Dugouts - Chicago Style Hot Dogs

We have a new place to eat in town. Dugouts Chicago Style Hot Dogs

It's in the strip mall behind Tractor Supply and Regions Bank.

I tried them on Saturday with my hubby and then went back again today with Mom and Sister in tow, they are that good! The people are friendly and they will be glad to see you too.

If you have ever seen a Chicago style hot dog, it has just about everything on it but the kitchen sink. They will make it just the way you like it though. I had the "Smyrna Dog", a good beef dog on a poppyseed bun with BBQ sauce and cole slaw.

Ya gotta try'em!

Image is from Vienna Beef Dogs, which is where Dugouts get their dogs.

Another small business gone

While Smyrna is about to lose another business, I'm happy to say that they are not going out of business, just moving.

One of Smyrna's popular dining destinations is closing its doors.

The Chicken Shack at 37 S. Lowry St. will remain open until April 26 before heading to Murfreesboro. It first opened in May 2006

I hope they have luck in M'boro.

Paid off

News that the debt owed by the Sam davis house is being paid off by the Christy Houston Foundation is great news for Smyrna and the surrounding area. The regular BBQ festival is a big draw to our city and growing every year.

Word that the Christy-Houston Foundation has agreed to pay off the debt on the Sam Davis Home’s museum and visitor’s center is the best news Katherine Walkup has heard in a while.

“That doesn’t happen very often. My feet still haven’t touched the ground,” said Walkup, who has volunteered at the historic site for several decades.
........
Representatives of the foundation will present a check in the amount of $212,511 to Sam Davis Home board members April 10.

“Hopefully, that night we’ll have our note for our board to burn. I wrote the grant in September for $240,000 and since then, we’ve managed to pay down $27,000,” she said.

Just one question. who the heck, or what the heck, is Christy Houston? I googled the name and found that the foundation seems to be two people in Murfreesboro.

Company Profile: Christy Houston Foundation Inc
Year Started:1986
State of Incorporation:TN
URL:N/A
Location Type:Single Location
Stock Symbol:N/A
Stock Exchange:N/A
Also Does Business As:N/A
NAICS:N/A
SIC #Code:8399
Est. Annual Sales:$89,000
Est. Employees:2
Est. Employees at Location:2
Contact Name:Robert B Mufflin
Contact Title:Executive Director

No webpage, but an annual sale of $89,000 and still I'm no closer to knowing what they are. I just know they sure are busy handing out checks.

J.C. Penney

Looks like J.C. Penney is still a ways off.

J.C. Penney is slated to open in the fall of 2009 in the new Gateway Centre development at Sam Ridley Parkway and Wolverine Drive.
The 105,000-square foot store will anchor the 260,000-square-foot shopping center, which will also include additional retail, restaurants and service businesses.

Late next year. My poor wife will have to suffer until then.

It should be noted that till they open many new businesses will be opening one small shop at a time in the many strip malls being build as I type. These are mostly Smyrna owned and would really welcome your patronage.

Another point of view needed.

On an earlier post this comment was left by anonymous.

Pssst....just a lil secret...



...there's never been a woman on Smyrna FD.

I feel one set of standards should be set and they hire from those who pass them irregardless of their sex. I will admit that I can only see this from the viewpoint of a fat person who may depend on someone dragging me from a building or vehicle, because of that I want the strongest hulking individual there is to be hired.

What are your thoughts?

Growing into a recession?

The numbers are hard to argue against. Rutherford Rocks.

For instance, our community received some extraordinary rankings in 2007. In the September issue of US News & World Report, the magazine ranked Smyrna one of the top 10 best places to retire. Forbes ranked La Vergne 61st on its list of “America’s Fastest Growing Suburbs.” And once again, the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro MSA was ranked as one of “America’s 50 Hottest Cities” in Expansion Management magazine.

There are many reasons why our county “rocks.”

For instance, we have the fifth largest and second fastest growing county in the state. Our county’s population is more than 200,000 with most people between the ages of 20 and 54.

We have an available workforce of 611,140 people. MTSU is the largest undergraduate university in the state.

Finally, an 80,000-square-foot conference center and all suite luxury Embassy Suites Hotel will open its doors later this year off Medical Center Parkway.

Now understand that these numbers are based on compiled data. data that is from last year or the year before. Current data cannot be placed into context until it is all in, so the current numbers are in question. Sadly one of the questions involves recession.

Is Rutherford County in a recession?

Well, it depends on whom you ask.

Most local experts admit that Rutherford County’s economy has slowed some but not to the speed of the rest of the country.

