In the Sky Tonight

Posted on March 15, 2012 by

Hanging at Sid’s tonight, in the courtyard, we wondered what the two bright stars (actually planets) were in the night sky.  It’s Jupiter and Venus.  And although Jupiter is a much larger planet, Venus which is much closer to earth appear larger in the night sky.  But wait, there’s more up there..  From the website www.stardate.org is this tidbit of information…  The planets dominate this month, particularly during the evening. As night falls, Venus and Jupiter shine forth in the west, the second- and third-brightest objects in the night sky after the Moon. Venus is below Jupiter as March begins, but climbs past it mid-month. While they dominate the west, Mars takes charge in the east. It rises around sunset and remains in the sky all night. It is brightest for the year, too, forming a brilliant orange beacon.

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Opelika – A Hangout for Swimmers

Posted on March 13, 2012 by

Well, this headline from the AuburnTigers.com website explained some visitors to Opelika’s resturant’s the past few days!  Auburn Set to Host NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships. Monday Night members of the Auburn university Swim Team were having dinner at Ma Fia’s downtown.  On Tuesday, the Team from Georgia and Penn State made it to the Italian place for dinner as well. In fact, the nice weather made for a great gathering for the Georgia Team on the Patio.  Looks to be a great event in Auburn, so you can follow it with this link.  It was a few weeks ago, when the AU Swim Team Coach was having dinner with his wife and said he would bring the team back.  He did, and apparenlty invited a few others as well. Thanks Brett and good luck in the tourney in this your third year as coach of the team!

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Calendar Updates

Posted on March 13, 2012 by

A few things this weekend.  The final performances of “Anything Goes” by the Opelika High Theatre Group is Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday’s show is 7PM, with 3PM performances on Saturday and Sunday.  Downtown  Opelika will celebrate the Green with our first St. Patrick’s Day Party.  It’s something for everyone.  All day from 11 to 11, so join the fun. The header picture is from Monkey Park and last years “Garden in the Park” which returns, Saturday, March 31st.  And the Opelika High Spring Plant Sale is starting on Tuesday, April 3rd. Get their early for the best selections. (All this information and more details can be found on the Opelika Area Events Calendar Link above.)   

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Jessie Summers – Volunteer of the Year at Pioneer Park

Posted on March 13, 2012 by

Jessie Summers, 87, long-time Curator of the Trade Center Museum at Pioneer Park has not only been recognized as the recipient of its first-ever Volunteer of the Year Award, the award has been named in her honor—the Jessie Summers Volunteer of the Year Award.

Summers began volunteering at the Museum after she and husband Carl moved to Auburn, following her long record of volunteer activities in LaGrange and West Point, Georgia and Valley, Alabama. She was appointed Museum Curator in 2002 and held that post until 2011. During that time, she logged many hours serving as hostess to visitors and working tirelessly on Second Saturday activities and the annual fall Historical Fair. Continue reading →

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Tuesday is Voting Day

Posted on March 12, 2012 by

You know what you’ve got to do… Polls are open from 7AM til 7PM!

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Time Springs Forward This Weekend

Posted on March 9, 2012 by

It’s time to roll the clocks forward into daylight saving time, the bittersweet deed that simultaneously signals spring and wreaks havoc on sleep. For most people, the missing hour Sunday means a sleepy Monday. But for some — particularly those who aren’t big on mornings to begin with — it takes a heavy toll on mood and productivity, earning blame for car accidents, workplace injuries and stock market dips. Read More from ABC. (Source Good Morning America)

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Senator Richard Shelby Host Town Hall Meeting

Posted on March 9, 2012 by

Elected to the Senate in 1986, Senator Shelby has become a prominent figure in the U.S. Senate. He is a ranking member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. He also serves on the Committee on Rules and Administration and the Special Committee on Aging. Everyone is invited to hear and ask questions about the hot topics of today. Coffee and donuts will be served. Meeting is Monday, March 12th at City Hall in the Council Chambers (204 7th St South, Opelika, AL 36801

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Guess…

Posted on March 8, 2012 by

What’s the picture that posted in the Header of the website on Thursday Night?

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Camellia Club Spring Show – Saturday, March 10th

Posted on March 6, 2012 by

The Auburn-Opelika Men’s Camellia Club moves its colorful 2012 Spring Show to Pioneer Park, becoming a Second Saturday feature on March 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST. According to President Charles Bush, 500 blossoms, representing almost 200 named varieties, will be on display in the Trade Center Museum all day. All are grown locally by club members.

