SPNA elections in January

SPNA will hold its annual officer and steering committee elections at the monthly membership meeting on Monday, January 8.

As indicated in the SPNA By-Laws, "Resident members eligible to seek office are those who have paid annual dues and attended no fewer than six (6) meetings in the twelve (12) months preceding an election." To clarify, any resident who has attended six or more meetings in the past 12 months and registers as a member for 2007 is eligible for the election. Membership during 2006 is not a prerequisite, but meeting attendance is.

The following residents attended six or more meetings during the past 12 months and are eligible for the election:

David Baird
Keith Barnes
Katherine Beasley
Martha Berry
Jim Dade
Yvonne Eaves
Doug Eckert
Wendall Goodman
Jason Holleman
Margaret Holleman
Barbara Lamb
Jud Laughter
Steve McFadden-Ketchum
Anna Means
Patrick Merkel
John Miglietta
Nancy O'Dell
Bernard Pickney
Cheryl Pickney
Connie Putnam
Rob Robinson
Lori Samuels
Rob Stack
Thomas Sullivan
Victoria Webb
Patrick Williams
F. Clark Williams
Janet Younts

If you have attended six or more meetings and are not listed above, please let Margaret Holleman (mclarem_18[at]yahoo.com) know as soon as possible.

Police enforcement over holiday weekend

Metro Nashville Police Department officers will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint at the intersection of White Bridge Road and Knob Road on Friday, December 29, from 8 p.m. to midnight to identify and arrest intoxicated and impaired motorists. The department will also have many of its officers on duty Sunday night and Monday morning canvassing "roadways near bars and taverns, as well as the interstate system and downtown, looking for intoxicated or impaired drivers."

As the holiday weekend approaches, please take time to make arrangements for safe and sober transportation to and from your holiday destinations. Be careful out there!

Nashville West photos

WonderDawg has posted several great photos of the Nashville West shopping development in progress, including this picture of the new Super Target. He reports that it is expected to open in March. Best Buy, Cost Plus World Market, Dick's Sporting Goods, Old Navy and Ross Dress for Less are also coming soon. Here's background information from the developer, too.

Nashville's worst parking lots

Ben has compiled a list of the 10 worst parking lots in Nashville. He left out Satco on 21st Avenue, as one commenter pointed out, but otherwise he's right on. Fortunately, none of them are in Sylvan Park, but several aren't far away. Is he right, or did he miss one? (Image from iExplore)

Vine Street Christmas concert tonight (Dec. 27)

It’s not too late for one last round of Christmas cheer. Vine Street Christian Church (4101 Harding Road, across from Cherokee Park) will host an A Capella Christmas Concert tonight (Wednesday, December 27) at 7 p.m. featuring madrigal singers from local high schools. The concert is free and open to the public. Call (615) 269-5614 for more information. (Photo from WNPT.net.)

Thanks from St. Luke's

Tiffany Israel, associate executive director for St. Luke's Community House (5601 New York Avenue), shared the following message in response to a recent post about the organization's Adopt-A-Family program. I thought it was worth highlighting. Thanks to everyone who participated this year!

I just wanted to send a special thank you to all of the Sylvan Park neighbors who supported St. Luke's Adopt-A-Family program. Close to 400 families and over 60 seniors received holiday assistance this year! Many of you support us with your time, as well as, with financial contributions throughout the year. As a resident of Sylvan Park, and an employee of St. Luke's, I encourage you to check out the St. Luke's website at www.stlukescommunityhouse.org.

St. Luke's offers numerous services (and volunteer opportunities) to folks living in 37209 including emergency financial assistance, emergency food boxes and supplemental food delivery for low-income seniors just to name a few. St. Luke's has been serving west Nashville for over 90 years and is a tremendous neighborhood resource for those who find themselves in need. Thanks again!

If you are interested in supporting St. Luke's, please consider making a donation or volunteering your time.

Holiday recycling

Metro Public Works is accepting non-artificial Christmas trees for recycling at a drop-off location in Richland Park. The drop-off location is marked by a sign on the Charlotte Avenue side of the park west of the library building.

