372WN vol ii issue6 by 372WN

LIGHT THE NATIONS

ILLUMINATES

the Local Community page 6

Billy’s Corner:

Cars-N-Que Revs Up for October page 16

West Nashville’s

Ghost Stories page 32

October–November June–July 2018 2018 VOL. II, ISSUE 46

Life is about planning.

Modern facilities. Show love to those Classic to options. dearest tocontemporary you. Call us today to setup a tour and see how we are unique.

Request your FREE • We offer many options to of a funeral home, • Convenience and reception hall honor your loved one’s life Finalcrematory Wishes Planner Kit in one location today: (615) 756-5663 Call today for more information:

615-352-9400 6962 Charlotte Pike Michael Illobre Funeral Home Manager

Nashville, TN

CELEBRATE LIFE. REMEMBERFOREVER. FOREVER.™ CELEBRATE LIFE. REMEMBER ™

TM LeapTie ©LeapTie

6962 Charlotte Pike Nashville, TN 37209

St. Luke’s Community House

Christmas Program St. Luke’s empowering holiday program helps Davidson county families provide a joyful Christmas for their children. Our goal is to receive 5,000 donated gifts for our desevering parents to shop from. Will you help spread cheer this holiday season with us?

SHOP & DROP Purchase children’s Christmas gifts of your choice and drop off at St. Luke’s located at 5601 New York Avenue, 37209.

AMAZON WISH LIST Visit https://goo.gl/nt997U to easily shop from our list of most needed items. Packages will be sent directly to St. Luke’s.

ADOPT A SENIOR You can also be matched with a wish list and shop for presents, necessities or clothing of a local senior in need.

VOLUNTEER Santa’s helpers are needed in early December to help organize gifts and assist families in shopping the store.

To assist with St. Luke’s Christmas Programs, please contact (615) 324-8375 or christie.bearden@stlch.org.

Editor and Publisher MIRIAM DRENNAN

Creative Consultant EVELYN MARIE PARRISH

Historian YVONNE EAVES

Acting Managing Editor JENNIFER GOODE STEVENS

Senior Contributor NAOMI GOLDSTONE

Contributors KIMI ABERNATHY

YVONNE EAVES

CLARE FERNANDEZ

HANNAH HERNER

BRIGID MURPHY STEWART

EMILY TULLOH

ELLIOTT WENZLER

Art Direction and Design ELLEN PARKER BIBB

Photographers KRISTEN BARLOWE YVONNE EAVES WARNER TIDWELL ELLIOTT WENZLER

Social Media HEATHER CRAMSIE

Distribution DON GAYLORD

COVER SOLAR CABIN STUDIOS

Advertising Inquiries: 615.491.8909 or 372WestNashville@gmail.com. @372WN

@372Wn

@372wn

372WN is a print and digital magazine published every other month by Next Chapter Publishing, LLC. All content presented herein, unless otherwise noted, is the exclusive property of Next Chapter Publishing and cannot be used, reprinted, or posted without permission. 372WN is free for readers; excessive removal of the product or tampering with any of our distribution racks will be considered theft and/or vandalism and subject to prosecution.

CONTENTS VOL. II, ISSUE 6 | October–November 2018

MAIN FEATURE 6

Light the Nations Illuminates the Local Community

CURRENT HAPPENINGS 16 Billy’s Corner: Cars-N-Que Revs Up for October 20 Sylvan Park Couple Builds a Giant Birdhouse 28 Merry Maids of West Nashville Partners to Help Cancer Patients

FEATURES 32 West Nashville’s Ghost Stories 36 Love Note: Nashville Percussionist Jamie Nichol 46 George Walker III: From Fisk University to World-traveling Photographer

56 Metro Government 101: The Permit Process

IN EVERY ISSUE 62 372WestNosh 64

372Who kNew?

372WN.com | Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018

B O O K Y O U R H O L I D AY E V E N T N O W ! Welcoming parties of 2 to 200, we will make your gathering a highlight of the holiday season. At The CafĂŠ at Thistle Farms every cup of coffee, every luncheon, every party supports our mission of healing, empowerment, and employment for women survivors of addiction, prostitution, and trafficking. Call 615-465-0563 or email cafeevents@thistlefarms.org to book your event. thecafeatthistlefarms.org @thecafeatthistlefarms

372WN.com | Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018

Light The Nations THE LOCAL COMMUNITY by Hannah

HERNER

photos by SOLAR CABIN STUDIOS

Nashvillians who haven’t been to The Nations in a while have a lot to discover in the rapidly developing neighborhood. The Nations will be shining a light on its local businesses while showing the rest of Nashville what it has to offer at its Light The Nations festival.

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

he third annual Light The Nations festival is scheduled for 4:00–10:00 p.m. on October 20. During that time, 51st Avenue's main drag will be blocked off and full of live music and performers, food trucks and vendors. The event has grown tremendously—the first year drew about 1,200 people, and the second brought nearly 4,000. This year’s event will boast nearly 49 vendors, six food trucks and a full stage

372WN.com | October–November 2018

lineup of musicians, plus circus performers and other entertainers. Jack Davis, organizer and founder of Good Neighbor Festivals, says Light The Nation’s growth mirrors the community’s. “I think it goes along with the growth and recognition of the neighborhood,” Davis says. “It’s great to be able to close down 51st Avenue and make it significantly more pedestrian-friendly—even if it’s just for a night.”

Before he started Good Neighbor Festivals four years ago, Davis managed events at Vanderbilt University’s student center for nine years. Now, he and his small team put together 30 festivals a year. These include Nashville Pride, Tomato Art Festival and Winterfest. Their full-service planning business offers graphic design, social media, marketing, logistics, permits and production—everything that makes a festival go smoothly.

Each of Good Neighbor’s events gives a portion of its proceeds to a nonprofit organization. This year’s Light The Nations will benefit Thistle Farms, a local organization that provides housing and employment for women who are survivors of trafficking, prostitution and addiction. What sets Light The Nations apart from the other festivals that Good Neighbor presents is its nighttime hours. It is important to Davis to have a way for the community

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

to participate, and for Light The Nations, the neighborhood uses luminaries. Neighbors can pick up luminaries at local businesses, decorate them and display them in the weeks leading up to the festival. “Bringing the neighborhood together is the biggest goal,” Davis says. “As the neighborhood is changing and transitioning, and there are a lot of new businesses coming in there, I think it’s important to have an event for people to rally around.” Members of The Nations Neighborhood Association approached Davis for his expertise three years ago, mere weeks before the intended first Light The Nations. Davis and his team were able to pull it off. Ben Bredesen, founder of Fat Bottom Brewing company, was part of that group that approached

372WN.com | October–November 2018

Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018 | 372WN.com

“So many people here moving here from all over, every single day, get into this area people and say, understandably, ‘Sylvan Park,’” Foster says. “So, we’re really big on explaining to people that we’re part of The Nations community, that there’s a whole other community here.”

Good Neighbor, and the brewery continues to host planning meetings for the festival. The company moved to 44th Avenue last year from East Nashville. “This spot is exactly what we were looking for,” Bredesen says. “When we decided to move the brewery, I wanted a place that we could call a permanent home—something that was deep in a neighborhood, but not hard to get to. We want to be a gathering space for the neighborhood.” Fat Bottom will be offering its range of brews out of its Airstream, which will be stationed on 51st Avenue. Fat Bottom is one of the new kids on the block, but its neighbor Pennington Distilling Company has been in The Nations since “before it was cool”—back in 2011. Owners Jeff and Jenny Pennington are Nashville-area natives who started their line with sipping cream. The line has since expanded to include vodka and whiskey products. Pennington will be going big for Light The Nations, setting up life-size beer pong and displaying its trademark giant balloon while serving its alcohol selections out of its trailer. Liz Foster, marketing director, says it’s important to the business to promote the uniqueness of The Nations to newcomers.

