Traffic alert

Please note this report of increased speeding monitoring by MNPD on Hillsboro and West End near I-440 recently. Ease off the pedal a bit unless you want a Halloween trick instead of a treat.

If you're looking for something to do for Halloween, that post also has a couple of good ideas. Happy Halloween, everyone!

How's business?

This lemonade stand was abandoned when I passed it somewhere around 45th Avenue and Wyoming (or so) on Sunday, but I'm guessing that the proprietors did pretty well during the weekend with all the great weather. I hope so.

Housing prices fall again

The housing market is making a big correction, though I'm still not sure what that means for Sylvan Park (possibly more days on the market and slightly reduced prices, but I'm no real-estate expert).

Those of you who are real estate pros, feel free to weigh in with your thoughts. As an aside, here's one local blogger's take on how much time has passed since the housing market last fell this sharply.

Nashville Muse 3rd Sundays

If you're a music type (and there just have to be some of you out there, since this is Nashville), you may want to check out the Nashville Muse 3rd Sunday get together/jam session (the next one should be November 19th). Based on the photos available at the site above, this West Nashville gathering looks like a fun time.

Nashville Muse is a "must-read weekly reference for Music City's songwriting community," according to its Web site.

Tales from the greenway

Someone had a rough, yet beautiful, ride on the Richland Creek Greenway this past weekend. Here's a selection from his recap (below), and here's the full description of the "ungood" ride.

"But the greenway is just beautiful. I hope to take a walk back there and get some snapshots of the wildlife, the trees, and just the nature. Metro Parks should be really commended for providing these greenways throughout our city as they are really something to be proud of."

I agree about the greenway, and I hope he's feeling better this afternoon than he did on Saturday. :)

Nashville not very safe

According to a recently released list of the safest American cities, Nashville is pretty dangerous.

More Nashville West information

WTVF-TV did a story recently on the Nashville West subdivision. Here's a link to the story text and a video feed. It specifically mentions that the development will have a Cost Plus World Market along with other previously mentioned retailers.

HGTV is looking for you

Well, maybe. A local freelance writer is looking for homeowners who've recently done some work on their homes. If you fit either of the categories below and are interested in being interviewed, email kagranju[at]gmail.com.

• You have reglazed/refinished bathroom fixtures rather than replacing them (whether you did it yourself or hired a professional).
• You have a "non traditional" floor in your bathroom (wood, bamboo, cork, one of the new 'bathroom friendly' carpets, glass, rubber matting, cement)

Home prices and relativity

The City Paper had an interesting take on housing prices last week. Did you know that a 750 square-foot condominium in Moscow, Russia, can run as high as $6 million? Sure, Sylvan Park's home prices have jumped in the past several years, but it could be worse (or better, depending on how you look at it).

"In the early 1990s, when prices in Belle Meade achieved sales of more than $100 per square foot, many thought Armageddon was around the corner. Now many homes in Sylvan Park sell for more than $200 per square foot. In fact, in order to find homes under $100 per square foot, buyers must roam to Buena Vista, a neighborhood north of downtown and near Metro Center."

These days, $100 per square foot sounds like a huge bargain for a buyer and a disaster for a seller. Wow.

Elite Theater

The Tennessean ran a story earlier this week about the Elite Theater, which was located across Charlotte Pike from Richland Park years ago. For those of us too young to remember the theater, the story provides an entertaining glimpse into Nashville's past. For those of you who do remember, it will probably stir some warm memories. (If you have any to share, please comment below.)

I remember my mother telling me about attending a theater like this on Saturday mornings in her hometown of Trenton, Tenn. Just like Bobby Bass, the author of the story, she would walk to the theater on Saturday mornings with a quarter in hand. She'd buy a ticket, a Coke and popcorn, and she'd come home with change. It must have been something to go each week looking forward to the next installment of an ongoing serial, too, and I guess that's a little bit like the way I feel as each week's new episode of Lost approaches. Some things change, I guess, but our imaginations and love for storytelling persevere.

Meat and Three Mania

I noticed that Sylvan Park Restaurant made this local blogger's list of great meat-and-three restaurants. It's safe to say that his declaration that meat-and-threes are a "Nashville Institution" borders on understatement, and that's a good thing if you ask me.

