The Contributor: Nov. 10, 2021

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Volu m e 1 5

| Number 23 | November 10 - 24, 2021

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

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

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17

GRATIS Noviembre

2021

Año 19 - No. 339

L a N ticia

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

Escanee esta imagen para ver La Noticia newspaper edición bilingüe digital

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Nashville, Tennessee

Ley de Infraestructura: ¿Cómo crea y administra su presupuesto el Gobierno federal?

Este viernes 5 de noviembre, y con una votación de 228-206 a favor, la discutida ley de infraestructura de más de un (1) billón de dólares fue finalmente aprobada por la Cámara de Representantes de EE.UU., dando luz verde al proyecto Por Yuri Cunza previamente Editor in Chief aprobado por el @LaNoticiaNews Senado quedando este ya listo para que el presidente Joe Biden lo firme y anuncie.

Con la aprobación de esta ley de infraestructura gigantesca, el gobierno de Biden podrá distribuir fondos a todos los estados para que se realicen obras y mejoras en carreteras, ferrocarriles y otras infraestructuras de transporte en Estados Unidos como aeropuertos, puertos marítimos, la creación de puestos de trabajo, y la expansión del servicio de Internet de banda ancha. El paquete también incluye leyes sobre inmigración, cuidado infantil, preescolar y de ancianos, atención médica, precios de medicamentos y el fomento de la competitividad en general. Pero, ¿como es qué el gobierno administra su presupuesto? A continuación se lo explicamos: El Congreso elabora cada año un presupuesto federal para el año fiscal próximo. El año fiscal del Gobierno federal comienza el 1 de octubre y se extiende durante un año calendario hasta el 30 de septiembre del año siguiente.

Vendor City Guide

Moving Pictures

From his spot at Church and Rep. John Lewis Way, Contributor vendor Paul gives his take on parks, bars and beyond.

The greatest movie monster of all time stomps through the Belcourt this weekend.

Find out who on Page 17!

El Capitolio es el edificio que alberga las dos cámaras del Congreso de los Estados Unidos.

a través de OMB. Entonces el Congreso, encargado de determinar el gasto y adquirir deuda por decreto de la Constitución, comienza su trabajo. Áreas de financiamiento anual El presupuesto anual cubre tres áreas de gastos: Gasto voluntario: Es el financiamiento de las agencias federales, que el Congreso establece anualmente. El gasto discrecional suele representar alrededor de un tercio del presupuesto.

Interés sobre la deuda: Normalmente es menos del 10 por ciento del presupuesto Gasto obligatorio: Es el financiamiento para el Seguro Social, Medicare, beneficios de veteranos y otros gastos requeridos por ley. Normalmente es más de la mitad del presupuesto.

La complejidad del rol que tiene el Congreso en el proceso presupuestario Autorización Para que las agencias y sus programas tengan presupuesto, los comités de autorización del Congreso deben aprobar y el Presidente debe firmar los proyectos de autorización que dan a las agencias la autoridad legal para financiar y operar sus programas.

Normalmente, una agencia o un programa no puede recibir fondos asignados anualmente sin autorización.

La autorización no está ligada al mismo calendario que el proceso de asignaciones presupuestarias; los pro-

gramas pueden ser autorizados en cualquier momento del año sobre una base anual, plurianual o permanente.

Resoluciones presupuestarias La primera tarea del Congreso en el proceso anual es aprobar una resolución presupuestaria que establezca un marco y defina los límites de gastos generales. Las dos cámaras del Congreso (el Senado y la Cámara de Representantes) elaboran su propia resolución presupuestaria. Los dos planes se fusionan y cada cámara vota la misma resolución.

Asignaciones de proyectos El Comité de Asignaciones de cada cámara divide la cantidad asignada para la financiación de las agencias federales entre 12 subcomités. Cada subcomité se encarga de financiar diferentes funciones del Gobierno, tales como el gasto en defensa, energía y agua, interior y medio ambiente y para las agencias involucradas.

Finalización del presupuesto o cierre del Gobierno Si el Congreso aprueba y el Presidente firma, los 12 proyectos de ley para el 30 de septiembre (el último día del año fiscal) el país tiene un nuevo presupuesto a tiempo para comenzar el año fiscal. Si el Congreso no puede llegar a un acuerdo sobre los 12 proyectos de ley separados, puede aprobar un proyecto de ley Ómnibus con fondos para múltiples áreas. Si el presupuesto no se completa para el nuevo año fiscal, el Congreso debe aprobar una resolución permanente autorizando la financiación temporal similar a la que del año anterior o se enfrenta a un cierre del Gobierno.

En el caso de un cierre, el Gobierno deja de emitir pasaportes, cierra los parques nacionales y monumentos, detiene las operaciones de la NASA y pone muchas otras de sus funciones en espera.

Cuando el proceso presupuestario se completa finalmente o el Congreso aprueba una resolución continua, el Gobierno reanuda sus operaciones normales.

El déficit, la deuda y el “techo” de la deuda Cuando la cantidad de dinero que el Gobierno recauda en impuestos y otros ingresos en un año dado es menor que la cantidad que gasta, la diferencia se llama el déficit. Si el Gobierno recauda más dinero del que gasta, el exceso se llama superávit.

El déficit se financia con la venta de títulos del Tesoro (bonos, pagarés y letras), que el Gobierno paga con intereses. Cada año el Gobierno gasta dinero en el interés debido al déficit acumulado de todos los años anteriores combinados, es decir, la deuda nacional.

El “techo” de la deuda es el monto máximo de la deuda nacional que el Gobierno se permite mantener. El Congreso puede votar para elevar dicho tope de la deuda. Si no lo hace y la deuda llega al “techo”, el Gobierno no podrá pedir prestado más dinero y no podrá pagar sus cuentas.

La Noticia + The Contributor

El proceso comienza en el Poder Ejecutivo el año anterior a que el presupuesto entre en vigencia: Las agencias federales diseñan proyectos presupuestarios y los presentan ante la Oficina de Administración y Presupuesto de la Casa Blanca (OMB).

La OMB utiliza los proyectos de las agencias a medida que desarrolla la propuesta de presupuesto del Presidente.

El Presidente envía su propuesta de presupuesto al Congreso a principios del año siguiente después de haber recibido las propuestas de las agencias

Los subcomités realizan audiencias con los líderes de las agencias sobre sus solicitudes presupuestarias y proyectos de ley de asignación de fondos para cada uno. El pleno de la Cámara y el Senado llevan a votación sus proyectos de ley, combinan ambas versiones de cada uno, y al final votan la versión idéntica de cada proyecto de ley. Cada uno de ellos, si es aprobado, va al Presidente para su firma.

La Noticia, one of the leading Spanish-language Conoce tus derechos: ¿Que newspapers hacer en caso de una redada? in the nation, brings Spanish content to The Contributor.

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

Vendor Writing

In this issue, vendors discuss a love of football, and several pieces about the need for change in policies in our city.

Con informacion de www.usa.gov Envíenos sus sugerencias por e-mail: news@hispanicpaper.com

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.

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Contributors This Issue

Hannah Herner • Linda Bailey • Amanda Haggard • Joe Nolan • Justin Wagner • Ridley Wills II • Tony Inglis • Yuri Cunza • Mr. Mysterio • Fred S. • Chris Scott Fieselman • Vicky B. • Norma B. • Yocelyn Riojas • Brenda Barrios • Jared Yazzie • Rue Oliver • Rachelle Baker • Katie Chung • Jill Stanton • Valerie Gaudreault-Guilbert • Nina Yagual • Shyama Kuver • Jazz Danis • Gabby Gonzales

Contributor Volunteers Joe First • Andy Shapiro • Michael Reilly • John Jennings • Janet Kerwood • Logan Ebel • Christine Doeg • Laura Birdsall • Richard Aberdeen • Marissa Young • Ezra LaFleur • Rachel Stanley Cathy Jennings Executive Director Tom Wills Director of Vendor Operations Hannah Herner Staff Writer

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Carli Tharp Social Services Intake Specialist Dymin R Cannon Section 8 and E&T Specialist 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 Andrew Krinks Editor Emeritus

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VENDOR CITY GUIDE: PAUL

VENDOR CITY GUIDE: PAUL INTERVIEW BY HANNAH HERNER

A Michigan transplant, Nashville has certainly grown on Contributor vendor Paul. From his spot at Church and Rep. John Lewis Way, he gives his take on parks, bars and beyond.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT LIVING IN NASHVILLE? Just the people. The majority, they’re all good people. You get some people that ain’t cool, but Nashville to me is like moving out of hell and moving into heaven.

