'Cowboys' at Crockett and lots more ...

It's shaping up to be a busy week in Brentwood and for BrentWord.blogspot.com. ...


Tonight's Riders in the Sky concert in the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater at Crockett Park marks the real start of the 15th annual Brentwood Summer Concert Season. And fans of cowboy music and comedy should pack a picnic, lawn chairs or a blanket and head out to enjoy the free show. The weather.com forecast calls for 84 degrees and sunny skies at 7 p.m. so don't forget your visors and sunglasses for the first hour or so.
Remember that parking at Crockett Park can be tricky, so if you don't live close enough to walk or bike to the park, consider parking at the Y or River Park or the library and heading over from there.

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Looks like we're getting a new restaurant in Maryland Farms. The city's beer board will convene before Monday night's City Commission meeting to consider a beer permit for the new business at 214 Ward Circle.
Can't wait to check it out and get details. I'll share as soon as I have them.

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Next on Monday's agenda is the actual commission meeting. The agenda looks like a sleeper, but don't be lulled into thinking it's not important. The city's 2009-2010 budget and Capital Improvement s Program are both up for the second of three public hearings. Two weeks ago no one spoke out in favor or opposition. If you have any concerns or suggestions, this is your chance. You'll find links to them here: http://brentword.blogspot.com/2009/05/have-say-in-citys-budget.html.

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On Tuesday, the Summer Reading Program gets under way at the Brentwood Library and it's not too late to register and take part in all the fun activities planned.
Chris Rumble kicks things off at 1 p.m. for an all-ages music program. Rumble uses upbeat songs to get kids excited about reading. According to the library website, "He takes classic songs and changes the words around to exalt the virtues of reading. In addition to the music, Chris incorporates art into the performance as he draws cartoons for the kids on a big sketch pad."
On Thursday, ventriloquist Ken Karter follows with his The Funny Dummy Show, also at 1 p.m. Designed for audiences age 6 and up, "Ken's comedy vocal impressionist act has thrilled audiences throughout the world, and that's no joke! His wonderful cast of characters offers a fantastic roller coaster ride of comedy, ventriloquism, and audience participation, making it the ideal performance."
With all the construction taking place at the library, seating is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis so get there early. For more details on the SRP and upcoming shows, visit brentwood-tn.org/index.aspx?page=558.

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Also on Tuesday, the city's green committee (officially the Environmental Quality Coordinating Committee) is hosting its public input session designed to gather input and ideas from city residents regarding environmental issues affecting our community.
It starts at 6 p.m. If you're a resident who recycles and has an opinion on the topic, this meeting is for you. If you are a small-business and/or property owner worried about new restrictions, this meeting is for you. If you're a proponent of all things green, this meeting is for you.
Let's have a great turnout. See you there.
ps: It's not too late to fill out the online survey the committee will use to help shape its recommendations to the city. You can find it at: www.brentwood-tn.org/greensurvey.

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Come back to BrentWord often this week for lots of other stories and updates. For instance, I want to nail down exactly what "House Cottages" mean for Ravenwood High School. Could that be a nice way of saying "portables"? Inquiring minds want to know.


Have a great story idea or Brentwood news to share? Email brentword@comcast.net

Mandy shines at Night of Music

First things first: She got her truly cool dress off the rack at Macy's.
And second, she learned how to stand in 4-inch heels for 90 minutes 15 years ago during her first run as Patsy Cline.
She is Mandy Barnett and she wowed the almost-capacity crowd Friday night in Brentwood High School's Campbell Center. The concert was the ninth annual presented by the Brentwood Morning Rotary Club. And best of all, all of those ticket sale proceeds will go to charity and scholarships.
"She sure looks just like her mama," Brentwood Commissioner Paul Webb said after the concert, watching Barnett sign autographs for a line of people 40 deep. How did he know? Mandy's mom Betty worked for Paul when he was the city of Crossville's financial director.
And her daughter shared, Betty Barnett's still in Crossville and still working at the courthouse.
An appreciative audience enjoyed the single set of country standards, with a little Roy Orbison thrown in for good measure. Barnett's big voice can serve up Willie Nelson's "Crazy," Orbison's "Blue Bayou" and a little Tammy Wynette without missing a beat.
Though the Campbell Center isn't the most comfortable venue for a 90-minute show, Mandy complimented the sound system and acoustics.
"I've played a lot of high school gyms but this was like playing in a real theater," she said after all the "To Preston with love, Mandy" and similar statements had been penned. "I wouldn't mind playing here again."
I have a feeling the Rotary club will be happy to hear that.

A very special thanks to Rotarian Mike Sowers for sharing his picture with BrentWord.
Check back here later for a final count of how much money was raised.

A new Kroger to love

I want Thompson's Station's Kroger.
Don't get me wrong, I love our Kroger, and Harris Teeter. My executive membership at Costco has been well worth the extra bucks. And if I ever thought about Publix, I'm sure I'd love it too. (Out of sight, out of mind). But now another store has caught my fancy.
Yesterday I left the bubble to have lunch with a friend who lives in Spring Hill. Before heading north for home, I stopped in to check out the new Kroger Marketplace that recently opened on Columbia Highway.
Seriously, this is the best of Kroger, Target, and Bed Bath and Beyond all rolled into one. There's even a Fred Meyer Jewelers and Starbucks inside. Through Saturday, all of the interior furniture -- we're talking sofas, recliners, dining room sets and more -- is 10% off marked price and that includes sale prices. And almost all of the furniture I saw was on sale at great prices. If you have a new grad or newlyweds looking to set up housekeeping, it may be worth the trip down to check it out.
I almost talked myself into a great set of dishes and there were free food samples everywhere.
I could love this store. And, for once, I actually took advantage of my Kroger points and bought gas -- at $1.35 a gallon.
Given the lack of expansion space at Brentwood Place, I don't see a Kroger Marketplace in our future. But it sure would be nice.
In the meantime, I'll keep loving my 10 for $10 specials right here.

