The two wars cast a long shadow over those who survived. It changed who they were and how they saw the world. For two composers, the Hungarian Bela Bartok and the Russian Dmitri Shostakovich, the horrific times also forever transformed the music they created.

“They were very affected by what’s going on, and it was coming out in their music,” Dr. Jeffrey Wood, Austin Peay State University professor of music, said. “They’re violent pieces. They’re aggressive to the point of almost being primitive, barbaric. I sense the war very close to the surface.”

Wood also found the music to be elegiac and beautiful. And he felt now was the time to share these works, and what they represent, with the community. At 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17, he’ll perform a selection of Bartok’s and Shostakovich’s music at the APSU Music/Mass Communication Building Concert Hall, titled “In the Shadow of War: Currents in 20th Century Music, 1910-1950.”

“It struck me about the possibility of doing a recital using pieces that were, in a sense, written in a shadow with the war as a dominant thing,” Wood said. “We’re right now in this weird state culturally where there is a war going on, but you sure wouldn’t know it. Less so in this community because there’s a greater immediacy, but there has been a tendency to ignore it because it isn’t the size of either World War I or World War II.”

The concert, as arranged by Wood, tells a sort of story of the times. It opens with the Bartok piece “Four Dirges,” which, though it was written in 1910, hints with its dark themes of the atrocities to come. The program consists of two pieces by each composer, and ends with the Shostakovich work, “Prelude and Fuge in D minor,” which was written around 1950.

“‘The Prelude and Fugue’ is very triumphal in a way,” Wood said. “It’s as if he’s saying in spite of everything that’s happened you haven’t got me yet.”

Wood admits the pieces aren’t easy on the listener. They reflect a sadness and fear prevalent in those days, but he defends them as not only moving and beautiful, but culturally significant.

“War impacts our culture whether we acknowledge it or not,” he said. “These two composers were looking at the world around them without blinking, something I sometimes think we don’t do enough of.”

The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Wood at 931-221-7819 or .

• Pool Passes
• Wood Crafting
• After School Program
• Senior Games
• Upcoming events

Pool Passes

It is getting warmer outside, and school is winding down for Clarksville students. That means it is almost time for the pools to open and summer fun to begin! Pool passes go on sale Monday, May 11. You can purchase your 2009 pool passes at the Parks and Recreation Office or any of the three community centers.

Passes are based on the number of people you have on your pass. A ten percent fee will be added to any passholder who lives outside the Clarksville city limits. Any utility bill can serve as proof of residency. Non-residents cannot be added to a resident’s pool pass.

Pool pass prices for residents (add 10% for non-residents) are:

1. $60
2. $100
3. $110
4. $120
5. $130
6. $140

For a complete swim lesson schedule and more information on city pools, visit www.cityofclarksville.com/parksandrec or call the office at 645-7476

Wood Crafting

The Clarksville Chapter of the Tuckasee Woodturners Association will host a wood crafting seminar at Burt-Cobb Community Center on May 9. The class is 1-4p.m. and requires an activity fee of $10. This class is open to everyone, but the number of participants is limited to ten. Sign up today at the Burt-Cobb Center. The Woodturners will provide everything else needed for the course. All you have to do is show up in something comfortable and be ready to create beautiful pieces of woodwork with some local pros.

If you are not able to attend this workshop, the Woodturners will host another at the Crow Community Center on May 23 from 10a.m.-1p.m. This class is also limited to ten participants. You can sign up now at the Crow Community Center during regular hours.

After School Program

Students, are you working hard to finish up the school year with endless hours of studying and tough final exams? With all the brain exercise you have put in, you deserve some fun and exercise for the rest of your body.

The Burt-Cobb Center is hosting the After School Program each weekday afternoon from 4-6p.m. The basketball courts, weight lifting room, racquetball courts, computer lab and game room will be open for you to enjoy. So when you finish hitting the books, head over to the Burt-Cobb Center to enjoy some time with your friends and other youth in the community.

