Friday, March 30, 2007

Fundraiser for Smyrna High School

Smyrna High School is planning on building a soccer field. Rutherford county has set aside a limited amount of funds for the project, but not enough. The Smyrna High School boosters are having a golf tournament to raise the remaining amount.
Smyrna High Soccer Booster
Golf Tournament

Saturday May 12th, 2007
8am Shotgun start

Smyrna Municipal Golf Course Format: Four man scramble
$75 per player
$300 per team
$150 hole sponsorship

Prizes
2-long drive holes
4 closest to pin
3 flights

Mulligans and Ladies Tees will be available for purchase day of tournament
LubePro's, at 320 S Lowry St, has forms available for those interested.

More contact information.
For Tournament information call Chris Burke @ (615) 355-9319

Make checks payable to Smyrna High School Booster Club
send payment to:
111 Creek Ct
Smyrna TN 37167
Please reply by April 12th as teams will be limited!!
Now the good thing about blogging is the gaining of knowledge.

Example. What is a shotgun start?
A shotgun start is a format for a golf tournament where all players start at different holes at the same time. This allows large numbers of golfers to complete a round in a reasonable time.

New Police Chief

'Acting' police chief Arnold is now Police Chief Arnold.
After 18 years with the Smyrna Police Department, Kevin Arnold was named the town's new chief of police Thursday.

"It feels good. It feels awesome," Arnold said.

Appointed to the new post by Town Manager Mark O'Neal, Arnold was hired by the department in 1989 as a patrol officer and worked his way up through the ranks, serving as a detective, detective sergeant, major and most recently, assistant chief to former chief Mike Beach. Beach resigned in December, and Arnold has been leading the department since then.
Several officers at the Citizen's police academy have brought up some changes that may be in the works. They all speak highly of him and a few even said that they hoped he would be hired as the new chief.

Now that he's official projects can start moving forward for the Smyrna Police Dept.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Anyone know?

I have a question I hope one of our readers on contributors can provide the answer to.

There's a new building under construction that you can see just off of Sam Ridley. It's between the Presbyterian church and the Citgo.

I keep looking and have no idea what it's going to be....

Anyone have any clue?

Rumor has it

I've been told that a city farmers market may be coming to our fair city. Since the nearest ones are in Murfreesboro, and Nashville, I'm happy.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Smyrna Nissan plant numbers

The buyout numbers that are occurring at the local Nissan plant have been released.
A total of 775 Tennessee workers, including 681 in Smyrna, have accepted buyout offers from Nissan North America, company officials announced Friday morning.

Employees who accepted the offers will receive a $45,000 lump sum payment plus $500 per year of service. Those who accepted must leave the company by June 30.
While 681 may not be a big number compared to the cities 30,000 population, the plant only employees 6500. It is over 10 percent of the work force.

Luckily Smyrna is not a one industry town. The mix of industry workers and commuters for Nashville gives Smyrna a strength other cities do not enjoy.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

One year ago - March 2006

Some highlights from our blog, one year ago.

Ivy, at our sister city blog, LaVergne TN, asked us to post about Auction for the American Cancer Society.

I posted on some job resources for local municipalities.

Big Orange Michael posted on The Lamplighter's Theater production of God's Man in Texas and times to watch it.

Monday, March 19, 2007

Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group Meeting

Thanks to all who came out Saturday. I have written about the attendance and topics of discussion over at the other blog, LaVergne-TN.blogspot.com... I hope you will join us on Saturday, April 28th at 2:00 PM.

Michael will post the audio as soon as he has it ready!

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Bowling for money

Local high schooler Ben Anderson is taking part in a bowling championship to earn a $10,000 scholorship.
The roster of competitors for the inaugural Denny's All-American High School Championships is now complete with today's announcement by tournament sponsors of an elite group of 29 senior student-athletes chosen to compete in the March event. Denny's, the Professional Bowlers Association and the United States Bowling Congress made their final selections of the participants based on bowling accomplishments, academics and other criteria.
.........
The Denny's All-American High School Championships is being held in conjunction with the Denny's PBA World Championship, March 24-25 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Immediately following the conclusion of the Denny's World Championship, the high school finalists will take to the lanes to compete for $10,000 in scholarships on a PBA oil pattern and in an arena setting before more than 2,000 spectators.
Two of the 29 are from Tennessee.
......Maia, 17, of Mt. Juliet, will compete with 14 other girls from across the country in a tournament that, if won, will give her a $10,000 scholarship. She'll be among 29 boys and girls — and one of two Tennesseans — to bowl in the March 24-25 Denny's All-American High School Championships, a national competition that will feature a varsity high school bowling tournament for the first time this year, organizers said.
............
The other teen representing Tennessee is Ben Anderson, 17, a senior at Smyrna High School.
Wish him luck people.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Vandy Mania hits Smyrna...

