E-news August 10, 2011
by mercypilkington
 Mileage
Aug 10, 2011 | 2770 views |  0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink
ARC member Gordon Harvey at the SF Marathon
ARC member Gordon Harvey at the SF Marathon
slideshow

Good afternoon runners! Hope you haven't stashed your running shoes under the bed or left them in the trunk of the car now that the excitement of Woodstock has cooled a little bit...your next Grand Prix race is THIS SATURDAY! Check out the website at annistonrunners.com for all the information you need on the Lincoln 5K.

1) RACE REPORTS

***
First off, congratulations to everyone who volunteered to help out with Woodstock.  You guys deserve a big thank you for a race well organized and executed!  We enjoyed the race thoroughly, and already look forward to next year.  Jen and I also ran the Hot to Trot 8hr race in GA on Sunday.  It is a timed race, meaning the standings are determined by how many total miles you run in 8 hrs--not on who goes a set distance the fastest.  This particular race is run on very pretty trail over at Sweetwater.  Jen and I had a good time, and their race was also extremely well run by the G.U.T.S. group.  We had a ball, and managed to perservere together through 32 very hot/sweaty laps, or about 37.8 miles total.  This was good enough for 7th place for Jen/femlaes, and 8th place for me in the males, or 14th and 15th overall.  Timed races aren't for everyone, but it really is a fun format, and you end up making a lot of new friends and cheering each other on. 
 
Jay Worrall

 

***
Six local runners from the ARC (Derrick Carver, Amie Hinton, Dylan McPhee, Mike McPhee, Greg Velasquez and myself) went down to Clinton, Mississippi on Saturday July 30, 2011 to compete in the 1st Official Big Butts 50/100K at Butts State Park. For Derrick and Amie this was their first 50K race. Amie was actually talked into signing up on Friday at packet pickup.

 

I am pleased to report that on a day when temperatures reached 106 degree all of us completed the 50K. The initial field was 57 runners and 18 dropped out before finishing at least 50K. We worked as a team when necessary to make sure all of our group got across the line. I was more ambitious and attempted the 100K but realized after 42 miles that I wasn't on pace to complete it in the 14 hour time limit so I tapped out.

 

For anyone who is interested in running their first 50K, this is a great course to do so as it is really flat and fast! Next year's race is set for July 28, 2012.

 

Joe Jankoski

 

***

 

Ran the 2011 San Francisco Marathon on July 31. Finished in 3:33 and had a great time. beautiful course and amazing race organization. Lots of hills, but running up and down Jacksonville's Chimney Peak every Thursday had me ready.

Gordon Harvey

2) TRAINING RUNS

Hey Anniston Runners - Did you enjoy those Thursday evening Woodstock runs?
All the camaraderie? All the support and energy from fellow runners? The
cold water at the finish? The hills? The thrill of victory? (No agony of
defeat.) Well, the fun can continue if you want it to!?! Why stop now? Who's
in to run the Woodstock course (or a variation thereof) every Thursday
evening about 5:45 p.m.
If you are interested, email:

 

Brooke Nelson
brookenelson@amcvets.com
256-239-9001

 

3) NEWS

 


2011 WOODSTOCK SURVEY

You will be receiving an email about the 2011 Woodstock 5K and Kidstock 1 Mile Survey. Please take a few minutes (We promise, it will be quick.) to fill it out and submit. Everyone who was involved in any way should receive the survey – runners, walkers, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, etc. We use this info every year to make improvements to our signature race. PLUS, you will be entered in a random selection for a FREE 2012 Woodstock entry. So please take the survey as soon as you get it. If you have questions, please email Drew Nelson at:  drewnelson@amcvets.com Thanks!

Hey there ARC. Man it's hot and humid! This ain't Kansas OR RI!


Thanks to all who have reported. Check your data for accuracy. Everybody with a zero in July, let's see some mileage.

Have a great rest of your week runners!!!
MERCY

 

Woodstock 5K Update August 6, 2011
by mercypilkington
 Mileage
Aug 06, 2011 | 1172 views |  0 comments | 11 11 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink

If you've been hiding out in the Batcave for the past few months, you may not know that the RRCA 5K National Championship was held today...the 31st annual running of the Woodstock 5K!

