February 5, 2016

February 5 - February 18, 2016

AthensNowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: Ali Elizabeth: 256-468-9425 David: 256-702-2237

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

Pages 25 - 32

Special Feature Jim Moffatt For District Court Judge: Experience From Adoptions To Zoning...

Jim Moffatt was born near Sandusky, MI, and finished his growing up years in... Page 5

Special Feature

Danny Crawford For Alabama State House Of Representatives, District 5

By Ali Elizabeth Turner Recently, as I sat in the Keep Athens Limestone Beautiful office and listened while Danny Crawford told me his story, I was reminded once again that anyContinued on page 15

The Crawford Family: (L-R) Mary Kay, Matthew and Danny

The Davis Group: CPAs Committed To Our Community

Battling BDS...

American actor Michael Douglas and Jewish Agency for Israel Chairman Natan Sharansky recently visited three college campuses in the US in order to speak to students about Israel and...

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By Ali Elizabeth Turner

Athens Rehab Spotlight Spotlight On June Van Pamel...

June Van Pamel was born in London on June 7th, 1928, and for the first eleven years of her life lived what could be considered the...

Page 16

February 5 - February 18, 2016

The Davis Group: (L-R) Rob Davis, Misti Fillingame, Jonathan Colwell, Lisa Garlen

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Rob Davis and Jonathan Colwell of the Davis Group, PC, come from completely different backgrounds. They have formed an accounting firm with a passion to help our community, especially when it comes to the stresses of tax season.

I first met Rob when I was tak-

Continued on pages 17

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February 5 - February 18, 2016

Publisher’s Point

Slavery Revisits The South Along Interstate 20

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Sales

David Henry

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Delivery

Hunter Williams

Contributing Writers Janet Hunt Lynne Hart Wanda Campbell Paul Foreman Laurie Cordoza-Moore Tammy Wilkinson Jerry Barksdale Rachel Clark, RN BSN

When I was in Iraq, I was required to take training with regard to recognizing and reporting human trafficking. It was called TIPS, an acronym for Trafficking In Persons, and was developed by the State Department and the Army. What would happen, especially with companies outside of the US, was that when third country nationals would arrive, their passports were taken from them, rendering them essentially helpless.

I had staff from the Philip-

bama has a new “title,” albeit a nefarious one. We are part of the biggest human trafficking pipeline in the United States, with the concentration being along I-20, particularly near Birmingham. We have a dreadful nickname: “The Sex Trafficking SuperHighway.” The purpose of this Publisher’s Point is to sound an alarm and to raise awareness. It is also to let you know that there are several fine faith-based organizations that are fight-

niques are sophisticated, and are greatly aided by social media.

First up in this evil scheme is what is known as a “Bottom Girl.” A Bottom Girl functions as a madam of sorts, as she befriends a potential target as a peer, gains her trust, and as is always necessary to close a deal, offer options, most often money or material things. The Well House is an Alabama-based ministry that helps victims of prostitution and sex trafficking,

All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . 5

Special Feature . . . . . . . . 7 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Tammy . . . . . 13 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . 15 & 17 Athens Rehab Spotlight . . 16 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 19 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . . . 20

EnditAlabama.org is another organization that is committed to put a stop to human trafficking in Alabama, and is holding a conference in Montgomery on February 5th, educating the public and legislatures with regard to trafficking here in our state. For more information, go to enditalabama.org

Athens Now is going to be featuring an article some time this Spring sponsored

by Set Them Free International, which is also based here in Alabama. And finally, my friend Kathrine Lee has formed an organization called Pure Hope, which is involved in rescuing, housing, and restoring sex slaves to their Godgiven dignity. Pure Hope is headquartered in Texas.

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3

Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . 6

will put them up in an apartment. Once the trap has been set, there’s no easy means of escape. And so enters I-20, the perfect means of transportation for this valuable ‘product’.”

pines as well as India, and heard horror stories about what it was like to work in the Middle East. Every single time I travelled through Dubai on my way back to the States, I would have a hotel staff person approach me and beg me to get them out. It turns out that Dubai is one of the busiest parts of the human trafficking pipeline, especially as it pertains to the sex trade.

Sadly, the State of Ala-

Jerry's Journal . . . . . . . . 21 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Foreman's Forum . . . . . . . . 23

February 5 - February 18, 2016

ing back, and will give you an invitation to get involved, should you choose.

One of the most disturbing things about “the Super-Highway” is that it transcends those who are traditionally the most vulnerable, teens from broken homes, the fatherless who are looking for love in all the wrong places, or those who are struggling with drugs. The recruiting tech-

and has the following to say: “The Bottom Girl introduces the girl to a new friend at a party. This new ‘friend’ quickly wins the admiration of the victim through different means, typically lavish gifts and the promise of ‘grown-up’ life experiences. Through this enticing, trusting relationship, the trafficker entices the teen to run away from home. And he or she

Very soon I am going to be able to support Pure Hope on a regular basis, and I would request that you prayerfully consider doing what you can to shut down the Super-highway.

Ali Elizabeth Turner Athens Now Information & Inspiration 256-468-9425 ali@athensnowal.com Website: www.athensnowal.com

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All Things Soldier

Thankfully, The Shayetet 13 Strike Again

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

121-mm mortar shells and about 400,000 7.62-mmcaliber bullets

In Israel, the equivalent of our Navy SEALS is known as the Shayetet 13, and thankfully, they have struck again. On January 31, they seized an Iranian ship carrying weapons that would have ended up in Gaza and launched against Israeli citizens, which, please remember, almost always includes Israelis of Arabic descent.

The word Shayetet literally means “flotilla,” and they not only successfully brought the Iranian vessel into Ashdod, they displayed their “catch.”

From the realm of instilling psychological toughness into the Israeli psyche, as well as to illustrate what Israel is up against, the decision to display the weapons is a good one. It reminds Israel and the rest of the world of the fact that the Iranians

are indeed our enemies, even if we did just sign an agreement with them, and it also forces the Iranians to respond, however predictably or clumsily.

The weapons display was made in the presence of

a number of a number of journalists from around the globe, virtually assuring reasonable media and by contrast, our media were virtually silent. My husband had heard one report on the radio, and

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

$7

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called to tell me about what had happened. It was disturbing that I could hardly find anything that could give more detail, and the comments made

by Israeli’s Prime Minister were virtually buried.

Sure enough, and as expected, Mohammed Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister tweeted that the seizure was "An amazing coincidence! Or the same unsuccessful lies."

However, the take was substantial, and unfortunately, one of the containers was marked with strip seals that originated with the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, or IRICA. All of the missiles that were in the shipment on board the ship were already spread out and displayed on a surface adjacent to the military port, along with boxes of Kalashnikov bullets and crates of mortars. The shipment included 40 short-range rockets, 181

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to the assembled journalists and said, "We have exposed the truth behind Iran's fake smiles," and also noted that this was not something the international community would find at all reasonable. "The world needs to awaken from its state of illusion and prevent Iran from acquiring the capability to create nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said. "The international community's decision to ignore the seized weapons ship is biased, dangerous and unacceptable."

So, once again, why should we focus on what is happening in Israel, when we have so many concerns at home, as well as a President to elect?

