June 2023 Murfreesboro Pulse

theboroartcrawl.com Free and Open to the Public!

Thursday, June 8, 2023

5 to 8 p.m. at (& Near) the Historic Murfreesboro Square

1 M&J Home 124 N. Spring St.

2 Next Home Music City Realty 125 N. Church St.

3 Liquid Smoke 2 N. Public Square

4 Church Street Gallery 124 N. Church St.

5 Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant 114 N. Church St.

6 Palace Barber 110 N. Church St.

7 Joanie’s 13 S. Public Square

8 L&L Contractors 25 S. Public Square

9 Veda’s Flowers and Gifts 27 S. Public Square

0 Sugaree’s 122 S. Maple St.

q Funtiques KDGI Architects

Liz Leigh Bridal Studio Happy’s Sport Lounge

Michael Busey’s State Farm Offi ce Haunted Murfreesboro 105 N. Maple St., Suite 2 National Dance Clubs 710 Memorial Blvd., #122

LAST MONTh, Vinnie and the Hitmen laid down some enjoyable brass band versions of “Rocket Man,” “Since U Been Gone” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” at the 2023 version of JazzFest, the annual Murfreesboro music festival’s first at its new location the Fountains at Gateway.

Many local school band players, music fans and supporters of Murfreesboro community life were excited that the event could continue at its new site.

Unfortunately for Murfreesboro, though, organizers of Uncle Dave Macon Days announced in May that the annual musical tradition would be moving down the road to Shelbyville this year, joining forces with the American Mule and Music Association. While many have fond memories of string band sounds coming from Cannonsburgh Village—and prior to that on the Murfreesboro Public Square—as part of the festival over the years, it is not a long drive to make for Rutherford County fans of old-time and bluegrass music come September.

But for now, summer is here!

In May, flowers and tomato plants were planted, the Mayos did a little Gatlinburg getaway and put some miles on the hiking trails, chess and kickball were played, Adult and Teen Challenge held a fun pie day fundraiser, and there was plenty of bubble tea.

7

tennessee AIr show Annual Smyrna air show with Blue Angels and other aerial artists takes to the sky June 10–11.

10

chrIs knIght

Americana artist brings 25-year songwriting history to Walnut House, June 9.

20

ABrAMs fAlls

View an abundance of wildlife by taking a Smoky Mountain hike at Cades Cove.

22 PoP!

Bubble tea shops popping up all over Murfreesboro.

32

olyMPIc dreAMs

Recent MTSU grad and high jumper Abigail Kwarteng leaps towards higher goals.

Publisher/editor in chief: Bracken Mayo

6 Events

cAlendAr Movies Under the Stars, Black Barn Summer Market & Craft Sale, Splash Out and more

10 Sounds concert

cAlendAr

Rockin Country, The Broken Hearts, Mindy Campbell, Anthony Smith and more

MusIc notes

Wartrace Music Fest Roots on the Rivers Music Fest

The Quebe Sisters swing into town, June 15

Summer Solstice Shindig in Smithville

Uncle Dave Macon Days to move to Shelbyville for 2023 festival

Simply Smyrna, June 3

International Folk Fest

18 Reviews

AlBuM

The Weird Sisters

MoVIe White Men Can’t Jump

20 Living

nAture news

Polar vortex

22 Food restAurAnt

Mamajuana 615

27 Art exhIBIt

Paul and Neelie Miller

eVent

Boro Art Crawl, June 8

28 News

BusIness Adult and Teen Challenge Pie Day

contributors: Tiffany Boyd, Britney Brown, Melissa Coker, Jennifer Durand, Delores Elliott, Paul Engel, Bryce Harmon, Laura Lindsay, Zach Maxfield, Sean Moran, Ashleigh Newnes, Andrea Stockard, Bill Wilson

Art director: Sarah Mayo

copy editor: Steve Morley

Advertising: Nneka Sparks

714 w. Main s t., s uite 208, Murfreesboro, tn 37129 615-796-6248

to cArry the Pulse At your BusIness or to submit letters, stories and photography: bracken@boropulse.com

BBB Big Blue Bash

Good times. Still, I am working on remaining content in whatever state that I may be.

What a lovely month the people of Murfreesboro have in store. June brings the Great Tennessee Air Show, free outdoor concerts in Murfreesboro, Smyrna and Wartrace; the next installment of the Boro Art Crawl, the Black Barn Market, car shows, a Pup Parade, folk dancers from around the world and much more.

Get some plants for your garden and yard at Valley Growers while we are still on the front end of summer.

Mr.

The

I wish a very happy Father’s Day and send thanks to my dad, Earl R. Mayo. Thanks and encouragement go to all of the fathers out there doing their best to guide their boys and girls into strong, respectful, intelligent, skilled and fulfilled young men and women and working hard to support their families.

We at the Pulse offer and intend to continue offering both printed and (various) electronic versions of the information found in our community outlet. How you choose to read is up to you. Pick up a copy of the monthly printed version, for free, at your favorite local business. Or, read on the screen of your choice by visiting boropulse.com, issuu.com/boropulse, facebook.com/boropulse or by signing up for our email version at boropulse.com/newsletter, however you prefer to read.

It’s fine if you would rather read your news and books on your electronic device, but don’t let the technocrats convince you that’s the “green” way to go. Of course, newspapers and books require a lot of trees cut down to produce, but they turn back into dirt quite quickly upon disposal.

Do you understand how long it takes for all of those electronic devices and their environmentally toxic metals to break down in landfills?

The Pulse definitely supports the responsible harvesting of trees so the great forests of North America, and the world, continue to flourish for generations, and using natural, soy-based ink, but the disposal of papers seems a much more natural and environmentally friendly process than the disposal of all of these old phones, computer monitors and TV screens piling up underground. At any rate, thanks for reading local information sources in whatever form you choose.

May you all have a peace that passes all understanding.

Peace, BrAcken MAyo

Publisher/Editor in Chief

EVENTS C al EN da R ★ J UNE 2023 ★ bY aN d RE a STOCK a R d

June 2–4 secret gArden PArty And tour

The Secret Garden Party benefiting the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring returns for its 31st year on Friday, June 2, from 7–10 p.m. at the home of Susan and the Honorable Royce Taylor. The night features a “Farm to Table” theme with a seasonal menu crafted by Five Senses Restaurant alongside an open bar, live music, demonstrations by local artisans and a live auction. All proceeds benefit the Discovery Center. Tickets are $100 per person; you must be 21 or over to attend. In addition, the night includes an auction of trips, experiences, and gift packages donated by local businesses. A VIP cocktail hour for sponsors begins at 6 p.m. This party kicks off the return of the Secret Garden Tour on Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday, June 4, from 1–4 p.m. This is a self-guided walking tour that allows participants to explore and view private and public gardens in and around Murfreesboro. The tour is for all ages and tickets are $10 per person. For more information or sponsorship, call 615-8902300 or visit explorethedc.org

June 2

frIdAy nIght lIVe concert serIes

The 2023 Friday Night Live Concert Series kicks off Friday, June 2, and continues one Friday night each month through September. Main Street Murfreesboro throws a musical party on the Murfreesboro Public Square from 6:30–9:30 p.m. There’s always room in front of the stage to cut a rug. Or, bring a chair and enjoy the music sitting down. Country artist Justin Kirk will perform on Friday, June 2. There is no cost to join. For more information, visit mainstreetmurfreesboro.org.

June 3

PuP PArAde

The Pup Parade and Costume Contest hosted by Rutherford Business Builders takes place Saturday, June 3, from noon–2 p.m. at Hop Springs (6790 John Bragg Hwy.). Proceeds benefit Beesley Animal Foundation and other local charities. The event is free and open to the public. Con-

ThroughouT June

MoVIes under the stArs

Bring the family for a fun night of Movies Under the Stars throughout the summer at various Murfreesboro locations on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Concessions are available for purchase. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Movies begin at dark. Admission to the show is free for all ages. For more information, call 615-893-7439 or email shicks@murfreesborotn.gov. Text MOVIE to 38276 to be notified of movie cancellations.

S C h E du LE :

Week of June 5 – Vivo

Week of June 12 – Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Week of June 19 – Princess and the Frog

Week of June 26 – DC League of SuperPets

LOCAT i ONS :

Mondays – Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.)

Thursdays – Richard Siegel Neighborhood Park (515 Cherry Ln.)

Fridays (rain or shine, Food Truck Friday) – Patterson Park (521 Dr. Martin

Luther King Jr. Blvd.)

Saturdays – Fountains at Gateway (1500 Medical Center Pkwy.)

testants can register at bit.ly/rbbpupparade

Registration is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be prizes for Best Costume, Most Creative Costume and Best of Show. For more information, visit rutherfordbusinessbuilders.com.

June 3

sIMPly sMyrnA celeBrAtIon

The annual Simply Smyrna Celebration presented by Carpe Artista celebrates arts and culture in Rutherford County. This year’s event will be held at the Smyrna Depot District (101 Front St.,

Smyrna) on Saturday, June 3, from 5–9:30 p.m. Kick off summer and enjoy an evening of great music, food, cultural experiences and creativity. There is no cost to attend. For more information, visit carpeartista.com/simply-smyrna.

June 3 and 17

cruIsIn’ the ’Boro Show off your car, listen to music and meet new friends at Cruisin’ the ’Boro on Saturdays, June 3 and 17, from 4–8 p.m. at River Rock Baptist Church (2248 Highway 99), hosted by the Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club. The day features music, door prizes

and games for kids. Parking is a $1 donation to charity. Concessions are provided by the RRBC Youth Groups. Everyone is welcome. For more information, find Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club on Facebook or call 615-405-5271 or 615-556-0547.

June 6 and 20

checkers And leMonAde At cAnnonsBurgh VIllAge

Come sit a spell and play a game of checkers while you enjoy a glass of lemonade under the shade trees in Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) on Tuesdays, June 6 and 20, at 10 a.m. Bring a friend and play a game or two. For more information call 615-801-2606 or email mbnevills@murfreesborotn.gov.

June 8

sIP, shoP & stroll And Boro Art

crAwl

Sip, Shop and Stroll downtown Murfreesboro on Thursday, June 8, from 5–8 p.m. Find unique gifts and clothes while enjoying delicious food and drinks. As an extra bonus, this year’s event is paired with the Boro Art Crawl. Participating shops include Joanie’s, Church Street Gallery, FunTiques Consignment, Sugaree’s, Veda’s, Liquid Smoke and others. For more information, find the Sip, Shop & Stroll & Art Crawl event on Facebook.

June 9

InternAtIonAl folkfest

With dance groups from around the world, the International Folkfest in Murfreesboro promises to be full of excitement and education. Throughout the week, international groups will perform for area schools, youth and senior citizen organizations and for civic clubs. On Friday, June 9, the closing celebration will be hosted at The Grove, with dance troupes from France, Poland, Mexico and our local Cripple Creek Cloggers appearing in full costume. Enjoy live music by the Slim Chance Band, presentations, food trucks, visual artists and artisans, and a full day of family fun all around The Grove at Williamson Family Farm’s beautifully redesigned venue (3250 Wilkinson Pk.). There are two shows: 1:30 p.m. and 6:30

June 10–11

greAt tennessee AIr show

The Great Tennessee Air Show, presented by Nissan, is at the Smyrna Airport (278 Doug Warpoole Rd., Smyrna) on Saturday and Sunday, June 10 and 11. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will take to the sky as the headlining performer. Other featured planes include Raptor F22s, a DC3, Corsair, Navy F35s, Fat Albert and many more. Gates open at 8 a.m. with static displays, vendors and exhibits. The Flight Line Club opens at 9 a.m. and the show ends at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are required for admission to the airport, though locals can see the planes in flight for miles around. For tickets, schedule and more information, visit greattennesseeairshow.com

p.m. Admission is $15. For more information, visit mboro-international-folkfest.org

June 9

suMMer cAreer fAIr 2023

Get ready to splash into a new career at the City of Murfreesboro’s second annual Summer Career Fair on Friday, June 9, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the City Hall Civic Plaza (111 W. Vine St.). More than 20 employers representing many different industries including FedEx, Murfreesboro Police Department, Embassy Suites and Chick-fil-A will be present. Employers interested are still welcome. For more information, visit murfreesborotn. gov and search Summer Career Fair 2023.

June 10

dog dAys of suMMer

Support Tree of Life Animal Sanctuary for a formal night of music, dancing, drinks, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction at Dog Days of Summer Gala on Saturday, June 10, from 7–10 p.m. at City of Murfreesboro Airport (1930 Memorial Blvd.). This will be their biggest event to date, and all proceeds benefit the new foster and education programs. Sponsorship and donation inquiries are welcome. The cost is $60 per person and $100 per couple. For more information, find Tree of Life Animal Sanctuary, Inc. on Facebook or find the Dog Days of Summer event on Eventbrite.

June 10

BlAck BArn suMMer

MArket & crAft sAle

Come out for the summer edition of the Black Barn Market & Craft Sale on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at Events at East 96 (9901 Lascassas Pk.) with over 125 vendors, live music and food trucks. The first sale was on Nov. 12 and had over 80 vendors and hundreds of shoppers. This is an outdoor event with live music and fun for the whole family. Multiple booth sizes are available. Apply to be a vendor at bit.ly/ blackbarnsummersale. For more information, find The Black Barn Summer Market & Craft Sale event on Facebook.

June 10

reMAkIng An ArMy

Following their hard-won victory at the Battle of Stones River, the Union Army of the Cumberland saw a number of major changes in armament and operations over the following six months. By the time they marched southwest to begin the Tullahoma Campaign, the men in blue enjoyed a major advantage over their opponents in the Confederate Army of Tennessee. Those advantages proved crucial during the summer of 1863, which saw the Army of the Cumberland drive its enemies out of Middle Tennessee and seize the vital city of Chattanooga. Visit Stones River

National Battlefield (3501 Old Nashville Hwy.) on Saturday, June 10, for programs featuring artillery, musket, repeating rifle and Signal Service demonstrations that explore some of the key changes making the Union army a more formidable foe. Programs are offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, find the Remaking an Army event on Facebook.

June 13

BusIness After hours

The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce holds its June Business After Hours at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13, at Hop Springs Beer Park (6790 John Bragg Hwy., Murfreesboro). 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.

June 14–16

JunIor gArdener cAMP

For sprouting new gardeners, the Rutherford County Master Gardeners at the UT Extension offers a Junior Camp Wednesday–Friday, June 14–16 from 8 a.m.–

noon. The cost is $50 per camper and is open to rising 3rd–6th graders. Sign ups are required and space is limited. For more information, call 317-340-4991 or visit rutherford.tennessee.edu.

