Images Rutherford County, TN: 2008

2008 | IMAGESRUTHERFORD.COM | VIDEO VIGNETTES TM

OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TENNESSEE

STROLLING ALONG THE AVENUE Upscale retail destination offers full shopping experience

WAITER, I’LL HAVE A SIZZLING STEAK Explore the plethora of palate-pleasing restaurants

Build It, They’ll Come Hotel and conference center will open in fall 2008

SPONSORED BY THE RUTHERFORD COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2008 EDITION | VOLUME 22 TM

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OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TENNESSEE

CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 12 STROLLING ALONG THE AVENUE

24 WAITER, I’LL HAVE A SIZZLING STEAK

The Avenue Murfreesboro is a chic new retail address with an open-air design.

16 IT’S A SQUARE DEAL Many businesses along Murfreesboro’s Public Square have been here for decades and continue to thrive.

20 ATTEN-HUT! The Tennessee Army National Guard maintains a strong and important presence in Smyrna and Murfreesboro.

Rutherford County restaurants are anything but run-of-the-mill.

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WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE Toddlers flock to the Wild Things recreation program at Murfreesboro’s Barfield Crescent Park.

55 PLAYING MUSICAL CHAIRS The symphony orchestra in Murfreesboro changes its name and tries a new approach.

22 UP-AND-COMING CULTURE Why drive to Nashville? Rutherford County has plenty of cultural offerings.

ON THE COVER Photo by Brian McCord Public art, The Avenue Murfreesboro

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ACTION! ADVENTURE! “IT KEPT ME ON THE EDGE OF MY LAPTOP!”

“ RUTHERFORD COUNTY LIKE IT’S NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”

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OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY

RUTHERFORD COUNTY BUSINESS 36 Build It, They’ll Come The Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel and Conference Center is scheduled to open in fall 2008.

38 Biz Briefs 41 Chamber Report 43 Economic Profile

D E PA R TM E NT S 8 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Rutherford County’s culture

28 Portfolio: people, places and events that define Rutherford County

34 Image Gallery 49 Education 53 Health & Wellness 57 Community Profile: facts, stats and important numbers to know

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What’s Online

More lists, links and tips for newcomers

IMAGESRUTHERFORD.COM 2

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Visit Bumpus

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Harley-Davidson of Murfreesboro for the largest selection of new

WEB SITE EXTRA

MOVING PICTURES VIDEO 1 INSIDE LOOK Join us on a virtual tour of Rutherford County through the lenses of our award-winning photographers at imagesrutherford.com.

VIDEO 2 MAKING MUSIC Listen to the banjo pickin’ of Rebekah Weiler, the first female to win the Old Time Banjo Contest at the Fiddlers’ Jamboree.

Visit imagesrutherford.com.

VIDEO 3 HARVEST DAYS Experience the revelry at the Harvest Days and Fiber Festival at Cannonsburgh Village.

Visit imagesrutherford.com.

PLUS SEARCH OUR ARCHIVES Browse past issues of the magazine by year or search for specific articles by subject.

INSTANT LINKS Read the entire magazine online using our ActiveMagazine™ technology and link instantly to community businesses and services.

EVEN MORE Read full-length versions of the magazine’s articles; find related stories; or read new content exclusive to the Web. Look for the See More Online reference in this issue.

and pre-owned motorcycles in our area.

With a vast selection of genuine Harley-Davidson motor clothes, gifts, parts and accessories, Bumpus Harley Davidson is your one-stop shopping spot for any motorcycle enthusiast.

A GARDENER’S PARADISE Tennessee is a great place to garden. We have long growing seasons, abundant rainfall and a mild climate in which many different kinds of plants thrive. Find out more at imagesrutherford.com.

BARBECUE: A SIMPLE SOUTHERN PLEASURE One of the simple pleasures of Southern dining is the down-home barbecue experience. No matter where you go, you’re bound to find barbecue prepared just right.

Get a taste of regional cuisine at imagesrutherford.com.

BUMPUS A B O U T T H I S M AG A Z I N E Images of Rutherford County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is sponsored by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. In print and online, Images gives readers a taste of what makes Rutherford County tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.”

HARLEY-DAVIDSON & BUELL 2250 N.W. Broad St. Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 849-8025 www.bumpusharleydavidson.com

– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

jnlcom.com

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Creating the Balance

Thanks a Mill The Readyville Mill operated continuously from the 1870s until the early 1980s. Today it’s in need of repair, and a renovation effort has been launched to save the once-flourishing building. When it was thriving, the mill produced corn meal, refined flour, whole wheat flour and buckwheat flour.

The mill site includes nearly four acres on the east fork of Stones River. In 2007, the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University prepared and donated a preservation plan for the mill in its dilapidated state. A Middle Tennessee organization known as PARQ – Preserve the Area’s Rural Qualities – is leading a preservation fundraising effort to save the mill.

Each September, about 200 women gather at the Rutherford County Women’s Conference, organized by the Business Women’s Council. The council is a Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce organization, and the conference – “Creating the Balance: Leadership Strategies for Women” – gives local businesswomen an opportunity to network, learn, discuss and grow.

The keynote speaker in 2007 was Cordia Harrington, president and CEO of the Tennessee Bun Co. Along with a keynote speaker, the conference always features several session leaders who offer education and support tips to businesswomen on a variety of business-related topics.

Enrolling Right Along And the winner is: Middle Tennessee State University, now the largest undergraduate university in the state.

The Murfreesboro university had an enrollment of more than 23,000 students during the 2006-2007 school year. It recently surpassed the University of Tennessee-Knoxville as the state’s enrollment leader.

Reasons for high enrollment at MTSU include its location in the middle of the state, affordability and programs not offered in surrounding states. Those popular programs include recording industry management, aerospace and horse science curriculum.

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Almanac

Fast Facts Q The Linebaugh Public Library System has been recognized for its services to Spanish-speaking patrons. Hispanics now make up 5 percent of Rutherford County’s population, so the library hired three translators in 2006.

Strokes of Genius Now that’s a big painting.

Local artist Erin Anfinson, an assistant professor of art at Middle Tennessee State University, was commissioned in 2007 to paint a large mural that now hangs at The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. She painted historic Civil War scenes of significance that once took place in Rutherford County, and her mural is titled “The Time That Changed Everything: Murfreesboro’s Civil War Era.” The painting was completed on stretched canvas that measures 8 feet by 18 feet. Scenes depicted in the mural include the Sam Davis Home, Oaklands Historic House Museum, Bradley Academy and the Stones River National Battlefield.

Q For just $50 a year, families can visit the Sam Davis Home and Museum as many times as they want. The Sam Davis Home and the Oaklands Historic House Museum are the only historic residences still open to the public in Rutherford County.

Q Rutherford County is consistently ranked high on the list of fastest-growing job markets in the United States.

Q Uncle Dave Macon Days celebrates old-time music and dancing the second weekend of July. The 2008 festival will be the 31st annual.

Lovely La Vergne Developers are taking a good look these days at La Vergne, thanks to the city’s continued residential growth.

The city is in a good location in northern Rutherford County, where growth has been steady for the past five years. To encourage more commerce, the municipality lowered its impact fee in 2005 to give developers a break. The city has also been overhauling major intersections at U.S. 41 (Murfreesboro Road), to make these corner properties more enticing to developers.

One key interest to commercial and retail developers in La Vergne is Lake Forest, the state’s largest residential development that will eventually contain as many as 5,000 homes.

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Q The county is home to 20 companies that have at least 500 employees each, led by Nissan with 5,700 and Rutherford County government with 4,150.

SEE MORE ONLINE | For more Fast Facts about Rutherford County, visit imagesrutherford.com.

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Almanac

Murfreesboro Star Chris Young is a country music star, thanks to a TV competition that launched him to fame.

In May 2006, the Murfreesboro native competed in the nationwide “Nashville Star” singing competition on USA Network – and he won.

Young was awarded a recording contract with RCA Records, which resulted in his self-titled debut album in October 2006. His first single was called “Drinking Me Lonely,” which quickly climbed the charts.

Young also received a new Chevrolet truck for winning the television competition, along with an opportunity to perform on the legendary Grand Ole Opry. His second album will be released in the spring.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RUSS HARRINGTON

Making the Grade Into the Outdoors The great outdoors are pretty great in Rutherford County, and they’re getting even better. The city of Murfreesboro is home to the 137-acre Richard Siegel Soccer Complex and Community Park, which includes 10 lighted fields, four youth fields, one lighted championship field with stadium seating, basketball courts, a cross-country course and three walking trails. Another outdoor attraction that’s getting a lot of use these days is the Murfreesboro Greenway System, which allows residents to walk, run, bike or inline skate along the Stones River and Lytle Creek. Smyrna is expanding its parks system and working on a greenway, and some of the best fishing tournaments in the state are held at Fate Sanders Marina on J. Percy Priest Lake. The city of Eagleville also has a greenway project in the works, and La Vergne is home to Veterans Memorial Park – that city’s main outdoor gathering place.

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With nearly 37,000 students enrolling in 2008, the Rutherford County school system is the sixth largest and fastest-growing in the state, and it’s adding 2,000 new students every year – or the equivalent of one new school a year.

The system received all A’s and B’s in the latest Tennessee Report Card on Education, which rates schools on various effectiveness measures.

“We’re in the top tier – very few districts can boast these kinds of scores,” says James Evans, spokesman for Rutherford County Schools. Evans credits the federal No Child Left Behind Act with giving the curriculum a new focus to ensure students test well.

But equally important is reaching kids with innovative programming that will motivate them to stay in school and give them skills they can use for the rest of their lives.

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Clear Skies Ahead Interested in aviation? You’re in good company.

A group in Murfreesboro belongs to the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 419, which has monthly meetings at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport. Many of the EAA members own personal aircraft, while other members are simply aviation enthusiasts.

Another EAA group in Middle Tennessee is Chapter 162, which has 50 members and meets each month at John C. Tune Airport in Nashville. That chapter also has some long-standing members who live in Rutherford County.

Journey to the Past The Sam Davis Home in Smyrna was built along the banks of Stewarts Creek in 1820. These days, the two-story home and museum on 160 acres is a real-life reminder of how Southern, upper middle-class families lived in those days. Samuel Davis was a young soldier who joined the army before Tennessee had officially seceded from the Union. Eventually captured and accused of being a spy and a courier of enemy papers, the 21-year-old soldier refused to divulge his sources. His last words are said to be, “I would die a thousand deaths before I would betray a friend,” and he was hanged on Nov. 27, 1863. Visitors to the Sam Davis Home can see a documentary video about Davis’ life and take a guided tour through the nine-room main house, the original kitchen, smokehouse, overseer’s office and privy. Authentic Middle Tennessee slave dwellings can also be seen on the site.

Rutherford County | At A Glance POPULATION (2007 ESTIMATE) Rutherford County: 229,380 Murfreesboro: 92,559 Smyrna: 32,197 La Vergne: 27,373 Eagleville: 472

Rutherford County

Nashville sh hv h v e

BEGINNINGS The written history of Rutherford County dates back to 1776 when it was settled during the Revolutionary War. It was formally established as a Tennessee county in 1803.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce 501 Memorial Blvd.

Murfreesboro, TN 37129 Phone: (615) 893-6565 Fax: (615) 890-7600 www.rutherfordchamber.org

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LOCATION Rutherford County is nicknamed the “Heart of Tennessee” because it is in the geographic center of the state, 20 miles southeast of Nashville along the I-24 corridor.

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SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Take a virtual tour of Rutherford County at imagesrutherford.com, courtesy of our award-winning photographers.

