The Lylewood Inn Bed & Breakfast is located at 110 Camp Lylewood Rd in Indian Mound, TN.

The Lylewood Inn Bed & Breakfast

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PARSIPPANY, N.J. - Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC today announced the addition of The Vaughn Team, a Clarksville, Tenn.-based real estate brokerage serving Clarksville, Tennessee and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to its growing network of agents.  The company will do business as Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Hometown Connection. This brings the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate network to nearly 80 offices with over 2,200 sales associates in 12 states.

The Vaughn Team founder, Maurice Vaughn, a 25-year real estate veteran and recipient of numerous prestigious achievement awards, will serve as CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Hometown Connection. The Vaughn Team will continue to operate and maintain the team name under Better Homes and Gardens Hometown Connection.

The Vaughn Team

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for our company,” said Vaughn. “As we actively look to expand in the region, I can think of no other brand as recognizable and trusted as Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. This affiliation gives our current team and agents, as well as new agents joining the company, access to next generation technology and best-in-class marketing tools.  This will help us grow with the ever-changing real estate industry, building stronger relationships faster with home buyers and sellers, while continuing to serve customers with the quality service The Vaughn Team is known for.”

Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC

“Hometown Connection is the very definition of Main Street values. Its deep connection with consumers is a natural fit for our brand,” said Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. “Today’s home buyer demands a new level of service and our superior tools and services, combined with an iconic brand name, will help position this company and its agents as leaders in their communities.”

All local MLS listings, including those from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Hometown Connection, will now be accessible through www.bhgrealestate.com, which offers homebuyers and sellers comprehensive content and resources. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Hometown Connection (www.BHGHometownConnection.com) sales associates will now have access to best practice tools and information on the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Extranet.

About Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC is an international real estate brand that offers a full range of services to brokers, sales associates and home buyers and sellers. Using innovative technology, sophisticated business systems and the broad appeal of a lifestyle brand, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC embodies the future of the real estate industry while remaining grounded in the tradition of home. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services. For more information, please visit www.BHGRealEstate.com.

Better Homes and Gardens® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC.

Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Better Homes and Gardens^® Real Estate Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated.

“We have always been dedicated to providing outstanding service to our members and the dialogue branches allow us to use new technology to take our service to the next level.”, says Stewart Ramsey, President and CEO of Fort Campbell Federal.

Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union employees, Board of Directors and Clarksville/Montgomery County Chamber Ambassadors at the ribbon cutting for Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union's 9th Branch

To gain access to the safety deposit box area biometrics scanners are used

The open environment of the dialogue branch has been well received by many of the credit union’s more than 36,000 members. Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union is the only financial institution in Clarksville to have dialogue branches, with its Madison Street branch being the first, opened in August of 2009. The Credit Union’s tenth branch is currently under construction on Dover Crossing Road and is expected to open in early fall of 2010.

Walking through the front door of the Tiny Town branch, you will be greeted by a staff member who has been cross-trained to handle all of your needs, from basic transactions to loan applications. “The technology allows us to keep transactions safe and efficient so that we can focus on our members and provide the highest level of service possible.” Ramsey explains.

Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union President Stewart Ramsey addressing the crowd at the ribbon cutting for Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union's 9th Branch

Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union has experienced a high level of growth since it opened its membership to all those living in Montgomery and Stewart counties in Tennessee and Christian, Trigg, and Todd counties in Kentucky. Ramsey explains, “Our name describes our roots, since the credit union began on Fort Campbell in 1954. Since that time, we have grown into a true community credit union along with many of our early members who now call Clarksville, Hopkinsville, and Fort Campbell home. We are a very strong financial institution with a long history in this area and if you work, live, or attend school in one of our 5 counties, we would love to have you as a member.”

Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union will be holding the grand opening of its ninth branch this Saturday, November 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 500 Heritage Pointe Drive, a half mile down Tiny Town Road from Trenton Road. Stop by to learn more about what makes a dialogue branch unique or visit www.fortcampbellfederal.org for more information about Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union.

