Eric Pasto-Crosby, a professional actor, will be our Matinee Idylls September 14 speaker. Eric will share some of his personal experiences in rehearsal, performance and especially in his role as “Actor-Combatant.”

Please join us at 1:30 p.m. in the FUUN social area. A light lunch will be served prior to the entertainment. Everyone is invited.

What is Dinners for Nine? The Fellowship Committee assigns you to a group of approximately nine people with whom you will have dinner once a month with rotating hosts. The host makes the main dish and assigns salads, side dishes, and dessert  to those coming to his/her home.

To sign up, use our online Dinners for Nine form. Please note that no one can be placed in a group without signing up through the website.

If you would like to stay in the same group please enter everyone’s name in your group. This is a change from last year so please make a note of that.  We would like to know about all ongoing groups so that we can send you new members if you need them, and also send you substitute lists. Please also carefully enter food allergies and dietary needs.

Groups will be formed by late August or early September.

Please call Sheryl Margolis (contact information in the FUUN directory) if you have any questions.

Matinee Idylls will be on hiatus for July and August. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 14, when we will have an exciting speaker along with fellowship and light refreshments. Watch this space for more info.

Click on FUUNiTunes to access FUUN sermons on iTunes.

The Herb Fair now has an etsy shop! Please send the link to your friends, especially if you know anyone who is interested in scrapbooking!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HerbFairNashville

Our ministerial intern, Sian Wiltshire, will be arriving from Seattle,  Washington, on September 1 to work with our congregation through July  2011. As part of our agreement, we need to provide appropriate housing for her during that time period. The ideal would be something akin to an apartment-over-the-garage, mother-in-law type of residence that could be  donated for her use during the 11 months she will be with us. She is a single, middle-aged woman who has asked for a non-smoking environment that can accommodate her border collie-sized inside/outside dog. She would like access to a washer and dryer, furnished if at all possible, kitchen, bathroom (the usual). If you think you may have something that fits the bill or want to hear more, please email or call Intern Committee member Tom Hagood at the contact information in the FUUN directory.

In response to the flood, UUA President Peter Morales has sent a personal video greeting to our church.  Please see http://gallery.me.com/deabrayden#100074 to view the video.

We are making an effort to assess the immediate and longer term needs of our congregation in the aftermath of the recent flood. We want to be able to provide whatever assistance is available including the recently established UUA Tennessee-Kentucky Emergency Flood Relief Fund. Please fill out this survey online or print a PDF version to return to church or to the Rev. Gail Seavey.

Church News

Several church families have lost everything in the recent floods.  We are posting requests and information from these families as we receive them in the members only section.  Please see www.firstuunashville.org/members/2010flood.php

The church campus lost electricity, but is relatively unscathed.

From the UUA

The Unitarian Universalist Association has set up a fund that is a partnership among the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Mid-South District, the Thomas Jefferson District, FUUN and the Greater Nashville UU Church. Its purpose is to bring practical financial assistance, ministry, and spiritual care to those affected by the tragic floods. Please give as you are able.

Please Conserve Water

From Metro Water Services

Water Conservation update 5/10 at WPLN:

http://wpln.org/?p=17469

Davidson County and surrounding areas have experienced the worst flooding in recent memory. As a result of the loss of one water treatment plant, water supplies have been diminished and conservation is of utmost importance. To help everyone affected, please discontinue water use for non-essential purposes. For example, watering lawns, filling or restoring swimming pools, power washing driveways or homes, and washing cars should not be done until our water supply has been sufficiently restored. If you are in an flood affected area, please contact Metro Water Services at 862-4505 and we will try to find assistance that does not impact the drinking water supply.

If you observe water misuse/non-essential use or receive reports of non-essential water use, please get the location (specific address if possible), business name (if applicable), and type of wasteful activity. Also, note or ask if this activity is in a flooded area. Non-essential use could include lawn watering, watering flowers, car washing, washing sidewalks, porches, parking lots or other fixtures.

