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March 7 - March 20, 2014

AthensNowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: Ali: 256-468-9425 Deborah: 256-309-9399

See Our Listings Inside this edition... Pages 25 - 32

Special Feature Wildwood Deli: Family, Faith, Food, And Love... Wildwood Deli has always been one of my favorite places to eat in Athens, and under the capable new ownership of mother/son team Rhonda and Matthew Fisher... Page 7

Chick-fil-Aâ€™s 2014 Bridge Of Hope 5K By Ali Elizabeth Turner When a franchise location with Chickfil-A is purchased, one of the prominent features of the corporate culture that shows up in the local store is a strong Continued on pages 15

Tourism

J And G: Nearly 40 Years Of Variety For Limestone County

March To Fun And History... March is one of those months where you donâ€™t know what to expect weatherwise... Page 8

Special Feature

TCL Cleaning Services: Going Green In 2014... Back in December of 2013 I had the pleasure of interviewing Felicia McGee, owner of TCL Cleaning Services, and am happy to report that business is so good that she has had to hire... Page 11

March 7 - March 20, 2014

By Ali Elizabeth Turner All my life I have loved hardware and variety stores, and when I first interviewed Danny and LaDonna Vaughn back in 2011, I was intrigued both by their store and their story. Continued on page 17

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March 7 - March 20, 2014

Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Rejoicing With The Romeikes

Sales / Editing Deborah Huff

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Delivery

Hunter Williams

Contributing Writers Shelley Underhill Lynne Hart Wanda Campbell Janet Hunt Joel Allen Brian Black Rachel Clark, RN, BSN Will Anderson Jerry Barksdale Teresa Todd

In May of 2013 Athens Now published a piece entitled Why We Need To Fight For The Romeike Family. It was about the plight of a German family who had sought and received asylum in the United States because they wanted

ministration stepped in and essentially said that no parent or guardian has a fundamental right to be the one that determines the education of their own children, and tried to deport them. I don’t know what this administration does with the homeschool laws that are legal in all 50 states, but I digress.

U.S. government on a capricious whim. It seemed way past strange that the administration would grant, and then retract asylum. What was even more curious was how hostile the Germans were toward this family, until an old law put on the books in 1937 by Adolph himself was uncovered. In part it said,

But remember this: God says He can save by many or by few, and sometimes help comes from the most bizarre and unlikely sources. In this case it was, as unbelievable as it sounds, from the Department of Homeland Security! That’s right, the very people whose department thinks it’s appropriate to look at your digitized naked body before you get on an airplane decided to grant the Romeikes the right to stay here permanently as long as they don’t commit a crime! Officially, they have been granted “indefinite deferred status.” The turnaround stunned everyone, and is understandably being called “a miracle.”

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . . 4 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . 6 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . 7 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 10 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . 11 Clean and Green . . . . . . . . 12 Cooking with Shelley . . . . . . 13 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . . . 15 & 17 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 16 World According to Will . . . 18 Jerry’s Journal . . . . . . . . . 19 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . . . 20 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Security Savvy . . . . . . . . . 23

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ened to the point of complete coagulation. The case went to the Supreme Court, and they were denied. It looked like there was no hope, and the Romeikes, who had won the hearts of their neighbors, were going to be deported to face a law that had been crafted by an evil tyrant decades ago.

to homeschool their family. The German government was going to take their children away from them, and in the truest fulfillment of Lady Liberty’s invitation to those who “yearned to breathe free,” our country granted them legal shelter. There would be no need for anyone to raise an issue regarding them becoming dependent on public assistance, as they are concert musicians who are fully able to support themselves. There would be no need to raise an issue over anything, for that matter. Then the Obama ad-

There was a veritable hue and cry that came forth from Americans of all quarters, and a petition was circulated that that was signed by tens of thousands. Federal legislators got involved, some of whom homeschool their own children. The Homeschool Legal Defense Fund represented their case. Residents of Eastern Tennessee were on the verge of civil disobedience. All the while, Attorney General Eric Holder was saying that homeschooling was a “mutable choice;” that is, one that could be nullified by the

“For this reason we have set before ourselves the task of inoculating our youth with the spirit of this community of the people at a very early age, at an age when human beings are still unperverted and therefore unspoiled,” the dictator said. “This Reich stands, and it is building itself up for the future, upon its youth. And this new Reich will give its youth to no one, but will itself take youth and give to youth its own education and its own upbringing.” Yikes! The plot, as they say, thick-

This sounds a bit like a modern day version of the Philistines turning on each other, and all of us have cause to give thanks. Prayer was answered, and justice prevailed. With so much bad news these days, here’s some good stuff to which you can cling, and about which you can rejoice.

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

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All Things Soldier

Alabama Veterans’ Museum To Host 4th Annual Women’s History Month Luncheon by Ali Elizabeth Turner

On March 22nd at 1pm, the Veterans’ Museum will host its 4th annual luncheon in tandem with the Women’s History Month commemorations which occur all across America throughout the month of March. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Women of Character, Courage and Commitment.” Every year, the Veterans’ Museum picks a particular military campaign as its emphasis, and this year is honoring several women who served during the Vietnam War Era. Without a doubt, the women who chose to serve during a time of such hostilities at home deserve special recognition. This year’s honorees are Dr. Deborah Barnhart, Linda Blankenship, Maria Taylor, and Edith Stewart. A brief bio of each woman appears below. Dr. Barnhart will also serve as our keynote speaker.

Linda Blankenship Dr. Deborah Barnhart Dr. Deborah Barnhart Dr. Barnhart became the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in December 2010. The Center is the official Visitor Information Center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian, and the showcase for Redstone Arsenal and defense programs, including energy. Home to the world renowned U.S. Space Camp®, U.S. Space Academy®, Aviation Chal-

lenge®, and Robotics Camp, the Center is Alabama’s leading tourist attraction. Dr. Barnhart’s career spans three decades of service in commercial industry, government, aerospace and defense. A retired Navy Captain (0-6), she was one of the first ten women assigned to duty aboard ships and commanded five units in her 26 year career. Linda Blankenship Linda Blankenship of Rogersville, Alabama joined the Women’s Army Corps,

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

March 18th

11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm

17915 W Elm St • Athens, Alabama • 256-232-0029 Page 4

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Edith Stewart Maria Taylor graduating basic training at FT. McClellan, Alabama, in 1973. She finished the Combat Medic Course and the Physical Therapy Specialist Course at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Linda served during the Vietnam Era, caring for soldiers returning from the conflict. Linda treated soldiers who suffered from severe burns, amputated limbs, and other painful injuries which required long-term care. She currently serves as a Director-at-large of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Maria Taylor Maria Taylor was born in Peru, and was not allowed to join the Peruvian Army so she came to America and joined ours! She retired in 2010 after 20 years as the International Programs Manager for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command in Huntsville. Her service took her to Afghanistan and Iraq, where she received several awards. She is also a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Hispanic Ministry at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, and an instructor with Learn

To Read, Athens. Edith Stewart Edith Stewart, a native of Andalusia, AL, joined the Navy in 1963. She completed her Basic Training at Bainbridge, MD, and finished her Naval Photographic training at Pensacola, FL. She served there until 1967. She met her husband Harry in 1967 as well, which was during a time when WAVES were not encouraged to be married. After marrying and leaving the Navy, she worked for the Defense Intelligence Agency as a photographer, and then attended to her career as a stay at home mom. She and her husband live in Ardmore. Please join us in honoring these women on March 22nd. The event always draws a good crowd, so be sure to come early so you have a seat. A delicious light luncheon will be served, and we look forward to seeing you there. The Alabama Veterans’ Museum and Archives is located at 100 Pryor Street, Athens.