June 15

sPlAsh out At seIgel PArk

The Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department presents Splash Out on Thursday, June 15, from 1–3 p.m. Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue will bring fire trucks and spray water out of their hoses at this free Splash Out event at Seigel Park (515 Cherry Ln.). For more information, call 615-893-7439 or email shicks@murfreesborotn.gov.

June 15

the connectIon At chAMPy’s

Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken will host the June 2023 installment of The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, June 15. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, free, noobligation 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.

CONTiNuEd ON PAgE 8

June 15

MIndful cAre gAMe show fundrAIser

Mindful Care Adult Day Services is excited to announce its inaugural Game Show Fundraiser. The organization provides an adult day program for ages 55 and up in a safe and caring environment for impaired senior adults to enhance the quality of life for them and their caregivers. Sponsorships options are from $500 to $5,000 and offer multiple marketing opportunities for businesses. Mindful Care Adult Day Services wants to help meet the rising challenge of dementia, primarily Alzheimer’s. The fundraiser takes place Thursday, June 15, from 6–9 p.m. at The Walnut House (116 N. Walnut St.). Tickets are $50. For more information, call 615-904-4359, visit mindful-care.org or wildgoosechase.events

June 16

eVeryBody druM soMe

Everybody Drum Some founder Ross Lester continues the 3rd Friday Community Rhythm Event series for those who would like to join their neighbors in some drumming. The next community rhythm session kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 16, at Old Fort Park in Murfreesboro between the playground and outdoor tennis courts. (In the event of rain, drumming will be moved to the fellowship hall of St Patrick’s Anglican Church, but otherwise will take place in Old Fort Park; check the Everybody Drum Some Facebook page for updates.) There is no cost to participate, and people of all ages are invited to come join the drumming or to spectate. Participants may bring drums, shakers, tambourines, woodblocks or percussive instruments of any type, but instruments will also be available for use from the extensive Everybody Drum Some collection. For more information, visit everybodydrumsome.com or call 615-631-7458.

June 16

Johns lyng tennessee

grAnd oPenIng PArty

Join Steamatic for the ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration for the Nashville branch of Johns Lyng USA (162 Jefferson Pk., La Vergne) on Friday, June 16, from 12–7 p.m. All are welcome, including pups and kids. There will be food trucks, drinks, a bounce house, demonstrations of some of the services going on in the warehouse, lawn games, corn hole, door prizes and live music. There is no admission cost. For more information, find the Johns

June 17

rc colA-MoonPIe festIVAl

This wacky, fun-for-the-whole-family festival celebrates the South’s original fast food: an ice-cold RC Cola and a fresh MoonPie at the RC Cola-MoonPie Festival. The festival is held annually on the third Saturday in June. Smiling visitors from all over the world (there’s a “who traveled the furtherest” contest!) can enjoy plenty of music, cloggers, contests, MoonPie games, and a colorful parade on Saturday, June 17, from 7 a.m.–5 p.m. at Bell Buckle Historic District (4 Railroad Sq., Bell Buckle). Kick things off with 10-mile and 5K races on certified courses on scenic but challenging routes. All pre-registered runners are guaranteed a race shirt, and at the completion of the race all runners are invited to enjoy a complimentary breakfast with biscuits and all the fixings, fruit and, of course, RCs and MoonPies. After the race the festivities begin. The parade is a perennial crowd favorite culminating in the crowning of the King and Queen of the Festival. The grand finale is the cutting of the World’s Largest MoonPie, which provides free dessert for all. For more information, email rccolamoonpierace@gmail.com or visit bellbucklechamber.com and find Events.

Lyng Tennessee Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Party event on Eventbrite.

June 17

Juneteenth freedoM dAy

In honor of Juneteenth Independence Day, Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center (415 S. Academy St.) puts on a three-block event, Freedom Day, on Satur-

day, June 17, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Enjoy a Kids’ Zone with free games and activities, food vendors, artists and live music and dancing. There is no cost to attend. For more information, call 615-962-8773.

June 19–23

fIrst unIted MethodIst church VBs

Those called to serve God are invited to First United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School from June 19–23 from 8:45 a.m.–noon for children 4 and up. There is no cost to join and everyone gets a free shirt and free snacks. As kids experience stories from the Bible through music, storytelling, games, crafts and science they’ll learn that heroes are called to follow Jesus, help others, work together, and show grace. For more information or to register a child, visit fumcm.org/vbs.

June 23–25

Bucket cIty Brewery cuP

The first annual Bucket City Brewery Cup is an adult tournament for men and women from Friday–Sunday, June 23–25, at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex (515 Cherry Lane Dr.). It was started to provide an opportunity for female and male adult amateur teams from around the region to participate in a unique tournament experience with two things in common—a love of soccer and beer. Murfreesboro is home to the oldest Cedar Bucket and a growing brewery scene along with many attractions in greater Nashville. Nashville is also home to Nashville SC of Major League Soccer. Enjoy a fun weekend of competition in Middle Tennessee. For more information, visit murfreesboro.kingshammer.com .

June 24

dArren’s heArt In MotIon cAr And BIke show

The Darren Welker Servant Heart Fund presents the Heart in Motion Car and Bike Show at SRM Concrete Headquarters (1000 Hollingshead Cir., Smyrna) on Saturday, June 24, from 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m. All wheels are welcome. Whether you’re a motorcycle fanatic or a classic car enthusiast, join the fun and competitions of the day. The entry fee for the show is $20 (spectators are free). There are plenty of door-prize giveaways, a 50/50 drawing, and first 50 entries receive a commemorative dash plaque. There is also food on site. Registration is from 8–10 a.m. with judging from 11 a.m.–noon and awards at 1 p.m. Awards include Top 40 (judged by experienced personnel), People’s Choice and Darren’s Choice. For more information, find the Darren’s Heart in Motion Car and Bike Show event on Facebook. Donations can be made at darrenwelkerservantheartfund.org

June 24

cAffeIne & chroMe

On Saturday, June 24, and the last SaturCONTiNuEd ON PAgE 9

day of every month, join Gateway Classic Cars for Caffeine & Chrome, from 9 a.m.–noon. This event is free and open to the public. Cruise in with your collectible car or daily driver and enjoy pastries and coffee (while supplies last). All makes and models are welcome, and there is plenty of parking space (700 Swan Dr., Smyrna). This is a family- and pet-friendly event. For more information, find the Caffeine and Chrome event on Facebook.

June 24

Pro M ot I ng PAwns

Rutherford County’s Promoting Pawns Initiative is a program that provides chess enrichment curriculum to at-risk youth. This fundraiser is to raise awareness of the benefits and need for critical thinking and life skills training for at-risk youth. Organizers believe that chess is a valuable tool for teaching children critical thinking and life skills. Come out on Saturday, June 24, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Congressman Scott Desjarlais’ conference room at The Fountains (1500 Medical Center Pwky.). The day features a chess tournament and a keynote speech from a well-known figure in the field of education. If you are unable to attend, donations and a letter or resolution are welcome. For more information, contact rob4rctn@gmail.com or 615-426-7373.

June 26

c hord M eet I ng

The next Chord meeting is on Monday, June 26, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Greenhouse Ministries (307 S. Academy St.). Chord’s mission is to help form connections between live local music performance groups, building harmony and partnerships that will help the community reach its full musical potential. The meeting itself may even include some live music. For more information, email thomchristy@gmail.com or gsc714@gmail.com

June 27

MurfreesBoro tech councIl socIAl

The Murfreesboro Tech Council invites everyone to the park for a relaxed networking event on Tuesday, June 27, from 5:30–7 p.m. at Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy., Pavilion 1). Step away from your desks and connect with tech enthusiasts and professionals while enjoying nature’s beauty. Engage in meaningful conversations, foster collaborations and build valuable relationships in a laid-back environment. The whole family is welcome; RSVP requested. For more information, visit murfreesborotechnology.com/events.

June 26

MurfreesBoro chess lunch

Who wants to play a game of chess? Community members interested in the initiative of teaching others the game of chess, helping raise funds and interest for getting the game in the schools, sharing ideas on how chess can benefit others, involving their organization in promoting the game, or just desiring to gather with other chess enthusiasts to play and discuss chess can come to a Murfreesboro Chess Lunch at Carmen’s Taqueria (206 W. Northfield Blvd.) from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. on Monday, June 26. For more information, call 615-426-7373 or email rmitchell@rutherfordcountytn.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. Please prepare a 60-second pitch about your business, as well as a specific referral request on what can be done to help promote your business. The approximately 20-minute-period at the end of each meeting is reserved for members to set up one-on-ones and socialize. For more information or directions, visit connectnashvillenetworking.com/events.

Tuesdays & Fridays rutherford

county

fArMers’ MArket

Beginning the second Friday in May, the Rutherford County Agricultural Extension Cooperation returns for a producer-only farmers’ market in the indoor/open-air community center at the Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd.). The RCFM is open from 7 a.m.–noon every Tuesday and Friday. Market vendors hail from over 20 Middle Tennessee counties and sell a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, baked and canned goods, flowers, plants and more. For more information, visit rutherford.tennessee.edu/ farmers-market, email hlambert@utk.edu, or call 615-898-7710 or 615-785-0862.

Wednesdays

networkIng for AwesoMe

PeoPle

Are you looking to meet and connect with other local business owners? Grow your network and pick up some skills along the way? Networking for Awesome People meets each week on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. at the Rutherford County Veterans Community Center (439 Rice St.). All you need to bring is a good attitude. Each attendee gets about a minute to explain what they do and what they need, followed by a discussion question of the week encouraging open discussion to help everyone grow. For more information, find a Networking for Awesome People group on Facebook.

Wednesdays

Boro

2 squAre runnIng

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. Run distances are between 3 and 5 miles. Participants are welcome to hang out and socialize at following the run. For more information on the group and route updates, visit facebook.com/boro2square

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. All runners are encouraged to stay after each run for food and drinks.

Fridays

coMMunIty chess

Murfreesboro Community Chess meets at the Murfreesboro Barnes & Noble (within The Avenue, 2615 Medical Center Pkwy.) every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. Organizers invite those of all ages and skill levels to this casual chess meetup each week.

Fridays

funny frIdAy showcAse

The Holistic Connection presents “Funny Fridays,” a weekly comedy showcase and open mic hosted by Willi Will, every Friday. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. with open mic time following at 8 p.m. The Holistic Connection is located at 527 N. Thompson Ln. For more information, 615-603-7356 or visit theholisticconnectiontn.com.

saTurdays

sMyrnA dePot MArket

Carpe Artista presents the Smyrna Depot Farmers Market in partnership with the Town of Smyrna from 8 a.m.–noon each Saturday at the Historic Smyrna Front Street Depot District (98 Front St.). For more information, call 615-984-4038 or visit carpeartista.com/farmers-market

saTurdays

sAturdAy MArket

Main Street Saturday Market takes place on the Murfreesboro Public Square every Saturday from 8 a.m.–noon through the end of October. Spend the day with real farmers, real food and real community. For more information, find Murfreesboro Saturday Market on Facebook.

saTurdays in June

coffee & conVersAtIon

Whether researching your family, your property or perhaps just old fun facts, the Rutherford County Historical Society is an exceptional resource. The RCHS hosts Coffee & Conversation each Saturday morning from 9 a.m.–noon at the Ransom School House Museum (717 N. Academy St.). This is very informal, fun and informative. Bring old photos or questions about the past to ask members. Enjoy free coffee and donuts. For more information, visit rutherfordtnhistory.org.

Free June 3 Wartrace Music Fest Features Joey Fletcher, Jake l eg s to M pers, r evelry and More

dOwNTOwN wARTRACE wiLL hOST the Wartrace 1853 Music and Arts Festival, a day filled with live music and vendors, on Saturday, June 3. The free community outdoor summer festival will showcase music from blues-rock guitarist extraordinaire Joey Fletcher, singer-songwriter Robyn Taylor, Asher Cataldo accompanied by Bryce Reeg, Kyle Miller and Brett Bone; pre-war Delta blues hoo-doo favorite The Jake Leg Stompers and Murfreesboro rockers Revelry. Wartrace is located 9 miles west of I-24, exit 97. For more information on the Wartrace

1853 Music and Arts Festival, call 615-5966012 or find the Wartrace 1853 Music and Arts Festival on Facebook.

robyn taylor

l

ongstanding aM ericana a rtist

Much of Knight’s press tends to gravitate towards the artist’s penchant for being outside the mainstream or only breaking through to the listener via a live show. This is true to some extent, but listeners who’ve been following along for the long haul might still recall 1998-ish. when his videos for songs such as “Framed” or “It Ain’t Easy Being Me” made regular rounds on CMT’s Jammin’ Country. He’s professed to having not recorded some of his songs himself because they seemed too commercial. Whatever the story, Knight’s songs always take the spotlight. We live in a world of lies / That’s the damn truth, says Knight within “The Damn Truth” from his album Almost Daylight

As a regular on the playlists of Murfreesboro’s own listener-powered 89.5 WMOT Roots Radio, the Americana mainstay finds himself making new fans every day as he continues to find himself along the way. Almost Daylight was rated No. 24 in No Depression magazine readers’ poll for 50 Favorite Albums of 2019. The album is primarily comprised of original compositions (the title track actually being a love song of sorts), with Knight writing or co-writing all but two notable exceptions— the Johnny Cash cover “Flesh and Blood,” originally featured on the Dualtone tribute Dressed in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash, and the John Prine cover—a duet with Prine and Knight, in this case—“Mexican Home.” In

addition to Prine, Lee Ann Womack lends guest vocals to the project (the beseeching “Send It On Down”), Chuck Mead plays acoustic guitar on “Flesh and Blood,” and former Georgia Satellite Dan Baird’s appearance as a co-writer (“Go On” and “Everybody’s Lonely Now”) and guitarist wins him the distinction of “Special Helper” in the liner credits. From harmonica to accordion, an assortment of instruments make themselves known on Almost Daylight, many of them coming courtesy of musician Chris Clark.

“We [my wife Carole and I] are big fans!”

Walnut House’s Ricky Martini tells the Pulse in regard to Knight’s music. “Chris is a storyteller. One of the best in the business. It’s a great opportunity to put him into a listening room. The Walnut House Main Hall was once a recording studio [another room in the building now serves as a recording studio] so the acoustics are awesome. There is also a special projection screen. During concerts our bar is downstairs where you can see the show on a TV and hear it over a sound system. So if you have to have a conversation or talk on your phone, you can do that in the bar. When you are in the Main Hall it’s all about the artist and their music without distractions, without interrupting the artist and their music you paid to hear!”

