FIRST SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OF THE SEASON

You know Spring is here when the big thunder boomers come to call.  Our first bout will be Thursday night.  A few tornadoes might be in the mix but the severe stuff is mostly hail and damaging winds.  You might want to get those flash lights, oil lamps and windup alarm clocks out in case the power goes out.  Last week's weather might have weakened some of those tree limbs near the power lines.

This storm is a good reminder for this weekend's severe weather tax holiday weekend.

The third-annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday will be held from noon Friday, Feb. 21, through midnight Sunday, Feb. 23. The holiday is designed to help residents stock up on a variety of supplies for protecting their homes or businesses during Alabama’s tornado and hurricane seasons. During the three day weekend, state, county and local sales and use taxes will be exempt on storm-related items.

Both the Limestone County Commission and the state of Alabama had already approved the tax holiday.

The following list contains examples of items covered under the Severe Weather Preparedness Holiday:

$60 or less
• Batteries:  AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt batteries.  (Coin batteries, automobile batteries, and boat batteries are not exempt.)

• Cellular telephone batteries;

• Cellular phone chargers;

• Portable self-powered or battery-powered radios, two-way radios, weather-band radios or NOAA weather radios;

• Portable self-powered light sources, including battery-powered flashlights, lanterns or emergency glow sticks;

• Tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths and other flexible, waterproof sheeting;

• Ground anchor systems, such as bungee cords or rope, or tie-down kits;

• Duct tape;

• Plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings;

• Non-electric food-storage coolers or water-storage containers;

• Non-electric can openers;

• Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and reusable ice;

• Self-contained first-aid kits;

• Fire extinguishers;

• Smoke detectors;

• Carbon monoxide detectors;

• Gas or diesel fuel tanks or containers.

$1,000 or less • Portable generators and power cords

HOW DID YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE VOTE ON THE DEBIT LIMIT?

February 18, 2014 In this MegaVote for Alabama's 5th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Debt Limit – Passage House: Debt Limit – Passage Editor's Note: Both chambers are in recess. The Senate returns Monday, Feb. 24. The House returns Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Recent Senate Votes

Debt Limit – Passage - Vote Agreed to (55-43, 2 Not Voting) One day after the House voted to raise the U.S. Treasury’s debt limit, the Senate finalized an extension of the limit through March 15, 2015. The final vote fell along party lines, with both independent Senators voting with the Democratic caucus to approve the motion to concur. Sen. Richard Shelby voted NO Sen. Jeff Sessions voted NO

Recent House Votes

Debt Limit – Passage - Vote Passed (221-201, 10 Not Voting) The House narrowly passed an extension of the U.S. Treasury’s temporary debt limit on Tuesday by agreeing to a previous Senate bill. The debt limit extension raised the debt limit through March 15, 2015. House members did not add on conditions to raising the debt limit or additional policy requirements to the Senate legislation. Rep. Mo Brooks voted NO

JOHN WALKER WALES - OBITUARY

Name:
John Walker Wales

Dates:
Birth date: April 29, 1966
Death date: February 14, 2014

Obituary: 
John Walker Wales age 47 of Elkmont, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2014 at Huntsville Hospital. Mr. Wales was born April 29, 1966 in Morgan County to Marvin Lester Wales and Kathleen Brooks Wales.

Services for Mr. Wales are Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 18, 2014 from 9:00 until 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Athens City Cemetery with David Cox and Robert Fudge officiating.

He is survived by his mother, Kathleen Wales; sister, Susan Gilbert and husband Phil; brother, Bill Wales and wife Susan.

He is preceded in death by his father, Marvin Lester Wales; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Brooks and Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Wales.

Pallbearers are Jimmy Wales, David Ruf, Alan Gilbert, Ben Wales, Tom Wales and Sam Wales. Honorary pallbearers are John’s Caregivers at Sanders Street Home and the Birdie Thornton Center.

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

The Elkmont School baseball and softball seasons start this week.  Many of us have been looking forward to the beginning of another season of diamonds, hot dogs and bats. To read about how the teams are doing, you can check the Elkmont Diamonds blog.  The link is over on the right side of this blog.

There are 3 teams for each sport... middle school, junior varsity and varsity. Schedules can be found under the page tabs at the the top of the Diamonds blog.  

The Hill Spirit has a reporter for the varsity softball and baseball teams and one of the youth teams.  The blog still needs reporters for the JV, Middle School and the other youth teams.  All it takes is a score, what teams played and hopefully, a picture.  If you don't read about your team on the blog, it is because no one submitted a post.  Game or information posts can be submitted by email: elkmont1@charter.net or by facebook message to the Hill Spirit.

There will be a parent meeting for Elkmont Varsity, JV and Middle School Baseball on Wednesday, February 19 at 5 in the New Gym.

SETH PARKER - DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER CANDIDATE

Elections are just around the corner and those who want to serve in public office are putting their names in the hat.  The Hill Spirit wants the people of Elkmont to know who is running and what they stand for.  Anyone that we can vote for in the primaries, coming up in June, is invited to submit (elkmont1@charter.net) their reasons for running for office and what they would like to accomplish if elected. The first person to take advantage of the invitation is Seth Parker.  He is seeking the office of District 1 commissioner.  