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Calendar of Events Annual Vidalia Onion Sales Drive

Athens Ladies Civitan has kicked off its annual Vidalia Onion sales drive. The farm-fresh onions will be delivered in early May within 72 hours of being dug in Georgia. Bags are 10 pounds for $10 and may be purchased by calling 256-771-7672 or 256-232-6086, from any club member or by mail-order to Athens Ladies Civitan, P. O. Box 1814, Athens, AL 35612. Include check, number of bags ordering, name, address and phone. The deadline for orders is April 11. Proceeds from this fund raiser are used to support activities for special needs kids and adults of Limestone County.

Polk Sallet Follies Mar 6th - 8th

This annual dinner show is a wonderful night of entertainment and delicious food. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the Athens Senior Center. For more information 256-233-6412

16th Annual UCP “An Irish Evening” Mar 7th

6:00pm - 10:00pm at the Depot Roundhouse 320 Church Street, Huntsville, AL 35801 Join United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley for a night of Irish-inspired fun. Irish and international food and beverages will be sampled from local vendors. Celtic Entertainment including music by Bourbon and Shamrocks as well as Irish Step dancers will set your Irish Eyes to shining. Silent auction items will tempt you too. All proceeds directly benefit UCP client services. Tickets are $25.00 per person include food and beverages (one child 12 and under is free with each paid adult ticket). Buy your “An Irish Evening” Tickets Here

Members’ Race runs a ten mile route through Alabama’s oldest city. For more information please contact Valerie Connaughton at 256337-0417.

Athens Historic Walking Tours Apr 5th and 12th

Come join local guides as they stroll through one of five historic districts of Alabama’s second oldest city. Check-in is at 9:45am at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Cente 100 North Beaty Street and tours depart at 10:00am. Free For more information: 256-232-5411 or info@VisitAthensAL.com Join the conversation on Facebook too.

Athens Cruise-In Apr 5th

Shine the chrome, polish the paint or grab the family for some fun on the Square in downtown Athens, AL as the antique cars roll in and park. Enjoy a meal or do a little shopping too. Free For more information: Tschuman@comrep.com Join the conversation on Facebook too.

Heel and Crank Duathalon Apr 12th

Heel and Crank Duathalon in Mooresville, AL Registration at Active.com. This race is a beginner-friendly event as well as a good Sprint for the veterans. It consists of a 3 mi. run, a 13.5 mi. bike and a 3 mi. run.

break away day

ladies...

NSDAR, John Wade Keyes Chapter DAR Mar 8th

FOR A

NSDAR, John Wade Keyes Chapter DAR, will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 8, at the First Presbyterian Church Rodgers Center, Athens AL. For more information contact Judy Rew, 256-230-2105 or Brenda Winter, 256-771-3536.

with

GWEN SMITH

First Baptist Church of Athens

Ardmore Shamrock Shuffle Race Mar 15th

Registration at Active.com Ardmore Shamrock Shuffle is a chip-timed 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run/ Walk located in Ardmore, Alabama benefitting Ardmore area charities. This is an annual event celebrating the good times and fun of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday with Irish music and food and with a variety of vendors. The race kicks off the day wth a crowd of runners/ walkers dressed in their best St. Paddy’s Day garb hitting the streets of Ardmore. The 1 mile Fun Run /Walk follows with walkers and runners of every age heading to that Pot O’ Gold. It is a fun filled day for family and friends to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Good times, good friends and the luck of the Irish all in the same place!!!!

Gwen Smith is a speaker, author, concert artist, songwriter and worship leader who inspires women toward the heart of God through stories, songs, and Scripture. Her fun, enthusiastic, and relatable communication style puts audiences at ease and bridges generational, denominational, and racial divides.

March 15, 2014 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 201 East Hobbs Tickets $25 (lunch provided) For more information please contact 256-431-4962 or 256-232-0602.

Rocket Run Ten Miler Mar 15th

Rocket Run Ten Miler in Mooresville, AL This Huntsville Track Club

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March 7 - March 20, 2014

Special Feature

Wildwood Deli: Family, Faith, Food, And Love by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Wildwood Deli has always been one of my favorite places to eat in Athens, and under the capable new ownership of mother/son team Rhonda and Matthew Fisher, I can attest this still is the case. The Fishers have been at the helm for a little over a month, and business is brisk. Years ago Rhonda owned a sandwich shop on 72, and Matthew worked there as a kid. “I cleaned windows and the drink machine, and took out the garbage,” he said. Rhonda had to close Southern Sandwich because her business partner had a family member who became ill and needed care, but she never lost her dream of having her own place again. Matthew went on to get his Hotel and Restaurant degree from Auburn, and learned his trade there from people who had run the Ritz Carlton luxury hotels. As a native of Limestone County, he knows everything from “deep fried water” to haute cuisine, and is comfortable and skilled with all of it. His seven-year-old daughter, Taylor, who was helping that day, told me,

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“He’s good at it,” and her compliment was unsolicited. Rhonda and Matthew both know the business side of running a restaurant, which is crucial in an industry where the margins are so tight and failure is common. Rhonda is known for her baking, which might seem like a far cry from having a degree from ASU and working in computer information systems. Her recipe for banana pudding is a family secret, and both she and Matthew grew up in the kitchen. Rhonda says, “We make a really good team. We work well together, and we learn from each other.” So, do they make a good team?

