News 2015

Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital was recently recognized by the Joint Commission as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for 2015 (using 2014 data). This achievement demonstrates the hospital’s ability and commitment to assuring that evidence-based interventions are delivered in the right way and at the right time. This holds a strong bearing on the hospital’s mission to always do the right thing for their patients. 
“We are pleased to be a Top Performer for 2015,” said Sue Conley-CEO of Saint Thomas Stones River and Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospitals, “Our staff works hard every day to do what is best for our patients, and it is great to be recognized by the Joint Commission for something that is so important to us.”
 
Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital will be recognized in the America’s Hospitals: Improving Quality and Safety Annual Report on the Joint Commission website for 2015, along with The Joint Commission’s Quality Check website.
 
 

As cold weather creeps in, fruit enthusiasts begin planning for next year’s crop by pruning there vineyards, fruit trees and other fruit crops.  Typically, winter weather begins in December with a sample of what to expect the remaining few months. But due to the unseasonable warm weather, we should hold off until after the first of the year or later to prune.  To minimize damage to the fruit crop, we should wait as late in the dormant period as possible before pruning. But keep in mind that to maximize fruit size and quality next season homeowners needs to get started early enough to get it all done, to lessen the potential for cold injury and to be able to react to damage done by cold events earlier in the winter. 
This year, we have been experiencing unusually warm weather for an extended period.  This is expected to continue for a while longer, with record high temperatures predicted for Christmas day.  When it finally does turn cold, it could happen rather quickly.  Temperature drops in the range of 50 to 60 degrees F within a 24 to 36 hour period are not unusual.  In January, 2014, we had three such events and, as a result, cold damage was substantial.
 
We may not have had enough consistently cold weather to enable plants to enter dormancy, which will impact the plant’s ability to tolerate cold temperatures.  Even if plants are fully dormant, they will lose hardiness with warm temperatures like we have been experiencing (deacclimation).  A dormant plant will reacclimate (regain cold hardiness) when temperatures drop.  However, the rate of reacclimation is much slower than the rate of deacclimation and a sudden cold event does not allow for plants to regain sufficient hardiness to avoid damage.  If a plant has not gone fully dormant, it still can reach that stage, but it is not as capable of tolerating cold temperatures as a dormant plant.
 
In Tennessee we frequently see winter injury in fruit crops (and in other deciduous plants) at temperatures well above those regarded as being the critical point for cold injury for that plant.  For example, if a nursery catalog states that a “hardy” variety will withstand temperatures down to -20 degrees F, they are assuming that the plant is healthy, that it is fully dormant and that the temperatures leading up to the cold event are consistently low and that the duration of the cold event is relatively short.  With severe temperature fluctuations, that same plant may be damaged at 10 or 15 degrees F or higher, depending on the circumstances.
 
With the above in mind, growers are well-advised to delay the start of pruning and to consider the weather patterns experienced prior to the time they prune, as modifications in the type and severity of pruning may be needed.  For most of our fruit crops, fruit buds were initiated this past summer.  They are not as cold tolerant as leaf buds in winter and spring. In some cases, no apparent cold damage may be experienced by the leaf buds, but the level of fruit bud mortality may be severe.  Knowing this prior to pruning will allow growers to modify their pruning practices somewhat to leave more fruit buds than they normally would have left.  While pruning is an effective way to thin down a fruit crop to a more manageable size, if the crop potential is already short, further thinning is not desirable.

December 21-January 1—Christmas BreakDecember 28-30—Sonic Shootout at Sparta
January 4—Return to school after Christmas Break
January 5—Report Cards
January 5—Mandatory TN Promise student meeting at CCHS—3:00 p.m.
January 5—CCHS basketball game with Warren Co.—6:00 p.m. (home)
 January 6th & January 7th – Woodbury Grammar—8th grade registration for high school—Contact your school for times.
 January 8th & January 11th- Woodland—8th grade registration for high school—Contact your school for times.
 January 12th Westside & Auburn—8th grade registration for high school—Contact your school for times.
 January 13th- Eastside—8th grade registration for high school—Contact your school for times.
 January 14th -Short Mtn.—8th grade registration for high school—Contact your school for times.
 

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Consumer Affairs Division is warning senior adults to be diligent in avoiding scams. Tennesseans are encouraged to take time during holiday visits to ensure senior relatives and neighbors are equipped to protect themselves against identity fraud. “Many older adults fall prey to identity theft every year,” says TDCI Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini. “It’s important to discuss with them the fraudulent tactics that are being used and communicate how they can avoid becoming a victim.”
Older adults are often targets of financial exploitation by caregivers, scam artists, financial advisers, home repair contractors, or fiduciaries (such as agents under power of attorney and guardians), and others.
Share these essential identity theft prevention tips with the seniors you know:
Never buy from a stranger who calls or visits unannounced.
Shred all paperwork containing identifying information, healthcare information, banking information, or passwords.
Monitor bank and credit card statements.
Monitor your credit report.
Use direct deposit for benefit checks to prevent checks from being stolen.
Never give your credit card, banking, Social Security number, Medicare, or other personal information over the phone, unless you initiated the call.
 

