January 2023 Murfreesboro Pulse

14

LET’S HEAR IT

Former MTSU recording students nominated for Grammys.

HELPING HANDS

Local organization aims to assist the needy in the Philippines.

6 Events

CALENDAR

Polar Bear Plunge; Winter Reading Program; Clean Foodie Fest, Coffee 101; Reptile Expo and more

ERIC “JUGGERNAUT” DRAPER

Local boxer still rising at age 45; catch him at Jan. 13 Battle in the Boro.

LOCAL AXE THROWERS WIN WORLD TITLES

Hayden Brown and Lucas Johnson

ANYBODY

New movie from Ricky Burchell premieres in Murfreesboro Jan. 20.

SPRINGHOUSE THEATRE Celebrating the Creator onstage

MUSIC NOTES

Delta Bombers at Hop Springs, Jan. 24 Veterans Night Out CONCERT CALENDAR Silent Ruckus, Robyn Taylor, Jake Leg Stompers, Phoenix Rising, Herrick and more

Reviews ALBUMS Sugar Lime Blue, The Blackbird Sessions

MOVIE Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery 18 Living TRAVEL

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Cataract Falls and Ownby Cabin NATURE NEWS Feed the birds in wintertime 27 Art THEATER Henry Cho to perform at Walnut House MURAL Enchanted Planet gets colorful new mural by Frizzell and Armes

30 News

BUSINESS BUZZ

Mothers, Wildwood Reserve, Vida-Flo,

WE HAVE MADE IT THROUGH ANOTHER YEAR and a new page has turned. Woo!

What will 2023 hold?

Be still for a moment, take it all in. All is calm, all is bright.

What was your favorite holiday memory?

If you have fitness, financial, travel, home and health goals in 2023, many in Murfreesboro can help you achieve them and work with you to come up with realistic plans to do so. Check out the lengthy list of Pulse advertisers for some recommendations.

December had some fun moments and some unique challenges, with travel, holiday festivities, extreme cold and sickness—it seems lots of illness was going around in December. We wish you good health and cheer this year.

The Pulse team is going to continue doing our best, striving to provide an interesting and informative picture of the Murfreesboro area within the pages of this publication each edition.

Who wants to join us? What are your ideas? What’s the news? What individuals and organizations should the Pulse highlight? How about placing an ad for your business in the Pulse? Keep in touch: bracken@boropulse.com.

Bracken Jr. and I got the chance to say “hi” to Kane, the legendary Big Red Machine, a.k.a. Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, at Rep. Mike Sparks’ chili cookoff event on Dec. 2.

I would have made a significant campaign donation in exchange for being choke-slammed through the table with chips and cheese and the big chili event, but did not get the opportunity to make that offer before he headed back east.

The Mayos headed east ourselves later in the month and hit the Great Smoky Mountains and Dollywood. Good times. We will return. There’s a lot to do out there; we keep an ongoing list of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Smoky Mountain trails, activities, restaurants, attractions and points of interest that we have not yet gotten to.

Thanks to the Pulse team, to everyone who makes this little community publication a reality.

Thanks to Mr. Steve Morley for his complete decade of service, polishing everyone’s sometimes-slightlyunclear ideas into the most decipherable, clear, proper and professional product possible. The years keep on ticking by.

RESTAURANT

La Tavola Ristorante Italiano

Thanks to Valley Growers for serving once again as the official poinsettia supplier of the Pulse. Many of you may have seen Nneka or myself out delivering a little Christmas color and cheer. Good to see everyone.

Congrats to the Blue Raiders, the 2022 Hawaii Bowl champions, winning an exciting game on the island on Christmas Eve.

Georgia and TCU both earned some respect and their places in the NCAA college football championship game. Those college semifinal games were some battles.

I think I have cracked the code: when many people use the phrase and accompanying concept of “diversity and inclusion,” they really mean “conformity and exclusion.” It can be helpful to keep that in mind.

I know, it can be confusing when someone means the opposite of the words that they use, but knowing that, most of the time, the intention of “diversity and inclusion” is the antithesis of those words’ actual definition can explain a lot. Well, the word “and” is true to its meaning, at least.

Peace, BRACKEN MAYO

Publisher/Editor in Chief

EVENTS CALENDAR  JANUARY 2023  BY ANDREA STOCKARD

JAN. 3

AUDITIONS FOR THE KNIGHT BEFORE DAWN

Kids ages 6–12 can audition for The Knight Before Dawn from the Magic Tree House Collection on Tuesday, Jan. 3 and Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 5:30 p.m. at The Washington Theater at Patterson Park (521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.). Rehearsals begin Monday, Jan. 9, and will be held every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30–8:30 p.m. with performance dates on Feb. 23–26. For more information, email mscott@murfreesborotn.gov or call 615-893-7439 ext. 6130.

JAN. 6

FULL MOON HIKE AND HOT COCOA

Come out for a nice night hike down to the campground while enjoying a fire and hot cocoa to warm yourself up before making the hike back to the Wilderness Station (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Friday, Jan. 6, from 4–5:30 p.m. The hike is free for all ages. For more information, call 615-2173017 or email jfogel@murfreesborotn.gov or challwalker@murfreesborotn.gov.

JAN. 7

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

The Polar Bear Plunge begins on Saturday, Jan. 7, with Arctic Adventure in the Sports*Com gym (2310 Memorial Blvd.) at 8:30 a.m. Enjoy a DJ, inflatables and fun games for kids, free hot chocolate, coffee and doughnuts. Enter a costume contest at 9:50 a.m. At 10 a.m., participants make their way to the ’Boro Beach and jump in the pool for the Polar Bear Plunge. The pool closes at 11:30 a.m. The event benefits the Special Olympics. Donations can also be made. For more information, visit murfreesborotn.gov, call 615-8955040 or email kgoss@murfreesborotn.gov.

JAN. 10

DEREK PUMA BOOK SIGNING

Linebaugh Public Library will host local author Derek Puma for a book signing on Tuesday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Puma signs and sells copies of his book, The Message: Live Life, Treasure True Love, Find Faith, published by Westbow Press. His book is a message on understanding

JAN. 14

WINTER READING PROGRAM KICKOFF

Linebaugh Public Library (105 W. Vine St.) holds the fourth annual Harry Nelson Memorial Adult Winter Reading Program from Jan. 22–March 4. Linebaugh Library celebrates with a kickoff event on Saturday, Jan. 14. Jake Leg Stompers performs prewar roots music from 1–3 p.m. Patrons are challenged to meet a goal of reading and reviewing at least six books over the six weeks. All formats are accepted and count toward the goal. Patrons may sign up for the program beginning Saturday, Jan. 14. They will begin accepting reviews on Sunday, Jan. 22. Each week, one reviewer will be randomly selected to receive a free book. At the conclusion, every person who has met the goal will be awarded a gift card from Simply Pure Sweets. One person completing six reviews will receive a grand prize of a $150 gift card from The Alley on Main. The name of the winner will also be engraved on a plaque that’s displayed in the library. The 2023 Harry Nelson Memorial Adult Winter Reading Program is sponsored by The Friends of Linebaugh Library. For more information, visit rclstn.org or call 615-893-4131.

life and finding a purpose. He reminds the reader of the wonderful gift life is, how to treasure the importance of true love and focus on one another in the gift of marriage. All problems, stress, and struggles can be placed in God’s hands. Puma is an American actor currently living in Nashville. Born in Rome, New York, he is of Sicilian and Seneca descent. For more information, visit rclstn.org or call 615-893-4131.

JAN. 10

RUTHERFORD CABLE JANUARY BREAKFAST MEETING

The Rutherford Cable January Breakfast Meeting Speaker is Alana Flora, a human rights advocate who has dedicated her life to advocating for the vulnerable. She works to catalyze solutions through community collaboration, including in education, legal,

nonprofit, government and community sectors. She is the co-founder and director of Engage Together and serves as the Chief Operating Officer for both Altus Solutions and the Alliance for Freedom, Restoration and Justice. The meeting will take place Tuesday, Jan. 10, from 7:15–9 a.m. at The Fountains at Gateway (1500 Medical Center Pkwy.). Bring plenty of business cards and grab a card from the basket on the way out to make an additional connection. For more information, visit rutherfordcable.org or email yourrutherfordcable@gmail.com.

JAN. 11

LIVING SENT MINISTRIES

The January Living Sent Murfreesboro meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 11, from 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Experience (421 Old Salem Rd.) Like many, Mike

and Amy May spent years in corporate America. Then God pulled them out and turned them into entrepreneurs now owning and operating five separate businesses. Mike and Amy share their stories of the amazing things that happen when you invite God to be your business partner. A complimentary lunch is provided by Dennis Phillips of iServe Residential Lending. RSVP for the free event by emailing bob.williams@alhambrapartners.com

JAN. 12

ALL ACCESS NIGHT

All Access Nights are a time for specialneeds families to enjoy the Discovery Center’s exhibits (502 S.E. Broad St.) in a sensory-friendly environment. This month’s night is Thursday, Jan. 12, from 5–8 p.m. All Access Nights are free, but reservations are suggested. For more details, call 615-8902300 or visit explorethedc.org/allaccess

JAN. 12

WINTER CRAFTING: HAND SEWING LAVENDER SACHETS

Grab a friend or two and come craft at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) on Thursday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m.–noon. Hand-sew quilt scraps to make lavender sachets and take them home. Admission is $15 per person. Reservations are required and must be made by Thursday, Jan. 5. Ages 12 and up are welcome. Make your reservation by calling 615-801-2606 or emailing mbnevills@murfreesborotn.gov.

JAN. 12 AND 26

EXPRESS YOURSELF AT MCFADDEN

Express Yourself McFadden highlights incredible artists, well-known and emerging. Channel your inner artist as you create a unique piece of art in your likeness to take home. Art always has the potential of being messy, so please dress accordingly. Space is limited so please register early. Express Yourself meets every other Thursday until May 18 from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at McFadden Community Center (211 Bridge Ave.). Ages 6–12 are welcome, and the cost to join is $5. For more information, email jchandler@murfreesborotn.gov or call 615893-7439 ext. 6111.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAT CASEY DALEY

JAKE LEG STOMPERS

TURTLE TALK

There are many types of turtles that call the local ponds and rivers home. These creatures are so unique— they carry their homes on their back and can live for well over 50 years. Come to the Wilderness Station (401 Volunteer Rd.) for a meetand-greet with the resident eastern box turtles and learn amazing facts using turtle biofacts on Friday, Jan. 13, from 10–11 a.m. All ages are welcome and there is no cost to join. For more information, email challwalker@murfreesborotn. gov or call 615-217-3017.

JAN. 14

CAVING WITH OUTDOOR MURFREESBORO

Have you ever wanted to explore the caves in Tennessee? Explore an amazing cave not too far from Murfreesboro, led by Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation staff on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The cave is at a constant 55 degrees so there is no need to worry about being too hot or cold. It is also very open with some rooms having a ceiling height of 120 feet. Headlamps and helmets will be provided. Space is limited and registration is required. Visit murfreesborotn.gov and click on Register under the “I Want To” menu. The cost to join is $15 per person and ages 13 and up are welcome. For more information, email jfogel@murfreesborotn.gov or call 615-217-3017.

JAN. 14

CLEAN FOODIE FEST

Sample some of the cleanest eats, drinks and treats from across Middle Tennessee while also finding new clean products at the 3rd Annual Clean Foodie Fest 2023 at Hilton Garden Inn in Smyrna (2631 Highwood Blvd., Smyrna) Saturday, Jan. 14, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Meet and try products from local businesses offering paleo, keto and vegan options. Businesses will also be showcasing clean products for your home, kitchen, oral care and skin. The ticket price includes a swag bag for each attendee, an event program with business info and exclusive discounts and generous samples. Some participating businesses include Ancient Nutrition, Natalie’s Elderberries, Ouchonder Chili Co., Undercover Snacks, Heywood Cannery and many more. Admission for kids 12 and under is free and adults are $10 at the door or $5 in advance online. For more information, visit foodie23.eventbrite. com, find Holistic Made Easy on Facebook or email holisticmadeeasy@gmail.com.

JAN. 14

COFFEE 101 AT LIBERTY’S STATION

On Saturday, Jan. 14, from 9–10:30 a.m. Liberty’s Station (850 NW Broad St.) will host Coffee 101, a delicious opportunity to learn the inside scoop about coffee. Roastmaster Mike Arnold from Raphael’s Roastery teaches about origins, regions, roasts, grinds, processes and other interesting information about coffee in order to expand the coffee-lover’s knowledge and enhance coffee drinking pleasure. Samples will be served and Liberty’s Station’s signature coffee line and mugs will be for sale. Tickets are $75 and space is limited. Liberty’s Station is a progressive workforce pipeline in which 90% of its employees have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) or other employment barriers. For more information, visit libertysstationtn.org, find Liberty’s Station on Facebook or call 615-584-9029.

JAN. 16

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY CELEBRATION

The Discovery Center (502 S.E. Broad St.) invites the public to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and story through arts, culture and more on Monday, Jan. 16, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. The day is sponsored by the Nissan Foundation and is free and open to the public. For more information, call 615-890-2300 or visit explorethedc.org/events/mlk2023.

