05.10.2024

Today’s Forecast

69º | 12% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 5:44 a.m. | Sunset 7:42 p.m.

A Message From Our Team

A thermometer graphic showing how close we are to our fundraising goal + a city skyline.

Graphic by 6AM City

We can’t thank our readers enough for contributing to our fundraising goal. We’re still $1,200 away from our goal of $3,000 — and our fundraising campaign ends tonight. Help us by giving today and supporting our free, unbiased approach to local journalism. We promise, this is the last time this year we’ll bother you about donations.

Help make our goal happen

🐑 What the flock

The Nashville Chew Crew is baaaack in action this summer

A flock of sheep and a white dog graze behind an electric fence. The dog is drinking out of a black tub of water.

Meet Nashville’s four-legged lawnmowers. | Photo by @friendsofshelby

If you’ve been walking along one of Nashville’s greenspaces, specifically during summer months when the grass grows quickly, you’ve probably baaacked it up for a second look when you caught sight of a flock of sheep. That’s just the Nashville Chew Crew.

It’s a name to know, considering they save the city thousands of dollars each year mowing, er we mean munching, hard-to-maintain landscapes like the Cumberland River Greenway.

How can I see the sheep?

A flock arrived to Shelby Park at the end of April, courtesy of a grant from Nashville Earth Day. They’ll graze the woods below the community center around Cave Spring, eating new growth from honeysuckle, privet, and other invasive plants, through the weekend. This is all a part of the Friends of Shelby Restore the Forest program, which you can also volunteer to help with.

Early next week, that flock will head to Fort Negley Park, and another crew of 300+ will get to work on the Cumberland River Greenway between the Clarksville Pike bridge and the I-65 bridge. Both flocks will remain here until late October or early November.

The crew is contained by temporary fencing called electric netting, which helps keep potential threats at bay. It is as it sounds, meaning you should view the fluffy neighbors at a distance.

A flock of sheep graze grass on either side of an asphalt path located next to the Cumberland River. — Still have questions? Here’s a more in-depth breakdown of how everything works. | Photo by @peregrinitea

Why sheep over goats?

There are several reasons for that. Firstly, both animals can achieve the same result. In owner Zach Richardson’s experience, sheep are safer for urban environments due to a flock-oriented nature, which makes them easier to transport + goat’s tend to be more “mischievous.”

Though their impact is big, the crew is quite small. Beyond the flock, the operation is maintained with the help of Richardson + guardian dogs — both of which help move and protect the sheep. Meet the team and learn more about their roles.

Asked

Which of the following attributes isn’t true of sheep?

A. Rectangular pupils provide wide range of vision
B. Third toe between the split hoof for balance
C. No top front teeth, but a hard upper palate
D. Upper lip divided by a groove helps with eating

Flock to the quiz

Events

Friday, May 10

Road to Bonnaroo Pool Party | Friday, May 10-Saturday, May 11 | 4-8 p.m. | White Limozeen, 101 20th Ave. N. | Cost of purchase | The celebration features a raffle giveaway for a pair of GA Bonnaroo tickets (must be present to win), specialty cocktails by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and DJ sets.

Saturday, May 11

TN Writers | TN Stories: Aime Alley Card | Saturday, May 11 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Tennessee State Museum, 1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. | Free | Hear from the author behind “The Tigerbelles,” a story of the 1960 Tennessee State University all-Black women’s track team and their Olympic glory at the 1960 games in Rome.
Kite Fest | Saturday, May 11 | 1-3 p.m. | Mill Ridge Park, 12924 Old Hickory Blvd. | Free | Play Like a Girl hosts kite flying lessons, picnic snacks, and lawn games for middle school girls in grades 6-8.
Flat Rock Music Festival | Saturday, May 11 | 3:30-11:30 p.m. | New Heights Brewing, 928 Rep. John Lewis Way S. | $29 | Nashville bands, including Wynton Existing, Iguanahead, and Trevor Clark, come together for a day of performances, vendors, and beer.

Sunday, May 12

Mother’s Day Pot-N-Sip Houseplant Class | Sunday, May 12 | 10-11:30 a.m. | 100 Taylor Arts Collective, 100 Taylor St. | $66 | Knockin Roots Plant Co. hosts a workshop where you’ll choose a plant and planter and pot the newest addition to your home — tickets include two beverages.

