Someone needs your blood

Taken from the city website. A chance to help someone and win a trip.

Flooding Forces Blood Drive Cancellations on Eve of Holiday Weekend

Red Cross Asks that Donors Schedule Appointments to Avert Critical Shortage. The American Red Cross is urging all eligible donors to give blood to boost a low blood supply severely impacted by recent storms and flooding.

"We have lost thousands of potential blood donations over the last few days due to the flooding emergency," reported Red Cross Blood Services Senior Vice President Greg Vasse, "Due to falling blood inventories, the Red Cross is already rationing blood types O-Negative, A-negative and B-Negative in some areas." Vasse explained that many blood drives had to be cancelled due to the recent storms and flooding in the East. The forced cancellations come at time when summer collections typically decline 10% - 15%, especially around the 4th of July Holiday.

Historically, donation rates are very low around July 4th due to holiday travel and activities. This typically causes shortages as hospitals deal with patients brought in over the weekend and when normally scheduled surgeries and procedures resume on July 5th.

Due to the weather-related loss of blood collections and the anticipated tight blood supply in the days following the four-day Independence Day weekend, the American Red Cross is encouraging donors to give blood or platelets in the next 10 days.

As of June 29, the Red Cross's overall blood supply is just over 2 days. Five blood types, however, are near or below a 1.5-day supply: O positive, O negative, A negative, B negative, and AB negative. The Tennessee Valley Region of American Red Cross requires a 5-day supply to be considered safe. "If blood collections don't increase, we could be facing a national emergency by late next week," said Vasse.

Locally, in the Middle Tennessee area, blood supplies collections continue to drop. Linda Decker, of the Donor Resources Department of the local Red Cross, reports that on Friday, June 30 only 419 units of blood were collected. "We need to collect at least 800 units of blood every day just to make sure we have an adequate inventory for our hospitals. Obviously, that is not happening and it's very frightening. We always experience low collections in the summer months, but because of the flooding in the east, it's even more severe this year." We need the community's support. We need everyone to roll up their sleeves and donate blood. Our area patients are depending on us.


Please plan to donate blood on:

Wednesday, July 12th, 2006 from 10:30 - 3:30 at MTSU Rec Center Parking Lot

Tuesday, July 18th, 2006 from 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Smyrna Community Blood Drive located at Smyrna Church of Christ, 112 Division Street

Everyone who participates in this blood drive who is not a member of the club will receive a week of free use of the facility. All members of the club who participate in the blood drive will receive a free smoothie. All participants will receive a limited edition patriotic t-shirt plus will have their name placed in a drawing for a trip to see the Tennessee Titans play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on September 1st. The package includes round trip air fair for two, two 50-yard line tickets and hotel accommodations all provided by Bellwether Travel.

2201 Charlotte Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 346-7000; Fax: (615) 346-7006

If I did not have a bad habit of fainting I would go myself.

Parent Awareness Meeting

The City police department is having a meeting about the internet and childhood safety.

Parent Awareness Meeting

Presented by the Smyrna Police Department

Tuesday, August 8, 2006
6:00pm-7:30pm
Smyrna Town Hall
Conference Room

Topic: Internet Safety

*Featuring tips on monitoring your child’s web pages on popular websites such as Myspace and Xanga.

*Dangers of internet use by minors.

*Information on software designed to monitor online usage.

Question & Answer time with police officers regarding internet dangers.

Call Alesha Gresham, Community Services Coordinator, with the Smyrna Police Department for Information or to Pre-Register at 459-9742 xt.2318 or email aleshagresham@smyrnapolice.net

I worry if they will lump blogspot and general blogging in with the more questionable things occurring in the myspace/xanga realm.

