Forecast:
Friday, May 18: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange), OZONE


WHO IS AFFECTED?

People with lung disease (including asthma), active adults and children are most affected by ground level ozone. Individuals in the above groups should consider cutting back or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities until air quality improves. If you are sensitive to air pollution, check with your doctor for more specific steps you should take on Air Alert days.

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION

LOSE THE CAR KEYS - Share a ride to work or use public transportation.
PACK YOUR LUNCH- Avoid that extra trip out in the middle of the day to get lunch & eat in the office with co-workers.
DRIVE SMART - Combine errands, skip the drive thru, limit engine idling, and avoid rush hour.
DON'T GET FIRED UP IN THE YARD - Avoid using gas-powered yard equipment, and save the grilling out for another day.

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH

This Air Quality Alert can include predicted high levels of ozone.

The highest ozone levels usually occur from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Middle Tennessee, so reschedule or cut back on outdoor activities, particularly during these times. Active children, active adults, and people with respiratory diseases are the most vulnerable.

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will close a three mile section of I-24 near downtown Nashville this weekend for a major bridge rehabilitation project over Main and Woodland Streets.

 

I-24 eastbound and westbound will be closed from the I-24/I-65 split north of downtown to the I-24/I-40 split east of downtown beginning Friday May 4th, at 9:00 p.m.  The interstate will open no later than Monday May 7th, at 5:00 a.m.

In addition, Main Street and Woodland Street, from South 5th Street to Interstate Drive, will be closed to perform bridge repairs. Detours will be in place.

*All work is weather dependent.

 

 

This is the project’s second closure and workers will be removing deteriorated concrete from the bridge decks and setting pre-fabricated deck panels in place. The repairs are part of an $8.7 million project to rehabilitate bridges that were built in 1961. The project will require the total closure of a section of I-24 for 13 weekends this spring and summer.

 

 

Drivers passing through downtown Nashville will follow detour signs instructing them to take the west loop (I-40/I-65) around downtown.  Project closures and detour maps are available at http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/i24bridges/maps.shtml. A new East Nashville specific map, along with other maps to access downtown has recently been added.

 

 

TDOT will use its overhead Dynamic Message Signs and portable message boards to direct motorists around the closure. Drivers are advised to be alert and follow the posted directions. Law enforcement officers will be on site in the work zone to provide traffic control as the work is being completed. TDOT also asks drivers to use caution, reduce their speed and be alert to changing traffic conditions in work zones across the state.

 

For more information on TDOT construction project activity visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/.  Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information or can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel information or www.twitter.com/Nashville511 for traffic information in the Nashville area.  Motorists are reminded to use all motorist information tools responsibly.  Drivers should refrain from texting, tweeting or using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle.  TDOT advises drivers to “Know before you go!” by checking traffic conditions before leaving for their destination.

He will be recognized at an upcoming event sponsored by the multi-media Business Leader network.

Iaccheri also serves as vice president for HobNob Local, Inc., after becoming its first virtual mayor for the Hobnob Murfreesboro community Internet site and developing it as the top online presence in the market.

“John is an extraordinary young man with great talents and energy who played an instrumental role in the formation of HobNob Local and a phenomenal job with HobNob Murfreesboro,” Jon Eisnaugle, president and CEO of HNL Inc., said.

Iaccheri not only helped in the formative stages of HobNob Local but recognized and implemented the numerous opportunities with the Internet and social media in capturing audiences, connecting a community and staying on the cutting edge of technology, Eisnaugle explained.

“We applaud John on his honor that is richly deserved,’ he added.

Business Leader’s Top Entrepreneurs are chosen based on the following criteria:

• Candidate should be an owner or partner in a business and should be the current leader of the Company.
• Candidate must be a risk taker who has demonstrated perseverance and a strong desire to be successful.
• Candidate must be an innovator who has transformed the practice of business through innovative products and services.
• Candidate must have demonstrated success in raising capital and delivering superior financial results.
• Candidate must be active in the community by utilizing skills and/or time to promote philanthropic organizations or causes.

Iaccheri was working his way to a college degree at Middle Tennessee State University with an eye on joining the FBI when a chance encounter with Hobnob Local Inc. founder Eisnaugle led him in an entirely different career path.

Iaccheri joined the HobNob team, playing an instrumental role in the development of the overall Hobnob strategy, platform and presentation.

Iaccheri eventually elected himself Virtual Mayor of Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he had attended college and for the past three years has led the beta site for the HobNob network, developing a solid revenue plan and tremendously successful social media.

Originally studying civil engineering, Iaccheri’s work and an internship with a program helping state prison inmates prompted him to chance his course of study to criminal justice and psychology. Then he met Eisnaugle and “an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.” Working closely with Eisnaugle and other key members of the HobNob staff, Iaccheri invested a huge amount of time and energy in guerilla marketing, slowly and surely spreading the Hobnob story throughout his market.

More than 2,000 runners came out for our 10th annual 5K “Zoo Run Run” raising more than $85,000 for the Zoo. Here, a few runners vamp for the camera as they run past our four African elephants.

This image was taken by Zoo photographer Christian Sperka (www.sperka.biz). Enjoy!

