Monthly Archives: December, 2011
Bright & Early: What’s In A Name Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Last week, we had some fun with the news that the Sommet Center could soon be getting a new name… again. The Nashville Hockey Club had a falling out with the Sommet Group over Sommet’s alleged failure to make the payments that were part of the naming deal, but Sommet insisted that the Nashville Hockey Club had violated their contract by using competing vendors. Anyway, lawsuits were filed and the name change could happen as early as today at a special meeting called by the Metro Sports Authority. And the new moniker? The Nashville Arena, which is actually what we all wanted to call it in the first place.
- The real CJ. Every Coach’s (and Titans fan’s) Dream Chris Johnson has announced that he’s starting a campaign to win himself the NFL’s MVP title. Not only is he trying to do that, but he’s also requesting that Sports Illustrated feature him on the cover. And challenging Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, via Twitter, to a foot race and a basketball game. Hey, as long as he keeps delivering.
- Shout out loud. Several members of the Metro Council will be holding a public hearing in January to get everyone’s input on the new convention center. The meeting will happen on January 11th, which is a little over a week before the final vote is supposed to take place.
- Bits & pieces. Just two days after Sen. Roy Herron dropped out of the race for governor, Ward Cammack is waving the white flag due to a halt in fundraising and “impenetrable political alliances” … Portland, TN has canceled their Christmas parade because of a lack of participation. Maybe we could ship them our Grand Marshall, John Rich? … Franklin is saving money by putting up fake Christmas trees … Ten percent of all Tennessee families don’t have a bank account.
Photo by Phillip Riggins.
Good morning, Nashville. Last week, we had some fun with the news that the Sommet Center could soon be getting a new name… again. The Nashville Hockey Club had a falling out with the Sommet Group over Sommet’s alleged failure to make the payments that were part of the naming deal, but Sommet insisted that [...]
Happy Hour: Cleaning Up Messes
- The state advisory board that was supposed to be looking more into last year’s TVA ash spill in Kingston released a 17-page report saying that we need tighter control over ash ponds and we’re not quite sure how this is information is new. [WSMV]
- It doesn’t look like we’re going to get any flurries this time around, just rain :(. Good thing we still have the entire long rest-of-the-Winter to experience them. [NashvilleWX]
- Nick Jonas will be gracing the Ryman with his presence sans the other two Jonases. [WSMV]
- The mother whose 7-year old was accidentally left on a Metro school bus yesterday and then bribed with a hot dog to keep quiet would still like to know how it happened. We can’t say we blame her. [Tennessean]
- Someone stole some Christmas trees from a local Boy Scout troop that was trying to sell them to raise money. Jerk! [WKRN]
Photo by wjb13.
The state advisory board that was supposed to be looking more into last year’s TVA ash spill in Kingston released a 17-page report saying that we need tighter control over ash ponds and we’re not quite sure how this is information is new. [WSMV] It doesn’t look like we’re going to get any flurries this [...]
Bright & Early: Tennessee Shuffle Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Last night brought some big news on the Tennessee political front with 30-year U.S. Rep. John Tanner deciding not to run for reelection in 2010. Within a matter of hours, Tennessee state senator Roy Herron dropped his bid for governor and announced that he’s running for Tanner’s congressional seat instead. Up until last night, Sen. Herron was one of the Democratic front-runners in the gubernatorial race and now no one really knows what’s going on. But hey, that’s Tennessee politics for you.
- Tennessee might lose out on some federal money (and by “some” we mean a few million dollars) because our system for tracking sex offenders isn’t up to snuff according to new federal standards. The good(ish?) news is that 48 other states are in the same boat.
- Metro council members passed up the opportunity to vote on a new ordinance that would’ve allowed guns in a few small rural parks despite the earlier ordinance they passed to ban guns from parks.
- Bits & pieces. Nashville Shores is getting a lazy river and a wave pool, but no roller coasters since being purchased by some former Six Flags execs … The Convention & Visitors Bureau is now training our taxi drivers on how to make acceptable smalltalk … In addition to capping CoverKids enrollment, the state also capped CoverTN … “Kid tries to buy beer, fails at 27 businesses.”
Photo by gypsygirl.photography.
Good morning, Nashville. Last night brought some big news on the Tennessee political front with 30-year U.S. Rep. John Tanner deciding not to run for reelection in 2010. Within a matter of hours, Tennessee state senator Roy Herron dropped his bid for governor and announced that he’s running for Tanner’s congressional seat instead. Up until [...]
