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Recent Blog Posts
This image of Hop City's Birmingham location is from the company's website. ABC bottles up Hop City's homebrew plans by Ben_Cunningham
Sep 22, 2012 |  0 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend
Alabama’s beer laws have been changing fast, but not fast enough for people who want to make beer themselves — or those who want to sell them the stuff to do it. Count the folks at Hop City in the latter category. Kraig Torres, who’s run a store by that name in Atlanta since 2009, plan...
9KEX_bolt.jpg Performance Enhancement Is In The Sporting Airs by furllow
Sep 19, 2012 |  0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
The fastest man ever, all looking bitter, seemed baffled by the utterances made by a former world champion which pointed to the fact that the former's performance is held in doubt. "I have no respect for him," Bolt said of Carl Lewis. "The things he says about track athletes is really downgrading...
Looking for inspiration to write by yoemark
Sep 19, 2012 |  0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
For a long time to be part of the blogger really get a lot of knowledge I get. Starting from the way ethical, writing new science search engine, get banya friends and to be able to get more value for foraging. Although others have stepped away and I am still struggling with the uncertain conditio...
Sepeda Motor Bebek Injeksi Kencang dan Irit Jupiter Z1 by khoyung
Sep 19, 2012 |  0 comments | 6 6 recommendations | email to a friend
Wieder die berühmten Motorradherstellers Yamaha reproduzieren Sie ihr neue Produkt, das die Entwicklung der alten Variante ist. Sepeda Motor Bebek Injeksi Kencang Dan Irit Jupiter Z1 ist die neueste Variante von Bebek, die durch Einspritztechniken abgeschlossen ist, nachdem erfolgreich a...
Ask by JohnBagwell
Sep 15, 2012 |  0 comments | 17 17 recommendations | email to a friend
Our house has recently become a way station for lizards.  You know, the small Anole type lizards you see scurrying around outside?  Well now we have them in our house.  What is more, these little green travelers are here by invitation.  You see, my daughter loves catching them, but keeping them...
Tamera Mccullough by mccullough
Sep 14, 2012 |  0 comments | 7 7 recommendations | email to a friend
The hosting coupons are available for all http://www.01hosting.com/hostgator-coupon-promo/ plans including hatchling , baby, business, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, diamond, vps and basic, standard, elite, pro dedicated servers
The indescribable, imbibable hop. Hopping South by Ben_Cunningham
Sep 10, 2012 |  0 comments | 6 6 recommendations | email to a friend
So, I've been reading about hops, the amazing little flowers that give beer its bitterness. On a recent trip to Oregon, I visited a homebrewer who had two tall, magnificent bines growing from planters in his backyard. Since I got back, I've been curious about the potential for growing hops here ...
D4XU_IMG_3887.JPG A LITTLE BIT OF PARADISE IN YOUR GARDEN by SherryBlanton
Sep 09, 2012 |  0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend
About this time of the year many of our summer flowers are beginning to look a little faded but the fall flowers are coming into their own. One of these is the ginger lily (hedychium) which blooms mid to late summer/early fall giving your garden a vibrant burst of color. Ginger lily blooms are n...
3JXM_alby_profile_pic.png by harryeladaffa
Sep 08, 2012 |  0 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend
Bring up the subject of “beginner’s bikes” in just about any corner of the motoworld and you’ll get about as many opinions on what a beginner motorcycle is as there are motorcycles. Rarely will motorcycle manufacturers specifically label or market a model as Brand X’s bike for the first-time ...
Potency of Potential by JohnBagwell
Sep 08, 2012 |  0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"  It is a question I ask my two daughters once in a while, and mostly around their birthdays.  I want to see what they are thinking, and remind them that a day is coming when they will seek and hopefully find their place in this world according to God's...

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 | 87 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 | 100 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 | 120 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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