Compost Bins Available from Metro Beautification

To encourage backyard composting, Metro Beautification and Metro Public Works have compost bins and supplies available at the Public Works Omohundro Convenience Center (1019 Omohundro Drive). The center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

MNPD to relocate West Precinct closer to Sylvan Park

As reported in the City Paper recently, the Metro Nashville Police Department will be relocating the West Precinct headquarters to 5500 Charlotte Avenue. This location is much closer to Sylvan Park than the current location, which should only help make the neighborhood even safer.

SPNA members to vote on new by-laws Oct. 12

SPNA members will decide whether to adopt new by-laws at the next monthly membership meeting on Monday, October 12, at 7 p.m. The revised by-laws are intended to replace the existing by-laws and better conform to the standards for non-profit organizations that are required by Tennessee state law.

Earlier this year, SPNA president Wendell Goodman appointed a by-laws committee to review the organization's current by-laws. Recording secretary John Summers and steering committee member Margaret Holleman assessed SPNA's existing by-laws and compared them to the by-laws of other area neighborhood associations.

The committee developed new by-laws modeled on the by-laws of the Richland-West End Neighborhood Association. As required by the current by-laws, SPNA members voted unanimously at the September membership meeting to hold a vote regarding formal adoption of the new by-laws at the upcoming membership meeting. All current SPNA members are eligible to vote and are encouraged to do so, and a letter has been mailed to all members to this effect. Members will also have an opportunity to review any amendments to the proposed by-laws which are submitting in writing to Wendell Goodman by Oct. 5.

Here is a summary of the changes that will be enacted if the proposed by-laws are adopted. As required by state law, SPNA will be governed by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will be elected by the SPNA membership at an annual meeting in December for the following calendar year. The Board will consist of up to 21 members. The Board of Directors will elect a slate of officers from the board upon its election. SPNA will hold monthly board meetings. SPNA board meetings will be open to the public and participation by the members. Membership in SPNA is open to resident homeowners in Sylvan Park and tenants who have lived in Sylvan Park for more than two years.

The by-laws vote by the membership marks the culmination of a lengthy process to review SPNA's existing by-laws. Please take time to review the current and proposed by-laws, which are available for review at sylvanpark.org, and to attend the October membership meeting to participate in the vote. Many thanks to Wendell, John and Margaret for their work in this effort.

Celebration of Cultures this Saturday (Oct. 3)

The 13th annual Celebration of Cultures festival will be held at Centennial Park on Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public, and it has been named a Top 20 event in the Southeast for fall 2009 the Southeast Tourism Society. The celebration is intended to bring people together to celebrate the cultural diversity of our community. Showcasing the traditions, art and dance of more than 40 cultures, highlights of this year’s festival will include:

• food from around the world
• dance and musical performances on five different stages
• a world Market featuring hand-crafted and imported items from around the globe
• a children’s area featuring interactive dance, art, a children’s stage, puppet shows, and more
• a Global Village offering a glimpse of daily life in countries such as Panama, India, Mexico, Bolivia, Somalia, Japan, Jamaica, China and Kurdistan
• TEENS UNITED!, an area where local teens from different countries will showcase their cultural traditions, dance, and more.
  

The event is presented by Scarritt-Bennett Center and the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation. Free parking is available in the ground-level HCA parking lots off 25th Avenue North and throughout Centennial Park. All kinds of information about the festival, including performance times and a festival map, is available at the organization Web site.

SPNA little league team wins championship

Great news from Marty Quinn, head coach of the McCabe Little League team sponsored by SPNA:

Thank you and the rest of the SPNA for sponsoring our McCabe Park Little League Coach Pitch Team this year! Our record for the season was 11-1-1 and we were the regular season champions. We placed second place in the end of season tournament and had three players nominated to the all star team: Kade Quinn (Sylvan park resident), Luke Bowers (Sylvan park resident) and Mike Gray. Other Sylvan Parkers nominated to the McCabe Park all star team included Dylan Hayle, Hunter Mendez, and Aiden Feeley. Thank you again for your sponsorship you helped create a lifetime memory for me, my son and the rest of the kids on our team.

Congratulations on a great season, y'all!

MNPD's Mark Chestnut recovering at home

The Metro Nashville Police Department has reported in its most recent employee newsletter that Sargeant Mark Chestnut, who was wounded in the line of duty this summer, has been released from the hospital and is making progress in his recovery:

Sergeant Mark Chesnut has returned home from his recent re-hospitalization, is able to
get out more and continues to slowly progress in his recovery, although medical issues persist. Mark and his family are grateful for all the support and prayers.