There is concern that we could experience a water shortage because one of the city’s water treatment plants is down. Please use water only for cooking and drinking for the next couple of days to ensure that our safe water supply is not depleted. If you have an automated irrigation system, please make sure and turn it off.

The public water supply provided by Metro Water Services continues to be safe. If customers lose water pressure or encounter discolored water, they are asked to contact Metro Water Services at (615) 860-4600.

Proper Waste Removal

Guidelines for Residential Flood Debris Collection
Metro Public Works

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As thousands of Davidson County citizens begin cleaning up from the weekend’s historic flooding, Metro Public Works has issued the following preliminary guidelines for residents who need to place debris curbside for collection:

• All items and materials MUST be separated into four different piles, and placed at the curb or streetside for collection. If the debris is not separated, it will not be collected.
  1. White goods and metals (appliances, etc.)
  2. Construction and demolition debris (lumber, windows, etc.)
  3. Vegetation (brush, limbs and all other yard waste)
  4. Household trash and garbage (including carpet)
• Items should NOT be placed in public alleys. Alleys need to remain clear for emergency crews and trash collection services.

While Public Works is still finalizing a comprehensive plan and schedule for debris collection, residents can go ahead and place items out for collection.

All debris and flood-damaged items should be placed at the curb/streetside for collection. Davidson County residents SHOULD NOT bring these items to Metro Convenience Centers for disposal. For additional information, residents should call Customer Service at 862-8750.

Relief Assistance

FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance beginning Wednesday May 5, 2010 by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Federal Assistance
Source: FEMA

President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster area in the state of Tennessee:

• For now, help is available for individuals in Davidson, Williamson, Cheatham and Hickman counties in Middle Tennessee, but the governor expects others to follow.
• To register, call the toll-free number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); Speech- or hearing-impaired callers can use the TTY number 1-800-462-7585. Or go to Assistance.govwww.Disaster to register.
• Information needed to register: name and Social Security number; address of the damaged property; current address and telephone number; insurance information; household annual income; bank routing and account number for direct deposit; description of losses.

Types of assistance

• Temporary housing (rent and lodging expense): Money to rent a different place to live or a temporary housing unit, such as a FEMA-provided travel trailer or mobile home, when rental properties are not available.
• Repair: Money for homeowners to repair or replace damage from the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to repair the home to a safe and sanitary living or functioning condition. FEMA’s repair assistance will not pay to return a home to its condition before the disaster.
• Other Needs Assistance: Money is available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster, if the person is rejected for an SBA loan. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage, and other expenses that are authorized by law. FEMA will not pay for all damaged or destroyed personal property.

Disaster Information Centers

• The city’s disaster service centers are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day; lawyers will be on hand to help anyone who needs assistance. No appointments are needed. The centers are set up at the following locations:
• Bellevue Community Center, 656 Colice Jeanne Road; Coleman Community Center, 384 Thompson Lane; East Community Center, 700 Woodland St.; Hadley Park Community Center, 1037 28th Ave. N.; Hermitage Community Center, 3720 James Kay Lane.

