Charity event includes Nashville Shores discount

By ANDY HUMBLES ahumbles@tennessean.com 726-5939 • June 4, 2008 The American Heart Association is hosting a Healthy Living Day at Nashville Shores from 10:30 a.m.– 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 18. Activities include tips and healthy living information including habits that can curtail the spread of childhood obesity. A local Jump Rope for Heart team is also scheduled to perform.The American Heart Association is also offering a discounted admission price of $14 for that day. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the American Heart Association.All orders must be purchased in advance. No orders for discounted tickets will be taken after June 11. Call 340-4100 to pre-order.

District "29" Cleanup - Terrence Burkett helping out with the Cleanup

Shooting in fast-food parking lot investigated

Shooting in fast-food parking lot investigated A man was shot in a parking lot of a fast-food restaurant Sunday night, police said. The victim's injuries were not considered life-threatening. Metro police Capt. Randy Hickerson said this is what police have learned: At about 10 p.m. Sunday officers responded to the McDonald's at 524 Murfreesboro Pike and located one victim, 30, who had been shot at that location. He was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. A silver four-door Lexus, possibly a 2004 model, had been sitting in the back parking lot for about 45 minutes, according to what witnesses told police. Inside the Lexus were four men. A GMC SUV with two men and two women pulled in next to the Lexus. Two people got out of the SUV and one or two got out of the Lexus. They went to the back of their vehicles to exchange bags of clothes. One of the men from the Lexus fired a shot, striking the victim. The possible shooter from the Lexus is described as a black man, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 160 pounds, wearing a white T-shirt and using a large black revolver. The second suspect from the Lexus is described as a black man, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 165 pounds, with dreadlocks and wearing a black shirt.The Hermitage Precinct is handling the investigation. — LEIGH RAY(tennesseean)

Metro won’t contract out social services

Despite a 2004 audit that called for Metro Social Services to outsource its nutrition and homemaker services, the public agency announced Monday that it will continue to provide both services directly. The Metro Social Services Board of Commissioners made the decision after it determined that contracting out the two programs would not produce significant savings, according to an agency news release. A pilot private service provider project also revealed that clients were satisfied with Metro's programs. Through its homemaker program, the agency provides household and personal care help to 450 elderly, mentally and physically challenged adults. The agency's nutrition program provides a midday meal for 1,400 senior citizens at community centers and individual homes daily. Board Chairwoman Gwen Harris said disruption of the programs would be a disservice to the elderly in Nashville. — JANELL ROSSjross1@tennessean.com

