Sheriff's office to again offer 'Sober Rides'

WKRN News Channel 2 The Davidson County Sheriff's Office will again offer free rides home to those who have had too much to drink this New Year's Eve. "There's no excuse to get behind the wheel when we will take you home for free of charge," said Sheriff Daron Hall. "We're not there to enforce the law, not there to preach, just there to get you home so we can have a safe community on that particular evening." More than 200 Davidson County employees will volunteer for the program this year. Last year, they took more than 2,500 people home. "It's become a major, major operation," said Sheriff Hall. "We took 2,600 people home last year that didn't put them behind the wheel of car. We think that's incredible service to give on one night." Due to the large concentration of people in the downtown area, a Sober Ride bus stop will be located at Second Avenue and Commerce. From there, people will be taken by bus to LP Field, placed in smaller vehicles and then taken to their destination. This is the 25th year the Sober Ride program has been in service. If you need a ride or for more information, call 615-862-RIDE.

Davidson County crime log for Dec. 21-22, 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. Dec. 22 Antioch 1:35 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 2200 block Murfreesboro Pike 4:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2400 block Murfreesboro Pike Bordeaux 8:20 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3100 block Clarksville Pike 1:05 p.m., shooting, 1700 block County Hospital Road Brentwood 2:56 p.m., residential burglary, 5700 block Brentwood Trace Central 2:28 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Church Street Donelson 8:03 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Lebanon Pike East 3:49 a.m., residential burglary, 900 block Cahal Avenue 12:59 p.m., residential burglary, 1100 block North 14th Street 1:58 p.m., shooting, 700 block South Sixth Street 2:02 p.m., shooting, 500 block Summer Place 4:27 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block North Second Street 9:11 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block North Second Street Hermitage 3:11 a.m., shooting, 3700 block James Kay Lane 11:42 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 6000 block Old Hickory Boulevard 2:53 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5800 block Old Hickory Boulevard Madison 9:21 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 600 block North Gallatin Pike 10:10 a.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Madison Square 4:31 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1100 block South Gallatin Pike North 2:13 p.m., residential burglary, 2100 block 26th Avenue North 4:02 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Crislynndale Drive Old Hickory 7:17 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Cunningham Street Paragon Mills 3:20 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Tanglewood Court 6:21 p.m., shooting, 4000 block Nolensville Road 8:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Paragon Mills Road Priest Lake 3:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Park Dale Drive South 8:42 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 900 block Second Avenue South 5:13 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike Trinity Hills 9:49 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block West Trinity Lane Tusculum 3:06 p.m., residential burglary, 3900 block Apache Trail 6:22 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Bart Drive Union Hill 5:43 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Old Dickerson Pike West 7:02 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 6300 block Charlotte Pike 1:54 p.m., residential burglary, 1900 block Kimbark Drive 3:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2100 block Green Hills Village Drive Whites Creek 11:51 a.m., residential burglary, 4700 block Lickton Pike Woodbine 4:39 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Welshwood Drive Dec. 21 Antioch 12:16 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2200 block Murfreesboro Pike 1:21 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5200 block Hickory Hollow Parkway 1:39 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5200 block Hickory Hollow Parkway 7:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Murfreesboro Pike Bellshire 12:05 a.m.,residential burglary, 1600 block Nesbitt Lane Belmont 7:42 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3100 block Belmont Boulevard Central 2:19 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Eighth Avenue South 3:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1600 block Ninth Avenue North East 2:01 p.m., shooting, 3400 block Dickerson Pike Hermitage 11:55 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4600 block Lebanon Pike 11:55 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4600 block Lebanon Pike North 2:09 a.m., holdup/robbery, at 40th Avenue North and Indiana Avenue 7:43 a.m., residential burglary, 3500 block Standing Stone Drive 10:14 a.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Bellshire Terrace Drive Old Hickory 1:09 a.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Elliston Street Priest Lake 5:56 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3000 block Smith Springs Road 11:02 a.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Twin Circle Drive South 5:51 p.m., residential burglary, 1800 block Allison Place Trinity Hills 12:05 a.m., residential burglary, 500 block Vanderhorst Drive 3:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block East Nocturne Drive 3:25 p.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Ringgold Drive 8:51 p.m., residential burglary, 2700 block Old Matthews Road 11:46 p.m., residential burglary, 2600 block Combs Drive Tusculum 9:15 a.m., residential burglary, 200 block Highland Villa Circle Two Rivers 6:41 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2400 block Music Valley Drive West 5:42 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 800 block Bellevue Road 10:15 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Forrest Park Drive 5:06 p.m., holdup/robbery, 6300 block Charlotte Pike 11:33 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block 19th Avenue North

Mayor looks ahead with optimism

Tennessean Mayor Karl Dean, speaking at a Realtors gathering last week, evaluated the current state of affairs in Nashville and offered insight into the future. He spoke on education, recycling, the fairgrounds, the Sounds, the department of water and sewer, the convention center, property taxes, mass transit and corporate relocation. Other than that, he didn't have much to say. In spite of the bad news nationally, Nashville is holding its own, and it will be a city on the move in 2009. Here's what was on the mayor's mind: >> The Sounds are under new ownership, and the mayor says the owners are committed to improving the experience for the fans. For any that have attended a Sounds game lately, anything less painful than a root canal would be an improvement, but Dean told the group that the owner would be investing well over a million dollars in improvements to the current stadium while working to rebuild trust with Nashville's baseball fans before searching for a location to build a new facility. >> Education is an enormous issue for Realtors selling homes in Davidson County. and there is good news on that front. Dean explained in some detail the New Teacher Project along with the Teach for America program. He also spoke on the subject of charter schools and the need for more. And he talked about the work his office is doing to increase after-school programs for middle school students. This was especially welcome news as many considering relocating to Nashville consider the public education system a high priority. >> The mayor said there would be a slight increase in the water and sewer bills in the near future in order to accommodate for replacement of deteriorated pipes and allow for growth. It has been years since there has been an increase, and while this one may seem ill-timed, it is necessary in order to maintain our city's infrastructure, protect the environment and ensure we continue to have plenty of safe, clean drinking water. >> As for the fairgrounds, there are a number of positive enterprises that bring revenues to Nashville's coffers flourishing there, such as Christmas Village and the flea market; however, the neighbors are concerned about the noise generated from the racing activities. While the fair has not been profitable as of late, according to Chrysty Fortner, the director of marketing of the state fair, the "entire experience for the state fair is being reinvented.'' >> For the first time in 14 years, reappraisal will occur during a down market, and the mayor feels that there may be more property owners contesting their appraisals than in prior years. >> While there are several relocations headed to the area and recruitment of new business remains a priority, Paul Ney, the director of the Mayor's Office of Economic and Community Development, also in attendance, noted that growing existing companies in Nashville is less costly and more productive than bidding for some of the larger, more celebrated corporate relocations. He added that while some companies move into adjacent counties, Nashville continues to receive more than its share of corporate relocations. >> As for recycling, plans are underway to expand the programs into the outlying areas of Davidson County and to incorporate more flexibility in the program. In another environmentally friendly development, the Regional Transit Authority is active in establishing mass transit between Davidson and surrounding counties, and the mayors from those counties are all aboard for the introduction of the necessary state legislation for this region to move forward with a mass transit system. >> Plans for a new convention center downtown have landed the woman's Final Four from the NCAA. The center has 85,000 rooms booked and the ground is yet to be broken. It is proving to be a viable enterprise as the city competes for tourists and their cash.

Sex offenders face stricter rules under new law

Another change will put doctors, lawyers on juries By Lucas L. Johnson II • ASSOCIATED PRESS • December 31, 2008 Sex offenders will face tougher restrictions and professionals will no longer be exempt from jury duty under two of the new Tennessee laws that take effect on New Year's Day. The sex offender law attempts to bring the state more in line with the "Adam Walsh Act," the sweeping federal law named after the murdered 6-year-old son of America's Most Wanted host John Walsh. Signed in 2006, the Walsh act requires states to adopt strict standards for registering sex offenders and provide public information about their crimes and whereabouts. States that fail to do so risk a 10 percent cut to their share of funds in a congressional grant program used to fight crime. The new Tennessee law requires a sex offender to register within 48 hours with the appropriate law enforcement agency after being released from a nursing home, assisted- living facility or mental health institution. It also requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to verify an offender's death by obtaining a copy of death certificate, checking the Social Security death index, or obtaining a copy of an accident report before removing the offender from the registry. "Tennessee will nearly be in complete compliance with the national standards with these additions," said TBI spokeswoman Kristin Helm. "The last portion remaining to be passed is in regards to the juvenile portion of the registry." Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle said the law is necessary for the welfare of the state's children. "I'm pleased that we were able to put in place another layer of protection for Tennessee's children," said the Memphis Democrat. Also on Thursday, some laws governing juries, jurors and judicial commissions will change. Professionals such as doctors and lawyers, who were once automatically exempt from jury duty or required to perform only limited service, will no longer be exempt. However, the law does make exceptions for hardship cases. Law focuses on voting" It puts us all in the same jury selection pool," said David Haines, general counsel for the Administrative Office of the Courts. Other new laws are aimed at stiffening the penalty for drunken driving and boosting confidence in the election process. The DUI law increases the punishment for vehicular assault and vehicular homicide if a child is injured or killed as a result of drunken driving. And the voting law — called the "Tennessee Voter Confidence Act" — requires any voting machine bought or leased after Jan. 1 to be able to create a paper trail that could be used in recounts and random audits. A report released last year by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations showed only two of Tennessee's 95 counties keep a paper trail of voters' ballots. The report recommended all counties adopt the practice.

