We Interrupt This Blog...

Murphy's Law--Corollary IV: If it can be misunderstood, it will be.

We recently announced that we would be "partnering" with The Connection (as well as some other blogs) on political ads. This has apparently caused some confusion, which we will attempt to dispel.

1. The only other blogs in the Shoalanda Group at this time are Shoals Crime, Quad-Cities Cuisine, & Shoals Blogs (which we need to update).

2. Shoalanda Speaks is primarily a political blog and takes stands on local issues and politicians.

3. The Connection is an Internet magazine which has no publishing connections to Shoalanda and which does not endorse any candidates.

4. Blogs associated with The Connection are Nurse Nan, DOGed PURRsuit, & Trader Evaluates.

5. Shoalanda Speaks and The Connection have entered into an advertising agreement (we think the word partnering threw some readers off) to offer political ads in the upcoming election. This agreement includes other ads (we have been running two retail ads for some time) and will also possibly include some blogs not belonging to either group. Advertisers may choose cafeteria style on which sites they wish to advertise.

6. All advertising will be handled through Trader (traderconnections@yahoo.com). We do not know bundle rates, etc., or which other blogs are available at this time.

7. Extremely Important: We endorse candidates on this blog. If candidate A wishes to advertise on Shoalanda, he/she needs to be aware that we may endorse candidate B. This will in no way impact the quality or placement of advertising on our site.

We hope that clears up any misconceptions about our future advertising.

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We'll continue our series on local artists tomorrow.



Shoalanda

A Fly in His Ear & a Hit on Her Hands

There's a Fly in My Ear by Susan Larson

We continue our series on Shoals artists/authors by introducing Susan Larson's debut book. Illustrated by Keith Jones of the UAH art department, the book targets pre-school readers. You may purchase Larson's book via her website (Link), but we suggest you attend her upcoming book signing at David Christopher's. Mrs. Larson will be at Christopher's at 11:00 a.m. on October 8th. We're predicting big things for this author/illustrator team.

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In ten days, Deadwood Hollow will open its gates. It's been a few years since the Shoals had a corn maze, and now thanks to Deadwood, we have two. This attraction not only looks like a winner, the owners care enough to request feedback from patrons. This Halloween promises to be the best in Shoals history.

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Image of First Quarters for $50.00--yes, it's still a bargain: Link





Shoalanda

ATV Claims Another Child/Never Trust a Sorcerer

Noah Lane Trapp, son of Brad and Leann Trapp, has become another underage victim of an All Terrain Vehicle. The eight year-old Phil Campbell youth died a short distance from his residence on Hwy 34 in Franklin County. Children do not belong on an adult ATV, if they belong on any at all. Yet it seems no matter how many youths die, parents still allow their children to ride them. If you should be tempted to let your child ride such a vehicle, please remember Noah Trapp and Misty Robbins first, then make your decision.

Related post: Misty Kay Robbins

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We'll be highlighting local citizens in the arts this week; our first is author L. R. Barrett-Durham. Many may know Barrett-Durham as Leia Barrett-Durham. From her bio:

Leia Renee Barrett-Durham was born and raised in the Shoals. She graduated from Central High School and Northwest Shoals Community College with a CIS Degree. She currently works at Listerhill Credit Union as a Network Technician, but also runs a home business called Wildcat Mountain Artistry, http:\\www.facebook.com\wildcatmtnartistry, where she makes custom stained glass windows and original oil paintings. She is married to James Durham, from Cherokee, and has one son, Patrick. They have lived in Cherokee since 2002. Leia has always enjoyed writing and is currently working on the sequel to Never Trust a Sorcerer, which she says is about 1/3 of the way finished.

Book signings are in the works for the Cherokee Public Library, Coldwater Books and K's Cove!

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A special promotion from Ms. Durham:

On September 17th, 2011, Cherokee resident, Leia Durham, published Never Trust a Sorcerer, under the pen name L R Barrett-Durham. This is the first novel in a long series from this new local author.

Never Trust a Sorcerer is an epic fantasy novel comparable to Lord of the Rings or Eragon. Dancing scimitars, political intrigue, not to mention dwarves, elves, barbarians, and a little bit of romance. Leia would like to offer Shoalanda Speaks readers a special discount of $2.00 of the list price.

To order Never Trust a Sorcerer, please go to: https://www.createspace.com/3664877 and enter in discount code: E3K3KM7K. This offer will be available until October 17th 2011, so order now! Support this up and coming local author! You can find Leia at http://www.facebook.com/LRBarrett-Durham, where you will find updates on book signings and new works.

Many thanks, Leia, for offering our readers this promotion!



Shoalanda

500K Page Hits!/Political Season is Here

Some time between Noon and 1:00 p.m. today, our page hits should reach 500,000. This number reflects hits since June 8, 2009. Since that date we have had slightly over 336K unique hits. Thanks to all our readers and a special thanks to Shoals area bloggers who link us. As always, we appreciate guest editorials/columns on any subject and happily publish rebuttals to any of our blogs.

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We see that billboards for Daniel Rosser, Democratic candidate for Colbert County Probate Judge, have begun to blossom on the landscape south of the river. In past elections we have endorsed candidates, but have not taken any political advertising.

In the upcoming election, we will be partnering with The Connection to supply limited Internet ads on our site; however The Connection will offer more extensive advertising in their online magazine. Please contact Trader at traderconnections@yahoo.com or 256.336.5483.