Weather has a lot to do with it, because you don’t get as much snow in the wintertime as you do in Michigan.

BEST TOURIST SPOT: The Ryman because it's a historical landmark.

They are giving tours. The art museums are good.

I ain’t been in the Ryman and I keep on telling myself I’m going to go there. And 5th and Broadway.

I haven’t been in.

meatloaf is good. They’re costly to go in there and eat, but it’s worth it. Varallo’s, they got good food in there too. (Editor’s note: Varallo’s has closed.) I haven’t been in there much so I don’t know much about it but I hear people talking about it a bunch and I go by what other people tell me. And they’re fairly reasonable.

BEST PLACE TO SEE LIVE MUSIC: I go to Ole Red’s, which is right there at 4th and Broadway. That’s a nice place to go. Robert’s Western World ain’t bad. They serve hamburgers and stuff like that, and that’s not too terribly expensive. Find a spot that you like and stick with it. Margaritaville ain’t bad — that’s owned by Jimmy Buffet.

BEST PLACE TO SIT OUTSIDE:

BEST PLACE TO EAT: Puckett’s. I like the biscuits and gravy. I like the pulled pork. I like the blackened catfish. The

Down at the park, right there by the library.

Church Street Park. They have entertainment.

When I’m down there selling the paper on Thurs-

days they have musicians. It’s all good! Most of it is young people trying to cut their teeth. They’re out there trying to get exposure.

BEST PLACE TO TAKE A WALK: Probably at the Bicentennial Mall. It’s a good quiet atmosphere. It’s relaxing. I can kinda get into it.

INSIDER TIP: Explore your city and see what you do like.

Because I like everything. Living here for the last three, going on four years, I’m still learning the city. People need to get out and see what we really do have. I’m not putting down the Convention Center or the visitor’s bureau, but people need to see what we really do have in and around Nashville other than what other people are saying. Get out and explore Nashville. Nashville is worth it.

PAGE 4 | November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 5

NASHVILLE HISTORY CORNER

STEAMBOATING ON THE CANEY FORK

BY RIDLEY WILLS II

The Caney Fork is the largest of the tributaries of the Cumberland River, and one of the most beautiful rivers in the state.

It starts as a small stream north of Pleasant Hill in Cumberland County, continues generally south to Pilot Falls where it drops from the Cumberland Plateau into the "Gulf." The river then flows in a western direction through the "Gulf" before emerging from between high mountain walls at the lower end of Big Bottom, 26 miles upstream from Great Falls. From the falls, it continues through a gorge for about eight miles to below the old Franks Ferry, where the valley opens up and there are many fertile farms, to empty into the Cumberland River a mile upstream from Carthage.

The first steamboat of record to ply the shallow Caney Fork was the Harry Hill. The timber for the boat’s hull was hewed out by Sam Caplinger and William Christian at Caplinger’s Mill on South Fork near Carthage in 1832. The hull was floated to Nashville where machinery was installed. The

boat then returned to Carthage that same year and made her historic trip up the Caney Fork. On a huge tide, she made it all the way to Sligo Landing in Dekalb County, 15 miles by land from Sparta. In time, the Harry Hill became a leading packet on the Cumberland.

On Dec. 17, 1846, a second boat, under Captain A. Davis made it all the way to Oakland also about 15 miles from Sparta.

From 1910 to 1915 there was a gradual reduction in commercial freight on the Upper Cumberland. By 1920, improved highways and trucks began to eat the very heart out of the packet business. Even the Burnside packets, operating in the most remote section of the river, felt the impact of motor vehicle competition. Between 1920 and 1930, very seldom did someone see a steamboat on the Cumberland above Nashville. A few small towboats engaged in handling crossties on the upper river. Some of them may have ventured up the lower section of the Caney Fork for that purpose.

PAGE 6 | November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

NEWS

NEWS BRIEFS

BY HANNAH HERNER

Bill submitted to create separate Department of Housing and Homelessness On Oct. 26, a group involved in homeless services held a rally and press conference pushing for an independent department of housing and homelessness, out from underneath Metro Social Services.

BL2021-971 would do just that. It was heard on its first reading on Nov. 2 and is on the Metro Council agenda again for December. It would take a total of three readings to pass.

It’s something that advocates have pushed for for years, and Councilperson Freddie O’Connell, sponsor of the bill, shared at the end of the conference that he doesn’t anticipate push back from the mayor because it was the mayor’s idea.

“It is clear that the Metro Homeless Impact Division needs a home outside of Metro Social Services, which has a huge sprawling mission, and we need a laser focus on providing housing for people who do not have housing today,” he says.

Later, Andrea Fanta, spokesperson for the mayor’s office, expressed concern that this legislation could be “counterproductive” to the work already being done to alleviate homelessness.

“Our concern is that creating yet another office would needlessly add to the bureaucracy and detract from the ongoing approach,” Fanta wrote in an email.

“Having the Metro Homelessness Impact Division under the city’s Social Services department, as is now the case, allows for a more effective and seamless delivery of the wraparound services that are often essential in getting our unhoused residents into permanent housing. In particular, the two teams are currently integrated in our COVID+ homeless shelter and our encampment emergency responses.”

O’Connell says it would take very little new funding to make this proposed transition, and the staff around the Barnes Housing Trust Fund and Metro Homeless Impact Division would simply be moved over to the new potential department.

Shirley Marks with Nashville Organized for Action and Hope, says the organization has lobbied three different times in favor of this separate department.

“Right now Mayor Cooper has two staff members in his office that deal with The Barnes Fund and with affordable housing. But what happens when there's a different mayor? Will all of this go away?

If there is a separate office of housing and homelessness, the work on affordable housing will continue,” Marks says.

Jay Servais named interim director of Metro Homeless Impact Division Nashville Office of Emergency Management chief Jay Servais was

JAY SERVAIS

named the interim director of Metro Homeless Impact Division on Oct. 29.

This announcement came ten days after Judith Tackett stepped down from the position. Joseph Pleasant, spokesperson for the Office of Emergency Management, didn’t specify an amount of time that Servais will stay in the role, and added that his duties will be split between both MHID and OEM. As OEM chief, Servais managed the COVID-19 emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness located at The Nashville Fairgrounds.

He plans to take that experience into his new role.

November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 7

“In the new role is the continued total care for those that are experiencing homelessness, not just feeding and finding them a place to lay down, but providing them the resources and having partners come on board to have a total care. So, anywhere from their medical needs to their social security card to, you know, the wraparound services that it takes to get somebody back in a direction where they can be successful for themselves,” Servais told The Contributor.

He grew up volunteering with his father, who was heavily involved in The Salvation Army, and other various ministries in Nashville. As a teen, he served meals to those living in the encampment under Jefferson Street Bridge, which has been subject of a concentrated effort to rehouse those living there in the last year. Servais’ own career has centered around a different kind of public service, as a firefighter and Tennessee Guardsman, but says he’s the fourth generation in his family involved in serving people experiencing homelessness in some capacity.

“I remember Friday nights under the Jefferson Street Bridge with my dad and watching him be able to assign caseworkers and and feed and fellowship with those experiencing homelessness and basically providing hope. And help,” Servais said.

NEWS

The new and old of this year’s Cold Weather Community Response

BY HANNAH HERNER The city’s new Cold Weather Community Response plan is lined up for when the temperature drops below 28 degrees. Its goal is to get people who don’t have shelter inside and safe from a risk of death from the elements through low-barrier shelter and transportation.

The city’s plan, headed up by Metro Homeless Impact Division with help from private entities and a Continuum of Care shelter committee, has been different each year since it began in 2016. This year is no exception.

What’s changed: • The emergency cold weather shelter will now be at 3230 Brick Church Pike, formerly Nashville Computer Academy. Last year, it was at The Fairgrounds Nashville along with the COVID-19 emergency shelter.

• Metro Homeless Impact Division has a new director, Jay Servais, formerly with the Office of Emergency Management.

• Room In The Inn will be hosting more people this year — up to 80 a night from 40 last year and down from 150 in years prior.

• Families will be directed to Nashville Rescue Mission, but women and children are separated from men, as the Women’s campus of Nashville Rescue Mission is under construction.

