The Contributor: March 30, 2022 by the-contributor-live

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The development of housing rights And a rundown of HUD's encampment strategy workgroups in Nashville PAG E S 1 0 -13

Mia Gillitzer drew this house when she was 14 years old. Now, she studies architecture.

IN THE ISSUE

Contributor Board

Tom Wills, Chair Cathy Jennings, Bruce Doeg, Demetria Kalodimos, Ann Bourland, Kerry Graham, Peter Macdonald, Amber DuVentre, Jerome Moore, Annette McDermott, Drew Morris, Andy Shapiro

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

L a N ticia

GRATIS

Marzo/3

2022

www.hispanicpaper.com

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

Año 20 - No. 347

Escanee esta imagen para ver La Noticia newspaper edición bilingüe digital

Nashville, Tennessee

Un golpe bajo para los pacientes con Alzheimer y sus seres queridos

Hace unos días tuve una visita inesperada, en su momento, de urgencia apremiante, al hospital. Sentía que me faltaba el aire, y lo que en un principio me hizo pensar que eran las famosas alergias, tan frecuentes como inevitables en esta Por Yuri Cunza parte del país, luego de empeorar Editor in Chief mis síntomas me @LaNoticiaNews causó preocupación de que en realidad fuera otra cosa, más grave aún, mortal quizás. En camino al hospital y durante el tiempo que pasó hasta que pude ver a un doctor, a través del servicio de emergencia al que acudí, pude ver a varias personas de edad avanzada que también habían llegado allí, como yo, pero quizás por razones más preocupantes. Hubo algunos que, por escasez de habitaciones, estaban en camillas ubicadas a lo largo de los pasillos. Una de esas pacientes, pude escuchar, una señora de raza negra, de avanzada edad, hablaba con alguien que me pareció podría ser su hija, y trataba de responder donde estaba internada. Al escuchar que le estaba respondiendo incorrectamente sobre el centro hospitalario donde nos encontrábamos ambos, decidí intervenir y aclarar nuestra ubicación. También pude escuchar que mientras hablaba con el doctor de turno, mencionó que tomaba medicina para Alzheimer, “un tipo de demencia que causa problemas con la memoria, el pensamiento y el comportamiento. Los síntomas generalmente se desarrollan lentamente y empeoran con el tiempo, hasta que son tan graves que interfieren con las tareas cotidianas”, así lo describe la Alzheimer Association www.alz.org

desarrollar la enfermedad de Alzheimer, el 94,7 % de los participantes en ensayos clínicos para tratamientos del desarrollo de la enfermedad de Alzheimer han sido blancos. La decisión marca un revés significativo para la investigación de la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Casi 100 programas de Alzheimer han fracasado en la última década. Por lo tanto, la aprobación acelerada de Aduhelm por parte de la FDA, el primer tratamiento nuevo para el Alzheimer desde 2003, no fue solo una noticia esperanzadora para los pacientes; fue un evento histórico que dio a los investigadores e inversores la confianza para continuar trabajando en la búsqueda de nuevos tratamientos.

Michelle McMurry-Heath is a physician-scientist and president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization.

presidenta y directora ejecutiva de la Organización de Innovación en Biotecnología.

Encampment Strategy

La Noticia + The Contributor

In wake of the Jefferson Street Bridge encampment closure, HUD hosts a strategy workgroup in Nashville with unclear impact.

La Noticia, one of the leading Spanish-language newspapers in the nation, brings Spanish content to Contributor. Conoce tusThe derechos:

No estamos libres de una emergencia imprevista, tampoco estamos libres de males que se acentúan con el paso tiempo y que nos vulnerabilizan a todos en realidad a cierta edad. Es necesario hacer posible el acceso a todas las herramientas posibles para ayudar a nuestro personal médico a lograr su noble labor. A continuación compartimos con nuestros lectores el siguiente artículo de opinión escrito por la doctora Michelle McMurry-Heath, médica científica y

“Más de 6 millones de estadounidenses que sufren de Alzheimer acaban de recibir un golpe en el estómago de la agencia federal que supervisa Medicare. Sus seres queridos también.

Los Centros de Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service-CMS) acaban de tomar una decisión sin precedentes al cortar el acceso de la mayoría de las personas mayores a toda una clase de tratamientos para el Alzheimer. Las acciones de CMS tendrán un impacto significativo en la investigación de la demencia y podrían acabar con las esperanzas de los estadounidenses de encontrar una cura. La decisión afecta de manera más inmediata a los inscritos en Medicare que estaban considerando Aduhelm, un medicamento que la FDA aprobó en junio. El fármaco reduce la placa amiloide en el cerebro, que muchos científicos, aunque no todos, creen que es un desencadenante del alzhéimer. La FDA sopesó la ciencia y determinó que una aprobación acelerada, que la

¿Que hacer en caso de una redada?

Los burócratas de los CMS evidentemente no están de acuerdo con el enfoque de los científicos de la FDA, que durante mucho tiempo ha sido visto como el estándar de oro para los estándares de seguridad y eficacia basados en la ciencia. El administrador de Medicare anunció que restringiría el acceso a Aduhelm, y a cualquier otro "anticuerpo monoclonal que se dirija al amiloide para el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Alzheimer" en el futuro, a una porción minúscula de personas inscritas en ensayos clínicos aprobados por CMS, los cuales podrían tomar varios años. La propuesta excluye a millones de beneficiarios de Medicare que actualmente viven con la enfermedad y tendrá un impacto particularmente fuerte en las personas de color. Los estudios muestran que durante las últimas dos décadas, a pesar de que las minorías tienen un mayor riesgo de

Vendor Writing

Moving Pictures

In this issue, vendors write poetry about the state of homelessness in Nashville and plans for a new football stadium.

Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation is a must-hear film at the Belcourt, and it's not too late to buy tickets.

Si Medicare, que paga la gran mayoría del tratamiento del Alzheimer, no cubre un nuevo medicamento, a pesar de que los expertos de la FDA dictaminan que el medicamento tiene un gran potencial, sería una tontería que las empresas siguieran invirtiendo en la arriesgada y enormemente costosa investigación del Alzheimer. Si no se cuestiona, este reproche, y esta afirmación unilateral de los poderes de evaluación de medicamentos, podría convertirse en un precedente que podría dañar irreparablemente nuestro proceso de aprobación de tratamientos. Y la avalancha de la enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras enfermedades difíciles de tratar continuará sin control durante las generaciones venideras.”

Publicado originalmente en inglés en la publicación The Hill. Enviado a La Noticia Newspaper a través de Keybridge Communications para su distribución.

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

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)

por

Contributors This Issue

Linda Bailey • Amanda Haggard • Judith Tackett • Ridley Wills II • Chris Scott Fieselman • Alisa Muller • Mia Gillitzer • India Pungarcher • Norma B. • Mr. Mysterio • Adrian Michael • Joe Nolan

Contributor Volunteers Christine Doeg , Volunteer Coordinator Joe First • Andy Shapiro • Michael Reilly • Logan Ebel • Ann Bourland • Laura Birdsall • Richard Aberdeen • Marissa Young • Ezra LaFleur • Rachel Stanley • Linda Eisele • Matthew Murrow • Wendy Curland • Gisselly Mazariegos

Cathy Jennings Executive Director

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.

Tom Wills Director of Vendor Operations Carli Tharp Social Services Intake Specialist

www.juanese.com juanese@usa.com

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Ree Cheers SOAR Manager Rachel Ternes Housing Navigator Catherine Hardy Housing Navigator Jesse Call Operations Consultant Raven Nye Director of Housing Initiatives Barbara Womack Advertising Manager Amanda Haggard & Linda Bailey Co-Editors Gisselly Mazariegos & Isabella Romero Interns Andrew Krinks Editor Emeritus Will Connelly, Tasha F. Lemley, Steven Samra, and Tom Wills Contributor Co-Founders

The Contributor now accepts Venmo! Scan the QR Code above, or find us: @The-Contributor Make sure to include your vendor’s badge name and number in the description. If you bought this version digitally, you can still leave your regular vendor a tip. Email Cathy@thecontributor.org for more information or with questions!

Editorials and features in The Contributor are the perspectives of the authors. Submissions of news, opinion, fiction, art and poetry are welcomed. The Contributor reserves the right to edit any submissions. The Contributor cannot and will not endorse any political candidate. Submissions may be emailed to: editorial@thecontributor.org Requests to volunteer, donate, or purchase subscriptions can be emailed to: info@thecontributor.org Please email advertising requests to: advertising@thecontributor.org

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PAGE 2 | March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

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March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 3

VENDOR WRITING

MY FRIENDS AND FELLOW NASHVILLIANS WRITTEN BY CHRIS SCOTT FIESELMAN

We’ve been given a task,

My Friends and Fellow Nashvillians.

To come up with a plan,

Divided We Fall. United We Stand.

To provide for Our Fellow Americans.

You can’t take away all that someone else owns.

There once was a time,

That’s not O.K. and cannot be condoned.

Previously presented in The Contributor. Excerpt from “Lessons Learned from Wisdom’s Words”

I showed Nashville how,

You can’t magically make a mess disappear,

WRITTEN BY CHRIS SCOTT FIESELMAN

To take care of the problem,

By telling them “Get the Hell Out of Here!”