Nashville to hold own inaugural ball

Black-tie gala will help local groups By Michael Cass • THE TENNESSEAN • December 31, 2008 When an estimated 1 million people pack Washington, D.C., for Barack Obama's presidential inauguration in three weeks, a few hundred will celebrate at Nashville's own inaugural ball. For $100 each, they'll get food, musical performances, dancing, photo opportunities and the satisfaction of making 2009 a little easier for some Nashvillians. Proceeds will be donated to youth sports, job training and religious groups in Davidson County. The Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, hopes the event will raise enough money to give each group up to $5,000. "It's a chance for Nashville not to wait for Washington to come and bail us out," said Fuzz. "We knew it could really be something to help Nashville." Obama, a Democrat from Illinois, will be inaugurated at 11 a.m. Central time on Jan. 20. Every inauguration day features numerous balls honoring the new president and vice president and their families. Fuzz and other organizers are hoping to draw 750 people to their 7 p.m. event at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel. Asked if he worried that the $100 price tag might make it difficult for some people to attend the black-tie event, Fuzz said there would be other celebrations around town for those people. He hopes it won't be heavily partisan — though there will be a dance called the "Music City U.S.A. Obama Slide." Ralph Schulz, president and chief executive officer of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, is a Republican. But he said it's important for everyone to pull together, so he joined the host committee. "It's a new president, and he's the president of all of us." Information is available at http://www.volunteernashville.com. The New Hope Foundation, a sponsor of the ball, is selling tickets at www.newhope-foundation.org Contact Michael Cass at 259-8838 or mcass@tennessean.com.

Davidson County crime log for Dec. 18-20, 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. Dec. 20 Antioch 6:12 a.m., residential burglary, 5100 block Hickory Hollow Parkway 2:27 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5200 block Hickory Hollow Parkway 5:30 p.m., rape, at Hickory Park Drive 7:33 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Murfreesboro Pike 11:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5200 block Hickory Hollow Parkway Bellshire 10:46 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Bell Grimes Lane Bordeaux 1:16 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Lunn Court 3:40 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Buena Vista Pike Central 12:02 a.m., rape, at Church Street 7:47 a.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Ninth Avenue North Crieve Hall 4:36 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5600 block Franklin Road Circle 12:28 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5600 block Franklin Road Circle Donelson 6:39 a.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Trails End Lane East 4:17 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 900 block Joseph Avenue 10:22 a.m., residential burglary, 1900 block Berkshire Drive 2:53 p.m., residential burglary, 2800 block Brunswick Drive 5:19 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Douglas Avenue 9:21 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 3400 block Dickerson Pike 9:53 p.m., shooting, 3400 block Dickerson Pike Hermitage 3:16 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3400 block Lebanon Pike Madison 3:23 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block Crestview Drive 10:30 a.m., residential burglary, 1800 block Spring Branch Drive 12:30 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 300 block East Webster Street 3:44 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Heritage Drive 6:04 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Madison Square 6:45 p.m., shooting, 700 block Walnut Street 7:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block North Gallatin Pike North 9:07 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2100 block Rosa L Parks Boulevard 9:16 a.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Eaglewood Lane 12:16 p.m., residential burglary, 2000 block 15th Avenue North 9:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Great Circle Road 10:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Great Circle Road 11:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2000 block Rosa L Parks Boulevard Old Hickory 3:11 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Rayon Drive Priest Lake 2:31 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2900 block Murfreesboro Pike 3:06 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2900 block Murfreesboro Pike South 2:26 a.m., shooting, 3000 block Hamilton Church Road 3:43 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Rosedale Avenue 10:29 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Mt. View Road Trinity Hills 12:34 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block East Nocturne Drive 1:46 a.m., shooting, 1500 block Hampton Street 1:52 a.m., shooting, 1500 block Hampton Street 1:52 a.m., shooting, 1500 block Hampton Street Tusculum 2:27 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4600 block Nolensville Road West 4:57 p.m., holdup/robbery, 7600 block Highway 70 South Woodbine 4:01 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Elysian Fields Road 4:57 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2900 block Nolensville Road Dec. 19 Antioch 12:14 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Murfreesboro Pike 1:22 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 900 block Richards Road 3:04 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2400 block Murfreesboro Pike 7:26 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Arbor Place Bordeaux 11:43 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Buena Vista Pike Central 2:55 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 300 block Peabody Street 4:24 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 300 block 10th Avenue South 5:21 a.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Broadway 6:59 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block First Avenue North Charlotte Park 12:19 p.m., residential burglary, 5800 block Leslie Avenue 2:45 p.m., residential burglary, 5800 block Leslie Avenue 5:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 6400 block Thunderbird Drive 5:24 p.m., holdup/robbery, 6400 block Thunderbird Drive Donelson 1:14 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Williamsburg Drive 7:19 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Lebanon Pike East 4:34 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Chickasaw Avenue 7:10 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Gallatin Avenue 8:48 a.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block South Seventh Street 11:35 a.m., rape, at Porter Avenue 5:59 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 200 block South 14th Street 10:12 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 600 block South 12th Street Hermitage 8:39 a.m., residential burglary, 2700 block Windcrest Trail 11:25 a.m., residential burglary, 800 block Gina Brooke Court 2:19 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Hermitage Avenue 2:57 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Cloudfalls Trace Joelton 5:14 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Union Hill Road Madison 1:38 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Pierce Road 10:06 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Anderson Lane Neelys Bend 11:56 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Neelys Bend Road North 5:11 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2800 block John A Merritt Boulevard 9:36 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Great Circle Road 9:39 a.m., rape, at Delaware Avenue 9:39 a.m., rape, at Delaware Avenue 3:30 p.m., residential burglary, 5300 block Illinois Avenue 4:17 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1700 block Cass Street 4:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1700 block Cass Street 6:53 p.m., residential burglary, 2000 block 10th Avenue North 8:50 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block Tempany Court 11:56 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Bellshire Terrace Drive Paragon Mills 4:04 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Harding Place 6:43 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4000 block Scotwood Drive Priest Lake 2:27 p.m., residential burglary, 1700 block Bakers Grove Road 4:52 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Carla Court 6:18 p.m., residential burglary, 2900 block Anderson Road South 2:06 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Plus Park Boulevard 2:14 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Haskell Drive 10:20 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Bell Road Trinity Hills 1:19 p.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Garrison Drive 1:37 p.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Roman Drive 1:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3900 block Crouch Drive Tusculum 1:19 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5700 block Nolensville Road West 7:39 a.m., residential burglary, 900 block Greerland Drive 7:54 a.m., residential burglary, 3500 block Lealand Lane 10:18 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 1300 block 24th Avenue South 6:09 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block Battlefield Drive 6:25 p.m., nonresidential burglary, at 16th Avenue North and Meharry Boulevard Woodbine 6:02 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3000 block Nolensville Road 8:01 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 2600 block Nolensville Road Dec. 18 Antioch 11:42 a.m., residential burglary, 900 block Split Oak Drive Bordeaux 10:01 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Alpine Park Avenue Central 9:26 a.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Opry Place 2:02 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Lafayette Street 8:34 p.m., rape, at James Robertson Parkway Charlotte Park 11:13 a.m., residential burglary, 5700 block Robertson Avenue East 10:29 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Gallatin Avenue 11:05 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 2600 block Pine Ridge Drive 2:11 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Fatherland Street 4:04 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Pennock Avenue 6:57 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block West Trinity Lane Hermitage 9:50 a.m., residential burglary, 300 block Griffin Place 2:54 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Kipling Drive 6:53 p.m., rape, at Frist Boulevard 7 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Scotts Creek Circle 7:14 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Bonnacroft Drive 11:30 p.m., residential burglary, 5900 block Old Hickory Boulevard Madison 9:27 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Liberty Lane 1:55 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block Heritage Circle 7:10 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block North Gallatin Pike 7:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block South Gallatin Pike North 5:14 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2600 block Jefferson Street 1:42 p.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Northbrook Drive 4:31 p.m., residential burglary, 2100 block 14th Avenue North 10:04 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1600 block Buchanan Street 11:03 p.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Bellshire Terrace Drive Priest Lake 10:27 a.m., residential burglary, 3400 block Anderson Road 10:27 a.m., residential burglary, 2900 block Cherry Hills Drive South 6:05 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Murfreesboro Pike 11:46 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1100 block Murfreesboro Pike 3:21 p.m., residential burglary, 2100 block Zermatt Avenue 5:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, at East Thompson Lane and Old Glenrose Avenue 11:12 p.m., holdup/robbery, 10 block East Thompson Lane Trinity Hills 6:37 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Troy Court Tusculum 4:36 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Brentwood Place Una 3:37 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Village Hills Drive West 12:48 a.m., shooting, 1200 block Medical Center Drive Whites Creek 6:57 a.m., residential burglary, 3000 block Ewingdale Drive Woodbine 12 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Redd Court

Cultural Arts Center celebrates Kwanzaa

The Village Cultural Arts Center will sponsor its Kwanzaa celebration on Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Nashville School of the Arts, 1250 Foster Ave. The annual event, in its 14th year, is considered one of the largest in Nashville. The celebration will include live entertainment by the Village Drum and Dance Ensemble, Found Movement Dance Company and other guests. Vendors will sell an array of multicultural items. Kwanzaa is an African-American and pan-African holiday that celebrates family, community and culture. It is celebrated Dec. 26-Jan. 1. The name is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits" in Swahili, a pan-African language that is the most widely spoken African language. GETTING THERE The Village Cultural Arts Center’s Kwanzaa celebration will be at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Nashville School of the Arts, 1250 Foster Ave. Doors open one hour before show. Cost is $12 for adults and $7 for youth 5-18 and those 60 and older. Call 228-9553.

