May 9, 2024

BY STEPHEN ELLIOTT, NASHVILLE BANNER

This story is a partnership between the Nashville Banner and The News. The Nashville Banner is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization focused on civic news. Visit nashvillebanner.com for more information.

A few months after winning a crowded mayoral race, Mayor Freddie O’Connell continues his pivot to managing the city, faced with revenue forecasts that cannot be cured by campaign promises. On Wednesday, for the first time, he presented his annual budget proposal to the Metro Council. Taking into account projected flat revenue growth — a departure from recent cycles that saw yearly increases — the

administration is proposing a 2024-25 spending plan with few bells and whistles or major changes, as the Banner reported last month. The city is projecting $3.28 billion in revenue in the coming fiscal year (the current year’s budget is $3.22 billion).

Now, the Metro Council has until the end of June to debate — and potentially change — the budget proposal. An official public hearing and community listening sessions are planned in the coming weeks.

Among other line items, O’Connell proposes a 3.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment for Metro employees and asks city departments to find a collective 1.4 percent in savings for next year as the city

seeks to “live within our means,” said Metro budget officer Aaron Pratt.

“As many of you know, this was a challenging budget cycle for many reasons,” O’Connell told the budget committee on Wednesday. “Our revenues are expected to be nearly the same as last year, so our spending will be nearly the same as well. This means we can’t accomplish everything we want in a single year, but we do some important things.”

In April, Metro Human Resources recommended a 3.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for most Metro employees, in addition to a 3 percent merit raise for qualifying

BY ELI MOTYCKA

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is suing the federal government over a rule change restricting gun sales between private parties. Tennessee joins 20 other states in the suit, which is aimed at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

New federal regulations that expand the scope of regulated gun sales will go into effect May 20. Under the rule change, an individual party engaged in a gun sale with the sole objective of “profit” — rather than the current stipulations of “livelihood and profit” — falls under ATF regulation for those “engaged in the business” of gun sales. The tweak would close the so-called “gun show loophole” by bringing private transactions under increased legal scrutiny. Skrmetti’s office has filed regular suits challenging moves by the federal government since taking office in 2022. Such farranging lawfare activism on topics like trans people playing sports and environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has earned Skrmetti, a once-failed Republican candidate, prime airtime on Fox News and statewide attention within the GOP. Gov. Bill Lee has given his legal team — which recently built out a “strategic litigation unit” to support conservative activist suits — a $10 million budget bump this year.

The Tennessee Firearms Association, a small activist group led by local attorney John Harris with a West End address, filed a similar challenge on May 1 alongside gun support lobbies in Virginia, Utah, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. Both Skrmetti and the TFA argue

Mayor Freddie O’Connell PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Mayor proposes

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

employees. However, the Metro Civil Service Commission upped the recommended COLA to 4 percent as representatives for different groups of Metro employees argued the increase was insufficient to keep up with inflation. O’Connell is proposing HR’s 3.5-percent COLA.

The increases are expected to raise the pay floor for Metro employees to $20 per hour. That’s less than the $23 figure (up more than $5 from the mark of the year prior) identified by the living wage calculator used by Metro. But city officials said last month they are working on a rolling average for the pay floor due to year-over-year fluctuations in the living wage calculator. (O’Connell’s remarks celebrated the “living wage” pay floor regardless.)

Last month, the Metro Nashville Public School Board approved a recommendation of a $1.27 billion “continuity of operations” budget, a 5.2 percent increase from the figure of the current year. The school system is focused on backfilling funding for programs initially supported by temporary federal expenditures, officials said last month, and O’Connell committed Wednesday to funding some of those initiatives. The mayor’s proposed education allocation is $1.25 billion, nearly 40 percent of the city budget, including funding for a 3.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment for school employees.

O’Connell also proposes to continue $30 million in annual funding for the Barnes Housing Trust Fund, though the dollars will come from multiple sources. Other funding has been set aside to help establish a standalone department of solid waste.

On the revenue front, Metro also faces challenges experienced by the state and other local governments, as federal funds on offer during the pandemic recovery dry up and

Skrmetti sues

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

that the federal government overreaches in its attempt to regulate private sales between individuals, a confined activity not subject to the federal government’s jurisdiction under the interstate commerce clause.

“The regulatory burden this rule imposes on regular people who occasionally sell or trade a firearm to a family member or close friend is not commensurate with the agency’s statutory authority or consistent with the Constitution,” reads a statement from Skrmetti’s office, which includes quotes from the court filing. “Such innocent sales between friends and family would constitute a felony if the seller did not in fact obtain a federal firearms license and perform a background check.”

The ATF justifies its rule change with the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and a 2023 executive order by President Joe Biden. Tennessee has among the nation’s

consumer spending returns to more normal levels. That means limited or no growth in the city’s budget, set to take effect July 1.

The 1.4 percent in savings baked into the budget could come from open positions remaining vacant, Pratt said. However, the administration wants to be “nimble and flexible” in working with departments to find savings throughout the year.

“We used every existing revenue source to make sure we can stay within our current fiscal footprint,” Pratt said.

Finance Director Kevin Crumbo stressed that the revenue situation is not dire. Asked about the prospect of selling real estate assets to pay down debt, he said, “we’re in no position where that even needs to be a thought.”

Still, Crumbo told the Banner last month that a property tax rate increase — not envisioned in the current proposal — could likely be on the table a year from now.

Though mayors typically introduce their proposed budget in the State of Metro address, O’Connell has instead opted to introduce the budget now and hold his first State of Metro in two weeks. Some initial budget information has been posted online, with more detailed documents expected in the coming days.

“Even though the city’s revenue projections are not showing growth as significant as we’ve seen over the past few years, which we’ve been acknowledging for months now, our priorities are intact,” O’Connell told the council committee. “We’re addressing our cost of living and the affordability of Nashville in response to feedback we’ve heard from residents in every Metro Council district. This is a budget that puts people first in many ways.”

Davidson County Election Commission keeps Justin Jones on ballot Jones’

Republican opponent, Laura Nelson, alleged that several of his petition signatures were not valid

BY STEPHEN ELLIOTT, NASHVILLE BANNER

but the commission chair said he did not engage with the message or provide advice and declined to recuse himself. Jones called Goins the “chief of voter suppression” as the two went back and forth.

“This challenge is not only frivolous, but it is about a pattern of political harassment,” Jones said.

At the hearing, Nelson narrowed her challenge from 10 Jones signatures to three signatures. She argued that none of Jones’ evidence should be considered because it wasn’t submitted until a second supplementary deadline set by the commission, though the commission decided to consider Jones’ evidence.

As the hearing continued, commissioners focused mostly on one Jones signatory, who misspelled her first name in the printed portion of the petition.

“At the end of the day if we don’t know how to spell our own name, we should not be signing this legal document,” Nelson said.

most lax gun regulations. State Republicans consistently promote unfettered access to guns and champion broad readings of the Second Amendment. Last year’s deadly shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville brought gun access and gun regulation to the forefront of state politics, where people across the political spectrum advocated for common sense gun reform.

Powerful Republicans like Lee appeared to briefly reconsider the state’s lenient stance on guns in the days following the Covenant School shooting but have since increased access to guns — most recently with a law allowing staff and faculty to carry firearms in Tennessee schools.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

This story is a partnership between the Nashville Banner and The News. The Nashville Banner is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization focused on civic news. Visit nashvillebanner.com for more information.

The Davidson County Election Commission on Thursday rejected a challenge to Nashville Democratic Rep. Justin Jones’ qualification for the ballot in his bid for reelection.

Jones’ Republican opponent, Laura Nelson, alleged that several of Jones’ petition signatures were not valid. The GOP-controlled commission, after a hearing of more than two hours, decided to accept the signatures.

State law requires 25 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot, and Jones turned in just 26, of which 25 were deemed valid.

The meeting was marked by interruptions, cheers and jeers from supporters of Jones and Nelson and, at times, the candidates themselves. Jones sparred with commission chair Jim DeLanis and Tennessee Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins, who was on hand to advise the commission.

Jones played a recording of a voicemail Nelson left for DeLanis in which the Republican candidate asked for legal advice and said Tennessee Republican Party Chair Scott Golden told her DeLanis was “the man.” Jones asked DeLanis to recuse himself,

Nelson argued that the signatures of the contested signer, as seen across various government documents, did not match. Commissioner Will Burns, a Republican appointee to the board, was sympathetic to the argument (as was Goins, who did not have a vote in the matter).

“I cannot find any way to justify those two signatures,” Burns said. “There’s not a single letter that closely resembles. I’ve got serious issues with that signature.”