372WN.com | October–November 2018

Another supporter from the start has been Silo Bend, which is a project of Southeast Venture. The development firm has been a presenting sponsor for all three years of Light The Nations. The Silo Bend project has been developing formerly vacant industrial areas near Centennial Boulevard and 51st Avenue. These projects include the silo mural and The Flats at Silo Bend, which will be open for pre-leasing this fall. Next, the company will be moving to the north side of the railroad tracks to facilitate the building of condominiums and cottages. Southeast Venture has done work in many parts of Nashville, including Sylvan Park, East Nashville and 12 South neighborhoods. Wood Caldwell, principal at Southeast

Venture, sees The Nations as the most interesting area in Nashville right now, because of how the neighbors are embracing changes. “It seems that the existing residents and the new residents coming in with new businesses seem to be working the best together, and it’s kind of refreshing to see that,” Caldwell says. “That’s why we’re really excited to be the lead sponsor on Light The Nations because it’s growing as well.” Many of the businesses along 51st Avenue extend their hours for the event. One of these businesses is Tinwings, which offers catering and grab-and-go food. Owner Lee Ann Merrick says staying open later gives more people a chance to see what she offers. Having opened Tinwings in 2012, Merrick moved her business to The Nations in 2014. During that time Merrick, a Nashville native, also decided to move to The Nations herself. “I think it’s super-important for all of the neighbors to come out,

615-383-1444

Your Neighborhood Dentist

Dr. Tim McNutt, Jr.

www.richlandcreekdentistry.com · 406 Morrow Road · Nashville, TN 37209 Dental Cleanings Teeth Whitening Fillings and Crowns Adult and Children’s Dentistry

Emergency Care Preventive Dentistry Oral Surgery Veneers and Bridges

Most PPO Insurance Accepted Prompt Service Provided Caring and Helpful Staff Payment Plans Available

Committed to serving your family’s dental needs. ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

’S MAG

LLE

ST S

372WN.com | October–November 2018

it’s tastefully done and they keep the balance of wanting to honor and keep the locals there while ushering in new people.” ST

“I was born and raised here, and I’ve seen a lot of change in Nashville in the last 25 to 30 years,” Hermsdorfer says. “Something that has always fascinated me about West Nashville is that the locals still seem to be planted there. The transformation of West Nashville was inevitable, and I’m hoping that

but I also think what the event creates is an opportunity for people from other parts of the city to come in and see what’s going on out here,” Merrick says. Another Nashville native, Leslie Hermsdorfer—who is a DJ and board member for 101.5 WXNA-FM radio station—will be spinning records at the event. She will be joined by other DJs, all of whom volunteer their time for the “people-powered” radio station. Festivals are a good chance for these DJs to meet their listeners and get to know different neighborhoods within the 50-mile radius of the station’s broadcast.

Hannah Herner is a freelance journalist, VI

LLE

’S MAG

LLE

’S MAG

resident of Bellevue and recent graduate of The Ohio State University. She is also an alternative music fan, tap dancer and a Jeni’s ice cream enthusiast.

Who’s Playing?

LIGHT THE NATIONS LINEUP (main stage presented by Marathon Petroleum Corporation)

5:00 p.m. Jacky Dustin 6:00 p.m. Temple Wildlife 7:00 p.m. Marquee Mayfield 8:00 p.m. Forest Fire Gospel Choir 9:00 p.m. Flying Buffaloes

Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018 | 372WN.com

BIL

: ER

S CORN ’ Y LInaugural

CARS-N-QUE Revs Up in October

by Brigid MURPHY STEWART photos courtesy of Billy’s Corner

372WN.com | October–November 2018

Calling all lovers of classic autos, fancy imports, motorcycles, and other unique vehicles!

f you are a collector, gearhead, history buff or just someone who enjoys fun-filled neighborhood events, come to the Billy’s Corner inaugural “Cars-N-Que” show on October 24. Bring the kids, young and old, for face-painting, great barbecue and old-fashioned entertainment while checking out the latest microbrews and some amazing cars. Patrons, visitors, car lovers and neighborhood families are invited to stop in for a bit or spend the whole day enjoying activities for the kids and picking up some award-winning Kissin’ Pigs BBQ by West Nashvillian Dennis Carter. “We will have anywhere from 25 to 45 cars, depending on the weather and what else is going on around town that day,” Billy’s Corner manager Adam Baker said. “There are a lot of cool guys in the neighborhood with classic and unusual cars.” Baker says he plans to make it an annual event, and he hopes it will grow. “We are trying to get more people in the neighborhood involved. We will put up notices at the store and on our Facebook page to help get

the word out and then let it spread by word of mouth around here.” Billy’s Corner is a charming, full-service automotive station with one-stop convenience and a flair for the past. Tucked in its timeless location on the corner of Murphy Road and 44th Avenue in Sylvan Park, it is easy to find. Baker hopes the car show brings new faces and old friends to the corner, but he knows it is the unique daily experience of Billy’s Corner that keeps the business thriving. Owner Bill Hance took over the old corner gas station in 2015 and renamed it Billy’s Corner. Since then, he and Baker have worked hard to make it a one-of-a kind business that serves the needs of the neighborhood. “We have listened to the people in the area and have really tried to meet their needs and make it a one-stop shop for them,” Baker said. Their goal is to make life easier and more enjoyable for those in the West Nashville community and for visitors from far and wide. “It is a place where people can sit around on the porch and let time go by,” Baker said. “The Sylvan Park

the best things never change. Proudly serving the sylvan park neighborhood since 1982

4410 Murphy Road 615.269.9406 www.mccabepub.com October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

neighborhood makes it extremely special. We have fantastic customers.” Hance is often spotted lingering for hours, visiting with people who stop in to chat. “Bill has great stories,” Baker said. The ethanol-free gas is also a big attraction, bringing classic car owners, landscapers, motorcyclists and anyone else who prefers pure gasoline to keep their more-sensitive engines running smoothly. Billy’s Corner offers premium and regular mixtures, along with diesel. The gas options, plus reliable, yet affordable auto repair service, are definitely a big part of the station’s draw. “Our mechanic, John Bard, is really phenomenal,” Baker said. “He has been absolutely invaluable. He has fantastic experience and works on every import, make and model, plus he refurbishes like new. He has brought to us many service ideas that we had not ever thought about.” It is this attention to serving the customer, and not just servicing their cars, that makes Billy’s Corner a rarity. “At Billy’s Corner, we do a lot of everything,” Baker explained. “We are an old-school, local little service station. We don’t have credit card readers at the pumps. A lot of young people pull up and leave

372WN.com | October–November 2018

not knowing what to do, but that is what I love about this place. It is what makes us special, because customer service goes a long way. It is nice and refreshing.” Where else can you pull into a service station, enjoy bumper-tobumper auto care, full service at the pump and buy new tires? You can also try a fresh microbrew, fill a growler, get a hot breakfast or sandwich made to order, and choose from a vast array of craft beers to go. Billy’s is a blast from the past, when customer service was king. The atmosphere is like stepping back in time to when a filling station was an interactive experience. When you pulled into a station and activated the bell, an attendant would come out to greet you. As your car was filling up, the attendant washed your windows, checked your tire pressure, oil and water levels, hoses and other fluids, adding whatever was needed and keeping you informed of your vehicle’s needs. Most filling stations back then were full-service centers that also offered car repair. They did not, however, offer much in the way of convenience items; you were lucky if there was a soft drink machine. The popularity of self-service

eventually caused full-service stations to close or move toward today’s model. Now filling stations have self-service pumps outside and convenience stores inside with (hopefully) bathrooms. However, there are rarely, if ever, mechanics on staff. It may be fast and convenient to fill your tank, pay with a card and leave without having to talk to another human, but in our quest for speed, we have lost the opportunity to discover problems that were routinely spotted by attendants before your vehicle left you stranded on the highway. Billy’s Corner is a rarity that combines the best of old and new. It offers full- and self-service pump options, and if you need a mechanic to check something while you are there, they are glad to help. Billy’s offers friendly, competent auto repair service, and provides the convenience of great food and drink options. The store includes a selection of more than 200 craft beers, imports and domestics, plus six microbrews on tap for growlers. You can even buy new tires there. “It sort of has a hipster vibe, especially with all the craft beers,” said Rick Curran, who lives in the area and stops in almost every day to buy gas or get his car serviced.

For more information about the car show or Billy’s Corner in general, call 615.298.5615, go to www. billyssylvanpark.com or visit the Billy’s Corner Facebook page. LLE

’S MAG

2W AZ

Brigid Murphy Stewart is a fifth-genVI

’S MAG

LLE

ST H

ing sure it’s what the neighborhood needs, and trying to listen to what everyone says.” For Ric Kipp, who works behind the counter, “Coming to work is like spending a few hours a day in Mayberry. It’s not like work. It is more like a hobby.”

“I would stack up our beer selection against anyone in town,” Baker said. And then there’s the food. “Matthew Watson is our kitchen manager,” Baker said. “He used to work at McCabe’s Pub and other restaurants. He really knows how to cook.” Billy’s Corner service hours are 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. weekdays, and by appointment on Saturdays. The auto service section is closed on Sundays. The store and gas pumps are open 6:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Saturdays, and 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. on Sundays. Breakfast and lunch are served 7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m.–noon on Saturdays, and 8:00 a.m.–noon on Sundays. “In-store made deli sandwiches are available in the cooler at all times, along with roasted all-beef hot dogs, boiled peanuts and our amazing Billy Chili,” Baker said proudly. “Revelator Coffee, hot or cold, is also a daily staple.” As for the show in October, Baker is “gearing up” for an exciting and fun event. “We’ll have a variety of vehicles from classic American muscle, motorcycles and all kinds of imports,” Baker said. He is excited that local favorite Kissin’ Pigs BBQ has agreed to be part of the event. The tagline for the show is, after all, “Where hot wheels meet hot pork!” Baker hopes the Billy’s CarsN-Que show will be another way to bring the neighborhood and surrounding area together. It is also an opportunity for people to visit Billy’s for the first time. “Every day, I hear people say, ‘I can’t believe I have never been in here,’” Baker said. “I have said a million times that we couldn’t drop Billy’s Corner anywhere else and have the same success rate. We have the best customers. It is all about providing good service, mak-

LLE

’S MAG

eration Nashvillian, writer and editor who always considers West Nashville her stomping grounds, regardless of where life takes her.