We’re facing right now.

If we choose to do nothing,

They say they want to take “Fort Negley” back,

I know how that felt.

We’ll see nothing change.

And that day is going to come.

I know what it’s like.

Some choose to do something.

Face the fact, they plan to attack,

Have someone else tell me,

Some choose to complain.

And there’s nothing that can be done.

What’s best for my life.

Let’s make them an offer,

So, when that day of battle comes, knocking on our door.

People with no other place to be.

They cannot refuse.

We’ll probably see a repeat of events we’ve seen before.

I know what they face.

(You) Catch more flies with honey,

That used to be me.

Then you do with abuse.

But now let’s get back to,

Let’s Set the Example.

The Problem at Hand and,

Let Justice Prevail.

The Plan of Attack to take back the land.

We will succeed where others have failed.

We’ve waited so long.

My Friends and Fellow Nashvillians.

It’s gotten so bad.

We have an abandoned, good piece of land.

So little’s been done,

Right next to Fort Negley,

And everyone’s mad.

On Saint Cloud Hill.

And that’s really sad… But…

If you choose not to do this,

I Have a Dream.

Then I damn sure will.

Someone had to win this battle,

It’s New and Improved.

The perfect location just waiting to be,

Someone had to lose.

The problems of Brookmeade,

The Homeless Manifest Destiny.

That day back then, it came and went

“Resolved and Removed”

I’ve decided to call it,

And still the camp remained.

I’ve had a Vision.

The Eagle’s Nest because,

Your plans for development,

My Mission is clear.

The good always comes before the best.

Went out the window, down the drain.

I’ve made a decision.

Those shelters in storage, causing a fuss.

They’ll listen and hear.

Let’s get O.E.M. to give them to us.

To start with what’s happening’s,

The campers at Brookmeade,

Breaking My Heart.

Can be given a chance,

The last thing we need is a Refugee Park.

To be the first people to occupy them.

The forest was once a great place to be.

Imagine the possibilities…

It now offers us Opportunity.

A Tiny House Homeless Community.

We have a real chance,

All this because, I choose not to lose.

To get something done,

It’s Payback Time,

And I have a plan whose time’s finally come.

And the payments past due.

It seems like to me,

My Friends and Fellow Nashvillians.

Is making a statement, just wait and see,

No one knows what to do,

You know who I am,

How many people out their care?

Cause they can’t put themselves,

And you know where I stand.

We’ve come so far, look where we are,

In another man’s shoes.

The Captain Chris Scott Fieselman.

It’s the start of something new.

RETAKE FORT NEGLEY

Let’s take some time to take a look at what the future holds. That way that day they cannot say that they were never told. Maybe a little history will help them understand. If at first you don’t succeed, You need a better plan. Remember public out-cry? And who’s side that they were on? They didn’t see a problem solved. They saw the damage done. The media, they ate it up. We made the evening news.

You still don’t see what’s happening, Its right before your eyes. This land’s not as important as, Its affect upon their lives. It’s opportunity in disguise. So, now we’re on the brink of extinction, And the end is drawing near. Even though we have no place to go, When they throw us out of here. This public land, pre-planned community, Established and already there.

There’s more of us, “In God We Trust,” Who share that point of view. So, go ahead and place your bet, But know that I’m not going anywhere yet. If you want to take back Fort Negley, You’re taking on Captain Chris Scott F.

PAGE 4 | March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

CT • RE-ELECT • RE-ELECT • RE-ELECT •

Early Voting: April 13-28, 2022

ELECTION DAY: MAY 3, 2022 www.ericagilmore.com Paid for by the Committee to Elect Erica Gilmore for County Trustee Lee Molette, Treasurer

March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 5

NASHVILLE HISTORY CORNER

WHY WAS ABRAHAM FLEXNER IMPORTANT TO VANDERBILT? BY RIDLEY WILLS II In 1909, Abraham Flexner traveled across the county making a survey of medical schools, which was published by the Carnegie Foundation the following year. Of the medical schools in Tennessee he wrote: “The State of Tennessee protects at this date more low-grade medical schools than any other Southern state…. Practically all that can be asked of Tennessee is that it should do the best possible under the circumstances. This it did not do. The six white schools value their separate survival beyond all other considerations….Those who deal with medical education in Tennessee are therefore making the worst, not the best, of the limited possibilities.” He called names to prove his point. Flexner went on to add: “If our analysis is correct, the institution to which the responsibility for medical education in Tennessee should just now be left is Vanderbilt University; for it is the only institution in position at this juncture to deal with the subject effectively.” Four years later, Andrew Carnegie gave the Vanderbilt Medical School $1 million, but that proved inadequate. In 1919, on the recommendations of Dr. Wallace Buttrick, secretary of the General Education Board, and Abraham Flexner, the GEB announced a gift of $4 million to Vanderbilt to be increased in later years by more than $10 million. The GEB made the gift

because in the South, Flexner said, “there is not one really respectable school south of the Ohio River.” He argued that because of the strategic importance of Nashville, the standards that had been maintained by Vanderbilt throughout its history, especially in the academic department, and, above all, because of the courageous leadership of Chancellor Kirkland, Vanderbilt was worthy of this extraordinarily generous gift. The General Education and Carnegie gifts made possible the construction of a new Vanderbilt Hospital with laboratories and lecture rooms in one large building, and the reorganization of the university’s Medical School. The cost of constructing this building and a nursing home was $13 million. The Medical School’s student body was set at 200, carefully selected from many times that number of applicants. Flexner, by then secretary of the General Education Board; Buttrick, then president of the GEB; and Chancellor Kirkland were convinced that the new Vanderbilt Medical School was one of the half dozen great medical schools in the country. John Finley, in an editorial in The New York Times, wrote of, “the courage and liberal policies of the university and their approval of its chancellor. It was one of the greatest demonstrations ever made in America in support of sound learning and in endorsement of constructive educational policies.”

Abraham Flexner

PAGE 6 | March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 7

NEWS

Learn More About: Nashville-Davidson County Continuum of Care BY JUDITH TACKET T

There is some tremendous news to report in Nashville around funding for the Continuum of Care. Since 2017, the community has increased federal Continuum of Care funding by 120 percent, from about $3.2 million to $7.04 million for the Fiscal Year 2021 allocation, which the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced this month. But what does this mean? What is the Continuum of Care and what does that look like in Nashville? When you google the term Continuum of Care (CoC), you will get many different descriptions. Here is what came up for me on the first page, which is on a HUD exchange informational website: “The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote community wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.” I like to explain that the CoC is three things: a) A designated geographic area, which in our case is Nashville-Davidson County; b) An organized community effort to build a system that is capable of preventing and ending homelessness for people in a collaborative way; and c) A competitive federal funding stream to support this work. The $7.04 million in federal funds is focused on the narrowest definition of homelessness, including people sleeping in shelters, on the streets, in cars and in other places not meant for habitation. The funds can be used for permanent housing programs, support services only, the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), transitional housing and safe haven programs (which are being phased out). However, HUD discourages new transitional housing under this funding stream. What this means is that HUD believes the CoC funds should focus on permanent housing efforts and performance measures through HMIS, a database intended to collect and report on client-level information that provides us with a full picture of what homelessness in Nashville looks like and how

effective programs are. You may notice that the CoC funding does not include emergency shelter programs. That’s because the federal government believes there are other funding sources to be used for emergency shelters and also transitional housing. Remember, the CoC is also tasked with building what we locally term an effective Housing Crisis Resolution System (the feds refer to it as a homeless crisis response system – I prefer to include the terms “housing” and “solution” within any phrase that should describe that our community is focused on ending homelessness for people). When you look at the CoC from the systems-building perspective, it becomes clear that the $7 million in CoC funds will only pay for a small portion of programs within Nashville. And the federal government shares that opinion. That’s why they require each geographic area that is a designated CoC to have a governance structure. In Davidson County we had a big undertaking in 2018 to create a new governance board called the Nashville-Davidson County Continuum of Care Homelessness Planning Council. The Homelessness Planning Council is a community board anchored within the Metro government. This Council consists of 25 members; 14 are elected by the general CoC membership, 8 are appointed by the mayor, and 3 are Metro Council representatives appointed by the vice mayor. A Metro

ordinance outlines the general duties of the Homelessness Planning Council as: • Implementing a coordinated and focused approach to ending homelessness and to develop measurable objectives; • Fulfilling all duties and responsibilities as the governance board for the Nashville-Davidson County Continuum of Care, including compliance with 24 C.F.R. Part 578; • Holding regular meetings open to the public with published agendas; • Assuring participation of all stakeholders, including persons experiencing homelessness; • Maintaining accurate, current data on homeless populations; and • Educating the public, service providers and other interested parties on issues related to homelessness. But the true power lies with the CoC general membership, which determines through its governance charter how much power it transfers to the Homelessness Planning Council. One more thing, the Homelessness Planning Council does not have staff or a budget. However, CoC’s general membership determines which organization(s) within the CoC serves as the collaborative applicant and the HMIS lead agency. In Davidson County,

PAGE 8 | March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) is designated as the collaborative applicant, which applies for the federal CoC grants in collaboration and on behalf of the CoC. The Homeless Impact Division of Metro Social Services is designated as the HMIS Lead agency to administer the CoC’s database on homelessness. Currently, the Homelessness Planning Council is working on updating its three-year strategic plan. While the first reiteration focused heavily on creating a foundation that is focused on formalizing partnerships, data improvement, evaluation, and communication, I hope to see the next reiteration to include specific, measurable outcomes for different subpopulations (chronic, veterans, families, youth and young adults and other individuals experiencing homelessness). I believe in systems building and collaboration, which clearly has helped Nashville increase the CoC funds by 120 percent over a four-year period. One of the side effects of great collaboration is that we will, at times, observe tension. But most Nashville agencies have not shied away from working through disagreements and improving results for people experiencing homelessness. This alone is a huge achievement! The aspects and outcomes of this community work can be difficult to describe — but learning this valuable information is paramount to fixing the problem.

