March 2023 Murfreesboro Pulse

Contents

AFTER LEAdiNg ThE TENNESSEE vALLEy

Winds in performing all of the themes of the U.S. military branches at a concert at Old Fort Park last year, band director Erich Zimmerman mentioned the group would begin adding the Space Force anthem to such performances when that newest branch announced its musical theme.

And now, thanks to MTSU professor Jamie Teachenor, the Space Force does indeed have an official anthem. Kind of neat how that played out. Read more in this edition.

This month’s edition also has a strong dose of Eagleville news, as we highlight Grindstone Cowboy and Sorelles Italian Restaurant, two unique spots out there adding their flavor to the small Rutherford County town.

The buttercups are out, Mr. Mahomes has raised his second Super Bowl trophy (only five more to go until he equals Brady’s seven . . .) and March Madness is on the horizon. MTSU basketball has done well in conference play lately, going 5–2 during the month of February. The Conference USA tournament kicks off March 8 in Texas to determine which team will earn a berth into the big dance.

14

GrIndstone cowBoy

Eagleville’s coffee shop rides in hot (and iced) with music; Ty Herndon, Mindy Campbell, War Hippies among upcoming acts.

20 northrup falls

Walk behind 60-foot-tall waterfall situated within a lovely piece of a secluded Cumberland Plateau forest.

30

swInG and a hIt!

Golf at courses around the world at Tennessee Golf Station, even when it’s cold or dark outside.

32 network, enGaGe, eVolVe

Murfreesboro Technology Council is working to get internet access countywide, increase tech jobs in the area

publisher/editor in chief: Bracken Mayo

6 Events

calendar

Paws and Pearls, Wine & Whiskey at the Wetlands, Special Kids Race, 3rd Saturday Open Studio and more

12 Sounds

musIc notes MTSU professor composes anthem for U.S. Space Force

Stefan Petrescu bids farewell to Tennessee Philharmonic

Secret Commonwealth continues St. Patrick’s Day tradition

Always Loretta tribute comes to Nashville

Markey Blue Ric Latina Project, March 18

Smells Like Nirvana at Hop Springs, March 18

concert calendar

Radio Pirate, Howlin Embers, The Deltaz and more

17 Reviews

alBum

Züg

moVIe The Banshees of Inisherin

22 Living nature news

Honeybee swarms mr. murfreesBoro

Celebrating birthdays in the ’Boro

25 Art

Jose Fernando Vargas creates mural at Tipico Discovery Center hosts Choctaw elder Sally Wells

contributors: Tiffany Boyd, Melissa Coker, Jennifer Durand, Delores Elliott, Elisabeth Gay, Bryce Harmon, Laura Lindsay, Blaine Little, Chelsea LoCascio, Zach Maxfield, Sean Moran, Ashleigh Newnes, Jay Spight, Andrea Stockard Bill Wilson

copy editor: Steve Morley art director: Sarah Mayo

advertising: Nneka Sparks

714 w. m ain 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

26 Food restaurant Sorelles Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

28 News

BusIness Buzz PennePazze, Blueprint Baseball, Siri Bubble Tea and more

33 Opinion ems serVIces

Know when and why to call an ambulance educatIon Foster respect in kids free your chIldren

In case you are wondering, the custom rack that Ryan Frizzell painted for the Pulse that long stood at Discovery Plaza on Broad Street now sits near the Kroger on Memorial Boulevard. So, that lovely artwork depicting Johnny Cash is currently right outside of Hank’s Honky Tonk. Fitting, we think.

The inaugural chess lunch at Carmen’s Taqueria was a success. Rob Mitchell, I and some of our chess playing acquaintances will return to Carmen’s on Wednesday, March 22, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Come out if you would like to join us for a game. Chess and chimichangas!

Some Tennessee political activists, writers, podcasters and candidates—some of which do indeed contribute some good points to the dialogue—have been complaining about a proposed state law that would require more transparency from groups accepting donations and trying to influence elections. They say it would make their groups reveal their funding sources, and that that would be a bad thing for free expression.

In most cases I would position myself on the side of free speech, but in this case I don’t see this as a free speech issue as much as an election transparency issue. No one is trying to keep anyone from saying anything with this effort. The purpose of the law would be to keep those bankrolling election campaigns out in the open and from using web-based “media outlets” as a mechanism for those with a political agenda to funnel money from secret sources towards supporting particular candidates and being a mouthpiece for certain political causes in the shadows.

Some have been so loud about the issue, so resistant to making public who supports their group, it has now made me very curious about who exactly is supporting these causes and outlets.

Anyway, as always, thanks to our readers, thanks to our advertisers—you know exactly who is funding this little community media source by flipping through our pages and noticing all of our fine local advertisers.

The Pulse wants to promote whoever funds it! Our sponsors are what keep this thing going. It is our job to give our sponsors exposure, not keep them hidden.

That is the difference between a media outlet and a political activist group, I suppose. It makes sense to me.

Tell the people in your life that you appreciate them, soon! Make some time for those you value. You never know when it will be your last chance.

During times of great stress and challenge, one of our greatest superpowers is the ability to breathe deeply. I don’t recall exactly where I saw that, but I like it!

Breathe deeply, Bracken mayo

Publisher/Editor in Chief

FEATuRES iN EvERy iSSuE

events calendar  March 2023  by a ndrea st O c K ard

march 1–4 precIous anGels consIGnment sale

Find gently used spring and summer children’s clothes, shoes, baby equipment and furniture, bedding, sports equipment, costumes, toys, home-school materials and more at the Spring 2023 Precious Angels Consignment Sale. With its beginnings in 1996, Precious Angels now hosts two sales per year in Woodbury in the Community Center Gym (attached to the Head Start building, 630 Lehman St., Woodbury). Shopping times are Wednesday–Friday, March 1–3, from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. and Saturday, March 4, from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. For more information and consigning details, visit preciousangelsconsignment.com.

march 3–4

communIty foundatIon rodeo

The Community Foundation of Rutherford County presents the Lone Star Rodeo on Friday and Saturday, March 3 and 4, at the MTSU Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304 W. Thompson Ln.). Lone Star Rodeo provides Western-style family entertainment and is recognized throughout the Southeast for top-notch stock, competition, pageantry and wholesome family fun. Food and drink vendors will offer families a variety of budget-friendly choices. Proceeds will benefit various nonprofits in Middle Tennessee. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children aged 7–12 and admission is free for children aged 6 and under. Sponsorships are appreciated. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit cfrutherford.org/rodeo

march 4

artIsan’s market at panther creek

Panther Creek Brews (714 W. Main St.) hosts an Artisan’s Market on Saturday, March 4, from 12 to 3 p.m. The day will feature lots of artisan tents from local food, art, craft and other vendors. Middle Tennessee Catering will be there with its food truck.

march 4

shaBBy lane sprInG emporIum

Shabby Lane Shopping Events presents its

march 3

wIne

& whIskey at the wetlands

On Friday, March 3, Wine & Whiskey at the Wetlands returns to the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring (502 SE Broad St.) from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Enjoy samples of a variety of whiskeys, wines and spirits. This is a 21-and-up event and features more than 150 local and craft beverages provided by Stones River Total Beverages. Food will be available for purchase. Presented by Charlie Patel and Stones River Beverages, all proceeds benefit the Discovery Center and its programming. Tickets are available for purchase at explorethedc.org and are $35 in advance, $40 at the door and $15 for designated drivers. The Discovery Center also offers a $60 ticket bundle when guests purchase tickets to the museum’s Shakesbeer event in May. For more information, call 615-890-2300.

spring family shopping event, Shabby Lane Spring Emporium, at Lane Agri-Park Community Center (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) on Saturday, March 4. Shop with 75 amazing local small businesses and artisans. The Princess Party Meet and Greet is from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., live music is from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and small business shopping is from 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Admission is free, and there will be free gifts for the first 200 adult shoppers, free popcorn, cookies and fun for all ages. For more information, visit shabbylaneshoppingevents.com.

march 7–18

tssaa state BasketBall champIonshIps

Rutherford County welcomes 64 high school basketball teams at Murphy Center (1500 Greenland Dr.) for the TSSAA State Basketball Championship. Girls kick off

the tourney March 7–11, and the boys take the court March 14–18. General admission is $12 per day if purchased in advance and $15 per day at the gate; school-age children and older are required to have a ticket. Parking is $5 per day near Murphy Center in the large parking lot on Greenland Drive. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Having opened in 1972, the Charles M. Murphy Athletic Center serves as home of the Middle Tennessee State men’s and women’s basketball teams. For more information, visit gofan.co/tssaa

march

8

lIVInG sent mInIstrIes

The March 2023 Living Sent Murfreesboro meeting is Wednesday, March 8, from 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Experience (521 Old Salem Rd.). Trent and Laura Messick are the speakers. Trent Messick started

in business early. At age 23 he founded Messick Homecare, which grew to seven locations across Middle Tennessee. Then he became Regional VP of Operations for HouseCall Medical, where he managed $125 million in revenue and multiple locations in five states. Messick talks about how your business is your ministry platform. Laura Messick shares her story of how God led Trent and her to begin Portico, a pregnancy resource center in Murfreesboro, more than 35 years ago and how God is still at work there today. A complimentary lunch will be provided by Budget Blinds of Murfreesboro. RSVP at bob.williams@alhambrapartners.com.

march 9

sweet addIctIon rIBBon cuttInG

The Sweet Addiction (2246 Keeneland Commercial Blvd., Ste. B, Murfreesboro) will hold a ribbon-cutting event on Thursday, March 9, at 11 a.m. Under the slogan of “Baked Goods for a Good Cause,” The Sweet Addiction is dedicated to the employment of female survivors of human trafficking, addiction, domestic violence and incarceration. It provides career coaching and other life programs while providing participants who have been labeled as “unemployable” with meaningful work and a support network. It will soon have its baked goods available at Liberty’s Station. For more information, or to place an order for cupcakes, apple cinnamon rolls or fried pies, visit thesweetaddiction.com.

march 9

trash talk

Learn how important it is to keep the river system clean at Trash Talk on Thursday, March 9 at 3 p.m. at The Wilderness Station (401 Volunteer Rd.). Talk about how trash affects wildlife in Tennessee as well as animals in the ocean. Discuss what things you can do to help limit pollution through hands-on play. There is no cost to join. For more information or to pre-register, call 615-217-3017 or email krendl@murfreesborotn.gov

march 9

lauGh In comedy nIGht

First Community Mortgage Cares presents

the Laugh In Comedy Night to benefit the Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity on Thursday, March 9, at 6 p.m. at Embassy Suites (1200 Conference Center Blvd.). Enjoy dinner, entertainment from comedian/ventriloquist Taylor Mason, swag bags and a silent auction. For more information, find Our Events at rchfh.org or email fcmcaresadmin@fcmpartners.com. For more on Mason, visit taylormason.com or find Taylor Mason Comedy on Facebook.

march 10–26

clue

Clue is set to open Friday, March 10, at The Center for the Arts. Based on the 1985 Paramount movie, itself inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. Set at a dinner party at a remote mansion, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard race to find the killer as the body count stacks up. Denise Parton directs Clue, rated PG. Performance dates include 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, March 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25; and at 2 p.m. on Sundays, March 12, 19 and 26. The Center for the Arts is located at 110 W. College St., Murfreesboro. For tickets and more information, visit boroarts.org or call 615-904-ARTS (2787).

march 13

chord

meetInG

The first Chord Meeting will be held on Monday, March 13, at Greenhouse Ministries (307 S. Academy St.) from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Chord is a collaborative initiative that encourages local groups that provide music in Rutherford County—music festivals, concerts and other live community performances or lessons—open to any individual or organization involved in the music industry. The group plans to offer support to all working to present live musical performances in Rutherford County. The mission is to build harmony and partnerships that will help the community reach its full musical potential. For more information, email thomchristy@gmail.com.

march 14

rutherford caBle march

Breakfast meetInG

Donna Yurdin of Credo Management

Consulting is the speaker for the Rutherford Cable March Breakfast Meeting on Tuesday, March 14. Yurdin has over 35 years of business experience in corporate leadership, coaching, leadership development and consulting. As a credentialed coach, she brings her years of leadership experience

march 11

specIal kIds race

The Special Kids Race returns to Murfreesboro Medical Clinic (1272 Garrison Dr., Murfreesboro) the morning of Saturday, March 11. The 15K and 10K races will begin at 7 a.m. with the 5K start time following at 7:10, all courses traveling through the Stones River Battlefield before returning to MMC. A one-mile fun run will kick off at 8:45 a.m. The event always includes food, music, activities and giveaways for all participants following the race, with lots of sponsor booths set up in the MMC parking lot, all “for the kids.” Special Kids is a Murfreesboro-based Christian nonprofit providing therapy and nursing services to children with special needs. Packet pick-up for racers will be Friday, March 10, at the Redstone Federal Credit Union building on Medical Center Parkway. Register for the 2023 Special Kids Race on runsignup.com.

to her work with individuals as a thought partner in their learning process. She helps clients get unstuck, creates clarity about what is getting in the way of moving forward and exposes new perspectives while promoting self-confidence. The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 14, from 7:15–9 a.m. at The Fountains at Gateway (1500 Medical Center Pkwy.). Bring plenty of business cards and grab a card from the basket on the way out to make an additional connection. For more information, email yourrutherfordcable@gmail.com.

march 14

haIku hIke

Appreciate nature by making your very own Japanese poetic form called a haiku at The Wilderness Station within Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Tuesday, March 14, at 10 a.m. Enjoy a hike that’s just short of a mile to the river, where you will learn and craft your haikus while taking in the fresh air. In total, the trip will be just under two miles. Please dress for the weather. There is no cost to join. For more information or to pre-register, call 615-217-3017 or email krendl@murfreesborotn.gov.

