East Nashvillian Issue 06

East Nashville’s invitation to party

RETURN OF THE TOMATO

Carol WilliamsHOW EAST NASHVILLE GOT ITS GROOVE BACK

On the RunWIDE-OPEN EAST COUNCIL RACES

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MOVING EAST NASHVILLE FORWARD6FOR DISTRICT

DAVE RICHE

PAID FOR BY THE CAMPAIGN TO ELECT DAVE RICH FOR DISTRICT 6, LORI SCHWARTZMILLER TREASURER | PHOTO CREDIT: JAN FIREK PHOTOGRAPHY

EMAIL: @TWITTER: @DaveRichFor6 FACEBOOK: Dave Rich For District 6

VOTE: THURSDAY,AUGUST 4

Publisher

Lisa McCauley

Editor

Chuck Allen

Associate Editor

Daryl Sanders

Art Direction

Daddy D Design

Ad Design

Curt Perkins

Contributing Writers

Helen Gaye BrewsterJaime BrousseElizabeth ChaunceyFrancie HuntEric JansCarole Anne KingTheresa LaurenceAlan MurdockCurt PerkinsLynn Taylor

Photographers

Chuck AllenBrydget CarrilloStacie HuckebaTheresa LaurenceMike LoycoCarolyn ManneyAlan MurdockWendy Whittemore

Webmaster

Laura Ewen

Advertising Contact:

Lisa [email protected]

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www.theeastnashvillian.com

© 2011 Kitchen Table Media, LLC

The East Nashvillian is published bimonthly by Kitchen Table Me-

dia, LLC. No protion of this magazine may be reproduced without

the epress permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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On the run

Districts 5, 6 and 7 will all have new repsBy Eric Jans

Carol Williams

How East Nashville got its groove backBy Jaime Brousse

Mothers helping mothers

Three new chapters of MOMS ClubBy Theresa Laurence

Get to know your neighbors

At East Nashville’s Night Out Against CrimeBy Helen Gaye Brewster

The return of the Tomato

East Nashville’s invitation to partyBy Carole King

Books worth snatching from your kids

(So you can read them)By Francie Hunt

Kevin Gordon

East Nashville guru of storytelling and songBy Curt Perkins

Dogs just want to have fun

How to avoid a dog days bummerBy Elizabeth Chauncey

Give your house that “new home” look

Cost-effective ways to improve your abodeBy Lynn Taylor

Not your grandmother’s container garden

The joy of gardening for a fraction of the work.By Alan Murdoch

Above photo by Wendy Whittemore

Cover photo by Stacie Huckeba.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Where would ketchup be without the tomato? Nowhere, man, that’s where.

So it is, too, with art come sultry August in East Nasty. Without that juicy red fruit your art just isn’t. Yes, my friends, once again Mother Earth has returned to that spe-cial place in her orbit which can mean only one thing — TOMATO SEASON!

And what better way to celebrate both tomato season and our unique East Nashville state of mind than the annual Tomato Art Festival. It’s fun for the whole family; young and old, blond, brunette, and especially — redheads! Carole Anne King invites us into the land of a fruit that acts like a veggie in our cover story.

Even those of us who spike our fruity veggie drinks with too much of the hard stuff still can’t help but notice our more-than-fair-share of über talented songwriters and �� ! �� !"

For a long view of the neighborhood from someone who’s acquainted with triumph and tragedy, Jaime Brousse’s story about local activist Carol Williams is fantastic. I �� ! �� #�� ! �� fully be realized until we’re all long gone. It’s a nice respite from the I-want-it-all-and-I-want-it-now me, me, me-ism that plagues our cultural present.

Which reminds me — ’tis the season for politics. Okay that might sound a bit cyni-cal, but I would wager the only people left who are completely lacking in cynicism towards all things political are probably also lacking a pulse. Here at The East Nashvillian �� " $ �� %� !�� local the elections for the Metro Council. The ever intrepid Eric Jans has put togeth-er a set of questions for candidates in the 5th, 6th, and 7th districts. Their answers may help you decide for whom to vote, or vote against.

&�� ! �� '�� (��%� �� )�� *��%�*�!�� &�� +!�� ,�� -��%� �� .&.� ��# ��grab a bloody Mary or a tall glass of iced tea and, as always, enjoy the reading.

Chuck [email protected]


6

On August 4, we head to the polls

to vote for mayor, vice mayor, five

council at-large seats and one

council seat from each district. Interest-

ingly in the three East Nashville districts

(5, 6 and 7), there are no incumbents run-

ning since Mike Jameson and Erik Cole

have been term limited and Jamie Hollin is

not seeking reelection. So the field is fresh

and we need to start considering who will

lead us.

It’s important for neighbors to be in-

volved in who will be representing us for

the next four years because there are so

many issues that will affect us. For instance,

the Metro council will likely be tackling

legislation about the redefinition of home-

based business regulations and the rede-

velopment of Nashville’s main corridors

(like Gallatin Road) and base zoning like

the Specific Plan District Zoning in East

Nashville. Other citywide items that will

likely be considered by this new term of

Metro officials include infill around the new

Music City Center, a possible new baseball

stadium, the redevelopment of such areas as

the state fairgrounds site, and mass transit.

Choosing a candidate that will help guide

us through these issues is important.

Redistricting took place earlier this sum-

mer and changed East Nashville’s lines

dramatically. District 5 stayed close to the

same boundaries, which are north of Main

Street up to just past Trinity Lane and west

of Gallatin Road to I-65/I-24. Business

districts inside District 5 include Main

Street, Gallatin Road, Dickerson Road,

Trinity Lane and the area around the Hol-

land House. Scott Davis, Priscilla Eaton,

and Pam Murray are running in that race.

District 6 has a more dramatic boundary

change, losing downtown and gaining land

east of the Shelby Golf Course. The Cum-

berland is a major boundary, and District 6

is south of Main Street and East of Gallatin

Rd. The northern boundary is Straightway

and Carter. District 6’s business district in-

cludes Five Points as well as Shelby Street,

Woodland Street and Main Street/Galla-

tin Road. Running in District 6 are Bob

Borzak, Dave Rich, Hans Schmidt and Pe-

ter Westerholm.

In District 7, the boundaries shifted the

most dramatically and are now north of

Straightway past Briley Parkway, staying

east of Gallatin Road and bordered by the

Cumberland River. Besides Gallatin Rd

the main business district inside District 7

is Riverside Village. In that race are: An-

thony Davis, Stephen A. Downs, and Ran-

dy Reed.

The East Nashvillian sent out question-

naires to each of the candidates.There were

five questions that we asked them to answer

in 50 words or less. Not all of the question-

naires were returned by press time, but here

are the responses that we received. (The an-

swers were not edited except for length.)

Don’t forget to vote on August 4. For

more information on council districts,

maps, early voting times check out: http://

www.nashville.gov.

ON THE RUN� ��

Candidates who responded to The East Nashvillian questionaire: (top row, L-R) Scott Davis, Hans Schmidt, Stephen

Downs and Anthony Davis; (bottom row, L-R) Dave Rich, Peter Westerholm, Randy Reed, and Bob Borzak.

By Eric Jans

9


��

Scott Davis (District 5) — I’m running for metro council in order to

address the needs and concerns of all the people that live in my district. I

will be a public servant that solves problems for the people of District 5. I

have one message for the people of District 5 — “I work for you.”

Bob Borzak (District 6) — As a long term neighborhood advocate in

East Nashville, I already have extensive experience in dealing with com-

plex neighborhood issues. I am uniquely qualified to assume the leadership

role as Councilman, devoting whatever time is necessary to initiate and

support planning programs that best serve the needs of this community.

Dave Rich (District 6) — I love East Nashville and want to support our

neighborhood’s growth and progress. As a councilperson, I intend to act

as a steward of the neighborhood’s interests, protect our rich history and

unique culture, and advance the needs of East Nashville.

Hans Schmidt (District 6) — My neighbors want a representative who

will continue the strong tradition established by past council members of

accessibility and responsive advocacy on issues important to our historic

neighborhoods. I have a demonstrated commitment to public service and

the skills and experience to be an effective advocate for District 6.

Peter Westerholm (District 6) — I’m running for metro council to

promote smart growth policies within the urban core: balancing devel-

opment with preservation, accommodating growth of residents and busi-

nesses, providing more transit and housing options for more people, revi-

talizing blighted areas, and remaining a welcoming place for people young

and old, old and new.

Anthony Davis (District 7) — I am running to be a great leader for

Inglewood and East Nashville. I feel as a business owner, and neighbor-

hood activist, I am best fit to continue the leadership from Erik Cole here

in District 7. I plan to take great care first and foremost of my local con-

stituents.

Stephen Downs (District 7) — I am running for councilman in the

new 7th district because I know that with your support I can make a dif-

ference in this community. I urge you to remember that I am and will be a

voice that is at your disposal, and that is what we need now.

Randy Reed (District 7) — A lot of government services have been cut

back. I want our services restored and improved. We can make East Nash-

ville better. There is no reason we can’t. East Nashville was once the Belle

Meade of Nashville. We can make life better here and have neighborhoods

to be proud of.

2. What sets you apart from your fellow candidates in

��

Scott Davis (District 5) — I sit on the board of two business councils

focusing on bringing economic opportunities to East Nashville. I am

cochair of my neighborhood association. I volunteer weekly in neighbor-

hood schools. In the past two years, District 5 has had six neighborhood

cleanups. I am the only candidate who has participated.

