Metro police department is reaccredited

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

Animals, people chill out at the zoo

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

Davidson County births in May, June 2008

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

How about some theater with your breakfast?

Donelson Senior Center for the Arts plans early morning performance of 'Tom Sawyer" By ANDY HUMBLES ahumbles@tennessean.com 726-5939 • July 25, 2008 Donelson's Senior Center for the Arts has a new idea for its Nashville Dinner Theatre productions. Breakfast. Tom Sawyer, The Musical opens this weekend at the Senior Center for the Arts auditorium at 108 Donelson Pike. A special morning performance has been added to the schedule at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4. Nashville Dinner Theatre shows generally include a meal, and the morning show will offer a buffet-style breakfast included with the $14 ticket starting at 7:45 a.m. "Matinees generally sell out first, which tells us people want to come during the day,'' said Senior Center for the Arts director Kaine Riggan. "But because we're a community theater, the majority of (cast members) have day jobs, so it's hard for them to get an entire day off work" during the week. Shows are generally Thursday-Sunday during run dates. Performances are generally 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday with the meal served one hour before. Tom Sawyer, The Musical opens Friday, July 25, and continues through Aug. 10. The Nashville Dinner Theatre has done Friday early afternoon matinees that were well attended, Riggan said. But it hasn't been done lately because of the difficulty actors had scheduling around jobs. The daytime shows could bring in seniors who may not be comfortable driving during night hours, Riggan said. It also could be a better option for tour groups, such as residents in an assisted living facility, who may rely on group transportation that wouldn't be available in the evening. "If it's anywhere near capacity the first time, we'll know we've got something and we should do more breakfast programming,'' Riggan said. It would be difficult to do more than one breakfast show for each play held, Riggan said, even if it is a success. Generally there are six Nashville Dinner Theatre plays shown per year. However, other types of entertainment, including concerts, could be considered for the morning hours, Riggan said.

Briefs: Car museum holds Magic of Machine event

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. Bargain books available at Southeast library sale Some of the best bargains can be found at Friends of the Library book sales. The Southeast Branch Library, 2325 Hickory Highlands Drive, will have its Friends of the Library book sale 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 2. Hardbacks will be available for $2. Paperbacks cost $1. DVDs cost $2. All proceeds will go toward programs at the Southeast Branch Library. For details, call 862-5871. Retirement complex hosts Wellness Fair Windland South, a retirement complex at 3800 Sam Boney Drive, will have a Wellness Fair 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, July 30. The fair will feature free health screenings, health information and doctors' presentations.For more information, call 834-1951.

Are you having a Tag Sale?

If you are having a tag sale, your local groupis having a fish fry for a fund raiser, you want to show how proud you are of someone, needs some help in your community,missing a pet, looking for information on a particular issue, etc. Let us know and we will post on the blog. Remember this blog is for you, the community. All you have to do is leave Vivian an email at vivianwilhoite@comcast.net or Mindy at mssphotography@aol.com. We will make sure we get your event on the blog.