The Morton’s added a plumbing division in 2002 to serve the commercial and residential new construction market. Since 2008, they have looked to expand into plumbing services, and sought a business model to transition them into the market. “Starting a plumbing business takes a lot of time and effort. By opening a Mr. Waterheater® franchise we’ll be able to ramp up the business quickly because of the marketing, the television commercials, the radio advertising, and the Mr. Waterheater® mascot, we can get known in Clarksville,” states Neal Morton. The franchise discovery process included a trip to Pittsburgh to meet the Sembower family and the Mr. Waterheater team. “When we came to visit Mr. Waterheater we were impressed with the family atmosphere that they have created. We have experience with other franchise or licensing opportunities and we feel that the values that we have at Morton Mechanical are right in line with the Mr. Waterheater team.”

The Morton’s expect great synergy between Morton Mechanical and Mr. Waterheater®. “Morton Mechanical is known and respected in Clarksville for great service. I plan to use the Mr. Waterheater® advertising to get the word out that if you need to replace your water heater quickly and affordably…like the jingle says…call Mr. Waterheater®.” The Morton’s believe the low price leader philosophy of Mr. Waterheater® will make for a successful business to dominate his market with low prices and great customer service.

Neal Morton recently completed his week of franchise training in Pittsburgh, PA and is ready to start taking calls to replace water heaters in Clarksville. Mr. Waterheater® started operation in 1981 by two former Sears employees. The company was purchased in 1998 by the Sembower family that operates Sembower-Mikesell Plumbing looking to expand their business. The company has doubled in business and installs close to 5,000 water heaters a year and sells almost 7,000 and has the largest share of the residential water heater replacement business in the Pittsburgh market. Mr. Waterheater® is looking for franchise owners throughout the United States that like the simplicity of this specialty plumbing franchise.

Nashville – The State Supreme Court has upheld the trial court and has overturned the Court of Criminal Appeals’ decision in the State’s action against Michael Casper, an unregistered securities seller.

Casper was initially convicted of 15 counts of willfully selling securities without registering with the state as a broker-dealer or agent in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated section 48-2-109. His unregistered activity cost as many as 150 Tennesseans investors as much as $11.5 million. The trial court imposed concurrent sentences of four years on each count, required 11 months to be served in jail, and ordered 12 years of probation, community service and the payment of fines and restitution. The Supreme Court reinstated the initial conviction thereby safeguarding Tennessee investor protection laws.

“This decision strengthens investor protections in two ways,” says Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Leslie A. Newman. “It affirms the efforts of the Securities Division, as well as the Office of the Attorney General, to crack down on people who attempt to sell securities products without being registered with the State or without registering the products they are selling. And, it requires an unregistered broker to be accountable for their wrongful actions.”

At issue was the definition of “willfully” in the Tennessee securities laws that prohibit unlicensed and unregistered activity. The Court of Criminal Appeals had reversed and dismissed the convictions on grounds of insufficient evidence, holding that the term “willfully” in the criminal penalties section of the Tennessee Securities Act of 1980 required that the defendant not only had to act deliberately but also had to be aware that his conduct was prohibited by law.

In this important decision, the Supreme Court described: “We . . . hold that the statute does not require the state to prove that the defendant knew his or her acts were illegal in order to establish a willful violation of our state securities laws. The term “willfully” in [the statute] requires only that the accused acted deliberately and was fully aware of his or her conduct. Because the defendant was aware he was selling securities and knew that he was not registered as a broker-dealer or agent, we reinstate the convictions and the sentences.”

The opinion may be read at http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/OPINIONS/TSC/PDF/094/SC%20State%20v%20Michael%20Casper%20OPN.pdf.

“Whether you are an investor or someone interested in selling securities products, check with the Securities Division to ensure compliance with Tennessee’s securities law,” says Newman. Call either 615-741-2947 or 800-863-9117, or e-mail Securities..

About The Tennessee Division of Securities

The Securities Division is a part of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. www.tn.gov/commerce/

The 103-year old F&M ranks as one of the state’s top 15 independent banks. With assets exceeding $750 million, F&M Bank operates offices in Montgomery, Rutherford, Wilson, Sumner, Putnam, Robertson and Stewart counties.