Davidson County crime log from Dec. 15-17

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. Dec. 17 Antioch 6:33 p.m., residential burglary, 2500 block Johnson Ridge Road Bordeaux 10:37 a.m., residential burglary, 3000 block Buenaview Boulevard 4:04 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 4000 block Stewarts Lane 9:29 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Curtis Hill Court Central 12:07 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Commerce Street 2:20 p.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Delta Avenue 4:48 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 100 block Interstate Drive Donelson 2:43 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Niagara Drive 10:34 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 3400 block Percy Priest Drive East 12:07 a.m., residential burglary, 900 block Douglas Avenue 1:50 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block McGinnis Drive 7:01 p.m., residential burglary, 1800 block Rosebank Avenue 11:22 p.m., rape, at McGinnis Drive Hermitage 10:50 a.m., rape, at Murfreesboro Pike 2:27 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5200 block Old Hickory Boulevard Madison 6:17 a.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Walnut Street 4:58 p.m., residential burglary, 1700 block Heritage Glen Drive 6:39 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block South Gallatin Pike 6:56 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 200 block East Old Hickory Boulevard 9:07 p.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Coreland Drive Neelys Bend 8:02 a.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Neelys Bend Road 8:20 a.m., rape, at Cheyenne Boulevard North 12:11 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block 15th Avenue North Providence 8:37 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4900 block Edmondson Pike South 8:27 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1200 block Antioch Pike 3:07 p.m., residential burglary, 7300 block Campton Road 5:36 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Hickory Club Drive 8:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Bell Road Trinity Hills 1:32 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Monticello Drive and West Trinity Lane 2:02 p.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Crouch Drive Tusculum 9:28 a.m., residential burglary, 1100 block Brittany Park Lane 11:53 a.m., rape, at Nolensville Road 2 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Brittany Park Drive 3:04 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Benzing Road 8:55 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3900 block Apache Trail West 8:06 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1400 block Jo Johnston Avenue 10:43 a.m., holdup/robbery, 6300 block Charlotte Pike 6:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, 6300 block Charlotte Pike Whites Creek 9:22 a.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Woodpoint Drive Woodbine 5:46 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2900 block Sidco Drive 2 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Foster Avenue 6:23 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2900 block Nolensville Road 6:58 p.m., residential burglary, 2700 block Hartford Drive Dec. 16 Antioch 10:35 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Hickory Hollow Place 11:07 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2400 block Murfreesboro Pike 11:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Richards Road Berry Hill 1:20 a.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block West Iris Drive Bordeaux 2:29 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 3800 block Industrial Parkway 5:06 p.m., residential burglary, 2300 block Hockett Drive Central 9:11 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1700 block Jenkins Street Donelson 3:30 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 700 block Braidwood Drive 9:18 a.m., residential burglary, 700 block Kent Road 6:04 p.m., residential burglary, 3100 block Stafford Drive 10:42 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Woodcraft Court East 12:08 a.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Howard Avenue 4:57 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Douglas Avenue 4:58 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Main Street 5:57 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 2500 block Plum Street 6:54 p.m., residential burglary, 2300 block Fernwood Drive 7:12 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Ben Allen Road Hermitage 10:16 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1100 block Kermit Drive 10:57 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1100 block Kermit Drive 5:41 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 4400 block Gina Brooke Drive 11:07 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Murfreesboro Pike Joelton 7:52 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 5600 block Clarksville Pike Madison 12:38 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1900 block North Gallatin Pike 10:38 a.m., residential burglary, 200 block East Old Hickory Boulevard 9:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Myatt Drive North 8:59 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2600 block Jefferson Street 10:46 a.m., residential burglary, 1900 block 14th Avenue North 3:35 p.m., residential burglary, 1100 block Jennings Street 5:57 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Spears Road 10:34 p.m., shooting, 3200 block Creekwood Drive Old Hickory 3:17 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Ryburn Drive Paragon Mills 6:27 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Paragon Mills Road 11:42 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Eisenhower Drive Priest Lake 4:17 p.m., residential burglary, 3500 block Calais Circle South 7:35 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block 1st Avenue South Trinity Hills 8:42 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3600 block Buena Vista Pike 4:54 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Vanderhorst Drive 5:05 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block East Nocturne Drive Tusculum 11:58 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Bart Drive Two Rivers 10:42 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Opry Mills Drive West 12:22 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block West Bend Drive 2:07 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4300 block Harding Pike 2:13 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4300 block Harding Pike 2:30 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4700 block Charlotte Avenue 3:13 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 6400 block Charlotte Pike 3:47 p.m., residential burglary, 4700 block Belmont Park Terrace 4:08 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5400 block Charlotte Pike 4:58 p.m., residential burglary, 2900 block Torbett Street Woodbine 8:27 a.m., residential burglary, 3100 block Nolensville Road 1:24 p.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Thompson Lane Dec. 15 Antioch 5:37 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Cummings Court 4:29 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3200 block Clapham Road Bellshire 7:24 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3700 block Dickerson Pike 5:21 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3900 block Oxbow Drive Bordeaux 12:29 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3200 block Mexico Drive Central 1:08 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Hume Street Crieve Hall 2:53 p.m., residential burglary, 5500 block Hill Road Donelson 8:20 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2500 block Lebanon Pike 9:45 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Nelson Place East 4:17 a.m., residential burglary, 1700 block Meridian Street 7:08 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 500 block Foster Street 8:57 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1300 block Dickerson Pike 9 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block South Fourth Street 2:40 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Cahal Avenue 5:26 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4000 block Gallatin Pike 8:28 p.m., residential burglary, 2100 block Burns Street Hermitage 1:48 a.m., holdup/robbery, at Lewis Street and Lafayette Street 11:28 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 700 block Spence Lane 12:45 p.m., residential burglary, 5600 block Chestnutwood Trail 5:16 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Bonnabrook Drive 6:38 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Murfreesboro Pike Joelton 8:25 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 6500 block Clarksville Pike 10:27 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 6100 block Clarksville Pike Madison 9:32 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block May Drive North 11:35 a.m., residential burglary, 3400 block Gwen Drive 3:41 p.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Northbrook Drive 5:24 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Mainstream Drive 6:35 p.m., shooting, at Brickmont Drive and Moorewood Court Old Hickory 1:06 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Debow Street Paragon Mills 11:55 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block Jasmin Drive 5:30 p.m., residential burglary, 4700 block Reischa Drive Priest Lake 5:25 p.m., residential burglary, 4100 block Philhall Parkway 7:06 p.m., shooting, 2700 block Murfreesboro Pike South 9:39 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5000 block Harding Place 1:36 p.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Barnes Road 1:46 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2400 block Zermatt Avenue 2:57 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Zermatt Avenue 6:31 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Glenrose Avenue Trinity Hills 1:28 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2400 block Woodale Lane 10:46 a.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Crouch Drive 4:34 p.m., residential burglary, 3100 block Chateau Valley Drive Tusculum 1:24 p.m., residential burglary, 1100 block Brittany Park Lane Union Hill 4:20 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Weeping Willow Way West 8 a.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Clifton Lane 9:38 a.m., residential burglary, 700 block Hillwood Boulevard 12:14 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 2100 block Meharry Boulevard 2:19 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1400 block Hillside Avenue 5:27 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Meharry Boulevard 6:34 p.m., residential burglary, 7200 block Highway 70 South Whites Creek 2:16 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Brick Church Lane Woodbine 1:17 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Redd Court 11:20 a.m., residential burglary, 200 block Peachtree Street 9:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3900 block Nolensville Road

Holiday Greetings!

Happy Holidays to all and a Very Happy New Year to all! Thanks for following this blog and hope it has been informative. Best Wishes, Vivian Wilhoite and Mindy Schwartz

Nonprofit agency offers low-cost car loans

Housing group sees need for reliable transportation By Naomi Snyder • THE TENNESSEAN • December 25, 2008 Just as auto loans are harder to come by for people with credit problems, some Nashville residents now have a chance to get an automobile loan through a local nonprofit. Affordable Housing Resources has signed on with a national charitable program called Ways to Work that will provide used-car loans to Nashville residents who meet certain guidelines. "The need is just overwhelming for good reliable transportation at an affordable price," said Hunter Atkins, the president and chief executive of Bank of Nashville, who also is chairman of the board of Milwaukee-based Ways to Work. Affordable Housing Resources plans to give out 40 to 60 car loans during the next year in Nashville, where it already serves local residents by providing affordable housing. The group's chief executive officer, Eddie Latimer, said the organization realized it was having a tough time putting low-income people into houses because so many have expensive car loans. "People come in here with six or seven-year (used) car notes and there's no way the car is going to last that long,'' he said. "We're trying to help people into cars that are more affordable so they can get into a house." Transportation is first One of those people is Barbara Ewing, a 49-year-old who lives in public housing and takes care of a 19-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy. Ewing said she wants to own a home some day, but for now, she's concentrating on getting a car. Her nearly decade-old Hyundai needs a new transmission, which she can't afford. Ewing works for the city of Nashville monitoring special-needs children on city-owned buses. She gets to work at 5:30 a.m. and works until about 9 a.m., then goes home for a break before coming back to work about 1:30 p.m. for the afternoon bus rides. But getting to work and back has been tough. Her car almost stalled recently while trying to get on the interstate in front of a tractor-trailer. "That was a horrifying moment,'' she said. "I thought, 'I definitely need reliable transportation.' " Ewing got approved for a car loan through Affordable Housing Resources. The group offers up to $4,000 loans on used cars at 8 percent interest for two years. Latimer said they wanted to keep interest costs low, so they are limiting loans to two years. The average interest auto lenders are offering for a three-year loan is 7.10 percent nationally, according to bankrate.com. But that rate normally goes to customers with good credit. Affordable Housing Resources will offer loans to people with a few dings on their credit report. Program requirements Applicants must have a job or go to school and be caring for a child. They must live in Davidson County and make about 80 percent or less of the median income in the county, depending on the number of people in the household. The median household income in Davidson County was $44,486 in 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. There are other requirements, as well, including 15-hour financial literacy training. Atkins said 38 organizations in the country offer Ways to Work loans, but Nashville is the first for Tennessee. He expects other organizations in other counties will begin offering the loans in the next year or two. For more information, contact Tony Higginbotham at Affordable Housing Resources at 615-251-0025, ext. 270.

