November 2021 Murfreesboro Pulse by The Murfreesboro Pulse

INSIDE

WOOTEN BROTHERS / BEAT CREEPS / DEWDROP JAMBOREE / SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER / BUSINESS BUZZ NOVEMBER 2021 / VOL. 16, ISSUE 11 / FREE

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

Local Artists Open Workshops for Art Studio Tour, Nov. 20–21

EVENT

Big Creek Winery Tasting Room Winter Market, Nov. 21 & Dec. 5

Live Music Revival Concerts return to the Walnut House, Sisters Wade Revival performs full band Christmas show Dec. 3

FOOD

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THANK YOU MURFREESBORO! From all of us to all of you—we are so grateful for your support and loyalty. We are proud to be Murfreesboro’s most awarded and longest serving martial arts school and we pledge to continue to serve you and our community. Sensei Bill Taylor Instructors and Staff

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Contents

24 18

FEATURES

IN EVERY ISSUE

SISTERS WADE REVIVAL Wayfaring sisters to perform Dec. 3 Christmas concert at Walnut House.

ART STUDIO TOUR

Seven local workshops open doors to public for annual tour, Nov. 20–21.

24 28

Peter Demos carries on father’s restaurant legacy.

17 Reviews

18 Living GARDENING Grow microgreens.

BUSINESS MOMENTUM Businesses honor veterans year-round.

34 Opinion POSITIVE PARENTING Chores and allowances

RESTAURANT Fresh Bite

26 Art

CONCERT CALENDAR A Night of Folk, Robyn Taylor, Jolly String Quartet, World Turning Band and more

THEATER Sweeney Todd; Little Women— the Musical

Advertising: Nneka Sparks

FINANCIAL EDUCATION Invest your way out of debt.

BUSINESS BUZZ Prohibition Home Brewing, Cajun Steamer, FKS Kitchen, The Abbey

Operation Song aids Military Veterans

Copy Editor: Steve Morley

28 News

MOVIE Dune

20 Food

The Beat Creeps at Liquid Smoke

Art Director: Sarah Mayo

Publisher/Editor in Chief: Bracken Mayo

ALBUMS Jerry Fox John Salaway

NATURE NEWS Leave the leaves.

The Wooten Brothers at Notes Lounge

Tennessee Small Business Development Center offers free resources to help local entrepreneurs succeed.

MURFREESBORO’S STEAKHOUSE

CALENDAR The Wall That Heals, Cookin’ to Build, Tennessee Philharmonic Veterans Concert, Cannon County Country Christmas and more

MUSIC NOTES Dewdrop Jamboree at Washington Theatre

Local music publicist Mary Ann Kaylor-Griffiths releases cookbook.

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Sounds

GET COOKING

BE YOUR OWN BOSS

6 Events

EXHIBIT Science of Creativity

Contributors: Tiffany Boyd, Tony Bradshaw, Melissa Coker, Jennifer Durand, Delores Elliott, Bryce Harmon, Tyler Larrabee, Laura Lindsay, Blaine Little, Zach Maxfield, Ashleigh Newnes, Reanna Sarieh, Edwinna Shannon, Jay Spight, Andrea Stockard

FREE YOUR CHILDREN Home schooling: Don’t muddy the waters. SPORTS TALK Titans ride great win streak into November. LIVE . . . WELL Express yourself.

Copyright © 2021, The Murfreesboro Pulse, 714 W. Main St., #208, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Proudly owned, operated and published the first Thursday of each month by the Mayo family; printed by Franklin Web Printing Co. The Pulse is a free publication funded by advertisers. Views expressed in the Pulse do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. ISSN: 1940-378X

714 W. Main St., Suite 208, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 615-796-6248 To carry the PULSE at your business, or to submit letters, stories and photography: bracken@boropulse.com SIGN UP for the Pulse Weekly Digital Newsletter at BOROPULSE.COM/NEWSLETTER FOLLOW:

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The Murfreesboro Pulse

I AM THOROUGHLY PRIVILEGED AND PLEASED to find myself in a career where I get to interact with and learn from such a varied cast of interesting characters. Furniture store owners, pizza, taco, barbecue and empanada restaurant owner/operators; bulldog breeders, concert promoters, copy editors, bowling center operators, babies, green belt candidates, home-school moms, college professors, sales professionals, mortgage lenders, barbers, friends, family, vendors, musicians, panhandlers, millionaires, personal trainers, hotel staff, government employees, state representatives, marketing professionals, pilots, healthcare workers, real estate professionals, Titans fans, doughnut makers, programmers, screen printers, bankers, bakers and venue operators— my life involves a lot of talented, quality people. What an interesting existence and variety of personalities and specializations with whom I get the opportunity to communicate, do business and visit. I don’t always spend as much time with each of you as I would like, but I value and take away some meaning and education from nearly every little interaction. It takes a whole array of people and skills to make the town go ’round. Ready to launch an entrepreneurial career of your own? Launch your own business and bring your vision, expertise and specialty to the world! A new business owner may be excellent at providing their primary product or service, but some may need some guidance on how to design a brochure, pay payroll taxes, create a custom sales form, or how to write and execute a business plan or obtain funding. Check out the Tennessee Small Business Development Center; that’s what they do—help small business owners get better in the necessary areas. Read more on page 28. Or, are you feeling led to leave your current employer because of their new vaccine or mask policy? Has cancel culture shut down your job or gotten you fired? Start your own business and call your own shots! However, for those simply ready to work and in need of a job, now is a great time to get hired. Companies all over are begging for more workers and raising pay across the board during this unique time. I hear it every day from small restaurants and large manufacturing and distribution operations—“we need people!” Most every business owner in the area seems convinced that they can do more capacity and serve more customers with more workers on their team. Many of them are not necessarily looking for people who even know their industry or have any work experience at all—just someone who shows up! So many business owners in every corner of town are ready and willing to train newcomers in what they are good at, to show others their skills and how their business runs, and are confident that they have the potential customer base to justify onboarding new team members now. There are few excuses why able-bodied and ableminded individuals shouldn’t be doing something productive for themselves, or for another organization that they believe in and feel some passion and interest for. What are you working on?

Peace, BRACKEN MAYO Publisher/Editor in Chief

EVENTS CALENDAR  NOVEMBER 2021  BY ANDREA STOCKARD NOV. 4

support the many businesses on the Square like Murfreesboro Axe, Beau & Burch, Empanada Sonata, The Write Impression, Liquid Smoke, Vibe Nutrition and others. Many shops stay open later than normal on Friday (5–8 p.m.) and all day Saturday. For more information on participating downtown businesses, visit mainstreetmurfreesboro.org.

TODDLER TIME IN CANNONSBURGH VILLAGE Get creative with Toddler Time in the Village: Fall Trees & Paper Craft at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) on Thursday, Nov. 4, from 10–11 a.m. Kids are led in walking around the village to explore the many colors of fall followed by a craft. Admission is $3 per person and reservations are required. Make your reservation by contacting 615-801-2606 or mbnevills@murfreesborotn.gov. Ages 5 and under are welcome. For more information, ﬁnd the event on Facebook.

NOV. 6 FALL WREATH CRAFT FOR KIDS On Saturday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m., kids ages 2–12 and their parents can visit The Wilderness Station at Barﬁeld Crescent Park to make a seasonal fall wreath to hang on the door or window. There will be different options; one wreath is made out of paper leaves and the other is a “what I’m thankful for” wreath. All materials will be provided; no registration required. Cost is $3 per child. Wilderness Station is located at 401 Volunteer Rd., Murfreesboro.

NOV. 4 CELEBRITY SPELLING BEE Nine local celebrities put their reputations on the line Thursday, Nov. 4, at the 15th annual Celebrity Spelling Bee benefiting Read To Succeed. This year’s competitors include Frank Caperton, photographer and historian; Delon Eckles, Smyrna firefighter; Lori Cutler, Redstone Federal Credit Union; Dr. Echell Eady, Tennessee College of Applied Technology; Essence Brisco, Rutherford County Works; Justin Holder, Parks Realty; Robin Seay, Parks Realty; Lisa Trail, Murfreesboro City Schools; and James Evans, Rutherford County Schools. The Celebrity Spelling Bee serves as Read To Succeed’s largest fundraiser of the year, averaging over $65,000 in donations and sponsorships for the Murfreesborobased nonprofit. These funds are used to promote literacy for children and adults throughout Rutherford County. For more information, contact Anthony Czelusniak at mediaevents@readtosucceed.org or visit readtosucceed.org/celebrity-bee. Tune into the spelling bee on the Read to Succeed Facebook page.

NOV. 5 TOP GUN NIGHT RUN The 2021 Top Gun Night Run 6K is Friday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. in Lee Victory Recreation Park (110 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E., Smyrna). The 3.7-mile course travels through the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport and Smyrna Municipal Golf Course, with the ﬁnish line at the Captain Jeff Kuss USMC Memorial. The run will be chip-timed, USATF-certiﬁed and lim6 * NOVEMBER 2021 * BOROPULSE.COM

NOV. 6 A NIGHT OF FOLK Ridenour Rehearsal Studios presents Night of Folk on Saturday, Nov. 6 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Night of Folk will feature Chloe Kimes, a Michigan native and Nashville local who exemplifies the new generation of folk singing troubadours with relentless honesty in her poignant story and song. The headliner will be TopHouse, an alternative folk/Americana band originally from Missoula, Montana. Now based in Nashville, the group provides a high-energy blend of music pulled from their influences of rock, bluegrass, classical, and Irish. An impressive display of musical talent, songwriting, tight harmonies and energetic live performance has enabled TopHouse to catch the attention of venues throughout the country. Tickets for A Night of Folk are $10, available at Eventbrite. Ridenour Rehearsal studios is located at 1203 Park Ave., Murfreesboro. ited to only 650 participants. Register for the Top Gun Night Run 6k at runsignup. com or in person at the Smyrna Parks and Recreation office (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E.). The $50 entry fee includes a T-shirt and a custom medal awarded at the finish line. Winners of each division receive an additional award. All proceeds benefit the future upkeep and maintenance of the memorial. Those attending are encouraged to bring their chairs and blankets. Coolers are allowed (but no alcohol). Jogging strollers are allowed in this event (please start behind all of the runners to minimize the risk of collisions or congestion). Children riding in a stroller do not have to register, unless they would like to receive a medal and a T-shirt. For more

NOV. 6 AMAZING ATL ATL

information, ﬁnd the Top Gun Night Run event on Facebook.

Come to Barfield Park and try your hand at this ancient spear-throwing technique on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. Atl atl use occurred all over the world in the early days of mankind—they were even used to hunt woolly mammoths! This program will provide historical information, instruction and a chance to target-throw. Though this program is free, please register by calling 615-2173017 or emailing hmeyer@murfreesborotn. gov. This program will meet in the open field next to Pavilion 7 in Barfield Park.

NOV. 5

NOV. 6

FALL HARVEST HAYRIDE

HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION

Listen to live music as you toast marshmallows and eat s’mores around the campﬁre on Friday, Nov. 5 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. An old-fashioned hayride along the Greenway is great fun for the whole family. There will also be a small section of other kids activities. Cost is $2 per person; ages 2 and under are free. The location is General Bragg Trailhead, 1450 W. College St.

NOV. 5–6 HOLIDAY MARKET Celebrate Downtown Murfreesboro and

Rutherford County welcomes the public to a free Household Hazardous Waste collection on Saturday, Nov. 6. Items can be taken to the City of Murfreesboro Solid Waste Department (4765 Florence Rd.) between 8 a.m.–noon. This is the only location where HHW items will be accepted; the event is free, and all households are encouraged to participate. Electronic waste is not accepted at this event; it is collected Monday–Thursday and CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 Saturday from 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (1140 Haley Rd.). Acceptable items include pesticides, fertilizers, strippers and thinners, driveway sealant, pool chemicals, mercury thermostats and thermometers, ﬂuorescent tubes and bulbs and medicines. For more information about the event, visit solidwaste.rutherfordcountytn .gov or call 615-898-7739.

NOV. 6 JOURNEY HOME PANCAKE BREAKFAST Whatever your topping is, join The Journey Home’s Annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 7–10 a.m., at Middle Tennessee Christian School (100 E. MTCS Rd.). Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes freshly prepared by The Journey Home volunteers, as well as coffee, juice and milk. Admission is by donation. Please get a ticket in advance; donations are also accepted at the door. All proceeds beneﬁt the programs and services of Journey Home, a Christian ministry that serves the homeless and disadvantaged of Rutherford County. For more information, contact lduangsay@lovegodservepeople. org or visit lovegodservepeople.org.

