Cool Aid Program
COOL AID PROGRAM gets fans and air conditioners to needy individuals. On hot, hot days and nights, this ministry saves lives. If you need a fan or air conditioner, contact Dwight Ogleton at 615-818-2459 or 615-895-8555. If you would donate an air conditioner or fan, contact Dwight Ogleton (same phone numbers). If you wish to make a financial contribution to the COOL AID PROGRAM, go by FirstBank (615 Memorial Blvd.) and tell them you have a gift for COOL AID. READ MORE »

Dan Whittle photo exhibit at Arts Center of Cannon County
May 25-June 30, 2012 Dan Whittle's photo art is on display at the Arts Center of Cannon County (1424 John Bragg Highway in neighboring Woodbury). Admission is free to the Marly Berger Gallery. This well known journalist-photographer-author has creative nature photos and captures life in action through the lens of his camera. In addition to the exhibit, the public is invited to a reception honoring Mr. Whittle on Friday, May 25, 2012, from 5-7PM at the Cannon County Arts Center. For more information, phone 615-563-ARTS (2787). READ MORE »

Dance Camp
Mon-Fri (July 9-13, 2012) Summer Dance Camp at the Springhouse Worship and Arts Center (14119 Old Nashville Highway; Smyrna, TN; same as Lamplighters Theatre). Fee is $150 per student, if you register before July 2nd. ($170 after that date). On site registration is also available. Phone 615-852-8499 for more information. READ MORE »

Greenway 100 (walk 100 miles in 1-year)
any day (between now May 19, 2013) sunrise-sunset GREENWAY 100 with a walk, run, bike, hop or crawl the Greenway Get a cool T-shirt and more by walking 100-miles in one-year. This year long campaign is created to help you get fit. There is a $10 application fee. Phone 615-893-2141. READ MORE »

International FolkFest
Sun-Sun (June 10-17, 2012) INTERNATIONAL FOLKFEST as our own Cripple Creek Cloggers and founder Steve Cates welcome dance groups from around the world to Murfreesboro and the mid-state area. This year Martinique, Belgium, Austria, and the Czech Republic will be in the Heart of Tennessee. There are numerous volunteer opportunities. See the FolkFest website: http://www.mboro-international-folkfest.org 7PM Wed. (6/13) at Central Christian Church 404 E. Main St., Murfreesboro); 7PM Thu. (6/14) at Manchester Arts Center (128 E. Main. St., Manchester) admission $10; 7PM Fri. (6/14) at Patterson Center (521 Mercury Blvd., Murfreesboro) $5 admission; Sat. (6/15) 8:30AM-1PM stage on the east side of historic Murfreesboro square, free performance, opportunity to talk with visitors and learn about their country. READ MORE »

Middle Half Marathon
Sat. (Oct. 13, 2012) 7AM 6th Annual Middle Half Marathon and Murph's Fun Run. The 13.1-mile course starts and stops at MTSU's Dean Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium and the course is around the beautiful flat and tree-lined Murfreesboro historic district. The Murfreesboro Half Marathon course has been certified as accurate in measurement according to the standards adopted by the USATF Road Running Technical Council. Remember, last years 2,500 max was reached in 11 days. NOTICE: Registration begins 8AM on June 1st (nothing before that). Go to www.themiddlehalf.com. READ MORE »

Nikki Giovanni: "Life in the Bottoms"
Tue (May 29, 2012) 5:30PM Renowned social activist and poet Nikki Giovanni will speak at New Vision Baptist Church (1750 N. Thompson Lane). "Life In The Bottoms" is the final part of MTSU's 2012 local history series. The evening begins with a barbecue dinner at 5:30PM. Then at 6:30PM oral history reports from the field school will be presented. At 7:30PM Giovanni will present her talk, “Something called progress killed my grandmother: Urban Renewal and African American Neighborhoods.” Tickets are $25 and available at the Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center. Phone 615-867-2633. READ MORE »

Phone "811" Before You Dig
Reminder, before you dig--phone 811. With one phone call to 811, someone will come to your property and mark all burried phone lines, cables, pipes at NO CHARGE. Please allow 2-3 business days. READ MORE »

Primary Care & Hope Clinic SPONSORSHIPS

The Primary Care & Hope Clinic serve the healthcare needs of uninsured and under-served persons in our community. During this organization's 20th annversary year, there are two upcoming major events in which sponsorships are available.
Sat. (June 16, 2012) 6PM 20th Anniversary Luau at the Stones River Country Club.
Sat. (Aug. 25, 2012) 4-8PM Taste of Stones River at the Avenue of Murfreesboro.
For more information, contact Bette McFarland (phone 615-893-3930, extension 207) or e-mail her at bette.mcfarland@hopeclnc.org

Ready Family Reunion (ENTIRE community welcome)
Sat. (Aug. 11, 2012) READY FAMILY REUNION at the Woodbury Senior Citizen Center. THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS INVITED. Activities will include a social on Friday night at the Cannon Inn. On Saturday there will be breakfast at the Readyville Mill, a family history exchange and the reunion that evening with live entertainment, all you can eat buffet, drawings and prizes. You and those interested (local non family residents are invited) can contact Larry Ready (10th generation from Richard Ready) at the address above or at ReadyFamily@webtv.net or phone at: 256-303-2380. READ MORE »

Red and Black Reunion
Fri. (May 25, 2012) 7PM "Red and Black Ball" with the Jimmy Church Band at the Embassy Suites. Alumni and friends of historic Bradley Academy come home to share memories and preserve local history with the weekend of "Red and Black" reunion activities. One of those includes a luncheon presentation on Saturday (May 26) of the musical "The Color Purple" at the Murfreesboro Center for the Arts. READ MORE »

Southern Girls of Rock'n Roll Camp
Mon-Sat (July 23-28, 2012) 8:30AM-5:30PM 10th Anniversary of YEAH's Southern Girls of Rock'n Roll Camp. This is a summer day camp for girls ages 10-17. It is held at MTSU's Wright Music Building. Camp tuition is $300 (scholarships are available along with monthly payment plans). For information or to register, go to their website: www.sgrrc.com READ MORE »

Video Games

By: Dr. Larry Burris, Professor, MTSU School of Journalism Published: July 4, 2011

Last week the U-S Supreme Court ruled that a California law restricting sales of violent video games was unconstitutional. But did the ruling open the flood-gates for selling violence to unsuspecting children, or did it simply reaffirm First Amendment protections for art and expression?

Now, many of us would never consider video games to be art, but then again how many us consider the violent content in many forms of art “appropriate” for children?

Remember how “Hansel and Gretel” escaped: the two children cooked the old lady in an oven. The court itself pointed out that Odysseus attacks the Cyclops with a hot, pointed stick, and grinds his eye out with it. And Shakespeare’s stage is littered with poisoned and stabbed corpses, as is the Bible.

Some critics of the decision have said the violent games lead to violence in children. And it is certainly true that in some circumstances, some children do respond with some kinds of violence. But the overwhelming research evidence is that violent video games generate exactly the same psychological response as Road Runner and Bugs Bunny cartoons.

What the court did not do is limit the rating system currently used on the video games. In other words, the court is leaving it up to parents to monitor their children’s purchasing power and game behavior.

Over the last few years we’ve seen a groundswell of support for less government intrusion in our lives. Everywhere you turn people are saying they can make their own decisions for themselves and their children.

Yes, some of video games gruesome, offensive and disgusting. But do I want the government to tell me what my children can and cannot have on their computers? Absolutely not.

This decision puts control of children’s video behavior right where it belongs: with parents who need to take responsibility for raising their children.