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Recent Blog Posts
Beason: Dems don’t want to solve illegal immigration problem by AnnistonStar
Feb 07, 2011 |  0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
CULLMAN — Alabama Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, spoke at the Cullman County Republican Party breakfast on Saturday, focusing on the topic of illegal immigration and how he believes lawmakers can resolve the issue. The senator said that he believes that Alabama lawmakers are behind in enact...
UAB's plans for football stadium affect Legion Field's future by AnnistonStar
Feb 07, 2011 |  0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
Plans by the University of Alabama at Birmingham to build an on-campus stadium hasten the need to either rebrand and market Legion Field for other uses or finally move to abandon the landmark, Birmingham  and sports officials say.      UAB officials last week unveiled as part of their revise...
Alabama gambling money network dissolves by AnnistonStar
Feb 07, 2011 |  0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
A network of political action committees has been partially dismantled, months after helping to funnel nearly $6.3 million from gambling interests into 2010 political campaigns, financial disclosure forms show. Since the Nov. 2 election, 50 PACs that handled money from state casino and racetra...
Shelby Co. Sheriff’s office: two businesses busted for selling ‘fake weed’ by AnnistonStar
Feb 07, 2011 |  0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
The Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force served search warrants Feb. 3 on two local businesses suspected of selling salvia divinorum, commonly known as “serenity” or “fake weed.” Officers searched Mark’s Quick Stop, located and 1520 Highway 70 in Columbiana, and Charlie’s Bait and Tackle,...
BGYG_yoga_on_the_rocks_009.jpg Meditation for Everyone by YOGAnniston
Feb 04, 2011 |  0 comments | 7 7 recommendations | email to a friend
  By Mariya Bullock      ANNISTON YOGA CENTER “The Heavens themselves, the Planets, and this centre, observe degree, priority, and place.” …William Shakespeare     We have all had times when life challenges us… Sometimes we have to resolve our   problems which can...
Hokes Bluff man convicted in Calhoun County expected to plead guilty in Etowah County in sodomy case by AnnistonStar
Feb 04, 2011 |  1 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
A Hokes Bluff man sentenced Wednesday in Calhoun County for sodomy of a teenager two years ago is expected to be in court next week in Etowah County. Michael Todd Bennich, 42, was sentenced in Calhoun County to three years in prison and will be on probation for an additional 12 years. Re...
Young Tuscaloosa County mother arrested after meth lab found next to her sleeping toddler by AnnistonStar
Feb 04, 2011 |  0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
A mother was arrested Thursday after Tuscaloosa County sheriff’s deputies say they found an active meth lab next to the bed where her 2-year-old was sleeping. .art_main_pic { width: 250px; float: left; clear: left; } Alice Livingston, 21, was charged with illegal manufacturing of a contr...
Officer shoots man accused of attacking judge with crutch in Goodwater courtroom by AnnistonStar
Feb 04, 2011 |  0 comments | 10 10 recommendations | email to a friend
When a man tried to hit a city court judge with a crutch in the small Coosa County city of Goodwater on Thursday, the judge pulled a gun. When the man tried to take the gun away from the judge, a police officer shot him, an Alabama state trooper said. The man, identified by family, friends ...
Payroll back up at state’s three largest universities by AnnistonStar
Feb 04, 2011 |  0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
The state’s three largest universities were forced to cut payroll to accommodate a nearly 10 percent proration hit in 2010.  But with proration off the table for fiscal year 2011, records for the first three months of the latest budget year show the University of Alabama, Auburn University and...
Man accused of dumping horse, donkey and dog carcasses on neighbor's property by AnnistonStar
Feb 04, 2011 |  0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
A man accused of dumping animal carcasses on a neighbor’s property in Seminole remained in the Baldwin County Corrections Center on Thursday after turning himself in Wednesday evening, according to Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack.  Allen Dewayne Kleinschmidt, 34, was charged with criminal littering a...

Today's Events
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Wednesday, 19, 2013
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Pond Spring- The Gener... 3:50 PM
Oxford Farmers market 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM
Join us for the kick-off of Oxford's first...
Oxford Farmers market 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM
Join us for the kick-off of Oxford's first...
Hip Hop Hope Vacation ... 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM
$0 The Living by Faith Ministry will host Vac...
George Smith: I just love watching Ozzie ...
Jun 19, 2013 | 73 views |  0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend | print

WEDNESDAY’S LIST . . . of beans ’n greens ’n other things:

***

DON’T TELL me I’ve nothing to do.