Sammy Stuard

“Being recognized by BusinessTN as one of the 2009 Hot100 companies in the state is evidence that many businesses and individuals continue to be drawn to F&M’s longstanding tenure in Middle Tennessee, our financial stability and the unique brand of community banking we offer,” remarked Sammy Stuard, F&M president and CEO. “People are finding lots of reasons to migrate back to community banks — trust, accessibility and a feeling that they are more than just an account number,” he continued. “F&M has worked hard to roll-out meaningful new products and keep our banking technology current. Consumers realize that there are negligible benefits associated with the larger banks that have been the subject of so much negative financial news. I am pleased to share this honor with the 220 F&M employees who are crucial to our success.”

The Hot100 list is described by BusinessTN as an annual look at companies who represent the best that Tennessee has to offer in terms of entrepreneurial vision and growth. According to the publication, selection of the Hot 100 is based on numerous factors such as revenue, employee growth, growth over a period of years, growth as compared to industry average and projected growth. In compiling the Hot 100 list, BusinessTN spotlights companies that are enriching local and regional economies, providing jobs, and contributing to Tennessee’s entrepreneurial culture.

F&M has recently opened new full-service banking offices in Cookeville and a new mortgage office in Brentwood. For more information on F&M Bank and F&M Mortgage, visit www.myfmbank.com.

Nashville – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance is seeking written public comments relating to the cost and effectiveness of sprinkler equipment in one-family and two-family dwellings in areas where residential sprinklers are in use.

In conjunction with its administrative role implementing Governor Phil Bredesen’s Future Clean Energy Act of 2009 and at the direction of the General Assembly, the Department is conducting an analysis regarding the cost and effectiveness of sprinkler equipment in one-family and two-family dwellings in areas where residential sprinklers are in use and will report the results of such analysis to the General Assembly on or before May 1, 2010.

In accordance with Chapter 529 of the Public Acts of 2009, the Department is specifically requesting written input from any interested parties.

It is requested that all written materials be provided to the Department by December 31, 2009. Materials may be sent by e-mail, addressed to Assistant Fire Commissioner Jim. or by mail addressed to:

About the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance

The Department of Commerce and Insurance works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee.

RCR, is a Nashville general contractor, employs more than 80 people and has worked on projects throughout the southeastern United States. One of RCR’s current projects is the construction of Lipscomb University Intermodal in Nashville.

Clarksville Resident Peggy Harrison Elliott (office manager / operations director); Pat Riley (CEO); and Jay Hill (general superintendent / operations director).

Nashville, TN

But for all the conveniences of gift cards, they often come with fine print that can make them less than perfect. Here’s how consumers can keep that gift card policies from dumping snow on their gift-giving this winter:

1. Check expiration dates and fees. In the state of Tennessee, expiration dates, fees and other terms must be clearly disclosed at the time of purchase. The expiration date and fee must be legibly printed on the gift card.
2. Ask about restrictions. Some card issuers deduct a monthly fee from the card or apply inactivity fees, if a card has not been used for a period of time. These fees will reduce the value of the card. Some gift cards do not allow cash refunds for a remaining balance on a card. You will have to either forfeit the balance or buy additional items.
3. Know what it will cost. Major shopping mall operators charge fees for gift cards. Gift cards issued by banks and credit card companies often expire and tend to add fees. Fees – including activation fees, transaction fees, maintenance fees and inactivity fees – can lessen a card’s value.
4. Ask what to do if the card is stolen. Always keep a receipt. Since gift cards are not usually registered to an individual purchaser, they can be easily stolen. Some stores urge customers to access their website and register cards in case they’re stolen.
5. Check on purchase exemptions. Ask if the card may be used at both a store’s physical location and the store’s website. Also ask if the card may be used at other locations, not just the specific store where the card was purchased.
6. Get as much information as possible for the card’s recipient. Ask for a toll-free phone number, in case there are problems with the gift card. Ask if a website that provides gift card details is available.

About the Tennessee Consumer Affairs Division

The Tennessee Consumer Affairs Division is part of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee.

WKAG was the only station on the lineup that has consistently covered events in the Clarksville market since the mid-90’s, and included the coverage in newscasts, sports coverage, weather, public affairs and the all important information and updates that flow daily from Fort Campbell.

Many reasons have been given for this drop, with the primary one being a signal strength issue from our transmitter once Charter decided to drop the fiber optic feed that they had provided to get the signal for over ten years.