David Penn, executive director of the Business and Economic Research Center at MTSU, is reluctant to say Rutherford County is in a recession.

“I am not ready to say we are in a recession,” he said. “We need to see more losses for another couple of months, more severe losses to really convince me.”

By and large, Rutherford County is still experiencing growth in all segments of the economy but just not at the record-setting pace of a couple of years ago.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Rutherford County can’t keep up with that amount of growth, Penn said, referring to the cost of constructing new schools and roads.

Smyrna'a comprehensive plan is based on the growth of Smyrna and the surrounding community. No or slow growth and the plan slows. A while ago Mark O'Neal said that if the growth is not there, then the town will delay the plan till the city keeps up. No hammering ahead be-damned the numbers.

Wow!

I held off writing about last nights town council workshop to figure out the best expressive word to describe part of it. 'Shocking' is the best way to describe it.

It involves the town and a request to sell or swap some land with a church so it can have more parking. The problem is the land houses the Smyrna Rescue Squad. Mr. Johns showed that he was there to protect the interests of the rescue squad and was forceful and blunt about it.

When the workshop goes online at the channel 3 archives go and watch section 5. Have a cold beer and a comfortable chair to view the fun.

Bella Blue coming to Smyrna

Bella Blue 11-B North Lowry St. Smyrna, TN 37167

(Parking in back of store.) Men, Women, Teens & Mom's to be...........

Consignors needed for a new Fun & Unique
Consignment - Gift Store opening in Smyrna, TN.

April 5, 2008

☺☺Accessories Wanted☺☺

Shoes, purses, make- up cases, travel kits, scarves, hats, new hose, socks, undergarments, house slippers, swimwear, sleepwear and any type of jewerly.

☺☺Also, Consigning small gift items ☺☺

Picture frames, jewerly boxes, nail polish, new make- up, unusual magnets, stationary, new candles, journal books, shower hooks, decorative drawer pulls, nightlights, unique. Christmas ornaments, coasters, novelty buttons/pins, desk accessories, perfume, spa soaps, hair accessories hair pieces, belts, ties,,sunglasses & sunglass cases.

☺☺I look forward to meeting you. ☺☺

Please call if you have any questions. 631-5744 Jamia Pace
50/50 Split
MTSU Students 60/40 Split with ID

Now accepting all Spring & Summer clothing
Friday, March 21st 5:30- 7:30pm,
Saturday, March 22nd 10:00am- 4:00pm
Friday March 28th 5:30- 7:30pm
Sunday , March 30th 2:00- 4:00pm

Must be on hangers, clean & free of stains or tears.
(please try & limit your clothing to about 30 pieces at one time) Also, Please make sure the styles are current & not from 1980............. (sometimes you need a good sense of humor) ☺

Once the store opens April 5th. I will take consignors on Wednesday & Thursday 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Come have some fun..........☺

Smyrna go and check them out! This could be a fun store to shop at because its locally owned and operated. Shop Smyrna!!!!

Blogger meet today

I hope to see you there, and even if you're not a blogger drop by and say "hi". I would love to meet some of the readers of 'This is Smyrna, TN." and I really really need at least 5 people there for my talk.

Espresso Joe's, Smyrna Tennessee, 2pm today.

The Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcasters’ Group

Tomorrow is the meeting for The Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcasters’ Group at Expresso Joes.

We look forward to seeing you Saturday, March 15th at 2:00 PM at Espresso Joe’s in Smyrna, TN. The Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcasters’ Group is a friendly bunch that get together on a regular basis to talk about life, technology and anything else that may be waying on their minds. Come out and make some new friends and joing the Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcasters’ Group Meeting (MTBPG).

I have a class project for school and will be giving a talk on the core belief of Libertarians. This talk should only be about 5-8 minutes with questions at the end.

You are all welcome to attend.

Pop goes the Trenton

A local blogger popped out on March 3rd a 8 pound 11 oz. little bundle of joy. Drop by and give Trenton a big welcome.

We are awaiting the delivery

A local blogger named Amber is on the verge of creating a little sub-domain called a child and is due anytime if i count my weeks correctly.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Almost 31 weeks
So I have about 9 weeks left of this pregnancy. I think I will be glad once its all over. Finally getting to meet this karate kicking machine that moves all the time. Matt and I still haven't decided on a name yet. 'Trenton' is high on the list. Everytime I start to like a name he suggests, he comes up with another and decides he changed his mind on the last name. GRR! Now he is liking the name 'Victor' but all I can think of is Days of Our Lives. So that name is way out and not even going to be considered. Not that I hate Days, I just hate relating my child's name to something or someone that has no personal meaning to me.

