December Events

December, 2010

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Daily Local Events Listed Below

(Dec. 1-31, 2010) Turn of the Century Christmas Exhibit at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna, Tennessee. By the end of the Victorian era, the Davis Family Home was elegantly decorated for Christmas as the traditions surrounding this holiday were well established. Each room of the Sam Davis Home will tell the history behind these traditions we associate with Christmas today. See their visitors center for gifts for history lovers. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341.

Fri.-Sat. (Dec. 3-4, 2010) 7:30PM The Murfreesboro Center for the Arts (110 West College Street) presents the delightful musical “Scrooge”. Cold-souled Ebenezer Scrooge had a change of heart after spirit visitations on Christmas Eve. For information or to make reservations, phone 615-904-ARTS (2787). This play continues through December 19th. Tickets: $14 for adults, $12 for seniors age 65+ and students, $10 for children age 12 and younger. (Note: there is a 2PM Sunday matinee 12/5/10)

PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

A day that will live in infamy. On this date in 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Its planes hit just before 8AM on 7 December. Within a short time five of eight battleships at Pearl Harbor were sunk or sinking, with the rest damaged. Several other ships and most Hawaii-based combat planes were also knocked out and over 2,400 Americans were dead. The picture at the left shows the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. It is that final resting place for many of the battleship’s 1,177 crew members who lost their lives on December 7, 1941.

Fri.-Sat. (Dec. 10-11, 2010) 7:30PM The Murfreesboro Center for the Arts (110 West College Street) presents the delightful musical “Scrooge”. Cold-souled Ebenezer Scrooge had a change of heart after spirit visitations on Christmas Eve. For information or to make reservations, phone 615-904-ARTS (2787). This play continues through December 19th. Tickets: $14 for adults, $12 for seniors age 65+ and students, $10 for children age 12 and younger. (Note: there is a 2PM Sunday matinee 12/12/10)

Sun. (Dec. 12, 2010) 1:00PM RUTHERFORD COUNTY CHRISTMAS PARADE with marching bands, floats, Christmas music and much more. The parade starts at the Bell Street parking lot on Middle Tennessee Boulevard and continues down East Main, around the square, onto West Main and ends on North Walnut. Note: If your church, scout or civic club, business wish to create an entry to the parade with the Christmas theme, please complete an entry form prior to 5:00PM Monday, November 29th. Forms are at the Linebaugh Library, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, WGNS Radio, or on-line at www.WGNSradio.com.

Hear weather related CLOSINGS first on WGNS (FM 100.5, FM 101.9, AM 1450, TV-11)

Mon.-Thu. (Dec. 14-31, 2009) MURFREESBORO PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT’S HOLIDAY SPECIAL where you can buy one ticket to SportsCom or Patterson Park and get a second ticket FREE!

Hear weather related CLOSINGS first on WGNS (FM 100.5, FM 101.9, AM 1450, TV-11)

Fri.-Sat. (Dec. 17-18, 2010) 7:30PM The Murfreesboro Center for the Arts (110 West College Street) presents the delightful musical “Scrooge”. Cold-souled Ebenezer Scrooge had a change of heart after spirit visitations on Christmas Eve. For information or to make reservations, phone 615-904-ARTS (2787). This play continues through December 19th. Tickets: $14 for adults, $12 for seniors age 65+ and students, $10 for children age 12 and younger. (Note: there is a 2PM Sunday matinee 12/19/10)

Weather-Eye meteorologists on WGNS radio and internet (see upper right) with 24-7 updates

RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE

Murfreesboro (starting December 26)

Cannonsburgh (Farmer’s Market Shed) on Front Street Monday-Saturday 7AM-5PM

City Mulching Facility (4765 Florence Road) 7AM-2:30PM Monday-Friday (closed on weekends, day after Christmas)
Curbside pickup in Murfreesboro only (leave your tree without ornaments at the road after Jan. 1st)

Smyrna (Dec. 26-Jan. 14)

Lee Victory Recreation Park (Sam Ridley Parkway)

LaVergne (Dec. 26- Jan. 21)

Public Works Building (148 International Blvd.)