march 15

oVerflow rIBBon cuttInG

Overflow Brews and Bakes will celebrate its official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 15 at 4 p.m. The restaurant originally opened in September at 115 N. Maple St. on the Square. The ceremony will be hosted by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and will offer the opportunity to enjoy free samples and raffle drawings, as well as a wide selection of baked items from Overflow’s scratch bakery, coffee, boba tea and unique gifts and mugs. For more information, visit overflowb.com.

march 16

the connectIon at champy’s Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken will host the March 2023 installment of The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, free, no-obligation networking

event, where they can meet other small business owners and tap into one another’s experience and energy. Champy’s is located at 1290 NW Broad St.

march 16

toddler adVentures: all thInGs Green

Get some outside time during a visit to Cannonsburgh Village. Kids 5 and under will enjoy a “green” scavenger hunt, playtime and a story from 10–11 a.m. on Thursday, March 16. Cost is $3. Reservations required by March 9. Reserve a spot by emailing mbnevills@murfreesborotn.gov or calling 615-801-2606.

march 17–19

sq pop shop

The Sq Pop Shop’s Grand Opening weekend is March 17–19 with some of Murfreesboro’s favorite local vendors. Following the grand opening, the shop, located at 112 S. Maple St. on the Murfreesboro Public Square, will open every weekend on Fridays from 6–9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (until May when it will open at 8 a.m.) and Sundays from 2–6 p.m. The shop features vendors from all over Murfreesboro, Nashville, Franklin and surrounding areas, and is designed to help local vendors have a space to share and sell their passion with others. For more information, email anne@sqwheels.com.

march 17–19

southern equIne expo

The Southern Equine Expo returns to the Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304 W. Thompson Ln.) on the weekend of March 17–19 for its 10th anniversary. With over 100 clinics and demonstrations, lectures and more than 90 vendors, the diversity and scope of the Southern Equine Expo attracts horse enthusiasts from across the nation. For more information and a full event schedule, visit southernequineexpo.com.

march 18

st patrIck’s treat decoratInG

Bring the kids to create beautifully decorated St. Patrick’s Rice Krispie Treats on Saturday, March 18, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (or until the last treat is sold) at Overflow Brews & Bakes (415 N. Maple St.). The cost is $5 for a Rice Krispie treat or $10 for 3 Rice Krispie treats to decorate; all supplies are provided. Enjoy the St. Patrick’s selfie station as well. Overflow offers premium coffee, baked goods, boba tea and more. For more information, visit

or call 615-900-1679.

march 18

Beesley foundatIon’s paws & pearls

The 12th Annual Paws & Pearls benefits the Beesley Animal Foundation, which focuses on providing responsible pet care through community awareness, education and affordable health services for cats and dogs and reducing pet overpopulation. This is a fun Celtic-themed evening with Irish music, food and drinks, Patrick D’Arcy on the uilleann pipes, Southern Irish Dancers, an Irish feast from Goodness Gracious and Simply Pure Sweets and auctioneers Keith Strain, Vandy Vanmeter and Gaylon Perry. Paws & Pearls is Saturday, March 18, at 6 p.m. at Copper Ridge Event Venue (3597 Betty Ford Rd.). For more information, call 615-217-1030 or visit givebutter.com/c/pawsandpearls2023 or beesleyanimalfoundation.org

march 18

3rd saturday open studIo

Acorn Haven Studios presents its 3rd Saturday Open Studio on Saturday, March 18, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The day features local artists, classes and workshops, art demonstrations and more the third Saturday of each month. Acorn Haven Studios, the home studio of area artist Dawna Magliacano, opens its doors to visitors (8265 Lascassas Pk., Hwy 96) and hosts a variety of the area’s best artists sharing creative inspiration with the community. This month features eight types of art: sculpture, mono printing, hand-built pottery, weaving, wool fiber work, jewelry making and two types of painting. Visits are free and suitable for all ages. Look for the blue flags. For more information, find 3rd Saturday Open Studio on Facebook.

march 18

sInfonIetta presents cosmos

Enjoy a family-friendly evening of free music and outer space at Lipscomb University’s Collins Auditorium (6b University Park Dr., Nashville) on Saturday, March 18, from 7–8:30 p.m. The Middle Tennessee Sinfonietta presents its spring concert “Cosmos,” an evening filled with space-themed music including selections from Holst’s “The Planets” in collaboration with the Adventure Science Center. They will also be joined by National Trumpet Competition finalist Grace O’Connell for Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto in E-flat Major. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $10. Musicians of all ages are invited to take part in this ensemble to further their own musical

march 22

murfreesBoro chess lunch

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., Murfreesboro, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Wednesday, March 22. For more information, contact Rob Mitchell at rmitchell@rutherfordcountytn. gov or 615-426-7373.

experiences and their passion of performing classical music. For more information, visit mtsinfonietta.com, call 864-706-3647 or email info@mtsinfonietta.com.

march 18 & 21

BeGInner’s archery

The Wilderness Station within Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) offers a beginner’s archery program on March 18 and 21, from 1–3:30 p.m. Go over the parts of the bow and technique, and then get the opportunity to shoot. Please note that this program requires a one-mile walk on the paved trail to the campground area. The cost to join is $10; ages 10 and up are welcome. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information, call 615-217-3017 or email challwalker@murfreesborotn.gov

march 23

panther creek takeoVer

Panther Creek has partnered with Premiere 6 Theatre (810 NW Broad St.) for another Movie Night Takeover. Catch an early release of John Wick 4 at this private event and get two tallboys of Panther Creek Brews with ticket purchase. Tickets are available in the Panther Creek taproom (714 W. Main St.).

march 25

true Blue preVIew

MTSU rolls out the blue carpet for prospective students and their families for a True

Blue Preview event on Saturday, March 25. Hundreds of prospective students from across the region come for a free application workshop. Anyone applying in the College of Education Building (Room 104) will have their application fee waived. This is a special day where high school and potential transfer students can enjoy the full campus experience and learn what it means to be True Blue. Participate in academic and departmental presentations, receive financial aid and scholarship information and choose from many different special interest sessions that are customized based on the prospective students’ needs. Preview events are free and start at 9 a.m., concluding mid-afternoon. The agenda includes True Blue Browsing with numerous departments on the Student Union’s first floor and in the second-floor ballroom, hearing a welcome from MTSU officials at 10 a.m. in the ballroom, taking campus tours (11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.) housing tours (11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.) and lunch from noon–2 p.m. Attend special 10:45 a.m. sessions with most of the university’s academic colleges. At 12:15 p.m. meet with the Honors College. To register in advance, visit mtsu.edu/rsvp. For more information on admissions call 615-898-2333.

march 25

caffeIne & chrome

Calling all car enthusiasts the last Saturday of every month: join Gateway Classic Cars

for Caffeine & Chrome on Saturday, March 25, from 9 a.m.–noon. This event is free and open to the public. Cruise in with your collectible car or daily driver and bring your appetite for 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-petfriendly event. For more information, find the Caffeine and Chrome event on Facebook.

march 25

BeGInner BIrdInG

Explore the joy of birding at The Wilderness Station within Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Saturday, March 25, at 10 a.m. Go over the basics of birding and learn how to pack a bag for a birding trip, then test your new skills. Binoculars will be provided for those who need them. Please dress for the weather. Pre-registration is required. The cost to join is $3 and ages 10 and up are welcome. For more information, call 615-2173017 or email krendl@murfreesborotn.gov.

march 28

women In technoloGy

Rutherford County’s first Women in Technology Panel from the Murfreesboro Technology Council and Women in Technology of Tennessee will launch on Tuesday, March 28 at the Fountains at Gateway (1500 Medical Center Pkwy.) from 3:30–5 p.m. Aimed at aspiring women of all ages who want to learn about some career paths and experiences from technology leaders in Tennessee, the panel will delve into their stories and how they grew their careers as well as address several key challenges in the industry. Learn about mentorship programs linking professionals with young minds to develop the leaders of tomorrow. Make reservations under Events at murfreesborotechnology.com.

All are welcome to attend. The event will be followed by a social at the Burger Republic at 5:30 p.m. For more information, email info@murfreeesborotechnology.com or call 615-545-2789.

march 28 head BanGers

Did you know that Tennessee is home to seven different species of woodpeckers?

Learn about these species and how to identify them at The Wilderness Station within Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Tuesday, March 28, at 10 a.m. Take a short hike to see how many different woodpeckers are nearby. Binoculars will be provided if needed. There is no cost to join. For more information or to pre-register,

email krendl@murfreesborotn.gov or call 615-217-3017.

march 28

rIVer exploratIon

Meet at the Stones River Overlook within Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Tuesday, March 28, at 1 p.m., for river exploration. Explore the river to catch and release crawfish, snails and other interesting macroinvertebrates. Discuss biodiversity and the importance of healthy waterways. Water shoes are recommended, as enclosed footwear is required for anyone getting in the water. There is no cost to join. For more information or to pre-register, email krendl@murfreesborotn. gov or call 615-217-3017.

march 31

enchanted nIGht hIke

Calling all wizards, witches and warlocks to Enchanted Night Hike at The Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Friday, March 31, from 6–8 p.m. This enchanted hike through Barfield, guided by staff, is a family event where all ages are welcome. Enjoy crafted butterbeer (non-alcoholic) by the campfire and get up-close looks at the resident owl ambassadors. Don’t forget to dress to impress the headmistress of magic. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. The cost to join is $5 per person or $15 per family. To register, call 615-217-3017 or email challwalker@murfreesborotn.gov.

ThroughouT march

free dIGItal lIteracy classes

This entry-level computer class is designed for new users who are interested in learning basic computer terminology such as the use of a keyboard, mouse, icons, folders and applications, internet usage and navigation, use of email and basic résumé creation, skills and online job search skills. Classes are held at Goodwill (2955 S. Church St.). A valid ID and an active Gmail account (career coaches can provide assistance) are required. For more information, find Career Solutions and then Education at giveit2goodwill.org, call 615-346-1818 or email murfreesborocs@givegw.org.

ThroughouT march

loads of loVe

The Junior League of Murfreesboro is kindly seeking donations of gift cards for Kroger, Walmart, Target and other retailers for its new member project, Loads of Love. Loads of Love will provide essential items to low-income individuals and families in the

march 25

mId tenn hot rodders cruIse-In

Hot rod and car enthusiasts of Middle Tennessee and beyond will gather from 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, and continuing each Saturday through October, at Steak 'n Shake Smyrna (951 Sgt. Asbury Hawn Way). Free and open to the public.

area experiencing housing insecurity. JLM new members create 100 laundry baskets filled with supplies offering support, hope and love to those in need in the community. Baskets will be distributed on April 4 and 5 in partnership with Sandy Brewer’s Faith Project and Nourish Food Bank’s hotel delivery program for approximately 100 displaced families in Rutherford County. Additional opportunities to support JLM through sponsorship are available. For more information, email anhowell529@gmail.com or call 904-742-8900.

mondays connect murfreesBoro

Join Connect Murfreesboro Mondays 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 to promote your business. The approximately 20 minutes 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.

mondays

lIfe wrItInG

MTSU Honors College presents its Spring Lecture Series to help students grow in the area of critical thinking while hearing from faculty and outside experts. Life writing is a concept developed by Professor and Honors Associate Dean Philip Phillips taking place every Monday in March (except March 6) through Monday, April 3, at 3

p.m. in Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building (1737 Blue Raider Dr., Room 106). The lecture series is free and open to the public (limited seating). Life writing encompasses narrating a life and includes different ways of telling a story, from biographies to letters, memoirs, blogs, poetry, social media posts and more. Upcoming topics include The Songwriting Life on March 13, the Challenges of Writing Biography presented by Arleen Tuchman on March 27 and Beyond the Classroom Activity presented by Louis Kyriakoudes and Philip Phillips on April 3.

mondays

snake feedInGs

Learn about snake adaptations and how they swallow their food whole with a live feeding demonstration of the educational snakes at The Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Mondays in March at 11:30 a.m. There is no cost and all ages are welcome. For more information, call 615-217-3017.

Tuesdays

Blues jam

Come alone or bring some friends to Heroes Den (2805 Old Fort Pkwy., Ste. O) for Tuesday Blues Jam from 6:30–9:30 p.m. Bring your instrument or vocals and join the band. Every song is a new experience. Free and open to the public. For more information find Heroes Den on Facebook.

Wednesdays

networkInG for awesome people

Are you looking to meet and connect with

other local business owners? Do you want to 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. Networking for Awesome People encourages open discussion to help everyone grow. For more information, find a Networking for Awesome People group on Facebook.

Wednesdays

Boro 2 square runnInG Group

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

Thursdays

hIke wIth a naturalIst

Come out to the Wilderness Station (401 Volunteer Rd.) for a weekly hike at Barfield Crescent Park on Thursdays at 2 p.m. Along your hike, stop and talk about things you see along the way. Each week you’ll hike different trails at Barfield so you can get more familiar with the whole park. There is no cost to join; all ages are welcome. For more information, call 615-217-3017 or email lrosser@murfreesborotn.gov

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. Stay after each run for food and drinks.

Fridays

murfreesBoro 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.

Sounds

 MTSU ProfeSSor JaMie Teachenor coMPoSeS official anTheM for U.S. SPace force, “SeMPra SUPra”

ThE u.S. SPACE FORCE has an official anthem, thanks to U.S. Air Force veteran, musician and Middle Tennessee State University adjunct professor Jamie Teachenor.

Teachenor has solidified his place in U.S. Armed Forces history by writing the words and melody to the newest military branch’s signature song, entitled “Sempra Supra” and aptly named after the branch’s motto, translated from Latin to “always above.”

By chelsea locasc I o

music notes

Sept. 20, 2022, during the 2022 Air & Space Forces Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in Maryland.

