CLARKSVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE

Clarksville Park and Recreation is hosting its 58th annual Christmas Parade beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday in downtown Clarksville. Austin Peay State University head football coach Will Healy will be the grand marshal. There will be a tree lighting ceremony on the Public Square after the parade. The route will begin on eighth street on the APSU campus and travel around the downtown area. For more information, call 931-645-7476 or visit www.cityofclarksville.com/parade.

SANTA VISITS EXCHANGE

Santa Claus will be at the Exchange, 2840 Bastogne Ave., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23. Photo packages are available and cost $18-$55. Santa and pet photos are available 3-6 p.m. Dec. 7. For more information, call 270-439-1849.

HOLIDAY BILL IS ON US

The Exchange and the Defense Commissary Agency are joining forces to put some jingle back in military shoppers’ pockets by picking up the tab on their Military Star cards with the Your Holiday Bill Is on Us sweepstakes. Military Star card shoppers have a chance to enter everywhere the card is accepted. The sweepstakes continues through Dec. 31. Each transaction counts as one entry. Five grand-prize winners will have their Military Star card bill paid in full up to $8,200, with a minimum prize of $2,500. Ten second-prize winners will be awarded a $1,000 credit on their Military Star card statement, while 25 third-place winners will receive a $500 credit. Winners with a balance less than their prize amount will receive a credit on their account. Sweepstakes winners are randomly selected and announced on or about Jan. 30. For more information, call 270-439-1849.

LBL CHRISTMAS TREES

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is offering free Christmas trees to those who want to visit and cut them down.

Permits and guidelines can be obtained online through Dec. 24 or in person at the administrative office through Dec. 23. Land Between the Lakes is a 170,000-acre (68,798-hectare) recreation area along the Kentucky-Tennessee border.

A permit allows the cutting of one cedar tree less than 10 feet (3 meters) tall anywhere except within sight of the U.S. 68-Kentucky 80 highway, Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway, cemeteries, nature watch areas, campgrounds and other mowed areas.

Cutting down a Christmas tree is considered a great family tradition and it helps Land Between the Lakes maintain open lands and promote diverse wildlife habitat.

Cedar Christmas tree permits and regulations can be found at Landbetweenthelakes.us. Call 270-924-2065 for more information.

HOLIDAY CATERING

Let The Smokehaus and Eagle Catering do all the work for your holiday party. The catering menu includes mixed green salad; choice of two entrees: glazed ham, sliced roasted turkey or roast beef; three sides: mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, holiday stuffing, green beans or buttered corn; dessert: warm apple cobbler and warm peach cobbler. The cost is $16.95 per person. For reservations, call Andrea Powers at 931-561-0021 or email  [email protected].

RED CROSS BLOOD DONATIONS

The American Red Cross blood donations opportunities are as follows:

•9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday at William O. Beach Civic Hall, Veteran’s Plaza, 350 Pageant Lane, Clarksville.

•10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, 18 and 26 at the American Red Cross, 1760 Madison St., Clarksville.

•10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 15 at The Exchange, 2840 Bastogne Ave.

•1-7 p.m. Dec. 26 at Governor’s Square Mall, 2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd., Clarksville.

HOPKINSVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE

Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation is hosting its Christmas Parade beginning at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 9 in downtown Hopkinsville. Former Kentucky U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield will be this year’s grand marshal. This year’s theme is “Christmas on the Silver Screen.” For more information call, 270-887-4290.

RENT ONE, GET ONE AT GEAR-TO-GO

During December, Gear-To-Go is offering Rent one, Get one for boat and camper rental fees. Offer is only valid during promotional months and reservations made for later dates will not receive promo. For more information visit Gear-To-Go, 5658 Tennessee Ave., or call 270-798-3919/6806.

USA JOBS PREP

Learn how to use the USAJOBS website and the USAJOBS Application Manager at the Army Community Service Employment Readiness Program’s USAJOBS Prep class 9-11 a.m. Dec. 19 at ACS, 2601 Indiana Ave. This class will cover the basics of how to create a resume for USAJOBS. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 270-798-4412.