Bob Borzak (District 6) — Experience; a 25-year record of public

service and active leadership in the East Nashville community: PTO

president, LSNA president, Rediscover East Zoning/Codes Committee

chair, Urban Design Committee member, NOTICE program coordinator,

Crime Prevention advocate, board member of Friends of Shelby, supervi-

sor on site for Nashville Habitat for Humanity.

Dave Rich (District 6) — As an attorney, I meet and listen to clients,

identify their interests, carefully consider the issues and articulate their

positions. The strengths that allow me to succeed as a professional will

help me represent and act as an advocate for the needs and interests of the

citizens of East Nashville.

Hans Schmidt (District 6) — Drawing on my experiences as a native

Nashvillian, Peace Corps Volunteer, litigation attorney and neighborhood

association president, I have the ability to analyze complicated policy

questions and to be diplomatic about managing diverse constituencies as

we work through solutions to the issues facing our growing city.

Peter Westerholm (District 6) — I have a strong background in both

zoning and budgeting, and a history of dedication to the community. My

involvement on boards, commissions, and volunteer work has given me a

broad base of understanding the challenges we face, and the skills to work

with others to gain a viable consensus.

Anthony Davis (District 7) — I feel I am a much stronger and more

professional representative for Inglewood, Rosebank, and Madison than

the other candidates for District 7. Also, I feel working hand in hand with

Mayor Dean will ensure a successful four years of positive growth in our

area.

Stephen Downs (District 7) — Anthony is new to our councilmatic

system. I can articulate things that will come before the council and

analyze what is before the council. I simply listen better than Randy. I will

not get off track of important issues facing us as a rising city.

Randy Reed (District 7) — I was raised in East Nashville and retired

here. I know how Gallatin Road and our neighborhoods looked and have

watched it deteriorate. Recently things have started to turn around but

council members need to help. As a police officer for 37 years, I know

how to deal with complaints.

projects in our rapidly growing city without losing focus on the need to

fully fund public education and other critical infrastructure projects that

enhance the unique neighborhood quality Nashville enjoys.

Peter Westerholm (District 6) — Growth is the biggest concern for

Nashville, because it will impact every quality of life indicator. It’s im-

portant that we address many of these challenges (transit, infrastructure,

pollution, economic development) in a coordinated effort, along with the

framework for bringing the vision to reality.

Anthony Davis (District 7) — Nashville has many issues ongoing,

but a brief snapshot would be: baseball stadium and other solid capital

projects, more vibrant schools as well as school choices, mass transit, and a

bike/pedestrian friendly environment throughout Nashville.

Stephen Downs (District 7) — The biggest issue facing Nashville is

maintaining, and growing a budget that will keep all programs fiscally

strong while striving to create, make, and evolve, a city to its fullest po-

tential in terms of family values, economic worth, and with objectives that

move us forward as a city.

Randy Reed (District 7) — Crime effects all of us, from the nurse

getting home late and worried about her surroundings to thieves stealing

from our out buildings and front porches. But we have other problems,

from flooding in low lying areas and ground water problems to power out-

ages and brush pickup.

3. What is the biggest issue facing Nashville that you

��

Scott Davis (District 5) — The biggest issue facing Nashville that I

cannot wait to tackle is the water and sewage issues. In District 5, I have

addressed these issues by organizing neighbors and local businesses to

help clear sewage drains and refuge filled ditches that block the flow of

storm water.

Bob Borzak (District 6) — Support planned business growth that re-

sults in new revenue allowing metro to adequately fund essential services

such as education, transportation, public safety, updating infrastructure

and storm water management, the provision and expansion of green

spaces and provide affordable housing opportunities without the need for

raising taxes.

Dave Rich (District 6) — The most important issue is sustaining posi-

tive growth in East Nashville. The development of the East Bank of the

Cumberland will be an enormous part of the future of our neighborhood.

I want to encourage responsible business development while improving

education, keeping our neighborhoods safe, and investing in infrastruc-

ture.

Hans Schmidt (District 6) — In spending our tax dollars, the next

metro council must balance economic investment in large-scale building

4. How do businesses and neighborhoods impact the district and interact with each other (i.e. describe their ��

Scott Davis (District 5) — Businesses are very important to our

neighborhoods. Local businesses in the neighborhoods of District 5

employ a large number of the residents. Businesses help provide assis-

tance with neighborhood events and gatherings. My goal is to continue to

develop strong ties between businesses and the residents of district five.

Bob Borzak (District 6) — The Cumberland River is central to Nash-

ville’s identity and downtown Nashville is the heart of the city. With the

completion of the Music City Center and phase one of the Cumberland

Park, it is essential that East Nashville develop a business plan that will

focus on this opportunity.

Dave Rich (District 6) — Our community needs positive and produc-

tive relationships between residents and merchants. Businesses have a

responsibility to support neighborhoods where they prosper. Likewise,

our neighborhoods benefit from the vital tax revenue, services and jobs

businesses provide. As a councilman, I would strive to balance the inter-

ests of business and our neighborhoods.

Hans Schmidt (District 6) — In District 6, we actively support small,

locally owned and operated businesses nestled on “commercial corners”

throughout our neighborhoods. Like traditional urban neighborhoods of

the past, this mixing of commercial and residential uses within the same

space helps facilitate close relationships between residents and the busi-

ness owners who serve them.

Peter Westerholm (District 6) — Businesses and neighborhoods

provide the character of a district, and should complement each other in

crafting that community identity. Neighborhoods want places to shop

and work that are convenient and inviting. Businesses want customers

they can establish lasting relationships with, and serving a local clientele

often makes good business sense.

Anthony Davis (District 7) — These two groups tie together to shape

the district and how residents feel living here. We need great neighbor-

hoods, but great business surrounding the area, too. With District 7, it’s

largely Gallatin Road other than a couple small commercial areas (i.e.

Riverside Village). We must continue to grow and improve.

Stephen Downs (District 7) — Businesses and neighborhoods are

synonymous in terms of complimenting one another. I am the person

who each side wants in their corner and I can say my expertise in conflict

resolution allows me to negotiate admirable resolutions for both sides

while maintaining friendships, which is important and critical in business.

Randy Reed (District 7) — The quality of business reflects on neigh-

borhoods and vice versa. As we improve homes, that affect business and

hopefully, attract more of the kinds of business that neighborhoods will

support. We need a variety. You should be able to take care of most of

your needs without going across town.

�� -ing your neighbors and how do you plan to address ��

Scott Davis (District 5) — We face several public health, economic,

educational, and infrastructure concerns. I will address these issues by

listening to constituents, and then use the combination of public health

facilities, schools, and the Nashville Health Council to address these

concerns. I will focus on bringing positive businesses and development to

Dickerson Road.

Bob Borzak (District 6) — Continue financing education programs

with a proven record of success such as the pre-K program and stop fund-

ing those that are failing. Streamline the application/approval process for

rebuilding/new construction in planned development areas. Address the

issue of recidivism that threatens the safety of our residents and busi-

nesses.

Dave Rich (District 6) — It’s impossible to answer this question in 50

words. Nevertheless, in addition to improving public schools, infrastruc-

ture, and safety in East Nashville, we must concentrate on development of

our riverfront, cleaning up the Main Street/Gallatin Road corridor, and

modernizing our mass transit system to accommodate East Nashville’s

growing needs.

Hans Schmidt (District 6) — Public safety, public schools, and neigh-

borhood quality of life issues are priorities for our district. I will advocate

for more funding for those departments that provide these essential city

services. Where needs exceed resources, we must develop strong relation-

ships with our community organizations to help fill those gaps.

Peter Westerholm (District 6) — In District 6, we must continue

revitalization of the riverfront, the Gallatin Road Corridor, and other

areas of opportunity for infill development into a higher and better use.

Crime and quality of schools remain top concerns, and I’ll work to bring

the resources and innovations necessary to continue progress.

Anthony Davis (District 7) — Business development – we need con-

tinued small business growth on Gallatin Road, as well as in our smaller

commercial developments like Riverside Village. Walkable and biking

friendly neighborhoods. Transportation – mass transit! Gallatin Road is

ready for more options. Education — working with parents and school

officials to improve our school choices.

Stephen Downs (District 7) — The seventh district will be challeng-

ing and rewarding, and because it is new, it will take several community

meetings to assess the main issues in the district. I will say the more

immediate issues of concern are property tax relief for the elderly and

disabled, sidewalks, storm drainage, and crime.

Randy Reed (District 7) — We have service issues in our neighbor-

hood from storm water to brush and debris pick up to power problems.

One of the issues is to make Gallatin Road more pedestrian friendly. We

have a lot of areas not safe to walk, let alone walk a dog or ride a bicycle.

Carol Williams didn’t want to live in

a trashy neighborhood. Then her

attorney husband suggested their

family move to a dilapidated fixer-upper

near a murder scene he had recently inves-

tigated.

“This was one of those zones that was so

high crime, you didn’t come to it,” she says.

“But Charlie saw this house, and he wanted

it.” That was 1975. The neighborhood was

never the same, and neither was Carol Wil-

liams.

It was nearly a year before the home

was livable. The Williams family pur-

chased their 1888 home on Russell Street

for $9,000 — far below the median home

price of $35,000 — and they began to erase

the damage brought on by generations of

neglect. A dozen layers of wallpaper came

down and decades of grime were scrubbed,

lifting the lingering stench from a recent

squatter. It’s hard to imagine Williams as a

pregnant mom with a full-time job willing

to take on such a big challenge.

East Nashville was not always a bustling

zip code of hipster bars, distinctive restau-

rants and young families willing to invest

money and time spent watching HGTV

into an up-and-coming urban neighbor-

hood. Back then, there were no festivals,

running clubs, or 37206 bumper stickers.

