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City of Florence
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Alabama's Renaissance City


In This Issue

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April 9, 2015
Message from Mayor Haddock

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Central's 4th & 5th Grade Students!

 

Mayor Haddock visited with Central's 4th and 5th grade students last Friday who were on a reading reward field trip at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.


John Coffee: General and Surveyor

Myers E. Brown II

Thursday, April 9, 6:00 p.m.

 

In this presentation, Mr. Brown will discuss John Coffee, his role in the War of 1812, and his local ties to Florence.

 

Myers Brown is an archivist for the Tennessee State Library and Archives and holds a Master's degree in Public History from Middle Tennessee State University. He has authored Tennessee's Union Cavalrymen and Images of Tennessee's Confederates. He is a fellow of the Company of Military Historians and is Chair of the Tennessee War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.

 

  

From the Cumberland to the Gulf:

Tennessee Troops Traversing the Alabama Country

James W. Parker

Sunday, April 12, 2:00 p.m.

 

During the War of 1812, Tennessee troops were involved in operations from the Cumberland River to the Gulf of Mexico. This presentation will explore the events that transpired in the Southeast during the years of the conflict. Questions and discussion will be encouraged.

 

James Wesley Parker is employed with the Alabama Historical Commission and holds a Master's degree in American Studies from The University of Alabama. He has researched the 1812 era for more than 30 years and has held presentations across the state and the region. He was recommended by the National Archives as the primary presenter on researching 1812 sites for the national meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

For more information about any of these events, call 256-764-6564, ext. 27.

See the entire brochure at https://t.e2ma.net/message/veixbc/jl7zvt.


JOIN US IN PREPARING TODAYS PRESCHOOL AGE CHILDREN 
TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL    
                     

 Purchase Tickets or Donate to the 2015 Girlfriend Gala





The Zodiac Players of the Shoals Theatre will present "A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline" Thursday, April 9 - Sunday, April 12 at the historic Shoals Theatre in downtown Florence.  Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Directed by Shonda K. Purvis, this show is a musical tribute to Patsy Cline's spirit and a celebration of her music.  This touching look back at Patsy lets audiences relive all of the passion, drama, glamour, and songs of country music's greatest legend.  Hear all of your favorites-"Crazy," "Sweet Dreams," Walkin' After Midnight," "Leavin' on My Mind," "After Midnight," and many more.  For ticket information or reservations, call 256-764-1700 or visit our



Admission is free. For more information, please call 256-765-5122.
Admission is free. For more information, please call 256-765-5122.
 



Take a Walk on the

Historic Side of Florence this Spring...

TAKE A WALK ON THE

HISTORIC SIDE OF FLORENCE THIS SPRING

April 4 - May 2

 

Local residents will have an opportunity to "Take a Walk on the Historic Side" by participating in the annual Walking Tours of Historic Florence for 2015.

 

Florence/Lauderdale Tourism hosts the walking tours as a way to promote our historic sites, neighborhoods and unique architecture.  A tour of a different historic location will be featured each Saturday and will be guided by local historians.  The tours begin at 10:00 a.m., are free to the public and will last approximately one to one and a half hours.

 

 April 4 - Florence City Cemetery

April 11 - Walnut Street Historic District

April 18 - Historic University of North Alabama Campus

April 25 - North Court and Seminary Streets

May 2 - Forks of Cypress Plantation Site & Cemetery

 

April 4 - Florence City Cemetery 

The tour of the Florence City Cemetery, established in 1818, features unique headstones and monuments adorned with burial and religious symbolism. The cemetery contains graves belonging to early settlers, two former governors in the O'Neal Family, along with other prominent community leaders and families. The tour begins at the Florence City Cemetery entrance at 10 a.m. 705 E. College Street next to the Animal or entrances on Tennessee Street. Tour Guide: Harry Wallace

 

April 11 - Walnut Street Historic District

The Walnut Street Historic District boasts tree lined sidewalks, diverse architecture and  elegant homes. Participants will walk by 29 beautifully restored homes that belonged to some of Florence's prominent figures and originally composed the Walnut Street Historic District. These houses were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tour will begin at 10 a.m. in the UNA Tennis Courts parking lot on Hermitage Drive, where parking will be available.  Tour Guide: Billy Warren

 

April 18 - Historic University of North Alabama Campus 

The Historic University of North Alabama campus tour will feature iconic buildings such as Wesleyan Hall which pre-dates the Civil War and the Memorial Amphitheater which is a memorial to UNA students who served in the military during war. A tour of UNA's campus would not be complete without stopping by to see the impressive habitat of the university's lion mascots. Tour guides will be UNA history students. 

