African Festival 2012

The African Festival showcased friends from Philadelphia ODUNDE Festival, friends from St.Louis, friends from the neighborhood and beautiful friends with blue lips. You should've been there...next years same time same place. See you there! Be sure to stop by the JAMES GANG FESTIVAL that Bonnie has put on in Whites Creek for several years...September 29th on Whites Creek Pike and Old Hickory!

Open Hands

 

Open your hand to give

Open your hand to receive

In doing so

You will open your world to bountiful blessings!

Whites Creek Fall Festival in Living Color!

Yipee! We had a blast at the festival and it gets better with each person we meet. Bonnie has held the James Gang Festival for several years and will hold it this year at the end of the month in the same location. The WCRC encourages everyone to come out to this community event and all the events that the Fontanel hold. You will be happy you did!

It May Be May presented by Twilight Garden Club

You are cordially invited to a Fabulous Standard Flower Show
presented on Monday May 21st 2012 at 2 o'clock pm until 4 o'clock pm
Held in Joelton at The Rawlings 
      5395 Rawlings Road ....615 876-2169

Open to the Public
No Admission Fee
Baked good, plants, and other items will be available for purchase in the Boutique

Visit www.therawlings.net for more info or to make reservations for Mother's Day Brunch

Cafe' Fontanella & Friends

Lunching with Singer Michelle Prentice at the fabulous Cafe' Fontanella

Dining with Mr. & Mrs. Charles Garrett

Lunching with Councilman Walt Hunt & Mrs. David Bowman of Renton Washington

Stand Your Ground, HOA & Neighborhood Watch

Rally for Trayvon Martin in Nashville...

"True life is lived when tiny changes occur."

-- Leo Tolstoy

Our home & garden, Wellington Court & Gardens we designed in 2008

The Evergreen garden to the West that divides our neighbors property


With the recent tragedy of Trayvon Martin in a Florida neighborhood I thought it was fitting to post about HOA's and people that "watch" the neighborhood. My concern is for our family and the safety of our property due to over 19 threats/harassment from someone in our neighborhood.

As a journalist I naturally journal and write about what is going on in my world. We moved to what we thought was going to be our Heaven on Earth in 2008. I started a newsletter and celebrated each neighbor and business owner that was in the area. Within 6 months I was threatened, bullied and sent letters from our HOA. I recently received a letter dated March 13th so that leads me to believe that I will never have a "safe place to land" or a sacred space to retreat. This evening a "neighbor" was on our property and actually "mowed our grass" in the front and side garden. I had to actually stand almost in front of his tractor mower to get him to stop! I told him to stop and let him know we have cut our grass every 2 weeks since we moved in. He said " I knew you were going to stop me...we just want it to look like a neighborhood and I mow everyone's grass here but yours. You are the only one who doesn't cut their grass 3 1/2 inches." Huh? After much dialogue he left our property and my husband was on the phone totally miffed! We are civil people and act within the law. Sadly it appears that we are the ones being "watched" and the neighborhood serial reporter is constantly complaining and throwing around accusations of which we have no opportunity to defend. Many HOA's across the country have allowed "bullies" to abuse law abiding homeowners and it needs to stop. We have a right to be comfortable and safe in our home & gardens without threats or controlling neighbors. I always give the benefit of the doubt and was hoping it would stop but it appears I must involve the Metro Police Department.


It is my hope that all will be resolved peacefully and the serial reporter gets the help they need.

The "Stand Your Ground Law" states:
More than half of the states in the United States have adopted the Castle doctrine, stating that a person has no duty to retreat when their home is attacked. Some states go a step further, removing the duty of retreat from any location. "Stand Your Ground", "Line In The Sand" or "No Duty To Retreat" laws thus state that a person has no duty or other requirement to abandon a place in which he has a right to be, or to give up ground to an assailant. Under such laws, there is no duty to retreat from anywhere the defender may legally be.

Be with me in highest good thoughts for Trayvon Martin's family, our family and people across the country who are subjected to such treatment.

Transition Movement & more

CHEEKWOOD IN BLOOM

Spring is one of the best times to visit Cheekwood and take a front-row seat for the new season’s arrival. As the days warm in mid-March, waves of color begin to emerge across our grounds and gardens, starting with hyacinths, daffodils, and magnolias that soon give way to iris, dogwoods, and viburnums. This year’s spring blooms will deliver a massive dose of one of spring’s classics: the bright, crisp lines of over 22,000 tulips in our gardens. Celebrate spring at Cheekwood for a bright view sure to lift any winter fog!

Monthly Community Potluck and Discussion

Monday, April 2nd, 2012, 6-8pm

Nashville Friends Meeting House

530 26th Ave. North

Nashville, TN 37209

This is a potluck open to anyone within the greater Nashville area interested in learning more about the Transition Movement, in living sustainably, and in helping to shape the vision for "greener", more resilient, more interdependent communities throughout our city.

People are asked to bring a dish using local / seasonal ingredients to whatever extent possible.