Positive thoughts for unsoggy Saturday

It's time for an anti-rain dance. There's too much planned around town and beyond this weekend to let the rain gods interfere for yet another weekend.

First up is the Iroquois Steeplechase, which thousands of Brentwood residents flock to every Second Saturday in May. There should be an unwritten law that it can only be sunny and breezy on Steeplechase day. We always tailgate in the Topside section, a bit removed from the party central area that is the Infield and Midfield but not quite as high brow as the box seats.

I'm taking $1 bets on the weather tomorrow, and trust blue skies will send me home with a handful of green bills.

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If your pantry is stocked full, please consider bagging up some staples for the "Second Harvest Needs Your Help to Stamp Out Hunger" event on Saturday. Just put a bag of nonperishables by your mailbox Saturday for your letter carrier to pick up. The Second Harvest website says the most needed items includ canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, canned soup, fruit, vegetables, rice and macaroni & cheese. Second Havest estimates that 13 million children face hunger every day.

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We really need to pray for sun for the Brentwood Soccer Club. Its annual tournament is this weekend and can mean thousands, like $20,000 for the city. Unfortunately it's been rained out the past few years and chair Kelly Lee doesn't deserve another. Tournaments like these are one way tourism dollars flow into the city's coffers.

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Everyone's invited to Breakout ’09, a Christian festival for youth, children and families, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday on the rear lawn at New Hope Community Church, 605 Wilson Pike. This free daytime event features inflatables, games, face painting,music and fun for children and the family. There will be three-on-three pickup basketball games on the parking lot with prizes. Picnic food will be available for purchase at minimal prices.

And Saturday night, a teen concert begins at 6 p.m. in church’s Fellowship Hall. Headlining are four of Christian music’s up-and-coming performers, predominantly for teens. Headlining will be Remedy Drive (nominated for Gospel Music Association Dove Awards) and rap artist Grits (who have worked with both dcTalk and Tobymac). The concert is $10 per ticket, which should be purchased in advance.

Parking for both events will be in the church’s parking lot with overflow on the lawn. For ticket info, contact Youth Pastor Josh Huisman at 373-1590.

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Sunday's Mother's Day. Need I say more? Except that if you haven't made lunch or dinner reservations at one of our growing number of great restaurants, good luck. I'd start working those phones now. And if you haven't gotten dear old Mom a gift yet, may I suggest a gift certificate for a whole house deep clean. At least, that's what one mom I know might want.

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Finally, don't forget the Nashville Symphony concert Sunday at Crockett Park's Eddy Arnold Amphitheater. See my previous post for comments from Resident Director Albert-George Schram. The music starts at 7 p.m. but feel free to come early and bring a picnic, weather permitting.

Ah, the weather. I see some sun poking through now, but we're also under a tornado watch. Go figure and hope for the best, plan for the worst.

Have a great weekend everyone!