e A ster celebr Ation World Outreach Church welcomes Matthew West, Charity Gayle, Crowder.
20 At the cross Peaceful Middle Tennessee views await visitors at Sewanee Cross.
24 preser V ing history
Historic Cemetery School to become community museum.
26
Asher’s A ni MA ls Nonprofit collects and distributes stuffed animals to comfort children.
32
lAndfill debAte cont.
Waste Transfer Station set to open this summer, county looks at alternatives as landfill approaches capacity.
6 Events
cAlendAr Boro BBQ Fest, Cannonsburgh Open House, TN Tempo Football Club, Underwater Egg Hunt and more!
14 Sounds concerts AlbuM Midnight Rally
22 Living nAture news State pushing to expand Tennessee natural areas Blood moon eclipse
Mr. Murfreesboro Overcoming alcoholism
28 Food restAurAnt Casa Adobe Express
30 News business buzz
Insomnia Cookies, Miracle Bay Studios, Borobox, Pvolve, Homesense, Panera, Lost Worlds Seatopia, Krustaceans, Jersey Mike’s and more
33 Opinion constitution study The corrupted census
free your children Republicans kill the FREE Act tech tAlk Digital spring cleaning sports tAlk Vols can’t break through to Final Four Money MAtters Is your legacy intentional or accidental? liVing . . . well! Reimagined wellness
HELLO TO yOu ONCE AgAiN, Pulse PEOPLE! There’s a lot on my mind lately. If you want a glimpse into some of the topics, check out this edition.
Hiking, food, small business, Murfreesboro, music, parks, networking, barbecue, burritos, karate, taxes, fitness, the Blue Raiders, massage, soap, investing for the future, coffee—all of the topics, people and businesses you see in the Pulse are a big part of my life. All together, they are a lot of people, accounts and aspects to keep up with, but it’s quite the interesting and meaningful journey.
Recently, three different retirement communities and assisted living homes contacted the Pulse, requesting copies of each edition. Excellent! The Pulse appeals to a wide variety of local folks. Some of the individuals residing at these locations say they want to keep up with all of the great local activities and restaurants for their outings. Plus, those of retirement age may have all sorts of time on their hands to explore and participate in cool community events and groups that those of career age, with children to look after, must skip.
These three unrelated retirement residences all making contact within a few weeks of one another is certainly not the only synchronous coincidence I have observed lately.
The latest redundancy redundancy report: Did you know, “The Los Angeles Angels” translates as The The Angels Angels.
Many Tennessee home-school families found it unfortunate that The FREE Act (Family Right to Educational Emancipation Act) did not make it through the House Education Administration Subcommittee this past month. The way that committee handled this bill disappointed supporters of freedom across the state.
Once passed, the FREE Act acknowledges that: “neither this state nor a local government or agency in this state may infringe on the rights of the parent or legal guardian to make decisions concerning their child's home school education, including, but not limited to, the curriculum, courses of study, and methods of instruction.”
Instead of having a real conversation regarding liberty and parent-directed education, the House Education Subcommittee—evidently stocked with a group of statist, controlling individuals who feel that government should be involved in most every detail of life and education—chose to go the route of saying that home-school freedom may open some hypothetical door to child abuse. To be clear, this bill would not change child abuse laws; obviously, child abuse should and will remain against the law.
Many found this twisted, guilty-until-proven-innocent mindset, painting the entire home-school community as a bunch of child abusers, highly insulting.
We do thank those who supported the cause, and home-schoolers and legislators have already stated their intentions to re-introduce this act next session to ensure that Tennessee remains a free and friendly place towards those who take on the responsibility of leading their children’s educational journey.
Until next month, try something new—every day if possible!—and keep on working on the relationships that you value.
Peace, brAcken MAyo
Publisher/Editor in Chief
mark your calendars
April 26
13th AnnuA l b oro bb Q f esti VA l
The Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary Club presents its 13th annual celebration of community, the Boro BBQ Festival, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hop Springs Park. The event is free and open to the public.
The Dr. George Smith KCBS BBQ Brawl brings together professional and backyard competitors from across the Southeast U.S. who will haul their smokers into Murfreesboro, prepare rubs, bastes and sauces, then smoke chicken and ribs in Rutherford County’s only Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event. The total purse is $6,200.
KCBS is the national BBQ championship authority, and by rule the organization says the public can’t eat the competition meats, but the Breakfast Rotary found a way to let the public judge the cookers! For $15, attendees can taste six two-ounce pulled pork samples (that’s 12 ounces of pork! Many pork BBQ sandwiches include only 3 ounces) and vote for their favorite. Many competitors covet this award even more highly than those from the certified KCBS judges.
The event will include live music from the Jeff Woods Band and Allman Brothers Band tribute act The Midnight Riders. These talented performers will keep the energy high throughout the day.
Don’t forget the food trucks—offering barbecue, hot dogs, kettle corn, shaved ice, and a plethora of other food for sale—as well as craft vendors, bounce houses, a petting zoo and more family fun.
The Boro BBQ Festival is the Breakfast Rotary Club’s top annual fundraising event, with proceeds supporting Rutherford County nonprofits.
For more information, visit borobbqfest.com or facebook.com/borobbqfestival.
The Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary Club is a part of Rotary International, a worldwide organization of business and professional men and women dedicated to providing humanitarian services, encouraging high moral standards, and promoting peace throughout the world. Through its many diverse missions and projects Rotary also seeks to encourage its members to engage in active public service, public welfare, and to exemplify sound standards of conduct in local civic and community affairs. Rotarians strive to impact the community in which they live with manpower, talent, leadership, guidance and financial support.
April 3
brew business Mixer
Meet and connect with other local business owners, grow your network and pick up some skills along the way at the Brew Business Mixer at Middle Ground Brewing Company (2476 Old Fort Pkwy.) on Thursday, April 3, (and the first Thursday of each month) from 4:30–6:30 p.m. For more information, visit middlegroundbrew.com
April 5
librAry fun run
Friends of Smyrna Library (FOSL) hosts its third annual Run to Read Fun Run on Saturday, April 5, at the J.J. McWilliams Old Rock School Park, outside of the Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) from 9–11 a.m. (registration at 8:30 a.m.). The event is free and open to all ages. The event offers prizes for the most laps completed by children and adult runners. The event kicks off National Library Week. This year’s theme is Alice in Wonderland, with potential sightings of book characters and an ice cream truck on-site for a post-run treat. Activities under the pavilion will give non-runners something to do in the shade while the more competitive complete more laps. Runners may purchase a T-shirt or register for no charge at foslr2r.com. T-shirts are only guaranteed through pre-order. For more information, find Friends of Smyrna Library on Facebook.
April 5
MoVie MAtinee: Alice iN WoNDerlAND
The Smyrna Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) presents a showing of the Disney animated classic Alice in Wonderland (Rated G, all ages) on Saturday, April 5, from 2–4 p.m. Follow Alice as she chases the White Rabbit on a magical journey into the fantastical world of Wonderland. It’s a topsy-turvy place that gets “curiouser and curiouser” as Alice’s madcap adventures introduce her to some truly unforgettable characters. Bring your favorite movie snacks. There is no cost to attend. Visit rclstn.org or call 615-4594884 for more information.
April 5
greenhouse Ministries prAyer Meeting
Pray for the community and the nation for an hour on Saturdays April 5 and May 3 (and the first Saturday of each month) at Greenhouse Ministries (307 S. Academy St.) from 8–9 a.m. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV – “16 Rejoice Always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you.” For more information, visit greenhousemin.org
April 5
spring open house At cAnnonsburgh
Learn more about historic Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) at the Spring Open House on Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. There will be live music, clogging, family crafting, food trucks and more. Murfreesboro Art League, Rutherford County Blacksmith Association and the Stones River Car Club will also be on hand with displays and demonstrations. Come out and walk the grounds at a slower pace reminiscent of days gone by. Free and open to all ages. For more information, call 615-890-0355 or email mbnevills@murfreesboro.gov.
April 5 & 19
3d print orientAtion
Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) presents an introductory 3D print orientation for ages 13 and up on Saturdays April 5 and 19, from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Class size is limited to 4 patrons per class. Email smyrna3dprint@rclstn.org to secure a spot.
April 5 And 19
intro to tinkercAd
Learn how to design your own 3D printables at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) on Fridays April 5 and 19, from 12:30–1:30 p.m. This is not a 3D printer class or orientation, but a great way to better understand Tinkercad before (or after) you take the orientation. The recommended age is 13 and up; any library patron under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult. To reserve
a spot, email smyrna3dprint@rclstn.org
April
6
crAft swAp At the tec
Have extra new or lightly used craft supplies you no longer want or need? Bring them to the craft swap on Sunday, April 6, from 2–3 p.m. at TEC (306 Minerva Dr.) between March 31–April 4. If you donate supplies you will be given a ticket to “shop” from 1–2 p.m. on Sunday, April 6. If you do not have supplies to swap, no worries—“shop” from 2–3 p.m. The TEC will be transformed into a treasure trove of paints, fabrics, beads, brushes and more. Whether it’s yarn from an abandoned knitting project, stamps you never quite mastered, or an easel gathering dust, someone else may be eager to put it to good use. For more information, visit rclstn.org/event/craft-swap-at-the-tec or email info-tec@rclstn.org
April 6
eVerybody druM soMe
Everybody Drum Some will offer a relaxing and fun hands-on rhythm experience beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, at St. Patrick’s Anglican Church (7103 Baker Rd.). All ages and all skill levels are invited to come explore the joys of recreational music-making on a wide variety of drums and percussion instruments. Come play some drums and enjoy a stress-free evening of rhythm and community. There is no charge to participate or spectate, but donations are welcome. For more information call or text Ross at 615-6317458, visit everybodydrumsome.com or find Everybody Drum Some on Facebook or Instagram.
April 7
get crAfty!
Get crafty, Smyrna. This is an all-new monthly crafting program for adults (ages 18 and up) at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) on Monday, April 7, from 4–5:30 p.m. Themes and crafts will rotate each month, so please follow Smyrna Public Library on Instagram or Facebook to see when the theme will be revealed. This is a free event and open to the public; registration is not required. Visit rclstn.org or call 615-4594884 for more information.
April 7
terri lee book signing
Linebaugh Public Library (105 W. Vine St.) hosts local author Terri Lee for a book signing on Monday, April 7, from 1:30–2:30 pm. Lee is a Murfreesboro
April 5 & 26
tennessee teMpo
The Tennessee Tempo Football Club, Murfreesboro’s professional soccer team competing in the United Premier Soccer League, will continue its spring 2025 season on Saturday, April 5, with a 6 p.m. match against Bowling Green FC. The Tempo plays its home games at Siegel High School (3300 Siegel Rd.). This season’s games in Murfreesboro also include: April 26 vs. Southern indiana FC May 10 vs. Lexington SC May 31 vs. Paul depay FC June 14 vs. Midwest Hooligans (All at 6 p.m. and all at Siegel High School.) For more information on the Tennessee Tempo, find them on Facebook or visit tennesseetempofc.com.
local and a new author who loves writing stories. Growing up in a military family, she led a very interesting life and got to travel all over the United States, also living in England. Lee will be signing copies of her book The Adventures of Modern Megan, a story about a 7-year-old girl who lives with her parents in a high-rise apartment in New York and has three exciting adventures. Books will be available for purchase. Visit rclstn.org or call 615-893-4131 for more information.
April 8
liVing sent Ministries
Join the April 2025 Living Sent Murfreesboro meeting on Tuesday, April 8, from 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. at Wilson Bank & Trust (3110 Memorial Blvd.). Lorne Ray is the founder of Chief AI Officer on Demand. He’s a lifelong entrepreneur working in the insurance industry, franchising, internet marketing and feature film financing from Alaska to the East Coast, but his greatest passion is telling people about Jesus. Ray will give a mini course on sharing your faith in the marketplace. Trent Denson’s career has had diverse twists and turns, taking him into roles in sales, business development, hospitality
(2476 Old Fort Pkwy.). For more information, visit middlegroundbrew.com
April 10
show your till
Save the date for the Show Your Till charity luncheon event benefiting the local Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center (DVSAC) on Thursday, April 10, at the View at the Fountains (1500 Medical Center Pkwy.) from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Table hosting and individual tickets are now available. This unique luncheon is dedicated to raising essential funds to support the center in providing crucial healing and protective services within our community. The Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center plays a crucial role in offering healing and protective services to those overcoming the trauma of personal violence. Find a Show Your Till page on Eventbrite for tickets. For those interested in sponsoring, email ericka@dvsacenter.org or call 615-8967377; to learn more about programs or to get involved, visit dvsacenter.org.
April 10 & 24
After school Art club
and real estate. Trent is also founder of Spread the Positive, and the STP network where he uses his passion to tell stories and connect with people everywhere. Trent will share his God Story. A complimentary lunch will be provided by Sean Moran and Red Barn Financial. RSVP at bob.williams@alhambrapartners.com
April 8
tennessee trAils AssociAtion Meeting
The Tennessee Trails Association’s monthly meeting of its Murfreesboro Chapter is Tuesday, April 8, from 7–8 p.m., at the Wilderness Station in Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd). TTA member Jim Barrett will share a presentation showing the highlights of his trip to Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Barrett will also spotlight spectacular Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world. Membership is not required. For more information, visit tennesseetrails.org
April 8 And 22
boro books n’ brews
Boro Books n’ Brews is a book club that meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, April 8 and 22, at Middle Ground Brewing Company
Enjoy the opportunity to create some art to take home after school on Thursdays, April 10 and 24, at Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy E.) from 4:30–6 p.m. In SOAC’s Art Club, participants will develop art skills, demonstrate creativity and have fun. All supplies are provided. The cost to participate is $3 for members and $5 for non-members per class. Ages 7–17 years old are welcome. Registration is suggested through the Community Pass. Walk-up guests are welcome. For more information, email sam.kaviyakone@ townofsmyrna.org.
April 11
coMedy showcAse with MAllory brAndon
Middle Ground Brewing Company (2476 Old Fort Pkwy.) presents a free comedy show on Friday, April 11, at 8 p.m., hosted by Mallory Brandon. For more information, visit middlegroundbrew.com.
April 12
butterfly festiVAl
Walk through the greenhouse and enjoy the unforgettable experience of being surrounded by 2,000 butterflies at the Butterfly Festival sponsored by Learning Zone at Hop Springs (6790 John Bragg Hwy.) on Saturday, April 12, from 2–8
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p.m. The event also consists of over 150 vendors, hot air balloon rides, a fireworks show, train rides, petting zoo, reptile bus interaction, face painting, live music, food trucks and more. For more information, email briannavictoryevents@gmail.com, or visit brianna-victory-events.com and find “Upcoming Events.”
