Monthly Archives: December, 2011
Bright & Early: Buy In, Buy Out Edition
Good morning, Nashville. One of the hardest-hit areas during the flood was Riverbend Plantation in Bellevue, and residents are understandably upset that they didn’t qualify for Metro’s first round of buyouts. With some of the rebuilding costs reaching upwards of $50,000, these folks still managed to fall short of the stipulations for the program, which allows Metro to buy and bulldoze what’s left of people’s destroyed homes who live in the floodplain. There’s a chance that they could receive enough federal funding to expand the program, but they’re encouraging people who haven’t already qualified to start rebuilding.
- Computer glitch. Folks receiving Tennessee’s unemployment benefits had a bit of a scare when 20,000 letters accidentally went out informing people that their benefits would be discontinued. The result has been a significant delay for people who have had to re-prove their eligibility.
- Mass exodus. In the last six months, Metro has lost three major department heads including Police Chief Ronal Serpas, and those departments are currently running under interim directors. However, Mayor Dean says he’s not concerned and isn’t really in a hurry to fill the slots with more permanent directors.
- Bits & pieces. Thanks to the flood the Metro Action Commission has its hands more full than usual with its summer lunch program … Someone keeps dumping important trash behind a West Nashville church … The Ronald McDonald House needs some serious help with flood recovery … We’ll sure miss ya, Kevin Mawae … Centennial Hospital has seen a big increase in spider bites since everyone started gutting houses and such … Thank goodness someone is policing those giant inflatable people.
Photo by urbanwoodchuck.
Good morning, Nashville. One of the hardest-hit areas during the flood was Riverbend Plantation in Bellevue, and residents are understandably upset that they didn’t qualify for Metro’s first round of buyouts. With some of the rebuilding costs reaching upwards of $50,000, these folks still managed to fall short of the stipulations for the program, which [...]
Happy Hour: We’ve Got (More) Company
- Forget CMApocalypse; Tennessee’s finest are battening down the hatches for the 80,000 Bonnaroo attendees who will be pouring into our state next weekend. They’ve set up some extra patrols to help with the traffic and snag people who might have some, er, magic cupcakes in tow. [Post Politics, who just cleaned up on Jeopardy for the second night in a row and distracted us from writing this post. Congrats, JR!]
- Speaking of the ‘roo, beware of fake tickets! They’re popping up all over the place. [WSMV]
- That murder suspect who was accidentally released from the Metro Jail a few weeks ago was added to the TBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted list, because no one has found him yet. [WKRN]
- Broadway’s most famous honky tonk, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, has a big birthday coming up. They’ll be ringing in the big five-oh this fall at the Ryman with a little help from Kris Kristofferson. [Tennessean]
- Just in time for the CMA deluge, the Nashville Gaylord Sommet Bridgestone Entertainment Center Arena finally put up the correct signage. For those playing along at home, it was christened the Bridgestone Arena a few months back after an intense naming rights conflict between Sommet and the Preds. [WTVF]
Photo by jimbenttree.
Forget CMApocalypse; Tennessee’s finest are battening down the hatches for the 80,000 Bonnaroo attendees who will be pouring into our state next weekend. They’ve set up some extra patrols to help with the traffic and snag people who might have some, er, magic cupcakes in tow. [Post Politics, who just cleaned up on Jeopardy for the [...]
Clear The Roads: CMApocalypse ’10 Is Coming [Road Closures]
Downtown Nashville is open for business, and getting ready for the thousands of visitors that are about to descend on the city this week. But a few things won’t be open for our beloved CMApocalypse – Namely, roads. We’ve got the road closures list here for you, so you can get a head start working on a plan of action if you work, live, or have to go anywhere near downtown in the next week.
Closed from 11am-2pm only on Wednesday, June 9 for opening day parade:
- First Avenue from Church to Union Streets
- Church Street from First to Third Avenues
- Second Avenue from Demonbreun to Union Streets
- Broadway from Third to Seventh Avenues
- Sixth Avenue from Broadway to Demonbreun
Closed from Wednesday, June 9 to early the morning of Monday, June 14:
- Closing at 8am: Fifth Avenue from Demonbreun to Broadway
- Closing at 9am: Broadway from First to Second Avenues
- Closing at 9am: First Avenue from Demonbreun to Church Streets
- Closing at 12pm: Broadway from Second to Fourth Avenues
Second and Third Avenues will remain open, but you won’t be able to turn on Broadway, and if you plan on getting anywhere fast, we recommend finding a route with a few less pedestrians.
Nashville MTA, as might be expected, has a 5-page PDF of detours that can be found here.
