December 2017 Murfreesboro Pulse by The Murfreesboro Pulse

DECEMBER 2017 / VOL. 12, ISSUE 12 / FREE

Middle Tennesseeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Source for Art, Entertainment and Culture News

err Christmas & ! r a y e H app New Y

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MEET SANTA PAGE 16

BORO ART CRAWL PAGE 28

RIDE THE RAILS PAGE 18

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Contents

WORD FROM THE EDITOR

8 FEATURES

20 16 IN EVERY ISSUE

8 NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT

CELEBRATIONS Old Crow Medicine Show, Keith Urban, Jimmy Buffett and Mixtape among Middle Tennessee NYE shows.

16 BECOMING ST. NICK

4 Events THIS MONTH

Bethlehem Marketplace, Santa Around the World and more!

8 Sounds LOCAL CONCERTS

Local Santas have a most wonderful time.

John Salaway, Killing Grace and more!

18 RIDE THE RAILS

The Justin Reed Show, Bluegrass Underground, Chonda Price and more!

Thor Rankin has made a career at local train and furniture store on Medical Center Parkway.

24 SHOP LOCAL HOLIDAY

GIFT GUIDE & GIVEAWAY Enter to win items from local businesses at BoroPulse.com/win

28 BORO ART CRAWL

Art Director: Sarah Mayo

Publisher/Editor in Chief: Bracken Mayo

ALBUM REVIEWS

The Jewel Machine, Aye Mammoth

Copy Editor: Steve Morley Advertising: Don Clark Leslie Russell-Yost

Committee announces 2018 selection

GARDENING

Covering your crops

28 Art The Christmas Carol; The Nashville Nutcracker

Opinion

33 Movies

HIGHER THOUGHTS

NEW RELEASES

VIEWS OF A CONSERVATIVE

Star Wars: The Last Jedi and more! REVIEWS

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri; Lady Bird LIVING ROOM CINEMA

Spiritual Matters

36 Food REVIEW

For everyday living You may be more believable if . . .

THE STOCKARD REPORT

Russell sentenced in JailCigs case. TIES THAT BIND

Bringing family together

LIVE . . . WELL!

Memory makers

The Boulevard

DEPRESSION

BUSINESS BUZZ

48 Sports

20 Living 38 News THEATER

Community art collaboration is back just in time for the holidays, Dec. 8.

BOROPULSE . COM

MUSIC NOTES

ONE BOOK

Winterfest, The Soda Bar, Hello Beautiful, Xiaos’ Sushi and more! CARD SHOW

Ramada Inn collectible show now a 30-year tradition

Contributors: Dylan Skye Aycock, John Connor Coulston, Greg Crittenden, Jennifer Durand, Anthony Fiorella, Joseph Kathmann, Tony Lehew, Zach Maxfield, Justin Reed, Edwina Shannon, Jay Spight, Andrea Stockard, Sam Stockard, Norbert Thiemann, Semaj Thomas, Phil Valentine, Kory Wells, Meredith White, Michelle Willard

Tips to combat seasonal disorder.

SPORTS TALK

Merry Christmas to all! MTSU SPORTS

Blue Raiders to play in Camellia Bowl. FITNESS

Begin your goals!

Copyright © 2017, The Murfreesboro Pulse, 10 N. Public Square, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Proudly owned, operated and published the first Thursday of each month by the Mayo family; printed by Franklin Web Printing Co. The Murfreesboro Pulse is a free publication funded by advertisers. Views expressed in the Pulse do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. ISSN: 1940-378X

10 N. Public Square, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 • 615-796-6248 To carry the PULSE at your business, or to submit letters, stories and photography: Bracken@BoroPulse.com

GET YOUR SUNLIGHT when you can during this darkest month of the year. The days will begin to get longer after the coming solstice later this month. As Jessica points out in her piece on page 47 in this edition, vitamin D intake can help combat the wintertime blues. Furthermore, this edition of the Pulse contains many other words of encouragement. M.C. Radford offers 31 tips for more positive living and pursuing your dreams. Jennifer Durand reminds us to spend time breathing, releasing tension, appreciating. Semaj encourages the people of Murfreesboro to dedicate themselves to improving their bodies. Tony expresses admiration for those special people who make the effort to keep families together during the holidays. Edwina always brings words of encouragement on getting your hands in the dirt and growing your own. The Z-Train encourages Santa to help deliver a division title for the Titans this season. I will go one step farther—we want an appearance in the AFC Championship game! One play at a time . . . Thanks to Jay, John Connor, Joseph, Greg, Dylan, Justin, Norbert, Andrea, Meredith, Sam and Michelle for assisting in the grand undertaking of rounding up interesting information about our community into the Pulse each month, and to Sarah for packaging it up. The Pulse team has compiled lots of holiday events and New Year’s Eve activities occuring in the area. Take a look. Thanks to Leslie, Don, Steve and each and every one of our sponsors, readers and supporters. Thanks to all of the area venues that host and promote art, music and community events. Thanks to our Creator—I admire your work! Part of me wants to insist that everyone buys tons of stuff from all of the Pulse sponsors, help strengthen the economy and participate in the ever-increasing rampant holiday consumerism. Another part of me wants to remind everyone that you are ﬁne with what you have, you lack nothing, and you can free yourself from your material desires and be more peaceful for it. Truly, though, the desire to support the small businesses in the area results from a sense of generosity, not greed. Most of the Pulse’s advertisers seem to be driven by good intentions; they are people who work very hard to provide a quality product or service and support their own families. Peruse the following pages and pay attention to the many sponsors. Once again, they make this publication possible. Murfreesboro is a great market to be in! Though rumors swirl about the Pulse publisher groping the art director in the workplace (on more than one occasion), I restate: I will not step down at this time! Have a great, refreshing end of 2017. It’s your last shot to achieve this year’s resolutions! Focus on the important relationships in your life. Do something nice, especially for those who live in your own house. Create. Cook. Consider starting that business. Volunteer. Don’t get sucked Into the negativity of others. Push yourself. Compliment someone. Take advantage of the parks. Keep it Smurfy! Peace, BRACKEN MAYO Publisher/Editor in Chief

Events BY ANDREA STOCKARD

THROUGH DEC. 17 A CHRISTMAS CAROL

The Murfreesboro Center for the Arts will stage A Christmas Carol on weekends this month through Dec. 17, as well as a special abbreviated version of the classic holiday production for school groups on weekdays. For more information, see page 30.

DEC. 9

George Downer as Ebenezer Scrooge and Andrew Hansen as Tiny Tim

PHOTO BY ASHLEIGH NEWNES

HOTCAKES AND HOLLY Santa and his elves make an entrance at the Rotary Club of Murfreesboro’s 15th Annual Hotcakes and Holly fundraising breakfast Saturday, Dec. 9, at Middle Tennessee Christian School (100 E MTCS Rd.) from 7–10:30 a.m. Tickets can be purchased through Rotary Club of Murfreesboro members or at the door. Enjoy entertainment from Johnny B and the Balladeers, Middle Tennessee Christian School choir and Center for the Arts actors as well as delicious pancakes, sausage, cinnamon rolls and orange juice. Some of the organizations supported are Southeastern Young Adult Book Conference, Read to Succeed and Tennessee Environmental Council. The Rotary organization promotes world peace, ﬁghting disease, saving mothers and children, supporting education and growing local economies. For more information, visit murfreesbororotary.com.

DEC. 10

DEC. 9 AND 10

The Murfreesboro Christmas Parade begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, at the intersection of East Main Street and Middle Tennessee Boulevard and continues down East Main around the square, onto West Main and ending on Walnut Street. To enter the Murfreesboro Christmas Parade, contact WGNS Radio at 615-893-5373. This year’s theme is “Peace on Earth.”

Southeast Baptist Church again hosts its annual Bethlehem Marketplace from 12–5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 and 10. Bethlehem Marketplace is an indoor walk-through of the streets of Bethlehem the day after Jesus was born. This event has live actors and animals to help enhance visitors’ experiences. The sawdust streets are navigable by most chariots (wheelchairs and strollers). This is Southeast’s 36th year presenting the Bethlehem Marketplace, a Christmas tradition for the entire family. The event is free to attend and a gift to the community from the Southeast Baptist Church members. Southeast Baptist Church is located at 708 Minerva Dr. For more information, ﬁnd Bethlehem Marketplace on Facebook.

MURFREESBORO CHRISTMAS PARADE

BETHLEHEM MARKETPLACE

DEC. 11 DEC. 16

SANTA AROUND THE WORLD Join Santa Around the World at the Stones River Mall Saturday (1720 Old Fort Pkwy.), Dec. 16, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. with a celebration of different cultures including activities, crafts and food samples from Cuba, Italy, India, South Korea and Poland. For more information, visit stonesrivermall.com. 4 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

PAWS AND CLAUS Paws and Claus offers photos with Santa at the Stones River Mall (dogs and cats only, and on leash) (1720 Old Fort Pkwy.) on Monday, Dec. 11, from 6–8 p.m. Bring a donation of pet food and receive a free print. For more information, visit stonesrivermall.com.

THROUGH DEC. 25 CHRISTMAS TREE SALE Throughout December, Boy Scout Troop 197 is selling live Frasier Fir Christmas Trees at Fellowship UMC (2511 New Salem Hwy.) and Haynes True Value Hardware (1807 Memorial Blvd.). For more information, contact 615-2074948 or trees@bsatroop197.com, or visit bsatroop197.com/trees.

CHRISTMAS CHARITY SOCIAL Join Endure Athletics for a wonderful evening to enrich the lives of homeless children and youth across the community throughout the Christmas season and the entire year on Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 6–9 p.m., at Oaklands Mansion (900 N Maney Ave.). For more information, ﬁnd Endure Athletics on Eventbrite.

DEC. 9

SPA-LIDAY

SENIOR WINTER DANCE

The Nuture Nook Day Spa (624 N. Walnut St.) invites everyone to feel the “holiday spirit” with box gifts, sample products, mini-treatments, chair massages, great food, drink and music at a special Dec. 7 Spa-liday celebration. The spa offers lots of free giveaways every hour from 11 a.m.–6 p.m., special deals on services, and sneak peaks of new collections. For more information, visit nurturenook.com or call 615-896-7110.

Enjoy the Winter Dance for ages 60-plus at the St. Clair Street Senior Center (325 St. Clair St.) Saturday, Dec. 9, from 6–9 p.m., with music by the Deb Bailes Trio. Admission is $5. For more information, call 615-848-2550.

Eat, shop and have a picture made with Santa at the 4-H Pancake Breakfast (8–11 a.m.) and Marketplace (8 a.m.–4 p.m.) Saturday, Dec. 9, at Lane AgriPark (315 John Rice Blvd.). The marketplace will include many local vendors. For more information, contact bdavenp4@utk.edu or 615-898-7710, or visit rutherford.tennessee.edu.

DEC. 9 TEEN SAFE DRIVING The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce offers a free class for teenage drivers at the Patterson Community Center (521 Mercury Blvd.) on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 2–3 p.m. Deputy Melvin Cunningham, who created a new video—“What Teen Drivers Need to Do When Stopped by Police”—says the video and the class are extremely important for young area drivers. For more information, call 615893-7439.

DEC. 11 WHAT SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE LAW Take this free two-hour opportunity to engage with business law attorneys on the questions that most affect small businesses, held at the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (3050 Medical Center Pkwy.) on Monday, Dec. 11, 5–7 p.m. Attorneys Mary Beth Hagan and Joshua A. Jenkins from Hagan Law Group present an interactive question and answer session on issues that frequently arise when starting or operating a business. For more information, contact kfox@tsbdc.org or 615-898-2745.

DEC. 11 AND 12

DEC. 7

4-H PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND MARKETPLACE

CARTER SMITH BOOK SIGNING Linebaugh Public Library hosts local author Carter Smith for a book signing on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. as Smith signs and sells copies of his book, Gangs and the Military: Gangsters, Bikers and Terrorists with Military Training. Smith, a special agent for the Army Criminal Investigations Division, examines the roles played by members of street gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs, and domestic extremists with military training and the crimes they committed in this detailed study. Smith has lived in the Middle Tennessee area since 1984. For more information, call 615-893-4131 or visit linebaugh.org.

DEC. 6

DEC. 9

if they like. For more information, contact 615-896-4343 or tcfmboro@gmail.com.

DEC. 9 FRONT STREET CHRISTMAS A collaboration between Carpe Artista and the Town of Smyrna Parks and Recreation Department feature two Christmas Markets on Saturday, Dec. 9. The Christmas Market kicks off at 2 p.m. and will be open through 8 p.m. This year features artisan vendors in the Carpe Artista Building (101 Front St.) and a direct sales market in the Assembly Hall Building (110 S. Front St.). Santa arrives

at 5 p.m. Enjoy ﬁre pits with s’mores and hot chocolate and cider. Horse drawn carriage rides will be available. For more information, ﬁnd Christmas Market in the Depot District on Facebook or contact vendors@carpeartista.com

DEC. 10 WORLDWIDE CANDLE LIGHTING Compassionate Friends is a nonproﬁt, peer-led grief support group for parents who have lost a child of any age, held the third Sunday of every month at Calvary Baptist Church (431 Dejarnete Ln.). A Worldwide Candle Lighting is a time of music, poetry and candle lighting at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (315 E. Main St.) at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, for anyone who has lost a loved one of any age (not just children). People are encouraged to bring a framed picture of their loved one

SPONSOR A SPECIAL KIDS FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS Special Kids Therapy and Nursing Center seeks sponsors for its Cornelius Christmas program to provide Christmas gifts for families in need. Families caring for children with special needs often face financial burdens and have difficulty affording gifts for the Christmas tree. For the past 17 years, the Special Kids Family Resources Department has identified the families in need and matched them with a community sponsor while keeping everything confidential. Sponsors range from individuals, families, employee groups, and Sunday school classes. Gifts should be ready for pickup by Dec. 11. Those interested can sign up at specialkidstn. com/cornelius-form or by contacting 615893-4892 or lbrown@specialkidstn.com.

DEC. 12 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

DEC. 9 FLYING HIGH CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR Country music artist Curtis Braly has teamed up with the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority, Contour Aviation, Briley Media Group, Kevin Barbaro Productions and other organizations at the Smyrna/Rutherford Regional Airport (278 Doug Warpoole Rd., Smyrna) for a Saturday, Dec. 9, benefit beginning at 6 p.m. Enjoy exhibits, an appearance from Santa himself, a dinner and live concert from Braly and other special guests. All proceeds benefit Christmas 4 Kids, a nonprofit organization that has given the joy of Christmas to thousands of Middle Tennessee children that might not otherwise experience it. Each December, local businesses, volunteers, celebrities, recording artists and their bus drivers set aside two days; efforts come together when the buses pick up over 400 children and bring them to a Christmas Party held in their honor with a Nashville Trolley carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus following. The parade stretches nearly five miles and features more than 70 tour buses and ends at Super Walmart in Hendersonville. Each child is met by his or her own chaperone, and they’re given $150 to buy anything they want. Plus, Christmas 4 Kids gives every child a new winter coat. For more information, visit curtisbraly.com/christmas4kids.

