August 10, 2023

James Lawson High School welcomes first students in inaugural year

BY MATT MASTERS

Students entered Bellevue’s new James Lawson High School for the first day of classes on Aug. 8. The school was officially launched in July with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The $124-million, 307,000-square-foot school replaces Hillwood High School and is named after civil rights leader Rev. James Lawson who participated in nonviolent protests against segregation in Nashville and throughout the American South in the 1960s.

Freddie O’Connell, Alice Rolli to face off in mayoral runoff

BY STEPHEN ELLIOTT

After a rainy Election Day that some observers worried would depress turnout, mayoral candidates Freddie O’Connell and Alice Rolli are headed to a runoff next month.

O’Connell, the two-term District 19 Metro councilmember, finished in first place, with 27 percent of the vote as of 9:30 p.m. Rolli, a Republican strategist, bested former Metro official Matt Wiltshire and state Sen. Jeff Yarbro for the second spot in the runoff.

Though Wiltshire, O’Connell and AtLarge Metro Councilmember Sharon Hurt launched their bids for mayor last year, the race kicked into higher gear in January, when Mayor John Cooper announced he would not seek a second term (this despite having already been endorsed by the police and fire unions and having started fundraising for the expected campaign).

Soon after Cooper’s announcement, several candidates entered the race or said they were considering it. Jim Gingrich, a retired AllianceBernstein executive who moved to Nashville in 2018, announced his bid for mayor, running in part on opposition to construction of a new Titans stadium. He spent more than $2 million before dropping out in July, citing lagging poll numbers.

State Sens. Jeff Yarbro and Heidi

Campbell, both Nashville Democrats, launched campaigns too, though the ongoing state legislative session hampered their ability to begin campaigning and fundraising in earnest.

Rolli, who has worked on Republican campaigns and for former GOP Gov. Bill Haslam, ran on a platform of limited spending and support for the police. Though her campaign was slow to catch on, she eventually appeared to successfully consolidate much of the city’s conservative voting block — which traditionally has not been large enough to win a countywide race but can be sufficient in helping a candidate reach a runoff in a crowded field of leftleaning contenders.

Davidson County Property Assessor Vivian Wilhoite announced her campaign in April, a month before the qualifying deadline, and struggled to raise the money necessary to run a competitive campaign.

Others who qualified to be on the ballot were former school board member Fran Bush, former Republican congressional candidate Natisha Brooks, Bernie Cox and Stephanie Johnson.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

“We will be forever grateful to Rev. Lawson for the courage, leadership, resilience, dignity, and passion for social justice that he displayed over and over and over again,” Metro Nashville Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle said.

The state-of-the-art campus can accommodate up to 1,600 students and has more than 150 teachers and staff members.

“There’s been a lot of planning, but we didn’t want to do it all because we want that student group to have a large say,” Principal Dr. Stephen Sheaffer said of forging the school’s identity.

The school features multiple visual art and music rooms, a 500-seat auditorium, 1,600-seat gymnasium, as well as soccer, football and baseball fields.

The campus also includes outdoor courtyards and utilizes a geothermal heating and cooling system, a 75-kilowatt solar array on top of the school, and a partial green roof.

Students have the ability to learn more hands-on, technical skills in various fields, including a culinary arts kitchen and medical classrooms and labs featuring a life-size ambulance patient compartment and multiple life-like medical mannequins of both humans and a dog.

“We’ve been looking forward to it, hoping our daughter would get in sooner, but with Covid and everything, it got delayed, but I’m just happy that she gets at least one year here,” Bellevue resident and parent Danny Spence told The News. “It’s great for the kids to get this experience.”

Visitors tour Nashville’s new James Lawson High School on July 29, 2023, during an open house event.

PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS

Freddie O’Connell

PHOTO BY ANGELINA CASTILLO Alice Rolli PHOTO BY ERIC ENGLAND

Zulfat Suara wins at-large seat, four seats open in runoff

BY STEPHEN ELLIOTT

Of the 21 candidates for five at-large seats on the Metro Council, only incumbent Zulfat Suara secured the 10 percent of votes required to win a seat outright and avoid a runoff.

Eight candidates will vie for the remaining four countywide posts.

In order, the next eight candidates in the at-large race who will face off in September are District 29 Metro Councilmember Delishia Porterfield, incumbent At-Large Metro Councilmember Burkley Allen, former Vanderbilt engineer Olivia Hill, Metro assistant principal Howard Jones, attorney Quin Evans-Segall, District 25 Metro Councilmember Russ Pulley, hot sauce entrepreneur Chris Cheng and District 15 Metro Councilmember Jeff Syracuse.

Among those who missed the cut were community organizer Arnold Hayes, former mayor’s office official Marcia Masulla, Yolanda Hockett and comedian and writer Chris Crofton.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Aftyn Behn wins House District 51 Democratic primary

BY ALEJANDRO RAMIREZ

Behn previously told the Scene’s sister publication the Nashville Post that a key goal if elected would be helping the caucus organize ahead of 2024 in order to get more Democrats elected to the state legislature, where they are in the superminority in both chambers

“I have worked to elect Democrats up and down the ballot across the state,” she said. “I really look at my role as shifting from an outside agitator to an inside organizer and colleague in order to win some seats in 2024 so we can actually pass some progressive policies.”

The Metro Council appointed Davis to the seat following Beck’s death — Behn accused the body of “tipping the scales” ahead of the election.

In addition to his two terms on Metro Council representing District 7 from 2011 to 2019, Davis is president and owner of East Nashville Beer Works.

Behn has been a fixture at the state Capitol advocating for progressive causes and protesting against various Republican agendas. She is the campaign director for progressive group Rural Organizing and a former organizer with Indivisible and Tennessee Justice Center.

Justin Jones wins House District 52 seat — again

BY BRADEN SIMMONS

Organizer Aftyn Behn will likely be the next representative for House District 51, defeating interim rep and former Metro Councilmember Anthony Davis. Behn is the presumed successor of the late Rep. Bill Beck, who died in June.

She will face Republican David Hooven in the general election on Sept. 14, the same date as Metro runoff elections.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

Justin Jones has been reelected to represent District 52 in the state House. Jones defeated Republican challenger Laura Nelson and ensuring his return to Capitol Hill.

The House district’s special election was a result of Jones’ removal from office earlier this year by the body’s Republican supermajority following his support of gunreform protests at the state Capitol. Jones — who, alongside fellow Democratic Reps. Gloria Johnson and Justin Pearson, was part of the so-called Tennessee Three — was quickly reappointed to the House in April

in an interim capacity by Nashville’s Metro Council. But he had to win his seat again — first in an uncontested Democratic primary, and again in the Aug. 3 general election — in order to complete his term.

Jones raised more than $1 million following the expulsion, far more than is necessary for the typical state House race.

With this victory Jones will now serve out the rest of his first term representing the district that includes southwest Davidson County and a sliver of East Nashville.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

Justin Jones PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS

Aftyn Behn PHOTO COURTESY OF THE AFTYN BEHN CAMPAIGN

Zulfat Suara

Burkley Allen Chris Cheng

Delishia Porterfield Russ Pulley

Olivia Hill

Howard Jones

Quin Evans-Segall

Jeff Syracuse

Angie Henderson beats incumbent Jim Shulman in vice mayoral race

BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

A new vice mayor will lead the Metro Council as Angie Henderson has been elected to the seat.