Happy Hour: Hot Diggity Dog
- A Metro charter school bus driver accidentally left a 7-year old on the bus all day yesterday. The kid fell asleep, the driver didn’t notice, and then when the driver figured out what had happened, he tried to bribe the kid to keep quiet with a hot dog–a hot dog!–which is actually what tipped off the boy’s mother that something was up. [WKRN]
- In other news, another Metro school bus ran into a parked car today! Luckily no kiddos were on board and no one was hurt. [WSMV]
- After a small glimmer of hope for the State Fair courtesy of Councilman Eric Crafton, it’s officially over forever. There will never, ever be another Tennessee State Fair. We think. [WSMV]
- And this story about a Nashville firefighter giving oxygen to a “woozy” cat who escaped from a burning house is the cutest thing we’ve read all week. There are pictures. [WKRN]
- Two Hunters Lane High School kids are off to Antarctica for the holiday break to work with researchers. [WSMV]
Photo by cgrantham.
A Metro charter school bus driver accidentally left a 7-year old on the bus all day yesterday. The kid fell asleep, the driver didn’t notice, and then when the driver figured out what had happened, he tried to bribe the kid to keep quiet with a hot dog–a hot dog!–which is actually what tipped off the [...]
Knowing The Facts: HIV/AIDS In Nashville [World AIDS Day]
If you’ve made a trip or two around the internet this morning, you probably know that it’s World AIDS Day. Though we’ll see a great deal of focus today on the HIV/AIDS crisis in the third world, we want to take a moment to remember the folks living with the disease right here in Nashville.
There are plenty of ways to help out around Middle Tennessee. Keep an eye out for 2010′s Dining Out for Life event and help your favorite restaurants give back. Get a team together and join up with the Nashville AIDS Walk. Spend an evening with Artrageous. For year-round opportunities to volunteer and donate, check out Nashville CARES–a local organization that provides support for Nashvillians living with HIV/AIDS, community education, and advocacy. And finally, know the facts:
- As of December 2007, almost 7,500 Middle Tennesseans have been reported with AIDS or HIV infection since the epidemic began. This represents 35% of the 21,400 Tennesseans diagnosed statewide.
- About 5,100 Middle Tennesseans are currently living with HIV or AIDS (69% of diagnosed).
- These are diagnosed individuals; experts believe that another 20% are HIV-infected but do not know it. (Total = 6,100.)
- Although the majority (72%) live in Davidson County, cases have been reported in every county in the region (and the state).
- About 300-370 new cases of HIV and AIDS are reported for Middle Tennessee annually.
- Women are 20% of new HIV infections in Middle Tennessee and 28% of new HIV infections in the Nashville MSA.
- 18% of new HIV infections are among teenagers or youth under age 25.
- Older Middle Tennesseans are not immune. About 5% of new HIV infections are among people age 55 or older.
- Unsafe sexual behavior (both homosexual and heterosexual) are the main transmission factors, accounting for 70%+ of new infections.
- Although people with HIV/AIDS are living longer, last year someone in Middle Tennessee still died from AIDS every 4-5 days.
Data provided by the Tennessee Department of Health. Compiled by Nashville CARES.
Photo by burningkarma.
If you’ve made a trip or two around the internet this morning, you probably know that it’s World AIDS Day. Though we’ll see a great deal of focus today on the HIV/AIDS crisis in the third world, we want to take a moment to remember the folks living with the disease right here in Nashville. [...]
Bright & Early: It’s A Gamble Edition
Good morning, Nashville. Governor Phil is still working on figuring out which Very Important Parts of the State Budget will need to be cut in order to make ends meet this year. A few days ago, we heard him consider eliminating funding for neighborhood clinics or just ending all state-sponsored health care programs altogether; yesterday, we saw an enrollment cap on CoverKids. Now we’re hearing reports that the state could be ending all emergency mental health services for adults. Either way, not exactly a banner year for health care in Tennessee.
- The little tower that couldn’t. Downtown developer Tony Giarratana, the guy who wanted to build that mythical Signature Tower and create a “second downtown” in Bells Bend, hasn’t actually paid his workers since January. Though Giarratana is largely responsible for the influx of luxury condos downtown, he’s been bleeding money for several years.
- Hope for the state fair. The Metro Council will be considering a resolution tonight that would save the state fair and fairgrounds–at least through next December. A few weeks ago, Mayor Dean decided to keep everything up and running through the end of 2010 without the fair and racetrack, but Councilman Eric Crafton hopes to save the whole shebang.
- Bits & pieces. The inventor of the Wikipedia (so basically, the internet) will be gracing Nashville with his presence soon … Preds owner David Freeman is pretty much flat broke … The Tennessean explains exactly how the Titans are going to get to the playoffs. We believe! … We don’t know much about zoning, but apparently this is a big deal … H1N1 vaccines are open to everyone now.
Photo by Erackblack.
Good morning, Nashville. Governor Phil is still working on figuring out which Very Important Parts of the State Budget will need to be cut in order to make ends meet this year. A few days ago, we heard him consider eliminating funding for neighborhood clinics or just ending all state-sponsored health care programs altogether; yesterday, [...]
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