Because Iran has always said that Israel is the “lesser Satan,” and America is the “greater Satan.”

Make no mistake, at some point, our troops are going to have to protect us from Iran, either before or after the Islamic Republic of Iran attacks our ally, Israel, and in that hour our support for both our troops as well as Israel is going to be crucial to our own survival.

My faith causes me to be hopeful that Iran will not ultimately prevail against Israel, but I don’t want to think about what is going to occur before Iran is defeated, nor the price that ultimate victory will exact.

February 5 - February 18, 2016

Special Feature

Jim Moffatt For District Court Judge: Experience From Adoptions To Zoning

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Jim Moffatt was born near d Sandusky, MI, and finished - his growing up years in Minor Hill, TN. His famr ily was involved in farmu ing, and Jim graduated d from high school in 1975. e He attended the University - of Tennessee and then the " University of Alabama in s Huntsville, where he ree ceived his bachelor’s dey gree, having majored in - political science with a mio nor in history. Then he was f off to law school at Tuscan loosa, and graduated from - the University of Alabama r in 1982. He has 33 years u of experience as a lawyer, l and, as the title suggests, o has “experience from A-Z, s from adoptions to zoning.” s He has been appointed Special Prosecutor in some y cases, and has been on both sides of medical malprac, tice suits, as well as doy mestic cases. One year he l filed more appellate briefs ? than any other lawyer in s the State of Alabama. e Jim has also been to the - “school of hard knocks”, ” experiencing the death of e his son’s mother, and be- ing a widower as well as a s single parent for nearly 4 r years. I asked him how that c changed him as a lawyer, , and he thought for a good r while, after having initially replied, “You know, I don’t s think anyone has ever r asked me that.” Then he answered, “I think it gave e me more compassion.” t Compassion is good, no t doubt, and a judge also o needs to be able to mix it - with “tough love,” along n with a fierce passion for the e understanding as well as l the upholding of the Constitution. Jim feels he pos-

considered to be a “benchmark case,” one that, as the definition of the word well describes as being, “a standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed.” It did not take him more than a moment to answer. “It was a custody case, and while obviously I can’t talk about it, there was a true need for one parent to no longer have custody of a child. It was a very, very difficult case, but in the end the judge ruled in my client’s favor, and I know that the child’s well being was protected. That was what I cared about.”

sesses all three qualities. We chatted about the fact that if he is elected, he is going to have some big shoes to fill.

His respect for our soon-toretire Judge Woodroof was clear, and we spent some time talking about what makes for a good judge.

that Jim has that quality, not just because we laughed at each other’s “lawyer jokes,” but because I have seen him at Poke Sallett in a number of roles.

I asked him if there was a case in his career that he

Mr. Moffatt is a strong proponent of drug court, and feels that, properly applied, the standard sentence of years of rehab with absolutely no mess-ups is fair, and it works. He has seen it be the thing that has turned around the lives of several of his clients, and when it is in the best interest of all concerned, including the State, he would not hesitate

to sentence someone to that program. “It gets to the root of the problem, which is what has to happen if someone is ever going to get free from drugs, and thus be able to stop committing crimes.”

I asked him some final questions about why I should vote for him, and in addition to the aforementioned 33 years of experience, his demeanor and his sense of humor, he said, “Work ethic. I am the first one here at the office, and quite often, the last one to leave. I also am very aware that if I am elected, the people have given me a ‘temp job,’ one that can be filled by someone else, if they so desire, so I had better do my best.”

If these qualities are what you are looking for in a District Judge, then Jim Moffatt would appreciate your vote on March 1st.

“First of all, a judge needs to keep his cool and composure, and to rule with dignity and respect, which sometimes isn’t easy,” he said. I then asked him, “What do you do, when you are in court and things that are aggravating are happening, either a witness is doing poorly, or someone lies or drops the ball?” He answered, “I slow down. That’s something my dad taught me. I slow way down, and I try to help my client to stay calm, too,” he said. He also mentioned, “A good judge doesn’t just keep from losing his temper, he can also have a sense of humor which is appropriate for the court room.” I could tell

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Calendar of Events Master Gardener Classes

Classes began Thursday, Feb 4, and spaces are still available.

These classes meet every Thursday for 13 weeks from 9a.m. to 1:30 pm. The next session of classes do not start until fall 2016. Classes meet at Belle Mina. For more information, call Janet Hunt at 256-614-3530 or email: jhunt1@pclnet. net or limestonemg@yahoo.com. Class costs: $140 which includes classes and text. Cost assistance is available.

Vietnam Veterans' of American Post. 17915 West Elm Street, Athens, AL. Join over 30 vendors from 9:00AM-3:00PM and find a gift for your valentine. Kids craft table featuring valentine projects. Concession and door prizes, including a $50 Visa Gift Card giveaway. For more information: vendorshowinathens@ yahoo.com

Drucilla's. 300 North Marion Street, Athens, AL. Enjoy a lovely dinner with your sweetheart this Valentine's Day in the pleasant surroundings of a Victorian home. Menu will be announced soon.

Price will be $18.95/person (does not include tax or gratuity) and will include drink and dessert. Seating begins at 5:30PM. Reservations: 256-497-7279

Great Backyard Bird Count Feb 12th - 15th

First Aid For Horses Feb 6th

Dixon Stables. 24390 Bain Road, Athens, AL. Reservation deadline February 3rd. Join Dr. Roy Morring at 10:30AM for first aid topics for horses including: Head and Eye Injury, Bandaging for Lower Limbs, Items to Keep On Hand, and When Stitches are Required. $25.00 per/person or $35.00 per team of 2. Cost includes lunch and materials to do hands on bandaging. For more information or register: Lisa Musto 256-683-0732.

Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball Feb 6th

Joe Wheeler State Park. 4403 McLean Drive, Rogersville, AL. Laissez les bons temps rouler -- Let the good times roll as carnival comes to Joe Wheeler State Park. Grab your mask and masquerade best and enjoy a package that features a room for Saturday night, party and party favors for two on Saturday night, breakfast for two Sunday morning and all taxes and gratuities for $99.00. Book now> http://www.alapark.com/Joe-Wheeler-StatePark-Mardi-Gras-Masquerade

Spirit of Athens Chocolate Walk Feb 6th

12pm to 5pm in downtown Athens, AL. Join participating retailers and sample a variety of chocolate goodies. Purchase tickets: http://www.spiritofathens.com/chocolate-walk.html

Calhoun Community College Student Center. 102B Wynn Drive, Huntsville, AL. Join the Black Student Alliance Club for a free viewing of Selma at 11AM as they celebrate Black History Month.

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Tanner Baptist Church. 11590 U.S. Highway 31S, Tanner, AL. The Athens Garden Club encourages the public to join them at 9:00AM for their February Meeting with special program by Laurie Glenn, featuring "Wildflowers of the Smokies."

Valentine's Dinner with Drucilla's Feb 12th and 13th

Valentine's Gift Expo Feb 6th

African-American Film Festival - Selma Feb 8th

Athens Garden Club Presents Laurie Glenn "Wildflowers of the Smokies" Feb 10th

Join the Citizen Scientist Movement and help Cornell Lab of Ornithology gather data and learn more about the birds populating Limestone County. It's free, fun and helps birds! All it takes is 15 minutes just one day in your backyard, city or county park or along one of Athens-Limestone's 17 trails. Trail brochures are available at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center, 100 North Beaty Street in Athens, AL. Visit The Great Backyard Bird Count page for information on how to participate, Bird ID tools, activities for the kids, count sheets, homeschool and classroom activities.

