Cast Your Vote: The G&G Southern Bracket

VOTE FOR

KAY PARKER

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS OF CARE AWARD

Our very own Kay Parker, founder of The Healing Place, was nominated for the National Champions of Care award, sponsored by Health Mart Pharmacies.  It is an award given to local heroes for making their communities healthier places to live.  Kay is a finalist. As a finalist, she has already won $1000 for The Healing Place, and she is competing against nine other individuals from across the country to win the grand prize of $30,000 for The Healing Place.

THE PUBLIC VOTES for the winner online

through Noon on March 30.

To vote, simply visit www.healthmartcommunity.com.  Please help us spread the word about this remarkable woman and to highlight our amazing community. 

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THE EASTER BUNNY ARRIVES AT

FLORENCE MALL!

The Easter Bunny is coming, the Easter Bunny is coming!! The Children's Center at ECM and Florence Mall present the arrival of the Easter Bunny on Friday, March 28, at 6:00 p.m.  Bunny will arrive in "style" with a "special" escort in front of the HoneyBaked Ham entrance to the Mall - you won't want to miss this!  Sponsored by the Shoals Radio Group and SSWA Recycling, there will be live broadcasts by your favorite on-air personalities from WLAY and Star 94, goodies for the children, and lots of fun!

The Easter Bunny will take up residence in Zales Court through Saturday, April 19. You can stop by and have your photo taken from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.  Bring your family to Zales Court in Florence Mall, dressed in your Easter finest, and make a memory that will last forever!  Bunny hopes to see you soon!

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

JOHN COFFEE CEMETERY CLEAN-UP DAY

SATURDAY, MARCH 29

The Florence Historical Board and others have planned a second cemetery clean-up day at the John Coffee Cemetery on Saturday, March 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  The cemetery is adjacent to the new Wal-Mart Store on Cloverdale Road and Cox Creek Parkway.  Volunteers are needed to help in the task of removing fallen limbs, trash, etc., cutting the small growth, and moving it to the street.  Please come dressed in work clothing and bring work gloves.

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CELEBRATE NATIONAL

MOM & POP BUSINESS OWNERS DAY...

March 29 is a holiday for all the hard-working small business owners out there! The day exists to celebrate their business achievements, and the positivity they bring to our local communities. We understand the hours of hard work they have put into helping their business exist, grow, and thrive, and on March 29, the City of Florence recognizes their achievements!  Celebrate National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day by showing your support...shop their stores!

New   ONLINE Registration

Florence City Schools

Dear Parent / Guardian,

Florence City Schools is excited to announce an online student registration/data validation system for the upcoming school year, powered by infosnap. The system is a secure and green process, which allows the district to verify all student demographic, emergency and medical information for your child(ren) prior to the start of the new school year.The system will also allow you to electronically sign the annual permission forms for school district policies.  In short, this online process replaces the hard copy student registration and permission forms that you and your child(ren) complete each year.

Registration will begin March 31, 2014, and can be completed from home, office,

or any location where you have access to a internet enabled device.  You will visit www.florencek12.org to begin registration.  Our goal is to make registration convenient and simple for you and your family. 

Please visit www.florencek12.org for more information.

  THE FLORENCE EXCHANGE CLUB

JOINS

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

 WITH

"Believe in the Blue" Campaign

The month of April is CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH. To bring awareness, the Florence Exchange Club is asking its members and all others to wear BLUE each MONDAY during the month of April.  Please join the Exchange in this public awareness campaign to promote strong healthy families through positive parenting.  

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"Bubbles of Love"

Friday, April 25 at Noon

Parental Alienation Awareness Day

Sponsored by Alabama Family Rights Association

April is Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month; a time to emphasize that our children are innocent and deserve the leadership of the adults (parents, leaders, community) around them to ensure their health, wellness and safety.  Parental Alienation Prevention Week / Awareness Day is April 13-19, 2014.  This is an important community campaign that links "Parental Alienation" with "Child Abuse" because after all, it is one form of mental child abuse that children suffer.

