The Contributor: March 29, 2023

P O E T R Y I S S U E

L L a a N N ticia ticia

Empresarios hispanos en Nashville, vital y emergente grupo en la comunidad (Parte 2)

Ayudan a generar crecimiento económico, la innovación y la creación de empleo

latinos son un componente fundamental de la economía estadounidense y su importancia no deja de crecer. De hecho, la cantidad de negocios propiedad de latinos en los Estados Unidos ha aumentado significativamente en los últimos años. Según un informe de Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative, las empresas propiedad de latinos crecieron un 34 % en un período de cinco años, superando el promedio nacional de todas las empresas nuevas existentes. En este artículo, (continuación de la Parte 1 publicada en nuestra última edición de febrero #366), exploraremos por qué los empresarios latinos en Nashville, Tennessee y en todo el país, son importantes y por qué sus contribuciones son esenciales para el éxito económico de los Estados Unidos. ¿Lo que nos hace diferentes?

Perspectivas diversas: Los empresarios latinos aportan diversas perspectivas al mundo de los negocios. A menudo son bilingües y biculturales, lo que les permite navegar diferentes culturas y mercados de manera más efectiva. Esta perspectiva diversa puede ser especialmente valiosa para

las empresas que buscan expandirse a nuevos mercados o llegar a una base de clientes más amplia. Espíritu emprendedor: Los empresarios hispanos a menudo poseen un fuerte espíritu empresarial. Muchos provienen de familias de empresarios y han crecido viendo a sus padres o abuelos dirigir negocios exitosos. Esta experiencia a menudo infunde una mentalidad emprendedora y un deseo de crear e innovar. Esta mentalidad y espíritu pueden impulsar la innovación y brindar nuevas soluciones a los problemas. Capacidad para superar obstáculos: Muchos empresarios latinos enfrentan obstáculos significativos al

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iniciar y administrar sus negocios. Estos obstáculos pueden incluir el acceso limitado al capital, las barreras del idioma y la falta de redes de apoyo. Sin embargo, los empresarios latinos han demostrado ser resistentes e ingeniosos para superar estos desafíos. Su determinación y trabajo duro son rasgos que son críticos para el éxito en el mundo de los negocios. Somos una población creciente: La población latina en los Estados Unidos está creciendo rápidamente y se prevé que constituya una parte significativa de la población del país en el futuro. A medida que crece la población latina, también lo hará la cantidad de negocios propiedad de

latinos. Apoyar a estos negocios y a sus propietarios es esencial para el éxito continuo de la economía estadounidense. Los datos de Latino Business Action Network (LBAN) de la Universidad de Stanford indican por qué los empresarios latinos son importantes:

• La producción económica total de los latinos en EE. UU. en 2020 fue de $2.8 billones • Hay 5 millones de negocios propiedad de latinos en los Estados Unidos • Las empresas propiedad de latinos en los EE. UU. generaron más de $470 mil millones en 2020

• 3.2 millones de personas fueron empleadas por empresas propiedad de latinos en los EE. UU. en 2020 • Las empresas de propiedad latina tienen una tasa de crecimiento del 44%, en comparación con el 4% de las empresas de propiedad no latina. En conclusión, es innegable que los empresarios hispanos en Nashville, and in Tennessee son una parte fundamental de la economía estadounidense. Sus contribuciones, perspectivas únicas, espíritu emprendedor, capacidad para superar obstáculos y población en crecimiento los hacen esenciales para el éxito continuo de los Estados Unidos. Apoyar a los empresarios latinos puede conducir al crecimiento económico, la innovación y la creación de empleo, beneficiando tanto a sus comunidades como al país en su conjunto. Envíenos sus sugerencias por e-mail: news@hispanicpaper.com ó 615-567-3569

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A Few Questions with Councilmember Angie Emery Henderson, District 34

District 34 Councilmember Angie Henderson is a veteran legislator who has gained the respect of her constituents and colleagues over the past eight years and is currently running for vice mayor.

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

You were elected in 2015. How would you describe the changes of the past eight years in District 34?

I would say the pace of development has been fairly constant over that time. We’ve seen mostly residential development. In addition, I have seen some capital improvements in my district that I have been pleased about, sidewalks and so forth, connecting folks to parks.

What are the main concerns you hear from your constituents?

There is a lot of concern about stormwater and that does go back to the aggregating impact of infill development, tree loss due to the Emerald Ash Borer epidemic and the derecho that hit our area pretty hard. All that is having an impact on mitigating stormwater.

And then more holistically for Nashville, folks do have concerns about the feeling of volatility. Just all the challenges we have been through as a city from the tornado, the bombing, the derecho, the pandemic, all that seems to have created a general uneasiness as to the direction of the city. I also hear a lot of frustration about the downtown tourist engine. Folks say it doesn’t feel good to go downtown anymore.

How would you describe your constituency?

District 34 stretches all the way from Bellevue, where I represent apartment communities, across single-family residential neighborhoods up into Green Hills, where I also have some apartment communities.

While my district is perhaps not as diverse a constituency as the majority of [those] of my colleagues, I certainly see different challenges and concerns [regarding the] level of income and housing uncertainty.

The last time I checked mine was the district with the most seniors. We have a high level of education, a lot of doctors, a lot of lawyers, engineers. When they have questions about a problem, they want a very detailed answer and I’m pleased to give it to them. My district trends a little bit more conservative than other districts. I would say this is kind of a purple district politically.

You hold a degree in Growth & Structure of Cities. Can you explain briefly what that means, and secondly, how do you think Metro Council can help Nashville grow in a healthy way?

I went to Bryn Mawr College. It’s a women’s college outside of Philadelphia. I really loved going to school there because I could get on a train and be in downtown Philly in about 20 minutes. The Growth & Structure of Cities major is a liberal arts approach to urban studies, histo-

BY JUDITH TACKETT

METRO COUNCIL COMMITTEES:

• Charter Revision

• Public Facilities, Arts, and Culture

• Transportation and Infrastructure

ry of urban form, urban sociology, economics, politics. So, I tell folks, I use my college major every day at work.

For the second part of the question, we can learn so much from the patterns of historical cities and how they grew, whether they maintain their grid structure. We kind of have a “hub and spoke” [structure] here in Nashville, which is how folks refer to our pikes coming out from our center. That has a lot of implications on transportation and how we can get around our city and how folks can have access to opportunity. And so Metro Nashville has struggled somewhat with urban sprawl.

There was a time when not every family had multiple cars. You got around on foot or trolleys and so forth. We were at a denser, walkable scale. At this time, we are largely car-dependent and that is not particularly healthy. I think to have a healthy city, it is really crucial that we put some grid back, to the extent that we can, in some of our suburban areas to make it more walkable, implement some mixed-use [developments] and have that oriented to transit.

How does Nashville ensure the most vulnerable populations are not left behind?

I do feel strongly that transit and transportation, our bus-based system really, has to be excellent to connect communities and to connect people, to connect folks to opportunities. You should not have to have the expense of a car to be able to have a job and a good quality of life and enjoy your time in a city and thrive here. And so, I think it’s imperative that we move towards dedicated funding for our transportation system. I would assert that first there needs to be a really excellent bus system so that folks can get across town, downtown,

wherever they need to go. And I think that really has positive implications on cost of living and access to opportunities.

Do you think with the new transportation department, Nashville is on the right track?

WeGo is doing a really great job working their actionable strategic plan adding transit shelters or increasing frequency on a certain corridor as funding allows.

I think NDOT, our Nashville Department of Transportation, which used to be Public Works, you know, it’s going through some growing pains. There’s been a lot of leadership change there over these multiple administrations. We’ve had a fair number of plans. The big transportation plan, then the new transportation plan, then we had a walk and bike strategic plan and a walk and bike strategic plan update, then a vision zero plan, and now a connect downtown plan, and it feels somewhat disjointed. Again, a lot of great folks, well-intentioned, but there is still a lot of work to do there.

You are running for Vice Mayor. What made you decide to take this next step and what are your top priorities?