Valentine's with Yesterdays Feb 13th

Yesterday's Event Center. 15631 Brownsferry Road, Athens, AL. Treat your sweetheart to a candlelit dinner with intimate seating, a complete Rib-eye Steak/BBQ Chicken Dinner with all the fixins. Enjoy a whirl on the dance floor to your favorite romantic selections featuring a live band. Doors open and dinner service begins at 6:00PM with the show beginning at 7:00PM. Meal and show are $30.00 each. Reservations required, parties of 2 will receive a private table large groups will be accommodated in group seating. Cancellation fee of $15.00 per seat for non-attendance or cancellation without 48-hour notice. Email reservations to: Info@YesterdaysEvents.com

Valentine's: The Arts Edition Feb 13th

The First National Bank Community Room. 1880 U.S. Highway 72, Athens, AL. Join The Bridge and Arabella's Cakes and Catering for a relaxing 4 Course Dinner and entertainment from 5:30PM-8:00PM. Tickets are $30.00 each or $55.00 for couples.

Reserve seats: 256-777-4613.

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February 5 - February 18, 2016

Special Feature

Battling BDS

by Laurie Cordoza-Moore American actor Michael Douglas and Jewish Agency for Israel Chairman Natan Sharansky recently visited three college campuses in the US in order to speak to students about Israel and modern ant-isemitism.

Douglas and Sharansky visited Brown University on Jan. 28, Stanford Uni-

versity on Feb. 2, and the University of California, Santa Barbara on Feb. 3.

The program, titled “Jewish Journeys: A Conversation with Michael Douglas and Natan Sharansky,” was co-hosted by the Genesis Prize Foundation, Hillel International, and the Jewish Agency, in addition to the local Hillel chapters on each campus.

“This is the first time, in this current period of heightened anti-Israel activity on campus, that a Hollywood celebrity has offered to join with a world Jewish leader to visit US college campuses and speak with students about Israel and the Jewish people,” said Stan Polovets, the Genesis Prize Foundation’s co-founder and chairman.

“At a time when certain individuals and groups in the academic community as well as other forces are making sustained efforts to delegitimize Israel, these visits are particularly important and timely.”

Douglas said, “I was honored to receive the Genesis Prize last year, and it has encouraged me to deepen my commitment and belief that we must all be more inclusive in order that the Jewish faith and culture thrive. These visits provide an opportunity for Natan and me to speak directly with young people about the challenges they encounter, and share insight about how we have dealt with these situations throughout our life.”

Anti-semitism is growing on our college campuses, and most recently a battle against the Boycott, Divest and Sanction of Israel heightened in Florida. Mr. Stanley G. Tate, Chairman of Proclaiming Justice To The Nation’s Board of Directors called on the University of South Florida’s Board of Trustees to veto the student government’s recent passage of a BDS Resolution, calling the effort a “blatant act of anti-Semitism and a disgrace to the prestigious reputation of the Florida university system.” The resolution was instituted by the Students For Justice in Palestine (SJP), an anti-Zionist, pro-Palestinian college student activism organization with ties to Muslim Brotherhood terrorist groups.

Mr. Tate went on to say, “No one cares more

February 5 - February 18, 2016

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deeply than I do about our college program. My goal has always been to make the college experience possible for students from all ethnic and religious orientations. This BDS effort seeks to do one thing, intimidate Jewish and Christian Zionist students across the state. That is morally reprehensible and completely unacceptable.” Mr. Tate, a resident of Miami, Florida was instrumental in the early development of the Florida Prepaid College Program where he served as Chairman of the Foundation from 1987 to 2005.

BDS is an international anti-Israel, anti-Zionist propaganda campaign and by extension, an anti-Semitic and anti-Jewish campaign.

The BDS movement calls for: •Boycotting Israeli products, academics, and cultural leaders.

•Pressuring companies to stop doing business with Israel and divesting from companies that do business with Israel.

•Sanctioning Israel for its legitimate self-defense measures to protect Israelis of all ethnicities from terrorism, and Hamas rocket/ missile attacks.

Numerous nationwide BDS efforts have increased to boycott Israeli political leaders and businesses.

One of the companies targeted in the USF BDS Resolution was Lockheed Martin, a leading defense company employing thousands of individuals across the state. The effect of the USF Resolution could

Continued on Page 8

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Special Feature (continued)

Battling BDS

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Continued From Page 7 have a devastating impact on Florida’s economy.

PJTN’s President, Laurie Cardoza-Moore, stated, “It’s time to remove antiSemitic groups like SJP from college campuses!

How can SJP, a group with known ties to terrorist organizations, be allowed to operate on our college campuses? These terrorist supporting groups are not only trying to undermine and delegitimize Israel and ultimately dehumanize the Jewish people, they violate the rights of other students through anti-Semitic threats and intimidation.”

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Former USF professor Sami Al-Arian was a great example of the spread of extreme anti-Semitism on campuses. He was indicted in 2003 on multiple counts related to supporting a Palestinian group on the State Department’s terrorist list.

Upon firing Al-Arian, USF President Genshaft stated, “We have determined that USF must sever all ties to Sami Al-Arian once and for all. His use of this educational institution for improper, non-educational purposes will not be tolerated.” SJP, like Al-Arian, has a long track record of ties to terrorist groups like the Muslim American Society and the Muslim Student Association.

As the number of anti-Semitic attacks and violent demonstrations against Jewish and pro-Israel students on university campuses continues to grow in Florida, and elsewhere, parents, students and taxpaying citizens are demanding that groups such as SJP be banned. Floridians will not allow their students to be terrorized on their campuses.

Utilizing legislative action, several states across the nation have fought back by introducing a landmark PJTN resolution to confront the BDS movement.

In Florida, State Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla (R – Miami) and State

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House Representative Lori Berman (D-Lantana) introduced SR1184/HR1001, a bi-partisan resolution to condemn the BDS movement and halt the increasing incidents of anti-Semitism on Florida campuses.

Through multiple media outlets, PJTN is launching a statewide campaign to expose these anti-Semitic groups that hide behind the terrorist supporting “social justice” banner.

Ms. Cardoza-Moore is also calling on the State University System of the Florida Board of Governors to adopt the U.S. State Department’s definition of anti-Semitism and to establish guidelines to moni-

tor anti-Semitic activity on campuses across the state.

She stated that “our state governments must be proactive in providing a secure learning environment for all students.”

As a supporter of Israel and the Jewish people, Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best, “when people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You’re talking anti-Semitism.”

PJTN will be unveiling a new documentary in regard to BDS at the upcoming National Religious Broadcasters’ Convention to be held in Nashville in February on Thursday, February 25th. For more information, go to www.pjtn.org.

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Clean and Green

Why Are We Still Talking About Litter?

by Lynne Hart sure how they can help.