Visit BOROPULSE.COM/EVENTS for more community events

The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce presents Business After Hours, an informal business networking event, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 5–7 p.m. at the Saint Thomas Health Physicians Building – New Salem (2723 New Salem Rd.). Bring plenty of business cards. Admission is $5 for Chamber members and $15 for future members. No registration is required. For more information, visit rutherfordchamber.org.

DEC. 12 WOMEN’S SUPPORT GROUP Woman to Woman Discipleship Ministries is a faith-based nonproﬁt fellowship that reaches out to women who CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2017 * 5

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 feel hopeless, providing renewed hope through a Bible support group, speaking engagements, conferences and workshops, leadership courses, spiritual enrichment series and outreach activities (the second Tuesday of every month) 6:29–8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. For more information and the meeting location, call 615-278-8263.

DEC. 14 MURFREESBORO SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR The Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra presents its Christmas Spectacular concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at First United Methodist Church. The performance includes stunning musical arrangements of cherished Christmas carols and songs of the season, a Middle Tennessee tradition. Kelly Corcoran conducts the MSO, which will be joined by the Murfreesboro Symphony Chorus, directed by Charlene Parkinson. First United Methodist Church is located at 265 W. Thompson Ln. For tickets and more information, visit murfreesborosymphony.com.

DEC. 14 SNACK AND LEARN BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee hosts a series of Snack and Learn events at McFadden Community Center (211 Bridge Ave.) from 6–7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, to help consumers understand Marketplace health insurance options (the second Thursday of every month). Marketplace advocates provide an overview of the Health Insurance Marketplace, enrollment periods and the process to enroll for insurance on healthcare.gov including eligibility for ﬁnancial assistance and how to apply. Light refreshments are served. For more information, call 423-535-4358.

DEC. 15 ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT The Alzheimer’s Association Support Group meets at the St. Clair Street Senior Center (325 St. Clair St.) Friday, Dec. 15 (the second Friday of every month) from 11 a.m.–noon. It provides emotional, educational and social support for family caregivers of those diagnosed

DEC. 30 COUNTDOWN TO NOON The Discovery Center hosts a countdown to noon on Saturday, Dec. 30, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. to ring in 2018 with a big pajama party. Participants can kick off 2018 with fun New Years activities like karaoke, a Wii dance party, a resolution wall, art and tinkering projects and the iconic balloon drop at noon. The Discover Center is located at 502 SE Broad St. For more information, visit explorethedc.org.

with Alzheimer’s or dementia. For more information, call 615-848-2550 ext. 2506 or visit murfreesborotn.gov/seniorcenter.

DEC. 15 ALIVE HOSPICE LUNCH AND LEARN Join Alive Hospice (1629 Williams Dr.) for a Lunch and Learn on Friday, Dec. 15, (every 2nd Friday from 12–1 p.m.) with topics ranging from Alzheimer’s and dementia, hospice 101, grief and anxiety, and pet therapy. Lunch and parking are provided. For more information, contact kking@alivehospice.org or 615-346-8418, or ﬁnd Alive Hospice on Eventbrite.

DEC. 15 WHEN MAMA PRAYS AUDITIONS Auditions for the gospel play When Mama Prays will be Friday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. at Freedom of Worship Outreach Church (6700 John Bragg Hwy.). Showtimes are Feb 23 and 24, 2018 at 7 p.m. nightly. For more information, contact cyandronyancy@gmail.com.

DEC. 16 WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA Wreaths Across America lays wreaths at the Stones River National Battleﬁeld (3501 Old Nashville Hwy.) from noon–2 6 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, to remember the fallen, honor those serving and teach respect for those who serve in the military. For more information, call 615-267-3356.

DEC. 16 VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1089 Rutherford holds its monthly meeting at 9 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month in room A at the Patterson Park Community Center (521 Mercury Blvd.). For more information, visit vva.org or call 248-909-1697.

DEC. 16 RUTHERFORD COUNTY PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS The second free paranormal class at The Linebaugh Public Library Central Library (105 W. Vine St.), Saturday, Dec. 16, from 1–3 p.m., endeavors to prove the existence of ghosts and hauntings while assisting those coping with their unique paranormal experiences. The 18 available class spots are ﬁlling up fast. After the class, participate in an investigation. For more information, visit the Facebook page at Rutherford County Paranormal Investigations or email marandcin65@hotmail.com.

DEC. 29 NIGHTWATCH First Presbyterian Church of Murfreesboro hosts the annual Nightwatch event on Friday, Dec. 29, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Music City Swing will perform its energetic big-band music at 8 p.m. The event offers attendees a chance to renew, and encourages the people of Murfreesboro to enter the new year with renewed hearts and minds full of inspiration to change their lives, and the community, in a positive way in 2018. First Presbyterian is located at 210 N. Spring St. in downtown Murfreesboro.

DEC. 29 NOON YEAR’S EVE PARTY FOR SENIORS Enjoy the music of Larry Giles and the Cripple Creek Band at Noon Year’s Eve Party at the Patterson Park Community Center (521 Mercury Blvd.) Friday, Dec. 29, from 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. sponsored by Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation and Adoration Home Health and Hospice. Sign up by Dec. 28. For more information, call 615-848-2550.

JAN. 1 NEW YEAR’S DAY 5K Start the New Year off the healthy way with the Murfreesboro’s third annual New Year’s Day 5k at Barﬁeld Crescent Park on Monday, Jan. 1. The timed race begins at 11 a.m. All ﬁtness levels are welcome. For more information, call 615-893-2141. Register for the City of Murfreesboro New Year’s Day 5K at runsignup.com.

ONGOING TAI CHI Learn Tai Chi for beginners at the St. Clair Street Senior Center (325 St. Clair Street) Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2–3:15 p.m. For more information, call 615-848-2550.

SATURDAYS LOCAL HISTORY The Rutherford County Historical Society opens the Ransom School (717 N. Academy St.) to the public on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m.–noon. Stop by and visit the Rutherford County Historical Society for coffee and conversation each Saturday morning. Learn about adventures experienced by past locals. Bring your treasured family photos and historical treasures. For more information, visit rutherfordtnhistory.org BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2017 * 7

Sounds

Read more about local music at

BoroPulse.com/Category/Music

BLUEGRASS UNDERGROUND ANNOUNCES 8TH SEASON AT THE CAVERNS Bluegrass Underground, the Emmy-winning PBS concert series formerly filmed inside Cumberland Caverns near McMinnville, recently announced its forthcoming season at its new home near Pelham, Tennessee: the Caverns, located at the foot of Monteagle Mountain in Grundy County. On Saturday, March 24, the musical series will tape its first show at the new venue with a performance by Billy Strings and Sweet Lizzy Project. Unlike the previous seven seasons of Bluegrass Underground, the upcoming season will be filmed over three weekends in March, April and May. Among those performing are Nashvillebased newgrass artist Sam Bush, Brandi Carlile, Americana newcomer Aaron Lee Tasjan, Mary Gauthier, Flatt Lonesome, the

14 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

Turnpike Troubadours, theologian/musician Rev. Osagyefo Sekou and more. Several other artists are set to perform non-taped shows in the Caverns throughout 2018, such as the Del McCoury Band and Sierra Hull (April. 28), Mountain Heart (Aug. 11), Dailey AARON and Vincent (Nov. LEE 3) and Here Come TASJAN the Mummies, who will play a very ﬁtting Halloween show. Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at thecaverns.com.

MUSIC NOTES

 2018 BLUEGRASS UNDERGROUND PBS TAPINGS: MARCH 24: Billy Strings and Sweet Lizzy

Project MARCH 25: The Sam Bush Band and Aaron

Lee Tasjan APRIL 20: Brandi Carlile APRIL 21: Kathy Mattea and the Tim O’Brien

Bluegrass Band APR. 22: Lettuce and the Rev. Osagyefo Sekou MAY 19: Flatt Lonesome and Turnpike Troubadours MAY 20: Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper and Mary Gauthier  NON-TAPED EVENTS: APRIL 28: Del McCoury Band with Sierra Hull JUNE 8: Davina & the Vagabonds and Jason

BRANDI CARLILE

D. Williams JUNE 16: Keller Williams JULY 21: Scott Miller AUG. 11: Mountain Heart SEPT. 8: Bobby Bare, John Anderson and James Otto OCT. 31: Here Come the Mummies NOV. 3: Dailey & Vincent

Living BECOMING ST. NICK Local Santas have a most wonderful time. BY DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

e know the weeks leading up to Christmas are incredibly busy for Santa and Mrs. Claus—and that’s also true for all of Santa’s helpers around the world who don a big red suit and snow-white beard each holiday season. Even when it’s off season, thousands of St. Nicks gather at conventions across the country, including Discover Santa, an event that hosted more than 800 professional Mr. and Mrs. Clauses in Branson, Missouri, in 2016. There’s even a Santa convention in Gatlinburg—aptly titled Santa Family Reunion—that plans to return in March 2019 after 300 attendees gathered earlier this year. With Christmas Day approaching, local Santas are in the midst of the their busiest few weeks of the year. In between photo shoots and Christmas parties, the Pulse caught up with a couple folks who adopt a jolly alter-ego as Santa Claus. Springfield (Tennessee) resident Jay Swafford and Unionville native Mike McClain visit Murfreesboro, Smyrna and other nearby communities throughout the season for holiday photo sessions, private parties and public events. According to the Santas, they remain in high demand throughout December.

Murfreesboro Pulse: When did you decide to become a professional Santa and how did you get started? SWAFFORD: I told my wife long ago that when I retired I’d like to be a Santa. That was probably 15 years ago. I retired from a Nashville TV station a few years ago and began appearing as Santa at several local events. Each year I’m asked to appear at more and more events. What kind of preparations go into becoming Santa for the season? First, you have to have a Santa suit and then find all the accessories. Since I don’t like fake beards, I grow out my own natural beard a few months before the season. I’ve always had chin whiskers and a mustache, so a few months before Thanksgiving I begin to grow my beard out. At 63, the beard doesn’t need much touch up anymore. My wife actually makes Santa’s cheeks rosy, and I have a natural “bowl full of jelly” (no fake padding needed).

What is the best part of being Mr. Claus? I enjoy the Christmas season. When the kids see Santa, their faces light up with excitement. I always love that. Bringing joy to children is about the best feeling in the world. Do you have any favorite moments? A few years back, my wife brought our 3-year-old granddaughter to a local event to meet Santa. When she approached the stage, she loudly announced, “That’s Papa Jay!” My wife had to quickly quiet

16 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

her down and explain to her that her Papa Jay was one of Santa’s helpers. A classic moment! What type of events do you attend as Santa during the holiday season? I’ve provided Santa visits for nursing homes, business parties, photo shoots, Girl Scout parties, holiday brunches, private home visits, YMCA Christmas events and Belk’s Santa Fest. Murfreesboro Pulse: When did you decide to become a professional Santa and McCLAIN

SANTA PHOTOS AT STONES RIVER MALL 1720 Old Fort Pkwy. Daily through Christmas Eve

PAWS AND CLAUS AT STONES RIVER MALL 1720 Old Fort Pkwy. Monday, Dec. 4 and 11 from 6–8 p.m.

SNAPS WITH SANTA AT THE AVENUE

how did you get started? McCLAIN: I started as Santa five years ago as a Santa for Community High School’s special education department in Unionville, Tennessee.

2615 Medical Center Pkwy. Saturday, Dec. 9 at 12 p.m.

CHRISTMAS IN THE DEPOT DISTRICT

115 Front St., Smyrna Saturday, Dec. 9 from 2–8 p.m.

What kind of preparations go into becoming Santa for the season? I study questions asked by kids. Since I work around kids, getting in the Christmas spirit is not too hard. The costume preparations and details are important for the experience. What is the best part of being Mr. Claus? Seeing the look of excitement in the kids’ and adults’ eyes. You have to remember that it’s an experience for all people no matter the age. Do you have any favorite moments? My favorite memory is every time I go to our special education program at Community High School. Words can’t describe the experience.

PHOTOS WITH SANTA/ 4-H PANCAKE BREAKFAST & MARKETPLACE

Lane Agri-Park, 315 John R. Rice Blvd. Saturday, Dec. 9, breakfast from 8–11 a.m. and marketplace from 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

SANTA IN THE COURTHOUSE

Murfreesboro Public Square Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16 from 6–8 p.m. SWAFFORD PHOTO BY MARISSA FRENCH

SWAFFORD

SOME SANTA APPEARANCES IN DECEMBER

EAGLEVILLE 14TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE Main Street, Eagleville Saturday, Dec. 9 at 11 a.m.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY CHRISTMAS PARADE East Main Street, Murfreesboro Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Æ&#x2019;rom Hippie Hill

Stay tuned for bigger and better things from Hippie Hill in 2018!

FOR MORE INFO: 615-796-3697

EMAIL: HippieHillTN@gmail.com

Living

Ride the Rails at Thor’s Trains, Furniture and More

pening in May of 1986, Thor’s Furniture Store in Murfreesboro is a local gem that is perfect for antique lovers and train enthusiasts. Selling locally made rocking chairs, bookcases and more, as well as an extensive collection of model train sets, this is a one-stop shop for the holidays. Inside of this little shop, guests find themselves surrounded by the sounds of little engines running as the different trains travel around and around on their tracks. You can purchase everything you could need for your own miniature train station including trees and foliage, different cars, people and buildings to make your set unique. The array of furniture made in Middle Tennessee includes bookcases, nightstands, rocking chairs of all sizes and doll beds. You won’t find anything else like this shop around, 18 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

STORY BY MEREDITH G. WHITE | PHOTOS BY BRACKEN MAYO which is why you should make a point to visit and talk with owner Thor Rankin, who can tell you about anything you’d ever want to know about trains, furniture and Elvis Presley. MURFREESBORO PULSE: Where does the furniture come from? THOR RANKIN: All of our furniture is Middle Tennessee-made; most of our furniture comes from Murfreesboro, Tullahoma and Nashville. How did you decide you wanted to start your own business? I am a third-generation Tennessee merchant. My father and grandfather owned a clothing store and a sporting goods store in downtown Clarksville. All the old-time train stores are gone. Lionel has been in business since 1906. We sell the pre-war trains from

the 1920s and 1930s, and then we sell a lot of postwar trains from the 1950s. So, we are like a real train store, not a chain store. This is like a piece of Americana. It’s a part of history that’s leaving us. When you opened, did you see a need for something like this in the community or were you just hoping to ﬁnd people with an interest in them? When I was 12, I worked in an auction barn. I worked with them all through high school and got my auctioneer license under them. That taught me the furniture and antique market. Then to do a retail business to buy and sell, you had to do the new product; that’s how I started. I became a Lionel dealer in 1994. How do you become a Lionel dealer? You have to have a train layout, a business

license, a storefront where you are open every day, a picture of your display, a picture of your layout. Is there a speciﬁc layout that has to be done with the trains? No, you just have to demonstrate the product. How do you go about picking out the trains you want to bring in? We want to have a starter set for under $200. A good price point is about $125– $160. The number one seller is the Pennsylvania Keystone Steam. So, you want your starter sets that are affordable. Why do you think it’s the best seller? Price. We get a lot of people who don’t want to spend three or four hundred dollars to start off a child and see how they do. When you buy a set what all comes with it? It comes with a transformer that plugs into the wall and into the side of the track. It has an engine, gondola boxcar and caboose. You get a four-pack of track and

make the oval shape. You can get over a year’s use out of those little engines. Do you have any plans to expand in the future? If you do anything you want to go smaller. Going bigger would cost more money which would be less money in your pocket. Any place that pays the rent, lights and phone does pretty good business—that’s something my father taught me. What’s the furthest someone has traveled to come here and see you? We get a lot of people from all over. We’ve had people from Japan, Germany, Chile and Korea. A lot of these people will come through here visiting Nashville or MTSU. I advertise in Classic Toy Trains—that’s a magazine that goes around the world–and, of course, in the Pulse. You got to advertise. How do you do in sales this time of year? Good, real good. [With] our products—the trains and this furniture—we don’t have any competition. The rockers we sell year-round; they are one of the best-selling products we have. Some see this particular hobby as something that is “dying out.” What do you have to say about that? Everyone thinks it takes a lot of money and it actually doesn’t. We get a lot of mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, electricians, truck drivers. They love this hobby. [The model train sets] teach their children what they know. “So, come on down to Thor’s and ride the rails!” IF YOU GO:

Thor’s Furniture 416 Medical Center Pkwy. Suite F, Murfreesboro 615-895-6918 Monday–Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday: 1–4 p.m.

