September 2017 Murfreesboro Pulse

SEPTEMBER 2017 / VOL. 12, ISSUE 9 / FREE

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

GREENWAY ART FEST RETURNS TO OLD FORT PARK SEPT. 16

THIS MONTH

WINE AROUND THE SQUARE / WMOT’S RADIO REBIRTH / BIG SMO / MULETOWN MUSICFEST / YOGA

Contents

WORD FROM THE EDITOR

34

Art by Joy Delk

12

18

IN EVERY ISSUE

FEATURES

10

RADIO REBIRTH WMOT celebrates first anniversary of its Americana transition.

12

DRUMMERS UNITE Everybody Drum Some presents next Community Rhythm Event, Sept 22.

16

SATURDAY MORNINGS Ken Leonard Jr. continues weekly bluegrass jam session at Vac & Sew.

18

GREENWAY ART FEST Annual celebration of area artists returns to Old Fort Park on Sept 16.

22

LIFE ON DIALYSIS Continuous clinic visits are the routine for Sarah Baker and many others.

24

YOGA IN MURFREESBORO Yoga can help alleviate muscle soreness, improve flexibility and control.

34

LEST WE FORGET Fate of historic monuments rests in the hands of TN Historic Commission.

4 Events

RECIPE

THIS MONTH

EVENTS

9/11 Remembrance; Healthy Heart Walk; Wings of Freedom and more!

Roasted Corn Salsa Chopped for Charity; Wine Around the Square; Oktoberfest at Oaklands; A Night in Italy at Milano II

8 Sounds 32 Movies LOCAL CONCERTS

REVIEWS

MUSIC NOTES

LIVING ROOM CINEMA

Dewdrop Jamboree, John Salaway, Mixtape and more!

Big Smo, Muletown Music Fest, MSO and more!

ALBUM REVIEWS

Commander Keen; The Southern Shame

British New Wave

36 News BUSINESS BUZZ

20 Living GARDENING

LOCAL BUSINESS

28 Food RESTAURANT

Maple Street Grill in Eagleville

Opinion THE STOCKARD REPORT

Hobgood Elementary arrests leads to settlement, some local legal reform VIEWS OF A CONSERVATIVE

Let’s all try to bring the temperature down.

Logan Lucky; Wind River

Climb; Vine Street Consignment; Burger Republic; Taco Garage; The Fountains

The balance of gardening

44

Cultivate Coworking offers shared office space to local business professionals.

NEWS

Rutherford Reflections; Feed America First relocates

LIVE . . .

EXCEPTIONALLY WELL

It’s never too late to ...

MONEY PULSE

Relocation Tips

48 Sports SPORTS TALK WITH Z-TRAIN

Titans poised for another winning season in 2017.

MTSU SPORTS

Blue Raiders had rough season opener against Vandy.

VISIT US AT BOROPULSE.COM FOR MORE!

Publisher/ Editor in Chief: Bracken Mayo

Art Director: Advertising: Sarah Mayo Don Clark Copy Editor: Leslie Russell-Yost Steve Morley

Contributors: Dylan Skye Aycock, John Connor Coulston, Greg Crittenden, Jennifer Durand, Dakota Green, Bryce Harmon, Joseph Kathmann, Chantell Kennedy-Shehan, Zach Maxfield, Justin Reed, Edwina Shannon, Jay Spight, Lucas James Stepp, Andrea Stockard, Sam Stockard, Norbert Thiemann, Semaj Thomas, Phil Valentine, Scott Walker, Michelle Willard

To carry the PULSE at your business, or to submit letters, stories and photography: Bracken@BoroPulse.com 10 N. Public Square, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 615-796-6248

Copyright © 2017, The Murfreesboro Pulse, 10 N. Public Square, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

Proudly owned, operated and published the first Thursday of each month by the Septembero family; printed by Franklin Web Printing Co. The Murfreesboro Pulse is a free publication funded by our advertisers. Views expressed in the Pulse do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. ISSN: 1940-378X

SIGN UP to receive our weekly digital newsletter at BoroPulse.com/Newsletter

LAST MONTH’S EDITION of the Pulse contained a piece reporting a plan to euthanize some of the homeless individuals in Murfreesboro.

The story was not serious, but the issue is. In case anyone is still unclear, the Pulse does not endorse such a plan, and the piece was satire, printed in an effort to get people in the area thinking about the way some in the homeless community are regarded.

Yes, putting it forth in that way pushes the borderline, and some do not find the humor in that.

Some savvy readers quickly pointed out that “Hello!

Euthanization is illegal!” though others appreciated the discussion regarding what should be done about people sleeping in parks and alleyways, as well as what resources can be offered to assist.

Friend of the Pulse and fake newspaperman Sam Clemens masterfully penned the work, though many did not seem to notice the parallel between his piece of satire and Jonathan Swift’s classic A Modest Proposal, which mockingly suggested the Irish poor sell their children to the rich as food as a solution to their poverty.

While a disgusting idea on the surface, in the years following its release, Swift’s book sparked many debates regarding the socioeconomic crisis of his time and the chasm that existed between the rich and the poor. Likewise, perhaps the local story will get a few more in the community to stop and think about how they may be able to make a positive difference in someone’s life.

Some readers seemed to get the article, one pointing out that it could be hurtful to some, but that it also has the potential to “help open some otherwise cold hearts,” adding that many in town look down upon the homeless community in a condescending way.

The response to that piece of satire was possibly greater than the response to a serious news article about a task force or charity would have been. Many consumers of newsworthy information understand that The Onion, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and other “news” organizations, indeed have an impact on bringing attention to important social matters in a satirical way.

So, far beyond a home or a sandwich, the Pulse’s hope is for every individual to have some love, peace and joy in their lives, and have people surrounding them who care and show support, who help enable them to see beyond the difficulty of their present circumstance, who help them take the steps to accomplish their dreams, using the various resources and support the community provides.

Sincere appreciation goes to each and every member of the Pulse team, every contributing writer, every advertiser, every reader, for doing what they do to make the publication happen. Compiling, producing and distributing each publication is no small feat, so thanks to Sarah and everyone else working around the clock to make it happen.

Many events are coming up for a variety of good causes—Wine Around the Square, Wingapalooza, Charity Chopped, Boots and Brews, Greenway Art Fest, Everybody Drum Some’s next community drumming event, Wings of Freedom, The Stacy B. Windrow 5K the City Schools Foundation Back to School Dash and plenty of other community activities. Read more!

Peace, BRACKEN MAYO Publisher/Editor in Chief

Events

BY ANDREA STOCKARD

SEPT. 8 ALZHEIMER’S BENEFIT BLOCK PARTY Join NHC Murfreesboro (420 N. University St.) for the 4th Annual Alzheimer’s Benefit Block Party on Friday, Sept. 8, from 5–10 p.m. with food, music, silent and live auction items. All proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Tickets are $10 and kids 12 and under are free. RSVP to NHC Murfreesboro to pre-order tickets at (615) 893-2602 or nhcmurfreesboro.com.

SEPT. 8 AND 9 TRACTOR PULL IN EAGLEVILLE Join the 30th Annual Pioneer Power Days Antique Tractor Show and Pull at the Eagleville Show Grounds (747 Chapel Hill Pk.) Friday, Sept. 8, and Saturday, Sept.

9. Admission is free in honor of the show’s 30th anniversary. View antique tractors, lawn mowers, trucks, engines and everything from the farms of yesteryear. Bring the kids for the kid’s pedal tractor race and pull (tractors supplied). Ladies can compete for the title of champion in the skillet-throwing contest. Exhibits run through the day with live blacksmith demonstrations and a working sawmill. For more information, call (615) 542-5656 or visit eaglevilletvppa.com.

SEPT. 9

music and view airplanes as the Smyrna Rotary Club donates 100% of the profits to local nonprofit organizations. Car entry fee for the Classic Car Cruise-In is $40 per car. Dinner tickets are $40 per person. For more information, visit wofsmyrna.com.

SEPT. 9 HEALTHY FOR GOOD HEART WALK Join hundreds of Rutherford County residents Saturday, Sept. 9, in walking to raise money for the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to fighting cardiovascular diseases and stroke, at Middle Tennessee’s annual Healthy for Good Heart Walk. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the walk at 9 a.m. at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital (1700 Medical Center Pkwy.). Individuals, teams and companies should sign up for the noncompetitive, three-mile walk beforehand at rutherfordheartwalk.org. Family-friendly activities beginning at 8 a.m. include fun fitness demonstrations, health screenings, CPR training, an exciting Kids Zone and a one-mile survivor route. For more information, visit heart.org/nashville, or contact rutherfordcountyhw@heart.org.

SEPT. 9

PHOTO COURTESY WGNS

SEPT. 11 9/11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office will host a memorial at noon on Monday, Sept.

11, to remember the emergency responders and citizens who died during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh invites the public to join veterans and emergency responders in memorializing the sacrifices so many Americans made that day to help save the lives of others. John Maggard, Chief of Police Service at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System will speak at the event, and other events include a multi-agency Honor Guard and the raising of the POW flag by Rolling Thunder.

SEPT. 12

SEPT. 13

STRATEGIES OF DIGITAL SUCCESS

DC FLIGHT FOR VETERANS

Join Rutherford Cable for its monthly breakfast meeting at the Stones River Country Club (1830 NW Broad St.) Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 7:30–9 a.m. This month features Alli Worthington discussing “Three Strategies of Digital Success.”

The ability to leverage the power of digital marketing is crucial for individuals and businesses alike. Discover the secrets of websites that work for you, branding for success and social media with purpose.

Guest admission is $5. For more information, contact yourrutherfordcable@ gmail.com. Connect with Worthington at alliworthington.com.

JOURNEY OF HOPE BENEFIT

CAMP BOW WOW GRAND OPENING

Join the 3rd Annual Journey of Hope Benefit (3109 Midland Fosterville Rd.) Sat., Sept. 9., from 3–7 p.m. Journey of Hope is a non-profit providing free food and clothing for around 500 families every week.

Money raised through food, music and craft booths help support the organization’s bills and building repairs. For more information, visit lovegodservepeople.org.

Join Camp Bow Wow Smyrna (200 Weakley Ln.) for its Grand Opening Paw-ty on Saturday, Sept. 9, from noon–4 p.m. Bring your pups and enjoy delicious food, a PAWS adoption trailer, local rescues and adoptable dogs, food trucks and local vendors, a free pet photo booth, face painting and camp tours. For more information, call (615) 6256230 or visit campbowwow.com/smyrna.

SEPT. 9

SEPT. 9

WINGS OF FREEDOM FISH FRY

BORO PRIDE

PRECIOUS ANGELS CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT SALE

Celebrate the 15th Annual Wings of Freedom Fish Fry inside Contour Flight Support’s hangar at the Smyrna Airport (276 Doug Warpoole Rd., Smyrna) Saturday, Sept, 9, from 5–10 p.m., to honor this year’s Gold Star family members. If you are a Gold Star member, contact (615) 390-3352 or cepeebles@att.net for two complimentary tickets. Gates open at 4 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. Take part in a delicious dinner, live

Boro Pride is presented by Tennessee Equality Project’s (TEP) Rutherford County Committee, which is part of the TEP Foundation. Come to the Murfreesboro Public Square to help Murfreesboro create a more diverse and inclusive atmosphere in the community on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 4–10 p.m. A community walk begins at 4 p.m. Everyone is invited. For more information, visit tnep.nationbuilder.com.

Buy and sell everything for babies, kids, maternity clothing, home decor and furniture with “no hassle consigning” at the Mid TN Expo Center (1660 Middle Tennessee Blvd.) Sept. 13–16. Volunteers shop first. The sale runs Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. (halfprice day). For more information, visit preciousangelsconsignment.com.

4 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

SEPT. 13-16

Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee invites veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and terminally ill veterans to take a free trip to Washington, DC, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, to see the memorials honoring them in our nation’s capitol. A physician and nurses are provided alongside free transportation to and from the Nashville Airport. For a veteran application, contact (931) 224-3226 or (931) 224-0610.

SEPT. 14 ROCKIN’ 4 RESCUE Operation Education Animal Rescue, is gearing up for its annual Rockin’ 4 Rescue fundraiser this year at The Grove at Williamson Place (3250 Wilkinson Pk.) Thursday, Sept. 14, from 6–9 p.m.

Enjoy delicious food from Tasty Table Fine Event Catering, drinks, and exceptional live music featuring Meghan Linsey, former runner-up on The Voice, and Sarah Potenza, a veteran of The Voice.

Participate in a wine pull, silent auction and a raffle for a chance to win $1,000.

Your support enables OpEd to provide heartworm preventatives, vaccines, spaying and neutering, food and medical treatment for neglected animals. For more information, visit opedanimalrescue.

Visit BOROPULSE.COM/EVENTS for more community events

SEPT. 16 Give remembrance to Deb Johnson, while bringing awareness to the issue of domestic violence affecting families and pets at Deb’s Dogs on Parade. Bring your dogs to Central Christian Church (404 E. Main St.) Saturday, Sept. 16, to compete in a unique dog show, dog cake walk and blessing of the dogs. Prayer begins at noon with a BBQ lunch following.

The speaker program commences at 12:30 p.m., with the dog show at 1 p.m. Categories include best-dressed, dog owner lookalike and best trick. Pets must be supervised and on a leash at all times. For more information, find Debs Dogs on Parade on Facebook.

SEPT. 15 LIGHT UP THE NIGHT Light Up the Night for the Child Advocacy Center while supporting child abuse victims Friday, Sept. 15, at Gateway Island (1875 W. College St.) from 6:30–9:30 p.m.

Dance under the stars, mix and mingle, and enjoy an evening that benefits a great cause. Guests are asked to wear white to help “Light Up the Night.” The evening includes entertainment, dancing, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and white sangria. For more information, visit cacrutherford.org.

SEPT. 15 THIRD FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT AT CANNONSBURGH Enjoy the Third Friday Night free concert at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) with food trucks and live music. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. For more information, call (615) 890-0355 or visit the Cannonsburgh Village Murfreesboro Facebook page.

SEPT. 16 GREENWAY ART FESTIVAL Murfreesboro invites everyone to the 17th Annual Greenway Art Festival at Old Fort Park (1024 Golf Ln., next to the tennis courts and Kids Castle) on Saturday, Sept.

16, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. This juried art

OPENING SEPT. 20

CITY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION BACK TO SCHOOL DASH

LUCKY LADD CORN MAZE AND PUMPKIN PATCH

The City Schools Foundation kicks off the 2017–18 school year with a 5K/10K run on Saturday, Sept. 16 beginning at Overall Creek Elementary (429 Otter Tr.) following a relatively flat terrain on Veteran’s Parkway and Mooreland Drive. The course is a USATF Certified Course and pre-registration includes a timing chip, race bib and T-shirt.

No wheeled devices or pets. The City Schools Foundation raises funds that are given directly to teachers and schools to enhance science, math, technology and art programs. For more information, call (615) 893-2313 or visit cityschools.net.

Lucky Ladd Farm’s mind-bending corn maze (4374 Rocky Glade Rd.) keeps you guessing with an exciting new twist making this popular fall attraction even more challenging Sept. 20–Oct. 29. Other activities at Lucky Ladd include a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, rides, slides and swings. For more information, call (615) 274-3786 or visit luckyladdfarms.com.

SEPT. 18

DEB’S DOGS ON PARADE

networkforgood.com or email opedanimal rescue@gmail.com.

SEPT. 16

show features all mediums and includes live music, food and children’s activities.

For more information, call (615) 893-2141 or visit murfreesborotn.gov.

HISTORY MEETING The Rutherford County Historical Society relays the past at its monthly meeting at the Sam Davis Home Visitors Center (1399 Sam Davis Rd.) on Monday, Sept.

18, from 7–9 p.m. with Tiffany Johnson exhibiting many artifacts and memorabilia about the life and times of the mid-19th century in Middle Tennessee. For more information, call (615) 459-2341.

SEPT. 21 BBB OPENS NEW LOCATION The local Better Business Bureau chapter celebrates a ribbon cutting for the new BBB Central Tennessee office at 530 Uptown Square on Thursday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. coinciding with its 20th anniversary celebration. Please RSVP at (615) 867-0032 or tpage@gobbb.org. For more information, visit gobbb.org.

SEPT. 21 SPECIAL KIDS BANQUET Join the Special Kids Banquet at The Experience Community Church (521 Old Salem Rd.) Thursday, Sept. 21, for a silent

SEPT. 16 WINE AROUND THE SQUARE The 6th Annual Wine Around the Square on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 6–9 p.m., helps underinsured and uninsured Rutherford County women who need diagnostic breast care through the Power of Pink.

Enjoy live music by local band Marshall Creek and an invitation for “The Late Party” at no additional coast at the Alley on Main (223 W. Main St.). Attendees can enjoy wine at 31 businesses downtown including Big B Cleaners, Edward Jones, Maple Street Medical Clinic, Sugaree’s, Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint, Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, Shacklett’s Photography and many more. For more information, visit winearoundthesquare.org.

SEPT. 16 STACY B. WINDROW ZERO TO 5K Join the 8th annual Stacy B. Windrow 5k Saturday, Sept. 16, with this year’s race benefiting Feed America First with the goal of providing enough food for over 50,000 meals. The race begins at 8 a.m. at Olive Branch Church (1115 Minerva Dr.). For more information, visit feedamericafirst. com/5k or stacy5k.com.

BOROPULSE.COM

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auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit specialkidstn.com/banquet.

SEPT. 22–24 ST. LUKE INTERNATIONAL FALL FESTIVAL The 2017 International Fall Festival at St. Luke (10682 Old Nashville Hwy., Smyrna) has expanded. The event, held Friday, Sept. 22–Sunday, Sept. 24, from 7 a.m.–3 p.m., now includes a silent auction, international food booths, games for all ages, free live music, vendors and crafts.

For more information, visit the St. Luke International Fall Festival Facebook Page.

SEPT. 23 LEARN ABOUT LOCAL HISTORY The Rutherford County Historical Society opens the Ransom School (717 N. Academy St.) to the public on Saturday morning from 9 a.m.–noon. Learn about adventures experienced by those who lived resided in the city in the past. Feel free to bring your treasured family photos and historical treasures to share with members, and leave with a better understanding and appreciation for the past. For more information, visit rutherfordtnhistory.org.

