The Contributor: December 18, 2024

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Nashville, Tennessee

NAHCC, La Suite Barcelona y la Sinfónica de Nashville Unen Arte e Historia

Durante la primera quincena de diciembre, la Cámara de Comercio Hispana del Área de N a s h v i l l e (NAHCC), en colaboración con La Suite Subastas & Art GalleryBarcelona y la Por Yuri Cunza Sinfónica de Editor-In-Chief Nashville, presentó @yuricunza una exhibición de venta sin precedentes en el Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Este evento, que incluyó una recepción inaugural el 5 de diciembre, reflejó cómo el arte puede tender puentes entre culturas, fomentar la comprensión mutua y celebrar la rica herencia artística europea y latinoamericana.

La exposición de venta, titulada “The New and Old World”, fue posible gracias a la visión de los dueños de La Suite Subastas y el espíritu colaborativo del Director Ejecutivo de la Sinfónica de Nashville, Alan Valentine, en asociación con la NAHCC, y la Directora Ejecutiva de la Fundación NAHCC, Loraine Segovia Paz. Juntos, hicieron realidad un proyecto que no solo despertó el interés de la comunidad local, sino que también atrajo la atención de destacados líderes, incluyendo al Alcalde de Nashville, Freddie O’Connell, quien visitó la muestra y reconoció la relevancia cultural e histórica de las obras presentadas.

La Suite Subastas & Art GalleryBarcelona, propiedad de Beatriz du Breuil, Rafael Adrio, acompañados de su hija Lúa, y sobrina María Travesset, aportó una curaduría excepcional, logrando traer a Nashville una colección única de obras europeas y coloniales.

Esta selección incluyó esculturas medievales, platería española, mobiliario histórico de los siglos XVI y XVII, así como arte colonial de México y los Andes. Entre las piezas más notables destacó una serie del siglo XVIII

Local Feature

Church members from the Downtwon Presbyterian Church reflect on 100 years of their Waffle Shop fundraiser.

Melissa Falks, quien ayudó a crear un ambiente propicio para el diálogo y el intercambio de conocimientos.

Photo: MPACK Photography

Members of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and NAHCC Foundation with La Suite Subastas owners Beatriz, Rafael, and daughter Lúa at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

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que representaba a catorce reyes incas junto al conquistador español Francisco Pizarro, reflejando la compleja interacción entre el mundo precolombino y el europeo.

La recepción inaugural tuvo su punto más alto con la presentación de “Tennessee Wings”, una obra del artista chileno Fernando Alday (n.

1959), que la galería entregó a la Fundación de la NAHCC. Alday, quien ha vivido en Barcelona durante más de dos décadas, integra en sus collages documentos y papeles antiguos, resaltando el valor de la historia y el paso del tiempo. Este gesto cultural reforzó la misión de la Fundación NAHCC de preservar y promover el legado hispano en las artes. Durante el evento, Segovia Paz afirmó: “La exhibición ‘The New and Old World’ fue una extraordinaria ce-lebración del patrimonio artístico y cultural que enlazó nuestro pasado con el presente, y la entrega de Tennessee Wings de Fernando Alday confirma el poder del arte para inspirar comunidades y for-talecer lazos entre tradiciones diversas.”

La participación de Beatriz du Breuil y Rafael Adrio no se limitó a la exhibición en el Schermerhorn. Como parte de las actividades culturales, ambos fueron invitados a presentarse ante un auditorio lleno de estudiantes en la St. Bernard Academy, donde hablaron sobre las piezas históricas de la muestra. La curiosidad y la atención activa de los niños reflejaron el impacto educativo del proyecto. Esta visita fue facilitada por la consejera escolar,

Durante la inauguración, el 5 de diciembre, el público disfrutó de una tarde de networking, presentaciones y anuncios especiales, seguida de más oportunidades de interacción. La calidez y apertura del evento permitieron que líderes empresariales, amantes del arte, miembros de la comunidad y autoridades locales entablaran conversaciones enriquecedoras.

Con la conclusión de la exhibición el 13 de diciembre, quedó el legado de una iniciativa cultural única que posicionó a Nashville como punto de confluencia artística e histórica. Medios de comunicación, representantes comunitarios y público general elogiaron la calidad curatorial, la diversidad estilística y la relevancia global del proyecto. Así, la NAHCC, La Suite Barcelona, la Sinfónica de Nashville, Fernando Alday, la familia du Breuil-Adrio y todas las instituciones involucradas dejaron una huella imborrable en la ciudad, demostrando que el arte puede trascender fronteras, inspirar aprendizaje y fortalecer el entendimiento mutuo en un mundo cada vez más conectado.

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PAGE 2 | December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

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FEATURE

My Memories of The Downtown Presbyterian Church’s Waffle Shops Past

BY JIMMY CHESHIRE | FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE DOWNTOWN PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH

My memories of past Waffle Shops long preceded my ever attending one. When I was child I remember sitting around our kitchen table while my mother and grandmother talked about something they referred to as “The Waffle Shop.” My grandmother would talk about cooking waffles and making children’s clothes, sweets and other items for the bazaar, while my mother would talk about waiting tables.

It was not until I completed law school and started working at a downtown law firm that I had the opportunity to actually attend a Waffle Shop. My secretary during part of this period took great satisfaction in placing Waffle Shop posters throughout the firm and in selling tickets. She was so diligent in her sales efforts that I remember on several occasions she would run out of tickets, necessitating her sending me to the church to get more.

In the earlier days of the Waffle Shop, Nashville’s three major banks and two major insurance companies had their headquarters

downtown. In addition, Nashville’s three largest department stores were located downtown, many of Nashville’s lawyers were located close to the courthouse, and a contingent of medical doctors and dentists were still located downtown in the Doctors' Building and the Bennie Dillon Building. As a result, there were many business and professional people downtown who always looked forward to attending the Waffle Shop on the first Thursday in December.

In addition, since most of Nashville’s retail stores were at that time located downtown, they drew a number of housewives to town to do their Christmas shopping and many of them would include attendance at the Waffle Shop in their trip.

While, to my chagrin, there have been modifications to the menu in an effort to make it more appealing to the younger generations, the Waffle Shop remains for me not only a highlight of the Christmas season, but also a welcome bridge to the past.

Reflecting on a Century of Waffle Shop

BY ERIN BELL | WAFFLE SHOP STEERING COMMIT TEE MEMBER

The Downtown Presbyterian Church is full of gratitude to the community for supporting this year’s Waffle Shop so enthusiastically. We are particularly thankful for our corporate sponsors, including The Contributor. As hoped, nearly 500 people attended and we raised over $15,000! All of the funds from Waffle Shop are allocated to the church’s mission to provide a free meal to the community each Saturday morning.

This year’s event was a celebration of Waffle Shop’s traditions, the Christmas holiday, and our downtown community — all while supporting a very worthy cause!

Waffle Shop is referred to as both an event and a tradition. The definition of tradition is

“a delivering up, surrender, a handing down, a giving up.” There is an inherent reciprocity in a tradition that requires both giving and receiving. You cannot create a tradition alone.

It’s usually up to others to determine if an idea or activity merits repeating. The same is true of determining when a tradition has reached its conclusion. As a steering committee member, we are exceedingly grateful and humbled by those who have handed down the Waffle Shop, each year relinquishing it to others to continue as they feel best. Now that this year’s event has passed, we too must wait to see what comes next.

Like so many things in life, the Waffle Shop has changed over time. It is interest-

ing to see which traditions have remained essential and which have not. Sometimes the transition from “then” to “now” is obvious — such as the name change from Bazaar to Waffle Shop. Other times it is more subtle — hot chicken replaces turkey hash on the menu. For several years the Women of the Church hosted the waffle luncheon for three days the week following Thanksgiving! I have nothing but utmost respect for those who were hosting such an endeavor. I also feel comfortable following the lead of those who opted to scale it back to a one-day event.

At some point along the way guided tours of the sanctuary and a silent auction became highlights of the annual Waffle Shop. This

December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 3

balancing of repetition and change, the old with the new, has allowed this tradition to continue for 100 years.

As a church, we also celebrated a milestone this year. In June we honored the members who founded The Downtown Presbyterian Church in 1955, a process that began in 1954. The Downtown Presbyterian church is blessed beyond measure to have two founding members still in regular attendance — Jimmy Cheshire and Ridley Wills.

These gentlemen and their families have given immeasurable support and guidance to DPC. They have served on its Session and its Corporation, helping to ensure its stability and its adherence to its principles.

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PAGE 4 | December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

COLUMN: LEARN MORE ABOUT

Column: Learn More About Unauthorized Camping on Public Property

BY JUDITH TACKET T

Last month, Tennessee arrested 10 unhoused people in Downtown Nashville for unauthorized camping, utilizing a 2022 law that makes sleeping on public property in certain situations a felony.

Arrests are not the way to solve homelessness. Contrary to popular belief, arresting people to force them into services is not a successful strategy. If it were, the United States would not see the numbers of outdoor homelessness it currently has. If it were, we probably would not have street homelessness in the United States.

On the contrary, arresting people who are in those public spaces mostly because they have no home to go to adds to their trauma, undermines trust in a system that should be focused on helping them, piles on more barriers to housing and essentially prevents some individuals from moving off the streets more easily. The consequences are that some people give up.

Here is a quick overview of what I know about these recent arrests: A total of 10 people experiencing homelessness were arrested for camping on public property in Downtown Nashville between Oct. 29 and Nov. 20, 2024. Tennessee was the first state that made camping on public property a Class E Felony, which carries up to six years in prison, a $3,000 fine, and the loss of voting rights.

