The Contributor: January 3, 2024 by the-contributor-live

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I N T HLEa NI S ticia SUE

Contributor Board

LOCALES - POLÍTICA - INMIGRACIÓN - TRABAJOS - SALUD - ESPECTÁCULOS - DEPORTES Y MÁS...

2023

L a N ticia

Año 21 - No. 384

“DONDE OCURREN LOS HECHOS QUE IMPORTAN, SIEMPRE PRIMERO... ANTES”

GRATIS Diciembre

Newspaper Nashville

w w w. h i s p a n i c p a p e r. c o m

Nashville, Tennessee

Crecimiento en Nashville: Casi 100 Nuevos Residentes Todos los Días

Vendor Writing

Community Meal

Escanee esta imagen para ver La Noticia newspaper edición bilingüe digital

Los datos revelan que el área metropolitana de Nashville presenció un crecimiento sustancial, dando la bienvenida a aproximadamente 35,624 nuevos residentes en 2022. Este aumento está dando forma significativa al paisaje de la ciudad, brindando tanto oportunidades como desafíos a medida que Nashville consolida su reputación como un destino codiciado en el sur de Estados Unidos.

do el crecimiento en varios sectores de la economía local. Los empresarios aprovechan la oportunidad para satisfacer las diversas necesidades de la población en expansión, mientras que el sector de la hostelería, que incluye hoteles, restaurantes y lugares de entretenimiento, prospera gracias al estatus de la ciudad como un destino turístico popular.

La Noticia + The Contributor

9/13/2023: Vanderbilt University’s Dr. Andre Churchwell welcomes “Then and Now, The History of the Latinx/Hispanic Community in Nashville” panelist at the Downtown Public Library.

A medida que Nashville continúa experimentando un tremendo crecimiento, se ha convertido en un hogar cada vez más diverso para diferentes comunidades minoritarias. Esto no ha pasado desapercibido. En septiembre pasado se llevó a cabo un programa notable centrado en el crecimiento demográfico diverso con un panel de discusión "Entonces y ahora" de la Universidad de Vanderbilt en la Biblioteca Pública del Centro que exploró la historia y el impacto de estas comunidades a través del trabajo académico de destacados historiadores y las historias personales de miembros de la comunidad. .

por el Dr. André L. Churchwell, asesor principal sobre inclusión y extensión comunitaria de la Universidad de Vanderbilt. Por otro lado el mercado inmobiliario en Nashville ha experimentado un notable auge, reflejo de la creciente popularidad de la ciudad. Con un promedio de casi 100 nuevos residentes llegando diariamente, la demanda de viviendas ha elevado los precios de las casas y las tarifas de alquiler. Como resultado, la ciudad se enfrenta a problemas de asequibilidad, llevando a los responsables de las políticas a explorar estrategias de desarrollo urbano sostenible.

Moving Pictures

Destacando la diversidad que caracteriza vendors a Nashville, se estima que la Contributor American Fiction satirizes La Noticia, one of the población hispana en la ciudad repreA medida que Nashville continúa el 14 por ciento del total, lo que dando la bienvenida a casi 100 nuevos equivale a más de 100,000 personas. residentes diariamente, la trayectoriahypocrisies write in thissenta issue about progressive leading Spanish-language Este florecimiento de la comunidad de la ciudad está preparada para dar hispana contribuye a la riqueza culforma a su narrativa futura, consolitural y a la vitalidad de la ciudad. dando in su estatus centro year’s best panhandling, music, onecomoofun the newspapers in the nation, Además, se estima que aproximadapróspero y dinámico en el corazón del mente el 7% de la población en todo sur de Estados Unidos. el estado de Tennessee es de origen La muy informativa sesión sobre la El aumento de la población no solo domestic violence and Now playing at The content toinmobi- Envíenosfilms. y crecimiento deSpanish la población ha impactado en el mercado hispano, lo que equivale a al menos historiabrings sus sugerencias por e-mail: hispana en Nashville fue moderada liario, sino que también ha estimula- news@hispanicpaper.com ó 615-567-3569 500,000 personas. Willy Wonka. Belcourt. The Contributor.

"[It] has not only grown into a way for us to feed those folks, but it’s also turned into a communitytype celebration."

Conoce tus derechos: ¿Que hacer en caso de una redada?

por

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Contributors This Issue Amanda Haggard • Linda Bailey • Ridley Wills II • Will Connelly • Judith Tackett • Justin Wagner • Yuri Cunza • Norma B. • Cathy Jennings • Gabrielle Beck • Howard Allen • Michael G. • Diane W. • Chris Scott Fieselman • Mr. Mysterio • Joe Nolan Contributor Volunteers Christine Doeg • Joe First • Andy Shapiro • Michael Reilly • Ann Bourland • Laura Birdsall • Marissa Young • Matthew Murrow • Gisselly Mazariegos • Tyler Samuel • Jamie Dore • Russ Heldman Will Connelly Executive Director

Cathy Jennings Director of Finance

Basados en la Quinta Enmienda de la Constitución, los derechos de guardar silencio y contar con un abogado fueron denominados Derechos Miranda luego de la decisión de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de Estados Unidos en el caso Miranda vs. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, de 1966.

#1 You must have a VENMO account. Sign up at www.venmo.com if you haven’t already.

Jennings • Demetria Kalodimos • Jerome Moore • O. Wade Nelson, Jr. • Waddell Wright • Robin Kimbrough-Hayes • Jim Shulman • Tom Wills • Drew Morris

Tom Wills Director of Vendor Operations

1. Mantenerse callado 2. Sólo dar nombre y apellido 3. No mentir 4. Nunca acepte/lleve documentos falsos 5. No revelar su situación migratoria 6. No llevar documentación de otro país 7. En caso de ser arrestado, mostrarla Tarjeta Miranda (llámenos si necesita una)

www.juanese.com

Kerry Graham, Chair • Amber DuVentre, Chair Elect • Christine Doeg , Secretary • Cathy

#8 ALWAYS TAKE THE PAPER HOME WITH YOU. When vendors sell out, the satisfaction of having a business that sells out its products begins to sink in! Vendors who sell out, come back to our office to buy more. This helps our vendors meet their sales goals. And, it is there that we can meet with them, give them their VENMO payments or mail and work on solving their barriers to housing and life’s goals. #9 Friend us on VENMO and leave feedback. Open the app and click on “Me” at the bottom. Then select “Transactions” to see your payments. Click on the payment to The Contributor in your transaction list and then click on our icon at the top of the screen to see all of those transactions between us. On this page you can “Friend” us and click on the speech bubble icons of all your payments to leave feedback on your experience. Constructive feedback and praise help encourage our vendors to do their best.

Carli Tharp SNAP Specialist Ree Cheers SOAR Manager Andrew Terry IV SOAR Referral Specialist Rachel Ternes Housing Navigator Bri Givens Case Manager Caroline Lindner Case Manager Holly Bowman Director of Development Esther Mwandiko Kitenge Engagement Specialist Jesse Call Operations Consultant Raven Nye Director of Housing Initiatives Justin Wagner Resource Coordinator & Reporter Barbara Womack Advertising Manager Amanda Haggard & Linda Bailey Co-Editors Chelsea Jackson Vendor Oﬃce Manager Andrew Krinks Editor Emeritus Will Connelly, Tasha F. Lemley, Steven Samra, and Tom Wills Contributor Co-Founders Editorials and features in The Contributor are the perspectives of the authors. Submissions of news, opinion, fiction, art and poetry are welcomed. The Contributor reserves the right to edit any submissions. The Contributor cannot and will not endorse any political candidate. Submissions may be emailed to: editorial@thecontributor.org Requests to volunteer, donate, or purchase subscriptions can be emailed to: info@thecontributor.org Please email advertising requests to: advertising@thecontributor.org

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PAGE 2 | January 3 - 17, 2024 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

