Calorie counts not on the menu for Tennessee House

Law would overrule Metro health board By Colby Sledge • THE TENNESSEAN • June 12, 2009 A requirement to post calorie information on menus in Davidson County restaurants likely will be overturned by a state proposal passed in the House on Thursday. triggerAd(1,PaginationPage,10); The bill would make it illegal for non-elected boards to require that nutritional information be posted at restaurants. The Metro Board of Health passed such a rule earlier this year, with the first phase of the requirement scheduled to take effect next spring. Supporters of posting the information on menus say it could help combat obesity, especially if parents knew more about what they were ordering for their children. "Even if it's just one factor, it's a factor we can do something about without spending any tax dollars," said Dr. Ruth Stewart, a family physician at Meharry and vice chair of the Metro health board. Opponents of the menu-labeling requirements say it's difficult for small restaurants owners who receive the same types of food from multiple suppliers to continually determine and update calorie information. "Our customers want it, and we've never been interested in keeping it from them," said Dan Haskell, lobbyist for the Tennessee Hospitality Association. "It's just not the easiest thing to know what's in that bowl of macaroni and cheese." Changing and reprinting menus also would put an economic burden on businesses, which could then be passed down to consumers, said Mt. Juliet Republican Susan Lynn, the House sponsor. The gastrointestinal impact of calorie information on consumers is up for debate. Margrey Thompson, 54, of Murfreesboro, monitored the menu carefully before choosing her salad at the Panera Bread on West End Avenue, where calorie information is posted on all menu items. "Every day I plan my calories. I know how many calories I'm going to eat in a day," Thompson said. "I need to know that when I go out, I can make a quick judgment." Thompson's daughter Molly, 14, said she also usually paid attention to calorie information, pointing to her zero-calorie soft drink. But her sandwich choice of the day had nothing to do with counting calories: "I just felt like it." Data could be posted Under the state proposal, elected bodies like the Metro Council could still vote to require restaurants to post calorie information. Earlier this year the council moved to override the health board's decision to require the information. The bill passed the first of three votes 15-14, but was then deferred indefinitely as both sides decided to wait for state and/or federal action. Federal legislation could render moot much of the discussion, as Congress considers a proposal to require national chains with 20 or more restaurants to post the information. Restaurant lobbying groups support the legislation, as do members of both parties. Gov. Phil Bredesen offered a similar bill earlier this year, but the proposal went nowhere. Councilman Erik Cole of East Nashville, who supports requiring restaurants posting the calorie information, said he wanted to see what happened in Congress before pressing for action in the council. "To me it doesn't matter where it comes from, just as long as we can get what I think is important consumer information in the hands of consumers," Cole said. The House version of the bill that passed Thursday was changed slightly, meaning it will have to go back to the Senate, where it was previously approved. It is expected to pass and go on to Bredesen.

Local parks taken out of guns bill to avert veto

By Chas Sisk • THE TENNESSEAN • June 12, 2009 The backers of a measure that would let people carry handguns into Tennessee parks say they are dropping the most controversial part of their bill to avoid another veto by the governor, but the issue may not be settled quite yet. State Rep. Frank Niceley and state Sen. Mae Beavers said Thursday that they will retreat from their push to allow handguns in more local parks — places like Shelby Bottoms, Centennial Park and Beaman Park — that are controlled by Tennessee cities and counties. The move comes as the Metro Council has been gearing up for a debate over whether to allow guns in Nashville parks. Similar debates are expected elsewhere in Middle Tennessee if the bill becomes law. At issue is the second plank in gun rights supporters' platform to reform Tennessee firearms laws during this year's legislative session. As in the debate over whether to open bars and restaurants to handguns, firearms groups argue that people would be safer if handgun permit holders were allowed to carry their weapons into parks and onto walking trails and other green spaces statewide. "I think your biggest risk is going to be when you're in a parking lot and when people go out and jog and walk for exercise," said John Harris, executive director of the Tennessee Firearms Association. Focus on state parks But many cities and counties, including Metro, have long banned firearms from parks. Niceley and Beavers' legislation would have opened those local parks to handguns, provided local councils didn't pass another bill banning guns from specific parks. Now, the bill's supporters say they're going to change the law so that it's applicable mostly for state parks. Under the new version of the bill, carry permit holders would be allowed to take their guns in all but two parks owned by the state. One of the exceptions would be Bicentennial Mall. In exchange, Gov. Phil Bredesen has agreed to sign the bill and will not veto other gun bills pending in the legislature, they say. Bredesen denied he had agreed to such a compromise. The deal would put off — for now — a debate that's perhaps even more controversial than whether to allow guns in restaurants that serve alcohol, an issue that has dominated the legislature this spring. A call for Metro ban In Nashville, Metro council members Jerry Maynard and Megan Barry have filed a new ordinance calling for another ban on handguns in all Metro parks. "That's a decision we should make," Maynard said. "I don't trust that the legislature will make the right decision when it comes to guns in parks." Visitors to Bicentennial Mall on Thursday had varied reactions to the idea. "As long as you're using it for defense purposes, it's OK with me," said Phurba Lama, 34, a Franklin resident who was flying a kite with his parents and two children. Others thought that guns should not be allowed in any parks. "With the way things are right now, it's easy for people to get hurt," Frederick Furlow, 33, an East Nashville resident, said as he chatted on a park bench with a friend. "Money's a problem. Jobs are problems. Having guns is just going to make the problems even worse."