Henderson secured 52 percent of the vote, beating incumbent Vice Mayor Jim Shulman.

Shulman has served as vice mayor since he was elected in a 2018 special election. The following year he won a full four-year term. He had previously represented the Green Hills area on Metro Council from 1999 to 2007 and served as an at-large Metro councilmember from 2015 to 2018.

Henderson has served two four-year terms representing District 34 on the Metro Council. She was term-limited and opted to challenge Shulman for the position, largely responsible for running Metro Council meetings and first in line of succession in the case of the death or resignation of the mayor.

“I think it is very important to speak with all incoming councilmembers and to understand their background in service; their background professionally; their primary concerns,” Henderson said earlier this year about how she would lead the council.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Yellow Corp. faces legal fight related to recent layoffs

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

After recently administering significant layoffs and now facing potential bankruptcy, troubled Nashville trucking and logistics company Yellow Corp. is battling a classaction lawsuit from four former employees.

Filed in the United States District Court in the Middle District of Tennessee, the four plaintiffs in the suit allege Yellow management failed to provide proper notice (60 days) related to the layoffs and as required by U.S. Department of Labor regulations.

An unknown number of Yellow employees were laid off in late July, with the company having previously been home to about 30,000 workers nationwide.

The plaintiffs — Ricky Adcock, Matthew Brewer, Michael Cottrell and Johnny Martinez — have filed the suit on behalf of all Yellow employees who had their jobs terminated on July 30.

The plaintiffs are seeking a court judgment including 60 days worth of wages and benefits, litigation costs and attorneys’ fees “to the fullest extent” permitted under the federal WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) Act, the lawsuit notes.

Nashville law firm Herzfeld, Suetholz, Gastel, Leniski and Wall is representing the plaintiffs. Focused on workers’ rights, the firm was created earlier this year via a split with partners of longtime Nashville law firm Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings.

Though two additional lawsuits have been filed in Delaware related to the Yellow layoffs, the suit involving the four former employees is the only one brought by workers representing each of Yellow’s four operating subsidiaries, Joe Leniski, a member of the firm, emailed the Post.

“This lawsuit is a crucial step in protecting and enforcing the rights of the Yellow workforce, which is still reeling from this news,” Leniski said. “Without exception, these layoffs were entirely foreseeable, and the required notice should have been provided for the benefit of these workers, their families, and the communities in which they live.”

Yellow officials could not be reached for comment regarding the lawsuit.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Angie Henderson PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ANGIE HENDERSON CAMPAIGN

Winners and losers from Metro Council district races

DISTRICT 12

Erin Evans (I)

DISTRICT 13

Russ Bradford (I)

DISTRICT 14

Jordan Huffman- 1786

R.J. Mamula- 320

DISTRICT 15

Jeff Gregg- 2237

Dan Jones- 750

DISTRICT 16

Ginny Welsch (I)- 1000

Alexa Little- 906

DISTRICT 17

Tonya Esquibel- 396

Teaka Jackson- 697

Terry Vo- 1272

DISTRICT 18

DISTRICT 25

David Ackerman- 1549

Jeff Preptit- 2438

Rolando Toyos- 297

DISTRICT 26

Courtney Johnston (I)

DISTRICT 27

Robert Nash (I)

WDISTRICT 28

David Benton- 557

Travis London- 366

DISTRICT 29

*Tasha Ellis- 911

Jama Mohamed- 268

*John Reed- 484

Michele Vetter- 382

DISTRICT 30

Sandra Sepulveda (I)

All 35 Metro Council districts were up for grabs Thursday.

Here are the results with all votes tallied.

* denotes candidates heading to a runoff

DISTRICT 1

Ruby Baker- 681

Sean Dailey- 125

Rob Harris- 413

Joy Kimbrough- 2115

Timothy Thompson- 208

DISTRICT 2

Kyonztè Toombs (I)

DISTRICT 3

Jennifer Gamble (I)

DISTRICT 4

*Davette Blalock- 1378

*Mike Cortese- 1325

Brian Sullivan- 543

DISTRICT 5

Sean Parker (I)- 2079

Terri Klingner- 620

DISTRICT 6

Clay Capp- 2739

Brandes Holcomb- 140

Daniel McDonell- 1982

DISTRICT 7

Emily Benedict (I)- 3598

Danny Williams- 486

DISTRICT 8

Martez Coleman- 803

Deonte Harrell- 865

DISTRICT 9

Tonya Hancock (I)- 940

Stephanie Montenegro- 906

DISTRICT 10

Zach Young (I)- 1121

Jennifer Webb- 1399

DISTRICT 11

Joe Delucas- 111

Sherard Edington- 644

*Jeff Eslick- 1142

*Eric Patton- 1086

Tom Cash (I)- 1836

Angus Purdy- 781

DISTRICT 19

Jasper Hendricks III- 377

Jacob Kupin- 1211

Jonathan Turner- 309

DISTRICT 20

Scott Gillihan- 559

Rollin Horton- 1629

DISTRICT 21

Brandon Taylor (I)- 1105

Jamel Campbell-Gooch- 538

DISTRICT 22

Sheri Weiner

DISTRICT 23

Thom Druffel (I)- 3544

Lisa Williams- 1050

DISTRICT 24

Brenda Gadd

Racetrack proposal on hold until next term

BY STEPHEN ELLIOTT

One of Mayor John Cooper’s top priorities for the end of his term will be inherited instead by his successor.

The Metro Council will not consider a $160 million plan to renovate the Fairgrounds Speedway before the end of this term later this year. A final vote was already seen as unlikely, as it would have required specialcalled meetings due to time constraints.

“We’ve got great community support and support in the council. There just simply

aren’t enough meetings left in the current term for the council to fully consider this, when you factor in the election and all of the other things going on,” Bristol Motor Speedway President Jerry Caldwell said Tuesday via The Tennessean.

Election Day on Thursday, followed by runoffs next month, will determine the new mayor and council. Few candidates have expressed outright enthusiasm for making Cooper’s plan a priority in the new term. A

spokesperson for Cooper did not respond to a request for comment.

At a public meeting late last month, supporters and opponents sparred over the proposal, debating the cost, the city’s priorities and neighborhood impacts of a plan that is geared at bringing top-tier NASCAR races back to the Nashville track.

Added John Spragens, president of the Coalition Against Racetrack Expansion:

“We want to thank people from all across

DISTRICT 31

Dia Hart- 742

John Rutherford (I)- 1040

DISTRICT 32

Joy Styles (I)

DISTRICT 33

Antoinette Lee (I)

DISTRICT 34

Luke Elliott- 1416

Sandy Ewing- 2979

DISTRICT 35

Carson Smart- 637

Jason Spain- 2852

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Metro for making their voices heard. This proposed racetrack deal was flawed from the start. The proposal did not fit the track and the finances did not work. We’re glad everyone involved now has a chance to evaluate what could work for this historic facility.”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Campaign signs outside of a Nashville voting precinct PHOTO BY ELIZABETH JONES

Room In The Inn founder Charles Strobel dies at 80

BY D. PATRICK RODGERS

Beloved priest, homeless outreach advocate and native Nashvillian Father Charles Strobel died on Sunday. He was 80 years old.

