Iconic Landmark Sign To Remain In Green Hills

The Community Has Spoken........



In spite of the efforts of Brookside Properties to unify and homogenize commercial signs in the Hillsboro Plaza Shopping Center and thanks to the more than 5,000 community members who voted in favor of keeping the iconic landmark, the neon Fox Donut Den sign will soon return to its home on Hillsboro Road, where it will remain as an illuminating and lonely reminder of days gone by.

Former Crew Members Give The USS Nashville A Final Salute During Ceremony In Norfolk Virginia

After nearly four decades of service, the Navy decommissioned the Norfolk-based amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville in a ceremony today at Naval Station Norfolk.

To Help In The Fight Against Breast Cancer, The Opry Goes Pink, October 2

On October 2, Country Super Star Carrie Underwood Will Flip A Switch Turning The Opry's Signature Barn Pink

With the help of “Good Morning America” co-anchor and breast cancer survivor Robin Roberts, The Grand Ole Opry will join the fight against breast cancer by going "Pink" for two show this Friday, when Carrie Underwood will take the state to "flip the switch," turning the Opry's signature barn pink in support of Women Rock For The Cure and The Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Robin Roberts will introduce the Greater Nashville Affiliate Susan G. Komen for the Cure 2009 Honorary Survivor of the Year Tracie Shelby to the crowd. The shows will also include performances from Underwood, Terri Clark, Jo Dee Messina, Lorrie Morgan, Mindy Smith, and others as well as special activities recognizing breast cancer survivors and the continuing fight against the disease.

For ticket information call 1- 800-733-6779

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester On Upcoming Gubernatorial Election

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman, Chip Forrester


Lt. Governor Ramsey Intends To Obstruct Fair Elections


Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester said Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey's intention to bring up legislation in the Senate delaying the implementation of a law requiring the use of paper ballots is more proof that Republicans want to obstruct fair and verifiable elections in Tennessee.

"Sen. Ramsey, Secretary of State Tre Hargett and Election Coordinator Mark Goins have dug in their heels on this issue," Forrester said. "They are trying to make the argument that there are no voting machines capable of both scanning paper ballots and adhering to Tennessee law.

"That is utter nonsense and only a tactic to delay fair and verifiable elections. Mr. Ramsey and his Republican cronies are not above the law. Just think, this man wants to be governor of our state. We certainly do not need a governor who refuses to follow our laws or the will of the people."

Citing an opinion issued by the General Assembly's Office of Legal Services, Hargett has refused to implement the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act. The law requires all county election commissions make the switch to optical scan machines and paper ballots before the November 2010 election.

The opinion refers to voting system standards and whether Tennessee law directly mandates that machines purchased adhere to the 2002 or 2005 guidelines adopted by the federal Election Assistance Commission.

"That opinion is weak," Forrester said. "Even the EAC says its guidelines are voluntary, which means the Secretary of State has the authority to go ahead and purchase the machines as the law stands now."

Tennessee has more than $35 million in federal funds set aside to purchase the optical scan machines and train election workers to use the voting technology.

Ramsey recently told the Kingsport Times-News that a bill delaying implementation of the law until 2012 will top his legislative agenda next year.

"We deserve leaders who obey our laws, understand our concerns and work tirelessly to serve us," Forrester said. "These officials are either conspiring to deny basic voter rights or they are stubbornly ignorant.

"Either way, Tennesseans cannot afford to have this kind of leadership running our government," he added.

Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story Opens In Nashville October 2nd At Regal Green Hills 16

On the 20-year anniversary of his groundbreaking masterpiece Roger & Me, Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story comes home to the issue he’s been examining throughout his career: the disastro...( read more )us impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the rest of the world). But this time the culprit is much bigger than General Motors, and the crime scene far wider than Flint, Michigan. From Middle America, to the halls of power in Washington, to the global financial epicenter in Manhattan, Michael Moore will once again take filmgoers into uncharted territory.

With both humor and outrage, Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story explores a taboo question: What is the price that America pays for its love of capitalism? Years ago, that love seemed so innocent. Today, however, the American dream is looking more like a nightmare as families pay the price with their jobs, their homes and their savings. Moore takes us into the homes of ordinary people whose lives have been turned upside down; and he goes looking for explanations in Washington, DC and elsewhere. What he finds are the all-too-familiar symptoms of a love affair gone astray: lies, abuse, betrayal…and 14,000 jobs being lost every day.

Capitalism: A Love Story is both a culmination of Moore’s previous works and a look into what a more hopeful future could look like. It is Michael Moore’s ultimate quest to answer the question he’s posed throughout his illustrious filmmaking career: Who are we and why do we behave the way that we do?

The Regal Green Hills 16 Cinema is located in Nashville at 3815 Green Hills Village Drive. For show times call (615) 269-5910.

Go here to view a trailer of Capitalism: A Love Story.

METRO SELECTS SITE FOR NEW WEST POLICE PRECINCT AND DNA LAB

West Nashville Precinct Commander Michelle Richter

Legislation filed to acquire property on Charlotte

Mayor Karl Dean announced today that legislation has been filed to acquire property on Charlotte Avenue for a new West Police Precinct and Metro’s first DNA Crime Lab.

Both projects are part of the administration’s capital spending plan passed by the Metro Council earlier this year. The property selected is a former Ford dealership on 6-acres of land at 5500 Charlotte Ave., near the intersection of White Bridge Road.

"This location is highly accessible and provides ample room for both an expanded West Precinct and a new state-of-the-art DNA lab,” Dean said. “The DNA lab will allow us to identify and arrest more criminals, faster, making our city that much safer. And the new West Precinct will provide space for the public to meet and gather – connecting that community to our police department, something we know improves public safety.”

The current West Precinct is the city’s oldest and smallest precinct facility at approximately 4,000 square feet in size. The newer facilities serving North, South, Hermitage and East Nashville have approximately 20,000 square feet of space, including community meeting rooms.

"This critical project not only replaces a woefully inadequate precinct building, but also brings cutting edge technology to our police department so that we can solve even more crime through science,” Police Chief Ronal Serpas said. “This land acquisition and renovation is a win-win for West Nashville's neighborhoods and the overall safety of our city. I am sincerely grateful to Mayor Dean and the Metro Council for including this project in the capital budget.”