SEPT. 23 LULAPALOOZA SHOPPING EVENT Join LulaPalooza for shopping and pampering Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (in the Mirabella Ballroom F at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, 1200 Conference Center Blvd.) for women of all ages to enjoy 15 LulaRoe vendors along with a variety of 25 other direct sales vendors, craft vendors and more. Receive free makeovers, gifts and prize drawings.

For more information, call (423) 6501388 or visit touchtheskyevents.com.

SEPT. 23 OCTOBERFEST AT OAKLANDS Octoberfest at Oaklands Mansion (Maney Avenue) is a “fun raiser” featuring over 15 local craft brewers along with great food Saturday, Sept. 23, from 5–9 p.m. Read more about Oktoberfest at Oaklands on page 31. For more information, call (615) 893-0022 or visit oaklandsmansion.org.

SEPT. 27 AND 28 HERITAGE DAYS This popular living history field trip works with over 1,000 elementary students each day and features more than 20 historical demonstrations at the Sam Davis

Cassy Hooks and Gold Digger King compete in the 2016 IBRA national finals.

SEPT. 24–30 BARREL RACING NATIONAL FINALS The IBRA National Finals (International Barrel Racing Association) at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304B West Thompson Ln.) kicks off Sept. 24– 30, beginning at 10 a.m. with a total of $300,000 in payouts and awards at stake. For more information, contact (502) 2394000 or shane@ibra.us, or visit ibra.us.

Home (1399 Sam Davis Rd.) Wednesday, Sept. 27 and Thursday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Students learn about 19thcentury life through hands-on activities and captivating reenactors while they explore 19th-century music, campfire cooking,

butter churning, cream separating and basket making. For more information, visit samdavishome.org/living-history.

SEPT. 28 SEMINAR WITH SUPERFOOT

Karate champion Bill “Superfoot” Wallace will present seminars at Bill Taylor’s Bushido School of Karate, 1820 NW Broad St., on Thursday, Sept. 28. An event for juniors begins at 5 p.m., with an adult seminar following at 6 p.m. Retiring as the undefeated Professional Karate Association (PKA) Middleweight Champion, Wallace was known to the karate world as “Superfoot” due to his awesome left leg, which was once clocked at over 60 m.p.h.

For more information, find Bill Taylor’s Bushido School of Karate on Facebook.

SEPT. 30 ARROWHEAD RANCH ANNUAL BBQ DINNER AND AUCTION The Arrowhead Ranch (239 Cortner Mill Rd., Normandy) is a working ranch that teaches the importance of hard work and team building to boys ages 8–18. The goals are to provide a balanced family life, develop a safe haven for young boys who have conflict, doubt or misguided direction in their lives and instill a sense of purpose, unconditional love and structure. The Annual BBQ Dinner and Auction begins with tours at 4 p.m. and a BBQ Dinner at 5 p.m.

following by a silent and live auction.

For more information, visit arrow headranchtn.net or the Arrowhead Ranch Home for Boys Normandy on Facebook, call (931) 857-4000 or email arrowheadranchtn@gmail.com.

TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS Rutherford Country Farmers Market Support local farmers at the Rutherford County Farmers Market at the Lane AgriPark (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) every Tuesday and Friday from 7 a.m.–noon. Purchase fresh produce, nursery items, local honey, farm-fresh cheese, meats, soaps and eggs; participate in a free class at 9 a.m. For more information, call (615) 898-7710.

SATURDAYS Murfreesboro Saturday Market Support your local farmers at Murfreesboro’s Saturday Market every Saturday from 8 a.m.–noon around the inner circle of the Rutherford County Courthouse.

Shop for all-natural farm fresh foods, flowers and household items. For more information, call (615) 895-1887 or visit downtownmurfreesboro.com.

ENTERTAINMENT

DJ, BINGO, TRIVIA & KARAOKE NIGHTS KONA ICE OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE

Treat your taste buds to the most amazing flavored shaved ice.

Lemon Lime a-licious, Blue Raspberry, Wild Watermelon, Groovy Grape, Strawberry, Orange, Pina-Colada and many more flavors available.

Call 615-971-0092 for today’s location.

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS

at Cannonsburgh, 312 S. Front St. Food trucks and picnic tables will be in the Cannonsburgh Visitors’ Center’s front lawn each Friday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Join us for Food Truck Friday and Concert Series on the third Friday of each month. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy music and food, Friday, Sept. 15, 6–9 p.m.

SMOKIN’ BUTTZ

Providing slow smoked BBQ to Middle Tennessee Pulled Pork - Pulled Chicken Loaded Potatoes Contact us for your next festival, catering event, lunch, dinner, family cookout, wedding or office party. Facebook / Instagram / Twitter @smokinbuttz, smokinbuttzbbq.com

For more on including your truck’s information in this section, contact (615) 631-5768 or leslie@boropulse.com.

 MONDAYS AHART’S PIZZA GARDEN Trivia, 6:30 p.m.

LEVEL III Trivia, 7 p.m.

THE BORO Vinyl Spin with KM 9 p.m.

 TUESDAYS COCONUT BAY Live Trivia, 7:30 p.m.

NACHO’S Trivia, 7 p.m.

NOBODY'S Bingo, 7 p.m.

LA SIESTA (GREENLAND) Trivia, 7 p.m.

WHISKEY DIX DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

LEVEL III Trivia, 7 p.m.

 FRIDAYS

MELLOW MUSHROOM Trivia, 8 p.m.

STATION GRILL Trivia, 7 p.m.

GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Karaoke, 9 p.m.

LIQUID SMOKE DJ Night, 10 p.m.

MT BOTTLE Karaoke, 9 p.m.–3 a.m.

WHISKEY DIX DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

THE BORO Game Night, 8 p.m.

 SATURDAYS

NOBODY’S Trivia, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

SAM’S SPORTS GRILL Trivia, 8 p.m.

 WEDNESDAYS

COCONUT BAY Karaoke, 8:00 p.m.

CAMPUS PUB Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

NACHOS Trivia, 7 p.m.

NOBODY’S Karaoke, 9:15 p.m.–12:30 a.m.

WHISKEY DIX DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

CAMPUS PUB Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Karaoke, 7 p.m.

 SUNDAYS

GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Karaoke, 9 p.m.

NOBODY’S Karaoke, 9:15 p.m.–12:30 a.m.

SAM’S SPORTS GRILL Trivia, 8 p.m.

OLD CHICAGO Trivia, 9 p.m.

TGI FRIDAY’S Trivia, 9 p.m.

 THURSDAYS BOB’S BBQ Trivia, 7 p.m.

CAMPUS PUB Trivia, 6:15 and 8:15 p.m.

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IF YOU GO

CONCERTS

Autograph Rehearsal Studio 1400 W. College St. 615-686-6121

THURS, 9/7

FRI, 9/15

BONHOEFFER’S

COCONUT BAY CAFE

Iron Vessel, New Suede, Connor Stith

MAIN STREET MUSIC MAYDAY BREWERY

PUCKETT’S GROCERY

MILANO II

THE BORO

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

JD Shelburne

All-Star Jam with Justin Johnson

FRI, 9/8 COCONUT BAY CAFE

Skipper Grace

MAIN STREET MUSIC

Big Smo, Heidi Raye

MAYDAY BREWERY

Aubryn

MILANO II

Jack Popek

NOBODY’S

Escape

THE BORO

Wild Animal, Thunderfrog

SAT, 9/9 CJ’S

Robyn Taylor

GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL

Lucky Strike Band

MAYDAY BREWERY

Accidental Trio

MURFREESBORO PUBLIC SQUARE

Boro Pride with O Summer, Alabaster Crow, Mouthreader, Fluorescent Half Dome, The Pleading, Radical Arts

PUCKETT’S GROCERY

Jon Scott

THE BORO

Fate Of Adam, Off-Set, The Pleading

SUN, 9/10 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Rebecca Van de Ven

SHORT MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY

Robyn Taylor & the Shine

THURS, 9/14 PUCKETT’S GROCERY

Clayton Colvin

CHASED BY GIANTS

Jack Popek

KING OF ARMADILLO BILLY CRAIN

CJ’s 352 W. Northfield Blvd.

615-546-4164

PUCKETT’S GROCERY

Ricky Ray and The Keemosabees

SAT, 9/16

PICK

Mike Dizill

Citizen Rejects

MAYDAY BREWERY

The Tim Turner Band

SUN, 9/17 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Manabu Takasawa

SHORT MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY

Robyn Taylor & the Shine

THE BORO

Downtown Smyrna hosts the 11th Annual Smyrna Depot Days on Friday, Sept.

29, and Saturday, Sept. 30. Classic automobiles will converge near the old Smyrna Train Depot on Friday night for a car show, while Saturday features inflatables, vendors, performance demonstrations, $1 train rides and live music from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring Billy Crain, the Drake Freeman Band, Chasing Giants, King of Armadillo, One Love and other musicians associated with the Carpe Artista group.

Level 3 114 S. Maple St. 615-900-3754

SATURDAY, 9/30 @ DOWNTOWN SMYRNA

NOBODY’S

Mixtape

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

PUCKETT’S GROCERY

U.S. Navy Brass Quintet

Jim Parker and Billy Droze

THE BORO

THURS, 9/21

Love Montage, Dirty Fuss

BONHOEFFER’S

Slider, SlapShot, Daniel Nunnelee

SAT, 9/23

MTSU Wind Ensemble

COCONUT BAY CAFE

The Young Fables

GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL

BIRD SONG STUDIO

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

PUCKETT’S GROCERY THE BORO

All-Star Jam with Justin Johnson

Mary Gauthier, Robyn Taylor Hitman Walker

John Salaway

Delyn Christian

SUN, 9/24

8 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MTSU Jazz Ensemble I & II

THURS, 9/28

GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL

Don Ray Band

MAYDAY BREWERY

Boomstick

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Diane Rivera, John Winninger, Deanna Little; MTSU Symphony Orchestra

PUCKETT’S GROCERY

FRI, 9/29

Daniel Mason Band

THE BORO

MTSU WRIGHT

TUES, 9/26

King the Rebel

WASHINGTON THEATRE AT PATTERSON PARK

Bad Company, Rolling Stones and Heart tribute bands

Jack Popek

Todd Waldecker, Adam Clark

COCONUT BAY CAFE

THE BORO

THE ALLEY

Katie & the Clydesdales

MILANO II

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

SAT, 9/30

Milano II 114 E. College St. 615-624-7390

Junkbox

THE BORO

MAIN STREET MUSIC

Songwriter Night with Glenn Brown

MON, 9/25

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Jamey Simmons

Jesse Hardin

Radical Arts presents Comedy Night

COCONUT BAY CAFE

Zone Status

MAIN STREET MUSIC

Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix tribute bands

MILANO II

Jack Popek

Main Street Music 527 W. Main St. 615-440-2425 Mayday Brewery 521 Old Salem Hwy. 615-479-9722

Brian James, Natchez Tracers

PUCKETT’S GROCERY

Lacey Canfield

Robyn Taylor & the Shine

Liquid Smoke #2 Public Square 615-217-7822

NOBODY’S

PUCKETT’S GROCERY

COCONUT BAY CAFE

Crossroads Band

SHORT MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY

Mesa Projects

MAYDAY BREWERY

FRI, 9/22

Georgia’s Sports Bar 555 S. Lowry St., Smyrna 615-267-0295 Green Dragon 714 W. Main St. 615-801-7171

Pangea: visiting band from China

WED, 9/20

DRAKE FREEMAN

DEPOT DAYS

MUSIC BUILDING

Narwhal Empire, Matfield Green

Coconut Bay Café 210 Stones River Mall Blvd.

615-494-0504

PULSE

COCONUT BAY CAFE GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL

Carmen’s Taqueria 206 W. Northfield Blvd.

615-848-9003 Carpe Artista 101 Front St., Smyrna 615-984-4038

Felix Wang, Arunesh Nadgir

MAYDAY BREWERY

THE BORO

Bonhoeffer’s 2022 E. Main St. 615-440-3794

Rubiks Groove

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

BluHill Percussion Duo

Bird Song Studio 213 W. High St., Woodbury 615-772-6432

Morgan Clark

Mike Wootan and The Montana Swing Silent Monolith

Dewdrop Jamboree

DOWNTOWN SMYRNA

Depot Days with Billy Crain, the Drake Freeman Band, King of Armadillo, Chasing Giants, Half Asleep 30, 6 Piece, One Love

MTSU Wright Music Building 1439 Faulkinberry Dr. 615-898-2469 Nacho’s 2962 S. Rutherford Blvd.

615-907-2700 Nobody’s Grille & BBQ 2227 Old Fort Pkwy.

615-962-8019 Washington Theater at Patterson Park Community Center 521 Mercury Blvd.

(615) 893-7439 Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant 114 N. Church St. 629-201-6916 Short Mountain Distillery 8280 Short Mountain Rd., Woodbury / 615-16-0830 The Alley on Main 223 W. Main St. 615-203-3498 The Boro Bar & Grill 1211 Greenland Dr. 615-895-4800 Wall Street 121 N. Maple St. 615-867-9090

 View the monthly concert schedule at BoroPulse.com/Concerts  Send show listings to Listings@BoroPulse.com

Sounds

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BoroPulse.com/Category/Music

HANK SNOW ONCE SANG A SONG CALLED “HELLO LOVE.” Today, I’m singing “Hello September!” We are rolling on and playing all sorts of great music here on The Justin Reed Show and September is going to be another great month filled with amazing guests and fantastic surprises!

MULETOWN MUSICFEST RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA SEPT. 29 & 30 The third Annual Muletown Musicfest returns to Columbia’s Historic Downtown Square on Friday, Sept. 29, and Saturday, Sept. 30. The not-for-profit community collaboration benefiting United Way of Maury County will celebrate local businesses, food and music on the Square on Friday night and all day and night Saturday.

On Saturday, visitors will enjoy free music at over a dozen shops and numerous venue spots around the Downtown Square. There will be food tents from Maury County restaurants, plus the eateries around the Square, including Puckett’s, The Square Market Cafe, 822 South, Muletown Roasters and the Mercantile.

On Friday and Saturday evening, a ticket purchase allow visitors access to the concerts held in Puckett’s and Westbury House.

SEPT. 7: (Episode 197) At 7:30 a.m. the show will welcome Fairbanks and the Lonesome Light. Vocal duo Erik Flores and Amelia Rose Logan, along with the band, perform a deft blend of indie-rock and classic Americana.

The group’s newest release, Nothing to Escape, is now available. For more information, visit fairbanksandthelonesomelight.com. At 9 a.m., longtime friend of the show Coby Greer will make his debut on the show. Greer has been nicknamed “the torchbearer of twang” and he lives up to that nickname each and every day. One of his newest singles, “Girl on the Billboard,” fares well against the original from Del Reeves, as Greer puts his own spin on the timeless classic. Greer will play live; find more on him at cobygreermusic.com.

MUSIC NOTES RIDERS IN THE SKY

Mulefest Director Rick Clark said the Muletown Musicfest will “provide meaningful assistance to local United Way programs and showcase our community with serious high-quality artistic offerings.

We look forward to knocking this out of the park!”

MULETOWN MUSICFEST LINEUP Riders in the Sky  Anthony Adams & the Night Owls Jill Andrews Damien Boggs Emma Brooke Cody Brooks Anne Buckle Sarah Clanton Steve Conn Chris Cron Laurelyn Dossett Doyle & Debbie Show Farmer Jason  Mary Gauthier  High Gravity Quartet Scott Holt Jay Hoppus Matt Johnson

TEEA GOANS, MADELYN VICTORIA AND MORE ON THIS MONTH’S JUSTIN REED SHOW

Sarina Joi-Crowe Emily Kelly Nashville Symphony People on the Porch Jim Lauderdale Jason Matthews Joshua Messick Bill Mize Phineas & Ferb  Joe Pisapia Katie Pruitt Pujol Quichenight Jordy Searcy River Tramps Austin Tyler Jesse Villa Brandy Zdan

Over 30 diverse musical artists will be participating in the two-day event, including: Proceeds from this festival will directly benefit the United Way of Maury County; for tickets or more information, visit muletown musicfest.com.

SEPT. 14: (Episode 198) At 9 a.m. the show will welcome back Madelyn Victoria. Victoria has been a call-in guest previously but will drop by the studio to visit and share stories from her amazing career. At just 26 years old, She has opened for the likes of Easton Corbin, Zac Brown Band, the Charlie Daniels Band and many more, and she means what she sings. The “He Only Loves Me on the Dance Floor” singer will play live on the air. To follow Victoria and learn more, visit facebook. com/madelynvictoria.

SEPT. 21: (Episode 199) An interview that has been almost three years in the making will happen at 8 a.m.: Teea Goans will be back to co-host and preview every track of her new album Swing, Shuffle & Sway! The album will be available Sept. 7. The album lives up to its title, featuring some timeless classics and some new tunes, including “Heart Over Mind,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “Mercy Walked In” and many more. Order the album and get more information at teeagoans.com.

SEPT. 28: (Episode 200) It is hard to believe this massive event is just around the corner! We will have a remote broadcast with a live audience and it will be filled with many guests from the past 200 shows. The best source for more information is thejustinreedshow.com/200.

Words cannot express how thankful I am each Thursday as I host the show from 6–10 a.m. on 88.3 FM WMTS and worldwide at thejustinreedshow.com. Be sure to follow facebook.com/thejustinreedshow and twitter.com/tjrs_wmts.

Peace, Love and Ernest Tubb, — JUSTIN REED BOROPULSE.COM

* SEPTEMBER 2017 * 9

Sounds

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With an innovative new format, local station WMOT tastes the fruits of its new roots.

I

STORY BY STEVE MORLEY

t’s no secret to most Murfreesboro residents that contained within the city’s borders is the geographic center of Tennessee. Many area citizens, though, may not have realized that a very different type of center has recently been established less than a mile from that point: an anchoring hub for the many-hued behemoth now known as Americana/roots music, sending it across the region’s airwaves from the campus of MTSU. Perhaps you’ve noticed by now that the jazz, classical and talk programming previously featured on the university’s WMOT-FM has given way to a curiously diverse new musical menu (though jazz is still airing from MTSU on HD and other alternate frequencies). What you may not be aware of is that the revamped public radio station, now entering its second year as Roots Radio 89.5, holds the distinction of being one of the country’s most forward-thinking and unique.