Fri.-Fri. (Dec. 26, 2010-Jan. 3, 2011) 148 years ago the history of Murfreesboro was changed. This small southern community saw its population explode with more than 80-thousand soldiers. Homes became hospitals, churches were destroyed and the bricks were used by Union Troops to build Fortress Rosecrans. Cannons were aimed at the historic courthouse and the citizens were held hostage psychologically and some physically. The battle began the last day of 1862 and was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. Ironically, relatives faced each other in battle…some fighting with Confederate troops and the other on the Union side. That dramatically played out on the cold, snowy night the day before the fighting started. The clear sky above was full of stars as each side’s bands played musical favorites. There was cheering and laughter in what is described as a Battle of the Bands. Then the night became totally quiet as one band started the favorite There’s No Place Like Home, and the other side joined-in. The National Park Service has special activities each day that will help to give you insight into what happened here 145-years ago. For more information, phone 893-9501 or visit their website www.nps.gov/stri

Sun. (Dec. 26, 2010) 11AM-1PM FREE FOOD AND CLOTHES GIVE AWAY at the Oakland Park 7th Day Adventist Church (711 N. Maney Avenue in Murfreesboro). (Note: this is every 4th Sunday)

Sun. (Dec. 26, 2010) 1PM ROLLING THUNDER, INC. Tennessee Chapter 1 meets at the VFW Post 8422 (10157 Old Nashville Highway; Smyrna, TN). ROLLING THUNDER works for the return of the missing from wars and support for America’s veterans. Visit their website: www.rollingthundertn1.com or call Bob Ousley (615-513-5852) or Norm Hoffman (615-715-0523) for more information. Note: Rolling Thunder meets at 1PM on the 4th Sunday of each month at the VFW Post 8422 in Smyrna.

Fri. (Dec. 31, 2010) 10AM-Noon COUNTDOWN TO NOON at the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring (502 S.E. Broad Street at Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro). $5 for non-members ages 2 and up, free to members. Join in the museum’s biggest pajama party! Contact: Discovery Center at Murfree Spring at (615) 890-2300.

Fri. (Dec. 31, 2010) lunch 10:45AM; party 11:30AM-2PM NOON YEAR’S EVE PARTY at the St. Cliar Street Senior Center with the music of the Bill Sleeter duo. Admission is FREE. They need to know how many are coming, so that enough free box lunches are prepared. Please RSVP at 848-2550.

Fri. (Dec. 31, 2010) 10pm At this hour, 64-years ago WGNS radio signed-on the air to ring-in the New Year of 1947. Your Good Neighbor Station is Murfreesboro’s first radio station. THANK YOU for your support over the past 62-years! WGNS is on FM 100.5; FM 101.9; AM 1450; over-the-air TV channel 11.

Fri. (Dec. 31, 2010) 10:30PM-Midnight NIGHTWATCH on the Historic Murfreesboro Square. Ring in the New Year with a praise concert and square. Bring your own bell and be a part of the Downtime Chiming at midnight. Bring your family and become a part of this new tradition in the Heart of Tennessee. For more information, contact Shacklett’s Photography (615-893-2369).

Murfreesboro GARBAGE PICKUP for New Year’s Eve

Garbage Pickup: Since New Year’s eve falls on Friday, there will be NO CHANGES in pickup times for 2010.

NOTICE: Barfield Crescent Park’s Wilderness Station, McFadden Community Center, Patterson Park Community Center, SportsCom, Old Fort and VA Golf Courses all close at 5PM on Thursday, December 31st. They’re all closed New Year’s Day (Saturday, January 1, 2011 in honor of WGNS’ 64th Anniversary…ha!)

FUTURE events and ON-GOING activities

Shop Local…It Matters! When you shop in Rutherford County, your sales tax dollars build our schools and improve the roads. When you shop locally, you make jobs available here. Shopping local makes it easy on you, in the event you need servicing or repairs at a later date. It’s even more important to shop with local FAMILY BUSINESSES. Have you ever wondered what makes this community unique? One advantage is a large number of family operated businesses. Keep FAMILY BUSINESSES strong, patronize them! Listen to the WGNS Good Neighbor Network (FM 100.5, FM 101.9, AM 1450, and over-the-air TV-11) for information about this area’s vibrant local FAMILY BUSINESSES.

MURFREESBORO POLICE DEPARTMENT’S CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY starting 6:00 o’clock on Tuesday evenings in January and continuing for 12-weeks. Learn about the actual work done by officers, how to use an ASP baton, criminal investigations, undercover work and more. A background investigation must be completed before prospective class members are accepted. There is a $50 class fee. For information or to request an application form, contact Sergeant Melvin Cunningham or Officer Kyle Evans (895-3874). Applications are also on-line at www.murfreesborotn.gov

Rutherford County Sheriffs Office CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY Be a part of the sheriff’s 14 Tuesday evening classes (6-9PM). This is at the sheriff’s office and Adult Detention Center at 940 New Salem Highway. Learn how deputies solve crimes, protect the community and more. This class is FREE, but a background investigation must be completed before you take the class. For information, call Greg Dotson Rutherford County Sheriffs Office (615-904-3033).