Following Council approval of the land acquisition, the new precinct and crime lab will take 12 to 18 months to complete.

EXIT 196

By Betsy Thorpe



Dozens of travelers leave I-40 at Exit 196 everyday, some to visit friends and family, others for fuel, refreshment or lodging. They all have a story to tell and we are here to share a tale or two that we heard at Exit 196.

On September 28, a group of Naval veterans from Dallas Texas arrived at EXIT 196. In route to Norfolk Virginia to attend the decommisioning of The USS Nashville, the ship's former sailors were proud to discuss the history and legacy of this city's namesake ship.

The USS NASHVILLE is one of a class of ships designated Amphibious Transport Dock. She was built by Lockheed Shipbuilding Company, in Seattle Washington, and was commissioned at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, on 14 February 1970. She is the fifth battleship to carry the name "Nashville".

On June 12, 2009, after 39 years of service, the amphibious transport dock USS Nashville returned home to Naval Station Norfolk from its final deployment which started on January 15. The Nashville, serving as the Africa Partnership Station conducted theater security cooperation and maritime partnership training throughout the Gulf of Guinea and West Africa. According to a statement from the Sixth Fleet's Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Joe Leidig, Nashville sailors' "exceptional dedication and bold initiative significantly improved Africa partner nation capabilities through joint maritime and expeditionary training events, infrastructure improvement, strategic communication, and community outreach programs."

On September 30 the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville will be decommissioned during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. Following the ceremony, Nashville will be towed to the Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia where she will be retained in ready reserve.

After the Nashville's former shipmates left EXIT 196 we pondered the legacy of the USS Nashville and we took a moment to honor and remember the special men and women who answer our nation's call to duty.

Issues Surrounding Upcoming Election Cycle To Be Addressed At Bellevue Republican Breakfast Club Meeting

By Betsy Thorpe



Davidson County Republican Party Director at Large, Tony Roberts At The Tennessee State Fair


At the Tennessee State Fair, a gubernatorial Straw Poll conducted by the Davidson County Young Republicans and the Davidson County Republican Party asked voters who they would choose as the Republican nominee for governor among the currently announced candidates of :Bill Gibbons, Bill Haslam, Joe Kirkpatrick , Ron Ramsey and Zach Wamp. Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey won the poll with 42 percent of the vote ,while Bill Haslam and Zach Wamp were tied at 25 percent. Bill Gibbons had five percent of the vote and Joe Kirkpatrick three percent. In a previous Straw Poll conducted July 11 by the Davidson County Republican Party . Lieutenant Governor Ramsey and Congressman Wamp were tied for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

Tim Lee, Vice Chair of the Davidson County Young Republicans, said many voters admitted a “lack of knowledge” about the candidates and the upcoming election and that numerous voters asked to receive more information about the Republican Party .

Steve Abernathy, one of the five Davidson County Election Commissioners and one of the three Republicans in that group will address issues surrounding the upcoming major election cycle at the Bellevue Republican Breakfast Club meeting on Saturday, October 3rd. The meeting starts at 8:00 am and is open to the public.

The Bellevue Republican Breakfast Club meets at Shoney's located on Highway 70S.

Journey To The Son; a “motherless daughter’s” perilous yet triumphant quest for motherhood ,book signing event, October 8, 2009

"Journey To The Son," a "Momoir" and its companion CD follow a “motherless daughter’s” perilous yet triumphant quest for motherhood and her first 12 months as a new parent.


As a young girl growing up in Nashville, Lauren Braddock Havey, the daughter of legendary songwriter Bobby Braddock, dreamed of her own artistic pursuits: singing, acting, and penning her own music. But one of her greatest dreams in life was to have a baby and be a parent someday. As the "someday" crept up and became her reality, Lauren and her husband Jim received the disheartening news that they were unable to conceive a baby unless they pursued in vitro fertilization, an expensive and uncertain alternative. Lauren's memoir, A Journey to the Son follows Lauren and Jim as they make the brave decision to go through the in vitro process and the white-knuckle journey that ensues. She has also created a truly unique “folk-rock opera” concept album of the same name to be released concurrently with the book (sold separately).

Lauren will appear at Davis-Kidd Nashville for a book and CD signing on Thursday, October 8, at 7 PM. Lauren will give dramatic readings from the book and be joined by Grammy-winner Don Henry, her producer and album co-writer, to perform songs from the books companion CD.

Lauren and Don will also appear and perform at Southern Festival of Books on Sunday, October 11 at 1 PM in Room 29 at War Memorial when Lauren is introduced as a featured speaker by award-winning Southern author, John Egerton.


Lauren has created a masterful memoir of self-discovery and the power of family. Readers will be touched and united by her experience of what is a decidedly challenging journey, one that is almost tragically derailed), but which ends happily and triumphantly on the baby's first birthday.

A Journey to the Son transcends the genre of reproduction literature. Lauren shares the rigors of her experiences, the weighty subject matter broached in just the right places by the author's tongue-in-cheek manner, as she delivers amusing observations and anecdotes, and fun chapter titles such as "The Waiting Womb,” “Breast Intentions,” and “Spit Happens”.

Lauren’s engaging wit and honesty pulls readers in, making her story more than a memoir of fertility treatments, complications, and trauma—Lauren’s story is a celebration of life. “Mine is an against-all-odds story of hope,” she says. “I want people to come away from it with a belief in miracles —or magic or good luck—and have a renewed sense of optimism.”

Alice Randall, best-selling author of The Wind Done Gone, comments, “Lauren Braddock (Havey) is a great artist. She turns the chaos of infertility land and at-risk pregnancy land into a story that inspires and astounds. Lauren's quirky intelligence and deeply rooted joy transform this difficult journey into a wise and jagged smile of a tale..."

Lauren Braddock Havey lives in Pegram Tennessee with Jim Havey, her husband of eleven years, and their young son. Lauren authors the blog " Mud Mamma" an online publication where she offers the quirky views and opinions of a "watered down Earth Mother."

USS Nashville Will Decommision Wednesday, September 30, 2009

On July 7 Nashville Metro Councilman Jason Holleman delivered a proclamation acknowledging OS3 Reilly Mealer's service aboard the USS Nashville during her final deployment.

The Norfolk-based amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville will be decommissioned on Wednesday during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk.

