The 1.5 ton piece of steel from the New York City skyscraper destroyed by terrorists on 9-11 will be delivered about 10:45 a.m. Monday to the sheriff’s office at 940 New Salem Highway, said Deputy Jimmy Cassidy who helped coordinate the donation with Deputy Greg Dotson of the Community Services Unit. Citizens are welcome to be present when the artifact is delivered.

Dotson said the artifact will be displayed in a permanent monument as a “visual reminder of 9-11. The memorial will be a constant reminder of the horrific incident of 9-11 and a constant reminder the law enforcement officers and firefighters in New York City endured to help the innocent. It will be a day that will live in the hearts of those there and who watched it on TV.”

Citizens may buy memorial bricks with proceeds used to fund the monument, Dotson said.

The drive to acquire the artifact began several years ago when former warrants Lt. Sheila Wright saw an article in The New York Times about pieces of the building being distributed and notified former Sgt. James Harrell of the Community Services Unit. The sheriff’s office applied for a piece of the building through the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Dotson contacted Craig Stanley, vice president of Tennessee Steel Haulers, whose company agreed to truck the artifact from New York City to Murfreesboro. Driver David Judy, a veteran who served in Iraq, will deliver the artifact.

Sheriff’s deputies will meet Judy at the county line to escort him to the sheriff’s office. Alley-Cassetty employees will use a forklift to remove the steel from the truck.

Since 9-11, the sheriff’s office commemorated the attacks with a memorial service on the anniversary.

Sgt. Jeff Griswold summarized the importance of remembering the anniversary.

“From the ashes of disaster, we shall remain strong,” Griswold said.

When complaints surfaced about a grandson’s possible abuse, a caring grandparent sought guidance from the Child Advocacy Center.

“The Child Advocacy Center was a wonderful help in a dark time and provided support and advice needed to make good decisions,” the grandparent said this week in reflecting about the services offered.

Executive Director Sharon DeBoer said CAC unites with the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office to investigate and prosecute child abuse cases and help children and their families heal from the trauma and victimization of the abuse. Since 2000, the team investigated and prosecuted over 6,000 cases of child abuse in Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

For the grandparent, CAC’s staff referred the family to people who understand child abuse and the issues involved.

“The people (at CAC) do a wonderful job and steered us to an excellent lawyer who gave us a list of what we needed to do to keep custody of our grandson,” the grandparent explained.

After years of battles, the grandson moved forward. He’s earning straight A’s in school and enjoying his childhood.

The grandparent supports CAC’s mission to help children and families heal and plans to financially help the center by adopting rubber ducks for the Child Advocacy Center Duck Derby June 11 at the Sportsman’s Club on Medical Center Parkway.

By adopting a duck for $5, the grandparent will be eligible to win a $5,000 grand prize or 13 other prize packages. Chances to win are increased by buying more ducks. People may donate $25 for a six-quack, $50 for a Quacker’s Dozen of 12 or $100 for a Flock of Ducks with 25 adoptions.

Ducks may be adopted at Demos’ restaurant, US Bank, FirstBank, Top of the Block, Bell Jewelers, Reeves-Sain, Mills Family Pharmacy, The Daily News Journal, Murfreesboro Post, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and First Bank. Ducks may also be adopted in Cannon County at the Child Advocacy Center at 214 W. Water St., First Bank at 101 W. Main St. and First National Bank at 801 W. Main St. in Woodbury. Ducks may also be purchased online atwww.duckrace.com/murfreesboro.  Information about the race is also available on Facebook at Child Advocacy Center Duck Race.

Duck Derby events will kick off at noon with the Family Fun Festival where families can enjoy food, entertainment, children’s games and activities outside the Sportsman’s Club at 1231 Medical Center Parkway.

Auctioneers will sell large rubber ducks autographed by celebrities at 4:30 p.m. Ducks will hit the water for the derby at 5:23 p.m.

Queen of the Quackers Kristin Demos predicts 10,000 adopted ducks will glide during the race to prevent child abuse and help children who have been abused. The person who adopts the first duck to cross the finish line will win the $5,000 prize.

Other prizes include:

• Second prize: A week at Sugar Beach Condominiums in Orange Beach, Ala., with tickets to Gulf Coast Zoo and meals at Ducks’ Diner.

• Third prize:  Gatlinburg Getaway including a three-night stay at a cabin, admissions to Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens, Dollywood and Fort Fun for laser tag, 3-D Theater and bumper cars, miniature golf, Rafting in the Smokies, Old Gatlinburg Golf and Games, Venture Motion Ride Movie Theater, Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway, Wilderness in the Smokies and one complimentary night at Stone Hill Lodge.

• Fourth prize:  $500 gift card to Demos’ restaurant.

• Fifth prize: $500 gift card to Bell Jewelers.

• Sixth prize: Professional fisherman Joey Monelone’s Guided Fishing Trip.

• Seventh prize: Memphis Moonlight, one night stay at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, admissions to Chucalissa Museum, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Graceland, Lichterman Nature Center, Memphis Botanic Garden, National Civil Rights Museum, Pink Palace Family Museums, Pink Palace Family Museum, the Cotton Museum and Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum.

• Eighth prize: Duck River Expedition including Normandy Cottage weekend stay, Normandy Kayaks and Weekend Kayak Rental.