If you recall, that’s the legislation that even Gov. Bill Lee declined to sign.

According to an article published in the Tennessee Lookout in June 2022, the governor said “he believes there’s a better solution for dealing with a complex problem.” Yet, he chose not to veto the bill.

While the arrest charges were for “unauthorized camping on state property,” the legislature deleted the language “state owned land” in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-14-414(c), which is a part of the relevant section of the Code under which these arrests occurred. Instead, Tennessee substituted the language “public property.”

What this means is that any law enforcement officer in Tennessee has the discretion to arrest anyone who illegally camps on any public property.

The locations of these 10 arrests were in Downtown Nashville, among them: • the Public Square Park; • Walk of Fame Park; • Under the Pedestrian Bridge on Riverfront; • At Riverfront by 1st Avenue and Broadway; • Near the Ascend Amphitheater; • Fort Nashborough; and

• 636 Lafayette Street, (which is the address of the Nashville Rescue Mission).

Since most of these arrests clearly were made on Metro property, I double checked with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) and Metro Parks and was able to confirm that Metro was not involved in these arrests. Rather, the arresting officers were state troopers of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The Mayor’s Office gave the following statement from Mayor Freddie O’Connell: "We were concerned about state law for this very reason and will continue to work to demonstrate the effectiveness of best practices as we seek to mitigate the impact of homelessness. We remain focused locally on housing and services and are excited to have opened Strobel House, seen major improvements to HMIS and to have made progress on availability of pallet shelters."

I am aware of only one prior arrest under this law, which was dismissed at the request of the state in March 2023 — which raises the question of why these arrests happened?

Some advocates told me that they see increased arrests in the downtown area usually prior to a big event. The CMA Awards were held on Nov. 20, 2024, at the Bridgestone Arena.

State law defines camping under Tennessee Code Title 39, Chapter 14, Section 414 as follows (copy and pasted): As used in this section, "camping" means: 1. Any of the following at any time between ten o'clock p.m. (10:00 p.m.) and seven o'clock a.m. (7:00 a.m.): (A) Erecting, placing, maintaining, leaving, allowing to remain, or using a piece of furniture, tent, raised tarp, or other temporary shelter, structure, or furniture; (B) Placing or storing personal belongings for future use, including storing food for consumption; or (C) Carrying on cooking activities, whether by fire or use of artificial means, such as a propane stove or other heat-producing portable cooking equipment; 2. Sleeping or making preparations to sleep, including laying down a sleeping bag, blanket, or other material used for bedding; 3. Making a fire or preparing to make a fire; or 4. Doing any digging or earth breaking.

I went to General Sessions Court on Nov. 22. When I tried to enter the courtroom, I was first denied access by a court officer, which I am unsure was even legal. Once I managed to get inside, it took me a couple of hours to figure out that no one except for the officials in charge knew what was happening at any given time.

It is very clear to me that if I were already in survival mode from living outdoors, I would be unable to gather enough to figure out in this courtroom chaos what’s happening to me, let alone be able to advocate for myself.

The District Attorney’s representative did not immediately dismiss the charges of the people who were arrested for unauthorized camping on public property. Rather, she released them after talking to some advocates but they have to be back in court at a later date. Her argument, as far as I could follow, was that she wanted to make sure that people are linked to housing and services. To do so, she was working closely with an outreach worker/case manager of the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) who was present at court.

The OHS worker appeared overwhelmed as he was meeting with some of the folks outside the courtroom. I heard him say he was working on setting people up for services. It was never defined what that entails. I also overheard one of the Tennessee Highway Patrol officers state that “so many people choose not to accept services.”

And this is the crux of the problem of criminalizing homelessness under the pretense that we want to link people to the services they need. Have you ever been told what to do and your instinctive reaction is, “Who are you to tell me what I should do?” You may not speak it out loud, but you still want to say it, right?

Think about it, how would you react if a stranger, possibly dressed in a uniform, would tell you what to do, especially when you are trying your best to just survive? I would likely tell them that I am doing just fine without their unsolicited advice. It is a reaction.

Now, how would you react if a person who has been checking in with you for a few weeks asked you what you need? I would be more inclined to tell them what would help me and over time start working with them more closely. In short, we tend to assume that people don’t want services. But it depends on who asks them and whether they know that person is serious about actually helping them.

Study after study has shown that criminalization and arrests do little to

December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 5

end homelessness or promote housing stability. On the contrary, they have the unintended effect of prolonging individuals’ homelessness. Yet, our society prefers to invest in more jails and prisons and lock people up to get them out of sight quickly rather than invest in sustainable resources that actually would solve homelessness.

If we want to truly end street homelessness, we need to invest in a coordinated system that at minimum provides people with access to: • Highly trained street outreach staff who are compensated fairly for their extremely complex work.

Currently, we have not enough well-trained staff on the ground in Nashville.

• Accessible low-income housing.

While we need a wide variety of housing, when we talk about street homelessness, we often talk about chronic homelessness. Even if people have incomes and work, they are unable to pay rent in Nashville.

Thus, we need government subsidies to supplement their incomes and help pay rent so that people with disabling conditions are able to remain in housing long-term.

• Accessible health care, mental health care, drug detox and other treatment options. A comprehensive support system often starts with addressing people’s health.

Once they are able to stabilize, some of them are able to work on increasing their incomes through workforce development.

• Accessible case managers or coaches. I prefer to think of them as coaches, people who are there to help problem-solve and help people integrate into their new communities and neighborhoods.

Over the years, I have spoken with many frustrated neighborhood groups and business owners. More often than not, they are right in what they say.

Homelessness can have negative effects on them. But one thing I always stick with is telling them the truth. We need to invest in permanent housing with support services and help people integrate into our neighborhoods and help them feel welcome like we would with other newcomers to the community. That’s ultimately the only solution to homelessness.

We need to stop arresting people for being in the wrong place at the wrong time without committing an actual crime.

NEWS BRIEFS

News Briefs Nashville Public Library Foundation And Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Partner On Major New Early Literacy Initiative The Nashville Public Library Foundation received a $4.5 million investment from The Dolly wood Foundation to launch Nashville Public Library’s new early literacy program Begin Bright. The initiative is aimed at getting kids' kindergarten reading ready by combining Dolly Parton’s commitment to get books in the hands of young children with Nashville Public Library’s innovative and award-winning early literacy programming, according to a release. Technology will also help provide training and literacy resources for parents, childcare providers and more.

“I really believe this partnership can make a huge impact on inspiring a love of reading for children and families. And one of the best parts is that Nashville can once again light the way for the nation,” said Parton. The Nashville Public Library Foundation hopes to raise $20 million for Begin Bright’s implementation and to build an endowment that sustains the program. The Library will roll out the program in the spring of 2025.

Tennessee Department of Human Services Partners with U.S. Department of Defense to Expand Affordable Child Care Options for Military Affiliated Families The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to expand affordable, quality child care options for active-duty military members in Tennessee, according to a release. This collaboration, which will pair TDHS with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Campbell military base, is set to benefit military-affiliated families across the state. The program provides eligible child care providers in Tennessee the chance to participate in DoD'S Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS) program, offering child care payment assistance for military families. As part of the initiative, to offset the cost of child care not covered by the parent fee as calculated by their total family income, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) increased the child care provider rate cap up to a maximum of $1800 per month per child.

Visit militarychildcare.com for more information.

We’re participating in NewsMatch, a national matching-gift campaign that drives donations to nonprofit newsrooms.

www.thecontributor.org/donate Through Dec. 31, NewsMatch will match your donation, inluding new monthly donations 12x!

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PAGE 6 | December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

A FEW QUESTIONS

Q&A with Vivian Wilhoite

BY JUDITH TACKET T

Vivian Wilhoite is a long-standing public servant and most Nashvillians who pay attention to local politics know her as the Assessor of Property, a position she was reelected to earlier this year. She also ran for Mayor in 2023, and was elected to the Metro Council in 2003 and 2007, serving two terms to represent District 29.

She started her professional career as a real estate appraiser at the Tennessee Public Service Commission where she was responsible for the appraisal of public utility properties for ad valorem tax purposes. She worked her way up to Chief of the Consumer Services Division and ended her stint with the state doing consumer education and outreach across Tennessee.

In 2016, she was elected as the first African American to hold the position of the Assessor of Property and the third African American in the State of Tennessee elected to the position of the Assessor of Property. Meanwhile she is serving in her third term, and property owners’ and politicans’ eyes will be on her and her office next year, 2025, when the next property reappraisal is schedule to be conducted.

What is the role of the Davidson County Assessor of Property?

It is our responsibility to determine the value and the classification of all taxable properties in Davidson County. Our mission specifically is, “To accurately identify, list, appraise, and classify all taxable properties to achieve fair and equitable values for the preparation and completion of the annual assessment roll in a timely manner, while continuously educating property owners of the appraisal process and their options to appeal, as well as learn of available assistance programs.”

The last property tax assessment was in 2021, which garnered a lot of attention due to the Metro Council voting to increase the property tax rate in the prior year. When is the next reappraisal and can you explain how the property tax rate in Davidson County is determined?

The reappraisal was last conducted in 2021, and the next reappraisal will be administered in 2025.

In Tennessee, every county has a choice to do a reappraisal every four, five, or six years. Davidson County chose to conduct its reappraisal every four years. We submitted that decision to the State Board of Equalization, our governing body, for their approval.

