Councilman Summers adds overlay bill to council agenda (May 30)

As many of you may have learned today (as I have), Councilman John Summers has requested that a bill to establish a conservation overlay be added to the agenda for the Metro Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday night, June 5.

As anyone who has lived in Sylvan Park for any length of time is aware, this has been a contentious issue in our neighborhood. There are strong opinions on both sides of this issue, and I encourage anyone who is passionate about this issue to share their opinions with the Metro Council. It is an important part of the political process that the voices of neighborhood homeowners and other residents be heard.

This has not been an issue that the SPNA steering committee has discussed during the course of this year. SPNA has focused the entirety of its time and resources in 2007 on activities and initiatives that bring our neighborhood closer together and ultimately serve the greater good for Sylvan Park.

Win your own gravestone! Memorial Day Dash this Monday (May 28)

Believe it or not, you have an opportunity to win your very own tombstone this coming Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day). The Nashville City Cemetary Association is holding its annual Memorial Day Dash, and the overall winner will receive a very unusual trophy: an engraved limestone grave marker from Hunt Memorials that is a replica of some of the oldest headstones found in the cemetery.

Here's more information from neighbor Jason Holleman, who is serving as race director for the event:

Memorial Day is just around the corner (May 28th), and this year’s Memorial Day Dash 5K is gearing up for an expected 300 runners and walkers to participate in one of Nashville’s annual traditions.

The race starts at Greer Stadium at 8 a.m., winds around the baseball field’s warning track, and then goes up and through Ft. Negley before heading downhill to the finish at the City Cemetery. This year, participants will be able to see the beginning stages of the implementation of the recently-funded $3 million cemetery master plan, which will bring much needed maintenance to deteriorating and vandalized markers and will add improved walkways and increased fencing and lighting throughout the property.

This family-fun event is the Nashville City Cemetery Association’s (NCCA’s) biggest fundraiser and all proceeds go towards the restoration and preservation of the Nashville City Cemetery...

All race participants receive a t-shirt and the chance to compete for door prizes to area attractions, which are awarded after the race...

For more information and race registration go online to www.nashvillestriders.com or contact Jason Holleman at (615) 975-7235. For more information on how you can support the Nashville City Cemetery Association go online to www.thenashvillecitycemetery.org.

John Miglietta in today's Tennessean (May 23)

Kudos to neighbor, SPNA steering committee member and TSU professor John Miglietta (above), who has a column on American-Russian relations in today's issue of The Tennessean. Here's an excerpt:

While it may seem that the two countries are headed toward a new period of hostility, this does not have to be the case. Both countries have interests in common, such as combating terrorism and having mutually beneficial trade relations. Policymakers in Washington need to be sensitive to Russian security concerns about the growth of American political, economic, and especially military presence in former areas of Russian control and influence.

Also, it is easy in elections to demonize a potential adversary to gain political advantages. All parties must be careful to avoid rhetoric and actions that could disrupt relations.

Both the U.S. and Russia have taken steps to tone down their rhetoric. Let us hope this could be continued and be translated into their policies, as well.

Good work, John!

Major drug bust at Charlotte Pike Krystal

MNPD is reporting the following arrest at the Krystal on the edge of Sylvan Park:

An investigation by West Precinct undercover detectives resulted in the seizure of 57 pounds of marijuana Saturday night and the arrest of an Arlington, Texas, man. Leon Valdez, 27, drove to Nashville in a rented Lincoln Continental.

Valdez was parked outside the Krystal Restaurant at 5209 Charlotte Pike when officers became suspicious. The area had been under surveillance because of suspected drug activity. A K-9 Unit was called and a search of the vehicle uncovered several bags of marijuana inside the Lincoln’s trunk.

Valdez is charged with possession of marijuana for resale and is being held on $500,000 bond. The estimated street value of the marijuana is $60,000.

Great work, officers! Thanks for working to keep the neighborhood safe.

R2D2's cousin?

No, but I can sure see a resemblance looking at this electrical equipment sitting beside Murphy Road. It's part of the work NES is doing to upgrade the transmission lines that run along the street.

Richland Creek Run photos now online

Thanks also to Rob Stack, additional Richland Creek Run photos are now online. Check out the RCR Web site to take a look.

Briley, Dean visit SPNA

Mayoral candidates David Briley (left) and Karl Dean each attended SPNA membership meetings earlier this spring to discuss their campaigns. Thanks to Rob Stack for capturing both candidates in action. (Be sure to check out Rob's updated Web site, too!)

