December 2018 Murfreesboro Pulse by The Murfreesboro Pulse

DECEMBER 2018 / Middle Tennessee’s Source for Art, Entertainment and Culture News / VOL. 13, ISSUE 12 /

a free gift for you!

Win! SHOP LOCAL

Gift Guide

Oh!

WHAT W HAT FUN

Holiday fun all across the great state of Tennessee >>> See page 14

IN MUSIC

& Giveaway page 22

Tri-Star Boxing Promoting Dec. 8 Beatdown in the ’Boro Blue Raiders to Play in New Orleans Bowl Author Mandy Hale Writes of Heartbreak and Healing

ALLEN & BRIGHT ✦ THE HOLLOW ROOTS ✦ LAUNDRY ROOM ✦ THE KATIES ✦ LEONARD BROTHERS ✦ AND MORE!

Contents

Win!

On the Cover: Rutherford County Courthouse by Brent Moore

CONTINUE TO DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS,

SHOP LOCAL

Gift Guide & Giveaway

14 FEATURES

IN EVERY ISSUE

5 Events

CALENDAR Christmas Parade, Christmas at the Movies, Hotcakes and Holly

IT CHRISTMAS TIME IT’S IN TENNESSEE!

Holiday activities from Graceland to Gatlinburg, Rock City to Opryland.

TITLE BOXING CLUB

Strengthen your body and grow your confidence with boxing workouts.

SHOP LOCAL GIFT GUIDE & GIVEAWAY

Enter to win over 20 gifts from generous local businesses, including music, massage, food, float therapy and more.

MUSIC NOTES The Laundry Room, MSO, New Year’s Eve concerts! ALBUM REVIEWS Allen & Bright; The Hollow Roots

LIVE . . . WELL! Confident living

Downtown Murfreesboro shops host work from local artists on Dec. 14.

GARDENING Year-round gardening

Tri-Star Boxing presents six professional boxing matches in Murfreesboro on Dec. 8.

Publisher/Editor in Chief: Bracken Mayo

CONCERTS The Katies, The Leonard Brothers, Uncle Don Clark and more!

14 Living

BORO ART CRAWL

BOROPULSE . COM

BOOK Author Mandy Hale writes of heartbreak and healing

8 Sounds 32 Movies

BEATDOWN IN THE BORO

POETRY Poetry in the Boro at MLT

28 Art

THEATER Save! Toyland, Newsies

REVIEWS Widows; Fantastic Beasts and the Crimes of Grindelwald NEW RELEASES Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle; Mary Poppins Returns and more!

34 Food RESTAURANT REVIEW Carmen's Taqueria

38 News

LOCAL NEWS Rutherford agencies work to raise awareness of opioids. BUSINESS BUZZ Reeves-Sain, Project

Advertising: Contributors: Allison Borrell, Don Clark, Ryan Kent Jennifer Durand, Joseph Kathmann, Leslie Russell-Yost Jordan Hall, Tony Lehew, Laura Lindsay, Rick Malone, Zach Maxfield, M.C. Radford, Art Director: Sarah Mayo Edwina Shannon, Jay Spight, Andrea Stockard, Semaj Thomas, Phil Valentine, Kory Wells, Copy Editor: Andrew Wigdor, Michelle Willard Steve Morley

Donuts, Rita’s Custard, McAlister’s Deli, Dental not-so-Excellent, Reox, and more!

39 Sports MTSU SPORTS Blue Raiders to play Appalachian State in New Orleans Bowl SPORTS TALK Merry Christmas Titans, Merry Christmas to all!

Opinion PHIL VALENTINE Officials should know by now to not use personal email. SPIRITUAL MATTERS

Waiting for the hour HIGHER THOUGHTS For everyday living RECOMMENDED READING Ecce Deus

Copyright © 2018, 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 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

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do something creative and unique, enhance your communication abilities and people skills. You may need them when a robot takes your job soon. Advice to the next generation: learn how to build and maintain the robots. It should be nice; allow the machines to take care of the fast food, factory and transportation tasks that don’t require much intelligent thought, and free up the humans to engage in more creative activities and seek a higher level of consciousness. The growth continues in Murfreesboro. New homes, apartments, businesses and developments keep springing up. And the old restaurants and shops continue to close. Rita’s, the fine frozen custard and Italian ice shop, announced its closing recently, though Murfreesboro will soon get a new custard shop with Andy’s coming soon on Memorial. There seems to be a big trash pile in Rutherford County and it’s everyone else’s fault. Our city leaders just couldn’t foresee the growth coming so soon, even though they talk about how rapidly the area grows and how properly they manage it to no end. Some local consumers, who toss away piles of nonbiodegradable material, say it’s the manufacturers of plastic containers who are to blame. The households just can’t resist purchasing all of those nice products in plastic packaging and the only solution is legislation banning plastics. The companies behind the consumer goods point out that the consumers can choose to purchase more eco-friendly packaging, but the people have spoken—they’ll gladly bring whatever packaging into their homes that saves them a dollar now. Meanwhile the big mountain of rubbish continues to grow as the vast majority of households just can’t move away from purchasing laundry soap and eggs packaged in containers made from inorganic material. The American people reflect on the life and legacy of the 41st U.S. President with the passing of George Bush. There’s certainly some interesting reading regarding HW and the CIA, the bin Laden Family, oil and energy investment, the Carlyle Group, Saudi Arabia and the New World Order. Here in Murfreesboro this month, we have some professional boxing, the Christmas tree lighting, Bethlehem Marketplace, Boro Art Crawl, the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas presentation and more. Turn the pages for a look at some holiday attractions all across our great state, some New Year’s Eve concerts in the Music City area and the Pulse’s annual giveaway and gift guide. Keep the local merchants in mind as you complete your holiday shopping. Sure, it can be quite convenient to have Amazon and Walmart to ship everything directly to your doorstep, but many find that if they get out and patronize some local shops they just may meet some interesting and knowledgeable individuals and discover some unique places. The Mayos have enjoyed our Lionel train puffing around the Christmas tree already this year. Go talk to Thor over at his shop on Medical Center Parkway, he’ll help you build a miniature railroad of your own. Happy holidays. May the final month of 2018 be filled with love, peace and joy, faith, family, friends, football and food. Don’t get too wrapped up in materialism and consumerism and economic growth. Gaze at a fire or sing a Christmas carol or play a game with the family or friends for a little while.

Peace, BRACKEN MAYO Publisher/Editor in Chief

Events

CALENDAR / DEC. 2018

BY ANDREA STOCKARD

DEC. 4

be taken with the purchase of your breakfast. The Marketplace is open for the entirety of the event with vendors offering home decor, woodworking, spices, candles and jewelry. Admission is free and advance registration is not required. For more information, visit extension.tennessee.edu/rutherford.

HOLIDAY WREATH MAKING Join the Wilderness Station on Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 6–7 p.m. to make your own holiday wreath adorned with fresh cedar boughs, ribbon and other assorted decorative accents. These wreaths look beautiful and smell amazing. All materials are provided. Register by contacting 615-217-3017 or hmoss@murfreesborotn.gov.

DEC. 8 HOTCAKES AND HOLLY Murfreesboro Rotary Club's presents their 16th annual Hotcakes and Holly from 7 to 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 8 at Middle Tennessee Christian School elementary cafeteria, 100 E. MTCS Road. There will be breakfast, visits with Santa and live music. Tickets are $5 each, available at the door.

DEC. 5 AND 6 ENTERTAINING WITH BEEF Join the Tennessee Beef Industry Council (530A Brandies Cir.) for a Beef Demonstration and Hands-On Cooking class Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m. Create five beef recipes to share with your family this holiday season. Class is $35 per person or $60 per couple. Enjoy delicious food and take home some goodies to help with the holiday cooking. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite, or visit tnbeef.org for more information. Enjoy special entertainment by local school choirs, holiday dancers and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

DEC. 6 COMMUNISERVE LAUNCH Join CommuniServe on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 6–8 p.m. at The Warehouse (730 Middle Tenn. Blvd., Ste. 14), for the official launch party to celebrate CommuniServe, a nonprofit dedicated to funding homecare for veterans and other heroes. Colors are presented by Rolling Thunder, Chapter One TN. Food and beverages are provided by The Alley on Main and Mayday Brewery. For more information, visit the CommuniServeNashville Facebook page or communi servenashville.org.

DEC. 7 PAINTING WITH KIDS Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center, 100 Sam Ridley Parkway, presents a snowman painting class from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 7. The class is open to ages 5 to 15. Supplies will be provided with the $10 fee. Registration is required through Community Pass or email brooke.driver@townofsmyrna.org.

DEC. 7

DEC. 8 CREATE THE LIFE YOU CRAVE COURTHOUSE PHOTO BY BRENT MOORE

DEC. 7 MAIN STREET CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING Bring the family for one of Murfreesboro’s most treasured holiday traditions, the lighting of the community Christmas tree on the historic downtown square. Festivities begin Friday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. This is Main Street Murfreesboro’s gift to the community, and it features special music and entertainment, Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron and Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland alongside Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves. Santa arrives aboard a Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department engine, compliments of Chief Mark Foulks. Other entertainment includes a mini-performance of the Center for the Arts’ Miracle on 34th Street (opening later in the evening), two dancing groups from the Jimmie Lou Tate Dancers, multiple school choirs and Santa visiting with children in the historic courthouse. For more information, contact 615-895-1887 or kathleen@downtownmurfreesboro.com.

Paris Love hosts an interactive workshop challenging you to move out of your comfort zone, get clarity on your dreams and create consistency so you no longer feel stuck. Work on the what’s holding you back and learn how to create the life you desire. Registration includes: all workshop material, vision board kit (workbook, board, keepsake box) and a complimentary 30-day follow up with Paris to ensure your success. Register on EventBrite or for more information, email Love at paris@parisloveproductivityinstitute. com or visit parisloveproductivityinstitute.com.

DEC. 8 EAGLEVILLE PARADE

Enjoy a buffet lunch provided to say “thank you” to the supporters of the CAC, serving both Rutherford and Cannon Counties. For more information, visit cacrutherford.org.

DEC. 7 POLAR EXPRESS STORYTIME AND PAJAMA PARTY All aboard for the Polar Express! Barnes & Noble (2615 Medical Center Pkwy.) presents an enchanting Polar Express storytime, craft and hot chocolate at 5 p.m., and again and 7 p.m. Come dressed in your best pajamas; parents too! This event is free and open to the public.

DEC. 7 AND 8

CAC OPEN HOUSE

CHARITY CIRCLE OF MURFREESBORO

Take part in the Holiday Open House at the Child Advocacy Center (1040 Samsonite Blvd.) on Friday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

The Charity Circle of Murfreesboro is an organization of women dedicated to working with other charitable agencies to serve

 To read about local events online, visit BOROPULSE.COM/EVENTS

those in need in our community. Join them for Ladies Luncheon, Friday, Dec. 7, from 12:30–1:30 p.m. at the home of Jessica and Buckley Winfree (2933 Cherry Blossom Ln.). RSVP to this event at debbiecoreen@gmail.com. Also, join the Charity Circle on Saturday, Dec. 8, for Caroling and Cocktails at the home of Warren and Beverly McPherson (1727 Shagbark Trl.). For reservations, call 615-668-4267. For more information, visit charitycirclemboro.com.

DEC. 8 RUTHERFORD COUNTY 4-H PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND MARKETPLACE Join Rutherford County 4-H at Lane AgriPark (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) for a day of food, crafts and fun to ring in the holiday spirit on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Enjoy pancakes, sausage, eggs and a drink for $8. Selfies with Santa Claus may

The Eagleville Christmas parade kicks off at 11 a.m. on Dec. 8 and travels down Main Street. The theme this year is "A Tennessee Christmas."

DEC. 8 CBD SYMPOSIUM Tennessee Hemp Supply (2804 S. Rutherford Blvd.) presents a free educational seminar about Cannabidiol (CBD) on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 12–2 p.m. with guest speaker Dr. Sarah Daron-Mathis. Questions covered include: What is CBD? How does CBD work? How much should I take? Please RSVP on the Tennessee Hemp Supply Facebook page.

DEC. 8 EDIBLE SECRET SUPPER Edible Nashville will present its first Secret Supper pop-up dinner at the historic and CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2018 * 5

romantic Childress House, an 1840s BnB just off the square in Murfreesboro, on Saturday, Dec. 8. Enjoy jazz, cozy fireplaces, unique nooks and crannies and gin cocktails. The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. with cocktails, appetizers and live music. Dinner is prepared by Chef Skylar Bush as Edible partners with Eat REAL. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.

DEC. 8 AND 9 BETHLEHEM MARKETPLACE Bethlehem Marketplace is a walk-through drama re-enacting how the village of Bethlehem might have appeared the morning after the birth of Jesus, with an atmosphere and surroundings like of those of 2000 years ago at Southeast Baptist Church (708 Minerva Dr.). It features characters in historically accurate costumes such as Roman soldiers, prisoners, tent makers, weavers, merchants in shops, census-takers and more. Live camels and other animals lend authenticity to the re-enactment. The interactive drama is put on entirely by approximately 150 church members. Admission is free.

DEC. 8 EPSILON PSI PANCAKE BREAKFAST Join the ladies of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Epsilon Psi Chapter, on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 7–11 a.m. at The Fish House (1626 Middle Tennessee Blvd.) for their first Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for the Scholarship Fund, along with a sock donation. Admission is $5 per person and you can eat in or take out. Special guests are Santa and his elves. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

Medical Center Parkway. He'll be set up at Central Park from 3-5 p.m. Dec. 7 and 1-3 p.m. Dec. 8. There is no charge.

DEC. 8

FROSTY FUN RUN

SMYRNA HOLIDAY EVENT

Fleet Feet Murfreesboro announces the 10th Annual Frosty Fun Run at the Stones River Country Club (1830 NW Broad St.) to benefit CASA of Rutherford County and Parks Christmas for the Children. The untimed run kicks off at 7 a.m. along the cart paths of the golf course behind the clubhouse. Participants can run along the entire cart path (slightly more than 4 miles) or complete half. Entry fees are $35 per runner or $125 for a family of four. For every unwrapped gift, participants can earn two raffle tickets. All toys, as well as race proceeds, are donated to Rutherford County children who will not receive Christmas gifts without the generosity of this community. Following the event, participants can enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, and waffles along with giveaways and the judging of the “decorate your race bib” contest. Pictures with Santa are available. Register at fleetfeetmurfreesboro.com or at Fleet Feet Murfreesboro, 544 N. Thompson Ln.

The Smyrna Depot District will host a holiday event from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 8. Head downtown for a variety of activities, including carriage rides and warm treats. Pictures with Santa are $5 and free s'mores will be served during the event.

DEC. 8

DEC. 9 & 16

TOY DRIVE GOLF SCRAMBLE

SAVE TOYLAND

Participate in the Toy Drive Golf Scramble Saturday, Dec. 8, from 11:30–5 p.m. at Champions Run Golf Course (14262 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Rockvale). The cost is $50 plus an unwrapped toy. Dinner is included after the tournament. For more information, call 615-274-2301 or visit championsrun.biz.