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Strolling Along The

Avenue UPSCALE RETAIL DESTINATION OFFERS A FULL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

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STORY BY SHARON H. FITZGERALD PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

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ct. 17, 2007, was a red-letter day for Middle Tennessee shoppers, who gave their credit cards a workout at the opening of The Avenue Murfreesboro – the city’s chic new retail address.

“At 4 o’clock on grand-opening day, more than 75 percent of the entire shopping center lot was filled,” says Angie Carter, The Avenue’s general manager. “This is one of Middle Tennessee’s best emerging markets, and we have had strong reaction from the consumers around here. They were looking for this type of shopping experience, and retailers felt that Murfreesboro was ready.”

The Avenue Murfreesboro– a concept of Atlanta-based Cousins Properties – features an open-air, pedestrianfriendly design that attracts sophisticated national retailers and restaurants as well as unique local merchants and eateries. So far, there are eight Avenue developments, most in the Southeast. Cousins partnered with Faison Enterprises, headquartered in North Carolina, on the 810,000-squarefoot, $150 million Murfreesboro project.

“We saw the confluence of a number of factors,” says Mike Cohn, Faison’s senior managing director. “We saw a market with great growth, we saw a great site and we saw a market that had a significant number of retail needs that either weren’t being served or were being served in a very unconsolidated way. Thus, we had the opportunity to deliver a large, multipurpose, consolidated project.”

The center is anchored by Belk department store and bigbox retailers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and Best Buy. Other well-known tenants of The Avenue Murfreesboro include Hollister, American Eagle, Ann Taylor Loft, Talbot’s, Victoria’s Secret, The Children’s Place, Coldwater Creek, Stride Rite, Yankee Candle, Harry & David, Chico’s and LinensN-Things. Restaurants along The Avenue Murfreesboro entrances include Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Mimi’s Café,

The Avenue Murfreesboro has opened its doors, with 110 stores projected by completion.

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The Avenue Murfreesboro features an open-air design that has attracted national retailers and local merchants.

Longhorn Steakhouse and Chili’s. The development will eventually be home to more than 110 retailers and restaurants.

Holly Sears, Vice President economic development with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, calls The Avenue Murfreesboro “a key component” of Murfreesboro’s Gateway, a large commercial district born in 1998 when the city purchased about 400 acres between Stones River Mall and Thompson Lane. In 2003, Middle Tennessee Medical Center bought 68 of those acres as the future site for a health-care campus. Two years later, Medical Center Parkway opened, stretching from Broad Street near downtown to a new interchange on Interstate 24. The Avenue Murfreesboro is at the interchange, along with the 10-story Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel and Conference Center, scheduled to open in the fall of 2008.

“We are very excited about the synergy that’s going to happen between the two properties,” Carter says. “People at the hotel and conference center will be able to come here and enjoy a dinner and shopping and be able to relax after a conference.

We feel that it’s absolutely a win-win for both projects.”

Carter stresses that The Avenue Murfreesboro isn’t just about shopping, however.

“We offer a whole Avenue experience, with a grassy area right outside some of our quick-food options,” she says.

“Families love that area.”

The Avenue Murfreesboro also features Camp Avenue children’s park, where students from five high schools are working with a professional artist to create five tile mosaics depicting different Aesop’s fables.

Many retailers these days are looking to align themselves with similar retailers, Carter says, and the result is a collection of like-minded businesses targeting a similar clientele at the region’s newest shopping destination.

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shopping center where they could target an affluent market,” Carter says.

They found what they were looking for here.

The Avenue Murfreesboro is a kid-friendly shopping experience, featuring the Camp Avenue children’s park.

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Renovations, New Stores Add to Mix STONES RIVER MALL AND SMYRNA CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROWING RETAIL SURGE

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s new and sophisticated retail options spring up in Murfreesboro, the city’s commercial stalwart, Stones River Mall, is showing off its $52 million facelift – a transformation from a traditional mall to an indoor and outdoor shopping destination with a lively retail and dining mix.

“We’re just expanding and keeping up with this amazing growth in the area,” says Heather Hasty, mall marketing manager.

“We’re excited about strengthening the competition here. We think that strong retailers are going to keep people coming to Murfreesboro instead of traveling to Nashville to visit some of their favorite stores.”

Dillard’s and J.C. Penney demolished their Stones River anchor stores and built new ones from the ground up. A food court

with wireless Internet connectivity opened Nov. 1 where the old J.C. Penney once stood, while The Shops of Stones River – an outdoor collection of retailers and restaurants joined by covered breezeways – stands on the footprint of the old Dillard’s.

“It offers our shoppers truly the best of both worlds,” Hasty says. “If it’s a beautiful day, they can stroll among the stores outside, and if it’s cold or rainy, they can come inside and enjoy shopping, the food court and the soft play area.”

The children’s play area “represents old-time Tennessee,” she says, “with an exact, detailed replica of the Rutherford County Courthouse with a slide, a tunnel and playhouse.”

Smyrna is also enjoying a retail surge, with a new Kohl’s

department store anchoring a 600,000-square-foot development by Colonial Properties. Smyrna’s residential and commercial growth, including restaurants and hotels, has also given rise to a 14-screen movie theater.

– Sharon H. Fitzgerald

Stones River Mall in Murfreesboro is undergoing a $52 million renovation. The changes have transformed the site from a traditional mall to an indoor and outdoor shopping destination, which adds to the ambiance and convenience.

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It’s a

Square

Deal

DOWNTOWN MURFREESBORO ATTRACTS UNIQUE BUSINESSES AND DISCRIMINATING SHOPPERS

STORY BY SHARON H. FITZGERALD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

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ake a leisurely stroll around Murfreesboro’s Public Square and you’ll see businesses that have been here for decades – Mullins Jewelers, Ruby’s Dress Shop, Holden Hardware, Shacklett’s Photography – and continue to thrive.

What you don’t see are many vacant storefronts.

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“I think that what the downtown has to offer is really a location for the local entrepreneur who wants to invest in the community. It’s a coolness factor,” says Holly Sears, Vice President of economic development for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.

Cashing in on downtown’s trendy vibes are restaurateurs and retailers

selling everything from outdoor gear to stationery, hand-painted children’s furniture to antiques, Murfreesborothemed Christmas ornaments to floral arrangements. All have found that a location on or near the historic square lends panache and attracts discriminating consumers.

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Downtown Murfreesboro is home to many longtime local businesses.

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Ruby’s Dress Shop is one of many downtown Murfreesboro businesses that continue to thrive. Left: Stately historic homes, such as this one on Main Street, highlight the city’s rich heritage and distinctive architecture.

more of is residential living downtown,” says Mary Beth Wilson, who chairs the board of Main Street Murfreesboro/ Rutherford County. “If we have more people living downtown, we think it will in turn attract a variety of businesses.”

The nonprofit corporation, founded in 1985 to revitalize and nurture downtown, hired a new executive director Richard Gabel in 2007 and moved into new digs just off the square.

The city-owned building at 225 West College St., named The Heritage Center, is shared by Main Street and the Middle RUTHERFORD COUNT Y

Tennessee State University Center for Historic Preservation. Daily walking tours of the square originate at the center and highlight the city’s rich history and distinctive architecture.

“The retail growth in Rutherford County right now is phenomenal, and I am very optimistic that this will enhance retail growth in downtown Murfreesboro,” Wilson says. She predicts that many local and regional shoppers – out to enjoy new commercial additions in Murfreesboro such as The Avenue Murfreesboro and The Oaks

Shopping Center – will make their way to the square as well.

“I think in 2008 we will see a lot more traffic moving back and forth from all the different areas of the county toward downtown,” she says. “It is a unique atmosphere downtown now, and we think that’s only going to improve.”

SEE MORE ONLINE | For more information, visit imagesrutherford.com and search “downtown Murfreesboro.”

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Atten-Hut! NATIONAL GUARD’S STRONG PRESENCE CONTRIBUTES TO ECONOMY AND COMMUNITY

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STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

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he Tennessee National Guard maintains a strong and important presence in Smyrna and Murfreesboro, a fact that many folks – even those in Rutherford County – may not realize.

Since 9-11, the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard have deployed more than 12,000 troops to the Middle East, and several hundred of those hail from here.

“I don’t think a lot of people in Rutherford County even realize that the National Guard has a big presence in Smyrna and Murfreesboro, but it certainly does,” says Randy Harris, director of joint public affairs for the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard. “Since 9-11, many of the Rutherford County men and women in the Guard have ended up overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan.”

This strong National Guard presence also adds significantly to the county’s bottom line and to good works throughout the community.

“The Tennessee Army National Guard means a lot to Rutherford County, both in economic impact and being a good neighbor in the community,” Harris says.

“We do a lot of business out of Smyrna Airport, so we are a big monetary contributor to the city and county.”

As a community-based organization, the Tennessee National Guard is here to support citizens in a number of ways, including emergencies, says Col. Joe Geren of the Regional Training Institute, a training facility for soldiers.

But members of the Guard also help in ways that don’t get a lot of publicity.

“It’s heartwarming when you go out in military uniform and deliver food to needy families around the holidays,” he says. “That’s the stuff you don’t ever hear about, and a lot of that goes on around here. The small,

community armories are a focal point in many towns.”

While most people think of the National Guard as an organization that responds to tornadoes, hurricanes and other federal disturbances, the Middle East war has awakened citizens to how vital the Guard is to national security, Harris says.

This is the most active time for deployments in the history of the National Guard, and young people – including many from this region – are signing up to serve their country.

“The last couple of years have been exceptional for recruiting,” Harris says.

For example, recruiting takes place from September to September, and he says the recruitment goal for 2006-2007 was already met in January 2007.

Thousands of young people have signed up in Tennessee over the last two years, and many of them come from Rutherford County.

“The Army National Guard is composed of civilians who typically serve their country on a part-time basis,” he says, “and these soldiers come to the aid of their neighbors during times of need.”

Besides the 269th Military Police Company out of Murfreesboro, the Guard has a number of units based at Smyrna Airport.

“The Guard uses the airport to train its helicopter unit, which operates 60 helicopters with 300 National Guard personnel,” he says. “In all, the Tennessee Army National Guard leases part of the airport to maintain a training center, aircraft and numerous different units with more than 1,200 assigned National Guard personnel.”

The Guard’s presence in Smyrna also includes a maintenance support facility and a medical command post for all National Guard personnel.

A Blackhawk UH-60 at the Tennessee Army National Guard base in Smyrna Above: The Army National Guard’s Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Smyrna repairs military vehicles from across the state.

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Up -andComing

Culture FIND A VIBRANT MIX OF THE ARTS CLOSE TO HOME

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

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ashville’s world-class symphony, visual-art exhibits and thriving theater scene are just a short drive away, but there’s no need to leave Rutherford County for top-notch cultural offerings.

Along with productions staged at Middle Tennessee State University, the county is home to numerous community theater groups, a first-rate symphony and a growing visualarts movement.

Music lovers can take their pick: There’s the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra, with classical, pops and youth-education programs, including many musicians who play in Nashville and other orchestras; Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra, which features the best of the area’s young musicians; the Middle Tennessee Choral Society; the Main Street JazzFest in Murfreesboro each spring; Tennesse Valley Winds; and much more.

Theater in Rutherford County is a “best-kept secret” that’s alive and well, says Lee Rennick, a playwright who’s active in the local theater scene and works for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. In addition to the Middle Tennessee State University theater department, several other groups – including the Center Players, Murfreesboro Little Theatre and Lamplighters Theatre in Smyrna – regularly put on shows.

