CD Release Party at Mad Platter, May 8

The neighborhood has been invited to a CD Release Party/Concert at The Mad Platter, on Monday, May 8th at 8 PM. Soren Wohlers, one of the popular servers at The Mad Platter, is the artist releasing the CD and he will be performing with his band that evening. Food and drinks will be available.

Action Alert: Proposed Development at 4th & Monroe

Please provide your input on proposed development at 4th & Monroe

The developers who have purchased the lot at 4th & Monroe are on the Planning Commision's agenda for the Thursday, April 27th.

After the neighborhood contacted this developer (previous article), the developer agreed to schedule a meeting with the neighborhood. They have not done so yet, and are still on the agenda for this Thursday. We once again recommend that you attend the Planning Commission meeting in order to send the strongest message regarding this development.

Planning Commission Meeting:
Tuesday, April 27th, 4:00 PM
Howard School Office Building
700 Second Ave. S.
(615) 862-7190

Organic Lawn Care w/ Gardens of Babylon

Please join your Germantown neighbors at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 for a demonstration of organic grass removal and replacement by the Gardens of Babylon. The “grass” at the Hochberg/Lawrence residence has already been treated with organic clove oil to make way for a new “spray-on” lawn application. Many neighbors have expressed interested in viewing this process. We look forward to seeing you there. Questions: please call Marilyn Dillihay @ 242-2625.

Saturday, April 29 at 5:00 p.m.
At the home of Linda Hochberg and Skip Lawrence
1404 4th Avenue North

Public listening forum

The Metro Human Relations Commission is holding a public listening forum at the Downtown Public Library Auditorium on April 28 from 5-7 pm. The title of the forum is "Building African-American and Hispanic relationships: alliances and opportunities, economics, resources, and the media".

12South neighborhood tour

The 12South Neighborhood Association is hosting their 3rd annual neighborhood tour on Saturday, April 22nd from 11 am - 5 pm. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at Savant Vintage Couture at 2302 12th Ave South. The tour features nine homes and $2 of every ticket will benefit children's athletic needs at Sevier Community Center in Sevier Park. For more information, visit 12South Neighborhood Assocation

Members of US Armed Forces, Metro Police, and Metro Fire Dept. and their spouses may receive free tickets.

Many merchants on 12th Avenue South, 8th Avenue South, Belmont Boulevard and Berry Hill will be offering special discounts when your tour ticket is presented.

West Precint wins award for greatest crime reduction for 2005

From Sgt. Connie Tripp of the West Police Precinct:

The West Precinct won the 2nd annual precinct of the year award for having the greatest overall reduction in crime for the year 2005.

The West precinct and its citizens will hold a celebration on April 19, 2006 at the First Southern Methodist Church, 4409 Colorado Ave. at 6 p.m. The Sylvan Park Neighborhood Watch Group will be the host group for the celebration. Mayor Bill Purcell, Chief Ronal Serpas, Commander Mickey Miller and the West precinct officers cordially invite all citizens to help celebrate this great accomplishment.

Violence at the corner of 4th and Monroe on April 5th

While walking along 5th Ave on April 5th at around 6 pm, neighborhood residents saw a group of 10-15 teenagers and several cars in a parking lot at the corner of 4th & Monroe. It looked like one person was pinned to the ground while the others were beating him/her up. As soon as they realized someone was there, they all jumped into their cars and drove off down 4th Ave. The police were called, but didn't have enough information to take further action.

Community services helpline, 211

If you know someone in need of community services or would like to help others, you can dial 211 to get more information. 211 is a free community services referral line that can direct people to resources for help with: counseling, domestic violence, employment assistance, substance abuse, health care, food and shelter, crisis intervention, veterans and senior services, financial and legal help, disability services, and parenting and childcare resources.

Friends of the Nashville Farmer's Market group being formed

Friends of the Nashville Farmers’ Market, a city-wide group of farmer's market supporters, will be a way for market fans to support, promote and get involved as the market works to expand its local growers and community outreach. If you’re interested in getting involved, contact Cindy Wall at cindywall@comcast.net

Country Music Marathon Street Closures for April 29th

The annual Country Music Marathon is on Saturday April 29th. As in previous years, there will several road closures in the surrounding area for much of the morning and early afternoon, including 8th Ave and parts of Jefferson. Check here for a list of road closures and times: Street Closures

Upcoming events at the Farmer's Market

Gardens of Babylon nursery is hosting free Saturday morning workshops this spring on topics from composting to container gardening. If you're interested check out the schedule on their website and call them at 244-8949 to reserve a spot. List of upcoming seminars

The market has also started up a "Producer's Only" section in front of the interior market on Saturdays from 8 am-6 pm featuring locally grown produce and artisan foods, sold directly by the producer. For anyone interested in local food, this is a good area to check out.

