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News from the Neighborhood
By David Thompson
The November meeting focused on the issue of crime in the neighborhood and how the association can play a more active role with other neighborhood groups including Sunnyside. The association is planning to have a joint meeting in January at a date and time to be selected with other adjoining neighborhood groups to discuss recent crime activity and neighborhood watch programs. Additionally, the association’s board approved an initial sign proposal for the 12South neighborhood that will be constructed on the traffic island at the intersection of 12th Avenue South and Ashwood Avenue.

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Meet the New 12South Neighborhood Association President: David Thompson
The neighborhood association’s new president, David Thompson, and his wife Kathryn have lived on Gilmore Ave. for over three years. They were attracted to the neighborhood by the proximity to downtown and mid-town areas, the lovely old homes, friendly neighbors and the chance to live in a revitalized neighborhood that has been an important part of Nashville for over 100 years.
    David was born in Nashville in 1973. He spent some of his youth in Brunswick, Ga., and returned to Tennessee in 1988. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1992 and attended college at Sewanee, the University of the South, and law school at the University of Tennessee College of Law. He has been practicing general business and commercial law at the law firm of Neal & Harwell, PLC for over 7 years.

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Tea Time, Nashville!
By Kim Green
We newly fancified 12South-ers are starting to get the wine thing.
At least, we’re trying our very best not to squint and go “Huh” when the folks down at the wine bar swirl their glasses and pronounce meaningfully, “Hmmm. A sycophantic little wine, although for my
measure, a bit Evangelical in its veracity.”
    And now, just as we are taking our first shaky steps toward
pronouncing “Gewürtztraminer,” Kim Carpenter Drake is looking to shake things up in the sophisticated beverage department. In July, Drake opened Tea Time Nashville in the purple building at 2814 12th Ave. South, sharing digs with 12South Yoga. A brief look around the warm and inviting shop makes it clear that this place is as much a shrine as it is a retail operation. Vintage tea sets from all over the world line floor-to-ceiling shelves—which are also stocked with every variety of tea imaginable and imported English foods for teatime.
    With an ironic grin, Drake refers to herself as a “tea sommelier.” She explains with the zeal of a born-again tea lover that tea, like wine, is richly infused with culture—from Japanese tea ceremony to the rise and fall of the British Empire. After all our struggles with comprehending Pinots, Noir and otherwise, here we find out that there’s more to tea than iced and sweet.
    “I’m fascinated by all of it,” says Drake, as we share a sample of Blanc de Pom Pom white pomegranate tea from the Fujian province of China. “How to match tea with different foods, things like that. What’s fun about this is exploring it.” If you ask, Drake will guide you on your exploration of all things tea and possibly even suggest a spot-on tea-related holiday gift. The good news is, if you overserve yourself on this beverage over the holidays, you probably won’t have to call the relatives and apologize in the morning.
    See Tea Time Nashville’s website at http://www.teatimenashville.com/ for more information, or call 497-7292. Tea Time is a retail shop,
not a tea room, but samples are available on request.
Hours: Tues – Sat 11a.m. – 6 p.m.

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Beautification Notes
by Ken Winter
Goals for 2007. The 40 residents who responded to our 2006 neighborhood
survey have identified reporting illegal activity; removing trash, illegal signs, graffiti, inoperative stuff, etc.; and enhancing traditional neighborhood features, such as pre-1940 structures, porches, yards, socializing, walking, biking and shopping locally, as their top three priorities for the neighborhood.
    Next comes turning these ideas into action. Please contact me with suggestions for activities to address these issues in 2007: kcwinter@earlthlink.net or call 385-9762.

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Crime
Aggravated break-ins have re-emerged across the 12South/Sunnyside area in the forms of bashed-in doors and windows and confrontations with residents. Reports suggest a few hardened criminals and possibly copycats are moving freely through the streets and alleys, day and night, capitalizing on unkempt foliage, poor lighting and weak doors and windows to gain access.
    Effective response must come from a united front. We are working closely with the police, however we also need observant and knowledgeable citizens to help. Following are low-cost, quickly-implemented suggestions that you might consider:
1. Telephones: Affix emergency (911), non-emergency (862-8600), and
neighbor numbers to each phone in the house. Use speed dialing if you have it.
2. Locks: Install sturdy security on sturdy doors and windows, including storms, basements and sliding glass. Remember: unused locks permit 40 percent of all home invasions.
3. Visibility: Use low-level, inaccessible lighting all around the exterior, some on motion detectors; and trim trees and shrubs around entrances. Maintain peepholes in doors.
4. Surveillance: Be attentive and alert the police to suspicious activity. Volunteer for neighborhood watch activity.
5. Hiding: Store valuables out-of-sight and in unlikely places.
6. Occupancy: Visitors, dogs, TV or radio, lighting, vehicles and a well-attended yard are all indicators you’re home –  even if you’re not.

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Christmas Presents
Don’t forget our Metro trash men. How about some cash in a holiday card? And consider a New Years resolution to put all garbage in plastic bags. The guys with the dirtiest job in town deserve a safe, clean work environment.

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Progressive Dinner 2007
It’s time to start planning another delicious and fun progressive dinner party. If you are interested in hosting one of the courses, would like to get on the list to attend or have a suggestion about the date (sometime in February), please contact Montrose Ave. neighbor Todd McEachern at 269-4376.

