Lost dog

from a reader:

Good morning all,

As you know by now there is a greyhound named Cassie missing in Smyrna. She came off the track on Saturday and was lost Sunday after another dog scared her and she bolted from her foster mom. This occured Sunday April 1 at around 10-11AM. Over the past 3 days there have been a few sightings all have been in the Weakly Lane area in a subdivision called Lake Hills. She is wearing a blue collar with tags and is trailing a blue leash.

Here are some photo’s of Cassie and a map of the search area. If you are able to help search please go out that way anytime and if you see her please call All About Hounds @ 888-820-0085

Final day for assistance tomorrow

The Smyrna Local Library is offering free tax preparing assistance. Tomorrow is the FINAL day this is being offered.

Free Income Tax Preparation
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 10, 17, 31 | 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

VITA tax preparers will be on hand to do free tax preparation. Each Saturday they are at the library, registration begins when the library opens. THERE IS NO PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT.

The following fomrs are NOT eligible for preparation: Schedule C with losses, advanced Schedule D forms, SS-5, 8606, 8615, and SS-8. For married filing jointly, both spouses must be present. Please bring all Form W-2's and 1099's, information for all other income, deductions/credits, previous year's return, proof of account for direct deposit (voided check, etc.), Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification notices/cards for filers, spouses, and all dependents, proof of ID, total paid to daycare providers with their tax ID numbers, birth dates for all parties ont he return and proof of foreign status if applying for ITIN.

This is just one of many services the Smyrna Public library offers.

Event reminder for tomorrow

The Smyrna Local Library is offering free tax preparing assistance.

Free Income Tax Preparation
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 10, 17, 31 | 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

VITA tax preparers will be on hand to do free tax preparation. Each Saturday they are at the library, registration begins when the library opens. THERE IS NO PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT.

The following fomrs are NOT eligible for preparation: Schedule C with losses, advanced Schedule D forms, SS-5, 8606, 8615, and SS-8. For married filing jointly, both spouses must be present. Please bring all Form W-2's and 1099's, information for all other income, deductions/credits, previous year's return, proof of account for direct deposit (voided check, etc.), Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification notices/cards for filers, spouses, and all dependents, proof of ID, total paid to daycare providers with their tax ID numbers, birth dates for all parties ont he return and proof of foreign status if applying for ITIN.

This is just one of many services the Smyrna Public library offers.

Event reminder for tomorrow

The Smyrna Local Library is offering free tax preparing assistance.

Free Income Tax Preparation
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 10, 17, 31 | 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

VITA tax preparers will be on hand to do free tax preparation. Each Saturday they are at the library, registration begins when the library opens. THERE IS NO PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT.

The following fomrs are NOT eligible for preparation: Schedule C with losses, advanced Schedule D forms, SS-5, 8606, 8615, and SS-8. For married filing jointly, both spouses must be present. Please bring all Form W-2's and 1099's, information for all other income, deductions/credits, previous year's return, proof of account for direct deposit (voided check, etc.), Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification notices/cards for filers, spouses, and all dependents, proof of ID, total paid to daycare providers with their tax ID numbers, birth dates for all parties ont he return and proof of foreign status if applying for ITIN.

This is just one of many services the Smyrna Public library offers.

Need a car, truck or van?

The town of Smyrna auctions off it's surplus property through govdeals.com. This is for worn out government vehicles, seized vehicles and misc. equipment.

Here is a screen shot of the first page of three showing what is currently up for bid. Click to enlarge.



If interested go to Govdeals.com and register to bid.

Boards and Committees applications

It's that time of the year again when application for the following boards, commissions, and committees are accepted. I myself served three years on the Storm Water advisory committee and enjoyed the heck out of the experience.

