Nov. 2018 Murfreesboro Pulse by The Murfreesboro Pulse

NOVEMBER 2018 / VOL. 13, ISSUE 11 / FREE

SPORTS PAGE 40

Middle Tennesseeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Source for Art, Entertainment and Culture News

ART

HEAVENLY HEMP?

PAGE 24

Murfreesboro pastor says his CBD store is an expression of faith and weighs in on hemp-based products FOOD PAGE 34

IN MUSIC

HOGSLOP STRING BAND / GLADE CITY ROUNDERS / SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE / SYLVIA / 9 TO 5 / AND MORE!

Contents

AS OCTOBER TURNS INTO NOVEMBER,

FEATURES

IN EVERY ISSUE

5 Events

26 Art

8 Sounds

THEATER Sylvia; 9 to 5 the Musical

CALENDAR Cookin’ to Build; Craft Barn Sale; Delight the Lights, Winterfest

GEN. 1:29

Murfreesboro pastor explains why hemp products are a gift of healing.

ART OF GIL VEDA

Renowned Middle Tennessee artist still going strong creating, painting and socializing.

ART STUDIO TOUR

Rutherford County artists open home studios to visitors weekend before Thanksgiving.

FIBER IN THE BORO

Nov. 3 event offers a wealth of knitted, crocheted, dyed, and woven goods from artisan fiber crafters.

CONCERTS Shane and the Money Makers, Joey Fletcher and and more! MUSIC NOTES Kirkwood House, Symphony Orchestra, Burning Las Vegas and more! ALBUM REVIEWS Glade City Rounders; Sparkling Wide Pressure

17 Living LIVE . . . WELL! The dance of life

GARDENING Add layers to build your lasagna garden.

Beavers cause rising water levels near Oaklands, some object to USDA methods of removal.

FREE WORKOUT CoreLife hosts free workouts.

BEAVER REMOVAL

Advertising: Don Clark, Ryan Kent Leslie Russell-Yost

BOROPULSE . COM Publisher/Editor in Chief: Bracken Mayo

Art Director: Sarah Mayo Copy Editor: Steve Morley

POETRY Local poets draw inspiration from photos by Gale Stoner.

32 Movies REVIEWS Mr. Presto; Venom

NEW RELEASES Bohemian Rhapsody, Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, The Christmas Chronicles and more!

34 Food

RESTAURANT REVIEW Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant

38 News

BUSINESS BUZZ Primrose, Boro Towncakes Too, JaiLynn Boutique and more.

Contributors: Will Bridges, Jennifer Durand, Joseph Kathmann, Jordan Hall, Tony Lehew, Laura Lindsay, Rick Malone, Zach Maxfield, M.C. Radford, Edwina Shannon, Jay Spight, Andrea Stockard, Phil Valentine, Kory Wells, Andrew Wigdor, Michelle Willard

41 Sports MTSU SPORTS Blue Raiders enter Nov. at 5-3; set for Nov. 2 game vs. Western Kentucky SPORTS TALK Titans have some major problems to fix; born male wins female cycling championship

Opinion PHIL VALENTINE U.S. economy grows stronger under Trump administration. SPIRITUAL MATTERS

A unique individual HIGHER THOUGHTS For everyday living RECOMMENDED READING Ecce Deus

Copyright © 2018, The Murfreesboro Pulse, 10 N. Public Square, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Proudly owned, operated and published the first Thursday of each month by the Mayo family; printed by Franklin Web Printing Co. The Pulse is a free publication funded by advertisers. Views expressed in the Pulse do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. ISSN: 1940-378X

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football, fall festivals, craft fairs and pumpkins are all over the place, and the leaves change colors and swirl through the air. Last month, the Mayos made a late-season excursion to Holiday World, the official amusement park and roller coaster home of the Murfreesboro Pulse. The Jr. publisher took more than one trip on the mighty Voyage, riding its steep and speedy descent as it prepared to rumble across its wooden tracks, shaking its riders throughout its perilous journey. Holiday World offers two other fine wooden coasters—the Raven and the Legend—and lots of other fun for all ages at its southern Indiana attraction, and just a 3-hour drive from the Boro. Coming up in Murfreesboro this month, Borodash, the local Thanksgiving Day tradition, brings out the community of runners on a cool November morn. The Murfreesboro Square hosts Cookin’ to Build to benefit Habitat for Humanity on Nov. 3, and then the inaugural Bikes, Cars and Cigars event on Nov. 4 to benefit A Soldier’s Child. The Art Studio Tour offers a look at some of the great talent in the area, as area potters, blacksmiths, painters and woodworkers open their home studios to visitors the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. Tennessee hemp farmers continue cultivating a healing herb. If you have headaches, or struggles with anxiety, pain or seizures, please venture into Middle Tennessee Hydroponics and Gardening, Gen. 1:29, Float Alchemy or other local retailers to further explore how this wondrous plant may be able to help. The MTSU Blue Raiders have two home games in November, as they continue their quest to earn another bowl game spot. The outdoor ice rink returns to Winterfest at the Fountains at Gateway on Nov. 17. Treat all your customers like royalty, Mr. Radford says, and you will have all the business you can handle. To all who support the Pulse: “How may I serve you, my liege?” I appreciate all of the loyal clients who make my small business a reality. November, of course, is the month of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving has become one of my favorite holidays. I try and celebrate a little thanksgiving every day. Be grateful. Identify the blessings in your life. Appreciate what you have and the people in your life, rather than focusing on all that you think you lack. I hear that observing this spirit of gratitude is the healthy, moral and respectful thing to do. It seems to help me stay calm, peaceful, focused and without need. Sure, there’s plenty I do not have, but why think about all that when I can dwell on the abundance of blessings in my life. I thank God for my family. I have gratitude for plenty of delicious food. I get to experience and enjoy many, many other blessings: all of the plants and animals, the sun, the music and more. Go forth and live in love and joy, with no guilt, worry or shame! Peace, BRACKEN MAYO Publisher/Editor in Chief

Events

CALENDAR / NOV. 2018

BY ANDREA STOCKARD

NOV. 1

professionals and hobbyists, any specialty, whether you have been shooting for 50 years or 5 minutes. This group is a tool for connecting, teaching, learning, exchanging resources, and most importantly, promoting photography in Murfreesboro. Photography Connect meetings are an opportunity to learn and meet other photo enthusiasts. Each meeting will have a dedicated photo topic or guest speaker and a critique session. To submit photos for critique or see topics in advance, find Photography Connect Mboro on Facebook or contact photographyconnectmboro@gmail.com. This group meets the second Thursday of each month (Nov. 8) in the Linebaugh Board Room on the second floor.

AFTERNOON BOOK CLUB The Afternoon Book Club meets on the first Thursday of each month (Nov. 1, Dec. 6) at 1 p.m. in the Linebaugh Board Room on the second Floor (105 W. Vine St.). The Afternoon Book Club reads a mixture of novels and nonfiction both light and serious, and enjoys outings several times a year. For more information, visit rclstn.org.

NOV. 3 HAM BREAKFAST FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS FUND The Sam Davis Masonic Lodge #661, 101 Mary Law Dr., Smyrna (across from Planet Fitness on Nissan Boulevard) hosts its Country Ham Breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 3. Included in the $10 per person ticket is real country ham, eggs, potato wedges, biscuits and gravy, juice, jelly, coffee and great fellowship. Serving hours are 7–10 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Tennessee Grand Lodge Widows and Orphans Fund. For more information, call 615-459-4576 or find samdavis661 on Facebook.

NOV. 3 IT’S A CRAFT THING Clear View Retreat invites the public to a craft-building event at LifePoint (506 Legacy Dr., Smyrna) Saturday, Nov. 3, to raise funds for their family-centered retreat in Lancing, Tennessee. This Christ-centered family retreat ministry has several cabins available for rentals, getaways, retreats and pastor/missionary sabbaticals. CVR raises funds to benefit grieving families in their time of need, providing a space of respite and grief mentoring. It’s a Craft Thing! brings the community together for fundraising while making customized ornaments, decorations and other knickknacks before Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, call 615-739-0634 or email cvr@clearviewretreat.org.

NOV. 3 WASTE COLLECTION The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), in collaboration with Rutherford County and City of Murfreesboro governments, holds another Household Hazardous Waste Collection (HHW) Saturday, Nov. 3, from 8 a.m.–12 p.m. at the City of Murfreesboro Public Works Facility (4765 Florence Rd.). TDEC also holds numerous HHW collections

NOV. 10

NOV. 3

D.F. JONES BOOK SIGNING

COOKIN’ TO BUILD Middle Tennessee residents can fill their bellies with delicious chilies, soups, stews and gumbos from over 30 cooking teams at the 11th Annual Cookin’ to Build Saturday, Nov. 3, from 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. on the Murfreesboro Public Square. The popular food event raises money for Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity to help build safe, energy-efficient and affordable homes for low-income families across Rutherford County. Cooking teams from organizations, groups, churches, schools and local businesses prepare the food for free, as a way to help support the Habitat for Humanity mission. Teams also vie for prizes as attendees vote for their favorites. Tickets are $20 and include a painted pottery bowl to take home, “all you can eat” from the food booths, free dessert and drinks and musical entertainment. Ticket holders who also painted a bowl at The Pottery Place during early registration can get in a half-hour early, at 10:30 am. The Pottery Place donates the bowls for the other ticketed attendees. For more information, contact melissa@rchfh.org, 615-890-5977 x110 or 615-603-5395. throughout the state; for an online schedule, a list of disposable items and more information, visit tn.gov/environment.

NOV. 4 BIKES, CARS AND CIGARS Show off your cool car or motorcycle and meet people in the community at Murfreesboro’s Historic Public Square at 3BC and MurfreeZboro Motorclub’s Bikes, Cars and Cigars on Sunday, Nov. 4, from 2–6 p.m. This is to raise support for A Soldiers Child Foundation. Space is limited to 40 cars and 20 bikes. Registration is $10; first place prize value is $100 for cars or $50 for bikes. Register at mboromotorclub.com or at the event from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

NOV. 6 YARN LOVE Yarn Love Murfreesboro is a casual group

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

of yarn enthusiasts who love to knit and crochet. All levels of experience are welcome from beginners to experts. Come out and talk shop, bring your current works in progress, stitch a project for charity or just to learn. Bring your own yarn, hooks or needles, and get the assistance you need. Yarn swaps are also initiated time to time. YLM usually meets in Linebaugh Library’s upstairs meeting room on the first Tuesday of each month from 6–8 p.m. unless otherwise stated. Find Yarn Love Murfreesboro on Facebook.

NOV. 8 PHOTOGRAPHY CONNECT Photography Connect Murfreesboro is a group that aims to bring together the many talented photographers in Murfreesboro and the surrounding areas. All photographers and photo enthusiasts are welcome;

Linebaugh Public Library (105 W. Vine St.) welcomes author D. F. Jones for a book signing on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Jones signs and sells copies of her books from the Ditch Lane Diaries Series and her newest work, Happily Ever After, Again. This murder suspense features exciting romantic elements. Jones operates a local advertising agency and has created many campaigns and materials for clients. For more information, call 615-893-4131 or visit rclstn.org.

NOV. 11 BOWL FOR OUR TROOPS Join the Bowl for our Troops Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 11, from 1–4 p.m. at Murfreesboro Strike and Spare (941 NW Broad St.) to benefit Homes for Our Troops. Each home is specially made for a severely injured veteran. This year, funds benefit Sergeant Brian Camacho’s Murfreesboro home. Sergeant Camacho was wounded in Iraq and returned home paralyzed from the waist down. Then, while in his accessible vehicle, he slipped on ice and crashed. The accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. The registration fee is $25 per participant ($125 per team). Register at active.com (Bowl for our Troops) or contact jga2r@mtmail.mtsu.edu or 931-703-7940 for more information.

NOV. 13 RUTHERFORD CABLE BREAKFAST MEETING Join Rutherford Cable for its November CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 BOROPULSE.COM

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Breakfast Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 7:30–9 a.m. at the Stones River Country Club (1830 NW Broad St.) for “The Cultural Shift: Where Do We Go From Here?” a presentation by Aerial Ellis featuring a comprehensive review of today’s most pressing and urgent issues of cultural diversity in the world and the workplace. Ellis is a gifted speaker and strategist who launched her first public firm at the age of 22. Since then, she has become sought after for her ability to help organizations transform culture, improve diversity, enhance communication, navigate change, build community and drive innovation. Ellis is co-founder of the Nashville Women of Color in Communications Network and has been named among Nashville’s 40 Under 40 and Women of Influence. Members and guests welcome. For more information, contact yourrutherfordcable@gmail.com or visit rutherfordcable.org.

NOV. 17 PANCAKE BREAKFAST FOR JOURNEY HOME The Journey Home welcomes you to its annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser from 7–10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, at Middle Tennessee Christian School (100 E. MTCS Rd.). Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes freshly prepared by the locally renowned Pancake Crew, served with coffee, juice and milk. There will also be activities for children. Tickets can be purchased from any board member, or just drop your donations at the door. Proceeds help provide services to Journey Home clients, a Christian charity that strives to end the cycle of poverty and homelessness. The group provides laundry and shower facilities, hot meals daily, a computer lab and supportive services like mental health, among a variety of other offerings. For more information, visit lovegodservepeople.org or contact info@ lovegodservepeople.org.

NOV. 13 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce presents Business After Hours, an informal business networking event, on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 5–7 p.m. at TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center, 200 StoneCrest Blvd., Smyrna. Bring plenty of business cards. Admission is $10 for Chamber members and $20 for future members. No registration is required. For more information, visit rutherfordchamber.org.

NOV. 14 DIXIE DEWDROP STORY MTSU’s Center for Popular Music welcomes Micheal D. Doubler to MTSU’s College of Education (1820 MTSU Blvd.) to discuss his new book, Dixie Dewdrop: The Uncle Dave Macon Story on Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Doubler, a native of Murfreesboro and the great-grandson of Uncle Dave Macon, has enjoyed a long career as a soldier, scholar and author. He holds a doctorate from Ohio State University and has authored several books, articles, and special studies. His primary work, Closing with the Enemy: How GIs Fought the War in Europe, 1944–1945, received two national book awards. Doubler recently authored Dixie Dewdrop: The Uncle Dave Macon Story, serves on the board for Murfreesboro’s Uncle Dave Macon Days music festival and is director of the MaconDoubler Fellowship.