Trees must have been stripped of their decorations, including lights, tinsel and ornaments. There is no charge for this service, and it prevents a significant amount of waste from winding up in landfills each year. The trees are recycled into mulch used for landscaping. Today's Tennessean has more details.

Nashville-based CoolPeopleCare has other tips for environmentally friendly holiday cleanup.

Centennial Park holiday lghts

If you're looking for a Holiday-themed diversion to get you out of the house for awhile, here's one to consider: Centennial Park is featuring holiday lighting displays and decorated trees through next Monday, December 31. The display is free and open to the public. More details are available in this news release. (Note: The photo above, taken in 1959, is courtesy of The Tennessean.)

Christmas Eve service tomorrow night (Dec. 24)

West Nashville United Methodist Church (4710 Charlotte Pike) will host a Christmas Eve candelight communion service tomorrow night (Sunday, December 24) at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free event.

Robbery at 39th and Murphy

This has been a rough week for crime in the neighborhood: A pizza deliveryman was apparently robbed Monday night near 39th Avenue and Murphy Road.

Thanks to Jason Holleman, who shared this information he received from the Richland-West End listserv today. Please report any suspicious activity you witness to the police at (615) 862-8600. Be careful out there, everyone!

[Correction: This incident appears to have happened on Monday night, not Wednesday night.]

West Nashville holiday lights

WonderDawg has some great photos of West Nashville homes (and one replica Greek temple) featuring holiday decorations. Check it out if you are looking for a little Web-based holiday cheer.

Cootie Simone opens tomorrow

The Darkhorse Theatre (4610 Charlotte Avenue) will present The Further Adventures of Cootie Simone beginning Thursday, December 21, and also on Dec. 22, 23, 29 and 30. All showtimes are at 7:30 p.m.

The City Paper features more information about this play in today's issue. Here's an excerpt:

The Further Adventures of Cootie Simone, opening tomorrow night at the Darkhorse Theatre. Set in 1939 Atlanta, Cootie Simone tells the quirky tale of sisters Suellen and Simone who have been cast as extras in the much-anticipated film Gone with the Wind. But while attending a celebratory party, Simone suffers a bump on the head that leaves her believing that she actually is Scarlett O’Hara.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For tickets or more information, call (615) 423-5304 or (931) 224-1250.

Armed holdup at Portland Brew

Courtesy of the Richland-West End listserv, here is some sobering news about criminal activity on the edge of Sylvan Park last night. Please be careful out there!

"I just wanted to let you know that I was robbed at gunpoint tonight over in the parking lot of Portland Brew on Murphy Road around 11:30 pm Monday night. Just wanted to let you and your loved ones know to be careful. Also please let anyone you know who may study there to be careful. With easy access to the highway and a dimly lit lot, it was the perfect combination for a robbery."

Don't hesitate to report crime you witness. Unless the offense is a life-threatening event such as the one above, call (615) 862-8600 to alert the police.

Belle Meade Cafeteria closing

According to The Tennessean, beloved West Nashville eatery Belle Meade Cafeteria will be closing permanently at 2 p.m. this Sunday, December 24.

The restaurant has apparently fallen victim to an upcoming rent increase and to changing consumer demands for dining out. The closing signals another change for this shopping center and one of many taking place along the section of Harding Road near White Bridge Road. Property owner Robin Realty hinted that there may be more changes on the way:

Robin Realty, the company that manages the shopping center, would like to "re-tenant" the strip, said Jim Blumberg, a senior retail consultant and broker for the company. "At this point, we are looking to redevelop that shopping center with ... a more up-to-date tenant," he said.

This weekend is your last chance to be served by wait staff in bow ties and white shirts at what has been called the "creme de la creme of fine cafeterias."

New restaurants at 2020 West End

The Tennessean reported this morning about the future of the long-vacant Fuddruckers property at 2020 West End Avenue. Confirmed tenants, shown in the site plan above, include restaurants T.G.I. Friday's and Jason's Deli. The Bank of Nashville will also open a branch in what is planned to be a multi-retailer development complete, thankfully, with a parking garage. You can find a few more details on the developer's Web site.

