No. 317: Hey, You Can't Smoke Here

Good morning, everyone.

Thanks to all who came out to Bar Hours last night. I was unfortunately holed up with a fever and couldn't make it, but come September, you know I'll be there. From what I heard, it was diverse group—in the true sense of that word—as usual.

Onward.

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Also, be sure to check out our podcast. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks for reading.

❍ SMOKE-FREE NASHVILLE

Nashville seems to be on its way to becoming smoke-free.

Though the bill regarding a change in Metropolitan code that would extend smoking restrictions was deferred during the council meeting this week, it was done so in cooperation with the state and certain venues.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Back in 2007, Tennessee legislature took decisive action in recognizing public health concerns regarding second-hand smoke by passing the Non-Smoker Protection Act. The law banned smoking in all enclosed public places in Tennessee, including places of employment. Though this ban was implemented starting in October of ‘07, the ban left some wiggle room with carve outs and did not include e-cigarettes.

List of carve outs where smoking was still allowed reported by MTAS:

• Private residences (except licensed child care, adult day care, or health care facility, taxi or commercial vehicles for hire);
• Commercial vehicles when occupied solely by the operator;
• Hotel and motel rooms that are designated as smoking rooms;
• Retail tobacco stores that prohibit minors;
• Non-enclosed areas of public spaces (open air patios, porches or decks; area enclosed by garage type doors on one or more sides; area enclosed by tents or awnings with removable sides or vents);
• Enclosed smoking areas of a building or facility that are physically separated and independently ventilated from areas of the building or facility where smoking is prohibited;
• Venues that restrict access to persons who are 21 years of age or older;
• Cigar bars;
• Private clubs;
• Private businesses with three (3) or fewer employees where smoking is allowed in an area not accessible to the general public;
• Private vehicles, except when used for the public transportation of children or for transportation by a healthcare facility or day care facility or when used as a taxi or other commercial vehicle for hire; and
• All premises of any manufacturer, importer, or wholesaler of tobacco products, of any tobacco leaf dealer or processor, and all tobacco storage facilities.

The carve outs left many bars and other age-restricted venues undisturbed by the ban leaving it up to local governments to refine the restrictions sought by their constituents. The concerns of Nashvillians are currently being recognized with legislation proposed by Metro City Council.

METRO’S BILL TO BAN SMOKING

Groups, such as Musicians for a Smokefree Tennessee have come together to advocate on the behalf of musicians and bar workers who are subject to secondhand smoke. In Nashville, a Metro bill sponsored by Council Member Jeff Syracuse and others has been presented and prohibits both tobacco and e-cigarette smoke. It also limits the current carve-outs for public venues to retail vape or smoke shops and cigar bars.

The bill was deferred during the vote last meeting to further look into carve-outs for hookah bars and other CBD related venues.

HEADLINES

• Tennessee education officials send first voucher approvals to Nashville, Memphis families (Tennessean) Forty-six student and family applicants received approvals Tuesday, deeming them eligible to receive state funds to take to eligible private schools. The next step will be a private school application and acceptance.
• Nashville named host city for 2023 NHL Draft, NHL Awards (Post) The events will fall between CMA Fest and Nashville’s Fourth of July celebration and mark the fifth major NHL event the city has hosted, joining the 2003 NHL Draft, 2016 NHL All-Star Game, 2017 Stanley Cup Final and 2022 Stadium Series.
• Elevated lead levels reported at schools in 19 Middle Tennessee counties (WKRN) The report, issued this month, says 53 school districts across Tennessee reported at least one elevated result; 44 counties across the state had at least one school with an elevated result; and a total of 794 drinking fixtures were reported to have elevated lead levels.
• Nashville drivers will be asked to file their own accident reports (WPLN) Metro Police will start asking drivers to file their own report for fender benders and minor accidents next week. More than a year ago, the department stopped trying to respond to all wrecks because of a staffing shortage, but there were more limited options for filing a police report.

POLITICS

• Democratic state House candidate arrested for cussing cops in Maury County (TNJ) David Carson, a Democratic candidate for state House District 71, was arrested for disorderly conduct four days before the primary for berating police officers. Carson was unopposed for the nomination and faces Republican Kip Capley in the election to succeed retiring Rep. David Byrd (R-Waynesboro).
• Buses Carrying Illegal Aliens From Texas To D.C. Will No Longer Stop In Chattanooga (TCN) Earlier this week, we reported that buses loaded with immigrants originating from the border in Texas were making pit stops in Chattanooga on their journey to D.C.  Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly states that the buses have now changed their route and will no longer be stopping in Chattanooga.

DEVELOPMENT

• Shaquille O’Neal’s fast-casual concept set for Nashville (Post)
• TailGate taps Hendersonville for sixth taproom (Post)
• Tune Airport-area industrial property sells for $9M (Post)
• MetroCenter office complex changes hands for $32.25M (Post)
• Ex-downtown restaurant sets reopening date on east side (Post)

➫ DOBBS RULING SPARKS VOTER TURNOUT

Since the Dobbs ruling which overturned the Constitutional right to abortion, Tom Bonier has observed that new voter registrations vastly favor women, especially in states with restrictive abortion laws set to be implemented.

