December 2020 Murfreesboro Pulse by The Murfreesboro Pulse

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS: 2006–2020 DECEMBER 2020 / VOL. 15, ISSUE 12 / FREE

MUSIC Middle Tennessee’s Source for Art, Entertainment and Culture News

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Rubiks Groove to Ring in the New Year at Hop Springs

ART

Catch Nashville's Nutcracker by Nashville Ballet on Dec. 18

HOLIDAY EVENTS + SHOP LOCAL

GIFT GUIDE & GIVEAWAY

FOOD

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B S KO N L I N E . C O M

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Contents page 18

COVER ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH MAYO

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Shop Local

Gift Guide & Giveaway FEATURES

IN EVERY ISSUE

5 Events

HOLIDAY EVENTS La Vergne Parade of Lights, Merry Movie Drive-In, Eagleville Christmas Parade, Winterfest, Cannonsburgh Drive-Through Lights, Movies Under the Stars and more!

CALENDAR Build a Birdhouse, Student Poetry Contest, Local Business Fair and more

8 Sounds

BIOGRAPHY OF GOD Murfreesboro author Dorsey Lunn shares divine revelations in new book.

STAR SANDWICHES Murfreesboro’s Sandwich Factory serves delicious sandwiches, pizzas, more. shakes and more

MUSIC NOTES Caleb Mitchell, NYE Celebrations with Rubiks Groove, Ultimate McGraw, Cooter River

CONCERTS Springsteen Tribute, Phil Valdez, Dave Massey Flamenco

SHOP LOCAL GIFT GUIDE & GIVEAWAY Donuts, dancing, tea, barre lessons, fine wine, local dining, movie passes, a float sesson and more! Enter to win over 20 items, gift cards and services merchants. from independent local merchants

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

11 Reviews ALBUM Andrew Adkins

MOVIE Happiest Season

Art Director: Sarah Mayo Copy Editor: Steve Morley Publisher/Editor in Chief: Bracken Mayo

Advertising: Jared Stuart

12 Art

MURAL Terrell Johnson and Vincent Mosley team up on Domino’s murals. THEATER Nashville’s Nutcracker; If It’s Monday, This Must be Christmas POETRY Local poets and photographers present 2021 Murfreesboro wall calendar.

24 News

BUSINESS BUZZ Varin’s Sweet Shop, The Rodeo, Oscar’s Taqueria Express, Jaffa Restaurant, Primrose Table, Catfeine and more BBB TIPS Shop safe and smart online this season

Contributors: Michael DeLeon, Jennifer Durand, Laura Lindsay, Angela Loupe, Zach Maxfield, Caleb Nix, Edwina Shannon Jay Spight, Andrea Stockard, Phil Valentine

Opinion GARDENING Enjoy poinsettias, Christmas cactus, amaryllis and Christmas trees indoors. STEERED STRAIGHT Addiction, substance abuse, suicide and recidivism on the rise. LIVE . . . WELL Spiraling Up PHIL VALENTINE Those who wear a mask are still getting virus.

33 Sports

BLUE RAIDER FOOTBALL Two November games postponed; basketball season has tipped off. SPORTS TALK Merry Christmas to all!

Copyright © 2020, The Murfreesboro Pulse, 714 W. Main St., #208, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. 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

714 W. Main St., Suite 208, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 • 615-796-6248 To carry the PULSE at your business, or to submit letters, stories and photography: bracken@boropulse.com

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THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, ALEX TREBEK. Thanks for all of the clues. Your show has helped quench a thirst for knowledge for many, many viewers around the world, young and old, rich and poor, the highly educated—the lawyers, doctors, librarians and scientists—and those with very little formal education who happened to catch the Jeopardy! bug each weekday afternoon. Almost every parent, I believe, would want their kids to watch Jeopardy! “I think you have watched enough television. Isn’t it time to go out and play? What are you watching in there?” “Jeopardy!” “Oh, very well then.” The show has surely caused many to look further into a wealth of subjects—world history, chemistry, Edison and da Vinci, spices of Africa, U.S. presidents, poetry, volcanoes, ancient Egypt and its pharaohs and pyramids and, of course, potent potables. Hundreds of thousands of clues and questions (remember, the format is not question and answer on this unique show) have sparked the minds of viewers for decades. The original incarnation of Jeopardy! launched in 1964, when the Canadian-born Trebek had just begun his broadcasting career in his native country. Trebek, who later became a U.S. citizen, was not the show’s only host, but he has been the face of the show since 1984. Many viewers at home probably experienced a category or board that they could have just dominated. Could-haves, should-haves and if-onlys . . . Other trivia-based game shows are weak and slow by comparison. As long as time doesn’t expire in one of the rounds with clues still remaining on the board, each Jeopardy! game contains 61 clues. That’s some action! The knowledge comes fast. The show will live on, with Ken Jennings–the GOAT– appropriately stepping in as interim host. Producers say other interim hosts will follow, with a permanent announcement on the show’s future coming soon. “Alex believed in the importance of Jeopardy! and always said that he wanted the show to go on after him. We will honor his legacy by continuing to produce the game he loved,” according to the show’s executive producer Mike Richards. Much love and respect, Trebek, even if you never had me on the program. I tried, I would have made myself available anytime, but it was not to be. Possibly I can make it onto the show with another host. I would love it, but—even if I managed to win a game, which would be incredible—it just wouldn’t have the same bragging rights as appearing on the stage with Alex. A very merry Christmas to all. Take in some of the parades, Christmas lights, special programs and services in the area with your loved ones. And I hope to catch up with many of you at the small business fair at the Walnut House on Dec. 10. It should be a fun evening. Peace, BRACKEN MAYO Publisher/Editor in Chief

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HOLIDAY EVENTS BY ANDREA STOCKARD

and Polar Express, on a 50-foot screen presented by Elam Real Estate. The event includes complimentary snacks and a raffle with prizes, though organizers ask attendees to consider donating items to support the mission of Greenhouse Ministries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, brushes, combs, razors, shaving cream and socks. Attendees can bring lawn chairs or remain in their vehicles and listen to the audio via radio broadcast. Parking starts at 5 p.m. and the double feature begins at 6 p.m. Sports*Com is located at 2310 Memorial Blvd. Register in advance for the Elam Family Merry Movie Drive-In on Eventbrite.

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THROUGH DEC. 19 DANCING LIGHTS AND CHRISTMAS AT FIDDLERS GROVE HISTORIC VILLAGE Celebrate the Christmas season with a festive stroll through Fiddlers Grove Historic Village (945 E Baddour Pkwy, Lebanon) through Dec. 19, Tuesday–Saturday, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., featuring over 60 buildings adorned with Christmas wreaths, lights and animated figures ideal for photo opportunities against scenic backgrounds. Learn the history of Fiddlers Grove Historic Village while enjoying Christmas music, a cookie and hot chocolate or hot cider. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6–12. Children 5 and under receive free admission. For tickets or more information, find FiddlersGroveTN on Facebook or visit ﬁddlersgrovetn.com. The Dancing Lights of Christmas are also back through Jan. 3 at the James E. Ward Ag Center. For more information, visit thedancinglightsofchristmas.com.

THROUGH DEC. 20 GREAT HOLIDAY GNOME HUNT Join The Avenue (2615 Medical Center Pkwy.) for some holiday fun and enter to win a $100 gift card from a retailer of your choice. Watch for clues on social media, follow them, find a hidden gnome in one of the retailers. There are six gnomes hidden within stores in The Avenue. The gnomes are hand-painted by artists at The Pottery Place and are 8.75 inches in height. In addition to a gift card, each winner keeps their gnome for the holidays. Three winners are chosen weekly until Dec. 20. For more information, call 615-893-4207 or visit theavenuemurfreesboro.com/ holiday-gnome-hunt.

DEC. 4 MURFREESBORO TREE LIGHTING BROADCAST Enjoy the virtual lighting of the Rutherford County Christmas tree as Murfreesboro CityTV presents a 45-minute prerecorded Holiday Spectacular, showcasing area personalities, singers, dancers and storytellers. The prerecorded program ends in a live tree lighting with Santa, the county mayor and a guest choir. The program airs at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4. Tune into

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DEC. 5 COMMUNITY CARE ROLLING CHRISTMAS PARADE

DEC. 19 WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA On Saturday, Dec. 19, a small group of Civil Air Patrol volunteers will gather at Stones River National Cemetery (3501 Old Nashville Hwy.) to place wreaths as part of Wreaths Across America Day to honor veterans during the holiday season. The virtual ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and POW/MIA are presented and placed at the cemetery flag pole. Additional wreaths decorate graves throughout the national cemetery honoring veterans from the Civil War through Vietnam. For more information, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org or call 615893-9501. Find the event on Facebook for upcoming details on the ceremony.

Murfreesboro CityTV Channel 3 through Comcast, Roku, Apple TV, Murfreesboro City Government YouTube, the Murfreesboro City Live Facebook or on the Rutherford County or Main Street Murfreesboro Facebook pages.

DEC. 4 MOVIES UNDER THE STARS Movies Under the Stars returns for a special winter event at Cason Trailhead (1100 Cason Trl.) on Friday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m. Bring your family and friends to enjoy a free showing of Elf. Bring extra blankets and lawn chairs. Hot chocolate and popcorn are available for purchase. All ages are welcome. For more information, contact 615-893-2141 or hbelcher@ murfreesborotn.gov.

DEC. 5 PARADE OF LIGHTS La Vergne hosts its annual Parade of

Lights on Saturday, Dec. 5, beginning at 6 p.m. The parade begins at Veterans Memorial Park and ends at La Vergne City Hall, where a tree-lighting ceremony and a fireworks show will take place. This year’s theme is “Blue Christmas” and the grand marshal is former police chief Mike Walker. Organizers ask all parade participants to decorate their cars, floats or signs with lights for the event, which will take place after dark. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the closing ceremony while the La Vergne High School Choraliers perform holiday songs. Rumor has it that Santa and Mrs. Claus may stop by for a visit. For more information, visit lavergnetn.gov.

DEC. 5 MERRY MOVIE DRIVE-IN Come out to Sports*Com on Saturday, Dec. 5, for a free outdoor showing of two movies, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Join in the Community Care Rolling Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. This drive-through Christmas Parade for residents will meet at the Walmart Supercenter (140 Joe B. Jackson Pkwy.) to assemble together before driving over to CCRC (901 E. County Farm Rd.). For more information, find the event on Facebook.

DEC. 6 SANTA PAWS AND CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FUNDRAISER Music City Animal Rescue presents Santa Paws and Christmas Village Sale on Dec. 6 from noon to 5 p.m. outside Julia’s Homestyle Bakery, located at 1911 Medical Center Pkwy., Ste. B. Bring your fur babies for a special picture with Santa from 1 to 4 p.m., courtesy of BFF Treats, and shop the Christmas Village full of items for your furry family. All proceeds benefit the Music City Animal Rescue.

DEC. 6, 13 & 20 RIDENOUR REHEARSAL STUDIOS CHRISTMAS VILLAGE Get in the holiday spirit at Ridenour Rehearsal Studios (1203 Park Ave.) with The Murfreesboro Christmas Village, an outdoor shopping event featuring vendors, food trucks and live music the first three Sundays in Dec. from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2020 * 5

Events

CALENDAR / DECEMBER 2020

BY ANDREA STOCKARD

DEC. 2 THOSE SNEAKY SQUIRRELS! Anyone who has visited Barfield Park knows there is a lively squirrel population. Visit Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 10–11 a.m. to learn more about these sneaky critters and take to the hiking trails to spot some in action. All ages are welcome. Admission is free. For more information, contact 615-217-3017 or apool@murfreesborotn.gov.

DEC. 2 & 16 RAPTOR RHAPSODY Have you ever looked an owl in the eye or glared at a red-tailed hawk up close, or checked out a falcon’s wings? Get up close and personal with a live bird of prey and learn about these master predators of the sky at Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) Wednesdays, Dec. 2 and 16, from 4–5 p.m. Presentations and photo opportunities next to live birds are available throughout the day. All ages are welcome; admission is free. For more information, call 615-217-3017.

DEC. 4 BUTTER BEAN AUCTION Bid on your favorite items with butter beans at St. Clair Senior Center, Room S104 (325 St. Clair St.) on Friday, Dec. 4, from 10–11 a.m. Sign-up is required for this event and can be made by calling 615848-2550.

DEC. 5 BUILD A BIRDHOUSE Build a birdhouse at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m.–noon. After assembling the house, paint it however you’d like. Everything is supplied except the hammer; bring a hammer you are comfortable using. Bring your favorite craft paint if desired. Reservations are required. All ages are welcome (under 14 must have parent present). The cost is $20 per participant. For more information, contact 615-890-0355.

DEC. 5 FURS, FEATHERS AND FERNS Complete all requirements for this Cub Scout Adventure at Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10–11:30 6 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

DEC. 5 HIKE ENCLOSURE WALL TRAIL AT OLD STONE FORT STATE PARK Join Murfreesboro Parks and Rec for an early winter wonderland hike at Old Stone Fort State Park (732 Stone Fort Dr, Manchester) from 9 a.m.–noon on Saturday, Dec. 5. All skill

a.m. Identify animal signs on a hike, learn about threatened and endangered animals, and meet some of the live education animals. Registration is required. Ages 5 and up, or any Cub Scouts, are welcome. For more information, contact 615-217-3017 or hmeyer@murfreesborotn.gov.

DEC. 5 BLACK MURFREESBORO MARKET Join Black Murfreesboro for Black Murfreesboro Market on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at Lane Agri-Park Community Center (315 John Rice Blvd.). The market features many black-owned businesses, food trucks, music and more. For more information, find the event and Black Murfreesboro on Facebook.

