COMMUNITY NOTES may be submitted for non-profit, civic or church-related events and published free of charge AS SPACE IS AVAILABLE in the Courier Journal. Community Notes must be submitted in writing by 3pm Friday for consideration in the following week’s issue.
• Email to [email protected];
• Look for “Submit News” on our website at www.courierjournal.net.
• Fax to 256-760-9618;
• Mail to 219 W. Tennessee St, Florence, AL 35630; or
• Bring in person.
All properly submitted Community Notes which are dated will be posted weekly at www.courierjournal.net. We do our best, however, there is no guarantee that this free information will be published each week in the paper. Visit our website for a complete list of community notes. If your item MUST appear in the paper a certain week, we suggest you also place a paid ad by calling 256-764-4268. That way it will be in at least one area of the paper. When your community note is published, your event will have coverage in two different locations.
The Club (Florence Senior Center) will be closed for the NACOLG nutrition program (LUNCH) from December 23 – January 2.
Square Dance will not meet December 30, or January 2, and will resume with a Free Night of Lessons, January 9, 2023, from 6-8pm.
Social Dance, Tuesday nights, will not meet December 27 or January 3, and will resume on Tuesday, January 10. For night time programs during inclement weather you may want to call ahead to see if the programs will be held. 256-760-6420. The decisions to NOT MEET during inclement weather is made by noon on those days.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, from The Club/Florence Senior Center.
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio will be closed for the holidays from December 23 – January 2 and will reopen Tuesday, January 3 at 10am. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Did you know that 22 Americans die each day waiting for organ transplants? Most of them for kidneys? The good news is that MatchingDonors.com is helping to change that. Linking organ donors with people in need of kidney and other transplants. And now you don’t need to donate a kidney to save a life. Donate your boat, car, or real estate, and get a great tax deduction while helping to save lives. Visit MatchingDonors.com or call 800-385-0422.
LifeSouth Blood Drives for December
Wednesday, December 28, 10am-4pm – Genesis Cypress Cove, Muscle Shoals
Thursday, December 29, Noon-6pm – Cost Cutters, Killen
Friday, December 30, 1-6pm – Piggly Wiggly, Phil Campbell
Saturday, December 31, Noon-6pm – CVS, Muscle Shoals
There is space for YOUR EVENT here, and plenty of eyes to read it. Email your information to [email protected].
“Hi Neighbors of the Shoals” meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 10:30am in the Florence Public Library. We are a women’s social group. The group welcomes all ladies who are currently residents of the Shoals area. Come join us! Contact Berta Birch, 256-777-3119, for further details.
Judge Jacqueline Hatcher of Colbert County’s 31st Judicial Circuit, has decided to resign from her position effective January 1, 2023. The Alabama Constitution gives the Governor the authority and responsibility to appoint someone to replace Judge Hatcher. The person appointed to this position will not face re-election until November 3rd, 2026.
The Colbert County Republican Executive Committee, in its meeting on December 12, 2022, resolved to compile a list of candidates that it considers to be acceptable Republican appointees and submit this list to the Governor. The deadline for candidates to submit their declaration of candidacy is 5pm on January 9, 2023.
A full explanation of the process for candidate consideration is available online. Call 256-762-4072 if interested in a declaration form. Declarations may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to CCREC, PO Box 4201, Muscle Shoals, AL 35662. Candidates are encouraged to file any documents, such as resumes, together with their completed declaration.
A free drive-around Christmas lights display is on the property at Wiseman Trading Company, 8971 Lentzville Road in Athens, and available for public viewing from dusk–midnight through December 31. The 1/4-mile loop is a drive-around experience that includes thousands of lights, reindeer jumping over the drive, light arches, music you can tune your radio to, 18 feet tall snowman, lots of inflatables and other seasonal displays. All are welcome to come and enjoy.
Florence Parks and Rec will be offering small group ballroom dance lessons on Thursdays beginning January 5 with Monica Patterson at the Royal Ave. Recreation Center. Beginner class 1-2pm, Intermediate class 2-3pm. Call 256-760-6425 for more information or to sign up. Space is limited.
Women’s Night Out – Zumba Class – Beginning Monday, January 9, 5:30-6:30pm at Royal Avenue Recreation Center, 420 N. Royal Ave., Florence. Only $25/month. Questions: 256-712-5549
Florence Parks and Rec will be offering individual / couple Ballroom Dance lessons. These lessons are perfect for weddings, formals, proms, lead outs, cotillions, etc. Call 256-760-6425 to schedule a lesson. Select times available.