March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 9

INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF STREET PAPERS

A timeline of the development of housing rights and Housing First In the last three decades, various organizations around the world have committed themselves to pushing for the human right to housing. This right is enshrined in Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. A lack of suitable housing also puts many other human rights under threat, for example the right to health and life, the right to participate in society and the right to a family. Strassenkreuzer presents a timeline of how housing rights, and the concept of Housing First, have developed over the years. BY ALISA MÜLLER

1992 It started in New York City Psychologist Sam Tsemberis founded Pathways to Housing, Inc. This nonprofit organization developed the concept of ‘Housing First’ for homeless people with serious psychiatric illnesses – the basic idea being that they are first provided with a home, and then supportive care as needed. Four years later, 88 percent of participants were still living in their homes. 2005 600 annual participants in Canada In Toronto, Canada, the project ‘Streets to Homes’ was launched, and after one year, 90 percent of clients were still living in a flat. Around 600 people per year were accommodated in flats in the first three years. 2006 Housing First comes to Europe The project ‘Discuss Housing First’ was launched in Amsterdam. Participants pay part of the rent and agree to participate in a money management program. According to a 2013 evaluation, the success rate is 97 percent. In 2014, already 14 cities in the Netherlands were offering Housing First. 2007 More time at home The Alex Health Center in Alberta, Canada, launched a Housing First project. Compared to before, the participants spent 66 percent fewer days in hospital; 38 percent fewer days in emergency rooms and 79 percent fewer days in prison. 2008 From fringe project to nationwide strategy Beginning with the Vancouver 2008 Winter Olympics, the Canadian government

launched the ‘At Home/Chez Soi’ Housing First project in five cities. Researchers demonstrated through a control group that Housing First is more successful than traditional approaches in tackling homelessness. Five years later, Housing First became Canada’s national homelessness policy. 2008 Housing First for people with addictions The organisation Turning Point in Glasgow, Scotland, is running a Housing First program primarily for people with substance abuse problems. The biggest obstacle in the run-up to launch was a law that forbids landlords from renting apartments to people they know will use drugs in them. 2008 Less long-term homelessness by a third ‘Paavo I’ was launched in Finland, a program that converts homelessness shelters into Housing First services. The aim is to end homelessness in Finland altogether. By 2011, long-term homelessness was reduced by 28 percent. 2009 Success in Portugal ‘Casas Primeiro’, the first Housing First project in Portugal, was launched in Lisbon. The result for the participants: 87 percent fewer emergency room visits, 90 percent fewer psychiatric admissions. Despite these successes, the project had to be scaled down in 2012 due to a lack of public funds. 2009 Over 1000 homes Denmark named Housing First as core principle for its national homelessness strategy. More than one thousand apartments were made available in 17 municipalities.

2010 658 ways home A Housing First project called ‘Way2Home’ was launched in Sydney, thanks to which 658 people were able to find housing in the city by 2020. 2010 84 percent stable In Sweden, the first two Housing First projects were launched in Stockholm and Helsingborg. With 84 percent of participants remaining stable residents, the project is still a permanent part of the social housing program. Five years later, 14 municipalities across the country were offering Housing First. 2011 15,000 euros in savings In France, a Housing First project called ‘Un Chez-Soi d’abord’ (‘A Home First’) was launched in four cities, including Paris. A two-year study was carried out alongside the project – the only large-scale clinical randomized study in Europe. After four years, 85 percent of the participants were living in their own apartments. It is estimated that the state incurs about 15,000 euros less costs per participant annually than in traditional care programs. 2011 312 of 335 people stay The two-year model project ‘Housing First Europe’ was launched, funded by the EU and supervised by a research team. The five test cities are Amsterdam, Budapest, Copenhagen, Glasgow and Lisbon. Clients received visits at least once a week. After two years, only 23 out of 335 people dropped out of the program, among other reasons because of relapse into homelessness or imprisonment.

PAGE 10 | March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

2012 15,951 square metre home In Vienna, the welfare organization neunerhaus started a Housing First initiative. In 2017, the subsidiary neunerimmo was founded to acquire flats and support landlords. 341 flats were located in 2021 alone, equalling a total of 15,951 square metres of living space. 2012 More support In Finland, the follow-up program ‘Paavo II’ was launched, focusing on housing advice and mobile support. Housing First services are a central part of Finland’s nationwide strategy to end homelessness. 2013 141 participants in Belgium In Belgium, a three-year trial of Housing First was launched in eight cities with 141 participants. After a trial period, the project was rated very positively in terms of efficiency and effectiveness and was continued at all locations. 2014 Tripled in three years As early as 2011, Housing First was explicitly named as the national strategy against homelessness in Ireland. However, it took until 2014 for a Housing First program with 100 spots to be implemented in Dublin. By 2017, it had expanded to 300 participants. 2014 38 opportunities in Spain The ‘Hábitat Housing First’ project created 38 Housing First spots in three major Spanish cities. In addition to people with mental illnesses and addiction problems, people with debilitating illnesses or disabilities are also admitted.

INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF STREET PAPERS

Mia Gillitzer drew this house when she was 14 years old. Now, she studies architecture.

2015 Family first In Bologna, Italy, the ‘Tutti a Casa Famiglie’ project has enabled 42 families to move into in Housing First housing. These families do not have to spend more than 30 percent of their monthly income on rent. 2016 15 apartments in Gießen In Gießen, Germany, the Housing First project ‘ZuHAuSE’ was launched. So far, 15 people have been placed in homes. The project is funded by the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD). 2017 Art for homes In North Rhine-Westphalia, the Housing First Fund is launched, a cooperation between the welfare association Deutscher Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband and the Düsseldorf organisation for helping homeless people, fiftyfifty/Asphalt eV. The fund facilitates the purchase and conversion of Housing First apartments. So far, 22 homeless organizations have received money from

it. The money comes from the sale of donated works of art by the well-known painter Gerhard Richter and other art donations. 2017 One house, 12 apartments T he st reet paper Hempel s i n Schleswig-Holstein launched the project ‘Hempels hilft wohnen’ (‘Hempels helps with housing’). The project funds the purchase of a block of apartments containing 12 units which will be rented out as Housing First apartments. An additional building on the same property is in the works. 2018 A home in Hanover The foundation Ein Zuhause (‘A home’) was founded in Hanover. It supports the construction of a house with 15 apartments on a leasehold property owned by the city of Hanover for Housing First clients. 2018 391 rejections in two years The three-year model project ‘Housing First Berlin’ was launched. After two years,

425 households have applied to the project, but only 34 have been accepted. More than 70 percent of the applicants who had to be turned down because of a lack of available housing met all the criteria for admission. 2018 Seven more than planned In Berlin, the project ‘Housing First für Frauen’ (‘Housing First for women’) was started by the Catholic Women’s Social Service. The goal of having 30 women in their own homes by 2021 has already been exceeded: in May 2021, 37 women were already living in flats arranged through the project. 2019 Recommendation: More Housing First A Europe-wide study with over 500 participants from seven countries (France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden) was published. It proves that participants in Housing First programs experience homelessness services more positively in terms of choice, quality of life, and satisfaction than participants in traditional programs. The researchers recommend ex-

March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 11

panding Housing First initiatives. 2020 Eight apartments, no more in sight A Housing First project was starting in Basel, Switzerland, overseen by the Salvation Army. By the beginning of 2021, eight people have been placed, but there is a lack of available living space for new clients. 2021 25 choices The model project ‘Eigene Wohnung’ (‘Own Apartment’) was started in Leipzig, Germany. Initially, 35 apartments were available for 25 participants, so that everyone was able to choose from several apartments. A total of 1.2 million euros are budgeted for the project until 2024, and continued support for the participants is ensured, should the project be discontinued.