JAN. 16

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY MARCH

Around 500–1,000 participants are anticipated to come out for the march celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 16, from noon–1:30 p.m. All are welcome to join. The march begins at Central Magnet School (701 E. Main St.), travels to Middle Tennessee Boulevard then Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and will conclude at Patterson Park. All ages are welcome. For more information, call 615-653-1152 or email vstembridge@murfreesborotn.gov

JAN. 17

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

The Rutherford County Chamber of Com-

merce holds its January Business After Hours at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Lanes, Trains and Automobiles (450 Butler Dr.). This is an informal social networking event designed to connect business professionals from across Rutherford County. Bring plenty of business cards. Admission is $15 for chamber members and $25 for future members. No registration is required. For more information on Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cuttings and other events, visit rutherfordchamber.org.

JAN. 19

TODDLER ADVENTURES: QUILTS AND PATTERNS

Wrap up in your favorite blanket or quilt for story time and an activity on patterns at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) on Thursday, Jan. 19, from 10–11 a.m. Catch some of the village’s favorite quilts and point out patterns and colors. Toddlers are welcome to bring their favorite blanket or quilt to get cozy. Reservations are now open and admission is $3 per person. Reservations are required and must be received by Thursday, Jan. 12. The cost is $3 per person and ages 5 and under are welcome. Make your reservation by emailing mbnevills@murfreesborotn.gov or calling 615-801-2606.

JAN. 19

HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE SERIES: MAMMALS AND HIBERNATION

Help your students explore their world through science. Students aged 5–8 and 9–12, in two groups, will study different topics each class with hands-on demonstrations. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required online or via the Wilderness Station (401 Volunteer Rd.). The theme Thursday, Jan. 19, from 10–11:30 a.m. is Mammals and Hibernation. The cost to join is $5 per person. For more information, call 615-217-3017.

JAN. 19

BACKYARD BIRDS AT THE WILDERNESS STATION

Come out to the Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) to learn about backyard birds of Tennessee on Thursday, Jan. 19. Discuss ways to attract birds to your yard along with a demonstration on how to make suet. Each participant will make a pinecone bird feeder to take home. The cost to join is $3 per person and ages 5 and up are welcome. The deadline to register is the day before the event. For more information, call 615-2173017 or email lrosser@murfressborotn.gov

JAN. 19

THE CONNECTION AT CHAMPY’S

Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken will host the January 2023 installment of The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, free, no-obligation networking event, where they can meet other small business owners and tap into one another’s experience and energy. Champy’s is located at 1290 NW Broad St.

JAN. 20

INTRO TO BACKPACKING COURSE AT THE WILDERNESS STATION

Have you ever wanted to try backpacking but didn’t know where to start? The Wilderness Station (401 Volunteer Rd.) offers an intro to backpacking course where one day a month through April the group goes over the basics of backpacking. As the course goes on, do different length hikes of different difficulties. For the final day of the course, participants go on an

overnight backpacking trip to put new skills to the test. The class meets Jan. 20, Feb. 25, March 25 and April 22 from 4–5 p.m. Backpack, sleeping pad and tent can be provided. Registration is required. Visit murfreesborotn.gov and click on Register under the “I Want To” menu. Ages 15 and up are welcome. The cost to join is $75 per person. For more information, email jfogel@murfreesborotn.gov or call 615217-3017.

JAN. 20

TENNESSEE MAMMALS AT THE WILDERNESS STATION

With the help of biofacts found across Tennessee, learn which mammals call this great state home at the Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Friday, Jan. 20, from 10–11 a.m. Feel the weight of the fur from black bears in the Smoky Mountains, see the structure of an opossum skull and experience the thrill of finding animal prints in the soil. All ages are welcome. For more information, email challwalker@murfreesborotn.gov or call 615-217-3017.

JAN. 21

WINTER WATERFALL HIKE

Depart from the Wilderness Station (401 Volunteer Rd.) for a winter hike with a naturalist at South Cumberland State Park on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Do a moderate 4-mile hike to a waterfall with plenty of chances to stop at overlooks along the way. Limited space is available. The cost to join is $15. Registration is required. Visit murfreesborotn.gov and click on Register under the “I Want To” menu. For more information, call 615-217-3017 or email jfogel@murfreesborotn.gov.

JAN. 21

WALLACE & GROMIT: GET CRACKING!

The Wallace & Gromit: Get Cracking! exhibit at the Discovery Center is based on the popular film and television characters. Visitors step into the north England home of cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his loyal and intelligent dog, Gromit. In Wallace’s world, inventions and contraptions often go terribly but hilariously wrong, providing a natural opportunity to explore themes around problem-solving and resilience. For more information, visit explorethedc.org/events

JAN. 23

SKIN CANCER SCREENINGS

A skin cancer screening looks for signs of cancer before a person has any major symptoms. When abnormal tissue or can-

JAN. 21–22

MURFREESBORO REPTILE EXPO

Come out to the Murfreesboro Reptile Expo to see reptiles, amphibians and exotic animals at the Mid-TN Expo Center (1660 Middle Tennessee Blvd.) Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 21 and 22. You may end up bringing home a new family member. VIP entry is at 9 a.m. ($15) on Saturday and general admission at 10 a.m. ($10). All admission is at 10 a.m. on Sunday and the event runs until 3:30 p.m. both days. Kids 12 and under are free. For more information, find the Murfreesboro Reptile Expo – Show Me Reptile Show on Eventbrite or visit showmesnakes.com.

cer is found early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread. Take advantage of this wellness opportunity with free screenings from Stones River Dermatology at Patterson Park (521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) on Monday, Jan. 23, from 1–3:30 p.m. Ages 18 and up are welcome. For more information, email amyers@ murfreesborotn.gov or call 615-893-7439 ext. 6117 to schedule a screening.

JAN. 24

COMMUNITY BOOK DISCUSSION

The Rutherford County Library System and the League of Women Voters of Murfreesboro/Rutherford County partner together for a community book discussion on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. Readers are invited to discuss their choice of three books related to mental health and education. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is by Lori Gottlieb, a New York Times best-selling author, psychotherapist and national advice columnist. The book takes readers behind the scenes of a therapist’s world. It is also Read To Succeed’s One Book selection for 2023. Who Put This Song On? is a debut by award-winning poet Morgan Parker, about 17-year-old Morgan, who knows why she’s in therapy. Trapped in sunny, stifling, small-town suburbia, she can’t count the number

of times she’s been the only non-white person at the sleepover, been teased for her weird outfits, and been told she’s not really black. Educated is by Tara Westover. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was isolated from mainstream society, and her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Participants will be organized into Zoom “rooms” for small group discussions, led by library representatives and volunteers. All three books are available to check out at any branch of the Rutherford County Library System or by downloading using the Libby app. A link to the Zoom event will be posted at lwvrutherford.org

JAN. 24

ALL ABOUT OWLS

Owls have unique abilities that most other birds of prey lack. Visit the Wilderness Station (401 Volunteer Rd.) to learn about these amazing superpowers, investigate and dissect through an owl pellet and meet the resident owl ambassador, Huckleberry. All ages are welcome on Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 2–3 p.m. The cost is $4 per person. Registration is required by emailing challwalker@murfreesborotn.gov or calling 615-217-3017 and ends at 10 a.m. the day of the event.

JAN. 24

VINTAGE QUILTS AND THE STORIES THEY TELL

Get out of the cold with this heartwarming presentation on quilts at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) on Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 10–11 a.m., with Brenda, the owner of Aunt Bee’s Quilt Museum in Granville, Tennessee, bringing some of her favorites to show. Reservations are now open and required; they must be received by Tuesday, Jan. 17. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. Make your reservation by emailing mbnevills@murfreesborotn. gov or calling 615-801-2606.

JAN. 28

WATERFOWL AND BALD EAGLES

January is the peak season to see waterfowl and bald eagles in Tennessee. Take the Outdoor Murfreesboro van to Radnor Lake, visit the aviary of birds of prey and go birding on the lake loop to spot the various waterfowl and other birds on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9:30–3 p.m. Bring a sack lunch and your binoculars or borrow a pair from the Wilderness Station. Space is limited so register early. Visit murfreesborotn.gov and click on Register under the “I Want To” menu or register at the Wilderness Station. The cost to join is $15. For more information, email jfogel@ murfreesborotn.gov or dthomas@murfrees borotn.gov, or call 615-217-3017.

JAN. 28–29

EXOTIC PET EXPO

The Murfreesboro Exotic Pet Expo will take place Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 28 and 29, at the Mid TN Expo Center (1660 Middle Tennessee Blvd.). On Saturday VIP admission is from 9–10 a.m. ($10) and the event is open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (with an admission cost of $5). On Sunday, the event is open from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. ($5). Come out for a family fun weekend full of reptiles, small mammals, parrots, feeders and pet supplies. For more information, find the Murfreesboro TN Exotic Pet Expo January 28 & 29, 2023 event on Facebook.

JAN. 31

NATURAL HOME DECOR CRAFT

Beat the winter blues for an evening of nature crafting at the Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 6–7:30 p.m. Make a winter woodland decoration to brighten your homes. The cost to join is $15. Ages 10 and up are welcome. Visit murfreesborotn.gov and click on Register under the “I Want To” menu or register at the Wilderness Station by Friday, Jan. 27.

THURSDAYS

MAD COW TREK CLUB

The Mad Cow Trek Club running group meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. at Panther Creek Brews (714 W. Main St.). The group embarks on a route of 4–8 miles and welcomes runners of all paces and abilities. Affiliated with the Mad Cow Running Company in McMinnville, the Trek Club hosts races and free get-togethers to share its love of running with the community. Find Mad Cow Running Company (MCRC) on Facebook for course routes and more details. All runners are encouraged to stay after each run for food and drinks.

Ages 10 and up are welcome. For more information, call 615-217-3017 or email lrosser@murfressborotn.gov

MONDAYS

CONNECT MURFREESBORO

Join Connect Murfreesboro each Monday from 9–10 a.m. at BoomBozz Craft Pizza & Taphouse (2839 Medical Center Pkwy.) for a casual networking event designed to connect professionals, build relationships, drive referrals and help grow businesses. For more information or directions, visit connectnashvillenetworking.com/events.

WEDNESDAYS

BORO 2 SQUARE RUNNING GROUP

The Boro 2 Square running group meets at Mayday Brewery (521 Old Salem Rd.) every Wednesday at 6 p.m. The group welcomes runners of all paces looking to get out to run and socialize with other runners. Normal run distances are between 3 and 5 miles. Hang out and socialize at Mayday following the run. For more information, visit facebook.com/boro2square

WEDNESDAYS

WILD THINGS

Let the smaller among us get in touch with their wild side at the Wilderness Station (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Wednesdays in Jan. from 9:45–10:15 a.m. Sing

songs, read a story, complete a craft and conclude with a short walk. Focus on a different nature theme each week. The cost to join is $3 per child. Registration is required by calling the day before at 615217-3017. For more information, email lrosser@murfreesborotn.gov.

THURSDAYS

HIKE WITH A NATURALIST

Come out for a weekly hike at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) from 10–11:30 a.m. Thursdays in January. Stop and talk about things you see along the way. Each week, hike different trails at Barfield so you can get more familiar with the park. All ages are welcome. For more information, email jfogel@murfreesborotn .gov or call 615-217-3017.

FRIDAYS

JEEP & TRUCK MEET

Each Friday night, Mudrock4x4 (1022 Samsonite Blvd.) hosts a Jeep & Truck meet-and-greet from 6 p.m.–midnight. Spend the night alongside a bonfire, play corn hole or barrel toss, enjoy barbecue (guests can bring their own food and cook it onsite) and engage in great conversations about Jeeps, trucks and anything 4×4-related. It is free to attend. All people and vehicles are welcome. For more information, visit mudrock4x4.com or mudrockrentals.com.

MUSIC NOTES

DELTA BOMBERS BRING RETRO ROCK, WESTERN ROCKABILLY TO HOP SPRINGS JAN. 24

THE DELTA BOMBERS’ 2023 TOUR makes a pitstop in Murfreesboro at Hop Springs Beer Park on Tuesday, Jan. 24. The Delta Bombers have played stages all over the world for the past 10 years, giving fans four full albums of retro-style rock ’n’ roll jams infused with swampy blues, acoustic folk and rockabilly vibes, along with some more recent EP releases.

The band, originally out of Las Vegas—singer Chris Moinichen, guitarist Andrew Himmler, upright bassist Gregorio Garcia and drummer P.J. Franco—has brought its distinct sound to stages in 26 countries now. With lively songs like “The Wolf,” “15 to Life” and “Give ’em All,” the Delta Bombers’ energetic presence should make for an entertaining night out for a wide range of ages and musical tastes.

The Jan. 24 show also features guests McKinley James, Black Venus and Pastor Pablo.

The night kicks off at 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 6:30. General admission tickets are $15 and available on Ticketweb.

For more information, visit hopspringstn.com/events; listen to the Delta Bombers and purchase merch at thedeltabombers.com

— CHELSEA LOCASCIO

VETERANS NIGHT OUT SONGWRITERS

SERIES CONTINUES JAN. 18 AT HEROES DEN

NUMEROUS LOCAL VETERANS, organizations and supporters of the area music scene presented the first Veterans Night Out songwriters event at Heroes Den in December.