Town of Smyrna Citizen Board Appointments coming up at the March Meeting Apply at http://www.smyrnatn.org/ :
a. Appointment of two (2) members to the Packaged Liquor Board to serve four (4) year terms ending 2016.
b.Appointment of one (1) member to the Board of Zoning Appeals to serve three (3) year term ending 2015.
c.Appointment of two (2) members to the Citizens for Sister City Relations to serve three (3) year terms ending 2015.
d.Appointment of two (2) voting members and one (1) non-voting member to the Parks Advisory Board to serve two (2) year terms ending 2014.
e.Appointment of two (2) members to the Planning Commission to serve two (2) year terms ending 2014.
f.Appointment of two (2) members to Project Assistance to serve three (3) year terms ending 2015.
g.Appointment of three (3) members to the Board of Adjustment & Appeals to serve three (3) year terms ending 2015.
h.Appointment of one (1) member to the Beer Board to serve a four (4) year term ending 2016.
i.Appointment of three (3) members to the Storm Water Advisory Committee to serve two (2) year terms ending 2014.
j.Mayor to appoint two (2) members to the Historic Zoning Commission to serve five (5) year terms ending 2017.
k.Appointment of two (2) members to the Industrial Development Board to serve six (6) year terms ending 2018.
l.Appointment of three (3) members to the Arts Commission to serve one (1) year terms ending 2013 and four (4) members to serve two (2) year terms ending 2014.
m.Mayor to appoint one (1) member to the Smyrna Housing Authority to serve five (5) year term ending 2017.

See Boards, Committees, and commissions link on left hand side of home page

Some committees require more time to prepare and a good deal of knowledge on some subjects like Planning. If this is your first time to volunteer and you've not been involved in the 'process' before you likely will not get planning or zoning, but the other boards are good ones to get your feet wet.

I believe the deadline for applying is March 5, and the application can be found here (PDF warning). Good luck!

Event reminder for tomorrow

The Smyrna Local Library is offering free tax preparing assistance.

Free Income Tax Preparation
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 10, 17, 31 | 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

VITA tax preparers will be on hand to do free tax preparation. Each Saturday they are at the library, registration begins when the library opens. THERE IS NO PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT.

The following fomrs are NOT eligible for preparation: Schedule C with losses, advanced Schedule D forms, SS-5, 8606, 8615, and SS-8. For married filing jointly, both spouses must be present. Please bring all Form W-2's and 1099's, information for all other income, deductions/credits, previous year's return, proof of account for direct deposit (voided check, etc.), Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification notices/cards for filers, spouses, and all dependents, proof of ID, total paid to daycare providers with their tax ID numbers, birth dates for all parties ont he return and proof of foreign status if applying for ITIN.

This is just one of many services the Smyrna Public library offers.

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!

I'm not sure who is putting this job fair on. I saw that Mike Sparks had posted about this on his Facebook page and found information on it at CareerBuilder.com.

JOB DESCRIPTION
JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!
Come One – Come All – Rutherford County Job Fair!

Smyrna Town Centre
100 Sam Ridley Parkway
Smyrna, TN 37167
February 22nd
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Staffmark has JOBS in Rutherford County! Now is the time to get your foot in the door with great companies!

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Positions available include all shifts, ranging from $8.50 to $15.00 per hour!
If you have experience with the following, we want to see YOU!

Picking and Packing
RF Scanner
Warehouse Production
Forklift, Reach Truck, Cherry Picker, and/or Electric Pallet Jack
Inventory Control
Shipping and Receiving
Material Handling
Assembly

Don’t Miss It!

While it does look like a temp service fair, a job is a job.

Event reminder for tomorrow

The Smyrna Local Library is offering free tax preparing assistance.

Free Income Tax Preparation
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 10, 17, 31 | 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

VITA tax preparers will be on hand to do free tax preparation. Each Saturday they are at the library, registration begins when the library opens. THERE IS NO PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT.

The following fomrs are NOT eligible for preparation: Schedule C with losses, advanced Schedule D forms, SS-5, 8606, 8615, and SS-8. For married filing jointly, both spouses must be present. Please bring all Form W-2's and 1099's, information for all other income, deductions/credits, previous year's return, proof of account for direct deposit (voided check, etc.), Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification notices/cards for filers, spouses, and all dependents, proof of ID, total paid to daycare providers with their tax ID numbers, birth dates for all parties ont he return and proof of foreign status if applying for ITIN.

This is just one of many services the Smyrna Public library offers.

Event reminder for tomorrow

The Smyrna Local Library is offering free tax preparing assistance.

Free Income Tax Preparation
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 10, 17, 31 | 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

VITA tax preparers will be on hand to do free tax preparation. Each Saturday they are at the library, registration begins when the library opens. THERE IS NO PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT.