Competition, crime drive stores from Antioch mall

Dillard's is latest retailer to flee Hickory Hollow By WENDY LEE • Staff Writer (Tennessean)) • June 3, 2008 Dillard's Inc. confirmed Monday that it will close its Hickory Hollow Mall store in August, becoming the latest tenant to leave a once vibrant Nashville shopping center that has found itself caught in the grip of neighborhood crime and increased retail competition from nearby suburbs. Leased mall space at the 428,000-square-foot Antioch shopping center has declined about 10 percent since 2005, losing anchor tenants such as J.C. Penney and Hallmark along the way. Now, Dillard's, and later this year, Linens 'n Things, will be added to that list. In the past, Metro police have identified Hickory Hollow Mall as a location with significant gang activity, but recent efforts to curtail crime in the area — including a 2006 curfew to require everyone 18 years and under to be accompanied by a parent in the mall after 6 p.m. each Friday and Saturday — seem to have shown some improvement. While robberies are still up at the mall this year, petty thefts like shoplifting are down, according to numbers provided by Michael Alexander, commander of the South precinct. "We're trying to be very proactive to address the issues at Hickory Hollow Mall," he said. Mall nearing its end? Still, for retailers trying to attract a reliable base of customers, the increased police attention may not be enough. "The life cycle may be over for that mall, or getting close," said Steve Rudd, a partner with Nashville-based Restaurant Retail Properties, a commercial real estate company. "Their market has just really slimmed down." In addition, the mall faces tough new competition from places like Providence MarketPlace in Mt. Juliet, which offers a J.C. Penney, and The Avenue, a new shopping center in Murfreesboro that includes a Belk department store. As far as Dillard's closing, company spokeswoman Julie J. Bull said simply, "The company is closing underperforming stores, and this is an underperforming store." The Antioch store is one of eight underperforming locations nationwide that will be closed by the Little Rock, Ark.-based department store. The store's 90 employees will be transferred to four other Dillard's in the Nashville area, Bull said. Crime worries linger Katie Reinsmidt, spokeswoman for CBL & Associates Properties Inc., which owns Hickory Hollow Mall, said the company is determined to "continue to try to make Hickory Hollow the best destination it can possibly be." Reinsmidt said Dillard's leaving will open new possibilities for the mall, adding that other CBL properties have replaced vacant spaces with new department stores or alternative stores such as a Burlington Coat Factory. CBL & Associates also owns RiverGate Mall and CoolSprings Galleria. Some retailers and shoppers said they were saddened by the department store's departure, as concerns about crime at the mall continue to linger. This year, Hickory Hollow Mall has had 54 reported thefts, 30 burglaries and 13 robberies, according to police statistics. "People don't want to come to Hickory Hollow anymore because of" the crime, said Melody Taft, a manager at women's apparel store 5-7-9. Taft said she has witnessed her share of fights around the mall's food court. "It was awful," Taft said of the mall's tense atmosphere, adding that it made her not want to work there. And mall customers like Becky Oliver said now that Dillard's is leaving, the mall will become a less attractive place to shop. "It's really going downhill," Oliver said. "It's really sad." Oliver's comments were cut short when a mall security officer ordered a Tennessean reporter and photographer off the mall property. Competition hurts, too Increased competition from retailers opening in the suburbs where Hickory Hollow Mall once drew shoppers, has also contributed to its declining performance. Quincy Johnson, a 48-year-old Antioch resident, said without a Dillard's he probably won't visit Hickory Hollow Mall twice a week as he does now, going instead to CoolSprings Galleria. Mall sales per square foot at Hickory Hollow continue to decline, coming in at $226 per-square-foot last year. Its occupancy rates have also suffered compared to its peers. Last year, Hickory Hollow had an 84 percent occupancy rate, compared to CoolSprings Galleria at 99 percent and RiverGate Mall at 97 percent, according to CBL & Associates' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mojeeb Ansari, a partner at Universal Imports, which sells items such as knives and figurines, said that sales were up when his store opened at Hickory Hollow 11 years ago. Now his sales are down 30 percent, Ansari said. "It's slow," Ansari said. "CoolSprings and Opry Mills kill this mall." From a real estate point of view, Rudd said even the physical topography of the place — the hills — don't break in the mall's favor. Poor visibility from the road makes it difficult to recruit retail tenants there. "I bet (CBL) would love to (sell the mall), but I don't think they will," Rudd said. "Who would buy it?" Not everyone has given up on Hickory Hollow Mall. City Councilman Sam Coleman, who represents the area, said a plan of action between businesses, city and state officials will help revitalize the area. "We're just transitioning and we're just hitting a tough little skid here," Coleman said. "We're going to get it right. We're not going to let Hickory Hollow fail." Lisa Green and Chas Sisk contributed to this report. Wendy Lee can be reached at 259-8092.

