7/18 Fort Campbell Life

A look inside...

Farmers Markets

Grilling

Pet Safety in the Heat

City Forum Opens

Rainy Day Activities

Animal Adventures

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Editor Sean McCully

Contributors Dave Marshall CynDe Clack

Publisher Creative ink

Creative Director

As the first official day of summer came and went at the end of June, welcoming July will be a fairly easy task now that we’re already acclimated to this year’s heat.

With the heat comes the danger of heat exhaustion though, so look on page 14 for some ways to keep your pets safe outside.

Sears Hallett

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Kristi Williams 270-484-0463 kristi@creativeinktn.com

Photography Cadiz CVB Nashville Farmers Market Roux Restaurant Dukes Bar & Grill The City Forum Nashville Zoo Chattanooga Zoo mixthatdrink.com Deposit Photo pg: Cover, 6, 7, 11, 12, 14, 27, 28, 31, 32

And who doesn’t love making your neighbors jealous with the smell of burgers and hot dogs on the grill? Check out page 11 for some tips and tricks to make your next grilling experience go off without a hitch.

Finally, look for a few ideas on how to make the most of a rainy day on page 27.

Sean McCully, Editor sean@creativeinktn.com

LIke us and share on Facebook facebook.com/fortcampbelllife

H S E FR THE M O FR ARM F 5

Fresh fruit and vegetables, hand-made crafts, pies and kettle corn – there’s nothing that sounds better! And that’s exactly what you’ll find at the farmer’s markets in the area. There’s multiple great options to shop local this summer around Fort Campbell and here are the best options for a day’s worth of outdoor shopping.

Clarksville Downtown Market The market is a weekly open-air marketplace featuring local farmers and artisans who offer multiple kinds of wares from locally-grown fresh produce to handcrafted products. The market strives to provide an opportunity for local customers to connect with local businesses, while enhancing the quality of life in our community. Enjoy live music, meet our Market mascot, “Corny the Cob,” and experience special events on select market days.

If you go Saturdays May 26 - Oct. 13, 8 am until 1 pm One Public Square - Clarksville, TN cityofclarksville.com

Hopkinsville Downtown Market This is one of the best places to get your fill of fresh fruits and vegetables in the Pennyroyal. There’s also a selection of wine for the sommelier in your life! The market accepts debit and EBT cards, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Vouchers and WIC. Come check out everything the Hopkinsville Downtown Market has to offer this summer.

If you go Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning April 21 - Oct. 31, 7 am until 1 pm Corner of 9th and Main Streets, Hopkinsville, KY hopkinsvilleky.us 270-887-4284

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Trigg County Farmer’s Market Just west of Hopkinsville, Trigg County is cooking up even more homemade treats and crafts at their own market in Cadiz. The market is a joint project of the Renaissance on Main Street Program, the city of Cadiz, and the Trigg County Cooperative Extension Service, where farmers sell a variety of products from baked goods to local honey to homegrown fruits and vegetables. Across the street from the market is Junque Fest.

Artists, crafters, and locals with unwanted treasures come together to sell their items.

If you go Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning in April - October, 7 am until noon 70 Main St., Cadiz, KY facebook.com/cadiztriggfarmersmarket 270-522-8756

Nashville Farmer’s Market Just a short drive from Fort Campbell, the Nashville Farmer’s Market has all kinds of goodies to shop for at their location right next to the Bicentennial Mall State Park. And for the rainy days, they also have their Market House which has 20 locally-owned restaurants and shops with all kinds of cuisine and more.

And if that wasn’t enough to sell you on the market, parking is free for the first two hours.

If you go Individual merchant hours vary, Market is open every day 8 am until 8 pm 900 Rosa Parks Blvd., Nashville, TN nashvillefarmersmarket.org 615-880-2001 7

Super Saturday – Just What You Need Have you ever needed some time to run errands, pamper yourself, volunteer, have an adult conversation or just take a break? Child & Youth Services (CYS) offers Super Saturday one Saturday a month for children age 6 weeks through 5 years.

CYS recognizes the challenges of our Soldiers and their Families and would like to give your children the opportunity to make friends and to explore and experiment through a variety of play activities, allowing you time to do the things you need to do.

To use Super Saturday, your child must be registered with CYS Parent Central Services.* Care is offered at Watters CDC #1 from 9am to 5pm. Reservations can be made by calling 270.412.6926 or you can make your own reservations through CYS Online Services.

Sometimes, walk-ins can be accepted based on availability of space and care providers.

Please call before you walk-in on the day of care, 270.412.6926. Some Families may have eligibility for free care, but if not eligible, Families can pay $4 per hour for whatever number of hours they need. Lunch and snack are provided.

