May 23

Volunteers from a number of groups in Tennessee are in Oklahoma to help those folks recover from Monday’s tornado.  Supplies and mobile food trucks from the local American Red Cross are there along with an 80 member team from the Memphis Fire Department that also was deployed during Hurricane Sandy.

Those storms should be a good reminder for you to inventory what you have in the event that a storm causes you to file an insurance claim.  Use your Smartphone to photograph or video everything.  There are Smartphone apps that help you compile a complete list.

On the money front, existing home sales are at their highest level in more than three years.  Experts say the industry is strong but could be stronger if it were not for the high demand and limited inventory.

Nashville Christian School is reaching out to help victims of the Oklahoma tornado.  A 25 foot trailer is parked in front of the school and you can drop off canned food, baby formula, dry food and new or mildly worn clothing, in both children and adult sizes.  Just label the box or durable bag with what is inside.  The trailer will be there until 9 tonight.

Consumer Reports out with the list of the Best Airlines and its Virgin America that tops the list.  Passengers liked their check-in process, flight attendants and seat comfort.  Southwest and JetBlue, the only 2 carries that let you check your bags for free, tied for second.

Here comes summer and pool season.  Williamson County Parks and Rec open their pools on Tuesday and there is still time to get the kids into a summer camp.  To see what types of camps are available, head to  http://www.wcparksandrec.com/

Many churches in Middle Tennessee are aiding those affected by Monday’s tornado in Oklahoma.  One possible way you can help is later this morning.  The Church’s of Christ Disaster Relief Effort could use volunteers to help pack over a thousand food boxes.  They will start at 10 at the group’s warehouse off Nolensville Pike.  More details at www.disasterreliefeffort.org

In devastated Moore, Oklahoma, there are the stories of teachers protecting students at the two schools that were destroyed.   Also, the rescue workers who have come from everywhere and have worked around the clock since Monday and have saved numerous lives.

Career Solutions in Brentwood is hosting a job fair today from 10 till 2 at their location on Nolensville Pike.  Express Employment Professionals is looking to fill a number of positions in Williamson and Maury Counties. 

As many of us send our thoughts and prayers to those affected by Monday’s tornado in Oklahoma, and wish we could be there to physically help, there is a way you can help out.  Feed the Children, which is based in Oklahoma City, makes sure that kids and their families are fed.  To donate click http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dotorg_homepage

The goal for the city was to have one million hotel room nights booked by the time the Music City Center officially opened.  With the celebration and ribbon cutting done, the city surpassed their goal.  So far, 1 million 62 thousand room nights are booked through 2026.

Some parents are steering their kids toward the art of yoga, meditation and relaxation  A study of 2^nd and 3^rd graders found that those who took a 30 minute brain break, twice a week, had improved behavior and scored higher on tests requiring memory, attention and focus.

As we continue to fight off germs and keep things clean, a new survey has found that one of the dirtiest items women have are purses.  Especially leather handbags that are a big breeding ground for bacteria.  Same for cell phones when you think about how we never really go anywhere without that.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to update that strategy to stay employed.  If layoffs are looming where you work, consider a demotion to stay employed.  It’s an idea that you probably will have to propose, but just make sure it won’t cost you a severance package.

The start of a stormy week for much of the middle part of the country.  North Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas could get severe storms today.  We’re starting off the week with a couple of sunny, hot days in Middle Tennessee.

Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club are targeting veterans to hire.  There are weeklong military appreciation events across the county this week and then starting Memorial Day, they will offer a job to any honorably discharged vet if they’re within their first year of discharge.

Between all the gadgets we have that ping, buzz, and beep, no wonder we’re distracted.  Research shows that at the office,   the typical worker only gets 11 continuous minutes to work on something before being interrupted.  The same study found that some students couldn’t concentrate on homework for more than 2 minutes with distracting themselves with social media or email.   