Living

lthough it is not a growing season, there are still things to do outside. Be sure your gardens are cleared out of undesirables for next year, then cover your gardens with leaves or mulch. Be sure that you do not putter in the garden while the soil is wet or you will succeed in creating clay sculptures that take a few seasons to deconstruct. Here we are at that time of year when many are obsessed with presents. So, in the spirit of the season, I have a few suggestions based on my own wish list.

Farmers Market Education Series BY EDWINA SHANNON

They do take up storage space.

WHEELBARROW

Let’s start with a wheelbarrel, or should we call it a wheelbarrow? The tool originally started as a wheelbarrow, hailing to Anglo-Saxon English and referencing “bearing” or carrying. (Aside: The users or speakers of a word can drive the meaning of its change in meaning. One of my foods for the thought is the TED Talk podcast that University of Michigan professor Anne Curzan presented on words. Back to the barrel.) In the last seven years, I have needed to replace my wheelbarrow twice. I am not rough on the tool, but it does spend the summer outside. Maybe as a result, the body has rusted and now has a hole. Whenever I flip the thing to remove the contents, the bar by the wheel moves against the wheel, ensuring manual rearranging to get the wheel to move again. Plus, it is now out of whack. I stand behind it and somehow it is skewed, completely out of alignment. Then there’s that tire that keeps going flat. I hate the thing now as its defects bother my eyes and limit its use. I shied away from the plastic-body model, as plastic could easily break. (I have been known to mix cement in my wheelbarrel.) Should I get two wheels so the offending bar does not clamp my wheel in place? As I write this, I realize that I have spent more on repair and maintenance for the two unsatisfactory ones than if I had bought a high-end one. A high-end wheelbarrel . . . the idea, I dare say, is not as silly as it sounds. Consider reading a few reviews and bequeathing someone with a long-term, easy-functioning wheelbarrel.

– An outdoor compost unit made out of pallets and chicken wire

Presents and Poinsettias those simple thoughts strung together, what a wonderful gift it would be if you sharpened someone’s cutting tools. Sure, you are not off spending money, so your gift can’t be measured in dollars. If it’s all about the dollars spent, this suggestion will not be appreciated. If it is about doing, giving, filling a void, then I suggest this action. Clean and sharpen someone’s tools. To me, that would be a beautiful gift. It would probably bring a happy tear because I know the work that would go into that gift. Gloves. So needed, yet so hard to find a good fit. If you are buying gloves, hold the person’s hand first. Assess the size of their hand. Some adults need to buy their gloves in the children’s department. On the same idea, consider a cream for the hands. Sure, our outdoor/feed stores have some great, practical choices and they may be perfect

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WINTER GARDEN PROJECTS

For those who are talented with wood and a saw, there are some great garden projects that will make your loved gardener very happy. Use how-to videos, online directions and books as resources for detailed instructions on making these items. Here are some on my wish list: – A folding bench. The one I like is made out of 1×4s and has a slatted seat. Rain just goes right through it.

GIFTS FOR THE GARDENER

Clippers are made to cut. Tools are not cheap. Maintenance is a priority. So from

as a gift. You may also want to consider products from the Gardener’s Collection of Crabtree & Evelyn. A nice, luxurious indulgence. A hat. Have you thought of a hat? Hats make such a statement. The gardening area is such an under-utilized area for a fashion statement. Should it be the cultured Southern gentleman look, a floppy beach hat or one that promotes a tourist stop? Can it be brimmed with flowers . . . should it be brimmed with flowers? Boxes. There can always be more garden boxes. If it is a raised bed for gardening or a box for container gardening, have you considered a box? Or several? If you don’t have the skill to make one, consider buying plastic ones and then painting designs on them. That is a great activity to do with children.

Handpainted garden markers

– Plant supports that are made out of wood and wire. The wire is pushed through holes drilled in the wood to keep it as a unit.

– A soil sifter with 2×8s and wire mesh – Birdfeeders can be elaborate or simple. Gourds, plastic bottles, chicken wire and wood give many style opportunities. – Birdhouses. Now, this is a jackpot for learning opportunities, too, as birds do not all live in the same type of house. – Then, of course, there is that “survivor” in all of us. A root cellar, solar dryer or smoker could be a winter project.

POINSETTIA LOVE

Another part of the holiday season is our society’s love of the poinsettia. Originally from Mexico and used by the natives for a redpurplish dye, the flower is now a staple in holiday decorating. The Plant & Soil Science Club at MTSU under the direction of Dr. Nate Phillips is holding its Poinsettia Sale on Friday, Dec. 8, from noon to 5:30 p.m. at the Horticulture Center on the MTSU campus. A 6-inch pot with a single plant is $5. A triple plant in a 6.5-inch pot is $6. Poinsettias with tightly clustered yellow flowers in the center and crisp, bright undamaged foliage are the best choices. Water the poinsettias when dry and do not allow them to sit in water. The plant is happiest in a room with bright, natural light for 6 hours each day. Try to have direct sun shine on the leaves for at least one hour each day. Avoid TV set perches, drafts, appliances and radiators. They last four to six weeks before the bracts (leaves) start to fall off. Wishing all Pulse readers, but especially my fellow gardeners, a very satisfying holiday season. May it be filled with smiles, hugs, laughter and memory-creating moments.

Holiday Shop Local Gift Guide & Giveaway Remember to keep it local this holiday season as you are doing your Christmas shopping. Here, find some gift suggestions from Murfreesboro area retailers and organizations for those on your list; and for a chance to win items or gift cards from each location or merchant mentioned here, visit boropulse.com/win to enter.

KEEPING IT BEARD Murfreesboro-based beard care product line Up to Beaver can be a stocking stuffer source for the man with a beard in your life. Order Up to Beaver’s all-natural men’s grooming and lifestyle products at uptobeaver.com, or enter to win a Curly Wolf beard care collection—complete with beard oil, grooming wax and beard wash with with aromas of patchouli, black pepper, lavender and blood orange—at boropulse.com/win. A CHRISTMAS MOVIE A trip to the movies can be a magical escape in the winter, or any time of year. Malco’s Smyrna Cinema offers lots of ﬁrst-run movie fun and a coffee bar, plus they offer gift cards as a holiday treat for the movie lover.

FOR THE MUSIC FAN Century 21 carries lots of music on vinyl, CD and cassette, along with turntables, incense, vaporizers, wall hangings, locally made tie-dye, Zippos and all sorts of fun treasures. The store, just off Main Street near MTSU, now stocks Gypsy Rose clothing and Green Tree jewelry, and receives new vinyl every week. Shop there on Tuesdays for 10 percent off music, and on Thursdays for 10 percent off glass. RESTORING BALANCE Balance Anew offers a variety of health services, including massage, energy work, neuromuscular therapy, reﬂexology and oncology massage. Treat a loved one to a little time for themselves, and help them restore balance in their life. Balance Anew also offers ionic foot detox services, a technique that draws toxins from various bodily organs into water. Enter to win a gift certiﬁcate for a one-hour massage, or a ionic foot detox, at boropulse.com/win. 24 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

NATURALLY CLEAN Alchemy of Sol produces its all-natural soap right here in Middle Tennessee using organic essential oils and natural herbs and grains; “No Synthetic Anything.” Step up to the goodness and richness of what handcrafted soap is all about, from lemonlyptus to tea tree, and place a few bars of their fantastic blends in someone’s stocking. Their skin will thank you. Purchase their products at alchemyofsol. com, or ﬁnd them at the Nashville Flea Market.

SAM’S BUCKS Football season is in prime time, with basketball and hockey just underway, and it’s cold. Plus, you know you don’t want to cook before the big game. So . . . since Sam’s Sports Grill (adjacent to Stones River Mall) has big screens all over the place and a great selection and quality of food and drink, stop in some time, catch a game or happy hour and leave the cooking up to them.

Holiday Shop Local Gift Guide & Giveaway Visit BoroPulse.com/Win to enter to win!

FOOD TO FLIP FOR Give the carnivore in your life a gift card that delivers pulled pork, beef brisket, wings, shrimp, catﬁsh and more. Oh yeah, it’s not all about the meats at Nobody’s—the sports bar and grill dishes out some great desserts, too.

TOYS UNDER THE TREE Thor is a train man, and everyone should stop into his one-of-a-kind shop, located at 416 Medical Center Pkwy. You might just leave with a beautiful model train to travel around your Christmas tree. In addition to Lionel and other fun train-related products, Thor’s Tennessee Furniture & Lionel Trains also features lots of handmade furniture—shelves, bookcases, porch rockers and more. Enter to win a hand-crafted wooden doll bed and shelf from Thor's at boropulse.com/win.

RELAX & UNWIND Most anyone would appreciate a massage, facial, or pedicure, and a gift card to the Nurture Nook Day Spa & Gift Shoppe would make a great stocking stuffer. In addition to spa services, the boutique offers candles, bathrobes, essential oils and other items to help people ﬁnd their “Ahh . . . ” Visit boropulse.com/win to enter to win a $100 gift card to spend at Nurture Nook.

MERRY MACARONS Downtown Murfreesboro’s Simply Pure Sweets has become a popular hangout for breakfast, lunch, coffee, sweets or a meeting. Whether you’re in the mood for cookies, sticky buns, a Thai chicken salad, butternut squash quinoa or a biscuit stuffed with cheese and sausage, Chantell and the Simply Pure crew have it, along with, of course, the establishment’s already legendary macarons, a light and ﬂuffy meringue-like treat that will melt in your mouth in a sugary, pillowy burst of amazing. Simply Pure comes up with all sorts of delectable macaron ﬂavors. Enter to win a box of a dozen macarons from Simply Pure Sweets at boropulse.com/win.

SMOKED MEAT Another popular Murfreesboro barbecue establishment, located just across from the MTSU campus, Slick Pig offers smoked wings, ribs, pulled pork, chopped chicken, beef brisket and all the ﬁxins. The longtime Main Street restaurant expanded recently, so let the smoke wafting through the air lure you into this local institution sometime soon. 26 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

HOLIDAY SPARKLES Whether the good folks on your Christmas list desire a video gaming system, a grill, a diamond, shoes or a shirt, Stones River Mall has it all. Santa will be in the house this month, so there will be plenty of festive Christmas cheer at the mall. Jewel Rush offers a plethora of rings, necklaces, Citizen watches, charms, money clips, cufﬂinks and custom pieces, as well as jewelry repair. Enter to win a pair of amethyst, diamond and sterling silver earrings, courtesy of Jewel Rush, at boropulse.com/win.

CLIMB YOUR ROCK Rock climbers of all experience levels can find a challenging workout at The Ascent, Murfreesboro’s indoor climbing facility. Get fit and have fun while climbing high. No matter the weather outside, the climbing’s always great inside The Ascent, located on Park Avenue, offering walls and boulder routes of various difficulties, and even some auto-belay machines, for training solo. Visit boropulse.com/win for a chance to win a one-month family membership from The Ascent, which includes gear rental and unlimited climbing, as well as access to other fitness opportunities, within the Ascent building, and elsewhere around Murfreesboro. Visit boropulse. com/win to enter.

Art

 EVENT

Clockwise from below left: “Voids” by Jamie Whitlow, at Earth Experience; “Creation Day” by Diane Marsella at L&L Contractors; Necklace by Graham Gordon on display at The Write Impression; Brass hand cut cuff by Royce Vaughn at Veda’s Flowers & Gifts

DECEMBER BORO ART CRAWL OFFERS LOTS OF CHRISTMAS GIFT OPTIONS MAKE SURE YOUR HOLIDAY GIFTS THIS year are as unique as those who receive them, and consider one-of-a-kind pieces by local and regional artists. Works by more than 40 artists will be on display during the Friday, Dec. 8, Boro Art Crawl from 6 to 9 p.m. Boro Art Crawl takes place in and around the historic Murfreesboro Public Square, but make sure to venture away from the central square, however, as there are many wonderful businesses with great art and gifts just a few blocks away. Venues include: The Boutique at Studio C Photography, Center for the Arts, Murfreesboro City Hall Rotunda, Jimmy Fox Farmer’s Insurance, L & L Contractors, Vibe Nutrition, Two Tone Gallery, Mayday Brewery, Moxie Art Supply and Gallery, Dreamingincolor, Sugaree’s, Funtiques, Let’s Make Wine, Reed & Embry, Simply Pure Sweets, Earth Experience and The Write Impression. Simple wood earrings and necklaces from Graham Gordon will be available at The

Write Impression. Gordon began his self-described “side hustle” after making some jewelry for his sister and receiving many compliments for his work. “Some of the wood I use comes from trees that have fallen down on our family farm or my grandparents’ farm. The other more exotic wood is scavenged from scrap bins at a local woodworking store,” said Gordon, who does offer custom work. Boutique at Studio C will show beautiful photos of places around the world from Felicia Demos. Her picture subjects are as expansive as the world that she travels. Iska Frosh comes from an artistically inclined family and is currently studying psychology at Middle Tennessee State University. Her art merges her two interests. “Traditionally, the psychological depiction in artwork comes from the artist’s cognitive state during the art-making process, and the viewer interprets the mental and emotional voice of the artist. However, in my work the emotional experience is skewed; the art does not depict my cognitive state but instead challenges the viewer’s own mental and emotional preconceived notions,” Frosh said. These are just a few of the artists who will be featured during the crawl this month. Others include Royce Vaughn, Elyjah Jenkins, Lynn Anthony, James Threalkill, Amber Langford, Fredrick Jones, Larry Kinney, Reba Hinkle, Jacob Yandle, Steven Handle, Karlie Tankersley, Dorothy Stevens, Theodore Stanley, Becky Dickovitch, Hannah McMurry, Hands Up High, Meghan Kregher, Nancy Olson, Noah Hunt, Jamie Whitlow, Susan Denton, David Collier, Phillip Wagner, Katie Struk, Kay Meadows, Sydney Ray, Ron DePew, Kody Hale, Diane Marsella, Michael Cleaves, Amanda Crawford Brown, Hoguer Ramirez, Rebeka Robson, Steven Gavel, Robin Caddel, Emily Alexander, Fiona Dowd, Thaddeaus Tekell, Nichole Zelenak and Beth Moore. For more information about the Boro Art Crawl, visit boroartcrawl.com or facebook. com/boroartcrawl.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL RINGS IN THE HOLIDAYS AT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

 THEATER

George Downer as Ebenezer Scrooge and Andrew Hansen as Tiny Tim

YOUNG DANCERS FROM MURFREESBORO TO PERFORM IN NASHVILLE BALLET’S NUTCRACKER Nashville Ballet has selected 15 dancers from Murfreesboro to perform in the youth cast for Nashville’s Nutcracker: Celebrating 10 Years!, running Dec. 2 through 23 at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. This year’s youth cast marks the organization’s largest to date, with 296 dancers from School of Nashville Ballet and the community at large performing alongside Nashville Ballet and the Nashville Symphony in the local holiday favorite. Nashville’s Nutcracker will feature the following young dancers from Murfreesboro: Lydia Rose Burks and Vivian White as frontier soldiers; Samantha Everett, Maddy Dare Grubb and Amelia Laney as garden fairies; Gabriel Holt as an infantry soldier; Ysabella Holt as a lamb; Emma Sharpe and Heidi Smith as mice; Grace Laney and Arabella Smart as cavalry members; Madilyn Rigsby 30 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

as a Russian nesting doll; Jaidyn Smart and Kaylee Schmidt as bon bons; and Emma Thornhill as a dancing bear cavalry member. This year’s Nashville’s Nutcracker youth cast members will perform alongside all 54 members of Nashville Ballet’s professional dance company and second company along with 60 members of the awardwinning Nashville Symphony performing Tchaikovsky’s celebrated score.

