We're Off To the Races!

Continuing a tradition started in 1980, the annual Turtleneck Turtle Races pits reptile against reptile in this fun family event on Saturday, June 14. Few competitors leave empty handed, as awards are given in multiple categories including best dressed, best decorated, etc. Proceeds from this year’s event to be donated for Alzheimer’s disease research. Admission is free. The turtle races will be held at the T.C. Russell Airport Pavilion off Airport Road in Alexander City.

Registration starts at 11:30 a.m.
Races begin at 1 p.m.

For more information, call (256) 234-6464 or visit www.turtleneckturtlerace.org.

Rock, Gem & Mineral Show June 13 - 15

Wind Creek State Park will host the 46th annual Rock, Gem and Mineral Show where dozens of dealers show their goods to thousands of visitors over the course of the weekend. Featured are rocks, gems and minerals native to Alabama as well as all types of jewelry. Entertainment for the whole family is also available at the beautiful lakeside state park. Wind Creek State Park is located off Alabama Highway 63 and Coven Abbott Road in Alexander City. For more information, contact Wind Creek State Park at (256) 329-0845.

Alex City Jazz Fest this weekend!

One of Lake Martin’s biggest musical events will take place June 13 at Strand Park in downtown Alexander City and June 14 at the Lake Martin Amphitheater. The 18th annual Alexander City Jazz Festival will feature performances by Coolbone Brass Band, Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys, and Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk in downtown Alexander City on June 13 from 6 p.m. To 11 p.m. The following night at the Lake Martin Amphitheater, Randall Bramblett, Zac Brown Band and Joe Bonamassa will perform from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. For T-shirts and additional information, visit www.alexcityjazzfest.com.

Drought still affecting lakes in Alabama

This just released from Alabama Power News...

Despite an increase in rainfall, the historic drought that began in 2006 continues to affect Alabama Power lakes.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, a large portion of northeast Alabama remains in a severe drought, with much of the rest of the state under a moderate drought or suffering from abnormally dry conditions. Although spring rains, along with efforts by Alabama Power and state and federal agencies, have helped return the company’s reservoirs to normal or near-normal levels, the flow of water into the Coosa and Tallapoosa river basins has not recovered. In fact, the flow is less than half the level of a normal year.

Because of these conditions, Alabama Power plans to manage water resources carefully through the summer. Whitewater enthusiasts who visit the Coosa River below Jordan Dam to enjoy recreational water releases should check the release schedule before setting out. Go to http://lakes.alabamapower.com and click on the Lake Jordan page for the latest schedule. Individuals can also call Alabama Power's automated Reservoir Information System at 1-800-LAKES11 (1-800-525-3711) and follow instructions for the Jordan Dam generation schedule.

Alabama Power is working closely with state and federal agencies to try to maintain normal summer conditions on the company’s six storage reservoirs. Typically, levels on those reservoirs – Weiss Lake, Lake Neely Henry and Logan Martin Lake on the Coosa; Lake Harris and Lake Martin on the Tallapoosa; and Smith Lake on the Black Warrior River – begin to fall in late June as the company utilizes the water to meet downstream flow requirements and meet the demand for power during the hot summer months. Normally the lakes continue to fall until December, remaining at winter pool elevations until they can be replenished by winter and spring rains.

Alabama Power must make certain releases from the lakes to meet downstream navigation, aquatic and water quality needs.

As summer proceeds, the company will continue to closely monitor the conditions on the lakes and manage resources carefully. Individuals with boats and other water-related equipment and facilities should always be alert to changing conditions on Alabama Power reservoirs and be prepared to take the necessary steps to protect their property.

For details about all of Alabama Power’s lakes, visit www.alabamapower.com and click on “drought.” Or call 1-800-LAKES11 (1-800-525-3711).

Released 6-6-08

Downtown Farmer's Market starts this Saturday!

The Downtown Farmer's Market season officially begins this Saturday in downtown Alexander City! Local and regional growers will exhibit and sell their fruits, vegetables and plants while local artisans and chefs showcase their handiwork every Saturday from June 7 - October 25. A special market is also held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The market is open from 7:30 a.m. through 12 p.m. each Saturday on Broad Street in historic downtown Alexander City.

Judging on last year's participation, Lake magazine encourages you to get their early for the best picks of the day!
For more information, contact MainStreet Alex City at (256) 329-9227.

