Jean's Huntsville, AL Blog

Here's a look at what's happening at the VBC this week and tickets that are currently on sale:

Thu- 8/28/2008 - ALSE Conference

Thu- 8/28/2008 - Juvenile Diabetes Team Captain Kick-off Luncheon

Fri- 8/29/2008 -North Alabama "Back to School Step Show"

Fri- 8/29/2008 - Songwriters Showcase

Fri- 8/29/2008 -The Comfort Group Employee Appreciation Lunch

Sat- 8/30/2008 - An Evening with the Stars

Sat- 8/30/2008 - Trinity High School Grand Reunion

Sun- 8/31/2008 - Choices

Sun- 8/31/2008 - Deeper Life United Holy Church

Mon- 9/ 1/2008 - Huntsville Youth Orchestra

Tue- 9/ 2/2008 - Hsv. Rotary Luncheon

***Tickets Currently on Sale Through VBC Box Office and Ticketmaster:***

8/29- Songwriters Showcase

8/29- N. Alabama Greek Step Show

9/21- BB King

9/26-28/08- Big Spring Jam

10/03- Songwriters Showcase

10/16/08-10/19/08 - Disney on Ice

10/21-22/08 - Tyler Perry's "The Marriage Counselor"

11/07- Songwriters Showcase

11/09- Jeff Dunham

11/23- Mannheim Steamroller **2nd Show Added!! On Sale 8/29/08 at 10 am**

12/6/08- WinterWonderSlam (On Sale 9/2/08)

12/19- Songwriters Showcase

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I believe in doing my civic duty and exercising my right to vote. But I think it's getting a little ridiculous. We have voted about 5 or 6 times this year--each time we have to go to the polls, it costs us time and money. When I lived in Iowa, they tried to combine all the elections and we just went once or twice, a the most, in any given year. Are you getting tired of stopping at your poll place "every other week" (not really--but it seems that way!) and voting. Now they told me today, that we may have to go again if there's a run-off for mayor. They are really testing our patriotism, aren't they? Wonder who we could talk to about this? The people that work in the polls aren't happy either--it's extra long days for them. Why not just vote in my poll for mayor and stay home? (you'd think with as high tech as Huntsville is suppose to be, they'd have a way we COULD vote from home or phone in our votes!)
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Loretta Spencer has been the mayor of Huntsville since 1996. She's done a good job--I think everyone will agree. And now, her supporters are urging us NOT to change things now that BRAC is coming to Huntsville. I'm not so sure that now ISN'T the time to change things. What do you think? Who are you going to vote for on Tuesday, August 26th: Loretta Spencer, Tommy Battle, Michael A. Polemeni, or Jackie Reed? Read up on these candidates and then cast an informed vote on Tuesday.

Here's some things I learned in Huntsville this week:

If you love good music, then you'll want to attend the "Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue" Concert on Friday, August 22 at 7:30 pm at First Baptist Church. This is a free concert and a collaboration of HCC Chamber Chorale and the Huntsville Chamber Winds. for more info, call (256) 533-6606.

Looking for a new and creative way to celebrate your child's upcoming birthday party? How about planning Birthday Play at Huntsville Museum of Art. The Museum Academy will arrange for a qualified art instructor and all the art supplies needed for a hands-on art activity for the party guests. For more info, call Laura Smith at (256) 535-4350 ext. 222.

Tennessee-based Demos’ Restaurant is expanding into Alabama with a new location in Florence in January 2009. Demos’ is a family-operated restaurant chain with locations in Nashville, Murfreesboro, Lebanon and Hendersonville, Tenn. The concept revolves around the combination of steak and spaghetti, but also offers seafood, chicken, salads, sandwiches and burgers.

Did you know that the American Cancer Society dedicates more money to research than any other nonprofit, non-government source of cancer research funds in the United States? It’s true. In fact, the American Cancer Society has given more than $3 billion dollars to support cancer research since 1946. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345.

Do you love musicals & theatre like I do? Then now's the time to get your tickets. Broadway Theatre League's season ticket memberships and Pick 3 (season ticket price when you buy at least 3 shows) are now available. Upcoming shows include: The Pajama Game - Sweeney Todd - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Monty Python’s Spamalot - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - HAPPY DAYS - James & The Giant Peach - The Rat Pack. Call Broadway Theatre League at (256) 518-6155, download order forms from www.broadwaytheatreleague.org, or stop by the BTL office, at the corner of Monroe and Clinton Streets in the Von Braun Center, Monday –Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Individual show tickets will go on sale September 13.

