The Contributor: November 8, 2023

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Q&A WITH NASHVILLE'S MAYOR ON PAGE 9

FREDDIE O'CONNELL The 10th Mayor of Nashville Talks Homelessness, His 15 Fixes

Freddie O’Connell, a former councilmember representing District 19, was sworn in as the 10th Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County on Sept. 25, 2023. PHOTO BY RAY DI PIETRO

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Desafíos del Derecho Internacional en Oriente Medio

Hamás así como Israel enfrentan acusaciones de violaciones al derecho internacional en medio del conflicto desatado el 7 de octubre. Ataques recientes, como el ocurrido en el hospital Al Ahli al Arabi en Gaza, Por Yuri Cunza someten a juicio la Editor-In-Chief @yuricunza integridad de las leyes internacionales en el caos de la confrontación. Hacer valer el imperio de la ley en medio de la violencia es un desafío complejo, no obstante, las normas conocidas como los códigos de conducta en tiempos de guerra, establecen el marco para dicha evaluación. La posición de la opinión pública es polarizada debido al acceso a información independiente sobre lo que ocurre en la zona de conflicto. La ONU, por su parte, asegura estar recopilando pruebas de crímenes de guerra cometidos por ambas partes, como parte de su misión de preservar la paz y la justicia en la comunidad internacional.

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El conflicto en Oriente Medio ha alcanzado un punto crítico, con acusaciones de violaciones del derecho internacional por parte de Hamás e Israel. Este recrude-

siones y conflictos entre las comunidades judía y árabe que compartían la tierra. En un intento de encontrar una solución, las Naciones Unidas aprobaron un plan de partición en 1947, dividiendo el mandato británico en Palestina en dos: una parte para los judíos y otra para los árabes.

El Estado judío recibiría alrededor del 55% del territorio, incluyendo áreas como el desierto del Néguev, y tendría una población de 500,000 judíos y 400,000 árabes palestinos. En ese momento, los judíos poseían solo el 7% de las tierras en Palestina.

Foto: United Nations

The UN Security Council Meets on Situation in Middle East, Including Palestinian Question

La Noticia + The Contributor

civiles, como el reciente ataque al hospital Al Ahli al Arabi en Gaza, aumentan la urgencia de este proceso de investigación.

El derecho internacional establece reglas claras para el comportamiento de las partes en un conflicto armado, conocidas como las "reglas de la guerra". Estas normas incluyen la protección de civiles, la distinción entre objetivos militares y civiles, y la prohibición de ataques indiscriminados. Cumplir con estas reglas es esencial para evitar crímenes de guerra y proteger la vida de civiles inocentes atrapados en medio del conflicto.

El respeto por el derecho internacional y las reglas de la guerra no solo es una cuestión de legalidad, sino también de humanidad. La protección de los derechos de los civiles y la minimización del sufrimiento en tiempos de conflicto son principios fundamentales que todos los actores deben respetar. Solo a través del respeto mutuo y la adhesión a estas reglas es posible avanzar hacia una solución pacífica y duradera en la región.

Desentrañando el Conflicto IsraelíPalestino a lo Largo de la Historia

El Estado árabe palestino recibiría cerca del 44% del territorio y estaría habitado por 725,000 árabes palestinos, con una minoría de alrededor de 10,000 judíos.

Moving Pictures

A pesar de que los judíos aceptaron el plan de partición, los árabes lo rechazaron, lo que desató una guerra civil y la expulsión de una gran parte de la población palestina. El 14 de mayo de 1948, coincidiendo con la declaración de independencia de Israel, los Estados árabes vecinos declararon la guerra al recién creado Estado de Israel. A pesar de sus esfuerzos, fueron derrotados por Israel.

Al final de la guerra, Israel se negó a permitir el regreso de más de 700,000

El conflicto israelí-palestino es un con- refugiados palestinos, quienes desde cimiento de la violencia se desató el 7 de flicto social y armado de larga data que entonces han vividoNolan en campamentos Contributor vendors Joe reviews the octubre, después de unwrite ataque sorpresa La Noticia, one the involucra aof israelíes y palestinos en una de Hamás contra el Estado judío. En Sin embargo, hacer cumplir estas leyes lucha por el control de la tierra de de refugiados y ciudades en Líbano, medio de este conflicto, la comunidad en el fragor de las hostilidades es un Palestina, una disputa que tiene sus Siria, Jordania, la Franja de Gaza, y otros lugares. in this issueinternacional about potato frightening film Five Nights observa con preocupación desafío leading monumental. La situación en raíces en el siglo XX. Surgió con el Cisjordania Spanish-language y busca evidencias de crímenes de guerra Oriente Medio es un recordatorio de la movimiento sionista a finales del siglo cometidos por ambas partes. de mantener el respeto por XIX, en respuesta al creciente anti- Este contexto histórico muestra la y duración del conflicto el derecho internacional incluso en semitismo en Europa. Después del complejidadat chips, Shugga Hi, playing importancia newspapers thenazination, israelí-palestino, Freddy's. que sigue teniendo (Different La ONU, en su papel de árbitro y momentos de conflicto. La comunidad in Holocausto y el final de la Segunda defensor de la legalidad internacional, internacional y las partes involucradas Guerra Mundial, la población judía en un impacto significativo en la región y en todo el mundo. recopilando pruebas para deter- deben esforzarse por garantizar que se Palestina creció sustancialmente. the spoons está and a tribute Freddie from the one on brings Spanish content to minar si se han cometido crímenes de haga justicia y que se rindan cuentas guerra en el transcurso de este conflic- por cualquier violación de estas reglas Este aumento masivo de la población Envíenos sus sugerencias por e-mail: judía en Palestina desencadenó ten- news@hispanicpaper.com ó 615-567-3569 to. Los informes de ataques a objetivos fundamentales. to Ronnie Milsap. this issue's cover.)

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Ree Cheers SOAR Manager Andrew Terry IV SOAR Referral Specialist Rachel Ternes Housing Navigator Andreos Chunaco Housing Navigator Holly Bowman Director of Development Esther Mwandiko Kitenge Engagement Specialist Jesse Call Operations Consultant Raven Nye Director of Housing Initiatives Justin Wagner Resource Coordinator & Reporter Barbara Womack Advertising Manager Amanda Haggard & Linda Bailey Co-Editors Chelsea Jackson Vendor Office Manager Andrew Krinks Editor Emeritus Will Connelly, Tasha F. Lemley, Steven Samra, and Tom Wills Contributor Co-Founders Editorials and features in The Contributor are the perspectives of the authors. Submissions of news, opinion, fiction, art and poetry are welcomed.

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VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Cynthia stands in her new home at the Village at Glencliff. PHOTO BY JUSTIN WAGNER

Cynthia Pritchard has a lot of stories — but no regrets

BY JUSTIN WAGNER

Cynthia Pritchard has worked her whole life. Whether forklift operation, impromptu construction and plumbing at a carnival, maintaining irrigation on a golf course, selling The Contributor or day-to-day survival in a camp, she’s worn many hats over the past several decades to get by — both on and off the streets.

And she doesn’t regret a second, she said.

“I was never comfortable flying a sign. I couldn’t do it,” Pritchard said. “I’m a workaholic … I’ve worked all my life, every day since I’ve been 14 years old, I’ve always had a job. I worked. I’m not good at begging, it don’t sit right with me.”

Recently, Pritchard’s name was pulled on a waitlist for a Section 8 housing voucher, and it feels like all that hard work is finally paying off, she said. She’s currently sending off applications for what will be the first apartment in her own name after two years of living between camps and shelters. But her journey learning to survive on her own goes back to when she was a teenager and left home to, quite literally, join a carnival.

Though it’s been a challenge staying afloat ever since she left home, Pritchard said there’s dignity in that challenge.

“It’s been amazing. There’s so much I’ve

done in my life, I don’t regret none of it. I can honestly say when I die, I want them to put on my tombstone, ‘it’s been one hell of a ride.’”

Much of Pritchard’s work was done as a ride operator at a carnival in Lebanon, where she worked for 30 years. While it was occasionally dangerous work, barriers to entry were low and it offered a sense of community.

“We did everything together,” she said. “If I was at a carnival and this is your first day, you’re gonna be traveling with us, and you have nothing, we took from ourselves and gave you blankets, stuff to cook with, everything.

This guy’s gonna be traveling with us, so we adopted you; you’re part of the family.”

The environment was accepting as it was ever-changing, due to the transient nature of the company; and the skills she learned on the fly back then are skills she still leans on today.

“Most of your carnivals back in the day were ex-cons or escaped convicts,” Pritchard explained “Now with background checks, you’re lucky if you get to be in there as an ex-con … but when I joined up, everyone and their brother was welcome. I had a lot of father figures with the carnival, a lot of the older men were like ‘no, girl, if you’re going to survive, you’ve gotta do this.’ I learned how to knock out a 6-foot-tall man from them, as

short as I was.”

When Pritchard came to Nashville while on break from the carnival, she found out about The Contributor, where she’s been a vendor on and off since 2013.

More recently, though, Pritchard hasn’t been able to work as much as she used to. A string of surgeries and visits to the hospital had left her unable to spend her nights in a camp. Because of a fortuitous referral made to a respite care shelter called the Village at Glencliff, she’s been able to recuperate at her own pace.