PHOTOS BY ASHLEIGH NEWNES

Art

The inspiring holiday masterpiece A Christmas Carol ends The Center for the Arts’ 2017 season, with performances continuing through Dec. 17. Unlike the musical version of A Christmas Carol, this production relies more on the nostalgia of Dickens’ classic version, which is a Christmas ghost story. Renee Robinson, winner of the center’s Nelda Pope Award for her work directing The Color Purple in 2012, said the show’s staging will stay true to the author’s original intent, 1840s London. The story is the same; the miser Ebenezer Scrooge, played by George Downer, is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence. Scrooge must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption. Audiences will feel like they are being swept through this Christmas ghost story along with Scrooge. “I’m not the Ghost of Christmas Future,” said Robinson, who also staged The Center’s hit holiday show It’s a Wonderful Life in 2012. “But, based on box ofﬁce reports, I can predict this show will have a good run.” The Center will also present an abbreviated version of A Christmas Carol, directed by Vickie Bailey, Mondays through Fridays, Nov. 30–Dec. 15 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. each day for school groups. For information or reservations for school performances, call 615-904-2787 or email anna@boroarts.org for pricing and availability. Main stage performance times include 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16, and 2 p.m. on Dec. 3, 10 and 17. For more information, visit boroarts.org.

“We’ve had more than 1,000 young dancers in the Nashville’s Nutcracker youth cast since the production’s debut 10 years ago,” Nashville Ballet artistic director & CEO Paul Vasterling said. “The size of the youth cast has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, so this year we’re debuting a brand-new role, the dancing bear cavalry, which allows us to welcome even more young dancers on stage.”

Nashville Ballet is celebrating 10 years of Nashville’s Nutcracker with more all-new elements—including snow falling on the audience during the iconic snow scene. Nashville Ballet premiered The Nutcracker in 1989, but the production was reinvented as Nashville’s Nutcracker in 2008 with a unique concept incorporating Nashville’s vibrant past along with new choreography, sets, costumes and onstage magic tricks. Since then, Vasterling’s original spin on the classic has cemented its place as one of Music City’s most beloved holiday traditions. Beginning at the 1897 Centennial Exposition in Nashville, Clara and her Uncle Drosselmeyer meet a colorful cast of characters. When Uncle Drosselmeyer gifts Clara with a wooden nutcracker on Christmas Eve, the toy magically comes to life and leads her through a remarkable adventure. Clara visits everyone from the Snow Queen to the Sugar Plum Fairy, including the characters she met at the Exposition. When Clara returns home, the audience is left to decide if it was all just a dream—or not. For tickets and more information on Nashville’s Nutcracker, call (615) 7824040 or visit nashvilleballet.com.

 POETRY

Local Poet Allison Boyd Justus Documents a Year of Sunrises in New Collection BY KORY WELLS IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR meaningful connection in the hubbub of the holiday season, consider a local poetry reading. If you’re looking for a unique and artistic gift, consider a book by a local poet. Here’s a brief guide to recent books published by several Murfreesboro poets, along with a couple of upcoming events. Every Room in the Body by Kerri French (kerrifrench.com) is about a high-risk pregnancy, which means it is also about relationships, home, the body, medicine, fear, hope and waiting; available from the University of Arkansas Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other retailers. Glass Harvest by Amie Whittemore (amiewhittemore.com) examines familial and romantic relationships, sensual desire, and the past, present and future, all interwoven with a deep appreciation of nature; available from publisher Autumn House Press and Amazon. Skin Splitting by Bryanna Licciardi (bryannalicciardi.com) is a dark but witty collection driven by obsessions—with serial killers, American culture, body image and more; available from publisher Finishing Line Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. As we fast approach winter solstice and the new year, perhaps one of the best thematic matches for the season is Solstice to Solstice to Solstice by Allison Boyd Justus (allisonboydjustus.com), published this year by Alternating Current Press and also available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Justus, a Murfreesboro resident and Rutherford County Schools teacher, chronicles 366 consecutive days of sunrises beginning on winter solstice. A reader can enjoy these daily missives as poems, devotions, miniature science lessons or instructions for paying better attention to the world. Justus will be reading from her work at Poet’s Corner, a free event at Nashville’s Scarritt Bennett Center, on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. Here in Murfreesboro, Poetry in the Boro will be held Sunday evening, Dec. 10, at Austin Audio Visual Design, 707 W. Main St. Open mic signups start at 6:30 p.m. Featured readers Stephanie Dugger

and Nathan Spoon will read at 7 p.m. Both of these poets have new books which will be available for sale. An hour of open mic follows a brief reception and book signing time. Full details are on Facebook.

Some of the poetry from Solstice

to Solstice to Solstice

BY ALLISON BOYD JUSTUS SUNRISE 1 6:49 a.m. Dec. 21 The clock’s struck winter, and the marble’s at the bottom of the bowl. I rise while it is yet night. Earth’s ice-stark and bare and a thick secret blue, save for that fiery pink rim. If the horizon is a rim, half the planet’s inverted, this hemisphere concave like a bowl. The other side is concave, too; its bowl is full of summer. The first strong ray arrives (shoulders back, chin high) and pins itself onto the mountain. SUNRISE 2 6:49 a.m. Dec. 22 The solstice falls at the end of the fall—rock bottom. Winter begins small, crushed, kept in a tight fist, and expands unto the equinox. This morning a purple cloud, low, horizontal, and rooﬂike, hovers just above the far trees. I like to sit with possibilities. They gather ’round and gaze up at me, angel-eyed, expectant. I count the cups and saucers, and we all have tea.

One Book Picks Ready Player One as its 2018 Selection THE 2018 ONE BOOK OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY SELECTION will transport readers back to the future, the selection committee announced. One Book of Rutherford County has chosen Ready Player One by Ernest Cline for its 2018 selection. This science fiction novel follows the adventures of a young man in a dystopian 2044. But don’t be fooled by the futuristic setting, the plot of the book revolves around pop culture from the 1980s. “It’s like Stranger Things, but with a happier ending,” said Michelle Willard, cochairperson of the One Book selection committee. The story, set in a future wrecked by an energy crisis, follows protagonist Wade Watts on his search for an Easter egg in a 1980sthemed virtual reality game, the discovery of which will lead him to inherit a fortune. “The fast-paced novel is certainly a page-turner that will appeal to all members of the family and will make a great Christmas present,” Willard said. A New York Times bestseller, Ready Player One has also been turned into a major motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg, slated for release in March, 2018. “This is your chance to read the book and before you see the movie,” said Butler Touchton, One Book Selection Committee co-chairperson. Stay tuned for special events surrounding this year’s selection, he said. After the beginning of the year, copies of the One Book will be distributed around the county at “Book Crossing” locations, which are marked by one of the 32 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

Read to Succeed red boxes. Found in local businesses and libraries, books can be borrowed for free. In each book, a sticker on the inside cover will contain information about how to log on to the One Book web page and share comments about the book after you’ve read it and get registered in a prize drawing. You can pass the copy along to a friend, bring it back to the location where you found it or drop it at any of the other locations. More details about locations will be announced in the new year. Each year, Read to Succeed joins with Linebaugh Library and various other community partners to ask adults in Rutherford County to all read the same book. Over the years, the program promoted nonfiction, literary fiction and popular young adult choices. Previous One Book selections include: The Great Santini by Pat Conroy in 2008; Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver in 2009; The Soloist by Mark Salzman in 2010; Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson in 2011; The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins in 2012; The Fault in Our Stars by John Green in 2013; The Last Policeman by Ben Winters in 2014; The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion in 2015; Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan in 2016; and Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon in 2017. Read to Succeed is a community partnership created to promote reading in Rutherford County, with an emphasis on family literacy. For more information, visit readtosucceed.org.

MOVIES

DECEMBER RELEASES PLAYING THIS MONTH

DEC.8  I, Tonya

DEC. 15  Star Wars: The Last Jedi Ferdinand Gotti

DEC. 20  The Greatest Showman Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

DEC. 22 All the Money in the World Father Figures Pitch Perfect 3 The Post

DEC. 25  Phantom Thread

Movies

cameo at some point, since this film is based around her own personal experiences. The biggest things Lady Bird hits out of the park to create intimacy are the production design and cinematography. So many of the scenes in this film take place in small and quiet locations—a thrift store, a car, a kitchen. And when they happen, they’re shot so much better than Justice League could even dream of! If you’re trying to have an intimate moment, close-ups are the key. This film allows the actors playing these characters to show

their emotions so well because, you know, we are looking at the actors and there’s nothing else on screen besides them to distract us. Justice League director Zack Snyder just can’t help himself. Whenever there’s an attempt at an intimate moment in that film, they are always filmed with these grand wide shots with a bunch of excess crap in the frame. About the most “action-packed” shots we have in Lady Bird are of simple things, like the countryside in the background or having the characters looking at various pieces of clothing while they bicker. And it’s quiet! This film, when it’s trying to convey emotions, understands the power of silence, no unnecessary “white noise” score underneath. Lady Bird is also funny. Like, I was laughing hysterically more times than I could count. About the only issue I had with this film was its short run time; there were some deep themes that were hastily investigated in Lady Bird, particularly with one of the love interests. Something major is brought up with a love interest, but it is then quickly dropped because there’s only so much you can do in 94 minutes. But that’s about the only misstep in this film. It is amazing, and well worth a watch. — JOSEPH KATHMANN

during the dark age of flip phones and box televisions, the topical issues of institutionalized racism, bigotry and misogyny often bubble to the surface as if it were the dark age of Twitter and flat screens. Thankfully, the film refuses to devolve into being solely about the issues (2004’s Crash, anyone?). While flirting with those macro themes, the film ultimately succeeds through a devotion to its characters and the strength of the actors portraying them. Frances

McDormand is steadfast in her resolve, channeling Rosie the Riveter in what could be considered cosplay, and has more than a few empowering moments of shutting down her detractors through a combination of wit and vulgarity. The subject of her ire, Chief Willoughby, is given the good-guy treatment by Woody Harrelson, who lends the chief a relatable quality as a family man just trying to do what’s right. His foil is Officer Dixon, a poor drunk and comic book fan who lives with his mother, compensating for a lack of power in his life by exerting it on others. Nearly more caricature than character, Sam Rockwell portrays Dixon as simultaneously repugnant and relatable. The effects of the murder and Mildred’s billboards ultimately expose the grief, darkness and compassion in all three. With small, yet fitting performances from John Hawkes and Peter Dinklage, Three Billboards is interesting and enjoyable, and toes the line between global and personal, between comedy and drama, softening their collision with a large, messy helping of humanity. — JAY SPIGHT

LADY BIRD DIRECTOR Greta Gerwig STARRING Saoirse Ronan,

Laurie Metcalf, Lucas Hedges, Tracy Letts RATED R

Ah! You see this, Zack Snyder/Warner Bros.? This is how you do an intimate film! Lady Bird is amazing. Writer/director Greta Gerwig makes her (solo) directorial debut here with Lady Bird, a film loosely based on her own experiences growing up. It is a simple, yet wonderful premise: a young woman trying to make it through her senior year in northern California. That’s it! At the center of this film is the relationship between Lady Bird and her mother. Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson is played brilliantly by the great Saoirse Ronan (in the best performance of the year I’ve seen so far), and her mom is played by Laurie Metcalf. Their chemistry and their dynamic is spectacular. One minute they’re best friends, the next they’re yelling at each other

at full volume in a public place, and the next they’re best friends again. Ronan’s grounded and subdued performance is as good as her role in Brooklyn. Here, Ronan is a gritty, down-to-earth and slightly nerdy high school senior who insists on being called Lady Bird. She and Metcalf carry this film. Outside of these two, there’s a strong supporting cast as well, with father figure Tracy Letts and love interests Lucas Hedges and Timothee Chalamet leading the way. I only wish that Gerwig herself made a

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI DIRECTOR Martin McDonagh STARRING Frances McDormand,

Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell RATED R

The writer and director of the cumbersomely titled Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Martin McDonagh, has directed just two other features, both of which can be summarily categorized as cult crime comedies (In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths). Three Billboards sees McDonagh shift focus from the mishaps of criminals to the rippling effects of a single crime, specifically on the colorful characters living in small-town Missouri. The three billboards of the title are rented by Mildred Hayes (McDormand) to call out the Ebbing Police Department for not yet

solving, and seemingly no longer trying to solve, her daughter’s murder. Despite the remoteness of these billboards, Mildred’s bold move stirs up a lot of controversy, affecting the life of the man she calls out by name, Chief Willoughby (Harrelson), then the hateful Officer Dixon (Rockwell), and spreading throughout town to the dentist, the clergy, the local news and back around to those closest to Mildred. Though apparently Three Billboards takes place sometime

A CLASSIC

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OUTSTANDING

AVERAGE

BELOW AVERAGE

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD

LIVING ROOM CINEMA column by NORBERT THIEMANN

facebook.com/livingroomcinema

Spiritual Matters Some believe that the most meaningful aspect of spirituality lies within its actual quest, and that the journey should be guided by tireless questions aimed toward faith and equivocal assertions.

 Silence (2016) is directed by Martin Scorsese. Set in the 17th century, two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to Japan in search of their troubled mentor. They ﬁnd resistance and complications arising from the church’s mandate to have missionaries there. Silence is epic in scope, and Scorsese allows for thoughtful contemplation of faith in faith.  Through a Glass Darkly (1961) is directed by Ingmar Bergman. A young woman has just returned from a stay at the mental hospital to vacation with her family. She must sort through reality, sickness and faith within the conﬁnes of her family’s unique dynamics. Bergman is often at his best when delving into the matters of faith and spirituality.  Marina Abramovic in Brazil: The Space in Between (2016) is a documentary directed by Marco Del Fiol. Artist Marina Abramovic’s quest for healing guides her toward inspiration and creativity. She’s able to transform the matters of spirit into a tangible artistic experience.

