Southeast Health Fair aims to promote healthy kids, healthy families

The Antioch and Southeast Nashville community will hold its first Southeast Health Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, in the K-Mart parking lot, 2491 Murfreesboro Pike. The focus of the free event is Healthy Kids/Healthy Families: promoting the health and well being of our children and families. Corporate, government and nonprofit partners will offer health services and information, along with blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, vision and dental screenings. "Investing in the health of our kids improves their success in school," said school board member and event chairwoman, Karen Y. Johnson. "Investing in the health of our families improves our quality of life."For details on the fair, call Metro Councilman Robert Duvall at 291-6733 or Metro Councilman Duane Dominy at 291-6728.

Nashville mayor enlists neighbors to clean up community

By HARRIET VAUGHAN • Staff Writer • August 1, 2008 In a rush to beat the rain, Gary French is out cutting his neighbor's grass. His neighbor is a single woman who often needs an extra pair of hands to help out. That's not a problem for French, who's lived on Calvin Avenue in Inglewood for 10 years. In fact, he's known up and down his street for helping his neighbors with odds and ends around their homes and in the yard. "That's the way I was raised. I've always cared and taken interest in my neighbors and my neighborhood," he said. French is the kind of neighbor Mayor Karl Dean wants to duplicate across the county with his latest initiative, Community Matters. He launched the program this week in Inglewood. Community Matters is designed to offer two months of coordinated assistance from the city's Codes and Health departments and the Davidson County sheriff's office. Neighborhoods prone to codes and health violations will be partnered up with the agencies to alleviate excessive citations. Residents and members of the county agencies will be looking for violations such as excessively tall grass, broken windows, illegal businesses and illegally parked vehicles. Metro Beautification will help residents keep litter and large bulk trash items off the streets. The program will begin in target communities in Inglewood and East Nashville and move to neighborhoods around the county. It's a relief That's a relief for residents such as 79-year-old Ann Smart. She and her husband built their East Nashville home 30 years ago. She says she's watched the neighborhood take a turn for the worse. "When we built our house, it was a good neighborhood. It has just gone down so much and it bothers me. Some people just don't take care of their places anymore," Smart said. Dean hopes to change that. As part of Community Matters, the mayor's office will conduct a two-hour training session for neighbors and neighborhood associations, teaching them how to identify codes violations and what to do if they spot one. If a resident does not correct the violation noted by a neighbor, they will be reported to the appropriate agency. The agency will give them a time frame to fix the problem. If the resident refuses, he or she will be summoned to appear before a judge and could be given jail time. "If someone's shutter is falling off, report that. If someone's car is parked illegally with illegal tags, report that," said Scott Wallace, a neighborhood liaison for the mayor's Office of Neighborhoods. "We can't be everywhere and if we can stay on top of that, the neighborhoods will prosper." Program will help Paul Koumanelis, owner of Pizzereal restaurant in East Nashville, is excited about the program. He opened his restaurant four years ago. Clean streets and safer surroundings could mean more business in what was previously a home on North 11th Street. "I think it's cool. Things are already on the upswing and this will really help," he said. Koumanelis says often, people walk up and down the street near his business and litter. At least two homes within one block of his restaurant are in violation of city codes. Brady Banks, director of the mayor's Office of Neighborhoods, says Community Matters is a proactive approach to reclaim neighborhoods gripped by crime and neglect. Banks says the surge in county resources in target areas under the program will not deplete the staff responding to needs in other neighborhoods. A complete report of violations corrected will be published at the end of each 60-day program. The results will also be available online. Contact Harriet Vaughan at 615.259.8048 or hvaughan@tennessean.com.

Con grats to Med student from Antioch earns scholarship

Submitted by GABRIELLE MAXEY • University of Memphis • July 30, 2008 Izuchukwu "Izu" Iwueke, son of Harrison and Dorathy Iwueke of Antioch, has been awarded a fellowship by the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi for the 2008-09 academic year. The University of Memphis alumnus will use the $5,000 fellowship to attend medical school this fall at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Iwueke earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Memphis in 2006. Since graduating, he has worked for Merck Pharmaceuticals and is currently doing cancer research and working at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. While at the University of Memphis, Iwueke received numerous awards, including the UNCF/Merck Fellowship and honorable mention for the celebrated Goldwater Scholarship. "I am very grateful to God for another award that is uplifting and positive," Iwueke said. "I am deeply humbled and honored. I have been blessed with a wonderful family, friends and great professors, and this award belongs to all of them." Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society. It awards more than $800,000 annually to members and nonmembers for fellowships, undergraduate study and study-abroad scholarships.

