THE KIDS & PETS ISS UE
HEALTH + WELLNESS CROSSROADS CHIROPRACTIC
ARTS + CULTURE
ENSWORTH VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS





HEALTH + WELLNESS CROSSROADS CHIROPRACTIC
ARTS + CULTURE
ENSWORTH VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS
August, for me, is the season of change. It’s the month that prompts me to look back and ahead more than any other.
It centers around going back to school. When I look back, I remember school starting no earlier than the week before Labor Day and quite often the Tuesday AFTER Labor Day. I don’t know why but gradually the calendar moved up. I think it had to do with fall sports. Students are back on campus for training and practice, so maybe it’s just more practical for classes to be in session as well. At least that’s why I think kids return to school in early August, aka The Dog Days of Summer.
So it seems appropriate that August is the month that we publish our annual Kids & Pets issue. This month we’re presenting several stories relevant to Kids & Pets–and their parents and owners–in the Bellevue area.
If you drive along Highway 100 between OHB and Temple Road, then you’ve seen The Ensworth School. It’s built a solid reputation for academic and athletic success but you may not know that it’s also home to a thriving arts program. So we’re taking you on a tour from the studios and the galleries to the stage.
Likewise, those who travel along the Highway 70 corridor from OHB to Belle Meade are familiar with GoDog West Nashville. The sprawling campus is more than just a great place to board your pet for extended stays; its doggie daycare program might be just what your family needs while you’re adjusting to your backto-school schedule.
And how many parents out there have hoisted your child’s backpack, only to be taken aback at how cumbersome and heavy it is? So we stopped by Crossroads Chiropractic for some advice on how to maneuver safely and prevent aggravating injuries.
We hope you enjoy reading about them this month.
ED ATLAS, EDITOR
August 2025
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Doug Waterman | doug.waterman@citylifestyle.com
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Ed Atlas | ed.atlas@citylifestyle.com
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Ensworth students
GoDog
Bulky backpacks can weigh students down when it’s time to go back to school. But not if they know the right way to wear them. (L-R): Kingston Koch, Lucia Freitas, Austin Grace, Sophia Lowney.
Bulky
nashvilleshs.com info@nashvilleshs.com
While traditional stretching methods attempt to make you more “flexible,” we work to adjust the stretch reflex. This way, the Stretch Zone Method gradually increases your active range of motion.
Consider how a car seatbelt works. If pulled too quickly, the belt locks. If the belt is forced, you are just stretching the material itself, and that’s where injury happens. When a car seatbelt is pulled smoothly and controlled, the belt will fully extend. It’s the same with your body’s stretch reflex.
Stacy Cornwall has been named executive director for Visitation Hospital Foundation (VHF). She replaces VHF founder Theresa Patterson who served in the same capacity for 25 years. Cornwall has worked with VHF for five years in financial and oversight roles. Bellevue-based VHF operates a full-service outpatient clinic in Haiti where no patient is ever turned away for inability to pay.
Additional information, including a donation portal, is available at VisitationHospital.org.
Isabella Jennings, a 2025 Nashville Christian School graduate, has been named the 2025 female recipient of the Moss-Oliver Award. Presented annually by the Nashville City Civitan Club, the award recognizes Davidson County’s top senior male and female scholar-athletes for their excellence in athletics, academics, leadership and community service. Jennings was a multi-sport athlete at NCS where she participated in soccer, basketball, and track. The male athlete award went to Gunnar Lewis of CPA.
Nashville International Airport’s new Concourse D Extension opened on July 8 with five new gates, eight new locations to shop, eat and drink, and a moving walkway. The extended concourse features a rotunda with panoramic views from which travelers can access BNA’s first outdoor terrace, offering views of the airfield and downtown Nashville. The Concourse D extension is the first project to be completed under New Horizon, BNA’s $3 billion growth and renovation plan.
Photography by Nashville International Airport
ARTICLE BY KELLIE WALTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ENSWORTH SCHOOL
ENSWORTH STUDENTS DON’T CHOOSE BETWEEN SPORTS, SCIENCE, AND THE STAGE—THEY THRIVE IN ALL THREE.