• Ninth prize: Ladies Prize Pack including Chanel of Dillard’s, Green Hills Mall Women’s Prize Basket, Chanel Gift Basket, Top of the Block Women’s Prize Package and Synergy Spa Pack.

• 10^th prize: Reelfoot Lake Fisherman’s Getaway at Boyette’s Resort, including a cottage on Friday and Saturday for two adults and two children, Boyette’s Dining Room (recently featured on “Tennessee Crossroads,”) and Bo’s Landing Boat Rental.

• 11^th prize: The Murfreesboro Treat including a family pass to the Discovery Center, $75 gift card for four-adult Sunday brunch at B. McNeel’s restaurant, one-year membership to Cox Family Martial Arts, four family passes to Go USA Fun Park, four admissions to Phazer Kraze Laser Tag and four admissions to the Sam Davis Home.

• 12^th prize: Nashville Night, one year family membership to Adventure Science Center, four admissions to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art, weekend stay for two at Nashville Downtown Courtyard by Marriott, two meals at Pancake Pantry, four admissions to Ryman Auditorium, Nashville Sounds baseball game, Nashville Symphony, Tennessee State Museum Gift Bag and a family pass at Travelers Rest Plantation and Museum.

• 13^th prize: Day trip to Chattanooga with admissions to Chattanooga’s Southern Belle Riverboat, Creative Discovery Museum, Hunter Museum of American Art, Ruby Falls and the Tennessee Aquarium.

• 14^th prize: Weekend trip to Huntsville with two-night stay at Embassy Suites and Spa including complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and manager’s reception each evening and admissions to Burritt on the Mountain, Early Works Museums, Huntsville Botanical Garden, Huntsville Museum of Art and Sci-Quest Hands-on Science Center.

For more information, contact Executive Director Sharon DeBoer of the Child Advocacy Center at 867-9000.

When planning their wedding, Missi Roberts and Matt Austin of Murfreesboro pledged to give back to their community.

Roberts learned the Child Advocacy Center’s annual Duck Derby is the same day as their June 11 wedding. About 10,000 adopted rubber ducks will race in the Stones River that day to raise money to help abused children heal.

“Perfect!” Roberts thought. “We can donate money to the Child Advocacy Center and have ducks (as favors).”

CAC Executive Director Sharon DeBoer said the Child Advocacy Center board, staff and volunteers are excited for Roberts and Austin on their wedding day.

“We think they are the ‘quackiest’ by supporting the Duck Derby and the child abuse victims and their families that we serve on their wedding day,” DeBoer said.

As a former Youth Services officer, Roberts knew the Child Advocacy Center in Rutherford and Cannon counties has provided services to more than 6,000 physically and sexually abused children and drug-endangered children during the past 10 years.

She now teaches fourth grade at John Colemon Elementary School in Smyrna. Austin works for Mountain State Construction Excavating Co. As a teacher, Roberts said children influence her life.

“It’s such a big part of my life helping children,” Roberts said, explaining a donation to the CAC will be an honor for her and Austin.

The Child Advocacy Center helps victims and families heal.

“What an awesome thing,” Roberts said of the CAC services. “I definitely want to encourage people to adopt a duck. Just your $5 can help so tremendously for this agent. It will help change someone’s life for the good.”

People may help abused children by adopting ducks at $5 apiece, a quack pack for $25, $50 for a Quacker’s Dozen of 12 or $100 for a Flock of Ducks with 25 adoptions, said Queen of the Quackers Kristin Demos. Ducks may be adopted at Demos’ restaurant, US Bank, FirstBank, Top of the Block, Bell Jewelers, Reeves-Sain, Mills Family Pharmacy, The Daily News Journal, Murfreesboro Post and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in Murfreesboro. Ducks may also be purchased online at www.duckrace.com/murfreesboro.

Ducks may also be adopted in Cannon County at the Child Advocacy Center at 214 W. Water St., First Bank at 101 W. Main St. and First National Bank at 801 W. Main St. in Woodbury.

Duck Derby events will kick off at noon with the Family Fun Festival where families can enjoy food, entertainment, children’s games and activities outside the Sportsman’s Club at 1231 Medical Center Parkway.

Auctioneers will sell large rubber ducks autographed by celebrities at 4:30 p.m. Ducks will hit the water for the derby at 5:23 p.m.

As an adopter, Roberts’ ducks will be entered in the race. If her duck is the first one to cross the race finish line, she will win the $5,000 grand prize sponsored by Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Cooperative. The remaining 13 prizes include vacation packages, fishing trips and gift certificates from Demos’ and Bell Jewelers.

Roberts encouraged other people to purchase adopt a duck today.

“Just $5 can help so tremendously for this agency,” Roberts said. “Help to change someone else’s life for the good.”

For more information, contact Executive Director Sharon DeBoer of the Child Advocacy Center at 867-9000 in Murfreesboro or Director Amanda Burks of the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center at 563-9915 in Woodbury

Nashville Fashion Week has come and gone, but people are still buzzing about the largest fashion event to sweep the city.  With designers like Betsey Johnson and Christian Siriano on board, it was impossible to not get excited.

