SPNA monthly meeting Monday (Dec. 14)

SPNA will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, December 14, at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Cohn Adult Learning Center at the intersection of 48th and Park Avenues. This is an important time for SPNA as we take some important steps to strengthen our organization and look forward to what promises to be a busy and eventful 2010. Hope to see you there!

Boy Scout Troop 17 selling Christmas trees through Dec. 20

Boy Scout Troop 17 is selling Christmas trees through December 20 at Blakemore United Methodist Church (3601 West End Avenue). Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m.

SPNA caroling party this Sunday (Dec. 6)

SPNA will hold its annual Christmas caroling party this Sunday (Dec. 6) at 5 p.m. at the home of Susan Rodgers and Keith Murray (5311 Elkins Avenue). Here are the party details:

Members of the neighborhood association were mailed invitations November 23 for the annual Christmas Caroling Party.  The neighborhood caroling and party have been a long time tradition in the neighborhood.  Members have enjoyed getting together to kick off the holiday season. 

This year’s celebration will start at the home of Susan Rodgers and Keith Murray at 5311 Elkins Avenue.  Carolers will board a trolley, travel through Sylvan Park and carol some of our older neighbors.  Christmas baskets full of treats have been prepared to give to them. 

The party starts at 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, with caroling from 5:30 to 7:00, then partying to continue at Susan and Keith’s home.  Different varieties of chili are provided and members are asked to please bring a covered dish or something to share. 

This is always a wonderful party, a chance to get caught up with old friends and an opportunity to meet new friends.  For more information, please call Cheryl Pickney at (615) 385-2890 or Stephanie Swartz at (615) 712-6950. Hope to see you there!

LeQuire Gallery Art After Hours event Thursday (Dec. 3)

LeQuire Gallery (4304 Charlotte Avenue) will host its latest Art After Hours event on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will showcase organic art and a tasting of organic appetizers from Miel restaurant. This event is free and open to the public. Here's more information from LeQuire Gallery:

In celebration of our current Nature of Wood exhibit, featuring many pieces from salvaged Tennessee hardwoods, our friends and Charlotte Ave. neighbors from Miel Restaurant join us for an evening of organic tastings. Using mostly organic and biodynamic products for their flavors, owners Seema & Jimmy Phillips have many heirloom vegetables to choose from grown in the rich soil and well-water yields from the Miel farm just 10 minutes from the restaurant.  Fully committed to organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices, the farm is also the restaurant's compost site. Miel Restaurant cooks only in copper and stainless steel pots, avoiding aluminum when at all possible.  The water is filtered and only fully biodegradable and recyclable packaging is used for takeout containers.

Appetizers to be served include picholine, niçoise and oil cured Morrocan olives, mussels In saffron cream, butter lettuce salad with truffled dijon vinaigrette, duck confit on local greens, Hudson Valley foie gras, frog legs and escargot. For more information, call LeQuire Gallery at (615) 298-4611.

Will Sing for Food fundraiser Saturday (Dec. 5)

Good Food for Good People, the group behind the West Nashville Farmers Market, will hold a concert titled "Will Sing for Food" on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. at the West Nashville United Methodist Church (4710 Charlotte Avenue). Here's more information:

Start the holiday season right by joining Good Food for Good People folks for an evening of amazing entertainment and Latino fare. Performers include a writers' round with Sherry Cothran, Jeff Jacob and Vivian Slade followed by the soulful Duncan May & the Resonators and the fabulous Funkwrench. You can also pick up some great holiday gifts at the silent auction. All monies raised will support the Richland Park Youth Gardening Initiative. [The price of admission is] $15 for individuals or $25 for couples.

Are you interested in keeping up with news from Good  for Good People and the West Nashville Farmers Market? Become a fan on Facebook.

MNPD participating in Second Harvest food drive

The Metro Nashville Police Department is participating in a food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank and encouraging residents to make donations of their own. If you'd like to donate food items, drop them off at the West Precinct (6730 Charlotte Avenue) Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 23.

Second Harvest is in particular need of the following items: peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, canned fruit, rice, beans, canned vegetables, canned meats and pasta.

West Nashville community coalition meeting rescheduled to Dec. 1

The West Nashville community coalition meeting scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov. 10), has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The meeting will still be held at West Nashville United Methodist Church (4710 Charlotte Avenue). The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

SPNA board meeting tonight (Nov. 9)

SPNA will hold its monthly board meeting tonight (Monday, November 9) at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Cohn Adult Learning Center at the intersection of 48th and Park Avenues. Tonight's meeting will include a discussion of SPNA's recently adopted by-laws as well as other current organization business. Hope to see you there!

Animal Control picks up three stray dogs

Metro Animal Control Field Operations Supervisor Billy Biggs reports that the organization picked up three stray dogs yesterday as part of a sweep of the neighborhood. Please continue to call Animal Control at (615) 862-7928. This number is monitored 24 hours a day, so please leave a detailed message when calling.

MNPD apprehends suspected Target thief

From the Metro Nashville Police Department:

A tip to Crime Stoppers led to the identification of convicted robber Timothy Kelly, Jr., 23, as the man who stabbed a woman and robbed her of her purse October 27th in the Target parking lot at 26 White Bridge Road. Kelly is already in custody on other robbery charges. He was arrested Saturday by Hermitage Precinct Officer Jimmy Gregg who spotted the suspect getaway vehicle involved in the hold-up of a man seated in a car in the 1000 block of Thompson Lane. Kelly is charged with aggravated robbery in that crime. He is also charged with robbery for snatching a woman’s purse October 25th in the Wal-Mart parking lot at 7044 Charlotte Pike. He is currently being held on $100,000 bond.

A warrant charging Kelly with aggravated robbery has been issued in the Target case. Kelly, who is homeless, was convicted in July 2008 of robbing an 84-year-old man outside the victim’s 31st Avenue North residence. He was released on probation in January 2008 after serving one year. He violated his probation six months later for domestic assault (convicted) and was returned to jail. Kelly was released in April of this year. In 2002, at age 16, Kelly was convicted of aggravated assault in Bledsoe County. He served four years at the now-closed Brushy Mountain Correctional Complex.