Friday, May 25, 2012
In Today's News, below: another Air Quality Alert, busiest travel times so you can avoid them, why your chances of being hit at a red light go up today, what to do around town for Memorial Day, which Water Parks and Pools are open, and Tim McGraw's generosity will amaze you!
HAVE A SAFE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.
I'll be back with more of Anna's News on Tuesday, June 5th. In the meantime, let me say, "Thank you, veterans, and thank you to friends and family members of military members we've lost. God bless you."
Anna Marie
News Director/Morning Show Co-Host, Mix 92.9
annamarie@mix929.com
AIR ACTION DAY FRIDAY, MAY 25TH.
There's an Air Quality Alert again today. We have high levels of ozone that can actually burn the lungs of children -- who breathe faster than adults -- or adults who are exercising outdoors and taking in more oxygen, and people with lung disease. If you have a little asthma and find yourself coughing more this weekend, that's what's going on. The rest of us are supposed to try and Reduce our Toxic emissions.. by driving less and using less electricity.
YOUR BUSIEST TIMES ON THE ROAD/AIRPORT
You might as well take a snack and be READY to hit some slow traffic if you're driving today or Monday. Those are usually the busiest traffic times of the Memorial Day weekend.
AIRPORT SAYS ARRIVE 2 HOURS EARLY
Nashville International Airport says if you're flying out today, you should get to the airport two hours before your flight time, because BNA is expecting heavy passenger volume and longer than normal wait times through security screening. Check your flight before you leave the house, at www.FlyNashville.com
NO ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON I-24- OR ANYWHERE - THIS WEEKEND
If you ARE driving, the good news is that you can pretty much choose any route you want: road construction crews are off for Memorial Day Weekend, so no road construction, starting at noon today through 6 Tuesday morning.
METRO SCHOOLS START NEW SCHEDULE AUGUST 1ST
Summer's arrived for Metro public school students, but the break will be a little shorter than usual. The school system begins a new balanced calendar next year with classes beginning on August 1st. It also means longer fall and spring breaks.
WHICH WATER PARKS, POOLS ARE OPEN?
While most of the local Metro Swimming Pools won't be open for another week or two there are several water parks that are open, or are opening this weekend. They include Wave Country, Nashville Shores, and Tie Breaker. Most Metro Pools open the first week of June.
FRIDAY COULD BE EXTRA DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS
Please be EXTRA cautious when you're driving today. Your chances of getting hit at an intersection are higher, because Memorial Day Weekend is the worst holiday period for red light runners. The FRIDAY before Memorial day, especially, people tend to run red lights because they're distracted and they're in a hurry to get somewhere.
NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
The National Memorial Day Parade is Monday... and will be televised live, nationwide. Get more info at www.NationalMemorialdayparade.com
WHAT TO DO WITH THE FAMILY
If you're looking for something to do with the family this Memorial Day weekend, there are some ideas at the bottom of the page.
FREE FOR FAMILIES THIS WEEKEND
MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL AT COLEMAN PARK , Thompson lane and Nolensville
Free Admission.
FRIST CENTER SUMMER CONCERT OPENS TONIGHT WITH WINNER RODNEY CROWELL
Frist Fridays kick off today, rain or shine, in the Frist Center's Turner Courtyard. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy live music, light snacks and beverages, and admission to the exhibitions in the Frist Galleries. (This Friday's featured artist is legendary songwriter Rodney Crowell). Admission is 10 dollars. 18 and younger admitted free, 7.00 for seniors, military and students with ID. www.fristcenter.org
BEFORE YOU GO TO LAKE: SEE WHAT'S GOING ON THERE
For up-to-date information on lake levels and projections, boat ramp conditions, and other things going on at the lake you're thinking about visiting... check out its Facebook page ahead of time. There's the page for the Nashville District... it's www.Facebook.com/Nashvillecorps
There are also Facebook Information pages for Old Hickory Lake, Percy Priest, Cordell Hull, Center Hill and Dale Hollow Lakes.
LAUNDRY DETERGENT POISONING
There's a laundry detergent that you need to keep away from the kids: apparently dozens of children so far in Georgia and Indiana have been poisoned by biting into Tide Pods. They think it's edible. No one's died, but some children have had serious health problems from it. Tide says it'll change the container to make it more childproof.