 

Nashville Zoo Picture of the Week. Jackson, our elderly male cougar relaxes in his habitat which he will soon share with two cubs. The cubs were orphaned in Oregon when a hunter illegally shot their mother. More info on the cubs at a later date.

 

This image was taken by Zoo photographer Christian Sperka (www.sperka.biz). Enjoy!

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL BE IN EFFECT EARLY TUESDAY FOR
SOUTHWEST MIDDLE TENNESSEE. SNOWFALL OF 1 TO 2 INCHES WILL
OCCUR...MAINLY ON GRASSY SURFACES.

ADDITIONAL LIGHT SNOWFALL IS POSSIBLE THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...BUT
NO ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...

SPOTTERS AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURAGED
TO REPORT HEAVY RAINFALL AMOUNTS OR ANY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS TO THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NASHVILLE.
NATIONAL WEATHER SEREVICE,NASHVILLE:

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL BE IN EFFECT EARLY TUESDAY FOR
SOUTHWEST MIDDLE TENNESSEE. SNOWFALL OF 1 TO 2 INCHES WILL
OCCUR...MAINLY ON GRASSY SURFACES.

ADDITIONAL LIGHT SNOWFALL IS POSSIBLE THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...BUT
NO ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...

SPOTTERS AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURAGED
TO REPORT HEAVY RAINFALL AMOUNTS OR ANY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS TO THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NASHVILLE.

Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will close a lane on I-440 Eastbound this weekend to perform concrete repair work. The right lane of I-440 Eastbound from Nolensville Road to the I-24 split will be closed beginning Friday, November 11, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. The lane will reopen no later than Monday, November 14 at 5:00 a.m

Tennessee’s History Festival will be held Nov. 11-12 at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville. With a focus on Civil War history, the event blends education and entertainment, allowing school groups and families to experience day-to-day soldier life during this important time in history. In year’s past, the festival has drawn more than 6,000 visitors to the park.

"Tennessee’s History Festival offers something for the entire family and all age groups,” said Park Manager Mike Cole. “As we continue to commemorate the sesquicentennial of Tennessee’s involvement in the Civil War, I encourage everyone to join us for an up-close look into what military life was like during the 1860s.”

With its “Struggle for the Heartland” theme, the two-day festival will feature multiple displays and demonstrations by re-enactors and living history interpreters. A highlight of this year’s festival will be a re-enactment of a Civil War skirmish between Northern and Southern troops, demonstrating black-powder weaponry. Visitors will get an opportunity to observe how cannons were loaded and fired by Porter’s Battery of Clarksville, Tenn.

Civil War stories will come alive as participants see and hear from Generals Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee and George H. Thomas, along with special appearances by the 13th United States Colored Troops and the 19th Alabama civilian encampment. Infantry and artillery demonstrations will include how to march in formation, inspections and drills.

The festival is free and open to the public. Activities will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. School groups are encouraged to plan their visits for Friday, Nov. 11, and must register in advance. Educators may arrange for bus parking and special informational packets for their visits. School group reservations may be made by contacting Park Manager Mike Cole at (615) 741-5800.

Tennessee’s History Festival is made possible by the generous support of Tennessee State Parks and Bridgestone Americas.

The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is located at the foot of the State Capitol in downtown Nashville. The 19-acre park was designed to complement the Capitol and give visitors a taste of Tennessee's history and natural wonders, while serving as a lasting monument to Tennessee's Bicentennial celebration. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park recently celebrated recognition as one of the American Planning Association’s Top 10 Great Public Spaces for 2011.

Additional details about the park can be found at www.tnstateparks.com/Bicentennial. For more information about Tennessee’s History Festival, please call the park office at (615) 741-5280.

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Live On The Green had another stellar night of music ending with Ten Out Of Tenn last week.

 

Watching this collection of artists, you notice that it is like a game of musical chairs. The music plays and when it stops not everyone has a place; time to switch it up. Some musicians stay on stage as the backing band while center stage is the seat that keeps changing. In this intriguing set up, everyone has his or her moment.

This group is made up of ten artists based out of Nashville. Each having solo careers, they have teamed up to create a “super group” traveling on one bus to bring a variety of sound. In a live performance, you can see the family unit that has been created.

The crowd was swaying, dancing, and singing along. Quality music was on display with clear tone and story-telling lyrics. I recommend looking into these artists individually and as a group since they have released collaborative albums. The live show is where it is best, however, so that you can see this constant “musical chairs” of musicians.

 

 

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Nashville was alive and moving last week while Robert Randolph performed at Live On The Green.

In this town there’s a good chance that when you’re on stage, you are playing in front of a bunch of musicians so getting everyone to let lose and close their critical eye can be a chore. Robert Randolph and The Family Band shook things up though.

I was delighted to hear Purple Haze and then hear the crowd sing-a-long. People were singing and dancing all through the crowd. I even saw someone crowd surfing – if you are unaware of what that is, it’s when someone is lifted up on the hands of the crowd and are moved across.

Last week, there was a lot to be seen on stage and in the crowd. Robert Randolph made the crowd light up with his funky, rocking sound. Can’t wait to see what this week holds.

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