Got the winter blues?

Then set sail on a river cruise with Land Between The Lakes staff to scan the shores of Kentucky Lake in search of bald eagles while enjoying the comforts of the CQ Princess luxury yacht.

On Saturday, January 10, Sunday, January 11, Monday, January 19, and Saturday, January 24 enjoy a relaxing meal and cruise on Kentucky Lake for a unique experience on the CQ Princess. On this three hour cruise, LBL interpreters will tell the story of our nation's symbol, the Bald Eagle, as well as help you spot these majestic birds in the wild.

"Eagle boat cruises are a wonderful experience," said Carrie Szwed, Nature Station interpreter. "You get to enjoy great views of bald eagles and other wildlife while taking in the beautiful sights of Kentucky Lake and its forested shorelines."

The CQ Princess is a 96-foot long vessel offering great views from inside its heated cabin area or outside on the deck.

The eagle brunch cruise is 8:30-11:30 a.m. on January 10. The eagle lunch cruises are from 1-4 p.m. on January 10 and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on January 11, 19, and 24. All tours cost $60 per person and meals are included in cost.

Registration is limited. Reservations and full deposits are required for all boat tours. Please call 270-924-2020 to reserve your seat. The CQ Princess departs from Kenlake State Resort Park Marina. Restrooms and hot beverages are available on board. For a view of the ship, visit www.cqriverside.com.

Additional LBL information is also available on our website or by calling 1-800-LBL-7077 or 270-924-2000. You can find out more about "Friends of LBL".

Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area is celebrating National Winter Trails Day on January 10, 2009.

Trails during winter can differ drastically from other seasons of the year. Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders are able to see deeper into the woods, making wildlife viewing much easier.

Add a snowy background to the landscape and deer, turkey, bobcats, and coyotes become much easier to spot in the woods and open lands. The silence of a winter trail setting can also provide hikers a sense of much-needed solitude.

Bald eagle sightings are common in the winter months and migratory birds and waterfowl are also very active in the early stages of winter.

When venturing outdoors in wintertime, visitors should know the current and expected weather forecast and dress appropriately in layers.

Hypothermia can take effect in temperatures over 50 degrees, but typically prolonged exposure to temperatures below 40 degrees will bring out the symptoms much sooner, symptoms that include excessive shivering, slurred speech, and paleness in skin color.

Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in carbohydrates to stay fueled for the visit.

It is advised to practice proper trail etiquette as well. Let wet, soggy trails dry out before use and be aware of tripping hazards under snow covered paths such as roots, rocks, and limbs. Check LBL, click on Trip Planning for trail updates and closures.

Land Between The Lakes is managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with "Friends of LBL," to provide public lands outdoor recreation and environmental education.

We encourage visitors to review our website at www.lbl.org each season, and throughout the season, for our Calendar of Events, updates on programs and policies, and temporary trail and road closures.

Additional LBL information is also available on our website or by calling 1-800-LBL-7077 or 270-924-2000. You can find out more about "Friends of LBL".

Submitted by Jo Huber

Make your New Year's Resolution to stop in at one of our community centers to get back into shape for the spring. Our community centers are equipped with weight rooms, treadmills and stationary bikes for all of your fitness needs.

And now that we have ushered the New Year in, it's time to get back to our regular schedules at the Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department.

The Community Centers will be back on their winter hour schedules starting Tuesday, January 6th.

All classes and regular programming will also resume their regular time slots starting Tuesday. If you forgot what our winter hours are and what classes are being offered, go to www.cityofclarksville.com/parksandrec and click on the fall and winter Recreation Guide for complete details on each individual community center.

You can also pick up a hard copy of the Recreation Guide at our main office at 104 Public Square.

Youth Hula classes will start back Monday starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Crow Community Center at 211 Richview Road. This class is for ages 6 to 10 and new registrations are welcomed.

The beginner's Adult Hula class will follow at 5:00 p.m. and go until 5:45 p.m. The advance classes start at 6:00 p.m.

All Hula classes are free with an annual $5.00 center ID card.

The Crow Center's Youth Indoor Soccer will begin on January 10th. The cost is $25 for eight weeks with the purchase of a $5.00 center ID card.

Youth Indoor Soccer times will include ages 4 starting at 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; ages 5 to 6 from 10:45 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.; ages 7 through 9 to meet at 11:45 p.m. until 12:45 p.m.; and ages 10 through 12 will meet from 12:45 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. For more information on the Youth Indoor Soccer program, call the Crow Center at 931-647-3071.

The after school full court Youth Basketball for ages 12-16 will be on Mondays from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Burt-Cobb Community Center at 1011 Franklin Street. The staff will assist in the games and officiating.

Students will be placed on teams each week.

This is an excellent time for youths to get back into shape and in the groove for staying active.

The Kids on Crafts after school group will meet from 3:00 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6th and Thursday, January 8th at the Kleeman Community Center at 166 Cunningham Lane to get ready for the art show on Saturday, January 17th.

Art enthusiasts can mark your calendars for January 17th at the Burt-Cobb Community Center for the first annual Kids on Crafts Winter Art Show. This will be a great opportunity to see what our after school youths have created during the past season.

The public viewing will start at 12 noon with award announcements starting at 12:30 p.m. Any student who participated in the fall Kids on Crafts after school program is invited to bring their family members and show off their creative work.

The event is free and refreshments will be served.

The Winter Gym program at Byrns-Darden Elementary School will be back open from the holidays starting Tuesday, January 6th for the rest of the winter season.

The gym will be open on Monday’s, Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. each evening. You must be 13 years or older to use the facility however children under 13 years are welcome with adult supervision.

Those interested in participating in open basketball should use the entrance on Peacher’s Mill Road to access the gym each night.