The East Nashvillian — Community in Your Hands
Our new print issue is now available! It features coverage of the March 3 tornado, focusing on the amazing Nashvillians that came together in the days following the tragedy to help dig out and rebuild our community, along with other great, local stories like a profile of guitar master and East Nashvillian Robben Ford, a behind the scenes look at a new documentary focusing on gay women in Southern music, and much more. For a list of distribution points and info on how this special issue came together, check-out this special statement from our editor, Chuck Allen.
Metro Nashville COVID-19 Response Updates
It’s been another rapidly moving week as the number of COVID-19 cases and related deaths continue to rise in Davidson County and across the U.S. On Sunday, the Metro Health Department issued a Safer at Home order directing all residents of Nashville and Davidson County to stay inside their homes unless they are engaged in “essential activities.” The order also called for the closure of all businesses that are not deemed essential. For complete information visit the Safer at Home page of Metro’s official COVID-19 response site.
The Metro Public Health Department have launched a COVID-19 telephone hotline with nurses and other public health professionals available to answer questions, provide the latest information about COVID-19, and assist Davidson County residents with the assessment process. The number, 615.862.7777, will operate 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Interpretation services are available in Spanish, Arabic, and other languages.
Metro Nashville Public Schools remain closed but have updated their school pickup locations for breakfast and lunch meal delivery for children under the age of 18 in Nashville. Children do not have to be enrolled in MNPS or provide documentation, but they do need to be present in order to collect the meals. Details for all locations are available at mnps.org/covid19.
Metro Government has formed a Small Business Task Force that includes Lockeland Springs resident and Barista Parlor owner Andy Mumma. The task force’s provides information and links to resources for small businesses during this time of crisis. Visit sbtfnashville.com.
Public Works is temporarily suspending tornado debris removal. Regular trash and recycling collections are continuing. If your pickup is missed submit a service request through the HubNashville website or app or call 311. Metro Convenience Centers, including the East Center at 943A Doctor Richard G. Adams Drive, are open to the public on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Disaster Assistance Centers that opened in the wake of tornado, including the one at East Park Community Center, have closed but individuals and businesses can still register for assistance with FEMA and/or the Small Business Administration online. The Metro Government’s Storm Response page has information on applying and links to both agencies along with updates on how to donate to or apply for disaster assistance funds and resources.
What’s the Story? — Nashville Strong
On Thursday Mayor John Cooper announced the #NashvilleStrongStory campaign to highlight and promote the positive responses of Nashvillians in the wake of the March 3 tornado and the novel coronavirus pandemic. If you know a particularly inspiring story of how individuals or our community has come together to help others and post it to social media, be sure to use the #NashvilleStrongStory hashtag.
Looking for ways you can help? Metro’s Office of Emergency Management is asking for donations of new and unused medical and personal protective equipment (PPE) to help protect non-medical professionals and city workers involved in the city’s response. For more information, what equipment is needed, and how to donate, visit asafenashville.org/personal-protective-equipment.
A Sign of Your Support!
Local wood shop Good Wood Nashville is making and selling Nashville Strong signs in a variety of sizes with 50 percent of all proceeds going to the restaurant, cafe or small business of your choice to help out-of-work employees pay their bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. For details visit the Good Wood Nashville website.
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Not Lost in the Supermarket — Grocery Updates
As people stay at home across Nashville, access to grocery supplies have remained absolutely vital. Local grocery merchants and chains have responded with a number of new policies to protect their employees, customers and the supply of essential goods. In addition to limiting purchases of essential items to prevent hoarding (yes, that includes toilet paper), stores are providing sanitation stations at their entrances and asking customers to maintain a six foot distance between employee and fellow customers while shopping and waiting in check-out lines.
The Turnip Truck’s new location at 5001 Charlotte Ave., is opening today, Friday, March 27, at 10 a.m., one day earlier than originally scheduled. Owner John Dyke said the early opening was a result of the increased demand for groceries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past week, Dyke has hired 30 new employees for his three stores to ensure shelves stay stocked. All three locations, East Nashville, The Gulch, and West Nashville are observing a strict cleaning protocol and have placed special sanitizing stations inside and out of the stores’ entrances.
Kroger instituted new hours on Monday, March 23 for all of their stores in Middle and East Tennessee, North Alabama, and Southern Kentucky. Stores will be open daily 7-9 p.m. Kroger is asking that only high-risk individuals (seniors and persons with underlying medical conditions) shop 7- 8 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
While the Nashville Farmer’s Market at 900 Rosa L Parks Blvd. is currently closed to the public, a drive-thru market will operate this Saturday, March 28, and continue every Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, in the parking lot. Orders must be placed in advance via phone and customers must wait their turn for a pick-up slot in the main parking lot. Market staff will be on hand for individuals who need special assistance. For more information and to place an order, visit the Farmer’s Market website.
The Frothy Monkey’s new East Side location at 1701 Fatherland Ave. is now open for take-out with curbside service. In addition to coffee, breakfast, lunch, supper, and kids meals, they are offering a selection of groceries and wine by the bottle. More at frothymonkey.com.
Mitchell Delicatessen is offering curbside pick-up and delivery of basic groceries in addition to their sandwiches. For more info and to place an order, visit ordermitchelldeli.com.
Restaurant Run-Down
Many restaurants are still open and offering takeout, curbside pick-up, and delivery service. We’re continuing to update our page of Restaurants Offering Take Out & To Go. Updates and corrections may be sent to randy@theeastnashvillian.com.
Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order 17 relaxed alcohol-by-the-drink regulations so that restaurant take-out or delivery orders that include food may also include mixed drinks in closed containers. Check with your favorite local restaurant for details.
Several local craft breweries including Yazoo, Tailgate, and Fat Bottom are now offering beer delivery. For details, visit their websites.
Five Points Pizza, which was damaged by the tornado, has reopened and is offering pizza through a walk-up take out window. Place your order at fivepointspizza.com, text 5POINTS to 33733 and order from their Five Points Pizza app, order delivery on Postmates, or call 615.915.4174 to order from their East Nashville location.
The Wild Cow has temporarily closed. Follow their Facebook page for updates.
Greetings From Nashville
Poverty and the Arts (POVA), the East Nashville-based nonprofit social enterprise that benefits people affected by homelessness is offering a special way to connect with friends and loved ones during this time of social distancing. POVA is offering customized greeting cards through their website with 25 percent of the proceeds going to artists that designed the cards. POVA will hand write the message for your recipient and mail the card directly to them. For more information and designs visit PovertyandtheArts.org.