Show your support for children by taking 10 minutes out of your day

at noon on April 25^th to blow bubbles for love.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTPX9jXrehs&feature=related).

Children should be encouraged to freely love each of their two parents

regardless of their parents' marital status

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Check out florencemainstreet.org for more information

The Lauderdale County Extension Agency

is highlighting three events for the area.

Lauderdale County Extension Coordinator, 802 Veterans Drive, Florence, AL 35630, 256-766- 4846 (work).  See these at:

www.aces.edu,

Lauderdale County Facebook

Lauderdale County Extension, Pinterest

The Grapes of Wrath...

a 75^th anniversary celebration of 

John Steinbeck's Classic American Novel

The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, 350 North Wood Avenue, is featuring an exhibit and programming series during the month of April exploring the literary, historical, and cultural significance of this great novel.  Visit their website at http://www.flpl.org/steinbeck for more details.  

ARTS & MUSEUMS DEPARTMENT

KENNEDY-DOUGLASS CENTER FOR THE ARTS is located at 217 East Tuscaloosa Street, Florence, and is open, free of charge, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Call 256-760-6379 for information on City museums and art events.

Women as Poetic Art Subjects: Peter Max, Picasso, Itzchak Tarkay, Marc Chagall, Emile Bellet will be on exhibit at the Kennedy-Douglass Center from February 20 through March 27. The works are from the collection of Billy and Wanda Isom and include acrylic and watercolor paintings, serigraphs, lithographs and mixed media pieces.  Shown here is Itzchaz Tarkay. 

Billy Isom began collecting art 40 years ago.  Initially he was interested in early American lithographs, but soon began collecting 18^th to 20^th century bird art and Japanese woodblock prints.  Eventually, through what he calls serendipity and a true interest, he started adding works by well-known impressionistic and modern artists.  "Art collectors do collect," said Isom, "but remember that art can never truly be possessed, it just passes through your hands for a time."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Artistic Renderings of Youth

The Artistic Renderings of Youthexhibit openedMarch 4 and runs through April 11 at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts.  Celebrating its 23^rd year in existence, this exhibit has developed into an outstanding showcase of youth art.  It is a juried exhibit of art work open to 7th through 12th grade students from Colbert, Franklin, 

and Lauderdale counties.

Shown here is the Best of 9^th and 10^th grade division by Stephanie White, a 10^th grade student at Florence High School.

March is nationally recognized as Youth Art Month.  This exhibit provides an opportunity for the community to discover the young artistic talent in our area.  The competition is coordinated by a group of junior high and high school art teachers to give students a chance to exhibit their art work and receive recognition for their talent.  Last year over 350 pieces representing 14 different schools were accepted and exhibited.  Ribbons are awarded in three grade divisions.

Works by James D. Brantley will be on exhibit at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts from April 4 through May 8.  The exhibition will include works in oil, watercolor, graphite, pastel and egg tempera by this artist from Opelika, Alabama. Shown here is an oil painting called "Cades Cove."

 

"Although I have been to other countries," Brantley said, "and all across America, my favorite place to be is here in the South.  My paintings are of people, places and things that I have encountered on life's journey."

 

Brantley is a member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Southern Watercolor Society, and the Watercolor Society of Alabama.  He has won numerous awards including the Award of Excellence in the 2013 Watercolor Society of Alabama 72^nd Annual National Exhibition.  Brantley has been featured in

American Artist, The Art of Aquarelle and Best of Worldwide Water-Media and has written articles published in The Artist's Magazine and Inksmith.

PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER

"THE CLUB"

450 Country Club Drive

(Savannah Highway/Hwy. 20)

Florence - 256-760-6420

***The Club is a drug free, alcohol free facility***

The District 1 Master Games will be June 17, 18, and 19.  Hosted at The Club, Savannah Highway, and at the Billiards Room, Fairgrounds Road and Royal Avenue.  New participants are always welcome!  Requirement:  50+ years old.  Games include Sitting Frisbee Toss, Sitting Nerf Ball Toss, Softball Throw, Basketball Free Throw, Shuffleboard, Checkers, Dominoes Singles/Doubles, Billiards, Horseshoes, Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Table Tennis, Bowling, and a 5K walk/run.