Did you miss Briley and Dean when they stopped by? You still have an opportunity to see them along with fellow candidates Bob Clement, Buck Dozier and Howard Gentry on Thursday, June 7, at 7 p.m. at Montgomery Bell Academy. All five candidates will participate in a forum regarding the mayoral race. Mark your calendars. More information to come soon.

Lost black lab last seen in Sylvan Park

Richland-West End resident Marcus Powell lost his dog, a female black lab weighing approximately 50 pounds, early Sunday morning. She was last seen in Sylvan Park. Marcus says that the dog (pictured above) has a green collar with a brass name tag. She is shy and may run when approached.

If you see this dog, please email Marcus at jmarcuspowell[at]gmail.com.

SPNA meeting tonight at 7 p.m. (May 14)

SPNA will hold its monthly membership meeting tonight (Monday, May 14) 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!

I-440 overnight paving begins

According to digital signs on display on I-440, paving is set to begin tonight at 9 a.m. and continue through 5 a.m. Construction will continue on this schedule Mondays through Thursdays until further notice, judging from the sign. You may want to consider alternate routes if you're traveling late at night.

TDEC sponsoring Greenways survey

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is sponsoring a survey regarding greenways. This survey is intended to aid in the development of a wider network of greenways and trailways in Tennessee. The public is invited to respond to the survey via mail or by fax. The survey is not available for response online, but a PDF copy of the survey document is available for printing. Completed surveys may be sent to:

Fax: (615) 532-0778
Mail: Recreation Educational Services Division Greenways and Trails Coordinator
10th Floor, L & C Tower
401 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37243

MADD's Strides for Change at Centennial Park Saturday (May 19)

Before or after you visit the SPNA Yard Sale this coming weekend (May 19), stop by Centennial Park to support a good cause:

The 5K walk “Strides for Change” to benefit Mothers Against Drunk Driving is Saturday, May 19, at Centennial Park at 9 a.m.

To register your team, visit www.stridesforchange.com and choose Nashville as your 5K walk city. Once you register, assign a team leader, and start asking others to sponsor your team’s participation. Raising $100 for MADD is as easy as asking 10 people for $10. There is no minimum or maximum to how much you can raise.

Great Richland Creek greenway images and map

Local blogger Rex Hammock has taken some beautiful photos of the Richland Creek Greenway lately. He's also created a great Google Map of the greenway complete with photos marked at their respective locations (sample below). If you frequent the greenway, you'll enjoy seeing Rex's handiwork. If you haven't visited the greenway, now you have one less excuse. :)

Curby now accepts all plastic

Metro Nashville Public Works now accepts nearly all forms of plastic through its curbside recycling program:

You can now put the following kinds of PLASTIC into your curbside recycling cart and in the PLASTIC bins at drop off centers:

YES: All plastic bottles, and all dairy containers (margarine, butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, etc.) labeled 1 – 7.

NO: No black plastic, baskets, clamshells (fast food take out), or Styrofoam.

Curby previously only accepted plastic items numbered 1 or 2.

Richland-West End Home Tour this weekend (May 5-6)

The annual Richland-West End home tour will be held this weekend, May 5 and 6, from 12 to 5 p.m. This year's tour features nine houses, eight gardens and two artist's studios.

A special treat this year is a "kit house" purchased from Sears Roebuck in the early 1900's. The tour will also feature an artisan's shop and a bake sale at the Concordia Lutheran Church. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased at any participating house or garden. Tour guests can walk from home to home through the neighborhood or ride the trolley from house to house.

Directions (map): From Murphy Road and 37th Avenue, follow Murphy to Bowling Avenue. Turn right on Bowling and go three blocks to Richland Avenue. Turn left on Richland and go a half block to 3509 or 3510 Richland (both are houses on the tour) where you can purchase tickets.

MNPD apprehends Charlotte Pike ATM robbery suspects

From the Metro Nashville Police Department:

Thomas Gooch, 16, of Luann Court, and Larry Wade, 15, of Edgehill Avenue, were each charged in juvenile court with aggravated robbery and unlawful gun possession the robbery of a Nashville man at a US Bank branch ATM at 5711 Charlotte Pike Wednesday night.

The 27-year-old victim withdrew cash from the ATM at 9:10 p.m. and as he walked back to his car, Gooch approached him from behind and demanded his money at gunpoint. The victim complied. Gooch ran behind the bank where Wade was acting as a lookout.

West Precinct Officer Taylor Schmitz spotted the suspects sitting in a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am across the street from the bank at 9:40 p.m. They were taken into custody without incident. A handgun was found inside the vehicle along with the same amount of cash stolen in the robbery.