March 6, 2015

March 6 - 19, 2015

AthensNowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: Ali: 256-468-9425 Deborah: 256-309-9399

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

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Special Feature John Bolton: “It All Rests On Us”...

Last week, Proclaiming Justice to the Nations (PJTN) had the privilege of hosting former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, The Honorable John Bolton, as their... Page 5

Tourism

Valley Pools of Athens: Where Pools Are A Passion!

By Ali Elizabeth Turner Valley Pools opened their second store in Athens (located across from Wal-Mart on Hwy 72) in June of 2012, and is pleased to report that business is good in both the Madison and Athens locations. As a result, they have a number of exciting promotions to share with their

Fun, Education & History for March...

March begins with one of my favorite events: the annual Council on Aging’s Poke Sallet Follies show. You have dinner and a show, plus...

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Continued on pages 16-17

Clean And Green Go Native and Welcome Nature Back Home...

Most of us have heard the term “native” when referencing plants, trees, and shrubs.

What exactly...

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March 6 - March 19, 2015

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March 6 - March 19, 2015

Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Sales

Deborah Huff

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Delivery

Hunter Williams

Contributing Writers Shelley Underhill Wanda Campbell Janet Hunt Teresa Todd Joel Allen Lynne Hart Jerry Barksdale Rachel Clark, RN, BSN Laurie Cardoza-Moore

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . . 12 Cooking with Shelley . . . . . . 13 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 14 Cover Story . . . . . . . . . 16 - 17 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 Jerry’s Journal . . . . . . . . . 19 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . . . 20 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22

March 6 - March 19, 2015

“The Enemy Of Your Enemy Is Your Enemy” On Tuesday, March 3, 2015, a historic speech was delivered to the House and Senate by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In my view, there will be a number of phrases that appeared in the speech that will become part of our vernacular, some of which may be, “a deadly game of thrones,” as well as, “the enemy of your enemy is your enemy.” The reference was to Iran and ISIS, about which he said, “In this deadly ‘Game of Thrones,’ there is no place for America or for Israel.

No place for Christians, Jews or Muslims who don’t share the Islamist medieval creed ...So when it comes to Iran or ISIS, the enemy of your enemy is your enemy.”

That statement drew the crowd to its feet, which happened several times.

To a reasonable person, the common sense of stating the obvious folly of allowing Iran the capability to have nuclear weapons was inarguable, and the legislators seemed to agree. If you have an Ayatollah actually tweeting that Israel should be annihilated, you might want to take him seriously, and not give him the opportunity to do so.

Recently the PM went on record as inviting European Jews to “come home to Israel,” given the growing anti-Semitism that is creeping over the continent. His desire is to prevent a repeat of what happened to Jews in Europe in the 1930s. What was the

response of the leader of Hezbollah, which is only one group that is backed

by Iran’s program of statesponsored terrorism? “If all the Jews gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of chasing them down.”

millions were dead at the hands of a mad man, and I have no doubt that history is threatening to repeat itself.

I had the blessed oppor-

So let me bring down the threat of jihad as described

by Bibi to a more personal note. I got home from work around 8 o’clock on Mon-

tunity to both hear speak and be part of a group that interviewed former UN Ambassador John Bolton in Nashville last week.

His comments echoed Netanyahu’s, with one difference in historical perspective. If one examines the rhetoric that was screamed from Adolph Hitler’s lungs before multiple thousands in Berlin, there were never any open threats against the Jewish people that began to approximate what we are hearing from Iran and its proxies. Nevertheless, only a few years later,

day night, having worked a 12-hour day. My family commented that I did not look very good. What I did not want to tell them, but did, was that moments earlier I literally had to fight retching at the site of a picture of the headless body of a 5 year old girl being held up by a member of ISIS like she was some kind of trophy. She had on a little blue plaid dress with a ruffle along the hem and she was wearing a cardigan sweater. She had on lacy socks with ruffles along the edges, and black

shoes. By all appearances, she could have been on her way to Sunday school. In addition, what ISIS is doing with Christian children in Iraq after they behead them is put the children’s heads on spikes, and displaying them for all to see in the city park.

By contrast, this makes what happened to the little girl in the red coat from Schindler’s List look like a literal walk in that park.

May God bless Bibi Netanyahu for speaking truth to power, and may someone in power actually hear him.

Ali Elizabeth Turner Athens Now Information & Inspiration 256-468-9425 ali@athensnowal.com Website: www.athensnowal.com

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All Things Soldier

Can SECDEF Carter Cut It?

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Given yet another welldeserved drubbing on Iranian nuclear proliferation delivered on March 3rd by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, all eyes may not now be on President Obama.

Some may understandably lock on to recently appointed Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. It is not in any way unkind to refer to him as a “wonk,” that is, someone who is immersed in the minutiae of science and/or politics. In Carter’s case, it is both. And, it could just work to provide some much needed spine in the High Noon that is coming with Iran.

By way of background, Ash Carter is no naisant when it comes to nuclear capabilities. As a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, he earned a doctorate degree in theoretical physics and studied sub-atomic par-

Pentagon Carter would be inheriting: “Despite the growing array of complex threats to our security, we are on track to cut $1 trillion out of America’s defense budget by 2021.”

“Readiness is falling across the services, and morale is falling right along with it.”

“Army and Marine Corps end-strength is dropping dangerously low. The Air Force is the oldest and the smallest it has ever been. The Navy’s fleet is shrinking to pre-World War I levels,” McCain also said. ticles. He also knows his way around the political world, having been a Pentagon insider for years, and having served as well as a faculty member at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Govern-

ment. As a Yale grad, his degrees were in physics and medieval history.

