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.