Local editor joins Pitkin Review staff

By Bill Larson | July 31, 2007 |

Clarksville Online editor Christine Anne Piesyk of Clarksville has joined the editorial staff of the Pitkin Review, a semi-annual literary journal published by Goddard College of Plainfield, Vermont. The soft cover journal, which made its debut in 2004, is published each spring and fall.

The Pitkin Review features a mix of poetry, fiction, nonfiction works, literary analysis, art and photography. Editors meet and work online to evaluate submitted manuscripts and produce the journal. Each edition is presented at a fall or spring residencies at both the Vermont and Port Townsend, Washington, campuses. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, News | 2 Comments

Should the Bible be taught in schools?

By David W. Shelton | July 31, 2007 |

This is a question that has polarized the secular and religious community since the early 1960’s. A casual glance at most Christian websites that offer political commentary will reveal a very popular assumption, that our national moral decline is a direct result of the Bible being removed from schools. Therefore, they say, the Bible should once again be taught in public schools.

Some youth pastors have encouraged their youth groups to take their Bibles to schools and to even do reports on Bible stories. I won’t comment on prayer in school, since there’s serious prayer every time a hard test is scheduled for the day.

According to School Board director Mike Harris, there are currently no Bible classes in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School systems. As we prepare to start another school year, it might be interesting to entertain this question. Should elective Bible classes be considered as an option for our schools? «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics, Spirituality | 6 Comments

State offers tax “holiday” August 3,4,5

By Christine Anne Piesyk | July 31, 2007 |

Just in time for a back to school shopping rush, the State of Tennessee has rolled back the sales tax for a three day weekend, giving a break to parents and teachers preparing for the start of the new school year.

Starting at 12:01 Friday morning (August 3) through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, shoppers will not be charged sales tax on school supplies, school clothing priced at under $100 an item, and computers priced at $1500 or less. For the first time, basic art supplies such as art paper and watercolors are included in the tax break.

The tax break is not limited to students and teachers; anyone shopping can take advantage of the savings during the weekend. Clothing may include, shoes, belts, outerwear, school uniforms, shirts, dresses, undergarments and more. The tax exemption also applies to layaway items for which the final payment is made over the weekend, and items placed on layaway during the tax holiday. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments