Monthly Archives: December, 2011
Adorable Elephant & Dog Become BFF [Happy Humpday]
CBS News’ Assignment America did this adorable piece on an unlikely friendship: An elephant and a dog have become best friends at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Knowing that this cute couple is less than 2 hours away in Hohenwald somehow makes today 100% more bearable. Let’s say it together: Awwwwwww. Happy Humpday!
CBS News’ Assignment America did this adorable piece on an unlikely friendship: An elephant and a dog have become best friends at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Knowing that this cute couple is less than 2 hours away in Hohenwald somehow makes today 100% more bearable. Let’s say it together: Awwwwwww. Happy Humpday!
Happy Hour: What Goes Around
- As you might have figured out from our absence today, we’ve been totally sidetracked by the chaos on Capitol Hill that ensued after Rep. Jason Mumpower lost the Speaker of the House vote that everyone thought he had in the bag. And mostly because some n00b pressed the wrong button. [Nashville Is Talking, Nashville Post, & Wonkette]
- Councilman Eric Crafton was apparently making the rounds today, appearing on the Fox News morning show Fox & Friends and later on Lou Dobbs’ radio show. Which almost makes it more interesting that he can’t find time to debate David Briley on NPT. [Fox News]
- Meanwhile, the wives of Gov. Bredesen, Mayor Dean, and Rep. Jim Cooper led a 2-mile walk to the early voting site from the Metro Courthouse this morning to vote against the English Only charter amendment. [Tennessean]
- We mentioned this morning that the Kingston ash spill was costing the TVA over a million dollars a day in cleanup, much of which is coming out of the state’s pockets, and now the state is sending the clear message to the TVA that they will need to be reimbursed for every penny. [WSMV]
- Two men took a bit of a tumble out of a third-story window at the Opryland Hotel early this morning. Both of them are in the hospital and no one seems to know why it happened. [WKRN]
Photo by Matt Mikulla.
As you might have figured out from our absence today, we’ve been totally sidetracked by the chaos on Capitol Hill that ensued after Rep. Jason Mumpower lost the Speaker of the House vote that everyone thought he had in the bag. And mostly because some n00b pressed the wrong button. [Nashville Is Talking, Nashville Post, [...]
Bright & Early: Setting Up Camp Edition
Good morning, Nashville. It’s been a while since we heard anything about Tent City, Nashville’s largest homeless encampment off of Hermitage Avenue downtown. Last we heard Tent City residents were being shipped out to local shelters and hotels (one of which exploded and collapsed), but it looks like things are starting to heat up again with an actual camp closure on the horizon. The Metro Homelessness Commission is kicking around the idea of creating a Metro-approved camp where the residents could actually access services. Though we’re not totally sure how that’s different from any other homeless shelter, we’re interested to see where it goes.
- No thanks to the TVA. Cleanup of the TVA ash spill at the Kingston Fossil Fuel Plant is said to be costing more than one million dollars a day… meaning that it’s costing US, the TVA customers, one million dollars a day. We can’t wait for our next bill!
- Oh, the carnage. Today’s economic casualty is Rosario’s, the Mexican Restaurant just around the corner from Music Row in the Edgehill Village. They’ve filed for bankruptcy but aren’t planning to close down.
- Bits & pieces. Eric Crafton gets busted by a blogger for not really knowing what he’s talking about … Tennessee is trying to ban smoking whenever you’ve got kids in the car … So fog frost is probably the coolest thing we’ve ever seen and there are pictures … Congrats to our alma mater for not losing to Lipscomb last night … We may not want to get too attached to Whole Foods if the FTC has anything to say about it.
Photo by ryan2013.
Good morning, Nashville. It’s been a while since we heard anything about Tent City, Nashville’s largest homeless encampment off of Hermitage Avenue downtown. Last we heard Tent City residents were being shipped out to local shelters and hotels (one of which exploded and collapsed), but it looks like things are starting to heat up again [...]
Happy Hour: This Is When It Gets Ugly
- Following the joint press conference with Mayor Dean and Gov. Bredesen this morning, Loews Vanderbilt Hotel owner and Nashville For All Of Us leader Tom Negri was nearly run over by a woman who was trying to steal an anti-English Only yard sign from outside the election commission. Police were called, but the woman was already pretty far gone. [Tennessean]
- Speaking of… that, Nashville Public Television is afraid they’re about to be stood up by Councilman Crafton for the televised debate he committed to back in October. He originally agreed to debate David Briley with John Seigenthaler moderating on January 21st, the night before the election. NPT says they’re doing it with or without him. [Pith In The Wind]
- So are more people actually DOING meth, or are more people just getting caught? [WKRN]
- Thankfully, the Tennessee River seems to have come out unscathed after 10,000 gallons of God-knows-what spilled out of a TVA plant in Alabama last week. [Tennessean]
- Nearly 30,000 NES customers were looking for help with ballooning electric bills in the month of December, which is about 1 in 10 households. [WKRN]
Photo by ben-sci.
