Things to do in the area.............

Thompson Lane Branch Library Adam and the Couch Potatoes will entertain children of all ages with their "kid-centric rock and roll" during the Summer Reading Finale Party at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 19, at the Thompson Lane Branch Library. The library, 380 Thompson Lane, will have prizes and refreshments for all who have completed the Summer Reading program. 'Magic of Machine' at car museum Lane Motor Museum, 702 Murfreesboro Pike, will offer "Magic of the Machine" 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 26. The cost is $5 for adults; $3 for seniors; and free to 17 years old and younger. For more information call 742-7445 or visit www.lanemotormuseum.org.

Something New to the Blog - Davidson County Baby Births

Davidson County births in April, June 2008 JUNE Gary Dwayne and Karen Lynn (Clopton) Holloway of Nashville had a baby girl. Jaya Grace Lynn Holloway was born at The Women's Hospital at Centennial on . Akeem Hemphill and Breauna Hill of Antioch had a baby boy. KeMarion Lavince Hill was born at Baptist Hospital on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. Marquita Sharelle Jenkins of Nashville had a baby girl. Shanteidra Serenity Martayvion Jenkins was born at The Women's Hospital at Centennial Tommy and Lori Davidson of Old Hickory had a baby girl. Marron Marelle Davidson was born at The Women's Hospital at Centennial on Thursday, June 19, 2008. Lorenzo Esaw and Kaleila Tucker of Nashville had a baby boy. Lorenzo Montrell Esaw Jr. was born at The Women's Hospital at Centennial on Thursday, June 19, 2008. John and Adrienne Greer of Madison had a baby boy. John Dougla Greer Jr. was born at The Women's Hospital at Centennial onThursday, June 19, 2008. Billy and Amanda Jones of Nashville had a baby girl. Seiver Dawn Temple Jones was born at The Women's Hospital at Centennial on Thursday, June 19, 2008. James Payne and Dawn Jewell of Nashville had a baby boy. Jordon Christopher Payne was born at The Women's Hospital at Centennial on Thursday, June 19, 2008. Thomas Williams and Brooke Beverly of Hermitage had a baby girl. Hendley Grace Williams was born at The Women's Hospital at Centennial on Thursday, June 19, 2008. Daniel and Leslie (Thyne) Longtin of Antioch had a baby boy. Zachary Allen Longtin was born at The Women's Hospital at Centennial on Friday, June 20, 2008. Michael and Paige Parham of Nashville had a baby boy. Kaden James Parham was born at The Women's Hospital at Centennial on Saturday, June 21, 2008. Art and Jenny Belfor of Nashville had a baby boy. Landon Daniel Belfor was born at Baptist Hospital on Monday, June 23, 2008.

Metro Nashville joins Google 3D mapping program

Davidson County Metro Nashville has signed a deal with Google Inc. to map the city's buildings in three dimensions, a deal officials say will help the city analyze and promote growth. The agreement makes Metro part of Google's "Cities in 3D" initiative, an effort to create interactive renderings of many of the world's major cities. The map of Nashville can be used to help businesses find new locations and give planners an idea of how new buildings would look by superimposing them on the skyline, the Metro Planning Department said in a statement. The three-dimensional maps of Nashville can be accessed online using the Google Earth program. — CHAS SISKcsisk@tennessean.com