NOV. 6 TURKEY TEE OFF It’s “Fore” the children! The Child

Advocacy Center calls all sponsors and golfers to the 11th Annual Turkey Tee Off on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Cedar Crest Golf Course (7972 Mona Rd.). Registration and breakfast begin at 8 a.m. with tee-off at 9 am. Have your team picture taken, put your putting skills to the test, bid on items in the silent auction and aim for a chance to win the $10,000 hole-in-one contest. Grab a boxed lunch from Slick Pig BBQ after your round of golf. The Child Advocacy Center works to respond to child abuse cases, investigate the crime, aggressively prosecute offenders, help children heal and help families rebuild their shattered lives. Child abuse referrals have increased 16 percent since the pandemic began. Sign up to sponsor or play golf at cacrutherford.org/events and click on the turkey. For more information, contact kenzor@cacrutherford.org or 615-867-9000.

NOV. 6–7 NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY NASCAR DRIVING EXPERIENCE Get behind the wheel at Nashville Superspeedway and drive like the NASCAR pros on Nov. 6 and 7. Drive the race car by yourself with no instructor riding shotgun. All of the laps are hot laps and passing is allowed! The Rusty Wallace Racing Experience, which presents the event, is

NOV. 11–14 THE WALL THAT HEALS The Wall That Heals exhibit features a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The 2021 display of The Wall that Heals Murfreesboro Tennessee TriStar Display comes to Barﬁeld Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) Nov. 11–14. As on the permanent Vietnam Veterans Wall in the U.S. capital, the names on The Wall That Heals are listed by day of casualty. The replica features machine engravings of the more than 58,000 names along with modern LED lighting. The opening ceremony is Nov. 11 at 1430 (2:30 p.m.). On Nov. 12, at 1800 (6 p.m.) is the candlelight service. On Nov. 13, Rolling Thunder does a “Missing Man Table” presentation. On Nov. 14 at 1230 (12:30 p.m.) there will be a closing ceremony. All events are open to the public and the display is open 24 hours a day from Nov. 11–14. For more information, visit twthmidtn.org, contact 615-900-9700 or twthtristarinfo@gmail.com. the largest racing school in the country. Special discounted pricing is available for a limited time. For more information or to book, call 401-543-3278 or visit racewithrusty.com.

NOV. 10 LIVING SENT MINISTRIES

NOV. 6 COOKIN’ TO BUILD Join the Rutherford Country Area Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. for this year’s Cookin’ To Build. Tickets are $20 and include all-you-can-eat soup, desserts, drinks, crafts and games, music and entertainment, a hand-painted pottery bowl, an event tote bag and the joy of friends and neighbors. Various event supporters will provide their chili, soup, stew, gumbo and more. Pre-purchased ticket holders get in a half-hour early at 10:30 a.m. Sponsorships are appreciated; contact melissa@rchfh.org. For more information, ﬁnd a Cookin’ To Build event on Facebook.

Living Sent Ministries invites the public to the November 2021 Living Sent Murfreesboro meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 10, from 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. Joshua Rosales, the founder of Breakthrough Nashville and Breakthrough Resources, provides the application message. He is the host of Breakthrough U Podcast and is a ﬁery entrepreneur who is a mover and shaker in the nonproﬁt world. Jessica McElroy shares her amazing God Story about the twists and turns God has taken her through to develop the relationship she has with Him today. McElroy is an entrepreneur with a large social media following, and she is also a speaker for Biblically Conservative. A complimentary lunch is provided. Please RSVP to bob.williams@alhambrapartners.com.

NOV. 12 RUTHERFORD COUNTY

 Send community event information to CONTACT@BOROPULSE.COM

THEATRE CRAWL Rutherford Arts Alliance presents the first ever theatre crawl, an evening featuring local groups including Murfreesboro Little Theatre, Consider This, Bravo Boro, Radical Arts, Count Drahoon’s Feature of Fright and Borotellers. All groups are scattered throughout the beautiful grounds of Oaklands Mansion (900 N. Maney Ave.) for guests to roam and sample the incredible talent Rutherford County has to offer. Food trucks will be onsite. Guests can freely flow to each station and watch each troupe perform a sample of past, present or future productions. These presentations cover a wide selection of presentation forms, including radio theater, musicals, comedy, drama, story-telling and improvisational theater. For more information, find a Rutherford County Theatre Crawl event on Facebook.

NOV. 13 BORO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Come and celebrate the world right here in Murfreesboro with performances, food, vendors and an international games CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 BOROPULSE.COM

* NOVEMBER 2021 * 7

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

area for kids Saturday, Nov. 13, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., at the MTSU Student Union Courtyard. The festival is an international cultural festival in its ﬁfth year sponsored by Intercultural Awareness & Education Experience in partnership with MTSU and Murfreesboro City Schools. A children’s area offers a variety of games from several countries as well as crafts that represent those cultures. This year’s performers include MTSU’s Chinese Instrumental Ensemble, Lakota-Sioux hoop dancer Kevin Locke, steel drummer Tony Hartman, Ballet Folklorico Sol De Mexico, Spanish Flamenco artists and more. Admission and parking are free. For more information, ﬁnd Boro International Festival on Facebook.

NOV. 13 VFW PANCAKE BREAKFAST A new Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter, Stones River Post #12206, and Mt. Moriah Lodge #18 Free and Accepted Masons sponsor a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 13, from 7 a.m.–noon. It will be held at the Mt. Moriah Lodge, 1206 SE Broad St. Plates are $8. All are welcome. For more information, ﬁnd Stones River VFW Post 12206 on Facebook.

NOV. 15

CITIZEN SCIENCE: FEEDER WATCH Outdoor Murfreesboro is participating in Project Feederwatch through Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology. The project is a 30-plus-year dataset tracking backyard birds and their movements. This information contributes to larger knowledge about bird populations and migration patterns. Spend some time at the Wilderness Station tallying birds at their feeders on Nov. 15 from 8:30–10:30 a.m. You can do this from an outside or an inside vantage point. No base knowledge on bird species required. A staff member will available to assist, as well as ﬁeld guides. This is a great opportunity to not only contribute to scientiﬁc knowledge but instill in yourself or others a passion for research and the pursuit of new knowledge. This is a free event for ages 8 and up. Wilderness Station is located at 401 Volunteer Rd., Murfreesboro. For more information eamil hmeyer@murfreesborotn.gov.

NOV. 16 ECO-PRINTING Visit the Wildreness Station at Barﬁeld Crescent on Nov. 16 from 6–7 p.m. to learn eco-printing. Use resources from

NOV. 12 TENNESSEE PHILHARMONIC VETERANS CONCERT The Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates its 40th season while honoring past and present members of the military with “A Salute to Veterans” on Friday, Nov. 12, from 7–9 p.m., at Belle Aire Baptist Church (1307 N. Rutherford Blvd.). Enjoy all-time favorites such as “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Stars and Stripes” and the “Armed Forces Salute.” All ages are welcome; admission is free for all veterans. For more information, contact 615-898-1862 or info@tnphil.org. For tickets, visit tnphil.org.

the forest and an age-old technique to create one-of-a-kind pieces to take home and display. Registration is required by emailing lrosser@murfreesborotn.gov or calling 615-217-3017. Open to ages 10 and up.

NOV. 18 THE CONNECTION AT STRIKE & SPARE

NOV. 15 GREENHOUSE MINISTRIES STREET FAIR Come out to Greenhouse Ministries (307 S. Academy St.) as they celebrate the upcoming grand opening of their new building on Monday, Nov. 15, from 5–9 p.m. The street fair event will include food trucks, live music, street performers, carnival games, booths and prizes. All proceeds benefit Greenhouse Ministries towards the final phase of the new building. Tickets are $25 and include a free T-shirt. You can also purchase individual or large ticket orders at the Garden Patch store. For more information, contact info@greenhousemin.org. For tickets, visit greenhousemin.kindful.com/e/street-fair or find the event on Facebook.

8 * NOVEMBER 2021 * BOROPULSE.COM

Strike & Spare will host the November 2021 installment of The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18. 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. Murfreesboro Strike & Spare is located at 1720 Old Fort Pkwy., #2002, in Stones River Town Centre.

NOV. 19 HOMES FOR HEROES PulteGroup Tennessee invites the community to honor an American hero on Friday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m., as Homes for Heroes gives a mortgage-free home to veteran Christopher Lewis. Help celebrate Army Specialist Lewis and family as

they break ground on their new home in Rucker Landing (4409 Jack Faulk St.). Lewis joined the military to serve and protect his country, and said he wanted to be a light in the dark for those who had no hope. He joined out of Nashville in 2002 and served for 10 years. After being injured in an explosion while serving in Iraq, he now suffers numerous physical and mental difﬁculties. For more information, contact susan.chapin@pultegroup.com.

NOV. 19–20 CANNON COUNTY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS Enjoy shopping specials, refreshments, Christmas festivities and giveaways at the downtown Woodbury Square and at area participating merchants at the Cannon County Country Christmas, held Nov. 19 and 20 from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Vendors include Willow 210 Vintage Market, Sarah & Alli, Iron Pig Antiques, Anthony’s Flowers, Wellness Emporium and many more. Businesses stay open late on Friday. A parade begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Dillon Park (S. Dillon St.) and travels through town to thank the community. For more information, ﬁnd a Cannon County Country Christmas event page on Facebook. CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

 Send community event information to CONTACT@BOROPULSE.COM

NOV. 20 FERRELL HOLLOW FALL FESTIVAL The Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Horse & Cat Sanctuary Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (5323 Ferrell Hollow Rd., Readyville). FHFSHCS welcomes everyone to tour the Senior Horse & Cat Sanctuary and to learn about the programs. Guests can visit the memorial gardens and see the senior equine and feline residents. Unique merchandise is for sale and directly beneﬁts the sanctuary and its residents. Admission is free to the public, but donations and items for the horses and cats are very much appreciated. Support is needed to provide the quality of life the senior residents deserve. The mission is to advocate and care for special needs senior horses and cats that require a permanent sanctuary and are not afforded adequate care if left in their current situation. Many neglected senior draft horses destined for slaughter have been rescued and rehabilitated back to health. The cats are of geriatric age and are often from the local animal shelters. There are currently 10 horses and 23 cats. For more information, visit ferrellhollowfarm.org.

NOV. 20 SHABBY LANE HOLIDAY GIFT MARKET Shop for the holidays from over 70 local vendor booths at the Shabby Lane Holiday Gift Market on Saturday, Nov. 20 from 10

a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lane Agri Park, located at 315 John Rice Blvd., Murfreesboro. Admission is free. First 100 adult shoppers recieve free goody bags with holiday socks, and free holiday earrings go to the second 100 shoppers. For more information visit shabbylaneshoppingevents.com.

The American Musical Arts Group Presents A family-oriented music showcase presenting young, upcoming talent and encouraging musical legends to return to the stage

NOV. 20 AND 21 ART STUDIO TOUR This year the Stones River Craft Association presents the 28th Annual Art Studio Tour featuring Red Oak Pottery, Studio S Pottery, Popcorn Studio Pottery, Blue Pony Art Studio, Hickerson Woodworks, Turtleware Pottery and Elizabeth Bray Jewelry. Established in 1993, the annual Art Studio Tour gives visitors a glimpse into the working studios of local artisans and craftsmen. Mastering various elements, the artists produce one-of-a-kind treasures. Visit the studios to see where and how artwork is designed and made. The tour is a free community event made possible by sponsors who share in passion and excitement that brings this cultural event to the community. For more information, visit artstudiotour.org.

NOV. 25 FRIENDSGIVING CONCERT AND COMEDY Ms. Thaikia Presents: Friendsgiving at The Notes Lounge (2349A South Church St.) on Thursday, Nov. 25, from 7–11:30 p.m. Friendsgiving is a time for friends CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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CHRISTMAS MARKET AT BIG CREEK WINERY TASTING ROOM Shop for holiday gifts from local vendors, taste wine and have lunch at Miller’s Cafe on Sunday, Nov. 21, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 5, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Big Creek Winery tasting room is located at 7027 Main Street, Christiana.

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and family. Enjoy live music, comedy, a full cash bar and food to order alongside Ms. E-$Money$. Memphis soul staple Devin DC Crutcher, from the P-Diddy show Making the Band and currently a member of The Bar-Kays, performs with the Groove. The event also includes a performance by Wil Davenport and comedy from Slick Baby. For more information, ﬁnd the Friendsgiving event on Eventbrite.

NOV. 27 POST-THANKSGIVING HIKE AT MARSHALL KNOB Shake those post-Thanksgiving blues away. Meet in front of the Wilderness Station on Saturday, Nov. 27, at 8:30 a.m. to engage in a three-mile hike on the Marshall Knob Trail. This trail is of moderate difﬁculty, with plenty of roots and rocks along the way. The pace will be easy, but be prepared to be distracted by fungi, cool rocks and more. No registration required. Age 10 and up recommended due to length of the hike. Admission is free.

