Sylvan Heights fire victims need help

As many of you are aware, a fire in Sylvan Heights claimed the lives of three adults and two children earlier this month. WSMV-TV covered this tragic development this past week. The surviving family members, which include two children, are having a very hard time and could use any help that neighbors are willing to provide. Most of the family's personal property was destroyed in the fire.

The Sylvan Heights Neighborhood Association is organizing a collection for the family, and Joy Dexheimer with SHNA is leading this effort. Here are items the family can use:

• Gift cards for local grocery stores or fast food restaurants
• Pillows, sheets, covers, books, toys.
• Clothes, shoes and school supplies for the children, a 7 year-old girl and a 3 year-old boy.

If you would like to help in any way, please contact Joy at joyccollins@yahoo.com or (615) 481-1472.

Arrest made in Dakota Avenue larceny

The Metro Nashville Police Department is reporting that an arrest has been made following the theft of a gas powered tiller from a home on the 4800 block of Dakota Avenue on January 22.  As always, please report criminal or suspicious activity to the police at (615) 862-8600.

Charlotte Avenue Church of Christ may be demolished this week

A report from Metro Council member Jason Holleman regarding very sad news for this important intersection and for Sylvan Park.:

I heard in late December that the Charlotte Avenue Church of Christ was planning to demolish the church at 4508 Charlotte Avenue, even though they don't have a buyer for the property.  Today, one of the church leaders called to confirm that decision and told me that the building will be taken down later this week.  Two years ago, I filed a bill in the Council to buy the building more time.  Unfortunately, time has now run out, and unless a buyer comes forward immediately, it will be too late.  I wanted to share this information with the neighborhood because I believe that the demolition of this building will be a blow to the unique and historic feel of Charlotte Avenue.

Kathy Hearne to be honored March 5

Kathy Hearne, a neighbor who passed away this past fall, will be honored at the third-annual Celebration of Women Mentoring Women on Friday, March 5, at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. The event is hosted by the Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Kathy is being honored for her social justice advocacy and her efforts to start several local nonprofit and community service organizations. For more information, visit the program Web site or email Emily Masters at emilybmasters@gmail.com.

The Green Wagon faring well in national online contest

Neighborhood business The Green Wagon is in the top 10 nationwide in Intuit's Love a Local Business contest. If you're a fan, help The Green Wagon out by adding a nomination of your own. Contest winners earn small business grants, and the overall business winner can win as much as $35,000.

Theft from motor vehicle reported on Nevada Avenue

The Metro Nashville Police Department is reporting that a theft from a motor vehicle occurred on the 4800 block of Nevada Avenue on Sunday, Jan. 17. A cell phone and gift cards were taken from the vehicle, which had been left unlocked. As always, please report criminal or suspicious activity to the police at (615) 862-8600.

LeQuire Gallery to host Ernest A. Pickup event Saturday (Jan. 16)

LeQuire Gallery (4304 Charlotte Avenue) will host authors Beverly St. John and Gary Webb for a book signing on Saturday, January 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wood engravings by artist Ernest A. Pickup will also be on display. Pickup's work "Parthenon" is pictured above.

St. John and Webb have written the book, "The Life and Work of Ernest A. Pickup." Pickup was one of Nashville’s first commercial artists. He produced thousands of illustrations and commercial designs throughout a career that spanned over fifty years. Today he is best remembered for the fine quality black and white prints he produced during the Depression years of the 1930’s. Inspired by Thomas Hart Benton and other exponents of the Regionalism movement, his prints reflect historic places of interest in Nashville and rural scenes of nature in and around his home in Brentwood, just south of Nashville.

For more information, call LeQuire Gallery at (615) 298-4611.

Larceny reported on Idaho Avenue

The Metro Nashville Police Department is reporting that a larceny took place on the 4500 block of Idaho Avenue on Wednesday, January 6. A purse was reportedly taken around 5 p.m. As always, please report criminal or suspicious activity to the police at (615) 862-8600.

SPNA monthly meeting Monday (Jan. 11)

SPNA will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, January 11, 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!

MNPD reports residential burglary on 53rd Avenue North

The Metro Nashville Police Department is reporting that a residential burglary took place on the 300 block of 53rd Avenue North on Tuesday, January 5. The back door of the property was forced open, and electronics and jewelry were taken. As always, please report criminal or suspicious activity to the police at (615) 862-8600.

Construction on Richland Creek Greenway expansion to begin soon

The Tennessean is reporting that expansion of the Richland Creek Greenway will begin in the next few weeks. As indicated in red in the above image, the expansion will connect neighborhoods near Knob Road more directly with the greenway.

MNPS may lease Cohn school building to local charter school

As reported in today's City Paper, Metro Nashville Public Schools is considering leasing the Cohn school building to local charter school LEAD Academy, which plans to open a high school this fall.

An agreement for LEAD Academy’s new high school to lease space inside the Cohn school building in Sylvan Park appears to be gaining traction, but a deal still needs the OK of Metro Nashville Public Schools and subsequent school board approval...

Securing a facility for the high school, which begins its admissions process next week, has been the subject of recent conversations between LEAD Academy founder Jeremy Kane and Alan Coverstone, director of charter and private schools at MNPS. The two parties have discussed a handful of building possibilities, with the Cohn school building, situated at Park Avenue across the street from Richland Park, emerging as the clear preference for LEAD.

Neighbors are encouraged to review the full article to learn more about this possibility for the Cohn school property. Councilmember Jason Holleman (jason@jasonholleman.com) and Alan Coverstone at MNPS (alan.coverstone@mnps.org) would appreciate feedback from neighbors regarding this development.

Community meeting regarding convention center Jan. 12

Councilmembers Jason Holleman, Sean McGuire and Kristine LaLonde will host a community meeting to
discuss the proposed Music City Center convention center on Tuesday, January 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the auditorium of West End Middle School (3529 West End Avenue).

The Metro Council is expected to vote on a bond resolution that has been filed by Mayor Dean to fund the construction of the project on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Metro Courthouse. The community meeting will feature presentations from project proponents and opponents and questions from the audience.

SPNA winter newsletter now online

The winter edition of the SPNA newsletter is now available online. Issues were distributed to SPNA members by mail earlier this week.