Following the ceremony, Nashville will be towed to the Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia where she will be retained in ready reserve.

Go here to learn more about the USS Nashville and her final mission.

Unmotivated Titans Drop To 0-3

By Chris Lambos



The Tennessee Titans take on the New York Jets on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Unmotivated Titans Drop To 0-3


Rookie QB sensation Mark Sanchez continues to show fans (and skeptics) why he left the USC Trojans with 1 year of eligibility remaining to graze in the fertile pastures of the National Football League. Sanchez posted respectable stats in the Jets 24-17 victory, completing 17 of 30 passes for 171 yards with 2 TDs and a lone interception. His highlight reel updates (14 yard TD scramble on first possession) come at the expense of the Tennessee Titans who now carry an 0-3 record.

But was it all Sanchez?

Perhaps one would credit the defensive wizardry of Jet's Head Coach Rex Ryan (son of 46 defense mastermind Buddy Ryan). His Jet defenders utilized an ever changing zone defense that confused Kerry Collins for most of the game (especially in the last quarter of the game in which Collins threw 13 consecutive incompletions. The Jets run defense shut down the Titans running game for the most part, holding Chris Johnson under 100 yards.

Or can Collins shoulder all of the blame?

His final stats were not impressive, completing only 15 of 37 passes. He did manage to throw a 9 yard TD pass to Nate Washington in the 3rd quarter, giving the Titans a temporary 17-14 lead. But what about the 2 interceptions he threw as the Jets D continued to daze the Titan signal caller? You know what happens to Tennessee quarterbacks who throw 2 interceptions in a single game (Twitter Vince Young for more clues). Collins should have excelled in the passing game if given enough protection from the blitz-happy Jets. After all, New York was without the service of two cornerbacks (1 being a starter, the other a nickel back).

What about Titans special teams?

Nothing special. Titans rookie Ryan Mouton coughed up the ball on both a kickoff return and a punt return). The first (kickoff return) found Mouton fumbling on the Titans 19 yard line which led to the Jets second TD. The punt return turnover happened at the 7:09 mark of the 3rd Qtr. with the Titans holding on to a 17-14 lead.

Coaching?

Let's just say that when a coach tells the media that a game which could result in an 0-3 start for his team is not being labeled a 'Must-Win', a coach could find his players less than motivated 'To Win'. I don't think that's gridiron philosophical mumbo jumbo, exclusively, I think that's a given fundamental in Chapter 1 in any Life Manual worth publishing

I'm being too generous in giving some coaches a D - this week.

What did we learn from this game?

1) The return game is chaotic

2) There are still a few Vince Young fans in the stands waiting for heroic 4th Qtr. comebacks

3) Chuck Cecil should be watching the Jets D on the game film - not the Titans

4) 'Must-Win' mentality will inflate motives to win- lack of that mentality deflates them.

"Georgia O’Keeffe and Her Times," To Open At Nashville's Frist Visual Arts Center, October 2, 2009

Georgia O’Keeffe and Her Times
American Modernism from the Lane Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
October 2, 2009–January 31, 2010


In the 1950s, William H. Lane (1914–1995), the owner of a small Massachusetts manufacturing plant, began assembling an extraordinary collection of American modern art, which in 1990 was donated to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. With major paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe, Arthur G. Dove, Stuart Davis, Charles Sheeler and other artists, the exhibition shows the collector’s passion for art that reflects the diversity and dynamism of American modernism.

The exhibition was organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts and will show at Nashville's Frist Art Center from October 2, 2009-January 31, 2010.

For more information on this exhibit or the Frist Visual Arts Center please call 615 244-3340

Party's Over, Time For Bed

Weekly Address By President Barack Obama September 26, 2009

Weekly Address: Progress with the G-20 in Pittsburgh

Recorded literally on his way back from the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, the President uses his Weekly Address to recap the progress made during the intensive discussions with world leaders. From an historic agreement to reform the global financial system, to groundbreaking commitments on reducing subsidies to fossil fuels worldwide, to unity in standing against threats to world peace -- engagement produced tangible results in several areas.



Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
September 26, 2009

This week, I joined leaders from around the world at the United Nations and the G-20 economic summit in Pittsburgh. Today, I can report on what we achieved—a new commitment to meet common challenges, and real progress in advancing America’s national security and economic prosperity.

As I said at the U.N., over the past nine months my administration has renewed American leadership, and pursued a new era of engagement in which we call upon all nations to live up to their responsibilities. This week, our engagement produced tangible results in several areas.

In Pittsburgh, the world’s major economies agreed to continue our effort to spur global demand to put our people back to work. We committed ourselves to economic growth that is balanced and sustained— so that we avoid the booms and busts of the past. We reached an historic agreement to reform the global financial system—to promote responsibility and prevent abuse so that we never face a crisis like this again. And we reformed our international economic architecture, so that we can better coordinate our effort to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

We also established American leadership in the global pursuit of the clean energy of the 21st century. I am proud that the G-20 nations agreed to phase out $300 billion worth of fossil fuel subsidies. This will increase our energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat the threat of climate change, and help create the new jobs and industries of the future.

In New York, we advanced the cause of peace and security. I joined the first meeting between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in nearly a year—a meeting that even nine months ago did not seem possible. And we resolved to move forward in the journey toward a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

We also took unprecedented steps to secure loose nuclear materials; to stop the spread of nuclear weapons; and to seek a world without them. As the first U.S. president to ever chair a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, I was proud that the Council passed an historic and unanimous resolution embracing the comprehensive strategy I outlined this year in Prague.

To prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists, the Security Council endorsed our global effort to lock down all vulnerable material within four years. We reaffirmed the basic compact of the global nonproliferation regime: all nations have the right to peaceful nuclear energy; nations with nuclear weapons have the responsibility to move toward disarmament; and nations without them have the responsibility to forsake them.

The United States is meeting our responsibilities by pursuing an agreement with Russia to reduce our strategic warheads and launchers. And just as we meet our responsibilities, so must other nations, including Iran and North Korea.

Earlier this year, we imposed tough, new, sanctions on North Korea to stop their efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction. And we will continue to stand with our allies and partners to press North Korea to move in a new direction.