The Ensworth School may be synonymous with impressive academics and championship-caliber athletics, but the excellence doesn’t stop there.
“ENSWORTH
with a hydraulic orchestra lift that makes it tough to remember you aren’t on Broadway, but rather a high school in Bellevue.
Woven into the fabric of the curriculum is an emphasis on the arts – a powerful inclusion that’s directly shaped the lives of many students. We’re not just talking decorated songwriters and professional actors; even alumni who have made it to the NFL credit Ensworth arts with their success.
Every Ensworth student takes four semesters of visual or performing arts before graduation. This isn’t meant to be a checkbox, but rather a tool to shape well-rounded students.
“I think Ensworth offers a healthy balance of academics, arts, and athletics, allowing kids to invest in all three different dimensions,” says Jim Aveni, Ensworth's director of arts.
Ensworth’s dedicated arts building features a ceramics studio with a working kiln, a black box theater, a dance studio, a theater lobby that doubles as a visual arts gallery, and its crown jewel, a 680-seat theater equipped
The program spans both visual and performing arts. Visual arts students choose from disciplines like drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, and darkroom photography, while performing arts offerings include music, dance, acting, and guitar.
The ensemble program is especially robust. From jazz and rock bands to orchestra, choir, and dance company, there’s no shortage of ways for students to take the stage. And yes, collaboration is built into the calendar – jazz and rock bands share the stage in the fall, while the spring features a concert pairing orchestra and jazz, and a standalone rock show.
But if there’s one moment when the entire arts program comes together, it’s the musical.
“It’s our biggest show, where all the arts are firing on all cylinders,” Aveni says. “You see kids from the dance program, acting programs, singers, and choirs all
showing up in a wonderful theater with a full pit orchestra full of students.”
While the musical for the 2025-2026 school year hasn’t yet been announced, keep your eyes on the school’s dedicated arts landing page for an announcement. Because, yes, it’s open to the public and is a feast for the senses. In fact, every performance – from musicals and choir concerts to tailgate rock band sets and cozy singer songwriter events – is open to the community.
What makes the arts program so successful here is how it’s seamlessly woven into student life. A student might spend first period in AP Biology, third period in jazz band, and head to soccer practice after school. They don’t have to choose between passions, and as it turns out, the disciplines have a knack for weaving together.
“We’ve had a couple of students go on to play in the NFL, and they talk about how those classes help them develop complementary skills,” Aveni adds. “An offensive lineman has to have good footwork and maintain balance.”
He shares the story of Henry Byrd, a student who played football at Princeton and then in the NFL, who credits an upper-level dance class called Dance by Design. Turns out, tap dancing and choreography come in handy on the field.
“Kids reciting lines of Shakespeare and learning how to perform is going to feed them when they’re walking into a courtroom as a lawyer someday,” Aveni says.
“WE’RE BUILDING COMPOSURE,CONFIDENCE, AND CHARACTER THAT IS A TRANSFERABLE SKILLSET.”
“We’re building composure, confidence, and character that is a transferable skillset. They can do many things.”
Some students go all-in on the arts, stacking dance, acting, and orchestra classes to become true triple threats. Others dabble. Either way, the school’s model supports whichever path they choose. Students can progress from Photography I to Photography IV over the years or opt to diversify their studies by taking single classes in guitar, sculpture, and vocal arts throughout high school.
Many Ensworth students take their talents far beyond graduation.
Alumnus Briana Middleton is now a rising film and television actress. Jack Alcott landed a lead role on the recent reboot of Dexter. Audrey McGraw just released a single and is touring with Brandi Carlile. Others double major in college—biology and theatre, law and music—bringing the same interdisciplinary mindset they honed at Ensworth.
Even when school’s out, the arts are very much in session. Ensworth’s summer programs offer everything from stone carving and filmmaking to rock band camp and a middle school musical. Open to the public, the camps are a playful, low-pressure way to explore the arts.
