Last year many of you were able to provide items that were very helpful to this effort… so, if you are looking for a way to help out, clean out your clutter, and get a tax deduction in the process… read on!

Do you:

• have new items in your closet waiting for a “re-gift” opportunity?
• or an employer have a business you would like to promote?
• have tickets to a game, concert or event that you are unable to attend?
• have a talent that you would like to share or advertise (i.e. sewing, making jewelry, making pet treats, etc.)?
• have way too much wine in the liquor cabinet?
• have collectibles that are too much trouble to sell online?
• have a gift card in your wallet for a venue that you really don’t care for?
• like to shop or put together themed baskets?

If so, please consider donating item(s) or service(s) for use in this year’s Wags to Witches silent auction.

Here are a few ideas:

• Gift Cards or Gift Certificates (any amount welcomed and for any venue… restaurants, pet stores, department stores, groomers, fast food, etc. We can use anything!)
• Tickets or passes for weekend getaways, amusement parks, local & nearby attractions like the Nashville Zoo, Roxy, movie theaters, Nashville Symphony, etc.)
• Sporting Events Tickets or Memorabilia (i.e. Titans, Predators, APSU, UT, UK, etc.)
• Antiques or other collectibles
• Gift cards for Nashville restaurants (i.e. Cheesecake Factory, Tony Romas, Macaroni Grill, TGI Fridays, Carrabas, etc.)
• Valuable Jewelry Donations in excellent condition (handmade, antique, etc.)
• Electronics (new in box only), i.e. TVs, IPODS, portable DVD player, digital cameras, laptops, etc. or gift cards to place where these things can be purchased.
• Home Goods (i.e. vacuums, shampooers, microwave, convection/toaster oven, margarita maker, etc.)
• Art Galleries (photos, paintings, framed art, sculptures, etc.)
• Health/Body/Spa/Massage – gift certificates or baskets
• Items appropriate for themed gift basket (i.e. golfing, scrapbooking, dogs, cats, horses, Titans, Predators, romantic, spa, etc.) or make up a basket/theme of your own!
• Pet Items:
1. Pet Beds
2. Kong-brand Toys (Large, Medium, Small)
3. Frontline or other flea products
• Medium to large sized baskets or other decorative containers in excellent condition
• Cellophane wrap & ribbon

Items can be dropped off at our office located at 940 Tennessee Avenue (blue building behind Arby’s on Riverside Drive) during office hours: M/T/F/Sat from 9:00am-2:00pm or W/Th from 4:30pm-7:30pm. For more info or to have an item picked up, please contact event coordinator Rhonda Waters at or call 931.249.4312.

All items be turned in no later than Saturday, October 22nd, 2011, to allow time to organize and prepare bid sheets.

Thank you from the Wags To Witches Committee

Those needing to improve their English language skills are encouraged to register for the Fall 2010 semester at the English as Second Language (ESL) Institute at Austin Peay State University. Registration for the fall semester is from August 9th–25th.

The ESL (ESL) Institute at APSU offers a diversified and intensive program of study in English designed for international students seeking undergraduate admission to APSU or another university. In addition, students from the Clarksville area community who wish to improve their English language skills in order to improve their workplace skills or further their professional careers regularly participate in the program. The ESL program’s intensive English courses are offered through the Center for Extended and Distance Education and are not taken for credit.

Class size is small in order to provide students with more personalized attention and opportunities to improve their learning skills. ESL Institute instructors have taught English in the U.S. and abroad, and all have strong backgrounds in education and extensive experience in teaching English to non-English speakers. Students also have access to University computer labs as well as state-of-the-art SmartBoard technology used by trained instructors in the classroom.

ESL students experience American culture daily in many ways, and the Institute works closely with APSU’s International Education department and the International Student Organization to organize at least one cultural activity trip each semester. Past excursions have included the Nashville Zoo, Country Music Hall of Fame, Graceland in Memphis and several regional destinations that highlight the history of Clarksville and the surrounding area.

The ESL Institute also facilitates a conversation partner program, in which fluent English-speaking APSU students are partnered with ESL students to promote practice of the English language in natural conversation and participation in various campus activities and events.

APSU’s ESL Institute also works with local businesses and individuals to provide tutoring for their employees, customizing a course of study to accommodate work schedules and desired language and life skills. Community resident students may enroll either full time or part time. Students must provide proof of their citizenship or immigration status and a photo I.D.

For more information, visit online at www.apsu.edu/ext-ed/esl or by call the ESL Institute at 931-221-6270.

Make plans to be at the 22nd Annual Riverfest Celebration this coming weekend! It is going to be a weekend of great fun for the entire family. Festivities begin Friday night at 5p.m. with a tribute to our military and victims of the September 11 tragedy. The 101st Airborne Division Band will play and a moment of silence will be acknowledged.

The 101st Airborne Division Band

Live entertainment will be on three stages all weekend during Riverfest. The music kicks off with a great lineup of Christian performers on the Gateway Stage including the multiple Dove Award nominated group Rush of Fools. Several talented performers including three tribute bands will take the Budweiser Stage on Friday night.

The entertainment continues when gates open at 10a.m. on Saturday with local dance academies, a magic show, the Nashville Zoo, the Gateway to Stardom talent showcase and Beaver Country Idol just to name a few. Saturday night, the Trailer Choir and award winning country performer Jack Ingram will take the Budweiser Stage.

While this year’s entertainment lineup is filled with great performers, Riverfest has tons of other exciting activities too. The Kids’ Zone will be back this year and packed with fun for the kids to enjoy. Take a stroll through Toddler Town, the area just for those pint size visitors of Riverfest. The “big kids” can enjoy themselves too with inflatables for adults.

Be sure to stop at the River of Culture Stage for a captivating showcase of dances and traditions from various cultures from all around the world. Hula dancing, ballet and martial arts are just some of the things you will find on the River of Culture stage.

The 3rd Annual Riverfest Regatta is set to take place Saturday morning at 10a.m. and is sure to provide a great deal of entertainment for participants and spectators, alike. Watch as groups attempt to paddle their cardboard boats to the finish line on the Cumberland River. Awards are given out in several different categories. If you and your group would like to be a part of the Riverfest Regatta, fill out the entry form online at www.clarksvilleriverfest.com and return it to the Parks and Recreation office no later than Tuesday.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Lighted Boat Parade is another event you can catch this year at Riverfest. Boats decorated with hundreds of lights and other decorations begin their parade route at the Montgomery County Conservation Club. Jurors at the McGregor Park courtesy boat dock judge the boats in several categories while spectators watch the boats pass by the RiverWalk.

New this year is the Wait Staff War competition. Local restaurants’ servers will compete to prove they have what it takes to be the best wait staff in Clarksville. Watch servers compete in categories such as Best Balance, Best Memory, Speediest Bussing, Quickest Drink Server, Bartender With the most Flair, Best Customer Service. The contest will be entertaining and just may help you decide where you and your family will dine next time you eat out! It takes place Saturday at 1p.m. in the Food Court.

For a complete list of Riverfest activities and other information visit www.clarksvilleriverfest.com. Admission to the two day festival is free. You won’t want to miss out on all the fun!

Budweiser Stage

Friday

Saturday

Gateway Stage

Friday

Saturday

River of Cultures Stage

Friday

Saturday