Local parks taken out of guns bill to avert veto

By Chas Sisk • THE TENNESSEAN • June 12, 2009 The backers of a measure that would let people carry handguns into Tennessee parks say they are dropping the most controversial part of their bill to avoid another veto by the governor, but the issue may not be settled quite yet. State Rep. Frank Niceley and state Sen. Mae Beavers said Thursday that they will retreat from their push to allow handguns in more local parks — places like Shelby Bottoms, Centennial Park and Beaman Park — that are controlled by Tennessee cities and counties. The move comes as the Metro Council has been gearing up for a debate over whether to allow guns in Nashville parks. Similar debates are expected elsewhere in Middle Tennessee if the bill becomes law. At issue is the second plank in gun rights supporters' platform to reform Tennessee firearms laws during this year's legislative session. As in the debate over whether to open bars and restaurants to handguns, firearms groups argue that people would be safer if handgun permit holders were allowed to carry their weapons into parks and onto walking trails and other green spaces statewide. "I think your biggest risk is going to be when you're in a parking lot and when people go out and jog and walk for exercise," said John Harris, executive director of the Tennessee Firearms Association. Focus on state parks But many cities and counties, including Metro, have long banned firearms from parks. Niceley and Beavers' legislation would have opened those local parks to handguns, provided local councils didn't pass another bill banning guns from specific parks. Now, the bill's supporters say they're going to change the law so that it's applicable mostly for state parks. Under the new version of the bill, carry permit holders would be allowed to take their guns in all but two parks owned by the state. One of the exceptions would be Bicentennial Mall. In exchange, Gov. Phil Bredesen has agreed to sign the bill and will not veto other gun bills pending in the legislature, they say. Bredesen denied he had agreed to such a compromise. The deal would put off — for now — a debate that's perhaps even more controversial than whether to allow guns in restaurants that serve alcohol, an issue that has dominated the legislature this spring. A call for Metro ban In Nashville, Metro council members Jerry Maynard and Megan Barry have filed a new ordinance calling for another ban on handguns in all Metro parks. "That's a decision we should make," Maynard said. "I don't trust that the legislature will make the right decision when it comes to guns in parks." Visitors to Bicentennial Mall on Thursday had varied reactions to the idea. "As long as you're using it for defense purposes, it's OK with me," said Phurba Lama, 34, a Franklin resident who was flying a kite with his parents and two children. Others thought that guns should not be allowed in any parks. "With the way things are right now, it's easy for people to get hurt," Frederick Furlow, 33, an East Nashville resident, said as he chatted on a park bench with a friend. "Money's a problem. Jobs are problems. Having guns is just going to make the problems even worse."