Space had been a part of the Air Force for years, but it officially became a separate branch under the Department of the Air Force in 2019, similar to how the Marine Corps operates under the Department of the Navy.

As a veteran of both the U.S. Air Force and its band, Teachenor did not take this task lightly. He had to write a song that encapsulated the mission and vision of the Space Force’s Guardians to ensure it would stand the test of time.

There were several submissions, but Teachenor’s rendition rose above the rest. He said he couldn’t have done it, however, without the support from the first-ever Chief of Space Operations Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, Lieutenant Colonel R. Michael Mench, Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Roger Towberman and U.S. Coast Guard Band trombonist, staff arranger and chief musician Sean Nelson.

Teachenor submitted the anthem right after the Space Force was officially established in 2019, and it took two years and nine months for it to go through the approval process.

“I had no idea they were choosing my song,” he said. “There were times I thought, ‘Well, I haven’t heard anything, so I guess nothing’s going to happen.’ And it was a wonderful surprise when it did happen.”

The Space Force officially implemented the anthem on

Teachenor has an expansive resume to qualify him for such a monumental moment: He’s written songs for and recorded with major artists such as Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The award-winning, multiplatinum singer, songwriter and producer has also performed on ABC’s Good Morning America and at iconic venues such as the Grand Ole Opry.

Teachenor also serves as a Sumner County commissioner.

“It brought me such joy to see my world of music and my world of military and my love for country collide in such a way that I had the opportunity to pen the words of the song the Guardians will sing while they wear the uniform,” Teachenor said.

He’s now passing along his passion for music as an adjunct professor of songwriting for the MTSU College of Media and Entertainment’s commercial songwriting program.

 STefan PeTreScU bidS MUrfreeSboro, TenneSSee PhilharMonic farewell wiTh March 4 reciTal

FOR MORE ThAN 20 yEARS, violinist and concertmaster Stefan Petrescu has graced Murfreesboro with his music. Soon the curtain will fall on his seasoned career in the ’Boro, as he will be retiring and moving to Florida at the end of Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra’s current season.

To express his thanks, Petrescu welcomes the community to attend his recital on March 4 at First Presbyterian Church, 210 N. Spring St., Murfreesboro.

Petrescu first came to America in 1983 while touring with the Romanian Symphony. On his second tour in 1989, he decided he wanted to move to the U.S. Murfreesboro embraced him, and later his family, with open arms. Prior to becoming concertmaster for the Tennessee Philharmonic, the accomplished musician won several prizes as a violin soloist in Romania. He has since performed around the world in Paris, Moscow, New Orleans and Nashville. He also holds degrees from the George Enescu National University of Arts in Romania.

The Saturday, March 4, farewell recital, which Petrescu provides as a “thank you” to the community, begins at 4 p.m.

 ShaMrockS and ShenaniganS: The SecreT coMMonwealTh conTinUeS ST. PaTrick’S TradiTion

ThE SECRET COMMONwEALTh RETuRNS to put the “shenanigans” in the annual local Shamrocks and Shenanigans St. Patrick’s Day Party. The band, which over the decades has become synonymous with Middle Tennessee’s St. Patty’s Day scene and Celtic music in the region, will perform at Cedar Glade Brews on Friday, March 17, on its 30th anniversary.

The band started in 1993 with the intention of playing one St. Patrick’s Day gig at Middle Tennessee State University. The audience’s overwhelmingly positive response led to an enduring career playing pubs, clubs, private events, Renaissance fairs, and conventions in addition to Celtic, Americana and international music festivals.

While the band is influenced by The Pogues, The Chieftains and traditional Irish pub bands, its music fuses original material with traditional American and European folk styles. The creativity stems from the versatile members: Rob Campbell, Uncle Don Clark, Troy Guinn, Franko Hashiguchi, Vicky Plant and The Gnome.

Join TSC at Cedar Glades in your best green attire for traditional Irish fare and a sham-rockin’ good time. It should be an unforgettable night (unless you drink too much of Cedar Glades’ Ruari II Irish Red or Proper Dry Stout that they are releasing that evening).

For more information, find an event page for the Shamrocks and Shenanigans St. Patrick’s Day Party on Facebook or visit tscband.com. Cedar Glade Brews is located at 906 Ridgely Rd., Murfreesboro.

Blazing a Trail

company came after the coffee shop. We just thought Grindstone was a great name for a label since it infers working hard.”

Campbell’s brand-new album Exhibit A: The Lost Files, featuring “Tractor Songs” among its 16 tunes, was made available Feb. 17 on the aforementioned label. He will soon be hitting the road on a nationwide tour to promote it. Exhibit is a compilation of recent recordings and “lost” songs he recorded for previous labels but which were never released. Travis Tritt, Trea Landon and Mindy Campbell are featured on three. (Tritt joins in on the lead-off track, “Lot to Live Up To”).

Whether it’s a full meal and show you’re looking for or just to mosey over to the drive-thru and ride off into the sunset, look no further.

“We want people to book our place if they are looking for something cool, Western and rustic,” Campbell said of the Eagleville venue, located in Rutherford County, 20 miles west of Murfreesboro. When asked about any exciting news, he replied, “We’re hoping for more shows. That would be exciting news to us.”

February brought exactly that exciting bit of newsworthiness. The Grindstone calendar brimmed with shows aplenty, with Mindy Campbell, former Lonestar frontman Richie McDonald, hit duo Love & Theft, father/son songwriter combo Randy and Billy Montana and even an all-out multi-coursed, cocktailattired date night on the docket. Enduring talent Ty Herndon (known by many for “What Mattered Most,” “Living in a Moment” and “No Mercy”) pays a special visit this month.

Among the offerings atop GC’s coffee menu is the new Sugar Cookie Sweet Cream Cold Brew. Choose a latte from the “Outlaw” category—an Annie Oakley (honey and lavender), Clint Eastwood (dark chocolate and caramel), Billy the Kid (dark chocolate, hazelnut and almond) or John Wayne (honey and cinnamon). Other unique latte creations include the Peppermint Irish Cream of Glen Campbell for March, the Johnny Cash in June and (allegedly) a No Show Jones cinnamon roll flavor arriving in August.

“Those [names] were mostly Mindy’s ideas,” Campbell said.

Craig takes the stage for a ’90s covers “Class of ’89” night on March 7. Tickets cost $25. Mindy pours out another “Class of 89” on April 4.

Songs from the Stone with Ty Herndon and War Hippies get underway March 16 and April 12, respectively. Hitslingers, a songwriter’s series featuring Matt McGinn and friends, is set for March 22. Doors for all Songs from the Stone shows open at 5 p.m., with a catered dinner at 6 and music at 7 p.m. There’s even a comedy night on the horizon with Reno Collier on April 20.

Herndon’s career spans throughout multiple chart successes and award wins – his most recent contribution is an offering lovingly titled album Jacob, which features the uplifting keep-on-keeping-on song “Till You Get There” and imploringly affecting track “God or the Gun.”

story By melIssa coker

iF TOP-TiER MuSiC TALENT ANd pleasing your palate are your cup of tea, then you are in luck. Whether the weather in Middle Tennessee is stone cold or steaming hot, Grindstone Cowboy is at your service with a special brew to hit the spot and sweeten the proverbial pot.

Co-owned by country music artist, singersongwriter and Eagleville council member Craig Campbell, Grindstone is a uniquely rustic live music venue and specialty coffee shop combination.

Campbell and his wife, Mindy, both play shows at the shop regularly, their daughters Preslee and Kinni Rose are involved heavily in helping—in fact, the couple and their girls collectively performed some sold-out

Christmas shows together—and Campbell (whose hits include the aptly themed “Family Man”) often invites friends along for the ride. So it’s a family affair.

As for what’s in a name, Campbell details the backstory of the establishment’s Cowboy moniker.

“Once I thought I heard someone say ‘Grindstone Cowboy’ [likely in reference to the 1975 Glen Campbell hit and resulting colloquial term “Rhinestone Cowboy”] and I thought to myself that would be a great name for a coffee shop. Over the course of the next few years I realized opening our own coffee shop is what I wanted to do—and I already had the name,” Campbell tells the Pulse. “The name of our recording

“We thought we would be a coffee shop that serves food, when in reality we are a restaurant that serves coffee,” Craig said. “We have been getting great reviews on everything from our menu, the music playing in the background, to the decor and vibe. Seems like people are loving our place. . . . It took several years of doing secret research and finally I took Mindy to a coffee shop that was similar to what I had in mind and after she saw that, she was in. However, she gave me a couple of requirements: owning the building and having a drive-thru. Both boxes were checked!”

“Everyone that has played at Grindstone Cowboy are friends of mine and all were booked via text messaging. Everyone that has played seems to dig what we have and the audience we bring in,” Campbell shared.

Grindstone grinds out not only fresh melodies, but also coffee courtesy of Frothy Monkey.

“It’s been a beautiful partnership so far,” Campbell said.

Country duo War Hippies combines two combat veterans—Scooter Brown and Donnie Reis waltzing a refreshingly fine line between orchestral fiddle and outright violin. With a new debut album and a recent video in rotation at The Country Network for the ominous, co-penned “The Hangman,” the two are set to open for Travis Tritt on a slew of spring and summer stops.

So if you know tomorrow your best friend will be your coffee cup, then look forward to watching the Grindstone Cowboy stage light up. It’s all only a stone’s throw from Murfreesboro. Happy trails.

The grindstone Cowboy is located at 115 N. Main St., Eagleville. Online ordering for pickup is offered. Alcohol is available, with a full breakfast menu served from 6–11 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and typically a catered menu on concert nights. venue rental is available for birthdays, events, dinners, parties and concerts. For the full menu and more information visit thegrindstonecowboy.com or call 615-640-9040.

eagleville’s Grindstone c owboy rides in hot (and iced) with music, coffee; ty herndon, mindy c ampbell, war hippies among upcoming acts

Live Music in MiddLe tennessee

Wed, 3/1

hank’s

Kenna Elpers

Thurs, 3/2

hank’s

Sir Anthony

Fri, 3/3

cedar Glade

Brews

Barnum Brown

carmen’s taquerIa

Joe West

hank’s

Delyn Christian; Bill

Ashmore & The Last Stand

jack’s place

Tony Castellanos

mayday Brewery

BooM

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Trio Village

puckett’s

The Deltaz

seasons

Cooter River Band

saT, 3/4

carmen’s taquerIa

Joe West

cedar Glade

Brews

Howlin Embers

cIty cafe

Everette Brown Trio

fIrst presByte-

rIan church

Stefan Petrescu

hank’s

Lonnie Cook; In-Cahoots

mayday Brewery

The Lilliston Effect

puckett’s

Hobo Cane

sun, 3/5

hank’s

Crosstown

mon 3/6

hank’s

Open Mic Night

Vfw smyrna post

Jam Night

Tues, 3/7

GrIndstone

cowBoy

Craig Campbell

hank’s

Jesse Morgan

Wed 3/8

hank’s

Robyn Taylor

Thurs, 3/9

hank’s

Cary & Sherrie Watson

Fri, 3/10

carmen’s

taquerIa

Joe West

cedar Glade

Brews

Gary Smith

hank’s

Bailey Rose; Jack Finley Band

hop sprInGs

Almost Queen

jack’s place

Tony Castellanos

mayday Brewery

Tony Hartman

saT, 3/11

carmen’s taquerIa

Joe West

cedar Glade

Brews

Vagabond Train

cIty cafe

Everette Brown Trio

hank’s

Mikki Zip Duo; Phil Valdez

puckett’s

Herrick

luna’s nIGht cluB

Rubiks Groove; Revelry seasons

Radio Pirate

sun, 3/12

hank’s

The O’Donnells

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Roya Farzaneh; Gavyn Frankenfield

mon, 3/13

hank’s

Open Mic Night

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Leah Piccirillo; Eric Batchelder

Vfw smyrna post

Jam Night

Tues, 3/14

hank’s Joe Hooper

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Saxophone Studio Recital; Charlotte Daugherty

Wed, 3/15

hank’s

Gray Daniels

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Eric Fung; Josh Smith

Thurs, 3/16

GrIndstone

cowBoy

Ty Herndon

hank’s Will King

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Jazz Ensemble

Fri, 3/17

carmen’s taquerIa

Joe West

cedar Glade Brews

The Secret Commonwealth hank’s

Sara Simmons; The Jeff Caron Band harVester

eVent center

John Boulware Trio

jack’s place

Tony Castellanos mayday Brewery

Andrew White

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Riley Trauscht; Noah Huseman panther creek

Brews

Muddy Boots

puckett’s

Los Swamp Monsters seasons

Escape the Boro

Zentrance

saT, 3/18

carmen’s

taquerIa

Joe West

cedar Glade

Brews

Glen Wagner

cIty cafe

Everette Brown Trio copper rIdGe

eVent Venue

Patrick D’Arcy hank’s

The Hammonds; Cooter River Band hop sprInGs

Smells Like Nirvana, Wynton Existing; Dead Original mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

MTSU Flute Day; Amber Den Exter puckett’s The Road Crew washInGton

theatre

Blues in the ’Boro with Markey Blue Ric Latina Project, Otis Faithful sun, 3/19

hank’s

Emily Miller

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Emma Maguire; Sarah Davidson; Sydnei HumphreyDavis; Tom Naylor Concerto Competition Finals

mon, 3/20

hank’s

Open Mic Night

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Jazz Ensemble II

Vfw smyrna post

Jam Night

Tues, 3/21

hank’s

Jesse Black

mtsu saunders

fIne arts

Nick Hmelijak

Wed, 3/22

GrIndstone

cowBoy

Matt McGinn

hank’s

Phil Valdez

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Steel Drum Concert

Thurs, 3/23

hank’s

Silent Ruckus

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

MTSU Wind Ensemble; Symphonic Band

Fri, 3/24

carmen’s

taquerIa

Joe West

cedar Glade

Brews

Anna Barnes

jack’s place

Tony Castellanos

hank’s

Adam Stone; Justin Dukes

mayday Brewery

Taylor Burton

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Jazz Voice Studio; Jared Ford; Jacob Roberson

puckett’s

Cole Ritter and the Night Owls

saT, 3/25

carmen’s

taquerIa

Joe West

cedar Glade

Brews

Alex Creamer

hank’s

Krystal King; Whiskey Smoke

cIty cafe

Everette Brown Trio

harVester

Beasley Court Big Band

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Devin Smith; Italee Philom; Matthew Lund

puckett’s Herrick

sun, 3/26

hank’s

Lexy Dunn mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Hannah Blankenship; Alex Baldwin; Loucky

Studio Recital

mon, 3/27

hank’s Open Mic Night

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Stones River Chamber

Players

Vfw smyrna post

Jam Night

Tues, 3/28

hank’s

Delyn Christian mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Dakota Paschel; Spring

Flute Studio Recital

Wed, 3/29

hank’s Stella Prince

mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Jackson Wright; Xavier Hendrix

Thurs, 3/30

hank’s

Kyle Mercer mtsu wrIGht

musIc BuIldInG

Ryan Brown; William Slade Moore

Fri, 3/31

carmen’s

taquerIa

Joe West

cedar Glade

Phil Valdez

hank’s

Taylor Hughes; The Wentzel Brothers

jack’s place

Tony Castellanos

mayday

Jasco

musIc

Jaedyn

If You Go

reviews

regimes, climate crisis scares, ET/UFO disclosure, and a lack of global connection to the Holy Spirit.”

