Bellevue, TN August 2023

ARTS + CULTURE

DANCE LIKE A CHILD

LIFE + CULTURE

NURTURING NEXT GENERATION'S BALLPLAYERS

Mounted Patrols The "First Pets" of Bellevue AUGUST 2023

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An eye fo r d etail is wh a t m a kes a Da l a ma r H o me so g rea t to li ve in We pa y a t te nt i o n to t he sm a ll j oys as well as t he o bvi o us needs: well-ap p oi nted ki tchens and p roperl y s caled ro o ms , as well as q u i et sp a ces , p l a y ro o ms , and wor ksp a ce with li tt le d eta ils t ha t ma ke a h o me po p Wh ethe r yo u ” re a bu ye r o r a p rofessional in the real e s ta te m a r ket it is ver y cle a r wha t ca re go es i nto ever y home

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For Our Children And Their 4-Legged Companions

Dear Bellevue Friends & Neighbors,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits.

This issue is always one of my favorites. I suppose because of the immense joy that children bring to their families and the significant impact they make on their communities.

Children are not merely the hope for a brighter tomorrow; they are the foundation upon which our society stands. Their innocence, curiosity, and boundless potential have the power to shape the world in ways we can only imagine. Kids represent our hardest work and greatest investment and we are happy to highlight the best for Bellevue's kids in this issue.

Secondarily, who could forget pets? The special kind of companionship can be a transformative experience for children and adults alike. Pets provide us with unconditional love, the opportunity to learn, grow and develop essential life skills in a nurturing environment. And who could ignore the bond between kids and their furry or feathery friends? The bond is often deep and meaningful, fostering qualities like empathy, responsibility, and companionship.

Although children are of infinitely more value, what children and pets share in common is that they need us. Our care, attention and intention shapes how they are raised and who they become. We hope this issue inspires you to pour a little extra into the children and pets in your life this month.  Cheers!

August 2023

PUBLISHER

Doug Waterman | doug.waterman@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Ed Atlas | ed.atlas@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lisa Valentine, Ed Atlas

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ed Atlas, Jacob Tippets

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @bellevuecitylifestyle

1: Bellevue Community Foundation Blood Drive at Blood Assurance. June 24. Mona Binda and Jacob Tippets 2: Bellevue Community Foundation Blood Drive at Blood Assurance. June 24. Paige Cobb. 3: Open House/Artist Showcase at artplus Framing Gallery, June 24.

4: Stephens Valley’s Fifth Annual BBQ & Bluegrass, June 10. 5: Open House/Artist Showcase at artplus Framing Gallery, June 24. 6: Stephens Valley’s Fifth Annual BBQ & Bluegrass, June 10. 7: Stephens Valley’s Fifth Annual BBQ & Bluegrass, June 10.

JACOB TIPPETS

Fortuna Italian Steakhouse was the vision of Tabor Luckey and Cory Coleman, who knew that the Bellevue community

THE STRETCH ZONE METHOD INCREASES YOUR RANGE OF MOTION GRADUALLY.

While traditional stretching methods attempt to make you more “flexible,” we work to adjust the stretch reflex. This way, the Stretch Zone Method® gradually increases your active range of motion.

Consider how a car seatbelt works. If pulled too quickly, the belt locks. If the belt is forced, you are just stretching the material itself, and that’s where injury happens. When a car seatbelt is pulled smoothly and controlled, the belt will fully extend. It’s the same with your body’s stretch reflex.

Bellevue ER Plan Continues to Move Through Approvals

TriStar Centennial Medical Center is working to bring a free-standing emergency room to Bellevue, filling a critical gap in access to care. The proposed ER site is located on the corner intersection of Highway 70 South and Harpeth Valley Road, just off I-40. Permitting is underway for the site which is easily accessible by car and ambulance. Currently the closest ER to Bellevue 9.5 miles away. Upon completion the facility will provide diagnostic and treatment services, comprehensive laboratory services and state-of-the-art imaging capabilities.

