Weekend The Outlook
.5% of sales tax pays for our Sportplex
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
July 25 -26, 2015 • Vol. 123 • No. 148 • www.alexcityoutlook.com
MUST SEE FOOTBALL Top five games to look out for in 2015, page B1.
Harold Banks Canoe Trail dedicated By Betsy Iler
TPI Magazine Editor
It was a successful conspiracy. Somehow, Tallapoosa County Extension Coordinator Shane Harris managed to print maps and brochures, as well as large site-designation signs, and invited a host of dignitaries to a ceremony honoring Dadeville’s Harold Banks without the honoree knowing until the words spilled from Harris’ lips at Friday morning’s Harold Banks Canoe Trail dedication. Two years in the making, the 25-mile trail Friday was officially named and opened at a ribbon cutting under the Alabama Highway 49 bridge north of Irwin Shoals on the Tallapoosa River.
Banks, an enthusiastic proponent of the river’s beauty and serenity, was the first person to solo-paddle its entire 258-mile length. He also has been highly involved in the effort to add the 25-mile stretch of waterway to the extensive Alabama Scenic River Trail, which comprises more than 600 miles of water for paddling tourism. “This is shocking to me,” said Banks, who was completely surprised at the trail’s designation. “We kept this secret for a long time,” Harris told a crowd of more than 30 dignitaries that included representatives from the numerous organizations, priBetsy Iler / The Outlook vate industry and governmental agencies Dignitaries gathered at Horseshoe Bend boat ramp Friday to cut the ribbon on the new See BANKS, Page A3 Harold Banks Canoe Trail. Center, Banks holds the sign with Rep. Mark Tuggle.
Sun Festival heads to finish line
Drivers to see easier access for licenses Online scheduling, new kiosks should speed process
By Mitch Sneed
By David Granger
Outlook Editor
Outlook Staff Writer
Some say it’s always good to save the best for last and when it comes to Sun Festival – that appears to be the plan. After Friday’s incredible events, including the highenergy of Band Battle at Strand Park, Saturday is the festival’s final day, and it is packed with plenty to do. The headline attraction of the day is the Sun Festival Concert at the Sportplex featuring Top 40 country artist David Nail followed by the Winn Dixie Fireworks Show. But before the finale, the day starts at 7 a.m. with the MainStreet Farmer’s Market and then there is: • 8-10:30 a.m. Get Up, Get Going at Strand Park • 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Motorcycle Sun Festival Ride & Show Chamber of Commerce • 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun Festival Car Show - Chamber See FESTIVAL, Page A7
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
489.24 Reported on 7/24/15 @ 1 p.m.
Linda Shaffer, REALTOR® C: 256.794.4641 • W: 256.329.5253 shaffer@lakemartin.net 5295 Highway 280, Alexander City, AL
Today’s
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Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
From incredible music at Band Battle, to fun in the sun, a sidewalk art contest and a fantastic staging of ‘A Very Rich Woman’ Friday was an eventful day at Sun Festival. Top, Trey Foshee of Blackberry Breeze rocks Strand Park Friday evening. Above, Katelyn Henderson, 11, Carter Poe, 8, and Kenzie Henderson 7, create art on the sidewalk outside the Chamber of Commerce Building. Left, Molly Barrett portrays Gladys Minot in the play held at Central Alabama Community College.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Association announced Thursday several upgrades in the way Alabama driver’s licenses are renewed and appointments at ALEA driver’s license examining offices are scheduled. The upgrades include: Online scheduling, allowing customers to select via the Internet appointment times at ALEA driver’s licensing offices that are most convenient for them; The option for licensed drivers to renew standard driver’s licenses or obtain a duplicate license online; The option to use a self-serve kiosk rather than wait for a driver’s license examiner, to renew a standard driver’s license or non-driver ID or to order a duplicate license; The option for an Alabama driver to download a digital license to show as a secure form of identification (requires an online license renewal); and Updates throughout the state to equipment at ALEA offices, driver’s See LICENSES, Page A3
Wilson hopes to make Excelsior Ink a community fixture By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Make no mistake about it. Falan Wilson, the owner of the new Excelsior Ink at 116 Madison St., is an artist. “Comic book art was my original passion,” said Wilson, who opened his shop after working four years with Lake Martin Tattooing. “I just sort of changed that up and got into tattooing. A lot of the concepts in comic book art and tattooing are the same. Both use the heavy black outlines and the bold color contrasts.” The comic book influence is still evident in the décor of Wilson’s studio and in much of his tattoo work. He was
also heavily influenced by tattoo artist Sarah Miller of Pittsburgh, who he met in 2013 through the tattoo-based reality show Ink Master. Even with those influences, Wilson prides himself in his originality and uses his gift to that end. And he’s doing something right. His work brings clients regularly from as far away as Birmingham. One client comes to him from Ohio. “I just try to make every piece personal and I think that’s what sets me apart,” Wilson said. “I want whatever I do to feel like a work of art to David Granger / The Outlook a client.” Falan Wilson works freehand on a sketch of Freddy Krueger, the first step in See INK, Page A3 his creation of a tattoo for client Melissa Wilson.
USPS Permit # 013-080
If it heats, cools, moves air or water WE’LL WORK ON IT.
Williams Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning Inc Mike Coker 3875 Dadeville Road, Alexander City, AL 35010 256-329-8488 • 256-267-5021 mobile
Bill’s Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
P.O. Box 673 1814 Airpor t Blvd • Alexander Cit y, AL
(256) 234-4555 “PROVIDING QUAALITYY ELEECTRRICALL CONSSTRUUCTIIONN SINCE 196 61”