Carol remembers the couple had to in-

vite doubting bankers into their home to

personally go over renovation plans to se-

cure financing. “We had to fight every inch

to get anybody to loan us any money to

put in the house, because [the banks] said

anybody that had money enough to fix up

this house would not live in this neighbor-

hood.”

Even those not well-versed in East

Nashville history may know the most ex-

clusive neighborhood in the city was nearly

destroyed in the Great Fire of 1916, but

they may not know the rest. An extrava-

gant mansion, encompassed by a sprawl-

ing wooded estate and one-time home to

a women’s college, was leveled to make way

for Nashville’s largest public housing proj-

ect in the 1940s and 50s. While the James

A. Cayce Homes offered stable housing to

an under-served population walking the

poverty line, unfortunately it also brought

the threat of increased crime.

The construction of a noisy interstate

along the East Bank in the 1960s served as

a physical barrier that further isolated the

neighborhood. Problem properties and ab-

sentee landlords were the norm when the

Williams family arrived in the 1970s, and

they were one of the few young homeown-

ers in Edgefield. A few doors down, a fam-

ily of 14 rented a home without electricity.

What started as a home-improvement

project soon became a block-improvement

project. No stranger to hard work,Williams

logged extra shifts in a local cafeteria to pay

for her teaching degree at Peabody College

(now a part of Vanderbilt University). The

Williams set their sights on the biggest is-

sue facing their home — literally, one they

dealt with every time they looked out the

front window: cleaning up East Park.

Today, visitors headed to Five Points

pass by a park with a tidy playground, well-

groomed softball fields and wide-open

green space. Still home to a few transients,

East Park isn’t perfect, but it is the perfect

spot for a Hot Chicken Festival, and a nice

alternative to battling the firework-gazing

masses downtown on the Fourth of July.

The park’s current image has more in

common with its 1920s heyday than the

rough-and-tumble eyesore that bordered

the Williams’ property. The original cut-

stone bandstand was razed in 1956, and the

park deteriorated into a makeshift home-

less shelter and dumping ground. A pre-

fabricated steel hut served as a donation

site for old clothing and mattresses. Not

The Activist As A Young Girl

A young Carol Williams poses in front of

her home on Shelton Avenue in Inglewood.

(Photo courtesy of Carol Williams)


Photo by Carolyn Manney

surprisingly, by the time the Williams fam-

ily braved the run-down tennis courts, the

area’s most booming businesses were drugs

and prostitution.

She and her husband sought the help of

the few other homeowners on their street.

As word spread that someone was finally

taking charge, neighborhood meetings

eventually drew crowds of 80 people. Al-

most by accident, Williams had become an

activist, and she was good at it.

In 1978, Edgefield became a Historic

Zoning Overlay district, and the Metro

Historical and Zoning Commission gained

oversight on any demolitions or renova-

tions. East Park eventually got its makeover

— the city added sidewalks, lighting, trash-

cans, landscaping — and more recently, a

new community center.

“Once we organized, we became a social

force, a political force — and with the two

together, we were recognized,” Williams

says. “Historic zoning was the first step, the

initial step to saving East Nashville. It gave

us the voice we needed and from there on,

we fought hard. It was not easy, but it was

worth it.”

Edgefield continued to improve, but life

for the Williams family was still far from

the white picket fences of idyllic Ameri-

can suburbia — the neighborhood would

have made most Belle Meade housewives

— even most Bellevue housewives —

squirm. Petite, pretty, and married to a

prominent attorney, Williams was not the

typical young mom.

“My kids have been exposed to life, on

every level,” she says. Occasionally, home-

less people slept on their porch. Instead of

calling the cops, she set her fears aside, and

got to know them. “They were our friends,

we knew their names.” A portrait her son

sketched of a homeless man the family

knew well hangs in her kitchen still today.

While such experiences may have scarred

some people for life, it had the opposite ef-

fect on her three children. Each moved out

of state as a young adult — each eventually

returned to East Nashville to settle down

and raise their own families.

A story about Williams’ life, and the evo-

lution of East Nashville, could not be told

without the events of April 16, 1998. For

Williams, the tornado that tore through

town with 150-mile-per-hour winds was a

near-death experience that marked a turn-

ing point in her life.

“That day the tornadoes were bouncing

all around Nashville,” she recalls. “I had

been to the Y in Brentwood to work out, we

had taken shelter in the locker room there.

But then when I came out, the warnings

had been lifted. So I ran another errand and

was on my way back from the Germantown

area, and here it came.,”Williams was at the

corner of 1st Street and Woodland when

she spotted the tornado and pulled over.

“My car was being lifted, so I jumped out of

the car and hit the ground and hung on to a

chain link fence. At that time, the stadium

was being built, and the insulation was fly-

ing off the stadium, and I wrapped my head

in insulation. So I was on the ground until

it passed.”

When the storm cleared, thousands of

East Nashville structures — homes, busi-

nesses, churches stretching from Edgefield

to Eastland Avenue and beyond — needed

repair. Roofs were blown off; debris and

downed trees littered the streets. When

things were cleaned up, a different place

emerged — one with condos, new restau-

rants, and long-needed improvements fu-

eled by the influx of insurance money. An

army of volunteers helped put East Nash-

ville back together, arguably stronger than

it was before the storm.

Williams would draw from her survival

of the tornado to find strength in the years

to come. “In some ways, it became symbolic

of lying in the middle of darkness,”she says.

“It was the beginning of one change after

another.”

After 25 years in East Nashville without

a violent incident, Williams was robbed

and assaulted in broad daylight outside her

Edgefield home in 2001. Soon after, her

brother, a close friend, died suddenly. In

2005, her daughter survived a liver trans-

plant. Six months later, Charlie, her hus-

band of 40 years, committed suicide. He

had long struggled with depression, stem-

ming from childhood abuse and a daunting

diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

“He tried for years to do everything he

could, and the fact that he was willing to get

help [for his depression] was comforting to

me,” Williams says. “I find great peace in

the fact that he did go for help.” She hopes

that by being open about his death, more

people will seek help themselves.

The loss of her husband has compelled

her to keep fighting for causes close to

her heart, and close to her home. “We all

grew from the experience of his life and of

his death. So anything that benefits East

Nashville, or East Nashvillians of any in-

come — from the poorest of the poor to

the professional — I want to be a part of

making it better,” she says. “If anybody calls

and there is a need, that’s where I want to

be, no matter how big or how small.”

Right now, she sees a need in Shelby

Park. Despite decades of urban improve-

ment under her belt, Williams has lofty,

long-term goals for the park she’s known

since she was a little girl. As the president

of the nonprofit Friends of Shelby Park and

Bottoms, Williams says part of her motiva-

tion is wanting to restore the park to the

well-manicured hills she rolled down as a

child, and maintaining one of her husband’s

favorite spots.

The group worked with Metro Nashville

to create a 20-year, $27-million master plan

for the park. It includes taking advantage of

Shelby Park’s proximity to downtown and

prime riverfront location. “To have an ur-

ban space of over 1,000 acres including the

Bottoms, this close to downtown is a gift

that many cities don’t have,” she says. “If

you travel in other cities, they utilize the

river — you can walk and bicycle along the

river. We in Nashville are a little behind

that.”

Thanks to a $1 million allowance in

Mayor Karl Dean’s budget, work will begin

in the fall on safety improvements to traf-

fic flow and parking. Williams would also

like to see more playgrounds, but says big-

ger changes will require bigger donations.

Friends of Shelby is working with Metro to

apply for grant money, and the group holds

their annual fundraiser, the Hot Chicken

Festival, in East Park on the Fourth of July.

Still, there’s a long way to go. “We need $26

million more,” she says.

Undeterred by the financial hurdle, Wil-

liams hopes the 20-year master plan is real-

ized in half that time. She knows it doesn’t

take a miracle to make things happen —

it takes a group of people who care. For a

neighborhood built on a tradition of trans-

formation, much of it on her watch, more

change ahead seems entirely possible.

“Once we orga-nized, we became a social force, a politi-cal force — and with the two together, we

were recognized,” Williams says.

14


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A 25 year track record of public service and proven

leadership in the East Nashville community plus

the willingness to dedicate whatever time is necessary

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I’m asking for your voteon August 4 to help me

put my experience to work for you.

Learn more about Bob at:

borzakdistrict6.com

Imagine you are a new mom in a new

city far from family and you’ve made

the life-changing decision to be a full-

time, stay-at-home mom.

Once you and your baby adjust to life

together, and a somewhat normal sleeping

routine, you are probably ready to reenter

the world outside your home. What do you

do next? Where do you go? Where do you

find other moms like you?

Well, if you live in East Nashville, you can

join one of three newly established branch-

es of the International MOMS Club. In

the club, moms can find daytime support,

playgroups for their kids, free babysitters,

and much more.

“Being a stay at home mom can be very

isolating — I don’t think people are wired

for that,” Bonnie Bogen, who founded the

MOMS Club of East Nashville in 2008,

says. A mother of two, Bogen is a former

nonprofit development coordinator, who

has not received a paycheck in her name in

six years. “The core reason this exists is to

serve full-time, stay-at-home moms who

have no other support during the day.

“Making the switch from full-time

working woman to full-time mom can be

difficult,” she continues. “It’s hard to transi-

tion from doing something completely for

yourself to basing your life around what

this little person wants.”

The MOMS Club, which stands for

Moms Offering Moms Support, has been

around for nearly 30 years and boasts over

2,100 chapters in the U.S.Three of the new-

est chapters are right here in the neighbor-

hood: The MOMS Club of East Nashville-

Lockeland (for Lockeland Springs and also

covering East End, Shelby Hills, etc), The

MOMS Club of East Nashville-Inglewood

(for all of Inglewood and also covering the

Rosebank area and Fortland Farms) and

The MOMS Club of East Nashville-East-

wood (covering Eastwood Neighbors and

areas west of Gallatin extending to Dick-

erson Road).