An Artist’s Way 101 with facilitator Stephanie C Brown (for adults 18 and up) January 12-February 16 –Six Thursdays from 5:30-7pm at the Ritz Studio ion Sheffield.
Start your New Year intentionally, with the goal of bringing more creativity into your daily life.
Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way is a 12-week program designed to help anyone, not just artists, transform their lives by living more creatively. It has served as a bible of creativity for over 30 years, with over 3 million copies sold.
Join the first 5 weeks of the program (plus an introductory meeting) with this The Artist’s Way cluster facilitated by Stephanie C Brown. This group class (limited to no more than 12 participants) will create a supportive and encouraging environment to work through the program’s concepts together. This kickstarter course will prepare participants to complete the final weeks of the program on their own or as a group.
$120, $100 for TVAA members at the Scholar’s Circle Level or above. To register, visit: https://tennesseevalleyarts.org/events/
Household and commercial garbage collections for Lauderdale County will run as usual during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, according to Tom Smith, manager of the Lauderdale County Solid Waste Department.
“With Christmas and New Year’s Day being on a Sunday, our employees wanted to work our regular shifts on December 26 and January 2 in an effort to maintain the normal schedules that our residents and commercial customers are used to,” said Smith.
The landfill, located at 5700 Alabama 157 in Florence, will be closed Saturday-Monday, December 24-26, and December 31-January 2.
Anyone with any questions can call the Lauderdale County Solid Waste Department at 256-760-5878.
16th Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Basketball Tournament 2023 will be on Friday, January 13, 4-9pm and Saturday, January 14, 10am-8pm at Historic Dr. Richard Showers Community Recreation Center, 4600 Blue Springs Rd. NW, Huntsville. Free admission, donations accepted.
To register your team, call Yolonda Johnson, 256-648-7076 or Tweet Watson, 256-780-7275.
God’s Way Counseling Services for the youth, keeping the dream alive.
The Brothers of the Kappa Nu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will host the 31st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast on Monday, January 16, 8-10am at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center. This year’s theme is, “The Need for Unity in These Uncertain Times.” The speaker will be Brother Cameron Thomas, an educator and Pastor from Birmingham. Tables of 10 in preferred seating can be purchased for $300 or individual tickets are $30.
All proceeds from this event will go toward our Educational Foundation (501-c-3 tax exempt), which supports the following projects/programs: • Undergraduate scholarship program • Project Alpha • First of All We Vote • Go to High School, Go to College • The Mentoring Breakfast Project, and • The Alpha Gents Academy.
Sponsorship opportunities for the event are also available.. Please email Roderick Sheppard at [email protected] for more information.
Contemporary Female Artists Exhibition at Tennessee Valley Museum of Art 511 W. Water St., Tuscumbia, AL
January 31-March 11, 2023 – Featuring Dariana Dervis, Chiharu Roach, Miriam Omura, Tracie Noles-Ross, and Melinda Crider
Born Ready University hosted by Ekklesia Preschool and partnership with Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education is a four session program that will provide parents, expecting parents and other caregivers for unborn children and children ages birth to 5 the information and support necessary to bring up happy and healthy children who enter school ready to learn.
Topics to be covered: Child Development, Child/Social-Emotional Development, School Readiness, and Health & Safety environment. Sessions will be from 9am-12noon on February 4, 2023, February 18, 2023, March 11, 2023, and March 18, 2023 at 3007 Hatch Blvd., Sheffield.
Incentives include: Free breakfast & lunch, $25 VISA gift cards each session, age appropriate books, car seats, strollers, pack & play, back cribs, school readiness toolkits, Leapfrog Leap Pad Learning Tablets, and more.
It is free to attend the event with only 20 spots available. For enrollment and questions, please contact Ms. Lisa Slusher at 256-314-1700.
Public Notice and Opportunity to Comment – The Lauderdale County School System is attempting to locate any child with disabilities, ages 0-21, who may be living in the Lauderdale County School District and who are not currently in a school program.
Anyone knowing of a child, who may be in need of Special Services, is asked to contact Mrs. Kim Meeks,Director of Special Education at 256-760-1324 between the hours of 8am and 4pm, Monday–Friday. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
Want to list your event in Community Notes? Email your information to [email protected].
