WASTECON

a unit for organics that only needs to be collected every 3 weeks

I was lucky to attend this event put on by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). The organization includes Canada as well as nearly all of the states. I attended one session on rural recycling by a woman from New Mexico named English Bird. My name is so boring in comparison. Another session was led by a gal from right in Nashvilled named Sherry Smith - I wanted to ask "our grade or theirs?" as in Atlantic there were girls in the classes of 1976 and 77 of that name. We did some more wandering and got literature from products that might be helpful for cities and landfills back home in Iowa.

I felt lucky in that it's very difficult to get permission to travel outside of the state in this economy as a state employee. I did have to jump through several hoops to get permission, but was happy that the governor's office and the director approved the trip. Paul decided since he'd never been to Nashville he'd go along - which was so cool!

Wednesday night was party night for WASTECON. All the people there to take technical courses had taken their exams and were ready to party. Ten busses pulled up to transport us to the Wildhorse Saloon in town. As we walked into the joint, staff rang cowbells and cheered - it was pretty cool! The place has 3 levels and 2 were set up with buffets - pulled pork, chicken breasts, salad, and my fave - black eyed peas. Good food.

Mary and Christine

After we ate we enjoyed drinks with the Iowa clan and a singer from American Idol entertained us. Paul and I checked out all 3 floors. Christine, Mary, Muriel and some consultants sat with us later on the first floor as the staff gave line dancing with their Wild Horse Dancers. Later we shopped a bit along the streets of Nashville - I love neon lights. We caught the bus back to Opryland at 9 and hit the hay as we had a 4 a.m. wake up call for our flight.

They had all the cool stuff on the streets of Nashville!