At Donelson Cafe & Catering, Thanksgiving is shared with all of Nashville BY JUSTIN WAGNER For six years in a row, Donelson Cafe & Catering extended the communal spirit of Thanksgiving dinner tradition to the larger Nashville community — crucially, to its homeless citizens, who may not have a table to dine at otherwise. The seventh annual Truly Thankful Thanksgiving was held on Nov. 23 at FiftyForward Donelson Station, and featured conventional holiday fare — turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, and so on — free for anyone to come and enjoy. “We started it for those around us who might not have a plate or a place to go for Thanksgiving; and it has not only grown into a way for us to feed those folks, but it’s also turned into a community-type celebration,” said Mark Dickerson, owner of Donelson Cafe & Catering. The event’s conception was a spur-ofthe-moment decision with limited reach. Dickerson and his partner, Kevin Miehlke, were sharing an empty nest — and consequently, a quieter holiday than they had grown accustomed to. “We have two sons that had recent-

ly moved away from home, and we were thinking, ‘Well, we’re spending Thanksgiving by ourselves this year. Let’s do a turkey,’” explained Dickerson. “We didn’t want to dirty the kitchen up at the house, so we thought we’d go down to the cafe, and we’d just put it on Facebook. Anybody that doesn’t have a place to go, come on by and eat with us. That first year we had about 100 people show up.” Dickerson and Miehlke are no strangers to altruistic cooking; beyond their typical catering services, they also will bring nearby community members in need one hot meal a day on weekdays. But this was a chance to make a celebration of it all and invite the community to come to them. “That year, I was surprised, they took the food that was leftover to places that people were working for the holiday, and [to the homeless],” recalled Evelyn Cutler, an annual attendee and volunteer at the dinners. “Kevin’s cooking is fantastic, he used to be an Opryland chef. So his cooking, you can’t compete with it.” For Dickerson and Miehlke, ambitions

for the event started humble. But it quickly turned from an isolated act of goodwill to a tradition made possible by dozens of volunteers and a deluge of food donations. “We didn’t want to sit home and do nothing,” said Dickerson. “The kids were gone, we just wanted to share a little bit of fellowship that day and in turn, maybe feed a couple of people that didn’t have a plate of food. Each year it has just grown.” And that growth has been consistent with each passing holiday. Six years and an abundance of turkeys later, 2023’s event had an estimated 1,300 to 1,500 guests, including live entertainment, a drive-thru line snaking around the venue and a visit from Mayor Freddie O’Connell. “I think this is the first I’ve seen a mayor come in and actually be a part of a celebration like that,” Cutler said. “That was pretty neat. He was on the assembly line helping with some things … it’s nice to see a politician doing something on the line!” Cutler said a crucial aspect of the annual dinners was their accessibility — af-

January 3 - 17, 2024 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 3

ter all, there is a finite number of places in Nashville where everyone is truly welcome and catered to. “The homeless in this area, they’re kind of like hidden people in a way. And it’s sad,” she said. “A lot of times they’ll come in through the side, the drive-thru area, to pick up the food. Mark will kind of tell you, ‘Be aware of them. Make sure they get their food.’ Last year they ran out of food, and he was calling around to get extra food … they’ll do anything they can to get that person the meal. You never know who’s coming through that line.” As for this year’s dinner in particular, Dickerson recalls it with gratitude, elation, and excitement for the future. “It was a huge day, it started off heavy and it never really stopped,” said Dickerson. “It’s like, ‘Wow, did we really do this again?’ Part of the amazement comes from the gratitude we feel being able to put all that together and have it work so seamlessly.” “We’re happy, pleased that it’s all over, and already talking about next year!”

FEATURE

A letter from Cathy Jennings as she transitions into a new role Dear Contributor Community, It is with a blend of nostalgia and optimism that I write to you today. Since 2018, I have been privileged to serve as the executive director of The Contributor, and the journey has been deeply enriching, thanks to a team like those at the nonprofit and the community around us. Our shared mission has always been to uplift and empower the homeless community in

Nashville, fostering hope, change and growth. I am deeply proud of the strides we have made together, from changing perceptions through our biweekly publication to building a network that truly supports those who are unhoused. As I transition from my role as executive director, it gives me immense pleasure to introduce someone who is no stranger to The Contributor's vision — Will Connelly. A co-founder and a

stalwart supporter of our cause, Will brings a unique blend of compassion, innovation and housing expertise. I am confident that under his leadership, The Contributor will continue to soar and make even greater strides toward our shared mission. While Will’s official start date was Dec. 1, he spent time before that getting to exactly what the organization needed at this juncture. I remain deeply committed to our mission

and will continue to support the organization during the transition, as grants manager, board member and any other way I can. I am truly grateful for the trust, support, and collaboration you have extended over the years and know you will join me in extending a big welcome to Will! Warm regards, Cathy Jennings

Q&A with Executive Director Will Connelly BY AMANDA HAGGARD

As new Executive Director Will Connelly enters his second month at The Contributor, we sat down and asked him a few of his priorities as he begins in his new role. Connelly, a co-founder of The Contributor and a prominent local and national figure in homelessness advocacy, has spent his career working toward ending homelessness. You were here when The Contributor started. What about the environment in Nashville has changed and what has stayed the same? Housing costs have changed. In 2007, median rent in Nashville hovered around $700 per month, and the occupancy rate was around 10%. Currently, median rent in Nashville is around $1,700 per month. The occupancy rate hasn’t changed much because of an “apartment boom” in Nashville which is favorable for renters in general, but not great for renters who have a fixed income, no income, and other barriers to renting like poor credit or no credit and checkered rental histories. A 2020 study from the US Government

Accountability Office estimated “a $100 increase in median rent was associated with a 9% increase in the estimated homelessness rate.” While the precise negative impact of rising housing costs is up for debate, the current rental environment obviously puts more individuals and families at risk of homelessness. What matters most to you for the paper's vendors in 2024? The Contributor is an easy, low-barrier way to earn an income. The newspaper also creates community and connection between vendors and their customers, between the vendors themselves, and the vendors and their support networks. What matters most to me is that The Contributor continues to be a reliable product to sell, and that our 150 vendors continue to experience a loving community in a world that can often feel lonely and disconnected. What are your favorite things about Nashville? What would you change?

I like the experience of the seasons here even though they can be lethal for unhoused Nashvillians. I would improve the infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and skaters so that Nashville would be less dangerous and more hospitable to more sustainable modes of transportation. I would change our definition of pedestrian and bicycle “infrastructure” to include more than just painted lines on the street. The new improvements to 12th Avenue South that include medians and other barriers are great examples of legit infrastructure that will help improve safety and health. I think one benefit to your leadership is you have such varied experience in the homelessness and service sectors. Can you talk about how you hope to utilize your previous experiences in your work here? I have tried to solve homelessness in different cities from various angles, roles and approaches. It has been extremely humbling all around. There are big wins and huge losses, and, as a system leader, it often feels like you

are treading water or walking up a very steep hill because of macro factors like the cost of housing, continued discrimination against people of color and people who receive government assistance like housing vouchers, and policies that make it more difficult to build affordable housing for Nashvillians who have the lowest incomes. Do you believe in New Year's resolutions and do you have any? There’s nothing like starting the new year by not following through on commitments to yourself! Haha. I don’t make a big deal out of them. I want to commute on my bike or on the WeGo bus system at least two days per week. I want to become way more comfortable with navigating conflict. I also want to become a better listener. It is so easy to tune out or think about how you are going to respond instead of really focusing on and trying to understand what the person in front of you is saying. I think it will help me be a better father, partner, friend and colleague.

A New Mayor and the Path to Bicycle-Friendly Streets BY WILL CONNELLY

Nashvillians who hope for bicycling to become a practical, safe and sustainable daily mode of transportation know the city has a long way to go to reach that goal. This became apparent as Nashville faced an unexpected distinction in 2023 - it was crowned America's worst commuting city, surpassing urban hubs like New York and Los Angeles. Forbes Home based this ranking on the percentage of households without access to a car, the city’s average commute time to work, a walking score, a transit score and a bike score. Decades of commuting challenges have led to passionate calls for change in the city's transit infrastructure - a call embraced by Nashville's newly elected mayor, Freddie O’Connell. A native Nashvillian, the mayor transcends the role of a typical political figure. He stands as a trusted advocate for the cycling community, yearning for safer, more accessible streets. His vision extends beyond traditional transit improvements; it encompasses a commitment to making cycling an integral part of Nashville's transportation

landscape. In this mayor, Nashville finds a fresh start - a new beginning for a city that has ranked among the nation's toughest for both commuters and cyclists alike. Even O’Connell’s trusted dealmaker, the former Metro Councilperson and new Chief Development Officer for the city , Bob Mendes, often commutes to work by bicycle and can tell you the status of various bike lanes around the city. "Freddie is now in a seat to make a difference," said Austin Bauman, an avid cyclist and owner of two local bike shops, Green Fleet Bikes and Shelby Ave Bicycle Company. "He was just another guy at the advocacy meetings because he believed in it just like the rest of us. He just kept showing up. A key part of his and our potential success is having people continue to support him in these issues.” Nashville's recent distinction as the nation's most challenging commuting city in 2023 is tied to another stark statistic: in a 2022 study, the city earned the unenviable fourth-worst ranking for bicycling in the United States. Two cyclists in