Strobel

known as the founding

director of Room In The Inn, a street outreach organization he started in 1985 while serving as pastor of Holy Name Catholic Church in East Nashville. Since 1995 the nonprofit has operated from a

space on Drexel Street near downtown Nashville, and under Strobel’s leadership it has grown to include scores of participating congregations and thousands of volunteers.

Born in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood during World War II, Strobel attended Father Ryan High School before entering the seminary. As he told Kay West when he was named the Scene’s Nashvillian of the Year in 2004, Strobel in part poured himself into serving the unhoused community as a means of coping with his mother’s tragic murder in the mid-’80s.

“Looking back, I think that the homeless helped save my life,” said Strobel, who at the time asked that his mother’s killer not receive the death penalty. “It’s like when children get sick; the mother can’t get sick, because she has to care for her children. I was so depressed, I would have stayed in bed if I hadn’t heard them calling at the gate, ‘Please, let me in.’”

Strobel was an enormous baseball fan and a giant in the world of advocacy, serving on the boards of organizations including natural burial site Larkspur Conservation at Taylor Hollow.

“Charlie is a natural in this life, in this world,” Strobel’s friend and colleague, the Rev. Becca Stevens, told the Scene in

2004. “That’s why he moves freely with the homeless as well as with people of power. He walks with grace and is unafraid to speak the truth. If you know him for any length of time, he will eventually ask you where you are in the Scriptures. That’s where he lives.”

Room In The Inn announced Strobel’s death via social media on Sunday, referencing a passage from the Gospel of Matthew.

“‘Well done, good and faithful servant,’” reads RITI’s post. “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our founding director, Father Charles Strobel. Charlie passed away peacefully this morning. We are so grateful for his life and for his legacy. May he rest in peace. A Community Celebration will be held in the coming weeks.”

Strobel was preceded in death by his sister Veronica and is survived by his brother Jerry, his sister Alice and many nieces and nephews.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

built

Charles Strobel

PHOTO BY HOLY NAME CATHOLIC CHURCH

James Lawson High School

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Students arrive at Nashville’s new James Lawson High School for the first day of school on Aug. 8.

PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS

Metro Nashville Government and Metro Nashville Schools officials take part in a ribbon cutting at Nashville’s new James Lawson High School on July 27.

PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS

The James Lawson High School band performs at the new school’s ribbon cutting ceremony on July 27. PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS

Visitors look at a mock ambulance inside of Nashville’s new James Lawson High School during an open house event on Jully 29.

PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS

Senior students enter Nashville’s new James Lawson High School on Aug. 8, 2023, for the first day of classes.

PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS

Visitors tour the cafeteria at Nashville’s new James Lawson High School on July 27.

PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS

Military, first responders holding Nashville Urban Terrain Exercise this week

BY MATT MASTERS

Nashvillians may see a larger than normal military presence throughout the week as approximately 2,200 military, law enforcement and other emergency first responders take part in the 2023 Nashville Urban Terrain Exercise, which simulates the response to a “chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear event.”

The exercise takes place from Aug. 8-10 and will see members of the U.S. Army National Guard’s Task Force 46 Command and Control CBRN Response Element Bravo, based out of Michigan, work with the Nashville Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Metro Police Department, Tennessee National Guard, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Vanderbilt University and other civilian partners.

Task Force 46 took part in a similar exercise in Philadelphia, and this week’s exercise will be the largest of its kind in Nashville’s history.

The public may see increased activity at Nashville’s CSX Rail Yard, Nissan Stadium, Bridgestone Arena and Vanderbilt University and area hospitals, as the exercises will include “urban search and rescue, decontamination, medical treatment and triage, and maritime and air transportation operations.”

“During this week we will have an important opportunity to work together and plan for rapid response if something of this nature ever happens,” NFD and Office of Emergency Director Chief William Swann said.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper recalled recent disasters such as the 2010 flood and the 2020 Christmas Day bombing as he spoke of the importance of the exercise in a press conference on Monday.

“In each of those incidents, Nashvillians worked together to help our unique city heal and rebuild, and the exercises this week are going to help us learn how to incorporate new ideas to be a safer and more prepared city,” Cooper said.

Army officials said that Nashville was chosen this year due to existing relationships between federal, state and local agencies, as well as the risks and impacts of potential natural and man-made disasters to the growing city and region, including flooding and seismic activity.

“This exercise is going to stress all of our capabilities,” Tennessee National Guard Adjutant General Brigadier General Warner A. Ross said. “We’ll be able to identify all of those gaps and know where to better prepare for the next time.”

New rankings point to Nashville’s thriving economy, strong infrastructure and bright future

BY BILL FREEMAN

As a proud Nashville native with more than five decades of experience in the business world, I’ve witnessed a pretty remarkable metamorphosis in our city, and that makes me feel proud. There was a time when Nashville wasn’t the glamorous metropolis it is today, and some folks turned up their noses at the mere mention of it. Those days are long gone, as Nashville is now a dynamic and thriving urban hub that has captured the attention of media outlets from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal to CNBC, Mansion Global and countless others.

Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Nashville didn’t always get the spotlight it deserved. People often thought of it as a charming state capital with great music, but not much else going on. But obviously much has changed since. Our cityscape is made up of beautiful skyscrapers, sleek condos, cozy apartments and bustling office spaces. It’s hard to believe there was a time when downtown Nashville wasn’t the vibrant place so many now call home.

And now the accolades have poured in. A 2022 ranking by The Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com placed Nashville’s metro area at the forefront of the luxury housing market. I believe this is evidence of our city’s remarkable growth and of the fact that we’re

no longer fighting a hick-town stigma. This recognition, combined with Tennessee’s third-place ranking on CNBC’s prestigious new “America’s Top States for Business” list, speaks volumes about the dedication and hard work of our city’s leaders — and our residents. It tells us we are headed in the right direction.

These accomplishments are no coincidence. They’re the result of a calculated transformation that has propelled Nashville and Tennessee into the limelight. The arrival of two professional sports teams — the Tennessee Titans of the NFL and the Nashville Predators of the NHL — was pivotal, setting the stage for our city’s rise. This, combined with the influx of corporations over the years, has created a diverse and robust economy with a low unemployment rate — a testament to the fortitude of our local businesses and entrepreneurs.

According to the CNBC rankings, the unemployment rate in May 2023 was at 3.3 percent. Further, seeing Nashville successfully host 600,000 people for the 2019 NFL Draft, and scores more for this year’s NHL Draft and the NHL Awards, only adds to Nashville’s accomplishments. And that’s not to mention the more recent Music City Grand Prix and the return of

occasional NASCAR races. Considering we’re also still very much known for our music scene, I believe we can boast having the best of the best when it comes to entertainment variety.

Further, the stats referenced in CNBC’s rankings reflect our city’s triumphs. As noted by the Nashville Business Journal, Nashville’s infrastructure ranking climbed from eighth to third place, highlighting our city’s commitment to development. Our ascent from 15th to ninth place in the workforce category is also noteworthy, and showcases the value we place on education and skill diversification.

Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. NBJ also notes that CNBC’s “Life, Health & Inclusion” category revealed areas where we need to improve — Tennessee placed 43rd. This aspect, crucial for attracting talent, reminds us that there’s always room for progress.

