russell county connection

RUSSELL COUNTY
CONNECTION
Russell County
Connection
Volume 2 Special Edition 6
April-May 2009
Weathering the Storms
Spring Comes in like a Lion and Remains wild in the valley
PHENIX CITY
DILLINGHAM AND BROAD STREETS ~ APRIL 19, 2009
SALEM, ALABAMA ~ FEBRUARY 28, 2009
NICK GUNNELLS
PHENIX CITY ~ MARCH 1, 2009
Tornadoes, floods and snowstorms have blanketed Russell, Lee and Muscogee Counties this spring. Measurements vary, but offi‐
cially March and April saw over 22 inches of precipitation in the area with 1‐4 inches of snow on March 1. EF1 and EF2 Tornadoes caused heavy destruction in Salem on Feb. 28, Russell County in March and April and in Phenix City and Columbus on April 19. Russell County
Connection
Volume 2 Special Edition 6
March ~ April … May?
The weather has cooperated with recovery efforts since the last
EF2 twister “bounced” through the valley. The third and fourth
week in April has allowed the flowers to grow and show off a
little, while crews clean up and restore power, with temperatures
in the 80s and plenty of sunshine. Predictions call for a warmer
than usual May and an active hurricane season.
April –May 2009
When the Sun Goes Down, the Stars come out to play…
Summer Concerts Ready to Rock at the Phenix City Amphitheater
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PHENIX CITY SCORES MARSHALL TUCKER BAND
Maybe you “ Heard it in a Love Song”‐The Summer Concert Series for the Phenix City Amphitheater is out and about to rock the season. This year’s venue promises to be fully loaded and more than ready to entertain. The Amp will host Keni Thomas, R&B Legend Clarence Carter and Jake Owen with July 11 the date to make it uptown to see the Marshall Tucker Band. Always, always a good time, Rhonda Vin‐
cent and the Rage take the stage on August 28 with our own East Wind Bluegrass Band starting the show. More information on this year’s venue is available at www.phenixcityal.us or call the Phenix City Parks and Recreation office at 334‐298‐4791. See you at the Amp! National Recording Artist Keni Thomas: May 9 at 8 p.m.; $5 admission-free with Military ID. R&B Legend Clarence Carter:
May 16 at 8 p.m. $10 admission-Kids 12 and under are FREE. 2009 Top Male Artist of the Year Jake Owen: June 6 at 8 p.m.;
$10 admission-Kids 12 and under are FREE. The Marshall Tucker Band: July 11 at 8 p.m.; $10 admission-Kids 12 and under
are FREE. Rhonda Vincent and the Rage: August 28 at 8 p.m.; admission $10-Kids 12 and under are FREE. All shows are Eastern Time. Gates open at 7 p.m. No coolers or smoking are allowed inside the Amphitheater. Concessions are available. Proper
identification is required to purchase alcohol. Folding chairs are welcome.
Russell County
Connection
Volume 2 Special Edition 6
Developments
April-May 2009
Congressional Visits:
NAM Award First Event in the New
Russell county Courthouse
Congratulations
Congressman Mike Rogers
Russell County Commissioner Peggy Martin visits
with U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers and
Columbus Chamber of Commerce VP Gary Jones.
