Monthly Archives: December, 2011
Happy Hour: Not-So-Cyber Monday
- Tennessee would like to remind you that you can’t use that whole Cyber Monday thing to avoid state sales tax. Even if the site doesn’t charge you anything up front, you’re still supposed to e-file. [WTVF]
- Our neighbors to the north in Kentucky are getting a brand new country-ish music festival next summer called HullabaLOU. And like the good neighbors we are, we’ll happily lend them a modified CMApocalypse Bingo card for the weekend. [WTVF]
- Super-secret Oak Ridge National Laboratory in East Tennessee is in the midst of a hiring flurry right now, and you know what that means. Actually, no one knows what that means because Oak Ridge is top secret. New supercomputer? [WTVF]
- Metro Police arrested a Hillsboro High School student after finding a 9-mm pistol in his car, which was unloaded and allegedly going to be used for recreational target practice. [WSMV]
- We’ve been wondering what’s to come of the “old” convention center, which is actually the “current” convention center until the “new” convention center is built. And anyway, it’s slated to become a one-stop-shop for medical equipment if the aforementioned “new” convention center is ever approved and completed. Ahem. [WPLN]
Photo by niseag03.
Tennessee would like to remind you that you can’t use that whole Cyber Monday thing to avoid state sales tax. Even if the site doesn’t charge you anything up front, you’re still supposed to e-file. [WTVF] Our neighbors to the north in Kentucky are getting a brand new country-ish music festival next summer called HullabaLOU. [...]
Bright & Early: Catchup Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Happy Monday-after-Thanksgiving! We’re running late this morning, so you know the drill: Here is your abbreviated Bright & Early:
- Starting today, CoverKids–Tennessee’s health insurance program for uninsured kids–is capping new enrollments because the state has run out of money to fund them. Though this won’t affect the 44,000 kids already enrolled, it means that no other children will be able to take advantage of the benefits until further notice. [WSMV]
- If you missed the Titans game yesterday, then you missed out on one helluva Music City Miracle. Vince Young managed to come from behind and pull out a win in the last six seconds of the game. We’re pretty sure we chewed all of our fingernails off. [WTVF]
- A few more folks have decided to file lawsuits against the TVA for last year’s ash spill in Kingston, bringing the official count to 14. [WZTV]
- State Rep. Larry Turner (D-Memphis) passed away over the weekend after spending months fighting an “unspecified illness.” We’re not sure yet Memphis will be filling the vacant seat. [WTVF]
- Flurries! We might get flurries! [NashvilleWX]
Photo by Nathan T. Baker.
Good morning, Nashville. Happy Monday-after-Thanksgiving! We’re running late this morning, so you know the drill: Here is your abbreviated Bright & Early: Starting today, CoverKids–Tennessee’s health insurance program for uninsured kids–is capping new enrollments because the state has run out of money to fund them. Though this won’t affect the 44,000 kids already enrolled, it [...]
Happy Hour: #501broadway Edition
- The Nashville Arena GEC Sommet Center will likely be getting yet another name change in the coming months. The Preds ended their naming deal with the Sommet Group by suing them this afternoon, then the Sommet Center issued an angry response, then Mayor Dean weighed in with some Preds love, and then we sat back and enjoyed the ensuing circus on Twitter. [ESPN]
- The State Capitol was evacuated at around 11am this morning due to a suspicious package addressed to Governor Phil in the mailroom which actually turned out to be a mechanical Santa. Seriously, which one of you mailed a mechanical Santa to Governor Phil for Christmas? Inquiring minds need to know. [Post Politics]
- And the really important news for the day, obviously, is that Franklin has put off voting on whether or not they’re going to banish chain-link fences from the land! [WSMV]
- Speaking of, according to the New York Times, “Those in the know call Franklin, Tenn., just outside Nashville, the ‘’Malibu of Tennessee.’” Does not compute. [NYT]
On that note, we’re off to our four-day weekend here at Nashvillest. Everyone travel safe, have a wonderful Day of Thanks, and eat lots of food! We’ll catch you on Monday.
Photo by Paul Nicholson.
The Nashville Arena GEC Sommet Center will likely be getting yet another name change in the coming months. The Preds ended their naming deal with the Sommet Group by suing them this afternoon, then the Sommet Center issued an angry response, then Mayor Dean weighed in with some Preds love, and then we sat back [...]
Bright & (Not So) Early: Ars Gratia Artis Edition
Good morning, Nashville, and happy almost Turkey Day! This morning, we’re giving thanks for our city’s public art, which Councilman Charlie Tygard has declared that he would like to spread around to the rest of Nashville by filing an ordinance with the Metro Council. This sentiment isn’t sitting well with members of the Metro Arts Commission who insist that they’re already trying to do that and the ordinance would actually slow them down. We definitely won’t argue that Nashville’s public art–which includes some polar bears having a snowball fight, a sculpture that everyone mistakes for a roller coaster, the infamous naked people on Music Row, and Donelson Dickerson Pike’s new herd of buffalo–could use some work.