Digital deadline draws near

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - At 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 12, WKRN-TV will stop analog broadcast service and transmit only in digital. Consumers who do not subscribe to pay television services, like cable, and have older, analog televisions will need to have converter boxes attached to their televisions in order to continue receiving over-the-air television programming. They may also need to adjust or upgrade their television set-top antennas. The transition to digital television will usher in advanced broadcasting technology that will transform consumers' television viewing experiences. Digital television allows for better picture and sound quality as well as more channel and program options. DTV will also free spectrum for popular advanced mobile communications services such as wireless broadband and more importantly, benefit society by freeing airwaves for use by first responders. In Nashville, Nielsen estimates 101,710 households, or 10% of the media market, rely entirely on over-the-air broadcasts. As of May 24, an estimated 1.96% of Nashville households weren't ready for the DTV transition. Customers with questions can contact News 2 directly at 615-369-7280 or send an email to dtvquestions@wkrn.com. Customers can also visit one of the following walk-in centers in the Nashville-area: YMCA, 424 Church St., Nashville, TN 37216 Magness Potter CC, 611 Stockell St., Nashville, TN 37211 E.S. Rose Community Center, 1000 Edgehill Ave., Nashville, TN 37210 South Inglewood Community Center, 1610 Rebecca Ave., Nashville, TN 37217 St. Edward Community Center, 188 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37206 Woodmont Baptist, 2100 Woodmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37215 The following local companies are offering free, in-home installation of coverter boxes: R & D Training & Technical Service, Inc. - 1-866-202-4596 Visionary Investments LLC - 1-866-531-9265 Hernandez Consulting LLC - 1-800-310-8515 Installs Inc., LLC - 1-800-582-4250 Green Planet Construction - 1-888-508-1115 IAFC - 1-888-225-5322 Here's what consumers should know: Analog television sets will NOT be obsolete after June 12. Consumers can continue to use their analog TV sets after the transition to DTV is completed on June 12. All they need to do is install a digital-to-analog converter box to each analog TV or connect them to a subscription service, such as cable or satellite TV. Consumers also must have a good antenna with rabbit ears, or the equivalent for channels 2-13 (VHF), and a loop, bow-tie or equivalent, to get channels 14-51 (UHF). Analog VCRs connected to a converter box can continue to record programs. Gaming consoles, DVD players and other devices that don't rely on a broadcast signal will work without a converter box. Some viewers may have trouble receiving some digital channels after June 12. Some stations will change their coverage area in the digital transition. Watch for station announcements: any station that loses 2% or more of the households it served in analog must notify viewers. In addition, if consumers are missing a few channels, they should conduct a channel scan, adjust their antenna and check the signal strength meter on their converter box. If channels are still missing, they may be able to add them individually by entering the number on the converter box remote. For more information regarding reception in your area, visit www.dtv.gov. Converter box coupons WILL be available after June 12, while supplies last. Consumers will have until July 31, while supplies last, to order coupons by calling 1-888-DTV-2009; however, it is too late to order coupons and receive them in time for the June 12 transition. Coupons will expire 90 days after they are mailed, so consumers must act quickly to redeem them. Consumers should call ahead to confirm availability of coupon-eligible converter boxes on the day they plan to shop. Free technical assistance WILL still be available after June 12. The FCC will continue to provide assistance after June 12 to anyone that still needs it. In some areas the FCC is offering free in-home installation services and walk-in centers to consumers who need technical assistance until the end of June, and in some locations, through July. The FCC's call center, 1-888-CALL FCC, will continue to be available to all consumers. Installing a converter box will NOT provide high-definition television (HDTV) on your analog TV. Installing a digital-to-analog converter box will not convert an analog TV to high-definition. HDTV is a digital broadcast format that provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital broadcast formats. Consumers may receive free, over-the-air HDTV programming if they have an HDTV compatible digital television but even those who use an analog TV and converter box will usually find that their picture is better than it was with the old analog signal. The DTV transition will NOT affect TV sets that are connected to most pay TV services. Any television set that is connected to a paid cable or satellite service will NOT be affected by the transition. The DTV transition applies only to full-power broadcast television stations or stations that use the public airwaves to transmit their programming to viewers through a broadcast antenna. Satellite customers, who receive local stations through an antenna rather than by satellite, may be affected. Check with your provider. You do NOT need a special "digital ready" or "HD ready" antenna to receive DTV signals. DTV signals do not require a special antenna. Over-the-air DTV signals require the same type of antenna (i.e., rooftop, set-top) as analog signals. With digital, however, it's critical that antennas receive both VHF and UHF signals. And consumers should check their existing rooftop antennas for wear-and-tear caused by wind and weather and loose connections that could degrade performance. Weak reception that causes "snow" in analog could result in no digital picture at all: the digital "cliff effect." The Federal Communications Commission wants to ensure that consumers nationwide are ready for the switch. Chairman Michael Copps said the FCC is "devoting tremendous resources in these final days to ease the transition and ensure that those with analog sets have the assistance they need to reap the benefits of the digital age." The FCC is making free house calls to help consumers set up their DTV converter box, adjust their indoor antenna and/or hook up their analog VCR to a converter. Most services will be provided by contractors hired by the FCC, who are prepared to visit around 200,000 homes over the course of the transition if needed. Customers in need of assistance can call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit one of the following Web sites: DTV.gov DTV2009.gov: Converter Box Coupon Program DTV.gov: What Every Consumer Should Know WKRN.COM: All About DTV The Federal Communications Commission