The market is going to feature live music every Saturday from noon-2 pm from May 13-October 29.

Other events:
Herb Festival: Saturday April 22 from 11 am-2 pm. Featuring cooking and gardening workshops.
Strawberry Jubilee: Saturday and Sunday May 20-21 from 11 am-2 pm both days.
Summer Grill Party: Saturday and Sunday June 17-18 from 11 am -2 pm both days

Jefferson Street Easter Parade

The Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership is sponsoring an Easter Parade/Walk of Prayer on Easter Sunday, April 16th. The parade starts at 2 pm at 12th Ave North and Jefferson and ends at 8th Avenue at the future site of the African American Museum of Music, Art, and Culture. Article on the parade

Community gardening internship available

Metro Parks is offering a summer seasonal job (or paid internship) working with Nashville’s Community Gardens (CG). The Community Gardens Steering Committee offers support, resources, instruction, and assistance to developing and established gardens throughout Nashville.

This position runs May-August and is a 30-hour-a-week commitment including some evening and weekend responsibilities. The wage is $8.27 per hour. Interested candidates should be 18 years and older and have some experience and education in gardening/horticulture. Experience with urban community gardening is preferred. The applicant must be able to communicate well with adults and children of various ages and backgrounds. Resumes will be accepted until April 14, 2006.

Major Job Responsibilities
• Assist with coordinating activities of the Nashville CG Steering Committee
• Provide support, resources and training to Nashville CG’s
• Assist with CG website design and development
• Develop CG literature and training materials
• Provide CG educational programs to community center youth and the public

Preferred Field of Study
Horticulture, Community Development, Organizational Development, Parks and Recreation Administration, or Environmental Education

Position open until filled. Position is subject to a background check. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume and three references to:
Vera Vollbrecht, Environmental Education Specialist
Warner Park Nature Center
7311 Highway 100
Nashville, TN 37221
vera.vollbrecht@nashville.gov
615-352-6299 or fax @ 615-880-2282

Long time neighborhood resident Cocoa passed away

A note from Meredith Herndon, Elliott Herndon & Dee Ann Walker

Long time Germantown resident passes at the age of 20.

One of the very first Germantown occupants, Cocoa was known best for his love of birds and unfortunate hatred of Ben Mosley's dog. Born in 1986, he was an original in the neighborhood, having seen many changes over the years; new buildings arise and lots of new prey move in. He was well known by all the old time residents and has befriended many of the new. In his passing, I would just like to thank all of you who have shown him love and spent time stopping traffic on 5th so that he could cross safely.

You will be missed greatly.

Cocoa
1986-2006

5th Annual Boylan Crawfish Boil TODAY from noon until ???

Jason and Pam Boylan are hosting their annual crawfish boil today April 8th from Noon until the cows come home. Make sure you dress in layers in case the wind doesn't let up and come enjoy the crawfish. The boil is right in front of their house at 308 Taylor Street in between 3rd and 4th Streets.

Action Alert: Hearing delayed

Update

The developers have voluntarily deferred their hearing before the Planning Commision until after they have had a chance to meet with neighborhood residents.

The matter will go before the Planning Commission in approximately two weeks. A date and time for a meeting with the neighborhood will be set and a notice will be sent in the near future.

Thank you to everyone for letting your neighborhood board and your councilman how you feel about this development! We'll keep you up-to-date.

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Please provide your input on proposed development at 4th & Monroe

The developers who have purchased the lot at 4th & Monroe are planning to build a 35-unit structure on the 1.6 acre site.

As reported in the Tennessean this morning, the developers will be presenting their request to change the zoning from IR (Industrial Restrictive) to SP (Specific Plan) at the Planning Commission meeting next Tuesday (April 11th, 4:00 PM). They have already presented their plans to the Metro Housing and Development Authority, who asked them to defer their requests until after the Planning Commission meeting.

The developers have not contacted the Neighborhood Association regarding their plans at this time.

As residents of Germantown, your opinions on whether this development is the kind that improves our neighborhood is very important. The board members strongly ask and recommend attendance at the Planning Commission meeting in order to send the strongest message regarding this development. Also, contacting our district Council member, Ludye Wallace, by email or letter, will make your voice heard.

Planning Commission Meeting:
Tuesday, April 11th, 4:00 PM
Howard School Office Building
700 Second Ave. S.
(615) 862-7190