Upcoming dates are: 07 July Reservations can be made beginning on 25 June 04 August Reservations can be made beginning on 23 July A full list of dates can be found on our website at www.campbell.armymwr.com.

*Parent Central Services (PCS) 5384 5th Street & Tennessee Avenue 270.798.0674 Appointments are recommended.

Free to register your child with PCS.F campbell.armymwr.com/programs/parent-central-services.

Prioritize time for yourself just like you prioritize time for your kids.

** CUPCAKE WARS ** Butter, sugar, eggs and flour....mixed together and baked in small batches are the base of good cupcakes.

Now for the creative side....adding raisins, berries, nuts, chocolate chips and topping with decadent frosting or pastry cream, candy, shaved chocolate, etc and you have the beginnings of Cupcake Wars.

Fort Campbell USO will be hosting the annual Cupcake Wars on July 28. Open to Active Duty and Reserves to compete. Families are welcome to taste and pick their favorite.

If you think you have what it takes to bring mouth-watering cupcakes to the table and have a chance to take home some fabulous prizes, make sure to register in advance by visiting facebook.com/usofortcampbell.

The delectable fun begins at 1pm at the USO Center, 6145 Desert Storm Ave.

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Who doesn’t love grilling when the weather is nice and the lightning bugs have started lighting up each hot night?

But sometimes it can be a bit of a pain knowing when to flip your sirloins and getting the grill started itself can be a challenge for newcomers.

Here are a few tips to help your next grilling session go smoothly.

INSPECTING THE GRILL Before doing anything, make sure to scrub the grate with a long-handled wire brush. This removes any food debris from any prior cooking and ensures that you have a clean cook surface. For tougher burnt-on messes, use a heavy-duty scraper to get rid of anything you couldn’t remove with the wire brush. Before sitting the grate on your heat source, oil it to keep your food from sticking. Take a wad of paper towels and dip them in canola or vegetable oil, and dab the towels on the grate to give it an even coat of oil.

STARTING THE FIRE There are many different styles of grills on the market right now, but the two most popular are gas and charcoal grills and gas grills have fewer steps than charcoal. Start by turning the valve on the top of the propane tank counterclockwise. Open the grill, turn one of the burners on. You might have a knob with ignite on it.

Press it in until the grill lights. After getting the fire started, gas grills are usually preheated in about 10 minutes. With charcoal grills, arrange coals into a mound in the area under the cooking grate.

Use lighter fluid on the unlit coals and light the fluid with a match or household lighter. The fire is ready after the coals are covered in gray ash. Spread out the coals with tongs and replace the oiled grate.

PREPARING THE MEAT As the fire is heating up outside, now is a great time to prepare a simple marinade or just salt and pepper depending on your own tastes. All meat needs just a little something before going on the heat, and a simple marinade works wonders on infusing tons of flavor and helping tenderize the meat. The purpose of marinades is to enhance the natural flavors of the meat and to tenderize your protein with an acid like lemon or lime juice.

The main important ingredients to a good marinade are oils, like olive or canola oil, which helps coat the meat and keeps meat juicy, acids like vinegar and lemon juice, which help tenderize the meat, something salty and sauce like soy or Worcestershire sauce and honey and pineapple juice and finally seasonings like onion powder and thyme. Keep the oil to acid ratio at 3:1 and experiment with different seasonings and sweet and salty combinations to create your own marinades. To benefit from the marinade, meat should sit in the mixture for at least 30 minutes to overnight before cooking.

CHECKING THE MEAT One of the most frustrating things that can happen is cutting into an undercooked piece of meat after spending close to an hour getting the grill and ingredients ready. But with a few simple tricks, you’ll never pull off an undercooked chicken breast or sirloin steak again. For poultry, the internal temperature should register 165 degrees and ground meat should come to 160 degrees for safe consumption. For beef, the meat should rise to an internal temperature of 145 degrees, which you can check with a meat thermometer, or by the finger test to check doneness.

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With a relaxed hand, take your opposing index finger and touch the pad of the base of your thumb. This is the firmness of a raw steak.

With the relaxed hand, touch your thumb to the index finger on the same hand. The firmness of the pad of your thumbs shows what a rare steak will feel like, thumb to middle finger shows medium-rare cooked, thumb to ring finger shows medium cooked and thumb to pinky finger shows well done.

Courtesy of grillersspot.com

Here’s a couple of my favorite things to grill:

Chicken Wings I know this will sound crazy but I witnessed this at a backyard bbq and was amazed at the simplicity and great taste.

Start with a large frozen bag of chicken wings or drummies if that is what you prefer. In the kitchen place them is a pot of boiling water (I know you are thinking WHAT?.....Trust me). Boil the wings until fully cooked, take out and drain and allow to dry.

