The Contributor: January 4, 2023

espués de años frialdad, las relaciones entre Estados Unidos y Turquía podrían volver a calen-

la agresión en aumento el Medio Oriente en un estado de tumullos intereses seguridad nacional de EE. UU. requieren en Turquía un socio que sirva de puente los continentes de Europa y un análisis que parece complementar las necesidades de seguridad nacional turca.

"deshielo" comenzó en octubre pasado, cuando el presidente Biden y Tayyip Erdogan discutieron sus intereses como miembros de la OTAN socios comerciales. Para abril de la administración Biden ya estaavanzando con un nuevo Mecanismo Estratégico de Estados Unidos y Turquía, que consolidaría la postura conjunta de las naciones conRusia luego de la invasión de Ucrania por parte de Vladimir Putin. logros diplomáticos ayudaron a disipar las preocupaciones sobre una inclinación turca permanente hacia Rusia. Turquía es un aliado de la OTAN. Sin embargo, algunos analishabían comenzado a cuestionar la viabilidad de la asociación.

sentimientos turcos estaban dolidos por la opinión de que la OTAN no siempre ha respaldado a Turquía en la medida en que debería. Cuando Ankara derribó un avión de

combate ruso intruso en 2016, la OTAN defendió el derecho de Turquía a la autodefensa. Pero cuando Putin amenazó con tomar represalias, el secretario general de la OTAN se limitó a emitir un tímido pedido de "calma y distensión".

No mucho después, Turquía decidió comprar sistemas avanzados de misiles tierra-aire rusos S-400, desafiando tanto a Estados Unidos como a la OTAN. Washington respondió cerrando el suministro de aviones de combate F-35 de Ankara.

Pero el intento de cortejo de Rusia fracasó. Eso se debió a la prioridad que Putin le dio a su alianza con el dictador sirio Bashar Assad. El origen de la ruptura se remonta a un acuerdo de mayo de 2017 entre Rusia, Irán y Turquía para establecer cuatro zonas de distensión en la guerra civil siria.

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Contributor Board Tom Wills, Chair Cathy Jennings, Christine Doeg, Demetria Kalodimos, Kerry Graham, Amber DuVentre, Jerome Moore, Drew Morris, Andy Shapiro

Contributors This Issue

Linda Bailey • Amanda Haggard • Ridley Wills II • Yuri Cunza • Tarek Kteleh • Peter Griffi n • Judith Tackett • Alvine • Hannah Herner • Rachel Ternes • Michael Duke • Wendell J. • Ed Telling • Mr. Mysterio • Jen A. • Joe Nolan

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Christine Doeg , Volunteer Coordinator Joe First • Andy Shapiro • Michael Reilly • Ann Bourland • Laura Birdsall • Marissa Young • Matthew Murrow • Gisselly Mazariegos • Tyler Samuel

Cathy Jennings Executive Director

Tom Wills

Director of Vendor Operations

Carli Tharp SNAP Specialist

Ree Cheers SOAR Manager

WHO WE ARE

The Contributor is a nonprofit social enterprise that creates economic opportunity with dignity by investing in the lives of people experiencing homelessness and poverty.

Starting in 2019, our C.O.V.E.R. Program (Creating Opportunity for Vendor Employment, Engagement, and Resources) was the natural expansion of our mission of removing obstacles to housing. We now offer full case management, assistance with housing and rental expenses, addiction recovery, health insurance, food benefits, and SSI/SSDI assistance. We see the onestop-shop team approach radically transforming a vendor's image of self and their place in community.

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Film reviewer Joe Nolan pens his predictions for this year's Music City Film Critics’ Association awards ceremony.

THE CONTRIBUTOR CALENDAR

Nashville’s Best Free Events Downtown

Whether you’ve lived in Nashville for years or you’re just in town for a few days, there’s always a way to get out and about without spending a ton. Every two weeks, The Contributor rounds up some of the best local fun to help you navigate all the city has to offer as well as volunteer opportunities and the occasional quick hot tips for the tourists from a vendor.

NASHVILLE READS "FREADOM" SCAVENGER HUNT

Jan. 7 | 10 a.m.. at the Nashville Public Library, 615 Church Street

The Nashville Public Library has leaned in to celebrating the freedom to read banned or challenged texts in the past year — even creating banned book library cards that quickly went out of stock at several locations. On Jan. 7, the library is inviting folks to the main branch downtown to participate in a scavenger hunt centered around banned and challenged books throughout history. Families, work teams and other groups are welcome to participate as a team

CRAFT A NEW YEAR: CHEROKEE BASKET/MAT WEAVING WITH SARAH THOMPSON Jan. 7 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Tennessee State Museum, 1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd.

The Tennessee State Museum's “Craft a New Year: Learning Craft Workshop Series," which is done in partnership with Tennessee Craft, begins anew in January 2023. Though the courses do come with a cost, they are taught by traditional makers: Sarah Thompson is a third-generation basket maker and enrolled member of the Eastern band of Cherokee Indians. She has worked for both the Cherokee Historical Society and the Museum of Cherokee Indians. She’ll be leading the class on Cherokee Basket/Mat Weaving. There will also be chances throughout January to learn book making, weaving and clay techniques. The museum notes that all skill levels are welcome, but classes are designed for beginning adults with little or no experience.

STACY WILLINGHAM, AUTHOR OF ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS, IN CONVERSATION WITH RACHEL HAWKINS

Jan. 11 | 6:30 p.m. at Parnassus Books, 3900 Hillsboro Pike

Stacy Willingham will be at Parnassus Books to discuss her latest book All the Dangerous Things with Rachel Hawkins. All the Dangerous Things follows Willingham’s New York Times bestseller, A Flicker in the Dark. The latest book is the story of a mother whose son is taken from his crib in the middle of the night.

KEEL HUNT, AUTHOR OF A SENSE OF JUSTICE , IN CONVERSATION WITH BRUCE DOBIE

Jan. 17 | 6:30 p.m. at Parnassus Books, 3900 Hillsboro Pike

Keel Hunt is slated to discuss his book A Sense of Justice: Judge Gilbert S. Merritt and His Times with local publisher and writer Bruce Dobie. This is a free event which will take place in store on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 6:30pm Central Time. Hunt’s biography follows the life and times of Judge Gilbert Merritt as a vehicle to “understand modern U.S. politics of the mid to late 20th century—how it came to be, and how it worked—particularly in the American South,” the event reads.

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.

Después de años de frialdad, las relaciones entre Estados Unidos y Turquía podrían volver a calentarse.

Con la agresión rusa en aumento y el Medio Oriente en un estado de tumulto, los intereses de seguridad nacional de EE. UU. requieren en Turquía un socio que sirva de puente entre los continentes de Europa y Asia, un análisis que parece complementar las necesidades de seguridad nacional turca.

El "deshielo" comenzó en octubre pasado, cuando el presidente Biden y Recep Tayyip Erdogan discutieron sus intereses como miembros de la OTAN y socios comerciales. Para abril de 2022, la administración Biden ya estaba avanzando con un nuevo Mecanismo Estratégico de Estados Unidos y Turquía, que consolidaría la postura conjunta de las naciones contra Rusia luego de la invasión de Ucrania por parte de Vladimir Putin. Estos logros diplomáticos ayudaron a disipar las preocupaciones sobre una inclinación turca permanente hacia Rusia. Turquía es un aliado de la OTAN. Sin embargo, algunos analistas habían comenzado a cuestionar la viabilidad de la asociación.