NOV. 30 GIVING TUESDAY The United Way of Rutherford & Cannon Counties will promote a fundraising drive on the GiveGab donor platform for Giving Tuesday on Tuesday, Nov. 30. The initiative beneﬁts various nonproﬁts in the community. For more information or to donate, visit rccgivingtuesday.org.

THURSDAYS GUARDIANS OF THE GREENWAY Join Outdoor Murfreesboro in the battle to keep our Greenway system clean of trash on Thursdays at 9 a.m. All equipment provided. All ages are welcome to participate in this free event. Locations: Nov. 4 – Thompson Lane Nov. 11 – Cason Trailhead Nov. 18 – Walter Hill Dec. 2 – Broad Street Trailhead Dec. 9 – General Bragg Dec. 16 – Southridge Dec. 23 – Redoubt Brannon

DEC. 3 CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS Celebrate Christmas with the ofﬁcial Rutherford County Tree Lighting in downtown Murfreesboro on Friday, Dec. 3. Performances take place on the stage in front of the courthouse from 6–7 p.m. Get pictures with Santa inside the courthouse, watch a Christmas movie playing outside on a screen under the stars and enjoy children’s activities outside including petting live reindeer from 7–9 p.m. The annual Rutherford County Christmas Tree Lighting is at 6 p.m. Bring a toy to drop off that night for a toy drive sponsored by Murfreesboro Nissan for the Child Advocacy Center and Boys and Girls Club. For more information, visit mainstreetmurfreesboro.org or ﬁnd Main Street Murfreesboro on Facebook.

THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER MURFREESBORO CHRISTMAS PARADE REGISTRATION Applications are now available to participate in the Murfreesboro Christmas Parade, taking place Sunday, Dec. 12. This year the event is co-hosted by WGNS Radio and the City of Murfreesboro. This year’s theme is “The Spirit of Christmas.” The parade route begins at MTSU’s campus on East Main Street and ends at the historic square. Find the entry form on the special events page at murfreesboroparks.com and on the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Facebook event page. The deadline to apply is Nov. 29. For more information, contact 615-6423723 or rsinger@murfreesborotn.gov. 10 * NOVEMBER 2021 * BOROPULSE.COM

DEC. 4 SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO DONUT COUNTRY Share sweet photos, sweet treats, and sweet memories with your family at Donut Country on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. Receive a ticket to see Santa with any purchase. This is one of Donut Country’s most popular events of the year, arrive at our Memorial Boulevard location to snag your spot. Parents may take their own pictures for free or may purchase photos from onsite photographer Sarah Lawrence of Little Tots Photography. The photo package includes three edited digital images with a 48-hour turnaround for just $20.

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Sounds

Read more about local music at

boropulse.com/category/music

Sisters Sing Sisters Wade Revival Sets Dec. 3 Holiday Show at Walnut House BY MELISSA COKER

hey may be poor, wayfaring strangers—but stranger still, this knowledge may be just the motivation Sisters Wade Revival needed to keep on keeping on. Back in the days of barely-pre-Y2K, many associated the name Sisters Wade (Julie and Deb Wade, respectively) with industry organizations such as Billboard, CMT, TNN, William Morris Agency and (maybe most notably) Charlie Daniels. The group had a standing house gig at Tootsie’s in Nashville for two years and, as the story goes, one day Daniels walked into the bar to hear them and their band, the HipWaders, and immediately fell in love. “These girls remind me of the babbling brook out back of my house when I was a kid—so fresh and pure you could drink from it,” Daniels once declared of the singing siblings. Sisters Wade released their self-titled debut on Daniels’ Blue Hat Records label in 1999. In 2004 they self-released a follow-up, Walls of Time, but that title turned into a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy as the time constraints of raising a family, and other personal developments, soon became a barrier to a music industry career. Fast forward to early 2019, and the duo decided to do a 20th anniversary reunion show with the Waders to celebrate that first album release. The suc-

16 * NOVEMBER 2021 * BOROPULSE.COM

cess led to a thirst for more, and so the intended one-time event marked a real return for Sisters Wade—now known in this chapter as Sisters Wade Revival. By December of that same year, the recently reformed and critically acclaimed sister act was enjoying fresh success, thanks to the “Wayfaring Stranger” single. The track’s accompanying video, released in January 2020, quickly received over 1.2 million views, subsequently winning the clip attention at cmt.com. Shortly after the release of this classic folk hymn, sister Deb was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and in January 2020, the Sisters Wade were left treading water as she faced major surgery for the removal of cancerous tumors. Deb had a long recovery—sustaining some nerve trauma and, initially, some difficulty singing. But guitarist, producer and longtime friend Andy Most (Sisters Wade recorded “Stranger” in his home studio) got together with the two during her recovery—persevering and powering through (pandemic be damned) with consistent contributions to new music even during long stretches of lockdown. The three decided to finish the Christmas record that they started prior to the pandemic. Deb is in remission and has recovered her voice, and both sisters are excited to announce a December release of their first Christmas album containing some of their favorite holiday songs,

the completion of a collection they began unveiling with a 2019 release of “Silent Night.” So with that gift-wrapped project in tow, they’re also diving jubilantly into the season with a full-band performance on Friday, Dec. 3, at the Walnut House in Murfreesboro. The evening will also be streamed. “The album will be available at our show,” says Julie. “There will be lots of new music! We will have special guests to join us on stage for a couple of numbers. We are really excited about the show . . . really proud of our Christmas record.” Hard times in our world as well as the world of live music during recent times haven’t exactly been kept under wraps. One might even venture to say the sisters are one act in a long line of music-makers holding their breath and patiently “wading” to exhale. Walnut House’s Ricky Martini has some thoughts on that Grinch-level lockdown, and why helping to keep the doors of music venues open makes good-spirited sense. “We were just getting live music cranked up in high gear at Walnut House in March of 2020. Then we canceled everything. It was such a personal disaster . . . we worked really hard to put all those shows together,” Martini says. “Walnut House has picked up significantly in every way other than live music. We are so excited that Deb and Julie are coming back with this concert! “Sisters Wade Revival is exceptional not only with two incredible vocalists,” he adds, “but also with an incredible group of talented and acclaimed musicians backing them. Fantastic acoustics in our main hall, excellent sound and lighting and all seating within 47 feet of the stage added to these artists . . . you won’t want to miss this show.” This will also be Sisters Wade Revival’s first live performance with the HipWaders—Andy Most on guitar, David Spicher on standup bass, Chas Williams on dobro and Gregg Stocki on drums—since 2019. Sisters Wade Revival plays Friday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 general admission and online-only tickets are $10, available on Eventbrite. Walnut House Event Venue & Recording Studios is located at 116 N. Walnut St., Murfreesboro. For more on on Sisters Wade Revival, visit sisterswaderevival.com.

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

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

THE WHEEL Trivia, 7 p.m.

 Thursdays FRONT ST PUB Line Dancing NOTES Karaoke, 5 p.m. PARTY FOWL Trivia, 7 p.m.

THE BORO Karaoke, 8 p.m.

SEASONS Poker, 7 p.m. Karaoke, 8 p.m.

THE WHEEL Pool Tournament 7 p.m.

STARS & STRIKES Trivia, 6:30 p.m.

 Tuesdays

219 MIXED CUISINE Trivia, 7 p.m.

COCONUT BAY Trivia, 7:30 p.m. FRONT STREET PUB Acoustic Jam

 Fridays

NACHO’S Trivia, 7 p.m.

BOOMBOZZ PIZZA Trivia Night 8:30 p.m.

SEASONS Poker, 7 p.m. Karaoke, 8 p.m.

FRONT STREET PUB Karaoke

 Wednesdays

GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Karaoke, 9 p.m.

BURGER REPUBLIC Trivia, 7 p.m. EL TORO Trivia, 7 p.m. GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Karaoke 8 p.m.–12 a.m.

MARGARITAS Karaoke, 7 p.m. THE WHEEL Karaoke. 8 p.m.

 Saturdays

JONATHAN’S GRILLE Trivia, 7:30 p.m.

CARMEN MEXICAN RESTAURANT Karaoke, 9 p.m.

JUST LOVE EAST Trivia, 5 p.m.

FRONT STREET PUB Karaoke

SEASONS Trivia, 7 p.m.

MARGARITAS Karaoke, 7 p.m.

THE BOULEVARD Trivia, 8 p.m.

SEASONS Latin DJ 10 p.m.—3 a.m.

Reviews

JERRY FOX

Gospel Journeyman

Gospel-trained and tractor-tuned former Oklahoman, now-Tennessean Jerry Fox has released his solo debut Christian album, Gospel Journeyman, almost 40 years after launching his Nashville country music career (as a young man the songwriter penned the 1983 hit “Outside Lookin’ In,” recorded by countryrock quintet Bandana, for whom Fox played bass). The praise-packed Gospel Journeyman kicks off joyously as it establishes its born-again Christian theme on “More Like Jesus,” sporting an upbeat sound with steel drums alongside punchy bass and acoustic guitar. Bill Hullett’s melodic electric guitar riffs pull everything together. Fox makes the album’s intentions clear—Please make me more like Jesus/And less like me, sung to the Lord with confidence and a rural-American accent. The thankful messages of praise on the following nine tracks are similar, though Fox, who began making up lyrics to sing to the drones of his tractor’s engine long ago in Oklahoma, changes the musical style from track to track, not letting the countrified stylings grow stagnant. “Praise for the King” is probably the catchiest song on Gospel Journeyman, sounding like a happier Cat Stevens turning to country-pop-gospel. “Thank You, Mom” is a pro-life sentiment beautifully held together by angelic backing harmonies on top of just-as-angelic piano trickling throughout, supplied by Dane Bryant (Olivia Newton John’s musical director). Other ballads of praise, such as “Saved,” encapsulate an “adult-ier” proto-Americana sound found on latter-day The Band albums. No matter the song or style, backing vocalists Angie Brown and Michael Rudder ably supply harmonies, oftentimes effectively and other times somewhat cacophonously. Fox also seemingly blends a slight mismatch of home-recordings mixed with instrumental studio recordings. But such small imperfections contribute to creating the album’s rustic feel and unfussy “that’ll work” studio strategy.

ALBUMS

BY BRYCE HARMON

JOHN SALAWAY Salvation

Middle Tennessee singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and stageman John Salaway emerges with another addition to his catalogue, blending pop, folk, country and Americana on his latest full-length project, Salvation, released on his own Music First Entertainment. Stacked with highly regarded industry friends, Salvation’s opener, “One More Round,” features former Cage the Elephant guitarist and Nashville producer Lincoln Parish and Rami Jaffe, keyboardist for the Foo Fighters and The Wallflowers. Salaway and company run with a punchy, low-register, piano-tonk timbre, reminding a listener of Badly Drawn Boy. This album opener sets up Parish’s feelgood rhythmic structure, ready for Jaffe’s appropriate accents played on many varieties of keyboards. Salaway lyrically taps into a love life analogized by the boxing ring, warning he’s not going down—yet—when it comes to love. It’s even spiced up by white-boy rapping as Salaway doubletime-spits long-winded lines, gettin’ in them love sentiments and punches just before the bell. “One More Round” creates an immediate wall of peppy, tightly produced and expertly mixed pop-rockfolk-country sound, emoting that love is worth all the trouble that comes with it. Lyrically, though I hate to say it, that’s pretty much the theme of Salvation. The music sounds tailored to whomever is guesting on each track and the original compositions are perfectly fine. “Fight or Flight” is the best song on Salvation and “Young Love” is commendably right behind it. “Weather the Storm” serves as a slow, bluesy country dinger. Salaway homes in on his inner Elvis Costello in “Tied to You,” a big-band number that doo-wops a high-register piano figure. There’s a slight light at the end of the lonely tunnel in “Letting Go Is the Hardest Part,” which seemingly stands as the topical closure to the tune of a Beatles’ melancholy ballad, but afterwards the record jumps back into “Bring It Over,” a Spin Doctors-esque popper.