• COVID-19 isolation space will be available at Nashville Rescue Mission as well as the overflow shelter.

• Launchpad is delaying the start of its cold weather sheltering and piloting a program that gives emergency housing for a limited group of LGBTQ young adults in an apartment-like setting.

What’s the same as last year: • Cold weather shelter season is from Nov. 1 until March 31.

• The cold weather shelter is meant to be used for overflow, after others are at capacity.

STAY INFORMED

Text the word Nashvillewinter to 84483. You will get a text roughly 24 hours in advance of each 7 p.m. opening of the cold weather overflow shelter Call (615) 862-6391 to hear if the shelter is open that day.

• The cold weather shelter will only open if the temperature is expected to drop to 28 degrees or below.

Visit coldweathernashville.com

OTHER RESOURCES/ QUESTIONS

• The shelter is operating from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

• COVID protocols require guests to wear a mask.

• The emergency shelter accepts men, women, couples and pets.

• There is space to be out of the elements during the day at Nashville Rescue Mission and Room In The Inn. • Both Nashville Rescue Mission and the overflow shelter have kennels and welcome dogs.

Transportation Nashville Homeless Connect won’t be around this year — the free transportation service just for those experiencing homelessness was run on founder Abdulkadir Mohammed’s own dollar. However, his other company, Mobility Solutions, will be commissioned to transport people from locations around town to the central bus station and to the shelter directly.

• The cold weather emergency shelter is along the 23B bus route.

Teens can call (615) 327-4455 for support with shelter.

Single fathers with children and any families can call Metro Social Services for help with longer-term solutions call (615) 862-6444 Launchpad (specializing in serving LGBTQ young adults) can be reached at (615) 375-6274 Room In The Inn can be reached at (615) 251-9791 Nashville Rescue Mission can be reached at (615) 255-2475 • Shuttles will bring people from different sections of town to shelter directly, or to the Downtown WeGo station to take the 23B bus to shelter. Those with pets that aren’t registered service animals cannot use WeGo, so they will be connected to a shuttle. Call 615-862-6391 to hear the shuttle schedule for the day.

• 350 cold weather bus passes that activate when the emergency shelter does will be distributed by outreach workers

• If those on the way to the shelter don’t have a pass, they can still ride.

• 2-hour bus passes will be handed out in the morning for return trips

Editor’s note: The Contributor’s executive director Cathy Jennings is part of the Continuum of Care’s cold weather shelter committee and helped to formulate the cold weather shelter plan this year.

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

PAGE 8 | November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 9

NEWS

How Open Table Nashville is showing college students and businesspeople the reality of homelessness

BY JUSTIN WAGNER “You don’t want to listen with a sad heart.

You don’t want to listen with a sympathetic heart. You just want to listen,” Alex Smith said to a group of college students and Nashville newcomers. “The privileged seem to forget that everybody needs someone to talk to.”

He was advising the crowd on how they can extend kindness to those experiencing homelessness. Having experienced homelessness himself, Smith knows cheap talk from genuine altruism.

The key, he said, is empathy.

And he was able to share this knowledge, in collaboration with nonprofit Open Table Nashville, in front of several dozen Belmont University students.

“I was just more or less providing living experience,” Smith said. “It was new to me because I didn’t know how they would kind of respond to what I was saying, but I realized that it’s easy to talk to the youth about homelessness because their mind hasn’t been tampered with yet.”

He provided that experience at one of Open Table’s urban immersions, the most recent of which he co-facilitated with Lindsey Krinks, Open Table’s co-founder and director of education, at the Nashville Public Library.

At the immersion, college students re-

Lindsey Krinks of Open Table Nashville (on right) leads a group of students on one of Open Table Nashville's Urban Immersions.

PHOTO BY JUSTIN WAGNER

viewed how city ordinances adversely affect homeless populations, what gentrification does to the housing market and how city streets are policed to continually displace the unhoused.

The immersions are tailored to the audi-

ence — which range from businesspeople to grade school students — and are put together by the leadership at Open Table.

Chase Cate, Open Table’s resource coordinator, has helped organize two of these

immersions so far and said they help people notice the oft-overlooked homeless population.

“I have never had a job that I’ve loved more,” Cate said.

Privilege often goes hand-in-hand with non-proximity to the homeless, Cate explained.

Open Table’s urban immersions make an attempt to bridge the gap in education and awareness by showing people firsthand why solutions are necessary and sharing real stories of affected communities with them.

Smith echoed that sentiment, saying the immersion was an opportunity for him to assist Open Table after they had helped him through mental health challenges and financial issues alike.

He also added that college students are a prime target for the message due to their willingness to learn and lack of established prejudice.

“They are truly concerned,” Smith said.

“They can literally see one of their family members actually becoming homeless … so it’s a little closer to home for them.”

Seeing genuine concern and care for these issues from the current generation was uplifting, even if solutions to homelessness are often out of reach.

“I absolutely loved it.”

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PAGE 10 | November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

NEWS

Q&A: Mary Cnrobori How MNPS’ new advocacy centers help mitigate discipline and trauma in elementary students

BY HANNAH HERNER A model that was once at just a handful of schools is now part of every single Metro Nashville Public Schools elementary school starting this fall, thanks to $5 million in funding as part of the most recent MNPS budget.

Advocacy Centers are focused on supporting students’ social-emotional learning, health and wellness. These spaces are staffed with coaches who provide on-thespot support to students who might be having a hard time emotionally.

Mary Crnobori, the coordinator of trauma-informed schools at MNPS says to be trauma-informed in the school setting means providing safety, not just physically, but emotionally. It also means that students learn how to regulate their emotions, and are given the tools to do so. They emphasize connection to other students and adults that care about them, fostering a sense of belonging. And, of course, learning is a key element — that kids have the capacity to pay attention and have fun in class.

Crnobori sat down with The Contributor to talk about the advocacy centers’ trauma-informed approach.

How do the advocacy centers run in the school setting?

They're really designed to support students in the moment when they need it. When they become upset, we call that emotionally dysregulated. So when they get dysregulated — and that can present as a whole variety of different emotions — whether it's sadness or anger, overwhelmed, frustrated, the whole range. In the moment where they need it, the Advocacy Center space and the coach can help provide them with individualized support to help them get emotionally regulated and forge caring connections, both with the coach and other adults or peers if needed, too.

Would you say that this is an alternative to other kinds of discipline?

Instead of using, say punitive, disciplinary procedures, we instead provide the student with support. We deal with the

can be that sort of safety net, or another layer of safety net.

That Advocacy Center coach can help connect them with other resources that are available, whether it's food or social worker support, as well as just help give them that safe, stable nurturing place. Homelessness, not always, but often may come with a disrupted sense of safety and security, and connection and belongingness. And those are the very things that the Advocacy Center aims to ensure that all of our students have access to.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MNPS

underlying needs, the root of the issue.

It's helping give them opportunities to practice and build skills so that they can better self-manage their emotions and behavior in the future, to try to prevent discipline referrals. And in fact, in a preliminary way, we're already seeing a difference in our numbers — we've had almost no suspensions at the elementary level.

Can you give an example of how a coach would help a kid when they’re acting out?

The type of things that the coaches are using to work with students would be a variety of calming strategies like guided breathing and yoga. They can incorporate fidget tools like stress balls, and pop-its are a big one for kids right now. Glitter wands, glitter balls, glitter jars, those kinds of things. They might be listening to calming music with headphones, they might be using mindfulness apps, and then that connection piece

is huge. So building those social awareness and relationship skills through working with the Advocacy Center coach.

There’s all kinds of charts that show emojis or faces so we can learn to identify the emotions we're having and then we can process through and reflect on to respond, versus react when we have big feelings. It could just be as simple as taking a walk and getting a drink of water while talking to the coach.

How does this program fit into the resources the district is already offering to students experiencing homelessness?

This strategy is absolutely optimal and helpful — and an added layer of support for our students who are experiencing homelessness. Because if they feel unsafe or not secure or unwell because of some of the stressors that they're dealing with outside of school, then the Advocacy Center coach

When you make a donation to The Contributor between Nov. 1 and Dec. 30, NewsMatch will match that donation up to $10,000!

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November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 11

Knowing trauma can affect the brain long-term, is one of the purposes of this intervention to be able to reverse some of that?

So trauma absolutely can and does impact the way the brain can operate and it can impact lifelong outcomes and development.