FORT DONELSON CLOSINGS

Fort Donelson National Battlefield will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Although park operations and facilities such as the Stewart County Visitor Center, the Dover Hotel and all administration and facility maintenance buildings will be closed, all of the grounds and trails will be open during posted hours. For more information, call 931-232-5706.

MILITARY CHILD OF THE YEAR

Operation Homefront is taking nominations for 2018 Military Child of the Year and applications for the 2018 Military Child of the Year Award for Innovation until Monday. All award will be presented at a recognition gala April 19, 2018 in Washington. Nominate children at www.militarychildoftheyear.org.

SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY CONTEST

The Clarksville Entrepreneur Center is having a scholarship essay contest for high school seniors to pursue higher learning opportunities. The CEC has awarded more than $15,000 in scholarships. This year, the first place scholarship is $1,000 and the second place scholarship is $500. The theme for the essay is business vs. social entrepreneur. The deadline to submit an essay is Jan. 31. Essay must be 350-750 words, typed and double-spaced and must include name, school, and contact number in the top right corner of each page. Entries must be emailed to [email protected]. Winners will be announced by March 1.

FEE FREE LAYAWAY AT EXCHANGE

The Fort Campbell Exchange will waive the $3 service fee for items placed on layaway and paid for by Dec. 24, including toys and bikes. Purchases of $25 or more are eligible for the layaway plan. A deposit of 15 percent is required to hold items on layaway. Visit customer service at The Exchange for complete program details and eligibility information or call 270-439-1101.

EXCHANGE GIFT WRAP PROGRAM

Fort Campbell volunteer groups can raise money this holiday season by partnering with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service during its annual community gift wrap program. As part of the program, The Exchange sets up tables and provides supplies that community volunteer groups can use to wrap gifts in exchange for donations. Interested organizations should call 270-439-1846.

RELATIONSHIP WORKSHOP

Fort Campbell Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program offers a Relationship 101 Workshop 9-11:30 a.m. or 1-3:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month at ACS, 2601 Indiana Ave. The workshop equips participants with relationship skills that include techniques and resources for emotional self-regulation. Even the strongest relationships have disagreements, but when emotions get high, effective communication stops and the ability to resolve conflict decreases. By assisting couples who get in heated verbal altercations risks can be mitigated. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 270-412-5500.

CLARKSVILLE CHESS CLUB

The Clarksville Chess Club meets 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays in classroom 134 of the Science and Technology Building at Austin Peay State University, 601 College St. All ages are welcome to join this free club. For more information, email Patrick Wilkerson at [email protected].

SENIOR SAFE DRIVING CLASS

AARP Safe Driving Classes meet noon-4 p.m. the last Thursday and Friday of each month at the Clarksville +50 Activity Center, 593 Clark St. This class is free. For more information, call 931-648-1345.

MONTHLY STEEL SHOOTING MATCH

There will be a steel shooting match the first Saturday of each month at Range 16. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Saturday and a safety briefing at 9 a.m. The events are open to ages 13 and older. All youth must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Handgun, holster and additional magazines are required. Centerfire pistol calibers only. No rimfire. The cost is $20 for the first gun and $10 for additional guns. For more information, call 270-798-5579.

FAMILY STEM NIGHT

Fort Campbell Families are invited to attend a new Science, Technology, Engineering or Math program 6-8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Robert F. Sink Memorial Library, 38 Screaming Eagle Blvd. For more information, call 270-798-5729.

WEEKLY PLAY MORNING

Fort Campbell Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program offers a free play morning every Thursday 9-10:30 a.m. at Taylor Youth Center, 80 Texas Ave. For more information, call 270-412-5500.

CABIN BOOKINGS

Fort Campbell Outdoor Recreation has eight rustic cabins and cottages and three deluxe cabins in Flecher’s Fork RV Park on Fort Campbell available for rent. Rustic cabins and cottages are $40 per night and deluxe cabins are $60 per night. For reservations and more information, call 270-798-3126.