WKAG does not dispute the signal issue question, which we began to alleviate the moment we first heard about channel loss possibility. We now have a new, solid state transmitter replacing our original tube style transmitter from the 1980’s, we are broadcasting stronger and with a more consistent signal than ever before.

WKAG has qualified for cable carriage in Clarksville since the Cable Television Act of 1992, and continues to do so.

We contend that to the date of this press release, Charter has NOT conducted proper signal tests as required by the Federal Communications Commission.

Cable television operators who are testing signal strength for carriage for qualified Class A Low Power television stations are expected by government regulations to do their testing at the same height location on their head end tower where they would receive qualifying full power television stations. IE.. signals for cable carriage MUST be tested on Charter’s Tower where they receive signals for qualifying Nashville stations.

Interviews with four separate cable operators (Not Charter, and not located in Clarksville) found that all of these operators get their full power signals at a height between 130 and 150 feet up on their head end towers. Interviews with former Charter employees verify that they too receive their full power signals at a similar height.

Charter supplied WKAG with documentation that they had tested our signal from the back of a bucket truck. Various figures on the documentation place the test height at somewhere between 30 and 40 feet.

WKAG contends that the testing done on our signal is a full 100 feet BELOW the accepted height that is required by FCC rules.

Since day one, Charter has said that they want to live by FCC rules and regulations and that was the reason for pulling the WKAG fiber feed, even though the FCC has NO regulations concerning the use of a fiber feed for signal delivery.

On Thursday, November 5, WKAG did our own signal test for the Clarksville market. Although we don’t have the access to the tower height that Charter has available, we took a two foot antenna, some coaxial cable and a monitor to downtown Clarksville, went to the top of a building there and did our own test.

Using this makeshift receive equipment and about 30 minutes of time, we were able to receive a signal downtown in Clarksville.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This video shows the procedure of us testing the signal, Charter’s original paperwork showing their incorrect test methods and a sample of the signal we were able to get with this simple setup.

The signal isn’t perfect, but it shows that proper signal strength can be accomplished. Our measurements were taken:

1. From a distance FARTHER from our tower than Charter’s head end would be
2. From a height estimated to be 60 to 70 feet LOWER than where Charter would do testing.
3. Using a simple two foot antenna and basically pointing the antenna toward Hopkinsville. No fine tuning on the signal and certainly not using anything other than the simplest of receive equipment.

WKAG contends that this video will show even the most pessimistic Charter customer that signal strength is not an issue here. It should further show that given the proper signal testing, with the proper height and equipment, that there is no reason why the only television station to consistently provide local programming to Clarksville since 1992 shouldn’t be returned to Charter’s Cable Lineup immediately.

WKAG continues to be seen in over 30 cable markets in the surrounding area, and is available alternatively in Clarksville by CDE Lightband.

Take action

• Contact Charter Communications today and demand that WKAG be reinstated to their lineup!
• Call Charter in Clarksville today at 931-472-0128.  Email or call Tony Fox Charter’s Director of Operations at 931-320-0413.
• Drop by Charter’s offices at 1850 Business Park Drive, Suite 101.

WKAG is still available via CDE Lightband.  Call 931-648-8151 to order.

• ARTifacts, An Art & Antique Emporium
• Hodgepodge, where you gather your home
• Rogate’s Boutique
• Ingredients, for the gourmet in you

All of these businesses are locally owned and offer shoppers the most unique inventories and fare available.

Get a jump on your preparations for your holiday celebrations and join us for this day of festivities!

NASHVILLE — Tax return e-filing for this year ended Oct. 15 and Tennesseans e-filed a record 1.96 million federal income tax returns in 2009. With a projected 2.82 million paper and electronic returns to be filed by Tennesseans by the end of the year, 69.6 percent of tax filers in the state chose electronic filing over paper. “Most Tennesseans have made the sensible switch to e-filing,” said IRS spokesman Dan Boone. “It’s fast, easy, secure and for most filers it’s available at no cost.”

Nationwide, a record 95 million returns, over 67 percent of the total returns filed, were e-filed in 2009.

Taxpayers who e-file from a home computer continue to be an increasingly significant segment of those who e-file. More than 32 million returns were filed from home computers in 2009, an increase of almost 20 percent over last year.

