If It's Friday the 13th, It Must Be...

...Only ten weeks until Halloween. It may seem early, but we don't want our readers to miss out on any of the fun. First, Vinnie Grosso and friends have a new attraction to scare the daylights out of the Shoals. Here's the link to Arx Mortis: Link

For those of you more faint of heart, K's Cove in Elgin has just gotten in a new shipment of Debra Glass' series of local ghost tales. Hurry--these don't last long.

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Now, for something even more scary, we return to Cherokee. Here's our promised guest commentary by J. J. Ray:

Cherokee Turning Again

When is the truth not the truth and not a lie? Confused yet, I was. That is when I decided to find some semblance of the truth in Cherokee. The blogs have had a field day with the goings on there. Now that does make for good copy but not necessarily the truth.

Tiring of all the drama, I decided to try to find the underlying cause of the fighting. I called Melanie Malone to inquire about her husband being “Big Bad Mike”, enemy of cheerleaders and football players.

Surprisingly the truth is simple. On the day in question, a state employee who uses the city office from time to time observed some folks he had never seen before. He called “Big Bad Mike” and shared his concern. Mike in turn called an officer to investigate. The officer reported to Mike about the strange folks and who they were and that they had permission. Situation resolved in a jiff. Now that is not how the blogs portrayed the situation. A little truth and a lot of abhorrence.

There was not at any time an eviction of those at city hall by “Big Bad Mike”. It was simply an honest mistake by a state employee. No one was harmed and or/embarrassed.The state employee did his job as well as “Big Bad Mike”.

While discussing this incident with others I learned that there are five or six citizens that are unhappy with some on the council. No one in government is going to make everyone happy, that is a given. Grow up and get over it.

There is however the ballot box. Those that are disgruntled can voice their dissatisfaction. Now that is the American Way. Constant dissension, bickering, and massaging facts to suit your agenda is nothing more than impugning someone’s integrity and character assassination. In addition, it was done quite poorly. They should take lessons from those that tried to get Sara Palin or “Moveon.Org”. They are professionals at character.

Whether or not Mike Malone has compromised his position is a matter for those charged with policing ethical matters. If charges have been filed, remember, in this country everyone is innocent until proven guilty. That also is the American Way. I have taken many liberties with the situation in Cherokee as it is such good fodder for columns but this last attack by the blogger has gone too far. I have discovered in life there are some who would tell a half-truth when veracity would serve them better. One final comment, I believe Mike Malone’s chances of being elected mayor are far better then the blogger who hides behind an iniquitous blog and massages the truth.

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Meet Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn and Mo Brooks Saturday August 14th at 9:00 a.m. in Florence. Are you concerned about the direction of our country? Would you like to be involved and help elect Mo Brooks to unseat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and stop Senator Harry Reid and President Barack Obama from doing any more damage to America’s foundational values and beliefs?

Come and hear Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn speak about the importance of electing a Republican House this fall to help unseat Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Congresswoman Blackburn was the first woman elected to the US House from the state of Tennessee. She has been an outspoken advocate of defending and expanding individual freedom and free enterprise. She is an up and coming leader and is often seen as a GOP spokesperson on Fox News and other news
stations.

Mo Brooks and Congresswoman Blackburn will be at the Lauderdale County Republican Headquarters this Saturday, August 14 at 9:00 a.m. Please join us for coffee and donuts and let’s work together to change the direction of our country. This is a free event. The address for
the Headquarters is 1905 Florence Boulevard, Suite A. It is across the street from Hobby Lobby and next to Popeye’s. Please invite your friends and we hope to see you there!


Shoalanda



Get connected in September!

Looking for a Bargain? Or Maybe a History Lesson?

Are you looking for a bargain? Well, if you aren't, you should be; so if you haven't discovered Bargain Mom, you've been missing out on a multitude of great deals.

Some of the offers featured in the Bargain Mom Blog, are local to the Birmingham area, but many are statewide and feature savings and coupons from such stores as Aldi's and Walgreen's. Try it once, and we guarantee you'll become a fan of this fantastic blog.

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Friday, November 6th, will be the last regularly scheduled Ghost Walk for 2009. Shoals historian and raconteur Debra Glass will be happy to offer special tours for large groups, but this may be your last chance this year; don't fail to take advantage of it.

Also, several booksellers have been sold out of Ms. Glass' series of ghost stories, but K's Cove in Elgin should have a new shipment next week, as well as several new offerings from Ellora's Cave.

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Want to know what board positions are currently open within the City of Florence? Click here for a list of openings, as well a synopsis of other business discussed by the Florence Council yesterday.

Florence is in particular need of a new City Historian since the death of Mr. Bill McDonald. The position is extremely demanding of time, but we hope several will apply for the opening. No one can ever replace Mr. McDonald, but Florence deserves an active historian who will continue in McDonald's tradition. Any retired UNA profs out there?

Shoalanda

New Chef at Pizza Marina

Just when you thought the food at Pizza Marina couldn't get any better, it does! As of yesterday, the fabulous eatery on River Road in Muscle Shoals has a new chef.

Patricia Richardson, former personal chef to a US Senator, invites everyone to try her new offerings. Patricia, who once toured with Taste of Home magazine, is a connoisseur of fine wines as well as being a fantastic cook.

Obviously once Miss Richardson becomes acclimated, she will be adding to the already diverse menu, but here's a sample of what to expect:

http://pizzamarina.blogspot.com/

When you go, be sure to tell them Shoalanda sent you. Good luck Timm, Deb, and Patricia!


What's up with this: Construction at Rick's in Elgin remains at a virtual standstill. It may not be Pizza Marina, but we're sure Elgin residents are eager for the restaurant/country store's completion.