Flood Help Resources

• United Way’s 211 service can connect callers with roughly 7,000 programs that offer assistance with food, clothing and shelter. Call 2-1-1 or see their web page at tn211.mycommunitypt.com.
• For updated information from Nashville Public Schools, not just pertaining to the schools, visit mnps.org/Page66932.aspx.
• Metro Arts has information concerning Art and Document salvage at the Studio Protector website: www.studioprotector.org/OnlineGuide/Cleanup.aspx.
• For a list of mental health resources or crisis services in your area, visit www.tn.gov/mental or call the state mental health department’s Office of Consumer Affairs at 615-532-6700 or 1-800-560-5767.
• All YMCAs outside of Davidson County are making their shower facilities available to the community. Visitors need to bring their own towels. For information go to www.ymcamid tn.org/location map.
• The Gordon Jewish Community Center has stopped accepting donations of clothing, household goods, etc, and the already collected supplies at the GJCC are open to ANYONE in need, not just people at their shelter. GJCC has an enormous supply of (brand new and gently used) clothes, shoes, toiletries, bedding, baby supplies, cleaning supplies, etc. Their auditorium has been converted to a department store by their gracious volunteers. Please ask neighbors to notify ANYONE in need to stop by the GJCC to replenish their household items. 801 Percy Warner Blvd. 615-356-7170
• For questions about flooding or non-emergency assistance, call the Metro hot line at 615-862-8574.
• The American Red Cross is operating 18 shelters. Call the Red Cross at 615-250-4250 to find the closest shelter or go to www.nashvilleredcross.com.
• Tide Loads For Hope trucks are coming to Nashville on Wednesday, May 12. The Tide staff will literally wash dry, and fold clothes for our neighbors who need it. Please contact Tide at 800-879-8433 (press O for operator) and let them know Nashville needs Loads of Hope. The more calls they receive the bigger priority we become.
• Call 911 in an emergency.

How to Help

• Hands On Nashville is doing widespread organizing of volunteers to help with a variety of flood recovery and relief efforts. Register at www.hon.org.
• Middle Tennessee Kroger locations are collecting donations of money and non-perishable items for the American Red Cross and Second Harvest Food Bank.
• Drop off donations of bottled water, new clothes and cleaning supplies at Christ Church, 15354 Old Hickory Blvd. Volunteers are needed to distribute these items. Call 615-834-6171 for information.
• Financial donations can be made to the Community Foundation at www.cfmt.org.
• To support The Salvation Army, make a credit card donation by calling 1-800-725-2769 or online at www.salarmy-nashville.com.
• The Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce is coordinating volunteer cleanup efforts. To get or offer help, call 615-444-5503.

Insurance

Here are telephone numbers to file claims with some of the largest home insurers in Tennessee:

• State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., 1-800-732-5246
• Farm Bureau Insurance, 1-800-836-6327
• Allstate Insurance Co., 1-800-767-7619
• Nationwide Insurance Co., 1-800-421-3535
• Traveler’s Insurance Co., 1-800-252-4633
• Farmers Insurance Group 1-800-435-7764
• USAA (United Services Auto Association), 1-800-531-8111
• Foremost Insurance Co., 1-800-527-3907

Here are tips from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance:

• Read your policy.
• Contact your insurance carrier or your agent as soon as possible.
• Make a thorough inventory of all missing or damaged items.
• Take pictures inside and out before repairs are made.
• Secure and protect your property against further damage without making permanent repairs, so an adjuter can see the full extent of damage.
• Keep receipts for expenses required to protect your property from further damage.
• Follow the claims-filing procedure in your policy.
• Settlement offers can be negotiated. You don’t have to take the first offer.
• If you have issues with an insurance company, call the Department of Commerce and Insurance at 1-800-342-4029.
• Hire only licensed contractors. To verify a license, call 1-800-544-7693 or check online at licsrch.state.tn.us.
• For noninsurance issues, call the consumer affairs hot line at 1-800-342-8385.

If you have issues with an insurance company, call the Department of Commerce and Insurance at 1-800-342-4029

Going Home

• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
• Stay out of any building surrounded by floodwaters.
• Before re-entering your home, check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage.
• If you smell gas, do not enter. Call your local gas company immediately from a neighbor’s home.
• Use caution when entering, as the foundation or floorboards could be damaged.
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits and leaching systems as soon as possible.
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
• If possible turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Do not turn on the lights until you are sure they’re safe to use. Unplug appliances and let them dry.
• If pipes are damaged, turn off the main water valve. Pump out wells and have the water tested by authorities before drinking. Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.
• If your basement has been flooded, pump it out gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid damage. The walls could collapse and the floor could buckle if the basement is pumped out while the surrounding ground is still waterlogged.