Debbie and her family moved to Clarksville slightly after the tornado of 1999. Debbie founded the group, Clarksville Freethinkers for Peace and Civil Liberties, in 2004. She participated in Gathering to Save Our Democracy, a group dedicated to obtaining free and verifiable elections in Tennessee. She has supported groups including the NAACP, Nashville Peace Coalition, PFLAG, Friends of Dunbar Cave and the Mountain Top Removal Series of Films and speakers. She participated as an artist in the ARTZ gallery group in Clarksville and won Best of Show, First and 2 Second Place awards for four of her sculptures. She won a voter's choice award for a performance at the Roxy Regional Theatre. She is a wife, mother and cancer survivor. She is always amazed at the capabilities of the human spirit, and the wisdom to find humor when there is none.
The opening night performance of “CATS” sold out at the Roxy Regional Theatre. All the pay-what-you-can night hopefuls were disappointed because so many fans paid full price to reserve and get in to this extraordinary show, which will only get better. Those who wish to see CATS are encouraged to get their tickets early; the show runs Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m. through May 2.
Artistic Director John McDonald opened the show by telling our audience that this production is a “dream come true” for the Roxy. It is a dream unfolding for lucky Clarksvillians who get to enjoy this ambitious live theatre production. We’ve watched the Roxy take on bolder and more expensive productions like this, giving year after year of continuous shows of quality in our community. We, the audience, can help them by going to the shows and supporting this artistic endeavor.
The live theatre experience is different each time we go. Performers make it different; so do the audience. «Read the rest of this article»
I tripped and fell at work. I was carrying a box, had to swerve through a narrow area, caught my foot on something and fell. One second I was upright, the next all my weight landed on my right hand.
It hurt like hell. Two people came over immediately and asked if I was OK. I automatically said yes. The pain was screaming. Then the middle of my hand went numb; it was a weird sensation. A man came over (funny guy) and asked if I had been licking frogs that morning. For me, sarcastic humor is my home base. Humor brought me back from that place I call being out-of-the-body. «Read the rest of this article»

Roxy Theatre's "Altar Boyz"
Suddenly I felt a presence
Ending my deep dark fears
There was this heavenly sound
Of something ringing in my ears
Jesus called me on my cell phone
He beeped me!
He faxed me!
He emailed my soul!
~The Calling
The (Altar Boyz) show is presented as a concert, the last concert of their national “Raise the Praise” tour, by the five member group the Altar Boyz and their band. Altar Boyz runs through February 28 at the Roxy Regional Theatre. «Read the rest of this article»
On Thursday, February 19, the Friends of Dunbar Cave along with Clean Cut Productions will present to the public a completed film on the history of Dunbar Cave and its resources. The film will screen at Dunbar Cave State Natural Area, in the Visitor Center (white building), beginning at 6 p.m. with the film repeating every 15 minutes though 7 p.m.
Over 25 people were filmed and interviewed by the Friends group, but Clean Cut is using only four of them in this short introductory film. Cathy Lee and Jason Bagget will be on hand to thank for this incredible gift to our town and state. «Read the rest of this article»
Most of our Tennessee December temperatures threatened ice and snow, but surprise; two days after Christmas and we were in the 70’s. A few of us decided to go with Dan Rachlin as he tried out his new (to him) kayak and also to enjoy this, oh too warm, December weather. Six of us went to Sycamore Creek near Ashland City.