NOV. 14 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FALL FESTIVAL On Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 5–8 p.m. join First Presbyterian Church Murfrees6 * NOVEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

business and calling for examples of some of the business challenges and solutions they are experiencing. The series will continue the third Thursday of each month.

NOV. 16–18 DESTINY CONFERENCE Join the Destiny Center Church and pastors Ben and Jewel Tankard for the annual Faith, Increase and Destiny Conference on Nov. 16–18. Friday, Nov. 16, is the free Ben Tankard Album Release Concert at 7 p.m. The Ministry of Helps Seminar begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, and Dr. Bill Winston follows at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, features Dr. Rick Layton at 10:30 a.m. To register, visit thedestinydome.com/ﬁd.

NOV. 17 FAMILY MOVIE Join Linebaugh Library (105 W. Vine St.) Saturday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m.–noon. for a family-friendly movie. All ages welcome. For more information, visit rclstn.org.

NOV. 17 boro and Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for a great night out for both church families and the entire community at First Presbyterian on Spring Street. Enjoy live music, bounce houses, a climbing wall, train rides, food and drinks. For more information, call 615-893-3882.

NOV. 15 PAINT YOUR PET PARTY Join Paint Your Pet Party and Beesley Animal Foundation on Thursday, Nov. 15, at Mayday Brewery (521 Old Salem Rd.) from 6:30–8:30 p.m. to paint a portrait of your pet or favorite animal. A portion of the proceeds benefit Beesley Animal Foundation. Seats are limited. Advance registration is required. To register, email a photo of your

pet to paintyourpetpartynashville@gmail.com or visit paintyourpetpartynashville.com.

NOV. 15 THE CONNECTION Local small business owners will gather for The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, at Milano II, 114 E. College St. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, free, no-obligation event, where they can meet other small business owners and tap into one another’s experience and energy. An open roundtable discussion will encourage participation from those in attendance, asking them to articulate their vision for their

THROUGH NOV. 21 CHRISTMAS TREE DRIVE PROGRAM The annual Christmas tree program provides an average of 100 fully decorated trees each year to lower-income families and homeless families living in local area motels. Some people might wonder why a Christmas tree would be more important than gifts for families in need. Thankfully, there are several great organizations providing parents with the resources to ensure their children will have Christmas gifts. Your donations will help the children build a lifetime of memories and ensure this will not be another Christmas spent without a tree. If you or someone you know needs a tree, sign-ups begin each year on Oct. 15, ending the day before Thanksgiving, with delivery on the first weekend in December. For more information on how to donate, contact info@thebrittanyproject.org, find The Brittany Project on Facebook or visit tbp.myeyedesigns.com.

WINTERFEST AT FOUNTAINS Join Fountains at Gateway Winterfest this holiday season from Nov. 17–Jan. 21, for a magical experience for all ages with an ice skating rink and beautiful holiday decorations on the central plaza. Host your school spirit nights and church and youth events at Winterfest at the Fountains. Admission includes skate rentals and 90 minutes on the ice. Skaters from the Scott Hamilton Skate Academy present a free exhibition at 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 30. Come get your photo with Santa from 2–5 p.m. on Dec. 1. For more information, visit fountainswinterfest.com.

NOV. 18 DELIGHT THE LIGHTS HOLIDAY CELEBRATION Ring in the holiday fun at The Avenue on Sunday, Nov. 18, from 4–6 p.m. in the Central Park and roundabout area located near Bath & Body Works. The event will include the inaugural tree lighting, complimentary activities including face painting, live music DJ, stiltwalkers, holiday jugglers, visits with Santa, and giveaways, including the chance to win a $250 shopping spree. The Avenue Murfreesboro is located at 2615 Medical Center Pkwy. For more information, visit theavenuemurfreesboro.com

NOV. 22 BORODASH Join Borodash on Thanksgiving Day in their mission to bring glory to God by raising money for charitable purposes and providing the community a well-organized family event, a 4-mile walk/run through historic

Murfreesboro. For more information and to learn about the charities supported by Borodash, visit borodash.org.

NOV. 24 BORODOJO GROUP CoderDojo is a global network of volunteer-led, independent, community based programming clubs for young people between the ages of 7–17. This club is free and locally takes place in the Linebaugh Library Learning Center (105 W Vine St.) on the second floor. The BoroDojo club meets the fourth Saturday of each month (Nov. 24) from 9–11 a.m. with a fun space to explore technology. Make your own projects, learn to make games, websites and apps. For questions, visit BoroDojo on Facebook or rclstn.org, or call 615-893-4131.

NOV. 24 THE GATHERING AT MILTON OPEN HOUSE Years ago, when the holidays were approaching, it meant the appearance of some special merchandise on the shelves of Cherry’s Store in the small hamlet of Milton, Tennessee. A return to a simpler time of visiting with friends and neighbors is celebrated during the first Christmas Gathering, from 4–8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at The Gathering at Milton, a charming, restored historic venue (12026 Milton St.). The event is free to the public and light refreshments are served. More than 100 years old, the building formerly was the community’s country store and, later, home to Manuel’s Cajun Country Store and restaurant. Enjoy a small selection of affordable gift items and a mini-photo session with Santa. For more information, find The Gathering at Milton on Facebook, or contact 615-653-6018 or thegatheringatmilton@gmail.com.

NOV. 24–25 CRAFT BARN SALE Join The Grove at Williamson Place on Saturday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 25, from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. for the Craft Barn Sale. Enjoy multiple craft vendors along with food trucks. For more information, find the 1st Annual Craft Barn Sale on Facebook.

NOV. 27 PHOTOGRAPHY MEET UP If you love photography, join the Murfreesboro Photography Meetup group the fourth Tuesday of every month (Nov. 27) in the Linebaugh Board Room on the second floor (105 W. Vine St.). The Meetup describes itself as a social club to discuss the world of photography. They are also a

learning center for folks who want a better understanding of the art. They arrange events and outings for the club. It’s a great place to meet new people and work to improve photography skills. This group is free and open to teens and adults. For more information, visit rclstn.org.

DEC. 2 SMYRNA CHRISTMAS PARADE Come out for the 44th Annual Smyrna Christmas Parade on Sunday, Dec. 2, beginning at 2 p.m. Folks of all ages gather along Lowry Street in anticipation of the arrival of floats, bands, classic cars, riding clubs, dancers and, of course, Santa Claus, as they glide northbound on Lowry Street from Mayfield Drive toward Sam Ridley Parkway from 2–4:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Songs of the Season.” Cash prizes awarded for Mayor’s Cup, Most Creative, Best Use of Theme and Best Christmas Spirit. The parade broadcasts live on Smyrna’s Channel 3 on Comcast as well as Channel 99 on AT&T’s U-verse system. For more information, contact 865-320-3982 or jill.strange@townofsmyrna.org, or visit townofsmyrna.org.

DEC. 8

Minerva Dr.) every Monday through from 4:30–6:30 p.m. For more information, call 615-904-4493, email angela@okasinc.org or visit girlswhocode.com.

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

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

WEDNESDAYS WRITERS GROUP The Murfreesboro Writers Group, comprised

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

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

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

TOY DRIVE GOLF SCRAMBLE This annual tournament is to benefit children who do not always receive a gift at Christmas time. It is recommended to please bring at least one toy, and more if you can. You can also drop off a toy if you cannot attend the event. Cost is $50 plus an unwrapped toy. Shotgun begins at 11:30 a.m. with dinner afterwards (rain or shine) at Champions Run Golf Course (14262 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Rockvale). For more information, call 615-274-2301 or visit championsrun.biz.

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

MONDAYS GIRLS WHO CODE Girls Who Code is a nonprofit whose aim is to support and increase the number of women in computer science. The organization is working to close the gender employment difference in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like. The group meets at the Technology Engagement Center (306 BOROPULSE.COM

* NOVEMBER 2018 * 7

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Murfreesboro pastor says his CBD store is an expression of faith, weighs in on hemp-based products STORY BY ANDREW WIGDOR PHOTOS BY BRACKEN MAYO

hile many observers may not initially associate faith with hemp products, Murfreesboro businessman and pastor Adam Swanson says they can be very closely related. Swanson, a pastor in Murfreesboro, owns his own hemp farm and CBD product retail store in Murfreesboro. The store bears the name “Gen. 1:29 CBD Oil,” named after the Bible verse Genesis 1:29, and is located on North Thompson Lane. “It’s actually an expression of my faith,” Swanson said. “How did I come to the conclusion in my heart that CBD oil is actually a gift from God? It’s our namesake: Genesis 1:29. God said, ‘I give you the plants, I give you the trees, I give you the fruit and I give you the seeds in the plants for your food.’” Swanson said that the health benefits of CBD products are a form of ministry. “My ministry has been focused primarily on the goodness of God for people to be made whole, first of all spiritually but also mentally and physically,” Swanson said. “Every day of our lives, God desires us to be healthy and well as our soul does well [1 John 3:1] . . . I think people didn’t realize 14 * NOVEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

that this plant has [multiple] varieties, and one variety is good for health.” CBD stands for Cannabidiol, which is one of the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. While hemp and marijuana both contain CBD, the chemical compound is non-psychoactive, unlike THC, another chemical compound found in marijuana. In other words, CBD won’t make the user “high.” Properly licensed CBD products that are derived from hemp are now legal to buy and sell in Tennessee, as they are in most states. Studies have shown that CBD products may be very beneficial in treating certain mental and physical ailments. According to a 2012 study from the Journal of Experimental Medicine, CBD may provide significant pain relief in those who suffer from chronic pain, and a 2015 study from the Current Pharmaceutical Design found that the compound may help treat neurological disorders. Another potential benefit, according to a 2011 study from the Journal of Psychopharmacology, is reduced anxiety. “In a way, it’s an expression of ministry and healing,” Swanson said. “We believe the

scriptures that tell us that God is our healer. So, this is an avenue that is useful in helping people with their pain, with their mind and just an overall balance.” In January, Swanson Companies, a family of companies in Murfreesboro that include construction and development businesses, leased space to another company that wanted to process hemp plants, which was Swanson’s introduction to the product. “At the same time, I had a minister friend tell me that he had been taking this oil, and he was able to run up and down the steps,” Swanson said. “His back was better, and the pain was dissipating.” Swanson said that his grandparents had always encouraged “natural paths to health and healing,” so he decided to educate himself on CBD products after hearing several testimonies. So he became a part of a multi-level marketing program in Murfreesboro called Hempworx that allows people to sell CBD products. He also spent hours watching medical videos on YouTube, browsing government websites and researching studies related to CBD. “I wanted to learn more about it, so I

jumped in with both feet,” he said. “It seemed like an opportunity to help people, and I’ve never started a retail store before. So I thought, ‘This would be quite an adventure.’” Swanson began selling CBD primarily online, and after finding success, Swanson decided that he need to set himself apart from the other sellers. “I thought, ‘Hey, I need to make my own brand that has a message of ministry and opportunity,’” he said. Gen. 1:29, Swanson’s first retail store, opened in July 2018 and began selling varieties of hemp-based CBD products. In addition to the hemp store, Swanson now manages a hemp farm just outside Rutherford County. He said that his family company had sold some property in Murfreesboro and used the money to purchase the farm land last year. “I was looking for a cash crop,” Swanson said. He then transformed some of the farmland into a hemp farm. While none of the hemp from Swanson’s farm has been used for the products in his retail store yet—since the crops were just planted in June of this

year—the 2018 crop is being harvested in October and November and will be processed into oil soon. In February of this year, over 20 stores in Rutherford County were closed and padlocked for allegedly selling forms of marijuana in candy. The incident has since been referred to as “Operation Candy Crush.” The operation led to 21 people being indicted, but the charges were eventually dropped due to the products simply containing CBD derived from hemp, which is legal to sell in Tennessee. According to recent reports, a group of the business owners whose stores were shut down due to the incident filed a federal lawsuit against the town of Smyrna, Smyrna Police Chief Kevin Arnold, Rutherford County, District Attorney Jennings Jones, Assistant District Attorney John Zimmerman and Rutherford County Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh. As a seller of legal CBD products, Swanson said that the Candy Crush concerned him, and wished that the lawsuit was not happening, but that it was another example of the societal misunderstanding of CBD,

and shifting public opinion. “Some of us are still kind of struggling with the idea of is [CBD] good or is it bad,” Swanson said. “I think we’re in a flux of members of our society becoming more aware of the benefits of it and the laws. It’s not illegal now in Tennessee.” Also, as reported by the Murfreesboro Pulse in August, a city employee, Mai Hamric, was fired for legally taking small amounts of CBD oil in order to alleviate anxiety, resulting in a positive drug test. Hamric has since been calling for the government and other employers to make changes when it comes to their treatment of those who use CBD products. “I think it will take a little time, but we hope that this will be understood better soon,” Swanson said. For more information on Gen. 1:29 CBD Oil, to hear many testimonies from customers who say the product has greatly improved their quality of life and to read more of the research of how CBD may help with migraines, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, cancer, pain and more, visit usacbdoil.us.

Living

Live Exceptionally...Well! BY JENNIFER DURAND

The Dance of Life

Body Wisdom Practices To change your life you must change what you practice. You can’t get better at the dance if you keep doing the same moves. You can’t reveal all the various styles, shapes, movements, colors and rhythms if you keep doing what you’ve been doing. So, use your gathered wisdom and seek change. Remember, it’s okay to take a step or two back and pause as long as you continue moving forward after the break.

Incrementality

ARE YOU LIVING WITH INTENTION? Are you doing the things you’ve thought about, dreamed about, planned out? If you haven’t quite made it there or have started then stopped, don’t be discouraged. Let’s compare life to dancing. There is rhythm, flow, stopping, starting, pausing, solo moments, shared moments or, many times, changing partners—our partners could be personal, emotional, work, community, church, life. There are times of observation, learning, perfecting, spontaneity and sheer “I don’t have a clue what I’m doing” moments. Once you embrace the flow of life, it becomes easier to get in sync with changes. There is one thing that life is certain to include an abundance of—willing or unwilling—and that is change. There is a program that I trained in called “InterPlay” where I learned several principles to practice in the dance of life. I hope you can apply them to your own life rhythm and song. Let the dance of life move you to the rhythm of your heart — Jennifer Durand

Easy Focus It’s all about the “wheee.” Instead of only focusing on one thing, take it all in peripherally. See what you notice without trying really hard. This is a gentle approach to seeing what’s going on and what is available to us. Don’t take it all so seriously. None of it.