MOVIE

BY JAY SPIGHT

DUNE DIRECTOR Denis Villeneuve STARRING Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya RATED PG-13

The long-awaited sci-fi epic Dune has finally arrived, like an impossibly large and ornate space-faring vessel, a floating behemoth slowly descending toward the surface of an alien terrain. What could such an otherworldly wonder hold inside its gargantuan belly? The ship lands. A ramp descends, a door hisses open, and out steps . . . a human in odd clothes. Such is Dune, the long-delayed adaptation of a beloved novel few have read, a sometimes aweinspiring feat of cinematic, computo-graphic achievement with an all-too-familiar story inside. The oversimplified shorthand is Game of Thrones meets Star Wars. There’s the political intrigue of the Emperor (no, not that one) moving the houses of Harkonnen and Atreides like galactic pawns off of, and on to, respectively, the giant worm-ridden sand planet Arrakis. And then there’s the hero’s journey of young Paul Atreides (Chalamet), heir to house Atreides, who has been taught by his mother the seemingly magical powers of her all-women witches’ society, the Bene Gesserit. Though the names and terms may be unfamiliar to some, the themes certainly are not. Beneath it all is the Spice, a hallucinogenic substance that sustains the Arrakis natives and is greedily

mined by the Empire. The Spice also provides the lone bit of color in Villeneuve’s dark and drab vision, as its use turns the whites of one’s eyes a vibrant blue. Working for the first time with cinematographer Greig Fraser, whose few high-profile credits prove his sandy space adventure bona fides, Villeneuve tells part one of his tale in the muted tones of his earlier films Sicario or Arrival, rather than the full color palette of Blade Runner 2049. As a stylistic choice, it works on Arrakis, but the lack of color on other planets makes them almost indistinguishable from one another, especially when both the hero and villains share similar goth aesthetics (Edward Scissorhands and a Nine Inch Nails video, respectively). While the color palette can become fatiguing, so too can some of the performances. No one is bad per se, just one-note. Chalamet gives Ryan Gosling a run for his money in the brooding/glowering department, but also adds talking through clenched teeth to mix it up. Likewise, nearly the entire cast, save Jason Momoa as the bafflingly named Duncan Idaho, gives the same self-serious, low-register vocal performance. What this adds up to is the ultimate version of a sci-fi mega-classic for some, and for others a well-trodden space opera given the auteur treatment. Both responses seem about as good as can be expected from what is basically an adaptation of the proto-Star Wars. Villaneuve tries to elevate Dune beyond, the level of its imitators. Part one fell just short of that goal. Let’s hope he can achieve it by finishing the story. — JAY SPIGHT

BOROPULSE.COM

* NOVEMBER 2021 * 17

Living Gardening Education Series BY EDWINA SHANNON

Try Growing Microgreens Through the Winter Special Offer!

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Scents: Pumpkin Pie

WHAT ARE COOL WEATHER CROPS? Think greens—lettuce, spinach, kale, collards; and then, some underground ones—beets or carrots. Another intriguing food is microgreens. They are young vegetable greens (a little further developed than sprouts) so they are tiny in size. Some have sharp flavors and are a powerhouse of nutrition. The most popular uses of microgreens are in salads, sandwiches, garnishing drinks, soups, stir fries and juicing. I saw them referred to as vegetable confetti. That image makes me smile. The healthiest microgreens are pea, radish, sunflowers and wheatgrass. Others include cabbage, broccoli, amaranth, basil, beets, celery, cilantro, kale, lettuce, mustard, parsley, spinach and sorrel. Microgreen families include: Brassicaceae family: Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, watercress, radish and arugula Asteraceae family: Lettuce, endive, chicory, radicchio Apiaceae family: Dill, carrot, fennel and celery Amaryllidaceae family: Garlic, onion, leek Amaranthaceae family: Amaranth, quinoa, swiss chard, beet and spinach Cucurbitaceae family: Melon, cucumber and squash Unlike sprouts, microgreens are grown in soil and are ready to eat in 7 to 21 days. They are harvested when there are true leaves on the growth.

They need access to good light, a tray, growing medium and water. Since you are eating the justdeveloping seedlings with microgreens, I strongly suggest certified organic or untreated seeds. The plastic containers that strawberries are sold in make wonderful greenhouses for microgreens. Line the bottom with a couple of paper towels to impede the drainage. Fill the container evenly to about an inch high with moistened growing medium. It should feel like a moistened sponge. Sprinkle the seeds generously over the medium. Cover seeds lightly with the growing medium and then mist with a spray bottle. The seeds should never dry out but also avoid overwatering. If you don’t have a lid, cover it with a plastic bag with holes for airflow. Once the seeds germinate, move them into a sunny windowsill or greenhouse. Germinated seeds will need to be fed. A compost tea or a seaweed solution is ideal. When seedlings are 1 to 3 inches tall, harvest by cutting with scissors. Some will come back for two to three harvests if cut above the cotyledon leaves. Those are the first leaves out of the seed. After harvesting, the growing medium can be flipped so the bottom side is now on top and ready for planting another crop. You can indeed have fresh greens throughout the winter.

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Leave the Leaves FOR MANY DURING THE FALL MONTHS, the annual burden of leaf cleanup is a seasonal plague. I’m here to tell you that you can disarm. You can put the blowers, shovels, rakes, and especially those trash bags, down. This can help us save money, but there’s a bigger benefit: Picking up our leaves is oftentimes harmful to the environment, and we are robbing our properties of exactly what they need. Putting leaves and other garden debris in plastic bags and sending them off to the landfill contributes to U.S solid waste by 13 percent! In the landfill, the leaves lack the oxygen they need to decompose at their normal rate and stay in the landfill much longer and release the greenhouse gas, methane, into our atmosphere. Many gardeners continuously waste their mon18 * NOVEMBER 2021 * BOROPULSE.COM

ey every year on harmful chemical weed suppressors like Roundup while simultaneously working hard to remove a natural and free weed suppressor from their yard. Leaves are excellent for suppressing weeds in garden beds. Using leaves as mulch for your beds also provides the soil with all the nutrients it needs to continue to grow strong and healthy plants. In fact, leaves can supply a wider range of nutrients than a 10-10-10 synthetic fertilizer. They can also be beneficial for your lawns and chopping them up with a mulching mower will only enhance the lushness of your lawn in the spring. Many native critters also rely on leaves for food, nesting material and shelter. They are a vital wildlife habitat. Leaving our fallen leaves is doing our bit for native wildlife and plants and we can sleep better at night knowing we have not wasted our money and time on robbing nature of a cycle it was designed for.

Christmas It’s Practically

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Valley Growers Has Live Christmas Decorations! Poinsettias, Trees, Wreaths, Garland

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1825 New Lascassas Hwy.

formerly The Mulch Company

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985 Middle Tennessee Blvd. at the Co-op

615.890.9990

FULL BAR Lunch & Dinner!

CUBAN DISHES Ropa Vieja (Shredded Beef) Lechon Asado (Roasted Pork) Vaca Frita (Fried Shredded steak) Carne con Papas (Beef stew with potatoes)

CUBAN FOOD

Murfreesboro’s Cuban Restaurant

451 N. Thompson Ln., Ste. A

615-546-4444

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Pechuga de Pollo (Grilled chicken) Bistek de Palomilla (Flat steak) Picadillo a la Cubana

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Cuban Sandwiches

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Food

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Lechon asado with tostones 

The Dish RESTAURANT

Fresh Bite Cuban American Cuisine LOCATION

451 N. Thompson Ln.

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PHONE

615-546-4444 HOURS

Tues.–Thurs., Sun.: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Fri. and Sat.: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. PRICES

Feast on Plantains, Ropa Vieja, Cuban Sandwiches and More at Murfreesboro’s Fresh Bite STORY BY BRACKEN MAYO

PHOTOS BY SARAH MAYO

Lechon asado (roasted pork): $11.99; Cuban sandwich with plantains or fries: $12.99; Ropa vieja (shredded beef in sauce) and two sides: $14.99; Fresh Bite burrito: $10.99; Bacon and bourbon burger: $14.99; Ham croquettes (4): $4.25 ONLINE

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hose in the bustling Thompson Lane/Medical Center Parkway area looking for a unique eatery as they are out shopping and at appointments should not overlook Fresh Bite. Though the name of the small restaurant may not fully and completely describe the wonderful flavors of Cuba and the U.S. found within, many local diners have discovered that this eatery offers some delicious dishes and to-go options. Try the lechon asado, a creation of roasted pork leg seasoned with Cuban mojo, for a tender, juicy, delicious and, well, porky lunch or dinner. The shredded pork is moist and meaty, topped with some pickled onions for an extra element of “pow.” Turns out the Fresh Bite team makes these pickled onions in-house, as they do the fabulous black beans. Fresh Bite owner and operator William Cepero tells a satisfied customer that he seasons these tasty black beans with onion, pepper, red wine, pork and garlic. In the ropa vieja, a dish featuring shredded beef in sauce, the flavors of the peppers and other seasoning elements come through stronger than the beef, and this 20 * NOVEMBER 2021 * BOROPULSE.COM

also makes a filling and tasty meal. Cepero says this ropa vieja along with the Cuban sandwich are probably the most popular items at Fresh Bite so far. “I’m thrilled there is Cuban food in the ’Boro,” Jasmine Duster said after discovering Fresh Bite. “After moving here from South Florida you have no idea how much this

blessed my soul—the best thing I have eaten in Murfreesboro! Ropa vieja was fire and everything was seasoned on point . . . and to see a legit Cuban sandwich!” For those unfamiliar, a Cuban sandwich contains ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard in between thin, pressed bread slices. Cuban sandwich with maduros 

Others recommend having a coffee at the eatery, which also includes a small outdoor patio seating section. “The café con leche was top notch,” Carol Munoz said. “Amazing food.” “The Cuban coffee is so good,” a different customer added. For those not totally yet willing to take on the tastes of Cuba, the wings and the burgers have also received praise from plenty of customers. “One of the best burgers you’ll find in town,” Ben Eads said. “And of course, amazing Cuban food.” Another customer, Marco, said he highly recommended the Fresh Bite wings. Definitely get some plantains of some type at Fresh Bite. The restaurant offers two types of plantains, the sweeter maduros and the drier, crispier, savory garlicky tostones—both delicious in their own way. The tostones are larger, crispier cakes. “The garlic sauce was just wonderful, I could eat a whole basket

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of these for a meal,” one diner said of the tostones. Fresh Bite makes that garlic sauce in house as well. The smaller, moist pieces of maduros eat more like a standard banana, nice and sweet, with a caramelized exterior. Cepero lived in Cuba for 30 years, attending culinary school there. After moving to the U.S. he worked for Denny’s and other restaurants, but after landing in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he wanted to open his own place that featured his dishes. “I had the most delicious dessert empanada. Very warm with cheese and guava filling. It was awesome,” said another pleased customer, Steve, about Fresh Bite, adding that he also enjoyed the Cuban sandwich and the chicken burrito, wrapped in a spinach tortilla. Need a job? Like many area businesses, Fresh Bite is currently looking for employees. Train how to cook Cuban style.

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Art

2021 ART STUDIO TOUR PARTICIPANTS

 EVENT Popcorn Studio

RED OAK POTTERY

Bill and Judy Heim Ceramic Stoneware 2925 Spain Hill Rd., Lascassas GUEST ARTISTS: Anne Rob – Handcrafted Jewelry Jan Quarles – Dyed Silk Doug Pelren – Turned wood

STUDIO S POTTERY

Lewis and Eric Snyder Stoneware, Porcelain, Raku 1426 Avon Rd., Murfreesboro GUEST ARTISTS: Susanne LeBeau – Painting Phyllis Razo – Watercolors Mark Jackson – Painting Michelle Moraczewski – Painting

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Art Studio Tour of Seven Local Workshops Set for Nov. 20–21

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Sue and Ray Allen Functional Stoneware 2031 Nelson Ln., Murfreesboro GUEST ARTISTS: Daune Jordan – Eggery and Watercolor Painting Meredith Kermicle – Fiber

BLUE PONY ART STUDIO

Kay Currie – Clay Sculpture 88 Hoyt Knox Rd., Readyville GUEST ARTISTS: James Adkins – Woodworking R.J. Hadle – Fiber Kathy Bradley – Copper/Leather

LOCAL ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS will again open their home studios to the public for the annual Art Studio Tour. Set for Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20–21, at seven Rutherford County locations, the tour gives visitors a glimpse into the working studios of local artisans and craftsmen, and a chance to shop for Christmas gifts for friends and family. It is free to drop in the various stops on the tour, which was established in 1993. Studios will be open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on both Nov. 20 and 21. For more information on the Art Studio Tour, visit artstudiotour.org.