Kerry Alsbrooks, Randall Boen, Nathaniel Alsbrooks, Dan Rachlin, David Boen
The water was frigid, as tested out by me when I immediately fell in while pushing off my kayak. I’ve pushed off my kayak hundreds of times so falling in like that seemed kind-of (all-the-way) stupid. Just to keep me company, Kerry’s little dog fell in also in a separate incident and shortly after me. Kerry’s dog had Chihuahua-like leg shaking for awhile but we were both fine and the air was so warm that I chose to kayak in wet clothes and was totally comfortable. Wet clothes, on the river, two days after Christmas. That’s warm. «Read the rest of this article»

Tough talk at 8 a.m.
“You don’t know my mind. Who are you to tell me what to do?” That’s what Anna Monroe said to people trying to get her to stop doing drugs. I heard Anna talk at the Alternative School in Clarksville to a large group of high school students. “I was just like you,” she says to the audience as she rests the side of her head on her hand, frowns, hair in face. “I used to hear motivational speakers in my school too. I was thinking, why don’t they just shut-up so I can leave?” Anna was one of three guest speakers to talk as part of the Character Education Program.

Regina Moore, Alea White, Anna Monroe, guest speakers at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Alternative School
“You want to know cool? I was cool,” says Anna. In the days when they didn’t have white-out she took another piece of paper, wet it, and glued it over the ink on report cards to forge it. Instead of going to school Anna was going to Disco Fever, the place where rap started in the Bronx. She was the first girlfriend of Grand Master Flash. She hung with school mates the Furious Five and the Sugar Hill Gang. She enjoyed making rap rhymes. She was in a group called the B Girls, B for Break dancing. She stayed out dancing at night and was too tired to go to school. When she was old enough, she dropped out of school. «Read the rest of this article»
Party the Tennessee Trails way by taking a walk with us on New Year’s Eve. Meet at McGregor Park on Riverside at 9 p.m. tonight and walk around downtown with spry Tennessee Trail members, Suva (pictured in red coat) and Jack Bastin (white cap), who lead and follow the group.

It’s an easy walk but consider that we will go up stairs and uphill from the park. Wear appropriate clothing. No paper party hats required and no throw-up bibs needed. This walking party enjoys being sober.
Ask Suva and Jack about the 8 mile annual hike that Tennessee Trails does the following New Year’s day at Montgomery Bell Park.
Natural or unnatural beauty paralyzed and captured in time from behind a camera lens. The current exhibit of photography at the Customs House Museum is a photographic response to the challenge to interpret subject matter metaphorically and or literally in answer to the question: “What does the spirit of light mean to you as a photographer?”

Evening Light by Heidi Hopkins
The Friends of Photography’s current show, Spirit of Light, will be exhibited through February 15. «Read the rest of this article»
Your next problem(s):
- You want to celebrate the Obama election.
- You want to celebrate the Obama election with like-minded folks.
- You want to be happy (for a change, due to the Obama election).
- You want to eat a Frito pie (vegetarian available).
- You want to know what a Frito pie is.
We’re all a little giddy after the election so I’m giving you the solution to your problems:
On Wednesday, Nov 12, between 5 and 8 p.m., go to the Lovin’ Spoonful Café at 128 University Ave. (a stone’s throw from the college). For $6 you can eat hearty fare and have a good time with other Obama fans.
Yes it’s time to celebrate. «Read the rest of this article»
Clarksville Freethinker founder reacts to Obama’s win. Debbie Boen created FreeThinkers for Peace and Civil Liberties at a time when America was more than happy to plunge into war. Like the activists of the 60s, she held to her beliefs, a minority then, and only now, with the historic election of Barack Obama, can she and all of us who have stood in the minority in one form or another, see a light of hope on the horizon.

FreeThinker founder Debbie Boen created this striking Obama signs for the Nov. 4 election.
As I was driving to the Icehouse café on Tuesday night, NPR (National Public Radio) said something about declaring Obama and I didn’t get what had happened. I walked into the cafe and everyone was watching the big screen TV. There was a screaming crowd on the TV set. The scream of happiness from the TV crowd of thousands didn’t stop and seemed to shake the earth. I swear I could feel the vibration of it come from the earth into my body. Miranda Herrick ran up to me and said, “Did you hear what just happened? Obama is declared a winner! Why are we NOT screaming? Why are we NOT screaming?” and with that we both started screaming and again and again. «Read the rest of this article»