Becky Ruppe's Senate race is heating up, according to Randy Neal at TennViews.com

The Women for Ruppe Team will be phone banking at the Ruppe Headquarters this Thursday (Sept 11th) evening from 5pm - 8pm.

“We need everyone to come down and help” said Ashley Ruppe. “It doesn’t matter if you can come down for 30 minutes or if you can stay the whole time... Any free time you have to help would be appreciated” added Ruppe.

The event is not just for women. Anyone that would like to come down and donate their time to the Ruppe campaign are welcomed. There will be plenty of snacks and drinks and you will be able to meet and visit with some fellow supporters.

The Headquarters is located at 1205 South Roane Street Unit #B in Harriman (across from the CVS pharmacy). For more information you can call the Headquarters at (865) 882-0082 or email Ashley@beckyruppe.com

Anyone in Tennessee can register vote by clicking on the link that stays over on the right, but Randy at KnoxViews.com has a far more comprehensive registration kit for people in every state and even our Armed forces stationed overseas.

Link...

The Southwest Point Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is having a "HOEDOWN" on Saturday, September 27, from 6 until 10 pm at Fort Southwest Point in Kingston.

The Hoedown features live music from two bands, one bluegrass and the other country. There will be dancing, a cakewalk, kids' games, and lots of fun for the whole family. Refreshments will be served, including pinto beans, cornbread, hot dogs, drinks, and desserts.

I would like to attend more of these meetings. I'll have more time in the next few weeks, but for now, can we get a report?

Near as I can tell, Teresa Kirkham is guilty of sloppy business practices and little more. As a County, we should use the black eye this investigation is giving us as a call for our entire County government to tighten up. Set clear policy, make everybody aware of it, and then make everybody follow it.

Particularly the positions that receive a salary.

I am fairly sure that nothing will come of the investigation into Teresa's actions but that doesn't change the fact that she needs to get her act together and follow standard guidelines for expenses and use of County property, along with every other official, big and small, in Roane County.

Will it cramp their style? Dang straight!...And so be it!

I don't usually post things like this but this is a view of incredible power and destruction. I hope Ike misses our coast line or is severely weakened by the time it gets here.

Are we glad we live so far from the beach?

Parking on city streets is a bit of a hassle on some of our more narrow streets. Things were brought to the Kingston table by one resident's inability to back his boat out of his driveway because folks were parking on the street.

My question is..."Why is he backing a trailer out into traffic in the first place?" I would think the traffic rules would suggest that you back into your driveway with a trailer, not the other way around.

Here's a link to a map of the problem spot.

And I agree with someone who said that if they were going to put up NO PARKING signs on this street, they should put them up on every street that is officially too narrow to park on.

Link...

By Ray Collett

Hello Readers, This weeks E-Mailbag brought a letter from Barbara Hicks Mayfield Loyless (Class of 1955) commenting on the cave at the golf course. Here is what Barbara wrote, " I have been meaning to comment on Nancy Ingram and her desire to visit Back Cave. Her wish relates to my lifelong desire to go to Big Rock. Seems like I was not around or not healthy when people were making that climb. Guess I will have to make a quick visit when I get my wings, HA !

School just started. Temperatures are still in the 80's, and the leaves are barely changing colors. But, believe it or not, fall break for Roane County Schools is barely a month away. And that means five long days of no school --and hearing 'I'm bored... There's nothing to do...' for five long days.

The Creative Arts Co-op does offer an alternative for 'break boredom' - and students get to bang on trash cans in the process. 'NOIZE!' camp is scheduled to bang its way into the brisk, fall air.

Link...

Note: TennViews calls Becky Ruppe's State Senate race a "Must Win" for Tennessee.

Rockwood 24 Sweetwater 21

(Coach Webb is confused about which sport made his kicker a kicker)

Kingston 21 Livingston 0

Anyone have OS and Midway info?

So far this year, we've lost enough jobs to put everyone in Alaska out of work.

Whiners!

From the Press release:

"I believe once elected Becky Ruppe, will be the hardest working state senator Tennessee has ever known. It doesn’t matter your political party she will fight hard for you in the State Senate," stated Governor Bredesen, "I believe in Becky Ruppe and I will do all I can to see that she is elected to the State Senate, because we need leaders like Becky in Nashville."

The entire statement...

The Jail goes up and the costs are just beginning. Anybody know if there has been a budget projection of revenue versus spending for the additional jailers and support personnel?

Do we have any County budget projections for after the jail is completed? If so, let's get them posted.

Link...

There's no question that the crowds love Becky, and that Governor Phil Bredesen is Tennessee's "Big Dog".

