COMMUNITY NOTES may be submitted for non-profit, civic or church-related events and published free of charge AS SPACE IS AVAILABLE in the Courier Journal. Community Notes must be submitted in writing by 3pm Friday for consideration in the following week’s issue.
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• Fax to 256-760-9618;
• Mail to 219 W. Tennessee St, Florence, AL 35630; or
• Bring in person.
All properly submitted Community Notes which are dated will be posted weekly at www.courierjournal.net. We do our best, however, there is no guarantee that this free information will be published each week in the paper. Visit our website for a complete list of community notes. If your item MUST appear in the paper a certain week, we suggest you also place a paid ad by calling 256-764-4268. That way it will be in at least one area of the paper. When your community note is published, your event will have coverage in two different locations.
Florence City Schools Job Fair Thursday, April 8, 2-5pm at Florence Technology and Professional Development Center, 541 Riverview Drive, Florence.
For registration information: www.florencek12.org/personnel or call 256-768-3000.
This job fair is FREE and open to education professionals, recent or upcoming education graduates, and support position job seekers.
FCS is adding full-time positions to our already dynamic staff: Teachers, Nurses, Child Nutrition, Custodial and Maintenance.
Please come prepared for possible interviews.
Florence District 1 Councilwoman, Kaytrina Simmons is partnering with the Sigday family of pharmacies making 500+ Moderna vaccines available at tow convenient locations!
April 8, 10am-4pm at Sherrod Church of Christ, 1207 Sherrod Ave., Florence
April 10, 10am-4pm at Handy Recreation Center, 1105 Beale St., Florence
ALDHP guidelines followed. Bring your ID. No appointment needed. Walk-in or drive thru.
Shoals Republican Club After Hours + Trivia on Tuesday, April 8, 6-8pm at High Ridge Spirits Distillery, 1401 Huntsville Road, Sweetwater Districe, Florence.
Florence Drive Thru Neighborhood Food Pantry at North Wood Methodist Church during COVID crisis, requirements: photo ID. Call 256-764-2111 for appointment.
The NACOLG SENIORx Medication Assistance Program supplies free and low cost medications for anyone in Alabama with a disability or a chronic illness regardless of age that requires daily medication. Medicare recipients may also be eligible.
For more information, contact NACOLG SENIORx today. There is no charge for this service.
1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463) Paula Pardue 256-389-0529
This program is in partnership with the State of Alabama and Alabama Department of Senior Services
Want to list your event in Community Notes? Email your information to [email protected].
The American Red Cross has kicked off its Annual Fund Drive, looking for 1,000 supporters to boost the 2021 Annual Fund and provide urgently needed aid to families facing their hardest moments throughout the year.
Your generous support helps AMC to respond immediately whenever and wherever they’re needed, in local communities and nationwide. And monthly support powers the American Red Cross mission, year-round.
When you make a monthly gift to provide steadfast support for families, they’ll also send you a special
Red Cross mini first aid kit in a vintage-inspired tin. For more information or to donate, call 1-800-435-7669 or visit www.redcross.org/donate/annual-fund.html/
April Holy Days of religions
present in the Shoals
• Jewish April 8, Yom HaShoah
• Hindu April 13, Hindu New Year
April 21,Ramanavami
April 27, Hanuman Jayanati
• Islam April 13 Ramadan begins
• Baha’i April 20, First day of Ridvan
April 28, 9th day of Ridvan
LifeSouth Blood Drives – The Shoals Center, 307 Veterans Drive, Florence, 888-795-2707. The hours are: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am-5pm; Tuesday and Thursday 9am-7pm; Saturday 9am-3pm; Sunday 1-5pm.
The Deshler Theatre Department proudly presents Wonka Jr. on April 9-10 starting at 6:30 PM at the Deshler High School Auditorium. There will be a matinee performance on April 11 at 2:30 PM at the Deshler High School Auditorium. The cast consists of students from all of the schools in the Tuscumbia City School System K-12. Tickets for adults and students are $10 each (this includes the online purchasing fee) and can be purchased online through this link: https://gofan.co/app/school/AL7392 . No cash will be accepted at the door. Step into our world of pure imagination.
