Have you checked out BHP today?

Today at Brentwood Home Page (www.brentwoodhomepage.com), you'll find:

In BrentWord: How the Brentwood chamber speaker took second billing to the speaker he brought with him.
In City News: A report from last night's City Commission meeting that includes castles, Boy Scouts and speed bumps.
In School News: First there were 5, then there were 3 and now there are 2: Finalists for Williamson County Schools' Director of Schools position.
In Business News: Hot Pink celebrates its 5th birthday.
Coming up: Fall sports overviews for BHS, RHS and BA, and much more.

Brentwood Home Page lives!

Dear BrentWord readers,
It's been a pleasure sharing news and nuggets about life in Brentwood here at brentword.blogspot.com over the past several months. But today I'm happy to announce that Brentwood Home Page (www.brentwoodhomepage.com), Brentwood's only independent, online "newspaper" is now live and my blog will move over to that site immediately.
This site will remain active in case anyone wants or needs previous posts. Who knows, I may even post fresh news here once in a while just to keep life interesting.
In the meantime, please check out our new website. The official launch date is Sept.1, but we activated our beta site in order to get feedback, constructive critiques and suggestions from people like you, and to tackle technical issues we didn't know existed until the site went live. For instance, if you are on a Mac, we've learned the home page runs really wide, though inside pages seem fine. We hope to have that solved ASAP.
I'll still be twittering @brentword, but we have a Brentwood Home Page twitter account too, @brentwoodhomepg. Please follow us! We'd also love for you to become a Brentwood Home Page fan on Facebook. Our goal is 500 fans by Sept. 1.
Thanks to all who have mentored, coached, supported and second-guessed Kelly Gilfillan and I as we've undertaken this venture. More than one of you has told us we won't take a vacation for the next three years.
Good thing Brentwood's such a great place to live.

Need a job? Jefferson's is hiring!

Just got off the phone with Jeff Webb, owner of what will be Brentwood's newest restaurant as soon as it opens.
Jefferson's, part of a small chain of family-friendly sports bar and grill restaurants, could open its doors at 214 Ward Circle in Maryland Farms today except for one thing: employees.
Jeff told me that's the hang up right now and he'll open as soon as he has hired and trained wait staff and cooks. Unbelievably given the economy, he said he's had a hard time attracting staff.
So if you or someone you know would be interested in learning more, have them contact Jeff at 661-9464. What are the job requirements? "That they be polite," he said.
Love it.
The photo is from Jefferson's Lawrence, Kansas location. Can you picture yourself doing the same thing here?
In the meantime, check out Jefferson's website to get a sneak peek at the menu, which specializes in wings, burgers and oysters. It should be a nice addition to the ever-growing mix of eating options we now have. http://www.jeffersonsrestaurant.com/.

Introducing Brentwood Home Page

City's only exclusive news source
plans 'soft launch' this weekend

Sorry BrentWord the blog's been lacking in fresh material over the past few days. The kickoff party for Brentwood Home Page, our new independent, online "newspaper" exclusively covering Brentwood, took place Tuesday. The site, www.brentwoodhomepage.com, is going live in a few days with its official launch September 1. As you can imagine, it's been busy around the BrentWord/BHP home office.
What can you do, dear readers, to make Brentwood Home Page a success?
Read it, critique it and send us suggestions over the next few weeks to help us get all the kinks out before we tell the masses it's here.
Once the site is live, if you belong to a Brentwood-based civic organization with a meeting or fundraiser or lecture coming up, add it to our community calendar. Have a car or diamond ring to sell? List it in our free classified sections. Do you have a story idea to share? Send me an email at susan@brentwoodhomepage.com.
If you own a business or a professional office here, consider advertising with us, or listing your business in our business directory. We'll be happy to send you a media kit or meet with you to discuss all the possibilities. Email kelly@brentwoodhomepage.com for details.
If you see news happening, email news@brentwoodhomepage.com.
Follow us on Twitter @brentwoodhomepg and become a fan of Brentwood Home Page on Facebook.
And most of all, please tell others that http://www.brentwoodhomepage.com/ is "The Go To Place for Everything Brentwood." Or at least it will be soon.
BrentWord will find a new home on the website too, along with Jill Burgin's "Joyride" and Dr. Bill Fleet's "Sawdust and Turnip Greens" columns. Dr. Jeff Wilson's unique look at how life and faith intersect will be featured in his weekly column "Ankle High in Deep Water." And Brentwood-based environmentalist Don Green will be writing on "green" issues that concern our city.
More regular features are planned and many other talented journalists will be contributing writers.
Thanks for being part of the amazing ride that's been BrentWord.blogspot.com these past six months. Brentwood Home Page will be much more.
Hop on the train and let's start this journey together.