Body Data/Knowledge/Wisdom All our lives we accumulate data and knowledge from what we notice, learn and experience. Wisdom is rooted in this data. We are able to make choices based on what we know. If we listen intently to our inner wisdom we can make decisions that will bring us fuller, richer, more satisfying lives. The dance becomes more fluid and grace-filled.

Internal Authority Believe what you notice. This is different from believing what you see (or what you think you see). Once you’ve observed, then gathered your data and knowledge and have gained your wisdom—believe it. Your body will tell you if you’re making a good decision or not, so listen. The struggle only comes when you don’t listen to what your internal authority is telling you.

Physicality of Grace

Use a step-by-step process. Start with the easiest. Not everyone likes to work incrementally, but it can be a helpful tool worth practicing. Often we want what we want immediately. It is important not to get caught up in this lest it create unnecessary tension, but rather identify what the first few steps of desired change are and begin the process more thoughtfully. It is okay to get ahead of yourself, as long as you step back and break things down a little further in order to proceed forward with more insight and thoroughness. It will save time and aggravation in the long run. Use

your inner wisdom and that of others who know where you’re trying to go, to help with the process.

Affirmation Look for the good. Notice and recognize what is good in everything you do, in everyone you meet. Give feedback when it is requested, not otherwise. Contain annoyance of small things. If an example is needed, make it about yourself or with the permission of another. Make an example of others only in a positive sense. Sometimes that can still “out” them, so be sensitive. There is happiness to be had. It hovers in the air, waiting for you to embrace it. Let it come in and attach little wings to your heart—so you can all hang out with hope in the light places. These are challenging times—turn off the news—be your own best story! — Leah Mann Jennifer Durand is the owner and operator of The Nurture Nook Day Spa & Gift Shoppe. Learn more by calling (615) 896-7110 or visiting nurturenook.com.

This is the ability to identify what feels good or bad in your body/spirit. It shows us that we can have more of what is good when we learn to recognize what about the experience is making us feel good. When you feel lifted up ask yourself, could you have more of it? We have been taught to endure suffering. This form of stress can be a good short- term motivator at times, but it is not a good long-term experience. Stress brings us down, while grace builds us up and feeds the body which increases our endurance. Stress and grace are communicated to others through our bodies. Do you want to be around someone who is experiencing stress or someone who is experiencing grace? Also, are you a stress or grace transmitter?

Exformation Get rid of the icky stuff. With all the forms of information coming in constantly we need a way to “exform” or “let go” of some of it in order to make room for more good. Just like the dance, we learn the steps and the techniques, but without practice and movement we can’t allow for grace to take place. We don’t improve without the experience of exforming that knowledge by actually dancing. Exformation can take shape in many simple ways. It doesn’t have to be grand. Some simpler forms may be to practice shaking, breathing, sighing, singing, walking, exercising. BOROPULSE.COM

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Living

Farmers Market Education Series BY EDWINA SHANNON

Preparing for Spring in Fall Assemble Your Lasagna Garden THE FALL EQUINOX HAS PASSED, Fall is the season when I assess everything that I want to do differently in my gardens for next year. Part of that assessment is recognizing that I need to get the spring garden area ready now for planting next spring. If you wait until planting time, which can start as early as February, the soil will be too wet to furrow or mound. So, I have always missed the early spring greens. A fellow Master Gardener starts his spinach and kale inside now and keeps them outside in containers during the winter . . . but that is another story. For now, clean out the vegetables in the garden when the plant is done producing. Any plant that is moldy, mildewy or diseased should be trashed. Any other plant can go into the compost pile. If you have compost that is ready and can be turned into the growing area, spread it now. It is also a good

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time now to add any fresh manure from farm animals. The manure will have a minimum of 120 days to break down before its residue touches a food plant in the spring. It is ideal to have the soil freeze in winter as many pests and diseases are killed with a hard freeze. Get a soil test done; this will reflect what nutrients and minerals are needed by the soil to provide the best basis for growing crops. If lime is needed to adjust the soil pH, the fall is a great time to apply lime. With any additive, more is not better. Review your test results and if you purchase an additive, review the directions. Apply as directed to avoid an imbalance in the soil which can runoff and pollute the waterways. The land should not be left bare. Cover the garden area with a weathered mulch throughout the winter. I will often buy baled straw as a mulch. Ask what type of straw it is, as it could

be wheat straw, pasture straw or bermuda grass straw. Keep the bermuda grass straw out of the garden. Pine straw is great for acid-loving plants like blueberries. Another option is to plant a cover crop. If you have a lot of leaves from the autumn trees, let the mower chop them and then spread leaf pieces over the gardens as another form of mulch. You could also pile your leaves over the cleaned vegetable bed. The leaves eventually break down into a rich leaf mold that supports soil health. No need to bag leaves and trash them. Any of these methods are adding humus and nutrients back to the soil. With any of the covers, when it is time to plant, pull it back somewhat to allow a row of seed or a seedling.

LASAGNA GARDENING If you plan on starting or expanding a garden next spring, now is the perfect time to build healthy soil for your new garden. Consider putting a lasagna garden together now, which would make the area available for planting next spring. What is a lasagna garden? It is a super-easy, lazy way to get good soil. It is organic, and the name does not reflect what will be grown there but the method used: layering. Some will use it as a basis for a raised bed. Others will add to an existing open bed. You could build a lasagna garden in a low area of your yard, too. All materials used are organic and compostable. You do not have to turn any soil or remove any grass; just layer on top. If it is a weed area that you are replacing, I would pull the weeds before they go to seed. I have read of others who just mash them down and pile on top, in layers. Thus the lasagna concept. Thankfully, there is no hard and fast rule. The mission is to build rich, pliable soil with a humus base. Collect and flatten cardboard, newspapers (just stay away from glossy paper), composted leftovers (no meat or bones), sawdust, aged manure, grass clippings from grass that is not chemically dosed with weed killers and fertilizers, old hay and leaves, preferably chopped by the lawnmower. Water between layers until the layer is soaked. Peat moss is a great soil amendment to have as part of the mix. An experienced lasagna garden maker told me to think of peat moss as cheese in lasagna . . . layer generously between other layers. Then consider wood ash as the Parmesan that goes on top. The expectation is that the end result will compact and decompose to be between onequarter and one-third as high as the original lasagna. If it does not compact as much as

expected and remnants of your layers are still discernible at planting time, just plant in it. The layers continue to decompose as the crop matures. Winter has done your hard work. It has saved you money and time and produced a healthy start to your spring garden.

GARDENING CLASSES The weather may be getting cold, but this is the time of year to plan for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden classes at the Extension offices on John R. Rice Blvd in Murfreesboro. There are two classes from which you can choose. Garden Basics is offered on Thursday nights beginning Jan. 31, and runs for five weeks. It is perfect for those who are beginners and newer gardeners, or those new to gardening in Middle Tennessee. The course is also popular with experienced gardeners looking to pick up some tips and expand their knowledge. The course will consist of two topics per evening presented by Certified Master Gardeners from the Rutherford County Master Gardeners. Applications for the Basics class are available at the Extension office or downloadable from mastergardenersrc.org, under the Community Education tab. It is open to the first 45 people who sign up. For those interested in a volunteer service organization that educates communities in horticulture, the certified Master Gardener program is for you. Students learn about a variety of gardening topics including soils, impacts of storm water, small fruits, landscape design, identifying trees and garden insects. As a by-product of this knowledge, students learn how to have healthier, more productive gardens. Acquired knowledge gets shared through demonstrations, classes and community events. A minimum of 40 community service hours must be completed and reported during the first year. Applications are due by Dec. 1. Classes begin for the Master Gardener program with orientation on Feb. 2 but classes will typically be held this year from 1â&#x20AC;&#x201C;4 pm on Tuesday afternoons. To complete training, you must attend 11 of the 15 scheduled classes. Applications are available at the office or at extension.tennessee.edu/rutherford.

4H BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AND MARKETPLACE Come eat, visit Santa, take your own pictures with Santa and shop for presents at the upcoming 4H Pancake Breakfast and Marketplace. This family event starts at 8 a.m. on Dec. 8 at the Community Center in Lane Agri-Park complex on John R. Rice Boulevard.

Living

THE MURFREESBORO LOCATION of CoreLife Eatery, a restaurant chain that emphasizes natural eating and healthy lifestyle choices, will continue its Saturday series of free fitness classes in the restaurant.

CoreLife Offers Free Saturday Workouts Issues 10-Day Weight Loss Challenge

COMING UP IN NOVEMBER: NOV. 3 The 4 Pillars of Health and Wellness NOV. 10 Sitting is the New Smoking with Dr. Jenn NOV. 17 Lose 10 in 10 Challenge, Meet the Trainers Workout DEC. 1 Lose 10 in 10 Challenge Workout The workouts begin each Saturday at 10 a.m. There is no cost, but participants are asked to register in advance at corelifeeaterytn.eventbrite.com. No purchase is required to participate, though participants who choose to stay for a post-workout meal will receive 50 percent off their purchase at CoreLife. Additionally, for those who would like to participate in the full Lose 10 in 10

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fitness and nutrition challenge, CoreLife will partner with different fitness locations in Murfreesboro for a fat-melting, high intensity, 10-day weight loss program, beginning the Monday after Thanksgiving. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about doing for a while and am super excited to get it going,” CoreLife co-owner Kelsey Searles said. “We’ve teamed up with five local fitness studios and it’s going to be a fun experience for participants to try classes at all of these places.” The local fitness centers involved are Barre11, F.A.C.E. It Fitness, Transformations 4 Life, Title Boxing and Orange Theory Fitness. Anyone (over 14) can join this 10-day challenge to lose weight and tone their body. The program cost is $89, and it offers the chance for participants to win a $100 CoreLife gift card, a $100 gift card to the workout locations and other prizes. Organizers say that results are guaranteed for those following the program, and that it includes training at the five different locations, meal plans and a highenergy support team. “Lose inches and, most importantly, feel great as you go into the holidays,” Searles said. F.A.C.E. It Fitness will host starting weigh-ins on Monday, Nov. 26. The following day, CoreLife will host an event kickoff and team rally, and final weighins will be Dec. 6 and 7 at F.A.C.E. It. To register, visit corelifeeaterytn. eventbrite.com or CoreLife, 2330 Medical Center Pkwy. For more information, contact Searles at kelsey@gotocorelife.com or (607) 766-8173.

Art

 ARTIST PROFILE

Gil Veda

Renowned Middle Tennessee artist still going strong, creating, painting, socializing STORY BY TONY LEHEW PHOTOS BY MIKE HUTSELL

ife is like a chicken—it’s all in how you cook it. These are the words and philosophy of a man by the name of Gil Veda. They are the kind of words that bring a sly smile to the lips and maybe even bear repeating. But for Gil, this is fact, and words to live by. I first met Gil late one night, or more accurately, early one morning, at a Waffle House in Nashville. The girlfriend and I were there for breakfast after a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. When we first sat down, we didn’t much notice the quiet gentleman sitting at the table behind us. We had just gotten our coffee as he was finishing his meal. He stood up, check in hand, turned and noticed us. With the aura of a true gentleman, he smiled and remarked at how well we were dressed. It was striking because there was a genteel worldliness and friendly nature about him, that made you like him instantly. I repaid the compliment, as he was also dressed very sharply. I’m not exactly sure why, other than the fact I was immediately impressed by the man, but I asked him to join us for a cup of coffee, which he readily did. He sat down, introductions were made, and then with a boundless energy of man a third his age, he dominated the conversation with this wonderful accent that I can only describe as somewhere between European Hispanic and Caribbean island charm.

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As it turned out, Shannon and I were in the presence of a very accomplished and world-renowned painter, singer, songwriter and composer. Like I said, when you meet Gil, it’s hard not to immediately like him and it doesn’t hurt that he can carry on a conversation with the best of them. When you do speak with him, you can get a firstperson historical perspective of many of the iconic places and events that comprise the country music, political and historical makeup of this area. Over the course of the next hour, Gil shared with us hundreds of pictures of paintings that he kept on his phone, and told us stories of his amazing life. He had

pictures of himself with famous artists, politicians and other many people of note. Some he had painted portraits of or made paintings for. Many others had purchased his artwork for their collections. Gil has even painted portraits of four United States presidents while they were in office. Now, what he showed us was impressive enough, but as I was to learn, he was far more than just a painter; he was a master of many arts. Since that night, I’ve met with Gil on several occasions. Every time I meet with him I learn more about the amazing life he’s led. One of the biggest milestones of Gil’s life: he was the first Hispanic performer ever on the Grand Ole Opry. He performed there

in 1962. He has also written many published songs and transposed music from Spanish and Italian to English and vice versa. He recorded “O Sole Mio” with the Jordanaires, before Elvis Presley recorded it. As you may know, “O Sole Mio” is the Italian song translated into one of Elvis’s biggest hits, “It’s Now or Never.” Suffice it to say, Gil has led an amazing life. He’s in his early 80s now and shows no signs of letting up. He’s a self-proclaimed night owl who paints in the wee hours of the morning, sleeps late, enjoys dining out with friends and is an avid movie buff. After the day has faded away and he is in his late-night world, he returns to his paintings. By his own admission, he paints almost every night and has warehoused thousands of paintings. Another fascinating aspect of the man is

that he carries mango seeds in his pocket, but not your typical mango seeds. You see, Gil creates art on these seeds. As part of a healthy diet, Gil has fruit at every meal, with mangos being one of his favorites. After eating the mango, he keeps a seed, cleans it and lets it dry out. Then in his leisure time he creates original designs on these mango seeds. This may sound odd, but the mango seed perfectly fits his style. One of Gil’s favorite things to paint are his version of fish and seascapes. The mango seeds, as it turns out, are perfect for this because they already sort of have the fish shape. And if he meets you and likes you, he may give you one of these seeds already decorated, signed and dated by him. Gil has had his work in art galleries around the world and his paintings have sold for many thousands of dollars. Many people of wealth and renown seek out his artwork, so his mango seeds are valuable original pieces of artwork. But mostly, they’re a way to show you he likes you and enjoyed meeting you. The last time I sat down and chatted with Gil, it was filmed for a documentary and Gil did painting demonstrations for us on camera. He pulled a mango seed out of his pocket and drew pictures on both sides of the seed. Then he took out a blank canvas and showed us the beginning process on how he paints. The process he uses is interesting to watch because you

can tell from the second he starts that his style depends heavily upon inspiration as he goes. It is my opinion that this kind of ingenuity is a mark of genius. To be honest, I noticed, and he even remarked, that the beginning process didn’t go as well as he had hoped. But then with that wonderful accent he said, “That’s okay, I set it aside, let it dry and when I’m ready, go back to it. It will tell me what it wants to be.” This demonstration was at a Nashville art store called Jerry’s Artarama; when I first got there Gil was busy engaging almost every patron who walked into the store, shaking their hand and saying hello and, of course, handing out a few mango seeds. I asked Gil to describe his philosophy of life. In addition to his insight into how life is like a chicken, he advised, “Don’t copy other people. Learn what they did, their styles, their techniques, and then do it your way. Don’t copy others; it’s already been done, do it your own way,” he said. I asked him how he obtained such talent and he simply stated, “I just do it.” He made it clear that he was not classically trained in any of the arts that he had mastered, but all the things he had done, from singing opera, country music and painting to just living, all the things he has mastered, he did just by doing it until he got it right. Maybe that’s a good piece of advice for all of us—life is your chicken, how do you want to cook it?

