Mayor Briley Announces Nashville’s Selection For Competitive City Accelerator Initiative

Mayor David Briley yesterday announced that Nashville has been selected to be part of the latest expansion of the Citi Foundation and Living Cities’ City Accelerator Initiative on Inclusive Procurement.

Nashville will receive $50,000 in grant funding in addition to a combination of coaching, technical assistance and implementation resources in the coming year. The other cities in the finalist cohort include: Boston, Cleveland, El Paso, Houston, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and South Bend.

“As we seek to become the most equitable city in America, all Nashvillians must have an opportunity

Metro Action Summer Technology Camp Introduces Youth to Advanced Technology

On Thursday youth from the Metropolitan Action Commission’s Summer Technology camp will have their first field trip kick off a summer filled with how technology is fun as well as a great career path to explore.

What
Metropolitan Action Commission Summer Youth Technology Field Trip includes:

Banana Pianos using a Makey Makey circuit boards and a real banana (9:40 a.m.-10:10 a.m.)
Dollar General sharing what it is like to work for a big company like Dollar General (10:10 a.m.-10:40 a.m.)
The Asurion “hacker” – hacks into systems to find their vulnerabilities (10:40 a.m.-11 a.m.)
FBI on about cyber security – in full tactical gear - (11 a.m.-11:40 a.m.)
Trip to Tesla Nashville-Brentwood to see the technology behind the world's transition to sustainable energy with electric cars.
When
Thursday, June 6, 2019 (see detail schedule above)

Where
Greater Nashville Technology Council
500 Interstate Blvd, South
Nashville, TN 37210
(9:40 a.m.-11:40 a.m.)

Tesla Nashville-Brentwood
1641 Westgate Circle
Brentwood, TN 37027
(1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.)

The Metro Action Commission partnered with the Greater Nashville Technology Council to offer a summer technology camp to youth age 13-15 years to expose them to the world of technology through hands on experiences and access to companies that are considered advanced in their areas within Information Technology.

Through a competitive application process, 25 youth were selected over the spring break to participate in the free summer camp. Campers are the older siblings of the agency’s pre-school programs (Head Start and Early Head Start). This population is representative of the agency’s Two-Generational/Whole Family approach to impacting the social and economic mobility of families in poverty. This is the fourth summer of the agency’s 8 week youth tech camp and at no cost to the family.

Longest Day Eve Sunset Walk @ Cornelia Fort Trailhead

6/20/2019
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

As the sun sets on this last night of spring, we will take a short walk to enjoy the insect, bird, and mammal activity in the open meadows at the Cornelia Fort Air Park Trailhead in Shelby Bottoms.

Leader: John Michael Cassidy

For all ages. Registration required.

Call, email, or register online: shelbybottomsnature@nashville.gov or 615-862-8539. Call or email if online registration has closed.  Confirmation is required to attend.

Register Online

Register 1 or more individuals:

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Location

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
1900 Davidson St
Nashville, TN 37206

Stones River Paddle

6/15/2019
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Join us for a great paddle from the dam at Percy Priest Lake to Heartland Park where “Two Rivers” meet (Stones>Cumberland). All gear and transportation included!

Instructors: Jon Dodson and John Michael Cassidy

Age level: 13+ Cost: $25.00

To register: email jon.dodson@ nashville.gov

To register: email jon.dodson@ nashville.gov -  Cost: $25.00

Metro Parks Outdoor Recreation Program
phone: 615-642-9745 email: jonathan.dodson@nashville.gov 

website: https://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Outdoor-Recreation.aspx

Location

Shelby to Stones Satellite Site
Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37214

Bug Hunt

6/20/2019 

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Join us as we take a walk around the park to see how many creepy crawlers we can find!

Leader: Briana Wilson, Seasonal Naturalist

For all ages. No registration.

Location

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center

1900 Davidson St

Nashville, TN 37206

Moonlight Hike and Campfire

6/18/2019
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Kick off the week that welcomes summer with a moonlight hike (under an almost full moon) and a campfire with s’mores!

Leaders: Christie Wiser and John Michael Cassidy

For all ages. Registration required.