But all this isn’t to say Pritchard has been on her own since then. Nashville is also where she met her closest companion — a young dog named Sassy.

“I found Sassy in a dumpster when she was two days old at the Walmart out on Gallatin.

I jumped in a dumpster and dug this dog out … I was out there shopping to get stuff for camp, and I heard a whining out by the bus stop. She was in there, she was covered in ants, and I had a water bottle to clean her up.”

When she returned to the bus stop, the first bus driver to come by was initially reluctant to let Pritchard and the stray on at all — but after his shift, the driver personally took them to an animal hospital and put up

November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 3

the money for Sassy to be checked up on and treated, she said. Now Pritchard and Sassy are practically inseparable.

“She’s been my heart. She’s spoiled rotten.

Sassy knows exactly how to bring me out of an anxiety attack. She can be a big clown, she can be a big couch potato, she loves to hug.

She loves to get out and that helps me a lot with exercise.”

“What other people don’t realize is how comforting it is to have that animal in your life. Only animal lovers know that comfort … you’d be surprised how you can get out there and do what you’ve got to do in life, because you’re not just doing it for yourself. You’re doing it because you’ve got that animal to take care of, and that animal takes care of you back.”

As she waits to use her housing voucher at an apartment of her own, Pritchard said she’s had fewer and fewer worries as she recovers at the Village at Glencliff shelter. After all the years of travel and work, it’s been a good chance to pause in anticipation of the better things to come.

“Nobody has pushed me harder in this life than I have pushed myself — and now I’m here. And I see a better life for myself and Sassy now.”

PAGE 4 | November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

NASHVILLE HISTORY CORNER

Where did Wedgewood Get its Name?

BY RIDLEY WILLS II

When you drive south on I-65 from downtown Nashville toward Brentwood and Franklin, the first exit you pass is to Wedgewood Avenue. Did you ever wonder how it got that name?

The answer goes back to October 1891 when the owners of Cumberland Park acquired land on the west side of the Nolensville Turnpike that included a mile-long harness racing track. The owners, L. T. Baxter. Campbell Brown, Dr. A. W. Harris, Van Lee Kirkman, May Overton, A. H. Robinson and John Thompson, named the road connecting the new race course with the

Franklin Turnpike “Wedgewood,” in honor of the championship trotter that earned the nickname “The Iron Horse” for running as many as six heats in a single event.

His short racing career lasted from 1879 through 1881. In 1880, he won every race in his class in the Grand Circuit. Wedgewood was purchased by the owners of the Hermitage Stud for $25,000 in 1886. The Hermitage Stud stood a couple of miles further out the Franklin Pike on its west side on Overton land. Its owners included Van Kirkman, May Overton and John Thompson.

Ridley wrote a book!

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

November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 5

LEARN MORE ABOUT

Learn More about Medicaid Expansion and Homelessness

BY JUDITH TACKET T A report released by the Urban Institute in October estimates that 2.3 million people would gain health coverage in 2024 if 10 states were to expand Medicaid eligibility. Tennessee is among those 10 states.

This report estimates that if Tennessee were to expand Medicaid, it could result in a 22.6 percent increase in insurance enrollment, which means more than 300,000 people could potentially gain access to affordable health insurance.

Currently, the following populations are eligible for Tennessee’s Medicaid Program, which is called TennCare, according to the state’s website: • Children under the age of 21; • Women who are pregnant; • Parents or caretakers of a minor child — the child must live in the same household and be a close relative; • Individuals who need treatment for breast or cervical cancer; • People who get a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) check; • People who have gotten both an SSI check and a Social Security check in the same month at least once since April 1977 and who still get a Social Security check; • A person who lives in a medical institution (like a nursing home) and has an income below $2,742 per month OR gets other long-term care services that TennCare pays for.

According to an Urban Institute report, Tennessee has the highest parent eligibility thresholds. Specifically, Tennessee parents are likely eligible for Medicaid/TennCare when they meet 82 percent of the federal poverty level.

Most other non-expanded states hover around 50 percent or less. This is important because people with incomes below 100 percent of the federal poverty level are ineligible for marketplace premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. This means there is a coverage gap in Tennessee for poor people who are just not poor enough to be eligible for TennCare.

Medicaid expansion became available on Jan. 1, 2014, under the Affordable Care Act, which allowed states the option to expand Medicaid to non-elderly individuals with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

That income would just be over $20,000 for an individual, in 2023 dollars.

As you can imagine, Medicaid is a complex

issue and I am not knowledgeable enough to go in-depth about it. But I think it’s worth talking about Medicaid expansion (or the lack thereof) because it is an issue that is brought up whenever homelessness providers in Nashville talk about the need for increased support services, especially if we want to implement permanent supportive housing programs. The main problem we seem to have is that any available dollars for support services are temporary.

Funders, regardless of whether they represent the government or private sectors, generally do not wish to invest in one program that serves the same people with very low turnover in perpetuity. That’s why any added service cost would go a long way to help supplement support services costs.

At this point, you may have two main questions. The first may be: how does Medicaid expansion affect state budgets? And secondly, how can states use Medicaid to address homelessness?

According to a 2021 report published by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the fact that the federal government pays a vast majority of the cost of expansion coverage has resulted in net savings for many states that expanded Medicaid. In general, uncompensated hospital care costs fall. Some states help cover these uncompensated health care costs. Therefore, this could result in cost savings or cost avoidance for states with Medicaid expansions.

In addition, states with expanded Medicaid coverage spent less on programs for people with mental and/or behavioral health conditions.

Savings were also achieved in correctional facilities since federal Medicaid funds paid more for inpatient hospital costs of inmates who were enrolled in Medicaid. States that tax managed care plans and health care providers that serve Medicaid beneficiaries also saw higher revenue gains. All these factors together showed an overall four percent reduction in states’ spending compared to their traditional Medicaid programs.

All these are financial reasons why Tennessee should seriously consider Medicaid expansion. But the main reason, which I have not even mentioned yet, is the health benefit to uninsured Tennesseans. Homelessness significantly reduces life expectancy by as much as 25 years, according to some studies. This shows the significant connection between homelessness and health. A lack of access to housing means

people live in unhealthy environments and often have no means to manage health issues properly.

That’s why health providers have long listed housing as a social determinant of health.

The American Rescue Plan includes a large financial incentive that would make expansion an even better deal. Not being a health insurance expert, I’ll refrain from trying to explain the additional benefits to Tennessee would the state expand Medicaid under this incentive.

But it sounds like most states would receive full coverage of the non-federal share of expansion costs for several years.

Not only would Medicaid expand health coverage for thousands of Tennesseans who otherwise cannot afford insurance, Medicaid expansion could also allow the state to negotiate a waiver that could provide specific housing assistance and expanded support.

Keep in mind, Medicaid is and remains a health program, so it is unlikely to cover all expenses of an evidence-based, best practice supportive housing program.

I recently had a conversation with an expert from CSH, also known as the Corporation for Supportive Housing, a national leader that works to strengthen communities' approaches to ending homelessness. My big takeaway from that conversation was that if Tennessee (and politically speaking that is a big “if”) were to expand Medicaid, the benefit to utilize Medicaid dollars to address homelessness would depend on the type of waiver it would negotiate with the federal government. Even then, we need to understand that Medicaid typically covers between 30 and 50 percent of a support services budget that is necessary to implement permanent supportive housing programs. In other words, Medicaid would likely not cover all of it, but it could potentially cover a significant chunk of it. That means we would still rely on raising supplemental funding through local dollars (government and/or the private sector), other federal (HUD programs) or state dollars, etc. But, as established earlier in this column, Medicaid expansion would increase insurance coverage in Tennessee and therefore assist more people experiencing homelessness.

Evaluations of Medicaid expansion pilot programs in other states have shown that improving systems coordination is a key factor we must have in place in order for any expansion effort to be successful. This includes strengthening collaboration between health care and

Dig Deeper Learn about different Medicaid waivers from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP): https://www.cbpp.org/ research/health/medicaid-can-partnerwith-housing-providers-and-others-toaddress-enrollees-social#_ftnref18 A recent article in Shelterforce describes how states have started using Medicaid expansion to cover housing and tenancy support costs: https:// shelterforce.org/2023/06/05/howstates-can-use-medicaid-to-addresshousing-costs/ homeless services providers.

And finally, none of this matters much if we do not find a way to resolve the housing supply. In other words, if we cannot ensure that we have housing units that are accessible to people experiencing homelessness, we cannot build a permanent supportive housing program that works.

So, while we dream about future Medicaid expansion in Tennessee, we have work to do. And for me, the conversation of solving homelessness will not be successful if we do not wholeheartedly combine it with the affordable housing conversation.

My call for the O’Connell administration is as follows: help improve the understanding of the roles of the different departments and the expectations of what goals they achieve when addressing homelessness. In other words, the Office of Homelessness cannot solve homelessness alone. What exact role will a new Office of Housing take on in regard to homelessness?

What are the roles and responsibilities of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA)? What about Metro Social Services, the Metro Action Commission, the Health Department, Metro Schools, the Police Department, etc.?

