October 24, 2024 by FW Publishing

Following

Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art and SB Initiative Inc. are finalizing an agreement to resolve their months-long legal battle.

According to a document filed in the federal court overseen by U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson, the two parties late Monday submitted a joint notice of settlement, in which they state that they have reached an agreement in principle related to the ownership of the annual Swan Ball event’s trademark.

Relatedly, U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes has agreed to cancel a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 18 and related to the case’s preliminary injunction motion. Holmes has given the two parties a Nov. 15 deadline to either file to dismiss the case or to update the court on progress related to the settlement.

“This lack of clarity is evidenced by the confusion and lack of consensus within the Tennessee medical community on the circumstances requiring necessary healthand life-saving abortion care,” the ruling states. “The evidence presented underscores how serious, difficult, and complex these

Tennessee doctors who provide abortions during a medical emergency to protect the life of the mother will not be punished, a three-judge panel ruled on Thursday in Davidson County Chancery Court. The judges determined that an abortion is permitted in the following conditions: premature rupture of the amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus; fatal fetal diagnoses that result in severe preeclampsia or mirror syndrome associated with fetal hydrops; and fatal fetal diagnoses leading to an infection that will result in uterine rupture or potential loss of fertility, in addition to inevitable abortions.

issues are and raises significant questions as to whether the medical necessity exception is sufficiently narrow to serve a compelling state interest.”

Under the ruling, physicians will not face disciplinary actions from the Tennessee Attorney General’s office and the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners. However, the chancery court does not have the jurisdiction to block the criminal statute under which physicians could face a felony

Attorneys for both Cheekwood and SBI submitted a joint statement to Richardson on Oct. 14, with the minute entry for proceedings related to the effort referencing a 10.5-hour mediation that resulted in a “settlement in principle.” However, the court document referencing that settlement is unclear as to details.

The move comes after Richardson in September explained his ruling that SBI, which oversees the Swan Ball, had to date “provided sufficient evidence” of its claim to ownership of the annual event’s trademark. Cheekwood contends it established and has owned the Swan Ball since 1963, when the gala was first held on the nonprofit’s Swan Lawn. Relatedly, Cheekwood claims it has owned the Tennessee

NICOLLE S. PRAINO

Dr. Laura Andreson addresses protesters and reporters outside of the Justice A. A. Birch Building, August 2022. PHOTO: HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

Following lawsuit

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

charge and prison sentence as high as 15 years.

The Center for Reproductive Rights and a New York-based legal firm brought the case in September 2023 on behalf of three patients and two physicians in Tennessee, as well as other cases in Idaho and Oklahoma. The suit asked the state court to clarify what circumstances qualify for the medical exception to the abortion ban — something local providers, including Dr. Laura Andreson, who is part of the suit, have been advocating for from the beginning. (Anderson is now running for office in state House District 63.) More plaintiffs joined in January.

and other serious medical conditions was never brought.

“The State’s position from the outset has been that Tennessee’s Human Life Protection Act allows pregnant women to receive all necessary care to address serious health risks,” Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a statement. “The court’s limited injunction order mirrors that understanding. We all agree that doctors should save lives and protect their patients.”

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Tennessee is under a nearly total abortion ban that until Thursday’s ruling permitted abortions only in cases of molar and ectopic pregnancies and for physicians to use “reasonable medical judgment.” During the 2024 legislative session, some legislators sought to introduce allowances for abortions in cases of rape and incest and for those younger than 14. They were shut down. Additional planned legislation to allow for abortions in cases of fatal fetal anomalies

Cheekwood

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

trademark registration for Swan Ball since July 2004. The event has generated more than $37 million in support of Cheekwood since 1963.

SBI on July 8 sued Cheekwood to take control of the event, alleging that Cheekwood had wrongly attempted to wrest Swan Ball operations from the group. Cheekwood later countersued SBI, claiming the entity does not have ownership of the event or its trademark. The nonprofit has been critical of Swan Ball organizers, contending the event falls short of national

Earlier this year, some legislators successfully passed a bill that would make it illegal for an adult to take a child out of state for an abortion without parental permission. The “abortion trafficking” law was recently temporarily blocked for infringing on the First Amendment right to free speech following a lawsuit brought by state Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) and abortion fund member and attorney Rachel Welty.

This article was first published via our sister publication the Nashville Post.

charity standards related to healthy financial ratios. SBI has argued that it owns the trademark and that financial ratios should not be considered a legal matter.

Maia Woodhouse, an Adams and Reese attorney representing Cheekwood, could not be reached for comment. Chanelle Acheson, a Waddey Acheson attorney representing SBI, declined comment.

This article was first published by our sister publication the Nashville Post.