Call, email, or register online: shelbybottomsnature@nashville.gov or 615-862-8539. Call or email if online registration has closed.  Confirmation is required to attend.

Register Online

Register 1 or more individuals:

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Location

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
1900 Davidson St
Nashville, TN 37206

Ecology Trail Scavenger Hunt

6/14/2019 

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Explore our Ecology Trail and search for wildlife along the way. After we fill out our scavenger hunt sheets, we will come back for prizes!

Leader: Libby Williams, Seasonal Naturalist

For all ages. No registration.

Location

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center

1900 Davidson St

Nashville, TN 37206

A Walk Through Wetlands

6/15/2019
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Let’s take a walk on the wetland side! Bring your mud boots and let’s explore Shelby Bottoms' many wetland habitats and discover the creatures that live there! Why should we love and protect wetlands? Wetland habitats are essential to life on Earth; come find out how!  They are also home to a rich diversity of wildlife, so let’s go find some!

Leader: Julie Henry

For all ages. Registration required.

Call, email, or register online: shelbybottomsnature@nashville.gov or 615-862-8539. Call or email if online registration has closed.  Confirmation is required to attend.

Register Online

Register 1 or more individuals:

  1  2  3  4    Register

Location

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
1900 Davidson St
Nashville, TN 37206

Nature EXPLORE

6/14/2019
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Meet us for a fun hour of exploring and playing in nature around the Shelby Bottoms campus! We will use our eyes and ears to observe and inspect different wild areas around the river bottoms.

Leader: John Michael Cassidy

Ages 3 -10. Registration required.

Call, email, or register online: shelbybottomsnature@nashville.gov or 615-862-8539. Call or email if online registration has closed.  Confirmation is required to attend.

Register Online

Register 1 or more individuals:

  1  2  3  4    Register

Location

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
1900 Davidosn St
Nashville, TN 37206

Sunset Paddle

6/13/2019
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Our sunset trips are easy paddles with great city views and  birdwatching. Beginning at Shelby Park and ending at Cumberland Park in downtown, photo opportunities abound. All gear and transportation included!

Instructors: John Michael Cassidy and Jon Dodson

Age level: 18+ Cost: $25.00

To register: email jon.dodson@ nashville.gov -  Cost: $25.00

Metro Parks Outdoor Recreation Program

phone: 615-642-9745 email: jonathan.dodson@nashville.gov

website: https://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Outdoor-Recreation.aspx

Location
Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
1900 Davidson St
Nashville, TN 37206

Historian, Author Thomas O. Ott Celebrates Release of Debut Novel, Saturday & the Witch Woman

Florence, Alabama—WordCrafts Press and author Thomas O. Ott are pleased to announce the release of his debut novel, Saturday & the Witch Woman, which released to retail on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Based on meticulously researched historical events, Saturday & the Witch Woman follows the events leading up to and beyond The Night of the Fire, August 22, 1791, which began the great slave rebellion in Haiti. Thousands died. Hundreds of plantations were set ablaze. Yet amid the chaos, a slave named Saturday saved two white children. This is his story. The Haitian war of independence began in flames. On The Night of the Fire 100,000 slaves rose up against their hated French overlords, burning every plantation, and executing every French man, woman, and child they could find. One slave, Kwambe Ansong, born on Saturday, Seventh Born Child, dared save the lives of his master’s two young white children, smuggled them to safety, and fostered them over a period of 40 years. Delivered through a series of 11 letters, author/historian Dr. Tomas O. Ott, PhD, accurately describes the history and social landscape of Saturday’s time, telling the true version of his life, not just what plantation masters and their families wanted and even required hearing. Despite being a slave, Saturday was literate, widely read, and spoke seven languages. As he unfolds his life’s story through his “epistles,” Saturday recognized the danger of releasing them during his lifetime, even to his “boys.” Thus it was not until Saturday’s death in 1850 that Philip Chartrand, the older of the two rescued children, learned the true story of Saturday and the Witch Woman. "Saturday's story waited 150 years to be told,” Ott muses. “I believe few who read it will ever forget it." The novel, which is available in hardback, trade paperback, and all major ebook formats, is already developing a following among readers as both the hardback and trade paperback versions of the novel debuted on Amazon's Hot 100 New Release chart in Southern Fiction. Saturday & the Witch Woman, Ott’s debut novel, follows on the heels of his highly respected non-fiction title The Haitian Revolution 1789-1804 (University of Tennessee Press), which is widely regarded as an important, authoritative work on the Haitian Revolution in academic circles. Saturday & the Witch Woman released May 29, 2019 from WordCrafts Press in hardback for $32.99, in trade paperback for $18.99 and in all major eBook versions for $7.99.