Considering the recent description by former UN Ambassador John Bolton of ISIS’ atrocities as “medieval acts of barbar-

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

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ity,” Carter may just have an insider’s view there as well. This is in stark contrast to the miserable foreign policy fiasco of announcing to our enemies that we were leaving in 2010, thus giving them the chance to reorganize as the Islamic State, and just wait us out, which clearly they have done.

He has made several unannounced trips to visit troops in Afghanistan, and he and his wife have made it a point to visit wounded warriors at Walter Reed Hospital on the weekends. He has vowed to recommend that we stay in Afghanistan if ISIS gets traction there, rather than uphold another ridiculous decision to announce to our enemies that we are leaving there in 2016.

In the process of Carter being confirmed, Senator John McCain painted a bleak picture of the

No matter how it goes, Ash Carter is going to have a tough row to hoe.

He has made some pretty gutsy statements that do not exactly square with the West Wing, such as an article on North Korea that he co-authored with former SECDEF William Perry wherein they said, “Diplomacy has failed, and we cannot sit by and let this deadly threat mature.” Considering NK’s partnership with Iran, his views published in 2006 are more than timely.

Carter is in a unique position, seeing as he is neither ex-mil, nor has he held any political offices.

The lack of military service makes me nervous, because he has no firsthand experience at being trained for battle, but the lack of political experience in the usual sense makes me want to dare to hope that perhaps at last in this Administration we have someone who will both see and tell it like it is, and will stand.

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Special Feature

John Bolton: “It All Rests On Us”

by Laurie Cardoza-Moore, President - Proclaiming Justice to the Nations

Last week, Proclaiming e Justice to the Nations e (PJTN) had the privilege of hosting former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, The Honorable John Bolton, as their keynote g speaker at the 8th annual d International Christian t Prayer & Action Event for Israel at the National s Religious Broadcasters g (NRB) Convention held r in Nashville. d Prior to introducing Ambassador Bolton, NRB s President, Dr. Jerry d Johnson announced that n an initiative in support of Israel had been passed during the convention. o In addition, Dr. Johnson made it very clear y that “the NRB stands o 100% behind PJTN.” h People from all around s the globe gathered in a the Gaylord Opryland h Hotel’s Governor’s m Ballroom to hear Ambassador Bolton’s so, bering reminder that our negotiating with the rogue state of Iran is “the biggest political blunder since Munich 6 in 1938.” Mr. Bolton’s mention of “Munich” - was in reference to Brit- ain’s Prime Minister e Neville Chamberlain’s . disastrous attempt at appeasement to stop , Adolph Hitler’s military aggression. This g “land for peace” deal e was hailed by Cham- berlain as “peace for e our time.” The World o War that resulted left t 60 million people dead e in it’s wake. Appeasement and land for peace t agreements never work in the face of aggres-

March 6 - March 19, 2015

in design. “The fact is that nuclear proliferation is a problem global in scope,” he said. He also reminded us, regarding North Korea,that “the most heavily sanctioned country in the world has already exploded three nuclear devices.”

sion.

Mr. Bolton stated, “We are down to two options: Iran gets nuclear weapons, far and away the most likely outcome, and/or Israel decides, as it has twice in its history, to take matters into its own hands, and destroy a nuclear weapons program in the hands of a hostile state.” He added, “It is a legitimate exercise of Israel’s right to self defense.” He also pointed out that Israel should not have to be alone in her defense. If Israel must attack in order to defend

herself, we must be there to help.

As if the spectre of Iran going nuclear is not distressing enough, Ambassador Bolton pointed out that Iran and North Korea

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have been collaborating to build weapons since 1998, and when the Israeli Air Force took out a Syrian nuclear reactor in September of 2007, it was found to be North Korean

Ambassador Bolton concluded his address by saying, “If we don’t defend our friends, if we don’t defend our values and our interests, nobody else is going to do it. It all rests on us.” It does, indeed.

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Calendar of Events 101 Inventions That Changed the World Through Mar 15th

U.S. Space and Rocket Center. One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL. Explore the key turning points in humankind’s history defined by creation or discovery in an “unforgettable multi-sensory experience... that’s like traveling the world and moving swiftly thorugh time.” For hours, admission and more information rocketcenter.com/admission

Polk Sallet Follies Mar 6th - 7th

This annual dinner show is a wonderful night of entertainment and delicious food at the Limestone County Council on Aging Senior Center 912 West Pryor Street in Athens, AL. Tickets can be purchased during the day at the Athens Senior Center or on Monday evenings from 5-8 at the Center. Tickets go on sale February 9th at the Athens Senior Center 912 West Pryor Street, Athens. Tickets are by advanced sale only, $35.00 each includes a 3-course dinner. Checks or cash only. No phone reservations accepted. www.pokesalletfollies.org.

17th Annual UCP “An Irish Evening” Mar 6th

The Depot Roundhouse. 398 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL. Join United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley for a night of Irish-inspired fun. Irish & international food and beverages will be sampled from local vendors. Celtic Entertainment including music by Bourbon and Shamrocks as well as Irish Step dancers will set your Irish Eyes to shining. Silent auction items will tempt you too. All proceeds directly benefit UCP client services throughout the Tennessee Valley. Tickets are $25 per person include food & beverages.

9th Annual Elkmont Red Carpet Affair Beauty Walk Mar 13th - 14th

Gymnasium Elkmont High School. 25630 Evans Street Elkmont, AL. Join the Elkmont High School Band Boosters for this annual fundraiser pageant. The pageant will have 3 divisions: Babies to Preschool; Kindergarten-6th; 7th-12th. Entry into the pageant is $35.00, $40.00 pageant plus photogenic. Admission $5.00 per night.