DEC. 7 MONOPRINTING CLASS Join Murfreesboro Painter Laureate Dawna Magliacano for a monoprinting class at Patterson Park Community Center (521 Mercury Blvd.) on Monday, Dec. 7, from 6–9 p.m. Monoprinting is a form of printmaking to create unique, free-form printed images. Participants create their own monoprint using gel printing plates. Ages 16 and up are welcome. For more information, contact 615-801-2606 or dhunter@murfreesborotn.gov.

levels are welcome. This trail is considered easy and is approximately three miles; transportation will not be provided. Registration is required. Location information is disclosed upon registration. Ages 13 and up are welcome, and the cost for the guided tour is $8. For more information, contact 615217-3017 or clipscomb@murfreesborotn.gov.

DEC. 8 AND 22 PICNIC IN THE PARK Come out to Cannonsburgh Village on Tuesdays, Dec. 8 and 22, from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., for a picnic lunch and an old-fashioned, simple activity. Bring your lunch and the activity is provided. Space is limited to 10 participants, plus a parent. The cost is $5. Reservation is required by calling 615-890-0355. The Dec. 8 activity is Biscuits and Butter, and Dec. 22 is Paper Ornaments (bring scissors and a ruler).

DEC. 9 LIKIN’ LICHEN Have you ever wondered about that crazy looking stuff growing on rocks, trees, and even the ground? Come out to Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 10–11 a.m. and learn more about lichen followed by a 30-minute hike to find it. Ages 6 and up are welcome. For more information, contact 615-217-3017 or apool@murfreesborotn.gov.

DEC. 9 OWL PELLET DISSECTION Discover more about the owls that call Tennessee home at Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 10–11 a.m.

Learn about some of the native owl species and their adaptations, and then dissect owl pellets. Ages 6 and up are welcome. For more information, contact 615-217-3017 or efann@murfreesborotn.gov.

DEC. 9 PRESCHOOL ARTS POP-UP Visit the Gateway Island Reception Center (1875 W College St.) the second Wednesday of the month for an opportunity to get creative. Cultural Arts is hosting a pop-up for preschoolers on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 9–10 a.m., where participants create a craft and learn something new. There is a different surprise activity each month. Class size is limited to 6 participants, so sign up early or take a chance and show up. Ages 3–6 are welcome (adult required to stay). For more information, contact 615-801-2606 or dhunter@murfreesborotn.gov.

DEC. 10 LOCAL BUSINESS FAIR AT THE WALNUT HOUSE The Murfreesboro Pulse and The Walnut House will collaborate on a local business fair on Thursday, Dec. 10, from 4-8 p.m. Representatives from a variety of area small businesses will set up tables and booths, hand out literature, items and samples, conduct demonstrations and

sell products. The night will include music from Robyn Taylor, community rhythm sessions with Everybody Drum Some and movement and stretching times with Genet Moves. Champy’s Chicken will sell shrimp boil platters and chicken tenders at the event. The business fair, free and open to the public, should be a festive time for area business owners, consumers and supporters of small business to get to know each other around some music, art, food and drink. All business owners and representatives may come out and network, distribute materials and mingle. Other participating businesses include: The Fox & Goat Coffee, Steered Straight, Thrift, Better Business Bureau. Everybody Drum Some, Genet Moves, Bill Taylor Bushido School of Karate, Three Rivers Family Dentistry, Cultivation Network, CSL Plasma, Tri Star Property Services, Main St. Murfreesboro, Big Creek Winery Tasting Room, CNB Plumbing, Premiere Six Theatre, Business and Life Transformation Strategies, Valley Growers, Soigne, MTSU Online, Blue Eyed Daisy, Donut Country, Nexgen Barbershop, Champy’s Chicken, Dream Closets TN, Hank’s Honky Tonk, Gen 1:29 CBD Oil, Swanson Direct, Pink Zebra, Reliant Realty - Lory Breckler, Healing Cypress Massage, Rion Flowers, Elyse Santoro Home, Hope Restored Counseling. The night will also serve as a relaunch of the monthly Connection Entrepreneurs Club, which has been on hiatus for much of 2020. Organizers have been encouraged by initial response to the event and the desire for so many to be involved in helping to promote the local economy by facilitating connection. The Walnut House is already exploring plans to host another local business fair in the spring. The Walnut House is located at 116 N. Walnut St. Plenty of free parking is available at the Pinnacle bank parking lot and in the Rutherford County Judicial Center Parking Garage at Walnut and Lytle streets.

DEC. 10 365-DAY TEMPERATURE BLANKET The 365-day temperature blanket is an ambitious project. Instructors at Cannonsburgh Village teach you to crochet your own afghan that records daily high and low temperatures for an entire year. Learn how to make a two-color “granny square” on Thursday, Dec. 10, from 4–5:30 p.m. The limit is 15 participants. Reservations are required by calling 615-890-0355. Ages 14 and up are welcome. The cost is $10. For more information, call 615-890-0355.

DEC. 11 POETRY SOCIETY CONTEST The Poetry Society of Tennessee reminds all student poets that the middle and upper school division deadline for its annual free verse student poetry contest, open to all Tennessee-based students, is Dec. 11. Winning poems will be sent to national level contests and may be published in the Poetry Society’s anthology Tennessee Voices. Deadlines for the elementary division (any form) and Eye Poem (all divisions) contests are Feb. 15, 2021. Contest categories for written poetry forms include: High School (Grades 9–12) — Free Verse Middle School (Grades 6–8) — Free Verse Elementary (Grades 2–5) — Any Form The Eye Poem category is open to grades 2–12. An eye poem is a poetic collage of visual and verbal imagery. Students combine images from magazine pages with words, phrases and clauses on a single page to create a free verse poem. The objective is to create a

DEC. 11 WHAT’S UP NIGHT HIKES Fall nights are great for spotting owls, bats, frogs and insects, glowing eyes, and other fascinating critters that are active at night. Enjoy discovery under the night sky at Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Friday, Dec. 11. Reservations are required. Ages 8 and up are welcome. The cost is $3 per person or $10 per family. For more information, contact 615-217-3017 or efann@ murfreesborotn.gov.

DEC. 12 NATURE PAINTING Do some Nature Painting at the Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m.–noon. Local artist Bobbie Ventura teaches, and all supplies are included in the registration fee. Registration is required at murfreesboroparks.com. Click “Online Registration,” then “Outdoor Murfreesboro.” Registration is limited to 5 people. Ages 10 and up are welcome. The cost is $15. For more information, call 615-217-3017.

DEC. 12 YOGA FOR FREE FOOD FRIDAY Legacy Ink Design hosts Free Food Fridays to provide food and supplies to the growing

 Send community event information to CONTACT@BOROPULSE.COM

mood or inspiration. Learn more and see examples at bit.ly/eyepoem. Contest coordinator Frances Cowden, a long-time member of PSTWest chapter who has been recognized by the National Federation of State Poetry Societies for student poetry contest leadership emphasizes that one of the The Poetry Society of Tennessee’s central values is to encourage young poets. PST President Lori Goetz invites all students, teachers and parents to become involved in this project. “The student contest is a great way for students to explore poetry as a written art form,” she said. “We accept home-school organization, club and individual student submissions.” Submission deadline for the middle and high school divisions is Dec. 11, with elementary and Eye Poem following in February. Find a contest brochure with further details on formatting requirements and submission methods at bit.ly/ sbroch2021. For more information on the society, visit poetrytennessee.org or contact Goetz at poetrytennessee@gmail.com. homeless population in the area. StayLightWithLiz will present a yoga session for supporters of the project on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. Tune into the donation-based virtual healing event on the StayLightWithLiz Instagram page. Donate and learn more about the Free Food Fridays project and how it gives to those affected by homelessness in Murfreesboro at gofundme.com by searching Community Giving 2020.

DEC. 19 WINTER BIRD WALK You can bird watch in the winter when birds stand out against the grey colors of winter and are easier to spot. Enjoy a chilly morning hike to find some Tennessee winter birds at Murfree Spring Wetland (460 SE Broad St.) on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 9–10:30 a.m. Learn more about wintering birds along the way. Ages 8 and up are welcome. For more information, call 615-217-3017.

TUESDAYS MURFREE SPRING WETLANDS CLEANUP Help Outdoor Murfreesboro keep the walkways and water system clean Tuesdays in December from 10–11 a.m. at Murfree Spring Wetlands (460 SE Broad St.). Trash pickers, bags and gloves are provided. Afterwards, stay for a short program on various conservation issues. All ages are

welcome. For more information, contact outdoormurfreesboro@murfreesbototn.gov.

TUESDAYS BOOK CLUB AT THE WILDERNESS STATION Join the Book Reading Club at Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) Tuesdays in Dec. from 6–7 p.m., for an examination of Nature’s Best Hope by Douglas Tallamy. Be inspired and learn how to make simple changes in your own yard to create ecological havens. Participate in a cozy time of brief reading, discussion and warm drinks and a snack. Ages 16 and up are welcome. For more information, contact 615-217-3017 or emoorman@murfreesborotn.gov.

WEDNESDAYS SCHOOLHOUSE ACTIVITY Schoolhouse activities are held Wednesdays in the 1800s schoolhouse at Cannonsburgh Village (321 S. Front St.) from 9–10 a.m. Girls sit on one side and boys on the other; 1800s period clothing is optional. Every week features a different activity. The cost is $2.50. For more information, contact 615-890-0355.

FRIDAYS GREENWAY WALKS Walk the Greenway with Outdoor Murfreesboro and observe the wonders of the natural world. Meet Fridays in December at the Barfield Road Trailhead (2133 Barfield Rd.) from 9–10 a.m. For more information, contact 615-217-3017 or outdoormurfreesboro@ murfreesborotn.gov. All ages are welcome.

FRIDAYS TODDLER TIME WITH THOMAS Toddlers get to play and learn to wait their turn, follow directions and work together to accomplish simple goals with Toddler Time with Thomas. The focus is on body part recognition, cognitive skill development and, of course, fun. Ages 5 and under are welcome Fridays from 10–11 a.m. at Sports*Com (2310 Memorial Blvd.). The cost is $3. For more information, contact 615-895-5040.

SATURDAYS ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) offers a short program introducing one of their education animals Saturdays in December from 1:30–2:30 p.m. Participate in discussion about the animals’ cool adaptations and natural history. All ages are welcome. For more information, contact 615-217-3017 or outdoormurfreesboro@murfreesborotn.gov. BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2020 * 7

Sounds

Read more about local music at

boropulse.com/category/music

MURFREESBORO’S CALEB MITCHELL REACHES TOP 10 IN GIVE MY REGARDS WORLDWIDE TALENT COMPETITION MURFREESBORO NATIVE CALEB MITCHELL has been selected as a top 10 finalist in a worldwide talent search called Give My Regards. Spot-On Arts Academy, a unique multidisciplinary virtual art academy taught by award-winning artists, presents the Give My Regards competition. In August, organizers narrowed down a list of 20 entrants from a pool of emerging artists spanning 46 states and seven countries. The top 10 contestants were recently selected after mentorship and training from Spot-On Arts Academy teaching artists, internal judging and a popular public vote. Mitchell he feels it is the first time he is being taken seriously as an artist. “I’ve made it a big point to show everyone I’m capable of more than what they think I am,” he said. This has been a great opportunity to keep training and working towards his dreams of a professional performance career, he said. In the coming months, a panel of judges will review each

MUSIC NOTE

contestant and reduce the field to five, all of whom will perform a concert in an iconic New York City venue, and then to a grand-prize winner, who will be awarded a featured role in a symphony concert on the west coast in 2021. Judges include Kate Flannery (The Ofﬁce, Dancing With the Stars), Broadway composer Joe Iconis (Be More Chill, Smash), TV star and Broadway legend Anthony Rapp (Rent, Star Trek: Discovery), Broadway and film actor Phillip Johnson Richardson (Hamilton, Little Voice), Broadway and recording artist Marisha Wallace (Dreamgirls, Waitress, Top 20 UK charts) and Tony Award winner Faith Prince (Guys and Dolls, The Little Mermaid) among others. “Our top 20 worked tirelessly over the last few months to roll up their sleeves and dive into the content of their original submissions,” said competition founder Scott Coulter. “Their tremendous growth and exploration of their craft during this time of extended closures for the arts community has reinvigorated the hope of the stars of tomorrow who remain undeterred from the uncertainty of the future.” Established by Coulter, Spot-On Arts Academy is an online training platform for pre-professional performers looking to establish connections in the performing arts industry. Offering one-on-one coaching and classes in technique, the academy also offers leadership, business and career management. For more information on Give My Regards and the Spot-On Arts Academy, visit spot-onartsacademy.com.

Murfreesboro’s Hottest Live Concert & Entertainment Venue

2227 Old Fort Pkwy., Murfreesboro • Inside Clarion Inn Great Southern Cooking, Burgers, Wings & More!

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT SEASONS / DEC. 31, 2020

 COOTER RIVER BAND 7–9:30 P .M .  THE ULTIMATE McGRAW TRIBUTE BAND 10 P. M.–1 A. M . TICKETS: $75 EACH, includes prime rib dinner, party favors & champagne toast at midnight



HAPPY HOUR DAILY, 3–6 P.M.