But it’s nevertheless exciting to witness our city’s somewhat unbelievable growth over the years. Our central location, making commuting a breeze for executives bound for New York or Chicago, adds to our allure. The array of lifestyles we offer speaks volumes about our commitment to diversity and inclusivity. And let’s not forget the tax advantages — Tennessee’s lack of state

income tax, coupled with lower property taxes, makes it an appealing destination for high-net-worth buyers seeking both financial and lifestyle gains.

I’m truly proud of Nashville, and this recognition of our city is well-deserved. Our transformation from a modest music town to a thriving urban hub reflects the resilience and spirit of our community. It reflects the ambition and hard work of our residents and business owners. As we continue to evolve, let’s celebrate our diverse community, culture, music, sports and entertainment. The spotlight is on us, and it’s a glowing testament to the beauty, innovation and heart of our city.

, Nfocus, the Nashville Post and The News.

Bill Freeman

Bill Freeman is the owner of FW Publishing, the publishing company that produces the Nashville Scene

Downtown Nashville Skyline with the Cumberland River

PHOTO BY STEVE CROSS

OPINION

TICKED OFF!

HAVE PARKINSON’S?

You are NOT alone!

POOR DRIVERS

If you don’t know how to drive a car or think the rules don’t apply to you, please stay home.

I am talking about speeders, tailgaters, knuckle heads who don’t move over when some is walking (a dog or a baby stroller) and all the mental midgets who blow the horn. Stay Home!!!!!

DO WE NO LONGER NEED TO RENEW CAR TAGS?

Judging by the number of vehicles I see in Nashville with license plates that expired 2 to 5 years ago or longer, is the law not being enforced? If someone renews a tag that hasn’t been renewed for 3 or 4 years, do they have to pay the renewal fees for the years they didn’t pay? And what’s with all the plain white Texas plates around town with no visible indication of when they expire? How does law enforcement know when they expire? (I’m okay with our registration renewal taxes; they’re lower than most states, they are dedicated to highway maintenance, and we had a one-year break on the state portion last year.)

YRC

So, Yellow Freight is filing for bankruptcy because they have burned thru 700 million dollars of tax payer money and claim they just can’t seem to make ends meet. What a bunch of crap, the trucking industry has been begging for drivers for a long time now. Which means there is plenty of freight to be moved. Why couldn’t they adjust their freight rates and go after the abundance of money making, maybe less than ideal top dollar freight but still if there is freight in the trailers there is money to be had. Yup, the company is blaming the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for most of their woes. Well the Teamsters bailed Yellow Freight out a couple of times by giving them

a lessor demanding wage and benefit package so they could keep operating. Just where all the 700 million dollars disappeared to will probably remain a mystery for a long time. But I would bet that in the short time Yellow Freight management had that tax payer money they were able to give the people at the top some nice bonuses and raises. Hopefully the government does a thorough investigation of this disappearing act.

MAYORAL RACE

So we are down to the last leg of the race for Mayor and it seems like there are two qualified candidates for the job and it is now up to us, the people who will be affected by their performance as Mayor to think of which person will do the best for Nashville. There certainly is a lot on the line in the decisions we make as to who to vote for.

Alice Rolli in her speech that the Tennessean printed said “Do we want Nashville to build a wall or a bridge”. My opinion, In lite of the fact that the Republican Super Majority that has done everything in its power to gain more control of state and local business so they can gain more power and dictate to us how they feel things should be done (their way) we need to build the WALL. A bridge would be ideal but as we have seen thru many incidences the Republicans are not going to cross that bridge and give up any power they so desperately want. Thank You for allowing me to voice my opinion. now make sure you do your duty and ------GET OUT AND VOTE ------ No matter who you vote for just do it.

The comments in the Ticked Off column do not reflect the views of FW Publishing.

Upcoming Events

Navigating the Parkinson’s Path

Aug.12, 2023 | 8:00am - 12:00pm

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To register for our upcoming events visit www.petersonforparkinsons.org/events

ACCEPTING BIDS FOR SNOW REMOVAL AND SALT SERVICES

Bid/RFP Status: Open - accepting bids and proposals

Bid/RFP Due Date: Wednesday, August 16, 2023 - 2:00pm

Back to Bids/RFPs

Sealed Bids for Snow Removal and Salt Services for the City of Oak Hill will be accepted by the City of Oak Hill at the City Office, 5548 Franklin Road, Nashville, TN until 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 16th, 2023, and then at said time and location, the bids will be officially opened and read aloud. Bids received after this date will not be accepted and will be returned unopened to the sender.

This bid is for a two year contract with optional one year extension, and copies of the CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may be obtained at the City Office, at the address sited below or requested by email at citymanager@oakhilltn.us. Bids must be prepared and submitted on the City Bid form, typed or printed and signed in ink.

Bids must be in a sealed envelope, labeled “Snow Removal and Salt Services” and delivered to:

City of Oak Hill 5548 Franklin Road, Suite 101 Nashville, TN 37220

The City of Oak Hill reserves the right to reject all bids and to waive all technicalities in bidding.

Gov. Bill Lee promotes staff members

BY STEPHEN ELLIOTT

Lee made several personnel announcements last week as he prepares to call reluctant lawmakers into a special session

to discuss guns and public safety.

Michael Hendrix will succeed Niknejad, who worked on Lee’s 2018 campaign and joined the office upon the governor’s inauguration, as policy director, effective Sept. 1, according to a release. Additionally, Elizabeth Lane Johnson is taking over as Lee’s press secretary on Aug. 14. Johnson, who comes to Lee’s office from a role with state Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, succeeds Jade Byers, who has been named senior communications officer.

Alec Richardson has also been named a senior adviser to the governor.

“For more than four years, Tony has played a critical role in the administration’s work to strengthen Tennessee’s economy, ensure responsible fiscal stewardship of

taxpayer dollars and expand educational opportunity for students across the state,” Lee said in the release. “I wish him much success in his next chapter and have full confidence that Michael’s significant public policy and leadership experience will continue our work to make life better for all Tennesseans.”

Hendrix has most recently been a special adviser to Lee and was previously a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and senior director at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Metro completes year-long COVID response review

BY HANNAH HERNER

The Metro Public Health Department has released a review of its COVID-19 response, citing strengths in community partnerships and serving underserved communities and weaknesses in caring for staff and translation services, among other findings.

The report was compiled based on 140 surveys and 20 interviews — 15 with MPHD, four with Metro Government and one with a response partner. MPHD counts 86 agencies as supporters in the department’s efforts, which lasted 34 months starting March 18, 2020, when Mayor John Cooper declared a state of emergency, and ending on Dec. 31, 2022. During that period, Davidson County reported 247,844 confirmed resident cases of COVID-19, resulting in 1,765 deaths.

The After-Action Report and Improvement Plan, published June 30, is a result of a year-long study commissioned by Metro Nashville. The report was produced by Innovative Emergency Management Inc., a North Carolina disaster management company.

The report counts strengths in the partnerships between MHPD, the Nashville Office of Emergency Management and the mayor’s office, as well as support for underserved communities including immigrants, people who were incarcerated and those experiencing homelessness. Listed strengths also included mask distribution efforts, health order enforcements, vaccine events at Music City Center and Nissan Stadium events and Strike Team operations. The Strike Team held more than 1,300 events to offer COVID testing and vaccines.