The decision to split or “sister” the

MOMS Club of East Nashville into three

new chapters has been almost a year in the

making. When the current board took of-

fice last July, there were 48 members. In less

than a year, membership nearly doubled,

bringing the current total to 91. “The in-

ternational MOMS Club suggests that the

optimal number for a chapter is between 30

and 40 members and I think there’s some

wisdom behind that,” Bogen says. She will

serve as administrative vice president of the

new Eastwood chapter.

East Nashville MOMS Club leaders no-

ticed participation among members taper-

ing off as the numbers swelled. With the

new, smaller clubs, “I’m looking forward to

knowing people in my chapter better,” she

adds.

Like her neighbor Bogen, Alice Mary

Smith, the outgoing president of the

MOMS Club of East Nashville and vice

president of membership for the new

Eastwood chapter, had reservations at first

about joining a “MOMS club,” because it

sounded a little “too clique-ish.”

As founding members of the East Nash-

ville MOMS Club, the neighbors were able

MOTHERS HELPING MOTHERS��

Story and photograph by Theresa Laurence

16


to work within the well-organized national guidelines and adapt the club to the unique culture of the neighborhood.

Activities include story time at the East Branch library, walking at Shelby Bottoms,having brunch or attending a gardening club at a member’s home. MOMS club members also perform at least one major service project each year, and host several big annual events open to the entire com-munity, like a Valentine’s Day dance. “The activities are in line with our values of sim-ple, low-cost family fun,” Bogen says.

When Smith was invited by Bogen to join the fledgling MOMS club in 2008, “I didn’t know I had a need for it,” she says.“But I do, and it’s the most rewarding thing.I just love it. It’s a real community of people helping each other.”

For example, when strong storms swept through the neighborhood in late May,MOMS Club members quickly took to their online message board to ask for and receive assistance with clearing downed trees and sharing refrigerator space. In less urgent situations, MOMS club members are constantly exchanging ideas and advice in person and online about everything from cloth diapers to home pest control.

Many members of the MOMS clubs of East Nashville are transplants to the area, and have found within the club a real sense of family here. “It feels like some of the MOMS Club kids are cousins,” Smith says.

The moms who have no other part-time job or childcare spend a lot of time together during the week, and many become close friends. “Even if the only thing you have in common is that you’re a mom and you live in East Nashville, you’ll probably get along,” she says.

“I’ve been able to have adventures with the boys (Evan, 4, and Asher, 2), like going to farms, that I would not have done with-out other moms around.”

Bogen and Smith both know moms who decided to have another child because they felt empowered by other moms in the group.“I probably would have given up, and not continued to stay home” without the club, says Bogen, the mother of Matthew,4, and Hannah, 1.

One of the highlights of the MOMS club is the babysitting co-op which allows members to find other moms to babysit for them free of charge. It works like this:When a new member joins the co-op, she is given tickets based on the number of chil-dren she has. When she needs a sitter, she emails the group and finds someone who can watch her child, and pays her with tick-ets. She earns tickets back by babysitting for someone else’s child. No money ever changes hands.

“Being a stay at home is a big financial sacrifice for many of us,” Bogen says, and the babysitting co-op is one way to help ease that burden. Within the club, “we do some really remarkable things on a shoe-string.”

For more information on the MOMS Clubs of East Nashville, email [email protected] or visit www.momsclu-beast.blogspot.com.

“Being a stay at home mom can be very iso-lating — I don’t think people are wired for that.” — Bonnie Bogen, MOMS Club of East Nashville founder

In typical East Nashville fashion, Gra-cie Vandiver became an activist without ever meaning to. And that led to her

involvement with East Nashville’s Night Out Against Crime which will be held on Aug. 2 at Eastwood Christian Church.

After the flood, Vandiver was a victim of crime. Her home was burglarized and she and her husband lost irreplaceable items,including her engagement ring. And that’s what caused her to take action.

She went to the Eastwood Neighbors Association and learned that a Crime and Safety Committee had already been ap-proved. Gracie and neighbor Manuel Del-gado became the cochairs of the committee and set goals of creating crime awareness and neighbor awareness. They came up with the idea of yard signs to help get the word out.

Working with Alison Slamon on the graphic design, they created the signs be-ing seen around East Nashville: A pair of watchful eyes with the words, “Something Suspicious? Don’t Wait. Call 862-8600.”They worked with Metro police for per-mission to use their emblem and phone number. Then, the signs were printed by Kevin Anthuis at 5 Points Digital Imaging.150 of the signs have been sold so far with the money being used for crime preven-tion, including East Nashville’s Night Out Against Crime.

Night Out Against Crime is a nation-wide and citywide series of volunteer-driven events aimed at bringing neighbors togeth-er. Vandiver and the other East Nashville organizers are planning a fun, informal event that allows neighbors to enjoy time together and take home goody bags filled with information about crime prevention,safety and emergency preparedness. Pre-sented by Lockeland Springs Neighbor-hood Association and Eastwood Neighbors Association, the night is designed to create crime awareness and a sense of community,bring neighbors together, and give exposure to East Nashville businesses. Plus, it is an opportunity for the media to focus on the good in East Nashville rather than crime.

This year’s event, from 5 to 9 p.m. on the church grounds at 1601 Eastland Ave., will be sponsored by NCA Alarms, Mother Knows Best Media, Delgado Guitars, Ch-eveallier Design Studio, Nashville AMP

Show, and Fanny’s House of Music.Neighborhood associations, groups, and

businesses are working together to make it an evening that is not only fun and in-formative, but that also allows residents to get to know each other better. Associations from Historic Edgefield, the newly formed Rosebank Association, and the Concerned Citizens of South Inglewood are taking part. Cub Scouts Pack 1548 is helping as-semble the 300 goody bags.

Nothing brings neighbors together like free food, and this year’s Night Out Against Crime will have complimentary hot dogs,chips and water. Neighbors also will be able to enjoy food samples from East Nashville restaurants and Jenny from Pied Piper Creamery will have ice cream scoops for $2. Coupons for free scoops are available at her shop.

It wouldn’t be an East Nashville event without music, so area artists, including Eric Brace and Peter Cooper, and Jon Byrd will provide the musical entertainment.There also will be speakers from Nashville Emergency Communications Center offer-ing info on Smart911, and Alan Murdock will talk about ReDiscover East.

There also will be a variety of booths to check out, with the Davidson County Sheriff ’s Office, Nashville Emergency Communications Center, The Neighbor-hoods Resource Center, and Urban Green Lab among the exhibitors. Heather Gillich with Shelby Bottoms Nature Center plans to showcase community gardening and dis-cuss the link between community gardens and lower crime rates.Cub Scout Pack 1548 will have information and conversation on scouting along with a fun food treat.

And they didn’t forget the kids, who will be able to play in a fenced and super-vised playground and have fun in a bouncy house.

There will be prizes along with all this fun., including gift certificates to neighbor-hood restaurants and businesses, as well as other give aways.

‘Vandiver is quick to point out that Night Out Against Crime couldn’t happen with-out the cooperation of the neighborhoods.“There’s no way it would happen without any one of us,” she says. “The people in-volved all do what they say they’re going to do and that’s why it’s happening.”

For more information, visit the East Nashville’s Night Out Against Crime page at on Facebook (www.facebook.com/East-Nashville2011NightOutAgainstCrime).

Get to know your neighbors at East Nashville’s Night Out Against CrimeBy Helen Gaye Brewster


19

Photo by Chuck Allen

Photo by Mike Loyco

The Tomato Art Fest began as an art show theme in 2004, dreamed up by Meg and Bret MacFayden,

owners of Art & Invention Gallery on Woodland Street, as a way to inspire artists and give people a “cool”

reason to come outside and enjoy the sticky days of August.

The Tomato Art Fest began as an art show theme in 2004, dreamed up by Meg and Bret MacFayden,

owners of Art & Invention Gallery on Woodland Street, as a way to inspire artists and give people a “cool”

reason to come outside and enjoy the sticky days of

August.

Now in its eighth year,The Tomato Art Fest in his-

toric East Nashville’s Five Points area (which is tout-

ed by Budget Travel magazine as “Nashville’s version

of New York’s East Village”) continues to be a free —

and free-wheeling — costume-friendly, imaginative

and colorful event that draws thousands of attendees.

Organizers expect more than 20,000 people at this

year’s event on Saturday, Aug. 13. Activities begin at

7 a.m. and go on throughout the day, with the last band going on at 8 p.m.

The reason for its exuberant growth and popularity is clear to Meg. “It has an intimacy that other festi-

vals lack,” she says. “It’s not about just showing up. Everyone, whether they’re organizing a crazy contest

or dying their hair with red food coloring, or simply jumping into the parade line on a whim — they’re

making it what it is.”

Here’s the recipe: take the tomato (technically a fruit, but considered a vegetable) and use it for a cheeky

symbol of unity. Voila! You have a motto — The Tomato … A Uniter, Not A Divider, Bringing Together

Fruits And Vegetables — that encompasses the attitudes and philosophy of Nashville’s most eclectic

neighborhood. Now invite all the neighbors to bring their own ingredients and run with it.

The result is a saucy, kaleidoscopic, family-friendly festival that has received kudos from both local and

national press with mentions in Southern Living magazine, Family Circle, and Epicurious to name a few.

Locally, it was voted “Best Festival” four years in a row in the Nashville Scene’s readers poll.

It may be the most homegrown and organic neighborhood block party ever invented.

