Richland Creek Greenway set for summer, not spring

According to yesterday's Tennessean, it may be summer, rather than spring, before the second phase of the Richland Creek Greenway is complete:

By summer, greenway users will be able to enjoy the entire 2.8-mile length of the trail, which runs alongside the railroad, snakes its way through the trees along Richland Creek and hugs the edge of McCabe Park Golf Course.

"It depends on the weather, but we're really trying to get it done this spring," says Shain Dennison, Greenways director with Metro Board of Parks & Recreation. When it's finished, the greenway will link neighborhoods with commercial areas and offer users a pleasant place to enjoy the outdoors close to home...

The second segment [of the greenway] will follow Richland Creek along the edge of the golf course to a trailhead near Wyoming Avenue, with a spur trail going to the Target/Lions Head Village shopping area.

Go see the rest of the article for additional details and historical information about the greenway.

Elmington Park playground being replaced

City Paper reporter Bill Harless explains that plans to demolish and replace the playground at Elmington Park a few blocks from Murphy Road have upset some nearby residents:

The Metro Parks Department is spending roughly $3.2 million to demolish old city playgrounds and replace them with new playgrounds compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Since 2003, the department has demolished and replaced 37 park playgrounds, and it is in the midst of replacing six more at a cost of roughly $75,000 to $80,000 a piece. The department, since 2003, has also rebuilt 39 parks on public school grounds. The playground building frenzy comes on the heels of a 2001 report in the Parks Department five-year master plan that said only 8 percent of the city’s parks were “in satisfactory or good condition” and that 73 percent “needed to be replaced.”

The department’s good intentions, however, have stirred some nostalgia in West Nashville, where the playground at Elmington Park, a well-loved, 13.3-acre corner park at the intersection of West End and Bowling avenues, is facing demolition.

Fifteen years ago, a band of West Nashville neighbors raised roughly $40,000 in private money to pay for the playground along with matching city dollars, and — although they are understanding of the Parks Department’s desire to build safer playgrounds — they are sad to see their old playground being demolished and replaced with one that, for the sake of modern safety standards, will not have sand covering its ground.

Burkley Allen, who lives a block away from the park and led the fund-raising drive, said she understands why the Parks Department is installing the safer, ADA-compliant playgrounds and said she has no beef with the department — the public planning process for the Master Plan was an open one, she says. But, still, Allen was startled to see the wrecking ball at Elmington Park.

It sounds like this is being done for the right reasons, but I suppose any change--and especially one that brings back memories for local childhoods--is bound to generate both positive and negative reactions. At the very least, it's something to think about the next time you decide to take the kids to the park.

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Black Lab found, needs owner or new home

Neighbor Rick Zimmerman reported the following information about a dog found over the weekend on behalf of Denice Heatherly:

Last night as my daughter was leaving work she found a dog ... It was around midnight and the dog seemed scared and desparate. Heather asked her if she wanted to get in the car and she jumped right in. She is a black lab mix - she may have a little [Weimeraner] in there - she is on the small side for those breeds. She is intelligent, well behaved, housebroken ( not kidding - she woke Heather up to let her out this morning ) calm, a bit timid around our dogs but we haven't really had time to intoduce them all properly yet. Her coat is shiny and in good condition, her nails are trimed, we don't see any signs of fleas either...

We can't keep her very long - we just moved and we are renting - we are so fortunate to have a landlord that is fine about three dogs that we cannot push it by having four... Also - if the owner for this lovely girl isn't found very soon there will be vet bills and that is not something I can't take on right now either.

This is what we need:

1. Circulate this [news] and hopefully find the owner

2. Temporary housing for her

3. If no one claims her a rescue to take her on

We will be glad to donate as much as we can toward her care. I am treating her for fleas today ( even though I don't see any on her ). This is a great dog, she doesn't act as if she has been abused - I would love to be able to keep her. I will not take her to the pound - black dogs have the lowest adoption rate and I just don't believe in rescuing a dog and taking them to a place where their time is limited. It will be Monday before I can check with Animal Contol to see if anyone is looking for her - I have to finish moving stuff out of my apartment today and give it a final clean - my lease is up today.