Early voting starts in Tennessee for presidential election

NICOLLE S. PRAINO

Early voting began for Tennesseeans on Oct. 16. All Davidson County voting locations were open through Oct. 19 and reopened Oct. 21. They will remain open through Oct. 31. Each location opens at 8 a.m., with closing times of the polls varying. In addition to the presidential race between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President

Kamala Harris, several state and local races are also on the ballot for the general election. Davidson County voters will find a question on the last page of their ballots, asking them to vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the proposed transit improvement program referendum, also known as Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s “Choose How You Move” plan. Marsha Blackburn will >> PAGE 3

defend her U.S. Senate seat as she faces state Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville), as well as three independent candidates.

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District is also fighting off a well-known challenger, Democratic nominee Maryam Abolfazli, an activist and founder of the nonprofit Rise and Shine Tennessee. Three independent candidates are also running in that race.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9th

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9th 10:00

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9th

10:00 AM - 2:30 PM Hilton Nashville Green Hills 3801 Cleghorn Avenue

Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose is defending his 6th Congressional District seat against Democrat Lore Bergman. And in the 7th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Rep. Mark Green will face former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, who is the Democratic nominee. Shaun Greene is also in the race as an independent candidate.

In Davidson County’s statehouse races, state Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) faces Republican challenger Wyatt Rampy for her District 20 seat.

Many voters will also see a race on their ballot for the state’s House of Representatives. Davidson County’s House Districts 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59 and 60 are all up for election. However, Reps. Vincent Dixie (District 54), John Ray Clemmons (District 55), Bob Freeman (District 56), Harold Love (District 58) and Caleb Hemmer (District 59) — all Democrats — are running their races unopposed.

SPEAKERS

In District 50, Democratic Rep. Bo Mitchell will face Republican Metro Councilmember Jennifer Frensley Webb. Democratic Rep. Aftyn Behn faces independent candidate Jeff Ketelsen in District 51. Democratic District 52 Rep. Justin Jones will face Republican challenger Laura Nelson. In District 53, Democratic Rep. Jason Powell is running against Republican nominee Yog Nepal and independent candidate Rueben Dockery.

SPEAKERS

DETAILS

SPEAKERS

AVA PAIGE

Singer / Songwriter / Survivor Moderator

AVA PAIGE

DETAILS

ASHLEY WYSE,

Singer / Songwriter / Survivor Moderator

BRITTNEY

Former Democratic Rep. Darren Jernigan took a position in Mayor O’Connell’s administration, leaving the District 60 seat open for a new representative. Democratic nominee Shaundelle Brooks and Republican nominee Chad Bobo are on the ballot to become the new face of the district.

There are also municipal elections for city commissioners in Davidson County satellite cities Belle Meade, Forest Hills and Goodlettsville.

Join us for an education session on mental wellness during blood cancer treatment, where we will explore strategies to support emotional well-being and manage stress.

DETAILS

We will also highlight several treatment options available to blood cancer patients, including CAR T-Cell Therapy, BiTE therapies, and immunotherapies.

Program

ASHLEY WYSE, MSN, FNP-C Nurse Practitioner

DETAILS

Bring your family, caregivers and enjoy lunch, as well. Moderated by Singer/Songwriter/Survivor, Ava Paige.

ASHLEY WYSE, MSN, FNP-C Nurse Practitioner

Join us for an education session on mental wellness during blood cancer treatment, where we will explore strategies to support emotional well-being and manage stress.

Join us for an education session on during blood cancer treatment, where strategies to support emotional well-being stress.

Join us for an education session on mental during blood cancer treatment, where we strategies to support emotional well-being stress.

during blood cancer treatment, where we will explore strategies to support emotional well-being and manage stress.

Join us for an education session on mental wellness during blood cancer treatment, where we will explore strategies to support emotional well-being and manage stress.

Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital - Cancer Center

ASHLEY WYSE, MSN, FNP-C

Join us for an education session on mental wellness during blood cancer treatment, where we will explore strategies to support emotional well-being and manage stress.

Nurse Practitioner

Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital - Cancer Center

BRITTNEY BAER, BSN, RN

Immune Effector Cell Patient Care Coordinator

We will also highlight several treatment to blood cancer patients, including CAR BiTE therapies, and immunotherapies.

We will also highlight several treatment options available to blood cancer patients, including CAR T-Cell Therapy, BiTE therapies, and immunotherapies.

Bring your family, caregivers and enjoy Moderated by Singer/Songwriter/Survivor,

Immune Effector Cell Patient Care Coordinator

We will also highlight several treatment options available to blood cancer patients, including CAR T-Cell Therapy, BiTE therapies, and immunotherapies.