Deadline March 2nd. For details schedule, participation requirements and entry form please visit the Beauty Walk Page.

Athens Home and Garden Show Mar 14th

Athens Home and Garden Show presented by the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce at the Limestone County Event Center on 114 West Pryor Street in Athens, AL. If you are looking for a unique item for your home or garden or maybe garden tips this event is for you. Activities for the kids to make and take too. For more information: 256-232-2600.

Ardmore Shamrock Shuffle Race Mar 14th

Ardmore Shamrock Shuffle is a chip-timed 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run/ Walk located in Ardmore, Alabama benefitting Ardmore area charities. The event is an annual event celebrating the good times and fun of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday with Irish music and food and with a variety of vendors. The race kicks off at the First Baptist Church (26670 5th Street, Ardmore, AL 35739) with a crowd of runners/walkers dressed in their best St. Paddy’s Day garb hitting the streets of Ardmore. The 1 mile Fun Run /Walk follows with walkers and runners of every age heading to that Pot O’ Gold. It is a fun filled day for family and friends to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Good times, good friends and the luck of the Irish all in the same place. For more information, Jackie Graham jferg10099@aol.com and www. ardmoreshamrockshuffle.com.

Annual Dogwood Luncheon Mar 17th

Beasley Center. 202 West Bryan Street, Athens, AL. Doors open at 11:15AM to view tablescapes. Luncheon begins at 12:00PM. There will be fashion and culinary demonstrations. Tickets are $25.00 per person and may be purchased at KALB Office 125 East Street, Athens or the RSVP Office at 409 West Washington Street in Athens.

For more information: 256-232-7207.

Rocket Run Ten Miler Mar 21st

Mooresville, AL. This Huntsville Track Club Members Race runs a ten mile route through Alabama’s oldest city. The course will be marked and the racers will be supported by deputies from Limestone County Sheriff Department. There will be 2 aid stations with water and Gatorade, the first one will be revisited before the last mile. Mile markers will be present and some split times provided. Post-race fruit and cookies will be available. For more information Valerie Connaughton connavx@yahoo.com

Running Buck Wild Extreme 5K and Fun Run Mar 21

Joe Wheeler State Park. 4403 McLean Dr, Rogersville, AL, 35652.

This 5K will take runners across different terrains such as hiking trails, asphalt, and gravel roads. The race will start in the picnic area at Shelter 1, go through hiking trails, through the campground, around more trails, and back to the picnic area to finish. In some areas, runners will run along side the great Tennessee River. Runners will be sure to enjoy the natural beauty of Joe Wheeler State Park.

For Race information or to sponsor the race, call the Park Office at 256-247-5466 8:00AM-4:00PM Monday - Friday.

The Annual Limestone County Master Gardeners Plant Sale Apr 18th

8am - 12pm at the Farmers Market on Green St., Athens, AL.

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

The Gold Medal Life

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Jump Starts, a devotional written by Certified Speaking Professional, Tim Richardson, has been a source of inspiration lately for Mayor Ronnie. Two chapters in particular, The Gold Medal Life, and Stand the Heat have been most helpful recently given the challenges of this winter with record breaking cold, ice, snow, and just plain mess.

in Scripture about comparing ourselves to others, and those who do it are called “unwise.” The chapter also reminds us that Olympic athletes only compare themselves with themselves. Richardson says, “…repetition of excellence-building training and commitment to bettering oneself, rather than bettering the competition, are the keys to progress.”

The Gold Medal Life talks about the need to strike the balance between allowing the examples of others to be an inspiration, but not a comparison. We are warned

Mayor Ronnie finds that with all the responsibilities he faces as a husband, friend, father, grandfather, as well as the one for whom “the buck stops here” when it

comes to the City of Athens, he needs to do what he calls “supercharging the day.” It is the only way to “stand the heat.”

Clearly when we have a situation like we did when I-65 was shut down due to snow, people were being put up in churches, and a college basketball team from Georgia needed to be taken care of because their bus could not move, the cold, (ironically,) becomes the source of heat. I saw Sandra Marks, Ronnie’s wife the day after the next to last storm, and she said he had been up at least half the night staying abreast of the storm with all the department heads. The cold and storm were insisting upon the need for all of

us to “stand the heat.” As told by City Hall Communications Specialist Holly Hollman to the local “news pool,” the Middle Georgia State College basketball team were so appreciative of the ways that the Athens Police Department “stood the heat,” (ie, the cold,) by taking care of them during the storm, that they sent them several autographed basketballs and a football, with effusive thanks.

Richardson says, “Most things worth having, talents worth developing, and prizes worth winning require persistence and hard work. Hard work is killing unless you stay focused on its rewards.

As you strive and struggle today, keep in mind the goals and horizons you hope to see. Remember, the thing that keeps the hiker climbing the mountain is that he keeps his eye on the summit.

Be sure that today your recognition of hard work is accompanied by remembrance of its rewards.

One of the things that is on the docket for March is a new round of diversity training for first responders, police, and those who are in health and wellness industries. While the training is periodic, it was suggested by local business interests that it be revisited soon.

We talked about polarization in our nation, the fact that in ways we are looking like we are moving backwards, and what to do about it. Then it became apparent that the best thing to do would be to pray, which we did, and once again, Ronnie was rollin.’

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Tourism

Fun, Education & History for March

by Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association

from area businesses, clubs, and organizations come to compete in this annual fundraiser.

The proceeds benefits Learn to Read programs for children ages 6-15 and adults of all ages.