Sheffield Head Start Program located at 701 East 17th Street in Sheffield is still taking applications for Pregnant Moms and children ages 6 weeks to 4 years for the upcoming 21-22 school year. Parents must bring the following items to register: Child’s Birth Certificate, Verification of Income for 2020 (W-2 form, Income Tax Return, Social Security Statement, Child Support, Unemployment, etc.), documentation of Public Assistance such as TANF and Insurance card (if available). Additional information needed if available: WIC, food stamps, College ID, IEP or IFSP. Services are provided at NO COST to parents. Children with special needs and/or disabilities and homeless families are given priority. Call 256-383-3577 or 256-606-3286 set to up an appointment today!
Attention Homes Child Abuse Prevention Event takes place on Saturday, April 17 at Joe Wheeler State Park, 4401 McLean Drive, Rogersville, between the Lodge and Marina. Sign-in at 9:30am, event 10am-12pm.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month! A time to celebrate the good things our communities do in order to promote healthy child development and help prevent child abuse and neglect!
During this event, the children will be decorating a small pot and plant seeds with their parent/guardian. This activity is to promote our theme, “Growing a Better Tomorrow for All Children, Together”.
We will also instruct a Pinwheel craft activity, provide coloring pages and materials, break for a snack, and deliver a short presentation to promote primary prevention.
After the event, enjoy lunch at “Daniella’s Restaurant” within Joe Wheeler Lodge and meet back up at 1:30pm for a guided hike through their Champion Tree trail.
To sign-up for this event, please email Breanna Minyard at [email protected]. Your email should include: your first and last name and how many kids will be participating in the event. If you do not have email, you may call 256-767-0972 to register.
Heinie Manush Day April 17. Opening Season, Heinie Manush Field in Tuscumbia. The Cumberland Club of Nashville vs. The Stones River Scouts. Gates open 10:30am, Organ Grinder Ted 11am, Game Time 12pm, Second Game 2:30pm
SPONSORSHIP $25 Check payable to: Heinie Manush Day. Call 256-415-0700 for more information.
The Healing Hearts Camp on April 17. This year to celebrate its 20th Anniversary, The Healing Place is going to have its annual Camp Virtually, with a special in person activity to help remember those in our community affected by grief.
We are going to be creating a Memorial Garden at The Healing Place. The kids will be able to create memorial stepping stones the week before the camp starts, as well as pick up a bag of supplies they will need for camp.
The Healing Hearts Day Camp is on Saturday, April 17. Two sessions, K-4th grade from 10am-12 pm and 5th=8th grade 2-4pm.
This camp is a great way to interact with others who have experienced a similar loss.
To sign up, please call 256-383-7133 or email [email protected].
Thousands of Native American objects are stolen from burial sites around the Shoals each year. The Thousand Eyes Program helps to monitor these sites for theft and environmental damage. The Florence Indian Mound Museum is seeking volunteers for the Shoals Chapter of the Thousand Eyes Program. The program will host a training for volunteers on April 17 and 18. Volunteers will assist archaeologists by helping to monitor archaeological sites in the Shoals for looting and environmental damage.
Availability in the training is limited, so if you are interested, please email [email protected] or call 256-760-6427 to request an application. If selected, volunteers will complete the training in April and be assigned a site to look over and monitor. Site visits often requiring hiking, boating, or kayaking. Help stop the looting; help protect our past for our future.
This program is sponsored by the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums. The Florence Indian Mound Museum is located at 1028 S. Court St. Florence, AL and is open, Tuesday – Saturday from 10am- 4pm and Sundays from 1-4pm Call 256-760-6427 for more information.
Better Business Bureau of North Alabama, Inc. will host “Shred Day” Friday, April 23 from 10am-noon at the Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum located at 720 East Veterans Drive in Florence.
