News 2012

The American Cancer Society’s 2012 Relay For Life Kickoff Rally is tonight. All interested participants, families, caregivers, companies and schools are invited to come to the Stones River Hospital and sign up for activities, and  receive information about one of the American Cancer Society’s biggest fundraisers.  This year’s fundraiser’s theme is board games.  The Relay For Life itself will take place Friday and Saturday May 18th and 19th at the Dillon Park in Woodbury.  For more information call Korie Aycock at 615-542-6970 or 563-2311

The Woodbury Lions Club Horse Show was recently recognized as one of the best in the nation.  A widely read walking horse publication called the Scoop wrote that the Woodbury Lions Club show is the Best One Night Show in The Nation.  The announcement was made after concluding a reader participation survey. Walking Horse Report, another popular trade publication have polled their readers for the best show of 2011 but the results have not been tallied yet.  In 2010 the show was tied with the Tony Rice Show as reserve best one night show

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and some consumers are banking on online dating as a way to hatch a serious relationship. Unfortunately, some fraud artists are also banking on online dating as a way to scam people out of their money.  
Relationship scams, also known as sweetheart swindles, often follow this pattern:
 
You meet someone on a dating site and things get serious. You send messages, talk on the phone, trade pictures and maybe even make marriage plans. Soon you find out the person you met, who claimed to be an American professional, is going to Nigeria or another country for work. Once he or she is there, that person needs your help, asking you to wire money.
 
The first transfer may be small, but it’s followed by requests for more. You’re told your money is needed to cover costs for a sudden illness, surgery for a son or daughter, or for a plane ticket back to the United States. The promise is always to pay you back. You even might get documents or calls from lawyers as “proof.”
 
But as genuine as the relationship and requests for money might seem, they’re part of an elaborate scam. The money that was wired – and the person you thought you knew and loved – will be gone.
 
“These relationship scams are often a long, drawn-out process where the con artist nurtures a relationship, then convinces the victim to send money,” Commerce and Insurance’s Consumer Affairs Director Gary Cordell said. “These scammers have been known to steal the real names and photos of U.S. service personnel to set up a fake profile, and prey on the sympathy and patriotism of victims. They also have also been known to use religious singles sites, using religion as a ploy to gain trust before asking for money. Any time someone you’ve never met in person asks for money, it’s usually a warning sign that something isn’t right.”
 
“Always use caution and common sense when dealing with someone you haven’t met in person,” Cordell said. “Never wire money to someone you meet online, no matter how compelling their story or how strong their appeal to your emotions might be.”
 
Signs that you may be dealing with a scammer:
 

The pictures posted on the person’s profile mostly seem to be professional quality model images, instead of candid pictures from a person’s everyday life. If a picture looks too good to be true, it probably is.

The online companion professes love way too early in your interaction with him or her.

You are asked to send money for gifts, a sick relative or a plane ticket to the U.S.

The person claims to be a U.S. citizen working in another country, claims to be well off or a person of important status.

The person makes excuses about not being able to speak by phone.

The person’s writing includes frequent spelling or grammar mistakes.
 
Proceed with caution with online dating. Even if you use only dating sites whose reputations are well-established, still keep your wits about you.
 

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties has announced that its annual Days of Action will be held March 29-31, 2012.The event is set to partner with MTSU’s “Big Event” program and the local churches’ Operation In As Much program as an opportunity to engage more volunteers in a collective effort.  
During the Days of Action, teams of volunteers from employers, schools, churches, civic organizations, and MTSU will perform community service for United Way’s partner agencies as well as local schools and other non-profit and community organizations. These projects may vary from landscaping to painting a room to delivering meals to those in need.
 
Organizers are expecting as many as 600 volunteers this year. In 2011, the event consisted of 407 volunteers completing 1,789 hours of service that benefitted 25 organizations and schools.
 
Volunteers wishing to register a team through United Way should complete the online form at www.uwrutherford.org/volunteer.aspx no later than March 1. MTSU students may register to volunteer through the MTSU Student Government Association at (615) 898-2464. Operation In As Much volunteers may register by contacting Kristina Brown at kbrown@fbcmboro.org.
 