TRAFFIC LIGHT TUESDAYS Penny Draft Beer / $1 Longnecks $10 at the door INCLUDES KOOZIE COLOR OF YOUR CHOICE: Red = Taken / Green = Single / Yellow = It’s Complicated

Karaoke ~ Pool Tables ~ Darts ~ Wii

MONDAY: Service Industry Night

THURSDAY: Texas Hold’em

TUESDAY: Traffic Light Tuesdays & Mic Drop Karaoke

FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS: Live Bands

WEDNESDAY: Ladies Night with Salsa & Bachata Dance DJ

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS: Football! Two-for-one Longnecks

Mon.–Thurs. 5 p.m.–12 a.m. Fri. 5 p.m.–2 a.m. Sat. 11 a.m.–2 a.m. Sun. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

seasonsofmurfreesboro.com 615-895-5471 8 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

DECEMBER CONCERTS  ONLINE AT BOROPULSE.COM/CALENDAR TUES, 12/1

TUES, 12/8

WED, 12/16

SAT, 12/26

HANK’S

VAN’S BAR & GRILL

Becki McLeod Open Jam

George Dunn Open Jam

Shawn & Caralyn Hammonds

THURS, 12/17 HANK’S

WED, 12/2

WED, 12/9

HANK’S

HANDLEBARS

THURS, 12/10

THE BORO BAR & GRILL

Krystal King

THURS, 12/3 HANDLEBARS

Blues Jam HANK’S

Jordan Carter RIDENOUR REHEARSAL STUDIOS

Karen Waldrup’s Holiday Show

FRI, 12/4 CARMEN’S TAQUERIA

Joe West

HANK’S

Delyn Christian MAYDAY BREWERY

Dustyn Roth

SEASONS OF MURFREESBORO

Jack Finley Band THE BORO BAR & GRILL

Joey Fletcher Presents

VAN’S BAR & GRILL

Real Deal

SAT 12/5 HANK’S

Zach Neil; A Slice of American Pie PUCKETT’S MURFREESBORO

Brianna Alomar

SEASONS OF MURFREESBORO

Alexis Taylor

HANDLEBARS

Blues Jam HANK’S

Tawnya Reynolds THE BORO BAR & GRILL

Comedy Night

Spencer Maige Blues Jam

Open Mic Talent Night

FRI, 12/18 CARMEN’S TAQUERIA

Joe West

HANK’S

FRI, 12/11

Sara Simmons, Cooter River Band

CARMEN’S TAQUERIA

SEASONS OF MURFREESBORO

HANK’S

VAN’S BAR & GRILL

Joe West

Bailey Rose; Jack Finley Band VAN’S BAR & GRILL

Revelry

SAT, 12/12 HANK’S

Joe Hooper, Phil Valdez HOP SPRINGS

Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown PUCKETT’S

Olivia Faye

SEASONS OF MURFREESBORO

Springsteen Tribute Band

SUN, 12/13 HANK’S

The O’Donnells HOP SPRINGS

Rubiks Groove

Americana Sunday Jam

SUN, 12/6

THE BORO BAR & GRILL

Phil Valdez

Doug Lawler Band

SAT, 12/19 HANK’S

Lonnie Cook; Justin Dukes

SUN, 12/20

HANK’S

Americana Sunday Jam

MON, 12/21

Open Mic

THE BORO BAR & GRILL

Flamenco Night with Dave Massey

MON, 12/28 HANK’S

Open Mic

TUES, 12/29 HANK’S

Matt McAtee VAN’S BAR & GRILL

Open Jam

THURS, 12/31 HANDLEBARS

Blues Jam

Whiskey Smoke Rubiks Groove

SEASONS OF MURFREESBORO

Open Mic

TUES, 12/22

VAN’S BAR & GRILL

HANK’S

Delyn Christian VAN’S BAR & GRILL

HANK’S

THU, 12/25 VAN’S BAR & GRILL

Junk Box

Carmen’s Taqueria 206 W. Northfield Blvd. 615-848-9003 Coconut Bay 210 Stones River Mall Blvd. 615-494-0504 Gallagher Unplugged 118 N. Walnut St. 615-624-4196 Hank’s 2341 Memorial 615-410-7747 Handlebars 2601 E. Main St. 615-890-5661 Hop Springs

6670 John Bragg Hwy.

615-450-1907

HANK’S

Cooter River Band; Ultimate McGraw Tribute Band

Phil Valdez

Open Jam

Americana Sunday Jam

HANK’S

TUES, 12/15 VAN’S BAR & GRILL

HOP SPRINGS

WED, 12/23

HunterGirl

Karree J. Phillips

HOP SPRINGS

HANK’S

MON, 12/7

HANK’S

Emily Miller

Open Jam

Flamenco Night with Dave Massey

SUN, 12/27

HANK’S

MON 12/14 Open Mic

Mickey’s After Christmas Jam

Kyle Elliott

Phoenix Rising

IF YOU GO

SEASONS OF MURFREESBORO

Radio Farm

HOP SPRINGS

THE BORO BAR & GRILL

Karianne Jean

WED, 12/30

Flamenco Night with Dave Massey

Americana Sunday Jam

PUCKETT’S

PUCKETT’S MURFREESBORO

HANK’S

Crosstown

HunterGirl

Doug Riley Band

FRI, 1/1 HANK’S

Dirt Road Daisies, Lefty Ferguson

SAT, 1/2 HANK’S

Nolen Miller, Zach Neil

Hotshotz Bar & Grill 1208 S. Lowry St., Smyrna 629-255-8296 Mayday Brewery 521 Old Salem Rd. 615-479-9722 Puckett’s Grocery 114 N. Church St. 629-201-6916 RidenourStudios 1203 Park Ave. 615-956-7413 Seasons of Murfreesboro 2227 Old Fort Pkwy. 615-895-5471

KARAOKE, TRIVIA AND DJ NIGHTS IN MURFREESBORO  ONLINE AT BOROPULSE.COM/KARAOKE

 Mondays AHARTS PIZZA GARDEN Trivia Night 7 p.m. HANK’S Open Mic Night 6–9 p.m. JACK BROWN’S Trivia Night 7 p.m. LEVEL III Trivia 7 p.m.

Bike Night, Karaoke 6 p.m.

 Thursdays 219 MIXED CUISINE Trivia 7 p.m. PARTY FOWL Trivia Night 7 p.m. STARS & STRIKES Trivia 6:30 p.m.

THE BORO Karaoke 8 p.m.

VAN’S BAR & GRILL Pool Tournament 7 p.m.

 Tuesdays

 Fridays

COCONUT BAY Trivia 7:30 p.m. NACHO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Trivia 7 p.m. VAN’S BAR & GRILL Open Jam hosted by Southside Saints 7 p.m.

 Wednesdays BURGER REPUBLIC Trivia, 7 p.m. GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Karaoke 8 p.m.–12 a.m. JONATHAN’S GRILLE Trivia 7:30 p.m. JUST LOVE COFFEE EAST Trivia 5 p.m.

BOOMBOZZ PIZZA Trivia Night 8:30 p.m. GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Karaoke 9 p.m.–1 a.m. LIQUID SMOKE Wax on the Square DJ Night, 10 p.m.

 Saturdays CORELIFE EATERY Trivia Night 7 p.m. GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Karaoke 9 p.m.–1 a.m. NACHO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Trivia Night 7 p.m.

The Boro Bar & Grill 1211 Greenland Dr. 615-895-4800

SEASONS OF MURFREESBORO Salsa and Bachata with DJ Julian 7 p.m.

VAN’S BAR & GRILL Karaoke 7 p.m.

Van’s Bar & Grill 2404 Halls Hill Pk. 615-624-7767

THE BOULEVARD Trivia 8 p.m. VAN’S BAR & GRILL

SAM’S SPORTS GRILL Trivia Night 8 p.m.

 Sundays

BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2020 * 9

 RING IN 2021 WITH ULTIMATE McGRAW TRIBUTE, COOTER RIVER BAND AT SEASONS

 RUBIKS GROOVE PLAYS HOP SPRINGS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE

MUSIC NOTES

THE CAST OF ZANY CHARACTERS known as Rubiks Groove—Pee Widdy, Star Brite, Johnny, Eddie Van Scissorhands, Robo Chops, Team Wolf, Bill, Super Stario, Barf and Leonardo Di Turtle-O, Gwen Star-Fani and Boston Powers—will ring in 2021 at Hop Springs. Put 2020 in the rearview mirror with music, fireworks, and champagne. The outdoor show will feature plenty of covered area and lots of room for the crowd to spread out. Rubiks Groove plays gnarly rock, pop and hip-hop hits of the ’80s and ’90s with a show that includes skits, videos and costumes. Acoustic music will kick off the night at 6 p.m. with Rubiks Groove beginning its set at 9 p.m. A champagne toast and fireworks will mark the stroke of midnight. Tickets start at $35. Hop Springs Beer Park is located at 6790 John Bragg Hwy., Murfreesboro. Find tickets and more information on New Year’s Eve with Rubiks Groove on Eventbrite.

Breakfast Served All Day!

SEASONS OF MURFREESBORO will celebrate New Year’s Eve with live music and prime rib. The Cooter River Band, a father, son, daughter and friends, will open the night at 7 p.m. and the Ultimate McGraw Tribute Band will play hits from country superstar Tim McGraw from 10 p.m.–1 a.m. The Ultimate McGraw Tribute Band features drummer Billy “Thunder” Mason, one of the Dancehall Doctors who spent 18 years on the

road with McGraw, Jeff “Twin McGraw” Richards, Rich Elkhart (the longtime lead guitarist for Toby Keith, who has also performed with numerous other country and rock legends), Geoff Butterworth on piano, Jeff Aulich on guitar and Brandan Blake on percussion. A $75 ticket includes concert admission, a prime rib dinner and midnight champagne toast. Seasons of Murfreesboro is located at 2227 Old Fort Pkwy., Murfreesboro.

COOTER RIVER BAND

Pozole, Menudo and Caldo de Pollo

FREE Small Cheese Dip With purchase of $15 or more

Served Saturdays & Sundays MONDAY 2–4 p.m. 50% OFF

RITAS A G R A M E S U $

Music Every Friday & Saturday!

5.99

3–10 P.M. Monday–Friday All Day Saturday & Sunday

2 for 1 Draft Beer—$3.25

Football Helmet Drink Towers

All Day Thurs., Sat. & Sun

16.99— 16.99—100 oz. Beer $ 20.99—100 oz. 20.99— Margarita

Taco Salad Asada (Steak) Flautas de Pollo (Chicken) Empanadas Asada (Steak)

TUESDAY All Day 12 oz. House Margaritas on the Rocks 2-for-1 Taco Tuesday: $4.99 for 4 Burrito Fajita Asada (Steak) $9.99

WEDNESDAY 2–6 p.m. 50% off

Enchiladas Carmen’s Pollo (Chicken) Chimichanga Asada (Steak) Small Caldo Pollo

206 W. Northfield Blvd. 615-848-9003 The One and Only Carmen’s Taqueria HOURS: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

THURSDAY All Day $7.00

Fried Fish Tacos Grilled Chicken Sope Medium Grilled Chicken Quesadilla

SUNDAY 2–6 p.m. 15% OFF Food (food only) No substitutions on daily specials • Dine-in only Specials cannot be combined with coupons

Reviews

ALBUM

MOVIE

HAPPIEST SEASON DIRECTOR Clea DuVall

ANDREW ADKINS The Echoist

On his November 2020 release The Echoist, Andrew Adkins unleashes a fun, psychedelicrock vibe on “Thunder Perfect Mind,” a very cool, raucous sound that could be a tribute to Jefferson Airplane or their late-1960s peers. The acoustic-guitar driven but heavily synthesized and electrified tune has a bubbly jangle, with booming bass and clanging tambourine, easygoing and groovy but still trippy, colorful and danceable. Middle Tennessee artist Adkins—who formerly performed with the rock groups Mellow Down Easy and Lions for Real, now polishing his solo sound—compiles an interesting blend of Americana, grunge, vintage psychedelic rock, a dash of country and even a little bit of dance and pop styles on this release. The Echoist can shift gears pretty dramatically, switching between exaggeratedly distorted effects to very natural and acoustic tones at different points. It has an overlying vintage quality about it, but with a generous drenching of 1990s hard rock fuzziness that can at times come across as a little much for Adkins’ otherwise laid-back, folk-rock-like music. Some of the tracks may not exactly command attention at first listen, but the songwriter has a way of getting bits and pieces,

subtleties, phrases and moments of his compositions to work their way into the head of the listener as he goes about his speaking in echoes, speaking in tongues. Probably the most noticeable element of the album opener, “Mostly Ouroboros,” is the heavily effected vocals, like something Stone Temple Pilots might do, running the vocals through a megaphone as a mid-tempo buzzsaw of a guitar leads off the record. This one, with its dash of grunge flavor, contains a pleasing rock instrumental featuring some wild guitar work. “Ruination Suite,” on the other hand, has a natural, almost spoken-word vocal quality to it, in a relaxed, Dylanesque storytelling style. Some slightly zany but still musically adventurous and creative instrumentation—potentially inspired by Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles— can be detected in the back of the mix on “Bitter Pills,” while the whine of a steel slide later lends a country flavor to Adkins’ “Hazel Barricade Eyes.” While the disc’s offerings may at times rely a bit more on fuzz and gadgetry than on strong hooks and memorable songwriting, Adkins creates an overall groovy and listenable collection of tunes in a unique style. Loaded with reverberations from rock’s recent as well as distant past, The Echoist sends Adkins’ interesting array of influences skittering into the present. Find The Echoist by Andrew Adkins on Spotify, Apple Music and other platforms; for more information, visit andrewadkins.net. — BRACKEN MAYO

STARRING Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Mary Steenburgen RATED PG-13

It’s that time of the year again for holiday movies, whether it’s Addams Family Values to bridge the gap between “spooky season” and Thanksgiving, or the John Candy twofer of Planes, Trains & Automobiles and Home Alone to get you through the last month or so of the year. We tend to stick to the lighter comedies at our house, avoiding the emotional powder keg of old family issues erupting to the surface under the pressure-cooker of an overcrowded home combined with too much—or too little—alcohol (think Home for the Holidays). The blandly titled Hulu exclusive from director Clea DuVall, Happiest Season, tries to thread the needle of these two holiday genres, while adding an underexplored perspective to the classic “bring your girlfriend home to meet the parents” format. Kristen Stewart plays Abby, the girlfriend who has avoided Christmas ever since her parents passed roughly a decade ago. Mackenzie Davis is Harper, her girlfriend, who in a fit of joy asks Abby to come home with her for Christmas, only to later recall that her mayoral candidate father and her prim and perfect mother don’t yet know about her girlfriend Abby, or that she would even have a girlfriend.