134 Metro police cars parked to save gas

By KATE HOWARD • Staff Writer (Tennessean)• July 22, 2008 The Metro Police Department has parked 134 cars to comply with the mayor’s call to reduce the fleet and save money on gas. With the largest fleet of cars in the city, the police department made the biggest cut. More than 10 percent cut of their fleet of 1,292 vehicles are now parked in a lot off Murfreesboro Road with the keys turned into Metro government. According to a list provided by Metro police, many cars belong to school resource officers who will now be required to drive personal cars to their jobs at local high schools instead of marked patrol cars. Many of the remaining cuts are detectives’ vehicles, patrol cars and vans used for SWAT or evidence collection, and motorcycles used to patrol the downtown. Metro police spokesman Don Aaron said that many of the cars were backup vehicles or cars that department heads thought would be the least likely to affect their core function of patrolling the streets."There's an impact to the extent that there was a loss of some extra vehicles at the precincts, but as far as impacting zone cars in the patrol function, there's not," Aaron said. Mayor Karl Dean in June called for the parking of about 400 cars citywide, for a potential gas savings of up to $1.4 million. At Metro police, the decisions on what vehicles to park were left up to the commanders of each division, according to Aaron. There are also 47 cars that are no longer being taken home by staffers, Aaron said.But patrol officers who live within Davidson County are still allowed and encouraged to take their cars home to their neighborhoods, for readiness in case of an emergency and a deterrent to criminals.While school resource officers have lost their vehicles, Aaron said precinct commanders are working out fixes so every high school has a marked car in the lot once school is back in session. Middle schools may not, he said. Michael Craddock, Metro councilman and chairman of the public safety committee, said he is worried about the impact the cuts may have on the city’s safety.“We just graduated 46 officers Thursday night,” Craddock said. “What are they going to ride in? I’m extremely concerned right this moment that we’re taking police cars off the street. Until I receive an explanation of this, I’m extremely concerned.”Aaron said there's no loss of force on the city's streets, and they have not moved any officers to bike or foot patrols. He said there's no need to worry about new officers, either; trainees work in two-person cars for their first five months, and their needs will be addressed when the time comes. The police will also be adding 86 new cars by September. Some will replace wrecked or inoperable cars, but about 35 will be replenished stock.The Nashville Fire Department also parked 33 of their 329 vehicles and cut their take-home car assignments nearly in half, from 53 to 30, according to information from the mayor's office.But no ambulances or fire trucks are among the cuts, Nashville Fire spokesman Charles Shannon said. Most of their parked cars were also backups.

Tennessee stresses safety for bikers

With high fuel prices, even more riders expected to take to the highway in summer By CHRISTINA E. SANCHEZ • Staff Writer ( Tennessean) • July 23, 2008 With every motorcycle he sells, Danny Bost offers advice to each rider: Take a safety training course. Riders who do not heed the warning of Bost, co-owner of Bost Harley-Davidson in West Nashville, increase their chances of becoming part of a growing national trend. As more people buy motorcycles, largely because of high fuel prices, more people are dying in motorcycle crashes every year. "We send all of our new riders, and even our expert riders go to the safety training class," said Bost, who has also been a rider for 35 years. "You can always have more training and more education." Motorcycle deaths are down so far this year. But with the $4-a-gallon gas prices and the dry, sunny weather, more people are pulling their bikes out of their garages and taking them on the roads. While summer is prime time for motorcycle accidents, safety instructors and state officials hope the numbers will stay down because of an increased emphasis on safety in the past two years. "It's a jungle out there," said Ray Ashworth, a Bellevue resident who has been riding motorcycles for 44 years. "When you are riding you have to keep your focus. Riding is a risky activity." Motorcycle fatalities increased across the nation by 5 percent from 2005 to 2006, according to a recent report by the Governors Highway Safety Association. Those were the latest statistics available. Meanwhile, Tennessee saw an 8 percent increase for the same time period, and a 5 percent increase in 2007, when 148 riders died. "The stats are very alarming in Tennessee, as they are across the United States, and gas prices are meaning more motorcycles on the road," said Kendell Poole, director of Tennessee's highway safety office. Poole faithfully checks the daily traffic fatality reports, and he is alarmed by the trend he has seen: Motorcycle fatalities more than doubled from 2000 to 2007 in Tennessee. Just Monday, Poole learned that four motorcycle riders had died. "We have more bikes on the road than we have ever had," Poole said. "We need to have education and enforcement. When you see these numbers, they are very alarming." Fuel efficiency sought Bost said many motorcycle dealers have seen a spike in sales. "The biggest change we have seen in the last six or eight months is that more people are looking to get a motorcycle because of the increase in fuel economy," Bost said. The average Harley-Davidson gets around 45 miles per gallon, and some can even see 70 miles per gallon, he said. The number of state-issued motorcycle registrations and licenses in recent years reflects what dealers see in the showroom. Motorcycle licenses jumped from 233,984 in 2003 to 289,984 in 2007. Also, the Department of Revenue had 8,000 more people than last year register motorcycles with the state. Tennessee has a universal helmet law, passed in 1967, that requires that all motorcycle riders wear helmets. Only 20 states have the law, while the rest have laws targeting specific groups of riders. But a helmet alone is not enough, said safety instructor John Milliken, program coordinator for the state Motorcycle Education Program. "Watch what people in cars are doing: putting on makeup, talking on the phone, eating a bologna sandwich," Milliken said. "Also, don't ride above your abilities." Two years ago, the federal government began issuing grants to states to help them promote motorcycle awareness among other drivers and to educate motorcyclists on safety. Tennessee received almost $117,000 in 2007. And crash statistics show that the effort may be working. So far this year, there have been 64 motorcycle fatalities, compared with 93 in the same period last year. Most motorcycle fatalities, however, happen between June and the end of September. Ashworth, the Bellevue rider, learned the hard way as a teen the importance of safety and using common sense. At 14, he rode a bike with a cast on his arm and slammed into the back of a car. He wasn't hurt, but he learned his lesson. "Motorcycling is not rocket science. It's a few simple skills, but you've got to do those skills well," Ashworth said. "You can never let go of your focus."