“Love the Way” vibes as a youthful, live-inthe-moment ego-feeder that covers a range of synth fillers equivalent to the producer firing pistols in the air in excitement. It absolutely works and is quite therapeutic.

The piano-robot-coming-in-on-an-asteroid arrangement of the equally free-flowing “Let the Universe Take Control” utilizes some dark, rich chordal shadings to create melodic emotion, building as optimistic of an outlook for that asteroid-riding robot on an as possible, possibly channeled from a Flaming Lips Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots practice session.

All Colors Make Black

Initially a Pennsylvanian acoustic duo, brothers Alex Paul Zug and Jacob Andrew Zug relocated in 2016 to join Middle Tennessee State University’s Recording Industry program, find bassist Josh Dixon, and go through a Sloan-meets-The Black Crowes, 311-learnsThe-Jayhawks-harmony phase in Tennessee as alternative rock trio Züg.

As the 2020s hit, Alex and Jacob re-invented Züg as an ethereal ambient, synth-glitch electronica group following up 2016’s Crash with a more THX theater sound effectesque sophomore EP, All Colors Make Black, released out of the now-legit Zug Productions in 2022.

All Colors Make Black seems a synergistic audioscape pitching Zug Productions’ evolved capabilities (its post-altrock phase), but, aside from the business angle, the All Colors Make Black EP is just as much a quick, single-serving therapy session offering waves of well-produced and well-mixed synth, glitch and heart-driven, ephemeral universe chatter accompanied by positive (or at least neutralizing) lyrical affirmation audibly equivalent to a big, warm hug.

At just five tracks and 13 minutes, it’s suggested All Colors Make Black is listened to in order, in entirety, but the middle three songs are where Züg explores its philosophy of spreading “peace and love worldwide [in the face of]

“Rollin’” would fit perfectly for the trailer of a heart-tugging, ’90s rom-com set in Africa, as soft maracas and long, breathy synthesized notes swish in tribute to a “smoke ride.”

Now, bookending these middle three are a pair of seemingly immaculate intro/outro numbers that inhale and exhale universal peace, as well as the therapy session’s facilitation and easing conclusion.

“Rise Up,” the theme of the EP and its first track (perhaps taking a soothing note from “Elevator Beat” by Nancy Wilson), officially introduces Züg’s newfound, ambient electronic chatter as a soothing phone voice subdues any overactive thoughts: A long time ago/at the inception of creation/ there was a vision of a place so beautiful, so perfectly balanced, it unified all nations. . . . The human heart is the key. The gift is inside. The Kingdom is being built. The power of God is alive. If you want to be free and believe in his story, take control of your soul, and Rise Up

“F is Hope,” All Colors Make Black’s outro, channels the ponderous Icelandic post-rock of Sigur Ros in vibe, but somehow with easing, synth raid sirens, with vocals exhorting Shine. Through the dark.

Wait . . . is it a Christian album?!

Find All Colors Make Black, and other work from Züg, on Spotify. There’s also an instrumental version of the release. Visit zugproductions. com for inquiries into the Zug brothers’ production company, specializing in arrangements, beats, post production and mixing.

— Bryce harmon

diRECTORS Martin McDonagh

STARRiNg colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry condon RATEd R

Like most of Martin McDonagh’s films, The Banshees of Inisherin is an odd bird. A mixture of political and personal, comedy and drama, understated and over-the-top performances, the film balances these different aspects to create an uncomfortable yet cozy tale of two old friends who suddenly, and almost inexplicably, aren’t anymore.

Set on the idyllic Irish island of Inisherin during the 1920s, amidst the backdrop of a civil war on the mainland, Padraic (Farrell) walks to his best friend Colm’s (Gleeson) house for their daily 2 p.m. constitutional to Jonjo’s pub. This day, however, Colm just sits in his house smoking, ignoring Padraic’s calls to him through the window. When the bartender Jonjo asks Padraic if they’re having a row, Padraic says he doesn’t think they are in a row. (“Row” means fight or argument across the pond, but even if you know that, the thickly accented Irishisms come fast and benefit greatly from turning on subtitles.)

Obviously irked by this sudden change of heart from the person he thought to be his best friend, Padraic can’t quite put a finger on it, so he pokes and prods Colm as to why he no longer wants to sit with him at the pub or talk to him in general. The reason is

almost a non-answer: a devastating “I just don’t like you anymore.”

Colin Farrell—or more to the point, his glabella—is perfectly suited to the role. Padraic is described as “dull” and “nice” and his pinched-brow befuddlement at such an odd predicament, one probably more common than discussed, is relatable to anyone who has grown distant from a friend. The sudden separation of these two pals is a catalyst for other small island dramas, and leads to some dark and extreme behavior, but these never get bogged down in an overly melancholic tone.

That’s due in no small part to the lively yet bittersweet score by Carter Burwell and the gorgeous Irish countryside captured in all its widescreen magic-hour glory by D.P. Ben Davis. The script handles its dour subject matter with a light touch, often turning what would normally be internal thoughts into spoken dialogue for comedic effect. Not everyone will find The Banshees of Inisherin funny. It reunites Farrell with his The Killing of a Sacred Deer co-star Barry Keoghan, all mannerisms and affectations, but where I find that director’s work more weird and deadpan than funny (The Favourite being the exception), his style is the closest touchstone to The Banshees that I can think of. The difference, I think—and what makes this depiction of misery such a joy—is that this movie knows it’s a farce.

Kerry Condon’s performance as Siobhan, Padraic’s sister, is a standout. The Banshees of Inisherin has been nominated for Best Picture and is available to stream on HBOmax.

— jay spIGht

The Ban S hee S of i ni S herin

Sounds

music notes

 waShingTon TheaTre hoSTS Markey blUe ric laTina ProJecT, oTiS faiThfUl on March 18

BLuES gROuP Markey Blue Ric Latina Project will join Otis Faithful for a Saturday, March 18, concert known as Blues in the ’Boro at the Washington Theatre inside Patterson Park Community Center. The night will feature three hours of music kicking off at 7 p.m. inside a comfortable theaterstyle venue.

Win Tickets!

alwayS loreTTa:

loreTTa lynn

TribUTe Show

coMeS To naShville March 21

ON TuESdAy, MARCh 21, The Troubadour Theater in Nashville will host Always Loretta, the ultimate tribute show to Loretta Lynn that includes a special performance by the original Coal Miners, Loretta’s touring band, and features Emily Portman. Portman will bring her signature Loretta Lynn-flaired sound to the stage, as she did during the touring production of Conway Twitty In Concert: The Man, The Music, The Legend (Live)

“We lost a legend last year and she was an artist that paved the way for so many of us,” Portman said. “I was honored to know her, to have her blessing in portraying her, and it’s a bigger honor to continue carrying on her legacy.”

Featured in this nationally touring show are members of Loretta’s original Coal Miners band, including Dave Thornhill, lead guitarist and band leader for 55 years; Bob Hempker, steel guitarist for 55 years; Dennis Digby, bass guitarist for 15 years; John Brown, drummer for 20 years; and Monty Parkey, pianist for 5 years.

“When I play a Loretta Lynn tribute show with Emily, it takes me back to 1967 when I played my first show with Loretta. After my 55 years and 10,000-plus shows, playing lead guitar with Loretta, it’s like I’m starting all over again,” Thornhill said.

This special tribute show is authorized by the Loretta Lynn family and will take the audience on a journey in remembering all the big country hits that Lynn had.

The Troubadour Theater is located at 2416 Music Valley Dr., Nashville. Tickets for Always Loretta are $50 and are available by emailing alwayslorettatickets@gmail.com or by calling 615-4833208.

enter to wIn a paIr of tIckets to the March 21 Always Loretta show at boropulse.com/lynn.

The Nashville-based Markey Blue Ric Latina Project is a member of the Nashville Blues Society, a winner of the Atlanta Blues Challenge, has been nominated for various awards, and has had its music air on TV network shows including Claws, Gray’s Anatomy and Rick and Morty

Opening the March 18 show, Murfreesboro blues act Otis Faithful will take the audience on a journey from the Delta to Chicago. Visit markeybluericlatina.com for more on the Markey Blue Ric Latina Project; find Otis Faithful on ReverbNation and Facebook. Tickets for Blues in the ’Boro are $10. Patterson Park Community Center is located at 521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Murfreesboro.

 hoP SPringS SMellS like nirvana on March 18, dead original oPenS

SMELLS LikE NiRvANA will celebrate the legendary sounds of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain at an all-ages tribute show at Hop Springs on Saturday, March 18 at 8 p.m., performing songs from Nevermind, In Utero and Bleach as well as B-sides and rarities. Dead Original will open the show, performing a 30-minute set of original material from its first album, Bought and Sold Paul Wandtke, who served as drummer for the Grammy-nominated metal band Trivium, takes on lead guitar and vocal duties for Dead Original. The group has already performed in support of Candlebox, Seether, Jonathan Davis and 10 Years. For more on Dead Original, visit deadoriginal.com.

Tickets start at $15, on ticketweb.com. Hop Springs is located at 6790 John Bragg Hwy., Murfreesboro. Prior to the show, audience members can submit song requests via smellslikenirvanatribute.com.

emily porTman

aS loreTTa lynn

n orthrup falls

You Go

A quest to visit more of the mAny wonderful wAterfAlls of Tennessee leads a group of outdoorspeople up the Cumberland Plateau to the uppereastern edge of Middle Tennessee.

Northrup Falls plunges 60 feet into its rocky pool within the Colditz Cove State Natural Area, near the small town of Allardt, Tennessee, north of Monterey (which does indeed translate as “Mountain King”) and Crossville. A bit of a drive from Murfreesboro, the site sits about 115 miles outside of Murfreesboro to the east-northeast.

The Northrup Falls feature itself is quite spectacular—visitors can walk behind, or

directly under, the falls, which reportedly pours quite a high volume of waterflow at most times, for a Tennessee creek.

As a whole, the natural area feels secluded and contains an interesting variety of terrain and plant life.

Judging from the small parking area, the site does not accommodate a huge number of visitors.

From the parking area, a natural-surface trail begins the journey to the waterfall, starting fairly level.

Soon, the trail leads to a 1.4-mile loop which takes hikers to the base of Northrup Falls. Either direction will lead to the falls,

eventually. Going right will soon lead to an overlook permitting hikers to view the impressive Northrup Falls from above. Visitors can approach the edge of a steep bluff with the falls just to the right, surrounded by rocky crags.

It’s a cool view, looking down upon those below getting wet in the spray of the falls.

The trail then leads to a small bridge that crosses over Big Branch Creek just above the falls. The Northrup family operated a mill near here in the 1800s. From here, the work begins to descend into the basin.

Go on down!

The descent can get just a little challenging at points, with the ground soupy and slick after only a moderate rainfall the day before (carrying a 36-pound person makes it all the more challenging). Prior to arriving at Northrup Falls the trail requires some ducking under rhododendron branches, navigating the rocky terrain near a cliff face, and various other ups and downs, twists and turns, loose rocks and wet and muddy spots to traverse.

But arriving to Northrup Falls and standing at the base presents a beautiful scene as the water roars onto the rocks, the creek falling from a protruding rock ledge which creates a cave formation behind the falls

large enough to pass behind the falls without getting wet.

The plunge pool below the falls is not large enough for swimming but makes a fine spot to wade and splash around.

Hang out for a while and enjoy this unique spot before making the excursion back via the remainder of the loop and continuing to hike through this lovely piece of forest, home to several relatively rare animals including the Black Mountain dusky salamander, the woodland jumping mouse, the smoky shrew, the pygmy shrew and the southeastern shrew, according to information from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

And of course the 165 acres of the Colditz Cove Natural Area contain a wide variety of ferns, flowers, trees, grasses, sedges and rushes.

Below the falls, along the creek, “large hemlocks and white pines dominate the forest canopy and probably are more than 200 years old,” state literature says.

Further, the “high cliffs and shallow, open cave-like structures at the falls and along the creek gorge were once used by cliff-dwelling Woodland Indians over 3,000 years ago. They primarily used these shelters during hunting season,” according to TDEC.

