West Precinct crime report

The West Precinct of the Metro Nashville Police Department is reporting the following incidences of criminal activity in or near Sylvan Park during the month of April:

• An aggravated assault with a handgun near 38th and Nevada Avenue in Sylvan Heights.
• A shed lock was broken, and tools and a vehicle were taken on the 4400 block of Nebraska Avenue.
• Larceny (shoplifting or other petty theft) on the 4800 block of Park Avenue and the 4000 block of Nebraska Avenue.

Please report any suspicious activity you witness to the police at (615) 862-8600 or, in cases of emergencies only, by calling 911.

Richland-West End Home Tour this weekend (May 2-3)

The Richland-West End Neighborhood Association will hold its 31st Annual Home and Garden Tour on Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, from noon to 5 p.m. The tour will feature eight homes and seven gardens. Tickets for the tour are available for $12 for adults and $5 for children under age 12.

Dog owners: Be responsible for your pets

From a neighbor and a responsible dog owner:

Hello. I wanted to call attention to some pet owner problems in the neighborhood. While out walking in the neighborhood this morning, I was approached by two dogs, off leash and wandering loose. They had the look of pit bull mixes. They followed me for some time. While I love dogs, I don't know their temperament and I certainly didn't want them to get hit by a car following me. I am sure there is a leash law in Nashville, and I would hate that I or some other neighbor has to call animal control. It would be very sad if someone got bit or the dogs got injured, and I don't want to see them go to the pound.

Also, a dog owner allowed his dog to poo in my yard this morning. I bring pickup bags with me when I walk the neighborhood and I always clean up after my dog. I would appreciate other pet owners doing the same. Not only is it awful to step in that, but it is bad for the environment and unsanitary.

Please be sure to take responsibility for your pets. I think many neighborhood pet owners do, but it's always good to be reminded.

Percy Priest Lake cleanup May 2

Neighbor Jessica Parks passed along information about an important community volunteer effort:

I'm helping to organize a volunteer project to help clean Percy Priest lake. While the lake is not directly a part of our neighborhood, most of us frequent the area especially in the coming summer months. This is currently the largest water cleanup in Nashville's history, and while we've had great results with the past two cleanups, there is so much trash still lingering on the islands and around the lake that we are continuing to schedule the cleanups twice a year.

The Nashville Clean Water Project is hosting a cleanup day for Percy Priest Lake on Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. More details are available at cleanpercypriest.org.

Mayor Dean to present State of Metro address April 23

Mayor Karl Dean will present the 46th Annual State of Metro address on Friday, April 23, at 10 a.m. at the Music City Central bus terminal at 400 Charlotte Avenue. The public is invited to attend.

SPS Spaghetti Fest May 8

Sylvan Park School will host its annual Spaghetti Fest and Kids Carnival on Friday, May 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. This celebration of food, family and fun is open to the public. Proceeds benefit Sylvan Park School. Please visit sylvanparkschool.org for details and make plans to attend.

SRC pancake breakfast this Saturday (April 18)

The Senior Renaissance Center will hold its spring pancake breakfast this coming Saturday, April18. The event will be held at the Cohn Adult Learning Center (4805 Park Avenue) from 7 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children ages 10 and under. Proceeds benefit the Cohn Senior Renaissance Center.

MNPD drug arrests at 37th Avenue and Park in Sylvan Heights

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

West Precinct detectives charged 33 persons as the result of investigations on 30th and 23rd Avenues North, Buena Vista Pike, 37th Avenue North at Park Avenue, and 12th Avenue South. Seized were 31 pounds of marijuana, eleven grams of cocaine, 19 Hydrocodone pills, ten morphine pills, three weapons, one vehicle, and $2,295 cash.

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

SPNA April membership meeting update

At the April membership meeting, SPNA members approved the following expenses:

• Sponsorship of a McCabe Little League team ($450)
• Sponsorship of the West End Middle School baseball team ($200)
• Annual dues for the Nashville Neighborhood Alliance ($50)
• Expenses for a recent membership renewal mailing ($141.66)

The next meeting will be held on Monday, May 11, at 7 p.m.

Property assessment mailing April 24, public meeting April 28

The Property Assessor for the Government of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County is in the process of mailing out notices of new appraised values and assessments to property owners across the city. Notices regarding updated property assessments are expected to be mailed to Sylvan Park property owners on April 24.

A public meeting regarding property assessment will be hosted by District 24 Council Member Jason Holleman (along with fellow Council Members Emily Evans, Sean McGuire and Carter Todd) on Tuesday, April 28 at 6 p.m. at Julia Green Elementary School (3500 Hobbs Road). The meeting is one of several options for property owners to learn more about the assessment process and to ask questions about assessment results. For more information, see the Property Assessor's Web site.

Properties are reassessed every four years to ensure that values are calculated equitably. Fair market values for properties are used to determine the amount of property tax owned for each property. Property owners may request an informal review of their appraisals by calling (615) 862-6059.

