Reform required: Outdated City Charter is Clarksville’s weakness

September 27, 2007 |

The Constitution of the City of Clarksville has been identified as as a weakness for the people of this community, but that’s on the brink of change.

The City finally has formed a Charter committee to look into and reform the Charter and Codes, the documents that form the Constitution of the City and its laws. But why did it take so long when it was identified years ago that the Charter was indeed a weakness.

It had been reported (LC Sept 27, 04) to the people that one of the many problems in our city government is ineffective communications between city leaders, and this is true. However, this is only a symptom of a greater problem of which was also identified. I am referring to our city constitution which was identified as “an outdated city charter.”

This was identified at a session of the Council’s strategic planning process which was facilitated by a member of U.T. Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS). MTAS is the so-called expects in the field of city government, but what exactly do they say about charters, and our abilities to understand and question our charter? «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | No Comments

UPtown Art Swap coming Sept. 29

By Debbie Boen | September 24, 2007 |

The UPtown Artist’s Swap will be held Saturday, September 29 from 7-10 p.m. at the Icehouse Cafe.

This will be one of your last opportunities to see our current exhibit, HUG LIFE: Recent Works from Charles Bennett.

All artists are invited to bring arts and crafts in any medium to sell and trade. Tables are free and available on a first come, first serve basis. The event is also free and open to the public!

Call for artist entries: please drop off any and all work(s) of your choosing for our 2nd anniversary group exhibit, entitled REAP. There is no entry fee but art must be ready to hang.

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events | No Comments

The War

By Tom Paine | September 23, 2007 |

Do yourself a big favor: watch Ken Burns’ newest documentary, The War.

In it, Burns captures the American experience of WWII in the words of those who actually fought in the war, or who experienced it on the home front. Be forewarned, it intense and, at times, hard to view.

I came away from the first episode with a feeling of pride and sadness. Pride in what we as a nation were back then; in the men and women who sacrificed, fought, and died to preserve freedom in the world. In their dedication and steadfastness in the face of what seemed then like insurmountable odds. Sadness at how far we have come since then.

The overwhelming sense conveyed by the men and women who recounted their experiences in that great conflict was that of being in it together, of shared sacrifice. Not once during the first episode did I hear anyone complain of how hard it was, what an imposition it was on them to have their world turned upside down and, often, to be thrust into what seemed as close to hell on earth as you can come. Some of the things they recounted were horrible, but never did I detect a hint of self-pity.

Our soldiers today are every bit as brave as those who served in WWII. They face danger daily and do not shirk their duty. But they are being let down by those at home. The sacrifice is not shared: rather than urging sacrifice, the president tells us to go shopping. We are told that this is the most important conflict of our time, but our leaders seem intent on waging war on the cheap, sending in too few troops to do the job right, then not supplying them with enough of the right equipment. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure | No Comments

Tennessee NAACP picks Jimmie Garland as its Second Vice-President

By Terry McMoore | September 23, 2007 |

Jimmie Garland Sr., of Clarksville, TN, was recently elected Second Vice President of the State of Tennessee National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) during its 61st Annual State Convention.

“Having worked side by side with Mr. Garland during past civil right campaigns I can not stress enough how important it is to have him as the NAACP State Vice President given the current racial history and race relations Clarksville has had to struggle with on a daily basis”.

“With an NAACP state official at “ground zero” so to speak, it should go a long way in helping to right social injustice and to ensure the political, educational, social and economical equality of minority citizens in Clarksville-Montgomery County”.

–Terry McMoore, Director
Urban Resource Center

Sections: Politics | No Comments

Marcel Marceau: a silent ending

By Christine Anne Piesyk | September 23, 2007 |

Those of us who are older, who remember the golden age of variety shows on television– what I think of as the Ed Sullivan era — will remember the silent magic of Marcel Marceau, a man, a mime, whose evocative movement and facial expression captured all the nuances of life.

Marceau died Saturday in Paris, a quiet passage that echoed the silence that made him famous. France mourns, as do those of us around the world who were his fans. As the character Bip, Marceau donned white face, soft shoes and a big red flower; the rest emerged from within his heart and soul. Through him we ran the gauntlet of human experience and were not alone. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, News | No Comments

Life well-lived, work well-done inspires love, builds community

By Charles Moreland | September 23, 2007 |

This week Rev. Moreland remembers the gifts two teachers gave to his community: their spirit and their love.

My friends, Gary and Rebecca, are sterling examples of dedication to the vocation of teaching. They are to be commended for their sense of community too.

I first met them when they came to Dixon County public schools, for their first teaching assignment, in a town where I was the minister at the Methodist Church. For three years, their enthusiasm and commitment heartened our community and our church. Students and their parents were inspired by their focused lives, and the care and compassion they gave to everyone they met.

I often watched as children rushed to greet them, arms wide, the better to give and receive hugs. They were heroes and models that embraced our community even as they inspired us. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Spirituality | No Comments

Frolic on Franklin draws crowds downtown for a day of arts

By Debbie Boen | September 22, 2007 |

White tents lined Franklin Street as artists gathered to exhibit their individual crafts in the annual “Frolic on Franklin,” held Saturday in downtown Clarksville, sponsored by Downtown Clarksville Association, F&M and Planter’s Banks.

It was an open air gallery, with work by jewelry designers, visual and graphic artists, wood carvings, pottery, and plenty of food and entertainment, a day of festivities and a celebration of local artists and craftspeople. Children’s activities included the perennial favorite, face painting.

Exhibitors included Mitzi Cross (art, above left), with a striking geometric study in black and white, and Brandi Taylor (photo, below), with this vibrant floral study.

Despite the steamy weather and high humidity, and a downtown temperature reading of 99 degrees, people turned out for this event, walking the length of Franklin Street and back, browsing the booths, buying and investing in these arts. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Business, Events | No Comments

Making that perfect cup of coffee: science weighs in over art

By Ray Huot | September 22, 2007 |

There is much to be said about the perfect cup of coffee, and yet so much is clouded by old wives’ tales and misinformation. What counts is simple math and physics, and as long as you understand the chemistry of coffee you can produce a perfect cup every time.

Grind
The finer you grind the coffee beans, the more character you will get from each bean. In other words, more flavor can be extracted from the same amount of beans if they are ground finer. But it’s the type of coffee making equipment you own that will determine what grind you can get away with.

The reason is due to the flavor compounds present in a coffee bean. “Good” flavors are extracted early in the brewing process, while “bad” flavors come out later. Allowing the grounds to come in contact with too much water will lead to over-extraction and a nasty tasting brew. Your equipment will determine how much water comes into contact with your grounds and for how long. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Business | No Comments