TIM MCGRAW GIVING HOMES TO VETERANS
What's Tim McGraw doing to celebrate Memorial Day? He's giving away 25 mortgage-free homes to veterans. He'll start with his summer tour that kicks off on Memorial Day in New York City. The homes are going to veterans who are wounded or needy. McGraw plays LP Field on June 23rd.
HUMANE SOCIETY CALLS FOR AG TO INVESTIGATE SORING
The Humane Society is asking Tennessee's attorney general to investigate possible roles of horse show management in allowing the practice of soring. The organization says the recent case that was revealed in an undercover video indicates that show managers seem to be ignoring or are unaware of laws that prohibiting inflicting pain on horses to make them step higher.
ELTON JOHN
Sir Elton John is recovering from a respiratory infection, and has cancelled three performances of his show in Las Vegas. The 65 year-old has been ordered to take 'complete rest' for at least a week, and finish his course of antibiotics before he can go back to work. Elton says, "All I can say to the fans is 'sorry I can't be with you'."
DEAN PROPOSES $297-MILLION CAPITAL SPENDING PLAN
Mayor Karl Dean is getting ready to file a 297-point-seven-million-dollar capital spending plan with the Metro Council... that'd include money for building and expanding schools, adding sidewalks, working on mass transit, public safety and road paving.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PERFORMS WITH NASHVILLE SYMPHONY
An east Tennessee high school student got to perform with the Nashville Symphony last night. Yusuke Yamanaka joined in at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, after the Maryville High School senior won this year's Nashville Symphony's Curb Records Young Musician's Concerto Competition. ( It's open to instrument students ages 14 to 18 across Tennessee. )
TN RED CROSS LAUNCHES ROCK 'N' ROLL BLOOD DRIVE
The local Red Cross is hoping you'll give blood this summer, and they're offering some extra incentive... chances to win Gibson Guitars, tee shirts and scholarships. The Red Cross says blood donations typically drop drastically during the summer so they're starting a big push so they can keep saving lives.
IDEAS FOR A FAMILY MEMORIAL DAY EVENT
Fort Negley Memorial Day Program
On Saturday, May 26, 2012 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Fort Negley Park will host a Memorial Day weekend observance to honor all serving members of the U.S. Armed Forces and to commemorate those who gave the final devotion to their country. The observance will also honor those who perished building and defending the fortifications of Nashville during the Civil War including Fort Negley. The event is free and open to the public.
True American Heroes
This Memorial Day, spend time with true American Heroes. Tour Ft. Campbell Army Base and the Pratt Military Museum. See war relics, monuments and air-crafts from our nation's historic battles from WWI through Operation Iraqi Freedom. Visit the Ft. Defiance Interpretive Center that provides insight into Clarksville's involvement in the Civil War.
This Memorial Day, spend time with true American Heroes. Tour Ft. Campbell Army Base and the Pratt Military Museum. See war relics, monuments and air-crafts from our nation's historic battles from WWI through Operation Iraqi Freedom. Visit the Ft. Defiance Interpretive Center that provides insight into Clarksville's involvement in the Civil War.
Local Cemeteries:
Many of Nashville's Cemeteries are decorated with thousands of American Flags by local Boy Scout Troops. It is an awesome sight. Participating cemeteries include: Stones River National Cemetery, Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, and the Nashville National Cemetery. Please call ahead to your local cemetery to confirm flag placement or if your Boy Scout Troop would like to help with flag placements.
Many of Nashville's Cemeteries are decorated with thousands of American Flags by local Boy Scout Troops. It is an awesome sight. Participating cemeteries include: Stones River National Cemetery, Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, and the Nashville National Cemetery. Please call ahead to your local cemetery to confirm flag placement or if your Boy Scout Troop would like to help with flag placements.
Stones River National Battlefield
Visitors to Stones River National Battlefield are invited to gather at the national cemetery to remember the sacrifices of soldiers, past and present.
The event, normally held on Sunday, includes patriotic music, a wreath laying ceremony and a reading of the names of veterans who have passed away since last Memorial Day and if you go the day before you can also watch as local Middle Tennessee Scouting organizations honor our fallen heroes by placing American flags on more than 7,000 graves.
Visitors to Stones River National Battlefield are invited to gather at the national cemetery to remember the sacrifices of soldiers, past and present.
The event, normally held on Sunday, includes patriotic music, a wreath laying ceremony and a reading of the names of veterans who have passed away since last Memorial Day and if you go the day before you can also watch as local Middle Tennessee Scouting organizations honor our fallen heroes by placing American flags on more than 7,000 graves.