The series, which showcases local and national singer-songwriters who are also combat veterans, will continue at the veteran-owned Murfreesboro restaurant on Wednesday, Jan 18.

Heroes Vodka, another local veteran-owned business, collaborated with Romans Warrior Foundation and the nonprofit Stop22tour to launch the Veterans Night Out.

Performers on Jan. 18 include Stephen Cochran, Sal Gonzalez, Chris Turner, Tyler Jay, Malachias Rafal Gaskin, Melvin LeRoy and more.

Additionally, The Scuttlebutt Podcast will be doing an episode onsite at the event with Navy veteran Richard Fleek and Marine veteran Andrew Farrer. Following the Jan. 18 show, organizers say they expect Veterans Night Out to continue monthly, on the second Wednesday of each month.

For more information on Veterans Night Out, find the Romans Warrior Foundation, Heroes Den or Stephen Cochran on Facebook. Heroes Den is located at 2805 Old Fort Pkwy., Ste. O, Murfreesboro.

SAL GONZALEZ

STEPHEN COCHRAN

TYLER JAY

CONCERTS

WED, 1/4

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Kenna Elpers

THURS, 1/5

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Krystal King

FRI, 1/6

CARMEN’S TAQUERIA

Joe West

CEDAR GLADE BREWS

Captain Sam Rorex and Bill Steber

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Delyn Christian; Bill Ashmore & the Last Stand

HARVESTER EVENT CENTER

Jon Wayne Hatfield

JACK’S PLACE (MILANO II)

Tony Castellanos MAYDAY BREWERY

Tom Davison

PUCKETT’S

The Deltaz SEASONS OF MURFREESBORO

Cooter River Band

SAT, 1/7

CARMEN’S TAQUERIA

Joe West

CEDAR GLADE BREWS

Don Thomason

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Taylor Hughes; In-Cahoots MAYDAY BREWERY

Miguel Dakota

PUCKETT’S

Hobo Cane SEASONS OF MURFREESBORO Rockafeller

SUN, 1/8

HANK’S HONKY TONK

The O’Donnell’s

MON, 1/9

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Open Mic Night

TUES, 1/10

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Sir Anthony

WED, 1/11

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Robyn Taylor

LIVE MUSIC IN THE ’BORO!

Silent Ruckus

THURS, 1/26

@ HANK’S HONKY TONK

Silent Ruckus—the Murfreesboro father/son, drums/guitar duo of Len and Ben Cobler—has worked its way onto the roster of regular Hank’s Honky Tonk artists, their next show coming up Thursday, Jan. 26. Expect country tunes from the 1980s to present day from Kip Moore, Tracy Lawrence, Granger Smith, Justin Moore and many others, with some classic rock covers sprinkled in.

THURS, 1/12

THE BURLAP ROOM

Lee Rolfes

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Cary & Sherrie Lynn HOP SPRINGS

Tommy Howell; Zachariah Malachi

FRI, 1/13

CARMEN’S TAQUERIA Joe West

CEDAR GLADE BREWS

Phil Valdez HANK’S HONKY TONK

Bailey Rose; Jack Finley Band JACK’S PLACE (MILANO II)

Tony Castellanos MAYDAY BREWERY Roland Justice PUCKETT’S Blue Hollow SEASONS OF MURFREESBORO

The Black Dogs (Led Zeppelin tribute)

THE BORO

Joey Fletcher Jam

SAT, 1/14

CARMEN’S TAQUERIA

Joe West

CEDAR GLADE BREWS

Jeff Lysyczyn

LINEBAUGH

PUBLIC LIBRARY

Jake Leg Stompers

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Dirt Road Daisies; Phil Valdez

HOP SPRINGS

The Emo Band HOTSHOTZ

Phoenix Rising PUCKETT’S

Trevor Finlay THE BORO Zentrence; Anderson Pavlovic and J. Pinell

SUN, 1/15

HANK’S HONKY TONK

The O’Donnell’s HOP SPRINGS Moon Hooch; Balkan Bump

MON, 1/16

HANK’S HONKY TONK Open Mic Night

TUES, 1/17 HANK’S HONKY TONK Jesse Black

WED, 1/18 HANK’S HONKY TONK

Gray Daniels

HEROES DEN

Veterans Night Out Songwriters Series with Stephen Cochran, Sal Gonzalez, Chris Turner, Tyler Jay, Malachias Rafal Gaskin and Melvin LeRoy HOP SPRINGS Badfish (Sublime tribute); Kash’d Out; The Kaleidoscope Kid

THURS, 1/19

HANK’S HONKY TONK Will King

FRI, 1/20 CARMEN’S TAQUERIA

Joe West

CEDAR GLADE BREWS

The Howlin Embers HANK’S HONKY TONK

Sara Simmons; Jeff Caron Band HOP SPRINGS AJ Lee & Blue Summit

JACK’S PLACE

Tony Castellanos MAYDAY BREWERY Sarah Lightman PUCKETT’S

The Sternwheelers THE BORO Joey Fletcher Jam

SAT, 1/21

CARMEN’S TAQUERIA Joe West CEDAR GLADE BREWS

Vagabond Train HANK’S HONKY TONK

The Hammonds; The Cooter River Band MTSU WRIGHT

MUSIC BUILDING

Horn Day; Angela DeBoer faculty recital PUCKETT’S

Larysa

THE BORO Chase Wells

SUN, 1/22

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Tanner Burch MON, 1/23 HANK’S HONKY TONK

Open Mic Night TUES, 1/24 HANK’S HONKY

TONK

Delyn Christian HOP SPRINGS

The Delta Bombers; McKinley James; Black Venus; Pastor Pablo MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Dave Ragland

WED, 1/25

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Phil Valdez

THURS, 1/26

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Silent Ruckus

FRI, 1/27

CARMEN’S TAQUERIA

Joe West

CEDAR GLADE BREWS

Bailey Rose HANK’S HONKY TONK

Adam Stone; Justin Dukes HOP SPRINGS

The Rodeo Rave: Country Music DJ Dance Party JACK’S PLACE

Tony Castellanos

MAYDAY BREWERY

Delyn Christian PUCKETT’S

The Road Crew

SAT, 1/28

CARMEN’S TAQUERIA

Joe West

CEDAR GLADE BREWS

Steve Hardesty HANK’S HONKY TONK

Joe Hooper; Whiskey Smoke MAYDAY BREWERY Mize and the Drive

MTSU WRIGHT

MUSIC BUILDING

David Cyzak; Chinese New Year Concert

PUCKETT’S

Herrick

SUN, 1/29

HANK’S HONKY TONK

JBD Express

MON, 1/30

HANK’S

Open Mic Night

TUES, 1/31

HANK’S HONKY TONK

Kyle Mercer

If You Go

THE BURLAP ROOM 175 Hurricane Ridge Rd., Smithville 615-597-9560

CARMEN’S TAQUERIA 206 W. Northfield Blvd. 615-848-9003

CEDAR GLADE BREWS 906 Ridgely Rd. 615-900-3707

HANK’S HONKY TONK 2341 Memorial Blvd. 615-410-7747

HARVESTER EVENT CENTER

206 W. Main St., Smithville 615-597-2000

HEROES DEN 2805 Old Fort Pkwy. 615-624-7934

HOP SPRINGS 6670 John Bragg Hwy. 615-450-1907

HOTSHOTZ 1208 S. Lowry St., Smyrna 629-255-8296

JACK’S PLACE 114 E. College St. 615-624-7390

LINEBAUGH PUBLIC LIBRARY 105 W. Vine St. 615-893-4131

MAYDAY BREWERY 521 Old Salem Rd. 615-603-7699

MTSU WRIGHT

MUSIC BUILDING 1439 Faulkinberry Dr. 615-898-2469

PANTHER CREEK 714 W. Main St. 615-203-5089

PUCKETT’S GROCERY 114 N. Church St. 629-201-6916

SEASONS OF MURFREESBORO 2227 Old Fort Pkwy. 615-895-5471

THE BORO 1211 Greenland Dr. 615-895-4800

Tom Davison

Cooter River Band

Read more about local music at boropulse.com/category/music

LET'S HEAR IT

Former MTSU recording students nominated for Grammys for work with Luke Combs, Brandi Carlile, For King + Country

SONGWRITERS, engineers and singers who refined their talents at Middle Tennessee State University have once again been recognized for their contributions to the music industry with the announcement of the nominees for the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.

The nominees’ list includes:

MTSU music business alumnus ROB WILLIFORD, right-hand band man and songwriting partner of reigning two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs, who’s nominated as a co-writer for

Best Country Song for the platinum-selling “Doin’ This.”

Williford, a 2016 MTSU graduate from Gastonia, North Carolina, earned his first No. 1 single, “One Number Away,” in 2018 and the 2019 CMA Song of the Year award for “Beautiful Crazy.”

Grammy-winning master of fine arts and recording technologies alumnus AARON RAITIERE, whose songwriting and singing are integral to Ashley McBryde’s Best Country Album nominee, the small-

town-tales collection of Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville.

The Danville, Kentucky, native cowrote all but one of the songs and sings on two from McBryde’s concept album. Their musical pals, including Brandy Clark and Caylee Hammack, join them to make up the “cast.”

2009 alumnus Raitiere won his first Grammy at the 2020 ceremonies for cowriting “I’ll Never Love Again” for A Star Is Born in the Best Song for Visual Media category.

Grammy-winning recording industry grad BRANDON BELL, whose mixing work on Brandi Carlile’s In These Silent Days earned him multiple nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Americana Album, plus record of the year for “You and Me on the Rock.” Bell, a 2004 graduate who has engineered projects for artists ranging from Amythyst Kiah to The Lonely Island to Zac Brown Band—plus Raitiere’s new album—won the bluegrass album Grammy for mixing Nobody Knows You, the Steep Canyon Rangers’ 2012 release.

Multi-Grammy winner and recording industry grad TONY CASTLE, who is nominated for engineering icon Willie Nelson’s newest country album, A Beautiful Time Castle, a 1995 MTSU recording industry production and technology alumnus, has won two Grammys for engineering Nelson’s album-length tributes to songwriter George Gershwin and vocalist Frank Sinatra, respectively.

Multi-Grammy-winning former student HILLARY SCOTT, who has won her awards as part of the band Lady A and for her solo contemporary Christian music performance work, is back in the Contemporary Christian Music Performance category along with the sibling duo For

King + Country for their song “For God Is With Us.”

Lady A won the first of their five Grammys in 2009 for “I Run to You.” Scott’s 2016 independent album Love Remains also won her solo Grammys for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.

THE 2023 GRAMMYS WILL AIR LIVE

Sunday, Feb. 5, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Central on CBS and the Paramount+ networks from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles; nominees were announced Nov. 15.

Under Grammy rules, awards for Best Album and Record of the Year go to the winning artist, producers and/or engineers. The Song of the Year award goes to the songwriter, and performance awards go to the artist.

MTSU once again plans to take a contingent of College of Media and Entertainment students, faculty and administrators to L.A. for a long weekend of gathering with local alumni and attending backstage and pre-show Grammy events.

37 GRAMMYS AND COUNTING SINCE 2001

The Department of Recording Industry at MTSU, part of the College of Media and Entertainment, trains song creators and performers in its Commercial Songwriting Program, provides expert instruction in recording live music and audio in its Audio Production Program, and prepares budding music entrepreneurs, including managers and publishers, for careers in its Music Business Program.

MTSU alumni, former or current students, and faculty from across the university have been a part of more than 134 Grammy nominations over the last two decades.

The number of MTSU-connected Grammy winners since 2001 currently stands at 15 people with a total of 37 Grammys in categories from classical to pop to rock to country to gospel.

For more information about the Department of Recording Industry at MTSU, visit mtsu.edu/recording-industry. More details about the 65th Annual Grammy Awards are available at grammy.com.

FOR KING + COUNTRY WITH HILLARY SCOTT

BRUCE & DENISE REED

Reviews

ALBUM MOVIE

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

DIRECTOR Rian Johnson STARRING

Craig, Janelle Monáe, Kate Hudson RATED PG-13

at the center of which lies a building that resembles a giant glass onion.

SUGAR LIME BLUE

The Blackbird Sessions

It somehow leans towards an Allman Brothers Band spinoff when local blues/country/Americana/jam band Sugar Lime Blue combines a rough take on ’90s alternative rock band Living Colour’s in-your-face sound with Primus’ rattling thump-funk bass and an Annie Lennox vocal styling. When the band grooves out on a calypso-flavored tune, frontwoman Ashley Beth’s hippie presence mixes with a relaxed backing band to create the resonant frequencies. It’s all the Nashville-to-Gainesboro area’s Americana jam band Sugar Lime Blue, though, further developing its established mix of jazz, blues, country and jam-rock through its fourth full-length studio album, The Blackbird Sessions Female-fronted throughout the twentyteens, Sugar Lime Blue gained a couple-led popularity as Ashley’s husband and guitarist Dave Beth has backed her vocals and stage presence for 13 years of live performances. This live chemistry has seemingly produced more fan loyalty than their studio work, though this invites their live-setting intentions into the studio, giving The Blackbird Sessions as rough

a feel as Sugar Lime Blue’s cover-heavy dive residencies and festival appearances.

While the new album is comprised of original material stoked by the pandemic years and the loss of their founding bassist, Russ Dean, The Blackbird Sessions keep the Sugar Lime Blue established drive and exploratory jams (it’s not a downer).