Metro will trim fleet to save gas

Fewer cars can be driven home By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer •(Tennessean) June 2, 2008 Metro Nashville will reduce its vehicle fleet by 10 percent and make other changes to try to gain ground in an ongoing battle against the high price of gas, Mayor Karl Dean will announce today. The elimination of 400 vehicles should save the government more than $1.4 million a year, the mayor's office told The Tennessean Friday. "We're already in tight financial times," Dean said. "When you add in the increasing cost of fuel and growing concerns about the environment, it's clear these changes need to be made." Dean also will order department heads to: • Reduce the number of vehicles taken home by employees. More than 900 vehicles are assigned to employees 24 hours a day, but they shouldn't be without "strong justification," Dean's office said. Most of the take-home vehicles are in the Metro Police Department. Dean expects patrol officers to continue to take their cars home at night, while police administrators probably won't have the same need, spokeswoman Janel Lacy said. • Try to buy smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, including hybrids, when it's time to replace old ones. • Require employees to turn off their engines rather than leaving them idling during brief stops. Metro is making the changes as fuel prices continue to rise. An average gallon of regular unleaded gas cost almost $3.84 in the Nashville area Friday, according to AAA. Metro Councilman Mike Jameson said the changes would be good for the environment as well. "It's important that the city demonstrate by example," he said. "And this certainly seems to be in that vein." Councilwoman Megan Barry said she'd like to see the city use the savings to help the Metro Transit Authority, which plans to cut bus routes and raise fares to deal with a $2.9 million budget shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year. "My hope is that those dollars might help other Nashvillians get from Point A to Point B in a cost-efficient way," Barry said. MTA will add six hybrid-electric buses, which will cut gas and maintenance costs, to its fleet by the end of the year. Departments cut back A few Metro departments have already implemented some of the changes Dean is calling for. Fire Chief Steve Halford said he cut back on his department's take-home vehicles after taking the job in 2001. "When I got here, it seemed like everyone had a take-home vehicle," he said. Halford, who also is the acting director of the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, said he's planning cuts in both departments in the next two weeks. Fire will reduce its take-home vehicles from 55 to 38, and OEM's after-hours fleet will drop from 13 to eight. The two departments, which have nearly 1,200 employees, also will eliminate 12 vehicles altogether from their combined fleets. "It's the first time since I've been in Metro that I've seen this degree of trying to reduce costs," Halford said. "It's a good thing, and we all have to contribute." Metro Water Services used to let its engineers take vehicles home at night so they could go straight to inspection jobs in the morning. Now that only happens if an engineer's first job of the day is near his or her home. "We've essentially removed them from the take-home vehicle list unless there's just a good demand for it," said Deputy Director John Kennedy. Kennedy said he expects the department to make other changes eventually. In response to questions from council members at a budget hearing Thursday, Parks Director Roy Wilson said park police officers are his only employees who take city vehicles home. Parks also has a no-idling policy "during these difficult times with fuel prices," Wilson said.

Briefs: Agape offers divorce support for kids, adults

Briefs taken from the Tennessean DivorceCare and DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K) are support groups for people experiencing the pain of separation and divorce. DC4K serves children of elementary school age. Agape, 4555 Trousdale Drive, is offering an abbreviated version of the program starting June 2. Groups will meet concurrently for eight weeks at 6-7:30 p.m. Mondays. Cost for the entire series of DivorceCare is $20, and for DC4K it is $25. For registration, or for more information, call Diana, Jennifer or Vickie at 781-3000. Community theater troupe holds auditions Community Players announces that Mark Brown's adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days will be presented Aug. 1-15. Auditions will be 6:30-8:30p.m. Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29, at Cedar Ridge Community of Christ Church, 3220 Bell Road. Thirty-nine roles are available for men and women, with an age range of 13 to 90. Most characters have multiple parts. Auditions will include readings from the script. For details, send an e-mail to director David McGinnis at Onstage3@aol.com.

Hickory Hollow Mall's Dillard's to close in August

By WENDY LEE • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • June 2, 2008 Dillard's Inc. confirmed on Monday it will be closing its Hickory Hollow Mall location in early August, as part of the company's plans to close eight underperforming stores nationwide. The 90 employees at the Antioch location will be transferred to Dillard's other four stores in the Nashville area, said Julie J. Bull, Dillard's Inc. spokeswoman. Dillard's opened its store in Hickory Hollow Mall in 1991, Bull said.

Keith Brooks of Antioch prepares for real-world experience

Keith Brooks of Antioch prepares for real-world experience Yvette Hayward • Reader Submitted • May 27, 2008 As of May 23, the office had 76 College of Engineering students scheduled to head out for their first work assignment this summer. Among them is Keith Brooks of Antioch. Brian Crawford, corporate recruiter for DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc., Maryville, spoke on company expectations and how to make a positive impression. DENSO works with automakers throughout their vehicle development process and has been placing UT College of Engineering students in co-op and internship positions for several years. In addition, experienced co-op students shared lessons they learned in the field, giving the "first timers" a peer perspective and affording them an opportunity to ask questions of those with first-hand experience in the program. For more information about the UT College of Engineering, Office of Professional Practice, visit www.coop.utk.edu on the Web or call (865) 974-5323.

