Yummy chili today

Today the town has its focus on Front street with Depot Days, but a lot is happening elswhere. Take a moment and go meet a fine group of people at the Senior Center.

Depot Days Chili Dinner

Smyrna Senior Citizen Center
When - Saturday October 1st
Where - Smyrna Senior Citizens Center
100 Raikes Street
Time - 4:00PM - 7:00PM
Price - Adult's $6 Children under 10 - $3
Proceeds to benefit our Senior Center!!!
Dine In or Carry Out
Chili, hot dogs, homemade desserts, tea, lemonade, or coffee
Call 459-4839 or stop by to purchase your ticket, Thank you for your support!!!

Don't forget that Depot Days are soon to be here and it is a multi-day event. More information on the event can be found at the Historic Smyrna website for those interested.

Also remember that there is the Chili Dinner at the Smyrna Seniors center on the same Saturday.

Depot Days Chili Dinner

This is a bit early, and there will be a reminder the day of the event, but don't over eat on Kettle Corn and funnel cakes at the Depot Days event. At the Senior Center they are also having some sit down food that is good for the whole family.

Smyrna Senior Citizen Center
When - Saturday October 1st
Where - Smyrna Senior Citizens Center
100 Raikes Street
Time - 4:00PM - 7:00PM
Price - Adult's $6 Children under 10 - $3
Proceeds to benefit our Senior Center!!!
Dine In or Carry Out
Chili, hot dogs, homemade desserts, tea, lemonade, or coffee
Call 459-4839 or stop by to purchase your ticket, Thank you for your support!!!

Depot Days meets Chicken Wednesday

Gerry Houser, his daughter, myself and my wife went to Depot Days with three of his chickens to stand as representatives of an idea for urban food production. With Pamphlets saying we were "Sustainable Smyrna Initiative" we had our chickens, we had our pamphlets, and we had fun.


The kids loved the chickens, and a few even asked to pet them and for the most part our reception when we showed people the petition was good. Our petition is not official as we are not trying to get it on the next ballot, but it is to show the council that Smyrna is not against the idea as must as they feel.

Dear Mayor Dover

In recent years many cities have adopted ordinances that allow residents to keep Backyard chickens. We, the people of Smyrna, would like the same opportunity..

Currently, Section 10-102 of the Town of Smyrna Municipal Code states that “No person shall keep or allow any animal or fowl enumerated in the preceding section to come within one thousand (1,000) feet of any residence, place of business, or public street.” We think it is unreasonable that residents may own dogs and cats without distance restrictions, but not a 4-pound bird that produces eggs for the family. Residents have brought up the issue of chicken keeping in the past. Given the growing popularity of urban hen keeping and our current economic situation, this request is likely to come up again and again until the Town of Smyrna finds a way to accommodate its citizens’ request.

We propose that the Town of Smyrna adopt codes allowing the raising of chickens within the town limits. Further we would suggest the following limitations on keeping chickens.

1. No roosters are to be kept.
2. No more than 6 hens are to be kept per household.
3. No chickens are to be kept closer than 25 feet to any adjacent building.
4. That chickens be kept to Smyrna’s existing noise, noxious fumes, and sanitary animal pens.

The weather was very overcast and there was a bit of wind so turnout was lower than I had hoped we would have. I felt real bad for the lady selling scarves across the lane. She shivered in her jacket the entire day and looked simply miserable and was one of the first to call it a day and leave.

In all Gerry and I talked to about 200-220 people and out of that 145 signed the petition. Some did not sign due to bad experiences with bad neighbors, and some simply were not sure on the whole subject. In all the response from those who signed from the young to the old was "the government should just stay out of our lives" (paraphrased).

We had old people sign it who mentioned their own fond memories of their youth and raising chickens and the younger people quickly saw the sensibility of the positives of having chickens compared to the foolishness of a neighbor that can have dogs, but not chickens. Several people returned dragging other family members to sign the petition because they thought it was such a good idea.

In all I was overjoyed at the positive feedback I received from the people. It makes me feel that Nashville allowing chickens and our petition we might have a chance. The last time I went in front of the council on this issue one of the reasons they did not look at it was that no local municipality allowed chickens. I'm happy to say that is no longer true.

We have local governments allowing it, and good community feedback saying that the idea has merit. I think this is an idea whose time has come people.