BRITTNEY BAER, BSN, RN

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Immune Effector Cell Patient Care

Coordinator Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Program Contact: Tracy Moore Tracy.Moore@lls.org | 615-258-5491

Bring your family, caregivers and enjoy lunch, as well. Moderated by Singer/ Songwriter/Survivor, Ava Paige.

Bring your family, caregivers and enjoy lunch, as well.

Bring your family, caregivers and enjoy lunch, as well. Moderated by Singer/Songwriter/Survivor, Ava Paige.

Bring your family, caregivers and enjoy Moderated by Singer/Songwriter/Survivor, LLS.ORG | 1-800-955-4572

Voting sign PHOTO: ELIZABETH JONES

Nashville mayor highlights referendum at state transit conference

O’Connell, Franklin mayor, TDOT official discuss regional connectedness, traffic easing benefits

NICOLLE S. PRAINO

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell joined Franklin Mayor Ken Moore for the opening session of a statewide transportation conference hosted by the Tennessee Public Transportation Association in Cool Springs — and focused on the continued need for collaboration.

Steve Bland, Nashville’s WeGo Public Transit CEO and president of the TPTA, introduced the mayors and highlighted the importance of the regional connectivity that Middle Tennessee is working towards.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the 10 years I’ve been here in Tennessee, enjoying the warmth and the friendliness, but I’m going to revert to a little bit of my New Jersey roots and say, if anybody can come up with a better mayor than these two for public transportation, I will take you out back and fight you right now,” Bland joked, gathering a laugh from the breakfast crowd.

Bland noted that the two mayors both serve on the Greater Nashville Regional Council, the Regional Transit Authority and the Transportation Policy Board. Moore added that the mayors work together often and that collaborative leadership leads to improvement for all of their communities.

“I think the message to take away today, at least from our region and our city, is that we all continue to work together on a regional basis, having conversations to move the entire region forward, rather than just one city or one area,” Moore said.

O’Connell shared that he traveled to Denver when he was serving on the board of directors for the Nashville Metro Transportation Authority with former Mayor Karl Dean. From that trip, O’Connell said two things were formed: the Regional Mayors Caucus, with Moore as a founder, and the nonprofit Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee. O’Connell went on to share how Moore was involved along with several other state and Nashville partners to pass the IMPROVE Act in the statehouse in 2017, allowing cities and regions to pursue dedicated funding for transportation and infrastructure.

“Quality of life here in Middle Tennessee continues to attract people from all over the country,” O’Connell said. “But that decade of future growth means that we have to interact with it successfully. So we spent the past year crafting a Transportation Improvement Program compatible with the IMPROVE act … We want this to be

something that is a pathway to successful, sustainable growth for not just Nashville, but the entire Middle Tennessee region.”

O’Connell went on to share the core four principles of the Choose How You Move plan of sidewalks, service, safety and signals and explained that it uses a half-cent sales tax as an approved funding source from the IMPROVE Act. O’Connell said the group visited Denver in 2008 because Nashville was forecasted to have in 2040 the same population as Denver had at that time (about 2.5 million in its metropolitan statistical area). The mayor said his hope is that if the transit referendum passes, it will increase the success of the region as each city continues to grow.

Following the two mayors, Tennessee Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Planning Preston Elliott shared an update on TDOT’s plans as well. He highlighted the Transportation Modernization Act from 2023, which gave the department the opportunity to use public-private partnerships for Choice Lanes, the first of which will be in Middle Tennessee along Interstate 24 between Nashville and Murfreesboro.

“The advantages that we saw from Choice Lanes when we went around the country, and how communities were able to improve more reliable trip times, improved transit and transit operating in these lanes for free,” Elliott said.

He added that TDOT is in the preliminary design and environmental stage of the I-24 corridor project and that, by the end of the year, the department plans to submit some draft environmental documentation to the Federal Highway Administration. After that, TDOT can begin working on its public-private partnerships. Elliott also said that the Nashville Choose How You Move program would influence the level of operational opportunity for mobility along the corridor.

“We’re very excited about that because those projects in Choose How You Move dramatically impact the flow of traffic in and around the Nashville region — better signal timing, sidewalks to transit, transit operations are all the things that are needed to address our mobility needs in the Middle Tennessee region,” Elliott said.

Vanderbilt football cracks AP Top 25 for first time since 2013 Commodores, 4-0 at home, prepare to host No. 5 Texas

JOHN GLENNON

Vanderbilt’s football team has engineered some impressive upsets this season, knocking off Alabama, Kentucky and Virginia Tech.

But it was Saturday’s victory over Ball State of the Mid-American Conference that gave the Commodores their first Associated Press Top 25 ranking in more than 10 years.