 

First, let me say FANTASTIC JOB VOLUNTEERS! Record numbers of people gave their time and energy to stage this signature event. Great job Dennis Dunn in putting on the race! Awesome presidential leadership throughtout, Ed Turner! Brooke Nelson, you're a coordinating rock star! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to the literally hundreds of people who made this event happen today.

 

A huge thank you also goes to everyone from Anniston High School. I don't know of many races that offer an air conditioned auditorium for the awards ceremony, and I know the 1400 runners appreciated the chance to cool off indoors. It was especially appreciated considering that the faculty and staff return to work in less than 48 hours, and we know that many sweaty runners can leave a little bit of a mess behind!

 

Reuben Mwei and Janet Cherobon-Bawcom were the overall male and female winners respectively.


Results are available online at http://www.besttimescct.com/results/Woodstock11.txt so check out the times!
E-news August 3, 2011
by mercypilkington
 Mileage
Aug 03, 2011 | 1223 views |  0 comments | 10 10 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink
Don't miss out on the fun!
Don't miss out on the fun!
slideshow
Hi runners! Guess what day it is? It’s the Wednesday Before Woodstock! Do you know what that means? Well, if you’re good at math it means you already know there are only three days til the Big Race! (If you’re not good at math, I just told you there are three days til the Big Race!)

Below I’m posting a step-by-step timeline of how you want your race weekend to go, just so there are no surprises when you get there.

 

But first, if you haven’t signed up already to volunteer, don’t worry. I’m here to ease the guilt that is stabbing you horrifically in the gut. Still want to run but didn’t want to be tied down with race-day responsibilities? Brooke Nelson and crew need a few (million) extra hands at the storage unit and at set-up. Here’s her note:

 

Thursday after the run – We will be going to the ARC unit to clear out anything else that is needed, mainly scaffolding, podiums, etc…. Tom and I would love any help loading all this stuff.
Friday, 3 p.m. at the race site – Tom plans to start building the Start and Finish standards, so we need helpers. Bring gloves as the scaffolding is very hot at this time. FRIDAY is a must for volunteers, so be a helper!


Thanks!

Brooke Nelson

brookenelson@amcvets.com

256-239-9001

 

Woodstock 5K Race Weekend Timeline:

Friday – Beat the race day rush and get your packet during the Pasta Pig Out, from 5pm to 7pm at the Anniston High School gym/cafeteria. If you have friends who still haven’t signed up, FRIDAY is the LAST CHANCE! There is NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION! Get your packet, go home, get a good night’s sleep.

Saturday –

6:30 a.m.- Last chance to pickup packets. NO RACE-DAY REGISTRATION (Have I mentioned that?)
7:15 a.m.- First Call to the Start Line
7:25 a.m.- Final Announcements
7:30 a.m.- Woodstock 5K Start
8:30 a.m.- Kidstock 1 Mile Run/Walk Start
Post-Race Party and Expo
9:30 a.m.- Awards Ceremony

That should give you a clear idea of what will take place during all the fun that is Woodstock. If you still have questions, there will be plenty of people on hand at the Pasta Dinner who can answer those questions and give you a lot more helpful hints in order to have the best race ever. Don’t miss out!

E-news July 28, 2011
by mercypilkington
 Mileage
Jul 28, 2011 | 1209 views |  0 comments | 10 10 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink
Team Gower, winner of the 2010 Skyler Brady Heart of a Champion Award
Team Gower, winner of the 2010 Skyler Brady Heart of a Champion Award
slideshow

 

 

Hi runners! I hope you've taken advantage of the on-again-off-again rains to log some serious training miles...while showering at the same time!

1) NEWS
Woodstock Woodstock Woodstock! Let's see how many times the word Woodstock can be squeezed into one email. I won't have to do that if you contact Dennis Dunn ASAP and let him know how you can help make this year's running the best one yet. There are still positions that need to be filled, so hurry! It's also a huge surprise how many runners forget to register until the last minute, and you don't want to do that. Why, you ask?

BECAUSE YOU MIGHT NOT GET A SHIRT! Let me say that again...YOU MIGHT NOT GET A SHIRT if you wait til the last minute, and this year's shirt is one you do NOT want to miss. It's got everything...wick away fabric...the biggest bird ever to appear on any shirt in your wardrobe (I hope)...and it's lime green! What else could you ask for from a free piece of clothing???


