Hee Hee

Hey gang, Ivy here.

I just spent some time playing around on the City of La Vergne website, and found the funniest poll. It was a poll asking if people participated in online polls, haha.

Here's the link

Seems someone up at City Hall has a great sense of humor.

Hard-hitting news from your dedicated war correspondent,

Ivy

LaVergne Lake - Love It or Hate It?

The name of LaVergne's up-and-coming elementary school - LaVergne Lake Elementary School - has caused a stir from when it was first whispered about. The small group of well-meaning volunteers were probably very honored to have a hand in naming the school. From talking to one of those committee members, he said there were at least three members who were determined to have the name "LaVergne" somewhere in the school's name. But LaVergne Primary was already taken and I guess they thought LaVergne Elementary was... well... just too confusing (much like Smyrna Primary and Smyrna Elementary).

Meanwhile, a petition has been started to rename the school. James Evans told me several months ago that to get the name changed, we needed 200 signatures and the school board would consider it. Originally the petition just had something like "would you like to change the name to Lake Forest Elementary" but we are changing the petition to give people a choice of:

• LaVergne Lake Elementary School
• Lake Forest Elementary School
• Stones River Elementary School

You can go down to the local Movie Gallery next to Food Lion to sign the petition. Or you can vote online to our city's website (but that vote may not count when the school board decides).

Now our biggest news is that Rutherford County's own Daily News Journal is working on a story about how the name LaVergne Lake Elementary School hasn't been embraced by residents. The reporter (Mealand Ragland-Hudgins) said the article should be published tomorrow, August 31st. You can click Mealand's name above (for Microsoft Outlook) or cut and paste mragland@dnj.com (for web based email) to let her know your opinion on what you think the new school should be named.

Are you happy with LaVergne Lake Elementary? Would you rather it be Stones River Elementary or Lake Forest Elementary? Have a better idea? Like Oprah Winfrey Elementary? LaVergne-TN Blogspot Elementary? Better on a Date Than Shirley Tennessee Elementary? We'd love to hear from you? Comments are welcome!

And maybe if our residents speak up on this issue, we can eventually impress upon someone how we'd like a community swimming pool as well!

Brandon Out of Hospital

I don't know this teenager, but he must be pretty stoic from everything I've read about him. LaVergne teen Brandon Brewer has a rare disease which has necessitated a small bowel transplant. His body began rejecting this organ, so he was admitted to a hospital in Seattle, Washington.

Brandon was released from the hospital and he and his mother (the family can only afford for her to be there with him) are staying in a Seattle Hotel. This link to the Daily News Journal story will tell you how you can help financially. In addition, you can email Brandon at brandek@tmail.com to send him get-well wishes.

Vandals Strike Again

Vandals struck a few neighborhoods last week in Smyrna. This week, vandals crossed into La Vergne and struck several homes and a school bus. Most of the damage was buste d windows. I hope the police capture these culprits.

Weekend Fun

We're wrapping up our second week of school... how many of our kids have brought home colds or other crud to share with everyone? (I'm raising my hand.. bleh). This is also a good time to remind our kids not to share combs, hats, brushes, etc. And we all know why. I freak out when I see my kids try on hats at the store!

Looks like the weather is going to be in the low 90's this weekend, with isolated showers on Sunday. It may be a good time to get out and do some things!

• Football game tonight at LaVergne High School. They're hosting Franklin's Centennial High School. This is LaVergne's second game this season ... they were defeated last week by Smyrna HS 42:21. Yow.
• Alligator Cove is now open at the Nashville Zoo. Admission prices from April through October are $11 for adults, $7 for children 3 to 12, and $9.50 for seniors (65+). All children under the age of 3 are admitted free.
• Friday and Saturday are the last two days of the Wilson County Fair. Tonight is the beef show and the demolition derby. Saturday is the dog show, chili cookoff, and square dance jamboree!
• In Murfreesboro, you can check out the Hot Rod Club Cruise-In at Rose's parking lot on Memorial Blvd. tonight from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
• Also in Murfreesboro, the Dog Days of Summer Dog Contest is being held Saturday at Cannonsburgh Trailhead from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. Call 893-2141 for more info.
• Finally, you can head down to Shelbyville for some walking horse action. It's the 68th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration at Celebration Grounds. Call (931) 684-5915 for ticket information.