- GM plant idles. The Spring Hill GM plant officially goes idle today meaning that around 3,000 folks who had jobs yesterday do not have those jobs today. Here’s hoping that someone can figure out a way to help that situation.
- Extreme BNA makeover. All of that dynamiting and traffic rerouting and interstate exit-closing around the airport has supposedly paid off with all of the changes BNA has rolled out for the holidays including some new waiting areas and parking lots. We’re most excited about Google’s free holiday wifi, though. Happy travels!
- Bits & pieces. Looks like we’re in for a cloudy-ish Thanksgiving … Miley Cyrus is descending upon the Sommet Center tonight, so you best steer clear of the area … Sarah Palin is banning the press from her Tea Party speech at Opryland in February … East Nashville probably won’t be getting that traffic light they’ve been hoping for any time soon.
Photo by Phillip Riggins.
Good morning, Nashville, and happy almost Turkey Day! This morning, we’re giving thanks for our city’s public art, which Councilman Charlie Tygard has declared that he would like to spread around to the rest of Nashville by filing an ordinance with the Metro Council. This sentiment isn’t sitting well with members of the Metro Arts [...]
Happy Hour: Party Fowl
- There was some serious turkey-frying going on downtown today for Tracy Lawrence’s 4th Annual Mission Possible Turkey Fry to benefit the Nashville Rescue Mission. We’re not sure exactly how many birds were dunked in the deep fryer, but we’re thinking it was at least a few hundred. [WTVF]
- Related, Second Harvest really needs volunteers to help meet the food distribution needs this season. [WKRN]
- Because WKRN hates us and our Charlie Brown specials, the Charlie Brown Christmas Special has been bumped off the air by Jeff Fisher (again!) Fortunately they’ve provided us with an alternate schedule of reruns. [Nashville Is Talking]
- The Mall at Green Hills is offering free valet parking for shoppers, which is something that that the Kroger at Green Hills started doing many years ago. Pretty soon, every establishment in Green Hills will have complementary valet parking and the people of Green Hills (your Nashvillest included) will actually forget how to park. [Tennessean]
- Farmers in 16 Tennessee counties have reported losing anywhere from 10-50% of their crops due to rain and flooding in September and October and are applying for federal farm assistance. [WSMV]
- We break records with our meth-seizin’. [WSMV]
Photo cgrantham.
There was some serious turkey-frying going on downtown today for Tracy Lawrence’s 4th Annual Mission Possible Turkey Fry to benefit the Nashville Rescue Mission. We’re not sure exactly how many birds were dunked in the deep fryer, but we’re thinking it was at least a few hundred. [WTVF] Related, Second Harvest really needs volunteers to [...]
Bright & Early: Snip Snap Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Neighborhood health clinics are the latest item on the chopping block for Tennessee’s round of budget cuts. Each year, 23 neighborhood health clinics around the state provide health care for uninsured Tennesseans–a number that’s growing by the day thanks to our 10.5% unemployment rate. Like every other department in the State of Tennessee, the Department of Health is looking at a 9% overall cut. With the loss of state funding, many of the clinics could be forced to close down or at least limit their services. Meanwhile, Governor Phil brings up the option of cutting state-funded health care altogether, though cutting it “would be very low on the priority list.”
- Good night for sports. Even though the Titans had us on the edge of our seats down to the last six seconds, they managed to pull out a win last night. Our Preds also continued to bring the awesome with a 3-1 win over Detroit.
- Points for creativity. Metro Police nabbed the man suspected of dragging a police officer behind his car the other night, but the reason they had such a rough time finding him was that he dressed himself in some ratty clothes and pretended to be homeless.
- Bits & pieces. Of course Adam Dread would train his cat to poop in the toilet. Of course … News Channel 5 continues their investigative streak by finding $500K that the state has forgotten to collect in the midst of the aforementioned budget cuts … The state is petitioning the feds for some additional money to aid Spring Hill GM workers who are scheduled to be laid off tomorrow.
Photo by cabbagebabble.
Good morning, Nashville. Neighborhood health clinics are the latest item on the chopping block for Tennessee’s round of budget cuts. Each year, 23 neighborhood health clinics around the state provide health care for uninsured Tennesseans–a number that’s growing by the day thanks to our 10.5% unemployment rate. Like every other department in the State of [...]
Happy Hour: Street Without A Song
- We were really sad to hear the news that Elringo “Velvet Thunder” De’Angelino, one of Nashville’s best and most iconic street musicians, passed away over the weekend. He brought us lots of smiles on our nights downtown on 2nd Ave. and will definitely be missed. Since he had no family, homeless advocates have set up a fund to help pay for a proper funeral. If you enjoyed Velvet’s soulful crooning as much as we did, consider tossing a few bucks his way at any Bank of America branch. [Tennessean]
- Sponsors of the controversial “guns in bars” legislation that was ruled unconstitutional last week have promised to try again, only this time making it a little more specific. [Post Politics]
- Williamson and Maury County officials met today to figure out what to do with the 3,000 folks who will lose their jobs with the Spring Hill GM plant shuts down on Wednesday. [WSMV]
- Three Nashville post offices are on USPS’ endangered list, but none of them are the Arcade. So rest easy. [City Paper]
- Michael Jackson’s 1985 Mercedes Benz will soon be on display at the Hollywood Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg after the owner of the museum won it in an auction over the weekend. [Tennessean]
Photo by Grey Street Girl.