The run of shows kicked off at the Pinnacle Building in downtown Nashville.  It was, hands-down, the perfect venue for a fashion show.  Elevators ascended twenty-two floors and opened onto a sleek, modern event space.  Chairs were set up following the floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows so the models were framed by Nashville’s twinkling city lights as they walked.  Low lights, smooth cocktails, and a beautiful exuberant crowd completed the posh atmosphere.

JAMIE & THE JONES kicked off Nashville Fashion Week showcasing a collection of sweet retro-inspired frocks.  They partnered with Theresa Hays to create custom hand-marbled fabrics for their A/W 2011 collection.  Light, natural fibers softened the collection’s clean silhouettes in shades of goldenrod, soft forest green, and earthy neutrals with the occasional pop of black.  Zig-zag embroidery and crochet patterns lent just enough detail.  Accessories were simple and slender – think narrow belts, skinny chains, and drop earrings.  Jamie & the Jones A/W 2011 is for a woman who may have to dress classically, but just can’t shake her Haight-Ashbury roots.  With clothes like these, why would she want to?

Image from Nashville Fashion Events

Image from Nashville Fashion Events

Image from Nashville Fashion Events

AKIKO headed up the second show.  A Los Angeles-based designer, Akiko started as a t-shirt company headquartered in the designer’s apartment.  Today, her designs are worn by Californian celebrities including Audrina Patridge, Denise Richards, and the Hilton girls.  Her line exudes feminine chic.  Jersey dresses were clearly favored, but who wouldn’t love to wear something with the comfort of a t-shirt and the class of a dress?  Colors were largely neutral – taupe, navy, grey –  while bold navy-on-coral prints and a beautiful lavender-on-Dutch-blue tie-dye kept the collection from looking staid.  Bold necklaces and slim belts completed the looks.  Akiko makes every woman who wears her pieces look and feel like a celebrity.

Image from Fab Glance Nashville

Image from Nashville Fashion Events

Image from Nashville Fashion Events

LORETTA JANE followed promptly. Kelli Cooper, a Nashville designer, developed her love of fashion and appreciation for beautiful fabrics early on, and it is reflected in her A/W 2011 collection. Her pieces are fresh sophistication. Think crisp cropped jackets topping girly dresses, sharp wool sheaths with a statement ruffle around the waist that still manages to be office-appropriate, tweeds mixed expertly with rich floral prints. Colors were bold jewel tones perfect for fall – bold plums and teals mixed with grey and taupe. Wear Loretta Jane when you want to command the board room and make your after-five date speechless.

Image from Nashville Fashion Events

Image from Nashville Fashion Events

Image from Nashville Fashion Events

Next up was SYLVIA HEISEL, a New York City designer known for her innovative use of materials.   (There are rumors of a Kevlar evening gown in her past.)  Her line was very crisp, very clean, with an abstract art exclamation point.  There were white button-up shirts in unique cuts, as well as narrow printed tunics over leggings.  A favorite piece was the full-length ivory silk dress with a keyhole halter delicately drizzled in black paint.  Also breathtaking: the statement white button-up paired with a floor-length black silk skirt.  Black and white punctuated with red made for a collection that would integrate nicely into anyone’s wardrobe.  Wear Sylvia to a party at a gallery where you want to get as much attention as the art on the walls.

Image from Nashville Fashion Events

Image from Nashville Fashion Events

Image from Nashville Fashion Events

Headlining the evening was KEVORK KILEDJIAN, who debuted at New York Fashion Week in February.  Style.com compared his talents to Gucci a la Tom Ford, and the similarities are hard to ignore.  If it wasn’t short, it was skintight – often, though, the garments exhibited both traits.  Leather, fringe, and sheer fabrics were expertly cut into garments for beautiful, dangerous women.  My favorite piece of the entire collection was a black velvet minidress whose hemline slits were obscured by fringe when the model posed, but swished back and forth to reveal just how long her legs were.  Black, red, and purple made for a darkly mysterious color palette.  Pick Kevork Kiledjian if you’re responsible for wardrobe on the next Bond movie – or if you’re auditioning.

Image from Nashville Fashion Blog

Image from Nashville Fashion Events

Image from What Will Erin Wear

I’m Still Beautiful
Thursday, 3 March at the Mercy Lounge
7.00 PM
$10 minimum donation to the I’m Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation

The Cause :
Supporting cancer survivors.  It’s also a very personal cause of mine.

The Threads :
Olia Zovozina,
Charles Lord,
& a few surprises as well!

The Music :
The Features,
Kopecky Family Band,
Run With Bulls,
Holley Maher,
& DJ set by Electric Western.

Model Behavio[u]r Shimmer & Shine Fashion Show
[I'm walking in this one, & soooo excited!]
Friday, 4 March at the W.O. Smith Music School
6.00 PM
Click here to order tickets!

The Cause :
Honouring ten women who have provided crucial support to local institutions and charities, this event promises to be a dazzling affair as models wear jewelry from local boutiques.

The Rocks :
Atelier,
Cindi Earl,
Ward Potts,
Kings Jewelers,
& Tiffany’s.

Ladies Spa Night
Friday, 4 March at Studio 157 Salon
6.00 PM
Call 615.265.8804 to reserve.