Los sentimientos turcos estaban dolidos por la opinión de que la OTAN no siempre ha respaldado a Turquía en la medida en que debería. Cuando Ankara derribó un avión de

combate ruso intruso en 2016, la OTAN defendió el derecho de Turquía a la autodefensa. Pero cuando Putin amenazó con tomar represalias, el secretario general de la OTAN se limitó a emitir un tímido pedido de "calma y distensión".

No mucho después, Turquía decidió comprar sistemas avanzados de misiles tierra-aire rusos S-400, desafiando tanto a Estados Unidos como a la OTAN. Washington respondió cerrando el suministro de aviones de combate F-35 de Ankara.

Pero el intento de cortejo de Rusia fracasó. Eso se debió a la prioridad que Putin le dio a su alianza con el dictador sirio Bashar Assad. El origen de la ruptura se remonta a un acuerdo de mayo de 2017 entre Rusia, Irán y Turquía para establecer cuatro zonas de distensión en la guerra civil siria.

Los turcos pensaron que el acuerdo podría ser el comienzo de una asociación mutuamente beneficiosa. Pero la tinta apenas se había secado cuando Putin renegó y ayudó a Assad a apoderarse de las zonas. Assad, con la ayuda de los ataques aéreos rusos, atacó Idlib, una región vulnerable que alberga a unos 30.000 rebeldes sirios y 2,9 millones de civiles atrapados en el fuego cruzado. Turquía exigió un alto el fuego, pero tanto Putin como Assad hicieron caso omiso de la solicitud.

Dada esta historia de traición, Putin no debería sorprenderse de encontrar a Turquía apoyando a Ucrania y simpatizando con Estados Unidos. En febrero, a pedido del presidente ucraniano Volodymyr Zelensky, Ankara bloqueó la entrada de buques de guerra rusos al Mar Negro. Mientras tanto, con 25 millones de toneladas de cereales hundiéndose en el granero de

puertos, incluido Odessa.

Estados Unidos debería recompensar los gestos de Turquía. Eso significa revertir las sanciones impuestas después de la compra de los S-400 de Rusia por parte de Ankara y el suministro de F-35 a Turquía. Significa mostrar una mayor sensibilidad hacia las preocupaciones de Ankara sobre la lucha de Estados Unidos junto a las Unidades de Protección del Pueblo (YPG) de los kurdos sirios, que tienen vínculos con el principal enemigo de Ankara, el grupo terrorista conocido como PKK. Y significa impulsar el Mecanismo Estratégico de Estados Unidos y Turquía.

Fortalecer la asociación de Estados Unidos con Turquía también podría ayudar a evitar una catástrofe humanitaria. Millones de refugiados sirios residen en Turquía, y cada vez más turcos han expresado su apoyo para enviar de regreso a esos refugiados.

La orientación de los funcionarios estadounidenses podría garantizar que, si Turquía reubica a los refugiados, lo haga con el mayor cuidado posible.

Lograr estos objetivos requerirá una comprensión compartida de las preocupaciones legítimas de seguridad de ambas partes. Construir esa confianza tendrá recompensas masivas.

El Dr. Tarek Kteleh es médico en ejercicio y presidente de Rheumatology of Central Indiana. Es autor de “Los seis pilares de la defensa: acepta tu causa y transforma vidas”.

Envíenos sus sugerencias por e-mail: news@hispanicpaper.com ó 615-567-3569

Europa, Turquía ha ayudado a Ucrania a exportar alimentos desde tres

Photo by Peter Griffin

Victor E. “Manny” Shwab was one of the richest men in Nashville from 1870 through 1901

BY RIDLEY WILLS II

Iworked as a volunteer in the United Givers Fund of Nashville. My assignment in the Small Firms Division was to walk up and down Dickerson Pike in the 100, 200 and 300 blocks where I called on fortune tellers, used car dealerships, small loan companies, used tire stores and a Howard Johnson Restaurant. I had no idea that the hill paralleling Dickerson Pike was Bowman Hill and that the richest man in Nashville, Victor Emanual “Manny” Shwab, lived on top of it for 30 years, from 1870 until 1901. Shwab, whose address was 221 Dickerson Pike, had as his next door neighbor George Dickel, who lived there until his death in 1894.

In 1888, Shwab purchased controlling interest in the Cascade Distillery and 100 acres near Tullahoma, Tennessee. This made him so much money that he was able to give, in 1890, 10 acres on Dickerson Pike for a school named for him.

Shwab, an entrepreneur, also invested heavily in Cumberland Telephone and Telegraph Company, where he was on the board, owned the Climax Saloon on Cherry Street in Nashville, and built the

Silver Dollar Saloon on the corner of Market Street and Broadway. Later, he purchased the five-story Castner Knott Department Store, one of the city's best. He was also on the board of Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad.

Although vilified by prohibitionists, Shwab remained a major figure in Nashville charitable, financial and social circles for all his active life, which ended Nov. 2, 1924, two years after he suffered a debilitating stroke.

Because Victor E. Shwab, heralded as a one-man Tammany Hall, is almost unknown today, his great grandson, Clay Shwab, has spent years researching Manny and has written his biography. It tells not only Victor E. Emanuel’s life story, including his fight with the IRS and the confiscation of his distillery but also covers his relationships with such prominent Nashvillians as George Dickel, James E. Caldwell, Frank O. Watts, Edward Ward Carmack and others. Clay’s interesting and accurate book is one any Nashvillian interested in local history should read when it is published in 2023.

Ridley wrote a book!

Longtime writer for The Contributor Ridley Wills II has published a book cataloging all of his work writing History Corner articles for the paper from over the past decade. All proceeds from the book will be donated to The Contributor to continue its mission of providing low-barrier income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness so that they can find sustainable housing.

FIND THE BOOK AT THESE LOCAL STORES:

• Belle Meade Mansion Gift Shop: 5025 Harding Pike

• Elder's Bookstore: 101 White Bridge Road

Fort Negley Visitors Center: 1100 Fort Negley Boulevard

Historic Belmont: 1800 Belmont Blvd.

Logos Book Store: 2136 Bandywood Drive

Parnassus Books: 3900 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 14

January 4 - 18, 2023 | The Contributor

• Landmark Booksellers: 114 East Main Street, Franklin TN

• Hot Pink: 831 Franklin Pike, Brentwood TN

Duck River Books: 124 Public Square, Columbia TN

Learn More About: The New Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness

BY JUDITH TACKETT

On Dec. 19, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) released All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness (read it at usich.gov). The plan is built on three foundational pillars: equity, data and collaboration, as well as three solutions pillars, which are housing and supports, homelessness response and prevention.

The federal plan sets an interim goal to reduce homelessness by 25 percent by January 2025 and uses the 2022 Point In Time (PIT) Count as the baseline for that goal.

As a quick reminder, the Point In Time Count is conducted across the nation on one night within the last 10 days for January and really only counts people living in shelters and outdoors, which does not include families that are doubled up with relatives or friends, couch surfers, or people paying for motel rooms as their living quarters. Nashville’s 2022 PIT Count showed an overall number of 1,916 people, a five percent decrease from 2020. In theory, Nashville would have to decrease its literal homeless population by just under 500 people by 2025 to reflect the federal goal. We can do this, Nashville, especially with the recent influx of $50 million in American Rescue Funds designated to address outdoor homelessness in Davidson County over the next three years.

The federal plan clearly states that, “While this is a federal plan, local communities can use it to collaboratively develop local and systems-level plans for preventing and ending homelessness.” I appreciate that, especially since the Nashville-Davidson County Continuum of Care (CoC)* has missed its mark in updating our local strategic plan. But there is still time to do so.