“There are so many groups in Murfreesboro because each one has a unique creative philosophy,” Rennick says. “At the Center for the Arts you’ll see more traditional plays, more of the ones you know.”

Murfreesboro Little Theatre tends to be a little more avantgarde.

“They pick up some things from Off Broadway – you’ll see some family productions but also a lot of really edgy plays,” Rennick says.

The Center for the Arts features dance and music performances along with plays and art exhibits – and the visual arts scene is gradually gaining more recognition in Rutherford County.

Housed in a historic Italianate building in the heart of downtown Murfreesboro, the Center for the Arts features an array of exhibitions in the gallery and theater. Youth classes offer instruction in visual arts along with music and theater.

Other arts organizations include the Murfreesboro/ Rutherford Art League – a nonprofit that promotes artists and art education – and the Stones River Crafts Association, which typically hosts two art fairs each year.

Patricia Myers, president of the Murfreesboro/Rutherford Art League, says the organization has noticed a surge in interest recently, with 35 new members and several new art exhibitions added to its repertoire in 2007.

“In the past year, we have done quite a bit as far as getting our art shown at local banks and at places like the Center for the

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Arts,” she says. “We’re trying to be more visible than we have been, and it’s wonderful to see the fine arts being recognized.”

Arts-related community events are also on the rise, with popular activities such as the inaugural Murfreesboro Arts Journey Tour – a two-day tour of private art galleries – held in April 2007, and the Greenway Art Festival, an annual event in which artists display and sell their work along the trail. The greenway event includes trailside music, food vendors and activities for children – an artistic outing for the whole family.

With such a vibrant arts scene, residents can easily enjoy rich cultural offerings without ever straying far from home.

Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra Left: Center for the Arts in downtown Murfreesboro

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For the

Love of Food OUTSTANDING CUISINE IS A RUTHERFORD COUNTY TRADITION

STORY BY JESSICA MOZO

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utherford County restaurants are anything but run-of-the-mill. With a smorgasbord of creative, independent restaurants ranging from upscale eateries to down-home meat-and-threes, dining here is more than a meal – it’s an experience.

One of Murfreesboro’s best-loved family restaurants is Demos’ Steak and Spaghetti House, which started in Murfreesboro in 1989 and has grown to include locations in Nashville, Lebanon and Hendersonville. Owners Jim and Doris Demos started the restaurant after moving from Nashville to Murfreesboro to “semi-retire.”

“We didn’t want to retire to the mountains or the ocean.

We fell in love with Murfreesboro – there was something magical about it,” recalls Jim Demos. “Our intention was to semi-retire and have a restaurant we could manage ourselves. Our son Peter and daughter Felicia have since joined us in the business.”

Demos’ Steak and Spaghetti House specializes in several types of steaks, spaghetti dishes with 10 different sauces, seafood, chicken and salads.

“We make everything in-house – our sauces, salad dressings, and we even grind our own hamburger,” Demos says. “Every

Filet and black tiger double shrimp is a menu item at Raz’z Bar & Grill in Smyrna.

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PHOTO BY ANTONY BOSHIER

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“When they come in, we know exactly what they want to drink and eat,” Darsinos says. “Several of our servers have also been here for many years.”

New to the Rutherford County dining scene is a pizzeria called TomatoTomäto, owned by sister and brother team Mollie and Mitchell Murphree. The Murphrees also own the upscale Five Senses Restaurant, which opened three years ago and specializes in fresh seafood and locally grown produce.

“We wanted another restaurant that would appeal to the masses, so we decided on a pizza kitchen,” Mollie Murphree says. “We have create-your-own pizzas and six or seven specialty pizzas named after Murfreesboro streets.”

Murphree’s favorites are the Maney Avenue Pizza and the College Street Pizza.

“Maney Avenue has garlic oil sauce with white beans, country ham, smoked cheddar and red onions, and College

ANTONY BOSHIER

steak is hand-cut on the premises and prepared as if it was a small mom-and-pop restaurant. Being family-owned and operated, we can pay attention to the small details that others can’t.”

The Parthenon Steakhouse is another long-standing, familyowned Murfreesboro restaurant. It was started 28 years ago by the Kyrikos family from Greece. Fourteen years ago, the Darsinos family, also from Greece, took over.

“Our specialties are Steak Diane and rack of lamb, and our filets are excellent,” says Kathy Darsinos, who owns the Parthenon Steakhouse with her husband, Angelo. “We also have an array of salads and sandwiches for lunch. The restaurant is casual and laid back, but we do have white tablecloths, a fireplace and big open ceilings.”

Many of the Parthenon Steakhouse’s customers have been dining there for more than a decade.

The popular desserts at Miller’s Grocery are made from scratch each morning using real butter and organic eggs.

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Street has four different kinds of mushrooms, blue cheese and tomato sauce,” she says. “They’re awesome.”

All the menu items are made from scratch at both the Murphrees’ restaurants, and they use local ingredients whenever they can.

“Farmers from all over the area supply food to us,” Murphree says.

Originally from Paris, Tenn., the siblings chose Murfreesboro for their restaurants after Mitchell attended culinary school in New York.

“My brother started working in Murfreesboro and thought it was a great, growing town,” Murphree says. “It’s a great place for an independent restaurant. It has all the elements to make a restaurant successful.”

Other area restaurants that offer a one-of-a-kind dining experience include Miller’s Grocery in Christiana, The Omni Hut in Smyrna and Raz’z Bar & Grill, also in Smyrna.

Bon appétit!

Tuna is a favorite entree at Five Senses in Murfreesboro.

Above: Demos’ in Murfreesboro is one of the region’s best-loved family restaurants.

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Portfolio

Strumming on the Old Banjo REBEKAH WEILER TAKES TOP HONORS AT SMITHVILLE FIDDLERS’ JAMBOREE

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iddle Tennessee State University senior Rebekah Weiler breaks the mold when it comes to banjo players. Not only is she one of the few females who play the instrument, she’s also extremely good at it.

In fact, in July 2007, Weiler became the first female ever to win the Old Time Banjo Contest at the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree.

“I had entered the Smithville banjo contest every year since 2002, and I never even placed,” she says. “But after I played [in 2007], I knew I nailed it.

The audience went nuts. The [master of

ceremonies] even asked if I had brought my fan club with me.”

A Murfreesboro native, Weiler began playing the banjo when she was 15.

“I got my first banjo when I was a toddler. It was a red Kermit the frog banjo,” she recalls. “Later I got an actual banjo at age 10, and I was fascinated with it, but for awhile it just collected dust.

Finally, I decided to learn to play it.”

Weiler credits her interest in the banjo to her family’s long-standing participation in Uncle Dave Macon Days, an old-time music and dance festival held in Murfreesboro every

July for the past 30 years.

“My parents have been involved with it since it started, so I’ve gone to it all my life,” Weiler says. “It’s the backbone for my music. It has influenced me so much.”

Between her classes at MTSU, teaching banjo lessons and competing at festivals throughout the year, Weiler performs regularly with Delmar Holland and the Blue Creek Ramblers, an old-time string band made up of three 70-something male musicians and Weiler.

“They first took me on the road when I was 16,” Weiler says. “They needed a banjo player and saw me competing at a festival. Once they convinced my parents they were harmless, I started playing with them. They took me from a shy kid to who I am now.”

Weiler will graduate from MTSU in December 2008 with a history degree. After that, she’s thinking about pursuing musical opportunities or attending graduate school.

“Playing banjo has opened so many doors for me,” she says. “I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.”

College senior Rebekah Weiler began playing the banjo when she was 15 and went on the road at 16.

WEB SITE EXTRA

SEE VIDEO ONLINE

Precocious Pickin’

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BRIAN M C CORD

atch and listen as Rebekah Weiler shows off her banjo skills that won the 2007 Old Time Banjo Contest at the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree. Visit imagesrutherford.com.

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Portfolio

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MURFREESBORO POST/KELLY HITE

Half Marathon Sprints Off

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he Tate family of Murfreesboro are passionate about running, so it makes sense that they were the force behind The Middle Half, Rutherford County’s half marathon that kicked off its first year in 2007.

“My husband, Miles, runs marathons, and our daughter, Natalie, does too. We thought this area needed a half marathon in the fall,” says Melinda Tate, president of the board of directors for The Middle Half. “We met with Parks and Recreation in March and found out they had been wanting to do one too, but didn’t have anyone to spearhead it.”

The Tates stepped up to the plate, and in just six months they were able to organize the first marathon, which was held in September. Middle Tennessee State University, the city of Murfreesboro and Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation helped make it a reality.

“When we opened up registration, it sold out in just 30 days. We had 1,000 runners registered,” Tate says. “We were thrilled because it showed there was a need and a want for it in this area.”

The Middle Half covered 13.1 miles, starting and ending at MTSU and winding through some of Murfreesboro’s most scenic areas, including tree-lined Main Street and the Rutherford County Courthouse, Old Lascassas Highway, Maney Avenue and the historic Oaklands Mansion, and MTSU’s fraternity row.

“We had a lot of community support,” Tate says. “Businesses and groups sponsored water stations, Middle Tennessee Medical Center provided medical attention, the fire station set up a hose people could run through and restaurants donated food at the end.”

Runners from 16 different states ran the race, and local charities were invited to use the race as a fundraising opportunity by organizing teams.

“Special Kids had 40 runners and raised $40,000,” Tate says. “The Governor’s Books from Birth program also had a team and raised money.”

For information on the 2008 marathon, visit www.themiddlehalf.com.

A thousand runners registered for the first half marathon in 2007.

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Honoring the Pioneer Spirit xperience what life was like for pioneers in the South with a visit to Cannonsburgh Village, a reconstructed pioneer settlement and living history museum near downtown Murfreesboro.

Located along South Front Street, Cannonsburgh Village was built in 1975 as a bicentennial project for 1976. The name Cannonsburgh was the original name for Murfreesboro, and the pioneer settlement is home to several buildings and artifacts representing the mid1800s to the early 1900s.

“There’s the old Cannonsburgh mill, an 1800s schoolhouse, a town hall and a log house we use for wedding receptions,” says Fred Trujillo, program coordinator for Cannonsburgh Village.

“There’s also an old caboose, an 1800s farm shed, a loom house where quilts and rugs are made, an old country store, a doctor’s office and a chapel. We hold about 80 weddings in the chapel every year.”

Cannonsburgh Village is open to the public from late April until December, and self-guided tours are free. The site hosts three big events each year, when visitors can see demonstrations from the pioneer era such as blacksmithing and soap making. The events include Pioneer Days in April, Uncle Dave Macon Days in July and the Harvest Days and Fiber Festival in October.

Uncle Dave Macon Days is an oldtime music and dance festival that attracts more than 40,000 spectators and has been rated one of the top 20 events in the Southeast by the Atlantabased Southeast Tourism Society. The Harvest Days and Fiber Festival features square dancing, clogging, live bluegrass music, weaving, sheep shearing, applecider making, hayrides and more.

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Uncle Dave Macon Days at Cannonsburgh Historic Village

County, and it’s part of Middle Tennessee’s history that we want to pass down to future generations,” Trujillo says. “We don’t want to lose our past because it’s a reminder of what people went through to get us where we are today.”

SEE MORE ONLINE | Take a video tour of the Harvest Days and Fiber Festival at Cannonsburgh Village.

Visit imagesrutherford.com.

To learn more, visit imagesrutherford.com and search “Uncle Dave Macon Days.”

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Portfolio

A New Way To Get Around Town

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Rover is a dream come true.