Rhonda Fisher’s delicious banana pudding is made from a SECRET family recipe

Boy, howdy, I’d say. The morning I did the interview they made me eggs, which were cooked to perfection. Rhonda had just taken the banana bread out of the oven, and it was marvelous. I went back at lunchtime to sample the Philly Cheese Steak, and had it as a salad. Again, it was wonderful. Their Philly is made from shaved rib eye, and was mouth watering. Wildwood Deli is the local source for Gigi’s cupcakes, which are known in some circles as “milk’s BFF.” (Best Friend Forever.) Gigi’s offers gluten free products on Fridays, and the gluten free flavors from which one can choose are tantalizing: Wedding Cake, Turtle, (which has caramel, chocolate and pecans, just like the candy,) White Hot Chocolate, and Birthday Surprise. Wildwood has reconfigured its seating to be what is known as “community seating.” That means that any open seat at a table is available to any customer. “You might meet someone for the first time who is your neighbor, and you didn’t even know that they lived close to you.” (That has actually happened.) “It encourages community building,” Rhonda continued. Another of Rhonda’s signature pieces is her potato soup. In the few weeks they have been open, they have gone through more than one hundred pounds of red potatoes. The spud soup is the real deal, made from scratch, made with butter, and can come loaded with bacon and cheese, if you wish. (By the way, Matthew considers cheese to be its own food group, and will find any excuse to incorporate it into a dish. That’s my kind of guy.) I always ask clients when I interview them, “Why should I come to you?” In part, I have already answered my own question, but here are some further reasons why Wildwood Deli deserves your patron-

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Matthew Fisher slicing ribeye for the Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches

age. “We want to be here,” said Rhonda. “We love food, and we do it right,” she added. Matthew mentioned, “Our food is fresh, and we have no freezer. We make things in small batches, and you’ll never find me making a 5 gallon bucket of chicken salad,” he said. That insistence on freshness is paying off. They also have a vision for the future. By faith, they are planning on having several spinoff ventures, including other restaurants and a catering business. To show his faith, Matthew has the Wildwood phone number listed

in his cell’s address book as “#1 Restaurant.” They are planning on hosting special, private “prix fixe” (fixed priced, preselected multi course dinners) served after hours a couple of times a month. They want to have Saturday Sidewalk Suppers with live music. “We want people to look forward to our up and coming seasonal items and events,” said Rhonda, “and we will be utilizing local markets and orchards. We will also be featuring products from Belle Chevre Creamery.” These guys have imagination and panache. As Rhonda was working, I noticed that she was assembling a savory chocolate dipped treat. They were then going to be whisked away to the Home and Garden Show as part of Wildwood’s contribution to the event sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. No doubt they were a big hit. And the place from which they originated? It is going to be one as well.

113 W. Market Street, Athens, AL 35611 Hours: Mon-Fri, 11-6, Sat, 11-3 Phone: 256-206-9384 The WD Facebook page is updated daily, with notices of seasonal menu changes and extended hours Page 7

Tourism

March To Fun And History by Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association 100 Beaty Street, Athens, AL 35611 takes on shows and movies and ‘poke fun’ at themselves. Thus, the name Poke Sallet Follies was established. Approximately $5,000 was raised during its first year. Each year more volunteers came to perform and to help make sets and costumes. The show directors came up with different outrageous skits each year and the crowds grew to March is one of those months where you don’t know what to expect weather-wise. But one thing you can expect is one of the community’s favorite events: the annual Council on Aging’s Poke Sallet Follies. This year’s theme is “Be Our Guest.” You can have dinner and a show, plus a ton of laughs for only $35. Senior centers in Athens and Limestone County provide critical services such as Meals on Wheels and medical insurance counseling to the elderly. The Athens-Limestone Foundation on Aging was established by Limestone County citizens to raise money to help support these centers and their services. Since 1992, Poke Sallet Follies has been raising money for our senior citizens’ needs and activities. Before the Follies were started, there were the occasional yard sale and chicken stews, which might have brought in

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$1,000. The necessities for the centers were more than these small, sporadic fundraisers were able to raise. It was then that Athens resident Harriette Rost approached former COA Director Helen Carter with a possible way to eliminate these small fundraisers and have one huge annual one. She suggested it should be held in the spring when everything is growing, including the wild growing Polk weed. The goal was to have local business leaders and community directors perform hilarious

the point that the 3-night show now raises close to $20,000. In the past 21 years, Poke Sallet Follies has raised over $282,000 for the Council on Aging. You can see this year’s production March 6th, 7th and 8th at our Athens Senior Center, which is located at 912 W. Pryor Street. Visit their website for more information at www.pokesalletfollies. org March is also National Women’s History Month. This year’s theme at the Alabama Veterans’ Muse-

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um is “Celebrating Women of Character, Courage & Commitment”. “I can think of no other women who displayed these characteristics better than the women of the Vietnam War,” said Alabama Veterans’ Museum Director and Master Sergeant, Sandra Thompson. The speaker for the program will be Dr. Deborah Barnhart, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Dr. Barnhart’s career spans three decades of service in commercial industry, government, aerospace and defense. A retired Navy Captain (0-6), she was one of the first ten women assigned to duty aboard ships and commanded five units in her 26-year career. Other honorees include Edith Stewart, Maria Taylor and Linda Blankenship. The Museum will be celebrating these women at their annual Women’s History Program to be held at 1 PM on March 22nd. The Museum is located on 100 Pryor Street, Athens AL. Please contact Sandy

Dr. Deborah Barnhart

Thompson at 256-7717578 to see how you can be volunteer for this event. Other March Events March 7th & 8th: Annual Elkmont Beauty Walk (located at Elkmont High School 25630 Evans Street Elkmont, AL) Join the Elkmont High School Band Boosters for this fundraiser pageant. The pageant will have 3 divisions: Babies to Preschool age; Kindergarten-6th grade; 7th-12th grade. Admission is $5.00 per night. For details, and please visit elkmonthigh.org, keyword beauty walk. March 8th: Elk River Canoe and Kayak Trail Cleanup Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful invites you and your family, church group, scouts troop, or organization to join them in this year’s cleanup of the trail’s waterway, shoreline and launch points. Some canoes and kayaks will be available courtesy of Fort Hampton Outfitters for those who would like to take to the water. You’re also welcome to bring your own flat-bottom boat, canoe or kayak and help as well. For those not keen on being out on the water, help is needed along the shores as well. Lunch and bottled water will be provided to volunteers. Please contact Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful 256-233-8728 or by email at info@ keepathenslimestonebeautiful.com.

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

The Gift Of Community, Part 10, The 12 Qualities Of Community by Ali Elizabeth Turner

We have now spent ten “Ronnies” on Gary McCaleb’s excellent book, The Gift Of Community, and both of us agreed we could start all over again and have plenty of new material. McCaleb has done an outstanding job of researching and explaining what makes a community “tick,” and the following 12 points serve to crystallize what we are striving towards as citizens of Athens, AL: a truly marvelous city. •A clear identity - This means knowing who we are and where we ALL have come from.

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•Positive change - A big challenge for any city manager is knowing what to change, and what to leave alone.

Fiddlers’, Storytellers’, Earth Day, and the holidays.

•Constant renewal - Having a commitment to deal with inevitable decay effectively.

•Visible future - Probably one of the hardest and most important jobs of a leader is to keep hope for the future alive and vibrant.

•Attractive center - In Athens, we have the Courthouse Square and so much more.

•Inclusive participationOne example would be the Mayor’s Youth Commission.

•Congenial design Where people can feel the friendliness of the layout and accessibility of a city.

•External energy - What we can draw upon from other cities.

