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Columbia Teacher Receives Community Support After Fire Destroys Home of 18 Years

Issue #180

15 Aug

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

⛅️ Columbia Weather - Partly cloudy with a high of 94

📰 Columbia Teacher Receives Community Support After Fire Destroys Home of 18 Years

🏈 Preseason High School Football Kicks Off on New Fields Across Maury County 

📚 August 21: State of Education Panel Discussion 

🩸 Blood Assurance Facing Critical Need for O-Negative Donors

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

📣 We Want To Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, August 15th

Friday, August 16th

Saturday, August 17th

Monday, August 19th

Tuesday, August 20th

Wednesday, August 21st

Columbia Teacher Receives Community Support After Fire Destroys Home of 18 Years 

Residents of Williamson and Maury counties are coming together to raise funds for Angela Jones, an eighth-grade teacher at EA Cox Middle School, who lost her home of 18 years in a fire last Friday. The blaze, believed to have originated from a trash can, destroyed nearly all of the family’s possessions, including their beloved cat, Rascal.

Known for making a significant impact on her students, Jones has received numerous accolades, including being named Maury County Public Schools' middle school teacher of the year in 2022. She was also honored with a “Cougar shout out” on Facebook a day before the fire for her dedication to her students.

Colleagues and friends are now determined to help Jones and her family recover. Amber Porter, a close friend and coworker, described Jones as an outstanding teacher who has supported others during difficult times. Now, the community is returning the favor by raising funds and offering support. Jones reportedly escaped the fire with only the clothes on her back and no shoes, underscoring the devastation of the loss.

The school community, including students, teachers, and families, has been actively contributing to help Jones. Students have made cards, paper flower bouquets, and other gifts, which have brought comfort to Jones during this challenging period. The outpouring of support reflects the strong community bonds Jones has fostered over her teaching career.

Although overwhelmed by the generosity, Jones has expressed deep gratitude and is determined to repay the kindness in the future. A GoFundMe page has been established to aid the family in rebuilding their lives after the fire.

To read more on this house fire and the support of the community, see our post from Tuesday here.

Preseason High School Football Kicks Off on New Fields Across Maury County

As the high school football season nears its kickoff in Tennessee, teams are wrapping up their preseason preparations. Jamborees, short scrimmages played in game conditions, offer a final opportunity for players and coaches to assess their squads before the season officially begins on August 23.

One of the highlights is the Maury County Jamboree, set for Friday, which will take place on Mt. Pleasant’s newly installed artificial turf. This event will feature all four of the county’s public school teams, as well as Centennial, Christ Presbyterian Academy (CPA), and Lawrence County. Among the scheduled matchups, Mt. Pleasant will take on Lawrence County at 9 p.m., marking the debut of Maury County’s public school teams on the newly resurfaced field. The Tigers’ coach, Kit Hartsfield, who enters his fourth season, is eager to showcase the new facility.

Elsewhere in the county, Battle Creek and Spring Hill will meet at 6 p.m. in a junior varsity (JV) contest, followed by a 7 p.m. varsity clash between Spring Hill and Centennial, and an 8 p.m. matchup between Columbia Central and CPA. Mt. Pleasant will close out the night against Lawrence County.

Columbia Academy will also unveil upgrades to their field and facilities during their own jamboree on Friday. The night will begin with a two-period contest between Lewis County and Cornersville, followed by Columbia Academy’s matchup against Richland.

Independence and Summit will also hold jamborees, with Pearl-Cohn visiting Independence and Summit hosting Tullahoma. Both events are slated for 6 p.m. on Friday.

August 21: State of Education Panel Discussion

Join Maury Alliance on Wednesday, August 21 at 11:30 am for their annual Education Lunch featuring a State of Public Education and the 2024 Education Report.

During this year's event Maury Alliance President & CEO, Wil Evans will lead a panel discussion with representatives from Maury County Public Schools. They will discuss the current state of public education, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs and the Inaugural 2024 Education Report, which will be released during the event.

Panelists include:

Lisa Ventura, MCPS Superintendent
Amy Roberts, MCPS Career & Technical Education Supervisor
Michelle Gilbert, MCPS Director of Teaching, Learning & Assessment

For more information and to register, visit www.mauryalliance.com.  Registration closes on Monday, August 19th at noon.

Blood Assurance Facing Critical Need for O-Negative Donors

Blood Assurance is facing a critical shortage of O-negative blood, with just 10 units available as of August 13, 2024. O-negative blood, a universal type, is essential in emergency situations when the patient’s blood type is unknown. Due to low donor turnout in recent months, the nonprofit urgently asks for donors of all blood types to schedule an appointment.

As an incentive, those who donate in August will receive a "Save 3 Lives" tote bag. Blood donors must meet certain eligibility criteria, and Blood Assurance provides tips to prepare for donation, including staying hydrated and eating iron-rich foods.

Appointments can be scheduled at www.bloodassurance.org/schedule, by calling 800-962-0628, or by texting BAGIVE to 999777.

To be eligible to donate blood, donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids — avoiding caffeine — and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, August 15th

Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9 PM
Austin Byrd, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Stevierock Acoustic Duo, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, August 16th

Nick Bentley, Grinder's Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Rory Feek, Hardison Mill Homestead Hall, 7 PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
TBD, Asgard, 7:30 PM
The Mighty Train Wrecks, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Wentzel Brothers Band, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, August 17th

Jazz Brunch w/ Tarryn Aimee, Puckett’s, 10 AM - 2 PM
Carson Phillips, Amber Falls Winery, 3-7 PM
Pickin' in the Park, Harvey Park, 5-7 PM
Eric Turner, The Tilted Mule, 7 PM
Stevierock, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
David Isenberg Trio, Puckett's , 7:30-9 PM
Tennessee Stills, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, August 18th

The Sins, Amber Falls Winery, 1-5 PM
Cass Cwik & The Small Gas Engines, The Tilted Mule, 3 PM
Phoenix Rising, The Rebel, 4 PM
King Lazy Eye, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 5-8 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

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