According to the report, MPHD could have improved on its leadership’s communication with department staff and the promotion of mental health resources for MPHD staff. City health leadership also fell short in incorporating social work into case investigations as well as insufficient translation services available in the MPHD

COVID-19 Hotline and at Strike Team events, the report found.

Alex Jahangir, former chair of the Metropolitan Board of Health who oversaw Nashville’s COVID-19 response, said afteraction reports are critical to any kind of emergency response. He told the Post that he hopes people can learn from the report for future emergencies.

“I think that the report highlights what I personally experienced, and that is the dedicated people at the health department and state,” he said. “They, based on previous planning, were able to execute pretty well. The planning they had done allowed us to be really successful as a city, especially when we look around the nation.”

CHALLENGES WITH MPHD STAFF

The report said MPHD did well to recruit and onboard staff members (at peak times more than 15 temporary staff members were onboarded per day) but recommends taking better care to screen candidates in the future. Staff members reported that they did not get enough support for their well-being.

“Through 34 months of the pandemic response, many staff in MPHD worked nonstop,” the report said. “While dedicated to the success of MPHD’s response, many positions had limited trained staff available to backfill roles, which resulted in fatigue and frustration. Many stakeholders noted that the availability of mental health support was not adequate to support the long-term well-being of staff in MPHD.”

KEEPING WITH THE PLAN

Respondents said that MPHD leadership was not consistent with MPHD’s response and did not stick to an Incident Command System or an emergency plan.

“This led to reinventing processes that were already established and created an overall lack of direction,” the report said.

“In addition, several stakeholders noted that

the lack of a cohesive response structure contributed to internal communication breakdowns and greatly influenced the sharing of information both internally and with the public, which further contributed to public mistrust.”

The organization also failed to introduce standard methods to track spending.

“The lack of an established method to track spending could create difficulties in cost recovery and requisition,” according to the report.

TRANSLATION

The report noted delays in translated print materials, and that using a language line translation system did not fill the need for bilingual staff members or translators at in-person events.

“MPHD did add Spanish-speaking translators late in the team’s response, but the early addition of a translator at Strike Team events would have been beneficial to building rapport and trust with the communities being served,” the report said.

TECHNOLOGY

The report counts the implementation

of the Davidson County COVID-19 Dashboard as a strength. It named the Teletask Texting system that replaced human contact tracers as a strength, though the report said the department did not communicate it well with the public. Many residents thought the texts were spam and didn’t respond with the requested information.

In addition, MPHD’s use of RedCap software for vaccination appointments was ineffective because the program was not designed for the volume of appointment requests received. Staff released a designated number of appointments at a time to avoid a system crash, which caused patient frustration and delays, according to the report. RedCap could have been used to keep notes in early COVID-19 cases and close contacts. Instead the organization used a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet early on for monitoring and contact tracing, and staff accidentally deleted data on several occasions.

SURGES AND ENFORCEMENT

The report did not note specifically how the city reacted during COVID-19 surges,

Gov. Bill Lee’s longtime policy director Tony Niknejad is departing the office to work in the private sector.

Mayor John Cooper speaks in a June 2020 COVID-19 press conference PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR JOHN COOPER

Gov. Lee with his staff PHOTO COURTESY OF OFFICE OF GOV. BILL LEE

Metro Covid response review

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

especially that of August 2021, but did count surge staffing as a success.

The report identified strengths in the health order enforcement efforts, including an application process for event planners that helped identify the number of attendees that could attend the gathering.

MPHD Environmental Health also organized a team of 16 to address daily complaints in health order violations at local businesses, originally outside of the

Metro Nashville Police Department.

The report did not mention the failure of the COVID pods bought by MPHD with funding from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which were intended for isolation options for those experiencing homelessness but never used.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Cheekwood announces Sarah Nguyen as 2023 Artist-in-Residence

STAFF REPORTS

On Tuesday, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens announced mixed-media artist Sarah Nguyen as the 2023 Martin Shallenberger Artist-in-Residence.

Nguyen primarily works with paper, creating both recognizable and abstract forms out paper fiber panels in a technique reminiscent of the traditional Jewish paper cutting that she participated in as a child. Her designs also incorporate flora and fauna.

Nguyen’s residency will culminate with an exhibition space which will be on display from November 18 through January 7, 2024.

“Cheekwood is excited to have Sarah Nguyen as this year’s Artist-in-Residence, which offers the opportunity for her to seek inspiration from Cheekwood’s gardens, historic mansion, and surroundings,” Cheekwood Vice President of Museum Affairs Sarah Sperling said in a news release.

“We look forward to sharing Nguyen’s unique art making process of paper carving with the Nashville community.”

Nguyen, who has worked as an art

instructor at the University of Central Missouri for over 10 years, a BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA in Painting from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Nguyen also works as a book designer for Pleiades Press and Magazine and as the Art Installations Curator for the True/False Film Fest.

The Martin Shallenberger Artist-inResidence series is an initiative focused on bringing innovative, dynamic and intriguing artists to the city of Nashville. The residency enables artists to create and exhibit sitespecific works at Cheekwood, while allowing for the opportunity to interact with staff, visitors, and the larger community. The program provides living arrangements for the artist during the residency.

Past Artist-in-Residence participants include Dorothy O’Connor, Soo Sunny Park, Hiroshi Sato, Michael McMath and most recently, Craig Black.

Sarah Nguyen PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH NGUYEN

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Kyle Kirkwood wins Music City Grand Prix

STAFF REPORTS

The Music City Grand Prix returned to downtown Nashville for the third time over the weekend, with Andretti Autosport’s Kyle

Kirkwood taking home the trophy Sunday. Scott McLaughlin of Penske finished second, while Chip Ganassi’s Alex Palou ended

the race in third place. Josef Newgarden, the Penske racer who hails from Hendersonville, just missed the

podium with a fourth-place finish. This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

2023 Music City Grand Prix winner Kyle Kirkwood (center) is joined by second-place Scott McLaughlin and third-place Alex Palou on the podium.

PHOTO BY CASEY GOWER

Cars racing down a stretch of the 2023 Music City Grand Prix

PHOTO BY CASEY GOWER

IndyCar Series driver Pato O’Ward

PHOTO BY CASEY GOWER

The 2023 Music City Grand Prix with the downtown Nashville skyline in the background PHOTO BY CASEY GOWER

Music City Grand Prix winner Kyle Kirkwood celebrates following the final lap.

PHOTO BY CASEY GOWER

Fans watching the 2023 Music City Grand Prix

PHOTO BY CASEY GOWER

WeGo Route 70 debuts in Bellevue

BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

WeGo Transit’s new Bellevue route to include the new James Lawson High School began on Friday, Aug. 4 before the start of school on Aug. 8.

The route starts up at 6:29 a.m. at the Wal-Mart on Charlotte Pike and stops at Old Hickory and I-40 before it heads on to the Bellevue Park & Ride and ends at James Lawson High School at 6:54 a.m. The bus will then head back on the route making the same two stops in between and ending up at Walmart at 7:23 a.m.

The bus visits each stop on an hourly rotation.

There are three WeGo Link transfer points along the route for people to connect with WeGo’s Uber partnership, and Routes 50, 88 and 3B also connect along the new Route 70. 88 and 3B connect at the Bellevue Park & Ride and 50 connects at the Charlotte Pike Wal-Mart.