Senior Games

This year’s Senior Games features badminton, basketball free throw, bowling, golf, horseshoes, miniature golf, shuffleboard, tennis and track. Events will take place at various locations throughout Clarksville May 18-21. Senior Games is for active adults ages 50 and up.

This year’s theme is Back to Basics: Staying Active. This is a great time to do just that. Get back to the basics of staying active and having fun with other seniors from Montgomery County and surrounding areas.

Registration forms are available at the Ajax Turner Senior Citizen Center, The Pinnacle Bowling Center and the Parks and Recreation Office. Registration forms and fees must be turned in to the Parks and Recreation Office no later than May 11. Stop in today! For more information, call 645-7476.

Upcoming Events

May 15 Jammin’ in the Alley Concert at Strawberry Alley in Downtown Clarksville at 6p.m.
May 16 Concert in the Park at McGregor Park-Riverwalk 6p.m.

“Drawings by Clive King” will be available for viewing from Nov. 3-19 in the Trahern Gallery. King, professor of fine art at Florida International University in Miami, will be on campus to present a talk at 7 p.m., Nov. 3 in Trahern, Room 401, followed by an opening reception from 8-9.

King’s work typically is presented frameless and without glass, to achieve more of an illusion.

“I would like them to float like wafers on the wall – without weight, they can push you back or suck you in,” he said in his artist statement.
For more than two decades, King has been working on a series of semiautobiographical drawings, titled “Valley of the Witches.”

“This (the title) is the direct English translation of Cwmgwrach, the small Welsh village where I was born and spent most of my childhood. The title gives the flavor of the main themes that interest me – the uneasy relationship between landscape and industry, cultural erosion, cultural synthesis and the evocation of a sense of place.” — Clive King

Since 1992, King has been at FIU, having previously served as chair of the visual arts department. From 1969-87, he taught art and served in administrative capacities at various universities in England.

King earned a degree in fine art, with a concentration in painting, in 1966 from the Exeter College of Art in England and an art teacher’s certificate in 1967 from Goldsmiths College of Art at the University of London.

In 2004, King received the Southeastern College of Art Conference Artist Fellowship. His other fellowships have included the Florida Individual Artist Fellowship (1998), Southern Arts Federation/National Endowment for the Arts (1996) and the Fulbright Exchange Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin (1986).

For more information about King’s work and upcoming appearance at APSU, contact Warren Green, assistant professor of art at APSU, by telephone at (931) 221-6519 or by e-mail at .

In a letter from Rosa Ponce, the group has outlined their plan for 2008, with a goal to collect food for 45 families. “in previous years, with your assistance, the goal is always exceeded.”

She also explained how the dollars can be stretched: ” Your donation of $70 will help support a family of 6, the dinner will include a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, macaroni and cheese, rice, beans, rolls, milk, eggs, and a pumpkin pie.”

They would appreciate your support in the form of a gift card, non-perishable canned goods, turkeys, and other appropriate items for a family’s holiday meal.

Donors may contact the group at (931) 249-5330 or (931) 980-6316,  and they will pick-up items at any location in Clarksville. “Thank you for all your support and for granting these families a memorable Thanksgiving with your generosity,” Ponce said.

The last day we may receive donations is November 24th, so that they may deliver to the families on November 25th and 26th.

The 10th annual Christmas on the Cumberland at the RiverWalk is just a few weeks away and the city of Clarksville is proud to announce that the holiday light festival was voted a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society for the upcoming holiday season. This means Christmas on the Cumberland will be recognized in the travel industry as a top destination in the Southeastern United States, which city officials hope will result in a lot more visitors to Clarksville and the RiverWalk this holiday season.

Christmas on the Cumberland is an experience to be treasured by people of all ages.  The entire Cumberland RiverWalk at McGregor Park is decorated for the holiday season with Christmas villages and other holiday and features over one million twinkling lights strung out and displayed of 7/10ths of a miles along the McGreggor Park Riverwalk. Children of all ages are  captivated by scenes like Toyland with Santa’s workshop, snow skiing elves, Santa’s Express train, gingerbread boys and girls, a sea monster, skating bears, and two tunnels of dancing lights. The city also has a custom-made display honoring the 101st Airborne Division that adorns the pedestrian overpass at the intersection of College Street and Riverside Drive.