Tough Times For Pizza Hut in Smyrna, TN

Sister Blog, Lavergne, TN, has this to say about a fire at Pizza Hut in Smyrna, TN today:

There's a fire at the Pizza Hut in Smyrna. Lots of fire trucks and police cars. An agent came through my office saying they had to put holes in the roof to fight the flames. I drove by about 15 minutes later on my way home and could see the building is still standing, so hopefully the fire was brought under control early. posted by Kathy T. @ 10:13 AM

Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group Meeting Update

It was decided during our last meeting that we would try to have the next Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group Meeting at Mothership BBQ in Nashville . The date is set for Saturday, July 22nd. Unfortunately we do not have a budget to supply free anything so please bring your appetite and money! Since the Mothership reportedly closes at 2:00 PM, which is the time at which we generally convene, we are shooting for starting the meeting at 11:30 (ish). I will have to wear something really noticeable or perhaps simply set up early. You'll know me when you see a fat chick with microphone and laptop unless...

Dr. Funkenswein or stein acknowledged and approved of our meeting there! Hooray.

Mothership BBQ is located at:
2806 Columbine Place
Nashville, TN 37204
(615)269-7150

Since our last meeting, a lot has happened. WKRN had a little shindig to announce that they are willing to pay for video. Met many new blogger friends and anticipate Kerry Woo and Michael to show up. These two are utterly cool in my book. I've also been led to believe that an IT recruiter will be joining us. Hooray for networking and creating opportunities, right? By the way, check out the really cool PR WKRN got. Winks to Newscoma and thanks to NiT, especially that darling Kat.

What is the purpose of our gathering? It has always been my goal to network with other bloggers, share knowledge about technology, tools and geekiness so-forth. Often times our discussions go into the political spectrum and on many occasions there are children afoot. In my opinion, one needs to create their own opportunities and that is what I am trying to do with this blog and with the Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group. I'm all about bringing people together and creating opportunities.

There is a wide spectrum of things we drone on about so something for everyone. In case you didn't read or listen, the Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group has also sent an open invitation to anyone running for Governor to join us at one of our meet ups. We've interviewed Marivuanna Stout Leinhoff who has interesting thoughts about a Pedophile Island and we hope that others will take us up on the offer to come out and speak. If interested, please let us know by way of comment or feel free to email me at dailydiablogger@gmail.com. What a tremendous opportunity to reach a community that is well connected and can help spread your message!

The floor is open for discussion now so if you wish to get a topic of conversation on the agenda, please free to do so now.

Missing girl in Smyrna update

This morning's DNJ has a story with an update on Analyce Guerra. Analyce is the two-year-old girl who has been missing in the Smyrna area since April 24th.

Analyce's mother went on WSMV's newscast last night and said that she's received two phone calls that assure her than Analyce is alive.

An interview with Guerra and her mother, Guadalupe Gonzalez, aired on WSMV Channel 4 Friday evening. Guerra said she has received two phone calls on her cell phone — one from a blocked number and another from the 931 area code used throughout Middle Tennessee, according to her caller ID.

Guerra told WSMV no one spoke when she answered the call from the blocked number, but said she could hear a little girl laughing in the background. When she answered the call with the 931 area code, the unidentified man assured Guerra her daughter was alive and well.

According to the story, Guerra had not made the police or FBI agents assigned to the case aware of the call. She also refused to comment further on the story for the DNJ.

The Smyrna police department and the FBI have followed up "hundreds" of leads in this case, according to the story. I know it's a great tragedy for the family invovled and my thoughts and prayers go out to them. But part of me still wonders why the mother didn't make the police and the FBI aware of these calls.

All I can say is--I hope and pray Analyce is returned safe and sound very soon. I also wanted to take a moment to remind our readers that the case was, as of now, unresolved and ask that if anyone had any leads they please report them to the proper authorities.

Middle Tennesseans Are Burning Up The Blogosphere About Right Now

(Because this is a terribly long post and I'd hate to loose it (and yes I know I can save a draft but I like to do things my way), I'm going to upload as I make edits. This picture to the left belongs right here. Looks like we are on the Death Star, doesn't it? I present Freak Exhibit Number 1. Battery dying... husband asleep.... must go.... finish tomorrow)

Or so I thought. I stopped by the Nashville Is Talking site and didn't see much on the aggregator.