For those of you new to town and unclear on the concept, here's a good brief description. For enthusiasts recent and long-time, here's a Web site dedicated to the phenomenon and to providing local listings. Enjoy!

Traffic update

According to The Tennessean, the following sections of roads in or near Sylvan Park will be closed until Tuesday, October 31. Detours are required in all three instances.

• 45th Avenue North between Park and Elkins avenues
  
• Park Avenue between 44th and 46th avenues north
• 46th Avenue North between Charlotte and Park avenues

Metro Codes series to air on Metro 3

Metro Nashville's government access Cable Channel 3 (government access) is airing a multi-part series to educate the public about the city's codes system. The next chance to catch the first episode of this installment is tonight at 8 p.m., and the show will repeat at the same time on Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights. Here's the channel's broadcast schedule if you would like to check it out.

According to Metro Codes Director Terry Cobb, this series is informative, and it will not "bore you to tears." Please report back if you discover otherwise. ;)

Halloween events

If you can't celebrate Halloween in Nashville, you just can't celebrate. There are a ton of Halloween events happening over the next few days, and the Nashville Rage has a laundry list of them. If none of them strike your fancy, you can always stick with the Zombie Walk I mentioned yesterday. (All the other events appear to be primarily intended for the non-undead. Ha ha.)

News2 kids contest

WKRN-TV news assignment director Jerry Barlar (above) is challenging the children of Middle Tennessee to get up off of the couch. Parents, let Jerry know if your progeny has what it takes to make Sylvan Park proud!

"I am starting a new segment. If your school age child has a skill, in something outdoors, I want him or her to challenge me. This is a chance to show off the youth in middle Tennessee and that they can do more than just sit inside and play video games. Email or call me at the station and let me know what you child does."

You can reach Jerry at jbarlar@wkrn.com or (615) 369-7222.

Friday skunk report

Neighbor Wendell Goodman reports that he captured his sixth skunk last night. This has got to be a Sylvan Park record, and in my opinion Wendell is approaching folk-hero status. Thanks a bunch, Wendell. This is much appreciated!

Zombie Crossing

If you're driving down Elliston Place on Saturday evening, be careful not to run over the undead as you travel.

Nashville Stand Up is organizing a Zombie Walk (yes, I'm serious) this Saturday (October 28) at 5:45 p.m. Anyone is welcome to participate (details at the NSU link that begins this paragraph), and the undead will be gathering across from the Exit/In on Elliston Place to start walking toward Springwater tavern near Centennial Park.

[Censored] art show Saturday night

Everyone, this one is a little racy, but it is taking place in the neighborhood this weekend. Feel free to either stop by or avoid the area, depending on your reaction. Here's your official invitation.

A one-night art show entitled "Sex Show" (note: the linked text-only page is a little past PG-13) will take place on Saturday October 28th from 7 to 10 p.m. at 3609 Pilcher Avenue. Carpooling is encouraged. It is hosted by __nym, a group of Nashville artists. In a variety of mediums, from figurative painting to video, this show is __nym's diverse reaction to sexuality. Including the kitschy and crass, the show includes the sensual and the elegant. Treading the thin line between vulgarity and sexy the artists seek not to shock but to seduce the viewer with a sensual experience.

__nym is Alison Boyd, Matt Christy, Adolfo Davila, Mai Lick, Coffey May, Ken Nakamura, Adam Nicholson, Nick Stolle, Christina Wing, John Whitten, Scott Wold, with guest artist Roy Wyatt Batty.

For the record, I'm out of town this weekend. :)

Skunk update

Thanks to neighbor Wendell Goodman for the following updates on skunk activity in the neighborhood. (Wendell posted these as comments to a September post about skunks, but I thought they were worth including on the main page, too.)

• "I live [on] Park Ave. About a month ago we noticed that something was digging in our flower beds in the back yard particularly in the mulch. This week I set a live trap baited with peanuts and to my suprise I caught a skunk. Skunks commonly dig for grubs and other insects we now have found out. Nashville animal control came out and got him. They do not recommend taking them to the country and releasing them because of the fear of rabies. The skunk was apparently living under our garage - I have now found an opening. He also apparently has a partner since last night we again saw more digging in the flowerbeds. Animal Control took him my trap and I now have to go retreive it. If you decide to use one put some identification on the trap before you catch a skunk - its hard to do afterward." [Editor's note: I bet it is!]
  