Rendering courtesy of HCA

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/BellevueTN

Exchange Club of Bellevue installs New Officers

The Exchange Club of Bellevue installed new officers at a meeting on June 26. The new officers include John Cooper, president; Pamela Yadro, incoming president; Tom Coulter, treasurer; and Audrey Edwards, secretary. Out going president, Jim Dyes, becomes immediate past president. The term began officially on July 1 and the new officers will serve until June 30, 2024.

Summer Flying Solo Exhibits Arrive at Nashville International Airport

The Summer installment of the Flying Solo series at Nashville International Airport (BNA) is now open and features the artwork of Nashville-based artists, Debra Belvin, Sarah Bogdal, Carolyn Boutwell, and Marla Faith. The Flying Solo series offers art organizations and gifted artists an opportunity to exhibit their work at BNA each season. The Summer 2023 exhibit, which is open now through October 22, 2023, is a part of BNA’s Arts at the Airport program. FlyNashville.com

Photography Exchange Club of Bellevue

Photography Nashville International Airport

Growth and Character-Building Through the Art of Dance

ARTICLE BY LISA VALENTINE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

FOSTERING COMMUNITY, CREATIVITY, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR KIDS THROUGH DANCE AT BELLEVUE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

For dance teacher and owner of Bellevue Performing Arts Center (BellePAC) Jennifer Kubik, dance played a pivotal role in her development growing up. But it wasn’t only the actual dance technique as a child that she remembers fondly, but also the community she found within dance that was an integral part of her childhood.

“I started dancing when I was five years old and as a child my family moved around a lot, so dance studios became like my second home,” shares Kubik. “So, for me, that’s something that I want to continue for the next generation. I want them to have a safe place where they feel welcome and open to be creative and just be true to themselves.”

Kubik and her family have lived in the Nashville area since 2007, where she has taught at a variety of different dance studios. But when her family moved to Bellevue in 2017, they finally found a dance home when her daughter began taking lessons at the Bellevue Dance Center.

“In 2020 the former owner posted that she was going to close and that just hurt my heart,” she explains of the studio that has now become Bellevue Performing Arts Center. “They have been a staple in the community for over 20 years, so I decided even in the midst of a pandemic that this was worth holding on to. We bought it in August of 2020 and we’ve been going strong since.”

Jennifer Kubik

Photo by Uchida Photography

While many dance studios can be heavily immersed in a high-pressure, competitive environment, with teams that travel far distances for competitions, Kubik’s studio is focused on fostering the love of the art and the community that comes from dance.

“We do have a performance company [but] they don’t compete,” she explains. “They’re the ones that we take out into the community for events [including the farmers market, Bellevue Picnic and other events].

With classes ranging in ages from three-year-olds to adults, a wide variety of types of dance are offered at BellePAC. The traditional style studio is in partnership with the YMCA’s Bellevue location and uses those facilities to hold its classes there.

Dancers as young as three-yearsold can focus on ballet, tap, and creative movement and grow into the Fundamentals program—for students ages five to nine—where they can continue ballet and tap, but can also incorporate jazz. The next level is the Leadership program for older youth, which provides the option for students to choose from classes including ballet, tap, contemporary, and hip hop.

“We also started a theater program so that is something they can do around age nine or 10,” says Kubik. “So, with that they would be learning acting technique, taking vocal lessons, and some movement for theater, which is like a stylized jazz.”

In addition to helping children develop social skills and form community and friendships, dance also benefits kids by helping develop coordination, strengthening memory skills, and promoting movement and fun. While focusing on teaching proper dance technique and having fun is a priority at BellePAC, Kubik and the other teachers

at the studio also concentrate on instilling leadership in their curriculum. Each month they select a different topic that they focus on for five minutes of each class. These topics include character-building subjects such as discipline, goal setting, and integrity.

“I want them to have a safe place where they feel welcome and open to be creative and ... true to themselves.”

“We have 12 different topics that we touch on throughout the year, each month has a focus,” says Kubik. “All of our teachers have said ‘If it weren’t for dance, I wouldn’t be as hard of a worker at my job’ or ‘I wouldn’t have had the discipline to make it through college.’ Whatever their story is, it’s because of dance that instilled that in them, that they were able to push through or get that promotion, or whatever their situation may be. So, we are very

Jill & THE BEANSTALK!