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E-mail List, Website & Newsletter Info
Join the Email List: 12SouthNeighborhoodAssociation-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
View the Website: www.12South.org
Get the Newsletter: Bill Compton or Barbara Whiteman at 385-4507

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December Calendar
Dec. 16    Hanukah begins
Dec. 25    Christmas
Dec. 26    Kwanzaa

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3 is the Magic Number
It is very important that every incident of crime be reported to three phone numbers.
1) Police Non-emergency: 862-8600
2) Sgt. Connie Tripp: 862-7747, ctripp@police.nashville.org
3) 12South Neighborhood Association: 463-2795, 12southneighbors@bellsouth.net

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Clip & Save: Important Phone Numbers
€Bulk-item pick up: 880-3897
€Report illegal dumping, sewage, excessive vegetation & littered vacant lots to the Metro Health Dept. (Metro will investigate within 24 hours.): 340-5644
€Councilman Ronnie Greer, Dist. 17 (east side of 12th Ave. S.): ronnie.greer@nashville.gov, 385-2893
€Councilwoman Ginger Hausser, Dist. 18 (west side of 12th Ave. S.): ginger.hausser@nashville.gov, 783-0106
€Police: Non-emergency: 862-8600
€Larry Cole, Metro’s Vector Control (rodent problems): 340-5668
€Abandoned Cars (on street/private property): 862-6590
€Call-before-you-dig: 1-800-351-1111
€Animal Control: 862-7928
€Chipper Service: 862-8971

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HOMES for sale
by Alyssa Gilliam
622 Benton $139.9K, 1,523 sq.ft., 383-0000
929 Lawrence, $250K, 1,680 sq.ft., 425-3600
807 Montrose, $254.9K, 1,320 sq.ft., 425-3600
2402 9th Ave S, $255K, 1,916 sq.ft., 333-7400
836 Clayton, $257.5K, 1,068 sq. ft., 425-3600
911 Lawrence, $259.9K, 2,117 sq.ft., 383-2050
1007 Halcyon Ave, $294.9K, 1,797 sq.ft., 369-3278
1017 Bate Ave, $309.9K, 2,216 sq.ft., 661-4400
840 Clayton, $320K, 1,780 sq.ft., 383-2050
1509 Paris, $340K, 2,445 sq.ft., 661-4400
1904 Elliott, $340K, 2,622 sq.ft., 292-3552
910 Bradford, $249K, 2,330 sq.ft., 297-3574
2221 10th Ave S, $349.9, 1,650 sq.ft., 383-3142
1202 Cedar, $349.9K, 1,898 sq.ft., 383-6964
922 S. Douglas, $350K, 2,300 sq.ft., 254-1897
928 S. Douglas, $419.9K, 2,614 sq.ft., 661-4400
2606 Vaulx, $425K, 2,118 sq.ft., 385-9010
1106  Lawrence, $437.5K, 2,712 sq.ft., 690-5803
1510 Paris, $499.9K, 2,648 sq.ft., 383-6964
826 Benton, $469.9K, 2,400 sq.ft., 370-8282
2606 Vaulx, $475K, 2,560 sq.ft., 385-9010
829D Clayton, $499.5K, 3,223 sq. ft., 327-0754
915 Montrose, $549.9K, 3,024 sq.ft., 383-6964
908 Bradford, $569K, 3,458 sq.ft., 771-6620
724 Benton, $585K, 3,758 sq.ft., 369-3278
917 Knox Ave, $589.9K, 2,849 sq.ft., 371-0185
1506 Dallas, $599K, 2,960 sq.ft., 385-9010
815 Halcyon, $639.9K, 3,214 sq.ft., 370-8282
1510 Dallas, $669.9K, 3,196 sq.ft., 370-8282

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Advertise With Us!
Business rates: $20 /month or $200 / year for a display ad; $10 /month or $100 /yr for a three-lined classified ad. Resident rates: $5/mo for a classified ad. (Send a jpeg of artwork/business card, etc. to be include in ad.) The deadline for the January newsletter is 5 p.m., Friday, December 22. Send ads/ques. to Melanie Moran at melanie.moran@12South.org or call her at 297-8204.

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The 12South Neighborhood Association is a Tennessee non-profit membership corporation governed by a board of directors. The board holds neighborhood meetings each second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at locations published by newsletter and e-mail. Anyone living in or owning property or a business in the 12South Neighborhood (generally, areas adjacent to 12th Ave. South between Wedgewood Ave. and Gale Lane) may become a voting member of the Association by paying annual dues of $10 per person or $5 per person if 65 or older. The Association’s meetings, events, and e-mail list are open to everyone in the 12South Neighborhood regardless of membership. Contact Justin Adams at justin.adams@12South.org or 463-2795 for more information. Send neighborhood news to Melanie Moran at melanie.moran@12South.org or 297-8204.

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Officers/Staff

President: David Thompson
Treasurer: Bernadette Welch
Secretary:
Justin Adams, 463-2795
justin.adams@12South.org
Newsletter Editor:
Melanie Moran, 297-8204 or melanie.moran@12South.org
Newsletter Designer:
Wendy Stamberger
stamco@bellsouth.net