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

Sylvan Park Couple Builds a

GIANT BIRDHOUSE by Elliott WENZLER photos by Kristen

BARLOWE unless otherwise noted

photo by Elliott Wenzler

372WN.com | Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018

WINS

COMPETITION

Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018 | 372WN.com

“I remember just wanting to be in my own little space, even as a preteen.”

372WN.com | October–November 2018

he idea behind Sylvan Park resident Kristen Barlowe’s giant birdhouse was to create a special, fun hideaway for her kids—a place where they could escape into a world of make-believe and solitude, but still be in parents’ line of sight. Being visually pleasing wouldn’t hurt; nor would the ability to change as the kids grew. Barlowe found the online options for something like this limited. Everything seemed to be wildly expensive, not great to look at or just impractical for how quickly her kids were growing. That’s when she decided to design her birdhouse. Barlowe, a freelance photographer and director in Sylvan Park, used her experience designing sets to sketch out her idea for a large structure that could serve as a play place, creativity den or just a hideaway for her two kids, then ages 10 and 7. Two years later, in 2018, the play place birdhouse won the online publication Gardenista’s competition for best outdoor living space. Barlowe, who has always looked at spaces with an eye to their potential, had been browsing through Gardenista and its sister site, Remodelista, during her morning coffee routine, she said. “I just thought, ‘I’m going to try entering (the birdhouse) because I never see anything about playhouses,” she said. “It’s hard to find cool ideas for forts.” Barlowe found typical play places less than appealing. “People spend tons of money to put them up, and they are just this lawn art that’s not really art. They hate it after a while, and trying to get rid of them is terrible, too,” she said.

Another problem with typical backyard playsets is that they don’t evolve as kids grow, Barlowe said. Her birdhouse, however, has potential to be a reading spot, sleepover location or even a yoga and meditation space.

“I remember just wanting to be in my own little space, even as a preteen,” Barlowe said. The giant birdhouse was born out of a need for her kids to have something to do while Barlowe worked from her home office.

Classes start Jan. 22 Join us for affordable classes in languages, cooking, art + more. Spring 2019 registration is ongoing. Most classes are located at the Cohn School in Sylvan Park!

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

photo by Elliott Wenzler

372WN.com | October–November 2018

“I really just needed something for the kids to go outside and be active with so I could sometimes finish things,” Barlowe said. It wasn’t hard to choose where the structure should go. The spot right outside her office window had always been a yard nightmare. “It used to be just weeds,” she said. “nothing would grow there. And it’s right outside my office, so I can referee the kids if they’re fighting.” Once the location was chosen, the next step was making her design a reality. Barlowe’s husband, James Clauer, who had once renovated residential properties, decided to take his vacation days and make it happen. He was able to finish the frame in about a week, she said. After he finished the frame, Clauer, a Nashville native who now works at CMT, just had to cut the birdhouse hole, build the roof and stain the wood. The couple chose the same wood and color that was in their fence so the birdhouse would blend well from a street view. “I didn’t want it to look terrible from the street,” Barlowe said. For the roof, they used cedar remnants from a friend’s roofing company. The structure came together pretty quickly, but some of the smaller pieces took longer, Barlowe said. Sometimes months would go by between steps, but one thing that stayed consistent throughout the project was that they didn’t stress over it, she said. If weather didn’t cooperate, so be it. “We had realistic expectations,” she said. “We had a plan and we stuck to it. We wanted to save money, and we wanted it to be good—so it just took longer.” What advice does Barlowe have for other families looking to find new ways to use their space? “Sometimes it’s just being willing to mess something up,” Barlowe said. “Even with our landscaping, I’ve killed stuff. But if I had hired a landscape architect, trust me, I would have spent more money on that person.” It doesn’t hurt to have creative friends, either. “If you want to build something like this maybe just ask somebody whose style you

I needed something for the kids to go outside and be active with so I could sometimes finish things

Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018 | 372WN.com

’S MAG

LLE

’S MAG

Nashville native Elliott Wenzler graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in May of 2017 with a BA in journalism and minors in both business and Spanish. Wenzler fell in love with journalism through long-form podcasts and magazine pieces that capture the heart of an issue, culture or phenomenon. You can find her enjoying tacos at 51st Deli, jogging in Sylvan Park or playing trivia at Neighbors. N

372WN.com | October–November 2018

in the birdhouse ebbs and flows, Barlowe said. Time will tell how the space is most used. “It was just sweet my kids would look outside and watch it get built,” Barlowe said. “They get to say, ‘Oh, my Dad made this really cool playhouse.’” And if they someday move, the family plans to leave the birdhouse behind, Barlowe said. It was designed specifically for that space, and by then, Barlowe may be well into her next project. “Hopefully somebody else will love it,” she said. “It can have a few different lives.” WE

like, like a designer, and see what they come up with,” she said. The birdhouse, which serves as kind of an “outdoor babysitter,” ended up meshing with the couple’s parenting philosophy. “We’re not a screen family,” Barlowe said. “They actually don’t own any devices, and they are super-limited on screen time.” Barlowe believes that social media isn’t the healthiest thing, especially for young kids, she said. “I don’t want them obsessing over ‘likes’ and watching things I don’t know,” she said. Plus, the boredom that can come from life without screens can be a good thing. “I want them to be creative. I want them to use this time. And if they’re bored, that’s when they’re going to come up with good ideas,” she said. Like everything, the kids’ interest

LLE

’S MAG

photo by Elliott Wenzler

Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018 | 372WN.com

by Emily TULLOH

Merry Maids OF WEST NASHVILLE

Partners TO HELP

CANCER PATIENTS

372WN.com | Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018

“Women alone receive over 800,000 new cancer diagnoses each year,” says Lucy Lee, office manager at the nonprofit organization Cleaning for a Reason; her statistic is a poignant and timely reminder during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “We just call it cancer awareness month,” says Lee, as it aligns with Cleaning for a Reason’s mission to give the gift of free house cleaning to women undergoing treatment for any type of cancer.

ebbie Sardone, president and founder of Cleaning for a Reason, was inspired to start the organization many years ago. She then owned Buckets and Bows Maid Service in Texas, and she received a call from a prospective client who then said she was not able to afford Sardone’s services while she was undergoing cancer treatment. The woman hung up. With no call-back number, Sardone was unable to make arrangements to help the woman. From that day forward, it became her policy to provide free house cleaning to any woman battling cancer. She shared her story at a national cleaning industry convention in 2005 and was overwhelmed realized when numerous cleaning business owners stepped up to offer their services. She returned to Texas and registered Cleaning for a Reason as a nonprofit. To date, they have teamed up with more than 1,200 residential cleaning services in the U.S. and Canada to provide free house cleaning to over 30,000 women. Merry Maids of West Nashville is one of the most recent cleaning services to join the cause. Owner Tim Morgan has been deeply affected by cancer on a personal level. “I lost my father to cancer,

and my wife lost her mother to cancer,” he says. “It’s just one of those things that has always been close to my heart.” He’s been in the cleaning industry for nearly 25 years and consistently looks for ways to give back to the community, so he was eager to get involved when he was introduced to Cleaning for a Reason at an annual seminar with Merry Maids Corporate. “We offer each client that they send us cleaning for two months, so they get two cleanings, one each month,” Morgan says. Since joining Cleaning for a Reason at the end of May, Merry Maids of West Nashville has served several local patients. “I’ve already gotten more out of it than I’ve given.” So Morgan wants each patient to know that his goal is to “take care of everything, so you don’t have to worry.” He encourages his employees to go above and beyond for each patient: “They have all day there,” he says. “So, I tell them, ‘Do what we normally do on our deep clean, and if they want something special and we can help them out, go ahead and do it.’”