We need these questions answered for Metro to function at its best for some of the city’s poorest residents. And doing so, will also get us closer to being ready if Tennessee politicians ever choose to take advantage of Medicaid expansion.

Starting Nov. 1, we’re participating in NewsMatch, a national matchinggift campaign that drives donations to nonprofit newsrooms.

Through Dec. 31, NewsMatch will match your new monthly donation 12x (or double your one-time donation), up to $1,000.

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PAGE 6 | November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

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

(833) 837-HOME

(615) 701-7957

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

November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 7

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND ROOTS OF OUR MUSIC

OPEN NOW

Photos courtesy of Tennessee State Library & Archives and Library of Congress

FREE ADMISSION 1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd.

615.741.2692 TNMuseum.org

PAGE 8 | November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

C OV E R S T O RY: Q & A W I T H M AYO R F R E D D I E O ' C O N N E L L

Mayor Freddie O'Connell won his bid for mayor in a runoff election on Sept. 14. PHOTO BY RAY DI PIETRO

The 10th Mayor of Nashville Talks Homelessness, His 15 Fixes

BY JUDITH TACKETT

During his campaign for mayor, Freddie O’Connell developed a list of 15 Fixes on Day One, meaning those were the issues he would immediately start working on if elected mayor of Nashville. O’Connell, a former councilmember representing District 19, was sworn in as the 10th Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County on Sept.

25, 2023.

The 15 fixes are posted online at https:// www.readyforfreddie.com/15-fixes. Here is a quick overview: • Frequent Transit Network — bringing transit closer to communities, extending hours and frequencies, and introducing more technology.

• Office of Housing — a standalone department that connects with other departments and oversees the production and implementation of housing projects and policies. This department will work closely with data from the new Office of Homeless Services.

• Working Families, Successful Students — focusing on budget and logistical choices as well as pursuing

partnerships that improve student performance and reduce household stress.

• Community Safety Plan — bringing together the community, law enforcement, the district attorney, the public defender, and the judiciary to build a roadmap to making Nashville as safe as possible.

• Neighborhoods and New Nashvillians — strengthening the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods and the Office of New Americans and ensuring community leaders have regular access to Metro leadership.

• Customer Service — establishing new standards within Metro for notifications, response, and conduct to make local government the premier customer service organization in the city.

• Taking Plans to Reality — implementing projects rather than constantly producing plans that sit on shelves.

• Transparency — residents will know how to communicate with Metro, participate in public hearings, and know what city plans and policies mean for

their daily lives.

• Liquid Water, Solid Waste — creating a separate, standalone department to manage Nashville’s solid waste.

• One Time Money for Special Projects — preparing Metro for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act as well as sustaining post-COVID policies that were initially supported by one-time federal funds.

• Implementing Nashville Next — undertaking a 10-year review and update NashvilleNext (which was adopted in 2015), so that Nashville can respond to its growth and strategically prepare for the future.

• Ditch Red Tape — investing in a technological and policy overhaul to remove obstacles to permitting processes and infrastructure demands.

• 100% Solar — having the capability of powering all Metro buildings by solar within three years.

• A Tech-Savvy Government — adopting a data policy for Metro that supplies the Open Data Portal and

making sure Nashville government is keeping pace with the 21st century.

• Second Responders — building capacity to create and distribute resources for communities who are suffering.

Once a crisis response is over, Nashville needs smooth transitions to experts on mental health, grief and trauma.

“This is our moment to open doors of opportunity, to keep our homes affordable, and to invest in our neighborhoods, so Nashville is a place where you want to stay — and can stay," O'Connell outlines on the Mayor’s Office website.

During his tenure as a councilmember, O’Connell’s downtown district has put him at the center of many issues surrounding homelessness, affordable housing and growth. O’Connell has attended the city’s Homeless Memorial at the riverfront each year, and plans to again as mayor, he says.

O’Connell talked with The Contributor about his 15 fixes and how he’ll utilize both an analytical and community-focused approach to the office.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 9

C OV E R S T O RY: Q & A W I T H M AYO R F R E D D I E O ' C O N N E L L

Nashville's most online mayor. PHOTO BY RAY DI PIETRO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

You have created three transition committees and tasked them to study How Nashville Moves, How Nashville Grows and How Nashville Works. Can you explain briefly what main areas fall under each of these topics and how they align with your 15 fixes?

The 15 fixes were really what anchored us around How Nashville Works. The top one, Frequent Transit Network, is really connected to How Nashville Moves, most of the other fixes fall under the How Nashville Works category.

The How Nashville Grows category is something that came [out of] the conversation with all the [mayoral] candidates and the entire city thinking together about its future. Now that we are obligated to create a new stadium for the Titans, the footprint around that stadium is really a benchmark for success in two different ways. One, if we are given a blank slate, can we build a reference standard small urban city effectively and reactivate our riverfront and do so in a way that leverages the best of workforce development, affordable housing and sustainability? [And two], can we make sure we get access and mobility to the site correct, so that locals have the opportunity to live there and have the desire to come spend time there? While we do that, we also have to apply the same lessons citywide. That

to me is the fundamental question of How Nashville Grows.

How Nashville Moves is something that I’ve not only been talking about but also working on for really the better part of 20 years. It is certainly about improving Nashville’s core transit service, but it is also about making our infrastructure safer. It is making the simplicity of both walking down the street and crossing the street safer. It is allowing for people choosing to commute from East Nashville to Vanderbilt as cyclists have a safe corridor to do so. It is relieving pressure from scenarios like the new soccer stadium where Nashville SC just played their last regular match in the season. And still we’re not connecting that stadium as effectively as we could and should to the surrounding residential communities, including access to the very diverse Nolensville Road corridor with Casa Azafran just around the corner and up the hill.

Those are really the three pillars. We have a series of transition committees focused on all three of them. One of them, [How Nashville Works], I would say is looking at most of the 15 fixes with the Moves and Grows committees focused on the other ideas.

Every administration would say they are transparent. But what would you like to implement to increase Metro’s transparency?

When I started talking about this, it was really modeled on something amazing I saw several years ago when I took a trip to Salt Lake City. Then Mayor [Ralph] Becker in Salt Lake City went on to become the president of the National League of Cities toward the end of his tenure in office. He really built this amazing transparency initiative that set an expectation both for city departments and agencies as well as the general public on, ‘Hey, what does it mean when we publicly notice a meeting? Or what does it mean when we’re seeking public input and public participation in our process, and we have a consistent format for how we’re going to tell you about the meetings that are available and solicit input?’

We’ve already had a conversation with ITS (Information Technology Services) about some standardizations along those lines. We will continue to talk to multiple Metro departments. But I think too about processes that have unfolded that have been more successful than most including the original two-year process that underpinned Nashville Next. They actually tracked and benchmarked public participation. If they noticed a particular geographic area wasn’t participating as much, they would increase the amount of outreach that was done. If they noticed that a particular demographic area — whether age, race, ethnicity, gen-

PAGE 10 | November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

der — was not participating as much, they would look at that as a factor, too. I think those kinds of concepts being baked into how this is an authentic public process of running the city is something we want to be intentionally invested in.

And then the last part of it is, we’ve already made a couple of changes where I’ve been trying to do weekly media availabilities in the Mayor’s Office media room on Fridays.

We have started up a new segment in partnership with WPLN as part of their This Is Nashville program where we are going to do a monthly series of Ask the Mayor. I think all of that is really rolled up into the process of transparency.

Mayors face the risk of being shielded and live in a mayoral bubble so to speak.

Outside of your family and friends, what measures do you put in place to hold yourself accountable to the people?

For me this is really a similar thing. We tried to make a very serious effort during the campaign, which is for me to be present in as much of the county as I can as often as I can. And already in the first 30 days in office, I have logged more than 3,000 miles of visits to various sites. In fact, just this weekend, I went from an event celebrating Friends of Warner Parks out to Long Hunter State Park in one of the longest drives you

C OV E R S T O RY: Q & A W I T H M AYO R F R E D D I E O ' C O N N E L L

O'Connell celebrated with supporters on Sept. 14 at Eastside Bowl. PHOTO BY RAY DI PIETRO

can do in the county from far West Nashville to basically one of the furthest points east to celebrate with NAIA for the 42nd annual Pow Wow that they were doing out there.

And so, [I’ve been able to] not only participate in community processes that need and deserve our attention as a local government but also be physically present as we do so.

I think that’s one of the best ways to get out of the bubble is not be constrained to either the four walls of the Mayor’s Office or a relatively tight radius around City Hall but rather to be as deep into the community as possible, as often as possible.

People in the homelessness sector are excited because you are intimately familiar with the Continuum of Care, Homelessness Planning Council, the Homeless Management Information System, Coordinated Entry and you have created the Office of Homeless Services. What are your expectations for the next four years A) from Metro, B) from the nonprofit sector, and C) from potential funders outside of government?

I think a few things. One, we are about to deliver, though it’s been delayed, our first fully publicly supported permanent supportive housing. It’s going to be an important moment for the city when we cut the ribbon.

Making sure that that project is a success is going to be key for Metro.

We had a strategic community plan and one of the reasons we focused so much on data there was to try to drive performance to make Nashville and Metro more competitive for HUD federal funding. [Editor’s note: The mayor is referring to the 2019 plan.] So, I think there is an expectation that we maintain the successes and extend the successes of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) going forward.