If you don't want to do any of those things, just come on over to my place and I'll supply you with a weed whacker and hedge trimmers! Oh yes. I have things to do that will keep you busy. Peace.

Countrywide Home Loan Deal

I just visited with Cheryl White, sales manager with the Smyrna branch of Countrywide Home Loans. She told me her boss has agreed to allow FAST closings. If you are interested in buying a home, have one picked out, etc. and apply for a home loan with them by 12:00 noon tomorrow (Wednesday, August 23), they can close your home loan by Friday afternoon. Of course, you'll have to have decent credit, etc. to qualify.

For more information, contact Cheryl at (615) 267-6003 or email her.

LHS Teen Loses Hope

UPDATE
Here's a link to Garrett's obituary in the Tennessean. I want his family and friends know how very very sorry we are.

I haven't found this in the news, but a freshman at LHS ended his life on Wednesday. The high school observed a moment of silence for Dwight Garrett Perrine. Parents, our kids are hurting right now and we need to be there for them and make sure we know where their heads are.

I want to share these lyrics that were written by one of his friends, Tommy. His song is about two people he lost (Dwight Garrett Perrine and a girl who died in a car accident when they were in 2nd or 3rd grade).

a memory of what we held dear

was it to old for comfort
was he to old to cope,
these visions fade,
to were the scene falls down,
her beauty so porcelain,
he was too good to to just break her down,
one last click,
one more life

what happend to the fallen,
one day for a tear,
the price we'd pay,
just to have one more day,
the warmth just whithers away,
to cold crossed hearts,
the tears we let fall,
to their caskets made from our mistakes,

she was just making a day,
4 wheels tore her smile away,
how will he ever forget,
the little girl in the road,
he drank one more glass,
to help him deal with the pain,
for the little girl in pig tails,
will never hold his shame

what happend to the fallen,
one day for a tear,
the price we'd pay,
just to have one more day,
the warmth just whithers away,
to cold crossed hearts,
the tears we let fall,
to their caskets made from our mistakes,

we feel our memories make a vision,
without you here this doesnt make a home,
a picture never made so much pain,
a thousand words are not enough,
to seize what we lost,
and to make a new of what we found,
tell me why we cry for our dear,
is it the sorrow of them to be lost,
or is it the time we lost to hold it clear,

what happend to the fallen,
one day for a tear,
the price we'd pay,
just to have one more day,
the warmth just whithers away,
to cold crossed hearts,
the tears we let fall,
to their caskets made from our mistakes.

Open Letter to High School Vandals

Dear Dorkfish,

We know that teenagers and young adults are passionate about the things they believe in. However, when your passion becomes "criminal" you need to step back and reconsider your actions or you will pay a high price. When you vandalize, it is a poor reflection on your family, your school, and your community. But mostly, it is something you will be ashamed of as you mature.

You think you are getting even with a rival. You are not. You are damaging your school's ability to raise money for improving an athletic program. You are damaging a star-players chances of getting scholarship money for college. You are costing academic time for students who want to learn because they have to listen to lectures about not vandalizing.

In addition, there is a strong possibility that you will be caught and arrested for this crime. When you sit behind the iron bars waiting for your Mommy or Daddy to find bail money, maybe your prank won't seem as funny. When your brothers or sisters don't get that perfect gift for Christmas because the money to pay for it went instead to pay for your fine, maybe your prank won't seem as funny.

You must understand that there are consequences for your actions. If you don't get caught by the city police, the karma police will certainly find you. And when it does, you will deserve the punishment you get.

Here's what the Daily News Journal said today: Schools say "Prank" has gone to extreme. Students, we implore you to extract your heads from your rear-ends and put them back upon your shoulders.

Sincerely,
Other LaVergne Residents

As Scooby Would Say, "Rut Row"

Breaking news from the Daily News Journal. The LaVergne v. Smyrna freshman football game has been cancelled tonight due to vandalism. It appears that SHS was seared into LHS's field, damage that will be quite costly.

I haven't heard yet if the big game tomorrow is also cancelled.

Man.

Frenzied Excitement

I'm getting giddy with the excitement of Oldtimer's Day coming up! Here's a link to today's Daily News Journal with all kinds of cool things planned.