Food

Read more about local restaurants at

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The Boulevard

IN A COLLEGE TOWN, two things seem to unite the local and college crowds: food and sports. The Boulevard Bar and Grill, located on the corner of East Main and Middle Tennessee across from MTSU, is a great spot for both. The Boulevard, which marked seven years in business this fall, pairs a welcoming atmosphere with food and drink specials throughout the week. And just like any great sports bar, your favorite team will likely be playing on one of the several TVs hanging throughout the building. Being an upscale sports bar, The Boulevard takes standard bar fare and gives it a nice twist. So instead of the typical option of a hamburger or cheeseburger, the Boulevard kicks it up a notch and offers 15 specialty burgers with any kind of topping you can think of. They offer the same variety with sandwiches, salads and appetizers, with the fare ranging from calzones and pizzas to tacos and quesadillas. The large selection of entrées and appetizers makes the bar a nice place to meet up with friends without having to narrow down restaurant choices based on food cravings or dietary needs. And while there’s no shortage of fried, meat-focused dishes, there are also vegetarian and gluten-free options scattered throughout the menu. Although the Boulevard isn’t always the most budget-friendly option if you want to make it out for under $20 a person (entrée, drink and tip included), the restaurant’s daily specials will help ease the bill. The best deal is on Monday from 5 to 10 p.m. when most meals are half price (south of the border, 36 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

sandwiches, healthy eats, pizzas and burgers). Various appetizers are $5–7 from 3 to 5 p.m. every day, while two-for-one draft beers, domestic bottles and well drinks are offered from 3 to 6 p.m. The beer selection, served on tap and in bottles, offers something for everyone with more than 50 kinds to choose from. The Boulevard also has a full bar for those interested in sipping on a glass of wine or a specialty cocktail during their meal. Despite its obvious sports bar aesthetic, the Boulevard pulls it off without the kind of tacky sports memorabilia that plagues the walls at similar restaurants. Even so, there is just enough local flair and school spirit to make you feel right at home on game day. Even with several games on each night, it’s easy to ignore the flashing TVs overhead if you’re looking for a place to chat with friends or unwind after a long day of work or classes. This is especially true during lunch hours

Neighborhood gathering spot near MTSU boasts burgers, salads, pizzas, tacos, calzones and more. STORY BY DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

before you go: and the summer, when most of the college Happy Hour is offered Monday through crowd is either on campus or back home for a Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. couple months. The Boulevard is As one Yelp reviewer family-friendly and offers excellently points out, a kids menu for those “You know those sitcoms under 12. that are set in a cute little NAME Half-price pizza is suburban town where Boulevard Bar and Grill available on Sunday everyone goes to eat and LOCATION nights. The 12-inch pizza drink at a neighborhood 2154 Middle is enough for two people, bar? That is what the BouTennessee Blvd. with some left over. levard is like, except with HOURS While I’ve never had to MTSU students.” Sunday–Thursday: 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Friday– wait for a table, seats beSo if you’re looking to Saturday: 11 a.m.–12 a.m. gin filling up after 6 p.m. establish a new weekly PRICES during the week, especialhangout spot with friends Specialty salads: $10–12; ly on Monday nights and or just looking for a place Sandwiches (BLT, pulled important game days. to catch the Preds game, pork, tilapia): $9–11; The Boulevard allows the Boulevard is one of Tacos and quesadillas: $10–12; 12-inch pizza: pets on the patio during Murfreesboro’s top con$15; Burgers: $9–12 certain hours throughout tenders. ONLINE the summer. A few things to know

THE DISH

boulevardmurfreesboro .com

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AROUND TOWN ’BORO BUSINESS BUZZ

the popular Waco, Texas-based home store. The store also offers Southern Sunday Coffee, a new local coffee provider. This marks the first retail location for Southern Sunday Coffee, which also offers delivery in the Murfreesboro area. For more information, visit facebook.com/southernsundaycoffee. SOME NEW EATS If you’re into hamburgers, you will soon have a new hot spot at BURGERIM. Tentatively set to open in December or January, Burgerim is being built at 2306 Medical Center Pkwy., next to Volunteer State Bank. Burgerim differentiates itself from the other burger joints in town by letting diners

Outdoor Ice Rink, Xiao’s, Burgerim, Soda Bar, Southern Sunday Coffee and More ’Boro Business News BY MICHELLE WILLARD WINTER IS COMING . . . TO FOUNTAINS AT THE GATEWAY The weather outside might not be frightful, but the new outdoor ice skating rink at FOUNTAINS AT GATEWAY is certainly delightful. The new rink is the first of its kind in Murfreesboro and will be the site of Winterfest, a series of all-ages events such as themed skate nights, movie nights on the rink, Christmas caroling and pictures with Santa. The Tennessee Valley Winds Brass Quintet will perform at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16. Lights and holiday decorations will adorn the central plaza to create a magical experience during the holiday season. Winterfest continues through Jan. 5. For more information, times and other special events, visit fountainswinterfest.com. Fountains at the Gateway also recently saw the grand opening of a new dessert shop, THE SODA BAR. 38 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

The Soda Bar serves 16 flavors of specialty ice creams and 12 craft sodas on tap–which can be paired with ice cream to create delectable floats—as well as Hawaiian shaved ice and signature takeout treats such as edible cookie dough. During the colder months, The Soda Bar will also serve a variety of hot chocolate drinks, coffees and mochachinos. The signature concepts were created by Hearthstone Properties. Consultants Karen Ford and Danielle Worrell, previous owners of Goodness Gracious at Readyville Mill and The Front Porch Café, worked with Hearthstone to hone the concept and establish operations for The Soda Bar. If you need something salty after a sweet treat at The Soda Bar, the DOG HAUS,

which is going into the old Sal Y Limon restaurant on Broad Street, has set an early December opening. A California-based concept, Dog Haus is a craft casual hot dog concept known for its gourmet takes on hot dogs, sausages and burgers; premium shakes and soft-serve ice cream; and beer program that spotlights local brews. Fountains at The Gateway has added HOMEGROWN MARKETPLACE, which offers a wide range of home decor as well as stationery, gift and specialty food items. Many of the products are produced by Tennessee artisans. Customers who discovered the store before its official opening frequently described it as a “mini Magnolia,” a nod to

design their own burgers. With three buns, six sauces, 11 patties and nine toppings, there are hundreds of potential combinations and flavor profiles for the eatery’s miniature burgers. Medical Center Parkway will also gain a new pizza place when BOOMBOZZ CRAFT PIZZA & TAPHOUSE opens in 2018. The new construction near CHICKEN SALAD CHICK is set to open at the end of October or early November 2018. The Louisville-based concept is a family-friendly sports venue with 20 televisions and great sports events. If Asian food is more your cup of tea, you may have to travel for KOJI EXPRESS JAPANESE GRILL. The Memorial Boulevard location closed in November for renovations, but if you miss the stir fry, you can satisfy your Koji craving at its other Murfreesboro location, at 3284 Franklin Rd. North Murfreesboro isn’t going to be left without its Asian fix; XIAO’S HIBACHI & SUSHI has held its soft opening and has set a ribbon cutting for Dec. 14. Keep an eye on its Facebook page for an opening date, and for more information on giveaways in celebration of Xiao’s opening. Eat at Xiao’s anytime in December, and enter drawings to win an iPhone X, Xbox One, Xiao’s restaurant credit and more. Xiao’s is located in the multi-tenant development with Sprouts Farmers Market at 149 Wendelwood Dr. in Murfreesboro. CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

SMOKIN’ BUTTZ

Providing slow smoked BBQ to Middle Tennessee; Pulled Pork - Pulled Chicken Loaded Potatoes Contact us for your next festival, catering event, lunch, dinner, family cookout, wedding or office party. Facebook / Instagram / Twitter @smokinbuttz, smokinbuttzbbq.com

KONA ICE OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE

Treat your taste buds to the most amazing ﬂavored shaved ice.

Lemon Lime a-licious, Blue Raspberry, Wild Watermelon, Groovy Grape, Strawberry, Orange, Pina-Colada and many more ﬂavors available. Call 615-971-0092 for today’s location.

THE HOLY SMOKER Ribs, Fish, Pulled Pork, Hot Dogs, Loaded Potato Chips Elder Jimmy L. Tyson, owner Find us on Facebook / 615-480-5818

For more on including your truck’s information in this section, contact (615) 631-5768 or leslie@boropulse.com.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38 ’TIS THE SEASON GENERAL MILLS and PILLSBURY have partnered with RUTHERFORD COUNTY AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY to help rebuild a home severely damaged by a fire earlier this year in Murfreesboro. The partnership enabled Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity to provide a fully renovated kitchen, filled with baking equipment, to the family just in time for the holiday season. The partnership with Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity comes as an extension of the Pillsbury Made at Home campaign, which focuses on bringing families together to create memories at home through baking. Pillsbury’s donation provided funding for a completely renovated kitchen, including appliances, cabinets and countertops. The new ORANGETHEORY FITNESS MURFREESBORO studio is the second studio for area franchise owners Meghan and Scott Littlejohn, who also own the Orangetheory Fitness Franklin location. The heart-rate-monitored, high-intensity Orangetheory workout is scientifically designed to keep heart rates in a target zone that spikes metabolism and increases energy, allowing clients to continue burning calories for 36 hours following the workout. Orangetheory Fitness Murfreesboro will be located at The Avenue at 2615 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 1730, in Murfreesboro. If you should overdo it while working out, Karman Gossett, owner of Karman Gossett Acupuncture, can help. Gossett was recently named to the Tennessee Advisory Committee for Acupuncture by Gov. Bill Haslam. “By serving on our state boards and commissions, these Tennesseans are helping us provide responsive, effective and efficient service to their fellow citizens,” Haslam said of the appointment. “I am grateful for their service and know they will well represent the people of Tennessee.”

A new fashion boutique for everyday women’s clothing and accessories opened at the end of November at 2705 Old Fort Pkwy., suite E, in Murfreesboro. Called HELLO BEAUTIFUL and owned by Molly Brown, the shop also offers a glam bar for special-event hair and makeup. Local artists produce some of Hello Beautiful’s jewelry pieces, Brown said, and the store also offers custom “Hello Beautiful” and “The Boro” T-shirts. To help you get into beautiful shape, Orangetheory Fitness is opening a new Murfreesboro location. tables and flooring was installed. General manager Phillip Cox also recently touted the updated scoring equipment and new arcade. “It was time we put some love into this one,” he said. Murfreesboro’s ALDI has also reopened after a major renovation. Located on Robert Rose Drive, the grocery store has reportedly nearly doubled in size. It now sports larger dairy and bakery sections, along with more shelf space and larger food cases. Other changes include natural lighting through the facility’s ceilings, the use of recycled materials and energy-saving refrigeration.

Middle Tennessee HVAC and plumbing company ROSCOE BROWN recently announced an acquisi-

CLOSINGS

tion of Ring Plumbing. The acquisition increases the service technicians available to serve Ring customers and enables advantages of an expanded menu of services and products, such as heating and air, air quality, insulation, water quality and more. “It was a no-brainer for us to become part of Roscoe Brown,” explained Bart Ring, president of Ring Plumbing. He said the Roscoe Brown company has a great reputation and that he is excited to now be part of that team. Ring Plumbing officially became a branch office of Roscoe Brown, Inc. on Oct. 1, 2017. Former Ring customers can now call 1-888-MYROSCOE for service.

JEWELL FASHION OBSESSION has closed to

FACELIFTS The STRIKE & SPARE on Broad Street has been remodeled. The 60-year-old bowling alley was reconfigured around its 36 lanes. New couches, coffee 40 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

business, as has Gigi’s Cupcakes. Lacey Lichtenwalter opened JeweLL in 2016 in Stones River Mall. The fashion boutique’s Mt. Juliet location is still open. According to a handwritten sign on the door at Gigi’s, the cupcake store on North Thompson Lane has closed for good. “To our loyal patrons, we seriously regret that we had to close the business permanently. We have appreciated your patronage over the years,” the sign stated. “This was a difficult business decision to make. Take care and have a Merry Christmas.” If you have a tip about a new business coming to town, an old one closing, complaints, compliments or any other Murfreesboro business news, contact Michelle @michwillard on Twitter or michelle.willard@gmail.com.

Ramada Inn Card Show now a 30-year tradition. BY ANTHONY FIORELLA

estled just off of I-24 on Church Street in Murfreesboro sits a small, aging Ramada Inn; many passersthrough and even longtime residents of Murfreesboro often overlook the inn at the busy intersection. Though on the first and third Saturday of each month in the meeting room, the small hotel comes alive with a convergence of sports memorabilia collectors. Murfreesboro resident John McGill promotes a sports collectible trade show at the Ramada where fans and vendors have been able to look through a variety of baseball and other sports cards, books, pictures and signed memorabilia.

“I’ve been with the Ramada doing this for 30 years,” McGill said. “[When we first started out], it was very successful. We had over three [conference] rooms full of stuff.” Although it’s not quite as big as what it used to be, vendors still travel from the plateau and even from out of state to showcase their inventory. “Mostly everyone is from the mid-state,” McGill said. “We have people that come from Glasgow, Kentucky, and Sparta, Tennessee, as well.” Marvin Hargrove, also of Murfreesboro, is one of the most established vendors at the show. “I’ve been here doing this since 1989,” Hargrove said. “Most of my sales come from vintage items, although I have autographed cards and jerseys too.” After retiring, Hargrove was looking for something to do as a hobby and business picked up for him. “It’s great to do part-time. I started out with a $500 inventory and now have over $50,000 worth of inventory,” Hargrove said. “It’s something I really enjoy to do because I get to meet a lot of people.” Just last year, Hargrove sold a “mediumgrade” Pete Rose rookie card.

Card dealer John McGill displays his inventory at the Ramada Card Show

PHOTO BY CHRIS ROSS

Murfreesboro’s Card Collecting Conference

“I got $600 for it,” Hargrove said. Lots of items at the event go for cheap, however. Each table set up at the event exhibits cards priced for as little as 10 cents. There were also many books that ranged anywhere from $2 to $20 and old reprints of cards from previous eras that went for as cheap as 25 cents.

Need a reason to break out the old piggy bank? Head to the Ramada Inn, 1855 S. Church St., for the next card and collectible show. The event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 16, Jan. 6, Jan. 20 and the first and third Saturdays of each following month. Admission is free. For more information, contact McGill at 615-893-1140.