And there is a process underway right now that would likely transition the Collaborative Applicant from MDHA to Metro in the same way that we transitioned the HMIS Lead from MDHA to Metro a few years ago. In an ideal world, this gives again a potential for not only greater alignment but also greater performance as we continue to work for facilitation of not only federal funds but strengthening backbone opportunities for the nonprofit sectors.

From Metro, from the nonprofit sector, and from potential funders outside of government, [expectations are that] there are some ways in which they’re all coordinated because we want our local providers to be a part of the performance evaluation committee’s successes. We want to increase Nashville’s share of HUD federal funding. We want to improve the use of HUD TA (technical assistance) to inform best practices. And for potential funders outside of government, I think we

really do have an opportunity to get some backbone philanthropic support if we can demonstrate the alignment.

And so, again, if you’re talking about expectations, my expectation for the next four years is that if we take the recently approved refresh of the Strategic Community Plan, that we align all of our funding flows against that and deliver meaningful outcomes for people, which includes typically building more housing that is attainable to and accessible to people who are coming directly out of contexts where they’re experiencing homelessness.

We just talked about long-term expectations to address homelessness. Do you have any new short-term goals in mind that you want the Office of Homeless Services to tackle?

Yes. I think it is important that if I’m reflecting on the successes of the original strategic community plan we developed a few years ago — now that it has been refreshed, I think it is important for the Office of Homeless Services to socialize that more effectively, so that the Mayor’s Office uses that for policy development, that the Vice Mayor and Metro Council use that as they’re working through their own affordable housing and service delivery conversations for legislative

November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 11

policy and responses on the ground and in people’s Council districts. That Metro departments that have adjacencies as we come through this intergovernmental response to homelessness understand that this plan is now available and approved. We need to be leaning on it. It shouldn’t be a hidden secret document. It should be a document that really does inform both current approaches and either informs future approaches or is able to adapt to accept guidance from resources like HUD Technical Assistance.

Anything else?

We had a transition briefing with the Office of Homeless Services. I guess one thing that I throw in there that isn’t conclusive yet is, we’re trying to make sure we’re leaving no stone unturned for resources that are available to mitigate this issue. So, for instance we continue to explore use of the Pods that were acquired for temporary housing. We’re still looking to increase the number of participants and [the] quality of data coming into HMIS. We’re still just making sure that [we focus on] increasing access to housing, increasing access to services, making sure we take this mitigation of homelessness seriously, and we’re treating anyone in the city who is a resident here whether or not they have stable housing with dignity. These are all priorities of this administration.

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...

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

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Desafíos del Derecho Internacional en Oriente Medio

Hamás así como Israel enfrentan acusaciones de violaciones al derecho internacional en medio del conflicto desatado el 7 de octubre. Ataques recientes, como el ocurrido en el hospital Al Ahli al Arabi en Gaza, Por Yuri Cunza someten a juicio la Editor-In-Chief @yuricunza integridad de las leyes internacionales en el caos de la confrontación. Hacer valer el imperio de la ley en medio de la violencia es un desafío complejo, no obstante, las normas conocidas como los códigos de conducta en tiempos de guerra, establecen el marco para dicha evaluación. La posición de la opinión pública es polarizada debido al acceso a información independiente sobre lo que ocurre en la zona de conflicto. La ONU, por su parte, asegura estar recopilando pruebas de crímenes de guerra cometidos por ambas partes, como parte de su misión de preservar la paz y la justicia en la comunidad internacional.

El conflicto en Oriente Medio ha alcanzado un punto crítico, con acusaciones de violaciones del derecho internacional por parte de Hamás e Israel. Este recrudecimiento de la violencia se desató el 7 de octubre, después de un ataque sorpresa de Hamás contra el Estado judío. En medio de este conflicto, la comunidad internacional observa con preocupación y busca evidencias de crímenes de guerra cometidos por ambas partes.

La ONU, en su papel de árbitro y defensor de la legalidad internacional, está recopilando pruebas para determinar si se han cometido crímenes de guerra en el transcurso de este conflicto. Los informes de ataques a objetivos

siones y conflictos entre las comunidades judía y árabe que compartían la tierra. En un intento de encontrar una solución, las Naciones Unidas aprobaron un plan de partición en 1947, dividiendo el mandato británico en Palestina en dos: una parte para los judíos y otra para los árabes.

El Estado judío recibiría alrededor del 55% del territorio, incluyendo áreas como el desierto del Néguev, y tendría una población de 500,000 judíos y 400,000 árabes palestinos. En ese momento, los judíos poseían solo el 7% de las tierras en Palestina.

Foto: United Nations

The UN Security Council Meets on Situation in Middle East, Including Palestinian Question

civiles, como el reciente ataque al hospital Al Ahli al Arabi en Gaza, aumentan la urgencia de este proceso de investigación.

El derecho internacional establece reglas claras para el comportamiento de las partes en un conflicto armado, conocidas como las "reglas de la guerra". Estas normas incluyen la protección de civiles, la distinción entre objetivos militares y civiles, y la prohibición de ataques indiscriminados. Cumplir con estas reglas es esencial para evitar crímenes de guerra y proteger la vida de civiles inocentes atrapados en medio del conflicto.

Sin embargo, hacer cumplir estas leyes en el fragor de las hostilidades es un desafío monumental. La situación en Oriente Medio es un recordatorio de la importancia de mantener el respeto por el derecho internacional incluso en momentos de conflicto. La comunidad internacional y las partes involucradas deben esforzarse por garantizar que se haga justicia y que se rindan cuentas por cualquier violación de estas reglas fundamentales.

El respeto por el derecho internacional y las reglas de la guerra no solo es una cuestión de legalidad, sino también de humanidad. La protección de los derechos de los civiles y la minimización del sufrimiento en tiempos de conflicto son principios fundamentales que todos los actores deben respetar. Solo a través del respeto mutuo y la adhesión a estas reglas es posible avanzar hacia una solución pacífica y duradera en la región.

Desentrañando el Conflicto IsraelíPalestino a lo Largo de la Historia El conflicto israelí-palestino es un conflicto social y armado de larga data que involucra a israelíes y palestinos en una lucha por el control de la tierra de Palestina, una disputa que tiene sus raíces en el siglo XX. Surgió con el movimiento sionista a finales del siglo XIX, en respuesta al creciente antisemitismo en Europa. Después del Holocausto nazi y el final de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la población judía en Palestina creció sustancialmente.

Este aumento masivo de la población judía en Palestina desencadenó ten-

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

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

por

www.juanese.com

juanese@usa.com

PAGE 12 | November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

El Estado árabe palestino recibiría cerca del 44% del territorio y estaría habitado por 725,000 árabes palestinos, con una minoría de alrededor de 10,000 judíos.

A pesar de que los judíos aceptaron el plan de partición, los árabes lo rechazaron, lo que desató una guerra civil y la expulsión de una gran parte de la población palestina. El 14 de mayo de 1948, coincidiendo con la declaración de independencia de Israel, los Estados árabes vecinos declararon la guerra al recién creado Estado de Israel. A pesar de sus esfuerzos, fueron derrotados por Israel.

Al final de la guerra, Israel se negó a permitir el regreso de más de 700,000 refugiados palestinos, quienes desde entonces han vivido en campamentos de refugiados y ciudades en Líbano, Siria, Jordania, la Franja de Gaza, Cisjordania y otros lugares.

Este contexto histórico muestra la complejidad y duración del conflicto israelí-palestino, que sigue teniendo un impacto significativo en la región y en todo el mundo.

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

VENDOR WRITING

A Star-studded Tribute to Ronnie Milsap

BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

In honor of my mom I recently had an opportunity to attend a star studded tribute to Ronnie Milsap at Bridgestone Arena, in what was billed as his final Nashville performance.

The tickets were actually reasonably priced — only $42 including all those mysterious fees, charged for ANY show you attend these days, a steal by today’s standards.

Now I know younger readers out there are probably thinking, Ronnie Milsap? Who’s that?

Please, let me tell you. From the 1970’s to the 1990’s he made 30 studio albums, he’s had 42 #1 hits and he was one of the first country/pop crossover artists.

This special event was hosted by Storme Warren and Bill Cody. To start the show, photos/press clippings flashed in the background highlighting various accolades of his 50 years in the music industry, which in itself is quite an accomplishment!

The announcers went on to say that Ronnie had called Nashville home for 60 years. As a result, both Gov. Bill Lee and newly elected Mayor Freddie O’Connell each paid tribute to Ronnie, the latter declaring Oct. 3, 2023 Ronnie Milsap Day. The show began with Kelly Clarkson accompanied by the Prarie Sisters belting out “It Was Almost Like A Song”, followed by Hunter Hayes performing “He Got You.” Next up was country/bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs who sang “Let My Love Be Your Pillow.”

(A song, I must admit, I was not familiar with.)

The newest member of the Grand Ole Opry Sara Evans (to be inducted the upcoming weekend at its 98th anniversary show) sang “Let’s Take the Long Way Around the World.”

The Gatlin Brothers sang a song my mom always said reminded her of my dad: “Back On My Mind Again.” But in that moment, I was also reminded of my aunt Betty who recently passed away as the Gatlin Brothers were one of her favorite bands.

