Community Blogs
Read blogs posts annistonstar.com Community Bloggers.
Behind The Star by Bob Davis
The Bitter End by Ben Cunningham
Chris on Tech by Chris Williams
The Church Lady by Jan Case
Clip2Save by Theresa Shadrix
Community Connections by Anna-Marie Moorer
Faith and Family by John Bagwell
Garden Goings On by Paula Barnett-Ellis and Sherry Blanton
Kaleidoscopic by Brian Robinson
Mileage by Mercy Pilkington
Munford Mixer by Jami Van Brocklin
Musings by Debra Parker Thomas
Prevention Works! by Julie Hope
Savory Servings by RaDonna Ridner-Thurman
Tri Talk by Brooke Nelson
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Blogs
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Recent Blog Posts
How to Love Unconditionally by JohnBagwell
Feb 10, 2013 | 
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With Valentine's Day approaching this week, much will be spent on flowers, chocolate, and small baubles as men of all ages seek to communicate in just the right way the simple words: "I love you". February 14th is a day when some will even seek out the bonds of marriage, while some others may ... | 34 | 
Come Stay With Us in Kelowna BC and Have the Time of Your Life by KelownaCondosFeb 06, 2013 |
Kelowna BC in the Okanagan Valley is often described as one of the most beautiful places on earth. Combine that with numerous warm, clean lakes for endless recreational opportunities. dozens of vineyards and wineries, numerous world class golf courses, hiking, biking, water sports, fishing, win... | 9 | 
ESER Unlimited Power Bank by khoyungJan 30, 2013 |
ESER Unlimited Power Bank , We all understand that today's modern gadgets dizaman've so its own purposes, where the availability of means of communication can be very needed and we had a little problem to say track unlimited power tools a reliable bank indeed is not easy. It takes the abi... | 9 |
by Ramubonax
Jan 30, 2013 |
you could anticipate for trustworthy and also the planet class locksmith services. Locksmith Richfield MN presents you trustworthy and trustworthy services. You are able to trust Locksmith for higher class Locksmith services. For optimum selection of Locksmith services speak to Locksmith. Con... | 9 |
What do you REALLY need? by JohnBagwell
Jan 27, 2013 |
Walk up to the average person and ask them what they want. With reasonable certainty, I could guess that they would say they would want money, a new home (or current mortgage paid off), a new car, or to be debt free. There are a few others out there I know who might say something like World P... | 38 | 
Upcoming Garden Events by SherryBlantonJan 25, 2013 |
Feb. 18, Monday, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m, Calhoun County Beautification Board Tree Give-away at Golden Springs (Fred's Dept. Store) Feb. 21, Thursday, 3:30 p.m., Arbor Day Celebration at JSU International House Feb. 22, Friday, 3 p,m to 5 p.m., Tree Give-away on the Jacksonville Square April ... | 11 |
January 22, 1973 by JohnBagwell
Jan 20, 2013 |
I'm taking off work this Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013. You see, my youngest daughter was born on January 22nd, and each year, with each of my daughters, I take them on a day-long father-daughter date. Together we choose where to go, what to do, and I take them shopping for a new dress, a new b... | 65 |
What more can HE say? by JohnBagwell
Jan 12, 2013 |
I begin this article with some measure of trepidation. You see, I'm not sure how you, the reader, will perceive it. I know what I am about to try to communicate, but in all things written, you the reader will read into this article from your own personal perceptions, experiences, and backgrou... | 18 |
How Acoustic Guitar is Made by chrispen
Jan 08, 2013 |
Once upon a time, crafting the body of a guitar took a lot of hand tools, artisanal skill and time. But today, most mass manufactured guitars are made with a variety of templates and heavy machinery that allow workers to quickly cut and piece together quality guitars. Thanks to innovations in th... | 10 |
Roseville MN Locksmith by Csyolvin
Jan 07, 2013 |
Roseville MN Locksmith possess a team of technicians who requires care of challenges coming in locks. It is possible to even get alarm process with locks in order that if somebody is making something wrong you could determine that. . Rowlett TX Locksmith provides you a wide selection of tech... | 9 | Follow Us
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Today's Events
event calendar 
Tuesday, 18, 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...
Anniston Middle School
Editorial: The shattered world of Anniston Middle School
Jun 18, 2013 | 342 views | 
| 9 | | Anniston Middle School
Last month, after decades of debate, the Anniston Board of Education voted to close the school on Alabama 21 and move its students to other campuses as part of a system-wide reorganization and cost-cutting measure.
Last week, Superintendent Joan Frazier announced her retirement for June 2014, meaning someone else -- possibly from outside the system hierarchy -- will shepherd the system through the middle school’s closure.
And Tuesday, the state Board of Education included Anniston Middle on its list of “failing” schools that, as part of the Alabama Accountability Act, will allow parents zoned for AMS to receive tax credits if they transfer elsewhere.
For the Anniston Board of Education, the state board’s list of 78 “failing” schools represents two different headlines -- both significant. No other Anniston schools made the list. (For that matter, Anniston Middle was the only school in Calhoun County to be deemed “failing” by the state board.)
Anniston High School, whose dropout and graduation rates have long been serious civic concerns, and the system’s five elementary schools are free of both the stigma and the practicality of being considered “failing” institutions. We are glad that’s the case.
But the other headline didn’t bring a sigh of relief to a city desperate to use public education in its efforts to reinvent the city’s outlook on vital matters such as job creation, economic growth and crime reduction. A city without vibrant and well-supported public schools is a city that struggles to educate its children and sustain its future. A city without successful public schools is a city that faces stagnation and decline, not prosperity.
That is Anniston’s struggle today.
Our advice is to consider Anniston Middle School’s label as a “failing” school as part old news and part opportunity. Don’t overreact.
Instead, see Anniston Middle as what it is -- a school already destined for closure. That’s not a rationalization; it’s a fact. What’s important now is the system’s still-developing reorganization that, once completed, is expected to lessen the system’s fiscal concerns.
More important, still, is this community’s understanding that the education of the children within Anniston’s public schools must be a grade-A priority. It is not the priority solely of the city’s educators or its black community, whose children are overwhelmingly the majority of the city’s schools. It must be a priority for all who want Anniston to prosper.
Make no mistake: We are disappointed that the state considers Anniston Middle School a “failing” school. But we cannot lose focus on the larger, vital picture -- the reinvention of Anniston’s school system and the improvement of its public education. The ailments are well known. Repairing them with hard work and rational decisions is the key.
Fifteen-year-old Christel Trainer paints on the Dr. Francis museum. Photo: Anita Kilgore/The Jacksonville News