They also offer an AfterSchool Tutoring Program (ASTP) for children ages 6-15 who are struggling with reading and math.

Additionally, Learn-ToRead conducts classes on English as a Second Language (ESL). Come and support this great event, spectators are admitted at no charge.

March begins with one of my favorite events: the annual Council on Aging’s Poke Sallet Follies show. You have dinner and a show, plus a ton of laughs for only $35.

Our senior centers in Athens and Limestone County provide critical services such as Meals on Wheels, tax services, medical insurance counseling and many other programs to the elderly.

The Athens-Limestone Foundation on Aging was established by Limestone County citizens to raise money to help support the centers and the services they offer.

Since 1992, Poke Sallet Follies has been raising money to provide special programs and other needs for our senior citizens. Before Poke Sallet began, there was the occasional yard sale and chicken stew, which may have brought in a thousand dollars to support our senior programs.

However, the supplies for the centers were more than the fundraisers could handle. It was during this time Athens resident, Harriette Rost, approached then COA Director, Helen Carter, with an idea of eliminating the small fundraisers and have a unique and large annual fundraiser.

players raised approximately $5,000 during their first year. Each year more volunteers came to perform, in addition to those who helped to make sets and costumes. The show directors came up with different outrageous skits each year, and the crowds grew to where the 3 night show now raises close to $20,000. In the past 22 years, Poke Sallet Follies has raised approximately $300,000 for the Council on Aging. You can see this year’s production March 5th, 6th and 7th at our Athens Senior Center located at 912 W. Pryor Street. Visit their website for more information at www.pokesalletfollies.org

She proposed a fundraiser in the spring would benefit the centers all year long. Her plan was to invite the public to a local talent show and dinner with volunteer actors. So it began with local business leaders and Com-

Another long running event is our Learn to Read Corporate Spelling Bee on March 7th at 10AM. This will be the 20th year for Learn to Read to hold this event at Athens High School. Come watch the fun as three-person teams

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munity Directors stepping up to perform hilarious takes on current television

shows and movies as they ‘poked fun’ at themselves.

The Poke Sallet primetime

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March is National Women’s History Month at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives. “This year they will be honoring women who served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield,” said Alabama Veterans’ Museum Director and Master Sergeant, Sandra Thompson. The Women in the Military History Program will be held at 12PM March 28th at the Alabama Veterans’ Museum located at 100 Pryor Street, Athens AL. Contact the museum Director Sandy Thompson @ 256-771-7578, to see how you can help sponsor this program.

For more information on the above events or other events and attractions in Athens-Limestone County, visit the Athens Visitors Center located at 100 North Beaty Street or call 256-232-5411. Information is also posted on our website - www.visitathensal.com.

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Clean and Green

Go Native and Welcome Nature Back Home TREE SEEDLING GIVE-AWAY March 14th

by Lynne Hart Most of us have heard the term “native” when referencing plants, trees, and shrubs. What exactly does that mean? Let’s look at the definitions of native and non-native plants: Native Plants evolved in a particular region, state, ecosystem, or habitat over a long period of time with no human interference. These plants have grown in community with other plant species, providing habitat for wildlife, and have worked together to provide a positive impact on the local ecosystem.

Native plants have also adapted themselves to local conditions such as heat, drought, and soil types. The natural plant community attracts wildlife that feeds on insects that would be detrimental to these plants, thereby reducing the need for heavy doses of insecticides.

Nature in balance.

Non-Native

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Plants

are

plants that are introduced to an area in which they did not naturally evolve. These plants can be introduced intentionally or accidentally, and can have a negative impact on the local ecosystem. Some of these plants may have no natural predators in the new location allowing them to grow unchecked. This type of plant is called invasive.

Two perfect examples of nonnative plants that became invasive in this area are Kudzu and Chinese Privet. Both are native to China and were brought to the U.S., Kudzu to help with soil erosion and Privet as an ornamental shrub.

Kudzu now grows wild, smothering and strangling native plant communities and is referred to as “the plant that ate the South.” Chinese Privet can cause dense infestations reaching 30 ft. tall, displacing most native species and preventing growth of bottomland hardwood and upland pine forests.

When these invasive plants

choke out native plants that provide food and shelter for local wildlife, the wildlife also begins to disappear. An out-of-balance condition is created in the ecosystem.

Select Plants, Trees, and Shrubs Wisely When selecting plants for your landscaping, be sure to look for a list of plants, trees, and shrubs native to your location. Local nurseries would be happy to help you choose the perfect plants for your landscaping needs.

Contact your local Extension office for a list of native plants, or visit our wonderful new library for books and other publications on the subject.

A visit to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens would not only be a wonderful opportunity to see a variety of plants and their uses in the landscape, but would put you in contact with people who know the answers to your gardening questions!

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Thanks to the Alabama Forestry Commission, another seedling give-away will take place as follows: Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Booth Athens Home & Garden Show Saturday, March 14, 2015 - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Limestone County Event Center ***

List of Species Available* River Birch (100) Bald Cypress (150) Cherrybark Oak (100) Nutall Oak (50) Shumard Oak (100) Crepe Myrtle (25 - no color specification) Loblolly Pine (300) Red Bud (50) * Limit 5 seedlings per Limestone County household and will be given away on a first-come, first-served. KALB members may pre-order.

When you choose plants that work well together and are suited to this area, nature will be more in balance, making your garden a welcoming habitat for local wildlife.

Native plants and shrubs will

provide seeds, nectar, and insects that will welcome birds, butterflies, and other wildlife back into your yard.

You might even consider adding a “Welcome” sign to your garden!

