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25th Annual Citizens' Police Academy to Begin
September 4, 2008
The Bristol Tennessee Police Department is accepting applications for the 25th annual Citizens' Police Academy. The Citizens' Police Academy will begin on October 13, 2008 and meet every Monday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. through December 15, 2008. All classes will be held at the Slater Community Center located at 325 McDowell St. Bristol, TN. The Citizens' Police Academy is aimed at providing area residents with an inside look at the operations and services of the police department as well as fostering a better working relationship between the Department and the general public. The program includes classroom instruction, exciting hands-on training and a graduation ceremony.
The classes cost $50.00 and are open to interested area residents.
During this twelve week-week course, Officers from the Department will instruct citizens in several areas including Law, Crime Prevention, Patrol, Investigations, Defensive Tactics, SWAT, Traffic, Recruitment, and Firearms training. The Academy is not designed to make participants certified police officers, nor does it give the graduates authority to act as police officers. The focus of the curriculum is to provide an informative overview of the fundamentals of police operations. This two-way communication will certainly be an effective and successful way to build a partnership between the community and the police department.
Chris Higbee Project to Perform Last Concert at Pavilion
on the Lake In Steele Creek Park
September 3, 2008
Ok, ladies, we are sure everyone remembers the night Sugarland got stuck in a New York City snow storm, when they were supposed to be playing Viking Hall in Bristol Tennessee and civic center officials had to punt and find a worthy replacement…………….and what did you hear? That's right one of the hottest all male bands on the east coast, the Poverty Neck Hillbillies.
Chris Higbee, fiddler player and PNH founder has started a new act, The Chris Higbee Project and they will be performing at Steele Creek on Saturday, September 6th at 7PM. The new band combines the talent and passion of several diverse musicians with countless influences, which provides a one of a kind show to entertain everyone. Childhood friend and initial lead singer with PHN Les Philburn sings some lead vocals and harmonies, along with Mark Vinsick playing lead guitar, Jay McKnight playing bass, Troy Williams, Larry Shotter and Nate Shrasser completing the ensemble, creates a sound unlike any other, they are rocking the house.
Come on out and enjoy an evening under the stars, complete with trees, a breeze, a lake and lots of fun. It's all happening at the Pavilion on the Lake at Steele Creek Park, remember there is never a charge to come to the park or for this concert series.
Bring a blanket, lawn chair or sit in our pavilion seating and enjoy a beautiful evening of music. Free chips and drinks for the first 200 persons.
It's Great On State Summer Concert Series Downtown
August 25, 2008
It's Great on State was never as true as it is today. We have music, food, shops & festivals……all downtown on the city's most famous street.
It's Great On State concert series will be hosted in the 800 block of State Street, which will be closed for these events. Two stages will be located within the Downtown Center complex allowing for continuous, non-stop music. A wide variety of food will be available from various vendors. A beer garden will be open on private property across the street from the Downtown Center.
The concert is a welcome back student bash, scheduled for Thursday, August 28th. King College, V.I. College, ETSU Bristol, and others have been involved in the process of booking bands that appeal to the students of the area. Local band Southern 76 will open the night at 5:00 PM, then the well-known college groups Rise Phoenix Rise of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, along with Downstroke from Chattanooga, Tennessee will be taking the stage beginning at 8:00 PM.
Most all the restaurants will be featuring live music after the concerts series. When the music stops in the 800 block of the street, take a walk on downtown and see just how "Great on State" really is.
Bristol Tennessee Announces Inaugural Citizens Municipal Academy
August 20, 2008
The city of Bristol Tennessee announced the creation of its inaugural Citizens Municipal Academy. The program is designed to familiarize citizens with city government, its services and role in the community. The program will also provide Bristol residents with the knowledge necessary to better understand and support city efforts for the enrichment and development of the Bristol community.
"Participation requires a commitment of one evening a week for six weeks. The 2008 Academy is scheduled for Thursdays from October 16 through November 20th." said Kevin Bratton, Director of Human Resources. "Each of the sessions will commence at 6:00 p.m. and will last approximately two hours. Class size is limited and you must be 21 years of age to participate." continued Bratton.
