June 15, 2012 Athens Now Newspaper

June 15 - July 5, 2012

athensnowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: 256-468-9425

Mays Computer Company:

Making The Ultimate Comeback

By Ali Elizabeth Turner It is one of my chief joys as the publisher of Athens Now to both be and have raving fan customers, and Mays Computer Company, a family owned and operated computer sales and service store is a place to which I love to send Continued on pages 15

Former location of Mays Computer Company after the March 30th, 2012 tornado

Speedy Legal: Timely, Professional And Affordable

By Ali Elizabeth Turner Richie Whitten, owner of Speedy Legal, (located on S. Jefferson Street in Athens,) had the great privilege of going to law school at Southern Methodist University, which is considered one of the top schools in the country. He graduated in 1989, clerked for Judge Suttle of the 11th Circuit Court in Florence, and since then, has concentrated his practice on helping folks get Social Security and other types of benefits that they justifiably have coming Continued on page 16

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Richie Whitten, owner of Speedy Legal, LLC

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June 15 - July 5, 2012

Publisher’s Point

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Contributing Writers Shelley Underhill Janet Hunt Wanda Campbell Lynne Hart Jeanette Dunnavant Deb Kitchenmaster Jim Doyle Will Anderson Drs. Lynn and Lorie Hedgepeth Pam Hartmann

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . . 4 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . 5 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 6 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . 7 Clean and Green . . . . . . . . 8

Give Me Lemonade Or Give Me Death?

I don’t think that anyone could have predicted that one of the most serious assaults on our freedoms would come in the form of trying to control things that have never, ever been considered the purview of the Government— homemade food and drink.

Imagine for a moment that you have been taken back in time to the summer when you were 6 or 7, and you are wanting to make some money to save up for a BB gun, or if you are as old as I am, a Davy Crockett coonskin cap.

What do you do? Set up a lemonade or KoolAid stand on the top of a wooden crate, set it up on the curb and don’t charge more than 5 cents. Because most folks think you are cute, and they want to be a part of the “village raising the child,” and desire to see to it that you have your first foray into the free market, they’ll pull over, pay you

the nickel, buy the lemonade, and make a point of telling you how delicious is your fare.

cyanide, and we as citizens can’t figure out this stuff on our own, nor dare take the risk of drinking it.

It is a rite of passage, like going to summer camp, or going to your grandparents, or building your first go-

I appreciate the fact that we have regulatory agencies that are looking out for us. My grandfather ac-

kart. Except now, in many states, even if you are on your own property, you need to have a license to sell lemonade! All of this, of course is “to protect us,” because who knows if the kid has just laced it with

Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . 11 Lifelong Learning . . . . . . . . . 13 Cooking with Shelley . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . . . 15-16 Medical Update . . . . . . . . . . 17 Horse Whispering . . . . . . . . 18 World According to Will . . 21 Security Savvy . . . . . . . . . . 23

June 15 - July 5, 2012

tually worked in an Armor meat packing plant in the early part of the 20th century where acid was used to remove the hides of the animals and protective gloves were not a part of the equation. People were so desperate to work that they literally worked their fingers down to a nub. Such horrible working conditions were made public by muckraker authors such as Upton Sinclair, whose whistle blowing journalistic work definitely improved our national quality of life.

But seriously, does it make any sense to require an entrepreneurial child to conform to the constructs of an agency that was designed to monitor the actions of a corporation? Let’s take this a step further, and say that food or drink has been purchased in a licensed outlet. Is it reasonable to have it become illegal in New York to purchase more than 32 oz of Cocacola at once?

And, more importantly, who is going to police one’s choices or infractions?

Can you imagine getting pulled over and given a ticket for drinking too much soda, or eating transfat or red meat?

Don’t think it is that far out of the realm of possibility, my friends. But do remember this: if you allow others to regulate your personal choices, you will indeed lose your freedoms one cup of lemonade at a time.

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

athensnowal.com news • auctions • classifieds www.athensnowal.com

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All Things Soldier

The First Annual Sam Gibbons Memorial Tennessee Walking Horse Show

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Colonel Sam Gibbons may have passed on in 2010, but he remains a local military hero in the hearts and minds of veterans and residents of Tennessee and Alabama. He was awarded the Bronze Star, and endured horrific loss of his men in the European Theatre of WWII. After Sam came home

from the war, he did many things including working for Con-Agra, but became best known for his involvement with Tennessee Walking Horses. He is in the Tennessee Walking Horse Hall of Fame, and for 36 years, Sam managed the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, TN.

He also became very involved with the Alabama Veterans’ Museum, and worked as part of the board until he died.

In honor of Sam, the Veterans’ Museum is pleased to

nual fund raising event,” said Sandy Thompson, the Museum’s director.

Advance tickets can be purchased at the Veterans’ Museum, or by contacting Sandy Thompson, at 256-771-7578,

Col Sam Gibbons, US Army

announce the 1st Annual Sam Gibbons Tenessee Walking Horse Show on Friday, June 22nd at 6 pm. “We are hoping it will become our signature an-

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or Ken Wilson, 256-7774578. Come out and help the Veterans’ Museum continue to be one of the top attractions of the Southeast!

June 15 - July 5, 2012

Calendar of Events Singing on the Square June 15 at 6:00 PM

Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the free concert featuring Master’s Touch and Committed. Contact 256-232-5411.

