Seen and heard around town....

A crane, a cross and a lot of shaking going on
The cross is down at Brentwood United Methodist Church but don't worry that it's going new-age or church-lite or anything.
It seems that more than a few people had commented of late that the cross atop the Franklin Road landmark church had appeared to be leaning a bit. Since Methodists pride themselves on never leaning right or left but loving everyone, that wouldn't do.
Actually, the real story behind the huge, and I mean huge, crane seen today on the campus is that indeed the cross had not been inspected in 33 years and there were concerns that it wasn't as stable as it had been.
And it wasn't. But all's well that ends well. Apparently everything should be snug and secure again by Thursday.

These women love their needles
Speaking of Brentwood UMC, some of the wild women who meet every Wednesday during the school year to take part in the church's Prayer Shawl Ministry took over a large corner of The Harpeth Grille on Wednesday.
"We just missed everyone so much, we had to get together," said Pat Shobe, the group's leader.
I did notice that only one of the women actually brought her needles and yarn. I think the rest were there to spin yarns if you know what I mean.
Among them was Vera Rusak, a devoted member of St. Henry's Catholic Church. "But she's at Brentwood Methodist every single Wednesday!" Pat said.
If you love to knit, crochet -- or want to learn and be part of something really special -- you can join this fun group come September.

Speaking of The Harpeth Grille
The Town Center restaurant was hopping today. Former City Commission candidate Rod Freeman was just one of many folks spotted there. And here's some news:
On Monday, the restaurant became a bona fide chain. Chef Paul's restaurant, an offshoot of The Harpeth Grille, is now open in Cool Springs just across from Centennial High School in the strip center on Mallory Lane. Different name, same catfish. Life is good.
More details to come as soon as I gather them.

Four votes cast, final goes to Freeman

Today at 11:43 a.m. I became the 936th voter at the Brentwood Library and 1277th overall in the City Commission election.
That means there are still 24,738 votes to be cast on or before Election Day, May 5.
At least that's what my new friends, Election Commissioner Elaine Hughes and poll workers Wanda Graham and Stephen Argalas told me when I made it to the Teen Central area to cast my votes.
Brentwood has 26,015 registered voters, Elaine shared. Let's see if we can't at least top 20 percent in this important local election.

***

After a lot of thought, and a great meeting over coffee last Friday, Rod Freeman has earned my last vote.
The decision did not come easy. It meant not voting for two incumbents who have served the city long and well. It meant not voting for a female candidate after being so pumped during last year's election cycle when women made great strides in political arenas. Natalie Mertie has really grown as a candidate over the course of the election and deserves consideration.
But in getting to know Rod, I was so impressed that he is not a politician. Far from it. He almost apologized for running and is the first to admit he's uncomfortable in the political arena, though he has the best resume of all the candidates in another type of one.
The former NBA and Vandy basketball player is quiet and thoughtful. He has been active in the community for over two decades, through schools, Rotary, youth sports and his church. He's owns his own company and understands how the current economy is affecting small businesses.
I left our meeting assured that he had no hidden agendas and is not running to represent any particular group or constituency.
So my four votes went to incumbent Paul Webb, and newcomers Devin McClendon, Rhea Little and Rod Freeman.
Your votes are yours. No matter who you support, the important thing is to become an informed voter and participate in the process. If you haven't yet voted -- and that would include almost 24,000 Brentwood citizens -- take some time evaluating all of the candidates. Think about your priorities and concerns about the city in the coming years. Give the candidates a call. Review newspaper stores that have already been published. Talk to your friends and neighbors.
Then vote.
Seven of the 10 candidates have websites. Here are links if you'd like to learn more:
http://www.votemclendon.com/
http://www.votepaulwebb.com/
http://www.votereginasmithson.com/
http://www.voterodfreeman.com/
http://www.rhealittle.com/
http://www.joereagan.net/
http://www.nataliemertie.net/

***

So happy to report that an unplanned contribution to Rhea Little's campaign was averted today, through the quick action of AAA.

Son Thomas' 1991 Plymouth Acclaim had been acting up again. It would crank but not start.
Trying our best to keep the auto club in business during the economic downtown, I called, once again, for help, expecting it to be towed, once again, to Little Brothers Shell on Franklin Road.
Amazing things happen though when a car that's gas gauge reads almost empty is pushed onto level ground.
Another miracle to add to the books.

***

Coming tomorrow: Move over Starbucks, there's new competition in town