Metro may curb its bottled water

Mayor, councilman ask departments to cut back By Michael Cass • THE TENNESSEAN • December 25, 2008 Those ubiquitous plastic water bottles soon will be seen a little less around the Metro Courthouse. Mayor Karl Dean has decided that the mayor's office will stop buying bottled water after Metro Councilman Mike Jameson led the charge for legislation asking all city departments to take that step. "Councilman Jameson made a good point," Dean said in a statement. "We've decided to stop purchasing bottled water and only serve tap water in the office. And Metro water is great, so it was a no-brainer." Whether Dean's example will inspire other Metro departments to follow suit remains to be seen. The resolution sponsored by Jameson and council members Emily Evans and Jason Holleman wouldn't force anybody to do anything; it would simply ask all departments "to stop purchasing, consuming and serving bottled water." The council postponed a vote on the measure Tuesday after an attorney representing bottled-water interests called some council members, Jameson said. The attorney, John Gupton, couldn't be reached for comment. Councilman Rip Ryman, who asked for the deferral, said he didn't hear from Gupton, but he wasn't sure why the measure was necessary. "I haven't seen anything yet about what it costs," Ryman said. Jameson said the resolution was driven by both financial and environmental concerns. Most 20-ounce bottles cost at least $1, more than the equivalent volume of gas. But just 88 cents buys 328 gallons of tap water from Metro Water Services. Sonia Harvat, a Water Services spokeswoman, said city water is tested more than 300 times a day and meets all state and federal requirements. Costs of bottled water varies Jameson estimated that Metro spends $30,000 to $40,000 a year on bottled water. He said the sink in the council's break room is just three feet from the refrigerator that the Metro Clerk's office spends about $600 a year to keep stocked with bottled water for council members. "It's an extravagance," he said. Janel Lacy, a spokeswoman for Dean, said she wasn't able to provide a breakdown of the mayor's office's bottled water costs because purchases for water and other beverages are combined on invoices. Other departments' costs vary. The health department spends about $700 a year, a spokesman said, while the school district has spent nearly $3,600 over the past 12 months. But Metro Public Works sends its work crews out with large orange coolers filled with tap water, spokeswoman Gwen Hopkins-Glascock said. Public Works averages about $200 a year for bottled water to use for special events like employee cookouts, receptions for board and commission members, etc. Jameson said bottled water hurts the environment in several ways. Trucks burn fossil fuels as they bring it to the city from other states. The petroleum-based bottles take an estimated 1,000 years to biodegrade. And the vast majority of them wind up in landfills rather than recycling centers. The U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution in July encouraging cities to phase out their use of bottled water. The resolution said up to 40 percent of it comes from municipal water systems

Man killed in condo blaze near mall

A man has died in a Nashville condo fire. Police identified the body as Galen Thomas Cope, 26. He was found in the charred remains of the building Wednesday morning at the Bell Forge condos near Hickory Hollow Mall. A roof and the second floor of the condo collapsed. Firefighters kept the blaze from spreading to other units. Police said the cause of the fire is undetermined, but wood had been burning in the fireplace earlier. The body was identified through dental records. STAFF REPORTS - Tennessean

Davidson County crime log for Dec. 11-14, 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. Dec. 14 Antioch 12:16 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5100 block Rice Road 9:12 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Evanfield Court Central 2:51 a.m., holdup/robbery, at First Avenue South and Demonbreun Street 10:51 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Jefferson Street Crieve Hall 9:21 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Baxter Lane Donelson 6:38 a.m., residential burglary, 8100 block Stewarts Ferry Parkway 11:39 a.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Airways Circle East 12:05 a.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Dickerson Pike 1:58 a.m., residential burglary, 500 block Lischey Avenue 3:22 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Ewing Drive 7:33 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Wilburn Street 9:32 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block Ardee Avenue Hermitage 1:26 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Murfreesboro Pike Neelys Bend 11 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Sanitarium Road North 9:33 a.m., shooting, 3600 block Village Trail 11:12 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 300 block Ewing Drive 3:19 p.m., shooting, 1800 block 14th Avenue North 7:06 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Spears Road 10:05 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Due West Avenue North Priest Lake 7:39 p.m., residential burglary, 2900 block Harbour View Drive South 12:54 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 6600 block Sugar Valley Drive 11:32 a.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Antioch Pike 3:43 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Space Park South Drive 10:40 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Murfreesboro Pike Trinity Hills 6:24 a.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Adlai Street 2:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2800 block Nocturne Forest Drive Tusculum 12:07 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Ocala Drive 4:04 p.m., residential burglary, 5300 block Edmondson Pike Vinehill 12:12 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block Wedgewood Avenue West 5:13 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block Hillwood Boulevard 5:58 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1900 block West End Avenue 5:59 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4500 block Charlotte Avenue 10:16 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2100 block Green Hills Village Drive 11 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 6200 block Charlotte Pike 5:26 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Gen. George Patton Road 6:53 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5500 block Charlotte Pike 11:55 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 2200 block Elliston Place Woodbine 1:20 a.m., residential burglary, 2500 block Rascoe Road Dec. 13 Antioch 2:11 p.m., residential burglary, 2500 block Johnson Ridge Road Bellshire 3:32 p.m., residential burglary, 1100 block Hunters Lane Belmont 7:06 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Bate Avenue Bordeaux 6:32 p.m., residential burglary, 4100 block Ashland City Highway East 6:52 a.m., residential burglary, 200 block Grizzard Avenue 9:05 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2100 block Greenwood Avenue 11:09 a.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Pennock Avenue 1:30 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block North Second Street 2:49 p.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Gallatin Avenue 5:33 p.m., residential burglary, 2800 block Dickerson Pike 7:06 p.m., shooting, 500 block South Sixth Street 9:58 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block Dickerson Pike 11:19 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Jones Circle and Queen Avenue Hermitage 1:21 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 900 block Murfreesboro Pike Joelton 6:43 p.m., residential burglary, 2100 block Union Hill Road Madison 1:14 a.m., residential burglary, 500 block Heritage Drive 10:17 a.m., residential burglary, 700 block Walnut Street 7:01 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Rivergate Parkway 7:10 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block North Gallatin Pike 7:52 p.m., shooting, 300 block Rio Vista Drive 9:30 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block North Gallatin Pike North 4 p.m., residential burglary, 2000 block Ninth Avenue North 4:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3000 block Brick Church Pike 7:54 p.m., residential burglary, 1700 block 11th Avenue North 10:22 p.m., residential burglary, 3500 block Standing Stone Drive Priest Lake 8:06 p.m., residential burglary, 3400 block Anderson Road 8:33 p.m., hazardous leak, 3200 block Luann Drive South 5:24 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Mt. View Road Tusculum 12:12 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4600 block Packard Drive 7:05 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4600 block Nolensville Road 10:15 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5700 block Nolensville Road 1:24 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4600 block Packard Drive Union Hill 12:42 p.m., residential burglary, 1700 block Springfield Highway West 4:32 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1900 block West End Avenue 8:53 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2300 block Elliston Place 2:23 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 1200 block Medical Center Drive 6:07 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2100 block Green Hills Village Drive 7:06 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Horton Avenue 9:46 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1100 block 16th Avenue South Woodbine 11:24 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Nolensville Road Dec. 12 Antioch 12:44 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Sandia Peak Court 1:10 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 4600 block Fanning Drive 3:10 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Bell Road 5:04 p.m., residential burglary, 2500 block Johnson Ridge Road Bakertown 10:58 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Antioch Pike Belmont 12:07 p.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Linden Avenue Berry Hill 10:06 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Franklin Road Bordeaux 5:31 p.m., residential burglary, 3800 block West Hamilton Road Central 12:52 a.m., holdup/robbery, 10 block Interstate Drive 4:11 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Union Street 7:12 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Second Avenue North 8:16 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Eighth Avenue South Cockrill Bend 5:01 a.m., holdup/robbery, 7200 block Cockrill Bend Boulevard Donelson 6:56 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Donelson Pike 7:43 a.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Ellery Court 10:11 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3100 block Lebanon Pike East 11:48 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block North 16th Street 12:37 p.m., residential burglary, 2100 block Fernwood Drive 4:17 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3100 block Dickerson Pike 4:20 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Joseph Avenue 4:28 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block North Second Street 5:09 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Sylvan Street 5:25 p.m., residential burglary, 3700 block Cedarwood Drive Goodlettsville 5:47 p.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Rivergate Parkway Joelton 10:36 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 20 block Joelton Community Center Road Madison 8:07 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Shannon Avenue 2:12 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Nesbitt Lane 11:59 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2000 block Williams Valley Drive Neelys Bend 9:59 a.m., rape, at Sandy Spring Trail North 5:22 p.m., residential burglary, 3400 block Fawnwood Place 5:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Great Circle Road 7:26 p.m., residential burglary, 3400 block Fawnwood Place 8:56 p.m., residential burglary, 1700 block Underwood Street 9:38 p.m., shooting, at Clarksville Pike and 26th Avenue North 9:41 p.m., shooting, 2400 block 25th Avenue North 11:38 p.m., shooting, 2200 block 26th Avenue North Paragon Mills 8:28 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Paragon Mills Road Providence 8:45 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Watsonwood Drive South 7:12 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2100 block Nolensville Road 9:34 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 500 block Bell Road 1:11 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Call Hill Place 5:19 p.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Blairfield Drive Trinity Hills 7:48 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block East Nocturne Drive 8:46 a.m., residential burglary, 300 block West Trinity Lane Tusculum 5:53 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 5700 block Nolensville Road West 10:03 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 7000 block Charlotte Pike 12:23 p.m., rape, at Edgehill Avenue 12:54 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block 28th Avenue North 1:11 p.m., residential burglary, 2900 block Westmoreland Drive 2:40 p.m., rape, at Albion Street 9:15 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block 22nd Avenue North 10:32 p.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Clifton Lane Woodbine 9:58 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3600 block Trousdale Drive Dec. 11 Antioch 10:31 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 5200 block Hickory Hollow Parkway Belmont 4:46 a.m., shooting, 800 block Bradford Avenue 4:47 a.m., shooting, 800 block Glen Avenue Bordeaux 10:56 a.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Dove Place Donelson 6:54 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Quail View Drive East 1:11 a.m., residential burglary, 10 block Fern Avenue 3:35 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3400 block Dickerson Pike 6:06 a.m., residential burglary, 10 block Fern Avenue 11:08 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3200 block Gallatin Pike 2:36 p.m., rape, at Stratford Avenue 2:42 p.m., rape, at Stratford Avenue 3:13 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Hart Avenue 4:14 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Eastmoreland Street 5:43 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Dickerson Pike 5:55 p.m., rape, at Stratford Avenue 5:56 p.m., residential burglary, 2200 block Carter Avenue 9:11 p.m., rape, at Rosedale Avenue Hermitage 8:59 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3600 block Central Pike 6:10 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Saddlestone Drive 7:19 p.m., holdup/robbery, 10 block Fairfield Avenue Joelton 2:28 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Ivey Point Road Madison 10:16 a.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block South Gallatin Pike 1:37 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block North Gallatin Pike 1:42 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block North Gallatin Pike Neelys Bend 3:05 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Cheyenne Boulevard North 7:39 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Clarksville Pike 8:41 a.m., residential burglary, 2100 block 15th Avenue North 4:40 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block 45th Avenue North 5:58 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Tiger Circle Old Hickory 12:25 p.m., shooting, 4800 block Smokey Drive Priest Lake 11:42 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3000 block Smith Springs Road 6:31 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Bell Road Tusculum 11:25 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 5700 block Nolensville Road 12:45 p.m., residential burglary, 4500 block Packard Drive 3 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 300 block Colemont Terrace 8:01 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Haywood Lane Two Rivers 3:43 p.m., rape, at McGavock Pike West 12:19 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2200 block Bandywood Drive 7:13 p.m., residential burglary, 9500 block Highway 100 8:03 p.m., holdup/robbery, at 11th Avenue South and Edgehill Avenue Woodbine 3 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4000 block Nolensville Road 6:57 a.m., residential burglary, 300 block Coventry Drive