The Woodbury Grammar School in collaboration with Middle Tennessee State University has received funding through the Renaissance Learning program for the accelerated math program for the Woodbury After School program.  The math program covers accelerated math, star math, math facts in a flash and training at 100 percent discount.  The total value of the funding is $7,000 in which is totally free as a result of the funding.  The news came from Dr. Charles Milligan who also added that with the collaboration an additional university grant application was submitted for $9500 in additional funds for the Woodbury Cub Club project.  The Cub Club is the afterschool project that was started because of a Thinkfinity Grant the school received from Verizon.  That grant which was a $5000 grant allowed the school to focus on after school programs for 3rd grade reading and 7th grade math. After a presentation was made to the Cannon County Board of Education during their regular monthly meeting last night, Dr. Milligan noted that the announcement of who is awarded the University Grant will come on February 17th. The Board of Education also approved the project of restriping the parking lot of the Woodbury Grammar School.  The project will cost $1121.85.  
Connie Foster and Lisa Black approached the board with a report on the Safe Routes To School grant.  The grant totals $223,250.00 will allow for sidewalks and bike lanes from Woodbury Grammar School to some of the housing developments around the school.  
The Board approved the disposing of two vehicles and the purchasing of one vehicle for the vocational class/ physics class collaboration.
The Board approved the changes for the policy concerning the absences during achievement and end of course exam testing.  Any student with an excused absence during an achievement test will receive a 0 but however it will not be counted in the final second semester grade.  Any student who is absent during the achievement test and is unexcused will receive an 0 and it will be counted in the final second semester grade.  Any student who misses the End Of Course exam with an excused absence will be allowed to take the exam.  The student will be given three total opportunities to take the exam.
Trane Company will have a service labor agreement with the Cannon County Schools on the Schools HVAC systems. There are several units at the Woodbury Grammar School that must be addressed.  The Trane Company mapped out a 6 step process to repair all the units that are not working.
Director of Schools Barbara Parker was happy to reported that the Schools system underwent an audit and no findings were made.
The next meeting of the Cannon County Board Of Education will be Tuesday March 6th at the Cannon County Courthouse.  
 

Tonight’s final regular season basketball games at Cannon County High School hold positioning power for the district tournament next week.   The Cannon County Lionettes can claim third place in the district with a win over Smith County tonight.  The Lionettes are currently tied with York Institute who must play Upperman this evening.  Cannon County is 22-6 with a 6 and 5 mark in the district.  Smith County dropped to 4 and 7 after a shocking loss to the Central Magnet Lady Tigers. The Cannon County Lions moved up a notch to fifth place in the standings  after their upset win over Dekalb County.  The Lions can make things even more interesting with a win tonight as they would tie Smith County for fourth place with the same district win loss record.  The Lions are coming off their best all around game of the year by far and will have to play tonight without the services of Senior Post Player Brad Hutchins who is out with an ankle injury.  Tonight is Pink Out Night! raising funds and awareness for the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation.  It is also Senior Night.  The Seniors ballplayers, managers, and cheerleaders will be spotlighted tonight starting at 6:00.  Tipoff of the games will be at 6:30.  WBRY AM 1540/FM96.7 will have the live broadcast tonight from Robert A Harris Gym at 6:00.  The games will also be streamed at wbry.com  

The Arts Center of Cannon County announces the production of the tuneful Disney hit Aladdin Jr.  Filled with magic, mayhem, and carpet rides, this musical favorite features an Academy award-winning score with songs including “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me.” Join the cast of over 50 area youth, in Agrabah, City of Enchantment, where every beggar has a story and every camel has a tale! With over-the-top characters and lessons about following your heart, Aladdin, Jr. promises to be a great time for people of all ages.
Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. is sponsored by Wild About Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and is part of the 2012 Centerstage Series and starts tonight
The performance schedule for all shows is Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $8 and may be purchased by calling the Arts Center box office at (615) 563-2787 or 1-800-235-9073. A $3 discount for students, seniors or groups over 10 is valid for all performances. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.artscenterofcc.com
 