Any who. I went to the WKRN Blogger gathering this evening. I don't know whether to brag or feel rather unspecial for having been invited because there were somewhere around about 200 people invited. At the moment, I feel special. I brought along my very special friend, Kathy T., and tried to get our buddy Chip to come out and play as well but we were unable to hook up with him. Kathy makes for a great navigator, by the way. The party began at 5:30 and Kathy and I were a tad bit late. I felt like I was making a jail break when leaving work around 4:40 or so this afternoon. Bad me.

I thought and speculated for several days now on what could be the big announcement. I did not read the NiT blog to find out, which would probably have proven useful, because I've seriously been just too busy learning about the home buying process and looking for houses as of late to pay much attention to things that are going on, well..., not in my world. Except for North Korea, of course. How can you miss six missiles being fired by that strange little guy over there. And while I'm on the subject, did anyone catch the Daily Show with John Stewart? Let me say creamofsomeyoungguy... Hysterical.

Back on topic. There were a number of blogging stars there tonight. That's really the great thing about getting all of these bloggers together, you can't help but feel somewhat famous. I know I did, anyone else? Come on, you can confess anonymously. Among my favorites to see this evening were:

Squirrels on Snark
News Coma
Kerry Woo (he was a super fabulous sweet heart).
No Quarters
Harelipfrog
Michael (who I spoke to at length - friend of Kerry)
TV on The Fritz (I always want to put him in my pocket and take him home)
I'm About To Be Brilliant
Tiny Cat Pants
The Homeless Guy (to whom I apologized for not knowing his blogging identity and in hindsight realized that it wasn't clear whether I was apologizing for not knowing his blogger identity or because he was/is homeless - odd)
Rex L. Camino (I could almost put him in my pocket and take him home as well)
Kathryn Coble (OMG... we were wearing the same pair of earrings!)

I'm terribly sure that I missed someone important and for that I apologize. You are all important. These are simply people who sparked something in me or whom I have previously met and have some connection with.

So, now the freak show. For reasons that should be clear, I'll refrain from naming some folks in pictures. Call it a game of sorts, you play "who the heck is that".

North Korea Launches Missiles

That's right. North Korea has launched not one. Not two. But three missiles. The first of which is reported to have fallen in the sea of Japan, about 600 miles from Japan. I've been using GEarth to check out this country. Download GEarth for free and check out what the community has to say about some interesting sites.

Talk amongst yourselves.

Edit 4:11 PM, now a 4th missile launched. All appear to be aimed at Japan and falling short.

On the Subject of Buying Houses in the Smyrna/Rutherford County Area

I'm still debating on purchasing a house. Here's my delimma. There is a possibility that in the coming two months I might be able to put some considerable amount of money down on a home. With that being said, my options go from around $119k to probably $150k. Here's where I struggle. Just because you can buy something, doesn't mean you should.

What opinion do you have on buying new vs. used? Do you have any idea on the appreciation of real estate as it relates to newer homes vs. older homes? I found a lovely home on the La Vergne/Smyrna border. The middle school has a Smyrna address and the Primary school has a La Vergne address for about $119k. However, a friend of mine is purchasing a brand new home and was able to pick out the colors for $147k. Her's is part brick and part vinyl. I could be saving loads of money by buying the older home, which was built in 1976 or I could buy something brand new. Choices!

Also, does anyone have any opinions on builders? Centex, Ole South, Greenvale? Any others that I forgot? Speak to me Rutherford County. Your opinion counts.

Smyrna, TN Movies in the Park

A few weeks ago I posted on Smyrna's Movies in the Park. I had a really great time at the Smyrna Rotary Soccer Park watching Madagascar. This month's movie will be on Friday, July 14th at the Smyrna Rotary Soccer Park. What's showing?

SHREK

At the last viewing, they mentioned they were going to take suggestions on what to show next. I never found exactly where those suggestions were supposed to be submitted. I don't think I would have voted for Shrek. While on the subject, what would you like them to show? I don't think doing another movies in the park in August or in September is a bad idea. I think the weather would be suitable either months.