3 Metro schools make 'Newsweek' list

June 10, 2009 Two Metro high schools have been named to Newsweek magazine's Top 30 U.S. High Schools. Hume-Fogg Magnet ranked 28 while Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet took the 29th spot. This is the fourth consecutive year both schools have been recognized by Newsweek's annual report, which evaluates and ranks the nation's top 1,500 high schools. Last year MLK and Hume-Fogg were ranked 23rd and 24th respectively. Hillsboro High ranked 677, dropping from number 390 last year. Metro was the only district in Tennessee to have schools in the top 100 on the list. According to Newsweek, the ratings were developed by Washington Post education reporter Jay Mathews and are based on the number of Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge tests taken by all students in a particular school, divided by the number of graduating seniors at that school. All schools on the list are in the top 5 percent of public schools measured. For more information about the rankings, or to view the complete list, visit www.newsweek.com/id/201160?from=rss.

Nashville drops bid to keep guns out of restaurants

By Michael Cass and Colby Sledge • THE TENNESSEAN • June 10, 2009 A Metro Council proposal to ban guns in Nashville bars and restaurants that serve beer will be withdrawn after city attorneys said it probably would be ruled illegal, two councilmen said. A group of council members had hoped to thwart a new state law allowing handgun carry permit holders to take their weapons into bars and restaurants in Tennessee. But Metro lawyers have determined the state's firearms statute supersedes the city's beer permit ordinance, which the council members had hoped to revise. "A court more likely than not would say it was the intent of the legislature to pre-empt our ability to do anything about it," Metro Law Director Sue Cain said Tuesday. Councilman Charlie Tygard said he'll withdraw the bill at the council's next regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday. "These things happen, and I think based on the interest from both sides, there's a lot of misconceptions," he said. "It would have been good to put experts in the room, have a good debate and a panel discussion … and then be able to make an informed decision. Unless something changes, that's not going to happen." Councilman Carter Todd, a co-sponsor, said, "It would have been a nice thing to do, but it didn't work out." The General Assembly voted last month to allow handgun carry permit holders to take their weapons into restaurants and bars. Gov. Phil Bredesen vetoed the bill, arguing that guns and alcohol don't mix well, but the House and Senate easily overrode the veto last week. Attorney and former Councilman Adam Dread then proposed that Metro add a restriction to beer permits to prohibit businesses with permits from allowing anyone with a handgun inside. The new law does allow restaurant and bar owners to ban guns from their establishments. But some people feel a proliferation of "No Guns" signs would cause tourists to think the city is full of firearms. An emotional issue Todd, an attorney, said he was glad Metro's lawyers had made their opinion known. The opinion — which Cain did not put in writing — should steer the city away from a potential lawsuit, Todd said. "This is a very emotional issue for people on both sides," he said. "The worst thing you can do as a councilman is to get Metro government sued." Council members Megan Barry and Jerry Maynard also have filed legislation that would opt Metro out of a new state law allowing handguns in state and local parks. The law gives cities an opportunity to continue banning firearms in their parks, and the council bill, up for a first vote Tuesday, would do that.

Nashville council approves funds for ambitious building projects

Parks, schools projects cleared By Michael Cass • THE TENNESSEAN • June 10, 2009 Expect to see a lot of dirt being turned and construction starting around Nashville in the next six months. The Metro Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve Mayor Karl Dean's $560.8 million capital spending plan, setting in motion dozens of projects ranging from sidewalks and bike lanes to a new branch library and school renovations. "We need to go ahead and do what we need to do with our parks, our schools, our sidewalks," said Councilman Jim Forkum of Madison, chairman of the council's Budget and Finance Committee. "Certainly there are needs out there. "It's a citywide plan. I think everybody can support it." While some of the projects will draw little public attention even after they're completed, some will have high profiles, including: • $30 million to revitalize both sides of the downtown riverfront, starting with an approximately $12.6 million adventure play park that's expected to attract many families and tourists to the east bank. • A road connecting North Nashville to the West End area by linking 28th and 31st avenues just south of Charlotte Avenue, near Centennial Park. The budget includes $500,000 to plan the road, with construction expected to start in about two years. • More than $13 million for construction of 47 classrooms so Crieve Hall, Glengarry, Glenview and Haywood elementary schools can eliminate trailers. • A nearly $6.5 million police crime lab and a $5.25 million police precinct in West Nashville. City officials still need to choose the location for the new precinct and acquire land for it. • A $5.2 million branch library in Goodlettsville that was in former Mayor Bill Purcell's final capital plan two years ago. • $50 million to fix major storm-water problems around town. Bonds finance projects Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said the city will sell municipal bonds to permanently finance the projects by the end of 2010. In the meantime, it will get the work started by drawing on a $300 million line of "commercial paper," a short-term borrowing tool similar to a construction loan in the private sector. The city will use property tax revenues to pay off its debt. Riebeling said Metro will start hiring architects and making other plans immediately, and he expects to see most of the projects under way by the end of the year, creating jobs and spending in a tough economy. "It'll be a little bit of a local stimulus," he said. Metro has already spent about $132.8 million on projects that are in progress. About $178 million would be completely new. Dean's administration put $250 million worth of previously approved projects on hold while assessing the city's ability to borrow money for them more than a year ago. The mayor planned to submit a plan to the council last September but decided to wait until the nation's credit markets improved, ultimately delivering his recommendations in early May.