Before I get into the topic of this article, I would first like to share KALB's belief that a healthy environment is of great importance to all. We believe that people inherently understand the value of and care about a healthy environment. Every educational program, every project, every volunteer opportunity, and every means of sharing information is in place because of these beliefs.

Now, on to the topic of litter. I hate that we still have to talk about it because littering is still a problem. Then I remind myself that there are people out there that may not have the facts necessary to make a good, educated decision about littering. There are others who agree that litter is a problem, but aren't

Sadly, there will always be a small portion of people that will never change their mindset. That will never stop us from reaching out to young and old with information and opportunities. My hope is increased when I speak with our youngest students who seem to already understand that littering is wrong -- and you should hear them tattle on their parents!

My dog, Annie, and I enjoyed the recent warm temperatures by going for long walks. It is amazing what can be seen when walking that would be missed when driving by. The photos on this page are just an example of what Annie and I passed by on a recent walk.

I didn't have a litter grabber and a trash bag with me; however, Annie and I went back the next day to pick it up. In

case you are wondering, I always have a bag with me in case Annie leaves a "present" along the way. I will add a litter grabber and trash bag to my dog-walking gear as often as possible from here on out.

The following facts about litter are for those who are still unaware and for those that would like to share this information with others: The Cost of Litter is Substantial More than $11.5 billion is spent each year nationwide, with businesses paying a huge portion of that amount, and state and local governments, schools, and other organizations picking up the rest of the cost. All of these costs are undoubtedly passed down to consumers and taxpayers.

There are also indirect costs that we don't often think about. Keep America Beautiful conducted an in-depth study and determined the following: it is estimated that the presence of litter in a community decreases property values by 7% -- $7,000 on a $100,000 property; 93% of homeowners said a littered neighborhood would influence their desire to purchase a property; 36% of business development officials said that litter impacts a decision to locate to a community, jeopardizing the possibility of new jobs in that area. Litter can also cause lost tourism revenues, vehicle repairs, fires, and injuries.

My dog Annie watching the litter make its way into the water.

Litter is carried by wind, animals, and rain into storm drains and local waterways, including the Elk River which is our source for drinking water. It doesn't matter how far you live from the river, litter can travel many, many miles!

Get Involved!

If you would like to stand up and take some responsibility for your neighborhood, we can help by supplying you with some trash bags and a litter grabber. Invite neighbors to join you in the effort

and we'll provide supplies for them, too! Organize a group to join the AdoptA-Spot program. There are rewards connected with this program that can benefit local non-profits and organizations. Take a stand against a littered community and be an example to others.

We have a no-pressure guarantee that you can contact us with your questions about this and other issues. You'll receive answers without obligation. That's our promise.

Litter Has Costly Environmental Consequences

Litter accumulating in a ditch in Athens. The next rain will wash it further and further through ditches, streams, and possibly all the way to the Elk River.

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All living things rely on a healthy environment to survive. When we litter, we can damage ecosystems which must be restored, cause injury to humans and wildlife, and eventually these things will pose a threat to human health.

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Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com February 5 - February 18, 2016

Cooking with Tami

Salmon Chowder

by Tammy Wilkinson, owner of Arabella's Cakes and Catering Ingredients: Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cook time: 1 hour, 15 minutes Serves 8-10

1 pound salmon, fresh or frozen, cut into chunks ¼ cup cooking oil 1/3 cup cooking oil 2 tablespoons onion powder 2-3 tablespoons chipotle pepper marinade 2 tablespoons garlic powder 1 can white whole kernel corn ½ tablespoon red pepper flakes 1 can yellow whole kernel corn 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 can white creamstyle corn 3-4 cups whole milk 1 can yellow creamstyle corn ½ stick of butter ¼ cup finely chopped onion black pepper to taste ¼ cup finely chopped celery Note: you may substitute frozen corn for canned corn Marinate salmon in plastic freezer bag with 1/3 cup cooking oil and 2-3 tablespoons chipotle pepper marinade for 10 minutes. Place salmon on foil lined baking sheet, and broil for 5-8 minutes.

Drain and save liquid from 2 cans of whole kernel corn. In a mixing bowl, add 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and black pepper. Whisk until smooth.

Heat cooking oil in 6-quart stock pot. Add onion and celery, and cook 3-5 minutes.

Add liquid flour mixture. Stir until combined, 3-5 minutes. Add in onion powder, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Add 2 cans whole-kernel corn. Add 3-4 cps milk, 2 cans creamstyle corn, and ½ stick butter.

Cook over low-medium heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Season to taste. Add salmon, and cook for additional 5-10 minutes.

Enjoy. Remember, everything tastes better the next day.

February 5 - February 18, 2016

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Health and Fitness

Group Fitness

by Janet Hunt

Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment.

January and February is the time of year that many people decide to lose weight, exercise, and improve their diet. Group classes such as Silver Sneakers, Zumba, Cycling, etc. are some great choices. People who participate in group exercise routines are more likely to continue participation due to regularly scheduled times and other participants often hold you accountable and offer continuing encouragement. Below are some suggestions for when you begin a new fitness class.

•Introduce yourself and let the instructor know that you are trying the class for the first time. You should mention any injuries or medical conditions that might limit your activity level. This assists the instructor in monitoring you

during the classes.

A good instructor will provide options if the class includes an exercise that may not suit you; the instructor can also keep an eye on your technique during class. If the instructor introduces you in the class, other students will often give you some pointers about the class.

•Buddy up and take the class with a friend. The social support is important.

Often, going to a new class with a friend can make the class less intimidating and more fun.

•If you are uncomfortable standing or sitting in the front, then find a space in the middle. Definitely do not stand or sit in the back row. I like to see new students and know that I can be seen by them. If you are

in the middle, you can also watch participants in the front who probably attend classes regularly. Since I teach outside a gym, my classes do not have mirrors, but in a gym, fitness rooms usually have mirrors. Don’t be intimidated – everyone is watching themselves!

And hopefully you will too.

Mirrors give you an opportunity to look at your form.

•Listen to your body. If a certain exercise feels uncomfortable or unsafe for your body, feel free to substitute another exercise, omit part of the exercise, or just skip it all together (let your instructor know).

During my classes, I often remind students to skip an exercise if they have injuries or pain. Never hesitate to ask the instructor to clarify or even watch your technique after class. Form

and technique are more important than intensity or number of repetitions of an exercise. I am always glad when a student asks for

help because I know they are serious!

•Try the class at least three times before you decide you do not like it. I remember the first time I took a step class, I hated it. After another try, I became a faithful student and eventually a step class instructor. Try taking classes from different instructors. Each instructor makes the class unique based his/her personality and background.

I love exercising in a group setting even when I am not teaching. It is social and fun. Some people (including me) work harder when working in a group. No matter what you enjoy, I am sure there are classes available for you. If you cannot find what you are looking for, give me a call.

I can possibly point you in the right direction!

Janet Hunt 256-614-3530 jhunt1@pclnet.net.

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February 5 - February 18, 2016

Cover Story

Danny Crawford For Alabama State House Of Representatives, District 5

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

thing is possible in the United States of America. “We grew up very poor,” he said, “and my parents were farm laborers.” By poor, he means that one of the places they lived had slats in the floors wide enough to see the feathers of the chickens when they ran under the house. The whole family picked cotton, and they did a lot of hunting. The live stuff went to feed the family, and the road kill helped feed the dogs. “I never did develop much of a taste for possum,” Danny said dryly.