For example, one child may be homeless, but regardless of where they are, whether they're staying in a car, whether they're kind of just house hopping to different family members. But that one child has access to a parent or a caregiver, anyone who cares deeply about them, who makes them feel loved and protected. And they make sure that even if it's not ideal, they have access to basic needs, and that first and foremost they feel loved and cared about by the caregiver.

So even though that child does have the adversity of homelessness, which is very real and does cause stress, they are far less likely to develop symptoms of trauma, because that stress was buffered by that protective relationship. And say that a child goes to school and they have a safe, stable, nurturing school and a trauma-informed school environment, it's likely that it won't harm development, it won't have lifelong negative effects.

What we know is that protective relationships and environments counterbalance the impacts of the adversities that kids have had, so we're buffering or mitigating trauma. Adversity does not have to become trauma.

COVER STORY

JA Z Z DANIS (OT TAWA , CANADA)

S H YA M A K U V E R ( W A S H I N G TO N D C)

POSTER CAMPAIGN EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 INSP has partnered once again with social art and design lab Amplifier, this time making available posters which emphasize the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and encourage those who have yet to be immunized to do so. It is hoped street papers will republish their choice of art to spread the message of community protection the pieces convey. To go along with this, street papers have been reporting on the attitudes and experiences of marginalized communities when it comes to the vaccine.

BY TONY INGLIS The COVID-19 pandemic rages on and even with vaccines being rolled out for nearly a year now, there are still plenty of individuals and communities who haven’t taken up the option, either due to lack of availability, scepticism or poor understanding due to misinformation.

To emphasise the importance of getting vaccinated, and encourage those who have yet to be immunised to do so, social art and design lab Amplifier has made available to street papers a series of posters which highlight the collective ben-

efits of receiving the vaccine.

Initially targeted at areas where vaccination rates are low by commissioning artists from those locations representing a diverse set of communities, the resulting art is universal in its message that receiving the vaccine is not only safe and not only good for the individual, but will protect those we love and care for too.

People from marginalized communities could have some well-placed misgivings about the vaccine rollout, most of which can

be put down to a general mistrust of a social system that has left them behind. However, street papers have been reporting positively on those who have chosen to get the vaccine and why. Larmarques ‘Myesha’ Smith, who sells Denver VOICE, echoed these sentiments: “Because I am immuno-compromised, it was important for me to get the vaccine to stay healthy. But also, I had misgivings about taking the vaccine. I wanted to see how others who got the vaccine reacted before I took it just because, typically, there has

been mistrust with drugs like that.

But if you think about it, the whole world is being vaccinated against this. That’s how polio was eradicated, so I had to take it….I had to take it.”

Earlier this year, Paul, who sells The Contributor in Nashville said: “Nobody should go without the shot. Nobody. The more people get the shots, get vaccinated, the sooner [the world] can reopen [fully].” More recently, The Big Issue Australia checked in with vaccination clinics protecting the country’s most vulnerable communities to hear their thoughts. Ab-

PAGE 12 | November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

dullah, a 58-year-old former rough sleeper now in secure housing told the magazine: “I’m getting the vaccine because I figure half the population is almost done, so I might as well join in and do the right thing.

If everybody did the right thing and lined up and got their jabs, pretty soon there’d be no COVID-19 to worry about in Australia. I’m doing the right thing for myself and my community.”

Courtesy of Amplifier / INSP North America / INSP.ngo

YO C E LY N R I O J A S (SA N A NTO N I O, TEX A S)

BRENDA BARRIOS (SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA)

J A R E D YA Z Z I E (MESA , ARIZONA)

VA L É R I E G AU D R E AU LT- G U I L B E R T (MONTREAL, CANADA)

N I N A YAG UA L ( J A C K S O N V I LLE , FLO R I D A )

RUE OLIVER (SEAT TLE, WASHINGTON) November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 13

J ILL S TA NTO N (EDMONTON, CANADA)

K ATIE CH U N G (C H I C AG O, I LLI N O I S)

RACHELLE BAKER (DETROIT, MICHIGAN)

REVIEW

Call Me Ezra 'XEN: THE ZEN OF THE OTHER' REFLECTS ON EASTERN MYSTICISM, WEST COAST WILDERNESS, AND KEROUAC-IAN ISOLATION

BY JOE NOLAN Joseph Matheny is a 21st century storyteller: He’s a pioneer of alternate reality gaming and a form of multimedia yarn-spinning known as transmedia. Matheny’s best known project began as a website he launched in the mid1990s. Incunabula.org sprouted from 1980s zine culture, early digital message boards, and the caffeine-fueled conversations that 1990s hacker kids had on coffeehouse porches, poring over copies of Blacklisted! 411, Mondo 2000, and dog-eared copies of Snow Crash.

The site includes a rare book catalog, a brochure and even interviews. The home page message opens with the line, “You have been searching for us without knowing it…” All the material is loosely tied together like a connectthe-dots puzzle that reveals the story of a secret cult that developed an inter-dimensional travel device in an isolated compound in the New Jersey pine barrens at a place called Ong’s Hat. Ong’s Hat is a real place, and Nick Her-

bert — who is interviewed on the site — is an actual physicist who’s written real books about traveling faster than light. Matheny consistently leaves two fingerprints on his best works of fiction: He sprinkles them generously with facts, real people and geographical places you can locate with your phone; and he leaves lots of spaces in-between the various true and false dots where his audience can drive themselves into obsession.

What if it’s real?

We found the same fingerprints marking Matheny’s latest project: The Liminal Cycle is a trio of short experimental narratives that started with Liminal — Matheny published the book digitally in 2017 and as a softcover book in 2020. Liminal’s author is Cameron Whiteside, and the book is structured as a treatment for a film. Matheny wrote the introduction to the book and claims that the manuscript simply turned up at his Wildcard Interactive publish-

ing imprint, followed by a series of mysterious emails. Xen: The Zen of the Other is the second book in the series. This experimental novel is written in the form of an audio tape transcription that outlines a modern day rite of passage in the wilderness in Big Sur, California. The book debuted in February and a new radio-play-style audiobook has just been released.

At his incunabula.org site, Matheny describes Xen: The Zen of the Other as, “a work that follows one man as he attempts to find his way through the jumble of modernity that envelopes us all and threatens to strangle us

in its ‘Tentacles Longer than Night.’” I’ve been aware of Ezra for years: He publishes a blog called thepsychopath.org and his work has appeared in radical ecology poetry journals. But, in Matheny’s work facts and fictions co-exist in a space where the boundaries blur, realities smear, and potentials pulse with anxious anticipation.

Liminal indeed.

In Matheny’s Xen book, Ezra wanders away from successful life: “I was at one time a very influential person.

At least by the standards of the free range mental asylum most people call civilization. Ostensibly my downfall was due to a series of market shifts and bad decisions.”

Ezra travels to Big Sur. Along the way he sheds layers of his life and his former identity, and soon he’s without work and without shelter.

He meets a wizened German baker who knows about life alone on the road. Ralph sets Ezra up with a place to camp behind the diner where he works. The old man and Ezra trade ideas, and when it becomes clear that Ezra is on a spiritual quest, Ralph encourages him to seek a confrontation with his new self alone in the Northern California wilderness.

I enjoyed reading Xen: The Zen of the Other, but the audio radio play is even better. Its gusto voice acting, hypnotic musicscapes, and mystical plot all add up to a transporting experience that’s beyond what we normally expect from a book recording.

Get the Xen: The Zen of the Other audiobook radio play at the Digital Panic Machine Bandcamp page.

The historic and active Downtown Presbyterian Church is still waffling!

2021 marks the 97th year of Waffle Shop Almost a centur y old, the Waff le Shop began in 1925 as a fundraiser for the Downtown Presbyterian Church and evolved into a popular Nashville holiday tradition. In the early days when downtown was the center of Nashville’s retail center, the Waff le Shop marked the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. But, just like everything else in during the coronavirus pandemic, this event has adjusted over time and gone virtual for a second year.

The church will sell tickets to the 2021 Waff le Shop. Tickets must be purchased by November 26, 2021. The $15 ticket includes: • a package of the church’s secret recipe Waff le Mix with cooking instructions

• the opportunity to shop at the church’s homemade bake sale!