Nashville died this year because of traffic violence as did dozens of pedestrians. "People often say that Nashville is too hilly, or it gets too hot in Tennessee [to bike]," said Tyler Logel, also known as Tyler the Bike Guy. Logel spends well over 40 hours a week on his bike as a courier and daily bike commuter. "These aren't things that people in other cities really think about. Milwaukee, one of the bicycle-commuting capitals, is extremely cold five months out of the year." Within these challenges, local cycling advocates harbor optimism. They see in the mayor's vision a Nashville where cycling is safe, convenient and woven into residents' daily lives. "Freddie being elected has pushed a much greater confidence in the city,” Logel said “Conversations within the bike community are very positive. That is very hopeful.” Both Logel and Bauman see a positive path forward that requires unity, collaboration, and a collective commitment to change. It's not "us versus them." It's a shared vision where cyclists,

PAGE 4 | January 3 - 17, 2024 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

engineers, planners and policymakers come together, listening to each other's perspectives, and working collaboratively to design streets prioritizing safety, accessibility and sustainability. "Private contractors working to improve city infrastructure aren't commuters," Logel said. "They don't fully understand bicycles, but they're eager to reach out to the community in January and have a meeting with commuters and downtown riders to address practical issues in infrastructure." Bauman adds, "We have to stop and listen to each other. Just like fixing a bike in a shop requires understanding the customer's problem, improving bike safety and the commuting experience in Nashville depends on city leaders and stakeholders who listen to each other." In the spirit of listening and unity, Nashville embarks on a journey in 2024 toward safer streets and a brighter future, a future where the voices of cyclists, engineers, planners and policymakers harmonize to create a thriving, bicycle-friendly community.

NASHVILLE HISTORY CORNER

Sarah Childress Polk’s Financial Plight BY RIDLEY WILLS II

All during the last few months of James K. Polk’s administration, his wife Sarah’s primary concern was Jim’s failing health. She watched him grow more frail by the month. He had attacks of fever and diarrhea constantly. When President James K.Polk died of cholera in his home, Polk Place, on the 15th of June 1849, he was only 53-years-old and his widow, Sarah Childress Polk, was only 45. She was fine-looking, well-to-do and brilliant. Since Jim and Sarah had no children, in his last will and testament, he left nearly everything to her. This included their beautiful home, Polk Place, on the corner of Vine and Union Streets, and a cotton plantation in Mississippi. On Jan. 10, 1850, by a special act of Congress, Mrs. Polk was granted Franking Privileges, which meant that she was permitted to send her mail throughout the United States Postal System without affixing stamps. She merely placed her signature at the top of the mailing envelopes. Sarah never considered remarrying and seldom left home except to go to Murfreesboro to visit her family and to go to Sunday worship services at Nashville’s First Presbyterian Church. She had many visitors, however. One who came most frequently was Randal McGavock, a former mayor, and grandson of Felix Grunty. McGavock came frequently, often to seek the advice of the intelligent Mrs. Polk on his ideas. During the Civil War, Mrs. Polk remained neutral and both Southern and Northern officers were her guests in her home. Officers on both sides admired and respected the ex-first lady and none of her property in Nashville was harmed. Nevertheless, Sarah’s financial situation was greatly altered by the war. Polk's perceived "losses" mirrored many that carried on the practice of owning enslaved people before the Civil War: Her slaves had been freed and her cotton in Mississippi destroyed. She had sold most of the plantation there before the war. Now, she wrote Judge Avent, the husband of her niece, Mary Childress, asking him to dispose of the rest of her land in Mississippi. The Tennessee State legislature granted Mrs. Polk a sum of $1,200 annually. This helped but it was not enough. Mrs. Polk’s niece and constant companion, Sarah Polk Jetton, and her husband, George William Fall, were living with her. Later, Sarah Jetton had a baby, christened Saidee Polk Fall, who brought much joy and happiness to the house. Despite some financial help from Mr. Fall, who was a successful businessman, finances were an increasing concern in the 1879s and early 1880s. Mrs. Polk was too proud to ask for financial assistance. However, Tennessee’s United States Senator, Howell E. Jackson, and his brother, ex-Confederate general, William Hicks “Billy” Jackson, knew about

Mrs. Polk’s financial problems. Bill wrote his brother urging him to introduce legislation in Congress to grant Mrs. Polk a pension as a widow of a president of the United States. Howell also wanted to do so as he held Mrs. Polk in high esteem. Accordingly, he submitted a bill to give annual pensions of $5,000 each to the widows of Presidents James K. Polk and Henry Tyler. The bill passed. Mrs. Polk was extremely grateful and wrote Senator Jackson the letter show below: Honorable H. E. Jackson U.S. Senator Washington, D.C. My Dear Sir, Permit me to offer my acknowledgement and grateful thanks to you that you so kindly introduced my name for a pension and have so successfully accomplished the object which will now render me in the evening of my life so comfortable and happy. This noble and generous act of friendship and consideration, I do assure you my dear sir is appreciated. My gratitude can never cease. I can only commend you and yours to the Almighty power. My kindest regards to Mrs. Jackson. With much admiration, I am truly yours. Mrs. James K. Polk Polk Place April 12, 1882 Had Senator Jackson not introduced a bill to give presidential widows pensions, Mrs. Polk would likely not have been able to spend her last few years at Polk Place. She did, however and enjoyed a graceful and honorable old age. Hers was a wellspent life. Just before she died at Polk Place on Aug. 14, 1891, she turned in her bed and, with a smile, said to her family, Salliee, Saidee and George, “The Lord bless thee and keep thee, and make His face shine upon thee, and give thee happiness and love and everlasting peace.” She then closed her eyes for the last time.

January 3 - 17, 2024 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 5

NASHVILLE HISTORY CORNER

Learn More About Senior Homelessness BY JUDITH TACKET T

In Nashville, nearly 30 percent of the homeless population, based on a one-night count, are considered older adults. Nationwide senior homelessness is on the rise. And the United States seems ill-equipped to deal with the special needs of aging adults experiencing homelessness. The National Alliance to End Homelessness reported in December 2023 that, “homelessness among older adults is expected to nearly triple in 2030.” That statement is based on a prediction by researchers examining trends in Boston, New York City and Los Angeles County. Their base numbers were from 2017. In real terms, the number of adults experiencing homelessness who are aged 65 and older is anticipated to grow from an estimated 40,000 to 106,000. Jeff Olivet, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) was quoted in a 2022 AARP article as saying that elder homelessness “is increasing dramatically right now.” Olivet added that, “seniors over the age of 55 are likely the fastest-growing group of people experiencing homelessness … and for many of them it is first-time homelessness.” The federal government released the 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) on Dec. 15, and for the first time required local jurisdictions to include age demographics. The AHAR is based on the annual Point In Time (PIT) count, which takes place at the end of January each year. This year’s AHAR showed a total of 653,100 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2023, which signifies a 12 percent increase over 2022 numbers and the highest count since reporting started in 2007. We already reported about Nashville’s PIT Count 2023 in our May 24, 2023, issue. The Nashville numbers for aging adults as reported in the 2023 PIT Count — collected on Jan. 26, 2023, across Nashville — reflect a one-night snapshot of our local population. The demographic I focused on includes persons aged 55 to 64, and persons over age 64. I reviewed two documents. One a detailed Excel spreadsheet that lists the PIT count numbers for each jurisdiction including Nashville-Davidson County, and secondly, a filtered summary report for Nashville-Davidson County, which is available online at https://www.hudexchange. info/programs/coc/coc-homeless-populations-and-subpopulations-reports/. The 2023 PIT Count for Nashville-Davidson County showed an overall homelessness number for Nashville of 2,129, which was an 11 percent increase over the 2022 count. When we look at the numbers of older Nashvillians experiencing homelessness, it breaks down the following way. Of the overall population of people who lived: •