Spring Hill workers torn between buyout offer, GM plant's uncertain future

By Bonna Johnson • THE TENNESSEAN • June 10, 2009 SPRING HILL — Andrew Mills has a weighty decision to make: stick with General Motors after 15 years at the Spring Hill plant as a second-generation auto worker or consider a buyout package that would leave him and his family without health insurance. "It's kind of scary," said the 36-year-old Mills, who has an 8-year-old daughter. "Pretty much everyone is thinking about their options." The clock is ticking as General Motors moves to cut its work force even more nationally as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. Employees face a July 24 initial deadline on whether to accept a company buyout that varies with years of service and other factors. That means workers like Mills are forced to decide whether to take cash and other incentives now without first knowing the Spring Hill plant's long-term fate. It's not clear whether they'll still have jobs after November when the plant here stops making a Chevrolet crossover vehicle and goes dark for an undetermined length of time. Last week, GM announced the plant would go idle in November and production of the Chevrolet Traverse would shift to a facility in Lansing, Mich. Spring Hill probably will compete with at least two other GM plants in Michigan and Wisconsin to build a new small car for the automaker, but the outcome remains uncertain. Should GM say it intends to build its next-generation small car in Spring Hill, the decision to stay would be a no-brainer for Mills and many others of the auto plant's 2,900 employees who have made lives for their families in communities near GM's high-tech plant 40 miles south of Nashville. But if the small car project goes to Michigan or Wisconsin, the equation that workers must use to guide their future turns into a squeeze play. There has been no commitment by GM officials to advise workers of the fate of the Spring Hill plant before the deadline to accept or reject the automaker's buyout offers. After the deadline, workers would get another week to change their minds. Do they hang on? Retire early? Take GM's latest buyout offers or cut all ties to the auto industry and start over? "It's a gamble," said Mills, who spent time earlier this week with his daughter at a United Auto Workers gym here. At the same time, though, GM executives have said the small-car decision could come "within weeks," company spokesman Chris Lee said. "These are life-altering decisions they're being asked to make," said Michael Herron, chairman of United Auto Workers Local 1853, which represents hourly workers at the plant. "I think everyone is really wrestling with it." Details about the incentive packages were mailed to workers last week, and question-and-answer sessions are being held at the plant today and Thursday, Herron said. Workers weigh options GM hopes to shed as many as 16,000 jobs nationally, Herron said. That includes some 600 jobs at Spring Hill, said Jeremy Anwyl, chief executive of the auto research Web site Edmunds.com. "None of this is guaranteed, and that is what makes it so difficult," Anwyl said. If a GM employee accepts a buyout and starts hunting for another auto industry job, it could prove difficult with a rising U.S. unemployment rate and shrinking work forces for all U.S. carmakers. After 28 years working for GM, including in the steel department in Spring Hill, 60-year-old Mel Laroco says he is thinking about retiring. "I don't want to wait. Maybe I'll be waiting for nothing," said Laroco, who would only qualify for a pro-rated pension because he is two years shy of 30 years of service. Meanwhile, Bobby Estrada, 48, has spent half his life working for the automaker, including stints in California and Missouri. "I'm not going to quit," he said. "I'll hang in there." The operations technician is considering applying for a job in Lansing, Mich., where production of the Traverse will shift later this year. "Maybe they'll need workers to follow our product," Estrada said. The second-generation autoworker would like to get to 30 years on the job so he can retire with a full pension. Single mom Denise Madden, 54, is weighing whether to retire early and draw a smaller pension or move back to Kansas City, where relatives live. But Madden said she'd hate to leave Tennessee. "This is home now," said Madden, whose adult daughters and one granddaughter live with her in Franklin. "My girls love it here." Early retirement sounds somewhat enticing to 51-year-old Bruce Pittard, a material handler at the plant. And with 30 years on the job, he could draw a full pension worth some 60 percent of his pay. "I'd like to, but I have 15- and 16-year-old kids," Pittard said, adding that it could be tricky making ends meet only on his pension. "There are uncertainties on both sides," said Karen Boroff, a labor relations expert and dean of the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. For many workers, the question becomes whether they're emotionally ready to retire or financially able to do so with such possible expenses as children's college tuition or other factors in play. Although workers are anxious for news about whether their jobs can be saved at Spring Hill, auto industry analyst Erich Merkle said that decision might be slow in coming, especially now that the federal government has a stake in GM. "The political component becomes a real wild card," the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based analyst said, noting that politicians in various states will try to protect their turf and save jobs. Richard Moreland, 57, a pipe fitter at Spring Hill, is thinking of retiring early after 24 years with GM, even though he would be penalized by $400 to $500 on his monthly pension check. "We just didn't expect things to work out this way," said Moreland, who had hoped to work for GM at least a couple of more years. Now, Moreland may decide to retire instead and take a part-time job to make a little extra money. "We could wait to see if they do bring another vehicle here," he said. "But there are just too many ifs involved. 3 Previous Page Contact Bonna Johnson at 615-726-5990 or bjohnson@tennessean.com. var currentRequestJS = removeHashUrl(); document.getElementById("article-pagination").innerHTML="Next Page"+saxoArticlePagination()+"Previous Page";