HICKERSON WOODWORKS

Logan Hickerson Handcarved Woodworks 4172 Betty Ford Rd., Murfreesboro GUEST ARTISTS: Scott Wieland – Pottery Becky Dickovitch – Encaustic/Textiles Dan Sharley – Painting/Prints

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TURTLEWARE POTTERY Susan Rodehaver Functional Ceramics 4004 Southridge Blvd., Murfreesboro

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 BOOK

Get Cooking Middle Tennessee music publicist Mary Ann Kaylor-Griffiths authors new cookbook project

BY MELISSA COKER

s an accomplished music publicist, Mary Ann Kaylor-Griffiths has no doubt witnessed plenty of nuttiness (a flavorful fact reinforced when applied to her well-known client Sister Hazel—the group refers to its fans as “Hazelnuts”). But she’s also found herself wanting to stir her creative talents, simmering just beneath the surface, into a slightly different mixture. I’m Not Drunk, I’m Cooking rises to the challenge and breaks the mold. “I am a very busy girl. The book took me about three years to physically write,” the author writes in the book’s intro (invitingly headlined “Welcome to the Party!”). “I started writing it just for me. Then family and friends asked for recipes so I made a few extra copies for them. Then too much wine one night and watching cooking shows led to me deciding to post on social media that I was putting out a cookbook. The response when I woke up the next day was so overwhelming. I could not delete it. And here we are.” With a pinch of excitement, a dash of

24 * NOVEMBER 2021 * BOROPULSE.COM

hard work and a dollop of cooperation she shares just how meaningful her publishing experience has come to be. “Cooking is therapeutic for me,” she shares. “It is a way to escape my thoughts and anxiety. Feeding others is my love language. At one point in my life, I was an extreme couponer and would donate all the food to the Little Pantry That Could in Nashville. My cooking is absolutely tied to music, because if I am in the kitchen, music is playing. Every time I make lasagna I turn up ‘The Boys Are Back in Town’ by Thin Lizzy. I tell you more about that story in my book.” Football happens to be another commonly thrown-around therapy for many. Luckily, I’m Not Drunk, I’m Cooking includes a lot of party appetizer recipes for football season (“Go Blue Raiders!,” Griffiths interjects) like Buffalo Chicken Dip and Reuben Dip. There are also fall comfort foods like White Chicken Chili, Chicken and Biscuit Dumplings, and Sausage and Farro Soup. Griffiths swears by the Slow Cooker Mulled Wine, too.

She decided to serve up the collection on Cookbook Launch Day, an annual holiday observed on Oct. 12. I’m Not Drunk, I’m Cooking is one book which is okay to judge by its cover; its illustrator, Jaired Messing, has designed album covers for Griffiths’ husband, Chris, and has worked on music videos and published comic books. “I am making my dad Randy’s famous pickles in the photo. He passed away suddenly a couple of years ago and I wanted to show something to honor him. The kitty in the background (also named Pickles) was added at the end. Jaired was finishing up the art and I felt something was missing. I have three kitties and of course they are always in and around the kitchen begging for a taste of what I am making. “When I started this [book] journey, I promised myself I would see it through to the end. As long as Amazon keeps printing, I will keep signing and delivering if I need to. It was a tough process being a self-publisher. I found editing and printing is really expensive. There were a lot of tears and test copies before I finally landed on Amazon . . . I hope people are so excited to get the book because they want to share in the memories,” she

passionately tells the Pulse. “I have posted updates and photos and shared a few recipes on my blog, Grubs and Grooves. I know a lot of people grew up with these recipes just like me. When I was researching what to include there was a lot of, ‘wow, I forgot about that recipe.’ I think people are excited to cook something they grew up with and maybe forgot about until now.” It sounds like what may have started as a half-baked premise is now fully thawed out— the book brought back many memories for Griffiths, as well as tears and laughter. “My grandmother Ruth passed away while I was working on it and a lot of the recipes came from her. So that was pretty emotional. But I shared as much as I could remember about where each recipe came from and if I could not remember I told a random story,” the author said. “My little sister Cindy had a lot of input on the book, wrote the forward, and really pushed and inspired me to get it finished. We lived together in college and our culinary journey began at the same time. I am positive she has tried all the recipes and also references the book when cooking, just like me. That is what I want readers to do as well. Just use the book as a guideline and create from there. To me, food evokes a memory. I want this book to read more like a book of short stories. All the recipes have a meaning or story behind them. Some are sentimental and some are a hot mess.” Stirring in so much heart and sprinkling memories into the recipes makes the book almost read like a scrapbook. Back to the aforementioned hot messes, one of her favorite Ruth anecdotes is included. “She would say, ‘If you don’t like it, you can spit it out in my hand.’ When we were growing up, she wanted us to try new foods, but I do not recall ever actually spitting [anything] out. I say the same thing to my nephews now. I recently made the Chicken and Biscuit Dumpling recipe, but instead of chicken I used Lion’s Mane mushrooms from Henosis Mushrooms. My nephews supposedly do not like mushrooms, but neither one of them could tell a difference. I try to teach them about different cuisines and where they came from. We recently took them to The Clay Pit, my favorite Indian place in Murfreesboro, and they really enjoyed it.” Any way you slice it, Griffiths will likely never sour on cooking. And it would be nuts not to try some of her recipes! She adds, with a smile, that she is pondering a second book. Find I’m Not Drunk, I’m Cooking on Amazon, or contact Mary Ann Kaylor-Griffiths on Facebook for autographed or handdelivered ordering options.

Art

 EXHIBIT

 THEATER

MTSU Theatre Presents Sweeney Todd Nov. 4–7 Clockwise from left: Dreamery and the Sea by Susan Waldrop Harlem Midnight by Walter LeCroy A Call to Dance by Lisa Browning

Science of Creativity on Display at City Hall Rotunda Through Nov. 17 THE ROTUNDA OF MURFREESBORO CITY HALL will feature local artists through Nov. 17 as part of the 2021 STEAM Festival. Rutherford Arts Alliance members will bring The Science of Creativity to the City Hall Rotunda, an exhibit that raises the question “Is creativity a gift waiting to be developed in all of us?” The diverse display—ﬁlled with artistic curiosity, experimentation and the challenge of connecting knowledge with current events—is meant to inspire and pique the imagination. Participating artists include Carol Berning, Lisa Marie Browning, Cody Hale, Barbara Hodges, Leroy Hodges, Ray Kleinlein, Suzanne LeBeau, Walter LeCroy, Samantha Minard, Bill Schumm, Ginny Togrye, Susan Waldrop and Tom Womack. The Rotunda is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Lisa Browning with Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation at 615-801-2606 or lbrowning@murfreesborotn.gov. Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to providing vibrant public spaces that engage individuals and strengthen the quality of life of our community.

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HUNGRY FOR SOME LIVE ENTERTAINMENT? MTSU Theatre students have just the recipe Nov. 4–7 in the Award-winning Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Performances of the Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler musical are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday–Saturday, Nov. 4–6, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, in Tucker Theatre, located inside MTSU’s Boutwell Dramatic Arts Auditorium at 615 Champion Way. Tickets are $15; guests can use the coupon code “MTSU” for a 20 percent discount. MTSU students, faculty and staff can attend free by presenting a current university ID at the box office. Sweeney Todd, which first opened on Broadway in 1979, is a gruesome melodrama based on 18th-century tales from the “penny dreadfuls” of serial Victorian fiction.

Sondheim took a 1973 play by Christopher Bond and expanded it into a grisly musical with more than two dozen songs, focusing on a vengeance-minded Victorian barber, unjustly convicted of murder and exiled by a lecherous judge, who returns home after 15 years. He quickly becomes a real killer and teams up with his landlady, a baker, when she suggests using her meat pies to dispose of the bodies left in his wake. Department of Theatre and Dance professor Kristi Shamburger is at the helm of this year’s Sweeney Todd. Her co-director is MTSU School of Music vocal performance professor Will Perkins, an internationally acclaimed tenor and performer. Because of its theatrical depictions of violence, murder and physical abuse, the show is recommended for audiences of at least high school age. For more details, visit mtsu.edu/theatreanddance.

Center for the Arts Stage Reopens with Little Women—The Musical, Onstage Through Nov. 7 THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS reopened its doors for the ﬁrst time for a public performance since the start of the pandemic with the family-friendly favorite Little Women—The Musical. The production—which was two weeks away from opening in March 2020—opened on Friday, Oct. 22 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 7. Little Women—The Musical tells the classic story based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott about her life growing up with her sisters during the Civil War era. This story of personal discovery, heartache, hope and love follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested; her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she must do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America.

Grace Montague as Beth March

“I am thrilled to ﬁnally resume our season with Little Women—The Musical!” says Center for the Arts’ Artistic Director Mark David Williams. “It’s an exceptionally talented cast performing a beautifully written show.” Tickets start at $14 and are available at boroarts.org or by calling 615-904-ARTS (2787), or buying in person at the Center for the Arts Box Ofﬁce, 110 W. College St., in downtown Murfreesboro. Little Women—The Musical plays at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5 and 6, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7.

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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS

BE YOUR OWN BOSS Small Business Development Center Offers Free Resources to Help Small Businesses Succeed BY LAURA LINDSAY THINKING ABOUT TURNING YOUR SIDE HUSTLE INTO A SMALL BUSINESS? In 2020, more than 30 million small businesses operated in the United States. More than 600,000 new businesses open each year in the U.S., according to Small Business Administration estimates, and only 30 percent of new businesses fail during their first two years. There is an incredible variety of small business types. Some ideas of small business that are thriving right now: Consultant – for those knowledgeable and passionate about a specific topic like business, social media marketing, IT or leadership, for example Online Bookkeeping – for accountants or bookkeepers who want freedom Transcription Service, Medical Transcription Service Freelance Copywriter – for writers with some marketing knowledge Food Truck – for those with a culinary passion Virtual Assistant – for those who can use organizational skills to answer phones, schedule meetings and perform other administrative duties Housecleaning Automotive Repair Handyman Services and many others To help entrepreneurs begin on the right foot and overcome some of the many obstacles faced when starting a new business, the Tennessee Small Business Development Center provides free consulting, information and instruction. The local TSBDC partners with MTSU’s Jones College of Business, and is housed at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce building. It is now known as TSBDC at MTSU. The Tennessee Small Business Development Center has been around for quite some time, said Krista Cashion, business development specialist for the nonprofit. 28 * NOVEMBER 2021 * BOROPULSE.COM

“We are part of a bigger organization called the American Small Business Development Center and essentially our goal is to provide technical assistance to businesses through the entire business life cycle,” Cashion said. TSBDC’s mission is to provide new and established business owners with high-quality consultation with the vision to be the comprehensive source to deliver innovative business solutions. “I think it’s beneficial for entrepreneurs to come to us to get everything started, just to make sure that all of your i’s are dotted and your t’s are crossed, and that you’ve thought of all of the things that you forget to think about—even with my entrepreneurial mindset I find that when I’m talking to other people I work with, be it my mentor or my intern, I have moments when it is like ‘oh, I didn’t even think about that’,” Cashion continued. “It’s really beneficial for people to utilize our services, whenever they are starting, and as they’re moving through, growing and changing as a business. We can strategically plan for that growth.” Cashion says interested entrepreneurs can get started by signing up for a oneon-one consultation. TSBDC has access to some resource databases and helps with business planning and growth planning for existing businesses.

FINANCIAL EDUCATION “We help with hiring, training, and almost any business topic, except legal or tax advice,” she said. One of the most common questions people have when they first come in is about the structure of a business and what the difference is between a sole proprietor versus an LLC. “People also talk about whether or not they want to 1099 someone or make them a W-2 employee. And people ask about funding opportunities and resources for funding,” Cashion said. “These are the top three questions I get from people just starting out.” In addition to one-on-one consultation, TSBDC at MTSU offers different training sessions and workshops that are available for anyone who would like to attend them. Classes are on a rotating schedule, and centers across the state offer courses on everything from social media management to funding opportunities. “We had someone teach a hiring workshop so that was a really neat opportunity for our clients,” Cashion said. “We have some Google classes that we offer. There’s lots of different training opportunities.” Find the rotating schedule of classes on the TSBDC website. “Any classes that we’re offering in Rutherford County right now are no cost. Some centers do charge for their courses if they’re doing QuickBooks certification or anything like that. I do recommend those, and I think they’re pretty low-cost and a great opportunity for some clients,” Cashion said. “Our classes are offered all different times a day. We have some On Demand training options. We do have some in-person options that are during the day, and we do some live Zoom classes that might be during lunch. We are working to expand those hours as well to after work hours.” TSBDC was created for capital infusion into the economy, small business success and jobs created. It is funded in part through an agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, as well as participating universities and public and private regional support partners. For more information, visit tsbdc.org. The Tennessee Small Business Development Center at MTSU is located at 3050 Medical Center Pkwy., Ste. 200. Contact Krista Cashion at mtsu@tsbdc .org or 615-898-2745 with any questions. Find the training schedule at clients.tsbdc.org/events.aspx.