Since the basketball teams are away playing tournaments why not come show you support for another sport that doesn't get much attention. yes the Vandy team will be in a bowling tournament today and tomorrow here at the center! The admission is free to come watch all the different teams compete. This will be one of the best competions around. The daily news journal has a write up on this NCAA BOWLING CLASSIC. THIS SHOULD BE REALLY FUN TO WATCH!!! Go Vandy go!! see you there. The fun begins around 11am or so.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Stealing from the police

A newspaper article mentioned an arrest in laVergne for theft of copper.
Police in LaVergne said Alan Elliot Erickson from Nashville was responsible for stealing copper wire from utility poles.

Police Officer John Stith in LaVergne noticed Erickson parked along the side of the road Sunday night. Police said Erickson jumped in his car and took off when the officer got closer.

Lawmen managed to stop him, and found coils of copper wire in his car.
The theft of copper is also occurring from Smyrna.

The old medical building in Smyrna is being rebuilt into a justice center for Smyrna. Housing the police, jail cells, and I believe some courts.

They are also having the trouble with copper thieves. Last Sunday evening/night while on a police ride along, we stopped there to talk to the officer on duty.

Stealing copper from the police is ballsy

Municipal building smoking ordinance.

An smoking ordinance in front of the city council had it's first reading this month.

The ordinance put forward by James Yates is not going to be new for many reasons. What it does is define the limits of smoking in municipal buildings. These are buildings owned, rented, or leased by the city.

Michele Elliott commented that this was already in effect in the cities municipal building and simply codified the rules.

Many may find this odd, but I support this one. I believe that if you own, rent, or lease a building, that you should be able to make the rules for said building.

Citizen's Police academy - Night 3

Thursday night's citizens police academy started on a rather emotional subject. Child abuse. I'm not talking "daddy doesn't emotionally support me" line of abuse, but the intense emotional and bruise causing abuse that sticks with a kid for life.

Officer Liehr was the presenter for this subject. I could tell that it was hard to talk about this form of abuse unemotionally and detached.

His presentation involved at one point three pictures. Each showed "wounds" on a child and we were asked to try to figure out which was abuse and which was "other". I, and a good chunk of the class, guessed wrong.

To report child abuse in Tennessee call
1-877-237-0004

I found that in Tennessee it is illegal NOT to report possible abuse. It is the highest level of misdemeanor not to.

I asked about parents reporting abuse by the other parent as a tool in a divorce and how common was it. He said he has had that happened, and to file a false police report(on any subject) was a felony.

Next up were the chaplains. I was rather surprised that Smyrna has three chaplains, and one in training. One is always on call with their own shared city supplied vehicle, and support the police in counselling, death notifications, and other needs that arise. Smyrna police chaplains are all members of the ICPC (International Conference of Police Chaplains). I was surprised at the level of training that is required to be a police chaplain.

Next up was Officer James Scott. He talked on Domestic violence.

Most domestic abuse runs in a cycle. Tension - Violence - Honeymoon - Tension(again), with each time the cycle normally occurs faster and faster. This cycle is perpetuated by the victim's lack of willingness to prosecute and family members not reporting it. He told of many reasons why they would not stop the violence. Religious, cultural, and financial are just a few hurdles that hurt the ability to help the victim.

FYI
A local place for help is the DV(domestic violence) program of Rutherford county
615-896-7377
and the Rutherford county Guidance Center
615-893-0770

Officer Scott ended the night with talk on Internet safety for children.

A few basic numbers show that 25% of all search engine requests are for porn and that the largest consumer of Internet porn is in the 12-17 year range.

Basic email safety was discussed like turning off HTML graphics, and never using a preview window. Also discussed was the physical aspects of security. Locking down your routers so people cannot log into your system, and changing default passwords.

With all that said the best way to protect a child on the net is the parent. Keep and eye on what they are doing, and keep the computer out in the main part of the house. The parent is the strongest tool to protect the child on the net.

Day 1
Day 2

Thursday, March 15, 2007

A Vandy sport comes to Smyrna...

I have some wonderful news for the Smyrna residents. Vandy is hosting a sporting event in town this weekend. And all is invited to come and watch. the fun begins at 11 am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday. And I bet you are asking what it is and where it is being held at? Well if you take a jump over to my other blog then you can find out! I hope to see everyone there this weekend including some of the Tennessean reporters for the Smyrna A M edition. This is going to be a fun event for our great city to host and we will have alot of out of town visitors here!!! GO VANDY... WIN WIN WIN!!!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Gunner's First Column (maybe?)