“There have been a lot of publictransportation advocates here for a long time,” says Bob Nugent, director of public transportation for the city of Murfreesboro. “When the city reached a population of 50,000 in 2000, it made us eligible for federal dollars for a public transportation system. It became

obvious that it would be easy to provide public transportation when a large amount of it would be paid for.”

The federal government paid for half the cost of the bus system, and Murfreesboro and the state of Tennessee paid for the other half. In the short time it has been running, Rover has received lots of positive feedback.

“We’ve had requests for more service from day one, and we’re addressing those requests,” Nugent says. “The community has been very accepting.

We’ve heard so many stories from disabled and elderly people who before couldn’t get around on their own, and now they can.”

Eventually, when Rover gets more regular riders, the city plans to expand the number of routes and possibly offer service on weekends.

“We have MTSU, and if you look at bigger cities like Nashville, you see a lot of university students using public transit,” Nugent says. “And Murfreesboro itself is growing. We’re over 80,000 people now, and there are lots of new restaurants and hotels starting up.”

For information on fares and bus routes, visit murfreesborotn.gov.

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urfreesboro residents have a new way to get where they’re going and save gas thanks to Rover, the city’s new public bus system.

Rover began service to the public in April 2007 and offers six routes in the city of Murfreesboro. Buses run Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For many Murfreesboro residents,

Rover, the new public bus system

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A Sports Destination

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f sports are your passion, you’ve come to the right place. Rutherford County hosts dozens of athletic tournaments each year, and the list keeps growing.

“March is a huge month – we had about 40 sporting events in March 2007,” says Barbara Wolke, director of group sales for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. “We are the high school sports capital of Tennessee.

Almost all the high school championships are held here.”

Thanks to its central location and excellent athletic facilities, Rutherford County has been chosen to host all but three of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association’s high school sporting championships, including bowling, boys and girls basketball, golf, volleyball, cheerleading and dance, division one and two football, and the Spring Fling, which includes tennis, soccer, baseball, softball and track and field.

“It began with us hosting girls basketball in 1975, and we’ve hosted boys basketball for the past 18 years,” says Mona Herring, vice president of the Rutherford County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Because of the volunteer spirit in Rutherford County, we’ve been able to attract many more events.”

Middle Tennessee State University and the city of Murfreesboro have been key players in establishing Rutherford County’s reputation as a sports destination.

“The city of Murfreesboro recently made a contribution to MTSU for a new track and field venue with stadium seating, and it’s in the process of redoing the whole baseball complex,” Herring says. “Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation also has beautiful facilities and helps us with tennis, softball and soccer tournaments. There is a new soccer complex that’s the envy of every other county in the state.”

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Rutherford County is a major destination for athletic tournaments, including bowling. Above are the Hixson High School Division I Boys Champions.

County. Vanderbilt University’s awardwinning team bowls at the Smyrna Bowling Center, and the city was chosen to host the NCAA Music City Classic Bowling Tournament in 2007.

The tournament brings 16 collegiate

NORTH RUTHERFORD YMCA Ronald Reagan Family Center 2001 Motlow College Blvd.

Smyrna, TN 37167 • (615) 220-9622 • 80 Free Group Fitness Classes • Free Microfit Fitness Evaluation & Wellness Orientation • Year-Round Swim Lessons & Youth Swim Team • Youth Exercise Classes • Hangtime Youth Activity Classes • Leaders Club • Free Nursery • Skate Park • Birthday Parties • Restore Ministries

teams from across the country, and it will be held in Smyrna again in 2008.

MTSU’s Miller Coliseum is where equestrian events take place, including the Lone Star Rodeo in March and Road to the Horse in March. – Jessica Mozo

RUTHERFORD COUNTY FAMILY YMCA 205 N. Thompson Ln. Murfreesboro, TN 37129 • (615) 895-5995 • Newly Expanded Nursery • Relaxation/Stretching Room • Indoor Pool with Three-Lane Lap Pool & Outdoor Pool with Slide • 2,300 sq. ft. Teen & Family Center • Skate Park – over 20 Ramps • New State-of-the-Art Wellness Equipment • 65 Group Fitness Classes Per Week • Year-Round Swim Lessons • Youth Indoor Soccer & Basketball • SilverSneakers® Fitness Programs & Socials • Cheerleading/Gymnastics/Tumble Tots • Experienced & Certified Personal Trainers on Staff

Y-WAIT … COME VISIT US TODAY!

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Image Gallery

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Historic Cannonsburgh Village in Murfreesboro

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Business

uild It B

and They Will Come

HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER TO OPEN IN FALL 2008

STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

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he long-awaited Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel and Conference Center is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008 – and at least one convention is already booked.

The $70 million complex on Medical Center Parkway, just off Interstate 24, will feature a 10-story, 283-suite hotel along with an adjacent 80,000-squarefoot conference center that will be able to accommodate 2,000 people.

“Rutherford County hasn’t been able to host a group larger than 250 to 300 people, but soon we will be able to host 2,000,” says Mona Herring, vice president of the Rutherford County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Most conventions have groups of 500 or more, so we’ve been out of luck. But that will all change beginning in late 2008.”

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The first convention that’s booked is the 2009 Society for Military History Conference, which will take place at the center from April 2-5, 2009.

“A group from Middle Tennessee State University will host that particular conference,” Herring says. “Derrick Frisbee, an assistant professor at MTSU, was very excited to be the first one to sign a contract with Embassy Suites.

I’m sure that many more conventions will be generated from MTSU, where a lot of the professors are members of other professional organizations that hold national conventions.”

Herring says Embassy Suites will be responsible for booking all conventions, but the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and the Rutherford County Convention & Visitors Bureau are happy to assist in any way.

“We have already provided the people at Embassy Suites with 30 or 40 leads from convention planners who have contacted us in recent times,” Herring says. “So we are kind of the middle man in the process and are glad to pass those leads to Embassy.”

The construction project is being managed by Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels Management Co. LLC – a company known for developing hotel and convention centers in strategic locations.

“Mr. Hammons tends to build properties around colleges and universities because they are big demand-generators,” says Becky Vealey, director of sales and marketing for Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel and Conference Center. “Plus Rutherford County itself is growing so quickly. Big companies RUTHERFORD COUNT Y

A 283-suite hotel and adjacent 80,000-square-foot conference center is under construction on Medical Center Parkway in Murfreesboro. Below: The new facility is expected to generate more than $20 million in revenue each year.

are located here, and Rutherford County is in the middle of Tennessee and close to the capital city of Nashville.

It is an ideal location.”

Herring says the hotel/conference center will create 225 jobs and is expected to generate more than $20 million in revenue each year.

“More news in that location along Medical Center Parkway is that the Chamber, CVB, Small Business Development Center, Business Education Partnership, and the Economic Development offices are all moving into a new $5.6 million building – right across the street from the hotel/conference center,” she says. “Our new welcome center will be very handy for conference and meeting attendees to come into the chamber building for information about the area.”

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Business | Biz Briefs

STAFF PHOTO

overhaul an entire home, the store is still the place to go for unique accessories. The Peddler is an exclusive retailer for Herend China, Christopher Radko, Byers Choice and Vera Bradley.

It also offers personalized service for bridal registries, baby gifts, stationery and jewelry – and it still provides free gift wrap.

“This is our third location,” says Mary Ann Richardson, co-owner. “We started it here, and we’ve just kept it here.”

The moves have always led to bigger and better spaces over the years, a trend that will continue as long as people in Rutherford and surrounding counties stay as loyal as they have over the last three decades, she says.

The nonprofit Born Again Technologies finds new owners for old computers.

OLD COMPUTERS, REBORN Recycling paper and plastic is easy, but what about that old PC that’s been sitting in storage for the last five years?

That’s where Born Again Technologies comes in. The nonprofit corporation, launched in October 2006, is an affiliate of the Free Geek organization in Portland, Ore. Born Again’s idea is simple: Take older computers that people and companies no longer need, and get them into the hands of organizations and individuals that do – and in the process, keep all those components out of local landfills.

“We hope over time to work with other nonprofits and get computer equipment to people like single parents, disabled veterans – people who otherwise wouldn’t have it,” says Shawn Campbell, president of operations. “This equipment’s not new, but if you’re just using the Internet and maybe typing some Word documents, you don’t need the newest computers.”

The company is busy getting the word out about its services in a variety of ways, including having a volunteer teach computer classes at the local library, and working with city and 38

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county officials to become a focal point of community recycling events.

This would benefit everyone in the community, from the end user all the way back through local vendors who would refurbish the machines, Campbell says.

“Why throw a computer in the landfill if someone else has a chance to use it?” he asks. “This is about helping the environment and making technology available for everybody.”

PEDDLING RIGHT ALONG Happy customers and an evergrowing showroom have made the Peddler a one-stop shop for gifts, interior furnishings and more for 34 years.

The Peddler took over some adjoining space at its Georgetown Square location in 2005 and expanded to a 7,700-squarefoot showroom. The store now offers a wide variety of bed linens, household furniture, rugs, wrought-iron beds and more. The enlarged area is also home to the store’s interior-design team, so customers can work with a professional right in the store when they’re looking to enhance their home décor.

Even if someone isn’t looking to

PIGGING OUT IN MURFREESBORO Folks tend to be very particular about their barbecue. And for more than a decade, many, many people have been very, very particular about the Slick Pig in Murfreesboro.

Maybe it’s the smoked wings, or the ribs, or the chicken. Whatever it is, they keep coming back, and there’s talk of potential franchises down the road.

The Slick Pig’s culinary success story began in 1995, when John Robinson opened the restaurant. Since he was only 21, his parents came in as partners.

In addition to the original East Main Street location, there’s now a Slick Pig on Church Street in Murfreesboro, and all three Robinsons are still serving up the sides and visiting with the customers.

“We’re just blessed here,” says Jerry Robinson. “We get to meet good customers all the time, good people, and we’ve made a lot of friends. We probably fellowship just about as much as we serve food.”

Entrepreneurs in Nashville, White House and other Middle Tennessee locations have expressed interest in a Slick Pig of their own, so is a chain in the offing?

“People have come to us about it, but that’ll be new ground,” Robinson says.

“I’m all for any small business person who wants to give it a shot – that’s the kind of thing our nation is built on. If they work hard and take care of their customers, then people will come back and they can make it work.”

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location that we did has definitely worked out to our benefit.”

The company’s decision to continue its growth in Murfreesboro is due in no small part to the employees it has been able to recruit and retain.

“We have an excellent workforce here,” he says.

BANKING ON IT Doing business in the community is a hallmark of Rutherford County’s residents, so when MidSouth Bank launched its operations in January 2003, its founders thought they had a winning plan.

Five years and six locations later, it seems they were right.

“Our growth has been much better than average market growth, and we’re now the sixth largest bank in our market,” says Lee Moss, chairman and CEO. Moss attributes the bank’s success to its employees, most of whom have been bankers in the area for a long time.

“Our people are well known by the business decision makers here, and we’ve become the bank of choice for many clients,” he says.

The bank’s initial success came from the area’s businesses, but as it has built new locations and become more broadbased in its offerings, personal banking has picked up as well. MidSouth has even played the role of preservationist, purchasing as its headquarters the former First United Methodist Church building. Work is now being done to convert the structure to suit the bank’s operations.

– Joe Morris

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FLEX-IBLE GROWTH Rutherford County is in the geographical center of Tennessee, and it’s also a central point of operations for OFlex Group, a developer and manufacturer of corrugated tubing.

O-Flex products are used for vehicleoccupant and pedestrian-crash protection.