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com

Become a Fan

March 6 - March 19, 2015

Cooking with Shelley

Pineapple Stuff

by Shelley Underhill I myself like pineapple just about any way you can serve it. This is a tasty dish served best when hot. The first time I tried it, I was in a little town in Mississippi right off the coast. I lost the recipe when it and all of my other recipes floated away in hurricane Katrina. I

recently came across it again in an old cookbook at a flea market. Hope you and yours enjoy it. You can email your questions to shelleysdesk@gmail.com

What you will need: 2 20-oz cans of pineapple tidbits 5 to 6 tablespoons self-rising flour ž cup of sugar 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 sleeve buttery round crackers, crushed ½ cup (1 stick) margarine (I use real butter) Heat oven to 350 F. Pour pineapple tidbits, including juice, into a 9x13 buttered casserole dish. Mix flour and sugar together; sprinkle over pineapple. Layer on shredded cheese then cracker crumbs. Dot top with margarine. Bake for thirty minutes. May be served as a side dish or a dessert. Best when served hot.

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Health and Fitness

Getting Fit With Water Aerobics

by Janet Hunt

Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment.

What is water aerobics, aqua fitness, or aqua aerobics? It is a fun workout that uses the natural resistance and buoyancy of water to provide a safe, low-impact workout. It is both fun and effective. It is suitable for all ages and various levels of fitness.

A good water aerobics class will improve all the components of fitness: muscular endurance and strength, body composition, aerobic capacity, flexibility, core strength, and balance.

•Forces you to maintain abdominal stability during all your movements in the water, therefore water is a great choice for core and balance!

Below are some of the benefits of a water aerobic workout:

•Water classes are fun!

•Provides a low-impact workout that will not strain your weight-bearing joints such as knees or back. For someone with joint problems due to osteoarthritis, obesity, injuries, etc., I recommend water walking or water class.

•The hydrostatic pressure improves blood circulation and helps decrease water retention.

•Usually there is little or no next-day muscle soreness after a water workout.

•Even though you sweat during a water class, you never feel sweaty.

•You are “hidden” by the water in case you are one of those that are self-conscious in a fitness class.

Clothing for water fitness

is no longer just a swimsuit. You can find water shorts, long water pants, long sleeves, jackets, etc.

•You don’t have to know how to swim. Most water aerobic classes are in shallow water unless described otherwise.

•You don’t have to get your hair wet.

Still not convinced and want more information?

Contact Janet Hunt at 256-614-3530 or email at jhunt1@pclnet.net. Water aerobic classes are available at Athens Limestone Wellness Center, Huntsville Hospital Wellness Centers (all locations), and YMCA’s in Madison and Huntsville.

•Resistance of water ensures you will not work beyond your capability. No straining lifting heavy weights.

•Your working heart rate is lower in the water than on land when working at similar intensity levels.

•Maintains bone density. (Actually there is still some debate going on about this.)

•Works muscle groups that are sometimes neglected or more difficult to work on land. You are working against the buoyancy of water rather than gravity.

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Cover Story

Valley Pools of Athens: Where Pools Are A Passion!

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

customers.

Before I tell you about the current promotions, I want to provide some details about the history of Valley Pools---a company that has provided years of outstanding customer service to the community.

The owner and staff have decades of experience in the design, installation and maintenance for every aspect of the pool industry. And they are passionate about what they do!

Valley Pools started in the 1980s and has grown to two locations and over 30 employees---a good sign in this economy.

They consider their employees ‘family’, which was evident as I visited the Madison store to conduct the interview.

The owner, Ronny Hughes, built his first

swimming pool in the 1970s, and has years of experience in all aspects of the construction industry.

Bob Taylor is the Project Manager in charge of sales for both locations. I have had the opportunity to observe both the owner and Project Manager ‘in action’ at both locations, and I like what I have seen. It is safe to say that pools are indeed their passion!

The staff at Valley Pools continues to be excited about the popularity of the saltwater conversion system and its high level of customer satisfaction.

They have been installing saltwater conversion systems for the past 10 years and since then Valley Pools has installed over 1500 systems, more than any other pool company in the area.

Ronny states, “The days of using chlorine are coming to an end because saltwater is superior in so many ways. Saltwater is the wave of the future.”

The main advantages of the saltwater conversion system are the ease of pool maintenance, cost savings on chemicals and utilities, and the silky feel of the pool water.

Call Valley Pools today to schedule an appointment so you can explore your makeover possibilities.

Valley Pools continues to do brisk business in building in-ground swimming pools. There are two basic types. The

first is made of steel that is covered with an attractive vinyl liner.

There are scores of liners to choose from in a variety of colors and patterns. The other type of in-ground pool installed by Valley Pools is the one-piece fiberglass pool. In North Alabama, Valley Pools is the exclusive dealer for Leisure Fiberglass Pools, which are the highest quality fiberglass pool being produced today. Valley Pools has expertly trained crews who are experienced in the installation of both

Pool owners that have the saltwater conversion system installed with an automatic pool cleaner typically spend only 510 minutes per week on pool maintenance. If you are a pool owner that is considering converting to salt water, Valley Pools is waiting to serve you.

Do you have an older pool that needs special attention or renovation?

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eventually wear out so to kick off Spring, Valley Pools is having a huge sale on liners. They have promotional deals with bonus items as part of the liner sale. Please stop by to determine if replacing your pool liner qualifies you for one of their many “pool perks.”

And as always, Valley Pools continues to offer their customers 20% off of all chemicals and supplies purchased on Thursdays. The Thursday 20% promotion has been one of their most popular programs.

If

you

are

a

pool

owner, Valley Pools encourages you to stop by and speak with Kayla, Store Manager at the Athens location, or Nikki, Store Manager at the Madison location.