Art

 EVENT

2018 ART STUDIO TOUR 1 Elizabeth Bray Jewelry

521 E. Main St., Murfreesboro 615-542-6780 Guest artist Henry Phillips, handcrafted woodworks

2 Joe Brown Blacksmith

3538 Cripple Creek Rd., Readyville 615-890-3805 Guest artists: Erin and Jonathon Belcher, metal works; Jim Carson, pottery; Carla Crader, jewelry

3 Everich Farm

4 Annual Art Studio Tour Highlights Talents and Skills of Rutherford County Potters, Painters, Woodworkers and Hatmakers

Eva Berg, fibers 8695 Highway 269 Bell Buckle Rd., Christiana 615-895-9813 Guest artists: Kaitlyn Savage, functional pottery, Jystyna Kostkowska, pastels RJ Hadle, fibers and textiles

4 Hickerson Woodworks

Logan Hickerson, Handcarved Woodworks 4172 Betty Ford Rd., Murfreesboro 615-896-0919 Guest artists: Becky Dickovitch, encaustic and textiles; Scott Weiland, Functional ceramics; Andre Churchwell, Drawings and illustrations

5 Popcorn Studio Pottery

Sue and Ray Allen, Functional stoneware 2031 Nelson Ln., Murfreesboro 615-896-9167 Guest artists: Daune Jordan, Eggery and watercolor painting; Jan Quarles, dyed silk and textiles

6 Red Oak Pottery

t has now been 25 years since the first Arts Studio Tour, an annual November network of Rutherford County artists and crafters who open their studios to the public and invite the community to get an up-close look at their work. The tour has expanded every year since its inception in 1993, offering a unique opportunity before the holidays for guests to shop for fine handcrafted gifts while learning how they are made. Some of the artists who started the tour are still a part of it, said Eva Berg, owner of Everich Farm, a fiber farm with a studio on this year’s tour. In 2018, eight different studios will invite guests and will feature the works of more than 30 artists. “The whole idea is to show that art of 24 * NOVEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

6 the handmade,” said Sue Allen, who has been making stoneware with her husband, Ray, for 39 years. The Allens, who own Popcorn Studio Pottery, will give a pottery demonstration and explain the whole process step by step. At this stop, guests will also learn about dyeing silks and textiles and learn how to craft from eggs—the art of eggery, which uses eggs of all kinds to create art similar to Faberge. Turtleware Pottery will present demonstrations for spinning pottery, beading jewelry and putting stained glass stepping stones together. Guests can design their own step stones that will be put together later in the shop by Kathyrn and Richard Spry, who work with the stained glass. At Everich Farm, Berg will discuss

5 and show how to felt fabric that can be used to make hats. Berg is known for her hats, and this location will also host other items shown by guest artists, available for purchase. The tour is free and spans across miles of beautiful countryside in Rutherford County. Local people may go where they are most interested in visiting. Most of the studios will offer snacks and refreshments, and parents are encouraged to bring their children to enjoy and learn about these trades. The Art Studio Tour runs the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17 and 18, with studios open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit artstudiotour.org. — LAURA LINDSAY

Bill and Judy Heim, Ceramic stoneware 2925 Spain Hill Rd., Lascassas 615-273-2147 Guests artists: Gene Casto, woodworks; Doug Pelren, wood turning, Mark Jackson, painting; Anne Rob, handcrafted jewelry

7 Studio S Pottery

Lewis and Eric Snyder, stoneware, porcelain and raku 1426 Avon Rd., Murfreesboro 615-896-0789 Guest artists: Mary Veazie, painting; Ginny Togrye, painting; Phyllis Razo, watercolors

8 Turtleware Pottery

4004 Southridge Blvd., Murfreesboro 615-904-9850 Guest artists: Kathryn and Richard Spry, stained glass; Catie Beth Thomas, woven jewelry and naturally dyed textiles; Sandra Arnold bead woven jewelry, Jamie Labo, jewelry

Art

 POETRY IN THE BORO BY KORY WELLS

PHOTOS BY GALE STONER

Local Poetry Gathering Celebrates Stoner Landscape Portrait Exhibit IN NOVEMBER, according to Rita Dove, we “rise in a light / that is already leaving.” Both autumn colors and our changing clocks may be sources of inspiration, but this month local writers can also turn to the images of Murfreesboro photographer laureate Gale Stoner. Poetry in the Boro, which suggests a writing challenge to the community each month, is encouraging writers to respond, in poetry or short prose, to an exhibit of Stoner’s landscape photos. “Pauses Off the Path” is on display at the Center for the Arts Gallery, 110 W. College St., through Nov. 19. A reception will be held Friday, Nov. 2, from 6–9 p.m. The public is invited. Writers can share their responses—or other poems—during the open mic portion of Poetry in the Boro at Murfreesboro Little Theatre on Sunday evening, Nov. 11. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Featured poets 26 * NOVEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

Carlina Duan and Sarah McCartt-Jackson read at 7, and open mic time with host Gregory Lannom follows. Both authors will have books available for sale. Duan is author of the poetry collection I Wore My Blackest Hair (Little A Books) and a MFA candidate at Vanderbilt, where she also teaches poetry and co-edits Nashville Review. She is the winner of multiple Hopwood awards, a Fulbright grant and

“Grieving” by Sarah McCartt-Jackson first appeared in the journal Cease, Cow and is also included in her book Stonelight from Airlie Press. Narrative Magazine’s 30 Below Contest. Sarah McCartt-Jackson is a Kentucky poet, folklorist, and naturalist whose most recent book is Stonelight, just out from Airlie Press. She has served as artist-inresidence for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shotpouch Cabin in Oregon. For more details, and to sample some of Stoner’s exhibit, find Poetry in the Boro on Facebook. ALSO IN NOVEMBER: Thursday, Nov. 8, travel guide, public television show host and humanitarian Rick Steves will be appearing at MTSU to discuss his latest of more than 50 books, Travel as a Political Act. Held in the Student Union Ballroom at 7:30 p.m., this free event is open to the public. On Thursdays through Nov. 15, MTSU’s “In Process” series continues. This weekly event, open to the public, provides the opportunity for writers to mingle and hear works in progress. As the semester winds down, the schedule includes local playwrights Andy Landis and Arabelle Pollick (Nov. 1), literary translator and memoirist Allen Hibbard (Nov. 8) and an open mic (Nov. 15). This is held at 4:30 p.m. in the Sam H. Ingram MT Center on Tennessee Blvd. near Lytle St.

GRIEVING by Sarah McCartt-Jackson You think you are fine, will always be fine. You braid your hair. You think about not washing the dishes. You buy a box of milk, sign and mail the burial plot papers, peel paint from the dining room chair, or address letters to your husband at the coal camp. Chickens peck at grit in the yard but there’s not enough cornbread to scrape from the skillet, so you prepare a boiling pot to pluck and slaughter the scrawniest bird. You splinter the unfinished chair on the porch steps. When your face floats in the scummy pond or in your hand-mirror in the woodburning light or over the dark pupils of your other daughters, you beg to be let go, burn a hymn into the air until your voice blisters each oak knot in your plank walls. You pull the quilts closer, feel winter creep over your toes. You feel bloodless but do not sleep, your night wide and heavy with the mountain. You listen to your children breathing through the shale. You whisper, Shhhh, shhhh.

Art

Onstage at the Center for the Arts in November:

 THEATER

9 to 5: The Musical Playing at MTSU Tucker Theatre THE MTSU THEATRE DEPARTMENT will stage a production of 9 to 5: The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, at the Tucker Theatre on the MTSU campus. Based on the 1980 hit movie and set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic. Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy—giving their boss the boot! The women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she? Showtimes will be 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 and 10; and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11. General admission tickets are $15; MTSU students are free with ID at the box office night of the show.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Nov. 2–11, 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. on Sundays William Shakespeare’s most popular comedy portrays the adventures of young lovers and a group of amateur actors, their interactions with woodland fairies and a duke and duchess. Taking place in mythical Athens and an enchanted forest, there is a handsome fairy king, a misguided parent, star-crossed lovers, a weaver who’s transformed into a half-donkey, wood sprites and elves. A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD Nov. 8, 5 and 7 p.m. Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons along the way in this Center Stage Academy production. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and special—a little vaudeville, a little make-believe and a friendship that endures throughout the seasons. ELF JR. THE MUSICAL Nov. 16 and 17, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. each night Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. Center For the Arts is located at 110 W. College St. For tickets or more information, visit boroarts.org.

Sylvia Explores Relationships Between a Man, Wife and Dog WHEN GREG MET SYLVIA, he was a man in his middle age and she was a stray dog in the park. Bringing the dog home to his wife and their empty nest, his wife, Kate, finds Sylvia far less appealing than Greg does. Hoping to flourish now that the children are gone, Kate is less than thrilled when Greg’s attention seems to be fully focused on the foul-mouthed, energetic Sylvia. The trio are forced to make sacrifices, stand up for themselves, and let their guard down at times. Sylvia, a play by A.R. Gurney, runs at Murfreesboro Little Theatre Nov. 9–11 and 15–18; showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Lots of bark and plenty of bite, Sylvia digs up the reality of relationships and growing older in a smart, sometimes jaded, and downright hilarious manner. Jennifer Grissom-Reeves directs, and Sylvia stars Alec Lanter, Lizzie Nelson, Amy Aviles and Sean Dixon; recommended for mature audiences. Murfreesboro Little Theatre is located at 702 Ewing Blvd., Murfreesboro. For reservations or more information, visit mltarts.com.

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Art

Madeline Rosenberg has been raising wool sheep for over 10 years and will present a lecture on the business of ﬁber at this year’s Fiber in the Boro.

 EVENT

Fiber in the ’Boro Offers Wealth of Knitted, Crocheted, Dyed and Woven Goods, Fiber Knowledge FIBER IN THE ’BORO is coming up on Saturday, Nov. 3. Rutherford County’s most popular textile crafts festival returns for a full day at the Lane Agri-Park. The festival will offer an opportunity for many different regional vendors to share their finest goods and crafting services with the community. Fiber in the ’Boro is an open event for all ages to participate and enjoy. Fiber in the ’Boro also combines educational elements with its participants’ deep appreciation for craftwork. An experienced team of instructors offer classes and workshop to those looking to learn knitting, crochet, weaving, dyeing and many other practices. The diverse curriculum offers hands-on knowledge and experience to develop an solid understanding of various forms of textile work. Beginners are welcome. The festival will bring out some of the best artisans and designers in the area, as well as a few guests from other parts of the country. Across Generations from Wagoner, Oklahoma, will be at the festival to display rug-hooking supplies

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and unique natural dyes available for sale. Hailing from Madison, Alabama, Hook a Frog plans to come to share vibrant yarns and fun crochet kits. Food vendors will include Flatrock Coffee and Smokin Buttz Barbeque. Visit the Fiber in the ’Boro webpage to check out other recommended groups and events. The Fiber in the ’Boro team takes the time to scout out other like-minded organizations and events to follow throughout the year. There are also workshops designed around marketing and entrepreneurial strategies specifically for aspiring fiber arts business owners. With the holidays approaching, the upcoming Fiber in the ’Boro festival is a great way to get a head start on seasonal craft supplies and gift ideas! The festival will be held at the Lane Agri-Park, 315 John Rice Blvd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the Nov. 3 event, and the area fiber arts community, visit ﬁberintheboro.com. —JORDAN HALL

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Movies

REVIEWS

MR. PRESTO DIRECTOR Joey Kneiser STARRING Shane Spresser, Eric Giles, Jon Latham UNRATED (for adult language, adult situations, nudity)

If any of those names above are familiar to you, then you may already be aware of this independent film made right here in Murfreesboro and Nashville. Writer/director Joey Kneiser (also editor, cinematographer, score composer, colorist, et al.) may be better known as the front man of the band Glossary (for whom star Eric Giles plays drums)—one of Murfreesboro’s most successful and beloved bands of the past twenty-some years—but recently he’s put his talents into making Mr. Presto, a thoroughly enjoyable and unique feature film currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Local musician and mid-century modern

furniture refurbisher Shane Spresser plays Lowell Brown. Lowell claims to be a “hustler at the art of deception,” but in reality he is an ambitionless magician-for-rent who lives out of his van behind the Pizza Den (Sir Pizza on Main Street). With his signature

bandanna, board shorts, and Air Jordans, Lowell drifts through life until the day he drifts right into the middle of a political assassination plot, mistaken identity and a couple of criminals disguised as nuns (Nashville’s Birdcloud). Lowell’s uptight brother Roy (Eric Giles), having just been kicked out of his house for losing his job as a guidance counselor, reluctantly takes to the road with Lowell, who was mistakenly given a fannypack of cash by the incumbent Willie Stevens (Jon Latham) with instructions to make the smarmy City Council candidate Skip Smotherman “disappear.” See, Mr. Presto shares a similar hairstyle and namesake with the Magic Man (Mike Moeller), an imposing assassin and rules-stickler who is the antithesis to Lowell’s slacker lifestyle. While this small-town plot of criminal buffoonery (lately one of my favorite sub-genres) drives the action, the heart of Mr. Presto is in the dialogue and character interactions. Mr. Presto is flat-out funny. Spressers’ and Giles’ back-and-forths about penny loafers or nicknames are filled with quotable lines. Filmed on a budget of $4,000, and cast al-

most entirely with non-actors, the deadpan delivery of the dialogue and the naturalistic performances of all involved work exceptionally well. Some of the jokes might slip past you on the first viewing, but watch it again. The setups and payoffs show a true attention to detail and character, and illuminate a passion in these filmmakers that is often crushed by committee in larger budget pictures. Kneiser’s spartan cinematography really lets his script shine, but he still makes room for some weirder visual moments, such as Lowell’s opening magic show, or Councilman Willie Stevens’ nightmare of the greasy Skip Smotherman taunting him (Spencer Duncan as Smotherman gives a performance that is all at once hilarious, disturbing and menacing). While there are plenty of influential touchstones such as Clerks’ independent spirit, The Dude’s will-abide attitude and John Waters’ filth fetishism, Mr. Presto is its own piece of movie magic. Keep up with the film on all the social medias to look out for a rumored future screening here in town. — JAY SPIGHT

cifically, for the first 45 minutes of this thing Ruben Fleischer and company rush through a meaningless backstory for Eddie Brock that features some hilariously bad montage sequences, dialogue and plot points. Honestly, this would’ve been a better film had we simply started with Eddie/Venom merging together, because after the first 45 minutes trying to be a cheesy romantic drama, the film veers hard right into a shockingly entertaining comedy. I was never really sure if I was laughing with the film or at the film, but I knew I was laughing throughout the second act.

