Last Edited: May 01, 2025 @ 12:33 pm

On May 15, artist Cynthia Thompson will unveil her latest large-scale installation, Always the River, at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee.

What: Always the River Installation Unveiling
When: Thursday, May 15th at 7:00 PM
Where: F&M Bank Arena, 1st & Main St. Entrance

The work, titled Always the River, is a hand-painted tension fabric sculpture inspired by the natural and cultural history of the Cumberland River, the Red River, and the ancient Dunbar Cave, landmarks that have shaped the local ecology and society. 

The unveiling of this new public art installation is the result of meaningful collaboration between F&M Bank, F&M Bank Arena, the Montgomery County Public Art Ad-Hoc Committee, and the Montgomery County Commission. This initiative reflects a shared commitment to enriching the downtown community through art and cultural engagement.

As a central element of the artwork, the figure of HeartMan, a long-standing character in Thompson's work, has been integrated into this piece to represent a guardian of the Tennessee waterways and its many endangered inhabitants.

With collaboration from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Thompson has incorporated twenty threatened local species, each represented by a one-of-a-kind "cosmic helper". The sculpture invites viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature and explore the story of local at-risk creatures in our waterways.  

“I hope you will examine the sculpture (and the projected animated avatars) to find your favorite cosmic helper and chart your own path to sustainable coexistence with nature by learning about your chosen helper's at-risk creature. When you do, Always the River will have served its purpose," said artist Cynthia Thompson. 

For more information about the artist and Always the River visit https://www.cynthiathompson.art/always-the-river

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About the Artist
Cynthia Thompson is a sculptor known for immersive, environmentally focused works that blend mythology, sustainability, and community engagement. Her public installations have appeared throughout the United States and aim to promote public engagement. 

About F&M Bank Arena
F&M Bank Arena and Ford Ice Center Clarksville opened on July 15, 2023, and is managed by SS&E. Ford Ice Center offers a variety of learn-to-skate programs at F&M Bank Arena, continuing its mission to expose and grow hockey to more Middle Tennessee residents. Fans can stay up to date on everything relating to F&M Bank Arena by following @fmbankarena on all social media platforms.

Visit myfmbankarena.com for all arena policies and procedures. Approved bags, including medical bags, parenting bags, CLEAR bags (12” x 12” x 6”) and NON-CLEAR bags (6.5” x 4.5” or smaller), will be permitted following screening.

The Clarksville Rotary Club has partnered with Montgomery County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) to reunite lost pets in the community through a new microchip scanning station at the MCACC shelter. 

The Rotary Club generously funded the equipment needed to give the public access to a microchip scanning station, allowing individuals who find a lost pet to scan for an implanted microchip, which may contain contact information for the pet’s owner. 

The new scanning station features instructional signage to assist users in the process and a QR code linking to a national pet microchip registry. If an owner is connected to the microchip, the national registry will notify the owner that their pet has been found.   

“We are extremely grateful to the Clarksville Rotary Club, Melanie Thompson, and her team for the generous donation that made this project possible. This project is an important step toward improving lost pet recovery in Montgomery County and gives the public a new way to help reunite lost pets with their owners. Our hope is that this station’s success will inspire similar services at other safe locations throughout Montgomery County,” said MCACC Director Dave Kaske. 

MCACC would like to remind the community, the microchip scanning station does not replace proper animal intake procedures during business hours, and the public should not leave animals at the shelter after hours. 

For more information and services available at MCACC, visit https://montgomerytn.gov/animal-control 

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Last Edited: April 30, 2025 @ 9:56 am

The Montgomery County Highway Department will soon begin construction on a new roundabout at the intersection of Rollow Lane and Dunlop Lane. This project is part of a broader effort to enhance traffic safety and improve long-term roadway efficiency in a fast-growing part of the county.

At present, the intersection is closed due to critical flood mitigation work aimed at strengthening the area’s stormwater infrastructure. By scheduling the roundabout construction during this existing closure, the County is able to coordinate multiple infrastructure improvements with minimal added disruption. This approach helps avoid future closures and ensures more efficient use of time and resources.

“We’ve deliberately timed this construction to align with ongoing flood mitigation efforts,” said Highway Supervisor Jeff Bryant. “Combining these projects limits the impact on drivers while delivering long-term safety and drainage improvements. We recognize the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate the public’s continued patience as we work toward a safer, more resilient roadway system.”

Construction is set to begin May 1, 2025, and will continue through July. Detour signage will remain in place, and drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.

The Montgomery County Highway Department thanks residents for their cooperation as we invest in infrastructure that will serve the community for years to come. For updates and additional information, visit www.montgomeryTN.gov/highway.

Point of Contact: 
Joshua Peltz 
jpeltz@mcgtn.net

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The Downtown @ Sundown concert series is back for 2025, bringing an exciting lineup of live music and high-energy performances to Downtown Commons, 215 Legion Street, on select Friday nights from May through October. 

This free, annual, family-friendly event offers great entertainment, a wide variety of local food trucks lining Main Street, and beverages available for purchase, including beer. Downtown favorite Wolf Down will also be open for concertgoers to enjoy delicious bites during the show. 

All concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for a comfortable evening under the stars. Please note that pets, coolers, smoking/vaping, and outside alcohol are not permitted. 

2025 Lineup: 

• May 16 – Who's Bad (Michael Jackson Tribute) 
• June 6 – Kid Kentucky (Kid Rock Tribute) 
• June 20 – Ace Party Band (Top 40’s Variety – Returning Favorite) 
• July 11 – Crush (Bon Jovi Tribute) 
• July 18 – The Eagles Project (The Eagles Tribute – Returning Favorite) 
• August 1 – Foolhouse (The Ultimate 90’s Dance Party)
• August 15 – The Wildflowers (Tom Petty Tribute) 
• September 5 – Wonderlove (Stevie Wonder Tribute) 
• September 19 – Mellencougar (John Mellencamp Tribute) 
• October 3 – American Floyd (Pink Floyd Tribute – Local Band) 

Downtown @ Sundown is proudly presented by TriStar Beverage of Clarksville and F&M Bank, with additional support from Waste Connections of Clarksville.  

All concerts take place at Downtown Commons, a vibrant public space located in the heart of Clarksville. Operated by Montgomery County Parks and Recreation, this outdoor venue serves as a hub for free events, live entertainment, and community gatherings throughout the year. 

Join us for unforgettable Friday nights filled with music, food, and fun in Downtown Clarksville! 

For more information, visit: www.downtowncommons.org 

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Last Edited: April 25, 2025 @ 11:46 am

Applications for the 2025-2026 Montgomery County Mayor’s Emerging Leaders (MEL) Program are now open and will be accepted until May 19, 2025.

MEL is for local high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in learning how local government works through participation in committee meetings and activities. Meetings with students begin in August 2025 and end in January 2026. 

"This program allows students to engage with county government and gain a deeper understanding of what is happening in government at a local level. I really enjoy having the students join our committees and meetings. We actively encourage them to ask questions, and they often show a genuine curiosity about the topics we discuss. Their unique perspective brings up valuable insights that can benefit us,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

The MEL program provides high school students with a fundamental understanding of how different aspects of county government work. Students interested in the program select committees to engage with, and all students are encouraged to attend budget committee meetings.  

Applications for the 2025-2026 Mayor’s Emerging Leaders Program are available on the Montgomery County Communications Department page or by emailing Valerie Linares at vjlinares@mcgtn.net.

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