This week, we joined with the United Kingdom and France in presenting evidence that Iran has been building a secret nuclear facility to enrich uranium. This is a serious challenge to the global nonproliferation regime, and continues a disturbing pattern of Iranian evasion. That is why international negotiations with Iran scheduled for October 1st now take on added urgency.

My offer of a serious, meaningful dialogue to resolve this issue remains open. But Iran must now cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and take action to demonstrate its peaceful intentions.

On this, the international community is more united than ever before. Yesterday, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our European allies in condemning Iran’s program. In our meetings and public statements, President Medvedev of Russia and I agreed that Iran must pursue a new course or face consequences. All of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and Germany, have made it clear that Iran must fulfill its responsibilities.

Iran’s leaders must now choose – they can live up to their responsibilities and achieve integration with the community of nations. Or they will face increased pressure and isolation, and deny opportunity to their own people.

These are the urgent threats of our time. And the United States is committed to a new chapter of international cooperation to meet them. This new chapter will not be written in one week or even one year. But we have begun. And for the American people and the people of the world, it will mean greater security and prosperity for years to come.

Mary Gets A Bike

(for a better view, click on the photos)

Birthday Cake And Presents Too!

(for a better view, click on the photos)

Mary's Pinata

(for a better view, click on the photos)

MARY TURNS FIVE LETS HAVE FUN

(for a better view, click on the photos)

Feel Good Friday

San Fransico Mabel Joy
By Mickey Newbury




"I consider "San Francisco Mabel Joy" to be the most successful song I have written, for several reasons. First, it was a five minute song written in a two minute world. I was told it would never be cut by any artist. Second, I was told you could not use the term 'redneck' in a song and get it recorded. It has sold in excess of 55 million records. It broke the rules and it broke the walls down. It became the foundation for a new form of expression in country music. It was chosen in the millennial year as one of the top 100 folk songs of the past century."
Mickey Newbury

13TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF CULTURES FESTIVAL TO BE HELD OCT. 3 At Centennial Park

A young dancer from Danza Azteca - A pre-Hispanic (Aztec) dance group from Mexico's Global Village
Photo Courtesy Gary Layda


The 13th Annual Celebration of Cultures festival, to take place Saturday, Oct. 3 at Centennial Park, returns as the region’s largest and most authentic multi-cultural festival. The event is free and open to the public.

Named as a Southeast Tourism Society “Top 20 Event for Fall 2009,” the festival is presented by the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation and Scarritt-Bennett Center.

Celebration of Cultures aims to celebrate and embrace the cultural diversity of our community by encouraging understanding, appreciation and respect of the cultures of the Greater Nashville community through a fun-filled day of music, dance, food, children’s activities, a marketplace, and an educational component called “The Global Village.”

More than 40 cultures will be represented, food vendors will offer a sampling of cuisine from around the world, and entertainment will be provided on five different stages throughout the park. A children’s area will feature free interactive music and dance programs, storytelling, a children’s stage, nature activities, puppet shows and hands-on art projects presented by local Nashville organizations. “The Global Village” offers a glimpse of daily life in countries such as Panama, India, Mexico, Bolivia, Somalia, Japan, Jamaica, China and Kurdistan.

New to the festival this year will be an area for teens called TEENS UNITED!. In partnership with Oasis Center, TEENS UNITED! is being organized by a group of local teens from 10 different countries, including Mexico, Ethiopia, Haiti and Sudan. Highlights of the teen area include a stage that will feature entertainment such as teen drummers, dancers, and puppet shows; traditional costumes for festival goers to try on and have their photos taken in; a world map where people can mark their country of origin; and more.


Last year, 28,000 people attended the festival, making it the largest one-day attendance number in the event’s history.

Red Cross Babysitting Training Available In Middle Tennessee

To help keep children of all ages safer in Middle Tennessee, www.RedCrossBabysitter.com is proud to offer the updated Babysitter’s Training course from the American Red Cross. This class is offered each month at the Fairview Recreation Complex. On-site training is another recent trend individuals who want to serve their communities, church organizers, and other groups are hosting the training at their locations. This important class gives youth ages 11 to 15, the skills and confidence to be great babysitters.

"Our goal is to create a safe and supportive community for families,” said Cyndea Wendell. “When parents hire trained babysitters who know how to provide proper child care and handle emergencies, their children are safer and so are our babysitters.”

The Red Cross Babysitter’s Training course is a great way for young people to build self-esteem and develop leadership, decision-making and communication skills; as well as give them a meaningful way to earn money.

As a part of the course fee of $50.00, participants will receive newly revised training materials, including the Babysitter’s Training Handbook, with information to use in class and on the job; an Emergency Reference Guide that provides step-by-step instructions to handle common emergencies; and a CD-ROM that includes tools such as a printable activity booklet with games, songs and recipes, resume and business card templates and more.

Go here for more information on hosting your own class for babysitters in your area, or to register for the next Babysitter’s Training class at the Fairview Recreation Complex.

Middle Tennessee Casting Call No Experience Necessary

For a month starting on October 7 the makers of the feature film "A Pure Country Gift" will be shooting in Nashville and Murfreesboro and will be casting "extra's" of all ages to work on the film.

Roles include gospel choir members, rodeo clowns, rodeo cowboys, sushi chefs, Japanese extras, extras with pickup trucks, doctors, nurses, orderlies, musician types, film crew types, hair & makeup people, music executive types, upscale restaurant customers, tourists, good-looking cowboys, ranch hands, beefy security guards, roadie types, country music & George Strait fans.

Some specific sceens that extra's are needed for include, diner customers, small town rodeo, church scenes, sushi restaurant, hospital scenes, TV studio & Record Company, upscale restaurant and concert scenes.

Extras will be paid $7.25per hour If selected, EXTRAS will be paid $7.25 per hour, with an 8 hour guarantee plus overtime. Work days usually last between 8-12 hours per day. Filming will take place from Tuesday through Saturday with Sundays and Mondays off. Extra's may be asked to work one or multiple days depending on their character.

Go here to fill out a talent application.

Japanese Dancers To Visit Nashville

Click on image for a larger view

The Popular Drink Known Kombucha Tea Can Be Culitvated And Brewed At Home

By Betsy Thorpe


Nashville songwriter, John Wendell received his first Kombucha Tea colony in October of 2007, at "Windy Acres" an organic soybean farm located in Orlinda Tennessee.