By Carole Anne King


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“What Bret and I care and love the most is community,” Meg says. “We love build-ing community, helping people feel a part of the community. $at’s what our motto is all about. $e Tomato Art Fest brings together community in a way that’s really fun.”

And for her, simple things are really the best. Take, for example the neighborhood parade that kicks o" the day.

“$e parade is so wonderful and goofy,” she says. “It starts out in front of Fanny’s and picks up people along the way, all of them smiling and happy. I love that people think it’s fun to dress up in red clothes. It’s so delightful it almost makes me cry.” All things tomato and then some!

Silliness and whimsy are what the Tomato Art Fest is all about, from the art to the

activities and contests. For a complete list of the festival’s unique o"erings visit www.tomatoartfest.com. Here are a few high-lights:$e Tomato 5K, sponsored by the Mar-

garet Maddox YMCA, kicks things o" on Saturday morning with a special Children’s Fun Run at 7 a.m. $e 5K begins at 10th and Woodland Street at 7:30 a.m. Partici-pants can register online until June 30 for only $25. From then until August 12 at 11:59 p.m. the cost is $30. Runners are wel-come to register in person on race morning for $35.

A New Orleans-style “second line” parade starts at 9 a.m. Neighbors in all manner of costumes !ll the !rst line marching band as well as the second line dancing behind. Don’t be shy — jump right in and join the fun anywhere along the meandering neigh-

borhood route! Ends at corner of 11th and Woodland near the main stage.$e Wet Burrito Contest, sponsored by

Nuvo Burrito, encourages competitors to eat a burrito while being sprayed by a water hose. Do you have the stamina to be the “fastest face !ller” or best of show? Winners will receive “prizes and glory.”

Bored with dressing up Barbie dolls? Take fashion to another level by adorning and decorating a real tomato for the Beauti-ful Tomato Contest sponsored by Alegria.

Into creative costuming for yourself ? Enter the kids’ costume contest at Fanny’s House of Music at 1101 Holly Street.

Got a tomato-based cocktail recipe that deserves recognition? Enter the Bloody Mary Contest sponsored by 3 Crow Bar at 1020 Woodland Street to compete for the crown of Best Bloody Mary.

23


The Tomato Arts Fest brings out tens of thousands of people to East Nashville for a variety of festival activities, including enter-tainment such as music and belly dancing, fashion shows and a 5K run. (Photos by Wendy Whitte-more except top photo by Stacie Huckeba.)

“What Bret and I care and love the most

is community,” Meg says. “We love build-

ing community, helping people feel a part

of the community. That’s what our motto

is all about. The Tomato Art Fest brings

together community in a way that’s really

fun.”

And for her, simple things are really the

best. Take, for example the neighborhood

parade that kicks off the day.

“The parade is so wonderful and goofy,”

she says. “It starts out in front of Fanny’s

and picks up people along the way, all of

them smiling and happy. I love that people

think it’s fun to dress up in red clothes. It’s

so delightful it almost makes me cry.”

All things tomato and then some!

Silliness and whimsy are what the Tomato

Art Fest is all about, from the art to the

activities and contests. For a complete list

of the festival’s unique offerings visit www.

tomatoartfest.com. Here are a few high-

lights:

The Tomato 5K, sponsored by the Mar-

garet Maddox YMCA, kicks things off on

Saturday morning with a special Children’s

Fun Run at 7 a.m. The 5K begins at 10th

and Woodland Street at 7:30 a.m. Partici-

pants can register online until June 30 for

only $25. From then until August 12 at

11:59 p.m. the cost is $30. Runners are wel-

come to register in person on race morning

for $35.

A New Orleans-style “second line”parade

starts at 9 a.m. Neighbors in all manner of

costumes fill the first line marching band

as well as the second line dancing behind.

Don’t be shy — jump right in and join the

fun anywhere along the meandering neigh-

borhood route! Ends at corner of 11th and

Woodland near the main stage.

The Wet Burrito Contest, sponsored by

Nuvo Burrito, encourages competitors to

eat a burrito while being sprayed by a water

hose. Do you have the stamina to be the

“fastest face filler”or best of show? Winners

will receive “prizes and glory.”

Bored with dressing up Barbie dolls?

Take fashion to another level by adorning

and decorating a real tomato for the Beauti-

ful Tomato Contest sponsored by Alegria.

Into creative costuming for yourself ?

Enter the kids’ costume contest at Fanny’s

House of Music at 1101 Holly Street.

Got a tomato-based cocktail recipe that

deserves recognition? Enter the Bloody

Mary Contest sponsored by 3 Crow Bar at

1020 Woodland Street to compete for the

crown of Best Bloody Mary.


The Tomato Arts Fest brings out

tens of thousands of people to

East Nashville for a variety of

festival activities, including enter-

tainment such as music and belly

dancing, fashion shows and a 5K

run. (Photos by Wendy Whitte-

more except top photo by Stacie

Huckeba.)

Be sure to get in on the Bobbing for To-

matoes Contest, sponsored by Wags and

Whiskers at 1008 Forrest Avenue.

No registration needed for the RedHead

Competition, just show up with your to-

mato red locks. This contest is open to all

redheads — men, women, boys, girls, and

those whose red hair is just NOT REAL!

Check out vintage looks at the East

Nashville Fashion Show, put on by The

Hip Zipper. Pet lovers will like the “faux

paw” doggie fashion contest, coordinated

by the Lockeland Springs Neighborhood

Association.

�� -

ed wares

While the Tomato Art Fest is free, more

than 150 food and creative vendors will be

on hand with the best that East Nashville

has to offer. So bring a few bucks for crafts,

jewelry, art and photography, pottery, T-

shirts and more. And plan to eat your way

up and down the streets. Local businesses

and nonprofits will have informational

booths as well.

“The fest continues to grow each year

and with it the number of vendors eager to

participate.We generally get double the ap-

plications for the number of booths we can

accommodate. So the choosing gets harder

and harder,” vendor chair Jack Davis says.

“We’re thrilled with the expanded crop of

vendors this year and think festival-goers

will be, too!”

All sorts of kiddy fun

The festival always has plenty of children’s

activities. Never mind potential meltdowns

— many of the offerings start early to beat

the heat:

� �� Fried Restaurant at 7 a.m.

� �� with more than coffee. Kids can dive into

crafty projects starting at 7 a.m.

� �� !� �� 12th and Holly Streets will have activities

for children.

� "�� "�� # �� !��$�� ages 10 and under to make their own to-

mato-inspired ice cream sundaes using Red

Velvet Elvis ice cream and bright green va-

nilla syrup. The messy fun starts at noon.

We grow music over here

“The Tomato Art Fest is all about origi-

nal, homegrown music. So we are particu-

larly keen to showcase local talent from

East Nashville and the surrounding Nash-

ville area to align ourselves with the spirit

of the festival,”music chair Dana Delworth

says.

Festival planners expect more than two

dozen singers, songwriters and bands to

entertain throughout the day on two dif-

ferent stages. (A third stage is a strong pos-

sibility; details are being worked out). New

this year is an acoustic stage sponsored by 24


You can strut your stuff in the

second line parade or win prizes

in contests, such as the wet burrito

challenge, or even bob for toma-

toes. (Photos by Wendy Whit-

temore except above photo by

Stacie Huckeba.)

MacFaydens to hatch new businesses

In their more 11 years as part of the East Nashville business community, Bret and

Meg MacFadyen have seen plenty of small businesses open in the area. But many

of them did not succeed due to lack of density, significant overhead costs and

timing.The husband and wife team aim to change that with their latest endeavor,The

Five Points Collaborative (An Idea Hatchery).

Located at 1108 Woodland Street, the Five Points Collaborative is comprised of

eight modular buildings constructed independently of each other in a variety of sizes.

The project’s small rental spaces are designed to encourage start-up businesses, giving

entrepreneurs the opportunity to explore and experiment with a business idea “with-

out breaking the bank,” Meg says. “Think of it as an incubator for small business.”

The MacFadyens founded The Art & Invention Gallery next door, along with The

Tomato Art Fest and I Dream of Weenie hotdog stand.“Our goal is simple: to broad-

en the business base of East Nashville beyond restaurants and bars — we want the

neighborhood ’s

day-life to be

just as strong as

the nightlife,”

she says. “We

want to help put

new ideas in a

brick and mortar

structure in Five

Points, to help

new businesses

learn and solve

problems, to cre-

ate a community

of independent

thinkers, to grad-

uate businesses

as they grow and need more space, and to invite other entrepreneurs to join us. Most

of all, we hope to capture the energy of innovation and new ideas — otherwise it will

be lost to our neighborhood, and perhaps even our city.”

The MacFaydens see their “hatchery” idea as a model for Nashville, one that pre-

serves the opportunity for future development of a property while providing an in-

terim opportunity for micro businesses to flourish.

“It’s an ideal solution for developing empty lots in vibrant, or up-and-coming,

parts of Nashville. By hosting several of these modular structures on one piece of

property, property owners are able to create an instant business community for a rea-

sonable cost.The modular structures can be easily moved (or sold) if a property owner

should choose to build a permanent structure on their land at a later date.

“We’ve learned that something grand can grow from a simple idea, as long as the

creative spirit is allowed to flourish,” Meg concludes.

The Green Wagon located at Forrest and

11th Streets.

Performers (confirmed so far) include pa-

rade leaders Half Brass, Ned Van Go, The

Red Caps, Bodhicitta Bellydancers, Totie

Meets the Phantom, and Roy Agee’s KISS

Tribute brainchild. More artists are being

added every day according to Delworth,

who promises that the lineup is, once again,

“super East Nashville local.”Expect the first

performers to begin around 10 a.m., with

the last taking the stage around 8 p.m.