The global company’s Murfreesboro plant opened in 1996, and it has since expanded to a 40,000-square-foot facility that produces head-impact, energyabsorbing, corrugated tube products, Heat Protection Tube products and Pedestrian Impact Protection products for the automotive market. A second plant – which manufactures side-curtain air bag tubular components, seat belt retractors and pretensioners, and HVAC hose applications for the automotive market – came online in 2005, further enhancing the company’s Middle Tennessee presence.

“It was our intent to have something close to our existing plants for proximity purposes, and for ease of continuing the management between the two locations,” says Ron Ziemba, president. “Getting the

MidSouth Bank in Rutherford County

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Business | Chamber Report

A Three-Star County Is Born PRESTIGIOUS DESIGNATION COMES WITH MONEY-SAVING PERKS, OTHER ADVANTAGES

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utherford County is already saving thousands of dollars, thanks to a much sought-after Three Star designation from the state in 2007.

It’s the first time Rutherford County has attained Three-Star status – a designation that makes the county eligible for matching state grants, reduced energy-loan interest rates and other money-saving perks.

Laurel Baes, director of community development for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, spent an entire year gathering all the information needed to submit to the state of Tennessee in the Three-Star process.

“I had to compile detailed county information on education, municipal government, tourism and economic development – and that’s just for starters,” she says. “I had to meet with all the groups of people who are associated with those entities. Then all

the facts, figures and other information had to be put together in a professional manner for the state to review.”

The county wasn’t up for the designation until 2007 because no chamber staffer had the time to gather all the information needed to submit to the state, Baes says. “Our chamber was just overwhelmed with work until I was finally given the assignment for 2007,” she says. “I was happy to do it.”

Baes says that once the state receives all the written information from a community, it takes a few weeks for officials to rule whether or not a community will receive Three-Star status.

“Once a county is certified, a recertification process must take place every year – but that particular process won’t be anywhere as daunting as getting initially certified,” she says. “A community really just needs to update the information from the preceding year, which is rather easy to do.”

The advantages for a community are numerous once it becomes Three-Star certified. Designated communities are eligible for several advantages such as matching state grants, zero-percent interest loans for municipal projects, and reduced energy-loan interest rates.

Those benefits have already paid off in a big way for Rutherford County.

In 2007, Rutherford County Schools applied for a state loan to get energyefficient lights installed at all the schools, and the system received that loan at zero-percent interest.

“The school system would have normally been charged a 3 percent interest rate,” Baes says. “The ThreeStar designation saved the county thousands and thousands of dollars in energy savings. That is only one of the successes that residents will be hearing about in the future, thanks to Rutherford County earning its three stars.”

– Kevin Litwin

Gov. Phil Bredesen awarded Rutherford County and its municipalities the Three-Star certification from the state in 2007. This designation allows the county to receive special incentives and be more competitive for grant funding.

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Business | Economic Profile

RUTHERFORD COUNTY BUSINESS CLIMATE Rutherford County and its cities – Eagleville, La Vergne, Murfreesboro and Smyrna – are among the fastest-growing areas in the state, with a diversified economy and easy access to the nation’s markets.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS Company

TRANSPORTATION

Employees

Nissan North America

5,700

Rutherford County Schools

4,072

Middle Tennessee State University

3,000

Interstate 24 serves Rutherford County, linking it with Nashville and Chattanooga. I-24 converges with Interstates 40 and 65 just 15 miles north of Rutherford County, offering easy access to major markets.

State Route 840, a limitedaccess, four-lane highway through Rutherford County, offers access to I-40 East to Knoxville and I-65 South to Birmingham, as well as I-24. The next leg of the highway will offer access to I-40 West to Memphis.

Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.

Rutherford County has two airports – Murfreesboro Municipal Airport and Smyrna Airport. Nashville International Airport is just eight miles north of the county line.

Johnson Controls

630

Quality Industries

515

There is a CSX rail line (piggyback and container services available in nearby Nashville) and truck freight lines.

TAXES The state of Tennessee has no income tax.

Rutherford County citizens pay a 7% state sales tax, a 2.75% local sales tax and a $76.50 wheel tax. For specific information on city property taxes, county taxes and commercial taxes, visit www.rutherfordcountytn.gov.

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1,850

Ingram Book Company

1,658

State Farm Insurance Companies

1,550

Middle Tennessee Medical Center

1,300

City of Murfreesboro

1,200

Rutherford County Government

1,172

Alvin C. York V.A. Medical Center

1,150

Asurion

1,137

Verizon Wireless

1,083

Cinram

1,000

Vi-Jon

1,000

General Mills

750

Borders Group

701

INDUSTRIAL PARKS

COMMUTING

Rutherford County and its cities (Eagleville, La Vergne, Murfreesboro, Smyrna) do not own any industrial parks, but there are more than 600 privately owned industrial buildings located throughout the county. For available sites or more information, call the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce at (615) 869-0345 or visit rutherfordchamber.org.

Workers who commute to Rutherford County from: Bedford County, 1,885 Cannon County, 2,322 Coffee County, 1,298 Davidson County, 6,837 Marshall County, 279 Williamson County, 1,506 Wilson County, 1,988 Workers who commute from Rutherford County to: Bedford County, 560 Cannon County, 306

HOUSEHOLDS

Coffee County, 571 Davidson County, 25,297

2007 est., 86,837

Marshall County, 211

2012 projection, 101,280

Williamson County, 3,870

Change 1990-2000, 54.3%

Wilson County, 1,568

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Business | Economic Profile BUSINESS POINTS Employment trends indicate that private employment, retail trade, services and wholesale trade will continue to grow. With a lower cost for both land and workforce, white-collar and transportation, wholesaling and distribution business growth will continue with the expansion of the interstate system throughout the county.

Industry abounds in Rutherford County and represents a Who’s Who of corporate giants, such as Nissan North America, Ingram Book Company, Whirlpool Corp., Bridgestone/ Firestone Inc., State Farm Insurance Cos. and Verizon Wireless, to name just a few.

With an unemployment rate hovering between 3 percent and 5 percent – well below the national average – Middle Tennessee and Rutherford

County consistently outperform national economic indicators.

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Rutherford County’s retail trade base is made up of more than 350,000 people.

At its center, Murfreesboro has developed into a retail destination, attracting shoppers from a 10-county region. Retail sales in the county are more than $3 billion per year.

Population growth has driven a boom in residential construction, with the county issuing almost as many building permits as Nashville/ Davidson County over a threeyear period, with one-fourth the population.

Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro is the largest and fastest-growing university in Tennessee with more than 23,000 undergraduate students.

High school graduates age 25 and older Rutherford County, 86% Tennessee, 81% United States, 84% Bachelor’s degree or higher 27%

DISTANCE TO SELECTED MAJOR CITIES Cities

Mileage

Nashville

30

Bowling Green

95

Chattanooga

100

Knoxville

180

Birmingham

195

Louisville

205

Atlanta

215

Memphis

240

St. Louis

340

Source: www.rutherford countytn.gov

EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY Industry Agriculture, forestry & fishing

Percent

1,042

1.2%

4,080

4.6%

Communications & other utilities

1,752

2.0%

Construction

6,174

7.0%

Educational services

7,473

8.5%

1,159

1.3%

Business & repair service

Entertainment & recreational services Financial institutions & real estate

5,946

6.8%

Health services

8,071

9.2%

Manufacturing, durable

7,209

8.2%

13,490

15.3%

315

0.4%

Other professional services

4,363

5.0%

Personal services

2,625

3.0%

Public administration

3,414

3.9%

Retail trade

11,393

12.9%

Transportation

4,996

5.7%

Wholesale trade

4,488

5.1%

Manufacturing, nondurable Mining

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Employees

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Quality • Value • Beauty • Service

16 banks with combined deposits of $2,705,615,000 Resource Information: rutherfordchamber.org rutherfordcounty.org

LABOR MARKET PROFILE The labor market area consists of seven adjacent counties: Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Davidson, Marshall, Williamson and Wilson.

The labor force in this area totaled 646,226 in 2006. It is estimated that the population of the labor market will be 696,558 in 2011, which represents a change of 7.6 percent from 2006.

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VOTED #1 FLOORING STORE 13 YEARS IN A ROW!

The current population is 49 percent male and 51 percent female. The median age of the labor market area is 36, compared to the U.S. average of 35.

Celebr ating over 50 years of service to middle Tennessee

The prime labor force group – ages 18 through 54 – represents 52 percent of the labor market area’s population.

Comprehensive

HOUSING In 2007, the median house value for Rutherford County was $144,420, compared with the Nashville-area median housing value of $147,071 and $172,914 for the United States.

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Middle Tennessee Christian School Training for Eternity • Grades PreK-12 • Middle school and varsity athletics • Fine arts program • College preparatory curriculum • Accredited by SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) • Member of National Christian School Association and Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association

Christ-Centered • Christian faculty and staff • Integration of Biblical principles in all areas of school • Weekly chapel • Daily devotional and prayer

College Prep • Advanced placement and college dual credit courses • $1.8 million in academic, athletic and leadership scholarships awarded to Class of 2007; a class of 50 students • Average ACT scores of the class of 2008 is 24.5 • 50% of 6th graders qualified for the Duke Talent in Progress (TIP) test • Standardized achievement test in grades K-8 average in the top 23% of the nation

2007 est., $52,877

Schedule Your Visit:

2012 projection, $57,183

(615) 893-0601 • www.mtcscougars.org

Change 1990-2000, 49.9%

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After Over 25 Years in Rutherford County, We’re Sure Our People are the Greatest Contributors to Our Success.

“We’re proud to be in Rutherford County.”

www.generalmills.com

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Business | Economic Profile NATIONAL RANKINGS The Nashville-DavidsonMurfreesboro MSA ranks 4th in U.S. markets for “Economic Strength” – Policom, July 2007 La Vergne ranks 61st on list of “America’s Fastest Growing Suburbs.” – Forbes, July 2007 The Nashville-DavidsonMurfreesboro MSA ranks second on the list of “Best Cities for Relocating Families” – Worldwide ERC and Primacy Relocation, May 2007 The Nashville-DavidsonMurfreesboro MSA ranks ninth on the list of “Best Places for Business and Careers” – Forbes, April 2007 The Nashville-DavidsonMurfreesboro MSA ranks as

18th in the “Best Cities for Jobs” index – Forbes, February 2007 The Nashville-DavidsonMurfreesboro MSA is once again one of “America’s 50 Hottest Cities.” – Expansion Management magazine, January 2007 Tennessee ranks fifth for “Top State Business Climate” – Site Selection magazine, November 2006 Nashville-DavidsonMurfreesboro MSA ranks No. 1 in the “Best U.S. Cities for Relocating Singles.” – Worldwide ERC & Primacy Relocation, October 2006 Rutherford County ranks as 20th fastest-growing county in U.S. – U.S. Census Bureau, August 2006

Tennessee ranks No. 1 in “Economic Development Achievement” for 2006.

– Business Facilities, July 2006 Murfreesboro is No. 84 out of the 100 “2006 Best Places to Live” in the nation. – CNNMoney magazine, July 2006 The state of Tennessee ranks second on the “Top Ten Competitive States” list – Site Selection magazine, May 2006 MSA ranks fifth in the U.S. markets most promising to retail developers – Shopping Centers Today, May 2006 Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg ranks No. 88 of 100 most powerful people in Tennessee. – Business Tennessee magazine, April 2006 Rutherford is the fastestgrowing county in Tennessee by population moving in. – U.S Census Bureau, March 2006 MSA is a “Five-Star Knowledge Worker Metro.” – Expansion Management, March 2006 For two years in a row, MSA ranks No. 1 in the “America’s 50 Hottest Cities.” – Expansion Management, February 2006 MSA ranks 52nd out of 379 metropolitan areas in the “Best Performing Cities” index. – Milken Institute, February 2006 Smyrna ranks in the Top 10 Best Places to Retire – U.S. News & World Report, September 2007

FOR MORE INFORMATION Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce 501 Memorial Blvd.