•Planned celebration Everything from Grease,

•Disciplined balance Enough rugged individualism and tribal thinking to glue the town together

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•Purposeful circulation - Where citizens and leaders keep the pulse of the 2 or 3 most pressing issues. This is especially challenging for leaders, as everyone thinks their issue is paramount. •Passionate leaders - People who genuinely love their communities, and it shows. What is the “big vision” of Athens? Well, it is only 4 years until we celebrate our bi-centennial, and it is never too early to start planning for an event that encompasses all 12 points. In addition, we have the

new public library, the much-needed renovation of the Houston Library, and the completion of the Trinity Project, as well as various projects at and associated with ASU. We need to teach our history and our identity both to our progeny as well as those who come to visit or make Athens their new hometown.

Mayor Ronnie, after we reviewed the 12 points, said, “How quickly we can go backwards.” And it’s true. There are many things that keep him up at night, and there is one that makes him feel a touch testy: litter. I have personally seen him make a point of picking up the trash thrown down by others we’ll call thoughtless, but I did not know until recently that he actually goes out to neighborhoods and does the same thing. Why? Because he loves our town, plain and simple. He agonizes over striking the balance between having a conservative approach to government and still promoting growth. And I know his mantra to be “quality of life” for all Athenians. Elie Weisel, a Holocaust survivor perhaps said it best when he stated in McCaleb’s book, “Surely, when human lives are involved, indifference is not an answer. There MUST be somebody who cares.” Being that somebody is a great deal of what makes Ronnie roll.

March 7 - March 20, 2014

Special Feature

TCL Cleaning Services: Going Green In 2014 by Ali Elizabeth Turner Back in December of 2013 I had the pleasure of interviewing Felicia McGee, owner of TCL Cleaning Services, and am happy to report that business is so good that she has had to hire a new crew member and will perhaps add another very soon. That is good news in a time when the economy is struggling, and at the time we talked she mentioned that she would add “green cleaning” to her services in time for spring. Up until that time, clients had to provide their own products if they were concerned with the chemicals present in standard cleaning products and wished for her to use an alternative. Felicia did her homework, and found commercial products that would get the job done, as well as researched recipes and formulated her own products. And, she was quick to assure me, “There is no extra charge for green cleaning.” Not surprisingly, she found that the vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice used by our great grandmothers to make their houses sparkle really do work, and have the added benefit of no side effects. Lavender oil is another natural product from generations ago, and was commonly used long before it was known that it has antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties. She has added it to her spring green line up. Regarding commercially prepared cleaning products, after doing some experimentation Felicia has settled upon Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers, and Method brands. Because of her commitment to giving her customers outstanding service, she will pre-test a green product at a prospective client’s home prior to doing the rest of the house in order to assure that the client is satisfied. Felicia got her start when was 15 years old by working

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with her mom, who owned her own cleaning business. She fell in love with it, and when the time was right, she continued on the tradition by starting her own business here in Athens in

“As a busy mommy of 2, I was in desperate need of some cleaning help. TCL came in and cleaned my house and it looks wonderful! It was a HUGE help and I would recommend them to anyone! Thank you so much!!” “My nasty, disgusting carpet looks awesome. The best part was just leaving my key and trusting my home to you, I know it is safe in your hands. I love working with people who have integrity like you. I

set up on a recurring schedule, and there is no contract requirement. In addition, she told me, “For readers of Athens Now who purchase the spring cleaning package, we’ll take $10 off if you book before May 1st.” Also, if customers give referrals to Felicia, she’ll take off an additional $10, and some restrictions apply. “We are already filling up for spring cleaning,” she said, so you need to make sure you don’t miss out on either the special or Felicia’s and her TCL crew’s tender loving care for your home. Here are some of the things satisfied customers have had to say about their work: “A HUGE thank you to TCL!! I came home to a spotless house this afternoon. After working 50+ hours a week, this was a huge weight off my mind. And I trust them wholeheartedly! Great job! Definite recommendation from me!”

would recommend you to anyone.” “Thank you TCL Cleaning Service for the terrific job you do for our office. Housekeeping was a task that we tried to manage internally for way too long. You do a better job than we could for ourselves, and allow us to focus on serving our clients. I would strongly recommend you to anyone who is in need of commercial cleaning services.”

She is a thoughtful, generous, savvy businesswoman who loves Athens and loves to give back to the community. During the holidays she gave gifts to her customers, but she didn’t stop there. She gave gift bags to the homeless. “They are

2011. “I genuinely love what I am doing,” she told me at the start, and I knew she meant what she said. I must confess: I am fascinated by someone who claims such a love, let

alone one who has parlayed it into a thriving business. Since December I have gotten to know Felicia better, and she is someone I would completely trust to take care of my home.

source Center. Her “gift” to us this season is TCL’s Spring Cleaning package, which includes the basic cleaning package plus baseboards, blinds, windowsills, ceiling fans, light fixtures, and the exterior of kitchen and bathroom cabinets. For a 2,000 square foot home the price is $150. “We will customize to meet your needs,” she told me. TCL will also take one-time clients, as well as new customers who

not homeless bags,” she says, “They are hand up bags.” She is also the co-founder of the North Alabama Business Network, and has been involved in donating to the Family Re-

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256-497-8927 tclcleaning@ mail.com www.tclcleaning serv.com  Facebook: facebook.com/ tclcleaning Page 11

Clean and Green

Why Care About Bats? found in our state since 1948 when recordkeeping began. When I mention bats, I get mixed reactions. Some people are very frightened of these creatures, and others are curious. For some, the mention of bats brings to mind Dracula and rabies. First, let’s clear that up. Vampire bats do not live in Alabama (or in the United States at all for that matter), and bats are just a few percent above cows in the number of rabies cases

The truth is, bats are incredible creatures and one of the most beneficial animals around! They are gentle creatures; they won’t get in your hair or attack you. All they want to do is fly in the night sky Did you know bats help control pests such as mosquitoes and pests that damage crops? A small colony of 150 bats can make a meal of up to 33 million crop pests over a single summer! They are a very earth-friendly

by Lynne Hart

alternative to pesticides! One little brown bat can feast on up to 1,200 insects in one summer night -- 8,400 in one week and 36,000 in one month! That makes me want to put up a “Bats Welcome” sign in my yard! Bats hunt at dusk when their favorite foods are flying about and predators have called it a day. So how do they catch those fastmoving insects and keep from flying into trees and telephone poles in such low light? They use an amazing navigational skill called echolocation.

Vicky Beckham-Smith, an Environmental Educator and Bats send out expert on bats, will be bringing her bats and her knowledge sound waves to share at KALB’s Earth Day & Outdoor Expo on April so high pitched 26th at Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens. they are outside a range that huBat Lady”, will bring sponsored activities are mans can hear. When those sound waves her expertise to share at free of charge. bounce off of something our Earth Day & Out- For more information, and return to the bat, the door Expo on April 26th call or email KALB. design of the bat’s ears at Big Spring Memorial We’re always happy to help them determine the Park in Athens. Presen- hear from you! location, size, and the tations and all KALBdirection of its prey or other objects.