Old Timers' Day whipping into shape

Also in the news for LaVergne is the city is being given a $100,000 grant for recreation. The money is earmarked to build a greenway that will follow Hurricane Creek, with trailhead facilities at Brookside Park. Here's the article from the Tennessean: La Vergne, county get grants for recreation. My question for all you "oldtimers" is where is Brookside Park? Anyone? Please chime in. Anyone?

Fire Station Open House

An open house is scheduled at LaVergne's newest fire station for Saturday, September 16th from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. The new station is just past the three-way stop on Fergus Rd./Bill Stewart Road. The open house is being held on the same day as Old Timer's Day. So while you're out and about, stop by and thank these hard-working folks for risking their lives to help us!

While you're here, click this link to the city page. Angie Mayes has lots of updates online, including the PDF of the summer/fall city newsletter. The last time Angie and I emailed, she invited suggestions to improve the newsletter. If you have any comments, please be constructive. My personal suggestion: I would not turn the address part upside down. When the newsletter is folded, it doesn't matter which way is up... and it just looks better then when it's unfolded.

Oh. And I've started yet another blog. This one is on real estate for middle Tennessee. I've had a lot of people throwing questions about different aspects of buying and selling, so this is intended to just fill in some blanks here and there. Please feel welcome to ask questions or comment (via the comment section).

Pizza Halt

So I ordered pizza for the girls last Thursday from Pizza Hut. Got a good coupon and called it in. Talked to a guy, we confirmed phone number and address, then we walked through the order and he confirmed it. He said it was an hour wait for delivery, but 20 minutes for carry-out. Hmmm, I thought... hungry children and 7:00 p.m. Why yes, I'll come and pick it up.

I show up 20 minutes later in the pouring rain and very very patiently wait for the car in front of me to finish (5-8 minutes, no problemo). I get up to the window. Give my phone number. Give my cell number. Give my name. Give my address.

"I'm sorry. We don't have an order for you."

"Hmmm. Are you sure? I talked to the guy for like five minutes."

She brings another girl over and they both look in the computer and I give all my information again.

"No. No order."

I'm feeling somewhat disappointed at this point and the girls are getting on my nerves with their arguing and goofing around.

"Okay. Could I go ahead and place an order then?"

"Yes. It will be an hour."

"Forget it."

Sonic served dinner that night.

Pizza Hut. You need to get your shiznit together.

No Increase in Water Rate

LaVergne officials have voted to NOT increase the price of water, according to the Daily News Journal. What a relief, especially in these days of high gas prices. Hip hip hooray.

My My It's Hot

But thank God it's not sticky. I just hate it when it's sticky.

Indeed it is hot and we aren't even at Tara. So hot that the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory. Right now it feels like 108 degrees outside. Did you see that lady on the news who was baking chocolate chip cookies on her dashboard? That could be an interesting science experiment for our kids who went back to school today (the two-hour day).... because if it's that HOT in New Hampshire, it's hot enough here in HotLaLantaVergne.

Moms and Dads all over our neighborhoods seem pleased that school goes full swing on Monday! Just be careful driving ... lots of kids at intersections waiting for buses.

City Considers Rate Increase for Water

Saw this in today's Daily News Journal: Water rate hike. Sigh.

Support Local Businesses

As a resident of LaVergne, I try very hard to support our local businesses. My insurance guy is Ernie Dunbar (across the street from the post office) with Allstate. Although I've been fortunate enough to never have had to file a claim, he seems to be a very compassionate, caring person. When one of our mutual clients lost her battle to cancer, he was there at the funeral. Is it a testament to the person's charisma that her memory brings her insurance man and real estate agent to the funeral? Or is it because LaVergne is a town filled with good people who care for one another. I think it's a combination of both.

Another new friend is Terrie Bradford. She's the same Terrie who kindly posted the Night Out Against Crime information that we were missing. Terrie and I ran into each other on election day ... a complete fluke. I was talking with candidate Doug Shafer (or should I say winner Doug Shafer?), and he said, "Kathy! Have you met Terrie?" Then Terrie told me she was Terrie B. We had a long, interesting discussion over lunch (Big Apple's lunch buffet is affordable!).

