The new facility provides a much needed exhibition space for APSU faculty and alumni in what has rapidly become the focal point of the Arts community in our town. “It’s a way to help our alumni who are out there trying to build their careers,” said Gregg Schlanger, APSU professor of Art. “It gives them a line on their resume and allows us to brag about our program.”

Critiquing the art

Downtown Clarksville is the home to several exceptional Art Galleries, the Customs House Museum, and of course the wonderful Roxy Regional Theatre. Downtown Businesses which prominently showcase the arts include Hodgepodge, ARTifacts, Rogate’s Boutique, Visions Metaphysical Boutique, The Front Page Deli, and Ingredients. Professor Schlanger noted that  their Downtown Art Gallery will become a major contributator “We’re going to add to what’s going on around here.”

A vivid piece of art

The gallery opened with “Whatever,” an exhibition of work by APSU art alumni. Artists featured in this exhibit include Chip Boles, Marc Pewitt, Miranda Herrick, Betsy Wynkoop, Kelly Kerrigan, Ally Reeves, Bill Eilliot, Scotty Peek, Young Kim, Donna Stack, Travis Childers and Melody Shipley. The exhibit runs through Nov. 28.  For those interested in visiting the gallery, it is located at 116 Strawberry Alley. They are open from noon to 4 p.m., on Tuesdays through Saturdays. However, they will be closed on Thanksgiving day.

Also featured at the First Thursday Art walk was Ashley Richardson, John Glass & Ginger Murvey-Beirus at ARTifacts;  Steven M. Walker at Hodgepodge; Heather Bowker, and  Gabriele Wardeiner at Ingredients;  Lyn Jellison at Rogate’s Boutique; Cliff Whitakers at the Downtown Artist Co-op with his new show “Visions of My World;  Charles Bennet at the Peg Harvill Gallery in the Roxy Regional Theatre;  and Amanda Harrison and Afton Chandler  at Visions Metaphysical Boutique.

Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper enjoying some of Cliff Whittaker's artwork at the D.A.C. Gallery

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The dedication ceremony will take place at 10:30 A.M. at the Montgomery County Courthouse, 1 Millennium Plaza, in Clarksville TN. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the dedication free of charge.

The project was made possible by donations from the members of Beachaven Garden Club, Sandra Watson, President; Clarksville Garden Club, Pat Arendt, President; and Les Candides Garden Club, Edith Hudson, President. We want to show our deep support and appreciation of those who have defended our freedom in the past, those who are at great risk in defending us today, and those who may do so in the future.

The Blue Star Memorial Program of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., began in 1945 to honor the men and women serving in the Armed Forces during World War II. The name was chosen for the iconic Blue Star appearing on flags and banners displayed in homes, churches, and businesses to honor sons and daughters away at war. Garden clubs envisioned a ribbon of living memorial plantings traversing every state. The designation of Blue Star Highways was achieved through petitions to state legislatures and through cooperation with Departments of Transportation. A uniform Memorial Marker was designed to identify the highways.

The Blue Star Memorial Program has grown to extend thousands of miles across the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Markers continue to be dedicated each year, not just on highways but at veterans’ facilities, National Cemeteries, parks, and civic historic sites. The Memorial Markers are a fitting tribute to show our appreciation for the men and women in our Armed Forces who fly our skies, sail our seas, and guard our shores, service members who stand ready at a moment’s notice to defend our country.

Annette Shrader, Chairman of the BSMM Dedication Committee, started this project in Clarksville last year. Annette is Past President of the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., Past Director of TFGC District II, and Past President of the Clarksville Garden Club.

For more information about the Blue Star Memorial Program, visit the National Garden Clubs website at www.gardenclub.org under Special Projects.

The week will kick off with the fourth annual Innovative Professor Conference on Monday, Nov. 9 and Tuesday, Nov. 10. Online faculty will be able to take advantage of a variety of workshops and concurrent session presentations specifically for the distance-learning professional.