Shanna Vaughn, who used to work on the cancer floor at Vanderbilt Hospital, now works for Merry Maids of West Nashville and has had the opportunity to clean a patient’s home. “I came in and tackled it with all of the love and appreciation she deserved,” Vaughn says. Because she is so familiar with the physical toll that chemotherapy

takes on a person, she is clear-eyed about how valuable her service is: “I’m happy to be that crutch for her, that she can lean on me when I’m there to help her get through this time. I just want her to relax

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

and know that her house is taken care of and that she doesn’t have to lift a finger to do anything.” It only takes a couple minutes to detect Vaughn’s natural tendency to be a caregiver. If the patient is home when she is there to clean, she kindly encourages them to “take advantage of this, let me do this for you.” Recently, Vaughn arrived to clean the home of a patient who felt self-conscious about the uncleanliness of her home. “I said to her, ‘You have nothing to worry about. I have no judgment, I’ve been doing this for years.’” Cleaning for a Reason is a testament to the power of women supporting women,

being there for one another through service and outreach. Lee says that the overwhelming feedback from patients is that “it’s about more than the cleaning. It gives them a sense of control back

“I had no idea chemotherapy was going to drain my energy to where even if I even care what my house looks like, I don’t have the energy to do the cleaning,” Norris says. “They were a godsend to me. in their lives. It also gives them the boost they need to feel like they can conquer this disease. Most cancer organizations focus on research . . . this [cleaning] is a practical support that makes a difference right now for patients who are diagnosed.” Nancy Norris is a cancer patient who received cleaning services from Merry Maids of West Nashville. She praises Morgan for making the experience very personal and very individual. “He’s not just interested in setting up an appointment,” she says. “He’s

372WN.com | October–November 2018

interested in setting up an appointment that works for you. The compassion starts there and continues through people who come to do the cleaning.” “I had no idea chemotherapy was going to drain my energy to where even if I even care what my house looks like, I don’t have the energy to do the cleaning,” Norris says. “They were a godsend to me. When they left, it was really uplifting to have a clean house again. You have a lot of friends and family, but you don’t ask friends and family to come clean your house.” Because resources are limited, Cleaning for a Reason only provides services to women at this time. Women 19 or older interested in seeking cleaning services can visit cleaningforareason.org and fill out an application. When they find a local maid service, applicants submit a physician’s note indicating that they are undergoing treatment for cancer. If you know someone with cancer, you can submit an application on their behalf. The time it takes Cleaning for a Reason to pair patients with a maid service varies. “It can be a few hours to a few weeks,” Lee explains. “It just depends on when the maid service has availability.” Most participating maid services are listed on their website, but Lee encourages prospective applicants to not be deterred from submitting an application if they don’t see one in their area. “We always recommend that a patient have an application in the system because you never know when a maid service is going to open up,” says Lee. Lee adds that “the demand is always greater than the resources. We’re always looking for new maid services.” For the month of October, Cleaning for a Reason will be ramping

LLE

’S MAG

up their marketing efforts and encouraging their partners to “take on more patients at that time because with increased exposure, there will be more patients applying.” If you are interested in contributing to their cause, you can make a donation on their website or volunteer to host a fundraiser. “We’re really excited to position our maid services to work with volunteers throughout the country and Canada,” says Lee. “That’s probably our most exciting next initiative.” Merry Maids of West Nashville plans to continue their partnership with Cleaning for a Reason. “It’s an ongoing relationship, I can’t see ever leaving it,” says Morgan. “With over 800,000 new cancer diagnoses each year, we’re all affected by this disease. The cause resonates with so many people . . . it’s our hope to be a household name,” says Lee. Cleaning for a Reason can be found on Facebook and Twitter and online at cleaningforareason.org. AZ

’S MAG

LLE

Emily Tulloh is a copywriter who enjoys S

LLE

’S MAG

being the creative voice behind some of Nashville’s favorite businesses and brands. She has lived in Hillwood since 2010.

NOW OPEN in WEST NASHVILLE TREATMENT FOR ILLNESSES Colds, flu and upper respiratory infections Allergies and asthma Nausea and vomiting Bronchitis or pneumonia TREATMENT FOR INJURIES Minor trauma and burns Fractures, sprains and dislocations Cuts, lacerations and abrasions ON-SITE SERVICES X-rays, lab tests, urinalysis and pregnancy tests Sports physicals

Dr. Ty Babcock Lives and works in West Nashville

West Nashville’s

GHOST STORIES

written and photographed by Yvonne

372WN.com | October–November 2018

EAVES

Prison Grounds Hauntings Many people see the old State Prison building and say, “That building looks haunted.” But some say the building in Cockrill Bend off Centennial Boulevard has been proven haunted! A few years ago, a group of ghost hunters came to film a TV show, and they were kept very busy during their stay with sounds of doors slamming shut, keys rattling and chains being dragged across the metal bars. But most unusual was the sound of voices—very muffled and as if they were from a distance. When the ghost hunters walked toward the sound, it jumped from the back to the front of the building—the ghosts were playing a game with the mortals, and winning. Were the voices from the group of inmates that murdered another inmate? They believed he was an informant on a drug-smuggling ring in the prison, and his body was missing for 15 years before it was found buried on the prison property. (The authorities assumed the man had escaped.) Or were the voices those of a group of angry inmates plotting to take control of the prison? After just one night in the old castle-like building, the ghost hunters did not go back. OPPOSITE PAGE: Who's that peeking out of the window?

Ghost Stories along Dutchman’s Curve Just over 100 years ago, the deadliest train crash on record happened in West Nashville. The horrific accident took place near Dutchman’s Curve. The railroad reported 101 people lost their lives in the head-on collision. The sounds of the impact was heard up to two miles from the crash site, and it is believed that up to 50,000 people showed up to view the scene. Some came to search for loved ones, some came to help and some came for curiosity. The site was gruesome. Bodies were burned beyond identification, and dismembered limbs littered the site. Many incomplete bodies were taken to the morgue. Some say the waters of Richland Creek turned red from all the blood shed in the deadly crash. Some have reported hearing early-morning moans along Richland Creek Greenway—the wreck happened around 7 in the morning. Or perhaps there are echoes of the train engines trying to screech to a stop, or the faint stench of burning wood and hot metal. Even after 100 years, maybe spirits are roaming the area looking for body parts buried along the tracks’ path.

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

LLE

’S MAG

LLE

372WN.com | October–November 2018

Long considered West Nashville’s historian, Yvonne Eaves spends a lot of time documenting its changes through the lens of her camera. She is the former president of the Cohn High School Alumni Association and author of Nashville’s Sylvan Park (along with co-author Doug Eckert, Arcadia Publishing). WE

Send us your spookiest at 372WestNashville@gmail.com!

What are some of your favorite West Nashville ghost stories?

Near where Nashville West is today, Dr. William Bass lived at Mount Hickory with his wife and children. During the Civil War, Bass joined the Confederacy as a captain. Late one night in October 1862, Bass and a group of men were close to downtown Nashville, so he went to his house to see his wife and newborn baby. In the early-morning hours, Captain Bass heard a noise and went out to his front porch, thinking his troops had come to collect him. Instead he was shot in the face in a Yankee ambush. After sunrise a neighbor came to check on Mrs. Bass, only to find Doctor Bass’ body and a two-year-old covered in blood. Out on Charlotte Pike, if you hear a distant echo of a shotgun blast and the faint cries of a small child, you may be hearing the disturbing sounds of the past. WE

The Hewlitt Childress home was near 51st and Wyoming avenues, an area that has also been known as Richland Village. Edwin H. Childress owned the property during the during the Civil War. Once the Union troops gained control of the Cumberland River, West Nashville was not spared any brutality. Word traveled quickly about the cruelty the local residents suffered at their hands. Belle Meade Mansion still bears bullet holes, and at the time, the story of how the Stump family’s home at 42nd and Park avenues was ransacked spread far and wide. Everything in the house was destroyed. Axes were used to destroy mirrors and windows, and the family was never able to overcome their resulting poverty. Frightened by the tale, one evening Childress gathered all his family’s valuables in a wheelbarrow and buried them near Richland Creek. Only he told no one where he’d dug! After the war and on his deathbed, Childress was surrounded by his loved ones. His final word before his passing was “sycamore.” For several years his survivors searched the property for the valuables, but they were never recovered. If you are brave enough to venture along the banks of Richland Creek of an evening, perhaps you will get a glimpse of Mr. Childress looking for the sycamore tree and his long-lost family valuables.

The Bass Family

Sighting of Mr. Childress along Richland Creek

LLE

’S MAG

Sources used for this story include: “West Nashville its people and environs” by Sarah Foster Kelley “Nashville Haunted Handbook” by Jeff Morris, Donna Marsh and Garett Merk

Happy fall, West Nashville— come celebrate the season with us! • • • • •

Everything is Organic Stellar Cocktails, Juices, Coffees Daily Happy Hour Evening Table Service Brunch Friday, Saturday, Sunday

NOW BOOKING HOLIDAY PARTIES. Please email hello@eioandthehive.com

where everything is organic 5 3 0 4 C H A R LOTTE AV EN UE • 61 5 . 942 . 703 1 • EIO A N DT H EH IV E.CO M

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

by Clare

FERNÁNDEZ

photos provided by Jamie NICHOL, unless otherwise noted

photo by Warner Tidwell

372WN.com | October–November 2018

LOVE NOTE

Nashville Percussion Legend

JAMIE NICHOL on the Artistry of Music Jamie Nichol is a Nashville native and percussionist whose career spanned nearly five decades playing the conga drum with some of Southern rock and country music’s finest. This impressive career, however, is what not what defines him; it’s his modest persona, love of the artistry of music and keen insight into Nashville’s evolving music scene that make him a legend.