Davidson County crime log for July 7-9, 2008

CRIME LOG The most serious calls handled by Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported. Central 1:45 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 10 block Interstate Drive 3:40 a.m., residential burglary, 400 block Murfreesboro Pike 6:07 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 700 block Main Street 8:11 p.m., holdup/robbery, 20 block Wharf Avenue 8:51 p.m., nonresidential burglary, at Lischey Avenue and Grace Street 10:31 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Dickerson Pike Donelson 7:17 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Elm Hill Pike 7:23 a.m., residential burglary, 3100 block Elm Hill Pike 7:31 a.m., holdup/robbery, 2500 block Elm Hill Pike 2:47 p.m., rape, at Stewarts Ferry Pike 4:10 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Jackson Downs Boulevard Hermitage 9:26 a.m., residential burglary, 8100 block Bonnafair Drive Priest Lake 2:38 p.m., residential burglary, 4000 block Lancashire Drive 7:25 p.m., residential burglary, 3200 block Anderson Road South 2:36 p.m., residential burglary, 1900 block Murfreesboro Pike Tusculum 4:15 p.m., residential burglary, 100 block Delvin Drive Central 12:24 a.m., holdup/robbery, at South Seventh Street and Fatherland Street 12:36 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1600 block Fatherland Street 12:42 a.m., shooting, 1000 block Shelby Avenue 3:03 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 400 block Murfreesboro Pike 6:32 a.m., holdup/robbery, at Lincoln Street and Trimble Street 6:40 a.m., holdup/robbery, 400 block Murfreesboro Pike 8:18 a.m., holdup/robbery, 900 block Dickerson Pike 10:37 a.m., holdup/robbery, 1100 block Edgehill Avenue 5:59 p.m., holdup/robbery, 10 block Fairfield Avenue Donelson 2:46 a.m., residential burglary, 400 block Peach Creek Crecent Hermitage 2:42 p.m., residential burglary, 500 block Frankfort Drive Priest Lake 1:23 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2800 block Smith Springs Road South 12:13 p.m., residential burglary, 5800 block Crossings Boulevard 1:06 p.m., holdup/robbery, 6600 block Nolensville Road 6:03 p.m., residential burglary, 300 block Lawndale Drive 9:45 p.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Round Rock Drive 10:23 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Bell Road Antioch 1:22 a.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Richards Road 1:36 a.m., cutting/stabbing, 800 block Richards Road 8:25 p.m., residential burglary, 800 block Rocky Mountain Parkway Belle Meade 12:26 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 4500 block Harding Pike Central 10:55 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 200 block Crutchfield Avenue 4:57 p.m., holdup/robbery, 800 block Dickerson Pike 6:32 p.m., residential burglary, 700 block Glenview Drive 7:31 p.m., shooting, 1000 block North Sixth Street Hermitage 3:35 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Raintree Place South 9:13 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 900 block Lebanon Pike 12:58 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 1300 block Murfreesboro Pike 5:45 p.m., residential burglary, 3800 block Hamilton Church Road 10:33 p.m., residential burglary, 7300 block Ole Nottingham Drive

New principals announced in Metro Schools

By JAIME SARRIO • Staff Writer(Tennessean.com) • July 15, 2008 State officials today announced 68 new principal and assistant principal assignments at schools across Davidson County.State education officials have intervened in Metro's staffing decisions, along with other functions, because the district has failed to meet testing standards for four years in a row. Earlier this summer, top-level administrators at the central office were moved into new positions.Several high schools will have new principal, including Hillwood, Overton and McGavock. In 2006, the state put new leadership in place at Maplewood High School after years of failing test scores. For the first time in almost a decade, that school met state testing standards this school year.