Ensworth.com
GoDog West Nashville is here to care for your canine pals this back-to-school season.
ARTICLE BY LISA VALENTINE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY BOLLMAN
For many Bellevue residents, back-to-school also means back to a routine. Saying goodbye to the carefree, unscheduled days of summer and returning to the balancing act of school pickups, work, after-school activities, homework, dinner, and everything in between can be overwhelming. Amid the chaos,
“I’m an animal-lover, a big advocate for the pets. They all become our dogs. We love them like they’re our own.”
one thing you don’t have to worry about is your dog because GoDog West Nashville has you covered.
GoDog West Nashville provides peace of mind and makes sure your pup is not only taken care of but is having the time of their life. A family franchise started by father-son team Jess and Ben Eberdt, GoDog is a labor of love where all the dogs are treated like family.
Located on Highway 70 less than a mile east of OHB , GoDog offers everything from daytime doggie daycare and grooming, to extended stay boarding. Campus Director Angie Frye and her team greet every pet parent and dog at the door during drop offs at their 14,000 square foot facility.
“Everybody has just welcomed us and are very appreciative of what we are able to do with their dogs and make sure that they have a good time,” says Frye. “They’re very comfortable knowing that their dog is well loved and taken care of while they’re gone, whether it be for a day or a week or two weeks or whatever. They have their trust in us…that just means the world to me.”
Catering to busy dog owners, GoDog’s operating hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, allowing for early morning admissions and late pickups after a long day.
“They are able to drop the dog off and then get all the kids to where they need to be,” Frye says.
“Then a lot of times they leave the dog there until after the after-school events. And because we’re open later, they are able to take care of all the running they need to while their dog is safe and having fun with his friends.”
The facility has three different indoor/outdoor play areas so that dogs can be grouped together by size. However, playtime at GoDog is more than just outside time: During the warm months, dogs have the opportunity to splash around in kiddie play pools and even a large inground saltwater pool.
For those pet parents who are missing their pups throughout the day and wanting to check in and see what they’re up to, they can watch the live camera feed on an app. Frye compares overnight stays—which can include stays for up to a month—to sending a child off to a college dorm room. “They can bring their favorite bed, their blankets, whatever makes it feel like theirs while they’re staying with us,” she says. “And then we offer things at nighttime, [such as] a favorite treat…or extra cuddle time…we’ll just sit with them and make sure they’re comfortable, just like they were at home.”
Whether you need day care or extended boarding for that fall break that will be here before you know it, GoDog is here to take care of all your canine’s needs.
When asked why she loves her job, it’s a no-brainer for Frye. “Oh, who wouldn’t love working with dogs?” she asks. “I’m an animal-lover, a big advocate for the pets. They all become our dogs. We love them like they’re our own. Every day coming to work and getting to see the babies and see how happy they are, it’s very rewarding.”
GoDog.co
Bulky backpacks
can be a burden when it's time to go back to school.
ARTICLE BY ED ATLAS PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDSEY BAYDOUN
These days the term “back-to-school” means more than just returning to the classroom. It’s a reminder that a healthy back is important for students of all ages.
That can be tricky. You don’t have to be the parent of a student to know that kids are hauling enormous backpacks, stuffed to the brim, all day long. Add-on musical instruments, athletic gear and, eventually, bulky winter jackets and, if you look closely, you might just see your child under there somewhere. In some cases, you might say they resemble astronauts walking on the moon.
“Going back to school is a hectic time of year that comes with a lot of excitement,” says Dr. Jocelyn Redlinski. “But the busy schedules can cause a lot of stress, too. Waking up and going to bed earlier, eating lunch at school, sports and activities can lead to new aches and pains, fatigue and emotions. These can be small signs that the body is struggling to adjust to the new routine. If we can address these conditions early, they can be treated effectively. So my advice to parents is to be intentional and be aware.”
Redlinski and her husband, Dr. Kent Replogle are the owners of Crossroads Chiropractic in Bellevue. Along with Dr. Tanner Mitchell they treat patients of all ages, with a special emphasis on pediatric care. The clinic is aligned with PX Docs, a pediatric association that specializes in drug-free pediatric care, and the International Pediatric Chiropractic Association (IPCA).
