Ketch Secor to Host Special Reading at The Getalong
Grammy Award-winning musician and founder of Old Crow Medicine Show, Ketch Secor, will be at The Getalong at 4 p.m., Sunday, March 31 for a special reading from his debut picture book, Lorraine, which was released this past fall. (Check out our previous East Side Buzz on The Getalong.)
“We love Lorraine, and when we were planning The Getalong, we put together a wish list of children’s book authors that we’d love to have read or perform in the shop,” says Jennifer Kite, co-owner of The Getalong. “Knowing about Ketch’s involvement within the East Nashville community, he was the first person we asked. To our delight, he was interested in doing it. We had no idea at the time that Old Crow Medicine Show was getting ready to announce a new album and show at the Ryman, so we’re super appreciative he worked us into his schedule.”
In writing Lorraine, Secor found inspiration from the Appalachian folktales he heard when living in eastern Tennessee during the infancy of Old Crow Medicine Show. “I’m interested in telling children’s stories using the traditional form found in folktales and incorporating all of these elements of music that both make it fun for kids and also harken to the richness of Tennessee culture,” Secor states in an official press release.
Steve Geck, editorial director of children’s books at Sourcebooks who published Lorraine, found himself drawn to the story’s deep roots in music and exploration of Americana. “Lorraine celebrates the bond a young girl shares with her grandfather through their mutual love of music. It’s sweeping, epic, and energetic,” Geck states in an official press release.
Priority for this special reading and performance will be given to guests who order Lorraine in person at The Getalong through March 29. A book purchase includes entry for up to two adults and three children per family. If space is available, they will allow entry on a first-come, first-served basis.
Although Secor is their first special guest for the reading, The Getalong hosts a free Storytime Singalong every Sunday at 4 p.m. “It’s an all age’s event with a rotating lineup of guests,” says Jennifer Kite, co-owner of The Getalong. “They typically last 30 minutes and have been a wonderful time for young families to meet and listen to book readings such as Forever Young, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, This Jazz Man, etc., and then sing along to related songs.”
Click here for more information on this special reading and more.
Matt Wiltshire to Lead New Affordable Housing Plan
Matt Wiltshire, director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Community Development (MOECD), is expected to join the Metropolitan Development and Housing Authority (MDHA) to enforce a decade-long plan Mayor David Briley is designing to expand Nashville’s inventory of affordable housing, reports the Nashville Business Journal.
Wiltshire has run the MOECD for almost eight years and according to the NBJ has helped develop more than 6,000 new jobs.
Wiltshire has been an emissary between the mayors he has served and members of Metro Council, especially in regards to anything that would impact the business community. “Many real estate developers seek out Wiltshire as they plan projects in the city,” states the NBJ. “He works closely with Metro’s Industrial Development Board, which has oversight over jobs grants and other business and development incentives. Wiltshire also had a hand in efforts to recruit British Airways to bring nonstop overseas service to Nashville International Airport.”
It is currently unknown who might replace Wiltshire, and he could not be reached for confirmation.
Briley’s affordable housing proposal focuses on spending Metro dollars over the next decade to redevelop Nashville’s declining public housing, reports the Tennessean.
The MDHA will replace the number of public housing units one-for-one, and add housing for middle-income residents. This mixed-income tactic is meant to break up concentrations of poverty and create more housing units closer to the area of the city, where job growth has increased in recent years.
Briley hasn’t disclosed how much funding he plans to commit to his proposal, or how many units will be built over the next 10 years.
According to the Tennessean’s anonymous sources, Briley’s plan would have three components: funding for the Envision developments, a Metro commitment to pay for infrastructure at MDHA’s redevelopment sites, and an undisclosed allocation to the Barnes Fund for Affordable Housing Innovation.
The MDHA has had to take money from its reserves to finance the first of its Envision projects at the James A. Cayce Homes. The NBJ reports two sources familiar with Briley’s plan state that the mayor wants to commit annual capital spending dollars to help MDHA bridge that funding gap.
The Tennessean reports some are stressing concern in regards to the MDHA redevelopment proposal and Mayor Briley’s ten-year plan.
Phil Manz, the chair of the Affordable Housing Task Force at NOAH, is concerned about the current MDHA redevelopment proposal and whether it will create any, “net new housing for low-income people.”
Metro Councilman John Cooper wants to see details of the new plan, and questions if this city funding, “is really just a mechanism to underwrite the mixed-income housing that’s a staple of the MDHA projects.”
In his new role with MDHA, Wiltshire would be responsible for overseeing the program’s implementation and leading public outreach about the redevelopment plans reports the NBJ.
Save the Date for Community + Cleanup at Bass Park
The Lockeland Springs Neighborhood Association is hosting their yearly Community + Cleanup event, a family-friendly neighborhood cleanup (that will include Five Points) in conjunction with April’s Earth Day celebration from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at Bass Park.
“Last year’s event was a huge success, and we’d love to build on it and make this year’s even better,” says Lindsey Pearsall a member of the Lockeland Springs Neighborhood Association. “We’ll be collecting trash around the neighborhood in support of April’s Earth Day celebration followed by a neighborhood party.”
