OPINION: TIME FOR TIDE, TIGERS TO READY GAME FACES
THE
FRIDAY
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892
LOCAL, PAGE 7 Pemberton retires from Extension System
September 1, 2017 Vol. 125, No. 174 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
THE PLUG STAYS PUT: By BETSY ILER TPI Magazine Editor
It’s Sept. 1 – the day when Alabama Power Company (APC) usually pulls the plug on summer at Lake Martin and begins the annual 7-foot drawdown. But this year, that’s not going to happen for another six weeks; at 12:01 a.m. today, APC implemented the first fall extension under its new license to operate Martin Dam.
“The fall extension was developed to quantify an above-normal wet summer, and we’ve obviously had that this year. We are pleased to be able to implement the extension,” said APC HydroServices Manager Jim Crew. Between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15, the water level on Lake Martin will remain as close as possible to full pool, Crew said. “How high the reservoir stays will still be a function of inflows into the
FOR SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBERS ERS LAKE inside today!
Alabama Power extends its summer lake levels
basin. If we get inflows that are good, we will generate to pass those inflows downstream but will operate to keep the water level on Lake Martin as high as possible. If inflows decrease dramatically, we will still have to meet minimum downstream requirements. So we don’t have a 45-day guarantee of full pool; what we have is the opportunity for 45 days. That is the key. Before this, we had no opportunity. If we continue to get rain, we will take advantage of
it,” he explained. “When we developed this provision in the relicensing process, that was the intent. That’s what has happened, and now we’re happy to be able to provide the fall extension.” The fall extension is good news to Alexander City Chamber of Commerce CEO Ed Collari. “Labor Day and Auburn football – they are all big for our economy – but having the summer lake levels extended, See EXTENSION • Page 3
Hurricane relief efforts continue Local churches gathering supplies, Governor urges blood donations STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
HOLIDAY SOUNDS:
Jessica Sneed / For The Outlook
Pygmies invade Rodeo Club tonight, big show set for Sunday at The AMP By MITCH SNEED Editor
If your Labor Day weekend celebration needs music to make it complete, you are in luck this weekend. The Velcro Pygmies, James Otto, Ashton Shepherd, Rexton Lee, The Bank Walkers and the Kyle Wilson Band are all set to play across the area this weekend. Sunday’s Labor Day Concert at Lake Martin Amphitheater is a tradition and this year features one of the best lineups in recent memory, but before Monday night comes, one of the best-known
party bands in the nation will be at the Rodeo Club. The Velcro Pygmies will take the stage tonight at 9:30 with their one-ofa-kind, high-energy rock show. Velcro Pygmies’ front man Cameron Flener said they are looking forward to coming to Dadeville. “It’s our first time at the World Famous Rodeo Club,” Flener said. “What could be better, the World Famous Velcro Pygmies at the World Famous Rodeo Club? We are excited to be there. We have a lot of fans in the See MUSIC • Page 3
Special / The Outlook
Top: Velcro Pygmies lead singer Cameron Flener belts out “Sweet Home Alabama” at a recent show. The band will be on stage tonight at The Rodeo Club in Dadeville at 9:30 p.m. for the first time. Above: Country music singer/songwriter James Otto will headline the Russell Lands Labor Day Concert at the Lake Martin Amphitheater Sunday night.
For local residents looking for more ways to give to relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey, a trailer will be parked in the parking lot of Winn Dixie beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. Sponsored by the Tallapoosa Ministerial Association, this trailer will serve as a collection site for supplies they are sending to the Houston area. The items being collected by the church association include: • Bottled water • Cleaning goods, particularly Clorox bleach • Canned goods • Baby supplies The guidelines also stressed that clothes would not be collected at this time. Once the association wraps up their collection efforts, the trailer will be prepared for travel and leave for southeast Texas Tuesday morning. Upon arriving in the Houston area, the supplies collected will be delivered to a church there to be stored and await distribution. At the same time, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is urging the citizens of Alabama to donate another crucial resource to the relief efforts: blood. In a press release, Ivey said, “Blood collection centers in areas devastated by Harvey are unable to collect enough blood to match the demand and are calling upon donors nationwide. I’m urging Alabamians to continue helping Texans during this dire time of need, by donating blood.” For those in the Montgomery area, the Alabama Hospital Association is sponsoring a blood drive held by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers on Sept. 5 on the sixth floor of the RSA Plaza in Montgomery.
Radney gifted students make art for museum exhibit selected and displayed for the public to see. Local artist Catie Radney was present in the classroom as well, From Aug. 19 through Oct. 29, the providing the students with supplies and Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is feedback on their progress. hosting a special exhibition, “Frank “This is the first time I’m getting to Stella Prints: A Retrospective.” Stella, do this with my students,” Barrett said. a 79-year old American artist, is known “I have about 50 students both here and for his abstract works and optical at Stephens taking part in this.” illusion pieces. The idea for participating in this In conjunction with this exhibit, the came from the art teacher at Stephens, museum will also display artwork from who regularly worked with her students elementary school students from across on similar projects and events while the state, presenting their hard work teaching at Dadeville. Since she is right alongside the amazing pieces of currently working with her students Stella himself. on designs for the annual Lake Thursday afternoon, students in Martin cleanup event t-shirt with the Laurie Barrett’s gifted classroom at Lake Martin Resource Association, Radney Elementary School were gluing, participating in the Stella exhibit was painting and taping items together, passed on to Barrett. working on 3-D creations to submit Several of the pieces Barrett’s to the museum in the hopes of being See ART • Page 3 By DONALD CAMPBELL Staff Writer
Today’s
Weather
Lake Levels
490.69
83 65 High
Lake Martin
Low
Reported on 08/31/17 @ 1 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443 6
54708 90050 USPS Permit # 013-080
8
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
Starting Friday: Annabelle – R Girls Trip – R Logan Lucky– PG-13
Donald Campbell / The Outlook
Fifth-graders Jack Johnson, front left, Cam Thompson and Jazriene Revalde work on their Frank Stella inspired artwork in Laurie Barrett’s gifted class at Radney Elementary School Thursday afternoon.