We were really sad to hear the news that Elringo “Velvet Thunder” De’Angelino, one of Nashville’s best and most iconic street musicians, passed away over the weekend. He brought us lots of smiles on our nights downtown on 2nd Ave. and will definitely be missed. Since he had no family, homeless advocates have set up [...]
Bright & Early: Christmas Creep Edition
Good morning, Nashville. The holiday season is officially here with the arrival of the Tennessee Christmas tree. The 50-foot tree made the trek from a family farm in Oak Hill to downtown this morning where crews put it into place in front of the State Capitol. If you’re able to stroll by today, you catch sight of the decorations going up. Those hoping to see the lights come on will have to wait until November 30th.
- So much for a vacation. Speaking of Christmas, our state lawmakers are looking at the possibility of being pulled into a special session December 14-17 to deal with some controversial piece of workers comp legislation. They won’t be receiving any per diem for the session if it happens.
- And we shall call it… The newest addition to our skyline, the Pinnacle, had its signs put on yesterday by some helicopters which apparently caused quite a stir on the street below. We’ve also heard that the signs are pretty enormous and unattractive, but hey–it’s still a cool building. As such, we think it needs a nickname like the Batman Building. Ready, set, go!
- Bits & pieces. Public colleges in Tennessee could see a 5% tuition hike next year … Former Parks Director Jim Fykes says he wants nothing to do with Metro Parks & Rec once the current director resigns, because who really wants to inherit a $2 million deficit? … The family of Miley’s tourbus driver who was killed in the crash last week revealed that he had a heart attack at the wheel … Metro has opened up another H1N1 vaccination clinic at the Hickory Hollow Mall.
Photo by Justyn with a Y!.
Good morning, Nashville. The holiday season is officially here with the arrival of the Tennessee Christmas tree. The 50-foot tree made the trek from a family farm in Oak Hill to downtown this morning where crews put it into place in front of the State Capitol. If you’re able to stroll by today, you catch [...]
Happy Hour: No Shirts, No Guns, No Problem
- Tennessee’s “Guns in Bars” law was ruled unconstitutionally vague this afternoon, citing the Average Joe’s difficulty of differentiating between bars and restaurants. The decision can be appealed, but the process could take up to a year. We’re also guessing that some less-vague version may pop up between now and then. [WPLN]
- Hometown hero Miley Cyrus’ tour bus crashed in Virginia this morning, killing one person. The bus was allegedly carrying her lighting crew and she wasn’t on it at the time of the accident. [WKRN]
- Almost 10,000 dead folks were found to be registered to vote in Tennessee. That’s reassuring, right? [WSMV]
- Hunter’s Lane High School was placed under lockdown this afternoon following a gun scare. The school was reopened and no weapons were ever found. [WKRN]
- John Rich was freed of all charges in the assault and harassment case filed against him by Nashville Star contestant Jared Ashley. [City Paper]
Photo by wjb13.
Tennessee’s “Guns in Bars” law was ruled unconstitutionally vague this afternoon, citing the Average Joe’s difficulty of differentiating between bars and restaurants. The decision can be appealed, but the process could take up to a year. We’re also guessing that some less-vague version may pop up between now and then. [WPLN] Hometown hero Miley Cyrus’ [...]
Bright & Early: Well Runs Dry Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Lest we start thinking that our 10.5% unemployment rate comes without a price, Governor Phil told state lawmakers yesterday that another hike in unemployment tax is just around the corner. The first increase was enacted earlier this year to help ensure that the state’s unemployment fund wouldn’t run dry and unemployed Tennesseans wouldn’t be left without that safety net. Now it’s looking like that wasn’t quite enough. Hopefully the second time’s the charm.
- Gangs on the rise. Gang violence is getting a little ridiculous in some Metro Schools, including Glencliff High where members of the Brown Pride and Sur-13 gangs have reportedly been beating each other silly at least twice a week. MNPS personnel are meeting with Metro Police to figure out how to handle the problem.
- Happy belated World Toilet Day. We’re sort of upset that we didn’t realize yesterday was World Toilet Day as declared by the World Toilet Organization. Fortunately the holiday was not overlooked by Vandy, who used the day to remind everyone just how much water with their fancy waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets.
- Bits & pieces. John Rich is back in court for that one time he allegedly assaulted and harassed Nashville Star contestant Jared Ashley … Hooray for the Preds winning again! … Gibson’s CEO is taking a leave of absence from the board of the Rainforest Alliance because of that whole federal raid thing … After having a really wet September and October, we’re in the midst of the driest November in recorded history.
Good morning, Nashville. Lest we start thinking that our 10.5% unemployment rate comes without a price, Governor Phil told state lawmakers yesterday that another hike in unemployment tax is just around the corner. The first increase was enacted earlier this year to help ensure that the state’s unemployment fund wouldn’t run dry and unemployed Tennesseans [...]
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