Most importantly, it is a contribution to the church’s communit y outreach program which assists less advantaged members of our community, To purchase a ticket or for more information, go to the church’s website (dpchurch.com/events/ waff le-shop-97/)

About Downtown Presbyterian Church Outreach Program: As a downtown congregation, we believe God has called us to reach out into the surrounding community and support Nashville’s most vulnerable and mar-

ginalized residents. We strive to address the needs of those living with burdens such as urban poverty, homelessness addiction & domestic abuse. DPC supports a number of dedicated local non-profit organizations who have built up expertise and effectiveness in their given fields.

Our partner organizations have a proven track record and we have been supporting them through financial contributions, fundraising events and volunteers for many years. The Contributor is one of the organizations that benefits from the church’s outreach program. For a complete list of the organizations supported by the Downtown Presbyterian Church, visit dpchurch.com/mission-outreach

The DPC Waf fle Shop has been going on for 97 years! It survived through several previous U.S. pandemics (1957-1958 Pandemic H2N2 virus, 1968 Pandemic H3N2 virus, and the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic H1N1pdm09 virus) As you can see from this photo from the Nashville Banner archives at the Public Library, several generations have served up waf fles.

PAGE 14 | November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 15

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 Noviembre

2021

Año 19 - No. 339

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

Ley de Infraestructura: ¿Cómo crea y administra su presupuesto el Gobierno federal?

Este viernes 5 de noviembre, y con una votación de 228-206 a favor, la discutida ley de infraestructura de más de un (1) billón de dólares fue finalmente aprobada por la Cámara de Representantes de EE.UU., dando luz verde al proyecto Por Yuri Cunza previamente Editor in Chief aprobado por el @LaNoticiaNews Senado quedando este ya listo para que el presidente Joe Biden lo firme y anuncie.

Con la aprobación de esta ley de infraestructura gigantesca, el gobierno de Biden podrá distribuir fondos a todos los estados para que se realicen obras y mejoras en carreteras, ferrocarriles y otras infraestructuras de transporte en Estados Unidos como aeropuertos, puertos marítimos, la creación de puestos de trabajo, y la expansión del servicio de Internet de banda ancha. El paquete también incluye leyes sobre inmigración, cuidado infantil, preescolar y de ancianos, atención médica, precios de medicamentos y el fomento de la competitividad en general. Pero, ¿como es qué el gobierno administra su presupuesto? A continuación se lo explicamos: El Congreso elabora cada año un presupuesto federal para el año fiscal próximo. El año fiscal del Gobierno federal comienza el 1 de octubre y se extiende durante un año calendario hasta el 30 de septiembre del año siguiente.

El proceso comienza en el Poder Ejecutivo el año anterior a que el presupuesto entre en vigencia: Las agencias federales diseñan proyectos presupuestarios y los presentan ante la Oficina de Administración y Presupuesto de la Casa Blanca (OMB).

La OMB utiliza los proyectos de las agencias a medida que desarrolla la propuesta de presupuesto del Presidente.

El Presidente envía su propuesta de presupuesto al Congreso a principios del año siguiente después de haber recibido las propuestas de las agencias

El Capitolio es el edificio que alberga las dos cámaras del Congreso de los Estados Unidos.

a través de OMB. Entonces el Congreso, encargado de determinar el gasto y adquirir deuda por decreto de la Constitución, comienza su trabajo. Áreas de financiamiento anual El presupuesto anual cubre tres áreas de gastos: Gasto voluntario: Es el financiamiento de las agencias federales, que el Congreso establece anualmente. El gasto discrecional suele representar alrededor de un tercio del presupuesto.

Interés sobre la deuda: Normalmente es menos del 10 por ciento del presupuesto Gasto obligatorio: Es el financiamiento para el Seguro Social, Medicare, beneficios de veteranos y otros gastos requeridos por ley. Normalmente es más de la mitad del presupuesto.

La complejidad del rol que tiene el Congreso en el proceso presupuestario Autorización Para que las agencias y sus programas tengan presupuesto, los comités de autorización del Congreso deben aprobar y el Presidente debe firmar los proyectos de autorización que dan a las agencias la autoridad legal para financiar y operar sus programas.

Normalmente, una agencia o un programa no puede recibir fondos asignados anualmente sin autorización.

La autorización no está ligada al mismo calendario que el proceso de asignaciones presupuestarias; los pro-

gramas pueden ser autorizados en cualquier momento del año sobre una base anual, plurianual o permanente.

Resoluciones presupuestarias La primera tarea del Congreso en el proceso anual es aprobar una resolución presupuestaria que establezca un marco y defina los límites de gastos generales. Las dos cámaras del Congreso (el Senado y la Cámara de Representantes) elaboran su propia resolución presupuestaria. Los dos planes se fusionan y cada cámara vota la misma resolución.

Asignaciones de proyectos El Comité de Asignaciones de cada cámara divide la cantidad asignada para la financiación de las agencias federales entre 12 subcomités. Cada subcomité se encarga de financiar diferentes funciones del Gobierno, tales como el gasto en defensa, energía y agua, interior y medio ambiente y para las agencias involucradas.

Los subcomités realizan audiencias con los líderes de las agencias sobre sus solicitudes presupuestarias y proyectos de ley de asignación de fondos para cada uno. El pleno de la Cámara y el Senado llevan a votación sus proyectos de ley, combinan ambas versiones de cada uno, y al final votan la versión idéntica de cada proyecto de ley. Cada uno de ellos, si es aprobado, va al Presidente para su firma.

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

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.

www.juanese.com juaneseUSA@gmail.com

PAGE 16 | November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Finalización del presupuesto o cierre del Gobierno Si el Congreso aprueba y el Presidente firma, los 12 proyectos de ley para el 30 de septiembre (el último día del año fiscal) el país tiene un nuevo presupuesto a tiempo para comenzar el año fiscal. Si el Congreso no puede llegar a un acuerdo sobre los 12 proyectos de ley separados, puede aprobar un proyecto de ley Ómnibus con fondos para múltiples áreas. Si el presupuesto no se completa para el nuevo año fiscal, el Congreso debe aprobar una resolución permanente autorizando la financiación temporal similar a la que del año anterior o se enfrenta a un cierre del Gobierno.

En el caso de un cierre, el Gobierno deja de emitir pasaportes, cierra los parques nacionales y monumentos, detiene las operaciones de la NASA y pone muchas otras de sus funciones en espera.

Cuando el proceso presupuestario se completa finalmente o el Congreso aprueba una resolución continua, el Gobierno reanuda sus operaciones normales.

El déficit, la deuda y el “techo” de la deuda Cuando la cantidad de dinero que el Gobierno recauda en impuestos y otros ingresos en un año dado es menor que la cantidad que gasta, la diferencia se llama el déficit. Si el Gobierno recauda más dinero del que gasta, el exceso se llama superávit.

El déficit se financia con la venta de títulos del Tesoro (bonos, pagarés y letras), que el Gobierno paga con intereses. Cada año el Gobierno gasta dinero en el interés debido al déficit acumulado de todos los años anteriores combinados, es decir, la deuda nacional.

El “techo” de la deuda es el monto máximo de la deuda nacional que el Gobierno se permite mantener. El Congreso puede votar para elevar dicho tope de la deuda. Si no lo hace y la deuda llega al “techo”, el Gobierno no podrá pedir prestado más dinero y no podrá pagar sus cuentas.

Con informacion de www.usa.gov Envíenos sus sugerencias por e-mail: news@hispanicpaper.com

MOVING PICTURES

“...nuclear proliferation wrapped in a brooding drama...”

THE GREATEST MOVIE MONSTER OF ALL TIME STOMPS THROUGH THE BELCOURT THIS WEEKEND

BY JOE NOLAN Film Critic Although he’s sometimes played second banana to King Kong in terms of popularity, Godzilla’s one of the greatest large-scale monsters in movie history: The Lizard King boasts 32 films to his credit; the Legendary MonsterVerse reboot trilogy just climaxed this spring with Godzilla vs. Kong; and the 1954 original film has been enshrined in a Criterion Collection release. Of course a big monster deserves a big screen to swing his tail on, and the Ishiro Honda classic will be screening with a shiny new 4K restoration at the Belcourt this weekend.

Ishiro Honda made his mark directing special-effects-driven tokusatsu films and his Godzilla flicks were his towering achievement. The movie is a showcase for Honda’s imaginative effects-based filmmaking, but it’s also a deeply moving film.