Parents, need a break? Sci-Quest has it for you: Parents Night Out at Sci-Quest is August 29 from 6-9 P.M for 4-12 year olds. First 50 families to register will receive 1 free $10 gift card at Parkway Place Mall. The kids will enjoy educational programming and a theater show, pizza dinner and a snack. Reservations required by noon August 28. Cost is $15 for the first child and $10 for each additional child. For more info, call (256) 837-0606.

I saw this on WHNT-TV, Biscuits and Blues Cafe in Bridge Street has closed its doors. As for the space left at Bridge Street, a Japanese restaurant will be going in there.

NASA's "Adventures in Rocket Science Educator Guide" contains 25 activities designed for 4-H Clubs Read more...

No matter whether you like to cook or not, I think almost everyone likes to look at other people's kitchens. We're lucky here in Huntsville that once a year, several private citizens open their homes to the public and let them traipse through to catch a glimpse of their extraordinary kitchens. Don't miss your opportunity to see some spectacular sights this Sunday, August 24th from 1-5 pm during the 2008 Kitchens for CASA tour. No one said you had to cook...just look!
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Looking for something different to do this weekend? Here's some options for you: Thursday Evening Concerts at the Library, Sidewalk Summer Arts Stroll, Classic Movies In The Park, races at Huntsville Speedway and Huntsville Dragway, "Parrots of the Caribbean" fundraiser, Downtown Trolley Tours, Gun & Knife Show, Huntsville Stars vs. Carolina, Kitchens For Casa Tour, Rocketman Triathlon, and next week: Concerts In The Park, Concert at the Gazebo, Evenings Movies at the Library, and Northeast Alabama State Fair. Check out the details on the events calendar.

On the weather map...High pressure will keep us warm & humid with chances of afternoon storms on Friday and Saturday. Sunday should be a tad cooler. For more information on Sunday please read on...

WHAT ABOUT FAY? Tropical Storm Fay is currently just off the coast of Cape Canaveral, FL. The storm should begin moving north on Thursday...then begin a turn to the west. By this weekend the models are in fairly good agreement that the storm will move through Alabama late Saturday and Sunday. There is a good chance what's left of Fay could spark some heavy rainfall for much of Alabama by late weekend into Monday including the Tennessee Valley...depending on the exact track. The severe weather threat should be minimal due to Fay being over land for several days before arriving.

There are some outliner models that bring Fay back into the Gulf of Mexico. This seems to be an unlikely scenario...but not totally out of the question. Thus, if you're headed for the Gulf Coast this weekend take your rain gear & keep up with the latest on Fay just in case the forecast changes over the weekend. That would also change both timing & intensity here in north Alabama as well.

BOTTOM LINE...Be prepared for the possibility of heavy rainfall the first part of the week. High winds are not expected...& the threat of tornadoes in north Alabama is very, very small. Again...this forecast can change...but for now this is the best thinking.

Here's my official Tennessee Valley weekend forecast... Read more...

If your family is in the market for a new dog or cat, let me urge you to consider adopting a shelter pet instead of buying a purebred animal. Thousands of homeless cats and dogs go through Huntsville Animal Services each year and they are counting on you to open your heart and your home to them. Here's just two, Trixie and Bruno, that are hoping for a place in your familly--please take the time to go down to the shelter and meet them.
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Every week when I receive the official report from the Huntsville/Madison Co. Health Dept., I wonder how much other folks rely on them to make their decisions about where to eat out. I know everyone seems to be interested in the Restaurant Health Scores, but how much weight do you give the scores for your choices? I'll confess: I rarely eat in Chinese restaurants any more because I noticed that most of them are on the bottom of the list and I couldn't keep the different ones striaght. However, the Mexican restaurants aren't much better--and I like Mexican food better. In fact, Rosie's and Little Rosie's are two of my favorite restaurants. Even after last year's health scare, I still like to go there to eat. So I'm not sure how much the health scores influence me. What about you?

Discuss Your Favorite Restaurant.
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The Better Business Bureau of North Alabama is seeking nominations for its 2008 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. The Award was developed in 1998 to promote the importance of ethical business practices and to recognize the willingness and efforts made by outstanding businesses to insure that our community’s marketplace remains fair and honorable. Two years ago, the BBB also added a category for non-profit organizations.

North Alabama residents and businesspeople are encouraged to nominate companies or non-profit organizations that have displayed a commitment to excellence and integrity in the operation of their business and their relationships with their customers or clients, vendors and employees for the award. Nominations can be made online at Better Business Bureau. Nomination forms can also be requested by calling the BBB at (256) 533-1640 or (800) 239-1642 or through email at info@northalabama.bbb.org. The deadline for nominations is August 27, 2008.

This award is open to all businesses and non-profit organizations that serve Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston counties. The finalists and winners will be honored at the BBB’s 2008 Torch Award Luncheon to be held at the Von Braun Center, North Hall on Thursday, November 20.