Hello District 29 & Surrounding Neighbors

Please be aware of a this scam that was brought to my attention by Sergeant Meadows of the Hermitage Police Precinct. Thank you Sgt. Meadows for the information that will help to protect us all. Gratefully, Vivian FYI......Scam Alert! There is no refund paid directly to individuals in one lump some this year. Meadows, Troy L. (MNPD)

Water skiing squirrel show at Nashville Shores

By Andy Humbles The Tennessean • June 8, 2009 Twiggy, the water-skiing squirrel, will be at Nashville Shores, 4001 Bell Road, Friday-Sunday, June 12-14. Show times are at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. The shows are included with the regular admission.

Emergency preparedness critical to businesses

BY KATRINA CORNWELL/Staff • June 8, 2009 Mary Clement, a Gallatin-based attorney and counselor, says being prepared for emergencies as a business owner and at home is one of the most important things someone can do. "I think personally preparation is very important," Clement said. "It needs to be carried into all spheres of our lives. "Research shows that people who are prepared for disasters emotionally and psychologically are less likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder, and it takes them less time to recover." Clement was among a group of businesspeople at the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce luncheon Monday, who heard a presentation by Anna Smith, the state coordinator for civilians with the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security, urging them to plan ahead for all the ways natural and man-made disasters could disrupt their work and home lives. "There were people when Hurricane Katrina hit who lost all of their documents," Smith said. "They had to prove residency. If you needed medication, you had to prove who your doctor was and that you had a prescription. "You can never prepare enough for a disaster of that magnitude. It's difficult if you don't have a plan in place to recover at all." Small business stats show importance of plans According to statistics from the Advertising Council, 92 percent of businesses think it's important to have an emergency preparedness plan, and 88 percent of those business owners believe the idea makes sense; but only 39 percent of them actually create one. Since statistics show small businesses represent 99 percent of all employers and that 75 percent of new jobs are created by these employers, having a plan in place to function in spite of natural or man-made disasters is all the more critical, Smith said. "Small-to-medium-sized businesses are the most susceptible to the long-term effects of an emergency," she said. Jimmy Overton, the Chamber's president-elect, said in the wake of three killer tornadoes that hit the city in recent years, emergency preparedness here hits close to home. "It's an asset for everyone to get their families and businesses prepared. We've been through a lot with the tornadoes. We need to be prepared in case it happens again." Steps toward preparedness Recognizing the need to prepare for emergencies like fires, floods and tornadoes, and in the case of business, involving people at all levels of the organization is half the battle, Smith said. "From the person at the top to the person at the bottom, everybody needs to know your plan," Smith said. Some of the critical components of that plan involve: • Planning to stay in business, whatever the circumstance, whether it's on or off-site, such as setting up shop at a nearby business; • Talking to employees, customers and vendors, involving employees in creation of the plan and keeping patrons and suppliers abreast of changes in the event of an emergency; and, • protecting investments, such as duplicating important paper records and electronic files and keeping that information off-site, and reviewing and revising insurance policies to ensure there is adequate coverage. Preparing for less than $500 Emergency preparedness doesn't need to be an expensive endeavor, Smith said, offering several tips. Buying fire extinguishers and smoke detectors are inexpensive ways to prepare for the event of a fire. Buying the kinds of emergency supplies such as food, water or a battery-powered radio that would be needed in the event of a disaster is another low-cost option. The Tennessee Department of Emergency Management, for example, keeps blankets, bottles of water and cots on hand in case its employees have to work non-stop for days responding to natural disasters. Another way to prepare for little or no cost is to establish a telephone tree of employees, patrons, vendors, utility providers and others that would need to be called should an emergency occur. Providing first aid and CPR training is another way low-cost preparation alternative. Preparedness for more than $500 Some emergency preparedness steps are well worth it, albeit more expensive, Smith said. Buying and maintaining adequate insurance on your business and assets is a worthwhile investment, she said. Another slightly more expensive preparedness plan involves providing for utility alternatives, such as generators, in the event that primary utilities are disrupted.The installation of automatic sprinklers, hoses and fire-resistant doors can also protect a business for a cost. Another good way to prepare for emergency is by ensuring one's business meets building codes, even if it's an older building that has been remodeled. For more on emergency preparedness, visit the Department of Homeland Security's Web site at www.ready.gov

