COMMUNITY NOTES may be submitted for non-profit, civic or churchrelated events and published free of charge as space is available in the Courier Journal. All properly submitted Community Notes which are dated will be posted weekly at www.courierjournal.net. Visit our website for the complete list. Community Notes must be submitted in writing by noon Friday for consideration in the following week’s issue. Fax to 256-760-9618; mail to 1828 Darby Drive, Florence, AL 35630; bring in person; email to editor@courierjournal.net; or submit on our website at www.courierjournal.net.

The Kilby Child Development Center will accept applications for the 2012- 13 Alabama Office of School Readiness Pre-Kindergarten Class Jan.10-Feb. 9. Registration is open to children who will be 4 years old by Sept. 1. To register, parents or guardians must bring a copy of the child’s original birth certificate, a copy of the Social Security card, up-to-date blue slip or certificate of immunization, and proof of Alabama residency. The Pre-K class requires regular school day attendance for all participants. Fees are $25/week in addition to lunch charges of about $45 a month. Class selection is based on promotion and a lottery system. The drawing is open to the community and will take place at the Kilby Child Development Center, Feb. 10, 2pm. The Pre-K program is contingent on funding from the Alabama Office of School Readiness. Registration will take place at the Kilby Child Development Center, 609 N. Pine Street, Mon.-Fri., noon-3pm. For more information, call 256-765-4244.

USDA Alabama Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, Daniel Robinson, reminds producers that enrollment for the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program and the traditional Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) began Jan. 23 and runs through June 1. Annual contracts are required to be signed to receive program benefits. All signatures of producers receiving a share in DCP and ACRE payments are required by June 1. For more information about these and other programs, contact your local FSA office or visit the website at: www.fsa.usda.gov.

LifeSouth Community Blood Center Blood Drives: Offices at ECM Center, 205 Marengo St. Florence, 256-765-7038. Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-3pm, Sunday, 1-5pm. Keller Center, 1208 S Jackson Hwy, Sheffield. 256-383- 3535. Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Tuesday, January 31, 9am–4pm, Anderson Elementary School, 201 Bayles St., Anderson Wednesday, February 1, 1pm–6pm, Title Max, 1225 Florence Blvd., Florence Thursday, February 2, 12pm–6pm, Captain D’s, 2710 Woodward Ave., Muscle Shoals Friday, February 3, 7:30am–3:30pm, Central High School, 300 Co Rd 200, Florence Saturday, February 4, 10am–4 pm, Tuscumbia Church of Christ, 102 E 4th Street, Tuscumbia Sunday, February 5, 8am–12:30pm, Nebo Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8630 Hwy 101, Lexington Monday, February 6,11am–4 pm, Keller Landing Care and Rehabilitation, 813 Keller Lane, Tuscumbia Tuesday, February 7, 12pm-5:30pm,TVA– Power Service Shop, Hwy 133-TVA Reservation Rd., Muscle Shoals Wednesday, February 8, 8am–3:30 pm, Covenant Christian School, 1900 Covenant Dr., Tuscumbi

Dorcas Give-Away Day, (an outreach program of Highland Park Church of Christ), Tues., Jan. 31, 9am-noon, at the Samaritan House, 602 Geneva Avenue, Muscle Shoals. Bring your own bag. The food pantry will be closed for inventory this day.

Revival Tabernacle will be having their first Thursday Night Singing, Feb. 2, 7pm, at Robertson Blvd. in Sheffield. Singers will be, “Sanctified”, Revival Tabernacle Singers and others. Everyone welcome.

The Shoals Audubon Society will meet at 7pm, Thursday, Feb. 2, in the Conference Room of the Florence Public Library. George Petty will have a program on Bhutan. The public is invited.

Clothes Give Away, Feb. 2, 8 to 10am, at the Care Center, First Baptist Church, Killen.

Barnett Band & Company will perform Feb. 4, 7-10pm, at the West Side Village Community Center, Hwy. 99 in the Owens Community. Admission is $4-bring finger foods to share at break. All ages are welcome. No smoking, drugs, or alcohol permitted. For more information, call 256-771-0586.

The Georgia and Alabama Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is holding an on-site training session for volunteers Feb. 4, 11am-2pm, at the Holiday Inn Research Park, 5903 University Drive, Huntsville. The mission of the Foundation is to grant wishes of children with lifethreatening medical conditions. Volunteers serve as liaisons between the wish families and the coordinators throughout the entire process. They help the child every step of the way including determining the child’s wish, filling out paperwork with the family, and planning and granting the wish. Those interested in participating must be at least 21 years old, attend a new volunteer orientation training session via web-conferencing, complete a volunteer application (which includes a background check and personal references), attend a Wish Granting training session, and sign up for a particular wish to help make it happen. Space is limited, so everyone must register in advance. There is no cost to attend the training. For more information or to register, contact Deirdre Trevett at 770-916-9474, ext. 14, or email her at dtrevett@ga-al. wish.org. For more information on the Make a Wish Foundation, visit www.ga-al. wish.org.

