Towards the end of October, the twelve semi-finalists for this years competition were announced. The semi-finalists were selected based on a combined score from a panel of ten professional judges who reviewed the Winners performances via video.

Representing Fort Campbell is Army spouse Thea Agnew.

Raised in a military family, Thea graduated from Northeast High School and married her high school sweetheart, becoming a Military Spouse. After 20 years of marriage and 23 years of military service, they are planning on retiring in Clarksville, the city they call home.

Thea is the proud mother of 3 beautiful teenagers and is a constant voice in their lives. Her hobbies include writing, reading, research, marketing & design, blogging, sports and exercising.

She is a REALTOR® with Avalar Real Estate & Team Agnew, and a member of the Clarksville Tennessee Chamber of Commerce.

In her spare time, she sings the National Anthem at various events including the Chamber of Commerce’s events; Real estate events; military events; and sporting events, including the Nashville Predators opening season in 2007/2008, and the Nascar Qualification at the Atlanta Speedway 2008.

Thea is also an author for Clarksville Online.

Also selected were:

• SSG Tyrone Basnight; USAG Kaiserslautern, Germany
• SSG Michel Gordon; USAG Humphreys, Korea
• PFC Andrea Griffith; Fort Eustis, VA
• A1C Jamie Jarman; Fort Leonard Wood, MO
• SSG Chad Kneller; Fort Bragg, NC
• SFC Beulah Patterson; Fort Bliss, TX
• 1LT Sarah Payeur; Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo
• Lisa Pratt; Fort Carson, CO
• SPC Erin Sataloff; USAG Wiesbaden, Germany
• Sam Tang; Fort Irwin, CA
• CPT Donald Williamson; USAG Bamberg, Germany

Each will represent their respective military facility at the 2009 Operation Rising Star Live Finals.

Activities include:  Safe trick or treating, mad scientist lab, haunted house, spooky story time, finger printing, refreshments, costume and pumpkin decorating contest.  The first 300 children will receive a hard backed book and pumpkin to take home with them.  This event is sponsored by:  Clarksville Police Department, Verizon, Cheeseburger Charley’s, Governor’s Square Mall, L & L Pizza, Guadalajara Mexican Grill, Beach Oil Company, TN National Guard, Ace Pipe & Supply, Dairy Queen, Food Lion, Clarksville Chamber of Commerce and Planet Smoothie.

Handcrafted Holiday Craft Fair

Applications for artists and crafters are now available for the Handcrafted Holiday Craft Fair to be held at  Draughons Junior College at 1860 Wilma Rudolph Blvd.

Draughons Junior College is looking for artists and crafters to display hand made items for sale from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday December 12, 2009.

Cost for a booth space is $10 per 10 x 10 space and $5 extra for electricity.

For more information on this event, please email Melanie Thompson at .

The Wingate by Wyndham is celebrating their 11th anniversary in Clarksville

The Chamber of Commerce’s May Business After Hours Showcase on Thursday at the Wingate Hotel (251 Holiday Drive), proved to be a smash hit with guests and presenters alike. The Business After Hours events are only open to Chamber of Commerce members, and provide a great opportunity to network with other community and business leaders. Thursday’s celebration marked the Wingate’s 11th anniversary and the stage was amply set. Area restaurants and caterers were everywhere with tasty samples galore! Palates of every consideration found something to tickle their fancy.

The Next Level's melodic sounds transport celebrants to tropical paradise

The outdoor covered portico seating area was a very nice touch and well appreciated by the many guests. The live music showed once again that this area has a vast wealth of music talent capable of gracing any setting. Beach music, soft jazz and Old School R&B by Next Level flowed to bobbing heads as the food purveyors made taste buds water with delight. After picking up their name tag and a welcome lei at the sign-in table, guests were swept into the cool breezes of tropical island splendors awaiting their perusal! Corvettes of Clarksville had a dazzling lineup of beauties standing at ‘parade rest’ for review. Music City Bus Lines conveyed guests from pre-arranged pick-up points to the hotel’s portico. Clarksville Distributing provided Budweiser products for the celebration. Coca-Cola beverages, by Mike McCool, quenched the non-alcoholic thirst.