Complete Property Maintenance, LLC

256-497-6447

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adam@completepropertymaintenance.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/Complete PM LLC Twitter: /@ CPM_LLC Page 12

Just like any other wild animal, they are best left alone. If you find an injured bat, call Animal Control and do not handle it. There is so much to know about bats and we have just the place to learn more! Vicky BeckhamSmith, known as “the

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(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com March 7 - March 20, 2014

Cooking with Shelley

Claraâ€™s Culinary Creation by Shelley Underhill

Some of you know my daughter Clara, and have tried many of her recipes! This time she has outdone herself with this Apple Cream Cheese Strudel. It is both pleasing to the eye and pleasing to the palate. This is one I am sure

will go over well with friends and family alike. Let me know if you try it; you can send your emails and requests to shelleysdesk@gmail.com. Enjoy!

What you will need: 1 can crescent rolls Â˝ cup powdered sugar 4 oz. cream cheese

1teaspoon vanilla 1tablespoon cinnamon 1cup apple pie filling

Cream together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Cover a flat cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper. If using foil, spray foil with non-stick cooking spray that contains flour. Place unfolded crescent rolls with backs together and points out, crimp ends and sides together with points pointing outwards, cover crescent rolls with cream cheese mixture. Add pie filling. Fold points of crescent rolls over top of mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 350 until golden brown. Drizzle with glaze generously. Glaze 3/4 cup powdered sugar 2 tablespoons milk

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Mix together well. Drizzle over.

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Cooking and Aromatics: A Feast for the Senses by Wanda Campbell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262

When I was little, I loved to eat fried oysters. In my mind, they were tasty, salty, and just plain good. Little did I know that my mom bought the oysters frozen and when they were thawing on a paper towel, they looked like squashed eyeballs. That accidental visual ruined my appetite for oysters. Eating is not just taste. It is a combination of smell, sight, and taste.

With all the cooking shows on television today, it is easy to find beautiful food, especially if you watch shows like

Cake Boss or Cupcake Wars. I especially like Cake Boss, a reality show about Carloâ€™s Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey run by Buddy Valastro and his family. His cakes are truly amazing. Cakes are not the only beautiful food. The Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, and Alton Brown, from Good Eats, make great looking meals look really easy. But have you noticed that the recipe you make

I watch, aromatics (smell) increase flavor and enjoyment of foods. Aromatics are a mix of spice, vegetables, and herbs that flavor dishes usually based on culinary culture. In Cajun cooking, for example, the vegetable trinity is onion, celery and green pepper. In Italy, the vegetable combination (or soffritto) is onion, garlic, and fennel. In a variety of cultures (including

of the plant, (primarily roots, seeds, or stems). For a good reference regarding which spices go together and how much of a specific spice or herb you should use, go to www.spiceadvice.com. There is a chart detailing different spices and how they go together, as well as when and how much to add.

French and American) onions, carrots and celery make up the trilogy of flavors.

the Center for Lifelong Learning to get a fresh apple baked scone. Yum. UnderGrounds offers a wide variety of specialty coffees, snacks, baked goods, and popcorn. If you stop by, let Tracy know you saw this story and she will give you a discounted price for your cappuccino, latte, mocha, or hot chocolate. While you are there, check out our calendar of events for an upcoming activity you will enjoy.

Whew! All this talk about food is making me hungry. Maybe it is time to stop by the UnderGrounds Coffee Shop at

at home does not look like the recipe the cooking show chef makes? You might follow the recipe exactly the same way and it is just not the same. That is when smell and taste come into play. According to several cooking shows

Without spices and herbs, the dish is only half complete. Spices and herbs may seem like the same thing but they are not. Alton Brown from Good Eats says the difference between spices and herbs is where they come from on the plant. Herbs are from the leaf or green part of the plant. Spices come from the other parts

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March 7 - March 20, 2014

Cover Story

Chick-fil-A’s 2014 Bridge Of Hope 5K by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

emphasis on giving back to the community. Every year, each franchise owner (in our case, Matthew Kyle of the 1291 Hwy 72 E location in Athens,) picks a charity event to sponsor. For the third year running, (pardon the pun,) the charity of choice is Bridge of Hope Adoption Ministry, and on April 12th at 8 am you’ll get your chance to give them a hand through the use of your feet! Bridge of Hope Adoption Ministry was started in 2008 here in Athens. The purpose of the organization is to provide financial, emotional, spiritual and practical support for families who are in the process of adopting children, whether in the States or abroad. Foreign adoptions are especially challenging in every regard. It is not at all uncommon for a foreign adoption to cost up to 30 thousand dollars, sometimes excluding travel. Several of the founders of Bridge of Hope have been involved in both foreign and domestic adoptions, have persevered through the sometimes daunting process, and want to be of great help to those who feel the high calling of becoming what is known as a “forever family” to a child in need. One such case was a local grandmother who needed $500 to adopt her grandchild. To date, Bridge of Hope has helped 39 local families with donations of various amounts. If you are interested either in adopting or helping those who wish to, please visit www.bohadoptionministry. com. There are a number of support families who have already successfully

March 7 - March 20, 2014

$20K for the event. They include, but are not confined to, Dr. Alan Coleman of Coleman Dental, Dr. Chad Davis of Davis Optical, Dr. Jason Reed, Jimmy Smith Infiniti, Athens Pharmacy, Jennifer Morrison of Advocare, Steelcase, and others. So, on to the particulars of the event. For more information on the race or to register online, you can go to www.active.com/ athens-al/running/distancerunning-races/10k-5k-1mile-chick-fil-a-connectadopted, and who stand ready to help you. I met with Steve Cundiff (at Chick-fil-A, of course) whose family adopted Bonnie from China ten years ago. He is one of the founders of Bridge of Hope, and he and his wife have three biological children. Extraordinarily difficult pregnancies caused them to conclude that while they were finished with giving birth, they were by no means finished with becoming parents. Bonnie’s Chinese name was Zhou Xian Xian, and her American name is Bonnie Louise Xian. She became a Cundiff at the age of 10 months. Steve says, “Because of her adoption, Bonnie has been afforded many opportunities she would otherwise not have had, the most important of which is having a relationship with God and a ‘forever family’.” Steve is a financial advisor for Edward Jones, and his company donated five thousand dollars toward Bonnie’s adoption. “It made a huge difference,” he told me, which is one of the reasons why he has stayed involved with Bridge of Hope so that he can help.