While post-war sci-fi and horror movies were generally full of nuclear paranoia, one can't compare the what-if worries of Cold War Americans and Soviets to the actual, horrific losses of the Japanese at Hiroshima

and Nagasaki. While most international monster moviegoers love Godzilla films for their silly costumes and bonkers chaotic destruction, Honda’s original Godzilla film was made in the shadow of actual mushroom clouds, and it’s shot-through with a sense of deep national trauma.

In the original, Godzilla is a reptile mutant who achieved his incredible size, strength and special powers from radiation exposure after an atomic bomb test. Maybe it’s no coincidence that the monster's most recent surfacing in the Godzilla vs. Kong epic coincides with the ten-year anniversary of the nuclear disaster in Fukushima in 2011? One particularly chilling scene in this first Godzilla film finds government officials and scientists arguing about whether they should make their information about the mutating effects of the nuclear testing public. The scene reads like an eerie echo of the lack of transparency the Japanese government offered following the disaster in Fukushima.

Honda’s special effects wizard, Eiji Tsuburaya originally conceived of Godzilla as a giant octopus creature. Once the filmmakers decided that a dinosaur-style monster would be a better fit, Tsuburaya was inspired to pioneer the so-called “suitmation” filmmaking techniques by pairing a live performer in an elaborate costume interacting with highly detailed and relatively vast miniaturized sets. The production was so effects-driven that Honda needed 51 days to shoot his cast during principle photography, but required an additional 71 days to lens all of the effects shots.

Godzilla was directly inspired by The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953), and King Kong (1933) was the movie that inspired Eiji Tsuburaya to become a filmmaker.

Godzilla’s plot is practically a straight copy of The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms which saw an atomic bomb test awaken an ancient dinosaur from its hibernation in the Arctic Circle before the creature swims to Manhattan, unleashing havoc

November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 17

in the Big Apple. That said, Tuburaya’s monster is a more unique creation than The Beast, and Honda’s movie dispensed with the lighter tones of its inspirations, purposefully creating a much darker film that would play on the real life anxieties peculiar to postwar Japan.

Without giving away too many spoilers, Godzilla is a bad guy in this first installment and — while this is a monster movie — it's also a thoughtful meditation on the insanity of nuclear proliferation wrapped in a brooding drama that's full of palpable grief and loss. We still care about this movie because it's one of those rare treasures of the genre: a monster flick that's full of humanity. Godzilla screens at the Belcourt this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 13-14. 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 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

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.

24th Thursday after Trinity 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.

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.

25th Wednesday after Trinity WHAT is that which shines through me, and strikes upon my heart without hurting it? And I shudder and kindle: shudder, in as much as I am unlike it; kindle, in as much as I am like it. It is Wisdom, Wisdom’s self which thus shines into me; even breaking through my cloudiness: which yet again overshadows me fainting from it, under the gross fog and heavy load of mine own punishment.

St Augustine: Confessions.

THEN also thou shalt so rest in us, as thou now workers in us: and so shall that rest be thine, through us; even as these works are thine through us. But Thou, O Lord, dost work always, and rest always too.

St Augustine: Confessions.

25th Thursday after Trinity THE qualities of the devil and all fallen angels are good qualities; they are the very same which they received from their infinitely perfect Creator, the very same which are and must be in all heavenly angels; but they are an hellish, abominable malignity in them now, because they have, by their own self-motion, separated them from the light and love which should have kept them all glorious angels.

William Law: An Appeal.

25th Friday after Trinity WHETHER I eat or drink, or whatever else I do, the dreadful trumpet of the last day seems always sounding in my ears: Arise, ye dead, and come to judgement.

Attr. to St Jerome by Alan Butler: Life of St Jerome.

OUR critical day is not the day of our death, but the whole course of our life: I thank him, that prays for me when my

bell tolls; but I thank him much more, that catechizes me, or preaches to me, or instructs me how to live.

Donne: Sermons.

25th Saturday after Trinity

IT is very dangerous to go into eternity with possibilities which one has oneself prevented from becoming realities. A possibility is a hint from God. One must follow it. In every man there is latent the highest possibility, one must follow it. If God does not wish it them let him prevent it, but one must not hinder oneself. Trusting to God I have dared, but I was not successful; in that is to be found peace, calm and confidence in God. I have not dared: that is a woeful thought, a torment in eternity.

Kierkegaard: Journals.

AN old man was once asked, “How is it that thou art never dejected?” And he said, “Because each day I hope to die.”

The Paradise of the Fathers.

Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Trinity SO just as a good mariner when he draws near to the harbour lets down his sails, and enters it gently with slight headway on; so we ought to let down the sails of our worldly pursuits, and turn to God with all our understanding and heart, so that we may come to that haven with all composure and with all peace. And our own nature gives us a good lesson in gentleness, in so far as there is in such a death no pain, nor any bitterness; but as a ripe apple lightly and without violence detatches itself from its bough, so our soul severs itself without suffering from the body where it has dwelt.

Dante: Convivio.

OUR wills are quiescent in the nature of love; here love is fate; and in this blessed being all our wills are held in the divine will, where all are made into one will; and his will is our peace.

Dante: Paradise (abridged).

26th Monday after Trinity IT is a great mystery of divine love, that not even in Christ was exception made of the death of the body; and although He was the Lord of nature, He refused not the law of the flesh which He had taken upon Him. It is necessary for me to die, for Him it was not necessary.

St Ambrose: On the Death of Satyrus.

WHEN the last time has arrived, and in the hour of death thou art lonesome and forsaken, thou wilt desire, as the very last thing in the world of which thou no longer art a part, thou wilt desire what to-day thou dost desire.

Kierkegaard: Christian Discourses.

26th Tuesday after Trinity WHAT Tophet is not Paradise, what brimstone is not amber, what gnashing is not a comfort, what gnawing of the worm is not a tickling, what torment is not a marriage bed to this damnation, to be secluded eternally, eternally, eternally, from the sight of God? Donne: Sermons.

ALL that we shall say and sing in heaven will be of his passion. Even our glory in heaven, at last, is not principally for ourselves, but to contribute to the glory of Jesus Christ.

Donne: Sermon at Lincon's Inn.

Sponsored by Matthew Carver, publisher

PAGE 18 | November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

FUN

HOBOSCOPES SCORPIO

Is it already getting dark out there, Scorpio? But it’s so early! I feel like I just got out of the house and now the sun’s going down. This is just like yesterday when it was dark before I got home from work. What if this happens again tomorrow? I guess we’ll have to make plans that don’t involve so much sunlight. Maybe it’s a good night to stay in and read. Maybe you could go out to one of those fancy places with electric lights.

I think you’ve got what it takes to make the best of a quickly darkening situation, Scorpio.

SAGITTA R IUS

Do you ever feel like there’s just too much stuff? This may be a good day to start a giveaway box. First, you’re gonna need a box. No problem! Here’s one. Then there’s nothing to it but filling it up. You can put in the sweater that never really fit right. And the book about taxidermy that your brother got you as a joke. And the three pairs of identical promotional sunglasses that your insurance company keeps sending you. You’re doing great, Sagittarius!

Now you can...Hey, wait! Don’t put this newspaper in there or you’ll never find out what to do with your giveaway box! Oh well. I’ll mail you a list of donation sites.

CAPRICORN

What’s the difference between thankfulness and gratitude? Well, I’d say thankfulness is something you feel. You might feel thankful for your home or your friends or the clothes on your back. Gratitude is something you can practice. One way is to name three things you’re grateful for right now. Did you do it? Great!

Maybe set an alarm and do it again tomorrow (don’t worry, you’ll be able to think of three more.) If you practice gratitude a little bit every day you won’t have to try so hard to feel thankful.

AQUA RIUS

Somehow I’ve managed to eat s’mores for the past 4 consecutive days. I swear I didn’t plan this. It’s just that I happen to be at a campfire and there happen to be some marshmallows and graham crackers and, wouldn’t you know it, chocolate. And then it happened again.

And again. What I’m trying to tell you, Aquarius, is that sometimes things line up just right. And

most people think those moments are rare. But what I’m proving lately, is that it might happen again tomorrow. So enjoy your today, but don’t stop looking for some more tomorrow.

PISCES

Sometimes when people come close to death and survive they report having had an out-of-body experience. Sometimes they watch from above as doctors attempt to revive them. Sometimes they see friends and loved ones who have already died. Usually they feel a sense of peace. I’ve never had an out-of-body experience, Pisces. But I have noticed how easy it is for me to watch my life go by like I’m not even participating in it. Does that ever happen to you? Sometimes we’ve got to work to stay in this thing. I’ll work a little harder at it if you will too. Deal?