But the ultimate decision started to become clear when DeLanis, another Republican appointee on the five-member board, said he was inclined to accept the signatures. DeLanis said the signatory’s sworn testimony that it was her signature was good enough for him.

The board ultimately voted 3-1 to accept the signatures, with Republican Dan Davis abstaining. Jones and his supporters left the room singing.

“It’s about trying to undo the will of the people of District 52,” Jones said. “They connive and concoct and conspire these backhanded attempts, cheap attempts, pitiful attempts, desperate attempts to try. This challenge is about desperation.”

DeLanis had some unsolicited advice for Jones, urging him to hold a party and gather more signatures next time: “Nobody on this commission decided to turn in 25 names. You’re trying to inflame [your

Rep. Justin Jones in 2023

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

supporters] as if this commission is against you. Nobody’s against you here.”

Nelson said during the hearing that she planned to explore appeal options.

Visit nashvillebanner.com to read a longer

version of this story, which includes details on a second DCEC case involving state Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville) and his challenge of Republican opponent Jennifer Frensley Webb’s qualification.

Tennessee to co-lead lawsuit opposing protections for trans students

State AG

Skrmetti

holds press conference denouncing the Biden administration’s

BY KELSEY BEYELER

Title IX updates

Tennessee is co-leading an alliance of six states challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s new changes to Title IX, the federal civil rights law prohibiting sex-based discrimination. The new rules — which, after a prolonged process, the Biden administration announced on April 19 — overhaul Trump-era changes and provide stronger protections for transgender students.

The Biden administration’s rules have been met with fierce opposition from conservative state leaders across the country.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey held a press conference Tuesday to announce a lawsuit they are co-leading with Kentucky. (Indiana, Ohio and Virginia have also joined the suit.)

Morrisey referenced a West Virginia lawsuit “that we expect will be up at the Supreme Court fairly soon” — two weeks ago, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a West Virginia law banning trans students from competing on sports teams that align with their gender identity.

According to a summary from the U.S. Department of Education, the federal government’s newly “proposed regulations would prohibit all forms of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.” And according to a separate fact sheet from the DOE: “The final regulations also provide greater clarity regarding: the definition of ‘sex-based harassment’; the scope of sex discrimination, including schools’ obligations not to discriminate based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and schools’ obligations to provide an educational environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex.”

Slate of Hate: Tennessee to Consider 18 Bills Targeting LGBTQ Rights and More Skrmetti called the changes a “radical new vision of how men and women interrelate,” speculating that cisgender men could take advantage of the new rules by entering

women’s restrooms and locker rooms — and that women and girls “could be liable for a civil rights violation” if they express discomfort about the presence of trans students. He and Morrisey were joined by swimmer Riley Gaines, an outspoken opponent of trans athletes. Though the concept of school sports was brought up multiple times throughout the press conference, the new Title IX rules do not address athletics, which will be addressed in a separate rule-making process. As noted by Chalkbeat, while the “new rules explicitly state that denying a trans student access to a bathroom or locker room that corresponds with their gender identity causes harm to the student in a way that generally violates Title IX,” schools can also maintain singlegender restrooms and request confirmation of students’ gender identity.

Tennessee’s Republican supermajority has passed several laws targeting LGBTQ students over the past few years, from restricting their ability to participate in school sports to protecting educators who don’t use students’ preferred pronouns.

Within the past year, the General Assembly has also discussed rejecting federal education funding because of the “strings” attached — such as those pertaining to Title IX. When states or school districts do not comply with federal regulations, they could lose federal funding.

“We applaud the release of the federal regulations that make schools safer for LGBTQ students, those who have experienced sexual assault and harassment, and pregnant students,” says LGBTQ advocacy organization the Tennessee Equality Project in a statement. “We do not understand why our Attorney General is defending barriers to education and old prejudices. People of good will across the state join us in being excited about the potential for public policy to protect all students in Tennessee.”

Hamilton Matthew Masters contributed to this reporting.

On the Hill: Roundup of the final week of the legislature

BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

The final week of the Tennessee General Assembly saw several major bills finally make their way through both chambers. But, aside from those, the senators and representatives still had plenty of other legislation to get through.

There seemed to be a lot of bouncing around calendars that had been cut short previously in the House. While the Senate had a bit more organized approach, there were still several bills to keep tabs on that were sent back and forth between the chambers as the legislation moved toward a final vote.

Notably during a press conference after the end of session, Republicans touted a slate of criminal justice reforms. Democrats stated in their press conference they didn’t see the reforms the same way. But still, there were a few bipartisan bills that made their way through the end of the session too.

SHIFTING JUDGES

A bill (HB2002) passed that removed both a criminal and civil judge from Shelby County’s 30th judicial district and created an additional trial court in the 4th and 19th judicial districts. Those districts include Grainger, Jefferson, Sevier and Cocke counties and Robertson and Montgomery counties respectively.

Shelby County representation in both chambers pointed out the state Comptroller’s Office data that is used to support the need for the move is outdated. The last data

available is from 2019. Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) said he asked for a postCOVID study from comptroller and was told it could be completed by January 2025.

Rep. Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville), who sponsored the legislation, said the data shows that since 2002 the 30th district has been “over-judged.” As such, he said, the legislation is based on a trend of weighted data, not just one year’s data alone. Farmer added that the time is suitable to remove those judgeships because one judge has resigned and another has been recommended to the Tennessee Supreme Court.

“We’re not taking anyone’s career away from them,” Farmer said. “We’re moving both of these judgeships at a time they’re going to be vacant.”

Despite passing both the House and Senate, the bill saw rare bipartisanship between Republicans and Democrats from Shelby County in opposition to it.

Representatives John Gillespie (R-Memphis), Tom Leatherwood (R-Arlington), Kevin Vaughn (R-Collierville) and Mark White (R-Memphis) joined House Democrats in voting against the bill 71-27. Notably in the Senate, East Tennessee Senators Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville) and Art Swann (R-Maryville) joined Democrats and Taylor in the 22-9 vote.

The funding for the judgeships was approved in the budget passed this session. An amendment was added in the Senate and adopted by the House to address any backlog

The bill increases the penalty for assault against a law enforcement officer. It changes the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. That would increase the mandatory minimum sentence from 30 days to 60 days. It also doubles the fine from $5,000 to $10,000.

Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) asked how it would affect those who are potentially having a mental health crisis. House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland), who is a co-sponsor, said the law requires an intent. Therefore, someone having a crisis and subsequently harming an officer in the process likely would not meet the criteria for the felony charge.

“You can’t say that you back the blue as this legislation articulates, but then you do nothing to ensure the conditions that officers, including my family members, are encountering every day in our communities are as safe as possible,” Pearson said, noting his discontent with the legislature for not passing more gun safety laws this session.

“Only increasing penalties after harm has happened does not do that. We have so many more things we must do to protect our law enforcement in our cities and our state. While this might be an attempt, there is so much more that we owe to [law enforcement].

within the 30th judicial district.

RIGHT TO BAIL

A resolution passed amending the Tennessee Constitution to remove the right to bail for certain offenders.

It would apply to those who commit a capital offense, an act of terrorism, second degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape or grave torture. The right to bail could also be removed for any other offender who, if convicted, could not be released before at least 85 percent of the total sentence.

The vote for the legislation fell nearly along party lines with only Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga) joining those opposed.

LIABILITY IN CYBERATTACKS

Legislation that would shield private companies from civil liability in class action suits due to cybersecurity events passed both chambers.

The bill states that private entities are not liable in the event of a cybersecurity attack unless the events could potentially be the result of the entities’ willful, wanton or gross negligence. In the 76-18 vote in the House, Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Franklin) voted against the bill. The vote was 25-5 in the Senate.

BACK THE BLUE

Rep. Kip Capley (R-Summertown) sponsored HB1881, which he named the “Back the Blue Act.”

PARENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

A bill passed by the House and Senate last week would allow a judge to place an order of restitution up to $1,000 to be paid by the parent or guardian of a child found to be delinquent more than once.

Rep. John Gillespie (R-Memphis) fielded questions from Democrats over the bill’s seeming intent to criminalize parents for their children’s actions. Many shared concerns regarding how the law could impact a parent who may have minimal access to resources. They also asked if the legislation could be applied to foster parents. Gillespie said he did not believe it could be applied to foster parents and noted he has worked in nonprofit services for youth and believes those resources could be accessed more than they are.

Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) said he has also worked in the nonprofit youth services sector and sees the issue very differently.

“We can do better. You can do better. You’ve worked with these children. You should know the circumstances they’re facing,” Clemmons said to Gillespie. “We are not going to solve this problem by criminalizing parents [who] are doing the best that they can.”