I have submitted my comments to the most recent version of the local strategic plan and pointed out that an updated version should set specific goals, which is something we were not able to do a few years ago because we did not have a functioning database in place. Now that our community has the ability to utilize its Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and with that has improved data collection and data quality, I argued that we need to focus on population-specific goals. In my recommendation to the CoC, I focused on individuals (including those experiencing chronic homelessness), families with children, youth and young adults and Veterans as main subpopulations.

The federal strategic plan also calls on the need to focus on all populations but lists a multitude of subpopulations and geographic areas (see sidebar). What is more, All In calls for the adoption of a “targeted universalism” framework. What that means is that the federal government, “promotes a universal reduction goal with targeted and tailored solutions based on the structures, cultures, and geographies of certain groups to help them overcome unique barriers.”

In real terms, this means that our CoC should pay attention to ensure our community does not exclusively focus on only one population when it comes to ending homelessness at the cost of another population. The way I interpret this is

that if Nashville’s CoC wants to align itself with this framework of targeted universalism, then it needs to ensure that the city’s focus on people in encampments does not result in taking away resources from other populations and avoids overlooking the needs of families with children, or youth and young adults, or people fleeing domestic violence, etc. To be clear, the federal plan puts a specific emphasis on the reduction of outdoor homelessness, and the $50-million temporary investment by Nashville in encampments are new dollars that do not take away anything from other populations.

But the federal plan also focuses on ensuring that all geographic areas are served. While the feds look toward urban, suburban, rural, tribal and other areas, a localized alignment could ensure that all geographic areas within a CoC are included. From my previous columns, you probably have picked up that I am rather critical of the city’s approach to prioritize specific encampments (especially ones that in essence reward neighborhood groups that have been significantly pushing for the criminalization of homelessness) at the expense of an overall outdoor housing plan. I must say though, the city seems to have listened to criticism and is now talking about their outdoor housing plan, a fi rst step that still needs to be followed up by actual actions that reflect the verbiage change.

Overall, an alignment with the federal strategic plan would mean that Nashville needs to implement a collaborative effort that is inclusive but considers that each vulnerable population has required specific considerations and resources.

This is easier said than done because it requires strong coordination and partnerships built on trust (not just money). The good news is, Nashville has already a years-long collaborative history within its homeless service provider community it can build upon. We just need the CoC leadership to truly understand the infrastructure that’s already in place. Please forgive me for harping on this, but that’s extremely important and it also echoes in the federal plan, which says, “[e]nding homelessness requires an all-hands-on-deck response grounded in authentic collaboration.”

The way I read this, we need to ensure we have open and transparent communication throughout the community. With $50 million in grant funding at stake, it is important that we pay attention that Metro does not use funding as a means to force collaboration or (perish the thought!) put pressure on providers when they voice different views and critical opinions.

One thing that is extremely important in the new federal strategic plan is the focus on prevention. While all strategic plans always include references to prevention, I believe this time, the federal government is all in and outlines the importance of mainstream resources and cross-systems coordination to cut down on the pipelines that feed into homelessness (foster care, criminal justice, eviction, etc.).

Furthermore, All In stresses how important applying a racial equity lens is to addressing

Along with the release of All In, the White House announced a federal effort to reduce outdoor homelessness. The federal government will announce a cohort of cities in di erent geographic areas that will receive:

• Federal assistance through a community response team to help implement a local strategy;

• Regulatory support to relief red tape and bureaucratic processes;

• Technical support to help utilize and analyze available data; and

• Volunteer support for street outreach and access to peer-to-peer networks to promote best practice approaches.

USICH will lead this initiative.

Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/12/19/ fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-plan-to-prevent-and-end-homelessness/

homelessness, it endorses the Housing First philosophy and it keeps a focus on using data and evidence to make sound decisions.

As a next step, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness will work at the federal level to implement action steps and as part of that identify additional data sources to measure overall impact. Those include the Point In Time Count, the data sets of homeless children collected each year by local school systems, and changes in systems performance measures as outlined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and collected through local Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS).

As mentioned earlier, my hope is that our local CoC governance board, the Homelessness Planning Council, takes this opportunity to revisit its recent strategic planning effort and updates the plan to set specific goals for subpopulations

in alignment with All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.

*The federal government defines the Continuum of Care as “the group organized to carry out the responsibilities required by HUD to carry out the components of the CoC Program interim rule and is composed of representatives of organizations, including nonprofit homeless providers, victim service providers, faith-based organizations, governments, businesses, advocates, public housing agencies, school districts, social service providers, mental health agencies, hospitals, universities, affordable housing developers, law enforcement, organizations that serve homeless and formerly homeless veterans, and homeless and formerly homeless persons to the extent these groups are represented within the geographic area and are available to participate.”

A Few Questions with Councilmember Mary Carolyn Roberts, District 20

BY JUDITH TACKETT

District 20 Councilmember Mary Carolyn Roberts and I met when she served on the Metropolitan Homelessness Commission, the precursor to the Homelessness Planning Council. She’s a realtor, a pet rescuer, an arts lover and a leader who knows how to implement a vision.

The Contributor talked with Roberts as part of a series called A Few Questions With where we interview council members about their district’s most pressing issues.

How would you describe District 20?

District 20 is an interesting hybrid. We have young and old residents. There is industrial and residential zoning. We have brand new buildings budded up to very old ones. We have a prison, a rock quarry, a TV station, an airport — we’re just about as diverse as a district can be.

I’ve been really lucky to have a group of people where I don’t have the outrageous community meetings where people yell and scream. It’s really just a harmonious community.

What are the main concerns you hear from your constituents?

My constituents want sidewalks, which is part of the walkability factor. They want traffic calming. They want more amenities in our parks, less construction, and they want to help the homeless. That speaks to the harmonious heart that they have. They are constantly asking for ways to help.

District 20 includes a neighborhood called The Nations. It has seen huge growth changes in recent years. As the Council representative what were your concerns about this quick growth, and what did you do to address them?

The tsunami of change was coming my way the minute I took office eight years ago. Growth is inevitable in a city that’s exploding as ours has. And with our district’s proximity to Downtown and having so many good restaurants and amenities, I had to try to lean in and shape it into the type of growth that’s sustainable; that’s smart growth.

When I took office, I implemented something like a moratorium on apartments. I didn’t want it to become an area that was just predominantly apartments. It was a different vibe that I was trying to create. The hybrid of having residential zoning next to commercial for me was an opportunity because there are places like Wynwood down in Miami that have taken areas similar to mine, demographically and geographically, and created a really amazing art space.

What happened was, after I put a moratorium on apartments eight years ago, my [constituents'] businesses were starting to struggle to survive. I realized I needed people with expendable incomes that were actually spending money in my District. So, I allowed a handful of apartments to be built. It did offer some relief to my businesses, but not enough. In year six, I did two more huge projects that came out of

the ground last year.

To me, my biggest challenge has been keeping the balance between the existing residents who have been there sometimes for generations and the gentrification of a neighborhood that they no longer recognize.

Can you talk a little more about a councilmembers ability to shape a community?

Ultimately councilmembers are re-zoners — maybe glorified re-zoners — and with that you’re allowed to figure out what you want your community to look like.

I had a big-picture goal when I took office, which was to create a walkable neighborhood, and I just moved backwards from there. Sidewalks, restaurants, bars, and public arts are things I wanted not only for The Nations but also for Charlotte Parks, Beacon Square, for Robertson Road. Those areas started out with a hodgepodge of zoning that would have allowed a lot of things that you might not want in the middle of a residential neighborhood. I knew with that precarious zoning pattern, I needed to be extremely careful to get that right for the

METRO COUNCIL COMMITTEES: • Public Facilities, Arts, and Culture

• Public Health and Safety

a silo. It was the most magical thing I’ve ever seen. It’s what art can do in a community. (Van Helten painted the mural of The Nations resident Lee Estes who taught art at St. Luke’s Community House.)