2) UPCOMING EVENTS
Never let it be said that we let you take it easy. Woodstock is all the news, but don't forget that the next Grand Prix event after Woodstock is the very next weekend. Check out the Anniston Runners Club website at annistonrunners.com for all the info and entry forms.


Rock-and-Roll San Antonio takes place in November this year, but the price increase happens on July 31st. Check out all the rock-and-roll series events on their website for complete information.


3) RACE REPORTS
Don't forget to send me all your news so we can brag on you! Photos are welcome, but remember that these are now attached to the Anniston Star community blog pages.

Speaking of blogs, this email is also viewable as the Anniston Star community blog page under Mileage. Find it here at http://annistonstar.com/blogs_mileage.

Have a great week!
MERCY

E-news July 19, 2011
by mercypilkington
 Mileage
Jul 19, 2011 | 1350 views |  0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink

Hi there, Runners! Let me ask you a question: how's your Woodstock training shaping up? Not so happy with it? Why don't you join the 50 runners who came out Saturday at 7:30am to train on the course?

1) WOODSTOCK NEWS
There is still a lot to be done on this awesome event, and there are quite a few positions that will still enable you to run the event on race day. Check with Dennis Dunn and he will plug you into a job that's right for you (ddunn@annistonstar.com).

Training for Woodstock still takes place on Saturday (see above) and Thursdays at 5:45pm.

2) RACE REPORTS
This weekend, Jennifer Ford and I ran the Tahoe Rim Trail 50 mile race.  I can honestly say it was both the most beautiful, and the most difficult, race I have ever done.  It is quite challenging with nearly 10,000 feet of elevation change, the entire course is run between 6,000 and 10,000 feet elevation, and there's one two-mile stretch (from miles 30-32) of approximately 2,000' of climb straight up a black diamond ski run.  This was really something!  You had snow fields and creek crossings, too.  All in all it made for quite an adventure.  I am happy to say that we were both very happy with our efforts, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  I would recommend this race to anyone, with the one caveat of: be prepared to work hard!  It was simply gorgeous there, and I hope to race there again someday!
 
Jay Worrall

Donation Goal has been met!

Many thanks to all who donated to this worthy cause.
 
Several who have donated $10 have NOT submitted a prediction. If you are one of them, please do so. Somebody is going to double their money and win the prize awarded for meeting the goal. You can’t win if you don’t predict.
If you haven’t joined the prediction challenge, feel free to do so. Goal is met but it’s probably an easy way to make some money for your charity and earn a nice prize.
 
The swim is imminent on Saturday July 23, so get in your prediction ASAP.  No predictions accepted after the swim.
Email predictions to William.Johnson@cms.hhs.gov 
per original Email below.
Do not tell me.  Do not post on Save the Bay Page. This will keep it fair.
Note past  swim times are listed to facilitate your prediction.
 
Make your donation to
https://www.savebay.org/
JimLuisParham

If I survive the swim, will advise the winner following the race.

3) UPCOMING EVENTS
Historic Lincoln ’s 10th Annual 5k Run/Walk, an ARC Grand Prix Race, is Saturday, August 13th
The race begins at 7:30 a.m. with check-in
and registration at 6:30.  A Children’s Run/Walk follows. 
(Applications also are available at the Chamber office , 210 East Street, South in Talladega .)
http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1873845

JOIN THE PARTY IN L.A!

Run the Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles
Half Marathon benefiting the ASPCA on October 30.

Price Rollback – Save $15 when you
register before July 31st with coupon code ROLLBACK.

Rub shoulders with celebrities and enjoy the FREE Bret Michaels finish line concert. New loop course starts & finishes downtown at
L.A. LIVE. Register Today!


Fool's Gold 50 & 100 - Dahlonega, Georgia - August 20, 2011

Tomorrow is your last chance to secure one of the limited edition "Speedy Bike Club Dahlonega" shirts from Twin Six. If you have not registered, you better get with it. Like the 2011 Southern Cross shirt, this one is another Twin Six & Krautstache Design collaboration with the Fool's Gold race logo on the sleeve.  The shirts are black with metallic gold ink.  You know you want one. If you have already registered you all set and will receive your shirt when you check in for the race.

You are only guaranteed one of these shirts if you register by July 16.  Register now before you forget.  Want the shirt, but not the race?  You can do that through Bikereg.com as well.