•

Unsheltered: 14.2 percent were aged 55-64 and 4.2 percent were 65 or older; In Emergency Shelters: 24.5 percent

were aged 55-64 and 8.3 percent were 65 or older; • In Transitional Housing: 26.1 percent were aged 55-64 and 8.6 percent were 65 or older. In essence, of Nashville’s homeless population living outdoors (unsheltered), 18.5 percent were aged 55+, and 33.2 percent of individuals staying in sheltered situations (including emergency shelters and transitional housing) were aged 55+. That means 29 percent of Nashville’s homeless population is 55 or older. As this was the first time reporting on age was required, we won’t be able to compare the 2023 data to previous years. Furthermore, chronic homelessness was not broken down by age groups. Neither was race or ethnicity. When we speak about older adults, we usually don’t think of individuals in their 50s as members of this population. However, when it comes to homelessness, research has shown that people in this age group are more likely to experience memory loss, falls and other functional impairments at comparable rates to people in their 70s who comprise the general or housed population. I believe we are not prepared to address senior homelessness sufficiently. What worries me the most is when I learn that an unprecedented amount of people over 55 are falling into homelessness for the first time, which is mentioned in reports like “Addressing Homelessness Among Older Adults” released by the federal government in October 2023. Even local reports such as the Metro Social Services 2022 Community Needs Evaluation draw a dire picture. While the report focused on overall aging and does not include homelessness specifically, it states that “the dramatic rise in costs of rent, groceries, and medical care in Nashville disproportionately impacts the city’s older

The Contributor and Nashville Public Television will host a screening of a new documentary called Aging Matters – Unhoused, which features aging Nashvillians experiencing homelessness as they struggle to obtain permanent housing. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with a focus on affordable housing needs for aging adults. What: Aging Matters – Unhoused Documentary Screening followed by a panel discussion When: Jan. 18, 6-8 p.m. (networking starts at 5:30 p.m.) – RSVPs are requested due to limited seating, please email info@thecontributor.org to secure a seat. Where: Nashville Public Television Studios, 161 Rains Ave. Parking on site. If you have a conflict, please consult your NPT station for the airing schedule. “Aging Matters – Unhoused” will premiere on NPT on Jan. 9 at 8 pm. population.” Based on this local report, more than half of Nashville’s population over the age of 65 (or one in two seniors) meets what is termed Livable Income Poverty. Livable income is related to livable wage but considers that seniors are living on a fixed income. Due to the significant increases in housing, food and health care costs. The lack of a livable income disproportionately impacts older populations. Aging adults, especially when they fall into homelessness for the first time, have special needs. For one, having never required assistance, they often do not know where to turn for help or do not have the technological knowledge to fill out online applications. Therefore, solutions should take into consideration the specialized needs of the growing senior population in terms of outreach, support services, access to transitional and permanent housing, physical and mental health needs.

PAGE 6 | January 3 - 17, 2024 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

One of the most urgent policy needs is to identify people who are aging and lacking the resources to remain in independent housing early and intervene. In other words, Nashville must develop a homelessness prevention plan that includes targeted strategies for different populations including the needs of aging adults. To do so, it will be necessary to build stronger cross-sector relationships at the local, state and national levels as the homelessness sector alone is ill-equipped to address a comprehensive prevention plan. The Contributor invites you to learn more about aging adults who struggle with homelessness in Nashville at a screening event of a new documentary called Aging Matters – Unhoused, which features examples of a couple and two individuals who struggle with homelessness and access to housing in our city (see infobox for details). The documentary premiers on your local Nashville Public Television station on Jan. 9 at 8 pm.

A FEW QUESTIONS WITH

A Few Questions with Marshall Crawford

‘We need to have the resources, the buy-in and the commitment from those who support the nonprofit sector’ to address housing affordability BY JUDITH TACKET T The Contributor spoke with Marshall Crawford, an affordable housing expert who has served as President and CEO of The Housing Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution private nonprofit revolving loan fund, since 2017. The Housing Fund is dedicated to providing affordable housing options, financial education, and resources to support homeownership and community development activities throughout Tennessee. Specifically, The Housing Fund provides access to capital to for-profit and nonprofit developers who want to build affordable housing and offers programs to help individuals and families access affordable housing opportunities. How do you define housing affordability in the context of your work? Housing affordability refers to the ability of individuals or households to comfortably cover housing expenses such as rent or mortgage payments without compromising other basic needs like food, healthcare and education. HUD’s cost-burden ratio, which was established in 1981, refers to the guideline that suggests that households should spend no more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs. I believe a policy change altering the cost-burden ratio to 20 percent could potentially increase the number of affordable housing opportunities available to low-income households. By reducing the portion of income allocated to housing, more people might qualify for affordable housing programs alleviating financial strain for many families. I believe this change could also impact landlords and the housing market, potentially affecting rental prices and housing affordability in some areas. Today the economic environment is significantly different than in 1981 or even in the early 1960s. Most mortgage ratios allow for a higher debt-to-income ratio in the context of providing affordable housing. It means offering homes that are reasonably priced and within financial reach for low-to-moderate-income individuals and families. So, the real essence is, we need to change that ratio. That ratio was established in a different economic environment and today we need to make policies that adhere to the environment that we’re dealing with, especially from an economic standpoint. What can be done at the local level to address this issue? Everything starts locally. The people who are in Congress represent local constituents. The local advocacy has to be strong, showing that federal policy changes need to be made. Are there already local advocacy efforts underway? Not dealing with the issue around the

I think the utilization of that and the partnership between financial institutions and nonprofit entities has been a great success in being able to have additional resources for the creation and sustainability of affordable housing units.

cost-burden ratio. There are several local efforts around the country trying to address things such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) policy [and] the New Markets Tax Credit policies. But there isn’t any form at a local level that is really trying to address this situation around the cost-burden ratio that prevents a lot of people from being able to qualify. What are three successes in Nashville’s affordable housing efforts you would like to highlight? Number one is the Affordable Housing Task Force. Some of the recommendations that have come out of this are very strong. Having community leaders come together to really think about this particular issue is good. So, I think establishing task forces by utilizing local practitioners to really provide a perspective around this is a good thing. That’s one success. Another success is the establishment of the Barnes Housing Trust Fund. The Barnes Housing Trust Fund is a dedicated resource for affordable housing and supports the nonprofit developers and the nonprofit housing practitioners to be able to get resources to continue to provide affordable housing and sustain affordable housing. So, the creation of new affordable housing is very important, but the preservation and the sustainability of existing affordable housing units is as equally if not more important. And then I would say, a third success is the utilization of the community investment tax credits. The local financial institutions have stepped up to the plate and been able to provide capital to the nonprofit developers and the nonprofit housing agencies in utilizing the community investment tax credits where they gained access to capital.

What are some of the things you think the city and community can do right now to speed up the process of addressing affordability issues? First let me say that the housing development system does not work [for] the people that need it the most. There is an equity problem in our city, and everybody knows it. The growth of the city benefits a certain population, and we need to do something about that. The decision makers responsible can do something about it. But they must convince the community that it is a sound economic opportunity. NIMBYism can’t continue to win out when so many people are unhoused and homeless. There are many people who do not have the income to afford an increase in rent payments and still cover their basic needs. When people oppose a housing development, they show up to voice their opinion while those who are fine with it stay home. We need the supporters of affordable housing development to show up to public meetings and communicate their support. I’m encouraged by the current direction of the city as outlined by the report provided by the Affordable Housing Task Force. However, there are several approaches cities and communities can take to address the affordability: • One, review and address the zoning laws to allow for diverse housing options and increase density in certain areas. • Two, invest in programs that support affordable housing developments such as subsidies or tax incentives or the Community Land Trust. • Three, encourage public-private collaboration with private developers to create mixed income housing projects. • Four, I would say being intentional. We have to essentially be intentional about preserving existing affordable housing units through renovations and rehab or legal protections against conversions to market-rate housing, provide incentives for developers to build affordable housing such as reduced fees or streamline approval processes. • Finally, we need to be focused on creating housing near public transportation to reduce the [commuting] cost and increase accessibility. In the homelessness sector, we have observed that increasingly nonprofit providers