The same was true in the other big projects like the sewer tower we painted in West Park, which is the largest piece of art in the Southeast.

Public art is important to you.

Yes, I mean I inherited a sewer tower in the middle of a park, and then Eric Henn painted the West Park mural. It’s over on Morrow Road. For Metro Water allowing that to be painted made a huge difference. It’s spectacular, you can’t grasp the size of it until you see it.

I ask every developer to incorporate public art into their sites. Most try to be accommodating, and there are tons of great examples sprinkled throughout the district.

What other projects have you been involved in?

When I took office, I had three big goals for my district. Of course, I had a lot of small goals, too.

But the first of the big goals was to make 51st Avenue a complete street. That happened and created viability and walkability. It’s the fi rst domino that fell for us. Without Mayor Barry that would have never happened.

The second goal was to get the trucks off Robertson Avenue to alleviate the commercial rock quarry traffic from the residential neighborhood thoroughfare. We negotiated a deal that took seven years, but we made it happen.

We got the Rogers Group to build a bridge that essentially took all of the 2,000 trucks a day off of Robertson Avenue. It has made monumental differences. I’ve had people call me telling me how it’s changed their lives.

neighborhoods to thrive. I really wanted to draw the creatives over there. To do that, I had to be really smart about the zoning that was industrial and commercial.

What we ended up with doesn’t include every detail of the big picture goal I started with, but it is generally what I wanted as far as how to implement a road map for growth.

What is the feedback you receive from residents about the changes that happened?

Sadly, in certain places there aren’t a lot of long-term residents left. It sets up a real juxtaposition when you have somebody who’s been there for three generations and their grandmother may have paid $10,000 for a house next to some 25-year-olds who have paid $800,000 for a house. Those two being next to each other sometimes created some resentments.

The one thing that unified us as a community is public arts. For instance, when Guido Van Helten came to paint for two weeks — and the young, the old, the new, the transplants, everybody came out and sat in lounge chairs together, united, and watched this man paint

My third goal was to save the Tennessee State Prison, which has not happened yet. I’ve done two out of three, but I really need the support of the people of Nashville in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office to be able to save the Tennessee State Prison. I’m just in hope that the Mayor’s Office is going to keep their promise to do that.

I recall we once brainstormed how to utilize faith communities more to help people transition from street to housing. That thought stuck with me and I kept working with local faith communities. What else do you think could Metro do to partner with congregations to help address homelessness?

I do remember us brainstorming. That felt like we were at least trying to move toward a solution.

The one common denominator and I think the best thing congregations can do is to bring volunteers out. If Metro could work to coordinate with those entities to combine the people who want to help with the people who need the help — that would be monumental.

Annual memorial honors more than 175 neighbors experiencing homelessness who died on the streets

This year more than 175 people died while living on the streets in Nashville. At the 2022 Annual Homeless Memorial on Dec. 17, 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.

PHOTOS BY ALVINE

Minard Abernathy

Johnathan “Gato” Alston

Andrew Scott Alsup

Timothy Eugene Anderson

Todd Daniel Andrews

Paul Arndt

Wayne Arnett

Larry Arnold

Gene Atherton

Travis Melton Barrett

Daniel James Baynes

LaKeisha Bean

Courtney Beasley James Blansett

Danielle Bowan-Colgan

William Bowen Jr

Thomas Boykin William Branch

Chris Brimm

Drandon “Chief” Brown Clarence Brown Jr

Lesley Brummond

David Allen Burke

Larry Burrus

Cory Bush

James Campbell Christopher Carr

Rebecca Castle-Brown

Perry Champion

Jared Charles

James Church

Paul Ciappetta

Bobby Clark

Robert Cloyd

Cherieda Cooke

Brenda Gail Coons

Jon Copen

Robert Cotter

Joshua Coulter

Joseph Cox

Ricky Cramblit

Teri “Blu” Cross

Melinda Crumpler

Mukesh Dadwal

Anthony Darden

Philip Davenport

Jeff Dean

Samuel Dillard Jane Doe

Melvin Dunlap

Martin Clayton Edwards

Robert Eickhoff

John Fitzgerald Ewin Charlie Farmer

Jeremy Fenton

Michael Figard

Jaciento “Jake” Fleming Deborah Fleming Roger Freels

James Fulmer

Salomon Garcia-Perez Juan Garza Jr Thomas Gaston William Todd George Joseph Gilkey

Steven James Godwin

Larry Goff Christopher Goodale Deon Goodson

Fred Gordon

Mark “Marty” Shannon Graham

Bradley Allen Granke Keith Hagan

Robert Haney Jerry Harding Joshua Hawkins Daisy Georgia Hendershot

Roy “Devin” Hensley Roy Hetzel

Jonathan Martin Hickman

Alton Ray Hinsley

Ingrid Hofmann

Mark “Marty” Shannon Holloway

Ronnie Charles Hopson Casey Ladd “Gage” Hubbard Kevin Ray Huddleston Shannon Hull Brandon Hutchison

Salvatore Ippolito

Corey Jackson Michael Jones Jeffery Jones Curtis Wayne Jones Jr. Joseph Jurek Yvette Kahle Roderick Keeton Charles King Darrell King Charles Kinzer Loretta Kuhn Christopher Liebhart Sean Linklater Alonza Love Ricky Lyons Sherill Manning Traci Marcum Jonathan R Martin Kelly Martin Dennis Dwain Matthews

Larry McConnell III James McKissack Lisa Carroll Miller Jerry Muller William Danny Nalley Lesmy Napoles David Mark Nelson Ryan Christopher Nelson Paul Nevels Robert Frank ODonald Jr Ashley Owen Bennet David Lynn Painter Gary Maurice Sr. Palmer Casey Lee Storm Parks Justin Scott Parks

Jospeh Blake Parrott Mitchell Pate David Patterson William Patton Richard Allen Paul Lucienda Peden William Peete III Lorenzo Petway Jakeisha Pinkerton

Kenny Shan Pobst

Stephen Presley Marty Radney John Redmond

Bonnie Reffegee Harold Ray Rickman Kathyrn Roberts Moore Ariel Rose

Rodney Fitzgerald

“Cleveland” Sanders Colton “Colt” Sanders

Thomas Shepherd

John Sinks

David Sitterly Patrick Smith Stephoin Smith Geraline Smith Hoyt “Chicago” Smothers Amber Sylvester

Emmanuel “Manny” Tarr Sean Tatum Mary Taylor

Ronnie Teasley Michael Thompson Nova Thompson Rogelio Tonshend Joel Torres

Allen Tribett Kayla Turner Elijah Vanderpool Gerald Vaughn Timothy Vernon Kenneth Waddy Gregory Scott Walden Robert Warren

Kimberly Lynn Watts Sandra Whitehead Ricky Wilson

Woodrow Wilson III Robert Winters

Kimberlee Wright Charles Edward Yazell

staff say vendor Larry Burrus was quiet,

cool

BY 'CONTRIBUTOR' STAFF

Contributor vendor Larry Burrus died in hospice care at Cumberland Manor Nursing Home on Nov. 5 after suffering from cancer.

The Contributor ’s Executive Director Cathy Jennings described Burrus as a very quiet and very diligent vendor. He sold the paper for 10 years on the corner of Belmont and Shackleford — in 2020 a tornado fell on his home, a traumatic event for him that he often retold the story of.

“He took life as it came, everything in stride,” Jennings says. “ His customers always loved him. He will be greatly missed.”

Volunteer Michael Reilly said Burrus had a subtle, old-school elegance and cool about him.

“He did not suffer fools,” Reilly says.