Thanks again to The Intown Report for the blueprint.

Artesia development near Centennial Park

Artesia, another development in nearby West End Park, will be a 17-home condominium development at 123 31st Avenue North near the Centennial Park Dog Park. Described as "contemporary living seasoned with old word [sic, I hope they mean 'world'] charm." The units are priced from $445,770 to $1,108,770, just under $400 per square foot. Wow.

Thanks to The Intown Report for this news.

This award stinks

Our renowned neighborhood skunk expert, Wendell Goodman, has recently received a prestigious honor. The National Association for the Love of Skunks--also known as some friends from Georgia whom the Goodmans recently hosted at their home--have bestowed Wendell with the Pepe La Phew Award (above). As you can see, this award is intended to commend Wendell's "awesome" efforts at controlling Sylvan Park's resident skunk population. Thanks, as always, Wendell, for your hard work and dedication to the cause!

Eat Spaghettata for NAMI Dec. 16

The Italian Market (411 51st Avenue North) will host a fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Nashville Chapter on Saturday, December 16 (tomorrow), from 5 to 8 p.m. There is no charge to attend this event, and the proceeds from all dining sales will benefit NAMI Nashville.

NAMI Nashville is a grassroots, self-help organization dedicated to improving quality of life for individuals with mental illness, their families and communities. Its mission is accomplished through mutual support, education and advocacy.

Here's a 2005 review of the Italian Market from Nashville Scene food critic Kay West in case you are getting hungry:

BEST NEW SPECIALTY MARKET: THE ITALIAN MARKET Though it’s a little off the beaten path, the brand-new Italian Market adheres to that typical tagline locals use when giving directions: you can’t miss it. Take Charlotte Pike from downtown toward White Bridge Road, look for the landmark gold-domed bank building at 51st Avenue North, turn toward the interstate, look for the squat cinderblock building painted like an Italian flag in red, white and green. See, you can’t miss it! And you won’t want to, if you, like many Italian Americans and transplanted Yankees, have been longing for imported Italian meats and cheeses, Pagliacci canned goods, dark tuna packed in olive oil, pine nut cookies, jars of pickled pepper spread, a cup of fresh-brewed espresso and a square of lasagna just like Nonna used to make. Not to mention wondering where the hell Corrado Savarino’s fresh-baked Italian bread has gone. Right here! You can’t miss it! —KAY WEST

Yum! If you're looking for something to do tomorrow night, here's a good cause to go along with a great meal!

Improvements for Charlotte Pike and Richland Park

Can you imagine Charlotte Pike as an urban streetscape with wider sidewalks, improved traffic flow and more trees? University of Georgia graduate student Jason Riley can, and he's been living among us this semester on Elkins Avenue. Jason is looking for community input on his ideas, which I personally think would be wonderful for our neighborhood and the surrounding area, and he needs your thoughts and feedback pronto.

Please send Jason an email with your reflections to [jwriley at uga.edu] before Tuesday, December 18. Here's Jason's original message with more details:

My name is Jason Riley. I am a student at The University of Georgia's School of Environmental Design(Landscape Architecture) Program. I have chosen Richland Park as my terminal project. As you probably know, gathering community input is crucial for creating or improving public spaces.

This is academic in nature and likely will not be implemented, but I do plan to send my finished work to the City Planning Dept. for future consideration. Currently Richland Park is one of many proposed enhancement greenspaces according to "The Plan of Nashville"(Nashville Civic Design Center) but has no specific design proposed. This is where I want to come in.

I have been renting a house on Elkins during my 6 month internship here and my family and I have enjoyed walking to and using Richland Park. Over the months I have noticed a great potential for not only the park but the adjacent, older commercial area across Charlotte. My plans are to propose a streetscape improvement(wider sidewalks, street trees etc.) plan for this area as well as enhancing and improving the bus stop. Other ideas inside the park include enhance entrances at south corners and entrance from bus stop, creating allee' toward entry to Cohn Center, an outdoor theater in close proximity to the library, fountain, more seating, additional and wider walking paths, visual and sound buffer from interstate, area for weekend outdoor co-opp market, etc..

