• I was able to do some brief siteseeing while traveling to D.C. last week for work. This (above) is as close as I got to the Capitol building.
• I walked through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon competition on the National Mall. The competition “joins 20 college and university teams in a competition to design, build, and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house.” There were dozens of full-size structures on display powered entirely by the sun.
• I was handed a pamphlet by a group called No War, No Warming, which among other causes advocates ending the war in Iraq and ending the America’s addiction to fossil fuels. I agree with this group’s purpose, but not necessarily its tactics.
• I am sad to learn about the violent incidents that occurred over the weekend near where I was staying in Georgetown. (While not directly related to the No War, No Warming “civil disobedience,” the Georgetown demonstrations and the related violence were inspired by the annual World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings being held this week.)

• One of my all-time favorite bands, The Samples (official Web site featuring a signature tune, Little Silver Ring) is playing 3rd and Lindsley tonight. I’ve enjoyed the pensive, powerful music of Sean Kelly and Company since being introduced to it by a classmate from Colorado in 1991. If you’re looking for something to do, and you’re not already going to see the Disco Biscuits tonight, check this performance by a band described as a “cross between The Police and the Grateful Dead” playing “reggae influenced rock/pop” out. [Image: Wikipedia]
• It seems hard to believe now, but eventual blockbuster acts such as Dave Mathews Band and Hootie and the Blowfish opened for the Samples in the early 90s. Although that kind of success has eluded Kelly and his fellow musicians, the Samples have continued to release enjoyable, thoughtful music that addresses topics as diverse as love, sustainability, politics, innocence and mortality along the way.
• Reverend Kenneth Locke of Downtown Presbyterian Church says Nashville needs more public restrooms downtown. Is he right? I tend to agree with him, though we need to navigate possible problems such as vandalism and cottaging in advance if we’re going to take this on. I’m not sure we’re ready for restroom attendants, either.
• Aspiring Preds suitor Jim Balsillie is still maintaining a Web site where Ontario fans can put down season ticket deposits for the “Hamilton Predators.” Thanks for the offer, Jim, but no thanks. (Hat tip to Paul McCann.)
• Preds fans, put your clicks where your mouth is, or something like that, by completing WSMV’s online survey about whether the city should do more to help the team. It’s divided 50/50 as I write this post.

• Jackson Miller rode a motorcycle all the way from Nashville to D.C. this weekend, and he’s learned a few things along the way: “People really don’t mean to almost kill motorcyclists, it is just easy to zone off when driving a car.” [Image: Jaxn.org]
• Kevin Barbieux is talking about gift bags to help people who are homeless with toiletries and other items, and he’s got some very good suggestions.
• Brave thoughts and words from Kateo on her sexuality. Thanks for such a candid and honest post, Kate.
• Newscoma has started an intriguing conversation about the new biography of late Peanuts creator Charles Schultz and why our faults only make us more approachable, not less talented.

If everything is going according to schedule, Mayor Karl Dean is speaking to the city’s movers and shakers right now at the Nashville Rotary Club. This Sunday will mark one month in office for the mayor, and there’s been plenty of activity to keep him busy during that time: School zoning reorganization discussions, high profile incidences of juvenile violence and negotiations with the prospective Preds ownership group, to name a few.

According to the calendar in today’s Tennessean, Dean is planning to talk about his first month in office and his early actions as mayor. I’m eager to see where all of the items I’ve mentioned above are ultimately headed, but so far Dean has clearly seemed engaged, active and willing to listen. He’s remembering his campaign platform by holding a series of town hall meetings on education and doing his best to get up to full speed quickly.

What’s your take on Dean now that he’s settling in as mayor? Is he off to a good start, still coasting through a honeymoon period or on the right track? Let me know your take in the comments. [Image: Nashville.gov]

• The City Paper’s William Williams says Nashville is a mess. He’s right that our tangled web of an urban core didn’t have the forethought and planning it really needed, and we’re in sore need of more sidewalks even after Mayor Purcell’s emphasis on concrete. This is one thing, Williams makes the case, where Memphis easily bests Nashville. (Gasp!) [Image: City Paper]
• StoryCorps, the living narrative promoted frequently on NPR, is open and listening in Nashville for about one year. This is a chance, as Professor Keating remarked in Dead Poets Society, to contribute a verse to the life’s ongoing poem.
• Letter writer William Masters makes a good point: Most of America’s Founding Fathers were devout Christians, and they had the good sense to make room for people of all faiths to live, work and be a part of the civic and political processes. Thanks, y’all.

• I’m glad to see Preds coach Barry Trotz doing his best Herb Brooks imitation by putting his players, who are 0-3 after looking sharp out of the gate, through a grueling practice today. Wake up, guys! Go Preds!

• Please, sir, may I have another: Vandy inflicts another devastating loss on its fans as it fumbles away an upset against Georgia. Ouch. The Bulldogs’ Brandon Coutu (above) had the knockout punch with a field goal as time expired.
• This year’s Commodores squad has the most talent Vanderbilt has fielded in years, but it isn’t making a difference in a wild and balanced Southeastern Conference. The SEC playing field is as level as ever before, and no one has to tell LSU that after Kentucky (yes, Kentucky) downed the top-ranked Tigers 43-37 yesterday.