From the window of my barn I see Ozzie coming through the hedgerow from next door. I like Ozzie a lot, but I’m not sure he feels the same. Efforts to pet and feed over the years have been a flop at best.

What Ozzie likes to do is hunt. I mean really hunt.

You see, Ozzie is a brindle, bob-tailed, three-legged cat and he loves to feed on whatever he can find in the hedgerow across my back yard, including field mice and squirrels.

Ozzie is flat out deadly, too.

Since losing his right front leg to a tumor a couple of years back, he has taught himself a new way to hunt. He keeps stalking to a minimum. But with the patience of Job, he settles down and waits for a meal to come within striking distance.

When the meal does, it’s “Wham” and Ozzie heads for the dinner table.

He’s a wonder to watch ...

^^^

IT IS A typical day at the Smith Estate. I am out in my barn kicked back in what I call “Archie’s Recliner.” I am reading a book, listening to Merle Haggard on the stereo, and watching TV (how’s that for multi-tasking, huh?) The blonde is out and about.

The phone rings. It is from the blonde. She is at Sears in the Quintard Mall ...

“Sweetheart, I’m at Sears looking at vacuum cleaners. I can get a small one to go with a regular one. What do you think I should do?”

Recovering from the shock of her asking my permission for anything, I agree to the double dip and then make a mistake with “What’s going on, you asking my permission?”

From the other end, there is a happy laugh with:

“It’d be different if it were shoes and a dress.”

I managed a quiet goodbye (without choking), hung up, and went back to singing along with Merle. It seemed fitting he was in the middle of “I’m Gonna Sit Right Here And Drink” at the time.

^^^

JOE ESTEP deserves a standing ovation. Joe runs the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame and, this past Saturday night, put together another classic.

Held at the “new” Oxford Civic Center, the 2013 induction played to a near packed house.

Outstanding Joe, outstanding.

^^^

FOR THOSE asking, the Peach Man’s tomatoes are a week away, but Ken Easterling will be at Regions in Oxford on Friday morning at 6 with another load of Chilton County peaches.

If no sell-out in Oxford he heads for the Anniston post office along about 8 . . . but don’t bet he gets there.

^^^

IF YOU’RE lining up at the Walmart deli at Lenlock, I hope you get lucky and a young lady by the name of Vanesa Durham waits on you. She did for me a few days back and while I’ve had an unpleasant moment or two there, Vanesa left me feeling pretty good.

Walmart could use more like her.

^^^

BIRTHDAYS: June 12 – Annette Vice; June 14 – Sage Snow; June 15 – Twins Brettnie and Dakota Smith; June 17 – Aiden Lloyd; 11; June 18 – Don Beabout.

And Jeff Jones, June 17. A member of a vanishing breed (The Great Generation), Jeff drove a “weasel” jeep ashore at Normandy, June 6, 1944.

^^^

QUOTABLE: “My doctor tells me I should start slowing it down - but there are more old drunks than there are old doctors so let's all have another round.”

                       --Willie Nelson

Thanks for visiting ...

-----

George Smith may be reached at 256-239-5286 or email: gsmith731@gmail.com.

 

 