Let them show you how they can help you care for your pool with the highest quality supplies at competitive pricing.

If you are considering having a pool built for your home, let the team that has decades of experience demonstrate to you that truly, pools are their passion!

Athens

types of pools.

Do you want to “Go Green?” Valley Pools helps customers “Go and Save Green,” as in dollars, as well as, being more environmentally responsible by purchasing an amazing new pump made by Hayward Pool Products. It is called

March 6 - March 19, 2015

the Super Pump VS and brings, with its proper use, huge energy savings.

Individual results are going to vary, but customers have experienced up to 80% savings on their pool related energy costs!

Valley Pools is particular about the liners they sell to customers, and strongly

endorses liners made in America. A potential customer came in looking for information on replacing her pool liner, and was provided with exactly the information she was looking for including options for what her budget allowed. Even top quality pool liners can

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200 French Farms Boulevard, Suite C Athens, AL 35611 www.valleypoolsofmadison.com 256-771-2990 Hours for Athens: Mon-Fri 9:30-6, Sat 10-2

Madison

7467 US Hwy 72 Madison, AL 35758 256-536-8008 Hours for Madison: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-1

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Growing Older

by Wanda Campbell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 You know you are getting old when grandchildren have no idea what you are talking about.

There is so much history to learn that the history you have lived or learned did not make the talking points in today’s lesson at school.

This discovery started off with, “My favorite thing to do when I was twelve (and older) was to read the biographies of cowboys and Indians. No, I was not living during the 1800s, Grandson. But I read a lot about the Pony Express, the train robbers, and the Indians during that time period.”

Sundance Kid,” starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman in 1969.

“Did you see the movie?”

I asked. “I was born in 1993,” he replied. “It is on Netflix,” I told him.

Checking Google - How about Roy Rogers? Roy Rogers (Leonard Franklin Slye - November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998) was a very popular cowboy actor and singer.

I watched all the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans shows as a kid. Trigger, Roy’s horse, was the best part.

“Nope,” he said.

Checking Google I read all the Indian biographies too.

People like Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. “I Will Fight No More Forever” is the name given to the speech made by Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce on October 5, 1877, when the Nez Perce were forced to surrender to Colonel Nelson Miles and General O. O. Howard after the Battle of the Bear Paw Mountains. The battle strategies used

by Chief Joseph and

Butch Cassidy

“What is the Pony Express?” he asked. “It was like the mail carriers in the 1800s,” I explained to him.

“Train robbers might be interesting,” he replied.

Checking Google - I liked the stories about the robbers like Jesse James (September 5, 1847 – April 3, 1882) and Frank James (January 10, 1843 – February 18, 1915), cowboy outlaws from Missouri who robbed banks and trains.

I also read about Butch Cassidy (Robert Leroy Parker - April 13, 1866 – November 7, 1908), and the Sundance Kid (Harry Alonzo Longabaugh - 1867 – November 7, 1908), who were part of the Wild Bunch that robbed trains and banks. Richard Zanuck and 20th Century Fox made a very popular movie about them called “Butch Cassidy and the

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Geronimo are taught in military classrooms today.

“Surely, you know who Geronimo was!” I said.

“Nope,” he replied.

Checking Google Geronimo (Goyathlay - “one who yawns”) of the Chiricahua Apache, was born in 1829 in what is today western New Mexico, but was then still Mexican territory.

Geronimo was the leader of the last American Indian fighting force formally to capitulate to the

Geronimo www.athensnowal.com

United States. Because he fought against such overwhelming odds and held out the longest, he became the most famous Apache of all.

“Don’t you learn this in school?” I asked him.

“There is too much history so we only learn the new stuff – like Vietnam,” he told me.

“Okay,” I said. “You know you can read this stuff on your own.”

“I’ll just let you tell me about,” he said.

Kids these days!

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Jerry’s Journal

Tink Haney - From Cotton Fields to Rice Paddies of Vietnam

by Jerry Barksdale May, 1968. Somewhere over the North Pacific.

Nashville to seek his healing powers.

The airliner streaked above the ocean at 35,000 feet enveloped by blue sky and blue water.

A peaceful scene. The flight time from Honolulu, where they had refueled, to Tan Son Nhut Airbase, South Vietnam was thirteen hours. The cabin was filled with young men wearing crew cuts and smart military uniforms; some asleep, some nervously chattering, others quiet, no doubt thinking about what the following twelve months held for them.

Tink didn’t claim to possess healing powers, but when he was 8 years old he rubbed a fellow cotton pickers noggin for a nickel and his headache vanished. On another occasion he rubbed a field hand’s wrist and the pain resolved. The appreciative patient compensated him by picking cotton and putting it in his sack. His grandmother said he was always “messing around and tinkering with stuff” and dubbed him “Tinker” which was later shortened to “Tink”.

Second Lieutenant Merritt Wilson “Tink” Haney of Tanner, Alabama, wondered how many of them would return home in a flag-draped coffin or wearing a Purple Heart. Would he be one of them? He was an optimist – always had been – but in his heart of hearts, he told himself, “I won’t ever get out of there.”

Statistics weren’t in his favor. By the end of the year, the American death toll would reach 30,000 in that beautiful land of green.

After attending Wheeler School at Jones Crossroads, he went to Tanner where he was quarterback and co-captain, along with his cousin, Horace, of the Tanner Rattler football team. It was on the gridiron under the tutelage of Coach Ralph Brett that he began developing leadership skills. Following graduation in 1958 he cotton farmed with his father for three years then worked awhile at Autolite in Decatur. But he had greater ambitions.