The fun dissipates in the final act as Venom falls victim to some horrific CGI sequences that even give The Amazing SpiderMan 2 a run for its money (which makes even less sense considering the second act had a fairly enjoyable action sequence in it as Eddie learned what Venom could do on the fly while he mowed down baddies). As Venom incomprehensibly moves from act to act, from sequence to sequence, the only thing that is certain is that “your guess is as good as mine.” And that Tom Hardy is nuts when he wants to be. The post-credit scenes are terrible. The first introduces Woody Harrelson and a horrific wig in a shameless attempt at sequel-baiting that does anything but get me excited for Venom 2, and the second is a tease for Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. So, literally nothing but long teasers for upcoming Sony/Marvel films. This movie is unashamedly outlandish, and it all hinges on Hardy’s uniquely bizarre but polarizing performance. If you’re into it, there’s enough fun in this mess of a film to like in between the useless opening act and CGI-thon of the final act. But if not? Stay very far away. — JOSEPH KATHMANN

VENOM DIRECTOR Ruben Fleischer STARRING Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Woody Harrelson, Jenny Slate RATED PG-13

Okay, seriously: What was that? I still haven’t the faintest idea what I just saw. What was that? Was it a comedy? A romance? An action flick? I don’t know, and I’m pretty sure the movie doesn’t know either. To say Venom is a mess is something of an understatement, and there’s no doubt that your mileage will vary tremendously with this abomination. That said, did I have fun? Kind of. I think I was having fun at the movie’s expense, but fun is fun. Right? Before you completely dismiss my opinion because of my admitted preconceived biases against the avalanche of comic book films we’ve seen in recent years, Venom has always been my favorite supervillain. And I actually quite enjoyed Tom Hardy’s erratic and unpredictable interpretation of the

antihero Eddie Brock. He is the best thing about this very raw and messy film, as director Ruben Fleischer clearly gave Hardy total creative freedom in portraying the character. Fair warning: If you’re not a fan of Hardy’s performance, there is little else here to enjoy. Riz Ahmed portrays a rather entertaining villain, Carlton Drake. And the great Michelle Williams, as Anne, is not given the screen time she deserves; however, she’s played by Michelle Williams, and I love her. You know what is bad, though? Every second of this movie when Eddie Brock/ Venom aren’t together. Which is a lot. Spe-

A CLASSIC

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OUTSTANDING

AVERAGE

BELOW AVERAGE

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD

OPENING IN NOVEMBER PLAYING THIS MONTH

NOV. 2 Bohemian Rhapsody The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Tyler Perry’s Nobody’s Fool

NOV. 9 Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch The Girl in the Spider’s Web Here And Now

NOV. 16 Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Widows

NOV. 22 The Christmas Chronicles

Food

See more photos from this month's restaurant feature at BoroPulse.com/Category/Food

The Dish RESTAURANT

Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant

Biscuits, Beer, BBQ & Bands

LOCATION

114. N. Church St. PHONE

629-201-6916 HOURS

Mon.–Thurs.: 7 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 7 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun. 7 a.m.–4 p.m.

Puckett’s Becoming Downtown Murfreesboro Destination

PRICES

BBQ platter (pork, chicken or brisket): $14.99; Hot chicken sandwich with fries: $10.99; Piggy mac: $14.59; Chicken fried chicken: $14.29; Shrimp and grits: $24.99; Meat and 3: $10.99; Brisket taco salad: $12.99; Breakfast burrito: $9.29

BY BRACKEN MAYO

Clockwise from top right: BBQ pimento cheese bites, blackberry bramble, bacon cheeseburger with fries, hot chicken sandwich, chicken fried chicken with green beans, pulled pork platter

will open with this: pulled pork mixed with pimento cheese and bacon rolled together, then breaded, flash-fried and served with pepper jelly. That is the Puckett’s BBQ pimento cheese bite. Wonderful. Since the Middle Tennessee-based chain Puckett’s Grocery took over its Church Street restaurant space in 2016, it has been a draw to downtown Murfreesboro as it quickly became a popular spot for smoked barbecue, breakfast, Southern-inspired lunch and dinners, music, drinks and weekend brunch, as well as for ice cream at the affiliated Hattie Jane’s Creamery onsite. The inviting smell of smoked meats invites guests into the Puckett’s Grocery dining room; the restaurant features a lineup of cherry wood-smoked meats—pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, wings and even smoked meatloaf—along with steaks, fried chicken, salmon, burgers and other sandwiches. The Piggy Mac makes a filling meal in a skillet, featuring pulled pork topped with 34 * NOVEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

white cheddar mac and cheese and biscuit crumbs. The restaurant opens at 7 a.m. daily and serves all of the breakfast standards, along with some custom breakfast skillets such as the Southern Stack, which includes two sweet potato pancakes layered with pulled pork, fried apples and a sunny-side-up egg on a bed of home fries. During the midday hours, those who work near and visit the Murfreesboro Public Square can stop in for a salad, sandwich or meat and veggie plate for lunch. Many evenings, the Puckett’s stage will host live music, generally of the country variety. The establishment offers a full bar with lots of beer varieties, and other food options include shrimp and grits, and the Redneck Burrito, stuffed with pulled pork, baked beans and slaw. Many platters come with a flavorful corn cake, containing just a hint of spicy pepper. One area diner described Puckett’s as “the hipster’s Cracker Barrel.” Some still prefer Murfreesboro’s legend-

ONLINE

puckettsgro.com

ary City Cafe right around the corner for the meat-and-3 type plates for lunch, although the Puckett’s menu offers much more and City Cafe closes at 2 p.m., so for food after that time, drinks from the bar or the aforementioned BBQ pimento cheese bites or fried pickles, fried green tomatoes or fried green beans, head to Puckett’s. One recent Puckett’s patron said the food was just as good, if not better, than the consistently reliable Southern fare at Cracker Barrel—the Puckett’s green beans, seasoned with both bacon and pork barbecue are spot on, and the mashed sweet potatoes are great for those who don’t want to do the work of undressing and smashing up a baked sweet potato—though the prices are a bit higher than Cracker Barrel. The Puckett’s team put a lot of work into the building at 114. N. Church St., the home to Bluesboro, 3 Brothers, Social, Big Bang and Blue Rooster in years past, and the walls now feature an assortment of vintage items. Caite Kendrick recommend Puckett’s

after a recent visit, saying it has a “delicious brunch and a great atmosphere.” The breakfast buffet on Saturdays and Sundays has gained many local fans. Another recent diner reported that she really enjoyed her BLT with fried green tomato, along with a side of sweet potato fries, but next time she would go with the option to add pimento cheese to the BLT. While most customers seem to find the food delicious, quite a few will say they found a dish, particularly some of the side dishes, to be bland or dry. Some say that the saltiness or freshness of a particular menu item can vary from day to day, while others just prefer a little more flavor or spice to their food. Still, Puckett’s holds its own in the mix of meat-and-3 establishments in Murfreesboro, and with the assortment of other offerings—fried appetizers, the weekend breakfast buffet, the beer and mixed drinks, live entertainment and the ice cream shop next door, virtually anyone can find something to suit their taste at Puckett’s Grocery.

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* NOVEMBER 2018 * 35

News

n early October, United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service trapped and lethally removed two beavers from the Oaklands Sinking Creek wetlands in Murfreesboro after flooding concerns. According to USDA Nashville District Supervisor Blaine Hyle, the department’s Wildlife Services conducted 32 site visits to the wetlands from April to the beginning of October in attempts to lower the water levels. Hyle stated that Murfreesboro City Parks officials first requested a USDA site visit in April to assess the situation. “Upon inspection, it was determined that a medium-sized beaver dam was backing water up very near neighboring private property,” Hyle said. “Additionally, city roads personnel expressed concern about water backing up another ditch onto the new police parking lot on North Highland.” After the assessment, Wildlife Services installed a “beaver pond leveler,” which is a device that allows water to be siphoned from the pond without the beavers realizing. In June, a trench was torn in the dam, and a flow pipe was installed from the upstream side to the downstream side of the dam. The pipe is meant to allow water to flow freely, lowering its level. Hyle said that Wildlife Services personnel monitored the leveler for two weeks but found that surplus rainfall was not allowing sufficient draining. Additionally, by the end of the two weeks, beavers had discovered the pipe and chewed it in half. USDA then installed a second leveler, which was double the size of the first. This pipe was also buried in the stream bed to avoid detection from the beavers. After another week of monitoring, it was found that the water levels were not lowered sufficiently, leading to a Wildlife Services worker breaching the dam twice weekly in an attempt to keep water levels low. Each night, however, the beavers repaired the dam. In late September, the city finally made the call to lethally remove the beavers using industry-approved body grip traps. This action was then carried out in early October. The cost of all the Wildlife Services visits throughout the month totaled over $3,500. “It should be noted that relocation of beavers is strictly controlled by Tennessee 36 * NOVEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

USDA Removes Beavers from Oaklands Wetlands in Murfreesboro After Flooding Concerns BY ANDREW WIGDOR

Wildlife Resources Agency and in almost all cases, prohibited by the agency,” Hyle said. Parks and Recreation Superintendent Rachel Singer said that the removal of the beavers was the best option available.

“Last November, we did discover that a pretty significant beaver dam had been built in the Sinking Creek wetlands,” Singer said. “It was a concern from the beginning because we have property owners, we have

a trail system in that park and we have roads and bridges.” Singer said that the city was in close talks with USDA wildlife biologists for months and worked to decide the best solution for the rising water levels of the creek to protect both area property and the other wildlife of the wetlands. Still, the action has upset some Murfreesboro residents who are a part of the recently formed Friends of the Oaklands Wetlands group. MTSU English professor and founding member of the Oaklands Wetlands group Justyna Kostkowska started a petition in 2017 in an attempt to protect the Oaklands Park wetlands from the development of townhomes by a private developer. The city eventually purchased the property that the proposed townhomes were to be built on, promising the preservation of the natural site. Now, Kostkowska feels that the city has acted without properly consulting with residents who care about the wildlife that inhabits the wetlands. “We have members who are biologists and environmental consultants, and we have resources that the city can use,” Kostkowska said. “The beavers have been there since the previous summer. [Beavers] have expanded the pond, and the place was flourishing. The habitat was increased.” According to Danielle Brown, another member of the Friends of the Oaklands Wetlands group and a biology lecturer at MTSU, the city should have continued to explore additional options for the flooding issue. “The frustrating thing for us is that we managed to get the city to agree to buy the wetlands from the seller, and the idea was that it was going to be a functioning wetlands,” Brown said. Brown said that she researched some techniques to alleviate issues with beavers and found some solutions that, she says, the city should have attempted. According to “Techniques for Mitigating Human/Beaver Conflicts in Urban and Suburban Environments,” a document from the Animal Alliance of Canada that Brown sent to the city, an additional measure to protect the beaver pond leveler is a domed intake fence that protects the entrance of the pipe and stops beavers from seeing or hearing the water entering the pipe. “By the time I had sent the document to the city, [the removal] had already been done,” Brown said.

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* NOVEMBER 2018 * 37

AROUND TOWN ’BORO BUSINESS BUZZ

Primrose Table, Jae Lynn Boutique, Boro Town Cakes Too, Heroes of the Road, Rust Bucket

Nashville veteran chef Jason Matheson has decided to open his first full-service restaurant, PRIMROSE TABLE, in Murfreesboro. With the tables set for a spring 2019 opening, Matheson aims to serve fine fare at a fair price. He said the menu will feature familiar favorites with a refined flair, like Korean BBQ-stuffed potato skins, cornbread panzanella salad, and a roasted chicken breast with Woodford Reserve wild mushroom sauce. Other offerings will include Wagyu burgers, shrimp and lobster rolls, fish and chips, hearty seasonal salads, grilled steaks and chicken, char-grilled lamb and more. Primrose Table plans to serve dinner six nights a week, offering a full bar in addition to a “vibrant selection” of wines. Matheson has spent time in the kitchens of Nashville’s Watermark, Marsh House and Cork & Cow restaurants. he started his career at 101st Airborne and New Orleans Seafood Manor. Primrose Table will be located in the Climb Murfreesboro (old Hastings) building at 1650 Memorial Blvd. in the Parkside development. Matheson and his wife, Nevada, have also been selling flowers at craft fairs and food truck events out of the back of their classic GMC pickup, but now they want to branch out with private events like baby/bridal showers, birthday parties and wedding receptions. They will deliver your flower orders in their all-original 1972 GMC pick-up truck with Primrose Flower Truck emblazoned on the side.