As the station’s current staff observes the first anniversary of its rebirth, there is much to celebrate. On Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, Roots Radio made its debut with the most ambi10 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

tious set of goals in its history: to increase its audience, expand learning opportunities for media students, create more synergy with other College of Media and Entertainment resources and make greater use of highly music-savvy faculty. The station’s bold switch-up of musical styles was, of course, another of its upgraded objectives; indeed, it’s the reason for WMOT’s recent successes.

Ken Paulson, dean of MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment and the initiator of the station’s sweeping overhaul, tells the Pulse that the format change “could not have gone any better.

Our audience size and community support have grown exponentially, and the feedback from listeners has been truly heartening,” Paulson says.

“WMOT is the PAULSON fastest-growing radio station in Middle Tennessee and is offering extraordinary opportunities to our

students. It’s been a big step forward.”

A year ago, the station ranked 43rd out of 44 Nashville area stations; today, it’s rated in the mid20s and rising, with 500 new supporting members in the last 10 months and a significant increase in student involvement, according to Val Hoeppner, WMOT’s execuHOEPPNER tive director. “Last year,” Hoeppner says, “we had one student working on the radio station. Today there are more than 20 students,” she reports, working in a wide range of various media roles and paid for their efforts.

“Almost overnight we have become one of the flagship Americana stations in the country,” adds Greg Reish, director of MTSU’s Center for Popular Music. Reish, who calls WMOT’s recent accomplishments and heightened profile “astonishing,” oversees the Center’s gargantuan collection of vintage recordings, publiREISH cations and other musical and cultural treasures—an invaluable storehouse that often goes unnoticed in the community and region. An increase in exposure for this important resource has already begun as a result of the active relationship in place between Roots Radio and the CPM, which supplies vintage material for specialty shows such as Somebody Say Amen and Reish’s own far-reaching program, Lost Sounds.

But while it isn’t the primary source of on-air fare for Roots Radio’s eclectic oldmeets-new concept, the CPM’s vast musical depth and breadth is echoed in the station’s slogan, “Americana Deep and Wide.” Americana is generally thought of as a roots-based umbrella under which blues, country, folk, bluegrass, R&B and assorted fusions of those styles reside, but a comprehensive definition is hard to come by. John Walker, the executive producer of Roots Radio, believes that Americana is “an ongoing exercise in

defining—and re-defining—the boundaries.

It’s not so much a genre as it is an aesthetic . . . a feeling that a certain song or a certain artist’s body of work has the integrity to be considered a part of the rich heritage of American popular music.” In any case, that’s the take on the topic held by those who artfully weave the multiWALKER textured tapestry now heard on WMOT. Walker, who cofounded the innovatively inclusive Music City Roots brand and weekly show that prefigured Roots Radio, proved essential to establishing the fully formed programming style heard on the station from day one. Also vital is Jessie Scott, a widely respected visionary in Americana radio programming who serendipitously appeared in Walker’s professional circle around the time Ken Paulson came knocking to explore a collaborative reinvention of WMOT. Paulson’s SCOTT concept was a perfect match for all parties; with Walker’s longtime associates and key MTSU personnel on board, a truly pioneering radio format was poised to emerge.

And so it has, bringing musical discoveries to enthusiastic listeners throughout and beyond Middle Tennessee. Walker, who had long held the goal of launching a station as adventurous as Roots Radio, shares their enthusiasm from his side of the microphone.

“Personally, I’m thrilled, but not surprised at the way the market has embraced us,” Walker says. “I’m thankful that Ken Paulson and Val Hoeppner shared our vision and allowed us to shake things up at WMOT.” Watch for more on Roots Radio’s origin and distinctive approach to radio in next month’s Pulse, and visit Boro Pulse.com for an expanded version of this story.

ALBUMS

BY JOHN CONNOR COULSTON

THE SOUTHERN SHAME

COMMANDER KEEN

The Southern Shame, a Middle Tennessee outlawcountry three-piece, has played local spots like The Boro Bar & Grill numerous times since forming in 2006. Frontman/producer Jason Fox, percussionist Tracy Ratzlaff and bassist Andy Wortman dropped the living-room-recorded EP, Orion, in the summer of 2017, which features a mix of accessible influences packed into an acoustic Americana sound.

The seven-track release takes its name from the singer Jimmy “Orion” Ellis, an Elvis Presley soundalike who wore a mask to perpetuate the myth that the King was alive and recording songs under a mysterious alias. The song “The Ballad of Jimmy Ellis” is a riveting tribute to the singer and the documentary that tells his life story, Orion: The Man Who Would Be King.

That isn’t the only classic influence on the EP. The tracks “Contract Lover” and “Rascal” give off some major David Bowie vibes. Fox’s vocals on “Contract Lover” sound like the late Thin White Duke going through a country singer-songwriter phase. “Rascal” takes Bowie’s epic “Ziggy Stardust” swagger and compresses it into the Southern Shame’s acoustic-based sound. You can also hear the band’s ’60s pop influences on songs like “As If ” and “Forget Nashville.” You can even get a touch of Bob Dylan’s country moments throughout the EP. The only drawbacks of Orion lie in some of the vocal parts. Sometimes they’re not enunciated clearly, especially on the opener, “Woke Up This Morning,” and at points they’re mixed too low and blend in a bit too much with the instrumentation. These factors take some focus away from Fox’s lyrics, but also allow the guitar melodies, song structures and instrumental elements to shine through.

While the influences are present, the way that The Southern Shame transforms them into something new is what makes Orion such a good release with a memorable batch of songs.

Commander Keen is back with its second release of 2017, a 15-minute EP of fast and fuzzy cuts evoking the mood of a night out at a dive bar or a heated house show. Cowboy Killer finds vocalist and guitarist Blake Marlow, bassist Matt Billings and percussionist Zach Ramsey re-tackling two of the band’s earlier tracks and adding two new songs.

The re-recordings, “Brain Waves” and “Nashville Pts. I–III,” are the strongest songs on the four-song release. “Brain Waves” originally appeared on 2012’s Basement Sex EP in an extremely low-fi fashion. The new coat of paint brings out just enough clarity to make the song listenable but still leaves the track’s druggy aesthetic in place. It features some sunny guitar work paired with beach imagery akin to modern indie rock acts Wavves and Surfer Blood.

“Nashville Pts. I–III” evolved from two different versions of the song, one from 2014’s Low Budget Dreams and a 10-minute rendition on 2015’s Melter EP; I believe this more refined version is the best of the trio. Things start out with a grungy take on what could have been a simple indie rock cut, with some rougharound-the-edges vocals and lyrics about being the ugliest boy/girl in this ugly town and enjoying a Nashville night. While the song starts as a mixed bag, it builds up to a wild jam, filled with stellar guitar solos.

As for the two originals, they serve as a bit of a sonic transition between the opener’s bright elements and the insanity of “Nashville.” The title track mixes nice guitar parts with some punk-like vocals and rhythms, and has a good vibe, but it isn’t quite as memorable as you’d expect a title track to be. “God Is on the Mountain” follows with some ramped-up indie guitars that accelerate into a punk frenzy.

Overall, Cowboy Killer is a fast and furious listen ideal for fans of all things garage and grunge. It could even win over listeners who like their indie rock a bit cleaner, if they can get into the rough vocal delivery.

Find Cowboy Killer on Bandcamp.

Orion

A CLASSIC OUTSTANDING

Cowboy Killer

AVERAGE BELOW AVERAGE

AVOID AT ALL COSTS DEAD

Read more about local music at

BoroPulse.com/Category/Music

PHOTOS COURTESY EVERYBODY DRUM SOME

Sounds

Everybody Drum Some presents next

Community Rhythm Event on Sept. 22.

STORY BY BRACKEN MAYO

M

urfreesboro percussion collective Everybody Drum Some continues its tradition of ringing in the changing seasons with a community rhythm event on Friday, Sept. 22. The group drumming session kicks off at 6 p.m. at Murfreesboro Civic Plaza near Linebaugh Library, at the intersection of Vine and Church Streets.

Ross Lester and his drumming disciples keep the beat flowing in Murfreesboro, and they invite everyone to come and participate in and witness the spectacle of a town in unison at the community rhythm events.

Everybody Drum Some makes its mission quite clear, that everybody should drum some, and the group opens its community rhythm events to absolutely anyone who would like to join the beat, regardless of age or percussion skill level, everyone has a place in the circle. Past drumming events have seen families with children, seasoned musicians, MTSU students, business professionals, grandparents, high

12 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

school band members, military veterans and folks representing a wide variety of demographics in the community playing music together, as Lester conducts the jam.

Organizers say they appreciate this diversity and inclusiveness in the drum circle, and in the community.

How else would this group of people from such different walks of life come together for an evening, by choice, and for a few hours participate in a musical ensemble with some of their neighbors, with whom they may have otherwise never interacted?

As some forces in our country seem to want to divide the people against each other, Everybody Drum Some wants to unite.

Regardless of what age you are, regardless of how rich you are, regardless of education

level, political affiliation, race or religion, come and drum some.

“It’s an important freedom to peacefully gather and engage in civic life,” says Lester. “Everybody has something to say, something to contribute. The drum circle is an opportunity for each person to express themselves as an individual, and yet for all of us to join our voices into one song. It’s community communication.”

While these group drumming sessions do allow for plenty of personal expression and various interpretations of the beat, Lester says the events are not so much a time for skilled drummers to put on a concert and impress others with their licks.

Rather, they’re provided as an opportunity for participants to raise percussive voices

in unison with the group and to encourage musical participation from newcomers.

“It really is not at all about musical experience or talent or anything like that,” Lester said. “What’s amazing is that from the beginning of the evening to the end of the evening is the whole group really grows together in their ability to communicate musically.”

If you have a drum or small percussion instrument, bring it to Murfreesboro Civic Plaza on Friday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m.; if not, Everybody Drum Some will provide plenty for attendees to use. All are welcome to come join the community in making some joyful music together.

For more information on Murfreesboro drumming group Everybody Drum Some, find them on Facebook or visit everybody drumsome.com.

Sounds

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 EAGLEVILLE HOSTS ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL ON SEPT. 23

MUSIC NOTES

Head out to Eagleville for the town’s fall festival on Saturday, Sept. 23.

The free, family-friendly event will feature rousing performances by Uncle Shuffelo and His Haint Hollow Hootenanny, the Mid-State Cloggers, Thomas Maupin, Daniel Rothwell & Overall Creek and more from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. In addition to live music, check out the onsite petting zoo, inflatables, face painting and games.

 BIG SMO RETURNS TO MAIN STREET MUSIC SEPT. 8 Bedford County’s own Big Smo will kick off his fall tour dates with a performance at Main Street Music on Friday, Sept. 8. The country rap artist is currently supporting hick-hop duo The Lacs on the group’s Deplorables Tour, along with Saving Abel, Almost Kings and other acts.

The show is set to begin at 8 p.m. with opener Heidi Raye. Main Street Music is located at 527 W. Main St.

MURFREESBORO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA KICKS OFF NEW SEASON SEPT. 28

UNCLE SHUFFELO AND HIS HAINT HOLLOW HOOTENANNY

14 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra will open its 2017–18 season with String Serenade, an evening dedicated to the transcendent sounds of string instruments and conducted

by Maestro Jordan Tang. First United Methodist Church will host the Thursday, Sept.

28, performance. Other season performances include Latin Family Concert (Oct. 21), Hooray for the Red, White and Blue, a concert of American music to salute veterans (Nov. 10) and A Christmas Spectacular (Dec. 14). After a two-month break, the symphony will return with Basie, Bebop, Ballads & Blues, an evening of jazz celebrating Black History Month (Feb. 22) and The Lights of Broadway (April 19). For tickets and more information on each program, visit murfreesborosymphony.com.

Sounds

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T

o some, Saturday mornings at Murfreesboro Vacuum Cleaner and Sewing Center may appear like an ordinary business day. Although the shop is open until 2 p.m. each Saturday, owner Kenneth Leonard Jr. gathers in the back with family and friends all morning to play a blend of bluegrass, country and gospel.

The musical tradition began more than 20 years ago, when Leonard’s brother and uncle would bring lunch back to the store and play guitar. Eventually, Leonard and his father, Kenneth Leonard Sr., joined the fun. “[My uncle and brother] would go get lunch, and we’d eat chicken wings and pick,” Leonard says. “Eventually my dad and I joined in, too.”

With the front door propped open and facing Memorial Boulevard, customers occasionally pop in for a question or to drop off an appliance. It’s also not unusual for the phone to ring during a song. When this happens, Leonard, who sometimes joins in on guitar and bass, stops what he’s doing and carries out business as usual.

“That’s how this evolved into what it is today,” Leonard explains. “Customers would come into the shop and then end up coming back the next week to play with the rest of us.”

The back room features a couple kitchen appliances and just enough space for a group of about 15 musicians, along with several guitars, microphones and music stands.

While some friends and family members have either moved away or passed on, many members of the current group have met each Saturday for about 15 years.

“We all do our own things during the week, but Saturday is our day to catch up and play music,” Leonard says. “Customers sometimes even stick around and listen to a song or two.”

Inside the performance room, the walls are lined with posters and other country music memorabilia. The Tennessean’s 2013 George Jones memorial cover is positioned over the stovetop. Guitars, both acoustic and electric, hang on the walls, ready to be taken down and strummed at any moment.

Among the framed photos are images of Loretta Lynn, Elvis and Johnny Cash, as well as photographs of the group’s Bob Godsey with his musical hero, the late Glen Campbell.

For Leonard and company, he says the 16 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

Ken Leonard Jr.

Saturday Mornings at the Shop A musical tradition lives on through the decades

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

Jack Allen and Melba Leonard

fun and fellowship that comes with playing music helps the tradition live on. For three hours, the musicians take turns singing a couple songs while the rest of the group plays along on guitars, fiddles, mandolins and banjos. They even share friendly banter between songs.

“You’ve gotta keep up,” someone quips after a song ends. “I think you were leaving skid marks on the ground,” someone else chimes in, laughing.

“You’ll hear some cutting up while you’re here,” Hiram Lester explains. He is a Saturday morning regular and has been for several years. “But we’re all here to have fun and play music.”

The songs, though mostly traditional country, span many decades. Melba Leonard, Kenneth’s mother, leads “The Tip of My Fingers,” a delicate country ballad written and recorded by country artist Bill Anderson in 1960. Linda and Bob Godsey duet on “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma.” Later in the morning, Gary Allen, accompanied by his electric guitar, covers Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon.” Allen’s father, Jack Allen, sits nearby, strumming and singing along.

“We all like country and gospel,” Melba Leonard says after the group wraps things up for the day. She cites Patsy Cline as one of her favorites.

“We might throw in a little bluegrass or rock ’n’ roll,” Lester adds. “For the most part, we like country . . . like Hank Williams and Conway Twitty.”

On every day but Sunday, Leonard can be found selling and repairing vacuum cleaners and sewing machines, a trade he learned from his father. It’s a hard-pressed occupation, he admits, but he looks forward to the Saturday gatherings.

“Work is hectic throughout the week, so Saturday is our day of enjoyment,” he says.

“I’m usually working most of the time, but at least I get to listen to the music while doing other things.”

Murfreesboro Vacuum Cleaner and Sewing Center is located at 1013 Memorial Blvd. Although Saturday mornings remain a friends-and-family affair, interested parties can hear most members of the group perform at Westbrook Towers every fourth Saturday at 6 p.m.

Unlock the Champion Within 1-ON-1 TRAINING GROUP TRAINING NUTRITION GUIDES ONLINE TRAINING

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Art GREENWAY ART FESTIVAL

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SEE MORE FROM THESE ARTISTS AT THE 2017 GREENWAY ART FESTIVAL I HART PORTRAITS

Returns to Old Fort Park on Sept. 16

BY DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., artists and art enthusiasts alike will gather at the trail at Old Fort Park for the annual Greenway Art Festival. Throughout the day, selected artists will display and sell their artwork under shady trees along Spring Branch Creek.

The one-day festival, sponsored by the Friends of the Greenway and Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation, is a juried art show that attracts talented artists from across Middle Tennessee. The art on display varies from oils, acrylics, watercolors, pottery, sculpture, glass, jewelry and more.

This year, sculptural painter Ginny Togrye is assisting with the festival and will have her artwork on display. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Togrye graduated from MTSU, where she says she developed her technique as a sculptural painter.

Togrye was recently honored as one of Murfreesboro’s first laureates, along with poet laureate Kory Wells and photographer laureate Jessica Nelson. For one year, each laureate will have the opportunity to educate and engage their respective artistic communities through various area events and activities. As painter laureate, Togrye will work individually, as well as collaboratively with Wells and Nelson, on pieces inspired by Murfreesboro.

“I feel like it’s a privilege,” Togrye explained at the laureate induction ceremony. “I really appreciate the opportunity to be involved in igniting the creative community.”

Most of Togrye’s portfolio is reminiscent of a frieze, a type

GinnyTogrye

of painting that protrudes from the wall and was once produced by the likes of Michelangelo and other renowned artists. Her work is also similar to impasto painting, a technique that involves the thick application of paint to a canvas.

“With sculptural painting, you apply a modeling paste with either clay tools, a pallet knife, dental tools or cake decorating tools,” she adds. “It’s a very thick, textural dynamic . . . you want to touch it.”

Togrye’s art has been featured at local festivals and exhibits including Boro Art Crawl, Gallery at the Mill at Lebanon, Germantown Art Crawl and others. Her work, along with event dates and blog posts, can be found at creativevisionssculpturalpainting.com.

As a reminder, the Greenway Art Festival isn’t only for adults. Look out for the kids’ arts and crafts area where children can explore their creativity. While strolling around the park, listen to live music by the Todd London Trio and enjoy a variety of local food vendors including Cousin’s Maine Lobster, Yayo’s Original Mexican Gourmet, Chicken Shack Express, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, McCleary’s Kettle Corn and Miss Pokey’s Lemonade.