Then put on the hot grill - direct heat, add sauce of choice (see below for my favorite), let the sauce caramelize and grill the wings until the color you choose (the wings are fully cooked so you are just adding grilling marks, smoke flavor and charred look). Take off and serve and watch the amazed look on your fellow grillers as they try these.

My Favorite BBQ Sauce.

I use this on both baby back ribs and chicken wings. Its sweet but you can spice it up with cayenne pepper to taste. I make this in advance of cooking the wings or ribs and allow it to cool before applying it to the meat. There is usually plenty left over allowing for guests to add sauce if wanted.

1 tbl extra virgin olive oil • 1/2 tsp granulated garlic • 1/2 tsp chile powder • 1/2 tsp ground cumin • 2/3 cup ketchup 1/3 cup coca cola • 2 tbl soy sauce • 2 tsp cider vinegar • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper • 1/2 tsp oregano • 2 tsp kosher salt 1 cup(more depending on taste) brown sugar ~ adapted from “Weber’s Real Grilling” In a medium saucepan and medium heat, warm the oil, add the garlic, chile powder and cumin. Cook for one minute, stir to avoid scorching. Add the remaining ingredients, wisk together and allow to simmer.

Tri-Tip Steak This cut of meat is harder to find but is excellent to serve to a crowd. I usually find it at a butcher shop.

Normally you will purchase a 3 to 5 pound steak.

Apply olive oil to the steak, rub in with your hands, dust the steak with garlic powder and black pepper. Sear the steak over direct heat (depending on the size and the temperature of the grill) for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side. Place the seared steak over indirect heat for 10 to 15 minutes per side, if you don’t have a way for indirect heat lower the temperature of the grill by limiting air intake and rotating the meat more often. Check for doneness to preference. Allow the steak to rest for 10 minutes after coming off the grill.

Slice diagonally across the grain in thin slices and serve.

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Keeping Pets Pets Safe Safe in in the the Heat Heat Keeping Playing fetch, going for walks and visiting dog parks can be some of the best experiences with Fido while the summer weather is in full swing. However it’s incredibly important to keep a close eye on your pets when the heat nears the triple digits because pets with thick coats of hair are more susceptible to heat stroke, exhaustion and dehydration. Here are some of the ways you can help limit the impact of the heat on your pet during the summer.

Preparing for the summer One of the biggest things pet owners can do before the summer is to have pets groomed to cut the winter coat still hanging on from the previous months. Make sure not to cut a pet’s hair too short, because their coat provides a layer protecting the animal from sunburn. For outdoor pets, ensure they always have access to clean fresh water and shaded areas, and go in to the veterinarian for routine check-ups before the heat ensues.

While playing outdoors and exercising Keep the pet well-hydrated and stop playing or exercising frequently for water breaks in shady areas. A pet with an elevated temperature or dehydration typically acts lethargic, excessively pants and in extreme cases can experience seizures. Never leave your pet alone in a hot car and make sure to limit walks on hot asphalt which can hurt sensitive paws.

How to check for heat exhaustion According to Pet MD, typical dog and cat body temperature ranges from 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything from 103 degrees and above is considered abnormal and hyperthermia begins to set in at about 106 degrees. To check your dog’s temperature in an emergency, feel their paws and groin with the back of your hand. If these areas feel excessively warmer than other parts of the body then your dog may have an elevated fever. To check a cat’s temperature, feel their ears and back to see if these areas feel abnormally warm.

Additionally, a cat’s nose will feel warm and dry if they have an elevated temperature.

What to do in an emergency Remove the pet from the heat immediately and run a cool bath that covers the pet’s whole body, including the neck and back. A garden hose is acceptable for large animals, and make sure to massage the legs which helps circulate blood to the extremities. Give the pet as much cool water as it wants. If the pet is still excessively lethargic or otherwise experience symptoms of heat exhaustion or stroke, call your veterinarian for additional advice.

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BUDDY BALL PLAYS THE SAME GAME, JUST DIFFERENT Growing up with a disability can be one of the most intense things a child can endure. Depending on the situation, there are different health care requirements, doctor’s appointments and dietary restrictions that can limit experiences and a child’s ability to socialize effectively.

But that’s where Buddy Ball steps in.

Buddy Ball is an organization that “… provides individuals with a physical, intellectual and/or developmental disability the opportunity to play sports, regardless of their abilities,” according to their website.

Founded in 2001, the non-profit is open to anyone with special needs ages three and older, and features leagues for baseball, basketball, bowling and even a pageant with multiple competitions.

One of the most important things Buddy Ball does is gives those in their sports leagues their own sense of self-esteem, which gives the participants the ability to fight back against the stigmas they might experience as a person with a disability.