Latest crime report just released

Capt. Jeff Hughes of the Brentwood Police Department has released the most recent crime report, with crimes investigated through Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Business burglary
* Glass on the south door of the Sonic at 208B Wilson Pike was broken and cash taken on Aug. 11. A suspect has been named.
* A rear door was forced open at a Sunset Road home between Aug. 8 and Aug. 10 when the owners were out of town.
* A front door was forced open at an Old Smyrna Road home on Aug. 12. Computers, jewelry, cameras and other items were taken. A neighbor saw a maroon sedan leave the residence.
Theft from motor vehicle
* Purses and their contents were taken from a car parked at the Brentwood Library on Concord Road after the passenger side windows were broken out on two vehicles.
Vandalism
* A Bridlewood Lane mailbox in River Oaks was damaged on Aug. 9 just after midnight.
* Car windows were broken out of a vehicle parked on Brookview Drive in Liberty Downs in the late night, early morning hours of Aug. 12 and 13. A juvenile has been named as a suspect.
General Theft
* Furniture and other belongs were taken from a self-storage unit on General George Patton Drive on Aug. 1. An acquaintance was named as a suspect.
* Cash, merchandise and Lotto tickets were embezzled from the Mapco Mart on Moore’s Lane. A warrant has been obtained on an employee.
* Credit cards and insurance cards were removed from a wallet at Valentine Interiors on Franklin Road Aug. 5.
* Employees of a mobile auto detailing company are suspected of filling their water tanks at Crouch Engineering at Wilson Pike Circle between May 28 and Aug. 6. Suspects have been named.
* Movie and video games were shoplifted from Costco on Seaboard Lane Aug. 8. A suspect was arrested.
* Toilet paper dispensers were pried open at Crockett Park between Aug. 8 and 9.

Fairest of the Fair? Scales students!

Proud mom Mary Ann Hernandez emailed this morning that the Little Miss Williamson County Fair pageant had two Brentwood winners.
Congratulations to Carly Clo who won the crown and Alicia Hernandez, right, who was second runner up. Both are students at Scales Elementary and "both girls were beautiful!" Mary Ann writes. No doubt.
Judges were Miss Tennessee and two past Miss Tennessee contestants.
Keep those fair accounts, pictures and blue-ribbon news coming!

City paves way toward new Pewitt Drive

Pigs can fly and Pewitt Drive might actually become a real city street -- or at least half of it could soon be fixed to public-road standards.
It's true. A face lift just might be in store for part of the private road that is a major connector in the heart of our existing Town Center.
The City Commission adopted two resolutions Monday night that would spur the project along. The first authorized a contract for the Pewitt Drive sewer relocation project, while the second authorized "an agreement with Ragan-Smith Associates for engineering services for roadway improvements to Pewitt Drive."
In a nutshell, old sewer lines that now split two parcels of land located between Pewitt and the railroad tracks basically into undevelopable property will be replaced by new and more beautiful sewer lines under the new street. We're talking the half behind the under-construction Pinnacle Bank and adjacent retail buildings.
This is something to celebrate folks. I foresee the inaugural Town Center/Mole Festival now taking place not only down Town Center Way, but across Pewitt Drive too. Unfortunately, however, we may have to put it off until 2011 unless everyone can get this project going and quick.
You see, the approved plans don't include sidewalks. City Manager Mike Walker said whoever develops those properties will have to put in sidewalks that meet the Town Center C-4 Zoning regulations themselves. And we can't have a festival without sidewalks. That's why I gave up on the idea of hosting it on Centerview Drive a few years ago.
And there's another rub. Bobby Campbell of Campbell Glass has put up small "For Sale" signs at his property located at the corner of Town Center Way and Pewitt. If the asking price I hear, but have not confirmed, is true, those sidewalks may be a long time coming.

Christmas comes early to principals

The bigger-than-normal crowd at Monday night's City Commission meeting was on its best behavior before the mayor hit the gavel and got things going.

Turns out most of the individuals filling the right-hand corner of the board room weren't citizens upset over last month's rise in sewer rates, or Boy Scouts working on government merit badges.

Every principal of a Brentwood public school was on hand to receive a gift from the city -- gifts in the forms of checks approved as part of the 2009-2010 fiscal year budget.

Maintaining excellence in our local schools is a priority, Mayor Betsy Crossley said, as she shared that over the years the city has donated more than $3.6 million to local schools. This year's donation totals $225,000 "or almost a quarter of a million dollars."

Each elementary school principal received a check for $10,000, while each middle school principal was handed an envelope with a $15,000 one. Kevin Keidel and Dr. Pam Vaden, principals of Brentwood and Ravenwood high schools respectively, each gratefully accepted checks written out for $60,000.

Keidel said he wanted to thank the board "not only for the donation, but for all your support." He specifically mentioned the city's recent ban on guns in city parks which allowed schools to continue to use park facilities for school athletics and other programming. Brentwood High, which is just completing a $3.8 million renovation, will use the money to buy computers for its new library, he said.

In addition to the principals, school board members Pat Anderson, Susan Graham and Terry Leve, who all represent Brentwood districts, attended.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Graham

Speaking of the school board, Graham sure earned some brownie points for being there. The mayor noted to one and all that it was Graham's 50th birthday. She had delayed celebrating with her family in order to see the check presentations.

I knew I liked that woman. But gosh, I would have sworn she was 38 like me.