When a reappraisal occurs, state law says that the county cannot benefit from a windfall of revenue on existing construction because of the reappraisal. In other words, Tennessee has a revenue neutral requirement of the reappraisal process meaning that the county can only collect the same amount of money that it collected on existing construction in the previous year.

Further, to ensure that the reappraisal is revenue neutral, the State of Tennessee, by law, after a reappraisal, establishes a new tax rate. This tax rate is called the Certified Tax Rate. This CTR calculated against the value of existing construction is established

to not produce more property tax revenue than the amount generated during the preceding year on existing construction.

After the reappraisal, if the Mayor and/or the Metro Council wants to increase its revenue through the property taxes, the Mayor and/or the Metro Council would then adjust that CTR. Citizens would get the opportunity to voice their opinion on the increase.

Consider what happened in 2017, the year after I was elected as the Assessor of Property. At that time, the Mayor and the Metro Council decided not to increase the CTR. The CTR became the tax rate and was the lowest tax rate in Davidson County’s history – 3.155 per 100 dollar-Urban Service District and 2.755 per 100 dollar-General Service District. The county gets its additional revenue from new construction.

In 2020, the new Mayor and Metro Council at that time passed a tax rate increase, before the reappraisal year of 2021.

That was a 34-percent increase in the tax rate, from $3.155 to $4.211 per $100 of a property’s assessed value and came after three years of no tax increase. The reappraisal of 2021 resulted in the CTR reduced to $3.288 and the Mayor and the Metro Council choose not to increase the tax rate above the CTR. Making that tax rate of $3.288 the second lowest tax rate in Davidson County’s history.

If the tax rate increase happened one year prior to the 2021 Reappraisal, does that mean that the Mayor and Metro Council can propose a tax rate change any year?

To my understanding, the Mayor or the Metro Council can propose a tax rate increase at any time. Let me be clear, the Assessor of Property is not involved in proposing a tax rate. That is one of the many misconceptions that our staff must clarify daily. We continue to conduct a huge amount of outreach to educate people on that and on the reappraisal process. Our responsibility is to establish the value on currently more than 282,000 residential and commercial properties combined and approximately 34,000 personal property accounts.

It is the Mayor’s Office or the Metro Council that initiates a property tax increase and votes on it. They can do it any

year, but based on history, it is done in connection with a property reappraisal year because the tax rate will likely be adjusted downward to maintain revenue neutrality as I’ve mentioned previously.

A critical part of our mission is to educate property owners about the reappraisal process. We provide the market value to the property owner in the reappraisal year and that value remains the same until the next reappraisal, unless the property is impacted by improvements or damages; thereby changing the property value. The primary ways that property value changes between one reappraisal to another is if you improve your property through a renovation or expansion, which is what a lot of people did during COVID, or if – God forbid – some type of occurrence happens that reduces your property value, your home caught on fire or a tornado or flood damaged it.

Usually, we find out about additions when people take out a permit to add on or renovate their property, and then we conduct visual inspection and reappraise the property value. After a disaster, if the damages are not repaired by a certain time, we, by law, must inspect that property and reduce the value equitably and fairly.

All this boils down to the fact that the reappraisal is just about the value of your property. It is not about setting the property tax rate.

About how many properties are included in the reappraisal, and how much of Metro’s budget is based on the payment of property tax?

In the last reappraisal of 2021, we valued approximately 252,000 parcels. I understand that 52 percent of the Metro budget is currently funded through the payment of property tax. Property taxes are based on two factors in the equation, the tax rate per 100 dollars, and the 25, 30 or 40 percent of the property value depending on whether it’s residential, commercial or personal property.

For us, it is very important that we provide a fair and equitable property value based on the laws and procedures under which we are governed by the State of Tennessee.

We are a total staff of 85 plus of skilled and professionally trained appraisers and support staff. Those who are appraisers go out between the reappraisals and visually inspect all properties to keep our records updated. They review and verify market sales, cost, and income data according to accepted practices.

Reappraisal values are based on location, a property’s characteristics, square footage, quality of construction, property use to determine whether it is used as a home, a business, or vacant land, and current market conditions. The market conditions are determined by similar sales in the neighborhood and immediate area during the year prior to the reappraisal year. So, for the 2025 reappraisal, we will use sales from 2024.

What are some of the community priorities you currently work on?

My priority is to implement the mission

December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 7

of our office. To do that, we continue to increase our number of credentialed appraisers and deputy assessors in our office.

One of the priorities that I was proactive in putting into place is outreach and education. This includes making sure that property owners know that they have the right to appeal and to ensure they understand the reappraisal process.

To date we have done more than 250 outreach presentations. We were only stif led in doing those during the height of COVID. But we continue to find creative ways to ensure that property owners are aware that once they get their values, they can appeal. We don’t make it personal. We want to hear from you about your property, about something that we may not know.

For instance, about a house fire in your home that reduced the property value and for some reason you were not able to fully repair the inside of your home. We don’t see that from the outside. You may have had a leaking roof. You may have a crack in your foundation that has caused your property to shift in a way that may make it difficult to live in the house. So, we want to hear about those type of things.

We want people to appeal, so that we can get the opportunity to be in front of the owner to share with them how we arrive at the value, and they can share with us information about their property. The property owner knows more about their property than we do.

What led up to this point. What drives you?

It was people, and it was the experience that I had.

I say people because I was approached by a very good friend of mine urging me to run for this office when I was an appraiser for the Tennessee Public Service Commission.

At that time I was finishing my first term as a councilmember, and I wanted to run for a second term. And later on a constituent of mine also suggested I should consider running for Assessor of Property.

Helping people was something I was already doing as Metro Council representative. The reason I ran was because I felt I could help inform people about the property reappraisal and their right to appeal. I felt, and still do, that people can be informed in a way that meets them where they are. And those were the things that I wanted to put in place as the Assessor of Property.

Even though tax freeze, tax relief, and tax deferral are the responsibility of the [Office of the Metropolitan] Trustee, I felt it was everybody’s job to tell people about those programs. I am talking about programs that can benefit those who live on a fixed income. When you live in a booming city where [property] values are increasing year over year, but you only see the increase in property values in the reappraisal every four years, that can lead to widespread sticker shock.

I think it’s important for people to understand how the process works and how the appeals process and these tax relief programs can work for them.

LA NOTICIA “The Contributor” está trabajando con uno de los principales periódicos en español La Noticia para llevar contenido a más lectores en Middle Tennessee. Nuestros vendedores de periódicos han pedido durante mucho tiempo que nuestra publicación incluya contenido que apele al interés de residentes de habla hispana en nuestra comunidad.

“The Contributor” is working with one of the leading Spanish-language newspapers La Noticia to bring content to more readers in Middle Tennessee. Our newspaper vendors have long requested that our publication include content that appeals to the interest of Spanish-speaking residents in our community.

LOCALES - POLÍTICA - INMIGRACIÓN - TRABAJOS - SALUD - ESPECTÁCULOS - DEPORTES Y MÁS...

L a N ticia 2024

GRATIS

Diciembre/2

Newspaper Nashville

Año 22 - No. 40

Escanee esta imagen para ver La Noticia newspaper edición bilingüe digital

w w w. h i s p a n i c p a p e r. c o m

“DONDE OCURREN LOS HECHOS QUE IMPORTAN, SIEMPRE PRIMERO... ANTES”

Nashville, Tennessee

NAHCC, La Suite Barcelona y la Sinfónica de Nashville Unen Arte e Historia

Durante la primera quincena de diciembre, la Cámara de Comercio Hispana del Área de N a s h v i l l e (NAHCC), en colaboración con La Suite Subastas & Art GalleryBarcelona y la Por Yuri Cunza Sinfónica de Editor-In-Chief Nashville, presentó @yuricunza una exhibición de venta sin precedentes en el Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Este evento, que incluyó una recepción inaugural el 5 de diciembre, reflejó cómo el arte puede tender puentes entre culturas, fomentar la comprensión mutua y celebrar la rica herencia artística europea y latinoamericana.

La exposición de venta, titulada “The New and Old World”, fue posible gracias a la visión de los dueños de La Suite Subastas y el espíritu colaborativo del Director Ejecutivo de la Sinfónica de Nashville, Alan Valentine, en asociación con la NAHCC, y la Directora Ejecutiva de la Fundación NAHCC, Loraine Segovia Paz. Juntos, hicieron realidad un proyecto que no solo despertó el interés de la comunidad local, sino que también atrajo la atención de destacados líderes, incluyendo al Alcalde de Nashville, Freddie O’Connell, quien visitó la muestra y reconoció la relevancia cultural e histórica de las obras presentadas.

La Suite Subastas & Art GalleryBarcelona, propiedad de Beatriz du Breuil, Rafael Adrio, acompañados de su hija Lúa, y sobrina María Travesset, aportó una curaduría excepcional, logrando traer a Nashville una colección única de obras europeas y coloniales.

Esta selección incluyó esculturas medievales, platería española, mobiliario histórico de los siglos XVI y XVII, así como arte colonial de México y los Andes. Entre las piezas más notables destacó una serie del siglo XVIII

Melissa Falks, quien ayudó a crear un ambiente propicio para el diálogo y el intercambio de conocimientos.

Photo: MPACK Photography

Members of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and NAHCC Foundation with La Suite Subastas owners Beatriz, Rafael, and daughter Lúa at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

que representaba a catorce reyes incas junto al conquistador español Francisco Pizarro, reflejando la compleja interacción entre el mundo precolombino y el europeo.