Murfreesboro Little Theatre, 702 Ewing Blvd., presents Save Toyland, a musical based on the opera Babes in Toyland. Show times are 7 p.m. Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 13-15, and 2 p.m. Dec. 9 and Dec. 16. Tickets can be purchased online at mltarts. com or at the door. Prices are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors.

DEC. 8 SANTA AT THE AVENUE Bring your own camera for pictures with Santa at The Avenue Murfreesboro, 2615 6 * DECEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

DEC. 8 SANTA AT LANES, TRAINS From noon-2 p.m. Dec. 8, enjoy bowling, cookies and a visit with Santa Claus at Lanes, Trains and Automobiles, 450 Butler Drive in Murfreesboro. The event is free and open to the public.

DEC. 8 & 22 SANTA AT GREEN DRAGON Bring your little elves to the Green Dragon Pub and Brewery, 714 F W. Main St. in Murfreesboro, for a visit and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 2–4 p.m. on Dec. 8 and Dec. 22. Bring your camera. There is no charge.

DEC. 9 MURFREESBORO CHRISTMAS PARADE

The annual Murfreesboro Christmas Parade begins at the corner of East Main Street and Middle Tennessee Boulevard in front of MTSU on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. It travels down East Main to the Square, onto West Main and ends on Walnut Street. For information, call 615-893-5373.

DEC. 9 MAKE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS CARDS Get creative while making custom homemade cards for Christmas or any other occasion with a variety of options at SOAC (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E) from 12–4 p.m. No additional cost with paid admission. Registration suggested. For more information, contact mike.kraft@townofsmyrna.org.

DEC. 11 AMAZING SHAKE Walter Hill Elementary School (6309 Lebanon Rd. hosts the Amazing Shake competition on Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 8 a.m.–2 p.m., and each day until Dec. 14. Community business leaders join the school staff as they help fourth- and fifth-grade students learn and improve communication, conversational and other business-related soft-skills and interpersonal skills, resume writing and more. The event needs corporate sponsors, guest speakers and judges. For more information, contact eskridge@rcschools.net.

DEC. 11 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce presents Business After Hours, an informal business networking event, on Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 5–7 p.m. at Hop Springs, 6790 John Bragg Hwy. Bring plenty of business cards. Admission is $10 for Chamber members and $20 for future members. No registration is required. For more information, visit rutherfordchamber.org.

DEC. 13 CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES Welcome the holidays with the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra and Choir’s Christmas concert, “Christmas at the Movies” at First United Methodist Church (265 W. Thompson Lane) on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. For more information,

DEC. 15 WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA CEREMONY Join the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Stones River National Battlefield (3501 Old Nashville Hwy.) Saturday, Dec. 15, from 12–1 p.m. Watch the ceremonies Remember the Fallen, Honor Those Serving and Teach The Next Generation to respect and honor veterans. Layer wreaths on the gravestones as part of the ceremony; all are welcome to participate. For more information, call 615-707-8565 or visit donate.wreathsacross america.org.

visit murfreesborosymphony.com or call 615-898-1862.

DEC. 14 ALL ACCESS NIGHT Join the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro (502 S.E. Broad St.) Friday, Dec. 14, from 5:30–8 p.m. for All Access Night, a time for special-needs families to enjoy the Discovery Center’s exhibits and programs. All Access Nights are sponsored by Jackson National Life. This event is free, but RSVPs are required. RSVP at 615-890-2300 or ksmith@ explorethedc.org, or for more information, visit explorethedc.org.

DEC. 14 SANTA AND S’MORES Santa Claus is coming to the SOAC (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy E.) Friday, Dec. 14, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Grab your camera to capture this special moment. Also enjoy s’mores and cookies around the campfire. Admission is $3 for all ages. Registration Required. For more information, contact alex.lempin@townofsmyrna.org.

DEC. 15 SHAKESPEARE ALLOWED Join Rutherford County’s Shakespeare Allowed group at Linebaugh Public Library (105 W. Vine St.) the third Saturday of every month to read through all his works. The group will read All’s Well that Ends Well on Saturday, Dec. 15, from 12–2 p.m. If you wish to read, bring a copy of the work or borrow a copy from the library. Whoever wants to read out loud can choose to sit at the table. Get there early, the reading starts at noon. For information, find the Rutherford County Shakespeare Society on Facebook, call 615-893-4131 or visit rcls.org.

DEC. 15 PLAY DAY WITH SANTA Join Santa on Saturday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. for a fun play day featuring games, laser tag, balloon artist, a pizza lunch and selfies with Santa at Stars and Strikes (333 N. Lowry St.). Reservations are required. To purchase tickets, call 615-438-9029 or visit the Eventbrite page.

DEC. 15 HOLIDAY SENIOR DANCE Enjoy hors d’ouevres at the Holiday Dance Saturday, Dec. 15, from 12–4 p.m., at the St. Clair Street Senior Center (325 St. Clair St.) with live music by Cripple Creek Review. Admission is $5. For more information, call 615-890-2677.

DEC. 15 FAMILY DAY Join Family Day at the Patterson Community Center (521 Mercury Blvd.) Saturday, Dec. 15, from 12–3:30 p.m. for the 19th Annual Family Day. Families and children are encouraged to attend and be thankful for one another. Enjoy gospel singing and a word of encouragement from Carl G. Marable. For more information, call 615-347-1619.

DEC. 18 PUCKETT’S TRIVIA NIGHT Puckett’s Grocery in downtown Murfreesboro invites the community for a monthly fun night of themed trivia from 7–9 p.m. With sponsorship from the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring and Brainblast Entertainment, each night focuses on a different theme. The next date is Tuesday, Dec. 18. For more information, call 629201-6916 or visit pucketssgrocery.com or the Puckett’s Grocery Facebook page.

DEC. 20 THE CONNECTION Local small business owners will gather for The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, at Float Alchemy, 131 Cason Ln. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, free, no-obligation event, where they can meet other small business owners and tap into one another’s experience and energy. An open roundtable discussion will encourage participation from those in attendance, asking them to articulate their vision for their business and calling for examples of some of the business challenges and solutions they are experiencing. The series will continue the third Thursday of each month.

DEC. 22 CODER DOJO GROUP The Boro Coder Dojo Group meets in the Learning Center (second floor) of the Linebaugh Public Library (105 W. Vine St.) on Saturday, Dec. 22, from 9–11 a.m. (and the fourth Saturday of every month). Ages 7–17 explore technology, coding and computer programming. For information, call 615-893-4131 or visit rcls.org.

is a caregivers’ support group for relatives caring for elderly with chronic illness or Alzheimer’s disease. It was formerly called “Labor of Love.” No sign-up is required. For more information, call 615-848-2550.

DEC. 31 SHIMMER AND SHINE NYE Come shimmer and shine with the Pyramid Foundation of Tennessee for New Year’s Eve at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Murfreesboro (1850 Old Fort Pkwy.) on Monday, Dec. 31, from 9 p.m.–2 p.m. Put on your sparkling cocktail dress and your freshest dapper suit and dance the night away with Atlanta artist DJ Bomshell Boogie. A portion of the proceeds support combating mental illness within the community. For more information, visit The Pyramid Foundation of Tennessee Facebook page or the Eventbrite page.

DEC. 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH AT THE SOAC Drop your kids off for a night of fun to celebrate the New Year at the SOAC (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E) from 6 p.m.–1 a.m. Pizza, snacks and New Year’s Eve swag are provided. Cost is $10 for ages 6–13. Registration required through CommunityPass. For more information, contact alex.lempin@ townofsmyrna.org.

UNTIL JAN. 27 CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG Join the Discovery Center in Mufreesboro (502 S.E. Broad St.) for the newest exhibit, Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog, open now through Jan. 27. Hop aboard the Birdwell Island ferry and journey to the world of Clifford, America’s beloved big red dog. Inspired by Scholastic’s TV show Clifford the Big Red Dog on PBS Kids, the exhibit offers numerous immersive “pawson” adventures that reinforce Clifford’s big ideas. For more information, call 615-8902300, or visit explorethedc.org.

SATURDAYS & MONDAYS STORYTIME AT BARNES & NOBLE Join Barnes & Noble (2615 Medical Center Pkwy.) Saturdays and Mondays at 11 a.m. for children’s story time and coloring. For more information, call 615-895-8580.

DEC. 28

MONDAYS

CARE CONNECTION

GIRLS WHO CODE

The St. Clair Street Senior Center (325 St. Clair St.) hosts Care Connection on Friday, Dec. 28, from 10–11 a.m. (and the fourth Friday of every month). This

Girls Who Code aims to support and increase the number of women in computer science. The organization is working to close the gender employment difference in

technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like. The group meets at the Technology Engagement Center (306 Minerva Dr.) every Monday through from 4:30–6:30 p.m. For more information, contact angela@okasinc.org or 615-9044493 or visit girlswhocode.com.

TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS LINEBAUGH STORYTIME Join Ms. Mindy and Ms. Laura for a story and a puppet show Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Linebaugh Library (105 W. Vine St.) from 10–10:45 a.m. All ages are welcome. Sing, read, craft and learn. For more information, visit rclstn.org.

WEDNESDAYS BORO2SQUARE RUNNERS Boro2Square Runners is a running group for individuals interested in running and socializing with other runners. Weekly runs begin at 6 p.m. each Wednesday, starting from the Boulevard Bar and Grill, 2154 Middle Tennessee Blvd. Distances covered are 3–5 miles, with runners of all paces welcome to participate. For more information, visit facebook.com/boro2square.

WEDNESDAYS WRITERS GROUP The Murfreesboro Writers Group, comprised of local writers who seek to improve their work through mutual critique, meets every Wednesday at Linebaugh Library (105 W. Vine St.) from 6–8 p.m. You might hear science fiction, poetry, alternate reality, memoir, fantasy, mystery, literary fiction, or more. For more information, find Murfreesboro Writers Group on Facebook, email sayhello@murfreesborowritersgroup.com, call 615-893-4131 or visit rclstn.org.

THURSDAYS CHESS CLUB The Murfreesboro Chess Club meets each Thursday at 6 p.m. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 907 E. Main St. Chess players of all levels are invited to come meet and play against other local chess enthusiasts. For more information, email murfreesborochess@gmail.com or call 615-713-9256.

FRIDAYS GAMES AND CHESS NIGHT Come hang out in and around the cafe at Barnes & Noble (2615 Medical Center Pkwy.) to enjoy any available demo games or play with the local Chess Club on Fridays. Anyone is welcome to participate. For more information, call 615-895-8580 or visit the Barnes & Noble Facebook event page. BOROPULSE.COM

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Sounds

Read more about the community at

boropulse.com/category/living

e e s s e n n e T n i e m i T It ’s Christmas Nashville Belle Meade Franklin

Lebanon Sevierville Pigeon Forge Gatlinburg

Murfreesboro

Memphis

Chattanooga

o steal and slightly alter a quote by the late, great Tennessee Volunteer announcer John Ward, “It’s Christmastime in Tennessee!” Now, there are many awesome things to do in Murfreesboro and surrounding areas but, obviously, the holiday fun

 Christmas at Graceland

If I lived in Memphis, this would be a Christmas tradition. Christmas at Graceland shows how Elvis Presley decorated Graceland during the season. The mansion, decorated with red velvet drapes and Christmas decorations from the Presley family, has hundreds of blue lights, a lifesize Nativity scene, Santa, and lights indoor and out. The house and grounds sparkle with cheer through Jan. 8, 2019. Graceland Mansion tour tickets are $38.75 for adults, $34.90 for ages 62 years old and older and children 13–18 years old, and $17 for children 7–12 years old. Children 6 years old and under are free. View Elvis’ airplanes for an additional $5.

isn’t limited to our immediate area. The following is the result of a little research I did recently to find some cool Christmas ideas for you! Some of them may require a little travel, but I looked for the ones that I deemed the best bang for your Yule-time bucks.

Forge and Gatlinburg. The Great Smoky Mountains are your background and millions of lights and displays line the roads for a magical experience made in Tennessee. In Sevierville, buy 3D glasses and witness each light turn into a snowflake. In Pigeon Forge, all the attractions get festive, like The Old Mill with its two awardwinning restaurants, shops filled with gifts, and tours of the 186-year-old working mill. In Gatlinburg, the Parkway is merry and

bright with millions of lights and displays. Gatlinburg kicks off its leg of Smoky Mountain Winterfest with the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade on Dec. 7. The awardwinning parade has lighted floats, marching bands, giant balloons and Santa Claus for the more than 60,000 people who travel to see the parade each year.

 Christmas at Dollywood Dollywood, Tennessee’s No. 1 attraction,

 Smoky Mountain Winterfest runs November through

February and includes Sevierville, Pigeon 14 * DECEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

BY TONY LEHEW lights up like a Christmas tree with 4 million lights throughout the theme park for its annual Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration in Pigeon Forge. A new addition that has brought even more holiday cheer is the Parade of Many Colors that makes its way down Showstreet. Charming floats, performers and quirky characters including happy peppermint sticks march their way into Christmas every night through Jan. 5.

 Fun Ober Gatlinburg

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, you’ll love spending Christmas in the Smoky Mountains! At Ober Gatlinburg, you’ll be able to have tons of fun in the “snow” regardless of the weather. The snow-making machines at the resort create a beautiful winter wonderland. Hit the slopes to spend the afternoon skiing and snowboarding. Don’t worry if you don’t know how; the resort offers lessons for beginners. If you don’t want to ski or snowboard, try out snow tubing for an exhilarating ride.

 Enchanted Garden of Lights is a short trip to Chattanooga

Holiday dreams come true with one million lights during the Enchanted Garden of Lights through Dec. 31 at Rock City. Visitors can walk through 4–9 p.m. with the last ticket sold at 9 p.m. The attraction is closed Christmas Eve (night). Tickets are $21.95 for adults and $11.95 for children 3–12 years old Mondays to Thursdays and $24.95 for adults and $12.95 for children 3–12 years old Fridays to Sundays.

Holiday Activities from Graceland to Gatlinburg, Rock City to Opryland

 A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland Resort

takes place through Jan. 1, 2019, and includes 3 million lights strung throughout the property inside and out, and ICE! featuring Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas carved from 2 million pounds of ice sculptures and displays. Cirque Dreams Holidaze returns by popular demand with 50 performances including new acts, costumes and music. Trace Adkins will perform Christmas classics, country hits and Celtic songs, and other festivities include ice skating, carriage rides, an outdoor nativity and more.

 Holiday in Lights at Cheekwood

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is lit up with 1 million Christmas lights for Holiday Lights at Cheekwood, open every day through Dec. 30 from 5–10 p.m. except Christmas Day. Tour the gardens, meet Santa’s reindeer, visit the s’mores pits to create the beloved gooey snack, and enjoy music from carolers.

 Dancing Lights

Hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights are set to music in the Dancing Lights of Christmas event, held this year through Dec. 31 at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon. It’s Middle Tennessee’s largest drive-through holiday light and music shows. With the new location comes more than 1.5 million lights dancing to music, new displays, an extended route, an expanded Santa’s village and new Christmas songs.

 Dickens of a Christmas

The annual tradition of Dickens of a Christmas, the largest outdoor Christmas festival in Middle Tennessee, comes to the streets of Franklin Dec. 8–9. Main Street is the site for 200 characters, dancers and entertainers and several Charles Dickens characters such as Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim Cratchit. The smell of sugar plums, roasted chestnuts and English fare waft in the air as attendees join in a town sing and musical performances beckon passersby to stop for a while.