Former BHS QB packs on pounds, talent

Check out this story by Jeff Lockridge in today's Tennessean Sports section ...

By Jeff Lockridge
Thomas Welch has told his teammates on the Vanderbilt offensive line that he was once a lean, mean quarterback at nearby Brentwood High.
Not everyone is buying his sales pitch.
"I can't believe that," senior center Bradley Vierling said. "That's what I hear. He can still throw the ball a little bit, but I like his hand on the ground."
Welch was the Bruins' quarterback as a junior but he spent his senior season as a 6-foot-7, 220-pound tight end/defensive end in 2004.
As he readies for his senior year at Vanderbilt, he weighs 310 pounds. He has moved from tight end to right tackle to left tackle since arriving on campus.

Read the entire story at http://tinyurl.com/BWwelch.

Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics.

Kids: Let the countdown begin

Bruins will start right on time
I just love a good rumor. So, apparently does Carol Birdsong, Williamson County Schools spokesperson. I could almost see her smiling about the most recent one I sent her to dispel.
Sorry Bruins, Brentwood High starts bright and early Thursday morning, right on schedule.
Apparently some had heard it was opening a week late because of construction delays.
Not so, says Carol. "I just love a good rumor but I have to say that there is not one bit of truth to it. We are looking good at BHS. .. I hope to head over that way this week to see the new TV studio and classroom."

RHS population tops 1900
Over at Ravenwood, the rumors of a growing student population are true. Dr. Pam Vaden, RHS principal, told the Brentwood City Commission Monday night that as of this morning, enrollment there has topped 1,900. Luckily for her, she was at the meeting to receive a check from the city for $60,000. She said it will go in part to the additional instructional materials needed to keep up with the growing number of students.
As for the rumor that the increase at Ravenwood can be attributed to the growing number of private school students who are switching to public given the economy, well, Carol shoots that one down too ... to a point.
"Regular growth is the reason for portables at RHS,"she said. "We knew well in advance we would have to have them there.
"I don't have any numbers to give you regarding private school enrollment although we know we have had some increase (from private school and home school students) across the county."

And on a final note...
Two days and counting kids: Have you finished your summer reading?

Calling all Brentwood fair winners!

Congratulations to Lisa Rusche of Nashville Needleworks (and The Brentwood, a Bed & Breakfast), who won a Blue Ribbon for her Lamb & Eggs needlepoint at the Williamson County Fair.
If you win a contest or ribbon, let me know so I can blog about you! Just send an email to susan@brentwoodhomepage.com and put Fair Winner in the subject line. Feel free to attach a photo too!

Mayor: Fairview pig went gangbusters

Don't ever think Mayor Betsy Crossley is one to make excuses. No sirree, she gives credit where credit's due, and in this case, she gave it to a little brown pig that put her piggy to shame.
The second annual Mayor's Pig Race Friday helped kick off opening night activities at the Williamson County Fair and our Brentwood mayor tried her best to retain the crown won last year by then-Vice Mayor Paul Webb. Alas, it wasn't to be.
County Mayor Rogers Anderson's pig brought home the bacon, by winning two of the three heats.
"My pig was doing great, and I really thought we had it until right at the very end when that pig just held up," she said. "The Fairview mayor's pig just came up gangbusters." And beat hers by about 25 snouts, she said.

Since she was just elected to a two-year term, she said she looks forward to coming back and trying again next year. She added she will spend the off-season in training. Not sure exactly what she means, but when she puts her mind to something look out.

Speaking of the fair, check out its website to see what's happening out there today and the rest of the week. Plus, here's a link to a Tennessean story about how corporate sponsorships help keep our local fairs afloat.
Maybe the 2010 edition will be the "Williamson County Fair presented by Brentwood Home Page." It has a nice ring to it.

Williamson County Fair website: http://www.williamsoncountyfair.org/
Middle Tennessee fairs find ways to stay afloat: http://tinyurl.com/BWcountyfairs

Not giving in to bum knee

Speaking of the mayor, Betsy let her friends on Facebook know that she is having knee surgery on Thursday.

What's the matter, I asked her.

What's not the matter, she replied, rambling off a long list of things like arthritis, a torn meniscus, something about a burr and a this and a that; well, you get the picture.

So how long are you going to be out of commission? I asked.

"Well, I'll probably miss Rotary on Friday," she said, but noted she expects to be back in the office on Monday, albeit on crutches.

As for tonight's City Commission meeting, she said it should be "pretty mundane and boring," but hinted by the time September rolls around, things should liven up again. I think that's good news...

Fair weather ahead! Cotton Candy too

If it's hot, it must be time for the Williamson County Fair, which opens this afternoon for a nine-day run.

But the heat can't be helped, County Commissioner and one of Brentwood's best people, Tom Bain, told me Thursday. As the baby of the Tennessee fair circuit, Williamson County had "to get to the front of the line or the back of it" when it rejuvenated itself after a 50-year lapse four years ago.

The powers that be decided August was a better bet than late fall, so the second week in August it is, come searing temps or drenching rains or a combo of both. But don't let that deter you. In fact, the 10-day forecast looks pretty good. Sure, there's a chance of isolated thunder storms most days, but what summer days aren't like that? And temps are supposed to max out in the mid-80. Can't ask for much better this time of year.