Alabama INT League Wakeboard Tournament stops at Lake Martin this Saturday

Children’s Harbor will host a wakeboarding competition this weekend (June 7) in this year’s Alabama INT League circuit. The INT League holds competitive events in slalom skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding and wakeskating. INT tournaments welcome participation by first-time contestants as well as seasoned tournament competitors. Membership is required to participate. For more information, visit www.intleague.com online. Spectators are encouraged to attend.

The Children's Harbor campus is located on Highway 63 in Eclectic, Alabama.

Photo by Kenneth Boone, 2007.
Kenneth Boone Photography

Lil' Calypso Art Fest at Chuck's Marina this weekend!

Chuck’s Marina hosts its annual Lil’ Calypso Art Fest on June 7 – where admission is a monetary donation of your choice to benefit Camp Smile-A-Mile. The art show, which takes place on the grounds of the marina and and along the shore of Lake Martin will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The show will feature a variety of artwork, from pottery and paintings to glass and other mediums. Several artists will be working on-site. Musical entertainment will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the back deck as boaters and guests alike browse through the art, soak up the sun or partake in ChuckWalla’s famous pizza and the newly opened WineStoppers wine bar. Chuck's Marina is located off Highway 50 on Centerport Road. For more information, contact Chuck's Marina at (256) 825-6871.

Photo by Nikki Reeves, 2006 Lil' Calypso Art Fest

Renew Our Rivers: Lake Martin Clean-up Scheduled for June 7

Help Alabama Power and local sponsors keep Lake Martin beautiful during this half-day campaign to clean-up the lake. Participants receive free T-shirts. On clean-up day, participants will meet at specific start and drop-off locations to monitor the trash picked up. Locations have yet to be named. Sites for this year's event include the Coley Creek boat ramp in Alexander City, Kowaliga Boat Ramp, Real Island boat ramp and D.A.R.E. Park in Dadeville. Event times are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information on how you can participate or sponsor, call Denise Wall (256) 215-4404.

Photo by Kenneth Boone
Kenneth Boone Photography

Russell Family Donates $25 Million to Children's Hospital

With the anticipated opening of a new facility in 2012, the Children's Hospital campus in Birmingham will be renamed the Benjamin Russell Hospital for children. The announcement was made in late May as part of the launch of a major capital campaign in support of the pediatric medical center's expansion.

To read the full story, click here.

This week's events on and around Lake Martin

12th Annual Kiwanis Spring Fling
May 26 - 31
Join the Alexander City Kiwanis Club as it presents a spring fair benefiting local children’s charities. Family entertainment on-site includes rides, midway foods and other fun. The fair will be held at the Charles E. Bailey, Sr. Sportplex in Alexander City, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Admission is charged. For more information, contact Leslie Wingler at (256) 234-3432.

Antique Car Show
May 31
The Dadeville Chamber of Commerce presents an Antique Car Show on Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Keebler Park in Dadeville. This fun, family event includes music, arts and crafts and concessions. Register an antique car at $15 per car, or register vendor space at $20 per booth. For more information and to register, contact Carla Berry at (256) 825-4019.

Five Star Plantation Youth Wildlife Camp
June 1- 6
Five Star Plantation presents its annual youth wildlife summer camp. Activities include instruction in traditional shotgun, rifle and pistol shooting as well as black powder shooting, archery, horseback riding, fishing, outdoor photography, compass training, deer trailing, swimming and canoeing. A field day is also included for completing the Alabama Hunter Safety Course. For more information on future camps at Five Star Plantation, contact (256) 234-0900.

Do you know where the REAL Chimney Rock is?

Did you know that the rock you are jumping off of (or watching people jump off of) isn't really Chimney Rock?

The popular jumping off spot is actually Acapulco Rock, and Chimney Rock is actually on the next island south. Chimney Rock has a definite rock formation showing off its chimney-like qualities –and believe me – you don't want to jump off of this one.

Most everyone will acknowledge one of the most popular spots to visit on Lake Martin is the 'area' widely and affectionately known as 'the rock.' Whether you are headed to Acapulco Rock, Chimney Rock Island or the bay in between – you haven't experienced Lake Martin until you've tied up there.

To read the whole story on the real Chimney Rock, read the article featured in the May 2008 issue of Lake.