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties has partnered with the MTSU Lady Raiders Basketball team and Toot’s Restaurant to present the third-annual 3 Point Play event on February 28, 2012, from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM at the Toot’s location at 860 NW Broad Street.“We are excited to partner with both MTSU and Toot’s for this fun, casual, family-oriented event,” said Brian Hercules, President & CEO of the local United Way. “We are so appreciative that both choose to support United Way and help us to help others.”
The 3 Point Play event is a meet and greet with the women’s basketball team prior to their Sun Belt tournament appearance. The team will be available for photos and autographs, and a silent auction will be held to benefit United Way. Silent auction items include MTSU memorabilia signed by MTSU coaches, athletic camp scholarships, and a custom-made MTSU corn hole game. Silent auction items will be on display at Toot’s and available for bidding the week leading up to the event.
The United Way is in the process of closing its annual fundraising campaign, which benefits 45 local non-profit agencies. The final 2011 fundraising total will be announced at the organization’s Community Celebration on February 21. United Way was able to allocate more than $1.65 million to those partner agencies in 2011.
For more information about the 3 Point Play, please contact Kristen Hampton at (615) 893-7303.

Do you know how to resolve problems when times get tough? Do you have the skills of a teacher, counselor, adviser, peacemaker and confidant?  If so, BBB needs YOU!  BBB of Middle Tennessee is looking for people interested in serving the community by volunteering their time in assisting businesses and their customers with resolving marketplace disputes through BBB’s Binding Arbitration program. There is NO FEE Charged for this training!
 What is Binding Arbitration?
BBB’s Binding Arbitration program allows people to solve problems in a more timely, less costly, private and non-confrontational way.  In this process, an impartial, third party (the arbitrator) gathers information from the customer and business, analyzes it carefully, and reaches a decision that he/she considers both fair and appropriate.  Once the arbitrator renders a decision, it is final and binding on both parties.
This training will include a combination of lecture and discussion, skill building exercises, and arbitration role-plays coached by an experienced BBB Conflict Resolution Specialist.  Not only will this training provide you with the skills to help others resolve disputes, but also it will enhance both your professional and personal lives, as you will be trained on how to be an expert listener, a thoughtful speaker, and an effective peacemaker.
When and Where is the Training?
Training for this rewarding role will be held at the Southwestern Company, 2451 Atrium Way in Nashville on March 8th and 9th, 2012.  In order to obtain your completion certificate and become a certified BBB volunteer arbitrator, you must attend the entire 14-hour training.  Class size is limited for personalized training, so call and pre-register today by contacting Beth Furbush at 615.250.4243 or bfurbush@gobbb.org.
14-hour Training Schedule:
Thursday, March 8th         8:30am – 4:30pm
Friday, March 9th              8:30am – 4:30pm
Morning snacks and lunch will be provided.
call Beth Furbush at 615-250-4243, email: bfurbush@gobbb.org
 Registration Form: (copy & reply via email or click here)
 
The Registration Form must be received by February 24, 2012 in order to reserve your seat.
Name:                                                 
Occupation:                                            
Business Name:                                        
Address:                                            
City:                                                
State, Zip:                                            
Phone:                                                
E-mail: 
                                           
Please return your complete registration form to:
BBB Arbitration Training
PO Box 198436
Nashville, TN 37219

Have you been to Adams Memorial Library lately?  We have made some changes that allow quite a bit more seating space in the Children’s Department.  Non-fiction for all age groups is now housed in the same area so there is no need to search two different spots to find all the books on a particular topic.  Speaking of age groups………….adult readers may be interested in looking at some of the new titles coming out for Young Adult readers.  There are some remarkably good stories out there that you might enjoy even if you are only “young at heart”. 
We are also working hard to get the remaining materials in the Genealogy and Local History Room entered into the card catalog database.  If you haven’t done searches for your favorite terms lately, it might be worth your time to do so.  Many of these materials are only owned by a few libraries in the state and we are pleased to provide better access to them than we were previously giving.
 
We are among the libraries that are joining a statewide library consortium later this year.  We will be automated with a different system and our catalog of materials will include items from many libraries around the state.  You will be able to place holds on these items from your home computer and pick them up at your local library when they arrive.