Gillespie reminded Clemmons and others in the House the bill is up to a judge’s discretion to decide if the potential fine is necessary. The bill passed 74-24

Gov. Bill Lee speaking on the final day of the Tennessee General Assembly PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

in the House and 24-5 in the Senate.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Rep. G. A. Hardaway and Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari passed legislation that would allow the establishment of industrial development corporations to assist and benefit small and locally owned businesses.

Akbari pointed out that the IDCs are not a new concept but the bills gives local governments the ability to be able to create them for the benefit of their own local businesses. Costs related to the creation of an IDC will be funded by local governments. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development is required to provide guidance to local governments in the creation of an industrial development corporation.

“We’ll build this from the ground up with input from small and local businesses,” Hardaway said. “For me, economics and education determine how free you will be in America today. This is just one piece of what I believe is going to empower our communities to be able to fight back against the poverty, the illiteracy, the crime that’s ravaging our communities currently.”

Neighborhood advisory committees created by the corporations are required to assist in promoting, funding and cultivating the businesses. Also, the General Assembly’s joint government operations committee is required to submit a report to the legislature by Jan. 31, 2028, regarding the effectiveness of any industrial development corporations created over those four years.

The House passed the bill 95-1 and the Senate passed it 27-3.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The legislature nearly unanimously passed a bill to create an artificial intelligence advisory council.

The bill would require the council to recommend an action plan for the use of AI in state government that “aligns with the state’s policies and goals and that supports public employees” in their delivery of services. The council is required to make specific recommendations for policy changes and investments. It should be sure to include clear usage policies for the state.

The council will be made up of 24 members including the following: the commissioners of Finance and Administration, Department of Human Resources, Economic and Community

Development, Labor and Workforce Development, Education, Commerce and Insurance, Safety, or their designees; the state’s chief information officer, chief operating officer, attorney general and reporter, or their designees; the director of the Office of Legislative Information Systems, or their designee; the chair of the Finance, Ways and Means Committees of the Senate and House, or their designees; the chair of the Commerce and Labor Committee of the Senate and the chair of the Commerce Committee of the House, or their designees; seven members appointed by the governor; a member appointed by the speaker of the Senate; and a member appointed by the speaker of the House.

The bill passed 92-1-3 in the House with Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville), who filed an amendment that was not considered, as the only opposition vote. Reps. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville), Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) and Jason Powell (D-Nashville) mark themselves as present and not voting. In the Senate, the bill passed 30-0.

MOTION ACT

In another act of uniform bipartisanship, the House and Senate unanimously passed the “Modernization of Towing, Immobilization, and Oversight Normalization Act.”

The bill, sponsored in the House by Rep. Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin) and co-sponsored by many, including Minority Leader Karen Camper (D-Memphis), establishes an offense for a commercial parking lot owner to boot or tow a motor vehicle located on the owner’s lot if the motor vehicle is not abandoned, immobile or unattended. It also specifies that it is an offense for anyone other than a licensed parking attendant to boot a vehicle.

There are several bill provisions that describe requirements for commercial parking lots, such as displaying signs notifying the public of license plate reader usage, and that prohibit charging more than $75 for removal of an immobilization device. The bill also creates a “motor vehicle portal” that would allow a police department or other users to input abandoned, immobile, or unattended vehicle information for public notice.

The bill passed the House with 97 yes votes and the Senate with 32.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Ashton, CAO, Cohiba, Davidoff, Montecristo, Padron, Tatuaje, Zino

Shelby Commons moves forward with updates following first $1M gift

Nonprofits seek to raise $18M

for creative campus in former naval training center in East Nashville

BY HANNAH HERNER

The nonprofit organizations behind the renovation of Shelby Park’s ship-shaped building are moving forward with their plan to make it an arts-focused campus. But first, they’ll have to clean out the space, which has accumulated a substantial amount of trash and vandalism over the past 15 years.

Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms and the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, which are teaming up on the project, have received their first $1 million gift from the Nashville-based Dettwiller Foundation. They have about $14 million more to raise. It will take an estimated $18 million to convert the former U.S. Naval Reserve Training Center at 1515 Davidson

Ave. to Shelby Commons.

With the recent gift, a February lease approval by Metro Council and the $2.5 million from the Mayor John Cooper administration in the bank, a crew will begin gutting and securing the building, which was constructed in 1948 and sat vacant since 2009. In 2011, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance and military significance as a former U.S. Navy training center.

“In a city like Nashville that’s growing like wildfire, we really need to preserve some of the history. And this is a great opportunity to do that,” said Rebecca Ratz, executive director of Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms.

Ratz told the Post she would like to raise at least 60 percent of the funds by the end of the year and see the renovation completed in 2026. The building would offer a restaurant, event space, bike and kayak rental, office spaces for Friends of Shelby Park and Arts & Business Council, and affordable artist studios for short-term and long-term rental. Centric Architecture will serve as architect, with Solomon Builders to be the general contractor for the project.

Raising money for such a project is a departure from Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville’s modus operandi. The organization was founded in 2006 and is best known for its legal services offerings and business education for artists.

Jill McMillan Palm, ABC executive director, said according to the organization’s annual creative economy survey, the percentage of artists who do not see themselves living and working in Nashville long-term is growing. She hopes adding accessible spaces for artists could help change that.

“We’re really interested in how we create spaces that are collaborative and also accessible so people aren’t having to spend membership fees to work at a place or buy a coffee,” Palm said.

She added, “The community ownership and love for the building and the excitement for the space has been really energizing that this is a project that is so desperately needed that people are rallying behind.”

Ratz surmises that if there is a place like Shelby Commons along the Cumberland River Greenway, people may be more

likely to take what would be a longer than otherwise bike trek to work.

“I think to promote commuting, you want to make sure you have places of respite along the way and this building will be able to provide that in the center of the greenway system,” she said.

The pair will be looking for big money to bring the vision to life, but want to emphasize the small community feel of such a space.

“A lot of new development — while it’s open to the public, it’s very privatized. It’s for private for-profit businesses. And with two nonprofits at the helm of this, it will always be a place that is for Nashvillians first,” Ratz said.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

1515 Davidson Ave., the future site of Shelby Commons

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Rebecca Ratz (L) and Jill McMillan Palm lead a tour of the former U.S. Naval Reserve Training Center PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Rebecca Ratz with Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms points to a predicted layout of Shelby Commons

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

The interior of the former U.S. Naval Reserve Training Center

PHOTO BY HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

New law changes aggravated prostitution punishment

BY HANNAH HERNER

A person charged with aggravated prostitution in Tennessee must register as a violent sex offender for the rest of their life. But a law passed during this year’s legislative session will change that punishment, and provide a pathway to be removed from the registry.

Tennessee’s aggravated prostitution charge applies only to people who have HIV — a fact that prompted American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee and partner organizations to bring a lawsuit to repeal the statute entirely in October. The U.S. Department of Justice joined the effort in its own complaint against the state of Tennessee and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in February, asserting that the charge is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as HIV is a protected disability.

According to the law, a person who is HIV-positive can be charged with aggravated prostitution if they simply “loiter in a place for the purpose of being hired to engage in sexual activity,” points out Jeff Preptit, ACLU of Tennessee staff attorney. (Preptit also happens to be the Metro councilmember for Nashville’s District 25.)

It does not matter if the person has transmitted HIV to anyone, and it does not matter if the person takes precautions not to transmit the disease. If they are caught even

arranging sexual acts, they can be charged with aggravated prostitution. Prostitution is typically a misdemeanor charge in the state of Tennessee. But even after this year’s changes, aggravated prostitution is a class-C felony, carrying three to 15 years of potential imprisonment, loss of voting rights and fines. The law disproportionately affects Black trans women, Preptit observes.

“One of the things that is so insidious is that it specifically disincentivizes people from learning of their health status and getting tested,” Preptit says. “Because if you have knowledge of your health status — you go out, you’re getting tested, you are receiving treatment, to where there’s essentially no risk of transmission because you were on a certain regimen of medication — you’re still criminalized for it.”

When expungement becomes available following the law taking effect in July, individuals have to reach out to TBI — they won’t necessarily be notified. In expungement, they have to show proof they’ve been forced into sex work. It’s a “tall order,” Preptit says.

Sen. Page Walley (R-Savannah) was a freshman in the House when the aggravated prostitution law was added to the books in 1991 — the same year Magic Johnson revealed he was HIV positive, Walley recalls.