Throughout the week, all registered APSU students are invited to participate in the Student Scavenger Hunt. Students who find everything on the list will have an opportunity to qualify for prizes. The hunt closes at noon, Friday, Nov. 13, with the winner to be announced at 4 p.m.

The Distance Education Showcase will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11 in the Morgan University Center lobby. Everyone is invited to learn more about distance education.

On Thursday, Nov. 12 in the Morgan University Center Ballroom, the Online Faculty Luncheon will be held to show appreciation for APSU’s online faculty. The event, by invitation only, will include the announcement of the 2009-10 Innovative Professor Award recipient.

NDLW will conclude Friday, Nov. 13 with the Multimedia Lab Open House from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the lab’s new location in the McReynolds Building, Room 102. Those attending will be able to explore the new facility, see what new tools are available and meet the distance education staff.

For more information, call the APSU Center for Extended and Distance Education at (931) 221-7816 or go online to http://www.apsu.edu/ext_ed/NDLW_Week_Schedule_2009.aspx.

House Democratic Leader Gary Odom

Nashville – House Democratic Leader Gary Odom Thursday renewed his call for fair elections in Tennessee by calling on the secretary of state to “do his job” after a state court issued a ruling confirming that state law requires the implementation of paper ballot machines for the 2010 elections to comply with the Voter Confidence Act of 2008.

Odom cited the following ruling from Chancellor Russell Perkins in Davidson County Chancery Court:

“The court finds that the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act does not require the voting system to be implemented by the state of Tennessee to meet 2005 standards,” wrote Perkins.

“The court determines that the state is obligated to take prompt, effective steps to meet the statutory deadline using compliant voting systems.”

Secretary of State Tre’ Hargett and his appointee, Elections Coordinator Mark Goins, have continually failed to use more than $35 million in federal funding to implement the ”Tennessee Voter Confidence Act,” arguing incorrectly that the machines should adhere to “2005” standards. The 2005 standards have yet to be set, however, Perkins says paper ballot machines recently approved by the federal government would comply with Tennessee state law.

“The court has ruled that it is time for the secretary of state’s office to stop dragging its feet and to provide for paper balloting for all of our voting machines in Tennessee elections by 2010,” said Odom. “To do anything less is to ignore your duty as secretary of state.”

Roy Herron who is one of several candidates running for the Democrat nomination for Governor said in a statement, “There is nothing more fundamental about our democracy than making sure that every vote counts and every vote is counted. I call on Secretary Hargett to implement the Voter Confidence Act and begin purchasing new voting machines with paper ballots without delay. The time to protect our vote is now.”

The portrayal, titled “General Patton’s Christmas Prayer Miracle,” will be performed by Larry Gates, a Brentwood securities investment adviser and 1952 APSU graduate.

General George S. Patton, Jr. CG, U.S. Third Army courtesy the Black Archives

The story is about how the Germans were defeating the allied armies and specifically the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Bastogne in late December 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge. According to Gates’ story, the weather was terrible and declining. Patton, a devout Christian, was praying about the situation on Dec. 23, 1944. Patton was very angry with God about the situation and, specifically, the weather and railed against the Almighty. A chaplain, who overheard Patton’s heated conversation with God, sat down to discuss the situation. During the conversation Patton asked the chaplain to write a prayer to be printed on the back of Patton’s Christmas message to the troops the next day. The chaplain did what was asked of him and miracles began to happen.

Gates, who researched, wrote, choreographed and costumed the one-man act, is no stranger to being a thespian, having created similar monologues for more than 36 years. In 1991, Gates was performing a similar act called “Old Glory” when a spectator realized Gates might be interested in a story about Patton. While researching the play, Gates found and interviewed people who had actually worked with Patton during the war — two of whom were the late Howard and Pauline Murff of Nashville. He was an aide to Patton and she was a nurse with the 35th Evac Hospital in France. Both were at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.

The event is part of the Library Athenaeum series at APSU. This being an accurate portrayal of Patton, the performance does involve some cursing and strong language.