About the Author Thomas O. Ott earned his Ph.D. in Caribbean history from the University of Tennessee. He authored The Haitian Revolution, 1791-1804 which stands as one of the important books on that subject. His interest in Haiti’s great slave rebellion has led him to promote the importance of its leader, Toussaint L’Ouverture, before academic and general audiences. In 2010 Professor Ott retired from the University of North Alabama to write the story of Saturday, a slave on the French side of the author’s ancestors and a participant in the world’s greatest slave rebellion. Ott writes from his home in North Alabama.  Learn more at: booksbythomasott.com Saturday & the Witch Woman  Hardback: (336 pages) $32.99  Trade Paperback: (334 pages) $18.99  eBook: $7.99  Publisher: WordCrafts Press  Language: English  Hardcover ISBN: 978-1948679091  Paperback ISBN: 978-1948679534 Digital review copies of Saturday & the Witch Woman are available in all major eBook formats upon request. For more information about Thomas O. Ott or WordCrafts Press, visit wordcrafts.net/thomas-o-ott/or booksbythomasott.com

Nature Art Camp

6/11/2019 - 6/14/2019 

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

If you have mad love for nature and art, this is the day camp for you!  We will create art out of elements found in nature, and use recycled material to make nature-inspired pieces. 

For ages 8-12.  Space is limited.  Registration is required. 

Please register by June 8th to ensure adequate supplies.  Call or email to register at: Christie.wiser@nashvillle.gov or 615-862-8539.  Confirmation is required to attend. 

$40.00 materials fee per camper. 

Leader: Christie Wiser and local artists

Location

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center

1900 Davidson St

Nashville, TN 37206

It's the Balm! Natural Lip Balm Making Class

6/13/2019
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Make your very own tube of lip balm with simple ingredients. We will even have some essential oils on hand to give your homemade lip balm a “mood lifting” scent! If you have a previously-used makeup receptacle that you want to reuse to hold your lip balm, clean it and bring it. Space is limited.     Leader: Christie Wiser

For ages 21+.  Registration required.  Call, email, or register online below - shelbybottomsnature@nashville.gov or 615-862-8539. Call or email if online registration has closed.  Confirmation is required to attend.

Register Online

Register 1 or more individuals:

  1  2  3  4    Register

Location

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
1900 Davidson St
Nashville, TN 37206

Pathways to Housing Nashville Symposium

6/5/2019

Nashville's Homelessness Planning Council is launching a semi-annual symposium on homelessness to bring the community together to learn about local initiatives that address homelessness in our city.

The Pathways to Housing Nashville Symposium will be a half-day event with a keynote session featuring Mayor David Briley and Dr. Joe Savage of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

The inaugural symposium is sponsored by the Homeless Impact Division of Metro Social Services.

What: An informational community event that will bring together everyone interested in learning about initiatives to help prevent and end homelessness for our Nashville neighbors who are experiencing a housing crisis.

Who should attend: Service providers, policymakers, funders, institutions of higher learning, business people, neighborhood organizations, government entities, faith-based groups, and people with lived experience.

When: Thursday, June 20, 2019, from 8 a.m. to noon

RSVP online at Eventbrite.

Metro Action Ensures Nashville’s Youth have Access to Food When School is Out

6/4/2019
Lisa McCrady, 615-862-8860, Ext. 70144, Cell 615-668-7388

According to the American Community Survey, the poverty rate of children under 18 living in Nashville is 23.7% . This is higher than the general population of families living in poverty in Nashville, which is 14.5%.