With the grand opening of the new Music City Center on Sunday, the opening of the still under construction Omni Nashville hotel is not too far off.   The grand opening for the 800 room hotel is scheduled for October and that will be a welcome site for convention goers.

American Airlines is trying something new, and in a win for our side it’s not “fee” based.  After testing it out at 7 airports, the airline says customers not needing to stow a bag in overhead storage bins will be allowed to board earlier.  In testing, American found that it did make for faster boarding.

The Christian Post says in a report, that Christians who tithe are, in general, financially healthier that those who do not.  The report found that tithers looked at it like, I’m better off because I do give.

Heard a lot lately about kids and concussions and it’s a good idea to pay real close attention to the female athletes in the family.  Effects from a concussion can last longer in girls and the CDC has determined that girl’s soccer is more dangerous than boy’s soccer.

The Hickory Hollow Mall reopens tomorrow as the Global Mall at the Crossings.  It will open with about 20 eateries and stores and another 40 will be in place by the end of the month.  In June, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the public library, community center and recreation space in the old JC Penny location.

Sunday you can get a look inside the new Music City Center.  There will be free family friendly activities and tours that will take place between 2 and 6 on Sunday.  Get more info by clicking the news button at  http://www.visitmusiccity.com/visitors/events/mccgrandopening

The Metro School system asked for 44 million more for their budget and the mayor suggested they get 26 million.  If that all stays the same employee raises may be reduced and salary steps frozen.  Director Jesse Register doesn’t think teachers will lose their jobs, but 500 open teaching positions may not be filled.

The IRS is still under fire for targeting conservative groups for audits.  While some of those conservative groups were waiting for their application for non-profit status to be approved, groups with names including words like “progressive” or “progress” were approved quickly.

How would you like to be one of the first to get a peek inside the new Music City Center?  Sunday at 1:30 bring the kids and join Mayor Dean for a stroll from Walk of Fame Park to the center and then enjoy free family friendly activities and tour the Music City Center between 2 and 6.  Get more details http://www.visitmusiccity.com/visitors/events/mccgrandopening

Metro Police will keep on eye on things when first lady Michelle Obama visits  Nashville on Saturday, but not officially.  The Secret Service had requested a lights and sirens motorcade which the department was unwilling to sanction.

Williamson County parents, upset over a book used in an AP Human Geography class they say contains “anti-Semitic” content have gone one step further.  Filing an official complaint.   The parents want the textbook removed and say they will continue to take action.  The School District says a committee is reviewing the book.

If you can’t beat ‘em, well, you know the rest and that appears what Research In Motion is kind of doing.  The makers of BlackBerry will offer their messenger service on i-phones and devices running Google’s android software.  They also plan to sell a lower cost BlackBerry.

More trouble for Pilot Flying J.  A fifth trucking company has filed suit following a federal investigation into charges that the chain cheated truckers out of promised rebates.  Pilot CEO James Haslam say he will and has already reimbursing trucking firms.

The food industry is voluntarily working on reducing salt in the foods you eat.  The average in packaged foods has gone down only 3.5 percent since 2005.  A number of items that were tested in the food you get at restaurants had a 2.6% increase in sodium.

Baby crying more than usual, it could be acid reflux.  Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic say almost all babies, from newborn to 4 months old, experience some.  Changing feeding amounts and changing the baby’s position during feeding often takes care of it.

Hoping to cut down on highway deaths, the NTSB is recommending that all states lower the blood alcohol limit for DUI cases to point zero five percent.  Right now in all 50 states its point zero eight percent. 

In Wilson County this evening there will be a School Safety Summit.  The free event gets underway at 7 at Lebanon High School.  It’s open to parents and guardians of students enrolled in Wilson County Schools and you are asked to NOT bring children younger than 16 with you.

The airlines are still collecting those fees, and it’s paying off, for them.  Between the ones they charge for baggage and changing a reservation, the 15 largest carriers picked up more than 6 billion dollars last year.  That doesn’t even count the fees for early boarding and picking a prime seat.