Currently, Buddy Ball is headquartered in Clarksville and Paris, Tennessee. In Clarksville the bowling league extends through the end of the month at Pinnacle Bowling Alley, and they are accepting registrations for the upcoming baseball league in September. The Paris baseball league will also begin in September with a Dance Luau preceding it on August 18.

Buddy Ball has a history of serving all those in the Clarksville and Paris communities, including with their partnerships with the Fort Campbell Spouses Club at the club’s luncheon in October 2017 where they spotlighted the non-profit and accepted donations to help with the league’s operating costs.

Buddy Ball does not charge participants to play in their leagues, and they are always accepting volunteers to help coach, make newsletters and assist with event planning. Go to BuddyBall.net for more information about volunteering.

With Buddy Ball, their main objective is ensuring that regardless of a child’s developmental or physical state, they all are given the same opportunities.

“By attending one game, you will realize that Buddy Ball is a special kind of league and has made a huge difference in many lives,” according to their website. “Buddy Ball moves beyond a sport and becomes an affair of the heart.”

For more information about Buddy Ball and for links to register for the upcoming sports leagues, visit buddyball.net.

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Arts for Hearts Pop-Up Studio Downtown Commons - Clarksville 5:30-7:30pm artsforheartsclarksville.org Come out and join the fun. Arts for Hearts Clarksville will set up a a pop up studio at the Downtown Commons. Participants will have a chance to drop in for a hands-on-art-making experience.

All supplies provided. This is a FREE event for ages 6 and up.

Great for families and friends.

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Riverfront Jerk Festival Wilma Rudolph Event Center Clarksville • 1-9pm facebook.com/jerkfestivalnashvilleclarksvillemetropolitan Enjoy the tropical atmosphere with food, music and family entertainment at Middle Tennessee’s fourth-annual Premier Jerk Festival. Free Admission or you can purchase VIP Family Packages with reserved parking and one meal each for a four person family plus waiter service if required.

Food and craft vendors from the Caribbean and Latin America.

Reggae, Soca, Salsa and Steel Pan Performances.

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Kids Fest Nashville Shores • 12-4pm • nashvilleshores.com Grab the children and take advantage of Kids Fest at Nashville Shores. Not only will they get to enjoy all-day discount admission to Nashville Shores, they will also get to enjoy added value fun. Kids Fest is a FREE festival included with park admission that features all things kids!

Bounce Houses, Arts & Crafts, Games, Costume Characters, Face Painting, Live Entertainment featuring Sean the Balloon Guy,and much more!

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Woody Winfree Fire Transportation Museum ReOpening 217 E 9th - Downtown Hopkinsville museumsofhopkinsville.org The museum resides in the old Hopkinsville Fire Station. The collection traces the history of transportation with a buggy, wagons, early horse-drawn vehicles, gas pumps from the 1930s and ‘40s, a 1927 Chevrolet pumper Hopkinsville Fire Engine No. 1 and more.

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Tasters Luncheon Memorial Building - Downtown Hopkinsville facebook.com/events/200322927403105 11am-1pm Come hungry and help the Junior Auxiliary raise money to pour back into the community!

Red VIP Ticket for $20: VIP Entry to the event at 11 am and receive a copy of the cookbook at the luncheon. Blue Ticket for $8: Access to the event at 11:30 am .

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Nashville’s Soul Music Festival Public Square - Nashville 2-11pm facebook.com/events/2026475657619185 Nashville Soul Music Festival features great food and fun. Starring Cameo, En Vogue, Ying Yang Twins, High Five, Rob Base, Michel'le.

Clarksville City Wide Revival Tabernacle Baptist Church - Clarksville • 12-8pm Bring your family and friends for explosive preaching, teaching, singing, worship, free food, give-a-ways and clothing give-a-way, fellowship, fun and joy. Come for an outpouring of the spirit of the living God. Super Cool Fun Fest Cumberland Park - Nashville 4-10:15pm •supercoolfunfest.com A 90’s themed charity festival. There will be a 90’s party zone including an MTV Spring Break Dance Party, 90’s SILENT DISCO, Skip It, Jenga (giant), 4 Square, Space Jam Knockout and more! 21+ event. Think of your best childhood memories then add beer, food trucks, and live music!

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Downtown @ Sundown Downtown Commons - Clarksville downtowncommons.org/sundown This is for the classic rock lovers. Neil Brock and the Cover Ups will be opening for Thunderstruck, America’s AC/DC Tribute Band. Be sure to wear your AC/DC concert tees for an opportunity to win some swag.

Half Christmas Beer Festival Marathon Music Works - Nashville • 7-11pm halfchristmasbeerfest.com Half Christmas Beer Fest means it’s time to cut up your tacky sweater, dust off your elf ears and get festive . Festivities include snow machines, sweater decorating station, holiday lights, free photo booth, food trucks, costume contest, reindeer games, Xmas karaoke, Santa sightings, special Christmas DJ Set and unlimited tastings.

