Phil Valentine: Facebook got what you put out there for the world to see

The frenzy around Facebook is a bit perplexing. I firmly believe the vast majority of Americans have no idea what this case is all about. They think Facebook has sold deep, dark secrets about them. What they don’t understand is they are the ones who gave away the secrets.

J.C. Bowman: The trouble with testing

With an infusion of $501 million federal dollars of Race to the Top money, we hurried to increase standards by adopting Common Core, which we corrected by moving back to state standards.

Tales from the Past: Storm blows through Wilson County in 1998

I was at my grandparent’s house in Pointe Barton. We had to go over to a neighbor’s house, where the water from the lake had come all the way up to his garage. We stood in water that was up to our knees as we tried to move things into his house where, he hoped, they would be safe.

Dear Abby: Brother’s fiance is unaware of his hidden opiate addiction

My brother has already destroyed a previous marriage with his actions, and I’m finding it difficult to sit back and let this happen to yet another innocent woman. I am tired of lying for him, and I know that eventually this will come to a head. Do I come forward with the truth now and possibly harm their relationship, or watch them go through with this marriage and hope for the best? – UNSURE IN NASHVILLE, TENN.

Shelly Barnes: Spring into an active lifestyle for self-sustainability

Most of us hear the words physical activity and thoughts of agony go through our heads. We imagine sweat, pain and hard work. The last thing that we typically think of is the idea of having fun. It is important to realize, however, that being active does not need to be strenuous to be beneficial. In fact, an active lifestyle can actually be enjoyable.

Lucas Holman: Totally tomatoes

When selecting a tomato plant, be sure to check for any yellowing or spots that may be on the leaves. This could lead to other issues down the road. Secondly, tomatoes will form roots along their stem. Be sure to bury the tomato, leaving 4-5 inches above the soil to help get a good foundation throughout the summer droughts we’ll surely get. Thirdly, tomatoes will require about 1 inch of water per week to get the ample growth they need.

Dear Abby: Bride accuses mom of using wedding to spotlight herself

How do we get through the next six months and keep our already fragile relationship intact? – DAUGHTER OF MOMZILLA

John McMillin: Requests for donations over the phone require heightened guard

During a meeting held by United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland recently, several local nonprofit charities benefitted from the wisdom and guidance of Joe Roberts, investigator with the Division of Charitable Solicitations, Fantasy Sports and Gaming.

Jack McCall: A visit to the Peabody Hotel

For me, it is always a treat to stay at the world-famous Peabody Hotel in Memphis. Through the years, I have had to privilege of staying there many times. My wife, Kathy, and I were there again a few weeks back.

Sarah Haston: A look at growth in Lebanon

As the economic development director for the city of Lebanon, growth and managing growth is a topic that comes up every day in several conversations. I have been in the position now as the director for a little more than two years, and I have seen many changes in just those two short years.

Karen Rhea: Support sexual trauma victims

Individuals who are at particularly high risk of sexual assault include children and young adolescents, elderly people – especially those with dementia – as well as individuals with developmental disabilities. Whether the assault occurred recently or years ago, each person has the right to be heard and supported with treatment interventions.

Jared Felkins: Cumberland Corner plan isn’t anything unique

So we’ve arrived at the decision on whether the Lebanon City Council will approve or deny an $850,000 donation to Cumberland University to buy about 3 acres of land that is planned to be developed into Cumberland Corner to provide more student housing for the growing university, as well as a college store and possibly a coffee shop or something similar.

Guest View: State’s aging population requires more cooperation

We all want to stay healthy and independent as we get older. Adopting healthy habits and behaviors, staying involved in one’s community, using preventive services and managing health conditions can contribute to healthy aging. The Tennessee Housing Development Agency and the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability prioritized healthy aging by promoting affordable, accessible and suitable housing options that allow older adults to age in place or remain living in their own home and community safely, independently and comfortably. Beyond important for individuals, communities that want to thrive should provide opportunities for people as they grow up and as they grow older.

Both THDA and TCAD recognize the importance of aging in place and strive to make Tennessee a state in which it is great to grow older. As a whole, Tennessee’s population is aging. TCAD recently published its “State of Aging in Tennessee: A County by County Snapshot” that showed the projected population growth of seniors in

Linda Alessi: A few random thoughts

As far back as I can remember, this time of year was truly special. The spiritual and religious holiday was full of promise and expectation. To me in my childhood, it was all about getting new patent-leather Mary Jane shoes, a new dress and possibly a spring coat. Since I was the youngest in the family, I benefited from having siblings who treated me with great love and the holidays were always abundant with goodies.

Dear Abby: Serious video gamer gets no respect for her hobby

What can I say to people who dismiss my hobby as a waste while claiming that reading the latest trashy vampire book or going out every Friday and Saturday night to get wasted is “really living”? — PROUD GAMER GIRL