NRA takes gun case to high court

By Joan Biskupic • USA TODAY • June 8, 2009 WASHINGTON — One year after the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep handguns, the justices have before them a new test of that right. The National Rifle Association has appealed a ruling from a U.S. appeals court in Chicago that said the right to bear arms cannot be invoked by gun owners challenging state and local firearm regulations. It said the high court's groundbreaking decision last term in a case from Washington, D.C., allows the Second Amendment to cover only regulations by the federal government — at least until the high court weighs in again. If the justices decide to take up the appeal, it would probably be heard next fall by a bench that could include Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, who is now on a federal appeals court in New York. She was part of a court panel in January that similarly held that the 2008 guns decision did not apply to state regulations. A U.S. appeals court in San Francisco, however, ruled this year that the Second Amendment, indeed, covers state gun restrictions. "Because of the split in opinions (on the breadth of the 2008 ruling), it seems likely that the court would take it," says Daniel Vice, a lawyer with the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. He says a ruling could affect gun laws nationwide. The June 2008 decision, decided by a 5-4 vote, said for the first time that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep handguns at home for self-protection. A 1939 high court decision had led lower courts to say the Second Amendment covered gun rights only for state militias. The new decision in National Rifle Association v. Chicago by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Chicago, written by Ronald Reagan appointee Frank Easterbrook, echoes the closely scrutinized decision from a three-judge panel of the U.S. appeals court for the 2nd Circuit that included Sotomayor. She joined an opinion that rejected a challenge to a New York ban on certain weapons used in martial arts and emphasized that the high court has never specifically ruled that the Second Amendment can be applied to state regulations. The NRA's Stephen Halbrook, representing Chicago and Oak Park residents who want to keep handguns at home, urged the justices to take up the 7th Circuit case. Halbrook said the right to guns "allows one to protect life itself."

Nashville Zoo welcomes rare leopard cubs

Courtesy Nashville Zoo These clouded leopards were born at the Nashville Zoo at the end of May. Here, they are just six days old.

June 8, 2009 A rare clouded leopard recently gave birth to three genetically valuable cubs at the Nashville Zoo.

The mother, Jing Jai and her mate Arun, were imported from Thailand to the Nashville Zoo in 2008 as part of a worldwide conservation effort to save the species from extinction. The cubs, two male and one female each weighing about a half of a pound, are reported healthy and being hand-raised by zoo keepers.

Due to deforestation, clouded leopards are now seriously endangered. In addition, the species is difficult to manage in captivity resulting in a North American population with diminishing genetic viability, Nashville Zoo officials said.

“This birth represents a significant milestone for the Zoo and our commitment to clouded leopard conservation,” said Rick Schwartz, president of the Nashville Zoo. “These three little cubs carry a new set of genes into the captive population and will contribute significantly to the survival of this species.”