Here's the scoop on Terrie. She has a videography business called Digital Teardrops in which she will videotape weddings, funeral memorials, events, and biographies. She is currently editing a video about LaVergne which sounds like it will be fascinating. Terrie has interviewed our local elected officials, some oldtimers, police chief, etc. She has talked with our big-name developer (Mr. Shreibman) and gotten the scoop on the hows and why a street is named. I've asked her to consider being a contributing author to this blog to talk about some of this historical information, but I think she's headed in another direction. We'll keep you posted about it as it progresses. Meanwhie, if you have any events coming up in your life, give Terrie a shout.

Terrie can be reached at 213-0772 or 828-0772 (cell). Or for insurance, give Ernie a call at 287-9150.

Meanwhile, it's another scorching day in LaVergne. I am really looking forward to the cooler autumn weather. Also looking forward to school starting next week! (Okay, two hours on Thursday, too). So be on the lookout for our students waiting for buses or walking to school. And try to stay cool.

Shopping in the Hard Rain

If you're here in LaVergne, you're probably listening to the rain and thunder ... and in fact "feeling" the thunder as it's booming around us. The Daily News Journal noted that LaVergne is being hit particularly hard. Read it here: Flash Flood Warning. This summer storm has drastically cooled temperatures.


The rain looking up my front sidewalk doesn't look too bad.

Cooler temperatures are exactly what we need since the tax-free school shopping weekend is now underway! From the Daily News Journal, Here's a list of items you can buy that are tax exempt. If you want to buy a television, forget it. But a computer is okay if it costs under $1500 and is the CPU and not other computer add-ons. Seriously people, take the list with you to avoid getting mad at some cashier when you get to a store.

I have a feeling this will be a big posting weekend for retailers who contribute to the "Customers Su*k" website. If you need a laugh, read it. Be warned, though, that some people who post use some pretty graphic language. The F-word and other words (B-words, S-words, etc.) are frequent. So if you're easily offended, DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK! Let me say it again: If you are easily offended, do. not. click. on. the. link. But if you want to laugh and/or be shocked at how rude people are, it really is funny in a sad way.

Election Results

Here are the election results for Rutherford County from the Tennessean. Some highlights...

Doug Shafer retained his seat as County Commissioner 282 to 243. Definitely a case of every vote counting. Phil Bredeson handily defeated his opponents to run as the democratic candidate for governor. He will face republican Jim Bryson in the general election.

It looks like Bob Corker will face off against John Ford for U.S. Senate. That race should be a doozy and one I'm not looking forward to watching.

Many thanks to everyone who voted. Those of us who did vote need to help rally more voters for the general election... it's kind of shocking to me that not even 600 people voted for the county commissioner.

Non Toxic Vapor Cloud

The Tennessean posted an article about a vapor cloud that was released from a plant in LaVergne last night. Fortunately, the cloud of hydrochloric acid and ammonia mix appears to be non-toxic.

Here's the headline and link: Vapor cloud non-toxic, authorities said

According to the article, we should all be grateful there's no wind or rain right now. I don't know if our local gardeners would agree, but I'll stand up and be grateful!

VOTE TODAY!

Make our city proud with a strong turnout!

If you don't vote, you can't complain about how you're represented. Rock the vote. One vote can make a difference. Be a part of the solution. Every vote counts. America's not down for the count, she's up for it. It takes a village: A very SMART village. We, the people, have final say, in democracy there's no other way. Voting is our RIGHT, so lets get it RIGHT. Einstein's theory of democracy: We the People = US.

Get out and vote today!

New Logo for LaVergne Blog

Squirrels on Snark is AWESOME! This artist is talented, funny, and an all-around nice gal. Here's the logo she created for our LaVergne blog.



My favorite is that she added a picture of our very own Lake LaVergne! More fun on a date than Shirley! hahahahaha! I wonder if this is why I can't talk my friends in Smyrna into campaigning to change the name of their city to Shirley. What do ya'll think? Like the logo??

Fight Crime Night is here!

It's finally here! LaVergne's National Night Out to Fight Crime!!!! Here are details from LaVergne's official web site.

National Night Out
6-10 p.m., August 1st
La Vergne's Veteran's Memorial Park

Enjoy free food and drink (while it lasts). Life Flight, Oldies 97.1 live, raffles, activities for the children, various booths on crime prevention and personal safety, severe weather, outdoor warning sirens, neighborhood watch, etc.

Hosted by the La Vergne Citizens Police Academy & the La Vergne Police Department...