P.O. Box 864 Murfreesboro, TN 37133-0864 (615) 893-6565 (800) 716-7560 Fax: (615) 890-7600 www.rutherfordchamber.org info@rutherfordchamber.org

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Education

BookLIT, a literacy program held at Smyrna Primary School, helps families learn to enjoy reading books together.

Sharing the Joy of Reading BOOKLIT PROGRAM HELPS SPARK A LOVE OF LITERACY AND LEARNING AS A FAMILY

E

very Monday evening for four weeks each semester, a small group of fifth-grade students and their parents gather in the art room at Smyrna Primary School.

There they share a meal, read a book together and engage in a craft or activity related to the book.

The whimsical atmosphere of the art room provides the perfect setting in which to accomplish the primary goal of the BookLIT program – turning kids on to the joy of reading.

“We built BookLIT [LIT stands for Learning and Investigating Together] as a vehicle for intergenerational communication that incorporates literacy,” says Dr. Ron Kates, Middle Tennessee State University English professor and project coordinator for MTSU’s Experiential Learning program. “We did not want this to be a remedial program.

It’s just about emphasizing the fun of reading – and of parents and children reading together.”

Smyrna Primary’s fifth graders aren’t the only students getting something out of BookLIT, however. The program – which originated in spring 2006 as a collaboration between the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Education Partnership Foundation and MTSU’s Experiential Learning department – gives college students the opportunity to work in a local school. Laura Beth Jackson of the Chamber oversees operations. Under her direction, the college students run the program.

“Usually two to four MTSU students lead the actual groups,” Jackson says. “They plan the activities, discussions, games and crafts. We’ve had more than a dozen students RUTHERFORD COUNT Y

participate, and those who do get college credit for it.”

In addition to the credit, participating students have gained some personal rewards.

“I’ve really had a great time working with the kids and their parents,” says MTSU English major Stephanie Weaver.

“The kids come up with things I’d never even thought of, and the parents always bring something new to the table.”

When Weaver brought in modeling clay for one of the activities, she wasn’t sure the parents would take part. “But they got into it just as much as the kids did,” she says.

BookLIT also has brought a unifying focus to parent/child groups with racial diversity and varying levels of education.

“Everyone has a blast,” Jackson says. “It’s been really sweet for those of us running the program to witness the interaction between parents and kids. We’ve seen some great family dynamics.”

Now other programs are being developed using the BookLIT model – evidence that the program is working, Kates says.

But the most important results show up on the student evaluation cards, where the kids say they’ve found out reading is fun.

That’s been our hope,” Jackson says, “That the kids will find learning is a great experience.”

– Carol Cowan SEE MORE ONLINE | For more information, visit imagesrutherford.com and search “education.”

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Education

New Schools Are in Session FACILITIES ADD SPACE, TECHNOLOGY

T

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Conventional • FHA • VA • THDA • FMHA Subprime • Interest-only Loans Available

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he 2007-2008 school year kicked off with some brand-new accommodations for growing numbers of students in Rutherford County.

The new La Vergne Lake Elementary School has alleviated overcrowding at La Vergne Primary and Roy Waldron Elementary. The K-5 school’s capacity ranges from 850 to 1,000 students, and population hit the 900 mark on day one, says James Evans, spokesman for Rutherford County Schools.

New technology at La Vergne Lake includes Classroom Performance System wireless remotes that promote interactive teaching and learning; a media center that combines a library and a technology center; computer labs; and one computer for every five students, Evans says.

John Pittard Elementary, built in a growing area of Murfreesboro, is likely to win some architectural awards, says Cheryl Harris, spokeswoman for Murfreesboro City Schools.

John Pittard’s traditional style is reminiscent of historic buildings – “the way you think an old school should look,” Harris says.

But its classrooms feature built-in flat screen monitors, SMART Board interactive whiteboards and wireless Internet.

The K-6 school will accommodate more than 1,000 students. Construction of the John Pittard school allowed two other Murfreesboro city schools to transition to new uses.

“This has really had a domino effect,” Harris says. “It’s been like building three new schools.”

– Carol Cowan

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Sports & Recreation

Where the Wild Things Are GETTING BACK TO NATURE IS NATURAL AT BARFIELD CRESCENT PARK

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and Christy-Houston grants totaled more than $5.6 million.

“What a wonderful gift the residents of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County received with little cost to them due to the Christy-Houston Foundation,” says Dennis Rainier, the city’s parks and recreation director.

Rainier describes Barfield Crescent as “a collaboration of all things for all people. People like Barfield because it’s truly a family park. There’s something for everyone.”

Wild Things is just one of the park’s programs that has won accolades from the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association. Another is Home School in the Wilderness, an intensive, fourhour education program presented monthly for home-schooled children.

Paschall says the park is “getting on the bandwagon” of a national movement dubbed No Child Left Inside, while also exploring the possibility of opening the campground for school-sanctioned overnight camping trips.

Rainier says his department has been fortunate to enjoy communitywide support.

“People here want to do quality things in their leisure time, and they are avid supporters of our programs and facilities,” he says. “It seems like the general public is willing to step up to the plate. It’s a credit to the citizenry that they’re not willing to accept second-best.”

Barfield Crescent Park is certainly evidence of that.

– Sharon H. Fitzgerald

BRIAN M C CORD

W

ith topics like Silly Salamanders, Leapin’ Lizards and Lovely Ladybugs, it’s no wonder that toddlers flock to the Wild Things recreation program at Murfreesboro’s Barfield Crescent Park.

What’s a little less expected is how much the adults who tag along enjoy and learn about the subjects.

“Moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles bring the kids and stay with them during what we call an outdoor adventure and discovery program for 5-year-olds and younger,” says Deborah Paschall, Barfield Crescent’s program coordinator.

“I remember one grandmother who would always come out saying, ‘I am learning so much!’ ” Barfield Crescent is a showpiece of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Its 300 acres include an eight-field softball and baseball complex, a disc golf course, pavilions and playgrounds, walking and jogging trails, and a scenic wilderness area with trails under forest canopies, a campground and access to river wading. The Wilderness Station includes classrooms and an outdoor store, and it’s headquarters for the park’s ever-increasing array of educational offerings to boost appreciation of Mother Nature’s handiwork. Wild Things was the first program offered when the park opened in 2000, and Paschall says it’s still going strong.

Located at Murfreesboro’s southern border, Barfield Crescent was made possible in no small measure by the Christy-Houston Foundation, a philanthropy established with the $50 million proceeds from the 1986 sale of the publicly owned hospital. The tab for the park’s development, including land acquisition, was more than $8.3 million,

Program Specialist Ann Mather shows children a turkey feather at the Wild Things class at Barfield Crescent Park, which offers many popular programs.

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The Original

Charlie Murphy

is now located in the K-mart Plaza between Big Lots & Tuesday Morning • Custom Orthotics

“Good

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• Custom Shoes • Diabetic Packages • Orthopedic Shoes • Compression Garments • Braces • Medical Supplies • Orthopedic Build-Ups

Most Insurance Accepted

Orthopedics & Foot Care 1238 N.W. Broad St. MURFREESBORO (615) 895-5652 No Appointment Necessary

Photo by Amanda Greer

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OPENING IN 2008!

10540 Cedar Grove Rd. • Smyrna, TN 37167 (615) 223-0005 WWW.WATERFORDINBELLEVUE.COM An Emerald Group LLC Property

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Health & Wellness

A Ray of Hope PRIMARY CARE & HOPE CLINIC OFFERS HEALTH CARE TO THOSE IN NEED

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BRIAN M C CORD

F

or some residents of Rutherford and Cannon counties, health insurance is an unobtainable dream. But thanks to the Primary Care & Hope Clinic in Murfreesboro, health care is not.

“It’s been interesting watching this evolve,” says Lisa Terry, the clinic’s CEO. “When I first came here, we were needed, but nothing like we’re needed today. That’s why we just keep growing, because the number of patients who need our services just keeps on growing.”

A nurse practitioner, Terry joined the clinic in 1994, just two years after it was incorporated with the help of a state grant as a not-for-profit provider of quality, affordable health care.

The growing number of patient visits – more than 18,000 in 2007 – means the clinic is scheduled to move to its fourth location in the summer of 2008, and this time the facility is custom-built to meet the clinic’s needs. Thanks to a $3.9 million grant from the charitable Christy-Houston Foundation – established with proceeds from the 1986 sale of the countyowned hospital – the clinic’s new, 23,000-square-foot digs will feature 24 patient rooms and three special-procedure treatment rooms. The facility is under construction in the new Murfreesboro Gateway district on 2.3 acres donated by the city. The clinic is turning to individuals, businesses and charities to sponsor patient rooms, which means providing the funds for furnishings and equipment. Terry says the estimate for outfitting the new clinic’s interior is about $560,000, which includes $145,000 for X-ray capabilities – an in-house luxury the clinic hasn’t enjoyed before.

Two other nonprofit organizations, Community Helpers and Dispensary of Hope, will also move to the new clinic.

A service of Middle Tennessee Medical Center, Dispensary of Hope helps the medically underserved obtain prescription medications, and Community Helpers offers emergency financial assistance to low-income families.

The Primary Care & Hope Clinic has physician volunteers and 20 paid staff members, including nurse practitioners

CEO Lisa Terry oversees the not-for-profit Primary Care & Hope Clinic, which moves to a new location in 2008.

and nurses, medical assistants, office personnel and social workers who meet with new patients to determine their financial circumstances and review their needs. The clinic accepts TennCare, the state’s answer to Medicaid, and uninsured patients are charged on a sliding scale determined by their income. Patients must present proof of residency and their latest tax return.

“The misconception sometimes is that everybody who is uninsured doesn’t work. That’s completely inaccurate,” Terry says. “The majority of our patients do have jobs, but they have jobs that don’t offer insurance – or they may have a condition that makes them uninsurable.”

In 2006, The New York Times Job Market magazine chose Terry as one of four nurses to honor nationwide in its “Tribute to Nurses” program, established in 2002. The recognition “made me really reflect on why I stay in this game,” Terry recalls. “This is a very stressful job and a very difficult patient population to serve.” Then, with tears in her eyes, she adds, “The longer I stay here and the more families I see, the more I can’t leave.”

– Sharon H. Fitzgerald

SEE MORE ONLINE | For more information, visit imagesrutherford.com and search “health care.”

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Arts & Culture

The Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra has named Bowling Green conductor Jeffrey A. Reed as its next director.

Playing Musical Chairs SYMPHONY CHANGES NAME AND CONDUCTOR, TRIES UNCONVENTIONAL APPROACH

S

ound the trumpets. The symphony orchestra in Murfreesboro is now appropriately named the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra.

Originally chartered in 1981 as the Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra chose a new name that more residents would associate with its Murfreesboro home.

Symphony board members made the name-change decision following the retirement of Laurence Harvin in early 2007.

“Laurence was the Tennessee Philharmonic’s founder and conductor for 25 years, but with his retirement came a decision by board members to take the symphony in a new direction,” says Darla Jackson, business manager with the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra. “The board thought it was time for a complete new image, so the current name was approved. In addition, a new conductor with a flair for the unusual was hired.”

That new conductor and music director is Jeffrey A. Reed, who was formerly in charge of the Bowling Green (Ky.) Western Symphony Orchestra for a number of years.