Whenever Larry would come to the office to buy papers, Contributor volunteer Andy Shapiro says he’d comment to no one in particular that he knew, “the smoothest guy in Nashville.” Shapiro said Larry was always polite, in good spirits and dressed smartly.

“He was the most self-assured vendor I ever knew, for sure,” Shapiro said.

“I’m certain Larry had stories to tell, but his quiet, humble and polite nature never offered him a chance to share

them with me. I’ll miss my smooth friend. RIP Larry.”

Burrus was born on Oct. 14, 1949, in Elkton, Ky., according to his obituary. His parents were Edgar Burrus and Jannie Boyer.

Burrus attended school in the Todd County Public School Systems, and graduated from Todd Central High School. His obituary says he, “accepted Christ at an early age,” and was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Elkton.

Burrus served in the United States Navy and received an honorable discharge. He was employed for several

years at CSX Railroad. After his service in the military, he was employed by CSX Railroad for several years.

Burrus was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Burrus and Jannie Boyer.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories wife, Florita Burrus, daughter, Janae (Dejuan) Hobson, sons, Antonio (Tiffany) Neal, Maurice (Kenyatta) Burrus, Larry D. Burrus, Rahim Buford, Jack Buford, Kevin Buford, sister, Mary Ann Burrus, brothers, Wallace Burrus, Billy Burrus, and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, customers and friends.

Christopher Goodale was a ‘kind and gentle man’ against all odds

BY RACHEL TERNES BY MICHAEL DUKE, CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Chris was a kind and gentle man against all odds. He had a hard life that made it hard for him to feel hope in the future or in himself. Throughout it all, he found joy in his daughter, in fishing, in nature, in animals and in taking long walks. He had friends and family members who knew him to be a good soul and who loved him more than he knew. He was quiet, humble, wise, and thoughtful, and had a strong sense of justice and compassion for anyone who was mistreated. Even though he liked to keep to himself often, he was easy to get along with and a good collaborator. Over the past year of working with us at The Contributor, he was able to gain more hope in his future and was looking forward to making himself a good life in his new apartment. Knowing this makes it especially difficult to say goodbye. He will be dearly missed.

I've known Chris a really long time. We grew up together. We used to go hunting and fishing and we even worked together for some time. He was a really great guy and truly a really good friend. Even if he wasn't in the best situation his self he would give you the shirt off his own back if you needed it. He stayed really humble and true to himself and he had the up most respect for everyone. His tragedy is still sinking in with me. I can't believe how someone can do such a thing to such a great person. He's truly going to be missed but never forgotten. Rest easy and fly high my friend until I see you again.

‘Contributor’

diligent and ‘old-school’

Longtime ‘Contributor’ vendor David Burke

for warmth and positive attitude

BY AMANDA HAGGARD AND HANNAH HERNER

Contributor alum David Burke died on Dec. 21, 2021, while in hospice care. He would often sell The Contributor at the Downtown Arcade. He was 55 years old.

In a Vendor Spotlight of David in 2014, he said selling downtown was like being in one of his favorite televisions shows.

“It’s like Cheers,” Burke says. “Seriously, everybody knows my name. And most everybody is friendly.”

Burke sold The Contributor on and off for more than a decade. He sold the paper early on and was vendor No. 29.

Contributor Director Cathy Jennings said Burke sold almost 24,000 papers during his tenure. He always wanted to go to France because he could speak some French.

“David recently got into housing,” Jennings says. “David was one of those quiet people who can slip through the cracks. He was always pleasant and smiling — makes me realize we have to watch out for those people more.”

Raven Lintu, director of housing initiatives for The Contributor, says. “I will always remember David with his wide smile, and laughing along with his jokes. I remember he would always come in the

vendor office back in the day and would make the day feel brighter. Thank you David for the laughs and smiles.”

Co-editor for The Contributor Amanda Haggard says Burke was the first vendor she ever bought a paper from.

“Before I began working and contracting with The Contributor, David said ‘hello’ when I was walking downtown, struck up a conversation and then asked if I wanted to buy a paper,” Haggard says. “I remember how warm and friendly he could be and how easy he was to talk to.”

Co-editor for The Contributor Linda Bailey says she would always see David downtown when he regularly sold the paper in front of the Walgreens in The Arcade.

“In my early years working at The Contributor, I would always pass David on my way to get coffee. I’d try to stop by for a quick chat and David would make a joke or tell me how things were going in his thick Northeastern accent,” Bailey said. “He always had a smile, even when I knew things going on in his life were difficult.”

Volunteer Michael Reilly said that David bore his many burdens with a positive attitude.

“He was a gentle soul,” Reilly says.

Another volunteer, Andy Shapiro said David was a good man, who could sometimes have a short fuse because he, “knew the world was passing him by without recognition.”

In the spotlight from 2014, he also spoke about losing three other jobs before he started selling The Contributor because he had a history of epileptic seizures. Everytime he would have a seizure, he would lose a job, and the stability that came with it. He described selling The Contributor as a “lifeline” that allowed him to buy his medication and meet other needs and work on his own time.

“I count my successes by whether I can get the things done that I need. That almost always works out,” Burke said.

Director of vending Tom Wills remembered David as a resilient and faithful vendor for years at the entrance to the Arcade by Walgreens and at the KFC at Murfreesboro and Bell Rd.

“Even when he broke his ankle he had the willpower to get out and meet his customers,” Wills says. “Over the pandemic he got out of his routines, dealt with illness and eventually found housing. I miss his smile and steadfastness. The Arcade will always remind me of David.”

Contributor vendor Mukesh Dadwal passed away in December.

Volunteer Joe First remembered Mukesh as strong-willed and smart.

“No matter how hungry he was he wouldn’t break his religious convictions to eat the meals we offered,” First says. “[He was] always very polite in the office with volunteers.”

BY 'CONTRIBUTOR' STAFF

Volunteer Michael Reilly said Mukesh's kindness and vulnerability always made him often want to give Mukesh a hug. Mukesh often mentioned he would like to return to his family in India, but was never able to make it happen.

Volunteer Andy Shapiro said “Kesh” was a different kind of vendor.

“He knew more about life than he

was willing to share and from a perspective quite unknown to me as an old white guy,” Shapiro said. “He was always kind and I was happy to see him. He was the first guy I’ve ever met who would ‘waggle’ his head when he asked me for something.”

Shapiro said he was glad to have been able to help Kesh on occasion and

said they often had satisfying philosophical conversations.

“I think he was burdened with shame and loss from which he could never escape,” Shapiro said. “Kesh was wise, but his demons got the best of him. Last time I saw him, he looked wrung out and desperate. He wanted to go home.”

‘The Contributor’ remembers vendor Paul Arndt for his generosity and dark humor

BY CARLI THARP

On Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, The Contributor said goodbye to beloved vendor, advocate, and friend: Paul Allen Arndt.

There is no simple way to sum up Paul’s life or personality in words. To say that he deeply loved his friends and The Contributor fits, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Paul loved people enough to act.

He expressed great generosity, even to the point of his own detriment. He stood up for The Contributor and for folks experiencing homelessness every time an opportunity arose. He had big ideas on how to help, and always had questions about what Nashville was doing next to help end homelessness.

Paul loved Nashville enough to get angry when

people’s needs were not being met. He wanted everyone to do their part to make the world a better place, and he believed in hard work. He saw his friends at The Contributor doing their part by vending, creating microbusinesses and spreading important news. He heatedly demanded that those with power and money do their part to help those experiencing

housing insecurity and homelessness in return. He fought against the stereotypes and cliches — that everyone can just pull themselves up by their bootstraps, or that poverty is a character flaw.