ARIES

And then she was all like “unexpected item in bagging area,” and so I go “No there is not an unexpected item in bagging area! Not if I expected it!” So then she’s all “please wait for assistance” and I go “Assist this! I’m just gonna take my stuff and go!” and that, Aries, is how I ended up being detained by security after an altercation with a disembodied self-checkout robot.

Some days you’re just looking to start a fight. Make sure you choose a worthy opponent.

TAURUS

Due to supply chain issues, The Stars were unable to provide any insight for your upcoming week, Taurus. But while we wait for the next shipment of astrological wisdom to arrive, feel free to take a “Live, Laugh, Love” pillow from the bin on your way out.

GEMINI

Once again I find myself cleaning out my fridge and throwing out a bag of carrots that I didn’t get to in time. The thing is, Gemini, I like carrots. But when I look at all my choices, they just never come in first place.

So I put them off and put them off and then they finally go in the compost. But next time I’m in the produce section, I’ll put a bag of carrots in my cart and try again. It’s good to equip ourselves to be the kind of people we want to be. It’s good to forgive ourselves when we don’t live up to it.

CANCER

I grew up eating turkey every Thanksgiving. Usually my grandmother made it along with the rest of the feast that I would plow through in about 10 minutes. But I grew up and moved away and I stopped eating turkey for ethical reasons and my grandmother passed on.

Sometimes I feel like I’ve lost some things between then and now, Cancer. But I think I can still manage to share a meal and say why I’m thankful. It doesn’t matter what’s on the plate or who’s at the table. I’ll save you a seat.

LEO

The leaves on the little tree in the Savea-Bunch parking lot all turned the most amazing shade of deep red and now they’re starting to fall one at a time and pile up against the curb in a bright red line. It’s amazing, Leo, what beauty you can find if you don’t forget to look. What can you see from your window?

VIRGO

Feeling a little out of control, Virgo?

Like maybe you’re not in charge of your own life anymore? You want to make sure you’re still the one calling the shots around here?

Maybe try making breakfast for dinner. It sounds crazy but I think it might work. Eggs and waffles after dark? Orange juice by the light of the moon?

Yeah, you get it. If you really want to know this world is yours for the taking, all it takes is a grapefruit under the stars.

LIBRA

I had to bring my little aloe plant inside so it wouldn’t freeze out on the patio. I keep it in the window now but it doesn’t get much direct sunlight. I think it’s getting sad. You know the feeling, Libra. You’re still getting just enough of what you need to not shrivel up completely, but you need a lot more if you’re really going to thrive. Sure, you can hold out for a couple of months if you have to, but what if you took better care of yourself than that? Maybe plan a trip somewhere where there’s enough sun all day and it doesn’t freeze after dark. If that sounds too pricey, turn up the heater and watch The Muppet Show.

Mr. Mysterio is not a licensed astrologer, a registered arborist, or a trained short-order cook. 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

November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 19

I'm Running for Re-Election and I respectfully ask for your prayers, your support and your VOTE!!

--Judge Rachel L. Bell

Judge serving the people

ON & OFF

the bench since 2012 !!!

Justice does NOT stop at the courthouse steps!

181,881 28,895 Criminal Cases

Civil Cases

8,798

Traffic Cases

4,541 Mental Health Committals

14,097 $129,481 Participants Assisted

Taxpayer Money Saved

Created the 1st Community Court in TN !

C.A.R.E. (Creating Avenues for Restoration & Empowerment) Diversionary Court for Ages 18-30

RESTORE RE-ENTRY Court to Expunge records, waive court costs, fines & fees, Community Service Beautification Projects & connecting returning citizens to jobs, housing and a 2nd chance L.E.G.A.C.Y. (Let Every Goal Achieve Continuous Yields) Housing Resource Diversionary Court for landlords and tenants that are dealing with non-payment of rent and eviction matters Early Voting: Wed. April 13, 2022- Thurs. April 28, 2022

Election Day:

May 3, 2022

PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT JUDGE RACHEL L. BELL, ROBERT NOTESTINE, III, TREASURER

PAGE 20 | November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

CROSSWORD THEME: TH A N KSGI V ING ACROSS 1. "If all ____ fails..."

5. *Male Thanksgiving bird 8. Yoko's last name 11. Indian restaurant bread 12. Carhop's carrier 13. *"Kiss the Cook" garment 15. Homer's "The Odyssey", e.g.

16. *Grandpa or Grandma, often 17. Moolah or dough 18. *Pilgrim's colony 20. Allah's cleric 21. Arranges into categories 22. Chance's genre 23. *"Plains, Trains and Automobiles" star 26. Woven containers 30. Kimono sash 31. Aristotle's school 34. Part of ideal 35. Hurricane feature, pl.

37. Comedian Schumer 38. Teen worry 39. Side of a ruler 40. Left over 42. *When will the guests be here?, acr.

43. Rejuvenate 45. Expression of agree-

ment (2 words) 47. *What Turkey Trot participants did 48. Outdoor entertainment area 50. Messy substances 52. *It makes Thanksgiving wishes come true?

55. Half of diameter, pl.

56. Flu symptom 57. Accompanies relief 59. Leaves out 60. More than a talker?

61. Isaac's firstborn 62. Skin cyst 63. "____ my party, and I'll cry if I want too..."

64. Confederate or Union, e.g.

DOWN 1. Compass dir.

2. Arctic native 3. Go yachting 4. Become enclosed in a cyst 5. Freshwater fish 6. Hop-drying kilns 7. *Pumpkin pie at the first Thanksgiving, e.g.

8. Sea World's performer 9. "Cheers" regular 10. Top seed

November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 21

12. Like a rosebush 13. Spy name 14. *Kind of squash 19. Toils 22. Truck brand motto: "Guts. Glory. ____" 23. Lawn trimmer 24. Toe the line 25. Designs on lemur's tail 26. Purchases 27. #39 Across, pl.

28. T in Ferrari TR 29. Thai restaurant chicken staple 32. Elder's support 33. Flightless bird 36. *Thanksgiving football game host city

since 1934 38. Impromptu 40. Big coffee holder 41. Choice word 44. Desert mirage 46. Makes less tight 48. Lace loop 49. "Angela's _____," memoir 50. *Raiders vs. Cowboys, e.g.

51. Scandinavian war god 52. Dry riverbed 53. Not final or absolute 54. Exclamation of surprise, archaic 55. Propel your boat!

58. Color wheel feature

VENDOR WRITING

BACK BEING ME FRED S.

Being homeless for over two years dealing with days of pain and tears

GET THIS DONE

I lost myself of who I am.

WRITTEN BY CHRIS SCOTT FIESELMAN

People looking at me up and down as I walk all over this town.

Now that I’m in my own place

For so many years,

I’m not about,

I can look at them in their face.

And it’s still going on,

Giving out,

Why?

A lot of discussion,

Hand-outs for free,

‘Cause I’m Back Being Me.

And nothing gets done.

To those,

So many good people.

Grossing Social Security.

They tried and they failed.

Who could probably part,

Cause, nobody wins,

With ten dollars a day.

When indifference prevails.

Three Hundred a month,

So here we still are,

For a warm place to stay.

Still waiting for change.

And what about,

For something to start,

All of those,

Not more of the same.

Help Wanted Signs.

Let’s take a good look,

When good help,

At the problem at hand,

In Nashville’s,

Let’s make a commitment.

So hard to find.

Come up with a plan.

An employee,

The mission’s been given,

Who’s Grateful,

Twenty-five huts,

To be given,

To quarantine guests,

A Chance.

In their parking-lot.

Daily delivered by,

Completely equipped,

Day Labor Vans.

With both Heat and A.C.

I’m talking ‘bout,

A door with a lock and Electricity.

Building A Community,

I like the idea,

In The Land of Opportunity.

And I think the time’s come,

A Tiny House Option,

To take it from here,

Of Miniature Homes,

And see things get done.

Or a campground,

The first thing we need,

Where Camping’s,

Is a good place to start,

Allowed and Condoned.

With so many “NIMBY”

And maybe include,

Not In My Back Yard.

Some Amenities,

We can’t even find,

Like showers,

a small patch of land,

And Laundry Facilities.

To help those with nothing,

Is it too much to ask?

Start over again.

Has the time,

Let’s say, there’s a place,

Finally Come?