If you’re up for a real adventure (and really need to get downtown… and really don’t want to deal with parking), the free Music City Circuit bus is your answer. Just watch out for detours, and be sure to bring your bingo card along (it’s coming, it’s coming)!
Photo by emtboy9.
Downtown Nashville is open for business, and getting ready for the thousands of visitors that are about to descend on the city this week. But a few things won’t be open for our beloved CMApocalypse – Namely, roads. We’ve got the road closures list here for you, so you can get a head start working [...]
Bright & Early: Ready Or Not, Here They Come Edition
Good morning, Nashville. We can’t believe it’s been over a month since our city flooded, but with most of downtown back open for business, we’ve never been more ready for the 200,000 possibly sunburned, possibly mulleted, but definitely smiling faces that are expected to pour into Nashville this week for CMApocalypse 2010. Some fans rolled into town as early as this weekend and so far they seem to be pretty impressed by our cleanup job. Heck, we’re impressed by our cleanup job. And anyway, we’ll be doing our best to keep you guys on top of all the road closures and free stuff and CMApocalypse Bingo and whatever else you need to make it through the week in one piece.
- The irony! Many of the conferences that were supposed to happen at Opryland over the next few months have been diverted from Music City to Sin City. One hotel in Vegas says they’ve already recruited 30 different groups whose conferences need a new place to land.
- No seafood for you. Like us, lots of you have probably been glued to the oil spill coverage since it happened last month. And though the oil won’t be making it this far inland, it might cause us a bit of a seafood shortage. Since much of our fish and oysters come from the Gulf here in Tennessee, we might have a problem on our hands–but still a pretty small problem compared to the rest of the disaster.
- Bits & pieces. Hard to believe there are still people alive who survived the 1918 flu pandemic, but Vandy wants to use those folks to find ways to prevent another outbreak … Metro Schools are looking to pick up some more corporate sponsors, much like their existing partnership with Tennessee Credit Union … The Tennessee House voted to override Governor Phil’s Guns In Bars veto, along with the Senate.
Photo by B to the T.
Good morning, Nashville. We can’t believe it’s been over a month since our city flooded, but with most of downtown back open for business, we’ve never been more ready for the 200,000 possibly sunburned, possibly mulleted, but definitely smiling faces that are expected to pour into Nashville this week for CMApocalypse 2010. Some fans rolled [...]
Happy Hour: Sky’s Not Falling
- Tragic as the Gulf oil spill is (especially now that the Boston Globe gave us a look inside) we are happy to hear that it won’t be hitting northwest Tennessee anytime soon, since apparently some folks were concerned, for some reason. [Post Politics]
- Everyone on Capitol Hill is breathing a big sigh of relief now that the Tennessee House finally passed the budget, sans fish hatchery, and sent it to Governor Phil. [WKRN]
- A man caught growing marijuana in Trousdale County says he was just fightin’ the terrorists: “They have not released the suspect’s name, but the sheriff said the man told him he had seen former President George W. Bush once say that people who buy drugs off the street were supporting terrorism, so he decided to grow his own.” This makes so much sense! [WSMV]
- We don’t quite get how a stack of Hank Williams’ rare unheard recordings ended up in a trash can, but thankfully someone rescued them before they were dumped. They’ll be released as a collection at the end of September. [WSMV]
- Some jerks vandalized a neighborhood of Habitat for Humanity homes, which might be one of the meanest things we’ve ever heard. [WSMV]
Photo by Kittywinks Peeks.
Tragic as the Gulf oil spill is (especially now that the Boston Globe gave us a look inside) we are happy to hear that it won’t be hitting northwest Tennessee anytime soon, since apparently some folks were concerned, for some reason. [Post Politics] Everyone on Capitol Hill is breathing a big sigh of relief now [...]
The Weekendist: It’s June, Baby! Edition
TGIF, Nashville, TGIF. Make up your minds now not to let the thunderstorms and stifling temperatures keep you inside this weekend, because there’s a lot going on that you won’t want to miss! And, okay, if you don’t want to be outside, you can probably still have fun this weekend too. We’ll be back on Monday with the highly-anticipated CMApocalypse Bingo (you are anticipating that, aren’t you?) and maybe a survival guide or two.
FRIDAY
- Exit Through The Gift Shop. Belcourt Theatre, various showtimes. We’ll just throw it out there and say that this is probably the thing we’re most excited about doing this weekend (and if you can’t make it tonight, catch it later this weekend or next week). Tonight is opening night for Exit Through The Gift Shop, a documentary about a documentary directed by the world-famous graffiti artist whose face has never been seen (and we’re kind of in love with), Banksy. If you’re not familiar with Banksy and you’re reading this, mosey on back to that link in the last sentence and we guarantee your day will be much brighter than it was. And it’s Friday, so you know we mean business about that.