In 2010, the sex offender requirement was added (though Walley was not in the state legislature at that time). This year, 33 years after the original law was passed, he tells the Scene he was proud to bring the bill to remove the sex-offender-registry requirement.

“There was a lot of fear amongst everyone because [HIV] was basically a death sentence back then,” Walley says. “I think it needs additional work, but we decided to take an incremental approach.”

Thistle Farms, a local nonprofit that works with women who are survivors of prostitution, trafficking and addiction, originally sought to remove aggravated prostitution as a charge too. But after consulting with the TBI and state legislators, the group opted to chip away at the issue, according to spokesperson Amanda Clelland. The change in aggravated prostitution prosecution will affect around 80 people statewide — but for those people, the change will be significant.

Clelland shares testimony from a survivor of rape and abuse who was infected with HIV by a man she dated. The survivor was arrested twice for prostitution by an undercover cop — the first incident was a misdemeanor, but the second was a felony because she had been tested and learned she was HIV-positive. After her prison time,

she was told she would have to register for the sex offender registry every year for the rest of her life. She began working with Thistle Farms, but couldn’t work at the organization’s cafe because of its proximity to a church and school.

After she graduated from the program, the woman struggled to find housing and employment because of her sex-offenderregistry status. Advocacy efforts are a new venture for Thistle Farms, Clelland says, but they see the obstacles that survivors face firsthand.

“Removing the barrier of the sex offender registry for prostituted people living with HIV is huge,” Clelland says. “It opens up so many doors, it removes so many barriers for people to be able to go to treatment centers, to be able to access safe housing and be able to have meaningful employment. We’re just going to continue to look forward to seeing what other meaningful legislative efforts we can pursue to help make the world a little better for survivors because they deserve that. It’s the least they deserve.”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

Come to the Cabaret! Paul Vasterling directs Kander and Ebb classic ‘Cabaret’ for Studio Tenn

BY AMY STUMPFL

Paul Vasterling is no stranger to storytelling. As the former artistic director of Nashville Ballet, he earned a sterling reputation for creating beautifully detailed works marked by strong narratives and great emotional depth. And that’s exactly what audiences can expect this week, as Vasterling steps up to direct and choreograph Studio Tenn’s muchanticipated season-closer of Cabaret Since premiering on Broadway in 1966, this Kander and Ebb classic has been revisited, and reimagined, many times –from the iconic 1972 film starring Joel Grey and Liza Minnelli to Roundabout Theatre Company’s ground-breaking 1998 revival, to the current Broadway production starring Eddie Redmayne. Of course, the story is familiar to any theater lover, welcoming audiences to Berlin’s moody Kit Kat Klub –where the leering Emcee and a dazzling Sally Bowles take to the stage each night, even as the Third Reich tightens its grip on Weimarera Germany.

“It’s such a well-written show, and so interesting in terms of its themes and characters,” said Vasterling, who remembers listening to his older sister’s Cabaret soundtrack on 8-track tape, while growing up on the Louisiana Bayou.

“I’ve seen it many times, and it really lends itself to so many ideas and interpretations. But I’ve always seen the Kit Kat Klub as a sort of refuge for these creative

types, who are not really paying attention to the outside world, even though the Nazis are closing in. The decadence of the period represents their freedom in a way, so I’m really interested in exploring that community – these characters and their individual stories, and how they all contribute to our understanding of humanity in this particular time and place in history.”

In making the move from ballet to musical theater, Vasterling says that his creative process remains much the same, with plenty of research, preparation and close collaboration with both his cast and the design team.

“The artists with whom I’m working always are big drivers in what we’re doing,” Vasterling said. “And this cast is just amazing. It’s been a joy to get to know them and to be inspired by them. We’ve been working to find a more dynamic quality of movement within the scenes – not necessarily dancing, but there’s definitely movement there. My approach is rather cinematic – I want to keep the story flowing. And I love that this cast has been so willing to go on this big, wild ride with me, where we’re able to let go and just see what happens.”

It may be a big creative ride, but the space, itself, is not. In fact, Vasterling says he specifically asked scenic designer Andrew Cohen to limit the performing space, in order to draw audiences deeper into the story.

“I love the Turner Theater, and it feels so right for this show,” Vasterling said. “The intimacy of the space is so important, putting audiences right in the middle of the story. But it’s also a much smaller space than what I normally work in, which has been exciting, allowing me to find different ways of moving. It’s been a lot of fun, and Andrew has been an incredible collaborator, listening to all of my crazy ideas and transforming the space into this vibrant, decadent club. I can’t wait for audiences to experience this cast in this beautiful space.”

The cast boasts a great mix of new and familiar talent, including Brian Charles Rooney, Megan Murphy Chambers, Caleb Shore, Matt Logan, Julie Cardia, Matthew Carlton, Jordan Haggard, and more. For Chambers, it’s been a “dream come true” to dig into one of her all-time favorite musicals, and especially the role of Sally Bowles.

“It’s really a brilliant show – the music, the way the storytelling flows,” said Chambers, a Nashville theater favorite who has performed extensively with Studio Tenn, Nashville Rep, Nashville Children’s Theatre and more.

“And Sally is such a compelling character. I absolutely love her. I love her vibrancy and color and whimsy, and yet, she totally breaks my heart. But that’s what makes her so interesting. It’s just a gift of a role, and that’s what I’m hoping to deliver – using as many colors in the crayon box as possible.”

Chambers says she is particularly excited to be working with Vasterling, an artist she has admired for years.

“Paul is absolutely the best kind of director, always so open to our ideas,” Chambers said. “And let’s face it – he’s been telling stories and building these incredible pictures on stage for more than 30 years. So I feel like this is just sort of a different playground for him. His passion and enthusiasm are impossible to ignore. It’s really irresistible, and you can feel everybody in the room wanting to rise to it. This cast is just killing it, and the design is so gorgeous. I honestly just feel so lucky to be part of this production, and can’t wait to get in front of an audience.”

Cabaret runs May 9-26 at The Turner Theater, in the Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Road. For complete details and ticket information, visit studiotenn.org/cabaret.

TICKED OFF!

WEST MEADE

I use to think the most annoying thing out here was people getting their yards mowed every week and all the noise and confusion that goes along with it like multiple leaf blowers, cars up and down the street parked opposite traffic.

Add in neighbors afraid of the dark that have every outside light on to ward off the boogie monster, Ha Ha.

Now the most annoying threat to society is RN Dolt little bald headed men driving big trucks, speeding and running stop signs like they are being chased. People slow down.

Drive like you live here.

RE: THE TEACHER GUN BILL, REALLY ALL GUN BILLS, ET. AL.

Never can we expect any legislation to change the ills of society. The only real change comes from individuals,

communities, and the the citizens of the society. Unless we are willing to change, nothing will change. How you say? I leave it up to each to reflect on the answer.

The comments in the Ticked Off column do not reflect the views of FW Publishing. Send

SPORTS

Could Vandy baseball’s 17-year Regional streak be in peril?

BY JOHN GLENNON

Vanderbilt’s streak of making 17 straight NCAA Tournament Regional baseball appearances — the longest in the country — might be in danger following a weekend sweep at the hands of Georgia.

The Commodores (32-16, 11-13) fell out of Baseball America’s Top 25 ranking on Monday in the aftermath of 10-0, 14-4 and 11-7 losses to the host Bulldogs, who are now ranked No. 14 in the nation.

Vandy has lost five straight Southeastern Conference games and three of its last four SEC series.

“We got a lot of season left, so just getting back and re-think about how we’re going to attack it,” Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin said following the series. “This one certainly stings because it’s three ballgames. But [at the] same time, just got to play forward.”

Vanderbilt would still seem likely to qualify for a regional at this point — though probably not as a host. However, the team’s road ahead to a tournament bid is not an easy one.

The Commodores begin this week by hosting Louisville (29-18), before a massive three-game series against No. 1 Tennessee, starting Friday at Hawkins Field. The Vols (399, 17-7) are coming off a weekend sweep of Florida, which was Tennessee’s seventh straight SEC series win. The game against Lousiville had not taken place prior to press time.

Vanderbilt will close out the regular season at No. 8 Kentucky (35-10, 18-6), which is 20-5 at home this season.

The SEC baseball tournament runs May 21-26 in Hoover, Ala.

In Sunday’s series finale at Georgia, the Commodores trailed 10-3 after six innings, then climbed back within 10-7 in the eighth, thanks in part to catcher Alan Espinal’s team-leading ninth home run of the season.

RJ Austin, who leads the team with 47

RBI, also knocked in a run. But Vandy would get no closer.

Georgia totaled 35 runs in the three games.