This central conflict of Harper’s inability to be open or truthful with her parents is the driving force behind much of the comedy and all of the drama. Mary Steenburgen as Harper’s mom, Tipper (perfect name), is great as the image- and Instagram-obsessed matriarch with blinders on. She willfully buys Abby’s “roommate” cover story, and often pitiably refers to her as an “orphan” in one of the film’s better running gags. Allison Brie as the older sister Sloane is Harper’s main family rival, a stiff, joyless version of their mother. And the film’s co-writer (with DuVall) Mary Holland plays the younger sister, Jane, an energetic and attention-seeking but adjusted weirdo who, as Tipper says, “is [only] okay because we gave up on her after she wouldn’t stop biting in preschool.” Dan Levy adds spikes of comedy early on and Aubrey Plaza plays it straight as ever, providing Abby with some background about why Harper has such difficulty coming out. DuVall has said that she wanted to make a holiday rom-com that she could see her story in, and indeed, parts are autobiographical. DuVall has been as conventional as can be, literally putting her story in a cookie-cutter genre. And like many films in that genre, some stuff works and some stuff doesn’t. Stewart and Davis aren’t their best here, but they fit the rom-com formula of the boring but beautiful love interests. Even the beats of the final act, when everything comes to an emotional head, feel rote. But, that’s precisely DuVall’s intention. In the end, Happiest Season is as generic as its title, and that’s what makes it special. — JAY SPIGHT BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2020 * 11

Art

 MURAL

Artists Working on Murals at Three Local Domino’s Pizza Buildings THE DOMINO’S PIZZA JUST off of Main Street near the MTSU campus has a new mural on its side wall, and the artists will move on to work on art on two other local Domino’s buildings. The first mural features the monument marking the center of Tennessee—which sits near the other edge of MTSU—the buildings of Cannonsburgh Village and images of Stones River Battlefield under a bright blue sky. Terrell Johnson and Vincent Mosley collaborated on the artwork, and just after the completion of the first Domino’s mural, the artist duo began working on another mural on the Domino’s on Northfield Boulevard. “It’s a totally different concept,” Johnson said of the second mural, which will then be followed with a third piece on the Domino’s building on Warrior Drive. The arrangement with the local Domino’s came about after Johnson and Mosley painted a piece inside of the Bee Hive Bistro. “We did one there and Domino’s reached out after seeing it there,” Mosley said. “They said they had been wanting to have some murals done for a few years now.” Look for more local work from the team coming soon, including an outdoor piece at Bee Hive Bistro. Follow the artists at instagram.com/terrell_johnson_ and instagram.com/kingexilevfk. 12 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

 EVENTS

NUTCRACKER PHOTO BY KARYN PHOTOGRAPHY

Art

Channel 5 to Televise 2020 Production of Nashville Ballet’s Nashville’s Nutcracker NASHVILLE BALLET, in partnership with Nashville’s CBS affiliate NewsChannel 5, will present a free televised premiere of Nashville’s Nutcracker on Friday, Dec. 18. The full-length, televised performance, which will feature an introduction and narration by former Tennessee Titan Eddie George, will replace the previously scheduled in-theater production at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. “For the past 12 years, we have brought the community together to celebrate the holiday season with Nashville’s Nutcracker,” said Nashville Ballet artistic director Paul Vasterling. “While we can’t celebrate in person this year, the televised performance will allow families and friends to safely continue their holiday traditions with us while also providing the unique opportunity to bring the transformative power of dance to more than two million Tennessee residents to begin new ones.” Generally attracting more than 30,000 in-person attendees each December, Nashville Ballet will create a made-for-television production of Nashville’s Nutcracker for the first time in company history. The two-hour performance will feature creative ways to engage audiences (such as George’s introduction and narration) as they take a sparkling—socially distant—journey through the Land of the Sweets and Music City’s past. “Nashville’s Nutcracker puts a special spin on the classic tale by incorporating our city’s iconic landmarks, characters and history,” said Lyn Plantinga, vice president and general manager at NewsChannel 5. “Our partnership with Nashville Ballet allows us to bring this experience into our viewers’ living rooms for the first time. It’s a special holiday gift for our community as we all navigate a new way to celebrate this season.” In addition to the televised premiere, NewsChannel 5 will present a unique behindthe-scenes special looking at the making of Nashville Ballet’s holiday classic. The special will offer a sneak peek into Nashville’s Nutcracker rehearsals with its professional company dancers, a look into the glittering set design in the 12,000-square-foot Nashville Ballet warehouse, interviews with beloved characters and more. The free, televised premiere of Nashville’s Nutcracker will air Friday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. on NewsChannel 5 (WTVF Nashville) or on the WTVF app on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Amazon Alexa and Google Play. Nashville Ballet, the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee, presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers. To learn more about Nashville Ballet, visit nashvilleballet.com. 14 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

Poetry in the Boro 2021 Calendar Now Available Featuring Local Photos and Poems OVER 40 LOCAL POETS and photographers are featured in a 2021 wall calendar being produced by Poetry in the Boro. Entitled “Murfreesboro Majesty,” named after the cover image by Tommy Womack, the calendar showcases a featured poem, featured photo, and one or two haiku or other short form poems each month. The calendar is funded in part through a grant awarded to 2020 Murfreesboro Poet Laureate Amie Whittemore by the Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship. Whittemore and her predecessor, inaugural Poet Laureate Kory Wells, organized the creative effort. The duo hope that the project will become a self-sustaining annual effort that will help fund other projects for the group. “We’re delighted to have the diverse voices of our community represented in this calendar,” said Whittemore, who’s also on the Poetry in the Boro leadership team. “Most of the contributors live here in Murfreesboro, and all of them are involved in our community.” Wells, the principal founder of Poetry in the Boro, adds that everyone who buys one of these calendars truly supports local creativity. “Whether you live in Murfreesboro or elsewhere, you’ll enjoy these images and poems,” Wells said. Purchase the calendar and find more information at poetryintheboro.org.

Community Theater Hosts a Yuletide Mystery RUTHERFORD COUNTY THEATER COMPANY CONSIDER THIS INC. will present If It’s Monday, This Must Be Christmas by Pat Cook this month. This yuletide caper involves a private investigator trying to solve the mystery of the missing store Santa Claus and the missing payroll, and includes fun and laughs for the whole family. Show dates are Dec. 11–13 and 18–20, at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Performances will be at the Mills-Pate Arts Center, located at 7120 Old Nashville Highway, Murfreesboro. Find tickets for If It’s Monday, This Must Be Christmas at considerthisinc.com. Use promo code Pulse to get a discount on tickets.

 BOOK “I want people to know that God gave His only begotten Son to be offered up by crucifixion in order to defeat death for us. His resurrection is evidence that death is conquered, and that we are free from condemnation. I want people to truly understand what that means.”

Angela Loupe (left) with Dorsey Lunn

Murfreesboro Author Dorsey Lunn Shares Divine Revelations in The Biography of God BY ANGELA LOUPE BELIEF IN A HIGHER POWER seems

to be intrinsic to human nature on some level. While there are differing opinions as to who God really is, there remains evidence of supernatural occurrences and inexplicable events, even if only through the testimony of those who have encountered them. Navigating this type of world where one cannot prove experiences, but rather only testify about them, can be challenging. However, on occasion we are gifted with people who have the ability to extend beyond the scope of testimony, people who can actually reach us through the realm of intellectualism in a manner that may not satisfy the resolute atheist but will surely inspire any proclaimed believer to stretch beyond their own comfort zones in search of that higher truth. Local author Dorsey Lunn embodies this persona through his recently released book, The Biography of God. Lunn, a

resident of Murfreesboro, shares that an angel visited him over the course of two years and expounded on Biblical concepts, which he transcribed. His resulting labor of love is a compilation of topics about God and His perfect order, His long-suffering toward humanity, and His greater purpose being fulfilled. The book is meant to facilitate a deeper relationship with God through the clarification of Biblical truths and insights. While I am always skeptical, having had my own experiential encounters, I was pleasantly surprised to find that much of the book resonated with truths that I have already discovered on my own. While I cannot testify to the book in its entirety, I can relay that the reason I haven’t yet made it through its 600-plus pages was not because of its weighty length, but rather because most of what I read gave me pause, made me think, caused me to search

the scriptures, and inspired me to reflect on what I have already known to be truth. The Biography of God contains a lot of substance. The format and language are a bit unusual, which lends an archaic feel to the words, and while some concepts are indiscernible or ambiguous, all in all it’s a highly worthwhile read. Decades ago, Lunn had an uncommon conversion that took him all the way to California and back. During the time of the Manson murders in the late ’60s, a profound Jesus Movement, led by Dr. “Holy Hubert” Lindsey, was taking shape. Dr. Lindsey was a child actor who later became a well-known preacher in California. Lindsey suffered many injuries as the result of his preaching, eventually even losing his eyesight. Lunn, who had traveled to California in search of Jesus, ironically met Lindsey years later in a Nashville bookstore, and they became fast friends. Tutored for a decade by Lindsey, Lunn became an associate minister under his leadership. The two remained friends until Lindsey’s death. Since then Lunn has continued to pursue God, and he maintains a tangible zeal in relating his findings to other people. Speaking with a profound care in his eyes, he wept more than once as he spoke of the love of the Lord. I felt a genuineness that made me eager to like his work, and I was not disappointed. The message is loud and

clear. He wants to share the love. “I want people to know that God gave His only begotten Son to be offered up by crucifixion in order to defeat death for us. His resurrection is evidence that death is conquered, and that we are free from condemnation. I want people to truly understand what that means,” Lunn said. He wants people to know that the love of God runs deeply for us and that we can witness the kind of power that we read about in the post-resurrection New Testament world when we have a genuine revelation of that truth. He states that the only reason that we aren’t witnessing the power of God the way that we should be is because our doctrine is being watered down and misinterpreted, and wrong doctrine leads to the resulting lack of power and diminishing of the signs that should be following all true believers. In short, Lunn hopes to fan the flames of believers. He wants to see a world on fire for God and His love. He wants people to wake up to the truth that God’s love for us is what saves us, which is not something that we do, but something we simply receive. He wants people to know the truth and to allow that truth to do its righteous work of setting us free. Order The Biography of God by Dorsey Lunn through Amazon or Google Books or learn more at thebiographyofgod.net. BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2020 * 15

Food

 RESTAURANT

The Dish RESTAURANT:

Sandwich Factory

STAR SANDWICHES

LOCATIONS:

116 Chaffin Pl. PHONE:

615-494-1211 HOURS:

Mon., Tues. and Sat. 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Wed.–Fri. 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m.

Find the Sandwich to Suit You at Murfreesboro’s Sandwich Factory

PRICES:

Factory burger or melt with side: $5.99; 10-inch pizza or calzone with up to one meat and three vegetables: $7.99; Italian beef with one side: $7.99; sixinch club and a side: $6.49; Chicago hot dog: $3.99

STORY BY BRACKEN MAYO • PHOTOS BY SARAH MAYO

ONLINE:

sandwichfactorytn .com

s one may imagine, sandwiches are the stars of the show at the Sandwich Factory. What kind of sandwiches? A customer can have a shrimp po’boy, a corned beef sandwich, Italian sub or French dip. The Sandwich Factory offers grilled cheese sandwiches with mozzarella, provolone, American and Swiss cheeses, Philly cheesesteaks, chicken sandwiches, meatball sandwiches, wraps, hot dogs, chicken parm sandwiches, the Poorman’s Steak (a.k.a. bologna) and more. Burger varieties include the popular Heart Attack Burger—with three types of cheese, fried jalapeño chips, fried pickle

16 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

chips and fried onion straws—the Inside Out Burger, stuffed with cheese within the patty, or a Tropical Burger, containing caramelized pineapple, bacon and cheese. Find hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches, meaty sandwiches, cheesy sandwiches, veggie sandwiches and patty melts on the ample menu. Though if nothing on the Sandwich Factory menu sounds like the perfect combination, customers can create their own custom sub sandwich choosing from the various breads, meats, cheeses, veggies and sauces in the building. Tucked away on Chaffin Place, a hotel-

lined road just off of the Old Fort Parkway interstate exit, the eatery offers a quite affordable dining experience. Sandwich Factory serves a solid burger and fries for $5.99. The very crispy French fries are served with a small cup of cheese for dipping. “If you’ve never had your fries like this, prepare to have your life altered completely. It’s so simple, but has me craving the place,” a local Yelper, Stu, said about the

small offering of cheese to accompany the fries. He added that the house-made potato chips taste delicious as well. The restaurant has a schedule of daily specials, such as the Italian beef sandwich and a side for $5.99 on Tuesdays or, for a little thick-sliced, deep-fried bologna, the Poorman’s Steak sandwich plus a side for $5.99 on Fridays. Milkshakes are half price from 2–4 p.m., so that means only $2 for a chocolate, mint, hazelnut, marshmallow, green apple, strawberry or other shake selection. “I love the Tour of Italy sub sandwich,” Ann Nored said. “The basil pesto dressing is so tasty!” Another customer, Kathy CowartShepperd, recommends the prime rib sandwich on Italian bread. This Italian bread is soft and delicious with some herb flavors going on. Get your delicious Italian beef sandwich wet (with extra sauce scooped on, getting the bread all soggy) or dry. One local diner, who says he is familiar with the Thai restaurants, hot chicken and other heat-infused local options, said this sandwich, containing roast beef soaked in seasoned Italian gravy and topped with spicy giardiniera or sweet peppers, makes a fairly spicy dish that even

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made him sweat a little when topped with the hotter giardiniera variety. Another Sandwich Factory customer said that one of his few complaints about the entire experience was that the small, thin napkins found at the Sandwich Factory could not begin to handle the needs of a man eating a large French dip, Italian beef or Philly cheesesteak dripping with flavor—but the diner can worry about cleaning himself after lunch is complete. Other local eaters highly recommend the doughnut burger, featuring a burger patty and toppings of choice in between halves of a sliced glazed doughnut. Katie McKee said that Sandwich Factory serves the “best grilled cheese I’ve ever had and the fries were freaking amazing.” The area around the restaurant contains plenty of fast food options, but consumers can eat from those places in any city and Sandwich Factory, a local, unique eatery, really sits a step above the fast food chains, but at a similar price. “The prime rib sandwich was everything I wanted it to be and the fries were great

too,” a recent customer posted. “Very filling and great price!” By the way, the restaurant’s selections do include more than sandwiches. Sandwich Factory serves a fine pizza as well. The 10inch pizza pies, on a light and bubbly crust, are thin but still soft and flaky. These may appear a little irregular, with some bubbles in the crust and not precisely circular, but really that mainly gives the pizza more of a homemade feel and the bubbles keep it light and fluffy. Many enjoy a pizza that features the cheese and toppings, and not an incredibly thick and dense crust. Another recent customer said she found the cannoli to be tiny, “but the green apple milkshake was great.” The large pieces of slab bacon are worth noting also, and Sarah Tennyson said that Sandwich Factory offers the “best fried pickles I’ve ever had.” What you see is what you get at Sandwich Factory. It’s nothing too fancy or pretentious, but it offers some fine burgers, pizzas and subs, and with the low prices it’s a fairly low-risk endeavor to give it a try.