I have enjoyed the policy work during my service. I have engaged with several countywide bills for our zoning code, whether that be elevating and expanding our sidewalk requirements, adding street view requirements, elevating the requirements for trees to be planted or saved with commercial or multifamily development. Legislating for Davidson County, because it is 526 square miles with a wide variety of contexts, is very complex. It’s not particularly easy, and we have got a lot of work to do as it relates to land

use because land use is inextricably related to affordability and environment.

We’ve done some good things with parking policy, eliminating some of our parking minimums, first aligned with our transit corridors and then looking at our urban zoning overlay. So, we’ve been doing a lot of good work. I really feel we need to do our policy work with strategic intention. The vice mayor as the president of the council, which is our legislative policy body, can be a support, a help, an organizer, so that we do work in concert with each other with strategic intention. It’s a difficult job. There is a lot on the plate of a councilmember, in what is at present still a part-time job. So, it is imperative that our office be organized in such a way that it can support councilmembers.

I’m term limited and I can pack it up and be proud of my policy work and go home. But I see so many things that we can improve and so much more work that we need to do together, and I think it’s important to have somebody leading and supporting the body, the councilmembers themselves, in the work that they do.

And why did you choose vice mayor versus an at-large council seat?

I had some concerns about the current leadership. And so, as I thought about continuing to do policy as an at-large councilmember [or vice mayor], I thought my skill set is well-suited to help councilmembers who are new or returning with their policy goals and how we can get those aligned [to move Nashville forward]. It goes back to that strategic intention. My success in major policy work and my personality, my ability to listen, collaborate and support my colleagues, I just think I’m well-suited for that role.

Nashville’s Great Lumber Industry

I’ll bet you didn’t know that In 1910 Nashville was the center of the largest and best hardwood region in the world and that the city handled practically the world’s supply of red cedar.

Nashvile was also one of the world’s great markets for chestnut trees. With possibly one exception, Nashville was the largest hardwood producing city in the world. Lumber factories along the river in East

BY RIDLEY WILLS II

Nashville consumed approximately 100,000,000 feet of hardwoods per year. They employed 2,295 male workers and had on hand in their lumber yards, 125 million feet of lumber.

Soon after Irene and I bought a house at 4428 Warner Place in 1967, I met our neighbor across the street, Thomas I. Webb, Jr, then 87 years old. He told me that when he was a boy he could walk to town on

Ridley wrote a book!

all the rafts tied up end to end on the east bank of the Cumberland River from where Shelby Park is today to the lumber yards across the river from downtown Nashville.

Of the 42,000 square miles in Tennessee, in 1910, 35 percent, or 14,717 square miles, were still covered with forests, the best of which were in Middle and East Tennessee.

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:

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Thanks To Everyone

BY JEFFREY W., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Once again enjoying a wonderful morning having a great cup of coffee thanks to The Contributor family. The “Crème du jour sweet cream!” The past few weeks of my life have really been awesome. Nothing really dramatic has happened all at once. What has changed is how everything feels. Upon the introduction to my new church family and friends the feeling of connectivity has filled a void. Pastor Larissa Romero openly shared about how I had ushered in a breath of fresh air. What was truly magnificent was that the feeling was so very mutual! This is a textbook example of how things should be. When everyone benefits, you know God's hand is squarely in the middle of it. If you have read the last few stories in The Contributor. I had shared the golden buzzer moment. That feeling never went away! When I commit to something I take it seriously. It didn’t take very long for me to realize this was where Jesus wanted me today. So I took the plunge! I can now say “Jesus Christ is my religion, fulfilling his will is my doctrine.” I gladly say “I really enjoy worshiping him at the Downtown Presbyterian Church where I

am also a member!”

The funny thing was that before the first Sunday, I found myself at Walmart to get a pair of blue jeans. They didn’t have my size! So as usual I’m asking Jesus why am I here? I knew that's what I was to do that day! Then on the end aisle they had notebook paper. I felt the normal nudge, so I bought some. Three separate occasions before this I had people actually practically force ink pens into my hand. Well it soon became obvious that I would be doing something that involved spreading ink across paper. Just as normal, I continued to be patient and wait!

The Contributor has a bi-weekly meeting for the new editions coming out. Tom made it very clear about the vendors waiting to write. I mean to me it was now extremely clear. I have been so very humbled by your wonderful responses and testimonies I had shared. I never dreamed about the responses. I never dreamed about the responses that I would be getting from those who read stories, I really can’t thank everyone enough! So many of you let me know how these touched you in a wonderful way. We are

to encourage each other. So many of you have encouraged me the same way! I’ve been working for Jesus well over a decade behind the scenes and have witnessed so very much. Getting to see a lot of people that still have The Holy Spirit flowing through them has been wonderful indeed. Years of working the dark places and trying to get a pulse flowing in places where I was sent. Perhaps it had worn me down a little.

Recently I took a day off from my past. I went to pay my phone bill. I like the phone because the 7-11 app actually saves me enough monthly on coffee, etc. to pay the entire $60. Sometimes it has been tough to pay it though. Then I stopped to get a new umbrella. $12 from Family Dollar. Then I was so happy to stop and see Joe. He has a small stand alone barber shop off Jefferson Street. We talked about Jesus to the humming sound of his clippers. $20 I mean I felt so much better. Then hopped on bus 29. Walmart now had my size of jeans back in stock, my shoes were completely worn out — $70 out the door with two pairs of jeans and shoes. Then I went to eat lunch. I made sure I still had money left to properly give to

my church. That money was a priority over everything. I have always given somewhere out somehow as directed. I still had enough to buy enough papers for a couple of weeks and didn’t worry about food money. Many don’t perceive how a homeless person could possibly save money to take care of needs and wants. It’s simple priorities just like anyone else. This was because of you, the ones who are reading this. Letting me know about how the things I shared helped you, also lets me know that this is a perfect fit where all people benefit. Meaning we are all doing as God wants us to do. Some have let me know where I can go to get these items free. I wasn’t aware of anything in life being free. Someone had to pay a price to get these items. I, unlike everyone else, would much rather simply get my own while also doing behind the scenes work for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ here on Earth. It’s really been great to see so many of you and have these short conversations while the light is red. Because of your support, I was able to do all this happily having the money to do so. Thank you so very much!!

Learn More About Participatory Budgeting

The Mayor’s Office has launched a Participatory Budgeting (PB) process that encompasses the entire Nashville-Davidson County area and looks to see how Davidson County residents would like to invest $10 million. This is Metro’s third PB Cycle. The first two were held in 2021 and 2022 and focused solely on the Bordeaux and North Nashville regions.

I grew up in a direct democracy, where voter referendums were a regular occurrence, which is why I deeply believe that the PB process is an important opportunity for Nashvillians of all backgrounds to get directly involved in government decisions.

The PB process includes two main phases for every resident to participate:

1. The Idea Collection phase, from February to June 1.

2. Voting phase will be in October and November (with the vote count in December).

I wanted to learn about the process and have volunteered to assist in any way I can to help Metro reach marginalized populations such as people experiencing homelessness who may not have a computer. I was thrilled that this is a high priority for Fabian Bedne, the community development manager for the Mayor’s Office, who has overseen and helped set up and shepherd through the two successful prior PB processes.

Bedne took the time to speak to me and help me understand the process, so that I am able to reach out to service providers I know and work with and encourage them to assist people experiencing homelessness with the process.

The most important part to know right away is that we are in the Ideas Phase, which is open now until the end of June. Here is how people can submit their ideas:

• Go to pb.nashville.gov;

• Click on “Submit Participatory Budgeting Ideas;” and then

• Simply follow the prompts.

Before you do so, make sure your ideas meet the basic requirements. Since the $10 million are one-time funding, they cannot support projects that need ongoing operational costs. The proposed ideas also must serve a public use or purpose, which means “it must deliver a direct, primary, concrete, or quantifiable benefit to the people of Davidson County.” In other words, ideas that specifically and only benefit your family or church group would not be eligible.