For The Blackbird Sessions, Ashley and Dave Beth enlisted the help of bassist Jo Bass and keyboardist Scott Guberman and also re-established a live presence embarking on several multi-state tours adding members Luis “Slive” Echeverria on keys and Ikaika Pekelo on drums, who also contribute to the album, according to the band’s website.

It’s the versatility, as well as the consistency and companionship, that makes Sugar Lime Blue uniquely comforting. The Beths seem to be a solid couple behind an Americana jam outfit exuding an Evanescence-like vibe, just styled in a hippie, bluesy way instead of a gothic approach.

Sugar Lime Blue’s The Blackbird Sessions (and previous releases) can be found across the icons on Bandcamp, YouTube Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeart and Deezer, as well as through sugarlimeblue.com. Their popular and consistent #SundayShoutOut—Sugar Lime Blue’s weekly, intimate, mostly acoustic, “fireside chat” home performances—air every Sunday from their Facebook homepage and YouTube channel.

Sugar Lime Blue already has numerous shows on the schedule for 2023, including hosting the weekly Americana Brunch at the Bull & Thistle in Gainesboro each Sunday at noon, a Jan. 20 appearance at Common John Brewing in Manchester and a Jan. 27 show at Jimmy’s in Lebanon.

— BRYCE HARMON

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Glass Onion from here on) establishes the Southern sleuth Benoit Blanc as the Hercule Poirot of the modern era. After cracking the case in the excellent Knives Out, a loving homage and expertly crafted addition to the mansion murder mystery genre, Blanc becomes embroiled in a puzzler set at a private party in paradise, hosted by the complicated genius and tech billionaire Miles Bron. Blanc (Craig) begins the film bereft between cases, figuratively lost while literally losing a game of Among Us to Angela Lansbury and Natasha Lyonne, among others, while smoking a cigar in the tub. Meanwhile, Bron (Edward Norton) has sent delightfully complicated puzzle boxes to his five best friends whom he calls “the disruptors.” They are: Birdie Jay (Hudson), a fashionista who’s not afraid to “tell it like I see it”; Claire (Kathryn Hahn), a campaigning politician courting “the grassroots left”; Duke Cody (Dave Bautista), a men’s rights Twitch streamer who hawks “rhino-horn boner pills to teenagers”; Lionel (Leslie Odom Jr.), the chief scientist at Bron’s company Alpha; Andi (Monáe) the co-founder of Alpha who Bron defrauded out of the business; and Blanc himself, who somehow also received a box. Inside the boxes are individual invitations to Miles Bron’s private Greek Island,

While the tone of Knives Out matches the stately décor of the manor in which it takes place, not devoid of humor by any means, but subtle and restrained, Glass Onion likewise takes on the more flamboyant tone of its setting and characters—everything is bigger, funnier, and more playful. The ridiculous cast of characters is drawn broadly enough as to have any number of real-life analogues, regardless of what B.S. on Twitter might claim, but there’s no denying we’ve all seen certain celebrities, politicians and personalities like this in our feed.

Rian Johnson has concocted yet another Rubik’s cube of a film (see also Brick, see also The Brothers Bloom) like he has been doing for most of his filmmaking career, and he seems to be having more and more fun doing it. As well, the cast members all appear to be having a blast. Craig seems more suited to the role of Benoit Blanc than to any other role (even counting him being arguably the best James Bond).

Hudson as Birdie Jay cannot be discounted either; as an insensitive and ignorant former celebutante, Hudson’s spot-on delivery of lines like “It was supposed to be a tribute to Beyoncé” about her Halloween costume debacle, garner some of the film’s biggest laughs. Norton as the billionaire Bron dances on a knife’s edge between being genial and insufferable. And Janelle Monáe gives a wonderful performance that rewards repeat viewings.

Multiple viewings are now not only possible but recommended—after a painfully short stint in theaters, Netflix released Glass Onion to its streaming service on Dec. 23.

— JAY SPIGHT

Daniel

A CLASSIC OUTSTANDING AVERAGE BELOW AVERAGE AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Living

Helping Hands

to reach out to 800-some people. We will have another medical mission next October. We are asking people here if they want to go, volunteer, or donate. The medical mission lasts a few days, and I usually go to the Philippines for two or three weeks.”

Helping Hands’ vision is to provide “a helping hand for an improved quality of life in our community, one individual at a time.”

“We are looking for people who would like to be a part of the organization,” Vazquez said. “This can be anyone. We are not just looking for people from the Philippines . . . as long as they have a giving heart. We need more volunteers, and we need people who want to be leaders. We need one or two more people for our board of directors: we need a marketing director, an infrastructure development director and a disaster relief director.”

BY LAURA LINDSAY

HELPING HANDS WORLD WIDE Services, Inc., founded in Murfreesboro, has helped more than 10,000 people in the Philippines since its inception. Now the nonprofit is looking for more ways to expand to assist people here in Rutherford County and beyond.

The idea for Helping Hands came about as its founder, Fidel Pinote, was going back and forth between the Philippines and the U.S., aiding people whenever he traveled.

“He grew up in a dilapidated school with no chairs or tables, and no money for school,” said Helping Hands CEO MILA VAZQUEZ. “So he said his goal is that every time he comes back he will help out people, because now he is in America and is going back to the Philippines and can afford it.

“He formed an organization to make it more official. He approached me, and we

worked on getting the 501(c)(3) certification. We started with just $500 in 2014.”

Helping Hands has developed since then with three pillars—health, education and infrastructure—and every pillar has its own projects. Under the health pillar, Helping Hands has launched Project RICE (Regain Insufficient Calories to gain Energy) with a mission to feed kids and assist them medically. Then, they have educational program assistance initiatives and, under infrastructure, the group helps install community water pumps and helps with natural disaster relief needs. Helping Hands wants to assist locally and worldwide, and they are looking for more volunteers, including directors and a few board members, said Vazquez.

“Our activities and meetings usually happen here in Murfreesboro because most of our officers are from here,” Vazquez said. “Most of the officers are professionals, and they have devoted their time and talent through the

years. The dedication makes it work.

“Most of our work is overseas right now because we can relate to the Philippines, we are mostly Filipino. We have 16 chapters and directors in the Philippines. The directors send us a proposal of what they need, then we send them the funds. Usually for simple things that mean a lot.”

She said, they recently gave food bags for 200 people; $3 can feed 15 people. Able to send a lot of help to the Philippines because of the favorable currency conversion rate, they have reached at least 10,000 people already.

“Another time, we provided electric fans to a Philippine school,” Vazquez said. “They don’t have [air conditioning]. When we asked the school what they needed, they asked for an electric fan, so we provided it. In another case we provided a well; a water pump—one water pump will be providing water to a whole community.”

This project cost around $500.

“It is encouraging that we are able to help this much,” she said. “Our most recent medical mission was in 2019. We were able

Helping Hands is a small organization, where everyone is a volunteer and overhead is only about 5 percent, so about 95 percent of proceeds go to the people they serve.

Helping Hands has a yearly fundraising masquerade ball in Murfreesboro. In 2022 it was held at the Fountains at Gateway in October and at least 400 people attended.

Locally, Helping Hands has also been participating with groups helping with local needs like Habitat for Humanity, building homes, and The Journey Home, feeding the homeless. The organization also helps a Filipino American group in Columbia, Tennessee, that operates a free medical clinic in the United States.

“It’s a work in progress to see what we can do in the United States, especially in the Rutherford County area,” Vazquez said. “Our founder wants to do a free medical clinic here in Murfreesboro like they are doing in Columbia. . . . It takes a lot of finances to do something like that, because . . . here you are looking at $15,000 or maybe $25,000 to be able to do that free medical clinic.”

To learn more about Helping Hands, visit helpinghandstn.org, email Mila Vazquez at ceo@helpinghandstn.org or call 615442-6370.

Murfreesboro-based organization aims to assist with health, education, infrastructure in the Philippines

Welcome to the Smokies

Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can embark on an easy hiking trail right at the Sugarlands Visitors Center and take in a few features within a short time.

Entering the national park boundary from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, just inside the park, the visitors center and the national parks team stationed there can provide a wealth of information about maximizing a party’s time in the park. Those interested in discovering more about the Great Smoky Mountains can learn about the area’s plants and animals, get maps, publications, directions and trail information, find out more about weather and camping details, use the restroom facilities or water fountains, or check out the bookstore and gift shop here.

Behind the building, a short paved trail leads to a small bridge. After crossing over the small stream, heading to the right leads hikers to Cataract Falls. A brief journey of approximately a half mile, now on a natural surface (sometimes gravel-covered), will get outdoorspeople to this neat feature tucked away in the Tennessee hillside.

A trail to the left of the 25-foot-tall waterfall makes it simple enough to ascend to the top of the falls, using caution.

The stream flowing over Cataract Falls

(come to find out, cataracta was the Latin word for “waterfall”) was rolling strong following a period of heavy December rain.

Take the trail back to the starting point, and another loop going the other direction leads to the John Ownby Cabin, a 18-by-20-foot structure constructed in 1860, one of the residences from centuries past still preserved in the park.

While this Sugarlands trail is certainly not the most isolated spot in the expansive wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains, it makes for a peaceful, scenic destination, and the trails there present a fairly easy walk for almost all ages, located only two miles from the bustling downtown Gatlinburg strip.

A visiting group saw numerous deer, turkeys and squirrel, although the only bear sighted was the stuffed one in the visitors center.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers lovely mountain streams, picturesque peaks and an abundance of wildlife at every turn; for an introductory taste of the Smokies, pay a visit to Cataract Falls and the Ownby Cabin, located behind the Sugarlands Visitors Center.

STORY BY BRACKEN MAYO

PHOTOS BY SARAH MAYO

Winter Is a Wonderful Time to Feed the Birds

Water, shelter also critical when below freezing

for birds. Days are often windy and cold; nights are long and even colder.

Wild birds use a variety of techniques to stay warm during the frigid winter months. While they are equipped to withstand most winter weather, survival can be made easier for them by providing food, a heated, open source of water and protection from freezing temperatures with natural plant cover or a roosting box. These are only some steps to take to attract feathered guests into your backyard this winter.

Primarily, food is the most crucial element for a bird’s winter survival.

“Feeding the birds is even more critical as we experience extremely cold conditions, during which a supply of food can mean the difference between life and death for a bird,” explained Joann Royer of Murfreesboro Wild Birds Unlimited. “Ideally, birds should have food available late afternoon in order to survive the cold nights, and early morning to replenish their energy supply.”

To stay warm, birds will expend energy very quickly, some losing up to 10 percent of their body weight on extremely cold nights. A high-fat high-calorie diet is crucial for helping birds survive the rigors

of winter. The best seeds for providing high-energy levels are black oil sunflower, sunflower chips and safflower. Suet and peanuts are also high-energy foods that are invaluable when birds need many more calories to keep warm.

In addition to supplying birds with food, birds also need a place to bathe when temperatures drop. Providing birds with an open water source will allow them to clean their feathers, which helps birds stay warm. Also, a bird bath with fresh unfrozen water is often the only way for some birds to drink, when it is cold. By either adding an immersion-style water heater to the water source or purchasing a bird bath with a built-in heater, a bird bath in the winter has the potential to attract as many birds as bird food!

Finally, a natural plant cover or roosting box is also advised to help protect birds from harsh winters. By providing birds with these shelter options, you are also helping them secure safety from predators.

For more advice on caring for your backyard birds in frigid weather, contact the local bird experts at Wild Birds Unlimited at The Avenue Murfreesboro or visit wbu. com/murfreesboro.

How do you earn the nickname “Juggernaut?” You do it by being an undeniably powerful force in the ring.

Local 45-year-old Eric “Juggernaut” Draper’s diligent training is why he’ll end his next fight with a knockout, according to his coach Bill Taylor, owner of Champion’s Corner Boxing and Kickboxing Gym and Bill Taylor’s Bushido School of Karate.

Draper will box Lionel Jimenez as the comain event at the Battle in the Boro presented by Matt Young and Tri-Star Boxing on Friday, Jan. 13, at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro. This middleweight fighter is looking to make this eight-round title fight his 20th win and 14th knockout, and is working hard to stop Jimenez from adding an 11th loss to his record.

“He’s a good fighter,” Draper said. “He’s gonna come out and make his attempt to try to win . . . and it’s my responsibility to stop him. [I] do not take anything for granted. That’s why we’re here working hard and doing the stuff that we need to do so we can be fully prepared for what we’re getting ourselves into.”

Draper has been preparing for nearly 15 years. He started boxing while stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado. He made it onto the Army basketball team, and their barracks were across from the Army’s boxing gym, according to Draper. His inquiry into what they were doing in the gym sparked a new interest and resulting career.

According to Taylor, Draper’s military background makes him a standout star thanks to his disciplined and organized approach.

“He has a regimen that he sticks with. Eric’s work ethic is just amazing,” Taylor said.

Taylor is grateful for Draper’s self-motivation—a trait not everyone possesses. In his long history as a trainer, Taylor has even had to go as far as picking up some fighters from their house to get them to the gym.