La recepción inaugural tuvo su punto más alto con la presentación de “Tennessee Wings”, una obra del artista chileno Fernando Alday (n.

1959), que la galería entregó a la Fundación de la NAHCC. Alday, quien ha vivido en Barcelona durante más de dos décadas, integra en sus collages documentos y papeles antiguos, resaltando el valor de la historia y el paso del tiempo. Este gesto cultural reforzó la misión de la Fundación NAHCC de preservar y promover el legado hispano en las artes. Durante el evento, Segovia Paz afirmó: “La exhibición ‘The New and Old World’ fue una extraordinaria ce-lebración del patrimonio artístico y cultural que enlazó nuestro pasado con el presente, y la entrega de Tennessee Wings de Fernando Alday confirma el poder del arte para inspirar comunidades y for-talecer lazos entre tradiciones diversas.”

La participación de Beatriz du Breuil y Rafael Adrio no se limitó a la exhibición en el Schermerhorn. Como parte de las actividades culturales, ambos fueron invitados a presentarse ante un auditorio lleno de estudiantes en la St. Bernard Academy, donde hablaron sobre las piezas históricas de la muestra. La curiosidad y la atención activa de los niños reflejaron el impacto educativo del proyecto. Esta visita fue facilitada por la consejera escolar,

Conoce tus derechos: ¿Que hacer en caso de una redada?

1. Mantenerse callado 2. Sólo dar nombre y apellido 3. No mentir 4. Nunca acepte/lleve documentos falsos 5. No revelar su situación migratoria 6. No llevar documentación de otro país 7. En caso de ser arrestado, mostrarla Tarjeta Miranda (llámenos si necesita una) Basados en la Quinta Enmienda de la Constitución, los derechos de guardar silencio y contar con un abogado fueron denominados Derechos Miranda luego de la decisión de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de Estados Unidos en el caso Miranda vs. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, de 1966.

por

www.juanese.com

juanese@gmail.com

PAGE 8 | December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Durante la inauguración, el 5 de diciembre, el público disfrutó de una tarde de networking, presentaciones y anuncios especiales, seguida de más oportunidades de interacción. La calidez y apertura del evento permitieron que líderes empresariales, amantes del arte, miembros de la comunidad y autoridades locales entablaran conversaciones enriquecedoras.

Con la conclusión de la exhibición el 13 de diciembre, quedó el legado de una iniciativa cultural única que posicionó a Nashville como punto de confluencia artística e histórica. Medios de comunicación, representantes comunitarios y público general elogiaron la calidad curatorial, la diversidad estilística y la relevancia global del proyecto. Así, la NAHCC, La Suite Barcelona, la Sinfónica de Nashville, Fernando Alday, la familia du Breuil-Adrio y todas las instituciones involucradas dejaron una huella imborrable en la ciudad, demostrando que el arte puede trascender fronteras, inspirar aprendizaje y fortalecer el entendimiento mutuo en un mundo cada vez más conectado.

Envíenos sus sugerencias por e-mail: news@hispanicpaper.com ó 615-582-3757

VENDOR WRITING

St. Peter AME Church Nashville

BY DANIEL H. , CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

On October 2024 a celebration was held for Rev. Louis A. Haynes and his wife Mrs. Caroline K. Haynes, where I was invited to witness their anniversary. It was a blessed day for his congregation, who were lead by Brother Derreck McCloud. In attendance was an artist Edwin Lockridge, who had been asked by the church to paint a portrait of Reverend Haynes and his wife. After the service we were offered a meal and chance to meet members of the church.

The painting was offered mid service, which brought tears to the eyes of those attending.

Below is a Pastoral Bio. “Born on September 14, 1976, to Minister Louise E. Haynes and Barbara A. Haynes, Rev. Louis A. Haynes grew up in Memphis, TN, where he distinguished himself academically as the salutatorian of Mitchell High School’s Class of 1994. He pursued higher education at Tennessee State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in 1998. That summer, he embarked on his professional journey in corporate America as an information analyst.

In December 1999, Rev. Hayes embraced fatherhood with the birth of his son, Jonathan I. Haynes. His spiritual journey began in earnest in 2004 when he accepted his calling to ministry.

He was firstl licensed to preach the gospel at Columbus Missionary Baptist Churchy in Memphis. Before delivering his trail sermon at Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Nashville. There, he served as the youth pastor for four transformative years, nurturing the spiritual growth of the church’s youth. Having completed the Board of Examiners, Rev. Haynes is now an ordained Itinerant Deacon. He is blessed to share his life and ministry with his wife, Mrs. Caroline K. Haynes, with whom he has been married for eight years. Together they enjoy building their life in Nashville.

Rev. Haynes has served as an associate Minister at Kairos Community AME Church where he led the Sons of Allen Ministry. He later became a supply pastor at Mt. Zion in Centerville, TN. His next pastoral assignment was in the Kentucky Annual Conference as Pastor of Wards Chapel AME in Scottsville, KY. During his six year tenure, he served the Scottsville community with a fervent heart and was honored to be the Keynote Speaker at the Black Lives Matter rally held on the public square. He collaborated with other ministry leaders to ensure that every child in rural areas received free lunches when public schools were not in session. Additionally, Rev.

Haynes adeptly led the congregation through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing technology to transition the church to a virtual format before returning to in-person worship when it was safe.

In 2022, he returned to the Tennessee Annual Conference, where he now serves as Pastor of St. Peter African Methodist Episco-

pal Church alongside his wife. With a heart dedicated to service, and a commitment to uplifting his community, Rev. Haynes continues to inspire and lead others on their spiritual Journeys. His ministry has borne fruit through numerous baptisms and transformative experiences, a testament to his dedication and passion in every assignment.”

One Sunday Morning

BY BENJAMIN J., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

I sell a newspaper in Bellevue. Let me tell you a Sunday story, a church story if you will. It all started last Wednesday evening. I was finishing watching the sunset behind Cross Point Church and was also watching soccer practice. I had a perfect vantage point for both. Then these two guys walk up with flashlights. OK, I know what you're thinking … what did he do now? This is me we are talking about.

So, they ask me if I needed anything. OK, see the humor in the question. I'm homeless living in a tent selling The Contributor, for which I am certainly the worst newspaper vendor in the history of newspaper vending. I even have Sir Richard Branson beat at being the worst, and they asked me if I needed something, hmmm ….

So, you know me, I ran a whole lot through my head in less than a second.

I was going to say something funny or sarcastic (my sense of humor), but I said no and asked what was going on and in the course of a two minute conversation wound up invited to church.

Wait a moment. Me, a homeless guy Contributor vendor? Well, ok, why not?

Now y'all think you know where this going but ….

So I go on Sunday to Cross Point Church not expecting to see anything at all, maybe meet some new people, but nothing to make me sit up straight let alone write a story, but here we are. I grab a coffee and look around the very modern church. Thought it's nice ... alright. I talked to some of the security and that's what I do ... best way to get the lay of the land … talk to security at church works every time.

So I sit down and the music begins.

Not bad song choices either. The thing is, I came in on the last part of a segment so for most of the service I was a little lost, but it was informative and a good service. Now at the last part comes on the screen the story of a local couple running a food pantry in downtown Nashville for the homeless, and I'm like OK cool ... you've got my interest … so what are you going to do? Well it goes on about the husband's health problems and it's a wonderful story, but I've been blabbing so I'll shorten the story. Cross Point Church gave them a total of $20,000. Ten thousand for the pantry and ten thousand for medical.

Now all I could say at that point was kudos to Cross Point Church. I'm a homeless vendor and I thank you.

POEM BY DANIEL K., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR; ARTWORK BY FREEPRESSGMA, CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 9

COVER STORY

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Building a stronger community starts with simple actions that snowball to make a big impact. Whether it’s buying a paper from a Contributor vendor, removing invasive plants from local parks or calling Bingo at a senior home, there are countless ways to get involved and support your neighbors in Nashville. This list of 10 actionable ideas gives small, intentional efforts that can foster connection, improve your personal or the city’s well-being and create lasting change.

We hope these steps empower Nashvillians to build a more inclusive, resilient community — one act at a time.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO BUY AND READ THE NEWSPAPER FROM A CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR.

You’re already there if you’re reading this, but chances are you have at least a couple of folks in your circle who’ve never had the pleasure of interacting with one of our vendors or reading the paper they sell. Vendors grow their microbusinesses by purchasing more copies for 50 cents, which they sell on the street for $2. This is the vendors' money to keep. Free papers, gear and map badges (reserved locations) incentivize vendors to grow their

microbusinesses. The part where you come in is helping them increase their customer base. Buy a paper and jump on Instagram to give your favorite piece of vendor writing a shoutout.

BE A BINGO CALLER AT A SENIOR HOME.

Have you ever felt like you’d be an excellent game show host, but never had the opportunity to try? The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Franklin is looking for folks to call Bingo for their memory care seniors as well as prizes and rewards for the game. There are several times and dates available into the New Year. Visit www.handson.unitedwaygreaternashville.org to sign up for a slot, and start working on your calling voice.

VOLUNTEER WITH THE TENNESSEE IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RIGHTS COALITION.