Translated from German by Lisa Strausz Courtesy of Strassenkreuzer / International Network of Street Papers

ENCAMPMENT STRATEGIES

In Wake of Jefferson Street Bridge Encampment Closure, HUD Hosts Encampment Strategy Workgroup in Nashville with Unclear Impact BY INDIA PUNG ARCHER In February, the Jefferson Street Bridge Encampment was officially closed after existing as a place to receive resources, a meal or shelter for those experiencing homelessness in Nashville since at least the 1980s. Amid criticism of both a lack of timely public notification as well as clear communication surrounding this camp’s closure timeline, process and decision, representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) hosted an “encampment strategy workgroup” in mid March. Community and government stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience of homelessness, were invited to participate in this two-day workgroup that sought to, “provid[e] the unsheltered in Nashville an access to an array of housing choices and services options, in the event that an encampment has been deemed for closure,” according to an email notification of the event. Dozens of nonprofit service providers joined Metro Nashville staff and elected officials, police officers, community members, and friends with lived experience to participate in this workgroup facilitated

by Heather Dillashaw and Melissa Mikel of HUD Technical Assistance. At the beginning of the first day of the workgroup, Dillashaw said that the group was not going to talk about any specific encampment or about closing encampments. The rest of the four-hour meeting was spent discussing various topics related to encampments. Some recounted how encampments provide things like safety, community, freedom, as well as proximity to services, transportation, and jobs. Later, the group discussed what federal HUD funding could and could not provide for Nashville when thinking about encampments. Advocate, writer and vendor for The Contributor Chris Scott Fieselman, inquired whether or not HUD funds could be used to purchase tiny homes or sheds, to which Dillashaw clarified that these funds can only be used for rental assistance — not for the acquisition of property or structures. The usual conversation surrounding the inefficiencies of and gaps in “the system” also ensued, with the group circling back multiple times to the inescapable reality that Nashville desperately needs more affordable housing units.

Converting hotels into permanent housing was cited as one success and trend being employed by communities nationwide. Day one concluded with Dillashaw’s critique of stakeholders “spending a lot of time yelling at each other over the past six months” and a plea for the community to stop “yelling at each other even if we don’t agree.” On day two, the workgroup was split into small groups tasked with brainstorming ideas related to various topics like timelines, communication, how to transport people from an encampment and what to do if someone refuses to leave an encampment. When brought back together to discuss these ideas as a collective group, director of local nonprofit People Loving Nashville, Ryan Lampa, asked a clarifying question surrounding the intent of the workgroup itself. Was the group operating under the assumption that an encampment closure was unavoidable? Unstoppable? An email explanation of the workgroup said: “While HUD TA does not recommend encampment closures without sufficient permanent housing resources, there may be instances when a decision is made outside of the recommendation of the CoC

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which will displace those living in the encampments.” However, HUD TA facilitators minimally addressed this, nor any other, preconceived notions on the first day of the workgroup, perhaps in an attempt to ease — or avoid — tensions around this controversial and emotional topic. The workgroup appeared to operate under the premise that camp closures are inevitable and that the community should accept them as a truth they have no control or say over. Still, asking people to come up with a plan to address an action they fundamentally disagree with made some people uncomfortable and upset. Vicky Batcher, Contributor writer and vendor who experienced homelessness for a number of years, questioned the group: “Is this workshop meant for us to feel better about encampments closing?” The conversation about what to do if someone refuses to leave an encampment slated for closure was similarly muddled. The group was asked, “If a person refuses to leave, what do we do?” Batcher replied first: “Stand with them because they have no place else to go,” and

ENCAMPMENT STRATEGIES

Photos by India Pungarcher. Pungarcher is an advocacy and outreach specialist at Open Table Nashville, a nonprofit that provides education, resources and advocacy around homelessness.

was met with snaps of approval from some participants, signaling agreement and solidarity. Facilitators retorted that sometimes arrests are going to happen, again offering an undisclosed operating assumption of the group — that policing is an unavoidable response to homelessness. Andreos Chunaco, Director of Outreach for People Loving Nashville, expressed concern about asking outreach workers to facilitate camp closures in general, citing the damage this can have on our collective and individual relationships with those experiencing homelessness. Chunaco contended that outreach workers should instead stand in advocacy and solidarity with residents who do not want to leave an encampment. While the meeting ended with no collective plan or list of best practices, the group expressed commonality around some ideas. The need for transparency and better communication about encampment closures to the general public, outreach workers, and camp residents themselves were repeated themes. One suggestion read, “each camper gets an ‘outreach buddy’ to explain, each day if necessary, what is about to happen.” The need for advanced notice of a camp closure was

also agreed upon, although varying numbers were offered regarding how far in advance said notification should occur. Chunaco suggested that a timeline should instead be measured via goals like, “until every resident secures permanent housing” rather than a number of days. Frustrated, Batcher said: “this (meeting) is not providing solutions. They think it is, but it’s not. I want to attend a meeting where there are actual solutions.” So what happens next? Will anything come from yet another meeting? According to HUD TA, Dillashaw and Mikel will use all of the feedback solicited to inform their recommendations that they then submit to the Metro Homeless Impact Division (MHID) by March 31. From there, MHID is to present these recommendations to the Homelessness Planning Council, the body tasked with vetting all things related to homelessness here in Nashville. The goal is to have a logistical plan that Nashville can turn to when an encampment is slated for closure. Even with a plan in place, closing encampments fails to address why they exist in the first place. If entities want to close encampments, the conversation needs to address our

housing crisis. Without deep investments in the creation and preservation of affordable and accessible housing, encampments will continue to exist as well as reappear. Until Nashville recognizes encampments as symptoms of our housing crisis with its actions,

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policies, and dollars, we will continue to just move the problem around with futility. As Batcher ref lected after she had time to process the workgroup, “Closing encampments without solutions is just moving the problem.”

NEWS

A Few Questions With Councilmember Thom Druffel, District 23 BY JUDITH TACKETT When I first met Metro Councilmember Thom Druffel, his willingness to learn about an issue and finding solutions stood out right away. Druffel, who had a 45-year career in the hospitality field, is currently working on a doctorate with a focus on increasing minority leadership in executive positions in the hospitality field. The Contributor talked with Druffel as part of a series called A Few Questions With where we interview council members about their district’s most pressing issues.

METRO COUNCIL COMMITTEES: Budget and Finance Education Human Services

Can you describe the main characteristics of the neighborhood/constituents you represent? District 23 includes Hillwood, West Meade, Warner Park, Harpeth Trace, and Belle Meade. West Meade and Hillwood are really in a state of transition. For years, many of the neighbors were seniors who have lived here their whole lives. Now a lot of younger people with children are moving into the neighborhood at a pretty quick rate. What are the main concerns you hear from your District? Stormwater is a big issue. We have a lot of hills and a lot of development that has been slowly changing the dynamics there. The Brookmeade encampment clearly is a concern for most of our neighborhood and its impact on the commercial areas. A lot of people won’t drive that way for that reason. The Brookmeade camp is actually not in our district, but we don’t have any other park in our district for people to walk to. People are looking for an outdoor space in walking distance, but we also don’t have sidewalks and those are pretty busy streets. Getting sidewalks is probably going to be difficult. Some issues that you ran on include protecting the natural beauty and amenities of the neighborhoods you represent, facilitating stronger community engagement and networks, and increasing government transparency and accountability in its spending. What achievements would you like to highlight in these areas? Number one, I put a bill together that highlights the debt impact that Metro’s Capital Spending Plan has on the operating budget. In the past, we would spend whatever the Capital Spending Plan was, but we really didn’t forecast the impact on the operating budget. Our capital plans are done in debt. It’s sort of like a credit card. Previously we kept using it but then did not recognize what it is going to cost us in the long-term. We passed the bill last year, and now when Capital Spending Plans are done, we know what long-term impact would approximately be. I’m working on something similar in terms

of capital investment by district. I’m co-sponsoring a tree ordinance with Angie Henderson (Henderson represents Metro Council District 34). Especially with the development in our district, we’re starting to get concerned that we’re losing a fair amount of what made our neighborhood beautiful. We’re trying to preserve our area including West Meade Hills, a 250-acre area with beautiful old forests. We have a neighborhood full of interesting conservancy. One cool thing is the Harmony Wildlife Rehabb Center in our district. It’s run by a lady who decided to rehab hurt animals that are found in our neighborhoods and release them back into nature. We are trying to bring neighbors together through events, which was lost during COVID. We have several neighborhood associations presidents working on creating a sense of community through neighborhood events, which was on pause during COVID. When we had the tornado and then COVID hit, we put together a Hope Fund and raised $15,000 and did a food drive benefit H.S. Hill Middle School students who were affected by food insecurities. We are also trying to preserve our neighborhoods with consistent zoning, which means we like it the way it is with the larger [lots] and trees, and we don’t really want any changes.

You have been teaching at Tennessee State University for seven years, and this past September Nashville State Community College hired you as their Hospitality Program director. Where do you think Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) needs improvement? I’ve been working with at-risk kids off and on for 40 years and am on the executive board of the Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA), which serves middle schools. But I think there is a miss when people think success is only college. Only 25 percent of people acquire a college education. We have a shortage of people for service jobs in Nashville. I’m working with several groups to build a summer program to match students with training and employment. If we can teach students at 16 or 17 what it looks like to be a carpenter, plumber or cook… not to say that this is the only option, but this is an option. MNPS is doing what they can. We need to be able to support them from a community perspective in a much stronger way. And to me this is a good supplemental program. You serve on the Human Services Committee, which is looking at addressing homelessness. What are your thoughts? We talked a lot; we need to start doing. We know there are layers of people with different needs. If we could find a space that everybody

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is OK with, that has room to build a community. People who have still more distrust can stay in the outer areas. Then in an inner loop, you create space for tiny homes that could be scalable. You could also do trailers and all kinds of different things. And you bring in support services, which then are at the core of that neighborhood. I showed the mayor a couple of ideas how this looked in places like Austin, Texas, where they’ve done it. The high cost of housing is ridiculous in Nashville. Building a major structure is huge. Our homeless deserve tons of supports, but what you’ve taught me, we also need to do it within their expectations and needs. They need the love, they need the support, but some also need a little time. So having this self-contained place to provide the services that are needed, that would be fantastic. It could provide incremental opportunities for people to grow within it, it could create a safety net and for people to have a safe environment. We need to get rid of some of the drug dealers, so maybe you are addicted, but you cannot deal if you live in this environment. That’s how I see the model. I’ve known people who came out of homelessness who had to work really hard, and they need our help. I’ve learned that from you, but we also need to be much more intentional and much more urgent in doing something, and I think we could do this model in no time.