4) NEWS
Remember, the e-news is now available to view as the blog MILEAGE through the Anniston Star community blogging pages (psst...so is the ARC triathlon team news under Tri Talk). Click the link to take a look!
http://annistonstar.com/blogs_mileage

Have a great week!
MERCY

Today's Events
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Wednesday, 19, 2013
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Hip Hop Hope Vacation ... 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM
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RMC opening critical care clinic in Piedmont
by Laura Gaddy
lbjohnson@annistonstar.com
Jun 19, 2013 | 1854 views |  0 comments | 22 22 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Regional Medical Center is expanding its reach into Piedmont, where the hospital plans to open a critical care clinic this summer. The hospital is partnering with the Piedmont Healthcare Authority to develop the clinic, being built adjacent to the Piedmont Nursing Home. The facility will become a key component of an emerging senior care campus there, but it will be open to everyone, said Benjamin Ingram, president of the authority. “It allows us to get some things done in Piedmont that normally we would have to go to Jacksonville, Anniston or Gadsden to have done,” Ingram said. The new facility will be staffed with a physician, at least one nurse practitioner, other nurses and office staff. It will offer a range of services, including treatment for general ailments such as colds and treatment for more urgent matters, said David McCormack, the chief executive of RMC. “It’s sort of like an emergency room, but not quite to that level,” McCormack said. The location of the facility is intended in part to help the Piedmont Healthcare Authority develop a more complete senior care center. RMC, meanwhile, is expanding its regional footprint in an effort to remain competitive as federal health care reform is fully implemented. “Now as health care is changing, we need to go out to the community,” McCormack said. “We have to cover the whole region.” RMC recently expanded to Jacksonville, where it bought the hospital there in December, as well as to Talladega, where it opened a clinic; it has plans to open facilities in Weaver and Roanoke. Piedmont Mayor Rick Freeman said the new facility will help the hospital and the authority meet their goals, as well as help residents of Piedmont and the communities that surround it. Ingram and Freeman said Piedmont has a shortage of physicians. Currently two physicians work in the city part time, and two others work full time. Of the two full-time doctors, one exclusively treats children and the other holds a second full-time job as the medical director at the nursing home, Ingram said. “We felt like we needed that,” Freeman said of the new center. “The impact is going to be very big for us.” Staff writer Laura Gaddy: 256-235-3544. On Twitter @LJohnson_Star.
Ohatchee council wants to know what’s underground before accepting land from county
by Brian Anderson
banderson@annistonstar.com
Jun 19, 2013 | 460 views |  0 comments | 21 21 recommendations | email to a friend | print
OHATCHEE — The Ohatchee Town Council is holding up a land transfer with Calhoun County until it can determine the extent of possible contamination in the area. While the Calhoun County Commission has already approved handing over to the town seven acres of land along Alabama 77, Ohatchee Mayor Steve Baswell said at a council meeting Tuesday he needs to talk to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to make sure contamination from former underground storage tanks won’t cost the town money down the line. The town currently uses a building on the property as a maintenance storage facility and pays the commission $1 annually to rent the building. “Obviously I’d like to just own the property,” Baswell said. “But we got to make sure it’s not going to be more trouble than it's worth.” The property is close to another seven-acre parcel of land owned by the Ohatchee Volunteer Fire Department. Once the department completes a proposed storm shelter, it’ll give the land to the town, Baswell said. Also at the meeting Tuesday, Councilman J.M. “Butch” Mitchell suggested the council think about pushing for alcohol sales on Sundays for off-premises consumption. “If we look at what Anniston and Weaver have successfully done, maybe we should think about it, too,” Mitchell said. “I’m not talking about bars and hangouts, but people on the river who want to buy a six-pack. That’s money in our pocket.” Baswell said he was neither for nor against Sunday sales, but told council members if they were interested they would need to start thinking about pushing for legislation as early as possible. “It’s not just calling them up down there and saying we want to do it,” Baswell said. “It takes a lot of planning.” Staff Writer Brian Anderson: 256-235-3546. On Twitter @BAnderson_Star.
J'ville planning commission finds Mountain Street rezoning proposal OK
by Katie Turpen
kturpen@annistonstar.com
Jun 19, 2013 | 382 views |  0 comments | 27 27 recommendations | email to a friend | print