For more than 20 years, the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) has been building an organization and coalition of community leaders to represent “a model for immigrant rights organizations in the Southeast and throughout the United States.” As refugees and immigrants face unknowns with a changing administration in the White House as well as challenges from the Tennessee State

READ AT LEAST ONE HISTORY BOOK FROM A NASHVILLE AUTHOR. Wouldn’t it be awesome if as a society we could learn from the folks who made some awful choices in the past? Reading about local historical events helps us better understand the roots of our community and the forces that shaped it. These tellings, regardless of viewpoint, bring us to the people, places, and stories that define our shared identity, which is something we may need to come back to more and more in the coming years. A few choices: Betsy Phillips’ Dynamite Nashville: Unmasking the FBI, the KKK, and the Bombers Beyond Their Control; "Fortunes, Fiddles, and Fried Chicken" by Bill Carey; and Nowville: The Untold History of Nashville's Contemporary Art Renaissance by Contributor freelancer Joe Nolan.

Assembly, TIRRC provides a space for advocacy, education and community. There are plenty of ways to volunteer, from days on the hill to working with English classes and more. Visit www.tnimmigrant.org/ volunteer for more information on how to volunteer.

PAGE 10 | December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

COVER STORY

HELP REMOVE INVASIVE PLANTS FROM LOCAL PARKS. Beaman Park hosts a monthly Weed Wrangle in the park to aid in

removing invasive plants in the area. Volunteers can help pull, cut and get rid of species like Japanese Honeysuckle and Chinese Privet. The removal

it could be a good activity for the family while the kids are out of school as

MAKE WINTER OR SUMMER KITS TO HAND OUT AT STOP LIGHTS.

well. There will be work happening in different sites throughout the park.

This one is evergreen and a practice to begin and keep doing. Put

Email beamanpark@nashville.gov to find a spot and register.

together small bags of essentials to hand out at stoplights. They don’t

of these plants, which are not native to the area, will help flora and fauna in the area stay healthy and thriving. The next Weed Wrangle is on Jan. 4 —

take up a lot of space, and they aren’t expensive to put together.

Consider the following items put in a gallon plastic bag: protein bars, gift cards to fast food restaurants to help folks get a moment of warmth without a hassle, hand warmers in the winter, bottles of water, trail mix or other high protein snacks, hand sanitizer, a face mask and a slip of paper with local resources listed on it. Or better yet, a Where To Turn In Nashville guide, which is full of resources and information they may need. Visit wttin.org for more information.

USE PUBLIC TRANSIT, WALK OR RIDE YOUR BIKE. Whether you voted for the city’s new transit plan, using public transit, biking, and walking is a key way to create healthier communities and reduce personal environmental impact. Sustainable transportation methods decrease greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and combating climate change, and they can help promote physical health and can be more cost effective than driving in many cases. Nashville isn’t (yet) built for the perfect public transit experience or for walkers and bike riders, but you can make it a goal to find one way to decrease your reliance on your car over the next few months.

CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBORS. This is an important recommendation we give each year. Sometimes it’s a simple wave and a hello, others it means noticing a little more about your neighbors. As neighbors, our family tries not to be too nosey, but we also try to notice if a neighbor is gone for a long period of time, or if it doesn’t seem like they’re bringing packages in. Instead of worrying from afar, it’s nice to ask from across the street if there’s anything your neighbor needs that they cannot do for themselves. Leave them a note in the mailbox with your information if you’re afraid to knock on the door. Call for a wellness check if you are concerned.

HELP KEEP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN.

Especially if you’re already taking walks through your neighborhood as part of your challenge to use your car less, begin the practice of cleaning up as you go. You can wear gloves or get a grabber (we use a dog pooper scooper, you’re welcome) and carry a bag with you as you go. We don’t do it every time we walk, but it’s a great habit to incorporate into long weekend walks or hikes. Of course, we’d prefer if folks didn’t toss trash outside, but until they stop doing it, it makes sense to help clean up where you can.

HELP FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY LOCALLY. Across Nashville, there are many chances to combat food insecurity in our community. From partnering with the Nashville Food Project to delivering meals in North Nashville, there are countless ways to contribute on the calendar at www.handson.unitedwaygreaternashville.org. Volunteering to fight this fight locally strengthens the bonds within our neighborhoods and ensures that everyone has access to basic necessities. By helping those in need close to home, we foster a sense of compassion and shared responsibility that creates lasting change. Whether it’s packing food boxes, delivering meals, or supporting grassroots organizations, all of it matters to ensuring folks have the basics.

December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 11

406 11th Avenue North, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37203 visit BartDurham.com • call 615.242.9000

Let Our Family Fight For Yours.

Over 75 Years of Combined Experience.

PAGE 12 | December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

VENDOR WRITING

Special Customers Who Have Stuck With Me Through Thick And Thin

BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

At this time of year, I often reflect on some of my “special customers” who have done what I consider to be some EXTRAORDINARY things for me.

Here are two shining examples: Mark and Mari learned my granddaughter had her eye on a special dress for an upcoming school function and realized this would be difficult for me to do on my own (even though it was reasonably priced for that style of dress).

They stepped up and made sure she not only got a dress for the occasion, but THE DRESS that she REALLY wanted. As EVERY girl knows it’s all about the dress, right?

Not wanting to leave me out, you could say they went the “extra mile” or at least across the street to Cinco Di Mayo and brought me some tasty fajitas with ALL the trimmings, yum.

(They’d went there for lunch that day.)

I unexpectedly ran into Mark downtown when I was getting the latest issue of the paper a while back, and I got to show him a picture of Avani in the dress that they made possible.

I thought maybe I offended him somehow, or maybe he didn’t like the dress, because I haven’t really seen either one of them since then.

However, Mari recently stopped by and told me that Mark had been in the Critical Care Unit at the local hospital with pneumonia, and that he celebrated both his 60th birthday and their 7th wedding anniversary from a hospital bed, which IS NOT his style. He’s more of a hard working farm/country boy. To complete the look he ALWAYS wears his overalls and a baseball cap.

I must admit, I missed seeing him in those overalls. (Not just anyone can pull that look off, and he does it SO well, it reminds me of my Pop ­— and there’s NO higher compliment than that!)

Mari told me he watched over me when I’m at my spot from his hospital room, but NOT in a creepy way though.

Mari’s generous soul has been equally missed! She’s given me A LOT of winter gear to keep me warm and dry this season.

Before she left, I gave her several papers to share with Mark. She said he told her he now knows what a cat feels like as it looks out the window wanting to get out, but can’t.

I asked if she could do me a special favor and give Mark the biggest hug he could possibly handle and let him know it’s from me, (but NOT in a creepy way though) and she assured

me she would.

With that, we shared a good laugh and away she went.

I’m happy to report that he has since made a full recovery. Most recently they stopped by as they were headed out of town for a much needed vacation.

It doesn’t seem right to do an article like this without mentioning Larry and his lovely wife Dee. They have done SO much for me over time. If I were to recount their acts of kindness, it would take multiple pages of the paper, but as a sign of their modesty they prefer to be low key about all they do to help others. (For the record, they’ve done things for other vendors too, not just me.)

Most recently, I had a serious craving for Mexican food. Molcajete in particular. It’s similar to fajitas with shrimp, chicken, beef, chorizo, and cactus. Not many restaurants have it, but Las Fajitas that recently opened in my strip mall does!

I called Larry and he came to the rescue!

He got the latest issue of the paper since his subscription was out at the time, and he made sure I was well taken care of.

COMIC BY DENNIS T., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 13

He’s always done things like that for me.

When Whataburger opened in Hermitage, he brought me one to try, and he waited over an hour for it — yikes! I would’ve NEVER waited that long for a hamburger!

Turns out, I REALLY liked the spicy ketchup. I didn’t think the hamburger was anything special, but I DID appreciate the effort he put forth!

In addition to things like that, he’s well known for making deliveries, everything from flowers (he used to deliver flowers for the In Full Bloom flower shop) to papers (he’s delivered numerous papers for me to a endless line of traffic at my spot before the light changed- before he had his heart and kidney transplants).

Recently, he delivered multiple issues of The Contributor to a few of my customers so I didn’t have to pay to mail them. Most notably the local councilwoman Erin Evans. (He’s wanted to meet her for quite a while now so it was a win win for everyone involved.)

These are just two perfect examples of what I mean when I say: it’s NOT just about the money, it’s about the connections you make with the people you meet.

PIECES OF POETRY - 40

The Humble Street Vendor Written by Annette Cunningham I spotted the man on the corner,

The Songwriter Written by Ed Galing - R.I.P. “Dedicated to Chris Scott F.”

Waving his paper at me.

His lyrics are always the best.

Rain or shine he is always there.

He is one Songwriter heads up among the rest.

I passed on by,

The lyrics come so naturally.

Giving little thought to his circumstance.

He needs only to be heard.

One day, I decided to smile and wave.

He needs only for someone to get the word.

I see him every day.

For the songs he writes, come from the heart.

His face lit up and he waved back at me!

Any Songwriter will tell you, “That’s the way to start.”

One day, I bought a paper. It only cost a dollar.

He has you and me in mind.

It didn’t mean much to me but it did to him.

A Songwriter that is one of a kind.

This man shares his many poems,

There is so much for him to write about.

And has been published.

His words ring true. They have real clout.

“Street Paper” is one of my favorites.

Read his words and songs carefully.

He shares his thoughts,

For this is one Songwriter,

And writes about his experiences.

Who writes the truth for me and you.

He writes songs and poems,

That’s what it’s all about.

But does not gain recognition.

He is homeless and lives on the streets.

He is a talented, intelligent man, Who loves his God, his family and fellow man.

He is a very interesting person indeed!

He is a humble man, A street vendor and a homeless man.