Stewarts Ferry Pike upgraded

TDOT tries Design-Build method for project By Andy Humbles • THE TENNESSEAN • December 17, 2008 Work will start on improvements to the Stewarts Ferry Pike and Interstate 40 interchange that will include a new traffic signal for the westbound off ramp. Other elements of the Tennessee Department of Transportation project include adding a right turn lane to the westbound off ramp that will result in dedicated right and left turn lanes. Also, the existing left turn lane for the westbound ramp is being extended, and about 1,000 feet of Stewarts Ferry Pike will be resurfaced. The project is also the first being done by TDOT in Middle Tennessee under the Design-Build method. Design-Build is a project in which the design and construction are going on virtually simultaneously to speed up completion time, said TDOT spokeswoman B.J. Doughty. "This is a relatively small project for us to get our feet wet,'' Doughty said. "It's something we're looking at.'' The Design-Build method could cut six months off the timeline for the Stewarts Ferry and I-40 project, Doughty estimated, than if done by the more standard construction method of design first, followed by construction. Communication needed LoJac is the contractor for the project. More communication between the contractor and design firm will be necessary, said Lojac's Glenn Chambers. Challenges are "understanding the process of parts we're not usually a part of and making sure we get the checklist of things to do, done,'' Chambers said. TDOT will evaluate doing other select projects with the Design-Build method. "It may be a way to do a few projects, but not every one,'' Doughty said. "But it could be a great benefit to a project like this, where there isn't a lot to it, and it is a heavy traffic area where there may be great benefit in shortening the construction time.'' Completion is targeted for mid-April, Doughty said. She estimated the Design-Build method will shorten the project by about six months. The projected cost for the Stewarts Ferry and I-40 work is $649,445. The way a Design-Build project is paid for will be different than one done traditionally. Hopes are that potentially greater costs in the bidding process can be offset by quicker completion time, Doughty said. "That is an analysis TDOT will have to make as we do a few projects,'' she said. "It's a mess'' The improvements themselves will be welcome according to Hermitage residents Homer "Hop'' Hopkins and his wife, Deta Hopkins, who sometimes use the Stewarts Ferry Pike interchange at I-40. The east side ramp already has a traffic light. "I think it will be wonderful if they put in a light,'' Deta Hopkins said. "People get off (I-40) at Stewarts Ferry, and if you make a left turn it takes a long time. Even if you turn right, it's not (a) clear (view), and there are cars coming at you. It's a mess. There is going to be a fatality there soon.'' Hop Hopkins believed "anything they can do to help traffic flow,'' with the growth occurring and predicted, especially with the Villages of Riverwood project now near Dodson Chapel and Hoggett Ford roads. Any lane closures will be between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. only, though work can be done outside those hours. The westbound off ramp will be narrowed from 16 feet wide to about 12 feet when a barrier rail is put in place, which could create longer delays during peak traffic hours. Metro is also planning to follow up TDOT's work by repaving Stewarts Ferry Pike from the I-40 bridge to Lebanon Pike, about 1.788 miles. That work is anticipated to begin in May, said Metro Public Works spokeswoman Gwen Hopkins-Glascock.

Police set weekend DUI checkpoints

DAVIDSON COUNTYMetro police officers, including those working extra duty through a Governor's Highway Safety Office grant, will be conducting sobriety checkpoints from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday on Gallatin Pike near Madison, Lebanon Pike near Hermitage, Murfreesboro Pike near Bell Road, and Nolensville Pike near Thompson Lane. These extra-duty officers charged 42 people with DUI last weekend in the police depart-ment's continuing DUI initiative. These officers target impaired drivers from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. in areas known to have crime, fatal crashes and DUI arrests. — STAFF REPORTS (Tennessean)

State departments get budget-cutting orders

Official orders multi-stage plans By Theo Emery • THE TENNESSEAN • December 18, 2008 State departments received new budget-cutting instructions this week, starting the clock on plans to reduce spending across many areas of government by as much as 20 percent. In a letter to agency heads and budget officers on Monday, Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz asked departments to prepare a multi-stage plan to reduce spending in response to falling state revenues, now estimated to be under projections by as much as $1 billion this year, and possibly $1 billion again next year. Goetz asked departments to first draw up a two-tiered plan to reduce spending by about 15 percent by Dec. 30. The first tier of reductions would be roughly 8 percent. The second tier of about 7 percent would be in case no federal aid is forthcoming to ease the state's budget crunch. After Dec. 30, departments must put together still another plan to cut 5 percent more, in case the state's financial situation deteriorates further. Most departments, but not all, will see cuts. Spending on K-12 education will not be cut, nor will scholarships and other awards from the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation; salaries and benefits of judges, lawmakers and district attorneys general; Cover Tennessee health programs; and a few other areas.

Auto Theft/Warming-Up Vehicles

December 17, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Auto Theft detectives today arrested four teenagers suspected of stealing at least 14 vehicles from neighborhoods in Hermitage, South Nashville and LaVergne that were left to warm up by their owners. Darius Collins, 19, of North 5th Street, Keith Potter, 18, of McKeige Drive, Thomas Gooch, 18, of Luann Court, and a 16-year-old were taken into custody without incident at Potter’s home. Outside the residence were two vehicles that had recently been stolen from LaVergne. After interviewing the suspects this afternoon, Auto Theft detectives determined that the four are responsible for a recent rash of stolen vehicles. They would ride through neighborhoods and apartment complexes in the early morning hours looking for cars and trucks that had been left unlocked and running. They would steal the vehicles, joyride in them for a few days, and then abandon them. Several were left at Rutherford Pointe Apartments in LaVergne. All four suspects will be charged with multiple counts of auto theft. “The Auto Theft Unit did an outstanding job identifying and arresting these teenagers, who had no intention of cutting back on their thievery,” Chief Ronal Serpas said. The Metropolitan Police Department strongly cautions citizens not to abandon vehicles as they warm up, and to not leave running vehicles unattended outside convenience stores and other businesses. Doing so makes things very easy for auto thieves. Officer Troy Meadows Hermitage Precinct Community Affairs Unit Metro-Nashville Police Department Phone 880-1781

Hermitage Precinct Newsletter Dec 2008

Our newsletter and our Top Ten Most Wanted List may be viewed at the below link. http://www.police.nashville.org/bureaus/fieldops/hermitage/default.htm