You may recall that SPNA members wished Sgt. Chestnut well by sending him a banner at the Night Out Against Crime in August. Best wishes for continued progress in your recovery, Sgt. Chestnut!

LeQuire Gallery Figurative Artists Exhibit open through Oct. 24

LeQuire Gallery's new figurative artists exhibit, which has received national attention in the latest issue of American Art Collector magazine and a local writeup in the Nashville Scene, opened this past weekend.

Here's more information about the exhibit from LeQuire Gallery:

For thousands of years, in almost every culture, the artist's first impulse toward art making has been to draw images of the human form.

This practice continues today and is thriving. There is a major movement among contemporary artists toward a more narrative, figurative art. These artists reject the current notions of avant-garde in favor of the time-honored arts of painting and sculpture. They seek technical mastery using both traditional and modern materials. They are familiar with the theories and techniques of the past and are enlarging that body of knowledge by creating new, meaningful work. It is our mission to show the work of as many of these artists as possible. We consider the annual exhibits of our New Figurative artists to be among our most important events.

The LeQuire Annual New Figurative Artists exhibit includes new works from stable artists Juliette Aristides, Joshua Bronaugh, Jonathan Matthews and Murat Kaboulov and introduces Maggie Rose and Marti Jones Dixon.

The exhibit will be open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Oct. 24. at the gallery (4304 Charlotte Avenue).

Whitland Area home tour this weekend (Sept. 26-27)

The Whitland Area Neighborhood Association will host its annual home tour and art show on Saturday, Sept. 26, and on Sunday, Sept. 27. The tour will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. on both days. The following locations will be stops on the tour:

• The home of Mike and Karen Tabor, 3713 Whitland Avenue
• The home of Bob and Mavis Duthie, 220 Carden Avenue
• The home of David and Elizabeth Fox, 3812 Whitland Avenue
• The home of Charlie and Carrie Eckstein, 3821 West End Avenue, #101
• The home of Jack and Deanie Miller, 3803 Whitland Avenue
• The home of Doug Lesky and Jeff Steele, 222 Leonard Avenue
• The home of Stephanie and Derek Edwards, 227 Carden Avenue
• Blakemore Children’s Center, 3604 Whitland Avenue
• Fire Hall No. 17, 3911 West End Avenue

Tour tickets can be purchased at any of the open homes on the day of the tour for $15 per person, $8 per child ages 12-under or $25 per couple. Advance tickets can also be purchased at a discounted price of $12 per person through Sept. 25 at Salon Cargile on White Bridge Road, Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Green Hills, and the Belle Meade Harris Teeter. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity. See the WANA Web site for more information.

Neighbor and volunteer Kathy Hearne remembered

You may already be aware that neighbor and SPNA member Kathy Hearne passed away late last month after enduring a long illness. Kathy was a caring and dedicated person who gave her heart and soul to many important causes, and she will be missed greatly.

Following are excerpts from Kathy's obituary, which was published in a recent issue of The Tennessean:

Kathy's life was rooted in the principles of social justice and service to others. She was a tireless advocate for the disenfranchised and outcast; she was the spark behind numerous community programs in Nashville and across Tennessee.

Kathy lived her commitment to others. She was a stead-fast friend who welcomed many different people into her life and touched them all in profound but gentle ways. She was as selfless with her friends and family as she was in her commitment to social justice. She lived her principles fiercely, in her own way.

Kathy is the former administrator of the Center for Health Services at Vanderbilt University, which developed many community health clinics that flourish today. She held executive director positions at the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, the Tennessee Hunger Coalition and the Tennessee Network for Community Economic Development. She was vice-president of Organization Development at Alive Hospice, where she was project manager for the building of the residential hospice facility. She was Development Director at the Tennessee Justice Center and Coordinator of the Respite Care Providers Network of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. She consulted with many non-profits on matters of organizational development, administration, and advocacy, often on a volunteer basis.

Kathy co-founded the Rape and Sexual Abuse Center (now the Sexual Assault Center), Reconciliation Ministries, the Nashville Housing Fund, the YWCA Domestic Violence Program, and Mountain House (Marion, VA). Kathy often laughingly referred to herself as a non-profit entrepreneur. She volunteered at Sylvan Park Paideia School, the Low Income Housing Forum, the YWCA, Father Ryan High School and the Nashville Ulster Project. She served as a Board member of Project Return, Reconciliation Ministries, the Rape and Sexual Abuse Center, Tennesseans Against the Death Penalty and Nashville Housing Fund.