Honeybee Swarms

the grAduAlly wArming spring dAys in Middle Tennessee are a sure sign of an impending magical natural event—honeybee swarm season! March is a prime time to begin watching for the tell-tale buzzing clouds that disappear just as quickly as they’re noticed. While it can be unnerving to find yourself in the vicinity of a swarm, it is important to remember that bees are at their least aggressive during this time and pose virtually no threat to people.

A swarm is a very dramatic way for bees to perform the very simple act of hive reproduction. In the spring, pollen becomes more available, and the bee colony actively fills the hive with both brood (baby bees) and honey. With every available space filled to the brim, the queen leaves the safety of her hive in search of a new home. Half of the worker bees follow her on her journey, while the others remain with the hive. In the most basic sense, one hive becomes two.

While the group is searching for a new place to call home, the queen will land, often in a tree or on a fence, but you could see them anywhere! When she comes to rest, all of the worker bees

land on her, surrounding and protecting her while a new home is chosen. Bees are quite vulnerable in this state; oftentimes people become alarmed and frightened, and seek remedies that hurt or even kill the swarm. The good news for both people and bees is that swarms very quickly find and move to their new, permanent home, typically in 24–48 hours.

The best thing that humans can do is to quietly and cautiously observe this wonder of nature for the beautiful moments that the bees are there. They will quickly “bee” on their way!

If you do encounter a swarm in an unsafe location, your best bet will be to reach out to the beekeepers association in your county. A quick internet search will put you in contact with many eager local beekeepers who are happy to help give the bees a new home. If possible, avoid contacting exterminators, who are often not knowledgeable about the habits of honey bees and may mistakenly harm the colony.

If you are fortunate enough to encounter this fast flying phenomenon, consider yourself lucky and celebrate these tiny but oh-so-veryimportant creatures!

It’s a dramatic sight when queen bee takes workers to search for new hive location

story/photo By ashleIGh newnes

Growing Up in Murfreesboro

Birthday parties at dipper dan, the skate Center or the martin twin

SInce MarcH IS My BIrTHday MonTH, I thought we would take a trip down memory lane and discuss where we would go for a birthday party and where would we get our birthday cake in years past. By the way, my birthday is March 2, 1966. I was born at the old Rutherford County Hospital that used to sit between Highland Avenue and University Street. Today, the location is an open field with a fence around it.

A little trivia: our beloved Ruther-

ford County Trustee Teb Batey and I were born on the same day and same year. I am pretty sure I’m 45 minutes older than him. Teb and I played basketball together at MTCS. He was our starting center and I came off the bench.

Back to birthdays. One thing is for sure, I enjoyed birthdays, whether it was a friend’s or mine. I remember mother baking me a cake, unless she got me one from Sugar n Spice, which was a real treat.

I also got to invite friends over for a party at the house and we would play basketball and Atari and my friends would get to spend the night.

One of the most favorite places I liked to go for birthday parties was Dipper Dan, located in the Jackson Heights plaza off Broad Street. Today there’s a hair salon there. The cool thing about Dipper Dan was all the different flavors of ice cream we got to choose from. My favorite was pink bubblegum ice cream. Another really cool thing about Dipper Dan was they had a birthday room in the back. If it was your birthday, you got to be their king or queen, which meant you got to be at the top of the pyramid and all your friends were below. It was so cool to be the special one. I felt like a king. It was a privilege to have your birthday party there or to get invited to one.

As I grew older the pyramid at Dipper Dan became obsolete. So around sixth grade we started having birthday parties at the skating rink on West College Street. Today it’s known as Skate Center West. I remember Jack Warren ran it and he was the man in charge. He was like a DJ, because he had a microphone and he was up in what looked like a penalty box but was in fact the DJ booth. He could easily watch what was going on. He made sure the party didn’t get out of hand and turn into the James Caan movie called Rollerball, where skaters got killed chasing a steel ball.

I was not much of a skater but I do remember doing the Hokey Pokey a few times. Doug Warren, who is Jack’s son, would later take over for his dad, and that dude

could skate—forwards, backwards, and stop on a dime. The big thing at the party was getting to drink a suicide. Still to this day I don’t understand why it’s called that. The word suicide is depressing, but the drink was so sweet, a mixture of all the sodas of the day.

The Warrens have a long tradition of entertaining the people of Murfreesboro at their skating rinks. The old skating rink sat closer to College Street and it was a white cement block building. There was another skating rink on the other side of town that was called Hot Wheels, and this is where the wilder and cooler kids got to go skate.

One other thing we would do is have a pizza party at Sir Pizza, Pizza Hut or Shakey’s, and then go to a movie at Jackson Heights plaza. If we ate at Sir Pizza we walked over to the Martin Twin movie theater because they were next door to each other. Martin Twin was owned by Joe Tomlinson, and later in life I worked there. Today it’s the Premiere 6 and is owned by local businessman Dave Gober. Still to this day I love watching movies at Premiere 6 and indulging in Sir Pizza. We would also go to the Cinema Twin, which was located on South Tennessee Boulevard behind a Roses department store. Hal

Christiansen owned that particular movie theater. Mr. Christiansen was a really nice man, known for his turtlenecks and his love for theater. The Christiansens lived on Main Street in a very cool ranch home that sat across from Davis Market at the time.

These are just some of my memories growing up here in Murfreesboro in the ’70s and ’80s. Wow, things have changed since then. We had ShowBiz Pizza; today we have Chuck E. Cheese, the Discovery Center or perhaps Go USA Fun Park, among many other places that can host birthday parties.

Remember to go out and do something nice for someone else.

God bless!

Tune into wgNS at 100.5 FM or 1450 AM on Sundays at 9 p.m. for The Mr. Murfreesboro Show Call Mr. Murfreesboro, a.k.a. Bill wilson, for all of your local real estate needs at 615-406-5872. Follow Mr. Murfreesboro on Facebook and instagram.

T heaT er

Jose Fernando Vargas creates Mural for Mexico Tipico

MExiCO TiPiCO has added some color to South Church Street after artist Jose Fernando Vargas recently completed a new mural on the front of the restaurant. The artwork’s design features a large, very detailed and realistic tropical bird, a lady whose face is adorned with the colors of the Mexican flag, and other elements such as flowers and butterflies.

Vargas has created other murals for businesses in the Nashville, Franklin and Woodbine areas, featuring his strikingly detailed, vividly colorful work, often featuring birds and other wildlife.

Drop by Mexico Tipico, 2021 S. Church St., Murfreesboro, for some tacos between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. any day of the week; to view more work from Jose Fernando Vargas, check out his Instagram page @josefernando.v

stop in at 2021 s. church st. to view the mural in its full color glory.

discovery center Hosts choctaw elder Sally Wells as resident artist Through april

ThE diSCOvERy CENTER AT MuRFREE SPRiNg in Murfreesboro recently named Choctaw artist Sally Wells as the museum’s 2023 artist in residence. Wells is widely known for her traditional beadwork and dressmaking and has dedicated her life and art to promoting and preserving Choctaw culture. Her work has been displayed at the Tennessee Arts Commission gallery.

“We’re thrilled to host such an icon of Native American culture, art and heritage at the museum,” said President and CEO of the Discovery Center Tara MacDougall. Wells was the first master artist chosen to teach in the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, created to support traditional artists and preserve rare and endangered art forms. Using seed and bugle beads, Wells creates intricate Choctaw collar necklaces, earrings, bracelets and hanging necklaces.

Meet the artist at the Discovery Center on Sundays March 12 and 19 and April 16 and 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., when Wells will lead workshops and activities at the museum. Discovery Center is located at 502 SE Broad St., Murfreesboro. For more information, visit explorethedc.org or call 615-890-2300.

The Dish

restaurant

Sorelles italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

locatIon

sorelles ristorante italiano

story By

In 2022, sisters Kyah Richards and Jodi Gnoffo opened Sorelles Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in downtown Eagleville in the restaurant space that served for a time as the Maple Street Grill.

Today, Sorelles serves all the Italian restaurant favorites—pizza, pasta, calzones, stromboli, sandwiches, and salads, and has earned primarily glowing comments from its customers.

“We have ordered almost everything on their menu over the course of several visits,” Megan Stokes reported. “Nothing has disappointed us yet. Chicken piccata, the meatballs and lasagna are the favs.”

Stacey King Burton agrees that “the homemade meatballs are a must!”

Sorelles (which is the Italian word for “sisters”) attracts those approaching the building with a very appealing aroma, on first impression smelling like a respectable Italian restaurant should, bready and garlicky, as groovy music from the 1960s plays.

Inside, find a very good alfredo sauce; chicken scarpariello, a house specialty pasta with chicken, sausage and pepperoncini in a lemon, butter and white wine sauce; and delicious New York-style pizza with a light and chewy crust, nothing too fancy, just pizza on

good, fresh dough.

In the middle of the big pies there’s hardly any dough there, as it should be with pizza branded as “New York-style.” The slices are super thin and foldable, and the outer rim contains just a little crisp. Top it with some tasty, greasy pepperoni or a variety of other toppings.

“Always spot on!” Jeff Bolling said of the Sorelles pizza. “The pizza here is the best in the whole area. I know New York style pizza . . . they make it with care.”

The restaurant offers a Margherita pizza with tomato and basil, and one customer suggested adding pepperonis to the house white pizza for a phenomenal pie.

Rutherford County now contains a sizeable list of locally owned Italian restaurants and pizzerias (with Marina’s, Luca’s, La Tavola, Sal’s, Giorgio’s, Milano, Salvo’s and Spooky’s all doing their thing, making a legitimate local pizza scene), but numerous Sorelles fans proclaim it as their favorite pizza in the area.

The penne ala vodka is also popular there,

161 N. Main St., Eagleville phone

615-640-0707

hours

Tues.–Sat.: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun.: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

prIces

18-inch two-topping pizza: $23.18; Fettuccine alfredo with blackened chicken: $17.60; Calamari: $12.94; Penne ala vodka: $13; Stromboli with ham, salami, pepperoni, sausage and cheese: $11; Ziti or spaghetti with meatballs or sausage: $13 onlIne

sorellesitalianrestaurant.com

as is the chicken parmigiana. And many will suggest trying the garlic knots, crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside, sitting in a garlic butter pool, as one customer reported.

“I had the sausage parm sub and thought the taste of the sausage was superb. The bread was good and crispy,” Amber Lawhorn said.

For dessert, take the cannoli, if you like, or cheesecake, tiramisu or chocolate cake. The dessert menu also offers zeppolis—little fried doughnuts, similar to the French beignet, topped with a raspberry sauce.

“Desserts from heaven,” Jim Bicknell said.

As far as the food, most reviews seem positive. The main critique of Sorelles seems to be that many find it a little pricey.

“Not bad, but prices are pretty darn high,” one customer posted

When a chicken alfredo by itself tops $18—no drink, no salad, no bread—the bill can pile up when paying for a group.

Most modern consumers know how quickly food prices are rising and small restaurants charge what they have to in order

s isters serve calamari, calzones and cannoli and much more at e agleville eatery

Bracken mayo photos By sarah mayo

to make the numbers work. Sorelles is not the only area restaurant to do this, but it also tacks an additional 3.5% onto the already somewhat high listed menu prices for orders paid by credit card.

But judging by the feedback over the spot’s first year in operation, the quality of the tasty food and the service keep the “clean and cozy” dining room, as one visitor puts it, packed with hungry patrons.

“Never have I had a bad meal or experience there. Food is always fresh, and hot,” Joanie Galvin said. “We have tried different items on the menu and not one disappointed. My favorite is alfredo with chicken. The pizza is fabulous also.”

Others praise the calzones, and other

items include stromboli, chicken marsala, piccata and some very crisp, lightly breaded fried calamari.

“The food is phenomenal, the sauce could compete with the best places in the north end of Boston and the hard-working sisters that run the place are awesome,” Jimmy Aho said. So take an excursion out to Main Street in the small Tennessee town of Eagleville (population: 876) and try a big pizza, calamari, pasta of your choice or Italian sausage in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

“Good New York-style pizza, very good vodka sauce,” another customer, Ilya, said. “Definitely the best Italian/American food in the area.”

aroUnd Town

’

PennePazze, Blueprint Baseball, New Brewery, Siri Bubble Tea, dow Street Community Music School, Ladna 88, Enterprise, hank’s

By delores ellIott

Brandon Bingman of Bingman Hein LLC recently announced plans to open a new brewery at 2476 Old Fort Pkwy. in the former Ahart’s Pizza location.

The ARTiSAN BREwERy plans to produce small-batch beer at the location with a total volume of less than 200 barrels the first year. The business expects to brew up to 600 within the second year, and several hundred in the next few years, according to information Bingman presented to the Murfreesboro Planning Department. Local regulations allow artisan breweries to brew up to 600 barrels per month, so if the business grows to exceed that capacity, it would need to move to a new location.

Other expectations for the location include serving onsite and to-go 16 and 32 oz. crowlers and growlers of beer, menu items including panini sandwiches, pretzels and other snacks, wings and non-alcoholic beverages. As of now, the brewery’s name has not been announced. More information to come.

A new Asian restaurant called LAdNA 88 will open soon in a new building at 1610 Bradyville Pk. beside the International Market.

The restaurant space formerly operating as Pho Viet, 1722 S. Rutherford Blvd., now has a sign up calling it kiNg NOOdLES

ThAi RESTAuRANT

BLuEPRiNT BASEBALL has opened its athletic training center at 810 NW Broad St. in the Jackson Heights Shopping Center just behind Toot’s. The location offers hitting, pitching, catching, speed and agility training for baseball and softball players of all ages, and is dedicated to building the confidence of players. Owner Josh Renick says that the goal of Blueprint Baseball is to build players from the ground up.