Vanderbilt (5-2, 2-1) was voted into the No. 25 spot on Sunday, making its first appearance in the AP poll since the team was ranked No. 24 in the final edition of the 2013 rankings. The ‘Dores had finished 26th in voting the previous week, following their

win over Kentucky.

“I think that’s something that is exciting,” Commodores tight end Eli Stowers said Saturday, when asked about the likelihood of returning to the poll. “But at the end of the day, rankings don’t really matter. We have things that we want to accomplish and rankings after game seven just don’t really matter very much.”

Vanderbilt’s ascension into the Top 25 means this Saturday’s game against No. 5 Texas will mark the first time ranked teams have met at FirstBank Stadium since Oct. 4, 2008. On that day, No. 19 Vandy defeated No. 13 Auburn 14-13.

It will also mark the first time Vandy has played a regular-season game as an APranked team since Oct. 18, 2008, when No. 22 Vanderbilt lost 24-14 to No. 10 Georgia. That was also the last time Vandy played a game in which both teams were ranked.

“If we’ve done enough to get across the line to enter the polls, great,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said. “But we’re certainly not focused on that right now. We’re focusing on continuing to strengthen internally and continuing to solidify this identity that’s going to allow us to go after more.

“Again, we appreciate the support and appreciate the attention. It’s not lost on me. We’ve earned the right to be in the conversation.”

The 24-14 victory over Ball State (2-5) was closer than expected. The Cardinals took a 7-0 first-quarter lead and tied the game at 14 heading into the fourth quarter.

But Vandy was the better team on both sides of the ball when it mattered most.

Offensively, the ‘Dores put together a 14play, 54-yard drive that led to Brock Taylor’s third field goal and a 17-14 lead early in the fourth quarter. On its next possession, Vanderbilt — set up by Martel Hight’s 25yard punt return — marched 45 yards on eight plays for a two-score lead.

Quarterback Diego Pavia carried four times for 30 yards on that drive, which included a five-yard touchdown run.

It was part of another productive contest for Pavia, who threw for 275 yards and a touchdown while adding 13 carries for 82 yards and a score. Stowers was Pavia’s primary target, as he caught eight passes for 130 yards — including a 41-yard touchdown reception.

“I think it was really important to see

how we responded in the fourth quarter, to be able to move the ball, get into the end zone,” Stowers said. “Because that’s something we’re going to have to do in the next game. We’re going to be faced with adversity and we’re going to have to learn how to respond. So I think it was really neat to see us do that.”

Defensively, the ‘Dores sealed the deal by stifling Ball State’s final two drives after the score was tied at 14, forcing three-and-outs on consecutive possessions.

Lea said afterward he wasn’t happy with the energy level Vandy had to start the game, but the ‘Dores nevertheless improved to 4-0 at home this season — the first time that’s happened since 1982.

Now all eyes turn to Texas, which was No. 1 until falling 30-15 at home to No. 5 Georgia last Saturday.

“I know the team is going to be excited to play,” Lea said. “We’re going to have to play a better game against a really good opponent … So, we take the learning forward. We focus on our next climb. That’s Texas.”

This article was first published via our sister publication the Nashville Post.

Sedrick Alexander and Diego Pavia

PHOTO: DAVID RUSSELL

Councilmembers interview East Bank board nominees

NICOLLE

S. PRAINO

The Metro Council Rules, Confirmations and Public Elections Committee has approved four of the five nominees for two East Bank Development Authority positions.

Council is selecting two of the nine board members for the authority. Mayor Freddie O’Connell will also appoint five members. The mayor is working on his selections, but no announcements have been made. The speakers of the state Senate and House of Representatives, or someone else of their choosing, will serve as the final two to make up nine board members. The Nashville Banner first reported Lt. Gov. Randy McNally chose Jimmy Granbery, CEO of local real estate company Hill Realty Co., as his representative.

Council’s nominees were supposed to meet with the rules committee on Tuesday and if they did not appear at the meeting, they were to be withdrawn from the nomination. Council will vote at its next meeting on Nov. 7 to officially elect its two members from among the nominees to the authority.

However, the committee voted to suspend the rules because one nominee was not able to attend the Oct. 15 meeting because of a funeral. The committee voted to allow Mekayle Houghton to be interviewed at the next meeting on Nov. 7 before the council

vote. Houghton is the Cumberland River Compact executive director and was nominated by Councilmember Jacob Kupin, who serves District 19 in which the East Bank sits.

District 4 Councilmember Mike Cortese nominated Kerry Garner, a CPA who has lived in Nashville since 1988. Garner said his strength on the board would be his work with numbers. Cortese echoed that about his nominee adding that Garner would be able to help audit the numbers in an equitable way. Garner told the committee he is committed to promoting equity and safety with the development.