"I am really glad I discovered this unique drink because I'm not a big water drinker, and I'm inclined to think that it's at least better for me than soda-pop. My initial interest was in its potential health benefits, but since there's not a lot of science on that, it's hard to know for sure if it's benefits are real. I love this beverage so much that my main concern nowadays is that it is at least not detrimental to my health. I pray I'm not pickling my insides. I'd say I consume on average two to three 8 oz. glasses a day."

"It's fun to make, it's always exciting to see how bubbly and carbonated my brew is, and comparing the 4 or 5 dollars a bottle that it costs at the health food store to the pennies a serving by brewing at home, that alone is motivation for home brewing. Home brewed Komucha Tea is a bit peculiar looking with the "scoby" floating on the top so some people think I am a nut for drinking the stuff. But all I can say is that anybody who discovers this beverage and learns to love it like I do, will be eternally grateful for the discovery."

John Wendell

Use of the popular vinegary drink now known as Kombucha Tea was first recorded around 250 BC during the Qin Dynasty in China. Called the Immortal Health Elixir, or the Remedy For Immortality the tea was brewed from fungi said to have mystical powers and properties. Qin Dynasty physicians believed the elixir balanced the Middle Qi where the spleen and stomach is located by aiding digestion, and centralizing the bodies energy in order to promote healing.

Throughout the centuries the use of the fermented yeast enzyme tea now known as Kombucha progressed across Asia and Europe. The brew and it's ancient folk lore arrived in the United States during the 1960's and were quickly adopted by the country's young health conscience counter-culture, who enthusiastically embraced various alternatives to established medical beliefs and practices.

Kombucha Tea is a symbiotic colony of yeast and beneficial bacteria that grows in sugar-sweetened black tea. Using a mother, a colony of babies is created with each new batch. Left to ferment in a warm, environment, the colony grows until the elixir, rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and a large amount of of B-vitamins is ready to drink.

Today thousands of bottles of the fermented vinegary drink are sold in health food and whole food stores everyday and a growing number of colonies are harvested in the homes of Kombucha Tea's most devoted and purest consumers.

The Stone Barn; a Reminiscence By Craig Bickhardt At Ninety Mile Wind

When I first read the "Stone Barn a Reminiscence" the easy flow of Craig Bickhardt's words were repeatedly interrupted as buried memories of youthful days spent in an old Oregon farmhouse flooded my conciseness.

After reading "The Stone Barn" I felt sad, nostalgic. and aged. I mourned the destruction of a historic building in faraway Pennsylvania, I grieved the passing of an era and my heart cried out at my inability to recapture the mystical magical aura of my youth.

Craig Bickhardt is an extraordinary songwriter and a gifted and powerful storyteller. To read a collection of articles and stories by Craig Bickhardt please visit his interesting and thoughtful,blog Ninety Mile Wind.

Thank you,
Betsy Thorpe


The Stone Barn; a Reminiscence
By Craig Bickhardt

"Music from Big Pink" was an inauspicious LP, selling only moderately to some Dylan fans who hadn't deserted him after Newport. The group of musicians that made the LP didn't have a name. They were simply refered to in some villifying reviews as "the band that accompanied Dylan". Pete Seeger had been appalled by them, but "Big Pink" was a landmark record for many of us. It was followed soon after by an even better record humbly titled "The Band". By that time they'd earned no less, nor more, of a name.


The Band influenced me and some friends to start our own group and rent a house like Big Pink where we could woodshed. It just seemed like the thing to do even though we had little money to keep up the lease. The old Heyburn farm became our home for 18 months. The property was located near Chads Ford, PA a couple of miles from where Andy Wyeth painted. It was a big place-- six bedrooms, plus an attic, two living rooms, a mudroom, kitchen and upper level porch. I used to sit on that porch sometimes when the moon was full and write or sing until dawn. The fields and woods behind the house sang back to me with ciccadas, owls and other wildlife.

Go here to read "The Stone Barn ; a Reminiscence" by Craig Bickhardt in its entirety.

"Authorized Bootleg" A New Release By The Kentucky Headhunters Now Available

The Kentucky Headhunters

October 2009 celebrates the 20th anniversary of the multi-platinum, Grammy award winning LP, "Pickin' On Nashville," The Kentucky Headhunters 1st release on Mercury records. To celebrate, The Heads have started to dig through their treasure chest of 40 plus years of archives with several releases planned over the next year. Blues, rock, southern whatcha may call it, is all coming your way!!!

The 1st release, "AUTHORIZED BOOTLEG" via Universal, hit your favorite music outlet on Sept. 22nd, 2009. Recorded May 13th, 1990 by the original line-up at the legendary Agora Ballroom in Cleveland Ohio, the recording contains all the 1st album, plus several surprises presented the way the Heads always have....delight to those who know their music, and shock and awe to those experiencing it for the 1st time.

Go to Amazon to order the Headhunter's "AUTHORIZED BOOTLEG"

SIXTIES NASHVILLE REUNION PARTY

The Charades one of Nashville's first Rock Combos were managed by One Eyed Jacks (H. Jackson Brown) and later by Tony Moon). Their biggest hit was San Bernadino (written by Bill Davidson.) They were signed to Epic Records, with their first single being "Yellow Brick Road". More information on Nashville's early Rock and Rock Roll history is available here.



Two of Nashville's favorite bands from the 60's, The Original Charades and The Exotics return for the 12th time to the Mercy Lounge on Friday, October 2, 2009. 8PM $15.00 Cover.
Exotics: Glenn Crowell, Bass; Billy Adair, Guitar; Loy Hardcastle, Drums, Jeff Cook, Keyboard and Robert Early & Steve Smartt, Horns
Charades: Jim Ragland, Bass; Jerry Smith, Guitar; Alan Stoker, Drums; Owsley Manier, Keyboards; Peyton Hoge and Allen Tanksley, Vocals
Go here to see Chip Curley's Pictures of the 11th Reunion.

This is an amazing opportunity to slip back in time.

School Picture Day

6th Grade Picture Day!

LIGHTNING 100 COMPLETES LINEUP FOR ‘LIVE ON THE GREEN’

Dave Barnes
Free, outdoor concert series continues for three more weeks

Lightning 100 has filled out the lineup for Live On the Green, Nashville’s free, outdoor concert series, which continues for the next three weeks.