While on the trip to China to get Bonnie, English speaking strangers would come up to them and say, “Lucky baby, lucky baby.” “But really,” he said, “We are the lucky ones. We as Christians understand the spirit of adoption.” Interestingly, it is common in Alabama for parents who have adopted children from foreign countries to have a “re-adoption ceremony,” where they are issued an Alabama birth certificate, and all the privileges of being a citizen of the State of Alabama are conferred upon them. It gives them something to remember and be proud of. This year there are a number of sponsors in addition to our Chick-fil-A who are pulling together to hopefully raise

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race-series-athens-al-2014, or to Facebook at www. facebook.com/pages/ Chick-fil-A-of-AthensAL/174091231851. You can also register at the Chickfil-A store, which is located

at 1291 Hwy 72 E right across from Starbucks. The race will start at 8 am on April 12th from the Wellness Center on Fitness Way in Athens. It costs $20 to enter, which includes the cost of the T-shirt. Each runner will get a shirt, provided they register by April 7th. Late registration up until the day before the race is $30, and there is no guarantee of getting a shirt. . All participants under the age of 19 need their parent or guardian’s signature on the registration form in order to participate. Race split times will be called on each mile. (A split time is somewhat like having a pace car that helps the runner/walker to know what they need to do to keep up and finish the race within a standard course time.) There will also be aid stations at the beginning, middle and end of the racecourse, a welcome comfort, as even April weather in Athens can be pretty warm. As always, Chick-fil-A will be awarding a number of prizes for each age group, and would love to invite all of Athens to come to the 5K and experience the blessing of being part of the “bridge” that brings hope.

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Health and Fitness

Bone Health by Janet Hunt

Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment. Bones support the body and allow us movement. Bones protect our brain and other organs. Bones store minerals such as calcium and phosphorous for strength; and then release those minerals as our body needs them for other uses. There are many types of bone diseases, but the most common is osteoporosis. With osteoporosis, our bones become weak and break more easily. On a daily basis, our body breaks down old bone and puts new bone in its place.

As we get older, our bones break down more than they are replaced; therefore some bone loss is normal as we age, but we can take steps to slow this down. As with most health issues, many things can increase your risk of osteoporosis – some within your control and some outside your control. Below are some risk factors you can control: •Diet: Getting too little calcium and too little Vitamin D can increase your risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin D helps your body use the

calcium in your diet. •Physical Activity: Bones become stronger and stay stronger with regular exercise. •Body weight: Being too thin increases your risk of osteoporosis. •Smoking: Smoking cigarettes prevents your body from using calcium in your body effectively. Also women who smoke go through menopause earlier than nonsmokers and early menopause increases your risk. •Medicines: Some medicines can cause bone loss as one of their side effects. Below are risk factors you cannot control: •Age: Risk is higher as you age. •Gender: Women have a higher chance of developing osteoporosis because our bones are smaller and our hormones changes after menopause. •Ethnicity: Caucasian and Asian women are at higher risk.

gram, contact Janet Hunt, an ACE Certified Personal

Trainer and ACE Certified Health Coach.

•Family History: Having a close family member with osteoporosis may mean you are at a higher risk as well. It is never too late to takes steps to improve your bone health. Begin by eating a well-balanced diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D and get plenty of exercise. The best exercise for bone health is weight-bearing exercise such as walking, lifting weights, climbing stairs, and dancing. For more information regarding well-balanced diet and a good exercise pro-

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Cover Story

J And G: Nearly 40 Years Of Variety For Limestone County by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

Their store is located at 14535 Hwy 72 in Athens, and it is a legend in our town and beyond. What makes J and G unique is that the place has more than 1,500 silk flower arrangements on display, along with every type of tool you could ever want or need. How did this come to be? Well, about 38 years ago, James and Gayle Vaughn opened up a small convenience store with the usual gas, milk, soda, bread and eggs. Gayle started doing the arrangements, which were mostly created for memorials, and it wasn’t long before that was the big draw to the store. They moved from a 900 sq ft store to a 5,000 square ft shop, and it became apparent that the local men folk needed something to look

through while their wives shopped for silk flowers. Enter the tools, with such well-known names as DeWalt, Skil, Black and Decker, and others, and the rest is history. No place in the Tennessee Valley can you find such brilliantly colored arrangements, and at such reasonable prices. Danny Vaughn, son of James and Gayle, and his wife LaDonna run the business now, and told me that several times a week he hears the following: “I went all over town looking for __________________, and you have it. From now on, I am coming here first!” This is music to his ears. J and G Variety also carries welding supplies, as well as tactical equipment such as holsters, cross draw vests, ghillie suits, parachute cord, along with camping and survival gear.

Danny Vaughn and Zack Zirbel hold down the tool side of the business. The 5,000 sq ft building has been added on to five times, and now there is a grand total of 30,000 sq ft of retail space filled with pre-made arrangements, as well as tools, knives, house wares, home décor, and pet supplies. LaDonna, along with Wanda Johnson, Jody Taylor, Linda Blackwell, Brittney Chandler, (a third generation J and G-er,) and Debbie Jeffreys are the first ones you’ll meet and see hard at work when you walk in the door. They always greet me warmly, and they make a real point of taking care of people who need memorials for their loved ones. Whether it’s a floral saddle, something to fill an urn in a headstone, a sympathy basket, or an arrangement

me some of what is involved in creating the individual silk flowers from which an arrangement is made, and the process is indeed labor intensive. The blooms are hand cut, and then, ( in the case of the dogwoods,) embossed. “No one beats our prices, either,” he told me.

Danny told me, “Most florists will have around 100 saddles to view; no one has this level of visual display. A person can go through the boxes of ‘loose’ flowers, and pick exactly what they want for their custom order piece.” He then told

Memorial season is just about to get started, and it is one of J and G’s busiest times of the year. They will sell between 4 and 5 thousand arrangements before the end of May. If you are wanting to grace the grave of your loved one with a beautiful silk floral gathering that is made with care, be sure to come to J and G Variety and let them create the perfect one, just for you. You’ll be glad you did.

They also check to make sure that the colors don’t run, and while all arrangements will eventually fade, due to being continually out in the sun, their colors last longer than others because of the quality of the silk blooms.

J and G Variety 14535 Hwy 72 Athens AL, 35611 Phone: 256-232-6695 Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5 info@ jandgvariety.com

J and G’s fantastic floral crew: (front row L-R) Debbie Jeffreys, Jody Taylor, Brittany Chandler. (back row) Wanda Johnson and Linda Blackwell

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to be put on a casket. They are so good at what they do that people come from New York, Michigan, Indiana and all over Alabama to select either an existing arrangement on display, or have one custom made, and flower making supplies have to be ordered by the container full to keep up with the demand. One woman drives once a year during memorial season from North Carolina, picks up her arrangement, and drives back the same day to put it on the grave of her loved one. No one beats J and G’s prices, nor their dedication.