April 12
eAster bunny photos And cookies decorAting
Oflow (Overflow – Brews & Bakes, 115 N. Maple St.) hosts a fun, family-friendly day on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. with free Easter bunny photos while you decorate cookies or enjoy a nice coffee, bubble tea or scratch-made sweets and savories. Buy a cookie for $5 or 3 for $10. Everything is supplied for decorating, including cleanup. For more information, see page 9, find Oflow (Overflow Brews and Bakes) on Facebook or call 615-900-1676.
April 12
FreDDy’s Big DreAm
Author eVent
Franklin, Tennessee-based author Warren Price will read and sign a copy of his book Freddy’s Big Dream at Oflow (115 N. Maple St.) on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m.–noon. Stop in for cookie decorating and Easter bunny photos, and stay for book reading. Find an event page for Author Book Reading on the Oflow (Overflow Brews and Bakes) Facebook page or call 615-900-1676 for more information.
April 12
kAyAk floAt
Join the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center staff on the water to launch from Jefferson Springs Recreation Area (7660 W. Jefferson Pike, Smyrna) on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m.–noon. Boats, PFDs and paddles are provided. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended; bring a bottle of water and clothes that can get wet. Ages 12 and up are welcome. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The event is canceled if there is inclement weather. The cost to participate is $5 per person. Registration is required through the Community Pass. For more information, email mike.kraft@townofsmyrna.org
April 12
bAckstAge bAsh
The Backstage Bash is the annual fundraising event for The Center for the Arts (110 W. College St.), set to take place
April 12
underwAter egg hunt
Patterson Park Community Center (521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) will host its annual Underwater Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12, beginning at 10 a.m. Children ages 3–10 can see how many eggs they can collect in the pool, then trade them out for a goody bag! There will be 4 time sessions: one for families with disabled children will be held from 10–11 a.m., Session 2 from 11:15 a.m.–12 p.m., Session 3 from 12:15–1 p.m., and Session 4 from 1:15–2 p.m. Personal flotation devices are required for children who cannot swim. Cost is $3 per person. For more information, call 615-895-5040.
on Saturday, April 12, from 7–11:30 p.m. (VIP reception from 6–7 p.m.). The 2025 event will continue using the format of previous years, closing West College Street outdoors. This year’s hosts and committee chairs are Chrissi Vella and Brad Hopkins. The mission of The Center of the Arts is to enhance the quality of life in our community by providing cultural and economic enrichment through the arts. They offer a wide range of arts programs including theatrical productions, vocal education, youth theater programs and an art gallery. The event will bring 300 members of the Murfreesboro and Rutherford County community out to celebrate the Center. Dinner will be served by the Alley on Main, family-style, and will feature several performances. The board of directors will also present the Arts Advocate of the Year award, the CFTA Guild Members for 2025 will be revealed and the evening will end with dancing. For more information, visit boroarts.org/backstage-bash.
April 12
teen AdVisory boArd
Teen Advisory Board, or T.A.B. for short, is open to anyone ages 13–18 who is interested in creating the change they would like to see in their library and their community. T.A.B. meets one time each month on the second Saturday (April 12) at 2 p.m. at the Smyrna Library (400 Enon Springs Rd.
MTSU’s Panhellenic Council, which sponsors the event with support from the university’s sorority chapters, will offer games and inflatables for children. All guests should park at the MTSU East Main Building next door to the president’s home (1403 E. Main St.). Email mtsuvpprogramming@gmail.com or call 423-681-6218 for more information.
April 13
eggstrAVAgAnzA
Come out to Middle Ground Brewing Co. for a fun-filled Easter celebration on Sunday, April 13. Kids can take free photos with the Easter Bunny and families can participate in the Egg Hunt, where both kids and parents can find prizes. Inside the eggs, discover classic Easter candy for the little ones and grown-up surprises like vouchers for beer, merch and pizza. For more information, visit middlegroundbrew.com
April 13
cedAr glAde clAssic cAr cruise-in
W.) to share ideas and information regarding the teen space, collection, programming and vision for the future. Plus, there will be snacks. For more information, visit rclstn.org or call 615-459-4884.
April 12
bookin’ it: A wAlk And tAlk book club Audiobooks are a great way to read. Listen to your audiobook, then talk about it on a walk around Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) in Old Rock School Park on Saturday, April 12, from noon–2 p.m. Check out an audiobook on CD or MP3 from the library, or visit Libby or Hoopla to find an e-Audiobook to listen to. Themes will be released monthly. No registration is required; this event is recommended for ages 13 and up. Email smyref@rclstn.org for more information.
April 13
pAnhellenic eAster egg hunt
The Panhellenic Easter Egg Hunt is set for Sunday, April 13, from 2–4 p.m. This annual event at MTSU will be held on the lawn of the president’s home (2212 Middle Tennessee Blvd.). Children ages 12 and younger are invited to search the grounds of one of MTSU’s oldest buildings for colorful, candy-filled eggs. Admission is free and open to the public.
Shine ‘er up and drive ‘er in at the Cedar Glade Brews (906 Ridgely Rd.) classic car cruise-in on Sunday, April 13, from 1–4 p.m. Car-ticipants get a free CGB pint (1 per car). Stick around for trivia at 5 p.m. There is no sign-up required and no cost to participate. For more information, visit cedargladebrews.com or find the CGB Classic Car Cruise-In event on Facebook.
April 15
deserVes Joy coMedy Deserves Joy Comedy Show is Tuesday, April 15 at 7 p.m., at Middle Ground Brewing Company, presented by Kevin. Come out for an evening of laughter and fun as local comedians take the stage. The night consists of stand-up comedy, improv games and audience participation. Whether you’re a longtime comedy fan or just looking for a fun night out, prepare to laugh; no cost to attend. Sign up to perform at a Deserves Joy Comedy Show Middle Ground Brewing Company page on Eventbrite. For more information, visit deservesjoy.com/shows.
April 15
bApen
Business and Professional Events for Networking (BAPEN) meets at Steak ’n Shake Murfreesboro (2091 Old Fort Pkwy.) on Tuesdays April 1 and 15 and May 6 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The idea behind the free networking group is for small business owners and sales professionals to share ideas and leads and to help
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attendees’ businesses grow. For more information, find a Rutherford BAPEN group on Facebook.
April 17
After school Archery
Come out Thursday after school to the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E.) to try something new or sharpen your existing archery skills. Programs are always led by USA Archery-certified instructors or coaches. The class is Thursday, April 17, from 4:30–6 p.m. The cost to join is $3 for members and $5 for non-members per class. Ages 8 and up are welcome (no exceptions). Registration is suggested through the Community Pass; walk-up guests are welcome. For more information, email mike.kraft@townofsmyrna.org
April 17
tAles to tAils
Tales to Tails is a heartwarming library program at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) designed to combine the joy of reading with the therapeutic benefits of spending time with dogs. In this paw-some program, participants are invited to read aloud to the friendly therapy dogs in a relaxed and supportive environment. Ten-minute slots are available on Thursday, April 17, starting at 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Email smyrnays@rclstn.org or call 615-4594884 to reserve a spot.
April 17
written word
“Written Word” is a welcoming and inspiring writing group that meets on the third Thursday of every month (April 17) at 6:30 p.m. at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.). Whether you’re an experienced writer, a curious beginner or somewhere in between, this group is for anyone passionate about the art of storytelling, poetry, journaling or creative expression. No advanced registration is required. For more information, visit rclstn.org or call 615-459-4884.
April 17
the connection
Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken will host the April 2025 installment of The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, April 17. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, free, no-obligation networking event, where they can meet
other small business owners and tap into one another’s experience and energy. Networking begins at 5 p.m. with introductions at 6 p.m. Champy’s is located at 1290 NW Broad St.
April 19
eAster high teA pArty
Oflow (Overflow – Brews & Bakes, 115 N. Maple St.) hosts an Easter High Tea Party on Saturday, April 19, from 1–2:30 p.m. Secure a seat as space is limited. To register, find Oflow (Overflow Brews and Bakes) on Facebook or call 615900-1676 for more information.
April 19
bring your binoculArs
Join the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center staff at West Fork Park (130 Wade Herrod Rd., Smyrna) for the early morning birding series on Saturday, April 19, from 7:30–9 a.m. Take a leisurely stroll through the park while looking and listening for native and migratory birds. Birding guides will be provided. The event will be canceled in cases of inclement weather or extreme cold. The cost to join is $2; all ages are welcome. Registration is suggested through the Community Pass. For more information, email ginger.levinson@townofsmyrna.org
April 21
lego block pArty
Lego Block Party is a fun and engaging after-school program at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) where imagination knows no bounds. Designed for kids of all ages, this program invites children to come together and build amazing creations using the collection of Lego bricks on Monday, April 21, at 3:15 p.m. Bring your enthusiasm and creativity; no registration is needed. For more information, visit rclstn.org or call 615-459-4884.
April 22
heirs’ property workshop
The Heirs’ Property Workshop at the Lane Agri-Park Complex auditorium (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) on Tuesday, April 22, from 6–8 p.m. features an overview of inheriting property and its legal, cultural and financial impacts and challenges. An attorney will be present to answer legal questions. Topics include estate planning, clear titles, wills and trusts, working with an attorney, working with family members and understanding who owns the property.
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Refreshments will be provided. Register at forms.office.com/r/qtvnYKqdce. For more information, call 615-898-7710.
April 24
tees fore keys
The Inaugural Charity Golf Scramble by Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity supports future home ownership in Rutherford County. Play golf for a good cause on Thursday, April 24, at Cedar Crest Golf Club (7972 Mona Rd.) with a 7 a.m. breakfast, 8 a.m. shotgun start and lunch and awards at noon. These are fourperson teams (limit 32 teams). Visit rchfh.org/2025-golf-event to donate or join the tournament.
April 25
experience coMMunity Art Ministry exhibition
Spend the evening of Friday, April 25, at Oflow (Overflow – Brews & Bakes, 115
N. Maple St.) from 5–7 p.m. to meet the talented artists from the Experience Community Art Ministry and view their artwork, which will be available for purchase. Oflow will donate 10% of the commission of art sales to ECC during the event for their Art Ministry. Enjoy complimentary light snacks and refreshments, provided by Oflow. The art exhibit is a free community event, and all are welcome. For more information, find Oflow (Overflow Brews and Bakes) on Facebook or call 615-900-1676.
April 25 & 26
JAzz fest
Get ready for JazzFest on Friday, April 25, from 6–10 p.m. and Saturday April 26, from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. at The Fountains at Gateway (1500 Medical Center Pkwy.). Listen to student and professional bands. This concert is free to the public; bring a chair. For more information, visit carpeartista.com/jazz-fest or email halfordl@rcschools.net
April
25
pAws & peArls
Tickets are available for Beesley Animal Foundation’s 45th anniversary celebration and 14th annual Paws & Pearls event on Friday, April 25. Join Beesley to celebrate 45 years of compassion, care and commitment to pets and the people who love them. Enjoy Whine Time, dinner, auctions, DJ and dancing. Beesley Animal Foundation has proudly provided affordable spay and neuter services, preventative pet care, education and support, ensuring healthier, happier lives for pets in our community since 1980. For tickets or to donate, visit givebutter.com/c/beesley45th; or visit beesleyanimalfoundation.org or call 615-217-1030 for more information on the Beesley Animal Foundation.
April 25
4th fridAy fun*working
The monthly “fun working” event at Spread the Positive (906 Ridgely Rd.) is held the fourth Friday of every month from 5–7 p.m., presented by Reed and Associates of Primerica and Spread the Positive. The event is focused on shining a light on what’s going right and highlighting businesses making a positive impact in the community. Each month the event features a live podcast with local businesses and community leaders as well as networking and conversations. There will be a food truck on-site. For more information, find 4th Friday Fun*Working on Facebook.
April 25
After hours gAMe night
Come out for a “knight” full of chess and good fun at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) on Friday, April 25, from 5:30–7 p.m. Chess will be the focus of the April After Hours Game Night. CONTiNuEd ON PAgE 11
Bring your own board to play, or use one of the library’s. “Kings,” “Queens” and “Rookies,” ages 18 and up, are all welcome. For more information, visit rclstn. org or call 615-459-4884.
April 26
eArth dAy celebrAtion
The 2025 Earth Day Celebration takes place on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Rutherford County’s Historic Downtown Square. Rutherford County’s Earth Day Celebration aims to educate and mobilize our community into action. This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” highlights the importance of harnessing clean energy to build a sustainable future. The event aims to educate and inspire the community to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote clean energy solutions. It also emphasizes the collective “power” of individuals and communities to make a positive im-
pact on the planet. Every individual can contribute to environmental conservation and sustainability efforts. For more information, the Rutherford County’s Earth Day Celebration on Facebook or visit mte.com/rcearthday
April 26
MAster gArdeners
AnnuAl plAnt swAp
Gardeners, plant lovers and green thumbs of all levels are invited to the 2025 Rutherford County Master Gardeners’ Annual Plant Swap on Saturday, April 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd.). This free community event is an excellent opportunity to exchange plants, share gardening knowledge and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Please bring healthy, pest-free, and labeled plants rooted in soil. Bring one, take one; bring 10, take 10 (no invasive plants accepted). Whether you’re a seasoned horticulturist or just starting your plant
journey, this is a local event you won’t want to miss. For more information, find the Plant Swap event on Facebook or email jonmheatherly@gmail.com
April 26
hot rods in the hills
The Hot Rods in the Hills Car Show returns to downtown Milton on April 26, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Come out to the Gathering at Milton (12026 Milton St., Milton) with your friends and family for food, fun and cars. Food vendors onsite include Nachos Mexican Restaurant, Codgers Food Truck, Bussin’ Bowls, Boba Food Truck, funnel cakes and fried sweets. Sponsors will be handing out trophies for their picks at 1 p.m. This show was started in memory of Gary DeBerry. There is no registration and this event is free for all! Dash plaques available for first 150 cars. For more information, find Hot Rods in the Hills Car Show 2025 event on Facebook.
April 26
noVel nerds
This month, discuss The Women by Kristin Hannah at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) on Saturday, April 26, from 5:30–7 p.m. Do you consider yourself an avid reader? Do you read across multiple genres? Do you love the library? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you may be a Novel Nerd. Meet monthly at noon in the Smyrna Conference Room and even have a virtual option if you cannot attend in person. Books are provided. Ages 18 and up are welcome. Email smyref@rclstn.org for more information.