This event will feature a quick and easy drive-thru setup with two document shredding trucks on-site. You can have your sensitive paper documents securely shredded for “FREE”. Only paper documents will be accepted. Please remove all other materials, such as cardboard, plastic, metal, and binders.
• There is a document limit of 3 bags or boxes per vehicle.
• Documents should be placed in the trunk area of the vehicle.
• Remain in your vehicle. This is a no contact event.
Event sponsors include City of Florence, Cook’s Pest Control, Dixie Pulp & Paper Recycling, LLC, ElderCareServices, Progress Bank and The Agency on Pine. For more information, call 256-740-8224.
UNA Christian Student Center’s Annual Golf Tournament will be on Monday, April 26, tee time 1pm at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. $100 per player, $400 per team. $10 mulligans, 3 for $25.
Register by April 19. Contact 256-764-9439.
Junior League of the Shoals is hosting its first Touch A Truck Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, May 15! Touch-A-Truck is a family-friendly sensory experience where children can play and explore various pieces of machinery, equipment, and trucks! Children will also have the chance to meet and interact with the men and women who help build, protect, and serve the Shoals communities – all in a scavenger hunt style interactive event that will span Colbert, Lauderdale, and Franklin counties!
If you have a location or vehicle that would be a great addition to the Touch A Truck Scavenger Hunt, we’d love to have you involved.
You’ll get promotion on our social media and website, will be seen as a community supporter, and will have traffic driven to your site or business with opportunities to interact with participants!
For more information on sponsoring the event, please email the Scavenger Hunt committee at [email protected]
Let’s Travel Again!!! The Club / Florence Senior Center ”Diamonds in the Rough”, traveling friends, want to invite you to join them. Trips are open to the public! Proof of Vaccination will be required with final payment. Deposit due now, $75. Checks made payable to Diamond Tours.
Mackinac Island, October 3-9, 2021, $719, deposit now, final payment June 7.
6 nights 5 days, 10 meals, 6 breakfast 4 dinners, Guided tour of Mackinaw City, visit Mackinac Island, Carriage tour, Boat ride through Soo Locks, Sight-seeing Sault Sainte Marie, Mackinaw Crossings, Colonial Michillmackinac, Gaming excitement at Kewadin Sault Casino
Pigeon Forge & Smokey Mountains Show Trip, November 15-19, 2021, $599, $75 deposit due now, final payment September 8.
4 nights lodging, 4 breakfast, 4 dinners, Visit Titanic Museum, 2 morning shows: Smith Morning Variety Show and “Tis the Season”, 4 evening shows: Patty Waszak, Soul of Motown, America’s Hit Parade, Country Tonight, Free time in historic downtown Gatlinburg
2022 Trips. More to be arranged.
Niagara Falls, May 1-7, 2022, $659, Passport Required, $75 deposit now final payment February, 22, 2022
7 days 6 nights
For more pictures, video and information visit: www.GroupTrips.com/TheClub or call Fran @The Club
256.760.6642, [email protected]
Register Now with only $75 deposit for motor coach trips.
2022 Cruise: PML Travel
The Club presents 9 day 8 night vacation, Royal Caribbean’s “Ovation of the Seas”-ALASKA!! June 2-June 10, 2022-Passport Required. Proof of Vaccination.
$2799 per person/inside cabin
$2999 per person/outside cabin
$3499 per person/balcony cabin
Roundtrip Airfare, 1 night hotel, guided tour of Seattle, Washington, bus transportation from Airport, Cruise, Cabin, Shipboard meals, Port charges, Taxes and Transfers in Seattle.
Travel protection insurance $318-$380, $250 deposit now/Final payment February 2, 2022
Sitka, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, Juneau, AK and Victoria, BC
For more information The Club/Fran 256-760-6642 or [email protected]
Want to see your Event here? Email your information to [email protected].
The Florence Senior Center/The Club is serving curbside meals Monday-Friday from 10:30-11:30am. Please call in to reserve your meal between 8:30-10:30am. Call 256-760-6668 for a menu. Participation requirements: Over 60 years old and a tidbit of information. You can register over the phone.