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Squealin’ on the Square BBQ Competition Founders Square Downtown Hopkinsville 6am-9pm facebook.com/events/200322927403105 The inaugural BBQ Competition, Squealin' on the Square , to be held in conjunction with the popular Friday@5/Sounds on the Square.

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TCAT Bike, Car & Truck Show Tennessee College of Applied Technology 9am-2pm memorylanecruisers.net Classic cars, bikes and trucks on display, Family fun, food and music. Free admssion.

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Music City Brewers Festival Walk of Fame Park - Nashville musiccitybrewersfest • 5-9pm One of the biggest and best beer festivals in the country with the opportunity to sample over 40 local, regional, national, and imported breweries! Live music entertainment all day and a proceed of ticket sales goes to the Nashville Humane Association. Tickets will be available at the gate Day of ONLY if advanced tickets have not sold out! 21+.

Cadiz Music & Food Festival Downtown Cadiz KY 2-9pm facebook.com/cadizkyfestivities An exciting, family friendly event you don't want to miss! This FREE festival will be held in downtown Cadiz, There will be a kids area, food vendors, live music and of course lots of fun!

Farmers Markets Cadiz KY - Downtown Every Wed & Sat at 7am Clarksville TN - Downtown Every Sat at 8am Hopkinsville KY - Downtown Every Wed & Sat at 7am

Beachaven Jazz on the Lawn July 7 - The Consoulers July 28 Richard Water with Stacey Mitchart band

M B Roland Pickin on the Porch July 14 - Joel Brown Band July 28 - Chris Robinson and the CMB

Jammin in the Alley July 6 - Joel Brown Band

Roxy Regional Theatre Dames at Sea - July 5 - 7 Oklahoma - July 28 - August 18

Blackberry Grapefruit Margaritas 5 ounces blanco tequila 5 ounces freshly squeezed grapefruit juice 3 ounces lime juice 2 teaspoons agave nectar splash of sparkling water 5-10 blackberries, muddled Sprinkles or sugar or salt to coat the rim Run a wedge of lime across the top of 2 cocktail glasses. Once damp, coat the rim in sprinkles or sugar or salt. Add all the ingredients except the sparkling water into a cocktail shaker with a few cubes of ice.

Shake for 30 seconds until chilled and then strain the margaritas into serving glasses with new ice. Top with a splash of sparkling water in each glass and serve immediately.

Sex in the Driveway 1 ounce peach schnapps 1 ounce blue curaรงao 2 ounces vodka (or white rum) Sprite Put crushed ice in a highball glass and pour in the ingredients, in order, ending by topping it off with Sprite.

Stir and serve with a straw.

Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Alabama Slammer 1 ounce Southern Comfort 1 ounce amaretto 1 ounce sloe gin 2 ounces orange juice

Drink recipes and photos courtesy of mixthatdrink.com

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Pour in all the ingredients and shake well.

Fill a highball glass with ice and strain the mixture into it.

Garnish with a cherry and an orange wheel.

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A F re s h B i t e To E a t As the area surrounding Fort Campbell continues to grow and grow, so do the number of dining options in Hopkinsville, Oak Grove and Clarksville. There’s a multitude of businesses that have launched recently with all different styles of food available from Korean and seafood to hot dogs and barbeque. Here are a few of the newest restaurants you have to try.

Just recently celebrating their one year anniversary, Roux Americajun restaurant serves up most every staple of cuisine from the bayou. The restaurant is the product of owners Greg and Theresa Shea’s work in bringing a new style of cuisine to Clarksville.

Roux offers a scaled-back lunch service with Po’Boys and crescent meat pies, and a larger dinner service with all the Cajun favorites from gumbo and crawfish to jambalaya and beignets.

Roux Americajun Restaurant Lunch on Monday - Friday from 11 am until 1:30 pm Dinner on Monday - Wednesday from 4:30 pm until 9 pm and Thursday - Saturday from 4:30 pm until 10 pm 125 Franklin St. • rouxmenu.com • 931-896-2113

If delicious seafood, burgers, beer and wings are your favorite bar food, then look no further than Duke’s Bar and Grill in Hopkinsville to stop that stomach from rumbling. Duke’s opened last July and father/son team Mark and Jake McSparin run the restaurant together: Mark as owner and Jake as manager. Duke’s also fills the need for Hoptown night life, with karaoke every Friday night until midnight and bike night every Thursday until 10 pm where bikers are invited out to enjoy drink specials and cornhole tournaments.