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

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

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

GRATIS

Marzo/3

2022

Año 20 - No. 347

L a N ticia

Escanee esta imagen para ver La Noticia newspaper edición bilingüe digital

www.hispanicpaper.com

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

Nashville, Tennessee

Un golpe bajo para los pacientes con Alzheimer y sus seres queridos

Michelle McMurry-Heath is a physician-scientist and president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization.

presidenta y directora ejecutiva de la Organización de Innovación en Biotecnología. “Más de 6 millones de estadounidenses que sufren de Alzheimer acaban de recibir un golpe en el estómago de la agencia federal que supervisa Medicare. Sus seres queridos también. Los Centros de Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service-CMS) acaban de tomar una decisión sin precedentes al cortar el acceso de la mayoría de las personas mayores a toda una clase de tratamientos para el Alzheimer. Las acciones de CMS tendrán un impacto significativo en la investigación de la demencia y podrían acabar con las esperanzas de los estadounidenses de encontrar una cura. La decisión afecta de manera más inmediata a los inscritos en Medicare que estaban considerando Aduhelm, un medicamento que la FDA aprobó en junio. El fármaco reduce la placa amiloide en el cerebro, que muchos científicos, aunque no todos, creen que es un desencadenante del alzhéimer. La FDA sopesó la ciencia y determinó que una aprobación acelerada, que la

agencia ha utilizado en el pasado para tratamientos prometedores para el VIH y el cáncer, ofrecía el mejor camino a seguir. Esto es brindar a los pacientes acceso a una opción terapéutica necesaria, mientras se realizan estudios adicionales. Los burócratas de los CMS evidentemente no están de acuerdo con el enfoque de los científicos de la FDA, que durante mucho tiempo ha sido visto como el estándar de oro para los estándares de seguridad y eficacia basados en la ciencia. El administrador de Medicare anunció que restringiría el acceso a Aduhelm, y a cualquier otro "anticuerpo monoclonal que se dirija al amiloide para el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Alzheimer" en el futuro, a una porción minúscula de personas inscritas en ensayos clínicos aprobados por CMS, los cuales podrían tomar varios años. La propuesta excluye a millones de beneficiarios de Medicare que actualmente viven con la enfermedad y tendrá un impacto particularmente fuerte en las personas de color. Los estudios muestran que durante las últimas dos décadas, a pesar de que las minorías tienen un mayor riesgo de

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)

por

www.juanese.com juanese@usa.com

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Hoy en día, hay empresas de todos los tamaños que trabajan para desarrollar tratamientos para detener, prevenir o retrasar la progresión de la enfermedad de Alzheimer utilizando una variedad de estrategias novedosas. Las pequeñas empresas biofarmacéuticas lideran la mayoría de estos programas. Si Medicare, que paga la gran mayoría del tratamiento del Alzheimer, no cubre un nuevo medicamento, a pesar de que los expertos de la FDA dictaminan que el medicamento tiene un gran potencial, sería una tontería que las empresas siguieran invirtiendo en la arriesgada y enormemente costosa investigación del Alzheimer. Si no se cuestiona, este reproche, y esta afirmación unilateral de los poderes de evaluación de medicamentos, podría convertirse en un precedente que podría dañar irreparablemente nuestro proceso de aprobación de tratamientos. Y la avalancha de la enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras enfermedades difíciles de tratar continuará sin control durante las generaciones venideras.” Publicado originalmente en inglés en la publicación The Hill. Enviado a La Noticia Newspaper a través de Keybridge Communications para su distribución.

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

VENDOR WRITING

Building A New Stadium Or Building Up Our Community What’s Best For Nashville? BY NORMA B. A new Titans Stadium renovation was slated to cost $600 million, but now it’s expected to be double what was originally planned to $1.2 billion. Nissan stadium originally cost $264290 million to build (depending on which website you use as a reference) and took approximately two years and four months to complete. So, what’s the problem? There are SO many, where to begin? The structural frame of approximately 800 thousand cubic yards of concrete needs to be upgraded to steel. Is that REALLY necessary? Concrete is pretty durable, isn’t it? If steel is preferred, maybe they should’ve thought about that when the stadium was built. The mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems are outdated. It should be noted that Nashville’s infrastructure — most notably its sewer system — is extremely old. It dates back more than 100 years. Now that’s outdated! Ask anyone who’s affected by this if they’d rather have a new sewer system or a brand new stadium. What do you think they’d say? Oh and the window system used in the stadium isn’t made anymore. Maybe they should’ve ordered a standardized window system for this type of facility, but with SO many struggling just to get by in our fair city, I can see how this would be of vital importance. (For those of you who don’t know me, THIS IS SARCASM!) Did you know: • Fans can buy food at 60 concession stands at Nissan Stadium while many in our community struggle to have food at all except during the holidays when considerably more emphasis is placed on caring for those suffering from food insecurity. (Newsflash: There are 363 other days each year these individuals/ families need to eat.) • There are 40 women’s restrooms, 26 men’s restrooms, and 12 family restrooms, which is equal to one toilet for every 1,026 fans. Meanwhile, people experiencing homelessness often have a difficult time finding a place to use the restroom. • The current stadium’s capacity is 67,770. If they do decide to build a new stadium, while the seating capacity is not yet known, it is sure to be bigger and better than its predecessor. (At least 70,000, which is the minimum needed to host the Super Bowl, but we would also need to add a dome or retractable roof too because the NFL traditionally does not award Super Bowls to stadiums in climates less than 50

degrees. And that is the ultimate goal, isn’t it?) All statistics about stadium features were found on nashville.gov. Here’s a thought: If they do decide to build a new stadium, why not build at least one affordable housing unit for every seat in the new stadium? That would solve the problem, right? And before anyone says we can’t afford it, my question to you is: How can we afford to build a new stadium? Maybe you’re thinking there’s nothing that can be done to make a REAL difference in homelessness. Consider what Beth Shinn, Vanderbilt University Phd who has studied homelessness for over 30 years (the last 14 in Nashville), said in a recent interview. “Veteran homelessness has been cut nearly in half since 2010.” How? “Because both HUD and the VA had put the money into it — expanding voucher programs, offering screening, support, and preventative services etc. for both veterans and their families.” Something else you should know: Right now, there are 108 pallet pod housing units that are sitting empty and unused even though $1.2 million of your tax dollars were used to purchase them. Why? According to OEM spokesman Donald Pleasant, “The pods are available for emergency housing due to a weather event, a mass displacement event, or some other emergency,” according to a news story on Fox17. So, homelessness ISN’T an emergency? I beg to differ, and I’m sure that those experiencing homelessness, their advocates, and others in the community affected by this growing problem would agree. Cost and Affordability: Here’s what the top three stadiums cost in case you’re wondering: 1. SoFi Stadium (where the Super Bowl was recently played) cost $4.9 billion and took four years to build. 2. Allegiant Stadium In Las Vegas cost $1.9 billion and took three years to build 3. Met Life Stadium in New York cost $1.7 billion and took three years to build, according to NewsChannel 5. With that in mind, can we REALLY afford to spend that kind of money on a new stadium? Couldn’t we find a better use for that money? Here are just a few ideas/suggestions: • Paula Foster, Executive Director of Open Table Nashville highlighted the need for approximately 20,000 affordable housing units for those experiencing homelessness along with wrap-

around services to keep individuals in housing. She went on to say, “I think it’s obscene for them to spend money on a new stadium when they won’t provide affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness.” • The Metro Action Commission does SO much to assist those in need with things like: Past Due Rent/Mortgage Payments; Electric, Gas, and Water Bills; Early and Adult Education Programs; Dietary Supplementation and Tax Assistance for those 62 and older etc. Programs like this would no doubt benefit from additional funds. • Those of us with children/grandchildren in public schools would like to see more emphasis placed on education/ teachers. It’s no secret that Tennessee has had a difficult time recruiting/ keeping quality teachers. Could this be due in part to the fact that the base pay for a new teacher with a Bachelor's Degree with no experience is $46,271. The typical salary for those with that level of education is $63,000. Despite this salary difference, many CHOOSE to teach here, often spending money out of their own pockets to provide supplies for their students. Is it any wonder that Tennessee currently ranks so low with regard to education? • In addition, Tennessee spends approximately $4,000 less per student per year — $11,139 — compared to the national average of $15,114. Sara Duran, Organizing Director for the MNEA, said, “Teachers and support staff should be able to live in the communities they serve, that should be given priority over building a new stadium.” You’re telling me we can afford to build a new stadium, but don’t have money to expand these services? They must be using that new math that I'm struggling to understand. Don’t get me wrong, I AM NOT your typical football-hating female! Quite the contrary, I LOVE a good game! This year’s playoffs and Super Bowl were the best I’ve ever seen. The teams? Definitely not any of the ones I would’ve chosen. Still, there’s no denying ALL the games were AMAZING! I can’t help but wonder if the powers that be proceed with this plan what the REAL cost to Nashville will be, and I’m not just talking about the money, but the humanity. By comparison, ask yourself how much money has been spent on programs to help the homeless population and others in need in the nearly 23 years since the stadium was built? Speaking on that subject with Metro