Not quite a charity affair, but certainly not an event to be missed!  Studio 157 is hosting a girl’s night in at their Hendersonville salon.  Offerings include a luscious $40 pumpkin enzyme peel, a $30 colour gloss & blowout, as well as special prices on Botox & Juvederm.  Did I mention… Wine & nibbles?

That’s it for this week!  Stay tuned for updates on local fashion events in the future!

xoxo, Scarlett

Inception
What culminated in a grand spectacle began as an idea for two friends to team up.  Kristin Leim, assistant manager at BLUSH, describes owners Max & Jen Khavanov as “very encouraging of creative ideas.”  Leim was once an esthetician at Natural Oasis Salon & Spa & was approached by their manager Rajean Maynard to see if there was a way BLUSH & Natural Oasis could combine forces.  What, mused Leim, do you get when you add the latest trends in clothing, plus stunning hair & perfect makeup?  A fashion show was the clear solution to the equation.

Fashion, Put It All On Me
“BLUSH is very well known for cocktail dresses,” explained Leim, “So I wanted to show versatility in separates that we offer as well.”  Buzzwords for spring include feminine, flirty, & fresh.  The models showcased a range of adorable get-ups ranging from perfect weekend ensembles of leggings, tank tops, & fitted cardigans to a note-perfect coral ruffled one-shoulder cocktail dress to a miniskirt, lace leggings, & a cheeky leather vest worn with a smile.  Leim gave us the insiders edition.  “For so long we have been seeing army green, grey, navy, & taupe,” she said, describing current winter trends.  However, her inspiration came from the exciting colour palettes for spring, which she described as “so fresh & exciting,” adding “They are workable into the colours from A/W 2010.”  New trends that let us hold on to clothes from last season?  BLUSH, you may have created a rabid devotee.

Hair + Makeup
Natural Oasis Salon & Spa, which has been featured in national magazines for its stylists’ work & who Leim describes as “insanely talented” provided hair & makeup for the show.  Leim approached Jaima McReynolds, a stylist at Natural Oasis, who agreed that yes, a fashion show is a killer idea.  McReynolds, along with Crystal Keller & Aimee Sanchez, did hair & makeup for the event.  Katje Lael  & Jenny Taylor worked exclusively as makeup artists.  Keller dished on the inspiration behind the hair & makeup looks on the runway.  “Spring & summer looks you think of soft pastels, corals – Movement, free-flowing,” she said, describing perennial notions about how springtime “should” look, adding, “To change things up, we thought of softness with hard edges.”  This juxtaposition translated onto the models in the form of sleek ponytails, brioche buns, & voluminous curls.  Makeup was bold coral focused on either the model’s eyes, lips, or cheeks for a look of daring minimalism.

No Business Like Show Business
Marketing for the show was provided by Empire Media Group (EMG) a local publicity powerhouse.  Owner Shaun Bertrand worked personally with Leim, who describes both Bertrand & EMG as “My favourite … Very creative.”  They secured contributions to the goodie bags with the generous contributions from Stephanie Fahey at Genesis Diamonds, spray tans by Anastacia Wetzel, and Jamie Bryant of HotBox Kickboxing Studio.

Check out these exclusive shots from the BLUSH runway:

Blush Boutiques
opened in 2008 & quickly became a byword in Nashville for exclusive-yet-affordable style.  They carry both recognizable designers as well as a private label in clothes, shoes, & accessories.  The selection, in my opinion, is what makes Blush so unique.  They receive 80+ styles each week (new shipments arrive daily), but they only order six of each item.  You know no other girl is going to have the same look as you, and there’s always something new to browse.  They also offer personal styling services, & the employees are so sweet.  They’re always ready to give you a bit of fashion advice if you can’t decide what to wear with  New-Favourite-Top-Ever #2.

This month Dr. Nate’s Naturals is holding a “Show Us Your Smile” competition. Post a photo of you or your child’s smile on Dr. Nate’s Facebook Page www.facebook.com/DrNates now thru November 25th to enter. Then visit www.DrNates.com November 25-27 to cast your vote for the “Best Smile”. The winner will be announced Nov. 30th and will receive a FREE Santa Portrait Package from Studio Z. Unique Photography compliments of Dr. Nate’s Naturals.

Below are many of the official winners of the 16th Annual Ruthies Awards 2010 for Middle Tennessee. The complete list will be published on Sunday which will include many more categories. Check back with this page soon for more results!