He loved with a ferocity that held leaders accountable, asked hard questions, solved problems, and challenged us all to do our absolute best for

each other.

Paul cared about other people so much.

My hope — and I think his hope — for Nashville would be that we can all learn to love and demand justice for each other with kindness, but also with unrelenting strength, and maybe a little bit of dark humor.

We miss you so much already, Paul.

Paul A. wanted to ‘solve the world’s problems’

BY HANNAH HERNER

When Paul Arndt was in high school, he got in big trouble for selling shots of alcohol to other students from his locker — $1 per shot. He counted this as his first business, a sign of the resourcefulness that would stick with him for the rest of his life.

He had come to Nashville a few years ago to escape some of the cold of his home in Michigan, and camped under Jefferson Street Bridge for much of his time here. If he really

had a choice of how to spend his time, he’d be out fishing, but it seems sitting in front of Puckett’s downtown selling The Contributor was a fine second choice. While he wasn’t selling a high number of papers, he was one of the most consistent and well-known vendors to The Contributor staff.

If Paul had a catch phrase, it would probably be what’s going on? He had a voracious appetite for news, gossip,

cigarettes and black coffee. Through his many submissions to the paper, he wanted to share good news, ways things were getting better for him. But he was also very honest about issues he saw and felt deeply that if he could just get the word out about what people experiencing homelessness needed, it could get better. Paul was up at all hours of the night just thinking about how to solve the world’s problems.

Paul made friends wher-

ever he went — at his camp, in two different apartment complexes, at the office, on the street corner. He was a good conversationalist, took interest in other people, and gave away a lot of single cigarettes. The Contributor staff and volunteers worked hard to get him into housing, and a number of times he let others stay with him, even at risk of his own well-being.

On the other hand, Paul was very stubborn, and if

someone crossed him, he was going to put up a fight.

Life had an unfair amount of challenges for Paul. What made it easier for him to manage is that he was always thinking about the future, and things he could look forward to.

Paul said once that he wanted to die with a Contributor in his hand. It didn’t happen that way, but he did die having left a mark on this paper, and many others including myself, through it.

Micheal Ricks is a musician that is known to play the banjo. He's popular singing, "Don't Let It," "I Can See the Sun," and cover the song, "Wasted Time." You can see Micheal play live at The Local (110 28th Ave. N., Nashville TN 37203) on Saturdays between 4 and 5:30 p.m. He's also on YouTube. (Scan the QR code to see his videos.) ART BY

CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR WENDELL J.

'Contributor' Vendors gathered for a holiday party at the new issue release meeting on Dec. 21, 2022. PHOTO BY ALVINE

The work and impact of street papers has been praised by Antonio Zappulla, chief executive of Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF), corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company. Speaking at the Trust Conference in London — where more than 50 globally renowned public figures, including climate change experts, human rights defenders, policymakers, businesses leaders and digital rights pioneers met to discuss and debate media and democratic freedom — Zappulla commended the hard work of street papers in tackling some of the hard issues that societies face today.

“I think it’s brilliant — when we are talking about inclusive economies, we are talking about what you are doing as street papers,” Zappulla told the International Network of Street Papers (INSP). “It’s giving a lifeline and dignity back to people at times when they have lost everything.

“I love when I see people who are selling the Big Issue [the UK’s street paper], and other publications that are part of your network, because I think its sending a powerful message to homeless people that they are visible. And

BY INSP

I think that’s really important. They suddenly assume an economic value.

“I am not an expert in homelessness, but I have heard from others that it takes a bed, a shower, and a suit to go to a job interview, to change the course of a life for someone, so if that can be achieved by selling media, it’s very powerful and it’s absolutely wonderful.

“[At TRF] we believe that you cannot achieve sustainable change unless you have a free and accurate flow of information within society and unless laws are set up for this. You need to allow a legal framework that is for the full economic and social participation of people within society. Then obviously you need to have information that is accurate and allows citizens to make informed decisions for themselves and their communities.”

Delegates at the Trust Conference heard from a wide range of speakers providing different perspectives on some of the world’s toughest challenges, including media freedom, war and conflict, and climate change. Speakers included Nobel Peace Prize winner Dimitry Muratov talking candidly about Russian media censorship; young climate change activist Vanessa Nakate who warned that “the climate

crisis is not some distant threat – it’s already here”; and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was wrongly imprisoned in Iran for six years.

With TRF’s main focus areas media freedom, inclusive economies, and human rights, Zappulla believes that media organisations like TRF and INSP are aligned in wanting to use journalistic outlets as a force for good, using the example of TRF’s LGBTQ+ news platform Openly which, he said, “brings the rigour of Reuters journalism” to a community that is usually reported on in “sensational or very niche” manner.

“When we talk about media freedom, we are really talking about economic empowerment, it’s part of the same equation,” he continued. “And human rights, when journalists are abused and the rule of law is used against them to silence them, that is really going against a human rights framework. These issues are intersectional.

“The media is often seen as this box that produces noise in the background. But we’ve seen with, for example, the results of referendums, and elections in Europe and the rest of the world, that nowadays it is important that quality information that is fair, accurate and

balanced gets centre stage amidst the information chaos.

“The role of independent journalism in shining a light in holding power to account, in holding governments to account, and also in creating conversations where it is needed. Lifting the voice to people that don’t have access to the megaphone that is the media is essential.”

Mike Findlay, INSP’s chief executive, who attended Trust Conference representing the organisation, said: “At a time when we are surrounded by false information and fake news, it has been reassuring to be in the same room as many global experts who are committed to supporting fairer and more just societies, and to ensuring that media freedom is upheld as part of democracy.

“For our global network of street papers, I am immensely proud of the work we do to tackle homelessness and poverty through providing a dignified way for people to earn an income, as well as our own global news service providing the ability for untold stories to be read and heard.”

Courtesy of the International Network of Street Papers

Street papers are “giving a lifeline and dignity back to people who have lost everything, sending a powerful message to homeless people that they are visible,” says Thomson Reuters Foundation Chief

Thomson Reuters Foundation CEO Antonio Zappulla at the 2022 Trust Conference CREDIT: THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION / ED TELLING

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 EASTER

RELIGION is no religion, and virtue is no act of choice, and reward comes by chance and without condition, if we are only religious when we cannot choose; if we part with our money when we cannot keep it; with out lust when we cannot act it; with our desires when they have left us. Death is a certain mortifier; but that mortification is deadly, not useful to the purposes of a spiritual life. When we are compelled to depart from our evil customs and leave to live, that we may begin to live, then we die to die; that life is the prologue to death, and thenceforth we die eternally.

Jeremy Taylor: Holy Dying.

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.

1ST THURSDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

WHEN you have read and learnt much, you will have ever to revert to the one First Principle. I am the One Who teaches men knowledge, and I impart to little ones a clearer knowledge than can be taught by man . . . I teach without the sound of words, without the strife of opinions, without ambition of honour, without the contention of controversy.

Thomas à Kempis: Imitation.

1ST FRIDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

HE that would live in cleanness of conscience and without defiling of his soul, him behoveth to abstain him both from the making and also from the using of such vain curiosities and to flee therefrom as a venomous serpent. Nevertheless by this aforsaid reproof of curiosity we shall not understand generally forbidden to make fair works and honest apparel: for that is lawful so that it keep a good face, and namely in those things and works that belong to God's service. In the which it is needful to be aware and to eschew all corrupt intent of vain joy or glory, and all false affections and foul likings of the world's vanity: so that the virtuous face of sufficient honesty pass not in to the excess of vicious curiosity.

The Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ, tr. by Nicholas Love.

