Clarksville Historic District gets “top spot” on Historic Preservation endangered list

By Christine Anne Piesyk | May 31, 2008 |

Clarksville has made it to the “top spot” on at least one list in Tennessee, rising to the number one spot on the state’s “Ten in Tennessee” most endangered historical districts list.

Franklin Street at the heart of development plans. David Shelton Photo.

The Tennessee Trust for Historic Preservation has put Clarksville/Montgomery County Historic Districts at in the number one spot on its 2008 list, according to an announcement released at a press conference on Friday, May 30 at the Old Supreme Court Chambers at the Tennessee State Capitol, Nashville.

“Properties in the downtown, Dog Hill,and Emerald Hill Historic Districts are threatened by recent Downtown Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Plan, which would designate two square miles of the historic downtown as “blighted” and give the city the power to use eminent domain to condemn and demolish structures for development. The National Trust for Historic Preservation calls the situation “the most significant threat to historic districts” it has encountered.” — Tennessee Trust for Historic Preservation.

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Park pond to close for Youth Fishing Rodeo

May 31, 2008 |

In order to provide a fun experience for participants in the Eighth Annual TWRA and City of Clarksville Youth Fishing Rodeo on June 7, we ask that the public refrain from fishing at the pond at Fairgrounds Park beginning Monday, June 2 at 6 a.m. through June 7.

The Youth Fishing Rodeo is a free event coordinated at Fairgrounds pond on June 7. Children up to age 16 may fish in the rodeo without a license. Pre-registration forms are available at most sporting goods stores in the area. Registration starts at 7:15 a.m. the day of the event. The pond gets crowded quick so come early to claim your spot. The first round of fishing starts at 8:00 a.m. and lasts until 9:00 a.m. for ages 9 and under. Ages 10 to 16 get to fish from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. You are allowed one fishing pole per participant. Parents can assist in baiting, casting, or taking the fish off the hook. Bait and goodie bags will be provided at no charge the day of the event, while supplies last. Prizes will be awarded in several categories.

For more information about the fishing rodeo, please contact TWRA at 1-800-624-7406.

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MCDP women host voter registrations

May 30, 2008 |

The Montgomery County Democratic Women are sponsoring two voter registration events, according to Gene Lewis, chairman of the MCDP.

On Saturday, May 31, the Democratic women will be at Krogers at Dover Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. On June 2, they will host a voter forum at the Public Library on Pageant Lane at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to take this opportunity to learn about the upcoming elections and register to vote.

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“A New Earth” challenges perceptions

By Rev. Charles Moreland | May 30, 2008 |

“Try it. You will like like it.” I heard this often as I was growing up in the Missouri Ozarks. In many unknown or uncertain situations, this advice motivated me; I found it to be positively true when I volunteered to serve as U.S. Army Chaplain, even though there were hardships and challenges in those 20 years.

I still find this advice helpful in my personal life and in my retirement. In this narrative, I have a recoomendation that you will or will not like.

I am recommending a book that may or may not be your “cup of tea,” a book you may not find agreeable. Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth. It is currently a book of the month selection on Oprah Winfrey’s television show and may be purchased for the low price of $14 (plus tax). Before spending your hard -earned cash on it, remember I do not guarantee that ‘you will like it.” The very opposite is the expected outcome because of provocative insight into our personal lives and what makes us “tick” psychologically, physically and spiritually.

It contains modern interpretations of our dilemma as children of God. Though not exclusively a book on religion, it does provide epiphanies about spiritual experiences, challenges us to a mature faith and discovery of a serendipitous depth to our personal faith. «Read the rest of this article»

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ReConstruct and city team up for summer home repair program

May 30, 2008 |

The City of Clarksville’s Office of Housing and Community Development has partnered with ReConstruct, a faith-based organization dedicated to helping low-income families in need of minor home repairs. This summer Reconstruct will be in Clarksville to help twelve residents with roof repairs. There is no cost to the homeowner, but homeowners must meet certain income qualifications.

To qualify a resident must:

• Be a Homeowner
• Be Income Eligible
• Live within the City Limits of Clarksville
• Complete an application by June 15, 2008.

Homes will be selected on a first come first serve basis. Repairs will be made from July 6 – July12 and July 13 – July 19. Residents may also be interested in the City’s Owner-Occupied Minor Home Repair Program, Emergency Repair Program or RAMP program. Low-interest loans and grants are also available to eligible homeowners. For more information or to pick up an application for any of these programs, please contact Martias Kendrick or Bertha Rufus at 931-648-6133 or visit us at City Hall, One Public Square, Suite 201.

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Christmas on Cumberland makes “Top 20″ of Southeast tourism events

May 30, 2008 |

With its annual expansion and continual improvements, Clarksville’s annual holiday light festival, Christmas on the Cumberland, is one of the best events the city has to offer. The festival draws thousands to its opening ceremonies each years, and thousands more who stroll the riverfront walkways to enjoy the lights.

The City of Clarksville received notification on Wednesday that Christmas on the Cumberland has been selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for the month of November 2008. The Southeast Tourism Society chooses the Top 20 events going on in the Southeast for each month of the year, and publishes this list of winners quarterly. The Top 20 Events publication is sent to over 800 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, AAA publications and others.

Christmas on the Cumberland will celebrate its tenth season this November and December and is expected to attract over 35,000 visitors to the RiverWalk during that time period.

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CHS H.O.P.E. Club to make 1200 mile ride for Catie Summers Scholarship fund

May 30, 2008 |

All too often the news is filled with negative images and information about what goes on in our city and county. Often that dark news seems to focus on our students and young adults. For the next few days I will be sending information on a group of Clarksville High School students and parents that are off on a great adventure to represent our city and county and to raise money for two causes.

These young adults are members of the Clarksville High School H.O.P.E (Helping Other People Everyday) club. The causes they are raising money for are the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Catie Summers Memorial Scholarship. «Read the rest of this article»

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Where the elk and the bison roam …

By Christine Anne Piesyk | May 29, 2008 |

Daytrips and Weekenders. As the summer months and the vacation/travel season approaches, we offer you, our readers, ideas for day trips and weekend excursions to places and events that can be done in a day, or maxed out over a weekend. Time and the high cost of gas fuel our efforts to find local entertainment and activities. This column will appear each Thursday through Labor Day.

Land Between the Lakes has a lot to offer, not the least of which a free roaming bison that, topping the scales at a ton (a very solid 2,000 pounds), leave no doubt as to who has the right of way on the roads in the prairie compound.

At up to 2000 pounds, adult bison can have the right of way ...

Discounting its paved road, the Elk and Bison Prairie is a step back in time to an age when these magnificent animals roamed free across the American landscape, the midwestern prairies. Though modern living and urban expansion has come perilously close to decimating native prairie landscape, many groups across the midwest are laboring intensively to save and/or restore these landscapes. It’s enviromentally sound and historically smart. «Read the rest of this article»

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