Tim Tebow works out at a Patriots practice. (AP photo)
Tim Tebow works out at a Patriots practice. (AP photo)
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All-Calhoun County girls soccer: Cain led Jacksonville girls to a special season
by Brandon Miller
Jun 18, 2013 | 93 views |  0 comments | 6 6 recommendations | email to a friend | print
JACKSONVILLE — Everything came together for the Jacksonville High girls soccer team this year, and its hard work paid off. “This year we were trying to get a theme of excellence and a spirit of excellence into everything they did in life,” said Sam Cain, who is The Anniston Star’s Calhoun County girls soccer coach of the year. “One of my girls, Allison Judge, was valedictorian this year. Being successful off the field is what I think transferred to the field for the whole time.” Cain knew going into the season Jacksonville had a special team, which wound up going 8-0 against Calhoun County teams and making the quarterfinals of the Class 1A-4A state playoffs. The squad also was fourth in the state rankings, the highest of any girls team at Jacksonville, and won a school-record 16 games. “I just knew this was probably one of the best teams that we’ve probably had up here because they’ve been around for a long time and I knew the character and make-up of the team,” Cain said. “They looked out for each other and wanted to play for each other more than just themselves. I just felt that since they liked and wanted to play so hard for their teammates so much that we’d have a good season.” Jacksonville fell to Guntersville 2-1 in the state quarterfinals, but Cain said the reaction to that loss was the biggest memory he will take from the season. “Even after defeat, the emotion that the girls showed after game made it all worthwhile,” Cain said. “It meant a lot that it meant so much to them that they were upset about a loss and their hearts were into it. “It was heartbreaking to see, but it felt good to see they cared that much.” One of the players that didn’t take the loss lightly was senior star Sharon Osterbind, The Star’s girls soccer player of the year. “We worked as hard as we could in the last game and it just didn’t go how we wanted it to, but I wish I could have scored another goal or someone else would have scored another goal and we would have won or tied,” she said. “But it just didn’t work out.” Although Cain loses five seniors to graduation, he still has confidence looking ahead. “It’s going to be hard to replace those girls, but those girls set a good example for the ones coming up,” he said. “One of the younger girls kept talking this year about wanting to be like her older teammates, so I think most the ones coming back want to follow the same path.” Brandon Miller covers prep sports for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3575 or follow him on Twitter @bmiller_star.
All-Calhoun County girls soccer team -- complete list
by Brandon Miller
Jun 18, 2013 | 112 views |  0 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend | print
FIRST TEAM Kiyana Bullock So., 5-8, F • Anniston Noteworthy: Bullock handled a versatile role to the Bulldogs, playing nearly every position on the field. She finished in the season with seven assists and three goals. Laura Davenport Fr., 5-7, MF • Oxford Noteworthy: Davenport worked the hardest for the Yellow Jackets and led the team in goals this past season. The freshman was also one of the team’s captains. Marissa Davis Sr., 5-1, D • Donoho Noteworthy: Davis was a team captain the past three seasons and brought relentless play to the Lady Falcons’ defense. Allison Judge Sr., 5-7, ATH • Jacksonville Noteworthy: Judge played nearly every position for the Golden Eagles. Jacksoville’s valedictorian scored two goals and had eight assists. Mattison Lowery Fr., 5-5, GK • Jacksonville Noteworthy: Lowery allowed an average of only 1.1 goals a game for the Golden Eagles. She made 112 saves and recorded seven shutouts. Quenteeria Mooney Soph., 5-10, D • Jacksonville Noteworthy: Mooney was a relentless defender who won half of her battles last season. She also recorded three assists and a goal. Sharon Osterbind Sr., 6-1, F • Jacksonville Noteworthy: Osterbind led the Golden Eagles with 44 goals and 18 assists, but also played a larger role for the run. The UAB signee served as a coach on the field and played the largest role in Jacksonville’s state quarterfinals run. Virginia Poe So., 5-10, MF • Jacksonville Noteworthy: Poe defended and scored for the Golden Eagles. The sophomore finished the season with 37 goals and 17 assists. Miranda Schoening Fr., 5-11, GK • Oxford Noteworthy: Schoening kept the Yellow Jackets in most games with her outstanding play in goal. The freshman was also the heart of the defense. Katherine Westbrook Sr., 5-9, MF • Donoho Noteworthy: Westbrook provided steady leadership on both sides of the ball for the Falcons. The senior recorded 16 goals this past season. Leslie Williams Jr., 4-10, F • Donoho Noteworthy: Williams broke onto the scene as the Falcons leader in goals scored with 27, as she helped Donoho make a second-round playoff run. Maddy Oblena Soph., 5-3, MF • Sacred Heart Noteworthy: Oblena was all over the field for the Cardinals, leading Sacred Heart with her offensive and defensive play. Second TEAM Anniston — Raven Cooley, Tahlyia Knox; Oxford — Tristan Lackey, Aniya Mahaffey; Jacksonville — Ashton Wells, Elizabeth Poe, Cindee Tang, Jordan Terry, Kaila Green; Donoho — Lily Wiedmer; Sacred Heart — Haili Clark.
Sharon Osterbind had 44 goals and 18 assists in helping Jacksonville advance to the Class 1A-4A girls state soccer quarterfinals. (Photo by Bill Wilson/Anniston Star)
Sharon Osterbind had 44 goals and 18 assists in helping Jacksonville advance to the Class 1A-4A girls state soccer quarterfinals. (Photo by Bill Wilson/Anniston Star)
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