In mid February thinks were even closer.

Friday, February 22, 2008
36 weeks
Sorry for not updating like I should. Went to the Docs this morning. Everything is good. I gained 1 pound in the last month. I am now my official heaviest at 200lbs. I hope not to go beyond that within the next 3 weeks or so of being pregnant.

No update for a few weeks so I am on edge and hope things are okay.

Call us Amber.

How far to the nearest hotel?

The town council and others are having a retreat to discuss the comprehensive plan where through edicts.... I mean enforced standards will create a community identity. of course silly old me thought the people in the town created the community identity. I'm glad they saw through that old fashion idea.

Just one question. With the pride the council is taking in the growth of Smyrna, and the growth of Rutherford county, do they always pick Fall Creek Falls (Pikeville Tennessee) to have their retreats? Is there no other meeting places within 114 miles?

So you're invited. Just make sure you have a full tank of gas.

The Town Council and Planning Commission of the Town of Smyrna will conduct a joint workshop retreat on March 13 and 14, 2008 for the purpose of the Town of Smyrna Comprehensive Plan and its implementation.

The workshop retreat will be held at Fall Creek Falls State Park Conference Center in Pikeville, Tennessee. The workshop retreat will begin on Thursday, March 13th and will conclude on March 14th. Members of the media and the public are invited and encouraged to attend.

I guess I'll miss this meeting.

Just one more week

That's all the time left until the light goes fully functional at the Sam Ridley/ Motlow Blvd. intersection. During the town meeting last night Manager Mark O'Neal announced that the light will be flashing for one week to announce that it is on, then will go active Wednesday after 7 days.

All I have to say is "It's about time!". 10 months was unnecessarily to long in my view.

Blogging the town council meeting

Two council members area no show tonight but a quorum was met so the moved forward.

While watching the meeting an item being addressed was the requirements for "key boxes: for ease of entrance for the fire department during an emergency. An odd situation occurred. The mayor read a letter from a Mike Wood(If I heard correctly) with certain worried about the safety and cost of these new key boxes. Oddly the letter was read, but not a single one of his worries was addressed. The mayor said that he had already had several conversations with him and was not able to convince him of the good of the program. After reading they voted and went on to the next item as if the letter was not read. It brought up several items I had not thought of. Why read it if you will not address the issues?

My term on the board of adjustment and appeals ended and I did not reapply, so I was replaced on the committee. Many other appointments were made to pretty much all the town committees at the meeting. I am still on the Storm water advisory committee.

They voiced the reminder to fill out your census so the town can get the proper amount of money from the state.

Also it seems that LaVergne is going to donate a police dog to Smyrna saving us over $6000 plus and I would like to say "Thanks" to our neighbor city. It is a trained tracker/drug sniffer dog and will be an important asset to our police department.

New Smyrna community blog

I have decided to post local videos of interest at their own blog. I am surprised at the number of local videos that I find online. So many in fact that they deserve their own blog.

Thus I have created "This is Smyrna TV" as a place to view local videos, podcasts and other multi-media material created and brought to my attention.

We already have a single post couple of posts and it is still bare, but it will grow I hope.

Local video of interest

Our local county commissioner Mike Sparks has put together a video with Dan Miller, the author of a book dealing with the changing economics and job market that we are experiencing today.



Other videos put out by Mike Sparks working with WGNS 1450 can be found here.

New Local blogs

There are some local blogs and family websites that may be new to you that have been added to the sidebar.

Smyrna Tennessee History and stuff is a self titled history blog run by Lori Sellers.

Shayne and Michelle's life is a family website by a local resident.

The Cutting Edge is a local political blog run by Serr8d.

Sneakers for Snorts

I was asked to share this email with you that I received from Amber Norton Vongsamphanh

I am hosting a fundraiser for Pug Rescue at Hilltop Park in Smyrna at the end of March and was wondering if it would be possible to have it added to your calendar of events.

All the information about the fundraiser is available at the following blog
Sneakers for Snorts

The fundraiser is to support Southeast Pug Rescue and Adoption, a 501(3)(c) charity that rescues, fosters, and adopts out pugs and pug mixes throughout the southeast. I live in Smyrna and have been volunteering with them for a little over a year. If you'd like to learn more about SEPRA, their website is www.rescuepug.com. Thanks so much for your time!

Looks like a good cause for pet lovers out there.

Welcome to the new layout for This is Smyrna, TN.

We will be using the current blogger system of comments for the time being.

If you feel a link has been dropped, or needs added to the right please comment and I will make the correction.