Come pitch in

True to its homegrown spirit, the Tomato

Art Fest relies largely on the work of many,

many volunteers. Event day will need extra

volunteers to help set up and tear down, to

pick up trash and to be runners between

booths. Interested? Fill out the volunteer

form at www.tomatoartfest.com to get

started.

Make a donation

What started out as a modest neighbor-

hood event eight years ago has grown tre-

mendously, even gotten a bit sophisticated

with official street closings, Metro Parks

assistance and other security measures.

While the festival is still hosted by The Art

& Invention Gallery and brought to life by

a merry band of energetic and dedicated

volunteers, there are costs involved when

you invite more than 20,000 people to

come play with you. Those inclined to help

“Team Tomato”make this enduring gather-

ing a success are welcome to make a secure

online donation at the festival’s website.

��

Want first dibs on the art? Want to be able

to SEE it without the crush of thousands of

sweaty festival-goers? Then make your way

to Five Points on Aug. 12, the Friday night

before the festival for the popular Tomato

Art Fest Preview Party. A $25 admission

gets art lovers in the door at The Art &

Invention Gallery to enjoy this year’s crop

of tomato art, live music, food and Bloody

Marys.

When all the ingredients come to-

gether

Tomatoes take their own sweet time rip-

ening on the vine and unless you need a

green one for fried okra, they’re worth the

wait. Party details are a lot like that, too.

Sometimes they don’t come together until

the eleventh hour. (And sometimes a press

deadline happens well before they can be

confirmed.) So follow the Tomato Art Fest

on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest

updates and check out the official website

at www.tomatoartfest.com for complete in-

formation about events, contests and line-

ups for the music stages.

Never been to East Nashville or felt com-

pelled to don a papier maché tomato head

on a hot August morning? What are you

waiting for? You’ll find directions and maps

on the website, too, along with plenty of

photos from last year’s fest for inspiration.

For a fun, neighborly, arty good time

head to Five Points (the conjunction of

Woodland and South 11th Streets) on Sat-

urday, Aug. 13 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for

the Tomato Art Fest!

“We’re so grateful that so many people

are willing to come play year after year.”

Meg says.26


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“She says that if you spend too much time house cleaning that you miss out on impor-tant things like sunsets and bike rides and picnics” from Grammy’s House by Laura R. Clifford.

Laura Clifford began writing a few

years ago when she turned 60 and

realized she wanted to spend the

third trimester of her life doing something

creative and meaningful.

Grammy’s House is the first book in

a seven-book series about baby boomer

grandparents and their antics. Clifford has

a Masters in special education, but most of

her inspiration for writing has come from

her own grandchildren and her desire to

encourage more children to enjoy the out-

doors. She believes that if children learn to

love nature, they will be compelled to take

care of God’s creation.

Clifford has lived — off and on — in

East Nashville since 1978 and has enjoyed

reading to children at Lockeland Design

Center, where her five grandchildren, who

also live in the neighborhood, attend.

The first-time author is an endearing,

quintessential grandmother figure who

took the bold step of recreating herself in

her later years. She never envisioned herself

as an artist or writer before, but after con-

sidering many options such as retirement,

relocation, traveling, mission work, going

back to school, or volunteering, she was

drawn to starting a childrens’ book series.

The self-published Grammy’s House reads from the granddaughter’s voice and

the perspective is absolutely charming and

humorous to both adult and child read-

ers. You are guaranteed to conjure sweet

memories of your own grandmother when

reading this book.

Clifford enjoys reading Mercer Mayor

books, The Berenstain Bears by Jan and

Stan Berenstain, and Miss Twiggley’s Tree by Dorothea Warren Fox to her grandchil-

dren. For adults, she recommends Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard

Louv.

Grammy’s House is available for purchase

at Fairytales Children’s Bookstore, which

recently won the Women’s National Book

Association’s Pannell Award which recog-

nizes and acknowledges the work of book-

sellers who stimulate, promote and encour-

age children’s and young people’s interest

in books. The bookstore was praised for the

“comprehensive approach it takes to involv-

ing kids in reading, from creative play and

storytelling, to music, and visual arts.” It

also was noted that “its daily story time

offers many ways for kids to engage with

reading and books.” Its attention to parents

— their need to “relax and rejuvenate” in

the store — was also commended.

Another local read is The Cycling Wang-doos by Kelly Pulley. It’s an adorable rhym-

ing book about a family of six riders on a

long tandem bike where they learn about

the importance of teamwork.Find out what

happens when some riders decide to take a

break until only one rider does all the work.

East nasty kiddos are lucky to have Pulley

do a book reading and signing at Eastside

Cycles in Five Points in July.

The Hunger Games is another favorite

summertime young adult read this year. It

is a sci-fi story where children of the future

play a reality television game where they

must literally kill their competition until

there is only one victor. If a child is able to

read it, he is probably old enough to handle

the subject matter. The other two books in

the series are Catching Fire and the final

book just released late last year, Mocking-jay.

Francie Hunt lives and works in East Nash-ville and serves on the Nashville Public Li-brary Board.

Books worth snatching away from your kids (so you can read them)By Francie Hunt

Photograph by Chuck Allen

Grammy’s House is East Nashville resident Laura Clifford’s debut children’s book

28


+

I f Nashville music has a mantra, it might be this: storytelling and song. And when it comes to that particular

mantra, Kevin Gordon is unquestionably a guru.

Sinewy grooves prop up character studies and narratives of love and loss in a gritty Americana landscape where love’s redemp-tive power is always present, but somehow distant. It’s sometimes easy to hear his in$u-ences — a bit of Jimmy Reed groove, some rockabilly, blues and soul, an evangelical gospel thump and growl. But the #nal prod-uct is eclectic and completely individual.

It is no surprise that Gordon’s songs are featured in major motion picture and tele-vision soundtracks. His songs have been re-corded by the likes of Keith Richards, Levon Helm, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Irma !omas, Webb Wilder, and Kate Campbell.

Over the course of 20 years of writing, recording and touring, Gordon has built an impressively consistent catalog of songs, a critically-acclaimed stack of albums, and a reputation for dynamic live performances that make #rst-time listeners life-long fans.

Gordon has a new album coming out this

year called Gloryland, and it is a treat. It is produced by Joe McMahan, and special guests include Sarah Siskind and Lambchop’s Scott Martin and Ryan Norris. Currently, as a special treat for his fans, he is o"ering a free download of the track “Watching the Sun Go Down” from his last album O Come Look at the Burning on his website (www.kevingordon.net).

Recently, Gordon sat down with !e East Nashvillian to talk about music, art, and life in East Nashville.

You moved to East Nashville in 1995. What made this part of the city your choice then?“We were renting in what is now called Sylvan Heights at the time, -but were look-ing to buy. Sylvan Park was already pretty hot at that point — we looked there, and we looked here on the East side. At that time you could get the same square footage for half the dough over here. $at made it an easy decision. I had a number of friends over here already, and dug the vibe, so it felt comfortable. $e place where I stayed when I !rst started making exploratory trips down here from Iowa circa 1990 is

right around the corner from where I live now.”How has East Nashville has changed since then?“Feels like things keep get-ting better. If you would’ve told me in 1995 that in a few years I was going to be able to get a pint of Guinness less than three blocks from my house, or have my pick of sev-eral great restaurants within my own zip code, I might have suspected you of eating the wrong mushrooms. I just don’t want this area to lose its distinctive identity and char-acter.”!e music industry has changed quite a bit since your "rst release Cadillac Jack’s #1 Son in 1998. Has that changed the way you approach your music and/or fans?“It’s never been easier to re-cord, distribute, and promote. I’m pretty much all DIY, with the exception of making re-

cords. Great for retaining control; not so great for your free time. I feel closer to my fans than I ever have — communication, via twitter, Facebook, et al., is so immedi-ate now. I’d be better at it if I were more of a narcissist, though — I can’t imagine blogging every day, or tweeting every three minutes. No matter who you are, the small-er details are not always that fascinating. And a lot of valuable mystery gets lost in the process.”You utilized quite a bit of fan-sourcing in order to help fund your upcoming re-lease. How do you feel about that pro-cess? Was your approach di#erent from what you’ve seen other artists try?“I resisted the whole idea for about a year — and I still have mixed feelings about it. I don’t like that so much of the rhetoric surrounding the phenomenon is framed in language that’s usually reserved for chari-ties (or political campaigns) — “donate, support, contribute.” $is is a business - it’s a way of raising capital while engag-ing your fans with the project, emotionally and !nancially. It’s a pre-release sale when it comes down to it. But the tighter con-nection with my fan base has been such an

Kevin Gordon: Storytelling and SongBy Curt Perkins

Photograph by Brydget Carrillo


31

www.HansForNashville.com

Paid for by Hans Schmidt for Metro Council District 6,Tomianne Schmidt,Treasurer Photo by grannisphotography.com

Safe Neighborhoods* As President of the Lockeland Springs Neighborhood Association, Hans under-stands the importance of building and keeping close ties between our commu-nity groups and our local police precinct.

Responsive Leadership * From Zoning and Codes issues to equal protection for all Nashvillians, Hans will work diligently to continue the momen-tum in East Nashville and throughout our city.

Fiscal Responsibility* Hans will work for efficiency and transparency in Metro's budget and procurement processes, and he won't tolerate unethical behavior or frivolousgovernment spending.

Strong Public Schools* As a Metro public schools graduate,Hans understands the importance of equal access to quality public education for all of our children, and he will demandaccountability for the taxpayer dollarsspent in our schools.