 

April 25 - North Court and Seminary Streets 

The North Court Street and Seminary Street tour will begin at 10 a.m. at Rogers Hall or Courtview on the UNA Campus. The tour will feature Rogers Hall (former home of Governor O'Neal), Coby Hall, Connor Place, The Robert Dean Martin Home, the Medical Arts Building, Pope's Tavern and many other historic homes. Parking will be available on Court Street and at the UNA parking lot located at One Harrison Plaza. Tour Guide: Billy Warren

  

May 2 - Forks of Cypress Plantation Site and Cemetery

The Forks of Cypress Plantation was one of the oldest Antebellum mansions in Alabama.  It was built in 1822 by James Jackson, one of the first settlers in Lauderdale County and a friend of Andrew Jackson. Bring your lawn chairs for the beginning portion of the tour!  The second part of the tour will be at the historic Jackson Cemetery. The tour will begin at 10: a.m., Directions to the site are as follows: take Cox Creek Pkwy. to Jackson Rd. and turn right (no traffic signal at intersection). Turn right at the dead end. Park along the road or enter the gate to park in the field leading to the columns. Tour Guide: Harry Wallace 

 

 For more information call:

Florence/Lauderdale Tourism at 256-740-4141

1-888-FLO-TOUR

or visit www.VisitFlorenceAL.com

 

F.A.S.T

Florence Alabama Swim Team

 

Registration

April 1 - April 30

Ages 6 - 18

 

Register online @ registration link

 

 

If child has never been on the swim team, 

they must call the office to 

schedule a swim test before registering.

256-760-6425

Registration Fee $35.00

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Royal Avenue Recreation Center

421 North Royal Avenue


 New & Existing Businesses

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SHOALS OFFICE SOLUTIONS

500 E. Tennessee Street



Specializing in digital document solutions and service.  Services provided include PC & laptop repair, smartphone and tablet screen replacement, network connectivity and diagnostics and more.  On-site service calls (home or office).  256-394-4525. Like us on Facebook


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ALABAMA SPINE & PAIN 

 Collins Medical Office Building 

541 W. College Street, Suite 2000

Alabama Spine and Pain is the Shoals area's newest and most comprehensive pain center specializing in the treatment of Chronic Spine and Pain Related Disorders.


 
Pavan Talang is the medical doctor - www.alabamaspineandpain.com/

 

  
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Opening April 20th
GENGHIS GRILL
2893 Florence Boulevard


They are located in several states genghisgrill.com/locations.  Here is a link to their web site genghisgrill.com . This is the first franchise for Valerie Vickrey of Huntsville, Alabama.

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 or Click here.

 

 

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KENNEDY-DOUGLASS CENTER

MONTHLY BROWN BAG LUNCH MEETING

 

The Kennedy Douglass Brown Bag lunch meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on

Friday April 10, at The Kennedy Douglass Center for the Arts.  Beverages and desserts

will be furnished. At 12:00 p.m., our speaker will be Walt Aldridge, story teller and

songwriter.  For questions, please call 256-760-6379.

 

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Raku Works

by Daniel Livingston

 

Raku Works by Daniel Livingston will be on exhibit at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts from April 2 through May 5.  Livingston lives in Tuscaloosa and has been making Raku pottery full-time for more than 20 years.  He earned his BFA in 1976 and his MFA in 1979 in ceramics and painting from the University of Alabama.

 

Livingston is now a fixture at the Kentuck Festival, where he glazes and fires his wares on-site.  Raku is a Japanese style of firing ceramics dating back hundreds of years.  What makes it unique is the range of designs that can be created by simply altering certain variables.

 

Livingston fires his pieces in an electric kiln and glazes them after they have cooled. The next day he puts them in an outdoor gas kiln for up to 30 minutes and then places them in a steel tub filled with cedar and wet newspapers.  A reduction or carbonization process begins once the red hot pots ignite the combustible materials. The result is that any unglazed areas on the pots will absorb and turn black from the smoke.  During this extreme temperature change of cooling down, crazing or cracking occurs on many of the glazed areas on the pots. After cleaning the soot off the pieces they are ready to show.




 

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"Artistic Renderings of Youth"

 

This is a juried exhibit of artwork open to 7th through 12th grade students from Colbert, Franklin,and Lauderdale Counties. Almost 500 pieces were entered representing 19 schools...409 pieces were accepted.  

Congratulations to the winners!

To view all winners click here.

 

The exhibit runs from March 9 through April 10 at the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts.  Top of page

NOTICE

All Florence Gas & Water Customers

 

On May 15, 2014, contractors for the City of Florence began a project to install an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system for gas and water customers.  The project duration is approximately 24 months. There will be minimal or no disruptions of your service during this process.

 

It is our desire to provide you as accurate meter readings and measurement as possible.  If you have any questions, please contact 256-760-6490 or visit Click here for more information about this important project.  

 

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NEW PET LICENSING ORDINANCE 

The City Council adopted a new pet license ordinance for certain dogs and cats.  The ordinance became effective May 1, 2014.