COVID-19 and Rapid testing is now available at the SHOALS COMMUNITY CLINIC – FREE to the public. The clinic has partnered with the Alabama Department of Public Health to administer these tests. The new COVID Rapid test takes only 15 minutes. 256-760-4713
The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) currently offers industry-led training certifications at Northwest-Shoals Community College.
The MSSC training center at NW-SCC is an industry-led training, assessment, and certification system focused on the core skills and knowledge needed by the nation’s front-line production and material handling workers. MSSC training offers both entry-level and incumbent workers the opportunity to demonstrate that they have acquired the skills increasingly required in the technology-intensive jobs of the 21st century.
If you have questions regarding MSSC certification at NW-SCC, please contact Taylor Franks. You may call 256-331-8092, text 256-415-6992, or email at [email protected].
Osborn Hill Cemetery Officers have decided to postpone their yearly meeting due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Donations are still needed to help maintain the perpetual care now, and in the future.
Please make check payable to the Osborn Hill Cemetery Fund, c/o Mrs. Lana Duncan, 2330 Colburn Mtn. Road, Tuscumbia, AL 35674 or to the Osborn Hill Cemetery Fund at Valley State Bank in Russellville.
Nominations are open for the LONG-LEWIS LOCAL HERO OF THE MONTH AWARD. In an effort to reward local people for Outstanding Community Service, Long-Lewis Automotive Group in cooperation with The Long-Lewis Foundation, will be awarding one person each month $500 and a Certificate of Appreciation to recognize their efforts in serving The Shoals.
Simply visit the Long Lewis of the Shoals Facebook page and nominate someone you feel deserves this award for Outstanding Community Service. The recipient of the Award will be determined by the nominee post that gets the most Likes from the community at the end of each month. We will announce the recipient, via social media, on the 1st of the following month. The Certificate and $500 Award will be given to the recipient at the local dealership by the 10th of each month.
Keeping the Dream Alive – Thank you to all Keepers of the Dream. Starting from 2008 when we held our first MLK Youth Tournament to now. Even during COVID-19, God’s Way Counseling Services for the Youth is Keeping the Dream Alive and we hope you are too.
Even though we are unable to physically hold and showcase our annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Basketball Tournament, we will still be accepting donations and contributions to stay engaged and continue assisting community members most affected by this pandemic. Our hearts go out to all of the people that we’ve lost this year due to COVID.
Thank you all in advance for your continued tax-deductible support and gifts. Make checks payable to: God’s Way Counseling Services for Youth, Inc. Send to: 1050 E. Limestone St., F15, Florence AL 35630.
Pay it Forward: Donate to Educate – Shoals Scholar Dollars is an Education Foundation raising money to pay tuition at Northwest Shoals Community College and transfer scholarships to the University of North Alabama for Lauderdale and Colbert County students who meet certain criteria. Donate to Scholar Dollars at any participating financial institution the second Friday of each month.
REAL Rehome Educate Adopt Love offers the following pet preventive care assistance for dogs and cats in Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin Counties:
• Flea/Tick Control
• HW Testing
• HW Preventative
• Vaccine
Submit your Pet Wellness application from our Facebook page REAL Rehome Educate Adopt Love or website www.rehomeandeducate.webs.com
Alabama Hospice of the Shoals in Tuscumbia is currently seeking Veteran volunteers to serve the following counties: Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Franklin, Marion, and Winston. For more information, contact Barbara at 256-314-1204.
Did you know that there are 250 children who can’t live at home in our community each month? These children can’t live at home because the very people who are supposed to protect and care for them are not able to do so. These are the children in foster care. These are the children that need someone to stand up for them when it feels like no one cares. These are the children that need a CASA Volunteer.
Please consider becoming a Volunteer Advocate for local children who need a caring and committed adult to speak up for their best interest. Call the Shoals CASA office at 256-765-0041 or check out the agency’s website for more information www.ShoalsCASA.org.