“A dollar was precious,” he said, and that has been his philosophy as a lifelong conservative. His parents had an 8th grade education, and for him, “college was only a dream.”

It was when the Crawford family lived in Belle Mina and Danny was attending Tanner High that his first big break came by way of being a hard worker. The family was working at the Auburn University Research Farm, and Danny made a pittance by “scouting” cotton, (looking for insects),

and little did he know that soon he would literally live in a pig barn at Auburn University. The officials at the Belle Mina farm saw potential in Danny, took a liking to him, and he got into Auburn. He got his degree in Agriculture, and went on to get his Master’s degree as well. “I lived in the pig barn, for free, and worked 20 hours a week,” he said, and it seemed he was none the worse for it. He also served in the Army and had the rank of Specialist.

He married Mary Kay Dean, and through Sav-a-Life they adopted one son, Matthew.

Matthew felt a calling to be a Baptist youth pastor, and on the way home from camp in Mississippi was in a single car accident, leaving him severely

disabled. He lives with his parents, and Danny spent some time telling me how much the support of our community has meant to Mary Kay and him as they have both dealt with and grown personally through this tragedy. He told me that one of the good things that came out of it was an “appreciation for life, and an increased desire to serve.”

Danny worked as an Extension Agent right out of school, and then for 25 years was the Director of the Farm Service Agency of Limestone County. Then, he told me, “In 2001, I was nominated during the Bush Administration to head up the Farm Service Agency for the State of Alabama.” He served with the USDA in Montgomery. He also

sat on the Athens City Council for 3 terms, with the intention of “making it better.”

He wants to take that same commitment to “make things better” to Montgomery, which, he is first to admit, is in trouble, especially in the area of financial management. I asked him, as I always do, “Why should I vote for you?” Here are his answers: “I have the experience. I have had to lead, and help to develop the skills of other people. I have had to get people to work together, and I believe in the statement, ‘Take all the blame, and none of the credit.’”

He continued: “I was in a position where I had to not only see problems, and anybody can do that, but to come up with solutions. I am a good listener, and am open minded, respecting others’ viewpoints, but I have always been a Conservative, am for smaller government, and I know the value of a dollar.”

If he is elected, he wants to find out where money is being wasted. In the past, he had to re-organize the way his agency

February 5 - February 18, 2016

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was doing business, implement budget cuts, and be careful to find ways to not cut services. “One of the things I want to do is implement the use of technology as much as possible to save money,” he said. He then added, “I can make a difference. Almost all problems in Montgomery fall in the area of the General fund. I have found that you can save the most with middle management.”

As the District 5 State House Representative, Danny has the personal goal of “being the most informed before voting,” and then he taught me a phrase that I had never heard and made me laugh “If you’re wrong, you’ve got to lick your calf over,” (meaning don’t distance yourself from your mistakes), “and if you tell the truth, people give you a chance.”

If this sounds like the kind of leadership for which you are looking in our State House, then Danny Crawford would appreciate your vote in the Special Election on Tuesday, February 16th, 2016.

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Athens Rehabilitation And Senior Care Center Spotlight On June Van Pamel

by Ali Elizabeth Turner June Van Pamel was born in London on June 7th, 1928, and for the first eleven years of her life lived what could be considered the normal life of a British child. Her father served in WWI, and was a taxi driver. Her mother worked in the employee’s cafeteria for 20th Century Fox, who had a studio there. Then, in 1939, everything changed. Germany attacked Britain, and June and her brother were part of what was known as the Evacuation, when British kids were sent to live in the country, ostensibly removed from harm’s way.

“They were good to us,” she said, (referring to the family that took her in), “but still, it was a very hard time. We could hear the bombs, we knew what was going on.” She lost her brother, Ivor, 4 days before the war ended, and her brotherin-law died as well. She came home to London in 1943.

June met her future husband, Louis, when she worked at a US Naval base in England. It was a true whirlwind romance.

“Our first date was on February 17th, 1953, and we were married on May 2nd of that

same year, just three months later.” She went on to add that she and Louis were married for “55 years, 5 months, and 2 weeks.” They had one son, also named Louis, who was born in 1963.

They lived in New Jersey for 30 years, then in Florida for 20. They ended up in Alabama so that Louis could get good care until he passed. Miss June had so many stories to tell me that it would take several articles to contain them, but here are some of the highlights: “We used to stand in our yard in Florida and watch the space launches. We saw the Challenger take off and explode,” she said. “It was terrible,” she added with the voice of someone who has seen her fair share of difficulties. Another was that her husband Louis’ ship was the one that fished former President George H.W. Bush out of the water when his plane was shot down.

During the 30 years she lived in New Jersey, she worked with “a very nice Jewish man who had the death camp tattoo burned into his arm. He always wore long sleeves to cover it up. One day, after the war, he was walking down the road with his wife, and there was a 15 or 16 month year old baby girl, who was sitting on the side of the road crying. The man and his wife tried to find her parents, and no one had any idea whose she was. So, they picked her up, went to the Americans, came to America, and raised her as their own.

They were never able to have any of their own children because the Nazis had sterilized them.”

We moved on to the topic of favorites: Color? “Blue, then yellow,” she said.

Food? “Steak, as rare as can be, served with mushrooms, with a potato in its jacket, DRIPPING with butter,” was the reply.

Football team? “Auburn, for collegiate ball, and the Giants

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for pro ball,” she said. She then added, “I am not sure who to root for in the Super Bowl because I love Cam Newton and Peyton Manning,” she said with a chuckle. Apparently her room is always busy with football fans during the season.

President? Eisenhower, and Reagan.

Inspirational saying? “The one that is on Ivor’s grave.” It read as follows: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.

She loves Christmas, and keeps her tree and decorations up all year. She was camera shy, but she let me take a picture of her tree, and if you look closely, you’ll see that it is decorated with “proper tea pots from Boston, made from cloisinee.”

She says she is “98% satisfied with things at Athens Rehab”, and laughed out loud when she told me, “I am spoiled rotten, and I love it!”

Her advice to young people?

“Enjoy life, be kind to people, respect your parents and the law.”

Sprightly wisdom from a woman who has lived the life to earn it.

February 5 - February 18, 2016

Cover Story

The Davis Group: CPAs Committed To Our Community

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

ing a class at the Center for Lifelong Learning that was geared for small business owners who had “taken the entrepreneurial plunge” but who had no formal business training. What I appreciated about him was that he made the financial topics at hand understandable and accessible, as well as the fact that he was certified to teach the Financial Peace University program developed by Dave Ramsey.

Rob lived in Nairobi, Kenya, from 1989 until 1995, working for Compassion International, a Christian child development organization headquartered in Colorado Springs. He then worked at Compassion’s headquarters from 1995 until 2004.

He served as the International Operations Director in which he was responsible for liaising with and implementing the corporate, Finance Auditing, Human Resources, and IT initiatives in the 30+ field offices. However, what “floated his boat” was when he was in Kenya and serving as Compassion’s East Africa Operations Director, and being in charge of all the auditing and organizing that is necessary to keep track of all the funding that makes the development of children possible. He especially loved it when sponsors would come to Africa to meet “their” kids.