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Like me on

The World According To Will

The Will Anderson Show on Talk Radio For Real Life M-F 4pm-6pm on WTKI and WTKE, 94.7FM and 92.9FM, and 1450 and 1490AM

Making Sense Of Ukraine by Will Anderson Clarifying moments are usually uncomfortable, but if taken to heart, they’re quite instructive. This week President Obama has had the opportunity to learn from a clarifying moment with regard to the imbroglio in Ukraine. Whether he’ll learn from it is a long shot, of course. He hasn’t gotten the memo that all of us, irrespective of age and our lots in life, are works in progress. A friend asked me last weekend to sum up in a brief nutshell what exactly was going on in Ukraine, so here goes: Vladimir Putin intends to reconstitute the Soviet Union. He has wanted to do this for some time now, and the most delightfully entertaining reaction from liberal pundits is that—no joke—it’s George Bush’s fault. Russia invaded another Soviet state (Georgia) on Bush’s watch, after all. So shut up, liberals say, about Obama being weak. This whole thing would have happened despite who was in office. Among the things to note is the fact that Russia invaded Georgia in August of 2008, when it seemed rather obvious that Obama was going to beat McCain. Putin knew then that the incoming President was unconcerned with foreign policy. That’s different from paying attention and drawing the wrong conclusions about what works; from day one, foreign policy was a pesky distraction from Obama’s domestic ambitions. And so, as Russia, China, and the mullahs

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in Iran, for example, have observed this president’s priorities, among which the rest of the world simply isn’t one. The rational conclusion has been that now is the time to act. In the case of China, the desire to surpass us as an economic superpower actuates. The powers that be in Iran want to spread radical Islam at all costs, including death to themselves. And in Russia, President Putin intends to rematch the United States in The Cold War. Why? To say ego is the first reason is to be right, but insufficient. Putin, indeed, wants a legacy of rebuilding The Soviet Union. But he also is concerned about energy—traded worldwide in dollars—and isn’t too happy about our national debt. If Ron Paul had a point when he said that bad guys were attacking us because we’ve made them mad, he didn’t know what the point was. Reagan’s “peace through strength” policy worked. Part of the strength that Reagan helped procure, though, was strength of the dollar. Russia’s economy depends on energy, which, in part, is what has driven Putin into Ukraine, rich with pipelines. Putin’s calculation (and it’s rational) is that the dollar weakening. He’s right. So, what can we do to fix this? Stop printing money, I say in concert with my Ron Paul friends. And stop electing presidents who are hostile to the notion of paying attention to foreign policy. It matters.

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Jerry’s Journal

My Six Point Plan for Dying Sooner Rather Than Later by Jerry Barksdale My daughter, Shannon, called very excited. “Dad, Jamie had a vision the other night that you are going to live to be ninety-three.” Jamie is Shannon’s best friend and a full-blooded Cheyenne who grew up on a reservation. She and her husband own The Bavarian, a fine German restaurant on the ski slopes in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico. She is also a medicine woman of sorts. “That will never do,” I said. “Why?” “I run out of money when I’m eighty-three.” It’s just like a kid, thinking they’re helping out, but making things worse. My plan has always been to ar-

rive at my grave at age 83 on time, well dressed, clean shaven, good haircut, all my teeth , tan and trim, low cholesterol and a blood pressure of 130/70. Now, I may have to hobble in on a cane with spit drizzling down my chin. My genes are working against me. My triple great grandfather, Daniel Barksdale lived to be age 99. When I was born in 1941, life expectancy was 65. Now, it’s 76. Exercise, good nutrition, great medical care and nonsmoking has extended my life expectancy and is driving me toward bankruptcy. It use to be that a man died when he reached age 65, just when social security kicked in. That’s the way the government planned it and the money coffers were full

back then. Now people are living longer and look what happened - Social Security is bankrupt. However, there is a ray of hope. When the government takes over our healthcare and folks die while waiting to see a doctor, life expectancy may slide back to the 1941 level. And that will be good. Social Security will be back on sound financial footing. Aside from being broke at age 83, there are other reasons for dying. I don’t want to pick up my date at a nursing home. And if politicians continue levying taxes, folks won’t have enough money left to purchase necessities like beer and pizza, much less pay for clothes, shelter and transportation. Who wants to live without beer and pizza?

My investment portfolio, as always, is going my way – backward. The inflation rate as of December, 2013 was 1.5%. I draw 0.3% on my dab of savings. Each month 1.47% of my savings disappear from my account without me touching it. If I live to age 93 and never spend a nickel of my savings, the account will be worthless at the present rates. If I live past age 83, it’s my own fault. I began smoking rollyour-owns when I was in the third grade at East Limestone School and worked my way up to two packs of Marlboros a day when I was in law school. I quit cold turkey in 1967. Then in 1976 I joined the health craze and began jogging and working out. I cut back on fat and

cholesterol-laden foods and began living pretty much like a rabbit in a monastery. I asked Shannon to request Jamie to have another vision and see if my life expectancy can be lowered to age 83. If that doesn’t work out, I have developed a six point back up plan: 1.Start back chasing women. This plan is very dangerous and offers two methods of dying early. First, be shot by a jealous boyfriend and die outright. Secondly, die a slow and painful death from exposure to the elements while waiting for the girlfriend to find car keys in her purse. 2.Disclose to my good friend (and sometimes redhead) Pat, that I started chasing women. This will guarantee my hospitalization, followed by her standing on my oxygen tube in the hospital. 3.Purchase a Harley, get a tattoo, plow through 5 strands of barb wire fence and slam into a sleeping brahma bull. 4.Buy a horse. This will guarantee that sooner or later I will be kicked, thrown, bit or pawed to death. 5.Start back snow skiing and run into a ponderosa pine at 50 mph. 6.Eat a triple decker cheeseburger with bacon at Hardees every day. Death will come slower, but with more pleasurable. If Jamie isn’t successful in revising my life expectancy, I may get a second opinion. I wonder if the government will cover the cost of a vision?

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Dog Barker

Proverbs 12:10

“A righteous man regardeth the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” by Joel Allen We all, at a young age, are taught what is right and wrong by the examples set before us. The stories shared by my Mom about my Pee Paw (Grandfather), Richard Millar always interested me. He was a man who stood every bit of over 6’ 5” and was very easy to spot in a crowd. He was always the guy standing taller than most around him. He was a pilot who lived in Montevallo, Alabama and was responsible for keeping the Shelby County Airport open against the Governor of Alabama years ago. My Pee Paw was also known for his love for animals, particularly dogs. He drove a Datsun, 2-door car for transportation and the funny thing was seeing him squeeze into the driver’s seat. His knees were even with the top of the steering wheel and he would have to turn his head to the side so he could drive due to the low ceiling of the car. Now picture this in your mind.