Anyway, you can get food onsite. You can bring your own chairs and blankets and your own food. The cost is only $1 per person. The screen is an inflatable and it serves the purpose just fine.

Gates open at 6:30 PM and the movie begins at 8:00 PM

Smyrna,TN's 4th of July Celebration

In case you didn't read my earlier post, or even if you did and forgot about it, last night was Smyrna, TN's 4th of July celebration. It was a gorgeous evening. Not too hot and not too buggy.

I've not noticed too many mosquitos. I don't know if anyone else feels that way or not.

Anyway, this year was the first year that I sat in the park. Sitting near the basketball court made for an interesting acoustic experience when the fireworks were going off. There was plenty of food being sold by places like Domino's, Arby's and other joints around town.

There were inflatables for the kids to play on and a blackhawk helicopter, which my son thought was the coolest thing and a rock climbing wall. Of course there were the vendors walking around selling their usual trinkets.

As soon as I can get my pics off the camera, I will post. Were you there? Post your comments here!

Mothership BBQ Meat Up

I will be among the many going to the Mothership BBQ tomorrow for an impromptu lunch. I know several bloggers that plan to attend. Not sure the time. I've asked a couple people (non bloggers) from work to join me. Give me a shout out if you will be there.

An idea for group feedback

I was walking into a store and saw a public bulletin board. On it was advertising and "for sale" signs for everything under the sun. I had a flash of inspiration and thought maybe this would be something we could do.



This is just a simple one for show. I did it on an 8 1/2 by 11 layout in Microsoft paint. With the tabs on the bottom cut, people could just tear off the addresses and go home to check us out. If the page is turned sideways we could get even more tear off tabs.

Keeping a few of these in your car while driving around town will give you a lot of opportunities to pin them up for people to see. The basic black image would make it easy for a home printer to print off ten or so as need arises.

Anyone have any comments on this?

June 29th city meetings

There were officially two meetings of the Town Council on the 29th. We attended both and as last time, it started with a bit of humor. 6:30 cam and went and the meeting had not started. Mainly because no one had shown up yet. They finally showed at 6:40pm and then the first meeting got going..

The 6:30 meeting was primarily for public comment on the proposed tax levy of .86 per $100 of assessed property value. Additionally the council considered resolutions to amend the pay scale of city employees and to provide funding to various non-profits. Two additional items, not on the agenda, was a settlement proposal for the lawsuit between the City of Smyrna and the Smyrna Medical Center and a change order for the work being done on Front Street to put the electrical utilities underground instead of on poles. A change resulting in an additional cost of $41,000. All of the proposals passed, with only Cole and Yates dissenting on the lawsuit settlement. No reason was given.

The same thing that happened at last meeting happened. When the floor was opened to public comments there was a deafening sound of nothing. Again my wife and I were the only non city government people there. Only later into the 7pm meeting did a land developer with business with the city, and a reporter, show up.

The second being a workshop, or review, of proposals for the next council meeting on July 11.

A few highlights:

A contract for Mighty Mow to handle "codes violation" mowing and trash removal. There were only two bids on this, and the lowest bidder retracted their bid as they had not understood all that was involved.

A contract for Smith, Seckman, Reid, Inc. to do an EPA Mandated, unfunded (meaning Smyrna has to food the bill) study. They were not the lowest bidder (2nd lowest) but were determined to be the better company to handle it and are doing the same thing for Murfreesboro as well.

Discussion on various road projects and property acquisitions as a result.

Discussion on how to move on a proposal to get TDOT to consider acting more swiftly on a new interchange at I-24 and Rocky Fork Rd. They mentioned the Murfreesboro construction of their interchange and how it took about 10 years total from start to finish. So do not hold your breath on this one.

Also of note was the popularity of the new water park. There has been a counter on the road going into the park and in the first two weeks of operation there have been 6,000 cars go into the park. This has definitely proved to be a popular item. The talked on a few issues that had come up such as grass in the filters from all of the kids. A footwash device was mentioned as a solution

Future Dates of Note

July 25 at the Town Center there will be a public hearing regarding the 10 year master plan for the parks department.