Community welcomes Cane Ridge High School

SUZANNE NORMAND BLACKWOOD (Tennessean) • July 30, 2008 Andrew Gregorio is used to singing at school functions. But when he got to sing the national anthem at the ribbon cutting ceremony for his own high school, the opportunity took on a whole new meaning. Andrew, who plans to sing in the Cane Ridge High School choir and participate in theater, said it was also the first time he has sung at a function in which Mayor Karl Dean was present. Dashawn Hillard, another Cane Ridge High School student, was there to give people tours of the new building. He said it gave him a chance to learn the layout of his school and talk to others about its features.“Today was a fun experience, because I’m going to be going here,” he said. The new 314,000 square-foot Cane Ridge High School features small learning communities, or thematic academies, which function like colleges within a university.The academies are Business Management and Marketing, Architecture and Construction and Human Resources and Law Enforcement. The $47.6 million school also features a media center with cyber café and WiFi; an outdoor patio for dining; a dining room; an art wing with an outdoor sculpture court; a bell tower with clock; a 600-seat auditorium; a gym and auxiliary gym; a football field, track and field house; baseball, softball and soccer fields; a marching band practice field; and tennis courts.

CoverKids expands to include dental benefits

By WOODY BAIRD • Associated Press • July 31, 2008 MEMPHIS — Jackie Liggins faced what appeared to be an impassable barrier to finding medical insurance so her 3-year-old son could get physical therapy for an arm nearly paralyzed by nerve damage. "Everybody turned us down," Liggins said. "We were getting comments like, 'As soon as he no longer requires therapy, we'll be happy to cover you.' " But Liggins found help through CoverKids, a state program that began earlier this year to supply medical coverage for children whose families can't afford insurance or are denied coverage for other reasons. Now those families have more help available: Gov. Phil Bredesen announced Wednesday that CoverKids will also cover dental services ranging from emergencies to routine cleanings. Liggins and her son Daniel, now 4, were at Gov. Phil Bredesen's side as he made the announcement. Bredesen also announced a statewide effort to recruit thousands of children who need insurance. "We've tried to make signing up as easy as it can possibly be," Bredesen said at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center. "If you can check out a library book, you can sign your children up for CoverKids." Routine care is a priority CoverKids began last year for children from families who can't afford private health insurance or obtain it for other reasons. So far, just less than 25,000 children are on the CoverKids rolls, though there is room under current funding for 40,000. An important part of the program, which requires modest co-pays for services, is covering routine doctor's visits and preventive health care. Coverage for eye exams and glasses also was added early this year. "CoverKids is about going beyond just treating illnesses," Bredesen said. "It's about keeping kids healthy." Bredesen also said the state is increasing efforts to get parents to sign up for the program — even if it means increasing funding. If enrollment outstrips current funding, "I'll take care of that," he said. Families can now sign up their children online at www.CoverTN.gov, and public schools across Tennessee will be passing out CoverKids fliers for youngsters to take home. Young Daniel Liggins and his parents will be featured in TV ads that the state will be running soon to promote Cover Kids. Wearing a red trimmed baseball uniform and a red cap, Daniel stood beside Bredesen as the governor wrapped up his announcement. With therapy provided through CoverKids, Daniel has gained almost full use of his damaged left arm. "As you can probably tell, he loves to play baseball," the governor said. "I've seen video of him swinging a bat, and I can assure you he's going to be a great baseball player."

Metro schools sets up number for back to school questions

BY ANDY HUMBLES AHUMBLES@TENNESSEAN.COM 726-5939 • July 25, 2008 Metro Nashville Public Schools is providing a Customer Service Center so families can get assistance for any back to school questions, including school assignment and transportation. Families are strongly encouraged to start asking questions to avoid last minute concerns or confusion. The contact number is 259-INFO (4636) and is available 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.The number will be available for calls from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. the week of Aug. 4.Metro schools begin classes on Aug. 11.