Middle Tennessee native, singer-songwriter and self-described “thinks-too-mucher” Griffin Winton opens the show with his special blend of styles: “they won’t all be sad, but they will all be songs,” he quipped on Instagram.

The June 9 show begins at 8 p.m., doors at 7. Tickets are $35–60 and are available at twomartinimusic.com. The Walnut House is located at 116 N. Walnut St., Murfreesboro. Find out more about Chris Knight at chrisknight.net

jake leg stompers

sounds

Fri, 6/2

cArMen’s tAquerIA

Joe West

grIndstone

cowBoy

Kenna Elpers

hAnk’s honky tonk

Delyn Christian; Jack Finley Band

hAPPy’s sPorts

lounge

Polly’s Pocket

JAck’s PlAce (MIlAno II)

Tony Castellanos

MAydAy Brewery

Sarah Lightman

MurfreesBoro

PuBlIc squAre

Justin Kirk

Puckett’s Karli & James

saT, 6/3

cArMen’s tAquerIA

Joe West

cIty cAfe

Everette Brown Trio

downtown sMyrnA

Simply Smyrna with the Ultimate Tim McGraw

Tribute, Dakota Danielle, Jason Lee McKinney Band, Lance Allen, Derek Pell, Blonde Bullett, Brad Beal, Idle Threat, Elecoustic Soul, BooM, Mark Thomas, Abbi Knell and Growler

downtown

wArtrAce

Wartrace Music Fest with Revelry, The Jake Leg

Stompers, Asher Cataldo & the Hometown Team, Robyn Taylor and the Joey Fletcher Band

hAnk’s honky tonk

Dirt Road Daisies; In-Cahoots

hAPPy’s sPorts

lounge

Gypsy Nights

hoP sPrIngs

YOB; Cave In;

The Swell Fellas

MAydAy Brewery

Jasco Duende

PAnther creek

Brews

The Dirty Poors

Puckett’s

Jesse Kramer Trio

seAsons of MurfreesBoro

Rockin Country

the Boro

Anderson Pavlick Pinell

sun, 6/4

hAnk’s honky tonk

Crosstown

mon, 6/5

hAnk’s honky tonk

Open Mic Night

Vfw sMyrnA Post

Jam Night

Tues, 6/6

hAnk’s honky tonk

Jesse Morgan

Wed, 6/7

hAnk’s honky tonk

Kenna Elpers

Thurs, 6/8

hAnk’s honky tonk

Gavin Lee

seAsons of MurfreesBoro

Brett Bone

Fri, 6/9

cArMen’s tAquerIA

Joe West

hAnk’s honky tonk

Bailey Rose; Lee Gibson

hAPPy’s sPorts

lounge

Stretta

hoP sPrIngs

Kash’d Out; Plainview

Vibes; P-Nuckle

JAck’s PlAce (MIlAno II)

Tony Castellanos

MAydAy Brewery

Roland Justice

Puckett’s Chad Cates Trio

seAsons of MurfreesBoro

Zone Status

the wAlnut house

Chris Knight; Griffin Winton

saT, 6/10

cArMen’s tAquerIA

Joe West

cIty cAfe

Everette Brown Trio

hAnk’s honky tonk

Lonnie Cook; Phil Valdez

hAPPy’s sPorts

lounge

Caleb Joseph Elder

hoP sPrIngs

Arlo McKinley; Logan Halstead

MAydAy Brewery

Taylor Burton

PAnther creek

Brews

Roland Justice

Puckett’s

Larysa Jaye Trio

Live Music in MiddLe tennessee

seAsons of MurfreesBoro

Velvet Dogs

sun, 6/11

hAnk’s honky tonk

The O’Donnells

mon, 6/12

hAnk’s honky tonk

Open Mic Night

Vfw sMyrnA Post

Jam Night

Tues, 6/13

grIndstone

cowBoy

Mindy Campbell

hAnk’s honky tonk

Joe Hooper

Wed, 6/14

hAnk’s honky tonk

Robyn Taylor

Thurs, 6/15

hAnk’s honky tonk

Will King

hoP sPrIngs

The Quebe Sisters; Shlomo Franklin

seAsons of MurfreesBoro

Brett Bone

Fri, 6/16

cArMen’s tAquerIA

Joe West

hAnk’s honky tonk

Sara Simmons; Jeff Caron Band

hAPPy’s sPorts lounge

Top Tier

JAck’s PlAce (MIlAno II)

Tony Castellanos

MAydAy Brewery

Tony Hartman

PAnther creek

Brews

Dash Paz

Puckett’s

Hobo Cane

the Boro

Joey Fletcher + more

saT, 6/17

Bert drIVer’s

BurlAP rooM

Airshow; Austin Grimm

cArMen’s tAquerIA

Joe West

cIty cAfe

Everette Brown Trio

hAnk’s honky tonk

The Hammonds; Cooter River Band

hAPPy’s sPorts

lounge

Ballistic

MAydAy Brewery

Copper and Lead

Puckett’s

Radio Farm

sun, 6/18

hAnk’s honky tonk

Emily Miller

mon, 6/19

hAnk’s honky tonk

Open Mic Night

Vfw sMyrnA Post

Jam Night

Tues, 6/20

hAnk’s honky tonk

Jesse Black

Wed, 6/21

grIndstone

cowBoy

Anthony Smith

hAnk’s honky tonk

Gray Daniels

hoP sPrIngs

Buckcherry; The Great Affairs; Wynton Existing

Thurs, 6/22

hAnk’s honky tonk

Silent Ruckus

seAsons of MurfreesBoro

Brett Bone

Fri, 6/23

cArMen’s tAquerIA

Joe West

hAnk’s honky tonk

Adam Stone; Justin Dukes

hAPPy’s sPorts lounge

Douglas Riley Band

JAck’s PlAce (MIlAno II)

Tony Castellanos

MAydAy Brewery

Tom Davison

PAnther creek

Brews

Live Comedy Night

Puckett’s The Close

saT, 6/24

Buddy’s PlAce At cedAr sPrIngs

rAnch

Dan Smalley; Karli and James; Justen Harden

cArMen’s tAquerIA

Joe West

cIty cAfe

Everette Brown Trio

hAnk’s honky tonk

Krystal King; Whiskey Smoke

hAPPy’s sPorts

lounge

Shawn Pody Band

MAydAy Brewery

Honeyboy and Boots

PAnther creek

Brews

Yonder Grove

Puckett’s

Troy Kemp

the Boro

Doom Factor

sun, 6/25

hAnk’s honky tonk

Glen Wagner the Boro

Joey Fletcher

mon, 6/26

hAnk’s honky tonk

Open Mic Night

Vfw sMyrnA Post

Jam Night

Tues, 6/27

hAnk’s honky tonk

Delyn Christian

Wed, 6/28

hAnk’s honky tonk

Phil Valdez

Thurs, 6/29

hAnk’s honky tonk

Dwayne Langston

seAsons of MurfreesBoro

Brett Bone

Fri, 6/30

cArMen’s tAquerIA

Joe West

JAck’s PlAce (MIlAno II)

Tony Castellanos

hAnk’s honky tonk

Tawnya Reynolds; Mikki Zip Band

hAPPy’s sPorts

lounge

Caleb Joseph Elder

PAnther creek

Brews

Joey Fletcher Band

Puckett’s

Cole Ritter and the Night Owls

saT, 7/1

cArMen’s tAquerIA

Joe West

cIty cAfe

Everette Brown Trio

hoP sPrIngs

The Broken Hearts (Tom Petty tribute)

If You Go

Buddy’s PlAce At cedAr sPrIngs rAnch 9638 Rocky Hill Rd., Lascassas

Bert drIVer’s BurlAP rooM 175 Hurricane Ridge Rd., Smithville

cArMen’s tAquerIA 206 W. Northfield Blvd.

cedAr glAde Brews 906 Ridgely Rd.

cIty cAfe 113 E. Main St.

hAnk’s

American Musical Arts Group Presents

A family-oriented music showcase presenting young, upcoming talent and encouraging musical legends to return to the stage

Saturday, July 15

UPCOMING SHOWS:

Saturdays Sept. 23 ★ Nov. 4 MORE AT: amagroup.org

musi C notes

WM ot p resents June 3 r oots on the r ivers Music Fest W ith l anghorne s li M , c ordovas and Many More

wMOT-FM ROOTS RAdiO 89.5 plans to gather 1,500 of its closest friends and fellow music lovers for its annual fundraising music festival, Roots on the Rivers, set for Saturday, June 3, at Nashville’s Two Rivers Mansion.

The single-day family-friendly event is welcoming up to 1,500 ticketholders “so we can get you close up to the music!” says WMOT Executive Director Val Hoeppner.

The day’s music lineup includes Langhorne Slim, Tommy Stinson’s Cowboys in the Campfire, Cordovas, Alison Brown, The Shootouts, Bee Taylor, Steve Cropper and Emily McGill, Laura Cantrell, Cruz Contreras of the Black Lillies, Kashena Sampson, Stevie Redstone, Mark Thornton and Ben de la Cour.

General admission tickets are $45 each and available at bit.ly/ wmot2023rootsriverstickets; kids 14 and under can attend free. WMOT members will get a $10 discount with promo codes they’ll receive.

Gates will open at 11 a.m., and performances are set from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine, June 3. Lawn chairs are welcome, but umbrellas and coolers won’t be permitted.

Concertgoers will have plenty of room on the historic grounds of Two Rivers Mansion at 3130 McGavock Pk., Nashville, to enjoy two stages of live roots music, a beer garden, craft cocktails and food trucks. They can also purchase the wares of local artisans as well as WMOT and artist merchandise, plus visit with and learn more about Nashville-area nonprofits. All funds raised will support WMOT programming, operations and community events.

The festival, now in its second year, also will feature its first “Family String Band Circle,” inviting kids and adults to be part of the music and try out a variety of instruments.

The concert performances will also stream live on both wmot.org and livesessions.npr.org

WMOT, Middle Tennessee’s only 100,000-watt Americana music channel, broadcasts from the Center for Innovation in Media inside MTSU’s Bragg Media and Entertainment Building.

WMOT features original American roots programming, the music most connected to Music City’s legacy: old-school country music, bluegrass, singer-songwriters, folk, soul, R&B and rock ’n’ roll.

In addition to the American roots music found on 89.5 FM, the station offers its award-winning jazz programming on 92.3 FM inside Rutherford County and 104.9 FM inside Williamson County.

FOR ThE FiRST TiME SiNCE 2019, International Folk Fest is returning to Murfreesboro. Featuring live dancing from groups from around the world, the Folk Fest is a culturally immersive and entertaining experience. This year, dancers from the United States, Poland, Mexico and France will participate.

From June 4–11, the Cripple Creek Cloggers will host this year’s multinational dance troupes. Throughout the week, international groups will perform for area schools, youth and senior citizen organizations and for civic clubs.

Tance Lubelskie. This is the first time in 25 years that Poland has participated in the International Folkfest.

2023 i ntern A tion A l Fol K

tuesdAy, June 6

linebaugh Public library

105 w. vine St., Murfreesboro

10 a.m. • Poland • Free to the public

s outh Jackson civic c enter

“The guest folk troupes will be joined by the festival hosts, Rutherford County’s Cripple Creek Cloggers, and The Slim Chance Band, including local performers, Rob Pearcy, Donovan Carpenter, Avent Lane and Sarah Rose Harris, for performances at The Grove at Williamson Family Farm at 1:30 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 9,” according to festival organizer Steve Cates.

Fest

404 S. Jackson St., Tullahoma

The week will culminate with Friday public performances held at The Grove at Williamson Family Farm. This year will mark the 40th International Folk Fest, and The Grove expects to host a large crowd for the dance group’s anniversary event. Food trucks, adult beverages and an onsite farmstand will be accessible for audiences on Friday, June 9. This year, the International Folkloric Society will be hosting the local Cripple Creek Cloggers (who have been performing around the world since 1973), the Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles & Mariachi Garibaldi (representing Mexico), LA Bourréede Paris (from France), and Poland’s Zespół Tanca Ludowego UMCS

7 p.m. • All groups • $5

thursdAy, June 8

smyrna Public library

400 Enon Springs Rd. w., Smyrna

10 a.m. • France • Free to the public

Bell Buckle Banquet hall

27 Railroad Sq., Bell Buckle

6 p.m. • All groups

Free to the public

frIdAy, June 9

the grove at williamson Place

3050 wilkinson Pk., Murfreesboro

1:30 and 6:30 p.m.

All groups • $15 admission

Age 4 and under free

Cates encourages the visiting participants to tour local cultural and historical sites, immersing themselves in the hospitality of Tennessee culture. In fact, the groups will be staying in the dorms at MTSU during their stay, and each group will have its own guide showing them around the region.

“We continue, as we did in 1982, to help our area residents learn about countries which they may never visit,” Cates said. He said plans are already underway for the 2024 Folk Fest, with entertainers from Latvia, England, Japan and Puerto Rico scheduled to appear.

— B r I tney B rown

i nternational Folk Fest Brings i n dance t roupes F ro M p oland, Mexico and France F or 2023 e vent

ThREE wOMEN MOdERN, CREATivE and talented—are stretching the boundaries of old-time country and Western swing music. The best part? They are doing it steadfastly, free of frivolous fanfare. We’re talking about neo-traditionalist Western swing trio the Quebe Sisters— siblings Grace, Sophia and Hulda.

The Quebe Sisters are hardly newcomers, though. Their modern musical sensibilities coalesced as seasoned performers. Dallas-based Grace, Sophia and Hulda Quebe spent the last 17 years merging three-part harmony and triple fiddles to put a youthful, jubilant spin on Western swing pioneer Bob Wills’ now-classic genre blending ballroom dance rhythms, jazz, blues and American folk roots. The trio has recorded four studio albums and toured North America, Europe and Russia.

The Quebe Sisters will be performing Thursday, June 15, at 8 p.m. at Hop Springs Beer Park, 6790 John Bragg Highway in Murfreesboro. Tickets are $22–40; all ages are welcome. Find tickets on Ticketweb.

The sisters’ four studio albums—2003’s Texas Fiddlers, 2007’s Timeless, 2014’s Every Which-A-Way, and 2019’s The Quebe Sisters serve as sonic proof that these ladies are fearless interpreters and innovators.

The sisters see Western swing as an ocean of possibilities, incorporating originals, instrumentals and covers and moving freely from oldtime traditions to stunning vocal-meets-fiddle exercises.

