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Show M S Aug. 23, 2012 Splash about for some cool fun By JESUS LOPEZ JR. Hilltop Times staff jlopez@standard.net HILL AIR FORCE BASE — As families finish their back-to-school shopping, the end of summer looms. But with the hot weather sticking around a while longer, everyone needs a place to cool off. Luckily, there are many affordable options, some free, for military personnel and their families. One option is the splash pad. Many communities have included splash pads in their parks and city centers, functioning like interactive fountains. Hill Air Force Base has its own splash pad located at Centennial Park, which includes a water spout, water bars and a water arch. Ultraviolet filters protect users from such waterborne infections as Cryptosporidium. "We see parents, grandparents down there, it's just a fun opportunity for folks to come down and keep cool," said 75th Force Support Squadron Chief, Community Services William C. Dowell. With its large size, Dowell said there is plenty of room at the splash pad to accommodate people wanting to cool off. "I've seen it very full and there's always room for more folks," Dowell said. Users can activate the splash pad through a mounted touch sensor device nearby during hours of operation. Dowell said families can stay shaded under a pavilion. For those off base, there are numerous splash pads throughout Weber and Davis counties, including Clearfield Aquatic Center, Foxboro North Regional Park in North Salt Lake and Riverdale Park. Besides the splash pads, there is also the option of a traditional pool. The base offers both an outdoor and indoor pool for free. While the indoor pool is open for lap swimming, the outdoor pool is open for everyone from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Most communities also have municipal pools for a nominal fee. Hill Air Force Base Ticket and Travel Director Paula Speth said the base sells discount tickets to many local attractions, including water parks, such as Lagoon, Boondocks and Cherry Hill. For those who have time to get some camping in, the base offers equipment, trailers and boats for rent through the Outdoor Recreation offices. To get a bit of the great outdoors without having to pitch a tent or hitch a trailer. the base also offers cabins. Speth said personnel can rent a cabin at Carter Creek in the Uintah Mountains. Dowell said the Air Force believes that people should experience the areas where they are stationed. "Our goal is to get people out and enjoy the local Splash Pads Clearfield Aquatic Center, 825 S. State St., Clearfield, free Main Park, 1350 N. Highway 89, Harrisville, free Nature Park, 5874 S Park Vista Drive, South Ogden, Free. 1100 N. Foxboro North Regional Park, Skipton Drive, North Salt Lake, Free Riverdale Park, 4300 S. Parker Drive, Riverdale, Free. Lagoon, 375 Lagoon Drive, Farmington. Included with cost of admission. Summer Strikes Hill Air Force Base celebrates the last days of summer vacation with Summer Strikes, an endof-summer bowling party from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Hill Bowling Center, 5746 D Ave. Bldg. 525. The event will include free bowling, food and prizes. scenery and Hill Air Force Base is a good place to do that," Dowell said. For information on additional activities, visit www.75thforcesupport.com or call 801-777-9666. 'Avengers' packs a punch: superheroes shine "MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS" Thor (Chris Hemsworth,) left, and Captain America (Chris Evans) join forces in "Marvel's The Avengers.". The Joss Whedondirected action-adventure is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures and also stars Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson. By STEVE SALLES Standard-Examiner Movie Critic T ime to reset your calendars, people, because the summer of 2012 is officially here — at least as suggested by the blockbuster movie schedule. It's safe to say that "The Avengers," released today, will easily be one of the biggest films of the year. And what gives me such confidence? Simply because the filmmakers have pulled off the nearly impossible. They've taken four beloved comic-book superheroes — Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Hulk — put them all in the same movie, and none of them disappear. In fact, quite the opposite. All four shine in this well-written, action-packed adventure that may end up being the most successful of the franchise so far. Writer/director Joss Whedon, best known for his "Firefly" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV series, has managed to "assemble" this collection of unique personalities into an abrasive, but eventually cohesive, bunch in a film that explores their strengths and their weaknesses. Take Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, played brilliantly by Robert Downey Jr. He is a win cynical, self-absorbed genius who himself admits he does not play well with others. Put him next to Steve Rogers, aka Captain America (Chris Evans), a soft-spoken loner who has outlived everyone he's ever loved and yet has a sense of duty and honor to his country that makes him a natural-born leader. How could Tony Stark not look up to such a man — eventually? Then you have Dr. Bruce Banner, aka The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), who is a brilliant biochemist, but has rage issues that he's trying very hard to control. He may not say much when he turns massive, green and unmanageable, but I promise you he not only brings the biggest laughs, but you'll be laughing so hard in one instance that you'll miss some of the few words he does say. And don't forget the demigod Thor (Chris Hemsworth). He has learned humility and appreciation for his human friends, but walks a fine line between trying to stop an alien aggressor and realizing that aggressor is his own misguided brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Completing the Avengers team: Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), whom we've seen fleetingly before, who she uses her extraordinary skills of discernment to get people to open up. Along her side on many missions is Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), who has no superpowers, just a keen sense of marksmanship that has served him well. The no-nonsense Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) is back to guide the Avengers Initiative Program. The easygoing Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) returns as the voice of reason. We have a new Agent, Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), who acts as Fury's second in command. Dr. Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) is back. Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) makes a couple of brief appearances. And even Paul Bettany returns to give voice to Stark's computer pal, Jarvis. Seems like a lot of players, but the script is never overwhelming, the plot is constantly moving forward, the pacing is full of energy with appropriate moments of reflection, and the action is as good as it gets. Now keep in mind, I have never read a single "Avengers" comic book. I've only seen the movies and, based on that, I was mesmerized by this perfect-pitch blending of character and chaos. The film is funny, it's intelligent, it's engaging and entertaining — all of the things you need to make a big action thriller go beyond simple thrills and spills. "The Avengers" has set the bar so high that I fear Marvel will have a hard time duplicating this effort. Of course, I said that about "Iron Man" and, frankly, none of the subsequent franchise films have been quite as good. Until this one. Get ready to see some seriously mindblowing box office numbers as this movie erupts in theaters everywhere today. It will be interesting to see if "The Dark Knight Rises" or the final "Twilight" movie will be able to measure up in what should be one of Hollywood's biggest years ever. 7 I |