Time to sign up for Summer Reading program

The annual Summer Reading program at Nashville libraries June 2-July 12 has a space theme, "Starship Adventure." Summer Reading includes reading goals and objectives that result in prizes and an end-of-year party. The goals are: • Preschoolers/listeners: Listen to 20 books• K-2: read 15 books• Grades 3-4: 10 books• Grades 5-6: 5 books• Ages 12-up: Read 18 hours• Adults: 5 books (audio books and program attendance count toward goals) Children who sign up by June 23 get a game night package to a Nashville Sounds baseball game. When reading logs are completed, children get a pin and may choose a prize that includes one free admission to Cheekwood, Wave Country, Nashville Shores, The Hermitage, Adventure Science Center, or Grand Old Golf. Those in the 12-up division who complete their reading logs may choose from a prize that includes one free admission to Laser Quest, Wave Country or Nashville Shores. Adults will get a travel tote bag and be entered into grand prize drawing for a vintage travel trunk filled with travel accessories. Libraries will hold programs for different ages the upcoming weeks. Check with. your local library to see what summer time programs they have available

Summit Medical Center Wins an Award

Summit Medical Center recognized for cancer care By ANDY HUMBLES ahumbles@tennessean.com 726-5939 • May 30, 2008 Summit Medical Center has been presented with the 2007 Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Only 66 programs nationwide received the Outstanding Achievement Award from surveys performed in 2007. Consideration for the award included an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the facility demonstrates a Commendation level of compliance with seven standards measuring the full scope of the cancer program.Facilities surveyed also receive a compliance rating for the remaining 29 standards.

State workers must wait to receive buyout plan

Packets set to go out week of June 16
By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II • Associated Press • May 31, 2008

More than 11,700 state employees will have to wait almost two weeks longer to receive a buyout plan expected to save nearly $64 million amid a shortfall in the upcoming budget year, Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz said Friday.

He told reporters the informational packets are now targeted go out the week of June 16 instead of June 6.

"This is a very complex process," Goetz said. "So in order to make sure that we're going to do it right, it requires significant legal review and quality control. To do that, we've had to delay slightly when the information will go out to employees."

Gov. Phil Bredesen is cutting $468 million from the spending plan that begins July 1 because revenue collections are projected to fall far below expectations.

The governor is hoping 2,000 employees will voluntarily accept the plan, which administration officials estimate will save the state
$64 million annually.

Goetz said he's confident the state will reach its goal.

"We have modeled it as much as we know how," he said. "We have brought in experts in legal and human resources areas to work with us, to give us a sense of if we're going to hit the mark, and they all do."

The packets include program details, application forms and information on benefits.

Goal: Cut work force 5%

With cash incentives, 18 months of health insurance benefits and two years of tuition to a state community college or university, the plans will be worth between $23,000 and $47,000, depending on a worker's length of employment, according to administration officials.

They have said workers near retirement and those with less than 10 years of service are the ones most likely to take the buyout. The goal is to reduce the state work force by 5 percent, but layoffs will begin in January if enough workers don't accept the package.

The deadline to respond is Aug. 5. Starting Aug. 11, workers will be notified whether they've been accepted into the plan.

Goetz said a Web site, call center and special e-mail address will be set up to provide information and field questions from workers. Administration officials will also host a series of town hall meetings across the state.

"We will be doing all we can to communicate and explain what will be a fairly complex set of documents," Goetz said.

The cuts to the state work force represent less than half of the growth in state employees since Bredesen took office in 2003.

The state employed 41,990 full-time workers in 2003. Since then that number has grown by 5,089 workers, or about 12 percent.

For the most part, the voluntary buyouts have drawn the support of the Tennessee State Employees Association and lawmakers.

"The governor is doing everything possible to make government smaller in way that makes sense both for the employee and for the taxpayer," said Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga.

Woman in iron lung 'had strength, honor'