Monday, May 13

Carter Faith - Welcome to Cherry Valley | Monday, May 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Chief’s on Broadway, 200 Broadway | Free | The country artist will be joined by Ruston Kelly, Ashley Monroe, Lukas Nelson, Fancy Hagood, and more.

Tuesday, May 14

Steeped in History: Tea Presentation & Tasting | Tuesday, May 14 | 2-3 p.m. | The John P. Holt Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd. | $10 | Three Sisters Tearoom leads this interactive tea presentation and spring-inspired tasting — registration required.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Plan Ahead

The Louisville, KY music festival worth making the drive for

There’s no better pairing than warm weather and live music by the water. | Photo courtesy of Louisville Tourism

Memorial Day weekend trip to Bourbon City, anyone?

The inaugural GAZEBO Festival will be held at Louisville’s Waterfront Park on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26.

Jam out to a stacked lineup of 26 artists, including SZA, Jack Harlow, Vince Staples (and more) at this distinctly Louisville event.

One-day general admission, weekend, and VIP options are available. Pro tip: Check out these frequently asked questions before you go.

We have our tickets — do you?

News Notes

Open

Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee is now serving the Edgehill neighborhood. The West Nashville coffee shop soft opened its second area location this week at the NOVEL Edgehill apartment community and will offer coffee and pastries seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Coming Soon

Lyra will unveil its newest venture, Vega Shawarma, this summer at 1500 Gallatin Pk. S. The restaurant will offer Middle Eastern food in a “quick-service environment” for “on-the-go” Nashvillians. Expect market take-home items, fresh baked pita, vegetarian dishes, shawarma, and more.

Biz

The Arcade is filling up. Ugly Bagel marks the third known food and beverage concept eyeing space at the historic property, which is undergoing renovation. Other previously announced businesses include Urban Cowboy Public House and a bar by the owners of Cafe Roze. (Nashville Business Journal)

Edu

More student housing is on its way to an area next to TSU’s campus — 1200 W.H. Davis Dr. Officials approved up to $180 million in bonds for the Cobblestone Village Residence, which is expected to open by the fall 2026 semester. Two six-story buildings will offer 155 units with three, four, and five-bed floor plans. (Nashville Scene)

Featured

Livability included Franklin and Murfreesboro on its list of “Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US.” Franklin earned an overall “LivScore” of 799 on a scale of 1,000, ranking highest in the housing, economy, and transportation categories. Murfreesboro came in at 698 with a high environment rating.

Wellness

Match with a licensed therapist on Betterhelp and talk anytime, anywhere — phone, video, or text. Get 25% off your first month.*

Edu

🍎 Our teachers get an A+ from us

Red apples stacked on top of one another fill the camera frame.

There aren’t enough shiny red apples in the world to express our appreciation for local educators. | Photo via Unsplash

National Teacher Appreciation Week is coming to a close, but our teachers deserve praise beyond that — don’t you think?

Editor Dylan here. At my high school, Mr. Cottrell was the teacher everyone raved about. When it was my time to step into his classroom, I discovered his profound impact firsthand, and I’m grateful for his help shaping my writing skills

Editor Skylar here. My family’s full of educators, but I’m playing favorites (just this once). My mom spent 32 years as an English teacher, and I surely wouldn’t be writing your favorite morning newsletter without her influence.

Now, it’s your turn. Shout out a teacher who made an impact, and we’ll share it in a newsletter next week.

Better yet, enter our Six & Main Teacher Appreciation Giveaway (but hurry, the contest only runs through the end of today, May 10). The winner receives a basket filled with specialty items — including a candle from Nashville’s Coco Cadeaux.

The Buy

The Buy 5.10.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

This bestselling cordless table lamp. No cord means it’s ideal for outdoor lounge areas and patios — the rechargeable battery lasts up to 48 hours per full charge. Snag it in black, antique brass, or brushed nickel.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Skylar

From the editor

Don’t forget, Empty the Shelters begins today. For the next five days, you can pay a reduced adoption rate of $25 at Nashville Humane Association.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY