Just wanted to take a minute and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hope Santa Clause was good to each and every one of you.

O’ take me to my mountains
Where crystal rivers flow
And tumble past electric leaves
That emit October’s glow.

Sweet smells of Fall’s disrobing
Awaiting Winter’s blasts
'Tis nature's hued full glory
That merely weeks will last.
               (R Weisser 2011)

The fall leaf season is my favorite time of year. There is something exquisitely exciting about the finite nature of the season.

One cannot put off leaf-gazing as every day more and more tie-dyed tree feathers are dislodged by the first wafts of Winter’s onset and flitter to the earth.

So there is a sense of urgency that compels one to savor every second of the season until it is extinguished.

A photograph cannot capture the aromas of fallen leaves or the sounds of the wind rustling in the tree-tops. But we continually try in vain to successfully capture the splendor of the season.

Enjoy it while it lasts. It will soon be gone!

Photos courtesy of Richard Weisser and SmokyPhotos.com

For those interested in helping the Bikers Who Care families, it has been announced that accouts have now been set up at Planters Bank for each family.

  The accounts are for Jonathan & Katherine Over, Timothy Stone, Jim Wall and Allison Bagwell who all passed away Sunday just as the  30th Annual Leslie W. Watson Memorial Toy Run & Benefit Party at the Clarksville Speedway as they were wrapping up a sucessful weekend raising money for chairies supported by the Bikers Who Care.

Early indication they died from carbon monoxidse poisoning caused by fumes from a nearby generator just outside the rented recreational vehicle they had been camping in over the weekend.

There are 13 children who have lost one or both parents in this tragic accident. Any amount you are able to donate would be greatly appreciated.

 The accounts are titled Bikers Who Care or the Benefit of the _______ family or just a general account that will be divided equally between the families if your not sure who to donate to.

Your donations can be made at any branch of Planters Bank for  Jonathan & Katherine Over, Timothy Stone, Jim Wall, Allison Bagwell

Clarksville, TN - It's that time of the year. The Bikers Who Care are hosting the 30th Annual Leslie W. Watson Memorial Toy Run & Benefit Party.

The event starts today, Friday September 16th and goes through Sunday September 18th at the Clarksville Speedway located at 1600 Needmore Road.

Admission is $25.00 in Advance or $30.00 at the Gate and is good all weekend. Lots' of FREE BEER, Live Music and Good Entertainment. It's a weekend party and it's all for a good cause. All procedes benefit Camp Rainbow and Bikers Who Care Children’s Charities.

The route for the Toy Run will be the same as last year.

Start – Clarksville Speedway – Lineup Before Noon – Leave 1:00pm Sharp
Free entry to the Speedway for Toy Run Lineup if you are on a Motorcycle with a Toy (Party Admission will be charged if you come Friday, Early Saturday or After the Toy Run)

The route is Needmore Road, to Tiny Town Road, to 101st / Warfield Blvd., to Ted Crozier Blvd, to New Dunlop Lane, then enter Governor’s Square Mall back entrance to Belk Parking Lot.

Clarksville Speedway
1600 Needmore Rd
Clarksville, TN 37040 – 931-645-2523
www.ClarksvilleSpeedway.com

There’s a place that beckons us and seizes our thoughts. And try as we might to ignore it, it calls to us during our hectic lives and interrupts our busy schedule.

It’s the stuff of daydreams and idleness, yet we cannot push the thoughts aside.

It is human nature to seek the shelter of comfort and refreshment, especially when the pressures of everyday life push us to the brink of exhaustion.

My “special place” is next to a cold rushing mountain stream in the midst of the forest.

The combination of the sounds of tumbling water, the chirping of the frogs and the birds, the wafting scent of the riverine dampness on the rocks and mosses, and the sight of dancing light bouncing on the ripples offer the cool refreshment that reinvigorates the spirit and frees the mind from all other distractions.