Kathy was an accomplished photographer who attended Watkins College of Art & Design in Nashville, and a passionate film buff who served regularly as a film screener and volunteer for the Nashville Film Festival.

Kathy's family has asked that anyone interested in honoring her legacy support Homeplace, a community-based support program for people with disabilities. Send contributions to the following address:

Homeplace
c/o Belmont United Methodist Church
2007 Acklen Avenue
Nashville, TN 37212

Richland Green Festival on Saturday (Sept. 19)

From the West Nashville Farmers Market:

The West Nashville Farmer’s Market will host the Richland Green Festival this Saturday, September 19, from 9 a.m. to noon. Local environmentally friendly businesses and nonprofits will be on hand to offer demonstrations and provide information about how their programs impact the ecological health of our community. There will be exhibits staged by The Green Wagon, Kilowatt Ours, Rain Barrel Systems and Green Driving Solutions will be on hand to answer questions and provide information to market-goers.

Sean Siple of Good Food for Good People explained, “It is a natural fit for our farmers market to place the spotlight on the environmental leadership of our community. Local food, clean agricultural practices and far reaching resource management embody the spirit of our little local market. We are here each week because we are trying to assure our children that they too will have their place in the sun.”

The market just had its one-month anniversary last Saturday and will continue to be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon until the end of October or beginning of November. The West Nashville Farmers Market features live music, local food and activities for children of all ages, including face painting this weekend. The market is located at the corner of 46th and Park Avenue beside the Richland Park Library.

The farmers who will be at the market this week include Foggy Hollow Farm, Nashville Farm to Chef, McDonald Farms, Delvin Farms, Green Door Gourmet, Jon Clarke’s mums, Peaceful Pastures, and Paul Kidd’s Paradise Honey. Also participating in the market are Miel Restaurant, The Green Wagon, Angelight, Provence Breads and Lucy’s Cheesecake.

Residents and local vendors interested in partnering with the new market can call Sean Siple at (615) 585-1294 or email him at sean@westnashvillefarmersmarket.org.

Neighbor captures photo of stray dogs

A neighbor submitted the above photograph of several stray dogs that were on her property earlier this month:

I am attaching a picture of the dogs that were on my front lawn most of Labor Day. There were 6 of them but this picture shows 5 of them. You might want to post this if you think others are interested in seeing whether or not these are the same dogs that attacked people on bikes. They were not aggressive toward me, but I was NOT on a bike!

Please keep in mind that there have been several reports of aggressive stray dogs and related injuries during the past several weeks. Take caution when you encounter any unfamiliar animals. Report any loose animals to Metro Animal Control at (615) 862-7928.

MNPD cautions motorists to drive carefully, especially in school zones

From the Metro Nashville Police Department, which has already issued more than 100 citations for school zone moving violations since the school year began last month:

Traffic volume increases during the morning and afternoon hours due to the number of vehicles and buses transporting children to and from school. Around 75,000 students attend public schools here in Davidson County. Knowing this, please plan your schedule accordingly and allow enough time to comply with traffic laws. Also be aware of the school zones you travel through. Make sure you are slowing down and remain attentive as you approach them. Some school zones are not equipped with lights or with crossing guards so we need the public to be aware of their surroundings.

MNPD arrests three West End Middle School students

From the Metro Nashville Police Department:

West Precinct Patrol officers [on Friday] charged three West End Middle School students with loitering during school hours, theft and evading arrest. A citizen spotted two 13-year-olds and a 12-year-old climbing over a fence on Woodmont Boulevard into a neighbor’s backyard at 1 p.m. A police helicopter responded immediately. The boys fled on stolen bicycles. The helicopter pilot reported their location. They were taken into custody on Bowling Avenue. The bicycles were all recovered.

West Nashville Farmers Market Saturday (Sept. 12)

You may have noticed by now that the West Nashville Farmers Market has quickly become very popular since its inception last month. Here's what you can expect to see if you stop by tomorrow between 9 a.m. and noon:

Every week you keep surprising and amazing us with your enthusiasm, energy, and turnout!! And, we are excited to continue to host the talented people in our community who want to bring you the best food, greatest entertainment and dazzling hand-made crafts.

