Metro Christmas Tree Lighting Nov. 30

Mayor Bill Purcell and WSMV-TV's Holly Thompson will host a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the city's new public square on Thursday, November 30, at 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, and Krispy Kreme will be providing donuts and coffee. Woo hoo!

Interfaith Thanksgiving service tonight

West End United Methodist Church (2200 West End Avenue) will host the 2006 Interfaith Thanksgiving Service tonight (Tuesday, November 21) at 7 p.m. The service will be held in the church sanctuary.

This service has been held annually since 1959. West End area churches and synagogues take turns serving as host sites. The public is invited to attend. The church will host a short reception following the service in its McWherter Hall.

Free Frist Center admission tomorrow

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts (919 Broadway) will offer free admission for all visitors on Wednesday, November 22, courtesy of First Tennessee Bank. Admission to the center will also be free on November 29, December 20 and December 27 (all Wednesdays).

The Frist Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Here are its hours for the remainder of the week:

• Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  

Casual attire is welcome for visitors. Admission is free during the dates listed above, but normal admission is $8.50 for adults.

Crime report

Neighbor Doug Eckert gathered the following information on recent crime activity in Sylvan Park in preparation for last week's membership meeting. The neighbhorhood has a "very good" month in terms of criminal activity and "significantly less crime" than normal overall. Doug did note two unusual patterns in the neighborhood and provided additional explanation:

• Residents have reported two aggravated assaults in the past few weeks. This is a "stunner," according to Doug, because "this is a serious crime that we rarely ever see." It appears to be in both instances, though, that the charges were unproven ones made by one person against another. According to Doug, "One instance was a couple of residents who had too much to drink, and one claimed the other assaulted him with a baseball bat. The other was a domestic dispute where the claim of aggravated assault was unproven."
  

• Sylvan Park has had "more residential burglaries than we had thefts of items from cars (auto burglaries). While I’ve never seen this before in all the years I’ve been monitoring Sylvan Park crime, it was largely because we only had two auto burglaries. We had five residential burglaries, but three of those were sheds or garages that were broken into around 54th Avenue. Another was where the report was something was stolen but the reporting resident wasn’t sure when. Another was jewelry where a window was left open."
  

As always, please report any non-emergency criminal activity you witness or discover to (615) 862-8600.

TWRA's Polly Rooker visits SPNA

Polly Rooker, Watchable Wildlife and Waterfowl Biologist for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, attended Monday night’s SPNA membership meeting to discuss urban wildlife. Following are some highlights of the information Polly shared:

• Remember that the wildlife was here before we humans were. They’ve only adapted as best they can to our arrival.
• Coyotes are present in the city, but they are not typically violent to humans. They primarily eat rodents, insects and snakes, but they are opportunistic: They will eat cats and small dogs on occasion if they encounter them.
• Coyotes are primarily nocturnal, so it is wise to keep your cats and small dogs indoors overnight. You are unlikely to encounter coyotes during daylight hours.
• Coyotes are highly resilient to methods to exterminate or remove them from an area. They are here to stay. Even Manhattan has a sizable coyote population!
• Do not leave food for your pets outside or in accessible garages and utility sheds. This will attract wildlife. If you must feed your pets outside, take the bowl back inside with you when they finish eating. Do not leave food out for wildlife under any circumstances.
• Raccoons are increasingly common in the city. A large population of rabid raccoons are gradually migrating closer to Middle Tennessee over time, and this will present problems when they get here.
• Inoculate your pets against rabies before they are exposed. There is little that can be done to spare a pet or another animal that has been infected.
• Skunks, which have been frequently spotted in the neighborhood recently, are immune to rabies, but they can carry and spread the disease. They do not exhibit rabies symptoms.
• If you see skunks or raccoons out during the day looking sick or disoriented, they likely have distemper.
• If you do trap raccoons or skunks, please euthanize them. Do not release them in rural areas because this can spread disease.
• Metro Animal Control (615-862-7928) will come get animals if you report a problem. You can also take trapped animals to them. Private animal control companies are another option, but they do charge for their services (as much as $75 per animal, according to one report.
  

The TWRA Web site includes resources on some of the critters you may spot in your backyard, in case you want to do a little research on the front end. (If anyone spots a bobcat, I would really like to be warned. Thanks.)

Many thanks to Rob Stack for the photo.

Lequire Gallery open house Saturday

Nearby art house LeQuire Gallery ( 4304 Charlotte Avenue) will hold a free open house this Saturday, November 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is open to the public.

The open house also serves as the debut for the LeQuire Gallery Holiday Show, which will feature bronze sculptures, figurative paintings and hand made porcelain vessels and bowls by local, regional and nationally recognized artists. The Holiday Show (free throughout its run) will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays beginning this weekend, and it will continue through December 23.