BY MICHELLE WILLARD This fall DONUT COUNTRY was voted the “Sweetest Bakery in Tennessee” during the Sweetest Bakery in America Contest. Sponsored by Dawn Foods, the annual contest seeks to find the sweetest of the sweets. The national winner was Lochel’s Bakery in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. Speaking of doughnuts, KRISPY KREME got a building permit to make hot and fresh deliciousness on Medical Center Parkway. Back in November 2017, the Murfreesboro Planning Commission approved plans for a multi-tenant development called ROBERT ROSE VILLAGE EAST, 10 mixed-use lots on 32.9 acres adjacent to the multi-tenant complex that houses The Chop House. In addition to the Krispy Kreme Robert Rose Village East would also be home to an apartment complex, DWELL WELL VINTAGE GATEWAY, and a hotel and bank as proposed. The restaurant formerly known as the Gondolier, located at 219 NW Broad St., has officially reopened with a new concept and name. 219 MIXED CUISINE is now serving a menu featuring Thai, Italian and American cuisine with a sushi bar. The shop next to Pad Thai Cafe on South Church Street looks to be changing into an “ASIAN MINI MART” if the sign above the door is to be believed. I don’t know what that means exactly, but I’ll be sure to check it out. Boro Town Cakes has opened its “grab and go” location about a block from its primary spot on the Square. The new shop, BORO TOWN CAKES TOO, will offer convenient foods for busy attorneys at the new Judicial Center on Lytle Street. All the offerings, sandwiches, breakfast items and sweet treats will be made at the original location for purchase at the new location. Smyrna Development Sells for $5 Mil A Smyrna multi-tenant commercial development sold for $5.85 million in September, according to records from the Rutherford 38 * NOVEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

County Register of Deeds. Built in 1999, the development known as STEWARTSBORO CROSSING was sold by Smyrna Holdings to Maverick Management of Nashville. The company is owned by motel magnate Miten Patel. The strip mall, located at the corner of Old Nashville Highway and Almaville Road, is anchored by Food Lion and a Dollar General. DRAKE’S BARBER SHOP is expanding with a second location. Called “Heroes of the Road,” the new shop will be housed in the Pilot Travel Center in Lebanon.

A new furniture store called THE RUST BUCKET opened at 507 Memorial Blvd. in Murfreesboro. The shop offers handmade, real wood furniture for those looking for a rustic, farmhouse aesthetic. The shopping center on the corner of Salem Pike and Cason Lane is getting rearranged. THREE RIVERS FAMILY DENTISTRY will expand and take over more of the shopping center, including the former home of SHAVE. The barbershop has moved to a different unit in the front of the building, facing Salem Pike.

 CLOSINGS CORNER A Rutherford County institution has closed for good. The OMNI HUT’s last lunch was served Oct. 12. After closing temporarily due to staffing issues, the restaurant reopened in July with a revamped menu and hours, but the lunch buffet wasn’t enough to keep the 60-year-old eatery afloat. After 18 years, MURFREESBORO OUTDOORS closed to business. The specialty sports goods store that focused on outdoor gear, guns and ammo, and hunting and fishing supplies was located on Broad Street. “We want to thank everyone that has supported us the last 18 years. If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have been able to make it as long as we did. We had some fantastic customers, that turned into even better friends,” the owners said in a farewell Facebook post. KAM’S BOUTIQUE on Thompson Lane and YOGURT HOUSE at 2333 Memorial Blvd. in Murfreesboro have also both closed, according to Facebook posts.

 MORE STUFF JOHN JONES REAL ESTATE marked its 10th anniversary with a luncheon in October. Jones launched his own real estate

agency Oct. 1, 2008, right at the beginning of the Great Recession. “We opened at the worst possible time when the bottom fell out of the real estate market and we still prospered,” said Michele Bufford, whose 20th anniversary with Jones was Oct. 6. Jones and crew celebrated with an office party and probably selling a few houses. Milton just got what is likely to become an attraction for visitors. After months of careful restoration, THE GATHERING AT MILTON and its adjoining grounds buzzed with happy chatter and excitement during the opening celebration with a Fall Market and Craft Fair. Organizers estimate more than 2,000 visitors from throughout Middle Tennessee and beyond attended the event that featured more than 50 artisans, food, music and children’s activities. The new owners, Phillip and Alanna Vaught, said they will hold a Milton Christmas Gathering holiday open house, which will be free to the public, on Saturday, Nov. 24, from 4–8 p.m. While they didn’t come to stay, a record 2.13 million visitors came to Rutherford County in 2017, a 7.4 percent increase from 2016’s

trepreneurship and commitment to others. The Pulse offers a congratulatory tip of the hat to Mayor McFarland.

A new clothing store, JAE LYNN BOUTIQUE, has opened on South Church Street. Located at 3138 S. Church St., Suite K, the shop is an expansion of the original Jae Lynn in Fayetteville. According to its website, “With Southern roots, a love for the Lord, and a fierce loyalty to her family and friends, Jae Lynn loves to give and have a good time while bringing women together in support and celebration of one another.” then record-breaking mark of 1.98 million visitors. Numbers released in August showed the tourism-related spending in Rutherford County in 2017 increased from $331.89 to $351.45 million, placing Rutherford County in the top 10 counties across the state for travel-related expenditures.

Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland was the recipient of the Joe M. Rodgers Spirit of America Award at the MTSU Jones College of Business-hosted Leadership Summit. This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated the highest ideals in keeping with the American spirit of innovation, en-

 HEMP NEWS Jason Chambers, the proprietor of MIDDLE TENNESSEE HYDROPONICS AND GARDENING on Clark Boulevard, opened a hemp and CBD dispensary adjacent to the gardening store in June 2018. The shop opened with a bang, and many Rutherford County residents were very receptive to the availability of hemp and CBD products, many saying that these plant-based remedies—the hemp flower, oils and other products derived for low-THC cannabis—helped them out tremendously with various physical ailments. Shortly after the store’s big opening, however, a legal dispute with another operator of the store arose and unfolded over the past months. The hemp store eventually closed in early October. However, after a busy few weeks of disappointed customers and store renovations, Chambers states that the Clark Boulevard Hydroponics store “will be selling the same hemp and CBD products as before,” under

the Hydroponics and Gardening name. “With all new businesses, there are ups and downs, people come and go, names change. But, through all that, what we are here to do is help people,” Chambers said. “Industrial hemp is a new wave of natural well-being and we were around from the start. From our farm and other local growers, directly to our clients, we are passionate about this amazing plant. Though our name is changed on the outside, we are the same on the inside.” The former store name is being dissolved as part of the legal agreement. For more information on Chambers’ store, visit midtnhydro.com. Meanwhile, Trinity Mealor, Chambers’ former partner, has formed TENNESSEE HEMP SUPPLY and opened a location on Rutherford Boulevard, near Media Rerun and WalMart, as well as locations in Shelbyville, Cookeville and Clarksville. The Murfreesboro Tennessee Hemp Supply store recently announced that they plan to stay open 24 hours a day, and will offer a drive-through window service. For more information on this store, visit tennesseehempsupply.com.

Sports

BLUE RAIDER UPDATE Story and photos courtesy of GoBlueRaiders.com

Blue Raiders Enter November at 5–3 Following Homecoming Win and Big Victory at Old Dominion THE MTSU BLUE RAIDER FOOTBALL team enters the month of November, and a Friday night showdown with Western Kentucky, with a record of 5–3. The Blue Raiders opened October with a victory at Marshall, but fell the following week in Miami to Florida International, 21–24. MTSU followed that with a homecoming victory on Saturday, Oct. 20, over Charlotte 21–13. With that win the Blue Raiders moved to 4–3 on the season. “That was a great win,” Blue Raider Head Coach Rick Stockstill said following the Charlotte game. “Really, really happy and proud of our team . . . we knew it was going to be a four-quarter game coming in here. That’s what we got.” Middle Tennessee’s offense struggled for most of the game to find consistency; the Blue Raiders managed just 144 total yards (33 rushing). Luckily, the blue and white defense played a quality game. The 49ers scored on their first drive via a 57-yard rush by Benny LeMay, but that’s all MT would allow until a garbage-time touchdown with just over a minute left in the contest. Charlotte was forced to punt six times, turned the ball over on downs three times, missed two field goals and gifted Middle Tennessee with two turnovers on 13 drives between the TDs. The Blue Raiders finished with four sacks and nine tackles for loss. “We take pride in everything we do,” MTSU linebacker Khalil Brooks said, adding that the team believes “in running to the ball to lead to gang tackles. We were pretty good at that today.” MTSU didn’t score until the 6:23 mark of the second quarter, when senior quarterback Brent Stockstill hit junior Ty Lee for a 29yard touchdown to give MT a 7–6 advantage. In the subsequent Charlotte possession, quarterback Evan Shirreffs was picked off by MT senior safety Wesley Bush. Bush returned the interception to the 49er 15-yard line, and five plays later, Stockstill hit Lee for 5 yards for the duo’s second TD of the game. “There were some big plays that helped us out a lot and really changed the momen40 * NOVEMBER 2018 * BOROPULSE.COM

tum of the game,” Bush said. “I wish we could’ve capitalized as a defense by scoring on them, but we gave it to our offense and they did a good job with it.” The Blue Raiders would take advantage of another interception, this time by O.J. Johnson, in the fourth quarter, pushing the lead to 21–6 after a short, 22-yard drive. After that win in Murfreesboro, the team prepared for a trip to eastern Virginia to take on Old Dominion on Oct. 27. Everything came together perfectly for MTSU in that game, leading to a big win. The defense put up another great performance, coming away with five turnovers, and the offense found its rhythm, as the Blue Raiders rolled to a 51–17 win. It was all Middle Tennessee from the start in that one; the team jumped to a 17–0 lead. Brent Stockstill would later find the end zone with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to cap 75-yard drive. And as time expired in the second quarter, sophomore safety Reed Blankenship put an exclamation point on the half, picking off a pass in the end zone and returning it for a 100-yard pick six, bringing the halftime score to 31–10. A couple of long Stockstill TD passes, one for 70 yards to Gatlin Casey and another for 39 yards to Ty Lee, pushed the lead further out of reach to 45–10 in the third quarter. MTSU finished with 488 total yards, 208 on the ground. Junior Terelle West led the rushing attack with 120 yards and a TD. Wesley Bush also had a pick-six of 37 yards late in the game. Following the big victory MTSU will head into a rivalry match-up with a struggling Western Kentucky. The Friday night, Nov. 2, showdown at Floyd Stadium will kickoff at 7 p.m. The Blue Raiders will then have road trips to the University of Texas at El Paso on Nov. 10, and then to the University of Kentucky on Nov. 17, which will be MTSU’s third SEC road game of the 2018 season. MT will close the regular season at home at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, against the University of Alabama at Birmingham. For tickets and more information, visit goblueraiders.com.

Clockwise from top: the MTSU defense swarms to make a gang tackle against Charlotte; Ty Lee comes down with a touchdown grab at home; the Blue Raiders earned a win at Marshall; Jocquez Bruce carries the ball at Marshall.

SPORTS

TALK

COLUMN BY “Z-TRAIN”

titanman1984@gmail.com

THE TRAIN DADDY IS BACK, bringing sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard! As we say goodbye to summer and welcome fall, remember to follow my advice and keep life as simple as possible. Follow my motto, and live life following the 5 F’s: “Faith, Family, Football, Food and Friends! It doesn’t matter what your race, your gender or your IQ may be; my motto is for all. You enjoy life and cherish the 5 F’s, and when you die the masses will say “a life well lived, a Tennessean who followed the code of the 5 F’s!” The traditional Christian funeral is often so boring, awkward and, sadly, expensive. That’s why I prefer a pagan funeral—a simple Viking ship burial for me! I am a proud Christian who has no problem making a stop in Valhalla to feast with Odin and a bunch of hairy Norseman, as long as my final destination is Heaven. On that note, remember there is one F that stands above all and that’s Faith. Your faith in God and your faith in the goodness of the other 4 F’s. Life is too short, so speak your mind, enjoy everything, be honest, do what you love and better those around you, enjoy the outdoors and play ball, and do your best to ignore this growing PC culture infesting parts of America. What shall we discuss? We have two professional teams in Middle Tennessee to discuss, one is hot and one is not: The Nashville Predators and the Tennessee Titans. This issue’s controversial topic—continuing the discussion of transgender athletics—is crucial to the integrity of sports, so keep on reading. Let’s start with the Titans. What’s wrong with this team, Mr. Train Daddy? It’s simple and we like simple here. The Titans offense can’t attack downfield and that blame is not just on QB Marcus Mariota. First off, let me say to the fans and critics saying the Titans should find a better signal caller in the 2019 NFL draft: “Shut your face hole.” In the 2018 NFL draft five quarterbacks went in the first round, early mock drafts have zero quarterbacks being drafted in the 2019 first round, unless Justin Herbert declares. There’s a lack of talent at the position. Aside from the Ravens game, Marcus has been poised in the pocket. My advice for the Mariota haters is to chill out, the man is giving his all. I won’t discuss the running backs, because if the Titans could add the long ball to their repertoire then the backs wouldn’t be as pressured. The defense gets a pass; they have been playing well and although they have given up some unfortunate long balls, they deserve praise overall. One of the most important stats in the NFL when pertaining to defenses is

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER HANEWINCKEL

Titans Have Some Major Problems to Fix; Born Male Wins Female Cycling Championship points allowed per game, and the Titans rank in the top 3 prior to their bye week. One big problem on the offensive line has been guard play. It will take a long time to forget the Ravens game. Their defense had 11 sacks, and Mariota had 10 completions. UGLY. The offensive line isn’t totally broken—they did rebound vs. the Chargers. Let’s wrap up this Titans talk and break down the real problems: the receivers, the lack of big plays and dropped passes! Losing my favorite player in game one, the Titans’ best weapon, Delanie Walker was horrendous and then Rishard Matthews turned traitor and walked out on his team. Corey Davis has been a frustrating No. 1 receiver to watch. He creates separation, yet he can’t run routes well and seems incapable of being on the same page as Marcus. I assumed that after a rough rookie campaign he would blossom in his sophomore year. Nope! I hate to say this but there is a comparison: Dorial Green-Beckham. Don’t say that, Train Daddy! Davis still has potential for greatness. I love this franchise with all my heart, it’s true! I never miss a minute and I feel I am a very fair critic with the bias of a fan’s perspective. That said, I pray Coach Vrabel and offensive coordinator Matt Lafleur spray juju all over this team, because they need it. The coaches need to coach, the guards need to guard, the receivers need to receive, the running backs need to run and the tight-end needs to be tighter, dammit! That there is the solution to the Titans’ problems! Time for the controversy. What makes controversy? Well, I take a controversial subject, and then I state my opinion. Then, those who disagree, or agree, email me at titanman1984@gmail.com. I prefer to make my readers laugh, yet I will defend the integrity of sports even if that upsets a few. Once again, transgender news has hit the sports world with new laws in Canada. U