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Alabama Republican Party Executive Director T. J. Maloney will discuss the upcoming Republican Primary rules and qualifications at the next Shoals Republican Club meeting on Tuesday, September 20th, 12:00 noon at Singleton’s Bar B Que Restaurant at 4220 Huntsville Road in Florence.

The Alabama Republican Primary will be held on March 13, 2012. Qualifying opens November 14, 2011 and closes January 13, 2012. Alabama Republican Party Executive Director T.J. Maloney will talk about the primary rules and qualifying procedures for the 2012 elections covering all offices from the local courthouse to the White House.

All meetings of the Shoals Republican Club are open to the public. For more information, contact Shoals Republican Club President William Smith at (256) 767-4529, or ShoalsRepublicanClub@gmail.com



Shoalanda

"I'm Not Good at Losing"

RegionalCare CEO Joe Roach says he isn't good at losing. That could be good or bad. Of course a hospital in today's world is a business. No more paying with produce or livestock; and you do get what you pay for. Our problem? Why did RegionalCare sign an agreement to build in Lauderdale and then go looking in Colbert? Rather like getting married and looking at singles ads on your honeymoon, isn't it?

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For the second time in this brave new world of the Internet, the TimesDaily has updated its web site, and for the second time all archives appear to be lost. Oh, well, you say, you don't have to go through the TD site--there's always Google. Sorry. Google no longer displays them either, unless you can find a cached version of some articles.

The interesting part? The TD made such a show of updating its forum with a format that would save past discussions, but thought nothing of using a new server that would delete its archives from 2001 (the last update) until the present. They probably thought it was no great loss since few articles concerned Decatur.

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On the subject of the new TD format, we see they're now calling their classifieds "stuff." Hmmm, we can remember when teachers encouraged their students to read the local rag in order to improve their vocabulary.



Shoalanda

Do You Know Your Nurse?

If you're like us, you may not know who's who in a doctor's office, but we're pretty sure you don't want the cleaning lady giving you an enema to treat a sinus infection. So, how do you know who's doing what to you?

We've received several questions about this recently, and we advise care if you aren't sure what someone's credentials are. From Nurse Nan (2009):

Due to a local physician having some problems at his office, we've had several questions concerning just who's who at the doctor's. Here's the run down of what type personnel you will usually find:

Physician - either a Medical Doctor or an Osteopath
Physician's Assistant - these are licensed and usually possess a Master's Degree
CRNP - these highly trained nurses are licensed and also usually possess a Master's Degree
RN - professional nurses; there are currently four kinds practicing in the state, but all have the same legal status
LPN - trade nurses that are called LVNs in some states
Medical Assistant - these are not licensed, do the basics, and do not usually administer injections
Phlebotomist - personnel trained in drawing blood, found in larger offices

If you have any doubt about who is assisting your physician or administering vaccinations, etc., feel free to ask. All competent personnel will be glad to answer your questions concerning their credentials.

We hope this helps those who are unsure of their medical providers...and yes, we'll have more on this at a later date.

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The Shoals Democratic Club

will meet

Monday, September 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Operating Engineers Union Hall, Dr. Hicks Blvd., Florence

Guest speakers

Rep. Greg Burdine, D-Florence

Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, D-Red Bay

A light meal will be served at 6:00 p.m.

The public is always invited to attend.

www.shoalsdemocraticclub.org Email shoalsdemocrats@gmail.com

Shoalanda

Sidney's Safe Foundation/Benefit

Those who read us regularly know one of our top priorities is to stop/prevent violence against women/children/disabled/etc. We've just learned of a fantastic organization here in the Shoals, Sidney's Safe Foundation. From their Facebook page, a list of their current programs:

SSF PROGRAMS

*"Pack them with Love!" send home back packs full of food over the weekend for needy kids! Most of these kids only meal is the one they get at school.

*"Whites for Women!" (necessities for women in jail )

*"Pack them with Love too!" back pack collection and distribution to needy kids(at registration and had teachers direct needy families to me and then I would speak to them about DV, A and D and get info on other needs).

*"Fill them with Love!"(Summer lunch program for needy kids. We go to needy area and give away sack lunches and speak to each about DV, A and D and also find out other needs) (We also go to needy areas door to door and ask what food needs they have).

*"Cover them with Love!"coat, clothes and blankets (last year we gave away about 300 coats and I told Sidney's story at half time of each upward ballgame) (we go door to door in needy areas and ask what the families needs are and at the same time tell Sidney's story) (each school n our area knows we have clothes at all time available for kids, so teachers contact us throughout the year to bring clothes for needy children) (handmade blankets given to DHR for kids that r taken out of homes)

*"Wrap them in Love!" ( we get donations for gifts and we make things for needy kids and families for Christmas then deliver on Christmas Eve or Day.) We have fundraisers and take donations to fund these programs.

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There will be a fundraiser for Sidney's Safe Foundation on Saturday night at 7:00 at the Ritz:

PERFORMING - Savanna Smallwood, Russell Mefford of Fiddleworms, Angela Hacker, James LeBlanc, Archie Hubbard, Katlyn Barnes and Summer Hall! All performers are on volunteer basis and are subject to change. Proceeds will help those affected by Addiction, Depression and Physical Abuse!!!

One of our programs is "Pack them with Love!". Provides back packs full of ready to eat foods to underprivileged Shoals area children for weekends. Some of these children's only meal is the one served to them at school.

The adult tickets are 10$ and kids 10 and under are $6
Call 2567409581 for tickets! Or pick up at Envy in Killen, Frolic in Florence, Jewell's in downtown Florence and the Housing Authority in Tuscumbia.



Shoalanda