• "We have now trapped three skunks in our back yard. The city took the first two and a friend took the third one and released it in the country. Peanuts proved to be a very good bait. I think we are now skunk free. If anyone wants to borrow our trap they are welcome."
  

• "I think that we are freeing the neighborhood of skunks. We now have caught a total of 5 in our back yard. We are releasing them in the country."

Thanks, Wendell, for taking the time to do this and to let us know. Your neighbors are grateful, even if the skunks are not. :)

Ask Apparel opens

Ask Apparel is a new online business based here in Nashville. Run by sisters Alesandra , Sarah and Kate Bellos (hence the name ASK), the company officially opened its Internet operation this month. The sisters "create beautiful clothing from natural dyes and organic fibers for the health of our customers and our planet." According to Sarah's MySpace page, they work from a studio in West Nashville.

Mitch Albom event cancelled

Mitch Albom has cancelled his book signing event scheduled for tonight at the downtown public library. It is not expected to be rescheduled. In Mitch's defense, who thought his hometown Detroit Tigers would make it to the World Series? Probably no one when this event was originally planned.

Upcoming library events

Victoria Elliott at the Richland Park Branch Library has passed along information about two upcoming free family-friendly library events:

• Tuesday, October 31, at 6 p.m.: A Halloween and Day of the Dead Celebration (in Spanish & English) with Special Guest Grandma Irene. Costumes are welcome, and everyone is invited to attend for a celebration in story, song and dance.
  

• Saturday, November 18, from 1 to 4 p.m.: A Native American Mini Festival will be held in a tent on the library lawn to celebrate our Community of Many Faces and Native American History Month. Sponsored by Friends of the Nashville Public Library and the Bennett Klein Memorial Fund. The following artists will perform or be in attendance to showcase their work: the Tanasi Thunder Singers, Seminole storyteller Sandy Perry, dancers Sheila and Grady Jones, fancy shawl dancer Teah Plumlee and crafts artist Penny Plumlee.
  

Nola arrives on West End

The Hispanic Nashville Notebook and the Nashville Scene have details to share about Nola, a new restaurant that features "Cajun tastes" along with some Uruguayan and other South American specialties. The restaurant has opened in the space formerly occupied by Obie's at 2914 West End Ave.

Nola is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call (615) 341-3693 or (615) 341-3694.

The case for Nashville West

The Nashville West site has a page explaining the rationale for the new development. I tend to turn a cautious eye toward development of any kind, but I do think this can be a successful shopping center. The aging (that's putting it mildly) shopping center that previously marked part of the site has been an eyesore for some time. I'm curious to see what this will mean for businesses across Annex Avenue from the development, such as Big Lots. They are in prime position for increased traffic, I would think.

It is important to understand the context of this site with regard to its centrality within the west Nashville community. The site is ideally suited to address the retail shopping needs of the residents in west Nashville - affording reasonable travel times, interstate access and arterial roadway frontage. By meeting these shopping needs closer to home, the potential exists to lessen traffic on congested arterials in areas such as Green Hills and the Highway 70 corridor in Bellevue. Effectively, over 113,000 people live today within a 5-mile service radius of the site and this quantity is projected to grow near 51,000 households by the year 2007.

Focus Points

• Geographically speaking, the site is strategically located between the existing prominent retail districts of Green Hills, Bellevue and Cool Springs. Those patrons driving to Cool Springs means that potential sales tax revenue is being lost within Metro Davidson County.

• A population base in excess of 113,000 live within a 5-mile radius of the site who are currently traversing to Green Hills, Bellevue or Cool Springs to shop at signature national retailers.

• The site has proximity to Interstate 40 via the Charlotte Pike interchange. Thus, patrons accessing the site from the Interstate have the ability to enter the development at the westerly site entrance and avoid traversing the length of Charlotte Pike along the site's frontage. Internal site roadways provide connectivity throughout the length of the site capturing the cross-shopping traffic mitigating the impact on adjacent roadway systems.

More Nashville West details

WonderDawg has more details about and photos of the new Nashville West shopping center (official Web site here). Costco will open November 15, Olive Garden is reportedly coming and Publix has reportedly backed out of the shopping center.

Against the chain?