The ideas should be so specific that you know where the location of the implementation takes place. There is a map online where you will be asked to mark the location with a specific street address or an intersection. Finally, the online instructions will ask you about the project type that your idea falls under. Those include:

• Bus Transportation

• Streets, Alleys, Intersections, Traffic Calming

• Libraries

• Schools

• Parks

BY JUDITH TACKETT

• General Services (such as Utilities, Fire Department, Police Department)

• Water, Garbage & Sewer

• Arts Projects

• Other

You are now ready to go online and submit as many ideas as you’d like, but make sure to only submit one idea at a time (then start over for the next idea). So, for example, if you’d like a street light at a specific intersection, enter that. If you also would like a red light at another intersection, submit that as a new idea. And a shelter at your bus stop would be a third idea, etc.

For this column, I also spoke with PB Steering Committee chair, Whitney Pastorek, to check in about how things are going and learned a lot about the intensity and deliberateness of the process. She shared with me that the goal was to have one volunteer representing each Metro Council District on the Steering Committee. Looking at the list, I am impressed to see that only seven districts are currently not represented. But Pastorek said committee members are discussing who among them is familiar enough with another district to represent that one as well and ensure all 35 Districts are covered.

Implementing an equitable approach is a huge priority for the Steering Committee, one that’s been shared by the Mayor’s Office from the get-go. Pastorek feels the committee is fairly representatives of Nashville’s diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, but cautions that as is the case with all volunteer efforts, some people are simply too busy or don’t have the means of transportation or access to information they would need to actually participate at the steering committee level.

One of her focus areas is to ensure that there are measures implemented to allow for people who don’t have access to computers to participate.

It’s still early in the process, but the general idea for the voting process is that a group of volunteers called “budget delegates” will evaluate all submitted ideas for eligibility based on three main criteria: need, impact and feasibility. The budget delegates then help prioritize project ideas and craft the PB ballot. To become a budget delegate, you can sign up online (also as pb.nashville.gov). Pastorek said the goal is to have one idea from each Council District on the ballot. Davidson County residents will be able to vote for five projects total. Interestingly enough, the Steering Committee is also utilizing a social vulnerability index to weigh available funding for each area based on the needs of that area.

While there have already been discussions about how to ensure that only Davidson County residents are able to participate in the voting process, the Steering Committee is really just at the beginning of the process set up. Currently, they meet weekly, alternating with online and in-person meetings. Voting can only happen at in-person

meetings. The responsibilities of the 2023 Steering Committee include:

• Drafting the Participatory Budgeting guidelines;

• Establishing goals and measures for a successful Participatory Budgeting cycle;

• Creating the timeline for implementation of projects; and

• Developing the outreach strategy.

Bedne has the institutional knowledge to advise the steering committee and serves as their liaison to the Mayor’s Office. In addition, Quinta Martin, who has chaired the Bordeaux/North Nashville participatory budgeting process, will come on board as a non-voting facilitator this year.

The Brennan Center for Justice last year published an article about participatory budgeting (https://www.brennancenter.org/ourwork/analysis-opinion/making-participatory-budgeting-work-experiences-front-lines) and stressed two major positive impacts.

1. Participatory budgeting seems to, “boost civic participation, strengthen community ties, and demystify city government,” which helps increase trust through civic engagement; and

2. The PB process helps identify specific community needs that may be overlooked by a city’s usual outreach and engagement process.

However, in the article also lists several pitfalls that they found of which local government should be aware:

• Keeping too much control in the hands of city government and therefore failing to fully empower residents;

• Limited project funding, which can result in squashing excitement among residents;

• Not having dedicated staff, which then means that existing government personnel has to run the PB on top of existing job responsibilities;

• Placing too tight and rigid restrictions on the types of projects that are allowed under the PB process; and

• Encouraging residents to believe that PB would have a transformative effect, which then can lead to disillusionment when the actual outcomes will be more modest than expected.

Pastorek is very positive about the process, but did point out that in comparison to other cities, she feels the timelines given by the Mayor’s Office to meet the deadline until the funds must be used is rather tight.

“I’m pretty excited to see what my fellow Nashvillians come up with,” Pastorek said. “It’s extremely important to me that this process is transparent, that it is equitable and that it reflects the wants and needs of the people who live in the city, not the wants and needs of the Mayor’s Office, not the wants and needs of an outside force. It’s really important to me that this be a completely participatory, community-based process.”

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“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.

L os empresarios latinos son un componente fundamental de la economía estadounidense y su importancia no deja de crecer. De hecho, la cantidad de negocios propiedad de latinos en los Estados Unidos ha aumentado significativamente en los últimos años. Según un informe de Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative, las empresas propiedad de latinos crecieron un 34 % en un período de cinco años, superando el promedio nacional de todas las empresas nuevas existentes.

En este artículo, (continuación de la Parte 1 publicada en nuestra última edición de febrero #366), exploraremos por qué los empresarios latinos en Nashville, Tennessee y en todo el país, son importantes y por qué sus contribuciones son esenciales para el éxito económico de los Estados Unidos.

¿Lo que nos hace diferentes?

Perspectivas diversas: Los empresarios latinos aportan diversas perspectivas al mundo de los negocios. A menudo son bilingües y biculturales, lo que les permite navegar diferentes culturas y mercados de manera más efectiva. Esta perspectiva diversa puede ser especialmente valiosa para

las empresas que buscan expandirse a nuevos mercados o llegar a una base de clientes más amplia.

Espíritu emprendedor: Los empresarios hispanos a menudo poseen un fuerte espíritu empresarial. Muchos provienen de familias de empresarios y han crecido viendo a sus padres o abuelos dirigir negocios exitosos.

Esta experiencia a menudo infunde una mentalidad emprendedora y un deseo de crear e innovar. Esta mentalidad y espíritu pueden impulsar la innovación y brindar nuevas soluciones a los problemas.

Capacidad para superar obstáculos: Muchos empresarios latinos enfrentan obstáculos significativos al

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.

iniciar y administrar sus negocios. Estos obstáculos pueden incluir el acceso limitado al capital, las barreras del idioma y la falta de redes de apoyo. Sin embargo, los empresarios latinos han demostrado ser resistentes e ingeniosos para superar estos desafíos. Su determinación y trabajo duro son rasgos que son críticos para el éxito en el mundo de los negocios.

Somos una población creciente: La población latina en los Estados Unidos está creciendo rápidamente y se prevé que constituya una parte significativa de la población del país en el futuro. A medida que crece la población latina, también lo hará la cantidad de negocios propiedad de

latinos. Apoyar a estos negocios y a sus propietarios es esencial para el éxito continuo de la economía estadounidense.

Los datos de Latino Business Action Network (LBAN) de la Universidad de Stanford indican por qué los empresarios latinos son importantes:

• La producción económica total de los latinos en EE. UU. en 2020 fue de $2.8 billones

• Hay 5 millones de negocios propiedad de latinos en los Estados Unidos

• Las empresas propiedad de latinos en los EE. UU. generaron más de $470 mil millones en 2020

• 3.2 millones de personas fueron empleadas por empresas propiedad de latinos en los EE. UU. en 2020

• Las empresas de propiedad latina tienen una tasa de crecimiento del 44%, en comparación con el 4% de las empresas de propiedad no latina.

En conclusión, es innegable que los empresarios hispanos en Nashville, and in Tennessee son una parte fundamental de la economía estadounidense. Sus contribuciones, perspectivas únicas, espíritu emprendedor, capacidad para superar obstáculos y población en crecimiento los hacen esenciales para el éxito continuo de los Estados Unidos. Apoyar a los empresarios latinos puede conducir al crecimiento económico, la innovación y la creación de empleo, beneficiando tanto a sus comunidades como al país en su conjunto.

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

Supporting Latino entrepreneurs can lead to economic growth, innovation and job creation: Manuel Cuevas (center), a longtime Hispanic entrepreneur hosts business leaders at his showroom in Nashville.