We need to be there.

Written by Elizabeth(harelipfrog) and Gunner

Superman Returns Blogger Viewing Update

I've heard from several people that they'll be attending the Superman Returns blogger viewing extravagazna Monday evening.

For those of you who might have missed it--just a group of bloggers going to see Superman Returns on the Opry Mills IMAX, Monday, July 3rd for the 7 p.m. showing. You can Fandango a ticket or live on the edge and try to buy one Monday evening.

I'm off work Monday, so I plan to get up there early and get a good spot in line. I will probably arrive around 5:30 p.m. We can either all go eat in the food court at that time or take shifts of getting food and coming back to the line, depending on how the line looks.

If you're coming, please give me a shout out and let me know that you are. I'll be looking for you and I will try to remember to wear something orange in case you've not met me in person before.

Buying a Home in the Rutherford County Area of Tennessee

Today I went to work late. OMG... I'm hypersensitive about being on time and at work every day because I want to climb in the ranks, of course, so I'm super dedicated...

Anyway, all that to say that I went house shopping with my good friend, who could be like my sister, Kathy T. Yes, the very same Kathy T that you read about in posts about the Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group Meetings, which, by the way, is July 22nd at 11:30 PM at Mothership BBQ. Not only does the awesome Kathy T. blog on all things La Vergne, TN but also does Real Estate when she is not being super mom, super blog lady.

I could not let this day past without putting into words my experience today. I'm not wealthy by any stretch and so I'm trying to be frugal and make wise investment choices. I've been listening to Rich Dad's Guide To Investing, which I highly recommend, and figured I have to make some smart money decisions. Real estate is a pretty good return on your investment these days.

So, I set out with two places in mind today. The first house on my list of house priorities sat on 2.5 acres and was built in the 1930's. It is going for $83k. The acreage alone perked my ears up. There were also over 2,000 sq. ft. of living space in it. So I had to see if it was livable. Driving up the gravel roadway, I thought, this may not be so bad. It was indeed large. Stepping out of the vehicle, I tried to keep optimistic.

Our entry into the building was greeted with an odor that seems to permeate old houses. It is like must or something, probably black mold and asbestos... Strolling around the large rooms, I took note of all the work that needed to be done. Kathy took calls as she showed me around. I proceeded to climb into the attic and as serious as she could be, told the caller that she had to keep the line open in case she had to call 911.

We ended in the kitchen. I have had a few rare moments in my life where I was frightened. Kathy frightened me with a shriek from the corner of the room. She had gone to lay her business card down and a large, but debatable, number of cockroaches came running out from beneath the card.

Well, I think that ended my dreams of revamping that place. Below are some pictures.

The funniest thing about this house is that the shingles on the roof appeared to be new and there was a satellite dish on top.



But now, the picture above absolutely takes the cake. This is a picture of the floor of another fixer upper we went to today.

What do you think that is? Would you be surprised to learn that this is carpet? Carpet that was designed to look like wood planks. How hilarious is that? Not only was this carpet on the floor but wonder of all wonders, it was on the wall for heaven's sake. Now, when I was a kid, I had this notion that wall to wall carpeting meant that you had carpeting on your wall. Now I've been vindicated!

In all, however, the house with the wood carpeting (ha!) was really a diamond in the rough. But in its current condition, it is not livable. I've no real notion of what it takes to refurbish an old home but this is one that I would love to be a part of.

Anyway, talk at me. Let me know your experiences. Got good recommendations on contractors? Drop me a comment here. Stand up and speak out for crying out loud!

Also, get the full effect at Kathy T.'s personal blog.

On a side note, Kathy says that if we were in Thailand, we could sell them. I guess she must've read Rich Dad's Guide to Investing.

Several town meetings tonight.

It's going to be a busy night for the city of Smyrna's government.

The Town Council will meet in Executive Session on June 29, 2006 at 5:30 p.m.

The Town Council will meet in a Special Called Meeting(pdf) on June 29, 2006 at 6:30 p.m.