Opinion Higher Thoughts for Everyday Living Middle Tennessee hypnotist, philosopher and motivator M.C. Radford encourages everyone to think positively and live life with a healthy, optimistic attitude. Here, he shares some points from his book Higher Thoughts for Everyday Living, suggesting that readers meditate on one each day—and be amazed at the positive changes that transpire in their lives. DAY 1: I want you to say aloud, “I feel fantastic, but I am going to get better” three times . . . Every day someone will ask you how you feel; tell them, “I feel fantastic, but I am going to get better.” There will be times when you may not feel up to par; say it anyway and you will feel better. And it won’t be long until you feel better all the time. DAY 2: Now say, “I am healthy, I am wealthy, and I am happy.” Anything you attach with feeling to “I am,” you will become. To say, “I am healthy” is to eat the Word; but to imagine and visualize yourself as healthy is to digest the Word. Then the Word becomes flesh. DAY 3: The “I am” in you is the life principle; and anything you continue to add with feeling to the “I am,” you will become. The “I am” in you is God—the Bible tells you this. When you say “I am,” you are connecting to the universal mind, the God-power which is in you. DAY 4: The Creator created you in His own image. Since God is spirit, you are spirit also. The Creator gave you free will, He gave you dominion over all things, and then He agreed to be your servant. As the Bible says, “Ask, believe, and receive.” It is as though we have a genie who says, “Your wish is my command.” DAY 5: We have all the power in the universe to use as we see fit. God does not tell us how to use that power—he gave you complete freedom. He did set into place an infallible law called the law of attraction. The law simply says, “What you continually think about, you bring about.” So if you think negative or evil thoughts, you will have a life of turmoil and failure. If you think good and positive thoughts, then you will have a successful, happy and healthy life. DAY 6: The law of attraction is so easy to see—just look around you and observe. A person born and raised in a life of poverty who only sees lack and poverty all around him can, of course, attract all the thoughts that go with the state of poverty and, therefore, think that is the way it is supposed to be. As long as they think that way they can only attract more 42 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

poverty into their life. And who are the brothers and sisters of poverty? To name a few—unhappiness, sickness, despair, lack, worry, lack of money, negative attitude, and many more. DAY 7: People born into and raised in a wealthy family and environment will see mostly positive thinking and good decisions. So even if they are not all that intelligent, because of what they see all around them day in and day out, they will most likely be successful. DAY 8: People who are born into and raised in a wealthy family are always around wealth or around material that is the result of wealth. So they are more comfortable with money. They automatically have money consciousness and just naturally attract money to themselves. DAY 9: How can people in poverty become healthy, happy and wealthy? it’s really simple, but it will take a lot of hard work—mental work, that is. If they desire and picture themselves wealthy, healthy and happy enough until it becomes a natural way of feeling, they will then automatically find all these things being attracted to their lives. DAY 10: When you picture and visualize being healthy, happy and wealthy, you are using pure God-power, which will create the very same in your life. This is a law of the Creator, and it does not work part of the time or just some of the time. It works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wise men have been telling us this down through the ages. DAY 11: The greatest and most successful people in the world have a constant partner— call it God, the subconscious mind, the universal mind, the Creator, or any name you choose. But learn to call on it and it will respond. DAY 12: The masses let a few people do their thinking for them which allows those few people to keep them under control. This is true whether it be a gang, a community, a city, a state or a country. Most people are like a radio—they only repeat what comes over the air. DAY 13: With practice you can learn to do

your own own thinking and become free. The way you learn to do your own thinking is by exercising your mind—the same way you exercise your body to become stronger. Remember: Good habits lead to success; bad habits lead to failure. DAY 14: In a new research program scientists found that children from 2 to 4 years of age are 95 percent creative. At the age of 7, only four percent are highly creative. All children are born creative, but we teach them so much limitation. We dumb them down so that by the age of 7, they are 85 percent set in their ways for the rest of their lives, living in a mold that has been drilled into them. However, creativity never goes away, and you can reclaim it whenever you are ready. You do this by exercising your imagination. With the exercise of your imagination, you can claim all the good in your life. With your imagination you can create all the happiness, all the friends, all the good health, and all the success you want. DAY 15: All negative thoughts you allow to claim your attention will drag you down. Your negative thoughts will attract all related thoughts into your mind and make the situation worse. All positive thoughts thoughts attract more related thoughts to your attention, and you move upward and onward to the successful outcome you want. DAY 16: You will never rise any higher than the thoughts you hold in your mind. When you think, you are giving power to something good or something bad. If you want to be successful, you must be aware and control the thoughts you allow to occupy your mind each day. Your thoughts are carriers of power. They can carry negative destructive power or they can carry positive constructive power. DAY 17: Your thoughts can build you up or tear you down. Thoughts can make you sick or heal you; they can bring you success or failure. DAY 18: Winston Churchill said, “The most important seven words I ever uttered were never, never, never, never, never give up.” DAY 19: It is never too late to bring order to a disordered mind or a disordered life. DAY 20: Negative thoughts and feelings cause stress and tension, which cut down your circulation and choke off energy from every part of your body. This, in time, will bring on illness in the weakest link in your body.

DAY 21: Sickness follows a belief. Good health follows a belief. Your belief creates a chemical change in your body. DAY 22: All mental and physical pain is your subconscious mind telling you that your thinking is on the wrong track. You must go within and find the cause; then you will have the understanding to change any situation to a successful outcome. DAY 23: Your conscious mind is for setting goals; not for solving problems. Your subconscious mind can and will solve your every problem if you will turn loose and let it. Your conscious mind is a goal-setting mechanism. Subconscious mind is a goal-striving mechanism. The Bible says turn all your problems over to the Lord and He will take care of them. The Lord is the law of the subconscious mind. When you come to understand this one law of God, you can breeze through life with ease. DAY 24: You can attain success just as surely as you can plot a course to another city. The subconscious mind (or God) does not recognize pain, famine or disease. It recognizes only conception and desire or thought and emotion, and it recognizes then in only one way—by creating them into actuality. DAY 25: Wisdom makes all people one. Opinions greatly separate us. DAY 26: Every habit you have formed (good or bad) is just as much a part of you as your arms and legs. Exercise your arms and legs and they will become stronger. Exercise your habits and they, too, will become stronger. DAY 27: Practice this habit: think every day about how you can please someone. Do a good deed every day. A good deed is one that brings a smile of joy to the face of another. Every good deed you do causes you to be more like your Creator and brings you closer to God and/or perfection. DAY 28: Never let a negative thought live in your mind. Don’t be like those cavemen. When they were beating on those rocks, they said, “We are never going to have radio!” DAY 29: The question really is: How much do you want what you want? It reminds me of a story of a man who wanted a million dollars. He had heard of a wise man up in the hills who had all the answers. So he CONTINUED ON PAGE 51

You May Be More Believable if Your Outrage Comes Out Quicker

t’s now an almost daily occurrence. Someone comes forward saying they were groped, grabbed or otherwise wronged by somebody famous, well after the alleged incident. How long should we credibly be asked to believe that someone was wronged? In other words, what is the shelf life of outrage? Take, for example, the woman who claims Sen. Al Franken grabbed her fanny during a photo op at the Minnesota State Fair in 2010 while her husband took the picture. I’m not defending Franken if he actually did grab her butt, but the shelf life on that outrage is about 30 minutes or until you leave the fair, whichever comes first. If I’m the wife, I turn around and slap the hell out of Franken. If I’m the husband, I punch the SOB in the nose. At some point we have to separate the wheat from the chaff. Who is to be believed? Beverly Young Nelson, the woman who says Roy Moore of Alabama sexually assaulted her in his car back in 1977, gave a very convincing performance with Gloria Allred before the cameras. It wasn’t until Moore’s attorney revealed that she had her divorce petition thrown out by VIEWS OF A Moore’s court in 1999 that she was exposed as a fraud. Even now, many in the press discount COLUMN BY that little factoid. It’s impossible to now believe PHIL VALENTINE she wasn’t acting out of vengeance. philvalentine.com In a Vox article on suspended New York Times reporter Glenn Thrush, he’s accused of leveraging his position of power in journalism to accost women. Let’s examine that for a moment, this “leveraging of power.” It’s one thing if Thrush is your boss. That kind of leverage for sex is older than the water cooler. What we’re talking about here are women who worked alongside him as reporters. Apparently it was impossible to say no to Thrush. One reporter recounts that after a going-away party at Politico, where they both worked, Thrush somehow ended up at her place. Hmmm. “I remember stopping him at one point and saying, ‘Wait, you’re married,’” she told the New York Times. “I remember that by the time he left, I didn’t have much clothes on.” Really? I wonder how that happened. Thrush’s super power must be the ability to melt clothes off women. I should remind you that Glenn Thrush is the “journalist” caught in the Wikileaks emails from John Podesta sending a draft article that dealt with Podesta to Podesta to edit. He admitted in the email that “I have become a hack.” Yeah, Glenn, you have. And apparently a drunk, groping, creep of a hack. So, now the Vox folks are revisiting Bill Clinton’s predatory ways. They’ve wrongfully come to the conclusion that Monica Lewinsky was a victim via the same Thrushian logic of leveraging power. Monica Lewinsky was a stalking opportunist trying her best to “do” the president the first chance she got. That doesn’t let Bill off the hook for his rogue behavior but she’s not a #MeToo. Whether it’s PBS’s Charlie Rose walking around naked (a revolting thought) or Harvey Weinstein’s casting couch, there seems to be a theme. Too many people for way too long believed that type of conduct passed for appropriate behavior. Here in the real world, the world of relative morality that these liberals ridiculed for generations, we all knew better. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not doubting a lot of what happened to these women actually happened. What I’m questioning is how outraged they actually were, considering it took them years, sometimes decades, to come forward. Apparently some of their outrage has the shelf life of a can of beets.

CONSERVATIVE

“I’m not doubting a lot of what happened to these women actually happened. What I’m questioning is how outraged they actually were, considering it took them years, sometimes decades, to come forward.”

Phil Valentine is an author and nationally syndicated radio talk show host with Westwood One. For more of his commentary and articles, visit philvalentine.com.

Opinion ‘BRAINS’ BEHIND JAILCIGS OPERATION, RUSSELL, RECEIVES LIGHTER PENALTY THAN SHERIFF ARNOLD able to comprehend why Russell had been convicted. Some people around town said one thing, others said another, and Hiram admitted to prosecutors he just couldn’t BY SAM STOCKARD understand the charges. Let’s break it down for him. Russell conspired with Arnold and John Vanderveer IT’S AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE to come up with a plan to do business with find religion when they get busted. inmates at the county jail without going That may be what happened to former through a bidding procedure, then lied sheriff ’s office administrative chief deputy Joe to state and local officials about who was Russell when he got caught with former Sherbehind the company, all while running the iff Robert Arnold in a scheme to profit from private operation out of the jail on county the sale of e-cigarettes to county jail inmates. time—a violation of sheriff ’s office rules— He was already a faithful member of and holding out the Rutherford County Kingwood Church of Christ, according to program as a model of success to market recent court testimony. But after he and JailCigs to other jails across Arnold were charged and conthe state and nation. Some jails victed of federal corruption, his might still be doing business spirituality grew threefold. with JailCigs. Although the church prohibited During his sentencing him from teaching Sunday school hearing, though, Russell said after his arrest—you know how his main failure was to stop forgiving those good souls can Arnold from taking all of the be—he refused to give up on the money that should have gone to church and not only did he start Rutherford County in the form coming in to make coffee early in RUSSELL of commissions. He even told the morning before services, he the judge he was proud of his also started cutting the church’s business model. grass. No doubt he was singing That’s it. No sorrow about illehymns while doing that hard labor. gal contracts, fraud, deception or The transformation must have violations of sheriff ’s office rules. worked, because U.S. District Sounds like a good gig if you Court Senior Judge Marvin Aspen can get it. Who wouldn’t want gave Russell only 15 months in to get paid a sheriff ’s office prison plus time off for good salary of about $72,000 while behavior for his role in the formarunning a side business from tion, operation and profiteering ARNOLD its government office? from JailCigs. In contrast, Arnold But sooner or later most criminal entergot 50 months, possibly because he showed prises go awry. Eventually, former Deputy little, if any, contrition and was the chief law Chief Virgil Gammon blew the whistle, the enforcement officer in the county. mayor’s office found out, and state auditors Russell, on the other hand, told the judge started investigating before media blew the how he had worked hard all through life, including his struggle to get over the death of lid off the scheme. Most people would have had more symhis first wife and their unborn child. Russell’s pathy for Arnold and Russell if they hadn’t father-in-law Hiram Lester explained on the been so arrogant. But they were, and now witness stand how his son-in-law worked they’re paying. for him rehabbing a rental house and doing Russell, despite coming up with the busiother odd jobs, doted on his two daughters ness plan and running it, certainly got off a and always maintained a good relationship lot lighter than Arnold, much to the chagrin with his wife (Hiram’s daughter) Nicole. of many local officials who thought his penFor the life of him, though, Hiram, a alty should have been stiffer because he was former Murfreesboro Police officer, wasn’t

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the brains behind the operation. But it appears he was ready to testify against Arnold and copped a plea, forcing the former sheriff to enter a plea too. So even though Nicole Lester Russell, the county’s former election administrator, boo-hooed her way through Joe’s sentencing hearing, almost getting kicked out of court (some might have called it an Academy Award-winning performance) her sobs probably didn’t save him from as much prison time as did his plea agreement, which is sealed. (He also has to pay back more than $52,200 in earnings.) Without a doubt, he came to his senses, to a degree. Cutting grass at church can be a soul-searching moment. It’s always good to humble yourself. If Russell did have a spiritual awakening or a moment of clarity, however, it was sort of a murky one because he still can’t admit he was using county property illegally to make tens of thousands of dollars, all while lying about it. Oh well, for some it takes longer to admit the truth.

JUDICIAL ODDITY

Just a day before Russell’s sentencing hearing, a character letter from former Rutherford County Chancellor Robert Corlew appeared in Russell’s case file. The former chancellor has been renting a home to the Russells since they moved from Osborne Lane next door to the Arnolds about three years ago. In Corlew’s July letter, he asked the judge to place Russell on probation rather than send him to prison, saying he’s known him for about 12 years, meeting him through his wife, Nicole, when she was a law student at the Nashville School of Law where he was an instructor. Nicole also worked for him as a law clerk. “Mr. Russell has always seemed to be a great father to his children and a good husband,” Corlew CORLEW wrote. “He has always taken an active role in the community. I was very surprised to learn of his convictions now pending before the Court for sentencing. I have every confidence that he will be a very law-abiding citizen from this point forward. Whatever consideration can be given to him for probation will certainly be appreciated by his family and friends.”

Of course, it would. But he’s not the first man in history to be convicted of a crime and sent to jail or prison. Why should Russell get special treatment? Bob Corlew is a smart guy and an extremely nice person. But to say he was “surprised” to find out about Russell’s conviction is, well, a little more than surprising. This matter was only the biggest news in Rutherford County for more than two years, with exhaustive coverage in the media. Bob must be related to Hiram Lester, because neither one of them seems to be able to figure it out. Surely Corlew understands federal prosecutors don’t bring charges unless they have a rock-solid case. There was absolutely no doubt he was going to be convicted if the case went to trial. The only reason to plead guilty would be to turn evidence on codefendants to get a lighter sentence, which is what happened. In this situation, the most shocking thing is for a former judge to ask for lenience for a convicted felon. Fortunately for Corlew, his letter didn’t come up during Russell’s sentencing. One wonders, though, how the Russells are continuing to pay rent to stay in Corlew’s Riverbend house if Joe is making hardly any money, at least according to testimony, and his wife can’t get a job despite being a licensed attorney. That neighborhood isn’t exactly a federal blight area.