Local businesses, individuals, and schools have embraced this event for the past ten years, lending resources to help decorate the park and their talents to entertain visitors year after year. Clarksville officials invite you to experience Christmas on the Cumberland this holiday season.

What are the dates and times?
The official Lighting Ceremony will be held November 25, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. The event hours are Sunday- Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. through January 1, 2009. The event is free.

Pets are welcomed. Yes, you may bring your pets to walk through the park during the lighting display; however we do ask pet owners to clean up after their pets. Please keep pets on the walkway and off the displays. Pets are not allowed in the stage/audience areas during the lighting ceremony or during public performances.

Refreshments are available at the event. The Mayor’s Youth Council will sell hot beverages at the Lighting Ceremony on November 25th. Concessions will be available on weekends during event hours.

Do you offer wheelchairs or strollers? We do offer a limited number of manual wheelchairs for visitors with special needs, free of charge courtesy of Warren’s Apothecary. We do not offer stroller rentals.

How do I become a sponsor or partner with the event? The City of Clarksville welcomes contributions from the community, both fiscally and in-kind. If you would like to support the event in either way, please call us at 645-7444.

How can I find out more? For more information about Christmas on the Cumberland, please call the Mayor’s Office at 645-7444 or visit www.christmasonthecumberland.com.

Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common sense practices can keep events safer and more fun.

• Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street.
• Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low-flying brooms.
• Cross the street only at corners.
• Don’t hide or cross the street between parked cars.
• Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms, too!)
• Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.
• Carry a flashlight to light your way.
• Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flammable.)
• Visit homes that have the porch light on.
• Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger’s house.
• Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes.
• Be cautious of animals and strangers.
• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating. And don’t eat candy if the package is already opened. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.

Climbing trees and scrambling about in rustling leaves was part of the fun at the Clarksville Academy Fall Festival.

Clarksville Online capured images from the Fall Festival at Clarksville Academy. (Bill Larson Photos)

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The group performs all kinds of music on all kinds of percussion instruments: classical music such Carmina Burana as used in the movie “Excalibur,” rock music such as “Walk Like an Egyptian,” music from the movie “Casper” and real percussion ensemble music using instruments from drums, timpani, gongs and cymbals to bells, xylophones, marimbas and chimes.

“We even do some body percussion,” said David Steinquest, director of the Halloween Concert and professor of music at APSU. Also, there will be special guests: the University Choir, two new faculty members, Emily Crane on violin and Jeanette Zyko on oboe, two of the composers, and a rock-and-roll electric guitar player, Steinquest said.

The hall will be decorated and all the performers dressed in costume. Special lighting will create a mysterious atmosphere, and the mass communication program will provide live video feed.

Admission is two cans of food, which will be donated to Loaves & Fishes, or $3. Tickets go on sale Monday, Oct. 27 in the department of music office, located in the Music/Mass Communication Building, Room 139.

For more information, call the music department, 221-7818.

The Montgomery County Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Task Force will sponsor a juvenile justice community forum on Monday, October 27th, at the Montgomery County Public Library from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m..

• FACT: 3 out of every 5 kids are in the Juvenile Justice system.
• Why are so many of our youths getting into trouble?
• Is your child taking drugs?
• Are you concerned about gang problems?
• Are you a single parent that needs help?

The DMC invites you to attend and learn what services are available to help parents before their children get into the system, and much more. The event will host several guest speakers and exhibits from a variety of community organizations that offer services and programs for youth.