Did anyone notice that we have mums at the market. Jon Clarke is a great little grower just north of Nashville and he really brings it to the market. He said "The first week you come to a market they just look at you, but by the third week they are looking for you!" Please stop by and take some of his reasonably priced, spectacular potted plants home while they last. He will be done with his mum season in a few weeks.

We are pleased to welcome a new beef producer to our line-up. Danny Roller, operator of Barton Creek Farms, will be there with a broad selection of grain finished, marbled beef. He will be set up in a mobile unit next to the tents. This now makes two local meat producers since Peaceful Pastures made their debut last week and will be with us every other week.

Delvin Farms and Foggy Hollow Farm will be back with a broad variety of autumn squashes, carrots, and the large seasonal flushes of shiitake mushrooms. You can also plan on seeing Miel Garden, McDonalds Farm, Green Door Gourmet and the gardeners from St. John's. Nashville Farm to Chef will be back with a table full of field fresh food from Turnbull Creek (arugula), Smiley's (sweet corn), Swafford Farms(maters and peppers) and Jehovah's Providence (watermelon)!

Provence Breads returns to the market to bring their amazing artisan breads made right here the heart of Nashville. Because you are making this market so successful, quality local businesses are flocking to be with us on Saturday. Your support makes it possible for Good Food for Good People to expand this market so that for some it can be true one-stop-shopping!

Organizers have also decided to continue to provide market space for local practitioners of holistic care. This week you are encouraged to visit masseuse Linda Nunn from Phoenix Rising Therapeutic Massage, who will once again be offering chair massages.

This weeks coffee stand is brought to you by Wild Muffin, offering their yummy baked goods, hot coffee and cool lemonade. So, grab breakfast at the market, y'all! Come out, listen to some locally brewed tunes and please tell your friends and family about us. See you Saturday!

Richland Creek pollution inflow reported

From the Richland Creek Watershed Alliance:

In case you missed it, a stakeholder reported the ongoing pollution inflow to Richland Creek by the Reostone Nashville Quarry last week to TDEC. He also informed WSMV Channel 4 News and they took a boat ride upstream and published the video in a recent story.

Large yard sale tomorrow (Sept. 12)

Four neighborhood women are hosting a yard sale Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 110 46th Avenue North (next door to Star Bagel). Here's more information from the hosts:

Thanks to a divorce, a break-up, medical school, and a child in college - we're selling our stuff...and their stuff too. Everything is priced to sell.

1995 White Saab 900S ($750)
Lots of Designer Clothes (Size 8 - 14 / M - XL)
Designer Shoes and Boots (Sizes 7 - 9)
Vintage Coats, Handbags & Scarves
Men's Trendy Clothes & Shoes (Sizes L - XL)
ARMY / West Point Uniforms, Clothes, Shoes, Etc. (various sizes - mostly Large)
Furniture
Paintings / Artwork - including Guitar Artwork
School & Craft Supplies
Stationary, Postcards, Greeting Cards
Picture Frames
Kitchen Items
Household Items: Laundry Hamper, Cleaning Supplies
Auto & Garage Supplies (oil, tie-downs, 3 new-in-box clamp lights, new power strips, etc.)
Luggage
Purses
Hair & Beauty Products
Small electronics: fan, hot rollers, lamps, dirt devil hand vacuum

SPNA sends best wishes to Sgt. Mark Chestnut

During last month's Night Out Against Crime, SPNA members and neighbors signed a large banner (pictured above) wishing Metro Nashville Police Department officer Mark Chestnut a speedy recovery. Sergeant Chestnut was wounded in the line of duty in June. Thanks, Sgt. Chestnut, for keeping Sylvan Park and Nashville safe!

MNPD Interactive Crime Map

The Metro Nashville Police Department maintains an interactive crime map (pictured above) that displays recent criminal activity throughout the city. The map is regularly updated to show incidents that have been reported within the past 28 days. Specific addresses are not identified on the map, but it does provide a general assessment of criminal activity in the neighborhood and across Nashville. Check it out if you are curious to learn more about reported crimes in the area. As always, please report any suspicious behavior or criminal activity to the police using the department's non-emergency line at (615) 862-8600.

McCabe Little League begins Sept. 12, signup now

There's still time to sign up for McCabe Little League's fall baseball season. Games begin on Saturday, September 12. For more information, contact Steve Orr at (615) 568-5212 or akelapack17@bellsouth.net.