Area Shelters

This year has been a very productive year, especially for the pet population. News 2 reports that the Davidson County Shelter has already taken in 14,000 UNWANTED pets. The shelter has put down many of these animals.

I'm curious to know, how many of you readers need or want a pet? Have you considered adopting one from a shelter? Do you have pets? If so, can you spare some dog or catfood? How about purchasing catlitter, or a pet bed? Don't have the money? Do you have a couple hours a week you could volunteer and help a shelter?

It doesn't matter where you are, your local animal shelter can use your help.

As Bob Barker from the Price is Right always says at the end of his show; "Help control the pet population, Have your pet spaid or Neautered."

Superman: Returns Blogger Viewing

Here's a cross-post from our sister blogspace This is Smyrna.

As most of you know, the Man of Steel makes the jump back to the big screen next week with the opening of Superman Returns. One of the many perks of living in middle Tennessee is the IMAX theater at Opry Mills, which will show the summer blockbuster on the huge screen. Not only that but there will be 30 minutes of the film that is shown in IMAX 3-D. Yeah, that is definitely worth the extra cost for admission!

Anyway, I thought it might be fun to get some people together to go and see this potential epic film on the giant IMAX screen of doom. So, here's the invite for anyone who wants to come.

We'll have a group going to see Superman Returns on July 3rd. Since IMAX charges the same admission price for whatever show you go to, we'll be taking in the 7 p.m. evening show. If you'd like to go, all you have to do is get a ticket and show up. You can Fandango a ticket if you want or stop by the Opry Mills box-office and pick up one (Fandango will charge you a buck for processing fee or some such silliness per ticket if you order on-line). I'd recommend going ahead and getting a ticket if you're planning on going.

So, if you'd like to come and join us for the showing, please feel free to do so. And if you want to let us know you're coming by leaving a comment, that would be great. Also, I must now make a shameless request of Queen B of NiT....could you please, maybe, crosspost a link to this announcement on NiT for us so we can get the word out to as many middle Tennessee bloggers as possible?

Thanks and I hope to see ya there! Oh and if you can't make it the Superman due to vacations or the 4th of July, I understand. I am contemplating another blogger movie outing later this summer to see the phenemon that is Snakes on a Plane. Somehow I think it will that one will be a lot more fun with a group of people....

So there you have it!!! Hope any bloggers from middle Tennessee can come!

Sister Blog sends meeting reminder

From This is Smyrna's conductor (like a symphony) Michelle ...

Tomorrow, the masses of bloggers and podcasters in the Middle Tennessee area will descend upon Espresso Joe's in Smyrna, TN for the monthly Middle Tennessee Blogger and Podcaster's meeting.

According to the Big O, John of Salem's Lots, who has recently returned to the blogsphere, agreed to join us. Last month we intereviewed a lady running for Governor of the State of Tennessee and have extended an open invitation to anyone else running for Governor. This is a fine and very cost effective way to spread your message so hop on the band wagon and join us. Let us know you're coming! Also, Brandi, if you are reading, we are still very much interested in meeting you. Don't be shy!

Got other topics you would like to discuss? Ideas for group projects? Have you something educational and informative to share with the group? I, personally, am very much interested in learning and personal growth and that was one of my objectives for forming this group, so come and share your knowledge!

When and where?Saturday, June 17th at 2 p.m. CST at Espresso Joe's in beautiful Smyrna, Tennessee. Espresso Joe's Coffee Co is located at:

901 Rock Springs Rd.
Smyrna, TN
615-220-2870

As always, if you're a regular, we hope to see you there. If you've visited once or a couple of times, we hope to see you there. If you've not joined us yet but would like to, we hope to see you there. Come on and de-lurk.

Odds & Ends

Wanted to update on some news I've heard about our fair city. Two of our local pols (the mayor and Mr. Gann) have actually attended the retail convention for the past three years and are coming closer to getting more retail in. They aren't saying what or when - I'm thinking either because they'll be wrong if it doesn't happen OR they don't want to jinx it by publicly stating who (so it could be snatched by another city). So let's keep our fingers crossed that their efforts will will pay off.

Regarding the tickets that the TBI is investigating ... one alderman (Mr. Erwin) apparently didn't use his. As far as the others are concerned, an unnamed source said LaVergne policy allows city workers to accept gifts up to $100. They are not allowed to accept gifts over $100. If this is true, they are well within the city policy. BUT LET ME NOTE that I'm repeating what was said to me and have not confirmed nor denied that a policy even EXISTS. If you're genuinely concerned, I suggest you go down to our city hall and look it up.

As reported in the previous blog entry by the news, there is an avalanche of political mudslinging falling down upon us and we can expect it to get a LOT worse before it goes away (after November elections?).

Now more news on our middle school front. Both assistant principals of LaVergne Middle School have announced their departure. Apparently Ms. Walker is going to Mt. Juliet and Mr. Luker is going to Cedar Grove. They will both me missed.

Speaking of schools, I am going to begin working on a petition for people to carry around with them gathering signatures to change the name "LaVergne Lake" to something that isn't insipid. Please comment about whether you like:

• Stones River Elementary
• Lake Forest Elementary, or
• Oprah Winfrey Elementary

The most votes via comment (you can be anonymous, but please only vote once) will go on the petition. We need to get this done before the school officially opens as LaVergne Lake. What an embarrassingly ridiculous name. We will need 200 signatures (if I remember correctly and I do have CRS illness - can't remember squat but a worse word than squat). So let us know what you think!!!!

More News from News 2

Sherry Green, Ronnie Erwin, Dennis Waldron, and Mark Moshea went to the IRL race day on July 16, 2005. This is a quote from WKRN: Nearly six weeks later in an August 25th letter Bridgestone Firestone asked the mayor and city aldermen to "consider adding a credit for permitted facilities that are already managing storm water runoff" a discount that could have spared the corporation hundreds of dollars a month in storm water fees. Eleven days later resolution 2005 - 25 passed Laverne city leaders "adopting a storm water utility adjustment and credit policy." Bridgestone’s Lavergne plant now enjoys a 21-percent discount on storm water fees.

Alderman Senna Mosely was offered same tickets, but didn't accept them because she said it's in the city handbook that gratuities are not permitted and it's also in the Tennessee codes. She was the sole alderman to vote against discount.

If there are going to be any charges filed, the news said they'd be later this week. Here's a link to the video and text of the news:

Possible Impropriety: Four City Leaders

The only defense I heard on the news is that it's "political mud-slinging."

TBI Investigating

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is examining the possibility of four LaVergne officials accepting inappropriate gifts from Bridgestone Firestone Company. It's supposed to be on the 10:00 p.m. news on WKRN. We'll be watching this story...

Congrats to LHS students

Warm congratulations to LaVergne High School students Nathaniel Greene and Aaron Cooper for their good show at a recent state competition for SkillsUSA. What this group does is unclear, but yay for Nathaniel and Aaron anyway! Here's a link to the article in the May 31st Daily News Journal: Two LaVergne Students Finish Well at SkillsUSA Competition.

I don't know Nathaniel well, but I do know his Mom. This amazing family is well-grounded, courteous, interested in the community, good good people. I don't know Aaron or his family at all, but obviously to have a child who does this well speaks volumes for him and his kin! Good job, guys!