“We didn’t close them down,” Corbin said. “We made a lot of mistakes, too, that cost us, self-induced mistakes from a pitching standpoint. I mean they’re going to hit the ball. But putting guys on base will just complicate things greatly for our pitchers and our defense and for our offense, playing uphill the whole time.”

Vanderbilt had compiled 12 straight winning records in the SEC before 2022,

but the ‘Dores may be on the way to a second losing conference mark in the past three years. Vandy has gone 3-9 in its last 12 SEC games.

Injuries have been a notable part of the problem for the Commodores, as infielder Jayden Davis recently underwent orbital bone surgery after getting hit in the face by a pitch April 27. Davis was hitting a team-best .319, with 12 doubles and two home runs.

In addition, pitcher Ethan McElvain (1-2, 3.38 ERA), a Nolensville High grad, has not pitched since April 20 due to a back

injury. Pitcher Sawyer Hawks (2-0, 10.50 ERA) has not pitched since March 12 due to an arm injury. Pitcher Andrew Dutkanych IV suffered a season-ending arm injury after throwing just 10-2/3 innings this year.

Pitcher Devin Futrell (2-1, 5.62 ERA) returned to action in late April after missing a month with an injury. The 6-5, 218-pound lefthander had gone 17-6 over his first two seasons, earning second-team All-SEC honors in 2023.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Alan Espinal PHOTO BY DAVID RUSSELL

Predators flounder on home ice, lose series to Vancouver Nashville lost all three games at Bridgestone Arena to the Canucks

BY JOHN GLENNON

In their quest to rally from a 3-1 series deficit against the Vancouver Canucks, it turned out the last thing the Predators needed was another home game.

Home, after all, is where the Preds have come to die in recent years.

The troubling and familiar script played out once again on Friday, when Nashville fell 1-0 to Vancouver, losing the firstround Stanley Cup Playoff series to the Canucks in six games despite the efforts of a raucous, catfish-tossing, towel-waving, standing-ovation delivering sellout crowd in Music City.

The Preds went 0-3 at home this series, the only team in the NHL to do so this postseason.

Nashville has now lost six straight home playoff games, and the Predators have seen each of their last three playoff series end with losses in front of their own fans.

Bridgestone Arena? Perhaps it should be renamed Tombstone Arena, given the number of times the Predators’ hopes have been snuffed out here.

“Yeah, definitely, it is frustrating,”

Predators captain Roman Josi said.

“Especially in the playoffs. You’ve got to take care of your home games. You’ve got to win some of your home games. We didn’t do that. It’s such an amazing place to play, play at Bridgestone.

“Tonight again, it felt like the crowd, they were on their feet the whole game. They pushed us late. To not get a win for them and obviously for us, because we take a lot of pride in playing at Bridgestone … We’ve definitely got to find a way to be better at home, get some wins.”

That quest will have to resume once again next season, following another narrow Nashville loss in a very tightly contested series.

The Predators actually created more scoring chances (29-23), produced more high-danger chances (16-9) and had a higher expected goals total (3.21 to 2.72) in Game Six, per Natural Stat Trick. But Nashville couldn’t manage to beat Vancouver’s thirdstring goalie, Arturs Silovs, who posted the first shutout of his NHL career — which includes all of nine regular-season and three playoff contests.

The Preds will be wondering what might have been had they been able to score on a four-minute power play early in the second period, a man-advantage opportunity that led to just three harmless shots on goal when the score was still 0-0.

Nashville also had a six-on-four advantage for the game’s final 34 seconds, after the Predators pulled goalie Juuse Saros and then drew a penalty. There were two shots on goal this time as the clock wound down, but no tying goal. The Preds went two-for-22 on the power play over six games.

“I think for sure that’s going to keep you up all night,” Predators coach Andrew Brunette said. “I’m probably going to [replay] that last 33 seconds. I thought we had some things that were there that we missed. [The power play] needs to be better. I’ll take responsibility for that. But at the same time, we put ourselves in opportunities to make plays. We just unfortunately didn’t make the plays.”

The Canucks likely had the better of the final 20 minutes, generating more and more chances as the third period wore on.

Preds goalie Juuse Saros was spectacular in defeat, stopping Vancouver’s first 28 shots on goal.

But the Canucks finally figured a way to get a puck past him on their final attempt.

Brock Boeser corralled a loose puck behind the Nashville net and sent a blind backhand pass in front, where an unchecked Pius Suter — a couple steps ahead of Preds forward Anthony Beauvillier — snapped it past a helpless Saros with just 1:39 left in regulation.

“We got caught back on our heels a bit,” Predators forward Ryan O’Reilly said of the third period. “I don’t know if it was frustration, not generating anything. But they made a strong pushback. It was obviously too late [once] they got a goal. We didn’t take the momentum back like we needed to. To their credit, they played us well. It stings.”

Just 99 seconds after Suter’s score, the final horn sounded, marking the end of a Predators season that had exceeded expectations — but one that had ended in familiar fashion, in an all-too-familiar setting.

“Obviously the whole series, right, we didn’t get one win at home,” Preds defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. “Liked a lot about our game in all three at home.

“Kind of some missed opportunities, some games situationally you’d want back or a do-over. But you don’t get that in this day and age.”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Juuse Saros PHOTO BY CASEY GOWER

Filip Forsberg PHOTO BY CASEY GOWER

Lipscomb to launch degree program in sports analytics

STAFF REPORTS

Lipscomb University will offer a Master of Science in sport analytics degree this fall, with the program billed as the first in Tennessee and one of only three programs in the South.

According to a release, tuition will be $899 per credit hour, and the program will offer an online asynchronous format, allowing students to complete the degree in as little as 12 months.

The program will train students for analytical positions in professional and collegiate sport as well as other entertainment and sport-related careers.

Courses will be offered in applied statistics, legal and ethical considerations in sport, consumer behavior analytics, predictive modeling, and intellectual property and Name, Image, Likeness.

The degree will be housed in the Lipscomb University Department of Kinesiology.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approval is pending.

According to MarketsandMarkets.com the sport analytics industry generated more than $2.5 billion in revenues in 2021, with industry projections estimating a growth potential of 27 percent over the next five years.

“The field of sport analytics is expanding rapidly, encompassing everything from player performance to strategic game management,” Andrew Mauldin, assistant professor of kinesiology and program director, said in the release. “Our curriculum is meticulously crafted to prepare graduates not just to participate in, but to lead this dynamic industry.”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Bellevue-area site eyed for townhomes

Charlotte development company pays $7.75M for raw land on Old Hickory Boulevard, near interstate

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

A Bellevue-area property previously planned for a mixed-use project and located near Interstate 40 has sold for $7,745,000.

The new owner is Charlotte-based Crescent Communities, which plans on developing the roughly 27.8 acres of raw land with about 175 townhomes, according to a source who asked to go unnamed and who confirmed the transaction. Crescent developed a nearby site with apartment complex Novel Harpeth Heights.

The sellers of the main parcel, located at 7315 Sonya Drive, were AM Investors No. 2 LLC and Norwood Manor LLC, which acquired the property in 2016 for $3,625,000.

The sale also includes three parcels located at 616, 618 and 620 Old Hickory Blvd. and sold by Southfield Properties. That entity acquired the trio of West Davidson County properties in July 2016 for $1.2 million, Metro records show.

Crescent has undertaken multiple projects

in Nashville, including apartment building Novel Edgehill, located in the neighborhood from which its name derives.

As the Post reported in 2019, a previously proposed development would have offered 94 residential units, a 170-room hotel and the 18,000 square feet of commercial space, according to a document submitted to Metro.

Prior to that, and according to a previous Metro document, a development was to have included 250 residential units, a hotel (the number of rooms was not specified on the document) and 18,000 square feet of commercial space.

The source said Todd Prevost, a broker and the founder of Nashville-based Big Tent Commercial Real Estate, represented the sellers. Crescent did not use a broker.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Tell Us About it!

Are you in the know about what’s going on down the street or on the corner? Anyone ever call you nosy? Have good writing skills?

Be a neighborhood news ambassador for

Looking for a few neighbors who want to write about interesting things happening in your neighborhood. Specific neighborhoods of interest are Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill, Nolensville, Bellevue, West Meade, Green Hills.

Yes, you need to have some writing chops; extra credit if you’ve contributed to a newspaper at some point! Interested?

Email neighbornews@theNEWStn.com and let us know what neighborhood you are interested in and include a few writing samples.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Waldo’s set to open near west side highway split

STAFF REPORTS

Waldo’s Chicken & Beer has announced it will open a location near Belle Meade and Hillwood on May 2 and a Brentwood outpost by the end of October.