About half of Crossroads’ clientele consists of local adults but about 40 percent are children
whose parents bring them from as far away as Memphis, Bowling Green and Alabama. According to Redlinski, back pain frequently is neurological in origin and that the stress introduced by a heavy backpack can be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.
“There will usually be precursors that lead to back pain,” she says. “Kids are under more stress than usual. Things like screen time and school obligations, and travel ball during the summer,
“It’s hard to describe the feeling I get when we can calm down a child’s nervous system, so that they can go an entire season without injury, so that they can make eye contact … just seeing them become who they’re supposed to be without being bogged down with their health, there’s nothing better.”
can overwhelm the nervous system. So when we see them, we want to get to the root of the problem and not just treat their symptoms. We want to understand how the underlying neurology is working and how it responds to putting that heavy backpack on top.”
Redlinski says that a backpack’s contents should not weigh more than 10-15 percent of the student’s bodyweight. “They also need to know how to carry a backpack properly,” she says. “That means using both straps, which is not cool when kids get older, but it works. Straps need to be adjustable, and the backpack should not be worn too low. It’s a backpack; it’s not supposed to be hitting their butt or their legs.
“There’s also a technique to putting the backpack on and taking it off. It’s no different than teaching someone how to lift a heavy item. Lift with your legs and make sure you’re lifting properly without straining back muscles.”
The team at Crossroads can demonstrate and teach clients in the office about implementing proper techniques.
Treatment is non-invasive and assessments can determine how much stress is being placed on the nervous system. They can also x-ray for scoliosis and treat with early intervention. Advanced cases can be referred to a specialist.
“This year, whenever possible, I encourage parents, students and teachers to pay attention to their assignments,” Redlinski says. “If that heavy textbook is needed, bring it to school. But if it’s not needed on a particular day, leave it at home.”
Beyond that, Redlinski takes great joy in helping her patients resolve their pain and the underlying issues that trigger it. “It’s hard to describe the feeling I get when we can calm down a child’s nervous system, so that they can go an entire season without injury, so that they can make eye contact … just seeing them become who they’re supposed to be without being bogged down with their health, there’s nothing better.”
Crossroads4Health.com
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ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD
BY JANIE JONES
PHOTOGRAPHY
There’s something truly special about inviting your child into the kitchen—not just for the cookies or cupcakes, but for the confidence, creativity, and connection that come with it. Cooking with your children isn’t just a fun way to pass the time; it’s an opportunity to build lifelong skills and memories that stick.
Sure, teaching a young child how to crack an egg or measure flour can test your patience—but hang in there. With a little trial and a fair amount of error, they’ll start to develop the fine motor skills that allow them to prep a recipe all on their own one day. The best part? They’ll gain confidence along the way, one scoop, stir, and sprinkle at a time.
Cooking together also taps into something a little magical—memory. The smell of cookies baking or chili simmering on the stove can instantly transport us back to childhood. That’s not just nostalgia talking—science backs it up. Our sense of smell is closely tied to autobiographical memory, especially memories formed early in life. So those sweet, savory scents? They’re more powerful than you might think.
The key is to start simple. Let your toddler play with mixing bowls, spoons, and measuring cups. These little moments of pretend play actually help build the fine motor skills needed for real kitchen tasks. Begin with small jobs—scooping flour, flattening cookie dough with a rolling pin—and gradually add more steps as your child becomes more confident.
It won’t be perfect. The flour might fly, the sugar might spill, and the measurements might be slightly off—and that’s okay. Embrace the mess, stay patient, and focus on the fun. A dash of encouragement and a sprinkle of praise go a long way in keeping your little chef engaged and excited.
Over time, you’ll see the magic unfold: a child who’s not only learning how to cook but also growing more independent, capable, and proud of what they’ve created. And who knows? Maybe one day, they’ll pass those same recipes—and memories—on to their own kids.