Sports is Canada’s equivalent to the NCAA; it’s the governing body of university sports there. Transgender athletes got a big win in Canada with a new national university policy opening the door for all trans athletes to compete with whatever gender suits their fancy, no hormone therapy required! The only good here is hopefully the new policy blows up in U Sports’ face before it spreads to the United States. My focus has been and remains on biological males who identify as women competing with biological women. I am literally dumbfounded that society has allowed this to happen and attacks people like me who publicly oppose this nonsense. There have been separate gender leagues throughout history for a reason. That brings us to part two of this subject. Last month a trans woman, born male, dominated some natural-born females in the world of cycling and many cried foul. Rachel McKinnon, born a boy, won gold in the 35–44 age bracket at the UCI Masters Track Cycling Championship in California. “First transgender Woman World Champion… Ever” Rachel posted on social media. Third place finisher Jenifer Wagner led the loud criticism against McKinnon’s participation in the Championship, saying “I was the 3rd place rider. It’s definitely not fair.” Of course it’s not fair! Imagine being the 4th place female knowing your spot was stolen by a born male. The 3rd place finisher Wagner has been applauded by some for speaking out, and attacked by others and labeled a bigot for her remarks. We have men and women leagues for a reason; you want inclusiveness and fairness for all? I have the answer for this: we have one league in every sport. Throw gender out the window, and the best athletes take the field! You know as well as I do there would then be a lack of women in sports. Men are built bigger, stronger and differently than women,

and there is nothing wrong with admitting biology is a real thing. I enjoy both male athletics and female athletics; fair competition is crucial to the integrity of sports and allowing transgender women to compete with females destroys the integrity of sports and its history, period! I have no problems with the transgender community and believe they should definitely be treated as equals, yet I will do all I can to be a loud voice against trans athletes creating an unfair inbalance in sports. That’s enough of that nonsense. Let’s end this article with a little Nashville Predators talk. It’s pretty early in the season to break down this team, but we have a body of work to look at. The Predators superstars have been shining, with a phenomenal top line. This team has a balanced roster on offense and defense, and two world class goalies. Add in the experience of a team that in the past two years won a Presidents Trophy and made it to the Stanley Cup Final . . . is this the Championship year? It seems wrong to criticize a team that has started off the 2018 season on top of the standings, but I will, because there truly are some problems. The power play has been awful. Watching the Predators on the man advantage is like watching a drill on passing—it has to be fixed, and I know it will get better, as there is too much talent on this team for it not to. The Predators need more from their other lines; the first line has been doing it all. This team won’t survive long as a top contender being a one-line team. Players like Johansen, Forsberg and Arvidsson have been phenomenal leading this starting line. It’s time for others to step up. Mattias Ekholm has stepped up as well. He looks poised for a breakout season, and that’s exciting—another defenseman with offensive instincts, scoring points. Put a cowboy hat on PK Subban and a catfish and beer in Taylor Lewan’s hands and I can already smell a Stanley Cup victory coming to Smashville. I am so excited about this NHL season. I watch every game. Granted, some are on DVR at 15x speed, but it’s loyalty and we only have so much time to enjoy all of life’s pleasures. For those of you who are still iffy about hockey in loyal Southern football country, give it a try. It has become one of my favorite pastimes. Time to wrap this thing up. Thanks to all my loyal readers, and also to my haters. I have learned haters make very loyal readers as well. I write for the Pulse because I genuinely love it. I can’t believe it’s been a decade now writing for this great publication. Grab life by the horns. That’s it—the Train is in the station. Choo choo! BOROPULSE.COM

* NOVEMBER 2018 * 41

Opinion Recent Economic Prosperity Could Make It Difficult for Democrats in November Elections

he midterm elections are just around the corner. A lot is riding on Nov. 6. The Republicans are hoping to strengthen the Trump agenda. By the Democrats’ own admission, this may be their last gasp at power. Why? Because the prosperity under President Trump is undeniable. That’s evident from the ads being run by Democrat candidates. They don’t put forth any bold ideas. They’re running on fear. Historically, that hasn’t been a wise bet.

We are living in a time of nearly unparalleled prosperity. Unemployment is at a 50-year low. Black and Hispanic unemployment are at historic lows. Unemployment for women hasn’t been this low in 65 years. The tax cuts mean more jobs, more money in the pockets of taxpayers, and an economy that’s on fire. If the Democrats aren’t able to take back the House or the Senate or both and slow down Trump’s agenda, there’s no telling how good the economy will be next year. If the economy remains on fire into 2020, it’s doubtful the American people are going to be pushing for change in the White House. The Democrats need to turn 23 seats in the House to take control of Congress. That’s a hernia-inducing lift by anybody’s calculation. Some of the so-called pundits have picked 10 bellwether seats that could portend the results of the election in November. One of them is the eighth congressional district in Minnesota. This is a union-heavy district that has gone to the Democrats all but two years since World War II. At the end of September the Democrat, Joe Radinovich, was leading by one point. In the latest poll conducted by the New York Times, the Republican, Pete Stauber, is up by 16 points! It’s funny, the so-called experts are no longer calling this a bellwether district. I understand that MN-8 is just one congressional

VIEWS OF A

CONSERVATIVE

PHIL VALENTINE

philvalentine.com

district, but does it give us a peek into November? That question is easier answered by understanding what’s happened in that district since the end of September. Two things: Kavanaugh and tariffs. These were two issues the Democrats were sure they could win with. The Kavanaugh plan was to ambush him with spurious accusations on the eve of the confirmation vote. We all saw how that played out. The Democrats unwittingly handed the Republicans a club with which to beat them about the head and shoulders. Tariffs were supposed to be the other easy mark for the Democrats. After all, the Republicans are so big on free trade yet they advocate punishing our trading partners with a tax on American consumers. That was supposed to be the narrative. Then came the soybean issue. The Democrats were certain Trump had stepped in it, and the Republicans right behind him, when the EU slapped a tariff on soybeans in retaliation for Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs. The Dems put all their soybeans in one basket and Trump kicked it over. After a general freak-out over soybeans and the European Union, Trump threatened to tariff cars coming from the EU. One can only imagine that Germany, which leads the EU in automobile exports, screamed at the European Commission to do something. Commission President JeanClaude Juncker was on the first flight to Washington and the next morning was standing beside President Trump in the Rose Garden to announce an agreement to work toward zero tariffs on soybeans. Voters in districts like MN-8 are loving it. The Dems have underestimated Trump just like they did in 2016. If MN-8 is typical, Nov. 6 could be a rough day for the Democrats.

“We are living in a time of nearly unparalleled prosperity. Unemployment is at a 50-year low. Black and Hispanic unemployment are at historic lows. Unemployment for women hasn’t been this low in 60 years.”

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Phil Valentine is an author and nationally syndicated radio talk show host with Westwood One. For more of his commentary and articles, visit philvalentine.com.

SPIRITUAL

MATTERS

be man. This description of John’s molds our understandBY RICK ing of how Jesus, as the God/ MALONE man is the only one uniquely “cut out” to fulfill the mission the Father sent Him to accomplish. But these are not the only ways we see John stressing the uniqueness of Jesus. The “I am” statements, which run through this gospel (statements like “I am the bread of life,” “I am the light of the world” and so on) are clear declarations by Jesus of His distinct identity. The phrase “I am” is the highest and holiest name given to God in the Old Testament. We are familiar with this name as Yahweh or Jehovah, a name which was so esteemed Jewish people refrained from uttering it aloud. This exalted name of God first appears in the third chapter of the book of Exodus. God on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). calls to Moses from a bush which “was Only Jesus was uniquely qualified to acburning, yet it was not consumed” (Exodus complish this work of redemption, and John 3:2). Out of this miraculous manifestation, highlights this uniqueness in his gospel. He God commissions Moses to be the deliverer gives us not only the heavenly perspective of the children of Israel from their bondof the mission of Christ, but of the person of age to Egypt. And, in return Moses says, Christ. He does this in several ways. First, “If I come to the people of Israel and say as we have seen, John refers to Jesus as the to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent “Word” or Voice of the Father. Jesus is the me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his revelation of the incomprehensible God, revealing not only the person of God, but the name?’ what shall I say to them?” God responds to Moses by giving a name life of God to us, that we may enter that life. for Himself He had not previously used. “In the beginning was the Word . . . and 14 God said to Moses, I am who I am.” in the Word, was life” (John 1:1–4). And he said, “Say this to the people of But John goes further to call Jesus the Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” “light” which shines in the darkness of this This name seems strange at first glance, but world. God uses it to reassure Moses and children of “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the dark- Israel of His covenant faithfulness to them. He is the never-changing One, the One who ness, and the darkness has not overcome always “is as He is.” Self-existing and selfit” (John 1:4–5). sustaining. Just as the bush which burned Distinct from the rest of mankind, without being consumed, God is the perpetual Jesus is the divine light which has entered light needing nothing to feed His fire. human darkness. Christ’s mission was to This reassurance was needful. God’s bring the light of God into the world. Yet, people had been in bondage for 400 years. He can only do this if He shares in the esThey would have reason to question the sence of that divine light with the Father. faithfulness of God. But God tells Moses to He must be God. And, at the same time, He remind the people that He had not forgotcan only bring that divine light into human ten the covenant He made with the patridarkness if He shares in that humanity. archs of that family. He is the same God He This is why Paul says Jesus came “in the has always been, and He never changes. He likeness of sinful flesh” (Romans 8:3). is “I Am.” So, with this name, God sends As He is God, He must simultaneously

A Unique Individual WHEN MICHAEL PHELPS WAS IN the process of winning his 23 Olympic gold medals for swimming, I remember seeing a special program devoted to his unique physical traits, his body dimensions, the length of his torso, the build of his arms and legs, the size of his chest cavity. All these attributes, when fully developed, made him physically an almost perfect swimming machine. Of course, there was an immense amount of discipline and hard work invested, but his inherent physical makeup enabled that discipline and hard work to develop Michael into the greatest Olympic swimmer ever. Michael is one example of a person who is uniquely “cut out” for the task they fulfill in life. Throughout history, we see numerous examples of this. Militarily, only a “Julius Caesar” could have orchestrated the rise of the Roman Empire. Politically, only a “Queen Elizabeth I” could have kept Britain united during a time of great social and religious reformation. And only a “Winston Churchill” could have held that nation together in the Second World War during an almost daily barrage of bombing from German forces. Each of these people stepped into the roles that only they were destined to fulfill. Last month we looked at the heavenly perspective John gives us of Christ’s mission. Instead of seeing Jesus’ life and death as only an historical tragedy, John walks us to heaven and opens our eyes to the greater story that was going on behind the scenes of this temporal theater. In His death, Jesus was ultimately fulfilling a legal transaction with the Father to redeem a people to Himself from out of fallen humanity. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged

“But Jesus does more than just associate Himself with the Old Testament God of ‘I am.’ In His lengthy teachings, or discourses, Jesus couples that name with seven metaphorical statements He uses to describe Himself.”

Moses to deliver His people from the bondage of their slavery. As we come to John’s gospel in the New Testament, Jesus uses this exalted name over 20 times to speak, not of the Father, but of Himself. He tells the Pharisees, “before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). He tells the woman at the well as she speaks of the Messiah, “I am, who speaks to you” (John 4:26). He tells His frightened disciples who see Him walking on the water, “I am, do not be afraid” (John 6:20). In each of these instances John allows us to see that Jesus is more than just a man walking the dusty roads. He is the “I Am,” the faithful covenant God of Israel. But Jesus does more than just associate Himself with the Old Testament God of “I am.” In His lengthy teachings, or discourses, Jesus couples that name with seven metaphorical statements He uses to describe Himself. “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35, 48, 51) “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12, 9:5) “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7–9) “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11–14) “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25) “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6) “I am the true vine” (John 15:1) These statements connect the great spiritual needs of humanity with the work Jesus came to accomplish. They are statements which reflect God’s Old Testament provision and care for His people. By attributing them to Himself, Jesus declares that He is the fulfillment of the faithfulness of God. He meets the ultimate needs of God’s people. He gives us bread, not from manna in the wilderness, but from His own death. He gives us the life of His resurrection. He gives us the light of a new creation. He is our door, our way back into a communion with the Father. Like a shepherd, He cares for us in the journey of this life. Like a sturdy grapevine, He sustains us and nourishes our new life in Him. All these are ultimately pictures of Christ’s unique identity which enables Him to accomplish His redemptive work. Just as Winston Churchill’s ultimate calling in life was to sustain England in her darkest hour, Jesus is the one and only, who can sustain us in our darkness. God sent Moses to Egypt to deliver the Old Testament children from bondage. In a greater fulfillment of this act, the Father sent the Son into this world to be our deliverer. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:4–5). BOROPULSE.COM

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Opinion Higher Thoughts for Everyday Living Vol. XI MIDDLE TENNESSEE HYPNOTIST,

philosopher and motivator M.C. Radford encourages everyone to think positively and live life with a healthy, optimistic attitude. Here, he shares more points from his book Higher Thoughts for Everyday Living, suggesting that readers meditate on one each day—and be amazed at the positive changes that transpire in their lives. A man went to the doctor and was told he would get much sicker. He went to another doctor and was told he would get better fast—which he did. Doctors have killed many people by telling them they only have so much time to live. Witch doctors do it all the time, and many of them are loose in many cities all over America.

There are two kinds of people, the deciders and the undeciders. The undeciders live in fear, because they are afraid of making a mistake. A guided missile hits a target by making a lot of mistakes, then correcting them. It keeps making decisions until it reaches its target. Now that is a decision maker.

You make the right decision by making any decision. That allows you to correct your mistakes. And you can learn from each mistake.

If you are in business, treat all your customers like royalty and you will always have all the business you can handle.

Many people are always trying to discover themselves. This is impossible because you must create yourself.

It makes no difference what you call God. You may call him Jehovah, Allah, Brahma, Vishnu, reality, infinite intelligence, the healing presence, the over soul, the divine mind, the architect of the universe, the supreme being, the life principle, the living spirit or the creative power. The point is, your belief or conviction about God governs and gives direction to your whole life.

Universal mind power is the greatest power in the world. Whatever you desire, this power can fulfill that desire for you. The power is your mind, which is one with the universal mind.

Prayer is contacting, communicating and aligning your thoughts with the universal intelligence that responds to the nature of your thoughts and beliefs.

In World War II, English “Colonel Whittlesey” had his whole regiment memorize and, on a regular basis, repeat the ninety-first Psalm, called the “psalm of protection.” Through five years of war, the regiment never lost one man.

Everyone has faith: Do you have faith in failure or success? Keep your attention on what you want and you will start to have faith and belief in it.

Your imagination will bring you everything you desire. Everyone who has accomplished good or great things first did it in their imagination.

If you continue the worry habit, you may attract what you are worrying about. When you worry, you are praying for what you don’t want.

Be thankful for everything you have, and more will be added to you. Complain about your lack and attract more lack.

