Since the day we started Brentwood Home Page, I’ve been threatening to surprise a bride-to-be at Sugar Drop Bridal to do a Say Yes to the Dress story. I’m addicted to the TLC reality show. Guess that tells you how great my social life is, given that it airs on Friday nights.

On Thursday I got an email that contained big breaking news. And I’m not talking flash floods or court news.

Two Brentwood companies play a starring role in tonight’s new spinoff show, Say Yes to the Dress Bridesmaids Edition.

Courtney Hammons’ bridal consulting firm, A Magical Affair, was the planning company for newlyweds Tiffany and Derek, whose April wedding will be featured tonight. Brentwood florist Beth Krehbiel of Beth’s Bouquets did the flowers.

“I am not sure how they are showing the actual wedding but the crew was there the WHOLE day for ceremony and reception!” Courtney emailed. The wedding was at Mt. Zion Church and the reception took place at Gaylord Springs.

“Beth and I are over the moon to be in the premier episode,” Courtney continued. It airs at 8 p.m. tonight. I know where I’ll be.

These streets were made for walking...
Brentwood’s walking the walk these days, or at least trying to, when it comes to becoming more pedestrian friendly. Have you noticed the new sidewalks coming in and around the “auxiliary” building in the Hill Center? In other words, the hottest place to be this summer – the building with Sweet CeCe’s, Chipotle and Starbucks?

It gets even better. If and when the rezoning is passed that would allow a condominium project to possibly be built across the street on Centerview Drive, part of the deal would include $50,000 to be used to build a new “Town Center”-grade sidewalk from Brentwood Place shopping center all the way down Centerview (located behind the Synergy Center and parallel to Franklin Road) to Church Street.

I know from personal experience how valuable that one would be. Right after Betsy Crossley was elected mayor, I wanted to pick her brain about several Brentwood issues. We decided to meet at the Sonic on Wilson Pike Circle for Happy Hour.

Since I was in one of my brief fitness modes, I decided that Samantha, my golden retriever/mystery mate dog, and I would walk over. We crossed Franklin at Williamsburg, meandered through the Synergy business park and hit Centerview. That’s when I thought my life might be in danger.

Then it was over the CSX bridge then down Wilson Pike Circle, another non-pedestrian friendly thoroughfare, and over to Sonic.

Trust me, by the time I arrived, a sidewalk on Centerview was going to be the first issue I raised with the mayor. Or would have -- she stood me up. It’s given me something to kid her about ever since.

Sam and I trekked back to Meadowlake ever so carefully, and made it home unscathed.

Now that BHP has moved its operation from the home office to a real one in the heart of Town Center, I can easily walk to just about anywhere in the downtown area I’d like. But there are pockets with no sidewalks or minimal ones.

The hardest walk of all is to the Brentwood Post Office. There are no sidewalks on Wilson Pike Circle, which is a shame because I think lots of area professionals and merchants might walk to get or post their mail. It would greatly ease the ongoing traffic jams that occur throughout the day.

Of course the biggest need for a sidewalk or path is one that connects east and west Brentwood, so those of us who live on the west side could walk or ride our bikes to the library, Crockett Park, the Y and other destinations. Reverse the direction, and those who live on the east side could head west to get frozen yogurt or a frozen margarita without ever getting in a car.

Where does the sidewalk end? Who knows, I just hope more of them get started.

Picture had it half right
If you saw the front page of the big paper Wednesday, you may have been surprised to see that a nail salon and a restaurant were splitting the old Hollywood Video spot in Peartree Village. It’s only half true. Serenity Nails (where I got a great manicure last week, by the way) is in the former AAA travel agency spot. First Watch and NeighborMD are taking over the video store’s space while Petco will open in the former Eckerd/Rite Aid location.

New schools opening as planned
Williamson County Schools’ spokesperson Carol Birdsong told me Wednesday that as far as the school system is concerned, the two new schools slated to open in August will open as planned. 

According to Carol, County Commissioner Jeff Ford, who represents Brentwood’s Sixth District, made a remark in a public meeting that suggested perhaps the schools should remain shuttered next school year as a way to avoid an anticipated increase in the county’s property tax rate. The Williamson County Commission will vote on the new county budget at its 9 a.m. meeting on Monday.

The story sprouted legs and a local TV crew came looking for "outrage."

"There's no outrage," Carol says. In fact, ribbon cuttings are already scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m. respectively on Aug. 7 at Clovercroft Elementary and Summit High schools, she says.

Susan Leathers is editor of Brentwood Home Page. Click here to read previous columns. Email her at susan@brentwoodhomepage.com