Taylor knows a good fighter when he sees one—he’s been in the ring himself in various disciplines. Among his many accomplishments are his nearly 50 years of martial arts training and the black belt he earned in 1978, according to his boxing gym’s website. He began boxing at 16 years old with Sheriff Fate Thomas’ boxing team out of Nashville. He was coached by Olympic bronze medalist and professional boxer Clint Jackson, according to Taylor.

He competed in kickboxing and in fullcontact karate, but stepped away to concentrate on running Bushido School of Karate, the first martial arts school in Murfreesboro.

However, after training many students in

while and get in shape or learn how to fight.”

Taylor personally trains about 20 boxers and kickboxers, Draper included. He’s been training Eric for about a year, and Battle in the Boro is their first fight with Taylor as the head trainer.

ERIC

“JUGGERNAUT” DRAPER

BY CHELSEA LOCASCIO

Murfreesboro in Wado Ryu karate, Taylor opened Champion’s Corner Boxing and Kickboxing in October 2021. What was supposed to be just a side project was met with an overwhelming response from the community.

“It just exploded,” Taylor said. “There have been times when we’ve had a waiting list. It’s gotten to the point now where we’re gonna expand. We’re gonna double our square foot-

age . . . what was going to be a side hustle turned into a pretty good-sized business. There’s a lot of interest in boxing in the area.”

This firsthand experience, among other things, is what sets Taylor’s school apart from the rest.

“We’re a fighting gym,” Taylor said. “We’re not [a gym] where the coaches have never been in the ring . . . you can come do it for a

“This is like an unveiling of the work that Eric and I have put in together to get him ready for this fight,” Taylor said. “We’re just coming to put on a show. This will be a good one. We’re really looking forward to it.”

Finding an opponent for Draper can be somewhat of a challenge, Taylor said.

“The risk/reward for a young fighter is just not there,” he said. “If they win [the boxing community will say] they beat an old man; if they lose, ‘you got beat by an old man.’”

They had two previous fights scheduled, but both had been canceled. Taylor said it broke his heart to see Draper train so hard for events now off the calendar, but he’s been impressed with his resilience.

“We had a fight canceled on a Thursday,” Taylor said. “It was supposed to be on Saturday, and he was back in the gym that Monday. He looks at it like a job and that’s why I think he’s gonna be so successful, because of his discipline and his work ethic.”

That respect is mutual. Draper believes Taylor is the reason he’s boxing at a professional level.

“He’s basically the driving force,” Draper said. “You got to have somebody else in your corner that’s going to believe and support you all the way to get you to where you got to go.”

Draper said he has other people rooting him on, whether they believe in him is another story. But he has plenty of belief in himself.

“You just want people to support you,” Draper said. “You got to believe in yourself. That’s your responsibility.”

His goal is to be in an exhibition fight with Floyd Mayweather, but not for the money. He wants to set an example of hard work paying off. “It’s solely on the fact that somebody can say, ‘Well, I’ve seen somebody do it. I’ve seen him from, you know, boots on the ground all the way up,’” Draper said. “Once you see it, then you can actually start to believe that you can do it as well.”

Look out, Mayweather. The “Juggernaut” is coming for you. But first, catch him fighting Jimenez at the Battle in the Boro on Jan. 13.

Find tickets for Tristar Boxing Friday Night Fights on Eventbrite. Find more on Champion’s Corner Boxing, 1820 NW Broad St., at championscornerboxing.com.

LOCAL AXE THROWERS CROWNED WORLD CHAMPS

Hayden Brown and Lucas Johnson three-peat in duals championship

LUCAS JOHNSON AND HAYDEN BROWN ARE NO STRANGERS to championship-level axe-throwing. The duo, associated with related venue Murfreesboro Axe, won the Duals World Championship in 2020 and 2021.

Brown and Johnson earned the opportunity to go for the three-peat at the 2022 World Axe Throwing Championship, held in December in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Not only did they win a third consecutive title; Johnson, also an owner of

Murfreesboro Axe, took home the title in the Big Axe discipline; he also finished in second place in individual hatchet.

Murfreesboro Axe was represented by a total of six competitors who qualified for the championships in multiple disciplines, with Brown and Johnson’s finals appearances airing on ESPN.

According to a statement from the World Axe Throwing League, the champions have “truly earned their spots in this sport’s history. These individuals,

and so many more, have put thousands of hours, and millions of throws, into achieving what they did. Their dedication to excellence is something to be admired and recognized.”

Try your hand at axe throwing, and maybe get a chance to throw with or compete against Johnson and Brown, at Murfreesboro Axe, 211 W. Main St. Find more on World Axe Throwing League tournaments, rules and more at worldaxethrowingleague.com.

HAYDEN BROWN

LUCAS JOHNSON

Art  MOVIE

New movie from Ricky Burchell premieres in Murfreesboro

Jan. 20

A NEW FILM, ANYBODY, WILL DEBUT in Murfreesboro on Friday, Jan. 20. Premiere 6 Movie Theatre will hold a special red-carpet movie premiere for the film, directed by Brittany Goodwin and Ricky Burchell.

The release comes on the heels of Burchell’s 2022 release of One More Dream.

In anybody, after firefighter Luke Parker (Cody Keech) dies while saving a family from a house fire, his young widow Erin (Brittany Goodwin) falls into a downward spiral of alcoholism and depression. But

when David (Keshawn Pettigrew), the teen Luke lost his life saving, has a chance encounter with Erin and sees how the loss is affecting her, he hatches a plan to resurrect Luke for three days using a spell from his little sister’s favorite comic book.

The Jan. 20 premiere of anybody begins at 7 p.m. at Premiere 6 Theatre, 810 NW Broad St., Murfreesboro.

Find tickets at murfreesboromovies.com.

For more on the film, and others from Ricky Burchell, visit rickyburchellstudios.com

Art

FOR THOSE in the Middle Tennessee area who enjoy attending, or being a part of, stage plays and musicals, Springhouse Church, a non-denominational church on Old Nashville Highway in Smyrna, operates a full professional theater company within its 450-seat auditorium.

“We invest in it. It’s important,” said Will Sevier, who currently serves as the arts pastor at Springhouse. Sevier has participated in over 100 theatrical productions over his career, primarily as an actor, but he is now making a foray into directing as well.

Sevier recently created an adaptation of the well-loved novel A Christmas Carol, a show Springhouse presented in December 2022 under Sevier’s direction.

Throughout his stage career, the Tennessee native has participated in productions at Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre in Nashville, the Roxy in Clarksville, the Renaissance Center in Dickson, the Blackbird in Franklin and with other organizations. He played Arthur Conan Doyle in Twilight of the Gods, but when asked about his favorite role, he replied immediately: “Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. I did that with two different theaters,” Sevier said.

Sevier got affiliated with Springhouse in 2015, guest directing a show there, and a couple of years later he joined the church’s

BY BRACKEN MAYO

staff. He said the Springhouse Theatre Company—while it is an extension of and shares facilities with a Christian church—operates with the mission to present quality theatrical productions to the community, whether or not audience members choose to be affiliated with the church or Christianity.

“We are a house of grace,” Sevier emphasizes. “We focus on shows that demonstrate grace and beauty, but we don’t necessarily proselytize [with the theater].”

Clearly, though, he approaches his artistic endeavors with a sense of serving, worshiping and honoring God.

“The Creator was creative,” Sevier said. “Worship is quite similar to the creative arts.” Perhaps the Creator finds joy in humans striving to make something beautiful, whether that is an onstage production, a painting, a piece of music, or an art piece made of glass or wood.

The team members involved with Springhouse Theatre Company have used their creative talents to build an audience in the Smyrna area that finds joy in attending their productions. Springhouse currently has a roster of over 100 season ticket holders.

“That says a lot. Most people want to

come back,” Sevier continued. He and Springhouse work to continue raising their standard, and the operation now includes professional personnel, lighting and costume equipment, and even a massive prop room onsite.

Jim Trasport, a local businessman and supporter of community life, said that after getting familiar with Springhouse via a drama camp his granddaughters attended there, and after appearing in acting roles in A Christmas Carol himself, he was highly impressed by the quality of this community theater housed in a Smyrna church.

“You really appreciate how much goes into it,” Trasport said. “It takes exactness to pull it off on that scale.”

Some may be skeptical prior to attending a show. But, upon glimpsing the level of detail Trasport says went into the Christmas Carol set—“once they see it, see the London scenery, the smoke”—audience members will appreciate what is going on at Springhouse Theatre Company, he predicted.

Looking ahead, Sevier said he wants the facility to offer some opportunities to new directors and to draw in some folks who previously may not have been too enthusiastic or involved with the world of live theater.

“I know it’s not for everyone, but some may be missing out. Even if it doesn’t click the first time someone comes to see a play, it plants an artistic seed,” Sevier said. “Being part of an audience, a group of strangers, that commonality it offers is something that can’t be replicated onscreen.”

Springhouse will present You Can’t Take It With You in February and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in April. For tickets and more information on Springhouse Theatre Company, visit springhousetheatre.com or call 615-8528499. Springhouse Theatre Company is located at 14119 Old Nashville Hwy., Smyrna.

OKLAHOMA PHOTO (BELOW) COURTESY OF DAVID WARREN WILL SEVIER PHOTO (RIGHT) BY BRACKEN MAYO

WILL SEVIER

OKLAHOMA

Henry Cho to Perform at Walnut House in January Two Shows Benefit Murfreesboro Kiwanis Foundation

COMEDIAN AND ACTOR HENRY CHO is headlining a stand-up comedy show called Comedy for a Cause at The Walnut House on Jan. 27 to benefit the Murfreesboro Kiwanis Foundation.

Cho boasts an impressive history in the entertainment industry: He’s appeared on NBC’s The Tonight Show, CBS’s The Late Late Show and a variety of network sitcoms and films such as 1997’s McHale’s Navy. You can currently catch his one-hour Comedy Central special What’s That Clickin’ Noise on Netflix.

He’s not new to Tennessee: Cho is a Knoxville native and a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry.

Cho’s versatile, clean comedy makes it a show perfect for anyone looking for a fun night. There are two chances to catch his set on Friday, Jan. 27: 6:30 p.m. and a late show at 9 p.m.

Tickets range from $75 to $300 for an individual or a VIP table for four. Both include a pre-show cocktail hour.

All of the ticket proceeds go to the Murfreesboro Kiwanis Foundation, which helps children in Rutherford County through charitable giving, service projects and more.

— CHELSEA LOCASCIO

Hey Middle Tennessee!

The

Enchanted Planet Colored With Enchanted New Mural from Frizzell and Armes

IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE—or at least it is outside of Enchanted Planet. “Enchanted” is the perfect way to describe the new mural from local artists Ryan Frizzell and Meagan Armes on the Broad Street business.

On the wall facing the CVS Pharmacy, spot a typical tropical scene featuring lush foliage as well as a monkey and an assortment of birds. But there are some unlikely things living amongst them—most notably a phoenix (a throwback to the original Enchanted Planet location) and the silhouette of Disney’s most famous fairy, Tinker Bell—not to mention the massive swirl of color and red mushrooms.

Enchanted Planet sells eclectic gifts, incense, tapestries and more at 525 SE Broad St. Frizzell and Armes are known for several other local outdoor and indoor art pieces, such as the murals on 216 W. Vine St. (Dave’s Cave) and 314 W. Lokey Ave. (The Bug Man) and at other area businesses. See more of their work on Instagram at @offthewallmuralstn or at facebook.com/offthewallmuralstn.

— CHELSEA LOCASCIO

La Tavola

BY BRACKEN MAYO PHOTOS BY SARAH MAYO

For the finest Italian dining in downtown Smyrna, stop in La Tavola Ristorante Italiano on Front Street in the historic Depot District. The eatery has an impressive selection of pasta dishes, a fairly extensive wine list, pizza, calzones, stromboli, sandwiches, cannoli and more.

The La Tavola pizzas sit on a fresh and fluffy crust.

“The crust of their pizza alone is worth its weight in gold,” according to a La Tavola fan, Tamara Kern.

And the spinach manicotti, calzones and chicken parm get good reviews, as do the delicious, fragrant garlic breadsticks served with all meals.

The pasta lineup includes meat or cheese ravioli, spaghetti bolognese, chicken piccata, eggplant or chicken parmigiana, lasagna, tortellini, marsala and shrimp alfredo.

J.C. Brooks said he was impressed with the “four big, delicious meatballs and hot spaghetti” after ordering spaghetti and meatballs at a Friday evening dinner.

just the right amount of snap.

The alfredo sauce is good and creamy and the Caesar dressing has a very tasty tang.

Special pizza creations include the white pizza with olive oil, beef, bell peppers, onions, fresh tomatoes, garlic, oregano and parmesan cheese; a chicken garlic pizza with olive oil, grilled chicken, roasted garlic, broccoli and mushrooms; the House Favorite pie, containing pepperoni, sausage and mushrooms; and a bacon cheeseburger pizza.

Chasity Boshers calls La Tavola her family’s “favorite pizza place.”

The restaurant also has double-crust pizza available.