 The Nutcracker Ballet

The Nashville Ballet’s rendition of “The Nutcracker” with Tennessee icons celebrates 10 years during its 2018 run Dec. 1–23 at the Tennessee Performing Arts

Center’s Andrew Jackson Hall. Clara visits local spots like the Parthenon, Belle Meade Mansion and Shelby Bottoms and meets magical characters along the way. A youth cast of 191 dancers joins the 57-member professional dance company, making it the largest youth cast in Nashville Ballet’s history. Experience the magic of the season with special guests and surprises at this beloved event.

Tour the lavishly decorated Belle Meade Mansion and discover how holiday decorations evolved over the century from 1850–1950. Learn about Victorian holiday traditions and find out more about how the families who lived in the house at Belle Meade celebrated Christmas. Discover the changes brought to the house by 20th-century wars and emerging technology, from toys and games to the development of new electric Christmas tree lights. Make an ornament to take home to remember your visit. Admission rates are $10 for students, $15 for parents or chaperones and free for teachers.

This attraction offers an amazing amount of lights, all seen from the comfort of your own car. Do you remember when you were a little child, and the wonder, the amazement, and the splendor of seeing your first holiday light display? What a great family tradition to pile into the vehicle and spend the night going to area Christmas light displays. Wilson County has one of the nation’s largest Christmas light displays. Chad Barnard’s love for holiday lights started when he was still in school. He would grow his collection of lights every year by asking for lights for his presents. Chad’s now grown his light display to more than 2 million and they are spread over eight acres. As you drive through the public display you’ll encounter Santa’s house—featuring Santa himself giving away candy canes—stables with live animals, a mailbox for letters to Santa and much more. You may even get Frosty the Snowman to perform the running man for you. A carload of visitors can enjoy the wonderment of the lights for $15 at Chad’s Winter Wonderland, available for tours from 6–10 p.m. every night through New Year’s Eve (weather permitting).

 Chad’s Wonderland

 Hall of Fame

 Belle Meade Mansion

This is one of my personal favorites, located on Highway 109, just outside of Lebanon.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is offering several programs cel-

ebrating the holidays, including a visit with Santa and a screenings of Bill Anderson’s Country Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 23, and Johnny Cash’s Christmas on the Road Featuring Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson on Sunday, Dec. 30. The Museum Store helps visitors cover that last-minute Christmas shopping with its “12 Under $25” promotion—a variety of holiday greeting cards, posters, CDs, cookie cutters and ornaments perfect for stocking stuffers. The 25-foot Christmas tree adorning the lobby, covered with 3,000 lights, might just be a perfect backdrop for next year’s family Christmas card.

 Celebration on the Murfreesboro Square

New this year is a permanent Christmas tree on the lawn of the Historic Rutherford County Courthouse. The annual tree lighting will be on Friday, Dec 7. Always a local favorite, the local Christmas Parade begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, at the intersection of East Main and Middle Tennessee Boulevard. The parade travels down East Main, around square to West Main and ends on Walnut Street. The theme of the 2018 Christmas Parade will be “A Christmas Story.” Merry Christmas!

Living

Live Exceptionally...Well! BY JENNIFER DURAND

Confident Living HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED HOW some people just seem to have an air of confidence about them? Others are drawn to them, want to be in their presence. They have an essence that says they know what they want and are not afraid to go get it. People are more inclined to believe those who speak with confidence. Guess what? People are not automatically confident. Life has a way of creating moments that break us down, but thankfully there are occasions that build us up. If you analyze the components of why or how someone appears confident, however, you can begin adding these same qualities and characteristics to your own life and enjoy more confident living— even if you have to manufacture it at first. “Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s deﬁnition of your life, but deﬁne yourself.” — Harvey Fierstein A few simple things you can do to create more confident living, one step at a time. SMILE! This gets attention. It says you are a happy person, and approachable. A confident, carefree smile that comes from inside makes you more attractive on the outside. This increases your face value tremendously. The many times I have found myself in unfamiliar territory, I remember smiling to myself as I looked around—as though I knew “something.” Smiling makes me feel better and usually leads to conversation more easily than not smiling, or even worse, frowning! POSTURE. Stand tall, shoulders back, chest out, spine long. How you carry yourself speaks volumes. It also looks better

than slouching. Don’t over do it. No “over arching” your back. Just keep the spine long and stretched upward. As you pull your shoulders back, this will naturally arch your chest forward. ATTITUDE! Be approachable, considerate, easygoing. Be positive. Reflect on all sides of a situation. Be pleasant. You don’t have to agree with everyone, but be kind. Be happy. Be genuine.

being. Things that influence this are what you eat, drink and what you use to clean or maintain your skin. If you have unusual issues, seek professional help either from a licensed skin care provider, dermatologist or nutritionist.

• Help someone else. Volunteer your services or lend a hand. Helping someone often brings instant satisfaction as we forget ourselves and bring a smile to another as we lighten the load. It feels good to make a difference to another.

MAKEUP (ladies) / MAINTAINED FACE (men). Create a look that represents your true nature—natural, playful, dramatic, professional. Whatever it is, make sure it is maintained, well manicured and consistent. Heard the saying “put on your A-game”? This would apply here.

• Care for yourself. Self confidence is a combination of good physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and social health. It is hard to feel good about yourself if you are constantly feeling bad about one or more of these.

STYLE. Add a little something that uniquely expresses you—a hat, scarf, socks, belt, earrings or boots. Be creative, but keep it classy and timeless. “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” – Marilyn Monroe A couple additional tips to help build your confidence:

Now, put them all together and heads will turn. Your outward appearance is affected by what you do and think on the inside, so make it brilliant! “What the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve.” – Napoleon Hill Jennifer Durand is the owner and operator of The Nurture Nook Day Spa & Gift Shoppe. Learn more by calling (615) 896-7110 or visiting nurturenook.com.

LISTEN. Don’t know what to say? Observe, listen. Pay attention instead. When you listen you gain information, insight and inspiration. You will know when it’s time to talk. People often don’t listen enough before speaking, or speak before gathering all the facts. Take it all in. Listeners are often considered thoughtful, intelligent, respectful and even popular. Those who get to talk feel like they’ve been heard when someone takes the time to genuinely listen. EYE CONTACT. Be attentive, genuine, direct. Make eye contact when communicating. When you are not distracted, this focused attention increases your confidence range. CLOTHES. Wear clothes that flatter your shape and feel good. Comfortable clothes make you feel relaxed. This way you don’t spend time fidgeting. Fitted clothing is also very attractive, especially when you stand tall (remember posture). If you’re unsure of what looks good on you, many stores have personal shoppers or wardrobe stylists that can help. Or shop with a friend who has good taste! SKIN. Good healthy skin reflects healthy habits that say you care about your wellBOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2018 * 17

Living The frost and the ice traditionally bring an end to the bounty of fresh, local produce, relegating fresh veggies to a benefit of warm-to-hot weather alone. Traditionally, that’s true; however, year-round gardening can be achieved here. With this being the month of gift giving, let me plant some ideas of how to help your favorite gardener achieve year-round gardening. My focus is on edible production in a minimum space. Books have been written on any one of these suggested techniques, so consider these suggestions as a seed in germination. Techniques to consider: – There are countertop gardening boxes with a grow medium and grow lights. Look up hydroponic. – There is the use of a functioning fish tank as the nutrient source for vegetable roots, also under a grow light. Look up aquaponics. – A hoop house over cool-season vegetables will extend pick time and allow some to survive the winter for an early spring crop. They would already be in the ground now. – Protecting root crops, like carrots, from freezing by liberally applying straw on their bed. They would now be ready for picking. – Position hugelkultur beds to receive maximum sun for cool season plants. Place the mounds closely together. Heat from decomposition within the mound and the proximity to each other allow fresh vegetables through cold weather. – Containers for inside/outside use. There are a lot of possible gifts within these suggestions, whether the gift is bought or personally made: lights, containers, trays, hoop house construction, mound building . . . Why container gardening? The obvious answer is space, making it a viable option for winter vegetables or for year-round apartment or townhouse residents with little space of their own. However, there are homeowners with garden space who also use container gardening. Why? Flexibility. Control. As the season gets colder or hotter, plants in containers can be moved into sheltered places to allow a longer, productive cycle. As an interesting visual focus, containers can be arranged as a presented display, especially used near seating areas as a prettiness factor. 18 * DECEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

Farmers Market Education Series BY EDWINA SHANNON

Stretching the Seasons Into Year-Round Gardening Containers will need either a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day or to be supplemented with a grow light. Containers do not have to be fancy: think reuse. Consider plastic buckets, coffee cans, wooden boxes, wire baskets or milk cartons for an alternative to a garden pot. Stay away from pressure-treated lumber to avoid arsenic leaching into the growth medium. Drainage holes should be on the side, not the bottom, of the container. Drill quarter-inch holes every four to five inches for drainage. You can make your own soil from peat moss, sand and garden soil mixed together in equal amounts. To ensure weed-free, insect-free and disease-free soil, bake the damp mixture in a shallow pan in a low oven until the center maintains a 180-degree temperature for 30 minutes. I would have to toss any worms into the yard or compost pile before baking. Another option with container gardening is to use a pre-made mixture of horticultural vermiculite, peat moss and fertilizer that comes sterilized. Leave two to three inches at the top of the container for water. Remember to water the containers regularly, as they dry out faster than garden plots. Containers can be two-to-five gallons in size, depending on what you are growing and assuming you are using a soil or a soil substitute for the plant to grow in. Spinach, radishes and lettuces can all grow in a two-gallon container. A head of leaf lettuce needs six inches; pick from the outer leaves in. Spinach needs less space, radishes need little space. Many seed sources have dwarf varieties of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. Expect one plant per five-gallon container. If you wanted to try outdoor containers

now, the seeds would still need to be started indoors and when they were moved out, the area would have to be very protected. You don’t have to wait until spring to have fresh vegetables from your efforts. Your garden location might have just changed for the winter. Of course, you can also grow herbs

inside or in a protected outside area for winter use. A few more gifts to consider support the pollinators, a necessary component of any successful garden. Pollinators include insects and birds. Pollinators need places to perch, eat and drink. Mason bee houses are easier than bird houses as a DIY project. What plants attract pollinators? Seeds are being sold now. Consider baths, feeders, bushes and houses. Local inventory is low at this time of year. Gift cards and pictures of the promised gift or making plans together to build the project is a gift. It is the season of love and giving. Help your gardener give back to the earth from which we take. Humans are just one spoke in the wheel of the universe, and this holiday season is a perfect time to recognize our place in the wheel. There are scientific studies that recognize that plants respond to human acts of love, including proper care and maintenance with thought.

Living STORY BY SEMAJ THOMAS • PHOTOS BY BRACKEN MAYO

EYE OF THE TIGER

Strengthen your body and grow your confidence with boxing workouts at Title Boxing Club THE SEASON to bring your workout routine indoors, and one of the best ways to do this is to try one of the exercises most rapidly growing in popularity: boxing. Title Boxing Club offers a “full-body boxing workout that changes your body, clears your mind and completely engages your spirit,” according to its website. “Our signature workout utilizes the fundamentals of a true boxer’s workout—including proper heavy bag training—to strengthen and tone your arms, legs, back, core, stamina and your confidence.” Kyndon Oakes opened the Murfreesboro location of Title Boxing in December 2017. Oakes was previously a trainer at the Cool Springs franchise. He ultimately built a relationship with the owner of the one in Nashville, who helped give him this great opportunity at the Murfreesboro gym. Walking into the facility I felt the energy and excitement along with geniality and confidence from the staff, qualities likely to help ease any intimidation or first-time jitters newcomers may have. Kelsey Gordon, manager and trainer, warmly greeted me and assisted me with joining in on a group class. Title’s large group workout room, located near Embassy Suites just off of Medical Center Parkway, has over 30 punching bags. Once I started boxing and kicking the 20 * DECEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

punching bag in front of me, and noticing everyone else around me focused on their own bag and technique, I zoned in and went with the flow. Music was playing in the background while trainers walked around the room, making sure everyone was fine and following instructions to the exercises. Will you sweat? Yes, but water breaks are given throughout the exercise sets. The conditioning and self-defense skills one can gain from boxing training are why over 170 Title Boxing clubs have opened across the country, six of them in Middle Tennessee. “Nothing worth having comes easy,” says Oakes, who motivates clients from the get-go. He demonstrates how learning to throw and land punches, kicks and combinations with proper technique translates into weight loss, all while having a good time. Gordon advises to take it “one day at a time” and furthermore asks everyone to reflect upon this question daily: “How do I change today, because it is going to affect tomorrow?” That change comes from developing discipline and consciously thinking about your daily choices before going to the gym. This consciousness will

cause the client to come in the session with a different mindset, knowing that paying attention to the routine and their body is imperative; leave everything at the door and enjoy yourself. It’s kind of like having an out-of-body experience that takes your mind off of other things temporarily. The proof is in the pudding, as an old saying goes, which simply means come by and experience Title Boxing, and the results it offers, for yourself. The gym offers seven trainers who also provide one-on-one personal training services, and provides monthly events for members and the com-

“This fitness journey is long, and it doesn’t stop,” explains Kelsey. “It’s a forever-long journey.”

munity. Recently, Title presented a “Rock n’ Rumble” night, which included a DJ, blackedout lights and a live band. Stay tuned for a one-year anniversary celebration in December 2018. Morning workouts begin as early as 5:30 a.m., showers are available onsite and Title offers weekend classes as well. The first visit to a Title Boxing group workout session is free. Call 615-904-6540 for more information on how to take advantage of your first free visit. “This fitness journey is long, and it doesn’t stop,” explains Kelsey. “It’s a foreverlong journey.” This is something well worth remembering this Christmas season and repeating all throughout the year. For more information on Title Boxing, visit titleboxingclub.com.

Enter to Win!

  SHOP LOCAL

Gift Guide & Giveaway

ere are some ideas on how to shop local this holiday season, along with the chance to win gift cards, items and services from each fine local business listed. Visit BoroPulse.com/Win and enter to win them all! Merry Christmas!