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Jeremy Head Golf Shop & Academy, located at 1802 Memorial Blvd., Murfreesboro, provides club fitting, club repair and building and golf lessons for all ages and skill levels along with a full retail shop. The shop is locally owned and operated by longtime Murfreesboro resident and MTSU graduate Jeremy Head. Find more information at jeremyhead golfacademy.com. ENTER TO WIN  A gift certificate for a free golf lesson at Jeremy Head Golf Shop & Acaemy ($65 value)

HEALTHY APPETITE

The food you eat determines how you feel, how you look and how you perform. CoreLife Eatery, 2330 Medical Center Pkwy., Murfreesboro, offers locally 18 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

sourced food and makes every meal from scratch. With salads, grain bowls, steaks, chicken, broth and juice, CoreLife wants to make the food you eat a true energy source. Consider gifting natural and nutritious food. Visit corelifeeatery.com for more information. ENTER TO WIN  Four drink and meal vouchers at CoreLife Eatery ($60 value)

HOLIDAY FEAST

219 Broad Street Mixed Cuisine offers sushi, Italian, American and Asian food as well as local and craft draft beers. The restaurant also has cakes for sale that are especially popular with regulars. ENTER TO WIN  A $50 gift certificate at 219 Broad Street Mixed Cuisine

LOCAL FLAIR

Quinn’s Mercantile, a locally owned gift and décor shop, located at 301 N. Spring St. in downtown Murfreesboro,

Burger Republic serves gourmet burgers, traditional milkshakes, spiked shakes, beer, tater tot fondue and other sides. Located at The Fountains, 1440 Medical Center Pkwy., Burger Republic also has outdoor fireside seating. Burger Republic will donate a meal to a first responder or frontline worker for every $50 gift card sold this holiday season. ENTER TO WIN  A $50 gift card from Burger Republic has a diverse collection of home goods, women and men’s products, apparel, baby gifts, pet items and more. ENTER TO WIN  A $25 gift card from Quinn’s Mercantile

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

Dance Murfreesboro, located in The Warehouse, 730-A Middle Tennessee Blvd., Murfreesboro, has plenty of space to spread out in the 3,000-square-foot facility which features an 1,800-squarefoot dance floor. The studio, owned by Becky and Steve Lanham, offers ballroom, Latin and swing dancing classes and social dancing in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. ENTER TO WIN  A punch card

from Dance Murfreesboro, good for five classes with open dance sessions ($50 value)

O CHRISTMAS TEA

Music City Tea, located at 105 N. Maple St. in downtown Murfreesboro, sells premium, loose leaf teas imported from the great tea-growing regions of the world. Owner Jenny Zhong offers nearly 100 handpicked teas and herbal blends. Her store sells traditional teas, accessories, and tea tastings and instructional demonstrations take place daily. Music City Tea is open in December from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Sat. and 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on Sundays. ENTER TO WIN  A $20 gift card from Music City Tea

GOOD FOOD & HOSPITALITY

Puckett’s has built a name on hosting live music and serving Southern staple comfort foods. The Rutherford County location of Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant is located at 114 N. Church St. on the Square in Murfreesboro. This holiday season, give a meal to a local family in need. Call or stop by Puckett’s to choose a family from the A. Marshall Hospitality Cares Family Tree, and the Puckett’s team will hand-deliver a Puckett’s To Go Pack meal to them the week of Christmas. Puckett’s also offers a grilling essentials kit is perfect for any foodie on your list. The gift bundle includes Puckett’s original and spicy BBQ sauces, house marinade, all-purpose and BBQ seasonings and a Puckett’s mesh-back cap. ENTER TO WIN  A Puckett’s $50 gift card and a grilling essentials gift set

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Donut Country has been a local legend for decades, and magical things happen in the 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 anytime. ENTER TO WIN  A $50 Donut Country gift card

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Many don’t want more items to clutter up their homes as gifts, but many people do desire to get in better physical shape. The Murfreesboro Athletic Club can help with that. Consider gifting a MAC membership to someone on your list, and they will have access to the weight rooms and cardio theater there, as well as a variety of cycling, yoga, Zumba, Silver Sneakers and other group classes.

with Felicia

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Lionel Train sets have been treasured Christmas gifts for over 100 years now. At Thor’s Furniture and Trains, 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, including their popular porch rockers. Thor’s Furniture is located at 416 Medical Center Pkwy. ENTER TO WIN  A rocker, handcrafted right in Tennessee, from Thor’s Furniture ($70 value)

Drip Purple, a new shop at 105-A N. Maple St. in downtown Murfreesboro, has a groovy collection of clothing, games, posters and other vintage memorabilia including some rare items. The store is owned by collector Beau Barksdale, who can fill you in on the history of the items as well. ENTER TO WIN  A T-shirt from the Drip Purple collection

With Purchase of a Color ~ or ~ 10% OFF for First-Time Color Clients

JINGLE BARRE TIME

Barre 11 is the first boutique fitness studio in Murfreesboro to offer barre, yoga, Tabata and bounce classes under one roof. Barre 11 aims to be a place where fitness becomes intentional movement and mindfulness becomes a way of life. Barre 11 now has two locations in town, one just off of Memorial Boulevard in North Murfreesboro and the other in the Blackman community. ENTER TO WIN  A gift certificate for one month of unlimited classes from Barre 11 ($99 value) CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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FRUIT OF THE VINE

SWEET HOLIDAY

Choose from many delicious Bundt flavors like lemon, chocolate chocolate chip, carrot, white chocolate raspberry and red velvet, at Nothing Bundt Cakes, topped with a signature cream cheese frosting. Select from more than 60 unique handcrafted cake designs themed around celebrations throughout the year. They can be customized for any occasion, including birthdays, showers, weddings and graduations. Nothing Bundt Cakes is located at The Fountains, 1440 Medical Center Pkwy. To order, call 615-900-1747 or visit order.nothing bundtcakes.com. ENTER TO WIN  8-inch frosted and boxed cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes

CONTINUED FROM 18 ENTER TO WIN  A six-month membership at the MAC

of Murfreesboro find their “Ahh . . . ” ENTER TO WIN  A $100 gift certificate to Nurture Nook

FESTIVE MUSIC

HOLIDAY MAGIC

LET IT GO, LET IT GO

COFFEE GOODNESS

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 clothing, soap and jewelry, and receives new vinyl every week. 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 certificate from Century 21

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 20 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

Big Creek Winery Tasting Room in Christiana offers Muscadine, Niagara, Concord, Catawba, peach, blackberry, cherry, apple and other varieties from Pulaski’s Big Creek Winery. Drop by to shop for Tennessee products in a historic small-town setting. ENTER TO WIN  A bottle of wine from Big Creek Winery Tasting Room

roasts them with love. Order online at foxandgoatcoffeecompany.com. ENTER TO WIN  A Fox & Goat gift basket with some of the roasts, scented candles and more

at home there one winter’s evening. ENTER TO WIN  10 passes to the Malco Smyrna Cinema

NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

The Blue Eyed Daisy, located at 423 N. Walnut St., is a boutique selling women’s apparel, infant and toddlers clothes, jewelry and gifts. The owner’s passion is music and 10 percent of profits go toward scholarships for private music instruction and instrument rental for needy kids in the area. ENTER TO WIN  A $50 gift certificate from The Blue Eyed Daisy

Treat someone on your list to a night at the theater and escape to a galaxy far away, a frozen land of enchantment, a sky-high flight, a war long ago, to the farm, or into a tale of romance and intrigue. Malco Smyrna Cinema, at 180 Movie Row, Smyrna, recently remodeled and installed large, soft reclining chairs in its theaters. Make yourself

SUPPORT YOUNG MUSICIANS

Wand & Willow Day 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

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

A RESTFUL MASSAGE

Elements Massage, located at 533 N. Thompson Ln., Mufreesboro, has the goal to give clients the best and most personalized massage they have ever had, a massage experience that is tailored to each individual’s needs. Each independently owned and operated Elements studio will match each client with a therapist whose skill set will meet their expectations. Come in and learn how the Elements way provides relaxation, rejuvenation, therapeutic relief and personalized therapy. ENTER TO WIN  A 90-minute massage session at Elements Massage

A CALMING FLOAT 

Many of those who have tried flotation therapy have reported physical, mental and spiritual benefits of floating in protected isolation. In addition to the serenity offered by the float tanks at Float Alchemy, Murfreesboro’s flotation therapy headquarters offers Cryoskin slimming treatment, an infrared sauna, massage, cryotherapy, a kombucha taproom and other spa and healthy lifestyle services. Float Alchemy is located at 131 Cason Ln. ENTER TO WIN  A two-float package from Float Alchemy

INSPIRATION EVERYWHERE

Murfreesboro-based Swanson Christian Products offers a variety of greeting cards, inspirational gifts, apparel, stationary, Bible covers, auto emblems, umbrellas, totes and more, all proclaiming scriptural messages. Shop online at swanson-direct.com. ENTER TO WIN  A gift-filled tote from Swanson Christian Products containing a wooden dominoes set, leather wallet, flameless candles, playing cards, an auto emblem, hat and other products from Swanson

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SWEET LEAF HEALING

CBD and hemp products have become very popular in Murfreesboro, and throughout the country, with many users proclaiming their health and healing benefits. In addition to hemp flower and CBD oil, the locally owned Gen. 1:29 offers a variety of CBD-infused products—gummies, honey, shampoo, coffee, syrups, cream, mints and more—that make great stocking stuffers. ENTER TO WIN  A 500 mg CBD tincture bottle from Gen. 1:29

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HOLIDAY EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

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Parking is $10 per vehicle. For more information or vendor registration, visit ridenourmusic.com/cv-vendors or contact mborochistmasvillage@gmail.com.

For more information, find Murfreesboro Young Professionals on Facebook.

DEC. 18 NASHVILLE’S NUTCRACKER

DEC. 7 NATURAL WREATH MAKING Meet at the Wilderness Station (401 Volunteer Rd.) for the popular, natural wreath-making program on Monday, Dec. 7, from 6–8 p.m. Grapevine bases, ribbons, accents and fresh-cut, aromatic cedar boughs are provided. Create your own wreath while coffee brews and holiday music plays. These rustic wreaths can be displayed indoors or outdoors. This is best suited for adults (adults can bring children 10 and up). The cost is $15 per wreath and includes supplies. For more information, contact 615-2173017 or hmeyer@murfreesborotn.gov.

DEC. 11, 12, 18 & 19 CHRISTMAS AT OAKLANDS MANSION: HOLIDAY TOURS Oaklands (900 N. Maney Ave.) welcomes the public to its annual Christmastime at the mansion event on Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19. Usher in the holiday season with an enchanting tour of the historic home and landmark at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. with admission of $20 for ages 12 & up and $10 for children ages 6–11. All tickets must be purchased in advance at oaklandsmansion.org. Parking is at Oaklands Park Picnic Pavilion (427 Roberts St.). For more information, find Oaklands Mansion on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or call 615-893-0022.

DEC. 12 HOTCAKES AND HOLLY Rotary Club of Murfreesboro presents its 18th Annual Hotcakes and Holly fundraising breakfast virtually this year on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9–11 a.m. Funds raised support local nonprofits, primarily those focused on literacy. These include the Southeast Young Adult Book Festival, Books from Birth, Read to Succeed, MTSU Dyslexia Center, Women’s Club Reading Buddies, Rotary 3rd Grade Dictionary Project, Boys & Girls Club, Center for the Arts, Recycle Rutherford and a Rotary Scholarship at MTSU. The Rotary Club of Murfreesboro turned 101 22 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

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DEC. 11 & 12 RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER The Center for the Arts will present four performances of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer outdoors at Murfreesboro Civic Plaza. Showtimes are 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, and at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. Based on the animated television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer features holiday hit songs and lots of memorable characters. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. Concessions will be available for purchase. In the event of inclement weather, the event will take place on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18 and 19, at the same times. Murfreesboro Civic Plaza is located at 111 W. Vine St. For tickets or more information, visit boroarts.org.

years old in October of 2020. For more information on the Rotary club or the fundraiser, visit murfreesbororotary.com or contact gloriabonner28@gmail.com.

