Recent storms deplete Red Cross funds

By Christine Anne Piesyk | February 13, 2008 |

The Red Cross works on the front line of disaster, providing assistance to victims and to the firefighters, police and rescue workers responding to all forms of crisis. The February 5 storms that raked through Tennessee communities were no exception.

The Clarksville-Montgomery Chapter of the American Red Cross opened two service centers last week to assist people in the Indian Mound section and in Houston County, offering assistance with food, rent, clothing, household needs, medical assistance and temporary home repairs that allowed families to return to their homes. The costs add up, and the local chapter is feeling the economic pinch. «Read the rest of this article»

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Darfur Diaries film - Feb 12 - tonight at Austin Peay State University!

By Beth Robinson | February 12, 2008 |

“I left the film feeling a great deal more hope for us all.” - Alice Walker

The Govs Programming Council will be showing “Darfur Diaries” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12 in the Clement Auditorium.

In October, 2004 three activists snuck across the Sudanese border into rebel-held territory to document the atrocities in Darfur. They returned with some of the first footage exposing the massive war crimes being perpetrated by the Sudanese government.

The event is free and open to the public.

Sponsor:  Govs Programming Council
Contact:   Melissa Davis
E-mail: davisma@apsu.edu
On the Web:  http://www.darfurdiaries.org/

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Clarksville for Obama organizes, plans rally

By Terry McMoore | February 12, 2008 |

Although Tennessee came out for the Clinton camp during the recent presidential primary, the race is far from over; a review of national statistics shows Barack Obama neck in neck with Hilary Clinton. A tight race is underway, with the primary race so close on a national level that both candidates have sent the message down to all their campaign headquarters, especially in the states that have had primaries, to not close their local primary campaign doors yet. The political battle cry: rally the voters and register new voters.

Montgomery County, a county that Barack Obama did not do well in, still has a team of energetic people lead by county campaign manager for Barack Obama, Credo Amouzouvik. This re-energized group of supporters will officially introduce themselves to the citizens of Clarksville-Montgomery County as they rally behind the name Clarksville for Obama on February 15 at the Tropicana Restaurant, 233-A Tiny Town Road in Clarksville at 6 p.m. «Read the rest of this article»

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Your Email action is needed now to ensure verifiable voting in 2008 elections

February 11, 2008 |

The most important message to send to TN lawmakers is: We must have paper ballots in time for the 2008 Presidential election!

The house state & local government committee rolled our bill (HB 1256) from Feb. 5 to Feb. 12 – this coming Tuesday. It will be heard at 10:30 in Room 16 at Legislative Plaza.

The senate state & local government committee will be hearing our bill (SB 1363) that same day at noon in Room 12.

We expect (but aren’t sure) that both bills will pass out of the committees. The next stop is the Finance, Ways & Means committee where the members will consider how the bill would be funded. This is where we anticipate the most difficulty.

However, there are reasons to be hopeful «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues | 2 Comments

For Valentine’s Day - “The Truth About Cats & Dogs”

By Turner McCullough Jr. | February 11, 2008 |

A Valentine’s Day DVD Recommendation!

Guys, Here’s a suggestion that’s sure to be a hit with your significant other! Get a copy of the DVD of the 1996 movie, “The Truth About Cats and Dogs.”

The movie is a romantic comedy loosely based on the classic French novel, “Cyrano De Bergerac.” Most of us are likely more familiar with the Steven Martin adaptation “Roxanne,” only here the gender of the love-smitten” and “the pursued” roles are reversed.

Janeane Garofalo and Uma Thurman gives this “Chic Flick” real entertainment value. Their portrayals are tight and really engaging.

Ben Chaplin plays the role of “Brian,” the duped love object of Garofalo’s “Abby.” He is captivating in his pursuit of his dream girl. The real question is, “Which Abby is the one he really loves?” Fortunately for him, “Hank, the rollerskating dog” helps him figure it out! «Read the rest of this article»

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Serving families, children, with Head Start

By Rev. Charles Moreland | February 10, 2008 |

As a United Methodist pastor in Missouri, I served churches in a town of 1200 or less in population. For these labors, the median income average wasn’t much to brighten people’s lives. The availability of welfare, unemployment and social security checks made for a mere survival for families.

One program that gave hope to parents, and grandparents who were raising grandchildren was the local Head Start program. As we know, Head Start is beneficial and worthy of tax dollars. Even senior citizens with only income from Social Security were wiling to sacrifice for this program and the encouragement it gives families.

Thankfully, Head Start is funded by our tax dollars. There is only one meaningful and cheerful avenue to that: our tax dollars are funneled to our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate. Head Start is healthy for both family and community.

In November, the Head Start bill passed Congress and was signed in December. In 2007, our politicians in Congress pass this law with a near unanimous vote. They did something good and that action should merit our applause. «Read the rest of this article»

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Puccini’s Manon Lescaut coming up next in Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD series

By Christine Anne Piesyk | February 8, 2008 |

The Met Live in HD continues its stunning season with the February 16 performance of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut at Regal Cinema/Green Hills Mall and Opry Mills, both in Nashville. Curtain is at noon central time (1 p.m. ET).

Manon Lescaut (Karita Mattila, above) is set in 18th century France; its heroine emerges from the innocence of girlhood to become the mistress of an old man. Her life spirals downward as she faces deportation and and becomes an imprisoned and despairing soul. The opera opens with a lush elegance of wealth and the highest social strata, descending by Act III to dungeons, doldrums and despair. «Read the rest of this article»

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An open letter about the “blight” ordinance

By Katrina Gunn | February 7, 2008 |

I sent this letter opposing the Clarksville Center Redevelopment Plan to Clarksville City Mayor Johnny Piper and all twelve City Council members on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008. So far I have only received four replies.

To my elected representatives:

As a registered voter and a property owner I am extremely concerned and alarmed about the so-called “blight” ordinance, 73-2005-06. I live within the area designated as “blight” by this ordinance, and am beyond disappointed at both this current city council plus administration as well as with the former city council plus administration.

I NEVER received proper notification of this ordinance in any stage of its development. I received absolutely nothing in 2006 when it was up for its first reading, nor did I receive anything this past fall when it finally was scheduled for a second reading. Had I received proper notice of this you would have certainly heard and read my thoughts long prior to today. This document should have never been passed.

Continued below the fold…

Editor’s Note: The Clarksville Property Rights Coalition is asking that people who oppose the redevelopment ordinance to attend tonight’s city council meeting wearing red. The public address period begins at 7:00pm, while the official city council meeting starts at at 7:30pm. The council meeting is being held at the Board of Education building, which is located at 621 Gracey Avenue (approximately where the old Acme Boot building was on Crossland).

«Read the rest of this article»

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