Well, I'm not really, but I do prefer independent restaurants to chains. The Tennessean has posed this question on its Web site today, and I thought it made for an interesting query for Sylvan Park because of our neighborhood dining establishments (Goldie's Deli, McCabe's Pub, Cafe Nonna, Park Cafe, Sylvan Park Restaurant, Star Bagel and Bobbie's Dairy Dip, to name a few...). Weigh in with your answer if you're in the mood.

While we're on the subject of dining, many thanks to Goldie's Deli (and to Ooh La La boutique) for sponsoring this month's issue of the SPNA newsletter. Since Goldie's does not have a Web site, here's its capsule description from the Scene Dining Guide:

GOLDIE'S DELI

Relocated to Sylvan Park from its long-time home in Belle Meade Plaza, this pioneering Jewish-flavored restaurant evokes a Manhattan deli, albeit with a Southern drawl. The menu is pure Noo Yawk: corned beef, pastrami, salami, brisket and chopped liver on rye or challah; fish platters and Nova; latkes, blintzes, knishes and kugel; and the Jewish penicillin, chicken soup.

Category: Burgers & Deli
Location: 4501 Murphy Road (615) 292-3589
Hours: 8 am-5 pm Mon.; 8 am-8 pm Tues.-Fri.; 8 am-5 pm Sat.; 8 am-4 pm Sun.

Riverfront Redevelopment Meeting

The final Riverfront Redevelopment Planning meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 25 at 6 p.m. at the Adventure Science Center (directions) on Fort Negley Boulelvard. The design team will focus on the first five-year phase of waterfront improvements. Come see how new floating walkways, boat docks, piers, parks, playgrounds, public art, water access points and improved connections to downtown and East Nashville can begin the transformation.

For more information, go to the Riverfront Redevelopment Web site or contact Metro Parks' John Lavender at (615) 862-8400 or john.lavender@nashville.gov.

Mitch Albom book signing

I thought of Mitch Albom as merely one of the loudmouths on ESPN's The Sports Reporters program until I read his book Tuesdays with Morrie a few years ago on a friend's recommendation. He probably still is from time to time, but he also has something meaningful to say when he makes the effort.

Albom will read excerpts from and sign his latest book, For One More Day, 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, October 25, at the Downtown Public Library. (This is a free event open to the public.)

Grandma Irene Halloween night

Grandma Irene, a member of the the National Storytelling Association, will present seasonal stories and songs in both English and Spanish for the whole family at a free public Halloween and Day of the Dead celebration on Tuesday, October 31, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Richland Park Branch Library (4711 Charlotte Avenue).

Civil rights leader to speak at Lipscomb

Unita Blackwell, one of the founding players in the Civil Rights Movement and the first female elected mayor in Mississippi, will speak on Tuesday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m. at Lipscomb University's Swang Chapel (3901 Granny White Pike). JoAnne Prichard Morris, who partnered with Blackwell to tell her life story in the book Barefootin, will also speak.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (615) 279-5837 or email carolyn.wilson@lipscomb.edu.

Pandemic public forum at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's Student Life Center is hosting a free public forum tomorrow (Monday, October 23) entitled Confronting a Pandemic Threat: Risks, Rights, and Responsibilities from 4 to 6 p.m. .

Those of you who heard the Metro Public Health presentation regarding a hypothetical flu pandemic may be interested in attending this event to learn more. The forum will be held in Ballroom A at the center, which is located at 310 25th Avenue South. For more information, please call (615) 343-5447.

School Open House Nov. 9

Sylvan Park Paideia Elementary School (map) is hosting an open house on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. Here's more information from Judy Beasley:

Think all public schools are alike? Don’t know where to send your preschooler to kindergarten? Still waiting to hear from a private school? Then please join us to meet Mrs. Evalina Cheadle (Sylvan Park principal) and the kindergarten teachers, as well as current and past Sylvan Park parents. Call the school office at (615) 298-8423 for more information.

Paideia schools offer a unique approach to active learning. Paideia's two-fold goal is to teach all students to think, and to enable all adults in students' lives to see themselves as life-long learners. To this end, the Paideia classroom combines three instructional techniques: didactic instruction, coaching of academic skills, and Paideia seminar discussion. Together, these three types of instruction have been proven to enhance the literacy, problem solving, and thinking skills of students at all grade levels and abilities. Paideia is also known to enhance school climate and culture, leading to a safer overall environment for learning. For more info, visit www.sylvanparkschool.org or www.paideia.org.