The West Nashville Waldo’s will operate from a building last housing a Krystal’s, with an address of 5316 Harding Pike near the Highway 70/100 split.

The two locations will be the fifth and sixth for the Waldo’s parent company in the Greater Nashville area.

Founded in 2019 by industry veteran Mark Waldo, Waldo’s currently has 13 locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

“As Waldo’s spreads its wings and continues to grow, our commitment to serving high quality food and providing

exceptional customer service is unwavering,” Waldo said. “Each new location is a testament to the passion our team and customers have shown for us. With every new opening, we’re cultivating a shared experience that resonates with the community.”

The restaurant specializes in Southern fried and rotisserie chicken. Side items include mac ‘n cheese, french fries, tomato cucumber salad, white beans and collard greens. The drink menu features craft beer, wine, cocktails, spiked slushies and margaritas.

Waldo’s offers a daily happy hour, available from 3 to 6 p.m. and all day Tuesdays and Sundays.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Cledis Burgers & Beer to open this fall in Bellevue

Nashville restaurateur Shane Nasby is planning to open Cledis Burgers & Beer Garden this fall in the Bellevue West retail building.

The future location, Cledis Burgers & Beer, will draw inspiration from the original Elm Hill Pike location, while altering the food and beverage menu.

The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner at 7648 Highway 70 S.

In addition to burgers and beer, Cledis will offer wine, and liquor, and a “nostalgic and playful” interior with inspiration from pop culture of the 1980s and 1990s.

Cledis is named after Nasby’s late grandfather.

“My wife Angela and I are thrilled to bring this restaurant that means so much to

West Nashville developments land tenants

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

Two West Nashville commercial developments have landed multiple tenants, including bridal event retailer Glitz and Mexican cuisine restaurant Agave’s.

According to a release, Stateline, located at 5300 Centennial Blvd. in The Nations, will welcome its first tenants. Breeze Block, located in Charlotte Park is adding to its tenant roster.

Nashville-based Vintage South Development owns both properties, having upgraded them.

The release notes that in addition to Glitz (to open this fall), Stateline will welcome fitness business Carbon Performance (summer), counseling services provider Ellie Health (already open) and medical aesthetics clinic Relive Health (summer).

Breeze Block, located at 6100 Robertson Ave., is adding children’s clothing store Selah

James Children’s Boutique (summer opening), Elevate Med Spa (fall) and Vigor Fitness (summer), along with the aforementioned Agave’s (fall). Existing tenants include Benji’s Bagel and Coffee House, Denver-based wedding retailer a&be Bridal and social media company JM Collective.

Terms of the leases are not being disclosed.

Nashville-based developer Nathan Lyons serves as founder and CEO of Vintage South. He was represented in the lease transactions by Nashville’s Sagemont Real Estate.

Previously known as El Stuffed Pepper, Agave’s operates at 4550 Harding Pike near Belle Meade. The business has sister operations in Gallatin and in Bellevue (with the latter known as Terrazul).

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Work set for Green Hills Jack Brown’s space

STAFF REPORTS

us to Bellevue, the community that we’ve called home for over 12 years,” Nasby said in the release.

“We love this part of Nashville, and we’re excited to open another outpost of Cledis here to create a great family-friendly spot for our friends and neighbors to enjoy. Our goal in everything we do is to give back, and opening another location gives us even more opportunities to serve our community.”

After starting HoneyFire BBQ, Nasby transitioned to open Cledis Burgers & Beer Garden in 2022. Each month, Nasby and his team donate and serve approximately 400 meals to fight hunger in Nashville.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

The owners of Jack Brown’s Burger & Beer Joint are seeking a permit to allow for updates to the Green Hills building from which the restaurant concept will operate.

As the Nashville Business Journal recently reported, Jack Brown’s is hoping to open in Green Hills at 2201 Brandywood Dr. by early July.

The Jack Brown’s will operate from a building that years ago accommodated Firefly Grille and, most recently, housed Cole’s Kitchen. An LLC, details about which the Post was unable to determine, owns the property.

The effort to get the business operational comes after Jack Brown’s Virginia parent company and local businessman Chenault Sanders (who operates Jack Brown’s in Nashville) in early April paid $2.95 million

for the Germantown building housing their Jack Brown’s and some adjacent raw land.

The three-parcel, 0.48-acre property offers address of 1123-1125-1129 Third Ave. N., with Jack Brown’s operating from a 1,936-square-foot building at 1123 Third Ave. N. which was constructed in 1950, marketing materials note.

Sanders and the Harrisonburg, Va.-based parent company of Jack Brown’s opened the Germantown outpost in 2015.

In addition to Germantown, Jack Brown’s operates in Murfreesboro and Edgehill. NBJ reports the owners are seeking a Clarksville location to bolster the 21 restaurants located in the Southeast.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Jack Brown’s Burger & Beer Joint PHOTO BY ERIC ENGLAND

Waldo’s Chicken and Beer PHOTO BY ERIC ENGLAND

SERVICE & MAINTENANCE

WOODMONT BAPTIST CHURCH

Honey Soy Turnip Greens

BY EDIBLE NASHVILLE

Turnips (and their green tops) are in season now and abundant at area farmers markets. Edible Chef Skylar Bush likes to

forego the bacon, and cook up his greens with soy sauce, honey, garlic and a splash of cream. Give it a try.

INGREDIENTS

3 pounds turnip greens, destemmed and washed

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon local honey

1/4 cup rice vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced juice of one large orange 1 teaspoon Sambal chili paste 1 cup water 1/2 cup heavy cream zest of one large orange salt and pepper

1. Combine all ingredients except cream and zest in large skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook about 15 minutes, until greens are tender.

2. Add cream and zest and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Follow Edible Nashville on instagram @ediblenashtn and their website ediblenashville.com.

To subscribe to the magazine that comes out 6x/year, go to ediblenashville.com.

ACROSS

1 Lot unit

5 ___ acid, essential component of vinegar

11 Piece of an edible “rack”

14 Things hung upside down in some toolsheds

15 House of cards?

16 Animal opposite a kangaroo on Australia’s coat of arms

17 Lip_on produc_s

19 Traveler’s aid, in brief

20 Stately countr y homes

21 Traveler’s aid

23 Do some wor k as a teaching assistant, maybe

24 About half of the books of the New Testament are attributed to him

26 Ho-ho-holiday time?

27 Auto takeback

28 _lum-colored _lants

30 Longtime residents around the Great Salt Lake

31 Lean (on)

32 “Count your ___ by friends, not years” (greeting card sentiment)

33 Recuperative recommendation

35 Company that merged with Sprint in 2020

39 Granola grain

40 Nincompoop, in Nottingham

41 Thanksgiving meal choice

42 _usy _uzzers

46 “Around the World in 80 Days” traveler Phileas

59 Christianity’s ___ Creed

60 Big name in bidets

61 String together?

62 Demolition hammer

63 F igure (out) DOWN

1 Poke menu option

2 Second-most-used substance in the wor ld, after water

3 Gave a new form

4 Nueva York, por ejemplo

5 Cutaneous condition

6 Onetime threat to a castle’s walls

7 Chesapeake Bay is one

8 Evens, as the score

9 Celebrity chef Gar ten

10 La ___ Nostra

11 F ix, as a sneaker’s sole

12 Savanna grazer

13 Clears the dishes

47 Cr ushed ingredient in “dirt cake”

48 Lacking manners

49 VCR successors

50 Aids in wrongdoing

52 Brews made with heavily roasted malt

54 Hit hard

55 Fr_endly fac_al tra_t

58 Paternity proof, in brief

18 Cleared the dishes?

22 Like laid-back personalities 23 Chow 25 Relatives of vicuñas and guanacos 28 Bug

29 Showbiz award quadfecta

Not fantastic 34 Metal wor ker?

35 Annual growth indicator

36 Valentine line

37 Purchases that are assembled brick by brick

38 Animal crackers?

40 Powered a unicycle, e.g.

42 Medical licensing exams

43 Debonair

44 Granny, in Southern dialect

45 Anheuser-Busch product whose ads once featured a penguin

46 Choice cuts

49 Spot for a bar code, maybe

51 IDs with multiple hyphens

53 A proposal might be done on one

56 1,000 G’s

57 Message communicated as “shor t-short-short, long-long-long, shortshort-short””

ANSWER TO PUZZLE

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 9,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/ crosswords ($39.95 a year). Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay.

Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/ studentcrosswords.

