May 30, 2009

Morning came at 8:30 AM with the First Semi-Annual Tomato Walk, held at Burrell Walking Park, on Ray Sawyer Dr. At least 20 to 25 energetic, "bright eyed and bushy tailed", walkers showed up to support the Chickasaw Garden club. This evening the Chickasaw United Methodist Church featured a movie and car show at the

Amphitheatre and Civic Center. A fairly large contingent of beautifully restored vehicles showed up and were a joy to behold. The movie began at sundown,

masterfully handled by Steve Warren and his son.

Went over to West Lee Street to meet with the city inspector at a location where a new business wishes to open. The application will go before the Commercial Board
to vote their decision. Then it was on to the police station to edit a $25,000 grant
which needed to be submitted by the "other" grant specialist this afternoon. During the evening hours the Smalltown Alabama and Chamber jointly discussed the large upcoming 2010 event to be held in October of next year. (see picture)

May 27, 2009

The Chickasaw Kiwanis gave a $1,000. donation to Kathy Couey for assistance with the summer recreation program. This afternoon I had conversations wth the Mayor and Public Safety Director about new business coming into our town and congratulated him on the settlement with the Chickasaw Civic Theatre. Part of tomorrow will be spent editing a new grant application.

May 24, ,2009

This morning the whole crew attended services at Roswell Street Baptist Church (see photo) We then went to lunch at Dreamland Barbeque and over to the North Mall to let Debbie Jo look at the dolls at American Girl. After some ice cream and a tour of the north end of the city, we returned home to watch the Movie: Iron Man.
We will head back to Chickasaw tomorrow after lunch.

May 23, 2009

Horrendously rainy day traveling from Chickasaw to Atlanta, but we made it with very little problems except very tired eyes. We met the kids and little Debbie Jo at the Hotel and beat a path to Chili's to get a bite to eat. Pictured are Deborah, Debbie Jo with chocolate syrup on cheek and her mom, Courtney. Planning on meeting them at church tomorrow morning.

May 21, 2009

The Chickasaw Chamber Of Commerce met this morning as a board and also for our monthly catered luncheon. The event was sponsored by Southern Ionics and their new plant manager, Gill Craig. Ms. Judy Culbreath, editor for Mobile Bay Magazine, gave us a slide presentation and an interesting disscussion about the what makes the periodical worthwhile, even down to selecting the front cover. We also presented the first annual Recycling Award to Jennifer White on behalf of the Historic Society. They had managed to save over 200 pounds of paper products. Later this afternoon
Ed Baxley, Cecilia Ann Dailey and I attended a Shell Oil community board meeting
headed up by Chad McDaniel and learned that Shell right here in Saraland makes the JP-8 jet fuel used in President Obama's: Air Force I, as well as the other military planes. In fact Shell has a 138,000,000 gallon yearly contract with the US Government.

May 20, 2009

A good portion of my morning was utilized reading and editing Chickasaw's grant applications for a multi-use "quint" fire truck, gas detector and a simulator for fire training, then emailing them to Ms. Graham. At 6:00 PM we had a consortium meeting which included the Industrial Development Board and the Port Of Chickasaw businessmen. We were able to impart some information to them concerning Port of Mobile matching grant deadlines and our success in obtaining a Viaduct Rd. enlargement grant. Ed Baxley has offered to take me to Shell Oil to look at their firefighting training center. Our next meeting with the Port is set for August
19, 2009