“I will always look out for the workers,” Garner said. “I will always look out for the investors but there is always a give and take and I have always felt that I was a good kind of mediator in those situations in being able to tell what is right and what is not.”

District 2 Councilmember Kyonzté

Toombs nominated Nathaniel Carter, director of workforce development for Stand Up Nashville. He oversees programs that include work in construction and helping individuals with career opportunities. Carter also has previously worked as an electrician and is familiar with trade unions.

Toombs said that with Nashville’s growth, not everyone has experienced the same

economic prosperity. And she believes with the East Bank development, Carter will keep working with everyday people in mind.

“I have actively been trying to change the narrative in Nashville every day that I wake up,” Carter said.

His application indicated he was not a registered voter and when asked why during the committee meeting, he explained that he had gotten into trouble as a teenager. Being a registered voter is not required for this board or others in Metro; however, it is for some state boards.

“I had to deal with those consequences,” Carter said. “I’m 42 years old now and ... I have done everything in my willpower to steer young adults away from the things that got me in trouble.”

Councilmember Jeff Preptit, the committee chair and a civil rights attorney, indicated his support for Carter and all people to have a say in the government that dictates their lives.

“A person is more than the sum of the worst thing they ever did in their life, and Mr. Carter has demonstrated how true that adage is,” Preptit said. “Your ability to invest in and care for your community and rise above any occasion is not predicated on anything that could potentially be within a

person’s criminal history.”

Several other councilmembers spoke up in support of Carter, who thanked them for their work for the city. In an emotional moment, Councilmember Sheri Weiner responded by telling Carter it was he who was doing the work of the city.

Interviews continued with District 5 Councilmember Sean Parker’s nomination of Scott Tift, a lawyer whose work has included representation for both union and nonunion workers.

“In that capacity, I’m very attuned to the issues that workers face, both in the construction trades when a project like this is going up, but also in long-term employers that will presumably have a place in this development,” Tift said. “We’re going to be dealing with a lot of complicated contracts and things like that, the state-city overlay, I think it’s nice when you have some lawyers in the mix.” Parker spoke to the point that one of the first actions of the board will be to work out an intergovernmental agreement with Metro. Tift, a resident of East Nashville, highlighted his belief in the importance of both housing affordability and transportation aspects of the development.

District 10 Councilmember Jennifer Frensley Webb nominated Bob

25 MNPS teachers awarded Blue Ribbon designation STAFF

REPORTS

25 Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) teachers were honored at the 10th annual Blue Ribbon Teacher awards last week.

MNPS, Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) and Nashville’s Agenda Steering Committee selected the winners amongst a pool of candidates that includes full-time MNPS teachers with at least four years of experience who have a strong Level of Effectiveness of their performance in the last three consecutive years and be endorsed by their principals. Winners are determined by a rigorous selection process that includes a review of evidence of outstanding teaching practices by a community panel.

“Our 2024 Blue Ribbon teachers exemplify great teaching in our public schools and demonstrate the significant impact a single educator can have on students and the community as a whole,”

Katie Cour, NPEF president and CEO, said in a news release. “We are incredibly proud to shine a spotlight on Nashville’s top teaching talent and recognize their daily efforts as leaders and innovators in their schools and district-wide.”

Along with Blue Ribbon designation, each teacher received a cash prize of $2,500, a trophy and two round-trip airline tickets courtesy of Southwest Airlines. Since 2014, the awards have recognized more than 450 of Nashville’s top public school educators.

“Congratulations to each of this year’s Blue Ribbon Teachers, who represent the very best of Metro Nashville Public Schools and public education with their relentless work ethic, commitment to their students, and creativity,” MNPS Director of Schools Adrienne Battle said. “We work every day to retain and recruit teachers who promote equity, high-quality instruction, and leadership to ensure that every student is known and achieving the best possible academic outcomes.”

The 25 winners are:

Allison Argo, Thomas Edison Elementary School

Ramona Bryant, I.T. Creswell Middle School of the Arts

Saul Calzadilla, John B. Whitsitt Elementary School

Jennifer Caudle Williams, Thomas Edison Elementary School

Saige Connor, Cameron College Prep

Tara Coogan, Glengarry Elementary School

Mackenzie Coveney, Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet School

Madeline Frohrip, Valor Voyager Academy

Christopher Hedglin, Hume-Fogg Magnet High School

Sheila Hubbard, Ida B. Wells Elementary School

Ian Isom, Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet School

Benjamin Keil, Rose Park Middle School

Jeremy Kellem, Antioch High School

Allen Kennedy, Hume-Fogg Magnet High School

Teneice Kirby, DuPont Tyler Middle School

Councilmembers interview

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Braswell. Braswell said he spent much of his youth in Venezuela and came to the United States during high school. His father worked as a subway engineer so Braswell grew up around mass transit.