DEC. 12 EAGLEVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE Eagleville will host its 17th Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m. The parade will head south on Main Street, turn left onto Old Hwy 99 and end at the school. View the parade and see Santa’s arrival in Eagleville. All parade entries must arrive at the staging area lot (North Main and Oak streets) no later than 10 a.m. For more information, visit eaglevilletn.com.

DEC. 15 WATERCOLOR COOKIES Food color is your medium and royally iced sugar cookies are your canvas as you create edible watercolor creations

on snow globes and sweater cookies. Transform plain white cookies into an ugly holiday sweater or a winter wonderland snow globe at Gateway Island and Reception Center (1875 W. College St.) on Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. Class size limited to 10. Ages 10 and up are welcome. The cost is $10. For more information, call 615-801-2606.

DEC. 15 MYP TOY DRIVE Join the Murfreesboro Young Professionals as they take over Waffle House (1622 Joe B. Jackson Pkwy.) for their annual Christmas toy drive on Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m.–noon. Bring a new, unwrapped toy by Waffle House to be donated to The Boys and Girls Club of Rutherford County and Special Kids, and get a free waffle, photo with Santa and hot chocolate. Stay and eat, or just stop by to say hi. Anyone is welcome to donate.

Nashville Ballet, in partnership with Nashville’s CBS affiliate NewsChannel 5, will present a free televised premiere of Nashville’s Nutcracker on Friday, Dec. 18. The full-length, televised performance, which will feature an introduction and narration by former Tennessee Titan Eddie George, will replace the previously scheduled in-theater production at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. In addition to the televised premiere, NewsChannel 5 will present a unique behind-the-scenes peek at the making of Nashville Ballet’s holiday classic offering a sneak peek into rehearsals with its professional company dancers, a look into the glittering set design in the 12,000-square-foot Nashville Ballet warehouse, interviews with beloved characters and more. The televised premiere of Nashville’s Nutcracker will air Friday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. on NewsChannel 5. To learn more about Nashville Ballet, visit nashvilleballet.com.

WEEKENDS CANNONSBURGH DRIVETHROUGH LIGHTS Visit Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) to get in to the holiday spirit Friday, Saturdays and Sunday in December from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per car. For more information, call 615-890-0355.

THROUGH DEC. 20 FOUNTAINS WINTERFEST Winterfest at Fountains at Gateway is back for another season. Area residents can come out and ice skate outdoors this winter. The rink will be open 4–8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4–10 p.m. Fridays, 12–10 p.m. Saturdays and 1–8 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 19. Extended holiday hours of 12–9 p.m. Sundays–Thursdays and 12–10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays will then take effect, with hours of 5–10 p.m. on Christmas Day. Warm weather will not force the rink to close, though heavy rains could. Fountains at Gateway is located at 1500 Medical Center Pkwy. For more information and full schedule, visit fountainswinterfest.com.

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AROUND TOWN ’BORO BUSINESS BUZZ

Varin’s Sweet Shop, Oscar’s Taqueria Express, Jaffa, State Farm, Catfeine, Rodeo, City Cafe

which incorporates Cajun and Southwestern flavors. The former owner-operator of the Blue Cactus in Murfreesboro brings boudin stuffed chicken, shrimp po boys, a cumin-rubbed steak sandwich, rattlesnake pepper fettuccine and other dishes to the new establishment.

BY BRACKEN MAYO

The space in the shopping center at 206 N. Thompson Ln. that housed Royal Indian Cuisine for a brief time has changed approaches and is now ROYAL BEER AND TOBACCO.

PRIMROSE TABLE has navigated a bizarre year for the service industry in its first year of operation and owner Jason Matheson said the restaurant has begun to see sales staying at a steady level and is keeping an optimistic outlook and continuing to serve excellent food to its customers. The restaurant now offers brunch service on Sundays, with beignets, biscuits, shrimp and grits, steak and eggs, frittata, French toast, cocktails, a Dutch baby pancake with ham and cheese, and more. Brunch is available at Primrose Table from 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. each Sunday.

JAFFA RESTAURANT

has opened at 206 N. Thompson Ln., Suite D (the former home of Your Burger), featuring “flavors from all around the Mediterranean region.” Selections include chicken and beef shawarma, lamb chops, hummus, salads, baklava and shish kabob. Find the full menu and more information at jaffarestaurants.com.

Officials with Texas-based WHATABURGER have announced that the fast food chain plans to re-enter the Nashville market. The company plans an initial store on Old Hickory Boulevard in Hermitage, with others, including a Murfreeboro location, soon following, reports indicate. RODEO BAR & GRILL has taken over the longtime home of the Smyrna Ruby Tuesday’s, just off of the Sam Ridley Parkway exit. Find burgers, steaks, pasta, tacos, crawfish bites and gumbo on the menu,

24 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

CITY CAFE gave its customers a scare in

November when the long-established restaurant announced that it would be closing. “After a long hard battle, we have no choice but to close our doors due to the Covid 19 pandemic,” according to a post City Cafe made on Nov. 11. “We tried so hard to push through and we just can’t continue our journey. We appreciate and love every single one of you who have made an impact and supported us for all of these years.” However, after an outpouring of support from the Murfreesboro community, just days later the restaurant ownership announced that they would remain open. The oldest restaurant in Tennessee launched a GoFundMe campaign and had an increased influx of customers over the ensuing days, and staff said that they had decided to continue operating. “You are the heart of Murfreesboro,” Diane Zaker Johnson told the City Cafe team. “I have some wonderful memories from there. I couldn’t imagine our city without you in it. I for one will continue to support you. Love to you and all of the amazing workers at the cafe.” Miller’s Cafe in Christiana even joined the cause to save City Cafe, pledging to donate a portion of its own sales to its downtown Murfreesboro cafe friends—a gift that equaled $1,200. “I want to thank God for saving City Cafe. He was working through each and every one of you. I truly believe that angels walk among us and you are those angels. We love our community, we love our cus-

VARIN’S SWEET SHOP has opened at 315 Robert Rose Dr., Suite A, serving ice cream, waffles, Thai tea and bubble tea, cakes and other sweet treats. Located in the same shopping center as The Bangkok Thai Cuisine, Varin’s is another local business related to longtime Bangkok proprietor Jack Butchareon, who is the uncle of the Varin’s Sweet Shop owner. “We’ll have to make the food extra spicy at Bangkok so customers come here for ice cream after,” Mr. Jack jokes. Varin’s is open Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.–9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Oscar’s has opened an OSCAR’S TAQUERIA EXPRESS at 1741 S.

Rutherford Blvd. near Publix and Papa John’s. The eatery serves all of the Oscar’s favorites—burritos, tacos, fajitas, quesadillas and queso—to go, with limited seating available in-store. To place an order, call 615-203-3844.

tomers! With your loving and continuous support will live on!” said City Cafe owner Teresa Kellogg. “We came into this business with the intentions of carrying on the amazing history of this establishment. . . . Saying ‘thank you’ just doesn’t seem like enough because you

have changed our lives forever. Our part of the history of City Cafe will be how this little cafe was able to bring a community together during a pandemic. Keep supporting us, y’all, We still need you to keep this going.” Upon hearing the news that the restaurant would remain open, local resident Dennis

Barnett said the place remains “an iconic institution in the city of Murfreesboro.” “Looking forward to another great meal from City Cafe,” he said. A spokesperson with STATE FARM INSURANCE said that the company plans to close its Murfreesboro Operations Center and have the 1,200 employees who formerly reported to work there continue to work from home on a permanent basis. The company will make similar changes at other large office spaces around the country. In related news, a very large office space is now available on Memorial Boulevard at Dejarnette Lane. CATFEINE CAT CAFE, where humans

can enjoy the company of cats and a cup of coffee, has found a new home on Cason Lane. A post by owners Curtis and Taura Byrd on Catfeine social media in November announced the signing of the new lease.

“If all goes as planned we will reopen early January,” according to the post. Catfeine has helped find homes for over 250 rescue cats since it opened. “We’re just as much about providing a loving therapeutic space for you sweet people as we are for finding homes for kitties in need,” the post continued. The Byrds said they had plans to relocate their business to a higher traffic area eventually, but this move out of Georgetown Park came rather suddenly. “We were informed that a [lease] renewal was no longer going to be an option as a new tenant offered higher rent and a longer term for our current space . . . this was unexpected and devastating news that has sent us into quite a panic.” But Catfeine will soon continue at its new home, located at 505 Cason Ln., near Sabaidee Cafe.

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THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION predicts that consumers will spend just under $1,000 during the 2020 holiday season on friends and loved ones. This amount is slightly less than what was spent during the 2019 holiday season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most consumers are expected to do some or all of their holiday shopping online. The usual rush and crush of holiday crowds are expected to be greatly reduced due to social distancing advice. Some shoppers may have a smaller holiday budget, as many people continue to look for work, including applying for part-time holiday jobs. Much of the 2020 holiday gift shopping will more than likely involve searching for online shopping, and as the Better Business Bureau reported recently, so will the prevalence of online purchase scams. Online purchase scams ranked among the top three riskiest scams for the last three years, according to the 2019 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report. Experts predict at least a 35 percent increase in e-commerce sales. This allowed retailers to enhance online offerings much earlier than the traditional Black Friday deals. For consumers, this also means more reading, researching and checking on both the products and the sellers. BBB RECOMMENDS THESE TIPS TO SHOP SAFE, SHOP SMART THIS HOLIDAY SEASON: Research before you buy. Out of the 57 percent who did not research the website or business via an independent source before making a purchase, 81 percent lost money.

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If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Among people who made a purchase and lost money to a scammer as a result, the top motivating factor was price. Don’t shop based on price alone.

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Professional photos do not mean it’s a real offer. Respondents reported that website photos motivated them to engage with scammers, especially for pets and pet supplies, clothing, accesso26 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

ries and vehicles.

Make sure the website is secure. Look for the “https” in the URL (the extra s is for “secure”) and a small lock icon on the address bar. Never enter payment or personal information into a website with only “http”—it is not secure.

Be careful purchasing sought-after products, especially during the holiday season. The risk of online purchase scams rises during the holidays because more people are making online purchases, and scammers offer the most popular products for the season at great prices.

Beware of making quick purchases while scrolling through social media. Scammers have access to tools that give them information about your buying behaviors, allowing them to offer exactly what you want at enticingly low prices.

Look for the BBB seal. BBB Accredited Businesses pledge to uphold the BBB Standards for Trust and to deal fairly with consumers. If a business displays a BBB seal, verify it by going to bbb.org.

Use secure and traceable transactions and payment methods. According to BBB’s research, those who paid with a credit card were less likely to lose money. Be cautious when paying by digital wallet apps, prepaid money cards or other nontraditional payment methods.

Shipment tracking information can be faked. Look closely to make sure it is a legitimate business. Avoid clicking on the tracking link; go to the shipper’s website and type in the code to see if it is real.

Report unsatisfactory purchase experiences to BBB. If you are unhappy with a purchase, file a complaint at bbb.org/complaints.

If you never got what you paid for, consider reporting it to BBB Scam Tracker (bbb.org/ scamtracker) to help other consumers avoid being scammed. Read more online shopping tips from the BBB at bbb.org/holiday-tips. Caleb Nix is the marketing and communications manager for the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee. Contact him at 615-250-4235 or cnix@gobbb.org.

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memorable 2020 is upon us and holiday cheer has been arriving early this year. Historically, during the winter months, greenery would be brought indoors around the solstice to remind residents that life continues through the cold, winter months. Holly is one of those greens, and it was admired for its “magical” properties of keeping homes safe from lightning. Science has proven the magic is due to the shape of the plant’s leaves. It has the whitest wood and is a longtime favorite of woodworkers and craftsmen. Not surprisingly, it is the wood from which Harry Potter’s wand is made. During this season, we often purchase or receive traditional Christmas plants: poinsettias, Christmas cactus, amaryllis and live trees. These plants are easy to care for and can often be coaxed into blooming during the holidays for years to come. What you need is knowledge—the how-to. Choose a poinsettia with small, tightly clustered yellow buds in the center and crisp, bright, undamaged foliage. You want to keep the plant in a stable environment: no drafts, no hot TV perches, no radiators. Water it only when dry and be sure it does not sit in water. The plant is happiest in a room with bright, natural light for six hours each day. Try to ensure that there is direct sunlight on the leaves for at least one hour each day. They last 4–6 weeks before the bracts (leaves) start to fall off. In January, fertilize the poinsettia. It may become long and leggy. Trim it back then to about five inches tall. Through the late winter and early spring, continue to remove dead leaves and dried parts of the plant. Keep in a bright location and add more soil as needed. It is typical to repot in late spring, trimming two to three inches of the branches to encourage stronger growth and more branches. Move it outdoors to a shady location. Continue to care for it with water and fertilizer. Move it back inside after Labor Day. Starting near the autumnal equinox (Sept. 21), give the plant 13 hours of darkness (cover with

a box, locate in a closet) and 11 hours of bright light. Temperatures should be about 60 degrees at night. After Thanksgiving, locate the plant so it gets six hours of sun during the day. The day/night treatment should be stopped and fertilizer can be reduced. Water when dry. The cycle starts again. The most important factor in maintaining a Christmas cactus is the moisture of the soil. The plant should never sit in water. It does require frequent and thorough watering through the spring and summer to keep the soil slightly moist. You never want the soil to be bone dry. You can maintain a tray of pebbles with water under the plant for more humidity. Adding a fertilizer regularly during the growth cycle also helps. Ideally, it should be located in a north- or east-facing window. If it goes outside in the summer, it needs a shady location. The plant likes temperatures between 65–75 degrees. In the fall, cut back on the watering, fertilizing, light and temperature by mid-October for a Christmas bloom. The plant will set buds when day length is about equal to night length and when the temperature drops to 50 or 60 degrees for several weeks. The plant does require a minimum of 12 hours of darkness. Resume watering lightly in November. Ideally the plant blooms in December. Bud drop is caused by insufficient light and overwatering. Continue light watering until new growth appears in the spring. Amaryllis plants do best in a bright window. Water the plant from the top of the container thoroughly whenever the top two inches of the soil is dry to the touch. Drain excess water to avoid root and bulb rot. Fertilize regularly. You can move the plant outdoors when all danger of frost is past. Place it in the shade initially but move it into a garden where it can receive about six hours of sunlight a day. Continue to fertilize. Bring the plant back indoors before the first frost. Amaryllis do not require a resting period and will bloom if kept evergreen. However, blooming time can be controlled by allowing the bulb to go through a resting period.