He had come a long way from his home, a hardscrabble, cotton farm near Tanner where he had chopped and picked cotton.

His parents, Louis Maples Haney, Sr. and Bessie Compton Haney, had named him for his maternal grandfather, Merritt Haney, a well-known faith healer in Elkmont. Folks traveled from as far away as

March 6 - March 19, 2015

One day, he promised himself, he would play football at Alabama and study Mechanical Engineering. But a dark cloud hung over his bright future – a green sliver of land called Vietnam. By the end of 1962, over 11,000 American soldiers were there and more were being drafted and sent daily.

He knew that eventually he would be sent there, but he wanted to go as an

officer. “I figured I would have a better chance of surviving.”

Coach Bear Bryant had led the Crimson Tide to the National Championship in 1961. Tink wanted to play football. ‘Bama could recruit anybody they wanted and weren’t courting Tink, but that didn’t discourage him. “I want to play,” he told Coach Ralph Brett. “I’m going to walk on.” Coach Brett knew Assistant Coach Gene Stallings and asked him to give Tink a chance to play. Stallings agreed.

Tink worked out, ran full speed through deep leaves in the woods and maneuvered around trees pretending they were opposing players. He arrived at Alabama in good shape, and brazenly walked in the athletic office.

“I want to see Coach Bryant.” He was referred to Stallings. His effort paid off. There were nine walk-ons that year and I was one of them,” he said.

“I played quarterback on the scout team. If we were going to play Auburn that weekend, I’d play the Auburn quarterback during practice. I never got to play a game. I was a grunt – but I enjoyed it.”

Coach Bryant wasn’t a touchy-feely guy. “If you got knocked out, they’d just drag you over to the sideline. The name of the game was winning.”

ROTC was mandatory for the first two years in college. “I loved it. I wanted to go to Vietnam as an officer and I needed the money which was about

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$40 or $50 a month they paid me.” He excelled in ROTC. “I always tried to do the best I could whatever I was doing. I cleaned my weapon and polished my brass.” His diligence paid off. In 1963 he was chosen from 1,000 other students as cadet of the week. “The Sergeant tried to make me cower, but I didn’t.”

During his third year, he made Brigade Sergeant Major, the highest rank achievable. Following his junior year, he was sent to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina for nine weeks of basic training and came back to Alabama a Senior and was promoted to Brigade Commander over some two to three thousand men. It was a huge accomplishment. On Governor’s Day, he escorted Governor George Wallace and University President, Frank Rose onto the parade ground. While riding in the back of the Governor’s limousine to the grounds, they passed a bunch of hippies holding anti-war signs. “Whoa – Stop!” ordered Wallace.

He got out of the car. “Be sure to get a picture of that,” Wallace said and got back in and turned to Dr. Rose. “A picture of this long hair will get me more votes than anything I can do today.”

Tink was stretched thin.

Simultaneously, he was working on a mechanical engineering degree and studying forty hours a week. The ROTC professor called him in his office. “Haney, you made

a B in ROTC. Our commander is supposed to make an A.” “Sir, I’m a B man,” replied Tink.

Tink didn’t own a car, but he soon got transportation. “There was a bicycle chained to a rack in front of McCorvey Hall.

It had been sitting there two or three weeks with flat tires. I cut the chain, aired the tires and rode it for about a year.” He graduated January, 1967 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and received his 2nd Lieutenant “Butter Bars.”

He was also selected Distinguished Military Graduate, “displaying outstanding qualities of leadership, high moral character and academic achievement and exceptional aptitude for military service,” read the certificate.

After receiving an extension from the Army and working for TVA in Chattanooga for four months, he entered serviced on May 9. Naturally, he chose engineering.

Following nine weeks of training at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia he was assigned to Ft. Rucker, Alabama.

It was while there that he received orders for Vietnam.

The airliner began a slow descent. Tink looked out the window and saw the blue waters of the South China Sea slowly fading into green vegetation.

The wheels touched down on the runway. His long journey to Vietnam had finally ended. Or rather, just begun.

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Dog Barker

Look At Me! Ever had a dog that just would not listen? “Hey, Ellie, come on girl!

Look what I have!”

Squirrel! Her head turns away and she is either distracted from your voice or she hears your voice but there is something of more interest catching her attention.

She could be shy or mad. I hear this all the time, “My dog won’t listen!” Well, let’s see if we can change that together.

First, ask yourself what does your dog like?

Think about this for a second, because this needs to be something your dog really (and I mean really) likes to the point of “Oh! Oh! Pick me! Pick me!” kind of excitement. This is what we call their reward. No one thinks to ask the dog what they like. There are a lot of assumptions made, and I see people waste money buying toys or treats they think their dog will like. My advice is to listen to your dog.

Second, we take the reward they really like and we get their attention.

Whether it is a squeaker toy, yummy salivating (cause drool to hit the floor and make that a hazard for you) tasty treat, or just a plain old doll, it doesn’t matter. It could even be a wrench as long as we get that response of “Oh! I love you because you have what I really like!,” we are in business. So, while Fido/Fidoette is eyeballing their treat that is the center of their attention, speak to them and say, “Fido! Look at me!” Draw their atPage 20

by Joel Allen

tention with the treat to your face by pulling the treat up next to your face. Keep talking saying, “Look at me!” We are looking for that moment when their pupils lock with yours. When this happens, immediately give them their reward. Repeat as often as they stay interested but don’t over do it. If they stop trying, don’t make them sit and stay because just like the children they are, they can become rebellious and pouty too.

This training is de-

signed to assist in confidence building. The more your dog can look into your eyes the more they can read and understand what it is they are being asked to do.