Free! Fun! Stretch and Tone Exercise class. Tuesday and Thursday 9-10am. Killen Senior Center, 227 J.C. Mauldin Hwy. Killen, 256-757-1792.
Food Pantry at North Wood Methodist Church, North Florence. Call for appointment, 256-764-2111
Chapel Hill Church of Christ welcomes you each week at its 10:30am Worship with New Preacher, Larry Kilpatrick. Chapel Hill is located on Hwy 72, just west of Tuscumbia.
The Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets at the Florence Lauderdale library at 2pm every 3rd Monday of each month. All caregivers are welcome. We all need encouragement.
The Batting Brigade Quilt Guild meets every 2nd Monday at 9:30am at Edgemont Methodist Church, 1330 Eauclaire Ave in Florence. Everyone interested in Quilting is welcome – from beginners to expert
60 or older? Join us for lunch Monday thru Friday at 11am for a one dollar donation. Our hours are 8:30am -12:30pm. Also if you would like to join Bingo every Tuesday and Thursday bring a small one dollar gift to play. Killen Senior Center, 227 J.C. Mauldin Hwy. Killen, 256-757-1792. See you soon!!
Come Travel with The Club (Florence Senior Center), Diamonds in the Rough. 256-760-6642. Our trips are open to the general public.
Mackinac Island, May 14-20, 2023, $775 double rate per person, add $219 for private room. $75 deposit on signing up. Final payment 3/7/23.
Mount Rushmore, the Badlands & Black Hill of South Dakota, Sept. 30-Oct. 8, 2023. $999 double rate per person, add $286 for private room. $75 deposit on signing up. Final payment 7/23/23.
Grief can be an overwhelming season to go through. There is a monthly grief support group that meets on the third Friday of each month at 10am at First Baptist Church of Rogersville, 222 College Street. Come and share and let us pray with you for strength and comfort! These groups are FREE, open to the public, and include supportive materials. Another grief support meeting also takes place at 10am every first Tuesday at Cliff Haven Church in Sheffield. These groups are sponsored by Kindred Hospice. For more information, call 256-764-0873.
Activities at The Club (Florence Senior Center):
9am–3:30pm. Games: Rook, Chicken Foot, Mexican Train, Rummycubes, LRC, etc. Square Dance Monday 6-8pm. Social Dance Tuesday 6:30-8:45pm. Joints in Motion, (chair exercise class) Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:30am. BINGO, Wednesday 10:15-11:15am. Lunch 11:30 Monday-Friday, for 60 years and older, donation $1, Inspiration Rock Painting Friday 10:30-noon. Fishing Days at Deibert Park. Pool Room at Fairground. Masters Games are back! Fantastic Friday, BBQ meal $15, music, dancing, games,
Trips: 2022 Biltmore, 2023 Mackinac Island, Memphis, Nashville, Mount Rushmore.
For more information on the fun at The Club, call 256-760.-6420. This is an Alcohol, Drug, Tobacco, and Firearms-Free facility.
Pay it Forward: Donate to Educate. Shoals Scholar Dollars is an Education Foundation raising money to pay tuition at Northwest Shoals Community College and transfer scholarships to the University of North Alabama for Lauderdale and Colbert County students who meet certain criteria. Donate to Scholar Dollars at any participating financial institution the second Friday of each month.
The Help Center – 621 South Court Street, Florence. A cooperative ministry of local churches in Lauderdale County serving our neighbors in need with utility, food, clothing, prescriptions, and dental.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and 4th Saturday of each month 8:30am to 12pm.
Please bring a photo ID and proof of address.
If you have questions or need assistance call Help Center at 256-766-7663 or come by our Florence location during open hours.
If you are interested in volunteering at Help Center come by during open hours to see which department you would like to serve. Come by and get plugged in!
The NACOLG SENIORx Medication Assistance Program supplies free and low cost medications for anyone in Alabama with a disability or a chronic illness regardless of age that requires daily medication. Medicare recipients may also be eligible.
For more information, contact NACOLG SENIORx today. There is no charge for this service.
1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463) Paula Pardue 256-389-0529
This program is in partnership with the State of Alabama and Alabama Department of Senior Services
You Are Not Alone! Grief can be an overwhelming season to go through. Often the time it takes to process all of those feelings is multiplied simply because those who grieve have no one to talk to. You are not alone as you go through this difficult time! Let us help!