Metro schools avoid layoffs, but $4M more in cuts expected

Shortfall could mean loss of jobs next go-round By Jaime Sarrio • THE TENNESSEAN • December 16, 2008 Metro schools will trim $3 million from its budget by freezing job openings, cutting money for band uniforms and tightening the belt on travel and spending. But board members say it won't be enough to plug the $12 million shortfall caused by slow sales tax collections. An additional $4 million probably will have to be cut from the $622.7 million budget in January, and that could mean layoffs, something officials were able to avoid this time around. "We're not having to lay anybody off and that's a great thing," said board member Steve Glover, chairman of the budget and finance committee. "At some point, if we have to keep reducing the budget, we're going to get into existing positions." Metro schools will pull $5 million from reserves to make up the remainder of the shortfall. Next year's picture looks worse and the board may have to pull $28 million from savings to keep the district afloat, Glover said. Districts across the state and the nation are bracing for cuts. In Louisville, Ky., board members are considering hundreds of job cuts and bus route reductions to offset a $45 million shortfall next year. In Las Vegas, officials are slashing 1,000 jobs and trimming athletic programs by 15 percent. In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the Broward County school board is seeking an unlikely $500 million bailout from the federal government. Metro schools has pulled $19.2 million from savings this year to maintain services. State law requires districts to keep 3 percent of their budget in a rainy-day fund. This round of reductions hits several departments, including gifted education services to special education supervisors. Many of the positions that won't be filled are at the central office and are clerical. The next round will be more difficult as the district tries to improve academics, said Interim Schools Director Chris Henson, whose permanent job is the district's financial director. The state has partial control in Metro because the district failed to meet benchmarks for five years. "Anything that comes close to the classroom may not impact the classroom directly, but it may impact it indirectly," he said. "We're trying to stay as far away from the classroom as we can." Henson said the district may enact a spending freeze, and has already instructed employees to be frugal with travel. Where the money goes Last month the district announced a $6 million savings thanks to a preliminary hiring freeze, but it had to shell out more for some services to address academic deficiencies and other concerns. These include: >> $2.8 million for monitors on special education buses, at the mayor's urging. >> $1.5 million for 29 new English Language Learning teachers to accommodate the state's direction and the district's growing foreign-language-speaking population. >> $270,000 for 14 more special education teachers to address low performance among some students. >> $1.3 million to hire assistant principals at high-priority schools, which board members say is linked to the state directives. Michael Holt, a parent of three Metro graduates, believes the district should take a look at consolidating city and schools services, such as libraries and maintenance, and cutting what he sees as excessive programs, such as the PALS initiative, which pairs full-time mentors with new teachers. Holt said the board should appoint a committee of business leaders and community members to determine how to make the district more efficient. "The only people ever threatened with layoff are janitors — and that's not where the real savings are," he said. "They need to stop trying to nourish their empire."

Donations help agency assist mentally ill

By Natalia Mielczarek • THE TENNESSEAN • December 16, 2008 Season to Give: Part of a continuing series It's not unusual for Barbara Adams to hear her brother laugh and giggle. Until five years ago, it happened rarely, she said. That's because until then, her brother — who's mentally disabled and nonverbal — lived in a large facility for mentally ill where he was mistreated, Adams said. Since William Lucas, 55, moved to a group home run by a nonprofit called Waves Inc., his quality of life has improved drastically, Adams said. She visits Lucas in his Fairview apartment at least twice a week. "He'll give you hugs," Adams said. "He's more outgoing, so we can notice changes. Before he wouldn't do anything with you. He was withdrawn. His caretakers treat him like he's a king. It makes me feel great." Waves Inc., with locations in Fairview and Franklin, offers a wide range of services to people and children with developmental disabilities: from housing with constant supervision and assistance to day activities for adults and an early childhood intervention program. It also links clients with employers and helps them find volunteering opportunities. Waves Inc. is largely funded by the state, said Beth Duning, the agency's director of adult services. "The funding generally isn't enough, so we rely on volunteers and donations," she said. "Without them, the quality of our services would clearly drop. Their quality of life would change." Contact Natalia Mielczarek at 615-259-8079 or nmielczarek@tennessean.com.

2 sought in S. Nashville home invasion

Metro police are searching for two armed suspects in a home invasion at an apartment complex overnight in South Nashville. According to Metro police, the two victims, a 19-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man, were inside their apartment at a complex on 309 Redd Court, off of Nolensville Road near McNally Drive, when someone knocked on the unlocked door shortly before 1:30 a.m. Monday. Two armed suspects entered and ordered the couple into a closet. The suspects fled with a TV, a laptop, speakers, cash and jewelry. No one was injured in the incident. The suspects were described as the following: a black man, 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a black jacket, blue bandana and braids and carrying a handgun; and a black man, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a black hoodie and blue bandana and also carrying a handgun. "There is not evidence at this time that it was a targeted apartment," Metro police Capt. Michele Donegan said. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call police at 74-CRIME or call the South Precinct, 5101 Harding Place, at 615-862-7744. — LEIGH RAY

Davidson County crime log from Dec. 8-10

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. Dec. 10 Antioch 11:28 a.m., residential burglary, 500 block Barclay Square Court 6:18 p.m., residential burglary, 5100 block Mt. View Road 6:54 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Dover Glen Drive Belmont 3:54 p.m., residential burglary, 1800 block Primrose Avenue Bordeaux 1:41 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3200 block Hinkle Drive 8:49 p.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Creekwood Circle Charlotte Park 8:25 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 600 block James Avenue East 4:23 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Eastmoreland Street 5:54 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Lucile Street 6:21 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block Russell Street 7:06 p.m., residential burglary, 2300 block Fernwood Drive 7:39 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Woodland Street 10:27 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block South 11th Street Hermitage 8:07 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1400 block Elm Hill Pike 9:26 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1400 block Lebanon Pike 10:11 p.m., rape, at Murfreesboro Pike and Hickory Woods Madison 9:20 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Moving Center Court 12:14 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Nesbitt Lane 2:03 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Roosevelt Avenue 5:37 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block North Dupont Avenue Neelys Bend 12:31 p.m., residential burglary, 2000 block Candlewood Drive 12:33 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Neelys Bend Road 2:14 p.m., residential burglary, 2000 block Candlewood Drive 2:19 p.m., residential burglary, 2100 block Candlebrook Court 4:15 p.m., residential burglary, 2100 block Candlebrook Court 4:51 p.m., residential burglary, 2000 block Candlewood Drive 5:16 p.m., residential burglary, 2100 block Freeman Lane 9:22 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Cheyenne Boulevard 10:25 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block Cheyenne Boulevard North 10:56 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block Cato Ridge Lane 9:50 p.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Due West Avenue North Priest Lake 11:43 a.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Autumn Drive South 5:08 a.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Park South Court 9:17 a.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Murfreesboro Pike 1:23 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Hill Avenue 1:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Little Hamilton Avenue 5:04 p.m., residential burglary, 1700 block Enclave Circle Trinity Hills 10:20 a.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Dubois Drive 6:08 p.m., residential burglary, 2600 block Combs Drive Tusculum 12:30 a.m., holdup/robbery, at Nolensville Road and Ocala Drive Union Hill 8:57 p.m., residential burglary, 2300 block Baker Road West 9:46 a.m., holdup/robbery, 6000 block Highway 100 2:45 p.m., nonresidential burglary, at 22nd Avenue North and Elliston Place 2:52 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1900 block West End Avenue 3:26 p.m., residential burglary, 8200 block Sawyer Brown Road 4:23 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Gen George Patton Road 5:40 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Gen George Patton Road 9:30 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 1500 block Demonbreun Street 10:18 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1900 block West End Avenue Woodbine 5:03 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Neese Drive 6:21 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Gaywood Drive 10:33 p.m., rape, at Redd Court Dec. 9 Antioch 6:11 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Bell Road 7:33 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 900 block Richards Road 6:16 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Barclay Square Court Bordeaux 8:48 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 2400 block Buena Vista Pike 7:34 p.m., residential burglary, 3100 block Cliff Drive Central 9:23 p.m., rape, at James Robertson Parkway 11:03 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Broadway and Fifth Avenue South Crieve Hall 5 p.m., residential burglary, 5000 block West Durrett Drive Donelson 12:51 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Lincoya Bay Drive 3:23 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Lakeland Drive East 9 a.m., residential burglary, 1400 block Boscobel Street 9:31 a.m., residential burglary, 900 block Cahal Avenue 12:03 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block Chester Avenue 1:46 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Dellway Villa Road 6:28 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Lischey Avenue 7:03 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block McKennie Avenue Forest Hills 7:10 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Foxwood Road Hermitage 12:39 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block Lebanon Pike 3:29 p.m., residential burglary, 4200 block Laurenwood Drive 4 p.m., residential burglary, 4900 block Tulip Grove Lane J.C. Napier 4:38 a.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Charles E. Davis Boulevard Madison 10:26 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Moving Center Court North 10:08 a.m., residential burglary, 1700 block 22nd Avenue North 12:12 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 600 block 40th Avenue North 6:40 p.m., shooting, 2500 block Clarksville Pike Old Hickory 11:47 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block Robinson Road Paragon Mills 1 a.m., shooting, 4700 block Humber Drive 9:59 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Harding Place Priest Lake 12:57 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Murfreesboro Pike Providence 7:30 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5100 block Nolensville Road South 5:21 a.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Park South Court 4:18 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Sundown Drive Trinity Hills 1:36 p.m., residential burglary, 1700 block Edgewood Avenue Tusculum 3:01 p.m., residential burglary, 1100 block Thorncrest Road 9:06 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Nolensville Road and Ocala Drive West 12:16 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Bellevue Manor Drive 3:30 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Bellevue Manor Drive 3:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4000 block Hillsboro Pike 5:11 p.m., holdup/robbery, 6000 block Highway 100 Woodbine 12:26 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 2800 block Foster Avenue 10:33 p.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block Thompson Lane 10:55 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Thompson Lane 11:29 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Glenrose Avenue Dec. 8 Antioch 6:12 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5200 block Hickory Hollow Parkway Bordeaux 8:28 a.m., residential burglary, 3600 block Hydes Ferry Road Central 7:33 a.m., residential burglary, 900 block 11th Avenue North 4:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Division Street Crieve Hall 8:22 p.m., residential burglary, 5500 block Hill Road East 12:08 a.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Marie Street 5:25 a.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block South Seventh Street 8:11 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2400 block Dickerson Pike 6:49 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Matthews Avenue Hermitage 12:08 a.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Bonnacreek Drive 7:04 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 200 block River Hills Drive 11:49 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1300 block Central Court 6:26 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Dockside Drive Joelton 7:27 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Crocker Springs Road Madison 12:33 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1500 block North Gallatin Pike 8:05 p.m., residential burglary, 1100 block Apple Valley Road North 11:51 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1100 block Hunters Lane 5:37 p.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Bellshire Terrace Drive 6:44 p.m., residential burglary, 1300 block Bellshire Terrace Drive 10:47 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Rainwood Drive Providence 6:27 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5100 block Nolensville Road 10:11 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5100 block Nolensville Road South 9:45 a.m., residential burglary, 1700 block Southoak Drive 3:13 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 800 block Murfreesboro Pike 5:33 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Cedarhill Court 6:06 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Brentwood Highlands Drive 6:09 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Hickory Hollow Lane 6:58 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Firestone Parkway 10:55 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Old Ezell Road and Harding Place Trinity Hills 2:22 p.m., residential burglary, 1800 block Meade Avenue Tusculum 3:11 p.m., residential burglary, 4100 block Coleridge Drive 6:29 p.m., holdup/robbery, 14900 block Old Hickory Boulevard Una 5:11 p.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Longhunter Lane 11:07 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Nashboro Boulevard West 6:33 p.m., residential burglary, 2000 block Club Parkway