Favorite Restaurant

Toot’s Restaurant and Bar

Best Bartender

Julie Anderson – Toot’s Restaurant

Favorite Tanning Salon

Hot Spot Tanning

Favorite Place to Walk/Jog

Murfreesboro Greenway

Favorite Music Store

Hastings Books, Music and Video

Favorite Children’s Clothing Store

Gymboree

Favorite Charitable Event

Jazz Fest

Favorite Doctor

Rickard Randall MD

Favorite Golf Course

Old Fort Golf Course

Favorite Dentist

Susan E. Bennett DDS

Favorite Motercycle/Scooter Dealer

Bumpus Harley-Davidson of Murfreesboro

Favorite Outdoor Store

Bink’s Outfitter

Best Tobacco Store

Humidor

Favorite Attorney

Jack Mitchell

Favorite Travel Agency

International Cruise & Travel

Favorite Shoe Store

Marti & Liz Shoes

Favorite Cell Phone Retailer

Verizon Wireless

Favorite Place to Hear Gossip

Murfreesboro Athletic Club

Favorite Music Instrument & Supply Store

The Music Stop

Favorite Sporting Goods Store

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Favorite Pet Store

Animal City

Favorite Coffee Shop

Starbucks Coffee

Best Place For Donuts

Donut Country

Best Place to Get a Haircut – Cannon County

Cutting Edge

Favorite Garden Shop

Martin’s Home and Garden

Favorite Employer – Smyrna/Lavergne

Parker’s Heating and Cooling

Favorite Real Estate Agent – Cannon County

Jan Todd

Favorite Pawn Shop

Tom’s Pawn & Wholesale Jewelry

Favorite Place to Watch People

Murfreesboro Athletic Club

Favorite Bicycle Shop

Murfreesboro Outdoor and Bicycle

Favorite Hardware Store

Farrer Bros Hardware Rental Service

Favorite Drug Store/Pharmacy – Smyrna/Lavergne

Smyrna Rexall Drugs

Favorite OG-GYN

Leigh Redden MD

Favorite School Principal

Martin Kay – Walter Hill Elementary

Favorite Cosmetic Surgery Center

Aesthetic Center of Murfreesboro

Favorite Place for Entertainment

Liquid Smoke

Favorite Meat & Three Restaurant

Kleervu Lunchroom

Best Wine Selection (Restaurant/Bar)

Maple Street Grill

Favorite Japanese Restaurant

Fuji Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi

Favorite Burger Restaurant

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Favorite Chicken Restaurant

Chik-Fil-A

Best Breakfast Restaurant

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Favorite Mexican Restaurant

Camino Real Mexican Restaurant

Favorite Place for a Sub-Sandwhich

Jersey Mike’s Subs

Best Pizza Delivery

Papa John’s Pizza

Favorite Italian Restaurant

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Favorite Place to buy an Engagement Ring

Bell Jewelers

Favorite Place to Eat Catfish

Mike’s Catfish Cafe

The “Music City Miracle” was the single greatest play in NFL history. It was also the play which would make Kevin Dyson a naional household name.

Now, Kevin Dyson is the head football coach and the athletic director at Independence High School in Thompson Station Tn. And Kevin, or shall I say, Coach Dyson, is still giving back to the community in which he has already given so much.

On Monday night, Murfreesboro welcomed this Tennessee football legend to the Blue Rooster Bar for a Coors Light sponsored, Madden NFL 11 event. Coach Dyson will be playing the winner of a tournament in a one on one matchup.
Before the big game, I had a chance to sit down with this Titan legend, and ask him about his life in football among other things.

Murfreesboronewspress: Kevin, first let me say on behalf of the Murfreesboronewspress.com, thank you for sharing this time with me.

Kevin Dyson: No problem.

MNP: Congratulations on a great weekend of football. Independence High School beat Lavergne 16-14, Utah beat Colorado St. 59-6 and the Titans beat the Eagles 37-19. But I’d say the win Friday night probably meant the most.

KD: Yeah, at this point in my life. I’m still a fan of Utah and the Titans, but I’m really just a fan of football. Obviously it means more to me to see these kids win and have success. You know, I’m always going to root for my alma mater and the franchise that drafted me but now it’s about these kids and giving back.

MNP: What has been your biggest challenge at Independence High School, making the move from assistant coach to head coach?

KD: I think the biggest thing is, all eyes on you. And what I mean by that is; practice preparation, should we practice outside if it rains, should we not dress this kid for disciplinary reasons or should we run him or do we change the whole script. It’s being over the whole program as opposed to just the receivers when I would just wait for the coach to tell me what to do that day. So all eyes on you, waiting on you, depending on you and I’ve always relished the leadership role. I get emails from parents all the time wanting to know what time is practice or my kid didn’t tell me this. I mean, everybody depends on you.

MNP: If a receiver drops a ball, nobody blames the receivers coach, they blame the head coach.

KD: They blame the head coach. We ad-lib the scoreboard on offense this year in practice. Everybody wants to blame the offense but it really is a matter of the type of offense you run. And how you run the ball, how you block and throwing. Just the fundamentals of football, and when you don’t do them right, chances are you’re not going to get positive results. I’ve made my share of bad calls and good calls. Hopefully in a year or two we’ll have more of the good call type of atmosphere instead of bad.

MNP: Do your players ever ask for an autograph, or would that cost them some laps?
KD: (Laughs) They have asked me before. Sometimes they realize they have a picture of me from when they were little kids and ask me to sign them.

MNP: I guess every kid in high school dreams of playing in the NFL. What or who was behind your drive to put in all the hard work and dedication it takes to be a professional athlete?

KD: Well, a couple of people. I wanted to play professional basketball, but when I found out football was going to be my opportunity to live out a professional dream, it was Jerry Rice, outside of my family. Inside my family, it was my mother. She was a single mom with four kids. She worked her tail off, and just seeing her work so hard, 40-50 hours a week, with four kids and go to school, I just wanted to be able to provide for her and my brothers and sister. I wanted to provide for her so she wouldn’t have to work so much. So that was a lot of my motivation. Outside the family though, it was Jerry Rice. I saw his work ethic and how dedicated he was to his craft and getting better, that’s who I wanted to pattern myself after.