LET IT GO, LET IT GO 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 the people of Murfreesboro find their “Ahh . . . ” ENTER TO WIN a $100 gift certificate 

FESTIVE MUSIC Century 21 carries lots of music on vinyl, CD and cassette, along with turntables, incense, vaporizers, wall hangings, tie-dye, Zippos and all sorts of fun treasures. The store, just off Main Street near MTSU, also 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. Get in the holiday spirit with some old favorites, or maybe discover some new treasures this year. C21 has music to please every member of your family! ENTER TO WIN a $50 gift card 

A CHRISTMAS FLOAT Give the gift of a unique experience! Float Alchemy opened on Cason Lane earlier in 2018, bringing some new services to the Murfreesboro market. In addition to massage and saunas, the business offers a variety of live cultured kombuchas on tap, chilling cryotherapy and floatation therapy tanks in an effort to help people in the area heal both body and mind. The serene environment, and most importantly the results, have already earned the business many local fans and supporters. Learn more at floatalchemy.com, and help everyone on your list enter the new year relaxed and radiant. ENTER TO WIN a flotation package 

A TASTY TREAT

SEASONINGS GREETINGS

Chef Jeff Pevehouse has earned a reputation as one of the area’s top caterers. For that hard-toplease individual on your Christmas list, consider a gift card to his restaurant, CJ’s, on Northfield Boulevard. Here, hungry diners can enjoy delicious steaks, salmon, raspberry chipotle chicken, bacon-wrapped asparagus, caprese and more. ENTER TO WIN a gift card to dine at CJ’s 

JPops, a locally owned Murfreesboro business, now offers JPops Homemade Goodness, and its one-of-akind Jalapeño Butter! Sweet with a bit of heat, it is dubbed “the universal condiment” because it is delicious on everything! Jalapeño Butter is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan with only five calories per serving. Learn more at jpopstn.com or ENTER TO WIN a JPops gift basket 

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NIGHT ON HOLIDAY

FACIAL MAGIC Wand & Willow Day Spa Spa, located at the Salons by JC complex on Thompson Lane, believes that there is a little magic inside all of us. Give a little Christmas magic to a loved one you want to treat, and gift one of Wand & Willow’s indulgence packages, massages, signature facials or something from its collection of potions, lotions, skincare products or bath salts, so they may experience a moment of relaxation with a dash of whimsical charm. ENTER TO WIN a 60-minute Wand & Willow Facial 

Consider a stay at the Doubletree Hotel for the person who could use a night or two away. In addition to a pool, fitness center, laundry services and a business center, the Old Fort Parkway hotel is also home to Burger Bar. ENTER TO WIN a stay for two nights 

CARE FOR LITTLE ELF Sitting Made Simple is a local babysitting service that connects area families who need childcare services with college sitters who need babysitting gigs. Whether you need a last-minute sitter, before- or after-school care, or seasonal sitting, SMS has you covered! The Sitting Made Simple sitters are interviewed in person, have a clean background check and driving record and are CPR certified. Contact local mom and franchise owner Lindsey McPherson at lindsey@sittingmadesimple.com or book your sitter with the online tool at sittingmadesimple.com. Consider sitting services as a gift idea for the parents who could use some time to themselves, or ENTER TO WIN a $100 gift card 

DOUGHNUTS FOR SANTA? Donut Country has been a local legend for decades, and magical things happen in middle of the night at this 24-hour Memorial Boulevard establishment. The people of Murfreesboro buy the made-in-house doughnuts, twists, eclairs, cinnamon rolls and more by the dozen, and the shop also serves sandwiches, chicken salad and other breakfast and lunch items. Drive right through and grab some doughnuts for someone on your list, or ENTER TO WIN a $10 DC gift card and a T-shirt 

COFFEE GOODNESS

BREATHE EASY A visit to the salt room reportedly helps detoxify, improve respiratory and overall health, enhance the immune system and lung capacity, and aids visitors with relaxation. If there is someone on your list who needs to relax, treat them to a session to improve their health. Breathe Easy Salt Rooms also carries bath salts, aromatherapy products and more. ENTER TO WIN a visit to Breathe Easy Salt Room plus a Himalayan salt lamp 

The Fox & Goat Coffee Company, based in Middle Tennessee, offers smallbatch coffee roasted fresh and shipped to your door. The company, founded by a veteran and his wife (the goat and the fox), imports its beans from ethical growers located all around the world and roasts them with love. Order online at foxandgoat coffeecompany.com. ENTER TO WIN

Fox & Goat gift basket with some of the roasts, and scented candles 

BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2018 * 23

 SHOP

LOCAL 

MERRY MEATLOAF

Gift Guide & Giveaway

Give a gift card to Murfreesboro’s oldest restaurant and put a little City Cafe in someone’s stocking. The Main Street restaurant serves meatloaf, fried chicken, catfish, green beans, biscuits and all of the Southern standards. WIN a $20 gift card to City Cafe and a t-shirt.

ENTER TO WIN at BoroPulse.com/Win

SUDS YOUR SLED Give the gift of a clean car with Sudsy’s Car Wash. The Church Street car wash offers Unlimited Wash Club memberships starting at $22.99/month. Its premium Mighty Duck wash includes Lava Shield Paint Sealant, wax and shine, Rain-X, foam and conditioner, tire shine, underbody rust inhibitor, Bug Juice and other features. Memberships and individual washes are available at sudsys.com. ENTER TO WIN a gift bucket of car care items, plus a $100 gift card to Sudsy’s 

TASTE OF ITALIANO Luca’s, on New Salem Highway, offers delicious New York style pizza along with calzone, subs, stromboli, cannoli and garlic rolls. Get the pizza lover in your life a taste of Italy from Luca’s. ENTER TO WIN a Luca’s pizza 

A CHRISTMAS CHASE FRUIT OF THE VINE Big Creek Winery Tasting Room recently opened in Christiana, offering muscadine, niagra, concord, peach, blackberry, cherry, apple and other varieties from Pulaski’s Big Creek Winery. ENTER TO WIN a bottle of wine from Big Creek

The scavenger hunts from Wild Goose Chase make fun team-building activities while making the most of our beautiful area. For a unique Christmas gift, hire the Wild Goose Chase team to produce a custom scavenger hunt for your family or friends. ENTER TO WIN a personalized scavenger hunt. 

RUGS AT RESTORE Habitat ReStore offers both new and gently used household items from rugs and furniture to appliances and home improvement materials—all at greatly discounted prices. Plus, the ReStore, located at 850 Mercury Blvd., helps fund Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity and its mission to build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter for low-income families. Learn more at rchfh.org. Find a variety of home decor and home improvement items at the ReStore, and ENTER TO WIN one of many 5'x7' area rugs  24 * DECEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

HEALTHY EATING Grabbing something to eat on the fly can sometimes make it challenging to eat healthy. CoreLife Eatery prepares healthy, scratch-made, clean foods that taste great and are affordable, offered in a quick-casual format. All foods are free of trans fats, gluten, artificial colors, sweeteners, other artificial additives and GMOs. The chicken and steak used are sustainably raised and never given antibiotics or hormones, and the bone broth is slow-simmered all day for maximum taste and nutrition. During the holiday season, purchase a $25 gift card, and CoreLife will gift you a $5 off coupon. ENTER TO WIN a CoreLife gift card 

REST & DETOX Balance Anew Wellness offers a variety of professional massage services at reasonable prices, all geared towards reducing each individual’s stress and pain. Therapist Tammie McLendon has trained in numerous modalities and offers Swedish, trigger point, reflexology, deep tissue, energy work and even oncology and geriatric massages. Balance Anew also offers ionic foot detox services. Call 615-4979799 for information on special holiday gift certificate offers, or ENTER TO WIN

a gift certificate for an ionic foot detox bath session 

TRAINS & ROCKERS Lionel Train sets have been treasured Christmas gifts for over 100 years now. At Thor’s, the only official Lionel dealer in town, you can get a set of Christmas nostalgia to send chugging around your tree. The shop also offers a selection of American handcrafted furniture. ENTER TO WIN a rocker for your porch 

Art

 EXHIBITS America Series Smoky Mountains Tennessee by Brette Leonardson

Boro Art Crawl Presents Final 2018 Event on Dec. 14 at Downtown Murfreesboro Businesses THE BORO ART CRAWL returns to downtown Murfreesboro venues on Friday evening, Dec. 14. The event, held the second Friday of every other month, gives area artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their work, while bringing additional visitors to local shops. Attending the Art Crawl is always free, and guests can visit any of the participating stops at their own pace. Additionally, many of the hosting businesses offer food, drink and additional entertainment. Stops in the December 2018 Boro Art Crawl include ReVintaged Lemon, Center for the Arts, Boro Town Cakes Too, Dreamingincolor, Liquid Smoke, Simply Pure Sweets, Trendy Pieces, Bella’s Boutique, Marketplace Home & Gift, Studio C, Sugaree’s, Funtiques, Dave’s Cave and Mayday Brewery. Work on display includes paintings of various styles, jewelry, photography, drawings and more. For more information, visit boroartcrawl.com.

Clay and steel necklace by Royce Vaughn

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Winter Cardinal by Amberly

Art

Newsies Coming to Center for the Arts in January

 THEATER

MURFREESBORO LITTLE Theatre presents Save! Toyland to conclude its 2018 theatrical offerings. Jose Maldonado wrote and directs this work, both a sequel to and a revision of Victor Herbert’s classic opera Babes in Toyland. In this version, the evil Barnaby, now calling himself Barnabas, has decided to take matters into his own hands and finish the job his lackeys, Roderigo and Gonzorgo, have never been able to do. It is up to Mary Contrary, Jack Be Nimble, Boy Blue, Bo Peep and Jack and Jill to band together and save Toyland. This show is appropriate for all ages. Save! Toyland opens on Friday, Dec. 7, with performances at 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15; and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 16.

Emily Tsoumbos as Mother Goose and Heaven Doh as The Toymaker

Murfreesboro Little Theatre is located at 702 Ewing Blvd. For reservations and more information, visit mltarts.com.

PHOTO BY TYLER TSOUMBOS

Save! Toyland Dec. 7–16 at Murfreesboro Little Theatre

EXTRA! EXTRA! Disney’s Newsies kicks off an exciting 2019 season at The Center for the Arts, onstage Jan. 11–27. Based on the 1992 movie about the true story of the newsboy strike of 1899, the show inspires everyone to seize the day and fight for what’s right. “This cast of Disney’s Newsies is top notch!” said show director Mark David Williams. “The singing, the dancing, the dedication and work ethic already displayed is beyond anything I hoped for. I promise this is going to be one of the best shows ever produced by the Center!” Williams has appeared in many shows at the Center, including Jekyll & Hyde The Musical, Hairspray and Pirates of Penzance. When Joseph Pulitzer (Adam Boe) decides the easiest way to fatten his bottom line would be to raise the price of the newspapers for the newsboys who distribute them, Jack Kelly (Nicholas True), a charming but cheeky Newsie, decides that he’s tired of the publishing giants exploiting him and the other Newsies in town. With the help of Davey (Callum Ammons), Les (Jude Williams) and journalist Katherine Plumber (Isabella Kearney), they rally the newsboys from all over the city to form a union and go on strike, where they discover that wrongs can be righted—if they’re united. Newsies runs Jan. 11–27, at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Rated PG. Tickets available at boroarts.org, by calling 615-904-ARTS (2787), or at the Center for the Arts Box Office, 110 W. College St.

Art

 POETRY IN THE BORO BY KORY WELLS

Light Your Winter Solstice Eve with Storytelling and Poetry IN WINTER/ALL THE SINGING IS in/the tops of the trees, writes Mary Oliver in her poem “White-Eyes.” It’s a time when nature invites us to turn inward, to settle and contemplate. If you’ve ever read a poem and contemplated the story that might have inspired it, the December Poetry in the Boro is for you. Poet Andrew McFadyen-Ketchum, who was born and raised in Nashville, will appear with his father, Steve, at Murfreesboro Little Theatre on Thursday, Dec. 20. The duo will tell a story of literal darkness and light in the form of a harrowing trip to Lost Creek Cave in White County, Tennessee. Andrew will also share his poem about the experience. “The story and the poem are wildly different,” he says. “This will be an experience that is not only entertaining but examines the relationship between story, verse and the self.” Several stories told by Steve McFadyen-Ketchum are integral to the structure of his son’s poetry book, Ghost Gear. Andrew McFadyen-Ketchum is an award-winning author, editor, ghostwriter, activist and meanderer. He is acquisitions editor for Upper Rubber Boot Books, founder and editor of poemoftheweek.com, founder and editor of The Floodgate Poetry Series, and professor of creative writing at Colorado Community College. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the feature begins at 7. Open mic time with host Nick Bush follows. For the Winter Solstice Eve event, writers are challenged to share a poem or short prose piece that reflects this month’s themes of light and darkness or winter. For more details, find Poetry in the Boro on Facebook. Thursday, Dec. 13 is the deadline for proposal submissions to the MTSU Todd Art Gallery for their Spoken Word Performance event scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 26. Student, emerging and mid-career artists are all encouraged to apply. Performances should relate indirectly or directly to communication, text, literacy, social constructs, socio-economic systems and power relationships. More information is available at tinyurl.com/mtsuspokenword or by contacting gallery coordinator Eric Snyder at eric.snyder@mtsu.edu. Friday, Dec. 14, local poets will read a mix of original and well-known seasonal poems at the Boro Art Crawl. Short poetry readings will be intermingled with a caroling quartet at the Center for the Arts from 6–9 p.m. Kory Wells, Poet Laureate of Murfreesboro, will be reading at the Boro Art Crawl on Dec. 14. “And This Will Be Sign” appears in The Southern Poetry Anthology, Volume VI: Tennessee. And This Will Be a Sign by Kory Wells To wake in this small room, where all night long the steady furnace clicked and hummed soft warnings to wolfish winds. To rise from quilted refuge, don flannel robe and fur-lined slippers, pad to chilly kitchen, brew the coffee, pour the cream. To hold a cup that brims with comfort and—dare you say it?—hope. As skeptics must, you think this peace can’t last, but how you wonder: An old frame house. Thin walls and drafty sashes. A Mason jar of holly twigs, a bauble hanging here and there. Three presents wrapped and waiting. Spare. Enough. For even now your loved ones come this way, on frosty roads in dazzling sun, their faces bright and open. 30 * DECEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

 BOOK

Local Author Writes of ‘Heartbreak, Healing and Becoming Whole’ MANDY HALE, known as “The Single Woman” after the takeoff of her blog and the success of her first book, which became a New York Times best-seller, is remarkably down-toearth and in touch with her readers. Her latest book is called You are Enough: Heartbreak, Healing and Becoming Whole. “I went through a series of incredibly heartbreaking life challenges and through that process found myself very beaten down by life and in a place of darkness, hopelessness and depression,” Hale said of her battle with depression. “The story in the book is what got me to that place and about getting out of that place. “I wanted to write about this in in an authentic, but hopefully positive and helpful, way and let people who are struggling with depression know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it really does get better— that’s not just a phrase that people use. And if I can come out on the other side of it then so can they.” Hale says by going through the single life and life in general—heartbreak and loss and success and depression and anxiety and beauty and brokenness and all— she has learned that the journey to enough is never over. “I think ‘you’re enough’ is a process,” she said. “You can wake up one day and feel like you are more than enough or feel like you are lacking. That is okay. You are the version of yourself that you are at that moment, and not letting the world or circumstances or social media or anything outside of yourself determine your worth. [Be] willing to accept whoever you are at this moment, whether you are the heartbroken one, the healed one, the whole one or somewhere in between. . . . You are supposed to be exactly where you are.” In her book, Hale writes, “Keep fighting, Keep fighting. Keep fighting for your healing. Keep fighting for your wholeness. Keep fighting for your enoughness. And realize the fighter inside of you, who has refused to throw in the towel against all odds—anxiety, depression, loss, heartbreak, pain, disappointment, your past—man, is that person ever worth loving.” Near the conclusion of her book, Hale talks about the suicide death of a friend and pleads to her readers that no one else should give up and no one else can leave, asking people to reach out if they need help and explains, “You are a semicolon; you are not a period.” Hale, who lives in downtown Murfreesboro, started blogging 10 years ago for herself. When she noticed that few people were writing about being single in a positive way, she started using Twitter to shoot out positive tweets, messages and quotes. Her first book publisher discovered her on Twitter. She now has over 580,000 followers on Twitter and has written four books, beginning with the best seller The Single Woman: Life, Love and a Dash of Sass. Find more information at mandyhale.com. — LAURA LINDSAY

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* DECEMBER 2018 * 31

Movies

REVIEWS

ning. Manning can’t beat his rival without that money, so he gives Rawlings’ widow two weeks to pay him back. Viola Davis shines as Veronica Rawlings, who balances bereavement, confusion and the determination to survive as she travels with her fluffy white dog through the underbellies and ivory towers of contemporary Chicago. The ensemble cast is comprised of too many excellent actors to mention, the biggest standouts being Elizabeth Debicki as Alice, whose arc from abusee to self-agency

is handled with nuance and realism, and Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) who plays not so much a human as the physical manifestation of calm malevolence. These performances are elevated by McQueen’s keen eye. Though not an actionheavy film, the heist and escape scenes are captured in exciting long takes, while quieter scenes illustrate the many co-existing themes present in this pulp-noir heist flick. One such single-take is as memorable as it seems banal: after making a political appearance in the projects, Manning’s opponent rides off in a car whining about his life and yearning to leave politics. The camera remains on the hood of the car, pointing to the poverty they are leaving behind. It slowly pans right across the windshield as they drive, revealing the black chauffeur, and keeps panning as they arrive at a three-story, ivy-covered estate. The disparity couldn’t be clearer, and it, like the rest of Widows, couldn’t be conveyed better. — JAY SPIGHT

that everyone is seeking for some reason. While that will be largely overshadowed by how much of a comic book villain Grindelwald is, Rowling is doing a pretty good job with Credence thus far. Minus the completely ridiculous twist at the end of this film. Also, Dumbledore is cool. And the “fantastic beasts” are cool. Everything else is awful. Let’s start with the core characters: Newt, Tina, Quennie and Jacob. Rowling chooses to create division between Quennie and the rest of the group that isn’t earned in any way and totally contradictory to her character in the first film. Her character does a complete one-eighty for the sole purpose of delivering shock value. The twist at the end is hilariously awful.

