Thursday, May 10, 2012

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WEEKEND EVENTS
RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL THIS MONTH
The Tennessee Renaissance Festival is every weekend this month.... at the Castle Gwynn. www.tnrenfest.com  

SALVATION ARMY SPRING FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND
The Salvation Army's 1st Annual Spring Festival is this Saturday, May 12th, starting at noon, at the Magness Potter Community Center, 611 Stockell Street. Includes live music, food, bounce houses, games, vendor booths. Bring a blanket or chair. Admission is free. 242-0411 or www.salarmy-nashville.com

SMYRNA AIR SHOW THIS WEEKEND
The Great Tennessee Air Show is in Smyrna this weekend... with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and dozens of other acts. Info at www.greattennesseeairshow.com

MS. CHEAP TIP: $15 WILL GET YOU INTO THE IROQUOIS STEEPLECHASE
It can be expensive to go to the Iroquois Steeplechase this weekend (Saturday 5/12), with some tailgating spots costing $500 or more, but Ms. Cheap recommends you check out the $15 general admission tickets that get you in for lots of horse and people-watching fun. Children under 12 are admitted free. 
615-591-2991 or http://mysteeplechase.com/contact-us/faq/at-a-glance

SALES TAX RATE ON FOOD TO DECREASE BEGINNING JULY 1, 2012
Starting July 1st, you'll get a little bit of a break in your sales tax. The state sales tax and use tax on food and food ingredients will drop from 5 and a half percent to 5 and a quarter percent.....(plus you'll still be paying the regular local taxes.) Prepared food, dietary supplements, candy, alcoholic beverages and tobacco will still be taxed at the higher rate of 7% plus the other applicable local sales and use tax rates.

MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH CHARGED WITH SEXUAL BATTERY
A middle school football coach in Cheatham County faces a charge of sexual battery by an authority figure for allegedly having inappropriate relations with a 15-year-old girl. Matthew Clark is 25, and is an occasional substitute at Cheatham County, but has been an assistant football coach at Harpeth Middle School in Kingston Springs for two years.

OFFICIALS ADDRESS ROAD DEATH SURGE
State officials are trying to find ways to slow the alarming increase of road deaths so far this year. The more than 300 people dead on Tennessee roads since January 1st is a 13-percent increase from the same time last year. Tennessee's Department of Transportation has started posting the total fatality count on overhead interstate electronic message boards, and state troopers have been told to step up seat belt enforcement.

HOME SALES UP 25-PERCENT LAST MONTH
Let's start with more good financial news for you: Home sales in the Nashville area were up 25-percent last month. That means more money is flowing, and for those homes sold, there'll be the need for workers, construction, and things to put in the homes. That translates into more jobs and a better economic outlook. 

TENNESSEEANS REACTION TO OBAMA EQUAL MARRIAGE RIGHTS STATEMENT
President Obama's statement yesterday supporting equal marriage rights for same sex couples has stirred up a lot of controversy. There are THOUSANDS of posts on Facebook, for example, praising-- or criticizing-- his stance. Tennessee's constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions passed six years ago with 81-percent voter approval, and Governor Bill Haslam said the President has a right to change his stance on the issue, but its not a position he supports.

HEALTH: WHY WOMEN MUST STILL EXERCISE AFTER LIPOSUCTION
If you're considering Liposuction, keep in mind you will HAVE to exercise afterward or you could cause serious health problems. Scientists say women who don't exercise after lipo often develop DEEP belly fat, which forms around the organs and is a KNOWN cause of heart disease and diabetes... which can both be fatal. (Results of the study are published in the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.")

COMPANY UNVEILS COPPER ANTI-AGING CLOTHES
A clothing company says it's unveiling a new line of clothing that'll help your skin look younger. CASS says starting this July you can buy its anti-aging Wear Repair line, which is made from copper-infused fabric. They claim it improves skin elasticity, reduces age spots and gives your skin a healthy glow. A shirt costs about 100 dollars, capri pants...a little less than that. (Available in July at www.CASSandco.com.)

HEALTH GROUPS PUSH FOR SCHOOLS TO FIGHT OBESITY
I don't know whether it's because they've given up on adults, but health groups are saying the government needs to focus and really put effort into fighting CHILDHOOD obesity. A coalition of groups including the National Education Association and the American Cancer Society say they want more money to educate kids about healthy eating, and to help kids get food when they're hungry, and be ACTIVE to prevent obesity. (It's estimated that a third of American kids are overweight or obese.)

POLL: MAJORITY OPPOSE DEAN'S TAX INCREASE
A poll by the Nashville Business Journal found pretty much what you'd expect ... that a majority of people are opposed to Mayor Karl Dean's proposed 53 cent property tax increase. Dean says it'll head off deep cuts to service and would help schools and pay off debt. 45-percent, however, say they're as okay with it as one can be okay with a tax hike... because Nashville can't afford any more cuts.

MURDER TRIAL IN DEATH OF MTSU PLAYER BEGINS
The murder trial is under way of a former Middle Tennessee student charged with killing MTSU basketball player Tina Stewart. Lawyers for Shanterrica Madden say the 19-year-old defendant acted in self-defense.

REESE WITHERSPOON'S MOM SUES HUSBAND FOR BIGAMY
And the mother of actress Reese Witherspoon is suing her husband in Davidson County court, asking them to annul his new marriage, and accusing him of bigamy. Betty Witherspoon says her husband, John, can't be married to Tricianne Taylor because he is still married to her. The suit asks the court to keep Taylor from transferring any assets owned by John, and claims he may have dementia.