Who is Seth Parker:

I'm a lifelong resident of Limestone County and graduated from Elkmont High School in 2001. I've been a small business owner since I was 17 years old and have succeeded in creating and growning several businesses in different industries. I've also been recognized nationally for some of my accomplishments in the real estate and architectural photography industries. I'm married to another graduate of Elkmont High School, Natosha Parker (formerly Johnson). Together, we have two children. They are 6 and 2.

Why I Want To Be The District 1 Commissioner:

Basically, District 1 and Limestone County need help. I love our area. I love the atmosphere and I love the "small-town" feeling that is a part of Athens and all of Limestone. For us to protect that way of life, we have to make some changes. Most people don't realize that a County Commissioner does much more than just fix the roads.  The office also includes being responsible for administering Limestone County's ~$33 Million annual budget. The commissioner is supposed to be highly involved in the things that make all of our day-to-day lives better. 

I see counties all across the country tearing up asphalt and converting roads back to gravel and dirt because they can no longer afford the upkeep. Even our area has converted some paved roads into chip-seal. We live in an area of the country where our cost of living is very low. We have many high-paying jobs within a 30 minute drive. We have a strong military population and one of the strongest engineer populations per capita in the entire US. Our unemployment rate is quite good. There's no reason that Limestone should be in the shape that it's in financially.

Our roads are terrible. The problem lies in the fact the earmarked money for roads comes directly from gas taxes. As vehicles become more gas efficient, less gasoline is being purchased, which means that there is less money to fix the roads. We have to do a better job of finding ways to bring in revenue to make up for that, which I'll discuss later. We also have to do a better job with the money that we do have. It has to be spent wisely and we have to make longer-lasting repairs.

We need to elevate the standard of communication between the people and their elected representatives. A commissioner, and any other official for that matter, is supposed to act on behalf of the people and make decisions based on their best interests. We have to improve the lines of communication, whether that be through social media or forms of traditional media. 

Seth Parker Facebook Page Link

Officials should vote and act using this input from the people as opposed to doing simply what they think is best. As we've learned from experience, representatives don't always act in the best interests of the people.

We need to get our spending under control at a county level. From the Fred's Building to the Better Living Building purchases, the Commission has made some really bad land deals over the last few years. I feel that my experience in the construction and real estate businesses could have been very beneficial in the decision making process.

Finally, we really need to focus on economic development. Huntsville continues to annex thousands upon thousands of acres in Limestone County. As we speak, Huntsville continues to develop their Master Plan for Limestone County. Limestone County doesn't even have a well-designed Master Plan for Limestone County!!! Huntsville has a five lane highway from HWY 72 to Huntsville Brownsferry Road (and is planning more) and our leaders don't even know its purpose. Our officials don't attend any of the Huntsville meetings to find out what's going on, much less speak in favor or opposition of the things that are happening here.

We need to get out there and recruit business. We need to do all we can for the businesses that we currently have. We need to bring more high-paying jobs to the county. We need to be sure that we communicate with the proper economic development agencies about all of the benefits of our area. All these things will increase revenue in Limestone County and make our businesses and citizens more successful, allowing us more money to be able to budget and spend on the things that will make our lives a little better.

We've come to the point where we simply expect our commissioners to fix the roads. We should expect more! We should expect the commissioners to fulfill the true duties of their position. If elected, that is what I will do.

 Seth Parker

For more information visit: http://sethparker.net

FOR YOU COFFEE DRINKERS

As you know, the Elkmont Alabama blog has lots of stuff on being prepared, how to save money and becoming more able to deal with stuff that happens in your life.  This post is for you coffee drinkers.

It used to be that having coffee that was “good to the last drop” was good enough. Coffee drinking has evolved from watching it percolate on top of the stove to freeze-dried instant to drip brewing. Today, it seems like there’s a coffee shop on every corner and individual K-cup brewers in homes and offices. There are an ever increasing number of coffee drinkers in the world.

In 2013, the weather was great for growing coffee and there was a great harvest, more than was needed. The glut of coffee shoved the price down to $1.05 per pound. However, it is predicted that those coffee growing areas are going to have dry weather this year and the amount of coffee beans harvested won't be enough to meet what the world's coffee drinkers need.  Prices will go up so stock up before next fall before your cup of coffee costs you more. 

 

Thoughts on Storing Coffee from Preparing Your Family  

 

Storing Coffee For Less Than One Year 

Your options for storing coffee for under a year are actually pretty wide open.  You can use ground or whole bean coffee, stored in the original packaging. As long as you don’t open the original packaging, you’re good for a year or so with nothing other than storing it in a cool place with minimal temperature fluctuation.

I recommend that you stock up enough of your daily brew to last you that year, and rotate it throughout the year.  You’ll always have a good amount of coffee on hand, you can pick and choose when to buy it, and what to buy.