We really need help with this so feel free to contact me ( Denice ) @ 615-496-1417 or Heather @917-653-9658.

Help RCWA restore Richland Creek!

Neighbor Monette Rebecca, who is working hard to establish the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance to improve water quality for this valuable neighborhood and city resource, needs your help.

Monette is looking to secure 200 signatures from local residents who support plans for an RCWA Environmental Resource Center to be located at 137 51st Avenue North on the old Richland Village property and who are willing to lend their time to help with creek cleanup and other activities such as water quality sampling, stormwater sampling, rain barrel installation, rain garden installation and how-to workshops.

If you are interested in lending a hand to restore Richland Creek, please sign the RCWA contribution contract and return it to Monette today at the following address:

Monette Rebecca
320 54th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37209

If you have questions or would like more information, please send an email to Monette at monetter@comcast.net.

Rhino Books on the move

Rhino Booksellers, currently located on Murphy Road behind A Squeeky Clean Laundry, will move to a new location at 4918 Charlotte Pike in early March. Owner Fred Koller and new SPNA associate member Fred Koller reports that the store will be housed in the "historic Bank of the West building." Fred is "excited to finally have plenty of space for the growing collection of lightly read books and fine first editions ...[and] is always looking for good books and hopes to also carry music and movies."

If you have a question for Fred or are curious to learn more about Rhino Booksellers, call (615) 279-0310.

Nashville West Target to open March 11

The new Target location in the Nashville West development (pictured above) is scheduled to open for business on Sunday, March 11. Contrary to initial reports, this is not a Super Target, but it will have a Starbucks located inside. Dick's Sporting Goods is already open nearby. [Image: WonderDawg]

Recent Police News

The Metro Nashville Police Department made gang- and drug-related arrests over the weekend at the intersection of 39th Avenue and Delaware Avenue as part of its Operation Safer Streets initiative. This location is across Interstate 40 from Sylvan Park, but it is still nearby and worthy of note. As always, please report any crime or suspicious activity to the police at (615) 862-8600 or call the department's anonymous (615) 244-DOPE (3673) hotline. Reporting possible criminal activity helps the police adequately staff different areas of the city.

Sylvan Park in demand, says City Paper

Kind words for the neighborhood from today's issue of the City Paper (the City Homes section does not appear to be online):

They all want to live in Sylvan Park. You know a neighborhood is considered prime when folks who follow local residential trends casually describe it as "overrated" -- yet, in reality, would shave their heads like Britney Spears for a chance to live there. Bring out the shears for Sylvan Park.

Yes, many of the area's homes are pricey -- especially the shoeboxes that garner about $300 a foot -- and the buzz that surrounded SP six years ago has calmed a bit. But this one-time working class enclave on the city's upscale west side remains one of the city's most desirable old-school residential districts.

I am proud to say that I have a full head of hair and that I call Sylvan Park home. I hope you are, too, especially on the latter part. :)

SpaghettiFest date is wrong in SPNA News

Neighbor Vicky Amann let me know last night that the date for the Sylvan Park Elementary SpaghettiFest listed in the SPNA News is incorrect. The event will take place on Friday, April 27. My apologies for the error. Please update your calendars and plan on attending to support the school.

SPNA News Spring issue now online

The Spring 2007 issue of the SPNA News is now available online. Thanks to Martha Berry and Janet Younts and the tireless work of many other volunteers, hard copies of the newsletter will be delivered to neighborhood households this weekend.

Sylvan Park Restaurant sighting

WSMV-TV anchorman Dan Miller took time out for lunch today at Sylvan Park Restaurant, as did quite a few other customers. If you haven't yet discovered this great neighborhood establishment, you should make time for a visit soon.

