for that reason. No credit was given on who paid for the recorded restricted call, so I'm unable to ask how they got my cell number, so this alone qualifies for a strike three.

I also know that my cell phone is on the federal DO NOT CALL list. While this can be gotten around in many ways, and this call likely does not qualify as a telemarketer, I'm still disappointed to have received this from a local business. I would have thought better of them.

This Saturday the shopping center will be having a customer appreciation day....but I will not be attending.

Job Fair in Smyrna TODAY

I slipped and never got to post this.

Putting America Back to Work, a national job fair event, will make a stop today in Smyrna from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Smyrna Town Centre, 100 Sam Ridley Parkway West.

There is no charge to attend the fair, which will provide leads on full- and part-time job opportunities. Careers in Gears, Dominion Enterprises, Department of Veterans Affairs and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Division are some of those expected to attend.

I noticed the department of Veteran affairs will be there. While you might not be a veteran, they might have hiring information on the new call center coming to Smyrna in the next year.

The reason for the season....

It is that time of the year, the time to think of others who might not be having a great holiday and what you can do to help. One great way is assisting the Smyrna Fire Department in their annual food drive.

Smyrna Fire Department’s 8th Annual Food Drive
Fire Fighters for Food

Each year the Smyrna Fire Department and the Smyrna/Lavergne Food Bank team up to help fight hunger in Northern Rutherford County. With your help we can make sure that no one has to go hungry this holiday season. Here are some things that you might not know about the Smyrna Lavergne Food Bank

The Smyrna/Lavergne Food Bank (SLFB) has assisted on average 500 families per month.

The SLFB assists over 16,500 people per year.

1 in every 6 people in Northern Rutherford County has received assistance from the SLFB.

Drop off sites are here.

Smyrna Fire Department’s Food Drive will begin Monday, November 2nd and run through Sunday, November 8th. Food items will be collected at any one of our six fire stations.

Station #1 at 400 West Enon Springs Road
Station #2 at 644 Fitzhugh Boulevard
Station #3 at 630 East Enon Springs Road
Station #4 at 145 South Lowry Street
Station #5 at 2200 Rock Springs Road
Station #6 at 3640 Morton Lane

You can also stop by Wal-mart on East Enon Springs Road on Saturday November 7th from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm and drop off your food donations. While you’re there be sure to ask for a tour of the Fire engine.

Today is a great day to help others.

Rated R [for Religion] II

In September I posted on a new church that was coming to Smyrna with the idea of renting space in the Malco Theatre for their services. I loved the idea of this merging of two services and how they can gain from each other. I'm impressed such a merger happened here in Smyrna.

On October 18th the church met and they were kind enough to send some images on how it went so you can get an idea of what a movie theatre congregation would look like.











The campus pastor emailed me this.

Sunday went incredible. We had over 200 people in attendance! Russ Lee did an amazing job leading worship and Pastor Brady gave an powerful message on what God is doing through New Vision Church in our community and around the world. The theater looked outstanding and the kids and the preschool area worked great. The worship service ended at about 11:05 and we were completely loaded and heading towards I-HOP by 11:45. This next week will give us a good picture of what a normal Sunday will look like ( a part from all the first Sunday hype) and we will start a new series “One Month To Live: 30 Days to a no regret life.”

Blake Nichols
Campus Pastor
New Vision Smyrna

This gets tagged not just as "church event" but also as "grand opening".

The first one has opened

When the referendum passed last year it took time for the game of politics and feedback to get the final ordinance to the council for a vote. With the codes in effect the businesses jumped to it and just in time for the holidays we have our first package liquor sales store opening.

Now, nearly a year later, Hasan has made history by becoming the first person in Smyrna to own a local store. Smyrna's Divine Wine and Spirits is located at 291 Sam Ridley Parkway, across the street from Smyrna Bowling Center.

"This has been a long time coming and I'm proud to be a part of Smyrna's history," Hasan said.

At Smyrna's Divine Wine and Spirits, Hasan said she has taken what she's learned from all of her past businesses to create an atmosphere that puts customers first. There is a red carpet at the front door and a notebook on the counter that allows customers to write down their requests for products she may not yet have.

Now instead of purchasing that bottle of Christmas spirit for your favorite uncle in the next county you can give the business to a local business.