BY TONY BRADSHAW

Working Your Way Out of Debt vs. Investing Your Way Out of Debt MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN OUT OF consumer debt since January 2002. No credit cards. No car loans. Nothing. In 2007, we paid off our second house. In 2009, we needed to move, and we went back into debt for our new home. We paid that house off in 2012. Wow! It seems like so long ago, but it’s only been nine years. We worked pretty hard to pay off all our debt and those houses early. Fortunately, my income kept going up year after year from 2001 through 2012 which made it a bit easier to accomplish. But for the average person, is working your way out of debt the best way? It’s the way I did it. It’s the way millions of Americans do it. But is it the best way? Working your way out of debt is 100% repeatable. It works every time. If you work and use your extra money to pay off debt, your debt eventually goes away. But have you thought about investing your way out of debt?

Investing Your Way Out I’m not going to be one of those financial guys that tells you that investing your way out of debt is always the absolute best thing to do. It does carry a bit of risk and there are some potential pitfalls, but I believe it’s a viable option for helping you pay off debt faster while still leaving you money. Follow along. For most people, working for money is the primary source of income. If you have $10,000 in debt and you make $10 per hour, You need to work for around 1,000 hours to pay off your debt. If you make $20 per hour, you need to work at least 500 hours. If you make $100 per hour, you need to work 100 hours to pay off $10,000 in debt. Get the picture? You’re trading your life, in hours, to pay off your debt. Your time is precious. So, let’s look at a different route. Can you invest your way out of debt? It really depends on quite a few things, but for some, yes. Under a work-your-way-out-of-debt model, you trade hours of your life for $10,000 to pay off your debt. Once the debt is paid off, you have nothing. Under an invest-your-way-out-of-debt model, you work for your $10,000, but you will put it into an

investment account and then use the growth from your investment to pay off your debt. In the end, you still have your $10,000. For the average person, sticking with the simple model of working your way out of debt is the easiest and most surefire way to eliminate your debt. But for the adventurous soul who may want to take on a little risk, investing your way out of debt is a possibility. How does it work? The standard credit card interest rate is going to range anywhere from 5 percent up to 33 percent. (I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. The interest rates are so high they should be criminal.) Common wisdom, from financial advisors, says that you can get 7–10 percent annual growth from your investments. If you’re a Dave Ramsey fan, then you’re familiar with Dave’s 12-percent investment returns. For traditional financial planning, these are relatively safe numbers. However, for the astute investor and during key times in America’s economic history, there is the opportunity to exceed these growth rates, and this is the reason I’m writing this article . . . because some of it runs contrary to “traditional financial wisdom.”

Never Pay Off Your House Have you ever heard someone say this? While I don’t agree with it completely, mathematically it makes sense. For example: today, interest rates are running 2–4 percent. Investing growth has been seeing growth of over 10 percent per year. If you’d paid $10,000 on your house, you would have “earned 4 percent” on your money by paying down your mortgage. If you’d invested, however, you would have gained 10 percent. That’s a net 6 percent gain or roughly $600 per year which would allow you to pay your mortgage or any other debt down. Over 20 years, that $10,000 invested could beat the early house payment strategy by $20,000! Investing that $10,000 rather than paying it towards your house can create a significant effect on your financial future. Now imagine if you were to invest $10,000 a year instead of making early payments on your house. Yes, it compounds. The numbers get bigger the further out you go. But it’s not all about the money. While investing your money instead of paying down your mortgage can create more future wealth, it may not offer the most security for your family. My wife and I chose to pay our house off early. It brought us a lot of peace of mind. We enjoy not worrying about or dealing with house payments. It feels good!

Higher Growth Investments Investing can be risky, but there are ways to lower your risk. For debt with higher in-

terest rates (over 10 percent, such as many credit cards), it makes more sense to pay off debt. It’s safe and it gets you a return on the money you have. It’s not easy to make 20 percent annually investing. The smart choice is to pay off your debt if the interest rate is 10 percent or higher. However, there are some investment opportunities that could yield much higher returns. Remember that higher returns often means higher risk. Let’s take the cryptocurrency Bitcoin for example. If you had purchased $10,000 in Bitcoin in 2020, you’d have $50,000– $75,000 today, depending on when you purchased. There are many others—Ethereum, Litecoin, Doge, Cardano and quite a few other cryptocurrencies. Some of these investments went up tenfold in a single year. That’s 1,000 percent. In one year! Many stocks have seen growth as well. Tesla, Apple, Amazon, and many more have all seen growth that would help you invest your way out of debt. Land investments can make a good option if you can find the right deal and have the experience to make money, but it’s often more time-consuming and requires more cash when compared to stocks, cryptocurrencies, gold or silver where you can get started with less than $1,000.

Consider Converting Your Cash We’re in a unique time in world economics. China and Russia have been buying up gold since 2010 to stabilize their currencies. Poland has recently been buying up gold. JP Morgan Chase bank has been acquiring massive amounts of silver. Instead of holding cash—a paper currency that suffers due to inflation—consider converting some of your cash to silver. If you have $10,000– $50,000 in an emergency fund, consider converting 20 percent into hard silver or gold. Gold and silver are still currency and you can exchange them if you ever need to. By converting some of your cash into gold and silver, you’re protecting yourself from being fully exposed by investing only in the U.S. dollar. At this time, many economists are expecting the U.S. to hit hyper-inflation. If you’re holding cash, it will rapidly lose its value. Investing your way out of debt carries some risk with it, for sure, but it also carries some opportunities. Whether you work your way out of debt or invest your way out of debt, you need to have a plan to get out of debt and avoid it if at all possible. Tony Bradshaw is the founder and president of The Millionaire Choice. Learn more at themillionairechoice.com.

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4138 Franklin Rd. • Hwy. 96 • Murfreesboro (Next to Publix)

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’BORO BUSINESS BUZZ

Cajun Steamer, Prohibition Home Brewing, Red Bicycle Smyrna, FKS Kitchen, Nirvana Ultra Lounge, Candle Bar, The Abbey, Reloved Fash BY DELORES ELLIOTT Syndicate and Companies has been working to restore and recreate the depot district in downtown Smyrna, planning to bring even more family-friendly businesses to the area. Syndicate’s most recent plans include a new RED BICYCLE COFFEE location at 11 N. Lowry St., which will open during late fall or early winter. Services at Syndicate and Companies, owned by Caleb

Spearing, include real estate, construction, hospitality and e-commerce. The company’s office will be located just above the new Red Bicycle location. FKS KITCHEN has opened at the former Bee Hive Bistro location at 2309 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (previously known as Mercury Boulevard). The meat-and-three restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers dine-in and takeout. This location is the restaurant’s second in the area, its other located at 2124 Rock Springs Rd. in Smyrna. FKS (Fork Knife Spoon) Kitchen offers a wide variety of meals including sandwiches, tacos, wings, seafood, chicken, porkchops, salad, pasta and more. “With 20 years of experience cooking, our cook is excited to present their vision to you and all our guests. Our caring and committed staff will make sure you have a fantastic experience with us,” according to restaurant marketing materials.

PROHIBITION HOME BREWING has opened at 906 Ridgley Rd. in Murfreesboro, just behind Chuy’s. The business is owned by Jim Africano and offers winemaking equipment as well as products used for home-brewing, premium cigars—including the full Blanco line—barrels, Winexpert LE kits and ingredients for producing over 200 different varietals of wine. Prohibition will soon offer winemaking classes for those interested in learning more about the craft. Prohibition also offers a variety of bottle types including 750ml green, clear and blue bottles, 375ml green bottles and brown beer bottles. In addition to the retail supply store’s offerings, Prohibition hosts weekly C3 Networking meetings, which are open to business professionals in the area. The business provides attendees with complimentary coffee and snacks and will host guest speakers and discussions. These are held each Friday morning. For more information about the business or C3 events, visit prohibitionhomebrewing.com or call 615-455-9796.

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CAJUN STEAMER BAR AND GRILL will open a Murfreesboro location at 2108 Medical Center Pkwy. this November. The new restaurant hopes to present its guests with a “come as you are” party atmosphere, which includes live music and bold Louisiana flavors and hospitality, according to a recent press release. The restaurant will feature Louisiana-style boils, seafood and authentic Cajun, Creole and classic New Orleans dishes. A few of the restaurant’s options include boiled crawfish, char-grilled oysters, Gulf shrimp, crawfish etouffee, shrimp and grits, red beans and rice and beignets. Cajun Steamer also offers a large selection of local brews and New Orleans-style mixed drinks. The restaurant started as a humble roadside crawfish stand and has evolved into a restaurant group with locations in Alabama and Middle Tennessee. “Like all of us at Cajun Steamer, Murfreesboro knows how to have a good time,” said President and CEO of Cajun Steamer Gaston Lanaux. “We couldn’t be more excited to share our heritage with the community, make new friends and show them how to party Cajun Steamer-style.” Opening day is set for Nov. 16. Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill will be open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information on Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill, visit cajunsteamer.com. FKS Kitchen is open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit fkskitchen.com or call 615-410-3695. FRESH KABAB GYROS has opened at 206 N. Thompson Ln. in Murfreesboro (not far from Stones River Total Beverages). The restaurant specializes in Greek food and offers curbside, dine-in and no-contact delivery services including DoorDash and Uber Eats. The restaurant features affordable

prices ranging from $4.75–$13.75 per dish, which includes items such as shawarma, falafel, hummus and salad plates. Fresh Kabab is open Monday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and is closed on Sunday. The restaurant also runs happy hour between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily. For more information, call 615-900-3126. NIRVANA ULTRA LOUNGE has opened CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

to a variety of products including natural soy candles, oils, spa salts, salt scrubs, reed diffusers and wax melts. The candle bar’s scent wall features more than 80 unique scents, so the combination possibilities are almost endless. The candle bar is open by reservation, Thursday through Sunday. Reservations can be scheduled for groups or individuals at alchemyroomcandlebar.com. For more information, call 615-933-1116.

Second-hand and pre-loved boutique RELOVED FASH has opened in Woodbury. The new second-hand boutique offers sustainable, thrifted and pre-loved clothing at an affordable price. The boutique has a wide variety of fashionable outﬁts, including in-style neutrals, blush colors, denim and other appealing colors and fabrics. The boutique, which celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 16, is located at 223 W. Main St., Woodbury, and is open Sunday from 1–5 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/reloved.fash, or the boutique’s Instagram page at reloved.fashion1. at 1432 Memorial Blvd., featuring food, drinks and a hookah bar, with diverse selections on each menu. The establishment aims to provide an upscale and innovative cocktail lounge, chef-driven meals and quality brunch on Sundays. The lounge in the heart of Murfreesboro offers VIP reservations, corporate events and social gatherings for guests 21 and up. Nirvana asks that guests follow the dress code of comfortable but classy. Find more at nirvanabarandlounge.com. Nirvana Ultra Lounge is open Monday from 7–11 p.m., Thursday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday from 12–5:30 p.m. FLOAT ALCHEMY has opened its Alchemy Room Candle Bar located inside Float Alchemy at 131 Cason Ln. in Murfreesboro. The Alchemy Room Candle Bar offers its guests the opportunity to create their own custom scents, which can be added

THE ABBEY has opened at 215 N. Church St. in Murfreesboro just above the Tasty Table and Olive Branch Bakery. The Abbey is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and providing creators, entrepreneurs and leaders with the space, training, rhythm and community to aid them in finding and executing their purpose on earth. “As we live in our purpose, we experience fulfillment and joy. People reflect God’s image and cultivate beauty in the world. In relationship with God, we create, and we build. We discover and we nurture. We renew and reorder,” according to The Abbey’s website. The Abbey was founded to help others find a sense of fulfillment and joy and to help reintegrate spiritual life with business principles. For more information about The Abbey, visit abbeymurfreesboro.org. Rutherford County outreach JOURNEY HOME has opened a new office in Smyrna. The new office’s main focus is housing, whereas the existing Murfreesboro location covers a variety of services for the homeless community, including meals, showers, mail and internet service, laundry facilities, classes and more. Although the Smyrna location does not offer the full range of services available at the Murfreesboro facility, staff at the Smyrna location aim to get homeless individuals and families into housing in Smyrna and La Vergne. Journey Home’s plan is to help make families whole. Journey Home staff help to provide affordable housing by asking local landlords to consider temporarily renting out some of their units to its clients at affordable rates. The Journey Home organization also owns a number of local properties itself. For more information on Journey Home and services the organization offers, visit lovegodservepeople.org. STRIKE & SPARE will host the November 2021 installment of THE CONNECTION: An Evening of Professional Net-

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working and Business Brainstorming from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, free, noobligation event, where they can meet other small business owners and tap into one another’s experience and energy. Murfreesboro Strike & Spare is located at 1720 Old Fort Pkwy., #2002, in Stones River Town Centre. STONES RIVER DERMATOLOGY recently opened its new Mohs Micrographic Surgery Suite at its Smyrna location at 537 Stonecrest Parkway, Suite 200. The new location provides Middle Tennesseans with professional dermatology services and a caring

and understanding team. The business has had the honor of providing these services for more than a decade to those in the Smyrna and Murfreesboro areas. According to a recent press release, the new Mohs Surgery Suite offers six procedure rooms, a new lab and an additional waiting area. The new department will be led by Dr. John Starling, who joined the practice in August. The Stones River Dermatology staff provides services including medical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, aesthetics, Mohs micrographic surgery, narrow band UVB phototherapy, Botox and more. For more information, visit stonesriverdermatology.com. or call 615-904-2010.