28 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

After bringing the potted plants indoors, store them in a dark place like a basement or closet and do not water. Do not remove the foliage until it has become dry and shriveled. The bulbs can be forced into bloom again after resting for 8 to 12 weeks. Inspect the bulbs periodically and bring them into light if new growth appears. If no new growth appears, they can be forced to bloom by bringing them into bright light and watering the soil thoroughly. Usually one or more flower stalks appear first, but occasionally they are preceded by leaves. Flowers usually develop in about four to six weeks from dormant bulbs, so they can be timed to flower at Christmas or for Valentine’s Day. Amaryllis plants bloom best when they are pot-bound. If you have a Christmas tree that can be planted outside after the holiday, you need to prepare. First, respect that these trees, for their health, cannot be inside for long, ideally a week at the most. Trees are sold with their roots in a burlap bound ball. Prepare the hole for the planting before the ground freezes and while it is possible to dig. When you bring the tree inside, locate it away from fireplaces and heat sources. The tree does need water so you will need a big bucket for the root ball. Water it thoroughly. Excess water will drain through the root ball. It should not be totally immersed in water but have several inches of water in the bottom of the bucket. Water again, if needed, when there is little standing water remaining. Get the tree out of the house and into the ground as soon as possible after the holiday. Remove anything that will not decompose, including plastic burlap, mesh, wire. The root ball should not be completely covered but several inches above ground. That should mimic how it was positioned in the ground before purchase. Build a bed around the raised root ball. Do not fertilize until spring. Stake the tree upright to assist in withstanding winter winds. Enjoy your plants and your continued holiday memories as you care for them throughout the year.

 STEERED STRAIGHT

BY MICHAEL DELEON

Addiction, Substance Abuse, Suicide and Recidivism Are on the Rise; Closing Schools Only Makes Matters Worse AMERICA IS DEALING with the worst public social health crisis she has ever seen, and I’m not talking about COVID-19. I’m talking about addiction. It’s the far more damaging, far longer-lasting pandemic within the pandemic. One of the most afflicted populations are youth and young adults. This population has always been disproportionally touched by addiction because of adolescent risky behavior and seeking escape from trauma through substance misuse, which often leads to substance abuse and addiction. Compounding this for more than a decade is a pharmaceutical-induced opiate explosion that has directly affected youth and young adults in significant numbers. That, coupled with the widespread legalization of this population’s most abused drug, marijuana, we find ourselves in what is being called by many as a pandemic but not widely accepted as such. This is one of the biggest hindrances to our young population. In fact, I personally submit that it is the greatest threat to student success. Enveloping all of these underlying causal factors is isolation and loss of connection. The widespread closing of schools, counter to all science and medical advice, is going to induce a season where addiction, alcohol abuse and suicide massively increase. This is very real, and families must take steps to prevent their kids from falling down that path. Every state in the nation is dealing with an addiction pandemic. Every community is affected. Recent statistics show us that the problem was not getting better prior to COVID, it was getting worse. Post COVID, the escalation of death due to despair

will be greatly higher. I predict that the crisis will grow unabated for the foreseeable future. It’s beyond time for an all-hands-ondeck approach, and parents and guardians, as the foundation of communities across this great country, must take a lead in the solutions. I usually focus my attention and articles on middle and high school students. That is where prevention has the greatest effect. But too often, people assume that once kids are college-age, it’s too late to change their thinking. It’s not, and it’s equally important, especially now as young adult addiction rates escalate. According to the Indiana College Survey (2009–16), there has been a significant increase in drug use among college students. In 2009, it was reported that there was a “14.9% usage of marijuana within a one-month period.” This number reflects combined reporting data with both males and females respectively. However, in a repeat study in 2016, the results of marijuana usage within a one-month period had increased to 23.6% for males, and 17.3% for females. The findings within these studies shows a difference in usage between genders, but both have increased dramatically. The studies reflect that males consistently have a higher rate of usage than females. I submit that these documented statistics are grossly under-reported. Addiction and drug use is vastly stigmatized in

America. People generally won’t be honest when self-reporting drug use. The statistics do not coincide with national ones. They don’t paint a realistic picture of what’s happening, and they do not consider the vast increases in marijuana potency, availability and social acceptance. The ignorance of what today’s potent marijuana is actually doing to the brain and the stigma of someone admitting they are addicted to marijuana or THC hinders true understanding of how serious the problem actually is. Society’s unpreparedness and naivete about opiates and the growing overuse of those drugs brought us to where we found ourselves in 2019. Americans’ changing attitudes toward drug laws have resulted in drugs being more potent and more dangerous, as well as more widely used. COVID-19 and the country’s lockdown approaches are setting a new foundation of danger in a climate where kids are more susceptible than ever. Studies show that young adults, age 18 to 27, are one of the most prevalent populations affected by addiction. We as a country must address the problem affecting the portion of the population which makes up our future. To solve this problem, we need to understand the problem. Without education among the parents and guardians, educators and legislators, law enforcement and medical staff and students, and a

community-wide plan to address the issue, it will continue to impact graduation and completion rates, enrollment and student success. It will affect their very lives. It is too late to be only proactive. We must address this issue differently and openly. It must be addressed on three fronts: Prevention, Intervention and Recovery Support. I call it the trifecta approach to addressing our country’s growing addiction problem. It is a national pandemic, and during this crisis, we are compounding this problem. Many states are moving to legalize commercial marijuana. This is being done without proactively considering the consequential effects on students. Marijuana is the most abused illicit drug in America. It is also the most abused illicit drug for youth and young adults. Most people do not realize the changes being made to this misunderstood drug. It will affect increasingly more people as use of the drug escalates. It will also increase other illicit drug use as higher-potency THC in marijuana will make the drug more of a gateway than it has ever been. Every study ever done on recidivism (repeat offenses)

“Enveloping all of these underlying causal factors is isolation and loss of connection. The widespread closing of schools, counter to all science and medical advice, is going to induce a season where addiction, alcohol abuse and suicide massively increase.”

of jail and prison populations shows that increased education reduces recidivism. Educating our population is critical, but closing schools for many kids. We must systemically open schools across the country and engage students like never before in sports, extracurricular activities, clubs and activities. We must face this social issue in a systemic way. Not talking about this will not make this go away. As secondary education becomes more important in American life, promoting recovery and student success to our population is more crucial than ever. Facing this American pandemic of addiction head-on is vital. Our students will increasingly come to depend on our openness and honesty in this issue for their success. Our success as a country is only success if it’s with our youth. Parents and guardians must lead the way, and Steered Straight has written an in-depth guide and tool to do just that. The organization published the first-of-its-kind book, Table Talks and Dashboard Conversations, giving parents a year’s worth of conversations that they can have with their kids on a daily basis. There are more than 365 conversations to choose from. And we published it into an easy-to-use, journaling guide, with 12 months of themes and conversations for every day of the year. Find the full parent/guardian guide as well at steeredstraight.org. Michael DeLeon is the CEO and Founder of Steered Straight, the No. 1-booked school presentation organization in America. He is a recovered addict, ex-offender and a national leader in prevention, recovery, addiction advocacy and criminal justice reform. For more, visit steeredstraight.org or call 856691-6676 or 615-962-7539. Visit the Steered Straight Thrift Store at 845-C Middle TN Blvd., Murfreesboro.

BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2020 * 29

Opinion Live Exceptionally...Well! BY JENNIFER DURAND

Spiraling Up HAVE YOU EVER ASKED YOURSELF the questions “what’s the point?” or “what’s it all about?” regarding life? Lately, I have heard those questions surfacing more frequently than usual. I have certainly asked myself those questions at different times in my life. It is not surprising that they surface when life has been particularly challenging or sorrowful. When things feel good in your life and relationships, you don’t tend to question the purpose of life as often. When life is feeling good, you can find some good clues to assist you when it doesn’t feel so good and you find yourself questioning the value or purpose of existence. The clues are the company you keep, the activities you participate in, the information you entertain, the work you do, and what you have to look forward to. “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” – Pablo Picasso I remember a friend who struggled with relationship issues for many years. She read self-improvement books, attended workshops, had therapy and counseling, all in an effort to improve her choices in relationships. After many years she looked back at the history and patterns she’d created. There were clues that were helpful in identifying key factors that played a part in her decisions. Each relationship brought an opportunity for her to “spiral up.” This meant that she made progress in new relationships, even though there were still some less desirable patterns being repeated. She discovered that she didn’t need to be as hard on herself as she once had been. She wasn’t repeating all of the perceived mistakes or judgment calls from her past. She was progressing. Progression is the natural order of life. We learn, discover, uncover and move forward. We are not meant to be stagnant, sedentary or idle indefinitely. We have a built-in (instinctual) threshold for all of those and when we’ve had enough, we will move beyond the moments of doubt, anxiousness, uncertainty and fear. “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something—your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.” – Steve Jobs I remember a remarkable story of a man who was in prison for life due to his choices. He was bitter 30 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

and felt there was no purpose to his life. Certainly a “what’s the point?” situation. After attending some self-awareness classes the question was posed to him, “what if your story could save just one boy by preventing him from making the same choices you made?” As he registered this question the answer became clearer. He would not want anyone to have to experience the same things he did. That became his purpose and mantra. He was able to “spiral up” in this situation and make a difference. We can’t often outline what will happen in our lives, or how life’s experiences will shape us. We can, however, hold to the knowledge that there is a greater purpose at work. We are made to be useful, to prosper and increase. “People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.” – Dalai Lama Experiencing loss of a loved one is a particular thought-provoker. We feel so attached to the physical presence of a person, that when they are “gone” it can leave us with an emptiness that seems unbearable. Love is not something that stops. We embody love (lots of different levels of love, but love nonetheless). This embodiment is what supports and sustains us when the loss feels greater than our capacity to manage it. It is the same love that enables your presence to help another when they are going through a similar challenge. These questions are meant to be asked. It is important to be introspective and contemplate what is important in life. You are a divine steward with innate gifts and talents. Pay attention to what you are good at, as it will reveal what you are meant to do on this planet. As you participate more in using these natural abilities, internal fulfillment will be more present and you will find yourself asking the “life” questions less. So, what’s the point? What’s it all about? It’s about living, learning, sharing, growing and being an example to help others be able to “spiral up” through life. It’s about not being idle, stagnant or sedentary. It’s about being. Jennifer Durand is the owner and operator of The Nurture Nook Day Spa & Gift Shoppe; a certiﬁed QiGong and Breathe Empowerment instructor, and is licensed in massage therapy, body work and somatic integration. Visit nurturenook.com or call 615-896-7110.

Those Who Wear Masks Are Still Getting Virus VIEWS OF A

CONSERVATIVE

PHIL VALENTINE

philvalentine.com

people for not wearing masks. Recently, a man claiming to have COVID spit at two ladies hiking outdoors in the mountains because they weren’t wearing masks. I know. It’s getting crazy. Do masks protect you from COVID? There’s no evidence of that. Do they keep you from spreading it if you have it? Little evidence of that either. A new Danish study showed that people wearing masks contracted COVID at a rate of about two percent. People without masks contracted COVID at a rate of about two percent. We’ve seen COVID cases surging across the country in the expected second wave. We knew it was coming because we could see what was happening in Europe. The interesting thing is the surge is happening everywhere, regardless of mask mandates. Proponents of masks will pick and choose data to show mask-mandated areas are dealing with the second wave better, but that data changes daily, and it’s easy to freeze-frame your window of choice to make your case. The state of Tennessee is buying ad time to run public service announcements urging people to wear a mask. One ad features an elderly farmer who talks about never missing a harvest and never missing a Sunday church service. He also has high blood pressure and diabetes. He says he chooses to live his life, and that’s why he wears a mask. A more irresponsible public health message in the COVID era could not have been conceived. We all know that the people who are dying are the elderly and those with underlying health issues. This man checks all the boxes, yet he’s encouraging people like himself to continue to live their lives, but just wear a mask. Evidence shows a mask will do nothing to protect him from COVID. A recent CDC study found 85 percent of people with COVID were frequently wearing masks. Use your common sense. If you’re at a high risk of dying from COVID, stay away from others until this thing is gone. That’s the only thing that will protect you.

detect a pattern. Hysteria poses as science in order to exert control. It’s happened over and over again in this country, and many of the same people still fall for it. Are you deliberately misleading people when you spout off about how humans are destroying the planet with CO2? Most are not. Most have just fallen for the line that there’s a “scientific consensus.” Of course, there is no such thing. Even if there were, consensus doesn’t equal science. Proponents of Ask for people who believe in man-made global warming to provide proof and they can’t. They just fall back on the line of “scientific consensus.” We saw the same thing with the ozone scare several decades ago. The world came together to sign the Montreal Protocol in 1987 to ban CFCs. However, in 1991, long before most countries phased in their bans, the thinning of the ozone miraculously stopped. We now know that things like volcanoes are far more responsible than humans for any hole in the ozone. In fact, CFC gases are four times heavier than air, so it’s unlikely that anything humans have emitted via their air conditioners ever made it the nine to eighteen miles to the ozone layer. But we certainly freaked out. We’re seeing the same thing with face masks. Masks are the new global warming. I remember when health officials told us under no circumstances were we to wear a mask. Mask Nazis were caught on camera screaming at mask-wearers in grocery stores. How quickly times changed. Suddenly the mask Nazis were screaming at

masks will pick and choose data to show mask-mandated areas are dealing with the second wave better, but that data changes daily, and it’s easy to freeze-frame your window of choice to make your case.