Refreshments will be served. For more information and assistance, call (931) 551-8300

]]> http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/10/24/dmc-task-force-to-host-juvenile-justice-forum/feed/ 0 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/10/24/former-city-journalist-pens-new-book/ http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/10/24/former-city-journalist-pens-new-book/#comments Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:00:00 +0000 News Staff http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/?p=11157

Ila Clements

Ila Clements will appear at Hastings Books, 1600 Fort Campbell Boulevard, on Saturday, October 25, from 1-4 p.m. for a signing of her new book, The Lady Lobscouster. Clements, formerly of Clarksville and a Leaf-Chronicle journalist in the 1970s, was a finalist in an Amazon.com sponsored competition and recalls her years spent as a professional fisherman. Signed copies are priced at $15.

In describing the book, an online sales point reads:

“A rainy night in the Florida Keys changed Selma’s life forever. Slipping out of bed to go and check on their boat, Selma’s husband, Ware, never returns. Finding his bloodied body a few hours later, she seeks answers. Trying to continue their lobster fishing business alone, Selma becomes embroiled in a poaching scheme, in the transporting of illegal Cubans to US waters, and with the CIA.

“Two very different men enter her life. Selma learns who she is and knows she must make a final decision for her daughter and herself. Finding herself alone for the first time in her life and suddenly responsible for making all the decisions for herself and her daughter, Selma embarks on a life changing course.

“This story is set in the Florida Keys in the early sixties during the turmoil of the Cuban crises and the heroine of this story finds herself caught up in the middle of it as she becomes the pawn of the CIA. Her innocence and lack of experience keeps her going from one turmoil to another; fighting to stay on top.

“The two men that enter her life are very different.  The feelings she has for them are equally as different. She has to allow herself to grow and become the independent woman she wants to be.“

For more information, contact Ila Clements at .

Depressed about Global Warming? Using amusing and inspiring stories Kilowatt Ours teaches how you can personally make this a greener world.  This 2008 updated version of Kilowatt Ours will be broadcast on Nashville Public Television, NPT Channel 8, on Friday, October 24 at 7:00 pm.

Kilowatt Ours provides simple, practical, affordable solutions to America’s energy crisis and shows how we can save electricity, save money and make a difference for ourselves and the planet. It is unique in that it is a solutions-oriented look at one of America’s most pressing environmental challenges. Yes, this film has solutions for us; it is not “this is too depressing” and it is not “this problem is too big”. 

Filmmaker Jeff Barrie offers hope as he turns the camera on himself and asks, “How can I make a difference?”

In his journey Barrie explores the source of our electricity and the problems caused by energy production including mountain top removal, childhood asthma and global warming. Along the way he encounters individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities who are leading the way, using energy conservation, efficiency and renewable, green power all while saving money and the environment. For more information, visit kilowattours.org

The concert is part of a series of events beginning on Wednesday, October 22nd, all to be held at the 2nd Presbyterian Church, 3511 Belmont Blvd., in Nashville. The church says on its website that it welcomes anyone to join them in their journey of faith, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, economic or family status, ethnic background, mental or physical abilities.

Boltz will perform as the headlining event of the conference. The event’s website lists a brief biography of the world-reknown Gospel singer:

Ray Boltz has dedicated over fifteen years to music and ministry. Through these years he has captured the attention of the CCM industry by garnering three Dove Awards, two gold albums, a gold video, and twelve number one singles. He has also sold more than four million units of product. Through all this time and these accomplishments Ray’s vision for his ministry still remains the same…to produce and perform music that allows listeners and audiences to see Jesus. Ray thanks everyone who has continued to show Christ’s love during his coming out announcement and looks forward to his return to Nashville to perform at Our Family Matters, the one event that brings all of God’s diversity together in faith, hope, joy and love.

Other featured speakers and singers throughout the four-day event will include ex-gay survivor Peterson Toscano, Dr. Jack Rogers, Mary Lou Wallner, the Holy Trinity Church Choir, and Michael Popham.

Toscano will headline Thursday’s events which are focused on helping those who have wrestled with their sexual orientation and have considered going through ex-gay “ministries,” which generally do more harm than good, according to the American Psychiatric Association. The evening will also focus on helping those who have endured such ministries and will work to help bring healing:

(Thursday) night is dedicated to those persons who have physically, emotionally and spiritually attempted to change who they are, trying to fix what isn’t broke within themselves. Survivors convene for the first time on this side of the country to share their stories, heal intimacy trauma, freeing them to move on and become more of who they are as a unified person created whole and complete.

