1,007 votes and counting

How convenient! You can vote for up to four of your favorite Brentwood City Commission candidates and pick up a slew of summer reading material all at the same time this weekend.
According to the Williamson County Election Commission, 1007 Brentwood citizens had cast votes either by mail or at early voting stations through Thursday. With five days left to vote early and our official Election Day on May 5 ahead, I'm hopeful we can at least reach 5,000.
Tell you what: I'll call five of my friends and you call five of your friends who can call five of their friends to remind all who are registered to be sure to vote. Better yet, let's make it 10. These don't have to be campaign calls, in fact, we don't even have to mention the candidates. We just need to remind everyone that each voter can cast up to four votes and how important it is that all Brentwood residents -- old-timers, newcomers, seniors of both the mature and high school variety, young professionals and longtime business people -- are represented in the election. Remember, our population is inching close to 36,000; expecting 5,000 votes is not too much to hope for.
And as we clearly learned in 2007, each vote counts.
In the last city election, candidates Betsy Crossley and Paul Ross each received 1,740 votes, resulting in a costly runoff. I can't count the number of people I talked to afterward who said, "I really like Betsy and meant to vote," or "I told Paul I'd vote for him but never made it to the polls." All said they regretted not making the effort.
Early voting continues at the Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Road, and the city's Municipal Building today untl 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon, and next Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. If you work in Franklin, ballots can also be cast at the Williamson County Election Commission Office, 1320 West Main Street, Suite 140.
And since the Friends of the Brentwood Library's book sale is ongoing today until 5 and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (when everything's half price!) it's a great opportunity to shop and vote at the same time.

Town Center Mole Fest volunteers needed

Franklin's biggest party, the Main Street Festival, is this weekend. Did you know Brentwood's having a party this Saturday too?
That's what I was afraid of.
I learned about "A Day in Brentwood's Past' last night from Sandy Noble -- who, by the way, should never be referred to as "wife of City Commission Alex Noble." Sandy and her family will bring goats and chickens to the event.
The city's updated website, http://www.brentwood-tn.org/, lists only a time and date, no details.
The celebration marking the city's 40th birthday got three lines in today's Brentwood Journal story on the city's history without a breakout box on details.
For now, we know it's at Crockett Park and starts at 10 a.m. Check back here later for the complete scoop!

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Speaking of festivals, expanding the number of city-sponsored events was a hot topic at last week's candidates forum at Ravenwood High School. What we kept hearing from the incumbents was "bring us an idea."
"Brentwood is built on volunteers," Paul Webb (who I have endorsed) said. Efforts like this "need to start with volunteers." Those in the forum audience heard that over and over from the candidates.
"The city stands ready to assist," Joe Reagan stated.
Let's take them at their word. I'm ready to take a leadership role in coordinating and planning a new festival in Brentwood. Who says we have to wait until Town Center is redeveloped to throw a party there? Several people have already expressed interest in helping with such an event. Spread the word, and if you want to be involved -- or even better provide some big bucks to get it started -- send me an email.
I want to call it The Town Center Mole Fest. Don't discount the idea. Here's why:
Brentwood used to have a Pear Fest. Then all the now-despised Bradford Pears started blowing down limb by limb and, thankfully, are disappearing from our fair city.
Just think what might come from a Mole Fest!

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It's book sale days again at the Brentwood Library and the Friends of the Brentwood Library are always in a happy daze when they come around.

Not only can you snatch up some great bargains, it will give you a chance to check out all the construction. Hours are noon-1-7 p.m. today; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday.

Next Wednesday at 3 p.m., plans for the new children's area will be unveiled. I can't wait to see them!

Have BrentWord worthy news to share or want to help plan the Mole Festival? Contact me at brentword@comcast.net

Blockbuster story about BW library

The Brentwood Library had its first-ever break in Friday night. The intruder was apprehended and arrested. But there's more to the story and it's a good read.
It seems Library Director Chuck Sherrill and his son, Ben, 10, had stopped in the Concord Road facility Friday night about 8 p.m. to get a video. (Now that's one great perk of having keys to the library -- you can check out books, videos and DVDs anytime you want!)
When they got there, an out-of-breath custodian met them at the door and told them he had just chased someone out of the library.
According to Chuck, Brentwood Police responded immediately and with a great description to work with, made quick work of finding the bad guy. I've contacted the department for details and will share them as soon as they get back with me.
In the meantime, it should come as no surprise that after the cops' flashing lights were turned off and things settled down, young Ben turned to Chuck and said,"This is better than any movie, Dad."

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Speaking of the Brentwood Police Department, Starbucks on Franklin Road is offering everyone the opportunity to purchase a pound of their favorite blend to be donated to the force. You can even write a note on "your" bag.
One in the basket yesterday read: "Thank you. You are appreciated." I second that.
If you're one of the 99% of Brentwood residents who stop by the coffee house every day, consider making a donation to the "Coffee for Cops" promotion.

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Back to the library, I wish I could attend Saturday's Free Genealogy Workshop. More than one reader has asked what "loosely descended from Alf and Robert Taylor" means on my blog bio. You can see I need some help here.
"What's My Line: Tracing your Family History" starts at 12:45 p.m. and runs until about 4. It's sponsored by the Traveller's Rest Chapter of the D.A.R.
And that's not all. On Thursday at 6:30, the library's "Exploring our Hidden Selves" discussion group meets. Among tomorrow's topics: Are leaders born or made? and Do we get what we deserve? (That should surely spark some discussion. My children obviously would have an opinion on the matter.) I'm a little relieved I'll be attending the 7 p.m. Brentwood City Commission candidates forum at Ravenwood and won't be able to make it.
And finally, on Monday, April 20, a free walk-in Diabetes Screening will take place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. As someone diagnosed with Type II Diabetes just a few years ago, I know how important these screenings are.
For information on any of these programs, or to register, call Robyn Zandi at 371-0090, ext. 851 or email her at zandir@brentwood-tn.org.
Have BrentWord-worthy news to share? Email me at brentword@comcast.net