Metro council may urge voters to reject English-only plan

By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean)• July 29, 2008 The Metro Council could go on record next week against a proposal to make English the official language of Nashville. Under a non-binding resolution introduced by Councilman Ronnie Steine, the council would officially ask voters to reject the English-only push led by Councilman Eric Crafton, who is trying to gather enough voters' signatures to place the idea on the ballot in November. If a majority of council members agree with Steine, the council will urge voters not to sign Crafton's petition cards. The council also would ask voters to reject the proposed Metro Charter amendment supported by Crafton if a referendum is held this fall. The charter amendment would limit all government business, publications and meetings to English, with no exceptions for health or safety. It does include language indicating it should not be interpreted to conflict with state or federal law. Supporters say immigrants should learn English and shouldn't be able to demand services in other languages. Opponents say the proposal would make Nashville an unfriendly place and would face serious legal challenges, though Crafton disputed that. "It's important that the public understand that while one council member is supportive, not all of us are," Steine said Monday. "It's not in the best interests of the community." Council makeup changed The council approved an English-only ordinance in February 2007, but then-Mayor Bill Purcell vetoed it. Crafton said he decided to take the issue straight to the voters this year and has collected more than 9,000 signatures; he needs 10,103 registered voters to sign the petition cards by Aug. 16. "I kind of felt the council already spoke when it voted to pass my bill the last time," he said. Only 20 of the 40 council members from 18 months ago are still serving, however, because of term limits and elections last summer. Steine said he expects the council to vote on the resolution when it meets at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7.

Metro schools fail for fifth year in row

District loses more control to the state By JAIME SARRIO • Staff Writer • July 29, 2008 Metro Nashville Schools continued its slide toward total state control as student test data released Monday made it the only Tennessee district to fail five consecutive years. There were bright spots. African-American students, who didn't consistently meet math or reading benchmarks the last four years, made progress in every area. And without this year's higher benchmarks, Metro probably would have met federal standards, state officials said. While expected, the news was unwelcome. "It's hard to be real excited when the district goes into restructuring," Interim Director Chris Henson said. Meanwhile, neighboring Robertson County, the only other Tennessee district where years of failure prompted state involvement, raised student achievement dramatically enough to move back toward total self-governance. The verdicts were in the state's annual school progress report under the federal No Child Left Behind education law. The results are based on standardized test scores from the 2007-08 school year, graduation percentages and attendance rates. Under No Child Left Behind, increasing percentages of students have to read and do math on grade level, with the goal of 100 percent of students by 2014. The law pays particular attention to subgroups of students: African-Americans, foreign-language speakers, special education students and others. Based on how many students hit targets, districts and individual schools face increasing levels of discipline under the law, starting with some students having the option to change schools and ending with a district or school's total dismantling. The required percentages increased this year from 83 to 89 percent of K-8 students proficient in reading and 79 to 86 percent in math. In high school, they rose from 90 to 93 percent in reading and 75 to 83 percent in math. As a result, 172 schools statewide missed benchmarks for the first time, up from 106 schools last year. But 28 schools across Tennessee came off the disciplinary list completely for making two years of adequate progress, including Walter J. Baird Middle in the Lebanon Special School District. Three Sumner County schools, Hawkins Middle and Portland and Westmoreland high schools, posted enough gains last school year to show an improving trend. If they repeat the success next year, they will get off the list. On the other hand, the Murfreesboro city school district, which serves about 7,200 kids in grades pre-K through 6, landed on the unflattering list for missing federal targets two years in a row. Not enough non-English speaking students tested proficient in math and not enough Hispanic students reached proficiency in English. Last year, the state devoted $8 million to improving failing Tennessee schools. Next year, that will increase to $20 million. State is in charge In Metro, the state has an unprecedented amount of control over the district's day-to-day affairs, and school officials must draft plans for a possible takeover. The troubled 75,000-student district ultimately failed to meet state requirements because of the reading and language arts scores of students who speak only limited English. Advocates for those students said more consistency in the quality of English Language Learning programs districtwide would help. "We have these extreme opinions," said Cesar Muedas, former president of Comité de Padres Latinos (Committee of Latino Parents). "Something is going on, because there should be an in-between." State officials would not talk Monday about what the future holds for Metro, but they said more details will be announced at a special board meeting next week, said Connie Smith, executive director of accountability for the Department of Education. State officials already rearranged the district's top administrators and put new principals at several schools. They also approved the draft budget, revamped portions of the curriculum and next plan to rework teacher training. "We got the people in place to do the job," said Smith, chief architect behind the changes. "All we need to do now is to let things happen and to watch the data." Smith hopes Metro succeeds and becomes a model for the nation. Nine Metro Schools were released from state sanctions, including two high schools — Pearl Cohn and John Overton. Some Metro schools that reported gains were the same schools where principals were plucked from their positions this summer as part of the state's massive intervention. McGavock High met state standards for the first time in four years, but longtime principal Mike Tribue won't be around to enjoy the success — he was reassigned to an assistant principal position at Cane Ridge High School. Hillwood High's Karl Lang was moved to the central office even though his school met benchmarks for the first time in five years. Pattern of failure State officials said they replaced principals in schools that had a pattern of failure over several years, and that they used other indicators such as parent surveys and teacher input to determine who would be moved. But McGavock parent Doris Johnson said the state shouldn't have moved leaders like Tribue who were making progress. "I think it is very unfair," she said. "I don't think the state should have as much of a say in the situation as the school board does." In previous years, Metro school leaders ignored warning signs and state assistance that could have prevented the district from earning the unflattering status, said Connie Smith. Metro also made poor use of its data by allowing only a few top officials access to the district's numbers. State officials envision a district in which everyone down to the school level is comfortable using test scores to figure out which students are struggling. Mayor Karl Dean, who has been heavily involved in the district's improvement, said Monday's results are promising, but the district needs to be doing more. "The results released today give us a clear picture of the particular schools that need our attention, and we can now begin to focus our efforts at the school level," Dean said in a statement.fullcircle