James Lung, The Harbor Cafe, mans the General Tso's Chicken

Young ladies from ‘Hooters’ offered  free samples of savory baked  beans, slaw and servings of pit cooked pork from the whole side of hog with choice of sauces, including a most potent heat maker which was well beyond my tolerance range- ‘Tear Bringer,’ is what I call it. Among the plethora of choices in the lobby to indulge were a refreshing chilled tropical punch from The Lodge along with another opportunity to pick more colorful leis; the Quizno’s crew presented trays of warps and whole wheat chicken salad pannini, while The Golden Rule offered savory wings, BBQ’d Smoked Beans, Banana Pudding cups, General Tso’s Chicken, Sweet/Sour Chicken and eggrolls from The Harbor Cafe, White Cheese Sauce and Salsa with Tortilla Chips from Casa Blanca on Wilma Rudolph Blvd.

Pioneers Private Catering of Hopkinsville covered all the bases with succulent lemon herb dry rubbed chicken, smoked beef brisket, Key Lime shrimp pasta salad, smoked pork loin and pulled pork with a side offering of savory hickory baked beans. Here too was a selection of sauces that accommodated every level of bravery, from smokey hickory right on up to the bold ‘Widowmaker!’ These gentlemen know their craft and they ply it oh so well. Bravo!!

Beachaven samples on the ready

Of the more gentler indulgences, Beachaven Winery was on site with samples of their wondrous inventory- among them being ‘Jazz-’ a superb Gewurstramiener and ‘Golden Rose’ -Concord grapes have NEVER had it so good, trust me!  Beachaven’s summer long music fest, ‘Jazz On the Lawn,’ will be in full swing this Saturday, so do make plans to get over there and enjoy their offerings amid strands of swaying jazz sounds. I’ll be down in the cellars investigating the Golden Rose. Those concord grapes and I have some talking to do! Secrets will be unleashed!!

Sam’s Club representatives were promoting their new Summer Special Business Membership deal. A time-limited offer of a 100-day business membership for a greatly reduced price. Sam’s Club wants to see your business succeed! Reps for Crime Stoppers were on site, promoting ticket sales for the upcoming  annual Crime Stoppers-Applebee’s Pancake Breakfast on July 11th. Additionally, there were coupons from Nuttin’ But Wings, along with free brochures from TN DHS Rehabilitation Services’ Virgina Talley, fliers promoting Allen’s Fireworks’ June Boom celebrations at The Lodge and the 15th Annual Golf Scramble on June 11th, sponsored by Gary Mathews Motors Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, Gary Mathews Volkswagen/Kia, Mathews Nissan and Mathews Suzuki. The sign-in table also offered courtesy copies of The Chamber of Commerce’s own Community Guide/Directory along with postcards announcing their  Social Networking Seminar June 16th amid the various literature that abounded in the area.

Corvettes! Hoods Up!

Faces in the crowd included Norris Ming of NCM Financial Services, Carol Stevens of the NIA Association, Lee Ervin of 5 Star Radio Group, yes-that was Kevin Kennedy line dancing, really; James Lung of Harbor Cafe serving up the General Tso, Wilson Cooke- Beachaven’s winemaker expert and my new best friend, Henry Snorton  of Mission Vision Partner, Verna Louie of Sam’s Club Business Membership Sales, Mason Gordon of The Lodge, Gisele Rutherford of Seasons Catering, and David Shelton and Christine Piesyk with introduction packets for Imagine Media Solutions, Terry Griffin, Louisa Cooke, Mike Reeves of Mike’s Barbecue, Willis Barker of Sam’s Club, Rob Brown of Clarksville Fox Women’s Football, Manuel Martinez of Casa Blanca, Patricia Klein of Crimes Stoppers Clarksville, Francisca Dearman of Tastefully Simple and Tina Orgain of Curves at Sango Village.