Peterson Toscano, founder of Beyond Ex-Gay, is an actor and playwright. A short version of his bio as listed on the God and Gays website, which says:

As a gay man, Peterson’s journey out of the closet has been long and complicated. After years of submitting to reparative therapy through counseling, ex-gay support groups, and even three exorcisms, Peterson enrolled in the ex-gay residential program, Love in Action. He graduated successfully from the program nearly two years later, but in January of 1999 he finally came OUT and fully accepted himself as a gay man.

The conference will also feature a screening of the film God and Gays: Bridging the Gap on Friday, October 25th.

On a moonlit Lantern tour of Historic Port Royal, you can find the answers to these questions and more, including a first hand account of the Cherokee traveling the Trail of Tears, what really happened during the Tobacco Wars, and the theories surrounding the end of the Silk Mill.

On Thursday, October 23, at  6 p.m., tours will step into Port Royal’s past, with groups leaving the Port Royal State Historic Park Interpretive Center every twenty minuets until 9 p.m. Each stop along the way will be 8-10 minutes long, for a total of an hour long tour. The tours are free and open to the public.

Afterwards, on your way out, be sure to stop by the bonfire for refreshments and more historic tales as told by local residents in the Port Royal community. This event is an ideal Autumn evening for the whole family. The tour is not frightening, nor meant to be scary; it  revisits some of Port Royal’s most famous notables, but may send a bit of a chill up your spine.

For more information and directions, contact Port Royal State Historic Park at 931-358-9696.

As early voting opened in Tennessee to heavy turnouts, Senator McCain’s promised thumping of Senator Obama didn’t materialize. Groups gathered at both local Republican and Democratic party headquarters to watch the debate, discuss their preferences and hear the candidates present their proposals.

The final candidates debate of the 2008 presidential election season was a much anticipated showcase of America’s choices for leadership for the next four years. The debate’s focus was to be on domestic policy, with the recent upheaval in the financial markets to be a focal point. The level of negative ads has increased to  near crescendo as McCain’s campaign unleashed new charges and the Obama campaign refuted falsehoods and returned the fire to McCain. The debate was supposed to offer a clear demonstration of McCain’s superiority to Obama. Sadly, for McCain, the smear adhesive didn’t stick.

Viewers were treated to a consistent presentation of proposals and ideas from Obama as he responded to  McCain’s attempts to hang negatives.

Obama noted that McCain’s own campaign said publicly last week that, “if we keep on talking about the economic crisis, we lose, so we need to change the subject.” Such was the tone for the course of the evening.

The differences in economic stimulation and health care coverage ideas made for strong contrasts.  McCain did not deny that under his health care reforms, employer-based health care coverage would be taxed to the employee, a first in the U.S. He stated that his $5000 tax credit would allow taxpayers to purchase insurance on their own. He suggested that this would afford taxpayers typical coverage, except for such extravagances as cosmetic surgery and transplants. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has stated annual health care premiums average $12,000. McCain had no answer for how that shortfall would be addressed. Senator McCain opposes any tax increases, instead proposing to further President’s Bush’s tax cuts and make them permanent. He says that  Obama would raise taxes on the middle class taxpayer and small businesses. He, however, doesn’t want to raise taxes for anyone.

Obama was reasoned in his calm presentation of his proposals for the American people. He stated under his health care reform, employer-based health care coverage would not be taxed, those with such coverage could keep it and see their premiums lowered; and those without coverage would be offered a coverage plan much like one that he and  McCain enjoy as members of Congress, with no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.  Obama stated that under McCain’s plan, employer-based health care could actually disappear altogether. He based this on a finding released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a traditionally conservative, non-Democrat, business advocate. Additionally, Obama would use the discount-buying power of the federal government, as a consumer, to purchase drugs at a lower cost from the drug companies.