The following fomrs are NOT eligible for preparation: Schedule C with losses, advanced Schedule D forms, SS-5, 8606, 8615, and SS-8. For married filing jointly, both spouses must be present. Please bring all Form W-2's and 1099's, information for all other income, deductions/credits, previous year's return, proof of account for direct deposit (voided check, etc.), Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification notices/cards for filers, spouses, and all dependents, proof of ID, total paid to daycare providers with their tax ID numbers, birth dates for all parties ont he return and proof of foreign status if applying for ITIN.

This is just one of many services the Smyrna Public library offers.

Tax preparing assistance

The Smyrna Local Library is offering free tax preparing assistance.

Free Income Tax Preparation
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 10, 17, 31 | 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

VITA tax preparers will be on hand to do free tax preparation. Each Saturday they are at the library, registration begins when the library opens. THERE IS NO PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT.

The following fomrs are NOT eligible for preparation: Schedule C with losses, advanced Schedule D forms, SS-5, 8606, 8615, and SS-8. For married filing jointly, both spouses must be present. Please bring all Form W-2's and 1099's, information for all other income, deductions/credits, previous year's return, proof of account for direct deposit (voided check, etc.), Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification notices/cards for filers, spouses, and all dependents, proof of ID, total paid to daycare providers with their tax ID numbers, birth dates for all parties ont he return and proof of foreign status if applying for ITIN.

This is just one of many services the Smyrna Public library offers.

Being prepared.

The main months for tornadoes in Tennessee is March, April and May. Because everyone could become a victim. I thought leeting you know that Rutherford county has its own emergency agency might help make you safer. Since they said Smyrna suffered an EF-0 just 10 days ago it should be noted that tornadoes do not follow a schedule nor due they care whom they hit. Take a moment and see if there are things you can do to make yourself safer.

Mission Statement
The Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency is charged with the overall responsibility of coordinating the county's preparedness for and response to disasters. Geographically, its authority extends to the entire county as defined by state law TCA 58-2-110.

The mission of the Emergency Management Agency is to develop a comprehensive emergency management program that seeks to: mitigate the effects of various hazards, to prepare for measures which will preserve life and minimize damage, to respond during emergencies, to provide assistance, and to establish a recovery system to return the community to a normal status after an event. This agency combines the local resources of Rutherford County, the City of Murfreesboro, the Town of Smyrna, and the City of LaVergne; along with State and Federal resources to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects all types of emergencies including natural or man-made disasters, technological accidents, national security threats, and other disrupting incidents that may impact our area or the general population.

THE KENNETH "COON" VICTORY

Each year the Smyrna Parks and Recreation department has an award ceremony for an individual that has gone above and beyond in the service to our community plus many other awards for noted people. Here is the announcement for the award.

THE KENNETH "COON" VICTORY
LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD

The 2011 Kenneth "Coon" Victory Lifetime Service Award presentation and Volunteer of the Year Dinner will take place Friday, February 17, 6:30pm, Smyrna Town Centre. Mr. Robert Lee “Bud” Raikes will be honored as the 2011 Lifetime Service Recipient, along with Smyrna youth and adult league Volunteers of the Year, Parent of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Small & Large Business of the Year. The Kenneth “Coon” victory Lifetime Service Award is presented annually to pay tribute to a Smyrna citizen who has distinguished him or herself by years of unselfish and dedicated volunteer service to the Smyrna community, either in youth and/or adult athletics or other civic and non-profit organizations. The award is an ongoing tribute to Kenneth "Coon" Victory, also a former Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, and his family as a reminder of the years of volunteer contributions they have given to the Smyrna community. The award is also a reminder of how genuine dedication to community projects can help maintain the hometown spirit of working together to make dreams become realities. Coon Victory proved that dreams can come true and that fast growing communities can maintain the special hometown atmosphere through volunteer service. Please RSVP by February 14 to Monty Perkins, Smyrna Parks and Recreation, 459-9742, X2612 email: monty.perkins@townofsmyrna.org; Tatum Merbitz, 615-459-9742 X2622; tatum.merbitz@townofsmyrna.org. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Parks Department for $8.00 and tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Christmas Tree Chipper Service

Remember to drop off your trees at Lee Victory Recreation Park on Sam Ridley Pkwy.
Drop-off period will be December 26 - January 16
Please remove all lights and decorations from the tree and drop-off at the designated areas only.

The chips from this program will be placed on new and existing trails.

For more information, contact Monty Perkins,
Smyrna Parks and Recreation, 459-9742 X2612.