“Jeffrey was able to dramatically grow the Bowling Green orchestra during his recent tenure, at a time when most symphonies are struggling these days,” Jackson says. “Reed takes an unconventional approach to conducting. For example, he often mixes pops with classical music, which most conductors would never do. Because of his innovative

RUTHERFORD COUNT Y

approach, the Murfreesboro board has agreed to see what Jeffrey can do with our orchestra at least through the 20072008 season.”

Reed officially began his stint with the Murfreesboro symphony in October 2007 by conducting a concert that featured the music of The Beatles.

“That production turned out to be very successful,” Jackson says. “Everyone affiliated with the orchestra was happy with the outcome.”

In November 2007, Reed directed a show called “Be a Good Sport,” featuring sports music such as The Natural for baseball and the William Tell Overture for archery. In December, he directed a “Yule Be Home for Christmas” concert, followed in January with a “That’s Italian” performance of Italian songs.

The 2007-2008 season wraps up in March 2008 with a production called “Night With Oscar” that features a compilation of award-winning songs from the motionpicture industry.

“All performances of the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra occur at the First United Methodist Church on Thompson Lane, with the church offering plenty of seating along with beautiful, wonderful acoustics,” Jackson says.

“It is an exciting time to be a part of this organization.

We invite everyone in Rutherford County to come see what we are all about.”

– Kevin Litwin I M AG E S R U T H E R F O R D . C O M

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LaVergne If you’re looking for a small town feel …

If you want closeness to metropolitan areas …

If you want to live where neighbors can be neighbors …

If you want jobs near your home …

If you want a place you can call home …

Then you want La Vergne!

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Join the effort at www.komen.org

questions

answers

La Vergne City Hall • 5093 Murfreesboro Rd. • La Vergne, TN 37086 (615) 793-6295 • Fax: (615) 793-6025 • www.lavergne.org

© 2002 American Cancer Society, Inc.

8 0 0 . A C S . 2 3 4 5 / c a n c e r. o r g

It’s What You’re Looking For!

or 1.800 I’M AWARE®.

This space provided as a public service. ©2004, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

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Community Profile

RUTHERFORD COMMUNITY COUNTY SNAPSHOT Hear that noise? It’s Rutherford County continuing to boom.

The county has issued more than 3,000 single- and multifamily residential building permits every year since 1999.

MTSU provide a $3 million economic impact to Rutherford County every March.

MEDICAL FACILITIES Hospitals include Middle Tennessee Medical Center and Murfreesboro Medical Clinic in Murfreesboro, StoneCrest Medical Center in Smyrna and the Alvin C. York V.A. Medical Center in Murfreesboro.

LIFE IN RUTHERFORD CO.

Rutherford County ranks No. 1 in Tennessee for horse population, according to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

CLIMATE Avg. annual temperature, 59.6 F Avg. monthly high temperature January 48.9 F, July 90.3 F Avg. monthly low temperature January 28.9 F, July 67.1 F Avg. annual precipitation 50.64"

The population of Rutherford County was 118,570 in 1990, and it grew to more than 229,380 in 2007.

Avg. annual snowfall, 5.9"

The economic impact of MTSU on Rutherford and Davidson counties amounts to more than $350 million each year.

An average annual temperature of 60 degrees makes it easy to have a green thumb in Rutherford County.

Popular trees grown in the county include ash, holly, magnolia, pin oak and red maple, while common shrubs include crepe myrtle, forsythia, oak leaf hydrangea and viburnum. Popular flowers are

A dozen tourism sites in Rutherford County are devoted to the Civil War. The annual boys and girls TSSAA State High School Basketball Tournaments at

GARDENING

begonia, day lily, iris, impatiens and pansy, and abundant crops are corn, soybeans and wheat.

Alfalfa and hay are also grown for livestock.

RECREATION Recreation opportunities are abundant in Rutherford County. For information about facilities and programs contact: Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation Department 697 Barfield Crescent Road Murfreesboro, 890-5333 Parks & Recreation Department Town Centre 100 East Sam Ridley Parkway Smyrna, 459-9710 La Vergne Parks & Recreation Department 294 Sand Hill Road La Vergne, 793-3224 North Rutherford YMCA 2001 Mason Tucker Drive Smyrna, 220-9622 SportsCom 2310 Memorial Blvd.

Murfreesboro, 895-5040 THIS SECTION IS SPONSORED BY

The area code for Rutherford County is 615.

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Community Profile Patterson Park Community Center 521 Mercury Blvd.

Murfreesboro, 893-7439 St. Clair Street Senior Center 325 St. Clair St. Murfreesboro, 848-2550 Smyrna Senior Citizens Center 100 Raikes St. Smyrna, 459-4839

ATTRACTIONS Oaklands Historic House Museum 900 N. Maney Ave. Murfreesboro, 893-0022 Sam Davis Home and Museum 1399 Sam Davis Road Smyrna, 459-2341

La Vergne Senior Center 337 Stones River La Vergne, 793-3048

Discovery Center at Murfree Spring 502 S.E. Broad St. Murfreesboro, 890-2300

YMCA 205 N. Thompson Lane Murfreesboro, 895-5995

Cannonsburgh Village 312 S. Front St. Murfreesboro, 890-0355

Bradley Academy 415 S. Academy St. Murfreesboro, 867-2633 Fortress Rosecrans Old Fort Park Murfreesboro, 893-9501 Nissan North America (tours) 983 Nissan Drive Smyrna, 459-1444 Geographic Center of Tennessee Old Lascassas Pike Murfreesboro, 893-6565 Rutherford County Courthouse Public Square Murfreesboro, 898-7745 Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Center for the Arts 110 W. College St. Murfreesboro, 904-2787 Middle Tennessee State University 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, 898-2111 Stones River Greenway Trail 3-mile walking trail connects Stones River National Battlefield and Fortress Rosecrans Stones River National Battlefield 3501 Old Nashville Hwy. Murfreesboro, 893-9501 Tennessee Livestock Center 1720 Greenland Drive Murfreesboro, 898-5575 Tennessee Miller Coliseum 304-B W. Thompson Lane Murfreesboro, 494-8961

GOLF COURSES Indian Hills Golf Course 405 Calumet Trace Murfreesboro, 895-3642 Old Fort Golf Course 1028 Old Fort Pkwy.

Murfreesboro, 849-2624 Cedar Crest Golf Course 7972 Mona Road Murfreesboro, 849-7837

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Stones River Country Club 1830 N.W. Broad St. Murfreesboro, 893-1353

Homer Pittard Campus School (K-6) 895-1030

Veterans Administration Golf Course 3400 Lebanon Road Murfreesboro, 893-2543

John Coleman (K-5) 459-2613

Smyrna Municipal Golf Course 101 Sam Ridley Parkway Smyrna, 459-2666

Lascassas (K-8), 893-0758

Champions Run Golf Course 14262 Mt. Pleasant Road Rockvale, 274-2301

SCHOOLS

Kittrell Elementary (K-8) 893-7604 La Vergne High (9-12) 904-3870 La Vergne Lake Elementary (K-5), 904-6131 La Vergne Middle School (6-8) 904-3877 La Vergne Primary (K-2) 904-6735

McFadden School of Excellence (K-8), 893-7251 Oakland High (9-12) 904-3780 Riverdale High (9-12) 890-6450 Rock Springs Elementary (K-5), 904-3820 Rock Springs Middle (6-8), 904-3825 Rockvale (K-8), 904-3881 Roy Waldron Jr. High (4-8), 904-3785 Siegel High (9-12), 904-3800 Siegel Middle (6-8), 904-3830

Higher Education Middle Tennessee State University, 898-2300 Tennessee Technology Center 898-8010 Motlow State Community College, 220-7880 Draughons Junior College 217-9347 Public Schools Rutherford County Schools Central Office 893-5812 www.rcs.k12.tn.us Barfield Elementary (K-5) 904-3810 Blackman Elementary (K-5), 904-3795 Blackman High (9-12) 904-3850 Blackman Middle (6-8) 904-3860 Buchanan (K-8), 893-3651 Cedar Grove (K-5), 904-3777 Central Middle (7-8) 893-8262 Christiana Elementary (K-5) 896-0614 Christiana Middle (6-8) 904-3885 Daniel McKee Alternative (6-12), 890-2282 David Youree (K-5), 904-6775 Eagleville (K-12), 904-6710 Holloway High (9-12) 890-6004

The area code for Rutherford County is 615.

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Community Profile Smyrna Elementary (K-5), 459-6343

Thurman Francis Arts Academy (K-8), 459-4128

Cason Lane Academy (K-6), 898-7145

Smyrna High (9-12), 904-3865

Walter Hill Elementary (K-5) 893-8046

Discovery School at Reeves-Rogers, 895-4973

Wilson Elementary (K-5) 904-3840

Erma Siegel Elementary (K-6), 904-1002

Smyrna Middle (6-8) 904-3845 Smyrna Primary (K-5) 904-6720

Murfreesboro City Schools cityschools.net

Smyrna West Alternative (6-12) 904-3856 Stewartsboro (K-5), 904-6705

Bellwood-Bowdoin Pre-school 895-2123

Stewarts Creek Elementary (K-5), 904-6750

Black Fox Elementary (K-6), 893-6395

Stewarts Creek Middle School (6-8), 904-6700

Bradley Elementary (K-6), 895-2672

Hobgood Elementary (K-6), 895-2744 John Pittard Elementary 396-0240 Mitchell-Neilson Elementary (3-6) 890-7841 Mitchell-Neilson Primary (K-2), 895-2904 Northfield Elementary (K-6) 895-7324 Scales Elementary (K-6) 895-5279

Relocating?

Trust the experts at Elite Relocation to guide you to your new

UTILITIES Electric Services Eagleville Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp.

893-7570 La Vergne Nashville Electric Service 736-6900 Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp.

Hwy. 41, 459-5261 Murfreesboro Murfreesboro Electric Department, 225 N. Walnut St. 893-5514 Rutherford County

destination.

Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp.

Hwy. 41, 893-7570 Smyrna

Elite Relocation Services A Division of RE/MAX Elite 109 Westpark Dr., Ste. 100 Brentwood, TN 37027 Direct: (615) 850-4122 Main: (615) 661-4400 Toll-free: (800) 582-3204 Fax: (615) 296-9710 www.tnprop.com

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Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp.

Hwy. 41, 459-5261 Water La Vergne Water & Sewer Department 148 International Blvd.

793-7744 Murfreesboro Water & Sewer Department 300 N.W. Broad St. 890-0862

RUTHERFORD COUNT Y

Smyrna Utilities 315 S. Lowry St. 355-5740

RUTHERFORD COUNTY HOUSEHOLD INCOME (2007 EST.)

Consolidated Utility District 709 New Salem Hwy. Murfreesboro, 893-7275 Natural Gas Atmos Energy (countywide) 334 W. Lokey Ave. Murfreesboro, 888-824-3434 Smyrna Utilities 315 S. Lowry St. 355-5740 Telephone Service AT&T (countywide) 5093 Murfreesboro Road Murfreesboro, 890-2707

3.68% Less than $15,000, 10.85% 10.85%

$15,000 - $24,999, 9.3%

11.13% 9.3%

$35,000 - $49,999, 16.32%

14.09% 10.79%

23.85%

$25,000 - $34,999, 10.79%

16.32%

$50,000 - $74,999, 23.85% $75,000 - $99,999, 14.09% $100,000 - $149,999, 11.13% $150,000 +, 3.68%

116 S. Cannon Ave. Murfreesboro, 848-2070 TDS Telecom 5265 Murfreesboro Rd. La Vergne, 793-7741 Refuse Murfreesboro residents are provided weekly collection by the City of Murfreesboro Solid Waste Department 630 W. Main St., 893-3681.