“Our lessons are designed to build an excellent athletic ability in dynamic stability, strength, power and speed and form the mental and physical fundamentals required

B oro Bus I ness B uzz

The Fountains at Gateway will soon welcome a second PENNEPAZZE location to the Middle Tennessee area. In addition to the current location at the L and L Market in Nashville, the Murfreesboro location will begin the restaurant’s expansion into other markets and is expected to open sometime this spring.

The restaurant is described as a farm-to-table, open-kitchen concept dedicated to providing authentic Italian pasta and pinsa pizza with a focus on scratch-made food that falls within Italian tradition. PennePazze offers visible food creation so that customers have the chance to watch the process from start to finish.

“We create quality Italian cuisine that includes our fresh signature pasta and pinsa, made in-house daily,” said CEO and founder Rony Stark. “We grow our own mother yeast for the pinsa dough, which is a cross between Italian focaccia and Neapolitan-style dough. Dishes

change every season, which symbolizes the freshness and harmony of the Italian kitchen with Mother Nature. To complete the guests’ experience, we have a large variety of Italian wine selections.”

Stark was born to an Italian family and raised in Israel, and after his career in professional basketball and college, he made the decision to become a restaurateur and began developing the concept for PennePazze. He met master dough maker Riccardo Manzella at a pinsa chef course in Florence, Italy, where attendees were trained to make pinsa dough by hand.

“I convinced Ricardo to join me in the U.S.,” said Stark. “Along with my wife, marketing strategist Shir Stark, we developed and honed the restaurant concept over a two-year period before opening PennePazze in March 2020.”

For more information, visit pennepazze.net.

in the game,” Renick said. “We teach the player the proper mechanics and how to be consistent with such mechanics.”

Renick started Blueprint’s first team in 2015 and has grown tremendously since. Renick is known as one of Middle Tennessee State University’s all-time great baseball players and serves as an MTSU Baseball Hall of Fame member, as well as the 2001 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, an 11th-round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins, and MTSU’s career batting average leader. Renick, who also played in the Junior College World Series, is one of four coaches at the location, joining Jason Sharber, Josh Kroeger and Adam Sauer.

Blueprint lesson options range from 1–6 lessons, costing between $50 and $225. Each lesson is at least 30 minutes long. For more information, call 941-232-4051 or visit blueprintbaseball.com.

dOw STREET COMMuNiTy MuSiC

SChOOL will open to the public on March 13 at 1272 Dow St. in Murfreesboro. The building was recently renovated to accommodate the music school. The nonprofit’s mission is to provide quality music instruction and performance opportunities to enhance cultural life within the community.

Classes offered at DSCMS include group violin lessons for ages 5 to 11, and one-on-

one lessons for strings, woodwinds, piano, guitar and voice. Weekly individual lessons are also an option for beginners and experienced players of all ages, lessons last between 30 and 60 minutes.

“Growing up, I was fortunate to have parents who supported me throughout my musical journey. In their memory, I would like to help others experience the same joy in learning and making beautiful music,” said DSCMS founder Dr. Andrea Dawson, who teaches violin and viola as a professor at MTSU.

“Music brings people together. It enhances our lives, at every stage, and improves our health and well-being. Children and adults blossom when music is part of our lives. We learn to express emotions in a safe and nurturing environment, and we learn to work with others.”

For more information on the school, visit dowstreetmusic.org.

PET SuPPLiES PLuS will open a Murfreesboro location this month at 1664 Memorial Blvd. The new location is expected to open on March 17, and will offer dog wash and grooming services, as well as live crickets and small pets, a rewards program, online ordering and free same-day delivery services, as well as a variety of pet products. For more information, visit petsuppliesplus.com

A second JP MORgAN ChASE BANk will open in Murfreesboro at 4145 Franklin Rd. in front of Publix when construction on the building is complete.

MuRFREESBORO MEdiCAL CLiNiC has unveiled plans for MMC Lascassas on 11 acres at Lascassas Pike and East Pitts Lane.

ENTERPRiSE will open a large car rental and sales facility in a new building on Old Fort Parkway near Bob Kelley Drive (not far from the Franklin Road Publix center).

FOuNTAiNS AT gATEwAy recently acquired 5.12 acres of adjacent land from the City of Murfreesboro to develop the second phase of its Class A mixed-use development, announced Scott Graby, president of Hearthstone Properties.

Two Fountains Plaza, the first building in phase two, will be a five-story building situated directly across from the fully leased, four-story One Fountains Plaza. It will include one and a half floors of corporate office space, three floors of luxury for-sale condominiums surrounding an atrium courtyard, and ground-floor retail, fitness studio, eatery and office lobby spaces. Access-controlled parking for residents will be underground, with a parking deck at grade above.

CONTiNuEd

The development will feature the use of mass-timber construction, which is becoming very popular in mid-rise and even high-rise buildings due to innovations in fire rating and the natural beauty achieved with exposed beams and ceiling decks. At 212,000-square-feet under roof plus a 140,000-square-foot attached parking structure, Two Fountains Plaza will be the largest mass timber building in Tennessee.

ATRiuM AT FOuNTAiNS will offer 53 luxury condominiums on floors three through five with spacious, light-filled residences featuring high-end finishes in floorplans ranging from one to three bedrooms. Each residence will include an open living and dining area that adjoins a sleek, European-style kitchen with island.

Condominium owners will enter their residences via an exclusive three-story glassroofed, climate-controlled atrium featuring tropical trees and plants nestled among walkways and a variety of seating areas, a 30-foot waterfall and koi pond, recessed firepit, gazebo, swings, and secluded alcoves for reading or unwinding.

The sales center for Atrium at Fountains, led by Zach Griest of ZACh TAyLOR REAL ESTATE, will open this spring at One Fountains Plaza to showcase floorplans, finishes and a show kitchen, and begin accepting early sales reservations.

A new local bubble tea cafe called SiRi BuBBLE

TEA has opened at 225 N. Rutherford Blvd. near Thai Spice and MTSU in the old Pupusaria Salvadorena location. Siri offers several handcrafted and customizable bubble tea options. Some of the menu items include milk tea, fruit tea, Thai tea, steeped tea, slushies and a variety of flavors as well as different milk, sugar and topping options. For more information, visit facebook.com/ siribubbletea.

Interested parties may contact live@atriumatfountains.com for more information.

Subsequent development plans for phase two include the purchase of an adjoining 2.55-acre frontage parcel that will feature a five-story, boutique hotel connected by skybridge to the atrium level of the condominiums. Graby is in discussions with two local chefs regarding another restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel.

CENTER FOR ThE ARTS recently announced Keri Boe as the new Mainstage Director, and Jake Ingrassia as the Director of Finance.

Boe spent several years as a volunteer in a variety of roles prior to her promotion, as well as some time leading the front-of-house and production teams. Boe has also trained in professional stage management.

Ingrassia has a history of work within the

financial services industry. He spent a portion of his time acting in productions at the organization as well as working professionally in a community theater, and worked as a CFO for nonprofit organizations dedicated to increasing their effective management planning for the future.

AuTO COLLECTiON OF MuRFREESBORO has closed its Broad Street dealership, but still operates at 806 Old Fort Pkwy. Auto Collection specializes in used luxury and high-end vehicle sales and services. For more information, visit autocollectionofmurfreesboro.com.

After recent consideration, hANk’S hONky TONk will not be opening another location near the Murfreesboro Square. Hank’s owner Ken Strode recently said that Hank’s has “pulled the plug” on the location planned for the restaurant space adjacent to the Whiskey Dix building, just across Maple Street from Marina’s.

Hank’s still operates its Memorial Boulevard Honky Tonk, as well as the nearby Hank’2 event space. Fans of the restaurant have suggested that the business should open another location, and that Murfreesboro could probably support another similar honky-tonk in another part of town when the situation is right for the owners.

FOR INFORMATION , including routes and fares, visit www.murfreesborotn.gov

Rover Transit buses can Avenue and Stones River SportsCom, grocery stores, along the 7 ROUTES that adults and kids under 6 are

For additional information, www.murfreesborotn.gov

615-21ROVER (615-217-6837).

a swing and a hit!

from the kitchen and you will be hooked!

What really sets the Tennessee Golf Station apart is the atmosphere. This place has a real sense of community and has been called a golfer equivalent of the fictional Boston bar in TV’s Cheers. It was founded by J.P. Brown a little over a year ago. Mr. Brown is a true golf pro who toured around the world with the Professional Golfers’ Association for several years. When he retired, he had the idea of buying a professional simulator to help coach other players. But one thing grew into another.

“I started teaching back in California and my best friend moved out to Tennessee and loved it. So I came out here as well and was originally going to open up just one teaching bay. But my buddy suggested I have two bays: one to teach from and one to rent out. Then another friend suggested I have a little wet bar and the dream just got bigger and bigger,” J.P. says. Well, the dream is now a reality, and it is pretty cool.

I asked this entrepreneur who or what has been instrumental to helping him get started. Surprisingly, he mentioned the competition! The staff at Champy’s Chicken next door was a real source of encouragement when he was just getting started, he says. They reminded him a business is always difficult to get up and running, and advised him to enjoy the process.

i ONLy gOLF ABOuT ONCE A yEAR, on average. That’s just enough for me to appreciate the skill, as well as the frustration, of playing the game. I even have my own set of clubs! But I seldom ever get out to a course.

Though I have driven past several golf shops over the years, I have never stopped in to one. My assumption was that not much was going on at these stores in the wintertime. But visiting the Tennessee Golf Station changed my perception of just how much fun one of these places could be.

This place has everything you need to improve your game and have a blast while doing it. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie just starting out, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to test your skills and have a great time. The Tennessee Golf Station is a state-of-the-art practice facil-

ity with three simulator bays.

There are simulated golf courses from around the world you can play on. But this isn’t a desktop computer with cheesy graphics. What you see on each large screen is video footage from places all over the world, such as St. Andrews in Scotland. People who have played some of the actual courses say

the simulators are right on the money! Plus, it’s a great way to play golf no matter what the weather is like outside.

You need not even be a golf enthusiast to enjoy these simulators. Several other games can be played on them as well including baseball, football and lacrosse. There is even a special electronic ball for bowling. And just around the corner are (real) dartboards. It just wouldn’t be a bar without darts.

Tennessee Golf Station also has a full bar and grill. They have a wide selection of national beverages on tap but promote local breweries as well. You can sit back, relax and swap stories with fellow golfers while you enjoy some delicious grub—try the tater-tot nachos

I asked Brown what advice he would give to other small business owners.

“As an entrepreneur, if you’re not hitting some speed bumps, you’re not doing it right,” he says. “Just keep your head down and keep going. If it were easy, everyone would do it.”

That’s exactly why most people will never start a business. But come to 1276 NW Broad St. in Murfreesboro, see for yourself what J.P. has done to the old Payless Shoe Source building, and enjoy a round of golf. There’s always something different going on inside, from DJs to live bands. Tuesdays are trivia night from 7–9 p.m., and they host league challenges as well.

Find out more or set up a tee time at tngolfstation.com.

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

g olf at courses around the world at tennessee Golf s tation , even when it’s cold or dark outside

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liaison or the facilitator,” she said.

The council is working with local government officials to spread awareness of and excitement for the technology resources and partners in the community, according to Hoscheit.

They’re also facilitating a mentorship program between students and industry professionals. Helping students understand what’s possible with their degree right here in Rutherford County is essential to its economic development, according to the council.

One of the largest universities in the state, Middle Tennessee State University, is at our doorstep, but it had been churning out students who were unable to capitalize on the technology job market within the county, Hoscheit said.

n etwork, e ngage, e volve

cybersecurity and resources that can help their business is part of the ever-important education piece of the MTC’s mission, as well, Mayfield said.

Facilitating business development and growth is just as important as education, according to the council.

A major piece of that puzzle is missing: strong reliable internet access countywide. MTC has connected one of its biggest sponsors, United Communications, with the local government to tackle this issue. United received a grant to devise and execute a plan to ensure anyone in the county can equally contribute to the global workforce, says Hoscheit.

By chelsea locascIo

whAT wOuLd yOu dO if you couldn’t pull up the internet on your phone whenever you wanted? Most take technology at their fingertips for granted, but there are people in Rutherford County without internet, access to a computer, or an understanding of programs like Excel.

These are just a few of the reasons why the Murfreesboro Technology Council was formed by Jon Hoscheit, Mary Mayfield, Chad Mullis and Matthew Haese in 2018. As one of the fastest growing cities in the

nation, Murfreesboro’s education, infrastructure and economic development has been lagging behind other cities, according to Hoscheit, chief technical officer of Data Suites and the council’s chairman.

MTC saw a growing gap and decided to take action to bridge it, says Mayfield, owner and marketing manager of Market Connect and a founding board member of the council.

“There’s lots of good resources and people out there and nobody knows each other exists. So, it’s like we act on a lot of cases as the

Byron Glenn, a software developer and a board member who found out about MTC while he was running for county commissioner, spoke on the campaign trail about the importance of investing in technology. He felt similarly to Hoscheit, saying that the students haven’t been encouraged to stay in the county once they graduate, which is only further hurting the local economy.

“We need to make a bigger investment in tech and actually make Rutherford County a tech hub,” said Glenn, currently a student at Nashville Software School. “They go to MTSU, [then] where do they go? They leave Rutherford County. So what also leaves Rutherford County? The money, the talent, the resources.”

These students want to know that, if they go the tech route, they have a future here, Glenn said.

The council prioritized further integrating technology into college students’ curriculum as well as showing them firsthand what opportunities await them in the real world.

“We started touring different technology companies in the area from students’ perspectives, so they can see what would happen when they got their degree,” Hoscheit said. “We found that in a lot of cases, teacher retention of these students was a lot higher because they could actually see what they would be doing once they were done with their degree. A picture speaks a thousand words—we were trying to be that for the community.”

They aren’t only working with college students. MTC is assisting in technology education of students in K through 12 as well as continuing education for adults looking to learn a new program or switch careers.

