Possible fund-raising scam involving magazine sales

A neighbor has reported a possible scam involving teenagers selling magazines:

Have many neighbors been approached by teenagers going door to door allegedly selling magazines? We had some kids come to our door today a little before 1 p.m. (which is strange because they appeared to be high school age and not in school). We have twice purchased magazines because we felt bad for the kids who said they were working their way out of the projects and building self esteem.

We have never ever received a magazine, and so now are very skeptical about these salesmen. The kids today didn't even have any paper or clipboards with them. They were courteous after my husband said we weren't interested, but it makes me wonder if they're really doing something else like scoping out houses for possible burglary or something to that end. Just wondering if other neighbors have been approached. We live on the 4700 block of Utah Avenue.

It's hard to know for sure, but this may be a scam. There may well be teenagers doing legitimate school fund-raising in the neighborhood from time to time. Since this neighbor mentions having never received magazines despite past support, I thought this was worth mentioning. Please report any suspicious activity you witness to the police at (615) 862-8600.

West Nashville Farmers Market open again Saturday (Aug. 29)

Hopefully you've already had a chance to check out the West Nashville Farmers Market, which opened for business earlier this month. Here's more information about this week's market, which will be open on Saturday (Aug. 29) from 9 a.m. to noon at Richland Park:

This week's line-up of farmers is an example of how the market is growing and changing. Foggy Hollow Farm, Turnbull Creek Farm, Delvin Farms, McDonald's Farm, Paul Kidd, Miel's Garden, Green Door Gourmet and Bernard Pickney are all expected back. We also expect Steve Middleton, a melon grower from Ashland City to join us. Our Nashville Farm to Chef table will have food from Swafford Farms, Timbertop Farm and Jehovah's Providence. We also are happy to have the congregation of St. John's bringing fare from their garden and Alektor Cafe. We'll have cheese this week too, brought to us by Kathleen Kotter of Eastside Cheese Company. Soon we will have grass fed meats too...

The market continues to grow as word spreads and we are working on a plan for a sustainable, properly-sized market with a little for everyone. In keeping with being a producer-only market, we are setting up a rotation schedule for the non-farm vendors so that we have a good mix of what you come to the market for. This week hot coffee is being served by Fido Cafe. Lucy's Cheesecake will be sampling. The following week we will have another great group of food providers.

Thank you to all of you that came out and chose to spend your Saturday with us. Please continue to spread the word to your friends and family that the West Nashville Farmers Market is the cool place to be on Saturday mornings! Please continue to give us your feedback and remember that this is your market- without the community, this never would have happened. So, come out, have fun, enjoy some music, and bring a friend on Saturday. Vote local with your food dollars!

For more information, visit the market's Web site, email organizer@westnashvillefarmersmarket.org or call (615) 585-1294.

Aggressive dogs reported in the neighborhood

There have been several reports this month about aggressive dogs in the neighborhood. Keep in mind that it is illegal for dog owners to allow their pets to run at large throughout Davidson County, though there are dog parks where your dog can run free when supervised. To report dogs running loose in Sylvan Park, call Metro Animal Control at (615) 862-7928. Here are specifics from three recent reports:

I wanted to let you know about a pack of stray dogs that were in the neighborhood [Tuesday]. My wife and a friend were running yesterday morning at Nebraska and 42nd, and were chased for nearly half a mile back to our house on Elkins. My wife was bitten in the leg by one of the dogs. We have filed a bite report with the police, but for families with children we felt it was important to get the word out.

[A boxer mix without a leash or collar on the 4300 block of Utah Avenue] attacked us and nearly killed my dog, who had surgery today for many bites ... [The owner] eventually came over and tackled her dog carrying it back to her house. My dog barely survived the attack, was operated on today just in time as infection had set in. She has serious injuries.

[T]wo pitbull mix dogs [on the 4800 block of Elkins Avenue] are terrorizing the neighborhood. They gave chase to my dog last month, and my dog was hit by a car and killed. Another neighbor on Dakota narrowly escaped attack. Just this morning, they were spotted running down Nebraska after a cyclist. They also forced an elderly man onto the roof of a car to escape attack.

Please keep your dogs on leashes at all times, and never allow them to run unrestrained in the neighborhood. Metro Animal Control offers the following advice for preventing dog bites:

• Never approach a dog you don’t know or a dog that is alone without its owner, especially if the dog is behind a fence, tied with a rope or chain, or in a parked car.
• Never approach a dog that is eating, sleeping or guarding something. Dogs naturally guard their puppies, food, bones and toys.
• Never chase or tease dogs. Don’t poke, hit, pull, or pinch a dog.
• Always ask the owner’s permission before petting a dog.
• Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.
• If attacked, give the dog an object, such as a jacket or backpack to bite or chew on.

A person bitten by an animal should report the incident immediately. Metro Animal Control will investigate the incident and quarantine the animal if the attack caused broken skin. For more information on services provided by Metro Animal Care and Control, call (615) 862-7928.

Suspicious vehicle sighting at 47th and Wyoming

A neighbor reported the following peculiar activity that took place last Thursday night:

FYI - We heard an engine running on a car or truck at 1:30 AM last [Thursday] night. My husband went out to check what was going on. There was a older model red Ford pick-up truck, sitting behind the [Sylvan Park Free Will] Baptist Church at 47th and Wyoming Avenue. He did not have his lights on, but his engine was running. As soon as he saw my husband, he took off fast.

Please report criminal or suspicious activity to the police at (615) 862-8600. Reporting this activity helps the police department determine appropriate staffing and assignments for our neighborhood.

SPNA Night Out Against Crime tonight (August 4)

SPNA will hold its annual Night Out Against Crime tonight (Tuesday, August 4) from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Saint Ann Church gymnasium.

The Night Out Against Crime is a great opportunity to learn about crime prevention and about Neighborhood Watch participation. Come and meet your neighbors and local law enforcement and emergency service personnel. This year's event will feature a potluck supper. If your last name starts with letters A through M, please bring an entree. If your last name begins with letters N through Z, please bring a side item.

MNPD reports recent neighborhood crimes

The Metro Nashville Police Department is reporting the following criminal incidents during the week of July 19 to 25:

• Theft from a motor vehicle on the 4000 block of Nebraska Avenue. One of the vehicle's windows was forced open, and the vehicle's stereo was stolen.
• Larceny on the 4000 block of Westlawn Avenue. Medicine was stolen from the home.

Please report criminal or suspicious activity to the police at (615) 862-8600. Reporting this activity helps the police department determine appropriate staffing and assignments for our neighborhood.

Bells Bend Neighborhood Farms CSA pickup each Tuesday

Bells Bend Neighborhood Farms Community Supported Agriculture now has a weekly pickup for CSA participants at the Green Wagon (4429 Murphy Road) on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m.

Members of the CSA receive a share of the harvest every week. "The food is always fresh, and we are having an abundant season," said CSA coordinator Alan Powell. "The food is all grown without chemicals, pesticides, or herbicides." For more information or to sign up to participate in the CSA, call Alan at (615) 352-8588 or e-mail him at CsaContact@earthlink.net. One of the CSA farms is maintaining a blog at sulphurcreekfarm.blogspot.com.