Sounds good to me. And I can't wait. I need a new set of Ginsu knives. Now, I'm not sure if I'll find them there, but I've got my fingers crossed. The best knives I've ever owned I bought at the Sonoma County Fair in a pavilion packed with hawkers who sold everything from dusting wands and Orange Glo cleaner to waterless cookware.

Tom couldn't promise I'll find a pavilion full of purveyors, but he did say several will be found on the top level of the air-conditioned arena. Can't wait to check them out!

And should anyone get tired at the fair, just be on the lookout for Mayor Betsy Crossley, Commissioner Paul Webb, John Lackey, Tom Allen and Arley Henry who are among the Brentwood volunteers Tom has lined up to be "Fair Ambassadors." He's got Police Chief Ricky Watson and Fire Chief Kenny Lane on call. They'll be driving courtesy carts around the fairgrounds to give a lift or a hand to anyone who needs one, taking up tickets at the Elvis show and more.

Commissioner Joe Reagan, a CPA by trade, has worked the fair from the start as a money counter. And Sonnie Bain, one of the talented women who run Brentwood Baptist Church, is a roving ambassador, doing whatever husband Tom says needs to be done.

You have to love these folks. And all the other volunteers that make the fair happen every day.

Hope to see them, and you, there!

• For complete fair information, visit www.williamsoncountyfair.org
• To learn why Mayor Betsy Crossley will be saying "here suey, suey" this afternoon, read today's fun story from Williamson A.M. at http://tinyurl.com/BWpigrace

Warning: Think twice before attacking

Since January of 2005, about 400 Brentwood women haven't gotten mad. They've gotten RAD.

The Brentwood Police Department offers free Rape Aggression Defense classes several times a year. The most recent class graduated Thursday night.

BrentWord intern Shanna McHenry took the class to write a first-person story on the RAD program. But even if she wasn't "working" it, as a college student, she was a great candidate. In fact, several mom and college-age daughter teams took this most-recent class together.

On Thursday, they put together all the tips, moves and defensive actions they had learned earlier in the week. Good thing their would-be attackers, aka Brentwood Police Officer Mark Wood and RAD volunteer Jeff Knutson, were well protected though they looked like red Michelin men. These ladies didn't hold back.

I won't steal any more of Shanna's thunder, so look for her story, video and a slide show when Brentwood Home Page launches in coming weeks.

And if you're a lady, age 14 or older, give serious thought to signing up in the future. I know I am!

Three candidates make cut

WCS board to invite Carroll, Dearden
and Looney back for full-day visits

This just in from Carol Birdsong, Williamson County Schools spokesperson...
The Williamson County Board of Education met in special session Thursday night to narrow the field of candidates in its Director of Schools search. The Board voted to invite three candidates to return to the district for a second interview.
Those candidates include:
* Dr. Barry Carroll, superintendent, Limestone County Schools, AL
* Dennis Dearden, senior vice-president, Partnership for Excellence, AZ
* Mike Looney, superintendent, Butler County School District, AL
The candidates are expected to visit the district, each for one day, Aug. 18, 19 and 20. Those visits will be scheduled through the search firm, Ray and Associates. More information regarding the visits and second interview will be released when dates, times and locations are confirmed.
The next regular meeting of the Board will be Monday, Aug. 17, in the auditorium of the Administrative Complex.