Spooky’s Pizza and Grill is an American-owned family business. We love and value ALL lives equally! We believe in God!  We respect the American flag! We believe in the U.S. Constitution!  We follow the rule of law! We support all law enforcement!  We support all branches of the military! We are NOT anti-mask or anti-vaccine! We ARE anti-mask and anti-vaccine mandates! Our civil liberties are non-negotiable under any circumstances!

We are 100% PRO-FREEDOM!

Dine-In, Carryout and Delivery! 615-217-5000  spookyspizzatn.com Located in Walter Hill

5995 Lebanon Road, Murfreesboro HOURS

12–8 p.m. Sun. • 4–8 p.m. Tues.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Pizza • Burgers • Subs • Wings • Salads • Sweets • & More

Traditional & Plant-Based

SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS

BY BLAINE LITTLE

Murfreesboro’s Hometown Steakhouse Peter Demos carries on father’s restaurant legacy

f you have lived in Murfreesboro even for only for a couple of months, you are most likely aware of the Demos name. One of the premier steakhouses in Tennessee, located at 1115 NW Broad St. in Murfreesboro has been serving quality food for decades on the Demos family’s watch. The Demos family has a rich history in food and in the community. I was able to sit down with Peter Demos to find out a bit more about what makes this restaurateur successful. Peter’s grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from the small town of Poulithra, Greece, and started a restaurant in the Birmingham area. Jim Demos, Peter’s father, left the family restaurant business to become a manager for several motion picture theaters throughout the Southeast. But the restaurant business would prove to be in his blood. In 1974, Jim and Doris accepted an opportunity to own a Western Sizzlin’ in 32 * NOVEMBER 2021 * BOROPULSE.COM

town and made Murfreesboro their home. That business, on Southeast Broad, eventually became what many will remember as Trappers. Fifteen years later, the Demos’ would sell off Trappers to start the steak and spaghetti house we all know today. And that was really the beginning of the Demos name in Middle Tennessee. They were not limited to only one model of eatery, however. The popular restaurant Chesney’s was another spinoff brand, as well as the Toot’s franchise. At one time, the family had the lion’s share of the fine-dining tables in the city. Peter grew up in the family business. He began work at the age of 12, doing a wide range of jobs at the original Western Sizzlin’. As he learned the business, he moved up through the managerial ranks. A graduate of MTSU, he went on to law school, but, like his father, realized the restaurant business was in his blood and he missed it.

“I didn’t realize how much I liked it, until I left it,” the Demos CEO stated. As his father was thinking of retirement and looking for an exit strategy, Peter officially took the reins in 2001 and purchased the business with his sister in 2009. Since then, they have grown the chain by two more locations, in Hendersonville and Lebanon (Demos also operated a popular downtown Nashville location for many years, but that one has since closed). While at the helm, Peter has been no stranger to dealing with adversity. Right after he began running the day-to-day operations, the now-infamous 9/11 occurred. Under the COVID lockdowns, he and his team had to figure out how to implement curbside pickup. It was always a service they wanted to provide, but figuring out how to make it efficient was a challenge. The pandemic expedited the need to make it happen, though.

“We are constantly having to shift and adjust and think outside of the box,” the restaurateur said. Currently, with national supply chain issues delaying shipments, the company is monitoring 96 ingredients or items that are in short supply, even including matching dishware. At one point, the steakhouse was down to just half-a-week’s supply of to-go boxes. Some may not think crayons are a necessity for dining in until one has to deal with unruly kids. When asked what keeps him going in the turbulent times, Demos points to his faith. “We use the Bible as the rule book of how we do things. There are so many that you can get: rules of business, rules of leadership, rules of teamwork,” Demos said. “We strive to look at those things, make certain to be in alignment with what God wants.” For several years, Demos has relied on and has been willing to share his faith as a Christian. I made a 2018 blog post, “A Time for Faith,” about the meaning of the clocks on the wall at another restaurant owned by Demos. Peter goes on to cite Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” as a guide for his day-to-day life. The Demos company also puts a lot of stock in its staff. Lately, the restaurant has changed its hours of operation in order to prevent employee fatigue. The owner understands the importance of having the right people and taking care of them. He points out if someone does not have passion for the work they do, the employer is depriving them of the opportunity to work where they can flourish. “Some of the best advice I can give, is to understand when you have bad hires, it’s going to have an impact. For those who have an ability but not the attitude, you want to make a separation as fast as possible,” Demos said. “You do it not only for yourself, but for them.” The latest manifestation of the Demos family name is the PDK Southern Kitchen & Pantry. With locations in Mt. Juliet and Bellevue, this brand will soon open a third store on Charlotte Avenue in Nashville. “We recognize people are wanting faster food that is still higher quality,” Demos said. PDK offers casual dining as well as a gift area. So, whatever the reason or occasion, visit a Demos-owned restaurant. If you never have, you are missing out!

BUSINESS MOMENTUM

BY BLAINE LITTLE

Serving Those Who Have Served Us Some Businesses Honor Veterans All Throughout the Year THOUGH I WAS NEVER IN COMBAT, I am proud to be a veteran of the U.S Armed Forces. Serving in the Cold War of the late ’80s, I gained a new respect for all of those who came before me. To this day, I am still impressed by anyone who puts in 20 years or more and retires from the military. No matter the political climate of the world, whether in outright conflict or not, it is never an easy job to serve your country. And so, I am appreciative for those who remember our brave military men and women. Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day, and what better way to express gratitude to those who keep us free? For me, it is pretty much the same routine each year. First, I meet up with a group of magicians who perform at the Alvin C. York VA Hospital. (Unfortunately, COVID has nixed that presentation in 2021.) Then, I will go to Starbucks and show my military ID for a free coffee. After that, I go to lunch at one of the restaurants that offer meals to prior military, usually Applebee’s. Because it’s packed, I normally sit at the bar and strike up a conversation with a fellow vet—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, it doesn’t matter; we are all a brotherhood of patriots. Increasingly, I run into more and more women who have put their lives on the line for our nation and in the name of freedom. The Department of Defense being a male-dominated organization, I especially love to hear their stories to better understand their perspectives of military life. In many ways, it may be more difficult than that of their male counterparts. Once done with lunch, I go to Great Clips for a complimentary haircut. I get a flat-top, which is what I maintained as a young soldier. My wife hates it, but I think it’s cool. This all may sound self-serving. Well, it is! In fact, anyone who has served can take advantage of these perks and has a rather lengthy list of businesses that offer them. But the day makes me feel good, knowing there are those who still appreciate the sacrifices of others—especially in a time when there is such a lack of respect among Americans toward one another. Compared to those who defended democracy half a century ago, though, I have had it easy. When

someone tells me “thank you for your service,” my response is that I didn’t do much. But at least I know those brave men and women who gave all are remembered. And I remember them, too. It’s not just this one day a year, either. Several businesses in town offer a discount for those who signed up. There are even designated parking spots set aside. Texas Roadhouse and Jim ’N Nick’s BBQ have special parking for those who were awarded the Purple Heart. The nation’s first military award, the Purple Heart was established by George Washington. It is given to those wounded or killed in combat. Even those who have never served may recognize the medal and know of its significance. After all, that’s why our first president commissioned it. Medals exist for one chief purpose: to recognize those who have served and fought valiantly. We are all a brotherhood (and sisterhood) of people who are willing to sacrifice for our country and in the name of liberty. We come from all walks of life and in all shapes, sizes and colors. One thing we have in common though, is a love for America. Blaine Little is the founder and CEO of Momentum Seminars Training and Coaching, a veteran owned business, helping companies remain profitable by investing in their people. Learn more at momentumseminars.com. Be sure to get his new book Managerial Mistakes, Missteps & Misunderstandings, available now on Amazon in paperback or Kindle format. Check out Blaine's podcast at bit.ly/toast caster143. BOROPULSE.COM

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Opinion +POSITIVE+ PARENTING BY REANNA SARIEH

PARENTS WANT CHILDREN to show gratitude and appreciation for the many ways that they are blessed and for our contributions, efforts and sacrifices for them. We expect this and hope for this, but often do not offer children the skills to develop and cultivate a sense of thankfulness. Don’t get me wrong, most of

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Chores and Allowances, the Positive Discipline Way! us offer a timely lecture now and then when we feel that our children are not showing gratitude. But children don’t always understand the concept of gratitude in a way that translates into the appreciation that we wish to see. They lack context, context that can’t be learned through lectures or punishments.

This understanding that we seek with our children, like many lessons in childhood, is created through experience. Chores and allowances offer children the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of all that it takes to run a household and a family. Chores build confidence in children and let them know that they are contributing members of their household. On the other hand, not being taught the skills needed for everyday life can keep children from building self-reliance and developing their self-worth. Ann Landers once said, “It is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.” Children may whine or complain about these chores, but insist they do them anyway. When parents can cultivate an expectation that children must contribute to the household, the energy around chores can change. What are some of the chores that children can be taught? Children ages 2–3 can be taught to put their own toys away, unload parts of the dishwasher, put clothes in hamper, make their beds, wipe cabinets, wipe baseboards, help move clothes from the washer to the dryer. Children ages 4–5 can vacuum the couch, chairs or cushions, load the dishwasher, set the table, clear the table, fold towels, clean windows, wipe sinks, match socks, feed pets. Children ages 6–8 can help with meal prep, fold and hang laundry, sweep, vacuum, collect garbage, get the mail, rake leaves, mop, and the list goes on. Remember to be patient! It is likely that the work will not be as good as if an adult did it, but what’s important is the effort and learning the process. Also remember to take the time for training. This means showing the child how to do it from start to finish. Finally, remember to be consistent. Doing it once with them will not be enough. Learning these chores will take some time and need to be done consistently. The lessons that your child will feel and the sense of belonging it can help foster is priceless. Dr. Jane Nelson, creator of the Positive Discipline philosophy of parenting, has some important considerations for allowances. She believes that allowances should be respectful to everyone in the family. It needs to be negotiated in advance based upon what the family can afford and what the children need. If the children need or want more than what the allowance can provide as they grow, they can supplement their money with odd jobs: babysitting, washing cars, mowing lawns, etc., as appropriate. She 34 * NOVEMBER 2021 * BOROPULSE.COM

also considers allowances to be disrespectful towards parents when they are using them as a handout instead of an allowance. Her guidance on when to begin offering allowances and why connecting them to chores isn’t desirable is something to consider when implementing this in your household: “Connecting chores to allowances offers too many opportunities for punishment, reward, bribery and other forms of disrespectful manipulation. Each child gets an allowance just because he or she is a member of the family, and each child does chores just because he or she is a member of the family. It can be helpful to offer special jobs for pay that are beyond regular chore routines, such as weeding or washing outside windows. This offers opportunities for kids who want to earn extra money but does not cause problems if they choose not to take the opportunity. Allowances can be started when children first become aware of the need for money—when they start wanting toys at the market or treats from the ice cream truck. Some families start with a quarter, a dime, a nickel, five pennies and a piggy bank. A small child loves the variety and enjoys putting the money in the piggy bank. As they get older, allowances can be based on need. They learn budgeting when parents take time to go over their needs with them and decide accordingly on the amount of their allowance.” When families visit Montessori schools, they are often surprised to see children helping in the classrooms with anything from setting up rest mats, scrubbing tables, sweeping the floors, washing windows and more. Sometimes as adults we can underestimate both the capabilities of a young child as well as their need to develop their skills in those areas. Teaching our children from a young age to contribute and support the household can benefit the family in so many ways. Never underestimate the child’s capacity to learn and grow! Reanna Sarieh is the founder and directress of Bambini Village Montessori school in Murfreesboro. She received a B.A. in anthropology from MTSU, a MAT in teaching and AMS certification from Belmont University, and is a certified Positive Discipline facilitator. Currently, she is pursuing a doctorate degree in education administration. 17 years ago, she and her husband decided to incorporate the Positive Discipline philosophy into their family, and it made all the difference in the world!