MNP: What is your take on the recent rash of hard-hit-head injuries in the NFL and what might be done to minimize it?

KD: I definitely think it’s human error or bad judgement. I understand where they’re coming from, you want to protect the players, but players are bigger stronger and faster. The hits are more violent, the speed’s much faster and it has a bigger impact on the body. I don’t think you can eliminate that either way you cut it. I mean, you can’t manufacture this great technology in helmets that can minimize concussions, you’re still going to have concussions. That’s just the nature of the beast. As strong as our bodies are they still have fragile components. And I just don’t think it’s fining a guy or a judgement call, I think it’s got to be a well defined, “What is an illegal hit?” It’s like coach Jeff Fisher said, ok now you can’t hit this guy up top so what’re you going to do? Aim for his knees, ankles, legs? So if you just hit one part of the body, well that’s just not football. I just think they’ve got to be careful on what they say is a good hit or a bad hit. For instance, the Donte Robinson hit. He led with his shoulder and momentum brought their heads together and he got fined and I don’t think that was an illegal hit. But you take the Brandon Meriweather hit where he led with the crown of his head, now that is an illegal hit in my opinion. I just want them to be careful before they fine them for all these hits. And I bet if you watched the games yesterday, you’ll see some guys held back.

MNP: When you played, you did things the right way, on and off the field. What advice would you have for a player like Kenny Britt, who has shown he has all the talent needed to succeed on the field, but has struggled with decisions off the field?

KD: I think the best way somebody put it to me was, is that little bit of fun worth the potential money you could make? Is that little bit of marijuana worth the potential money you could make? Is that little bit of steroids worth the potential money you could make? Is that little bit of being out in clubs worth the potential money you could make? And if you ask yourself that question, I think you could save yourself a lot of trouble. I’m not gonna sit here and say I’ve always made the right choices, I’ve made mistakes. We all have. But I think one thing about me as well as some of the other guys is, if you stay straight, we’ll support you. I would go out but not late. I always wanted to rest, especially as I’ve gotten older. I think for him, he’s just got to know his priorities and keep that straight and realize there’s a bigger and better picture for himself. Because he has all the talent in the world and could stand to make a lot of money, assuming they work out the bargaining agreement. This is probably going to end up costing him one way or the other though. I feel for him and I hope this is a learning experience for him and I hope this makes him a better person.

MNP: I know you stay very busy. Do you get time to see your college alma mater play, and if so, how exciting has it been to watch Utah play this season?

KD: Well it’s hard to see them on this side of the Mississippi because they don’t get a lot of air-play. I saw one game nationally televised and I’ll get to see the TCU game because it will be nationally televised as well. I’m actually going to the Notre Dame game on November 13th at Notre Dame. I’m very proud of the progress Whittingham has made that Urban Meyer started. Whittingham has just taken it to another level. BCS, undefeated, top-ten ranking and now they’re going to the PAC-10. It’s just great to see all the stuff that we felt like we were capable of doing and them finally doing it.

MNP: Tonight you will be playing the winner of a Coors Light sponsored Madden 11 tournament. How did you come about being part of this event?

KD: Well, I know a couple of people at Coors Light and I used to be a really big fan of playing the game before I became head coach and athletic director. But I’ve always been a video game guy. A couple of guys set this up for me because they know I love video games. I appreciate the Madden games and I thought this would be a lot of fun. And I’ve got the personality where I’m just a big kid. I’m a grown man but I’m a kid at heart. And I think people know that about me. This is a kid’s game, it’s a video game but grown men still play. I grew up in the technology age. We started with Atari, but didn’t really get into it until Nintendo. And now the generation after me has kind of gone crazy with it. You’ve just got to go with it. It’s great.

MNP: Who’s the better Madden player, you or your brother Andre Dyson (also a Titans draft pick and standout player as well)?

KD: Awww man. My brother. It’s always the younger ones man. He used to make me and my other brother so mad because he would just beat us. We’d sometimes get him, but he’s one of those guys that know all the tricks of the trade. All the loopholes in a game. So that’s definitely him.

MNP: I understand you’re a basketball fan as well. If you had to pick one, Kobe or LeBron?

KD: Well it depends. If you’re asking me to start a franchise, LeBron because he’s younger and will be there a little longer. Kobe’s going on towards the end of his career, maybe has 5 years max. But LeBron’s got probably 10. But if you’re saying win now, a guy that can put it all on the line, I’m taking Kobe. I think he’s the best player in the league. He’s the complete package. He does everything you ask him. He plays defense and I just think he’s phenomenal. He’s the closest thing to Jordan that there’s ever been. LeBron is great but Kobe’s passion to win is second to none. So if I wanted to win now I’d say Kobe, but if we’re talking longevity I’d say LeBron.

MNP: And who do you like in the World Series? The Texas Rangers or The San Francisco Giants?

KD: Well, I’m gonna pull for the Rangers. I love the underdog story. I’m a Yankees fan. I’m part of that cult like everybody else, but I’m pulling for Texas. San Francisco has been there before and this is the first time Texas has ever been. So I’d like to see them win the title.