THEME: Y EA R-IN-R EV IEW ACROSS 1. Cerberus' domain 6. Chop 9. Mama's husband 13. Unsuitable 14. Adam's partner 15. Echo sounder 16. Sunny prefix 17. Armed conflict 18. In a heated manner 19. *Highest grossing movie based on Broadway musical 21. *Time's 100 World's Most Influential People cover model in 2024 (2 words) 23. "____ and the City" 24. Not exciting 25. Accident 28. Rani's dress 30. Talking points 35. Aflame 37. Spanish sparkling wine 39. Slang for money 40. Velum, pl.

41. *November 5th 2024 winner 43. Short for "and elsewhere" (2 words) 44. Met's offering 46. River in Bohemia 47. Queen of Hearts' pastry 48. *Super Bowl winners in 2024 50. Visi____ or Ostro____ 52. The Alan Parsons Project's "Eye in the ____" 53. ____ of passage 55. *Milton's center 57. *Miley Cyrus' Grammy-winning Record of the Year in 2024 61. *2024 Summer Olympic Games host 64. Cat's nine 65. Lowest or highest card 67. Accustom 69. E-wallet content 70. Backstabber 71. N in RN

27. Pileus, pl.

29. Like steak order 31. Maya Angelou, e.g.

32. Itsy-bitsy bits 33. *Caitlin of college basketball 34. Gin and grapefruit juice DOWN cocktail, a.k.a. ____ dog 1. "Say what?"

36. Scarlet O'Hara's home 2. All over again 3. *MV ____, cause of 2024 38. Speaking platform 42. Dinklage or Townshend, Baltimore bridge collapse e.g.

4. Long stories 45. Again but differently 5. Tends a fire 49. Elton John's title 6. Obscene 7. Spermatozoa counterpart 51. Shenzi of "The Lion King" 54. Russian rulers, pre-1917 8. Lost, in Paris 56. Tedium 9. *Olympic Gold winner 57. "One ____ Over the Katie Ledecky's "court" Cuckoo's Nest" 10. Dead against 58. Classroom pests 11. Explore by touch 12. Maisie Williams' "Game 59. Elliptical 60. Sunset location of Thrones" character 61. Sheep's milk cheese 15. Hello, in Haifa 62. Little Miss Muffet's 20. Dead-on morsel 22. Last month 63. Gaelic tongue 24. Disclose 66. Upper limit 25. Wreaked state 68. Poetic "always" 26. Bet's predecessor 72. Whipping mark 73. R&R spot 74. Support person

We are all together in this world.

Each one has a story.

Reach out and touch someone.

The rewards are plenty, And as Chris Scott F. says: “God Bless Your Steps I Pray”

A Dollar

Written by Annette Cunningham “Dedicated to my friend Chris Scott F.” “You Inspire Me” You ask my friend, what can a dollar spend?

It’s insignificant to you and me.

But to that man or woman, Standing on the corner with papers in hand, Making a living the best they can.

Standing proud and tall, day after day, In all kinds of weather, faithful and true.

Not asking for a handout, not at all.

A dollar can buy something to drink, or a bite to eat.

It can be a phone call home, or to a long-lost friend.

A room for the night, if you get enough of them.

Sometimes it exchanges hands when one realizes, He needs it more! God Bless!

Weren’t we put on this earth to help each other?

It blesses them and helps them through.

After all, they still have laundry to do.

So yes, a dollar, a buck, a greenback, Or even some lose change, Can help make someone’s day better.

So next time, stop. Got a buck? Give a buck, And two souls will be blessed.

PAGE 14 | December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Shine On

Written by Sam Fulks.

“Inspired by and written about Chris Scott F. To Mr. Chris · 7/16/09, Friend, Companion, Songwriter, Volunteer.

A man after the Heart of God.” Produced by Emmy Award winning music arranger Dave Porter

You my friend - Are an inspiration - To me...

Giving and caring for other men...

Like Jesus did... That’s what I see.

Keep shining on myself and others with?

Your actions, your word and your song.

God working through you has the power, To take a man out of himself, And rise up and be strong.

Shine On... Shine On... Shine On...

Shine On... Shine On... Shine On...

You’ve helped me to have compassion, Where there was none.

I’ve always taken my life so serious.

Now, you've helped me lighten up, And have some fun.

Shine On... Shine On... Shine On...

Shine On... Shine On... Shine On...

My prayer is today?

That we may shine on others...

By carrying with us, the Son light of the Spirit.

Thank You God, for showing me, That all things in this life, Are Possible - Possible, Possible.

And there is no limit... There is no limit, Shine On... Shine On - Shine On. There is no limit... There is no limit, Shine On... Shine On - Shine On. You my friend - Are an inspiration - To me...

Thank You Sam.

VENDOR WRITING

Where Are They Now?

BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

When customers who have been zealous Contributor supporters and regularly stop for a paper suddenly disappear without warning, I often find myself wondering what happened to them.

Usually shortly after that, either they, a relative, or a friend will inevitably stop by my corner and give me an update on how they’re doing and let me know what’s going on.

That happened recently when Mark (though he said I could call him ‘the Big Orange Guy‘) stopped for a visit. I was curious about the nickname, asking: ‘are you a UT fan?’

He said no, pointing to his car which is orange, he said ‘orange is my favorite color.’

(Like Larry, another regular customer of mine you’ve read about in the paper, he too used to deliver flowers for the In Full Bloom flower shop.

He said he hadn’t seen me in over a year.

Why? His family have moved to the Joelton/ Pleasant View/Ashland City area so he is rarely in Hermitage these days, but when he is, he says he ALWAYS looks for me. How sweet!

So what brought him out my way that day?

He now makes deliveries for a local farm to table outfit in the Goodlettsville/Madison area, and he was making deliveries in Hermitage.

Since it had been SO long since we’d seen each other, I gave him a variety of back issues

of the paper I had on hand.

Though he paid me in cash, he was surprised to learn that we now take Venmo, and that he can get a subscription to the paper since he’s no longer in the area regularly and according to him, there are no vendors out his way. I guess I’ll have to wait and see how that turns out.

Another example of an absolutely beautiful soul is Ms. Libby.

Over the past few years, she’s given me a number of hats, gloves, coats, a variety of things to keep me warm and toasty particularly at the change of the seasons, and she encouraged others to do the same.

One day after seeing me trudge through the water ponding along the side of the road at my spot, she stopped by with a special gift-a shiny brand new pair of rain boots along with some much needed dry socks.

I wasted no time, I put them on immediately!

A few days later, she stopped again when she noticed I wasn’t wearing them.

I hung my head as I told her that they leaked.

She took the soggy shoes back to the store to find a better pair. Now that’s pretty sweet!

Isn’t it?

It’s worth noting that she continued to do ALL these nice things for me even though I kept getting her name wrong. I called her Miss

Ellie for the longest time, (like the matriarch from the Dallas TV show,) perhaps because her demeanor, the way she carried herself, or maybe it’s the way she’d whip into the parking lot in her little red convertible always dressed to the nines-it definitely made a lasting impression!

Then one day, I asked to be sure because I was on planning to write about her in an upcoming issue of the paper, and she corrected me saying her name was Libby-like Libby’s, Libby’s, Libby’s on the label label label (referring to an old jingle that goes back to 1971.)

I haven’t seen her in quite some time now, and I‘ve wondered what happened to her.

Then one day, I left my house without coffee (and that just doesn’t happen often,) so I decided to stop at Waffle House to get some before getting started.

As I was fixing my coffee, a gentleman in the corner booth spoke up and said: ‘my mom Carolyn and her husband Ray stop for you from time to time in a red SUV, and so does her friend Libby.’

That stopped me in my tracks! Now smiling from ear to ear, I walked over to his table and told him many of the nice things she’d done for me and explained ‘I wondered what had happened top her!’

He told me exactly where to find her, saying that she’d recently went to the doctor/

hospital for routine tests and they discovered 2 aneurysms!

She was admitted and had immediate brain surgery and they thought they’d repaired the problem.

Shortly after returning home, her housekeeper found her barely conscious on the floor turns out, she had developed a brain bleed.

She is currently in the rehab department of the local hospital in Hermitage.

He said her short term memory is completely gone, but her long-term memory is intact.

Hopefully I’ve been around long enough for her to remember me, but if not, I know I will ALWAYS remember her!

As always, I ask ALL loyal readers of The Contributor to lift her up in your prayer as James 5:16 says in part: ‘‘pray for one another that you may get healed. A righteous man’s supplication has a powerful effect.”

These are just 2 examples of individuals who have helped me through my trials and tribulations, and I am truly thankful for both of them!

But know this, each reader of The Contributor has the capability to do that for someone else, through acts great and small.

Remember, every little bit helps, and I am certain that ANY VENDOR you choose to help will be just as thankful for your acts of kindness and generosity toward them.

Tis The Season — But Maybe Not For All

BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

For many people the holidays are the happiest time of the year, surrounded by family and friends and others they hold dear.

For those, it is indeed something to celebrate.

For others the opposite is true, for a number of different reasons.

Maybe they don’t have a close knit family to celebrate with.

I know for me, the holidays were usually the only time of year when I was guaranteed a

visit from my dad, so each year when they roll around it’s a glaring reminder of what I’ve lost, that something is missing, and even though it’s been 40 years it STILL hurts.

Similarly, many others have lost loved ones, due to sickness and death, I’m certain they too have a difficult time during this typically joyous time of year, because they are missing their loved ones.