In addition to the live music, entertainment also featured the Hula O’Hi-ilani and Hawaii Civic Club performing Hawaiian dance routines to traditional music accompaniment. Tropical greenleaf headdresses adorned the dancers’ heads as they executed their graceful swaying movements. Their performance made complete the tropical island setting which was the theme of this event. Wingate by Wyndham-Clarksville is to be commended for a most hospitable ‘Business After Hours’ staging. Manager Toni Johnson and her staff went above and beyond the call in making their hotel  lobby and meeting rooms a welcoming tropical respite.  Here’s to a joyous tropical paradise anniversary celebration! Aloha!!

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Main Stay Suites Clarksville is the 100th Extended Stay facility for Choice Hotels

In a hub of celebratory festivities, Choice Hotels International unveiled its newest extended stay hotel, Main Stay Suites Clarksville. Located in the SW Quad just off of Interstate 24, at 115 Fairbrook Place, the 96-unit hotel offers amenities which place it in direct competition with hotels of a much higher price bracket. Main Stay Suites Clarksville is marketed for the extended stay business professional and military visitors to our area, but many will find its offerings quite appealing, with an allure as a cozy weekend or hide-a-way destination.

Barry Vangrove, Director of Construction & Project Management for Choice Hotels, shows off a Queen Single Suite in the new Main Stay Suites of Clarksville

All rooms are equipped with a full kitchen including range top, microwave oven, full-size refrigerator, coffee maker and double sinks. Additional appointments include free cable TV, wired and wireless internet access, queen and king-sized beds, pull-out sleeper sofas, phone and additional phone jack, work space writing table, steam iron and ironing board, stacked clothing drawer units. Guests may choose from Standard Single Queen, a Queen Suite, a Double Queen and a King suite in their choice of rooms. The King suites come with dual TV displays.

An ADA equipped bath in an ADA compliant suite

There are also specially outfitted ADA compliant rooms which include the standard features adjusted for the physically challenged, height-adjusted kitchen facilities and sink and bathrooms outfitted with handrails at the bathtub.

The rooms are spacious and open, avoiding the typical gauntlet effect of most hotel rooms. The entrance does not place the guest in a narrow confining walk-in but rather offers an open view of the room upon entry. The effect is at once welcoming and refreshing. The color scheme chosen for this hotel was made by the partners, with Choice’s approval, and differs from the corporation’s standard color palette with refreshingly bright yet subtle visual impact.

Conference Room decor denotes modern geometric influences

The art work on display throughout the hotel is modern and visually attractive, ranging from floral designs and still life sculpture to modular wooden and metal hand-worked art pieces to geometric paintings which all complement the overall color scheme to great effect. An air of cheery, uplifting ambiance prevails through out the corridors and hallways, lending the feeling of a personal decorating touch to every area of the hotel. Almost as if you are staying at a friend’s well appointed home, as it were.

A view of the guests lounge

Main Stay Suites Clarksville offers its guests complimentary amenities that include a conference room- capable of seating up to eight, business center faxing service, a fitness center with cardio workout equipment, indoor swimming pool and outdoor jacuzzi hot tub, and laundry facilities to wash and dry personal clothing. The front desk has your typical functions of check-in, registering and check-out and local area information. Additional to those features is the cooler display of drinks, juices, snacks and microwave entrees.

Guests will enjoy a colorful and cheery lounge at Main Stay Suites Clarksville

The hotel’s location offers guests the added convenience of being situated close to many restaurants including Logan’s Roadhouse, Applebee’s, Tandor, Rafferty’s, Golden Corral, Steak and Shake, The Golden Rule, Old Chicago, Longhorn’s and Outback Steakhouse. There is also its proximity to the Wal-Mart Supercenter, Governors Square Mall, Best Buy, Pier 1 Imports, Hampton Square with Kohl’s, Red Lobster and Books-A-Million. Further down Wilma Rudolph Boulevard are K-Mart Supercenter, Dollar Tree, Electronic Express, US Bank, Office Depot, Green Bank, Ryan’s Grill Restaurant, PetSmart, Harbor Cafe, China King at Lowe’s Plaza, Chilli’s, Hananoki Japanese Steakhouse, Kroger’s, Sam’s Club, Cracker Barrel Restaurant and Gateway Medical Center.