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!

Fraley finished the night with a double-double, 21 points and 10 rebounds while Campbell ended with 20 points, three assists and two steals in the Governors exhibition opener. Senior guard Wesley Channels, the preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference selection added 15 while sophomore forward Marcel Williams had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds to go with three blocks.

John Fraley scoring for APSU

The Governors got off to a slow start and led just 22-17 with 8:50 left in the half before a full-court catapulted APSU to a 16-3 run. The Govs took a 52-36 lead into halftime.

Austin Peay built the lead to as much 20 points, 65-45, early in the second half and then watched the Mighty Oaks cut it down to 11 points on four occasions before the Govs pulled away.

Oakland City Guard Jared Manners taking the ball down court against the APSU defense

Jared Manners led Oakland City with 20 points while forward Nathan Schumacher tallied a double-doiuble with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Guard Josh Maggard also had 15 points.

Austin Peay finished 33 of 68 (48.5 percent0 from the floor but made just 1-of-10 from three-point range.  Oakland City shot just 38.8 percent (26 of 67) from the floor, including 7-of-25 from three-point territory.

APSU will conclude its exhibition schedule, 8 p.m., Saturday, when it plays host to Central Missouri, which advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four a year ago.

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1. Drying
2. Wrapping and storing fresh
3. Apple Butter
4. Canning with a pie filling

I’ll show you how to dry apples, make apple butter and even make decorations with dried apples in future articles and how to store fresh apples all winter in another. Today I want to share this delicious pie filling recipe. You’ll love having it in your pantry this winter.

If you have never canned anything at home, you will want to find and purchase a Ball Bluebook Guide to Preserving before you attempt these instructions. Home canning is fun and helps save money, but it must be done correctly to keep your family safe from botulism and to keep yourself from getting burned or injured in the process.

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup cornstarch or Clear-Jel
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 10 cups water
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 drops yellow food coloring if desired
• 6 pounds apples, tart cooking apples such as Jonagold, Pink Lady, Rome or Empire. Don’t use an apple like Red Delicious which is strictly for eating raw.

Directions

1. In a large sauce pan, mix sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg
2. Add salt and water and mix well.
3. Bring to a boil and cook until thick and bubbly.
4. Remove from heat and add lemon juice and food coloring if using.
5. Taste the filling with a piece of apple to see if you want to add more cinnamon or nutmeg.
6. Sterilize canning jars, lids and rings by boiling them in a large pot of water.
7. Peel, core, and slice apples.
8. Add a layer of apples and a layer of hot filling til the jar is filled to within 1/2 inch of the rim of the jar. Leave that 1/2″ head-space.
9. Wipe the rim of the jar with a clean cloth. Add a hot lid and a hot ring.
10. Process in a hot water bath for 20 minutes.
11. Put lids on and process in a water bath canner for 20 minutes.
12. Use the apples just as you would commercially prepared apple pie filling.  One quart jar of home canned pie filling will fill two regular pie crusts or one deep dish pie crust

“The title ‘Play’ bears a myriad of connotations, meant to allude to both theatre and the act of innocent recreation, as well as the suggestion to simply play,” she said.

Costello’s diorama-like objects are compiled of paper images cut from retired texts to illustrate scenes of imagined narratives.

“The intent of this body of work is to invite the viewer to temporarily escape the mundane by accentuating the beauty of make-believe” she said. Each piece begins with an imaginary happening, followed by an obsessive practice of meticulous cuts and arrangements to bring the stories and their characters to life.

“Each is only a fragmented suggestion of a tale waiting to be pondered on and continued,” Costello said. “It is about playing pretend. As I have grown into adulthood, I have been distracted by the taxing temporal concerns of being an adult and have lost a great deal of the child I once was.

“The images spring from not only a desire, but a necessity to remain in touch with childness. It is an extremely elusive idea that I cannot adequately articulate; the work is only a replacement.”

Costello’s show is free and open to the public.