Best Bets Around Nashville

Beginners, Intermediate Salsa Classes 7 P.M. WEDNESDAY, BEGINNERS; 8:30 INTERMEDIATE Where: FIT Center, 125 12th Ave. S. Tickets: $10 per lesson, $40 for a package About the event: Dance classes designed for students with some or without salsa experience. For more information, write to FuntopiaNashville@gmail.com or call 901-484-0541. Nashville Striders Fun Run 5:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY Where:Centennial Park Tickets: Free About the event: Run starts from the Activity Center. For more information, visit www.nashvillestriders.com/GroupFunRuns.htm. 862-8424. Mouth Odyssey 7 P.M. WEDNESDAY Where: Bongo Java, 2007 Belmont Blvd. Tickets: $8, $5 students with ID; 385-5282. About the event: FuseBox Theatre presents two-man, fully improvised, time-traveling, vaudevillian serial drama upstairs at Bongo After Hours. For details, call 615-509-0089 or visit www.fuseboxtheatre.com. A Storybook Christmas WEDNESDAY THROUGH JAN. 4 9:30 A.M.-4:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY –DEC. 20, 23-24, 26-27, 30-31; 11 A.M.-4:30 P.M. DEC. 21 AND 28 Where: Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art, 1200 Forrest Park Drive Tickets: $10, $8 ages 65+, $5 ages 6-17, active military with ID and college students with ID, free ages 5-under. About the event: Seven tall trees will be decorated to evoke memories of favorite childhood stories in this display on view through Jan. 4. For more information, visit www.cheekwood.org. 356-8000. World's Largest Tower of Shoes WEDNESDAY- DEC. 31 DAILY Where: Opry Mills, 433 Opry Mills Drive Tickets: Donations requested About the event: A 12-foot tall display, located near the courtyard area at mall entrance 2, will feature photographs and stories illustrating children and adults around the world who have been touched by the gift of new shoes. Donations to Soles4Souls' holiday shoe drive will create the Tower. For more information, visit www.giveshoes.org. 1-877—740-7386. Dialing In 7-9 P.M. WEDNESDAY Where: Rocketown, 401 Sixth Ave. S. Tickets: $10 donation About the event: Walk57 sponsors evening of music, ministry to benefit The Aid Sudan Radio Station Project. Singles of Nashville will be challenged to purchase satellite radio for $10 to support project. Radios have capability to reach 10–15 people around camp fires, in huts and on plains of Sudan sharing word of God. For details, contact Kelly Donovan at 615-484-9651 or walk57hhbc@gmail.com. Visit www.walk57.com. Winter Wonders WEDNESDAY THROUGH JAN. 4; 10 A.M.-5 P.M. WEDNESDAY- DEC. 20, 22-23, 26-27, 29-31; 12:30-5:30 P.M. DEC. 21 AND 28; 10 A.M.-3 P.M. DEC. 24 Where: Adventure Science Center, 800 Fort Negley Blvd. Tickets: part of regular fee of $11, $9 ages 3-12 and ages 62+, active military families with ID and college students with ID; free for certified Tennessee teachers. About the event: Experience and learn about winter weather conditions through a number of interactive exhibits and activities, including virtual snowball fights and the opportunity to start an indoor blizzard. For more information, visit www.adventuresci.com. 862-5160. The Road to Bethlehem 7:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY- DEC. 21 Where: Darkhorse Theatre, 4610 Charlotte Ave. Tickets: $12-$15 About the event: In this Christmas comedy, on the eve of the big event in Bethlehem, two simple shepherds get a visit from a well-meaning but occasionally dim Angel, trying to steer them toward the City of David. GroundWorks Theatre, 262-5485 or www.groundworkstheatre.com. Lost Claus 11 A.M. WEDNESDAY- DEC. 20 Where: Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, 8204 Highway 100 Tickets: $8 for all ages, includes show and beverage About the event: In play for kids, Woody, the hardest working elf at the North Pole, discovers Santa is missing. Teaming with Donner, Frosty the Snowman and Olivia Neutron-Bomb, they decide they can do a better job than Santa. Bringing sack lunches, snacks allowed. Pictures with Santa and his elves available afterward. Reservations for show and pictures required. Call 615-646-9977. For details, visit www.dinnertheatre.com. Greetings 6 P.M. WEDNESDAY- DEC. 20, 26-27, 30-31 Where: Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, 8204 Highway 100 Tickets: $45, $35 ages 13-18, $25 ages 12-under, with dinner, show, tax; $33, $29 ages 13-18, $25 ages 12-under, show only. About the event: A man brings home his outspoken and progressive fiancee to spend Christmas Eve with his devoutly Catholic parents. As things start to heat up his brother breaks the tension with a surprise holding the power to change all of them forever. Reservations are required by calling 615-646-9977. Community Cinema: Independent Lens — Helvetica: 5:15 RECEPTION, 6 P.M. FILM, WEDNESDAY Where: Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St. Tickets: Free About the event: Documentary preview preceded by a reception at 5:15 p.m. and followed by discussion. The film examines how this one typeface is part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. 862-5800. Gingerbread World Holiday Celebration: Ginger's Night Out 7 P.M. THURSDAY Where: Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, 2100 West End Ave. Tickets: $85 per person; $200 Patron Reserved House package; $700 reserved patron tables for six available About the event: Gathering for grown-up girlfriends featuring appetizers and refreshments held in the Skylight Foyer. All proceeds benefit Centerstone's mental health services for children and families. Elizabeth Callis, 463-6646 or development@centerstone.org. Short Story Lunch Hour NOON, THURSDAY Where: Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St. Tickets: Free About the event: Author Ann Patchett will read her lauded Sarah Lawrence College commencement address, offering ideas for those graduating, changing careers or transitioning from one life stage to another. Author's Corner. Bag lunches welcome. 862-5800. Handel's Messiah 7 P.M. THURSDAY, 8 P.M. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY Where: Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 1 Symphony Place Tickets: Start at $35 About the event: The Nashville Symphony and Nashville Symphony Chorus join together for this performance. For more information, call 615-687-6400 or visit www.nashvillesymphony.org.

Some companies bring call centers back to U.S. soil

I found this article very interesting and was wondering what others thought.I worked for call centers in the past and lost my job because my job was shipped out of the country. Feel free to leave a comment. Thanks, Mindy By Peter Whoriskey • THE WASHINGTON POST • December 15, 2008 WASHINGTON — If you prefer a customer service agent who speaks "American," then computer maker Dell has a deal for you. Catering to consumers put off by the accents of Bangalore, Manila and other call-center hubs around the globe, Dell will guarantee — for a price — that the person who picks up the phone on a support call will be, as company ads mention in bold text, "based in North America." The Your Tech Team service, with agents in the United States, costs $13 a month for customers with a Dell account, or $99 a year for people who buy a new computer. It also promises that wait times will average two minutes or less. Without the upgrade, a customer probably will get technical help from someone in India, the Philippines or the other places where Dell has operators. By charging customers extra for a North American voice, Dell's program represents a novel strategy for easing the strains of globalization while maintaining profit, industry officials said. Occasionally, "we've heard from customers that it's hard to understand a particular accent and that they couldn't understand the instructions they were getting," Dell spokesman Bob Kaufman said. "This illustrates Dell's commitment to customer choice." Complaints about customer service agents based in other countries are an everyday phenomenon across several industries. For many U.S. consumers, the diverse accents that come across customer service lines constitute one of the most pervasive reminders of globalization and the offshoring of jobs. That can make personnel in the call center targets for American anger. Price raises concerns Industry analysts say companies can save 50 percent to 75 percent on their call centers by putting them overseas. But getting a customer service agent with whom it is easy to communicate ought to be a service that is provided gratis, some industry analysts said. "Most people in the customer service world believe that if you have sold me a product, then support for that product should be free," said Lyn Kramer, managing director of Kramer and Associates, a call-center consultancy. Jitterbug, a cell phone company that markets to older Americans, similarly boasts in ads that its operators are in the United States, but it does not charge extra to speak to them. The company's TV spots show a headset draped in an American flag. "You'd be amazed how many customers ask, "Where are you based?' " said David Inns, Jitterbug's chief executive. "The response we get when we say, "We're in Auburn Hills, Michigan, ma'am' — well, they love it." Although airlines, banks and some retailers have overseas call centers, computer makers have been particularly apt to put call centers in foreign countries. According to an online survey conducted by CFI Group, more than a third of respondents who recently made a call for computer support reported that the person they reached was outside the United States. Though some have suggested that the friction between U.S. consumers and foreign operators arises from prejudice, some observers see it differently. "I hear people say all the time that people who complain about call centers in India are being racist or nativist — but it's not as simple as that," said Sharmila Rudrappa, a sociology professor at the University of Texas at Austin and a native of Bangalore, India. "If you need tech support, it already shows you're having a crazy time getting your Dell computer to work. And when things go haywire, you want assurance, you want familiarity, you want someone to hold your hand and say it's OK. What you don't want is to have to work at understanding the person on the other end of the line."