International Student Exchange (ISE), a non-profit organization, is looking for volunteer families to host international high school students in the coming academic year. Host families can expect to gain a new family member, experience a new culture, create lifelong friendships, and make a positive impact locally and globally.
The international exchange students are between the ages of 15 and 18 and come from countries such as Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Thailand, Brazil, Italy, Norway, and many others. American teenagers can also study abroad through International Student Exchange.
The deadline to match students with families is August 31 and families can select an international student based on shared interests, hobbies, gender, etc. Family screening includes a background check, an in-home interview, and a verification of personal references. The international students are English-speaking and have their own spending money. Americans provide the caring environment, room, and daily meals.
Families who host ISE students are eligible to claim a $50 charitable contribution deduction on their itemized tax returns for each month they host a student. For information, contact International Student Exchange Regional Advisor, Gretchen Mitchell, at 731-607-1064 or visit their website at smokymountains.iseusa.org
Want to see your Event here? Email your information to [email protected].
City of Florence – Recycling Program:
Paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and jugs only (#1 & #2), aluminum cans, and steel cans are all recyclable. Residential curbside cart collection is provided within City of Florence limits. The Florence Recycle Center drop-off is available to everyone, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Cardboard Boxes
Place large, broken-down cardboard boxes 3 feet away from your recycle and garbage carts. Remove all contents from each box before recycling as Styrofoam and plastic film are NOT recyclable.
Televisions/Electronics
Old TV’s are not collected with curbside trash. They can be dropped off at two locations:
–Florence Recycle Center: 1200 Terrace Street, Florence
–Florence Landfill: 29485 County Road 14, Florence
Wrapping Paper
All paper is recyclable if it will tear. We encourage you to reuse ribbons and bows, but they are not recyclable.
Alabama Extension at Alabama A&M University is offering educational webinars on Zoom for youth, adults and teachers. Online users can find a listing of Zoom sessions or other activities at: https://www.aces.edu/events/ or www.facebook.com/pg/AlabamaExtensionAAMU/events/
Access Alabama Extension’s website at www.aces.edu, sign up for our daily briefing, or visit us on social media to find practical solutions facing Alabama residents and communities.
For more information, contact Kimberly Sinclair-Holmes at [email protected].
YMCA of the Shoals Affordable Before & After School Care includes over 7,000+ square feet of childcare dedicated space – homework help, team building activities, arts & crafts, and much more. Have Fun! Make Friends! Learn New Things! If you need affordable childcare, contact us today at 256-246-9622 or [email protected].”
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers can now test all eligible blood donors for COVID-19 antibodies.
The antibody test conducted by LifeSouth is authorized for use by the FDA and detects if someone has developed antibodies to COVID-19. A positive test result may indicate past exposure and some immunity to the virus. This antibody test is not a diagnostic test and will not determine if the person currently has the virus.
LifeSouth encourages donors to make an appointment to donate over the coming weeks.
For additional information, call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
Donors must be at least 17 or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also needed.
Want a job? Want a better job? Get your GED! Free GED Prep classes are located near you. The program is open entry with new students starting classes weekly. For more information, call the Northwest-Shoals Community College Adult Education Program at 256-331-5440 or 256-331-5438.
Hospice Volunteers Needed – Veterans, Students, Retirees, everyone with an hour a week to share with someone in your community. Specific needs: Male veteran to visit WWII vet, Florence area. Hairdresser/Barber in all areas. [email protected]. 256-269-2100 Comfort Care Hospice, Sheffield.
Do you have a family member or a friend with a disability?
If so, sign up for our Disability Advocacy Network email list to show your support for a family member or friend through The Arc’s national movement.
By signing up you will receive reliable updates about state and federal legislative decisions so you can take action as an informed advocate.
Your elected officials will listen to you on issues that are important to the I/DD community by making a call or sending an email! Go to www.thearcofal.org to subscribe!
Want to see your Event here? Email your information to [email protected].