Antioch confronts bad image

By RACHEL STULTS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • July 14, 2008 If it's bad, it must have happened in Antioch. Leaders living in the southeast Davidson County community say that's what a lot of people think but it's not fair. "We're here to say Antioch gets a lot of bad press," said Sim Hassler, senior pastor at Antioch First Baptist Church. "We have many problems in Antioch. But there's also a lot of good stuff going on in Antioch and nobody ever hears about it." With its ever-changing demographic complexion, Antioch has long been saddled with the stigma of being a crime-ridden community where gangs and violence drive out businesses. The community has dealt with its share of struggles and crime, leaders say. But the problems aren't beyond repair, and several activists are taking steps to transform Antioch's image. It's the reason Rodney Beard, pastor at Living Word Community Church, moved his congregation from south Davidson County to Hickory Hollow Parkway three months ago. Church leaders wanted to reach out to the Antioch community. Several weeks ago, leaders at Living Word decided to hold a car and bike show at Hickory Hollow Mall to draw the men and women who are known to speed up and down the community's roads, the ones people say come from "the hood" or "Lower Antioch." They hoped to open a dialogue between the groups, introduce them to collectors and show them that crime doesn't have to be their hobby, Beard said. The event was a success, leaders said, drawing about 80 people, and nearly 30 were in the church's target audience. But the feedback from others wasn't what Beard anticipated. People told him to expect disaster. Bullets were going to fly, they said, drug dealers would emerge, and immigration services would need to be called to make arrests. "That's appalling when a positive situation is taking place in Antioch that people would see it in a negative light," Beard said. "When we do positive activities that families could be involved in, we can begin to pull the communities together around something other than the negative connotations we see in the papers. People in Antioch just haven't spoken up to say, 'Wait a minute, don't stigmatize me that way.' " Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas said South Nashville and Antioch are as high a priority as anywhere else, and he's stepped up enforcement in areas known to breed crime. There have been improvements, Serpas said, but good things were already happening. "I've lived in other cities, and seen parts of a city get reputations that are completely undeserved," Serpas said. "I think that Antioch has probably gotten a little of that." Many crimes are down While the 37013 ZIP code saw spikes in violent and property crimes last year, police say they've seen reductions already this year. Antioch showed 16 rapes this time last year, compared with 12 this year; 96 robberies dropped to 83; and 177 aggravated assaults dwindled to 135. But homicides have increased, with three murders so far this year and none recorded through July last year, according to Metro police. Jim Hodge, a Metro councilman, says Antioch often takes the heat for nearby crime. "Anything from Nolensville Road over to Hermitage is suddenly Antioch," said Hodge, who lives in Tusculum and represents a portion of Antioch."If it bleeds it leads, and if it's anywhere near Antioch they're going to call it Antioch. I don't think it's a conscious decision, but people get to thinking in verbal shorthand." It's a stigma Melanie Ewing, 25, faces when she tells her friends she lives in Antioch.Usually, they cringe.She doesn't quite understand their reaction — it's not that bad, she said. She even had an opportunity to move to Hermitage but didn't take it. "I don't feel unsafe living here," Ewing said. "I just feel like it has a bad reputation. If you keep hearing about Antioch all the time, you think it's the worst place to be." Some residents worry Darryle Rucker, 66, tells a different story. He moved to Antioch 10 years ago for the nice neighborhood and the then-manicured lawns.Today, Rucker hears gunshots at night. Cars speed up and down his street. He plans to ask for more police presence; he and his wife are thinking about installing security windows and doors.Eventually, Rucker said, they may move to another part of town. It's only going to get worse, he said."It's headed towards another direction," Rucker said. Those competing emotions are what fuels Antioch Churches Together. It's a group of 15 pastors who meet weekly to cry and pray over Antioch. They worry the community's problems are intensifying, but at the same time, they see residents who are dedicated to making it a better place to live, work and play. "I think the day will come when the reports will be as good about Antioch as they have been bad," Sim Hassler said. "… I think people are going to be surprised."