Works by Joy Delk (left) and Carol Berning will also be on display at this year’s Greenway Art Fest

18 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

Artist Erin Hartsfield specializes in colored pencil, oil paint and pen and ink portraits of pets, children and families.

Hartsfield’s art largely reflects her interest in animals and captures the details and emotions of our furry friends. You can find Hartsfield’s art on Facebook and Instagram at I Hart Portraits.

DON OWENS

If you’ve passed by the corner of Main and Maple, it’s likely you have also seen the work of Murfreesboro photographer Don Owens, who usually displays his prints on a park bench each afternoon.

Owens’ photos almost always capture some form of nature, whether it’s flowers and wildlife, historic sites around town or statues and sculptures in the area. Look out for his booth, Hamoel Photography, at this year’s festival.

PAM PINKERTON MACK

Portrait artist Pam Pinkerton Mack’s paintings have been featured all around town, from Boro Art Crawl to the walls of local businesses like Safari Pet Resort, Top of the Block and Moxie Art Supply. In recent years, Mack has painted and sketched several musicians and actors, from Prince and Jack White to Gene Wilder and Marilyn Monroe. One of Mack’s latest paintings of a mason jar and pears will be on display along with others.

DESIGNS BY ROYCE

Jewelry designer and artist Royce Vaughn will be at the festival with several of her pieces, including earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Vaughn creates her jewelry by hammering metal and working with wire and various colorful stones. In addition to creating pieces of jewelry, Vaughn works in acrylics, watercolors and pencils and has illustrated five children’s books.

You can see her work at royceacreativelife.blogspot.com.

Greenway Art Festival is held at Old Fort Park, 916 Golf Ln. For more information, contact the Greenway office at (615) 893-2141 or mtate@murfrees borotn.gov.

Living

I

s gardening (or small farming) an escape, a necessity, a spiritual journey, a road to good health or all—or none—of the above?

I recently attended the documentary Look and See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry organized by Murfreesboro artist and MTSU professor Art Growden. With an interest in gardening, small farms and how to accomplish an ecological, sustainable balance in our world, I really wanted to hear what the man was all about, so I arranged my work schedule to attend. One of my friends does not like his politics, so I was even more intrigued.

Wikipedia describes Berry as “an American novelist, poet, environmental activist, cultural critic and farmer. A prolific author, he has written many novels, short stories, poems and essays.”

I was disappointed with the movie. As he is a living legend and a leader by example, I had hoped to hear more of him. I wanted to hear his words, spoken with his own inflections, but he chose to remain off-screen. A missed opportunity, as I expected a Q&A with him, a reporter who dug into his psyche, into his thinking process. (Roger Ebert described the documentary as “two different films . . . neither one of them is, in fact, a portrait of Wendell Berry. Neither one of them, despite sincere intentions, is very good.”) The missed opportunity of hearing this interesting person got me thinking about reluctant leaders, as that is now how I view him.

Of all the roles each of us perform in a daily schedule, a leader is one of them. How can I make such a broad statement?

My thought is that each time that we have an idea, follow a personal quest, try something new, express a different opinion than the norm, take the initiative to try, then we take on a leadership role. Granted, it may only be you yourself that you are leading, but you are still leading . . . and others may follow you, observe you or continue to monitor you. You will have both vocal and silent supporters and dissenters.

Regardless, off you go, continuing on your determined path of making your idea into a reality. Is that not a leadership role? Could your garden and your methods be an inspiration to passersby?

Reaching out to Professor Growden, I was directed to the writings of poet Mary Oliver. In reading about her, I read reviews

20 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

Farmers Market Education Series

BY EDWINA SHANNON

“does the end justify the means?” can surely be applied here.

The writer planted the thought in the brains and hearts of many, resulting in a mission, a cause and a movement that changed society.

Where is this generation’s writer? Where are the thoughts, where are the community, village and global goals and visions?

Who can be the leader? Who can create a passion for making a balance with nature an ongoing societal priority?

I have some books and articles I suggest others read and re-read: thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-truthabout-ddt-and-silent-spring The End of Nature, Bill McKibben

The Balance of Gardening Be a Leader With Your Property and Your Life which compare her writings to Thoreau and Whitman for her observations of the natural world. The summary has extrapolated a line of hers from “The Summer Day”: Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

It continues: Instructions for living a life.

Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.

Inspiring words reflecting actions of many of the people I know who are not following the established path.

My thoughts segue from leadership through individual choices to wondering if, as humans, there is an innate need to leave a piece of ourselves behind, a need to influence or even make a change on this earth as an individual legacy. As a related thought, I wonder if any one who is an observer of nature and the cycles of our earth could be anything but an organic gardener.

The organic movement was a direct result of the ever-increasing industrial agricultural practices that began at the end of the 19th century and increased after WWI. Rudoph Steiner was one of the early proponents of organic practices with his

biodynamic agricultural system based on his spiritual and philosophical practices.

Starting in the 1940s, Jerome I. Rodale provided the main source of information about “non-chemical” farming methods in the U.S. He influenced organic production methods through his hands-on approach at the Rodale Organic Gardening Experimental Farm in Pennsylvania. His interest developed the Rodale Publishing empire which intertwines organic gardening and health.

Rodale drew many of his ideas from Sir Albert Howard, a British scientist. Howard spent years observing and researching the traditional farming methods in India. The Rodale publications are still good resources for organic gardening.

If we move forward a couple of decades, there was a very influential book from 1962 that affected the thinking of the majority.

The outcry from Silent Spring by Rachel Carson brought attention to the use of pesticides in the environment and resulted in the banning of DDT. Outside of the controversy that now surrounds the technique and facts within the book, the impact of the writing did alter life—bans, businesses and nature were affected. The ubiquitous question

Earth in the Balance, Al Gore Thoreau Our Stolen Future, Theo Colburn thenewatlantis. com/publications/newatlantis-books As my actions follow my ideas and I develop the future of my property in balance, I know that I am also balancing my essence with all that is of nature. I will be accountable for my actions, for honoring the balance and for presenting the value of adopting an organic approach to life, including gardening, for the good of others.

Farmers Market Classes On the learning curve of life, there are free classes offered through the Rutherford County Farmers Market, held every Tuesday and Friday morning through October at 9 a.m. Classes for September are:

SEPT. 5 Turf Renovation, Maintenance and Establishment Anthony Tuggle, Rutherford County Extension Agent Whether you are starting new, starting over or keeping it going, keep your yard looking great! CONTINUED ON PAGE 21 . . .

SEPT. 8

SEPT. 19

Dive In: How to Support Clean Water in Our Community Cynthia Allen, MTSU, and Katie Peay, Rutherford County Planning and Engineering Learn to support clean water in Tennessee. What can you do to preserve our clean water supply?

Crockpot Creations Tiffany Schmidt, Extension Agent In a time crunch? Learn how to make delicious meals that cook while you are at work.

SEPT. 12 Making Smart Lunch Choices: Stretching Your Food Dollars Kim Miner and Karla Erazo, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Assistants Use nutrition facts, labels and ingredient lists to know the amount of saturated fat, sodium and added sugars in the foods and beverages you choose. Get the best for less!

SEPT. 15 Composting Options Mark Murphy, Certified Master Gardener No space or time for a compost pile?

Learn alternative composting methods

SEPT. 22 Planting Fall Vegetable Gardens Anthony Tuggle, Extension Agent Learn about the best plants for your fall vegetable garden.

SEPT. 26 Seasonal Eating Carla Bush, Extension Agent Eat what’s in season; it’s easy on the wallet. And what could be better than food at its peak of flavor, texture and nutrition?

SEPT. 29 Are You Ready to Buy a Home?

Misty Layne-Watkins, Extension Agent The home-buying process is complex!

Gain the tools and knowledge to successfully make a wise investment in what will probably be your largest and most important purchase.

BOROPULSE.COM

* SEPTEMBER 2017 * 21

Living

Life on Dialysis Continuous clinic visits are the routine for Sarah Baker and thousands of others living with kidney failure.

T

STORY AND PHOTO BY SCOTT WALKER

he sounds of beeping can be heard for a solid four hours while she sits quietly in a room surrounded by others. Around her are several people, one with a homemade quilt covering her legs, another woman who appears to be about 60 wrapped in a sleeping bag and a third listening to headphones. Another man appears to be about 40 years old and late for an appointment, as he constantly looks at his watch and questions the length of stay during this visit.

The dialysis clinic in Smyrna, Tenn., is filled with all walks of life. Some have hereditary blood disorders that date back to their childhood, while others have suffered from diabetes to the point where their kidneys no longer function properly. The list of causes goes on and on because there are so many illnesses, diseases or injuries that can damage the kidneys.

The National Kidney Foundation reports, “In the United States the two leading causes of kidney failure, also called end stage kidney disease or ESRD, are diabetes (also called Type 2, or adult onset diabetes) and high blood pressure.”

When these diseases are controlled by treatment, the associated kidney disease can often be prevented or slowed down.

In Smyrna, Sarah Baker undergoes dialysis treatment at a local clinic three times per week, for four hours each visit.

“I have been on dialysis since 2008. I did receive a new kidney in 2014, but it only lasted nine months and now I am back on the 22 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

transplant list and looking for a living donor,” said Baker.

The Cleveland Clinic reports that kidney transplants from living donors (as opposed to a cadaver) have a better chance of success.

Due to Baker’s blood disorder, her body would function better with a kidney donated by a living donor.

Life is a challenge when you have to undergo dialysis three times each week for a total of 12 hours. Baker has two children and taking care of them, along with having time to herself, is not easy, she said. Luckily, her teenage daughter helps out with daily chores and more.

As far as making ends meet while having time for dialysis she said, “You learn to adjust, that is the biggest part. You work around the schedule because you have to, this is your life.

“I first had to start dialysis because when I was 9 years old I was diagnosed with Purpura, which is a rare blood disorder and it attacked my kidneys,” Baker continued. As she aged her problems got worse. “Not having insurance, I didn’t get to see a doctor because I couldn’t afford to see a doctor,” she said.

Failing to visit a clinic meant that her blood pressure went unchecked for quite some time until she started feeling extremely

tired and completely worn out daily, despite her sleep patterns.

The blood disorder that she was diagnosed with at age 9 is rare; its full name is “Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.” Symptoms often include severe decreases in the number of platelets, abnormal destruction of red blood cells and disturbances in the nervous system and other organs, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.

While the exact cause of Purpura is not known, it is sometimes believed to be inherited. It can also occur as the result of AIDS, though this is not the case for Baker.

Baker recalls the news of when she was first told her kidneys had stopped working.

“When I went to work that day I knew something wasn’t right,” Baker recalls, explaining how she ended up leaving work early to visit the emergency room. Once at the hospital, she was told that her blood pressure was extremely high followed by the scary and devastating news: “I was in complete renal failure.” Her kidneys had stopped working.

“You come in regardless, even if you’re sick you come here,” Baker said while describing how grueling of a schedule she holds when it comes to her dialysis treatment. Basically, if she wants to live she has to continue her dialysis until she has a new kidney.

“Not having insurance, I didn’t get to see a doctor because I couldn’t afford to see a doctor,” Baker said.

Davita Incorporated manufactures dialysis machines. According to the company, “The dialysis machine mixes and monitors dialysate, the fluid that helps remove the unwanted waste products from the blood. It also helps get your electrolytes and minerals to their proper levels in your body. The machine also monitors the flow of your blood while it is outside of your body.

For the second time in Baker’s life, she is awaiting that new kidney while on a list.

But, it is not a small list and she is joined by over 100,000 others waiting for a kidney.

The National Kidney Foundation reports that 4,761 people died in 2014 while waiting for a kidney to become available. Another 3,668 became sick while waiting for a kidney, too sick to receive the needed surgery even if one was found.

The good news is that someone can donate a kidney that is specific to Baker. In other words, you can donate a kidney for a friend, loved one or total stranger and designate that the person named receives your transplant.

To make that happen, you call the Vanderbilt Kidney Donation Center at (615) 936-0695 and tell them you want to test your blood type to see if it will be a match for Sarah Baker.

After you undergo the simple blood test, they will call you to let you know what steps can be taken next. Keep in mind that if you do donate a kidney to Baker, all of your medical costs are covered and you can live a normal life with only one kidney, but of course you should check with your doctor before moving forward with testing.

Living

 TO GET INVOLVED Check out some of these locations and find one that fits your schedule, budget, goals and lifestyle; classes range from meditation to power yoga and Hatha to Vinyasa:

Patterson Park Community Center

Arden Yoga 524 N. University St. 615-648-4232 Barre 11 2223-F NW Broad St. 615-410-2235 Barre 11

Garage Barre 106 S. Maple St. / 813-785-3246 Gold’s Gym 1713 Old Fort Pkwy., 313 S. Church St., 1691 Memorial Blvd.

615-956-6016 Murfreesboro Athletic Club 710 Memorial Blvd.

615-396-0999 NAT Yoga & Meditation 505 Cason Ln. / 615-656-0965

Alleviate muscle soreness, improve flexibility and control with yoga.

STORY BY SEMAJ THOMAS

YOGA IN MURFREESBORO S

eptember is national yoga month, an ideal time to take a look at some of the activities around the Murfreesboro community and learn how you can get involved.

Have you ever asked yourself, while flipping through Instagram or seeing commercials of individuals in unique handstands and awkward positions that leave you in amazement, what is the big fuss about yoga and why is it such a hot attraction?

Doing yoga is like so many others things in life: it is either by force or by choice.

Kim Hillsman Dunaway, a yoga instructor at Patterson Park Community Center, says it all started for her after a Beachbody program called Chalene Extreme helped alleviate “muscle soreness and tightness.”

“I tried Hot Power Yoga for a year and half and got hooked,” she states. “And ultimately got the itch to teach.”

Dunaway, who began yoga in 2012, currently teaches classes on Mondays and 24 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

Wednesdays at 4:20 p.m. as well as on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. Her inspiration derives from role models such as Faith Hunter, Dharma Mittra, and two of her teachers, Jessalynn Hakanson and Shae Bryant. This path has opened extraordinary opportunities for her, including upcoming projects like a Boro Yoga Conference at the Doubletree on Sept. 23, 2017, and the second Boro Yoga Festival in April 2018.

Now, what are some of the other health benefits of yoga?

Mykal Harris, a yoga instructor at Nat Yoga & Meditation, explains that some of the benefits include “increased flexibility, increased muscle strength and tone, improved circulation and respiration as well as better temperament and emotional control.”

Harris would tell anyone interested, “Don’t be intimidated, and start small”; a beginners’ class shouldn’t involve complex twists and manipulations, or require great strength.

Dunaway offers similar suggestions, and

suggests to those interested “to drop your expectations and be a sponge.” Furthermore, she advises new instructors “to continue to be a student and take advantage of workshops, festivals, retreats and additional training.”

The popular saying in yoga, “practice and all is coming,” sums it up well. Anyone who is willing to put in the time and effort will eventually get better at it, and see benefits from it, just like weightlifting or boxing or anything else.

Another lingering question floating in the air: is it primarily women that practice yoga?

Sometimes we see projections of women practicing yoga more than men but Harris says “that is actually ironic because in the beginning, in India, women weren’t allowed to do yoga at all.”

Dunaway points out that “women have looser hips and shoulders,” with “men tending to be less flexible,” Harris says.

Patterson Park Community Center 521 Mercury Blvd. / 615-893-7439 Pure Barre 1970 Medical Center Pkwy.

615-203-3129 Shae Bryant Wellness locations vary 615-450-1882 Sports*Com 2310 Memorial Blvd.

615-895-5040 Yoga on the Square 423 W. Lytle St./ 615-904-9642

They both agree that it is beneficial for men, so let’s jump on the bandwagon and push aside our egos, men. Being surrounded by motivating ladies will definitely help push fellows to be a part of this yoga team spirit.

Teaming up with others always makes a workout encouraging and helps holds you accountable to others, which is what Harris is doing with two other ladies in town with a program called MelaYoga. Once a month at the Patterson Park Community Center, they offer a free class at 10:15 a.m.; upcoming dates to join them include Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16.

If you haven’t done yoga before, this would be a perfect time.

Local men and women are welcome to take advantage of the many classes in our city of Murfreesboro; you don’t have to go anywhere else, because the ’Boro has your fitness needs covered.

Be a better you every day!

Food

Read more about local restaurants at

BoroPulse.com/Category/Food

Maple Street Memories Take a scenic drive for a homestyle meal in Eagleville.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

W

hen you find yourself with a couple hours to spare and a substantial appetite, consider a scenic drive to southwest Rutherford County for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch at Maple Street Grill in Eagleville.

If the name sounds familiar, the restaurant—owned and operated by Mike and Debra Zelenak—first opened in downtown Murfreesboro in 2006. Almost a decade later, in January 2015, the Zelenaks opened a second location in the neighboring town of Eagleville, just about a year before closing its doors in Murfreesboro.

Before arriving at Maple Street Grill, located at 61 N Main St., visitors will pass by a pharmacy, soap shop, small grocery store and lamp shop. Maple Street Grill is one of only a couple of restaurants in Eagleville proper.

Maple Street Grill’s current home in

Eagleville boasts an aesthetic unlike that of the restaurant’s founding Maple Street location. While the original Maple Street Grill was moderately upscale with bricklined walls, the Eagleville location is homey and basks in small-town charm. But even with a family-friendly atmosphere, it’s easy to wine and dine with a stacked menu and various food and drink specials.

In Murfreesboro, many guests would visit Maple Street Grill for a business lunch or fancy dinner—think filet mignon, cedar plank bourbon salmon or crab cakes. In Eagleville, you can still order steak and seafood, but with what the Zelanaks call “Southern American cuisine with a twist.”

When the Zelenaks opened the new location, they decided to focus on country cooking while retaining some of the first location’s popular staple dishes. Just like in Murfreesboro, piping-hot rolls and honey

for lunch, the three specials were bourbonglazed bacon-wrapped shrimp and grits, pan-seared tuna and grilled trout.