The following story inspired me very much the other day so I posted to show a Woman's strength and what she was up against. By TYRONE TONY REED JR. • Gannett Tennessee • June 1, 2008 JACKSON, Tenn. — Family and friends celebrated the life of Dianne Odell on Saturday, not because she was the nation's longest survivor in an iron lung, but because she did not let her situation get her down. "She was a woman of noble character, who had strength, was not afraid, had honor, wisdom and kindness," said Ray Hawk, minister of Campbell Street Church of Christ. Hundreds of people attended Odell's funeral, which was held at the church. She was buried at Nebo Cemetery in Henderson County. Odell died at age 61 on Wednesday after a power failure caused her iron lung to shut down. A generator the family had on hand to power the iron lung in case of an outage did not come on. Odell was diagnosed at the age of 3 with bulbar polio, which left her paralyzed and unable to breathe on her own. But she did not let her condition keep her from living life to the fullest and reaching out to others, Hawk said. Odell wrote a book, Blinky Less Light, about the smallest star in heaven. The children's book, which took her 10 years to finish, has almost sold out of the 100,000 copies printed. "There are many children who will be helped by her writings," Hawk said. "She was known by folks, literally, all over the world." Hawk added, "She had a beauty that did not fade away. She never lost her true beauty or her real charm." James Meadows, former minister of East Chester Street Church of Christ, said Odell learned to be content in her iron lung and decided to have a positive outlook on life for herself and others around her. "She was a friend because she showed herself to be friendly," Meadows said. Meadows said he talked to Odell's family and asked them what they would remember most about her. "Her sisters, Donna (Lewis) and Mary Beth (Beyer), said that they were sisters who had little squabbles and their differences, but they loved each other," Meadows said. "Her father, Freeman, said that he will remember that she wanted a kiss every night. Her mother, Geneva, said that she will remember that Dianne never complained about her condition and that she was pleasant." Hawk said the family appreciated the community's support in Odell's life and her death. "Dianne is free from her pain, free from the iron lung and free from a body that no longer served her well," Hawk said. "She is now free to enjoy heaven for eternity."

