Social Services is now accepting registration for children to attend Kamp Kiwanis this summer. Kamp Kiwanis provides a one-week camping experience for deserving Davidson County children.
Many children describe this week as the "highlight of the year, even better than Christmas!" Supervised by trained and caring counselors, the children have a wide-variety of activities: swimming, crafts, horseback riding, games, archery, movies, bowling, hiking, ---just to name a few. The children stay in new cabins, with a counselor who is with them at all times. One little girl described Kamp Kiwanis as "A piece of cake." When asked what she meant, she explained, "You know how you don't get cake that often, but when you do, it is soooo good!" Kamp Kiwanis has been providing a lifetime of memories for Davidson County children since 1928. (Thanks to Ray Howell of the Lexington Kiwanis Club, for this description of Kamp Kiwanis activities.

For links to register, please visit http://www.co.davidson.nc.us/

2012 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES—11:30 a.m. CENTENNIAL PARK - 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from April-October.

April 26:             Les Kerr / Bayou Band

May 10:                 Nioshi Jackson Experiment Band

May 24:                 John Richards Band

June 14:               Steve Roper Band

June 28:               The Toca Trio

July 12:   Michael Fair Band

July 26:   Laura Vida Band

August 9:             San Rafael Band

August 23:           Babby Musa/Nature's Drums

Sept.13:               Higher Ground Band

Sept.27:               Joe Johnson Band

October:               All Star Jam Band & Special Guest

RED CABOOSE - 7 P.M. Bellevue Park

June 1:           The WannaBeatles

June 8:           Bill McCallie & In Cahoots

June 15:           City Lights Orchestra

June 22:         Moonlighters

June 29:       The Dave Jennette Band

July 3:           Boomerangs

July 20:         The Blues Brokers

July 27:           Deep Grooves Steel Drum Band

BIG BAND DANCES - 7 P.M. CENTENNIAL PARK

June 2:         The Moonlighters (Polka)

June 9:           Rory Partin & All Star Big Band (Cha-Cha)

June 16:         Music City Swing (Swing)

June 23:         The Jerry Vinett Big Band (Salsa)

June 30:         The J. Bradley Big Band (Fox Trot)

July 14:           The Jazz Alliance (Swing)

July 21:           Debbi Bailes & Her Band (Rhumba)

July 28:           Radio Dazev   (Cha-Cha)

August 4:       The Lynn Beal Big Band (Fox Trot)

August 11:     The Merchants of Cool (Tango)

August 18:     The Paul Ross Orchestra (Salsa)

August 25:     The Moonlighters (Waltz)

TALES AT TWILIGHT - 7 P.M. BELLEVUE RED CABOOSE PARK

August 3:       Dennis Scott - Just Imagine

August 10:     Zinghoppers

August 17:     Farmer Jason

August 24:     Nashville Ballet

DRAGON MUSIC SUNDAY - 3 P.M. FANNIE MAE DEES PARK

May 20:               The Steeldrivers

May 27:               Suzi Ragsdale

June 3:                 Jim Lauderdale w/Country Band

June 10:               Will Kimbrough

June 17:               Brother Henry

June 24:               The Paperhead

COMMUNITY CONCERT BAND: 7 P.M., JUNE 17, Centennial Park Band Shell

The year 2012 marks Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary and to kick off this year-long commemoration, each state park will host its own special hike in the first few days of the New Year.

“We are very excited to announce Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary and felt this series of First Hikes would be a fitting way to commence the various celebrations slated throughout the year and across the state,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau.  “Following the old Gaelic tradition of ‘first footing,’ the First Hikes are meant to encourage all Tennesseans to hit the trail and get 2012 started on the right foot.”

From Meeman-Shelby to Fall Creek Falls to Roan Mountain and every state park in between, the 2012 First Hikes are designed for all ages and abilities.  Some hikes will be approximately one mile in length and tailored for novice hikers, while others are lengthier and geared toward more experienced hikers.  For a more in-depth look into planned First Hikes in your area, please visit www.tn.gov/environment/parks/firsthikes/.

In addition to the First Hikes slated for early January, Tennessee State Parks will host a variety of special events throughout 2012 and has unveiled a specially-designed 75th Anniversary logo – reminiscent of the ranger uniform patches of yesteryear.

The Tennessee State Parks system was established through legislation in 1937, and those laws – with modifications and additions over the years – remain the framework for park operations today.  As in most states, Tennessee began in cooperation with federal programs that instigated individual parks. Later, Depression era recovery programs gave a boost to the idea and the possibility of creating parks. The Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration worked on land conservation, but also delved further into the actual planning and construction of what would become the first of 53 Tennessee State Parks.