January 3 - 17, 2024 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 7

get into the housing sector becoming developers, landlords, and/or master leasers. What are some key partnerships you recommend they establish before getting too far into housing development? Let me first and foremost say that the housing development process is not easy to navigate. Having experienced professionals on their team will make it easier. Housing providers can collaborate with various entities to address homelessness. They can partner with government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations to offer housing solutions, support services, and funding. Such partnerships foster a holistic approach to tackling homelessness by combining housing with the essential support services that currently exist. Collaborating with experienced individuals is the key to all of this. A lot of people say, ‘Hey, I want to get into development.’ But they don’t have the experience of the professionals on their teams that will allow them to be able to do it in a way that is cost effective, that is safe and that is effective. In your estimation, has the housing affordability situation changed a lot since the Affordable Housing Task Force released its report in 2021? The current economic environment has altered housing affordability and housing availability not only in Nashville but across the entire country. Here in Nashville, the growth has really caused a challenge. The cost to obtain housing is a whole lot more. Interest rates have definitely had a significant impact on the opportunity to borrow capital and then the willingness of financial institutions to provide that capital. So, it has caused some major challenges in being able to effectively provide housing affordability and to [meet the] rates that the Task Force has indicated [are needed]. We need about 53,000 units by 2030. Well, we’re only seven years away from 2030. And with the current economic environment the way that it is, it’s going to be even more challenging to meet those numbers. Anything else you would like to highlight? Nashville has a very strong nonprofit housing provider industry. With the development of the Alliance [for an Affordable Nashville], which is comprised of 10 nonprofit organizations working on housing, this city could definitely move the needle on affordable housing. More advocacy and more support for nonprofit organizations will be critical to be able to meet and address the housing affordability issues whether that’s on the rental side or the homeownership side. But we need to have the resources, the buy-in and the commitment from those who support the nonprofit sector.

SHOPforHISTORY the Holidays.

FREE Admission 1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. Nashville, Tennessee 615.741.2692 TNMuseum.org

PAGE 8 | January 3 - 17, 2024 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Need help? Call 833-837-HOME or scan the QR code for more information.

(833) 837-HOME

(615) 701-7957

This information is only for Davidson County. The information provided here does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. If you have a legal problem, please call a private attorney or call your local Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands office at 1-800-238-1443 or the Nashville Hispanic Bar Association at 1-615-701-7957. Revised 9/23.

January 3 - 17, 2024 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 9

COVER STORY

PHOTOS BY ALVINE

Addressing the Urgent Need for Improved Homelessness Mortality Data Collection in Nashville BY GABRIELLE BECK

Across Tennessee, pitching a tent on public land outside of designated campsites is a felony offense. Tennessee is the first state in the country to criminalize homelessness in an effort to reduce the number of unhoused people sleeping on the streets, at bus stops, and in city parks. Despite a lack of affordable housing and shelter space, many cities have chosen to criminally punish people living on the street for doing what any human being must do to survive. This year on Dec. 16, Nashvillians joined downtown by the riverfront to honor the more than 180 people who died in 2023 while living on the streets. The number seems to grow each year, with a common refrain that housing advocates cannot stop until a memorial of such magnitude is no longer necessary. Heat and cold has always made being unhoused harder, but climate change and Tennessee’s legislation worsens this reality. When the temperature climbs to new extremes in the summer, the reality is that nationwide tens of thousands of homeless folks are more susceptible to cardiac arrest, heat stroke and dehydration on top of the regular woes of the frigid temperatures in the winter. Throughout the nation, extreme heat kills more people each year than wildfires, hurricanes and floods. It doesn’t garner the same recognition because those deaths are stretched across the city, hap-

pening in tents, bedrooms and workplaces one by one, and often they are not accounted for as experiencing homelessness at all, making it difficult to calculate the full scope.. Navigating the social morass of homeless mortality data collection means healing the wounds the unhoused community has carried for too long. The experience of homelessness has well-documented, long-lasting implications on well-being and health. However, due to a lack of national review or standardized data collection for homeless mortality, it is difficult to quantify the extent to which homelessness is killing people. Tracking and evaluating homeless mortality data locally and nationally is vital to developing health and housing strategies to save lives. Howard Allen, co-founder of the Nashville Homeless Underground, explains that, “when homeless folks pass away it’s no longer a headache for the government. Why make policy changes when we have already buried my friends? The problem is then no longer a problem; no worries about housing or healthcare insurance; the dirt has covered them.” Allen continues that, “death often serves as an equalizer. Homeless folks are disrespected and disregarded, but everyone gets a death certificate and thus an equal playing field — except those that are completely overlooked by health officials and coroners

and therefore the mortality count. It is essential that we restore dignity to those without housing and ensure their health needs are met and accounted for.” Over the last five years, Open Table Nashville has collaborated with various service providers, including Nashville Rescue Mission, the Office of Homeless Services, Metro Social Services Indigent Burial Program, the Medical Examiner's Office, Room In The Inn and People Loving Nashville, to document the deaths of homeless individuals in Nashville. This collaborative effort aims to create a comprehensive list and rectify any gaps in the system. The Contributor publishes this full list every year. India Pungarcher, an advocate and street outreach worker at Open Table Nashville, spearheads assembling the list each year, and for 2023’s report she recorded medical examiner’s data. By joining forces with outreach workers in the data collection process, word-ofmouth can intercept people who an automated system might neglect. No one should die for lack of housing, but as they are, it is our collective responsibility to end this epidemic. In the midst of rising temperatures and the lack of affordable housing, homeless mortality is constellated in a sea of social, economic and political relations — oftentimes invisible from the words etched in newspapers and spoken on news outlets.

PAGE 10 | January 3 - 17, 2024 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

On July 15, 2023, at the Downtown Public Library, Renters Union Nashville and Open Table Nashville hosted the Housing for all Mayoral Forum, addressing how candidates plan to face Music City’s fractures, tangled and tethered by injustices deeply entrenched in Nashville's history, and shift towards radical progress. The forum explored candidates’ positions on tenant protections, evictions, and criminalizations. Audience members voiced that healing doesn’t happen through transactions alone like birth certificates, bus passes and blankets: healing happens through nurturing trust and actively investing in the health and well-being of homeless communities. With the recent election of Mayor Freddie O’ Connell, who attends the memorial each year, I hope he will now bring transparency, equity, and intentional collaboration to data collection processes to strengthen healthcare access for our unhoused neighbors. Mortality is never without the weight of its politics. By improving homeless mortality data collection processes, Nashville can take a significant step towards addressing the systemic issues that contribute to homelessness and ensuring the well-being and dignity of all its residents. Let’s refuse to allow injustice to have the final say and improve homeless mortality data collection processes.

COVER STORY

Annual memorial honors 181 neighbors experiencing homelessness who died in 2023 This year, 181 people died while living on the streets in Nashville. At the 2023 Annual Homeless Memorial on Dec. 16, all of them were remembered in a ceremony downtown at Riverfront Park by the Tara Cole Memorial Bench. Members of the community read aloud each name and gave remembrances in the form of poetry, prayer and comments about their loved ones and neighbors. Following the ceremony, attendees placed flowers in the Cumberland River to honor each person who lost their life while living on the streets. Kristen Abrams Lawrence Adams Christopher Alford Landon Alley Marilyn Avery Phillip Bailey Kristine Barbee Courtney Barnes Harold Bass Jamie Biggs Anthony Blake Antonio Booker William Booker, Jr. Jeannine Botts John Brazelton Richard Broome Walter Brown William Alfonso Brown Johnny Ray Bunch Jeffery Allen Capps Aaron Carpenter Gregory Carter Misty Caudill Roy Cherry Tonya Church Marquis D. Churchwell Andre “Old School” Clow Bruce Coco Robert Coffee Otha Collins David Cook Jeremy Culbertson James Depung Conni Dickerson Roger Dile Mark Dodd Ricky Donnell Michael Duke II

Jasmine Dukes Thomas Edward Anthony Thomas Edwards Tony England James Espie Margaret Evans Robert “Wayne” Fathera Chris Few Saundra Fisk Edward Charles Foley Marlesse Frank Leon Freeman Denyce “Gypsy” Gagnon Joey Gann Justin Goodrich Ronald Graves Christopher Lee Grubb Sifeldin Hamad Kevin Hamilton David Hammond Brian “Treetop” Hancock Rayford Alton Harvey Letha Hayes Daniel Hicks Charles Hodge Lawrence Holly Latarsha Howard Bronson Hunter Pamela Hurd Timothy Wayne Hutcherson Jeffery Walker Irons Christopher Robert James Fred Jarvis Whitney Jeffries Dedja Dannielle Jenkins Bobby Jennings Antonio Jordan

