Courier Journal Online

October 5, 2005

Monthly Art Events in Downtown
First Fridays
By Jill Oliver for the Courier Journal

FLORENCE - First Fridays takes place on the first Friday of every month. It is sponsored by Downtown Florence Unlimited and organized by DFU president, Lori Davis. “It is an opportunity for artists and musicians to sell and demonstrate their art and play their music, and for people to experience the beautiful historic downtown we have,” said Davis.
The monthly art and music nights stemmed from the Main Street Program’s Art Nights, which happened every Thursday in October of last year. It has now progressed into First Fridays, and will last year round from 5-8pm the first Friday of every month in downtown Florence.
There is no fee charged to artists or performers for booth space. This is a wonderful opportunity for area artists and musicians to gain exposure. We have already drawn interest from artists and attendees from Huntsville, Nashville, Memphis, Birmingham, Tupelo, and other surrounding areas.
For art, music, shopping and fellowship, come enjoy a family friendly environment like no other in the area. Enjoy dinner downtown then have a leisurely stroll through a festive Court Street. Parking is available on the streets and in the City of Florence public parking garage. Join co-workers or bring your family to experience the wonderful excitement downtown Florence has to offer.
This month, a special “Silent Art Auction” will take place with participating artists (look for a silent bid sign-up sheet at the individual booths and in the Lori Davis Gallery). All proceeds will go to the Hurricane Katrina emergency relief fund set up by the Southern Arts Federation and the Alabama State Council of the Arts. Distribution and decisions on the use of funds will be made by state arts agencies.
Artists, musicians and performers should schedule exhibit locations in advance. Contact Lori Davis, President Downtown Florence Unlimited (DFU) at 256-766-7410, Monday through Friday, 10am-5pm. On the web at http://www.downtownflorenceunlimited.org/. Email: info@firstfridaysflorence.com.

Florence High School Thespians Helping Katrina Victims
Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat

FLORENCE - Florence High School’s Thespian Troupe 2273 is participating in The Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat programs. Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat is a new national community service program for International Thespian Society member schools to collect canned and dry goods for local charities and food banks. Thespian troupes from across the nation are participating in the program.
This campaign is designed to run during the entire month of October in an effort to assist in providing for the needs of the thousands of displaced people from Hurricane Katrina. Non-perishable food items including bottled water will be donated to the Food Bank of Northwest Alabama, a local branch of America’s Second Harvest.
Orange barrels will be placed at participating merchants and locations throughout the City of Florence, to accept donations. Members of the FHS Drama Department will get these items to the local food bank.
This campaign will continue to run through Halloween night when the FHS Drama students will go in costume door-to-door asking for donations of canned foods. We appreciate your support “because hunger is a very scary thing.”

CANCER AWARENESS
Screenings Encouraged

SHEFFIELD - Every two minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer in women has increased from 1 in 20 in 1960 to 1 in 7 today, according to www.breastcancer.com.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to encourage a mammogram screening, Helen Keller Hospital will offer a prepaid, reduced rate of $55 October 10-14 and October 17-21, radiologist’s reading included. A physician order and appointment are required for screening. This screening is not for women who have implants.
Mammograms may be scheduled on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am until 4:30pm. Thursday mammo-gram appointments may be scheduled from 10am-6:30pm.
“We are pleased to be offering this affordable service to our community”, said Pam Odom R.R.T.(M) from Helen Keller Hospital’s Radiology Department. “We have had so many patients who can meet their healthcare needs through our special rate.”
Call Helen Keller Hospital’s Radiology Department at 256-386-4516 to schedule a mammogram.

Backyard Will Match Relief

SHOALS - On October 5, restaurants across the state will participate in an industry-wide nationwide event, Dine for America, organized by the National Restaurant Association, to help raise money for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
In 2001 Dine for America participants collectively raised more than $20 million for the victims of September 11, with Alabama restaurants raising over $600,000 in one day. The Alabama Restaurant Association hopes to exceed that goal with the October 5 event.
As a show of commitment to the Dine for America event, Backyard Burgers in Florence and Muscle Shoals, members of the Alabama Restaurant Association, will match all contributions made at the restaurants through Wednesday October 5, which is Dine for America Day.
A website dedicated to this event, including listings of participating restaurants, can be viewed at http://www.dineforamerica.org/ or http://www.alabamarestaurants.com/.

Keller Annual Jewelry Sale

SHEFFIELD - Do you like great jewelry at bargain prices? Then the place to be on October 10 and 11 is Helen Keller Hospital. On both of these dates, the Helen Keller Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary will conduct its annual Fall Jewelry Sale in the main lobby at the hospital. Hours of operation will be Monday, October 10, 7am-8pm and Tuesday, October 11, 7am-4pm.
The Phantasia Jewelry sale, hosted by the Auxiliary, offers each piece of quality, costume jewelry for only $5. Jewelry is offered in silver-tones, gold-tones, and with or without rhinestones.
All proceeds from the Jewelry Sale benefit the Helen Keller Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary for its education fund. The Hospital’s volunteers were organized in 1960 by Louise Isbell Ashe and have provided continuous assistance at Helen Keller Hospital since that time.
For more information on the Phantasia Jewelry Sale or volunteer opportunities at the hospital, call 386-4153.