Davidson County crime log for May 22-25, 2008

CRIME LOG These are the most serious calls handled by the Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported. I know many of the listings below are not part of the District "29", but, some of us work in these areas or have family and friends that live in these ares and do not read this blog...Pass it along because I will be posting the update every week... May 25 Antioch 2:43 p.m., rape, Chimney Top Drive Central 5:24 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Murfreesboro Pike 6:28 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Murfreesboro Pike 1:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, Charles E. Davis Boulevard and Cannon Street 9:22 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Martin Street 10:11 p.m., shooting, Pennock Avenue and Douglas Avenue Crieve Hall 8:42 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 5500 block Edmondson Pike Downtown 1:28 a.m., holdup/robbery, First Avenue North and Gay Street East 12:22 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 800 block Granada Avenue 12:59 a.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Cherokee Avenue 8:35 p.m., rape, Oakwood Avenue Hermitage 4:40 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5900 block South New Hope Road 7:39 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 4400 block Lebanon Pike Madison 3:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2100 block North Gallatin Pike 9:52 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block May Drive 11:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block South Gallatin Pike North 5:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1700 block Jenkins Street Oak Hill 4:13 p.m., kidnapping, 100 block East Park Drive Old Hickory 8:31 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 4300 block Saundersville Road 1:47 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Lawrence Street South 3:13 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 300 block Fesslers Lane 10:26 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Bell Road Trinity Hills 1:46 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block West Trinity Lane Tusculum 3:25 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3900 block Apache Trail 8:10 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Delvin Drive West 7:50 a.m., holdup/robbery, 7000 block Highway 70 South 11:41 a.m., residential burglary, 3700 block Park Avenue Woodbine 2:21 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 3700 block Nolensville Road 5:28 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block McIver Street May 24 Bordeaux 5:58 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 4200 block Ashland City Highway 10 p.m., shooting, 3200 block Mexico Drive Central 1:43 a.m., rape, 14th Avenue South 2:06 a.m., shooting, Wilburn Street and Meridian Street 3:34 a.m., holdup/robbery, Fesslers Lane and Murfreesboro Pike 11:49 a.m., residential burglary, 2500 block Glenrose Avenue 2:42 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Meridian Street 10:49 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Murfreesboro Pike Charlotte Park 12:27 a.m., residential burglary, 500 block Annex Court Donelson 10:12 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Percy Priest Drive East 1:47 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 100 block Dellway Villa Road 2:20 p.m., shooting, 1500 block Rosedale Avenue 2:22 p.m., shooting, 1500 block Rosedale Avenue 3:54 p.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Joseph Avenue 9:17 p.m., shooting, 3400 block Dickerson Pike 9:25 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Gallatin Pike 11:49 p.m., holdup/robbery, Marie Street and Meridian Street Hermitage 2:24 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 4700 block Old Hickory Boulevard J.C. Napier 6:39 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Claiborne Street 6:43 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Claiborne Street Madison 12:01 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1100 block South Gallatin Pike 8:04 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1800 block North Gallatin Pike 8:09 p.m., rape, Brink Haven Avenue Neelys Bend 7:41 p.m., residential burglary, 1100 block Bubbling Well Road North 5:32 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Meharry Boulevard 12:25 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 700 block Freelands Station Road 11:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block 21st Avenue North 11:49 p.m., residential burglary, 1600 block 16th Avenue North South 11:32 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike 11:53 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike 11:53 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1200 block Antioch Pike 6:18 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike Tusculum 12:15 a.m., shooting, 4500 block Packard Drive 6:49 p.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Creekside Drive Una 10:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike West 1:36 a.m., holdup/robbery, Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Boulevard and Charlotte Pike 6:46 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 600 block 42nd Avenue North 1:26 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Woodmont Boulevard 2:19 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4100 block Hillsboro Pike 5:12 p.m., shooting, 1700 block Jefferson Street 10:24 p.m., shooting, 2200 block Childrens Way Woodbine 9:55 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3700 block Nolensville Road May 23 Bordeaux 11:58 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3700 block Clarksville Pike Central 1:44 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block Frith Drive 4:07 a.m., rape, Shelby Avenue and South Fifth Street 10:01 a.m., residential burglary, 400 block North Second Street 1:45 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block South Eighth Street 4:11 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Fatherland Street 5:48 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Polk Avenue Charlotte Park 2:47 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block Westboro Drive Donelson 7:58 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Shady Grove Road 9:05 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Donelson Pike East 7:55 a.m., residential burglary, 1600 block Sunset Circle 3:56 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3200 block Gallatin Pike 7:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3000 block Gallatin Pike 9:31 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Vailview Drive 11:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3600 block Gallatin Pike Hermitage 6:10 p.m., residential burglary, 4300 block Andrew Jackson Parkway J.C. Napier 5:15 p.m., residential burglary, 60 block University Court 11:29 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 100 block Charles E. Davis Boulevard Joelton 3:01 p.m., residential burglary, 6200 block Old Hickory Boulevard Madison 9:27 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Welworth Street 12:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2300 block North Gallatin Pike North 12:03 p.m., holdup/robbery, Buchanan Street and Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Boulevard 6:29 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Jefferson Street 6:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 30th Avenue North and Albion Street 7:10 p.m., shooting, I-65 South and Rosa L. Parks Boulevard 7:19 p.m., shooting, I-65 North and Rosa L. Parks Boulevard 10:14 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 1700 block Rosa L. Parks Boulevard Old Hickory 8:05 p.m., rape, Scenic View Road Priest Lake 4:12 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Castlegate Drive 6:45 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Schoolhouse Court Providence 8:32 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4400 block Nolensville Road South 4:21 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Harding Place 8:16 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Patricia Drive 1:48 p.m., holdup/robbery, Dell Parkway 2:41 p.m., residential burglary, 9200 block Thomason Trail 4:33 p.m., residential burglary, 8400 block Lawson Drive Trinity Hills 4:05 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 400 block West Trinity Lane 6:33 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Revels Drive Tusculum 8:09 a.m., kidnapping, 15500 block Old Hickory Boulevard 2:18 p.m., residential burglary, 4800 block Cimarron Way 2:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4700 block Nolensville Road 3:36 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Chrishall Court 9:02 p.m., residential burglary, 4900 block Cimarron Way West 1:54 a.m., residential burglary, 5500 block Kentucky Avenue 6:41 a.m., holdup/robbery, 7100 block Charlotte Pike 8:09 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3700 block Hillsboro Pike 12:07 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5900 block Charlotte Pike 12:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1400 block Hynes Street 1:26 p.m., residential burglary, 6900 block Sonya Drive 1:27 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2800 block West End Avenue 2:04 p.m., residential burglary, 4500 block Tennessee Avenue 2:44 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Woodmont Boulevard 4:39 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block Church Street 6:01 p.m., shooting, 1200 block Medical Center Drive 8:57 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Wildberry Lane 10:03 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4400 block Tennessee Avenue May 22 Belmont 2:05 p.m., shooting, 1000 block Acklen Avenue Bordeaux 8:25 a.m., residential burglary, 4400 block Sumatra Road 2:39 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Buena Vista Pike Central 4:58 a.m., residential burglary, 400 block North Second Street 12:32 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2300 block Brittany Drive Donelson 8:27 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Lebanon Pike East 4:40 p.m., shooting, 3100 block Robwood Drive 7:45 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 1300 block Jones Avenue 9:24 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Gatewood Avenue Madison 12:54 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 500 block Charles Drive 1:59 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Sealey Drive 5:49 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Welworth Street North 1:28 p.m., residential burglary, 2300 block 14th Avenue North 6:41 p.m., residential burglary, 3900 block Alameda Street Priest Lake 1:38 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Grovedale Trace Providence 12:24 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4900 block Edmondson Pike South 12:21 a.m., rape, Murfreesboro Pike 12:50 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block Murfreesboro Pike 3:04 p.m., residential burglary, 4200 block Sandstone Drive 7:04 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Mt. View Road West 2:30 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 5700 block Charlotte Pike 3:03 p.m., residential burglary, 6000 block Don Allen Avenue 10:03 p.m., residential burglary, 4600 block Kentucky Avenue Woodbine 7:25 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Neese Drive 5:08 p.m., shooting, 3700 block Nolensville Road