The Town Council Workshop(pdf) is on June 29, 2006 - 7:00 PM

The special meeting at 6:30 p.m. is to establish the new tax levy level for the next year.

My wife and I will be there for the last two meetings. Rather interested to see how many town residents will show up to have their say on the tax levy. The last town meeting left me disappointed in turnout.

Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Meeting Says Yes to Mothership BBQ

Oh yeah. I feel... acknowledged.

Maybe it was the promise of a dozen or more hungry people showing up at his door with money in hand or maybe it was the promise of hearing his own voice on a podcast. Whatever it was, Dr. Funkenstein says for us to come on over and have our next Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group Meeting at Mothership BBQ. Now as the Big O states, they close at 2 so we need to decide on a time we can meet or meat, whichever you prefer...

So, the date is July 22nd for the next Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group Meeting. What time works best for everyone?

Buying Houses in Middle Tennessee

I've spent the last two days looking at houses online. I gotta tell you... if you think you're poor now, prepare to get more poor if you are buying a home. As I can see, most of the online real estate sites that have mortgage calculators do not add in taxes or insurance which can mislead some unsavvy buyers - in my opinion.

I also have concluded that out of all the places where I'd consider living, Smyrna and LaVergne are the best buys for your money, meaning that you get more house for your money and don't have to sacrifice good schools and neighborhoods.

Anyway, I'm looking. Got a house for sale? Leave me a comment. I won't embarrass myself by revealing my price range. I do need a house with at least 1400 sq. ft., however.

One final note, Yahoo has partnered with Prudential, it does appear. I really like the search options and the ability to create a portfolio.

Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Meeting at Mothership BBQ

Good news is that Mothership BBQ has wireless! Bad news is that I was totally on autopilot when keying in my comments/question and typed June 22 as opposed to the more correct, July 22nd date for the Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group Meeting. So, corrected myself and am still awaiting for either a postive or negative reaction to us having our meeting there. Michael pointed out that they have hours that would restrict us having our meeting at 2 so we would have to do it about noonish or so. Does anyone have a preference?

Now, if you read below, the Big O wants to get the Blogger community together on July 3rd to go to see Superman. Hope you kiddies have a good time. He's also made mention of getting together for Snakes on a Plane. Now that sounds like a helluva good time. Our sister blog, LaVergne, TN, has cross posted this invite. Leave the Big O a great big comment to tell him how much you would just loooooovvvvveeeee going to see Superman!

Superman: Returns Blogger Viewing

As most of you know, the Man of Steel makes the jump back to the big screen next week with the opening of Superman Returns.

One of the many perks of living in middle Tennessee is the IMAX theater at Opry Mills, which will show the summer blockbuster on the huge screen. Not only that but there will be 30 minutes of the film that is shown in IMAX 3-D.

Yeah, that is definitely worth the extra cost for admission!

Anyway, I thought it might be fun to get some people together to go and see this potential epic film on the giant IMAX screen of doom. So, here's the invite for anyone who wants to come.

We'll have a group going to see Superman Returns on July 3rd. Since IMAX charges the same admission price for whatever show you go to, we'll be taking in the 7 p.m. evening show. If you'd like to go, all you have to do is get a ticket and show up. You can Fandango a ticket if you want or stop by the Opry Mills box-office and pick up one (Fandango will charge you a buck for processing fee or some such silliness per ticket if you order on-line). I'd recommend going ahead and getting a ticket if you're planning on going.

So, if you'd like to come and join us for the showing, please feel free to do so. And if you want to let us know you're coming by leaving a comment, that would be great.

Also, I must now make a shameless request of Queen B of NiT....could you please, maybe, crosspost a link to this announcement on NiT for us so we can get the word out to as many middle Tennessee bloggers as possible?

Thanks and I hope to see ya there!

Oh and if you can't make it the Superman due to vacations or the 4th of July, I understand. I am contemplating another blogger movie outing later this summer to see the phenemon that is Snakes on a Plane. Somehow I think it will that one will be a lot more fun with a group of people....