It doesn’t fit into the world at all and does nothing except tell us that Rowling is all out of original ideas. Finally, why did J.K. Rowling go all-in on this uninteresting character Grindelwald? He’s not unique. He’s decided that wizards are better than humans . . . why doesn’t Grindelwald just jump into the muggle world and announce he’s a wizard and going to take over the planet? It doesn’t help that Grindelwald is portrayed by Johnny Depp, who has had one single decent film (Black Mass) since he debuted his character in the original Pirates of the Caribbean. This movie isn’t even all that good from a technical perspective. Sure, the effects are pretty good, but the lighting, production design and cinematography are all bad. The opening scene is shot at night, in the rain, and is so muddy, dark and incoherent it would make The Lone Ranger proud. Why is this film so dark? From start to finish, much of this film is shot in dark corridors and on dark sets. Everything is brown, grey or black. If you’re going to give us a convoluted story, at least give us some pretty colors to look at! In conclusion, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is not good. I’ll give this franchise one more go because I am interested in what they do with Credence, but I won’t lie: we’re on thin ice now. What a shame that this franchise has fallen so hard. — JOSEPH KATHMANN

WIDOWS DIRECTOR Steve McQueen STARRING Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki RATED R

Widows begins with an odd preface. Taking a trope from literature, the film’s auteur Steve McQueen gives an introduction to his work, saying that Widows is the film he dreamed of making since he was a teenager growing up in London. He keeps it short and sweet, but it seems strange that a director whose previous works have delved so deeply into the heart of humanity, who has already won the highest award in film (Best Picture 2013 for 12 Years A Slave), would call this pulpy crime thriller “the film he always dreamed of making.”

Well, be glad he did. Based on a 1983 British television series of the same name, Widows is a gritty crime drama in the vein of Gone Girl or Breaking Bad. In fact, Gone Girl writer Gillian Flynn co-wrote the script with McQueen about a group of women whose husbands died while pulling a heist, and who then band together to finish the job. Liam Neeson plays Harry Rawlings, the Danny Ocean of dead heisthusbands who stole $2 million from crime boss-turned-political candidate Jamal Man-

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD DIRECTOR David Yates STARRING Johnny Depp, Eddie Red-

mayne, Jude Law, Ezra Miller, Zoe Kravitz, Katherine Waterston

RATED PG-13

I was pretty excited to see this new entry into the Fantastic Beasts series. I was a huge fan of the original installment, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, in part due to the magical performances of Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller and especially Katherine Waterston. The dynamics between Newt (Redmayne), Tina (Waterston), Quennie (Alison Sudol) and “muggle” Jacob (Dan Fogler) were compelling to me, and were reminiscent of the wonderful relationship of Harry, Hermione and Ron that grounded the original Harry Potter series. However, writer J.K. Rowling (who was given full autonomy over this film’s script and the direction of this series, for that matter) and director David Yates clearly did not see the groundwork of this series the same way I

did. Instead, they chose to focus the second installment of this franchise on the weak and uninteresting villain Grindelwald so they could hand over the face of this franchise to . . . Johnny Depp? Most of the decisions made in this film make no sense, and it’s all covered by this weird level of “prestige,” as if Rowling fully believes this franchise will be every bit as culturally impactful as the original Harry Potter franchise. So, the good: I think Ezra Miller should be in everything, so of course I would enjoy Credence. Honestly, Credence is the only saving grace of this film. His arc is far more interesting than what I remember in the first one: he’s more of a flawed character struggling to find his purpose versus a sort of comic book villain

A CLASSIC

32 * DECEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

OUTSTANDING

AVERAGE

BELOW AVERAGE

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD

OPENING IN DECEMBER PLAYING THIS MONTH

DEC. 6 Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

DEC. 7 Mary, Queen of Scots Vox Lux

DEC. 12 Once Upon a Deadpool

DEC. 14 Mortal Engines Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse The Mule

DEC. 18 Mary Poppins Returns

DEC. 21 Aquaman; Bumblebee

DEC. 25 Holmes & Watson

Food Fresh Mex

Clockwise from left: Chicken Milanesa platter, cheese dip, taco salad with chicken

The Dish RESTAURANT

Carmen’s Taqueria LOCATION

204 W. Northfield Blvd., 1935 S. Church St.

Enjoy Sopes and Soups, Tortas and Tacos, Burritos and Empanadas at Carmen’s Taqueria

PHONE

615-848-9003; 615-410-3516 HOURS

10 a.m.– 10 p.m., Mon.–Sat. (Church St. location also open 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun.) PRICES

Torta: $9.99; Sopes (two) $8.99; Shrimp burrito: $12.99; Enchiladas Carmen’s (three chicken enchiladas with chicken): $9.99; Huevos con chorizo (eggs with sausage): $8.99; Ceviche tostada: $4.99; Steak fajitas: $14.99

STORY BY BRACKEN MAYO | PHOTOS BY SARAH MAYO

arlos Ramirez and his wife, Carmen, started Carmen’s Taqueria in a food truck. They then moved into a small space on Northfield Boulevard. Soon after, the restaurant moved to a larger space just a few buildings down and built a reputation for having fresh breads, spicy salsas, homemade chips and authentic Mexican dishes. Not long after, Carmen’s took over that entire building, constructing a small bar, hosting live music occasionally and growing organically. In 2017, Carmen’s opened a second location on Church Street, and in the summer of 2018 the restaurant owners purchased the Northfield building that houses Carmen’s from their landlords. Carmen’s serves many of the dishes found at the standard Mexican/American restaurants—burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, chimichangas, quesadillas and such—but 34 * DECEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

you’ll also find tortas (sandwiches on fresh bread loaded with meat, peppers and other fillings), flautas (crispy rolled tortillas filled with shredded chicken), ceviche (diced fish with lime juice, onion and peppers), sopes (grilled corn dough topped with your choice of meat and beans and veggies), gorditas, empanadas, sincronizadas, huarache, molcajete and more on the sizable menu. Most dishes offer a choice of meat—which include shredded chicken, grilled chicken, pastor (chopped pork), chorizo, barbacoa (barbecued beef ), carnitas, ground beef or asada (steak)—as well as rice (cooked with green peas), beans, lettuce, sour cream, pico and avocado. Carmen’s offers lots of vegetarian options. And the homemade breads and chips have gained many local fans. “This may be our favorite Mexican restau-

rant. I think it has more authentic food than the others—definitely something special about their food,” one local diner said. “Their chips are by far the best in Murfreesboro. They also have great drink specials.” Another diner recently said he enjoyed the Milanesa plate, which features a thinly sliced, lightly fried piece of chicken breast. The cheese dip is tasty and thick, though not very spicy. Amy, a local Yelper, said pouring “that delicious concoction” all over a Mexican burrito was a good move. “It was humongous,” she said of the burrito. “You can definitely split that into two meals.” The diner also recommends the steak torta. “It was also huge, and served on fresh toasted bread,” she said. “The chips are so good you can tell that they made them that morning,” she added. “The fish tacos are on point!” another Carmen’s diner said. Carmen’s also offers a selection of frozen paletas, with flavors including guava, mango, coffee, coconut and others. Another online reviewer, Abigail J., calls Carmen’s “a Murfreesboro treasure,” saying she appreciates all of the breakfast dishes being available all day long. “The chorizo and potatoes dish was a big hit with me,” she said, also showing love for the big margaritas at happy hour, which lasts from 3 p.m. to close. Another Carmen’s patron, Alan, went so far to call Carmen’s “the best Mexican food I’ve had in the USA,” and he also mentioned the delicious steak torta. The original Carmen’s gained a reputa-

tion as offering some very spicy salsas, and being very generous with the jalapeños on some items. The spice level may have been tamed over the years to better suit the tastes of the average diner, and now only the single smoky, mild salsa arrives automatically, but the others are still available upon request. “Ask for the other two salsas. One is tomatillo and the other is hot,” another customer said. “Best tacos in town!” Joe West performs on most Fridays at the Northfield location, and the local country and rock crooner has earned numerous positive comments as well. On the weekends, Carmen’s offers pozole (pork stew with hominy and more) and menudo (soup with beef tripe). Still, Carmen’s can be polarizing. While the restaurants have earned some passionate loyalists, there are critics also. Some say the chips are greasy, the food is bland (perhaps the spice level has decreased as the years pass), the service is not attentive, the meat can be a bit dry or tough, the space is not always the cleanest, a mandatory tip of 18% is added for parties over five and, sometimes, orders can be incorrect. Others complain that Carmen’s seems to charge for everything, even some condiments and to-go containers. “The food is just okay. No wow factor in anything I tasted,” Jared Zippin said. But the one word that keeps coming up is “authentic.” And, as the growth demonstrates, the positive far outweighs the negative at Carmen’s, and whether you’re looking for a torta, paleta, enchilada, soup, molcajete, margarita, sope or burrito, give Carmen’s a shot.

BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2018 * 35

News Rutherford County Agencies Raise Awareness, Work to Lessen Impact of Opioids

n recent years, communities throughout the nation have felt the opioid crisis, and Rutherford County is no exception. “Each month we see about 50 to 60 new cases, and about 50 percent of those are drug-endangered children,” said Brittnie Noble, the community education coordinator for the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. “A few years back, it was only a small percentage, maybe 20 percent.” The CAC, a nonprofit that provides services to children and families that have suffered from child abuse, recently wrapped up its eighth annual 19 Days of Activism for the Prevention of Abuse and Violence Toward Children and Youth, a yearly observance for drug-endangered and child abuse victims in which local agencies partner with the CAC to raise awareness of these issues. This year’s theme was the impact that parents’ opioid use has on their children, and the 19-day duration ran from Nov. 1 to Nov. 19. “We know the state statistics that there is a increase in drug overdoses, specifically related to opioid abuse,” Noble said. The state Health Department announced this year that 1,776 people in Tennessee died from overdoses in 2017, an eight percent increase from 2016 and a 12 percent increase from 2015. The CAC partnered with 21 different agencies this year during the days of activism, all helping to raise awareness of local opioid abuse throughout the 19 days. “It does a lot for our community to say, ‘Hey, this is happening, not just on the national level but right here in our own backyard,’” Noble said. One of the agencies partnering with the CAC is the Rutherford County Sheriff ’s Office. Sgt. Tony Hall, an officer who works in the Sheriff ’s Office Narcotics Unit, said that as of Nov. 1, 2018, the office has responded to 57 overdoses in the county this year. Thirteen of these overdoses resulted in death. “Opioid abuse impacts families in a multitude of ways and has long-lasting effects,” Hall said. “The worst-case scenario is the loss of a loved one due to overdose.” He went on to say that the issue in Rutherford County has worsened in recent years. “Until the past two to three years, it was exceedingly rare for our unit to work a case 36 * DECEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

BY ANDREW WIGDOR

involving heroin,” Hall said. “Now, we often work several heroin cases per week in addition to responding to every opioid overdose.” Hall said that the psychological impact for children is an important factor as well. “Psychologically, these children are witnessing the effects of addiction, firsthand,” Hall said. “Parents, siblings or other family members are driven solely by their addiction and need to avoid the onset of withdrawal. This can lead to neglect and often causes conflict within families, as the addicts oftentimes steal to support their addiction.” Hall said one recent overdose in particular stuck with him. Hall responded to a home in which a young man had overdosed during the night and was found dead the next morning by his parents. While speaking with the victim’s parents, Hall and the responding officers were told that the victim overdosed the previous afternoon, was rushed to the hospital and was saved by doctors. In just a few hours, the young man was released back to his home and overdosed again, this time with no rescue in sight. “At this point, I had responded to or entered dozens of overdoses into the system,” Hall said. “Yet, this was when it really occurred to me how strong the addiction and dependence truly is for these individuals. When you nearly die from a substance, but then are so controlled by the desire for it that you risk death again, that makes quite the statement.” Hall encourages anyone who observes drug abuse or activity to email the Narcotics Unit at drugtips@rcsotn.org or call the office at 615-895-3609, ext. 101. For an individual or a loved one who is struggling with addiction, there are multiple drug rehab facilities available in Murfreesboro such as Murfreesboro Drug & Alcohol Treatment on South Church Street and JourneyPure At The River on Florence Road. For nationwide treatment, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7 and completely free to use. Call 800-662-HELP. Individuals can also report drug-related or non-drug-related child abuse to the CAC at cacrutherford.org, and one can inquire about any of their services such as crisis intervention, support groups, the Drug Endangered Children program and others by calling 615867-9000. All CAC services are free of charge.

BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2018 * 37

AROUND TOWN ’BORO BUSINESS BUZZ

Reeves-Sain, Dental Not-So-Excellent, McAlister’s Deli, Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Reox, Kee’s

PUCKETT’S GROCERY in downtown Murfreesboro played host to the first in a series of trivia nights on Nov. 20. Each night will take on a different theme. Other monthly trivia nights are scheduled from 7–9 p.m. on Dec. 18, Jan. 15, Feb. 19, March 19, April 16 and May 21. Attendees are encouraged to make reservations by calling the restaurant at 629-201-6916.