MNP: Kevin, you are a Tennessee football legend and it has been a privelage to talk with you. Thanks again for your time.

KD: Thank you man. Anytime.

Kevin went down to the winner of the tournament, 35-27, but did intercept the ball in the end-zone as time expired. Not bad for a man who is so busy he has to make time to sleep these days.

I would also like to thank Adam Scholder with Coors Light and dig Communications. Adam and an army of Coors Light girls made sure everybody had a great time with Kevin and did an outstanding job making the night memorable for every fan. Thanks again Adam.

Article by: Eric Broadrick (MNP Sports)

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Update – 3/3/11:

This event has been pushed forward to Summer 2011 and has been changed to “Middle Tennessee’s Most Beautiful Women 2011“. We have received hundreds of submissions for many beautiful women, but unfortunately have only received 2 submissions for men… lol. So, in order to get this show on the road, we are moving forward with the Women only. That seems to be where the interest lies with our readers. We will be taking submissions until the end of April 2011 and will announce the date of this Event at that time. Thank you for all of the great submissions so far!

P.S. We are looking for women who are both beautiful on the inside and out. If you would like to include a Bio, resume’ or further  information about the nominee, concerning their talents, charity, qualities or personality, etc. then they may have a stronger chance of being chosen as a finalist!

We look forward to a fabulous and glamorous party this Summer!

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Please include a link to the nominee’s Facebook, Myspace, Website, or other profile (with pictures), so that we can contact them if chosen. You can also submit photo(s) via e-mail or Facebook if the nominee doesn’t have an on-line profile. Please remember to include an e-mail address for contact purposes.

10 people will be chosen for each gender. We will have prizes and a final photo shoot for the winners! We are now accepting and looking forward to your entries! No modeling experience needed! More details will be released soon!

If you are interested in sponsoring this event to get publicity for your local fashion or beauty business, please contact us for more information!

MNP‘s next Spotlight will be aimed at Middle Tennessee’s Most Interesting People, so please feel free to make your submissions for this category as well!

Community members attend the annual 9/11 remembrance fair at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

With the release of its second album on Sophomore Lounge, The Only Sons have come a long way since the beginning. Kent Goolsby, Blake Loftis and Jonathan Merritt have been playing music together since they were 16 years old.  Throughout their journey, the gang has seen many musicians come and go. Notable for The Only Sons was the loss of fiddle player Rebecca Ryan. However, her replacement by Andrew Mosiman and the solid lap steel/lead guitar sounds of Mike Burgess has left this band with a tight-knit group.

When asked how the alternative country sound of The Only Sons spawned, Goolsby explained that he grew up in a home filled with his parents’ vinyl collection—which included artists such as The Band, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young. Kent said, “I didn’t really get it [Southern music] growing up because I always played punk music. Right around the time that we [his former band] were going in our weirdest direction, I starting thinking that I would just like to write real songs. I started having trouble finding purpose in really weird music. I was just losing my drive.”

This new direction birthed The Only Sons and a few years later its first full-length release, Young Lungs, a nine-song collection that kicks off with the immediately catchy track “Modern Men.” From here, the album progresses through a warm path of poetic lyricism and the Southern sounds that have put Nashville on the map. “Devil Wind,” recorded only with acoustic guitar and Goolsby’s raspy vocals, stands out as an evocative creation. Tracks like “Do You Wrong” and “Bad News” are quickly characterized by demanding lead guitar divisions and driving bass lines. Young Lungs is clearly an album these guys poured a lot of heart into.

Less than a year later, The Only Sons released its second full-length recording. Focusing more on memorable songwriting and less on poetic verse, Steel Hearts features 12 new tracks. While being released as a free download from TheOnlySons.net, Steel Hearts is also on the market as an album with artwork.

Working with a brand new recording setup at Grand Palace Records was an amazing experience for the band. Goolsby described Grand Palace as an incredible studio and said, “It was so much fun. I miss it already.” Along with members of The Only Sons, Steel Hearts features guest appearances by members of Zombie Bazooka Patrol and some contributing vocals from Joey Kneiser (Glossary).

As for the future, The Only Sons plan consists of playing shows, then playing some more shows, and when that is done, playing some more shows. Along with bars and venues, the group plans to stop by more houses and art spaces on a small in the coming months. In April, the boys will hit the studio alongside Producer Joey Kneiser (James Jackson Toth) and longtime engineer/friend Mikey Allred for their third full length effort, loosey titled “American Stranger.”

The Only Sons – Official Website

Local band overzealous has just finished a new  EP called “The Valley.”   Overzealous will also be playing BOROSTOCK 2010 on August 19th at the Boro Bar and Grill (Greenland Ave)  with other local bands The Avery Set and The Only Sons.

The new EP “The Valley” is unique and special for overzealous because it was produced completely independently and all songs were recorded to tape at a local home studio in Murfreesboro.

These songs are meant to be an outburst of new emotions from members Dustin Sellers, Brad Crittenden, and Nick Morrow. Songs like “Darling One” and “The Valley” tap into a melodic style of brit-pop that is still original and showcases a taste of the newer material.  The band is eager to put out as many songs as possible within the next coming months.  Sellers and Crittenden have a 10 year history of writing together, so a lack of material will not be an issue anytime soon.

