Curby day Wednesday (May 2)

For Sylvan Park residents who live on or north of Idaho Avenue, this Wednesday, May 2, is recycling day. Residents south of Idaho Avenue can recycle the following Wednesday, May 9. If you’re still unsure, Metro Public Works can help you confirm the correct recycling day for your address.

Two adorable pups looking for a home

Carrie and I have recently rescued five puppies, and we are looking for homes for two of them. Both puppies are 10 weeks old, up-to-date on their deworming medications and in need of their first round of shots soon. They are sweet, gentle and friendly mixed-breed puppies. Their mother is a blue heeler, and they look like they will be medium- to large-sized dogs.

We have come to call the black puppy (above) High-Five because he likes to reach out toward you with one of his paws. We’ve been calling the brindle puppy Fatty because she was originally the biggest puppy of the group, though she’s not any more.

We’d like to find good homes for one or both puppies soon, preferably homes with enclosed back yards. The puppies are very close to being fully housebroken.

Carrie and I are able to keep two of the original five puppies, and we’ve found a home for another of the puppies. These two pups will be great with children, and they adore other dogs and cats. (Our two cats are gradually learning to reciprocate.) Please call us at (615) 838-1876 or send an email to rrob13[at]gmail.com if you might be interested in adopting one or both puppies. We’re not asking for any money for either of them, just loving owners. (Yes, we have spoken with Love at First Sight and the Humane Association, and both have plenty of animals already.)

Tour de Nash May 19

Music City Moves!, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging active, healthy living, will hold its fourth annual non-competitive Tour de Nash bicycle and walking tour of the city on Saturday, May 19. Here’s more information from the tour’s Web site:

“The events of Tour de Nash were designed to introduce residents to some of Nashville’s best places to bike or walk and to challenge them to live a more active lifestyle by completing their longest personal touring distance. All tours will start and end near the East concourse of the Titans Coliseum and highlight bicycle and pedestrian facilities across Davidson County. Bring your friends and family!”

To register for one of the free walking or biking tours or for one of the longer-distance biking tours, click here.

Lawn Care recommendations

Several neighbors replied to the recent request for recommendations for lawn care. Here is contact information for each one. If you are looking for help maintaining your lawn this summer, please consider contacting the following folks:

• “Professional Lawns & Landscapes does my yard and at least one of my neighbors – I believe they do even more. They are reasonable ($25 to mow, edge, and blow) and are also careful not to let my dogs out of the yard. Their number is (615) 744-0082. They also send out monthly invoices, so that is handy.”

• “I have a recommendation … Her name is Jane Hollingsworth and she’s run her own lawn business since she was in college. She’s reliable, trustworthy and reasonably priced.” Email Jane at hollingsworthlawnservice[at]hotmail.com.

• “We saw your request for lawn mowing … Our son, Samuel, has Sam’s Lawn Service, and mostly mows [in the] Sylvan Park area. He is 24, has many neighborhood references, is insured and has great pricing. He had 40 customers last year, and has 36 so far this year, so only has a few spots open. Our phone number is (615) 297-3018, and the email is RsJoh595[at]cs.com.”

• “I have a son-in-law that cuts lawns on the weekends … His name is Kevin Hale and he has been doing this work for 20 years … His phone number is (615) 566-5062.”

• “My name is Rebecca Patton. I recently saw your ad for someone to cut your grass. I would like the opportunity to meet with and your neighbor. Please contact me at (615) 243-3115.”

• I have a suggestion for … lawn care posting: Phil (at 615-482-2925) cuts two of our yards. He lives near us and seems to be very dependable.”

Barbara Lamb, dog’s best friend

Sure, we know that dogs are man’s best friend, but what about dogs themselves? I’m beginning to think that neighbor Barbara Lamb is dogs’ best friend. Why? Well, first, she’s quoted in last week’s Tennessean article about the Centennial Dog Park:

Barbara Lamb, a Sylvan Park resident, said safety is usually not an issue when she and 10-month-old Labrador Husky mix, Benny, frequently visit.

“I find the Centennial Dog Park to be one of the best ones I’ve been to,” Lamb said. “The grounds are very secure, and it’s well fenced and clean. We all clean up after our dogs and keep it nice. I couldn’t be happier with that facility.”

The dog park is even attracting those who live outside of the county.

“I have a friend who is relocating to Nashville from Louisiana, and all she talks about is how she can’t wait to get up here and use that dog park,” Lamb said. “It’s just the one place where dogs can run to their hearts’ content.”

Second, she just helped neighbor Christopher Gilder find his lost German Shepherd, Chief, this evening. Barbara found Chief and then drove around the neighborhood looking for his owner. She didn’t find Christopher, but she did find someone who knew him and who pointed her in the right direction.

