1communityannouncements

FREE Prostate Cancer Screenings & Health Fair
According to National Cancer Institute each year, more than 186,000 American men are
diagnose with prostrate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer
among men in this country. Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate gland grow out of
control. Symptoms may include some urinary problems and discomfort. Prostate cancer that is
detected early has a better chance of successful treatment. Prostate cancer screenings can
save lives.
March 27 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Sumter County Health Dept, 1121 N Washington St. in
Livingston. For More Information contact 652-7972 or 652-6557. Provided by: Urology Centers
of Alabama Sumter County Health Department. Health Fair by: Health and Wellness Education
Center, Hill Hospital of Sumter County and Tombigbee Health Care Authority.
UWA Honors Day set for March 24
The University of West Alabama will recognize outstanding students for their academic
achievements and leadership roles at the institution’s annual Honors Day on Wednesday,
March 24.
Faculty and staff will recognize students for their honor society memberships, and several
scholarships and special awards will be presented at the Honors Day Convocation at 2:30 p.m.
in Bibb Graves Auditorium. Prior to the awards ceremony, students will be treated to a
luncheon with keynote speaker and UWA graduate Kevin McKenzie, a human resources
executive who serves as president and CEO of Horizons Private Duty Care and chairman of the
board of Affinity Healthcare Services, both based in Birmingham.
For more information about Honors Day, please call 205-652-3892.
UWA hosts American Chemical Society Meeting
The University of West Alabama will host the monthly meeting of the Alabama Section of the
American Chemical Society (ACS) on Tuesday, March 9, with a presentation by Dr. Martin
Bakker, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Alabama.
Dr. Bakker will present “Macro, Micro, Meso, Nano: Self-Assembly Across the Length Scales,”
which addresses computer chip fabrication. He received his bachelor’s with first class honors
from the University of Cantebury ,New Zealand ,and his doctorate in physical chemistry. He
held an Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Post Doctoral Fellowship at the
University of Western Australia and also held a postdoctoral position at Argonne National
Laboratory. He has published more than 33 papers and is co-inventor of one patent.
Meeting registration begins at 5:50 p.m. in UWA’s Student Union Building conference room.
Dinner begins at 6:15 p.m. with Dr. Bakker’s presentation to follow. For more information,
please contact Dr. Kim at 205-652- 3496
UWA Theatre presents “The Twelfth Night”
The University of West Alabama Theatre 2009-10 season continues Wednesday, March 17-
Saturday, March 20 with “The Twelfth Night,” William Shakespeare’s classic tale of jovial
festivities, mistake identities and the mystery and mayhem of love updated with a 1970s disco
twist.
Performances will be held at 8 p.m. nightly at UWA’s Bibb Graves Auditorium. Tickets are $8 for
adults and $4 for children 12 and under. UWA students are admitted free with proper ID. For
more information or to reserve tickets, call 205-652-3633.
Relay For Life Team Captains Meeting March 18
Relay For Life of Sumter County will hold a team captain’s meeting Thursday, March 18 at 5:30
p.m. in the University of West Alabama ’s Student Union Building conference room in
preparation for the upcoming cancer fund raiser.
The Sumter County event, which takes place Friday, April 9, at the UWA intramural fields, has
a goal of $57,465. This year’s theme, “Imagine a World With More Birthdays,” allows teams to
host a party at their campsites. Elvis Tribute Artist Shane Tucker and other local musicians will
provide entertainment during the event.
Relay teams are encouraged to turn in luminaria forms at the team captain’s meeting and to
utilize fund-raising e-mails on the event’s Web site at www.relayforlife.org/sumter.
Relay For Life, the largest cancer fund raiser in the nation, is a non-competitive event. Money
raised supports American Cancer Society research, education, advocacy and patient service
programs.
Teams are recruited from businesses, clubs, families, friends, hospitals, churches, schools and
service organizations. Each group chooses a team theme, and members take turns walking or
running around a track during the evening. Games and activities held during the event make it
a festive occasion. This year’s Relay hopes to include teams from not only Livingston, but also
every community in Sumter County.
For more information about forming a team for the 2010 Relay For Life of Sumter County,
please call Team Development Co-Chairs Rev. Neil McCarter at 205-652-4045 or Angel Jowers
at 205- 652-3809.
Progressive Church of Jesus Christ, Inc. Sponsers Feed the Children Truck
The Progressive Church of Jesus Christ, Inc. and it's sponsors are sponsoring a Feed the
Children Truck, at the Progressive Children College located at 110 4th Ave in York on March
18 and 19 at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 20 at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is not a free for all truck. To
receive anything from this truck, one must have a Feed the Children voucher, which will be
given out. For further information call (205) 392-9371 between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours.