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

Finding His Passion A sixth-generation Nashville native, Jamie has called West Nashville home his entire life. His journey into adulthood began at a young age, when family tragedy and depression got the best of him. He spent 4½ years of his youth at Monroe Harding, where the staff worked with him to provide stability and structure. The high level of compassionate care he received at Monroe Harding changed his life completely. His mother, in particular, was a major influence on his becoming a musician, but so was this experience, which provided the strength of character and determination he needed to make a meaningful life for himself. “One of my burning desires was I was gonna have a life that I chose,” said Jamie. “To find out who and what I was.” And so he did. After high school, he spent some time in San Francisco, and then he returned to Nashville and enrolled in Peabody College in 1971. In his search to find himself, he found The Marketplace, a little coffeehouse that opened in the mid60s near Centennial Park, which provided an outlet for

372WN.com | October–November 2018

poets, folk singers, political activists and the like to exchange ideas. “It had a very large impact during a time much like today when the political landscape was all in disarray and change was in the air; and this place was right in the middle of it!” he shared. The transition from the 1960s to the end of the 1970s completely transformed the small conservative southern city of Nashville into a mecca for a new kind of country music.

There was a shift happening in the music scene in Nashville. And a shift happened in Jamie as well. Walking by a music store one day, he experienced a moment that changed his life: He was drawn to a conga drum displayed in the window. And he jumped in with both feet. He hitchhiked and went out on the road when asked. He started playing at The Red Dog the summer before college, sitting in with anybody who would let him. He ended

up leaving Peabody to pursue his music career. He got better and better and started playing with better and better musicians. And he was in a unique place to do so, as a percussionist in Southern rock and country music. “How many percussionists have you seen on the Grand Ole Opry?” he mused. “I was a square peg in a round hole.”

A Thriving Music Career Jamie may have been a square peg in a round hole, but that didn’t stop

him from playing with an impressive list of acts over the course of his 45-year career. He played on three album tours with the late Dan Fogelberg and two album tours with the late J.J. Cale. He played on two albums with Nashville Session musician Mac Gayden, and performed in various concerts and clubs with John Hiatt in the early 1970s. He performed in various album sessions with

recording artists such as Dolly Parton, Ronnie Milsap and Dave Mallet, among others. But most important of all to Jamie was the memorable and meaningful recording, concert, and club work that he did with local bands and artists, such as Raphael Moe Denham, Cliff Richmond and the Cliffnotes, Kossie Gardner, and Natchez Trace, which was one of his very first gigs at Exit/In.

Nashville Violins LESSONS | RENTALS | REPAIRS | SALES www.nashvilleviolins.com

RENTALS AVAILABLE

Violins, violas, cellos, basses, electric violins, guitars, mandolins, and more!

5109 GEORGIA AVE. 37209 | (615) 292 5196

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

Jamie also had the privilege of playing in The Volunteer Jam, a series of concerts held in Nashville and hosted by Charlie Daniels, beginning in 1974. The Volunteer Jam started out as announcement for Charlie Danielsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 1974 album, Fire on the Mountain, but it became a regular event due to its enormous success. It heralded the arrival of Southern rock and evolved into a panorama of acts, featuring artists from a variety of genres who each played a 15- to 20-minute set. Jamie played in sixteen of these concerts as a guest of Charlie Daniels. During that period, he met a number of the aforementioned musicians that he played with. Jamieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last gig was the 40th anniversary of The Volunteer Jam in 2015, about a year after he officially retired. His other final gig was playing an endof-life ceremony for a friend.

372WN.com | Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018

Jamie played in sixteen of these [Volunteer Jam] concerts as a guest of Charlie Daniels.

Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018 | 372WN.com

Jamie received an invitation to join The Recording Academy in the late 1990s and was a member for nineteen years. Members vote on the GRAMMY nominations each year, and Jamie was a voting member for both the GRAMMYs and the Latin GRAMMYs. He was also a member of Nashville Musicians’ Association, AFM Local 257, for about 35 years. The association represents a variety of musicians across all genres of music, helping them to book professional recording, TV and radio work as well as navigate payments from record labels for various work. For Jamie, the personal significance of his career goes much deeper.

From Music City to It City Jamie began as a musician when music in Nashville was changing, and he truly believes in the importance of this history to understanding Nashville’s journey to where it is today. Nashville was always a small Southern town, and the opening of

“A person’s individual life ‘story’ is the most precious thing that one possesses,” he said. “And the selfauthored legacy that is left behind will be what is remembered in our privilege of existence.” Exit/In in 1971 kicked off the city’s presence in the music scene. It started out as a small room that held 70 people. In less than a year the owner had doubled the size and its success exploded. Exit/In’s success kicked off the arrival of other music nightclubs, home studios, and the expansion of Music Row. As the 1970s progressed, country music began to get much broader appeal with outlaw country singers, such as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, forging new identities in an ever-changing musical landscape. The outlaw movement began as a reaction to the “Nashville Sound,”

The late J.J. Cale's induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame photo credit: Cliff Moore

372WN.com | October–November 2018

which was an attempt by producers to revive country music, and its record sales, in the face of the rising popularity of rock ’n’ roll. The Nashville Sound featured smooth and sophisticated vocals in place of the gritty honky-tonk and Southern rock characteristics of country music in previous decades. The musical landscape on which Music City was built is disappearing. The Country Music Association, which was created in the late 1950s, was a big instrument of change, with a goal of crafting a brand and an environment for the future of making money in coun-

with Little Richard and Charlie Daniels with Som Brasileiro, 1998 photo credit: Cliff Moore

circa 1984 with Dan Fogelberg

THE GRILLING PLACE

RICHLAND ACE HARDWARE

6401 Charlotte Pike Nashville, TN 37209 615.356.0560 www.richlandacehdwe.com

Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018 | 372WN.com

try music. The 1990s in particular brought major change towards a more corporate and “mainstream” image for country music. “It’s about image now. It’s about brand. It’s about product,” said Jamie. “You’re not just selling; you’re endorsing. Nashville, and its music scene, was built on a sense of community. That is the direction we need to be going,” according to Jamie.

Leaving a Legacy Jamie was never in it for the fame and glory. He sought a creative life and lived it to its fullest. And while he has scrapbooks and pictures commemorating his many experiences, he doesn’t laud any one over another. “If you start rating and categorizing one creative endeavor over another, I think this doesn’t do the proper justice to those people you have the privilege of working with and musical life you had the honor of experiencing with them,”

photo by Warner Tidwell

372WN.com | October–November 2018

he shared. The list of people and experiences that helped him to hone his craft, build his career and stay humble is almost innumerable. “I couldn’t possibly thank them all enough or have managed to do this without them,” he shares. There is a distinct difference between being famous and being an artist, between the music industry and the artistry of music. For Jamie, it’s not about the image; it’s about the craft and the humanity and the beauty. That’s what Jamie wanted for himself, and that’s what he got. He built meaningful relationships, and always worked to hone and improve his craft, and to grow as a person. Jamie’s wisdom is insightful, sharing that a person will always be remembered by the way he treats others. His advice to young, new and aspiring artists follows this mantra. He encourages patience, kindness, compassion and mindfulness. “Remember to stop once in a while and look at

your life and breathe deeply of its beauty,” he says. “Weep when you need to, laugh as much as you can, hold your friends as close as possible; for these may well be the most important moments of all.” A West Nashville native, Clare is an entrepreneur, writer, actress, and product manager (by day). She has varied experience in nonprofit management, board development, marketing, writing and editing. She is passionate about community engagement and arts advocacy. Clare enjoys laughing, reading, traveling, hiking, board game nights, cooking, theatre and all the coffee. She is a founder of Nashville Sudbury School.

with Oklahoma Hall of Famer J.J. Cale

West Nashville

NIGHT OUT

AGAINST CRIME & BLOCK PARTY OCTOBER RICHLAND PARK Music • Food • Fun

9th 2018

6:00-8:00PM Door Prizes & More

Come meet your neighbors, neighborhood businesses, Law Enforcement, Non-profits and more at the annual West Nashville Night Out Against Crime and Block Party. Join us for family fun, kids entertainment, music, food, and lots of fun. Dogs welcome

THE NATIONS ROBERTSON

SYLVAN PARK

SYLVAN HEIGHTS

CHARLOTTE PARK

WHITE BRIDGE ORIGINAL POSTER DESIGN BY KPAIGE.COM

Naomi GOLDSTONE

photos by George WALKER

III, used with permission

FISK UNIVERSITY TO WORLD-TRAVELING PHOTOGRAPHER FROM

372WN.com | Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018

If you’ve ever been to a happy hour at Nations Bar & Grill, you might have seen George Walker III sitting at the bar sipping on a glass of red wine. What you might not know about this Nashville native and Fisk graduate is that he used the skills he learned in college to embark on a 40-year career taking photographs in Nashville (before, he says, it became the “It City”), Memphis, Chicago, New York, and other towns and cities big and small.