“A lot of our material has really never been heard”, Crittenden stated.  ”Sometimes I’ll write an entire piece and have Dustin add harmonies or guitar parts and vice versa.  Other times we collaborate from the ground up and record the demos ourselves on whatever instruments we start with.  Since we both play piano and various other instruments, it has opened a lot of doors for the writing.  Now its to the point where we can feed of each other’s material for inspiration and new ideas.  Some of our songs sound like upbeat poppy piano tunes, while others are darker songs, or in your face rock like STP, Foo Fighters, or Weezer.  We are definitely a rock inspired band overall, but we have a lot of variety in our songs that some people may not even be aware of .”

Sellers says “its just the beginning of an ever growing sound from overzealous. We have so much new material and old material that has built up, the hard part is fitting it all together in the right spot.  I want to purge all the music that we’ve done since we started overzealous, even if its releasing the recordings as they are.  There is a lot of character on some of our old home demos, and I want to share the best of those with people.”

The Valley will be released for sale and download later in August.  Be sure to check these guys out live around the Southeast this Fall.

Upcoming Local Shows:

August 19th – 8PM – Borostock Show at The Boro Bar and Grill with The Avery Set

Sept – 13 – 9PM – Deli Magazine Showcase – The Mercy Lounge

LINKS:

www.overzealous.net

Overzealous on myspace

Overzealous on facebook

Also check out overzealous HERE!

The Avery Set is a strong cocktail of sorts. Capable of seamlessly transcending genres such as rock, country and folk, Nashville-based The Avery Set will whisk you away in a time machine back to the 50’s to shake hands with Johnny Cash, stop to have tea with Leonard Cohen, and finally, talk politics with Conor Oberst. It all started in a small, Michigan tourist town with high school friends, singer/songwriter Chris Zehnder and drummer Jake Bartlett. “Jake and I have been playing music together going on six years now. We know each other’s styles so well, it’s almost as if we can talk without speaking”, says Zehnder. With Brandon Harris on guitar and Shawn Supra on upright and electric bass, The Avery Set has been playing in support of their latest record, Returning to Steam. The album was received with wild applause from a sold out theatre in their home state, receiving illustrious media attention and even deemed a “masterpiece” by the Review Magazine. These four young friends and their ability to make music together are the key ingredients for a successful future.

8pm: Japanese Cowboys
9pm: Fourth Avenue
10pm: Overzealous
11pm: The Avery Set
12pm: The Only Sons

http://www.myspace.com/theaveryset

Located on Medical Center Parkway in Murfreesboro, the Healing Field contained hundreds of three-by-five foot American flags standing proudly, eight feet high in perfect rows and columns.

Located next to The Avenue shopping center, the “living display,” as the group’s press release calls it, “[flew] as a temporary patriotic tribute to the strength and unity of Americans,” to honor fallen and retired heroes and currently serving American service members alike.

The flags were set in an open field, providing an opportunity for local men, women, and children to meander the display, remembering and paying tribute to our real heroes, present and past.

This small piece of modern day Americana was open to the public, free of charge, although it did also function as a benefit for Programs of Service of the Murfreesboro Noon Exchange Club and The Exchange Club Family Center.

There is no word yet on whether the groups plan a third annual Healing Field in 2011.

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Hundreds of lookers-on gathered at 1:30 P.M. for the pledge of allegiance, followed by “The Star Spangled Banner,” sung by students from Oakland High School.

At the nearby cemetery, a small flag at the headstone of each grave provided the backdrop as Ben Leming, who only ten days ago was in Iraq on combat helicopter duty, remembered three recently fallen heroes.

A three-hundred-plus name roll call was read to honor veterans have fallen since last May.  Several of them recently were lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A flowered wreath of red, white, and blue was placed on the edge of the cemetery.

The program, including a twenty-one-gun salute by 9th Kentucky Regiment followed by “Taps” played by Technical Sergeant Gilbert Laforest, Vietnam veteran.  Said the horn player, such ceremonies “show our youth,” and keep veterans’ memories alive.  They make him “feel honored to be in the armed forces and know that people do care for what [he’s] done.”

The program ended with the retirement of the colors, after which hot dogs and lemonade were served.

Local scout troops placed the headstone flags.

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The benefit concert, which also will be a night of praise, will feature The Well’s praise team as well as special guest Jamie Harvill.

The concert will raise money and materials to benefit for flood victims.  Donations of non-perishable food and bottled water will be collected, and a “love offering” (meaning essentially that the church will pass the Proverbial plate) will be collected for charity Feed America First, a Middle Tennessee nonprofit dedicated to help relieve hunger in rural Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama.  Each dollar donated could provide enough food for twelve to fifteen meals.

Central Middle School is located at 701 East Main Street.  Logan’s Roadhouse will sell food starting at 5:15, with proceeds going to Feed America First, and the concert will start at 6:30.

Murfreesboro News – Murfreesboro Computers – Murfreesboro Real Estate
Murfreesboro Music – Murfreesboro Jobs – Murfreesboro – Murfreesboro Hotels
Murfreesboro Lawyers – Murfreesboro Restaurants – Murfreesboro Newspaper