March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 17

council member Sandra Sepulveda, she stated that as of October 2021, $1,541,400* had been appropriated for issues relating to emergency shelters, transportation to shelters, and other support services for people experiencing homelessness, as well as mitigation funds to encourage landlords to accept Section 8 vouchers etc. *For a detailed explanation of how the money was allocated check out her blog at: sandrafornashville.com/blogs While this sounds like a lot of money, when compared to the cost of building a new stadium, it’s merely a drop in the bucket! She went on to say that if a new stadium is built she hopes that it would be under a Community Benefits Agreement similar to that of the new soccer stadium at the Fairgrounds which states in part that: 1. 20 percent of the housing would be allocated to affordable/workforce housing units 2. There would be direct hiring events with a minimum start pay of $15.50 per hr. 3. Childcare for workers 4. Proper training for construction workers In other words, the community’s needs would be met (though the actual price tag for such a program is unknown at this time). There’s one last thing to consider: In a recent news story, it was reported that Sheriff Daron Hall “may be forced to furlough [an unspecified number of] inmates due to a staffing shortage," according to NewsChannel 5. How safe do you think all those visiting tourists you’re trying to bring here will feel if/when that happens? Don’t get me wrong, I know the Titans and their fans boost our economy. I also know that certain segments of society would greatly benefit from the construction of a new stadium — both financially and with the jobs created etc. Think for a moment though about how much all those aforementioned groups of people could/would contribute to our society if they were given access to the resources they need to do so. Their potential is immeasurable! Ask yourself which would be profitable for our community from a human standpoint? My mom always stressed the importance of setting priorities. Even though she only had a 7th grade education, she understood that necessities had to be taken care of BEFORE fun and games. It seems like common sense to me, before any decision is made, we should take time — make time — to get our priorities straight. But then again, maybe common sense isn’t so common after all.

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

5TH WEDNESDAY IN LENT

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

EASTER WEEK FRIDAY

THAT God the Lord, the Lord of life could die, is a strange contemplation; . . . but that God would die, is an exaltation of that; but, even of that also, it is a super-exaltation, that God should die, must die; . . . God is the God of revenges; he would not pass over the sin of man unrevenged, unpunished; But then the God of revenges works freely; he punished, he spares whom he will; and would he not spare himself; He would not. . . Love is as strong as death; stronger; it drew in death, that naturally was not welcome. Donne: Sermons.

IN Christ ye are under grace. Comprehending Him, ye are comprehended in His death; with His human body ye are made dead. All human possibilities, including the possibility of religion, have been offered and surrendered to God on Golgotha . . . Golgotha is the end of law and the frontier of religion . . . through the slain body of Christ, we are what we are not. Barth: Epistle to the Romans.

IT belongs to God alone to bestow beatitude upon souls by a participation with Himself; but it is Christ's prerogative to bring them to such beatitude, inasmuch as He is their Head and the author of their salvation. Aquinas: Summa Theologica.

HE alone . . . for us to thee both Victor and Victim and therefore Victor because of Victim; for us the thee Priest and Sacrifice; making us to thee of servants sons, by being born of thee, and serving us. St Augustine: Confessions.

5TH THURSDAY IN LENT WHEN all is done, with this cross thus laid out for me, and taken up by me, I must follow Christ; Christ to his end; his end is his cross; that is, I must bring my cross to his; lay down my cross at the foot of his; confess that there is no dignity, no merit in mine, but as it receives an impression, a sanctification from his. If I could die a thousand times for Christ, this were nothing, if Christ had not died for me before. Donne: Sermons. THOU dost nowhere depart from us, and we hardly return unto thee. St Augustine: Confessions. GOD always goes before our contemplation; we can never here overtake him who is our highest beatitude. Dante: Convivio.

5TH FRIDAY IN LENT GOD is the essence as well as the object of religion. Coleridge: Anima Poetae. THE same act, for good or evil, is judged differently, accordingly as it proceeds from a different source. The Father delivered up Christ, and Christ surrendered Himself, from charity, and consequently we give praise to both: but Judas betrayed Christ from greed, the Jews from envy and Pilate from worldly fear, for he stood in fear of Caesar; and these accordingly are held guilty. Aquinas: Summa Theologica.

5TH SATURDAY IN LENT HE gave power unto the sharp thorns to enter and most cruelly wound His divine and trembling head; He empowered the bonds and bitter cords to bind Him fast unto the pillar and ties His hands together; . . . He gave unto the hard nails power to pierce and enter His tender feet and the hands wherewith He had given light unto the blind and hearing unto the deaf; . . . He empowered the lofty cross that it should bear Him on high, . . . He caused the vinegar and hyssop to make bitter his mouth; He caused (oh, marvellous to hear!) the lance to enter and pierce through His divine side and heart. Angela of Foligno: The Book of Divine Consolation. AS of His own will His bodily nature kept its vigour to the end, so likewise, when He willed, he suddenly succumbed to the injury inflicted. Aquinas: Summa Theologica.

5TH MONDAY IN LENT THE beginning of our Lord's entrance into the terrible jaws of this second death may be justly dated from those affecting words, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death; tarry ye here with me and watch." See here the Lord of life reduced to such distress as to beg the prayers, watching and assistance of His poor disciples! A plain proof that it was not the sufferings of this world, but a state of dreadful dereliction that was coming upon Him. O holy Redeemer, that I knew how to describe the anguishing terrors of thy soul, when thou wast entering into eternal death, that no other son of man might fall into it! William Law: An Appeal.

NONE can be eternally united who have not died for each other. Patmore: The Rod, the Root, and the Flower.

EASTER WEEK SATURDAY AFTER the meeting was over I went to John Audland's, and there came John Story to me and lighted his pipe of tobacco. And said he, "Will you take a pipe of tobacco?" saying, "Come; all is ours." And I looked upon him to be a forward bold lad; and tobacco I did not take, but it came to my mind that the lad might think I had not unity with the creation. For I saw he had a flashy, empty notion of religion. So I took his pipe and put it to my mouth, and gave it to him again to stop him lest his rude tongue should say I had not unity with the creation. George Fox: Journal.

5TH TUESDAY IN LENT AS He was uplifted above others in gifts of graces, so was He lowered beneath others by the ignominy of His sufferings. Aquinas: Summa Theologica. THE will maketh the beginning, the middle, and the end of everything; it is the only workman in nature, and everything is its work. It has all power, its works cannot be hindered, it carries all before it, it creates as it goes and all things are possible to it. It enters whenever it wills and finds everything that it seeks, for its seeking is its finding. The will overrules all nature, because nature is its offspring and born of it; for all the properties of nature, whether the be good or evil, in darkness or in light, in love or in hatred, in wrath or in meekness, in pride or humility, in trouble or birth of the will; as that liveth so, they live, and as that changeth, so they change. William Law: Divine Knowledge.

SUNDAY 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

EASTER WEEK WEDNESDAY THE will of the Creator shall gather together man's dust, shall renew it, and make of it the temple of glory; the body shall lead his companion, the soul, into the bridal chamber and there comfort her; and the body filled with sorrow in Hades shall rejoice, and the body that hath despaired shall give praise for his redemption, and that over which the foolish despaired shall receive great mercy. St Ephraem Syrus: Hymns.

EASTER WEEK THURSDAY THE Word, leaving his Father in heaven, came down to be joined to his Wife, and slept in the trace of his Passion, and willingly suffered death for her, that he might present the Church to himself, glorious and blameless, having cleansed her by the laver, for the receiving of the spiritual and blessed seed which is sown by him who, with whispers, implants it in the depths of the mind, and is conceived and formed by the Church, as by a woman, so as to give birth and nourishment to virtue. For in this way, too, the command "Increase and multiply" is duly fulfilled, the Church increasing daily in greatness and beauty and multitude by the union and communion of the Word who now still comes down to us and falls into a trance by the Memorial of his Passion. Methodius: Banquet of the Ten Virgins.

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.

Sponsored by Matthew Carver, publisher

PAGE 18 | March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

FUN

HOBOSCOPES ARIES

When I was your age, Aries, there had been a cataclysmic time-syncing event causing all things to have originated at the same moment, which was, coincidentally, your birthday. Everything was your age. The oceans, your parents, the concept of zero — all born in the same miraculous instant. Can you remember a time before you were born? Maybe just for today you should live as though all of this exists only for you and you are, in fact, at the center of all things.

LEO

A teaspoon of sand doesn’t make for a very exciting beach vacation, but it’s enough to ruin a good salad. What I’m saying, Leo, is that context matters. Do you want to be a small and ever-disappearing fraction of a unified whole or the singular defining factor in a unique and memorable experience? I can’t say which is better, Leo, I only know that this time you get to choose the context.

