Tag: Donelson Christmas Parade

Dear Friends,

The Holiday Season is here and there is much to be thankful for and celebrate.  I hope you and your families and friends enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Here are some events coming up to put on your calendars:

• The Donelson Hermitage Neighborhood Alliance has put together the 1^st Annual Hermitage Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 2^nd. 5:30pm decorating, 6pm tree lighting. It’ll be at the Hermitage Library.  See flyer below.

• The 36^th Annual Donelson Hermitage Chamber Christmas Parade will be on Saturday, December 4^th at 2pm. It’ll be on the same route it’s been for several years along Donelson Pike from Elm Hill Pike to Donelson Station, so pick a good spot anywhere on either side of the street on the sidewalk. For all information, street closure information, application to enter a float and more, visit https://www.donelsonhermitagechamber.com/christmas-parade/.

• Yoga Muttz Movement Lounge in Donelson Plaza has organized a Winter Fest on Saturday, December 4^th from Noon – 5pm with 30+ vendors, food truck, pictures with Santa, adoptable pets and more. It’ll be in the green / civic space in front of the future library. See flyer below.

• The Donelson Christmas Tree Lighting will be a great event starting at 4pm just after the Christmas Parade is wrapping up. Come a little early to help decorate the tree. There’ll be plenty of things to enjoy at the event, including:
  • Enjoy a musical performance from the cast of the Larry Keeton Theater’s Miracle in Bedford Falls (running December 2^nd – 19^th)
  • Bring a toy to support the Metro Police Christmas Charities and receive a coupon for a free bacon popcorn from Homegrown Taproom & Kitchen
  • Enjoy cookies and cocoa from Donelson Café & Catering
  • Say hello to Santa
  • End the day with Holiday drink specials from Wine Down Nashville
  • As a special early Christmas present to us all, I am thrilled that the design of our new Donelson Branch Library will be unveiled at the tree lighting as well!

• The Stones River Woman’s Club returns with their Christmas Open House at Two Rivers Mansion on Saturday December 4^th and Sunday, December 5^th. Enjoy a bake sale, refreshments, a Christmas Shop to buy gifts and more. See flyer below for details.

The status of the emissions program has been a recent hot topic.  The bottom line is this program will be ended as we know it.  At the Council meeting on November 16^th, we deferred the resolution to end the program until January 4^th, but regardless of whether we passed the resolution that night or on January 4^th, the termination date of January 14, 2022 will likely still be the same.  We allowed the Health Department to research a few things first, including likely upcoming stricter EPA regulations of emissions and to look at alternative methods for monitoring emissions, but the EPA approved a revision to remove the vehicle emissions testing program from Tennessee’s air quality plan this past August and the program is ending in Hamilton, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson counties.  Thus, I’m comfortable ending the program here in Davidson County as well, but I was fine with deferring one time to allow our Health Dept to return with a report before officially ending it.  I know none of us are happy with the long lines because of the labor shortage we’re experiencing, but it’s also time to reevaluate the efficacy of the program as less than 10% of all the cars tested fail and cars are only improving in efficiency and reduced emissions with greater hybrid and electric cars coming in greater numbers.

You may have seen the recent WKRN news story from Julia Palazzo regarding the unsafe intersection at Old Lebanon Pike / Lebanon Pike.  I was sad to learn of another pedestrian death trying to cross in this area.  It’s not safe for pedestrians or vehicles and it’s time for a formal study to assess our infrastructure in the core of Downtown Donelson and determine what improvements could be feasibly made.  I have a Capital Improvement Budget request to perform such a study and a consultant should be hired in a few months.  We need to ensure infrastructure is not an after-thought.  More information on this in the months ahead.

JVI Secret Garden will have a special addition to their unique Christmas experience this year.  When you go to buy a tree, wreath, plant, or decoration, donate $3 or more to The Donelson Gateway Project and receive a s’more to enjoy by the fire.  Thank you for supporting your local community beautification effort!

The Donelson Gateway Project (https://www.donelsongateway.org/) has continued to make a big impact for Donelson, both with beautified physical and figurative gateways into the community. Entranceways, schools, and more areas have been invested in and it’s thanks to your donations and volunteerism to make these projects happen. DGP is a non-profit that is in need of your support as the needs begin to outweigh our resources, which is why I’m highlighting this in my newsletter here. As we approach “Giving Tuesday (https://www.givingtuesday.org/) ”, we hope you’ll consider a tax-deductible contribution towards this wonderful small non-profit that does great things to make Donelson inviting and beautiful for all.

Phat Bites is hosting an Open Mic for Young Musicians on Saturdays from 3-5pm.  It’s open to any young solo instrumentalist or vocalist.  Slots must be reserved.  Contact Suzanne at suzannepianolady@gmail.com to reserve a spot or for more information.  See flyer below.

Best,