I saw this today in the online version of Smyrna A.M. ... is it our own Gunner's first column? Congratulations to 'da man' on his accomplishment! We're so proud of you! Read his column here.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Lost another show

The first time I heard that the old WalMart store was being sold was in relationship to my favorite gun show. Bob Pope's gun Shows were the largest of central Tennessee gun shows.

Last month Bob Pope's show moved.
Bob Pope's Nashville Area Shows are held at the Williamson Country Agriculture Expo Park, 4215 Long Lane, Franklin, TN. 37064
For years it has been held in Smyrna. Online I saw that the move was because of the sale of the center.

Today I just read another show is moving because of the sale.
If you like the feel of the wind in your face and the open road, then you're sure to find an upcoming Shelbyville event interesting.
The Fifth Annual Spring Thaw Bike Show & Swap Meet is moving to Shelbyville this year and is looking like it's going to be the biggest yet. Due to the purchase of the Tennessee Expo Center in Smyrna, the 2007 Spring Thaw has been moved to Saturday, March 31, at Calsonic Arena.
That's 3000 people spending money in our town that will be going elsewhere.

Other shows that brought a lot of people, and money, to Smyrna were the Bead Mercantile Show(Now in Nashville), and the Children's consignment sale.

The website for the expo center is down.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Blue Coast Burrito to Donate

The hip, new Blue Coast Burrito restaurant (located in the Publix shopping center) is generously donating a portion of their sales on Sunday, March 18th to offset the playground being built at the Wherry Housing in Weakly Lane. Please have lunch or dinner on that day (and others, but that day especially) to help a good cause. Read more about it here in the Daily News Journal.

And for all you readers, after you come by the Middle Tennessee Blogger & Podcasters Group meeting on Saturday, March 17th, journey on to the Roy Acuff Theatre at Opry Mills for the Up with People show at 7:30 p.m.

And a special note to M. ... we salute you for bringing information about the community to our fingertips. Your vision has inspired other communities, your common sense keeps us grounded, and your character is amazing. Thank you for your work on this blog and we're sure lucky to have you in La Vergne!

Join us Saturday, March 17th for the Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group Meeting

Don't forget that Saturday, March 17th at 2:00 PM is the next meeting of the Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's Group. We welcome newcomers!

We will meet at Espresso Joe's in Smyrna, TN at 2:00.

Look forward to seeing you!

New Beginnings

It has been a long while since I last posted with any regularity.

As some of you might have been aware I had some heart irregularities for which I went to see my doctor. I had a physical done and turned out I had an abnormal EKG. This prompted an echo cardiogram which revealed no abnormalities but because I was still experiencing, with much frequency, the symptoms, my doctor sent me in for an MRI/Stress Test.

As it turns out, these test also revealed no abnormalities. Since my physical I cut out the caffeine and take a multi-vitamin. The symptoms are now mostly rare they do occasionally make a come back that makes me wonder if they are returning with the same vigor and regularity as before. So, all this to say that I still don't know what is wrong but I've returned to karate and have advised the instructors of my condition. If my heart should skip a beat, I know that I should take it easy.

I have also moved. I've moved to La Vergne. What, you say, could make me move to La Vergne? Well, it is simple, financing and price/sq. ft. I was able to get much more house for my money at a price that I could afford and was able to secure the financing to make the purchase of my home happen.

What does this mean for This is Smyrna? Not much except that I will turn the ownership over to the very capable hands of Gunner. He and Michael will continue to run the show and I, when appropriate, will make posts to the Smyrna blog but will turn my greater attention toward contributing the La Vergne, TN blog and community.

It has been a great ride and you will hear from me on occasion and if ever I should return to Smyrna, I hope that you will welcome me with arms wide open.

Your friend,
M.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Smyrna football player makes good

Smyrna high school football player Rodriguez Wilks is still in school, but has to make one of the tougher choices in his life.
Smyrna, Tennessee (Smyrna High School) wide receiver Rodriguez Wilks has plenty of reason to be a Vol given his brother Marsalous Johnson is playing in the Tennessee secondary, but for the 6-foot-1, 195 pound Wilks the recruiting process is just getting started
....
"I am looking at Tennessee hard like I said," Wilks offered. "They are my favorite but I am going to take all five visits. I am not doing anything early. I am going to take all five visits and then a couple of weeks after my last visit I am going to decide."

Wilks is not sure what five schools he will visit for sure, but right now the early bet is on Tennessee, LSU, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina. Wilks said he has written offers from all of them.
Rodriguez had 60 catches for 945 yards and 14 touchdowns last year.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Smyrna A.M.

The first online edition of Smyrna A.M. is up and ready to be read.

The introductory article by Jimmy Hart can be found here..
As we stated on the cover of today’s print edition, “We’re growing with you!”

We’re excited about this tremendous opportunity to produce a newspaper and Web site exclusively focused on one of Middle Tennessee’s fastest growing towns.