In terms of what would be best for the connection of the existing routes to the new school, Steve Bland, CEO of WeGo Public Transit said they did review different ways to extend or create a route.

“We looked at a couple of options,” Bland said. “One would have been an extension of the 3 route, another would’ve been an extension of the 50 route. The idea of the cross-town came up as the most convenient

connection for people who would use either of those routes.”

The route is just a pilot project at this point, Bland said, because it was a late addition to the Metro Council budget, meaning the Metro Transit Authority will go through their full process to add it as an official route in the spring of 2024.

“There is a concentration of some apartment complexes along Old Hickory and the folks who live in those may be able to make use of it to get to the Wal-Mart on Charlotte or to connect over to the Route 3 service to get into midtown/downtown,” Bland said of the new route.

The Route 70 service only runs on weekdays from 6:29 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. with no service on holidays or weekends.

In addition to the availability for the public, the transportation is provided at no cost to all high school students in Metro Nashville Public Schools. The StrIDe program allows high school students’ MNPS ID cards to serve as their WeGo pass.

The cards are issued at the beginning of the school year and are programmed for the WeGo fare boxes. Students should place their ID above the bulls-eye on the fare box and wait for the beep. This sound means the card is recognized, and the student can board.

In the MTA June meeting agenda, the

board reported in a typical school year prior to the pandemic around 5,500 students took advantage of the program. The report said StrIDe usage is slowly returning post-

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Sidco Drive building listed for sale for $3.5M

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

pandemic, and they transported about 2,500 students the 2022-23 school year.

and Knoxville.

Byron Bush owns the property via an LLC, having originally paid $350,000 for it in 2004, according to Metro records. Bush — a retired dentist who had operated Promise Dental from the building before selling the practice about two years ago to Castle Dental — later sold the property, then repurchased it in 2009 for $475,000.

Opened in 2012, the Class A medical office building offers about 6,220 square feet, marketing materials note.

Bush has enlisted J.P. Lowe and Paul Myers — first vice president and senior vice president, respectively, of Nashville’s Charles Hawkins Co. — to handle the marketing of the property.

Based

dental chain operates approximately 14 locations in Tennessee, with most in Middle Tennessee and a presence in Chattanooga

“This is an outstanding opportunity for a user or investor to acquire a medical, office or retail site in the heart of 100 Oaks and Berry Hill — a highly sought after but historically supply constrained submarket of Nashville,” Lowe emailed the Post. This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

A One Hundred Oaks-area building housing one of the better-recognized dental practices operating in the city has been offered for sale for $3.5 million.

Located at 2908 Sidco Drive near Berry Hill and sitting on a 0.69-acre site, the one-story modernist building accommodates Castle Dental and Orthodontics.

in Atwater, Calif., the

2908 Sidco Drive PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLES HAWKINS CO.

Work underway on mixeduse Berry Hill building

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

Construction is underway on a mixeduse building at the Berry Hill site last home, in part, to Athens Family Restaurant.

The future five-floor building, to be called The Berry and to sit at 2526 Eighth Ave. S., will offer 6,500 square feet of retail space, 60 residential units (Airbnb and short-term rental studios, one- and two-bedrooms) and 118 parking spaces.

The Greek cuisine-focused Athens closed in 2021 after a 16-year run, with its former building having been demolished. It now operates on Belmont Boulevard near Belmont University.

The 0.79-acre Melrose-area property being developed also includes a parcel (last addressed at 2528 Eighth Ave. S.) previously home to a small retail building (formerly a motel) that was razed to accommodate the project.

Nashville-based HNP Properties quitclaim deeded the property in May to a general partnership, which is undertaking the work via a $14.3 million loan from Pinnacle Bank.

Bill Hostettler, who is affiliated with HNP and the partnership, told the Post in 2021 he and the investors had planned a retail building on the then-two-parcel site. However, they later altered the thrust of the project to include residential also.

“We felt there was a shortage of such residential product related to short-term rentals,” Hostettler told the Post, adding that The Berry will allow early pre-check-ins via the use of 30 lockers. Full check-in will be at 4 p.m.

The building will carry a price tag of about $20 million (including land), he said. Retail space will anchor the main level, with parking located on floor two and the residential units on levels three, four and five.

Hostettler said one of the investors in the project is John Howard, who has ownership in downtown’s Woolworth Theatre building and Banner Building (now called Banner Lofts).

MJM Architects is handling design of the roughly 60,000-square-foot The Berry. Snyder Engineering is the civil engineer, with Conrad Construction as the general contractor. Each is locally based.

HNP Properties acquired the two Melrose-area properties in separate transactions (in 2004 and 2007) for $755,000, according to Metro records.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

High-profile Green Hills site listed for $16.27M

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

The Green Hills property home to a recently opened CVS Pharmacy — and related to Metro’s future realignment of a key Hillsboro Pike intersection — has been offered for sale for approximately $16.27 million.

Via an LLC, Huntsville, Ala.-based Five Star Development owns the property, having paid about $6.3 million for it in February 2022, according to Metro records. The company then redeveloped the site with the 9,600-square-foot CVS building, with the business having opened in October of last year.

A structure accommodating a Krystal fastfood restaurant sat on the site, with an address of 3715 Hillsboro Pike, for many years.

Previously, the CVS operated for at least 20 years at what had been a property with an address of 3801 Hillsboro Pike and in a building that was demolished last week.

The properties are noteworthy as Metro

is expected to start, by year’s end, on the rerouting of Crestmoor Road — so as to align that street with Glen Echo Road. Such a physical arrangement will create a new intersection on Hillsboro and eliminate the need for two traffic lights located within one block of each other as is currently the case.

The reconfiguration of Crestmoor Road will allow additional surface parking to be oriented to the immediate south of the CVS building and to be used by the pharmacy and sundries business.

Once the road work is done, the CVS site will offer 1.14 acres, with no further real estate transactions required to finalize the effort.

Five Star has enlisted Clay Smith, Hutt Cooke and Beryl Grant — vice president, market leader and associate vice president, respectively — with Nashville’s Matthews Real Estate Investment Services to handle the

marketing of the property.

“We’re pleased to bring this asset to market,” Smith told the Post. “This is a unique opportunity to acquire a landmark location with a high-profile tenant.”

An adjacent property, located at 3707 Hillsboro Pike and to the immediate north of the CVS site, offers a small building in which operates dry-cleaning business Park’s Cleaners and Alterations. That property was listed for sale for $2.5 million in 2021 but seemingly is no longer on the market.

A small, since-razed building that was sandwiched by the CVS and dry-cleaners properties housed Indian restaurant Shalimar for many years.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Lipscomb once again buys campus-area home

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

Lipscomb University and RER Partnership have once again undertaken a real estate transaction involving a residential property located near the school’s campus, this time for about $909,500.

According to a Davidson County Register of Deeds document, Lipscomb now owns a residential building at 1309 Grandview Drive. RER paid $725,000 for the property in August 2018, Metro records show.

Lipscomb now owns three of the five properties located on the south side of Grandview Drive between Mayfair Avenue on the east and Ferndale Avenue on the west, Metro records show. RER owns the other two.

The transaction follows Lipscomb having spent $949,000 for a single-family home located at 1103 Morrow Ave. in December 2022, with RER the seller (read here).

The late 2022 deal came about 10 weeks after Lipscomb spent a collective $1,387,775

for residential properties located at 3701 Ferndale Ave. and 3712 Ferndale Ave. with RER the seller.