Por Yuri Cunza Editor in Chief @LaNoticiaNews

‘The Contributor’ Poets Celebrate National Poetry Month

Every year, The Contributor presents a showcase of our vendor’s poetry from the year before. We go through each issue from the last year and pull poems that are meaningful and full of imagery and then have an illustrator display them in image form. This year, because of a new partnership with a longtime Contributor collaborator, our Poetry Issue includes something new.

Artist Joe Nolan's Pikes Project Poetry Billboard series this year includes a collaborative poem he wrote alongside our paper’s vendors.

Chris Scott Cooler

BY CHRIS SCOTT FIESELMAN | 2022

You start with a big bottle of Gatorade. Cause when it comes to re-hydration, That stuff is great.

The poem, which is depicted as an illustration of this paper’s cover, is set to go live on the iconic Nashville Sign this April during National Poetry Month.

Nolan ran a workshop with the vendors and supplied the poets with brand new writing journals and encouraged them to share their works in progress while they reflected on everything from popular culture to images of the natural world to recent legislation that makes camping on state property a felony crime.

"The Contributor poets include some of the more experienced writers in the series, and the recent legislation brings an urgency to their message that this public display can help to amplify," says Nolan.

Pikes Project Poetry Billboard III is funded by a Nashville Metro Arts THRIVE Award.

Nolan's billboard series grew out of his multimedia Pikes Project, which has deployed photographs, essays, poetry broadcasts on public radio, gallery exhibitions, and an on-

CONTRIBUTOR VENDORS

APRIL 2023

going Instagram campaign to highlight the sometimes overlooked beauty along Nashville's "Pike" roadways.

Nolan's first Pikes Project Poetry Billboard was created with middle school students in Madison and displayed on Gallatin Pike in April, 2020. The second project was created with immigrant construction workers from Workers' Dignity and launched at the corner of Nolensville Pike and Thompson Lane in April 2021.

I like the white one. That Gatorade Frost. I think it’s something good to drink, That’s well worth the cost. Then… If your glass is half empty, But your schedule’s still full. Get just enough pick me up, From a can of Red Bull. A lot of it’s sub-conscious, You are what you think. From America’s bestselling, Well known, energy drink. And we all know we need to be drinking more water. It never can hurt and it’s always good for you. Mix it together and see what you’ve got. The basic ingredients to make a Chris Scott. A concoction I came up with, To benefit all.

I left it up to you to choose, The Preferred Alcohol.

The vulnerable blare of a ship –out to sea and picked to the bone. Trapped on an island for all to see after the world went blind. See yourself in the landscape of our lives. We dream one another in a movie we can’t rewind.

It's Just Me

JEFFREY | 02.15.2023

The man lying in the gutter, Perhaps just a ship lost at sea, needing only the help of a rudder. Perhaps from the bended knee. Packing only love to set sail, forever removed from the pits of hell.

The real problem hides in disguise, shrouded only by a pack of lies, Hidden behind the veil of the heart, easily removed by doing your part.

Someday you sons or daughters you may see, pulled to safety by a guy like me, Not all of us like the use of drugs, But have been painted like a group of thugs.

The landscapes of our lives we gladly share, Only wanting, to know you care.

To you we gleefully share the gift of love. The kind that can only come from our Father above.

The Roller Coaster We Call Life

NORMA B. | 02.15.2023

From the start this day did not go according to planSidewalk blocked, closed in factI was unsure of what to do next

Then my phone rings

The number I didn’t know

The caller on the other end of the line was a cousin of mine She called to inform me a family member had died

Though not totally unexpected it hurt just the same But the show must go on or so they say I mean, I have bills to pay!

After 2 and 1/2 hours without a single customer in sight, I decided to stop and grab a quick bite

Now with my tummy full And energy restored and a new found resolve

I thought I’d give it another go Still no customers to speak of, but soon I wasn’t alone-

Alex came by to share with me some problems of his own, I listened to his ramblings as he shed many tears In a very short time it became crystal clear My issues were nothing compared to his!

Then it finally happened, a customer appeared out of the blue And can you believe it was someone I’ve been trying to interview! I’ve been wanting to do a story on him for a while

As many of you know, I love to write!

He wanted to confirm I’d received some information he’d sent I told him I had indeed, and he gave me his consent and blessing to proceed I informed him the next deadline was looming, He assured me there was no rush, not to hurry, But I can say with authority yes, I guarantee My customers will soon have something new and interesting to read!

I must admit, Rick’s visit made my day, but it wasn’t over yetThe sidewalk now open, equipment out of the way The workers even cleaned up the mess that they’d made!

Traffic now rolling through many stopping to ask: ‘What’s going on’, if I knew.

I said a work crew from Mississippi was installing Google Fiber at least that’s what I’ve been told, but one thing’s for sure, I’ll be glad when they’re gone!

With that another day of selling FINALLY came to a close Just another day on the roller coaster that we call life I suppose It’s full of ups and downs as we go round and round in a cycle that we are destined to repeat again and again

Some things ever changing, while others stay the same So what’s to come tomorrow? There’s NO WAY to know for sure what might happen when you’re selling The Contributor!

Moral Beauty

JEN A. | 03.15.2023

We are inspired by goodness

To walk a path beyond loneliness

To a calm, clear forest pond

Where frogs ribbit

A Candle For Tyre

BY JEN A. | 02.15.2023

It's happened once again, my friends

Police have killed a man

For nothing more than for the sport They caught him as he ran

They sprayed him with their toxic gas

They hit him with their darts

They punched and kicked and punched some more Exposing their black hearts

You'd think the leader of our state Bill Lee would travel there To bring some comfort to the town

To share in their despair

There's something very wrong it seems Instead of going there

Bill Lee just simply sent a Tweet

To offer a vague prayer

Lee sits upon his White high horse Indifferent to the pain

Of those of us who aren't like him

Who typify the mane

And so it's left to me and you The ordinary ones

To call out justice for this man

And other setting sons

Ignite a candle in his name

This son of Tennessee

In tribute to his brief bright light

We call his name — Tyre!

"I'm going home" — Tyre Nichols

Poem

DUSTIN A. | 02.15.2023

Got me to the point where I can't be saved, from this cold heart of mine

Hoping things get better, but it seems as if I'm running out of time Some people making a fortune off of bs, but others on something real getting left behind I keep searching for the answers, but this life leaves me without a sign The same as trying to get somewhere, while being blind This world will leave you lost, then wonder why you got nothing to find

Like when Pac said, "Is it a crime to fight for what's already mine?"

I guess nothing is never really "yours", being it can be taken from anyone at anytime

We Are The Weeds That Won’t Go Away

BY LISA A. | 03.01.2023

We are the weeds that won’t go away.

We are underfoot, trampled, damaged, bruised, and ragged.

So as you hurry through your day, pause a moment and look our way.

I am thou, and thou art me

We are from the same stuff made; And as I wade through the traffic, through the cement, through the trash, through your exhaust fumes, I am out here in it. The world you have made.

Whatever you are consuming, discarding, or moving through, I live here.

Won’t you join me for a moment?

Won’t you walk here for a while?

A weed is something that we don’t want, It pops up in our best laid plans. It destroys what we think we want to be growing.

Yet most weeds are good food. They are valuable. They were valued by our ancestors as real nutrition.

We are the weeds that are in your way.

Won’t you stop along our way?

Continue on their way

The Missing Piece

BY VICKY B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

I remember doing puzzles with my mom growing up. The dining room table generally had a puzzle in progress during the week but, had to be finished by the weekend for family gatherings and having company over for dinners. When there was a missing piece, it prevented us from finishing it and it was put back in the box, still a missing piece.

I’ve been discovering that the end of homelessness has a missing piece: education. Not educating the public, but educating those going into housing. For decades, people experiencing homelessness sometimes finally get into housing, but are just dropped off and that’s the end. We expect homeless

people to figure things out for themselves when essentially we’ve been left out of the world for so long playing catch up is near impossible without help.