Council members may try to stop Music Row seizure

By CHAS SISK • Staff Writer(Tennessean) • July 22, 2008 The Metro Council may take up debate on whether eminent domain should be used to seize a Music Row property under a proposal now being drafted. At least two council members have asked the council’s attorney to draw up a bill meant to put a stop to eminent domain proceedings against Joy Ford, the owner of a small record label and music publishing business. The bill would eliminate the redevelopment district that includes Ford’s property at 23 Music Circle E., said Michael Craddock, who represents the city’s fourth district in North Nashville. Craddock said he was briefed on the bill’s contents by Jon Cooper, the council’s attorney, when he contacted Cooper to discuss ways the Metro Council could stop the eminent domain proceedings against Ford. Cooper told him such a bill had already been requested, Craddock said. Because he is not the bill’s sponsor, Craddock did not know when — or if — it would be brought before the council. Cooper confirmed that he had been contacted by more than one council member to discuss Ford’s situation, but he said he was bound by confidentiality rules from discussing the bill’s contents until its sponsor is prepared to introduce it. By Craddock’s account, the bill would appear to remove one of the underpinnings for the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency’s petition to take Ford’s property through eminent domain. The MDHA argues that Ford’s property can be considered blighted because it lies within a redevelopment district. That district was created nine years ago to spur a turnaround in the area at the northern end of Music Row, but Ford has repeatedly turned down offers to sell her property to developers.

Do You want Toll Roads in Tennessee?

(This information is compliments of my friend Bobbie. Thanks Bobbie!) The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) held public meetings on July 10 (Memphis), July 15 (Nashville), and July 17 (Knoxville), 2008, to gather public input on the general concept of tolling. The Tennessee General Assembly has authorized TDOT to study possible toll projects and gather input from citizens. These meetings were intended to reach out to the public and hear their thoughts. These meetings did not focus on any particular project, but the concept of tolling in general and what it could bring to the State of Tennessee. Representatives of TDOT were available to provide information on this topic. If you missed these meetings, you can still voice your opinion whether you OPPOSTE or SUPPORT toll roads. Make you voice heard by submitting written statements and other exhibits to be included in the project transcript may be submitted within twen ty-one (21) days after the meeting date to the following address: Project Comments Tennessee Department of Transportation Suite 700, James K. Polk Building 505 Deaderick Street Nashville, TN 37243-0332 No toll road if public opposed TDOT official meets with people worried about Knox parkway By J.J. Stambaugh (Contact) Friday, July 18, 2008 Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely drew a round of applause Thursday when he promised that the proposed Knoxville Parkway won't be a toll road if the public is opposed to the idea. It was the only applause he drew during the 90-minute meeting at Bearden High School, which was attended by about 50 people. TDOT officials had billed the meeting as a chance to explore the concept of toll roads in general, but the audience members made it clear their minds were on the prospect that the controversial parkway might be selected as a pilot toll road. Nicely and other officials, including TDOT Chief of Environment and Planning Ed Cole, explained that the Legislature has authorized TDOT to look at possibly building toll roads, but included the caveat that "strong public support" is a prerequisite for moving forward. During a following question-and-answer session, Knoxville resident David Cochran asked Nicely to define "strong public support" for the audience, most of whom clearly were opposed to tolls. "That's one of the things we're doing here tonight," Nicely said. "I don't think I can define 'strong public support' tonight." Nicely's response initially drew snickers and groans from the crowd, but he found himself showered with applause after adding: "There probably is more opposition than there is support for the project. … If that trend continues, we would not proceed." TDOT is conducting an extended study on the possibility of funding the parkway as a toll road, one of several possible pilot projects across the state. It would include the so-called "Orange Route" that would connect Interstate 75 north of Knoxville in Anderson County with I-40/75 in Loudon County. It ultimately also could connect I-75 in Anderson County to I-40 east of Knoxville, at Exit 409 near the Jefferson/Sevier county line. To continue reading, go to http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/jul/18/no-toll-road-if-public-opposed/