Ardmore Kids Day in the Park June 16 at 9 AM – noon

This community event for kids under 12 is hosted by the City and Town of Ardmore. Bring the kids to the Ardmore, TN John Barnes Park for a great day of fun, hotdogs, games and much more. Contact 9631-4275523/

carousel, train,... roller coaster, parachutes, large swings and the scrambler. For safety and maintenance reasons, no adult riders on any of the rides. Concessions available include hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, french fries and cokes. Also available are the crowd favorites of cotton candy, dippin dots and funnel cakes. Our concessions are very reasonably priced and each of the rides is just one ticket, which is $.50. The Kiddie Carnival is located at the intersection of Forrest & Beaty streets, just across from Athens Middle School. For more information or updates see our Facebook Page also: Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival.

Athens Fireworks Show - June 30 Athens High School

Smoking Railroad Street BBQ Cookoff June 22 - 23

Come join the Elkmont Lions Club as they fire up the grills in Downtown Elkmont, AL for the Smoking Railroad Street BBQ Cook-off. This sanctioned cooked off offers tastings and entertainment. More information to come. http://www.elkmontlionsclub.com.

Delmore Days Music Festival June 23 at 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Help honor the famous Delmore Brothers at the annual music festival at Athens State University Founders Hall lawn. Arts and Crafts vendors selling lots of great items and delicious food served by festival food vendors. Upcoming country music star John Martin from Atlanta, GA will headline this year. Other groups performing include Majestics Quartet, Tilford Sellers, Lacey Snider and Turkey Creek Ramblers, Just Down the Road, Dixie Blue Grass Boys, and David Russell. This will be a day of live music and fun for the entire family. Visit www.delmoredays.com for more information or call 256-232-5411.

Cruise In Jul 7 at 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

The monthly Cruise In is held the 1st Saturday night of each month - Apr - Oct. Bring your antique vehicle and park around the square. Enjoy delicious dishes offered by our downtown restaurants. Come early and check out the great buys at the downtown businesses. Be sure and get you an ice cream cone at Limestone Drug or milk shake at Kreme Delight. Make it a family night. Contact Tom at 256-457-9179.

Miss Shining Star Pageant July 14 at 2:00 PM

The Onyx Senior 5 All-Stars invite you to participate in the Beauty Pageant which will be held at Round Island Creek Center, 13829 Lucas Ferry Road. Divisions will birth from birth to 18 years. Entry fee is $30 per contestant. Photogenic division optional for $5.00. For more information contact Marie Henderson 256-990-19069 or Kelly Cain at 256-8744445. Winners will recieve crow3n, sash, trophy and certificate for manicure and pedicure.

Pork Chop Dinner and Bake Sale Jun 23 at 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Please support the Learn-to-Read Council by attending the Pork Chop Dinner at the Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival. Tickets are $15.00 each. Menu includes Pork Chop, Baked Potato, Beans, Bread, Drink & Dessert. Contact 256-230-3050 or email ltr@pclnet.net to reserve tickets in advance. Eat in or carry out available.

1st Annual Onyx Family 5K Fun Run Jun 30 at 8:00 AM (registration 6:00 AM)

Hosted by Onyx Senior 5 All-Stars. Registration/sing in begins at 6:00 AM at Swan Creek Pavillion. Fees - $20 adults, $15 kids 13 and under and $5 kids 6 and under. Participants receive a certificate. Drinks and snacks are provided. Form available at www.onyxallstars.com or by calling Cynthis Cross at 256-777-1243.

Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival June 28 - August 4

Singing on the Square July 20 at 6:00 PM

Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the free concert featuring Dixie Bluegrass Boys and Borderline Bluegrass

CASA Mud Volleyball Tournament Jul 21

Enter your team early. About 100 teams will be competing for the championship. Contact: 256-232-5751, casalimestonecounty.org. Fee to participants

This Tractor Truck Pull is one of the best in the nation. Make your plans today to attend at Tanner High School. Contact: 256-497-4309, 4311292 or 256-233-7077. Fee

Open every Thursday, Friday & Saturday night June 28 thru August 4. Hours of operation are Thursday-Saturday night of each weekend, 6:30pm-9:30pm. We have rides for kids along with great concessions and bingo! The rides are: small ferris wheel, rocket ships, small swings,

June 15 - July 5, 2012

AL Championship Tractor & Truck Pull Jul 27 & 28

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Ardmore Police Reserve Rodeo Aug 3 & 4 Contact: 256-423-2146. Fee

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Health and Fitness

Weight Loss – Are You Ready?

by Janet Hunt

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

Are you motivated to make lifestyle changes?

Successful and sustained weight loss depends on permanent lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy foods and exercising.

Knowing that you need to make changes in your life and actually doing it are two different things. You may have to overhaul your eating habits so that you’re eating more whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lowfat dairy products. You’ll need to find time to exercise for at least 30 minutes nearly every day of the week.

As long as your motivation is a healthy one, it doesn’t really matter what it is.

Find your motivation and focus on it.

Do you have a realistic picture of how much weight you’ll lose and how quickly?

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is a lifelong process. Over the long term, it’s best to aim for losing 1 to 2 pounds a week by burning 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day.

You can do that through a low-calorie diet and regular physical activity or exercise.

Emotions and food are often intertwined. Anger, stress, grief and boredom can trigger emotional eating. Start by identifying your emotional issues related to food so that you’re prepared for the challenges.

Seeking professional help for these emotional challenges may be the first step.

Do you have support and accountability?

Any weight-loss program can be difficult. Having someone in your corner to offer encouragement will help. If you don’t have that someone, consider joining a weight-loss support group or joining a Lifestyle Change/Weight Management Class.