BY MICHELLE WILLARD Say goodbye to the best milkshakes in town. REEVES-SAIN DRUG STORE is closing Dec. 4. In October, Walgreens and Fred’s (which owns Reeves-Sain) announced they have entered into an agreement for Walgreens to buy pharmacy patient prescription files and related pharmacy inventory of 185 Fred’s stores located across 10 Southeastern states. On Dec. 5, all Reeves-Sain prescriptions will be sent to nearby Walgreen’s at 106 W. Northfield Blvd. Sears announced it is closing 40 more SEARS and KMART stores, including its Murfreesboro Sears location. The Sears has been an anchor at Stones River Mall since it opened in the early 1990s. The store will close to business in February 2019. In doughnut and frozen custard news, both PROJECT DONUT on Church Street and RITA’S on Medical Center Parkway closed shop in November. It’s not exactly a closing, but it sure makes for good TV. Murfreesboro dentist Dr. Richard “Nate” Schott, 51, of Murfreesboro, and Kendra L. Glenn, 43, of Hartwell, Georgia (and formerly of Murfreesboro), are facing federal health care fraud charges for operating a scheme to defraud healthcare benefit programs, U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee announced on Nov. 19. Schott, who owns and operates DENTAL EXCELLENCE locations in Murfreesboro and Lebanon, is charged with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and Glenn is facing seven counts of health care fraud and one count of conspiracy. Schott surrendered to U.S. Marshals in Nashville in mid-November and Glenn was arrested at her home in Georgia. Schott resigned his seat on the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board following the indictment. According to the charging documents, Schott and Glenn allegedly filed between November 2013 and January 2018 fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs. The charges further allege that Schott and Glenn tried to conceal the fraud by discouraging employees from questioning billing practices, instruct38 * DECEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

BETWEEN NOW AND CHRISTMAS, there’s no better place for an outing than a nearby Christmas tree farm. Even if you already have your tree, tree farms offer all sorts of options from wagon rides and hot chocolate to wreath-making classes and visits from Santa. In Rutherford County, you can pick out your tree at COUNTRY COVE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, 1189 Cutoff Rd., outside of Murfreesboro. Natural trees from local tree farms are completely renewable, recyclable, 100 percent biodegradable and are close to home, leaving a negligible carbon footprint. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and emit fresh oxygen as they grow. Christmas trees are often grown in soil that doesn’t support other crops. Their root systems help stabilize soil, protect area water quality and provide refuge for wildlife. Grown on farms just like any other crop, one to three new seedlings are planted for every tree harvested to ensure a constant supply. ing employees to lie if questioned by insurance companies and disciplining, and even firing, employees who questioned the legality of the billing practices. If convicted, Schott and Glenn face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count. As the holiday season approaches, the second annual Winterfest at FOUNTAINS AT GATEWAY brings outdoor ice skating and holiday activities to Fountains Plaza. The festival offers an outdoor ice skating rink in addition to concerts, themed skate nights, Christmas caroling and pictures with Santa. Festive lights and holiday decorations adorn the central plaza to create a magical experience for all ages. Hours of operation, a schedule of activities and venue rental information can be found at fountainswinterfest.com. The Murfreesboro community is invited to celebrate the arrival of METRO DINER  during special pre-opening charity events before the doors officially open Dec. 11. On Saturday, Dec. 8, all donations will benefit The Journey Home Project, whose mission is to connect donors to veterans’ organizations in Middle Tennessee. On Sunday, Dec. 9, all donations will benefit Operation Song, whose mission is to empower veterans, active duty

military and their families to tell their stories through the process of songwriting. Guests who provide a donation will receive a sneak peek of the new eatery and enjoy Metro Diner favorites. Reservations can be made for the fundraisers by calling 615-956-2903. The 4,308-square-foot eatery will open at 711 N. Thompson Lane featuring a menu of everyone’s favorite diner classics. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner all day, the diner will indulge the taste buds with new twists on traditional dishes as well as beer, wine, mimosas and bloody marys. In other food news, McALISTER’S DELI celebrated its second Murfreesboro location with a ribbon cutting on Monday, Nov. 12. The new restaurant is located in the former Peter D’s at 2537 Medical Center Pkwy. in Murfreesboro.

MONROE CARELL JR. CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL at Vanderbilt broke ground Oct. 29 on a new 37,500-square-foot facility that will significantly expand pediatric specialty care, outpatient surgery and imaging services to children in Rutherford and surrounding counties. The $27.2 million construction project, which is estimated to open in late 2019, will be a single-story facility on Garrison Drive featuring 22 multispecialty clinic rooms, after-hours/urgent care services, a suite of operating rooms, imaging capabilities such as MRI, CT and X-ray, audiology booths for hearing tests and procedural areas. REOX AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR has reopened at 1602 Bradyville Pike. The familyowned business closed its doors on Broad Street in October because of an increase in rent and the loss of a key investor. NUTRITION FAKTORY has expanded its footprint with four locations in one year. Joining the Murfreesboro, Nashville and Hendersonville locations, the nutrition store opened a location at 303 Sam Ridley Pkwy W. in Smyrna with plans in the works for additional stores in Cool Springs and Cookeville.

On Oct. 30, MURFREESBORO AUTO REPAIR announced a partnership with KEE’S AUTO REPAIR. “Murfreesboro Auto Repair is working to help Kee & Gail’s customers with all their auto repair needs. They are currently dealing with family health issues and have to be closed for an undetermined amount of time,” MAR posted on Facebook. To help with the transition, Murfreesboro Auto Repair has purchased some of Kee’s equipment and phone number. THE GREAT ESCAPE is coming to town. The Nashville staple has been the place for music and collectibles of all kinds since 1977. Owner Rob Baker confirmed he and his wife, Candace, are planning a soft opening in January in Jackson Heights Plaza (the former home of Loco Larry’s). The exact date is yet to be determined. For more, visit thegreatescapeonline.com.

Sports

Story and photos courtesy of GoBlueRaiders.com

Blue Raiders Fall Short in C-USA Title Game, Invited to Play in New Orleans Bowl

week after beating the UAB Blazers 27–3 in Murfreesboro, the C-USA East Division champion MTSU Blue Raiders hosted the West Division champion Blazers back in Floyd Stadium. It was only the third time in NCAA history two teams played in the regularseason finale then again in a conference championship. The away team got the better of MT this time around, winning a roller-coaster affair 27–25 to capture UAB’s first C-USA crown. Though, the day after the conference championship loss, the Blue Raiders accepted an invitation to play Appalachian State in the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 15. “Congratulations to UAB,” Raider head coach Rick Stockstill said after the C-USA title game. “That was a good, hard-fought game, and I’m extremely proud of our team. . . . We fought our tails off.” MTSU held onto a 13–3 lead into the second quarter of the Dec. 1 game, but UAB then embarked on a 21-point run. A Crews Holt kick sparked a 12–0 Blue Raider run, seeing MTSU take a 25–24 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the game. Holt hit from 37, 20, 27 and 33 yards on the afternoon. “For the first year being a full-time kicker, he had a lot of good kicks,” Rick Stockstill said. “He did a nice job today.” But late in the game, UAB capitalized on a short field with a 28-yard field goal that turned out to be the game-winner. Middle Tennessee failed on a fourth down on its final possession, then was called for an illegal substitution on a punt after forcing a Blazer three-and-out. It effectively ended the contest. “We had 12 players on the field,” Rick Stockstill said. “It was my fault.” Quarterback Brent Stockstill, playing in his final game at his hometown stadium, had his 18th career 300-yard passing game, finishing with 362 yards. Stockstill, who is now MTSU’s all-time passing leader, threw two scores, putting him in a tie with Tennessee Titans signal

caller Marcus Mariota for 20th all-time in the NCAA with 105 touchdown passes. His favorite target was graduate Gatlin Casey, who caught a career-high seven passes. Freshman wide receiver Zack Dobson finished with four catches for 40 yards and a touchdown and three rushes for 52 yards. “Zack has a bright future, and you saw that this year,” Brent Stockstill said. Sophomore safety Reed Blankenship finished with 11 tackles for MT’s defense, while his senior safety mate Wesley Bush had 10 and an interception. Despite the loss, the Blue Raiders are going to their eighth bowl game in the Rick Stockstill era and fourth in a row. MTSU will play Sun Belt Conference champion Appalachian State in the New Orleans Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 15. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans and will air nationally on ESPN. Middle Tennessee appeared in the 2009 New Orleans Bowl game and upset Southern Miss 42–32, for its first FBS bowl win. “We are honored to be representing Conference USA in the New Orleans Bowl,” said Rick Stockstill. “I am thrilled for this team and especially our senior class. This is the first class to ever play in four straight bowl games. This team has had an incredible season.” The Blue Raiders won the Camellia Bowl against Arkansas State to cap off the 2017 season. For tickets and more information on the Blue Raiders’ bowl trip, visit goblueraiders.com.

Above, Brent Stockstill will take the ﬁeld for the ﬁnal time as a Blue Raider in the New Orleans Bowl. (Right) Tavares Thomas.

Sports

Tri-Star Boxing brings an evening of boxing matches to the Mid-TN Expo Center on Dec. 8. (Right) Ring announcer Tony Lehew is ready to get the action underway.

Beatdown in the ’Boro Tri-Star Boxing presents six professional fights in Murfreesboro on Dec. 8 BY BRACKEN MAYO

40 * DECEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

MURFREESBORO HASN’T BEEN known as a hotbed of professional boxing lately, but Murfreesboro firefighter Matt Young says the market and demand is here to support some bouts. Young, a promoter who operates Tri-Star Boxing, has presented a half-dozen Nashville events in recent years, including successful fight nights at the Nashville Fairgrounds, and most recently at Limelight. On Saturday, Dec. 8, Tri-Star will bring a six-fight card to Murfreesboro’s Mid-TN Expo Center on Middle Tennessee Boulevard. “This is the first time in 25 years there’s been professional boxing in Murfreesboro,” Young said in anticipation of the event. The evening’s main event will pit the 21–1 Sena “African Assassin” Agbeko against the 36-year-old boxing veteran and former WBO North American middleweight champion Bryan Vera. Agbeko, originally out of Ghana, is now a Nashville-based fighter. “Sena told us that he wants to step up the competition and Bryan Vera is the kind of opponent he was looking for,” Young said. Murfreesboro heavyweight Rydell Mayes earned a knockout victory in his first professional match back in July at the Limelight event, and he will return to action on Dec. 8. “This is going to be the biggest fight for a local boxer in quite some time,” Young said. Mayes is a 2007 graduate of Riverdale High School, where he played football and ran track, and he won his July 28 debut by second-round knockout. Young said he expects Hendersonvillebased Austin Dulet to bring a crowd of supporters to the Dec. 8 Beatdown in the ’Boro event. The lightweight has achieved an 11–1 record with eight of those victories by KO. Eduardo Aguilar out of La Vergne fought to a draw with Carl Currie in July. The two will face off in a rematch on Dec. 8. Aguilar grew up in Phoenix and got in trouble for fighting on numerous occasions—“mostly defending my friends,” he says—but after relocating to Tennessee, he connected with boxing trainer Mike Rodgers, who runs the A Team boxing program

for youth in La Vergne. “He showed me how to carry myself with respect through boxing, showing me discipline, and the reward of winning,” Aguilar said. As an amateur, Aguilar has won state, regional and national championships, participating in more than 130 amateur fights. “Chachi” Aguilar has since posted a 4–0 record as a pro fighting under Tri-Star Boxing Promotions. Young said he has never boxed personally, but developed an interest in the sport observing the boxing career of his former Riverdale football teammate Adam Richards. “I traveled the world with him; that’s how I got into boxing,” Young said. He formed Tri-Star Boxing to entertain Middle Tennessee sports fans with professional boxing, and to give opportunities to aspiring boxers in the area. Most of the fights on the Tri-Star card are scheduled for four rounds, and the Tennessee Athletic Commission sanctions the Tri-Star events. DJ Cliffy D will serve as DJ for the Dec. 8 event, and Tony Lehew, one of Young’s fellow members of the Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department, will serve as ring announcer. The event is all ages, and Young said he has been impressed with how diverse the community of Middle Tennessee boxing fans has been at his Nashville events. Young wants to ultimately help a promising Tennessee fighter launch a career that will eventually take him to a world championship belt. Find tickets to the Dec. 8 Beatdown in the ’Boro at tristarboxing.com/tickets. MidTN Expo Center is located at 1660 Middle Tennessee Blvd. Keep your eyes and ears open for a possible spring event in Murfreesboro from Tri-Star Boxing as well.

SPORTS

TALK

COLUMN BY “Z-TRAIN”

titanman1984@gmail.com

Merry Christmas!

ON ROCK, ON DONALD, ON MARCUS, ON KAREEM! THE TRAIN DADDY POLAR EXPRESS is back with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard! Life is short, time is fast, no replay, no rewind, so enjoy every moment as it comes. December is here and 2019 is knocking! My motto is simple: live life following the 5 Fs, “Faith, Family, Football, Food and Friends.” It’s Christmas time, a time when the 5 Fs shine! My faith in God makes life’s daily struggles easier to deal with, while it’s a bonus hanging with family and friends as we watch football and feast. Happiness truly comes when we stop complaining about the troubles we have, and the troubles we create, and offer thanks for all the troubles we don’t have. Over the numerous years writing for the Pulse, my Christmas articles have always been a favorite. It’s become a tradition of mine to wish a random selection of some of the year’s most interesting people a Merry Christmas. Most were naughty, and thankfully some were nice, and in a year as interesting as 2018, we have a diverse group of personalities to choose from. So let’s highlight 2018, as we near the start of a new year, 2019.