They were followed by Mark Wills's rendition of “Don’t You Know How Much I Love You.” Tracy Lawrence then entertained the crowd with his version of “Daydreams About Night Things.”

Luke Bryan made a video appearance telling the audience what Ronnie Milsap the man and his music meant to him.

One of my mom’s favorite performers was up next: Ray Stevens. She used to sing his songs too, doing ALL the voices that make his music SO entertaining!

He sang one of her favorite Ronnie Milsap songs, “Stand By My Woman Man” and the lesser known (at least by me), “My Babe.”

Next up a surprise guest who specifically asked to take part in the festivities, Keith Urban, who pointed out, “You can’t have the reunion tour til you have the farewell tour.”He spoke about covering Ronnie’s music when he was just getting started in his career, and went on to perform what he called “an obscure song” Ronnie had recorded to honor Jim Reeves entitled “Out Where the Bright Lights Are Glowing.”

After listening to it I told Paul (the guy sitting next to me, who was there with his mom, Paula), “I’ve NEVER heard that song before.” He said, “Me either, but I liked it!”

The McCrary Sisters showed off their gospel roots singing a spiritual version of “Stand

By Me” adding Jesus’ name to the otherwise traditional lyrics.

Relative newcomer Breland serenaded the audience with her version of “Any Day Now” followed by music legend Lorrie Morgan who sang “A Legend In My Own Time.”

Country queen Reba McEntire then made an appearance on video. She was followed by The Band of Heathens who performed “I’ve Got A Houston Solution In Mind.”

American Idol winner (Season 10) Scotty McCreary told the crowd he saw Ronnie perform at age 14, and what a lasting impact it had on him. He then sang “Pure Love.” Ronnie’s first #1 hit, and another of my mom’s favorites. As he played I closed my eyes and could see/hear her doing the same on the guitar with me by her side listening/singing along.

For me, it was truly 99/44% pure love! (If you listen to the song and you’ll understand the reference.)

Other well known Ronnie Milsap songs covered that night were: “In the Still of the Night”

(which the audience was invited to sing along to). The artist concluded the song by saying: “Ronnie, we’re lost in your music tonight” a perfect lead into Ronnie’s song “Lost In the ‘50’s Tonight,” which was followed by ”What Goes On When the Sun Goes Down.”

Clint Black was up next on video saying “What A Difference You’ve Made In [Our Lives]” which was a nice introduction to the song of the same name performed by Steven Curtis Chapman.

At this point in the show, the audience was introduced to what was referred to as “Nashville’s House Band,” Sixwire.

In spite of having suffered two heart attacks and a stroke, Phil Vassar teamed up with Dean Sams of Lonestar fame to do “Happy Happy Birthday Baby”, followed by the tune, “Nobody Likes Sad Songs.”

Randy Houser performed “Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurtin’ Me?” Then Dolly Parton made an appearance on video. She said that “Ronnie was one of the nicest, sweetest, most humble and funny people,” (sentiments echoed by others who appeared both in person and on video). She concluded by saying, “Ronnie, I will always love you.”

The Los Lonely Boys then took the stage performing “All Is Fair In Love and War” followed by “Prisoner of the Highway,” which got a standing ovation.

Terri Clark was up next singing “My Heart.”

After speaking about the diversity and appeal of Ronnie’s music Trace Adkins said when he first came to Nashville, he was asked what kind of records he wanted to make. His reply? He said he wanted to make records like Ronnie Milsap, and went on to perform “She Keeps the Home Fires Burnin.”

At this point in the show, the video screens lit up once again. This time, they showed a variety of photos, video clips, and interviews featuring Ronnie’s wife of 54 years Joyce who died in 2021, at the age of 81.

He lovingly referred to her as his “sapphire”, saying she was the only love in his life and his guiding light, which also happen to be lines from another of his hit songs, written by RC

Bannon and John Bettis after hearing Ronnie’s acceptance speech honoring her after winning the Entertainer of the Year award from the CMA in October of 1977. (He also won Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for his self-titled Ronnie Milsap: Live album that year.)

Lightening the mood after such a touching heartfelt tribute, one of the emcees related a funny story about a 4th of July show on the Riverfront in Nashville. While sitting on Ronnie’s piano bench, Ronnie asked them to describe the night. They responded by saying, “It’s the BEST you’ve EVER seen!” Ronnie’s reply: “REALLY?” This got a few laughs from the audience.

Why is that funny? For those who don’t know, Ronnie is blind.

At long last, the time had come for the honoree himself to take the stage, and though he is now 80, he didn’t miss a bea. He performed flawlessly!

His first selection was “Stranger In My House.” I distinctly remember that video playing on CMT! It was shot in black and white adding a dramatic effect to its haunting lyrics. It was a masterpiece ahead of its time, at least in my 15 year old mind.

He went on to cover “We’re An American Band”, followed by another of his hits, “There Ain’t No Gettin’ Over Me.” (I think the influence he’s had on the variety of artists who appeared/ performed in this show is proof of that.)

He continued on with what was named one of Tennessee’s state songs in 2010: “Smoky Mountain Rain.”

Ronnie commented on the great audience and gave a shout out to the Veterans. He invited them to stand and they did as he sang “America the Beautiful.” With the crowd still on its feet he performed one final song: “Honky Tonk Girl.”

In all, 29 acts paid tribute to Ronnie on what was truly a special night! If I were to borrow a line from one of Ronnie’s songs to describe my feelings about the evening, I think it would have to be, “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!” It was a once in a lifetime experience that brought back a few songs I’d forgotten, and SO many GREAT memories of happier times I’d spent with my mom that now are truly priceless!

There's a Potato Chip Crisis in America!

BY JEN A., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Has anyone else noticed the change in the taste and quality of foods since the pandemic? Last Thanksgiving I splurged and bought a package of store-brand chicken breasts, the kind with bones and skin. When I cut into it I noticed that the consistency was all wrong.

Instead of the long muscle fibers I was used to, there were these round globs of cells. And while I hesitated to actually put a bite in my mouth, when I finally did, the meat had NO FLAVOR! I may as well have cooked up the packaging!

And it isn't just chicken. Butter tastes awful and has a sort of strange oily aftertaste. Sauces are different. Everything packaged is sweeter.

Sugar must be cheaper than vegetables and spices because I taste it in everything these days. I can live without packaged foods. I can even live without butter (though giving up toast

was hard. I used to love toast!) But the last straw for me is what they have done to potato chips.

There's a potato chip crisis in America, folks!

And I think we should speak up before the crispy snack goes the way of the dodo.

Lay's has always been my go-to when it comes to potato chips. Granted, they're terrible for you, but every now and again they lend something interesting to a sandwich. It's probably the salt.

No matter where you go in America, they used to taste pretty much the same. They touted their use of sunflower oil. They even put a big picture of one on the front of the package for a while. I'm all in on sunflowers. They were the first snack company to advertise on TV: Remember "Bet you can't eat just one"?

Did you know that Lay's potato chips started right here in Nashville, Tennessee in 1932?

Herman Lay's chips were made and packaged in the morning and he spent the rest of the day taking them around to stores and gas stations. He was quite the entrepreneur! In 1939 he bought Barrett Food Company and moved his operation to Atlanta. And in 1961 he merged with the Frito Company and the name became known as Frito Lay. In 1965, Frito Lay joined the Pepsi-Cola Company. In 1975, the two companies became PepsiCo, the largest food and beverage company in the world. That's where, I think, the trouble started. You know how quality can suffer when products get too far from the source of the founder. I can just hear the bigwigs at the company saying that they have to cut costs and increase profits for their shareholders. They have to use a cheaper potato, oil and salt. In their

November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 13

effort to cut costs, they've absolutely ruined the best potato chip in America!

And if you think you can just change brands to get a crisp, edible chip, don't bother! All the other chip companies I've tried are using the same tiny, crappy, tough, flavorless potatoes as the Lay's folks! PepsiCo would appear to have cornered the market in potato chips. It's an epidemic!

The price of Frito Lay products has also skyrocketed since the pandemic. They're charging a lot more but we're getting a lot less. So, the way I see it, the only answer is to stop buying them. I'll have to adapt and find a crispy snack that goes well with a turkey sandwich. Carrot sticks, anyone? How about some nice, crisp cucumber slices? Those will probably be better for us in the long run!

Bon appetit!

VENDOR WRITING

Shugga

BY DANIEL H., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR “We’re Sandra Austin and Kathy Leslie, affectionately known as Shugga San and Shugga Kat. We are native Nashvillians, and we started Shugga Hi Chicken & Waffles to spread love through our food. Our mother Catherine would selflessly prepare a full-course dinner and dessert for our family every night after her shift as a fulltime nurse. As a special treat, momma would sometimes let us have a taste of dessert before our meal. We would all gather around the table to eat, talk and have a boatload of fun! After we finished, we would listen to music and dance the night away, and that was such a feeling of love. While neither of us had previous restaurant experience, we opened Shugga Hi to share that love with you. Our main ingredient that you taste is love.” Quoted from the Shugga Hi website.

As a patron, I have gone there many times to experience the same high-quality food and sense of family that’s been the same since I started

going there. The only thing that has changed is the people over the years who have grown to love the experience.