Nashville celebrates Great American Cleanup Month… May 2008

The Alliance of District 29 Cleaned-up and Cleaned-Out, May 24th and May 31st, 2008.


Give yourself a big round of applaud for the outstanding turn-out for our May 24th Great American Clean-Up Day. Close to 200 residents turned out for the Greatest Clean-up Day in District 29 history. Simply Awesome!! On this day, you re-painted your street numbers, picked up trash, shredded your confidential documents, donated clothing and cell phones and threw away unneeded large appliances and furniture that was not worth giving to anyone.

What a day. Everyone enjoyed the fried fish cooked right before your hungry eyes (next year the food will be ready right at the beginning of eating time and don’t forget, we will need a first aid kit too for an even better clean-up). To all the neighborhood watches, associations and neighbors, you get and deserve a standing ovation.

We concluded our Great American Clean-Up efforts with “Sign-Off” Day on Saturday, May 31st at 6 am in the morning (yes you read it right 6 AM. Ok I got there at 6:30 AM). I guess you are wondering what is Sign-Off Day? Sign-Off Day is when a group of neighbors or neighborhood group get together and remove signs out of the right-of-ways and off of poles and stop signs.

A group of us, Lena, Ann, Mike, James, Mark, Gloria and yours truly removed signs from the public right of ways. I think that we should make this a monthly event, what do you think? Ok we will. You must agree that all of these signs in the right of ways are an eyesore and many times they look tacky. Email me if you would like to join us for our next “Sign-Off” morning.

Thank You Friends of the Alliance of District 29

Thank you! to the following community businesses that helped make our Alliance of District 29 Great American Clean-Up Day and Sign-Off Day a B-I-G S-U C C E S S.

Metro Beautification Commission (Thank you Veronica and Lawrence), Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods, Starbucks Coffee, Kryspie Kreme, Sambucka Barbershop, Shred-It (Thank you Decosta), Goodwill Industries, Call to Protect and especially to Ms. Phyllis’s husband for being the impromptu fish fryer at the picnic after the clean-up.

A Very Special Thank-You to Una Church of Christ

A Special thanks to the entire congregation of Una Church of Christ for providing the location. It was absolutely a great location. Sister Tanner and Brother were wonderful with their help with the logistics, truly God sent. Everything ran very smooth. Thank you Ms. Lena for proposing this location.

Thanks to Fire Engine 33/35 for stopping by. You were a big help!

Here are a few highlights of the Clean-up day:

Bayview held a successful neighborhood yard sale the week prior. I found some good deals. My dog Feebie is enjoying the mats

Castlegate spruced up their gateway entrances. The Sharps really do have green thumbs. I hope those shrubs worked out! Smile!

Cedar Cliff NW re-painted street addresses. Jerry is a Rembrandt I hear.

Edge O Lake pack picked up debris in the area. Vicky provided morning refreshments.

Forest View/ Forest Pointe combined their efforts and picked up debris in the area and held a yard sale one week prior.

The Greens residents organized the McDonald House drink tabs collection.

Nashboro Woods held an awesome neighborhood yard sale. Re-painted entrance signs (unexpected, I would say).

Percy Priest Meadows lent a hand to area neighbors by bring items to the drop-off for those who could not get to the clean-up. Jerry you can really drive a truck.

Priest Lake Park NW provided logistics and organization.

Una NW picked up debris in the area one week prior.

The "GREEN"S" represented by Mindy Schwartz and Taryn Simpson.

Thank you to Mr. Leon.

A great and hard-working time was held by all. Check out the pictures (taken by Mindy Schwartz)! Thank you once again!

Vivian!