Governor: Buyouts not going well

By THEO EMERY • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • July 21, 2008 The state’s voluntary buyout program for state employees is not going as well as anticipated, Gov. Phil Bredesen said Monday, raising the specter of layoffs. Only about 1,400 state workers have sought the state’s buyout as of the end of last week, Bredesen said, well below the target of nearly 2,300 needed. The deadline for state employees to inform the state that they wish to take the package is Aug. 5. “The numbers are not stacking up yet, and the major impact of that is that it opens up the possibility of having to do something more unpleasant -- which is the form of actual layoffs -- later on in the year,” the governor said. Lower-than-expected revenues for the end of last fiscal year, as well as for the new fiscal year that started July 1, spurred the governor to seek about $64 million in savings through buyouts from state workers. Buyout packages were sent to about 12,000 state workers in mid-June, with a goal of seeking almost 2,300 to take the offers and voluntarily leave the state payroll. A hiring freeze is also in place. Bredesen said he had expected too many applicants for the buyouts, not too few, and that he was surprised that applications have so far fallen short of expectations. He said the worsening economy could be a factor. “Maybe because of the economic conditions, not as many people are taking it,” he said. The governor had originally expected to reduce the payroll by just over 2,000 state jobs, but that number grew as department heads reviewed where to make job cuts in their departments.

Dean weighs free community college

He wants to review urban mayors' proposal By COLBY SLEDGE • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • July 19, 2008 A proposal for free community college in Davidson County has Nashville Mayor Karl Dean intrigued, but he hasn't accepted an invitation to join mayors of Tennessee's largest counties in making the offer. Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton proposed the idea in a July 11 letter to Dean and Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey. Ragsdale and Wharton asked the two men to join the Tennessee Urban Mayors Forum, a newly formed nonprofit organization. The group's first initiative would be to raise private funds to help make community college free for high school graduates in the mayors' respective counties, according to consultant Robert Gowan. Gowan is a former policy adviser and lobbyist in Gov. Phil Bredesen's administration. "He believes it's a worthy goal, but he needs to review the details," Dean spokeswoman Janel Lacy said Thursday afternoon. Dean has discussed the plan with the mayors, but has not set a time frame for analyzing the proposal, Lacy said. The funds would be in addition to state lottery scholarships, Pell grants and state need-based awards, which mentors and volunteers in the mayors' program would help students obtain, Gowan said. The program would cost $350,000 the first year to fund awards for 450 students in Davidson County, based on estimates from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Gowan said. That figure would double in the second year, and could possibly grow if adult learners were added. Mayors worked together Businesses would have incentive to donate to create a more educated work force, Gowan said, and to potentially have an impact on curriculum at local community colleges. According to the letter, Dean would be secretary of the Tennessee Urban Mayors Forum and Ramsey would be treasurer. Wharton is president of the group, and Ragsdale is vice president. Annual membership dues are $35,000, according to the letter. Ragsdale and Wharton have not yet paid, Gowan said. "The mission is to create a spot where these mayors can work more effectively collectively," Gowan said. The mayors previously worked together in lobbying Bredesen for increased education funding. Ramsey has sounded "very warm to the idea" in talks about the group, said Gowan, who has not heard from Dean.