Service scheduled for those experiencing grief

By Andy Humbles THE TENNESSEAN • December 12, 2008 Donelson Heights United Methodist Church at 84 Fairway Drive will hold a service to support those who have experienced grief and loss and to honor those who have died in recent years at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17. The community is invited. Call 883-6103 for information.

Davidson County crime log for Dec. 4-7, 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. Dec. 7 Belmont 9:01 p.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Bernard Avenue Central 12:32 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 100 block Second Avenue South 4:53 a.m., nonresidential burglary, Hermitage Avenue at Lea Avenue East 12:15 a.m., rape, at Joy Circle 8:34 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2900 block Dickerson Pike 6:01 p.m., shooting, 600 block South Seventh Street 11:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Strouse Avenue Hermitage 10:47 a.m., residential burglary, 4500 block Brooke Valley Drive 11:50 a.m., residential burglary, 4100 block Hunting Drive 10:30 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Burning Tree Drive 10:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Brooks Mill Circle Madison 10:38 a.m., residential burglary, 300 block East Webster Street 7:26 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Old Hickory Boulevard West and South Gallatin Road North 7:14 a.m., residential burglary, 5500 block Tennessee Avenue Priest Lake 12:24 a.m., residential burglary, 500 block Homey Drive 1:12 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3000 block Smith Springs Road 10:12 a.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Oak Timber Drive South 10:02 p.m., residential burglary, 6300 block Hills Chapel Road 10:30 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block McCann Street 10:42 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block McCann Street Tusculum 4:40 a.m., holdup/robbery, 4500 block Packard Drive 8:51 p.m., rape, at Haywood Lane Una 3:22 p.m., residential burglary, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike West 10:45 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 7000 block Old Harding Pike 3:50 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5600 block Charlotte Pike 4:33 p.m., shooting, 1200 block Medical Center Drive 11:15 p.m., residential burglary, 1100 block Horton Avenue Woodbine 6:26 p.m., rape, at Valeria Court 11:35 p.m., holdup/robbery, 300 block Antioch Pike Dec. 6 Belmont 6:25 p.m., holdup/robbery, at South Douglas Avenue and Ninth Avenue South Berry Hill 9:54 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2700 block Franklin Road Bordeaux 12:20 a.m., residential burglary, 500 block Phipps Drive 12:20 a.m., residential burglary, 500 block Phipps Drive Central 3:32 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Broadway Donelson 6:09 a.m., holdup/robbery, 700 block McGavock Pike 10:50 a.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Quail Road 9:38 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2400 block Lebanon Pike East 1:15 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 1300 block Meridian Street 7:40 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1400 block Gallatin Avenue 10:05 a.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Lischey Avenue 2:53 p.m., residential burglary, 1700 block Evelyn Avenue 9:25 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block South Fourth Street 11:21 p.m., shooting, 3400 block Dickerson Pike Hermitage 12:30 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Murfreesboro Pike 5:19 p.m., residential burglary, 1900 block Omohundro Court Lakewood 5:06 p.m., rape, at 30th Street Madison 1:44 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block North Dupont Avenue 11:09 p.m., shooting, 100 block Harris Street North 10:22 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Tiger Circle 1 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 700 block Due West Avenue North 4:06 p.m., residential burglary, 2100 block 26th Avenue North 10:52 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3100 block Lauren Evelyn Way Old Hickory 9:04 p.m., rape, at Robinson Road Priest Lake 6:55 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 400 block Bell Road 7:10 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Castlegate Drive South 4:12 a.m., holdup/robbery, 20 block East Thompson Lane 10:28 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 500 block Bell Road Tusculum 3:50 p.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Creekside Drive 9:44 p.m., residential burglary, 5100 block Greentree Drive 11:03 p.m., residential burglary, 3900 block Apache Trail West 8 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 7600 block Highway 70 South 5:19 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2100 block Bandywood Drive 11:26 p.m., rape, at Albion Street Woodbine 2:25 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Bridgeway Drive 6:14 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3700 block Nolensville Road 11:46 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3700 block Nolensville Road Dec. 5 Antioch 3:44 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Dover Glen Drive 6:14 p.m., residential burglary, 600 block Arbor Ridge Drive Bakertown 6:09 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block Antioch Pike 6:16 p.m., holdup/robbery, 1800 block Antioch Pike Belmont 3:40 a.m., residential burglary, 1900 block Belmont Boulevard Bordeaux 9:04 a.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Lincoln Avenue Brentwood 11:49 a.m., residential burglary, at Old Hickory Boulevard and Franklin Road Central 5:18 a.m., shooting, 200 block Shelby Avenue Donelson 3:05 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Donelson Pike 6:22 p.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Donelson Pike East 5:41 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Dellway Villa Road 10:29 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 900 block Gallatin Avenue 5:15 p.m., shooting, 700 block Gallatin Avenue 6:17 p.m., shooting, 700 block Gallatin Avenue 9:26 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 3400 block Dickerson Pike 10:59 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block McGavock Pike 11:37 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block South Fifth Street Hermitage 11:09 a.m., holdup/robbery, 3900 block Lebanon Pike 8:03 p.m., residential burglary, 4500 block Brooke Valley Drive Madison 12:50 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1700 block North Gallatin Pike 5:27 p.m., cutting/stabbing, 400 block K C Court 6:42 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Sealey Drive Neelys Bend 7:40 a.m., residential burglary, 100 block Larkin Springs Road North 10:02 p.m., residential burglary, 2300 block Rosa L Parks Boulevard 10:30 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Hawkwood Lane South 10:06 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1000 block Murfreesboro Pike 10:46 a.m., residential burglary, 3000 block Zermatt Avenue 12 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5300 block Mt. View Road 5:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Murfreesboro Pike Trinity Hills 4:04 p.m., residential burglary, 2700 block Old Matthews Road Two Rivers 7:47 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2400 block McGavock Pike Una 8:56 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Nashboro Boulevard 12:30 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Nashboro Boulevard West 9:52 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 200 block 22nd Avenue North 3:15 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 4000 block Hillsboro Pike 5:42 p.m., residential burglary, 2200 block Hampton Avenue 6:45 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4100 block Hillsboro Pike Whites Creek 6:16 p.m., residential burglary, 3400 block Knight Drive Woodbine 3:54 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Elysian Fields Road 10:49 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4300 block Sidco Drive Dec. 4 Antioch 12:51 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1000 block Arbor Knoll Boulevard Berry Hill 8:54 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2600 block Franklin Road Bordeaux 1:03 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Harold Prewett Drive 3:13 p.m., residential burglary, 3900 block Drakes Branch Road Central 7:20 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Monroe Street Cockrill Bend 7:24 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 7100 block Centennial Boulevard Crieve Hall 9:33 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Harding Place 5:10 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Players Court 5:11 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Broadwell Drive 5:20 p.m., residential burglary, 4900 block Trousdale Drive Donelson 10:04 p.m., residential burglary, 900 block Allen Road East 4:22 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 700 block Myrtle Street 6:04 p.m., residential burglary, 1500 block Dickerson Pike 11:47 p.m., holdup/robbery, 3100 block Dickerson Pike Hermitage 5:14 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1200 block Murfreesboro Pike 6:13 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1200 block Murfreesboro Pike 4:23 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Charles E. Davis Boulevard 6:40 p.m., holdup/robbery, 200 block Fesslers Lane 8:42 p.m., residential burglary, 60 block Donelson Street Joelton 6:37 p.m., residential burglary, 8200 block Jackman Road Madison 6:19 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Shandale Drive 9:07 p.m., holdup/robbery, 100 block Brink Haven Avenue Neelys Bend 7:32 a.m., residential burglary, 600 block Cheyenne Boulevard 2:45 p.m., residential burglary, 2100 block Freeman Lane North 12 p.m., residential burglary, 3300 block Moorewood Drive 12:01 p.m., residential burglary, 3500 block Standing Stone Drive 12:03 p.m., residential burglary, 2100 block Quail Ridge Drive 12:09 p.m., residential burglary, 3100 block Lauren Evelyn Way 5:46 p.m., residential burglary, 3500 block Standing Stone Drive 5:47 p.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Northbrook Drive Paragon Mills 3:52 p.m., rape, at Humber Drive South 12:51 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1300 block Pillow Street 4:59 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2700 block Murfreesboro Pike 1:42 p.m., residential burglary, 3000 block Hamilton Church Road 9:42 p.m., residential burglary, 1900 block Shaylin Loop Trinity Hills 11:07 a.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Crouch Drive 1:23 p.m., residential burglary, 2400 block Grover Street Una 4:35 p.m., residential burglary, 2500 block Edge O Lake Drive West 9:43 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1900 block Broadway 10:09 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1900 block Glen Echo Road 2:50 p.m., residential burglary, 5100 block Alabama Avenue 8:36 p.m., holdup/robbery, at Edgehill Avenue and 12th Avenue South 11:50 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2400 block Elliston Place Woodbine 5:15 p.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block McNally Drive