1ST SATURDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

TO the man under grace, righteousness is not a possibility, but a necessity; not a disposition subject to change, but the inexorable meaning in life; not a condition possessing varying degrees of healthiness, but the condition by which existence is itself determined; not that which he possesses, but that which possesses him. The freedom of the man under grace is founded upon the good pleasure of God, and has no other foundation; it is the freedom of the will

of God in men, and freedom of no other kind. Free in God, ye are imprisoned in Him.

Barth: Epistle to the Romans.

THE grateful heart By owing owes not, but still pays, at once indebted and discharged.

Milton: Paradise Lost.

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

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.

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

1ST TUESDAY 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.

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.

2ND 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.

Sponsored by Matthew Carver, publisher

2ND 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.

2ND 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.

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.

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

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.

2ND MONDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

FRANCIS beheld in each creature the goodness of God perfectly, and therefore he was moved by a particular and heartfelt delight and love for all creatures.

Speculum Perfectionis.

YOU see, beloved, how great and wonderful a thing love is, and how unspeakable its perfection.

St Clement: Epistles.

2ND TUESDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

ALL men by nature hate each other. They use their lusts as far as they can for the public good, but it is only a feint and false image of love, for at bottom there is nothing but hate.

Pascal: Pensées.

TO make rapid progress and to reach the mansions we wish to enter, it is not so essential to think much as to love much: therefore you must practise whatever most excites you to this.

Saint Teresa: The Interior Castle.

HOBOSCOPES

CAPRICORN

Remember, Capricorn, three dots make an “S.” Three dashes make an “O.” And then three dots again make a more different “S.” S.O.S isn’t an abbreviation for anything, but it’s an internationally recognized sign of distress, crisis, or a call to emergency action. You said you’re doing fine, I heard you. Just remember that the rest of us may not know your ship is going down if you don’t send out a signal. Blink three times if you understand.

AQUARIUS

They say revenge is a dish best served cold. Well, Aquarius, revenge is certainly a dish we love to see served. Hamlet, Sweeney Todd, Carrie, Kill Bill, The Lion King. They’re all about what it takes to balance the scales. But how many eyes for an eye, Aquarius? If you find yourself out for revenge this week, whether it be from a cut in battle or a cut in line at Hardee’s, your thirst for revenge may be better quenched by taking a breath, resting a beat, and thinking about if justice is better doled out by the closed hand or the open one.

PISCES

It’s been a while since you started your mission to explore strange new worlds, Pisces. You’ve sought out new life and new civilizations. You’ve already gone so boldly where none have gone before. You were wide-eyed then. Ready to take on the universe. These days it just all seems the same. You check off the list and leave unfinished tasks in your wake like your mission was only ever to seek and destroy. Maybe you need some shore-leave, Pisces. Some time to rest and remember what seemed so exciting about exploration in the first place. It might be a good time to stay put.

ARIES

“Low blow to the ego!” That’s what the kids on the bus yelled after Toby Stallings said my backpack made me look like a turtle and pushed me down into my seat. They were right, Aries, it was a low blow to my ego. What if Toby’s right about us? But we’re not turtles, you and I. We’re human beings with infinite value. Whatever your inner-Toby has to say about you today, Aries, remember that he was wrong then, and he’s wrong now. So stand back up, tighten the straps on your backpack, and continue reciting Grigg’s death monologue from The Last Starfighter. The world needs to hear it.

TAURUS

Maybe ignoring me is your love language, Taurus. I get it. I’m always tossing you astrological advice (sometimes accompanied by soft criticism.) But I feel like you’re always casting it aside. I know, it’s not your job to reassure your amateur astrologer, but as you move through life this week, pay attention to the voices that are on your team. We know you’re self sufficient and you don’t need much help. But if you hear us rooting for you, give us at least a nod and a wave.

GEMINI

Eastern screech owls will eat just about anything. Spiders, squirrels, leeches, and crayfish all better hide if they see that little shadow flying overhead. But if an eastern screech owl can find a Texas blind snake, that’s a different story. They’ll carry the small snake back to their nest and basically hire it as a housekeeper. The blind snake will eat termites, ants, and parasites that might infest the nest and in exchange the owl won’t eat it or feed it to its offspring. Just remember, Gemini, if you’re in a relationship where your only reward is more a threat than a gift, it might be time to wriggle out of the nest.

CANCER

My mechanic said I can just get a used transmission. She said it’s nearly as good and half the price. I’m not much in a position to disagree. I don’t even know what a transmission does, so I’ve got to trust somebody. And I definitely don’t want to pay double if I can help it. I ran out of money the last time my car died. Sometimes, Cancer, we have to admit our ignorance and let the experts do the knowing for us.

LEO

The best dreams are the ones I have after I hit the snooze button. I wake up with a jolt to an alarm and then fade back out. Suddenly I’m the captain of a ship, but it only floats if you feed it marbles through a tiny hole in the living room floor. We get invaded by pirates and you and I are captured and tied up with velcro and they imprison us in a giant bird bath for 50 years. We grow old there and you discover your true calling as a bird podiatrist, fixing sore talons and cutting toenails. Then the alarm goes off again and I’m awake and alone and it’s only been nine minutes. Live out your passions in waking life, Leo. Don’t leave your talents in my shortest dreams.

VIRGO

I like fajitas, but I never order them, because they always make such a scene sizzling out of the kitchen and I make it a life’s goal that nobody will notice me. Remember this week, Virgo, that sometimes asking for what you want means you may become the center of attention for a while. Honestly, I think we should go for it, Virgo. Assemble your courage, close your eyes if you need to, and place your order — however potentially loud and distracting it may be. It might be uncomfortable for a few minutes, but it’s the way to get to what you really want.

LIBRA

We finished the brownies. All the ice cream is gone. Girl Scout cookie boxes are strewn around the coffee table. Everything has been so sweet and so delicious. But are you satisfied? The Stars say nothing is forbidden, Libra, but you might find it’s time for something more substantial and nutritious. I’m making some spinach and bean enchiladas and you’re welcome to a plateful. But only take what you think will make you feel strong, capable and satisfied.

SCORPIO

Smoking on airplanes has mostly been outlawed since the early 1980s, but every trip still starts with an announcement that “this is a non-smoking flight.” My ex-therapist says some people just need to hear the “no” before they can let the idea go. Pack your bags, Scorpio. Bring whatever you need to get by. But there may be a time when you have to go without, if just for a while, just to share this experience with other people who may have different needs.

SAGITTARIUS

Are we really just a thinking soul inside a feeling body? Western philosophy long subscribed to this sort of “ghost in the machine” theory. The idea that the self is a separate entity from the skin-bag we ride around in. These days, I’m less inclined in that direction. What if you’re all one thing, Sagittarius. You’re a self that is also a body. You’re a body that is also made of the food and water and air around you. You’re a part of a planet that is now thinking about the planet you’re a part of. You’re matter and energy. Neither created nor destroyed but always changing. And you get to make choices.

Mr. Mysterio is still not a licensed astrologer, a trained owl, or a registered turtle impersonator. Mr. Mysterio is, however, a budding intermediate podcaster! Check out The Mr. Mysterio Podcast. Season 2 is now playing at mrmysterio.com. Got a question, just give Mr. M a call at 707-VHS-TAN1

WHO MADE ME?

By Jen A.

Who made me? God made me I'm female I'm male I'm both I'm neither I'm Buddhist I'm Jewish I'm Christian I'm Muslim I'm gay I'm straight I'm trans I'm queer I'm your grandmother I'm your mother I'm your sister I'm your daughter I'm Black I'm White I'm Brown I'm Multicolored I'm Blessed by God Even when Men hate me And when they reproach me And cast out my name as evil For the son of Man's sake Who made you?