“Please tell my ‘Secret Santa’ how grateful I am for their support,” said one of the mothers as she picked up her children’s gifts, “My children are young, and they believe in Santa.  They will continue to believe this year because my ‘Secret Santa’ made their Christmas wishes come true.” The happy faces of parents and grandparents warmed the hearts of the Child Advocacy Center staff as they picked up the gifts for their children.
“At this busy time of the year, with all the hustle and bustle and extra-long ‘to do’ lists, the generosity of others never ceases to amaze me,” said Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer, “It is awe-inspiring to know that 175 boys and girls, who just experienced the most difficult year of their lives, will have a joyful Christmas.” 
“We are very grateful to the Energy Systems team members,” continued De Boer, “Joey Groveman, Chris White, Ben Hassler, Rory Seagert, Tony Lucear helped all the “Secret Santas” unload their vehicles at the Child Advocacy Center on Friday.”
The Child Advocacy Center works as a multidisciplinary team 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.  In the last 15 years, the Child Protective Investigative Team has investigated over 12,000 child abuse cases, assisted over 16,275 individuals in Rutherford and Cannon Counties, and trained 6,700 parents and grandparents how to protect children from child sexual abuse. 
“The Child Advocacy Center truly appreciates all of our ‘Secret Santas’,” said Board President Terry Fann.  “They have enriched Christmas for needy families and made a difference in the lives of abused children.  We want to thank them for being a blessing to others and wish them a joyful holiday.”
 
For information on how you can get involved and make a difference in the lives of abused children, contact the Child Advocacy Center.  In Rutherford County contact Jessica Wauchek at (615) 867-9000, and in Cannon County contact Amanda Pruitt at (615) 563-9915.
 

Motlow State Community College continues to make headlines as one of the state’s top performing institutions for the Tennessee Promise scholarship program. After leading all colleges in Tennessee in enrollment growth for the fall 2015 semester, Motlow recently topped all Tennessee community colleges in another important category. Of the 13 participating institutions in the state, Motlow had the highest percentage of students completing their community service requirement for the upcoming spring semester. Eighty-eight percent of the students enrolled in Tennessee Promise at Motlow completed the minimum of eight hours of community service required by the Dec. 1 deadline.
“Starting with Governor Bredesen, and now elevated by Governor Haslam, we are grateful for the Tennessee Promise and for the hopes and dreams that this will provide to a whole new generation of Tennesseans who might otherwise never have had the opportunity to go to college,” commented Dr. Anthony Kinkel, Motlow president.
In order to continue to qualify for the program, high school graduates are required to complete a minimum of eight hours of community service each semester, maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0, and meet with their mentor.
When Motlow led all Tennessee colleges in growth at the beginning of the fall term, it was recognized that the biggest challenge moving forward would be retaining students under the requirements of Tennessee Promise. Achieving the highest percentage of students completing their community service indicates Motlow is well on its way to meeting this challenge.
Not to be lost in these impressive numbers is the impact the Tennessee Promise program has on the lives of the individuals that comprise the results. Students who otherwise might not have the opportunity to obtain a college education are getting the chance to improve their lives by attending a community college.
Tennessee Promise provides Tennessee high school graduates the opportunity to go to a community or technical college tuition-free. It is both a scholarship and mentoring program providing last-dollar funds to cover tuition and fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA) program.
The program has been established as a critical part of Governor Haslam’s “Drive to 55” initiative for the state, which aims to increase the number college graduates in the state from 32 percent to 55 percent by the year 2025.
For more information about the Tennessee Promise at Motlow, visit TNPromise.mscc.edu or contact Jonathan Graham, Motlow Tennessee Promise coordinator, at jgraham@mscc.edu or 615-220-7839.
 

Saint Thomas DeKalb and Saint Thomas Stones River’s associates look forward to the holidays every year, but it’s not the holiday ham or Christmas egg nog that gets these two regional hospitals most excited. The staff works hard all year long doing whatever it takes to bring Christmas to needy teens in their area. From bake sales to ham raffles, the associates raise thousands from their own pockets ensuring that the teens of the Indian Mound Boys Home have a very Merry Christmas. The funds raised provides a new pair of shoes, and an outfit for each teen. A special Christmas party is held in their honor, with a surprise visit from Santa. It takes nearly three dozen pizzas to feed these hungry teens. Stockings full of gifts and homemade treats from the dietary department are presented to all, along with a tin of warm cookies.
“This event is the highlight of our holiday season,” said CEO Sue Conley, “Many of these boys have no family or home to visit for the holidays, so this is the only Christmas they will have. Last year, one of the boys asked for tape so that he could re-wrap his gifts and open them again on Christmas morning. He said it was the first presents he had ever unwrapped. It’s things like this that show us how blessed we truly are.”
“I am always amazed at the outpouring of generosity that comes from our staff when we ask,” said Marketing Director Shan Burklow, “They give generously to anyone in need all year long, not just for a single event. We not only raised money to help the teens at Indian Mound Boys Home, but also adopted seventeen homeless and needy babies in our area – providing them clothes, diapers, and blankets. Our staff was so moved by their extreme needs, that they even purchased scarves and gloves for the moms as well. In a way, it’s like we are celebrating Christmas all year long,” Burklow smiled, “Helping others is what our associates do best.”
To see more photos from these holiday events, join their facebook pages: Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital / Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital

