No. 582: Welcoming Fall

Good afternoon, everyone.

We're heading into the first of a couple of nice, crisp fall weekends. Enjoy it while you can. Middle Tennessee this time of the year is paradise. No reason to close your windows the entire weekend. Here's that handy fall foliage map again.

Onward.

From H.D. Miller

Who names a high-end restaurant after a Biblical plague? In 12South? You can tell that chef Trevor Moran isn’t from around these parts, because as soon as you mention the word “locust” to a real Southerner they start thinking about painting their door jambs red, not about eating fourteen-dollar, desiccated tuna crackers. Such is the power of Sunday school. (By way of disclosure, I’m not a real Southerner, either, just a life-long member of the Churches of Christ, thus accounting for my encyclopedic knowledge of God’s wrath.)

Speaking of God’s wrath, may it rain down upon the real estate nabobs who are turning 12South into yet one more semi-urban, cookie-cutter Nowheresville. Apparently, in the 21st Century, everywhere is destined to look like everywhere else, as anything local, quirky, or notable is whirled into a pink slurry and extruded into the blandest 5-over-1, mixed-use casings. If the world were just, an Old Testament God would afflict everyone at Cushman and Wakefield with disfiguring boils. Instead, we get Locust the Restaurant—in its own way, one of the lesser plagues of modernity.

Is the Army Corps of Engineers coming to patrol an area near you? According to a new agreement passed and approved by the council and mayor’s office, yes. A resolution supplying extra-duty police services to the patrol areas around J. Percy Priest and Old Hickory lakes was signed off on by the council this week. 

The recruitment of outside officers to execute duties within Davidson County comes as no surprise; MNPD has had ongoing retainment issues for years. In July, the shortage took center stage once again when a conversation with Chief Drake turned to the topic of placing SROs in Metro elementary schools. At the time, the police chief stated the department was short 170 officers.

On Tuesday, Metro Council voted to move forward with a mural project underneath the Moorewood Drive overpass. The decision to beautify the area by adding fresh gravel and a vivid, geometric painting through the underpass is an effort to prevent dumping and littering. 

Over the years, murals have become a staple in Music City, so much so that there are several Nashville mural guides. Of course, in the case of this project, it’s not to draw in tourists, it’s a colorful solution to  neighborhood vandalism.The approved agreement between TDOT and NDOT mentions the project will be taken up by a local artist, Marge Art.

Imagine Nashville shooting for 'tens of thousands' of survey responses, including business voices (NBJ) As a doctor, Alex Jahangir is used to giving opinions. Now, he is seeking them out — from anyone who works or lives in Nashville. Jahangir is one of the leaders of Imagine Nashville, a yearlong campaign to create a cohesive vision for the city's future and actions that the government, businesses, foundations and others can take to make it happen.

Flags to Fly at Half-Staff over Tennessee Capitol Friday in Honor of Fallen Knox County Deputy (Star) At the direction of Gov. Bill Lee (R), flags will be flown at half-staff at the Tennessee Capitol Friday to honor a Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) deputy killed in the line of duty earlier this week. Blakely, 29, was killed after he and his partner responded to a domestic disturbance call on Sunday night in Knoxville.

Bill Freeman steps down as president and CEO of Freeman Webb Co. (NBJ) Longtime Nashville businessman Bill Freeman is stepping down as president and CEO of Freeman Webb Co., a company he helped to create 44 years ago. Freeman is passing the reins to his son, Bob Freeman. Matt Olson will be assuming the role of chief operating officer.

Tennessee grants $16.5M in low-interest water infrastructure loans (Center Square) So far this fiscal year, TDEC has awarded $75,000 in drinking water loans and $18.9 million in clean water loans. During fiscal year 2023, TDEC awarded $ 47.3 million in drinking water loans and $64.1 million in clean water loans for a total of $111.4 million.

• Memphis’ Supper Club Opens with Showy Aplomb in Hillsboro Village

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• Local development firm progresses on Printers and Bankers Alley project

  NBJ

• Bill Miller sets Southern Turf Club opening

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• Schulman's opens in ex-brewery on east side

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• Midtown company seeks new home, sale of building

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