Chamber defends role in school rezoning

By JAIME SARRIO • Staff Writer (Tennessean)• July 14, 2008 The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has been scrutinized in recent weeks for allegedly influencing a massive rezoning of Metro Schools. Saturday, the group's president, Ralph Schulz, took the chance to defend the chamber's interest in schools with the following mass e-mail:A special message to our members: As you know, the improvement of Nashville's public school system has consistently been a top priority for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. We strongly believe that all students and every school must succeed in order for our entire community to grow and prosper. On Tuesday evening, the Metro School Board passed a major rezoning plan by a 5-4 vote. Unfortunately, polarizing discussions about this plan have occurred, and there has been considerable misinformation about the Chamber's role in this issue. For the last several years, the School Board has tried to address rezoning needs and under-enrollment at many of Nashville's schools. To broaden community involvement, each School Board member and the mayor appointed a representative to serve on a citizens' rezoning task force beginning in January of this year. The job of this diverse task force was to research, discuss and recommend a new zoning plan that would address the district's capacity problems, allow many children to go to school closer to home, provide more school choices for families and preserve diversity in the system. The Chamber's chief education officer was chosen to serve as one citizen member of this task force, as was a state legislator, two former Metro Council members, a minister active in the Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship, parent representatives and a sitting member of the School Board. The citizens' rezoning task force met nearly every week for six months and received considerable comments and input from the public and from school employees. A first draft of the task force's rezoning plan was presented to the School Board on May 28, and a public hearing on the plan was held June 3. While the School Board was originally scheduled to vote on the recommendation June 24, the task force decided to hold three additional public hearings to allow for more community feedback. After making some additional changes based on public input, the task force then met and voted unanimously to recommend the rezoning proposal to the School Board for adoption at its July 8 meeting. The Chamber as an organization never took a position or played a role during the entire rezoning discussion and decision. We fully supported the process outlined by the School Board and the mayor, and we supported the responsibility of the citizens' rezoning task force to develop a consensus recommendation that addresses a complicated and difficult issue. While we commend the citizens' task force and the School Board for successfully addressing the rezoning issue, we recognize that there are Nashvillians who have serious concerns and/or questions about the adopted plan. In particular, the public hearings revealed concerns that schools with a high concentration of students in poverty would not receive the additional academic resources outlined in the rezoning plan. We want our members to know that the Chamber welcomes the opportunity to participate in discussions with our school system, other community organizations and everyday citizens about how to ensure that the promises outlined in the plan are kept. We stand ready to work today, as we have in the past, to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education. And we stand ready to work with other community organizations that believe every one of our schools must be successful. Nashville will face many challenges in raising school performance to the level it expects and desires, and it will be important for all elements of the community to work together to achieve that goal. We want to assure our members that the Chamber is a committed, long-term partner in the success of our public schools. While there may be times of controversy as our community struggles with how best to improve our schools, the Chamber has a long commitment to partnering on behalf of public education: The Chamber has consistently taken a leadership role in advocating for increased education funding at the state legislature, at the Metro Council and on behalf of public referenda. In addition, the Chamber partners with other community organizations to promote Friends of Metro Schools. The Chamber's Education Report Card Committee, currently in its 16th year, convenes a group of business leaders and citizens to annually assess our school system's progress and make recommendations for improvement. The Chamber is partnering with other community nonprofits to recruit businesses to be a part of the new career academies, set to begin this school year in seven of Nashville's public high schools. The Chamber partners with the Mayor's Office to organize the Mayor's First Day Festival. Funded entirely by donations from private businesses, the Festival provides free school supplies and educational materials to families at the start of each school year. The Chamber conducted a study in 2002 that pointed toward a need to bring community resources together. The result was the formation of Alignment Nashville, an organization that helps coordinate community efforts to improve our education system. For the last 17 years, the Chamber's Leadership Study Missions have explored education options in other cities as an integral part of each trip's focus. As always, the strength of the Chamber is the active engagement of our membership. If you are interested in getting involved in the broad effort to improve Metro Schools for all of Nashville's children, please contact Marc Hill at 743-3155 or mhill@nashvillechamber.com. Sincerely, Ralph Schulz President & CEONashville Area Chamber of Commerce