He has also served as a CFO and Shared Financial Services Director at Vision Quest Alliance and was a DOD contractor in Iraq at an Air Force base in Kirkuk. It was the contracting job that brought him to Huntsville.

By contrast, Jonathan Colwell

is an Alabama guy who was born and raised in Clanton. His wife, Nikki, is from Athens, and they have 3 children. Rob broke in and said, “He’s an excellent father.” Jonathan got his degree from the University of Montevallo, and changed his major to become a CPA because he “saw it as a way to help people.” After graduating, he worked at a local CPA firm, as well as at Steelcase, and

he and Rob met at Friendship Church in 2012. They found they had much in common—a heart to serve others, to teach the principles of financial responsibility, and they both love to be involved in the community. Roan Bradley’s CPA firm became available for sale, and the Davis Group was born.

I asked them both about their personal strengths, the strength of the firm, and why I should come to them. Jonathan went first: “I feel that I have a heart of a teacher, which is why I love the Dave Ramsey program. People need to understand what makes money work, and why. I take time to listen to our clients, which is not something CPAs

are known for. I ask questions, such as ‘What worries you?’ ‘What are your hopes?’

‘What are your plans?’” Then he told me essentially how he helps clients begin to dream responsibly, so they can plan for the long term. “I ask them, ‘If money were no option….’”

That way, he finds out what is genuinely important to them first, rather than just put them on some pre-determined financial track.

As a younger family man, he especially enjoys serving families that are just starting out, and helping them to plan for the long term. He also explained that the Davis Group bills based on the value of the service, not by hourly billing.

They do this so clients can feel

free to contact their office without feeling liking we are "hitting the clock." The initial consultation with Rob or Jonathan is provided at no charge.

Rob then spoke: “I love this community, and I love being out in it. I love to help small businesses to be successful, and building a relationship with my clients is important to me. I have a passion to help. I have lots of management experience, and can understand what business owners go through because I’ve been there, too. I also have a heavy amount of experience with not-for-profit organizations.” I might add, as someone who has lived and served on the foreign mission field, that encountering foreign financial concepts

and systems has its own set of challenges, and dealing with it well is a transferable skill that can of great service to the people of Athens-Limestone County.

They both had the following to say about the rest of their crew: “We have a great team at the Davis group with Lisa Garlen and Misti Fillingame. Lisa, our lead accountant, has been with the firm for over 10 years and is a quickbooks pro advisor. Misti has recently been hired as our client service specialist and comes with many years’ experience in customer service and marketing. We are grateful to have both on our team.”

We all know that during tax season, things are hopping at any CPA firm. However, when I asked about some of their other plans, Rob said, “I really want to help with work force development, to help create a stable work force who knows what they are doing financially.” They are also partnering with the Chamber to develop some classes for business development, and to bring more Dave Ramsey materials to the community.

If you are looking for financial management help from people who will listen to you, then call the Davis Group to schedule your free consultation today.

The Davis Group CPAs 605 Hwy 31 S, Suite B Athens, AL 35611 Phone: 256-233-3130 Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5 www.davisgroupcpas.com

February 5 - February 18, 2016

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Leadership Next

by Wanda Campbell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 On March 2, Athens State’s Center for Lifelong Learning will be hosting a team of well-respected, successful female leaders across a multitude of disciplines including aerospace, business, broadcast journalism, engineering, entrepreneurialism, sports technology, higher education, and cancer research. Each of these highlighted women either currently lives in North Alabama, or has strong ties to our area.

This event will be held at the Dynetics Solutions Complex Main Conference Center. The Complex is located at 1002 Explorer Boulevard in Huntsville. The event is scheduled from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.

Your $85 registration fee includes admission to the event and access to speakers. Also included are a continental breakfast, lunch, networking breaks, and interactive discussions. This is an opportunity for purposeful communication and strategic leadership development.

A complimentary autographed copy of celebrated author Linda Spalla’s Leading Ladies: 30 Tips for Dynamic Female Leaders, a survival guide for women at any level of management, will be provided to the first 50 registrants.

Our featured speakers include former astronaut Dr. Jan Davis, vice president and general manager of Jacobs Technology (ESSA), and Paula Payton who is SmartSports chief commercial officer, consultant and Past Director of NYU’s Department of Strategic Com-

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munication, Marketing, and Media Management.

Hadiyah-Nicole Green, is a St. Louis, Missouri native and has more than ten years of training and research experience, initially in optics and nanotechnology and subsequently in the applications of nano-bio-photonics to cancer research. She was recently awarded a $1.1 million VA grant for Cancer Research.

cast Group.

During this time, she was a wife, mother, daughter and community enthusiast who never lost her femininity or her Southern roots.

Lori King-Taylor has extensive experience in leadership development and organizational effectiveness and has worked with a wide variety of industries including au-

tomotive, financial services, manufacturing, aerospace, technical and non-profit organizations.

King-Taylor specializes in helping companies and their employees develop skills and strategies needed to improve individual, team and organizational performance.

So mark your calendar today and call in your reservation.

Reservations can be made online at www.athens.edu/ CLL. This program is listed under Concerts and Conferences. You can also call us at 256-233-8260 or email us at CLL@athens.edu and we will get back in touch with you.

What are your goals for this year? Is “leadership next” on your list of life goals?

Ms. Lisa Williams was the co-founder and president of 3D Research Corporation from 1997-2006. 3D Research was acquired by the Schafer Corporation in December 2005. After the sale of 3D Research Corporation, Ms. Williams took over as president of Systems Dynamic International in February of 2011 after their president died unexpectedly. She was able to put the company back on track for success and left SDI in March 2012. Ms. Williams is currently president of the Solder 1 Corporation.

Angela Henderson brings a special mix of family and career development knowledge blended with leadership and direction enabling men and women to realize their potential as parents, co-parents, and productive citizens. For more than eleven years, she provided leadership and direction for Calhoun Community College’s Alabama Parenthood Initiative where she could impact the future to strengthen entire families.

Linda Spalla was one of the first females in top corporate television management in the deep South, one of the early few for CBS and the first for the New York Times Broad-

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February 5 - February 18, 2016

What Makes Ronnie Roll

Taking Out The Trash, A Truly Deep Subject

by Ali Elizabeth Turner The first time I ever interviewed Mayor Ronnie, it was in the old City Hall building, and I followed him outside as he went around the perimeter and picked up trash. It was starting to rain, he moved quickly, and instantly the place looked better. I thought about my own upbringing, and in our house we would have been in deep kimchee if we ever even THOUGHT of littering! I appreciated the fact that picking up the trash was not “below” the mayor.

Now, why is trash a “truly deep subject?” “Because,” he said, it gives the first impression of our city.

A good first impression

draws good people here, and drawing good people here means more jobs, a sustainable quality of life, and it’s a win-win situation all the way around.”

Lynne Hart, of Keep Athens Limestone Beautiful also took up the “trash topic” in this edition, and there is a lot going on in that department, including the upcoming Elk River Clean Up to be held on April 2, 2016. There are former Adopt-a-spots that are no longer being kept up by original sponsors, and that situation is going to be addressed. There is also a plan in the works to have work release participants involved in “taking out the trash.” All of

February 5 - February 18, 2016

it makes Athens a better place to live.