Fed-Up Night Out Against Crime, August 5, 2008

August 5, 2008 we, Southeast Davidson, will host the community wide neighborhood FEDUP Night Out Against Crime. An initiative of the Mt. Zion Church, Brother Darrell Walker reinterates that this is a community initiative. We want everyone is to be involved and get involved. This is not a "My" event or a "Your" event. This is an "Our Community" event to show unity that we are and will continue to address the problems of teen violence and delinquency that is affecting "Our" community. I absolutely agree. What is FEDUP? FEDUP means Faithlessness, Educational impotence, Disempowered youth, lack of Unity in community and Parental isolation in dealing with family conflict. Violence and delinquency in our youth population appears to manifest in these factors which is the focus of the FEDUP Night Out Against Crime event. How Can You Help? Get fired up and ready to be apart of the solution. Once again, this is a community wide effort that is being put together by all of us, for all us, showing support and unity in our communty with the objective to address issues affecting our youth. So my blogger friends, your help is needed to make this event a grand success. 1. Spread the word about the August 5, 2008, FEDUP NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME. It begins at 5 pm. There will be community leaders speakers, such as Mayor Karl Dean and Judge Betty Adams Green and other area community leaders with resource offerings from area organizations coupled with music from local artists and school bands, food and ways that you can sign up to stay involved. One of the bigger highlights of this event will be the March of our community leaders and residences, expected to begin at the Ezell Harding School marching to the Hickory Hollow Mall. (A short walk to symbolize our unity for our community). 2. Please attend. When you come, bring at least one, no three friends, neighbors or family members with you. And finally, 3. Important! It is very important that you know that this is a community initiative not a "My" or "Me" initiative. Yes, Mt. Zion planted the seed, but we, the community, can impact the grown through our entire strength. This is an effort to bring EVERYONE together as a symbolism that we are working together to continue and strengthen community-wide collaboration to identify the causes of teen violence and delinquency in the Nashville Metro Area. District 29 is doing a great job to stay involved in our community. Let continue and do more. This is a great event. Whether you incorporate this event with your Night Out Against Crime event or participate in this event for a brief moment and also have your annual Night Out Against Crime, your participation is appreciated. Get excited! Stay Involved! Get Involved! Get FEDUP! More information to come! Gratefully,Vivian Vivian WilhoiteMetro Council, District 29Visit http://www.vivian-29.blogspot.com/ <http://www.vivian-29.blogspot.com/> for up-to-date information in and around District 29. Committed to keeping you informed!589-2003/vivianwilhoite@comcast.net .