MASTERS GAMES PRACTICE will be each Monday and Friday mornings, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., at The Club.  On Thursday, 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., Shuffleboard and Baseball Free Throw practice will be at Broadway Recreation Center. 

THE NUTRITION PROGRAM is a NACOLG/State program which serves lunch each Monday-Friday, at 11:00 a.m., at The Club.  Suggested donation $1.  This program is based on age and not need.  Limited seating (40) available on first come basis.  Must be seated by 10:30 a.m.  Feel free to come check it out.  The only requirements are:  1) must be 60 years of age 2) must sign in and be seated by 10:30 a.m.

BOOMER'S & SENIOR'S SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE & GAMES at The Club, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., each week except holiday weekends.  The doors will open at 6:00 p.m.  $5 per person.  Singles & couples are welcome.  18+ years old.  Music spanning the decades will be performed by The Browns.  For those who may not be dancers but like to play games and enjoy music, here is your opportunity to come listen to some great music while playing your favorite games:  Rook, Rummy, Dominoes, Checkers or the games you bring with you.  Feel free to bring light refreshments.  For more information please call The Club at 256-760-6420, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

BOOMER'S & SENIOR'S DANCE, each TUESDAY NIGHT, continues to bring great people together to dance the night away.  Hours 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.  Singles and couples are welcome.  18+ years old.  $5 per person.  Please join us for a great night of dancing fun with The Browns.

BEGINNING SQUARE DANCE LESSONS (10 weeks) starts Friday, March 28, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.  Singles, Couples, Families welcome.  All ages.  $5 each week.  Our international Caller is Chuck Bermele.  There are no dancing skills required.  You will enhance your health and longevity with this well sought after dance opportunity.  Two left feet, OK.  NO partner, OK.  Dance with your friends, parents, co-workers.  For more information call Fran at The Club, 256-760-6420.

JOINTS IN MOTION CHAIR EXERCISE CLASS.  Come join the fun on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:45 to 9:30 a.m.  No age limit-men, women, friends and family are welcome to join us at The Club.  No fee.  Class Leader:  Fran "fish" Davis.

BINGO follows the Joints in Motion Class on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.

BOARD GAMES, ROOK, CARD GAMES, DOMINOES and fun with friends each afternoon at The Club.  12:30 -5:00 p.m.  No fee.  We bring light snacks to share.

FANTASTIC FRIDAY AT THE CLUB will be from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., each THIRD FRIDAY of the month until October.  Our meals will be catered from three different restaurant facilities.  Pop's BBQ (St. Florian) will have fish or chicken.  Dick Howell's (Florence) serving BBQ or quartered chicken.  The Bonnet Café Elegant Country Cooking (Lexington) with Sunday type meals, menu will vary each time.  Please try to purchase tickets ahead of time.  You will enjoy the great food, music, games, dance opportunities, horseshoes, and have a fun time at the "FUN Raiser!"  All proceeds will go towards the local and state Master Games for persons 50 year and older.  Regularly scheduled square dancing will follow Fantastic Friday each time.

APRIL'S FANTASTIC FRIDAY will be April 18

Humana Penny Auction, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Meal catered by The Bonnet Café, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

(Pre-buy your meal by Thursday, April 17 if possible)

 Music by the NuTones, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

On FRIDAYS, the Seniors wear RED to show support for our service men and women.

FYI: Coming soon - AARP Tax Aid Counselors will be available at The Club where you can have your tax returns prepared.  Times to be arranged. 

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LEAF PICKUP

 The regular schedule for leaf vacuuming has concluded. The Street Department will be working from call-ins for a LIMITED amount of time (until April 11, 2014).  If you have loose leaves that need vacuuming, please call 256-760-6460 between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. weekdays. After April 11, leaves will need to be bagged for pick up by regular curbside collection.

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