April 28
hooked on yArn
Hooked on Yarn creates a space for any fiber crafter–crochet, knitting, embroidery, etc.—to work on projects and
CONTiNuEd
talk with other artists at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.). Supplies will be provided, but attendees can also bring their own. This event meets the 4th Monday of each month (April 28) in the Conference Room from 4–5 p.m. Ages 18 and up are welcome; no advance registration is required.
April 29
proJect restyle 2.0
Amelia’s Closet holds its Third Annual Fashion Competition Fundraiser, Project Restyle 2.0, on Tuesday, April 29, from 6–8 p.m. at Liberty’s Station (850 NW Broad St.). Participants will use pieces from used garments to create a new ensemble the night before the event, to be displayed the following day. Attendees will vote and there will be prizes in each category, with local fashion professionals voting to determine the grand prize. Attendees can engage with area fashion experts, including professional stylist Lexi Hawkins, Monkee’s of Murfreesboro, and Angel Pardue Photography, at styling stations. The event also includes a silent auction, door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, a signature mocktail by Tasty Table, and an expanded version of the popular Amelia’s Closet Pop-Up Boutique, where attendees can shop for beautiful fashion bargains. Event tickets must be purchased in advance and are $50 for general admission and $75 for VIP. VIP admission includes a swag bag and an early arrival time to pre-shop. For tickets and design competition entry information, visit bit.ly/projectrestyle20
April 30
Jeep crew
The Rutherford County Jeep Crew has a meet-up at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, at Middle Ground Brewing Company (2476 Old Fort Pkwy.). All Jeepers are welcome. For more information, visit middlegroundbrew.com
ongoing
step into Art
The Discovery Center (502 SE Broad St.) continues to host a traveling art exhibit, “Framed: Step into Art.” This exhibit, which provides visitors with an opportunity to explore interactive environments inspired by famous paintings, will be on display through May 11. This is a traveling exhibit created by the Minnesota Children’s Museum. Visitors can engage with classic works of art by stepping into immersive environments based on famous paintings including:
Grant Wood’s “Dinner for Threshers,”
John Singer Sargent’s “Camp at Lake O’Hara,” Diego Rivera’s “Corn Festival,” Clementine Hunter’s “Big Chicken” and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” This exhibit is included with general admission and is free for museum members. Visit explorethedc.org or call 615-8902300 for more information.
ongoing
f3 workouts
F3—which stands for fitness, fellowship and faith—holds free, outdoor, peer-led workouts for men across the country. The free weekly workout sessions welcome all men and always end with a “circle of trust,” emphasizing the group’s commitment to faith. In Murfreesboro, F3 holds workouts on the Murfreesboro Public Square at 5 a.m. on Tuesdays; at Oakland Middle School (853 Dejarnette Ln.) at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesdays; at the Murfreesboro Medical Clinic/Gateway Island parking lot (1272 Garrison Dr.) at 5 a.m. on Thursdays; and at Old Fort Park (201 Golf Ln., at the north entrance parking lot) at 6 a.m. on Saturdays. In Smyrna, F3 meets for workouts at Cedar Grove Elementary (354 Chaney Rd., Smyrna) at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesdays; at Thurman Francis Arts Academy (221 Todd Ln., Smyrna) at 5:30 a.m. on Thursdays; and at Stewarts Creek High School (301 Red Hawk Pkwy., Smyrna) at 6 a.m. on Saturdays. The group meets every week, rain or shine, hot or cold. For more information, visit f3murfreesboro.com
mondAys
MondAy night history
The Patriot Institute presents free Monday Night History classes every Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken (1290 NW Broad St.).
Classes started back with the Greek CityStates, have progressed through Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages, the Pilgrims, the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the history of money and other topics. In April, Monday Night History will begin an Antebellum (“before the war”) series. The instructor, Galen Walker, formed The Patriot Institute in 2015 and has taught Monday Night History at various locations ever since. For more information, visit thepatriotinstitute.org or find The Patriot Institute on Facebook.
TuesdAys
snAcks At soAc
Tuesdays in April (8, 15, 22 and 29) join the SOAC and the UT Ag Extension at the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center
FridAys
Murfreesboro coMMunity chess
Murfreesboro Community Chess meets at McAlister’s Deli (2357 Medical Center Pkwy.) every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. Organizers invite those of all ages and skill levels to this casual chess meetup each week. Those attending may bring a board and a clock if they can, but there should be plenty of supplies on hand.
(100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E.) for a free six-week series on snacks that includes a simple cooking and nutrition lesson and a snack. Learn a new recipe each week and enjoy climbing in the Adventure Zones. Sessions are from 4–4:40 p.m. and 4:45–5:15 p.m. Space and snacks are limited and are first come, first served. Ages 8 and up are welcome. There is no cost to participate. Registration is suggested through the Community Pass. For more information, email ginger. levinson@townofsmyrna.org.
TuesdAys
silly song And dAnce
Join Ms. Nicole for Silly Song and Dance Mondays at 10 a.m. at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) for an exciting, high-energy program for all ages. Songs are geared for toddlers and preschoolers to stretch, dance and sing. Learn about shapes, colors, letters and numbers while singing and dancing. Adult participation is encouraged. No advance registration is required; programs close 10 minutes after start time. For more information, visit rclstn.org or call 615-459-4884.
TuesdAys
libertAd finAncierA
Este es un seminario introductorio sobre libertad financiera, que se ofrecerá todos
los martes en abril. Este evento público y gratuito, presentado en español, cubrirá los principios fundamentales de la libertad financiera, incluidos los ahorros de emergencia, la eliminación de deudas y la inversión responsable.
This is an introductory seminar on Financial Independence, which will be offered Tuesdays in April (April 1, 8, 15 & 22) at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) from 2–4 p.m. This free, public event, presented in Spanish, covers the fundamental principles of financial independence, including emergency savings, debt elimination and responsible investing. No advance registration is required. Visit rclstn.org or call 615-459-4884 for more information.
TuesdAys
pAJAMA story tiMe
Pajama Story Time is held on Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.). Children are encouraged to come dressed in their coziest pajamas and bring a stuffed animal friend while listening to stories, singing songs and having lots of fun. No advance registration is required; programs close 10 minutes after start time. For more information, visit rclstn.org or call 615-459-4884.
WednesdAys
wild wednesdAy
Join the SOAC staff on Thursdays (April 9, 16, 23 and 30) from 4:30–5:30 p.m. to discover something wild about the natural world. You may meet a SOAC animal or enjoy a nature-based activity each Wednesday at the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E.). Look for more information on the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center Facebook and Instagram. There is no cost to participate; walk-up guests are welcome. For more information, email soac.group@townofsmyrna. org or call 615-459-9710.
ThursdAys
eArly leArners
Join SOAC staff each Thursday (April 10, 17 and 24) at Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy E.) from 1–2 p.m. for a themed lesson geared toward introducing your young ones to a classroom setting. The Early Learners program is developmentally and age-appropriate. Each lesson may involve STEAM investigations, song and motion, story time and/or exhibitfree play. The cost to participate is $2. Ages 2–6 years old are welcome. Registration is suggested through the Community Pass. Limited walk-ups are welcome. For more information, email soac.group@townofsmyrna.org or call 615-459-9710.
ThursdAys
bAsic coMputer usAge
Visit Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) every Thursday in April from 5–6 p.m. to learn more about computer usage and the tools you need to succeed at technology. The recommended age for this event is 13 and up; any library patron under the
age of 13 must be accompanied by an official guardian. No advance registration is required. For more information, visit rclstn.org or call 615-459-4884.
FridAys
c3 networking
C3 is an open networking group for local business professionals at Achieve Entrepreneur and CoWorking Center (1630 S. Church St.) held on Fridays from 8:30–10:30 a.m. The mission is to build relationships, connect local businesses with potential clients, support each other’s professional growth and educate people on how to participate in the local community. Complimentary coffee and snacks are provided. For more information, find Prohibition Home Brewing on Facebook.
sATurdAys
historicAl society
coffee & conVersAtion
The Rutherford County Historical Society has been preserving and promoting Murfreesboro’s local history since 1971. The RCHS aims to be a community resource for those researching their family, property or perhaps just old fun facts. The Historical Society hosts Coffee & Conversation each Saturday morning from 9 a.m.–noon at the Ransom School House Museum (717 N. Academy St.). This is a very informal, fun and informative event. Bring old photos or questions about the past to ask members, and enjoy free coffee and donuts. For more information, visit rutherfordtnhistory.org
sundAys
coffee/breAkfAst with A VeterAn
All are welcome to join local veterans for coffee or breakfast and conversation on Sunday mornings from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Joanie’s, located on the Public Square in downtown Murfreesboro. mp
concerts
Live Music in M idd L e tennessee
Wed, 4/2
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Jasco
Hank’s Honky Tonk
Robert Abernathy
HarvesTer e venT CenTer
Pam Tillis; Phillip Lammonds
MT su w rig HT Musi C Building
Sean Creighton; Ellison Salvig
sMyrna v F w PosT 8422
Sharon and Dave
Thurs, 4/3
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Chuck Harvill and Charlie Byrd
Hank’s Honky Tonk
Nick Smith
MT su w rig HT Musi C Building
Joshua Pyper
Fri, 4/4
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Memory Train
Burger Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
Ha PPy’s sP orT s l ounge Revolution
Heroes d en
The Fog Band
Ja C k’s Pla C e
Tony Castellanos
MT su w rig HT Musi C Building
International Piano Competition; Daria Rabotkina
sMyrna v F w PosT 8422
Shane & the Money Makers
sAT, 4/5
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Jeff Lysyczyn; Whiskey Smoke
Cedar g lade Brews
That 70s Band
g rindsTone Cow B oy
Pistol Pearl
Heroes d en
Milford Academy; Revenue Man
MT su w rig HT Musi C Building International Piano Competition
s un, 4/6
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Kevin Wolf
MT su w rig HT Musi C Building International Piano Competition; Justin Averill; Flute Choir Concert; Elisabeth Jackson
m on, 4/7
Burger Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
g rindsTone Cow B oy
Craig Campbell’s ’90s Country Show
Hank’s Honky Tonk
Open Mic Night
MT su w rig HT Musi C Building
Concert Band
sMyrna v F w PosT 8422
Randy and Friends
Tues, 4/8
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Pepper Brooks
MT su w rig HT Musi C Building
Wind Ensemble
Wed, 4/9
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Robyn Taylor
MT su w rig HT Musi C Building
Guitar Ensemble
sMyrna v F w PosT 8422
Sharon and Dave
Thurs, 4/10
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Carson Mac
Car M en’s Taqueria
Jeff Lysyczyn
Hank’s Honky Tonk
Nick Smith
MT su w rig HT Musi C Building
Alex Genova; Cadee Havard
Fri, 4/11
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Krystal King; Lisa Law
Burger Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
g rindsTone Cow B oy
Open Mic Night
Hank’s Honky Tonk
Craig Campbell & Dale Clear
Ha PPy’s sP orT s l ounge
Cole Bradford
Heroes d en
Glen Wagner; Dueling Pianos
Ja C k’s Pla C e
Tony Castellanos
sMyrna v F w PosT 8422
Shane & the Money Makers
sAT, 4/12
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Tony Castellanos; Eden Storm
Cedar g lade Brews
ByrdWhystle
g rindsTone Cow B oy Craig Campbell, Bradley Gaskin and William Michael Morgan
Jazz Voice Studio Recital; Symphony Orchestra w orld o u T rea CH C H ur CH
Matthew West
s un, 4/27
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Miles Damaso
MT su w rig HT Musi C Building
SOAL (Soprano/Alto), TEBA (Tenor/Bass)
Chorales; Moses Hatcher; Brass Chamber Ensembles w orld o u T rea CH C H ur CH
Matthew West
m on, 4/28
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Eddie Ray Arnold
Burger Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
Hank’s Honky Tonk
Open Mic Night
MT su s aunders Fine a r T s,
Clarinet Studio Recital
MT su w rig HT Musi C Building
Commercial Music
Ensemble
sMyrna v F w PosT 8422
Randy and Friends
Tues, 4/29
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Bill Ashmore Duo
MT su s aunders Fine a rT s, MTSU Singers Concert
MTsu w rig HT Musi C Building
French Horn Studio
Recital; Brennan Wagner
Wed, 4/30
Boro Bour B on & Brews
The Hammonds
Hank’s Honky Tonk
Zach Neil & Dale Clear
MT su w rig HT Musi C Building
Salsa Band
sMyrna v F w PosT 8422
Sharon and Dave
WOrLd OuTrEACH SPriNg FESTiVAL kicks off on Saturday, April 12, and continues through Saturday, April 26, with special guest musical artists Franni Cash and Matthew West and biblical messages from Pastor Allen Jackson. Saturday night services take place in the outdoor sanctuary on the east side of the World Outreach Church building, with a live feed into Three Crosses Sanctuary if you prefer to be indoors. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with food trucks, children’s activities, live animals and more. Service starts at 6 p.m. with outdoor water baptisms and an outdoor worship concert after service. Outdoor water baptisms take place each Saturday night. The special guest artist will also lead worship indoors in Three Crosses Sanctuary on Sunday at the 9:30 a.m. service.
Saturday, April 12, at 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 13, at 9:30 a.m. features frAnni cAsh
Saturday, April 26, at 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, at 9:30 a.m. features MAtthew west
The Easter weekend celebration at World Outreach Church, April 18–20, features special guest artists Crowder, Charity Gayle and The Katinas, biblical messages from Pastor Allen Jackson, special children’s activities, baptisms, food trucks and more. Festivities take place in the outdoor sanctuary on the east side of the World Outreach Church, with a live feed into Three Crosses Sanctuary if you prefer to be indoors.
April 18 at 6 p.m. features crowder. April 19 at 6 p.m. and April 20 at 9:30 a.m. will feature chArity gAyle
the kAtinAs will also lead worship in Three Crosses Sanctuary during all three Easter services.
The Easter weekend celebration will include outdoor water baptisms, food trucks, children’s activities and special children’s ministries presentations from Miss PattyCake, Kidz Blitz and more.
Learn more at wochurch.org/spring
Crowder
franni Cash
album revie W Midnight rA lly
Nightfalls
It’s safe to say area bedroom-electronica artist Midnight Rally utilizes the phrase “vertically integrated” just as passionately when discussing relationships as it does describing the sound of its early-’80s-influenced debut, wonderfully self-produced from top to bottom and released in January 2025.