The Landscaping and Landscaper

Main Stay Suites Clarksville represents the 100th extended stay hotel enterprise for Choice Hotels International. Overall, Choice Hotels International now has 4500 hotel operations in effect. That achievement enhanced the celebration of the grand opening festivities. The ice sculpture centerpiece denoted this landmark in its physical declaration. The hotel has been accommodating guest since opening its doors on March 2nd. The results thus far indicate a warm welcome and steady flow of guests staying at the hotel. Fort Campbell personnel are already making ample use of Main Stay Suites Clarksville.

Kevin Lewis, president of Extended Stay Brands of Choice Hotel Hotels International presents Kim VanStavern with commemorative award during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

At the ribbon cutting, Chamber of Commerce ambassadors welcomed the Main Stay Suites partners and Choice Hotels International officials to our area. Charlie Koons, Jack Jackson and Jeff Harris were among the ambassadors who extended welcome to Mike VanStavern, his wife Kim, Mark Randolph, Bob Van Stavern and Mark Burrows.  Kevin Lewis, president of Extended Stay Brands for Choice Hotels International presented the Van Staverns and Randolph with a commemorative award celebrating the 100th Choice Hotels International Extended Stay Hotel.

Grand Prize winners Specialist Kristin Placher, Spc. Ryan Placher and their daughter Joslin

The grand opening festivities were highlighted by several free give-a-way drawings during the afternoon and early evening. Decorations, floral designs and catering, including a full service bar were provided by K&D Gourmet Catering Designs.. Give-a-way prize categories ranged from $50 Choice Gift Cards, $100 Choice Gift Cards,$150 Choice Gift Cards, 10,000 Choice Privilege Points, 20,000 Choice Privilege Points and 50,000 Choice Privilege Points. The grand prize was a 4-day Carnival Western Caribbean Cruise from Key West to Cozumel and back.

Prize winners are as follows: $50 Choice Gift Card: Bertha Brisson and Carletta Walker; $100 Choice Giift Card: Annetta Sykes; $150 Choice Gift Card: Mathis Banks and Specialist Randy Placher; 10,000 Choice Privilege Points: Jessica Santos, 20,000 Choice Privilege Points: Tammy Delvendall and William Bolin (a hotel guest); 50,000 Choice Privilege Points: Randy Butler. The grand prize 4-day Carnival cruise was won by Specialist Kristin Placher, wife of Spc. Ryan Placher and mother of daughter Joslin. Mike and Kim VanStavern donated the Carnival Cruise as a give-a-way. In a spontaneous gesture of generosity, Mike Burrows donated his personal Air Miles to the Plachers so they may fly down to departure point in Key West, Florida.

Project officials Corbett Sousley, Chad Nugent and Jim Nugent with Thomas Construction and Construction Mgt. Co.

Main Stay Suites of Clarksville staff

The project team responsible for the innovative rethinking and execution of space utilization include Corbett Sousley-project manager, Chad Nugent-superintendent; Jim Nugent-co-owner. The construction firm is Thomas Construction of Lake of the Ozarks from Missouri.

With a friendly and committed staff, a stay at this jewel will prove both satisfying and treasured. Contact Maggie Moran, general manager, at 931-648-3400/0404. Email her at: ms-clarksville..

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Senator Kurita and Tim Barnes presented opening and closing statements before fielding questions from panel members Frazier Allen, Britney Campbell and Jay Abertia.

In the opening statements, Kurita, who has a nursing background, said that she has worked to bring services to seniors in their homes. She has worked for expansion of the HOPE lottery scholarship to include older ages, has supported tax relief for disabled vets and a freeze on taxes for low income seniors.

Barnes said that he has been led to this challenge in order to serve the public. He doesn’t believe in cutting ‘back room’ deals to serve his own needs, implying that Kurita was working toward a bid to become governor. He’s mindful of not losing the confidence of friends and cited his loyalty, caring attitude and responsiveness to people.

In wrapping up their statements, Kurita said that she “helps people.” Barnes said he’s “a work horse rather than a show horse.”

To the question of what should the State of Tennessee provide during both good and bad economic times, Kurita answered with ‘health care, education, jobs, balanced budget and no new taxes.’ Barnes said that we must maintain our roads as well as health care, insuring those who are uninsurable, and education.