Police Offer Dozens Of Tips To Curb Auto Thefts

Posted:Channel 5 NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Every year hundreds of vehicles are stolen in Middle Tennessee. Metro police said they've come up with 50 ways to keep your car safe. Even with the advent of bait cars and security alarms auto theft is still big in Nashville. Thieves are getting away with too many vehicles. Since June 12, 168 vehicles have been reported stolen in Davidson County. In more than half the cases the victims made one big mistake. They left keys in the car. If you're a thief you couldn't ask for a better invitation. "I mean thieves are out there looking to victimize everybody. They don't need any help," said Sgt. Billy Smith of Metro's Auto Theft Unit. The Metro Police Department's newest crime prevention program is called 50 Ways To Keep Your Car Safe. And, it may all seem like common sense reminders. But, police said, they see people making the same mistakes over and over again. "The obvious thing, take your keys with you when you go, which will make it harder for the thief to steal. Never, ever, ever leave the title," Smith said. Tennessee law requires a registration in the car -- not the title. "If they steal the car there's nothing they can do with that. If your title is in the car when they steal the car that car is theirs," Smith said. He also advised against hiding a key on the car. "Once they got that, they've got your car," he said. "I know it's hot, 100 degrees out here, but if you leave your car windows down it's another avenue to get into your automobile," he said. Locks are also important. Most new cars have the kind you can't get a hold of, but older cars "have the T's on them." "It's easy to run anything through here or through the door and pop that open and they're in the vehicle," Smith said. He said always park your car with the wheels turned because some thieves will try to tow your vehicle away. He also advised against leaving valuables sitting in the car. To a thief, a purse or bag means the possibility of an extra set of keys. To see video:http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=8663541&nav=menu374_2_8

Free Blood Pressure Screenings

Tennessean MinuteClinic health care centers, located inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in the Nashville metropolitan area, are offering complimentary blood pressure screenings throughout July. No appointment is necessary. The majority of MinuteClinic retail locations are open seven days a week including weekday evening hours. MinuteClinic health care centers are located inside the following CVS/pharmacy stores in the region.· Antioch – 2788 Murfreesboro Pike· Hillsboro Rd.· Harding – 723 Harding Place· Hermitage – 4402 Lebanon Rd.· Hendersonville – 100 Glen Oaks Blvd.· Nashville – 7112 Highway 70 South· Nashville – 9101 Carothers Parkway· Thompsons Station – 4805 Columbia Pike· SouthIndividuals receiving a blood pressure screening should expect the following:- A risk assessment that includes a review of family history - Blood pressure reading - Education and recommendations to prevent hypertension, including insights about diet and other healthy lifestyle choices - A discussion of the results and, if necessary, a referral to the individual’s primary care provider The screenings are part of MinuteClinic’s commitment to improve consumer health and encourage healthier living. High blood pressure or hypertension affects 73 million Americans over age 20 and is the primary cause of death in nearly 55 million citizens annually.* When left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease. It’s often known as the “silent killer” because most individuals show no symptoms.“Estimates are that one-third of U.S. adults have high blood pressure and don’t know it,” said James Hartert, M.D., MinuteClinic chief medical officer. “These screenings are highly effective because the only way to determine if you have hypertension is to get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.” MinuteClinic health care centers are staffed by masters-prepared, board-certified practitioners who specialize in family health care and are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, MMR, and Hepatitis A & B are also available. In addition, MinuteClinic administers a series of wellness services designed to help consumers identify lifestyle changes needed to improve their current and future health, including screenings for diabetes, cholesterol and obesity.

15-year-old found with stolen THP weapon

Staff reports • July 10, 2008 (Tennessean) A 15-year-old, sitting behind the wheel of a stolen Honda Accord and fidgeting with his shirt, was found carrying a stolen Tennessee Highway Patrol pistol earlier today. S hortly after the vehicle was stolen from the Nashboro Village area, Hermitage Precinct Flex Officer Edward Holliday noticed it parked in front of Berry’s Pawnshop on Murfreesboro Pike. He approached the car and saw the teen trying to conceal something. Turns out he was trying to hide a pistol with the markings of the Tennessee Highway Patrol on it. The weapon was stolen during a burglary of a trooper’s Clarksville home last weekend. The 15-year-old was booked at juvenile detention on charges of auto theft, theft of the gun, unlawful gun possession, and driving without a license.