Davidson County crime log for July 17-20, 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. Central 12:15 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 400 block Murfreesboro Pike 7:56 a.m., shooting, Lafayette Street and First Avenue South 11:53 a.m., rape, Woodland Street 12:34 p.m., holdup/robbery, 80 block Lafayette Street 1:38 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 800 block Woodland Street 5:28 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block Holly Street 5:41 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block Holly Street 7:11 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Neill Avenue Donelson 7:50 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block McGavock Pike 10:33 p.m., residential burglary, 3000 block Casa Drive Hermitage 11:21 p.m., rape, Old Hickory Boulevard Priest Lake 3:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2900 block Harbour View Drive South 12:27 a.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Glastonbury Road 6:43 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Wimpole Drive 7:56 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Catina Drive 10:24 p.m., holdup/robbery, 8000 block Bienville Drive Una 4:09 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Longhunter Court 6:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Longhunter CourtWest Central 5:04 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Shelby Avenue 8:25 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Edgehill Avenue 12:59 p.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Big Oak Drive 3:34 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Lewis Street 8:59 p.m., holdup/robbery, 10 block Interstate Drive 11:03 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block South Sixth Street Hermitage 12:19 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3400 block Lebanon Pike 8:59 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3400 block Lebanon Pike 11:09 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4000 block Lebanon Pike South 10:08 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1000 block Murfreesboro Pike 11:19 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1700 block Lebanon Pike Circle 1:20 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block J.P. Hennessy Drive 3:29 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 1900 block Dahlia Drive 9:40 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 1900 block Elanor Drive Antioch 5:02 p.m., rape, Piccadilly Row 10:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Murfreesboro Pike Central 7:17 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block South Second Street 12:18 p.m., shooting, 600 block Shelby Avenue 1:19 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Main Street 4:39 p.m., shooting, 50 block Robertson Street Donelson 2:02 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Lincoya Bay Drive Hermitage 1:09 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3400 block Lebanon Pike 10:49 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5700 block Old Hickory Boulevard Priest Lake 3:02 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Murfreesboro Pike South 12:37 a.m., residential burglary, 700 block Spence Lane 12:37 a.m., residential burglary, 700 block Spence Lane 10:28 a.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Massman Drive 9:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1700 block Lebanon Pike Circle 10:15 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Airpark Center Drive 10:56 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Winthorne Drive Antioch 8:08 a.m., residential burglary, 4700 block Lori Drive 6:34 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 2200 block Murfreesboro Pike 11:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, Hickory Hollow Parkway and Bell Road Central 10:59 a.m., residential burglary, 700 block South Sixth Street 12:04 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block 11th Avenue South Donelson 6:13 p.m., residential burglary, 2200 block South Ashford 6:58 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Stewarts Ferry Pike South 5:24 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Arbor Creek Boulevard 10:05 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Bell Road 11:31 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Ladybird Drive 11:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Hickory Hollow Lane

AARP Grief and Loss Group meets Aug. 3

By ANDY HUMBLES ahumbles@tennessean.com 615-726-5939 – • July 25, 2008 The AARP Grief and Loss Group will meet at 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 3 at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 85 Fairway Drive in Donelson. The program will be on The Bowen-Campbell House and family located in Mansker’s Station. Following the program will be refreshments and the support group meeting. All those who have lost a spouse are welcome.For information call 889-3126 or 347-3126.

State issues sales tax holiday in time for back to school

Just in time for back to school, the state has issued a Sales Tax Holiday for the weekend of Aug. 1-3. Tax exempt items are: * School and school art supplies with a price of $100 or less per item; * Clothing with a price of $100 or less per item; and * Computers with a price of $1,500 or less. For more information about the Sales Tax Holiday, visit www.tntaxholiday.com.This Web site lists exempt items, a retailer’s guide and frequently asked questions. MNPS Customer Service Center Taking Your Calls The start of school is right around the corner, and it is never too early for families to find information that will help students begin the school year on a good foot. Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools provides a Customer Service Center so families can get assistance for any back to school questions, including school assignment and transportation.Families are strongly encouraged to start asking questions now to avoid any last minute worries or confusion. Contact the Center any day from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at 259-INFO (4636).The week of Monday, Aug. 4, the Customer Service Center will be open extended hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for last minute calling. The Customer Service Center opened in August of 2005. Since its inception, the CSC has taken nearly 600,000 calls. The center is equipped to take calls in English, Spanish and any special needs calls.For more information, visit www.mnps.org.