“I know traffic because I’ve listened to my father for decades. In fact, when he came here in 1981, he said, ‘If Nashville does not do something now, they’re going to have a major issue,’” Braswell said. “It doesn’t matter what we do on the East Bank if you can’t get the people in, in a comfortable way.”

He also explained his view on the importance of building sustainably for a greener environment as well as his care for the general citizenry, sharing his experience

Paige La Grone Babcock, Apollo Middle School

Becky McGee, Cole Elementary School

Maggie Moran, LEAD Southeast High School

Kari Myers, Cane Ridge High School

Sarah Padgett, Smith Springs Elementary School

Robyn Prescott, Hermitage Elementary School

Nichole Prophater, Meigs Middle Magnet School

Felicia Taylor, DuPont Hadley Middle School

speaking up for the safety of plant employees. Webb said that she believed Braswell has a great outlook across several important facets that the board will need and that his ability to look at all angles is why she chose him.

The council will select two of the five nominees for two terms. One term expires June 30, 2026, and the other expires June 30, 2027. The person elected with the most votes from the council will fill the longer term, and the second person elected will fill the shorter term.

Metro Council officially created the authority after passing an ordinance on Aug. 20 adopting the state’s private act that lays out how the East Bank Development

Authority will be governed.

The ordinance that adopts the state’s East Bank Development Authority legislation notes that future development of the area will require coordination of public and private projects and management of the design and construction of substantial infrastructure improvements.

In addition to Metro’s agreement with The Fallon Company for 30 acres of initial development and the future Nissan Stadium, the authority will oversee the land that will become a campus for tech giant Oracle.

Alice Weber, John B. Whitsitt Elementary

Tiffany Wilkerson, John F. Kennedy Middle School

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NICOLLE S. PRAINO STAFF REPORTER

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2024 Blue Ribbon Teacher winners PHOTO: TINY MIGHTY COMMUNICATIONS

TICKED OFF!

MARSHA

So DO NOTHING Marsha (I had to take the name from Trumps play book. If you can’t think of anything intelligent to say then demean someone.) DO NOTHING Marsha is now on the campaign trail breaking china plates. I guess that is to get the message that China should be broken up and stopped from acquiring lands and companies in the United States. Well Marsha, while that is a great idea I have one question. WHO THE HELL IS SELLING THE LAND AND COMPANIES TO THE CHINESE????? On that note why isn’t the govt. jumping in and buying these things?

able to afford to buy a home etc. Democrats are in office now and food is high we can’t afford to buy or rent because of high prices. The lady running against Sen.Blackburn say Blackburn does not know anything about how we are grinding (her words) here in Tennessee she is up in Washington. Sen. Blackburn is from Tennessee. This lady wants to get to Washington in her place. So what point is she making. Everything is high people are struggling. Democrats have been in the White House 3 and a half years so they can’t put that on the Republicans.

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

NowOPENingreenhills

Ricotta Gnocchi with Bacon and Fresh Herbs

BY EDIBLE NASHVILLE

Some of the best pasta you’ve eaten out in Nashville quite possible came from Alfresco Pasta. You can find all their homemade pasta at Little Hats in Germantown and also

Produce Place, Turnip Truck, and Green Door Gourmet. This recipe is quick and easy and robust for fall. You can substitute any gnocchi as well.

INGREDIENTS

12 ounces Alfresco Pasta Ricotta Gnocchi

3 ounces Gifford’s Smoked Bacon, cut into small strips

6 large fresh sage and mint leaves

3 tablespoons fresh parsley

1 green onion, chopped

1. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a heavy saucepan. Salt the water slightly.

2. Rough chop the herbs, and thinly slice about a tablespoon of the green part of the scallion. Chop the white end of the scallion.

3. Cook the bacon in a heavy skillet until crispy

4. Add the gnocchi to the boiling water. Cook 3 minutes, or until the gnocchi floats. Strain gnocchi immediately and spread on a sheet pan and let rest 5 minutes.