Phil Valentine is heard each weekday afternoon on SuperTalk 99.7FM in Nashville and online at 997wtn.com. For more of his commentary and articles, visit philvalentine.com. BOROPULSE.COM

* DECEMBER 2020 * 31

Sports 

MTSU MEN’S BASKETBALL UPCOMING SCHEDULE

BLUE RAIDERS

MURRAY STATE Wednesday, Dec. 2 Murfreesboro, 6:30 p.m.

Jarrin Pierce

CHATTANOOGA Sunday, Dec. 6 Murfreesboro, 2 p.m. COVENANT COLLEGE Saturday, Dec. 12 Murfreesboro, 4 p.m. OLE MISS Wednesday, Dec. 16 Murfreesboro, 7 p.m.

Tyson Jackson

PHOTOS BY NATHAN WALLACH

Blue Raiders Football Team Has Two Games Called Off in November; Basketball Season Tips Off THE MTSU BLUE RAIDER FOOTBALL TEAM only managed to take the field for two games in November. While MTSU, Charlotte and Conference USA officials said that the game between MTSU and Charlotte originally set for Nov. 7 could be rescheduled, no new date had been announced by the end of November. On Nov. 14 the Blue Raiders traveled to West Virginia to take on Marshall, but the powerful Thundering Herd were too much for MTSU and the Blue Raiders could not overcome some costly mistakes. It was an emotional day for the Marshall community, as that Saturday, Nov. 14, marked the 50th anniversary of the tragic plane crash that took the lives of 75 people, most of them Marshall team members, coaches and boosters. The Thundering Herd played on those emotions and capitalized on a few turnovers to hand MTSU a 42–14 loss. MTSU either punted or turned it over on 13 of 15 possessions in the game. “That’s not a recipe for winning when you do that,” MTSU Head Coach Rick Stockstill said. The Blue Raiders were not the only team this season who struggled against Marshall, though. Marshall entered December at 7–0 ranked No. 17 in the country. On Nov. 21 MTSU traveled to Troy, Ala32 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

bama, to take on Troy for the second time this season. The Blue Raiders fared better in the second game, after falling to Troy in September. The Blue Raiders came out of the second game with a 20–17 win, controlling the time of possession, keeping the ball for 37:21, and running the ball on 51 of the 74 plays it ran in the game. Running back Chaton Mobley said that prior to the game, MTSU offensive coordinator Tony Franklin hammered home the point that “we were going to run the ball.” “We came here with the mindset that that’s what we were going to do, and we got it done,” Mobley said. The Blue Raiders were set to take on Florida Atlantic at home on Nov. 28, but that game was cancelled. Conference USA did announce an added game between MTSU and University of Alabama Birmingham scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6, at Floyd Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.

MTSU continues the season on Dec. 2 against Murray State. Blue Raider fans also look forward to Dec. 16 when former MTSU head coach Kermit Davis returns to town with his Ole Miss team. MTSU comes into the season with a roster that includes only six returning players and nine newcomers. Murfreesboro native Donovan Sims— one of only two seniors on the team along with Jo’Vontae Millner-Criss—is one of the returning players for MTSU. Sims led the team in assists the last two seasons, and he started all 31 games in 2019–20, averaging 8.8 points per game. The Lady Raiders have some Murfreesboro players returning also. Anastasia and Aislynn Hayes and Alexis and Amanda Whittington, all Riverdale High School graduates, are all returning to the Lady Raiders. The women’s team will take on Belmont on Sunday, Dec. 6. For tickets, videos, news and more details on MTSU athletics, visit goblueraiders.com.

BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY Tuesday, Dec. 22 Murfreesboro, 6:30 p.m. FLORIDA ATLANTIC Friday, Jan. 1 Boca Raton, Florida, 6 p.m. FLORIDA ATLANTIC Saturday, Jan. 2 Boca Raton, Florida, 3 p.m.

MTSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL UPCOMING SCHEDULE BELMONT Sunday, Dec. 6 Murfreesboro, TBA TULANE Wednesday, Dec. 9 Murfreesboro, 6:30 p.m. TEXAS CHRISTIAN Sunday, Dec. 13 Fort Worth, Texas, 1 p.m. TROY Thursday, Dec. 17 Murfreesboro, 6:30 p.m. LIPSCOMB Sunday, Dec. 20 Murfreesboro, 2 p.m.

IN BASKETBALL

MTSU opened its 2020–21 basketball campaign with a game against Omaha in the Gulf Coast Showcase in Florida, falling by only one point. The team followed that with a loss to East Tennessee.

BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY Saturday, Dec. 19 Louisville, Kentucky, 2 p.m.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC Friday, Jan. 1 Murfreesboro, 6 p.m.

Aislynn Hayes

FLORIDA ATLANTIC Saturday, Jan. 2 Murfreesboro, 4 p.m.

SPORTS

TALK

COLUMN BY “Z-TRAIN”

old Yaroslav Askarov was the No. 1-ranked international goaltender ahead of the draft. It may have been a surprise move, but this kid is an elite prospect and many say he was absolutely the best player available.

titanman1984@gmail.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Merry Christmas to the MLS expansion team and the new Nashville Soccer Club! Yeah, it’s still something not everyone knows about in Middle Tennessee, but I did watch the team’s amazing playoff run and was actually entertained. I may not be a huge soccer fan but I do enjoy World Cup soccer, and the fact is I can see myself becoming a fan of this Nashville team. Nashville SC won two recent playoff matches, one of those against Toronto, who has reached the MLS final in three of the past four seasons. Nashville’s playoff run ended in a 2–0 loss versus Columbus but still an amazing start for an expansion team!

All I Want for Christmas Is a Super Bowl Championship!

THE TRAIN DADDY IS BACK with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard! Let me start off this article by saying I pray you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hopefully you were fortunate enough to spend it with your loved ones. The holidays can be hard on many Americans, and this past year has not helped anyone’s mental state. Everyone has a different story. Some of us deal with heavy depression, some of us don’t have family, and some of us just need interaction with others to feel needed. I can’t imagine living in one of these progressively run cities where draconian measures on gatherings have been enacted. I am thankful that I live in Middle Tennessee. I know if some of those measures were attempted here, the people would fight back and say “no.” We have numerous recent examples of lawmakers getting caught doing things they tell us not to do. “Do as I say, not as I do.” This makes it extremely easy for those opposed to these restrictions to say “Eff you, I am going to do what my family and I decide is best.” Look, sometimes a man has just got to say what’s on his mind. If you disagree with me, that’s okay! I fight for small business, folks’ livelihoods and mental health. Sorry if I don’t think shutting the world down for over a year is the answer to COVID. Enough of that, this is the annual Merry Christmas article! I can’t believe I just said that. I guess my motto of “embrace life” works because the more I enjoy it, the faster it moves. I started doing my annual Merry Christmas article in 2008 for the 34 * DECEMBER 2020 * BOROPULSE.COM

Pulse. That’s insane! I will send out a Merry Christmas to some of my more memorable characters of 2020. Merry Christmas to Titans Running Back Derrick Henry! A stud and a man among boys on the football field! Last season Henry was the NFL’s rushing champ, ending 2019 with 1,540 yards and 16 TDs. At the end of November, with five games left on the season, Henry leads the league once again with 1,257 yards and 12 TDs. With Dalvin Cook the only player on his tail, King Henry is poised to become the first player to lead the league in rushing back-to-back years since LT in 06–07. Can Henry run for another 743 yards in five games and be the first 2K-plus rusher since Adrian Peterson in 2012? Merry Christmas to the Atlanta Braves! Yep, my baseball team made a decent run in what we just call the weird 2020 COVID season. The Braves finished the short season first in the NL East and went on to make a run all the way to the NLCS, ultimately losing to the World Series champion Dodgers in a game 7. It was a good season that ended just a tad short! Merry Christmas to the Nashville Predators! Tough ending to the season, losing a qualifying match versus the freaking ’Yotes, but, like Tim McGraw, I like it, I love it and I want some more of that Predators hockey! The Predators went unconventional and selected a goaltender with the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. The 18-year-

Merry Christmas to Rocky Top Tennessee, my Volunteer football program! Call 911, because we need help! The fact is, Rocky Top nation is loyal. Life has been hard for well over a decade; we had a little light at the end of 2019, but it seems to have all come crashing down again as we navigated 2020. Stay loyal, Rocky Top. Eventually, I hope, brighter orange is ahead! Merry Christmas to the Mayo family. The Editor in Chief of this great paper and his amazing wife, Sarah, had a baby in 2020—a beautiful, healthy baby boy! My full respect to this family. COVID really could have messed this paper up, but Bracken and Sarah fought and kept it going. The Mayo family continues to put out these amazing free publications monthly and I think the people of Murfreesboro should be incredibly grateful for that. Merry Christmas, my friends! Merry Christmas to my dogs! Molly, the 8-year-old lab, and Sadie the 4-month-old lab puppy! Yeah, that’s right, I don’t have children, but I have some pretty amazing, loyal and intelligent dogs, and for that I give thanks! Merry Christmas to Titans QB Ryan Tannehill! I know you said some stupid things prior to the season about how the country was founded upon racist ideas, and I wrote about it, but in the name of Christmas I can forgive. A wise man would tell you that America was founded upon the freedoms that ultimately ended the atrocities of slavery. I

get that you may be under pressure from the media, your smoking-hot wife and the players themselves, but to say America was founded upon racist ideas is so stupid I have a hard time believing you actually believe that. I applaud your play so far in 2020. You’re doing what the team paid you to do: making plays, limiting mistakes, and leading the team, so far, to another great season. Tannehill, as of press time, has thrown for 2,608 yards, 23 TDs and only four interceptions with a couple rushing scores added. Nice! Merry Christmas to the Tennessee Titans organization as a whole! You have created a feeling of excellence in Nashville and have really given fans something to be proud of. The national media has finally started to show some respect the last few seasons and it feels good knowing we have a GM, a head coach, and some special players on contract as we head into the future. Exciting times, Titans fans! I think I speak for many Titans fans when I say “all I want for Christmas is a Super Bowl championship.” Merry Christmas, COVID! You suck, please go away. The world is ready for a 2021 where we can forget the virus and shutdowns of 2020. Merry Christmas to you, the reader! As I said, I have been writing for this amazing publication for many years. I do this because I enjoy it, and if I can make a few of you laugh along the way, then bravo! Merry Christmas to my haters! I get it, truly! I sometimes write about politically incorrect things regarding politics or race, and for whatever reason that makes some of you guys go crazy. Some of the emails I get from you at titanman1984@gmail.com are intense. My mama said the best fans are the ones that keep coming back and you haters don’t disappoint in that regard. I have love for everyone, but I have no problem ridiculing this soft PC world being created around me. It is a sad day when a comedian must double-check his work to make sure he did not put anything too offensive in it. The Train is rolling into the station! I sincerely hope you and your family all have a Merry Christmas! I pray that brighter times lie ahead as we enter 2021. A fully open economy and a Titans Super Bowl victory would be a beautiful start to the new year. MERRY CHRISTMAS! HO-HO-HO!

Rotary Club of Smyrna is grateful for our wonderful sponsors of the 2020 Wings of Freedom Fish Fry!

PRESENTING SPONSORS INCLUDE: Azure Flight Support BGS America Blue Water Industries Bridgestone America Dempsey, Dilling & Associates, an affiliate of Thomas and Hutton Middle Tennessee Electric

IN A CHALLENGING YEAR they came together to support a modified event so the club could give back to the organizations in our community that need us. The event raised over $121,000 this year, much of it going to support the FREEDOM PLAYGROUND, an all-inclusive playground at Lee Victory Park in Smyrna. Funds also went to various other local organizations including:

• Meals on Wheels • Smyrna Sister City Program • Carpe Artista • Friends of Smyrna Library • Smyrna Fraternal Order of Police • Nourish Food Bank

Nissan North America Performance Solutions, LLC Predators Foundation Progressive Sheet Metal Rogers Group, Inc. Schneider Electric Smyrna Bowling Center Smyrna Printing and Design Smyrna Ready Mix

• Second Harvest Food Bank • The Senior Center of Smyrna • Smyrna West Alternative School ... And Other Organizations

Smyrna-Rutherford County Airport Authority Taylor Farms Tennessee Tri Star Stonecrest Medical Center Turner Security powered by Tech Core Woods Properties, E–Z Storage Yarbrough Family Foundation

Learn more about Wings of Freedom and Rotary Club of Smyrna

wofsmyrna.com • rotaryofsmyrna.org

Thanks! ★ to the Voters of District 49 for one more term

★ MIKE ★

SPARKS

TENNESSEE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES R–DISTRICT 49 Working on Solutions For All Tennesseans

Jobs & Economy • Healthcare Reform Criminal Justice Reform • Infrastructure Investments Increased Funding for Addiction and Mental Health Solutions to College Debt and Textbook Affordability

facebook.com/votemikesparks Paid for by Citizens to Elect Mike Sparks, Felicia Sparks Treasurer

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