BellePAC will present  Jill & The Beanstalk! on Sunday, August 6 at the Bellevue YMCA. Performances are at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The show is an original work based on fairy tales and features children ages 9-17 who auditioned for parts earlier this summer. Crafted by BellePAC teachers, Billy Ditty and Melissa Becker, the enchanting musical weaves together beloved fairy tales to create a heartwarming story of growth, courage, and triumph.

passionate about not only dance but the other lessons that you learn through dance.”

BellePAC offers a weeklong trial where dancers ages three-years-old all the way up to adults can take as many different types of classes as they’d like for $19.99 to make sure the studio is a good fit for them or just to try something new.

For more information visit BellePac.com

Caring for Aging Pets

As owner of Harpeth Valley Animal Hospital for nearly 20 years, Dr. Todd Hurst has cared for cats and dogs of all ages.

“Oddly enough, music was a pretty big factor in choosing Nashville,” he recalls of moving to Middle Tennessee to pursue his veterinary career. “My best friend and I formed a band and played gigs around town for years. Nashville, where even your veterinarian is a guitar player,” he jokes.

While he loves puppies and kittens, he knows that aging pets need extra care to stay in the best health possible.

“Health issues can change pretty quickly in small animals and we can frequently catch things early,” he says. “We can pick up on things like diabetes, kidney issues, thyroid disease, and a host of other problems. If caught early, a lot

of these problems can be dealt with before they become severe.” In addition to more frequent veterinary visits, keeping up with routine lab work is crucial as pets age. He recommends annual lab work starting at four years old and advises bringing dogs and cats in for checkups twice a year after age eight.

Catching some of these issues early allows for the best treatment plans possible. “The most common problem that we see with aging is osteoarthritis,” he shares. “It frequently comes on slowly until it's recognized as a real issue.” Therapy options include anti-inflammatories, joint supplements, and pain medications, as well as the new approach of monoclonal antibody injections.

ARTICLE BY LISA VALENTINE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ED ATLAS

DR. TODD HURST PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO KEEPING OLDER PETS IN GOOD HEALTH

Dr. Todd Hurst and his Boston Terriers, Buttercup (left) and Lilly.

Likewise, it’s important to be diligent with your pet’s oral hygiene as it is linked to their overall health. “Dental disease in our patients is frequently called the ‘silent pain’ because bad teeth really hurt, but dogs and cats can be very stoic and will not stop eating,” he explains. “Severe dental diseases can also contribute to problems with other bodily systems like the heart and kidneys so stay up on your dental care.”

He advises monitoring any changes in their behavior especially when it comes to eating, drinking, or if they avoid or eliminate anything. In addition to rapid weight loss or excessive drinking and urination, if your dog or cat starts to exhibit “… signs like heavy breathing or persistent coughing, trouble urinating or defecating, neurologic problems like circling or seizures and

sudden weakness or paralysis, those issues need to be addressed immediately,” he says.

In addition to watching for symptoms, making sure your pets are eating right is one of the best ways to get ahead of ailments. He recommends switching to a senior diet around age seven or eight. “Those are frequently lower calorie, higher fiber [diets] and many have supplements like fish oils and joint care that can help with aging problems,” he explains. “We also now have access to an array of prescription diets for specific conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, and thyroid issues. These diets are an essential part of our care and can be life changing for the patient.”

HVAnimalHospital.com

Jocelyn Covaney, Dr. Calvin Forester and Dr. Todd Hurst

How Bellevue Sports Athletic Association’s Nick Koch came to share his love of the game with Bellevue’s youth.

FROM WANNABE COACH TO LEAGUE PRESIDENT

ARTICLE BY ED ATLAS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

All Nick Koch wanted was to assist with a tee-ball team so he could go to the field and introduce the game he loves to the next generation of ballplayers. So, he attended a coach's meeting for the Bellevue Sports Athletic Association (BSAA), the local league.

“I didn’t really want the pressure of being head coach,” he says. “But I got to the meeting and they said, ‘You’re the head coach!’ Ten years later, I’m president of the league.”