In the above graph, you'll notice Kansas experienced a 40% difference between new male and female voters. You might also remember that Kansas recently voted overwhelmingly against a proposed state constitutional amendment Tuesday that would have said there was no right to an abortion in the state. As an aside, there was a lot of money from donors like Steven Spielberg and Michael Bloomberg thrown into the vote.

Another example is Pennsylvania.

Since June 24th of this year (the overturn of Dobbs), women make up more than 56% of new registrants. Of those women, 62% are Democrats, 15% are Republicans, and 54% are under the age of twenty-five. Men, on the other hand, are 43% Democrat, 28% Republican, and 41% under the age of twenty-five.

Something to keep an eye on.

⁕ CHART OF THE DAY: COVID ANTIHEROES

⚔ MISSIVES ⚔

• 📄 A federal judge ordered the government on Thursday to propose redactions to the highly sensitive affidavit that was used to justify a search warrant executed by the F.B.I. last week at former President Donald J. Trump’s private home and club, saying he was inclined to unseal parts of it.
• 🤡 The U.S. will provide 50,000 monkeypox vaccine doses specifically for large events with high attendance by gay and bisexual men in an effort to better reach the community most at risk right now, health officials said Thursday.
• 📈 The cost of raising a child through high school has risen to more than $300,000 because of inflation that is running close to a four-decade high, according to a Brookings Institution estimate.
• 💎 The companies of mega-rich celebrities, including billionaires Kanye West and Jay-Z, received millions in government PPP loans – and in virtually every case the A-listers have been let off the hook for paying back the full amount.
• 🛢 When President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law on Aug. 16, his signature opened the door to reinstating the largest oil and gas lease sale in U.S. history, which had been blocked by a court because of climate impact concerns.
• 🇫🇮 The Finnish Prime Minister, Sanna Marin, is facing a backlash after being seen partying in a leaked video. In the footage, thought to be taken from social media, she and friends including Finnish celebrities are seen dancing and singing.

THINGS TO DO

View our full calendar here.

🎪 Check out our favorite driving distance festivals this summer.

👨🏻‍🌾 The Pamphleteer farmer's market guide.

⚔️ Knights in Armor at the Frist starting July 1st: European arms and armor from the renowned collection of the Museo Stibbert in Florence, Italy.

🎭 Shakespeare in the park is every Thursday through Sunday from August 18th till September 11th

🎼 Listen to The Pamphleteer's Picks, our playlist of bands playing in Nashville each week.

TONIGHT

🎻 The Cowpokes @ Acme Feed & Seed, 12p, Free, Info

🎡 Williamson County Fair @ Lebanon Fairgrounds, 5p, $10, Info

🍀 Live Irish Music @ McNamara’s Irish Pub, 6p, Free, Info

🎸 Kelly’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info

🐂 Professional Bull Riding @ Bridgestone, 7:45p, $20+ Info

🎸 Super Jam @ Dee's Lounge, 10:30p, $5, Info
+ The late night option

TOMORROW

🎡 Williamson County Fair @ Lebanon Fairgrounds, 10a, $10, Info

🏎 Drag Race @ Music City Raceway, 3p, $12, Info

🍀 Live Irish Music @ McNamara’s Irish Pub, 6p, Free, Info

🎸 Jack Silverman @ The 5 Spot, 6p, $10, Info
+ The 5 Spot guitar picker

🎸 Kelly’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info

🐂 Professional Bull Riding @ Bridgestone, 6:45p, $20+ Info

🎺 Big Band Dance Lessons (Two Step) @ Centennial park, 7:30p, Free, Info

🎙 Fleetwood Mac Cover @ 3rd & Lindsley, 8p, $15, Info

📽 Harmony Korin's Gummo @ The Belcourt, 11:59p, $12.50, Info

SUNDAY

🎻 Bluegrass Brunch @ Von Elrod's, 10a, Info

🎡 Williamson County Fair @ Lebanon Fairgrounds, 12p, $10, Info

🐂 Professional Bull Riding @ Bridgestone, 12:15p, $20+ Info

🎺 Jazz on the Cumberland @ Riverfront Park, 5:30, Free, Info

🎙 Songbirds & Crooners @ The 5 Spot, 6p, $10, Info
+ Covers of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and the like

🕺 Red Bull Unlocked @ 5 Points East Nashville, 6p, $15, Info

🎅🏽  Santa's Ice Cold Pickers @ Santa's Pub, 7p, Free, No Info‌‌

🎻 Old Time Jam @ Dee's Lounge, 7:30, Free, Info

RECENT ESSAYS

RECENT PODCASTS

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• Regenerative Agriculture and Animal-Based Skincare (w/ Charles Mayfield) (Listen)
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• Hillsdale's Charter School Program (w/ Dr. Kathleen O'Toole) (Listen)

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Words of Wisdom

"The gifted man bears his gifts into the world, not for his own benefit, but for the people among whom he is placed; for the gifts are not his, he himself is a gift to the community."

Henry Ford

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