Merry Christmas MOLLY! My 5-year-old yellow labrador gets a shout-out every Christmas in this annual article. She is loyal, smart and never complains. Merry Christmas, MARCUS MARIOTA and the Tennessee Titans! Why do you play with my feelings so much? All I ever wanted for Christmas for the past two decades was a Super Bowl ring. Is that too much to ask? You get me high and then you bring me low. Regardless, I will always be there with you, no matter what! Win or lose, I am there with you, Titans. Merry Christmas, PRESIDENT TRUMP! Many people today would say you’re as mean as the Grinch. Would Donald Trump take the

Whos’ feast, would he take the Who pudding, would he take the roast beast? As long as Whoville is in America it would be safe, it would have a roaring economy with a low unemployment rate. The little Whos would be thriving! Some people dislike the America-first approach, but many appreciate it. Just ask little Cindy Lou Who, whose family was struggling during an Obama economy. She would say “America first, Who-Raw!” Merry Christmas, JALEN HURTS! This kid has some serious character! The Alabama Tide quarterback was 26–2 as a starter before he lost his job to Tua Tagovailoa. Then, in the same building where he was benched during last year’s National Championship game against the same Georgia team, he leads a miracle comeback and wins the game. There will be a movie made about this sequence of events. Jalen could have criticized Coach Nick Saban, he could have transferred to another school, but he remained quiet and now is an Alabama legend. I hate Alabama football, who doesn’t? But Tennessee Volunteer fans can learn a lesson here: loyalty. It’s tough times on Rocky Top, but like it did with Jalen, loyalty will reward you. Merry Christmas PEKKA RINNE and the Nashville Predators! Let’s be honest, my love for hockey has grown as much as the Grinch’s heart did that day in Whoville: 3x! I have always enjoyed hockey and I can recall going to many games as a youngster, but I never loved it like I do these days. I have lived in Middle Tennessee all my life, and I love Nashville, the culture and the people. I feel like the Nashville Predators represent the people of Nashville perfectly. Winning helps, and since I graduated high school in 2003 the Predators have made the playoffs 11 out of 14 seasons. Pekka Rinne has been a 13-year staple for this team, and he is beloved. Thankfully he just re-signed a deal that could keep the 36-year-old goaltender in Nashville until 2021. Currently the Predators lead the Western Conference. Merry Christmas COACH RICK STOCKSTILL and quarterback BRENT STOCKSTILL, MTSU head coach and MTSU quarterback, also father and son. That Conference USA Championship game hurt; 12 men on the field is probably the difference between winning and losing your first outright conference championship since 1992. This team is still 8-5 and heading to a bowl game, making four

straight bowl appearances, a first in program history. That is something Brent should be proud of as he finishes his final season as quarterback for MTSU. A $100 million athletic complex is something that is on its way to becoming reality soon, so the future is bright for MTSU athletics! Merry Christmas OPTIMUS PRIME! Leader of the Autobots, a self-configuring modular extraterrestrial robotic life form! “Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.” Merry Christmas as well to THE ROCK DWAYNE JOHNSON! The Rock is the highest paid actor in Hollywood and, unlike most of Hollywood, very well admired. I am campaigning for The Rock, future President of the United States of America. The Rock has expressed interest, and he has the same qualities as Optimus Prime—moral character, leadership, sound decision making, brilliant military tactics, powerful martial arts and a strong sense of honor and justice. I agree with most of Trump’s policy, yet the man himself, well, he is not THE ROCK! Merry Christmas, KAREEM HUNT! Life sucks for you right now. Hunt was recently released by the Kansas City Chiefs after a video surfaced of him and a woman screaming and fighting each other. Hunt was a running back for the Super Bowl favorite Chiefs and was one of the best players in the NFL. There is no comparison to the Ray Rice case where he brutally knocked his girl unconscious back in 2014. I watched the recent Hunt video and I saw two people equally upset and equally confrontational. He pushes her, she punches him, and she accidentally gets knocked down by someone else as others try to separate the two. The video ends with her kneeling on the floor and Hunt kicking her feet out from under her while she was down. If the so-called victim had been a man, no one would care about this. Is that equality? Hunt should have walked away; his anger and immaturity showed, and now he faces the court of public opinion, and it’s brutally against him. My last Merry Christmas goes to you, the READER! I do this for you and because I enjoy it. I don’t write these articles for money or publicity, only so I can make you, the reader, laugh or think, preferably laugh! I love humor, my whole life has been a joke, and I am okay with that, because I am 100 percent happy. I am grateful to the Pulse and the family behind the scenes of this awesome publication. I always tell readers if you have questions, problems or praise, email me at titanman1984@gmail.com. I assure you I will take the time to reply. That’s it, the Train is rolling into the station. I truly wish you all Merry Christmas and a Season Green Smoke. Remember the 5 Fs this holiday season—Faith, Family, Football, Food and Friends! Live life following the 5 Fs and life will reward you. Merry Christmas!

Price Earns World Series Title with Red Sox IN OCTOBER, former Murfreesboro resident David Price helped the Boston Red Sox add 2018 to their list of nine World Series Championship titles. The Red Sox defeated the Dodgers in the series four games to one, and Price earned the start in game 5. The Red Sox won that final game 5–1, giving Price a win. He pitched seven strong innings with five strikeouts before Joe Kelly and Chris Sale came into the game in relief. Price also got the start in game 2 of the series, and earned the win in that game, allowing only three hits in six innings. Price’s baseball journey began in Murfreesboro, long before his days as a star with the Red Sox. During his childhood, he fell for the Atlanta Braves and followed baseball into high school. He played baseball and basketball for Blackman High School, and was crowned Rutherford County’s Male Athlete of the Year multiple times prior to accepting an athletic scholarship with Vanderbilt University. After Vandy, Price made his way through the minor leagues and eventually went on to join the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008.

Price received the 2012 Cy Young Award and was an all-star for five years. He joined the Detroit Tigers in 2014, and also spent time with the Blue Jays prior to his debut with the Red Sox in 2016. Throughout his career, he’s remained persistent in his chase for bigger dreams and causes. “My parents always told me that if I ever got in a position to give back to the community, I should, which is why I started Project One Four,” David Price said regarding his foundation. Project One Four, founded in 2008, supports youth organizations in Middle Tennessee. According to Project One Four, “Price believes that change starts with children, and nothing will change if children don’t have the resources to grow.” Project One Four aims to encourage healthy lifestyles in Middle Tennessee’s youth by funding groups that have a positive impact on kids. For more information about Project One Four, visit project14.org.

— JORDAN HALL

BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2018 * 41

Opinion Government Officials Have to Know by Now to Not Use Personal Email Accounts for Public Business

public records request has revealed that Ivanka Trump sent hundreds of emails regarding government business from her personal email account. This has prompted cries of “lock her up!” from the left and defense of the violation from the right. Allow me to be the adult in the room. First, it’s unconscionable that anyone in government, on the right or the left, is so unaware about government email protocol that this could happen, least of all the daughter of the man who made this a major campaign issue in the 2016 election. One would think that after the media attention of Hillary Clinton’s emails that everyone in the Trump administration would make doubly sure they were following the letter of the law. Apparently they didn’t. This is an embarrassment to the president and Ivanka should face the consequences just like anyone else. There are two major distinctions between Ivanka’s scandal and Hillary’s. First, Ivanka wasn’t using a private server. Using one would appear to be a deliberate attempt to deceive. The second distinction—and this is a big one—is that there’s no evidence at this time that anything Ivanka emailed through her private account was classified. The fact that a secretary of state did that is monumental. But what’s interesting is how the left circled the wagons around Hillary and are now demanding full prosecution of Ivanka. That reeks of hypocrisy. They had completely moved past Hillary’s debacle and now are fixated on Ivanka’s. That’s part of what’s wrong with today’s political discourse. It’s all about “gotcha” as long as the one being “got” ain’t their own. And this applies to the right as well. While it’s proper to draw distinctions between the two cases, it’s not at all fair to ignore Ivanka’s and point to Hillary’s—especially someone who should’ve

VIEWS OF A

CONSERVATIVE

BY PHIL VALENTINE PHILVALENTINE.COM

known better. She claims to have not understood the protocol. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Another related story got very little traction in the press. Turns out James Comey used his personal email to conduct official FBI business, as we learned from another Freedom of Information request. That story got virtually no play in the mainstream media. Anyone who looks at this objectively would have to concede that the FBI director doing this is certainly more serious than an unpaid advisor to the president. It also brings more into focus Comey’s actions in July of 2016 when he made the unilateral decision not to prosecute Hillary Clinton despite revealing that she had sent or received 110 classified emails to and from her private servers. Yes, that’s plural because they discovered more than one. Perhaps prosecution of such a crime hit a little too close to home for Mr. Comey. Letting someone skate because the investigator found himself in a similar situation does not mean that someone is innocent. It only means she wasn’t prosecuted at the time. The more serious laws Hillary may have broken have a statute of limitations of 10 years. That means if laws were broken during her first year as secretary of state the clock is winding down on prosecution. The solution to all of this is we investigate both Hillary and Ivanka. And I would throw James Comey in the mix while we’re at it. If either of those three is found to have violated federal statutes then they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Hiding from the law should not be determined by what position you hold in government. Nor should it be determined by who your daddy is.

“The solution to all of this is we investigate both Hillary and Ivanka. And I would throw James Comey in the mix while we’re at it. If either of those three is found to have violated federal statutes then they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

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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.

SPIRITUAL

and forwards from that point, in the same way the number scale works backwards and BY RICK forwards from zero. We see MALONE this reflected in the way God separated the Old Testament from the New. The coming of our Savior is the focal point of that division. Everything prior to Christ’s advent was the “former age.” Everything after Christ’s advent is the new age or the “last days” (Hebrews 1:1–2). Our Gregorian calendar mimics this same outline. The year is 2018 AD, (Anno Domini) which is Latin for “the year of our Lord.” Jesus came 2,018 years ago. Before that coming, everything on our calendar is BC (Before Christ). We currently have the alternative nomenclature of CE (Common Era) and BCE (Before Common Era) which was instituted to be sensitive to many other faiths which of His life and death was determined by the use this same calendar. But the division point Father. That path was the work the Father remains the same. It recognizes that God sent Him to accomplish. This is why John centered the clock of this world’s history, tells us in Revelation that Jesus is the Lamb not from the point of its original creation, who was destined to be “slain from the crebut from the point of Jesus coming into this ation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). Jesus, world to bring new creation. who exists in the timeless realm of eternity John’s gospel keeps our eyes focused on with the Father, entered this finite realm of this divine clock. At the beginning of Jesus’ time to accomplish the work of living a perministry, He attends a wedding feast at Cana. fect life to the glory of His Father and then, As the feast prematurely runs out of wine, He after living that life of sinlessness, suffering performs His first miracle and changes water the ultimate penalty of death as though He into wine. Even though He manifests His were a sinner. For what reason would the glory in this sign, He tells His mother that His Father send the Son to perform such a work? “hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). As Jesus Didn’t the Father love the Son? John answers teaches in the temple, the authorities attempt this by speaking repeatedly of the love the to arrest Him, but John tells us, “no one laid Father has for the Son and the love the Son a hand on him, because his hour had not yet has for the Father. But he also speaks of the come” (John 7:30). But, in the final week of love the Father and the Son have for humanHis life as that hour approaches, Jesus says, ity, which was caught in the eternal grip of “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I death: “For God so loved the world, that he say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for gave his only Son” (John 3:16). this purpose I have come to this hour” (John The Son’s redemptive death freed us 12:27). And John likewise tells us in the next from that eternal grip, and His resurrection chapter “Jesus knew that his hour had come to brought eternal life. Paul tells us that in this depart out of this world to the Father” (John work is the “fulfillment of all the ages” (1 13:1). Like the movement of a clock, there is a Corinthians 10:11). movement in John’s gospel toward this final And so, God’s divine clock has as its referhour of Jesus’ life. Why such a strong emphaence point not the first day of creation as we sis on “this hour”? Is it the importance of that might assume, but the day Christ entered hour? Is it the anticipation, or the dread? Is this world to accomplish this one great work it a reflection of Jesus resting in His Father’s of salvation. It was the very first Christmas perfect providence? It very well could be all which God placed as the center point of His these things. Jesus recognizes that the purpose clock of the ages, and time works backwards

MATTERS

Waiting for the Hour

CHRISTMAS SEEMS TO COME around more quickly every year. The older I get, the faster it comes. Some of you know what I mean. Time is funny that way. As the length of our lives increase, the timespan of a year becomes a smaller portion of that greater span. So, in our minds, time moves more quickly. We all remember when we were children, Christmas seemed to take forever to come. That’s because a month or two was a very large part of our lives. We counted the days. And the more we counted, the longer Christmas took to arrive. But you know what? The 30 days before Christmas are, and always have been, 30 days before Christmas, no matter how old we are. Neither ignoring the calendar nor staring at it really changes anything. Time is set. And Christmas always arrives at the same hour. Something about that is reassuring. There is a comfort in the repeating seasons and dates on our calendar. Time is the tangible outworking of God’s providence. We use clocks to keep track of time, but God has a divine clock which initiated the beginning of time and moves time along its intended course. We tend to think of time going on forever. But God exists outside of time. He is the author of its beginning and end. “In the beginning God created,” not just the cosmos, but time itself, as the cradle in which God would place His beautiful creation. Outside of this cradle is timelessness. As we read through John’s gospel, we notice that Jesus has a keen eye on this divine clock of God’s providence. Over 20 times He makes comments like “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4) or “The hour has come” (John 4:21–23) or “My time is not yet here” (John 7:6–8). Such statements not only acknowledge God’s providence but recognize a divine purpose in Jesus’ life. Jesus knew He had a destiny. Before He ever came into this world on that first Christmas night, the path

“We long to see the end of pain and suffering, of war and hatred. And, with childlike hearts, we long to see peace and happiness. We anxiously wait. But in that waiting, let us be a part of relieving that pain and suffering.”

of His coming into this world was wrapped up in this hour of His greatest humiliation. In this all-important hour Jesus was crucified on a cross, but what did that accomplish? The night before Jesus died, He prayed to the Father and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him” (John 17:1–2). Jesus realizes that the hour of His humiliation earned Him the right “to give eternal life.” His death, unlike anyone else’s, was redemptive, not only because of who He was, but because He had a unique relationship with the human race. The Father had “given him authority over all flesh.” By this relationship, He died in the place of us. Or, as the Apostle Paul tells us, “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Tied to Jesus’ crucifixion is this work of redemption. Tied to His death and burial is His resurrection. Tied to His resurrection is His glorification. And tied to His glorification is the giving of life eternal. And so, Jesus ties to this hour everything He came to accomplish. And with His last breath He says concerning that hour, “It is finished” (John 19:30). But the hour Jesus speaks of is not just a finishing point, it is the beginning point of everything being made new. As Jesus ascended to His throne, He ushered into this world the life of a new creation. We can now live life in a new way, the way of His love and His life. And yes, it brought to pass the spirit of what Christmas is truly about. We think of Christmas as a time of renewal. The source of this renewal is found in the hour of Christ. The lights on our Christmas trees remind us that Jesus is the light of this world, and that He gives us light to be a light to each other in our darkness. Are we anxiously waiting for Christmas to come, like children in front of a calendar? In one sense we should be, because the fullness of Christmas is not yet here. We long to see the end of pain and suffering, of war and hatred. And, with childlike hearts, we long to see peace and happiness. We anxiously wait. But in that waiting, let us be a part of relieving that pain and suffering. Let us be a part of bringing peace and goodwill to mankind. Let us help to feed those who are hungry and clothe those who are cold. Let us be a part of bringing the life and light of Christmas to where we live. The beauty of Christmas is the beauty of Christ and the new life He brings. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2018 * 43

Opinion We are on the eve of a new consciousness. In the last 100 years we have seen a lot of progress in the material sector. In the near future we will see the greatest progress in mental and spiritual power.

Practice playing tennis and you will become a better tennis player. Practice playing success in your mind and you will have more success.

Remember: your life as it is now is the result of your past thinking. Mind is the greatest creative power. Imagination is the vehicle to take you anywhere you want to go.

Vol. XII 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 more points from his book Higher Thoughts for Everyday Living, suggesting that readers meditate on one each day—and be amazed at the changes that transpire in their lives. No one can disturb you but yourself. If you become disturbed, it is because you did not control your own mind.

For every ailment you experience, there has to be a corresponding pattern in your mind.

As a nation is made up of many individuals, so the body is made up of many cells. Each cell has a body and a mind. Like a nation depends on the energy, efficiency and cooperation of the people, so the body depends on the energy and efficiency of the cells for life and health.

The body has groups or crews of cells that have the responsibility of keeping the different departments or organs working properly—much like the many departments in a city to keep the city working.

As long as the crews work, cooperate and coordinate, you have a fine city or body.