Now that I'm a CEO...

On Tuesday, my partner Kelly Gilfillan and I formalized our relationship by going to the courthouse and getting married.
OK, let me clarify that.
Kelly and I went to the Snodgrass building downtown and formally became BrentWord Communications LLC. It's the start of something we hope will be big, real big, for us and, by extension, Brentwood.
Stay tuned for details as they develop.
Now that I'm a CEO, I thought I best set the alarm for 5:30 this morning in order to attend the CEO Fellowship -- Christian Executive Officers Fellowship -- which meets weekly at Brentwood Baptist.
New ventures take capital and today's announced topic was "Business, Borrowing and the Bible" which was even more incentive to roll out of bed earlier than I usually do. Plus, George Campbell, senior corporate trainer with Financial Peace University Workplace (and a Brentwood resident) was leading the program.
Funny thing about George's program, though. It turned out it wasn't about borrowing money but about borrowing from God -- his wisdom, lessons, work ethic. I came away a wealthier person for being there, though I'm still worried about finding capital for my venture.
I'm definitely going back. If you're a business person who wants to network with like-mind people -- and can rouse yourself out of bed early on a Friday morning -- you might want to check it out too. To learn more, visit: http://www.ceofellowship.com/

Hot Ticket: Mandy Barnett plays Brentwood

Jim Bradford's one talker. When he gets going on the Brentwood Morning Rotary Club (not to mention other topics close to his heart) he gets on a roll.
I'm not complaining. I now have about seven new story ideas to write on.
But the one most pressing is Friday night's Mandy Barnett concert in Brentwood High's Campbell Center. Jim tells me the $35 reserved tickets are going fast but $30 general admission ones are still plentiful and will be sold at the door, which opens at 6 p.m.
This is the 9th year the morning club has hosted a concert and "100 percent of the profits go right back into the community," Jim told me.
But where?
The club gives four $1,000 college scholarships each year; sponsors programs in area middle schools; has built a Habitat for Humanity house and contributed to numerous other local organizations and charities. The club has funded several international projects as well.
"We expect a large audience and a wonderful evening," he said. Mandy's 90-minute show will start at 7:30 p.m. and run without an intermission. "People really seem to enjoy that format better."
Barnett has just finished her most recent run as star of Always ... Patsy Cline at the Ryman Theater. It's a role she first won as an 18-year-old when she went up against singers auditioning around the country. According to her online bio, she appeared on the "Midnight Jamboree" broadcast from Nashville's Ernest Tubb Record Shop after WSM's Grand Ole Opry when she was just 12. Before she hit her 13th birthday, she also appeared on the Opry.
Her self-titled album on Asylum Records won critical reviews and was a commercial success. her hit single "I've Got a Right to Cry" led to mainstream recognition.
I'll be there. Hope to see you too!
If you want more information, or to order a reserved ticket, give Jim a call at 232-0901 ext. 5.

Free floats at Sonic!

Tonight -- that's Wednesday, June 3 -- Sonic is giving away free 10-ounce root beer floats as a thank you to its customers. The promotion, which starts at 8 p.m., continues through midnight or until the tap runs dry.
Brentwood's three Sonics have to be among the chain's busiest. Ever try to find an open spot at the "downtown" Sonic on Wilson Pike Circle, the one on Franklin Road just north of Moore's Lane or the Cool Springs location on Carothers 10 minutes before Happy Hour ends? Let's just say it's not always easy to quench that Route 44 diet cherry limeade craving when you're driving around in circles.
But tonight, limeades will give way to floats. Free floats. So if you're in the mood, and low on cash, check it out.
And a big thanks to Sonic for doing this.

Think green and much more...

Big day for BrentWord Communications yesterday, so big in fact that it kept me from blogging (not to mention that two-hour nap late in the afternoon). So today I hope to redeem myself. Let's get started:

Calling all citizens to take survey
If you have not completed the Brentwood environmental committee's citizen survey, please take a minute now to do so. Here's the link to make it super easy:
www.brentwood-tn.org/greensurvey

And if you have questions, concerns, ideas on how the city can be more environmentally savvy and progressive, please consider attending next week's June 9 public forum hosted by the committee. It's at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 5211 Maryland Way.

Today's Brentwood Journal featured a story on the committee and its work. In case you missed it, here's a link:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090603/COUNTY0903/906030303/0/COUNTY09/Brentwood+seeks+green+ideas

Happy Birthday Madame Mayor
Rumor has it that Friday is Mayor Betsy Crossley's birthday. Hope she takes the day off of city business to enjoy herself. For instance, she could have lunch with me. And pay for it, since she stood me up when I was going to treat her to a high-dollar treat a while back.
I'm not bitter, though. Really.
See, as I walked on that 90-plus degree day with my elderly dog five miles and barefoot to the restaurant where we were supposed to meet, it came to me that a priority for the city must be sidewalks on Centerview Drive and Wilson Pike Circle. Over the past few days and weeks I've met several prominent businesspeople who work in and around those roads who agree with me.
Truly, if people could walk to the Brentwood Post Office without risking life and limb, it would really cut down on the traffic jams there. And with our new "restaurant row" at Brentwood Place, and the growing number of neat retail and eateries in Town Center, all the folks who work in the Synergy Center buildings could enjoy a shady stroll up or down Centerview if only there were sidewalks.
But in the meantime, you have two days to get your card in the mail to our new mayor. She tells me she's 72 and looks fabulous. I don't believe her (about the 72 part, that is). I think she's closer to 38 like me.