To complete the main course, there are more than 15 fresh, locally sourced side dishes. You will see items like glazed carrots, sweet potatoes, cornbread casserole, mashed potatoes (white and brown gravy available) and mac and cheese. Due to the volume of delicious sides, you might even opt for a veggie plate, which comes with the choice of three of four items.

Maple Street Grill serves hefty portions at an affordable price for both lunch and butter are delivered to each table upon dinner. Having ordered a four-item veggie arrival. Other items that made it to the plate, I had enough left over for a to-go box new location include blackened chicken and still left the restaurant feeling full. or shrimp alfredo, bacon-wrapped shrimp, Beyond lunch and dinner, Maple Street chicken and waffles, black bean soup and Grill offers several sweet treats and unique several sides. The restaurant’s signature alcoholic beverages, from wine, spirits and Maple Street Griller— its take on flat iron house-made red sangria to beer (including steak—also survived the move.

Mayday Brewery’s Boro Blonde Ale, among While glancing at the online menu before others) and various moonshine cocktails arrival, I was pleasantly surprised to see the new-to-me items. When given the choice be- served in mason jars.

The dessert menu features pecan and tween a fancy steak dinner or warm, homekey lime pies and various style cooking, I’ll almost homemade cobblers, always choose the latter. usually apple and peach, And similar to most eaterbut the flavors vary. ies in the South, Maple Another sweet treat is Street Grill offers several NAME the Cookie Monster—a fried appetizers, such Maple Street Grill skillet-baked chocolate as fried green tomatoes, Eagleville chip cookie topped with fried pickles, firecracker LOCATION vanilla bean ice cream— shrimp and egg rolls.

161 N. Main St., Eagleville that is large enough to For early visitors, HOURS share and was a big hit choose one of the 20-orTuesday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; at the table next to mine. so lunch options, like a Friday–Saturday, So whether you miss fried green tomato BLT, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, frequenting Maple Street fish tacos, grilled white10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Grill’s former ’Boro locafish or specialty salad.

PRICES tion, or would just like The more substantial Fried green tomatoes: to venture away from the dishes are country fried $7.99; Fish and shrimp tacos: $7.99–$8.99; chain restaurants and steak or chicken, fried Veggie plates: usual local suspects, hop shrimp, barbecue ribs $6.99–$8.99; on Highway 99 (Salem and chicken tenders, all Classic burger: $9.99; Road) and follow the served with two sides.

Pan-seared tuna: $15.99 signs to Eagleville.

On the day I stopped by

THE DISH

ONLINE

maplestreetgrill.com

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 EVENT

BELEW

McFARLAND

LOCAL CHEFS are cooking up a plan to help struggling families receive food, clothing and shelter.

Charity Chopped in the ’Boro will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at CJ’s Restaurant and Catering, 352 W. Northfield Blvd.

The event, featuring a three-round cooking contest, live music and an hors d’oeuvre buffet, will benefit Amelia’s Closet, Murfreesboro Rescue Mission and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Tickets are $75.

Competing in the event will be Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland, who will be paired with Chef Alex Belew; Kristin Demos, who will be paired with Curious Kitchen co-owner Rachel Spensatelli; and John Jones, who will be paired with

SPENSATELLI

DEMOS

MURPHREE

Chopped in the ’Boro Sept. 14 event to raise funds for food, clothing, shelter.

Mitchell Murphree of Five Senses.

Judges include John Floyd, Shane Reeves, Rachel Holder, Lisa Spencer and Christy Hackinson. Kelli Beam will serve as emcee for the evening. Musical entertainment will be provided by Drew Sims, Larry Pinkerton, Craig Campbell, Robyn Taylor and Mike Cap. The winning chef will receive a bonus of $5,000, courtesy of Ole South Proper-

ties, to be donated to the organization they represent in the competition.

For sponsorship opportunities or tickets, contact Shannon Wheeler at (615) 417-6640.

Seating will be open, and patrons will be able to view the competition as each chef battles for the top prize.

Amelia’s Closet provides women dignity and hope in their recovery journey by giving them a second chance at making a

JONES

great first impression.

Murfreesboro Rescue Mission plans to assist homeless men, women and children in Murfreesboro, offering emergency shelter, a life recovery program and halfway housing.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee’s mission is to feed hungry people and work to solve hunger issues.

Second Harvest collects, sorts and distributes food to more than 490 partner agencies throughout 46 counties in Middle and West Tennessee.

For more information about Charity Chopped in the ’Boro, visit facebook. com/charitychopped.

RECIPE

BY CHANTELL KENNEDY-SHEHAN

FARMERS MARKET FRESH

Roasted Corn Salsa A stroll around the Farmers Market on Saturday morning will reveal endless vibrant colors and a wide variety of produce. The options are neverending of the potential dishes that could be made! With that being said, I really wanted to pay homage to a few of the local products that are vibrant as we near the end of summer.

REMOVE from grill and allow to cool

INGREDIENTS

SERVE with tortilla chips or use as a topping for tacos, chicken and more.

2 ears sweet corn 1 large or 2 medium tomatoes, diced 1 large poblano pepper ½ red onion, diced 1–2 cloves garlic, minced ½ bunch cilantro, chopped 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed Juice of 1 lime Olive oil Cumin Chipotle chili powder Salt

DIRECTIONS DRIZZLE corn and poblano pepper with olive oil. Season corn with cumin, chili powder and salt.

GRILL corn and poblano pepper.

Corn should be just marked and cooked through. Poblanos should be blistered and well cooked.

30 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

slightly.

CUT corn from cob and place in a

bowl. Remove seeds from poblano and dice, add to corn.

COMBINE all remaining ingredients

with corn and poblanos. Toss with salt and lime juice as desired.

I made chicken tacos featuring the salsa, and they were full of flavor— corn tortillas with simple grilled chicken, topped with the salsa and a little queso fresco. Pair these with some Spanish rice and sliced avocado, and enjoy!

EVENTS

 OKTOBERFEST AT OAKLANDS

WINE WITH A PURPOSE Sept. 16 event benefits local Power of Pink breast cancer support group.

BY LUCAS JAMES STEPP SAINT THOMAS RUTHERFORD FOUNDATION

will hold its sixth annual Wine Around the Square event on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 6–9 p.m.

The event, set around the Murfreesboro Public Square, will benefit the Power of Pink, a division of the Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation that provides mammography for underinsured and uninsured women in Rutherford County, including screenings, diagnostics, ultrasounds and MRIs. Christie Q BBQ and Catering will again be among the local vendors serving food at the Wine Around the Square event. Owners Mike and Christie Alexander have a strong connection to the cause: Christie is a breast cancer survivor. Christie’s breast cancer journey began early last year.

“Even though I’m still getting my hair back, I feel very fortunate my cancer was caught early,” she said.

Christie attributes the early detection to her choice of a 3D mammogram, a newer type of scan which takes images from multiple angles and helps radiologists detect small cancers that can remain hidden in conventional 2D mammography. According to Christie, “insurance doesn’t cover the extra costs,” but she tells others that it is worth it to pay the difference.

The Wine Around the Square event is a progressive wine tasting event during which the entire Square will be blocked off so guests can walk outdoors while

enjoying wine, beer, spirits and food. Downtown shops will be open for browsing and shopping; local farms and restaurants will provide a farm-to-table buffet supper, and live music will be playing for listening and dancing.

When Christie and her husband participated in last year’s event, Christie was wearing a headscarf, and she has a selfie from July 2016 showing her bald head. Christie says that it took around eight months for her hair to grow back, and that “losing your hair may be the worst part, because then you look sick.”

Tickets are $60 per person and VIP Party tickets are $250 per person. All tickets are available for purchase at winearoundthesquare.org.

The night’s entertainment will feature the Marshall Creek Band and Ross Lester’s Everybody Drum Some. Also, the Center for the Arts will present short outdoor performances during the evening.

The VIP Party will be hosted by Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant at 114 N. Church St. The band Mixtape will provide music at a late party at The Alley on Main, located at 223 W. Main St., beginning at 9 p.m.

In fiscal year 2017, the Power of Pink Fund raised more than $275,000; Wine Around the Square 2016 raised 73% of that amount. During that same 12-month period, the Power of Pink Fund sponsored 540 procedures, including 295 screening mammograms, 131 diagnostic mammograms, 111 breast ultrasounds and 3 breast MRIs. Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation, established in 1984, also helps underwrite medical care for the poor and vulnerable; provides gifts to the hospital for capital, such as medical equipment; funds scholarships for nurses and associates seeking professional training; and offers financial care and support for associates in need, in addition to supporting the Power of Pink, leading Rutherford County’s fight against breast cancer.

Oaklands Mansion hosts its third-annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 5–9 p.m. This unique “fun-raiser” supports Oaklands Mansion and features many area craft brewers such as Kinship Brews, Mantra Artisan Ales, Mid-State Brewsters, Mid-State Brew Crew, Monkey Farm, Mos Alesley Brewing, Overall Brewing, Panther Creek Brews, Sinking Creek Farms, Smackdab Brewing, Steel Barrel Brewing Company, VonSeitz Theoreticales, The Green Dragon Pub and Brewery, Vitruvian Artisan Ales and Bold Rock.

Festival-goers will experience live music from local bands Smokebreak and The Accidental Trio and can enjoy delicious food from Christie Q’s BBQ, Coma Food and FitzWillys.

Attendees can also visit with representatives from MTSU’s Fermentation Science Program, who will share information about their new program and the art of craft beer.

For tickets or more information, visit oaklandsmansion.org; Oaklands is located at 901 N. Maney Ave., Murfreesboro.

 MILANO II PRESENTS SPECIAL FIVE-COURSE DINNER, WINE PAIRING Milano II, located at 114 E. College St. in downtown Murfreesboro, will host a special five-course dinner and wine pairing event on Monday, Sept. 25. The dinner, billed A Night in Italy, will begin at 6 p.m. and Jack Barakat and staff will prepare dishes including shrimp and crab cakes with creamy Parmesan drizzle, lobster bisque, arugula and romaine salad, lamb chop on cranberry sauce and a decadent chocolate dessert, while Lipman will present a specially selected wine to pair with each course. For reservations, call (615) 624-7390.

For more information about Wine Around the Square and the Power of Pink, visit winearoundthesquare.org.

BOROPULSE.COM

* SEPTEMBER 2017 * 31

Movies

and not yet obscured by the falling snow.

When he finds the frostbitten corpse of Natalie, a teenage girl from the reservation, and evidence of foul play, it threatens to reopen a wound from his past.

When tribal police chief Ben (Graham Greene) calls in the FBI, Jane Banner is the closest agent for hundreds of miles. Channeling Jodie Foster, or Holly Hunter, Elizabeth Olsen is strong and capable as Banner, whose only shortcoming­is an unfamiliarity

with the customs and hostile environs of Wind River. She wisely enlists Cory to aid her in the investigation. Their shared passion to find Natalie’s killer is the driving force in the film, and their differing motivations—his explicit, hers implicit—add an emotional depth, touching on themes of grief, societal pressures and survival.

Bolstered by an effective score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, and by the bleak beauty captured by cinematographer Ben Richardson, Wind River falters only slightly.

While Sheridan, in his second directed feature, shows the maturity and skill of those who have helmed his scripts before him, his message of injustice is undercut by a conventional protagonist. Jeremy Renner hasn’t been this good since The Hurt Locker, but it’s at the expense of reduced roles for the equally great and interesting Graham Greene and Elizabeth Olsen. More of each, or either, could’ve pushed Wind River farther from Dances With Wolves and closer to Silence of the Lambs.

— JAY SPIGHT

LUCKY, but c’mon. Luck only takes you so far. At least Soderbergh’s classic Ocean’s Eleven is somewhat believable because it’s quickly established that that heist crew in that film are all the best at what they do. Here, the Logan brothers are clearly

nowhere near the best of the best (Joe Bang at least shows moments of genius, but he’s the only one that does), so far too often does the film have to rely on luck to get our heroes out of various situations.

Also, the film features a strong supporting cast that is largely wasted. For example, why the heck is the awesome Katherine Waterston even in this movie? Her character, a nurse that (maybe?) Channing Tatum has a crush on, clocks so little screen time it’s hard to imagine why any screen time was wasted on her at all. I love Katherine Waterston, but she’s not the only actor totally wasted in this film.

I’m hating on Logan Lucky because I really wanted to like this. And there were definitely some great moments throughout the film! Once it hits Netflix I’d definitely say there are worse ways to spend a Friday night; for a film that lured one of Hollywood’s great directors to come out of retirement, it doesn’t get too lucky.

— JOSEPH KATHMANN

WIND RIVER DIRECTOR Taylor Sheridan STARRING Jeremy Renner,

Elizabeth Olsen, Graham Greene RATED R

Director Taylor Sheridan is recognizable as a character actor in shows like Sons of Anarchy and Veronica Mars, but recently, he has made a name as a writer. Denis Villeneuve, director of Arrival and the upcoming Blade Runner 2049, perfectly depicted Sheridan’s script about the brutality and moral ambiguity of the DEA’s constant fight against the Mexican cartels in Sicario, and Sheridan’s perspective on the brotherly bond elevated the sleeper-hit Hell or High Water above its cops-and-robbers, modernwestern genre. With Wind River, Sheridan directs his own screenplay, dealing in the familiar territory of neglected lands, crime, and the damaging effects of both in a taut and intense thriller that harkens back to its

female-led ilk of the ’90s.

Arrival co-star Jeremy Renner stars as Cory Lambert, a true cowboy and wilderness man working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in an isolated town in Wyoming. A tracker and a hunter, Cory is called to the Wind River reservation to kill a mountain lion that has been poaching local livestock. While tracking the lion, Cory finds the unmistakable marks of human footprints, accompanied by a trail of blood

LOGAN LUCKY DIRECTOR Steven Soderbergh STARRING Daniel Craig, Channing

Tatum, Riley Keough, Katherine Waterston, Seth McFarlane RATED PG-13

The best word to describe Logan Lucky is simple. The brainchild of the great Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven, Traffic, Erin Brockovich, Pleasantville), and a daring example of what a movie can look like with minimal influence from the production studio heads, Logan Lucky is a simple, funny and relatively enjoyable heist film set in the world of NASCAR and the deep South.

While there are quite a few great moments, like Daniel Craig’s show-stopping

performance as Joe Bang, there is just too much crap here for me to really like this film. Too many times did I find myself saying, “Oh, c’mon . . .” during the heist, trying to find it even somewhat believable.

I know, I know, the movie is called Logan

A CLASSIC

32 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

OUTSTANDING

AVERAGE

BELOW AVERAGE

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD

LIVING ROOM CINEMA The British column by NORBERT THIEMANN

facebook.com/livingroomcinema

New Wave

Sometimes referred to as Kitchen Sink Realism, the British New Wave film movement began in the 1950s, and saw continued popularity throughout the 1960s. The films are noted for stark realist portrayals of the struggling working class, and often highlight their desperation for a better life.  Kes (1969) is directed

by Ken Loach. Billy Casper’s outlook is rather grim from the abuse he suffers at home and school until he begins to nurture and train a kestrel bird. A good argument can be made for Kes being the quintessential British New Wave film, directed by the quintessential director of the movement. Ken Loach’s many films usually champion the working class.  A Taste of Honey (1961) is directed by Tony Richardson. A teenage girl is at odds with her mother, which makes their life of poverty all the more unbearable.

As they break ties, the girl finds meaning from her newfound independence, and burgeoning love interest. Realism and truth can be underscored within this gem.  Room at the Top (1959) is directed by Jack Clayton.

A man relocates to a new town with the intention of making his mark in the world amidst a postwar English backdrop. His aspirations include winning the reciprocated love of a young woman from the upper class.  The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) is directed

by Tony Richardson. Discontent surges through Colin Smith as he notes the inequities and futility of life for the working class. His actions send him to a reformatory where he finds an unlikely identity as a long-distance runner.  This Sporting Life (1963) is directed by Lindsay Anderson. Richard Harris gives a dramatic performance, which echoes Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire. A brash man rises in economic station through his brutal rugby skills, then must navigate his new life of fortune.

News

A

cross the Southeastern United States, many cities are facing the decision on whether or not to preserve or remove their monuments and memorials to the Confederate States of America, its soldiers and military leaders.

On Aug. 12, tensions ramped up in Charlottesville, Va., during a “Unite the Right” rally protesting the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue, which led to the death of 32-year-old counter-protester Heather Heyer. Citizens of Durham, N.C., saw their bronze Confederate soldier monument toppled to the ground by a group of protesters two days after the events in Charlottesville. On Aug. 18, Baltimore authorities removed four monuments, including statues of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, in the dead of night to avoid controversy.

Murfreesboro is not exempt from the Confederate monument debate. Following the events in Charlottesville, the monument to Rutherford County Confederate soldiers on the Murfreesboro Public Square was concealed with a sheet the night of Aug. 13. The monument memorializes soldiers killed during the Battle of Stones River, one of the deadliest battles during the American Civil War. In 2015, petitions and protests erupted at Middle Tennessee State University regarding the name of the campus ROTC building, Forrest Hall, named after the controversial Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader Nathan Bedford Forrest. A task force was convened with the purpose to make a final recommendation to MTSU President Dr. Sidney McPhee on whether or not the name should remain.

Members of the task force included KETRON student, alumni, community and faculty representatives, such as State Sen. Bill Ketron, an MTSU alumnus, and Brigadier General David Ogg Jr., U.S. Army (Retired). By April 2016, the task force held its final meeting where it recommended changing the name of the ROTC building. President McPhee then forwarded the recommendation to the Tennessee Board of 34 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

Lest We Forget ★★ Fate of Confederate monuments in Murfreesboro rests in the hands of the Tennessee Historical Commission ★

Regents and Tennessee Historical Commission. The Tennessee Board of Regents unanimously approved the name change.

Presently, local governments in Tennessee do not have the authority to alter or remove any of its monuments to Confederate soldiers or leaders. Under the Heritage Protection Act, originally passed in 2013 and updated in 2016, those monuments are protected from removal or alteration.

The Heritage Protection Act, found in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-1-412, states that: “Except as otherwise provided in this section, no memorial regarding a historic conflict, historic entity, historic event, historic figure or historic organization that is, or is located on, public property, may be removed, renamed, relocated, altered, rededicated, or otherwise disturbed or altered.”