If you want to keep your weight-loss efforts private, you must be accountable to yourself with regular weigh-ins and a log of your diet and activity. You may want to work one-on-one

with a Weight Management Consultant.

Have you embraced the weight-loss challenge?

If you don’t have a positive attitude about losing weight, you may not be ready. If you dread what lies ahead, you may be more likely to find excuses that lead to failure. Embrace the vision of your new lifestyle and remain positive. Focus on how good you’ll feel when you’re more active or when you weigh less. Picture yourself celebrating every little success along the way.

You’re ready for weight loss: Now what?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, you’re probably ready to make the lifestyle changes necessary to work towards permanent weight loss. You may be able to forge ahead on your own, creating your own lifestyle program for

What if ready?

you’re

not

If you are not ready to start a weight-loss program right now, determine what is

holding you back and face those obstacles.

Consider seeking help from your doctor or another professional, such as a certified Lifestyle Change/Weight Management Consultant, to help you work through these issues. Try to address the obstacles and then re-evaluate your readiness. Don’t let the chaos of life become a permanent excuse, however. You will never find and absolutely perfect time.

Still unsure?

If you feel generally positive and upbeat about a weight-loss program, consider starting now.

You may never have definitive answers in life.

Don’t let that rob you of a chance to achieve your weight-loss goals.

You might lose weight more quickly than that if you make significant changes — just be sure the changes are healthy and can be maintained.

Don’t get discouraged if your rate of weight loss slows a bit after bigger initial losses – that is normal.

For details on the next Lifestyle Change/Weight Management Class, contact Janet at jhunt1@ pclnet.net or 256-6143530.

Have you resolved any emotional issues connected to your weight?

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healthy eating and exercising. Or you may feel you need help.

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June 15 - July 5, 2012

Special Feature

The Bakery At Elkmont: A Custom Cake Extravaganza

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Caren Sample, owner of the The Bakery At Elkmont does something that some might find interesting and unusual, even in the Bible Belt. She prays over every custom cake she bakes!

It’s not that Miss Caren is asking God to intervene and prevent her from causing a train wreck in Cakeland, it’s that she wants it to be as creative, beautiful and excellent as possible, and figures the best way to make that happen is to look to her Creator. Smart girl.

words” which say “May all who enter as guests leave as friends.” That’s how I felt the day I first met Caren, only a few days after she had opened her doors. She desperately loves God, people, North Alabama, and… the Cake Boss!!

I don’t mean that in the wrong way, but she is so impressed with his work that she’d fly to Hoboken, NJ and stand in line for three hours just to get into his bakery, meet him, and sample his baked wares.

Caren has always made cakes as gifts for people. It energizes her, new ideas keep her awake at night, and as she says with passion, “I LOVE making cakes!!” She worked for the government for several years, and then the economy went sideways and the contracts vanished.

Even while still working 40 hours a week she’d stay up til 3 am to bake her precious creations, and found it was both therapeutic and energizing. It wasn’t until she was all finished that she felt the least bit tired. She eventually took a Wilton Cake class, as well as a private one, and her family and friends encouraged her to “go for it,” i.e., start making custom cakes professionally and full time as her own boss.

In fact, she entered the Cake Boss contest being held in Memphis, but had to drop out due to some scheduling conflicts, but one of her dreams is to try out for the Cake Boss TV program. I do believe between her passion and her talent, she has a clear shot at the title, and the Cake Boss would be remiss if he didn’t choose her as a contestant.

The problem was location and

Owner Caren Sample and Chris Kress

start up costs, and literally, from the “thinking about it” stage to signing the lease, it was three weeks. A former restaurant in a small strip mall located near the RR tracks on Thach Road near the I-65 overpass opened up out of nowhere, the rent was more than reasonable, and the rest is history.

The Bakery At Elkmont is cozy, with a small old fashioned wire ice cream table and four chairs in the common area, and “wall

Everything she does is baked fresh, never frozen, and “baked custom.” She loves “the details, and coming up with new ideas.” Just recently she made a Super Mario Brothers birthday cake that was a masterpiece. She makes cup cakes that have different themes each week, and often sells out 2 to 3x a week. She makes “cake pops” on lollipop sticks that look like dalmation puppies, and “smash cakes” for baby’s first or second

birthday where doing a “face plant” is not only tolerated, but expected. But there is something more than the “sweetness of something sweet” that drives her to put in long hours and the hard work of being a sole proprietor.

“I want the Bakery At Elkmont to be a place where memories are baked,” she said. “A custom cake helps solidify the memory of an event, makes it go deeper.” Everything is special, fresh, something different. Caren wants the prices to be reasonable, and wants the custom cakes, large or small to be affordable for everyone. “I offer quality products with my own personal touch,” she says.

Business is good. She is booked into mid-July, and right now is averaging about 10 custom cakes a week. She expects to hire someone by fall, and gets help with the counter sales on the days when she has several custom cakes to do. A person more joyful about their work I have rarely seen, and you would do well to make

the journey to the Bakery At Elkmont, and taste what Caren calls cakes “baked with love.”

The Bakery At Elkmont 23925 Thach Road Elkmont, AL 35620 256-497-4418

elkmontbakery@gmail.com

facebook.com/Elkmont Bakery www.elkmontbakery.com Hours: Tue-Wed 8-4 Thur-Fri 8-6 Sat - 8-12 Closed the 1st Tue and last Sat of every month

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Clean and Green

Tire Recycling In Limestone County.....

When, Where, And Why

by Lynne Hart

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans wear out about 290 million tires every year. About 80% of tires are recycled.