Following the joint press conference with Mayor Dean and Gov. Bredesen this morning, Loews Vanderbilt Hotel owner and Nashville For All Of Us leader Tom Negri was nearly run over by a woman who was trying to steal an anti-English Only yard sign from outside the election commission. Police were called, but the woman was [...]
Franklin Theatre: Saved!
Congratulations to the Heritage Foundation, who reached their fundraising goal to restore the Franklin Theatre. We’re glad, because the Franklin Theatre is 72 years old this year, and we’d hate to see it go. Post Business has the full press release, thanks to Mick for the tip!
Congratulations to the Heritage Foundation, who reached their fundraising goal to restore the Franklin Theatre. We’re glad, because the Franklin Theatre is 72 years old this year, and we’d hate to see it go. Post Business has the full press release, thanks to Mick for the tip!
Nashville’s Eric Crafton Makes The New York Times
Nashville, we’re starting to get noticed by the big dogs. Councilman Eric Crafton spoke with the New York Times on his controversial English Only proposal:
Mr. Crafton insists that momentum is on his side in Nashville and across the country. “We’ll make English the official language here,” he said. “After that happens, we’re going to go city to city, show them how we’ve done it here, and let the dominos fall.”
In Nashville, a Ballot Measure That May Quiet All but English – New York Times
See also: Post Politics
Nashville, we’re starting to get noticed by the big dogs. Councilman Eric Crafton spoke with the New York Times on his controversial English Only proposal: Mr. Crafton insists that momentum is on his side in Nashville and across the country. “We’ll make English the official language here,” he said. “After that happens, we’re going to [...]
Bright & Early: Highs And Lows Edition
Good morning, Nashville. We’ve gotta admit, we’re feeling pretty demoralized after Saturday’s Game Which Shall Not Be Named (the ‘Stache blames that missed delay of game call, but we’re not even sure that could have salvaged it) so we’re trying to look at the bright side–the Preds won and Steve Sullivan skated for the first time in almost two years. That’s something to be excited about right? Right?? There’s always next year, Titans fans.
- Governor and mayor vote early. Gov. Phil and Mayor Dean held a joint press conference this morning to ask Nashvillians to follow their lead and vote against both amendments on the special election ballot. A few dozen folks came out to show their support and thank them for the shout-out.
- Life’s great mysteries. Good news, East Nashvillians. Your crime rate is down for the seventh year in a row. Not that you’d know it by reading headlines!
- Bits & pieces. Supporters of English First have finally put out a radio ad and it’s real patriotic … We’ve got a brand new convention center on the way and no one has any idea who should run it … Jason Mumpower starts his new Republican Speaker of the House gig when the legislative session starts up tomorrow … Speaking of the legislative session, they’ll be talking about that whole wine-in-grocery-stores thing.
Photo by christyfrink.
Good morning, Nashville. We’ve gotta admit, we’re feeling pretty demoralized after Saturday’s Game Which Shall Not Be Named (the ‘Stache blames that missed delay of game call, but we’re not even sure that could have salvaged it) so we’re trying to look at the bright side–the Preds won and Steve Sullivan skated for the first [...]
Titans and Ravens and NASCAR, Oh My! [Road Closures]
We know we’ll be pretty firmly planted on our couches this afternoon for the Titans game, but in case you’re out and about today, watch out for these street closures. Most are business as usual for Titans games, but there are a few changes:
Starting at 12:30pm:
- Woodland St. (Union St.) from 5th Ave. North to the 1-65 Northbound on-ramp
- Unnamed street or alley connecting Interstate Dr. and North 1st St., running South of James Robertson Parkway
- South 4th Street at Shelby Street
- South 2nd Street between Russell Street and James Robertson Parkway
- Oldham St. at North 1st St.
- North 2nd St. at Woodland St.
- I-65 southbound on-ramp from Spring St eastbound
- Left-turn lane from Westbound James Robertson Parkway to southbound Interstate Dr.
- Interstate Dr. Northbound at Shelby St.
- Entrance into Lot B from Shelby Ave.
- Entrance/Exit ramps into gas station on Shelby Ave
- 1st Ave. N from Church St. to Union St.
- 2nd Ave. N From Church St. to Union St.