Thanks, Barbara, for being a great neighbor to man and canine alike!
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Barbara Lamb, dog’s best friend

Sure, we know that dogs are man’s best friend, but what about dogs themselves? I’m beginning to think that neighbor Barbara Lamb is dogs’ best friend. Why? Well, first, she’s quoted in last week’s Tennessean article about the Centennial Dog Park:

Barbara Lamb, a Sylvan Park resident, said safety is usually not an issue when she and 10-month-old Labrador Husky mix, Benny, frequently visit.

“I find the Centennial Dog Park to be one of the best ones I’ve been to,” Lamb said. “The grounds are very secure, and it’s well fenced and clean. We all clean up after our dogs and keep it nice. I couldn’t be happier with that facility.”

The dog park is even attracting those who live outside of the county.

“I have a friend who is relocating to Nashville from Louisiana, and all she talks about is how she can’t wait to get up here and use that dog park,” Lamb said. “It’s just the one place where dogs can run to their hearts’ content.”

Second, she just helped neighbor Christopher Gilder find his lost German Shepherd, Chief, this evening. Barbara found Chief and then drove around the neighborhood looking for his owner. She didn’t find Christopher, but she did find someone who knew him and who pointed her in the right direction.

Thanks, Barbara, for being a great neighbor to man and canine alike!
s

Richland Creek Greenway bridge updates

Shain Dennison with the Metro Parks Department shared the following information recently about the two new bridges on the Richland Creek Greenway:

The middle pedestrian bridge of the Richland Creek Greenway re-opened last week. Fences and barricades there have been removed. It is the intention of Metro Parks and the contractor to keep that bridge open permanently, with the possible exception being brief closures to accommodate heavy equipment working in the immediate area.

The northernmost pedestrian bridge, nearest the Sylvan Park neighborhood, will remain closed until approximately the end of May. Between now and then, protective fencing will be installed along the golf course, a top coat of asphalt will be applied, and additional concrete work will occur on that segment.

SPNA Spring Newsletter now online

The spring issue of the SPNA News is now online. The newsletter will be distributed to neighborhood homes over the weekend. Past issues are available as well. Thanks to all of our current sponsors: The Wilson Group, LeQuire Gallery, StoneBrook Staging and Design and Mike’s Home Repair and Remodeling, (615) 739-8888. Please support our sponsors!

SPNA Yard Sale rescheduled for May 19

Speaking of yard sales, the annual SPNA Yard Sale has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. To participate in the yard sale, please send a check made payable to Sylvan Park Neighborhood Association in the amount of $15 (members) or $30 (non-members) to Wendell Goodman at 4901 Park Avenue, 37209. Fees for non-members include SPNA membership. If you have questions about the sale, feel free to call Wendell at (615) 385-2276.

Terms: Each Household:

• Is responsible for its own set up and tear down.
• Will set up on its own property.
• Will manage its own sale and keep the proceeds.
• Merchants on Charlotte Avenue and Murphy Road will be
• invited to participate.

Pre-Sale Instructions:

• Please have all items out and priced by 8 a.m.
• Please make sure that your items are visible from the
• street unless there is a sign in front yard to direct your
• customers to your back yard or garage.

What SPNA Will Provide:

• Bright balloons on your mailbox to identify your sale.
• Maps with specific address listing special items of interest as provided by participants.
• A large ad in The Tennessean on Friday and Saturday publicizing the neighborhood sale and indicating where customers may obtain maps to the sale locations.

After the Sale (if you want to donate unsold items):

• SPNA will arrange for a charity to pick up leftover items. (SPNA cannot be responsible for items that are not picked up.)
• Place all items at the street in an orderly fashion.
• Put out only salable items: NO TRASH PLEASE!
• SPNA will have donation receipts for those households that would like one.

Yard Sale Signs Don’t Belong on NES Lines

From the Nashville Electric Service Web site:

Spring cleaning makes way for yard sales this time of year. In fact, you’ve probably already seen signs popping up in your neighborhood. Nailing these signs to utility poles may seem like harmless, free advertising, but it poses a serious risk to our linemen. And, it is against the law.

NES President & CEO Decosta Jenkins says, “Our lineworkers depend on special gloves that enable them to handle hot lines. A simple pin prick in these gloves could result in serious injury or even death.”

Beyond the danger to our linemen, is the damage to the pole. Over time, water seeps into the holes surrounding the nails and causes the pole to deteriorate. Also, yard sale signs on poles can limit the visibility of drivers, and they can be an eyesore.

NES asks you to never use its poles to tack, nail, or fasten signs. Our crews will remove these advertisements, and the companies or individuals responsible for posting the signs could face legal action.

I’ve never heard this before, so I thought I’d share it. Please keep it in mind now that yard-sale season is upon us.