In addition to league operations, Koch does everything from picking up trash at the field a couple of times a week on his lunch break, to chalking the lines before games. He’s even spent the night before Opening Day at the field with other volunteers, smoking pork butts at 3 a.m. during a tornado warning.

“I want kids to have a clean place, a safe place, where they can compete with their friends,” says Koch. “At BSAA they get healthy competition with their classmates and kids from surrounding schools.

“I like to keep everything positive so I spend a lot of time listening and observing so I can emulate their speech and, yes, their dance moves. I think they

respect that I try to be ‘one of the guys’ as best I can.

“I’m not an unreasonably strict coach and I don’t yell. That might work for some but for the most part, I believe talking to them and sharing life lessons is the way to go about coaching.”

Koch comes across as one of those guys who downplays what he does, saying it's not that much fun. Then, within minutes, it becomes clear he loves every minute of it. All 1,800 of them. That’s the amount of time he devotes to the unpaid job every week.

BSAA provides organized baseball and softball competitions for boys and girls ages 3-16. Games are played at a privately-owned, 6-field complex at 621 McPherson Drive.  Registration for the 2023 fall season closes in mid-August. Proceeds from registration fees and concession sales are put back into the complex infrastructure. Umpires are also being recruited and anyone from middle school students to adults will be considered. To inquire about umpiring or sponsorship opportunities, send an email to info@bsaainc.org.

BSAAInc.org

BSAA president Nick Koch and his wife, Sharayah with son, Kingston and daughters Charlie (left front) and Emi (right front).

The “First Pets” of Bellevue

How Bellevue-based Mounted Patrols Protect And Serve Nashville And Its Parks

ARTICLE AND

PHOTOGRAPHY

BY ED ATLAS

Officially they’re public servants. But it’s understandable if frequent visitors to Warner or Red Caboose Parks think of them unofficially as Bellevue’s First Pets.

They’re the equine members of the Metro Nashville Police Department’s Horse Mounted Patrol Unit (founded in 1998) and the Metro Parks Mounted Patrol (founded in 1992). Though technically separate, the units work together routinely and are instantly recognizable fixtures at major events across the city. And, at least for the immediate future, both are stabled at the Percy Warner Park Equestrian Center on Old Hickory Boulevard in Bellevue.

The patrols serve tactical and promotional purposes. According to Officer Tim Edwards, a 15-year veteran of the MNPD and member of the mounted patrol since 2012, the horses serve to build bridges between the police and the community, especially with youngsters.

“A lot of kids who live in the city have never seen or touched a horse before,” he says. “So, when they get to interact with a horse and a police officer, it’s the best of both worlds. They feel comfortable talking to us and they know they can approach us at any time about anything at all. When they realize we’re just human like everyone else, man, that helps a ton.”

Officer Amanda Martin and Orozco (left) and Officer Tim Edwards and Chisum on patrol in Edwin Warner Park.

Sgt. Kevin Hooper and Lex of the Metro Parks Mounted Patrol.

Sgt. Kevin Hooper, parks patrol supervisor since 2013, agrees. “I hate to say it breaks down barriers but, when people stop to talk and ask questions about my horse, by the end of the conversation they don’t see a police officer on a horse; they see a person. Retired MNPD Mounted Sgt. J.D. Harber used to tell people, ‘No one ever stopped and asked to pet my patrol car.’”

On the tactical side, the mounted patrol provides a resource that cannot be matched by officers on foot or in cars.

“We use these guys downtown on Friday and Saturday nights,” says Edwards. “We break up fights with them. We always say, ‘It doesn’t matter how drunk you are. You see 1,200 pounds of animal coming at you, you’re gonna get out of the way.’ Crowd control is our bread and butter.”

That was particularly evident in 2020 when the Mounted Patrol was deployed downtown during riots. “They were a pivotal part of saving our city from getting burned down,” says Edwards. “[Rioters] were trying to attack our central precinct. The horses rode in and pushed the crowd back and were able to hold them off until officers on foot were able to reinforce and hold the line.”

About a dozen Tennessee Walking Horses and officers serve on the units. Horses enter service between the ages of four and eight years and will work until they’re 18 or 20. Upon retirement, a mounted patrol horse receives a pension

that covers feed, veterinary and farrier bills for life.