��

HansHans Schmidt for Council District 6

DISTRICT 6

While getting the dogs out in

great weather can be especially

enjoyable, this time of year

brings with it a lot of valid concerns for an-

imal safety. Here are just a few tips, as well

as some fun activities, to keep the season

pleasant for everyone.

Fleas & ticks — Tis the season. There

are numerous ways to control fleas and

ticks, and since these can be passed among

people as well as animals, it’s a good idea

to prevent them as much as possible. Ticks

also carry diseases that afflict dogs as well as

humans, such as Lyme disease and Rocky

Mountain Spotted Fever. Talk to your vet

about conventional products for preventing

fleas and tics. Homeopathic recipes are also

an option.

Mosquitos — Because mosquitos cannot

be prevented, it is of utmost importance

that you give your dog a heartworm treat-

ment regularly. Heartworms are caused by

the single bite of an infected mosquito.

Over the course of a few months, the lar-

vae mature into adult worms that lodge in

the dog’s heart and multiply causing heart-

worm disease.

Heartworm disease is a slow death sen-

tence if not detected and treated.Treatment

of heartworms is expensive and/or a very

long process depending on how you and

your vet decide to attack it. Preventing the

condition however, is simple as a regular

treatment — monthly pills, monthly topi-

cals, and there is also a six-month inject-

able product. These treatments will kill the

larvae before they are able to mature and

attack your dog’s heart.

It is highly recommended that you do

a heartworm test at the same time as your

annual canine vaccines and if treatment is

required be sure to investigate all avenues

of treatment to determine which will be

best for your pet and the extent of their

condition.

Cats also are susceptible to heartworm

disease and there is a monthly treatment to

help kill the larvae. However, cats are not

routinely tested unless symptoms are pres-

ent because they often have a much smaller

heartworm burden, making the test unreli-

able. There is no treatment for a cat once it

tests positive.

There are monthly treatments that will

help control fleas and ticks, as well as kill

heartworm larvae and typical intestinal

parasites. There also are homeopathic op-

tions.

Hot vehicles — A study by the Animal

Protection Institute showed that even

moderately warm temperatures outside

can quickly lead to deadly temperatures

inside a closed car. The study compared

an outside temperature of a shaded area

with the inside of an automobile in three

states with four windows cracked. When

it was 90 degrees outside in the shade,

the thermometer inside the car registered

108 degrees. Another study from Stanford

University showed that even on compara-

tively cool days, such as 72 degrees, a car’s

internal temperature will rocket to 116

degrees within 60 minutes.

Since a dog’s normal body temperature

is between 101 and 102 degrees, a rise of

3 degrees to 105 is enough to put your dog

in a dangerous situation, 108 degrees can

be life threatening. Dogs can’t sweat so in

order to keep their bodies from overheat-

ing they must pant. If they can’t expel heat

fast enough their body temperature rises.

If they can’t reduce their body heat, their

oxygen demand goes up to where the dog

cannot keep up.

Heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and intestines

start breaking down on a cellular level at a

fast rate so that even with immediate atten-

tion the animal can have internal damage

that will affect their long-term health.

While leaving an animal in a car is not

in itself a crime in Tennessee, according to

Assistant District Attorney General Shan-

non Poindexter, Tennessee state law pro-

vides it is a misdemeanor to “intentionally

or knowingly fail unreasonably to provide

necessary food, water, care or shelter for an

animal in the person’s custody or transport

or confine an animal in a cruel manner.”

Police officers or Metro Animal Care &

Control Officers have the authority to “in-

terfere to prevent the perpetration of any

act of cruelty as defined herein upon any

animal in his/her presence.”

If you genuinely believe an animal is in

distress, call the police and/or MACC and

ask for an officer to be dispatched to the

scene.

Hot pavement — While including your

dog in all the fun, animal-friendly outdoor

festivals seems harmless enough, the pads

of their paws were not meant to protect

their feet from scorching temperatures.

Pavement can get hot enough to cook an

egg — would you make your dog stand in a

frying pan on the stove? Their paws are one

of the few ways dogs can expel heat from

their bodies, not to mention the damage it

does to their pads, much as hot pavement

or sand does to our bare feet.

For shorter dogs, being closer to the

heat source (pavement) means even more

discomfort and ultimate danger. Please

consider leaving your canine friends home

in the air conditioning or check out some

kind of doggie bootie to help protect their

paws. Doggievogue.com has doggie mesh

sandals, reflector dog boots and dog socks

with rubber bottoms.

Lakes and rivers — Even a dog that

can swim and loves to swim will get tired

Dogs just want to have fun��

By Elizabeth Chauncey

Photograph by Wendy Whittemore

35


eventually. Anytime you are taking a dog to

swim they should have a life preserver on. It

will not impede their ability to swim but can

save their life if they stop swimming. You

will also want to keep in mind your dog will

be susceptible to parasites from any body

of water they come in contact with. Have

your vet check out any out-of-the-ordinary

symptoms after a trip to the lake.

ID Tags — You hear a lot of reasons pets

don’t have collars or tags — things like

“They never leave the yard,” or “They just

had a bath,” Unfortunately, dogs don’t let

us know before they escape and remind us

to put their collars back on. It will happen

when you least expect it. PLEASE put col-

lars on immediately after baths. And even

if you think it will never happen, with sum-

mer winds loosening fencing, as well as

scary thunderstorms and fireworks, dogs

are especially prone to escaping when they

otherwise might not. For East Nasvillians,

the closest place to purchase an engraved

dog tag with your phone number on it is

Inglewood Hardware on Gallatin Road.

Overheating — Dogs with short noses

(pugs, bulldogs), those that are overweight,

very young or very old dogs, long-haired

dogs or those dark in color are at greater

risk of overheating than other dogs.

After a day in the park or even a short

run, a dog that isn’t interested in drinking

water may in fact be in the process of over-

heating.

Signs of heat stroke include heavy pant-

ing, dark red gums, thick saliva, dry mucus

membranes, dizziness or disorientation, in-

ability to stand, collapse and/or loss of con-

sciousness. Heat stroke in dogs can develop

into a potentially deadly situation in as

little as 20 minutes. If your dog shows any

of these signs, it needs immediate medical

attention.

You can help cool your overheated dog

on the way to the vet by placing cool (not

cold) wet towels on its body, particularly

around the head, stomach and foot pads.

Cold water (or full submersion) can con-

strict the blood vessels and cause further

overheating. Offer your dog water to drink,

but do not force it into their mouths.

�� -

ed periods of time — There are won-

derful local organizations that are bringing

attention to issues like dogs being chained

for extended periods of time without ap-

propriate shelter, food and water. I suggest

you check out their Facebook pages or web-

sites and find out how you can get involved

in making a difference if this is something

you care about. Dogs Deserve Better, Un-

chained Hearts and Middle Tennessee Pet

Resource Center are just a few. Also, please

don’t hesitate to call Metro Animal Control

if you notice a dog confined, either in a pen

or on a chain, without access to shade, food

and water. When you are witness to an en-

dangered life it becomes your business and

you can make a difference.

1st Annual Canine Summer Splash!

— Nashville Paw magazine presents a day

of doggie paddlin’ fun for pooches and their

people on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Margaret

Maddox YMCA in East Nashville (2624

Gallatin Pike). $10 per dog; humans get

in free. For more information, visit www.

nashvillepaw.com/caninesummersplash.

Elizabeth Chauncey is the founder of East C.A.N. (East Nashville’s Community Ac-tion Network). She has three dogs and runs a staging business called Spaces by Chauncey (www.spacesbychauncey.vpweb.com).

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Wilson County FairAug 12-20

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Living Green ExpoAug 27

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Tomato FestAug 13

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PV INSTALLERLlCENSED, INSURED, BONDED

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eventually. Anytime you are taking a dog to swim they should have a life preserver on. It will not impede their ability to swim but can save their life if they stop swimming. You will also want to keep in mind your dog will be susceptible to parasites from any body of water they come in contact with. Have your vet check out any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms after a trip to the lake. ID Tags — You hear a lot of reasons pets don’t have collars or tags — things like “!ey never leave the yard,” or “!ey just had a bath,” Unfortunately, dogs don’t let us know before they escape and remind us to put their collars back on. It will happen when you least expect it. PLEASE put col-lars on immediately after baths. And even if you think it will never happen, with sum-mer winds loosening fencing, as well as scary thunderstorms and "reworks, dogs are especially prone to escaping when they otherwise might not. For East Nasvillians, the closest place to purchase an engraved dog tag with your phone number on it is Inglewood Hardware on Gallatin Road.Overheating — Dogs with short noses (pugs, bulldogs), those that are overweight,

very young or very old dogs, long-haired dogs or those dark in color are at greater risk of overheating than other dogs.

After a day in the park or even a short run, a dog that isn’t interested in drinking water may in fact be in the process of over-heating.

Signs of heat stroke include heavy pant-ing, dark red gums, thick saliva, dry mucus membranes, dizziness or disorientation, in-ability to stand, collapse and/or loss of con-sciousness. Heat stroke in dogs can develop into a potentially deadly situation in as little as 20 minutes. If your dog shows any of these signs, it needs immediate medical attention.

You can help cool your overheated dog on the way to the vet by placing cool (not cold) wet towels on its body, particularly around the head, stomach and foot pads. Cold water (or full submersion) can con-strict the blood vessels and cause further overheating. O#er your dog water to drink, but do not force it into their mouths.