The music at the restaurant varies from performer to performer. It reminds me of the old days when people would go somewhere to eat and simply remember and share with family and friends. It’s rare when I place makes you feel that way.

Several thanksgivings I have attended. They offer a free meal out of their love for the community.

The homeless are given the same opportunities every year. Sugga Hi loves everyone equally.

“Come Celebrate Thanksgiving” • Nov. 16: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• The meal is free. The only cost is how much joy you take home.

• 1000 Dickerson Pike, Nashville (Shugga Hi Address)

A Musical Instrument that You Eat With

BY WILLIAM B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

I’ve always loved music. I started singing at three years old. Unfortunately, laryngitis makes it hard for me to sing as much as I used to. But music is my calling. I grew up in church; my uncle is a pastor. I’m even an ordained minister, but that’s not what I’m meant to do. Do you know where I minister?

On the streets. I meet new people every day selling The Contributor and playing spoons.

I have several instruments in my apartment: a tambourine, a triangle, a baby-blue ukelele, a guitar that would blow your mind.

Wish I Could Walk

BY JAMIE W., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Well, I miss being on my corner. I wish I wish I could walk but I’m scared that if I try to walk I will fall down. Right after I was hit I could not feel my left foot and I fell down. I’m scared of everything. I just want to walk again. And, I really miss being over there. May God bless all of the people at The Contributor’s office. May God bless all of my customers. I am hopefully looking forward to coming back to sell my papers.

Ever since I got hit and surgery done I’m in so much pain. Sometimes I wish I would die, but God has me here. I’m worried about everything and it’s been a month and a half since this all happened. All I can do is pray.

I need all the help I can get. May God bless everyone. If I could snap my fingers and make all of this pain go away. But it isn’t like that.

God, please help me.

Equal, Not Controlling

BY JOHN H., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Ever since I was a kid I’ve been reading God’s word and I’ve learned that we all have the same qualification of getting into God’s Kingdom when we die. We’re all equals.

The same should be true when it comes to laws in the city of Nashville. For instance, if I’m at home and someone takes the key, opens my door, and walks in, he should be held accountable for intruding into someone’s home. But, on the other hand, in certain neighborhoods

it’s bull. For example, if you do this in Green Hills you go to jail; you don’t even have to catch the person on camera. In the hood, this is not the case; you can do whatever you want and get away with it. Even though I have a camera right beside my door, there are still intruders who get away with what they do. That’s how much Nashville prioritizes areas with money — sad but true.

I remember, once, when I went to church

It looks like a toy but it sounds like Jimmy Hendrix. And I also make instruments out of objects. Not only do I play the spoons, as many of you know, but I can also play the forks, the butter knives and the comb. A comb can sound just like a kazoo if you play it right.

Give me thirty minutes and I guarantee I can teach you how to play spoons. You’ll be surprised how well you can pick it up — it’s really easy if you watch the technique and practice. If you have a good, bendable set of sturdy spoons it will sound great. If they bend

out of shape, the sound just isn’t right. But I’ve been playing since I was eight years old.

It's sometimes hard for me to even play my spoons. If my hands get tired after playing for a while, they’ll sometimes fall right out.

It's worse when I can’t even pick them up.

But this is what I love to do, what God has called me to, and I will continue to share my music with Nashville — even music that comes from unexpected things. They’re just musical instruments you eat with!

One Day at a Time

BY JAMES “SHORT Y” R., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Lord, just give me the strength to face my tests and tribulations one day at a time.

I am only human. I walk among men in daily sin. Lord, I’m asking you to come in and take it away. Whatever it takes, I’ll do the best I can, one day at a time. Please give me the courage and wisdom to do so.

I give it all to you. You’ve blessed me with all my friends; I have traveled the journey

with a guy and afterward the church had a luncheon. I received an important call so I had to step away from the table and go outside.

Besides, I couldn’t eat the meal because they were having hard-shell crab tacos which I can’t have with my dentures. The guy I was with got very upset with me because I took the call. Very controlling, don’t you think? I don’t believe God is even controlling in that manner. I also don’t believe that God would prepare something for you he knows you can’t eat.

From that day forward, I saw that when I’m doing God’s work I have to keep my guard up because many people are fake for purposes

PAGE 14 | November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

set before me.

And there is a very special friend I’ve met on this journey; her name is Susan. So let me enjoy this life with her one day at a time. She’s my angel. I am very blessed to have her on my side. Until we meet again, God bless you and yours.

unknown to me. I just think that you ought to treat people the way you’d like to be treated.

That’s the real way to love your neighbor, with equality, not control. Control should only come through God’s word, and even then it is only to a certain extent. Sometimes you simply cannot make people obey.

On the other hand, there are people who have absolutely nothing to do but sit back and gossip about you. But I’m glad that the God I serve fills me in on everything around me.

God says to keep watch and wait many times in the word; he does not say that we should have control over everything.

The New Christian Year Selected by Charles Williams

Charles Walter Stansby Williams (1886–1945), the editor of the following selections, is today probably the third most famous of the famous Inklings literary group of Oxford, England, which existed in the middle of the 20th century, and which included among its ranks the better-known and longer-lived Oxford Dons J.R.R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis—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

23rd Wednesday after Trinity

MY Eros is crucified.

OF all things the beholding and the loving of the Maker maketh the soul to seem least in his own sight, and most filleth it with reverent dread and true meekness; with plenty of charity to his even-Christians.

Juliana of Norwich: Revelations of Divine Love.

HEAVENLY things naturally belong to thee, not earthly ones.

Boethius: Consolation of Philosophy, translated by King Alfred.

23rd Thursday after Trinity LORD, since Thou hast taken from me all that I had of Thee, yet of Thy grace leave me the gift which every dog has by nature: that of being true to Thee in my distress, when I am deprived of all consolation. This I desire more fervently than Thy heavenly Kingdom!

Mechthild of Magdeburg: Light of the Godhead.

SECRETS are revealed to a friend who has become one with his friend and not to a servant.

St Catherine of Siena: Dialogues.

23rd Friday after Trinity THE pure, mere love of God is that alone from which sinners are justly to expect from God that no sin will pass unpunished, but that His love will visit them with every calamity and distress that can help to break and purify the bestial heart of man and awaken in him true repentance and conversion to God. It is love alone in the holy Deity that will allow no peace to the wicked, nor ever cease its judgements till every sinner is forced to confess that it is good for him that he has been in trouble, and thankfully own that not the wrath but the love of God has plucked out that right eye, cut off that right hand, which he ought to have done but would not do for himself and his own salvation.

William Law: The Spirit of Love.

St Ignatius.

24th Monday after Trinity THE whole life of Christ was a continual passion; others die martyrs, but Christ was born a martyr . . . His birth and his death were but one continual act, and his Christmas-day and his Good Friday are but the evening and morning of the one and the same day.

Donne: Sermon of Christmas-Day, 1626.

IT requires moral courage to grieve; it requires religious courage to rejoice.

Kierkegaard: Journals.

24th Tuesday after Trinity OUR Lord Jesus oftentimes said: "I it am, I it am: I it am that is highest, I it am that thou lovest, I it am that thou likest, I it am that thou servest, I it am that thou longest for, I it am that thou desirest, I it am that thou meanest, I it am that is all. I it am that Holy Church preacheth and teacheth thee, I it am that showed me here to thee."

Juliana of Norwich: Revelations of Divine Love.

"THAT that I am, Lord, I offer unto thee; for thou it art."

And think nakedly, plainly, and boisterously, that thou art as thou art, without any manner of curiosity.

The Epistle of Privy Counsel.

24th Wednesday after Trinity ALL the Trinity wrought in the Passion of Christ, ministering abundance of virtues and plenty of grace to us by him: but only the Maiden's Son suffered: whereof all the blessed Trinity endlessly enjoyeth.

Juliana of Norwich: Revelations of Divine Love.

MY me is God, nor do I know my selfhood save in Him. St Catherine of Genoa: Life.

23rd Saturday after Trinity

24th Thursday after Trinity

AND that thou mayst win to the sweetness of God's love, I set here three degrees of love, in the which thou be aye waxing. The first degree is called insuperable, the second inseparable, the third singular. Thy love is insuperable when nothing may overcome it, that is, neither weal nor woe nor anguish, lust of flesh nor liking of this world . . .

Thy love is inseparable when all thy thoughts and wills are gathered together and fastened wholly in Jesus Christ, so that thou mayst no time forget him, buy aye thou thinkest on him . . . Thy love is singular when all thy delight is in Jesus Christ and in none other thing finds joy and comfort.

Richard Rolle: The Commandment.

GRACE is only the type of glory, for it is not the ultimate end. It has been symbolized by the law, and itself symbolizes (glory). But it is the type of it, and the origin or cause.

Pascal: Pensées.

Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity THEN said our good Lord Jesus Christ: "Art thou well paid that I suffered for thee?" I said: "Yea, good Lord, gramercy. Yea, good Lord, blessed mayst thou be." Then said Jesus, our kind Lord: "If thou art paid, I am paid: it is a joy, a bliss, an endless liking to me that ever suffered I passion for thee; and if I might suffer more, I would suffer more."