The Ferndale transactions followed an early September deal — also involving RER — in which Lipscomb paid a collective approximately $1.95 million for three freestanding single-family home properties, one on Belmont Boulevard and two on Grandview Drive.

That deal came about 2.5 weeks after Lipscomb paid RER about $1.9 million for a large property located at 4101 Belmont Blvd., to the immediate west of its campus.

Related to the Morrow Avenue deal, Lipscomb already owned properties located at 1110B, 1133 and 1135 Morrow Ave. and, adjacently, five properties at 4000 to 4020 Granny White Pike (spanning Morrow on the north to Maplehurst Avenue to the south).

RER Partnership includes multiple

members of Nashville’s long-standing Church family. Register of Deeds documents note RER offers an address that is shared with Green Hills-based auto insurance company Church & Associates, led by Bruce Church (a Lipscomb graduate).

Lipscomb has now paid a collective approximately $7 million for the properties it has acquired from the family partnership.

Lipscomb officials were unavailable for comment regarding their long-term plans for the just-bought or previously acquired properties. Similarly, it is unclear if the university and RER will undertake additional future deals.

The Post was unable to determine if brokers were involved in the transaction. This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

3715 Hillsboro Pike with Crestmoor Road on the left PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTHEWS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT SERVICES

End of Summer Baked Ratatouille

BY EDIBLE NASHVILLE

We love this baked ratatouille that utilizes all of August and September’s harvest when they’re abundant and cheap: bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant and basil. We got the inspiration for this recipe from the blog, victoriamcginley.com. This recipe was really a revelation, as we’re not that fond of eggplant and struggle to find things to do with a glut of zucchini. Simply layer all the cut veggies, dominoeslike, cover with foil and bake. The juices

bake up to a deep veggie “au jus,” and the cheese bakes in for richness, which is perfect served with a petite pasta such as orzo or orecchiette. With a tub of burrata in the fridge, it was perfect dolloped on top as a nice creamy rich accent to the browned veggies and pasta. Serve on its own as a side to steak or chicken or as a vegan main dish with bread. Oh yes, don’t forget the wine, a nice chilled pinto grigio would be swell.

ACROSS

1 Shoelace tip

6 In need of rinsing , say

11 Wedding ___

14 Diner seating option

15 Arm bones

16 Messenger ___

17 Кукла

19 2020 Oscar winner for Best Original Song , “Fight for You”

20 Drink suffix

21 Plum used to flavor spirits

22 Grin from ear to ear

23 ماقرأ

28 Security Council nix

29 Under heavy demands

30 Car toon corporation that sells RocketPowered Roller Skates

33 Imbibe cautiously

36 跳棋

40 Best Suppor ting Actress nominee for “The Whale,” 2022

INGREDIENTS

SALAD

4 cups cucumber, seeded, peeled, and cubed

4 cups cubed watermelon

1/4 cup slivered red onion

1 cup noble springs goat feta cheese or your favorite feta

1/2 cup torn fresh mint leaves

2 basil leaves, chiffonade (sliced thinly)

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Saute onion, garlic and red pepper in 2 tablespoons oilive oil in a skillet 10 minutes. Place in bottom of shallow gratin dish.

2. Arrange sliced vegetables standing up in concentric circle in dish, filling all the gaps with vegetables. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle with a rich balsamic vinegar and oilive oil. Sprinkle with 1/2

DRESSING

1/3 cup fresh lime juice

2/3 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 minced mint leaves

cup Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil or parchment paper and bake 45 minutes. Remove from oven, dot with goat cheese, sprinkle with remaining ParmigianoReggiano and bake, uncovered 10-15 more minutes until browned and juices are bubbling. Serve as a side to chicken or beef, or as a main dish with burrata cheese, pasta or bread.

Follow Edible Nashville on instagram @ediblenashtn and their website ediblenashville.com. To subscribe to the magazine that comes out 6x/year, go to ediblenashville.com.

41 “Don’t go!”

42 House Beautiful subject

43 Diwali dress 46 ימואל 51 “___ fair in love and war”

52 Attire 53 Cinco menos tres 55 Wedding 11-Across 56 Γιαούρτι 60 ___ Gardens, UNESCO World Heritage site in London

61 Square things

62 Actress Swinton

63 Inspiration for a noted Keats poem

64 Gnats and boll weevils

65 Debaucherous deity

2 Cheese that’s often smoked

3 Also-ran

4 They’re not from around here, in brief

5 Ill-fated lover of Pyramus

6 Gas station with an arrow in its logo

7 Of times past

8 Janeiro a dezembro

9 Chum

10 Couture letters

11 Immersive gaming device, informally

12 “Inside the N.B.A.” personality

13 Prepares, as leftovers

18 Came down

22 Enters illegally

24 Thor and others

25 Westernmost D-Day beach

26 Fashion

27 Member of the C-suite

30 “Oh!,” in Augsburg

31 Actor John of “Star Trek” films

32 “That. Is. Nuts.”

33 The Horned Frogs of the Big 12 Conf.

34 Org. that was central to 1998’s Good

35 Rapper with the 2014 hit “Hangover”

37 “Look!,” to Lucretius

38 What’s put on in a theater

39 Rake in

43 Pointy bits of camping gear

44 Well ventilated

45 Many modern warehouse workers

46 “What Richard Wright wrote” could be the first line of one

47 Like one of two Roman Plinys

48 Worker in the insurance business

49 Legal, in a way

50 “Good golly!”

54 Unit for a review

56 Deficit in knowledge, e.g.

57 U.S. 1, for one: Abbr.

58 Canon camera

59 “___, mi dicon venal” (Puccini aria)

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1 Introduction to magic?

Friday Agreement

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Strait to Nashville Weekend Kick-Off

PHOTOS BY KIRSTEN HOLLIDAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, the luxury five-star hotel in downtown’s SoBro neighborhood, welcomed more than 100 guests to its French Riviera-inspired rooftop bar and restaurant, Rivière, for the Strait to Nashville Weekend Kick-Off. Partnering with Universal Music Group and Código 1530 Tequila, Four Seasons hosted a lively celebration to toast country music legend George Strait’s two-night run at Nissan Stadium. Guests arrived to a soundtrack of country hits, provided by DJ HIsh, before making their way to a tasting station to sample the award-winning tequilas of Código 1530, which was founded by Strait. Rivière’s talented mixologists crafted three specialty cocktails made with Código for guests to enjoy while admiring spectacular views of the Cumberland River, downtown Nashville, and, of course, Nissan Stadium. Justin Boots gave away a pair of cowboy boots, and one lucky attendee won two tickets to Strait’s sold-out concert the following night.

Kara Enck and Ann Marie Anderson

Rivière Rooftop serves up specialty Código cocktails.

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Nashville Post and Nfocus are pairing their respective “Most Powerful Women” and “Model Behavior” programs to spotlight community luminaries. Launched in 2011, the Most Powerful Women series has convened female leaders from all corners of Middle Tennessee’s economy to share their stories of growth and success with peers and future community leaders. Our star-studded panel this year includes some of the city’s most accomplished and inspiring leaders in the arts, outreach and education sectors. Though their careers and skill sets may vary, the one thing that unites them is their commitment to serving others. To learn more about these impressive women and their thoughts on leadership, join us at City Winery for this year’s event.