3 tablespoons chicken or vegetable broth

2 tablespoons butter

2-3 ounces freshly grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese Sea salt Freshly ground black pepper

5. To assemble the dish, work quickly. Melt butter over medium heat in a heavy large skillet. Add gnocchi and cook 5 minutes, turning only once, until gnocchi is browned. Add cooked bacon, fresh herbs, the white part of the green onion, and the stock. Saute 2 minutes over high heat until liquid has evaporated shaking pan constantly. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with green onion and cheese. 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 When les Jeux Olympiques de Paris took place

4 Jewelry fastener

9 Like the watches in Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory”

13 Lawless princess

15 Meal with matzo

16 Roughly 75% of Russia is in it

17 House of worship at the top of 67-Across

20 Largest arboreal mammal, informally

21 Head honcho at a barbecue

22 Unfilled space

24 Half of a Dashiell Hammett detective couple

25 Subreddit overseer, for short

26 24th and final letters

31 Gum ball, say

34 Chests

38 Reference

39 Disney daughter of King Triton

41 Gave it one’s all

43 Cutesy term for a swap

45 Region of ancient Greece

46 ___ Basil, singer of the 1982 hit “Mickey”

47 Source of saffron

49 Color similar to hazelnut

50 Fabric sample

52 Govt. agency that investigates, among other things, arson

54 TV personality Kotb

57 Beethoven’s Third

71 Father

72 Mother ___

73 Hear t vessel support

74 Louse egg DOWN

1 Sing the praises of

2 ___ firma

3 Pioneering 1940s computer

4 Winter hrs. in Winnipeg

5 Go for a rebound, perhaps

6 Extra ingredient

7 Make sure of

8 Flower on a proverbial “path”

9 Its capital is V ientiane

10 Contradictory contraction

11 Small arachnid

12 Kings or queens, say

14 Per ___

18 Dishonorable

61 Classic comedy that often plays during holiday movie marathons

66 Black-and-white predators

67 Architectural attraction in Rome depicted by this puzzle’s grid?

69 Money maker

70 Posteriors

19 Palindromic term of address

23 Hubbub

27 Letter between Delta and Foxtrot

28 ___ sequoia, world’s most massive tree species

29 Bright spots?

30 Car with a three-box design

31 Bulb measures

32 Exit sign feature

33 ___ Prince, a.k.a. Wonder Woman

35 Mix up

36 “Oh! Oh! ___” (onetime snack brand slogan)

37 Odds and ends: Abbr

40 Correct type

42 Linux software packages, informally

44 Well-read sorts

48 Dubai’s home: Abbr.

51 Fellow

53 Some stops along the Oregon Trail

PUZZLE

SERVICE & MAINTENANCE

WOODMONT BAPTIST CHURCH

SOCIAL

Horticultural Society Membership Meeting

BY BRENDA BATEY PHOTOS BY BRENDA BATEY

The Horticultural Society of Middle Tennessee fall membership meeting was held at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.

Horticultural Society President Deby Pitts welcomed the crowd and introduced the chairs of Sparkling Settings fundraising luncheon, Ashley Henry and Barbara Rogers.

Sparkling Settings will be at Cheekwood Monday, December 2, featuring beautifully decorated tables created by attending garden clubs. Club members and their guests choose clever themes and deck out their tables to match.

The treasure trove of holiday tables gives inspiration to the luncheon attendees, who can employ some of these creative ideas in their own homes during the holidays.

The silent auction is always a highlight, and gift baskets donated by the local garden clubs will make wonderful presents.

Cheekwood President Jane MacLeod spoke about the 10-year history of Holiday Lights and previewed this year’s event, which will feature a one-mile walking path aglow with more than one million twinkling lights and 120 decorated trees.

Holiday Lights opens to the public November 22 and runs until January 5.

Former Chief Floral Designer for the White House Laura Dowling will create elaborate custom decorations inside the mansion. Dowling will debut her new book on Christmas decorating and preview copies of the book will be sold exclusively at Cheekwood.

A special surprise will greet visitors at this year’s show. A dazzling three-dimensional display in the center of the Bradford Robertson Color Garden will reach 28 feet into the sky.

From handmade magnolia garlands to

the iconic poinsettia tree in the loggia, nine spaces inside the mansion will feature vibrant designs with different themes, ranging from opulent plum, gold and cranberry Italianinspired décor in the entrance foyer to a citrusy l’orangerie theme in the loggia.

Numerous functions will be held during Holiday Lights, including a lecture by Dowling, who will give an overview of iconic White House Christmas moments.

Other events will include a hands-on wreath workshop, a topiary tree workshop, and an exhibition highlighting former American First Ladies and their holiday decorating themes.

Cheekwood will have three shopping destinations for the holiday season, each featuring different specialty merchandise. The Holiday Marketplace will offer a wide range of gifts, traditional holiday décor and a children’s section. The Garden Shop will be selling home décor, stationery, gardening gifts, and Cheekwood items.