For arguments sake,

Forgetting the past,

That we can establish,

Let’s at last,

And what that’s going to take.

Get This Done.

THE POLITICS OF HOUSING

BY VICKY B. This past year I’ve had the pleasure of being on the Homeless Planning Council and some various committees associated with the Continuum of Care here in Nashville because of my lived experience. It’s not only been an eye opener, but a learning process as well. Mostly it’s been frustrating to sit in meeting after meeting and not hear about new affordable housing units when affordable housing clearly ends homelessness. However, they did see 500 homeless individuals into affordable housing and closed down a large encampment.

Now with the recent resignation of Judith Tackett, the head of Metro Homeless Impact Division, it’s being proposed that an independent office of housing and homelessness be formed. Open Table Nashville stated, “They need to pioneer solutions and partnerships that will not only work, but will impact the lives of countless Nashvillians who are struggling to obtain and maintain affordable housing.” I’m not sure if this is the answer, but what we’re doing so far isn’t working at building more affordable housing.

Without lived experience you really can’t understand what homeless people go through every day. Social Workers have a bachelor’s or master’s degree, but no lived experience. How can people in that field really know how it is unless they experience it themselves? They don’t, so they rely on book smarts and fail at street smarts and eventually fail at real housing for people in homelessness. My idea is to give those who want to be social workers a backpack, a sleeping bag, take away their money, credit cards and phones and have them return in a week. Make them find a way to live outdoors in an encampment to gain the valuable knowledge and experience that’s needed for these important roles. Several people do outreach and climb in the so-called trenches giving aid to the homeless, but never actually live it. They can see what it does, but the experience of it, I feel, is an important part of being a Social Worker. Books aren’t everything.

They can’t explain everything. Some things you just have to experience for yourself to really have a grasp.

This is probably why I’ve never held much stock in social workers and outreach workers because lived

experience is rarely in their resume. However, they do play a very important role in keeping homeless people well fed, clothed and, when possible, sheltered for the night. They also help keep them up to date with housing resources and act as a liaison in some situations.

I got really excited when Mayor John Cooper put together a task force to aid in the creation of affordable housing and they put together a plan, which basically said they needed money to build more. WOW I could have told you that after watching many go through homelessness, including myself.

Basically, right now you have to wait for the waitlist to open up which really means you have to wait for residents to die before you get a spot in housing.

A year of seeing the politics of housing has been frustrating and disgusting.

The best movement I’ve ever seen happened while working on the Emergency Cold Weather Task Force.

This group of people moved mountains to ensure that homeless people had a safe warm place in the winter months due to the fairgrounds not being available.

MDHA is the largest supporter of affordable housing here in Nashville, but more is desperately needed. MDHA provides affordable housing with 5,700 units through their 23 community properties and another 7,000 through Section 8 vouchers scattered about Davidson County with only 75 more in the near future. Sure, many new apartments have been built here in Nashville, but they don’t accept Section 8 and they aren’t set up to be called affordable housing. Nashville is growing at an alarming rate while leaving those who are unhoused by the wayside.

Changes have to be made. Change to what we’ve done previously is the only thing that’ll end the homelessness situation in Nashville. Affordable housing ends homelessness. In order to have a firm grasp on the homeless situation more affordable housing is needed and more people in power with actual lived experience. The reality is we can and must do better. We must become aggressive with housing or homelessness will never end. Enough of the band aids. We need to move on to proven solutions and that’s affordable housing.

PAGE 22 | November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

VENDOR SUBMISSIONS

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

BY NORMA B. With the 2021 NFL season well underway, the timing seems right for this story.

No one knows exactly where my love of football came from. I’ve had it as long as I can remember, even before I knew or understood exactly what was going on.

My dad’s family only liked college ball, because according to them, it was about sheer talent and athleticism, not money. And since most of them were from Alabama, you can guess who they rooted for.

I can appreciate that, but since I’m from Tennessee, I favor the UT Vols, but I also appreciate the skill, talent and consistent winning record of Alabama Crimson Tide.

Since I have relatives in both states I figure I can get away with that — Roll Tide!

Further fueling my love of football, I consider Gallatin, Tenn. “home.” It also happens to be home of the Gallatin Green Wave.

Even when I wasn’t “in town” I always kept up with how my “home team” was doing, and I attended as many games as I could in person.

One of my most prized possessions as a teen was my Gallatin Green Wave jacket, which I proudly wore no matter what school I attended — even if we had a game against them which didn’t make me very popular,

in fact, it was quite the opposite it was a constant source of contention — especially in Mt. Juliet, home of the Golden Bears. They had a fierce rivalry! (In 8th grade I was zoned for that school because we lived just across the Wilson County line. That lasted for 18 days, then my mom let me live with my aunt Mary so I could return to Gallatin.)

The only good part of attending Mt. Juliet Jr. High? Charlie Daniels put on a “teen friendly” version of a Volunteer Jam! Totally Awesome, Right?

Calvin Short coached Gallatin’s high school football team as long as I can remember. He led them to three state championships in 1978, 1989, and 1992. My personal favorite was in 1978. I was in 5th grade. We got out of school early so as many as possible could attend the game in person. Marquis signs all over town read, “Will the last person headed out of town please turn off the lights?”

We were runners up three times, in 1982, 1991, and 1997. Coach Short’s record during his tenure there was 205 wins and 30 losses, not too shabby!

For some reason, I was always drawn to professional football, namely, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Terry Bradshaw, who incidental-

ly led his team to eight AFC Central Championships and four Super Bowl titles. (For all you haters out there, this was long before the Tennessee Titans came into existence — they were still the Houston Oilers back then.)

My love of the game has always been apparent to all who were paying attention, but my mom just couldn’t understand why I was SO fascinated with the game.

In an effort to explain and maybe have a more positive shared experience with her, I tried to teach her the basics: You have four attempts called downs to move the ball 10 yards. She didn’t think that seemed too hard.

I said don’t you see all those big guys chasing after the guy with the ball? Her response?

“You know why they’re all chasing him? They wanna get their quarter back!” My mom always did have a sense of humor.

I also tried to explain the various names and roles of the offensive and defensive players: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, defensive tackle, linebacker etc.; penalties: offsides and delay of game or roughing the passer or intentional grounding etc.; And scoring: field goals touchdowns extra points and two point conversions, safeties etc.

At first, I felt like I was talking to a brick wall. Nothing I said was getting through, but with a little persistence and a lot of patience things slowly but surely started to sink in. Yay! It was great, until it wasn’t.

She became obsessed with Joe Mon-

tana and the San Francisco 49ers. When I asked how this happened she commented on his blue eyes and his Hanes underwear commercials. (Not exactly a reason to like a quarterback.)

Now I know all you statisticians out there are thinking of his many records such as: his 3,049 completions for 40,551 yards, or maybe his 273 touchdowns, or the fact that he holds the Super Bowl record for the most passes without an interception (122 in four games), or maybe you’re aware that he holds the highest passer rating of all time at 127.8.

Still, none of these things were what my mom was focused on. Just how far did she take her obsession? She suggested that I name my daughter Helena Montana. My reaction?

I said, “Mom, that’s a state and a capital!”

Believe it or not, it gets worse.

When my son was born she wanted me to name him Russell Edward George Wesley Montana Bracey. (For the record, that’s after his two grandfathers who had died before he was born, and of course, Joe Montana.)

I thought to myself, are you kidding me?

Absolutely not! I told her this kid’s not royalty! There’s no way I’m doing that!

I suppose something good came out of this experience in the end. My mother developed an appreciation of the game and NOT just Joe Montana, and eventually we could sit down and watch a game together sometimes cheering for the same team, other times on opposing sides but we always had good food and a good time was had by all!

This Thanksgiving, we give thanks to you for the privilege of serving.

Join us for a Thanksgiving Meal at anyone of our these locations: November 19th 4pm to 6pm Salvation Army East Campus 611 Stockell St. Nashville, TN 37207

November 21st 11am to 1pm Salvation Army South Campus 525 Paragon Mills Rd. Nashville, TN 37211 Thankgsiving Day November 25th LIFNAV Mobile Thanksgiving Multiple locations around downtown

Learn more at SalvationArmyNashville.org November 10 - 24, 2021 | The Contributor | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | PAGE 23

November 21st 1pm to 3pm Salvation Army North Campus 425 Neely’s Bend Madison, TN 37115