A peek at the best of films of 2022

BY JOE NOLAN, FILM CRITIC

You might not have heard of the Music City Film Critics’ Association, but I’m proud to be a founding member of the group which celebrates its 5th birthday in February of 2023, just in time for another awards season.

The association is loosely organized around various screenings and local film festivals and events, but mostly we exist to add our take to the conversations about the best films of the year every awards season. I’m getting my nominations together for my favorites of 2022 and I wanted to share that process — and some of my picks — with all of you.

The MCFCA has asked me to turn in my personal nominations by the end of the year. All the critics will turn in their favorites in every category, and after the totals are tallied, the top nominations in each category will become our official ballot. We’ll all scramble to see the films we may have missed during the year, we’ll argue on Twitter about why our original nominations were better, and then we’ll cast our final votes for MCFCA’s 2022 winners. The results go out to the industry press where we hope to have some impact on who wins those little gold statues.

Here’s a selection of my personal nominations — so far — for MCFCA’s 2022 awards picks:

Best Picture — Everything Everywhere All at Once

Everything Everywhere All at Once is a mind-bending, multiverse-jump -

ing dramatic comedy about love and fate and family. It’s the most unique film of the year, and it’s the best film of the year.

Best Director — Daniels for Everything Everywhere All at Once Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the most original movies I’ve seen, well, at the movies, ever. Right now it’s my pick for the top film of the year and that means it also gets a nod for the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert).

Best Actor — Brendan Fraser in The Whale

The Whale movie is overrated and somewhat controversial, but in my estimation, it includes some of the best performances of the year. Brendan Fraser’s feature film comeback is the biggest buzz of the award’s season, and he’ll likely win scores of prizes. And, so far, this is my favorite performance by an actor in 2022.

Best Actress — Michelle Yeoh in Everything Everywhere All at Once

Michelle Yeoh is a movie legend. And her star turn in the best movie of the year finds her delivering a remarkable performance that vacillates between comedy and drama, and even allows this queen of martial arts cinema to show off some of her signature moves.

Best Supporting Actor — Mark Rylance in Bones and All

Bones and All is really good, but what really makes it stick to your ribs is the haunting presence of veteran actor Mark Rylance as the creepiest character in movies in 2022.

Best Supporting Actress — Hong Chau in The Whale

Brendan Fraser is getting lots of shine for his portrayal of Charlie in The Whale . But, don’t sleep on Hong Chau’s near perfect performance as Charlie’s best friend and nurse, Liz.

The Jim Ridley Award — Elvis

The MCFCA’s Jim Ridley award is named for the late, beloved Nashville Scene film critic and editor. The award honors the project or person that best represents Nashville or Tennessee, and, for me, Elvis is the obvious pick this year. Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic featured a star who didn’t look like its subject, and a director who’s made a career of putting style before substance. My hopes were low for this one, but Austin Butler and Luhrmann more than exceeded my expectations, delivering an entertaining new take on an icon.

Add @mcfca615 to your film Twitter follows. We’ll be announcing our official winners on Jan. 9.

Joe Nolan is a critic, columnist and performing singer/songwriter based in East Nashville. Find out more about his projects at www.joenolan.com.

Tennessee Legislature: Guilty of Class E Felony

BY JEN A., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

According to the 2010 TN Code § 39-16-301 (Title 39--Criminal Offences Chapter 16--Offenses Against Administration of Government Part 3--False Personation 39--16--302), Impersonation of licensed professional, it is illegal for a person to portray themselves as a licensed professional if they do not hold such a license.

Th is section of Title 39 states: A) It is unlawful for any person who is not licensed to do so, to practice or pretend to practice a profession for which a license certifying the qualifications of the license to practice the profession is required; B) A violation of this section is a class E felony.

With the fi ling of SB0001, which prevents licensed physicians from providing best-practice care to transgender patients, as the very fi rst bill to be considered in the next legislative session, our lawmakers are once again attempting to play doctor; which is a class E felony in our state.

When Republicans went on this anti-trans crusade a few years ago, I couldn't imagine why this was suddenly a hot-button issue. What did transgender folks ever do to them? It is estimated that only one to two percent of the US population is transgender. The chance of knowingly

encountering a transgender person in everyday life is pretty much slim to none. So why do Republicans fi nd it necessary to deny them medical care and publicly flog and demonize this subset of our citizenry? Weren't they fundraising off of their demonization of all LGBTQ citizens a few years ago to satisfy their "Christian" donors? To narrow the scope of their persecution to just trans individuals seems fairly arbitrary.

Maybe it's because Republicans have gotten into bed, so to speak, with big-money conservative donors like Peter Th iel, who is openly gay. Thiel contributed millions to the Republican Senate campaigns of JD Vance of Ohio and Josh Hawley of Missouri among others. As they say, "money talks!" It is widely reported that legislation to codify gay marriage into law will be passed by Congress in this coming session. That will require Republican votes. I wonder how Senators Vance and Hawley will vote.

By persecuting transgender individuals, our lawmakers give the illusion of disapproving of all sexual minorities — all LGBTQ folks — to their constituents who believe that anything but missionary-style sex between a man and a woman

is disgusting. Vilifying transgender Tennesseans is a win-win for the legislators. They get big-money contributions to their campaigns from wealthy homosexuals AND keep stoking the manufactured issues about misunderstood sexual identities to divide us and to make their base feel superior.

And wasn't it brave of all our legislators who showed up at the Capitol with their yellow and black, manufactured signs with their slogan of the day, "The Rally to End Child Mutilation," to denounce the programs in our state that offer medical care to individuals who truly believe to their core that they have tragically been misidentified by gender. Who the hell do these legislators think they are? They couldn't have been more self-righteous. Of course Marsha Blackburn showed up to ask the crowd to defi ne what a woman is.

The children this crowd claimed to speak for have parents. Are they suggesting that these parents don't have the right to make medical decisions for their own children or that parents don't have the best interest of their children in mind? Are they saying that only the state has the supreme power to make medical

decisions for children?

Th is legislation creates a slippery slope for other questions of parental rights. What medical interventions will the state forbid next? Will it ban treatment for childhood cancers because it can be a brutal, painful process or that treatment might affect the child's fertility later in life? State legislators are not trained medical professionals. How are our roads and bridges doing? Tennessee legislators should stay in their lane.

Remember when the legislature fi rst went on their anti-trans binge? They passed a law that all buildings open to the public had to post signage saying that their bathrooms allowed transgender patrons. That one assumed that trans women still had their male organ, which is relatively common. Now, this session all they can talk about is male mutilation. So which is it, y'all? Either you are upset that a trans woman poses a threat to society because she has a dangerous male organ, or the threat to society is having a male organ lopped off (which would not be best-practice medical treatment for a minor in any state.) You're just making stuff up now to frighten folks.

Bad bills like SB0001, should it

become law, erode public confidence in all laws. With their persistent trans-bashing, current Tennessee legislators are making a mockery of the entire legislative process. Who, exactly, elected them to be medical and moral arbiters? Have our churches become so morally impotent, corrupt and consumed with prosperity that they have surrendered the power and authority of their God to the lawmakers of man? Are our doctors so greedy and rich that they don't care about their oath as medical professionals anymore? Is there no one to stand up for Tennessee patients?

Refusing to bake a cake for an LGBTQ couple is one thing. But denying a human being access to proper medical care just because they are an overwhelming minority for Republican political gain is something then again. It's unconscionable.

Tennesseans are going to die because of this seemingly endless barrage of Republican political medical malpractice. Tennessee legislators are not licensed medical professionals. Their continued attempts to pass laws that interfere with the doctor/ patient relationship is not only immoral — it is criminal.

MARVIN JONES, MANAGER