• To Jim Balsillie: Thanks, but no thanks (not that you asked me). I don’t believe your sudden faith in Nashville as a hockey market, and I still think you’ll look for the first opportunity you can to shift the Preds to Ontario.
• How much is Balsillie offering (while not offering during an exclusive negotiating period, of course) for the team now? If it’s close to the David Freeman group’s offer of $193 million, that frees up more than $40 million of Balsillie’s original offer to pay the way out of town in the future. That’s all or at least a large chunk of the $25 to $75 million Balsillie is promising as an exit fee paid to the city for the Preds’ departure.
• Is this offer remotely serious, or is Balsillie reappearing at the perfect time to add pressure to the “still-making progress” negotiations between the city and the Freeman Group? This is sheer speculation, but would Balsillie’s leverage to keep the Preds in town give him a leg up with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for an expansion franchise down the road?
• What does Bo Roberts, fresh from the Howard Gentry and Dean campaign camps, know that the rest of us don’t? I respect Bo, but I am seriously questioning why he has aligned with an offer and a potential owner that are at the least very suspicious.

• The Scene’s Bruce Barry makes a sound argument that statistics and data alone do not make the case for efforts to keep the Preds in town. I am in favor or amending the lease to secure the team’s future in Nashville because there are intangible benefits to having–and keeping–a major-league professional franchise.
• I agree with Metro Council Emily Evans that the decision to use public resources to lure–and retain–sports franchises has already been made (in the mid-1990s). I respect and understand the objections of those who oppose subsidizing franchises under any circumstances, but I believe Nashville answered that question long ago. We’re not at a point, in my opinion, where abandoning that choice makes sense.
• Same sex adoption opponents: Would you really rather have Rob Briley care for your children than Keith Durbin?
• You are now free to not wait in line as long: Southwest is modifying its open-seating policy. This looks like a good idea and a nice balance between open and assigned seating. No more standing in line because one person with an “A” boarding pass starts the queue 90 minutes before departure. Ding.

• Just when you thought it was safe to return to District 19, former Metro Council member Ludye Wallace (above) has to serve 24 hours of community service by Dec. 7 to avoid further consequences for an arrest on gambling charges. Will he do the “time”? (Warning: Wallace can run for the district seat again in 2011. Start preparing now.) [Image source: The Tennessean]
• The Metro Nashville Police Department has made a major dogfighting bust in Joelton, one described as a “near professional” operation. I’m glad they caught the ringleaders, but who’s paying to see this disgusting spectacle? Is Michael Vick a “former” Atlanta Falcons player, as the City Paper describes?
• The September fund-raising scorecard for the mayoral runoff election: Karl Dean $187,761 (not including $320,000 in his own funds contributed to the campaign during the month), Bob Clement $59,504.
• No more Kats, for the second time: Is the AFL team’s demise a good thing for the Preds or a sign of things to come? I think it’s more of the former, but I can’t ignore the latter. I prefer the puck over the indoor football, but I think the second coming of the Kats never overcame their original unraveling during a successful era at the gate and on the field.
• Start counting, Nashville: The Preds’ average paid attendance is 13,724 after two home games, 276 below the 14,000 threshold the team must maintain to qualify for the NHL’s revenue sharing pool and to keep its lease at the Sommet Center valid. Remember: This is a marathon, not a sprint. Shoot, wrong sport again…

• Are the Preds a better team without Paul Kariya on their roster? I think they’ll post fewer points during the regular season, but they may be a tougher test in the playoffs with their current lineup. Yes, I think they’ll make the playoffs.
• How much “progress” can you make without getting a deal done? Mayor Karl Dean and the prospective Preds ownership group are still negotiating. This is beginning to seem like getting a penalty when the football is spotted half-a-foot from the goal line. Wait, wrong sport …
• Speaking of progress, I hope this minority hiring initiative makes it from blueprint to contract someday, unlike prior efforts.
• I like the new Chamber of Commerce logo. The old one never really excited me.
• The Cahal shooting is horrible. My thoughts go out to the victim’s family. This tragedy is an exclamation point on the sentence the mayoral race started about needing to reduce juvenile crime.
• Looking beyond the Harry Potter influences, this student grouping at Harding Academy makes a lot of sense to me. All of our kids could use more mentoring and guidance to become leaders and responsible citizens.

I was very saddened to hear about Clarksville resident Bo Ward’s public suicide in today’s Tennessean. It must be very traumatizing for those in the room, and my sympathies are with Mr. Ward’s widow as she begins to face what happened yesterday evening. I hope she is surrounded by family members and supportive friends.

• I think Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper is right to say that the council should never meet again in that room. I hope the council will incorporate metal detectors into whatever venue replaces the current room.
• There is a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline available 24 hours a day by phone at (800) 273-8255.
• The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) is a grassroots organization devoted to educating the public about suicide and working to reduce incidences of suicide. It does not operate a hotline service, but it is nonetheless dedicated to the cause of preventing this kind of tragedy.
• TSPN is partnering with the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention this fall. Their campaign will kick off on Tuesday, October 16, at 6 p.m. in the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville. Nashville and Baltimore are the only two sites that have been selected for this national organization’s effort.

One of my closest friends lost someone three years ago to suicide. She is still haunted by this loss, and what happened touched many, many people who knew and cared about the person in question. I hope anyone who is considering suicide and, equally importantly, anyone who may know someone who is exhibiting warning signs will seek help immediately. My thoughts are with everyone impacted by this tragedy today.