Someone once said to me, “Give them a pole, but teach them how to fish.” We’re starting to increase what we have in the bucket of affordable housing, but we haven’t taught people how to be successful in housing. Most people think dropping someone into housing solves the problem, but in reality that’s just the beginning. Life skills must be taught and made mandatory.

You can't just set up someone's cell phone, you must teach them how to use it. You can't

just show someone how to check their email, you must teach them how to use a computer. We need to be taught how to figure out what we want instead of what’s given to us. We need to get out of the “hustle” and get into living. We’ve been given this enormous gift of housing, but too many aren’t successful. But they’re in housing so we figure it’s a success when it’s not fully. The missing piece must be the teaching. We’ve been out of society for the most part for way too long and we need to be retaught.

Recently on a local news program MDHA was showing the viewers the missing piece. They had in-house programs that taught these important life skills that are taken for granted. This makes housing a success. When we have a budget to live by, we have finally taken control of our lives. Isn’t that the real goal? To make sure those who have

been living on the streets and in missions feel like successful human beings again? When we know before the 5th of the month that we can’t make our rent and start making a plan to get the money. It’s called living again. It’s not survival mode. It’s even been suggested in small circles that it be made mandatory as part of the yearly recertification process. I’ve seen many residents that are still doing “the hustle” to make it every day. They aren’t growing. They are staying stagnant in homelessness even while in housing. In order to break this cycle, we must have true wrap around services in the follow up. In order to make housing a success we must have true wrap around services instead of letting the back half hang out. People have been reaching out to me and I’m so flattered by this, knowing I’m thinking like most. Now it’s time to create the housing success.

Amtrak Train Rides from Kissimee, Fla., to Burlington, Iowa

It was a Wednesday night in Kissimmee, Fla. I found myself waiting for a Northbound Amtrak train. I was on the way to Burlington, Iowa. I used to live in Waterloo, and Denver, Iowa. I was taking a vacation to see relatives back in Iowa. When Amtrak arrived I boarded the train. I had a meal earlier that afternoon. I also packed snacks for the trip. We were on CSX tracks. We occasionally saw freight trains.

I was riding in a coach and also went on an observation cart. It was a three day journey. We were on the way to Washington, D.C. to change trains there. The next afternoon we arrived in Washington D.C. I decided to take a walk. I had on a white Iowa Hawkeyes T-shirt. I was walking by the engine. The engineer saw my Hawkeyes shirt

BY LESLIE S., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

and he looked down the train and asked me to come up to the cab. Of course I said yes! It was a newer, expensive engine. It had a lot of dials on the dash and control handles. I was amazed. For five minutes I stood staring at the dash of the engine.

We were laying over for a short break to refuel engines. That was highlight of the trip. Minutes later I got off the engine. No one had seen me up there. We were on a train to Chicago, Ill. Where I caught a passenger train to Burlington Iowa. I had to get a ride to Waterloo, Iowa in Burlington. I think Saturday morning I arrived in Burlington, Iowa. This all happened in the Summer of 2010. If I never wore that Hawkeye shirt I wouldn’t have gotten to see the inside of the cab.

I Have Walked Alone

BY WILLIAM B, CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Over the years I found I don’t have to walk alone. I have found friends with The Contributor newspaper who have allowed me to walk with a better life. I’ve also found friends at Room In The Inn who have helped me walk a better life. I’ve also found friends in my church family that have helped me walk a wonderful better life.

The reason why I’m walking a better life is because I had to change my life. That change was getting off of drugs. It will be 15 years on May 18. I feel like if I can do it, hopefully other people can do it. I ain’t gonna say just because I done it, they can do it because that would be wrong. I don’t know they’re going through, I know what I was going through.

My 15 years is not as hard as I thought it would be because I found out I can do more amazing things than I ever dreamed. I’m a writer as you can see. I’m a little bit of a storyteller because I know a lot of things from my past that I could tell you about. For instance, my tattoo story from a few issues ago was very interesting.

If you haven’t read it yet, find me and I’ve got a copy. I’ve got other stories from the past five years in The Contributor about my life.

I’m fixing to come up on a very important spinal surgery on March 30 of this year. I feel like the Lord is not ready for me to come to him yet. I figure this surgery is going to help me get my life in even a better, better way. Because I love doing what I’m doing with The Contributor The Contributor has really made a big difference

The Longest Day: Eternity

in my life.

I’ve met really wonderful people from all over the United States and some from other countries. I had a lady who came and let me bless a spoon for her. I’ve got it on video. Someone told her to get a spoon blessed by me. She came down from Australia and asked me if I could bless her spoon. Right on Broadway. That’s just one of the things that has happened to me out there.

The Contributor has really helped a lot of people. There are some people who have done even better than me, and that makes me so proud to be a contributor vendor and to know people like that.

I’m going to say to everybody out there if you haven’t read The Contributor or don’t know about The Contributor come and ask us questions. We can tell you more about Nashville than you’ll ever dreamed of. And we can also tell you what life with The Contributor has done for us.

God Bless you all. And thank you very much for reading.

BY SHORTY R., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

I guess you all read The Last Ride The longest day is but to come, sit down and buckle up if you're ready, it's coming sooner than you think. From experience, I've seen that light at the end of the tunnel hasn't went out yet. I (and we) have a purpose to do here.

So, we shall do the best we can and we shall travel together on this "longest day" called eternity.

A while back I got to spend time with Dre (that’s short for Andre.) He’s stopped and prayed with me once before, but this time he came to visit after he’d had a bad day at work, saying he was drawn to come and see me. During our conversation, he told me he worked at group home for teen boys, and that touched my heart, especially since I spent some time in a group home for teen girls at age 17. I also came to a better understanding of what he meant by “bad day.” I commended him for the work he was doing and encouraged him not to give up.

I reminded him that those kids often have a lot of baggage — he nodded yes. During the course of our conversation, a beautiful young lady stopped in traffic and rolled her window down and smiled (it was one of those smiles that instantly melts your heart.) Then she rolled her back window down, and her equally beautiful young daughter smiled and waved at me too. I asked if she wanted a paper she said no but told me to have a good day, and away they went. After they left, Dre smiled and said that’s my wife and daughter! It was SO cool!

I’m ALWAYS happy to see Les, a retired firefighter who stops by regularly for a paper

"When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And in my hour of darkness

She is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be"

— Paul McCartney

Someone or several someones hung a large banner along the Chestnut Street bridge the day Gov. Bill Lee signed the bills to outlaw public drag shows and to forbid transgender children from receiving gender-affirming medical care. The banner featured a large red figure of the state of Tennessee with a large black swastika in the center of the state on a white background. Printing at the top read, "Thank you Bill Lee for tirelessly working to fight trannies and fags." And at the bottom was printed, "We must secure a future for white children." It's sort of confusing as to if the two lines of text were meant to be related.

The banner outraged a motorist who drove over and took it down. But you know, I wish they had left it up for all to see every day as they travel through Tennessee. After all, when these and other pieces of restrictive legislation have passed by the legislature to be signed by our governor, this is who we are and I think folks should know that. I think we should have to consider that fact day in and day out. Not only for those of us who live here but for folks who might

BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

— lately he’s added something new to his visits like a drink, water or soda.

He’s even brought several members of his family to meet me including his grandson Hollis who was spending some quality time with his Papa one day waiting to see if his practice would be rained out.

Alex, someone he’s training to do his job, who also happens to be dating one of his daughters.

On his most recent visit, he brought his youngest daughter Emma, who happens to be a child psychology major with him. She’s one smart cookie!

Brandon and his son Hunter used to come by regularly when they lived/worked in the area. Although Brandon no longer lives in Hermitage, and has changed jobs, I still send him his papers regularly, and in return, he continues to show his support via Venmo.

Recently I was blessed by a visit from Dana, who called me by name. She seemed familiar but I couldn’t place her at first. Then it dawned on me that she’s the daughter of an older gentleman I lovingly referred to as “ my chili-dog guy.”

He was my last customer of the day, and he

bought me a chili dog meal. I ate the chili dog, my granddaughter ate the fries, and we split the drink. That $5 went a long way!

