The local branch of the nonprofit established in 1982 has worked to address MNPS student needs — including mentorships, job shadowing, and school supplies — through various community partnerships.

One of the first steps to promote student success is to equip them with the necessary tools — which is why PENCIL recently opened a second location for teachers to shop for school supplies free of charge.

PENCIL Box has been serving MNPS through its West Nashville store (7199 Cockrill Bend Blvd.) since 2018, offering items like pencils, paper, notebooks, cleaning supplies, and more. Now, a larger number of teachers will have access to these classroom essentials through the new satellite location at 5380 Hickory Hollow Pkwy. in Antioch (inside Tri-Star Medical Plaza).

Teachers can make an appointment to shop at either location once per quarter. Those who wish to have supplies delivered can opt for delivery via the PENCIL Van.

$2.75 million worth of supplies — collected through community donations and local partnerships — have been distributed since the West Nashville location’s opening in 2018.

Want to volunteer? Sign up for slots through Hands On Nashville to assist teachers during shopping hours, or apply for tutoring + mentorship opportunities.

EVENTS

Today

Winter Birds at the Hill Forest's Edge | Fri., Jan. 14 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Warner Park Nature Center, 7311 Hwy. 100 | Free | Take part in a guided bird-watching exploration.
Gulch Ice Skating Rink Pop-up | Fri., Jan. 14 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | 241 11th Ave. S. | $20 | Tickets include skate rentals + two hours of skating time. ⛸️

Saturday

MLK Freedom Fest | Sat., Jan. 15 | 8 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $65+ | This year’s annual hip hop show will feature artists like Moneybagg Yo, Lil Durk, Rod Wave, and Latto.
Saturday Night Opry | Sat., Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. | Grand Ole Opry | $60+ | This show will feature sets from Lindsay Ell, Charles Esten, and others. 🎤
Warm Up By the Fire | Sat., Jan. 15 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Beaman Park Nature Center, 5911 Old Hickory Blvd. | Free | Take a moment to relax by the fire and nature. 🔥

Sunday

Lit & Fit Brunch | Sun., Jan. 16 | 9:30 a.m. | Flamingo Cocktail Club, 509 Houston St. | $20 | Ramp up your fitness goals with yoga and mimosas. 🥂
Tom Segura | Sun., Jan. 16 | 7 p.m. | Ryman Auditorium | $49.75+ | The comedian known for his Netflix specials like “Ball Hog” and “Completely Normal” will present his “I’m Coming Everywhere” World Tour.

Monday

Parnassus Book Club | Mon., Jan. 17 | 6 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The bookstore's book club will discuss "The Fortunate Ones" with author Ed Tarkington in attendance. 📖

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE JANUARY EVENTS

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NEWS NOTES

Weather

48º | Mostly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Community

Metro Parks is hosting three community meetings this month to share design options for Wharf Park. A virtual event will be hosted on Facebook from 12-1 p.m. on Jan. 21, with the two in-person events taking place on Jan. 19 + 22. See locations. 🌳
Could South Nashville be getting a new public park? The city is eyeing 10 acres of land for a new park just off Tusculum Road. The land acquisition phase is currently underway, with no additional details announced. (WZTV)

Development

Development isn’t slowing down in Midtown. A new mixed-use building is in the planning stages for 316 + 322 2nd Ave. N. The building is slated to be anchored by Tennessee Oncology Midtown, offering 144,000 sqft of medical office space and 6,000 sqft for retail. (Nashville Post)

Stat

80%. The amount of people who were in favor of a professional women’s sports team in Nashville, according to CAA ICON’s recent survey. The assessment collected input from over 4,400 sports professionals, local schools, and other survey participants + showed a high interest in a NWSL team. (Nashville Post)

Civic

The US Army Corps of Engineers’ Floodplain Management Services Study of Trace Creek is underway, following the Waverly flood last fall. The two-year, federally funded study aims to provide flood management information that will also be useful for those in need of flood insurance or financial assistance. (WZTV)

Edu

Shwab Elementary School art teacher Lindsey Mayfield is raising funds for a good behavior-based book vending machine for students. Lindsey recognized the importance of promoting literacy at the Title I school + is hoping to raise just over $7,000 to cover costs. 📚 (WTVF)

DYK

An esports gaming arena recently opened at CoolSprings Galleria in Franklin. UK-based Belong Gaming has 48 video game stations equipped with headsets, consoles, games, and more. Those looking to build community, train for a career, or have fun can opt for hourly, daily, or monthly memberships. 🎮 (The Tennessean)

Eat

If your New Year’s resolution is to try new restaurants, Eater Nashville has got you covered. In honor of ‘22, check out this list of 22 new restaurants around Music City, including Drusie & Darr, Audrey, and Bringle’s Smoking Oasis. 🍽️

📸 @jbehindtheglass

East Nashville’s Sweet 16th Bakery has been serving Nashville since 2004, and now the community is coming together to serve its owners.

Nearly 1,500 people have donated to owners Dan and Ellen Einstein following the news of Dan’s declining health and the decision to place him in hospice care.

As of Thursday, over $122,000 has been raised through a community-made GoFundMe to support the business and couple as Ellen spends time by Dan’s side. The bakery has also been decorated with notes and well wishes for the couple.

The Einsteins have made a significant impact in East Nashville, including when they gave away the bakery’s inventory for free the morning after the 2020 tornado.

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