Now, there’s a recording effect that was discovered when Peter Gabriel was recording Melt in 1979, as Phil Collins was fooling around in a top-of-the-line studio, newly equipped with a ceiling-hanging mic for the engineer to hear/talk to the band back and forth between booths (Genesis money . . .). Collins hit the snare, and that studio’s highly compressing hanging mic picked up a little reverb that abruptly stops at the end of Collins’ snare tap. They called it “gated reverb,” and the drum sound eventually captured the world, as heard in Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA,” for example.
Nightfalls opens anthemic and empowering with “Not Today,” an upbeat ’80s synth-pop piece, gated reverb percussion ridding the air of any embattled maliciousness within a relationship that builds up and leads to inner anger, leading on a journey through the rest of the album (but not before taking a darker turn . . .).
The industrial ’80s-banger of the album, “Darkness,” marches through a darker guitar and synth intro with lyrics You back me up against the wall / And I like that, before kicking up a maelstrom in the bridge so violent it may possibly require Dramamine. Snapping out of it (perhaps the ultimate theme of Nightfalls), “Sunset” provides a smooth dance groove with intimately recorded vocals; vocal effects first muffle in the chorus, then become crisper for the verse, before a killer guitar solo at the bridge soothes the atmosphere.
The album’s namesake utilizes a bluesy Wurlitzer along with a Father John Misty
vocal style, as the organ’s oscillation and appropriately dissonant reverb swirls into the seemingly everlasting crescendo of the first verse eventually joined, and settled by, an acoustic guitar strum as Rally sings of coming undone, going down so low, but seeing oneself.
Stirring harmonies disturb before beautifully hitting any rejoicing notes, climbing Midnight Rally out of the hole the “nightfalls” create.
On “Dangerous Dancer,” another industrial-based dance mix with MIDItrash drum percussion, a melodious synth holds the flow and beat together, just jamming a little in electronica land, revealing more about the album’s antagonist (she’s a dancer). This one would actually be a catchy, upright-piano-in-the-family-livingroom song (at the Reznors’ house).
“Rooftops,” a slower tempo disco-electronica track sounding as if the band Lit were to cover “Still the Same” by Bob Seger, takes rein of Nightfalls’ rhythm, containing vocal stylings ranging from Gorillaz to Daft Punk describing life post-breakup.
Perhaps a genuine conclusion to the album, “Feels Right,” ultimately either lets it all go for a fit of rebound glory echoing across the bedroom-electronica rock radio stations of America, or finds a different way to look at the relationship and strive forward. Either way, it includes a great breakdown in the bridge, and Midnight Rally’s all in the name, making Nightfalls a genuine electroni-rocket, full story, gated reverb and all—a wonderfully mixed, ’80s rock-influenced dancer (as opposed to a dangerous one).
Find Midnight Rally’s Nightfall across the icons at Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Deezer and iHeartRadio, collectively, at distrokid.com/hyperfollow/midnightrally/ nightfalls. — bryce hArMon
living
ew t ricks b loom
Old Fort Skate Park enters its first spring season
by M Atthew o lson
since its ribbon cutting last September, Murfreesboro’s skate park, located at Old Fort Park, has become a vibrant community gathering spot, attracting skaters of all skill levels and backgrounds.
Park officials are thrilled with the park’s reception, noting that it remains consistently busy regardless of weather conditions.
“Anytime we go out there, there’s always lots of people enjoying it,” said Parks and Recreation Marketing Coordinator Lynn Caldwell. “One of the things I think we’ve really enjoyed the most is seeing all types of different people, different levels, different skill sets, out there using it, enjoying it, working together, helping each other.”
The park’s design encourages community interaction, with users of different skill levels interacting and observing each other. The park represents more than just a recreational space—it’s a community gathering point that brings various people together, catalyzes community connection and youth engagement, and promotes an active lifestyle.
Xavier Solis is a manager at MOAB (Murfreesboro Outdoor and Bicycle) and has worked there since 2006. As a skateboarder, he prefers to hit the park early, around 9 in the morning. Solis also said he sees skaters of all ages and skill levels, some kids with their parents, others more experienced skaters in their 30s.
“It’s not a skate park where you feel super intimidated,” said Solis, expressing appreciation of the environment.
Phil Doran owns LRB Skate and Record Shop, which sponsors a team that includes older and younger skaters with help from his son, Gage Duran. Phil’s goal is for the older generation to influence the younger generation, which he considers the future of skating. The team can often skate in the park along with team riders of Diet Skateboards, a Tennessee-based skateboard and apparel company which Kenny Page founded and originated in Murfreesboro. They maintain a close relationship with LRB Skate and Record Shop.
Gage Doran said he considers the Old Fort skate park one of the best in the surrounding area. However, Doran does express the need for lighting for more hours of skating and hopes the city will eventually expand the area due to the limited amount of open space and the sometimes high volume of participants at the park, a combination which increases the risk of collisions.
“I’ll go because it’s clear, and I’ll go over, turn around on the quarter pipe, and come
back and like four kids will spawn out of nowhere,” Doran said, explaining the potential hazards of the current space limitations. “They will just come from different ways.”
Plans for the park remain flexible. While there are potential considerations for lighting and expanded event usage, park officials are currently taking a measured approach, allowing the community to establish usage patterns and fully embrace the new space.
Currently, there are no immediate plans to install lighting. The park remains open from dawn to dusk. A conduit was installed underground and specifically placed for potential future lighting, so lighting is a possibility for the future, but not a current priority.
The skate park is part of a broader parks and recreation initiative, which includes recent renovations to other local recreational areas, demonstrating the city’s commitment to creating engaging public spaces for residents.
As summer approaches, excitement builds around the park, with increased usage expectations.
The city is simultaneously upgrading other recreational areas including renovating softball fields in the Old Fort Park area, redesigning parking and elevation zones, and updating outdoor tennis and pickleball courts.
The most ambitious Murfreesboro Parks project that recently broke ground is the new 150-acre Veterans Park. This expansive green space, on the west side of town located off Interstate 840 and Veterans Pkwy, will feature walking trails, a basketball court, four pavilions, and an outdoor event area capable of hosting concerts and festivals.
Local skate shops have already noticed a significant impact due to the city’s skate park, with new enthusiasts discovering skateboarding through the park. Many skateboarders who once enjoyed the skate park at the Rutherford County Family YMCA, which closed in 2015, are reconnecting with the sport, forming weekend groups, and reigniting their passion.
While the city’s Parks and Recreation department has been cautious about hosting events during the first calendar year, the community remains optimistic about future possibilities.
As word spreads, the Old Fort Park skate park draws visitors from Nashville and surrounding areas, positioning Murfreesboro as a destination for skate, scooter and bike enthusiasts and demonstrating the transformative power of thoughtful urban recreational design.
PHOTOS ( TOP AND BOTTOM ) COURTESY OF ASHLEIGH NEWNES
PHOTO ( MIDDLE ) COURTESY OF STEVEN BOND
living
Cross At the
If You Go
s ewA nee Me M ori A l c ross tennessee Avenue, s ewanee, tn
View a detailed history of the Sewanee Memorial Cross at
The Sewanee MeMorial CroSS, constructed in 1922 and dedicated the following year in remembrance of fallen military veterans from the area, creates a beautifully striking scene overlooking the expansive Tennessee valley to its west.
About an hour’s drive from Murfreesboro, the location attracts visitors from all over, the Cross providing a sense of peace, security and solemn remembrance high atop the edge of the Cumberland Plateau, near the area known as Monteagle Mountain.
Towering atop the hillside, those at the site of the Memorial Cross can overlook the towns of Cowan and, further in the distance, Winchester, as well as large plots of farmland and other homeplaces scattered about.
The Memorial Cross sits about a mile from the center of the campus of Sewanee, the University of the South. Motorists driving up Tennessee Avenue get a glimpse of it, but only after arriving at the site do they experience the full, stunning vista of the valley sprawling out below.
Flowers surround the memorial structure, yellow daffodils and purple grape hyacinth dot the ground around the 60-foot-tall monument during the springtime.
A couple of spotlights hit it at night, creating an epic illuminated view seen from the farms and homes far out in the distance.
The looping driveway around the cross contains a handful of parking spaces, and the site, approximately 1,800 feet above sea level, also provides trailhead access to the wealth of trails snaking across the hilly area surrounding Sewanee University, a swath of land known as The Domain: 13,000 acres owned by the university, offering “boundless opportunities for research, recreation,
applied learning, and reflection.”
The Tennessee Williams Trail runs alongside Tennessee Avenue, making a brief nature walk from the university buildings, originating near the soccer field, to the Cross.
The Sewanee Perimeter Trail passes near the Memorial Cross as well.
Taking it south just for a brief piece beyond the Cross leads to a small creek, serenely trickling downhill; or, extremely ambitious hikers up for a test of endurance can attempt the full 19 miles of the Perimeter
Trail, quite a challenging undertaking, but doable in a day for those able average two miles per hour on the trails (all day long).
Aside from the network of trails surrounding the university (and there are plenty more aside from the lengthy Perimeter Trail), those making a trip out of it can also tour the small mountain towns of Sewanee and Monteagle, view the impressive Sewanee Natural Bridge nearby and even explore parts of the massive South Cumberland State Park or Savage Gulf State Natural Area.
Get all the exercise you want out on the trails, but it’s hard to beat the view from the Cross—just fantastic.
So while out in that direction, definitely swing by the Sewanee Memorial Cross, even for a quick drive-by, and take a moment to pause, reflect and experience the long-distance sightlines at this special Southern site, as well as the Good News that the Cross symbolizes.
And now I am happy all the day
story by b r Acken MAyo p hotos by sA r A h M Ayo
living
Lawmakers
nature news
Approve Natural Area Expansions
Under the Blood Moon
Total lunar eclipse visible from Murfreesboro in March story & photo by Ashleigh newnes
ON MArCH 14, 2025, Murfreesboro’s night sky was transformed by the mesmerizing glow of a total lunar eclipse.
County
Effort to protect Versailles Knob and rocky Hill road g lades in rutherford
TENNESSEE HOuSE OF rEPrESENTATiVES on March 3 approved legislation creating four new state natural areas and expanding six existing ones. Guided by State Representative Greg Vital (R-Harrison), House Bill 126 passed unanimously.
The bill designates as natural areas:
Versailles knob in Rutherford County, a 40-acre forest with large limestone outcrops that provides habitat for the federally endangered Braun’s Rockcress (a rare species of flowering plant in the mustard family).
rocky hill road glades in Rutherford County, home to limestone cedar glade habitat and the state-endangered running glade clover.
clifty creek gorge in Morgan County, an 89-acre forested area that features a scenic gorge and protects the federally threatened Virginia spiraea.
union grove in Hamblen County, a 59-acre area with oak and mixed forests, headwater streams and the state-endangered Tennessee trillium, a species discovered in 2013.
The bill also expands six existing natural areas: flat rock cedar glades and barrens, barnett’s woods and prairie, cedars of lebanon, couchville cedar glade, ozone falls and radnor lake
Find flat rock cedar glades and barrens state natural Area—a protected pocket of public land just outside of Murfreesboro containing a 3.4-mile trail and lots of wildflowers—at 2423 Factory Rd., Murfreesboro.
Since the passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, Tennessee has designated 84 state natural areas to safeguard the state’s most valuable ecosystems. However, state-owned lands managed by TDEC’s Division of Natural Areas that are not designated under the statute currently lack these protections. The legislation closes this gap by updating the law to reflect the lands comprising the State Natural Areas System, ensuring proper protection for future generations.
The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee has donated the land for the Clifty Creek Gorge area. All other acquisitions were from willing sellers with no eminent domain involved. The companion bill, Senate Bill 1277, will be heard in the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee in the coming weeks.
For more on Tennessee State Natural Areas visit tn.gov/environment/program-areas/na-natural-areas.
As the Earth moved directly between the Sun and the Moon, the lunar surface darkened before shifting into a deep, rusty red—a phenomenon known as a “blood moon.”
For several hours, residents stood beneath the vast sky, watching as the familiar, pale white satellite slowly disappeared into Earth’s shadow, only to reemerge cloaked in an eerie, celestial hue. Unlike a fleeting meteor or a brief solar eclipse, this event unfolded slowly, allowing skywatchers to absorb every phase.
The night began with the penumbral phase, where the Moon subtly dimmed as it entered the Earth’s outer shadow. Then came the partial eclipse, as a dark curve crept across its surface, eventually leading to totality—a breathtaking moment when the entire moon was bathed in red.
For those who caught a glimpse, the experience was a stunning visual and a moment of stillness and perspective. While the city carried on—people arriving home from late shifts at work, cars passing in the distance, many sleeping inside of homes—those watching the sky were reminded of something larger. The universe moved on, unchanged by the daily worries of life. For some, it was humbling.
For those who missed it, recordings of the eclipse are available through NASA’s official livestream archives and various online observatories, ensuring that no one has to completely miss out on this celestial marvel and other astronomical events.
The previous total lunar eclipse visible from Murfreesboro occurred on Nov. 8, 2022. For the next fully visible total lunar eclipse, locals will have to wait until March 3, 2026.
In the meantime, skywatchers can look forward to the Perseid meteor shower on Aug. 12–13, one of the most anticipated showers of the year with up to 100 meteors per hour.
For those eager to learn more about the night sky, MTSU’s observatory—the Uranidrome—also offers public viewing nights and educational events.
Whether through a telescope or simply looking up on a clear night, the sky holds countless wonders waiting to be discovered.
Flat rock Cedar glades
Ozone Falls
living Preserving the Past
a ging former segregated Cemetery School to become community museum
MTSU’ S C ENTE r for Hi ST ori C Pr ESE rvAT io N is working closely with alumnus and retired administrator Vincent Windrow and the Friends of Cemetery School to help preserve one of the state’s only remaining black schools built during segregation.
“There are so few surviving examples of segregated schools built in the rural South. At one time there were thousands of them,” said Carroll Van West, director of the MTSU CHP and Tennessee State Historian. “Rutherford County has one of the best-conditioned black schools we have left. It’s remarkable.”
Tucked behind the historic Stones River Methodist Church at Old Nashville Highway and Mt. Olive Road, near the Stones River National Battlefield and National Cemetery, an aging concrete block building once served as a bustling hub of educational activity.