Upcoming Relay For Life Fundraisers
A pair of Relay For Life of Sumter County teams will host events to raise money for the fight
against cancer.
The Women at Large team will host a teen dance Friday, March 19 from 8 p.m. until midnight at
the Teen Center in Livingston. For additional information, please call 205-451-2662.
Di's Hope will sell barbecue chicken plates Saturday, March 20 from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at
the Siloam Fire House on Highway 17. Plates are $8 each. For additional information or to
purchase a ticket, please contact Anita Sharp at 205-499-0239.
The Sumter County event, which takes place Friday, April 9, at the UWA intramural fields, has
a goal of $57,465. This year’s theme, “Imagine a World With More Birthdays,” allows teams to
host a party at their campsites. Elvis Tribute Artist Shane Tucker and other local musicians will
provide entertainment during the event.
For more information about forming a team for the 2010 Relay For Life of Sumter County,
please call Team Development Co-Chairs Rev. Neil McCarter at 205-441-5401 or Angel Jowers
at 205- 652-3809.
The Rev. Richard R. Losch 50th Anniversary
On Sunday, March 14 the Rev. Richard R. Losch, Rector Emeritus of St. James’ Episcopal
Church will observe the 50th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Fr. Losch will
celebrate Holy Communion at 11 a.m. that morning using the Book of Common Pray, 1928, the
rite he used at his first celebration of Holy Communion. That afternoon St. James’ will host a
reception in the Parish House in honor of Fr. Losch from 3:30 to 5 p.m. You are cordially
invited to join the parishioners of St. James’ in this celebration of Fr. Losch’s ministry.
Flag Dedication
The Cuba Study Group will sponsor a Flag Dedication Ceremony in memory of Gladys K. Ward
for her many years of charitable, educational and civic service to the Town of Cuba. The
ceremony will be held Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m. at the Clay Memorial Cemetery in Cuba
on highway 11.
The guest speaker will be the Honorable E. (Eugene) Clay Shaw, former U. S. Congressman
from Florida. Light refreshments will follow the dedication ceremony. Everyone, especially
friends and former students of Mrs. Ward, is invited to attend. Guests may wish to bring a lawn
chair.
AHF SUPER Institutes and Workshops Offered to Teachers
The Alabama Humanities Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2010 SUPER
Institutes and Workshops. Since 1991, AHF has taken a leading role in the advancement of
Alabama education with the SUPER (School and University Partners for Educational Renewal)
Teacher Program. This program provides graduate-level, content-rich, professional
development of the highest quality to outstanding 4th-12th grade public and private school
teachers, school librarians and administrators who wish to expand and deepen their knowledge
of a particular subject or theme within the humanities. The 2010 application deadline is April 1.
To apply to SUPER, visit ahf.net or contact Thomas Bryant, AHF Director of Programs and
SUPER Manager, at (205) 558-3997.
Homebuyer Education Classes
HERO and Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission (ATRC) are offering Homebuyer
Education Classes on Tuesdays from 5 -7 p.m. located at Livingston Chamber of Commerce,
502 Lafayette Street. The four series class will be held March 9th, March 16th, March 23rd,
March 30th from 5:00-7:00. There is no charge for the class, but space is limited, so register
early. Please contact Housing Counselor, Arlene Rhodes, 334-624-0842 or arlene.hero@gmail.
com to register for classes or obtain more information.
Additionally, the agency offers IDA opportunities and one-on-one housing counseling in the
following areas: pre-purchase, pre-rental, credit counseling, loss mitigation, homeless services,
reverse mortgage, and loan document review. One-on-one counseling is available by
appointment.
The Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission, Housing Initiative is offered through a
partnership of Hale Empowerment & Revitalization Organization, Inc (HERO) in Greensboro, a
HUD certified housing counseling agency. HERO offers services to clients located in these
Alabama counties: Hale, Perry, Marengo, Sumter and Wilcox.
COTV Donations for Haiti Earthquake Victims
Walk ins welcome! Join with the Children of the Village to donate used crutches, canes,
walkers, wheelchairs and shower chairs to Haiti Earthquake victims. Deadline to donate is
March 28. Drop off locations: Livingston Fire Station, York Police Dept. and United Steel
Workers Union Hall in Tuscaloosa. Sponsored by COTV and United Steel Workers local #351.
Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Sumter Students’ Photos on Exhibit at MMFA
For the past three years, selected high school students from across the Black Belt have
studied the culture of their communities in a unique way. They have celebrated their assets
and dissected their issues through the lenses of 35mm cameras. The project, Black Belt 100
Lenses, is a joint endeavor between the Black Belt Community Foundation and the University
of Alabama Center for Community Based Partnerships.
This Spring, Black Belt 100 Lenses will be featured in the Artworks Corridor at the Montgomery
Museum of Arts in Montgomery, Ala. Students from Sumter County whose photographs will be
included are Destynni Burrell, Tykesha Burrell, Cephas Foy, LaGracia Gibbs, Joey Jones,
Sylvia Turner, and Jessica Ward. Selected photographs from Bullock, Greene, Hale, Perry,
and Macon counties will also be on display until March 21, 2010. A public reception will be held
on Thursday, March 11, 2010 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in conjunction with the reception for Tin
Man: The Art of Charlie Lucas. Students will also have the opportunity to talk with Charlie
Lucas and attend his book signing prior to the reception.
To learn more about the Black Belt 100 Lenses project, www.blackbelt100lenses.org or
contact Whitney Green, Arts Coordinator at 334.874.1126 or wgreen@blackbeltfound.org.
To learn more about BBCF and its other programs, visit www.blackbeltfound.org or e-mail
info@blackbeltfound.org.
To learn more about how you can support BBCF, visit www.blackbeltfound.org or contact
Amanda Carroll Barnes, Development Director at 334.874.1126 or abarnes@blackbeltfound.
org.
Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen Pageant
The 2010 Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen Pageant will take place this weekend at
Sylacauga High School in Sylacauga Alabama. The pageant will include twenty-nine 13-17
year olds from across the state. This year’s competition will award over $300,000 in Cash and
In Kind scholarships. This weekend’s competition will include a private interview with the judges,
on stage fitness routine, talent, and evening wear competition.
Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen, is a sister organization to the Miss America Scholarship
Organization. Miss America is the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for women.
There will be two preliminary competitions on Saturday March 6 at 2 and 6 p.m. with the final
competition and award presentation on Sunday afternoon. Tickets will be available at the door
for all performances.
For information on becoming a contestant or volunteer, you can visit the website at www.
outstandingteen.homestead.com.
Community Foundation Grant Applications Available
The Community Foundation of West Alabama announces its Spring Grant Cycle. Grant
applications for the community grants are available for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations only.
Applications must be postmarked no later than April 1. Those interested are encouraged to
download the grant applications from our website at www.thecfwa.org or you may call the
CFWA office at 366-0698.
Livingston First Baptist Church Kids Musical
All children of grades 1-6 are invited to participate in a new musical that leaders have begun at
Livingston First Baptist Church. Kids may come at 4 p.m. to practice and be involved in
activities geared toward learning script and lively songs of "Truth Works," by Nan and Dennis
Allen. The musical is centered around sports scenarios and the choices that kids have to
make in everyday situations. At 5 p.m. the learning changes to Bible skills classes. Snacks will
be served. There is also a class for Kindergarten children. If transportation to these events is
needed, you may call the church office at 652-2261 during the week.
SBA EIDL Deadline Approaching
The U.S. Small Business Administration reminds small businesses affected by the excessive
rains and flooding the began in March 2009 in Barbour, Henry, Houston and Russell counties
in Alabama of the March 22 deadline to file applications for loan assistance. The SBA’s
Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, with loan amounts up to $2 million with a 4 percent
interest rate for businesses and 3 percent for non-profit organizations, is available to entities
that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster.
Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible
farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this
disaster.
The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its
financial resources. Terms can be up to 30 years based on each applicant’s financial
condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts
payable, and other expenses that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The
loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer
Service Center 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through
Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.
gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s Web site at www.sba.
gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small
Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort
Worth, TX 76155.
Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure Web site at
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than March 22.
T-Ball Registration
Monday, March 22, 5:30 p.m. at the Livingston Civic Center. Cost is $35.00 per child (includes
cap, jersey, trophy, and end of year party). Ages 3-5. Head coaches are needed. If interested
in coaching please attend meeting for further discussion.
First Presbyterian Church of Livingston Commemorative Inscription
The First Presbyterian Church of Livingston is offering the opportunity to place an inscribed
paver to commemorate loved ones in the pavilion area of our future playground development.