• 1 cup and 2 tablespoons white flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 4 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 tablespoons buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• Optional: add 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg or cinnamon
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Put the oatmeal in a blender or food processor and pulse for about a minute, until it’s reduced to a rough powder. Add the ground oatmeal to the whole wheat and 1/2 cup of the white flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl of an electric mixer affixed with a paddle attachment, and turn on to mix. Add butter and blend on medium speed until the butter has been incorporated and the mix looks a little like wet sand. Add the buttermilk, vanilla, honey and almond extract and blend. If the dough looks too wet to roll, add the remaining flour 1/4 cup at a time until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the blender.
3. Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap and flatten into a disc. Cover completely and chill in the fridge for at least one hour, up to overnight.
4. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees and place dough on a lightly floured surface (using the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour). Roll out until 1/8 inch thick. Cut out with desired cookie cutters and bake for five to seven minutes, based on your preference. Five minutes will get you a softer cracker, while seven will get you a crisp cracker.
Enjoy!
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AUGUST 1ST
LAWSON HIGH SCHOOL, NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, ENSWORTH SCHOOL
LAWSON LIGHTNING: Friday 22 at Brentwood Academy; Friday 29 vs. Creek Wood. NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL EAGLES: Friday 22 at Davidson Academy, 7 p.m.; Friday 29 vs. Ensworth, 7 p.m. ENSWORTH TIGERS: Friday 22 vs. Whitehaven, 7 p.m.; Friday 29 at Nashville Christian School, 7 p.m.
AUGUST 2ND
Warner Parks and Warner Parks Nature Center
7311 HIGHWAY 100
Saturday 2: Summer Star Party, 9 p.m.; Wednesday 6: Purple Martin Watch Party, 7 p.m.; Friday 8: Full Moon Pickin' Party, 6 p.m.; Saturday 9: Collage Workshop with Nashville Collage Collective; Wednesday 13: Evening Cave Tour, 6:30 p.m.; Thursday 21: Gardening for Butterflies and Hummingbirds; Saturday 23: Vol Call: Splash The Trash, 10 a.m.; WarnerParks.org/upcoming-events/
AUGUST 4TH
Concerts Around Town
VENUES AROUND TOWN
RYMAN AUDITORIUM: Thursday 7-Saturday 9, Friday 15-Saturday 16: Vince Gill; Monday 25: Fitz And The Tantrums; Friday 29: Anderson East. ASCEND AMPHITHEATER: Tuesday 5: Rob Thomas; Thursday 14: Rod Stewart; Friday 15: Toto, Christopher Cross, Men At Work; Wednesday 21-Thursday 22: Teddy Swims; Friday 22: Allison Krauss. BRIDGESTONE ARENA: Thursday 7: Jason Aldean; Tuesday 19: Katy Perry; Thursday 21: Linkin Park.
AUGUST 5TH-10TH, 19TH-24TH, 26TH-31ST
Nashville Sounds Baseball
FIRST HORIZON PARK, 19 JUNIOR GILLIAM WAY
The Nashville Sounds (AAA affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers) have 18 home games in August. Tuesday 5-Sunday 10 vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Miami Marlins); Tuesday 19-Sunday 24 vs. Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds); Tuesday 26-Sunday 31 vs. Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox). Every Friday is Fox 17 Fireworks night. For tickets, game times and a complete list of promotions visit MILB.com/nashville
AUGUST 23RD, 30TH
Nashville Soccer Club
GEODIS PARK, 501 BENTON AVENUE
Nashville SC is on the Geodis Park pitch for pair of MSL matches in August. Saturday 23 vs. Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 30 vs. Atlanta United FC, 7:30 p.m. Tickets and promotional information are available online at NashvilleSC.com
AUGUST 31ST
Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by WillScot
NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY, 4847 McCRARY ROAD F, LEBANON | 1:30 PM
Thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing returns to Nashville Superspeedway for the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix. It's also the season finale for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES which will crown its 2025 champion at the 1.33-mile concrete oval. The day begins at 10:30 a.m. with a 65-lap race for the INDY NXT series. MusicCityGP.com