County residents may use the dumpsters located conveniently throughout the county or subscribe to private collection.

PUBLIC SERVICES Administration Eagleville City Hall 126 S. Main St., 274-6992 La Vergne City Hall 5093 Murfreesboro Rd. 793-6295 Murfreesboro City Hall 111 W. Vine St., 893-5210 Rutherford County Courthouse 1 Public Square Murfreesboro, 898-7745 Smyrna City Hall 315 S. Lowry St., 459-2553 Tennessee Governor’s Office State Capitol, Nashville 741-2001

The area code for Rutherford County is 615.

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Community Profile Fire Service Eagleville Fire Department Main Street, 274-6992

Rutherford Parent, monthly Images of Rutherford

2008 ALL NATIONS AMERICAN INDIAN FESTIVAL

La Vergne Fire Department 169 Stones River Rd. 793-6223

County, annual

Murfreesboro Fire Department 220 N.W. Broad St. 893-1422

Radio

Smyrna Fire Department 315 S. Lowry St. 459-6644

WMOT Radio 89.5 FM

Police Service Eagleville Police Department Main Street, 274-6992

WMTS Radio 88.3 FM WGNS Radio 100.5 FM

11-15

La Vergne Police Department City Hall, 793-7744

& 101.9 FM

TSSAA BOYS STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Rutherford County Economic Guide, annual

4-8

WAPB Radio 810 AM

TSSAA GIRLS STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

WFCM Radio 91.7 FM & 710 AM

Murphy Center Murfreesboro 898-2300

WBOZ Radio 105 FM WRLG Radio 94.1 FM

Comcast Cablevision

Murphy Center Murfreesboro 898-2300

All Nashville TV and radio stations

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department

15

2008 EVENTS

940 New Salem Rd. Murfreesboro, 898-7770 Smyrna Police Department City Hall, 459-6644

LA VERGNE EASTER EGG HUNT Bicentennial Park, La Vergne 793-7303, ext. 102

March 1-2

ROAD TO THE HORSE COMPETITION

MEDIA Newspapers The Daily News Journal, daily The Tennessean, daily Rutherford A.M., twice weekly Rutherford Reader, weekly The Murfreesboro Post, weekly Magazines The Murfreesboro Magazine, bimonthly

Tennessee Miller Coliseum Murfreesboro (877) 772-5425

22

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Sam Davis Home, Smyrna 459-2341

April

1

SEUSS CELEBRATION

12-13

Discovery Center at Murfree Spring Murfreesboro 890-2300

THE GREAT TENNESSEE AIR SHOW 2008

Finding or selling your home is where my heart is.

TAMMY HEATHCOTT Cell: (615) 202-2415

I M AG E S R U T H E R F O R D . C O M

Tennessee Livestock Center Murfreesboro 796-4210

WGNS Radio 1450 AM

Television

Murfreesboro Police Department, 302 S. Church St. 893-1311

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1-2

Smyrna Airport 459-2651

Neals Lighting Center A Neal Family Business Since 1939

2245 Keeneland Commercial Blvd.

Murfreesboro, TN 37127

Mon-Fri: 8-5 Thurs: 8-8

Office: (615) 896-4740 Fax: (615) 896-8138 E-mail: theathcott@realtracs.com www.clarkmaples.com

406 W. Burton St. (615) 893-8013 Fax: (615) 890-1151

RUTHERFORD COUNT Y

12

June

DINNER AND MOVIE NIGHT Sam Davis Home, Smyrna 459-2341 26

32ND ANNUAL CANNONSBURGH PIONEER DAY Cannonsburgh Village Murfreesboro 890-0355

7, 21

HALLOWED GROUND: A LANTERN TOUR OF THE STONES RIVER NATIONAL CEMETERY Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro 893-9501 13-15

5TH ANNUAL TENNESSEE HERITAGE BBQ FESTIVAL

30-May 3

DAYS ON THE FARM Sam Davis Home, Smyrna 459-2341

Sam Davis Home and Museum, Smyrna 459-2341

21

INTERNATIONAL FOLKFEST 2008 Around the courthouse on the Murfreesboro Public Square 896-3559 23-28

FRONT PORCH PASTIMES DAY CAMP Oaklands Historic House Museum, Murfreesboro 893-0022

May 3

JAZZFEST 2008 Public Square 895-1887 13-14

A DAY OF WASHING, CHURNING AND LEARNING Oaklands Historic House Museum, Murfreesboro 893-0022 17

FREE DAY IN MAY Numerous locations throughout county 893-6565 19-24

TSSAA SPRING FLING Call for venues.

889-6740 24

HALLOWED GROUND: A LANTERN TOUR OF THE STONES RIVER NATIONAL CEMETERY Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro 893-9501 24

REMINISCING IN BLUE AND GRAY TOURS Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro 893-9501

The area code for Rutherford County is 615.

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Community Profile

July

Visit Our Advertisers Amsouth/Regions Bank www.amsouth.com Ascend Federal Credit Union www.ascendfcu.org Black Box Network Services www.blackboxvss.com Bumpus Harley Davidson www.bumpusharleydavidson.com City of La Vergne www.lavergne.org City Tile & Floor Covering LLC www.citytile.net Clark Maples Realty & Auction Company www.clarkmaples.com Community First Bank & Trust www.cfbk.com Doubletree Hotel Murfreesboro www.doubletreemurfreesboro.com Exit Realty – Masterson Network www.mastersonnetworkhomes.com F&M Bank www.myfmbank.com Farmer Brothers Insurance www.farmerbrothersinsurance.com General Mills www.generalmills.com Guaranty Trust www.guarantytrust.com Keller Williams – Todd Taylor www.tnsoldhome.com Middle Tennessee Christian School www.mtcscougars.org Middle Tennessee Medical Center www.mtmc.org Midsouth Bank www.midsouthbanking.com Motlow State Community College www.mscc.edu Murfreesboro Electric Department www.murfreesboroelectric.com Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & Surgicenter www.mmclinic.com Murphy’s Orthopedics & Foot Care Nashville International Airport www.flynashville.com Neals Lighting Center Ole South Properties Inc. www.olesouth.com Parktrust Development www.marymontsprings.com Pictopia Inc. Re/Max Elite – Michele Niec www.tnprop.com Reeves-Sain www.reevessain.com State Farm Insurance www.statefarm.com

5

5-7

REMINISCING IN BLUE AND GRAY TOURS

PIONEER POWER DAYS

Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro 893-9501

New show grounds on Chapel Highway 274-6987, 330-2852 or (931) 294-5973

5, 19

10

HALLOWED GROUND: A LANTERN LIGHT TOUR OF THE STONES RIVER NATIONAL CEMETERY

A DAY OF WASHING, CHURNING AND LEARNING

Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro 893-9501 11-13

31ST ANNUAL UNCLE DAVE MACON DAYS FESTIVAL

Throneberry Properties www.throneberry.com Town of Smyrna www.townofsmyrna.org Victoria Place Townhomes www.throneberry.com Webb School www.webbschool.com Weichert Realtors – Carroll & Company www.weichertcarroll Wilson Bank & Trust www.wilsonbank.com Wings of Eagles School of Flight www.wingsmqy.com YMCA Rutherford County www.ymcamidtn.org

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20

OLD TIMER’S DAY Veteran’s Memorial Park, La Vergne 287-8690

12

LA VERGNE ROTARY/DARE CAR SHOW La Vergne City Hall 459-4145 18-20

41ST ANNUAL MURFREESBORO ANTIQUE SHOW Murphy Center, Murfreesboro 893-8524 or 631-0734 19

ARTILLERY BATTERY PROGRAMS Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro 893-9501

August

Tennessee Technology Center at Murfreesboro www.ttcmurfreesboro.edu

The Waterford in Smyrna

Oaklands Historic House Museum, Murfreesboro 893-0022

Cannonsburgh Village, Murfreesboro 893-2369

Stonecrest Family Physicians www.stonecrestfp.com

The Avenue Murfreesboro www.theavenuealist.com

September

2, 16, 30

HALLOWED GROUND: A LANTERN TOUR OF THE STONES RIVER NATIONAL CEMETERY Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro 893-9501 30-31

FOR MORE INFORMATION Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce 501 Memorial Blvd.

P.O. Box 864 Murfreesboro, TN 37133-0864 (615) 893-6565 (800) 716-7560 Fax: (615) 890-7600 rutherfordchamber.org info@rutherfordchamber.org

FIGHTING FOR HOME AND HEARTH Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro 893-9501

Source: Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce

RUTHERFORD COUNT Y

TM

OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY SENIOR EDITOR REBECCA DENTON COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, KIM MADLOM, BILL McMEEKIN, ANITA WADHWANI STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN, JESSICA MOZO DIRECTORIES EDITORS AMANDA MORGAN, KRISTY WISE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT JESSY YANCEY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SHARON H. FITZGERALD, ELLEN MARGULIES, JOE MORRIS REGIONAL SALES MANAGER CHARLES FITZGIBBON ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER TODD POTTER INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER JOE THOMAS ONLINE SALES MANAGER MATT SLUTZ SALES SUPPORT MANAGER SARA SARTIN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, WES ALDRIDGE, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, BRIAN MCCORD CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR SHAWN DANIEL PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS ASST. PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR HAZEL RISNER SENIOR PRODUCTION PROJECT MGR. TADARA SMITH PRODUCTION PROJECT MGRS. MELISSA HOOVER, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, VIKKI WILLIAMS LEAD DESIGNER KRIS SEXTON GRAPHIC DESIGN JESSICA BRAGONIER, CANDICE HULSEY, ALISON HUNTER, JANINE MARYLAND, LINDA MOREIRAS, AMY NELSON, CARL RATLIFF WEB PROJECT MANAGER ANDY HARTLEY WEB DESIGN RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ WEB PRODUCTION JILL TOWNSEND COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN CORY MITCHELL AD TRAFFIC MEGHANN CAREY, SARAH MILLER, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING SYBIL STEWART V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS MAURICE FLIESS MANAGING EDITOR/TRAVEL SUSAN CHAPPELL PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, RICHIE FITZPATRICK, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY WALDRIP COMMUNITY PROMOTION DIRECTOR CINDY COMPERRY DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH MARKETING DIRECTOR KATHLEEN ERVIN MARKETING COORDINATOR AMY AKIN IT SYSTEMS DIRECTOR MATT LOCKE IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE CUSTOM SALES COORDINATOR PATTI CORNELIUS SALES COORDINATOR JENNIFER ALEXANDER

Spacious • One bedroom, one bath garden apartments • Two and three bedroom, two-and-a-half bath townhomes • Ceiling fans • Washer and dryers included in all units • Front porch and rear patio • Walk-in closets • Built-in microwaves • Ice maker • Dishwashers • Vaulted ceilings in one bedroom

Where the name says it all …

1322 N. Rutherford Blvd. • Murfreesboro, TN • (615) 848-1100 w w w. t h r o n e b e r r y. c o m

OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM

Images of Rutherford County is published annually

by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce 501 Memorial Blvd. • Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 893-6565 • Fax: (615) 890-7600 www.rutherfordchamber.org E-mail: info@rutherfordchamber.org VISIT IMAGES OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY ONLINE AT IMAGESRUTHERFORD.COM ©Copyright 2008 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

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Member Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Please recycle this magazine

RUTHERFORD COUNT Y

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