The three cubs are expected to open their eyes at about 10 days old. Feeding on a special feline milk diet, they will add about a half of a pound in weight each week for the next few months. At about six months of age, the cubs will be paired up with potential mates.

-Staff reports

Health insurance industry supports change

Dwindling customer base brings push for mandatory health coverage for allBy Lisa Girion • LOS ANGELES TIMES • June 8, 2009 Some people may find it hard to believe that the U.S. health insurance industry supports making major changes to the nation's health-care system. The industry, after all, scuttled President Bill Clinton's health-care overhaul bid with ads featuring "Harry and Louise" fretting about change. But this time, it turns out, the health insurance industry has good reason to support at least some change: It needs it. Private health insurance faces a bleak future if the proposal they champion most vigorously — a requirement that everyone buy medical coverage — is not adopted. The customer base for private insurance has slipped since 2000, when soaring premiums began driving people out. The recession has accelerated the problem. But even after the economy recovers, the downward spiral is expected to continue for years as baby boomers become eligible for Medicare — and stop buying private insurance. Insurers do not embrace all of the health-care restructuring proposals. But they are fighting hard for a purchase requirement, sweetened with taxpayer-funded subsidies for customers who can't afford to buy it on their own and enforced with fines. Such a so-called individual mandate amounts to a huge booster shot for health insurers. "They really could be licking their chops over the potential here," said Jane DuBose, an analyst with HealthLeaders-InterStudy, which tracks the industry. Public frustration cited The industry says its interest in change flows not from narrow self-interest but from broader concerns. "What's driving this is we have 47 million people who don't have access to the system, who get help through emergency rooms, and that results in higher costs and inefficient care," said Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for the industry trade group America's Health Insurance Plans. "Public frustration with many of the problems in the system (is) increasing pretty significantly," said Jay Gellert, chief executive of Woodland Hills, Calif.-based Health Net. He added that other industries, such as auto and financial services, "haven't dealt with issues early enough." Still, industry observers say, private insurers need the government's help in transforming some of the nation's millions of uninsured residents into paying customers.

Keep job-related stress levels in check

By Hanah Cho • THE BALTIMORE SUN • June 8, 2009 Feeling stressed, overworked and burned out? You're certainly not alone these days. Layoffs and other work-force reductions have left so-called survivors with increased workloads and other challenges, according to a new survey of more than 4,400 workers by CareerBuilder.com. Nearly half of the workers said they have taken on more responsibility because of layoffs, and 37 percent said they are handling the work of two people. The survey also found that 34 percent of workers are spending more time at the office, and 22 percent are working more weekends. "Not only will this impact you personally, but this is something that's impacting productivity overall," says Jennifer Grasz, a spokeswoman at CareerBuilder. "When you have workers who are highly stressed and burned out, they're not going to be performing at the same level." So how do you remain sane and healthy amid the rising work demands? CareerBuilder, which is partly owned by Tribune Co., the parent of The Baltimore Sun, offers some tips on how to keep your stress level in check. • Take some time to recharge. Another CareerBuilder survey found that 35 percent of 4,400 workers surveyed said they haven't gone on or aren't planning to take a vacation this year. Nearly one in five workers said they either are afraid of losing their jobs if they do or feel guilty about being away. "Workers need to recharge," Grasz says. "It's counterproductive not to take the time off." Even if it's not a full-blown vacation, take a mental health day to take care of yourself. Or take a lunch break. • Prioritize your tasks. If you have more than one project to handle, talk to your supervisor about work expectations. Get feedback on what you should tackle first. That way, Grasz says, "it doesn't feel like 10 things have to get done in one day." • Cut the e-leash. That means when you're on vacation, don't check your e-mail or voice mail. "Something that you thought would take a few minutes took three hours of your day," Grasz says. "You need the time to get away from the office, recharge and bring the stress levels down so that when you come back, you could tackle projects more effectively." CareerBuilder also advises turning off electronic devices at a certain time of the day to signal the end of the workday. • Consider flexible work arrangements. Grasz says more employers are allowing telecommuting and compressed workweeks as options so that workers can better balance personal and work lives. • Try to ignore rumors. It's easier said than done as workers become increasingly worry about their job security. But getting caught up with gossip can also distract you from work. If your concerns are serious, talk to your supervisor or human resources. Otherwise, "it's more important to stay focused on being effective in the things you're working on," Grasz said. "It's also going to serve you within the organization if you're known to be someone who's working hard."