Saturday July 19th Office Hours Will be Held

Sign off Day (Saturday July 19th)- all signs found in the community without a date will be taken down. Having a Yard Sale Notify Vivian Wilhoite at VivianWilhoite@comcast.net and we will post on the blog. More important dates to come. Whoever has been saving the flip "tabs" from their soda cans...it is now time for us to get together so we can bring them all to Ronald McDonald House in Nashville. The Collection of the "tabs" we be on Saturday July 19Th at the First Tennessee Bank,2360 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, TN 37217. The Hours for drop off will be from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Come on down and see everyone again.... If this date is not good contact Mindy at Mssphotography@aol.com and we can work out a day that we can meet to collect them from you. Keep saving and I do have some boxes left if you want to continue the collection. Hope to see everyone there on July 19Th.

"West Nile Virus Alert"

Hello District 29 Neighbors: I received a phone call from Dr. Bill Paul today and below are the details of the reason for his call. Please note the following very important information that pertains to our area of District 29. Please take precaution while you and your family is out and about. Please call me at 589-2003 or email me from here if you have any questions or concerns about this notice. Gratefully, Vivian Dr. Bill Paul, Director of the Davidson County - Metropolitan Health Department says: Dear Council Members: This information will be released to the press this afternoon. A pool of mosquitoes collected by the Metro Public Health Department have tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquitoes were trapped in Antioch near the intersection of Bell Road and Murfreesboro Road. This is the first time mosquitoes have tested positive in Nashville this year. There have been no human WNV cases reported this year in Davidson County. The Health Department’s Pest Management staff will increase surveillance efforts in the area by placing additional mosquito traps and monitoring standing water and applying larvicides when mosquito larvae are present. The Health Department has no plans at this time to spray the area. “While Nashville has had occasional cases of WNV in humans over the years, there has never been an outbreak,” said Bill Paul, M.D., Director of Health. “Our approach to this positive mosquito pool is to monitor closely to see whether it is more than an isolated positive.

1. However because the virus is here we recommend that people to take common-sense precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.”
2. Safety precautions to protect against biting mosquito: Limit time outdoors at dusk and nighttime hours when mosquitoes are present.
3. When outdoors wear a mosquito repellent that is approved for use by the CDC – those include products that contain DEET, Picaridin, and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
4. Wear shoes, socks, long sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors during dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most prevalent. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials to keep mosquitoes away from the skin. Pant legs should be tucked into shoes or socks, and collars should be buttoned.
5. Make sure your windows and doors have screens and are in good repair. The Health Department asks community members to reduce or eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by removing standing water in your yard – especially in children’s toys, bird baths, clogged gutters, tires, flowerpots, trashcans, and wheelbarrows, as well as cutting back overgrown vegetation (mosquito hiding areas).

Health Department Pest Management staff have inspected more than 1,500 locations in all areas of Nashville, applied larvicides at more than 600 locations, and have set more than 600 mosquito traps from May 1st through June 30th of this year. Health Department staff continues to monitor mosquito populations several nights per week in 24 traps located throughout the county.

Bill Paul William S. Paul, MD, MPH

Director of HealthMetro Public Health Department of Nashville/Davidson County311 23rd Avenue NorthNashville, TN 37203615.340.5622

615.340.2131

Early voting begins today

Early voting starts today across Tennessee for the Aug. 7 state primary and county general elections. Ballots will be cast in primaries for U.S. senator, all nine of the state's congressional seats, half the members of the state Senate and all 99 members of the state House and yes-or-no "retention" elections for some of the judges on the state appeals court. Ballots will be cast in county general elections, and some city offices. Early voting ends Aug. 2. — JENNIFER PEEBLES (Tennessean)