Robert Tuke, Senate candidate, brings campaign to Clarksville

By Terry McMoore | July 29, 2008 |

Robert (Bob) Tuke is a Marine who served America, a Democratic soldier who has worked hard for others in Tennessee politics. He is now a candidate for the United States Senate is touring Clarksville meeting with voters to discuss his platform and answer their questions

Robert D. Tuke is the former Chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, having served from July 1, 2005 through January 13, 2007. In addition, he served as Treasurer of the Tennessee Democratic Party and Co-Chair of the Kerry/Edwards Campaign in Tennessee in 2004. He headed Veterans for Kerry in the State in 2003 - 2004. Tuke was also a Trustee of the national Kerry/Edwards campaign and served as Delegation Whip of the Tennessee Delegation at the Democratic National Convention in 2004.

Most recently, Tuke worked as the Tennessee Political Director for Obama for America.

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Chris Lugo: Time to re-examine gun control

By Chris Lugo | July 29, 2008 |

The shooting spree at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church has resulted in murder charges being filed against Jim D. Adkisson, 58, an out-of-work truck driver charged with the killing of two people and the wounding of six others during a children’s musical at the church Sunday morning. Chris Lugo responds to that news and the issue of crime and gun control.

Many Tennesseans were stunned to hear the news that yesterday morning at 10:18 a.m. a lone gunman walked into a welcoming congregation in Knoxville and opened fire on the congregants who were gathered in anticipation of watching their children perform a scene from the musical “Annie” as part of the morning services, killing two people and shooting several more in the head before being tackled to the ground. That church, the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, is a beacon of joy and hope in East Tennessee. Its congregation is made up of some of the most loving, kind and gentle people in the fine city of Knoxville, and the horrific tragedy which was visited upon that church is a wakeup call to good people throughout Tennessee to re-examine our approach to gun control in Tennessee and throughout this nation. «Read the rest of this article»

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“Cooling at the Cave” attracts large crowd for music, games and good company

By Christine Anne Piesyk | July 28, 2008 |

“Cooling at the Cave,” held Saturday at Dunbar Cave, drew dozens of people eager to hear good music in the comfort of the cool air at the mouth of this Clarksville landmark.

Rows of chairs surrounded the mouth of the cave where the Holt Brothers Band played toe tapping music from 3-5 p.m. families and friends clustered around tables, playing everything from dominos to assorted board and trivia games. For others, it was simply a chance for good conversation among friends.

Friends of Dunbar Cave prepared a wide array of snacks — everything from cookies to chocolate nut confections to brownies and fruit bread. In addition to cold sodas, ice cold lemonade was the drink of the day.

Here is a selection of images from this popular summer event (Photos by Christine Anne Piesyk):

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Artists, Crafters sought for juried show

July 28, 2008 |

Applications for artists and crafters are now available for the First Annual Cumberland River Juried Craft Show to be held at the Clarksville Fairgrounds “Where Imagination Flows” Community Built Playground, October 11 and 12.

Sponsors are looking for artists and crafters to display hand made items for sale along the beautiful Cumberland River. Show times will be on Saturday, October 11 from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Sunday, October 12 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Cost for a booth space is $75 for the weekend with a $25 application fee. Over $900.00 will be given as awards to artists who qualify.

For more information on this event or to download an application, go to our website at www.cityofclarksville.com/parksandrec and then click on events. Applications are also available at the main Parks and Recreation office at 104 Public Square or visit any of our community centers.

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Pools to close as the summer heat revs up

By Christine Anne Piesyk | July 27, 2008 |

When I read the following notice regarding city pools, I couldn’t help but shake my head in amazement.

“The final days for pools are upon us this week. The pools will officially close for the summer season on August 3.” As the August heat — those unbearable ‘dog days’ - descend, the pools close up and our children head back to school. Insanity. The calendar runs summer through September 23rd. «Read the rest of this article»

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Impeccable cast ’shakes up’ the Roxy stage with repertoire of Elvis hits

By Christine Anne Piesyk | July 26, 2008 |

The Roxy Regional Theatre’s new production, All Shook Up, is a rollicking romp through our musical “yesterday.” It’s an Elvis Presley fantasy set in a small town where all the action is played out through a score that could be subtitled “Elvis Presley’s Greatest hits.”

Natalie (Maria Maloney) falls instantly in love with Chad (Bryan Davis), who’s ridden into town a bold Red Harley.

It’s the third show I’ve seen in a year that has taken this route of mixing one singer or groups’ music and parlaying that playlist into a new form, integrating the music as part of the storyline. The film Across the Universe did a masterful job with the repertoire of the Beatles’, while the Mama Mia movie fared less well with its ABBA soundtrack. This live theatre production, All Shook Up, and this fabulous Roxy cast come out on the highest end of that scale.

• First, as we baby boomers know, you can’t go wrong with a good Elvis song.
• Second, this Roxy cast was perhaps its strongest ever ensemble of singers/dancers/actors/comics.
• Third, they had clever material and fine hand in direction and choreography.

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Writer’s Conference: John Seigenthaler Sr. offers “A Word on Words”

By Turner McCullough Jr. | July 26, 2008 |

Famed writer, editor, publisher and 1st Amendment advocate encourages audience, “Everyone has at least one story to tell!”

The Clarksville Country Club Dining Room was the host site for this year’s Writers Conference Buffet Dinner, which featured John Seigenthal Sr. as their keynote speaker.

In listing his many life achievements, one must acknowledge his 43 years as an award-winning journalist of Nashville’s The Tennessean being editor, publisher and CEO; his tenure as president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors; serving as the founding editorial director of USA Today; and being an administrative assistant to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and chief negotiator with the governor of Alabama during the Freedom Rides. In 1991, he founded the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, whose mission is creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values. Seigenthaler is also the author of the 2004 biography of American President James K. Polk. He currently hosts a weekly book-review program, “A Word on Words” on Nashville public television station WNPT. «Read the rest of this article»

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Chicago Impressions: The city of broad shoulders beckons!

By Turner McCullough Jr. | July 25, 2008 |

Business trip unveils an American big city and a wondrous experience!

An unexpected business trip resulted in this writer traveling to the famed ‘City of Broad Shoulders!’ Chicago was our destination and The Sears Tower, our business epicenter. Chicago truly is ‘An American Big City.’ Make no mistake, the city center is absolutely impressive with skyscrapers aplenty, social amenities, commercial ventures and a swift hustle and bustle everywhere. The people of Chicago are as diverse their city’s business environs.

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