MTSU will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 3 for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Except for Public Safety, Facilities Services and other essential personnel, all university offices and departments will be closed during this time.
Closures will include the Cope Administration Building; James E. Walker Library; Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center; Health Services and Campus Pharmacy; Student Union; Keathley University Center; ARAMARK/MT Dining food services; James Union Building; and all academic buildings.
The Campus Recreation Center workout facilities for students, faculty and staff will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, and from 2-7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3. The indoor pool will remain closed through Jan. 18.
During the holidays, the MTSU Blue Raiders will entertain Trevecca at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, and Lady Raiders will host UAB at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, in Murphy Center.
The university will reopen Monday, Jan. 4. Business hours will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Spring semester classes for students and faculty will begin Tuesday, Jan. 19.
 

The application period for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 2016 Spring Turkey Quota Hunts runs from Dec. 16 through Feb. 3, 2016. Applications are available and will be accepted at any TWRA license agent, TWRA regional office, or online at the TWRA website at www.tnwildlife.org. Applications can be accepted until 11:59 p.m. (CST) on Feb. 3. Mailed applications will not be accepted.
The areas available for the hunts are listed on the instruction sheets. Hunters have up to 12 choices, but will be drawn for only one. Applicants may not use the same hunt code more than once. There are a total of 14 hunts listed. No person may apply more than once.
A permit fee will not be charged to Annual Sportsman (Type 004), Lifetime Sportsman (Types 402-405) license holders or Senior Citizen Hunters (Type 166) with an Annual Senior Citizen Permit (Type 167). For all other license holders, the cost is $12 per permit, plus the agent fee. When applying at a license agent, hunters must remain at the location while the application is processed. Hunters will receive a receipt with a confirmation number when the application is complete.
Hunters with Internet access may apply for a spring turkey quota hunt online by clicking here. Once the Internet site has been accessed, hunters can follow the on-screen directions. 
– See more at: http://tn.gov/news/22423#sthash.xlQ4cRRj.dpuf
The application period for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 2016 Spring Turkey Quota Hunts runs from Dec. 16 through Feb. 3, 2016.
Applications are available and will be accepted at any TWRA license agent, TWRA regional office, or online at the TWRA website at www.tnwildlife.org. Applications can be accepted until 11:59 p.m. (CST) on Feb. 3. Mailed applications will not be accepted.
The areas available for the hunts are listed on the instruction sheets. Hunters have up to 12 choices, but will be drawn for only one. Applicants may not use the same hunt code more than once. There are a total of 14 hunts listed. No person may apply more than once.
A permit fee will not be charged to Annual Sportsman (Type 004), Lifetime Sportsman (Types 402-405) license holders or Senior Citizen Hunters (Type 166) with an Annual Senior Citizen Permit (Type 167). For all other license holders, the cost is $12 per permit, plus the agent fee. When applying at a license agent, hunters must remain at the location while the application is processed. Hunters will receive a receipt with a confirmation number when the application is complete.
Hunters with Internet access may apply for a spring turkey quota hunt online by clicking here. Once the Internet site has been accessed, hunters can follow the on-screen directions.
 

The Tennessee State Museum is inviting Tennesseans to participate in the #my_Tennessee campaign by posting photos and images from across the state that best represent Tennessee such as historic places, landscapes, local landmarks, etc. Tennesseans are asked to post their images on Instagram, Twitter and the Tennessee State Museum’s Facebook page with the #my_Tennessee.
The campaign will run through January 31, and the images posted will be used as part of the planning process in designing and building a new state museum, which is scheduled to break ground in spring 2016.
Gov. Bill Haslam proposed and the Tennessee General Assembly approved $120 million in the FY-2015-16 budget to build a new home for the Tennessee State Museum on the Bicentennial Mall to maximize the state’s rich history by creating a state-of-the-art educational asset and tourist attraction for the state.  The governor also announced that $40 million would be raised in private funds for the project.
The Tennessee State Museum was established by law in 1937 “to bring together the various collections of articles, specimens, and relics now owned by the State under one divisional head,” and “to provide for a transfer of exhibits wherever they may be.”  
Today, the Tennessee State Museum is housed in the James K. Polk building in downtown Nashville, where it has been for nearly 35 years.
A 130,000 square foot facility is planned to be built on the northwest corner of the Bicentennial Mall at the corner of Rosa Parks Boulevard and Jefferson Street to tell Tennessee’s story in a way that the museum is unable to do in its current and outdated location by showcasing one-of-a-kind artifacts, art and historical documents in an interactive and engaging way.