Lake Magazine wants pictures of YOU!

Lake magazine is looking for pictures of you, your friends, your family and your pets at Lake Martin!

In every issue of Lake, we have a section called Lake Scene which highlights reader submitted photos. Whether you were here on vacation, were taking pictures of the local scenery, attending an event at the amphitheater, or got a great shot of someone jumping off of 'The Rock' – we'd love to print your photos in an upcoming issue of  Lake!

Photos should be: AS LARGE AS POSSIBLE (but not TOO large!). If you have a 72 dpi resolution photo, the photo should be roughly 10" x 8" in size – it you have a 300 dpi resolution photo, you could submit a photo as small as 3" x 2". That way, your photo will show up clean and clear in our print publication. 

You may also submit multiple photos for our "Photographer of the Month" page – featured each month in Lake. Send 4 - 8 photos of your life on Lake Martin directly to nikki@lakemartinmagazine.com for your shot at fame! Your photos could be of a particular theme (people, places or nature, etc.) or can be random shots of life on the lake.

So hurry up! You could be in the next issue of Lake!

Submit Photos Here

Island Wakeboarding Heats Up Blue Creek

Island Wakeboarding School, featured in the May 2oo8 issue of Lake magazine, is sure to heat up the Blue Creek area this summer.

The new business is designed to offer those of all ages the chance to learn to wakeboard, wakesurf and tow safely. Wakeboarding lessons include two 30-minute sets, with all lessons tailored to the skill level of the student. Wakesurfing, which takes place behind the boat without the use of a tow rope, is great for kids of all ages, because it is done at a speed of only 10 mph. Day camps for kids will also be available.

Rates range anywhere from $35 (on your own boat) to $450 (10 sets). Professional photography can also be purchased to document the day's events.

For more information on Island Wakeboarding, visit them online.

Wakeboarding Coach Aaron Kovak, pictured at top. Photo by Kenneth Boone Photography.

Two Groups Working for the Betterment of Lake Martin

There are now two member-driven groups working at full strength for the betterment of Lake Martin: Lake Martin Home Owners and Boat Owners (HOBOs) and the Lake Martin Resource Association (LMRA).

The HOBOs were officially formed in June of 2007, and since that time, have well over 2,000 members. The HOBOs goals for 2008, as determined by its members, are to: push for the raising of winter water levels, doing necessary legwork to receive an OAW designation from ADEM, representing the HOBO membership during the Martin Dam relicensing project and gaining better control of 'good development' and shoreline management practices. Membership dues are $15 individual, $25 family, $50 standard business and $100 supporting business. The HOBOs can be found online at: http://www.lakemartin.org.

The Lake Martin Resource Association (LMRA) was formed in 1970 to deal with low water levels on Lake Martin. In the last three years, LMRA has remained relatively quiet, but that's about to change. LMRA is in the process of revitalizing itself with a new president (J. Charles Borden), a new board, a new appeal for membership and a raft of new projects to benefit people who enjoy the lake. Individual memberships are $25 and family memberships are $40. For more information, email LMRA at lmra@lmrainfo.com.

KANSAS plays Lake Martin Amphitheater this weekend!

Join Russell Lands and friends at the Lake Martin Amphitheater on Sunday, May 25, for a lakefront concert featuring classic rock band KANSAS and Lake Martin's own The Robin Hill Band. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. Children 12 and under will be admitted free. Non-alcoholic concessions are available on site.

Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmaster outlets including Publix Supermarkets, Fry and Coconuts Music and Movie stores. To purchase by phone, call (205) 715-6000 or (800) 277-1700. Tickets are also available for purchase at the gate (while available.)

The Lake Martin Amphitheater is located on Highway 63 approximately one mile south of the Kowaliga Bridge. 

Visit www.lmat.org for more information.

Join in on the fun at Art on the Lake

Children's Harbor hosts this year's Art on the Lake, one of the southeast's premier art events. Art on the Lake is a lakefront event showcasing the talent of more than 30 of the South's finest artists. Artists will be displaying and selling paintings, pottery, mixed media and jewelry. The event will be open Sunday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. 

The Children's Harbor campus is located 16 miles south of Alexander City, Ala. on Highway 63.

Read more about Children's Harbor by visiting: http://www.childrensharbor.com.