Barnes cut into Kurita, saying that she did not vote for a #9 lottery scholarship bill which would have helped more people get scholarships. Kurita stomped on that comment, charging that Barnes was deliberately misinforming people. She said a bipartisan bill was passed that gave more to scholarships and if he “had done his homework” he would know that.

They both said they stand for health care and education. Barnes cited Kurita as taking money from the Lottery to build energy efficient schools. She said yes, she did and added that the payoff will come back to the city from that. She also favored extending the lottery to include older people returning to school.

How to deal with illegal aliens? Barnes: Get the Feds to do their job. Kurita: I have a serious problem with just wishing it on the Feds. Stiffen fines on people who hire them. Documentation and tax paying should be required of all working peoples.

Kurita said she has a bipartisan track record. Gridlock stops us whereas civil conversations that is open to all solutions help us solve problems. Barnes said there’s a time and place for compromise; one needs to look for solutions. Some things shouldn’t be compromised, but relationships should be maintained.

Stance on income tax?

Barnes: On the record for opposing a State Income tax. It does not draw businesses here. Kurita: On the record as opposing a State Income tax. She has been under a lot of pressure to vote for one but her district made it very clear that they did not want one. She said she is a strong enough fighter and can resist it.

Energy resource question. Barnes: invest in ethanol; it will boom our economy 10-15 years down the road.

Kurita: (deep breath) Energy resources are a most important issue. She is the only Senator chosen to serve on the Governor’s energy resources task force. Get off of fossil fuels, use the Manhattan project. Use switch grass and woodchips here in TN. Why buy from foreign countries who hate us? There is a UT lab and another lab that is almost there with technology for us to use.

Kurita values energy resources, health care and education.

Barnes values education. And expanding the police force, which Kurita voted against.

Barnes: Work closely with local officials and market this area. Businesses need to know about our great schools and transportation. Change the limit of what we can pay on marketing.

Kurita: I changed that law this year; if you would have researched, you would have known. Develop the school system, get energy initiatives. We need to shine.

Energy incentives

Kurita. Tax rebate for purchasing programmable thermostats. Achieve independence in energy conservation. Barnes. At $4.00 a gallon for gas people are at the end degree that they can be squeezed. People will have to carpool. The State government cannot impact the cost of oil and gas. Take personal steps to conserve.

How will you stay in touch with your district?

Barnes: That’s the biggest complaint I hear about Kurita. My cell phone number is 931-801-3298. I will talk to you.

Kurita: That is an outrageous implication. We have helped 12,000 people. I call people personally. I hold town hall meetings; I run surveys in the paper. The things I have done are things that people tell me they want done.

For the state of TN Kurita has worked on disease awareness, greenways and hiking trails. For schools that have no recess she wants to increase physical activity to 45 minutes a day in elementary and middle schools. She’s behind public service ads about obesity and the danger of smoking and non-seatbelt use.

Barnes: Public schools have no recess? That’s news to me. Agrees that we need physical activities. He is in triathlons. He wants grants for more athletics.

A priority for Barnes is more money for APSU. He lives and sleeps with a lobbyist for APSU (his wife who teaches there).

Kurita: She goes to APSU and works in classes with students. Good jobs are increased by good education. She got the non-traditional scholarships for more students.

Kurita said the economy is weighing on people. We get good jobs through education. Takes a team to fix health care and she is involved civically in the community.

Barnes said people are worried about paying $4.00 a gallon for gas. The government can’t fix this problem. Say yes to college, it is the hope for better jobs.

How to keep seniors in their homes?

Barnes: In home health care, he pushed it 2 years ago.

Kurita: That’s a step we’ve already taken. Have to have good bookwork for these things. Real health care also involves helping with things like house cleaning. We have done it. This was the year it happened.

Do you vote? Kurita: Yes, consistently. Barnes did not vote for President in 2000. Why not?

Barnes: I don’t recall that. I’m interested in politics; if I missed that year I don’t recall and defer to Rosalind. Kurita was stopped mid saying, you don’t remember if you voted for President of the US?

Should the school lottery be used for anything else?