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is the giver of the dog or dogs we have. Are you a good steward? There are a lot of dogs in shelters that have been abused and are waiting to have that loving family to rescue them. Can you be a Pee Paw? “Remember to love your dogs because they love you. Maybe not the way you want them to, like chewing up your favorite shoes or what not, but that

One day Pee Paw was driving and to his horror and anger there was a man beating a dog. “SCCRREEEEECCHH!” The wheels of the Datsun screamed to a halt. The Datsun was rocking as Pee Paw peeled himself out of the car and came to the aid of the dog. He took the dog away from the man who was beating it. The man began to protest but Pee Paw glared at the man and told him he did not deserve the dog. The man yelled, “That dog is stupid and you can have her!” instead of

fighting Pee Paw. This was not the first dog Pee Paw had rescued. Pee Paw already had nine dogs at home from various places. He named her Suzie and took her home. Suzie had long white and brown fur, a Heinz 57 type dog. She left fur everywhere. Suzie would be a loving friend to Pee Paw for over twelve more years before she would go and be with the Lord. That love she shared could be seen on him every time he went to work as brown and white fur would always be on his pants. Before Pee Paw came home, she would become excited and everyone knew he was coming home. And that was how it was. www.athensnowal.com

Today, my wife and I have eight Great Danes plus two more we take care of for our friends. Some are rescues and others I have collected over the years. I belong to them, not them to me. The love they give me cannot be measured. I consider it priceless. I want everyone to measure themselves and ask whether they deserve their dog or not. Be honest because God knows your heart already and He

is just love chewing. Be thankful for the time you have with them always.” “Remember to love your dogs because they love you. Maybe not the way you want them to, like chewing up your favorite shoes or what not, but that is just love chewing. Be thankful for the time you have with them always.”

Joel and Zues Allen 256-651-2211

March 7 - March 20, 2014

Brad Pullum for Sheriff

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Medical Update

March is “National Nutrition Month ” ®

By Rachel Clark, RN, BSN According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, March is National Nutrition Month®. This is an annual campaign they sponsor across the country to educate and inform people about nutrition. The www.eatright. org website says “the campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.” The campaign began as a week-long event in March of 1973. In 1980, due to the amount of public interest and excitement, it became a month-long observance. This year’s theme is “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right.” Taste often trumps nutritional value when choosing foods. Let’s face it: most of us would choose a slice of gooey cheesy pizza topped with all manner of greasy toppings over a spinach salad with grilled chicken any day. We’d rather have the carbs, grease, and all that makes the pizza taste so good. Salads can be bland and uninteresting if we aren’t dressing them up to make them more palatable.

dations for healthy eating. They say that fully half of the plate should be made up of fruits and vegetables at EVERY meal. Mom always told you to eat your fruits and veggies to grow up strong. That is still important today, for both children and adults. It is vital to start to those healthy habits as children, but also equally important to continue them into adulthood. Fruits and vegetables are the building blocks we need to ensure strong bones, a sharp mind, and a healthy nervous system. Our bodies need the nutrients contained in live foods in order to nourish us appropriately and keep our systems running smoothly. Strong Bones Some experts say that we begin to lose bone mass as early as age 30. We need the calcium contained in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, okra, and collard greens. If you take warfarin (Coumadin), it is important to eat the same amount of these

leafy greens every week to ensure that your PT/ INR (blood tests that affect blood clotting and viscosity) levels remain steady. If you are not going to eat the same amount every day, these foods should be avoided when taking warfarin. Also, discuss this with your provider before making these dietary changes. One way to get these greens into your diet (especially if you don’t like the taste) is to include them in a smoothie. If you are already on the smoothie craze, it is easy to add these greens into your existing routine without even knowing they’re there! Sharp Mind We need the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish such as Wild Alaskan Salmon, Atlantic Mackerel, Sardines, Black Cod, Rainbow Trout, Albacore Tuna, and Pacific Halibut. We can also find these omega-3 fats in

flaxseed, walnuts, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and wild rice. You can supplement your diet with omega-3 supplements found over the counter at various places, including your local pharmacy or herbal store. Healthy Nervous System Vitamin B-12 is key to healthy nervous system function. It is also important for red blood cell creation and function. Vitamin B-12 can be found in foods such as lean beef, low fat dairy, Swiss cheese, and chicken eggs. For vegetarians, you can supplement with fortified soy (tofu), fortified bran cereals, and supplements available over the counter. Hydration It is also vital to stay hydrated. Our bodies are made up mostly of water. Water has many functions in our body,

including but not limited to flushing out toxins, regulating body temperature, regulating blood pressure, and healthy skin. To get enough water you should consume half your body weight (pounds) in ounces of water every day. For example if you weigh 160 pounds, you should consume at least 80 ounces of water every day. Avoid drinks high in processed sugars, as those promote dehydration. This would include soda (both diet and regular) and juices containing high fructose corn syrup. As always, if you have a condition that would restrict your fluid intake such as kidney failure or congestive heart failure, please discuss this with your healthcare provider before making the change in your life. This month, focus on your nutritional health. For more information, see your healthcare provider for referral to a registered dietician who can help you improve your nutritional health.

So how do we combine the fact that we need more nutritious choices in our diet with the love affair we have with taste? How do we get our children to eat their fruits and vegetables? There are many resources available from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on their website, www.eatright.org. The government has also set forth its own recommen-

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Security Savvy

The Real Question is “Why” by Brian Black, Operations Manager of Madison Security Group 203 Us Highway 31 S, Athens, AL 35611 When we in the security industry are faced with writing an incident report we are taught to ask who, what, where, when and how. There is one more question that begs asking: WHY. Why did it happen? This question is normally left up to the investigators and lawyers, but I think we need to ask the question. Why is there so much violence in schools? There have always been fights at schools. These fights happened for various reasons: a girl, sports or just to see who the toughest guy is. But times have changed. We now have reports of children fighting with or killing other children for all kinds of reasons. Gang initiations, just for fun and sometimes for no reason at all. So, why is this happening? In my opinion, the children that commit these acts are empty inside. They have been numbed to the reality that actions have consequences. I point the finger at Hollywood and the video game producers. Children nowadays play violent video games continuously and watch violent movies. These video games and movies have graphic scenes and encourage killing of both good and bad people. They are mentoring our children NOT to conquer the instinct of killing. I am told that in some of these games you must

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more just to feel the same “high” if you will as they did when they started. Some of these children eventually lose their grip on reality and think life is like the games and movies. In an attempt to “feel” something, they act out the scenes they have

kill yourself in order to win. Why would anybody allow their children to play these games? Hollywood glamorizes the criminal and makes the police and other law enforcement to be the bad guys. Just look at the movies The Fast and The Furious and the “classic” The Godfather, and the hit show The Sopranos. In these productions you will see that the one they are calling the “hero” would actually be a bad guy in real life. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that any of these should be banned. What I am saying is that this is part of the problem. We as a society need to let Hol-

seen time and time again. Unfortunately, there is not a reset or pause button for real life.

These children no longer have the interaction with other children the way we did growing up. They no longer are allowed to play outside or participate in organized sports because they “might” get hurt. We need to make sure that kids are properly supervised while playing and that inappropriate games and movies are kept away from them until they are more mature. If they are playing these games, parents should make clear the difference between reality and non-reality. The best way to keep your children secure is to be active in their life.

lywood and the video game industry know that we want products that represent our standards. Unfortunately, a large number of kids play, watch, and get addicted to these games and movies just as surely as if they were doing drugs. Like a drug user, over time they need more and

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