“Bob Wills was all about experimentation, melding just about every style he heard,” says Grace Quebe. “He hired the best musicians

musi C notes

playing regionally traditional instruments, as well as players interested in experimenting on what were the cutting-edge instruments of the day. This spirit formed what we today call Western swing, and it needs to be an ingredient in current iterations of Western swing to keep the style fresh and vibrant for the present and future. So, for us it’s authentic to the style to introduce our own originals.”

The Quebe siblings grew up in Texas surrounded by fiddles, bows, microphones, stages and Western swing—Texas is the reason Grace, Sophia and Hulda ended up playing triple fiddles— but in true trailblazing fashion, not even the long, tall, Lone Star state could contain them.

Grace sees nothing odd about their progressive brand of Western swing connecting with foreign audiences.

“Nostalgia and curiosity play some role,” she says, “but particularly the syncopation and dance elements of the music we love and play make it timeless and universal. Everyone resonates with music that has a good feel. If it uplifts you and makes you want to dance, then we are doing our job right.”

The women say they want to play music that guides audiences on a trip to the past while still keeping them firmly in the present moment.

“I think our central ambition in playing music is to touch people’s hearts and souls—to make them feel beauty, to make them hear colors, to make them forget worries and have fun, to make them think about God,” says Hulda Quebe.

For more information on The Quebe Sisters and tour dates, visit quebesisters.com

a suMMer solstice shindig in sMithville: airshoW, austin griMM set to play June 17 shoW to ring in suMMer season

ON SATuRdAy, JuNE 17, BERT dRivER’S BuRLAP ROOM will present a Summer Solstice Shindig featuring musical artists Airshow and Austin Grimm. This live musical event will be held on the grounds of the Bert Driver Nursery in Smithville (175 Hurricane Ridge Rd.).

Gates open at 4 p.m. and adult tickets are $25 (kids 10 and under free of charge). Austin Grimm is set to perform at 6 p.m., and Airshow at 8 p.m. at this family- and pet-friendly event. The venue will feature craft beverages, Tio’s Taco Truck and other vendors. Bring a comfy lawn chair and settle in for an evening of fun and festivities celebrating the summer solstice. (In the event of adverse weather, the concert will move inside Greenhouse #3 at Bert Driver’s Nursery).

Leader of the band Roots of a Rebellion (ROAR), Austin Grimm is a lover of all musical genres and believes in the healing power of music. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Grimm came to Nashville to attend Belmont University, where he formed ROAR with some of his college compatriots. After graduation in 2012, the band began an extensive tour of the United States and has been active ever since. Playing hundreds of shows over the last decade, many of which are for community service, ROAR has graced the stages of Live on the Green, Master Musicians Festival and Hangout Music Festival. Recently, ROAR decided to take a break from its active touring schedule. In the meantime, Grimm has decided to spread his musical wings to traverse a variety of genres—including country, jazz, pop, rock, reggae, folk and blues.

Area jam band Airshow is, quite literally “taking off,” putting out four albums over the past few years: Lightbulb, Up in the Clouds, Anubis and Shimmer. Originally from Reading, Pennsylvania, Steve Gallagher and Cody Chelius decided to pursue their childhood dreams and head to Nashville together in 2015. Once there, they became fast friends with Bill Baker and John Rodrigue.

From the accommodating indoor space to the many outdoor landscapes on Bert Driver’s Nursery’s seven-acre grounds and the Burlap Room Beer Garden, the possibilities for concerts, live performances, weddings, corporate events, parties and social gatherings are vast. For more information on the June 17 Summer Solstice Shindig with Airshow and Austin Grimm, visit bertdriver.com. — B r I tney B rown

siMply sMyrna presents Free annual concert and arts Festival June 3

CARPE ARTiSTA’S ANNuAL SiMPLy SMyRNA CELEBRATiON RETuRNS

to the downtown Smyrna Depot District Saturday, June 3, from 5–9:30 p.m.

The event saw over 8,000 attendees in 2022, and organizers have been working to grow the celebration’s reach even more.

This free outdoor community festival celebrates a wide variety of arts, musical styles and food, engaging musicians, artists, artisans, creators and businesses throughout the Rutherford County area.

Artists performing in 2023 include The Ultimate Tim McGraw, Dakota Danielle, Jason Lee McKinney Band, Lance Allen, Derek Pell, Blonde Bullett, Brad Beal, Idle Threat, Elecoustic Soul, BooM, Mark Thomas, Abbi Knell and Growler.

Front Street in the Smyrna Depot District will be pedestrian-only the evening of June 3 as the community celebrates the arts in the community; the event is rain or shine.

The Simply Smyrna Celebration is Carpe Artista’s primary fundraiser and directly supports the operational costs of its programs throughout the year. For more information, visit carpeartista.com/simply-smyrna.

uncle dave Macon days to Move to shelByville For 2023 Fest, teaMing up With aMerican Mule and Music association

ThE AMERiCAN MuLE ANd MuSiC ASSOCiATiON and Uncle Dave Macon Days will team up for a 2023 event known as the American Mule & Bluegrass Festival to be held Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 at the Cooper Steel Arena, 721 Whithorn St. in Shelbyville, on the Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration grounds.

Gloria Christy, president of the Uncle Dave Macon Days organization, explains the partnership. “The organizers of Uncle Dave Macon Days are committed to enhancing the value of this wonderful event, American Mule and Music Festival, which has already become a popular experience in Middle Tennessee.”

Organizers of Uncle Dave Macon Days will blend 45 years of experience in preservation of roots music and the rural culture of Middle Tennessee with the similar mission of the American Mules and Music Association.

“We are teaming up with Uncle Dave Macon Days to enhance the festival experience by educating the public about old-time traditions in a fun way,” said Marty Gordon, director of American Mules and Music. “As we embrace the future, together we will provide the old way of life of American-made music, mules and homestead skills.”

Organizers expect the festival to combine music, dance, arts, crafts and, of course, mules. For more information, visit americanmuleandbluegrassfestival.com and uncledavemacondays.com.

dakota danielle

the weIrd sIsters Lost in the Chronic / Ride That Satellite

Nashville’s ascending space-disco duo The Weird Sisters released its latest offering, Lost in the Chronic/Ride That Satellite, on April 20, out of Sputnik Sound in Berry Hill.

For the A-side, “Lost in the Chronic” keeps the eccentricity of Gabrielle Lewis and Izaac Short—the backbone of the psych-rock/hip-hop duo known as The Weird Sisters—in power keys and Short’s distorted electric rhythm and riff-playing form. The intro sounds inspired by hip-hop duo Run the Jewels, eventually morphing into some Beastie Boys-style trip-spitting lyric flow.

Lewis’ fuzzy Moog work and vocal counterpoint accompanying Short’s melodic, electric riffs all blend in-studio to create a polyphonic soundscape.

“Ride That Satellite,” the B-side, opens as a retro, 16-bit, disco-rocker racing video game theme with one of Lewis’ hands seeming to keep a Fender Rhodes electric piano oscillating with a synth horn section Moog’ing on the other. Short’s funky electric rhythm strokes and star-gazing, party lyricism mold a track worthy of soundtracking a Steven Soderbergh or Guy Ritchie bank heist montage.

Historically, the pair have built their sound in live show settings and delve into some funky grunge-punk, too, previously opening shows at The Blue Bear Barn on Murfreesboro Pike, for instance, to more recently playing The Basement East.

If the recent Lost in the Chronic/Ride That Satellite release—on top of the quirky and continuously awesome social media presence of footage produced on ’80s VHS camcorders with the tracking a little off—isn’t good growth for the “space disco duo,” then we’re all drenched in sweat for nothing.

Lost in the Chronic/Ride That Satellite is available as a 7-inch vinyl and can also be found streaming across the icons at Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music, Amazon, Tidal, and theweirdsisters.bandcamp.com.

— Bryce hArMon

White men Can't jump

diRECTOR Calmatic

STARRiNg Sinqua Walls, Jack Harlow, Lance Reddick RATEd R

If you’re old, like I am, then I regret to inform you that your eyes are not deceiving you: this is a review of White Men Can’t Jump . . . the remake. Let’s just hope they leave My Cousin Vinny alone. The basic premise of the 1992 original remains unchanged: two down-on-their-luck basketball players—one white, one black—team up to hustle games on the streets based on the assumption that the nerdy looking white guy can’t play. What the remake tries to correct from the original, which starred Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson, is the overabundance of charisma and chemistry between the two leads.

Sinqua Walls plays Kamal, the biggest high school prospect since LeBron until an incident led to his arrest. Now he’s a washed-up package delivery driver playing pick-up at his old high school gym with his friends Renzo and Speedy. Jack Harlow, who I’m told is a very popular rapper, plays Jeremy, a smart-mouthed and frivolous individual, barely making it as a basketball tutor/ homemade kombucha huckster. Jeremy’s little secret is that he used to play for Gonzaga and still yearns to play professional ball, despite having two gnarly knee scars from two torn ACLs.

It’s a remake of a 31-year-old movie, repackaged for today’s youth. White Men Can’t Jump was released a year after the LAPD brutally beat Rodney King and mere weeks after the L.A. riots of 1992. The way that movie discussed race felt raw and a little dangerous, while offering a safe, albeit clichéd buddy comedy foundation on which the country could process the tension of the times.

It is now 2023 and not much has changed, which might make it seem like a good time to revisit this story, but not only does the new White Men Can’t Jump fail to address these serious issues in any meaningful way, their exclusion feels like a marketing decision. — JAy

sPIght

a brams Falls

If You Go

Abrams falls trailhead great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cades Cove Loop Road (parking area just past stop #10)

Townsend, TN

Located in the historic Cades Cove area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Abrams Falls and the nearly 3-mile trail leading to it makes an excellent place for park visitors to spend some time in nature and work their legs.

Many visitors to Cades Cove can see a wealth of animals, breathtaking mountain sights and historic buildings right from their car, but those who are up for a walk will want to pull over at the Abrams Falls Trailhead parking lot and set out on foot.

Ironically enough, while the attraction of the expansive national park for many is seclusion in a natural setting, the area draws so many visitors that sitting in traffic seems to be a common occurrence within Cades Cove. Those walking the Abrams Falls trail will surely encounter many other hikers with the same idea. While numerous people walk the trail, that journey shouldn’t involve the actual traffic jams that the vehicular journey on Cades Cove Loop Road may include.

And while visitors to Abrams Falls shouldn’t expect to be alone on their walk, the area is great for viewing animals.

During a day in May, a group of hikers saw bear, a snake, butterflies, a lizard, a woodpecker, deer, squirrel, bees, fish and crawdaddies during a trip to Abrams Falls. The area contains lots of wildlife among the humans also roaming the area.

It’s a long trek to Abrams and back, a 5.5mile round-trip journey, so be prepared with water and sturdy and comfortable footwear, but no part is extremely difficult or dangerous. Much of the trail is level, though it does also contain some lengthy passages with long inclines and declines. But take your time, perch on a rock in the shade, enjoy the flowers and trees and birds . . . there’s no rush—as long as your party has allowed plenty of daylight to complete the trek.

The 25-foot-tall Abrams Falls and surrounding area make the walk worth it. A powerful volume of water pours over the

falls into a large pool. The area surrounding it has plenty of big, flat rocks and a good bit of space to spread out for a picnic or a rest.

“There are some steep inclines, especially on the way back, but there were plenty of times where the trail evened off so it didn’t feel overwhelming,” a hiker, Abbie Hunter, said following a 2023 trip to Abrams Falls. “The entire trail was visually interesting between the creek alongside, interesting rock formations, and plant life. The falls were fantastic and a great place to relax, snap pictures and enjoy a snack before heading back.”

Cherokee Chief Oskuah—whose village once stood about five miles downstream the creek from Abrams Falls, near where it hits the Little Tennessee River—eventually took

the name Abram. Today, the waterfall and creek bear his assumed name.

The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek, according to information from the U.S. National Park Service.

For the advanced hikers desiring more mileage, continue going past the falls for a much more solitary experience and a much longer hike. Rather than doubling back, hikers can add approximately eight more miles to their trek and loop around following the Rabbit Creek and Hannah Mountain trails. Campgrounds sit along this trail portion, for overnight excursions.

Aside from Abrams Falls and the related trail, there’s lots more to see in Cades Cove, driving or on foot. Explore the Smoky Mountains!

NOTE: as of 2023, a parking tag is required to park anywhere within the great Smoky Mountains National Park; the cost for tags is $4 a day or $15 for a week. Also, Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to vehicles on wednesdays, May–September (bikes and pedestrians only).

story By BrAcken MAyo Photos By sArAh MAyo

v iew an abundance of wildlife by taking a Smoky Mountain hike at Cades Cove

The Polar Vortex

aCROSS ThE SOUTh, wE all dEalT with the crazy flash freeze just before Christmas 2022. Within just eight hours, temperatures plummeted 50 degrees to subzero levels. Homeowners all over the region are still dealing with the effects from this Arctic blast.

A polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the earth’s poles. The vortex gets stronger in the winter and the air surrounding the North Pole sometimes gets pushed south, resulting in extreme cold snaps for North-

ern America, like the one we had last winter and in February of 2021. The arrival of this Arctic air causes temperatures to plunge rapidly, wreaking havoc on our greenery.

When a plant freezes, the water-filled cells of the plant freeze, causing the cells to expand and rupture. Typically, trees and shrubs gradually pull the majority of the water flowing through its cells back to their roots in preparation for a freeze. When there is a rapid plunge in temperatures they do not have enough time and, if the mercury drop is severe enough, all of the fluid in the trees or shrubs will freeze. That is exactly what happened to our green friends on the Thursday before Christmas of 2022. Middle Tennessee saw temperatures of approximately 50° F drop to below 0° F in just eight hours. Trees and

shrubs didn’t have the time they needed to pull back the water in the cells, causing death to branches and, in many cases, entire trees and plants.

At the beginning of the year it was hard to tell which plants had actually survived and which had bit the dust. In recent weeks, the signs of damage or survival have become more apparent. Many homeowners are surprised by the green growth on their shrubs and trees while some have a lot of dead limbs that need to be cut away. Some, sadly, lost their shrubs altogether.

If you are still unsure if your tree or its branches are dead, you can do the scratch test. Using your fingernail or a knife, scratch the surface of the bark. If it is green—it’s still alive! If you scratch the outer limbs and they aren’t green but the inner trunk is, then you should cut away the dead branches and work your way toward the new growth.

Unfortunately, there is not much preparation that can be made for an event such as a polar vortex or a flash freeze this severe. Even choosing plants rated for our USDA zone won’t guarantee survival or an escape from damage. Mother Nature calls the shots—sometimes it’s just out of our control.