“Parade Nobody Came To,” Nashville, early 1970s October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

Walker learned the art of photography from Robert (Bobby) A. Sengstacke, a photojournalist who is best known for his images of the civil rights movement.

Rev. Christ, 1969 (Mt. Zion on Jefferson in background)

372WN.com | Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018

Soda Shop, Nashville, 1970

orn on August 5 at General Hospital when it was on Hermitage Avenue, Walker grew up in South Nashville. His father worked at the Ralston Purina Mills factory, and his mother worked as a maid for a family in Belle Meade. Walker attended Johnson Elementary and Cameron High School, both of which were segregated. In high school, Walker played trombone and sousaphone in the marching band. “We called it the symphonic band, too,” Walker said, “because we played Tchaikovsky and other classical music.” After high school, Walker decided to attend Fisk. “At that time, Harvard and Yale weren’t really recruiting black folks, and Fisk was where DuBois’s Talented Tenth went,” Walker said. “There were some black people who ended up going to Harvard, but I wasn’t one of them. My SAT scores probably weren’t that high,” he said, laughing. A political science major, Walker learned the art of photography from Robert (Bobby) A. Sengstacke, a photojournalist who is best known for his images of the civil rights movement and whose parents owned the black newspaper the Chicago Defender. Sengstacke spent several years as an artist-in-residence at Fisk, and Walker jumped at the chance to study under his tutelage. “Bobby used to shoot for all the majors—Time, Newsweek, the New York Times,” Walker said. “He had shot a bunch of riots, North Nashville, 1971 October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

“If your picture didn’t tell your story, then Bobby made you go back and rework it.”

200th Birthday Celebration, Nashville

372WN.com | October–November 2018

showed his portfolio, and he started magazine as a weekly, thereby and he taught us to always have a getting work with Time, Newsweek, ending Walker’s dream of working camera and shoot. I remember him the New York Times, Ebony, and there. “Life is closed, and I don’t telling us: ‘If something is going Jet. Black Star—a New York-based know what that’s going to do for my down, get out and shoot.’” photographic agency with offices in career,” Walker said he told Black At Fisk, Sengstacke taught each London and Paris—got Walker an inStar agency executive Howard Chapstudent the gamut of the photograternship at Life magazine, but by Denick. “Black photographers didn’t phy trade—from how to take good cember 1972, Time Inc. announced get a lot of work unless they were pictures to how to develop and they would no longer publish the going to the riots in the ghettos, but print them. Walker said, “Instead of sitting around listening to a lecture, we’d take walks through the neighborhood and shoot pictures. We’d walk up and down Jefferson Street and throughout North Nashville, and we’d come back and process the stuff.” When the6,Fisk Administration Building, August 1959. photo courtesy of Nashville Public Library proteges finally got back to the classroom with their work, Sengstacke—and the other students— C O U N T R Y S U N D AY with Chris Scruggs and The Stone Fox Five // WEEKLY would then critique their photographs. “Bobby told us that if you NASHVILLE MASQUERADE had to explain what you did, you Presented by Red Roots Music // WEEKLY didn’t do anything,” Walker said. “If PRO BLUES JAM your picture didn’t tell your story, Host & House Band Cara Being Blue // WEEKLY then Bobby made you go back and LUCAS CARPENTER, THE ALMANACKS & FRIENDS rework it.” MONTHLY // SECOND WEDNESDAY One day after class, Walker THE MUSIC CITY LOCAL walked down 21st Avenue and MONTHLY // LAST WEDNESDAY ended up on the Peabody campus GRINDHOUSE NASHVILLE where he said he “noticed a bunch MONTHLY // SECOND & LAST THURSDAY of news trucks.” Walker soon discovered that Senator Ted Kennedy D I R T Y T H U R S D AY W I T H H O S T C O D Y PA R K S MONTHLY // THIRD THURSDAY was in town to visit the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, a center dedicatTHE LOCAL GET DOWN ed to helping children and adults MONTHLY // FIRST FRIDAY with disabilities live productive H I P P I E C H I C K T WA N G lives. Walker got out his camera MONTHLY // THIRD SATURDAY and photographed Sen. Kennedy and the director of the Kennedy Center together. When he got home, Walker and his wife processed the film, and his wife then showed the director the photos, who immediately hired Walker to come in and take photographs for a couple of days. “I think I charged them $150 a day,” Walker recalled, “and it was then that I decided to be a photographer. That was the start of it all.” After graduating from Fisk in May 1971 with a degree in political science, Walker began his career as a photographer. He went to New York, where he

LIVE MUSIC

every night

sun 9PM MON 8PM TUE 8PM WED 8PM WED 8PM THU 7:30pm THU 8PM FRI 9PM SAT 5PM

HAPPY HOUR

Mon-Fri // 4-7PM $1 OFF Draft, Wells, & Wine

2-4-1 DRAFTS Wed // All Day

KITCHEN OPEN 7 DAYS

@thelocalnash 110 28th Ave N // 615.320.4339 // localnash.com

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

if I had gotten that internship at Life, it would have been a much broader experience for me.” Walker returned to Nashville, where he took a job at Tennessee State University teaching photography in the School of Architectural Engineering. “If you’re good enough for Life, you’re good enough for TSU,” Walker recalled Chapnick telling him. Walker stayed at TSU for a year, but then he was “back in the streets and freelancing. If someone called and needed me to go shoot something, I would go,” he said. On October 30, 1974, Walker photographed “The Rumble in the Jungle,” a historic boxing event in Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo). With 60,000 people in attendance, Walker photographed the boxing match between undefeated world heavyweight champion George Foreman and challenger Muhammad Ali; Ali won by knockout. On August 16, 1977, Walker received a phone call from his editor at Gamma-Liaison, a photo agency, informing him that Elvis Presley had died. “What the f**k do you want me to do?” Walker said he told Michele, his editor. “I wasn’t a big Elvis fan because I remember Elvis saying that the only thing black people could do for him was to shine his shoes,” Walker recalled. He headed to Memphis anyway, and he stayed for three days shooting pictures nonstop—until Elvis was buried. Walker would have 17 pictures of the events at Graceland published around the world. “You’ve never seen anything like it,” Walker remembered. “Graceland was packed with people, but I didn’t give a sh*t one way or the other about Elvis dying. I was down there shooting pictures, so I didn’t really notice all the crying white people. It was just a gig.” When Pope John Paul II became the first sitting pope to visit Washington, D.C., in October 1979, Walker was one of a handful of photogra-

372WN.com | October–November 2018

phers hired by Time to photograph the papal visit to the nation’s capital. Walker photographed D.C. Mayor Marion Barry greeting the pope and presenting him with a key to the city, and he followed Pope John Paul II’s caravan to Connecticut Avenue for mass at St. Matthew’s Cathedral. Walker also photographed Pope John Paul II’s celebration of a Sunday mass on the National Mall, which officials estimate attracted a million worshipers. Walker freelanced for The Tennessean, Time, Newsweek—whoever was “hiring and paying,” he said. He photographed many politicians,

“Bag Lady,” downtown Nashville, 1976

Centennial Park, 1969

including Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, President Jimmy Carter, President Ronald Reagan, and Tennessee Republican Senator Howard Baker. He even went to Alabama and Mississippi where he photographed the KKK “two or three times.” In the mid-1970s, Walker was hired to photograph activists who were in Mississippi to “get out the vote” by registering black voters. “Driving through Mississippi at night can be one of the scariest things, because you could disappear and no one would know,” Walker said. “If someone did threaten to kill me, I would say,

Mid South Anesthesia “Your Every Breath” Pediatric • Special Needs • Phobias • More midsouthanesthesia.com With over 100 years of cumulative experience, our board-certified providers allow for a safe, customized anesthesia care environment that aids in the quickest possible recovery from your procedure. AVAILABLE

THESE

FACILITIES:

Specialty Surgery Center Nashville

Creative Dentistry Nashville

NuBody Concepts Brentwood

322 22nd Avenue, North Nashville, Tennessee 37203 615.321.6161 www.ssctn.com

113 23rd Avenue, North Nashville, Tennessee 37203 615.321.0922 www.sedateme.com

1187 Old Hickory Boulevard, Suite 200 Brentwood, Tennessee 37027 615.457.8392 www.nubodyconcepts.com

Complete Dental Care Huntingdon

Cane Ridge Dental Nashville

The Green Eye Center Gallatin

25 Stone Ridge Cove Huntingdon, Tennessee 38344 731.986.9484 www.completedental.care

1315 Bell Road Antioch, Tennessee 37013 615.717.0507 www.caneridgedentist.com

854 Lone Oak Drive Gallatin, Tennessee 37066 615.452.1602 www.greeneyecenter.com

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

‘Man, you don’t want to do that. If you kill me, your story will never get out,’” Walker said, snickering. Walker said that his father told him he was crazy for going to Mississippi and risking his life “just to take some pictures, but the money was too good to pass up. They were