VIRGO

TAURUS

Duck, Taurus! Whew, that was a close one. You got out of the way just in time. It’s enough to make you jumpy. Enough to make you feel like you’ve got to stay vigilant. What if it happens again and you don’t duck? It’s a scary thought, Taurus, but it’s not really a true story. We like to imagine we barely escaped tragedy, but it only makes us anxious about dodging the next one. How about next time, Taurus, you stay put. I believe you can get through almost anything. Even if you forget to duck.

What’s the worst that could happen, Virgo? Well, let me put some parameters on that first. There are some pretty terrible things that could happen. Everyone you’ve ever met could simultaneously forget you. The earth could split in two revealing that it was a giant chocolate egg filled with sugary goo. Aliens invaders from another galaxy could capture you and force you to watch every corporate training video ever made. But all of those things are extremely unlikely. Try this instead, Virgo, what are the three most likely outcomes? What’s the worst one of those?

LIBRA

GEMINI

It’s laundry day, Gemini. That’s why I’m wearing these frog socks I got for Christmas and this 2011 Amateur Astrologer’s Conference T-shirt. I wanted to explain myself, even though I know you don’t care too much about what your amateur astrologer is wearing. I’m just afraid you won’t believe that I know what I’m talking about when I tell you that everything is going to be OK. You’re right where you’re supposed to be. And yes, these cargo shorts do have a built-in phone holster.

The poet Virgil told us that the ancient Greeks snuck into the city of Troy inside of a giant wooden horse. The Trojans were so grateful for the gift that they brought it straight to the center of the city. The Greek soldiers waited for nightfall and captured the city, ending the Trojan war. Honestly, it seems pretty unlikely, Libra. I’m just saying that if you’re still trying to think of an elaborate way to sneak out of your little room and into the world, just drop it. Come out of the horse and knock on the front door, Libra. We all know you’re in there anyway.

SCORPIO

CANCER

They call it a “gap in your resume.” The time you spent learning everything you know about the world and yourself. The weeks when you discovered what you need and what you’re best at. When the interviewer asks you to explain your stretch of unemployment, don’t flinch. You know exactly what that time was for. It made you who you are.

When my grandmother Mysterio died, I inherited a box full of collectible plates. They’re heavy and might use a lead-based paint, so they’re not great for eating off of. They’re not worth much money either. They’re also not very pleasant to look at, so I haven’t wanted to display them. So they just sit in the box that they were in when my sister dropped them off. What are you hanging on to that’s impossible to use, Scorpio? What if you let it go?

SAGITTA R IUS

The sign in front of the church by my house was blank this morning. Usually it says something informational about meeting times or something pithy and slanting toward offensive. But today it was blank. Maybe they forgot. Maybe they lost all the letters. But I like to think they just woke up and realized that none of us know as much as we think we do. And maybe we all just need a blank space to rest in that understanding. Unrelated, Sagittarius, I’ve recently become the owner of a small number of plastic letters if you’re interested.

CAPRICORN

Did you pack your lunch for tomorrow, Capricorn? If you do it now, you won’t have to be in such a rush in the morning. And last week you forgot your lunch twice and had to buy taquitos from the gas station next door. A little bit of planning ahead can go a long way. Why put off till taquito what you can take care of today.

AQUA RIUS

I make lots of lists, Aquarius. It’s helpful to keep that running tally of what needs to get done. And I’ve noticed that usually I get almost everything on the list finished but I’ve got a couple items left and then I have to move them to the new list. And I tell myself I just didn’t get around to those things, but sometimes I notice the same things not getting done and moving to the next list and the next list and the next. And we have to wonder, Aquarius, are we not getting around to these things for a reason? What’s on your list that was on your list last week? Why do you think that is?

PISCES

The sun is back! And the birds and f lowers and…oh no, Pisces, you don’t think they’re gonna do mosquitoes again this year, right? I can’t believe they come back every year. Nobody is asking for this. I’ve tried asking them to stay away. I’ve tried voting-in different politicians. Still, every year, we get mosquitoes. Sometimes the bad things come back, Pisces. And a few of those are things we have to learn to live with.

Mr. Mysterio is not a licensed astrologer, a registered exterminator, or a Trojan horse whisperer. 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

March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 19

allowed the landlord to be compensated and the tenant to keep a roof over their family’s head. In 2016, Judge Bell com missioned a statue of Justice A.A. Birch to be placed in front of the courthouse. In 2018 was one of 5 courts selected to receive a $200,000.00 grant partnering with the TN Supreme Court to establish the C.A.R.E. Diversionary Court for Ages 18-30 and the Bordeaux North Com munity Justice Center in Zip Code 37208. Judge Bell not only serves as a General Sessions Court Judge but started the State of Tennessee’s first Music City Com munity Court and launched 3 initiatives. The first initiative was the RESTORE Re-Entry Court for Returning Citizens, where she and her team do trash clean ups throughout the com munity and an Expungement Clinic, Indigency Docket & Resource Fair. The second initiative was the C.A.R.E. Diversionary Court for Ages 18-30, this is a pre-trial judgement deferred court that allows individuals to complete the program and have their case dismissed never being faced with a criminal record that will be on their background. The third initiative was the L.E.G.A.C.Y. Housing Resource Diversionary Court which assist landlords and tenants dealing with non-payment of rent. Judge Bell is meeting people where they are and treating all that come before her bench with dignity, humanity, and compassion. Judge Bell does have a challenger, in Erin Coleman who has previously lost her bid in 2016 for state senate and 2015 council at large.

Judge Bell seeks Re-Election

and leave it all on the court. In this case the ballot.” This is Judge Bell’s 3rd time running for office as she was successfully elected during a special election in 2012 and re-elected in 2014.

Native Nashvillian seeks a 3rd Term for office with a continued focus on criminal justice reform. Judge Rachel L. Bell is running for reelection!! Her petition was qualified a few weeks ago and her campaign team is ready. Early voting is April 13-28 and Election Day is May 3, 2022. Judge Bell shared, “We are in the home stretch of this campaign, and I call it the 4th Quarter. I compare my campaign strategy to playing basketball. It’s in the 4th Quarter you give all you can, play fair

Judge Bell has a solid reputation from growing up right here in our com munity and being amongst the people continuously. We know Judge Bell’s character and we know her family. In 10 years, Judge Bell has presided over 191,903 Criminal Cases; 29,415 Civil Cases; 4,836 Mental Health Com mittals and 8,971 Traffic Cases. During the COVID-19 Pandemic she presided over 2,000 cases that paid out over $11 million dollars to landlords for tenants that could not pay their rent. This

In today’s climate we need a person like Judge Bell from our com munity on the bench that is visible and understands the plight of people that come before General Sessions Court. It’s the people’s court and Judge Bell is a people person. In an effort to make an equitable court environment she runs her courtroom forward thinking and uses progressive trends aligning with the rest of the country. Judge Bell shared, “Before I became a Judge and while being a Judge over the years we keep hearing about Defendants going through a conveyor belt type system and just being rushed through, pleading guilty to charges and not really understanding what is going on. After my first 2 years sitting on the bench I decided to do something about that. There is a General Sessions local Rule #4, that was enacted in 2009 that allows a first and second call system, where my court clerk and staff check-in defendants, witnesses, police officers, victims and attorneys into the courtroom and ensure each defendant is assigned a lawyer. During this process there is a line for each case to meet with the District Attorney’s office to see what their plea deal or offer will be for the charges they are faced with. At second call, I identify those defendants that have not arrived to court and also take up any ready cases that have been acknowledged by my clerk. This system is fair and strictly focuses on all parties involved with the case without any distractions. The District Attorney is not being tugged on by other lawyers during cross examination and the victim & defendant are getting a full and fair hearing.” Judge Bell is asking everyone to Ring the BELL for Justice and keep her on the bench. To learn more about her campaign visit, www.judgerachelbell.com

Paid for by the committee to re-elect Judge Rachel L. Bell, Robert Notestine, III - Treasurer PAGE 20 | March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

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Thank you to all supporters and providers for serving our friends in the community who are experiencing temporary homelessness. Open Table Nashville, People Loving Nashville, ShowerUp, Project Return, Park Center, The Contributor, Mental Health Cooperative, Room in the Inn, West End United Methodist, Councilman Sean Parker, Clencliff Village *Paid for by Friends to ReElect Lynda Jones, Cathy Werthan, treasurer

Your Pendulum - Make Your Moments Matter I carry with me a pendulum from 1890. Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium was built in 1892 to bring forth the Gospel message of new life in Christ. The Salvation Army had come to Nashville just two years earlier in 1890. The year after the Ryman was built the American Economic Association awarded and published a paper, “How to House the Poor.” It is one of my favorite documents because the plan includes designs of micro-living units and recognized the need for housing to reduce other social ills.

policies are most effective then market solutions rise up to meet the demands. Affordable housing is most affordable when protected, market-driven, and policy encouraged.

So I carry a pendulum. It reminds me that for some cities it takes decades to act on what they know. But I am responsible for my moments. During this post-pandemic season of 2022, I want my pendulum to swing in reflection of the 1890s for shows at the Ryman, the Gospel of Christ, and the effort of “How to House the Poor.”