There is a monthly grief support group that meets the first Tuesday of each month at 10am at Cliff Haven Church in Sheffield. Located at 1601 Andrews Avenue in Sheffield directly behind McDonald’s near the O’Neal Bridge.
There is a second monthly grief support group that meets the third Friday of each month at 10am at First Baptist Church of Rogersville. Located at 222 College Street in Rogersville.
Come and share and let us pray with you for strength and comfort! These groups are FREE and open to the public. We will provide wonderful, supportive materials to take home to help with your healing process!
For more information call 256.764.0873.
These groups are sponsored by Kindred Hospice.
Want a job? Want a better job? Get your GED! Free GED Prep classes are located near you. The program is open entry with new students starting classes weekly. For more information, call the Northwest-Shoals Community College Adult Education Program at 256-331-5440 or 256-331-5438.
Want to see your Event here? Email your information to [email protected].
Salem M. B. Church invites everyone to come and worship with us every Sunday morning at 10am at 923 West Mobile St, Florence. 256-633-3382.
United Way is looking for volunteers who can help answer our 2-1-1 line. Training will be provided for volunteers and you can help from the comfort of your own home! Please visit https://www.uwnwal.org/volunteer-opportunities to submit your information!
LifeSouth is in emergency need for blood donors. This year continues to be difficult for LifeSouth and blood centers across the country with the impact of the pandemic causing a decrease in blood donations, while the need to help patients in local hospitals continues to increase.
Regular blood donors who have not given recently and first-time donors can make a major impact by donating. One donation can save up to three lives.
Donate at the Center, 307 Veterans Drive, Florence. Schedule an appointment, 256-765-7038. www.lifesouth.org. The hours are: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am-5pm; Tuesday and Thursday 9am-7pm; Saturday 9am-3pm; Sunday 1-5pm.
To find a donor center or mobile blood drive near you, visit lifesouth.org or call 888-795-2707. Blood donors must be at least 17 or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is required. LifeSouth donors receive a complementary cholesterol screening with each donation.
Want to list your event in Community Notes? Email your information to [email protected].
REAL Rehome Educate Adopt Love offers the following pet preventive care assistance for dogs and cats in Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin Counties:
• Flea/Tick Control
• HW Testing
• HW Preventative
• Vaccine
Submit your Pet Wellness application from our Facebook page REAL Rehome Educate Adopt Love or website www.rehomeandeducate.webs.com
City of Florence – Recycling Program:
Paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and jugs only (#1 & #2), aluminum cans, and steel cans are all recyclable. Residential curbside cart collection is provided within City of Florence limits. The Florence Recycle Center drop-off is available to everyone, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Cardboard Boxes
Place large, broken-down cardboard boxes 3 feet away from your recycle and garbage carts. Remove all contents from each box before recycling as Styrofoam and plastic film are NOT recyclable.
Televisions/Electronics
Old TV’s are not collected with curbside trash. They can be dropped off at two locations:
–Florence Recycle Center: 1200 Terrace Street, Florence
–Florence Landfill: 29485 County Road 14, Florence
Wrapping Paper
All paper is recyclable if it will tear. We encourage you to reuse ribbons and bows, but they are not recyclable.
Want to see your Event here? Email your information to [email protected].
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA 24-hour hotlines: 256-415-7719 Website: www.shoalsaa.org to find a current list of all Shoals area AA meetings and events.
(Closed meetings are only for those who have a desire to stop drinking. Non-alcoholics may attend open meetings as observers.)
• An AA Group: closed discussion. 9am Saturdays, Adult Center Rm 20 at Cross Point Church of Christ, 1350 Cox Creek Parkway, Florence.
• Florence H.O.W.: smoke-free, closed discussions 7pm, Mondays, Edgemont Methodist Church, 1330 Eauclaire Ave., Florence.
• Florence Open Door: Every day of the week at 6pm and 8pm. Mondays, additional 4pm. The 8pm on Wednesdays is a speaker meeting. Monday thru Saturday also have a 12pm meeting. All are open meetings and smoke-free indoors. 526 W. College St., Florence. Park in the lot across the street.
• Fourth Dimension: 7am Monday-Sunday, closed discussion – in person and online Zoom option (ID 573857015, password 241873); 9:30am Thursdays, women’s meeting, closed; 11am Monday-Sunday, closed discussion; 6pm Mondays, open Big Book study; 6pm Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, closed discussion; 11am first and third Mondays, open discussion, 505 N. Seminary St., Florence, entrance in rear of building. All meetings smoke free.