Metro police department is reaccredited

The Metro Nashville Police Department was reaccredited Saturday by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. The agency sent three inspectors to review the department for four days in April. The inspectors found no noncompliance issues in Metro's policies or procedures and renewed accreditation through 2011. "Achieving and maintaining accreditation is a commitment not all law enforcement agencies chose to make," Chief Ronal Serpas said in a statement. "Today's reaccreditation action is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our officers, professional support staff and community partners to make a real difference in Nashville's safety and quality of life." Metro's police department first received accreditation in 1994. — LACEY LYONSllyons@tennessean.com

Animals, people chill out at the zoo

By NATALIA MIELCZAREK • Staff Writer (Tennesean) • July 27, 2008 Before sisters Mylee and Sareeka, both 6 years old, could eat their icy treats Saturday morning, they had to be restrained. Actually, more like moved to a different area while their caretakers dropped off five-gallon turkey broth popsicles on the ground. When they returned, the sisters went straight for what looked like two blocks of frozen light brown mud water, licking them without a pause. They didn't care that they were being watched and photographed by dozens of onlookers, some of whom yelled "kitty, kitty." The Bengal tigers enjoyed frozen treats at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere during Ice Day 2008. Visitors got a rare glimpse of how wild animals — clouded leopards, elephants, giraffes, red pandas and more — chill out in the summer heat. As Mylee and Sareeka were busy with the ice blocks, Ashley Parker, 9, watched. "I came to watch the tigers eat ice cream," said Ashley, who traveled from Lewisburg. "I just wanted to see how they eat food and hard stuff. I would like to have a tiger for a pet." But the Ice Day wasn't only for the animals. Children, too, could compete in an ice-cream-eating contest, cool off in a tent where it snowed and make their own ice treats. Josh Key, 19, and his cousin, Connor Robertson, 10, of Portland, arrived before 10 a.m. and were planning on hanging out at the zoo until the evening. They took a break in the muggy weather to watch what Ming and Mae, clouded leopard siblings, would do when given several turkey-flavored ice balls the size of large melons. One cat threw one of the treats into a stream and played with it in the water. "I don't really care to see the alligators because we fed them down in Florida at a family farm," Key said. "I'm kind of interested in seeing a giraffe eating ice."

Davidson County births in May, June 2008

Tennessean MAY Paul and Tiffany Nelson of Goodlettsville had a baby girl. Aubrey Elizabeth Nelson was born at Baptist Hospital on Thursday, May 22, 2008. Kevin and Lindsey (Lewis) Eslinger of Nashville had a baby girl. Abigail Mae Eslinger was born at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Friday, May 30, 2008. JUNE Floyd Hayden Stewart III and Natasha Thompson of Nashville had a baby boy. Malik Hayden Stewart was born at Baptist Hospital on Tuesday, June 3, 2008. Erik and Amy (Jones) Diatikar of Goodlettsville had a baby boy. Ryan Hayden Diatikar was born at Baptist Hospital on Wednesday, June 4, 2008. Scotty and Jenny (Reasonover) Walker of Antioch had a baby girl. Isabelle Julianna Walker was born at Baptist Hospital on Thursday, June 5, 2008. Gregory Poindexter and Tunishia Kuykindall of Nashville had a baby boy. Tristan Taylor Poindexter was born at Baptist Hospital on Sunday, June 8, 2008. Jerry and Melissa Cole of Nashville had a baby girl. Jocelyn Savanna Cole was born at Baptist Hospital on Monday, June 9, 2008. Scott and Jenny (Chapman) Phillips of Nashville had a baby boy. Carter Reed Phillips was born at Baptist Hospital on Saturday, June 21, 2008. Charley and Alexia Poe of Nashville had a baby girl. Ella Meade Poe was born at Baptist Hospital on Friday, June 27, 2008. Charlie and Laura Jo Coode of Antioch had a baby boy. Cason Edward Coode was born at Baptist Hospital on Sunday, June 22, 2008. Jack and Kimberly (Wantland) Garland of Old Hickory had a baby boy. Samuel James Garland was born at Baptist Hospital on Monday, June 23, 2008. Andy and Tonya (Irions) Ford of Nashville had a baby boy. Riley Andrew Ford was born at Baptist Hospital on Monday, June 30, 2008. Kevin and Hillary Klein of Nashville had a baby girl. Grace Isabelle Klein was born at Baptist Hospital on Monday, June 30, 2008.