PAIDEIA (py-dee-a) from the Greek pais, paidos: the upbringing of a child.

This Wikipedia entry on the paideia concept also has some good information.

Fall newsletter

The SPNA fall newsletter is now available online. The newsletter is expected to be distributed to neighborhood homes next week.

Calling all bikers

Boswell’s 11th Annual Toy Parade, the backbone fundraiser for the Metropolitan Police Department’s Christmas Basket Program benefiting needy Nashvillians, is this Sunday, and motorcycle enthusiasts from across Middle Tennessee are invited to take part. Motorcycle riders will line up at Boswell’s Harley-Davidson (401 Fesslers Lane) beginning at noon Sunday for a 1 p.m. fun ride to Coaches Sports Grill on Rivergate Parkway in Goodlettsville, where music, fun and food will await. The distance to be covered is approximately 14 miles.

Participating riders are asked to bring a new toy and make a cash donation. The money and toys will be used to support the police department’s annual Christmas Basket Program, now in its 45th year, through which police officers deliver food and toys to needy Nashvillians on Christmas Eve morning. Hundreds of men, women and children comprising more than 200 underprivileged families will receive surprise gifts of food and toys this year.

All riders and brands of motorcycles are welcome to take part in the Toy Parade. For more information, call Bubba Boswell at (615) 256-0737.

Annual holiday wine testing

Nashville Wine & Spirits will present its Annual Holiday Wine Tasting on Friday, November 3, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Convent Place (formerly St. Bernard Academy). This year all proceeds go to benefit the Nashville Jazz Workshop, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of jazz and jazz education in the community.

Over 100 wines will be featured, with heavy hors d'oeuvres by "Eventful" catering. There will be live jazz music by artists from the Nashville Jazz Workshop.

Convent Place is located at 2021 21st. Avenue South. Tickets are $50 per person, and can be purchased from the Nashville Jazz Workshop at (615) 242-5299. For further information contact Lori Mechem, director of the Nashville Jazz Workshop at the phone number above or visit the workshop website.

Community Fall Fest

The Senior Renaissance Center will hold its annual Fall Fest tomorrow, October 21st, from 7 a.m. to noon at the Cohn Adult Learning Center at 4805 Park Avenue.

This Westview story has all the details, which include a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m., music,a country store/flea market and a silent auction.

The event itself is free and open to the public. The pancake breakfast is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children under age 10.

Halloween at West End

West End Church of Christ (map and event details) will host a free Trunk or Treat party and fall festival on Sunday, October 29 to from 3 to 6 p.m. The event will feature free Carnival games, a costume contest, prizes, balloon animals, face painting, trunk-or-treating and more. For more information, call (615) 383-7450.

Parents, think of this as a fun activity for the whole family. Kids, consider this a pre-game warmup for Tuesday. ;)

Westbound I-40 closed this weekend

Interstate 40 West between I-65 and I-440 will be closed this weekend beginning at 7 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.

This is different from previous weekend closures that have occured recently. This time, access from downtown to I-440 will be shut down. If you are going to be downtown over the weekend, you won't be able to take I-40 to head back to Sylvan Park. The easiest alternatives will probably be to take West End Avenue or Charlotte Pike back to the neighborhood.

Happy motoring, everyone.

Early voting begins

As reported in the City Paper, early voting begins today. Check out these details about the voting locations, and be sure to note that you can only vote early at the Howard School location until this coming Monday. On Monday, several other locations will also open for early voting through Nov. 2.

Not sure who to vote for? Here's the ballot (Adobe reader, which is free, is required).

Carla and Clint go to school

The Tennessean has a great story today about children's book author Carla Contreras, who recently visited Sylvan Park School to speak to students who participate in the school's aftercare program. Contreras is well known for her book Clint the Black Cat.

New recording secretary

Last Monday, SPNA elected Katherine Beasley to fill the recently vacated position of recording secretary. Following the election, Katherine immediately jumped in and began fulfilling her duties by taking minutes for the remainder of the meeting. Katherine, welcome aboard and thanks for your service on behalf of the neighborhood! Thanks also to Barbara Lamb for filling in temporarily and taking minutes prior to the election.