However, the Heritage Protection Act does provide provisions to remove monuments or statues. According to the act, in order to remove or alter any “statue, monument, memorial, bust, nameplate, plaque, artwork, flag, historic display, school, street, bridge, or building that has been erected for, named, or dedicated on public property in honor of any historic conflict, historic entity, historic event, historic figure, or historic organization,” in

Tennessee, the Heritage Protect Act requires a two-thirds majority vote by the Tennessee Historical Commission in favor of the alteration or removal. Prior to the 2016 update, the act only required a simple majority vote from the Tennessee Historical Commission to approve the removal or alteration of historical monuments or statues in

Tennessee. State Rep. Steve McDaniel and Sen. Ketron sponsored the 2016 update to the statute.

Other states, such as Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina have passed similar legislation in recent years.

“The purpose is to preserve history,” Sen. Ketron said when presenting the 2016 legislation for the Heritage Protection Act in the State and Local Government Committee.

“The historic preservation is to encourage to the general public to combine our past, our present and our future. It does not halt growth or change but it does emphasize the totality of the human experience in a given community. And here in Tennessee, of course, you know, we have a very rich history that’s deep in historic-related tourism, which is a very large source of our revenue for both state and local government.”

On Aug. 18, State Sen. Sara Kyle (D-Memphis), announced that she had filed Senate Bill 1467 to exempt Shelby County from the Heritage Protection Act in order to give the city of Memphis the authority to make their own decisions about the status of Confederate monuments. Sen. Kyle’s proposed legislation would amend the Heritage Protection Act of 2016 to exclude any memorial on public property with a population greater than 900,000 residents.

“Friends, people in Memphis have made it abundantly clear that they don’t want a giant statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest in their park,” Sen. Kyle said.

“We shouldn’t have to wait for the historic commission to sign off and tell us what we’re allowed to do. I believe in the people of Memphis to work with our local officials to make the best decision for our city.”

On Aug. 22, Gov. Bill Haslam held a press conference in Memphis where he commented on the status of Confederate statues in Tennessee.

“We don’t always like the process, but I’m the governor, not

Here’s what some of the people of Murfreesboro have to say about the monuments to the Confederate soldiers and Gen. Forrest surrounding the Rutherford County Courthouse: the king, so I don’t get to decide all that. But we would like to see it dealt with as rapidly as possible,” Gov. Haslam said. “I think the city of Memphis should get to decide what happens on its own property. I think that’s a great principle that fits in this case.”

Gov. Haslam is one of the 29 members of the Tennessee Historical Commission that is set to review Memphis’s petition to remove the statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest in Memphis’s Health Sciences Park. Twenty-four of the members of the commission are appointed by the governor for terms of five years.

Also on Aug. 22, in an equally surprising turn of events, U.S. Senator and former governor Lamar Alexander of Tennessee came out in support of removing the bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest from the state capitol, despite defending its placement during his tenure as governor ALEXANDER of Tennessee.

“I, like other people, learn as we go along,” Sen. Alexander said. “As I look at it now, I think it’s not appropriate for General Forrest’s bust to be in a place of honor in the State Capitol. I’d rather see Howard Baker or Sam Houston or Minnie Pearl or Ben Hooks or someone who inspires all of us.” The Forrest bust in the state capitol is also subject to the provisions in the Heritage Protection Act of 2016.

The Tennessee Historical Commission is scheduled to hold its next meeting on Oct. 13 in Athens, Tenn. Memphis’s petition has not yet been scheduled to be heard at the October meeting. MTSU’s Forrest Hall name change has also not yet been scheduled to be heard by the commission as of press time. The commission’s chairman, Fisk University professor Dr. Reavis L. Mitchell Jr., is responsible for all scheduling decisions.

The Tennessee General Assembly will reconvene in January 2018 to propose, debate and vote on new legislation, such as Sen. Kyle’s proposal to exempt larger Tennessee cities from the Heritage Protection Act. In July, Sen. Ketron announced his fourth attempt to run for Rutherford County mayor. The Rutherford County mayoral election will be held May 1, 2018.

★ I view Murfreesboro like Gettysburg. It’s our history. If our town never had a battle and wasn’t hallowed ground I would be for removing the monument. Completely. But our community was ground zero for the Civil War. So much of our history—from the Battle of the Cedars, to the fight for ★ Hoover’s Gap to Milton and the raid on the courthouse . . . what’s a shame is that more wasn’t preserved. If our community just had a Confederate monument, and we didn’t have any battle here I would be all for it being removed. — Matthew Young ★ This is about public real estate, and what is deserving of the most honored places.

Moving statues is not the same as destroying history. We’ll still have our books, documentaries, diaries, literature and documents of the time. We still keep the battlefields and cemeteries as places of honor . . . children who saw relatives savagely lynched in the Jim Crow era are still alive now. I can’t tell them what to feel about these monuments, but some say it feels like they are there to keep African-Americans in their places.

Because these are hurtful to a significant portion of my neighbors, I am willing to consider other options for placing them. “It’s always been this way” is not good enough anymore. — Matt Davis ★ I fail to understand the hatred towards this nation’s veterans. Our country granted [Confederate soldiers] full veteran status. I know many of us are unhappy with current affairs. Why their anger is being turned towards hatred of our veterans I fail to understand . . . [having] a meeting to determine whether criminals will destroy this monument to our veterans (referencing a proposed, but abandoned, idea of a community meeting to discuss the removal of the monuments) . . . I have faith that we have state laws in place to prevent this sort of anarchy. — Tom Metier ★ In my entire life in this town I have never heard one single person say, “You know, that statue really makes me uncomfortable and hurts my feelings.” Now some Nazis kill someone in Virginia where a freaking street war was waged and all of a sudden people are hurt over a statue in Murfreesboro that’s 116 years old. Like we need this distraction with the way our government is being run.

My family fought for Tennessee and Texas during the war. They were all poor farmers without slaves. I have no hate in my heart for anyone. I believe these men who gave their lives fought to protect what they saw as their home and country. This statue is dedicated to the honor of those fallen soldiers who stood beside my family in war. So, I have

a personal connection. I believe they are worthy of the honor bestowed upon them.

As someone who has studied the history of this town at length, I don’t and have never seen this monument as anything hateful. It’s a memorial to the honor and sacrifice of the soldiers from this town. Soldiers didn’t start the war and soldiers often had little to no choice whether they served or not. Being labeled a deserter was a crime punishable by death. And not swearing fealty to the Union was a crime punishable by death. So, how many options did these poor farmers really have? I conclude that all these peace-loving people who need to remove a 116-year-old statue are the ones with some kind of hate festering in their hearts. — Bill Jakes ★ As an African-American I say leave it up.

It was erected in front of the courthouse for a reason . . . that reason was to remind African-Americans that they would never receive equal justice . . . that truth is still self-evident. — Kennedy Johnson ★ Those soldiers didn’t fight and die for their country. They fought and died in an act of treason to it. I am not so much hurt as disgusted. That is not a part of our history I’d choose to memorialize. Those soldiers, as brave as they were, did nothing to progress America. They have no place in governmental buildings. The founding fathers were slave owners, yes, but they actually did something for America. Not so with Confederates. — Yancy Pearson ★ Shall we be like ISIS in Mosul? Tear down history, art, anything that doesn’t perfectly agree with the politics of the time?

— Henry Matthew Ward ★ The 50th anniversary of the war was approaching after the turn of the century. The same artists and sculptors placing Southern memorials were also placing Northern ones as well during this time. Neither of these efforts, North or South, had anything to do with Jim Crow. Men didn’t return home.

There were no headstones [at which] to visit a lost father, brother or son. These memorials were put up to provide healing as loved ones were laying in a pit somewhere in an unmarked grave. They took the place of a headstone or grave. As the 100th anniversary was approaching in 1961 to 1964 the entire nation was gearing up for it. The last Confederate soldier just died and a funeral was given with full U.S. military honors as he was laid to rest in the mid-1950s. States were placing historical markers along the roadsides. Flags were being placed on capital domes and within state flags. Ceremonies were being held. Museums were being

created. Battlefields were being revitalized and preserved. Rebel this and rebel that were being named. And yes, memorials were being raised as the grandchildren of the veterans were still living. Do we realize that even today there are still among us real, direct daughters and sons of these veterans, still living? Instead of trying to eliminate one group’s heritage, ironically in the name of diversity, I would rather see an inclusion of someone else’s. Tearing down one’s history doesn’t help raise another. The perpetually offended will never be satisfied, but only move on to another target. While I believe some are trying to be well-meaning they are starting down a road that will only lead to more hurt and division for our community for future generations. I support leaving them as they are. I would support an additional memorial on the courthouse square to also recognize and memorialize the hardships of slavery. — Sam Boyd ★ A lot of people who saw these statues probably don’t even really know what they actually stand for. The people who are supposed to be offended have never been slaves, just as the others have never been slave owners. No disrespect intended but I am sure we could all go through and say we are offended by something, but that doesn’t mean we just remove it for the sake of someone’s feelings. It is all just really getting out of hand. There is a lot more to be concerned with than a statue. Leave them alone. Focus on the homeless and helping them, children who are being sold into sex slavery, the single mom who works but can’t provide enough food for her children, the elderly who have no one and sit all alone with no help or companionship. The list goes on. People need to put all of this ridiculous politically correct energy towards something that will actually change this country.

— Cassetty Weed ★ Slavery was and is wrong. White supremacy was and is wrong. But we should not permit ourselves to be misled into believing or continuing to believe a deceptive agenda of carefully scripted falsehoods regarding The American Civil War and how it came about. We must endeavor to know the truth—and that requires the whole story. The inventive spin of a few revisionists should not be allowed to make history something it never was! We must preserve history! We should not revise, rewrite and redact it. And we should not tear it down. To erase and forget history is a dangerous trajectory and is known to chart the course that increases the probability that history will repeat itself.

Leave Murfreesboro’s history intact.

— Gena M. Burns-Harrison BOROPULSE.COM

* SEPTEMBER 2017 * 35

AROUND TOWN ’BORO BUSINESS BUZZ

BY MICHELLE WILLARD

Climb Nashville, Float Nashville; Vine Street Consignment, Vine Studios  CLIMB NASHVILLE is planning to retrofit the old Hastings building on Memorial Boulevard into Climb Murfreesboro, the company reported last month.

Opening in spring 2018, Climb Murfreesboro will offer 45-foot climbing walls, bouldering areas for free climbing, workout and cardio equipment, and yoga.

Tom Frye with Baker Story McDonald Properties said that he wants the gym to be the centerpiece to revitalize the multi-tenant shopping center that had fallen on tough times in recent years.

Frye said he also wants to develop a fouracre wetland with a trailhead and bikeway that would run between MTSU and the gym.

Another Nashville attraction, FLOAT NASHVILLE, plans to bring its brand to the ’Boro.

In a Facebook Live post, Float Nashville owners Amy Grimes and Mark Chessir announced they will open a new location in Murfreesboro. Called Float Alchemy, the new 5,800-square-foot location will offer the same amenities as the Nashville flotation center, just on a larger scale.

On Float Nashville’s Facebook page, it explains that floating in an isolation tank can reduce stress, anxiety and pain while enhancing creativity and performance.

“We’ve learned a lot since we opened Float Nashville,” Grimes said. “And there are some other things, some modalities and things that will help our clients.”

Along with four float tanks, Float Alchemy will offer a sauna, cryotherapy and massage therapy.

The new facility will be at 131 Cason Ln. in the former location of Gish’s Amish Furniture.

Two new stores have come to downtown.  VINE STREET CONSIGNMENT and Vine Studios have opened on, you guessed it, Vine Street.

The consignment store is now open at 117 E. Vine St. It specializes in small items like children’s clothing, shoes and toys, home decor, appliances and electronics.

Because of a lack of space, the store is not accepting any furniture for consignment.

36 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

VINE STUDIOS will be located about a block over at 118 W. Vine St. in the old Daffodilly Design location.

Co-owned by photographers Erick Blackwood and Andrew Morton, the 2,300-square-foot space will be used mainly for photography but will also be available for video shoots, workshops, art shows, pop-up trunk shows, corporate events, acoustic sessions, weddings, rehearsal dinners, small elopement ceremonies and more.

To book the space, email booking@vinestudios.net.

Another dining option is preparing to open in North Murfreesboro. XIAOS’ HIBACHI AND SUSHI is going in next to Newks and Sprout’s Farmers Market off Memorial Boulevard.

FOOD NEWS

Chicken Salad Chick.

Bryan S. Beach, BoomBozz chief operations officer, described the establishment as a family-friendly, sports-themed restaurant with 20 televisions and strong support for local sports teams. Set to open in late fall 2018, the Louisville-based chain offers gourmet pizzas and craft beers.

Murfreesboro-based Toot’s will bring its good food and fun to West Murfreesboro.

TOOT’S WEST will open on Franklin Road near Publix in the Blackman community, owner Wade Hays said recently.

Hays said he hopes to break ground on the new building soon, with the opening date set tentatively for next summer. Toot’s operates locations on Broad Street, Church Street and on Sam Ridley Parkway in Smyrna.

 BOOMBOZZ CRAFT PIZZA & TAPHOUSE will build a new spot near

The spot that once housed Peiwei is getting a new lease on life thanks to TACO GARAGE. Joining Freebirds World Burrito, Blue Coast and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop (I left Chili’s out for a reason), Taco Garage is the latest addition to a crowded market.

Founded in San Antonio in 2005, Taco Garage serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in made-from-scratch tortillas with Mexican coffee or margaritas, depending on what you want for breakfast.

A popular craft beer market and bar is set to begin construction on its newest location

in Smyrna next to Kroger on Sam Ridley Parkway. THE CASUAL PINTS’ planned Smyrna location will feature 32 rotating taps, with an emphasis on local and regional brewers, as well as to-go packaged beer sales and growler refills.

“We are very excited to open this location and serve the community of Smyrna in a meaningful way,” Smyrna owner Chris Norris said.

The franchise’s location also offers remote services via its Casual Pint Truck, which caters craft beer to events, tailgates, corporate gatherings, weddings, fundraisers and more. Construction on the Casual Pint began in August and is set to be completed in late fall or early winter.

Norris said its grand opening will include giveaways, VIP events and more.

FOUNTAINS AT THE GATEWAY STARTS FILLING UP FOUNTAINS AT THE GATEWAY opened

two more attractions in August and have three more set for September, joining the businesses that have already opened their doors.

A 31-acre, Class A (i.e. fancy) commercial and residential development located at 1500 Medical Center Pkwy. in Murfreesboro, Fountains is home to Board & Brush, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and Anytime Fitness.

“Fountains at Gateway serves a unique mix of purposes—as a corporate office campus, upscale retail and dining district, and community event venue,” developer Scott Graby said.

Graby broke ground on his $80 million masterpiece in 2015. When finished, it will CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

 THE SODA BAR is a dessert shop that

will offer specialty ice creams, craft sodas, floats, Hawaiian shaved ice, coffees and signature takeout treats such as cookie dough.

Hearthstone worked with consultants Karen Ford and Danielle Worrell, owners of Goodness Gracious at Readyville Mill and previous owners of The Front Porch Cafe, to hone the concept for The Soda Bar.  HOMEGROWN MARKETPLACE is

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 include 400,000 square feet of office space in three office buildings, 70,000 square feet of retail in three freestanding buildings and street-level retail space in the office buildings, as well as a 100-unit apartment community and a midsize business hotel.

In the meantime, businesses keep trickling into the high-end development.

In August, Nothing Bundt Cakes and The Social Chair opened in Fountains at The Gateway.

tion where we can be more accessible to the many Rutherford County customers who have already become familiar with our premiumquality cakes,” Warne said of his third bakery.  THE SOCIAL CHAIR is a full-service

blowout bar offering affordable luxury services such as signature-style blowouts, formal updos and makeup application.

Jessica and Jill, Social Chair Blowout

 NOTHING BUNDT CAKES sells a wide

Also in September, Murfreesboro fashion fixture e.ALLEN will open in Fountains to offer designer collections for women, luxury denim, fine boots and shoes, handcrafted jewelry and gifts.

With Murfreesboro resident Elizabeth Allen at the helm, e.Allen specializes in wardrobe styling and teaching customers not only what fashions to wear but how to wear them.

range of bundt cakes in various flavors and sizes, from bite-sized “Bundtinis” to larger 10-inch cakes.

The Murfreesboro bakery is the third location for Nashville-area franchise owner and foodservice industry veteran Jeff Warne and his wife, Lynne.

“We are excited to open our newest loca-

“Our clients will enjoy a friendly, upscale setting and complimentary beverage while our talented stylists work their magic,” said Jessica Shields, who owns the business with her husband, Matt Shields.

In September, two new concepts, The Soda Bar and Homegrown Marketplace, will open in a 2,524-square-foot space retail space in the Fountains at Gateway office building, Graby said.

38 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

a home decor and gift shop that will offer a wide range of items and furniture as well as stationery, gift items and locally produced specialty food items. The new concept will be an opportunity for local and regional artists, artisans and craftsmen to showcase their goods, Graby said.

Graby said the decor of The Soda Bar and Homegrown Marketplace will reflect a modern farmhouse style with stained floors, shiplap and pendant lighting. Plans include an indoor-outdoor soda bar that opens onto Fountains Plaza and an outdoor kiosk that allows customers to order outside and receive a text when their orders are ready.

“The interior architecture and store operations are designed for customer enjoyment and convenience, allowing customers to stay engaged in the events and activities on the plaza,” Graby said. “In the winter, when we open the plaza ice rink, the menu will be modified to include signature hot chocolates and other seasonal delights.”

Coming in October, BURGER REPUBLIC is an original and “fiercely independent” concept specializing in from-scratch gourmet burgers, American craft beers and hand-spun milkshakes; also offers a variety of non-beef sandwiches, entrée salads and sides.

The Nashville-based restaurant and bar concept is owned by Drew Jackman and Jeff Warne (who is also the Nothing Bundt Cake franchisee).