FAREWELL TO TRACY

Former Republican state Sen. Jim Tracy burst onto the political scene in Rutherford County more than 12 years ago when he ran against and defeated Democratic incumbent Sen. Larry Trail. Tracy was a great campaigner and back slapper, always asking about your mother or your uncle, in my case, and the rest of your family. And in conservative Middle TRACY Tennessee, he endeared himself to people as he helped the Republican Party take control of the Senate and the House, where it holds supermajorities after years in the minority. Recently, Tracy took a post as Tennessee director for Rural Development in the Department of Agriculture for the Trump Administration. The Bedford County resident

had been working in insurance. Growing up in the Hardin County area and attending UTMartin, Tracy has rural roots. But considering Tennessee raises a lot of tobacco, the appointment is a bit strange, because Tracy introduced the legislation prohibiting smoking in workplaces along with an indoor smoking ban in public places owned by state and local government. Can you believe it’s been only 10 years since you could smoke inside places such as City Cafe? Tracy did a lot of people a big favor when he passed that bill. But he might not have done enough legislatively, despite chairing the Senate Transportation Committee, or enough backslapping to win two congressional races. In the first one, he came in third to Diane Black, a U.S. representative now running for governor, and Lou Ann Zelenik in the Republican primary. The next time, he fell 38 votes short in a primary loss to Congressman Scott DesJarlais, a situation in which both claimed victory on election night, forcing a recount. Oddly enough, he might not have campaigned hard enough to win against DesJarlais, despite claiming the moral high road against an incumbent plagued by reports of abortions by his first wife and dalliances with his medical patients and clinic visitors. Those losses were pretty tough for Tracy to swallow, but he always bounced back, never letting any pain show. Following the decision by former Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey to step away from the state Senate last year, Tracy elevated in early 2017 to Senate speaker pro tempore, a key leadership position in the Legislature. Such a move up probably caught the eye of the Trump Administration, enabling Tracy to latch on to a good job, one he’s probably been needing for a while to complement his political standing. His days as a state senator are over, though, and the 14th District seat will be filled in a special election in 2018, with the primary set for Jan. 25 and general election scheduled for mid-March. Sam Stockard can be reached at sstockard44@gmail.com.

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY, about a girl. She’s a friend of mine, but in truth, she is more like family. I say friend because we are not related. We were at one time, by marriage, but that was many moons ago. And like so much of the best intentions in life, our friendship drifted apart. It drifted after the marriage that brought us together dissolved. It’s just one of the many reasons divorce is so devastating. It doesn’t just affect those involved in the marriage but all those around it, too. She wasn’t the only one I have lost touch with because of divorce, but she is the one I am going to tell you about today. I have known her almost my entire life, so even during the times that I was not in touch with her; it still felt like she was family. When we were children, Sunday dinners at her grandmother’s house were always a treat to look forward to, and we all did. That little woman made a pot roast that was the envy of the gods themselves. When you walked in her house, the delicious aroma was immediately recognizable. The intoxicating smell of pot roast and dinner rolls instantly made you hungry. It was one of those innocent times of life, when the biggest concern was playing too loud and getting yelled at by an adult. Every Sunday, after church it was a house of free-range children and happiness. In my memory, it’s a Norman Rockwell painting, set in the ’70s. It’s what my young mind considered family, and in those days it seemed like it would last forever. Truth is, although it was only by marriage, it was family. Now, for the record, I have a loving blood relation family and I was well nurtured as a child. I didn’t know it then, but I was doubly blessed to have both in my life. Hindsight is always 20/20; looking back now, those were some the best memories of my childhood. But divorces happen, lives separate, time marches on, we hurt and we heal. But, I never forgot about them and I never lost the fond memories of those days. By the time I was a teenager and could reconnect on my own,

The Ties That Bind Have gratitude for those who put a special effort into bringing a family closer. BY TONY LEHEW I openly admit, I didn’t really make the effort. It wasn’t that I didn’t think about it or want to, I was just too busy being me. I would run into her from time to time and there would be genuine pleasure in seeing her again. But like most teens, I was selfabsorbed and there was always another party. So, I put childhood things where I thought they belonged: in the past. The story could end there and that would be the normal way of life, but today, we have this newfangled thing called “social media” and it makes it easy for me to stay in touch with friends and family from the past. So, I would reconnect with her every so often via internet or cellphone. By this medium we both discovered that we shared a fondness for writing. We exchanged stories and gave praise to each other’s efforts. It was fun and above all, it was easy. Schedules didn’t have to change; appointments didn’t have to be made or kept. It could all be done, sitting in front of the dim light of a computer screen. But, as I came to discover, she was made of better stuff than that. Which now brings me to the grist of story. I received a message from her a few years ago, regarding a gathering of the same extended family from my childhood. I was excited to get the invite; just imagine, a chance to revisit those longed-after days of yore. But, as it turned out, I had to work that day and was unable to attend. She invited me again the following year and the year after. I did take the offer one year, but was unable to stay long, again due to work schedule. In more recent years, I have become estranged from some of the people that attend these gatherings. It has been heartrending but, as I see it, unavoidable. So, I was honest with her and told her that I would not be able to attend her gathering. The last thing

I wanted to do was cause any undue tension or otherwise be detrimental to her family enjoyment. You may read what I just wrote and agree that was the best choice. I tell you plainly, it is not and I am wrong to be that way. I have reasons why I don’t engage with those from whom I am estranged, but I do miss them. I believe my reasons are sound, and I am sure they think theirs are . . . they are also wrong. But I do not suspect they will change their minds any more than I am willing to change mine. Nonetheless, the young lady this story is about, despite all these petty squabbles, still tries to bring her family together, to bring back some of “Grandmother’s Pot Roast Days,” as I have come to remember them. At times, she has endured strained relations with those she invites, including me. Yet, she still endeavors to bring us all together again. This past Christmas was a low point for me in many ways. In the past year and a half preceding the holiday season of 2016, I lost both my father and my mother. Ongoing litigation has consumed much of joy with life and because of the strained relations I spoke of earlier, I was unable to see many family members on Christmas Day. And since those from whom I was estranged would most likely be in attendance, I once again declined her invitation to join in the family gathering she planned. When she asked why I could not attend, I told her my reasons. I expected that she would listen to my reasons and that would be the last time I would be asked and it made me sad. What happened next really surprised me: instead of giving up on me, she invited my girlfriend and I to a dinner with her and her husband after the holidays. She told us we could pick a date that suited both of our schedules and plan a menu. I was

honored to accept this gracious offer. I was deeply touched by her efforts to maintain our relationship, despite the mess I have had a hand in creating. In February, we had that dinner and it was a great evening. We have made plans to do so again sometime in the near future. Now, you may think that this is a simple story of someone who is just really nice and, she is. But, I submit to you, there is a lot more to it than that. When the entire world is pulling us in different directions, when drifting apart is the norm and when work occupies all our attention, losing contact is just a part of growing older. But not her. She is making Herculean efforts to bring her extended family back together. This may not be all that uncommon in the greater scheme of things, but how many people do you know who actually do it? For most of us, it’s easy when we are younger; we just simply go to our parents’ house (or someone you view in a parental light). But, when the parents or grandparents pass away or marriages dissolve, the glue that holds us together oftentimes will slowly dissolve. As we age and travel further down our own separate paths, it takes someone with a special will to pull a family back together. I wish I could be as good of a person as I find her to be. For me personally, she renewed my faith in family at a time when it was waning. I don’t know what the future holds as far my strained relations go. I know I can’t fix what’s wrong all by myself. But her kindness and compassion have renewed my faith and I am better prepared for what’s next. To wax poetic, at a time when my soul was thirsty, lost in a desert of doubt, her compassion was an oasis. And I know that she will always be my family, regardless of marriage or blood. For that I am eternally grateful and from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you. And to everyone who reads this, Merry Christmas and I hope the new year finds you healthy, happy and in the presence of those you love.

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Opinion Live Exceptionally...Well! BY JENNIFER DURAND

Memory Makers

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hat are some of the most memorable moments in your life? You know—the ones you like to play over and over? Where you laughed until you cried, played hard, loved deeply and felt really alive? Holidays tend to be memory makers. To get yours off to a great, peace-filled start, let’s do a guided “memory-tation” (meditating on a memory). Find a comfortable spot to sit and be still. Close your eyes. Allow your body to soften. Start by breathing in a natural breathing rhythm. With each inhalation feel your chest and belly expand. As you exhale start at the top of your head and allow your neck muscles to ease into the breath. With the next exhalation notice your shoulders soften. Be intentional with each breath, in order to release muscle tension. Now deepen your inhalation and exhale slower with easy focus (noticing but not concentrating too hard). Continue the breath exercise in this manner, paying attention to your arms, hands, chest, belly, hips, thighs, butt, calves and feet. Once you feel completely relaxed, you’re ready to relive the memory. Allow your mind to wander into the archive of memories. Notice what comes up naturally, without force. Once you’ve identified the memory, you will quickly be reminded of all the sensations attached to the story: atmosphere, colors, smells, location, people, faces, clothes, activities, smiles, tastes, laughter, tears, stories. Don’t rush through it. Fairly quickly, you will probably see and feel your body respond to these memories. Our muscles store these memories. Even when you try to forget, perhaps an unpleasant occasion—the muscles remember your response at the time. When an emotion triggers the same kind of feeling, it is not unusual for you to feel it in the same muscle area. It is activating your “muscle memory.” The negative memories tend to come with added tension in the body. The good memories produce a release of tension. Simple breathing exercises will help let go of this tension. This technique will be useful in keeping you more grounded during what can sometimes be a more hectic time of year. Repeat as needed. I also like the instant “déjà vu” kinds of

memory reminders. This can be triggered by just about anything that repeats an action or activity that was done in the past. Recently I was shopping for a Candle Wishes birthday boy. I had not shopped in the same way since my sons were younger. Walking down the aisle with my cart, looking at all of the toys and 12-year-olds’ clothing, I was instantly transported back in time to when my children were this age and we were wanting them to have presents on Christmas morning. How nervous I felt about getting them items they would be thrilled to have. I wanted those times to be special. I remembered how money was tight and it was a big deal to be picking out presents for them. Other feelings that came up were how I felt about myself as a parent back then. It was amazing to experience all of that within just a few moments of shopping. Another time I remember retelling a story of when I was only 10 years old and my father was talking about leaving our family. As I was telling the story, the same fear and sadness I felt as a 10-year-old showed in my face and my voice. This was so apparent that the person I was relaying the story to said “Oh my gosh, you should see your face right now . . . you look like you’re 10 years old.” I was in my late 40s. That’s how quickly we can transport ourselves, in mind, back in time to relive moments that made an impression. They are still alive inside. While you are making new memories be sure to revisit one or two that made you feel great happiness in your life. Then bring that back to life just one more time. “Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.” — L.M. Montgomery, The Story Girl

“The negative memories tend to come with added tension in the body. The good memories produce a release of tension. Simple breathing exercises will help let go of this tension.”

Jennifer Durand is the owner and operator of The Nurture Nook Day Spa & Gift Shoppe; she is a certified QiGong and Breathe Empowerment instructor, a skin care and makeup specialist, an InterPlay leader and is licensed in massage therapy, body work and somatic integration. Let her help you find your personal “ahh . . .” factor by visiting nurturenook. com or facebook.com/nurturenookdayspa or by calling (615) 896-7110.

After the Christmas Cheer Focusing on Relationships, Vitamin D, Hygge Can Combat Seasonal Depression

BY JESSICA BARROLL

people are deficient in Vitamin D and this can have a huge impact, so it is important to seek treatment for vitamin D deficiency under a doctor’s care,” Black said. Light therapy treatment, eating right, exercising, having good flora in the gut and taking probiotics, along with getting a good night’s sleep can also prove helpful in treating SAD. Black also points out that having self-compassion is better than selfesteem “we should tell ourselves that we are not alone in our feelings and that everyone experiences this—we should speak kindly to ourselves and not reinforce negative thoughts.” People, in general, live roughly 80 percent in the past and 20 percent in the future, but have trouble observing the present, which can prove problematic as well. Along these lines, a new term has been making its way through North America. Hygge (hue-guh), a Danish term roughly translated as “cozy,” but really meaning so much more, has gained global attention as a means of helping to treat SAD. In fact, Denmark has one of the highest rates for happiness in the world among its

people, despite much of its year being spent in the cold and dark. According to Black, part of the reason for this might be the Hygge term’s concept of “belonging, with someone, something, not being alone, being a part of something. We are so individualized in our relationships. I would guess that 72 percent of people in relationship will say they are lonely.” It has been proven, she continues, that “we co-regulate one another when we are together—the way we are together actually changes our brain.” Further, hygge is focused on developing relationships all year round, practicing selfcare and spending less time with technological devices. If you are feeling worthless, it is important to seek treatment right away. Black adds for those suffering from SAD, “You are not alone and there are things you can do to help yourself feel better.” For more information, if you or someone you know, are struggling with SAD or depression, you can contact Shannon Black at mindfulmobiletherapy@ gmail.com or 615-398-4342.

he twinkling Christmas lights have due to the cyclical nature of SAD. been put away for another year, Many don’t realize how critical this condithe goodies have been eaten, the tion really is. During the winter season, weather is colder and the days are suicide significantly increases, along with shorter. Forgotten are the good feelings you increases in relapses in substance abuse had during the holidays, and now you have and in domestic abuse. It is important to nothing to look forward to but the long cold note that depression in men and children winter ahead. Sound familiar? often exhibits itself differently than in At some point, most everyone has had women. Men and children with SAD tend to a moment where we feel the letdown that exhibit more aggressive behavior since they comes after Christmas and New Year’s. externalize more, versus internalization like However, for some, this letdown is more women. However, women are four times than just coming down from a holiday high, more likely to have SAD than men. and becomes a condition known as Seasonal Psychology Today’s review of general Affective Disorder (SAD), a subset of major symptoms for SAD are: feelings of hopedepression. SAD, as defined by the Mayo lessness and sadness, thoughts of suicide, Clinic, is “a type of depression that’s related oversleeping, weight gain, a heavy feeling to changes in seasons—beginning and endin the arms or legs, a drop in energy level, ing at the same time every year.” decreased physical activity, fatigue, difAccording to the Mental Health America ficulty concentrating, irritability, increased organization, roughly five percent of the sensitivity to social rejection and avoidance American population is affected by SAD of social situations. each year. The further away from the equaSo, what are the options of treating SAD, tor you live, the more likebesides pulling up a ly you are to be affected. couch next to your favorSOME FOODS In order to be diagnosed ite therapist? Shannon HIGH IN VITAMIN D with SAD, a patient must Black, a Licensed ProfesSalmon be first diagnosed with sional Mental Health Herring and Sardines clinical depression; SAD Counselor (LPC-MHSP) Canned Tuna cases are filed under in the Murfreesboro and Oysters depression when claiming Smyrna area, recomShrimp for insurance purposes. mends self-care. Part of Egg Yolks Health professionals difthis involves getting as Mushrooms ferentiate between SAD much light as possible. Fortified Foods and clinical depression “More and more, BOROPULSE.COM

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Sports MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! WATSON, JUICE, SUPREME LEADER AND EVERYONE! THE TRAIN DADDY IS BACK with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard the Polar Express, it’s Christmas time in Middle Tennessee! “Ho ho ho!” That’s Santa’s favorite Christmas greeting. I am surprised Mr. Claus hasn’t ever been accused of sexual harassment. The fat man sneaks around in strangers’ homes chanting “ho ho ho!” In the kind of world we live in now, simply being accused of sexual harassment would get Santa fired! No jury, no chance to defend himself, he would be brought forth to the Council of Elves, and they would happily condemn and denounce Santa. I mean, sexual harassment seems petty compared to slavery, forcing those poor Elves to make toys year-round for us spoiled Americans. Slavery and sexual harassment aside, it would be a sad Christmas with no Santa. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. Be jolly and hold family and friends close; life is too short not to enjoy every moment. Maybe I make crude jokes sometimes, but don’t get mad. Laughing at stupid jokes is medicine for the soul. Over the years writing for the Pulse, my Christmas article has become a tradition. As we near 2018 we will look back at 2017 and some of the more captivating personalities, and wish them all a Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Molly! Who

is Molly? She is my beautiful 4-year-old yellow Labrador. She runs, she sits, she shakes, and she lays. She gets the best dog food money can buy, and I wish her a Merry Christmas. May she live a long and prosperous dog life. Merry Christmas, Marcus Mariota and the entire Titans organization! Thank you

for nearly two decades of football in Tennessee, aside from the losing seasons. I would

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SPORTS

TALK

COLUMN BY “Z-TRAIN”

titanman1984@gmail.com

ask Santa for only one gift this Christmas: an AFC South Division title. I won’t ask for the Lombardi Trophy, because that’s asking too much. Just help give the Titans a chance with a division title, a home playoff game and a pathway to the Super Bowl. Looks like another season-ending Titans vs. Jaguars match-up could have heavy implications. Merry Christmas, Colin Kaepernick! Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas, Donald Trump! Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas, Deshaun Watson!