SATURDAY
- Taste of Music City. Deaderick Street & Public Square Park, 11am-9pm. Forget everything you know about Taste of Music City, namely, the admission charge. This year, the event has moved off the bridge and onto solid ground downtown, and has morphed into a free street festival. Sure, you still have to pay, but you’ll pay to purchase tasting tickets that can be used to sample the fares of different vendors of your choosing. And they still need volunteers for the 7-10pm shift, which will land you some free food & drink tickets.
- Imogen Heap. The Ryman, 8pm, $27.50-32.50. Okay, so we’re lazy and just bought our tickets on Wednesday, but we still managed to snag 4th row in the center section of the balcony. We’re not quite sure why this show didn’t sell out a month ago, but hey, it worked out well for us!
- First Saturday Art Crawl. Downtown art galleries, 6-9pm, free. You know the drill by now. But here’s a little tip that we’re only giving to people that we really, really like (so what if that’s all of you?!): Park in the Gulch and take the FREE Music City Circuit bus! Parking is going to be crazy with the show at the Ryman, Taste of Music City and the art crawl happening at the same time, there will be lots of Nashvillians in the street, you’ll be loading up on the free wine, and… just take the bus. You’ll be glad you did.
- Grand Reopening of the WildHorse Saloon. 2-3pm, free. This is one of the best things we could recommend you do if, say, you find yourself bored at approximately 1:37pm on Saturday afternoon. There’s a equine drill team, line dancing lesson, performance by Gaylord STARS, live music by Brother Trouble and Jeffrey Steele, ribbon cutting, and it will be like a maze trying to dodge the road closures! Fun! In all seriousness, we’re tickled pink that the WildHorse has bounced back from its underwater state, and we’re happy to watch it re-open just in time for CMA Fest. Oh, and there’s a Puddle of Mudd/Saliva concert later on, but that’s not free and we’re not recommending you attend that.
SUNDAY
- Dragon Music Sundays – The Justin Kalk Orchestra. Fannie Mae Dees Park, 3pm, free. A familiar nod to summer in Nashville, spend your Sunday afternoon at Dragon Park climbing tile dragons and enjoying free music.
- Concert in Crockett Park – Little Texas. Brentwood, 7pm, free. Brentwood has an outdoor concert series of their own, and it kicks off this week! So no matter which side of town you’re on, settle in for an evening of free outdoor music and mosquitoes fun.
Photo by cwage.
TGIF, Nashville, TGIF. Make up your minds now not to let the thunderstorms and stifling temperatures keep you inside this weekend, because there’s a lot going on that you won’t want to miss! And, okay, if you don’t want to be outside, you can probably still have fun this weekend too. We’ll be back on [...]
Bright & Early: Donuts On The Brain Edition
Good morning, Nashville, and happy Donut Day! Things got pretty tense at last night’s Metro Council meeting, where council members interrogated Metro Schools officials about their plan to lay off 600 custodians and 24 office workers in addition to doling out significant pay cuts to bus drivers. The plan, which will save MNPS an estimated $5.1 million per year, has been ill-received from the beginning and the Metro Council has made it clear many times that they don’t approve of the changes. Several council members went as far as asking each school board member if they’d consider not outsourcing the custodial work if the council were able to budget another $6 million for them; all but one of the MNPS officials said ‘no.’
- Open for business. The Wildhorse Saloon and the General Jackson Showboat are both reopening this weekend, just in time for CMApocalypse, which descends upon our fair city next Thursday. The General Jackson itself was fine, but the administrative and box offices were wiped out in the flood.
- Antioch still upset about Tent City. Antioch residents held a three-hour town meeting last night to vent about the temporary Tent City site that popped up last week and became home to nearly 40 homeless folks displaced by the flood. Businessman Lee Beaman, who donated the land for the encampment, apologized to the attendees and promised he had no idea it was a codes violation.
- Bits & pieces. Metro dedicated their latest piece of public art yesterday at the Public Square, which involves a “massive and indestructible crank“ (pictures please!) … The state is cracking down on seatbelt use this weekend, so be sure you buckle up–not that you don’t do that anyway, right? … An East Nashville man arrived home to find that some burglars had broken in and heated up all his frozen pizzas … What’s this we hear about a Cupcake bus?? … Shred-It will be shredding soggy documents for flood victims at Metro Center tomorrow … The bad news is that Swett’s won’t be returning to the Farmer’s Market. The good news (for your Nashvillest, at least) is that they’re coming to Green Hills! … GM seems to be turning things around faster than they planned, and this could be good news for the idled Spring Hill plant.