(See Ordinance Here)

pets-banner.jpg  

PET ADOPTION

The Florence/Lauderdale Animal Shelter has DOGS AND CATS available for ADOPTION OR FOSTER.  The Shelter is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.  Weekend hours are Saturday, open to the public and volunteers,

from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,

and Sunday, closed to the public, but open to volunteers

from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon.

Volunteers are always welcome!

 

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***

 

 NEW 2015 SCHEDULE

 

 

On FRIDAYS, the Boomers and Seniors wear RED to show support for our service men and women.  Get your "CLUB" shirt the next time you visit.

 

MASTERS GAMES PRACTICE will be the first Wednesday of each month from Noon to 2:00 p.m. at Broadway Recreation Center.  Please feel free to practice horseshoes, Frisbee and Nerf Ball Toss and Checkers on Tuesday and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at The CLUB. 

 

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, and 2) must sign in and be seated by 10:30 a.m.

 

LET'S GO BOWLING...Mondays, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Lauderdale Lanes on Florence Boulevard.  $2.50 per game.  This is not league bowling.  It's just for fun.  It's a CLUB activity away from The CLUB. 

 

BOOMER'S & SENIOR'S TUESDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE & GAMES at The CLUB, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., each week and Saturdays, 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, Rummy Cubes, Dominoes, Checkers or the games you bring with you.  For more information please call The CLUB at 256-760-6420, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

 

Alabama's state dance is Folk and Square Dancing.  It's a healthy challenge that will have you stepping to the music and enjoying your new dance family.  The Singing River Squares will be square dance angels to the BEGINNING SQUARE DANCE CLASS (10 weeks) started Friday, March 13, 2015, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  We offer beginner classes year round.  $35 for 10 classes.  Prior to the class, the Singing River Squares will have PLUS dance time from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The Singing River Squares happily invite you to give it a try.  Anyone with the desire to learn is welcomed.  For more information call Fran at The CLUB, 256-760-6420.

 

JOINTS IN MOTION CHAIR EXERCISE CLASS helps you with your activities of daily living.  Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:45 a.m. 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.  Also, the Joints in Motion Class offers the opportunity for you to join them in prayer around the flagpole each Monday morning after class at 9:50 a.m. to pray for our community, city, nation, first responders, troops, and families and friends of The CLUB.  We wear RED on Friday to show support for our troops. 

 

BINGO follows the Joints in Motion Class on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.  No fee for BINGO.  Expendable type prizes are appreciated.  Paper products, toothpaste, mouthwash, lotions, soaps, puzzle books, unopened snack foods.

 

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

 

FANTASTIC FRIDAY AT THE CLUB will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., each THIRD FRIDAY of the month January until October.  $10.00 a plate.  Our meals will be catered from two different restaurant facilities.  Pop's BBQ (St. Florian) will have fish or BBQ.  The Bonnet Caf� 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. 
 

APRIL 17, BONNET CAF�, THE BROWNS

MAY 15, "WE APPRECIATE YOU DAY" HAMBURGERS ONE AND ALL-THE BROWNS

JUNE 19, BONNET CAF�, THE NuTONES

JULY 17, POP'S BBQ, THE BROWNS

AUGUST 21, BONNET CAF�, THE CADILLACS

SEPTEMBER 18, TAIL GATE PARTY, THE BROWNS

 

The DULCIMERS play each fourth Friday at The CLUB, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Come and enjoy their music!

 

We enjoy MYSTERY TRIPS and overnight trips with our friends from The CLUB.  The Dam Fall Color Tour and Touring for Christmas Lights are two of our favorite annual tours. 

 

The annual 2015 BOOMERS & SENIORS FISHING DAYS at Deibert Park will be on Thursdays: April 23, July 23, September 24, and October 22, 2015.  Catch and Share.  Catch and Release.  Bring your own fishing tackle, bait, chairs, snack, etc.  No fishing license required for fishing at these scheduled events.

 

ONE DAY COMMUNITY YARD SALE is set for April 25, 2015, at The CLUB.  Stay tuned for details.

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Have a great weekend!

Mayor Mickey Haddock


How to Submit Your Event, News, or Announcement:

  • Public and community events or announcements can be in an email, word document, PDF, or JPG file suitable for viewing the web.  Include graphics in JPG or PNG if possible.
  • Along with your information, include your name, phone number, event name, location, date and time, and a brief description.
  • IMPORTANT:  Please submit your information no later than Tuesday of each week (preferably sooner).  Submissions after the deadline will be added to the next week's publication.  The newsletter is posted on Thursday afternoon.
  • Send your information to: [email protected] or call Sandra Morgan with questions at 256-760-6408.

 

City of Florence | 256-760-6300 | [email protected] | http://www.florenceal.org
110 West College Street
P.O. Box 98
Florence, AL 35630