Duke’s Bar and Grill Tuesday - Thursday from 2 pm until 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am until midnight and Sunday from 11 am until 9 pm 4011 Fort Campbell Blvd. • facebook.com/eatdukes 270-874-2373

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OPENS

Most people who’ve lived in Clarksville and Fort Campbell probably never would have imagined they’d ever be able to race go karts, play mini golf, strike down some bowling pins and eat a specialty pizza all in the same day under one roof.

With the opening of The City Forum, Clarksville and Fort Campbell finally has the entertainment outlet the residents deserve.

“We wanted to create an entertainment experience, that could rival others across the nation, because we have a pretty large population,” said City Forum Marketing Director Charlie Politi. “We wanted to create something that was fun for all age ranges so the people of Clarksville would have something more to do than just go to the movies or to a restaurant.”

Politi said the idea for the Forum started years ago, from owners of the Miss Lucille’s Marketplace, Trent and Dana Knott.

The Knotts were interested in expanding throughout the warehouse that holds Miss Lucille’s, as well as the auxiliary Belle Hollow event space.

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“(The Knotts) went to different trade shows and visited facilities similar to ours all over the nation,” Politi said. “They basically just did their research for a while. And then we were actually able to start building (The City Forum) about a year and a half ago.”

The Forum, located at 2231-T Madison st., sits behind the Miss Lucille’s Marketplace and features endless amounts of fun with an 30,000 square foot go kart racing track, 10 full-size bowling lanes, a two-story laser tag arena, 18 holes of mini golf and a bar and Streatery concession stand.

Tickets for the attractions range from $9 to $17 for go kart races, $25-35/hour per lane for bowling games, $8 for laser tag games and $8 per round of mini golf.

The Loading Dock will be an auxiliary restaurant with craft beer and burgers aimed at a 2018 opening, and there will be an event space named the Madison Room opening in the future.

Politi said within the first few weeks of opening, the support from the Clarksville community has been one of the main driving forces for the entertainment center.

“We’ve been super psyched about all the support that’s come in,” Politi said.

“It just gives us confidence that we’re doing something great and that keeps driving us to do better.”

For more information about The City Forum visit their website at www.thecityforum.com or call 931-919-5051.

If you go Tuesday - Thursday from 3 pm - 10 pm, Friday from 3 pm - 11 pm, Saturday from 10 am - 11 pm & Sunday from noon - 9pm 2231-T Madison St - Clarksville.

All ages, Ticket prices available online thecityforum.com 931-919-5051

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You know what’s a good time? Going outside on a nice warm day and enjoying the weather. You know what’s not a good time? Going outside for about five seconds before getting absolutely drenched by an impending summer shower.

When it rains though, there’s no reason to let the bad weather get you down because there are many different options for a rainy day activity. Here’s a few ideas to help you out of a bad weather slump.

Clay Painting There’s a ceramics artist just waiting for their chance to get out and decorate some pottery this summer. Can't draw a straight line to save your life? Not to worry! There are stencils, foam stamps, decorative tapes, stickers and transfer paper available at each of these locations so beginners through skilled artists can have a good time. Stay dry and get dirty with some of your very own art.

Guenette Arts and Crafts center - 89 Screaming Eagle blvd. campbell.armymwr.com/programs/arts-crafts • 270-798-6693 The Pottery Room • 110 Needmore Road Suite F thepotteryroom.com • 931-503-3024

Escape Games Escape games offer a new and exciting experience for groups of all sizes. Family fun, groups of friends, date nights, gamers and enthusiasts are all welcome to join in the fun.

Horsefeathers - 94 Franklin Street myhorsefeathers.com • 931-802-8282

Covert Escape Games - 480 Warfield Blvd covertescapegames.com • 931-368-8766 Excape Games Clarksville - 1943 Ft. Campbell Blvd. excapegames.com/clarksville • 931-802-6997 Art Studios Come alone and channel your inner artist. Come with the one you love for a date you’ll remember for years. Come with a group of friends and laugh while you create your masterpieces.

Swirlz Art studio - 329 Warfield Blvd. Suite E swirlzart.com • 931-320-9647 Guenette Arts and Crafts center - 89 Screaming Eagle Blvd. campbell.armymwr.com/programs/arts-crafts • 270-798-6693 Griffin’s Studio - 100 East 6th St. griffinsstudio.com • 270-874-2028

Rollerskating Ready for some fun exercise?

Well check out what the area has to offer with these two rollerskating rinks!

Rainbo Skating Center - 2631 41 A Bypass rainboskatecenter.com • 931-552-9670 Magic Wheels Fun Center - 1671 Fort Campbell Blvd. magicwheelsfun.com • 931-906-7300 D&D Blacklight mini golf D&D Mini Golf is an 18-hole indoor black light miniature golf attraction. The theme is a Fantasy Forest and they have characters that include gnomes, tree men, elves and unicorns. They provide the use of state of the art 3D glasses for each player that make each background element stand out. They also have a laser maze and arcade room that make for the perfect day indoors.

