COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS:

Yellow Ribbons for the 214th Military Police Company:

The next group of Alexander City’s Alabama National Guard 214th Military Police Company is expected to arrive in town around noon Saturday. To acknowledge their return and service to our Country, The City of Alexander is sponsoring a Yellow Ribbon and United States Flag display promotion. Proudly display Yellow Ribbons and United States Flags so that when the soldiers do arrive they will know how much we appreciate them and their service. Help make this a great Welcome Home event.

Farmer’s Market:

Farmer’s Market begins June 11 at 7:00 a.m. at the Broad Street Plaza downtown Alexander City. www.mainstreetac.org

Annual Turtleneck Turtle Race:

June 18, Airport Pavilion Alexander City. 256-234-6464

United Way 2011 Day of Action/Youth Service Day:

The United Way 2011 Day of Action/Youth Service Day is June 23. Join your community for a day of action in helping Benjamin Russell High School, Horseshoe Bend High School, Dadeville Elementary, and Central Middle School wash windows, paint classrooms, clean up the grounds, and much more. Contact Marla Browne at

256-234-9810 and also visit http://unitedwaylakemartin.org/Volunteer.php.

Open Slalom Championship, Slalom Clinic & water Ski Tournament:

June 25, Kowaliga Bay. Contact russelllandsonlakemartin.com or 256-212-1479.

Tennessee Militia Drill:

June 25, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. www.nps.gov/hobe or 256-234-7111.

Bow Wow Luau:

July 2, Russell Crossroads at Town Center. Benefits the Lake Martin Humane Shelter. 256-212-1479.

www.russelllandsonlakemartin.com

Russell Marine’s Annual 4th of July Boat Parade:

July 4, Kowaliga Marina. 256-329-0835. www.russelllandsonlakemartin.com.

Russell Lands Annual 4th of July Blast:

July 4, Amphitheater, Music begins at 6:00 p.m., fireworks at 9:00 p.m. 256-329-0835. www.russelllandsonlakemartin.com.

Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail:

The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce is the coordinating office for the development of the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail, which consists of Autauga, Chambers, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Elmore, Lee, Randolph, and Tallapoosa Counties. With the completion of the development of the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail along with four other trails, the State will have completed an eight trail system covering every county in Alabama.  This is a tremendous tourism initiative which will generate continuous and sustainable visitor travel in our area.  For example, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in a 2006 study reported that 156,000 non-residents spent an average of four days and over $64 million in Alabama observing wildlife/birds.  The efforts and costs to establish this birding trail can reap huge tourism benefits.  More information will be shared in subsequent e-news publications.  If you would like to be involved, contact Joanne Ninesling at the Chamber office at 256-234-3461.

Bend National Park is an national military park and the oldest in Alabama.  Rangers and volunteers bring history to life through living history demonstration along with self and driving tours.

Alexander City Sportsplex offers many different sporting activities as well as hosting state, regional and national athletic tournaments.  Some activities include:  Dixie Youth Baseball and Softball, City League Basketball, Alex City Youth Football, City League Youth Tennis, City League Adult Tennis, Youth Wrestling, Youth Soccer, Horseback Riding Club, Swimming, Archery and Dancing.

Also, for Seniors, the Alex City Parks and Rec offers fitness classes,Cards and Coffee Days, Night Owls Games, bowling league, noon lucheons, and various day trips.Trips in December include Calloway Gardens and Smokey Mountain Christmas. For more information, call Corley Holt at 256-329-6736, ext.25.