✈️ Will tariffs affect our tourism industry?

💔 Dolly Parton’s Husband Dies

Dolly Parton’s husband, Nashville local Carl Dean, passed away on March 3 at 82. On social media, Parton said, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.” [The Tennessean]

🎶 The Museum Locals Should Check Out

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum isn’t just a tourist attraction; they’ve also got great resources for locals. We’re chatting with the museum’s director of editorial on the City Cast Nashville podcast to get the scoop. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• My visitor’s guide to the museum [Hey Nashville]

💸 It’s Property Tax Reappraisal Season

Davidson County property assessor Vivian Wilhoite and her office adjust property taxes every four years. Wilhoite will hold 10 public briefings to answer questions about this process throughout March and early April. [Nashville Scene]

✈️ New Tariffs Might Impact Tourism Industry

Local business owners and tourist experts are concerned about how the new tariffs on Canada and Mexico will affect our tourism industry. Canadians make up nearly half of the city’s international visitors. [Fox 17]

According to the American Cancer Society, Tennessee has higher cancer rates than almost anywhere else in the nation. The last thing anyone with cancer or a loved one with cancer wants to think about is cooking dinner. That’s where The Heimerdinger Foundation steps in. This nonprofit provides free and healthy meals to Davidson and Williamson Country residents who are currently undergoing cancer treatments. I spoke with Executive Director Katharine Ray to learn more about the program.

How did you get involved with The Heimerdinger Foundation?

“I first met the founder of our nonprofit organization, Kathie Heimerdinger, in 2012 when she was developing the Meals 4 Health and Healing program. Her family’s story of honoring her husband’s memory and giving back to the community touched my heart. Having been in cancer support nonprofit work for years, I admired the focus on high-quality nutrition, which is supported by research as effective in healing and countering the wounds of cancer. Nourishing someone so that they can heal resonates with me as a cancer survivor myself.

“A poignant memory for me is the summer of 1975, when I was going through cancer treatment as a teenager. I remember daily treatments that left me sick and exhausted. I came home from the hospital each day to sleep off the nauseating side effects. I would wake up in the late afternoon to the sounds and aromas of my mother preparing a dinner of fresh vegetables and fruit from our garden. Being served food to support healing during one of the most traumatic times in your life, physically and emotionally, is something you never forget — that is a profound gift of love!”

What services does the foundation's Meals 4 Health and Healing provide?

“Meals 4 Health and Healing, our signature program, nourishes the bodies, minds, and hearts of those facing cancer through the power of healthy meals and nutrition education. We directly provide and deliver nutrient-dense meals and nutrition education free of charge to people in Williamson and Davidson counties facing cancer, and we wrap a caring community around families. Every week, we provide approximately 1,000 nutrient-dense servings to up to 120 cancer patients and their caregivers from all walks of life, so that those going through one of the hardest times in their lives can focus on healing. An annual dedicated group of over 250 adult and teen volunteers who cook and deliver our healing meals directly to homes are the pulse of our program through their caring hearts and helping hands.