#FREE YOUR CHILDREN • BY TIFFANY BOYD

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREA PIACQUADIO/PEXELS

Home Schooling: Don’t Muddy The Waters DURING THE PANDEMIC, when schools shut down, you might have heard people say “we are being forced to home-school.” Parents were left to deal with remote learning, virtual school and work packets. Some signed their children up with online academies through their local public school districts and I often read and heard parents say how hard “home schooling” was and that their child wasn’t doing well. No wonder! None of the aforementioned are examples of home schooling. These are all examples of public school at home. I am currently seeing public school teachers share that they are leaving their job to start “home schools.” That is also not home schooling and in some states that is illegal. Those are examples of private schools, pods or microschools, again, none of which are home schools. Home schooling is parent-led and parent-directed education. The parent is the primary educator in a home school. Home-school parents see home schooling as an extension of parenting. The parents are the primary teachers and they choose and implement their child’s curriculum. It’s important now more than ever to identify what home schooling truly is because the waters have gotten muddy. Home-school families have many options when it comes to what their individual style of parent-led and parentdirected education looks like. Many

choose enrichment opportunities for their children. Within the home-school community there are co-ops which consist of parents sharing their time, talents and areas of expertise with a co-op of families. Co-ops are free and typically meet monthly or bimonthly, though this can vary. Many home-school families also participate in tutorials. Tutorials take place in a group setting and typically offer classes a la carte, meaning parents can pick and choose which classes their children take and how many days a week their child attends. Tutorials are a paid service and they do not replace the parent as the primary educator. Some parents may choose to hire a private tutor for their child for a certain subject area but none of these options ever replaces the parents as the primary educators. These are all examples of resources that can enhance individual home schools. Education is currently a hot-button topic. Many parents are making hard decisions when it comes to the education of their children. Alternative educational choices can take on many forms, and it’s important to identify exactly what those look like in order to make informed decisions. If you truly want to steer the ship in terms of your educational choice, parents need to make sure there is no government funding attached to that choice. Always remember, what the government funds, it runs. If it’s a private school and they accept government-allocated funds, it is no longer BOROPULSE.COM

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private. If it is a charter school and it accepts government funds, it is not private, nor is it home schooling. Some states consider private schools and charter schools (who have accepted government monies and offer home-school options) to be examples of “home schooling,” but it is not. If parents truly want to home-school, they must make sure that none of their choices include replacing the parents as the primary educator. They must also understand that home schooling without strings means no government monies attached. Home education has grown exorbitantly over the last couple of years and the trend does not seem to be slowing down. This has allowed an opportunity for many people to capitalize on this market. I encourage every home-school parent to familiarize themselves with the home-school laws in their state. Be wary of any services that are being offered in which parents are being

replaced as the primary educators of their children. Don’t abdicate your home school to someone else. The pioneer home-school families sacrificed much for the home-school community to enjoy the liberties we have today. As a community, we have a responsibility to continue to protect those liberties. We must not allow the home school waters to become muddy.

“If you truly want to steer the ship in terms of your educational choice, parents need to make sure there is no government funding attached to that choice. Always remember, what the government funds, it runs.”

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

SPORTS

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COLUMN BY “Z-TRAIN”

titanman1984@gmail.com

A.J. BROWN

Titans Sit in Control of Their Division Midway Through Season Preds Want Your Medical Records for Entry THE TRAIN DADDY IS BACK with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard! I am finishing this article immediately after the Titans’ insane victory and “sweep-sweep” over those dirty Indianapolis Colts! They beat the Colts twice in one year! What a four-game stretch! The Titans got four big wins in a row over the Jags, Bills, Chiefs and Colts. The Tennessee Titans sit at 6–2 going into November, essentially pushing the Colts out of the race for the division title. The Texans and Jaguars suck, so there’s no threat from either

of those AFC South teams. But the Colts were right on the Titans’ tail going into the Halloween rematch. With this recent Titans’ victory, the Colts sit at 3–5, three games behind the Titans. And in all reality, it’s more like a four-game lead for the Titans with the tie-breaker going to Tennessee. Barring some catastrophic breakdown, the Titans have a firm grip on this division, and it’s not even the halfway point of the season yet. The Titans’ next four-game stretch looks like this: a prime-time game against a solid Rams team in L.A., home games versus the Saints and

Texans, and then a road game in New England. The Rams (7–1) are a dangerous team. The Texans suck! Let’s be honest, the Saints (5–2) and Patriots (4–4) have both had some impressive victories, so (aside from the Texans game, LOL), no easy victories. The Titans are fortunate to have a rather simplistic end to the season entering December. Four of the last five opponents—Jags, 49ers, Dolphins, Texans—all sit under .500, with the one team above .500 being a less-than-impressive Steelers team with a washed-up quarterback. Want to hear something crazy? Ryan Tannehill is 4–1 against the Colts as the Titans’ starting quarterback. No other Titans quarterback has beaten Indy more than twice since the team moved to Nashville. Want to hear another crazy stat? Only two NFL players have more than five TDs of 50-plus yards since 2019, and they’re on the same team—King Henry with 8 and A.J. Brown with 7! Respect is owed to this Titans defense. Things may not be perfect, but this unit has made a huge turnaround since 2020’s historically bad performance. So many people wanted to write this group off. The fact is they have been getting to the quarterback and been significantly better on third-down defense, and stopping the run has become a strong point for this team. The health of the Titans’ defensive backs is still an issue, but they have been fighting it out and have been the definition of a bend-don’t-break defense. I absolutely love seeing Kevin Byard get back to his ball-hawking ways, and mad respect to the explosive Harold Landry, who now has more sacks in eight games than any player in Titans’ history. And, as always, respect to King Henry. He was set to lead the NFL in rushing for the third straight year before he injured his foot.

PREDS WANT VACCINE INFO

Let’s talk about some other local sports. Why not start with Smashville hockey? The Nashville Predators currently sit at 4–4, and for someone who has cheered for

36 * NOVEMBER 2021 * BOROPULSE.COM

this team since the early 2000s and spent a lot of hard-earned money on tickets (regular-season games, playoff games, cell block 303, baby!), I hate saying this: but screw the Predators! At least, for right now. Sorry. Bridgestone Arena, to my absolute surprise, recently announced its COVID policy, requiring people to be fully vaccinated or show a negative test taken within the previous 72 hours. They went so far as to partner with CLEAR Health Pass to make it an “easy” process: just download the app and enter all your appropriate medical information. The Predators President said the decision was made to make sure fans stay as safe as possible. One walk around Nashville’s ridiculously busy streets, packed bars, pedal taverns, the almost 100,000 people crowded around on Titans game day, and you realize how stupid this decision is. Especially since this is Tennessee and I have yet to gone anywhere here that has asked for such information. Not once. The Predators and Bridgestone, for whatever reason, decided to be one of the few places here that wants this medical information. And for that reason, I sadly won’t be spending my money to attend any Predators’ games this season. I also, out of spite, hope this hurts the franchise financially and that they miss out on the playoffs for the first time in many seasons. I hope someone with a backbone over there decides this was a bad idea. I mean, by the time 2022 rolls around, how many shots will it take to be up to date? Isn’t it now four shots, with two boosters? (Because I am still sitting at 0.) Before I say what’s up to the Atlanta Braves, let me shout out to one more Nashville team. The Nashville Soccer Club doesn’t require proof of vaccination status, and this young club is on a roll right now with the MLS Playoffs just around the corner. Nashville SC becomes just the fourth team since the expansion era to clinch a spot in the MLS playoffs in its first two seasons. Nashville also currently owns the longest active unbeaten home streak in MLS, with 17 consecutive matches dating

back to last season. I have only been to one home game since Nashville’s inaugural 2020 season, and we had a great time. What stuck out the most for me was how young this club is, and it felt like a years-long tradition was already in place. NSC is getting ready for its playoff run, slated to begin in the middle of November and run into December. As of Nov. 1, NSC is sitting in third place in the east with 12 wins, 17 draws and only 4 losses. Good luck to you, Nashville! It appears you will have some home playoff games at Nissan Stadium soon and, unlike with the Predators, I will currently spend my hard-earned money on a ticket and will attend my first playoff game. See you soon!

SHOUT-OUT TO THE BRAVES!

I rarely talk about baseball here, but I have been cheering for the Braves since the early ’90s, as have most of us Tennesseans. The Braves are in pursuit of the franchise’s first World Series championship since 1995. I used to make believe I was Chipper Jones back in those days. Memories! The series is headed back to Houston for Games 6 and 7, as of press time, but the series may be wrapped up by the time you read this article. I certainly am rooting for the Braves. It’s been a miraculous season, hovering around .500 from beginning to end! When Ronald Acuna Jr. went down with a season-ending injury prior to the All-Star break, everyone thought the Braves’ season was over. Instead, the Braves went out last July, grabbed some new outfielders, and had possibly one of the greatest trade deadlines ever, propelling this team into its first World Series in 20 years. Alright, that’s it! The 6–2 Titans have beat some good teams and persevered. Keep up the good work! But I also have to bash a team that I have loved for over 20 years. It really is a shame the Predators’ policymakers chose to make that decision while, just outside of their arena, one of the biggest drinking parties in the country has been going on nonstop for over a year. Makes a lot of sense! The Train is rolling into the station. Keep chug-a-lugging along!

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Express Yourself “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” — Oscar Wilde

able to relate instantly to the expressions. I remember when I hosted a “house concert” with a husband-and-wife duo. It was a small, intiArt is the way we look at the world around us. The mate group they performed for that day. I rememforms vary from poetry, singing, dancing, drawing, ber one of their songs moved me to tears. After the athletics, acting, miming, photography, writing, fashperformance they both thanked my profusely for ion and so on. Oscar Wilde’s quote reminds me that being there noting that my reaction to their art, these art forms affect us in different ways, but the their song, their gift reminded them of why they most important one to me is that it gives us permisdo this. It’s not easy working in any capacity to sion to express ourselves, our own thoughts, in one of “show up” and give of yourself in such a personal the countless ways available. way. You never know if your audience To hear and to be heard enables us will appreciate your work and what to discover who we are. It creates a it takes to perform. How we reach better understanding of humanity “YOU ARE others through ourselves in this through individual expressiveTHE UNIVERSE authentic way is the reason. It ness. Sometimes it reaches deep EXPRESSING may not be the masses; it may into our being and makes us ITSELF AS A be only a select few. The gift is come alive in unexpected ways. HUMAN FOR A a mutual reward when meaning Once my son encouraged LITTLE WHILE.” is exchanged. me to buy a piece of wall art I — ECKHART was contemplating (stalling over “You don’t need to have a message TOLLE the cost of the work). He just said for your creation to be art, so just express yourself.” — wordpress.com “buy some art and change your life.” I thought for a moment how this would It’s been said that creation for creation’s sake change my life. I envisioned where I would put the is art in and of itself. The fact that you are taking pieces in the house. I could see how the colors would something from your mind and putting it in a form complement the room and how the shapes would be (writing, movement, stillness, or other medium) a conversation starter. I also thought about the artist makes it art. We are constantly taking information as they might have been while using their brush in. It is important to sift, sort, compartmentalize to create the strokes, and what were they thinking and also exform—or let go, let it out. Expression of when they chose the colors to convey their message. thoughts enables us to not bottle things up inside, Whatever they did spoke to others (as it spoke to thereby risking creative flow. So find a way to free me) when they looked at the canvas, seeing a bit of up all the incoming information by exforming some themselves being expressed or mirrored by someone of it through an art form. If you haven’t found the they never even met. Yes! This could change my life best way to express yourself, look around at all the in a small but powerful way. styles, fashion, wall art, articles and music and pay Connecting with others in an indirect way, on a close attention. You will see what resonates with meaningful level without even knowing them—that you. If you feel shy or timid about fear of ridicule is what I call art! We are all united at one time or or being watched, practice first in private, then another with many who share our thoughts or idewith just a few friends. Think about all we would als. That is why we are moved by a song whose lyrbe missing out on if people were too intimidated to ics we can feel, or we experience exciting emotions express themselves. There would be little to relate to, watching a dance, movie or play. move us or get excited about. The world has need of “Sometimes words are not needed, and the simplicbeing witness to your creative expression. ity of expressing yourself through an art form is one “You are the universe expressing itself as a human of the best ways of communication.” for a little while.” – Eckhart Tolle — Emmanual Jal One of my friends and I often send snapshot photos of ourselves without saying any words. It is an entire conversation with just pictures that reflect our feelings at the time. This is another great example of how you don’t have to speak to communicate. You could literally do a collage of pictures like this and others would be 38 * NOVEMBER 2021 * BOROPULSE.COM

Jennifer Durand is the owner of The Nurture Nook, a certified qigong and breath empowerment instructor and is licensed in massage therapy, body work and somatic integration. For more on finding your personal “ahh . . .”, visit nurturenook.com or call 615-896-7110.

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