-ed periods of time — !ere are won-derful local organizations that are bringing attention to issues like dogs being chained

for extended periods of time without ap-propriate shelter, food and water. I suggest you check out their Facebook pages or web-sites and "nd out how you can get involved in making a di#erence if this is something you care about. Dogs Deserve Better, Un-chained Hearts and Middle Tennessee Pet Resource Center are just a few. Also, please don’t hesitate to call Metro Animal Control if you notice a dog con"ned, either in a pen or on a chain, without access to shade, food and water. When you are witness to an en-dangered life it becomes your business and you can make a di#erence. 1st Annual Canine Summer Splash! — Nashville Paw magazine presents a day of doggie paddlin’ fun for pooches and their people on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Margaret Maddox YMCA in East Nashville (2624 Gallatin Pike). $10 per dog; humans get in free. For more information, visit www.nashvillepaw.com/caninesummersplash.

Elizabeth Chauncey is the founder of East C.A.N. (East Nashville’s Community Ac-tion Network). She has three dogs and runs a staging business called Spaces by Chauncey (www.spacesbychauncey.vpweb.com).

www.5pdi.com (615) 591.1557

Visit our New Location

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supplemental insurancehealth savings account (hsa)

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INSURANCEEric Jans

Do you want a new home, but can-

not sell or renovate your current

home at this time? Here are a few

cost effective ways to get the feel of a new

home, without the big expense:

Interior

� �� a professional is a powerful way to get that

fresh feeling.

� �� hired for a consulting visit or a block of

time depending on your budget.

� �� the most effective.

� � �� -native to create order and better function

in your home. They can help prioritize the

clutter and simplify your life. They also can

be hired for a consulting visit or a block of

time depending on your budget.

� � �� -

other possibility. A deep “spring cleaning”

really does change the feeling of your home.

It also can be a real treat for your family and

start new habits. Everyone just feels better

in a clean environment.

��

� �� Painting the entire house or changing the

color of the front door and window sash

are all good options. Simply power washing

and paint touch ups help many houses.

� �� beauty of your home. You can hire a profes-

sional landscape designer to create a mas-

ter plan, which you can execute in budget

friendly phases or hire it to be completed.

Other options are books with landscape

plans and observing yards that you love in

your own neighborhood.

These next two items are very important,

but you may not be too excited about it.

� !�� mood, how about hiring an experienced

home inspector to find all the little main-

tenance issues that need attention. Many

times these repairs do not cost much, but

left unattended, can be costly later.

� "� �� #�� for old houses. I recommend having your

ducts cleaned and sealed properly. This

will help with the dust level in your home,

which is always welcome to those with al-

lergies. You could take it to the next level

and have your crawl space sealed also rec-

ommended for those with allergies.

Finally, as with all improvement projects, I

recommend keeping your receipts. Expe-

rienced home design professionals are an

upfront expense. Their experience will keep

you from wasting time, money, and going

down the wrong path. They will have years

of experience, which always helps in find-

ing the right solution for your home.

Give your house that “new home” lookBy Lynn TaylorPhotograph by Chuck Allen

Fresh colors can give a room a new look.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking:

container gardening is for your

grandmother. But if you think

that, you are missing out.

It is understandable if you have some

misconceptions about container gardening.

Who can forget Aunt Sue’s handily potted

aloe vera plant strategically placed on the

kitchen sink, ready to smear all over your

body whenever you scuffed your knee. Well,

there are certainly better and even exciting

examples of container gardening, some of

them simple, some of them down-right

expressionistic and here’s the dirt on them

all:

��

You should consider container gardens for a

myriad of reasons, such as, when it is really

hot outside in July and August, not much

will be blooming except your container

plants. But the ultimate reason to consider

a container garden is you get the same en-

joyment as a larger garden with a fraction

of the work.

Practically, container gardens can serve

as miniature vegetable gardens. Carrots, to-

matoes, lettuce and every herb imaginable

are excellently grown in containers.

Container gardens in the form of potted

flowers give a burst of color to a drab front

porch which is a lot less expensive than re-

painting the porch.

A container garden can give friends and

guests a sense of your personality before en-

tering your home and can even set the tone

for the evening. Of course a well-tended

container garden bodes much better than

a dry, poorly growing one. Container gar-

dening not only shows your creativity to

others, it can enhance it.

Let’s start with the simpler ideas and tips

and work our way toward the art forms of

container gardening.

�� -

tainer garden (easy level)

Sometimes simpler is better, espe-

cially if you need a quick dash of

color for a party or special occa-

sion and you don’t have much time.

Here is what to do to save the day

an hour before that special event:

1. Pick up the prettiest hanging

basket you can find.

2. Detach the plastic hangers, re-

move entire plant and soil in one

swoop.

3. Insert plant into pot, add pot-

ting soil as necessary.

4. Add calypso white bacopa.

5. Water plant.

Annual flowering bacopa added

to any flower arrangement is magical and

gives a sense of maturity and illusion that

your flowering mecca has been there all

spring and summer. Who knew that creat-

ing the best potted plant for your front door

could be as simple as locating a hanging

basket at the Farmers Market and sticking

it in a pot?

At the historic Greymont Estate in

Green Hills, potted plants are used in many

ways. They mark entrances and paths, make

a covered parking area look like a grand en-

trance, and provide color in the transition

zones of the property where perennial color

may be lacking. The container gardens at

this property range from simple elegance to

carefully crafted centerpieces. How could a

container garden benefit your property?

The welcome home container gar-

den (medium level)

A consistently watered container garden is

certainly a welcome site at the front door,

but how about an authentic “welcome

plant” at the front door?

To residents of warmer states, the pine-

apple symbolizes hospitality and is the ulti-

mate welcome mat at anyone’s door. Pine-

apples are beautiful on a front porch.

There are major misconceptions about

pineapples: Most people think pineapples

Not your grandmother’s

container garden

Story and photographs by

Alan Murdoch

At Greymont Estate (above), potted plants are used

in a variety of ways. A pineapple (below) can be a

beautiful “welcome plant” for your front porch.


Continued on Page 42

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grow on tall trees like coconuts. They ac-

tually grow low to the ground. They also

think they have to order their pineapple

plant from Hawaii. That would be wrong

too. Growing a pineapple is as simple as

heading to the grocery store and is a great

summer project for kids. Here’s how:

1. Choose a healthy looking pineapple with

nice and pretty leaves at the top

2. Cut off the crown and soak in water for

a day or two

3. Place the crown in a shallow pot with a

couple inches of potting soil

4.Water frequently, especially when it is hot

and use a general fertilizer monthly during

warm season

5. The pineapple will mature quicker in full

sun, but also likes filtered shade

6. Increase the size of the container as the

plant grows (transplants nicely)

The crown of your pineapple eventually

becomes the base of the plant. A pineapple

fruit can possibly appear within a year, but

most likely two. Don’t fret about that. It’s

a pretty lily-like plant in the meantime.

Bring your “fruit in waiting” in during the

winter and don’t wait too long to place it

outdoors in the spring. Place your pineap-

ple plant near a well-lit window to continue

the growth cycle while indoors.

��

bowl garden (advanced-but-not-dif-

��

Hachinoki is a container plant art form and

hobby that predates the “classical bonsai”

movement. Hachinoki and similar garden-

ing styles have made a comeback in recent

years.

The main difference between Hachinoki

gardening and bonsai is the container. The

bonsai tree is grown and cultivated in a

shallow tray for the purpose of intentionally

dwarfing and shaping the plants.Hachinoki

is not limited to a particular size container

and has much more freedom in design and

creativity. You will see hachinoki gardens

in long cement troughs, in the open knot

of a downed log, and even in wooden salad

bowls (with holes for drainage). You can

create a Hachinoki garden in an interesting

metal ale container from a vintage shop or

in an elegant bowl or pot, or even have a

short-lived garden in the shell of a pump-

kin.

The usage of a bowl is great because your

containers require less attention as they

hold more soil and moisture — and more

plants. The key to a great bowl is having

varied height and textures with a ground

cover that spills over the side.

Hachinoki is a less tedious but more cre-

ative process than bonsai — ideal for those

who don’t have the patience or time for a

full-fledged bonsai project. If you let your

plant specimens go, some of them could

eventually grow to be full grown trees or

shrubs, thus having some bonsai knowledge

is helpful.

In this art form, you create little worlds

in a container or bowl. You can take a fu-

turistic approach to your design or create

an ancient miniaturized world in a bowl by

using the Asian principle of “recreating na-

ture using nature.” In addition to a young

evergreen tree, you can add interestingly

shaped rocks and ground covers to create

small worlds that mimic much larger ones

— even if those worlds exist only in your

imagination.

Container gardens can add a burst of color to your patio or porch.

42


CAMP SCHEDULEUpward Soccer Camp is for 4-year olds through 6th grade! Camp will be conducted on Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, beginning Wednesday, July 20 and ending on Wednesday, August 10 (4 evenings).Note: Child must be 4 years old by July 1, 2011.**Each camper will receive the following: Upward Soccer Camp T-shirt, soccer ball, water bottle, camp poster and weekly awards.

POSITIVE SPORTS EXPERIENCE› Upward Soccer Camp is a great way to

get out and play, while also growing in ��

› Games, skills training, drills, contests, life lessons and healthy competition all add up to an exciting camp day.

› Every camper gets an equal opportunity to play and learn REGISTRATION INFORMATION

› The registration cost per child for soccer camp is $30.› Deadline for registration is July 7.› Second child (siblings) - only $25.› Registration form available at www.nfcn.org/upward.› Mail or return to 510 Woodland St., Nashville, TN 37206.

FOR MORE INFORMATION� �� !!!��"Matt Dunlap: (615) 268-7364 Director of Upward Sportstm

Sabrina Jones: (615) 250-1140 x137 Elementary Childrenʼs Ministries

Documents

East Nashvillian Issue 06