The typical mounted patrol officer joins the unit with little-to-no riding experience.

“If you come in here with no bad habits, then we don’t have to break those,” says Edwards. “If you come in with an open mind and open slate, we can teach you everything you need to know.”

Officers who have been on patrol in a car for three years are eligible to apply for a specialized unit like the mounted patrol. Applicants who pass an initial interview and physical fitness test are placed on a waitlist. Upon acceptance, they must complete 150 saddle hours before certification.

The easiest way to differentiate between the MNPD and Parks Patrols is that the Parks’ horses have reflective yellow bands on their forward-facing tack. The police patrol does not.

The bond between horse and officer runs deep.

“Obviously we build relationships with them and there’s definitely a bond that’s established with our partner,” says Sgt. Vickie Dills of the MNPD Mounted Patrol Unit. “But at the end of the day, we still have to view them as tools.

“With that being said, we pour our heart and soul into taking care of them. We cut and bail our own hay so that we know what they’re getting. And they’re consistently seen by the vet, beyond their annuals.”

It’s the type of treatment you’d expect for Bellevue’s First Pets.

“

... when people stop to talk and ask questions about my horse, by the end of the conversation they don’t see a police officer on a horse; they see a person.”

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realty report

A sample of recently sold properties in Bellevue.

This data is a sampling of sold properties from June 2023. Source: IRES MLS system.

Rendering of the new Event Center under construction on the Nashville Christian School campus.

Jeff Brothers Ronnie Seigenthaler

ARTICLE BY ED ATLAS PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Bursting AT THE seams

The Nashville Christian School campus is wedged between Charlotte Pike and Sawyer Brown Road. But the presence of two major thoroughfares cannot contain the school’s sphere of influence. For instance, NCS boasts a 100 percent acceptance rate for graduates applying to a four-year college or university and its athletic teams are among the most competitive in its class.

Still, the confines can feel a bit constraining to a school community consisting of nearly 900 students (preschool to grade 12), more than 100 faculty and staff, and thousands of alumni and their families.

That’s why this summer, for the first time in a long time, major construction is underway on its Bellevue campus.

Last month, ground was broken for a new, campus Event Center. Slated to open in the fall of 2024, the as-yet-unnamed facility will feature a 1,600-seat arena that will serve as home to Eagles basketball and volleyball teams as well as major activities like commencement ceremonies and the annual Thanksgiving celebration. The increased capacity, which will be about 1,000 greater than the existing gym, will enable NCS to host post-season athletic events.

According to NCS athletic director Ronnie Seigenthaler, the new facility is not a “want” but a “need.”

“The school has been blessed with athletic success - teams and individuals - that have made us proud, but we have outgrown our current facility,” says Seigenthaler. “We’ve been great stewards of what we have and will continue to be, but this capital project is an absolute need.

Nashville Christian School’s rapid growth has prompted the construction of a new Event Center

“The conversation of trying to best determine how we go about it has probably gone on anywhere from five to seven years. We were very intentional about a campaign path, making sure we were doing it correctly with our stakeholders’ best interests in mind. People who recognize that need have gotten on board and now it’s full steam ahead in terms of seeing it launched, executed and completed.”

While the arena component is the centerpiece, the Event Center will also feature new varsity locker rooms, coaches offices, an athletic training room, concession stands and the school bookstore.

In addition, it allows NCS to underscore Seigenthaler’s words about being good stewards of what’s already in place. For example, space in the current auxiliary gym will be converted into 11 new classrooms, and a Student Academic Success Center will connect the elementary and middle schools to the high school, bringing the entire student body “under one roof” for the first time.

“Any time you have something shiny and new, it’s exciting and it’s evidence that you’re making progress,” says director of operations, Jeff Brothers. “It is part of being dynamic.”

He also says that brick-and-mortar assets, like the Event Center, send a tangible message that the school is growing, improving and getting better. “New construction makes the light shine a little brighter,” he says. “National statistics show that, in general, it leads to about a 20 percent increase in enrollment.”

Brothers, who also serves as head football coach, says that the timing for the Event Center is right because it enables the school to capitalize on recent athletics success. One needs to look no further than his own program for proof.

