I’ve had a great time writing BrentWord, helping found Brentwood Home Page and covering our city for the past 18 months. But today it’s time to say goodbye. You see, I’ve found a new career opportunity that pays much, much better than this self-employment, boot-strapped, start-up thing.

An email started circulating among the women in our neighborhood when a new mom asked what the going rate for a babysitter is today.

The responses started pouring in. $10 an hour; $12 an hour; even $15 an hour.

When did that happen? The most I ever paid a babysitter was $5 an hour and that was only if I really, REALLY liked them (or was desperate). Now, I realize it’s been 10 or 11 years since we hired a babysitter but still. Fifteen dollars an hour?

Are Brentwood babysitting fees a little like Brentwood gas prices? Ten percent more than anywhere else just because we can?

So, I hope you’ve enjoyed my contribution to BHP. I’m sure Kelly can find someone else willing to work 60-70 hours a week for less than minimum wage. Because I’m going to start burping some babies and potty training some preschoolers.

Soon. Real soon.

Speaking of soon, we’re going to have a real story on this in the weeks ahead, but I can’t not share the news any longer. One of my favorite Brentwood teenagers has produced a short film that's been accepted into the Nashville Film Festival. Anna Brown, a BHS senior and an amazing singer, actress and now filmmaker, created a nine-minute film Remember Me that touches the subject of Alzheimer’s disease.

“This is a nationally recognized festival, and she is ecstatic,” her mom Beth Brown shares. The festival runs April 14-20 at the Green Hills Cinemas but you don’t have to wait that long to see it (though let’s all plan to attend and support her when the actual date and time are set).

To see the film now go to, visit www.vimeo.com/annabrown.