Christmas ClearinghouseThe annual Christmas Clearinghouse is accepting applications through Friday, Nov. 9, at Family Services Center, 15 East 11th St., Anniston. Coordinated by Interfaith Ministries and Family Services Center, the clearinghouse serves over 350 families each year through the cooperative efforts of over 100 churches. Families are screened for eligibility and need by the center which is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m. and Monday through Thursday from 1-3:30 p.m. Anyone who cannot go to the center during these hours is asked to call 231-2240 and ask to speak to an intake worker. Applicants must be able to show photo ID of the person making the application, Social Security number for applicant and spouse, proof of all income (SSI, check stub, child support, AFDC or food stamp letter), and show proof of all monthly bills (most recent water, gas, telephone, cable, car note, car insurance, child care.)
'Christmas on the Farm' is coming to Jacksonville
“Christmas on the Farm” is the theme of Jacksonville’s Christmas parade this year.
Parade chairman Rita Edwards encourages everyone to “let your imagination take over as you begin planning.”
The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27. Participants will line up at 5 p.m. in the Pelham Plaza parking lot on South Pelham Road.
“Make sure you decorate your float or car to match the theme,” said Edwards. “And be sure to make a sign for your entry so everyone knows who you are.”
Edwards said music is welcome.
Forms have to be filled out and returned to her by Nov. 16. Forms are available at The Jacksonville News Office, 203 Pelham Road S. To receive one in the mail call Edwards at 225-0816 or 435-4447.
There is no fee to be in the parade.
Garden Club meeting
The Jacksonville Garden Club will meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, in the Fireside Room of the Community Center.
Boxer Bash
Rockin’ P Rescue Inc., Saving One Dog at a Time, will present the fourth annual free Boxer Bash from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at 885 Roy Webb Road, behind Federal-Mogul. Bring lawn chairs. Food and drinks will be available. All dogs must be on a leash. The bash will include agility demonstrations, a petting zoo, canine good citizen test, games and prizes.
Sorghum syrup
Sorghum syrup can be seen being made beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept.22, at Nances Creek Community Center. The entire process, from the mule drawn mill to the cooking pan, can be seen. Homemade biscuits, sausage, syrup and local honey will be for sale. For more information call 447-7039 or 435-2483.
CAST presentation
CAST (Community Actors’ Studio Theatre) will present “South Pacific” each Thursday through Sunday, through Sept. 23, with the exception of Friday, Sept. 21 at JSU/McClellan Theatre at McClellan. Show times are at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $20 for adults; $10 for students with discounts given to groups of 12 or more and to the general audiences at Thursday night performances. Call 820-CAST (2278) to make reservations.
Concert at West Side
West Side Baptist Church will feature Amanda Allen in concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30. From the ages of 4-18 Allen traveled with her parents all over the country and sometimes abroad as a part of their evangelistic ministry, singing and playing the piano.
After graduating from Clayton College and State University in Morrow, Ga., with a vocal performance degree in 2002, she embarked on her own music ministry. She is a member of the contemporary Christian band, Emmaus, which was voted the number one Christian band in Alabama in 2006. She is a former band director at Sand Rock High School. A resident of Centre, she is a member of East Centre Baptist Church.
Call 435-6111 for more information.
NAMI meeting
The local affiliate of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will starts its fall Family-to-Family education program at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4. The free 12-week course is for family members and friends of those who are dealing with mental illness. Classes are structured to help caregivers understand and support individuals with serious mental illness while maintaining and/or regaining their own well-being. The course provides insight into such disorders as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depression, bipolor disorder, borderline personality disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, co-occuring brain disorders and addictive disorders. A few of the topics include family response to mental illness, problems solving workshop, medication review, communication skills workshop, self-care and sighting stigma. Call NAMI Jacksonville at 435-5240 to register and for class location.
H & CL Tours
The Homemakers and Community Leaders will go to the Southern Women’s Show in Birmingham Oct. 5. They will go on a five-day cruise to Mexico Feb. 2-7. The ship will depart from Mobile. Reservations and a $50 deposit should be made as soon as possible. The group will go to Bessemer Civic Center on Nov. 13 to see comedians Carl Hurley and Jeanne Robertson at 2 p.m. They will go to Nashville Nov. 27-29 for the Christmas Extravaganza where, among other things, they will see the Rockettes, go to the Pam Tillis dinner show at the Opryland Hotel and see ice sculpture exhibits. A luncheon cruise on the Gen. Jackson is included. To make reservations call Elizabeth Williams at 435-6692 or Virginia Norton at 435-9535 or 831-1378.