Don’t store them outdoors, toss them in the river, or dump them in the woods. Tires collect water and provide a great breeding ground for mosquitoes and nests for rodents.

What about the other 20%?

If you have old tires stored away somewhere, we’d like to encourage you to dispose of them properly.

Don’t burn them!

Burning tires creates thick smoke which contain dangerous pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, styrene, phenols, and butadiene. The oily substance creat-

Here is what NOT to do:

ed by burning tires contains lead and arsenic and can contaminate nearby water supplies or ground water.

them nearly indestructible, leaving these tires to take up precious landfill space for decades to come.

Don’t take them to the landfill. The vulcanizing process used on tires makes

Here is what you SHOULD do: Thanks to a grant received by the Limestone County Commission from the Alabama Dept of Environmental Management, Limestone County residents can take old tires to any of the four district sheds from now through mid-September. Residents will be required to show a valid driver’s license or utility bill as proof of residency.

LOCATIONS AND DROPOFF TIMES:

District 3 Shed: 14119 Ripley Road, Athens, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

District 4 Shed: 22155 Section Line Road, Elkmont, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

There are over 100 products currently made using recycled tires, including rubberized asphalt, low-maintenance decking material, indestructible mulch for your flower garden, and cushiony surfaces for running tracks, basketball courts, and outdoor playgrounds.

Don’t wait! Recycle your tires now, because time flies and September will be here before we know it!

District 1 Shed: 22555 Elkton Road, Athens, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

District 2 Shed: 24795 Pepper Road, Athens, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

(256) 233-8728 KeepALBeautiful@att.net

Become a Fan

www.KeepAthensLimestoneBeautiful.com Page 8

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Salesman of the Month

May 2012

DONNIE MARLOW

WHAT A BLESSING! The Lord has blessed me by making me salesman of the month for May. I would like to thank him first and foremost! Next I would like to thank all of my friends who bought a vehicle from me. To be salesman of the month is a great achievement and I want to thank each of my customers individually. Please feel free to call on me for anything. I would love to be your sale person. I look forward to seeing you soon and God bless you from the Marlow family to your.

Please feel free to contact me at: Champion Chevrolet, Facebook or Twitter

292476

256-232-5692 256-566-6782

dmarlow1954@att.net June 15 - July 5, 2012

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Tourism

Athens Starts Independence Celebration June 30th With A Bang!

By Jeanette Dunnavant, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association Athens Fireworks organizers are excited to announce that we will begin this year’s celebration early by having the Independence Day Celebration Fireworks Show on Saturday June 30th at dusk. By having the event on Saturday night instead of Wednesday night, this allows families and churches to have their own celebrations.

Independence Day is a favorite holiday of children because they enjoy the exciting and noisy fireworks.

The fireworks are symbolic of when the United States became independent of Great Britain on July 4, 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was approved. We all should remember that this holiday is the result of the valiant efforts and strong commitment of our American forefathers.We are fortunate enough to live in this wonderful USA and we should work together to maintain the integrity and values established by our forefa-

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thers.

Come to town early and have dinner and check out the unique shops downtown.

Also, prior to the show will be a wonderful opportunity to honor all veterans by visiting the Alabama Veterans’ Museum which will be open 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The museum is located at 100 West Pryor Street. Contact Museum Director Sandy Thompson about groups and other information at 256771-7578.

This year the fireworks show is made possible by the City of Athens, Limestone County Commission, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association and Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce. The event will be held at Athens High School. A beautiful show is planned. Bring the entire family and enjoy the show.

For more information, contact Jeanette Dunnavant at 256-232-5411/256-8671438 or Jennifer Williamson at 256-232-2600.

June 15 - July 5, 2012

Special Feature

Color Your World

It’s hard to have a bad day when you are walking around in summer’s cheerful colors, so start smiling because color blocking is BIG this year in fashion.

Wonderful color combinations were all over NY fashion week on the runways. What is color blocking? It’s a styling technique of mixing and matching colors that your Mom would probably call “clashing” colors. If there’s ever been a great time to wear loud bursts of color, it’s now.

Forget the old rules - you can SO wear red and pink together! The trick is to pair neighboring hues on the color wheel such as yellow-orange, purplepink or blue-green. Now

June 15 - July 5, 2012

draw a straight line across the color wheel from one of your selected colors to the opposite side of the wheel.

Voila - the perfect accent color! Adding it to your ensemble is as easy as grabbing a colorful accessory like jewelry or a belt. Do

Guy & Eva’s Gracie necklace

by Pam Hartmann

elry is the perfect finish to pull ALL of your fabulous summer looks together!

Color blocking at it’s boldest! yourself (and the rest of us) a favor and stick to 3 colors max to avoid the “Rainbow Brite” look!

tral. Nude shoes are one of the hottest shoe trends right now and are a perfect finish to your color-blocking,

Feeling adventurous? Try matching up more vibrant, but still-complimentary colors, such as the orange, turquoise and white neck- Guy & Eva’s Dionne lace pictured necklace below. Go for contrasting shades such as bold, primary colors - Guy & Eva’s opposites attract, after all. Leigh earrings For a more subdued look, pair like-colors such as purple/blue or pink/red that not to mention they complement each other. make your legs look For a true color blocking longer- woo-hoo! impact, leave the leopard A little shy about colorspots and other prints home blocking your clothes?

- solids only.