Adopt this Bandit

Here's one especially nonthreatening local resident that could use a new home. Bandit (above) is a 10-week-old Beagle mix who is available to be adopted at the Love at First Sight puppy and kitten adoption center (4423 Murphy Road). I caught Bandit in the midst of a midmorning nap, but he woke up quickly and was sweet and friendly. If you're looking to bring home a new member of your household, consider adopting Bandit or another pet from LAFS.

Murphy Road Animal Hospital across the street, which is affiliated with LAFS, also has adult animals for adoption from time to time. Weimeraner Harley (below) needs a home, too, so please call the hospital at (615) if you're interested.

Don't worry, cat lovers. I'll post kittens someday soon, but I'm happy to report that the only kittens in LAFS' care, two tiny and adorable sisters, were adopted this morning while I was there.

Belcourt hosts Fylmz finale tonight (Feb. 10)

The Belcourt Theatre is hosting the final day of the inaugural Fylmz Festival today. You can still catch the festival awards ceremony tonight at 10 p.m., and if you're itching to see some of the festival submissions, several are being shown during the day today (full schedule).

Here's a brief description of the Fylmz organization and the festival from the Fylmz site:

FYLMZ is dedicated to the advancement of film and filmmakers through the empowerment of their fans. We strive to create an environment that is entertaining, rewarding, and free of any elements that undermine fair and focused competitions, yet allow for collaboration and community for those with a common interest in the creation, dissemination, and consumption of film-related concepts ...

The Fylmz Festival is the culmination of a year-long search for the best in independent film. What started with online submissions and moved on to two separate audience-only pre-festival judging rounds (online and panel voting), screenings of the top short and feature vote-getters will be the name of the game, along with an awards presentation with an unmatched Grand Prize: $100,000 and a distribution deal. Be there to help make independent film history!

City Paper Reporter Ron Wynn reported on the festival this week:

Such actors as Cheri Oteri, Ricki Lake, Billy Baldwin and Wanda Sykes are among the high profile names featured in the 10 feature films competing for a $100,000 grand prize in the premiere Fylmz Festival that begins today at the Belcourt Theatre and continues through Feb. 10. These are the finalists (plus 40 short films competing in another category) selected from 222 films submitted from around the world, with the finalists chosen by the Fylmz.com online community.

If you do take in the festival, Sylvan Park resident and filmmaker Ashley Haugen has written an article to get you up to speed on the experience. OK, so her advice is primarily for other aspiring filmmakers, but it's a good read and one that will help you fit in while you're there.

SPNA Blog now searchable

Looking for a specific item? Wondering how long it has been since skunks were sighted in the neighborhood? The full content of the SPNA Blog is now searchable using the form on the sidebar. Just type in your text and click the search button, and Google will fetch and display your results.

Membership meeting Monday (Feb. 12)

Reminder: SPNA will hold its monthly membership meeting this Monday (February 12) 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!

Monette Rebecca, a Sylvan Park resident, will present briefly about her work in developing the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance. Even if you never really think much about Richland Creek, this will be an insightful and informative topic for anyone who lives in or spends time in our neighborhood. Richland Creek winds its way through much of Sylvan Park and West Nashville, and it is in dire need of attention. Join us Monday night and learn more about what can be done to restore Richland Creek to a more pristine condition.

MNPD makes arrests on Elkins Avenue

The Metro Nashville Police Department is reporting the following arrests on drug-related charges as part of ongoing sting operations in the West precinct:

West Precinct detectives charged seven persons as the result of investigations in the 1000 block of Drummond Drive, the 1400 block of 10th Avenue North, the 3800 block of Elkins Avenue, and the 3900 block of Alabama Avenue. Seized were 12 pounds of cocaine, 16 grams of marijuana, five Ecstasy pills, two weapons, including an AK-47, one vehicle, and $100,782.00 cash.