In 13 years at NCS, Brothers has compiled a record of 128-41. He’s led the Eagles to the postseason every year, won one title (2015) and sent dozens of players on to play at the collegiate level.

“Every year is a new team with new components,” says Brothers. “Every team has its own identity and obstacles to overcome. Leadership changes because seniors graduate. However, our goal every year is to play for the state championship. It’s a joy watching kids grow and seeing their leadership develop. There’s no secret; it requires a strong work ethic but the work is never really complete. You always have to have that carrot out there in front of them.”

Expectations remain high this fall as NCS welcomes back quarterback Jared Curtis who, as a freshman, led the Eagles to a 10-3 record and an appearance in the state championship game. The 6-2 sophomore already has received scholarship offers from many of the biggest brands in college football, including Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama and Tennessee.

“He deserves every bit of the attention he is getting,” says Brothers. “Not only has he played well but he handles the attention and expectations with maturity. He’s a confident kid but he is still the same guy we’ve known and still hangs out with the same friends. He’s the same guy he was, devoted to his teammates and his teams. He’s just a little busier now.

“But like so many others, he’s the answer to a great question: Can you get there from NCS? The answer is ‘yes,’ you can get from here to wherever you want to go.”

NASHVILLE

CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

2023 Varsity Football Schedule

AUGUST

• Friday 18 at Davidson Academy

• Friday 25 Prince Avenue Christian School (at UTC-Chattanooga)

SEPTEMBER

• Friday 1 Battle Ground Academy

• Friday 15 Mount Juliet Christian Academy

• Friday 22 at Grace Christian Academy - Franklin

• Friday 29 at Goodpasture Christian School

OCTOBER

• Friday 6  Columbia Academy

• Friday 13 at Fayetteville

• Friday 20 at Clarksville Academy

• Thursday 26 at Donelson Christian Academy

Home games kickoff at 7 p.m.

Jared Curtis and Jeff Brothers

Jared Curtis

Backyard Chickens

Everything you need to get started on your backyard coop.

Chickens have become increasingly popular as pets in both suburban and urban areas during the last 20 years. Backyard chickens may seem to be an unsuspecting animal to keep as a pet but the tried and true egg producers are back in fashion as food costs are soaring and families are looking for more food independence in light of recent supply chain shortages. There’s a lot to like about raising chickens in your backyard. Surprisingly, chickens are relatively low maintenance. And bonus – unlike dogs, they don’t need to be bathed or groomed, and they don’t shed on your clothes or require training. Oh, and bonus – they make you breakfast.

The eggs from backyard chickens are the best—tastier and fresher than any store-bought eggs. Much of the day, the birds entertain themselves, picking at grass, worms, beetles, and all of the good things that go into making those delicious farm eggs. Plus, with their keen eye for insect pests, chickens make for great gardening companions.

Chickens can provide family companionship, fun, entertainment, sustainable fresh food, and plenty of poop that gardeners prize as a natural fertilizer/composting material. Could backyard chickens be the perfect pet/producer to add to your home?

Things To Consider Before Getting Chickens:

First, check local town ordinances to ensure that keeping chickens is even allowed in your neighborhood or if there is a limit to the number of chickens you can keep at once.

Make sure you have the space for a henhouse or a full-size chicken coop. It has to hold a feeder and water containers, a roosting area, and a nest box for every three hens. A proper coop should be large enough that you can stand in it to gather eggs and shovel manure comfortably, but a simple hen house can be quite a bit smaller. Plus, any housing must be sturdy enough to keep your chickens safe from all the predators out there. Gorgeous coops are aplenty on places like Pinterest if you’re building your own, but many pre-made options are available through various farm supply stores as well.

Chickens need food and water daily. Feed is about $20 per 50-pound bag, but prices vary depending on your location and the quality of the feed. How long a bag lasts depends on the number of chickens you have.

Hens will lay eggs through Spring and Summer and into the fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. Expect to collect eggs daily or even twice a day.

Backyard Chicken Q&A:

HOW MANY CHICKENS SHOULD I KEEP?