Fruit and Fudge Sale

The Smyrna High School band is raising money by selling fruits and fudges...Mmmmmm!

Sweeten your Holidays this season!

Fruit from Riversweet and Fudge from the Fudge Shoppe of the Smokey Mountains...the finest products available for over 30 years!Support the band by purchasing fruit and fudge from us this Holiday season! We take two separate orders...one for delivery by Thanksgiving and another for delivery by Christmas. We have a variety of products available from Riversweet Citrus and Fruit Co. and the Fudge Shoppe of the Smokey Mountains. Contact a band booster or ask a member to learn how to purchase these tasty items and help support your Smyrna High School Band at the same time!

For Christmas this would be an easy gift to give. Contact Richard Lutz for Smyrna, 615-893-5815 ext. 23739
The deadline to order for Christmas is Nov. 28, with delivery on or after Dec. 10.

Mobile health unit

Sometimes in life getting health services when things are tough can be a problem. Sometimes the small ills you overlook because of finances can have a long term effect that is impossible to avoid if not handled in a timely fashion. In the spirit of helping people stay healthy, and if there is a need they will assist you in connecting with a permanent medical resource for long term problems, the Middle Tennessee Medical center has put together The Mobile Health Unit with The Hope Clinic and The Guidance Center.

The Hope Clinic works in tandem with the Guidance Center of Murfreesboro and Smyrna to help you have a happier and healthier life. I talked to Kathy Ferrell of MTMC and asked the difference between the Guidance center and The Hope Clinic as they are listed separate. She said The Guidance Center is a mental health resource and The Hope Clinic is for the physical side of your life. I should note that the services from the Hope Clinic and Guidance Center are for all ages, and for the 26th in Smyrna the mobile health unit is for ages 18 and over.

This coming Monday the mobile health unit will be at the Smyrna Library for those who are interested in this resource. The DNJ had the following to say.

SMYRNA — Middle Tennessee Medical Center and Smyrna Library will partner for a community health fair from 8 a.m. to noon Monday at the library, 400 Enon Springs Road W.

Free and open to the public, the fair will feature the hospital's Mobile Health Unit and provide attendees with comprehensive blood work to check for 22 components of bloodwork, including heart, liver and kidney functions. Cholesterol, glucose, iron, sodium and potassium levels will also be checked.

Those planning to participate are asked to fast 10 to 12 hours prior to lab work, with the exception of water. Diabetics should not fast. Confidential results from the health screening will be mailed to participants' home address.

The Hope Clinic and Guidance center has a full schedule planned for the near future.

September
Wednesday, September 26th: Smyrna Public Library
Tuesday, September 27th: LaVergne Middle, 8 – 12 Guidance Center, 1 – 4 Hope Clinic
Wednesday, September 28th: John Pittard, 8 – 12 Guidance Center
Thursday, September 29th: Rock Springs Elementary, 8 – 12 Guidance Center
Friday, September 30th: Bradley Academy, 8 – 3 Hope Clinic

October
Monday, October 3rd – Friday, October 7th: No Mobile Unit, Fall Break
Tuesday, October 11th: LaVergne Middle, 8 – 12 Guidance Center, 1 – 4 Hope Clinic
Wednesday, October 12th: John Pittard, 8 – 12 Guidance Center
Thursday, October 13th: Rock Springs Elementary, 8 – 12 Guidance Center
Friday, October 14th: Bradley Academy, 8 – 3 Hope Clinic
Tuesday, October 18th: Smyrna Middle, 8 – 12 Guidance Center, 1 – 4 Hope Clinic
Wednesday, October 19th: No Mobile Unit, early dismissal for all students
Thursday, October 20th: Eagleville, 8 – 12 Guidance Center
Friday, October 21st: John Pittard, 8 – 3 Hope Clinic
Tuesday, October 25th: LaVergne Middle, 8 – 12 Guidance Center, 1 – 4 Hope Clinic
Wednesday, October 26th: John Pittard, 8 – 12 Guidance Center
Thursday, October 27th: Rock Springs Elementary, 8 – 12 Guidance Center
Friday, October 28th: Bradley Academy, 8 – 3 Hope Clinic

For those with questions the MTMC website has some more information, a local news article written about their program and a video from Channel 4 news, and what the Hope Clinic vehicle looks like from the inside.

A few lines from the MTMC website says it all.