Cohn Center Auditorium

The Cohn Adult Learning Center auditorium will be officially renamed the Charles and Rosalee Sadler Auditorium during a ceremony this Sunday, October 15, at 3 p.m.

A reception will follow the ceremony and conclude at 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend both events.

The Sadlers, who lived for many years on Nebraska Avenue, donated money to refurbish the auditorium. The family has a long history in Sylvan Park: 12 Sadlers attended and graduated from Cohn High School during its original tenure as one of Nashville's public high schools.

Yvonne Eaves prepared this additional information about the Sadler family that provides more details about their time in the neighborhood.

Traffic Update

Please note that I-40 Eastbound between I-440 and I-65 (toward downtown) will be closed again this weekend. TDOT will close the section at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 13, and reopen it at 5 a.m. on Monday, October 16.

If you're headed downtown anytime this weekend, you'll need to take an alternate route such as Charlotte Pike or West End Avenue or follow I-440 East to I-65 North. Happy motoring.

Dog Day correction

The Dog Day Festival mentioned in the recent Next Top Dog post will take place this Saturday, October 14, at Centennial Park (not Elmington Park). Thanks to Robert Chatham for catching this error.

Curby day and recycling info

Tomorrow is curbside recycling day for part of Sylvan Park. As neighbor Pat Williams pointed out to me recently, though, some Sylvan Park residents recycle on the first Wednesday of each month, not the second. (Thanks, Pat.)

If you submit your address on this Metro Public Works Web page, it will tell you which day is recycling pickup day for your home. You can also determine what day trash pickup is, but I'm really hoping you already know that. (Yuck!)

From what I can tell, the dividing line in the neighborhood between the first and second Wednesdays appears to be Idaho Avenue. If you live on Idaho or west of that street, you recycle (well, hopefully you recycle) on the first Wednesday. If you live east of Idaho Avenue, you recycle on the second Wednesday. Don't hold me to this, but it appears that everyone has trash pickup on Wednesday each week.

Coming Soon to 46th Avenue

Traffic activity on 46th Avenue was a topic of conversation at last night's SPNA membership meeting. Several neighbors reported that drivers continue to speed on 46th Avenue despite the presence of children at McCabe Community Center and the student crosswalk at Utah Avenue. (As a resident on Murphy Road, I can vouch that this is also true on Murphy.)

Neighborhood Watch captain Doug Eckert has mentioned this to MNPD and to Metro Public Works. One of the city's radar scanner stations, the kind with the digital readout that informs drivers of their vehicle speed, will hopefully be positioned on 46th sometime later this month for a few days. There may also be more police attention to driving speeds in the neighborhood as well. Consider this fair warning if you tend to speed through the neighborhood.

Greenway 5K/10K meeting tomorrow night

Several neighbors are exploring the possibility of holding a 5K or 10K run next spring following the grand opening of the second phase of the Richland Creek Greenway. If you are interested in brainstorming ideas for this event or being involved in any way, Jason and Margaret Holleman will be hosting a planning meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 7 p.m. at 4509 Nebraska Avenue.

Feel free to attend, and be sure to email Jason at [jdholleman at hotmail.com] if you have questions or would like more information about this event.

Note: No actual running will be required to help with the planning. :)

Dance Correction

Correction to the earlier post about the Nashville Country Dancers event this Friday from NCD member and neighbor Susan: This week's dance is at the Cohn Adult Learning Center, as are some other occasional dances, but most dances are at Second Presbyterian Church in Green Hills.

The easiest way to keep up with the dance schedule is to visit the NCD Web site.

New look

I don't know about you, but I just thought the old blog layout was a little on the drab side. I chose that layout trying to match the color scheme of the SPNA Web site, but the blog was also a bit hard to read with all of that grey. All the content is the same, but the blog has a new look. Enjoy!

Celebrating Neighborhoods conference

From the Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods:

Mayor Bill Purcell and the Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods will host the 6th Annual Celebrating Neighborhoods conference at the Main Branch of the Nashville Public Library on Saturday, October 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This year's conference will focus on building and maintaining strong neighborhoods through education and skill development for neighborhood leaders. Conference attendees will explore ways to help Metro identify, address and prevent problems in neighborhoods. They will also have the opportunity to participate in sessions on crime prevention and land use issues such as zoning and planning.