- I-24 West Exit ramp onto James Robertson Parkway
The following streets will remain closed an hour and a half after the game:
- Woodland St (Union St) from 5th Ave N to the I-65 northbound on-ramp
- Unnamed street or alley connecting Interstate Dr. and North 1st St., running south of James Robertson Parkway
- South 4th St. at Shelby St.
- South 2nd St. between Russell St. and James Robertson Parkway
- I-65 South off-ramp to Shelby St
- Shelby St. Westbound lanes between South 5th and Streets
- Oldham St. at North 1st St.
- North 2nd St. at Woodland St.
- North 1st St. southbound at Spring St. (Jefferson St.)
- Interstate Dr southbound at Jefferson St
- Entrance/Exit ramps into gas station on Shelby St
- Shelby St westbound at I-65 northbound entrance ramp
- 1st Ave. N from Church St. to Union St.
- 2nd Ave. N From Church St. to Union St.
- I-24 West Exit ramp onto James Robertson Parkway
- Gateway Bridge will be closed on the west side (from halftime)
And additionally, 2nd Avenue will be closed off between Broadway and Commerce from 5pm until 1am for the Sound and Speed NASCAR/country music event, which has absolutely nothing to do with the playoffs.
[Via Nashville Metro Public Works.]
Photo by Brent and MariLynn.
We know we’ll be pretty firmly planted on our couches this afternoon for the Titans game, but in case you’re out and about today, watch out for these street closures. Most are business as usual for Titans games, but there are a few changes: Starting at 12:30pm: Woodland St. (Union St.) from 5th Ave. North [...]
Happy Hour: In Which We Watch The Ravens Crash & Burn
- The City Paper gives us a few hints about what we should watch out for in tomorrow’s showdown. [City Paper]
- And speaking of the Titans, Kevin Mawae is definitely a no-go for Saturday’s showdown. [WTVF]
- The TVA spill we’ve been keeping an eye on all day was actually not the second one, but the third. And they’re estimating that 10,000 gallons spilled this time. [Tennessean]
- And oh yeah, they just got sued by eight people for the first spill in Kingston last month. [Tennessean]
- TSU had to drop about 500 students who weren’t able to pay for their tuition. That sucks, but we guess it’s better than the 1900 they originally anticipated. [WTVF]
- Ha, ha, ha! Rep. Marsha Blackburn’s home was foreclosed today! We kid- was actually the bank’s fault. [WSMV]
- Governor Bredesen and Mayor Dean are early voting on Monday… have you? [Post Politics]
Photo by justageek.
The City Paper gives us a few hints about what we should watch out for in tomorrow’s showdown. [City Paper] And speaking of the Titans, Kevin Mawae is definitely a no-go for Saturday’s showdown. [WTVF] The TVA spill we’ve been keeping an eye on all day was actually not the second one, but the third. [...]
Best Month Ever: Second TVA Ash Pond Probably Spilling Into The Tennessee River
Well, we almost can’t believe our eyes with this Tennesseean headline that popped up a few minutes ago, but a second TVA ash pond has ruptured in northern Alabama and is reportedly spilling into the Tennessee River. The first spill happened on December 22nd in Kingston, TN and is expected to require hundreds of millions of dollars worth of environmental cleanup. We don’t have a whole lot of information about the new one at the moment but we’ll try to keep you posted as we learn more throughout the day.
Update [11:03am]: The TVA has confirmed the spill with both the Tennessean and WKRN.
Update [11:24am]: TVA is answering reader-submitted questions over at KnoxNews on an ongoing basis … TVA does not know how big the spill was, but they say they’ve stopped the leak … Still awaiting an official statement.
Update [11:37am]: More over at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, WSMV, and WBIR.
Update [12:14pm]: The story has hit national news on MSNBC via the Associated Press.
Update [2:39pm]: The TVA issued the following statement this morning:
TVA is investigating a leak from the gypsum pond at Widows Creek Fossil Plant in Stevenson, Alabama, that was discovered before 6 a.m. on Friday, January 9. The leak has stopped.
The leak from the gypsum pond flowed into an adjacent settling pond. Some material overflowed into Widows Creek, although most of the leakage remained in the settling pond. TVA has notified appropriate federal and state authorities.
TVA will perform temporary repairs to the pond.
Gypsum ponds hold limestone spray from TVA’s scrubbers that clean sulfur dioxide (SO2) from coal-plant emissions. Gypsum contains calcium sulfate, which is commonly used in drywall, a commercially sold construction material.
Photo by thermodynamix.
Well, we almost can’t believe our eyes with this Tennesseean headline that popped up a few minutes ago, but a second TVA ash pond has ruptured in northern Alabama and is reportedly spilling into the Tennessee River. The first spill happened on December 22nd in Kingston, TN and is expected to require hundreds of millions [...]
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