A look at the week ahead...

A full report on the weekend's damp festivities is coming, but in the meantime, here's a peak at what's ahead:
New tenant soon for Comp USA site
The city's park board meets today at 5 p.m. at the Municipal Center, 5211 Maryland Way. It's followed at 7 p.m. with the Brentwood Planning Commission meeting.
On the planning commission's agenda, shared by Mayor Betsy Crossley but not found on the city's website, are consent items concerning the former Comp USA location in Mallory Corners Shopping Center (where Barnes & Noble is located); and approval of the final plat for the Brentwood Lights subdivision off Wildwood Drive. (A reliable source tells me the Mallory Corners tenant should be great for Brentwood, but a loss for Franklin.)
Regular agenda items include a signage plan for Town Center Corner retail building; a revised site plan for Judge Beans Bar-B-Que (the old Church Street Pub building), and a revised preliminary plan for the Lombardy subdivision.
If you have interest or questions on any of the above, try to be there.


White will write, Day will 'Dream Big' at library
The Brentwood Library's Summer Reading Program continues to draw big crowds and this week should be no exception.
At 1 p.m on Tuesday, artist Michael P. White will present an interactive program for those age 7 and up. White will teach the audience how one idea can start a story and how authors and illustrators work together to bring a story to life.
And at 1 p.m. Thursday, musician Roger Day will perform a concert with "action-packed and interactive songs that will have kids jumping for joy.
For complete details on all the activities and events the library's scheduled for its Summer Reading Program this year, visit www.brentwood-tn.org/library.

All about Brentwood, brats and beer
Former Brentwood City Commission candidate Devin McClendon is putting his campaign email list to good use by compiling a monthly calendar of Brentwood events. You'll find it at http://www.allaboutbrentwood.blogspot.com/. Among the July events, Devin lists Thursday's
Brats N' Beer Tasting at the Fifty Forward Martin Center, 960 Heritage Way (just north of Concord Road. The tasting begins at 4 pm with a lecture provided by Jeff with Woody's Smokes and Brews.
Hmmmm. Brats. Beer. Think I'll be there.

Tragic weekend drains fun from 4th

For once, I'm glad to write there's no close Brentwood connection, at least that I'm aware of.
I'm referring, of course, to the weekend deaths of former Tennessee Titan Steve McNair and 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi. Tragic is the word I keep repeating to myself whenever I see, hear or read a new account. The deaths -- and the circumstances that came before them -- are tragic not only for the victims but to those left behind. There is no "Bless their hearts..." or good way to spin this.
To McNair's and Kazemi's families, friends, former teammates (many of whom do call Brentwood home) and fans, my condolences and prayers.
Again we were so clearly reminded that life can be far too short. So let's all hug our kids, call our Mamas and make lists of anything we would like to do, or change, or take back before we leave this earth.
Let's hope, too, that the current run of celebrity losses gives way to some bright and happy news as we enter a new week. I'll be on the lookout for it. If you have some good news to share, let me know so I can spread the word.

Greene, Wills win holiday T-shirts!

And the winners are Don Green and Lynne Wills, who both correctly answered Ken Howard. Love that movie!

Win a free 4th T-Shirt!

BrentWord is giving away two of the commemorative Fourth of July T-shirts that recognize the city's 40th anniversary and Leadership Brentwood's 20th year.

The first two people who email me at brentword@comcast.net with the name of the actor who played Thomas Jefferson in my favorite patriotic musical, 1776, will win! I'll get them to you at Saturday's big bash at Crockett Park (or another time if you won't be going).

Country club lights up sky tonight, more

Brentwood Country Club's annual fireworks extravaganza for club guests, and by default anyone who lives close to the club located off Franklin Road near downtown Brentwood, is tonight, says Courtney Cooper, the club's marketing director.
If you're not a member but want to take in the show, you might want to park on one of the hills near downtown or park in the Brenthaven Cumberland Presbyterian Church parking lot around 8:45 p.m. If you live nearby and have skittish pets, like my own Samantha, our 11-year-old golden retriever mix, make plans accordingly.

Be careful with those backyard shows
If you're considering putting on your own fireworks show this year, a gentle reminder that backyard fireworks are outlawed within the city limits. That fact didn't seem to stop anyone last year, where we witnessed nearly professional shows while visiting with friends outside the Oak Hall subdivision clubhouse. Trust me, I'm not just talking sparklers and firecrackers here.
But be forewarned, just like the DUI, seat belt and texting laws that local police and sheriff's departments are ramping up enforcement of this sumer, if there's a complaint about your fireworks, you may be looking at a citation. If there's a fire, the Brentwood Fire Department will respond.
So let's just be careful out there.