But I certainly don’t have to remind most of you how quickly your community is changing. The evidence surrounds you daily, from the constant dirt-moving and shaking along Sam Ridley Parkway to a YMCA that’s already bursting at the seams to the recently announced plans to build another Publix here as well as a Smyrna location of the legendary Murfreesboro eatery, Demos’.
With the growth of our city I'm glad to see something like this.

I am surprised to see the Smyrna A.M. site hosted by the Tennessean and not the Daily News Journal. Although both are Gannett owned companies.

HERE is mine

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Up with People Coming to Smyrna

As posted on our sister blog, the world-famous "Up with People" troupe is coming to Smyrna, LaVergne & Nashville! Following a week of volunteer work (they are helping to build a playground at Wherry Housing on Weakly Road in Smyrna), they will be performing two concerts at Opryland's Acuff Theatre. I have tickets available for the 3:00 p.m. and the 7:30 p.m. concerts. Tickets are $50 VIP and $20 general admission. All proceeds will go to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.

My family will be hosting at least one "Up with People" student. I'm a little bit nervous, but I think it will be a fantastic opportunity for my daughters to meet with people from other cultures and countries. Here's what the "official" word from the Up with People website says:
"Through travel and cultural immersion, Up with People has provided students with a renowned international education and an unmatched passageway to see the world. And we've been doing it for four decades.
"As the world has changed, so too has the Up with People program. Once primarily impacting communities through its musical productions, the current Up with People program addresses the very real need for young adults and leaders who have global perspectives, intercultural understanding, knowledge of worldwide social issues, leadership skills and a dedication to community service. Today, through its distinct 22-week program, Up with People students experience personal growth, leadership training, service learning and performing arts as they travel through three continents. For many students, it's a global education that lasts a lifetime; for others, it's a life-transforming experience."
So if you're looking for something fun to do on St. Patrick's Day, give Kathy a shout at 491-2161 to buy tickets for Up with People! It's for a great cause!

Monday, March 5, 2007

Forgive me for bragging..but

I was told the inner dream of most bloggers was to be a journalist or reporter. To join the mass media and write the great 4th estate epics that rival the Woodward and Bernstein exposes of the watergate era.

I was blogging because it was fun.

What happened to me, was that the 4th estate blindside me a couple weeks ago.

I write for This is Smyrna, TN.. A local blog whose subject is, obviously, Smyrna Tn. In the last year I have gotten to know one of the local Daily News Journal reporters. The paper is based in Murfreeesboro, the county seat.

The DNJ is starting a local weekly for our town. Name unknown right now.

A few weeks ago Mealand, the DNJ reporter, asked me if she could put my name forward as interested in writing for the weekly.

Boy Howdy!

After several email exchanges and calls with her boss. I just got the final word tonight.

I am going to be a weekly opinion columnist. Under my name and picture and all. My first paid writing job. We talked about what I would write. As my writing is blog based and opinionated I was very happy to be able to do opinion based articles.

I gained the blogger's dream...by accident.

cross posted at No Quarters

Friday, March 2, 2007

breaking good news!!

I just heard from the D N J that we are getting a demo's resturant...yeaaaaa. for smyrna! go and read what else is coming to town soon and where on this link

Thursday, March 1, 2007

No spam here!

Today, Thursday, I logged on to This is Smyrna, TN. to post on girls high school basketball. what I found was a banner across the top of the "create post" box that said this.
This blog has been locked by Blogger's spam-prevention robots. You will not be able to publish your posts, but you will be able to save them as drafts.

Save your post as a draft or click here for more about what's going on and how to get your blog unlocked.
Here is a screen shot that you can click to get a larger image.



Well that irritated me to no end.

I clicked their link and was delivered to this page

Your blog is locked

Blogger's spam-prevention robots have detected that your blog has characteristics of a spam blog. (What's a spam blog?) Since you're an actual person reading this, your blog is probably not a spam blog. Automated spam detection is inherently fuzzy, and we sincerely apologize for this false positive.

You won't be able to publish posts to your blog until one of our humans reviews it and verifies that it is not a spam blog. Please fill out the form below to get a review. We'll take a look at your blog and unlock it in less than two business days.

If we don't hear from you, though, we will remove your blog from Blog*Spot within a few weeks.

Find out more about how Blogger is fighting spam blogs.


It was then that I realized it was likely my fault. In my last pre-locked post, I had posted links from posts a year ago. That post mentioned a contest, and a restaurant review. That was what probably put us over the edge into the "spam robot victim" zone.

I am writing this to a locked blog, hoping that it will become unlocked soon.

UPDATE:

I received an email about noon today saying that we were spam free. They unlocked us and we are back online. Sorry for the 36 hour downtime.