Fairfax Avenue, Nashville, 1969

paying me $250 per day.” In 2001, Walker moved back to Nashville to be closer to his son, George Walker IV, who shares a love of photography with his father and has been a photographer at The Tennessean since he started as an intern in 1990. He officially

joined the staff in 1993. “I’ve always said that George got the job at The Tennessean that I never did,” Walker said. Walker also said that he’s not surprised that his son has been the Titans’ photographer since the Houston Oilers left Houston in 1996 for Nashville (with a short stop in Memphis). “George has such a good relationship with the Titans and the people who work there—from the people at the top of the organization to the custodians at Nissan Stadium,” Walker said. “Besides, he’s a damn good photographer.” Today, Walker lives in Bellevue near his son, and like many other native Nashvillians, he laments how rapidly the city is changing. “It’s on its way back to being the Old South,” he said. “Are you familiar with Walker Percy?” George Walker III asked, without waiting for a response. “He was a writer who wrote about the South, and he argued that all of America’s divisiveness is about the American South’s unwillingness to deal with the Civil War and Jim Crow.” Walker believes that this is

“Department Store,” Nashville, 1977

372WN.com | October–November 2018

one what the picture is about,” he said. “But,” Walker added, smiling, “if it’s not a good picture, you might just have a bad subject.” AZ

’S MAG

2W 37

2W 37 ’S MAG

LLE

ST S

afford to live here.” Still, George Walker III says that Nashville will always be home, and he is proud that he honed his photography expertise at Fisk and that he could share those skills with his son. Walker can tell you, too, what makes a good photograph: “It’s a universal thought that if it’s really good, you don’t have to tell some-

Nashville today—a segregated city with segregated neighborhoods that is becoming too expensive for too many people of color. “You can call it progress,” he said, “but Nashville is changing so much that people of color are pretty much going to have to be out of town by sundown and will need a day pass to come back to work because they damn sure can’t

LLE

’S MAG

When she’s not being dragged around The Nations by Ernie Banks, Lena Horne, or Butterfly McQueen, Naomi Goldstone is a professor of English and coordinator of the African American Studies program at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee.

EUROPEAN | DOMESTIC | ASIAN VEHICLE SERVICE

MIDAS TIRE & AUTO SERVICE Now with two locations serving the West Nashville community!

6008 CHARLOTTE PIKE 615.356.6367 Monday–Friday 7am-7pm Saturday 7am–6pm

6015 HIGHWAY 100

(at the 70/100 split, formerly American Tire)

615.353.5666 Monday–Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 7am–4pm

WE DO IT ALL! BRAKES • TIRES • ALIGNMENT • AIR CONDITIONING

• FUEL INJECTION • MUFFLERS • CATALYTIC CONVERTERS • FULL RANGE EXHAUST SERVICE • CUSTOM DUAL EXHAUST INSTALLED

OVER

BRANDS OF TIRES

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

Metro Government 101: The Permit Process

by Kimi

372WN.com | Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018

Ordoubadian ABERNATHY

was awakened early one morning in my usually quiet neighborhood by the sounds of heavy equipment. I had not seen any signs of pending construction and could not figure out where the sound was coming from. I checked the front of the house and the sides. No work was being done nearby. However, when I looked out the upstairs bedroom window, I saw that the 1960s brick ranch house hidden behind a hedge in back of our house was being knocked down. And I mean knocked down, not torn down. Bulldozers were ramming into the house over and over again. By late that evening, no sign existed that a house had ever been there, save for the brown scar of dirt slashed across the lawn. The same scene is playing out across Nashville in commercial and

residential neighborhoods alike. People are asking questions like: Wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t there a house there last week? How did they fit two or three or four houses on a lot that previously held one house? How can they build houses so close together? Are there any codes inspectors in Nashville? It turns out the Nashville area is 25th in home-value-to-replacementcost ratio in metropolitan areas in the country. This is a rough gauge of the extent to which the value of the land is driving the value of the actual home. The cost of building is divorced from the cost of the land. It is no wonder Nashville is tearing down as fast as it can and cramming as many houses on one lot as feasible. How does this happen, and what is the process for tearing down

and building up in Nashville? Who regulates building in Metro Nashville? This month, we will look at the permitting process for the ever-changing landscape in residential neighborhoods. To do just about any work on your home beyond maintenance, minor repairs or painting, you must have a permit. To remodel, do an addition, or build a deck or carport requires a permit. To do any demolition requires a permit. You can file an application online or go into the office to file. If you have a builder who is a general contractor doing the work, they can pull a permit for you; however, you are the applicant and ultimately responsible for being in compliance. For most home projects, this is a simple process. However, it is crucial you understand the zoning

Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018 | 372WN.com

requirements for your neighborhood. If you have height restrictions based on a historic overlay in your neighborhood or must follow specific setback distances from property lines, you are responsible to know what they are and comply. If a developer buys property to tear down and will build on the lot, he or she must have permits to tear down and permits to build. The Metro Department of Codes and Building Safety administers the Metro Zoning Ordinances, issues permits for commercial and residential building, inspects buildings, and licenses building and trade contractors. In addition, the department registers landlords, permits short-term rentals, issues permits for tree removal and enforces the property standards code. Not only does the department issue permits, but it is responsible for compliance, as well.

Who can request a permit? The owner of the property can apply for a permit, known as a “self permit,” and thus is responsible for making sure the work meets the required standards for all zoning, building and trade codes. A contractor who is licensed and bonded through the Department of Codes and Building Safety may also pull a permit within the limits of his/her license.

The Process The first step to file for a permit to build a residence can be a pre-submittal conference, though this is optional. Meeting with the Development Services department prior to actually breaking ground can eliminate problems before they arise and make the process much smoother, saving money and time before submitting an application for a permit.

Projects almost always require other permits that are also issued from the Codes Department.

372WN.com | October–November 2018

A site plan is required for new construction, additions, accessory structures, mobile homes or swimming pools. The homeowner’s Mortgage Loan Survey can often be adapted or used as the site plan for all work other than new building. When the work is ready for a permit, the homeowner or contractor will be assigned a Zoning Examiner. The person pulling the permit must be able to provide the name of the property owner and the proper street address or the tax map with parcel number. The Zoning Examiner will review the information provided and review the site plan. If all the information provided is accurate and meets current codes for that address (historic, setbacks, etc.), a customer service representative will issue a permit. Fees are set based on the cost of construction (a valuation table is available online at Nashville.

gov). A fairly new online system is in place for contractors to use 24/7 to request and schedule inspections, obtain required permits, and pay fees electronically. Building plans can also be submitted online to allow all departments to access the plans concurrently. 80% of all applicants have permits issued during the initial meeting. However, issues may arise that require further information or approval from other departments. Among the departments that may need to be involved in permit issues are Water and Sewer, Health, Planning Commission, Historic Zoning or Public Works. The Zoning Examiner will act as the applicantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide, providing information about how to contact the required departments, checklists and help gathering required information. An example of this is an applicant applying for a permit to do an addition in a neighborhood with a historic overlay. The plan would have to be evaluated by the Historic Zoning Commission for approval. After the building permit is obtained, work can begin. Inspections will occur at specific stages during the process to make sure corrections can be made, should they be necessary. These stages include foundation work, structural framing, and shell and finish out. Projects almost always require other permits that are also issued from the Codes Department. If the building project involves electrical, plumbing, gas/mechanical or low-voltage wiring, separate permits and inspections are required. The permits may be issued to your subcontractor for that trade. In other words, your electrician can pull the permit for the electrical work and set up the inspection. You or your contractor does not have to do this.

To accommodate projects on a tight schedule, permits can be issued in stages allowing the work to begin. This system is most often used by developers, as it allows designers to continue working on details while construction has already begun. This fast-track system saves time and allows an early start to work. The final step in a project is to schedule a use and occupancy inspection. Upon approval, a letter of Use and Occupancy will be issued, certifying that the building meets the standards of the Metro Building Code.

What happens to an unapproved project? The reasons a project may not be approved are that the project needs to be brought into compliance with code, more information is necessary, or neighbors are against the project. The applicant can make adjustments to the project to bring it into compliance or appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a variance, to be allowed to build as an exception outside the code. This application is available online.