"This past Thursday was the biggest night we’ve had yet,” said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, referring to the 2,000 people in attendance on Sept. 17. “It’s now officially fall – the weather couldn’t be better for an outdoor concert. I invite everyone in Nashville to join us on the Public Square these next three Thursdays to hear great music.”

Live On the Green continues this Thursday, Sept. 24 with performances by three Nashville-based singer-songwriters, Dave Barnes, Matthew Perryman Jones and Thad Cockrell.

On Oct. 1, two funk bands, Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings and The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker, will perform, along with singer Maureen Murphy.

The concert series concludes on Oct. 8 with three more singer-songwriters: Next Big Nashville artist Courtney Jaye, folk-rock artist Ricky Young, and Citizen Cope with a unique mix of hip-hop, folk and blues. The complete list of shows and artists is available online at www.liveonthegreen.net.

Lola Joiner Of Bellevue Celebrates Her 90th Birthday

By Betsy Thorpe

On September 12, Lola Joiner celebrated her 90th birthday with more than 75 friends and family members in attendance. Born in Prague Oklahoma on September 9, 1919, Mrs. Joiner has lived in Bellevue for twenty years and currently resides at the Meadows Nursing Home. With entertainment provided by t14 year old Bellevue violinist, Haley Butler, the party also featured a "Table Of Past Years," where photographs taken throughout Mrs. Joiner's life were on display. Special guests included Kim Spence from Nederland Colorado, and grandson Rob Spence who arrived from Atlanta Georgia with Mrs. Joiner's great grandchildren Shea and Jack Spence.

Enjoying the days surrounding her birthday Mrs. Joiner received 98 birthday cards from friends and loved ones. Following the September 12th festivities at The Meadows, Lola Joiner said "Even if I live to be a hundred, this will go down as one of my life's sweetest moments."

EXIT 196

Baskets Of Food Grown At The Buffalo Valley Farm In Bellevue, One Of Tennessee's 84,000 Working Farms



By Betsy Thorpe


Dozens of travelers leave I-40 at Exit 196 everyday, some to visit friends and family, others for fuel, refreshment or lodging. They all have a story to tell and we are here to share a tale or two that we heard at Exit 196.

Sunday evening a family of discouraged farmers from Housten County made a short visit to EXIT 196, following the exhibition of their award winning produce at The Tennessee State Fair. Accustomed to being at weather's mercy, they were not discouraged by the Fair's low attendance that resulted from the onslaught of rain that lasted throughout the week, but by the announcement from Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, that this is probably the last year that our State's Capitol City will host the Tennessee State Fair.

The first Tennessee State Fair was sponsored by the Agriculture and Mechanical Association in 1869. Held at the “Old Fairgrounds” located near Cockerill Springs at the end of the West End Avenue streetcar line. State Fairs were also held at this location in 1873, 1879, and 1884 and was where Frank James, brother of outlaw Jesse James, claimed to have won a blue ribbon for his Poland China hogs during the period when he lived in the Whites Creek area under an assumed name.

On October 20, 1891 the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, then known as Cumberland Park opened. Originally built to host harness racing, the two hundred and seventy foot long grandstand could seat seven thousand spectators. The stables accommodated three hundred and fifty horses. An electric street car made trips every five minutes from the Wedgewood Avenue gate to the grandstand and clubhouse atop the fairground's hill. In February of 1904, the Retail Merchants Association of Nashville appointed a committee to explore the possibility of holding a State Fair at Cumberland Park. The purpose of the organization was to urge the Legislature to appropriate funds for a fair to promote the interest of the livestock business in the state. On October 8, 1906, the first Tennessee State Fair was held at Cumberland Park. Stock shows were conducted each morning. The Woman's Building was open in the afternoons and horse shows were conducted each night. Since 1906, with the exception of the World War II years, the Tennessee State Fair has been held annually at this location in Nashville's historic Vine Hill neighborhood.

With "Agriculture and Commerce" being the Tennessee State Motto, farming has a long and valued history throughout the state. Today more than eighty four thousand farms exist in Tennessee, utilizing more than forty four per cent of the states land area. Generating more than sixty billion dollars in economic output, agriculture accounts for eighteen per cent of Tennessee's economy.

Last year eighty of Tennessee's ninety five counties participated in the fair's competitive Creative Arts and Livestock categories, making it the largest agricultural event in the state. Nationally Tennessee ranks number two in the cultivation and raising of several agricultural commodities including, hardwood, equine, goats, and tobacco, and this year the State Fair hosted the second largest goat competition in the United States.

Wondering out loud if perhaps Nashville's Mayor Karl Dean is ashamed of Tennessee's rural culture, our visitors at EXIT 196 regretfully informed us that they do not feel welcome in Nashville and they doubt that they will ever visit their state's capitol city again. It made us very sad to see them go.

Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey Wins Gubernatorial Straw Poll Held At Tennessee State Fair

Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey With Members Of The Bellevue Republican Breakfast Club, August 1st, 2009

Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey won the gubernatorial Straw Poll conducted by the Davidson County Republican Party and the Davidson County Young Republicans during The Tennessee State Fair held September 11-20 in Nashville, TN. The Straw Poll asked voters who they would choose as the Republican nominee for governor among the currently announced candidates of:

Bill Gibbons
Bill Haslam
Joe Kirkpatrick
Ron Ramsey
Zach Wamp

Ramsey won 42 percent of the vote while Bill Haslam and Zach Wamp were tied at 25 percent. Bill Gibbons had five percent of the vote and Joe Kirkpatrick three percent. In a previous Straw Poll conducted July 11 by the DCRP, Lt. Gov. Ramsey and Congressman Wamp were tied for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

Tim Lee, Vice Chair of the Davidson County Young Republicans, said a total of 64 persons voted in the Straw Poll. He attributed the low participation to a “lack of knowledge” about the candidates rather than a lack of interest. “We signed up 51 persons interested in having more information about the Republican party. If all of those had voted, our polling count would have been much higher.”

Time and Funding Running Out for Tennessee Organic Farmer and Business Certification

Locally Grown Produce From Bellevue's Buffalo Valley Farm

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture wants the state’s organic food producers, processors and handlers to take advantage of cost share assistance to help pay for organic certification before federal funding ends on Sept. 29. Any organic producer or business based in Tennessee is eligible for help with their 2007, 2008 and 2009 certification.