The Underwood Youth Complex is registering boys and girls for T-Ball ages 3 - 4; and Dixie baseball and softball programs ages 5 years and older. Registration dates: Feb. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26 at the Underwood Ball Field Board Room on Saturdays from 10am-2pm and Sundays 2-4pm. Please bring birth certificates. For information go to www.underwoodyouthcomplex.com or join our Facebook page at Underwood Youth Complex.

Fish Fry, East Colbert Church of Christ, all you can eat $10, Saturday, February 4, 12:30-6pm.

Underwood-Petersville Community Center Breakfast, Saturday, February 4, 6-9am. Scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits, pancakes, grits, chocolate gravy, sausage gravy, orange juice, regular and de-caf coffee. Adult plates are $5. Children 12 and under $3. Proceeds go for center expenses.

The Depression & Bi-Polar Support Group meets every Mon. night, 6pm, 749 Thompson Street, Suite A, Florence. Call Jackie, 256-710-4664, for more information.

Prepare for Valentine’s Day (or any other special day), with a kick-off event for the 2012 Young & Trendy DIY, Tues., Feb. 7, 6pm, at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. Get tips on arranging flowers and learn some great chocolate recipes. Bring your favorite chocolate recipes to share! Call 256-764-6564, ext. 28, to learn more.

Celebrate 25! The St. Joseph School Foundation is celebrating 25 years of success in support of Catholic Education in the Shoals. All Alumni, Families, and Friends of St. Joseph School are invited to attend a Steak Dinner on Sat. Feb. 4 at 7pm in the school gym. Dinner will be followed by an evening of fun and games including a reverse raffle drawing for up to $1000 in cash prizes. Win a Kindle Fire, Hotel Getaway, and other great prizes. Tickets are $25 per person. Available at St. Joseph School office as well as parish offices of St. Joseph, St. Michael’s, and Our Lady of the Shoals. Buy a block of ten tickets to reserve a table.

Space Rocks! Hands-on NASA Event, Sat., Feb. 4, 11am–2pm, Florence- Lauderdale Public Library. Become a space explorer by stopping by for this library program, which features a NASA kit of hands-on activities about meteorites, craters, and the solar system! The event is appropriate for all ages and is sponsored by the Shoals Astronomy Club. Call 256-764- 6564, ext. 28, for more information.

Underwood Youth Complex will have a meeting for individuals interested in umpiring for softball and baseball during the upcoming spring season. The meeting will take place at the Underwood Youth Complex board room, Feb. 5, from 2-4pm. For additional information, contact 256- 335-2619.

“Hi Neighbors” of the Shoals Monthly Coffee will take place Tues., Feb. 7, 10am, at the Florence Public Library. Interested women, who are newcomers to the Shoals area, should call 256-383-7468 or 256-275-3810 for more information.

Rogers High School Music Department presents Greenhill Songwriter Showcase Grammy Award Winner Chris Tompkins at the Rogers High Band Room, Feb. 7, 7pm. Chris Tompkins songs include Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” and Chris Young’ “Voices”. He has sold over 18 million albums world wide with cuts by artists Daughtry, Rascal Flatts, Nickelback, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Jimmy Buffett, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Kellie Pickler, Blake Shelton, Hang Williams, Jr., and many others. Limited tickets are available for $10 from a Rogers High School Band student or by contacting Robin Talley at 256-577- 7429.

The Republican Women of the Shoals will meet Tuesday, February 7, 1pm, at the Trojan House in Muscle Shoals. All Republican candidates are invited to attend. We will also be making our program plans for the year 2012. For more information, contact 256-381-4023.

A Political Forum for candidates seeking the office of Lauderdale County Superintendent of Education, Tues., Feb. 7, 6pm, at Rogers High School cafeteria, Greenhill. This event is sponsored by the Lauderdale County Education Association.The public is invited to attend.

Elkmont Pickin’ & Grinnin’, Elkmont Depot, located in Downtown Elkmont, AL. Live music & dancing every Mon. 6:30pm. Dancers & listeners welcome. For more information, call 931- 427-6296.

The Shoals Democratic Club Meetings take place at 6:30pm on the third Monday of each month with alternating locations between Florence and Muscle Shoals. A light meal is served at 6pm and the public is always invited to attend. Visit us on the web at www.shoalsdemocraticclub.org

Hardwood Family Restaurant, Tuscumbia, presents a gospel singing every Thurs. night, 6-8pm, open mic, featuring Heavenly Blessed.

Pianist Volunteer Wanted to fill in with a Southern Gospel Group. Needs to be free to play when regular pianist must be out. We play and sing for assisted living homes, nursing homes, senior citizen get-togethers and churches. Call 256-764- 9257 for details.