So, what about taking out internal trash? That’s an ongoing job, and there is no better time to assess what can be kept and what can be pitched than at the State of the City Address, which was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and held at the Athens State Ball room on February 4th. In many ways, we are in great shape. We have a surplus in our general fund, there are several new businesses that have decided to come here, and the facilities and plants built by some are nearly ready to open. The Asahi plant is one, and the Shape and Polaris plants

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are on their way. The Aldi store is open, there is going to be a new Taco Bell built, a Ninja Steakhouse, and others. There is going to be construction begun on a 3-million dollar physical rehab facility, and on Highway 72 near Medical East, a 7-million dollar assisted living project will be breaking ground soon.

As far as “what to pitch,” the ongoing challenge is to find ways to cut spending without cutting services. The City Council is looking hard at ways to fund a school within the framework of what the voters have chosen, and, speaking of choosing, this is also a time to make sure you exercise your right to

vote.

“I understand that sometimes people feel that election season never ends, but there are so many things that are important, and they have long term impact on Athens,” he said. “The most obvious one is all of the judicial positions that need to be filled. If you don’t get out and vote, you are making a choice that can last for a very long time.”

We talked about friends that are dealing with life and death situations such as cancer and kids who are in trouble, and prayed for them. Then it was time for Ronnie to roll.

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Dog Barker

Make Your New House Feel Like Home To Your Family Pet courtesy BrandPoint Content Moving into a new home is exciting - for the humans in the family. It can be less comfortable for pets who need time to adjust to a new environment, learn their way around and discover the best nap spots in their new home. As a loving pet parent, you want every member of your family to be as happy and comfortable as possible. Here are some tips to make your home more welcoming to your four-legged family members: Convenient dining Your furry friend will need his own space for meals unless you don't mind him begging at the table when

you eat! Make sure he has a bowl that is appropriate for his size and always clean it between meals.

Vets recommend feeding pets only once or twice a day, so you'll want to stow away bowls when they're not in use. Many homes, including manufactured homes offered by Clayton, can be customized with a pet friendly feature - pet dish drawers that allow you to conceal feeding dishes when they're not needed, and slide the drawer open when it's meal time. It's a great way to keep your pet's dining area near yours but also out of the way.

Hang-out space

Dogs spend a lot of their day napping and relaxing, so be sure to provide a variety of spaces for your pet to just hang out - with you or on his own. Clayton builds pet-friendly spots into many of their home models, including window seats and hideaway cubbies where pets can nap in peace.

Sunrooms are also great for both pets and their humans to enjoy the feeling of al-fresco dining while remaining securely inside.

Sun worshipping pets can also catch some rays while hanging out.

Helpful grooming stations While many dogs enjoy

a bath now and then, the process can be messy at home. Including a pet wash station with a handheld hose in the mudroom ensures you'll be able to clean up your dirty pup before he drags dirt through the house. Make sure you outfit your wash station with an ample supply of soft, absorbent towels, dog shampoo and all the grooming tools you'll need to keep your pup looking great.

Safe and happy outdoors Many pets enjoy a good romp outdoors, and you want your companion to be able to safely play in his outdoor environment.

Start by adding a fence if you don't already have one.

Choose one with vertical slats or rails close enough together that a pet can't slip through, and high enough that he or she can't jump over it. Next, be sure your pet has plenty of shady spots where he can hide, nap or just chill. Consider adding an outdoor pet fountain so pets always have access to fresh water, and a pet door to allow your dog or cat to easily come and go from your backyard.

Cosmetic concerns

Unless you have a rare hairless breed, you probably deal with pet hair daily. As you're decorating your new home, remember choosing carpeting close in color to your pet's coat will make shed hair less visible. You should also keep in mind the size of your dog as you're choosing hard flooring. Sturdy laminates will hold up better if you have large dogs in the house, while smaller dogs and cats may have trouble getting traction on vinyl or hardwood floors.

"When you're buying a home, it's important that you consider every member of the family, and pets are a huge part of our families," says Clayton CEO Kevin Clayton. "Choosing to include pet-friendly features enhances not only a pet's home life, but creates a better functioning environment for the homeowners too."

Visit www.claytonhomes. com to learn more about the pet features available or find a Home Center in your area.

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February 5 - February 18, 2016

Jerry’s Journal

The “Ant Solution” To A Happier Life

by Jerry Barksdale Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by problems that seem too big to solve? Do you have the urge to give up and quit?

When that happens, it’s time to think like an ant. It’s big medicine and it won’t cost you a dime. I don’t minimize the power of prayer, but the Lord is far too busy keeping tabs on lying, cheating and corrupt politicians in Washington to be bothered with small problems that we can solve ourselves.

You’ve heard it said, and I believe it, “the Lord helps those who help themselves.”

For example, Joe Blow wakes in the morning depressed. He has no job and no income so he rolls over and goes back to sleep. He has smoked his last cigarette, drank his last beer and spent his last $2.00 on a lottery ticket. All hope is gone.

He asks the Lord to let him win the lottery.

It’s time to invoke the “ant-solution,” a powerful self directive therapy.

I was introduced to this concept in 1967 shortly after graduating law school. My employer, Bob French in Ft. Payne, Alabama dispatched me to court to defend our client who “allegedly” robbed a bank (he certainly did) and allegedly spent the money (he did that too), but denied he committed the crime (liar). It was my first trial.

My biggest fear wasn’t that my client would be convicted, but that I would either faint or wet my pants in court, maybe both. When confronted with danger, humans and animals will fight or take flight. I went in the flight mode when the D.A. promised that he would send my client to prison

for life.

moving to the next one.”

“I won’t live that long,” my client whined. “You gotta save me.” Save him! I was worried about saving myself.

“I never thought about it that way,” I said. “Just like eating an apple. One bite at a time.”

I returned to the office a defeated man, overwhelmed and ready to quit. “I can’t do this,” I said to Bob. “Sit down,” Bob said. “Do you know how the ant ate the elephant?”

“Noo,” I replied… “One tiny bite at a time. He cut a sliver off his tail, chewed it and swallowed.” Bob said.

“Then what?” I asked.

“He sliced off another mouthful, swallowed it and kept doing so until he ate the whole elephant.

Every problem in life can be reduced to the smallest part and solved before

Back to the Joe Blow. I recommend that Joe do the following after waking: First, say a simple prayer, “Lord kick my lazy carcass outta bed.

Amen.”

Once up, he pulls on his pants, socks and shirt.

That’s progress. The antsolution is underway. He advised his wife to take

The use of fear is time tested and it works.

When I was 16 years old and acting out at school, my sweet Mama asked the Lord to intervene and save me. He did. He sent his faithful servant, Principal B. L. Rich at East Limestone School to answer Mama’s prayer. While he was lighting a fire on the seat of my Levis with a board, I reached a state of enlightenment.

Problem solved.

Instead of spending his money on a lottery ticket and watching T.V. all day long, Joe departs home in search of employment. He does that each day – one small bite at a time. Eventually he will see results.

Remember, quantum leaps seldom occur in life. We move forward one step at a time. When you are down and out, remember how the ant ate the elephant. It’s powerful medicine. It works for me and will work for you.

