Giving Back

receiving flowers when you give blood

Give the gift of life and receive fresh flowers in return during the Rebel Hill Florist blood drive for the American Red Cross on Thursday, July 8. Donors must be at least 16 years old (with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone on July 8,” says Anna Page, owner of Rebel Hill Florist. “We hope to have at least 35 donors and everyone who comes to donate will receive one dozen roses — our way to honor the beauty of giving the gift of life.”

Rebel Hill Florist is located at 4821 Trousdale Drive, Nashville. For more information, call 833-8555 or visit www.rebelhillflorist.com.

playing by air helps raise cancer awareness

On July 17 - 18, families can take in festive entertainment while having the opportunity to learn about Middle Tennessee area cancer organizations and services when Playing By Air Productions presents Playing By Air: The Show. The actual show is a fusion of music, circus, theater, juggling and physical comedy, directed by Jacob Weiss, founder of the popular Juggleville shows at Vanderbilt University. Several vendor booths ranging from Gilda’s Club to the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center will be in the lobby to share information about their services with attendees. On Sunday, a portrait photographer will be on hand to take pictures of cancer survivor groups. The event takes place at Nashville Children’s Theatre, 25 Middleton St., Nashville. The show takes place Sat at 7 p.m., Sun at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $10. Call 888-584-4532 or visit www.playingbyaircares.com.

metro opens school for special needs students

When high school students in the Metro Nashville Public Schools system return to the classroom in August, some of them will have a new place to learn. Spectrum Academy (SA), located at 1645 Murfreesboro Pike in Nashville, will serve students in grades 9 - 12 who have emotional disturbances, serious behavior issues or developmental disabilities. Students are referred to SA through special education staff at their respective schools, and the new program’s design is to help students who struggle to succeed in a regular classroom setting. Starting off, SA will accommodate up to 48 students with no more than 12 in a class along with one teacher and two aids. “An important component of Spectrum Academy is the use of positive behavior interventions and supports to proactively promote social and academic success,” says Spectrum Chief Operating Officer Gail Debiec. “This creates a positive school culture that inspires studetns to do their best.” To learn more, visit www.spectrumschools.com.