Bubble Tea Shops Popping u p All Over Murfreesboro try a sweet, cool and colorful

Mu RFREESBORO h AS LOTS

of bubble tea fans, and plenty of shops to satisfy those sweet cravings.

Bubble tea, named for the sweet, chewy or juice-filled popping beads placed in the bottom of the beverage (also known as “boba”) comes in a variety of cool, colorful and sweet combinations. It’s not the traditional Southern sweet tea, but it is served ice cold and is very sweet.

Shops may make it with green tea, Thai tea, Earl Grey, matcha or oolong teas. It could be made with milk, though some opt for fruitbased mango, strawberry, honeydew, taro, peach, green apple, coconut, kiwi or other flavor options.

Try it infused with rose or lavender. And of course, the stars of bubble tea are the boba themselves—whether you go with popping, tapioca, or jelly bubbles.

Explore the bubble tea shops of Murfreesboro and come up with a combination of your own. All have a wide array of offerings.

Wherever you are in Murfreesboro, boba tea is not far away. (See hours of operation included; many of these shops take a day or two off each week.) 

BuBBle teA cAfe

2486 Old Fort Pkwy.

Mon., Tues., Thurs.–Sat.: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sun. 12–6 p.m. 615-962-8784

coffee fusIon

836 N. Thompson Ln., 1F Mon. and Wed.–Fri.: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sat.: 7 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun.: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. 615-900-1515

flyIng chIcken stAtIon 2206 Old Fort Pkwy. Every day, 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m. 615-203-3466

gI nger t h AI B I stro

536 N. Thompson Ln., A Every day: 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m. 615-624-8881

 kung fu teA 2441 Old Fort Pkwy., S Mon.–Thurs.: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri.: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sat.–Sun.: 10 a.m.–10 p.m. 615-617-3001

leMongrAss sushI & thAI 220 veterans Pkwy.

Tues.–Thurs.: 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 5–9 p.m.; Fri.: 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 5–10 p.m.; Sat. 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m., 5–10 p.m.; Sun.: 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m., 5–9 p.m. 615-848-5022

 oflow Brews & BAkes 115 N. Maple St. Mon.: 7 a.m.—5 p.m.; Tues.–Wed.: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; Thurs.–Sat.: 7 a.m.–8 p.m. 615-900-1676

PAd thAI cAfe

2568 S. Church St.

Tues.–Sat.: 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 4–9 p.m. 615-203-6900

Poke fun

577 N. Thompson Ln.

Mon.–Thurs.: 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Fri.–Sat.: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun.: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. 629-207-6688

q&r cAfe 

1798 w. Northfield Blvd.

Mon.–Sat.: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun. 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m. 615-962-8681

sABAIdee

p.m.

615-900-3777

sIrI BuBBle teA 

225 N. Rutherford Blvd., A

Every day: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

615-624-8648

tAste of thAI

1841 S. Church St.

Tues.–Thurs.: 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 4–9 p.m.; Fri.–Sat.: 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 4–10 p.m.

615-895-2714

thAI PAttAyA restAurAnt 

810 Nw Broad St. #262

Wed.–Sun.: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

615-893-8029

thAI sPIce

225 N. Rutherford Blvd., d

Tues.–Sun.: 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.

615-488-7208

t-oP cold grIll Ice creAM

2855 Medical Center Pkwy.

Every day: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

615-295-2538

VArIn’s sweet shoP 

315 Robert Rose dr., Ste. A

Mon.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–8 p.m.;

Fri.: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.;

Sun.: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

615-908-3723

yuMMy AsIAn hut

1636 New Salem hwy., g

Every day: 10:30 a.m.–9 p.m.

615-624-8752

Scratch Bakery Offering Premium Coffee, Bubble Tea, Sweet & Savory Pastries and Desserts

115 N. MAPLE ST. ON THE MURFREESBORO SQUARE

Mama Wanna Go to the d

story

Some inspiration from the Dominican Republic, a New York City-themed decor and a location near the middle of Tennessee converge to make Mamajuana 615 an eclectic and unique eatery within sight of the MTSU campus.

Latino music hits the ears upon entering the establishment—named for a Caribbean beverage made by steeping rum, red wine and honey in a combination of bark, herbs and spices—nestled within a Murfreesboro shopping center alongside Cup Pop behind the Middle Tennessee Market and Smoothie King on Middle Tennessee Boulevard.

In a unique mishmash of Middle Tennessee, Dominican Republic and New York City cultures, the Mamajuana 615 menu contains popular Caribbean dishes such as oxtails, jerk chicken, mofongo, roast pork, empanadas and tostones alongside burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, macaroni salad, some pasta selections and wings amongst the Dominican dishes found on the menu.

“We’ve made this our Friday night spot,” said local diner Erin Alvarado. “I recommend the picadera, oxtail, pernil [pork], mofongo, mondongo and the jerk chicken. All the sides are works of art, so you can’t go wrong with anything you choose. They also have yummy drinks that you can’t find anywhere else, so

The Dish

restAurAnt

Mamajuana 615

locAtIon

2830 Middle Tennessee Blvd. Phone 615-624-7198

hours

Tues. and wed.: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Thurs.: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri.: 11 a.m.–11:30 p.m.; Sat.: 12 p.m.–12 a.m.; Sunday: 12:30–9 p.m.

PrIces

Jerk chicken with two sides: $15; Beef or chicken empanada: $2.50; Oxtails with two sides: $19; Chicken marsala or penne alla vodka: $19; Rice and beans or rice and peas: $5 weBsIte

dominicanrestaurantmurfreesboro.com

order one of the Dominican sodas or their lemonade or the morir soñando [a beverage made with milk, sugar and orange juice].”

Another diner, after trying the mofongo con camarones (mashed plantain topped with garlic and shrimp), said “the flavor was out of this world!”

Mamajuana coats its jerk chicken with a jerk sauce (from NYC, according to the owner) containing a great combination of flavors. It’s a little spicy, a little sweet . . . with maybe a little cinnamon and various other

herbs and spices in there. It’s pretty good.

The roasted pork, while very juicy, didn’t have a great deal of flavor to it in itself. It may have diners reaching for a sauce of some type, which, depending at which table they happen to be seated, could be honey mustard, “mayochup,” chipotle taco sauce, ketchup, a very hot sauce, or a mild bourbon hot sauce.

The Mamajuana 615 Brussels sprouts were very good, just salty enough and cooked tender with still a bit of crispness.

The crab cakes were a little bready and

gummy—it’s a little hard to tell what type of meat is actually in there; they could very well contain salmon. There’s not a huge amount of meat in the mixture. They are not horrible, but kind of steep for $16 for two small crab cakes.

The rice and beans may have been the highlight of the whole Mamajuana 615 experience, very flavorful.

For those who enjoy different takes on arroz y frijoles, try this one. At first, the pile of plain white rice may seem unexciting. The beans come on a cup on the side, and here is where the magic lies. Pour these beans and sauce over the rice and you have a delicious and satisfying dish.

On certain days Mamajuana serves this white rice and beans combo; other days they offer yellow rice with peas. I would like to try that also!

While different Tennesseans may react differently to a room packed with New York City sports team logos and subway signs, “the vibe of the dining room was exactly what you want for this food experience,” according to Mamajuana 615 patron Matt Manix, adding that “the pork shoulder and roasted chicken were phenomenal.”

And the golden forks, spoons and knives were an elegant touch.

crab c akes

By BrAcken MAyo

Photos By sArAh MAyo

Mamajuana 615

serving rice and beans, oxtails, jerk chicken and empanadas in

Murfreesboro

ominican

The delicious tropical fruity drinks are a nice touch also. Have a can of coconut water, with large bits of coconut pulp, a pineapple juice or Country Club sodas. The tostones (fried green plantains) have a nice texture, but taste a little plain.

Some point out that Dominican cooking is usually somewhat spicy and packed with flavor, and many of the Mamajuana 615 dishes could use a little more “pow” to be considered authentic.

“The pork chop and chicken were fried to death, very dry, hard to swallow. The meat had absolutely no flavor. Ever heard of adobo, lime, cilantro, garlic, mojo?” one diner, Arthur, asked following a meal. “The mofongo was not bad, but was served very dry with no sauce, no fried onions.”

Though he did point out that “the rice and beans and sweet plantains were great.”

Joe LaFerriere said he enjoyed the picaderas at the restaurant.

“Picaderas basically means snacks or finger foods. Their offering consisted of Dominican sausage, Dominican salami, marinated ribeye steak, fried Dominican cheese, plantains, and I added a side of the macaroni salad,” the diner reported. “I really

loved the salami and sausage . . . different flavors from what I am used to . . . Would be interesting to see what kind of Dominican sauces could be paired up with this dish.”

He said he also sampled a Dominicanstyle spaghetti.

“It has a big green pepper flavor, rich tomato sauce, the salami actually complements the dish, and somehow it all works together,” LaFerriere said.

Plenty of others had positive things to say about the chicken, rice and beans, mofongo and other dishes.

So for some flavors of the Dominican Republic, a wonderful variation of rice and beans, plenty of tropical beverages and more, give Mamajuana a try.

Mamajuana 615 appears to still be experimenting with ideal hours of operation; there can be some inconsistencies between hours posted online and when the door is open, but the place seems to be open most days for lunch and at least in the early evening.

(And the funniest note about researching Mamajuana 615: the websites that censor “j*** chicken” in customer reviews . . . ha!)

WE CAN TAKE YOU shopping at places like The Avenue and Stones River Mall, or to medical facilities along the Gateway. We serve many other areas of Murfreesboro as well.

FOR INFORMATION , including routes and fares, visit www.murfreesborotn.gov and click on the Public Transit button, or call 615.217.6837.

June 8 Boro Art c rawl features c ommunity s idewalk c halk c ontest

ThE BORO ART CRAwL RETuRNS to the Murfreesboro Public Square on Thursday, June 8, from 5–8 p.m. in conjunction with the Sip, Shop, and Stroll initiative. Purchase a beverage, walk the Square, and support small businesses, all while perusing the work of exceptional artists.

Arrive early on June 8 for the Boro Art Crawl Sidewalk Chalk Contest, which kicks off at 3 p.m. that Thursday evening. Participation is free; all ages are invited to bring their own, oil-free sidewalk chalk and decorate the sidewalk in predetermined spaces around the Square.

Since 2015, the Boro Art Crawl has been exhibiting artists from around the midstate, nurturing the Rutherford County creative community. Artists come from all sorts of different backgrounds. Future Crawls are planned for Friday, Aug. 4, and Friday, Sept. 15. For more information, or to participate, visit theboroartcrawl.com.

— B r I tney B rown

father- d aughter d uo s howcase their Art at trellis & Vine this June

iN hONOR OF FAThER’S dAy, Trellis & Vine is hosting a gallery featuring works from local artist Paul Miller and his daughter, Neelie. The father-daughter duo are sharing their favorite individual and collaboration pieces throughout the month of June. They will also host an artist meet-and-greet on Friday, June 16.

Miller loves color, he loves shape, he loves line quality, he loves letters, he loves to paint; his mind wanders. After obtaining a BFA in graphic design, many of the mentioned design elements continued finding their way into Miller’s studio work.

Most of Miller’s thoughts are built up in the layers of his work, the artist says. For Miller, each layer is its own. The painting, in its finality, is a combination of emotions, experiences and wandering thoughts; whether what the viewer sees is abstract or representational. As a Christian who enjoys painting, Miller’s thoughts of spirituality, eternity and moral ideals oftentimes find their way into the same works as random thoughts of the day and ideas from songs listened to while painting.

Miller’s daughter says she’s “more excited than her dad” to display her art. She has been developing her painting style and has worked in a variety of mediums, including painting rocks and designing her own Toms brand shoes.

This exhibit opportunity at Trellis & Vine has provided the chance for them to share a passion they love.

Their works will be on display all of June in Trellis & Vine, located at 27 S. Lowry St. in Smyrna. View the art Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. The June 16 meet-and-greet with the artists will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Adult and teen c hallenge holds Pie d ay to s upport Ministry, l inda Park wins first in Pie c ontest

TuRNiNg POiNT ChuRCh hosted a pie-filled day on May 20 to support the local Adult and Teen Challenge, a faith-based addiction recovery support program for men.

Three judges diligently sampled all 19 pies entered in the pie contest. After deliberating, they selected Linda Park’s Kentucky Derby chocolate chip pie as the firstplace winner.

s ean Moran of red Barn financial remained a good sport as attendees gave him a pie in the face.

The good-spirited event also included pie-eating contests, raffles, networking and lots of pizza pie and sweet pies as local businesspeople and supporters came together to support the ministry and addiction recovery.

For more information on Adult and Teen Challenge, visit atctn.org; for those with men in their lives who are addicted to drugs or alcohol and need help, contact Rev. gene garcia at 615-624-7878 or atcofmurfreesboro@gmail.com —

BrAcken

MAyo

BBB hosts Big Blue Bash June 27 in n ashville to c elebrate local Businesses, o ffer tips for g rowth

BETTER BuSiNESS BuREAu SERviNg MiddLE TENNESSEE

and Southern Kentucky will host the inaugural Big Blue Bash luncheon, an event focused on celebrating brilliance in business, on Tuesday, June 27, at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Guests will join in networking and multiple learning opportunities as well as meet the 2023 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Trust Winners, Spark Award winners, and some fantastic future leaders, the 2023 Student of Integrity Scholarship recipients.

“Although our business community has struggled with unprecedented obstacles, there are so many stories of entrepreneurial creativity, fortitude, and commitment to trust, regardless of those obstacles. We want to celebrate a new season of growth and stability in the business community,” said Robyn Householder, President and CEO of BBB serving Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. Meteorologist Danielle Breezy will be the mistress of ceremonies. She joined News 2 in July 2016, and in 2021 she received the June Bacon-Bercey Award for Broadcast Meteorology. In 2020, she was named one of Nashville Business Journal’s 40 under 40.

Dave Delaney will be the keynote speaker. He has worked with Google, LinkedIn, The UPS Store, FedEx and many more to equip business leaders with the skills needed to lead with empathy. He is the creator of the Nice Method and founder of Futureforth.

The Big Blue Bash event starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. From 10–11 a.m., attendees can participate in workshops featuring tips on maximizing your social media marketing, identifying and developing the right attorney relationship, and how to grow positive reviews on your company that impact its online reputation. During the luncheon from 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Dave Delaney will speak, and BBB will also announce this year’s Torch and Spark Award winners. Students of Integrity scholarship winners will also be recognized for their hard work as they prepare for college.