211 Holiday Dr. • ddminigolf.com • 931-378-5149

Virtual Shots Virtual Shots is Clarksville’s only all virtual gun range.

With no live rounds or firing, the range is 100 percent safe and 100 percent fun for all ages, especially when the weather has taken a turn for the worst outside. The guns have laser sensors used to shoot animated zombies, outlaws and play in carnival-style games.

130 Corporate Dr. • virtual-shots.com • 931-802-8490 Planet 3 Planet 3 Extreme Air Park is an amazing indoor extreme trampoline arena with over 15,000 square feet of interconnected trampolines.

Play dodgeball, trapeze, jump on the launch pad and fly through the air with ease.

310 Needmore Rd. • planet3clarksville.com • 931-614-0311 Libraries If you have a little bookworm in your family who can’t seem to get enough reading, R.F. Sink has more than 7,700 volumes to entertain, delight and inform children from toddlers to 12 year olds.

Every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., preschoolers are invited to enjoy a story followed by craft time where little ones get a chance to explore their creative side. Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. is Baby and Me Lapsit.

If you are off post, the Clarksville Montgomery County Public Library and Hopkinsville-Christian County Library also have great programs to offer.

Bowling When it is a lousy weather day grab some shoes, a ball and some friends and Family and take a trip to one of the many bowling alleys in the area!

Some of the alleys offer black light bowling, party rooms and snack bars for a fun-filled afternoon or day.

Fort Campbell Hooper Bowling Center - Tennessee Ave. Bldg 5380 campbell.armymwr.com • 270-798-5887 Clarksville Skyline Lanes - 201 Kraft St facebook.com/skylinelanestn • 931-645-2456 The Pinnacle Family Entertainment Center - 430 Warfield Blvd pinnaclebowl.com • 931-647-2695 The City Forum - 2231 Madison St thecityforum.com • 931-919-5051 1st Frame Bowl - 3001 Canton St 1stframebowl.com • 270-885-3936 The City Forum A mega family entertainment center that offers high speed and family-speed go karts, laser tag, a bowling lounge, mini golf, an arcade and playscape all under one roof.

2231-T Madison St - Clarksville thecityforum.com 931-919-5051

Clarksville - 350 Pageant Ln #501 • 931-648-8826

Customs House Museum Located in the heart of historic downtown Clarksville, the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center has over 35,000 square feet of hands-on activities and special events. A great place for all on a rainy day.

Hopkinsville - 1101 Bethel St • 270-887-4262

Custom House Museum • 200 South 2nd St - Clarksville 931-648-5780 • customshousemuseum.org

Fort Campbell - 38 Screaming Eagle Blvd campbell.armymwr.com • 270-798-7466

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Classes begin August 25

apsu.edu/apfc apsu. edu/ /apfc Austin Peay State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color color,, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability disability,, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by APSU. The Austin Peay State University policy on nondiscrimination can be found at http://www http://www.apsu.edu/policy. .apsu.edu/policy. Policy 6:003

apsu.edu/APFC

Dog parks, aquariums and zoos… oh my! After the seemingly endless winter we just left, many animals have finally come out of hibernation and are ready to meet and greet with their human companions at safaris and zoos in Tennessee and beyond. Here are a few places to check out during the summer for all your animal adventures.

Tennessee Safari Park Have you ever wanted to feed ostriches by hand while buffalo and giraffes graze in the background? Then the Tennessee Safari Park in West Tennessee is the place to be. Their mission is to “…create and provide educational activities and environments for the community and abroad to bring appreciation and conservational awareness for all living things,” according to their website, and the park has been working in Alamo, Tennessee, since 2007. There are more than 80 species of animals at the park.

If you go Monday - Saturday from 10 am - 5 pm, Sunday from noon - 5 pm 618 Conley road, Alamo, TN Admission: Kids age 2 through 12: $12 Adults: $16 731-696-4423 • tennesseesafaripark.com

Zoos If driving through the safari isn’t your cup of tea, set the pace of your own adventure at one of the zoos in the Volunteer State. The majority of the animal exhibits are open during the summer and all the animals are waiting to be discovered during your next excursion through the zoo.