Police Catch Gang Members With Trooper's Weapon

July 10, 2008 05:15 PM CDT Channel 5 news NASHVILLE, Tenn.- A gun that belongs to a state trooper got into the hands of gang members, but thanks to quick action of one Metro Police officer the weapon is back where it belongs. It was along Murfreesboro Road where police arrested two members of the gang known as Brown Pride. They were spotted sitting in a stolen car at a nearby strip mall. One of the 15-year-olds was carrying a gun that was stolen from a state trooper's house in Clarksville. Trooper James Burns reported the weapon missing over the weekend. "Officer Steve Holiday saw two suspicious persons sitting in a vehicle over here. He walked up to talk to them and in his initial contact with them one of them told him he had a pistol in his waist band," said Russell Ward with Metro Police. Police said all it took was a glance, to see that the Glock .357 belonged to law enforcement. "It's stamped on the weapon. Our weapons are identifiable too. And theirs are the same weapon, it says Tennessee Highway patrol on the slot of the weapon," Russell Ward with Metro Police. Police said they aren't sure if the two teenagers are responsible for stealing the trooper's weapon or the vehicle they were in. Thursday night, both suspects were in jail.

Nashville parks offer dog etiquette sessions Saturday

Davidson County Owners can learn pet manners Saturday Metro Nashville's parks department is holding two free sessions Saturday on "petiquette," a refresher course on leash laws and picking up dog waste. They're at noon at Centennial Dog Park and at 3 p.m. at the Warner Dog Park. No reservations are required. The workshops will cover the basic rules and regulations related to dogs in regular parks and in the dog parks. Dogs must be on a leash in a Nashville park, except within the three fenced dog areas at Centennial, Warner and Shelby parks. Sindy Scalfi, a certified pet dog trainer, will talk about dog behavior in and out of the dog parks, leash manners and obedience training. Cleaning up after dogs also will be addressed. The department estimates that over 19 tons of dog waste are picked up from park property every year. For more information on Nashville's dog parks, go to www.nashville.gov/parks. — JENNY UPCHURCH

MTA is forced to end Titans shuttle service

By CHARLES BOOTH • Staff Writer (Tennessean)• July 10, 2008 Tom Ballman, a brazen Tennessee Titans tailgater, once offered sage advice to those less-fortunate fans forced to park miles away from LP Field. Find a cheap parking lot, he said, and like thousands of others take the Metro Transit Authority's End-Zone Express Shuttle service to the game. "That's what I recommended to people who don't have parking passes, because it takes you right there," he said. Not a bad suggestion from a man known to dress as a beer keg during football games. But this fall, he'll need to offer different advice, because a new federal regulation is shutting down the shuttle. In April, the Federal Transit Administration ruled that public transportation agencies could no longer provide shuttles to special or sporting events. Those that did would risk their federal funding. "The change promotes the performance of this service by private companies," said Patricia Harris-Morehead, MTA communications director. "They provide federal funds to public transit agencies to buy equipment and provide transportation. I guess they didn't want to give the public transit system an unfair advantage." For about nine years, the End-Zone Express has shuttled as many as 5,000 fans to LP Field each Sunday. Harris-Morehead said about 700 fans bought season packages for the service, and the agency is working to let them know this is no longer an option. At least not a publicly funded option. A private charter service may take over for MTA, and with only a month until the start of the pro football season, officials with the Tennessee Titans are negotiating to get some type of transportation in place. "It's a vital resource for us on game day," said Don MacLachlan, vice president of administration for the Titans. "We're working closely and staying in touch with the mayor's office and everyone to try and find a solution that will ultimately result in having a shuttle service again for those fans who have been loyal riders." He said the Titans are "cautiously optimistic" they'll come to an agreement with a private bus line, but Harris-Morehead said some of the program's former customers might be able to find a ride on one of the five MTA bus routes that leave downtown daily and pass LP Field. Bus fare for adults is $1.60 per trip; a schedule of routes can be found at www.nashvillemta.org. For fans in eastern Davidson County and in Wilson County, the train is an option. Train may be option Diane Thorne, executive director of the Regional Transportation Authority, said her agency would continue the "Titans Game Day Express," a program that offers rides to fans on the Music City Star for about $15 on Sundays. Details about that service are at www.rtarelaxandride.com.

What is there to do in District "29"?

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