44 * DECEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

In every organ of your body, the cells are grouped for their particular task. You have cells for your taste buds, cells for your hearing, cells for your smell and so on.

Any emotional mental disturbance can cause your crew to become disorganized, and you are open for an illness in the weakest link in your body.

We now know that the most important product we have by far is thought. Thought rules the world; thought rules every government, every bank, every industry, every person and everything in existence.

The sympathetic nervous system is designed to maintain and keep the body working smoothly. It is controlled by the subconscious mind. And it is directly affected by any emotional state, such as fear, anger, jealousy or hatred—to name a few. They break down the resistance of the immune system, causing ailments of every kind.

We are chemical beings. When we breathe, a chemical action takes place in our bloodstream. When we eat, a chemical action takes in our digestion system. When we entertain negative thoughts, we put into action a poisonous chemical activity to tear down the body.

We must come to know that harmony only comes as a result of compliance with natural law.

The terrorists kidnapped a doctor and told his patients, “If you don’t give us a million dollars, we will turn him loose.”

Our desires are seed thoughts. Keep your attention on your desires and they will sprout, grow and bear fruit.

Higher Thoughts for Everyday Living

stone and I have to get him out.”

Remember: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a present. So be better for today.

Having harmony in your life means having everything you need or want. The ultimate goal of the universe is harmony.

Some people seem to attract success, others struggle for success and still others fail altogether. The cause cannot be physical, or all physically perfect people would be the most successful. So the difference must be mental. It must be all in the mind. That means the mind must be the creative force that makes the difference. Mind power, if harnessed correctly, will someday be able to control the universe.

Thought is governed by law. The law of thought is as real as the law of gravity. Being happy, healthy or successful is the direct result of having the right thoughts.

Many people have a highly developed brain, but it is out of tune. Like a musical instrument out of tune, it gives you bad noise.

Ask me what is spirit and I will say it is nothing, since it occupies no space and cannot be seen or felt. Then I will say it is everything, since the world only exists because we see through the eyes of the spirit. The eye takes the picture and sends it to the brain, and the spirit sees the picture.

Michelangelo was pulling a huge stone through his town, with the help of eight horses. Someone asked him, “Where are you going with that big stone?” He said, “Moses is inside of this

Hey girl, are you tired because you have been running around in my mind all day long? The credit card company called a man and told him someone had stolen his wife’s credit card. The man thinks for a moment and says to let the thieves keep the card because they are spending a lot less money than his wife. A man shaves in the morning and makes the comment that these morning shaves make him feel about 20 years younger. His wife asks, “Then why don’t you shave at night?”

He was so dumb: he tripped over a cordless phone. He sold his car for gas money. He stared 20 minutes at an orange juice can because it had the word “concentrate” written on the side. He thought Taco Bell was a division of the phone company. He instructed his friend “Come and pick me up at the corner of Walk and Don’t Walk.”

k l

My kid is such an independent soul, he lives by himself in my house.

Doctor: Your husband needs at least three days of complete bed rest. Here are some sleeping pills. Wife: When do I give them to him? Doctor: The pills are for you. A man in a restaurant was choking. An observant young woman grabbed his testicles and he coughed up the food. “Are you a doctor?” he asked. “No, I am a divorce lawyer,” she replied.

;

A guy was arrested for stealing a car that was parked by the cemetery. He told the judge he thought the owner was dead.

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Ecce Deus

Essays on the Life and Doctrine of Jesus Christ BY JOSEPH PARKER (1867)

Ch. X

The Church Left in the World Now that men have been called and united, it may be time to inquire into the laws by which they are to be personally and relatively governed. Life is continually presenting new aspects, and a widening civilization is perpetually throwing up questions which challenge the consideration of men who profess to go beyond “the world” for their doctrine and policy. Side by side with the Christian organization, called the church, many a powerful rivalry has been growing up, so that a persistent competition has been brought to bear upon the interests, real or supposed, of the whole community. We have seen that Christ regarded his disciples as “not of the world,” yet today the “world” is setting up a claim for the suffrages of the disciples. It may be worthwhile to inquire how Jesus Christ, simply regarded as a bold and far-sighted propagandist, proposed to keep vast masses of men in permanent union—in other words, to consider how men can be in the world, yet not of it; can live in it, and yet be above it; can be united with one another, yet separate from sinners. No Imperium in imperio [government in power] is so great a mystery as the church in the world. Christ surely proposed a hard thing to his disciples when he required them to remain in the world, and yet to continue not only to be superior to its contaminations, but to make daily encroachments upon dominion until its authority was completely upset. In one of his prayers Christ said, “I pray not that thou shouldest keep them from evil.” Here is the difficulty. In attempting the negative work of keeping men from evil, it is customary to set down in unsystematic order minute regulations and directions respecting things which are to be avoided. Christ did not adopt this plan. Rather by allusion than by detailed statement, he indicated certain forbidden territory, and then took himself to the affirmative side of his plan. He did not hope to keep men from evil by lecturing about it, by elaborating a penal system, or by any appeal to the lower

instincts of human nature. His simple plan was to counteract death by life. Thus, instead of telling a man not to despair, he inspired him with a new hope; instead of telling a man to do no murder, he gave him such notions of the sanctity of human life as took away the very tendency to anger. This was his fundamental plan. “Thou shalt not” was adapted to a ruder age of the world; “Thou shalt” was now to take its place. The ineffectiveness of merely negative instruction is shown every day. Take the case of the gambler: tell him that gambling will bring him to ruin or inflict ruin on others, and not improbably the gambler will assent to the doctrine; but will be abandon of the habit? Go further: imprison the gambler; take from him all gambling instruments, and condemn him to live in penniless poverty all the rest of his days: does he cease to be a gambler? Only in the lowest sense; he is still a gambler in spirit—the evil is untouched. What does Christ propose in such a case? He not only casts out the devil, but he puts in the Holy Spirit. He gives the gambler something better to do, and proves his entire success by leaving the man in the world, yet keeping him from the evil. It would be a poor thing to take the man out of the world; if he required to be taken, that very fact would prove that he was not perfectly healed by Christ. The most conclusive testimony which is afforded of the divine force of truth is that men continue in the world, though inhaling the atmosphere of heaven. Satan is put under their feet. They are still in the region of war, but protected by an impenetrable armor. The fact that life must have occupation shows the uselessness of merely negative teaching. Life cannon remain quiescent [dormant, inactive]; it has appropriative and distributive functions, and must operate accordingly. If it be not pursuing good, it must be doing mischief. How does Christ engage those functions? We may simplify the course of inquiry by confining it to the subject of amusements. The mirthful side of human nature must be provided for. The sects have shut up the theatre, the race course and the dancing saloon: they have forbidden game after game; the Ten Commandments they have displaced by a hundred of their own, each commencing with “Thou shalt not.” Nothing was easier, and more useless. A man lives the drama passionately; he sees only the ideal side of it; the true interpretation of a great poem is to him the most refined of luxuries; entranced by the genius of art. The sects say to him, you must give up the drama, and he receives the intimation with great surprise, probably too with

some disgust. The intimation may be given to him by a man who hardly knows the meaning of the word drama, who has no soul for poetry, no eye for art—a man who would throw jewels away because the casket had been spotted with mud. Are the feelings of the dramatist not easily conceivable, and do they not under such circumstances call for sympathy? Christ never told his disciples not to go to the theatre, the race course or the festivities; from end to end of his teaching no such prohibition can be found. What then did Christ do? He said, “Make the tree good, and the fruit will be good”; don’t trim the leaves, vitalize the root; don’t attach, but develop. He opened, as we have seen, a wide field of philanthropic service, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, preaching liberty to the captive; he filled men with his own spirit, and then left them to go whereever it would conduct them. Christ did not teach from the outward to the inward, but from the inward to the outward. It is better to give a man a good principle than a good practice; it is better to be good than merely to behave well; the one is character, the other is convenience. Christ’s plan of meeting the wants of all sides of human life was stated in one sentence—“I have given them thy word.” He had put a spirit and a standard within them. The law was henceforth not an outside letter, but an internal voice. The holy Word gave place to the Holy Spirit. It was as if a new sense had been added to the Christian nature—a sense of immediate and accurate moral touch, which instantly discovered the quality of every doctrine or act. This is given to every man who is in Christ; who has eaten his flesh and drunk his blood, and so become essentially one with him. As to questions in casuistry [clever but unsound reasoning] which come up in practical life, one of the ablest reasoners in the early church has laid down principles of universal and unerring application. Christ determined the fundamental point, and Paul followed with special illustration. It may be well to spend a moment with Paul, that we may see what his interpretation of Christ’s idea was. There had been a discussion in one of the Christian communities respecting eating, which was not unlikely to create a serious division. The great apostolic casuist, who had in him a volume of humanity second only to the Son of Man, and who could consequently see most sides of a controverted subject, argued the cause. “Let not him that eateth ” said he, “despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.” He insisted upon strict individuality of judgment and conscience in the case, and became indignant with all censoriousness of criticism: “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up; for God is able to make him stand.” The spirit of mastery must be put down in the Christian fellowship; there is one Master, and all judgement on

the part of the servants is so much detraction from his supremacy in the church. On matters of detail, then, there is no common law in the Christian brotherhood; no amusement is prescribed, no amusement is forbidden; a man may drink wine, or a man may abstain from wine; a man may eat meat, or he may subsist on herbs; a man may esteem one day above another, or he may esteem every day alike. Let the indwelling Spirit determine. “Why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought [disrespect] thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” The church is not confederated upon questions of casuistry; it is founded on a common faith and a common philanthropy. It may be inquired— since the Spirit is the same, ought not the results to be the same? Certainly not. The results come through the idiosyncrasies of each man’s constitution. No two men are alike, though all men are made by God. One man is naturally contemplative, another active; one melancholy, another mirthful; one enterprising, another conservative. Christianity does not change the basis of a man’s individuality, but gives him a new spirit by which that individuality may be properly trained. As to amusements or recreations, most of which are supposed to lean towards the devil, their election is an individual question. It is for Christians to say how far they can go into the world of recreation. There is a solemnity which is more sinful than laughter; there is a laughter more acceptable to God than solemnity. Some men never laughed—cannot laugh, but they have a ready talent for condemning laughter in others; what is wanting in mirth is made up in censoriousness. They have but a small endowment of life to answer for, and cannot, consequently, comprehend the many-sided men who, while open to all the influences of mirth, have their holy hours of deep and probably agonizing devotion. So much for the personal side of this question; but we are to consider the law which is to govern not individual men only, but men who are organized into a church. How is individuality to stand in relation to community? While each man man be a law unto himself, each man is not a church unto himself. We may continue to argue the case, by still keeping to the simple illustration of an amusement. Differences of opinion do obtain as to amusements, but it should be borne in mind that the church, as such, is never asked to adopt any method of amusement for recreation; it is exclusively a personal matter, and can only relate to the corporate body on the ground of influence or example. The reputation of the whole may be compromised by the action of a part. Paul lays down this doctrine. “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him that esteems anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” The important point of this statement is, that it is given on CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 BOROPULSE.COM

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 Christ’s own authority; and it certainly is of the utmost consequence to have it laid down by Jesus Christ himself that “there is nothing unclean of itself.” But the question forced upon men by their association is, how far private tastes are to be controlled by the public opinion of the holy? Are they to be controlled at all? Paul says that some are “weak in the faith,” from which it may be inferred that some are strong: how then? Are the weak to consider the strong, or the strong to consider the weak? If family life may afford a suggestion, nothing can be clearer than that the strong are to consider the weak; the mother lives for the infant, not the infant for the mother. The case is put in the clearest light by Paul: “Let us not therefore judge one another any more; but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” This is the very spirit of Christian philanthropy, the considerations of self being subordinated to consideration of others. “What!” someone may exclaim, “am I to surrender my pleasures because there are persons called weak brethren in the world? The pleasures are to me perfectly legitimate, and I think it is unreasonable that any man should be offended by them.” A strong case, indeed, when viewed from any point but that of Christian philanthropy. It is just here, however, that the stress comes upon that philanthropy, and tests it. The philanthro-

py is not a mere sentiment, but a controlling power, having no self, and knowing nothing but man in the image of God. In proportion as a man gives up the very smallest enjoyment for the sake of his brother man, he comes to know what is meant by sacrifice, by self-sacrifice, and gets at least a distant glimpse of the Philanthropist who “pleased not himself.” Why the shock at such a proposition as is above suggested? The very principle is carried out in family life. The parent denies himself many enjoyments for the sake of his child; is not the church a family? When the parent says, “I shall not do this, because my child may get from it a wrong impression of life; the thing itself would be right enough to me, but he cannot yet comprehend my reasons for doing it: therefore, purely for his sake, I shall abstain;” he will see new and overpowering meanings in such expressions as “Christ pleased not himself ”; "Christ loved us, and gave himself for us”; “For their sakes I sanctify myself ”; “He took upon him the form of a servant.” These expressions cannot be opened by the lexicographer; they are known only to the practical philanthropist. The heart receives the interpretation, while the head can but wonder. A man has been heard to say that never until he saw his own little child in pain did he know what was meant by the words, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” His own nature became the interpreter

of God’s. Through an analogous process we come to understand somewhat of the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice. As a written doctrine, it is little more than an external beauty, thought to be too sacred for imitation or reproduction in any degree; but when once the spirit of sacrifice has been developed, it brings with it a sweetness beyond all other sweetness, and a consciousness of spiritual dominion, kindred to being “exalted to be a Prince and a Savior.” The range of self-sacrifice is more extensive than is commonly supposed. The child who sits silently in a sickroom, lest a dying parent should be disturbed, is within that range; so is the mother who gives up her days and nights to her sickening infant; so is the man who divides his last loaf with his hungering neighbor; and so is the noble creature who denies himself a luxury, lest a weak brother should stumble. All this is included in Christ’s idea of sacrifice; with this difference, however, that while the parent sacrifices for his child, and the neighbor for a man of kindred heart, Christ died for his enemies. This disclosed the greatness of his nature. He saw in man what no other eye could see. He did for his enemies what few men would do for their friends, so that from his lips as from no other could come the command, “Love your enemies.” In this way Christ broke in upon the organized selfishness of the world and “troubled” society with his unearthly doctrine of self-

abasement. And in this way he proposed to keep up eternally the distinction between the church and the world, and so to preserve his disciples from evil; while they continued more or less in the very midst of their old associations. The spirit of sacrifice is the best defense against evil; not the spirit of criticism, not the sharpness of wit, not the resources of experience, but the spirit of self-suppression as it was manifested by Jesus Christ in the Temptation. Every temptation was an appeal to self; every answer showed how self could be held in perfect subjection: This was the root of his power; it came to fruition on the Cross. Reverting to the church, we find a distinct law laid down by Paul for the regulation of associated life: “Ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” We have still the same principle of philanthropy called into exercise. It is perfectly true that man has liberty, but it is also true that liberty is to be the servant of love. Liberty is consistent with self, but love is not; therefore love is the final law. The possessor of mere liberty (assuming that to be possible) may take counsel with himself as to enjoyment; may write a detailed program and repel dictation, but the man whose liberty is controlled by love will ask how this or that will affect the persons who observe his conduct, or come under his influence. Read unabridged at boropulse.com