Crime report: Donation jar among victims

Police still offering $1000 reward
I hope George Whobrey, arrested for taking a donation jar with cash from the Moore's Lane Mapco on July 29, really needed the cash.
The crime was just one of several included on the just-released Brentwood Crime Report covering the last two weeks. Capt. Jeff Hughes has been in training and unavailable to file the report until today.
He was still in town, however, and in the office preparing for his conference, when the call came in July 25 for a burglary in progress on Brentwood Parkway. It turned out to be the burglary that stopped life in Brentwood at the corner of Franklin Road and Old Hickory Boulevard that afternoon for several hours while lookie loos kept watch on the police action and response from both BPD and Metro officers. The officers' actions led to the arrest of Thomas Stoll.
The crime report also includes the previously reported actions on July 26 that led to the arrest of Mitchell Clemons, Abanzer Tsegaye and a juvenile for a residential burglary on Manley Drive. A search for the suspects in west Brentwood neighborhoods and an automated telephone call from the police department had residents on alert. (http://tinyurl.com/BWarrests)
Chief Ricky Watson told me last week that he thinks at least one other burglar or team of burglars is responsible for some of the recently reported burglaries. Capt. Hughes told me on Tuesday, however, that all has been quiet in the last week, so either they are laying low after learning about the all-out police response relating to the other cases, or perhaps they have moved on. Both officers stressed the importance of citizens staying on alert, locking homes and cars, and always calling the department if you see any suspicious activity. Quick action by the victims in the July 25 and 26 cases helped lead to the subsequent arrests.
Other recent crimes reported include:
Power tools and camera equipment were taken from a Davis Drive home. Two suspects have been identified. Power tools and a generator taken from a garage in a vacant house on Brunswick Drive late July 30 or early July 31.
Five thefts from motor vehicles were reported between July 26 and Aug. 4. In four cases, the vehicles were unlocked.
A GPS, USB cable transmitter were taken from a vehicle on Southerland Place in the Mayfield subivision. A radar detector and CDs were taken during the same time frame from a vehicle on nearby Meadowlawn Drive. A GPS and iPod were taken from a vehicle parked on River Oaks' Paddock Place between July 30 and July 31, and a purse and checks were taken from a car parked at the Franklin Road Exxon in north Brentwood on Aug. 4.
On July 27, two vehicles parked at 200 Powell Place in Maryland Farms had their catalytic converters cut off .
No robberies were reported, but eight incidences of general theft were. They include:
A pipe cutter, wrenches and a bucket taken from an unlocked garage between July 13 and July 27 at a Woodland Hills home; credit and debit cards taken from a purse in the Pear Tree Avenue office on July 27; a wallet and its contents taken from a purse while the victim shopped at the Franklin Road Kroger.
Arrests were made and suspects named in two separate shoplifting cases at Ross Dress for Less on Galleria Boulevard and suspects have been named in two cases involving theft of company funds.
The city itself was a victim, when someone forced open the front door of the building at Crockett Park. Nothing was reported taken. And between July 29 and 30, a lawnmower was taken from a storage unit behind Glover and Glover on Wilson Pike Circle following a forced entry. It was later recovered.
Recent vandalism cases still under investigation
The city is offering at $1000 reward for information leading to the arrests of suspects in several vandalism crimes included in the report.
Twenty-nine mailboxes were damaged on Moores Lane, Gordon Petty Drive, Maryland Lane and Covington Drive in Brenthaven between July 27 and July 29. During that same time period, windows were broken out of several cars in the Brentwood Pointe condominium complex. A window was also broken out of a vehicle on Shady Place, also in Brenthaven, between July 27 and 28.
And in yet another disgusting report of vandalism in Oak Hall, feces was spread on another Ansley Drive resident's front door.
If you have any information about these incidents, please share it with the Brentwood Police Department at 371-0160 (http://tinyurl.com/BWreward). It seems like only arrests and prosecution will stop some of these "pranks" that are not funny at all.

BW exclusive: TCT 2010 season

Though Towne Centre Theatre has two performances plus two more shows to go before concluding its third season, BrentWord has the scoop on what's ahead in 2010.
Our very own community theater will open its fourth season with Moon Over Buffalo, followed by I Remember Mama, Gypsy, Once Upon a Mattress, Exit the Body and A Christmas Story.
But until Feb. 5, when the curtain rises on playwright Ken Ludwig's comedy that earned Carol Burnett a Tony Award nomination, local theatergoers have lots of other opportunities to enjoy the restored Frierson Street theater.
Into the Woods, the musical which offers alternative endings to familiar fairy tales, ends its run this weekend, with final performances tonight, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $20 for adults; $18 for seniors (60+); and $16 for students with ID. You can reserve tickets by calling 221-1174.
After talking with Julie Murphy, the theater's office manager (and frequent TCT cast member!) on Wednesday, I can't wait for the next show, Dearly Beloved, which sounds like Steel Magnolias on steroids. It opens Sept. 25 for a three-week run, but Julie shared that a really fun fundraiser is being planned on Sept. 24 that will not only include the play but a Texas-sized wedding reception as well. Stay tuned for details.
The 2009 season winds down with the Rogers and Hammerstein family classic, The King and I.
Its run is Nov. 20-Dec. 12 and lots of children and youth will be needed for the cast so keep an eye out for audition notices later this fall.
Hmmm, maybe I could be one of the kings many wives?
I'll share 2010 season ticket info as soon as it's all squared away. I know I'll be getting one. This sounds like the best season yet.

A few links for your reading pleasure...

If you have a few minutes, take the time today to read Bonnie Burch's lovely story in today's Williamson A.M. on 15-year-old Grace Gregory of Brentwood and her special relationship with Opie, the horse taking her to prominence in the world of dressage, but more importantly opening up her personal world in a most amazing way. Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/BWfriends

And in today's Williamson Herald, sports writer Donnie Conley has a story on the BHS Bruins' football program and coach Ron Crawford, who he describes as "a model of consistency." Read more at
http://tinyurl.com/BWbhsfb

Five interviews down, WCS decision ahead

James Wilson, former Fulton County, Ga. superintendent who during a brief tenure with Williamson County Schools was Centennial High School's first principal and oversaw its construction, was the final of five candidates interviewed this week for the open Director of Schools position.
The school board will meet at 6 p.m. tonight before its regularly scheduled work session to discuss the candidates and decide on its next course of action, which reportedly will be to select who they want to bring back for a final round of interviews.
I wasn't able to make the Wilson interview, but both Williamson A.M. education report Maria Giordano and Williamson Herald reporter Donna O'Neil have spent the last three nights at the county's administration building and have filed stories on the proceedings.
Here are links to check out their reports:

From Williamson A.M.:
School board could narrow director pool tonight: http://tinyurl.com/BWwcssupe5
From the Herald:
School board completes first round of director interviews: http://tinyurl.com/BWsupewh1
School Board faces tough decision after interviewing five superintendent candidates: http://tinyurl.com/BWsupewh

Scroll down to find more links in past postings and my own report from Monday nights interviews with Interim Superintendent Dr. David Health and Dennis Dearden.