"For seven years, we have been working hard to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods across our city," said Purcell. "This conference will again allow us a chance to partner citizens and neighborhood organizations with Metro government to strengthen our community."

Conference speakers include representatives from the Metro Codes, Health, Public Works, Water and Police departments. This year's keynote luncheon speaker will be Mayor Bill Purcell. The Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods will also announce the Neighbor of the Year and Vanguard awards at the conference.

The conference is free and open to the public, however, seating is limited, so registration is recommended. Free parking will be available to conference participants with validated tickets at the Church Street Parking Garage.

To participate, contact the Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods at (615) 862-5979 or visit the conference Web site to register.

Owner Found

Kathleen reports that the owner of the Doberman mentioned below has been "found." Ha ha. I'm glad to report the good news. :)

Found Dog

On Thursday morning, October 5, a resident in Cherokee Park found a Doberman running down Aberdeen Road. The dog appears to be a puppy/adolescent and well cared for and very friendly. He/She is currently being cared for and kept in a fenced in yard but would like to be reunited with its owner. Please contact Kathleen at (615) 397-7258 or (615) 385-5501.

(Note: The photo above isn't the dog in question, but it is a Doberman.)

Citipass Books

Neighbor Judy Beasley reports that Sylvan Park Paideia Elementary School still has Citipass books remaining if anyone would like to buy one. They are available for $20, and the proceeds from the sale benefit Sylvan Park School.

Citipass books provide great discounts at area retailers and restaurants. Proceeds help cover costs that are not included in the school's annual operating budget. The school PTA helps pay for several of these expenses, including hiring an associate reading specialist to help students.

Judy also reports that if you buy them from her, she will deliver your book in person if you live in Sylvan Park. Now that's a good deal. Call Judy at (615) 383-9612 or email her at [judy.beasley at freemanwebb.com] if you're interested.

Nashville Country Dancers

The Nashville Country Dancers are hosting a Contra Dance this Friday, October 13, from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at Cohn Adult Learning Center. Lessons begin at 7:30 and are offered at no additional cost.

General admission is $7, and students and seniors can participate for $5. No experience or partner is necessary. Neighbor Jenny Frampton reports that the dances are "great exercise and a great way to meet people" and feature "terrific live music."

For more information, visit www.dancenashville.org or call (615) 356-1526.

Next Top Dog

Sylvan Park, it's time to show your support for our neighborhood canines! Several of our neighbors' dogs are entered in the Next Top Dog Photo Contest being held by the Nashville Humane Association and WSM-FM The Wolf.

Vote here between now and this Wednesday, October 11, at 5 p.m. Neighborhood pups include the following nominees: Milo (pictured above), Flash, Barley, Chelsea, and Ladybug.

The contest winner will be announced during the annual Dog Day Festival at Centennial Park on Saturday, October 14. (Dog Day benefits the Humane Association, so bring your pooch out for a stroll next weekend to support a good cause.)

Membership meeting tomorrow

Reminder: SPNA will hold its monthly membership meeting tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Cohn Adult Learning Center at the intersection of 48th Avenue and Park Avenue. The meeting will be held in the Senior Renaissance Center in the basement of the building.

Traffic Update

Interstate 40 Eastbound between I-440 and I-65 will be closed again this coming weekend. The closure will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 6, and end at 5 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 9.

TDOT closed the same section of the interstate two weeks ago and will be closing it periodically for construction this fall. Here's how to navigate around the closure this weekend.

Incredible Baby Shower

The Incredible Baby Shower, a free event open to the public, will be held Wednesday, October 4th (tomorrow), from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Belmont University's Curb Event Center.

The event is intended to provide pregnant and parenting teens and adult moms a connection to free resources to help insure that mom and baby are healthy, and stay healthy from pregnancy to early child development. It will feature presentations and topics concerning labor and delivery, newborn care and parenting, healthy lifestyles, and pre-natal care.

The shower is open to anyone and is specifically geared toward women participating in WIC and TennCare, uninsured women, pregnant high school teens, Metro Public Health Department volunteers, community agencies, local consultants and community partners.

Event sponsors include the Metro Public Health Department, March of Dimes, Tennessee State University, Belmont University and various vendors and community agencies that provide services for infants, children and youth.

For more information regarding this community event please contact Dr. Kimberlee Wyche at (615) 340-5614.