Any and all other suggestions are welcome. Unfortunately I am moving back to Georgia Dec 18th. I just missed the last meeting at Cohn due to the birth of my second child. Please let me know even if you have no ideas.

Congratulations to Jason on becoming a father for the second time. Please help him out with your feedback over the weekend.

Community Garden Committee

Neighbor Mekayle Houghton volunteered to chair a new community garden committee that will explore opportunities for creating and sustaining a garden in Sylvan Park. If you have a green thumb of your own or just an interest in being involved, email Mekayle at houghton2x4[at]mac.com.

Park Cafe review

Local blogger Lance Martin posted a review of Park Cafe this week. Here's a teaser before you take a look at the full review:

Park Cafe is a small but popular restaurant in the upscale Sylvan Park neighborhood in west Nashville. They recently opened a second location, Eastland Cafe, a few blocks from our house. While the new spot gets its legs under it, we went cross-town to check out the original. The place is casual, cozy and, on this Friday night, busy. It is romantic inside, especially if your idea of romance includes walls adorned with enough oil paintings of scantily-attired women to make Toulouse-Lautrec reach for the absinthe.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts, Lance.

Planning commission hearing today (Dec. 14)

The Metro Planning Commission will hold a public hearing today (Thursday, December 14) at 4 p.m. at the Howard Office Building auditorium (720 Second Avenue South) regarding the Downtown Community Plan: 2006 Update.

This hearing gives citizens the opportunity to weigh in regarding the plan update and to discuss the future of the downtown area. Here is an excerpt from the plan's executive summary describing the plan's purpose. (The full document is available at the MPC Web site.)

The purpose of the Downtown Community Plan Update: 2006 (Downtown Plan) is to guide growth and development in Downtown for the next five to seven years. The community plan update presents an opportunity to engage the community in assessing growth and development at a point in time, to discern a shared vision for future growth, and to adopt principles, policies, and tools to achieve that vision.

Since the Downtown Community Plan was last updated in 1997, Downtown Nashville has experienced impressive growth, including not only growth in the commercial and office sectors that are the hallmarks of any healthy downtown, but also in residential development and related services as more community members embrace urban living.

This robust, healthy growth is due, in large part, to a commitment by the private and public sectors, by residents, employers, and investors, to a shared vision for Downtown. A review of the 1997 Subarea 9 Plan reveals that much of the guidance given by the plan was put into practice and many of the recommendations made by the plan have been realized.

The update of the Downtown Plan evaluates the current state of Downtown – its successes and opportunities. The update builds on the past, while not being bound to it. Instead, the Downtown Plan offers a comprehensive plan for land use policy, related transportation and systems recommendations and a building regulating plan tailored to each neighborhood, to encourage the creation of the Downtown Nashville that citizens who work, live, play and invest Downtown have envisioned.

For questions and comments, please contact Jennifer Carlat at [jennifer.carlat at nashville.gov] or (615) 862-7210.

Build a Lego Menorah Dec 21

I do have more details about another Menorah celebration. This one sounds like a lot of fun for young kids and kids who are only young at heart (ha ha). The Chabad Center for Jewish Awareness is hosting a Chanukah celebration at Green Hills Mall (2126 Abbott Martin Road) on Thursday, December 21, at 4:30 p.m.

The public is invited to participate in this free event to help build a lego menorah, similar to the one pictured above, using several thousand lego pieces. It is believed to be the first such menorah project in the city. Children who attend will receive a free Chanukah gift. If you would like to support this event, you can also sponsor a bucket of legos for $25. For more information, call (615) 646-5750.