To me, sitting beside a mountain stream and taking it all in is Nirvana.

And just thinking about it isn’t all that bad either!

Clarksville, TN - Day Two of the Fair at the Clarksville Speedway  featured more monster trucks in the arena and the Kent Family Magic Circus performed three shows despite an early round of showers.  The rain didn't keep people away as many made their way to the Fair Wednesday night.

As the huge monsters trucks race around the track and running over smashed cars, and jumping the dirt mounds, the crowd watched as Ballistic rolled during one event on day two of the fair.  Meanwhile in the midway the Kent Family Magic Circus was drawing a crowd as well as they performed many acts including tight rope, juggling, Hola Hoops, Disappearing balloons, balancing acts and much more.

As you enter into the big tent leading into the midway, people stopped by to visit the Bikers Who Care booth and watch a video about Camp Rainbow. The Bikers Who Care raise money each year to run the camp which  provides seriously-ill children ages 4-18 with the opportunity to enjoy a week-long summer camp experience in a safe, non-threatening environment.

As you visit the fair this week, take a few minutes and visit the booth and make a donation. The Bikers Who Care ( BWC) works hard all year long to raise money to send to support the camp.  There is also a wish list of supplies needed to keep things running. Any and all donations are appreciated. Remember..... It's all about the kids !

As you continue on to the midway, there are lots of Rides, games and food for everyone.

Tonight at the Fair at the Speedway is  Military/Jwnkins & Wynn Ford Night.  Arm Bands are $15/$20 without  a Military or Jenkins & Wynn ID.

In the arena there will be the Stock Truck Pulling event - Gates open at 5 pm, Drivers Meeting at 6:30 Pulling starts at 7 PM - Admission is only $10 to this event.

Don't forget about the  Kent Family Circus ( performs 3 shows a night ) and the Chicken Beauty Contest in the midway.

The Monster Trucks performed for the second of two shows Wednesday night at the Clarksville Speedway. The Predator Monster ride truck was also on had giving rides to the fans. Cost to ride on the truck was $10 per person.  What an experiance for those who rode around the track.

 The 2011 Fair at Clarksville Speedway opend Tuesday night with the first night of Monster Trucks. The youngest driver in the Monster truck sport also made an appearance. 8 Year old Kid KJ manovered around the track in his mini Monster truck as he made his jumps as the crowd cheered on. The fair continues tonight with round two of the Monster Trucks at the Clarksville Speedway.

Many of your favorite Monster trucks are here at The Fair at Clarksville Speedway including old time favorites the original Big Foot and Predator alond with one of the early model monster trucks back when they were much smaller. The monster trucks include the Outlaw Clydesdale, Black Night, Prowler, Ballistic, Predator and Defender. In between events there were the Quad races and many chances to will prizes. If you have a Quad and would like to race in tonights Quad race, bring it to the fair and check with the Monster Truck folks for all the details.

Don't forget about the midway which is run by Bell City Amusement. There are rides and games for kids of all ages.... Yes BIG kids too.... We are all still kids at heart.

With several kiddie rides that include the Carosel, Motorcycles, Mimalaya, Crazy Plane, Dragon ride, and Nascar racing to name a few. For the Big kids at heart, rides include the Tilt-A-Whirl, Scrambler, Drop Zone, Typoon, Scorpion and the Nitro.

 Don't forget about all the food, drinks and games throught the midway area.

Tonights events include round two of the Monster Trucks in the arena along with The Kent Family Circus ( performs 3 shows a night ) which also strolls into the Midway and the Chicken Beauty Contest.

Tonight is also STUDENT/EDINGTON FURNATURE NIGHT - Arm Bands - $15 / $20 without Student/Edington Furnature ID - Midway & Vendor Tent opens at 6PM

                                                                                                                                                  Clarksville, TN - Thursday night, the Passion of the Pink made a stop in Clarksville. The car is called Nissy and she is driven by Adam Miller who is on a mission to bring awareness to Cancer. Adam set out on a mission to drive Nissy coast to coast to help raise cancer awareness in general and to raise money for the Christie Clinic in Champagne, IL.