The Camellia Show is not a competition, but simply an opportunity to show off Alabama’s state flower. Those wishing to learn about the camellia can attend four free workshops offered concurrently at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. CST. The four sessions are:

  • Planting Camellias [Charles Mitchell and Wallace Baldwin, at the Heirloom Camellia Garden]
  • Air-layering Camellias [Ken Rogers, at the Bandstand]
  • Grafting Camellias [Bill Shell, Tom Corley, at the McLain Building]
  • Waxing Camellias [Jeanette Frandsen, at the Trade Center Museum]

The 2012 Spring Show and the workshops are free to the public. For more information, Bush may be contacted at cgbush@charter.net.

Pioneer Park’s traditional Second Saturday activities—dulcimer playing, open hearth cooking, spinning and weaving, blacksmithing and rug braiding—are available as always for visitors to observe. The Whistle Stop Pickers begin playing and practicing at 1 p.m. Beginners are welcome to join in, and there are extra dulcimers available.

Pioneer Park is the site of the Lee County Historical Society, a non-profit organization established in 1968 to promote the history of the county, particularly the 1850s time period. The Park incorporates nine buildings on six-and-a-half acres in the center of Loachapoka. Membership is open to all interested parties. For more information, see www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org or call President Jeannette Frandsen at 334-742-7877.

Photo: Bill Shell, of the Auburn-Opelika Men’s Camellia Club, shows one of his many camellias.  He and Tom Corley are among the demonstrators when Pioneer Park welcomes the Club’s 2012 Spring Show as a Second Saturday feature.  They will be demonstrating the air-layering of Camellias.  All traditional Second Saturday activities are ongoing as well, and are free to the public.

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“Anything Goes” Opens This Week

Posted on March 5, 2012 by

This week, Anything Goes, presented by the Opelika High Theatre Society opens Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. Admission $10 for adults and $7 for students. Additional performances this week on Friday and Saturday, and next weekend as well.

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Jack Williams Plays Sundilla Friday

Posted on March 5, 2012 by

Things get back to normal at Sundilla this Friday, when we welcome Jack Williams to town. Jack has played Sundilla twice before (three times if you count a surprise appearance with Caroline Aiken) but the last time was way back in 2003; this concert is long overdue. Showtime is 7:30, and admission is $15 at the door, but you can get $12 advance tickets at The Gnu’s Room. Plus, we’re reviving one of our old discounts for this one: if someone who HAS been to Sundilla brings someone who has NOT been, they both get in for the price of one. (So either the newbie gets in for free, or the returner gets in for free, or they both get in for half-price; we’ll let you decide how to work the money. Basically it’s two-for-one, as long as one of the two has NEVER been to a Sundilla concert before.) Continue reading →

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Shop Late, Eat Local – First Friday

Posted on March 2, 2012 by

First Friday. Stores Open til 8PM include TLC Gift Shop and Toy Chest, Taylor Made Design, Southern Crossing, Victory Design, Fringe, Yarnhouse Studio, Picket Fence, Heritage Gifts & Gourmet (In Store Drawing). Dining options include Ma Fia’s, Jimmy’s, Sid’s 8th Street Cafe, The Cheesecake Cottage, Venable’s Sweet Shoppe.  Also Uptown Art (Foormerly known at Sips and Strokes has Friday Night Classes. Music on the corners by Chase Brown, Joe Moore and Destiny Brown (weather permitting)

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Tomorrow is Clean Up Day

Posted on March 2, 2012 by

Keep Opelika Beautiful’s Citywide Cleanup is an extension of the national program, Great American Cleanup, This event is a great opportunity for citizens to join together in the fight against litter. Dr. Bob Patton has again agreed to chair the local event. Over 300 volunteers joined Keep Opelika Beautiful in 2011 to participate in the event. Businesses and citizens are encouraged to join KOB in the fight against litter. Bags, gloves and lunch are provided. For more information call KOB at (334) 749-4970 or visit kob@opelika.com.

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TLC Offering Teacher Appreciation Open House

Posted on March 2, 2012 by

This Sunday, March 4 from 1 till 4 p.m.at 824 Avenue A, Transformations Life Center (TLC) wants to show their appreciation to teachers, counselors, school administrators, and school staff for all they do for the children in our community.  Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be given away every 15 minutes. Please visit their website to get a 20% off coupon for educational games and books.  For more information, visit www.transformationslifecenter.org or call (334) 705-0071.

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Wright’s to “Free Enterprise Honorees” List

Posted on March 2, 2012 by

Wright’s Market, Inc. is one of 25 Businesses that were commended for their strong business practices and contributions to the economy.  America’s Small Business Summit, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, named Wright’s Market to the Free Enterprise Honorees list.  All award winners will be honored during the Small Business Summit on May 22 in Washington, D.C.  Jimmy Wright, the owner of Wright’s Market, Inc., was nominated by the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.  Wright’s Market, Inc. is located at 603 Pleasant Drive. (Source: Opelika Chamber Friday Facts Newsletter)

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