Try it in your jewelry, With all that color, the best such as Guy & Eva’s choice for shoes would be trendy color-combos. a nude color or other neu- Bright, colorful jew-

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Pam Hartmann is a Style Advisor for Guy & Eva Jewelry and has recently been trained through their new Style Academy. Attend a Guy and Eva Style Session to get the latest fashion tips, learn the best-styling for your body-type, face shape and coloring. To find out more about scheduling a session with your friends and earning free jewelry, contact Pam at 256-7291160 or email her at guyandeva.pamh@yahoo.com. Her website is www.guyandeva.com/ pamhart.

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June 15 - July 5, 2012

Learning As A Lifestyle

Get Footloose And More At The Center For Lifelong Learning

by Wanda Campbell

classroom and mezzanine.

They offer state-of-the-art technology, comfortable seating, have their own free wi-fi connections, and we also have laptops for loan. For banquets, receptions, or conferences, we are able to offer food services and amenities through our Undergrounds Coffee Shop on site or you may use our preferred caterers’ list for your menu selections.

In an effort to provide courses and services to the teen population in Athens, The Center for Lifelong Learning has recently recruited a Teen Advisory Board. This Board, made up of representatives from the area schools, is tasked with helping us decide what kind of programming and events our area teens might attend.

The first event, “Get Footloose,” is scheduled Friday, June 29, from 7:00 to 11:00 pm, $8/person. This event is open for 9th graders to recent grads. From 7:00 to 8:30, we will show the Footloose movie. After the movie, there will be pizza and drinks for those who want to “hang out” with their friends.

We will show the 1984 edition of Footloose. In

the movie, Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) is a Chicago native who moves with his mother to a small town that does not allow dancing and rock music. As the prom approaches, Ren goes to the town council to request they reverse the law. It also stars Lori Singer,

John Lithgow, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Some of you may know there was a 2011 remake of Footloose, starring Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Andie MacDowell, and Dennis Quaid.

Call 256-2338260 for tickets to “Get Footloose.”

Teens are not the only ones needing a place to “hang out.” In the past few days we have had several calls concerning space needs for reunions, wedding rehearsals, trainings, and board meetings. The Center for Lifelong Learning offers spacious facilities that are perfectly suited for events and meetings.

Whether you require an executive boardroom, a training room, or banquet spaces, we have the space for you.

We have already hosted many trainings, conferences, and workshops.

Our mezzanine has been the site for in-service meetings, wedding rehearsals and conferences. We can meet most any needs for space at the Center for Lifelong Learning. For

more information about our rental services, call Dr. Diane Sauers at 256232-8260.

In our summer catalog, Dr. Diane Sauers, CLL Director, says “There is a world of options to beat summer boredom. The Center for Lifelong Learning can keep you on your toes whether it’s camps for kids, movie night for teens, or sharpening your brain with our business and professional on-line classes.

Stop by and spend a lazy summer afternoon with us.

Enjoy one of the specialty

frozen drinks featured at the Undergrounds Coffee Shop, borrow one of our laptops and take advantage of our wi-fi hot spot. And remember, we’re still learning.

Our casual seating areas offer free wi-fi connections, comfortable and diverse seating arrangements for 12-30 people.

Our formal training areas include an executive conference room,

June 15 - July 5, 2012

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Cooking with Shelley

Hawaiian Bread

by Shelley Underhill

This is how recipes are born......

A few months back, two really ripe bananas were staring at me from my counter top. My first thought was to make my mother’s banana nut bread... My second thought was to add some fruit to her recipe. But, what would I call it? How much fruit would I use?

As I creamed together the sugar, butter and eggs, I decided I would wait to see the final product before I gave it a name. Thus, my Hawaiian Bread was born. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.Send your recipes and questions to shelleysdesk@gmail.com ENJOY!

What you will need: 1 cup sugar 1/2 stick real butter ( softened ) 2 eggs 2 ripe bananas 2 cups all purpose flour 1/2 cup nuts 1 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup mandarin oranges 1/2 crushed pineapple

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Cream together butter, sugar and eggs. Fold in fruit and other ingredients.

Pour into well greased loaf pan and bake 3at50 for about 40 minutes.

Stick with knife and if it comes out clean, it is done.

June 15 - July 5, 2012

Cover Story

Mays Computer Company: Making The Ultimate Comeback

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

people for all their computer needs. The Mays family had their entire store wiped out by the March 2012 tornado, and even our Athens Now news rack got crushed!! They had loved their former location, (at the corner of East Limestone and Nick Davis Road,) they loved their landlord, and had no desire to move. The storm, however, had other plans, and as is often the case, the storm truly had a silver lining.

Just “down the road a piece,” at the corner of East Limestone and Capshaw Road, a Chevron had been rebuilt with larger shop space on the north side of the station, and it turned out to be a perfect place for the Mays’ new digs. During the time that they were closed and all the insurance claims were being processed, they were able to get great new stock, including gaming systems, Macs of all types, tablets, G Books, Mac Book Pros, I Macs, and every imaginable Microsoft product.

Another blessing from the tornado was the opportunity for continuing education.

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All the adult children of the Mays family now work at the store, and everyone is constantly in some kind of continuing computer education training program, including Microsoft, Intuit, and others.

Steve Mays said, “We wanted to get back in business to help our customers,” and they have gotten their wish. The new store is beautiful, spacious, has much more display space, and it certainly helps that it is adjacent to a Chevron store that often gets 500 customers a day.

What put Mays Computer Company on the map for me, and what is still their “bread and butter” is fixing computers. I have found

myself in a true computer crisis on more than one occasion, (something that can be a nightmare in the newspaper business) and these guys have come to my rescue with speed and thorough professionalism. If you bring your infected computer into the shop in the morning, they’ll have it fixed by close of business. If your computer needs parts, most often it will be ready the next day. The fee for computer repair and reprogramming is 100 dollars, and no one beats their service and quick turnaround time.

