Celebrate Opelika

Looks like Downtown Opelika will be having a big shin-dig this Saturday starting at 10 am with the last event scheduled at 7pm. There are supposed to be arts and crafts vendor out and looks like lots of fun events scheduled.

Earth Fare

Even though organic produce and healthy foods are often more expensive, I  am seeing the value in it more and more these days.  For those other thrifters trying to fit wholesome food in under budget here are a couple of tidbits about Earthfare. 

If you sign up for their newsletter they will send coupons into your inbox.  (you can look at the latest batch here).

Thursday nights kids eat free from 4 - 8 at their deli.  I am told that this is up to 6 kids per adult meal.  You can't really beat that if you have kids!

Owl Release July 8th

Here's the info:

The Southeastern Raptor Center, in collaboration with the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department, will release owls into the wild atKiesel Park on Thursday, July 8. The center will host an educational program at 6:30 p.m., followed by the owl release at 7 p.m. Citizens are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the scenery at Kiesel Park while taking part in this unique event.

The majority of the birds to be released are barred and Eastern screech owls. “Most of these birds were healthy fledglings that were mistaken for orphans,” said Liz Crandall, veterinary technician with the Southeastern Raptor Center.

Crandall will talk about not removing young, healthy wildlife; a history of the birds being released; and raptors. Two red-tailed hawks, used for educational purposes, will also be on hand.

The mission of the center’s rehabilitation section is to rehabilitate injured, ill, or orphaned birds of prey. Annually, the Southeastern Raptor Center takes in between 200 and 275 birds of prey from across the Southeast. Birds are generally brought in by members of the public, a network of southeastern rehabilitators and educational facilities, and state and federal agencies.

“Most of the birds come from within a 60-mile radius,” said Crandall.

The Southeastern Raptor Center is part of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. For more information, please call 334-844-3698.

Art Exhibit at Jan Dempsey

Here's the info:

The Auburn Arts Association is currently hosting the Photography Invitational I, featuring photographs by John Shadrick and Hank Siegel, on display now through July 19 at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. Don't miss your opportunity to view the exhibition and meet the artists at a reception on Saturday, July 10 from 3 - 5 p.m. at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center Art Gallery. The reception is free to the public.

Admission to the Art Gallery at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center is free and open to the public Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information, please contact the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center at 501-2963 or visit www.auburnalabama.org/arts.

Children's Book

For those of you who have Kindle's (and children) I have just published a children's picture book!  It is priced at 99cents (which is the lowest price they would let me put it).  It's got 17 pictures and shows a farmer planting his field and some of the crops that come from it.  Good way to show kids where their food comes from.  The farm pictured is my family's farm located here in Alabama.  

Also, for any who might not know, the price of the Kindle just got reduced to $189.  Nothing like a little competition to drive the price down.  It's still quite an investment, but they are nice if you can afford it.

Fireworks!

Join the City of Auburn for the Annual Fourth of July Celebration, sponsored by Briggs & Stratton Corporation, on Sunday, July 4 behind the home side of Duck Samford Stadium. This FREE community event is open to all ages. Gates open at 6 p.m., followed by live music and children's activities at 7 p.m. The evening culminates with one of THE best fireworks displays in the area at 9 p.m.

Exciting Week from the Gnu's Room

Looks like a lot of fun stuff going on this week with the Gnu's Room and the Shops at Southside:



Tuesday, June 22nd at 2:00 p.m. - Write Time
Free weekly writing workshop. An hour of inspiration, sharing, and
information for writers of any level of expertise.

Tuesday, June 22nd at 5:30 p.m. - Tea for Tuesday
Free tea tasting hosted by our resident tea expert, Chip Self. Come,
learn and sample - simple!

Wednesday, June 23rd at 7:00 p.m. - Singer/Songwriter Competition
We would like to continue this event through the summer months, but
may not be able to if we don't have participation. Only $4.00 entry
fee for performers and $5.00 admission for listeners. Cash prize to
winner is $100.00. Come support your favorite performer!

Thursday, June 24th at 6:30 p.m. - Science Cafe Auburn
Tia Gonzales, Agricultural Program Assistant at Auburn University and
owner of Naturista Fine Garden Design, will be presenting the topic,
"Rain Barrels: What, How & Why?" Learn more about the benefits of
water collection using rain barrels and how to set up a system.

FRIDAY, JUNE 25th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. - SHOPS @ SOUTHSIDE
SUMMER CELEBRATION #1

The first of three events, Celebration #1 will feature free music by
local performers, a reading/book signing by local author Jim Buford,
drawings for great prizes (no purchase required) and special pricing
at all participating shops.

5:00 p.m. - Store specials and registration for prizes begin

5:30 p.m. - Meet Auburn author Jim Buford, who has recently had a book
of short stories published, "The House Across the Road." Jim will read
one of his stories and will be glad to sign copies of the book for you.

5:45 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. - Music by Bree Windham

6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. - Music provided by Brennan Reece and Josh McKenzie

9:30 p.m. - Drawing for prizes

Prizes (thus far, but more to come) include:

Friday Night Wine Tastings from Fine Wine & Beer by Gus
Whole Bean Coffee from Mama Mocha's Coffee Roastery
Gnu's Room Gift Certificates
Perch Gift Certificates
Scuba Lesson from Adventure Sports
Guitar Lesson from The Guitar Shoppe
Yoga Session from Yoga Ananda