I carry the pendulum as a reminder that while we are all here for a moment of time, we are not alone in time. From the housing policies that rose up out of the tenement housing and slums of NYC in the late 1800s, we have the knowledge of individual budgeting based on income, square footage allotments per family size, and the benefits of affordable housing to community quality of life. However, while we have the knowledge we still have the problem. The problem remains the same. Affordable housing is primarily a policy issue. When policies have not been effective then a significant amount of public funds may be necessary to spark affordable housing. When

solutions. Market-based, policy-encouraged solutions bring forth the greatest housing return on investments. However, urgency also prompts affordable housing for our most vulnerable neighbors. What is the right mix? There is a science for that.

The Salvation Army is committed to attainable and equitable housing. We are hosting two Spring Dialogues with national policy experts to advance our shared understanding. Seats are limited and you are welcome…..

Communities around the country do figure out how to maximize market solutions through shallow rent subsidies, zoning variances, and public land transfers to non-profit housing agencies sparking affordable housing

Major Ethan Frizzell, Area Commander The Salvation Army 615-933-9305

SalvationArmyNashville.org March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 21

INSP

A stack of donated quilts are ready to be packed and sent to the victims of the Marshall fire in Boulder and Louisville areas. CREDIT: ADRIAN MICHAEL

THEME: GA R DEN ING

ACROSS 1. Betting probability 5. Once headed by J. Edgar Hoover 8. Formally surrender 12. Gravy holder 13. Nile dweller, for short 14. More certain 15. Tiny bit 16. a.k.a. Bruce Banner 17. One who plies one's trade 18. *"Days to ____," on a seed packet 20. Big-ticket ____ 21. Apartments, e.g. 22. *Plumerias are often used in this Hawaiian greeting 23. Scrooge's visitors 26. Digging into 30. What Carl Lewis did 31. Bestow 34. Month before Nisan 35. Dress with a flare 37. Choler 38. On a store tag 39. Central points

40. Paul Reubens' Herman 42. Mother lode stuff 43. African bloodsucking pests 45. Salty dogs 47. Current tense of #30 Across 48. Retches 50. Bovine cries 52. *Like an aggressive weed 55. Frustration, in a comic book 56. *Holds a plant stem to a support 57. Type of hot sandwich 59. One born to Japanese immigrants 60. Urban legends, e.g. 61. Check out 62. Shakespeare's "at another time" 63. "The ____ Who Loved Me" 64. *Flower's location after a garden?

DOWN 1. Kimono closer 2. Banish to Hades 3. Crunched numbers 4. Facebook's update feature 5. *Seed plant's harvest 6. *Goes to seed 7. Rotten and stinky 8. *Plant variety 9. Famous canal 10. Hold as a conviction 11. Make a blunder 13. Church service oil 14. Salesman's speech, e.g. 19. Loosen laces 22. Tennis do-over 23. *Splice, to a gardener 24. Nimbi on ikons 25. In the cooler (2 words) 26. Former Saint Brees 27. "Pulling my leg," e.g. 28. Mother-of-pearl 29. *Kind of thumb 32. Pizzeria output, pl. 33. "____ you kidding?" 36. *N in N-P-K 38. Sneaked glances 40. Slammer 41. "The Shawshank Redemption" theme 44. Served raw 46. Isaac of science fiction 48. This Dogg can rap 49. What Elton John tickles, sing. 50. Street in Anytown, USA 51. Guesstimate phrase (two words) 52. Bodily disorders 53. Lope de ____, Spanish playwright 54. Building extensions 55. Nurses' org. 58. ____ time in golf

Quilters provide comfort to victims of Marshall Fire BY ADRIAN MICHAEL When the Marshall Fire devastated sections of Boulder and Louisville in Colorado, the tragedy was instantly met with compassion from people in the area. “When we heard about the fire, we felt helpless and felt like we were called to help,” said Jenn Dietz, the president of Arapahoe County Quilters. “Nothing helps trauma more than being surrounded by a strong community.” Arapahoe County Quilters was founded in 1986 to bring quilters together to do charitable work within the community. They always look for opportunities to help those in need, and the Marshall Fire inspired them to action. Many members turned to Dietz, wondering how they could help, and she told them, “Start by utilizing your quilting talents.” Working with local churches, ACQ has donated more than 100 quilts to the fire victims. They are also gathering other essential items to donate. “We’ll continue to collect and donate quilts as long as there is a need,” explained Dietz. Englewood Colo-based Treelotta Fabric & Craft Studio is partnering with ACQ to serve as a donation center for the quilts. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to assist,” said the fabric store’s owner Teresa Barbagallo. Quilts may not seem like the first pri-

PAGE 22 | March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

ority for fire victims, but local quilters and members of ACQ Ryan Pryor and his wife Rose Rodriguez see a lot of value in these handmade items. “These quilts are going to people who lost pretty much everything,” explained Pryor. “They are potentially among the first items to help start the rebuilding process.” According to Rodriguez, “Every person who receives a quilt is so appreciative! The quilts are extremely important, and there is a strong connection with a lot of energy in them.” Upon hearing about the fire, ACQ member Sharon Osborne donated one of the quilts she made. “I wanted to help immediately, and I hope this brings some comfort for those who lost their homes.” The Marshall Fire, which destroyed more than 1,000 homes and caused an estimated $500 million in damages, has left the community with the daunting task of rebuilding. Dietz hopes to continue providing support to the victims of the fire and plans to reach as many people as she can. “It would be awesome to give one quilt to every family” stated Dietz, “It may be a heavy lift, but every bit helps.” Courtesy of Denver VOICE / International Network of Street Papers

MOVING PICTURES

“...one of the most listenable movies ever made.” FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA’S THE CONVERSATION IS A MUST-HEAR FILM AT THE BELCOURT BY JOE NOLAN, FILM CRITIC When someone insists that you have to catch a movie “on the big screen” at a theater, they’re usually talking about a visual experience. And the painterly frames of Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon (1975) or the stellar scenes of the latest installment of the Star Wars cinematic universe definitely translate better on a big screen in a crowded theater than on your phone on your couch. Several years ago I went to the Belcourt to see Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blowup (1966). I’d seen the movie on disc at home and felt like it was a charming — but dated — curio capturing London’s swinging 1960s, but not really worthy of its still-legendary reputation. That said, when the movie later screened at the Belcourt, I bought a ticket. No spoilers, but in the film’s last scene there’s a sound that creates an entirely new context for the whole film. I’d missed that sound — and dismissed the movie — at home. But, when I got the full visual and audio experience at the theater, it made all the difference. Francis Ford Coppola’s lesser-known masterpiece The Conversation (1974) is a movie you need to hear on the big screen. The Conversation is a movie about surveillance and paranoia, trust and suspicion. Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is a sound recording expert who runs an eavesdropping business. In the film’s iconic opening scene (shot by the legendary Haskell Wexler before he was fired

from the production), Caul and his team track a couple through San Francisco’s crowded Union Square. The pair weave around kids and elderly ladies, passing business men on lunch break, walking by mimes and street musicians. All the while Caul’s team uses a variety of gadgets and techniques to follow their titular conversation through the scene while movie’s soundtrack registers the hum, hiss, crackle and pop of hidden microphones and patch bay wires, and the wow and flutter of the reel-to-reel recorders spinning in the team’s van. Copolla seamlessly blends telescopic shots with extreme close-ups throughout the complicated blocking, but the sound editing of Walter Murch steals the opening of the film. And it’s Murch’s Academy Award-nominated audio collages that make The Conversation one of the most listenable movies ever made. The Conversation is a psychological thriller. The thriller part comes as the meaning behind the sounds and voices that Harry and his team record are slowly revealed. But The Conversation is also a psychological portrait of Caul — a devout Catholic who lives alone in a small apartment where he lies about not having a phone line. He has no friends and his only personal connection is with a secret girlfriend (the wonderful Teri Garr) he keeps completely compartmentalized away from all the details of his life and his work. In a career packed with legendary performances, Caul

is one of Hackman’s greatest roles. But Caul’s a 180 degree turn away from Hackman's legendary Popeye Doyle performance in The French Connection (1971). Doyle spit classic lines and filled the screen with aggressive physicality, but Caul lurks behind his nerdy glasses, guilt-ridden, anxious and nearly as iconic in his restraint as Doyle is in his lack of it. Hackman is also supported here by an amazing cast of Coppola movie regulars including Robert Duvall as the secretive director of the firm that hires Caul to do the recording, and Harrison

Ford as Duvall’s charmingly evil assistant. The great John Cazale gives another masterclass performance as Harry’s assistant, Stan between his turns playing Fredo Corleone in Coppola’s The Godfather and The Godfather II. The Conversation was inspired by Antonioni’s Blowup, and it’s the kind of small European-style movie that Coppola planned on making a career out of if not for the fact that he kept scoring blockbusters with projects like The Godfather Trilogy and Apocalypse Now (1979). The Conversation doesn’t have the epic

March 30 - April 13, 2022 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 23

scale of Coppola’s better-known movies, but, like Caul’s recording of the conversation, it’s practically perfect. The Conversation screens at the Belcourt Theatre Wednesday and Thursday, March 30 and 31. 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.

The Contributor: March 30, 2022

Articles inside

MOVING PICTURES

INSP

HOBOSCOPES

VENDOR WRITING

NEWS

NEWS

NEWS

NASHVILLE HISTORY CORNER

COVER