Freedom Group: Tuesdays 6pm, Big Book study, online only Zoom (ID Code 509289139, Password 790671); Sundays 8pm, open speaker, in person and Zoom (ID: 101061663, PW: 247476). CB&S Bank building, 464 4th St. W., Red Bay.
• Grupo Nuevo Amanecer, Spanish speaking, 7pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, open discussion; 9am Sundays, open discussion, 110 Tuscaloosa St E., Russellville.
• Happy Hour Group, smoke-free. 6am Mondays, meditation open discussion; 6am Tuesdays, Big Book open meeting; 6am Fridays, 12&12 open meeting, Killen Methodist Church, 201 J.C. Mauldin Hwy, Killen, building behind the church.
• Island Group, smoke-free. 7pm, Fridays, open-speaker meeting, Highland Park Church of Christ, 600 Geneva Avenue/corner Woodward, Muscle Shoals.
• Keep It Simple Group, smoke-free. 6:30pm Tuesdays, speaker meeting, open; 6:30pm Thursdays, closed discussion. Cross Point Church of Christ, 1350 Cox Creek Parkway, Florence.
• La Alegria de Vivir, Spanish speaking, 7-9pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, open discussion and non-smoking, St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Building, 1111 E. College St., Florence.
• Lexington 449 Group, smoke free. 8pm, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, open discussion; Big Book study on Sundays; 8pm Saturdays, open speaker, 6083 Alabama Hwy 101, 3.5 miles north of U.S. 72.
• Monday Maintenance Meeting, 5pm on Mondays, closed discussion, masks required. First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 16751 US-72, Rogersville.
• Permanent Recovery Group, 6:30pm Tuesdays, open Big Book discussion,; 6:30pm Thursdays, open 12&12 discussion. First United Methodist Church, 14596 Market St., Moulton.
• Quad-Cities Group, 11am and 5:30pm, every day, open discussion. 2pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, open Big Book discussion. 750 E. Michigan Ave., Muscle Shoals.
• Sheffield Group, smoke-free. 9;30am Sundays closed discussion meeting; 11am Monday-Saturday, open discussion, with closed discussion on Fridays; 6pm Sundays closed discussion, 6pm Wednesdays open speaker meeting; 6pm Fridays newcomer open discussion; 5-7am Tuesdays, women’s closed discussion; 7pm Mondays open 12&12 meeting, 7pm Tuesdays and Thursdays closed Big Book meeting; 8pm Saturdays open speaker meeting. 210 E. Second St., Sheffield.
Survivors Group, smoke-free, 5:30pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Big Book study on Tuesdays, 780 Ford Road, Muscle Shoals. All open discussion.
Al-Anon
• Al-Anon meeting schedule: Hope Al-Anon Family Group, 6pm Mondays, Highland Park Church of Christ, 600 Geneva Ave., Muscle Shoals, childcare provided; Florence Daytime Al-Anon Family Group, 11am Tuesdays, Magnolia Church of Christ, 2650 Vulcan Ave., Florence; Paths to Recovery, 6pm Thursdays and 10am Saturdays, CrossPoint Church of Christ, 1350 Cox Creek Parkway, Florence, 256-764-4073. Shoals Al-Anon contact phone: 256-648-5777.
• Al-Anon, 6pm Thursdays, First Baptist Church, Jackson Avenue, Russellville.
• Hope Al-Anon and Shoals Al-Teen (ages 12-18), 6pm, Monday, Highland Park Church of Christ, 600 Geneva Ave., Muscle Shoals.
• Florence Freedom AFG, 11am, Tuesday, Mission of Mercy, 414 Tuscaloosa St., Florence.
Narcotics Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous Survival meets daily, noon and 7pm, 1614 State St., Florence. Nonsmoking. 256-500-8889
• Real Hope, 6-7pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, New Beginning Church, 855 Florence Blvd., Florence. Nonsmoking. 800-239-5509
• Point of Freedom, 7pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, CrossPoint Church of Christ, 1350 Cox Creek Parkway, Florence. Nonsmoking.
Crisis lines
• Battered or abused women in need of counseling and/or emergency shelter may call Safeplace crisis line, 256-767-6210, 24 hours.
• Rape Crisis Line available 24 hours. 256-767-1100
Want to see your Event here? Email your information to [email protected].