The Board of Zoning Appeals is made up of seven citizens from the community appointed by the mayor and approved by the council. The board hears cases of appeals to the building code. An applicant must prove hardship, through no fault of their own, that makes following the code impossible. Hardships may include geographic or topographic features of a lot that prevent following code, mature trees, easements, location of sewer systems, work done to a structure by previous owners, unique characteristics of the property generally not present in surrounding properties, no harm to neighbors or the public welfare, financial gain not being the only rationale and the project retaining the integrity of the Master Plan. The Board will not grant a variance based on inconvenience but on an inability to occupy or build based on the hardship. The applicant may be required to post and notify neighbors of the zoning appeal hearing, hold a neighborhood meeting, and work with neighbors to resolve any issues. If the project is greenlighted,

Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018 | 372WN.com

Pre-Submittal Conference (optional) Applicants can often avoid unexpected problems and expense by discussing their application and project with our Development Services departments while still in the project design phase, and before the submission of a permit application. Details and scheduling information File your application at the Department of Codes & Building Safety on the third floor of the Metro Office Building, 800 Second Avenue South. Map

Application & Plans Review & Approval The application and plans circulate through our Development Services departments: Codes Fire Marshal Public Works Water Services

Zoning, site plan, building plan Fire code plan Sidewalks, curbs, & ramps Water & sewer availability; cross-connections

Additional Review & Approval Actions required under certain conditions:

SP, PUD or UDO zoning Over 10K sq ft of site disturbance Site in 100-year floodplain Site in Historic Overlay District Site in MDHA Redevelopment District

Building Permit Issued

Inspection

Site plan review by Planning Commission Grading permit from Water Services Floodplain review by Water Services Review by Historical Commission Review by MDHA

Use & Occupancy Certificate Issued

Contact the person who handled your original application if you have any questions or problems; he or she will be your guide and contact throughout the permitting process. Our goal is to minimize confusion and delay, and to resolve your application as quickly and easily as possible.

Our neighborhoods are changing. Some of it is good, and some of it is bad. Lots of it is frustrating. Vigilance is our best tool to protect our neighborhoods and our city. LLE

’S MAG

From Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with roots in Hillsville, Virginia and Tabriz, Iran, Kimi Abernathy has worked in education for over 25 years. She spent 30 years as a military spouse while raising 5 children. Kimi is currently working in politics and has an educational counseling practice helping young people in Nashville and internationally find educational opportunities. She is married to Nashville native, Bill Abernathy. Kimi attended Northwestern University, graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and graduated with honors from the UCLA two-year college counseling certification program. ’S MAG

LLE

Neighbors have a vital role in protecting the character and nature of their neighborhoods. It is important to be aware of the tearing down and building up in your area. Violations of permit work or codes can be reported online either using your name or anonymously. You can use the ePermit system, available online at Nashville.gov, to search for any permit in the system, as well. Do not forget, this is exactly the type of issue you can reach out to your Council member for help with, too.

372WN.com | October–November 2018

in Nashville/Davidson County

Getting a Building Permit

a permit can be issued and work can begin. The process seems wellthought-out and reasonable. If you watch Channel 3 for a good time (like I do), you see the number of projects being appealed or denied on the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Historic Zoning Commission, and the process seems to work. Why, then, does it feel like the process is not being followed? As an example, In December 2017, 85 homes built by developers in The Nations were found to be out of compliance with setbacks. Setback codes may seem arbitrary and silly, but they have a very important safety role. The homes had permits issued before the final plans were drawn. Remember the fast-track system we talked about earlier? The builders “tweaked” the expected designs and added features that took the footprint of the homes beyond the setbacks—making them too close together for fire safety. This problem was officially reported as the work of one particular inspector, and builders choosing to ignore the code. Unfortunately, the homes have already been bought and are occupied by innocent families. The builders are required to make this right. Though one solution was to simply saw off parts of the houses, another resolution has been suggested that will have the builders adding extra layers of sheet rock and fire abatement material to the houses. The Codes Department’s Building Division has 12 inspectors for the entire Metro area. Under previous leadership, offers of funding for more inspectors were turned down. It is unknown where that offer will go now.

LLE

’S MAG

Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;November 2018 | 372WN.com

372WestNosh Whether we’ve driven by them hundreds of times or just spotted a new one we want to try, West Nashville’s got you covered for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. Constant Eater wants to devote more time and space to a single establishment, so we’ve reformatted this feature to do just that. Bon appetit, salud, and cheers!

RED BICYCLE (WEST) 712 51st Avenue North 615.457.1117 redbicyclecoffee.com

f you’ve lived in West Nashville the past five years, then no doubt you’ve heard the occasional rumor that Red Bicycle was coming. Turns out it wasn’t always a rumor. “I’ve wanted to come to The Nations for quite a while,” says owner David Trett. “We originally looked at the space that’s now occupied by 51st Kitchen, and it just didn’t fit our floorplan and business model. In fact, we’ve come close to pulling the trigger a couple of times. This neighborhood . . . we love the community feel, but it’s still a rapidly growing area.” In the meantime, Trett opened locations in Germantown and Woodbine, and continued to keep

372WN.com | October–November 2018

by Constant

his eye on West Nashville. “We weren’t just looking to be in a high-traffic area,” he explains. “We really want to be a part of a community, and we really like the vibe and feel of The Nations.” The trigger was pulled this past summer, and in a matter of weeks, Trett opened in late July. Red Bicycle’s gourmet coffee selections include a combination of what’s offered in their other locations, along with rotating latte specials that keep things interesting. “We also serve coffee soda and nitro-coffee [cold-brewed for 24 hours, then diluted slightly and mixed with nitrogen to make it smooth and creamy]. It looks like Guinness and we only serve it in the 12-ounce size, because it’s high-octane.” Right now, Trett says The Cuban is a popular seller.

EATER

Trett acknowledges the attachments people have to coffee shops. “They don’t branch out,” he smiles. “They have a routine, and their coffee shop is part of that routine. People are always excited to try a new restaurant, but a lot of times coffee shops aren’t regarded in the same way.” In response, Red Bicycle offers their signature crepes as a great alternative—real crepes, not pre-formed perfect circles— made from scratch and stuffed with any number of sweet or savory goodness. “We have about 25 different crepes,” Trett says. “Our Mexicrepe [chorizo, eggs, sausage, sour cream, rollato cheese] is popular and our Funky Monkey [bananas, Nutella, peanut butter, walnuts] is a huge hit. A lot of people add blueberries or strawberries to it, too.” For crepe novices, Trett recommends the Pizza Crepe, which is done differently in each Red Bicycle location. “That’s an easy

one to get people started.” (Yes, there is a hot-chicken crepe—and it’s delicious!) It’s worth mentioning that portions are massive, and nothing on the menu is over $10. There are a number of breakfast sandwiches, breakfast tacos and even poutine that have distinction. “Traditional poutine is gravy, cheese curds, and French fries,” he explains. “We have our own little twist to it, kind of a Southern-breakfast-meets-French-traditional sort of dish.” And in true Red Bicycle fashion, they serve handmade, freshly prepared sandwiches and paninis all day long—along with oddities like Nutella egg rolls and a fried PBJ. Another distinction about the West Side location is that this will be the first Red Bicycle to serve alcohol. “We don’t really have enough space to offer it in our other locations,” Trett says. “Alcohol is conducive to maybe a brunch with friends where you linger and enjoy conversation. Here, we have plenty of seating, along with the patio, so we offer local craft beer, a nice wine selection, and champagne which means we also have mimosas. We’re starting on a smaller scale, and growing based on what they neighborhood wants and requests.” Residents have enjoyed

the live music, trivia nights and wine specials they’ve offered so far, and Trett will be offering more. “We have so much parking and room to do a lot of different things,” he says, mentioning that the space is also available for private parties and special events. There’s a private event room on a separate speaker system, so it’s not affecting—or affected by—the activity in the restaurant. The full location is also available for special events. And the family-friendly vibe isn’t by accident—it’s an environment Trett cultivates. “We hire people that will connect with our team and our belief that we treat our customers well,” he says. “We are big on neighborhoods supporting their local businesses—not just mine. We’re not better than any other coffee shop—Red Bicycle is a different option. There are a lot of great coffee shops in our community, and we are very excited to be in The Nations and in West Nashville. We want everyone to succeed and do well.”

And you can try Red Bicycle for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. HOURS: Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m. (Happy Hour from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.); Saturday and Sunday, 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. CREDIT CARDS: All RESERVATIONS: No Constant Eater is dedicated to discovering the West Side’s best breakfasts, lunches, dinners and cocktails . . . in the name of fair reporting and satisfied tummies, of course.

October–November 2018 | 372WN.com

372Who kNew? Name: What’s your relationship to West Nashville? How long have you been here? Favorite thing about West Nashville? Favorite food? color? drink? dessert? hobby? Where will you be on Friday night? Dog or cat? Mustard or mayonaise? Mountains or beach? Dream occupation when you were five? What’s your hidden talent? What’s your superpower? What excites you about West Nashville?

Jason Guthrie, Nashville native