Bake and Soup Sale, 9am-1pm, Sat., Feb. 11, at the St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 1900 Darby Drive, Florence. Proceeds to be used for local community charities.

The Gingerbread Players, (the Children’s Theatre Division of the Shoals Community Theatre), is hiring a Director for their summer 2012 musical production. The work of the director is central to the production of a play. The director has the challenging task of bringing together the many complex pieces of a production—the script, actors, set, costuming, lighting and sound and music—into a unified whole. To accomplish this task, a director needs to Interpret the script, cast the production, collaborate with designers, plan the rehearsals, and guide the actors in their work during rehearsals. Interested applicants should submit their resume to: bdolanjr@gmail.com

NAMI Shoals vs. the Internationally- Acclaimed Harlem Ambassadors will be at the Florence/Lauderdale Coliseum, Fri., Feb. 10, 7pm; doors will open at 6:30pm. Advance tickets: Students/ Seniors $5; Adults $8; Kids 4 and under free. At the Door: Students/Seniors $7; Adults $10. Call 256-765-2081, 256- 710-4664 for Advance tickets. www.harlemambassadors.com

Loving Locals 2012 will be an event for local artists, designers, crafters and authors. Arts/Crafts group on Friday, Feb. 10 from 5-8pm and authors on Sat., Feb. 11 from 11am-2pm at Cold Water Books, downtown Tuscumbia.

Florence Parks and Recreation Department is conducting registration for a Youth Softball for girls’ ages 5-14 years old through February 18 at the Florence Sports Complex and the Florence Lauderdale Coliseum. There will be a late registration from Feb. 19 thru Feb. 24. Age Control Date is Jan. 1, 2012. Registration can be done Monday through Friday, 8am through 5pm. There will be Saturday registration at the SportsPlex on February 11 & 18 from 9am to 12pm. Registration fee is $25. Late registration fee is $35. For more information, contact David Dolan or Nicole Lambert at 256-760-6628.

Greater Saint Paul AME Church “Handy’s Church” presents Black Gospel Heritage Celebration, Feb. 11, 1pm & 5pm, at the Shoals Community Theatre, 123 North Seminary St., Florence. Comedian- Joy; Spoken Word Artist-Yogi MC; Jazz Saxophonist-Kenneth Williams; and Gospel Ensemble-The Borden Family are scheduled to perform. Advance Ticket sales: Matinee- 1pm-$20; Evening-5pm-$25. Day of Show: Matinee-$25; Evening-$30. Ticket information 256-764-3900, 256-764- 4651, 256-767-7265.

NAMI Shoals Support Group for families with adults and/or children who have brain disorders, (mental illnesses), meets Tues., Feb. 14, 7pm, at the NAMI Shoals Office, 749 Thompson St., Suite A, Florence. Families helping families! You are not alone! For directions or more information, call 256-765-2081.

Florence Parks & Recreation Department will be conducting registration for Youth Soccer through March 9th for ages 4-18 years old. There will be a late registration March 10 through the 16th. Registration will be at the Florence Sports Complex and the Florence Lauderdale Coliseum, Monday through Friday, 8am through 5pm. There will be Saturday registration on February 11 and 18 from 9am-12pm at Sports Plex only. Registration fee is $50 (which includes uniform). Late registration fee is $60. For more information, contact 256-760-6628.

Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Applebee’s Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, February 11, 8–10am, at Applebee’s on Florence Blvd. $5 each. Proceeds benefit The Salvation Army of the Shoals Programs. Contact Brenda Tease at 256-767-5668.

Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church will be having their 4th Annual Valentine Steak Supper on Sat., Feb. 11, at 6pm. Tickets are $15 per person. Menu includes 12 oz. ribeye steak or chicken breast, garlic mashed potatoes, seasoned green beans, side salad, rolls, dessert, and drink. All profits will go to Children and Youth Projects. For tickets contact Melissa Black at 256-483-2559 or 256-767-0017. eat in or carry out. All carryout orders must be called in by 4:30pm to 256-767- 0017. Everyone must have a ticket.

The deadline for entry in Artistic Renderings of Youth is February 20. This is a juried exhibit of art work open to 7th-12th grade students from Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale counties. The exhibit opens March 1 and runs through April 13 at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts in Florence. The exhibit and competition is coordinated by area art teachers. Schools may participate or students can enter on their own. Each student can enter up to five works. Entries are juried and, if accepted, are eligible for ribbons awarded in different grade level groupings. Works must be original and can be in any medium. All 2-dimensional entries must be matted or framed. For more details on entry rules call Jerry Foster at Florence High School, Ronnie Riner at Muscle Shoals High School, or Mary Nicely at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts. Please call 256-760-6379 for more information.

Tuscumbia Parks & Recreation Department is taking registration for the Adult Woman’s Basketball League. Deadline is Feb. 24 and fees are $250 per team. For more information, contact Paul Phelps at 256-386-5655.