West Nashville crime forum tomorrow (Jan. 28)

West Nashville United Methodist Church will host a fourth community meeting on "Coping With Crime in West Nashville" tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 28) at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free gathering. Metro Council Member Jason Holleman and Metro School Board Member Alan Coverstone plan to attend.

Representatives from Neighborhoods Resource Center will be on hand to facilitate discussion regarding further community organizing efforts towards dealing with the issue of crime in West Nashville. This meeting is the latest in a series intended to develop plans for working together as a community to deal with crime in our neighborhoods. The meeting will last from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Please call West Nashville UMC at (615) 297-3216 if you would like more information or visit the website www.westnashvilleumc.org. Business owners, residents, church members and concerned citizens in the West Nashville area are encouraged to attend.

MNPD drug arrests on Westlawn, Charlotte

The Metro Nashville Police Department has reported the following drug-related arrests during the past week in or near Sylvan Park:

West Precinct detectives charged 19 persons as the result of investigations on Alameda Street, James Avenue, Elkins Avenue, Westlawn Avenue, and Charlotte Pike. Seized were over 149 pounds of marijuana, 481 various pills, ten weapons, four vehicles, and $13,371 cash.

Please report any suspicious activity to the police at (615) 862-8600 or, in an emergency, by dialing 911.

Residential burglary suspects driving white truck with camper top

There have been a couple of recent late-morning residential burglaries in Sylvan Park. During one of the incidents, neighbors reported seeing an older, small white pickup with a camper top occupied by two adult males, one white and one black.

If you see a vehicle matching this description driving in the neighborhood, do not hesitate to call the Metro Nashville Police Department at (615) 862-8600, to report the sighting. A license plate number and/or identifying marks or details will of course help. It's fine to say, "This may be nothing but it meets the description from a recent burglary in our area."

Green Wagon to open Friday (Jan. 16)

From the Green Wagon:

Nashville’s first “Green” General Store, The Green Wagon, is set to open in Sylvan Park this Friday, January 16. The store, which features a comprehensive retail collection of affordable, environmentally-friendly home necessities, is nestled in the heart of the historic Sylvan Park neighborhood at 4429 Murphy Road, between Caffé Nona and Goldie’s Deli and will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Green Wagon will house a classic collection of general store merchandise, with everything from cleaning supplies to clothing to shampoo to crib mattresses. The store will feature a "refilling station" where customers can refill their bottles with products like shampoo and household cleaners at a discounted price, instead of buying new containers. A large portion of the products in The Green Wagon inventory are made locally, therefore reducing the business' and customers' carbon footprint that would normally occur during the shipping process and supporting the local economy.

WNPT to air referendum program Jan. 16

Proponents and opponents of the two charter amendments on the ballot for the Jan. 22 special election will defend their positions live on WNPT-TV on Friday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. The program will be hosted by John Seigenthaler, and those with questions may call in to ask them or submit them in advance via email to question@wnpt.net. Early voting for the election ends this Saturday. Information about voting is available at nashville.gov/vote.

Curby day Wednesday (Jan. 14)

For Sylvan Park residents who live south of Idaho Avenue, this Wednesday, Jan. 14, is recycling day. If you're still unsure, Metro Public Works can help you confirm the correct recycling day for your address.

Suspicious solicitation near Murphy Road business district

A neighbor has reported suspicious activity near Murphy Road and the neighborhood commercial district:

A man with a suspect "Press Pass 2009" badge and clipboard came to the door, claiming to be a "Publishing Agent". I'm not sure if any other readers have reported this to you, but I thought it might be helpful to report it anyway. The guy seemed *very* suspect, and I highly doubt publishing agents go door-to-door. The man was caucasian, 5'10ish, wearing a dark sport winter jacket.

If you witness suspicious activity or possible criminal behavior, report it to the police at (615) 862-8600. Drop us a note at spna[at]sylvanpark.org, too, so we can spread the word.

West Nashville Community Plan meeting Jan. 13

From the Metro Planning Commission:

Scheduled updating of the West Nashville Community Plan continues [on Tuesday, Jan. 13] with a public review of draft community character policy - this discussion will help shape the future "look" and development of the West Nashville area.

That meeting will begin at 6 pm Tuesday, January 13, at St. Ann Catholic Community, 5101 Charlotte Pike. Details of the current plan and information from earlier meetings are on the MPC's West Nashville community page.

SPNA meeting and elections Monday (Jan. 12)

Good evening, everyone! Please join us Monday night (Jan. 12) for SPNA's January membership meeting at 7 p.m. in the Cohn Adult Learning Center (48th Avenue and Park Avenue). Elections for officers and steering committee members will be held during this meeting.

You do not need to be a member to attend any SPNA meeting, but you are welcome to join in person, by mail or online via PayPal. (You must be a member to run for office or vote in the election. See the SPNA Home Page for details about mail or online payments.)

To be eligible to serve as an officer or a member of the steering committee, you must have attended at least six membership meetings in the past 12 months and have paid your 2009 membership dues. Here are the individuals who are eligible (pending payment of dues) based upon their prior meeting attendance:

Jim Dade
Yvonne Eaves
Doug Eckert
Laura Ellis
Wendell Goodman
Margaret Holleman
Mark Lambert
Anna Means
John Miglietta
Bernard Pickney
Cheryl Pickney
Connie Putman
Rob Robinson
Susan Rodgers
Tom Sullivan
John Summers
Stephanie Swartz
F. Clark Williams
Pat Williams

Curby day tomorrow (Jan. 7)

For Sylvan Park residents who live on or north of Idaho Avenue, this Wednesday, Jan. 7, is recycling day. Residents south of Idaho Avenue can recycle the following Wednesday, Jan. 14. If you're still unsure, Metro Public Works can help you confirm the correct recycling day for your address.