Since he’s passed away, she Dana comes by occasionally in honor of her dad, who she says “ loved me to death! ” Well, believe me when I say, the feeling is mutual.

Leigh Ann and her sister Paige (known as the masked mystery woman) because the day I met her she was all covered up and all I could see was her glasses and her eyes. But then again, it was VERY cold outside!

They are relative newcomers at least to my corner, but recently they got my day off to a great start!

Just the other day, Claudia stopped by (I met her in March of 2018, when she asked me to please pray for her six month old granddaughter Blake Allyssa who had a congenital heart problem.)This time she wanted to show me pictures of the now happy, healthy 5 year old and her sister!

How cool is that?

Wes (I came to think of him my “work family,” He was my former boss from Captain D’s who came by one day lookin’ cool as ever on his motorcycle, for a moment, I was a bit nostalgic,

Keeping It All In The Family Let it Be

BY JEN A., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

be considering a visit here.

Speaker Cameron Sexton put on a big show of being outraged that a representative from Tennessee Right to Life, while testifying at a public committee hearing, said that if a member of the legislature voted for exceptions to their total ban on abortions, such as to save the life of the mother or in the case of rape or incest, that member's score would be negatively impacted. The speaker told the representative that he could say that in his room or in an email but not at a public hearing.

And when Rep. Paul Sherrell, a member of the Criminal Justice Committee, suggested at an open hearing that executions in the state could be carried out by hanging the condemned from a tree, conjuring memories of Tennessee lynchings of Black men, women and children in the state's past, the next day he was required to deliver a prewritten apology. Sexton apparently didn't like the optics of one his members publicly condoning lynching.

Why would Sexton not want the public to know that our legislators are racists or that they are more than willing to aggressively promote femicide? Doesn't he want us to know that this gender-affirming care act is just a way to separate parents from the right to make all decisions for their children? Why isn't he concerned that his legislators don't care what their constituents want, but with what some special interest

group funded by nebulous out-of-state billionaires wants them to do? If this is what our legislature and governor are, why hide it? They're being paid to do what special interests want them to do. That's just a fact. And they are willing to blow Tennessee up to do it. As Speaker Sexton once said, let those who don't like it vote with their feet. That's a famous line he stole from Ronald Reagan meaning, those who don't like it can just leave.

So I'm all in on swastikas along our highways. Confederate flags, toxic mas -

thinking of all the fun times I had while I was working with him. Nostalgia quickly turned to nausea when I remembered he was the one who put me in the unemployment line…UGH!

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but in his defense, Captain D’s is supposed to be “ fast food ” and everyone who knows me also knows I only have two speeds-slow and slower than that! That being said, even Wes would tell you my customer service skills are second to none!

In fact, whenever we had an order that took to long, they’d send me out with it, and I’d usually come back with a tip! He’d say, “How in the world did you manage that? ” I’d smile and say, “I’m just that good! ”

The only thing he wouldn’t let me do while I was working with him is sing “Free Fallin” or “Gravity ” by John Mayer (yep, even back then I was ALWAYS singing)-Why? Because he said he was afraid that it would turn into a self-fulfilling prophesy. (I’m NOT joking…)

All in all I have to say he was a good boss, and a good tipper as it turns out! (Although he scoffed at the idea of getting saddlebags for his bike so he could take the paper. I guess he figures that would take away from his “cool factor,” and he wasn’t about to do that!

culinity, and raided public coffers will, no doubt, continue on as well. Tennesseans will continue to live in the charred poisonous crater of wars fomented by sociopathic, egomaniacal leadership almost two hundred and one hundred years in the past. We'll continue to die for manufactured lost causes no one living could possibly be directly tied to anymore. It's what our leaders demand. When the selfish intentions of government officials encourage hate and division to condemn someone to death, we just have to let it be. I believe that's how Jesus died.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TENNESSEE HOLLER

HOBOSCOPES

ARIES

Welcome, Aries, to another day on earth. Honestly, It’s about what you’d expect. There’s ducks and volcanoes and spreadsheets and more of everything than we need and less time than we’d like. And there’s you. My friend Aries. An island of energy and potential. I can see why you’re stressed out lately. There’s too much to know and no way to be certain of any of it. But this whole day on earth is here for you. And whatever slice of it you participate in during these 24 hours, it will be enough. Save a little bit of world for tomorrow.

TAURUS

Pretty much everybody I know is striving in the same direction. They’re looking for meaning in their work. They’re hoping to find connections that will make them feel heard and understood. They want to accomplish something that matters and gain fulfillment on the way. It’s possible this works out, Taurus. I still haven’t heard back from everybody. But trying so hard to get it right and to matter feels like an eternal process. Maybe you could set aside the striving for an hour or two. Just be where you are for a bit. Everything so far is already complete and you were a part of it. Look how much you accomplished just by staying still.

GEMINI

I tried planting cabbage again. It felt nice to get some seeds in the ground. But now there’s this one rabbit. I see him out there at dusk. Acting all cool. Sniffing the spot where the cabbage leaves will pop up from the soil any day now. Is he really just waiting it out? It feels like an unfair competition. Who’s going to win the cabbage? Everybody here knows the bunny is. A writer of amateur astrology versus a full-time, leaf-eating machine? I don’t stand a chance. Sometimes, Gemini, you have to plant things knowing that somebody else is going to reap the reward. Plant anyway.

CANCER

The Sunset was a little bit later last night. It was a nice one, too. Like a bunch of cotton candy getting passed around a campfire. It’s starting to feel like we made it through the darkest days, Cancer. Everything’s just a little milder. I know you don’t want to trust the ease of that, but what if it’s true?. If you don’t have to fight for survival today, lean into the ease. Put your to-do list down, and maybe watch the sunset. It’ll be just a little bit later tonight.

LEO

The world can be so crude and careless, Leo. Personally, I thought your drawing of the Apollo moon landing was an appropriately accurate representation of the event. All those people in the comments saying it looks like an alligator playing golf with an angel are just jealous. It’s a good day to create something new, Leo. And it’s a good day to ignore the haters.

VIRGO

I believe we’ve talked about this before, Virgo, but I’m always glad to go again. Let’s see…atoms bind together to make molecules. Molecules bind together to make, well, all sorts of things, including cells. Cells can work together to form an organ. Organs can combine in systems to make you. So are you just a collection of parts? A pile of atoms, hopes, guacamole, and anxiety configured just so? I think you’re more, Virgo. Sure, it can help to break it down to the parts. To think about your strengths and weaknesses, your desires and fears. But the whole you is always something more. Spend a little time today loving that whole you. Forget the parts and just look at that fantastic entirety.

LIBRA

We’ve all heard about the Trojan horse, Libra. A wooden colossus so large that you would have been to the horse as a fly to you. That slyest feat of the Greek army was first recounted by Aeneas to Queen Dido. He told how all the soldiers packed into that great equine box. Pushing together with all their soldierly grits and grimes, awaiting nightfall and their famous surprise sacking of Troy. Queen Dido was in disbelief when she heard the tale. And so am I Libra, in that I know the story is a myth. And Aeneas is a myth, and perhaps Dido herself. And so is the warning, Libra, to beware of gifts too great. Don’t be afraid this week. Invite it all inside.

SCORPIO

I cut my thumb while I was making us breakfast, Scorpio. Don’t worry, the eggs are cooked perfectly. And the grapefruit I was slicing smells delicious. And this paper towel seems to be slowing down the blood. And butter spreads better when you leave it out of the fridge for a few minutes, anyway. This looks like the best breakfast yet. I’ll bring it to the table as soon as I stop feeling so faint. Maybe I should cut my thumb everytime? No, that can’t be right, Scorpio. It may take some pain to create something beautiful. But it shouldn’t take an injury. Stand back from your creation for long enough to determine which one you’ve got.