Joy Kabelu Julia Kaylor Johnny Keith David A. Kelley Kenneth Kelly Charlie Keys Francise Kimbrough Michael Allen Kinslow Garry Klucas Tangela Knox David C. Kramnic Loren Lange Tomekia LaQuan Clark Charles Eddie Lawson Ricky Lewis Gary M. Lucus William Luster Ellen Luna Maurice “Wild Bill” Marce Kenneth Mathis Sarah McAllister Mark McCormick Brian Lee McInnis Wilson James McQuiston Juan Mena Danny T. Merrell Jody Minor (aka Joe D. Vernon) Thomas Mitchell Kenneth Moore Thomas Moore III John Moran Richard Moss Jennifer Motil Donald Murphy Marece Nebil Donnell Norford

Marvin Nunes-Nunes Andrew Matthew Nuzzo Mary “Strawberry” Oldham Jacob Leroy Olivarez Lonnie Orr Jeffrey Wayne Padgett Andre Palenzuela Donna Pardue John Wilson (Country) Patterson Ronald Eugene Peach Christopher Perrin Bronson Pharr James H. Pinkard Carol “June” Potts Jeffery Ranstad Julia Ray Adam Reynolds Kathleen Reynolds Tina Rusak Ray Sanders Leonard Sanford Barry Sargel Tamara Savickas Christopher Bryan Scott Juan Sis Blackie James “Jim” Skinner Torrance Sledge Christopher Smalley Walter Smith Michael T Smith Tara Smith Justin Lee Smith Rodney Terdelle Speed Ponce DeLeon Spight Richard Starnes

January 3 - 17, 2024 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 11

Donald Lee Stennis Benjamin (Joker) Sterling Tommy Stevens Anthony Sweatt Billy G. Tabb Johnnie Taylor Michelle Tayse Ronald E. Thomas Ruth Thomas Tommy L. Thompson Kyle Thornton Sammy Threet William Thrift Michael “Patrick” Timbes Michael Kevin Tinch William Todd Kapriel Trauernicht Tyler Tripp Martha Turner Stephanie Vaughn Virginia Wair Jonathan Brent Walden Megal Wallace Kenneth Ward Jerry Washington Mark Weatherford Richard “RC” Weller Danny White Daryl Whitfield Sr. Anthony Wilson Adam Woods Carmeka R. Worthington Herod Wright Sedrick Yarbrough Mark York

LA NOTICIA “The Contributor” está trabajando con uno de los principales periódicos en español La Noticia para llevar contenido a más lectores en Middle Tennessee. Nuestros vendedores de periódicos han pedido durante mucho tiempo que nuestra publicación incluya contenido que apele al interés de residentes de habla hispana en nuestra comunidad.

“The Contributor” is working with one of the leading Spanish-language newspapers La Noticia to bring content to more readers in Middle Tennessee. Our newspaper vendors have long requested that our publication include content that appeals to the interest of Spanish-speaking residents in our community.

LOCALES - POLÍTICA - INMIGRACIÓN - TRABAJOS - SALUD - ESPECTÁCULOS - DEPORTES Y MÁS...

2023

L a N ticia

Año 21 - No. 384

“DONDE OCURREN LOS HECHOS QUE IMPORTAN, SIEMPRE PRIMERO... ANTES”

GRATIS Diciembre

Newspaper Nashville

Escanee esta imagen para ver La Noticia newspaper edición bilingüe digital

w w w. h i s p a n i c p a p e r. c o m

Nashville, Tennessee

Crecimiento en Nashville: Casi 100 Nuevos Residentes Todos los Días

Nashville, Tennessee, está experimentando un aumento sin precedentes en su población, atrayendo a casi 100 nuevos residentes cada día, según datos recientes del censo Por Yuri Cunza analizados por el Editor-In-Chief Centro de @yuricunza Investigación de la Cámara de Comercio del Área de Nashville. Conocida por su herencia musical, Nashville se ha convertido en una ciudad dinámica y diversa, atrayendo a personas de diversos ámbitos que buscan oportunidades profesionales y un estilo de vida vibrante. Los datos revelan que el área metropolitana de Nashville presenció un crecimiento sustancial, dando la bienvenida a aproximadamente 35,624 nuevos residentes en 2022. Este aumento está dando forma significativa al paisaje de la ciudad, brindando tanto oportunidades como desafíos a medida que Nashville consolida su reputación como un destino codiciado en el sur de Estados Unidos. Destacando la diversidad que caracteriza a Nashville, se estima que la población hispana en la ciudad representa el 14 por ciento del total, lo que equivale a más de 100,000 personas. Este florecimiento de la comunidad hispana contribuye a la riqueza cultural y a la vitalidad de la ciudad. Además, se estima que aproximadamente el 7% de la población en todo el estado de Tennessee es de origen hispano, lo que equivale a al menos 500,000 personas.

Aunque Nashville disfruta de los beneficios económicos de este aumento de población, también enfrenta desafíos asociados con el crecimiento rápido. La congestión del tráfico se ha convertido en una preocupación notable, lo que ha llevado a iniciativas continuas para mejorar el transporte público e invertir en soluciones de ciudades inteligentes para aliviar la presión sobre la infraestructura existente. 9/13/2023: Vanderbilt University’s Dr. Andre Churchwell welcomes “Then and Now, The History of the Latinx/Hispanic Community in Nashville” panelist at the Downtown Public Library.

por el Dr. André L. Churchwell, asesor principal sobre inclusión y extensión comunitaria de la Universidad de Vanderbilt.

La muy informativa sesión sobre la historia y crecimiento de la población hispana en Nashville fue moderada

El aumento de la población no solo ha impactado en el mercado inmobiliario, sino que también ha estimula-

Por otro lado el mercado inmobiliario en Nashville ha experimentado un notable auge, reflejo de la creciente popularidad de la ciudad. Con un promedio de casi 100 nuevos residentes llegando diariamente, la demanda de viviendas ha elevado los precios de las casas y las tarifas de alquiler. Como resultado, la ciudad se enfrenta a problemas de asequibilidad, llevando a los responsables de las políticas a explorar estrategias de desarrollo urbano sostenible.

Conoce tus derechos: ¿Que hacer en caso de una redada? 1. Mantenerse callado 2. Sólo dar nombre y apellido 3. No mentir 4. Nunca acepte/lleve documentos falsos 5. No revelar su situación migratoria 6. No llevar documentación de otro país 7. En caso de ser arrestado, mostrarla Tarjeta Miranda (llámenos si necesita una) Basados en la Quinta Enmienda de la Constitución, los derechos de guardar silencio y contar con un abogado fueron denominados Derechos Miranda luego de la decisión de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de Estados Unidos en el caso Miranda vs. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, de 1966.

por

www.juanese.com

juanese@usa.com

PAGE 12 | January 3 - 17, 2024 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Líderes comunitarios y planificadores urbanos están activamente involucrados en la gestión de este crecimiento para garantizar que Nashville siga siendo una comunidad acogedora e inclusiva. Se están llevando a cabo esfuerzos para abordar la asequibilidad de la vivienda, invertir en desarrollo urbano sostenible y mejorar los servicios públicos para satisfacer las necesidades de la creciente población. A medida que Nashville continúa dando la bienvenida a casi 100 nuevos residentes diariamente, la trayectoria de la ciudad está preparada para dar forma a su narrativa futura, consolidando su estatus como un centro próspero y dinámico en el corazón del sur de Estados Unidos. Envíenos sus sugerencias por e-mail: news@hispanicpaper.com ó 615-567-3569

VENDOR WRITING

Music That Fits A Moment In Time BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

For me, there truly is a song for EVERY occasion, and I know for a fact music can lift the mood of ANYONE who takes the time to listen to it! Consider the following examples: One day after being out for two and a half hours and only two people stopping, and only one of those people actually taking the paper, it was as if the floodgates of the heavens opened up, And the songs that we’re playing in the background were VERY appropriate — “I’d Rather Go Blind" by Etta James and “Only the Lonely” by Roy Orbison. Truth be told I’d rather go blind than see no traffic on my corner. It can get pretty lonely out there. A lady played/sang “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus during a recent visit and they invited me to sing along too! A guy who was hauling a John Deere tractor got a kick out of the fact that John Deere Green just happened to be playing as he went by. I got a big ol’ smile, a little chuckle, and a thumbs up from him as he drove by. Another customer told me he noticed how I’m ALWAYS listening to music and wearing a variety of hats. He played Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” for me, (one of my personal favorites). He encouraged me to do my part and sing along. For my efforts he gave

me a green Beatles hat with “Let It Be" on it. He even took the time to share another Beatles hit during his visit, ‘“I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” Super cool! Laura, a receptionist from one of my doctor's offices, stopped at the light and said hello. She mentioned that I was “looking good” as the song “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra played in the background. Even though I’m NOT a Sinatra fan, I couldn’t help but smile. Others have stopped to share their jam, especially when mine wasn’t working. They too are much appreciated. For instance, someone recently stopped and asked, “Hey, do you know this one?” He then played the “Cha Cha Slide” (perhaps due to the singer’s recent untimely passing). I honestly can’t remember attending a gathering that involved dancing when this song was not played at some point. A man driving by in his truck listening to Spotify took time to share some old school country i.e. “Hey Good Lookin” by Hank Williams followed by Louis Armstrong’s “A Kiss To Build A Dream On.” I commented on how nice it was to find a kindred spirit who listens to music like I do. He just smiled and said,”We’re probably about the same age.” Turns out he was right. We are both in our mid-50’s!