More than 3 million taxpayers nationwide filed their tax returns for free through the IRS Free File program. This year for the first time, taxpayers could also file directly to the IRS by completing a fill-in Form 1040 online at IRS.gov; 273,000 taxpayers used this new way to file.

F&M Bank also maintained its number one deposit ranking for the entire Clarksville-Hopkinsville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes Stewart County, Tenn., and Trigg County, Ky. In 2009, F&M’s deposit market share rose to 13.74%, up from 13.65% in 2008. Planters ranks number two with 11.12% and Regions rose to 10.24%, taking the number three spot away from BB&T. The FDIC issues deposit market share reports on all federally insured institutions annually.

Sammy Stuard

Sammy Stuard, F&M Bank’s president and CEO, credits the bank’s growth to the community’s confidence. “Even with the negative publicity that has surrounded many banks during these tough economic times, F&M’s solid reputation in Montgomery and Stewart County continues to attract new business,” Stuard remarked. “F&M Bank has strong history here and our employees have earned the trust and loyalty of our customers. Luckily for us, word-of-mouth support for F&M has made a huge difference in garnering new personal and business banking clients,” he said.

About F&M Bank

F&M Bank has grown from a small community bank in Bumpus Mills, Tenn., to one of the premier financial institutions in the Middle Tennessee. Since moving their headquarters to Clarksville in 1989, bank assets have grown from $22 to over $760 million, ranking them among the top 15 independent banks in the state. F&M Bank recently expanded their banking network into Cookeville and opened a mortgage office in Brentwood’s Maryland Farms. F&M Bank has 15 full-service banking locations, including their five Clarksville and two Stewart County offices. Additional information regarding F&M Bank can be found at www.myfmbank.com.

The Viceroy Performing Arts Center in Oak Grove, KY

There’s a little-known gem nestled in the fields of Oak Grove, Ky. Right beside the War Memorial Walking Trail stands the Viceroy Performing Arts Center, a full-service entertainment complex offering the ambiance of an outdoor venue with the amenities of an indoor reception hall. But you want to know the best part?

You can get married at the Viceroy.

Clarksville Bride Ashley Parsons found the Viceroy after having complications with her original wedding location in Clarksville. “We were working on a small budget and didn’t have a huge guest list. Wanting something outdoors, yet intimate, we thought we found the perfect location,” says the September Bride. “After several hoops and hurdles we dropped the venue. We went and looked (at the Viceroy) and I fell in love.”

Matt and Ashley Parsons walk through the Military Arch of Sabers at their Sept. 4 wedding.

Ashley was the first bride to get married on the stage of the Viceroy.  “We got our outdoor wedding, by candle light and had our first dance under dimmed lights by the stars. It was perfect and I couldn’t have asked for it to be more beautiful.”

Because it is ran by the Oak Grove Tourism Commission, the Viceroy offers something many local venues cannot, true affordability. “We are not a money-making business like many venues in the area,” says Oak Grove Tourism Director Traci Cunningham. “This gives us the ability to stay far below the average pricing when renting out our facility.”

With three wedding packages, the Viceroy and War Memorial Walking Trail can fit into even the smallest of budgets. “We are a transient community and a lot of the military couples want to get married but have to plan around deployments, training and anything else they are called to do,” explains Traci. “We don’t want anyone to have to put off their wedding because they cannot find an affordable venue, not when so many of these couples have given up so much already.”

The Viceroy boasts a 1946 square foot stage, complemented by a fully equipped kitchen, two furnished dressing rooms, restrooms, and full lighting and sound capabilities. The open-air Veteran’s Picnic Pavilion, located on the edge of the wooded walking trail, seats 112 and offers electricity, grills, trash cans and water, making it perfect for receptions.

Couples are free to use outside catering, or they can prepare food themselves in the kitchen. For just $2 a day, the happy couple can even have their own message displayed on the marquee.

“Just come out and see the Viceroy,” says Traci. “We believe this venue speaks for itself.”

If you are interested in having your own wedding at the Viceroy Performing Arts Center, contact Oak Grove Tourism Director Traci Cunningham @ 270-439-5675 or email director@oakgroveky-tourism.com. For event planning, contact Brandy Breuckman @ 270-439-5675 or email eventplanner@oakgroveky-tourism.com. For general information, visit www.oakgroveky-tourism.com.