Menorah lighting Dec. 15

A menorah will be lit on Friday, December 15, at 3 p.m. at Riverfront Park to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah. Nashville.gov mentions this news on its front page, but it and the Celebrate Nashville site offer little additional information. If you have more information, please send me an email.

Update: The Chabad Center for Jewish Awareness has much more information about this event. Mayor Bill Purcell will have the honor of lighting the first candle of the Menorah. This will be a historic event because it will mark the first lighting of a Menorah on city-owned property.

The State Capitol grounds will host the state's largest Menorah this holiday season. The Fourth Annual Capitol Chanukah Celebration will be held on Sunday, December 17, at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to both events.

Rave restaurant reviews

Philadelphia food aficionado Holly Moore has reviewed scores of restaurants that specialize in home cooking, including quite a few in Nashville (scroll down on the page to Tennessee). He (yes, he) has also covered two of our neighborhood favorites, Bobbie's Dairy Dip and Sylvan Park Restaurant. Both received four "grease stains" out of five, which is a good thing. Congratulations, y'all.

Crime report

Neighbor Doug Eckert shared the following crime report at last night's SPNA membership meeting, and the news is not so good.

Auto burglary, the theft of property from vehicles, increased over the past month. Incidences of auto burglary are generally the most common crime reported in Sylvan Park. This kind of theft was concentrated in two clusters in the neighborhood: on or near 46th Avenue and on or near 39th Avenue. The theft of an automobile, a much less common offense in Sylvan Park, occured near Dakota Avenue and 53rd Avenue. Three residential burglaries (home break-ins) were also reported during this time period. This is unusual activity for the neighborhood.

For more information on crime in Sylvan Park, visit the Metro Nashville Police Department's interactive crime map. Please report any crime you witness or discover to (615) 862-8600.

Membership meeting tonight (Dec. 11)

Reminder: SPNA will hold its monthly membership meeting tonight (Monday, December 11) 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. See you there!

Room In the Inn Benefit Concert

If you are interested in supporting a great cause this week, Christ Church Cathedral (900 Broadway) is hosting the 7th Annual Nashville Unlimited Christmas benefit concert for Room In the Inn on Wednesday, December 13, at 7 p.m.

Emmylou Harris, John Prine, John Cowan, the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble and other artists are scheduled to perform. The suggested minimum donation is $15, and doors open at 5:30 p.m. Call (615) 255-7729 for more information.

The Campus for Human Development facilitates the Room In the Inn program. Here's a statistical snapshot of the impact the program has had in the past year:

"In the past year, 28,522 beds were provided to 1,033 different individuals (46% first-time guests). More than 150 congregations served 72,217 meals, 16,804 snacks and offered 12,658 showers. Roughly 29,373 volunteers provided 11,030 hours and drove 155,242 miles in order to offer safe shelter for the homeless in Nashville."

Night Before Christmas Performance Dec. 12

Acclaimed American sign language performers Mindy Moore and Theron Parker will present 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and other holiday favorites on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 10:30 a.m. at the Nashville Public Library's main branch downtown. This event is free and open to the public.

SPNA holiday party and caroling today (Dec. 10)

The SPNA holiday party and caroling event is today (December 10) at 4:00 p.m. Neighbors are invited to gather at the home of Margaret and Jason Holleman (4509 Nebraska Avenue), and the group will take a trolley or bus around 4:30 to visit homes in the neighborhood and sing holiday songs for a few of our neighbors. After the caroling, everyone is welcome to stick around at the Hollemans' home for chili, cider and treats.

Please join us for some holiday cheer! You do not have to have any musical talent of any kind to participate, and we welcome any/all instrumental accompaniment. Please also feel free to bring written words/music to favorite carols - just make sure to bring about 20 copies so that we can all sing along! See you there!

SPNA membership meeting tomorrow (Dec. 11)

Reminder: SPNA will hold its monthly membership meeting tomorrow night (Monday, December 11) 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. See you there!

Curby day this Wednesday (Dec. 13)

For Sylvan Park residents who live on or south of Wyoming Avenue, this Wednesday, December13, is recycling day. If you're still unsure, Metro Public Works can help you confirm the correct recycling day for your address.

