It was goodbye to an old friend, if you can call a Tavern an old friend, last night.  Eighth and Rail is now a pleasant memory for those that called this one of their favorite watering holes. The building is officially under new ownership and that owner is looking for a tenant. Those that attended the final night, some in Black Tie, got something to take home at the end of the night.  You’ll probably see a few of us sporting our Eighth and Rail Goodnight Opelika Shirt.  On the back, forming a big number eight, names of bands and individuals that have played that stage over the years and the front with an old bi-wing airplane, looking a bit like a train.  Some final words from owner Richard Patton brought a tear to many eyes and the countdown to a new year with a final toast for all brought the evening to a close. Well, actually, many stayed to talk and dance a bit longer. Thanks Richard for a great night, good friends, having Miller Lite for a guy on a diet and for years of good times at The Rail! Goodnight Opelika!

For folks that live like I did in a previous life, let’s get that tree down and ready to recycle.  We would begin undoing Christmas decorations after lunch on Christmas Day!

Christmas Tree Recycling in Opelika! This Saturday, December 31 from 8am-12pm at the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. Keep Opelika Beautiful will have volunteers to unload your tree. Plus: Receive a free dogwood seedling in exchange for your tree!

Wednesday is the first day of the Holiday break for kids going to Opelika City Schools. Students return on January 5th, with Teachers back the day before to prepare.

As expected today, the City of Opelika announced new industry for the city. Pharmavite a global leader and manufacturer of dietary supplements as well as soy-based all natural snack bars will make a $74 Million capital investment and bring potentially over 275 jobs to the area. Pharmavite produces and distributes more than 120 dietary supplement products in the U.S. and more than 100 internationally throughout Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, S. Korea and Iran.  Their plant will be in the Northeast Industrial Park, with construction expected to begin this year.

Watching all the rain with the hurricane, it’s hard to believe we have a Fire Weather Warning for Saturday from 2PM until 7PM.  Winds from the north may gust to 25 MPH and outdoor burning is not recommended. This is called a Red Flag Warning. Relative humidity will be as low as 26 percent. Warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Birmingham earlier this morning.

The Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) recently added Rosemere Cemetery in Opelika to the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register.

“The cemetery register is a prestigious listing of historic cemeteries in Alabama,” said Lee Anne Wofford, cemetery program coordinator.  “The AHC considers the notable historic cemeteris in this register to be particularly worthy of preservation and appreciation, and therefore, deserving of this special recognition.”

There are now four cemeteries in Lee County listed on the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register, which features 388 cemeteries statewide.

Rosemere Cemetery dates to 1854 and contains over 5550 marked and approximately 500 unmarked burials. Many notable Lee County citizens are buried here including Alabama Governor William James Samford (1844-1901); Sheldon Lyne Toomer (1872-1957), founder of Toomer Drug Company in Auburn; baseball legend Billy Hitchcock (1916-2006); and many other national, state, and local leaders. Veterans of the Spanish American War, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korean and Vietnam Wars are buried here. Also present in the cemetery is the c. 1916 structure built by the City of Opelika as a ladies’ restroom. (more…)

Beginning Friday, July 8, Cunningham Drive will be closed to all through traffic on weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The closure is necessary to allow the installation of a sanitary sewer line beside the roadway. Drivers are encouraged to use Gateway Drive or Airport Road as detour routes. Barricades will be placed at 30th Street and Frederick Road to alert drivers of the closure. Cunningham Drive residents will be able to drive around the barricades in order to travel to and from their homes. The road will be open for all traffic on Saturdays and Sundays. (Source: City of Opelika, posted via iPad2)