U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers, who represents Rus‐
sell County in Washington, received the National Association of Manufacturers Award for Legislative Excellence in March. CEOs from MeadWestvaco, Allen Owen and Tim Bercraft, presented the award at the new Russell County Courthouse in Commis‐
sion Chambers. The Congressman fielded questions from those in attendance after accepting the award and chatted with the constituency before attending another local event. MeadWestvaco sponsored the ceremony. In April, the Congressman was invited to discuss economic development in the region at the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce. “The NAM Award for Manufacturing Excellence is given to senators and representatives whose voting records on key manufacturing votes demonstrate an understanding and support for, the manufacturing sector’s role in our economy and society.” – MWV VP Tim Becraft Russell County
Connection
Volume 2 Special Edition 6
April-May 2009
Time for change
Proud County says ‘Goodbye’ and ‘God Bless’ to Kathy Russell
Russell County’s Emergency Management Coordinator Kathy Russell received a plaque for her “Dedicated Service” with Russell County from friend and colleague Jan Boswell this month. Kathy became Lee County’s EMA director on April 15. Well suited for the position, Kathy has served Russell County as interim director, deputy director and coordinator for several years. The Russell County Commission provided a proclama‐
tion to honor her during the last meeting. “We are both very proud of Kathy and sad she is leaving us,” said County Administrator LeAnn Horne. “This is a wonderful opportunity for her.” “It is not really ‘goodbye’” said Kathy. “Lee County will be there when you need us.” Former Office of Homeland Security and Emer‐
gency Management Coordinator Kathy Russell re‐
ceives a proclamation from the Russell County Commission. She is now the Director of Emergency Management for neighboring Lee County. QUALITY INFORMATION FROM RC OHS-EMA
WHAT TO DO WITH THE ‘FLU’
for testing and treatment. Stay home and
Signs and symptoms:
The symptoms of this new influenza A
avoid contact with other people until you
H1N1 virus are similar to the symptoms are symptom-free for 24 hours. Total
of regular human flu and include fever,
downtime is about 7 days.
cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, The Usual Precautions:
chills and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting • Wash your hands
have also been reported.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a
The Next Step:
tissue, if you sneeze and then wash
Call your Doctor or Health Care Provider
your hands again!
•
•
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or
mouth. These areas are the perfect
incubation stations of the body.
Germs love to grow there.
Follow all public warnings regarding
closures and event cancellations.
Check www.cdc.gov for more information.
Russell County
Connection
Volume 2 Special Edition 6
April-May 2009
A P.E.A.K. at the Arts
The Programs Educating Adults and Kids Task Force and volunteers:
Mik Cole, Rebecca Cabarrus, Debra Blanks, Daisy Deida, Jessica Carroll, Dianna Nichols,
Teresa Keene, Sherita Dix, Aretha Austin. Front:Lisa Trammell, Paula Thompson, Kendra
Murrell.
The first annual “Just Beginning Art Show and
Galleria” sponsored and organized by the Russell
County’s P.E.A.K. Task Force and RC’s Children
and Family Connection was a wonderful success.
Participating pre-schools and local artists hosted
and about 100 guests came to see “What our tiny
hands can do.”
Russell County
Connection
Volume 2 Special Edition 6
April-May 2009
Animal Shelter
A City ~ County (Ad)Venture
Shelter Authority seeking
Director
Coming soon to a new neighborhood building, very near the Sheriff’s Office, is the culmination of many years of planning between Phenix City and Russell County. This joint venture is about to “unleash” a new facil‐
ity for strays and perhaps many other four‐legged wanderers. But first, the Russell County/Phenix City Animal Shelter Authority needs to hire a director. In process, the RCPCASA is collecting résumés, so the little fella in the ad to the right will have a “pack leader” before long. Interested ? Some criteria and requirements are listed on www.rcala.com on the “About Russell County” page of the website. To qualify have: A Bachelor’s Degree and/or be a Certi‐
fied Veterinarian Technician; professional work ex‐
perience in the field and in business, financial man‐
agement and public relations. A complete job de‐
scription is available by emailing Dr. William Smith at rcpcasa@yahoo.com. The Board of Directors for the RCPCASA are; for the City: Dr. Wally Waldrop and Jackie Thacker; for the County: Dr. H. G. Cald‐
well and Dr. William Smith. RECIPE BOX
From the Kitchen of Carolyn Dudley
Poppy Seed Chicken
6-8 Boneless Chicken Breasts
1½ sleeves Ritz Crackers
1-lg Pkg. Cream Cheese
1½ sticks (real) butter-melted
1-8oz. Sour Cream
1 pkg. frozen broccoli florets
(optional)
1-can Cream of Chicken Soup
size pieces. In large skillet,
sear chicken pieces in about
1-2 tablespoons olive oil (or
vegetable oil). Chicken
should be partially cooked,
but not done completely.
Drain any oil left in pan and
return chicken to skillet.