MURFREESBORO PARK AND RECREATION PASSES: Buy one individual yearly or monthly pass at SportsCom or Patterson Park, and get a second FREE! This offer is available December 15 through 4:00 o’clock on the afternoon of December 31st. FOLLOW-UP 2010 savings: January 2-31(at 5PM), 25% off yearly and monthly passes.

Every Tuesday and Thursday night 6-8PM The Rutherford County Schools sponsor FREE GED classes in the Myrtle Glanton Lord Library at the Patterson Community Center. Free childcare is also provided. For more information, contact Howard Rhodes (615) 907-3439 or (615) 589-6158.

The Cripple Creek Cloggers invite you to join them for fun every Tuesday night at 7PM. They practice at the Leanna Community Center on Sulphur Springs Road. Come visit and learn more about this local group of ambassadors who represent our community at local events as well festivals worldwide. If you’ve been looking for a fun and beneficial way to exercise while having fun…then the Cripple Creek Cloggers is for your! Plus, you get to make interesting trips to distant lands! For more information, contact Steve Cates 615-896-2559 or e-mail appdancer@aol.com

Now Five Blood Drives Weekly The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross has renovated and enlarged its blood center at 836 Commercial Court (around the corner from UPS). The same local staff is now handling all of these new blood drives. In addition, Murfreesboro is now equipped to service platelet pheresis donations. If you are at least 17-years of age, weigh a minimum of 110-pounds, and in good health, you are encouraged to give the GIFT OF LIFE. Phone 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) for more information.
Monday and Thursday 10:30am-6:30pm
Fridays 9:30am-4:30pm
Saturdays and Sundays 7am-Noon
Note: In addition, there are regular Red Cross bloodmobiles at locations all around Rutherford County. Look at this WGNS calendar for exact times and locations.

G. Gordon Liddy on WGNS Monday-Fridays 9:00am-Noon
You learn from people with different opinions.
Keep you radio tuned to the station you’ve depended on since 1947!
Hear the G-Man on the WGNS Good Neighbor Network
FM 100.5; FM 101.9; AM 1450; over-the-air TV channel 11; worldwide on www.WGNSradio.com

LaVergne’s Police Athletic League (PAL) invites area kids ages 7-17 to join this community group for fun, homework tutoring and more. There are PAL drama and theatre sessions, PAL boxing program, help with homework and tutoring, bowling, self-empowerment and motivational activities, racing and more. Phone 615-287-8730 for more information.

As the New Year of 1947 was rung-in, Murfreesboro and Rutherford County suddenly entered the electronic age. At 10PM on December 31, 1946, this community’s first radio station signed-on. It was built on the principal of being a GOOD NEIGHBOR. In fact, the G N S in the station’s call sign stands for Good Neighbor Station. That slogan shapes the way WGNS reports news, promotes itself and the way our staff is personally involved in this community. WGNS really is your radio station. When you hear something you like, let us know. But when you hear something you don’t like, especially let us know. Phone 615-893-5373.

Do you have a loved one who suffers from a mental illness? Learn about the regularly scheduled National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) meetings. This is a program for families, friends and primary caregivers of individuals suffering from mental illness. Call Lori Turek (615-896-6169) for details.

Local issues covered daily on Action Line (Monday-Friday mornings 8:10-9:00am)
Show from WGNS studios on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays. But every Wednesday morning “live” from City Cafe. Join us there for breakfast and share your opinions in person. Tune to your Good Neighbor Network: FM 100.5; FM 101.9; AM 1450; and over-the-air TV 11.

e-mail community events to events@wgnsradio.com

Wake-up with the all new WGNS Good Morning…M-F 5:00-9:00am
Inudes news, sports, weather, traffic, obits, swap’n shop, guests!
The South’s only father-son news team, join Bart and Scott Walker along with Bryan Barrett
WGNS Good Neighbor Network FM 100.5; FM 101.9; AM 1450; over-the-air TV 11; worldwide on the internet

Hear weather related CLOSINGS first on WGNS (FM 100.5, FM 101.9, AM 1450, TV-11)
Weather-Eye meteorologists on WGNS radio and internet (see upper right) with 24-7 updates

Follow the Blue Raiders on WGNS.

December Events

December, 2010