SAGITTARIUS

Hope is a many-fingered thing, Sagittarius. It taps and snatches and pinches and pokes. It snaps at you when you’re too busy or distracted or drunk or alone. And it points to something you desperately need but can’t quite see through the fog. It knocks on the door without ever asking if it’s a good time to drop by. Hope wants to be let in, but like a vampire, it needs an invitation. As uncomfortable as hope can be, Sagittarius, I still recommend it. When you see it waving at the window, start by waving back.

CAPRICORN

I’m running away from home, Capricorn. I’ve got three peanut butter sandwiches, my tape measure, a butterfly net, and $8 in skee-ball tokens. That should get me over the wall and past the first checkpoint before I need a restock and a guide. Is this what it was like when you ran away, too? Were you scared? You’ve come such a long way and learned so much, Capricorn. Especially for having started with so many of the wrong things. Remember all the ways you adapted your inventory to get where you are. You’re going good places, Capricorn, but stay flexible. I’ll trade you two skee-ball tokens for that sunscreen.

AQUARIUS

Is that smoke out the window or fog, Aquarius? If it’s fog, well, that’s a beautiful inconvenience if you’ve got somewhere to be. But if it’s smoke, Aquarius, smoke might be a warning of something that needs quick management and clear thought. You’ve been staring out the window for a couple of minutes now, wondering which it is. I’d say stick your head out the front door and take a whiff. You’ll no pretty quickly what needs doing or not.

PISCES

I’ve been having dreams about killer whales. I mean, they aren’t killing anything in the dreams. They’re just, you know, orcas, but maybe extra-big ones? Anyway, Pisces, in the dreams I’m not scared of them, I’m just trying to see the whole big thing before it goes back into the water. And I’m trying to get you to look, too. I think it’s because you’re distracted, Pisces, with all the little things — I mean, in these dreams you are. And I look at you and it’s like there are billions of drops of water in the air on this boat — in the dream we’re on a boat — and you’re maybe trying to count the drops and you won’t look at this amazing, huge, miracle of a beast that’s disappearing into the ocean. Anyway Pisces, look up.

Mr. Mysterio is not a licensed astrologer, a trained whale-spotter, or a registered phalangaelist. 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

The New Christian Year

Selected by Charles Williams

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. First published in 1941, 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. It is hoped that the readings reproduced here will prove beneficial for any who read them, whatever their place in life's journey. —

6th Wednesday in Lent

I ASKED Him to let me suffer for my friends and for Him both in body and soul. But I had envisaged noble and pure suffering which, as I now see, would only have been another form of joy. I had never dreamed of this infernal suffering that He has sent me and has consisted in His seeming withdrawal from me and leaving me defenseless in the midst of my cruellest enemies.

Léon Bloy: Letters to his Fiancée.

6th Thursday in Lent

His hour was not yet come. This is, because He was not so pleased; for our Lord was not born subject to fate. Thou must not believe this even of thyself, much less of Him by Whom thou wert made. And if thine hour is in His will, is not His hour in His own will? His hour then here does not mean the time that he was obliged to die, but the time that He deigned to be put to death.

St. Augustine, quoted by St. Thomas Aquinas: Catena Aurea.

THE originator of this cup is also one with him who drank it. St. Augustine: Lectures on St. John.

6th Friday in Lent

WHAT will move you? Will pity? Here is distress never the like. Will duty? Here is a person never the like. Will fear? Here is wrath never the like. Will remorse? Here are sins never the like. Will kindness? Here is love never the like. Will bounty? Here are benefits never the like. Will all these? Here they be all, all in the highest degree.

Lancelot Andrewes: Sermon on Good Friday, 1604.

WHEN the Messiah . . . stands alone before the high-priest, deserted even by the chosen disciples . . . he is the sole representative at that moment of God's holy people; he bears in his own person the whole burden of Israel's appointed destiny. Doctrine in the Church of England, Report of the Commission.

6th Saturday in Lent

WHO but Himself could trouble Him? Christ was troubled, because it pleased Him to be troubled; He hungered because it pleased Him to hunger. It was in His own power to be affected in this or that way, or not. The Word took up soul and flesh, and whole man, and fitted it to Himself in unity of person. And thus according to the nod and will of that higher nature in Him, in which the sovereign power resides, He becomes weak and troubled.

St. Augustine, quoted by St. Thomas Aquinas: Catena Aurea.

NO manner of violence offered him in body, no man touching him or being near him; in a cold night, for they were fain to have a fire within doors, lying abroad in the air and upon the cold earth, to be all of a sweat, and that sweat to be blood; and not as they call it diaphoreticus, "a thin faint sweat," but grumosus, "of great drops"; and those so many, so plenteous, as they went through his apparel and all . . . never the like sweat certainly, and therefore never the like sorrow.

Sunday

Lancelot Andrewes: Sermon on Good Friday, 1604.

Next Before Easter (Palm Sunday)

. . . TO live thus, to cram to-day with eternity and not with the next day, the Christian has learnt and continues to learn (for the Christian is always learning) from the Pattern. How did He manage to live without anxiety for the next day—he who from the first instant of His public life when He stepped forward as a teacher knew how His life would end, that the next day was His crucifixion, knew this while the people exultantly hailed Him as King (ah, bitter knowledge to have at precisely that moment!), knew when they were crying, "Hosanna!", at His entry into Jerusalem that they would cry, "Crucify Him!", and that it was to this end He made His entry; He who bore every

day the prodigious weight of this superhuman knowledge— how did He manage to live without anxiety for the next day?

Kierkegaard: Christian Discourses.

Holy Week Monday

THE progress of these terrors are plainly shown us in our Lord's agony in the garden, when the reality of this eternal death so broke in upon Him, so awakened and stirred itself in Him, as to force great drops of blood to sweat from His body . . . His agony was His entrance into the last eternal terrors of the lost soul, into the real horrors of that dreadful eternal death which man unredeemed must have died into when he left this world. We are therefore not to consider our Lord's death upon the cross as only the death of that mortal body which was nailed to it, but we are to look upon Him with wounded hearts, as fixed and fastened in the state of that two-fold death, which was due to the fallen nature, out of which He could not come til He could say, "It is finished; Father into thy hands I commend my spirit."

William Law: An Appeal.

Holy Week Tuesday

HE said to Judas, when he betrayed him: "Friend, wherefore art thou come?" Just as if he had said: "Thou hatest me, and art mine enemy, yet I love thee and am thy friend." . . . As though God in human nature were saying: "I am pure, simple Goodness, and therefore I cannot will or desire or rejoice in, or do or give anything but goodness. If I am to reward thee for thy evil and wickedness I must do it with goodness, for I am and have nothing else."

Theologica Germanica.

Holy Week Wednesday

HIS own single voice prostrated that great crowd . . . For God lay hid in that human flesh; and eternal day was so obscured in those human limbs, that with lanterns and torches he was sought for to be slain by the darkness . . . And now everywhere through the Gospel Christ is still saying: "I am He."

St. Augustine: Lectures on St. John.

GOD withdrew his protection, but did not break the union. Anonymous, quoted by St. Thomas Aquinas: Catena Aurea.

Holy Week Thursday

JESUS suffers in His passions the torments which men inflict upon Him, but in His agony He suffers the torments which He inflicts on Himself; This is a suffering from no human, but an almighty hand, for He must be almighty to bear it.

Pascal: Pensées.

HE was pieced with love no less than with grief, and it was that wound of Love which made him so constantly to endure all the other. . . Christ pierced on the cross is liber charitatis, "the very book of love" laid open before us.

Lancelot Andrewes: Sermon on Good Friday, 1597.

Good Friday

JESUS is alone on the earth, without any one not only to feel and share His suffering, but even to know of it; He and Heaven were alone in that knowledge.

Pascal: Pensées.

THE perfection of our knowledge is Christ; the perfection of our knowledge in, or touching Christ, is the knowledge of Christ's piercing. This is the chief sight; nay, in this sight are all sights; so that know this, and know all.

Lancelot Andrewes: Sermon on Good Friday, 1597.

THE tree upon which were fixed the members of Him dying was even the chair of the Master teaching.

St. Augustine: Lectures on St. John.