When the April 2011 twisters hit, many people lost their computers and found them outdoors somewhere mashed, smashed and wet. As amazing as it sounds, they were able to do data recovery service for some mighty damaged units, and helped people get their data, files, and pictures back.

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Certainly that went a long way toward helping people get their lives back as well. An even more touching example of the effect of their data recovery service was when a soldier was home recently from Afghanistan on leave, and his child erased over 963 documents, videos, pictures and files, some of which were crucial to his role as a warfighter. They were able to get all of it back, and both the child and the soldier are now out of the doghouse!

They will set up networking and business systems on site with purchase, however, are not able at present to be on call as mobile “IT guys.” You have to bring your sick unit to the Mays “ER.” The hope is, however, that eventually they’ll be able to have a fleet of mobile “technoids” that will be able to come to your residence or place of business to get your “cyber-ship” righted again.

Another niche they want to fill is that of gaming, and it is

becoming a significant part of their business. They have the large gaming screens, the high end video and sound cards, and can set things up so that three gamers can play at a time. They have LCD screens from 17” to 28” in the store. They also repair PlayStation and X Box units when needed.

If your current system is just fine and does not need to be repaired or replaced, there are a number of things you can do to make it hum along even better. You can update your hard drive, increase your RAM storage space, get better sound cards, upgrade your operating system, or increase the quality of your videos by upgrading your video card.

They also take trade ins if you are needing a new computer.

I have said more than once that the Mays have made me a happy computer camper, and highly recommend them to anyone in North Alabama who is in need of a computer, service or both.

Mays Computer Company

Steve and Regena Mays, Owners 27490 Capshaw Rd Suite B Athens, AL 35613 Phone: 256-444-4040 Hours: 9:30-6 MonFri, 10-2 on Sat

Facebook: Mays Computer Inc. Look there for weekly specials and updates.

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Cover Story

Speedy Legal: Timely, Professional And Affordable

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

to them as taxpayers. Before going into private practice, he worked for the Social Security Administration writing legal opinions for five years.

Recently he became aware that there was both a need as well as a market for legal services that could be the most easily described as “simple and straightforward.” The goal became to give clients top quality service for situations such as an uncontested divorce, or preparation of a will without undue expense.

I asked Rich why he opened Speedy Legal, and he gave me several reasons. Believe it or not, sometimes practicing law, just like any other business, can become very predictable and somewhat intellectually confining. “I wanted to meet new people,”

he said. “Fair enough,” I thought, and then he told me that he wanted to “provide more legal services to more people.” And, as anyone knows, in this economy it is more than smart to have several streams of income, because nothing is certain, and our nation’s financial and business future is, at the very least, looking a bit rocky. In a word, the third reason was to “provide some cash flow.”

T’s” could end up being very expensive and land you in court.

I asked him his opinion of some of the online legal document preparation services that have sprung up in the past few years, and his response was, “It’s a good way for people to get in trouble.” Then he explained that filling in a bunch of online blanks in a template without a professional to watch your back, as well as “dot your ‘I’s and cross your

He gave an example of what can go wrong when people try to prepare and file documents either completely on their own or with “help that is not help.” A 44 year old teacher felt it was time to get his affairs in order by preparing his will himself. He was not at all aware of the need for the will to be bonded and named his bank the executor of the estate. The bank charged the estate 5,000 dollars and 3,500 dollars to bond it! He cost his family nearly 10,000 dollars trying to save 50 bucks.

“If you know what it is that you want, why pay more?”

He asked. Seeing as Speedy Legal sets their prices ahead of time, there are no surprises. “If I can help you, the price is set,” he said.

fying for the senior citizen rate while taking some guests from out of town to Helen Keller’s home in Tuscumbia. I was reminded that the clock is indeed ticking and my will needs to be drawn up. I am glad that there is something like Speedy Legal and someone like Richie Whitten Melissa Freemon of Speedy Legal, LLC who will help me get my affairs in orkids, they want standard visider at rates that are tation schedules and the man- more than reasonable. Now, datory child support guide- to quote a famous sports shoe By contrast, Rich’s fees for lines are followed, I can save company, I need to “just do living wills are pre-set at 50 them a great deal of money”. it!” dollars, and simple wills are Now, most folks, (myself in75 dollars. Also, there are no cluded,) believe that divorce surprises. If either your esis dreadful, and many times tate or your particular needs is made even worse for evend up being too complicateryone by unnecessary legal ed, you’ll know beforehand, fees. A divorce of the sort deand you can get help from scribed above is 300 dollars. another attorney.

Most documents can be made He gave another example 803 S. Jefferson available within 24 hours, when it comes to divorce. “If Street which is nearly unheard of. a couple has been married for Recently I had the uncom256-232-6686 8 years, and has a couple of fortable experience of quali-

Speedy Legal, LLC

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June 15 - July 5, 2012

Medical Update

Children and Chiropractic

by Drs. Lynn and Lorie Hedgepeth

Common Questions from Parents:

in most cases, a child’s spine is much easier to adjust than an adults.

Children have not had the long standing subluxations, their muscles are not tense, and they are usually just more relaxed in general than adults. In most cases, children hold their adjustments for longer periods of time as well. However, with falls, accidents and the generally active lives most kids experience, regular chiropractic check ups are important.