In the workshops, The Jared Dalton Agency will offer engagement tips for social media, ways to generate leads by advertising, and ways to incorporate marketing into daily business processes. The Review Solutions team will discuss how and why reviews can positively impact a business’s bottom line, the best practices for asking for customer reviews, and how to respond to a review effectively. Representatives from Spencer Fane’s Nashville office explain why every business needs a lawyer before trouble arises and how to find one.

Additionally, Donzaleigh’s Photography will offer free professional head shots to attendees.

Register for the event by visiting bbbintegrityfoundation.org/bash. For more information, call BBB’s office at 615-242-4222.

Le Macaron, hokkaido Ramen house; Shelli’s Coffee + Social; gogi korean BBQ; Salty & Southern Collective; dutch Bros. Coffee

By delores ellIott

The former Local Taco and Dog Haus Biergarten location at 521 NW Broad St. will soon be home to hOkkAidO RAMEN hOuSE, which has a few additional locations across the U.S. An opening date has not been announced, although the building now has signage in place. According to its website, the Hokkaido Ramen House menu will include a variety of ramen options, boba teas, crab rangoons, spring rolls and gyoza, as well as several other meal options.

Another PuBLix Super Market is under development at 5229 Veterans Pkwy., just off I-840 and the Westlawn Boulevard area. The new location expects to employ at least 140 associates, and will provide a Publix grocery location for the Blackman area.

The Murfreesboro Planning Commission approved plans in 2019 for the building, which will be part of the wESTLAwN PAviLiON shopping center. Other buildings in the area include apartments, houses, the new Ascension Saint Thomas hospital and the Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & SurgiCenter, which is expected to open this August.

gOgi kOREAN BBQ will open a Murfreesboro location in The Oaks shopping mall, at 1855 Medical Center Pkwy.

SALTy & SOuThERN COLLECTivE has set up shop at 214 W. Main St., Murfreesboro. The collective appears to be a collection of various boutique and craft businesses, along with hair, nail, chiropractic and lash services. Keep up with the Salty & Southern Collective at instagram.com/elizabeth_mg_hair.

The local BudgET BRAkES has found a new location between Easy Auto and the Tigermarket on South Church Street, located just off I-24. This location change relates to the ongoing daylighting of Town Creek project. The project is intended to return the stream to its natural condition, running from the Discovery Center

A location of LE MACARON FRENCh PASTRiES will come to the Avenue, in the unit where Epicurean Olive Oil used to be between ONU Salon and Apricot Lane Boutique. Le Macaron will offer a variety of sweet options including macarons of various flavors and colors, creamy gelato, specialty coffee, chocolates, candies, cakes and classic French pastries. The Murfreesboro location will be one of the three Tennessee locations, which also include Nashville and Franklin. Le Macaron has stores all over the country, with a heavy presence in Florida and more stores on the way. For more information, visit lemacaron-us.com.

wetlands to Cannonsburgh. It was previously buried in underground culverts in the 1950s and 1960s. The Budget Brakes building on Northwest Broad Street will be razed as part of the project. Other businesses expected to be impacted include Copymatte Printing and the empty building that used to house 219 Mixed Cuisine.

Au ChANTAE BOdy PiERCiNg, located at 760 N. Thompson Ln. inside the Salons by JC complex, now offers a variety of body piercing options including ear lobe

and industrial, lip, nose piercings and more. The shop is handicapped accessible and family-friendly, providing a comfortable and all-inclusive experience. Owner and operator Shannon Summers is passionate about growing her business and strives to provide the best experience to those interested in getting piercings done at the salon. Hours are 5:30 to 10 p.m. Monday, 2 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday, 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit facebook.com/ auchantaebodypiercing

According to plans presented to the Murfreesboro Planning Commission, duTCh BROS. COFFEE intends to open a second Murfreesboro location, this one at the 1950 Old Fort Pkwy. lot containing the former bank building near the DoubleTree Hotel.

Ugadi Indian Grill recently announced the grand opening of their new eatery, dESi hANgOuT ChAATS & iCE CREAMS, located at 2108 Medical Center Pkwy. According to their webpage, the spot aims to create “a unique and immersive hangout experience that combines the flavors of tradition and the delight of ice cream and snacks.” The menu includes chaats, or savory snacks served as hors d’oeuvres, along with burgers, wraps, rice dishes, ice creams, milk shakes and other drinks. Learn more and view the full menu at desihangouttn.com

AdvANCE AuTO PARTS recently opened another Murfreesboro location in the former Rite Aid building at 2528 Old Fort Pkwy. The business also has locations on Southeast Broad Street, Northwest Broad Street, and South Church Street.

MuRFREESBORO AxE, located at 211 W Main St., suffered damages in early April after a vehicle crashed through the front of the building. It will remain open as repairs continue. Customers may enter at the side alley door. For updates, visit murfreesboroaxe.com or find the business on Facebook.

MuSiC CiTy TEA has moved from the Murfreesboro Public Square to a new location at 316 Murfreesboro St. Products offered at Music City Tea include tea accessories, tea blends, regular teas, starter sets and more. The business’ website currently shows its hours as “by appointment only.” For more information, visit musiccitytea.com.

As it prepares to open its East Main Street location in Murfreesboro this month, the dAPPER OwL has announced additional plans to open a Smyrna store as well. Business owner Tracy Terrell said that the Dapper Owl has acquired property on Enon Springs Road in Smyrna and will begin work on that location of the coffee shop and bakery. The Dapper Owl (2412 East Main St., Murfreesboro) will hold its ribbon cutting and grand opening event at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 15.

 closIngs

BuTTERMiLk Sky PiE ShOP has confirmed that it has permanently closed its Murfreesboro store after five years in business.

After just over a year in business, Rhk hiBAChi gRiLL ANd SEAFOOd on Lascassas Pike has closed.

Andrew and Danielle Lofton have opened ShELLi’S COFFEE + SOCiAL at 352 W. Northfield Blvd., Unit 4B. The shop offers various coffee, drink and food options and the Loftons are quite proud of the establishment’s game library. They invite local families and patrons of all ages to hang out at the comfortable spot and play games during its operating hours, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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The MTSu ENgiNEERiNg TEChNOLOgy department plans to open a new 90,000-square-foot Applied Engineering Building in the fall of 2025.

The groundbreaking for the new building will take place this summer. The building is expected to cost around $78.4 million, and will provide additional classroom space and equipment as well as a new robotics and automation lab for mechatronics students. It will be located beside the Concrete and Construction Management Building on the east side of campus.

“We’re going to have an entire ground floor that’s going to have Makerspace and we’re going to have a new robotics and automation lab, and that leads into other big news that we’re going to have probably close to $1.2 million of new equipment that’s been gifted or bought that we’re getting right now, that’s going to go into the new building, so, we’re really excited about this,” MTSU Engineering & Technology Department Chair Ken Currie said during a recent interview on MTSU’s Out of the Blue.

AFTER gRAduATE STudENT Abigail Kwarteng capped off her MTSU experience with a walk across the Murphy Center stage in May 2023, she set her sights on her next dream—to represent her native Ghana in the high jump in Paris, France, at next year’s Summer Olympics Games.

“As an athlete, the Olympics is almost everybody’s dream,” said Kwarteng, who earned her master of public health degree Saturday, May 6. “However, I wouldn’t say I realized it was my own Olympic dream until my time at MTSU.”

Kwarteng arrived at campus with a toptier track-and-field career already under her belt, having competed in multiple national and international high jump championships. Under her MTSU coach Andrew Owusu, public health professor and multi-year Olympian himself, Kwarteng continued her impressive performances, ending last year as one of the top five high jumpers in the world. She set a personal best at a 2022 meet in Auburn, Alabama, clearing 1.92 meters (6 feet, 3 1/2 inches) in the high jump event.

“My coach made me realize I had a lot of potential, and I could go way farther than college competition,” she said. “He asked, ‘What are we doing here? Let’s keep going as far as we can go.’ I decided I will not end my athletic career until I’ve made it to the Olympics.”

Kwarteng said she trains at least two hours a day.

“There are running activities like pulling sleds,” she said. “I run the Floyd Stadium stairs, I jump twice a week and we also work on the more technical aspects of jumping. I’ve always given my best performances under his coaching.”

Owusu met Kwarteng in 2016 at a

competition in Ghana and said she had enormous potential. Kwarteng transferred to MTSU after a slip in her performance at another university, Owusu said.

Despite her rigorous training schedule, Kwarteng said she found a semblance of balance between sports and real life for the first time during her years at MTSU.

“My whole life, it’s been all about sports,” Kwarteng said. “I never had the opportunity to work before MTSU. I couldn’t walk during my undergrad graduation because I had a track meet.”

Kwarteng was determined not to miss the experience this time; she choked up while explaining that, as the first person in her family to graduate college, this past Saturday’s moment meant very much to her.

“I’m doing this for my family,” she said. “My parents are farmers. They live thousands of miles away in Ghana. They never had the opportunity to go to school. My father even got a scholarship to attend high school for free, but his family couldn’t afford the transportation. To be able to walk for my master’s, it’s almost surreal.”

In addition to hitting athletic milestones while on campus, Kwarteng found direction for her career in public health.

She said her first job as a graduate assistant at the College of Graduate Studies fostered some of her fondest True Blue memories. Now, with degree in hand, Kwarteng plans to continue the winning training formula of Murfreesboro and Owusu, intending to work in public health while she continues her high-jump training.

The 2024 Summer Olympics begin July 26, 2024, in Paris, France; for more on MTSu athletes, visit goblueraiders.com.

kwarteng at her final ncAA track-and-field competition at the university of oregon.

Abigail kwarteng with Mtsu coach Andrew owusu

C OMPETITION

PHOTOS BY

MTSU A THLETICS

will tennessee get mlb?

+ Nashville Soccer Club on fire, putting together seven-game unbeaten streak

So, my last article ruffled a feather or two, and I promised those people I would keep this article positive. You will not hear me ranting

about biology and sports, nope! I have no desire to talk about the lack of integrity in female athletics, about how this topic has entered the realm of insanity. I mean, we have gender separation in sports for a reason, because biology matters, but I have no desire to talk about that, even though it is extremely important to me.

I am just saying that in a society that often puts feelings over common sense, we need sensible people willing to loudly say that biological males competing with biological females in sports is lunacy. LOL.

Enough. I do have a desire to talk about a few other things in this month’s issue. I am going to call this article “The Ramble of the Yee-Yee.” I am now 38 years old; I began writing articles for this amazing publication at the age of 24. Time is tickin’, it keeps on tickin’, time is tickin’ away See, that’s what happens when you ramble—you end up singing old-school DC Talk songs, then switch over to praising the beautiful state of Tennessee and then touch on some sports.

It’s June in Tennessee. I love this state! I will live here the rest of my life and be buried somewhere in these hills. There is no place I would rather be!

Not many areas in the country are more beautiful than a drive through Tennessee. Newcomers will often say, “It’s so green!” Give me that backwoods, slow-it-down life. It’s medicine for the soul. Ridicule my love of home all you want, but it is a healthy obsession that leads to happiness. It must be miserable living somewhere where you truly aren’t content. I wouldn’t know about that, though.

Maybe that little ramble about the state of Tennessee gives a little insight into why I have been so obsessed with Tennessee sports my entire life.

Tennessee Volunteers or the Tennessee Titans, my passion level is insanity, and it will never stop. If we start talking about the Nashville Predators or Nashville Soccer Club it still is insanity. I have problems. Though I did give my love away to one team outside of Tennessee—the only team I root for outside of state lines, the Atlanta Braves.

Tennessee is full of Braves fans because it is the closest MLB team around for much

of the state. I grew up thinking I was going to be the next Chipper Jones. It was hard not to become a Braves fan as a kid in the ’90s. That team was stacked and should have won three World Series. But at least they got one in the ’90s and another recently.

I have a question: If the state of Tennessee finally got its own MLB team, something I can see happening in the next decade or so, would you Braves fans living in Tennessee switch it up? The answer for me is an immediate yes. I would embrace that hypothetical team with everything I have.

Go ahead and say I am not a real Braves fan. You probably are correct; I have never felt that complete connection with the team from Georgia. Bring an MLB team to Nashville and boom, I am rocking with them from year one as a diehard fan. The Braves would have my thanks for decades of great baseball and memories.

One more topic—a shout-out to Nashville Soccer! The Nashville Soccer Club is on fire and playing some great ball (biological male balls, you could say). Nashville is rising the ranks of the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer.

As of the beginning of June, the NSC sits at eight wins, four draws and three losses, rocking 28 points, good enough for second place in the East, just behind FC Cincinnati. It really is amazing what this club is doing in its beautiful new soccer stadium, Geodis Park. The team extended its unbeaten streak to seven games (5-0-2 during the span) in front of another capacity crowd of just over 30K fans. Nashville is a full-time, real-deal sports city. We have the passion and the people. Bring it on!

Nashville doesn’t play another home game until June 17 against St Louis; the club goes on the road June 3 at Dallas and June 10 at Toronto. Get ready, Nashville fans—you have a young soccer team that has shown us up to this point in the season they have the championship pedigree. Bring that cup to the ’Ville!

Enough rambling, the Z-Train is ready to roll into the station! I wish you all an incredibly happy summer, full of good times and memories. Life is moving faster than I can keep up with, but I embrace it all. It’s not always easy but it’s worth it. Embrace life, because life is good! Life isn’t always fair, though; the world of women’s athletics knows this. More on that topic another time.

To all my loyal readers and haters, thank you! Contact me at titanman1984@ gmail.com if you have any words of wisdom. Rolling into the station—choo-choo and yee-yee Tennessee!

ThE TRAiN dAddy iS BACk with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard!

SINCE FaThER’S daY FallS in the month of June, I thought I would share my thoughts about my own father and what it’s like being a father.

According to Wikipedia, there are 74 million fathers in the U.S. There are an astonishing 1.5 billion fathers in the world. The idea of Father’s Day was conceived a little over 100 years ago by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Washington, while she listened to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children on a farm.

The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966, when President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Father’s Day has been celebrated annually since 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it permanent.

It’s going on eight years now since my own father, Floyd M. Wilson, left this world. We buried Dad on the anniversary of the day I got sober, 28 years prior, which was kind of ironic.

Dad was quite the character. He, like me, grew up here in Murfreesboro. He would always tell stories of hard times growing up during the depression era of the 1930s and ’40s. He was educated here and graduated from Kittrell High School in the late ’40s. He was a basketball player and he used to tell the story about Coach Jarrett, who would call Wilson in from the bench to go in the game. Then, when Coach Jarrett would call my father to take him out of the game, he would say “Wilson, you’re not worth a damn . . . wait just a minute, Wilson, you’re not

worth a half a damn!” And the way he told the story cracked us all up.