Chickens are sociable creatures, so plan to keep three to six birds at least. With this amount, you’ll always have a steady supply of eggs, since an adult hen lays about two eggs every three days, on average. Local ordinances also dictate how many chickens one household can keep.

HOW MUCH DOES KEEPING CHICKENS COST?

All of this costs money, of course. The materials to build and furnish a coop and a 20 x 5-foot run—including wood, fencing, and hardware—are going to set you back at least $300. If you can’t do this work yourself, you’ll also be buying skilled labor.

Overall, expect to spend between $500 and $700 when getting started depending on the size of your flock, coop and run. For prefabricated coops, expect to pay $600 or more.

WHAT KIND OF SHELTER DO THEY NEED?

Chickens need to have an enclosed coop that provides adequate space, protection from the elements and predators, and good ventilation. A modified shed, barn, or stable with an outdoor run is a good option for a coop. The outdoor run should be fully enclosed if you have predators like hawks or owls nearby. Ideally, coops are slightly elevated off the ground to prevent flooding and have windows on each side, enough nest boxes to allow several chickens to nest simultaneously, outlets for lighting, fans if they’re needed, air inlets or ventilation holes on the roof, and a concrete floor treated with a pet-safe waterproof coating that allows for easy cleaning and drainage.

Want to go the fancy route?

Search Pinterest for “chicken coop building plans” if you’re building your own or consider going the luxury route with a gorgeous custom-built coop from a company like CutestCoops.com .

WHEN DO CHICKENS START LAYING EGGS?

Most hens will start laying eggs when they’re about 18 to 20 weeks old, although it may take more time for them to reach their peak output. Often, the first eggs are laid irregularly or are smaller or oddly shaped when compared with a typical egg. This is nothing to worry about! Once a cycle is established, most hens will lay one egg per day.

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VARIOUS DATES AUGUST 2023

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

High School Football

VARIOUS LOCATIONS | 7:00 PM

LAWSON: Friday 18 vs. Cheatham Co.; Friday 25 at Sycamore; Thursday 31 vs. Stratford. NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN: Friday 18 at Davidson Academy; Friday 25 vs. Prince Avenue Christian at UTC-Finley Stadium; Friday, September 1 vs. Battle Ground Academy. ENSWORTH: Friday 18 at Union City; Friday 25 vs. MBA; Friday, September 1 vs. Trezevant.

Stompin’ Grounds Writers Rounds

BAR LOUIE, 8119 SAWYER BROWN RD. | 7:00 PM

Start the weekend with a Friday night visit to Bar Louie for Stompin’ Grounds Writers Rounds. See established and up-and-coming singer/songwriters performing in an intimate venue in the heart of Bellevue. Facebook.com/stompingroundsmusic

Harpeth Conservancy's No Water, No Beer Happy Hour

EAST NASHVILLE BEER WORKS, 320 EAST TRINITY LN. | 6:00 PM

No Water, No Beer Happy Hour is a fun and social way to raise awareness about the importance of being responsible stewards of waterways. Attendees will also learn about The Harpeth Conservancy, a science-based conservation organization dedicated to clean water and healthy ecosystems for rivers throughout Tennessee.  HarpethConservancy.org

Songwriter Night at 615ChuTNey

7075 HIGHWAY 70 SOUTH | 6:00 PM

Unwind on a Tuesday evening as singers and songwriters take to the Chennai Talkies Stage at 615ChuTNey in Bellevue Valley Plaza. Interested in performing? Send an email to music@NashvilleChutney.com. For more information call 615.248.8639. NashvilleChutney.com

Full Moon Pickin' Party

PERCY WARNER PARK, 2500 OLD HICKORY BLVD. | 6:00 PM

The Full Moon Pickin’ Party in Percy Warner Park has been a Bellevue tradition for 25 years. Patrons enjoy live bluegrass music, local food trucks, cold brews, and more. Bring an acoustic instrument for discounted admission and join a pickin' circle. Dogs on leashes welcome. Lawn chairs encouraged. Admission includes complimentary soda, water and up to three beers (21+). WarnerParks.org/events/category/benefit-events/full-moon-pickin-party

Stephens Valley Church Parents Day Out

6000 PASQUO RD. | | 9:00 AM

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