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere Daily 9 am until 6 pm 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN Admission: Children age 2 through 12: $12 and Adults: $17 NasvhilleZoo.org • 615-833-1534

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Memphis Zoo Daily 9 am until 6 pm 2000 Prentiss Place, Memphis, TN Admission: Children age 2 through 11: $10 and Adults: $15 memphiszoo.org • 901-333-6500

Knoxville Zoo Daily 9 am until 5 pm 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN Admission: Children age 4 through 12: $16.95 and Adults: $19.95 zooknoxville.org • 865-637-5331 Chattanooga Zoo Daily 9 am until 5 pm 301 North Holtzclaw Ave., Chattanooga, TN Admission: Children age 3 through 12: $6 and Adults: $8 chattzoo.org, (423)697-1322

Dog Parks There are few things better in life than playing fetch with man’s best friend, so why not grab all those you love, both human and canine, for a day out at the dog park? There are a ton of options for dog days in the area surrounding Fort Campbell, and all require that dogs be spayed or neutered and potentially aggressive breeds like Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are prohibited from these parks.

Clarksville parks King’s Run Dog Park Daily dawn until dusk 1188 Cumberland Drive Admission: Dogs must be registered with form available at CityOfClarksville.com, registration fee is $10 annually cityofclarksville.com • 931-645-7476 Heritage Bark Park Daily dawn until dusk 1241 Peachers Mill road Admission: Free cityofclarksville.com • 931-645-7476

Hopkinsville parks Hopkinsville Dog Park Daily dawn until dusk 151 Pardue Lane Admission: Free hopkinsvilleky.us • 270-885-8365

Ruff Park Daily dawn until dusk Litchfield Drive Admission: Free 270-887-4290

Fort Campbell parks South Dog Park Daily dawn until dusk Corner of 16th St. and Bastogne Ave. Admission: Free campbell.armymwr.com • 270-798-1006 North Dog Park Daily dawn until dusk Morgan Road just past the gate six entrance Admission: Free campbell.armymwr.com • 270-798-1006

Aquariums Who could forget our friends under the sea? Aquariums are great fun any time of year, and there are a few within a four-hour drive to post that make for a wonderful animal adventure this summer. Watch the sea lions dart through the water, and see the schools of fish make their way around the tanks while you cool off during the hot summer days.

Tennessee Aquarium Daily 10 am until 7:30 pm 1 Broad St. Chattanooga, TN Admission: Children ages 3 through 12: $18.95, and Adults: $29.95 tnaqua.org • 800-262-0695

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Daily 9 am until 10 pm 88 River Rd. Gatlinburg, TN Admission: Children ages 2 through 5: $7.99, Children ages 6 through 11: $17.99 and Adults: $32.99 ripleyaquariums.com/gatlinburg • 888-240-1358

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Above and beyond the call of duty As one of the most relied-upon branches of the Army, the military police receive the least amount of the spotlight compared to other branches.

But it’s their unwavering willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty that sets these branches apart, and the Fort Campbell’s 716th Military Police Battalion is the perfect example of this after more than 70 years of service to multiple installations around the U.S. Originally installed in January 1942, at Fort Wadsworth, New York, the 716th’s main responsibilities included internment of prisoners of war and security for war stockpiles and railroad yards in New York, New Jersey and North Africa. The 716th also provided general police duties for the New York and New Jersey areas for the duration of the war.

The two most famous actions of the 716th come from later on in their history, during the civil rights era and Vietnam War. The first of these follows the 1962 story of 29-year-old James Meredith, an African-American Mississippi man with a history of military service and stellar academic records. These credentials seemed to not be enough for the University of Mississippi, as Meredith’s application was denied with no real reason given for the denial, so Meredith brought his case to court, alleging the university had refused him based on the color of his skin.

And the court sided with him, permitting his attendance to the university.

And it took a 12,000 soldier effort, including the 716th Military Police Battalion, to regain order after the riots ensued at the University of Mississippi.

With help in part from the 716th, Meredith became the first African-American graduate from the University of Mississippi and later received his law degree from Columbia Law School.

The 716th’s involvement in the Vietnam War took a much higher toll on the Battalion and is one of the best examples of their commitment to service.

Initially called upon to police the Vietnamese areas of Saigon and Cholon beginning in 1965, the 716th ‘s most significant contribution to the war was the 1968 defense of Saigon.

Under what most in the city thought was a ceasefire, the 716th was one of the few remaining detachments left in Saigon at the end of January.

This is when the Viet Cong decided to ambush the city, unsuccessfully.

After multiple conflicts around the city, the Viet Cong’s attack was ultimately derailed by the 716th, who were trained as police and underequipped for military operations. This came with the loss of more than 20 military police and another more than 40 wounded MPs during the onslaught.

Following the Vietnam War, the battalion bounced from installation to installation, before finally arriving at Fort Campbell in 1996.

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The Battalion was honored with a monument for their service and a memorial for their fallen in 1995 in the lot adjacent to the Don F. Pratt Museum. On the tall, black obelisk with the 716th’s shoulder patch on it reads the names of each member of the Battalion who has fallen in the line of duty during every conflict since their inception.