The Mobile Health Unit Collaborative represents a partnership between Middle Tennessee Medical Center, Primary Care & Hope Clinic, and The Guidance Center to bring physical and behavioral health services to our community.
The vision of the collaboration is to eliminate barriers to accessing these services and provide assistance in navigating the healthcare system.

If you have a need please do not hesitate to reach out to this wonderful service.

Fund being set up for a local child in need

A local day care is setting up a fund for the child of last weeks murder victim. The youngsters grandmather was also shot so if you have the ability please thing of giving a bit.

The fund is being established for Makhai Brown at Fifth Third Bank in the wake of the death of his mother, Briana M. Brown, 22, according to Shannon Ashford, an employee at Rock Springs Academy. The fund, which is to be transformed into a trust fund, will be active Wednesday, and donations can be made at any Fifth Third Bank, Ashford said.

Give blood and win...maybe

From the Smyrna AM we find that Tuesday and Sunday is the final chance to give blood locally and possibly win a car. I'd say this is a win-win situation.

Only a few days remain for blood donors to be eligible to win a new car.
Those donating until Wednesday have a chance to win a 2012 red Ford Fiesta SE, courtesy of Ford Motor Co.

Blood drives will be held at the following locations dates and times:

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Tuesday at Motlow State Community College, 5002 Motlow State Blvd., Smyrna;
.........................
• 9 a.m .to 1 p.m. Sunday at St. Rose of Lima and St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 10602 Old Nashville Highway, Smyrna.

Thanks to the Smyrna AM for bringing this to out attention.

HOME program grants comes to Smyrna

I mentioned the HOME program in one of my columns earlier this year and it looks like Smyrna is getting the ball rolling with a public meeting on the subject. It offers totally forgivable loans to improve your house and it really is that simple.. If you stay in your house for 5 years after getting the loan you owe NOTHING...and nothing is good.

The HOME Program

The HOME program provides 100% forgivable loans to eligible residents of owner-occupied residences of the Town of Smyrna. (“Forgivable loan” means that if you continue to live in the house for as few as the next 5 years, you would be required to repay $0.) Eligibility is based on: income, assets, and condition of dwelling, among others.
Successful applicants will receive 100% forgivable loans ranging from $1,000 to $106,147 that will be used to improve their HOME.

PDF flyer

For more information please attend the HOME INFORMATIONAL MEETING which will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sept. 27, 2011 in the Council Chambers at the Smyrna Town Hall.

This project is funded under an agreement with Tennessee Housing Development Agency through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

I went to the THDA website to look at requirements to qualify for the program and they give this information. PDF link

HOME PROGRAM REQUIREMENTSIncome Limits - HOME funds may be used only to benefit households with incomes of 80% or less of area median income, adjusted for family size. For rental projects, 90% of the households must have incomes below 60% of area median income, adjusted for family size.

Subsidy Levels - The subsidy levels for HOME-assisted units range from a minimum of $1,000 per unit to a maximum of $100,672 for a unit with four or more bedrooms.

Property Standards - HOME-assisted housing must meet all applicable local codes, rehabilitation standards and zoning ordinances at project completion. In the absence of local codes, HOME-assisted housing must meet the applicable 2003 International Code.

I know that I will be looking into this program as I have no plans on moving soon.

Hug a furry face today...and buy a pastry

The "All About Animals Rescue & Adoption" group here in Smyrna is holding a bake sale for the support of their charges.

BAKE SALE
Saturday, June 25 · 11:00am - 3:00pm

We will be having a bake sale fundraiser at the PetSmart in Smyrna! Come by & meet our adoptables...and buy a cookie to help pay for their vetting!

The AAARA is a non-profit and that pretty much means they depend on the kindness of the community to do the best they can. On their facebook page they have a list of items that cannot get enough of.

dog food - puppy & adult (regular/large breed/small breed)
dog treats / bones
cat food
cat litter
paper towels
dog & cat toys
Heartguard
Frontline Plus
kennels/cages
printer ink
office supply store gift cards
gas cards
disinfectant wipes
wet/hand wipes
old towels, blankets, or dog beds
dog & cat collars / leashes

Some of the items are obvious, but a few surprised me. I know I have a few collars lying around that my cat looked at and said 'Oh heck no!' before they even went on.

The AAARA has their own blog where they post information on animals locally that are up for adoption. I've extended to them an invitation to do a weekly post here to help spread the news and information on their group I hope they accept.