Today, there is a state park within an hour’s drive of just about anywhere in Tennessee.  A 2009 University of Tennessee study highlights the positive economic impacts that state parks provide local communities, particularly in rural areas of the state.  The study found that for every dollar spent on trips to Tennessee State Parks, an additional $1.11 of economic activity was generated throughout the state.  When the direct and indirect expenditures were combined, the impact of Tennessee State Parks to the state’s economy was $1.5 billion in total industry output, supporting more than 18,600 jobs.

“Our vision statement highlights the inherent value of our natural environment, along with the value of the many physical reminders of Tennessee’s past,” added Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill.  “Tennessee’s state parks have played such an important role in our history, and they play a critical role in our health and quality of life, which will benefit Tennesseans well into the future.”

Tennessee’s state parks deliver a rich fabric of natural landscapes, wild places, preserved ecologies, outdoor recreational opportunities and protected historic scenes and resources – together representing the heritage of Tennessee in the landscape.

Tennessee's 53 state parks and 82 state natural areas offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families or business and professional groups.  State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses.  For a free brochure about Tennessee State Parks, call toll free at 1-888-867-2757. For upcoming events in connection with the 75th Anniversary of Tennessee State Parks, please visit the state parks website at www.tnstateparks.com.

Before the calendar flips to 2012, help us kick off the new year in Nashville.

United Way is recruiting 2,012 people to jumpstart 2012 -- an army of individuals invested in our neighbors and our city. The coming weeks will mark the start of something extraordinary: an effort to build a better life for every single Nashvillian.

Today I ask you to become one of the 2,012 in 2012. You can join us in two ways: Contribute a year-end gift to support our essential work in 2012, and then commit to volunteer in your community.

Join the movement today and get a limited edition t-shirt if you donate $25 or a hoodie if you donate $50.

Join us now and you'll be making an investment in the future of our great city. Purchase an apparel item before the end of the year to show your support and help jumpstart a brand new Nashville. We look forward to seeing you in your 2,012 in 2012 challenge t-shirt or hoodie to volunteer at the next United Way Day of Action or other volunteer opportunity in the first quarter!

The movement to transform Nashville has begun. Will you be part of it?

http://impact.unitedwaynashville.org/2012

Bob Dennis
2011 & 2012 Campaign Chair
United Way of Metropolitan Nashville

SPRING HILL, Tenn. – General Motors will invest $61 million to bring its idled Spring Hill assembly plant back to life as one of the world’s most-flexible manufacturing facilities capable of building any GM car or crossover based on customer demand or manufacturing need.

The investment will create 594 hourly jobs and 91 salaried positions for the flexible operation scheduled to begin with the hot-selling Chevrolet Equinox in the second half of 2012. The additional production will supplement Equinox production in Canada, the main assembly sites of the midsize crossover vehicle and its sibling the GMC Terrain.

The Equinox has been so popular – U.S. sales were up 18 percent in October – that GM has increased production three times since it went into production in 2009.

GM also announced Monday a second investment of $183 million for future midsize vehicles to be built at Spring Hill, located about 40 miles south of Nashville. Timing was not announced, but that investment is expected to create an additional 1,090 hourly and 106 salaried positions.

“Spring Hill has a history as one of GM’s most innovative and flexible plants,” said Cathy Clegg, vice president of GM Labor Relations. “We’re pleased that, working together with the UAW, we were able to build on that history and develop a plan to resume production at Spring Hill.”

The potential for Spring Hill’s future role was discussed as a part of negotiations for a four-year national labor agreement ratified in October.

"Our number one priority in auto negotiations this year was jobs," said UAW President Bob King.  "We asked the company to bring jobs back to America , and that’s what this collective bargaining agreement represents.  Together, we are bringing 1,800 jobs to Tennessee, and a total of 6,400 new GM jobs, which translates to nearly 60,000 good, auto-related jobs in the United States."

Equinox production is only the start for Spring Hill Flex. Operators will be capable of building a variety of products on a range of platforms – covering for plants being retooled for new products and also allowing real-time reaction to sales spikes in a given car or crossover.

Spring Hill powertrain and stamping operations, part of the integrated complex that was the home to the former Saturn brand from 1990 to 2007 and the Chevrolet Traverse large crossover into 2009, are still operating. In fact, GM has invested $515 million in the engine operations in the last 14 months for current and next-generation Ecotec 4-cylinder engine production.

"The re-opening of Spring Hill is a testament to the value of collective bargaining," said UAW Vice President Joe Ashton, who directs the union's General Motors Department. "Collective bargaining works for companies, for workers and for America. Collective bargaining is what brought good jobs to Tennessee.  It is what built our middle class. It is how workers and communities have a voice in corporate decision-making. Bargaining is what gives the working class a seat at the table."

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.