Dad was full of stories. When my older brother Mitch was born, Dad was stationed down at Patrick Air Force Base in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Mother was here in Murfreesboro fixing to have a new baby. For some reason, he hitchhiked from the middle of Florida to Murfreesboro to be there for the birth of Mitchell.

Mother tells a story of how, when money was tight, she and Dad would offer to take veterans to a hospital in New York City. Dad had been in the Air Force during the Korean conflict. So Mom and Dad drove a veteran from Nashville to New York City. They make it to downtown New York and Dad had to go into a business to ask somebody for directions, leaving my poor little mother in the car with this stranger, who may have just gotten in from Korea. She told me this veteran would take a puff of a cigarette, somehow put the entire thing in his mouth and then pop the cigarette back out and it was still smoking.

My father was very generous. I remember him going around to make sure people had enough food. He would sometimes buy groceries and deliver them to folks’ houses.

He was one of the first State Farm agents here in Murfreesboro and remained one for 52 years before he retired in 2013. He loved people and the people loved him back. He was a county commissioner and the chairman of the county commission in the late ’70s and early ’80s, so naturally, my brother David and I would be running around the courthouse while they were in their county commission meetings. I’ve been told the

county commission meeting would sometimes have to be stopped so Floyd could call Carolyn to come get the Wilson boys.

During my rebellious stage, sometimes I would have car trouble. I can remember one night in particular I was at The Boro Bar and Grill on Greenland Drive. This particular car was a yellow Oldsmobile Cutlass that would not always go into drive. So my dad, like he did countless times, came to the rescue and drove this yellow Cutlass in reverse from The Boro Bar through the streets of the MTSU campus all the way to their house on Bradyville Pike.

I remember Dad’s love for anything with four wheels. He was a car collector of sorts. When Byrn Motor Company closed its doors, Dad bought the 1910 Buick Muskrat that sat in the Byrn Motor Company showroom, located on Broad Street where Hooters is today. I remember him taking my younger brother David and myself for rides in the Muskrat, which wouldn’t go over 30 miles an hour. But we thought we were so cool going up and down Bradyville Road, waving to neighbors and cars passing by.

One other story about my dad later in life, when we were all a little concerned about his driving: He was driving down Bradyville Pike, like he had done thousands of times on his way home, and he must’ve been tailgating this car. He got a little too close and ran this car into a ditch. Being a good citizen, he put his flashers on and walked over to the car in the ditch. He opened up the door to make sure everybody in the car was okay. He knew the driver, which was Mom and Dad’s neighbor from across the street. Dad said

“Amanda, are you okay? Do you need me to call your insurance agent?” Amanda replied “Mr. Wilson, you are my insurance agent!”

My father was a great father who loved the Lord and his family. He was an elder at his church. He took us on many trips all over the place. He made sure we all were in church and he taught us right from wrong (even though I didn’t always do right). I can tell you he was always there for me and for Mom and my siblings whenever we needed him.

I’m very grateful for the time I got to spend with my father. I know he’s in a much better place in Heaven, probably telling one of his stories, which he was great at! My father taught me to be kind to people, to work hard and trust the Lord, knowing that good days were ahead.

My dad used to say to me “Son, wait till you have your own son and you will know what I’m talking about.” Thank God for William, my 22-year-old son, and thank God for my Dad. I guess one thing I taught my father was patience and tolerance, which William has passed onto me.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! Hug your father, whomever that is. Now go out and do something nice for somebody!

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.

Minute

The by BIll wIlson

happy Father’s day Floyd Wilson

Mr. Murfreesboro Remembers His Father as a Great Storyteller

Live Exceptionally...Well!

By JennIfer durAnd

The Other Side of Fear

there’s a good book called Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers. I have used this mantra as a reference and catalyst for many things in my life. I was doing that before her book was ever published, but it was cool to discover that principles you’ve unwittingly lived by are in a written form or some kind of instructional guide.

Fear is a reflection of a lack of confidence. It is also regarded as “False Evidence Appearing Real.”

If you don’t have enough facts about something, it can feel intimidating to move forward. When you don’t have enough (or any) experience with something, that too can be a daunting hurdle.

What are some of the fears that keep you from moving forward? What aren’t you doing that you’d like to be doing? Do you want to pursue a new friendship? Change careers? Change partners? Take a class or learn a new skill? Write a book? Take a trip? Run for office or speak in front of a group?

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” — George Addair.

Regardless of the reason you stall, it comes from some basic fears: not being good enough, not having enough, afraid of losing what you do have, not knowing how to go about it, fear of rejection or not being liked. It could also be the fear of making an effort and find that nothing changes, or that it changes and you are worse off. Even those reasons suggest an underlying fear of not being accepted on some level.

“I’m more afraid of being nothing than I am of getting hurt.” — Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder Children are often good motivators to push beyond limitations. We often want our children to have more than we did, or have more opportunities, so they become our reason why. The fear of being alone pushes us to interact with others when we’d prefer not to exert the energy. I have a friend who once said she is social “in spite of herself,” meaning she knows it’s important to connect with others even though it’s easier to go home. Knowing that growth does not come from stagnation, the choice to be active in some way is necessary. Sometimes we change when we are “sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

“Nothing in life is to be feared. It is to be understood.” —

Marie Curie

A verse from the song “Freewill” by Rush—If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice shows that we do in fact choose. We always have a choice. We are either more comfortable not facing change, or we feel our fear or discomfort and choose to see what it looks like on the other side of fear. You

can rehearse more scenarios of defeat in your mind than you can of success. Try to imagine how you would feel if any one of your fears came true, and sit with that thought. Let it sink in and see how it would feel. Can you handle that outcome? Would it kill you, embarrass you, humiliate you? Break through the thought of what you think would happen to you. Then get a glimpse into the other side of fear. Most of what we fear never comes to pass. If it does come to pass, you will live through it. You will still be on the other side, and more than likely you will gain not only experience but you will have more confidence.

“We are more often frightened than hurt; And we suffer more from imagination than reality.”

— Seneca

Many prefer to be good at something before doing it in front of someone else, but nothing ever starts out perfectly. It all starts with understanding that you have to make the effort, take the steps, put in the time, and practice, over and over, until you get better. Whether it’s running a race, climbing a mountain, bench-pressing weight, losing or gaining weight, learning a new language or instrument, dancing, performing comedy, acting, buying a new house, getting married or getting divorced, it all starts with the desire for change.

Even when you haven’t achieved first place or won the Oscar or gotten the relationship you wanted, you begin to understand what it takes to move in that direction. It requires an action, movement or decision. So how do you get to the other side of fear? Get moving!

In the book mentioned at the beginning of this article Susan Jeffers suggests: “In every situation there are at least 30 ways to change your point of view. Make this a game—the ‘change your point of view’ game. Play it with a friend; having a ‘growth buddy’ is very nourishing.”

Start with tiny steps. It doesn’t have to be grand. One small victory will give you confidence to take the next tiny step. Embrace feeling uncomfortable, knowing that you will feel uncomfortable, and that because you’re feeling it you know you are that much closer to conquering your fear and gaining the wisdom and confidence that come with each step.

Jennifer durand is the owner and operator of The Nurture Nook day Spa & gift Shoppe; she is a certified Qigong and Breathe Empowerment instructor, a skin care and makeup specialist and is licensed in massage therapy. Let her help you find your personal “ahh . . .” by visiting nurturenook. com or by calling (615) 896-7110.

Congress Continues to raise its own Credit limit

whEN i TuRNEd 16, i wANTEd A CAR, just like pretty much every other American teenage boy. When I asked my father for financial help getting my first car, he told me that if I didn’t get the money myself, I wouldn’t value the car. I didn’t like that answer, but as Thomas Paine said in The American Crisis, “What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.”

It turns out my father was wise to make me work for my first car.

We are not here today to talk about teenagers and their cars, but of the trillions of dollars the United States spends each and every year. First, we should ask if our employees in Washington, D.C. are spending our money wisely or, like spoiled rich brats, are they treating our hard-earned cash like Monopoly money?

Once we answer that, the next obvious question is, do we cut up Uncle Sam’s credit cards before all 330 million of us are bankrupt?

Feder A l Fin A n C es 101

If we’re going to talk about money and the federal government, we need to start at the beginning, with the Constitution and the powers delegated to the United States.

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States

— U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 and 2

Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, but only for three specific purposes:

– Pay the debts of the United States

By PAul engel

how long will the Monopoly money game continue?

– Provide for the common defense of the United States

– For the general welfare of the United States Congress also has the power to borrow money on the credit of the United States. That’s with a capital “U” and a capital “S”, a proper noun, not the several states or the people, but the union of states known as the United States.

Not only can Congress collect taxes and borrow money, but they have the power to spend money as well.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law — U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 9, Clause 7

The situation we are talking about today is very simple. When Congress passes laws to appropriate money from the treasury that exceeds the amount collected in taxes, Congress must borrow the difference. I know, that seems pretty simple, but based on recent discussions, articles and press conferences, this simple fact is not only lost on Congress and the entire federal government, but on the people as well. Which is how we get reports like this:

“The federal budget deficit was $1.1 trillion in the first half of fiscal year 2023, the Congressional Budget Office estimates—$430 billion more than the shortfall recorded during the same period last year—and consistent with projections CBO released in February,” this according to the Congressional Budget Office’s Monthly Budget Review for March 2023.

The deficit, which is the difference between money spent and taxes collected, is the amount that the United States has to borrow to make up the difference. This is not to be confused with the national debt, which is the accumulations of all the deficits over time, also known as the money Congress has borrowed on the

credit of the United States. How did we get to this particular situation?

“Outlays were 13 percent higher and revenues were 3 percent lower from October through March than during the same period in fiscal year 2022,” the CBO’s review went on to state.

A fiscal year is an accounting period of time. The United States runs on a fiscal year that starts on Oct. 1 every year. That means that the budget for 2023 ends on Sept. 30, 2023, rather than on Dec. 31. (It may seem a little confusing, but that explains why the Congressional Budget Office reports data starting in October rather than January.)

All this means that Congress appropriated 13% more money for the Treasury department to spend in the first half of fiscal year 2023 compared to 2022, yet the actual collection of taxes Congress authorized by law during that same time period was 3% lower than the previous year.

Just like for your home budget, if expenses go up while income goes down, then you have to borrow money to pay the bills. In the case of Congress, they just borrowed $1,100,000,000,000 on the credit of the United States. I did a little math and the $1.1 trillion dollars that Congress had to borrow will cost the American people approximately an additional $13.8 billion every year in interest payments. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like serious money to me.

t he d ebt l imit

While most Americans would put these budget shortfalls on their credit cards, Congress does not have a literal “American Express” card on which to charge this. The full details of how the federal government actually borrows money is beyond the scope of this article, but it’s important to know a few basic concepts. Since only Congress can borrow money on the credit of the United States, they must authorize such borrowing by law. This is commonly known as the debt limit, and can only be changed by law, meaning Congress must pass a bill and the president must sign it. Think of it as the credit limit on your credit cards. If you keep borrowing money by charging it to your credit card, sooner or later the bank will say “that’s enough.” Similarly, as the federal government keeps borrowing money to spend on its profligate programs, sooner or later the American people, through their representatives in the House, and the states through their representatives in the Senate, will also say,

“That’s enough.” At least we would hope so, but that has not been the case—which is why every time in history that the federal government’s borrowing approached the debt limit, Congress simply raised it, voting to extend its own credit limit.

I don’t know about you, but if I was maxing out my credit cards every couple of years, I’d take a serious look at my budget. Sure, there are some things I can do to increase my income, but the first place I’d look is at my spending.

Federal spending, with rare exceptions like the end of COVID, almost always seems to go up. Yes, the revenue frequently goes up as well, but rarely as fast as the spending. This continuous increase in spending is nothing new; neither is it limited to a particular political party.

Spending continues to increase under each presidential administration, one after the other.

Still, this way of thinking shows one of the more common misunderstandings of America’s budget crisis. Presidents don’t appropriate money, Congress does. Remember Article I, Section 9, Clause 7?

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law;

That means the people most responsible for authorizing the ever-increasing spending are the members of Congress. That also means the representatives of the people and the states are authorizing this spending. Since the people elect members to both houses of Congress, that means we are responsible for putting the people in place who have created this disaster. At the end of 2022, our national debt was just short of $31,000,000,000,000. Compare that to our gross domestic product, which is the sum of all goods and services sold in the United State in 2022, which came in at $21,461,300,000,000. That means if we took every dollar in goods and services made in the United States and applied it to the debt, we would still have almost $10 trillion of debt still outstanding. That would be like taking your entire paycheck, before taxes and deductions, and sending it to the credit card company, and still having a six-figure debt balance. Unfortunately, nothing currently going on in Congress will change any of this.

The responsibility to set a budget is not a surprise to Congress. Neither is the need for appropriations bills or the debt ceiling. The dates of these events are known to each and every congressman at

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUZY HAZELWOOD / PE x ELS

the beginning of the session. Yet year after year these men and women simply wait until the last minute and then find a way to “kick the can down the road.” Not all members of Congress are this derelict in their duties, but the majority of them are. And every two years these members of Congress lie to the American people that they will fix what they see as the problem, but they never seem to propose any solutions that would actually do so. Yet the American people blindly follow these fiscally malfeasant actors down the path to destruction. This leads me to a little news article you may not have seen.

Constitution A l Crisis

On ABC’s This Week, George Stephanopoulos, during an interview with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, repeatedly asked about calls for the White House to invoke the Fourteenth Amendment to allow the treasury to continue borrowing money even if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling. How is that supposed to work?

fingers pointing back and forth between the houses of Congress, the presidency, and the Department of Treasury, the ones truly responsible for this mess are We the People. Yes, we have hired representatives that have spent more than they collected in taxes for decades. We did so because we thought we could get goods and services from government and not have to pay for them. In short, the American people have been incredibly greedy for decades, and the chickens are coming home to roost. We asked Congress to collect taxes for more than paying the debts and providing for the common defense and the general welfare of the United States, but we asked them to appropriate far more than we would let them collect. With each new program, service, subsidy and entitlement, we told our representatives to simply charge it, figuring someone else would have to pick up the tab. Well, that game of musical chairs is coming to an end, and it appears this generation is the one without a place to sit.