The Cemetery School has roots dating back to the late 1800s. The school served the Cemetery community that grew out of the post-Civil War formerly enslaved families who worked burying Union soldiers at the neighboring graveyard, now part of the National Park System.
a “Deep Dive” into history
After integration in the late 1960s, the school was closed. Queen Washington and her sister-in-law Bertha Washington, who lived by the school, purchased the property and began using the building as a gathering place for the community. Eventually, it became a storage facility for the family.
“If they hadn’t bought it, they would have torn it down and the story would have been lost. Now we get to tell the story,” said Windrow, his eyes brightening as he talked about the history of the school his mother once attended. “And that’s powerful.”
Two-time MTSU alumna Leonora “Miss Boe” Washington, Windrow’s cousin who lived in one of the houses near the old school, wanted to restore the school she attended as a child. She sought help from West and the Center for Historic Preservation.
“Boe Washington made it her mission to save the school,” West said. “She first showed it to me 20 years ago.”
West said several classes over 18 months “did a deep dive” on the school and community, which included doing interviews with former students and poring through documents. Since then, interpretive panels and an exhibit plan have been developed.
Windrow, who also pastors Olive Branch Church, said they discovered the Cemetery School that stands today was constructed in 1941 by the National Youth Administration, a New Deal program started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help unemployed young people find jobs and teach them skills during the Great Depression. The Cemetery School construction was based on plans for a Rosenwald School, a network of which were built in the early 1900s for black children in underfunded areas of the South.
restoration Plans Begin
When “Miss Boe” died in 2019, Windrow took over caretaking duties. And that’s when the plans for restoration got closer to a reality. The next step was “cleaning house.”
“We probably cleared about 85% of it out. There was a pool table in there. Old tires in there, mattresses. There’s still a wood-burning stove in there,” Windrow said, looking around at the dust-covered collection of items that remain.
Inside the school, there’s a musty smell of history. There’s no electricity or operational plumbing. But years ago, Washington made sure the roof was repaired to keep out rain to protect the interior of the structure. Remnants of the old school remain: 1940s-era desks with initials carved into the wood, coal burning stoves, dozens of ragged fabric-covered books with yellowed pages, an Art Deco antique radio and a well-worn piano. Outside there’s a driedup water fountain connected to a well.
Those items will be incorporated into the restoration plans for a museum and community center. Eventually they hope to have a park-like setting outside with pavilions.
The nonprofit Friends of Cemetery School group is working in concert with the battlefield and there are grants available to help with paying for the restoration and maintenance.
“We’ve just submitted an application for a National Trust for Historic Preservation grant. We’ve received a grant from the Pi Gamma Gamma Foundation and donations from individuals,” Windrow said regarding the “rebirth and renovation.”
“We are also looking to partner with construction firms who’d be willing to sponsor the electrical work, the roof repair, and the plumbing needs.”
Plans are to open the museum in the summer of 2026 to tell the history of a strong, vibrant community.
To learn more or to help with restoration efforts, email vincent.windrow@mtsu.edu or call 615-9810080. donations to the Friends of Cemetery School can be made via Cash App at $FOCSgive.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF J INTINTOLI / MTSU PHOTOS
HELLO EVEryBOdy, I hope you all are doing well and all your teams won during March Madness.
I was asked to do a story about dealing with recovery from alcoholism and addiction. So first of all, let me just say how grateful I am to be alive today and to have some walking-around sense (depending on who you ask). Believe it or not, I am a sinner.
Let’s start from the beginning. I was born nearly 60 years ago to loving parents. We were in the upper middle class. I am a middle child of four children. I have two brothers and one sister. I grew up in a loving home with grandparents living next door. I went to school at the first United Methodist Church right off the Square, then on to Campus School, Central Middle School and then Middle Tennessee Christian School, Riverdale High School, summer school at Holloway High School and, finally, MTSU. I should be a doctor with all the schooling I’ve had.
From about age 15 to 25 I was under the influence of something. My drug of choice was alcohol. I don’t know why I drank, other than I liked the effects produced by alcohol. After taking a drink of alcohol, suddenly I was more attractive, 10 feet tall and bulletproof. As a kid growing up, when asked in class to explain what I wanted to be later in life, I assure you it was not an alcoholic.
My goal as a child was to be the governor of Tennessee; however, later in my adolescence I would end up being a trustee at the jail that my grandfather had built when he was sheriff of Rutherford County. Isn’t that
something? I’ve got story after story that would qualify me being an alcohol addict. The problem was, once I began to drink I truly lost the ability to stop.
Thank God the American Medical Association qualified alcoholism as a legitimate disease in 1950.
Alcoholism and addiction are mental illnesses, which carry the stigma of being crazy. It’s not like having cancer, where the patient often gets a lot of understanding and compassion. At times I felt I was alone, and I just didn’t understand the consequences that went along with that drinking.
It was early autumn in 1991, and I had been working at General Electric here in Murfreesboro. Prior to this I had been in a treatment center and in and out of the local jail. On Sept. 21, 1991, I woke up at my parents’ house deathly sick. I was vomiting profusely, until finally there came blood and bile. I saw a white light come over the room. I call this my spiritual experience. A voice from above, which I believe was God, said, “Bill, you have to stop. You have to quit now.”
I’d always been a believer, but I’d never had a white-light experience like that prior to that morning. I reached into the pockets
of my blue jeans and pulled out two pink tickets. I had gotten pulled over at the old Bill’s Carpet Mart between Murfreesboro and Smyrna on Broad Street while coming back from Smyrna. One of the tickets said I had an open beer container. The other said I was going 60 in a 45. I was in a blackout and didn’t even remember that. How did I get home? That Carrie Underwood song “Jesus Take the Wheel” must have applied to this situation. I have not had a drink since that day.
Today, at age 59, I am 6 feet and 4 inches tall and weigh 208 pounds; that day in 1991 I had gotten down to 122 pounds. Wow, I really was on death’s doorstep.
The Lord saw fit to keep me around. Like I said, since that day, I’ve not had a drink. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve had other issues, but I’m able to treat my disease by abstaining, hanging out with folks like me trying to follow the steps in my recovery, and following my doctors’ instructions.
I should not be alive today for many other reasons—I broke my back in a car accident, I’ve had bullets fly by me in a barroom fight, I would wake up with my face stuck to the pillowcase from dried blood. But today is a much better day and I have a much better outlook on life.
I have a host of friends who have suffered and recovered from the disease of alcoholism. We are all children of God, and, Lord willing, this Sept. 21 it will be 34 years since that dreadful day.
As the book of James says, I have persevered through all the trials and tribulations, and I am so grateful to the Lord, and to my family and to my friends.
Life is so much better today. I am a father, and hopefully a better son, brother, boyfriend, partner and friend. I had to hit bottom before I reached out for help. The first treatment center I went through was called New Beginnings in Lebanon, Tennessee. The final one was chemical dependency services at the old hospital here in Murfreesboro. I was in the cycle of addiction for 10 years, but after that day in 1991 I finally got rid of the compulsion to drink.
It was quite the journey, but today I am a free man, able to walk around, work, play and contribute to life.
I’d like to dedicate this to a dear friend of mine we lost in the first week of March: Larry Cothron. He was such a good man who helped thousands of people just like me. Rest in peace, Larry.
Now, everybody go out and do something nice for somebody. God bless you all.
Call Bill Wilson for your local real estate needs at 615-406-5872.
with bill wilson
Clockwise from left: Vanderbilt Hospital that was New Beginnings in 1991; Old rutherford Hospital by Bealer Smotherman; young Mr. Murfreesboro; Bill Wilson with Meredith Thomas and Larry Cothron; general Electric Plant
Asher’s a nimals
aby lAur A l inds Ay
sher Sullivan loved stuffed animals. He had hundreds of them. His family continued to collect them for him when he was in the hospital last spring and at his Celebration of Life the following summer.
Since then, the Sullivan family has given away about 1,800 stuffed animals that people donated, according to Asher’s mom, Kaycee Sullivan. They have collected more than 2,500 so far. Last fall, they created the charity Asher’s Animals, and they continue to collect stuffed animals in honor of Asher.
Asher, son of Dr. Jimmy and Kaycee Sullivan, and brother of Declan Sullivan, passed away at the age of 10 on May 18, 2024, 10 days after he was sucked into a storm drain when his family was outside with neighbors, cleaning up after a severe storm.
“Responders found him about 15 minutes after he went underground, and they were able to bring him back, so we had 10 days in the hospital with him,” Kaycee Sullivan said.
Because of the efforts of first responders, Asher was able to be an organ donor. Dr.
Jimmy Sullivan, who is director of Rutherford County Schools, shared on social media in 2024 that Asher was able to save four lives.
“Because of the responders and everyone else doing a good job for us, we were able to get that time with Asher,” Kaycee said. “We are thankful we had that time when family and friends could visit.
“This is when we got the idea to collect the stuffed animals. It was a close friend’s suggestion. Her son and several of Asher’s other friends had visited him in the Ronald McDonald Room on the pediatric floor of the ICU at Vandy. Kids get stuffed animals there. One of Asher’s friends got one, and it meant a lot to him, and he held it dear for that whole time.”
Asher’s Animals will continue to keep the local boy’s memory alive.
“I think Asher would be proud of this,” his mother said. “He would be happy to know that other boys and girls were getting a kind of comfort from an animal when they are in a situation that is scary or where they don’t know what is going on.”
With their first set of donations of stuffed animals, the Sullivans were able to donate 200 animals to the Ronald McDonald House, 200 to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and then also to the Hematology-Oncology floor, where Asher’s brother Declan was treated for cancer and the family spent a lot of time.
Declan is now a seventh grader at Central Magnet School, and he organized a stuffed animal drive at his school.
“We were also able to donate 200 animals to each group of our local area responders,” Sullivan said. “We gave them to the police, the fire and the EMS services so they can keep a few animals with them to give to kids when they come upon accidents or something scary.”
Children and parents can pick out and donate animals together as a way to help make someone’s day better.
“And it can give parents a way to ageappropriately explain about Asher—that he is in heaven and that this is to give other boys and girls some happiness,” Sullivan said. “This is a good thing and an easy thing for small children to do.”
Asher’s Animals has been able to find a lot of local organizations that can take donations. They have been able to take some to the Isaiah 117 House and the Kymari House. They are also finding people who can take just a small amount here and there. They have brought them to Blue Monarch in Hillsboro, Tennessee, which is a recovery center for moms where their kids can live with them.
“It’s been beneficial to me to see that there are so many different places Asher’s Animals can help,” Sullivan said.
Those interested in helping can connect with the cause on the Asher’s Animals Facebook page; look for information on donation events posted there.
“We have been very grateful for the community support.”
Stuffed animal donations can be made at Rutherford County Schools Central Office, 2240 Southpark Dr., Murfreesboro. They will accept as many stuffed animal donations as people can bring.
“The more the merrier,” said James Evans, chief communications officer for Rutherford County Schools.
For more information on Asher’s Animals, find the organization on Facebook or call 931-224-5786.
Clockwise, from left: Kaycee Sullivan with over 400 animals that were donated to students at Hobgood Elementary for read Across America week; Hobgood students select their stuffed animals; Sullivan Family: dr. Jimmy, Kaycee, declan and Asher; Asher Sullivan with a stuffed friend
food restaurant
lThe Dish
cA s A Adobe e xpress 1433A Warrior d r.
Mon.–Sat.: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Mi Casa, Su Casa
Chimichangas, creamy chipotle and other quick, fresh, customizable Mexican favorites at c asa Adobe express
story by b r Acken M Ayo p hotos by sA r A h M Ayo
ocated in a fairly new build on Warrior Drive, Casa Adobe Express continues to earn fans with its fresh and flavorful take on Mexican cuisine—served at a speed that keeps up with today’s fast pace.
Along with the standard favorites such as tacos, chimichangas, tamales, nachos, bowls and salads, the menu also includes some unique spins on Mexican dining, such as the Dinamita Fries, a large platter of thick, steakcut fries along with queso, salad, creamy chipotle and creamy avocado sauces, jalapeños (upon request) and a choice of carnitas, chicken, tinga (spicy shredded chicken), ground beef, steak, shrimp or grilled veggies.
The steak comes in large cubes of tender, juicy beef, delicious when accompanied with the generous drizzle of the creamy chipotle.
The Dinamita Fries dish is a huge portion, likely plenty of calories for two people in itself (or a challenge for one hungry diner).
Casa Adobe serves its version of esquites (street-style corn) off the cob, in a dish—a small brown pot, when dining in, baked hot and topped with crumbles of cotija cheese, the corn seasoned with a tasty blend of mayo, lime, cilantro, red onion and other spices.
“The shrimp on my Southwest salad was
perfectly cooked. The salad itself was fresh, quality produce. And the chili lime dressing, so good,” one customer, Doug Botimer, posted following an experience at Casa Adobe
The restaurant’s Mexican burrito wraps carnitas with pinto beans, Spanish rice, pico de gallo and guacamole, and customers can
also build their own customizable bowls, burritos and stir-fries, bursting with the flavors of their choice.
Other must-try dishes include the Baja Fish Tacos, featuring beer-battered white fish piled high with slaw and served alongside rice and pico de gallo.
Baja fish tacos with pico de gallo and rice: $11.99; Chicken or steak chimichanga: $7.99 Shrimp a la diabla: $15.50; Single ground beef, chicken, tinga, carnitas or chorizo taco: $3.50; 8-oz. salsa (roasted red, creamy avocado, creamy chipotle, pico de gallo, tapatia, tomatillo, ranchera or diabla): $4.99; Steak d inamita Fries: $9.99
casaadobeexpress.com
“Attention former Californians, I have found the spot!” Carly Christ said. “The steak in our fries was juicy, the sauce was super flavorful and unique, and the carnitas in my burrito was next level.”
Casa Adobe Express emphasizes efficiency, but it’s not the usual fast-food place; Casa Adobe Express also values big flavors and big portions.
The wide variety of tasty sauces makes another element that sets Casa Adobe apart from many of the local Tex-Mex and fastfood eateries. The salsa menu includes the house roasted red, served complimentary along with the chips; this standard-style salsa has a fresh, herby aroma to it.
The creamy chipotle sauce exhibits a great zing, and comes as an ingredient in many of the dishes. The creamy avocado, however, isn’t very spicy, a good choice for those who prefer a milder, gentler flavor.
Other options include the ranchera salsa, blending tomatoes and chile de arbol; chunky pico de gallo; and a hot “Diabla” salsa variety.
The server recommended the tomatillo salsa to accompany the tamales. Get a trio of these traditional Mexican tamales—one each of chicken, pork and ground beef—for
dinamita fries
esquites
$11.99, topped with shredded cabbage and the tamale dough containing a bold, corny, masa taste.