Academy sessions will be held at various locations. At the conclusion of the academy, participants will be invited to attend the December 2, 2008 City Council meeting to be publicly recognized and receive a graduation certificate.
For more information on the 2008 Citizens Municipal Academy please go to the city website: www.bristoltn.orgor contact Kevin Bratton at (423) 989-5526.
Traffic Plans Announced for BMS August 2008 Race Weekend
August 14, 2008
The City of Bristol, Tennessee, in conjunction with many other agencies in Tennessee and Virginia, has developed the overall race traffic management plan for the August 20-23 events at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS). The traffic management plan also addresses other safety and security issues in and around Bristol Motor Speedway. Bristol Traffic Engineer David Metzger and the Bristol Tennessee Police Department will discuss these plans with the media at a press conference scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2008, at the Municipal Annex Building at 104 8th Street in downtown Bristol.
"Our guests should see our pedestrian safety enhancement project very near completion and we believe they will like the changes," said Jeff Byrd, President and General Manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. "But, even with the added room for foot traffic, we ask everyone to be aware of their surroundings and be safe."
This plan was designed with the safety of our citizens and visitors as our paramount concern. Special attention has been given to all the pedestrians in the area of the racetrack and to their safety. Please arrive early to account for any delays in passing through the security checkpoints established for fan safety. It is suggested to use a clear plastic bag to carry your items into the speedway to speed up the search process and to have your cooler ready to be inspected at the gate. <<MORE>>
There Is "Soul" In The City
August 8, 2008
Listen closely, there is soul in the city……….Sit back relax and let the music take you to a time and a place when the music was smooth and had a simple straightforward message.…..the sounds of Motown are coming to Downtown Bristol, Thursday August 14, beginning at 5P.M. and going until the last dance.
It is the third in the "It's Great On State" concert series. Food, fun and the music of Diana, Remember when you road around in Dad's car with the windows rolled down listening to Baby Love, Dancing in the Streets, Chain of Fools, Drift Away, Grapevine, Proud Mary, Respect, and many more of the songs that were the background music to our lives.
The main act, Gino, has a long record of doing the best of Motown. The band is a seven piece ensemble that knows soul. The group reining from Georgia will bring the crowd to its feet every time. The band Scat Cats & the Wells Brothers along with local favorite Southern '76 will open for Gino. Come hear unexpected music in an expected venue.
There is no charge to the event, get there early to get your seat. Two stages will be on the grounds so the music never stops. Enjoy dinner out, with your choice of a catfish dinner, pizza, hotdogs, locally famous BBQ prepared on site, desserts of all kinds and your drink of choice.
Annual Corn Fest Set for this Weekend at the Market
August 7, 2008
What is better at a weekend barbeque than the sweet taste of freshly picked corn hot off the grill? This weekend, Saturday August 9 come to the State Street Farmer's Market and try all the different varieties of corn available….by the truckload.
Yes, it is that time of year whether you are freezing or canning corn for the winter or just need a few ears for the weekend you can't get it any fresher than picked from the garden in the morning and in your hands before noon.
Farmers from throughout the area will be on hand with their produce including corn, eggplant, zucchini, squash, onions, potatoes, green beans, Shellie beans, every kind of pepper one can think of, tomatoes of all varieties, and lots more There is also a variety of fresh cut flowers, fresh baked cakes and breads along with crafts for you to choose from. There will be bluegrass music by local musicians Sapling Grove, the Chef from Southeast Culinary College will be in house preparing a brand new simple and easy to prepare recipe and best of all you can try every type of corn being sold at the market. A fresh kettle of corn-on-the-cob will be boiling and ready for you to try. Stop by and try it out.
The market opens at 7AM each morning and goes on until the farmers sell-out.
The music, the chef demonstration, the fun and the fresh boiled corn is all free. While you are there stop by and get your complimentary copy of the new farmer's market poster for 2008.
The market is located in beautiful downtown Bristol on 810 State Street at the country music mural and is open every Saturday and Wednesday.
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Photos Courtesy of Malcolm J. Wilson and Bristol News Paper
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