Helping small businesses learn about

He and Mayfield mentioned a few ways this helps build the economy: More people in Rutherford can work from home, keeping down spending on lunches, for example, and more businesses will move to those rural areas.

“There’s still a lot of room in this county for bigger, better things to come,” Mayfield said.

MTC is working on increasing access to computers, as well. Hoscheit said they recycle still-usable computers from healthcare companies and donate them to schools and charities. They donated about 200 computers in the county so far and helped support up to 900 kids in a school in Haiti.

Despite the name, the council isn’t just for people who work in tech, Mayfield points out.

“It’s really for everybody even if you don’t work in technology,” she said. “Maybe you just like technology, and we all will use it every single day. So, it’s really just about being a community of people here in Murfreesboro that have the same goals.”

There are a few ways to get involved in the Murfreesboro Technology Council. You can currently become a member for free, attend their monthly networking activities, and participate in their larger quarterly events focusing on tech education, strategies or certifications, according to Hoscheit.

MTC is holding such an event in collaboration with women in Technology of Tennessee on March 28 at the Fountains of gateway that is aimed at women of all ages who want to learn about some of the state’s female technology leaders. To register, visit murfreesborotechnology.com/ events. For more information on MTC, to RSvP for an event or provide a donation, visit murfreesborotechnology.com or email info@murfreesborotechnology.com.

Murfreesboro Technology Council working to get internet access countywide, increase tech jobs in the area

know when to depend on ambulances for emergencies

wORkiNg AS A PARAMEdiC iN TENNESSEE has been one of the great privileges of my life. There is truly nothing like the feeling of providing lifesaving healthcare. Unfortunately, Emergency Medical Services, or EMS, has slowly become more of a convenience-based service than a life-saving one.

I have heard the statement “going to the hospital by ambulance will get me seen faster.” This is not true. Before utilizing EMS services, know what they can do.

Ambulances are mini emergency rooms on wheels. A Nashville Fire Department paramedic reported, “We can maintain your airway if you can’t on your own with the use of breathing tubes and ventilators, we can control your heart rate and blood pressure using medications and electricity, and we can even perform procedures like needle decompression and surgical cricothyrotomies” (emergency breathing-tube insertions involving an incision).

A paramedic from Williamson County shared that they “carry whole blood and blood products to give transfusions.” Paramedics do these interventions because they can save lives when time is of the essence. EMS often begins treatment on scene so that care can be received immediately before initiating transport. We must remain readily available for those who may require critical intervention.

Unlike fire and police departments, EMS was not always an essential service. Tennessee did not recognize EMS as essential until April 2021. The state legislature passed the bill that transformed Tennessee into the 12th state to receive federal funding and require counties to offer EMS services. Without this support, many areas relied on volunteer services.

My employer county’s contribution for paid and volunteer services equated to only 0.44% of the county’s budget in the 2022–23 fiscal year. Comparatively, the county’s K–12 school expenditures equated to 71.3%. This massive difference in financial support indicates that EMS services rely highly upon insurance to keep ambulances staffed and available.

You may ask yourself, “How does any of this affect me?” If you or a loved one experienced a severe car accident, cardiac arrest, or are struggling to breathe, how long would you expect to wait for an ambulance to arrive? Based on data collected from Rutherford County in 2022, the average response time was 7.3 minutes.

Delays in ambulance arrivals are partly because there are not enough providers to staff ambulances. Also, the ambulances that are available may come from a different town due to an overabundance of 911 calls and long waits to turn over patients in ERs. While it is generally accepted that EMS creates an otherwise unmet need for care for the elderly or those living in poverty, non-emergency transports burden an already taxed system. Complaints that have no threat to life such as chronic pain, nausea, flu symptoms, or intoxication are frequently transported to the ER. There are things that a community can do to

reduce the strain on EMS and overcrowded ERs. Before calling 911 for an ambulance, consider these questions:

• Can I safely take a personal vehicle or taxi to the emergency room?

• Can my primary care provider or an urgent care clinic solve my problem?

• Is it necessary for my safety to expose healthcare providers to my illness?

• Will ambulance transport save my life, minimize suffering or minimize delay in receiving care (addressing immediate threats to life, limb or eyesight)?

• Will moving the patient cause further harm or injury?

• Will the patient truly benefit from ambulance transport?

These are all critical things to consider during a possible emergency. Call 911 and EMS can help determine the next appropriate steps when in doubt.

A few essential facts to know:

1. The Good Samaritan law provides immunity from arrest and prosecution for those experiencing or witnessing a drug overdose or underage alcohol intoxication if emergency services are summoned. Please tell us the truth so we can help you—you won’t be in trouble.

2. If someone calls 911 on your behalf, you have the right to refuse care and transport, as long as you are in the right state of mind.

3. Many health and car insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, won’t pay for the majority or any of the bill for ambulance transport if it is deemed medically unnecessary. Be proactive and look into your health insurance policy.

4. Ambulance transport to the ER does not mean you get to skip the line. Triage exists to aid those who need it urgently first. Patients are seen based on the determined level of priority. Patients are placed in the waiting room if instructed to by ER staff.

5. Protocols are in place to protect both paramedics and patients. We cannot stray from those protocols without consent from medical direction.

6. A medical power of attorney only goes into effect if the patient can no longer make their own decisions. Patients still possess autonomy when coherent.

7. EMS personnel often work 24-hour-plus shifts at multiple jobs. Our meals and sleep are frequently interrupted by 911 calls. We work weekends, holidays and rarely spend time with family and friends and have struggles with anxiety, depression, PTSD, illness, and chronic pain just like you do. Please treat us with the same respect, kindness, and dignity you would expect to receive.

I hope this call to action encourages you to learn just what EMS provides to your community.

Rest assured, we are just a phone call away—24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Thanks for your support,

—Your Exhausted Neighborhood Paramedic

seeing and b eing s een

confident. We understand that confidence flows from having a sense of our own intrinsic worth. Often, we attempt to build children’s confidence with lavish praise and by celebrating every small accomplishment. However, the key to fostering confidence in children is not found in external praise, but rather in teaching them to value and respect others. When children truly regard their fellow humans as valuable, they will know they are valuable too.

The word “respect” comes from the Latin roots: spect—to look at (like spectator), and re—again. When we take notice of a person, truly looking at them again, it’s hard to deny their humanity and innate value.

you are over the age of 20 there’s a good chance you won’t get a second look, much less a smile, or a hello. There are exceptions, but they are fewer and fewer.

One morning recently, our small staff walked next door to a local coffee shop. A group of young people were having coffee around a table outside. One of the young men noticed us approaching, made eye contact, waved, and spoke to one of my co-workers. I was floored. This has become so rare, that it stood out to me. Among our teenagers’ friends, we’re so impressed with the ones who can look adults in the eye and comfortably carry on a conversation.

By el I sa B eth G

we All wAnt to Be “seen.”

This is true of every human heart. Even the most introverted among us wants to be seen—if only by a few people—known and loved for who we are. Self-doubt in adults

often stems from a lack of being acknowledged, accepted or respected in our youth. The message we received was “you aren’t important, valuable or loved.”

As parents, we all want our children to be

Every child is on a journey to find and establish their place in this world. Their first “world” is their home and family. Teaching children to respect each other, and their parents, is the foundation for how they will treat people going forward. Parents sometimes ignore golden opportunities to teach this within sibling dynamics.

For some unfathomable reason, we tend to excuse poor behavior within families, as if it is inevitable. “Fight like brothers and sisters” should not be our norm. Siblings can get along. It takes work to teach them conflict resolution, but it’s worth it. Teaching children to respect their siblings sends the message that they also deserve to be respected and is crucial to developing confidence.

Of course, the people we live with see us on our worst days and have more opportunities to grate on our nerves. But this should not excuse mistreating each other. Our immediate family should be the safest, most supportive place we can be.

For teens, being accepted by peers feels paramount to their confidence. Yet this tribe-based sense of worth is dreadfully fragile. In an increasingly digitized world, they run the risk of not developing social skills they need to live in society. If they spend more time “with” friends on social media or via text than they do in person, they lose the ability to relate to humans with skin on. Exclusion, ridicule, and bullying are easier online than in person. Teens need our continual guidance to preserve humanity in a cyber-world.

Grace, courtesy and manners are dying out. Just walk into a room of kids. If

It is more important than ever to proactively teach social skills.

Teach your toddlers and preschoolers to make eye contact, shake hands, and say hello and goodbye. Teach elementaryaged children that it is respectful to acknowledge someone who enters a room or passes them in a hallway.

Preschoolers and elementary kids can practice basic conversations including showing interest in someone else’s interests or activities.

I love coming home to our teens who ask me how my day was, then actually listen as I share. This didn’t happen in a vacuum. It takes effort to engage with children and model these kinds of conversations.

Another crucial life and social skill is the ability to ask a question or ask for help with confidence. Children who can converse confidently and respectfully with adults, won’t be afraid to ask questions or voice their opinions in important situations.

Teach your children to look other people in the eye when talking to them. Teach them to value other people’s feelings, opinions and experiences by listening and engaging in dialogue. Teach them to confidently ask questions and voice their thoughts. Listen to them when they do and teach them to listen in return.

Respect should be the foundation for all human interactions.

“If puberty is on the physical side a transition from an infantile to an adult state, there is also, on the psychological side, a transition from the child who has to live in a family, to the man who has to live in society.” — Dr.

Maria Montessori

“When children truly regard their fellow humans as valuable, they will know they are valuable too.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOMINIKA ROSECLAY/ PEXELS

h old on to humanity by fostering respect and confidence

ay

w h ERE A RE Th E m en?

whERE ARE ThE MEN? I recently posed that question on my Free YOUR Children social media platform. The fight to save the souls of our nation’s children seems to have been delegated and is predominantly being led by women. Several nationally recognized groups come to mind that have been founded and are led by women.

Mothers are designed by God to be nurturers. By design, they protect and nurture their offspring. Now, many of them have taken up the cross to protect our nation’s children from indoctrination in government schools. Women have entered the battlefield, but where are the men?

Mothers are desperately seeking advice on how to convince their husbands that their most important work is raising and discipling the children that God has given them. Some reading this may be saying, “there is nothing wrong with women working.” That is not the point of this piece. The message I am conveying is this: it is not the responsibility of the government to be a surrogate parent.

# free your C hildren

By t I ffany B oyd

Often pastors, predominantly men, refuse to address the topic of government schools from the pulpit; I have written about that previously.

Did you know that the number one question I receive in regard to homeschooling is “What is a mother to do when their husband will not allow them to home-school?” Why do husbands not want their wives teaching and discipling their children? The number one reason is financial. A recent comment circulating in a social media group read as follows: “My husband resents that we home-school because I can’t work and provide an income for our family.”

If Christian parents are using government schools as free childcare while they work, you are abdicating your parental and biblical responsibility to the government. You are handing them off to a system that will not be instilling a biblical worldview in your children. Instead, they will be teaching your children that Christianity is a lie. Biblically, parents are mandated to disciple and teach their own children. Whomever your children are spending the most time with is who is discipling and teaching them.

In 1 Timothy 5:8, Paul is speaking to the men of the church when he says to them, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of their own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Christian men, it is your responsibility to financially provide for your families. You are blessed if you have been given a

helpmeet who desires to disciple and teach your children while you fulfill your biblical role of providing for your families.

The church needs to encourage husbands to support their wives in the area of biblical education and not be a stumbling block. It is the biblical responsibility of the husband and the father to be the spiritual leader in the home. Government schools are not neutral. They teach a religion that is the antithesis of scriptural truth. The majority of Christians are sending their children to be discipled in humanism. Churches need to encourage fathers to understand the importance of what the Bible says about their role as a husband and father. Pastors must preach the whole counsel of God. They must equip and encourage the men. Ephesians 4:12 states that the role of the church is to equip the saints (the parents) to disciple their children. Churches must be bold enough to teach biblical truth. If the men do not rise up, the church and Christianity will die. Where are the men?

The Free YOUR Children radio show, which airs every Thursday night at 8 p.m. Central, has launched a series of shows dedicated to encouraging husbands and fathers in the area of family discipleship and biblical education. We are digging deep into how the church has

missed the mark and the need for committed Christian men to take up the cross. Stream the show at raddio.net/14147-wxrq.

Now more than ever, Christians need to come together to fight this battle. The casualties of losing are the souls of our children.

God’s word tells us: “For where our treasures lie, is where our hearts will be.” Matthew 6:21.

And 1 John 2:7 tells us, “And the world passeth away and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”

We must decide which side of the battle we are on and we must be bold enough to go to battle.

Christian men, we need you.

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

m en, provide for your household and support your wife educating and guiding your children

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY RANQUIST/ PEXELS

b

arry trotz b ack w ith the p reds

MLB Now has a Pitch Clock, Titans Make Some Cuts to Create Cap Space

Th E T RA i N dA ddy i S BAC k with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard! So, the NFL season is officially over. Don’t worry, though. If you are like me, and sports in general keep you entertained enough to deal with this crazy thing we call life, then hakuna matata—in Swahili, it means no worries.

I have always preferred college basketball to the NBA, and as we enter March the entire country goes mad! Tennessee basketball is just good enough and inconsistent enough to make things very interest-

ing. The team is defensively sound, yet there are days when putting the ball in the basket seems a tough ask. We have the start of the Major League Soccer season, and guess what? The hometown dudes in Nashville got a very cool season-opening victory. And not only that, they officially scored the very first goal of the entire 2023 MLS season. What makes it even more badass is the fact they did it all in black. No, this wasn’t a shout-out to Black History Month or that crooked BLM organization that took the money and ran. (Honest question: Is it blind

loyalty to BLM at this point or just plain stupid? I mean, some folk still support BLM after the so-called leaders took the money and ran!) But nonsense aside, the black uniforms were for something way cooler, Johnny Cash!