The poblano burrito—combining a whole chile relleno, refried beans and Spanish rice with salsa ranchera, along with an added option of steak or chicken— has also earned glowing reviews.
“The poblano burrito with steak or chicken is so delicious,” according to a local Yelper, McAdams Addy. “Establishment is always clean and the service is phenomenal. Our family loves this place.”
Kelley Grider agreed that Casa Adobe is a great, unique local eatery, “not cookie cutter like a lot of Mexican places,” serving large portions for reasonable prices, while Landon Wehrung said “the tinga chicken chimichanga is absolutely amazing, my favorite one in town. Also, the refried beans and Mexican rice are very good. And their cheese dip is delicious! Highly recommend this place.”
Casa Adobe Express, owned and operated by brothers Arturo and Rafael Onate, seems to be quickly becoming a local favorite, with many other customers praising its laid-back but very clean interior, friendly staff, quick
service, variety offered and good value.
Dine-in service is generally very quick, according to reports, but to further expedite the service, Casa Adobe Express offers a drive-through window as well for pickup.
“This place is fantastic. A hidden gem,” says local guide Jeff Hagan, who calls the Trio Burrito (shrimp, steak and chicken) the best he’s ever had.
“The tinga is very flavorful and juicy,” said yet another pleased customer, Paul.
While the occasional review mentions that some don’t care for the sauces, and one diner reported that he found the margaritas weak, overall feedback remains overwhelmingly positive.
Among the wealth of other appealing items on the menu to try are Frijoles Charros—pinto beans, bacon, chorizo, jalapeño, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro simmered in a flavorful broth; Pozole Verde—a green pepper and tomatillo stew with chicken and hominy, a shrimpcocktail style soup served cold, a chicken Caesar wrap, fajitas and a whole slew of customizable burrito possibilities.
There’s lots of drink options, too—Mexican Coke, Jarritos, Boing, horchata, limeade and more, as well as beer, margaritas and cocktails.
And for dessert, Casa Adobe offers churros, flan, sopapilla strips and the Xango (cheesecake wrapped in a pastry tortilla, lightly fried to a golden brown and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar).
So, for a fresh take on Mexican fare in Murfreesboro—customized to suit you, served quick, and accompanied by delicious sauces—check out Warrior Drive’s Casa Adobe Express.
Dylan Hawkins appreciates that “you can just drop under 20 dollars for two people. Perfect. Plus, there’s a drive-through . . . chicken is grilled perfectly, sauce is excellent, vegetables salivatory, and value peak.”
tamales
insomnia Cookies, Miracle Bay Studios, Borobox, Pvolve, Homesense, Panera, Lost Worlds Seatopia, Krustaceans
by delores elliott
BOrOBOx STudiO, located at 10825 Karo Rd. in Christiana, offers a 3,000-squarefoot space dedicated to photography and videography. The space features an open floor plan with two 12-by-12-foot glass doors and skylight windows to allow plenty of natural light, a variety of backdrop options, and a Cyclorama wall, which helps to create the illusion of an endless background. It also offers an in-house sound system, a lounge and full kitchen, and a makeup room with salon-style chairs and mirrors.
Created and owned by film director Patrick Tohill, Borobox Studio is a cutting-edge photography and video studio designed for creatives from the ground up. Tohill is actively working with MTSU, the Chamber of Commerce and others in the area to provide a space for young creatives and professionals to develop their talents and to promote more creative activity.
Studio prices begin at $100 per hour with a two-hour minimum. Memberships are also available. For additional information, visit boroboxstudio.com
PANErA BrEAd has opened its new Murfreesboro restaurant, located at 2965 S. Church St. and open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. This marks Panera’s 42nd location in Tennessee and its third in Murfreesboro, with additional locations off of Old Fort Parkway and Memorial Boulevard.
MirACLE BAy STudiOS has opened at 1636 Memorial Blvd., near Primrose Table and Climb Murfreesboro, offering Sola Wood Flower arrangement options as well as classes and parties, plus a vendor gift shop which features local artisans. Products include beeswax wax melts, floral oils, handmade wire trees, custom resin pieces and more. Floral arrangement kits range from craft and take-home kits, to wedding and office decor kits.
Local vendors include Anchored Hope Christian Clothing, Divine Knick Knacks, Heart & Hustle Paper Crafts, Lake Dessie
around toWn ’boro b usiness buzz
Studio, Lily Belle Boutique, Clarence & Anna Prine, and Susie Mae Soaps. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. For more information, visit miraclebaystudios.com
SHOE STATiON, currently owned by Shoe Carnival, has opened a store in the former Shoe Carnival building at the Stones River Mall across from Sam’s Sports Grill. Shoe Station was acquired by Shoe Carnival in 2021, which brought the previously family-owned retailer’s 21 locations to a projected 400-plus. This is the company’s second Tennessee location, with its first located in Franklin. For more information, visit shoestation.com.
TrAdEr JOE’S, located on the 2.4-acre corner lot next to McAlister’s Deli at 2305 Medical Center Pkwy., will host its much anticipated Grand Opening event on Thursday, April 10, at 8 a.m. The 14,000-squarefoot grocery store will be one of the larger Trader Joe’s locations in Tennessee.
HOMESENSE will open its second Tennessee location (in addition to its Knoxville store) in the former Bed Bath and Beyond building at the Avenue. The store has announced it will celebrate its grand opening on May 1. Homesense, a part of the T.J. Maxx family, offers a variety of home goods at a discount compared to most furniture stores, with a range from 20 to 50% off of suggested retail prices. In addition to furniture, it will offer decor and cookware, art pieces and more. For further information, visit us.homesense.com
iNSOMNiA COOKiES has announced that it will open a Murfreesboro location at 225 N. Rutherford Blvd., beside Kitchen Way near MTSU. This will be the restaurant’s fifth location in the state.
Insomnia Cookies specializes in delivering warm, delicious cookies daily until 3 a.m., with some popular options including hot cocoa and double chocolate mint flavors, red velvet and red velvet cheesecake-filled, gluten free and vegan cookies and more. For bulk options, Insomnia Cookies offers pack sizes ranging from four to 100.
Hours for pickup will be 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sundays, Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 a.m. Delivery hours run until 1 a.m. Sundays through Wednesdays and until 3 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. For more information visit insomniacookies.com.
idEAS TEES and rAidEr TEES has announced that, after almost two decades in the building located at 910 Ridgely Rd., they have relocated to 111 E. MTCS Rd., just across from Middle Tennessee Christian School. The relocation comes as a result of the previous building’s sale, leaving no option for the businesses to remain at its current address.
John Brockwell founded Agrideas as a marketing company for farm supply corporations in 1985. In 1988, Brockwell expanded into screen printing with the creation of Ideas Tees, which has since provided custom apparel for local schools, youth organizations and businesses. Ideas Tees joined forces with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association in 1992 to supply championship merchandise. The business continued expansion with the launch of Raider Tees, which later included a time operating Lightning’s Locker Room for the Middle Tennessee State University Athletic Department.
PVOLVE, a fitness franchise that pairs functional movement with resistance equipment to build strong, mobile bodies, has announced the signing of 10 new leases across the U.S. Included in this, Pvolve will open a new Murfreesboro studio in June at The Avenue, 2615 Medical Center Pkwy.
Pvolve offers a cutting-edge fitness methodology that helps to break a sweat rather than break your body, designed to help members improve strength, mobility, and overall wellness. In 2023, actress, producer
“Pvolve’s studio growth continues to build momentum, and we’re thrilled to bring our clinically backed, functional fitness method to more communities across the country,” said Julie Cartwright, president of Pvolve. The brand continues to seek single-unit and multi-unit franchisees. For more information, visit pvolve.com
dELiCiAS MArKETS, a new international grocery store, will open soon in the Jackson Heights Plaza near Premiere Six Theatre. The space will also include a taqueria, butcher shop and bakery as well.
KruSTACEANS SEAFOOd will open a location in Murfreesboro soon, on South Church Street in the restaurant space that Sauce used to occupy. Krustaceans, which also operates a Nashville restaurant on Lebanon Road, serves fried shrimp, fried fish, fried lobster tail, Krab Clusters, sausage, corn and potatoes; get fried shrimp served atop a red velvet waffle.
VALLEy STOrM SHELTErS, based in Huntsville, Alabama, has opened a Murfreesboro location at 2222 Medical Center Pkwy., near Lady Jane's Haircuts and Clean Eatz. Valley Storm Shelters has the goal to provide the strongest, heaviest, easiest to operate, and most protective and survivable aboveground steel storm shelters on the market
LOST WOrLdS SEATOPiA is currently under development at 1660 Middle Tennessee Blvd., Unit B. The attraction offers an indoor sea-themed play area for youngsters featuring a ball pit, slides, swings and colorful sea creatures, mermaids and pirates everywhere. Find Lost Worlds Seatopia on Facebook to keep up with opening details.
to keep families safe during tornadoes and other violent weather events. For more information, visit valleystormshelters.com.
JErSEy MiKE’S will open a fourth Murfreesboro location at 2950 S. Rutherford Blvd. The “authentic sub sandwich franchise” has additional locations on Church Street, Memorial Boulevard and Old Fort Parkway.
The former BOJANgLES restaurant, located on Memorial Boulevard across from Sports*Com, now has a sign out front stating that the building is for lease.
FEEd AMEriCA FirST, a nonprofit located at 319 Murfreesboro St., recently celebrated the expansion of its warehouse with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house. Updates to the warehouse include new refrigeration and freezer space, which offers more opportunity to provide rural communities with more fresh produce, meat and dairy products. The ceremony also included a building dedication in memory of Robert Stroop, who originally offered his building to the nonprofit back in 2007 when they were in search of a new space. Stroop also assisted in building a new warehouse in 2014 when a larger building was needed, and in 2022, he
donated the building and the five acres of land that it currently sits on.
“In our estimation, Robert Stroop was God’s own man in Murfreesboro, using his extraordinary compassion, generosity, and resources to help us feed our neighbors in need. With his help, more than 150 million pounds of food have been distributed by Feed America First since we met in 2007.
Robert’s impact had been so profound that upon his passing, Feed America First will commemorate his generosity by naming our facility the Robert and Mary Stroop Memorial Distribution Center,” Feed America First founder Tom Henry said in a 2024 post on the organization’s website.
The expansion comes in conjunction with Feed America First’s 25th anniversary, highlighting its ongoing commitment to combating hunger and providing food relief across Tennessee and surrounding states.
“For families facing food insecurity in rural areas, fresh food isn’t just difficult to afford, it’s difficult to access,” said Julie Vandel, development director for Feed America First. “This new refrigeration and freezer expansion allows us to bridge that gap, ensuring these families have access to even more fresh goods at their local food pantry.”
For more information on the nonprofit, visit feedamericafirst.com.
news
“Do we want Rutherford County to have the world’s largest landfill? That’s where we’re headed. My goal is to stop Republic from bringing in 700,000 tons of trash from surrounding counties. If the commission OKs Republic Services’ proposal to purchase county land, I will veto it.”
— R UTHERFORD C OUNTY M AYOR J OE C ARR
Middle Point landfilling activities, whether an expansion north as was in jeopardy in [a recent] lawsuit or expansion south onto the old Rutherford County Landfill that BFI and its corporate parent Republic Services are currently lobbying the County Commission to approve,” McFarland stated.
should trash be a mountain?
r utherford County Solid Waste Transfer Station set to open this summer, county looks at alternatives as Middle Point Landfill approaches capacity by
ruTHErFOrd COuNTy iS TAKiNg a large stride towards solving its garbage collection and disposal issues through the establishment of a new county-run transfer station facility, expected to be open by this summer.
Area commercial haulers—many of whom currently use Middle Point Landfill—will soon be able to dispose of solid waste at the transfer station.
Presently all waste that is collected at the county’s convenience centers is taken to Middle Point Landfill in Walter Hill. When Middle Point closes, that waste will need to be transported to another landfill. Rutherford County has recently entered into a 15-year contract with Cedar Ridge, a Waste Management landfill in Marshall County. The transfer station will aggregate waste from area haulers before it is sent to the Cedar Ridge Landfill. The plant will be 12,000 square feet and have huge bay doors for easy entry of vehicles. A nightly cleaning regimen will ensure everything remains in pristine condition. Rather than act as a dump site, the transfer station will smash and quickly transport trash to its destination outside of the county.
Rutherford County Solid Waste Director Bishop Wagener refuted claims that the
e lish A n elson
county would face tax hikes by pursuing a plan to operate its own $20 million-plus solid waste transfer station, as the transfer station would generate revenue by charging fees to trash haulers, revenue that would offset some of the county’s solid waste budget, ensuring that the operation remains financially self-sustaining without negatively impacting taxpayers.
Plus, Rutherford County officials say they can make wait times shorter in comparison to those at Middle Point Landfill for local commercial trash haulers, and make trash drop-off fees lower.
The plan is to make the waste collection process more efficient and reduce the dependency of the area on the Middle Point Landfill, the largest landfill in the state of Tennessee.
Earlier this year, Republic Services announced a bold $1.1 billion proposal to expand Middle Point Landfill. Republic has announced its aims to purchase land adjacent to its landfill—land currently owned by Rutherford County—in order to expand and lengthen the life of Middle Point.
Its proposal includes the creation of a council to promote transparency between the company and the community. Republic has even suggested taking on the debt of
$26 million, which Rutherford County owes on the new transfer station and converting the site into a recycling and diversion center.
The vision for the future of the transfer station from Republic is to take recyclable materials, package them in bales, and then sell them as commodities.
In a heated discussion on WGNS Radio with Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr, Republic Services Area Director Mike Classen had this to say regarding the transfer station: “Instead of shipping garbage through it and shipping that garbage to another county who hopefully will accept it regardless of the cost, what we would propose to do is instead of hauling all of the recycling from county convenience centers all the way up to the north side of Nashville, through Nashville traffic and paying someone to transport it, we would ship the material in bulk at the transfer station, bale it and sell that as commodities to bring revenue into the county. We feel that there’s a better use for the transfer station, that it can generate revenue rather than a massive expense.”
Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland has been a vocal opponent of any expansion beyond current landfill activity.
“The city has been and continues to be strongly opposed to any expansion of
Murfreesboro is also conducting a feasibility study to determine the benefits of annexing the 809-acre property where the Middle Point Landfill is located. The annexation could give the city greater control over the operations of the landfill and even allow it to tax the property, which further justifies its position on municipal trash management issues.
Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr also remains strongly opposed to sale of county land to Republic in order to expand the local landfill.
“Do we want Rutherford County to have the world’s largest landfill? That’s where we’re headed,” Carr said. “My goal is to stop Republic from bringing in 700,000 tons of trash from surrounding counties. If the commission OKs Republic Services’ proposal to purchase county land, I will veto it.”
There is not a date set yet for the Rutherford County commission to vote on the sale of its land to Republic.
Creating a new landfill requires a lot of ground preparation, meaning removing topsoil and disturbing natural ecosystems. Mounting ecological pressure is putting more focus on reducing reliance on landfills. New waste management technologies are turning more towards recycling, composting, and even waste-to-energy systems, all designed to reduce the environmental burden of waste disposal. The issue of how Rutherford County will deal with its waste is far from solved, but the new transfer station opening soon could be a step towards a more efficient system, one that does not rely on the expansion of Middle Point Landfill and its pile of waste that is Walter Hill’s Mt. Trashmore.
To contact rutherford County Commissioners, visit http://rutherfordcountytn. gov/list_of_commissioner
opinion
Constitution Study by
pAul engel
The Corrupted Census
H Av E yo U r ECE
iv E d
A CENSUS
notification in the mail lately?
We’re all likely familiar with the decennial census, the enumeration of the population every 10 years, but this isn’t one of those years. While the census is an important part of the union, it’s been corrupted and used illegally for decades.
T HE C ENSUS
The need to enumerate the population comes from Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the Constitution. The rules regarding who is to be counted were changed in 1868 with the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.
— U.S. Constitution, Amendment XIV
The number of people who live in each state, as calculated by a census, determines how the members of the House of Representatives are apportioned to the states.
The process for this enumeration remains in Article I. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.
— U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 2, Clause 3
The first meeting of Congress took place in 1789, and the first census was conducted in 1790. The census has been conducted every 10 years since. However, this simple enumeration has been supplanted by a demographic inquisition.
The first question on the 2020 census was legitimate enough.
1. How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment,
or mobile home on April 1, 2020?
— 2020 Census Questionnaire
The second question is a bit confusing.
2. Were there any additional people staying here on April 1, 2020 that you did not include in Question 1?
If question 1 is to include everyone living or staying in a house, how can there be additional people staying there?
From there, things go far beyond an enumeration of people living in each state.
3. Is this house, apartment, or mobile home —
Owned by you or someone in this household with a mortgage or loan? Include home equity loans. Owned by you or someone in this household free and clear (without a mortgage or loan)?
Rented?
Occupied without payment of rent?
4. What is your telephone number?
— 2020 Census Questionnaire
Then the questionnaire gets personal.
5. Please provide information for each person living here.
6. What is Person 1’s sex?
7. What is Person 1’s age and what is Person 1’s date of birth?
8. Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?
9. What is Person 1’s race?
And this goes on for every person in the house. This in itself is a violation of the Constitution, but we’ll get into that later.
L ATEST Tr ANS gr ESS io N
While this decennial fishing expedition is bad enough, a few weeks ago I started receiving cards and letters from the U.S. Census Bureau. While this junk mail is an annoyance, the bold statement on the front, “Your response is required by law,” not
only grabbed my attention but pissed me off. This is not only a lie, but is itself criminal.
T ENTH A MEN d MENT
Let’s start with the fact that the United States isn’t allowed to enumerate the population whenever they want, only once every 10 years. As stated in the Tenth Amendment:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
— U.S. Constitution, Amendment X
Since the power to enumerate the population is not vested in the United States except for once every 10 years, that makes 13 USC §141(d) unconstitutional, invalid, and void.
. . . the Secretary, in the year 1985 and every 10 years thereafter, shall conduct a mid-decade census of population in such form and content as he may determine, including the use of sampling procedures and special surveys.
— 13 USC §141(d)
This also means that §193 is unconstitutional, invalid, and void as well.
In advance of, in conjunction with, or after the taking of each census provided for by this chapter, the Secretary may make surveys and collect such preliminary and supplementary statistics related to the main topic of the census.
— 13 USC §193
And that’s just the beginning.
f o U rTH A MEN d MENT
Both the demographic questions on the census and surveys are unconstitutional as well. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.
— U.S. Constitution, Amendment IV
There is a vast gulf between counting the population and asking about age, gender, race, who owns the dwelling and what is your telephone number. Since the United States doesn’t have a constitutionally sound reason to request such detailed information, it’s not reasonable to search for it.
f if TH AN d f ir ST A MEN d MENTS
Additionally, the census document states that “Your response is required by law,” suggesting the possibility of a criminal case. However, the Fifth Amendment states No person . . . shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself
You have a right to not answer questions from government officials.
The First Amendment protects the freedom of speech; freedom of speech is not only the right to speak, but the right not to speak. Anyone who attempts to enforce this intimidation tactic is committing a federal crime.
Co NCLUS io N
For my entire adult life, I’ve only answered a handful of questions on the census. My name, my address and the number of people who live in my house. Contrary to what it says on the census envelopes, not only is your response not required by any legitimate law, but the Bureau’s repeated searches for information is a violation of the law. Many people have simply thrown these pesky invasions in the trash. I am keeping them as evidence of their criminal activity. I’m considering sending a cease-anddesist letter to the Census Bureau, with a copy going to my state attorney general. I’m curious—would you join in such a letter?
Paul Engel is the founder of The Constitution Study, which encourages discourse. read more at constitutionstudy.com or contact him at paul@constitutionstudy.com
iT WAS AN HONOr TO WOrK WiTH our team to draft the Family Right to Educational Emancipation Act (FREE Act).
It was a historic piece of legislation that would have granted home-school families in Tennessee true educational freedom, yet it was immediately met with resistance by legislators who claim conservatism. Tennessee had the unique opportunity to make history this legislative session. And make history we did, but not in the way it might have been anticipated. Instead of going down in the history books as a state that recognizes the constitutional rights of parents, we went down in the books as a state that correlates home education with sex trafficking and child abuse.
how and why did this happen?
Rumblings of sex trafficking began swirling when we were alerted to the fact that Rep. Scott Cepicky began peddling propaganda that has been associated with the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE). This seemed like an odd position for a Republican representative to take, since this organization is notoriously left-leaning with ties to UNESCO.
CRHE recently participated in a closed door meeting with UNESCO regarding home schooling. This is the organization that influenced the draconian legislation targeting the home-school community in Illinois. I warned readers about the Coalition for Responsible Home Education and their Make Homeschool Safe Act earlier this year. Why would a supposedly constitutional Republican such as Cepicky be peddling notoriously unconstitutional left-leaning propaganda?
We made multiple trips to the Capitol before and while our bill was headed to committees. We made appointments with the legislators who were willing to meet with us. Several would not grant a meeting. We dropped off literature explaining the FREE Act and we capitalized on opportunities to approach and engage legislators in the hallways. We organized email and phone campaigns and we had constituents schedule local meetings with their legislators. By the time our bill made it to the Senate Education Committee, we had added two co-sponsors, with the promise of a “yes” vote from others on the committee.
During the hearing, legal counsel acknowledged there had been a clerical error on their part and Senator Bowling (the sponsor) asked that there be a voice
by tiffA ny boyd
Republican Lawmakers Vote to Kill the FREE Act
slater
Cepi C ky white reedy hurt
Stated That Homeschooling Parents Would Abu S e Their Children
amendment. Counsel stated it would be a simple fix but the chair (Senator Dawn White) refused to allow the voice amendment and rolled the bill a week.
Prior to the bill being filed, we had strategized that the bill needed movement in the Senate first. We knew the most resistance would come from the House. This placed the bill on the calendar to be heard in the House Education Administration Subcommittee the following week.
The House sponsor (Rep. Todd Warner) requested in writing on March 6 for the bill to be rolled a week in order for it to move back to the Senate. That request was denied by the chair (Rep. William Slater). When Rep. Warner challenged this decision, he was told he had already exhausted his opportunity to roll the bill. This was not the case since the bill had never been rolled in the House. The home-school community sprung into action, calling, emailing and texting Rep. Slater, encouraging him to honor the legislative process with integrity. We received no answer. Instead, Slater proceeded to deny Rep. Warner his legislative privileges and the bill was heard.
During that committee meeting, Rep. Slater referenced a letter written by Juvenile Judge Andy Brigham drawing anecdotal comparisons between our bill and child abuse. The committee, composed predominantly of Republican legislators— William Slater, Scott Cepicky, Mark White, Chris Hurt and Jay Reedy—who all claimed they believed in parental choice and a parent’s right to educate their children as they
mittee and their voices were silenced on the floor. Both the House and Senate sponsors of the FREE Act voted against the Education Freedom Scholarship Act. Strike two for the Free Act. Our legislature is bought and sold by lobbyists, but another more concerning issue in the people’s house is the individuals elected to serve. Tennessee, with its Republican controlled legislature, is actually a holding pen of communist tyrants who believe that big brother knows best. They certainly are not conservative or constitutionalists. This was strike three for the FREE Act.
Do we consider this experience a loss?
Absolutely not. I said from the beginning that there is no losing because if the bill fails, it will draw a definitive line in the sand. Now we know which legislators stand squarely against parents, families, and freedom. Vote accordingly.
see fit, killed the bill in committee. What did this tell us? It told us that what they really meant was that the only “choice” they believe in is one controlled by the government.
I hope families are paying attention. Outcry from the community has been great regarding the FREE Act, but outcry isn’t enough. We must learn to be proactive instead of reactive. The home-school community can not sit and wait on someone or some organization to be the sole protector of their freedoms. They must get engaged. If an organization or individual is telling you to allow them to handle the discussions or wait for them to negotiate, that is a red flag. It is irresponsible to not encourage families to participate in the legislative process. Read the bills and contact your legislators.
I highly encourage every family to show up in person for committee meetings, but if you can’t do that, contact your senators and representatives and set up meetings with them locally in your district. They need to see the faces of the families that their actions affect.
It is no secret that Free YOUR Children has been very vocal in regard to the scheme to globalize education via the Education Freedom Scholarship Act in Tennessee. That was strike one for the FREE Act. The Education Freedom Scholarship Act was Governor Lee’s pet project and anyone in opposition was destined to pay the price for not bowing to the golden calf. Legislators who refused to do the Governor’s bidding lost committee appointments and their legislative influence was stifled. Their bills were killed in com-
Supporters will bring the Family Right to Educational Emancipation Act back again next year. Tennessee has had decades to improve home-school freedom, yet it took the Free YOUR Children volunteer team to draft and run the FREE Act. Moms and dads invested in our children and yours. It is not what we say but what we do—and we did. We will continue to expose legislators who refuse to recognize the rights of parents in Tennessee. We will continue to expose the legislators who are invested in the globalization of education. We are not going away.
how can you help?
Get involved. Visit our website at freeyourchildren.com and sign up for the Free Your Children newsletter, volunteer, and please consider donating if you feel the work we do is important. Follow us on all of our social media platforms. You can find Free Your Children on X, YouTube, Rumble, Substack, Facebook and Instagram. Free Your Children is not funded by multi-million dollar organizations and individuals. It is a true grass-roots collective doing the work when others won’t. We need your help to continue fighting for your freedoms.
Tiffany Boyd is the founder of Free yOur Children, a homeschool advocate, consultant, speaker and the founder and administrator of Middle Tennessee Christian Homeschool Connection. She holds a B.S. degree in interdisciplinary studies from MTSu. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and a former tenured public school teacher. She and her husband have home educated for 18 years. Contact her by emailing freeyourchildren@gmail.com.
d igital Spring Cleaning
r eclaim your o
nline
l ife
SPriNg iS HErE, which means it’s time for some spring cleaning!
Remember when spring cleaning only referred to sorting through old items to decide what to give away, or giving your home a deep, thorough cleaning that went beyond routine chores—dusting, cleaning windows and de-cluttering—to symbolize a fresh start?
When I heard Drifting on a memory, ain’t no place I’d rather be early on Saturday morning, I knew I would be cleaning before I could do anything else. Something about nostalgic songs like that smooth ’70s hit by The Isley Brothers puts me in the mood for fresh starts and clean spaces.
many places their data can be found. Your information might be stored in cloud accounts like Google Drive or iCloud. It can be on old devices gathering dust in drawers and closets, in your downloads folder, and gallery screenshots on your phone. Forgotten accounts on websites you haven’t visited in years can also hold your data. Don’t forget those former service providers who still have your records, and even that “someday” pile of physical papers waiting to be organized. Did you know that in 2023 alone, over 17 billion records were exposed to data breaches?
tech talk
by byron glenn
Today, though, our lives extend far beyond physical spaces. Our personal information is not just in our homes but scattered across countless digital locations: some that are used daily, while others are long forgotten. Old social media accounts, shopping websites from one-time purchases, and apps downloaded on a whim create a sprawling digital footprint.
I recently spoke about digital cleanup with Anisa Williams, a marketing specialist at Business System Solutions. She shared an eye-opening perspective: “Information is power, and your information, left unsecured, can be sold to the highest bidder. Take your power back by knowing where your personal information is kept.”
Many don’t realize how many “digital footprints” they leave behind, Anisa explained.
“Each app, each online account, and each cloud service you sign up for becomes another location where your data resides— and potentially another vulnerability.”
Most people are surprised to learn how
can access your Google or Apple accounts through the privacy settings. Keep in mind that your data is valuable. Even after you stop using an app, it may still access and use your data for its purposes, depending on the app’s permissions and policies.
Once your digital space is de-cluttered, strengthen what remains. Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts, create strong and unique passwords, and update your privacy settings on social media.
Make this a family activity by challenging everyone to delete 10 unused apps, unsub -
scribe from 15 email lists, and update passwords for their five most important accounts. The first to complete all tasks gets to choose movie night!
While this may not completely clean up your digital footprint, taking some action is better than doing nothing.
Byron glenn is the Sales and Marketing Manager with Business System Solutions; if you are looking for iT-managed services for your business, visit bssconsulting.com or call 615-400-8595.
Many of these breaches occurred through accounts people had completely forgotten they created. That fitness app you downloaded in January and used twice? That online store where you made a one-time purchase? Each represents a potential vulnerability.
The good news is that reclaiming control of your digital life doesn’t require technical expertise—only some dedicated time and attention.
Start with the devices you use every day. Surveys suggest that the average smartphone has around 80 apps installed, but most people use fewer than 10 on a regular basis.