Obama has proposed a tax plan where ninety-five percent of taxpayers will not see an increase, but rather a tax cut. Obama noted that small businesses typically earn under $200,000 dollars a year. Under his plan, small businesses which earn $250,000 dollars or less a year would also see a tax cut. Obama stated that McCain’s approach would give an additional tax break of $200 billion dollars to some of the wealthiest corporations in the nation. He cited Exxon-Mobil and the oil industry as a whole, would receive an additional $4 billion in tax breaks. McCain did not deny either of these charges.

On foreign oil dependence, the candidates had differences as well. McCain supported immediate offshore drilling, as well as drilling in ANWR, to provide short-term relief to our energy situation. He said this would give us time to develop more nuclear energy plants, support alternative energy programs for wind, solar, natural gas, tide and flex-fuels to cut our dependence on foreign oil. He claimed this will make the U.S. independent of foreign oil.

Obama corrected him that our oil reserves only total three percent of the world’s total oil reserves and we annually consume twenty-five percent of the world’s oil supply. “We can’t drill our way out of this.” He further pointed out that U.S. oil companies already hold leases on sixty-eight million acres of offshore oil drill sites which they are not developing. He proposed they either drill in these areas or lose them to other developers. He also said he is not opposed to nuclear energy development, but we must also pursue alternative energy in wind, solar, geothermal and bio-diesel and high fuel-efficient vehicles to truly reduce our dependence on foreign oil and reinvigorate the American economy. Energy development can play a major role in revitalizing our economy with job creation and retention. Creation and manufacture of high fuel-efficient vehicles in the United States can serve as a revival of the nation’s economic manufacturing segment and thereby give new vitality to the U.S. auto industry. Realigning our energy perspective can give us the ability to realign so many other segments of the American system- adjusting our education system, focusing on preventive health care measures to reduce later demands on Medicare and Medicaid.

When asked if the federal budget can be balanced in four years,  McCain answered, “Sure, …we can do it with this kind of job creation of energy independence.” He offered to implement an across-the-board spending freeze. However he would not declare what cuts he would impose beyond eliminating the marketing assistance program and some ethanol subsidies. Regarding the fine tuning of specific programs being eliminated, he never quite responded with those details.  Obama suggested that it would take ten years to reach a balanced budget. He suggested starting with eliminating the $750 billion dollars in subsidies to the insurance companies, that doesn’t provide seniors with coverage nor improve the Medicaid/Medicare programs. He also insisted that he would require proper structure of the $750 billion dollar rescue package passed by Congress. He stressed that he has been a strong proponent of pay-as-you-go spending. Every spending bill he has proposed has included financial offsets so that they did not add to the federal deficit.

There were additional questions on education reforms, Supreme Court nominees, suitability of opposing vice presidential running mates, negative characterizations of opponents, NAFTA considerations, and support for human rights. The full transcript of the debate is available at the CNN website.

There is plenty of campaign follow-up activity by both parties. Tonight, the College Republicans and Democrats will hold a debate at the APSU Library. On Saturday, October 18,there will be a Voters Rally at Veterans Plaza, starting at 10 a/m. At the conclusion, voters will proceed to the Election commission to cast their votes. On October 29th, the chairpersons of each political party will hold a debate in the Morgan Center Ballroom on APSU. This event will start at 2 p.m. Both parties offer volunteer opportunities for any persons wishing to support their respective candidates.

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The City of Clarksville will host Jammin’ in the Alley, a free concert on Strawberry Alley October 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The Beagles are scheduled to perform and restaurants with entrances on Strawberry Alley will offer outdoor dining. Concert admission is free and the event is open to the public.

Street closures starting at 1 p.m. Friday: Strawberry Alley will be closed from John’s Cleaners to 1^st Street. 1^st Street will be closed to through traffic in front of City Hall.  US Bank’s drive through and City Hall parking lots will be accessible.

For more information, please call 645-7444.