Hispanic group to provide Thanksgiving dinner to 30 local families

By David W. Shelton | October 27, 2007 |

Clarksville’s local Hispanic organization, Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education (HOPE), is working to provide a Thanksgiving dinner for 30 families that are in need. This year’s goal is up from 10 last year. Rosa Ponce, the group’s secretary, is coordinating the group’s effort. She said that they surpassed last year’s goal and served over 20 families with Thanksgiving dinners. She said that they’re working to feed even more than 30 families and added that there isn’t really any limit to how many families they can support.

For those who wish to nominate a family to be fed by the effort, Ponce said that the organization will consider any family who is struggling and can not afford to buy supplies for their Thanksgiving dinner. “There are a lot of families who are just over the threshhold of the line for food stamps,” she said. “They make just $10 over the limit, so they can’t get assistance. We want to help them too.” «Read the rest of this article»

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Dunbar Cave hosts Haunted History tours

By Christine Anne Piesyk | October 27, 2007 |

Over 200 people turned out for the first of two evenings of Haunting History at Dunbar Cave Friday. This annual event includes a modified nighttime cave tour with young actors from the Roxy Regional Theater performing informational skits inside cave chambers on the the history and ecology of the caves.

Tiki torches lit the path along the lake leading up the caves, where ironically it was warmer in the static temperature of the caves than it was outdoors. Guests could take away the chill of cool 50 degree air with a warm cup of apple cider or chocolate.

Among the skits inside were a presentation by Ally Campbell, Aaron Juvera, Della Coleman and Elizabeth Coleman (above left), who answered haunting questions about cave art.

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MRSA reported in three CMCSS schools

By Christine Anne Piesyk | October 26, 2007 |

Ward 10 City Councilman Bill Summer, the council’s liaison to the Clarkville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS), tonight confirmed three cases of MRSA in three of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools: Cumberland Heights Elementary, New Providence and Northeast Middle.

Because of the seriousness of this type of antibiotic-resistant infection, Summers tonight posted a detailed letter on the issue and the school/community response on the CMCSS Parent Information Network [PIN], which circulates that information to the parents of every child in the school system.

MRSA [Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus] is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics including methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin.

Although three cases have been reported locally, there have been no deaths here.

“I send this as info for those that may hear things through the grapevine or rumor. There have NOT been any deaths here. The following letter went home to students parents today. I am providing it to you for info. The school system has contacted me to confirm a third case (the following letter from CMCSS mentioned only the two they knew about at the time it was written).” — Councilman Bill Summers

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The art of coffee-roasting on an open fire: updated atmosphere for an old tradition

By Ray Huot | October 26, 2007 |

Did you know that coffee beans have to be roasted before they are ground or brewed? Most people are not aware of this.

Many of our ancestors were master coffee roasters, but this art was almost lost when machines began to be commonly used to roast the beans before they got to market. Because there was no method to keep the beans fresh, early American homemakers and trail hands purchased raw coffee beans from the mercantile in town, and then took them home or back to camp where they roasted them in an iron skillet on the stove or over an open fire. This method took great skill to determine the degree of roast and bring out the best flavor in every cup. «Read the rest of this article»

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Bikers who “scare” host Haunted House

By Christine Anne Piesyk | October 25, 2007 |

The Bikers Who Scare Haunted House with its 16 rooms of terror will be open at 7 p.m. October 26-27 and 30-31 in Clarksville. The haunting, sponsored by Bikers Who Care, will take place at 1650 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard in Clarksvill. Entry fee is $10 with proceeds to benefit Bikers Who Care Children’s Charities.

The rooms in the Haunted House have their own unique terrifying themes utilizing the including a vortex tunnel, light, smoke, sound effects, music, mechanical and electrical devices to thrill and terrify with the talents of 75 actors and a variety of special effects. «Read the rest of this article»

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Gay Adoption: Prepare for legislative battle

By Todd Hughes | October 25, 2007 |

The polemic surrounding legal rights for GLBT [Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgendered) people to adopt children is clearly well established. Every few years, the question is revisited, either as part of a moral debate or as a legal battle. During the next few months, we can anticipate introduction of this question, once again, in the Legislature. We should begin by considering some important facts.

First, according to the Human Rights Commission (HRC), the following are the particulars regarding adoption by same sex couples in our state:

• Single GLBT people may adopt children
• There is no explicit prohibition against adoption for same-sex couples;
• It is unclear as to whether or not a person can adopt the child of a same-sex partner.

Second, there are currently no bills in the Legislature that would restrict the rights of GLBT individuals or couples to adopt.

So, where’s the “problem” and why are we talking about a “battle?” «Read the rest of this article»

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Dunbar readies ‘Haunting History’ tours

October 24, 2007 |

For the 8th year running, Friends of Dunbar Cave brings Haunting History right before Halloween. Visitors can see exciting and fun skits performed inside Dunbar Cave on Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27 between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

The $5 per person entry fee goes toward maintaining, preserving and promoting Dunbar Cave State Natural Area. Parking is free.

At different “stages” inside the cave, talented young performers from the Roxy Regional School of the Arts, directed by Roxy regional Theater Stage Manager Ellie Ellis, will presents skits. These historically based vignettes won’t scare you but while being entertained, will offer information about bats and other critters, the haunting history of the cave, and Native American art in the cave.

No reservation is needed. Guided tours leave the Visitor’s Center every 15-20 minutes. «Read the rest of this article»

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Changing rules for emergency response

By Christine Anne Piesyk | October 24, 2007 |

“…dedicated to the best possible response to all emergency calls in the city of Clarksville. We strive to provide top-flight customer service to all aspects of our mission through our fire suppression activities, medical assist responses, daily and annual training, fire prevention inspections and public fire education programs, fire investigations, safety practices, and vehicle maintenance procedures.”

– Clarksville Fire Rescue

Debra had allergies. To everything. The list of foods she could eat was a single page. Two brief columns of edibles that would not kill her. She carried a stash of epi-pens — in the kitchen, in the bedroom, in the car. Her reactions happened fast. Shortness of breath, then unconsciousness. On one hair-rising night, a night when I just stopped by for a moment and found her door open, her beloved house cats loose in the hall and her body on the floor gasping for air, though I didn’t know she was a step away from death. I jabbed her with an epi-pen even as I dialed 9-1-1, which dispatched a crew from a point just a minute away. Four days later Debra was released from the hospital, until her next crisis. According to reports, her conditions were “allergic reaction” and “shortness of breath.” According to the Emergency Room doctors, she was lucky to have survived at all.

Who says shortness of breath or an allergic reaction are not a medical emergency worthy of the fastest response, including response by Clarksville Fire and Rescue? Or that it can wait for a county service to respond? The rapid response of a neighborhood fire and rescue team saved Debra’s life more than once.

Strokes can paralyze, kill, and result in brain damage; early response to and treatment for stroke is critical. Minutes make a difference.

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