Tennessean columnist Gail Kerr notes in her column this morning that mayoral candidate Howard Gentry may need to ask someone on his staff to keep a closer eye on his Web site:

“Howard Gentry’s Web site with no video has remained unchanged for months. Two pictures in his photo gallery [one above] show voters with Bob Clement signs. Oops. Gentry did start using a “blast” e-mail technique last week, sending out a heartfelt piece about the things he believes in.”

Ouch. Kerr also describes Clement’s and Kenneth Eaton’s Web sites as “bland.” I tend to agree. One thing seems clear to me: It takes more than just throwing up a Web site to maintain an internet presence as a political candidate. Daily updates aren’t necessary, but consistent updates and engaging site content are important. They may not win a race for you, but the alternative sure isn’t going to help, either.

A developer has offered the owner of property where Rumours Wine and Art Bar (above, map) now stands $900,000 to purchase the plot and build a Publix grocery on the site, according to neighbors I spoke to over the weekend. The Art House Gallery & Studio next door is also a possible casualty. While current tenants apparently have the right of first refusal to match the offer, it is likely that they will not be able to do so and will be forced to relocate.

I would not necessarily oppose a grocery store in the right spot in an urban neighborhood, but in my opinion Rumours and The Art House are an important part of 12South’s distinctive character. This will be a big loss, especially if these businesses are unable to reopen nearby.

The Tennessean picked up an interesting Los Angeles Times story today regarding conflict among evangelical Christians over their political agenda. Jim Wallis, who has recently challenged Focus on the Family leader James Dobson to a debate, had the following to say:

“Are the only really “great moral issues’ those concerning abortion, gay marriage and the teaching of sexual abstinence?” Wallis asked in his challenge. “How about the reality of 3 billion of God’s children living on less than $2 per day? … What about pandemics like HIV/AIDS … (and) disastrous wars like Iraq?”

Dobson and other evangelical stalwarts are claiming that issues such as poverty, environmentalism and health care are overshadowing traditional issues such as abortion and gay marriage. Though I disagree with Dobson’s stance on these two issues, I don’t expect him and his colleagues to abandon their focus on them. At the same time, what is wrong with adding other relevant and serious concerns to the conversation? Even the evangelical right won’t address Iraq, wouldn’t addressing poverty, health care and global warming be compassionate and worthwhile things to do?

By criticizing other evangelicals who are focusing on these issues, it appears to me that Dobson and others in his camp are only reinforcing negative stereotypes. Isn’t there a chance that lending support for other worthwhile issues might help the general public better understand evangelicals and their core social issues? If it were solely up to Dobson, we might never know the answer to that question.