Juliana of Norwich: Revelations of Divine Love.

THE tree lies as it falls; it is true; but yet it is not the last stroke that fells the tree; nor the last word, nor the last gasp that qualifies the soul.

Donne: Sermons.

24th Friday after Trinity IT is part of righteous living not to stand in fear of things which ought not to be feared . . . In order that no kind of death should trouble an upright man, the cross of this Man had to be set before him, because, of all kinds of death, none was more execrable, more fear-inspiring than this.

St Augustine: Questions.

GOD compasses us with songs of deliverance, we are sure he would not leave us; but he compasses us with cries too, we are afraid, we are sure, that we may drive him from us.

Donne: Sermons.

24th Saturday after Trinity THEY used to say that one of the old men asked God that he might see the fathers, and he saw them all, with the exception of Anthony; and he said unto him that showed them to him, "Where is Anthony?" And he said unto him, "Wheresoever God is there is Anthony."

The Paradise of the Fathers.

NOW therefore, my children, abide in peace, for, behold, Anthony bringeth his journey to an end, and he goeth whither Divine Grace shall bring him.

St Athanasius: Life of St. Anthony.

KEEP us, Lord, so awake in the duties of our callings that we may sleep in thy peace and wake in thy glory.

Donne: Sermons.

Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity ALL is best, though we oft doubt What the unsearchable dispose Of highest wisdom brings about And ever best found in the close.

Oft he seems to hide his face But unexpectedly returns And to his faithful champion hath in place Borne witness gloriously, whence Gaza mourns, And all that band them to resist His uncontrollable intent.

His servants he with new acquist Of true experience from this great event With peace and consolation hath dismissed And calm of mind, all passion spent.

Milton: Samson Agonistes.

25th Monday after Trinity THEREFORE since a certain created wisdom was created before all things, the rational and intellectual mind of that caste cry of thine, our mother, which is above, and is free, and eternal in the heavens (in what heavens, if not in those that praise thee, even the heaven of heavens? because this is also the Heaven of Heavens made for the Lord):— though we find no time before it (because that which hath been created before all things, precedeth also the creature of time) yet is the eternity of the Creator himself even before it; from whom that, being created, took beginning: not beginning of its time (for time was not yet in being) but of its creation.

St Augustine: Confessions.

25th Tuesday after Trinity AND since that Christ saith that no man hath more love than for to put his life for his friend's, this blessed hanging of Christ on the cross is that high charity that God loved man in, and this charity is the Holy Ghost . . . There be many witnesses and reasons to the Trinity, but this manner of love is more plenteous and more profitable to men; and therefore Christ saith it thus, and thus each man should rule all his life after this Holy Trinity, for else he must fail.

Look first that he be grounded in stable beginning, and then that he proceed in gracious mean, and then that he end in fullness of charity, and then his life is ensampled after the Trinity.

Wycliffe: Sermons.

Sponsored by Matthew Carver, publisher

November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 15

PIECES OF POETRY - 11

The Movie “Saint Cloud Hill”

WRITTEN BY CHRIS SCOTT FIESELMAN If I was to scribble the drivel called Rap? A Crash Course about, how it feels to be trapped.

I‘de brag about how, I‘de been there and done that; And how it’s actually, really not all that bad, Being right there, right where you’re at.

Ain’t My First Rodeo EXCERPT FROM:

“LESSONS LEARNED FROM WISDOM’S WORDS” WRITTEN BY CHRIS SCOTT FIESELMAN If I was to scribble the drivel called Rap? A Crash Course about, how it feels to be trapped.

I‘de brag about how, I‘de been there and done that; And how it’s actually, really not all that bad, Being right there, right where you’re at.

Don’t hold it against me that I’m not Black.

I may be white, but I still had to fight, And I know what it feels like, to be under attack.

Don’t hold it against me that I’m not Black.

The Truth is The Truth and Fact is Fact.

I may be white, but I still had to fight, Keep living and learning, there’s no turning back.

And I know what it feels like, to be under attack.

I’ve gotten pretty good at what some consider Bad. The Truth is The Truth and Fact is Fact.

Remembering what it feels like to be misunderstood, Keep living and learning, there’s no turning back.

Losing everything that I had.

I’ve gotten pretty good at what some consider Bad. Paying My Dues and not getting mad.

Remembering what it feels like to be misunderstood, Yea, I had to go through that.

Losing everything that I had.

That’s why I’m not scared.

Paying My Dues and not getting mad.

Yea, I had to go through that.

Who’de have ever thought?

That’s why I’m not scared.

They’de make a movie about that.

THEME: TH A N KSGI V ING DOWN ACROSS 1. Compass dir.

1. "If all ____ fails..."

2. Arctic native 5. End of philosophical 3. Flying jib, e.g. system 4. Enclose in a cyst 8. Center of our orbit 5. Part of small intestine 11. Indian flatbread 12. Take down, as in a dragon 6. *Traditional occupant of the last parade float 13. Yemeni neighbor 7. *Pumpkin pie at the first 15. Homer's "Iliad", e.g.

16. *Copper coin with issuer Thanksgiving, e.g.

8. Asian food thickener of Thanksgiving Proclama9. *Tbs. or tsp., in Thanksgivtion 17. A sign or symbol, archaic ing recipe 10. Zip 18. *A certain famous May12. Chews out flower rock 13. Ostium, pl.

20. *5K, a.k.a. Turkey ____ 14. *"____ on 34th Street" 21. Blair or Hayek 19. '90s TV sitcom "Boy ____ 22. Spy org.

World" 23. Like hikers' camps 22. TV tube in days gone by, 26. Tourney grid acr.

30. Beehive State native 23. *Sweet one or russet one 31. Casual top 24. Short musical composi34. Money in Milan tion 35. Belches 25. Smart candy?

37. Roth ___, acr.

38. Low-ranking workers 39. Old Norse texts 40. Major Black Sea port 42. Dog command 43. Resize 45. *Thanksgiving, a.k.a. ____ Day 47. Baby goat 48. Subway entrance 50. Parting words 52. *Massachusetts' contender for first Thanksgiving celebration 55. Oyster gem 56. One thing on a list 57. Of two minds 59. Sonnets and such 60. Mastercard rival 61. Carve in stone 62. Ted Turner's "baby" 63. Lt.'s inferior, in the Navy 64. "James and the Giant Peach" author

26. Women's undergarments 27. Newsstand, e.g.

28. "Sesame Street" Muppet 29. *Dinner exclamation?

32. Sweep under the rug 33. Fury 36. *Lions' opponent this year 38. ____ exclusion principle in physics 40. Like something for a wedding day 41. Bad rep 44. Supermarket walkway 46. Let for money 48. Form of civil disobedience 49. Lock of hair 50. Past participle of "be" 51. Knitter's ball 52. Long live, in French 53. Itty-bitty bit 54. Like part of McDonald's logo 55. Rubber substitute, acr.

58. Stanley Cup org.

A Documentary about me fighting The City, That damn sure wasn’t pretty, And to me, it wasn’t an act.

A man standing up for what he believes, And how little was actually achieved?

And how it always ends up sad.

There were those who benefit from it, Over those who had it bad.

They called me The Captain, But I was more like their Dad. But what The City wanted, The City grabbed, And The City wanted the land, The Homeless Campers had.

“Saint Cloud Hill” is a movie that will, Make you feel like you’re almost there.

They got rid of The Homeless living there, But not a single tree was spared.

That’s when The City convinced me, The Fort Negley Homeless Facility, “The Eagle's Nest” Was supposed to be established... Where?

People could see the possibilities, When we as Tennessean’s care.

I want that land, But who am I? I’m unprepared... But I ain’t scared...

And never will it happen, if no one ever tries.

Fighting a good fight for what you know is right, Knowing you don’t stand a chance.

Showing them what it truly means to be Christian.

An Honest, Hardworking, Proud, Patriotic, Decent, God Fearing American.

Sounds like another “Fool Proof Plan” Thought up by The Captain, Chris Scott Fieselman...

PAGE 16 | November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Who’de have ever thought?

They’de make a movie about that.

A Documentary about me fighting The City, That damn sure wasn’t pretty, And to me, it wasn’t an act.

A man standing up for what he believes, And how little was actually achieved?

And how it always ends up sad.

There were those who benefit from it, Over those who had it bad.

They called me The Captain, But I was more like their Dad. But what The City wanted, The City grabbed, And The City wanted the land, The Homeless Campers had.

“Saint Cloud Hill” is a movie that will, Make you feel like you’re almost there.

They got rid of The Homeless living there, But not a single tree was spared.

That’s when The City convinced me, The Fort Negley Homeless Facility, “The Eagle's Nest” Was supposed to be established... Where?

People could see the possibilities, When we as Tennessean’s care.

I want that land, But who am I? I’m unprepared... But I ain’t scared...

And never will it happen, if no one ever tries.

Fighting a good fight for what you know is right, Knowing you don’t stand a chance.

Showing them what it truly means to be Christian.

An Honest, Hardworking, Proud, Patriotic, Decent, God Fearing American.

Sounds like another “Fool Proof Plan” Thought up by The Captain, Chris Scott Fieselman...