Final superintendent interview tonight

Candidate gives Marines credit for success
I wasn't able to make Tuesday night's interviews of Barry Carroll of Limestone County Schools in Athens, Ala., and Mike Looney of Butler County Schools in Greenville, Ala., finalists for Williamson County Schools' Director of Schools' position. But Williamson A.M.'s Maria Giordano was there and reports the dark and stormy night didn't keep the school board from the task at hand.
Read her report at http://tinyurl.com/BWwcssupe.
The interview process ends tonight at 6 p.m. with James Wilson, former superintendent, Fulton County School System, Ga. in the Carolyn Campbell Room in the Administrative Complex, 1320 West Main St., in Franklin. The school board will decide who to bring back for final interviews at a public work session Thursday.
For background on all the candidates, visit http://tinyurl.com/BWsupebios.

Sonic news hard to swallow
Also in the news, today's 'A Closer Look' column in The Tennessean's business section includes information on what fast food restaurants are "Tasty" in this recession -- in other words doing well, and what one's are "Nasty."
Included on the Nasty side was Sonic. "It specializes in things like cherry limeade and tater tots, which hard-pressed consumers have cut back on," the features states.
Obviously no one talked to the folks at our three Brentwood Sonics. It took me three circles to find a spot at the Wilson Pike Circle restaurant during Happy Hour last week, and it wasn't the first time. But I'm never deterred, nor does anyone else seem to be.
Guess I'm not the only one with a passion for Route 44 diet cherry limeades.

Other Brentwood stories to check out:

• Citizens for Brentwood Green Space pushes for open space measures: http://tinyurl.com/BWgreenspace
• Mooreland Estates seeks city's help with road repair: http://tinyurl.com/BWmooreland
• New Vanderbilt Home Care venture will be Brentwood based: http://tinyurl.com/BWwalgreens

Concord Road closure put off until 2010

Work on Sunset to Crockett portion starts soon
Concord Road will not be closed for widening this year. But it will be closed for 120 days, instead of the anticipated 90, next summer.
This much-anticipated construction update, released Tuesday by Brentwood’s Assistant City Manager Kirk Bednar in an email to Homeowners Association presidents, came after Monday’s pre-construction meeting with the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Bednar highlighted the most significant items that will affect Brentwood residents and others who use the state road for travel. Many reflect changes in what the city anticipated. They include a proposed schedule that will start on the Sunset Road to Crockett Road phase first, according to contractor, CBM Enterprises Inc.
This means Concord Road will not be closed for the Crockett to Edmondson phase until late spring of 2010.
“While it is different than what the city expected the schedule to be and what we have been communicating, it is the best course of action given all of the circumstances,” Bednar stated. The primary reason for the change is the later-than-anticipated start. A closure during the summer months of 2010 is more desirable than a late summer start now that could lead to a mess over the winter months if there were any construction delays.
“Unfortunately, we also learned that the contract calls for a 120-day closure of the Crockett to Edmondson segment when it does occur, not 90 days like we had believed,” he wrote. The extension apparently was a condition agreed to by the state after the plans were turned into TDOT for bidding.
Construction staking and erosion control installation along the Crockett to Sunset segment will begin in the next week or so. Construction work will start soon after. The road will remain open with two-way traffic throughout the construction project with occasional temporary lane closures possible during the non-peak traffic periods of the day.
The City will have a Concord Road Construction Update page on its website at www.brentwood-tn.org by next week, Bednar wrote.

Brentwood welcomes new banks

Red Mountain Bank makes it official

Movement from inside the cool confines of Red Mountain Bank out into the 90-degree weather for the bank's official ribbon cutting Tuesday took a while. No one seemed in a hurry to step outside to the parking lot.

But when everyone got there, Market President Rick Archer Jr. made quick work of it, introducing the bigwigs from the Birmingham home office, his Brentwood staff and special guests.

"You've made a big improvement to this corner," Mayor Betsy Crossley told Archer and the crowd of about 40. "It's absolutely beautiful."

Then not half as slowly as they came out, everyone filed back in, where a serious buffet of goodies and cold drinks waited.

I could grow to like ribbon cuttings, I think, with grow being the operative word.

Weight Watchers. The Martin Center. Tomorrow.

Reliant opens first Brentwood branch

And this news just arrived in the BrentWord home office:

Reliant Bank has officially opened the doors in Maryland Farms. The bank acquired the Brentwood location of Magna Bank making it Reliant’s third location and second expansion within just 10 months.
The new location at 5109 Peter Taylor Park, is located just off Maryland Way in Brentwood. The full-service branch offers consumer, business, investment and mortgage services.
Branch Manager Mike Buffler previously served as the assistant branch manager for the bank’s main office. Sarah Johnson the location’s commercial lender, joins Reliant from Magna Bank.
“This is a great opportunity for Reliant to further our footprint and meet the needs of those looking for a better banking experience. We have a great team of employees who are ready to serve the area,” Buffler stated. “Being located in Maryland Farms also provides excellent growth opportunity for the bank.”