KITCHEN FRESH is a new, fast-casual

restaurant concept built around healthy, organic, chef-inspired food. All food is made from scratch and fresh-to-order. Meals are served in bowls with ingredients selected by each customer and prepared by Kitchen Fresh staff for dine-in or takeout.

Co-owners Brandon Whitsett and Asmir Pervan are successful business owners of Core Construction & Consulting, a national remodeling company and insurance claims specialist based in Murfreesboro.

Before the end of the year, TRESSLER & ASSOCIATES LAW OFFICE and TRESSLER TITLE, a boutique law firm and title company with shared offices in Lebanon, Mt. Juliet and Nashville, will open its permanent office in Fountains.

Todd Tressler, owner and founder, said the Tressler team has been an active part of the vibrant Murfreesboro business scene for several years and that he looks forward to serving new and existing clients in their new offices.

If you have a tip about a new business coming to town, an old one closing, complaints, compliments or any other Murfreesboro business news, contact Michelle @michwillard on Twitter or michelle.willard@gmail.com.

AROUND TOWN ’BORO BUSINESS BUZZ

researching pricing and possible amenities for that, I stumbled upon a website for a coworking space in California. I loved the concept of community that they focused on in their business plan and decided to go that route instead. The two concepts are not that different, but coworking encourages more of an open-concept working space as opposed to closed individual offices. This creates a better environment for collaboration and community. Plus it makes the cost much lower in order to be more accessible to more people.

CULTIVATE COWORKING Hub for local independent professionals encourages collaborative business.

S

STORY BY DAKOTA GREEN

ometimes, a sales professional or small business owner needs an office space for themselves and their work, but they may not be able to afford one dedicated to themselves. For those people, that’s where Cultivate Coworking can help.

Located at 107 W. Lytle St., Cultivate Coworking offers shared and private office space that can be used by freelancers, independent workers, business owners, nonprofits, students and others. Their overall goal is “to create a welcoming, collaborative and professional atmosphere.”

The business provides coffee, meeting rooms, high-speed wi-fi, events to help create a strong business community, and other GRETCHEN BILBRO tools for its members.

Founded by Gretchen Bilbro, Cultivate Coworking has seen the Locally Owned Murfreesboro organization, the Boro Art Crawl and other community groups arise from the collaborative business community nurtured at the facility. In addition to providing a quiet space where 40 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

its members can be productive, Bilbro has a heart to help startup businesses reach their potential, and to facilitate connections among the participants in the Murfreesboro independent business community.

She told the Pulse a bit more about how Cultivate Coworking came to be: Murfreesboro Pulse: How did you get into the “coworking” business?

BILBRO: I was planning on opening a space for private offices only. While

What’s your favorite part of running Cultivate Coworking?

I love connecting people. I love being in a collaborative environment that supports and encourages others.

A recent example of this happened at Cultivate. Several of my members own marketing companies. One might think that these business owners would not want to work out of the same space for fear of competition. However not only do they work out of the same space but they have come together to collaborate on a very special event in order to promote all of their businesses and teach other business owners how to best market their companies.

They created the Boro Business Lab [which held its first event in August at the Tennessee Small Development Center at the Chamber of Commerce; another Boro Business Lab will be coming in January 2018].

Each marketer presented his or her own unique skill set in order to give a broad presentation to attendees. I love that I helped make this collaboration possible by creating a space that encourages collaboration.

What’s your least favorite part of running Cultivate Coworking?

Answering the phone and returning calls. I would much rather communicate in person.

What are some of the challenges you

have overcome (or are still working on overcoming) with starting and growing your business?

One challenge right now is the construction for the new County Judicial building.

Our street has been closed for months and is expected to remain closed for the rest of the year. Parking has been difficult as well due to the workers on the construction site. Our sidewalk is also closed. We have had some people come in and just say it is too hard to get to you, but we will be back once it is finished. I understand that because it is difficult to get to us. However, I hope people understand that this growth in our community is necessary and you have to go out of your way to support local businesses in order to keep them around. We have been fortunate that we have maintained our membership during this time. I am really excited about the street project and know that it will be so wonderful once it is finished.

Also with this type of business being so new to the area my biggest challenge has been explaining what coworking is and how it can benefit people.

Who are your customers?

Our members are entrepreneurs, small business owners, nonprofit directors and freelancers in a variety of fields. Most work from home but don’t want to use their home as their business address or meet clients there. We do have some members that have offices elsewhere but like to get away from their phones and staff to have some time to work uninterrupted on special projects.

How are you getting the word out about your business?

We utilize Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and have ads in several local publications. I try to attend networking events to meet new people who may not have heard of us, but word of mouth from our members is the best way.

What is your advice to someone starting a business?

Surround yourself with positive people but do not shy away from constructive criticism.

Cultivate Coworking proclaims that there are no contracts or leases to utilize its facility, only monthly fees that vary depending on usage. To learn more, visit cultivatecoworking.com, call (615) 2036084 or, better yet, drop by the Lytle Street business in person and see the space for yourself.

News

Feed America First Organization moves into new local distribution warehouse in 2017.

STORY BY DAKOTA GREEN

O

Area high school libraries receive a copy of

Rutherford Reflections

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very high school library in Rutherford County will receive a hardbound copy of Rutherford Reflections, the latest volume of local history authored by County Historian Greg Tucker, thanks to the efforts of the Rutherford County Historical Society.

Dr. E.C. Tolbert, senior member of the RCHS board of directors, recently delivered 10 bound copies of the Tucker book to Rutherford County School Superintendent Don Odom.

“Our history is our map to the future,” explains Tolbert, “and we want every young person in the county to have easy access to what has been documented.”

Colorful and amusing accounts of true and unique Rutherford County history are found in Rutherford Reflections, the fourth volume of local history written by Tucker. The history is drawn from the folklore of the remote hills and hollows of rural Rutherford, from the memories of “first family” descendants, and from the darkest corners of local archives.

“For me the title carries two messages,” notes the author. “In the mirror of our history we can see ourselves reflected as we were in a simpler time. Our unique history also prompts us to consider and reflect upon who and what we are today and will be tomorrow.”

The cover of the new volume shows the Rutherford County Courthouse reflected in the window of the Rutherford County Election Commission office during early voting in October 2016.

The 250-page book explores several early myths and mysteries, offers details on untold and mistold facts about the Civil War, introduces per42 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

sons and personalities unique to our community, explains how our environment and institutions have developed and recounts several special traditions and activities of earlier generations.

The book is produced in cooperation with the Rutherford County Historical Society and retails for $24. All proceeds from book sales go to support the work of the Society.

“We are pleased and excited about this latest addition to our long list of publications and resources on Rutherford County history,” said Frank Caperton, RCHS president. “We are particularly proud of the quality and amount of research and resources contributed by Greg Tucker, our longtime member and former Society president. Without his efforts, much of our past would remain unknown and forever lost.”

As Rutherford County Historian, Tucker participates in a weekly discussion of local history on the Truman Jones Show (Monday, 9 a.m., WGNS Radio), and speaks frequently to area civic and special interest groups. His previous books are Remembering Rutherford (2010), Rutherford . . . for Real (2011), and Rutherford Ramblings (2014).

Wax Family Printing in Murfreesboro composed and printed the latest volume, as well as two of the earlier books; the high school libraries were also given bound copies of Tucker’s first three volumes when they were first published.

Rutherford Reflections is available in Murfreesboro from Hooper Farm Supply, 420 S. Front St.; The Country Gourmet, 107 E. Main St.; Oaklands Museum gift shop, 900 N. Maney Ave. and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce gift shop.

ne of the most basic goals that almost everyone in our society seems to agree on is feeding the hungry. Many donate to food pantries and some even take time from their day to help get food to those most in need. Part of the food that goes towards feeding Murfreesboro residents who need it comes through an organization known as Feed America First.

Established in June 2000, Feed America First is a faith-based organization with a mission of hunger relief in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky. Based out of Murfreesboro, the organization collects large-scale food donations from various sources, such as manufacturers and retailers, to divide and distribute the food to around 200 different groups that give out food to the hungry.

However, it was a rough first year for the organization. According to Julie Vandel, the organization’s communications director and volunteer coordinator, the organization’s founders, Tom Henry and Don Herbert, had trouble finding warehouse space to operate in.

Henry had written 97 grant proposals that were all rejected and Herbert was diagnosed with liver cancer, passing away soon after. However, Vandel said, “None of these struggles deterred Tom from pressing forward.”

In December 2001, the organization lost the lease to its first warehouse; Henry soon received a call to allow the organization to set up distribution in an old creamery in Murfreesboro. But in 2008, the organization learned that the creamery was going to be developed commercially, meaning that Feed America First was left without a home once again.

A local developer named Robert Stroop offered the organization a lease at one of his warehouses, allowing them to continue their work. Years later, as the organization outgrew this space, Stroop offered to build them a new warehouse with three times the amount of space. Construction began in 2014; in February 2017 the organization was able to move into this new custom-built warehouse.

Through its existing system, Feed America First can distribute more than 900,000 pounds of food per month through partner agencies that assist with its mission. With the amount of food received, Feed America First is able to help feed approximately 35,000 families per month.

Since the organization’s founding in 2000, its management estimates that FAF has distributed in excess of 81 million pounds of food in the mission of hunger relief.

The organization’s website frequently features stories on the families assisted.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42 One of these stories was about a woman named Brenda whose husband is on disability due to back problems and had suffered a few recent heart attacks. Unfortunately for them, disability isn’t enough to cover groceries after paying their bills. All the while, the couple was raising their 7-year old grandson, which added a larger strain to the budget. With help from Feed America First, Brenda was able to go one of the partner agencies, enabling her to feed her family. In her own words: “If it wasn’t for this, we’d be starving.”

In the Feed America First newsletter Breaking Bread, Henry expresses his gratefulness toward those who have volunteered and donated to the organization.

He also noted how frequently the question arises about people taking advantage of the organization, and why those who appear to need no assistance are getting food from them. To these questions, he responded by asking others to “suspend their cynicism about greed as part of human nature, and listen to the people they are serving.”

Henry noted that one friend had questioned a woman loading up a new Cadillac, but discovered that she stopped by five homes to deliver food to families in need of it who had no means of transportation. He also noted that people who appear overweight often come to their partner agencies, but, as Henry puts it: “Poverty and obesity can coexist, and they do every day in small-town America.”

Vandel said that “Tom and Don both felt called to start their own hunger relief organization to specifically address rural and small-town poverty. Tom and Don both felt they could use their experience and expertise to divert the overproduction of food from the landfills to our hungry neighbors in rural America.”

For more information about the organization, as well as about the families that have been fed thanks to help from Feed America First, visit feedamericafirst .com; the new warehouse can be found at 319 Murfreesboro St.

Opinion Hobgood Elementary Arrest Incident Leads to Settlement, Some Reform in Local Legal System The

STOCKARD REPORT

BY SAM STOCKARD THE CRAWFORD FAMILY didn’t get a staggering amount of compensation for damages after three of their children were wrongfully arrested in a sweep of kids at Hobgood Elementary School and other city schools.

The $85,000 settlement they received from the city of Murfreesboro and Officer Chrystal Templeton pales in comparison to the awards numerous people netted in recent years from Rutherford County after being fired by former Sheriff Robert Arnold, who’s serving a 50-month prison sentence for official corruption. Rutherford County is chipping in only an additional $1,500 to avoid all possible claims.

The main difference is that those who sued Rutherford County could claim they wrongfully lost wages and benefits. The Crawford kids, on the other hand, couldn’t prove that their livelihoods were damaged, nor their earning power. But they suffered nevertheless.

One child was handcuffed at the school and taken away, and two others were detained in April 2016 even though they weren’t at the scene of a bullying incident that led to their arrests, according to their lawsuit.

They “suffered great humiliation and embarrassment” because of the arrests, as well as “fear and anxiety” toward law enforcement, the lawsuit claims. In other words, they don’t trust the police and probably never will.

Who could blame them or their parents for never trusting any law enforcement officer again? After all, when Templeton came to their home to find out the names of children involved in the punches that spurred the whole case, they cooperated.

A few days later, they were taken to teenage jail, even though they were hardly teens. Even worse, according to the lawsuit, one of them was at a basketball team party at CiCis Pizza during the incident, another was ill at home and the third one was believed to be heard on video asking a little boy to stop hitting others.

How such an incident escalated to arrests should be embarrassing for the police department and the entire city of Murfrees44 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

boro, not for these three youngsters.

Luckily, we have a silver lining.

Three lawsuits filed against Murfreesboro, Rutherford County and the officers involved in this mess led to a major victory for local kids.

A new federal court order prohibits Rutherford County from holding minors at the Juvenile Detention Center until they go through a detention hearing. The judge also frowned on an “always arrest” policy put into place in 2003 along with a “filter system” used to determine whether juveniles would be detained or released until a detention hearing.

For years, apparently, many children were being arrested, brought to detention and held there instead of simply being cited to court. As a result, we trained a generation of children to hate the legal system and learn how to deal with life in a jail cell. More or less, we prepared them for life at 940 (the dreaded county jail).

It’s little wonder we have General Sessions and Circuit Court dockets so full that people can’t even get into the courtrooms.

Rutherford County’s also building a $70 million-plus judicial complex with parking garage to handle the staggering number of defendants and cases.

Getting here wasn’t easy. We had to arrest a whole lot of people. Getting out of it won’t be simple, either, because Murfreesboro’s population, at roughly 131,000, is expected to hit 228,000 in less than 20 years. That’s a lot more people for officers to take to jail. Maybe, though, they’ll start giving kids a break.

GUARDING THE HENHOUSE

County Attorney Josh McCreary and fellow members of Hudson, Reed and McCreary showed dismay in a Rutherford County Ethics Committee meeting where they faced accusations of unethical conduct, conflicts of interest and wrongful billing. They couldn’t believe they were defending themselves against allegations by the Rutherford Neighborhood Alliance when all they had done was follow county policy.

It was enough to make a grown man cry.

(Well, almost. I think I did miss a Braves game on TV in order to cover the meeting.)

Much of the complaint stemmed from a $10,000 invoice the firm (once led by former County Attorney Jim Cope) sent the county

for time its associates spent discussing a contract with the county for legal services.

In other words, we paid them to figure out how much they would charge.

No doubt, they had to work hard to come up with a contract enabling the county attorney to collect $74,000 a year plus county benefits, in addition to fees for legal services and still more fees to handle lawsuits handled by the county’s third-party insurer.

The Rutherford County Commission had to work even harder to say, “Sure, that sounds like a great deal. After all, if we started a legal department we’d have to pay about five or six attorneys to handle all of our cases.”

It doesn’t help that the county’s had a bunch of goofballs in charge the past few years. All told, the county spent $1.75 million on legal services in the past two fiscal years, most of that going to McCreary’s firm.

Incidentally, Cope, who resigned in October 2016 shortly before pleading guilty to federal insider trading, reworked the legal services contract to make sure McCreary got the county attorney job if he had to step away for some reason.

No doubt, McCreary is an excellent attorney. Nobody is questioning his skills.

But if Cope, McCreary and company really were working in the best interests of the people of Rutherford County, why would they charge the taxpayers $10,000 for time spent negotiating a contract? As County Commissioner Robert Peay asked in the Ethics Committee meeting, “Were you working for Rutherford County or for yourselves?”

Most people can answer that one without even hearing the evidence.

Those same people also would say the targets of an ethics complaint—in this case the county law firm—should not be allowed to give legal advice or opinions while defending themselves. Incidentally, the committee cleared the firm in the ethics complaint.

SROS ON THE HOOK

The Rutherford County Sheriff ’s Office recently fired SRO Jimmy Sanford after charging him with assault, perjury and filing a false report. He allegedly injured a 16-year-old student at Smyrna West Alternative School after handcuffing the teen before taking him to juvenile detention.

For Sanford, a 15-year department veteran, this might have been the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.

At least three principals requested he be removed from their schools for causing “dissension” and “embarrassment,” and he

lied to supervisors several times about being late to work and failing to follow orders. He also arrested teens for marijuana charges twice when told by a supervisor not to do it. In one case, he charged a student with marijuana possession for having pot seeds.

But when a supervisor demanded he show him the seeds, he admitted the charge was based on a brownish piece of paper.

Sanford, whose case remains under investigation, is hardly the first SRO to be fired.

The sheriff ’s office fired La Vergne Lake Elementary SRO Scot Appleton after he violated county electronic media policy by “repeatedly contacting a female he met online” using the sheriff ’s office and county school’s email domains as well as his sheriff ’s office cellphone.

In addition, the department fired Blackman Middle SRO John Heath for inappropriate conduct toward a student’s mother and the middle school boy who was on his wrestling squad. According to a lawsuit filed against Heath and the county, the SRO started lusting after the woman and demanded she send him topless photos. Instead, she sent him a photo of her face covered in a mud wrap.

He didn’t get the message and kept harassing her. Once he figured out she didn’t want anything to do with him, he started harassing her son, calling him a “quitter,” according to the lawsuit, and trashing him in front of other students. Gee, we all know the benefits of tough love and discipline. But when a coach starts getting onto a kid because the boy’s mom won’t give in to his sexual fantasies, that’s just wrong.

The bigger problem, however, lies inherently with the SRO program. Based on these incidents, it appears the SROs don’t have enough work to do, leaving them idle time to surf the web and chase women.

The solution is simple: cut costs and require the officers to split their time between schools and go home at the end of the day.

Instead, they’re putting in hours coaching sports and working security at ball games, which results in lots of comp time, all of which the county’s taxpayers fund.

The SRO program started with five officers in the early 1990s. It’s done a lot of good. Before that, though, we didn’t have any, and somehow—only God knows how— we survived without having armed officers walking our school halls. This is one time we need to step back in time because these guys have too much time on their hands— way too much time on their hands.

Sam Stockard can be reached at sstockard44@gmail.com.

Let’s All Try to Bring the Temperature Down

P

resident Donald Trump was widely criticized for condemning the hatred and bigotry in Charlottesville “on many sides.” Turns out he was right.

Before we get into the details, let me say without hesitation that I find the KKK, Nazis and white supremacists repugnant. What one of them did by driving his car into a crowd of protesters is beyond horrible and he should be punished severely for it.