Bonecutter was among a number of up and coming comedians that performed at an open mic night at the Nashville Zanies Comedy Club last night. This was not his first appearance on Zanies stage, he made his comedy debut there in late September.

His performance drew frequent laughs from the crowd and touched on a wide variety of topics: his age, jokes about his name, how married couples relate, fashion, weight, and viagra, Being from a broadcasting background, he knows how to make his voice into a comedy tool.

Hank Bonecutter at Zanies in Nashville

Zanies features performances by a-list comedians, and from time to time provides an opportunity for up and coming comedians to hone their lines on a live audience.

The evening was headlined by comedian Rik Roberts.

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Hank Bonecutter’s Comedy Debut

This video is by Gary Baker from TV Clarksville. The following video may contain material that some people may find objectionable. Viewer discretion is advised.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This production stars Justin Barnum as Stanley Kowalski and Alicia Kelly as Blanche DuBois, with Chase Kamata (Stella), Brendan Cataldo (Mitch), Linda Speir (Eunice), Phil Perry (Steve), Jay Doolittle (Doctor) and Judi Sinks (Nurse). Webb Booth, Hugh Poland and Jacob Ritchart play newsboys.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE runs through November 21, playing Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm and Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, with a 2pm matinee on Saturday, November 14.  Regular priced tickets are $15 (adults) and $10 (ages 13 and under), and may be purchased online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org, by phone at (931) 645-7699 during regular box office hours (9am-2pm, weekdays), or at the theatre.

Due to strong language and sexual content, this production is rated “M” for mature audiences.

Gulf Shores, Ala.

Senior Angelina Manzitto fired a second-round 79 to lead the Lady Govs second-day effort. She finished 51st with a two-day 162. Junior Chelsea Harris led the Lady Govs with a two-round 156, following her opening-round 75 with a second-round 81, and finished 31st. UAB’s Carolyn Cochran won the individual medalist honor with a two-over par 142 (72-70).

Senior Angelina Manzitto led the Lady Govs with a second-round 79, Tuesday, at the UAB Fall Beach Blast (Courtesy: Austin Peay Sports Information)

Senior Staci Lynch finished 42nd with a 159 (76-83), freshman Catherine Smith was 52nd with a 163 (82-81) and junior Ashley Wathen was 54th with a 164 (83-81).

“Today’s round is not how we had envisioned finishing the fall season,” said Lady Govs head coach Sara Robson. “I was proud of the way Angelina came back for us today. As a team, we did not putt well and that hurt us. We need to work hard in the offseason and be ready for the spring. I’m proud of the entire team’s effort so far this season.”

Austin Peay finished the tournament with a 638 (316-322). Memphis won the team title with a two-day 595 total.

The Lady Govs will take the next three months off before beginning the spring portion of their schedule, March 1-2, at the Murray State Spring Invitational.

Nashville

After watching Lipscomb (23-3) lead wire-to-wire in the opening set, Austin Peay fought close contests in both the second in third sets.

Senior outside hitter Stephanie Champine led the Lady Govs with 13 kills in a loss at Lipscomb, Tuesday night. (Courtesy: Lois Jones/Austin Peay)

Austin Peay (19-7) led in the second set, 15-14, but saw the Bisons piece together a 10-4 run and reach set point which came three points later. The Lady Govs led at 17-16 in the third set but a 9-4 Lipscomb run closed the match.

Senior outside hitter Stephanie Champine led Austin Peay with 13 kills and a .263 attack percentage. Junior middle blocker Jessica Mollman chipped in seven kills. Austin Peay recorded just 33 kills in the match.

Lipscomb, which won its 20th consecutive contest, recorded 50 kills and a .385 attack percentage. The Bisons also won both ends of the defensive battle, posting a 58-34 edge in digs and a 3-1 margin in blocks.

Freshman outside hitter led the Bisons with 16 kills and a .429 attack percentage.

Austin Peay returns to Ohio Valley Conference play with a 7 p.m., Saturday contest against league-leader Jacksonville State.