The projected completion date of this project is the summer of 2010. Order forms are available
at the church or you may call (205) 652-2550 to have a form mailed to you. All orders must be
received by Sunday, March 21.
2nd Annual Panola Community Hayride & Family Fun Day
Come out to the Panola Community Center on Claude Jackson Road in Panola March 20
beginning at 10 a.m. for the second annual Panola Community Hayride and Family Fun Day.
There will be free food, hay rides, horse back rides, 4-wheelers, tractor rides and fun!
Sponcered by the Tri-County Trial Riders.
Tablescapes Event Coming Again to Livingston
At least 15 local and area individuals or groups plan to provide tablescapes this year at
Livingston First Baptist Church on March 14. Since the event last year was so well attended
(over 100 came), groups met recently to decide on planning this year’s luncheon. The meal will
be catered, LFBC youth will serve and a special inspirational Women’s speaker and humorist
will come to encourage the attendees. Special music will be provided by Janice Poole of
Emelle. Theme for this year is “Treasures of the Heart,” and the tables will be decorated to
suggest scripture verse thoughts. Tickets are $10 and are available from the group members
who are providing tablescapes or from Muriel Powell 652.7500 at the Bigbee Baptist
Associational Office. One may also secure information from Lenora Hamrick at 652.2429 or
Mary Alice Snider at 652.7853.
Individuals from area communities and churches, from Cuba to Eutaw, Alabama are working on
table decorations. The planners are excited about this spring gathering and want to invite all
area women to put the date on their calenders: March 14 at 12:45 p.m. A nursery for young
children or babies will be provided.
UWA Offers Free Income Tax Preparation Through April 15
The University of West Alabama and the Greene/Sumter Enterprise Community, Inc. are
offering free income tax help until April 15 through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Program, sponsored by the IRS.
Through this program, UWA students and faculty will interview clients and prepare individual
state and federal income tax returns at no charge. VITA is designed to help individuals with
disabilities or with a low or limited income, as well as non-English speaking and elderly
taxpayers.
The VITA clinic will offer income tax return preparation services Mondays from 2-4 p.m.,
Wednesdays from noon-2 p.m., and Thursdays from 2-6 p.m. until April 15. Assistance is also
available by appointment. The VITA clinic is in Wallace Hall room 214 on the UWA campus.
Taxpayers should bring social security cards for themselves and their dependents, W-2 and
1099 forms, information for other income or deductions and credits, and a copy of last year’s
tax return when they visit the VITA clinic.
For more information or to make an appointment, please contact the VITA clinic at 205-652-
3846, 205-392-1166 or vita@uwa.edu.
Sumter County Soil and Water Conservation District Poster and Essay Contests
The Sumter County Soil and Water Conservation District will be sponsoring an essay contest
for all 7th – 12th grade students in Sumter County. The topic for this year is “Conservation
Habits = Healthy Habitats.” Each essay must include the youth’s name, address, grade,
school, and county, and be 300 – 500 words in length.
Winners in the senior level (10th – 12th) will receive $100 for first place, $75 for second place,
and $50 for third place. Junior level winners (7th – 9th) will receive $50 for first place, $35 for
second place, and $25 for third place. The deadline for the essays to be submitted is April 2.
For more information on the essay contest and a copy of the guidelines, please contact
Mandee Carrier at 652-7521.
The Sumter County Soil and Water Conservation District is sponsoring a poster contest for
Kindergarten – Sixth Grade students in Sumter County. The topic for this year is
“Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats.”
Poster paper will be provided to students who would like to participate in this contest. Groups
are divided as follows: Kindergarten – First Grade, Second – Third Grade, and Fourth – Sixth
Grade. The winner from each group will receive a $75 gift certificate from Wal-Mart, which will
be used to purchase supplies for his/her class.
The teacher of the winner will select the supplies for the class. In addition, the winner will
receive $25 from the Sumter County Soil and Water Conservation District.
All posters must be turned in by April 2. For more information on the poster contest and a
copy of the guidelines, please contact Mandee Carrier at 652-7521.
Comfort Care Hospice is Seeking Volunteers
Anyone interested in giving their time to others, please call 334-289-2106.
J Camp
The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) will be holding its 10th annual J Camp, a
five-day career development program sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, on July
30-Aug. 4 at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Cali. All application materials are
due in San Francisco by April 2. Applicants must be high school freshmen, sophomores, or
juniors (at least 16 years old by July 30, 2010) who are interested in or thinking about
journalism as a career. Go to the AAJA website, http://www.aaja.org, and the AAJA J Camp
Facebook page, for more information.