For more information, send a message to info[at]lequiregallery.com or call (615) 298-4611.

Costco now open

The new Costco location at 6670 Charlotte Pike opened this morning. The Tennessean has details about the store. Here are a few to whet your appetite:

• Membership fees: $50 Business, with additional cards for $40 each; $50 Gold Star (individuals); Executive Membership is an additional $50 upgrade. All memberships include a free Household Card.
• Regular hours: 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday for Business and Executive members; 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. for all members; 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday for all members.
  

MNPD drug arrests near Sylvan Park

Neighbor Doug Eckert passed along this news release today about recent Metro Nashville Police arrests throughout the city. Included were an undisclosed number of arrests at the 5400 block of Charlotte Avenue (near the New Life Record Shop) and the 3400 block of Nebraska Avenue. (Note: The exact location for the latter address isn't showing up in Google Maps, so I'm not sure if it is correct.)

A separate MNPD release emphasizes the importance of removing your keys, locking your car and removing valuables when parking your vehicle. This should be common sense, but more than half of recently stolen vehicles had the keys inside when the theft occurred.

Radnor lake calendar on sale

The 2007 Friends of Radnor Lake calendar is now onsale on the group's Web site and the Radnor Lake Visitor Center (1160 Otter Creek Road), the Granny White Market, REI in Brentwood, and Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Green Hills.

Local photographer Robin Conover captured images from Radnor Lake State Natural Area, including the image featured for January 2007 above.

Calendars cost $12 each, and all proceeds from the sale benefit the Friends group, which is dedicated to protecting, preserving and promoting the natural integrity of the Radnor Lake area. They make great gifts for those of you who have begun your holiday shopping (and for those of us who need to start).

Holiday lights competition

Nashville residents are invited to share the holiday spirit by decorating their homes and yards for the Metro Beautification and Environment Commission’s 19^th annual Holiday Lights Competition. The contest is sponsored by Mayor Bill Purcell, Metro Public Works, Metro Beautification and Environment Commission, Nashville Electric Service (go figure) and WTVF-TV.

The Holiday Lights Competition is open to all residents of Davidson County, and awards are made in each of the 35 Councilmanic districts. Five regional winners and one countywide winner will be selected as well.

The deadline for entering is Monday, November 20, 2006. Judging begins on Friday, November 24. The overall winner will be announced and featured on NewsChannel 5’s 6 p.m. newscast on Friday, December 1. For more information, call Metro Beautification at (615) 862-8418 or visit the agency's Web site. Contest rules and entry forms are available on the Metro website.

Home sales up in October

According to this City Paper story, October home sales in Nashville were up from the same month in 2005, and home sales for the year are up 3.9 percent over 2005. In a market where home sales are peaking or even falling across the country, this is great news for the city.

The Greater Nashville Association of Realtors has more details about recent sales activity and a chart of sales for the year.

"Nashville is very fortunate to be sustaining an active market for home sales," said Christie Wilson, 2006 GNAR president and Sylvan Park resident. "The consistent good news of companies and families relocating here gives us reason to believe the healthy market will continue. We are enjoying a steady pace that is keeping us on track for 2006 to be another record-breaking year."

Contra Dance Friday night

Neighbor Jenny Frampton reports that the Nashville Country Dancers will hold their next Contra Dance at the Cohn Adult Learning Center (4805 Park Avenue) this Friday, November 10, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Sylvan Park resident Susan Kevra will do the calling for the evening, and Nashville's own Small Time String Band will perform.

Jenny invites everyone to attend and promises a night of fun, along with great exercise and great music. No experience or partner is necessary. The regular dance runs from 8 to 10 p.m., and a beginner session precedes the dance at 7:30. General admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. For more information, call 615-356-1526 or visit the NCD Web site.

Whistlestop Weekend

Now this sounds like fun: The Adventure Science Center (800 Fort Negley Boulevard) will hold is 20th Annual Whistlestop Weekend featuring model trains of all shapes and sizes Friday, November 10, through Sunday, November 12. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m on Sunday. Regular admission prices ($9 for adults and $7 for children ages 3 to 12 and for seniors) apply. The first 250 guests on Saturday will receive a free train whistle.

Belle Meade Baroque performs Sunday

Belle Meade Baroque, Nashville's period instrument ensemble, will perform on Sunday, November 12, at 2 p.m. at St. George's Episcopal Church (4715 Harding Road). The ensemble will perform two cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach and trio sonatas by Handel and Telemann along with the Nashville Boychoir and soloists. A donation of $5 is suggested for attending.

