Category Archives: About Deborah Levine

About our Founder/Editor-in-Chief

DL Opinion columns

Protect and Serve: East Ridge Fire Rescue – by Deborah Levine

(originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press)

I was intrigued by the email about the ‘Push In’ celebration of a new fire truck in East Ridge, a role model for growing TN cities. I joined the community folks, council members, fire fighters for a tradition since the 1800s when fire trucks were pulled by horses. This modern truck cost $900,000, and given the powerful engine, we didn’t have to push it into the fire engine bay to put the truck officially in service. But what fun to do it! 

Decades ago, the downtown fire station was a privately owned, relatively small building. Now the East Ridge Fire Rescue is a city service and the building is a modernized version of the original. Even so, it may be outgrown in the not too distant future, symbolic of the growth in East Ridge. 

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DL Opinion columns, Ukraine

Ukraine requests holiday support: Light in the Dark – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

I just got a message from Yuri Bova, mayor of the Ukrainian city, Trostyanets. He wanted to catch me up on their wartime situation and get my support. Trostyanets is just 20 miles from the Russian border and was high on Putin’s list when Russia invaded Ukraine. The city was devastated by Russian troops that Putin intended to lead parades celebrating the Russian takeover of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. That didn’t happen. What did happen was the wrecking of schools, hospitals, roads, and stores along multiple murders and thefts of everything of value. Horrifying! 

What to do? That’s what I asked myself when Mayor Yuri came to Chattanooga to visit Mayor Tim Kelly and Sister Cities. It was heartrending to hear about the destruction then, and still is. I was so moved that I wrote a column about Ukraine for the Times Free Press in March 2025. And I included stories about my friend Angelika Riano who had recently returned from Ukraine where she supported the International Ukrainian Crisis Fund. Her involvement in the Fund’s humanitarian aid was inspiring then, and remains so today.   

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About Deborah Levine, Liberator Series, Music, theater, TV, dance, World War II Documentary

TV Pilot Script: The Liberator’s Daughter

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The Liberator's Daughter LOGLINE

A World War II Liberator’s daughter honors his legacy by battling disabilities, discrimination, and hate in her journey from being disabled and homeless, to repairing our broken world.
6-part TV Series


32+  FILM FESTIVAL  AWARDS
The Liberator’s Daughter has 32 WINNER AWARDS at international film festivals including:
1) WRPN Women’s International Film Festival, 2) Hollywood Blvd Film Festival, 3) Cineplay International, 4) Dallas Shorts, 5) Indiefare International, 6) Airflix Film, 7) Multi Dimension International, 8) Bright International, 9) EdiPlay International, 10) Magic Silver Screen Festival, 11) Medusa Film Festival, 12) Movie Play International, 13) Red Moon Film Festival, 14) Krimson Horyzon International Film Festival, 15) Cult Movies Festival, 16) Crown International, 17) Swedish International, 18) NYC International Film Festival, 19) London New Wave Cinema Awards, 20 & 21) Indie Cine Tube Awards, 22) 4th Dimension Independent film Festival, 23) Cooper Awards, 24) Tokyo Shorts, 25) 8 & Halfilm Awards, 26) New York Neorealism  Film Awards, 27) Golden Giraffe International film Festival, 28) Liber Films International film Festival, 28) Cooper Awards, 29) ASAA Abdolrahman Sarraei Academic Awards, 30) Sofia International Film Festival, 31) Your Way International film Festival, 32) Alpine IFF.

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DL Opinion columns

AI is scary, but more human than you think – by Deborah Levine

originally published in the Chattanooga Times Free Press

Artificial Intelligence is like the weeds growing in my backyard. The AI quickly takes over all the other plants and I often forget that there were actual flowers blooming by my back porch. The impact on our lives is spreading widely. It can be scary when emergency phone lines are now answered by AI. And I was not happy to hear that my son-in-law would lose his position in international banking to AI. So I didn’t know what to think when I was offered a job with an AI company. 

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DL Opinion columns

Hannukah, festival of lights and miracles – by Deborah Levine

Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press 

A friend who runs local programs for seniors asked me about Hanukkah. She knew that the Jewish holiday was coming before Christmas, but wasn’t sure when. The first of 8 nights of Hanukkah begins at sundown on Sunday, December 14. The date often differs according to our calendar, but remains constant on the Jewish calendar as the 25th of the month of Kislev.    

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DL Opinion columns

The hurricane of stupidity – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

I was surprised to see the Times Free Press article: “Bermuda prepares for hits by hurricanes Humberto, Imelda”. I grew up on the island of Bermuda and preparing for hurricanes at this time of year was the norm. But American newspapers don’t often talk about how Bermuda withstands these storms: “Bermuda is a wealthy British territory with strong concrete structures capable of withstanding serious storms.”

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DL Opinion columns

Engage in community. Having fun counts! – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

When we moved to East Ridge 25 years ago, Camp Jordan was a rural land mark where you could walk quietly and virtually alone. Purchased in 1930 by the Tennessee National Guard, it was named after Major General Paul Jordan. In 1946, the land was auctioned off as military surplus, but the name “Camp Jordan” remained even when the City of East Ridge purchased the farmland property in 1973. Now, the 275-acre park is operated by the East Ridge Parks and Recreation Department with a mission to serve the community. What began as 2 ball fields developed into 13 baseball/softball fields, 14 soccer fields, a 18-hole Disc Golf Course, 2 Beach Volleyball Courts, 2 picnic pavilions, an amphitheater, a RV campground, a 30,000 sq. ft. arena, along with stores, restaurants and a hotel. It’s like a small village! 

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DL Opinion columns

Peace, civility and a smile – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

On my birthday, I made a wish for peace and civility. Why? I’d gotten a phone call full of hurt, fear and outrage at the current situation, asking me how to achieve that goal. I had no idea, so I decided to post this question online: “How are we going to stop all this violence, hate, and threats? Can we?” Eager for answers, I was fascinated by this response: “Can we? Peace? We have “all or nothing mindsets”, and “like oil and water”, two people, ideas, or things that are inherently incompatible and will not mix or get along. Yes, there is potential for resolution, but it’s tricky.”

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DL Opinion columns

Our active shooting hoax was a warning – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press  

I was appalled to hear that UTC was under the threat of an active shooter. The full campus lockdown meant that students and staff endured an hour of terror. The lockdown was applied to Chattanooga’s government buildings. The Chattanooga Times Free Press was also in lockdown as were a dozen Hamilton County Schools as well as Erlanger and parts of Siskin Hospitals. When the search of campus buildings gave no evidence of a shooting, the lockdown was thankfully lifted.

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About Deborah Levine, Books, Bunny Bear Adventures, World War II Documentary

Bunny Bear Adventures: Video Stories and Resources- by Deborah Levine

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Adventures in Diversity LandBunny Bear Adventures is a Winner in 9 international film festivals for its use of the science of storytelling and AI graphics that make you laugh and make you sigh!

Hear storyteller, speaker and award-winning author Deborah Levine share true stories about trying to fit in and  being the different one. The video stories are a big hit with ages 6-11. Parents and teachers use Bunny Bear Adventures to build social and emotional awareness, learn empathy, appreciate differences and show respect.

Bunny BearSCROLL DOWN to see VIDEO STORY INTRODUCTION

andBunny Bear
BUNNY BEAR RESOURCE PACKAGE
SPECIAL OFFER: 
TEACHING GUIDE & COLORING BOOK

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