1. How early should children be adjusted?

2. Is it safe?

3. Why do they need adjustments?

4. What if they cry?

All of these questions go through the minds of parents who are considering chiropractic care for their children. Some parents are hesitant about getting their children adjusted even though they are under chiropractic care themselves. If chiropractic care is important to your good health, then it should be important to your children’s health as well.

r eAfter all, children have nersvous systems that control nall of their body functions sjust as you do. And just like -you, they get subluxations dtoo. A subluxation is what shappens when spinal bones dloss their normal position eand motion from stress, dtrauma, or chemical imbal-ance. yIt’s Never Too Soon eSubluxations can occur at nany time. The first one may every well have occurred at -your baby’s birth. That is ewhy parents who under,stand the importance of corerecting subluxations have otheir newborns examined

It’s Worth The Effort

your child’s body will continue to grow in a compromised way.

Many people who come in to a chiropractic’s office for the first time as adults would have had far greater

potential for regaining their health if they had received regular chiropractic care as children.

Chiropractic adjustments are usually painless.

Children may, on the first visit or two, be somewhat reluctant. However, they rarely hesitate to get on the table to get adjusted, especially when they see other members of their fam-

ily being adjusted as well.

Chiropractic adjustments are important to their good health and the few tears that may occur on the first visit (usually because of fear of the unknown) are well worth the benefits to our children’s health. Obviously children who are adjusted regularly from infancy think of their visits to the chiropractor as a regular part of their lives and are not the least bit hesitant to climb onto the adjusting table.

Drs. Lynn & Lorie Hedgepeth are chiropractors at ChiroCare in East Limestone. They are both active members of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA).

You can obtain more information about children and chiropractic by visiting the website www.ICPA4kids. org.

Kids Make Great Patients Adjusting a child is not a difficult procedure . In fact,

by their chiropractor as soon after birth as possible.

By correcting subluxations at an early age, the damage that comes from functioning at less than optimal levels can be prevented.

The longer a subluxation is present, the greater loss of proper function. In addition, the longer the subluxation is present, the longer

June 15 - July 5, 2012

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Horse Whispering

Equine Teacher Masako

by Deb Kitchenmaster Masako? Who? Some of you may ask, “Where in the hee-haw does this woman get these names?”

This Morgan chestnut mare is the 7th (last but not least) equine teacher that I referred to in ATHENS NOW, dated Sept. 16 – Oct. 6, 2011.

not provide the space needed to tell you story after story of God’s faithfulness, provision and connections. For someone who prefers to have things in “order,” this move released me from a dimension

Driving down the drive I saw a chestnut filly, with a white blaze and three white socks standing beside her momma. MASAKO! “Justice” was born on graduation day!

To me, Masako’s mission

In 2002, it was on my heart to breed sire Big Sky to mare Arianna. This foal was to bear the name meaning “justice”.

At the time of the breeding I had no idea we would be packing up and leaving our community of twenty years and heading south.

I am grateful for equine teacher, Masako! Because of Jesus’ obedience, justice has come to each of us. Because of our faith in HIM and his obedience, we have become the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus.

When I inquired about names that meant ‘justice’, the feminine Japanese name “Masako” showed up. Of course, I had no idea of the gender. See Horse Whispering Column in ATHENS NOW, July 22 – Aug 4, 2011.

Your righteousness is of the Lord. Jesus did not come to condemn you, but to save you through His rich mercy, grace and love. You can rest in that. Masako to you my “NEIGH”bor.

As the foal that was to bear the name “justice” was being “formed,” I found myself packing, sorting, getting rid of stuff, simply put, smack dab in the midst of changes, choices and compassion!

Were our horsey days over?

Logically, it would simplify our lives if we were to sell the horses. After all, bringing them would require us to look for something much more than an apartment or house.

Each time we inquired of the LORD, there was no peace whatsoever in NOT bringing them with. I will say that when God is in “it,” He will provide. Psalm 5:12 became an anchor to my soul and my testimony, “For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous: with favor you will surround him as with a shield.”

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this. The words “just,” “justification,” “ justified” are there, but you will not find the word “justice” in the New Testament. What you will find in the New Testament because of Jesus’ obedience and because “IT IS FINISHED”, is the word “righteousness”.

The meaning of the words justice and righteousness are interchangeable!

of a comfort zone to a, “be still and KNOW that I AM God” zone! Did I do this ‘perfectly’? No, I didn’t. However, each time I fell down, I chose to get back up. I hadn’t walked like this before to this degree! It was a walk of faith that would birth in me an identity of faith righteousness. I will explain in a minute.

Our move to the south included transporting one stallion, one bred mare, two open mares and a gelding. This column does

On June 15, 2003, wearing a cap and gown, I walked across a platform receiving a minister of theology degree. After that celebration I threw on some blue jeans and headed out to the horses.

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statement simply is, “I exist to remind you of peace and a sound mind.” Interestingly, the word justice does NOT appear in the New Testament.

Did you know that? I was surprised when I discovered

Your NEIGHbor, Deb Kitchenmaster Corral Connections: Connecting with LIFE through a horse Animal B.E.S.T practitioner dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com

June 15 - July 5, 2012

www.facebook.com/ElkmontBakery

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June 15 - July 5, 2012

The World According to Will

The Will Anderson Show M-F 6pm-8pm on 800 and 1230AM and 106.5FM WBHP

Is It Just Me, Or Have We Misplaced Our Moral Compass? by Will Anderson When I got in the car Sunday, heading home to play with the dogs after an inspiring morning at church, I heard the last part of an interview with an author and her mother on the topic of sex toys.

The daughter was asking Mom which ones she liked; I won’t go into details.

Then I checked the headlines when I got home.