Others suffer from mental health conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder

(SAD), that can be made SO much worse at that time of year when the days are often cold and gray with very little warmth or the sun’s shining rays.

Finally there are those who choose not to participate in traditional events surrounding the holidays either for personal or religious reasons-(for the record, that DOES NOT mean don’t believe in Christ, or that they aren’t Christian.)

Here’s a thought, rather than make assump-

tions like that, or judge those who choose NOT to participate in holliday celebrations whatever the reason, why not just ask why they don’t want to take part, and then actually LISTEN to their response.

Who knows, you just might learn something.

Regardless of the response you get, I would ask you to RESPECT their beliefs just as you would want someone to respect yours-even IF they are DIFFERENT from what you believe.

The Popsicle Index

BY FREEPRESSGMA, CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR #5843 The popsicle index is most easily explained by a question: Can a 10 year old girl walk to your corner store, buy a popsicle, and return home safely alone?

And … do you know the answer?

Let’s start with a few more questions.

Does your neighborhood have sidewalks?

Do you have pedestrians on the street at all hours? Do you have a corner store or some neighborhood hangouts? Do you have a park that is usually filled with parents and kids, neighbors you know?

Since most of us spend most of our time in our car, we might not even actually know the answer to these questions. But there’s the rub. The car is destroying our neighborhood fabric.

As a Contributor vendor, I spend a large number of hours out on a street corner or an entrance to a freeway somewhere. Why do I do this? Because there are so few spaces where I can interact with you one on one outside of a car.

Many people who drive and don’t read the paper, think I am out there begging.

I’m actually out there holding space. I’m holding space for people, not cars. I am holding space for interaction, and I actually hold a valuable paper with information that you can’t necessarily find online. As people on the street, our super power is off-line.

Our super power is off-line. We spend most of our time off-line. We know what real life is. Most of the people I see driving are

so glued to their phones that occasionally I worry for my own safety, let alone the other drivers. So, I could put this another way.

As distributors, off-line is our superpower.

We are the people who served your country, cashiered, did janitorial or other service work, and were thrown back to the pond when we came up with an illness or some other problem. Even though we might not look useful to you now, you can believe that we have been of service.

Our current service is to create community interaction. To break through the loneliness that we all share. To start a dialogue.

Catherine Austin Fitts has said that we need to take a good look at our economics from the ground up. Fitts is a self-admitted

December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 15

Republican conservative who worked for the Bush administration and the Clinton administration analyzing our housing and development funds. She has found that our priorities for people and to create a thriving economy are skewed at best. You can Google her.

I would like to extend an invitation to our readers and to those in your circle. Take a day out of your work schedule and tell your boss you need a volunteer day. Come and do our half day training, and spend a half day on the street selling the paper.

I would love to hear what insights or new information you might have from this experience.

Here’s to thriving communities!

The New Christian Year Selected by Charles Williams (1941)

Charles Walter Stansby Williams (1886–1945), the editor of the following selections, is today probably the third most famous of the famous Inklings literary group of Oxford, England, which existed in the middle of the 20th century, and which included among its ranks the better-known and longer-lived Oxford Dons J.R.R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. First published in 1941, this series of profound quotations, encompassing all walks of life, follows the sequence of the themes and Bible readings anciently appointed for contemplation throughout the church's year. It is hoped that the readings reproduced here will prove beneficial for any who read them, whatever their place in life's journey. — Matthew Carver

3rd Wednesday in Advent GOD promises union, and this union is himself.

St Ignatius: Epistle to the Trallians.

LOVE does not make you weak because it is the source of all true strength, but it makes you see the nothingness of the illusory strength on which you depended before you knew it.

Léon Bloy: Letters to his Fiancée.

3rd Thursday in Advent

not, but whose affections I read of—whence, I say, could I recognize Him as man, if he had not hungered, thirst, wept? But He is known by these things to be man, who by His Divine works is accounted to be more than man. He assumed the affections of man from His mother, that He might take on Himself our weaknesses.

St Ambrose: On Psalm 61.

GOD hath nothing in him that is best, but he is altogether one entire best.

Donne: Sermons.

4th Monday in Advent

IN moral actions divine law helpeth exceedingly the law of reason to guide a man's life, but in supernatural it alone guideth.

Hooker: Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity.

IT seldom happens that Zion's travelers are qualified to salute each other, even in a thorny difficult way, but the immortal birth in some degree leaps for joy.

Sarah Grubb: Journal.

3rd Friday in Advent FROM this temple, which is the body of Christ, everything that is irrational and savors of merchandise must be driven away, that it may no longer be a house of merchandise . . . And everyone who is of this nature, Jesus purifying him (John xv, 3), puts away things that are irrational, and things that savour of selling, to be destroyed, on account of the zeal of he Logos that is in him.

Origen: Commentary of John.

IT is to be feared, lest our long quarrels about the manner of his presence cause the matter of his absence, for our want of charity to receive him.

Thomas Fuller: Good Thoughts in Bad Times.

The Feast of St Thomas (Dec. 21st) WHATSOEVER is spoken of God or things appertaining to God otherwise than as the truth is, though it seem an honor it is an injury.

Hooker: Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity.

WE know that when one of us falls he falls alone, but no man is saved alone. He who is saved is saved within the Church, as a member of the Church, in union with the other members . . . If you are a member of the Church, your prayers are required for all the members of the Church . . . You are necessary to the Church so long as you are of the Church . . . The blood of the Church is prayer one for the other and her breath is praise of the Lord.

Alexei Chomiakov: Collected Works.

3rd Saturday in Advent THOU that art among many bodily, thou mayest be solitary and alone ghostly if thou will not and love not these worldly things that the comunalte loveth and also if thou despise and forsake the things that all men commonly desire and take. Also, if thou flee strifes and debates, and if thou feel not with sorrow thine own harms and have not in mind wrongs done to thee for to be avenged.

The Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ, tr. by Nicholas Love.

YOU have no questions to ask of any body, no new way that you need inquire after; no oracle that you need to consult; for whilst you shut up yourself in patience, meekness, humility, and resignation to God, you are in the very arms of Christ, your whole heart is His dwelling-place and he lives and works in you as certainly as He lived in and governed that body and soul which He took from the Virgin Mary.

William Law: The Spirit of Love.

Fourth Sunday in Advent THEY do greatly err who acknowledge that the flesh of man was taken on Himself by Christ, but deny that the affections of man were taken; and they contravene the purpose of the Lord Jesus Himself, since thus they take away from man what constitutes man, for man cannot be man without human affections. Whence could I to-day recognize the Lord Jesus as man, who's flesh I see

THE positive relation between God and man, which is the absolute paradox, veritably exists. This is the theme of the Gospel, proclaimed in fear and trembling, but under pressure of a necessity from which there is no escape. It proclaims eternity as an event.

Karl Barth: The Epistle to the Romans.

The Feast of St John The Evangelist (Dec. 27th) HE did lay aside His own nature in that He did make Himself poor of the fame of His holiness, goodness and innocence . . . He might have revealed himself in all the fame of holiness, so that He would have been universally held to be the greatest of all saints and one in whom there was no sin; but He did choose to take upon Himself the sins of us all and the fame of holiness did He give unto His servant John.

Angela of Foligno: The Book of Divine Consolation.

OUR Lord asks but two things of us: love for Him and for our neighbor: these are what we must strive to obtain. If we practice both these virtues perfectly we shall be doing His will and so shall be united to Him. St Teresa: The Interior Castle.

THERE are only two kinds of men: the righteous who believe themselves sinners; the rest, sinners who believe themselves righteous.

Pascal: Pensées.

ALL bodies together and all minds together and all their products are not equal to the least motion of love; that belongs to an order higher by infinity.

Pascal: Pensées.

4th Tuesday in Advent

The Feast of The Holy Innocents (Dec. 28th)

WITH the baggage of this present world was I as sweetly overladen, as a man uses to be in a dream: and those thoughts with which I meditated upon thee, were like the struggles of such as would get up; who being yet overcome with a deep sleep, fall into it . . . Nor had I anything now to answer thee calling to me: Arise, thou that sleepest, and stand up from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light: and whereas thou on all sides showedst me, that what thou saidst was true; I had nothing at all to answer for myself, being convinced by that truth; but certain lither [sluggish] and drowsy words only: Anon, see I come by and by: let me sleep a little while. But my now and anon had no measure with them, and my little while drove out into a mighty length.

St Augustine: Confessions.

Christmas Day (Dec. 25th) THIS is the solemnity of all the Holy Trinity Father and Son and Holy Ghost by whom this sovereign deed of the Incarnation was wrought and fulfilled . . . But sovereignly this day is a high feast and a special solemnity of all mankind: for this day was mankind sovereignly worshipped in that it was oned and knitted to the Godhead in Christ without departing. And this day began the healing and the redemption of mankind, and the reconciling to the Father of heaven. For unto this time God was wroth to mankind for the sin and the trespass of our forefathers. But from this time forth he may no longer be wroth seeing his dear Son became man. And therefore is this day skilfully called the plenty [plenteousness] of time to man.

The Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ, tr. by Nicholas Love.

BUT he was under a heavier law than the Greeks or Romans, the law of his Father and his own eternal decree.

Donne: Sermons on Christmas Day, 1625.

NOT by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by taking of the manhood into God. The Creed commonly called of St Athanasius.

GOD united Himself with her spirit, and spake to her His secret Word, and bare His only son in her spirit with unspeakable love and joy. This is the eternal birth of Mary.