PUZZLE BY ALEX EATON-SALNERS

Five free and cheap family things to do in Middle Tennessee

BY AMANDA HAGGARD

It’s Mother’s Day weekend coming up, and the options for getting out in the hot, sweltering son with your family are plenty. If you love strawberries and have been waiting for this moment for months, there are a couple of options to honor the fruit. Down in LaVergne, there’s a daylong event where kids can interact with various big trucks and vehicles, or your whole family can enter the cornhole tournament. All weekend in Hendersonville, there’s a festival dedicated to arts. And then Sunday event, Jazz on the Cumberland is back to kick off its 13th annual season.

As part of our series on free cheap things to do with the family, here is our weekly roundup of places to spend time together over the next week:

WARTRACE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

In the Downtown Wartrace square, about an hour south of Nashville, the annual Wartrace Strawberry Festival will celebrate the beginning of the sweet strawberry season on May 11 at 9 a.m. The festival will have more than 100 vendors selling arts, crafts, baked goods, decor, boutique clothing,

pottery, canned goods, produce, handmade items and more. Each booth will have at least one strawberry-themed item for sale. Kids can look forward to a kids’ zone, and there will be plenty of strawberry treats for sale, including fresh ones from local farms. Strawberry costumes are encouraged for the Strawberry Parade, and there’s also a strawberry bake-off contest with the chance for a prize.

2024 STRAWBERRY JUBILEE FESTIVAL

The Nashville Farmers Market is also hosting a day of live music, food trucks, a kids’ zone, fresh produce, boozy beverages and more in honor of the humble strawberry. The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, is free, and includes cooking demonstrations with Nossi College of Art’s culinary team.

BLOCK PARTY / TOUCH-A-TRUCK EVENT

The annual Block Party / Touch-A-Truck at Veterans Memorial Park in LaVergne is slated for May 11 at 11 a.m. All sorts of vehicles, equipment and the people who operate them will be on site. There will be food trucks, vendors, a cornhole tournament and family games to play. The cornhole tourney kicks off at 11:30 a.m. on the football fields and is $20 per team. The event is free otherwise.

13TH ANNUAL JAZZ ON THE CUMBERLAND CONCERT SERIES

The Jazz On The Cumberland Concert Series returns to Sunday evenings this May

12 and goes through October at Nashville Cumberland Park near Nissan Stadium. There’s plenty of parking (my love language) and the first 250 cars park for free. The concert is free and folks are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs to hang out and listen to local, regional and national jazz artists. There’ll be food, drinks and a kid’s play area that overlooks the amphitheater.

HENDERSONVILLE ARTS FESTIVAL

The inaugural Hendersonville Arts Festival is slated for Mother’s Day weekend. On both May 11 and May 12 at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville, the festival will include fine art, paintings, photography, fine jewelry, ceramics, glass, wood, furniture, garden art and more. Both local and national artists will be represented, and local food trucks will be on site as well.

Pictured from L-R:

Lee Noel, Arthur Noel, FW Publishing owner Bill Freeman and John Noel at Johnny’s 80th Birthday party. Friends gathered for John Noel’s 80th birthday party in late April. We want to wish Johnny a happy birthday!

PHOTO PROVIDED

St. Thomas Seton Celebration Gala

BY BRENDA BATEY

PHOTOS BY BRENDA BATEY

The Seton Celebration Gala, to benefit Ascension St. Thomas Hospital, was a splendid event held at the Conrad Nashville.

Gala co-chairs were Julianne and Jeff Williams, Behin Barahimi and Brett Inglis. (The week prior to the event, Jeff Williams was named a fellow of the prestigious American College in Radiology in Washington, D. C. Only two honorees were chosen from Tennessee.)

The 2024 Seton honorees were Bill Carpenter, Sean Ryan and Amy Adams Strunk, who were recognized for excellence in their professions and in their service to Ascension St. Thomas and the greater Nashville community.

A huge and very colorful floral display framed the area where guests enjoyed beverages while chatting prior to the festivities. After cocktails, they strolled into the expansive dining area where the Downtown Band, a group of fabulous, high energy performers, were rocking the stage. Later they played dance music for the delighted guests.

The tables were decorated with numerous exceptionally beautiful centerpieces from Knestrick By Design. Alternating floral and pale lavender tablecloths were a perfect backdrop for the blooms.

Everyone enjoyed the delicious and healthy meal, which began with asparagus and fava bean salad. The entrée was roasted king salmon, with pasta, pea puree, feta cheese and roasted tomatoes. Lemon buttermilk tart with blueberry curd finished the meal perfectly.

Proceeds from the evening will support the creation of a state-of-the-art transplant

clinic at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West. This clinic promises enhanced patient comfort and convenience, optimized flow for medical teams, reduced wait times, and cutting-edge education spaces.

Guests included: James Acuff, Newton and Burkley Allen, Nancy Anness, Adolpho Birch, May and John Bumpus, Tina and Thad Caldwell, Susana Cranford, Russell Carpenter, Keri McInnis, Jason Catron, Pam Christy, Jill DeBona, Mark Zenker, Art Worthy, Harriet Glover-Bell, Brandon and Laura Williams, Rachel Watson, Blanch Strunk, Bryce Wasserman, Phyllis and David Vandewater, Thor Urness, Rentata Soto, Kristi and Derek Smith, Caroline and Gary Shockley, Mary and Tim Schoettle, Janet and Christian Rhea, Paula and Mark Phillips, Greg and Rebekah Pope, Sepi Khansari, and Ben Johnson.

Event Co-chairs Brent Inglis, Behin Barahimi, and Julianne and Jeff Williams

Trudy and Bill Carpenter, honoree, and Laura and Jason Zachariah

Fahad Tahir, honoree Amy Adams Strunk, and Fatima Nawaz

Elizabeth, Emma and Sean Ryan, honoree, and Troy and Kelly Munn

Janice and Randy LaGasse

Julia and Patrick Saitta, Siara Bunn, and Justin Gerth

SOCIAL

Mindy and Rod Harkleroad Amanda Manceau-Kha and Victor Kha

Brandon and Coffi Corbin, and Debbie Smith

Jenny Corts, and Jenny and Danny Bess

Reagan Saig, and Sally and Geoff Smallwood

Magda Schleicher, Mark Sittig, and Casey Chollet-Lipscomb

Natalie Rapp, Tyndall Kokocha, Johnna McSparin, and Miranda and Alex Murray

Nan Parrish, Ashish Shah, and Roseann Rogers

Mike Keith, Amy Adams Strunk, and John and Betsy Gromos

Nashville Children’s Theatre Grand Night: Once Upon a Midnight

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL SCOTT EVANS

Supporters of Nashville Children’s Theatre (NCT) came together for a magical evening at Grand Night: Once Upon a Midnight, a fundraising event to support NCT’s scholarship and ticket subsidy programs.

The event, held April 20 at Nashville Children’s Theatre, was a spectacular affair filled with entertainment, camaraderie and generosity. Donations raised at Grand Night play a vital role in funding impactful programs for young audiences.

During this year’s Grand Night, guests were greeted with roaming characters, an enchanted forest and Grandma’s Cocktail Cottage, setting the stage for an evening of wonder and philanthropy. Dinner, provided by The Clean Plate Club, was served in the theater classrooms and lobby, adorned with hanging lights, stars and one-of-a-kind custom-made centerpieces, transporting attendees into a world of imagination.

Guests were treated to a selection of songs

from NCT’s world-premiere musicals of the season, with a surprise performance by American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle.

The highlight of the night was the auction, featuring an array of exciting prizes, including a Diamond Luxury Mexican resort stay, tickets to local NFL Titans games and tickets to NCT’s highly anticipated summer camp. Attendees enthusiastically showed their support for NCT’s mission as the night concluded by raising an impressive total of $88,000.

Grand Night: Once Upon a Midnight was not only a celebration of theater and community but also a testament to the unwavering commitment of its supporters to ensure that every child has access to the transformative power of the arts.

For more information about Nashville Children’s Theatre and its programs, visit NashvilleChildrensTheatre.org.

Charles Sr. Mary, Valerie and Charles Jr. Avent

Adam and Brittany Joyner

Allie Jones and William Wilson

Megan Murphy Chambers and Jonathan Thompson performing More of Him to Love from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

Chad Parsons and Gerold Oliver

Sejal Mehta, Devin Shermin and Master of Ceremonie and NCT Executive Artistic Director Ernie Nolan

SOCIAL

Kristin Palmer, Kim Schuute, Liz Hunter, Jessica Driver, Kim Honiball and Paige Allen

Annabelle Fox Tieman, Chad Parsons, Mallory Mundy, Gerold Oliver, Sarah Michelle Baily and Ernie Nolan

Amy and Julian Bryant

Fred Crumbo and Jodi Felts Hermica and Seyi Alalade

Judge Sheila Calloway and Perri duGard Owens

NCT Board of Trustees Chair Amy Bryant

Phillip and Lacey Branch

Michelle and Vinny Chianese, Gretchen James, and Jeff and Jessica Buxton

Trish and Andy Holliday

Headline Homes: March 2024

BY AMANDA HAGGARD

Have you ever heard of a barndominium? Me either.