The Jacksonville Planning Commission held a public hearing Tuesday night for the rezoning request for four rental properties located at 110, 114 and 116 Mountain St. NW and 419 Spring Ave. NW. Jane Self Burnham owns the four properties located near the intersection of Pelham Road and West Mountain Street. Her son Patrick Burnham, who served as her representative during the meeting, said one reason for the request is difficulty finding appropriate tenants. “These properties are important to our family,” Burnham said. “However, maintenance has declined over the past few years.” In addition to poor tenants, Burnham cited increased retail activity surrounding the rental properties near Alabama 21 as an additional need for rezoning. “Traffic on the street has increased,” Burnham said. “The Grub Mart and Burger King have changed the neighborhood situation.” Burnham said if the rental properties were to be rezoned for commercial use, his mother would ensure the properties reflect historic Jacksonville. “My mother is hoping the future of these properties will be appropriate and good for the entire community.” Burnham said. Burnham said he has made preliminary contact with a commercial developer from Atlanta who would be willing to come analyze the property value. He also mentioned that a credit union had expressed interest in the properties. Several residents attending the meeting were concerned about not knowing what type of business would be entering the neighborhood. Debbie Harper rents property on neighboring Spring Street and is concerned about a new business encroaching on her property. “I don’t want a business looking right into my home,” Harper said. “Not knowing what it’s going to do to my property value is a concern of mine.” Jacksonville resident Joe Donahue said he sees the business development as a positive move for the city. “I think having commercial property that’s owned by somebody in the county on this street is a good thing and will increase the city’s livelihood,” Donahue said. Following the public hearing, the commission determined the request was in compliance with the requirements of the city’s comprehensive land use plan and officially turned the item over to the Jacksonville City Council. The council will meet Monday at City Hall at 7 p.m. following a 6 p.m. work session. Burnham stressed that he and his mother will take the concerns of the surrounding landowners into consideration. “We are ready to move forward with this,” Burnham said. “We want the property to have the highest and best use.”
Piedmont City Council spends $48K to improve electrical substations
by Laura Gaddy
lbjohnson@annistonstar.com
Jun 19, 2013 | 340 views |  0 comments | 26 26 recommendations | email to a friend | print
PIEDMONT — The Piedmont City Council moved forward Tuesday with one plan to spend some money that would improve its power system, but put off a decision on another that would help raise revenue for the system. At the urging of Piedmont electrical operations superintendent Phillip Johnson, the council voted unanimously to spend $48,000 to improve two municipal power substations. The substations are a critical part of the city-operated power system and without improvements the city can’t supply power to all of its customers when the electrical demand peaks. Separately, the City Council postponed a decision to increase utility start-up fees, an increase recommended by electric superintendent Casey Ponder. Council members cited concerns that the move might be unfair to some residents. Under the proposal, renters would have to pay $400 for utility deposits, while homeowners would have to pay $300. City officials who support the policy say the move would help the city recoup revenue lost to renters who leave without paying their last month’s bill. Councilwoman Brenda Spears said she thought the decision would be a mistake. “It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen,” Spears said. “You cannot discriminate between the people who can afford a house and the people who rent.” After Spears spoke Mayor Rick Freeman recommended that the council table the matter. The meeting closed amid controversy after Spears said the city clerk and mayor withheld public records from her, but City Clerk Michelle Franklin and the mayor disagreed. Spears said she asked for “single page utility sheets” for the months of February, March, April and May, but did not receive them. City officials said the sheets contain the names of each person who failed to pay their utility bills for each of those months. “From this action, in my opinion, I am being harassed and intimidated by them,” Spears read from a prepared statement. Franklin said she did not provide the documents because the mayor did not authorize her to provide them. She disputed Spears’ remarks. “I didn’t deny you any public records,” Franklin said. Freeman said he has not yet provided the documents because he was concerned it was not lawful to release them because they include residents’ names. In other business the council: — Appointed Kesha Mitchell to the Piedmont City School Board. — Selected Mike Ledbetter to be the chief of the Piedmont Fire Department. — Discontinued an agreement for animal control services with the Calhoun County Animal Control Center. Staff writer Laura Gaddy: 256-235-3544. On Twitter @LJohnson_Star.
George Smith: I just love watching Ozzie ...
Jun 19, 2013 | 560 views |  0 comments | 26 26 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.

 

 

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