His wife is fresh out of Xanax, her nails are a mess and she hasn’t had her hair done in over a week. She is nervy as a squirrel.

The kids are causing trouble at school and whining for a new pair of Nikes. The cell phone bill is overdue and the cable company has threatened to turn off service before the Saturday game. The family is overwhelmed and needs help.

February 5 - February 18, 2016

From that day forward when overwhelmed with adversity, I didn’t think of myself as a fancy pants lawyer wearing a pin stripe suit, silk tie and $200 shoes, but as a lowly ant chewing a slice of elephant tail. Powerful imagery!

a long walk to calm her nerves and do her own nails and hair. Then he tells his kids to pull up their pants over their crack and start looking for a part time job.

McDonalds is a good place to start. And if they cause any more problems at school the Old Testament “Wrath of God” will befall them when they arrive home.

Good luck.

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Medical Update

February Is American Heart Month

by Rachel Clark, RN, BSN It’s that time of year again: the time where you see red hearts everywhere you go. Everyone is talking about love, giving tokens of affection and giving out heart shaped candies and cards. But that’s not the only thing going on in February. Not only is it almost Valentine’s Day, it is also when the American Heart Association is in full swing to educate people about their heart health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the number one cause of death in men and women nationwide. In looking at a map of the US, which shows geographical variance of the disease, Alabama and Mississippi were two of the states with the highest average of the population having some form of heart disease.

healthcare field look for.

I recently read a story about a 37-year-old woman who was training for her second marathon and ate fairly well. Two things she noticed were that her workouts were getting harder rather than easier, and she was experiencing terrible back pain. She pushed herself to work out harder, and chalked up the back pain to spicy food. Then she began researching her symptoms online. Her research prompted her to go to the Emergency Room where multiple tests were run. Many of the tests were negative, including an EKG,

CT scan and X-rays. It wasn’t until the doctors did a cardiac catheterization (a procedure in which a catheter is run through an artery into the heart to look for blockage of arteries) that they found a 100% blockage of one of the main arteries in her heart.

Doctors also realize that treatment should be more focused on education and prevention BEFORE a heart attack occurs, than waiting to treat the patient afterward. This education should start early, before habits and lifestyles become deeply rooted. Dr. Lori Mosca, a cardiolo-

“This is a time in life when habits are firmly established, because this is a time young adults become independent.

They develop lifestyles and habits they’ll carry on [as they get older]. I’m going through this myself with my son who is 25. He just moved to Colorado, is building his own house, and he’s very interested in his long-term habits, like learning to

cook healthy meals.

[This age] is a good time to do a self-assessment.”

Some things that young adults can begin establishing in their lives to prevent this deadly disease include: •Regular physical activity •More fruits and vegetables your diet everyday •Getting enough sleep •Limiting fast and processed foods •A good relationship with a primary care provider •Knowing signs and symptoms of heart attack/stroke •Keeping weight under control •Understanding links between pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and pre-eclampsia as they relate to future risk of heart disease

One of the things that we are seeing in the healthcare world is that younger and younger people are coming to doctors to be seen for chest pain and ultimately heart attacks. Those people that we would have once thought too “young,” “fit,” or “healthy” to have heart problems are now the ones that we are seeing with poorer outcomes than their older counterparts. Not only are heart attacks occurring earlier in adulthood, the symptoms are sometimes silent. They are not the classic presentations that we in the

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gist at New York Presbyterian Hospital had this to say in regard to healthy habits in young adulthood:

So let’s change things up this February. Instead of opting for the processed candies and other treats, let’s show our anatomical heart some love. Give your body the fuel it needs to prevent heart disease.

A good friend of mine who is a doctor once said, “Your body never forgets how to prevent what it doesn’t yet have.”

For more information on heart disease, visit www.goredforwomen. org.

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February 5 - February 18, 2016

Foreman’s Forum

Give Your Piece A Chance: Get Trained On How To Use One!

by Paul Foreman I have heard, “Anti gun people who believe if there is a robbery by an armed criminal, a good guy with a gun will more likely hurt innocent people while trying to stop the bad guy.” I will accept that while that scenario is possible, BUT, in fact it rarely ever happens. I am totally convinced that a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun.

Many Sheriffs and police chiefs are coming on news broadcasts and telling citizens to get armed and get trained.

For this article, I did some research. Now I am very pro NRA, but I wanted to seek out a fair and balanced set of statistics. So I “googled” the question: “How many innocent victims are killed by armed citizens while defending

themselves?” I could not find any such cases documented. One report by the “Gun Owners of America” states: “Guns are used 2.5 million times a year in self defense by law abiding citizens.” That is 6,800 times per day!

Guns are used 80 times more often to defend lives of innocent citizens rather than criminals taking lives (www.gunowners. org). The lame stream media will never report such facts because the facts do NOT support their antigun agenda. The United States is third in murders throughout the world.

But if you take out just four cities (Chicago, Detroit, Washington DC and New Orleans), the United States is fourth from the bottom in the entire world for murders! Yet, these four cities also have the

toughest gun control laws in the U.S. All four of these cities are controlled by anti-gun politicians. It would be absurd to draw any conclusions from this data - correct?

I spent a total of 23 years in Law Enforcement. Today’s officers get much better training than I did back in the 70’s. Today, I am a student of self defense. I am an NRA certified instructor. I read, study and practice self defense with a firearm every chance I get. I am a huge advocate of staying out of and away from trouble. As a Deputy Sheriff in Lee County Florida, I would often be dispatched to various locations which were known to be trouble spots. For instance, a small public beach was a nice place during the

day. But, at night, it was known for heavy drinking and the resulting fights.

For a guy to take his girl there, it just was just plain dumb, stupid, ignorant or all of the above. The point here is stay away from trouble!

There is the rare, but possible, case where you have done everything right, stayed away from trouble and evil presents itself anyway. Last issue we talked about the fact that you cannot be the aggressor. If you start the fight and then find yourself losing the fight, you cannot pull a gun and legally defend yourself with it when you started the trouble.

You cannot go back an hour later and get even with a guy who insulted your wife or girlfriend.

So, before evil presents

itself, do what eighteen other good citizens in North Alabama have done recently and get trained to use your firearm, safely and properly.

Give your PIECE a chance! It will not do you any good sitting in a box hidden somewhere in your home. When I give a class, I keep the class size small (2-3) so I can give individual attention. Sixteen of my students have been as novice as can be.

Almost ZERO experience. Two of my students were former career military, but wanted a refresher. My desire is for my students to be cautious, but familiar and safe when picking up their gun. If an armed citizen picks up a gun in self defense, but has to stop and think, “Is the safety on or off?

Is this gun loaded? If not loaded, where did I put the ammo?” If you need to do all that, in a self defense situation, it’s probably too late. Get trained so whether you pick up a gun for target practice or self defense, you are totally familiar with it. It is a tool and should be NO different than picking up a hammer in your workshop or a skillet and spatula in the kitchen. I can teach you to use your gun safely and properly.

Paul Foreman Retired Deputy Sheriff, Lee County Florida.

Paul can be reached through e-mail at Captureman@ PaulForeman.com or his web site, www.PaulForeman.com

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