Having read my article about an Eagles concert I attended a while back, someone stopped by to share “New Kid In Town" by the Eagles. They noted how appropriate it was since they were relatively new in town. Someone stopped and asked me if I knew “Please Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna. I said yes, that I actually had written an article with that as a title. He replied, “I think I’d like to read that.” I told him I'd get him a copy, and he actually came back a few weeks later to get it! A young lady who was having a particularly hard time stopped by my corner to request “Broken Wing” by Martina McBride. She’s one of my all-time favorites, and a real go to for me in karaoke because she sings songs like I write — real stories about real life. In contrast, that same day, a young couple stopped with a request of their own: “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran. They looked SO cute together! On the lighter side, a woman recently pulled up alongside me rockin’ out to “Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson. They seemed amused when I turned my music down and began to sing along to theirs. Similarly, a young man came by blasting “She Used To Be Mine” by Brooks and Dunn. He did a double take and smiled when I walked

up and started singing along. I paused to listen as a car stopped in traffic playing Adele’s “Go Easy On Me.” As I began to sing, the driver smiled and gave me a thumbs up as she drove away. The woman in the car behind her, realizing what I was doing, got in on the action and rolled down her window to share Alicia Keys’s “If I Ain’t Got You” saying, “I KNOW you’ve sang her stuff before.” I just nodded yes, and kept right on singing! The next car followed suit and she too rolled her window down and gave me $2 saying that I was, “fun to watch,”and seeing me out there singing made her smile. Well, let me assure you, it does wonders for me too. That’s why I do it, and it helps pass the time. If it helps others get through their day, I’m happy to be of service! Today I came across a young man with the smooth sound of Ella Fitzgerald turned up as if it was a rock song. I immediately paused the Billy Joel song I was listening to, and walked up to the vehicle. He turned his radio down. I said no, please don’t. He said it’s Ella Fitzgerald. I said I know! As I started to sing along, he was grinning from ear to ear until the light changed and just like that, he was gone. All I can say is, “Let the music play on!” Onlookers/potential customers feel free to “Come on and Sing Along!”

Michael G.’s Movie Reviews 3 Movies for the Price of 1 Paper BY MICHAEL G., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) Runtime: 1:40 Rated: G This movie was and still is a classic family movie. Gene WIlder was born to play Willy Wonka. If you have never seen this movie then you must watch it for Christmas.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) Runtime: 1:55 Rated: PG Now this movie is a remake of the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Johnny Depp is just plain weird in the role of Willy Wonka. But it’s still a good family film for everyone.

Wonka (2023) Runtime: 1:52 Rated: PG As I’m writing this review for this movie, I have not seen it yet. But it has Hugh Grant, who was in The Lair of the White Worm (1988) playing an Oompa-Loompa. This movie has already gotten 4 HMMA Award Nominations. I believe this is the prequel to the original 1971 movie about how he met the Oompa-Loompas and how he started his chocolate factory. I hope you enjoy these movies.

January 3 - 17, 2024 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 13

VENDOR WRITING

Follow-Up On Panhandling Versus Selling The Contributor BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

I was having a hard time getting motivated to go out and sell the paper the day after Christmas. I was tired, hungry, and desperately in need of some coffee, so I decided a trip to Waff le House might help. The food was tasty: hash browns fully loaded minus the jalapeño peppers, with the gravy on the side, and coffee. While there, I discovered I needed a few papers for one of my customers, and I was down to my last History Corner book, so I made a run downtown to get supplies. Shortly after I left the restaurant, I realized I’d left my coffee. Thankfully, when I got back, they replaced it. Yay! Now with my tummy full and a fresh cup of coffee in hand, I was FINALLY ready to go to work, but what I REALLY wanted to do was take a nap! As I was setting up to sell the paper,

my coffee spilled all over the sidewalk, and in spite of the fact that I hadn’t drank much of it, I suddenly found myself in need of a restroom break. At this point, I could tell it was going to be one of those days! As I made my way back to my corner AGAIN, there was a panhandler standing in my spot! I calmly explained that this was my spot to sell The Contributor and I even showed him my badge. He responded saying, “You don’t own the sidewalk. You just need to go on. I was here first!” In order to avoid further confrontation I decided to go to the end of my map badge territory and work from there, however, I was stopped by one of my customers who rolled down her window and said, “Ms. Norma, you’re going the wrong way!” I explained

about the panhandler, and she asked me to meet her in the parking lot of the strip mall (my usual spot), so I did. She bought a paper right in front of the panhandler! She went further, asking what else I had in my bag today. “Do you have any more wrapping paper?” I said no, not with me. I’d taken it out since Christmas had passed, but I showed her the bumper stickers and the History Corner book, and she bought those too! All the while, the panhandler continued to protest loudly, asserting he had every right to be there, that he was there first, and how unfair it was that she’d help me and not him, and that he was just trying to make a living. He even asked, “What’s the difference between what she’s doing and what I’m doing?” How did she respond? She offered

him the paper she’d just bought. She said, “Here, read this and you’ll see the difference!” When he declined, she encouraged him to go on and leave me alone — and he did! She told me she’d read my article, “Panhandling Versus Selling The Contributor” online in the current issue came to get the print edition from me. She said she was hoping I’d be there since my granddaughter was probably out of school for the winter break. How sweet! I have to admit, I’ve sold papers for more money, I’ve had people buy multiple copies of the paper, I’ve sold tons of bumper stickers and boxes of books, but I’ve NEVER had a sale more satisfying than this one! Turns out yesterday wasn’t such a bad day after all!

Yakety, Yakety-Yak BY DIANE W, CON T RIBU T OR VENDOR

Content Warning: Domestic Violence I was in a living situation, and the more wealth my former love interest built for himself, the more unhappy he became. We had been seeing each other for years before he invited me to leave my apartment behind to go live with him. He already knew I have an arts education and degree and that creativity is more my focus rather than living a mainstream lifestyle. I was skeptical I should accept his invitation to come live with him, because of his many negative remarks about how his life was exemplary compared to mine due to his achievements and higher income bracket. We discussed my worries, and he had finally reassured me my finances didn’t matter to him, that he loved me for me, and he didn’t even expect me to pay him rent. However as time went on and he built more wealth through investing, he became increasingly dissatisfied and disgruntled that he was helping me pay for food. I had never truly entirely understood the dynamics of our relationship or why I stayed, especially considering how he was focused on economics and making comparisons, with so many belittling pronouncements and comments being made by him about my future, and my lack of achievements. I now know more about trauma bond relationships, which develops out of a manipulative and repeated cycle of different abuses and

devaluations, alternating with positive reinforcement. As the situation between us deteriorated I reflected back on how I had initially made a bad choice in becoming involved with him in the beginning due to my loneliness and fears of being in a big city with no support network or protector. He is a masculine acting man. I stayed in the relationship due to low self esteem and brain washing tactics, and a series of threats. I came to realize he was emotionally invested in seeing that I shouldn’t ever develop confidence in my own abilities to flourish economically, or on a personal level, and he seemed to gain emotional momentum and energy by feeding off my bad fortune and feelings of low self worth. As our time living together went on, he repeatedly told me no one in the world likes me, along with accusing me of stealing from him by eating too much, especially since he was spending too much on my organic groceries. He had more than enough money to spend on bars of silver and cryptocurrencies, but it made him upset he was buying me organic milk. He even became irate when I spent my own money, especially when I took online classes and was studying how to have my own businesses. I do believe multiple streams of income are the wisest investment. It’s not wise to put all your eggs in one basket. Off and on while I lived with him, my former love interest threatened to