But that sentiment really goes without saying. Criticizing the president for not calling out the Nazis and Klan by name simply misses the point of the bigger problem that Trump did point out. What happened in Charlottesville was the clash of the idiots. I told my radio audience it was the Antifa against the Noteefa. A bunch of redneck klansmen decided to march in Charlottesville. Why they marched has been widely overlooked.

VIEWS OF A There’s a movement that has gained steam over the last few years to whitewash history COLUMN BY by removing any and all monuments to the PHIL VALENTINE Confederacy. That’s a mistake. No matter which philvalentine.com side you’re on, it’s a dangerous thing to erase history. Think what you will about the Civil War or the War Between the States or whatever you prefer to call it, there’s one thing that’s immutable. It happened. It’s also instructive to remember that it happened. Removing statues and monuments is not remembering. It’s trying to forget.

And where does this stop? Are we now going to tear down the Jefferson Memorial because he owned slaves? Are we going to raze Andrew Jackson’s home, the Hermitage, because he owned slaves and slaughtered Indians?

I’ve got a neat little policy that has served me well all my years. If there’s something that I don’t like, I stay away from it. I don’t try to tear it down. If that’s where we’re heading then we have a lot of work ahead of us.

There’s a bust of Margaret Sanger at the National Portrait Gallery. Sanger was an advocate of eugenics. In 1921 she wrote, “the most urgent problem today is how to limit and discourage the over-fertility of the mentally and physically defective.” Some say that was code for black people. Even if it wasn’t, her call for limiting procreation based on her subjective definition of worthy mental or physical capacity is disturbing. The Nazis later used eugenics with chilling precision. Sanger is the founder of Planned Parenthood, not something I would be particularly proud of. As an advocate of genetic cleansing is her bust worthy of display at the National Portrait Gallery? I’ll choose not to visit it the next time I’m in Washington.

And does Martin Luther King’s serial infidelity and flirtation with communism overshadow his work as a civil rights leader? I don’t think so, but under the logic of the radical left he would be disqualified for memorialization. That is, if the left actually found adultery and communism objectionable.

If one goes back and reviews the video from Charlottesville one will learn that the Antifa attacked the Nazis and Klansmen as they were marching down the street. Doesn’t excuse the running over of a protestor, but it does add credence to Trump’s call for the end of hatred and bigotry “on many sides.”

And let’s not elevate these Nazis to the intellectual level of the Third Reich. Most of these folks have the IQ of a soap dish. They couldn’t take over their own trailer park.

The media like to talk about “bringing the temperature down.” Rather ironic when they’re taking a blowtorch to the situation in order to score points against Donald Trump.

CONSERVATIVE

“And let’s not elevate these Nazis to the intellectual level of the Third Reich.

Most of these folks have the IQ of a soap dish.”

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

Live Exceptionally...Well!

BY JENNIFER DURAND

It’s Never Too Late to . . .

T

oo often we have thoughts of regret or have a “mind battle” wishing we’d done things differently.

Whatever those may be for you, I want you to know that it’s never too late to start living differently. The moment you change your mind and start acting or being the way you want is the moment of transformation. I am going to share a few of my favorite excerpts from the book It’s Never Too Late by Patrick Lindsay.

STAY YOUNG. It doesn’t mean fighting time. We must grow. We can stay young at heart and in mind. Look with young eyes.

Love with a young heart. Recapture the wonderment. Appreciate your surroundings, your loved ones, your friendships. Look forward with hope and optimism.

SAY WHAT YOU MEAN. It’s simpler. It’s more honest. It avoids confusion. People respect you when they know where you stand.

It may be tempting to beat about the bush, hoping to avoid confrontation, or to avoid causing offense. But when you truly believe something, say it clearly. Stand by it.

“The greatest homage we can pay to truth is to use it.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson LISTEN TO YOUR KIDS. They know stuff. They don’t know a lot too. The things they know are different. And fascinating.

You can learn much from your kids. About them. About you. About life. Remember how frustrating it was when you were a kid, and people wouldn’t listen to you?

ASK FOR HELP. When you really need help, ask for it. Don’t let false pride hold you back. It honors the giver. It establishes a bond. Later you can reciprocate. That’s how great friendships are formed. And maintained.

CUDDLE. Life without touch is hollow.

Cuddles transmit love. They give warmth.

And hope. And trust. The feelings flow back and forth. A cuddle can make someone’s day. It can even save a life. Cuddle generously. And often.

“Never underestimate the healing power of touch.” — Anonymous BE PATIENT. We live with constant change, with daily demands for quick decisions and automatic responses. Slow 46 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

down. Give yourself time to consider, to sort through complicated issues, to wait.

Patience calms our lives. It offers options.

LET GO. To travel through life with lightness, we must unload the things which weigh us down, and hold us back. Lose the baggage, regrets, grudges, hatreds, jealousies, vendettas. Turn them loose.

“All that is human must retrograde if it does not advance.” — Edward Gibbon IMAGINE. Our most powerful asset is our mind. Its powers are virtually unlimited. And often largely untapped. With imagination we can create new worlds. And improve old ones. Live our wildest dreams. Imagination has neither rules nor boundaries.

STOP BLAMING OTHERS. It’s the easy way out. It brings us no credit. It gives others power over us. Ultimately we must take control of our own lives. Make our own decisions. Stop the blame. When we do, it liberates us. Take charge.

LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE. Think of it as a key to new adventures. A chance to look through different eyes. To explore new lands, and cultures, and people. A chance to expand your mind. To challenge old ways.

To extend your boundaries.

USE YOUR SKILLS. We possess many skills. Many more than we admit. Even to ourselves. We’ve taken much time and energy to acquire them. Don’t ignore them.

Don’t waste them. Take pride in them. Use them when they’re called for.

MAKE YOUR HOUSE A HOME. Stamp your personality on your home. Invest some love in it. Give it something of yourself.

Your colors. Your pictures. Your favorite objects. In return, it will welcome you and your friends.

“Home is where the heart is.” — Proverb Share your own personal “it’s never too late.” I’d love to hear it.

Jennifer Durand is the owner and operator of The Nurture Nook Day Spa & Gift Shoppe. Let her help you find your personal “ahh . . .” factor by calling (615) 896-7110 or visiting nurturenook.com or facebook.com/nurturenookdayspa.

Relocation Tips

Moving to, or from, Middle Tennessee

THE MONEY PULSE

BY BERNARD JAMES

E

arlier this year, several sources covered the number of people moving to the Nashville area on a daily basis. The most consistently held estimate (at least as reported around water coolers throughout the area and corroborated by various media outlets) is that 100 people per day move into the 14-county Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area of Middle Tennessee.

There are a lot of opinions as to why so many are leaving places they have called home for years to come to the great state of Tennessee (Go Vols!), especially the Middle portion (go Blue Raiders!). But right now we are going to focus on the how.

Relocation can be a huge undertaking.

That is why the team and support you surround yourself with may be your most important decision. You want people with experience in helping families with relocation. Someone helping you should assist in remembering the big, and little, things that can both be easily overlooked.

One of the most common reasons for relocating is employment, meaning oftentimes a timetable how soon you need to be in your new city. Temporary housing may become a necessity. Especially if you are looking at new construction or if your wife has decided that “if she has to move again, this time she is going to get exactly what she wants!” You also want someone familiar with the city; knowing the major landmarks and events you should definitely attend are very helpful when you are in a new area.

Not to say that your agent should know everything, but they should know how to find out key information about their city without always using an internet search.

SOME THINGS TO INQUIRE ABOUT WHEN CHOOSING A RELOCATION AGENT:

1 An area information package

You can’t rely on Google alone when moving to a new city. Ask for an information package with some specific information that is important to you and you family.

2 Tour of the area

See if they will take you around town, show you what your work route will be from the home you like, or take you where your family would go for favorite activities and foods. It is a great opportunity to learn about the city.

3 Access to temporary housing

There are still short-term leases out there: three, six or nine months. Yes, they are usually more expensive, but knowing you have a temporary option can make house shopping a lot less stressful.

4 A relationship with an available

mortgage lender A lot of relocation is on a time schedule.

You will need to make some decisions fairly quickly. You may need payment and/or closing cost numbers sooner rather than later.

The final and most important thing to look for from an agent helping you locate to the Murfreesboro area is for them to hand you a copy of the Murfreesboro Pulse so you can keep up with all of the great local events around here!

Bernard James, a Community Reinvestment Loan Officer with Guaranty Trust in Murfreesboro, aims to help families and individuals achieve their financial goals. Contact him at (615) 631-2877 or bernard.james@guarantytrust.com.

BOROPULSE.COM

* SEPTEMBER 2017 * 47

Sports

SPORTS

TALK

COLUMN BY “Z-TRAIN”

titanman1984@gmail.com

Delanie Walker

TITANS POISED FOR ANOTHER WINNING SEASON IN 2017 CHOO-CHOO! The Train Daddy is back, bringing sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk to you, the loyal country folk of Middle Tennessee. Sometimes I freestyle—no studying, no notes, just the brain of the Train at work—and that’s what you’re about to get this issue.

Sometimes it feels good to just type, no preparation needed. Granted, when I write articles involving stats and numbers and events of history, I must prep prior to writing and check for accuracy. There is only so much knowledge in a brain, even one as fact-packed as the Train’s brain!

Let me point out that my take on the Mayweather/McGregor fight was practically spot-on. Yes, I’m gloating.

So, let’s break down the train wreck that was MTSU’s football season opener vs.

Vanderbilt and talk Titan Talk, a team that is poised to represent the state of Tennessee with gusto. What’s gusto? Its defined as beating people into submission and then branding them with a Tennessee state logo on their forearm. Okay, its synonyms are more like enjoyment, delight, pleasure, bootie-bootie, satisfaction—all words that will ultimately define the 2017 Tennessee Titans Season!

My impression of the 2017 MTSU Blue Raiders football team on opening night: One word to describe it is “ugly,” while its synonyms include unattractive, monstrous, vile, unlovely, poop deck . . . you get the point, it was a bad start to the season.

MTSU was embarrassed and it looked like a high school football team lost on the field. I was there at the game, 11 rows from the field, and I was desperately trying to find some good to build on. This has nothing to 48 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

do with the team, but I was disappointed with the direction the school is heading with home games. First off, the Band of Blue was almost nonexistent, and that has not been the case in the past.

College games should be loud with live marching-band music; instead we get a heavy collection of garbage from the loudspeakers. Every song was a rap song, turned up full volume, and that sucks!

Don’t get me wrong—I can appreciate hip-hop, but what’s the point when half the words are censored in the songs they choose? I wasn’t alone in this, as many longtime fans expressed their distaste about the music. No one wants to see whatever a Dougie is.

Back to football, the offensive line was horrible, the run game was nonexistent, the quarterback was demolished and the defense looked dazed with many blown coverages. MTSU staff also must have been confused; they blew the load prematurely!

It wasn’t a touchdown, yet with 50 seconds left, they set off the fireworks and sounded the sirens all for an incomplete pass. Even the announcers at CBS Sports stated, “Uhoh, a little premature, all for an incomplete pass.” I love Murfreesboro, and I wish MTSU success, but this was embarrassing.

Okay, it’s time for Titan Talk!

This team is poised to have a breakout year, I know Coach Mularkey recently stated he wanted all his players to ignore the talk of how good they are projected to be this season. They’re riding high after last year’s winning season, the first in many years.

How can Titans fans not be pumped up and excited?

They’re led by a young quarterback who

is destined to be great. They’re returning a veteran running back who led the AFC in rushing last season. They brought in goodies for quarterback Marcus Mariota on the receiving side. The secondary was awful last year and Mr. Dick has been working on remedying that. Can you believe Dick LeBeau has been on the field for nearly 60 years as a player and coach? The defensive coordinator is a legend and demands excellence, he struts the field like a man half his age, and players listen. I’m excited to see him turn water into wine and get the praise he deserves. You watch the secondary this year. Though one of the worst secondaries in the league last season, you just wait and see once the season gets underway. Mr. LeBeau, a defensive legend, will work that magic!

The Titans’ biggest battle in my opinion is the AFC South. Yes, they suck when competing against division opponents. I do know the Titans have lost 11 straight to the Colts and have lost 8 of the last 10 to the Texans (okay, I did have to look up that Texan stat, so sue me!). They must win these games! I mean Andrew Luck is broken, and who is the quarterback for the Jaguars and Texans? That’s right, you don’t know!

The defense must cut down on giving up big plays. I know last season they ranked near last in giving up plays over 20 yards.

With the signing of cornerback Logan Ryan, a badass tackler, he should help there.

Corey Jack Conklin and Davis Taylor Lewan may be the two most important pieces to the Titans success. One is on the right other on the left, and they make sure Marcus Mariota stays clean (and have been doing a fine job at that!). Not only do they decrease the number of sacks, but they open holes and increase the production in the run game.

One of my favorite Titans is Delanie Walker, who will mentor the young tight end drafted this year . . . okay, I forget his name, and I promised I wouldn’t look anything else up. I do know he was drafted in the

2017 TENNESSEE TITANS SCHEDULE Sunday, Sept. 10, 12 p.m.

Raiders Sunday, Sep 17, 12 p.m. @ Jaguars Sunday, Sep 24, 3:05 p.m.

Seahawks Sunday, Oct 1, 12 p.m. @ Texans Sunday, Oct 8, 12 p.m. @ Dolphins Monday, Oct 16, 7:30 p.m.

Colts Sunday, Oct 22, 12 p.m. @ Browns Sunday, Nov 5, 12 p.m.

Ravens Sunday, Nov 12, 12 p.m.

Bengals Thursday, Nov 16, 7:25 p.m. @ Steelers Sunday, Nov 26, 12 p.m. @ Colts Sunday, Dec 3, 12 p.m.

Texans Sunday, Dec 10, 3:05 p.m. @ Cardinals Sunday, Dec 17, 3:25 p.m. @ 49ers Sunday, Dec 24, 12 p.m.

Rams Sunday, Dec 31, 12 p.m.

Jaguars third round and played at FIU. Earlier I mentioned the goodies; receivers Eric Decker and Corey Davis should be a boon for Marcus this season. Let’s hope so!

This article hits the stand a few days prior to the Titans opening game vs. the Oakland Raiders. That’s going to be exciting! I love Derek Carr’s game, but the Titans will take that game at home. I imagine the Titans defense will struggle a bit, with the offense ultimately getting the win.

I believe the Titans will easily start the season 4–0. I like to analyze teams in fourgame stretches, and I love their schedule to start the season: two division games away and two home games vs. the Raiders and Seattle. I imagine Oakland being the toughest test there, I’m not sold on Seattle this season.

That’s it my friends. MTSU, get your act together. Tennessee Titans, dominate!

Train’s out the station!

Sports

BLUE RAIDER SPORTS

Richie James (left) notched another touchdown reception, but the Blue Raiders fell to Vanderbilt 28–6.

BY GREG CRITTENDEN

AS THE MTSU BLUE RAIDERS

THOUGH THE FLOYD WAS PACKED, BLUE RAIDERS HAD ROUGH SEASON OPENER AGAINST VANDY. 

50 * SEPTEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

the Blue Raider offensive line allowed five against Vanderbilt. Stockstill struggled to prepared to take on Vanderbilt in Murfreeshandle the pressure as he had his worst boro on Saturday, Sept. 2, to open the 2017 statistical performance since Middle played season, 26,717 fans were in attendance at Alabama in 2015, finishing 18 for 31 with 166 Floyd Stadium. The number marked the yards, one touchdown, and one interception. sixth highest attendance in the long history “It’s embarrassing. Most embarrassing of Floyd Stadium. Unfortunately a large thing I’ve ever been a part of,” Brent Stocknumber of those fans wearing blue went still said. “It’s just unacceptable.” home unhappy.

For coach Rick Stockstill, the game was “We loved the energy they brought to this the realization of all of his concerns going game, and we’re very thankful for the turnout,” stated receiver Richie James. “We could into camp.

“My biggest fears going into camp were have put on a better show for them, but we what happened in the game. I was worreally appreciate them for coming out and ried about how we would hold up on the supporting us the way they did.” offensive line, and obviously we didn’t hold And James was absolutely right. What was up very well. It was a rather embarrassing expected to be a close, hard-fought game performance,” Stockstill said. “We couldn’t was far from it. Although the defense did run the ball, couldn’t protect.” an incredible job containing Vanderbilt star The Blue Raiders did not get on the running back Ralph Webb, the defense was board until early in the fourth quarter when left vulnerable to the passing game. It took Stockstill and James hooked up for a 22the Commodore offense only 89 seconds to score its first touchdown, as quarterback Kyle yard touchdown pass. However, it was too little, too late for Middle Tennessee as they Shurmur found receiver Kalija Lipscomb dropped the game 28–6. wide open for a 37-yard touchdown.

The Blue Raider loss determines the Finding wide open receivers seemed to be a theme for Shurmur, as all three of his pass- Commodores the winner of the annual series that started in 2015 and still has one ing touchdowns were a result of missed asmore game scheduled for the signments. Shurmur, who was 2018 season before the agreepedestrian at best in last year’s UPCOMING ment is satisfied. Though the match-up, finished with 296 GAMES series started out as a competiyards and three touchdowns INCLUDE: tive one, Vanderbilt seems to while completing 71 percent of be pulling away over the last his attempts.

SEPT. 9 two contests.

The first MT possession 2:30 p.m.

Middle Tennessee will have set the tone for the game, as At Syracuse to solve the problems along the Stockstill would be hit often. offensive line and in the run The Blue Raider offense looked SEPT. 16 game quickly, as the schedule like it might answer back, but 2:30 p.m.

At Minnesota won’t get any easier through quarterback Brent Stockstill the opening month. The Blue floated a pass into the hands SEPT. 23 Raiders play two more Power of Vanderbilt cornerback Bryce 6 p.m.

5 teams, Syracuse and MinLewis as he was hit.

Bowling Green nesota, on the road before With MT unable to establish coming back to Floyd to face a running game, the CommoSEPT. 30 the high-powered Bowling dore defense was able to apply 6 p.m.

Green offense. MT will end the consistent pressure throughout At Florida month against Lane Kiffin’s the game. Despite allowing only Atlantic Florida Atlantic. eight sacks all of last season,

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