Keep skillet on stove over
2 Tbsp. Poppy Seed
low heat. Add cream cheese
1½ cups milk
and sour cream. Stir until
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. cream cheese is melted and
Cut chicken into 1-2 inch bite blended with sour cream and
The Animal Shelter is scheduled to open sometime in May, officials said.
chicken. Add can
of cream of chicken soup and
milk to skillet and continue to
stir until smooth. Remove
from heat. Cut broccoli into
bite size pieces. Stir into mixture. Pour into buttered 9x13
Pyrex dish. In microwaveable
bowl, melt butter (about 3545 seconds). Crush Ritz
crackers into melted butter.
Add poppy seed. Sprinkle
evenly over chicken mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees for about
30-45 minutes or until mixture bubbles up thru Ritz
Cracker topping. Stand back
after first servings are dished
out ‘cause you’ll get knocked
down when they come back
for seconds! Don’t count on
there being any leftovers.
Russell County
Connection
Volume 2 Special Edition 6
April –May 2009
Supporting our Schools
The
Big EC 2009
The 2009 Education
Celebration was a
huge success with
representation from
each school in the
district in administration, faculty and
student talent.
The Russell County
Commission and
the Russell County
Board of Education
proudly accepted
certificates of support from RCSD.
Held on a very pleasant Saturday in March, the students prepared for the day with everything from the
Cat in the Hat to a Readiness Rap—rallying the district
to a successful testing week and then Spring Break.
Russell County
Connection
Volume 2 Special Edition 6
April –May 2009
Supporting our Leaders
In recent months
the Russell
County School
Board and Superintendent Dr.
Yvette Richardson received
recognition in
the form of proclamations from
the Russell
County Commission for leadership and commitment to our children and their
education in
Russell County.
Russell County Board
of Education : Dillie
Elliot Rufus Jordan
and Joseph Williams.
RCSD Ready for Testing: Representing
at EC 2009 are the Cheerleaders from
Mount Olive Elementary and students
from Russell Elementary. Far right is a
youngster enjoying Clifford the Big Red
Dog, a celebrity reading guest visiting
for the day.
And the Children they serve
Russell County
Connection
Volume 2 Special Edition 6
April –May 2009
Rockin’ CAC at Idle Hour
Dedicated Service Awards were given to those who
have been instrumental in CAC’s success. The Child
Advocacy Center is Russell County’s “neutral,
child-friendly facility for abused children to meet
with professionals charged with investigating their
cases.” Community Fun Day was created by CAC
and held at Idle Hour Park in Phenix City. Jocelyn
Davis shared her experiences at the ceremony in a
selfless effort to help other kids. Many vendors,
supporters and civic organizations participated to
make the afternoon truly a good time.
T. E. A. Rs
Time out Teddy
PC Exchange Club
I dunked the Sheriff….but I did not soak the Deputy.
Russell County Sheriff’s Investigator Grover Goodrich took several dips at Community Fun Day
Russell County
Connection
Volume 2 Special Edition 6
April –May 2009
Phenix City Leadership Mayor Sonny Coulter City Council Arthur Sumbry, Michelle Walker, Max Wilkes, Jimmy Wetzel. Town Hall Meeting
Pine Hill Baptist Church
Monday, May 11 at Pine Hill
Baptist Church 337 10th Ave
South; 7-8:30 EDT.
At the Amp:
National Recording Artist
Keni Thomas: May 9 at 8
p.m.; $5 admission-free
with Military ID No pets,
coolers or smoking are
allowed inside the Amphitheater.
Transportation: Bus
routes are scheduled for
Russell County by the
Lee/Russell
Council of
Governments.
for more information call
Lisa Sandt or
Barbara Scott
at 334-7495264.
OHS-EMA:
and trains them in basic
disaster response skills.
CERT members are encouraged to support emergency response agencies
and take an active role in
emergency preparedness
projects. Please call 334291-5079 to find out
more and sign up.
The Russell County
VISIT Office of Homeland
www.rcala.com Security and Emergency
and Management is offering
classes for CERT :The www.phenixcityal.us Community Emergency
Y’all come see us Response Team (CERT)
Online Program. CERT educates
people about disaster
preparedness for hazards
that may impact their area