If anyone ever wants to if know a confident dog is in their home, all they have to do is say the dog’s name and if that dog should look into your eyes and not falter. If that happens, then they are very confident.

I would also take a moment here to caution you as well. This

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article is not for anyone who wants to walk up to a dog they do not know and attempt this. The end result might place them in the ER for a dog bite.

Anyone attempting this training should know the dog and the dog should know them.

Notice to all who want to train their dog: March is already here and I am taking signups for dog training for the month of April. The available days I have are Mondays, Fridays,

and Saturdays. If anyone is interested, give me a call.

“Remember to love your dogs because they love you. Maybe not the way you want them to, like chewing up your favorite shoes or what not, but that is just love chewing. Be thankful for the time you have with them always.”

Joel and Zues Allen 256-651-2211

March 6 - March 19, 2015

March 6 - March 19, 2015

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Medical Update

Sleep Deprivation and Daylight Savings Time

by Rachel Clark, RN, BSN

On Sunday, March 8, we will “spring forward.”

Many countries around the world have been doing this for almost a century now. It was started in order to take advantage of all available light during the longer days starting in early spring and extending into late summer. Many now question whether or not Daylight Savings Time is as useful as it once was. We can use electricity rather than sunlight in order to perform jobs later into the night, and having our clocks reset doesn’t seem quite as necessary. Several countries, as well as some U.S. states, are beginning to opt out of this observance.

Many Americans, young and old alike will have to readjust their circadian rhythms that have become unbalanced as a result of this change of time. It can take days or weeks to readjust one’s sleep pattern. This is concerning, especially because sleep is so important in keeping your body healthy. Getting enough good quality sleep at the right time can help protect mental and physical health, and improve quality of life and safety.

published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, more cardiac events occur on Monday than any other day of the week. This could be linked to changes in sleep habits in transition from weekend to work week. Dr. Martin Young, an associate professor at UAB in the division of Cardiovascular Disease, says that the Monday and Tuesday following the start of Daylight Savings Time in the spring shows about a 10% increase in heart attacks while the reverse is true for when the clocks fall back in October.

Your heart isn’t the only thing to worry about with sleep deprivation. It also increases the risk of diabetes, inflammatory processes, and accidents/death both in vehicles and the workplace.

Losing an hour of sleep (which we do in the Spring when we “spring forward”) has significant adverse affects on our health, not to mention the ripple effect that it can cause for several days or weeks afterward.

When circadian rhythms are interrupted or altered, it can take significant amounts of time to even out, and cause mayhem in the meantime.

Young says “Every cell in the body has its own clock that allows it to anticipate when something is going to happen and prepare for it.

When there is a shift in one’s environment, such as springing forward, it takes a while for the cells to readjust. It’s comparable to knowing that you have a meeting at 2 p.m. and having time to prepare your presentation instead of being told at the last minute and not being able to prepare. The internal clocks in each cell can prepare it for stress or a stimulus.

When time moves forward, cell clocks are anticipating another hour to sleep that they won’t get, and the negative impact of the stress worsens; it has a much more detrimental effect on the body.”

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, and research

So how can you prepare your body this weekend

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and during the next week for the coming change?

•Eat a good breakfast •Wake up 30 minutes earlier than originally intended Saturday and Sunday •Exercise in the mornings •Go outside in the early morning sun •Consider setting your clock forward on Friday night instead, giving yourself an extra 2 days to acclimate to the change According to Dr. Young, “Doing all of this will help reset both the central, or master, clock in the brain that reacts to changes in light/ dark cycles, and the peripheral clocks — the ones everywhere else including the one in the heart — that react to food intake and physical activity. This will enable your body to naturally synch with the change in the environment, which may lessen your chance of adverse health issues on Monday.”

Some other things you can do, as mentioned in an article by Dr. Mercola, include: •Be particularly mindful of using electronic devices in the days prior to the switchover. Research on teens shows that using electronics for four hours during the day can increase your risk of

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needing more than an hour to fall asleep by nearly 50 percent. Using any device for more than two hours per day increases the likelihood of needing more than an hour to fall asleep by 20 percent. So, if you’ve ever considered “unplugging” for a day or two, the weekend of the DST switch-over is a perfect time to turn everything off, or cut down your use of electronics to a bare minimum so that you can optimize your sleep.

•Pay attention to your diet, making sure you are consuming plenty of fresh, whole foods, preferably organic, and minimal amounts of processed foods and fast foods. Keep your sugar consumption very low, especially fructose.

•Practice good sleep hygiene, including sleeping in complete darkness, checking your bedroom for EMFs (electrical and magnetic forces, a source of radiation), and keeping your bedroom temperature no higher than 70 degrees.

•Optimize your vitamin D levels.

•Manage your stress with whatever stress-busting techniques work for you.

•Consider supplementing with melatonin if you have

trouble sleeping.

•If you have a fitness tracker that tracks sleep, start using it. If you don’t have one, you may want to consider getting one. During daylight savings time, making sure you’re getting enough sleep may be more important than ever. One of the keys to optimizing your sleep is going to bed early enough, because if you have to get up at 6:30am, you’re just not going to get enough sleep if you go to bed after midnight. Chances are you’re getting at least 30 minutes less sleep than you think, as most people do not fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow.

•Many fitness trackers can now track both daytime body movement and sleep, allowing you to get a better picture of how much sleep you’re actually getting. Newer devices, like Jawbone’s UP3 that should be released sometime this year, can even tell you which activities led to your best sleep and what factors resulted in poor sleep.

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward this Sunday evening. But prepare yourself starting today in order to minimize your risk of adverse health effects and maximize your sleep.

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