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Five free and cheap family things to do in middle Tennessee

BY AMANDA HAGGARD

As far as off-the-wall fun goes, Tomato Art Fest is about as good as it gets: a whole festival dedicated to the love of tomatoes where people literally dress up like the delicious delight. (It is a fruit, but it will always feel weird to call it one.) This year is the 20th anniversary, so it’s sure to be fun. Down on the south side of town, Lane Motor Museum is offering rides in select cars with regular admission as part of its Museum Fun Day. Your smallest kiddos will enjoy

a trip to the theater for a viewing of the timeless tale of those rascal kittens who lost their mittens. There’s a cheap guided kayak launch in Smyrna. And then Alive Hospice is hosting their camp for young folks who’ve lost those close to them.

As part of our series on free and cheap things to do with the family, here is our weekly roundup of places to spend time together over the next week:

TOMATO ART FEST

This East Nashville staple is free to attend and includes a bevy of activities over the span of two days. The festival is in Five Points on Aug. 11-12 and includes art, live music, food, costumes, contests, shopping, kids activities and more. Folks are encouraged to dress up, and this year is Tomato Art Fest’s 20th anniversary. The Push, Pull & Wear Parade kicks off the weekend and it is typically full of delightful displays, floats and costumes.

MUSEUM FUN DAY

Lane Motor Museum in South Nashville offers a special museum fun day with regular admission. This day includes free rides in three of the museum’s vehicles: This time it’s in the 1963 BMW 3200S, the 1954 Panhard Dyna Z and the 2003 Renault Avantime. There will also be free vault tours throughout the day and demonstrations of three cars from the museum collection on the museum gallery’s main floor.

THREE LITTLE KITTENS AT NASHVILLE CHILDREN’S THEATRE

The cost is a little higher than our average listed item, but on Aug. 12 Nashville Children’s Theatre will open Three Little Kittens in the NCT Snuggery. It’s a

story you know: The little kittens discover they’re missing their mittens. They embark on an adventure to find them before Mother Cat finds out. “This interactive play takes little ones on a journey with unexpected friendships and fun adventures,” the theater says

KAYAK FLOAT

On Aug. 13, The Town of Smyrna is offering a $5 kayak launch from Volunteer Park. Boats, PFDs and paddles are provided, and guides recommend bringing sunscreen, bug spray, a bottle of water and clothes that can get wet. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Contact mike.kraft@townofsmyrna.org for more information.

CAMP FORGET-ME-NOT

Alive Hospice offers this overnight grief camp, Camp Forget-Me-Not, for any child aged 8-17 who has experienced the death of someone significant in their life. The overnight camp includes traditional camp fun like ziplining, swimming and water slides as well as therapeutic activities with licensed grief counselors to help remember loved ones and make connections with peers who are also grieving. Groups at the camp are formed based on age.

Tomato Art Fest PHOTO COURTESY OF TOMATO ART FEST

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PluMBinG

carter Plumbing

Commercial & Residential New Installation & Repair Service

Drain Cleaning Service

is no longer just for retired teachers. All seniors 62 and older may apply with no fee. Efficiencies start at $500 which includes utilities.

One bedroom & studio apartments available starting at $625 per month. Must be 62 and older and live independently.

I am super personal assistantHousehold / pet management, driver, security, business

cleaninG SvcS.

Residential Cleaning Where Quality & Respect

Come First!

www.lighthousecleaningservice.net

(615) 957-7661

Licensed, Insured & Bonded

Free Estimates Richard’s Cell: 1 (615) 670-2273 (615) 755-3509

elecTrical SvcS.

elecTrician Priced Right! New Work, Old Work & Service Calls. 10% senior discount.

Licensed-Bonded-Insured (615) 522-1339

BBB Accredited w/ Reviews 20 year advertiser!

floorinG

Hardwood floors, cleaned, waxed, buffed, sanded and/or refinished. Over 75 years in flooring.

corlew & Perry, inc. (615) 832-0320

GuTTerS

Goodfred Window cleaning Gutter cleaning Gutters • Downspouts Cleaned Debris Removal • Gutter Guards Gutter Repair (615) 382-5127

HoMe iMProveMenT

complete Home repair & improvements

Native Nashvillian in business since 1992.

Additions, Decks, Window Replacement, Furniture and Playground Equipment Assembly. All Types of Repairs.

HiSToric ceMeTery

Repair & Restoration BRICK & STONE

Walls • Steps • Walks • Etc.

Build • Repair • Restore

Tuck Pointwork

Custom Entrances

Small Job Specialist FIREPLACE REPAIR

“For those who want it right the first time!”

W.J. Miller (615) 890-0533

Buy American

Licensed, Bonded, Insured Call Bob (615) 300-5558

Locks Repaired & Serviced (615) 269-3616

MaSSaGe THeraPy

Beat the Stress! Get a massage

Intro rates: 1 hour $55, 90 minutes $75 Mon.-Sat., 9a-6p BY APPT (615) 582-6843 615relax.com

MovinG/HaulinG

i Haul anyTHinG

- Since 1990Deliveries, Estate Property Clean Outs, Brush & Appliance Removal, Construction Waste, Demolition & more... No Job Too Small! Wyatt Mallonee (615) 499-2218

PainTinG/PaPerinG

Licensed, Bonded & Insured All Work Guaranteed! (615) 232-9051

Prayer

need Prayer?

If you are in need of prayer, call 888-388-2683

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will have prayer partners available to talk with you 24/7.

PreSSure WaSH

kyle’s Pressure cleaning

Property Pressure

Washing:Driveways, Back Decks, Front Porch, Swimming Pool, Concrete & more. (615) 424-5354

roofinG

r. H. callis & Sons inc.

Roofing, Siding, Metal, Slate, Flat Roofs. 38 years experience

References.

(615) 969-7717

CallisRoofing.com

License, Bonded & Insured

Tree Service

eric’sTree Service

Big, Tall or Small, We Do It All!

Insured • Free Estimates Call Eric / Owner (615) 779-1870

PluMBinG

Mt. Juliet Plumbing and Leak Detection

“Beariffic Plumbing Repair Service!”

Local Licensed experienced Plumbers (615) 733-5665

Top notch Tree Service

Topping & trimming, deadwooding, removals, brush chipping, stump grinding

Insured & Free Estimates call Mike (615) 834-6827

Bulldog Tree Service

• Topping / Deadwooding

• Stump Removals

• Trimming

• Lot Clearing

Free Estimates. Insured. Call John 24/7: (615) 300-6254

(615) 313-7375

We Buy Vinyl Records, Comic Books, CDs, Blu-Rays,DVDs, Toys , Video & Role-Playing Games, CCGs, Stereo Equipment,Music & Movie Memorabilia,and much more. In business 40+ years; No collection too large or small.

Mention this ad when you call.

BUY - SELL - TRADE

The Great escape call 615-364-3029

TheGreatEscapeOnline.com

Wicker rePair

Chair caning and all styles of weaving. Wicker repair available. Pick up and delivery. The cane-ery (615) 269-4780 / 414-5655

WindoW clean

all Seasons Window cleaning Specializing in residential windows.

Serving Nashville over 38 yrs!

Licensed - Bonded - Insured

Free Estimates

Low Prices (615) 889-9164