Free computer recycling April 12

Dell Computer is hosting a recycling event on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its Nashville campus at Two Dell Parkway near Nashville International Airport.

The following items can be recycled for free: any make or model of computers and related equipment, including desktops, laptops, monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards and mice. Gaming consoles and mobile entertainment devices are also accepted. Participants should remove all data from their computer's hard drive and any removable media such as disks, PC cards, flash drives and CD-ROMs. The first 1,200 participants will receive a tree sapling ready for planting.

Please note that televisions, stereo equipment, cell phones and appliances will not be accepted.

Puppy found

A neighbor has reported that she has found the dog pictured above and sent along the following description:

Hi everyone! My neighbor found the cutest puppy yesterday. He's a mix between a Fox Terrier and probably a bit of a larger breed because his legs are a little long. I am trying to find out who his owners might be and thought that some of you could forward this to other people in Sylvan Park.

If you recognize this little fellow, send an email to spna[at]sylvanpark.org.

Richland Creek Run April 5

The Second-Annual Richland Creek Run presented by Dunn Chiropractic Clinic will take place on Saturday, April 5, at 8 a.m. If you haven't registered to run or walk, visit richlandcreekrun.com to sign up.

If you'd rather lend a hand than stretch your legs, Renee Bates is looking for volunteers who can help out now and on the day of the race. Send Renee a message at reneeb8s[at]comcast.net or give her a call at (615) 642-3007.

The run will take participants along a five-mile timed and measured course through sections of the new Richland Creek Greenway and Sylvan Park. Net proceeds from this event will benefit Greenways for Nashville, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the creation, protection, preservation, and promotion of Nashville greenways.

The race will begin at 8 a.m. outside of the Cohn Adult Learning Center, 4805 Park Avenue, and will wind through sections of Sylvan Park before heading onto the Richland Creek Greenway and finishing back at Cohn. Mayor Karl Dean is expected to attend.

Dunn Chiropractic Clinic, Saint Thomas Hospital, The Wilson Group, Vanderbilt University and Montgomery Bell Academy are primary sponsors of the Richland Creek Run, which is being organized by the Sylvan Park, Cherokee Park, Richland-West End and White Bridge Neighborhood Associations. The race’s media sponsors are the Nashville Scene, Lightning 100, and Team Green.

Please note: Sections of 48th Avenue and Wyoming Avenue will be temporarily closed the morning of the run to accommodate runners and walkers. Side streets will be affected where they intersect with these two streets.

WSMV-TV reports on Charlotte Pike plans

WSMV-TV reporter Chris Tatum recently reported on plans to revitalize the Charlotte Pike retail district.

Local documentarian Jeff Barrie on Public Access TV tonight (March 11)

From Susan Shann with local environmental awareness organization New Vision:

Just a reminder that the second episode of "Earth Revolution" will air tonight at 7 p.m. on CATV / Nashville 19 with very special guest Jeff Barrie, outstanding filmmaker and creator of the award winning documentary, Kilowatt Ours. Be sure to tune in and hear his great tips on home energy-efficiency. If you can’t be there tonight, this GREAT 30-minute program will air again on Sunday at 2 p.m.

President Bush visit Tuesday (March 12) may disrupt traffic, but not much

From the Metro Nashville Police Department:

Tuesday’s visit to Nashville by President Bush will result in intermittent highway and street closures during the mid-morning and early afternoon hours.

Without being specific for security reasons, motorists should expect road closures between the airport and the Opryland Hotel. There will also be road closures between Opryland and West Nashville, and between West Nashville and the airport. Motorists should note that portions of the interstate system will be affected by the intermittent closures.

More than 160 officers from various police department components will take part in providing security for the president’s visit. Those officers will be working the assignment as their regular shift and not on overtime.

You probably won't have any trouble commuting tomorrow, but keep this news in mind in case you are driving around in the middle of the day.

Membership meeting tomorrow night (March 10)

SPNA will hold its March membership meeting tomorrow night (Monday, March 10) at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Cohn Adult Learning Center at the intersection of 48th and Park Avenues. Hope to see you there.

West End Middle School to host African Children's choir concert March 11

West End Middle School will host the Watoto African Children's Choir for a "Concert of Hope" on Tuesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.

Watoto is a non profit organization that cares for orphan children in Uganda.