A big open house celebration is planned later this month.

Heath, Dearden a study of opposites

Three remaining WCS superintendent
interviews planned today, Wednesday
The interviews were black and white, top down and bottom up.
That's my impression of the first two of five public interviews of finalists for Williamson County Schools' Director of Schools position.
Dr. David Heath, interim WCS superintendent, and Dennis Dearden, senior vice president for the Partnership of Excellence, each answered 25 questions from school board members Monday night at the Williamson County Administration Building in Franklin.
The two candidates' respective styles and responses couldn't have been more different.
Heath consistently pointed to reinforcement of the message and staying on task as a way of reaching district goals. Dearden took a far more visionary stance, saying a great district must have buy-in from all parties involved, from the bus driver to the local business community.
Dearden was asked to describe what management and leadership qualities are needed to be successful in the position. He said a good manager gets things done day-to-day, and "they're very good at that." Leaders are visionary, he said, and see beyond the first step. He said a successful leader must have people skills, be politically savvy and have common sense. But of all great leaders, he said,"none did it alone."
Heath, who has served the past six years as WCS' deputy superintendent, was asked if he thought he could easily move from his past role as a manager to a new role as leader.
The former Brentwood High School principal said he had demonstrated that in a school setting, and was prepared to "get us going where we need to go."
Listing reasons he should be considered for the job, Heath noted he would have less of a learning curve than an outside candidate and that he could help "fast track" the system to where it wants to be. "We've developed the goals and we're on our way there," he said.
Both candidates were asked what they see as the most critical issue facing WCS in the next five years.
Heath said getting every student to pass algebra II, which is part of the No Child Left Behind standards. He also mentioned science education and adapting that curriculum to ever-changing technologies and environments.
"Funding" was Dearden's one-word answer, and he added "I think it's going to get worse." He mentioned how the economy has been "devastating" to many districts the size of Williamson County. "This is when you have to uplift people."
When asked why he should be the top candidate, Dearden said with concerns about morale, trust and funding at the top of everyone's mind, a unique leader is needed. "Williamson County is attractive to me ... It has the potential to be an absolutely great school district."
One of the most striking differences between these first two candidates was noted on how they answered a question about promoting diversity and their experience working with diverse populations.
Heath said Williamson County Schools have used the month of February to study different cultures, especially those represented in individual schools.
Dearden cited his time in Fairfax, Va., where over 100 different languages and 150 nationalities were represented in the student population. "You had to be a great listener to be able to come into a community like that."
It was an evening in contrasts. No doubt the three other candidates with interviews tonight and Wednesday will add even more to the mix. If you're interested in seeing for yourself, the remaining schedule is as follows:
Today
6 p.m., Dr. Barry Carroll, superintendent, Limestone County Schools, Ala.
8 p.m., Michael Looney, superintendent, Butler County School District, Ala.
Wednesday, Aug. 5
6 p.m., James Wilson, former superintendent, Fulton County School System, Ga.
The interviews, open to the public, take place in the Carolyn Campbell Room in the Administrative Complex, 1320 West Main St., in Franklin. I learned last night that you have to go to the doors to the left of the main entrance for entry.
On Thursday, the school board will meet for a called session to select finalists for the position, who will be called back for another round of interviews.

Post 200: Breaking and exclusive news from the BrentWord home office

This is my 200th BrentWord post! Hard to believe that's possible.

On April 13th, I started BrentWord in order to cover the Brentwood City Commission race and Brentwood in general (http://brentword.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-day-dawns.html). Over the past four months, the blog has grown into something much more. But I've also experienced a growing frustration with it. The format is too limiting, and the pay ... well, suffice it to say the Leathers' last emergency fund is on its last leg.

So this seems like a most appropriate time and place to share what I hope is big news. My business partner, Kelly Gilfillan, and I have formed BrentWord Communications LLC and will launch Brentwood Home Page -- http://www.brentwoodhomepage.com/ -- "the go to place for everything Brentwood" in the weeks ahead.

I'm a professional reporter, editor and 27-year veteran of the newspaper business. Kelly has an impressive background in marketing and sales. Our goal? If you live or work in Brentwood, we want to be your home page. We want to be where you come to find news stories and pictures and party news about Brentwood. We'll have business news and obituaries and tomorrow's weather forecast. Sorry, no comics, but for at least a time after we launch, I expect there will be a few funnies to laugh about. Please laugh with us, not at us, as we learn the ways of the Web and grow our content.

Already you've gotten a taste for what we hope to include on a regular basis -- information about what's going on in your neighborhood. I toot my own horn that BrentWord was the news leader in coverage of the recent home burglaries that have taken place here and the subsequent police investigations and actions that led to the arrest of five suspects. Expect more of the same in the months ahead.