Depot Day

It is coming and they still have a lot of open spaces to rent out to YOU. Rhonda Allen emailed me and asked me to pass this along.

Please tell everyone you know about Depot Days, Smyrna's only community-wide festival. Years ago this event was as celebrated as the Main Street festival in Murfreesboro. The downtown business district is trying to revive the tradition to match the revitalized downtown.

The date is Saturday, October 10th. Booth space is 20'x20' and the fee is $50. All spaces are outdoors, no electricity furnished. Vendor must provide all set-up items. The fee pays for advertising and clean-up.

The business owners of the downtown historic district organize this event.
Their website is historicsmyrna.org.

For more information about Depot Day or booth rental, please contact the people below:

Joel Cox
Phone: (615)459-3825
Email: joelpcox@yahoo.com

Scott Miller
Phone: (615)355-9787
Email: smiller@nssionline.com

For more information about Smyrna's Got Talent at Depot Day or entertainment questions, please contact:

Karan Harrell
Phone: (615)355-8586
Email: karanh61@yahoo.com

Welcome everyone to this weekly edition of "This Week in Smyrna Tennessee"

Let us get started with town government meetings.

Historic Zoning Commission: September 22, 2008 - 5:00 PM

Yep. That's it.

The big news is Depot Day and it looks like it will be a good one this coming weekend.

One of last year's draws was the Smyrna's Got Talent showcase, but this year resident C.J. Jatala has lined up a Minnie Pearl re-enactor, booked a group that appeared on CMT's reality show "Can You Harmonize?" and arranged for a one-hour Grand Old Opry-style karaoke show.

"It was fun last year and I love doing this kind of stuff," said Jatala, who will emcee events taking place on the main stage. "Miss Lucy Adams, who designs all of Dolly (Parton's) costumes is making me some shirts to wear during the day. There will be a lot of rhinestones."

Also new to this year's event is a dunking booth and games such as a ring toss, duck pond and putting green, which will all cost $1 each.

More information can be found at the Historic Smyrna website. I enjoyed last years, and with an election this year expect a lot of candidates local and are to be there to glad hand the populous.

While Depot Days is the largest event, there are others you might want to take a look at.

Theatre

The Music Man
September 25, 2008 - September 28, 2008
Held at the Lamplighter's Theatre, 14119 Old Nashville Highway, Smyrna. The Music Man is one of the most beloved musicals in American history. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Tickets: Adults-$10, Seniors (55 and up)-$8 and children 4 to 12- $5. Contact: (615) 534-0148

Horses

International Grand Championship Performance Walking Horse Show
September 25, 2008 - September 27, 2008
Held at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum, 304-B West Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro. This event will showcase 44 classes of horses. Admission $5. Children under 6 are free. Contact: Tommy Hall, (615) 494-8822

Books

Saturday, Sept. 27
Sixth annual Reading Rally: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at three locations, outside Linebaugh Library, 105 W. Vine St., at Murfreesboro Civic Plaza; Old Rock School Park in Smyrna; Bicentennial Park in La Vergne. This family event will include free refreshments, entertainment and story readings. Special character visits will include Mx the Bunny in Murfreesboro, Clifford in Smyrna and Franklin Turtle in La Vergne. For more information, visit www.readtosucceed.org. or call Rita Shacklett at Linebaugh Library, 615-893-4131; Carol Kersey at La Vergne Library, 615-793-7303; or Joe Gunter at Smyrna Library, 615-459-4884.

Baby sitting training.

Saturday Sept. 27th
American Red Cross baby-sitting training class: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Gingerbread House Childcare Center, 253 W. Sam Ridley Parkway, Smyrna. Students must be 11 years of age or older to be certified. Applications are available at the Gingerbread House, 615-459-2100, or call Vickie Smith, 615-305-0910.

Church Auction

Saturday, Sept. 27
The Pentecostals of Smyrna will have a fish fry and auction beginning at 4 p.m. The tickets for this event are $8 for adults and $5 for children (11 and younger). Children ages 3 and younger are admitted free. The church is located at 1410 Hazelwood Drive in Smyrna, next to the Tennessee Expo Center. Call 615-604-3069 for information.

Well that is about it for this week in Smyrna...that I can find. If you have an event you would like added please drop us a line and I'll add it right away.