The Museum Shop displays naturethemed jewelry, books, and a collection of pieces created by local artisans.The shop will be selling limited edition “Jim Marvin x Cheekwood” ornaments, created by Jim Marvin, a legendary White House designer who is helping Dowling lead the design team at Cheekwood this year.

Holiday food will be available at Café 29, and guests may bring their own food and stop throughout the grounds for hot cocoa or festive holiday spirits. There will be Holiday Teas, Late Night Lights, Visits with Santa and even Dog Visits with Santa, and much more.

For more information, visit the Horticultural Society’s website at hsmtn.org or Cheekwood’s website, cheekwood.org.

Jolly Sinha and Becky Fox Matthews Doris Weakley and Jan Cyr

Morel Enoch Harvey, Cheekwood President and Speaker Jane MacLeod, and Susan Creagh Elizabeth Ralph, Horticultural Society President Deby Pitts, and Jennie Bowman

Sparkling Settings Co-chair Ashley Henry, Donna Woods, and Laurie Seabury

Judith Bracken, Sparkling Settings Co-chair Barbara Rogers, Donna Summar

SOCIAL

Janet Brownlee and Jan Shockey Murray Clayton and Dixie Powell

Karen Brommer, Melanie Fuson, and Joanne Slaughter

Melissa Womack and Caroline Borum Cathy Fuqua and Liz Trabue

Sue McDougal, Lacey Moore, and Suzanne Coleman

Peggy Davitt, Lucie Cammack, Kayla Counts, and Cynthia Moroney

Marilyn Godwin, Judy Travis, and Laila Isa

Anna Marie Allen, Claudette Ryan, and Gerry Sams

Margaret Reina and Jeri Melton

Martha Fortenberry and Claudia Seybert

Nancy Russell and Jim Marvin

Five free and cheap family things to do in Middle Tennessee

We’re still deep in festival season here in Middle Tennessee. First, for the older ones in your family, you can enjoy a haunted trip full of Tennessee history. Then there’s Halloweekend at the Adventure Science Center and PumpkinFest in Franklin to get your fall favorites out of the way. There’s also the rescheduled Kidsville Family Festival at Centennial Park and the year’s biggest and best festival for readers: the Southern Festival of Books. There’s no shortage of choices this week; it just may be tough to pick which you want to venture to.

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:

TWISTED TENNESSEE

This event is for the older kids and family in your group. At Twisted Tennessee, they’ll focus on Tennessee history, and attendees will get a chance to “listen to both sides of each dark story from the participants themselves, and decide for yourself…guilty or innocent, liar or truth teller, murderer or victim?” The guided journey will end at the Two Tales Tavern, where they’ll serve up 18th century murder ballads, games and drinks. The tour is outside, lasts about an hour and is for folks above 10 years old.

Tours are first come, first served and are $15 for folks 10-15 and $22 for anyone above that age. It takes place at Travellers Rest Historic House Museum on Oct. 25 from 6-10 p.m.

HALLOWEEKEND AT ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER

The Adventure Science Center is hosting a special Halloweekend Trick-or-Treat at the science center along with some science activities on Oct. 26 and 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For the cost of general admission to the museum, folks can enjoy trick or treat stations, live science shows in Eureka Theatre, an i2 Makerspace, the Tinkering Garage, as well as special activities like decorating a treat bag, collecting candy, blowing big bubbles and playing with dry ice and more. The day will also include giveaways for Davidson County residents, including a family membership to the museum, tickets to the planetarium and hands-on take-home science kits. Decorate a treat bag before collecting candy at exhibits around the science center.

KIDSVILLE FAMILY FESTIVAL

On Oct. 27 at Centennial Park, they’ll host the free Kidsville Family Festival, which was rescheduled due to hazardous

weather in September. The daylong festival includes performances, crafts, games, face painting, food trucks, character meet-andgreets and more. The event is free and welcoming to children of all ages, including parents and caregivers.

PUMPKINFEST

In its 39th year, PumpkinFest will bring everything autumn to Downtown Franklin on Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event, which begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 6 p.m., includes food, drinks, children’s activities, live music, costume contests for pets and families, and arts and crafts. The festival stretches along Main Street and its side avenues and offers events for folks of all ages.

SOUTHERN FESTIVAL OF BOOKS

The 36th annual literary festival is slated to happen at Bicentennial Mall, the Tennessee State Museum and Tennessee State Library from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 26, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 27. The festival weekend will feature appearances from approximately 150 authors, where attendees can connect with them through a series of live events, panels, meet-and-greets, book signings and more. There are authors of all kinds for the whole family to enjoy and learn from, and the swag is always excellent.

AMANDA HAGGARD

PumpkinFest 2023 PHOTO: JAYME FOLTZ

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