But apparently you can purchase one with 266 acres located just north of Nashville for about $6.5 million. No other homes on this month’s list possess as much acreage, but a couple are impressive in that realm nonetheless. From five acres in Belle Meade to two with more than 30 acres in Williamson County, there’s no shortage of high-dollar grass on this month’s list.

Below are March’s top 10 home sales in Nashville and the surrounding counties, ranked by sale price.

1. Whiskey Road, College Grove 37046

Buyer: Amanda Walton

Sale price: $8,644,600

Seller: Old South Construction

Agent for both seller and buyer: Johan Andries Kok, Discovery Tennessee Realty

Construction of this custom home in the Troubadour Golf and Field Club was finished in January with the final price of almost $8.7 million. Sitting on just a half acre, the home offers five bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms, with a main-level suite and separate smaller suite on the same level. The property overlooks the 9th hole of the golf course, and the home includes two full decks from which you can enjoy the view of the course and a large backyard pool.

2. Glen Leven Drive, Nashville 37212

Buyers: Adam K. Levin and Heather McDowell, trustees of the Levin Revocable Trust

Sale price: $6.65 million

Seller: Pnl 23 LLC

Seller’s agent: Beth Molteni, Fridrich & Clark Realty

Buyers’ agent: Brandon Knox, Compass RE

Sitting on five acres, this home’s land is a major element of its overall appeal. The home has a massive front foyer and salon designed and custom built by the late Stan Pope, who was known for his work with large abodes in the Middle Tennessee area.

The estate spans more than 10,000 square feet with five bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms and a pool house with a full bedroom and bathroom. It sits close to the Governor’s Mansion along with several other large homes. Outside, there’s a “lushly landscaped” backyard and pool area.

3. Chickering Court, Nashville 37215

Buyer: Tracy and Steven Kelley

Sale price: $6.4 million

Seller: Chesnut Infill Gp

Seller’s agent: Barbara Keith Payne, Pilkerton Realtors

Buyer’s agent: Unknown

This home on Chickering Road also has a grand amount of square footage, measuring at just under 8,400 square feet. The fivebedroom and 5.5 bathroom residence offers “privacy your most discerning client seeks as it sits within a tree wrapped, fully sodded two-acre lot, tucked away on a quiet, walkable, dead end street in Forest Hills.” Ah, the upper-crust Nashville lifestyle model, indeed. The home’s exterior is bathed in stone veneer with a cedar shake roof and oversized windows. The large two-acre lot allowed for an even more open floor plan for the first floor, including an ensuite laundry in the main suite and more than 1,500 square feet of outdoor terrace space.

4. Water Plant Road, Ashland City 37015

Buyer: Larry E. Bolton

Sale price: $6,325,000

Seller: Ridge Creek Farms Gp

Seller’s agent: Tom Sullivan, Covey Rise Properties

Buyer’s agent: Jack Miller, Luxury & Relocation Specialist, PARKS

The journey to this home begins with a 1.6-mile drive along the driveway. The home, which offers 6,640 square feet of “architectural masterpiece barndominium,” sits on 226 acres atop a bluff that provides those fortunate enough to enjoy it sweeping views covering many miles. The acreage also includes a homesite and cabin site near Sycamore Creek. The site is ready for

someone looking to get off the grid: The home is “situated at 333 degrees to North the house” and the house is solar ready and has a 13,000 gallon tank as well as the setup for a propane generator. The property has its own trail system, dove field, fishing and shooting ranges.

5. Belle Meade Blvd., Nashville 37205

Buyer: Virginia and George Lazenby

Sale price: $5.75 million

Seller: Greg A. Betterton, Trustee of Belle Meade Land Trust

Seller’s agent: Chip Wilkison, Engel & Voelkers Nashville

Buyer’s agent: Marsha Simoneaux, Fridrich & Clark Realty

Virginia Lazenby, founder, CEO and 100 percent shareholder of oil and gas company Bretagne LLC, and her husband, George, purchased this home for just under $6 million. The four-bedroom, 4.5 bath home is located near Percy Warner Park. With more than 6,000 square feet of space, the “location speaks for itself” as well as the convenience and privacy of the acre estate on Belle Meade Boulevard. Worth noting, George Lazenby is not Australian retired actor George Lazenby of one-film-and-no-more James Bond fame.

6. Waddell Hollow Road, Franklin 37064

Buyer: Half Full Farms LLC

Sale price: $4.9 million

Seller: Jane Hunter Hicks Trustee & Khr II

Exempt Irrevocable Trust

Seller’s agent: Jane Hunter Hicks, Leipers Fork Realty

Buyer’s agent: Hunter Huddleston, Leipers Fork Realty

“When someone thinks of Leipers Fork, Tennessee, they think of this farm,” the listing reads. This 31-acre farm is “full of history and charm,” sited on a quiet back road. The home offers 3,185 square feet with three bedrooms and four full bathrooms, and there’s an additional 1,000-square-foot guest house on the property as well. “You are close enough into town to run your errands in 30 minutes but can sit on the front porch and never hear a car pass by,” the listing continues. “This is a magical farm that nothing else can compare to and is a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to own.”

7. Horton Highway, College Grove 37046

Buyer: Dana and Ryan Kotarbo

Sale price: $4.7 million

Seller: Paul E. Egan Land Trust

Seller’s agent: Jack Miller, Luxury & Relocation Specialist, PARKS

Buyer’s agent: Robert Bobby Anderson, Keller Williams Realty Nashville/Franklin

“Bring the horses!” This is another large estate. Located in College Grove, the home is joined by 36 acres of pasture. The custombuilt 5,213-square-foot main home was updated recently to a farmhouse chic decor style while the 1,751-square-foot guesthouse

offers “rustic elegance.” The property includes two creeks (marketing materials note that flow year-round), gently rolling hills, a stocked pond, and plank fencing securing the entire perimeter of the property.

8. Edenwilde Drive, Brentwood 37027

Buyer: Jennifer Longard Thursby and James Thursby

Sale price: $4,575,795

Seller: Mike Ford Custom Builders

Seller’s agent: Mary Kocina, Fridrich & Clark Realty

Buyer’s agent: Jennifer Longard, Adaro Realty

Mike Ford Custom Builders put together this five- bedroom, 5.5 bathroom home on Edenwilde, at which the company has sold quite a few homes the past 12 months or so. The residence includes two main primary suites on the first level with an open concept kitchen, dining and great room. In addition to a spacious 7,118 square feet, the home includes a coveted four-car garage. It was purchased by James Thursby, who serves as vice president of distribution operations for Dollar General, and Jennifer Longard Thursby, VP of transformation at health care company NDC.

9. Parker Place, Brentwood 37027

Buyer: Kristy S. and Andrew Brown

Sale price: $4.5 million

Seller: Trace Construction Inc.

Seller’s agent: Lisa Culp Taylor, PARKS

Buyer’s agent: Unknown

Trace Construction packed a lot onto this one-acre lot in Brentwood. The residence includes six bedrooms, six full bathrooms and two half bathrooms in 8,500 square feet of space. The main level offers a covered porch that exits to a pool and outdoor retreat, backing up to a small creek.

10. Sweetbriar Ave., Nashville 37212

Buyer: Angela and Stephen Reynolds Sale price: $4,385,995

Seller: Perkins Management LLC

Seller’s agent: David Binkley, PARKS

Buyer’s agent: Teddy Pins, Radius Residential Partners, PARKS

This home will draw you in with the expansive pool and sundeck, hot tub and large fire feature wall outside, but you’ll stay for the smart Toto automated wall mount toilets in the multiple bathrooms. The home also features several wet bar locations, along with ice makers and beverage refrigerators. Worth noting: The residence is located within and easy walk of both Hillsboro Village and 12South, representing an uncommon (for Headline Homes) urban property.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Belle Meade Blvd PHOTO BY ERIC ENGLAND

Home Capital LLC at  https://www.homescapital.info/ jobs/content-manager

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TEQUILA TIME!

Grab your tickets and enjoy 12 margarita samples from the city’s best marg makers! Sip and shake the night away while DJs rock the park and you enjoy food trucks, salsa dancing, photo booth fun and more!

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VIP prices increase April 29!

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