HOURS

Mon.–Thurs.: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat.: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun.: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

PRICES

Chicken parmigiana: $14 (dinner), $9 (lunch); Medium calzone: $10.99; Large Caesar salad: $7; La Tavola Specialty pasta: $16; 14-inch twotopping pizza (lunch): $13.90

Spinach manicotti: $14 tiramisu or cannoli: $5.99 ONLINE latavolatn.com

The La Tavola Specialty pasta combines grilled shrimp, chicken and beef with penne pasta in a Cajun alfredo sauce with diced peppers, while the restaurant’s chicken florentino contains fettuccine, sauteed chicken, sun-dried tomato, homemade alfredo sauce, spinach, artichoke and parmesan.

“Definitely get the chicken parmigiana,” Roxana Bohórquez said. “The food is always awesome!”

Some say they find the pasta undercooked; others call it perfectly al dente, with

Diners may create their own calzone or stromboli or select from a few menu options like the Greek— with cheese, spinach, feta, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and banana peppers—or the Classic, containing pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and cheese.

La Tavola tops its tables with paper, so those awaiting a meal can make a little art as soft Italian music plays in the small eatery.

It has a patio area with a few tables for outdoor dining during nice weather, and La Tavola is open for lunch and dinner every day of the week except for Sunday, when it closes at 4 p.m. Many independent restaurants close for a day or two during the week and may have more limited hours, but (other than Sunday nights) La Tavola is ready for lunch or dinner anytime.

The establishment has been through three ownership changes over the past

STORY

Large Caesar Salad

Alfredo with Shrimp

decade, but it remains a Smyrna Depot District institution.

“The highlight was the calamari,” Mandy Johnson said. “It was crisp and the breading was delicious. The sauce paired well with it.”

La Tavola offers reduced prices on many items during lunch hours and offers a Wednesday evening date night special that includes two drinks, two pastas and one dessert for $42.

Many locals love the place, but it has gotten some mixed reviews lately, ranging from Kristy Fraley’s take that “I don’t think we’ve ever had a bad dish here” and Kay Barnhill’s post—which gushed “Delicious authentic Italian food . . . very high quality for the price . . . will not go to another Italian restaurant again”— to other

less favorable comments on the taste and texture of the food, the cleanliness and smell of the place, the speed of the service (reportedly, at times only one server takes care of the whole dining room) and the furnishings.

“The booths were tattered and riddled with holes, the springs in our booth were broken and I sunk down like 4 inches when I sat,” one customer said. “The food was mediocre at best.”

“I wasn’t crazy about the Marsala sauce,” Raina Romano said, but did add that the portions were generous and the “bread was really great and everything was fresh.”

Tammy Clark Taylor reports, meanwhile, that the “eggplant parmesan was amazing!”

And those garlic breadsticks . . .

Chicken Parmigiana

Three Mothers, Wildwood Reserve, Vida-Flo, Eggs Up, Commerce Park 840, Waffle House, Veterinary Emergency Group

BY DELORES ELLIOTT

THREE MOTHERS CUISINE AND BAKERY recently opened at 1002 Memorial Blvd. The new restaurant is locally owned and offers fresh, delicious and homemade meals, pastries and baked goods daily. Business hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. unless otherwise posted on the business’ Facebook. Meal options include soups, salads, sandwiches and avocado toast. Bakery items vary but include cakes, pies, flan, bagels, donuts and other pastries. For more information, find Threemothers1 on Facebook.

THE WILDWOOD RESERVE BARBERSHOP has opened at 1330 NW Broad St. Hours are from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

“At Wildwood Reserve, we believe in providing the true essence of the barbershop. With high quality service, professionalism, mastery and enthusiasm, we set the standard for men’s grooming to a world-class stage and atmosphere,” according to the business website. “Our goal is to provide top-notch customer satisfaction, excellence in everything that we do and the quality of work is second to none. Our shop is proud to serve your barber needs with respect and dignity.”

The new barbershop is owned by local barber Walter Holt, one of the three barbers at the location, along with Joe and Steve. Services range from $10 to $65 for the “Presidential Service,” which includes shampoo, detail cut, style, straight razor shave, beard trim and steam facial. For more information or to book appointments, visit wwbarbershop.com.

STONEMONT FINANCIAL GROUP recently announced plans to construct a two-building industrial park, called Commerce Park 840, on Sulphur Springs Road near I-840. According to the developer’s recent announcement, the project will feature a big-box building just over one million square feet in size. Stonemont expects to provide hundreds of new jobs with the addition of the building.

AROUND TOWN ’BORO BUSINESS

BUZZ

press products and other marketing items. Options include heat transfer vinyl, readyto-press transfers and more. The business is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

CHAMPY’S CHICKEN recently announced that it expects its new location in Smyrna to open later in 2023. The new Champy’s will be located at 835 Isabella Ln., beside the Home Depot and in front of Life Storage, and will include an outdoor dining and entertainment space.

“Champy’s is the result of 40 years of family secrets and Mississippi Delta magic. We fry every tender, breast, thigh, wing and leg right when it’s ordered so every bite is hot, fresh, and filled with unbelievable flavor,” according to the company.

“Our robust growth in sales and new locations, as well as our industry recognition as a top breakfast brand, continues to attract high-quality, multi-unit candidates like the Fausnaughts to join Eggs Up Grill,” said Ricky Richardson, CEO of Eggs Up Grill. “Their operational expertise, business acumen, community commitment and alignment with our brand’s core values will serve them well as they grow Eggs Up Grill in Middle Tennessee.”

The Fausnaught family owns two Crumbl Cookies franchises in Hendersonville and Murfreesboro. Ron is also a doctor in the chiropractic sector and has owned a private practice in Bedford County for the last 22 years, while Amy previously worked in the pastry business and was a AAA travel agent for 10 years.

“We fell in love with Eggs Up Grill because of the bright and friendly atmosphere and the simple food that is priced well for families and offers something for everyone,” Amy said. “We really like the focus on making people smile, and we just love breakfast and have always wanted to own a breakfast concept and Eggs Up Grill checked all of the boxes.”

For more information, visit eggsupgrill.com or eggsupgrillfranchise.com

The industrial park will be about six miles from I-24 and will offer warehousing amenities for tenants seeking larger spaces, and will provide 280 auto parking stalls and 276 trailer stalls. The second 273,000-squarefoot facility will include 200 auto parking stalls and 76 trailer stalls.

According to Stonemont’s Senior VP Dusten Estes, the project is expected to help spur Murfreesboro’s next wave of economic growth. In a recent press release, Estes suggested that Commerce Park 840 will break ground in 2023 and be complete in 2024.

A recent update on Murfreesboro’s first BUC-EE’S location reported that construction should begin Aug. 1, 2023, and is expected to be complete by August 2024 with a projected opening date of Sept. 2, 2024.

THE VINYL ROOM MIDDLE TENNESSEE recently opened at 1660 Middle Tennessee Blvd., between the Mid-TN Expo Center and the old Fred’s building.

The new business offers custom T-shirts in cotton and polyester in adult, youth, toddler and infant sizes, sublimation and heat

VIDA-FLO MURFREESBORO health and wellness clinic recently celebrated its grand opening at 2909 Old Fort Pkwy. This is the clinic’s third location in the Middle Tennessee area in addition to its Franklin and Nashville locations. The business is dedicated to hydration therapy by providing IV-hydration fluids, vitamins, antioxidants and medications. Vida-Flo is owned and managed by The Vida Group, the largest Vida-Flo franchiser in the country.

Vida-Flo Murfreesboro equips people with nutrients needed to stay healthy throughout the year. In celebration of this new Tennessee location, Vida-Flo Murfreesboro will offer founding membership pricing starting at $69 per month.

“Coming off the heels of a global pandemic, it is more important now than ever before to prioritize our health and wellbeing,” co-owner Michael Haley said. “We’ve had the privilege of serving Greater Nashville through our Midtown and Franklin clinics for over six years, and I am so excited to expand Vida-Flo’s footprint to continue helping people achieve the goal of a physically well and healthy lifestyle.”

Vida-Flo may help with a variety of medical issues including migraines, pregnancy, stomach bugs and the flu, eczema, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease, and improves overall vitality by immediately boosting energy, improving physical appearance, increasing metabolism and directly relieving illness.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit govidaflo.com

LJSweets, LLC of Tennessee owners Ron and Amy Fausnaught plan to develop 10 EGGS UP GRILL locations in the Nashville area, with the first two expected to open within the next year. These 10 locations will be an addition to the 150 Eggs Up Grill locations currently open and in development across the Southeast.

Another WAFFLE HOUSE is coming to Murfreesboro, this one set for New Salem Highway near Cason Lane. This makes the eighth Waffl e House in Murfreesboro.

Murfreesboro’s hometown drug store and milkshake shop REEVES-SAIN PHARMACY recently announced that it plans to celebrate its grand reopening in late January. The shop, located at 1801 Memorial Blvd., will remain the same as many remember, aside from some renovations including a new roof, fl oor and ceiling, as well as an interior and exterior paint job.

VETERINARY EMERGENCY

GROUP will open a location at the former Buffalo Wild Wings spot on Old Fort Parkway in Murfreesboro.

Plans for the amphitheater and entertainment and dining complex on Medical Center Parkway, set to include SUNSET MUSIC COLOSSEUM on the Stones River, Boot Barn Hall and Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern, continue to progress, after Notes Live closed on property purchased from the City of Murfreesboro on Dec. 21.

According to terms of the sale, the city received a promissory note in the amount of $3,267,000, payable in 20 equal annual

installments of $163,350. The fi rst installment will be payable on the fi rst day of July immediately following the issuance of a Certifi cate of Occupancy for either Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern or Boot Barn Hall, with successive payments due on each July 1 thereafter.

The MURFREE SPRING WETLANDS BOARDWALK , the trail system that travels above the wetlands near the Discovery Center on Broad Street, is currently closed for repairs.

In December of 2021, LEGACY SPORTS CEO Chad Miller announced plans to build a 6,000-seat arena, outdoor amphitheater, basketball courts, a gymnastics center, 57 indoor volleyball courts, an ice rink, baseball fi elds, an arcade, football fi elds and more. The proposed facility on Broad Street in Murfreesboro near I-840 would be similar to the Legacy Sports USA venue in Mesa, Arizona, which opened earlier in 2022.

However, the Arizona location has reportedly lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, is behind on bond payments and debts to contractors, and may not begin work on the planned Murfreesboro location any time soon.

More information to come.

BY BLAINE LITTLE

Dare to Not Be Threatened

IT’S NO SECRET THAT A SMALL GROUP of individuals can have a huge impact on social thought and behavior through the power of media. In today’s society certain topics or viewpoints are constantly pushed to the forefront, while others are silenced or ridiculed, a phenomenon often referred to as being “woke.”

But it’s really just old-fashioned political correctness. It involves a self-proclaimed moral superiority that justifies the suppression of alternate opinions and the social, if not actually legal, punishment of those who dare to challenge the dominant narrative. Some of these online activists even refer to themselves as social justice warriors, whatever that is. It is a dangerous trend that is rapidly eroding our freedom of speech and creating a culture of fear and conformity.

One recent example of this is the way that the government and mainstream media attempted to hide the Hunter Biden laptop story.

For those who may not be familiar with the story, it involves a laptop that was allegedly owned by Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden. The laptop contained a wealth of information about Hunter’s business dealings, including emails and documents that potentially implicate him or his family in various forms of wrongdoing.

Despite the potentially explosive nature of this story, the government and mainstream media worked together to suppress it, as the Twitter files have shown. They labeled the laptop story as a baseless conspiracy theory and refused to allow it to be mentioned on the platform. This is a clear example of how a relatively small group of individuals can use their power and influence to control the narrative and shape public opinion.

George Orwell is turning in his grave.

Another topic that is increasingly being silenced is the propagation of gender dysphoria.

Gender dysphoria is a condition in which an individual experiences discomfort or distress due to a discrepancy between their gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. While it is important to recognize and support individuals who are struggling with gender dysphoria, it is equally important to have open and honest discussions about the issue.

Men are now able to compete in women’s sports, which is not only an affront to athletic sportsmanship, but this phenomenon entirely ruins the challenge itself—not to mention how it affects the

COURTESY OF PAVEL DANILYUK/PEXELS

women who are deprived of scholarships, sponsorships and prize money. Even once-trusted references such as the Cambridge Dictionary have succumbed to this misconception.

Unfortunately, pragmatic discussions are often shut down or ridiculed, with those who dare to challenge the dominant narrative being labeled as transphobic or hateful. This kind of censorship is actually quite damaging to the LGBTQ+ community, as it stifles the kind of open and honest dialogue that is necessary for progress and understanding.

The idea of being “woke” has its roots in social justice activism, but it has now been co-opted by those who seek to control and manipulate public discourse. These individuals use their platforms to spread fear and intimidation, vilifying anyone who disagrees with their ideology as hateful or bigoted.

This creates a climate of fear, where people are afraid to speak out or express their true beliefs for fear of being ostracized, punished or even fired.

This kind of censorship is reminiscent of the Gestapo, the secret police of Nazi Germany. Established in the 1930s with the rise of Hitler, the Gestapo was notorious for its use of intimidation and propaganda to suppress dissent and maintain control over the population. It is chilling to see similar tactics being used today to stifle free speech and suppress critical thinking.

At what point did we as a society surrender the ideal of expressing different perspectives?

But many Americans tend to give way to the threat of social judgment. It is time for us to reclaim our right to free speech and open dialogue, and resist the urge to conform to the dominant narrative of the day.