The Metropolitan Action Commission has partnered with 87 locations throughout Nashville and Davidson County where at least 50% of children that qualify for free and reduced meals during the school year reside or gather for the summer.

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) allows Metro Action and other agencies that sponsor the free meal program to ensure all children, particularly youth that count on free meals at school, receive nutritious meals in the summer months when school is out.

Parents and youth can find the food site near them by texting “Summer Meals” to 97779 or visiting the Summer Food Rocks link. This information is also available by calling the USDA National Hunger Hotline (1-866-348-6479, press 2).

Meals are provided in locations such as apartment complexes, community centers, libraries, day camps and sports camps.

“It is important that we cover as much of Nashville as possible to ensure youth are fed this summer,” said Marvin D. Cox, Community Programs Director.

Metro Action also has three mobile youth café diner that are located in communities that do not have a facility to accommodate the meals. The diners are converted school buses that now have a diner-style seating, wireless internet access for electronic youth activities and other activities.

The food program will be offered throughout the summer until August 2. The youth does not need to provide any documentation to receive the meals.

The Metropolitan Action Commission is the largest provider of summer meals in Davidson County. The agency receives federal funding through the SFSP from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through a grant with the Tennessee Department of Human Services to cover the cost of the meals. Last summer Metro Action prepared 190,008 breakfast and lunch meals at 87 sites.

Mud Painting Party

6/8/2019 

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

What's the best way to kick off your summer? How about playing in mud?! Join us under the back deck of the Nature Center where we will provide the paintbrushes, mud, and fun!

For all ages.  No registration required.  

Leader: Libby Williams, Seasonal Naturalist

Location

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center

1900 Davidson St

Nashville, TN 37206

Pick and Jam!

6/8/2019
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Stop by the nature center to sample some homemade blackberry jam (made from Shelby Bottoms wild blackberries) and tune into one of our fun back porch pickin’ parties. If you have an instrument and want to join in, feel free!

Host: Christie Wiser and SBNC staff

For all ages.  Registration required.  Call, email, or register online below - shelbybottomsnature@nashville.gov or 615-862-8539. Call or email if online registration has closed.  Confirmation is required to attend.

Register Online

Register 1 or more individuals:

  1  2  3  4    Register

Location

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
1900 Davidson St
Nashville, TN 37206

GOVERNOR LEE, COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANNOUNCE ROOMS TO GO WILL ESTABLISH NEW OPERATIONS IN WILSON COUNTY

• Project will create 200 new jobs in Wilson County
• Rooms To Go will use Cedar Farms industrial building as furniture warehouse and retail outlet
• Location expected to be operational by the end 2019

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Rooms To Go officials announced today that the company will locate its new warehouse and retail outlet store in Wilson County.

The furniture company will invest $69 million and create 200 new jobs in Middle Tennessee.

Founded in 1990, Rooms To Go is one of the nation’s top selling furniture retailers. The company’s designers coordinate complete room sets, choosing colors, fabrics, styles and furniture groupings, which are priced at a significant discount when purchased as a set. Rooms To Go operates 226 stores across 10 states and Puerto Rico and has five retail stores located in Tennessee.

Rooms To Go will locate its new facility in Lebanon’s Cedar Farms, an industrial building developed

"Ruby Slipper Gala" Supporting Theatre Bristol Features Presentation of "The Wizard of Oz"

There's no place like opening night! Theatre Bristol 2019 Gala Firstnighter with

 food, Wizard of Oz cocktails, "The Wizard of Oz," and--of course--ruby slippers at the Paramount Center for the Arts, June 21 at 6:00 pm

Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia, June 2019 – Theatre Bristol announces the "Ruby Slipper Gala" and encourages you to wear your red shoes Friday, June 21 at 6:00 pm at the Paramount Center for the Arts. Guests will enjoy food by CJ and Company Catering, Wizard of Oz cocktails, music, and premium seating at Theatre Bristol's production of "The Wizard of Oz" directed by Kenn Naegele. Tickets to the Gala are available at https://conta.cc/2MuzUa6 or www.TheatreBristol.org.

