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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• Email to [email protected];
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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.
After successfully finding forever homes for 18,359 pets in 2020 alone, BISSELL Pet Foundation is again aiming to Empty the Shelters by sponsoring reduced adoption fees of $25 or less May 5-9.
It is the largest Empty the Shelters event yet, with 200 participating shelters and rescues in 36 states.
Florence-Lauderdale Animal Services is taking part in this event again this year, one of four shelters in Alabama.
There are many pet lovers/owners, but bringing awareness to adoption specifically is no light work. If you can, help save lives and give homeless pets the second chance they deserve.
It’s not too late to attend “Prophecies of Hope” Bible study exploring Daniel, Revelation and more! In person or watch online, free study guides. Register at AttendSeminar.Live/Florence or call 256-263-0720.
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 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.
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/
Free Movie in the Park Friday, April 16, 7-9pm at Wilson Park. Movie will be “The Croods A New Age”. Bring your lawn chairs and the entire family. There will be free water, popcorn and candy, while supplies last.
Hosted by Faith Church.
April Holy Days of religions
present in the Shoals
• April 21, Ramanavami
• April 27, Hanuman Jayanati
• 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.
Wednesday, April 21, 7:30am-3:30pm, Florence High School, 1201 Bradshaw Dr., Florence
Thursday, April 22, 8am-4pm, TNT Fireworks, Helton Dr., Florence
Saturday, April 24, 12-6pm, Gamestop, Cox Creek Pkwy, Florence
Sunday, April 25, 11am-3:30pm, Salem Church of Christ, 9671 Hwy 17, Florence.
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].”
Register Now: The 17th Annual Swampers 5K & 1 Mile Run/Walk for 2021 is scheduled for Saturday, April 24 at 8am. Courses will be virtual only. Packet pickup is Friday, April 23 or it can be mailed for a small fee. All runners will receive a t-shirt and the first 500 registered will receive a custom finishers medal. Registration is $22. Proceeds benefit the Shoals Civic League. For more details, visit Swampers5K.com
Hydes Chapel – Gospel Meeting- April 25–28, Sunday Morning: Bible Class: 9am • Worship: 10am; Sunday Evening: 7pm; Monday–Wednesday: 7pm
Guest Speaker: Miles Stutts
There will be no meal here at the church building on Sunday
Hydes Chapel Church of Christ, 2965 Big Cypress Rd • Cypress Inn, TN
Awards and Prizes are up for Grabs to contestants and Winners in the Songs, Lyrics, Music & Poetry Contest 2021. You can win Recording Contracts, Worldwide Song Distribution Deals, Platinum, and Gold Record and Album Awards, Plaques, Cash, Collectable Signed Music Memorabilia, Guitars and other musical instruments, trips, books, etc. Radio ready songs will be included on a winner’s compilation CD and get distribution to over two hundred radio stations worldwide and be invited to perform your award winning songs at the Compilation CD release party. Poems may be published in our program book. There are separate categories for Songs, Lyrics, Poems and Instrumental only music writers, too.
You may enter as many songs as you like and send them all on one CD or tape, we accept all genres of music.
Please call 256-299-8817 for an entry form to be mailed to you. If you get an answering machine, please leave your name, address, telephone number and email, someone from the NWA Songwriters, Poets & Artists Hall of Fame will return you call and answer questions. Deadline to enter is May 1, 2021.
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.
Court & Seminary Streets Walking Tour with Billy Warren – Tour begins at Rogers Hall, 1 Harrison Plaza, Florence, Saturday, April 24 at 10am.
The North Court Street and Seminary street tour will feature Rogers Hall, Coby Hall, the Governor O’Neal Home, Connor Place, Wakefield, the Robert Dean Martin Home, the Medical Arts Building Pope’s Tavern, two Sears & Roebuck houses and many other homes.
Hosted by Florence/Lauderdale Tourism & MSNHA.
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.
Osborn Hill Cemetery – Decoration Day will be on May 1. The first Saturday of May has been observed as Decoration Day for well over 100 years. All old flowers will need to be removed from the graves during April. Please make plans for that special day to come to the cemetery.
Also its time again for annual donations. If you would like to donate to the Osborn Hill Cemetery Fund, please send your donations to: Osborn Hill Cemetery Fund, c/o Mrs. Lana Duncan 2330 Colburn Mtn. Road, Tuscumbia, AL 35674. or more information on sponsoring the event, please email the Scavenger Hunt committee at [email protected]
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.
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!
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]
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!
Want to see your Event here? Email your information to [email protected].
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]u.
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.
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].
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].