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Community News
Marshall County Events
June 29th-30th. Taste of Freedom BBQ Cook-off, Albertville, (256)878-5188.
Arts, Crafts, children's area & more!
June 22-23rd, 2007. 1st Annual Red Hot Rodeo
Gates Open at 6:30 Event starts at 8:00pm. www.boazchamberofcommerce.com
boazchamber@charter.net. Contact #: (256) 593-8154
June 14th-17th. Will Rogers Heritage Festival, Guntersville, (256) 582-3612.
www.willrogersheritagefestival.com
June 14th-17th "Will Rogers Follies", Whole Backstage Theatre, Guntersville,
call ahead for tickets & times, (256)582-SHOW.
Atmore
July 21. Fiddlers’ Convention.
News from Lee and Russell Counties
Census 2010 planning is underway: The 2010 US Census preparation is underway beginning with the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) program. The Census Bureau’s Atlanta Geography Division is holding informational meetings about the LUCA process across Alabama during April and May. The meeting in this region will take place at Lee-Russell Council of Governments on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 1:30 pm CST. It is important that all of the chief elected officials in Lee and Russell Counties attend this meeting. Decennial census data directly affect how more than $200 billion in federal grant funding is distributed to state, local and tribal governments each year. Participating fully in the LUCA program will ensure jurisdictions receive their fair share of federal funding. For more information, please contact Barbara Scott at ext.237.
LRCOG Revolving Loan Funds Distributed: Advantage Chiropractic Clinic was awarded Revolving Loan Funds (RLF) from the Lee-Russell Council of Governments on May 2, 2007. Advantage Chiropractic Clinic is located on East University Drive near the Dean Road Extension. Advantage Chiropractic Clinic (ACC) will operate as a two doctor multi-discipline healthcare facility with the potential of adding 3-10 employees as demand will allow. ACC will provide family chiropractic / primary physician healthcare that will be dedicated to a proactive and preventative health regimen. ACC will seek to be a viable and beneficial asset to the Lee County community by specializing in wellness, maintenance and condition based care utilizing x-ray therapy and other state of the art diagnostic procedures along with chiropractic treatments, active and passive rehabilitation and when necessary timely referrals to the proper specialists.They will have their official ribbon cutting on May 10, 2007 at 10am. The ACC is now open with office hours 8am – 6pm and walk-ins are welcome. You can reach them at (334) 821-2552 or visit their location at 2408 East University Avenue, Suite 101 in Auburn. Please help the LRCOG to welcome both Dr. Adams, DC and Dr. Vrbka, DC to our wonderful community. The RLF enables Lee-Russell to partner with a private lender to provide gap financing to businesses whose start-up and expansion will result in the creation or retention of permanent jobs in Lee and Russell counties and in the enhancement of private sector investment.
Strategic Development Plan - City of Leeds. The City of Leeds, with the assistance of the RPC, has drafted a Strategic Development Plan to determine the impacts of potential development in the western area of the City, principally around interchange 140 of I-20. Because of anticipated future development pressures adjacent to the Barber MotorSports Park and soon-to-be constructed Bass Pro Shops, the City applied for and received a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to study the area. More than half of the planning area is north of I-20 and includes former mining properties, one abandoned and one active rail line, a 5.7 mile segment of the Cahaba River, and significant topography. The plan assesses impacts of new development by designing and comparing scenarios for how land uses and infrastructure are arranged within the study area. The assessment offers strategies for guiding future development in the area. RPCGB was assisted by Sain Engineering of Birmingham and 4-Site, Inc. of Huntsville.
Wilcox County
Looking for a perfect weekend trip this summer? Plan a visit to Camden on Friday, June 29th and Saturday, June 30th for a weekend of fun-filled activities. Start with a jazz concert at Roland Cooper State Park on Friday evening sponsored by the Wilcox County Chamber of Commerce. Then on Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., celebrate the arts during the Black Belt Treasures Folk Life Festival. The festival will feature potters Sam Williams of Monroeville and Allen Ham of Selma, bird carver John Sheffey of Minter, vine basket maker Andrew McCall of Letohatchee, white oak basket maker Walter Brooks of Monroe County, storyteller and author Kathryn Tucker Windham (far right) of Selma, quilter Deborah Carter of Newbern, stained glass artist Tyree McCloud of Boykin, artist Faye Dixon Bennett, the Martin-Hicks Bluegrass/Gospel Band, a Kids Art Corner, and a variety of food. Demonstrations will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day at the Black Belt Treasures Gallery. All demonstrations by artists are free of charge to the public. From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., delight in the Fireworks Celebration at East Bank Park, in Miller’s Ferry, on the banks of Lake Dannelly, sponsored by the City of Camden. This great family event will include games for children, talented entertainment, delicious food from area vendors, and a spectacular display of fireworks! Before you leave Wilcox County for the weekend, relax on a trip across the Alabama River via the Gee’s Bend Ferry. For information on the Ferry’s schedule visit www.geesbendferry.com
Children’s Art Camp will be held July 9 - 13, 2007 at Black Belt Treasures. Sharon Owens, of Monroeville, will instruct the children in acrylic paints, watercolors, oil or chalk pastels, and various mixed media, on Monday through Thursday. On Friday, mosaic artists Linda Munoz and Marineal Wilborn of York, Alabama, will instruct the students in creating a piece of mosaic art. Those who attend classes every day will leave with at least three completed works of art at week’s end. The Art Camp will be open to children who are entering 1st through 6th grades. The cost per student will be only $30.00 which will cover fees and supplies. The registration deadline is June 13th. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis from submitted registrations with preference being given to students who reside in the Black Belt region.
New Cities named Alabama Communities of Excellence. The City of Graysville, York and Evergreen have been named to the 2007 class of Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE).
City officials will work with a team of economic and community development professionals from around the state to establish long term planning, community development and business development goals.
"ACE partner organizations plan and prepare the communities for a more vibrant future," said Stacey Bryan, Alabama Communities of Excellence state coordinator.