You’re a beast. Drafted number 12 overall by the Texans, though you should be a Brown and have been drafted No. 1 overall. Sorry you tore your ACL after literally the greatest start to an NFL career ever! In Watson’s first seven games he completed 62 percent of his passes and threw for 1,699 yards with 19 TDs. He was on pace for 43 TD passes; the rookie record is 26. Come on, man! No doubt, the injury helps my Titans out. The Texans were dangerous, now they are dead in the water. Regardless, I wish you a speedy recovery. The future is bright for the AFC South. Watson and Marcus Mariota, two young quarterbacks, are both talented leaders and stand-up men. You can expect many exciting and tough games in the near future between these two. Merry Christmas, Rocket Man, Supreme Leader of North Korea! This is

the man who has convinced the poor people of North Korea that he invented the hamburger, survived a Hunger Gamesstyle death bout and has no need for toilets because he doesn’t defecate. Please don’t blow anything up. The world would be much better off if you didn’t. Can you imagine the hellfire they would receive if they did? I feel sorry for all those innocent North Korean citizens who are fed propaganda three times a day. Have they no clue? Merry Christmas, transgender athletes!

The NJSIAA, (the organization that governs New Jersey high school sports), recently decided sex doesn’t matter when relating to sports. They approved a policy where student athletes can

change their gender simply by notifying a school administration official. I will never question the way a person wants to live their life; it’s not my business. But I will passionately question transgender athletes playing sports, specifically natural-born males playing against natural-born females. We all know boys and girls are physically different. Don’t get mad at me—this is about the integrity of sports, not the feelings of a group of people. So, what’s the answer, Train Daddy? There’s only one way to make this fair: no male leagues and no female leagues, only one league— everyone. Let the best athletes play. Equal opportunity. I mean, if sex truly doesn’t matter and there is no gender advantage as advocates claim, let’s play ball, or no balls. MERRY CHRISTMAS IN CAPS LOCK

BECAUSE I AM SCREAMING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE! SERIOUSLY, WHAT THE HEY, TENNESSEE? So, Phillip Fulmer is back as athletic director, I can respect that. But what about the other shenanigans? I have only one piece of advice. Listen to Ric “The Nature Boy” Flair. “Woooooo!” Recently Flair took to Twitter and posted a picture of himself in Tennessee attire at Neyland Stadium with a caption stating he would be a good fit for head coach. Flair played offensive line for Minnesota, so he has my vote! At least he would be a fan favorite Woooooo! Merry Christmas, O.J. Simpson! You’re free, buddy! We all know you got away with murder, but the 70-year-old is free from prison and ready to start a new life. He did recently get banned from a Las Vegas hotel bar. What? Reports claim he was drunk and acting unruly. That’s not good for your parole! Come on Juice, stay clean and enjoy the end of your years in peace, crazy man. Take my advice, Juice, live life following the 5 Fs: Faith, Family, Football, Food and Friends. It should keep you out of jail. Merry Christmas, Tom Terriﬁc Brady!

Age means nothing, banged-up receivers mean nothing, a suspect offensive line means nothing and a bad defense means nothing when you’re Tom Terrific. People love to hate Brady, yet I admire him. He is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Brady will win league MVP again this season. Russell Wilson, Carson Wentz and Case Keenum get thrown into the mix as well. Merry Christmas, sexual assaulters!

From Hollywood, to politics to sports, all these recently accused men have power, and with that should come responsibility. Most men don’t act like this, but it appears rampant given a little fame and power. It’s a shame this is the narrative, that men can’t act right. Sexual assault is a big topic right now. If found guilty you deserve

harsh punishment. But just an allegation, though, that’s different. No one wants to live in a country where simply being alleged is automatic condemnation. It’s a dangerous precedent. All these men deserve a chance to defend themselves, from Big Ben Burger to Jameis Winston, from Ben Affleck to George Takei, and from Civil Rights icon John Conyers to possible senator Roy Moore. What about the 20 women who accused President Trump of sexual misconduct? Those found truly guilty should have their thing cut off! I’m serious, it would stop all of this. Merry Christmas, Ball family! So many Balls. There is daddy LaVar Ball and his sons Lonzo Ball, a rookie for the Lakers, LiAngelo Ball, a currently-suspended freshman at UCLA, and 16-year-old LaMelo Ball, who has verbally committed to play at UCLA. The Ball family can ball, no doubt! You all may remember LiAngelo Ball was recently arrested with two other teammates in China for shoplifting at a Louis Vuitton store. Daddy Ball was an idiot—brash and loud and disrespectful; those attributes made him famous. Daddy Ball refused to thank Trump, who ironically was in China during the arrest. China isn’t America. Theft from a high-end store usually ends in 3–7 years behind bars. There is no question Trump helped expedite the case. Merry Christmas, Commissioner Goodell and the NFL. You get paid huge

amounts of money to control this circus. Come on, bro! The recent ratings decline, concerns over brain injuries, the handling of domestic abuse cases and players protesting . . . you are the ringleader, Roger, so lead. I admit that I would never want your job; you are a highly paid scapegoat. You just paid the NFL player protesters $100 million for causes important to the players. Good PR move, but no guarantee or stipulation they will shut up. It’s all about the Benjamins, baby. Spend money to make money. Quick fact, between 2008 and 2015 Roger Goodell made $205 million, not to mention bonuses. It’s reported his contract also includes the use of a private jet for life! Don’t ever feel sorry for that scapegoat! That’s it, time to wrap this up. I guess I have no need for Christmas cards this season, as I pretty much told everyone who matters “Merry Christmas” in this article. Remember the recipe for success: Faith, Family, Football, Food and Friends.

Sports

BLUE RAIDER SPORTS BY GREG CRITTENDEN

he MTSU Blue Raiders played its last game of the 2017 regular season Saturday, Nov. 25, and the team put on a show for those in attendance. After a defensive first quarter ended in a 3–3 tie with Old Dominion, the MT offense found its stride. The momentum shift took place when Terrelle West broke out a 23-yard run on third-and-four, and that compounded when Brent Stockstill found an open Tavonn Salter streaking down the sideline for a 44-yard touchdown pass. After a quick three-and-out from the Monarchs, the Blue Raiders struck again. Runs of 13 and 20 yards by Terrelle West and Jocquez Bruce respectively set CJ Windham up for a touchdown reception from eight yards out. The Monarchs once again failed to answer back, and the Blue Raiders struck gold for the third consecutive possession. Stockstill got Jimmy Marshall for a 22-yard touchdown in just a matter of one minute and 38 seconds. The Blue Raiders went into the half leading 24–3, tying the team’s largest halftime lead of the season. With the lead securely in hand, the Blue Raiders kept primarily to the ground. That’s when Terrelle West took center stage. West was the pick to start at running back before the season began, but was lost with an injury during training camp. It was a long road back for the sophomore running back, but he showed everyone why he was the starter before his injury. West only got six carries in the first half, but made the most of them by gaining 49 yards. He added another 120 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in the second half, including a 36-yard touchdown run. The Blue Raiders locked up the win 41–10. The win makes them bowl eligible for the fifth straight year. While at first glance, the resume for the Blue Raiders doesn’t look as impressive as previous years, coach Rick Stockstill certainly makes a convincing case. “We played the toughest schedule in this conference. Us and San Antonio were the only two (in the conference) to have a Power 5 win,” Stockstill said. “We’re the only school in the conference that doesn’t have a Division-1 AA win. We played three Power 5s and a MAC. We’re 4–2 with our starting quarterback, and those two losses were to an SEC team and a triple overtime

50 * DECEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

Patrick Smith, #37

Blue Raiders Complete Regular Season with Win to Even Record at 6–6 game on the road. With our resume, we deserve to be in one.”  BLUE RAIDERS HEADING TO CAMELLIA BOWL TO TAKE ON ARKANSAS STATE ON DEC. 16 It turns out Coach Rick Stockstill was right. The bowl selection committees could not bypass Middle Tennessee State this season. For the third season in a row the Blue Raiders are going bowling, this time to the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl to play Arkansas State. It marks the first time in school history Middle has gotten a bowl invite three years running. While the previous two bowls were held

outside of the contiguous United States, this one will be held a mere four hours away in Montgomery, Alabama. Considering the proximity, Coach Stockstill is going all out to ensure fans show up. “The bowl (committees) understand the last two years. They won’t understand our fans not showing up for this one,” he said. “So I’m pleading our fans show up in droves.” To help his case, Coach Stockstill has vowed to purchase $10,000 worth of tickets to give to MTSU students. That comes out to more than 300 tickets. The Camellia Bowl will kickoff at 7 p.m. central time on Saturday, Dec. 16.

Nick King, #5

Brad Anderson, #11

KING, WALTERS LEAD BASKETBALL TEAM TO A STRONG SEASON START

The MTSU Blue Raiders men’s basketball team tipped off its 2017–18 season early in November, and it has been a coming out party for senior forward Nick King. The Memphis native who averaged only 5.7 points and 3.9 rebounds over his first three collegiate seasons has burst onto the scene in Murfreesboro. Through six games, King has scored more than 20 points in all games except for the season opener, when he scored 17. In two of those contests King broke the 30-point plateau. He is currently averaging 24.3 points per game, which ranks him fifth in the nation in scoring. Brandon Walters has also made an impact in the early going for the Blue Raiders. Despite averaging only 11 minutes per game for MT last season, Walters ended the year on a high note when he scored 11 points and pulled down five rebounds in just 17 minutes in the NCAA Tournament loss to Butler. Walters has seemingly picked up where he left off as he currently ranks second on the team in points per game and rebounds per game. While King and Walters have been pleasant surprises, the Blue Raider fan base has not yet seen the Giddy Potts that they have become accustomed to seeing over the past two seasons. Potts has struggled mightily from the field, connecting on only 35 percent of his attempts. That is a drop of 13.5 percent over his two previous seasons. Potts has also seen nearly a five-point decrease in his points per game production, averaging only 10.3 points per contest so far. On the bright side, Potts has nearly doubled his steals per game so far this season, maintaining his identity as one of the team’s top defenders. Still, as of presstime the Blue Raiders sit at 5–1 on the season with the only loss coming at home against Belmont. Middle Tennessee will get only one home game in December when they host Ole Miss at Murphy Center on Dec. 9. From there they will play Auburn in Birmingham before they take a tropical Christmas vacation to Hawaii for the Diamond Head Classic. MT will play Princeton in the first round. Other participants in the tournament include Akron, Davidson, Hawaii, Miami, Southern California and New Mexico State. The Blue Raiders will end 2017 back in Birmingham to play its first Conference USA opponent, Alabama-Birmingham. If King can continue his monstrous production, and Potts can increase his, there is no reason the Blue Raiders can’t make it through a tough non-conference schedule with only one loss. Such a feat would go a long way in making MT the favorite in the first round of the NCAA tournament rather than the underdog.

Begin Now on Your Fitness Goals and Stay Ahead of the Curve with Local Winter Challenge BY SEMAJ THOMAS

ost people start New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of the year. However, no time is like the present whenever you want to make a change, especially with your health and fitness. During the winter, it can be easier to relax a bit more because of holiday gatherings, working longer hours, less daylight or staying at home because of the bad weather. Siobhan Morales and myself, Semaj Thomas, personal trainers at Championtone Fitness here in Murfreesboro, recently joined together to make the most of this season to help others not fall off track, eliminate excuses to not stay active and be held accountable for their actions. Beat Your Resolution is a winter challenge focusing specifically on individuals’ struggles and weaknesses. “My goal is do cardio at least five to six

times a week,” Morales said, adding that consistent cardio training has long been her weakness and struggle, but she now wants to give it her all. Some may say, “But I don’t want to work out a lot,” and you don’t have to. Most of the upper body, lower body and cardio exercises that Beat Your Resolution emphasizes can be performed at home in 30 minutes. We will run this challenge through March 1 so individuals go into the New Year 2018 already mentally and physically prepared to jump start summer vacation bodies by building stronger legs, tighter abs, bigger chest and/or a bigger butt to show off.

The program is free for anyone to join, and for a $5 fee challengers can enter for the chance to win monthly prizes like free meals, gas cards, merchandise, and a dope art piece by Xavier Payne, one of the most talented and creative artists in the Middle Tennessee community. Be a better you every day! For more information, check out the Facebook page Simply Inspiring Others, and the Facebook group Beat Your Resolutions Winter Challenge, forums where participants can share pictures and post achievements, goals and weaknesses. Also, follow the team: Siobhan @champ_sio14, Semaj @bodybyshauty and Championtone Fitness @championtonefitness.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42 sought out this wise man. He told the old man, “I want a million dollars, and people say you can tell me or show me how to get a million dollars.” The old man took him down to the creek and asked him if he would do exactly as he was told. The man replied that he would. The old man told him to stick his head all the way under the water. When he complied, the old man grabbed the visitor’s head and held him underwater until he almost drowned. When the man was through coughing and choking, the old man told him, “When you want that million dollars as much as you wanted to get your head out of that water, then you will have it!” DAY 30: Some people say “I want a million dollars,” and then turn right around and say “I know I can’t have it; I am too old now; I don’t know how; I was born on the wrong side of the tracks,” and on and on. Of course you can’t have it. You give your mind too many directions and your mind doesn’t know which way to go. It’s like getting into a taxi and giving the cabbie four different directions. DAY 31: When you really want something, you must first desire the thing—really desire it. Then keep your mind focused on your desire every day, never letting any contrary thoughts live in your mind for even a second.