 

Storing Coffee For Longer Than One Year

This is where it starts to get interesting.  See, when you grind coffee and expose it to air, it starts to lose quality.  Even if you don’t grind it, it still slowly loses quality.

For proper storage, you want to portion the beans into smaller portions.  Shoot for portions you’ll use weekly or monthly. Once these are portioned out, put them in your mylar bags with an oxygen absorber and seal as usual. Put the mylar bags into your four gallon square bucket and store for several years.  Even if your coffee loses quality, if it’s not available at all, you’re not going to be all that picky! 
 

FREE TREES NEED A HOME

 
Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful is gearing up for its second annual seedling giveaway for Limestone County residents.

Species include a variety of oaks, longleaf pine, river birch, pistache, beauty berry, crepe myrtle and more

The event, made possible through the Alabama Forestry Commission — North Region, will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, or until the seedlings are gone.

Last year's seedling giveaway was part of the Alabama Tree Recovery Campaign, which focused on helping counties hard hit by the 2011 spring tornados, and was sponsored by the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Arbor Day Foundation, according to KALB Executive Director Lynne Hart.  “It was a special program funded by donations, which allowed us to give away over 5,000 seedlings,” Hart said.

During last year’s event, KALB had the opportunity to align with the Alabama Forestry Commission staff in Limestone County. The Forestry Commission agreed they would help provide seedlings each year to be given away to Limestone County residents, according to Hart.

This year, a little more than 1,000 seedlings are available. There is a limit of up to six seedlings per person.

Leftover seedlings will be available to pick up on a first-come, first-served basis from 11-11:30 a.m. the day of the giveaway, or the following Monday at the KALB office.  Orders from those with a current paid KALB membership will be given preference.

A seedling order form is available on the “Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful” Facebook page. The order form can be printed, scanned and emailed to KALBCares@gmail.com, sent by fax to 256-233-8012 or dropped by the KALB office, located in the College Inn building at 125 East St. in Athens.

Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful is gearing up for its second annual seedling giveaway for Limestone County residents.

Species include a variety of oaks, longleaf pine, river birch, pistache, beautyberry, crepe myrtle and more

The event, made possible through the Alabama Forestry Commission — North Region, will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, or until the seedlings are gone.

Last year's seedling giveaway was part of the Alabama Tree Recovery Campaign, which focused on helping counties hard hit by the 2011 spring tornados, and was sponsored by the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Arbor Day Foundation, according to KALB Executive Director Lynne Hart.  “It was a special program funded by donations, which allowed us to give away over 5,000 seedlings,” Hart said.

During last year’s event, KALB had the opportunity to align with the Alabama Forestry Commission staff in Limestone County. The Forestry Commission agreed they would help provide seedlings each year to be given away to Limestone County residents, according to Hart.

This year, a little more than 1,000 seedlings are available. There is a limit of up to six seedlings per person.

Leftover seedlings will be available to pick up on a first-come, first-served basis from 11-11:30 a.m. the day of the giveaway, or the following Monday at the KALB office.

Orders from those with a current paid KALB membership will be given preference.

A seedling order form is available on the “Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful” Facebook page. The order form can be printed, scanned and emailed to KALBCares@gmail.com, sent by fax to 256-233-8012 or dropped by the KALB office, located in the College Inn building at 125 East St. in Athens.

To find out more, call 256-233-8728. - See more at: http://www.enewscourier.com/x1782773096/KALB-to-give-away-tree-seedlings-Feb-15#sthash.syQeUJ3P.dpuf

WHAT'S GOING ON THIS WEEK IN ELKMONT?

15

TRAILBLAZERS UNITE:
Join us as we train together at 9:00 am at the Rails to Trails in downtown Elkmont.


 Red Caboose Country Music Show @ 7 pm

We Are including a special Talent

Magician-Russell Davis to our lineup.

Remember children under 12 yrs. get in free.

Feb. 15th, Doors open 6:00 Showtime 7:30

Tickets are $25.00. There will be a special drawing for Valentine prizes.

  Elkmont High School Announcements:

BEULAH P. POPE - OBITUARY

 

Beulah Pauline Pope

October 2, 1925 - February 13, 2014

 

Funeral arrangements

Visitation: 

Sunday, Feb. 16 at 6-9 pm.  McConnell Funeral Home

Funeral:    

Monday, Feb. 17 at 11 am. McConnell Funeral Home 

 Burial:  New Oakley Cemetery

ELLA HILL - OBITUARY

Mrs. Ella Elizabeth Hill, 92 of Athens died Thursday at her daughters’ residence.

Services will be 2 PM Sunday at Spry Funeral Home with Terry Lamar, Louis Johnson and Doug McCurry officiating; Visitation is noon till service.

Mrs. Hill was born July 15, 1921 in Limestone County, Alabama, she was a member of Lebanon Community Church in Athens and she was a homemaker.

Survivors:
Daughter: Gayle Rickert and husband Ralph, Huntsville
Grandson: Scott Rickert, Huntsville
Great Granddaughter: Ava Rickert, Huntsville
Nieces and Nephews.
Preceded in death by Parents, Husband: Elwood Hill, Two Brothers & Three Sisters