Copy other artists for practice only
The Life section (Dec. 20) featured two front-page articles about young people involved in the arts — a high school art teacher and a piano student. I am so pleased to see this kind of recognition, because involvement in art pursuits, whether visual or musical, is an important ingredient for a satisfying and productive life.
Carrie Pendergrass, an art teacher at Notre Dame High School, explained her methods — in reply to the question “How does one teach art?” She stated, “Sometimes we’ll copy someone else’s work. That’s an age-old tradition; apprentices for years have copied the masters’ works. …”
This statement needs clarification. Copying another artist’s work can be a valuable learning tool, but for practice only. Every artwork is copyrighted by the original artist. No one else has the right to make copies, by hand or mechanically, and claim them as their own for competitions or sales. I am concerned that many artists are not aware of this legal restriction.
A popular misconception is that published artworks are in the “public domain” and can be used. That is incorrect. For complete guidelines, look up Copyright for Artists FAQ on the Internet.
HELEN BURTON
Cleveland, Tenn.
God bless the animals
About three weeks ago, a 6-week-old puppy was found tied to a dumpster, in the pouring rain, with the temperature in the 30s.
She was shivering uncontrollably, covered in fleas, and probably wouldn’t have survived much longer under those conditions. She had no food, water, or cover to get under out of the weather. All she had was a rope tied around her neck.
The wonderful staff at Middle Valley Animal Hospital took her in. She was nicknamed D.D., for dumpster dog. When I saw her for the first time after she had been cleaned up, I was hooked.
I also own a 5-year-old German shepherd, also a rescue, who as a puppy never had a toy and didn’t know how to play even with a ball.
I took the puppy home, and the rest of this story is what fairy tales are made of. My older dog has taken over the mother role and actually lies down on the floor so she’s on the puppy’s level and they can play together. The puppy is teaching “Mom” how to play.
Merry Christmas and may God bless the animals.
DEANNA W. BROWN
Soddy-Daisy
American Legion will dispose of flags
As we approach the end of our Christmas/holiday season and you are about to take down your outside lightings/decorations, take a minute or two to check out your flag, “Old Glory.”
The American Legion will gladly take the old flag for proper disposal. Please don’t put it in the trash or recycle.
DICK ALLEN
‘Angel’ returns a special gift
It was a hectic day in the middle of holiday season with deadlines and 1,000 places to go. Running late, I had stopped at several places on my way into work. That morning for the first time since my mother died, I had pinned onto my lapel a Christmas tree that she had given me. Somewhere along the way, this precious gift was lost. I contacted all of the different stops, not ever thinking that the Christmas tree would be found. Or, I thought that since it was a pretty piece of jewelry, someone would have picked it up and claimed it for their own, not realizing that it was one of the last Christmas gifts given to me by my mom.
One of the places I called was Walmart; I had no hope that someone at the superstore might find it, or return it. Imagine my delight to learn that there was a Christmas angel at Walmart named Barbara Salisbury. Ms. Salisbury is a Walmart greeter who became an angel to me.
Many, many thanks to Walmart customer service staff, and especially, to Barbara Salisbury for recognizing that this was a special piece and turning it in to lost-and-found so that it would make its way back to me.
MARCIA M. EASON
Audiobooks replace phone in vehicle
Three years ago while driving and talking on my cell phone, I came very close to causing an accident.
This phone call, like most of the ones we all typically make while driving, was not important and could have easily waited for a time when I was not operating a 4,500-pound vehicle at speeds up to 50 mph with other vehicles just feet away.
That evening, while reflecting on my close call, I made a commitment to curb cell-phone usage while driving by 95 percent.
I also decided to heed the advice of a friend who had reached this conclusion due to his own close call. That advice was summed in two words: unabridged audiobooks.
Since that day, I have honored this commitment, and it has been one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made.
I’m now addicted to unabridged audiobooks and have listened to over 50 books that I otherwise would have never had the time to read. I am also saving money as I was able to decrease my cell phone bill.
But most importantly, I pay more attention to driving than ever before. I suggest everyone give audiobooks a try.
MATT McLELLAND
Lookout Mountain
Make Fairbanks Red Bank manager
I do not live in Red Bank but am delighted that the “first pick” turned down the job offer for city manager.
Why? It gives the commissioners another opportunity to make a local candidate the choice for city manager.
Who would be that person? It would be Randy Fairbanks.
I have known Randy for at least 45 years. He is a good person and a native of Red Bank. Randy is probably not one’s typical politician. However, he would consider all options when making a decision. He would listen to those working with him to improve the Red Bank community.
As a small-business owner with extensive experience as an accountant, his knowledge of the budget process and the struggles business owners must consider when making decisions make him a natural for the position of Red Bank’s city manager.
To the voters of Red Bank: You have an excellent candidate right here in this area. That person is Randy Fairbanks. Don’t delay putting Randy to work and moving Red Bank forward.
MIKE CARTER
North Chattanooga
Borrowing hurt Social Security
There has been a lot of talk about Social Security being an entitlement even though many have paid into the program looking forward to retirement. But now it is in trouble. Why?
During the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s ,the federal government was borrowing the interest from Social Security to help pay the interest on the national debt with the promise or intention to repay it in the future. Yet, since forgotten, how much have they paid back? Who has kept records on how much was borrowed? What would Social Security be like if the government had not borrowed from it?
Now they criticize FDR and talk about the liberal programs, but if the funds were left alone, I believe that Social Security would be well funded. Now the talk is to get rid of the Social Security program and replace it, but what about all the money that the government was going to repay that they borrowed?
If Social Security be scrubbed, then it will be swept under the rug. If anyone is to blame for the decline or failure of the Social Security system, let’s look to the ones criticizing it.
NORMAN WATSON JR.