Congratulations to the Keipers!

Congratulations to Ellie, Zak, & Caroline Keiper of Wyoming Avenue, district winners for this year's Metro Beautification Commission holiday lights contest!

365 Days/365 Plays Dec. 9

Before The Further Adventures of Cootie Simone debuts later this month, The Darkhorse Theatre (4610 Charlotte Avenue) is hosting 365 Days/365 Plays, a series of short plays by Pulitzer-prize playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, tomorrow (Saturday, December 9) at 3 p.m. See The Tennessean for more details about this remarkable production.

Admission is pay-what-you-can; $10 suggested. Call (615) 781-3904 for more information.

Honest market

WKRN-TV followed recording artist Ginny Owens, who has been blind since the age of two, when she recently visited several local stores to see whether the merchants would give her correct change. I'm happy to report that an unnamed neighborhood retailer did the right thing:

"The fourth stop was at a local market in Sylvan Park. Once more, the staff was honest, giving Ginny the exact right change for her $20 bill. She says she keeps track of smaller denominations once she breaks a bill by being prepared and knowing what’s what. "

If anyone has more details to share about Owens' stop in the neighborhood, please share.

Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays!

As of December 6, 2006, St. Luke's Community House still has 52 families in need of adoption. These are families who may not be able to have a wonderful christmas without help, so please consider adopting one. The gifts you give these families last far beyond the holiday season - by adopting a family, you help create a lifetime of magical holiday memories for the family you serve. You experience the joy of giving, and your gifts truly represent love in action.

To learn more, visit http://stlukescommunityhouse.org/adopt-a-family, or call Hope Christensen at 324-8375.

St. Luke's Community House is located in the greater Sylvan Park neighborhood, at 5601 New York Avenue, 37209.

FWBBC to be sold

The Nashville Business Journal is reporting that the Free Will Baptist Bible College (3606 West End Avenue) will sell its campus in Richland-West End to Monument Property, a locally owned residential real estate development company, in May 2007.

The nine-acre West End Avenue Campus will be divided and sold by Monument, according to a release announcing the sale. The company has agreed to talk with neighbors about plans before anything is final.

"There will, however, be individual parcels available almost immediately," said Monument owner Darren Cioffi in the release.

The company's Web site states that "a number of historic homes and many prime building lots on Richland Avenue and West End Avenue will be available."

I'm glad to hear that the company has agreed to talk with neighbors as details develop. This is a major change for the Richland-West End neighborhood. FWBBC President Matt Pinson had the following to say in the college's news release about the sale: “We are pleased with our understanding of the buyer’s intent to develop the site in a manner which is consistent with its residential and historic context.”

LeQuire Gallery

LeQuire Gallery, right around the corner at 4304 Charlotte Avenue, is offering a 10 percent discount to anyone who mentions the SPNA Web site when making a purchase this month. Employee Elizabeth Cave reports that the gallery has "a great assortment of holiday gifts to choose from right now including unique pottery and whimsical ceramics" including the beautiful tea set by artist Amy Calzadilla.

The price range begins around $25, so don't forget to stop by LeQuire when you're out shopping this month.

Church open house Dec. 9

First Southern Methodist Church, located in the heart of Sylvan Park at 4409 Colorado Avenue, will host an open house on Saturday, December 9, from 3 to 6 p.m.

The open house is a holiday celebration that will feature a performances by the church organist and choral ensemble, Christmas stories for children and a reception. The public is invited to attend. FSMC has a long history in West Nashville, as indicated by this information from the Westview newspaper:

So many of you have heard the story of how the old Cockrill School built in 1888 was torn down in 1939 when a new Cockrill School was built. A couple of years later, during a time when building supplies were very scarce, the bricks from the 1888 school were used to build a new church, First Southern Methodist Church (1941). The old school bell was also used from the 1888 structure. The bell will be used to ring in the starting of this celebration. The bell signifies the unity of history and change in our neighborhood that our church wishes to celebrate.