Barnes: Kurita used lottery money to build energy efficient schools. Should have put that money into students.

Kurita: I voted to use Lottery money to build geothermal schools. The long term savings is that utility bills will stay low and we have efficient schools. We are building one school a year.

Closing:

Barnes: I see the sunrise from my porch. I can’t take credit for making the sunrise. I see that kind of credit taking from my opponent. Voting for something is not the same as making it happen. I think she is ostracized by her own party. I think you should represent your own democratic constituency.

Kurita: I went to a town hall meeting in Erin where a Grandmother pleaded with me to help her injured army grandson to be sent here to Ft. Campbell. They were not able to help him where he was. My office did that for them. I work hard for people. My opponent throws hideous accusations about me, yet as an attorney he gets drunk drivers out of court and back on the road. He helps wife beaters get off scot free. Reevaluate this as you judge us. I have done my job; I take care of people. I am bipartisan. I listen to you.

Early voting is from July 18 through August 2

Before leaving the building I said hello to Senator Kurita. From first hand experience, I witnessed her handing over checks to Port Royal to help its Trail of Tears site, Dunbar Cave for interpretation and Wounded Warriors, a scuba diving group that helps wounded soldiers. She is pushing for the state to have more fuel efficient automobiles. She is high on the conservation evaluation of her.

I also said hello to Tim Barnes and his wife. Mrs. Barnes said that she works in the English Department at APSU. I was shocked that I have never met her before, but realized it is because I have never run into her at events run by the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts. This center brings in authors and artists as speakers to APSU.  *see my comments below.

Going to my car I met Maria and Charlie Butler who said they are totally against Kurita because she passed the no smoking bill in TN. Since then Maria has lost a lot of customers in her 12-year-old business, Maria’s Wagonwheel.

The theme of this year’s career fair is “A Career in Full Bloom” sponsored by the Tennessee Career Center at Clarksville and the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce. Last year the event drew more than 1,700 job seekers with 59 employers participating.

More than 60 employers will be at the fair this year including Austin Peay, Averitt Express, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Tenn. Dept. of Corrections, Convergys, Goodwill, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Regions Bank, UPS and Quebecor World. Bring a resume and dress to impress these employers who are actively recruiting and want an opportunity to meet and interview the area’s most qualified job seekers.

Employers participating in this event include the following:

Randstad/Bosch.Manpower (Nashville), City of Clarksville Fire Dept, City of Clarksville Police Dept., City of ClarksvilleTransit Dept., Job Corps, Metalpha, Remedy Staffing/Trane, Kelly Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, 5 Starr Radio, Nia Association, WCKV, UPS, Quebecor World, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Mongtomery County Sheriff’s Office, Regions Bank, Express Personnel, United States Marine Corps, Goodwill Industries, Progressive Directions, Trinity Marine, Austin Peay Personnel, ECC in Nashville, Budweiser, Veterans Upward Bound, Tennessee Higher Education, , United States Navy, Amsoil – Lube Direct, CMCSS – Transportation, Educational Opportunity Center and Department of Children Services.

Also NCOA/Older Workers. North Central Institute, Draughons Junior College, Miller Motte, TN Dept Corrections, VA Vocational Rehabilitation, Averitt Express, Leaf Chronicle, Sanderson Pipe, Wyatt Family Chiropractic, Center for Independent Living (Middle Tenn), Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, Aspire & Joblin, Airbonne, Centerstone, Trojan Labor, Bethel College, Aerotek, Avon, Home Instead Senior Care, All Support, Trevecca University Staff Partners, University of Phoenix, AFLAC, Convergys, Project Return, Convenient Shopper Magazine, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Stobetech, SBA International, Greer Communication, Clarksville Eye Clinic, Brandon Technologies, and Montgomery County Election Commission.

Also, Fort Sill National Bank, Tennessee Technology Center, Army National Guard, Taco Bell, Department of Human Services, Wal-Mart, , Spring Meadows Healthcare, US Border Patrol, State Troopers, Team Trucking, RE West, A O Smith, and Gaylord Opryland.

For more information contact Deniece Thomas at the Tennessee Career Center at Clarksville at (931) 648-5530 ext. 115.