Next, tackle your accumulated content. Unsubscribe from emails you no longer read, remove personal information from people-finder websites, and delete blurry or duplicate photos that take up storage. If you’re syncing to cloud services, review what’s being saved automatically. Don’t forget those old accounts. Log in and delete them properly—not just the app. Check what third-party services
vols Can’t Break Through to f inal f our
THE TrAiN dAddy iS BACK with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard!
It never fails to amaze me how quickly life seems to fly by. The madness of March has just wrapped up and, as we head into April, we look to the beauty of another Tennessee summer! It’s near perfection here in the Yee-Yee, minus the flying insects and sticky humidity—the best state in America, bet that!
It was tough watching Rick Barnes’ squad get smashed by Houston in the Elite 8. Another year added to the UT resume and still no Final 4 appearances, as the haters remind us Vols fans often.
There is disappointment in that loss, but have no doubt, there is also achievement to be celebrated. I would have preferred a historic advancement, but making it to the Elite 8 in backto-back years is no small thing, and knocking Kentucky out of the tournament was beautiful for the Vols.
This basketball team will look very different next season. I feel like
I have been watching Zakai Zeigler play ball for a decade! The beloved point guard certainly will be missed next year in Knoxville.
This has been one of the best stretches in Vols basketball history under Coach Rick Barnes. How many more years does the 70-year-old coach have left in the tank? Coach Barnes is a rare breed of coach in this new era of college basketball. The man still finds success and seems to genuinely love the game even with this massive evolution of college basketball from NIL to the transfer portal. I can appreciate that in Barnes, because many of the older dogs refused to learn new tricks and yet here he is grinding and still finding success.
Vols basketball certainly will have to find younger blood soon, but I’ll ride the Barnes train for as long as he is willing to lead this team.
I love Vol Nation and the energy this fandom brings. This school has truly been put on the map as a contender in every sport. From football to basketball to baseball and everything
in between, there is pride in Big Orange that will only continue to grow. Alright, enough Tennessee Vols talk; let’s move on to some Tennessee Titans talk. The NFL Draft is nearing, set to take place in 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at Lambeau Field.
Round 1 begins on Thursday, April 24, with rounds 2 and 3 the following day and rounds 4 through 7 taking place on Saturday the 26th. College football’s top prospects will be selected by the league’s 32 teams, with a total of 257 players being selected. The selection order is the reverse order of finishing place from the previous season. That means the team that sucked the most starts with the number one pick! It just so happens our Tennessee Titans were that team.
I am a massive sports fan, that’s no secret. I have love for Vols athletics to the Nashville Predators to the Atlanta Braves. I often find myself at MTSU games cheering loudly for the hometown ’Boro squad. Catch me at a Sounds game or a Nashville Soccer Club match. Passion follows me!
But nothing would come close to mattering to me as much as the Titans winning it all. That would be the crown jewel of my fandom.
Twenty-plus years of almost never missing a Titans game, cheering with family and friends who are almost as crazy as me. Some of those people aren’t with us anymore. Rest in peace! When the fandom hits that hard, there certainly will be a feeling of completion if the Titans can ever deliver.
Enough of all that emotional stuff! Who will the Tennessee Titans take with the number one overall pick in less than a month? I feel, as does just about every Titans fan out there, that the writing is on the wall and it’s all but official: Cam Ward, quarterback out of Miami, will be the number one pick.
Abdul Carter, Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, or even trading the pick away may have been given some odds early on, but I feel like they are shrinking to nothing. Cam Ward excelled in his recent pro day as scouts around the league were left in awe. He has taken the number one spot on nearly every expert’s board for good reasons.
The kid is poised and has an arm. This isn’t a case similar to the Colts’ QB Anthony Richardson, the glorified combine quarterback who did very little onfield in college. Sure, he ran fast and jumped high at the combine and was overhyped to the moon. AR has been brought back down to earth, though, struggling to complete 50% of his passes with a play style that equals injury. I don’t care how young AR is or what development is needed, the kid has a noodle for an arm and heavily relies on his feet.
I would 100% take Will Levis to start another season over the likes of AR. Levis at least showed some promise as a rookie, even if he appears to have a jelly bean for a brain and a lack of situational awareness.
I don’t think Levis is the answer as a franchise QB1, but I do believe he has staying power in the league as a potential jour-
neyman. Regardless, I believe the Titans are done with him. It could be worse; you could be the Colts, stuck with AR for another year and bringing in Daniel Jones to babysit. Mark my words, Jones will steal that job from AR soon, and that’s just a testament to how bad AR is.
So, be excited Titan nation! I get that we have problem areas all over this team. You don’t end up with the worst record in the NFL if that’s not the case.
My money is on the team bringing in this exciting young QB who very well could become the face of this franchise right on the heels of opening that big, beautiful new stadium.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 223-pound QB out of Miami puts top-level velocity on his throws. Arm strength isn’t just about how far downfield you can launch it. Many experts would argue velocity is even more important with some of the shorter throws, allowing you to hit those tight windows quickly.
Cam isn’t a log in the pocket, either, when things break down. He can make plays out of nothing. Titans fans will appreciate a QB who can thrive in the pocket, and Cam showed he has that ability to be a natural, accurate passer.
This franchise has a rough history with QBs. Ryan Tannehill gave us some good, and some bad, memories, and I miss him at times. The truth is, the last real QB this franchise had was Steve McNair, and that was far too many years ago.
This franchise is thirsty for a young signal caller who can thrive and give hope to the future, making Cam Ward the obvious front-runner in this draft class. Time is ticking away, and I am sure the speculation will ramp up until the Titans finally take the stage April 24. Alright, that’s all I have for you! I am looking forward to the next issue that comes out right after the conclusion of the draft. I will be able to break down all the picks and look at the state of the team after the draft. The Train is rolling into the station. Titan Up!
aS The olD SaYing goeS , “don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.” This is especially true when planning for your family’s future. While it may not happen every day in your life, the loss of a loved one is a reality for many. It’s a common belief that the most valuable asset you have is your home, but the ability to earn an income is often the most valuable asset. If that goes away, what does that mean for your loved ones? I met with someone about a year ago and he told me that he just doesn’t see anything happening to him. While he may be correct, unforeseen deaths occur daily and if you aren’t prepared, you could be leaving your family in a terrible financial situation.
Putting Family First
A colleague posed a powerful question: If you were to pass
away, would you want your spouse to remarry for love or for financial security? If you don’t leave your spouse in a good financial situation, they could end up living with their parents, losing your home that you worked hard for, or worse, left with nowhere to go. Depending on your stage of life, this may involve life, disability, or long-term care insurance. You don’t want to leave your family in a bad situation as a result of unintended circumstances. Be sure you have the proper protection in place.
Spell o ut Your wishes
Avoid placing the burden of critical decisions on grieving family members. Differing opinions among family members can lead to disputes and damaged relationships if your wishes are not clearly documented.
A lack of planning can result in your intended heirs never receiving your legacy. Here is how that can happen. Let’s say you pass away and your spouse inherits everything. That may be exactly what you want to happen, but what happens if they get remarried? If they also don’t plan and they pass away, their next spouse could inherit all of the assets you worked so hard for. Then they could potentially leave everything they have to their children or whomever they like better than your children or heirs. Your intentions would be nullified. Instead, people you never met get to inherit what you worked so hard for. Your children or grandchildren may be in a situation where they are powerless to do anything to receive the legacy you wanted for them. With the proper planning, that doesn’t need to happen. Consider using life insurance to provide for your children and grandchildren, while your spouse manages your existing assets. Perhaps you want to leave land or a home to the next generation, but you want to make sure that they can’t kick your spouse out of the home. Through proper estate planning, you can grant your spouse life rights to the property and establish a trust for the proceeds if it’s sold.
Unintended Consequences
If you don’t have a spouse or children, you may think this doesn’t apply to you, but it still does. What happens to your assets if you aren’t here tomorrow?
diSCLAiMEr: This article is not tax, legal or financial advice. Every person’s situation is different. To discuss your personal situation, feel free to reach out to Sean at 615-619-6919, email smoran@redbarnfinancial.com or schedule a meeting at calendly.com/spmoran
investment advisory services offered through Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC (HTK), registered investment Adviser, Member SiPC, 800-873-7637, htk.com. red Barn Financial is unaffiliated with HTK. HTK does not offer tax or legal advice. Always consult a qualified adviser regarding your individual circumstances.
Even if you have no strong preferences, do you wish for a sibling, charity or friend to inherit your assets? Without clear instructions, a judge will determine the distribution of your assets. Maybe you have a sibling that you haven’t spoken to in years and don’t want your assets going to. If you don’t make it clear that you don’t want them to get a dime, and
they are the only relative you have left, you can’t stop them if you didn’t specify in writing that you don’t want them to receive your inheritance. Proactive planning is essential. Documenting your wishes ensures they are fulfilled. Feel free to reach out if you need help on what steps to take to make sure your legacy is as you intend.
HOME BREWING
Live Exceptionally...Well!
by Jennifer durAnd
r eimagined wellness
a combination of mats to work your entire body at once. The static pressure results in release of tense areas, and releases stored toxins. Sessions of 15–25 minutes are optimal.
infrared leD light Therapy
SUPPorTive TheraPieS for making you look and feel better have been around for ages. Many people have not heard of them, however, let alone experienced them. Several franchise-type establishments are springing up that are beginning to highlight many therapies, but most only offer one type per operation. This makes the cost of such treatments rather pricey, which also minimizes the types or number of treatments that an individual can take advantage of. Many are membershipbased, which can save you money over time versus singular sessions. But this can end up locking you into treatments that you don’t end up using after the initial enthusiasm wears off.
how do you know what you need?
Start by doing your research and asking questions. How long have they been in their industry? Where did they get their education, license or certifications? Do they use the treatments they prescribe or recommend, and why? Are personal testimonials available? What are the results that people experience with each kind of therapy?
I am going to highlight some of my favorite “passive” therapies that provide outstanding results when used properly. I consider passive therapies to be those that don’t cause you to exert a lot of physical energy.
Massage
Light therapy has been around since the late 19th century. LED light therapy was used by NASA to grow plants in space. Navy SEALS use light therapy to help heal wounds more quickly. The light provides different wavelengths to stimulate powerful healing, repair and regeneration of damaged cells. Red light rejuvenates skin by spurring collagen and elastin fiber growth, smoothing wrinkles, tightening skin, improving skin tone and reducing pigmentation. It supports pain relief, reduces inflammation and enhances skin health. Consistent use is optimal in order to target issues and speed the process of results. Once results are achieved, occasional maintenance is all that is needed. Half-hour sessions for the body are recommended; 15–30 minutes for the face.
TheraBody Smart goggles
Massage is a passive therapy, but also a mild workout on the muscles—you just aren’t the one exerting the workout. Blood flow, lymph (the body’s natural waste process) and cell regeneration are all stimulated with massage. It is a good practice to soak in a hot bath after you’ve had a massage (just prior to going to bed or resting is optimal), to help minimize soreness and speed muscle recovery.
“Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel.” — Kevin Trudeau
acupressure Mat
Are you familiar with the “bed of nails” that originated over 1,000 years ago, used by gurus for meditation and mind-over-matter demonstrations? A more modern spinoff (and less intimidating) form of the bed of nails is the acupressure mat, such as the Pranamat. It has hard, lotus-shaped points covering the mat. When you lie on the mat, preferably with no clothing on, it will target points all over the body simultaneously. The benefits of this therapy are increased blood flow, pain relief and other pleasant bodily sensations. It can minimize stress, improve your mood, boost energy levels, and tone tissue and skin. You can isolate areas to treat or use
Who says you can’t put massage fingers into a tool that works at your command? A great patented tool that offers a blacked-out eye area plus temple massage for relaxation, headache relief, better sleep and stress reduction, this supports deeper relaxation with gentle compression massage targeting forehead, brows and temples. SoundWaves are optional (highly recommend) to add to the mesmeric sensation of being temporarily transported out of your head and into your being. This can be done daily or weekly, with as little as a 10-minute session producing maximum benefits.
“Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos—the trees, the clouds, everything.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
vibrational Toning
Vibrational therapy has a long history dating back to the ancient Greeks. It has evolved over the decades into a more modern and convenient version. It has a low impact on organs, muscles and bones, yet delivers an excellent return on increasing tone and flexibility. Spending 10 minutes on the machine can be the equivalent of a 60-minute workout!
Jennifer durand is the owner and operator of The Nurture Nook day Spa & gift Shoppe. Visit nurturenook.com or facebook.com/nurturenookdayspa or call 615-896-7110 for more information.
PHOTO COURTESY OF A RINA K RASNIKOVA / PE x ELS
The Webb School in Bell Buckle Named ‘Best Private Boarding School in Tennessee’
The Webb School, one of Tennessee’s longestablished private schools, is marking its legacy as a leader in character-driven education for grades 6-12 Nestled in the idyllic town of Bell Buckle, TN, The Webb School has shaped generations of students since its founding in 1870 by renowned educator Sawney Webb The school remains committed to providing a rigorous academic curriculum infused with core values of honor, integrity, and respect principles that guide its students as they prepare to become leaders in an ever-changing world
This last December, Best in Review Magazine named The Webb School as 2024's Best Private Boarding School in Tennessee, citing these five key factors :
Exceptional Academics: 100% college acceptance rate, 9:1 student-faculty ratio Diversity and Inclusion: 40% students of color from 12 states and 25 countries
Breathtaking Campus: 150 scenic acres in Bell Buckle, TN, outdoor classrooms
Time-Honored Traditions: Programs that develop confidence and leadership
Focus on Holistic Growth: Webb balances academics, arts, and athletics
What Are Alumni Saying?
“Think back to the step ahead that you had of your colleagues in college or in the workforce because of that very fundamental learning that you had at Webb That’s what Webb does ”
Accolades and awards from Niche, Best in Review Magazine, and Finding Schools highlight Webb’s ability to deliver high-tier education while maintaining its close-knit, community-focused atmosphere
One parent stated, “The Webb School has provided an atmosphere that has given my child the ability to grow personally, academically, and in sports It’s a wonderful environment for educating the next generation ”
The academic program is heralded for developing future leaders, offering 16 AP courses, an on-site Learning Center, and unique electives, including robotics, mock trial, and Model U N Webb boasts a strong athletics program with multiple state champions from 18 different sports Students can also spread their wings through the fine arts programs, including choir, orchestra, pottery, piano, and theater
The Webb School continues a tradition of leadership development for 6th-12th graders through academics, athletics, and the arts