Curby day Wednesday (April 15)

For Sylvan Park residents who live south of Idaho Avenue, this Wednesday, April 15, is recycling day. If you're still unsure, Metro Public Works can help you confirm the correct recycling day for your address.

SPNA membership meeting Monday night (April 13)

SPNA will hold its April membership meeting tomorrow night (Monday, April 13) at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Cohn Adult Learning Center at the intersection of 48th and Park Avenues. The meeting will include a discussion of Cohn Adult Learning Center including remarks from a Metro Nashville Public Schools representative. Hope to see you there.

MNPS 2008 crime statistics online

The Metro Nashville Police Department has released detailed crime statistics for 2008. The data demonstrates an overall decline in crime across Nashville.

Possible home for rent scam on Dakota Avenue

We've received a report of a possible Craigslist scam involving a home on Dakota Avenue (details below).

Thanks for the email. I am [name] that own the 1 bedroom apartment and also want you to know that it was due to my transfer that makes me and my wife to leave the house and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean at the time and the person that will rent it to take it as if it were its own..

So for now, We are here in west Africa, our new house and also with the keys of the house, we try to look for an agent that we can give this documents before we left but could not see and we are as well as don't want our house to be used any how in our present that is why we took it along with us. I and my wife came over to West Africa for a missionary work, so i hope you will promise us to take very good care of the house.

So get back to me on how you could take care of our house or perhaps experience you have in renting home. Hope you are okay with the price of US$600(1 months first payment) with hydro,heat laundry facilities, air condition and so on. I am looking forward to hear from you ASAP so that i can forward you an application to fill out and discuss on how to get the house for rent.this is the address of my apartment...

As with any real estate listing, be sure to investigate and confirm all details before committing to anything or handing over any money. The individual claiming to own the home described above is not listed in the Davidson County property records as the owner.

RCWA creek cleanup Saturday (April 11)

The Richland Creek Watershed Alliance will hold its Third Annual Creek Clean Up this Saturday, April 11, at 9 a.m. The cleanup will be focused on an area of Richland Creek near Charlotte Pike.

Here are specifics from RCWA:

All must sign waivers before participation at registration tent, which will be visible from Charlotte Pike next to Las Palmas. Children are not recommended due to hazards and to participate must have an adult waiver signature. Please park at Centerstone church on 54th avenue, right off Charlotte. Bring your rake for easier collection of trash if you have one. Trash bags, gloves and refreshments provided.

More details are available on the RCWA blog.

SPS Playground Party Saturday (April 11)

Sylvan Park School will celebrate the opening of its new playground this Saturday, April 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be live music, games and food. This event is open to the public. Email julie_james@comcast.net for more information.

Curby day Wednesday (April 8)

For Sylvan Park residents who live on or north of Idaho Avenue, this Wednesday, April 8, is recycling day. Residents south of Idaho Avenue can recycle the following Wednesday, April 15. If you're still unsure, Metro Public Works can help you confirm the correct recycling day for your address.

Neighborhood pioneer Corinne Maxwell dies at 90

From neighbor Andy Brown, who recently moved out of the neighborhood:

I wanted to pass along some sad news. Until recently, we lived in Sylvan Park, and our neighbor on the 4100 block of Utah was Corrine Maxwell. She and her late husband moved into the neighborhood when it was first developed. She seems to have known most everyone in the area. Sadly, she passed away Sunday [March 22] at the age of 90. A link to her obituary follows if you could kindly share it with your readers. People like Ms. Maxwell are what make Sylvan Park such a wonderful neighborhood.

Home break-ins on Park, Colorado

The Metro Nashville Police Department has reported the following home break-ins in or near the neighborhood on March 13: an afternoon theft on the 3500 block of Park Avenue where the thief stole electronics after entering through a back window and a late-night theft where the thief stole a laptop after entering through a window.

Please report any suspicious activity you witness to the police (615) 862-8600.

Possible scam reported

From neighbor Jim Cracraft:

A persuasive woman came to our door this afternoon (3/25/09) selling magazine subscriptions and claiming to be in training as a motivational speaker for underprivileged kids or some such thing. At any rate, she showed me a list containing quite a few signatures and she said she had been “working the neighborhood” (her phrase) for the past 3 days. I don't know if it was a scam, but I am suspicious of any door-to-door solicitation unless it is a girl scout selling cookies.

Please be suspicious of anyone who comes to your door requesting money. Use your best judgement. If any solicitation sounds like a rip-off, please report it to spna@sylvanpark.org and/or to the Metro Nashville Police Department at (615) 862-8600.

SPNA Yard Sale May 2

This year’s SPNA Yard Sale is set for Saturday, May 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone who wants to participate in this neighborhood tradition can pay $15 to be included in a Tennessean yard sale ad and on the official map of all participating homes.

This year’s coordinator, Susan Rodgers, expects more than 40 yard sale participants, and the event typically draws hundreds of visitors to the neighborhood in search of good deals. New this year will be a plant swap. Anyone with goods left from the sale can place them on the curb to be picked up the same day by a local nonprofit. To sign up or for more information, contact Susan at
susanrodgers@realtracs.com.