The Elkins block in question is located in Sylvan Heights, but it is very close to Sylvan Park. Please report any suspicious activity you witness to the police at (615) 862-8600 or call the department's anonymous (615) 244-DOPE (3673) hotline. Reporting possible criminal activity helps the police adequately staff different areas of the city.

Benny has been found

Neighbor Katherine Beasley reports that Barbara Lamb's puppy Benny has been found. Hooray!

Run For Kate's Sake starting Saturday (Feb. 10)

From neighbor Angie Lithgow:

I am hoping that you will help me with an important project to benefit a family that lives in Sylvan Park.

Many of you may have already heard that the area is hosting a five mile run to benefit the Greenway. The run will be held on April 7th, and it is called the Richland Creek Run. It will start on Park Avenue near the Cohn Adult Learning Center and proceed through Sylvan Park, the Richland Creek Greenway, Cherokee Park and Richland-West End before returning to Park Avenue. Mayor Purcell is kicking the race off at 8 a.m., and he will be walking part of the greenway at 9am as part of the promotion. Several local companies and organizations are serving as sponsors, including The Wilson Group, Saint Thomas Health Services, Montgomery Bell Academy and The Nashville Scene.

In light of this event, I am searching for people who would be interested in taking part of a special team - A Team For Caroline and Kate. For those of you who are not aware of this family’s struggles, their journey is amazing and inspiring. The Kirk family lives in Sylvan Park where they raise their two girls. Caroline is 7 years old, and Kate is 4. When Caroline was five years old, she was diagnosed with a rare and fatal genetic disorder called Niemann-Pick Type A/B. Kate was diagnosed with the same disease just a few months later. While Caroline’s symptoms had already progressed too far to receive a cord blood transplant, Kate qualified for the procedure. As Kate’s condition holds steady, Caroline’s condition becomes more fragile. This family lives with the severe effects of this terrible disease every day, yet they continue to inspire others - myself included. They carry themselves with grace and speak of acceptance in a manner which touches people’s lives. They endure a pain that most of us cannot understand, but still manage to find blessings in the smallest daily activities.

A Team For Caroline and Kate would raise awareness and funding for this family. Each member would be asked to train and take part in the race. You would be asked to register for the race, and purchase a team t-shirt. You would be asked to secure individual sponsors who would be willing to donate money to the Team for Caroline and Kate on your behalf. We are hoping to build a large team and make a huge presence in this race for the benefit of this family. Please join me in this effort. Even if you cannot participate in the race yourself, please pass this information on to neighbors, family members, and friends.

I would like to invite you to attend our first meeting on Saturday, February 10th at 9:00am at The Richland Park Pavilion on Charlotte Ave. Come dressed warm and ready to train. We will meet first to answer questions and address issues. After the meeting, we will go for a short run to start our training. Even if you don’t run (which includes me), you can walk, stroll, or go at your own pace. The purpose is not to win the Richland Creek Run, but it is to help the Kirk family win a race of their own. Please feel free to call or email me with any questions. Thank you, and I hope to see you on Saturday!

Please call Angie at (615) 463-0099 or send her husband Rory an email at rlithgow[at]comcast.net if you are interested in supporting this great cause.

Metro schools hosts public forum tonight (Feb. 8)

Metro Nashville Public Schools will hold a community awareness session regarding the future of local public schools tonight, February 8, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Clement Building Auditorium at Nashville State Community College (120 White Bridge Road).

MNPS is in the process of developing a strategic plan to guide the school system over the next seven years. For more information, call (615) 259-INFO (4636).

Keep an eye out for Benny

Neighbor Barbara Lamb reports that her brown labrador retriever, Benny, has escaped from her yard. He is wearing dog tags. If you see him wandering around, please send an email to spna@sylvanpark.org, and we'll pass word along.