Coyote and fox photographed in Cherokee Park

A neighbor in Cherokee Park recently photographed a coyote and a fox (the latter of whom appears to have captured a rabbit) that he sees frequently. This kind of wildlife activity is not unusual in West Nashville, but the following advice from Polly Rooker at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency may be helpful if you encounter any animals on your property:

• Remember that the wildlife was here before we humans were. They’ve only adapted as best they can to our arrival.
• Coyotes are present in the city, but they are not typically violent to humans. They primarily eat rodents, insects and snakes, but they are opportunistic: They will eat cats and small dogs on occasion if they encounter them.
• Coyotes are primarily nocturnal, so it is wise to keep your cats and small dogs indoors overnight. You are unlikely to encounter coyotes during daylight hours.
• Coyotes are highly resilient to methods to exterminate or remove them from an area. They are here to stay. Even Manhattan has a sizable coyote population!
• Do not leave food for your pets outside or in accessible garages and utility sheds. This will attract wildlife. If you must feed your pets outside, take the bowl back inside with you when they finish eating. Do not leave food out for wildlife under any circumstances.
• Raccoons are increasingly common in the city. A large population of rabid raccoons are gradually migrating closer to Middle Tennessee over time, and this will present problems when they get here.
• Inoculate your pets against rabies before they are exposed. There is little that can be done to spare a pet or another animal that has been infected.
• Skunks, which have been frequently spotted in the neighborhood recently, are immune to rabies, but they can carry and spread the disease. They do not exhibit rabies symptoms.
• If you see skunks or raccoons out during the day looking sick or disoriented, they likely have distemper.
• If you do trap raccoons or skunks, please euthanize them. Do not release them in rural areas because this can spread disease.

Metro Animal Control (615-862-7928) will come get animals if you report a problem. You can also take trapped animals to them. Private animal control companies are another option, but they do charge for their services (as much as $75 per animal, according to one report).

Update: Neighbor Elizabeth Burton passed along the following sad news about coyote activity in the area. This is another good reminder to keep your pets indoors at night, especially smaller pets.

"just thought if someone's keeping up with the going ons of the coyote in the area, as they relate to us & our pets, one newfoundland was attacked & killed by coyotes in green hills recently. that pet was taken to murphy road animal hospital where it died. another pet dog, a yorkshire terrier, is missing from a yard in green hills, where a coyote had been spotted days earlier and heard just minutes earlier. how sad..."

Metro Historical Commission nominations open through April 18

From the Metropolitan Historical Commission:

The Metropolitan Historical Commission is pleased to announce a call for nominations for the 2008 Preservation Awards. The public is invited to submit any pre-1958 building or structure in Davidson County that has been restored, rehabilitated, or carefully maintained over time. Infill construction (new construction in historic districts) is also eligible.

Categories for nominations include:

• Residential: Single family
• Residential: Multi-family
• Commercial Buildings
• Religious Properties
• Engineering and Industrial Structures
• Educational and Institutional
• Infill (new construction located within a context of historic architecture)

Nominations will be judged on their architectural merit and/or historical interest, soundness of condition, creativity in adaptation for contemporary use, and sensitivity to historic architectural character. Winners receive an awards certificate and plaque to display on the winning properties. All nominated properties will be featured in an awards ceremony on Thursday, May 29, where the winners will be announced.

Nomination forms are available through the Metro Historical Commission website or by calling the Metro Historical Commission at (615) 862-7970. Completed forms are due April 18.

Blog focused on Charlotte Avenue revitalization

West Nashville resident Chris Veit has launched a blog dedicated to revitalizing Charlotte Avenue. Take a look if you are interested in learning more about these efforts.

Latest Metro Codes newsletter online

The latest issue of the Metro Nashville Codes Department newsletter is now available. The newsletter includes information about recovery efforts for the recent tornadoes in Macon County, home energy saving techniques and automobile safety.

LeQuire Gallery open studio sessions begin April 17

LeQuire Gallery will be holding open studio sessions on Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning April 17 and continuing through June June 26. Sessions cost $25, and no registration is required. These sessions will be hosted by gallery namesake and renowned sculptor Alan LeQuire, and participants are welcome to sculpt, paint or draw as they prefer. LeQuire Gallery has more information.

Arbor Day celebration at Centennial Park March 14

Metro Parks will host an Arbor Day celebration this Friday, March 14, at 11 a.m. at the Sunken Gardens in Centennial Park. A tree will be dedicated to Officer Danita Marsh, who was seriously injured in the line of duty in 2006.

Richland Creek Cleanup rescheduled for May 31

Richland Creek Watershed Alliance has rescheduled its creek cleanup for May 31 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. More information is available in this flier. Email rcwa[at]comcast.net to sign-up.