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From Shelter Pup to Superdog: Maury County Rescue Lands Role in New Superman Film

Issue #499

July 18, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☁️ Columbia’s Weather - Cloudy, scattered thunderstorms in evening, w/ high of 89, low of 73.

🐶 From Shelter Pup to Superdog: Maury County Rescue Lands Role in New Superman Film

📌 Lynnville Gears Up for Blackberry Festival Packed with Music, Food, and Family Fun

📌 7/19: Back To School Give Away Event

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

👉 Your Guide to Summer Camps & Kids Activities in July! 

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

From Shelter Pup to Superdog: Maury County Rescue Lands Role in New Superman Film

Sparrow, a terrier-schnauzer mix rescued from Maury County Animal Services, is proving you don’t have to be from Krypton to be a superhero. The four-year-old pup went from shelter life in Tennessee to starring on the big screen in the new Superman movie, released July 11.

Sparrow was rescued by Charlie's Angels Saving Animals Transport (CASA Transport), a nonprofit that relocates animals from overcrowded southern shelters to partner rescues and adopters in the North. CASA shared Sparrow’s Hollywood debut on social media, celebrating the unexpected twist in her story.

“Most of the dogs we rescue go on to live the good life—whether that means becoming a couch potato or someone’s new hiking partner,” the nonprofit wrote in a July 13 Instagram post. “But every now and then… one becomes a movie star. Like Superman-level stardom. 😂”

They added, “Watching animals like Sparrow go from shelter life to thriving is exactly why we do this work. She’s living proof that it’s always worth dreaming big and never giving up hope. And hey, if she breaks into Hollywood… we’ll be the first to cheer her on.”

Sparrow isn’t the only rescue dog in the film. Director James Gunn’s own adopted dog, Ozu, inspired the character of Krypto, Superman’s loyal canine sidekick. Together, the dogs have helped shine a spotlight on the power of pet adoption.

Since the film’s release, interest in rescues has spiked. The dog training app Woofz reported a 513% surge in Google searches for “adopt a dog near me,” reflecting a heartening wave of public interest in giving shelter dogs a second chance.

Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt celebrated the milestone, sharing, “We are so proud to have had a hand in her journey. Sparrow was rescued from Maury County Animal Shelter and found her way to the Big Screen.” She added, “We couldn’t have written the script better ourselves. It is a simple story—an underdog with a second chance.”

Sparrow’s journey from small-town shelter to the silver screen may be her first role, but if the response is any indication, it won’t be her last. For now, she's more than earned her place in the superhero spotlight.

Lynnville Gears Up for Blackberry Festival Packed with Music, Food, and Family Fun

Lynnville is gearing up for a major milestone as the town prepares to celebrate the 25th annual Blackberry Festival on Saturday, July 19. Just a 25-minute drive south of downtown Columbia, this year’s event promises more music, more vendors, and more fun than ever before.

The festival will showcase over 60 vendors, offering everything from handmade crafts and local goods to delicious food options. Live music will be featured throughout the day, with a special performance by national recording group Herrick, stopping in Lynnville as part of their five-state Midnight Radio tour. Additional acts include Worley McKinney and Southern Crossroads Band, as well as several other local country musicians.

For families and kids, the festival offers an array of activities: a Tennessee National Guard obstacle course, a petting zoo, pony rides, a blackberry baking contest, and the Little Miss Lynnville beauty contest, which will open the day’s main stage schedule at 10:30 a.m.

One of the event’s visual highlights will be a live chainsaw carving demonstration, where a tiger sculpture will be created to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Jones High School in Lynnville.

The full main stage lineup includes:

  • 10:30–11:30 a.m. – Little Miss Lynnville Beauty Contest

  • 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Shelbyville Cloggers

  • 2–3 p.m. – Herrick

  • 3:30–4:30 p.m. – Worley McKinney and Southern Crossroads Band

  • 4:30–5 p.m. – Nicole Smith

  • 5–6 p.m. – Robert Heller

Festivities begin at 8 a.m. and run throughout the day. Parking will be available for $5 at the Lynnville Ball Park on Mill Street.

Proceeds from the festival will support the purchase of new playground equipment at the park, helping meet the needs of the town’s growing population of young families.

7/19: Back To School Give Away Event

The River Church (2486 Park Plus Dr.) is hosting a Back to School Give Away with FREE backpacks, school supplies, clothes, shoes and more!

This Saturday at 10:00 AM until they run out

Upcoming Local Events

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

Friday, July 18th

Saturday, July 19th

Sunday, July 20th

MORE EVENTS COMING SOON!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, July 18th 

Live Music, The Spot, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Rubiks Groove, The Mulehouse, 7:00 PM
Jason Acy, Grinder’s Switch, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Tom & Robert, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Kristy Cox, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Benji & The Jets, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM
The Outliers, The Boondox, 8:00 PM

Saturday, July 19th

Miles Damaso Group, Puckett’s, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Grasskickers, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Pickin’ in the Park, Harvey Park, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Song Writers Round, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
MFT, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
8-Track, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM
Dust & Daisies, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Sunday, July 20th

Jim Fox Trio, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Aaron Sizemore Band, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4:00 PM 
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Reba’s Hairdo, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill 4:00 - 7:00 PM

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