Tauler: Sermons.

The Feast of St Stephen (Dec. 26th) DEATH is ugsome (loathsome) and very terrible unto the flesh; but joyful and welcome is it unto all such as are instructed in the secret science of God. Coverdale: Fruitful Lessons upon the Passion.

WELCOME, all wonders in one sight!

Eternity shut in a span, Summer in winter, day in night, Heaven in earth and God in man.

Great little one, whose all-embracing birth Lifts earth to heaven, stoops heaven to earth.

Crashaw: Nativity Ode.

Sunday after Christmas CHRIST’S human nature was so utterly bereft of Self and apart from all creatures as no man’s ever was . . . Neither of that in him which belonged to God, nor of that which was a living human nature and a habitation of God, did he, as man, claim any thing for his own.

His human nature did not even take unto itself the Godhead, whose dwelling it was, nor anything that this same Godhead willed, or did or left undone in him, nor yet any thing of all that his human nature did or suffered; but in Christ’s human nature there was no claiming of anything, nor seeking nor desire, saving that what was due might be rendered to the Godhead; and he did not call this very desire his own.

Theologia Germanica.

Monday after Christmas THEN I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of heaven, as well as from the city of Destruction.

Bunyan: The Pilgrim's Progress.

"I HAVE yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." Not because they are so unlike your mortal experiences, but because they are so like.

Patmore: The Rod, the Root, and the Flower.

Tuesday after Christmas IT shines everywhere, though not to all. In a word, it shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehends it not. The light sees the darkness, for with it seeing and shining are the same thing; but it is not in turn seen by the darkness, because the darkness comprehends it not.

St Bernard: On Consideration.

THE Stoics say, "Retire within yourselves; it is there you will find your rest." And that is not true.

Others say, "Go out of yourselves; seek happiness in amusement." And this is not true. Illness comes.

Happiness is neither without us nor within us. It is in God, both without us and within us.

Pascal: Pensées.

THE Lord, having taken upon him all the infirmities of our body, is then covered with the scaret-coloured blood of all the martyrs.

Hilary, quoted by Aquinas: Catena Aurea.

Sponsored by Matthew Carver, publisher

PAGE 16 | December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

INSP

Field workers in California are almost exclusively immigrants who work at back-breaking labor to support themselves and their families. PHOTO BY TIM MOSSHOLDER

Proof that immigrants fuel US economy in billions sent home

BY ERNESTO CASTAÑEDA

Donald Trump has vowed to deport millions of immigrants if he is elected to a second term, claiming that, among other things, foreign-born workers take jobs from others. His running mate JD Vance has echoed those anti-immigrant views.

Researchers, however, generally agree that massive deportations would hurt the US economy, perhaps even triggering a recession.

Social scientists and analysts tend to concur that immigration — both documented and undocumented — spurs economic growth. But it is almost impossible to calculate directly how much immigrants contribute to the economy. That’s because we don’t know the earnings of every immigrant worker in the US. We do, however, have a good idea of how much they send back to their home countries – more than $81 billion in 2022, according to the World Bank. And we can use this figure to indirectly calculate the total economic value of immigrant labor in the US. Economic contributions are likely underestimated I conducted a study with researchers at

the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab at American University to quantify how much immigrants contribute to the US economy based on their remittances, or money sent back home.

Several studies indicate that remittances constitute 17.5% of immigrants’ income.

Given that, we estimate that the immigrants who remitted in 2022 had take-home wages of over $466 billion. Assuming that their take-home wages are around 21% of the economic value of what they produce for the businesses that they work for — like workers in similar entry-level jobs in restaurants and construction — then immigrants added a total of $2.2 trillion to the US economy yearly.

That is about 8% of the gross domestic product of the US and close to the entire GDP of Canada — the world’s ninth-largest economy — in 2022.

Immigration strengthens the US Beyond its sheer value, this figure tells us something important about immigrant labor: the main beneficiaries of immigrant labor are the US economy and society.

The $81 billion that immigrants sent

home in 2022 is a tiny fraction of their total economic value of $2.2 trillion. The vast majority of immigrant wages and productivity – 96% – stayed in the US. Remittances from the US represent a substantial income source for the people who receive them. But they do not represent a siphoning of US dollars, as Trump has implied when he called remittances “welfare” for people in other countries and suggested taxing them to pay for the construction of a border wall.

The economic contributions of US immigrants are likely to be even more substantial than what we calculate.

For one thing, the World Bank’s estimate of immigrant remittances is probably an undercount, since many immigrants send money abroad with people traveling to their home countries.

In prior research, my colleagues and I have also found that some groups of immigrants are less likely to remit than others.

One is white-collar professionals — immigrants with careers in banking, science, technology and education, for example. Unlike many undocumented immigrants, white-collar professionals typically have visas that allow them to bring their families

December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 17

with them, so they do not need to send money abroad to cover their household expenses back home.

Immigrants who have been working in the country for decades and have more family in the country also tend to send remittances less often.

Both of these groups have higher earnings, and their specialized contributions are not included in our $2.2 trillion estimate.

Additionally, our estimates do not account for the economic growth stimulated by immigrants when they spend money in the US, creating demand, generating jobs and starting businesses that hire immigrants and locals.

For example, we calculate the contributions of Salvadoran immigrants and their children alone added roughly $223 billion to the US economy in 2023. That’s about 1% of the country’s entire GDP. Considering that the US economy grew by about 2% in 2022 and 2023, that’s a substantial sum.

These figures are a reminder that the financial success of the US relies on immigrants and their labor.

Courtesy of The Conversation / INSP.ngo

ABBY R. RUBENFELD Attorney at Law

arubenfeldlaw.com

202 South Eleventh Street Nashville, Tennessee 37206 Telephone: (615) 386-9077 Facsimile: (615) 386-3897

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE FOR $10 A MONTH AND GET YOUR VENDOR PAID AND THE PAPER DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOU. SIGN UP AT: WWW.THECONTRIBUTOR.ORG PAGE 18 | December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

MOVING PICTURES

Put a Bird On It

ONE OF THE YEAR’S BEST HORROR FILMS IS GOING CUKOO ON HULU

BY JOE NOLAN, FILM CRITIC German filmmaker Tilman Singer’s Cukoo premiered at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival back in February and it hit American theater screens this past summer.

Cukoo is now on streaming just in time for awards season, but not soon enough for the growing cult-following this weird and wild folk horror story continues to lure into its monstrous secrets.

Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) is a grieving teenager who relocates with her family to a resort town in the Bavarian Alps following her mother's death. With her father Luis, stepmother Beth, and mute half-sister Alma, they aim to help build a new hotel under the watchful eye of the enigmatic Herr König, who offers Gretchen a job at the front desk.

Peculiar and unsettling occurrences plague their stay: female guests mysteriously fall ill; Alma experiences seizures; Gretchen has a terrifying encounter which the police dismiss as a prank. But, when Gretchen teams-up with a sympathetic detective, the pair uncover chilling truths about the resort, its

connection to a mysterious creature, and the nesting habits of cukoo birds.

I haven’t seen many reviews talking about Cukoo as a folk horror film, but that’s exactly what it is. It’s all about a traumatized city girl getting rescued to a reclusive locale in a countryside surrounded by imposing mountains and verdant, vibrant — and vibrating — woods. The happenings in the hotel are mostly mundane, but often uncanny, and every weird occurrence is visually connected to the shadows beyond the treeline. Cinematographer Paul Faltz captures them like a 21st century Antonioni — the buoyant boughs and wind-blown branches made unsettling by the piercing shrieks sonically sculpted

by Singer’s sound department. Don’t be surprised if you see them getting some love during awards season. Cukoo gives audiences a classic folk horror set-up of the natural confronting the man-made, chaos versus order.

In the midst of that volatile combination, Singer — who also wrote the screenplay — plots a story about sibling rivalries, parents

and children. You know, family stuff — the most terrifying of all.

Schafer (Euphoria, Kinds of Kindness) and the rest of the cast are all very strong.

The actress does a great job of playing an anti-social, awkward teenager without indulging cliché affectations. Instead, she’s achingly sad when calling her dead mother’s answering machine. She’s also hilariously inept during her short-lived employment at the hotel’s reception desk. Dan Stevens’ Herr König is another highlight. Stevens plays the part on a tightrope between straight realism and high camp. Every friendly greeting sends a chill. Every threat reads like a punchline.

Some might feel like Cukoo confuses its tone in an effort to be a serious drama that’s also drenched in B movie genre tropes. But for me the performances mostly sell the sillier bits.

And, again, that says a lot about the acting here. Because Singer’s script occasionally gets sloppy with heavy-handed exposition, while simultaneously introducing baffling time-warping elements that seem impene-

December 18, 2024 - January 1, 2025 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 19

trably opaque.

But, Cukoo mostly balances-out as a fun, suspenseful film with a couple great performances, and plenty of folk horror weirdness for the witchiest of movie fans. It’s not surprising that Cukoo’s preoccupied with all things avian. But it’s also a movie that’s obsessed with movies: Cukoo’s haunted by Hitchcock’s The Birds; one character will remind scary film mavens of Nicolas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now, but the finale reads early Tarantino. Singer and Schafer and Stevens play really well together and I’d love to see another film from this trio. Cukoo is a strong horror film in a strong year in a strong era for horror films.

Cukoo is streaming on Hulu

--Joe Nolan is a critic, columnist and performing singer/ songwriter based in East Nashville. Find out more about his projects at www.joenolan.com.