Photo by midlakemarion.
Good morning, Nashville, and happy Donut Day! Things got pretty tense at last night’s Metro Council meeting, where council members interrogated Metro Schools officials about their plan to lay off 600 custodians and 24 office workers in addition to doling out significant pay cuts to bus drivers. The plan, which will save MNPS an estimated [...]
Happy Hour: Take It Or Leave It
- The Mayor’s Office released the details of the home buyout program today, and those who qualify will be contacted sometime in the next two weeks by mail. However, no one will likely see any money until next year. [City Paper]
- Fraud seems to follow the Preds franchise, for some reason. [Tennessean]
- The number of price-gouging complaints has risen to 20 following the flood. Keep your eyes peeled and report possible instances to the Tennessee Consumer Hotline at (615) 741-4737. [WSMV]
- We may not have a state budget for next year, but dang it, we will have a state song. Another state song, that is, since we already have seven plus a state rap. [WSMV]
- State lawmakers also passed a law that allows workplaces to specify that employees only use English while on the job. [WZTV]
- Metro received almost $400,000 in federal grant money to house 75 homeless veterans. [City Paper]
- Our poor neighbors in Clarksville have had 16 sinkholes since the flood. [WSMV]
Photo by Mark in Nashville.
The Mayor’s Office released the details of the home buyout program today, and those who qualify will be contacted sometime in the next two weeks by mail. However, no one will likely see any money until next year. [City Paper] Fraud seems to follow the Preds franchise, for some reason. [Tennessean] The number of price-gouging [...]
Bright & Early: The Best Policy Edition
Good morning, Nashville. State officials are starting to uncover cases of fraud related to flood assistance where people were collecting emergency food stamps and cash assistance when their houses or apartments never actually flooded. Since the pool of available assistance is stretched already, the fraud is hurtful enough that DHS is pulling out all the stops to track these folks down and charge them, including talking to neighbors and checking NES’ records to find out where and when power outages occurred. So far, they’ve issued four warrants with several more investigations underway.
- Can’t catch a break. Dozens of personal bridges were wiped out in Perry County during the flood, costing as much as $25,000 each to repair. For many, these bridges were the only way in and out of their homes and properties. You may remember hearing about Perry County when their unemployment rate spiked to 27% last year.
- FEMA unemployment deadline next week. Monday is the last day to apply for disaster unemployment assistance in Davidson County. For more information about who qualifies, how to apply, and when the deadlines are for other counties, check Tennessee’s website.
- Bits & pieces. Some creative and awful person has been running around painting swastikas and KKK symbols on people’s houses and driveways in Madison … The search for the final missing flood victim, who was swept away from his car, has been called off … Lebanon’s Public Safety Commissioner is in some deep trouble after pulling a gun on the fire chief … Hey look, another hot day with surprise fun-sucking thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Photo by Phillip Riggins.
Good morning, Nashville. State officials are starting to uncover cases of fraud related to flood assistance where people were collecting emergency food stamps and cash assistance when their houses or apartments never actually flooded. Since the pool of available assistance is stretched already, the fraud is hurtful enough that DHS is pulling out all the [...]
Happy Hour: The Gift That Keeps Giving
- Gaylord announced today that they’ll be laying off more than 1,700 workers, after sustaining nearly $225 million in flood damages. Layoffs are effective June 12th, and the projected reopening date for the hotel is sometime in November. [WTVF]
- On a related note, Gaylord also announced today that they may just be suing the pants off of the federal government to recover some of its losses. If it’s found that the Army Corps of Engineers is at fault for not giving enough of a heads-up to the National Weather Service or anyone along the Cumberland River regarding dam releases, Gaylord could have a case. [WSMV]
- Taylor Swift, who shelled out $500,000 for flood relief last month, is hosting a marathon 13-hour Meet & Greet at this year’s CMApocalypse. For free. Because 13 is her lucky number, and it’ll be June 13th, and somehow she loves her fans enough to spend 13 hours with them and play them an acoustic show. For free! We are so impressed. [WSMV]
- A few dozen flood victims who had been staying in a nearby hotel after losing their homes have been asked to leave because out-of-towners had already booked the rooms for CMA Fest months in advance. [Tennessean]
- The Tennessee Health Freedom Act, which would’ve allowed Tennessee to opt out of the federal health care overhaul, died in the House today. [WSMV]
Photo by fallingwater123.
Gaylord announced today that they’ll be laying off more than 1,700 workers, after sustaining nearly $225 million in flood damages. Layoffs are effective June 12th, and the projected reopening date for the hotel is sometime in November. [WTVF] On a related note, Gaylord also announced today that they may just be suing the pants off [...]
Active Discussions