SPNA election photos

Neighbor Rob Stack has posted several photos from January's SPNA elections, including this shot of Bobby Franciscan, John Dean and Lisa Ferris (above). Among Rob's other victims were resident vote-counter Jud Laughter and incoming treasurer F. Clark Williams. Check out the entire set at Rob's Web site.

MNPD looking for West Nashville murder suspect

Karl Kam Laughlin (pictured in both images above), a suspect in the murder of a woman found dead in a burning vehicle in West Nashville last Friday, has been reported to be in Nashville over the weekend. The Metro Nashville Police Department is asking that anyone who sees Laughlin or has information about his whereabouts contact Crime Stoppers at (615) 74-CRIME (27463). The police would also like to speak with anyone who may have seen Laughlin at a West Nashville ATM on Wednesday, January 31.

Love at First Sight needs

Love at First Sight (4423 Murphy Road) is looking for donations of stuffed animals, towels, blankets and newspapers they can use in providing care for puppies and kittens. If you have any of these items and would like to help, please call Renee at (615) 297-2464 or stop by in person.

Community garden workshop on Saturday (Feb. 10)

Metro Parks will host a free community garden workshop at the new Hadley Park Community Center (1037 28th Avenue North) this Saturday, February 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you are currently involved in a community garden project or interested in starting one, this workshop is for you. The event is open to the public, but reservations are recommended. Call (615) 352-6299 to register.

Suspicious activity near 48th and Dakota

Neighbor Becky Buxhamper, who lives near 48th Avenue and Dakota Avenue, reported yesterday that someone has been going through her garbage frequently and leaving the bulk of the trash in her trash bin. It is clearly not an animal, and Becky has let Metro Public Works and the Metro Nashville Police Department know. The West Precinct has asked Becky to spread the word about this activity and would like to know if other residents have noticed similar activity. If you have, please send an email to spna[at]sylvanpark.org and becky[at]thehousingfund.org.

Becky also mentioned that she and her neighbors had to call the police at 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning to report that a man had parked a late-model sports car in her neighbor's yard and remained inside the vehicle.

If you notice any suspicious activity in the neighborhood, please call (615) 862-8600 to report it to the police.

Ashli update

I am pleased to report that Ashli, the mountain feist in my last post, has been adopted, as have her two brothers. Don't worry, though: Love at First Sight has more puppies and kittens up for adoption each week. (LAFS does not currently have kittens up for adoption, but they expect new litters soon.) Please stop by, or visit them on the Web, if you are interested in learning more.

Ashli needs a home (Love at First Sight)

Ashli is one of several puppies available for adoption right now at the Love at First Sight puppy and kitten adoption center (4423 Murphy Road). She is a mountain feist (also known as a rat terrier) who was born on Christmas Day along with her two brothers Leo and Fitz. She will be a small adult, likely between 19 and 30 pounds at her full weight. She's a sweetheart, but Liz at LAFS notes that this breed is not typically a good fit for families with children. If you are serious about bringing home a pet and caring for him or her, visit LAFS sometime soon (hours listed on the LAFS Web site.) For more information, call (615) 297-2464.

Cafe Nonna to host Haiti hospital fundraiser (Feb. 12)

Cafe Nonna (4427 Murphy Road) will host a winter celebration on Monday, February 12, at 6:30 p.m. to benefit the Visitation Hospital Foundation. Wine will be provided by Tennessee Wine & Spirits. The cost for the event is $100 per person, and fifty percent of that cost is tax-deductible.

The Visitation Hospital Foundation is working to build a hospital to provide health care services to people who are in great need in Haiti. For more information about the event, please call (615) 385-2363.

By the way, did you know "Nonna" is Italian for grandmother?

Work underway on H.G. Hill Center

Construction is underway on the Belle Meade H.G. Hill Center project. Crews are working to demolish the old building that housed H.G. Hill, the Belle Meade Barber Shop, Belle Meade Hardware and other stores. Below is a digital rendering of the completed site.