Thanks go to neighbor Yvonne Eaves for passing along this news.

School Board wants your input

As reported in yesterday's Tennessean, the Metro School Board wants to hear from local residents. The board is developing a long-range strategy plan over the next four months, and it wants to know what you think its goals should be. Community meetings will be held in the spring, but in the meantime you can email Marsha Warden, school board member for District 9 (which includes Sylvan Park), at marshawarden[at]bellsouth.net.

Darkhorse Theatre upcoming performances

The Darkhorse Theatre (4610 Charlotte Avenue) will present The Further Adventures of Cootie Simone: Atlanta December 21-23 and December 29-30 at 7:30 p.m.. The play is a Southern comedy set in Atlanta in December 1939.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For tickets or more information, call (615) 423-5304 or (931) 224-1250.

Toll tale

Would you pay a toll to drive home from work on Charlotte Pike? You might have if you lived in Nashville in the nineteenth century. The Tennessean recently recounted the demolition of the Charlotte Turnpike tollgate, which was located near Sylvan Park at 3307 Charlotte Pike, in 1957 and reported about the origin of toll roads in the city.

Several arterial roads exiting the downtown area were toll roads, and the tolls paid served to help the city grow. The article notes that the original 10 miles of Charlotte Pike were estimated to cost $60,000 to build sometime between 1835 and 1840. That would be an enormous amount of money in 2006 dollars.

Toll roads have also recently been in the news as a possible solution by TDOT for financing future road construction in Tennessee, though it doesn't sound like road-use fees are on the way anytime soon.

Tax preparation help and volunteering

The Nashville Wealth Building Alliance, a UnitedWay program, is offering free tax preparation for every Davidson County household that earns $40,000 or less this year. Here's why:

"Free tax preparation saves families money that could have been spent on high tax preparation fees or those high-interest 'rapid refund' loans. Our free tax sites (called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) ensure that filers receive asset-building guidance and claim all their eligible tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This tax season, the EITC will be as much as $4,536! Remarkably, the EITC rewards work, reduces welfare, and is the MOST effective anti-poverty program in America, lifting 1 out of every 6 children out of poverty. Yet, in Davidson County last year, $8 million in EITC funds were left unclaimed by eligible filers. Interested filers need only to dial 211 to find the VITA site nearest them."

NWBA is also looking for volunteers willing to serve as tax preparation volunteers. No tax knowledge or accounting is needed, and training sessions will be offered later this month and in January. A desire to learn and serve and basic computer knowledge are the only requirements for volunteering. You can volunteer for as little as two hours per week or as many as 40, depending on your availability.

More information is available on the NWBA Web site. Scroll down to the "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)" and "Volunteering for VITA" subheadings on the NWBA front page. If you would like to participate or need more information, call Rachel Freeze, NWBA Coordinator, at (615) 780-2444.

Grief during the holidays seminar Dec. 7

The Grief Center at Alive Hospice (1718 Patterson Street) will host a free "Grief During the Holidays" seminar on Thursday, December 7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The holidays can be a tough time of year. This event will offer tips and strategies for coping with the holidays after a loved one has died. Seating is limited, and the center is taking reservations. Call (615) 963-4732 to register or for more information.

McCabe Pub in the Scene

Nashville Scene food critic Kay West recently profiled McCabe Pub and owner John Dean. This month marks the 20th anniversary of the Pub, unquestionably a beloved .neighborhood landmark. Long live McCabe Pub!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Several neighbors have added plenty of holiday cheer to Sylvan Park with their home decorations. No word yet on whether any of them placed in Metro's recent holiday lighting competition, but this will hopefully get everyone in the spirit for the SPNA holiday caroling party next Sunday, December 10.

Curby Day on Wednesday (Dec. 6)

For Sylvan Park residents who live on or north of Idaho Avenue, this Wednesday, December 6, is recycling day. Residents south of Idaho Avenue can recycle the following Wednesday, December 13. If you're still unsure, Metro Public Works can help you confirm the correct recycling day for your address.