And remember Jill Burgin, whose column was long a favorite of Williamson A.M. readers every Sunday morning? She's going to be one of our featured columnists, along with a few others I'll wait to surprise you with.

But we can't do it alone. Brentwood Home Page will need input and information from every corner of the city, and every club, sports team, house of worship and school to truly make it a community "newspaper" --- without the paper, that is. If you have news or a calendar item to share, mail it to Brentwood Home Page, P.O. Box 3704, Brentwood, TN 37024-3704. Our new email system will be set up soon but in the meantime, feel free to email items of interest, story ideas and party pics to brentword@comcast.net. Just put Brentwood Home Page, or BHP as we've started calling ourselves, in the subject line. Don't forget to include your name and a daytime telephone number.

Remember I mentioned that almost-empty emergency fund? Brentwood Home Page is the perfect place to advertise your business, your sports team, your professional practice. For more information, email Kelly at Kelly@brentwoodhomepage.com.

So there it is. A scoop from the BrentWord home office. Stay tuned for details as they develop. And in the meantime, if you have news tips, ideas or comments, please don't hesitate to share them. Until the launch of Brentwood Home Page, BrentWord.blogspot.com, and Kelly's blog at www.outsidethebrentwoodbubble.blogspot.com are still alive and well.

Thanks for being part of this wonderful ride. We are truly blessed to live here.

Susan

Superintendent interviews start tonight

The BrentWord home office is closing early today so I can race down to the Williamson County Schools administrative offices to hear the first two of five interviews taking place this week to help select our new Director of Schools.
Up first is Dr. David Heath of Brentwood, who has been serving as interim school superintendent since Dr. Rebecca Sharber resigned last spring. His interview begins at 6 p.m., followed by one at 8 with Dennis Dearden of Arizona, currently senior vice president for Partnership for Excellence.
The rest of the schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, Aug. 4:
6 p.m., Dr. Barry Carroll, superintendent, Limestone County Schools, Ala.
8 p.m., Michael Looney, superintendent, Butler County School District, Ala.
Wednesday, August 5
6 p.m., James Wilson, former superintendent, Fulton County School System, Ga.
The interviews, open to the public, will take place in the Carolyn Campbell Room in the Administrative Complex, 1320 West Main St., in Franklin.

For a more detailed look at the candidates, check out Maria Giordano's story from today's Williamson A.M. at http://tinyurl.com/BWsklsupes, and a previous BrentWord posting at http://brentword.blogspot.com/2009/07/strong-contenders-for-wcs-director-post.html

Valet parking Tuesday, and down the road

Red Mountain Bank makes it official

Red Mountain Bank, which opened two months ago at the corner of Franklin Road and Maryland Way, is ready to make it official. A ribbon cutting is planned Tuesday at 4 p.m. and everyone's invited.
Worried about parking? No need. Market President Rick Archer told me today they'll have valet parking and everything for the special event.
"We've had a great first two months," he said. "We've been blessed, especially in this economy. We're very happy."
He's not the only one.
The Birmingham-based bank performed a miracle at that very visible corner that makes me happy every time I drove by. It, along with other redos in the city's commercial district are slowly but surely making the area look brighter even without a lot of new development, or redevelopment as the case may be.
In addition to the ribbon cutting, the open house will feature hors oeuvres, Red Mountain Bank's signature coffee and visitors from its home office.

***

More valet on the way

Speaking of redos in Town Center, did you see Vicki Stout's feature on Judge Bean's Bar-B-Que in Sunday's Williamson A.M.? If not, here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/BWbean.

Speaking of valet parking, Aubrey Bean mentioned to me on Friday he hopes to offer valet parking soon to alleviate some of the parking and traffic flow headaches being experienced at the Brentwood Court shopping center off Church Street.

The addition of Beans to the mix of already successful established businesses (Sweet Pea's, Sugar Drop, Amy's Gifts) and new ones (Nashville Needleworks) is becoming an issue. The lot has not been improved in ages. Check back later for more on this topic.

Tale of the Tabby Cat, part II

In case you've ever wondered, apparently a lot of tabby cats have gone missing in Brentwood over the past few months, including one belonging to City Commissioner Paul Webb and his lovely bride, Pat.

Several folks whose cats have gone astray had a bit of hope after seeing a posting for a found cat a few weeks ago. The sad news is that the kitty that decided to homestead on Betsy Davis' one acre in Meadowlake didn't turn out to be any of theirs.

"I appreciate everyone's effort to get this cat home -- I am surprised at how many people have lost gray tabbies and this one is not one of them!" Betsy shared with me this morning.

The cat is now residing at a new home outside of Brentwood.

Big week ahead...

Good morning!
Believe it or not, August has arrived, with school, college football and tax-free shopping days ahead. What might be on your calendar this week? Interviews with the five finalists for Williamson County Director of Schools, tonight's planning commission meeting, the last performances of Into the Woods at Towne Centre Theatre or maybe a last-minute vacation before all the madness of real life starts to take over again.
Whatever, it promises to be a busy week here. Check back often for news and updates.