CHILD CARE PROVIDERS NEEDED

For on-post residents who are interested in becoming a child care provider, Child and Youth Services-Family Child Care provides free training and incentives to earn a Child Development Associates credential and/or a National Association for FCC accreditation. For more information, call 270-798-4959.

GOLF CART CROSSING SAFETY

Fort Campbell Golf Cart Crossings are located along Robert C. Lee Road. The warning signs, flashing lights and painted crossing, constitute official Fort Campbell traffic signals. Vehicles traveling on the road, must stop and allow the carts (and walking golfers) to cross safely. Walkers and golf cart drivers should always push the button for the flashing lights and then watch to make sure vehicles are slowing or stopping. Golf Cart Crossing Safety is the responsibility of everyone using Cole Park Golf Course and Robert C. Lee Road. For more information, call 270-798-4906.

2018 MISS KENTUCKY USA AND TEEN USA

Applications are being accepted for the 2018 Miss Kentucky USA and the 2018 Miss Kentucky Teen USA. The competitions will be Jan. 27-28 at the KCD Theater Louisville, Kentucky. Young ladies 14-19 years of age may compete in the Miss Kentucky Teen USA competitions. Young ladies 18-28 years of age can compete in the Miss Kentucky USA competitions. The winner of Miss Kentucky USA will receive an all-expenses paid trip to represent Kentucky in the 2018 Miss USA competition. The winner of Miss Kentucky Teen USA will receive an all-expense paid trip to represent Kentucky at the 2018 Miss Teen USA Competitions. College scholarships and prizes awarded. For more information and how to apply visit www.misskentuckyusa.com.

SPOUSE-TO-SPOUSE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

Fort Campbell Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program can connect spouses with other spouses in the sponsorship program to answer questions, address concerns and provide information about connecting with resources both on and off post during a move. Contact ACS Relocation at 270-798-0513 or 270-798-6313 or at [email protected].

ADAPT PROGRAM

After Deployment, Adaptive parenting tools is a research-based parenting program developed to assist previously deployed military Families with school-aged children. Participants can earn up to $520 in gift cards by completing activities. This is a Department of Defense-funded study. For more information, call Elizabeth K. Eversole at 612-418-2491.

DOG KENNELS

Fort Campbell Dog Kennels, 6603 11th Airborne Division Road, offers a place to board your dog for a short period or an extended stay. The kennels provide a safe and secure, temperature-controlled facility with daily care for your dog while you are away. For more information and pricing, call 270-798-2629 or 270-798-5590.

JOINT SERVICES TRAVEL PROGRAM WEBSITE

Joint Services Travel Program has implemented a booking website designed for military and Department of Defense patrons. The site can be accessed at any time to book flights, car rentals, hotel stays and cruises. Certified travel agents are available to help patrons 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at Leisure Travel Services in the Exchange.

BUY AND SELL YOUR VEHICLE

Fort Campbell Air Assault Auto’s U-Buy or U-Sell Resale Lot, 5300 Airborne St., can help facilitate the buying and selling of personal vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, recreational vehicles and boats. The lot is secured and lit with flood lights after dark, providing peace of mind while helping to minimize the risk of damage that could be done.

ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

SKIESUnlimited, 3411 Bastogne Ave., offers a large variety of classes and activities for children ages 18 months to 18 years of age. Cost varies per class. To register online, visit webtrac.mwr.army.mil. For more information, call 270-412-5811.

ARMY OCS REUNION

The U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Alumni Association 2018 Reunion will be held March 25-29, 2018, in Columbus, Georgia. This reunion will include a Hall of Fame induction ceremony, reception and formal dinner that will include the presentation of the Patterson Award. The reunion will be conducted at the Columbus Marriott Hotel, 800 Front Ave., Columbus, Georgia. For more information, visit the OCS website at www.ocsalumni.org or call 813-917-4309.