Complete Fourth of July coverage:
For more information on the city's big show, see my previous posts on the Kadillacs (http://tinyurl.com/Kadillacs); the Firecracker 5K (http://tinyurl.com/Cadillac5K); and the Crockett Park celebration (http://tinyurl.com/BWfourth)

Want to head outside the city? Check out the Tennessean's comprehensive list at http://tinyurl.com/NVfourth

Firefighters say so long to Hollywood

City's newest recruits didn't grow up
with dreams of fighting fires

Brentwood Fire Department’s getting more interesting every day.
Former Tennessee Titan Erron Kinney joined the force last year as a full-time firefighter. Recently the city commissioned three new firefighters with resumes that list among other honors and experience Hollywood connections, beekeeping, serving with the U.S. Navy as a deep sea diver and bomb disposal officer, and Employee of the Year for a company that worked hand-in-hand with Seattle, Wash.'s fire department -- though the honoree at the time had no hands-on firefighting experience.
That’s not all. Two of them were recently named Valedictorian and Most Improved members of their Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy class. Brentwood's Assistant Fire Chief Brian Goss says the only reason the third wasn’t honored was because the department didn’t send him to the training.
Here are fun facts to know and tell about our newest firefighting professionals (with a shout out to Asst. Chief Goss who helped compile the info):

Jay Williams
This New York native and former child actor graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelors degree in radio/TV/film. As a union camera assistant he worked on shows including J.A.G., V.I.P, Seinfeld and Entertainment Tonight. He's also worked on feature films, including Albino Alligator with Kevin Spacey and Crossroads with Britney Spears (we won't hold that against him).
He became a firefighter six years ago in Torrance, Calif. before relocating to Tennessee last year.

Why the change?
“I got into firefighting because I wanted to make a difference and at the same time be proud of my work. Every day is different on the job and has its own set of challenges. I have never been cut out for a desk job,” he shared.
That may explain another activity he enjoys.
“In my spare time I am a beekeeper with hives around Williamson County.”

Toben Nelson
Another Southern California transplant, Toben graduated from the University of Southern California’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts in 1994 with a bachelor of arts degree in cinema-television critical studies. Following seven years in the U.S. Navy as a deep-sea diver and bomb disposal officer, Toben returned to USC in 2001 to continue his filmmaking education.
In May 2004, he received a MFA degree in film production. As a graduate student, he wrote, directed, edited and sound designed over a dozen short films, in addition to serving as the lead sound designer on two independent, feature-length films. Toben also wrote a feature-length version of the film Infamy, in addition to a number of other dramatic, military-themed screenplays.
So how did he make his way to Brentwood’s fire department?
After moving here 2007, Toben worked as a freelance creative consultant to Film House, Inc., a large Nashville-based film and video production company. But his military service and his participation in Brentwood’s Citizens Fire Academy (more on this to come!) that sparked his interest in public safety.
In June he acquired his Tennessee State Firefighter I certification through the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy where he graduated as class valedictorian with an overall performance score of 99.5%.

Jason “Scott” Barnes
Scott doesn’t have a Hollywood connection but he is connected to the West Coast and his resume’s just as interesting. Like Jay and Toben, his background didn’t include firefighting per se, though several years ago he was named Seattle’s Firefighter of the Year.
Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in paramedic studies from Central Washington University. He worked as a field training officer with American Medical Response, a private ambulance service operating in conjunction with the Seattle Fire Department, where he was named Employee of the Year in 2001.
Before joining Brentwood’s fire department as a paramedic, he spent five years with Williamson County Emergency Medical Service and served much of that time at Station 4, a facility shared between Brentwood fire and police departments and the county’s EMS.
Despite his close affiliations with fire departments over the course of his EMS career, Scott had no hands-on experience in firefighting until he attended the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy this spring where he was named Most Improved Recruit by his classmates.

You too can be a Brentwood Firefighter
Tuesday was the official deadline to apply for the next Citizens Fire Academy class, but if the past is any indication, late applications may be accepted.

Like Toben Nelson -- and hundreds of other Brentwood residents just like him -- have done, you can find out what its like to be a Brentwood firefighter by participating in the city's Citizens Fire Academy. The three-month program starts on July 30th and meets every other Thursday evening.

Participants can even ride along with firefighters as they respond to actual emergency calls. The city is closed today for the holiday, but check back on Monday to find out if you can still apply. Applications are available on-line at www.brentwood-tn.org/fire/cfa. The number to call for more information is 371-0170.

Today's news is HOT. I'm fired up....

Coming your way shortly, lots of hot news about our city's fire department, Citizens Fire Academy, fireworks and more.

Check back in a bit for sizzling new posts.

In the meantime, you might want to check out these interesting stories from today's Williamson A.M.:
Class of '84 gets double reunion: After sophomore year, half left fo Brentwood High School
http://tinyurl.com/BHSreunion
FYI: Kelly Gilfillan, Outside The Brentwood Bubble blogger, was a member of the BHS class of '84 and will be writing more on the reunion as it approaches. You'll find her blog at www.outsidethebrentwoodbubble.blogspot.com.

TV spot reflects county's serious approach to DUI.
http://tinyurl.com/BWclickit
Did you know that according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Brentwood had 120 DUI arrests in 2008? This weekend is a big one for parties. Let's all be careful out there!

If you missed the week's early posts on Fourth of July activities, T-shirt sales and crime reports, just scroll down and check them out.