The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. — U.S. Constitution,

Amendment XIV, Section 4

Those who are claiming that the Executive Branch can get around Congress’ pesky debt limit problem by invoking the Fourteenth Amendment have apparently missed one or two little phrases. First, no one is questioning the debt. The question is, will Congress authorize by law additional debt? This is the second problem for those looking for a non-legislative solution. Any debts incurred outside of congressional action are not authorized by law, and therefore their validity would not be subject to the Fourteenth Amendment. Since the Constitution only delegates the power to borrow money on the credit of the United States to Congress, any attempt by the Treasury department to borrow money beyond Congress’ authorization would be void and of no effect.

An unconstitutional act is not a law; it confers no rights; it imposes no duties; it affords no protection; it creates no office; it is in legal contemplation as inoperative as though it had never been passed. — Norton v. Shelby County, 118 U.S. 425 (1886)

h ow long CA n this C ontinue?

So where does that leave us? With all the

The only reason the United States is not bankrupt is because people around the world keep lending us money or the Federal Reserve makes it up out of thin air, further devaluing the dollar and pushing us deeper into this fiscal crisis. Like a drunk who wards off his hangover by drinking more, we’ve kept this party going far longer than reason would allow. Someday, just like that drunk, the United States will get cut off by the world. In fact, I think it’s already starting to happen as more and more nations agree do to business together in something other than U.S. dollars. The world trusted us to be its reserve currency, and people outside the USA are starting to realize we were not up to the challenge. Regardless of where you stand on the current debt limit issue, if We the People don’t demand that our public servants get our fiscal house in order, then our economic future is bleak indeed. For those of you who think that we can continue this charade, that we can fix this crisis without spending cuts, I remind you that we’ve tried that for at least 70 years and it hasn’t worked yet. As Mr. Albert Einstein put it: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Paul Engel is the founder of The Constitution Study, which encourages Constitutional discourse and promotes the ideas of living in freedom and preserving the Constitutional republic. Read more at constitutionstudy.com or contact him at paul@constitutionstudy.com.

e ating the e lephant

Leap into home schooling and take one

ThE

SChOOL yEAR hAS wRAPPEd uP

and summer vacation is now in full swing. Over the summer many families will contemplate their educational options for next school year. It is a regular occurrence for me to be contacted by parents who are considering home schooling. Summer break is the perfect time for parents to delve into the world of home schooling. For many, it can seem like an overwhelming decision and sometimes parents don’t know where to start. I like to say, “It is like eating an elephant, one bite at a time.”

If you are considering home schooling, the following steps are intended to make the decision more digestible.

Familiarize yourself with the home-school laws in your state. Laws vary by state, and it is important to familiarize yourself with what you are legally required to do in the state in which you will be home-schooling.

at a

One of the many questions I see new parents ask is, “which curriculum should I purchase?” I like to caution parents not to put the cart before the horse. Curricula can be expensive, and there have been many a home-school family who have dropped large amounts of cash on a popular curriculum only to find out that it is not a viable fit for their family. Don’t start your journey by choosing one prematurely.

Home schooling can be as expensive as you choose to make it. You can literally homeschool with as little as a library card. There are also free curricula available. You can borrow home-school curricula, purchase used ones, and even use the same ones for multiple children of varying ages. There is a viable option for every budget and every home-school method.

You are going to need to unlearn everything you think you know about education. Kindergarten children learn best through

play, so you should not be spending hours sitting and doing book work. Their attention spans are short, and traditional public schools present children with information that is not developmentally appropriate, which often leads to frustration in children and, even more concerning, medical misdiagnoses. Learning should be an enjoyable experience. Both you and your children should enjoy the home-school journey. You aren’t going to know everything, and it is perfectly acceptable and very beneficial for you to learn alongside your children. It teaches them that life is a continual process of learning. No one understands the educational needs of children better than their parents. You are equipped.

Parents should also choose their “why.” Why are you considering home schooling? What do you hope to accomplish? What are your long-range goals? For our family, our ultimate goal for our children is to point them toward Christ and to instill in them a biblical worldview which will equip them in defending their faith and leading others to Christ. Every family should define their “why.”

we have today in government schools. The system isn’t broken. It is actually functioning just as it was intended to. The last thing we want to do as home-school parents is to attempt to recreate the public school system at home and for the government to fund home schooling. We want to remain free from government shackles to educate our children as we see fit.

I also encourage parents to focus more on the “home” part and less on the “school” part throughout their homeschool journey. The definition of school is: an institution for educating children; but the definition of education is: knowledge, skill and development gained from study or practice. As a home-school family, everyday life is the classroom. We are not an institution. We are not doing “school.” We are families who are leading and directing the education of our children.

# F ree Yo U r chi L dren

It is also very important for families to understand the different methods of home schooling and decide which method works best for their family and for each individual child. This step needs to precede choosing a curriculum. The method you choose will determine the type of educational materials you will utilize for your children. Home schooling allows you the freedom to customize each child’s education. This is why I tell parents to decide which model you will be implementing before you even consider a specific curriculum.

By t I ffA ny B oyd

This summer, think outside of the box. Use the next few weeks to consider an educational option for your child that will put you in the driver’s seat and allow you to lead and your direct your child’s education. The benefits of home schooling are numerous. We only have a very short window of time with our children. Make the most of the time you have been given.

I have met many families over our 20 years of home schooling. None have ever expressed regret at having home-schooled, but I hear over and over from families who wish they would have taken the leap, yet they allowed fear to hold them back.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Plug into local home-school communities in your area. There are a wealth of resources out there for home-schooling parents. You won’t be on the journey alone. There are many organizations that can walk alongside you. Finding a homeschool mentor that has graduated at least one child is also a valuable asset. If your church is home-school-friendly and supports home schooling, that is an even bigger bonus. Tap into all of those resources. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

I also highly recommend that parents do a deep dive into the history of education in the United States and the history of school choice. That research will help parents better understand why we have what

Step out in faith. Take the leap and don’t look back. You can eat the elephant one bite at a time.

Tiffany Boyd is the founder of Free yOuR Children, a homeschool advocate, consultant, speaker and the founder of Middle Tennessee Christian homeschool Connection. She holds a B.S. degree in interdisciplinary studies from MTSu and is a former tenured public school teacher. She is a wife of 30 years and mother to five children, grandmother to two. She and her husband have home educated for 18 years. Find more at freeyourchildren.com. if you are considering home schooling, you may contact her at freeyourchildren@gmail.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RODNAE PRODUCTIONS / PE x ELS

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RECENTLy My dAughTER ANd i rewatched a Netflix rendition of a popular YA novel from a few years ago. The story’s main character has two potential love interests, and teens disagree about whom she should choose, referring to themselves as Team Guy 1 or Team Guy 2. We laughed, weighing the pros and cons of both.

In parenting we often feel there are two camps to choose from: authoritarian parenting versus permissive parenting, strict vs. indulgent. But neither of these styles is ideal in isolation.

You may have seen the T-shirts and memes, but neither “Team Mean Mom” or “Team Cool Mom” is a great model. Every child needs parents invested in their personal growth, who love them unconditionally and work to build a relationship with them.

What defines “mean moms” vs. “cool moms”? The mean mom meme (say that 10 times fast) generally list ways parents earn the insult “mean” from their child. In essence, “mean moms” set and enforce limits, aren’t afraid to say “no” and insist children follow the rules. Their number one priority appears to be discipline and respect for the rules. They believe conflict with their child is less detrimental to their growth than allowing overly indulgent behavior.

“Cool moms” or “friend moms” are the easygoing, whatever-makes-you-happy type model, who pick their battles, only insisting on a few rules they feel strongly about. Sometimes even these are up for debate, depending on the circumstances. Having a positive relationship with their child appears to be their number one priority. They choose having fun and positive feelings over conflict every time.

Both parenting strategies have some appeal, some value and some detriment.

We all want a good relationship with

Team Mean Mom vs. Team Cool Mom s how

kids love by balancing rules and relationship

By el I s AB eth g Ay

our children and for them to obey the rules. But in the parenting trenches, when our child is pitching a horrific fit in Walmart, on the ball field, or heading out our front door, it feels like we must choose. Whatever instruction spurred the tirade of pushback has suddenly become a battle line. In the heat of battle, it’s hard to think clearly, so we default to the model we learned growing up, positive or negative.

When we default to an authoritarian mentality without considering the whole situation, or when we approach parenting without established expectations, we’re bound to flounder. Children who are met with unyielding rigidity—without a loving relationship—will reject the rules and the rule-maker. Children met with unlimited indulgence—without boundaries—will perceive they’re not loved enough to merit their parents’ involvement and will live as if their life doesn’t matter. The best summary of these extremes is:

Rules without Relationship = Rebellion

Relationship without Rules = Recklessness

Relationship + Rules = Righteousness

Every child needs to know they matter. Investing time, energy and guidance, setting boundaries, cheering on their successes, and supporting them through failures all demonstrate this.

Every child needs to know that they are loved, unconditionally, by the people who matter most to them: their family. Regardless of their mistakes, they are loved, safe, and accepted at home.

Home should be everyone’s safe place.

It’s also the training ground for real life. So how do we train our kids up in the way they should go, lovingly, without devolving into anger when they disobey? The key is replacing emotion-driven behavior with intention-driven behavior.

Emotion-driven behavior is unstable and cannot be relied upon. Whether that is a positive emotion or a negative emotion, if decisions are based on how we feel, they cannot be predicted in future interactions. Children growing up in homes where emotion drives the rules, or lack thereof, get the message their parents are not reliable, and their situation is not stable or safe.

By establishing realistic, logic-based expectations ahead of time, you provide a safe space for your children. They may still resist the boundaries, but they feel safe knowing their parents care about them enough to set and enforce boundaries.

Two emotions that tend to skew parenting are anger and fear. Anger at disobedience is typical for authoritarian parents and fear of disharmony with our children fuels permissive parenting.

Anger is a normal human emotion sometimes born from a sense of justice and tends to fuel authoritarianism. Permissiveness often stems from the fear of losing our relationship with our kids. Yet most anger is also based on this same fear, just disguised.

We feel angry at disobedience, but the root of the anger is fear of what will happen if our child doesn’t obey the expectation. If he runs into the road or comes in after curfew, we’re angry. Why? Because we set that rule for a reason. We know he’s safer if he follows it. The fear of

losing our child (or of them being hurt) drives the anger. But allowing anger to reign over our interactions will eventually drive away the very children we’re trying to protect. If anger drives our parenting decisions, they’re not based on love. If avoiding conflict drives our parenting decisions, they’re not based on love either. Both are selfish ways to control our situation. We should pick our battles, promote harmony and peace at home, and build strong relationships with our kids. But not at the expense of keeping our kids safe or preparing them for the world they face.

A few strategies for positive, consistent parenting:

– Establish ground rules together with your family. Discuss the reasons behind the expectations.

– Agree on the unmovable rules. Limit these to bedrock basics, such as “we treat each other with respect.”

– Agree on which rules get reevaluated as children age.

– Establish reasonable consequences, then enforce those consistently early on.

– Get to know families with admirable kids older than yours. Discuss their challenges and strategies.

Establishing clear guidelines before conflict arises provides a common framework to operate from, an impartial judge (the rule), and an important preparation for real life.

a 2021 stUdY shoWs that 51% oF U.s. households are at risk of not sustaining their preretirement income in retirement. You might say “That’s no big deal, because my expenses will be lower.” Maybe you will not have a mortgage, the kids are out of the house, you will not have a commute, etc. While those things are true, what about travel, seeing children and grandchildren? Do you plan to enjoy your life or just sit around the house not doing much? Even if you don’t have expensive tastes, you may eventually have some health issues and you will want to make sure you have enough money to take care of yourself.

Another shocking statistic, according to a 2019 U.S. government study, only 55% of households ages 55–64 have any kind of retirement savings account. This is alarming, and a worse place to be than the first statistic. Let’s assume you have $100,000 saved for retirement at age 60. How long do you think that will last you? Do you believe Social Security will be enough? Don’t bet on it!

I’ll share one more worrisome statistic: It is estimated that by 2050 there could be a $130 trillion savings gap in the U.S. This means people will outlive their savings by 10–20 years. That means many will be living in poverty. Please don’t let this happen to you.

Fortunately, there are ways you can catch up and even get ahead. If you have a work retirement plan, you can not only make contributions that get you a match, but you can also add catch-up contributions if you are over the age of 50. You can put away more money taxdeferred and potentially even more into Roth accounts for future growth. The point is there are ways to make sure you aren’t a part of this devastating statistic.

One of the biggest issues plaguing so many Americans is debt. Whether it’s a result of borrowing to go to college, just the fact that we have so many fun things available to buy, or inflation, we tend to spend more than we make. The more debt one incurs, the more difficult it is to dig out of.

It’s so important to have a budget and look for ways to allocate your money more efficiently. People find it enlightening and often surprising when they actually look at where their money is going. You may not realize that eating out is costing you $500 per month or those subscriptions are over $200. Perhaps your car or home insurance isn’t as efficient or cost effective as you thought. You may be paying $500–700 per month for a car payment.

There are a lot of ways you can find to reallocate your budget to savings. The most important one is to pay yourself first. Treat your savings as a bill that you have to pay. The recreation money needs to be the last in order of importance. You need to pay your bills and sometimes that means making sacrifices now so you don’t have to make them later. That new $1,000 smartphone would look cool, but if your current one lasting another year means you can put that $40 per month away for retirement, you may want to consider that as a very good option. Here is a secret: very few people will remember whether you had the coolest phone or the most expensive car and they will like you even if you save money (assuming you are a nice person, of course).

Working with a financial advisor can be a big benefit for so many people. We are able to help you take an inventory of where you are and show you a path to where you want to go. In the end, it’s your values that are the most important, and you’ll want to deploy your assets in the most efficient way to make sure you are going to meet your goals. Maybe it’s a strategy to pay less in taxes or put money away for your children. Perhaps you don’t have enough life insurance, or the investments you have aren’t as efficient as they could be.

Putting together a plan and being intentional with your money can make a world of difference. Don’t worry if you don’t have it all together—you don’t need to, you just need to get started. Small steps now can be the difference between enjoying retirement or deciding if you should eat or pay your electric bill.

Reach out if you would like to talk more about making plans that will help you meet your goals.

(Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not tax, legal or financial advice. Every individual situation is different.)

if you are looking for a financial advisor who can help you with tax planning, contact Sean Moran with Red Barn Financial in Murfreesboro at 615619-6919 or smoran@redbarnfinancial.com.

I wrote Deployed With My Mother , a story about me and my mom serving in Desert Storm together in 1991.

It’s designed for anyone who has ever had anything in life not go according to plan!

I share with my readers how to have hope, be encouraged, and a powerful story of forgiveness.

I explain the power of perspective and the difference it can make.

Dave Weill