Baseball is back! You can hate the game, you can believe it’s dull or slow, but I have never met a person who doesn’t love going to the ballpark for a live game.

If you thought you had seen everything in baseball, think again. With bases loaded, two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the ninth, a spring Braves vs. Red Sox game ends in a 6–6 tie after a pitch-clock violation. Everyone was so confused at the end of this one. According to new MLB rules, a batter must be in the batter’s box prepared to take a pitch with eight seconds remaining on the new pitch clock. Cal Conley was not prepared, the umpire assessed him a third strike, and since the game was a spring training game and not in the regular season, it did not go into extra innings and officially ended in a tie.

It’s 2023 and the new rules are designed to improve the pace of play. Hopefully MLB can look over it all and fix it, because no game should ever be allowed to end on a pitch-clock violation. We really don’t need clock confusion added to the game. That said, I am an advocate for speeding up the game while most baseball purists aren’t, so I at least applaud the Major League for trying.

College baseball is back as well, and if you are a fan of Tennessee baseball then you know it’s been a wild ride these last few seasons with Tony V. and the boys in orange. These boys have won many games and they do it in a fashion that isn’t always popular. This Vols team has been one of the top programs in the country and yet they are allowed to act like schoolyard hooligans. I love it and hate it in equal measure.

Last year, after a historic season amounting to 57 total wins and the SEC championship, the Vols were the most talked about team in the country. They

were dominant, passionate and loud, from bat flips to flipping off opponents to their coach mildly chest-bumping umpires. The rest of the country hated it while most Tennessee faithful fell in love with the team. The problem for me is, when you act out like that you better win! Tennessee pooped away a home super regional last season vs. Notre Dame as the one seed. The haters had a field day piling it on a disappointed Tennessee fan base. That’s the past and the 2023 season just got underway. The Vols began its season rough with losses at Arizona and then a loss to (how in the hell?) the Grand Canyon Antelopes. Maybe it humbled these boys. Since those two losses the Vols have won six in a row.

Coach Tony V. in short work has created a program where the expectations are to be one of the last teams standing.

I have been an Atlanta Braves fan since before I was playing T-ball at SportsCom in the early ’90s. I very much enjoyed watching Atlanta win a World Series recently but there is something about the atmosphere of college baseball over the big leagues that has piqued my interest of late.

Someone asked me if the state of Tennessee finally got an MLB team would I stop being a Braves fan? It tears at my heart, but it’s an easy answer for me, I would immediately support that local Tennessee team and the Braves would be part of my past. Tennessee is home and will always be my home. Absolutely: If Tennessee gets an MLB team ever, I will be in that group of fans ready to start fresh and create a new tradition.

Let’s shout out some hockey. Big news regarding the Nashville Predators. My homie Barry Trotz is back! It was just announced that GM David Poile is retiring after 26 years. That many years made David the winningest GM in NHL history and the Predators’ only GM to date. While Poile never brought a Stanley Cup to Smashville, he found much success. The Predators have made

the playoffs 15 of the past 18 years and he came oh-so-close when the Predators had a magical run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2017.

Old-school Predators fans are happy, though, that Barry is back in the building. The winningest coach in Predator history, it just feels right that he will now take over as team GM. Barry coached Nashville from 1998–2014 and racked up over 500 wins in that time. After leaving Nashville, Barry Trotz won a Jack Adams award as the NHL top coach in 2015, and then he won the BIG one—a Stanley Cup—as head coach with Washington in 2018.

The Predators currently sit eight points behind for that final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, so it might soon be a rebuilding time in Nashville.

Sources say the Predators are very much open for business regarding a sell-off prior to the trade deadline, with only three players being untouchable: Captain Roman Josi, Juuse Saros and Filip Forsberg, all fan favorites. After that the Predators might be looking to get value for the future, and what better man than Barry Trotz to lead it and bring a Stanley Cup championship to the city of Smashville.

Let’s end this article with a little football talk. I don’t have much to say about the Titans right now, and any knowledgeable Titans fan knows it may be tough sledding for a bit. Titans have a new GM and will be looking to get some younger talent. Call it a rebuild? The Titans just said goodbye to Lewan, Woods, Cunningham and Fat Randy. Predictable and smart moves, but don’t get it twisted, Titan nation, some tough decisions are still to be decided with the salary cap and NFL Draft still upcoming. We will talk more about this team in the next issue as the draft nears. I will end on this, though—it is crucial that this team locks up Big Jeff Simmons to a long-term deal. It won’t come cheap, but don’t lose Big Jeff like we did A.J. Brown. Big Jeff is that single player that you can build a defense around, and he is young!

Live Exceptionally...Well!

By jennIfer durand

Creating Sacred Spaces

w h At is A s AC red spAC e? I believe it is any place that you hold in high regard, a place that you protect from anything unwanted, where you feel safe and at peace. It can also be a devoted area looked upon with reverence, purpose and consecration. A place you can go to when you need to regroup or reconnect to a solid state of mind or presence.

Sacred spaces start in your mind: places you visualize that make you feel good. Then you think about the things that are in them, like atmosphere. There might be sun, water, earth or a certain type of terrain, fresh air, perhaps flowers. Or it might be quiet, cozy and warm, like a spa. Items you come across, like a tapestry, candle, poem, book or statues that make you feel any of the aforementioned, are typically things that you’d put in your own physical sacred space.

The beauty of sacred space is that once you create the physical atmosphere and spend time there, you can always close your eyes and feel what you would if you were actually there. This means that any time you need to feel safe, secure, thoughtful, reflective or even creative, it’s simply a thought away even if the physical location is miles away. A place containing great thinking is a sacred space.

“The calm within the storm is where peace lives and breathes. It is not within perfect circumstances or a charmed life . . . it is not conditional. Peace is a sacred space within, it is the temple of our internal landscape. We are free to visit it, whenever we seek sanctuary.

— Jaeda DeWalt

Here’s a little guidance to help you create your own sacred space.

Ind OO rs:

• Choose an area in your living space. It can be an entire room, or it can be a closet. You can have a dedicated area that remains the same or you can keep items you love in a storage container and bring it out when you need to “create the magic atmosphere” on the go.

• Select a few items that bring you joy and peace. These are typically things like a candle, scarf with your favorite colors, pictures, word cards, essential oil, an element of water (like a fountain), piece of art, or element of earth (like a small plant or flower). You might even keep some of your favorite chocolate on hand.

• Have comfortable seating. A meditation cushion, comfy oversized chair, rug to sit on the floor, maybe some pillows.

• Music is a good option to play in the background.

• Keep some dry bundled sage on hand to occasionally “smudge.”

Smudging is the ritual of cleaning the energy of a physical space, object or person. If you include a

meditation ritual in your sacred space, you can burn sage before your practice. This will help prepare your energy and mind for meditation and allow you to more easily get grounded. Reportedly, when sage is burned, it releases negative ions, which is linked to putting people into a positive mood. The Latin word for sage, salvia, stems from the word heal. Other qualities believed to be associated with sage when burned are giving wisdom and clarity, or increasing spiritual awareness.

Outd OO rs:

• This could be a garden, a spot by your favorite tree, a porch, or any other area in your yard that you can create a space in.

• Being outdoors you naturally have the elements of nature already available. If not, you can still bring your container of special items (as mentioned above) with you.

• You may use the ground, a comfy chair, pillow or hammock.

• You can also include the smudging ritual here for mind clearing.

“If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down.” — Unknown

This is a great time to journal. Write down things that you’re struggling with, to help you process your thoughts. You can burn the written struggles in “ceremonial style” to release their hold on you. Jot down things that lift you up in thought, or whatever comes to mind during this time. You can review your thoughts every six months and see what has changed or what has remained the same. It is a great guide to help you see where you are growing and where you might be stuck.

Now that you’ve created your space, cleansed the air and opened your mind to be receptive to new thoughts or have simply emptied your mind to allow freedom from clutter, you can breathe and enjoy for as long as you make time for.

This is designed to be an active space and not to be used for napping (although on occasion it would be a great place to do such!).

“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.” — Joseph Campbell

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, body work and somatic integration. Let her help you find your personal “ahh . . .” by visiting nurturenook.com or or by calling (615) 896-7110.

d educt

By sean moran

may want to convince your local church or community charity to help the family and give your money to that organization instead.

sAles And inCome tAx deduCtion

Before I moved to Tennessee (which has relatively low property taxes and no income tax) deducting my state income taxes was the way to go. You have a choice of deducting either your state income tax or your state sales tax. The only issue is that the sales tax and property tax together can’t eclipse the $10,000 limit that was imposed in the 2017 tax law. So, in states with high property taxes and high income taxes you may find that the income tax is the better way to go. Here in Tennessee the sales tax deduction might make more sense for you, so keep those receipts. You gotta love no state income tax!

me know and I’ll send you a longer list. When it comes to lowering your income tax bill, one of the key things you can do is plan ahead of time. It’s great to have a financial advisor like Red Barn Financial that can help you manage and minimize your tax liability through financial planning and working with your tax professional. The time when you are doing your taxes is not the time to try to plan; it’s the year before. Get started now planning for next year’s taxes. Working with Red Barn Financial could be a

good place for you to start.

(This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice. The information is not meant to be comprehensive nor to encompass all possible deductions that might apply to your situation. Please consult your tax advisor for specific applications.)

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

AS wE CLOSE ThE BOOkS

on February, we have a little over a month and a half to get our tax returns complete. With that said, the sooner you can file the faster you will get a refund if you have one coming to you. The IRS is shorthanded so it is expected to take even longer for returns to be processed and that means delays in getting your refund. If you file prior to April 15 though, when the IRS staff capacity isn’t overwhelmed, you may find that you get your refund pretty quickly. Timing is everything. On the other hand, if you complete your return and you find you owe money, there is no award for filing and paying before April 15, so why not keep your money until that date?

Here are a few of the most commonly overlooked tax deductions, so be sure you are getting the most money back you can and taking the deductions you are entitled to. Also, if you use Turbo Tax or another do-it-yourself software, be sure you take advantage of coupon codes to get the software cheaper and find out if you qualify for the free filing option.

Your state will send you a Form 1099-G in the mail letting you know how much money you received as a refund. On the federal

return it will ask you about how much your state refunded you last year and you might think you need to put that number in that box. Not so fast! This is only required if you deducted the state income tax from your prior year return. This would happen if you itemized last year. If you didn’t itemize, hold onto that form for your records, but you don’t need to include that income. You will be overreporting your income if you do and paying taxes on too much income.

ChAritABle ContriButions

Expenses associated with charitable giving are generally tax deductible. Whether it’s driving to a charity for your weekly volunteering and recording the mileage, or sending out a mailer and paying for paper, stamps and envelopes, all expenses associated with giving back can provide valuable deductions to you. If you take advantage of them, you have a few extra bucks to give back to your favorite charity. Keep your receipts and if the amounts are higher than $250 you need to get a confirmation from the charity. This deduction is generally an itemized deduction. Keep in mind that giving to the local family through GoFundMe generally isn’t deductible, so you

Child CAre Credit

For 2022 we revert back the credit of $3,000 for the first child and a maximum of $6,000 for two-plus children. The amount you can get as a credit is between 20% and 35% of qualified child care expenses and it was subject to an income phaseout starting at $15,000. If your income is over $43,000, the maximum credit is 20%, with no maximum income to receive the 20% rate. (See IRS Publication 503 for more details and who can claim the credit.)

Child tAx Credit

Not to be confused with the child care credit, this one is a credit of $2,000 per child for children under age 16 (in 2021 the amount was $3,000). There was an enhanced credit of $600 per child under the age of 6 in 2021 but that expired and is not available in 2022, as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is no longer in effect.

Got college students? There are credits for college students as well. There is the American Opportunity Credit, or AOC (I’m guessing one congresswoman likes that name) as well as the Lifetime Learning Credit.

And mAny more

If you want me to share them, let

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CD1349 1/18 Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society: Omaha, NE

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Nedrah C. Stagner, FICF 859-409-8684 ncstagner@woodmen.org

Nedrah C. Stagner, FICF 859-409-8684

ncstagner@woodmen.org

CD1349 1/18 Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society: Omaha, NE

Nedrah C. Stagner, FICF 859-409-8684 ncstagner@woodmen.org out why a career with us is like Contact me today for an interview.

CD1349 1/18 Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society: Omaha, NE

CD1349 1/18 Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society: Omaha, NE

ncstagner@woodmen.org Find out why a career with us is like no Contact me today for an interview. CD1349 1/18 Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society: Omaha, NE Nedrah C. Stagner, FICF 859-409-8684 ncstagner@woodmen.org Make more money on our growing team We’re looking for motivated individuals for sales positions. Contact me today for an interview. Representatives are independent contractors and are not employees of WoodmenLife. However, certain full-time life insurance sales agents may be treated as statutory employees for employment tax purposes (See: IRS Publication 15-A). Products are not available in New York and all products may not be available in all states. CD0429 4/19 Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society: Omaha, NE Nedrah C Stagner cell: 859-409-8684 ncstagner@woodmen.org CALL TEAM BORO HOMES FOR ALL OF YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS! Meredith Thomas TNLIC#333682 615.210.4767 Bill Wilson TNLIC#275638 615.406.5872 1535 W. Northfield Blvd. Suite 7 Murfreesboro, TN 37129 615.896.4040 teamboroabc@gmail.com | www.teamborohomes.com The Thomas-Wilson Team $ 100 FLAT-RATE FEE ANYWHERE WITHIN THE MURFREESBORO CITY LIMITS CALL 731.599.8398 TO SCHEDULE YOUR MOVE TIME AND DATE ONE HAUL, ONE MOVE 10% OFF for First-Time Color Clients with Felicia • Use Code 2021 732 Nissan Dr., Smyrna 615-267-3334