Everyone will meet at Bass Park, located at 1604 Holly St., at 8:30 a.m. and head out into the neighborhood to pick up litter. All cleaning supplies including trash grabbers and bags are provided. The cleanup will be followed by a neighborhood party, also at Bass Park, where a bounce house, face painting, and other activities for kids will be set up. Grilled hot dogs and vegan dogs will be provided for everyone who participated.
Pearsall states the event is, “intended to help beautify Lockeland Springs and build greater community amongst neighbors.”
The association has been hosting a neighborhood trash cleanup in conjunction with the city’s greater annual Earth Day celebration for a few years; however, they added the community building component last year.
“Unfortunately, it can be hard to know your neighbors nowadays,” says Pearsall. “We wanted to create an annual event that brings the community together in service and celebration so neighbors could have an opportunity to get to know one another better. Last year was a great success. Longtime residents remarked about how nice it was to meet so many new neighbors, and newcomers were happy to get connected to the community. We hope it continues to foster greater connection each year.”
Click here for more information on Community + Cleanup.
If you have additional questions, please email info@lockelandsprings.org.
Quick Bits
― Family owned and operated, Bill Martin Foods on Fatherland Street is closing after serving the community for 58 years. Read more at Fox 17 News.
― Prayer postcards have been showing up in residents’ mailboxes all over East Nashville leaving a mix of positive and negative reactions. Read more at Fox News.
― Yazoo and The Pharmacy are hosting a fundraiser for the Tennessee Local Farm Summit from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, at The Pharmacy. The event, called “A Funky Farm Fête,” is a five-course, seven-beer dinner featuring beers from Yazoo Brewing Co., Leifmans, Blackberry Farm Brewery, and Hanssens. The family-style dinner will be prepared by guest chefs Vivek Surti of Tailor Nashville and David Wingo of Tennessee Craft Beer magazine. Read more at the Nashville Scene.
― Groups riding recklessly through the streets on dirt bikes and four wheelers are something that has been all over the news recently and is taking a toll on the South Inglewood Park area. Read more at Fox 17 News.
― Nashville dog owners beware of a potentially deadly virus spread by raccoons. Metro Animal Care and Control is asking pet owners to make sure your dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations amid an increase of sickness in raccoons. According to MACC, the rise in sickness among raccoons is being caused by the distemper virus, which can be easily transmitted from wildlife to pets. Read more at Fox 17 News.
― The 2019 NFL Draft is expected to bring in over 100,000 people to downtown during the first day alone on Thursday, April 25. The draft will begin that evening and continue through Saturday, April 27. For a complete list of road closures click here.
― Point Breeze Apartments located in the Maplewood-area at 488 Lemont Drive has sold for $23.6 million. Read more at the Nashville Post.
― Nashville’s fairgrounds will soon be home to the new major league soccer stadium. Due to this significant change in the fairgrounds, The Tennessee State Fair Commission has instructed the Tennessee State Fair to begin seeking a new site out of concern for lack of space and facilities. Read more at the Tennessean.
― Prince’s Hot Chicken and The Pharmacy Burger are two of the four high-profile restaurants that have been announced for the European-style food hall and entertainment venue under construction at the new Fifth + Broadway development. This 100,000-square-foot, multi-level food hall will have more than 20 local restaurant partners, cocktail bars, a full-service restaurant, rooftop event space, and music venue. Read more at the Tennessean.
― Yazoo and The Pharmacy are hosting a fundraiser for the Tennessee Local Farm Summit from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, at The Pharmacy. The event, called “A Funky Farm Fête,” is a five-course, seven-beer dinner featuring beers from Yazoo Brewing Co., Leifmans, Blackberry Farm Brewery, and Hanssens. The family-style dinner will be prepared by guest chefs Vivek Surti of Tailor Nashville and David Wingo of Tennessee Craft Beer magazine. Read more at the Nashville Scene.
― Groups riding recklessly through the streets on dirt bikes and four wheelers are something that has been all over the news recently and is taking a toll on the South Inglewood Park area. Read more at Fox 17 News.
― Nashville dog owners beware of a potentially deadly virus spread by raccoons. Metro Animal Care and Control is asking pet owners to make sure your dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations amid an increase of sickness in raccoons. According to MACC, the rise in sickness among raccoons is being caused by the distemper virus, which can be easily transmitted from wildlife to pets. Read more at Fox 17 News.
― The 2019 NFL Draft is expected to bring in over 100,000 people to downtown during the first day alone on Thursday, April 25. The draft will begin that evening and continue through Saturday, April 27. For a complete list of road closures click here.
― Point Breeze Apartments located in the Maplewood-area at 488 Lemont Drive has sold for $23.6 million. Read more at the Nashville Post.
― Nashville’s fairgrounds will soon be home to the new major league soccer stadium. Due to this significant change in the fairgrounds, The Tennessee State Fair Commission has instructed the Tennessee State Fair to begin seeking a new site out of concern for lack of space and facilities. Read more at the Tennessean.
― Prince’s Hot Chicken and The Pharmacy Burger are two of the four high-profile restaurants that have been announced for the European-style food hall and entertainment venue under construction at the new Fifth + Broadway development. This 100,000-square-foot, multi-level food hall will have more than 20 local restaurant partners, cocktail bars, a full-service restaurant, rooftop event space, and music venue. Read more at the Tennessean.