Nearby art exhibit

Art Attack Nashville will feature a selection of original fine art from local and international artists on Saturday, November 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. at GG Fine Salon and Spa (73 White Bridge Road, Suite 11). Admission is free, but please RSVP by tomorrow by emailing ggsalonspa[at]bellsouth.net
if you would like to attend.

Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from any artwork sold will be donated to benefit families in need with members who are battling cancer.

Flu shots available starting today

As of today (Nov. 6), flu shots are available at the Lentz Public Health Clinic for $10 (cash or checks accepted, but not debit or credit cards). Shots are available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and walk-ins are welcome. The clinic is located at 311 23rd Avenue North. More information is also available in this WKRN-TV video report.

Open house and job fair Nov. 13

A Fall Community Career Options Open House and Job Fair will be held on Monday, November 13, at 9 a.m. at the Vanderbilt University Student Life Center. (Map: 310 25th Avenue South) This event is free and open to the public. Please note that professional attire is required.

This event is targeted toward general job seekers and those looking for jobs in the professional, technical, educational and medical fields. It will include major local companies and institutions from all segments of the public, private and allied health sectors. (No fast-food or telemarketing companies are participating.) Attendees will have the opportunity to meet recruiters, learn about local companies that are looking to hire new employees and discover what positions are available.

Celebrate Nashville Neighborhoods Project

News from Celebrate Nashville: Neighborhood associations registered with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods have until March 1 to submit proposals for a Celebrate Nashville Neighborhoods Project. Once approved, the projects must be completed by June 1 to be eligible for awards.

The top winning neighborhood association would receive a $10,000 grant award. There will be two $5,000 second place awards and three $2,000 third place awards. Wal-Mart is providing the grant awards to the winning neighborhood associations. The awards will be announced at the Celebrate Nashville Neighborhoods Picnic in June. The Celebrate Nashville Committee will judge the neighborhood entries on the project’s creativity, relevance and implementation.

Challenges of urban living

A fellow West Nashvillian witnessed some unusual activity early this morning at the White Bridge Road and I-40 Waffle House. Luckily for us, he shared details on his blog.

"I never know what to expect when I hear that... especially at 4 AM at Waffle House.

I stopped by where I work (sort of) at 4 AM this morning to pick up a large coffee and grab my paycheck out of the office. I was barely through the door when both waitresses and the cook started in with "You should have been here, you missed it!". Oh boy...

There's a Super 8 motel behind the restaurant that's popular with some of the drug dealers, prostitutes and paycheck-to-paycheck people in this part of West Nashville. Apparently some dude and his lady were back there putting powder up their noses and having a good time when the dude freaked out... The first my friends at Waffle House knew about it was when the "lady" came flying into the restaurant, in her underwear, ran back to the nathroom and hid... Hiding from...?

Hiding from the dude, who came flying through the door shortly after, wearing not a damn thing... ran around the restaurant... ran down the grill line, vaulted over the booths and ran back out the door... He hopped in a car (the lady's?) and drove off but apparently Metro Police caught up with him after a brief chase. Cici told me that the dude offered to share his stash with her if she'd just go back over to their room and get his drugs and his pants. It shook Judy up so bad she was actually up and cleaning things... trying to burn off the adrenaline rush.

I'd have stayed and gotten more details but... about that time news vans from two of the local TV stations showed up and started deploying cameras... I figured it was time to leave."

I needed this chuckle (though it's a sad story at its heart) this morning, but don't forget that living in an urban neighborhood has its challenges. This didn't happen in Sylvan Park, but it wasn't far away, either. As Doug Eckert often reminds attendees at SPNA membership meetings, report suspicious activity or criminal behavior to the police at (615) 862-8600.

Skunk update

Skunks sightings continue in the area around 45th through 48th Avenues and Nevada Avenue, despite neighbor Wendell Goodman's tireless and much appreciated work.

Here are two recent comments about skunks in the neighborhood.

• "Shelby Brooks spotted another skunk this past Thursday night going between 4506 and 4508 Nevada due North... if Wendell is still on the hunt."
• "I live on Nevada and also saw on crossing 46th, going into the first yard at 4600 Nevada. Thank you so much for catching the ones already."
  

Here are tips from PETA's HelpingWildlife.com Web site regarding skunks in case you encounter them and Wendell can't come to the rescue. :)

Traffic update

Beginning tonight at 7 p.m. and lasting through Monday morning at 5 a.m., Interstate 40 Westbound coming from downtown and extending to I-440 will be closed. Please keep this in mind if you are headed downtown this weekend. You won't be able to take I-40 back.

Please note that the segment highlighted in blue above is the affected stretch of interstate, but the map reads "eastbound." Only westbound travel (away from downtown) will be affected this weekend.