Jackie Venson Brings a Taste of Texas Blues to Tennessee for Center Hill Blues Fest!

September 29, 2021
By:

The blues takes center stage in the country Saturday, Oct. 2 for some down home fun under the stars at the inaugural Center Hill Blues Fest. The family and pet friendly event will be held at the Burlap Room Beer Garden and Tap Room on the scenic grounds of Bert Driver Nursery in Smithville, DeKalb County.

“We’re thrilled to have Jackie Venson headline our inaugural Blues Fest,” says event organizer and host Bert Driver. “She carries on the tradition of Texas greats like Lightnin’ Hopkins and Stevie Rae Vaughan with her own uniquely soulful style of guitar and singing.”

Venson (www.jackievenson.com) has been featured on her hometown’s Austin City Limits, released several critically acclaimed albums, and is currently on a national tour. She hits the stage around 8pm, backed by drummer Rodney “Rodzilla” Hyder. The music begins around 6pm when openers, Few Miles On (www.fewmilesonband.com), a power trio out of Cookeville, crank up the festivities with their
Southern blues groove.

“Throughout the year, at events like our Earth Day, Lake Fest, Hemp Fest, and Crawfish Boil
we’ve highlighted a range of American musical traditions: bluegrass, Southern and classic rock,
R&B, jazz and the sounds of New Orleans,” says Driver. “Blues is the root of them all, and with
the Center Hill Blues Fest we want to give this seminal style the celebration it deserves.”

Representatives of Nashville’s new Museum of African American Music (www.nmaam.org) will
also be on hand to promote the museum and its special mission during the Blues Fest. “We’re
proud to have an opportunity to help spread awareness of a museum dedicated to music and
performers we all love,” says Driver.

Gates for the Center Hill Blues Fest open at 4:00 PM. The music starts around 6:00 PM with
Jackie Venson slated to hit the stage around 8:00 PM. For more information call 615-597-9560.

September 28, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A celebration was held Tuesday afternoon for two adults who have graduated from the DeKalb County Recovery Court Program and are on the path to sober living.

The program for recovery court graduates Larry Murphy and Michael Powell was held on the east side steps of the DeKalb County Courthouse.

Each of the graduates received a plaque and a $50 check from General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Cook, II in recognition of their accomplishments.

“Our uplifting graduation is evidence of the tremendous impact the DeKalb County Recovery Court has had on our community. It will send a powerful message that these programs are vital to the health and well being of our state. There are more than 4,000 treatment courts serving 150,000 people saving billions of dollars reducing addiction, crime, and recidivism. What an honor that Judge Bratten H. Cook has started and continued this program in our county. These graduates chose recovery court and we are privileged to be able to recognize them today,” said DeKalb County Recovery Court Coordinator Kate Arnold.

Recovery Court is an alternative sentencing program that gives local, non-violent offenders with substance use disorder the opportunity to complete an intense one year plus court supervised recovery program.

Participants undergo rigorous treatment for their disease and develop new habits for successful living. The program combines evidence-based substance use treatment with strict behavioral accountability and ultimately reduces the harmful effects of repeated and untreated addiction problems on the citizens of DeKalb County.

“When we take a participant into the Recovery Court program I let them know, if you want the easy way out just go on down and lay in jail because that is the easy way. You get three hots and a cot (three hot meals a day and a cot to sleep on) and you don’t have to do anything but you will come out the same or worse than when you went in. If you want to change your life then we are here to help you,” said Judge Cook.

The program opened with a prayer by John Quintero of Haven of Hope and a welcome by DeKalb Recovery Court Coordinator Kate Arnold. The guest speaker was Larry Latzman, certified peer specialist who works at Volunteer Behavior Health.

(DeKalb Recovery Court Team Members pictured left to right: Rhonda Tiefenauer- Recovery Court Case Manager, Allison West-Assistant Public Defender, Clara Knowles-PSI Probation; Kate Arnold-Coordinator; Larry Latzmanm Certified Peer Support; graduates Michael Powell and Larry Murphy, Judge Bratten H. Cook, II, Local attorney and Smithville Municipal Judge Gayla Hendrix, and John and Kay Quintero with Haven of Hope)

September 28, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The First Ever Cars and Paws Car Show will be held downtown Smithville on the public square Saturday October 2 starting at 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m. Proceeds will go to benefit the DeKalb Animal Shelter. A pet adoption event will also be held in conjunction with the car show.

“My wife Sherry and I have lived in Smithville for the last couple of years and we wanted to do something to benefit the animal shelter so a car show was something that we naturally gravitated to because I love cars and especially old cars and she sells cars. Sherry formally worked at the local Ford dealership and now works for the one in McMinnville,” said Michael Shane Wilcher.

Pre-Registration is underway: 1 automobile-$20; 2 automobiles $30; 3 automobiles $35. An additional $5.00 the day of the show. Food vendors will be available: $20 will go straight to the charity the day of the show. No new food vendors on the day of the show.

“This will not be a super stringent or very polished car show. It’s a benefit that just happens to be a car show so we want people who love all types of cars to come out and think of showing their cars as a way to benefit that charity,” said Wilcher.

Visit the DeKalb Animal Shelter Facebook Page and look for the event tab to get more information or go to the First Ever Cars and Paws Car Show facebook page for registration details.

Contact Michael Shane and or Sherry Wilcher at 931-581-8416 or 629-207-1316.

Meanwhile the 2nd annual Hogs for Dogs Poker Run sponsored by the Friends of the DeKalb Animal Shelter will be Saturday, October 16 starting and ending at Twisted Oaks. A silent auction will also be held from around noon until 4:30 p.m. Check facebook later for more details.

A DeKalb County Haunted History Tour will be October 19 & 21 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. starting at the law office of Sarah Cripps. Tickets are $10 each.

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