West Nashville Farmer's Market opens Saturday at Richland Park

From a press release sent by Audrey Patrick:

Tough economic times have most Nashvillians looking for ways to save money without impacting their quality of life. With food being one of the largest budget items for most families, many shoppers are turning to local farmers for good quality and cheaper prices. As a result, the community-based organization Good Food for Good People, is announcing the grand opening of the West Nashville Farmer’s Market on Saturday, August 15, from 9 a.m. to noon. The market’s creation was a collaborative effort between Good Food for Good People and two west Nashville neighborhood associations, Sylvan Park and R.U.N. (Robertson, Urbandale, Nations).

The West Nashville Farmer’s Market will be held every Saturday at Richland Park, close to the intersection of 46th and Park Avenue near Charlotte Avenue. It will offer customers a variety of choices in local, affordable organic food and wares. Jason Holleman, Metro Councilman for District 24 said, "It's exciting to have a Farmer's Market with locally-grown products right here in Sylvan Park. I hope that visiting this market for fresh fruits and vegetables will become a Saturday morning custom for families in our neighborhood."

The farm vendors at the market will include Delvin Farms, Foggy Hollow Farm, Richland Gardens, Timbertop Farms, and Fresh Harvest. Also partnering with the market are Tennessee Cheesecake, The Green Wagon, Rhino Books, Fido, Portland Brew, and Star Bagel. Sean Siple, founder of Good Food for Good People, explains the value of the partnerships surrounding the new market, "This market is growing out of tremendous community support from both sides of Charlotte. We named it the West Nashville Farmers Market not only because that’s where it is, but also for each of the west Nashvillians who are stepping up to make this community event a reality. This is a community farmers market like no other in the region."

Eric Patrick of Foggy Hollow Farm expressed his excitement with the opening, “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to sell our produce so close to home and look forward to many more Saturdays here in west Nashville.” Residents and local vendors interested in partnering with the new market can contact Sean Siple at (615) 585-1294 or by email at goodfood4@gmail.com.

Good Food for Good People is a community-based organization that works to increase residents’ access to healthy food through their local farmer network activities, community garden development and a variety of educational partnerships with local schools and community groups.

Wild neighbors: Groundhog day in Charlotte Park

We spotted this furry creature roaming the neighborhood twice in the past week. It looks like a groundhog, or woodchuck, to us. (You can read groundhog info from National Geographic here.) If you've seen similar wildlife around, please post a comment.

Bells Bend benefit concert tonight at Loveless

From a press release sent by Kip Kirby:

A concert to benefit the Beaman Park to Bells Bend Conservation Community will be held Saturday, July 11 from 6-11 p.m. at the Loveless Barn. Featured artists include Jaime Kyle, Jonell Mosser, Buffalo Rome, Todd Cerney/Casey Kelly/Leslie Ellis, Don Henry, Bill Lloyd, Thom Shepherd, Charlie Morgan, Lance Hoppen, Bill Cumo, Pat Meusel, Beth Hooker, Sally Barris, and Dave Bradley.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Advance tickets may be obtained from Adelle Wood, adelleintn@comcast.net, or Ellen Jacobson, erj@skinmdplle.com. There will be a cash bar, as well as Bells Bend t-shirts and merchandise for sale at the event.

Proceeds will help pay the outstanding expenses of the Beaman Park to Bells Bend Conservation Community that accumulated during the group’s ongoing ef­forts to defeat the proposed May Town Center and to keep Nashville’s scenic Bells Bend area country. Proceeds will also be used to help fund the new coop­erative Bells Bend Neighborhood Farm and further development of a Third Vi­sion alternative for recreation and agriculture.

The Loveless Barn is located at 8400 Highway 100 behind the historic Loveless Café. There is plenty of parking available.

May Town Center community meeting tonight

A community meeting about the proposed May Town Center will be held tonight at 6 p.m. at Cohn School at 4805 Park Ave. (map), according to The Tennessean.

The article reported that two Metro Council members and the Metro Planning Department are holding the meeting to help residents in the area understand how the proposed development could affect nearby neighborhoods.

Public hearing on May Town Center Thursday, part two planned for June 25

At 4 p.m. on Thursday, The Metro Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on rezoning for the May Town Center during a regular meeting. The meeting will be held at Metro Southeast at Genesco Park at 1417 Murfreesboro Rd. (See on a map here.)

Groups in opposition and in support of the May Town Center are encouraging people to attend.

More info from the Metro Planning Department website:

May Town Center hearing will be spread over two meetings

The Planning Commission will begin its public hearing on agenda item 6, the May Town Center rezoning application, during the regular Commission meeting on May 28, and continue the hearing during the June 25 regular meeting.

At a special meeting May 20, Commissioners voted to limit the June 25 second phase of the hearing to comments on economic issues related to May Town Center; the Commission is scheduled to receive an independent economic study of the May Town Center project on June 1.

Agenda item 5, the Scottsboro/Bells Bend Detailed Design Plan amendment, has been recommended for deferral and will be considered at the same time as the rezoning application, currently planned for June 25. The public hearing on item 5 was held July 24, 2008, and is now closed.

A full schedule and additional information are now available on a new Bells Bend/May Town Center links and information page.