FUN

HOBOSCOPES SCORPIO

Don’t look now, Scorpio, but I think the sun’s down again. That can’t be right, can it? I mean, didn’t it just come up a few hours ago? Somebody definitely needs to look into this. In the meantime, Scorpio, I guess it’s a good time to follow the sun’s lead. If you’re tired and you don’t absolutely have to be up there shining, go ahead and take a break. The Stars say they’ll cover for you until you get back.

SAGITTA R IUS

We’re getting to the last couple months of the year, which can only mean one thing, Sagittarius. I have to use my vacation days before they expire. I just checked in with my boss at Wandering Hills Supervideo and Tan. He says I’ve still got two vacation days left! It makes sense, because I started the year with three and I used one back in June when I had to go to the ER because of the thing with the staple gun. Anyway, Sagittarius, is there anything you’ve been putting off? Anything you’re waiting for the perfect time to do? I think this is it.

CAPRICORN

I wish we could just settle all this with a footrace like we used to, Capricorn. We’d stand at the line in the sidewalk and your sister would shout, “On your mark! Get set…Go!” and we’d take off running till one of us crossed the bricks in front of the Talley’s house. And by then, whatever it was we’d been upset about was settled. I think all we needed was the run. But now it seems so much more crucial who’s right and who’s wrong. Next time things heat up, Capricorn, just head out to the sidewalk and see how fast you can get to the end of the block. By the time you land it will matter a little less.

AQUA RIUS

PISCES

Turns out I have a couple of unused vacation days that are about to expire. What do you think I should do with them, Pisces? If I tack them on to a weekend I’d have four days off in a row! I could go just about anywhere with four days! Rome! London!

Bangkok! I could get there just in time to turn around and come right back home. Hmm. Maybe a road trip would be better. Albuquerque! Raleigh! Akron! But I’d have to pay for gas, hotels, and roadside tchotchkes. Hmm. Maybe it’s another staycation this year, Pisces. Maybe that’s just what we need. A little time at home with nothing to do. How about you practice for an hour and tell me how it goes.

ARIES

Do you remember that thing where people would write a web address on a dollar bill and if you went to the website and put in the serial number of the bill you could see all the places that dollar had been? Was this real? Am I making this up? Anyway, Aries, I was thinking about that today and it made me think of you. Because you’ve made such a difference to so many people in so many places. If there was a website where you could see a map of all the places that are better because of you I think you’d be amazed.

As it is, you’ll just have to take my word for it.

TAURUS

They put a mural on that old building where you used to lean your bike while you got a drink from the spigot on the wall. It’s a picture of two hands reaching for each other and it says “community nourishes” written in pastel peach script with peacock feathers behind it. It’s nice, I guess. They got rid of the spigot when that influencer-consulting office went in. and I was thinking, Taurus, about how good the water tasted and how it’s hard to find anything that nourishing out here lately. But we do have to keep looking. Get back on your bike. You’re not far from the real thing.

GEMINI

Lawn furniture is tricky, Aquarius. For instance, I thought this chair looked extra comfortable, but as I sank down into it, I discovered the thick cushion was soaked with this morning’s rainwater. Now my pants are, too. We’re not always right about which experiences are going to be the most comfortable, Aquarius. I don’t think that should stop us from trying new things, but I think it should encourage us to be more resilient when everything goes squishy. I’m gonna see if that hammock is a little dryer.

I took a few days off work for a little mini-staycation. Honestly, Gemini, it’s been a while since I’ve had so little to do. Of course, it’s easy to fill the space up. I’ve got plenty of video games, streaming subscriptions, and unread open browser tabs that could keep me occupied well-past the weekend. But I do enough staring at screens in my regular life. I know it sounds crazy, but what if I went for a walk, Gemini? What if I left my phone and my earbuds on the kitchen counter and just went around the block. I’m a little nervous about it, but I’ll tell you what, Gemini. I’ll go if you go. We can countdown from 10 and then head out the door. Ready? 10, 9, 8…

CANCER

Could you do me a favor, Cancer. I’m having a hard time coming up with anything universally deep or vaguely introspective to write for you this week, so I may need you to do it for yourself. I’m serious. I want you to get out that notebook you stopped writing in last spring and I need you to write for 20 minutes. Just anything you’re thinking about. Do it again tomorrow. Try it for four days in a row. After that, I think you’ll know more about your situation than I can guess here anyway.

LEO

There’s an app on your phone with a filter that makes you look exactly like your greatest fear. I don’t know how they did it, Leo, but it works on almost everybody. I don’t recommend it. In fact, I just wrote a one star review in the app store. Mostly I just don’t think most people need to face that kind of thing if they’re not ready.

It’s different for you though, Leo. Because you know your fears can’t hurt you. Not really. You know when you’re looking at a fiction. Don’t forget.

VIRGO

So I guess that was my whole staycation.

Four days at home alone trying not to work and now it’s time to get back to the grind. Somehow I thought it would be more… radically life changing? Maybe we pin too many hopes on short-term plans, Virgo. Maybe getting away from reality never really changes reality. So what can we do if we want bigger, lasting change in our lives? I think a lot of it is community, Virgo. A few days hiding out at home alone is one thing, but a daily practice of interacting with the people we love might get us a little further. I’m gonna call my sister on the way to work. What are you gonna do, Virgo?

LIBRA

Sometimes I wish my life was more like my favorite TV shows. Not for the tragedy, stress, drama, or violence, of course.

That all seems very stressful. Mostly, I just want more sudden explanatory flashbacks. Like when I wonder why I am the way I am, it would be nice to just cut to a flashback scene of the moment when I became that way. Instead I just have my faulty memories and the stories I tell myself. I guess the past can only do so much to explain the present, Libra. Instead of wishing for an explanation, I think we should both focus on what we can do with this present moment.

Mr. Mysterio is not a licensed astrologer, a certified lawnchair tester or a trained app developer. Listen to the Mr. Mysterio podcast at mrmysterio.com Or just give him a call at 707-VHS-TAN1

November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 17

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PAGE 18 | November 8 - 22, 2023 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

MOVING PICTURES

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ remixes Generation X’s childhood memories for retro scares

BY JOE NOLAN, FILM CRITIC The Last of Us drama series was a hit on HBO earlier this year, demonstrating how a popular video game could make the leap from the console to streaming platforms while bringing its gaming fandom along for the ride. Add the billion dollar box office of The Super Mario Bros. Movie to the mix and 2023 is looking like the year when game films and series are breaking big.

The latest game-gone-Hollywood is Five Nights at Freddy’s which broke records over its opening weekend, earning $130 million in just three days (the movie was released on October 27). The film received mostly dismal reviews, but it has an 88 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes compared to only 26 percent from the critics. Disparate scores on Rotten Tomatoes

aren’t uncommon, but Five Nights at Freddy’s isn’t really a common film. The original Five Nights at Freddy’s video game was released in 2014. The point-and-click horror survival game revolves around a character named Mike Schmidt, a security guard who works the night shift at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. The pizzeria is a sendup of Chuck E. Cheese and the game strategy involves Mike utilizing security cameras, doors, and lights to ward off the attacks of the animatronic animals that come to life inside the pizzeria every night.

Along the way players discover that the mechanical monster menagerie is possessed by the souls of the children who were murdered by the mad robot genius and co-founder of Fazbear entertainment, William Afton. Currently the Freddy’s

universe boasts ten core games, five spin-off games and three novels. And there’s no doubt that it’s the fans of the games and books who helped give the film one of the biggest openings of the year.

Scott Cawthon created Five Nights at Freddy’s. He co-authored the novel trilogy and gets a screenwriting credit here along with Seth Cuddeback and director Emma Tammi. Tammi is solid, delivering PG-13 creeps while evoking a grimier version of the 1980s nostalgia that Stranger Things minted for the young adult audience.

The 1980s was the heyday of the original Chuck E. Cheese restaurant arcades. It was also the decade that began with the Atlanta Child Murders and ended in a Satanic Panic.

Tammi summons the actual creepiness of those times with

lights and cameras accentuating the very weird vibes we get from puppets of all kinds.

The cast lead by Josh Hutcherson is generally strong, but the characters feel like overly simple video game characters complete with some clunky dialog. And those details don’t seem to matter to the young gamer audience this PG-13 film was made for.

The movie takes place in the year 2000. The Freddy’s location Mike works at was shut down in the 1980s following a series of gruesome child murders. Five Nights at Freddy’s doesn’t recreate the Reagan Era. It looks back to the days of the dawn of video gaming with a crazed eye, but one that winks: Freddy’s is full of spot-on Chuck E. Cheese references and Mike’s main nemesis is his aunt Jane, played by certified Brat Packer,

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Mary Stuart Masterson (Some Kind of Wonderful, 1987).

Caw thorn puts his own unique twists on YA nostalgia horror, and he’s an artist who obviously understands what his audience responds to. The immediate success of this movie means we’re sure to get at least one more and I’d love to see this same team follow up with a broader and deeper dive into the dark lore of the game.

I’d love a more-supernatural thriller and less-robots-attack movie. But, what do I know?

These robots are doing just fine.

Five Nights at Freddy’s is in theaters and streaming on Peacock Joe Nolan is a critic, columnist and performing singer/songwriter based in East Nashville. Find out more about his projects at www.joenolan.com.