Celebrating 80 years of the classic musical, “The Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg, is the favorite tale of a Kansas farm girl who travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home. It includes the iconic song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” along with "Merry Old Land of Oz," "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead," “If I Were King of the Forest,” and many more.

Admission to the 6:00 pm event is $50, which includes the evening’s full-length performance of "The Wizard of Oz." Reservations can be made online by visiting www.theatrebristol.org or by calling 423-212-3625 by June 20.

Theatre Bristol's fundraising and contributions are critical to underwriting its programming, including bringing classic literature and entertainment to the stage, subsidizing our school shows, supporting camp scholarships, providing training and guidance in our youth programs, and ensuring founder Cathy DeCaterina's commitment that no child be turned away.

Theatre Bristol is pleased to bring "The Wizard of Oz" to The Paramount Center for the Arts. This partnership continues a long-shared history resulting from the determination of Theatre Bristol founder Cathy DeCaterina, who was pivotal in restoring the Paramount to its grandeur. The Wizard of Oz opens June 21, and runs for two weekends at the Paramount Center for the Arts, Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2:30 pm, closing on June 30. There is also one morning show on Friday, June 21 at 10:30 am. Tickets are $16 for adults plus fees and $12 for seniors and students plus fees, and are on sale at www.ParamountBristol.org.

The production is made possible by show sponsor Citizens Bank, and season sponsors United Company Foundation, Summit BSR, Seaman Corp, HVAC Inc., the Tennessee Arts Commission, M&M Accounting, and Food City. The Wizard of Oz is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark (www.tamswitmark.com).

Theatre Bristol presents The Wizard of Oz as part of its family-friendly 54th season of ARTspace and Paramount shows, including Cinder Red Riding Hood and the Seven Dwarfs, Sherlock Holmes, The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf, Into the Woods, and Miracle on 34th Street. 
Founded in 1965, Theatre Bristol is the oldest continually running children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee. Its Main Stage season consists of up to six productions. Some of its performances take place in the ARTspace, a multi-purpose, black box theatre which seats up to 120, and other performances are on stage at the Paramount Center for the Arts. Theatre Bristol is volunteer run and we invite you to get involved.

For more information, visit the Theatre Bristol's website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.

CHATTANOOGA ZOO’S 4th ANNUAL ICE CREAM SAFARI EVENT

Chattanooga, Tennessee - The Chattanooga Zoo is proud to present its 4 th annual kid’s summer event, Ice Cream Safari. This kid friendly event will take place at the Chattanooga Zoo on Saturday, June 8 th from 4:00-7:00pm.

The Zoo will close to the general public at 3pm to prepare for the event, and gates will reopen at 4pm for Ice Cream Safari. Ice Cream Safari guests will have the opportunity to add to their experience by purchasing a $5 wristband that allows them to enjoy ice cream throughout the entire Zoo. The Ice Cream Safari wristband will include delicious sweet treats from all vendors, face painting, bounce houses, special animal enrichment, and animal meet & greets. Wristbands do not include event admission. Ice Cream Safari admission is $10 for adults and $7 for children (ages 3-12). Chattanooga Zoo members receive 50% off admission ticket price and all children ages 2 and under are free.

Chattanooga Zoo CEO and President, Dardenelle Long adds, “We are always looking for different ways for our guests to enjoy the Zoo while beating the summer heat, and we think Ice Cream Safari has proved to do just that. We look forward to the growth of this year’s event!”

Ice Cream Safari event tickets and wristbands are now available for purchase online. The Zoo is open daily from 9am – 5pm. If not sold out, wristbands will be sold the day of the event for $8 each.

Thank you to our 2019 Ice Cream Safari Sponsors: J103, Erlanger, Comet Bounce, EPB Fiber Optics, The Johnson Group, Tubatomic, Twice the Ice, Coca Cola, Advance Financial, and Vincent Printing. (All sponsors as of 5/30)

Thank you to our 2019 Ice Cream Safari Food Vendors: Wendy’s, Moon Pie, Dippin’ Dots, Mayfield, Clumpies, Blue Bell, Ice Cream Show, and ICEE. (All sponsors as of 5/30) To learn about our daily activities and monthly events, please follow us on social