burn my belongings and also started accusing me of “probably poisoning” him. I wondered if that was something he really believed or if he was saying that to cause me confusion and worry. I stopped cooking for him altogether. When he dug sod up in the backyard the approximate size of a human grave and left it that way for months, I finally asked him if he wanted to bury me in the back yard. He didn’t think the question was unusual at all. He laughed and immediately pointed out different areas in the lawn that would be the most inconspicuous places to bury me. There were several guns in the house, including an AR15 rifle. I started watching videos made by an FBI agent about de-escalating hostage situations, after he purchased a drone and a flak jacket, and then stated it was okay to kill people as long as you don’t get caught, that the only guilt or personal repercussions people feel are caused by being caught. Around this time I was talking to some people online, including other artists, and that bothered him as well, especially when I was talking to another artist who was friends with Yoko Ono, since Yoko is quite a famous and influential artist. I have always been a fan of Yoko Ono’s performance Cut Piece, originally performed in 1964. He did not like me talking to that particular artist at all, since I was being encouraged to make more art and to have more confidence

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in my abilities. My former love interest made it clear to me if I started my own business or left, or even if I stayed, he would put my information on the dark web, and he would do anything he could to discredit me and whatever statements I might potentially make in complaints, by telling people about my past traumas, as a form of personal blackmail. He insisted I should take steps to kill myself in his vehicle. He did make some of his blackmail threats come true by putting some of my information online, and he also put false and slanderous information online. I came here to Tennessee thinking I could find safety and refuge and could make a new life for myself, but so far things haven’t worked out as I had hoped. After two years I still have not been able to find a lawyer interested in taking up my cyber-harassment case, and have not been able to find housing. What I have done is I made the decision to stop being so afraid for my physical safety, and I am almost ready to put my art website I have been working on online. I have also completed some online certifications, as well as manifesting an initial phase of a future business plan for a multi-use arts center by having it drawn up in 3-D. It’s purpose would be to eventually benefit survivors and members of the organic farming and arts communities.

The New Christian Year Selected by Charles Williams (1941)

Charles Walter Stansby Williams (1886–1945), the editor of the following selections, is today probably the third most famous of the famous Inklings literary group of Oxford, England, which existed in the middle of the 20th century, and which included among its ranks the better-known and longer-lived Oxford Dons J.R.R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis—but he was arguably the most precocious and well-read of this eminent and intellectually fertile group. He was also known to have influenced Dorothy Sayers, T. S. Eliot and W. H. Auden. Lacking a proper degree unlike his fellow Inklings, this genius Cockney-speaking author, editor, critic, and playwright was eminently well-versed in both philosophical and theological writings of the remote past as of the present day (the mid-20th century) and used this familiarity to good effect in his poetry, supernatural fiction and his lesser-known devotional selections designed for the spiritual benefit of the faithful in the Church of England. This series of profound quotations, encompassing all walks of life, follows the sequence of the themes and Bible readings anciently appointed for contemplation throughout the church's year, beginning with Advent (i.e., December) and ending in November, and reaches far beyond the pale of the philosophical and theological discussions of his day. It was under his hand, for instance, that some of the first translations of Kierkegaard were made available to the wider public. It is hoped that the readings reproduced here will prove beneficial for any who read them, whatever their place in life's journey. — Matthew Carver

2ND WEDNESDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS GRACE is the incomprehensible fact that God is well pleased with a man, and that a man can rejoice in God. Only when grace is recognized to be incomprehensible is it grace. Grace exists, therefore, only where the Resurrection is reflected. Grace is the gift of Christ, who exposes the gulf which separates God and man, and, by exposing it, bridges it. Karl Barth: The Epistle to the Romans.

2ND THURSDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS WE cannot know whether we love God, although there may be strong reasons for thinking so, but there can be no doubt about whether we love our neighbor or no. Be sure that in proportion as you advance in fraternal charity, you are increasing in your love for God, for His Majesty bears so tender an affection for us, that I cannot doubt He will repay our love for others in augmenting, in a thousand different ways, that which we bear for Him. St Teresa: The Interior Castle. GOD loves all existing things. Aquinas: Summa Theologica.

2ND FRIDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS THE affirmative man, that does acknowledge all blessings, spiritual and temporal, to come from God, that prepares himself by holiness to be fit to receive them from God, that comes for them by humble prayer to God, that returns for them humble thanks to God, this man hath the first mark of this person upon him, He trusts in God. Donne: Sermons. THE now wherein God made the first man and the ‘now’ wherein the last man disappears and the now I speak in, all are the same in God where this is but the now. Eckhart: Sermons and Collations.

THE EPIPHANY THIS was the fulness of time, when Christ Jesus did come, that the Messiah should come. It was so to the Jews, and it was so to the Gentiles too . . . Christ hath excommunicated no nation, no shire, no house, no man: he gives none of his ministers leave to say to any man, thou art not redeemed; he gives no wounded nor afflicted conscience leave to say to itself, I am not redeemed. Donne: Sermons. THE lights of faith and of nature are subordinate John Babtists. Donne: Sermons.

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY SEE the mysteries which lie hid in that miracle of our Lord. It was necessary that all things should be fulfilled in Christ which were written of Him: those scriptures were the water. He made the water wine when He opened unto them the meaning of these things, and expounded the Scriptures; for thus that

came to have a taste which before had none, and that inebriated, which did not inebriate before. St Augustine, quoted in St Thomas: Catena Aurea.

1ST MONDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

1ST SATURDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY OUR accesses to his presence are but his descents into us; and when we get anything by prayer, he gave us beforehand the thing and the petition. Donne: Letters.

[OF a persecutor] When he beheld the truth he grew loving. George Fox: Journal.

MEEKNESS hath three degrees. The first degree is: a man to be subject and lowered to his sovereign and not preferred or raised above him that is equal with him in estate. The second is: to be subject to his equal like in estate and not to be raised or preferred above his underling. The third and sovereign degree of meekness is: to be subject and lowered to his underling, that is, he that is less in estate than he. The Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ, tr. by Nicholas Love.

1ST TUESDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

GOD gives us many things in which He has Himself no part: being Himself self-existent, He gives us a beginning of existence; being Himself exempt from want, He gives us nourishment; Himself always the same, He gives us growth; Himself immortal and exempt from old age, He gives us a happy old age, and a happy death. St Clement: Stromata.

I KNOW a man who, when he saw a woman of unusual beauty, praised the Creator for her. The sight of her lit within him the love of God . . . It was marvellous to see how what would have been the undoing of another became for him supernaturally a crown of victory. If such a man is always and in all cases capable of such feelings and such conduct, he has already partaken of incorruptibility even before the general resurrection. St John Climacus.

CHRIST is the object of faith to all; but the Church is as it were the outward form of justice, she is the common right of all. For all in common she prays, for all in common she works, in the temptations of all she is tried. St Ambrose: Duties of the Clergy.

SINCE everything is knowable according as it is actual, God, who is pure act without any admixture of potentiality, is in Himself supremely knowable. Aquinas: Summa Theologica.

1ST WEDNESDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY SIN is a robbing of God: a robbery which becomes apparent in our arrogant endeavour to cross the line of death by which we are bounded (i. 18, 19); in our drunken blurring of the distance which separates us from God; in our forgetfulness of His invisibility; in our investing of men with the form of God, and of God with the form of man; and in our devotion to some romantic infinity, some 'No-God' of this world, which we have created for ourselves. Barth: The Epistle to the Romans.

1ST THURSDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY O LORD, shew me this matter; one fleeth from the world for Thy Name's sake, and another receiveth and is gracious for Thy Name's sake. The Paradise of the Fathers. A MAN will always be tripped up by that thing which he will not cut off from himself. The Paradise of the Fathers.

1ST FRIDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY THY Kingdom come . . . Christ Himself may be the kingdom of God, whom we day by day desire to come, whose advent we crave to be quickly manifested to us. For since he is himself is the resurrection, since in him we rise again, so also the kingdom of God may be understood to be himself. St Cyprian: On the Lord's Prayer.