“There’s never a really great time, in the busy world of being a farmer or a small business, to sit down and do paperwork,” says organics marketing specialist Jon Frady, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, “but with these funds disappearing after Sept. 29, it’s come down to being the only time.”

Tennessee producers, processors, or handlers of organic agricultural products can be reimbursed for 75 percent of the cost of certification up to a maximum of $750, each in the last two federal fiscal years. Participants could actually get reimbursed up to $1,500 total for the past few years of certification costs. The National Organic Certification Cost Share Program was made possible by funding from the federal 2008 Farm Bill and has been in effect since last September.

Until Sept. 29, funds remain available for the farmers, processors and handlers who have already achieved or renewed their certification. “All they have left to do is apply to be reimbursed for part of the cost of that certification,” says Frady. “This is the easy part.”

The USDA includes as “organic” any grain, fruit, and vegetables production without use of artificial chemical pesticides or commercial fertilizers. For animal production, no artificial antibiotics or artificial hormones are administered, and animals’ feed must meet organic standards.

“Tennessee’s certified organic producers just need to get off their tractors, or set their boxes down, and business managers need to spend an extra 10 minutes at the office to fill out the application , and get reimbursed,” says Frady. “Let us help you take advantage of this cost share money before Sept. 29.

"Then you can concentrate on getting the organic products to your customers.”

To apply for the organics cost share reimbursement, to participate in the organic certification program, or for more information, contact Jon Frady at 615-837-5344.Information and the program application are also available here.

Weekly Movie Pick, By Adriana, "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs"

By Adriana

"Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs" comes from a very good book for kids, and the movie is even better. It is playing at my favorite theatre in Belleve, the Regal Cinema in Bellevue.

I reccomend this movie because it is a good story and it is fun to watch.



The following is an announcement for the World Food Programme

Hungry children worldwide will get a boost from this new film whose characters turn fantasy into food. Sony Pictures is helping to raise awareness and funds for the World Food Programme school meals, through its latest release Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

In the film, a young inventor makes food fall from the sky to feed a town where they’ve only been eating sardines.

In the real world, the number of hungry people is now a staggering one billion. The Cloudy characters, are lending a hand in the fight against world hunger by asking the public to help “fill the cup” of hungry school children.

Go here to find out how you can help.

Weekly Address By President Barack Obama, September 19th 2009

Progress in the Global Economy


With the next G20 Summit approaching in Pittsburgh, the President goes over the progress in stemming a global economic crisis. He discusses the impact of the Recovery Act, and pledges that "lobbyists for big Wall Street banks" will not prevent real reform for the future, including a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency.



WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Obama Promotes
Tougher Rules on Wall Street to Protect Consumers

WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, President Obama highlighted the need for a Consumer Financial Protection Agency to implement clearly enforced rules to help strengthen our financial markets and protect the interests of American consumers. The President also pointed to the aggressive and necessary action taken by his administration and other nations to stop our country’s economic freefall, and pledged to continue working with world leaders both at the upcoming G-20 summit and beyond to build on the progress already made.


Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
September 19, 2009

Leaders of the world’s largest economies will gather next week in Pittsburgh for the second time this year. The first meeting of the G-20 nations in April came at the height of the global financial crisis – a crisis that required unprecedented international cooperation to jumpstart the world’s economies and help break the downward spiral that enveloped all our nations.

At next week’s summit, we’ll have, in effect, a five-month checkup to review the steps each nation has taken – separately and together – to break the back of this economic crisis. And the good news is that we’ve made real progress since last time we met – here at home and around the world.

In February, we enacted a Recovery Act, providing relief to Americans who need it, preventing layoffs, and putting Americans back to work. We’ve worked to unlock frozen credit markets, spurring lending to Americans looking to buy homes or cars, take out student loans, or finance small businesses. And we’ve challenged other nations to join us not only to spur global demand, but to address the underlying problems that caused such a deep global recession in the first place.

Because of the steps taken by our nation and all nations, we can now say that we have stopped our economic freefall. But we also know that stopping the bleeding isn’t nearly enough. Our work is far from over. We know we still have a lot to do here at home to build an economy that is producing good jobs for all those who are looking for work today. And we know we still have a lot to do, in conjunction with nations around the world, to strengthen the rules governing financial markets and ensure that we never again find ourselves in the precarious situation we found ourselves in just one year ago.

As I told leaders of our financial community in New York City earlier this week, a return to normalcy can’t breed complacency. To protect our economy and people from another market meltdown, our government needs to fundamentally reform the rules governing financial firms and markets to meet the challenges of the 21st century. We cannot allow the thirst for reckless schemes that produce quick profits and fat executive bonuses to override the security of our entire financial system and leave taxpayers on the hook for cleaning up the mess. And as the world’s largest economy, we must lead, not just by word, but by example, understanding that in the 21st century, financial crises know no borders. All of us need to act more responsibly on behalf of a better economic future.

That is why, at next week’s G20 summit, we’ll discuss some of the steps that are required to safeguard our global financial system and close gaps in regulation around the world – gaps that permitted the kinds of reckless risk-taking and irresponsibility that led to the crisis. And that’s why I’ve called on Congress to put in place a series of tough, common-sense rules of the road that will protect consumers from abuse, let markets function fairly and freely, and help prevent a crisis like this from ever happening again.

Central to these reforms is a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency. Part of what led to this crisis were not just decisions made on Wall Street, but also unsustainable mortgage loans made across the country. While many folks took on more than they knew they could afford, too often folks signed contracts they didn’t fully understand offered by lenders who didn’t always tell the truth. That’s why we need clear rules, clearly enforced. And that’s what this agency will do.

Consumers shouldn’t have to worry about loan contracts written to confuse, hidden fees attached to their mortgages, and financial penalties – whether through a credit card or debit card – that appear without a clear warning on their statements. And responsible lenders, including community banks, trying to do the right thing shouldn’t have to worry about ruinous competition from unregulated and unscrupulous competitors.

Not surprisingly, lobbyists for big Wall Street banks are hard at work trying to stop reforms that would hold them accountable and they want to keep things just the way they are. But we cannot let politics as usual triumph so business as usual can reign. We cannot let the narrow interests of a few come before the interests of all of us. We cannot forget how close we came to the brink, and perpetuate the broken system and breakdown of responsibility that made it possible.