As freedom-loving Americans, we must stand up to this intimidation and dare to not be threatened. Only by speaking out for our beliefs can we hope to create a truly inclusive and diverse society. So, let’s dare to not be threatened. Let’s stand up for our right to express our opinions freely before it’s too late.

Blaine Little is the founder and CEO of Momentum Seminars Training and Coaching, a veteran owned business, helping companies remain profitable by investing in their people. He publicly trains and privately coaches the power skills of leadership, team building and better communication. Learn more about the power of Momentum at momentumseminars.com.

PHOTO

Resolve to Guide Your Children’s Education

Do the Most Important Work

THE HOLIDAYS HAVE PASSED AND A NEW YEAR HAS DAWNED.

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, because with those come a sense of failure if they are not checked off the list. Instead, I prefer to look at the new year with a sense of reflection. If you are reflecting on last year and have come to the realization that it is time to make major changes in the educational path of your family, let me start by saying this: Parents, you are equipped to homeschool. You are equipped to lead and direct your child’s education.

“I could never home-school my children.” I have heard that many times throughout the years. Sadly, when this statement is made by parents, it is often within earshot of their children. Imagine being a child and hearing your parents say they can’t wait for school to start back or they can’t imagine being home all day with you. Parents, if you have children that you can’t bear being around all day, that is a parenting problem. If you can’t muster up the gusto to teach and train your own children, why do you expect others to do just that?

I am sure there are parents reading this and

thinking, “That’s a teacher’s job.” I challenge you to consider, then, what is a parent’s job?

Home schooling is nothing more than an extension of parenting. We live in a society that oftentimes views children as social media fodder, but the hard work of raising, training and teaching children is passed off to the local neighborhood school down the block. Parents spend, on average, mere minutes a day with their children. Someone else is raising your children. Let that sink in. Home schooling is the restitution of the family unit.

Many families don’t know how to be a fam-

ily because they rarely spend quality time together. One of the things I hear the most when parents begin their home-school journey is that attitudes in their children improve and change drastically. Government schooling usurps the role of the family. Remember, no education is neutral.

A key phrase that has circulated around many conservative circles for quite some time is, “I don’t coparent with the government.” Here’s a news flash: if you send your children to government schools of any kind that accept government monies (yes, that includes private schools or charters that accept government monies) then yes, you most certainly are co-parenting with the government.

Don’t let fear hold you back.

I am also calling again for churches to stand in the gap. The church’s primary mission should be to create disciples, and education is discipleship. What steps has your local church taken, if any, to aid families in the biblical mandate of teaching and discipling of their own children?

BY TIFFANY BOYD

If the answer is none, I encourage you to have a conversation with them.

When you drop your children off at the doors of those government-funded schools you are giving them legal permission to act on your behalf in your absence (in loco parentis). You are co-parenting with the government. You are abdicating your responsibility to the government. If you want complete autonomy over your child’s education you must lead and direct your child’s education. Parents will spend thousands of dollars on extracurricular activities and lessons for their children, but when it comes to education, they think it should be subsidized by the government. What the government funds, it runs, and when you hand your children over to strangers for the majority of their formative years, you are in a co-parenting relationship, in which the other parent (the government), has far more influence due to the sheer number of hours the children are in their care.

Stop expecting the government, the system you claim to abhor, to provide educational opportunities for your children and then being upset when they do just that. It is past time for parents to take charge of their children’s education. Parents, when it comes to your children, you are the experts.

I understand that may be a scary concept for many people. It may require you to change your standard of living. For many, it is navigating uncharted waters and may seem overwhelming.

The good news is, there are a plethora of resources that can help you make that leap, but you must take the first step.

“To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). Our children are a gift. We should treat them as such. They are the most important work. It is time for parents to think outside of the box. It will require hard work, overcoming fears, and sacrifice, but I promise it will be worth it to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Choose the right battle.

Stop fighting a system that isn’t broken. Focus your energy on raising the children that God has blessed you with.

In 2023 I encourage you to not “cast your pearls before swine.” Do the most important work.

If you would like to take the leap into home schooling but don’t know where to start, you can contact me for suggestions at freeyourchildren@gmail.com

If you are in church leadership and have questions regarding biblical education resources, please reach out. I am also available for speaking engagements, and Free YOUR Children radio, which focuses on all things education, can be heard every Thursday night at 8 p.m. (Central) on WXRQ 1460 AM Christian radio and streamed on Raddio and other online platforms.

Blessings for the new year!

Tiffany Boyd is the founder of Free YOUR Children, a homeschool advocate, consultant, speaker and the founder and administrator of Middle Tennessee Christian Homeschool Connection. She holds a B.S. degree in interdisciplinary studies from MTSU. She is a wife of 30 years and mother to five children, grandmother to two. She is a former tenured public school teacher. She and her husband have home educated for 18 years. Contact her at freeyourchildren@gmail.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YULIANTO POITIER/PEXELS

Give Your Children Your Time Give Them Responsibility

Two important gifts that develop confidence

BY ELISABETH GAY

“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.” — C.S. Lewis

This Christmas, our 20-year-old gifted our family the gift of time. A whole day, spent one-on-one with each of us, enjoying quality time, un-hurried conversations, and things we love doing.

Best Christmas Present Ever. Time is arguably our most valuable resource. We invest time in people and activities we value. Our priorities are demonstrated by our schedule. Parents devote a significant portion of time to providing for and raising kids. Older parents make “Time Stand Still” posts advising younger parents to soak up every minute with their littles. Many parents today seem very committed to this goal. Truly, time spent with our children is crucial for healthy development into confident adults.

Even so, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in anxiety and poor self-esteem among teenagers. Kids today have more privileges and more stuff, yet they are sadder and less confident in their own intrinsic value.

Why?

Social media inundation, constant digital gaming and COVID isolation fallout are partly to blame. But there are also ways parents inadvertently contribute to the poor self-esteem trend.

And they aren’t always what you’d think. The first culprit is the unwitting misap -

propriation of time. People, we’re too busy. Technology’s purpose is to make life easier, making more time for things that matter. Yet families are busier now than ever before, and spending less time engaging in the human interactions that make life worth living.

FOMO—fear of missing out—has taken up residence in our American hearts causing us to over-commit and over-schedule. We believe we’re doing this for our children’s benefit. We don’t want them to miss any opportunity, so we do everything. Play every sport. Take every lesson. Learn every hobby.

But perpetual busyness results in hectic schedules full of structured events and frazzled, exhausted families. The time we do spend together is often distracted, rarely affording meaningful conversations. It’s hard to enjoy each other when everyone’s irritable or on their phones.

Kids whose parents are too busy to spend quality time with them feel less valued, insignificant. Parents innately sense this and try to compensate with material fixes, buying the latest and greatest toy, device or clothes. But it doesn’t fill the human connection gap in their souls. So, they seek out connection elsewhere and the alternatives aren’t positive.

Take time to be present with your kids. Silence the screens and spend time talking over a meal, taking a walk, cooking together or playing a game. Listen to whatever they have to say. The important stuff often surfaces amidst the chatter.

You must be there, listening for it.

The second self-esteem wolf hides in sheep’s clothing, or maybe shepherd’s clothing. Well-intentioned parents send messages of discouragement to their kids daily, without realizing it, by doing too much for them. We do this because we care. But caring sometimes morphs into doing too much, for too long. Children desire independence and are capable of doing most life tasks for themselves. But doing things for them that they could do for themselves sends the message that we don’t trust them to accomplish the task at hand. Maria Montessori observed that adults who do for children what children are capable of doing for themselves can become an impediment to their growth.

“The child realizes that through his own efforts he can be independent and achieve things he has set his mind to. And gradually we educators are confronted with a simple but important fact: that to help the child is not what he needs, and indeed that to give help is an impediment for the child.” — Maria Montessori, Citizen of the World

Teaching children age-appropriate life tasks and household chores is a fantastic self-esteem and confidence booster in your parental tool belt. When toddlers and preschoolers dress

themselves, they feel a great sense of accomplishment. When elementary children prepare food, feed pets or sweep floors, they care for themselves and their home, filling a valuable family role. Children long for important work. As children learn life skills, they gain independence. Our goal is to work ourselves out of a job.

When our middle-school daughter announced she didn’t have a certain thing to wear because she forgot to do her laundry, I knew we were there. Kids who do their own chores learn contentment and personal accountability. A middle schooler doesn’t complain about the lunch he packed himself. A 16-year-old doesn’t gripe about a shirt she shrank in the dryer.

But this takes time we think we don’t have. It’s easier to do for our children than to teach them to do for themselves. Spending time teaching kids to do laundry, check oil, make appointments or cook a meal fosters self-worth born from the knowledge they are valued and trusted to handle important things.

Kids notice when we invest our most valuable resource, time, to teach them how to do life. Give them that vote of confidence—that you believe they can do it and do it well.

How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December before it’s June. My goodness, how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon? — Dr. Seuss

PHOTO COURTESY OF AUGUST DE RICHELIEU/PEXELS

Vols Put Together Incredible 2022 Season

THE TRAIN DADDY IS BACK with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard! Daggum, 2020 and all the craziness that followed seems like yesterday, yet here we are saying goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023, a new year!

Don’t get me wrong, craziness still exists, but for those of us reading this article fortunate enough to reside in one of the greatest states in America, count your blessings! You want one example?

I appreciate living in a state that is one of the few to truly restrict transgender athletes from competing willy-nilly (no pun intended) in women’s sports. I am proud that Tennessee has some of the toughest legislation on transgender athletes in America. The integrity of female athletics has been and will remain dead until the rest of the country wakes up and admits what is obvious. Those born with twinkies have an unfair advantage over those who weren’t. It’s why we have gender separation to begin with. It’s hilarious to me how the biological facts I’ve already written would be considered hate speech on many social media platforms. What an opening! Maybe I should have opened with a statement about how I was going to start eating healthier or working out this year? Ha-ha!

Alright, let’s talk FOOTBALL! Yee-yee, Tennessee! The Tennessee Volunteers ended the season on a high note while the Tennessee Titans have been struggling to find any groove, going 0–5 in the month of December.

The Volunteers finish with 11 games won on the season, something the team hasn’t

done in over 20 years. Let’s be honest, it’s an amazing accomplishment for Coach Heupel, who is only in Year 2 of what appears to be a very successful makeover of this proud football program. The Vols had a chip on their shoulder entering the 2022 season after they finished 2021 on a high note (aside from that crazy bowl game vs. Purdue).

But in the preseason AP polls, they were just left out of the Top 25. The Vols entered this season unranked and ended the season 11–2, winning the Orange Bowl and beating teams like Alabama, LSU and Clemson—the teams who have accounted for six out of the past seven national championships.

Respect to the South Carolina Gamecocks, you ended the season on fire, but my advice would be this, if your fan base is going to troll the Orange Bowl with messages being flown behind airplanes for the world to see,

you have to win your own bowl game! The ’cocks should have paid more attention to Notre Dame instead of Tennessee.

There is a reason the national media, social media and other fan bases are obsessed with the fandom that is Vol Nation. I mean, it’s obvious the fan base is wild, throwing a goal post into the Tennessee River and showing out in full force on game day regardless of the situation. But the real obsession with Tennessee is the fact that this team has been in the dumps for the last few decades and yet the passion, the loyalty and the fandom never wavered. Haters assumed Tennessee fans would be quiet, hiding during those consistently tough years.

And yet they always were loud. Many haters confuse that passion with delusion! But even the haters know that the Tennessee Volunteers have some of the wildest, most passionate fans in college football, and it irks the hell out of Tennessee’s rivals.

Coach Josh Heupel, entering year three as the leader of Vol Nation, has the respect of his locker room and the hearts of the fan base. Something is brewing down in Knoxville and the world has taken notice for good reason.

So, let’s get into a more complicated Tennessee football team. My Tennessee Titans have been a mess down the stretch! I mean, that can happen when you lead the NFL in injuries in back-to-back seasons. The team used over 90 players last season, an NFL record. And that wasn’t because they had an abundance of talent waiting to suit up. Here we are in the 2022 NFL season leading the league in that category yet again with over 80 players used. Right now, the team has 22 players on IR and those players account for nearly half the team’s salary cap (49.6%) at $103.9 million. That is a mighty big difference in comparison to the team they play the first weekend of January

to decide the fate of the AFC South. The Jacksonville Jaguars have placed only seven players (the league low) on IR all season, compared to the Titans’ NFL-leading 33.

I have no clue who is to blame for this unfortunate truth. Strength and conditioning? The medical staff? Hell, I don’t know. Fire them ALL! That is unacceptable, and it’s a trend that needs to end.

It’s been a weird season indeed. The AFC South seemed untouchable in November. Yet here we are with the Titans losing games and the Jags winning them.

This article was published before the Week 18 game so I desperately hope the Titans can figure out a way to go into Jacksonville for a huge winner-take-all showdown and the Titans can claim a third straight division title and host another playoff game.

I don’t even care about how the Titans would or wouldn’t compete in the playoffs. I want the Jaguars’ momentum and hope of its first division title since 2017 to die at the hands of Coach Vrabel and whatever players are ready to go into battle. Trevor Lawrence has been on fire, and it will take a heavy pass rush and great performances from players like Big Jeff, Denico and KB to stop that Jags momentum. I just hope whoever is at QB for the Titans, King Henry, Burks and Chiggy can score enough points to keep up because this awful offensive line is going to have to step up and play tough and smart if they want to stay in it.