 Starting the trip on May 26^th, his first of 15 scheduled stops in Seattle will take him 6,500 miles across the country to the east coast and looping back to Gifford, IL, where he will present his donation check to the Cancer Center at the hospital. Adam made a stop here in Clarksville to visit with family members for a few hours before hitting the road heading North to Champagne, IL.

Along the way people are signing the car as Nissy and Adam make their way across the country. Any donations for the cause is greatly accepted. Adam who is a military veteran, having seen action in three wars, from Bosnia to Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is currently serving in the reserves and resides in Richland, WA.He has dedicated Nissy is to cancer showing multiple cancer ribbons and also dedication stickers for each branch of our military. Most of Adam's family has experienced the pain and suffering of the horrific disease cancer. His mother was diagnosed with skin cancer. One aunt has passed. Out of Adam's six aunts, three of them have had some form of cancer: One with breast cancer; one with brain, lung and skin cancer; and one with thyroid cancer. Nissy and Adam have made it easy for anyone to donate to the cause. Donations for trip cancer patients, and oncology sholarship,go to Bank of the West 7525 W. Canal Dr. Kennewick, WA 99336...Pay to...(FBO) "For Benefit Of", passion of the pink

 You can follow updates along the way on facebook as Nissy and Adam log their journey across the country. Be sure to visit the website and facebook page to get complete details of their mission, route and much more. Be sure to let Nissy and Adam know you seen their story here on Active Rain.

Original article posted on Clarksville Online June 4, 2011

 What is all the hype around Clarksville, TN and Ft Campbell, KY these days ?  As the soldiers return from a year long deployment to Afghanistan, Lifetime Television had crews in the area filming for the 13 week series of Coming Home. The show can be seen each Sunday night starting on March 6th where a Premire Party was hosted at the Black Horse Pub & Brewery.

 Each week there will be scenes from Ft Campbell, KY and areas in and around Clarksville and Nashville, TN.  Eight of the 13 weeks will have a local story line while there are Seventeen mini stories from the local area.

Matt Rogers is the Host of Coming Home, has done a great job working with the families. Some say you must buy stock in Klenex to watch the show. There are some great stories that you will not want to miss. Be sure to tune in to Lifetime Television each Sunday night.  The crews did a wonderful job representing the soldiers, Ft Campbell, KY and Clarksville, TN

If you happen to miss any of the shows or would just like to see them again, you may watch the entire show online. Just click on the links below.

Episode 1 (A Knight's Tale)

Episode 2 (Daddy's Little Girl)

Episode 3 (The Hat Trick)

"Coming Home" Episode 4 Preview

Episode 4 (Paying Tribute)

Episode 5 (A Proper Wedding)

Episode 6 (Finding Dad) 

            UPDATE - Gatti's Pizza is NOW CLOSED

   There is a BUZZ in the air about Gatti's Pizza in Clarksville, Tennessee. Word on the street is the business was set to close this weekend. Owners of the local resturant would like to let everyone know, it's business as usual.  Get your family and friend together and come on over to Gatti's Pizza. 

 Lets STOP the RUMORS and go enjoy Gatti's Pizza with this BUY ONE Buffet, GET ONE buffet FREE. Simply Print this coupon and bring into Gatti's Pizza and enjoy the All you can eat Pizza, Pasta, Salad and Dessert. Drink is included.

Gatti's Pizza is located at 1273 Northfield Dr. Ste 1 - Clarksville, Tennessee 37040 Located behind Sonic and Exit Realty Clarksville, Just off Exit 1

This message and coupon both have been approved by the owners of Gatti's Pizza Clarksville. 

You may find the MENUE additional COUPONS here

Gatti's Pizza
1273 Northfield Dr
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 802-5500