In the weeks and months ahead, we have an opportunity to build on the work we’ve already done. An opportunity to rebuild our global economy stronger that before. An opportunity not only to protect the American people and America’s economy, but to promote sustained and balanced growth and prosperity for our nation and all nations. And that’s an opportunity I am determined to seize.

So, thanks for listening and thanks for watching, and to our Jewish friends, who are celebrating Rosh Hashanah, have a happy and healthy New Year. Shanah Tovah.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2009 AT 12:01 AM
Weekly Address: Progress in the Global Economy


With the next G20 Summit approaching in Pittsburgh, the President goes over the progress in stemming a global economic crisis. He discusses the impact of the Recovery Act, and pledges that "lobbyists for big Wall Street banks" will not prevent real reform for the future, including a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

"A Journey To The Son" By Lauren Braddock Havey To Be Released In October

Lauren Braddock Havey's new book A JOURNEY TO THE SON and the companion CD of the same name are both scheduled for release in early October 2009.





“Lauren Braddock (Havey) is a great artist. She turns the chaos of infertility land and at-risk pregnancy land into a story that inspires and astounds. Lauren's quirky intelligence and deeply rooted joy transform this difficult journey into a wise and jagged smile of a tale..."
Alice Randall
Best-selling Author Of "The Wind Done Gone"

As a young girl growing up in Nashville, Lauren Braddock Havey, the daughter of legendary songwriter Bobby Braddock, dreamed of her own artistic pursuits: singing, acting, and penning her own music. But one of her greatest dreams in life was to have a baby and be a parent someday. As the "someday" crept up and became her reality, Lauren and her husband Jim received the disheartening news that they were unable to conceive a baby unless they pursued in vitro fertilization, an expensive and uncertain alternative. Lauren's memoir, A Journey to the Son follows the process and white-knuckle journey that ensued. She has also created a truly unique “folk-rock opera” concept album of the same name to be released concurrently with the book, (the CD will be sold separately)

Lauren has created a masterful memoir of self-discovery and the power of family. Readers will be touched and united by her experience of what is a decidedly challenging journey, one that is almost tragically derailed (by an amniotic fluid embolism, an extremely rare and most-often fatal obstetric emergency), but which ends happily and triumphantly on the baby's first birthday.

A Journey to the Son transcends the genre of reproduction literature. Lauren shares the rigors of her experiences, the weighty subject matter broached in just the right places by the author's tongue-in-cheek manner, as she delivers amusing observations and anecdotes, and fun chapter titles such as "The Waiting Womb,” “Breast Intentions,” and “Spit Happens”.

Lauren’s engaging wit and honesty pulls readers in, making her story more than a memoir of fertility treatments, complications, and trauma—Lauren’s story is a celebration of life. “Mine is an against-all-odds story of hope,” she says. “I want people to come away from it with a belief in miracles —or magic or good luck—and have a renewed sense of optimism.”

Lauren Braddock Havey will appear at Davis-Kidd in Nashville for a book and CD signing at 7:00 pm, on Thursday, October 8th. After giving a dramatic reading from her soon to be released book "A JOURNEY TO THE SON," Lauren will join Grammy-winner Don Henry, to perform songs from the companion CD to Lauren’s “momoir”. Co-written with Don Henry, the songs on "A JOURNEY TO THE SON" beautifully and craftily capture the chaos, gumption, and sheer joy associated with Lauren’s story..

Lauren and Don will also appear and perform at the Southern Festival of Books at 1:00 pm, on Sunday, October 11th when Lauren will be introduced as a featured speaker by award-winning Southern author, John Egerton.


Lauren Braddock Havey is also the author of "Mud Mamma" her personal blog where she offers a "watered down Earth Mother's" quirky parenting views.

Don't Give Up-Give Back, Review

By Betsy Thorpe




Today's news regularly carries distressful reports of how corporate greed is attacking and destroying the hopes and dreams of people throughout our nation. "Don't Give-Up Give Back," is the heartwarming biography of Kenyon "Pat" Heenan a common man who at the age of sixty six, founded a Michigan based land-development company that he presided over until the company was dissolved and liquidated twelve years later. In 1977, five years after the company's dissolution Mr. Heenan set in motion an astonishing, altruistic initiative that has to date paid the former shareholders of Baywood Associates Inc. and their heirs almost three million dollars.

Heenan, a veteran of World War I, and the grandson of Irish immigrants was a securities salesman when the stock market crashed in October of 1929. In addition to selling investment grade bonds to banks he also sold stocks and bonds to family members and friends. Following the crash and despondent over the losses suffered by his "customers", he turned to the bottle for refuge. For more three than years he was a "problem drinker" often rescued by friends who helped him get home safely after a night spent drinking. In 1931 an encounter with a member of the Salvation Army made a significant impact on his life and soon he stopped drinking. The one time black sheep of the family eventually developed into "the source everyone went to for assistance, guidance and often funding."

Sober, Pat Heenan developed his naturally generous nature. With the Salvation Army and The American Red Cross his being favorite charities, he also gave on a local personal level. Every spring an employee named Charlie would request a donation from Mr. Heenan to help buy a pig to raise and fatten. Offered his choice of meat following the fall butcher, Mr. Heenon always declined saying "I will take a large share home next year."

"Don't Give Up-Give Back" is a short biography that explores the question why did Pat Heenan, a common man make the uncommon decision to give away so much to so many.......The answer lies inside this book that tells his inspirational life story. Written by Russ Vahlbusch an eighty one year old first time author, "Don't Give Up-Give Back" is a deserved tribute to a man who should be listed among our nation's finest citizens. Russ Vahlbusch first met Pat Heenan on Labor Day, 1949 when Vahlbusch was a twenty-one year old junior at Michigan State College. The would meet again many years later at Baywood Associates Inc. share holders meetings where Mr. Heenan was president and Russ Vahlbusch was a shareholder. Russ Vahlbusch and his wife Ginny live in The Village Of East Harbor, a part of the Presbyterian Retirement Community, located in Chesterfield Michigan.

Published in Nashville Tennessee, at Published By Westview, Vahlbusch's "Don't Give Up-Give Back" is available for purchase online at publishedbywestview.com.