EVERY mystery of Christ's assumed mortality was fulfilled and his immortality alone remained.

St. Ambrose, quoted by St. Thomas Aquinas: Catena Aurea.

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THOU, the Life, wert laid in the grave, O Christ; and the hosts of the angels shuddered, praising thy humility.

Ritual of the Orthodox Church.

Holy Week Saturday

THEY (Joseph and Nicodemus) answered (the Blessed Virgin) and said: "We sorrow and mourn with all our hearts for all that is done to him, and fain would we have helped him, but we could not overcome wickedness with right, nevertheless this little service shall we do to our Lord." Then rose they up and made them ready to take him down.

St. Bonaventura: The Privity of the Passion.

IT was not written by hazard: "Joseph wrapped Christ's body in a clean winding-sheet, and placed it in a new monument," and that "he rolled a great stone," because all things around the body of Jesus are clean, and new, and exceeding great.

Origen: St. Matthew.

Easter Sunday

GOD comes to us without any purpose of departing from us again; for the spirit of life that God breathed into man, that departs from man in death; but when God had assumed the nature of man, the Godhead never parted from that nature; no, not in death; when Christ lay dead in the grave, the Godhead remained united to that body and that soul, which were disunited in themselves; God was so united to man, as that he was with man, when man was not man, in the state of death.

Donne: Sermons.

BY His Passion Christ achieved glory, not only of His soul, which He had from the first moment of His conception, but also of His body; . . . to which glory He brings those who follow the footsteps of His Passion.

Aquinas: Summa Theologica.

ALL things have become light, never again to set, and the setting has believed in the rising. This is the new creation.

St. Clement: Address to the Greeks.

Easter Week Monday

IN the kingdom of the Son the Father also reigns; and in the kingdom of the Father the Son also reigns: for the Father is in the Son, and the Son is in the Father; and in whomsoever the Son dwells, in him also the Father; and in whomsoever the Father dwells, in him also the Son dwells, as it is written: "Both I am My Father will come to Him, and make Our abode with Him." Thus as there is one dwelling, so also there is one kingdom. Yea, and so far is the kingdom of the Father and of the Son but one, that the Father receives what the Son delivers, and the Son does not lose what the Father receives.

St. Ambrose: On the Faith.

Easter Week Tuesday

. . . WHEREAS now their souls (of just men) be only in heaven, at the day of judgement this further increase of joy shall they have, that their bodies also shall be partakers of eternal bliss, and they shall in their flesh receive joy.

St. Gregory the Great: Dialogues. WHEN the glorious and holy flesh shall clothe us again, our whole persons shall be more admirable by being more complete.

Dante: Paradise.

NOW was I come up in spirit through the flaming sword into the Paradise of God. All things were new: and all the creation gave another smell unto me than before, beyond what words can utter.

George Fox: Journal.

TO it (the pure soul) all creatures are pure to enjoy; for it enjoyeth all creatures in God and God in all creatures.

Eckhart: Sermons.

“A Slow, Moody Movie”

STANLEY KUBRICK’S ‘BARRY LYNDON’ PAINTS THE BELCOURT IN 35MM

BY JOE NOLAN, FILM CRITIC

Writer and director Stanley Kubrick released Barry Lyndon in 1975 in the aftermath of the controversial A Clockwork Orange (1971), and the wreckage of a years-long-pre-production for a Napoleon film that was never meant to be. If A Clockwork Orange is a flamethrower then Barry Lyndon is a fragrant wad of tobacco smoldering in a brass pipe. Editor Tony Lawson paces the film between footfall and horse gallop, and cinematographer John Alcott deployed photography equipment developed for NASA to use in deep space to capture scenes lit only by candles. Barry Lyndon is a slow, moody movie, and patient viewing is rewarded with general satiric hilarity, unique performances and some of the most sumptuous frames in film.

This costume drama begins in Ireland in the 1750s. Barry’s father is killed in a duel over a horse sale gone bad, and Barry is spoiled by his doting widowed mother. Barry grows up and fights a duel of his own for the love of his cousin Nora, which results in his running away from home and into a series of lucky breaks, misadventures and twists of fate. Barry is an orphan before he is a rich man before he ultimately arrives at his destiny. Along the way he’s a swordsman, a robbery victim, a soldier, a deserter, a hero, a spy, a gambler, a gold-digger, a drunk, an abuser, and — unfortunately — a duelist.

Ryan O’Neal was the leading man’s leading man in the 1970s — he became a TV star on Peyton Place in the 1960s before his Oscar-nominated turn in Love Story (1970). The actor starred in two

Peter Bogdanovich films before working with Kubrick (What’s Up, Doc in 1972 and Paper Moon in 1973). O’Neal had had big hits, but his movie idol looks and romantic resume left the movie press scratching its collective head when he was announced as the lead in a new Kubrick film. Frankly, O’Neal is perfectly cast as the spoiled, lazy, dumb and daring Lyndon. O’Neal makes the protagonist’s picaresque part adventure story, part cautionary tale, and part running joke about a hapless man-boy buffeted by the rigors of 18th century living at every social station. Some critics pointed at O’Neal’s performance when Barry Lyndon originally opened to lukewarm reviews. But, today Barry Lyndon is generally regarded as another Kubrick masterpiece, and O’Neal’s performance is being appreciated for the director's genius casting and the actor’s subtle breadth.

Barry Lyndon ’s slow storytelling and muted performances haven’t always been for everyone, but nobody ever doubted the technical achievements of this simply ravishing work of cinema art. Kubrick brings his period to life with probably-still-unmatched-authenticity using special techniques and equipment — like those NASA camera lenses — and a variation of the kind of coldly-stylized performances we find in every Kubrick film from Lolita (1962) to The Shining (1980). The film’s look captures a world before electric light and the industrial age, and its low-key performances reflect the strictures of social class during the Georgian era. Kubrick composed his shots like period

paintings and the sometimes stone still scenes in this film will have you leaning closer looking for the brush strokes. Barry Lyndon was nominated for seven Academy Awards. It lost in the Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay categories, but walked away with no contest wins for Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography, Best Scoring. The Belcourt Theatre is

screening Barry Lyndon this weekend on 35mm film. I haven’t seen this print, but you’ll probably get plenty of that good analog celluloid grit to go along with this film that every movie fan should see on a big screen.

Barry Lyndon is a Weekend Classic at The Belcourt Theatre on April 1–2. Go to www.belcourt.org for times and tickets.

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

ACROSS

1. Partner of pains

All the Best

JEN A.

Fresh-faced and fancy-free

That's how she came to us

The little red-haired girl from Texas

We could always make her blush

She has toughened up considerably

Since those early salad days

She has walked the walk beside us

And held us fast within her gaze

She has borne our every sorrow

She has shared in our delight

She has trudged through muck and mire

Just to set our world aright

She's accepted us for who we are

No better friend could be

It's an honor just to know her

No one's luckier than we

And now she's made some extra room

Within her true-blue heart

Linda Bailey's getting married

Let us wish her all the best!

THEME: COLORS

DOWN

1. "General Hospital" network

2. Crop of a bird

3. Zeus' sister and wife

4. Two under par on a golf hole

5. Meat-cooking contraption 6. Winglike

7. *Predominant color of Mars 8. Type of membranophone

*Primary color

___ Juan, Puerto Rico

31. "Cheers" actress Perlman 32. Jeopardy 33. Sergio of Spaghetti Westerns fame

Follow as a consequence

poem

DUSTIN A.

Take one step forward, To fall 10 steps behind I get told to keep pushing on, yet its as if the world has lost their mind

If you’re looking for answers

I got plenty of solutions for you to find

It’s as if I got this the vision, But it seems as if the world went blind

Life isn’t a movie but a reality, While I’m living that truth that you can’t rewind

Was never the acting type person, Or one of those people that deceive while pretending to be kind I’ve been writing poetry ever since I was a kid, even though things that I’ve experienced throughout life was the opposite of the planets in the solar system when they were fully aligned.

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