Governor Bredesen and Becky moved easily among the packed house in Kingston, Wednesday, spending time with everyone.

I noticed that the big financial supporters got their due attention, but there's something else...At every event I've been to, Phil Bredesen always takes time to go speak with the folks who work in the kitchen, or park the cars, or keep the glasses full. And it's not just the polite thank you your mamma drilled into you, Phil listens. It's too bad he's in his last two years.

Another Girl's soccer score...

Oliver Springs 2, Alcoa 1

Link...

Way to go, Ladies!

Lady Jackets soccer came up victorious after an exhausting weekend in the 12th Annual Katie Hunter Tournament. The Jackets ended their 4 game weekend with a first place trophy in the Barry Redmond Division.

Check it out and let us know what you think...

Link...

A newly named species of threadsnake from Barbados maxes out at about 4 inches in length.

Your dog may yawn if you do. Not only are yawns contagious across the species barrier, it is unclear as to why this happens or even why people yawn in the first place.

A coffee maker that uses a thermos carafe instead of an electric warmer uses half of the electricity. (I think the coffee tastes better as well)

The International Banana conference will be held in Mombasa, Kenya October 5-9.

A mechanical device called the Antikythera device found in a shipwreck turns out to have been a 19 year mechanical computer used to determine the next Olympic cycle. Over 2100 years old, the device was 1000 years ahead of anything else found.

Apparently there's no one to lead.

Link...

The Bolt House tour is October 4.

Link...

Another site - aimed at taking care of immediate needs as Tennesseans care for thousands of evacuees who are already in Tennessee. These people have arrived by train and plane, and some have self-evacuated. Tennessee charities and service organizations are already strained to care for our guests. We are the Volunteer State. We can act accordingly by donating at this site as well.
Link...

RB

Rather than grandstand by showing up in the middle of the hurricane aftermath, Barack Obama has chosen instead to ask his supporters to donate to hurricane relief.

Link...

So many people want to help that the site is bogged down. Give it a bit of time and then do your part. It could be you and I in need some day.

Bob Tuke has expanded his efforts for the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq to include hurricane evacuees. (I like Bob Tuke!)

Link...

By Ray Collett

Hello Readers, Fall is fast approaching and with the changing of the colors, it also brings HALLOWEEN. What does Halloween remind me of? Not necessarily ghosts and goblins, but of outhouses. Who has ever tipped an outhouse over at Halloween?

Mark your calendars! After its second successful season in downtown Harriman, the Creative Arts Co-op will be hosting its second Halloween Murder Mystery.

Scheduled for Halloween weekend (October 31 and November 1, 2008), the show 'Long Live the Quarterback' will be another wacky and zany night of intrigue and entertainment. The evening begins as the guests arrive - characters mingle with the audience. Then, after the dastardly deed is done, a clue hunt ensues with the audience as the detectives.

And don't forget about the dessert buffet. Delicious desserts - some say they're to-die-for.

The shows take place at Holy Joe's, 426 N. Roane Street, Harriman. The doors open at 7:00 and the show begins at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20.00 and includes the performance and dessert. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited. For more information, please call the Creative Arts Co-op at 765-1129 or visit Link....

Our hike today. This is the pool locals know as the Blue Hole.

Want to know what thoughtful people are thinking?

Link...

The September/October issue of the Tennessee Conservationist came in the mail yesterday. In an article about Islands in Tennessee, an old picture of Roane County's Long Island shows how far we've come in protecting these ecologically valuable resources.

I love this magazine, now that Governor Bredesen and TDEC Commissioner Jim Fyke have restored it to its full color and beauty. The cover shots of Tennessee astors and the Twin Arches are stunning. Kudos to Editor Louise Zepp and her staff.

This issue is going to cost me some money, though. After reading Jack Carman's article on asters, which are blooming in profusion right now, I will be forced to buy his book, Wildflowers of Tennessee.

Even more important than the Republican Vice Presidential pick...

Kingston 20 , Harriman 18
Rockwood 25 , Midway 6
McMinn Central 48 , Oliver Springs 13

From the Press release:

Governor Phil Bredesen will make his first campaign visit into the 12th District on Wednesday, September 3rd for Becky Ruppe.

Bredesen will be making stops in Roane County and will end his trip in East Tennessee by attending a campaign fundraiser in Kingston for the Ruppe for State Senate Campaign

The event will be an intimate get together and will begin at 3pm on Wednesday. Tickets are just $100 per person. For more information please contact the Ruppe Headquarters at 865-882-0082.