I saw that two former Auburn football players were dead because of an argument about a girl during a party at an apartment near the campus.

THEN, trying to find something to smile about, I turned on the news, and heard about an idiot who charged the cockpit door during a flight from North Carolina to California because flight attendants, sensing that he was drunk, refused to serve him another cocktail. I suppose he made their case.

To my Libertarian friends, I throw out the olive branch. I hate the TSA as much as you do.

They waste our time, unless we’re terrorists; then for politically correct reasons we are ushered

June 15 - July 5, 2012

through as rapidly as we can kneel and offer the prayer of the hour.

My biggest problem with Libertarians is their naiveté on foreign policy.

The notion that we can simply opt out of war is as preposterous as would be the notion that we can opt out of cancer. Neither is an option. But regular readers and listeners already know that about me.

My second biggest problem with Libertarians, though (and it’s a close second) is their amoral overreach. We don’t live in a vacuum; what we do affects others, which in

turn affects commerce: Adam Smith, author of The Wealth Of Nations, was a moral philosopher, after all, before he codified capitalism.

A symbiotic relationship exists between virtue and prosperity. Neither will survive long without the other. The good news is, as with foreign policy and the economy, the administration has gone beyond societal norms on the social issues front, making them (social issues) le-

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gitimate and mainstream talking points—ones that, no doubt, will diminish the incumbent President.

Like the economy, in

which the topic of deficits is routinely raised at dinner tables these days ( how bad is it if it gets that boring during a family meal?), and foreign policy, in which Syria is being talked about by more of us than usual, we’re all at least thinking about—and in many cases talking about-social issues. It’s a start in restoring the virtue necessary to ensure our prosperity, both of which are necessary for our safety.

I have no doubt that President Obama’s cares about our safety, even as he hasn’t a clue how to keep us safe.

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Happy Independence Day!

from your Athens Now family Page 22

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June 15 - July 5, 2012

Security Savvy

What’s In An Accent?

by Jim Doyle, owner of Madison Security Group Jim Doyle, owner of Madison Security in Athens, decided that for this issue he would take a break from the serious work of making us safe to the very important job of making us laugh. Enjoy!

Ok, I have lived here in Alabama for two years now. I have not lost my “Boston Accent” yet. I know this because when I am speaking to someone for the first time I get a funny look, along with a slightly tilted head and the question, “You’re not from here are ya?”.

I am now. So I thought it would be fun to do a little comparing to how the true Bostonians talk as compared to the rest of the world.

ic WATER, we will ask for TONIC WATER. The smallest beer is a pint.

Order the cold tea in China Town after 2:00 am; you

Due north of the center we find the South End. Due East of that is South Boston (Southie). The South End is the South End. East Boston is Eastie. The North End is

If the streets are named after trees (e.g. Walnut, Chestnut, Cedar), you are on Beacon Hill.

If they are named after poets, you are in Wellesley.

Massachusetts Avenue is Mass Ave. Commonwealth Avenue is Comm Ave.

Below you will find what Boston is about and how to understand their language. Have fun, and as we say in the South, “Bless Your Hearts!”

How To Say These Massachusetts City Names Correctly Worcester: Wuhsta (or Wistah) Gloucester: Glawsta Leicester: Lesta Woburn: Woobun Dedham : Dead-urn Revere: Re -vee-ah Quincy: Quinzee Tewksbury: Tooks ber ry Leominster: Le-min-sta Peabody: Pee-ba-dee Waltham : Walth-ham Chatham : Chaddurn Samoset: Sam-oh-set or Sum-aw-set, but nevah Summerset!

There are two State Houses, two City Halls, two courthouses, and two Hancock buildings (one is very old; one is relatively new).

Route 128 South is 1-95 south. It is also 1-93 North. will get a kettle full of beer.

Scrod is whatever they tell you it is, usually fish - If you paid more than $7/pound, you got scrod.

It is not a water fountain; it is a bubblah.

It is not a spucky, a hero, or a grinder; it is a sub.

They are not franks; they are haht dahgs; franks are money used in Switzahland.

North, South, East, West, Getting Around Boston The geographical center of Boston is in Roxbury.

southwest of East Boston and east of the former West End. The West End and Scully Square are no more; a guy named Rappaport got rid of them one night. Roxbury is The Burree, Jamaica Plain is J.P.

The underground train is not a subway. It is the T, and it does not run all night.

(This ain’t Noo Yawk).

Bostonians think that it is their God-given right to cut off someone in traffic.

Bostonians

always

hang

a left as soon as the light turns green, and oncoming traffic always expects it. Bostonians believe that using your turn signal is a sign of weakness.

The Weatha

Bostonians think that three straight days of 90+ temperatures is a heat wave.

Bostonians refer to six inches of snow as a dusting.

Bostonians think that 63 degree ocean water is warm, and that the colored lights on top of the old Hancock Building predict “the weatha:” Solid blue, clear view.” “Flashing blue, clouds due.” “Solid red, rain ahead.” “Flashing red, snow instead.” (except in summer, flashing red means the Red Sox game was rained out!”)

There is no school on School Street, no court on Court Street, no dock on Dock Square, and no water onWater Street.

Back Bay streets are in alphabetical awddah: Arlington, Berkeley, Clarendon, Dartmouth, etc. So are SouthBoston streets: A, B, C, D, etc.

Boston Food & Drink Frappes are made with ice cream; milkshakes are not.

Soda means CLUB SODA. Pop refers to DAD. Tonic is ANY carbonated beverage - except Tonic Water, When we want Ton-

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