Being thankful will open the way to prosperity. A thankful attitude improves every department of your life.

Discontent and unsatisfactory conditions are the front-runner of deepseated and destructive disease. Medical treatment may relieve the symptoms but does not cure the disease. The disease will find its way into even worse symptoms in another part of your body.

The universe is governed by laws. The more you learn the laws and how to use them, the better your life can become. That is what Jesus taught—the laws. If ministers would only learn that the answer to prayer is subject to law.

When we learn the creative principle and understand our unity with the universal principle, we shall appear to be favored because we shall have found the source of wisdom and power.

Would you believe that diabetes can be caused by anxiety? You must learn to relax, not with pills, but with the control of your mind.

When you worry, you are throwing mental bricks at whatever you are worrying about. You are attracting what you don’t want.

The answer to prayer is the operation of a natural law. So you can pray with feeling for good weather or a storm, and you can bring about either.

There is a mental attitude and a mental cause behind all accidents, fires, wars and calamities. Man is cause; he is also effect.

What is your concept of God? Do you know that the answer you give to that question determines your whole future? You will experience the results of the nature of your belief about God.

Dr. Hans Selye, at the University of Montreal’s Institute of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, demonstrated the destructive effect of worry, fear, and anxiety on the general defense system of the body.

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When building a bridge, the engineer visualizes the finished product. The mental image must precede the finished product. The engineer knows he can do it. That is true prayer. Imagination, visualization and concentration are all spiritual activities. This is because spirit is the creative principle of the universe.

All super salespeople appeal to the emotions, not the intellect, of the prospect. This is also true for evangelists, politicians, trial lawyers, demagogues, etc. They all know that when the emotions are aroused, intellect goes out the window.

Every cell in your body has intelligence. You have an immune system, and in your immune system you have many cells. Every cell has a job to do to keep your body healthy; and they will do a good job if we don’t interfere by introducing negative thinking, such as dwelling on sickness instead of good health.

Example: Germs are only little people trying to get along. You should not fight germs. As Jesus said, “Resist not evil.” If you keep your immune system built up, germs will never harm you. You do this by having a happy, positive attitude.

No one consciously wants to be sick. No one consciously wants to be in poverty, unloved or unsuccessful. Yet if you have any of these circumstances in your life, just as surely as the sun rises, you have ordered them for yourself.

A truck is driving down the road of life. The driver experiences life as he drives on. A passenger is sitting in the back of the truck, hanging his legs over the tailgate; he only sees where he has been. Which one are you?

;

M.C. Radford will answer any questions on the mind, brain, body, spirit, hypnosis, cybernetics, parapsychology or metaphysics. He can help eliminate smoking, excess weight, fears, phobias, sexual problems, insomnia, anxiety, stage fright and other issues. For improved confidence, motivation and concentration, and to take control over your life, body and mind, call M.C. today at 615-351-2939.

 RECOMMENDED READING “This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America. Within the U.S., you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.” — books.google.com

Ecce Deus

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

Ch. IX

The Church - Part 2 The church thus resting upon a basis so easily comprehensible, it may be interesting to inquire why all who are avowedly ruled by the same faith and philanthropy do not meet as one church, without distinction or difference of any kind whatever. As the conditions and credentials of membership are so simple, why should there be anything sectarian amongst Christian men? This iniquity throws us back, not upon Christ, but upon human nature: in human nature there are endless varieties of temperament, capacity, culture, susceptibility and relationship. Besides this, two things are to be taken into consideration: first, that upon the two fundamental principles the church can never be divided, for by the denial of either it loses status, it ceases to be a church; and second, that since Christ’s day we have had the Epistles, which discuss some theological points and enter into various details, on the interpretations of which readers may fairly differ. Men are not saved by interpretations of apostolic epistles. They have the common organs of criticism at hand, and are responsible for their right use. A number of men may gather round each verse in each epistle, and found as many sects as there are verses, and yet the church may be an unbroken whole. The grandeur of Christ’s work is seen in that it descends below all possibility of difference or breach. The differences occasioning denominationalism are but as the variously formed members of the body, while the church is as united and vital as the heart. No doubt the Epistles have considerably divided men upon various points; still the church is so much richer by the possession of these letters, so full of mixed experience and so fervent with the passion of an absorbing love. It is certainly better, even on the lowest ground, to have them than to be without them, though they do furnish a wide ground of controversy. It is impossible but that Peter and Paul, James and John, should write many things as coming immediately from the lips of the Lord, and that, according to their various constitutions of mind, they should present doctrines in more or less of a characteristic

manner. If the writers had different methods, how can the readers fail to receive different impressions? The only teacher who can expect to preside over a united school is Euclid; but even Euclid would soon find that, if there were two methods of drawing a straight line, his school would be broken up into parties. They differ about it, yet they love it; they fight with one another about it, and yet unite against any man who would injure it. Little questions cannot permanently divide mankind; great questions will always divide men, yet always unite them at some point. Men would hardly fight about the best method of training a child. So all through life; the deeper the question, the deeper the opposition; men who would only laugh at a magician might crucify a Christ. On the whole it may be doubted whether differences, properly argued, are not of advantage to religious progress. Now and again somewhat violent attempts are made to bring about visible unity in the Christian denominations, but they do more harm than good by calling attention to differences which are not vital. All strained efforts after denominational unity are by their very nature bad. Unity must come, not through schemes, but through vitality, and it would be well if the most zealous charity would cease from its favorite pastime of setting traps for the capture of denominations. What is denominationalism but an inconvenient convenience? Rise or fall, it does not affect the church as we have ventured now to define it. As men reside in different houses, and are yet inhabitants of the same city, so Christians may worship under different denominational polities and forms, and yet love the same Savior. It would be as reasonable to reduce all soldiers to the same stature in order to present a commanding front of patriotism, as to bring all denominations under one polity to exemplify Christian unity. The world is educated by opposition, and it is more than doubtful whether such a world as it is could be educated in any other way. Men may be “provoked” even “to love and good works.” Union will be best attested by charity—not charity in any low sense, but charity as a phase of justice; not the charity that condescends, but the charity which concedes on equal terms. Wherever infallibility is claimed, the possibility of union is a blank: where liberty is conceded, union is already a fact. Christ is in all denominations where he is loved. The Romanist feels that he needs the crucifix, the penance, the Virgin Mother, the intermediate fire: let him have them; he will be saved, not by the alloy,

but by the fine gold. The Protestant offers a less ornate worship: let him do so; he will be heard, not for his sternness, but for his sincerity. The Trinitarian firmly holds the doctrine of the triune Godhead, and the reverent Unitarian feels that if he has finished with Ecce Homo instead of with Ecce Deus, he will ultimately be led by gentle chiding to exclaim, “My Lord and my God!” Men are saved by the crucified Christ, not by the superscription which Pilate wrote. We have endeavored broadly to mark the difference between the church and a sect. By an undue (may we not say criminal?) protrusion of the sectarian phase of religious life, a most erroneous idea respecting the church has been encouraged. If a man has not accepted a sect, it is often contended that he has not entered the church. Take an illustration: in some places the approach to the table of communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is considered as the sign of church membership; but before that table can be approached, the intending communicant must undergo some kind of official examination as to his theological views. Where is Christ’s authority for this? Does not such an inquiry proceed upon the principle that the Lord’s Supper is an administration rather than a communion—something to be dispensed by a superior hand rather than taken with a trembling joy by the man himself? In such a service who could be elevated to the dignity of an administrator? For mere convenience the emblems may be dispensed by the teacher or his assistants; but this is an arrangement required by order, not a superiority conferred by God. Around the cross all men are equal; around the table, which represents the cross, all men must be equal too. But this equality cannot coexist with the idea of dispensation. Men cannot meet in any official capacity whatsoever at the Lord’s table; there they may assemble only as persons for whom the body was broken and the blood shed. The clergyman is not a clergyman, the officer is not an officer, when seated at the board of communion; the communicants are there as sinners who have accepted salvation through Jesus Christ. But is not examination needed? Yes, but it must be self-examination. Paul’s words are explicit: “Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.” It is feared that an open table might be taken advantage of by designing persons. The answer to this is evident: no plan will keep out designing persons; they can accommodate themselves to any process; if unworthy persons do approach the table, they eat and drink to their own condemnation, not to the condemnation of other people. This is in striking accord with all that we have seen in the life of Christ, who continually threw men back upon their own consciousnesses and compelled them to judge their own actions; it is, too, in perfect harmony with the liberty which he came to inaugurate and establish among men. If men choose to build places of worship,

and to lay down special regulations and conditions of attendance or membership, they may be at liberty to do so; but no man can ever be at liberty to alter the terms upon which salvation is offered to the world. He who attempts to do so is guilty of the worst form of blasphemy. The sect which has perverted a communion into dispensation has interfered with the incommunicable prerogative of Christ. No man can dispense the light, or the wind, or the rain, or any of the primary forces or gifts of God; no more can any man dispense, except in the way of mere order, the body and blood of God’s Son. In the widest sense, Christ gives himself; of such a gift there cannot be a secondary giver—hence communion alone can save the dignity and value of the gift. The place of the Lord’s Supper in the church is a subject on which diversity of opinion prevails. At first sight the idea of eating and drinking together suggests a socialism of fellowship in Christ, and pleasing sentiments of equality before God, both of which are perfectly true, and yet other and more may be meant by this communion. It is pleasant to think that in such common things as bread and wine Christ found emblems of himself; pleasant also to think of a whole community coming together from time to time to ratify their bonds. But is not all this beside the mark? With regard to the idea of hospitality, Paul sharply reproved the Corinthians for their practice at the table. “What,” said he, “have ye not houses to eat and drink in? . . . If any man hunger, let him eat at home.” The social idea, it would appear, however pleasant in itself, was not the idea contemplated in the establishment of the Communion. Men could not be social around the broken body of any man, specifically of any man whom they had accepted as their Lord. However sacredly some persons may regard a club dinner, it ought to be borne in mind that bread and wine are not mere viands for refreshment, but the emblems of Christ’s body and blood. Only cannibals could dine, in any sense of a club dinner, off a crucified man. There must then, we think, be something more, something deeper too, than the idea of friendliness or fellowship. Christ’s own explanation ought to be final: “Take, eat,” said he; “this is my body, broken for you;” “This cup is the new testament in my blood.” The author Friedrich Nietzsche, in his book Ecce Homo, says: “A common meal is the most natural and universal way of expressing, maintaining and as it were, ratifying relations of friendship.” This is true in itself, but the very idea of a “meal” is foreign to the spirit of this communion. As established by Christ, the Supper did not refer to “relations of friendship,” but exclusively to himself. Is it not so? The terms of service, as cited by the New Testament writers, certainly imply it: “This do in remembrance of me;” and again, “This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” What is CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 BOROPULSE.COM

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there about “friendship” here? That “friendship” would be purified and elevated by such an act is undoubted, but what was the primary idea of the Supper? Not only is it written, “This do in remembrance of me,” but also, “As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” And why retain the memory of that event? Because it was “for you:” “This is my body, which is given to you”—“This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” The personal interest of the communicant in the sacrifice of Christ is the reason for preserving the memory of “the Lord’s death.” The author of Ecce Homo also says: “It is precisely this intense personal devotion, this habitual feeding on the character of Christ, so that the essential nature of the master seems to pass into and become the essential nature of the servant—loyalty carried to the point of self-annihilation—that is expressed by the words of ‘eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ.’” We think there is some confusion of the idea here. Men could have “fed on the character of Christ” without having a sacrament, so to speak, imposed on them; but they could not “show forth” the Lord’s death without a sacrament, the very idea of “showing forth” requiring visibility and symbolism. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial. It does not necessarily imply the joint act of a number of persons. A single man man show forth his

“Lord’s death.” The club idea is not in the nature of the service at all. Men stand in a personal, not in an associated relation to that death, and the communion must be personal, not one with another, but each with the Lord. The club idea is more pertinent to the church coming together to feed on the divine Word as it may be read and expounded publicly. In the Old and New Testament men are often represented as eating and drinking the Word of God, and as speaking to one another about the bounty and goodness of the feast. Job said, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than any necessary food.” The Psalmist said, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth;” and Jesus himself said, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Men are invited to “eat and drink abundantly,” and to let their “soul delight itself in fatness,” and God is proclaimed as making “unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees (the sediment in the wine barrel) well refined.” There is much in this imagery to favor the idea of a club dinner, and to give a meaning to the expression, “feeding on the character of Christ.” If it be suggested that each man should partake of the Lord’s Supper privately, the suggestion would involve the cessation of all public service; men can pray

alone, sing alone, read alone; but Christ called men to himself, constituted those who came into a church, and that church is today his representative and the treasurer of his testimony. With regard to the expression “eat my flesh and drink my blood,” it should be noted that it was not used in connection with Supper. It forms part of an appeal to the general multitude which pursued Christ after the distribution of the loaves and fishes. He knew that the people sought him because they “did eat of the loaves and were filled,” and thereupon he discoursed concerning himself as “the living bread which came down from heaven.” His method of putting the case was likely to create strife among the literalists who heard him; and as the Jews “strove among themselves saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ Jesus answered, ‘Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you: whoso eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him.’” The circumstances clearly show that the expression did not relate to the Supper, but was part of what we should now regard as a sermon or a religious address. In this sense there is no incongruity in rendering it as equivalent to “feeding on the character of Christ.” The hearers had eaten of the natural bread, and as usual Christ conducted them to a spiritual interpretation of natural circumstances, and so put himself

before them as the living bread, a strong figurative representation of his person and work. It is though he had said—You have eaten of the bread that perishes; as that bread nourishes the body; there is another bread which nourishes the mind; as the body could not exist without the former, so the mind must die without the latter; I myself am the living bread, the mind must feed upon me specially provided for its quickening. To press the allegory further would be unjust, and would bring other allegories under an interpretation which would be absurd. Also to associate the expression with the Supper is to put it out of place, and to force upon the Supper violent and untenable meanings. Christ founded his church upon a common faith and a common philanthropy; the church is one and indivisible; the sect is not to be confounded with the church; the church is immortal, the sect is temporary; entrance into the church is purely a transaction between Christ and the individual; within the church there is a sacrament called The Lord’s Supper, a sacrament which is not a dispensation, but a communion, a sacrament which may be approached without official examination, but not without severe self-inquest; the Supper is a memorial and a hope—not a club dinner, even in its most refined and legitimate sense, but a special communion between the communicant and the Lord.