I will end this article with a few quick hits: Congrats to the Middle Tennessee State Football team on its bowl game victory. The Blue Raiders overcame a 14-point deficit in a game that featured six lead changes to defeat San Diego State in the Hawaii Bowl.

The Nashville Predators continue to drive this fan crazy. Good one night, bad the next, and currently hovering around .500. I love my Smashville hockey but over these next three months this team better find its identity, or the NHL Central Division will leave them in the dust.

Tennessee Basketball, keep up the good work. The team has some big wins already and even an impressive loss in a hostile environment last month, in a big-time Arizona matchup. That game was horrendous regarding the officiating. Just look at the free throw stat line. The crowd seemed to get into the refs’ heads, or they were paid off. Who knows? All I know is that this Tennessee Basketball team is legit, and come March it would be nice to see them dance.

Alright, enough! The Z-Train is rolling into the station. Thank you to all my readers, much love. Happy New Year!

UT defeated Clemson in the 2022 Orange Bowl

JEFFERY SIMMONS

PHOTO BY ANDREW FERGUSON / UT

MTSU WINS 2022 HAWAII BOWL

LATE FIELD GOAL KICKS BLUE RAIDERS PAST SAN DIEGO STATE

MIDDLE TENNESSEE FOOTBALL FOUGHT and clawed back into the game at the EasyPost Hawaii Bowl, securing the win behind the foot of Zeke Rankin, as the sophomore kicker’s late 37-yard field goal helped push MTSU to a 25–23 win over San Diego State on Christmas Eve.

It was not the prettiest win for MTSU; the team finished the game with a total of -66 yards rushing, the result of the yardage lost on seven SDSU sacks and struggles otherwise running the ball. However, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, four field goals and 236 passing yards from MTSU quarterback Chase Cunningham was enough to earn the victory. Both teams entered the game with 7–5 records during the regular season, the MTSU Blue Raiders out of Conference USA and the San Diego State Aztecs out of the Mountain West Conference.

Trailing 14–0 after the first quarter, MTSU caught a spark on defense, taking advantage of two SDSU turnovers to regain momentum. Decorian Patterson secured his seventh interception of the season and Christian Dixon ripped the ball right out of San Diego QB Jalen Mayden’s hands to set up MTSU’s first touchdown of the game, an 8-yard strike from Cunningham to defensive end Jordan Ferguson for Ferguson’s first career offensive touchdown. Rankin added two field goals to take MTSU into the locker room down just one point, 14–13.

The teams traded field goals in the third quarter to push the score to 17–16 and then the Blue Raider defense came up big again with Ferguson securing an interception off a tipped pass by Parker Hughes, setting up a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jaylin Lane two plays later to take a 22–17 lead.

Two fourth-quarter Jack Browning field goals, the second coming from 52 yards out, would give the Aztecs the 23–22 lead with 5:43 to play.

But Rankin’s clutch boot from 37 yards out with 2:09 to play retook the lead for MTSU. A defensive stand later, and MTSU was the 2022 Hawaii Bowl champion.

“The whole message the last two weeks since we found out we’re going to this bowl was ‘Stay on the field,’” MTSU coach Rick Stockstill said while standing on the field in Oahu following the game. “Stay on the field. That was our objective, stay on the field to do this,” referring to the trophy presentation, the Bowl Game MVP award going to an MTSU player— Jordan Ferguson—the celebration, and the national spotlight on ESPN following the win.

“I told them at halftime toughness got us back in the game, and toughness would finish it,” Stockstill said. “To me, that was the bottom line. It was just a very tough, hard-fought, competitive football game.”

The Hawaii Bowl win brings Coach Stockstill’s bowl record to 4–6 for his 17-year career coaching at MTSU.

“We just stayed positive,” Stockstill said. “The defense never came down there and started complaining to the offense, always encouraging them. We’re a team, we’ve got a great culture here. And to send the seniors out this way . . . just happy for them.”

Muff the Mountain Lion

I GREW UP ON A FARM WHERE

I lived until the age of 15 or so. In fact, this farm at the corner of Bradyville Road and South Rutherford Boulevard here in Murfreesboro at one time was close to 800 acres and was part of my great-grandfather Thomas Rogers’ farm that goes back in the family to around 1913. Naturally, on a farm, we had a lot of animals such as cows, chickens, barn cats and dogs. I grew up with the conventional pets of a dog or two, a cat or a couple of rabbits. Fish made the best pets because I never got too emotionally attached to them and, when they died, you could easily flush them down the toilet.

We also had Polly the parrot, because I had a Great-uncle Curtis who worked the oil fields in Venezuela and he shipped the exotic Amazon parrot home, which was possibly illegal. (I’m guessing Polly the parrot is another story for another day.)

Many of you reading this also probably had a dog, cat, rabbit or tropical fish as a pet. But this story about a pet belonging to a friend of the family—we will call him Bobby Lee Wilkins to protect his identity—begins now. Bobby Lee was a good friend of my older brother, Mitch. The two hung out as kids and teenagers in the 1950s and ’60s. What’s fascinating to me is that Bobby Lee later owned a pet mountain lion named Muff.

I remember as a kid going up Bradyville Pike to see what I thought at the time to be a surreal pet mountain lion. One time I watched Bobby Lee feed Muff two

whole dead chickens. Now, I don’t know everything about you and your childhood memories, but I’ll bet you don’t know too many people who had a pet mountain lion, especially one named Muff.

I was in awe of Muff and it was cool to me to be able to go down the road to my own personal zoo even though it was just one animal in a huge, fenced-in area. I remember just off in the distance seeing cows in the pasture just outside the confines of where Muff lived. I remember wondering what the cows thought of Muff. I’m pretty sure Muff thought the cows could be lunch if he could only get outside of the cage.

through a friend of his, he traveled to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to an exotic animal sale. He first had to get a license to buy a mountain lion. By going through the proper channels, he bought this 5-to 8-week-old female cougar, or mountain lion, in 1982 and named her Muff. I asked him one time why he named her Muff and he asked, “Why not?”

What’s wild, and what turns a bad story to a heartening one, is that the bug man’s kids found out about Muff and they went to visit her along with their dad. They all fell in love with her and eventually all was well.

Bobby Lee was able to stay at LeBeau Château; however, Muff had to go and he moved to a large outdoor pen off Bradyville Pike at his grandparents’ home (this is where I met Muff).

Bobby Lee would frequent the Campus Pub over by MTSU, a local beer joint with pool tables. Muff had a collar and a leash so the cougar would go into the pub with her human and Muff would lay in the corner in the pool room until some patron would start to mess with her and Muff and Bobby Lee would have to leave before more trouble broke out.

Muff, whose front paws had been declawed but who still had her back claws and her teeth, went everywhere with Bobby Lee, like a pet dog. She was like a domesticated pet and even slept with Bobby Lee. Even in the enclosed area she had the freedom to move around. Her diet consisted of two raw chickens daily, including the bones. Bobby Lee kept Muff until 1989. Bobby Lee got tired of maintaining Muff and he found an individual in Lexington, Tennessee to take her, then weighing 150 pounds. Muff lived the rest of her life on a farm there and Bobby Lee received an $800 check yearly for the sale of one of her cubs.

Minute

The by BILL WILSON

Bobby Lee didn’t grow up on a farm and he wanted something different for a pet. So,

Bobby Lee told me the story of living at LeBeau Château apartments here in Murfreesboro (where I too have lived at one time) in the 1980s. Muff used a large litter box while Bobby Lee was away at work. He told me this one particular story of being at work and getting a call from the apartment manager that there had been an accident. Bobby Lee had forgotten that the bug man would be stopping by the apartment complex to spray for insects. When the bug man had bent over to spray in his apartment, Muff took this as a threat and she trounced on him. This was not good at all. The bug man didn’t take too kindly to Muff attacking him and he was threatening to sue Bobby Lee.

I’ve always been fascinated with this, ever since the first time I got to see Muff. I just found it hard to believe someone had a pet cougar. By the way, mountain lions, cougars and pumas all refer to the same species . . . other than, I believe, a cougar has something to do with a connotation of an older woman interested in younger men.

So, now you know the story of Muff the Mountain Lion. The moral to the story is: Stick to dogs, cats, tropical fish and parrots, and stay away from keeping mountain lions unless you have the time, money and patience to raise one.

(The name Bobby Lee is a fictitious one; however, he is a very real person; Muff the Mountain Lion is the real name. No animals were hurt during the telling of this story.)

Tune into WGNS at 100.5 FM or 1450 AM each Sunday at 9 p.m. for The Mr. Murfreesboro Show or find the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Call Mr. Murfreesboro, a.k.a. Bill Wilson, for all of your local real estate needs at 615-406-5872. You can also follow Mr. Murfreesboro on Facebook and Instagram.

The Murfreesboro adventures of a massive pet cat

BY SEAN MORAN

HAVE YOU DECIDED THAT 2023 IS the year you are going to get your finances in order? Good news: I have a number of things you can do to make this the best financial year you have ever had. If you didn’t make a resolution to get your financial house aligned, that’s okay; resolutions can be added after the clock strikes midnight. I encourage you to start wherever you are. The best time to start planning to reach your financial goals was 10 years ago, but the next best time is today.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?

When asked about long-term financial goals, most people will say something like: “financial freedom,” “to buy a house” or “to retire at age 55.” While those are great wishes, they aren’t truly goals. You need to get specific about what you want and then build the plan that gets you there. If you need $30,000 for a down payment on a house and you need it in one year, that means you need to be saving $2,500/month. Similarly, if you plan to retire and travel around the world you will want to save more than the person who will downsize their house to a cabin by the lake.

PAY YOURSELF FIRST

One of the most important things you can do is to consider your savings and investing as a monthly bill that you have to pay. Set a budget and think of your savings as a requirement, not what to do in the event you have a few extra bucks. Every one of us can find a few dollars extra in our budget if we are willing to make sacrifices. It may mean giving up that $5 coffee one day a week or maybe packing lunch instead of going to restaurants. Perhaps you are eying that new phone, but instead get a used one or hold

onto the one you have for another year. Take that money you would have spent and put it toward your long-term goals. If you can’t possibly save money then it may be time to look for a side hustle.

If you can save $4 per day in one year you’ll have $1,460, which over 10 years’ time would total $14,608. If you earned 5% on that money and continued saving for 20 years, that $29,220 you put away would be worth $50,043.

LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS

It’s all too often that people who are making $50,000 per year are driving cars that cost even more than that. The problem is you are likely paying $1,000 per month just to drive when you could be putting that money toward something that has lasting value and doesn’t depreciate before you can pay it off. I’ve always maintained that if you can’t pay off a car in three years, you can’t afford it. If you say that the payments are too high unless you get a loan for a longer period of time, then please read the last sentence again.

Every one of us would like to live in a really nice house, and that’s a great goal, but buying a house you can’t afford is a recipe for a miserable life. Would you rather own a more expensive house that causes you stress or one that allows you to save and build for the future?

Never put something on a credit card if you don’t know how you can pay it off within six months or less. If you carry a balance on your credit card, don’t buy anything on your card that is consumed before you pay it off (think groceries, gas or experiences.)

PAY DOWN DEBT

If you have cheap debt like a low-interest

mortgage then you may not look to pay that down, especially if you can leverage it to your advantage.

If you have a high car payment or a balance on a credit card, look for ways to refinance them to lower rates if you can’t pay them right away. This may be the place to “pay yourself first.” Pay down your high-interest debt with a plan. For example, if you can pay $2,000 per month, do it. Then once it’s paid off, continue to pay that same amount, paying it into savings and investments for your future. Want to know a secret that I used years ago? I racked up $8,000 in credit card debt when I was newly out of college, so I got a 0% introductory credit card and rolled over the balance. I understood that I had 18 months to pay that balance off and I told myself I couldn’t buy anything else on credit until I paid it off. I did the math and decided that $500/ month would get it paid off in 16 months and I carried out that plan. It ended up saving me about $1,500 in extra interest I would have otherwise paid on that 23% card.

WORK WITH AN ADVISOR

If you are a do-it-yourself investor then perhaps you don’t need an advisor, or maybe you just need one to validate what you are doing and give you a few pointers. If you don’t feel

comfortable managing money or you aren’t sure where to start, then a professional will definitely be a value to you.

According to a Vanguard study, a financial advisor can generally add about 3% more value to your portfolio over time as compared to not having an advisor. This comes from evaluating your portfolio, using lower-cost investments, access to investments you may not be aware of, rebalancing and helping you stick to a plan and tax efficient strategies. Advisor fees vary, but if you can pay an advisor 1% for the likelihood of earning 3% more isn’t that a good value?

When choosing an advisor, you want to make sure you have someone who is a fiduciary that is acting in your best interest. You want someone who is licensed and who is going to offer you what is best for you and not looking to sell you on something that makes them a commission or hits a company quota. When you speak with them, ask how they get paid. While there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with their company product, if that’s the only thing they can offer, you might want to shop around.

Sean Moran is a financial advisor with Red Barn Financial. Contact him at smoran@ redbarnfinancial.com or 615-619-6919

PHOTO COURTESY OF RODNAE PRODUCTIONS/PEXELS