Maestro Roman Leontiev leads this large ensemble on its first American tour, and together with award-winning pianist Alexandre Pirozhenko, they are putting it all on the line with a program including Russian block-busters you won’t want to miss! For more information, please visit http://www.facebook.com/eastalabamaarts or buy tickets from Facebook or Twitter http://twitter.com/eastalabamaarts or call (334) 749-8105. The event will be at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts

As I noted below, buddy Jimmy Johnson will be at Heritage Gifts and Gourmet with his new book, a great Holiday gift idea.  But wait, just listen to what his fans have said from his website.

• minnesotadon on 01 Dec 2011 at 6:08 am # - And I can’t say it any better than both Blinky and Matt have already said it. If you are on the fence about buying the book, go ahead and buy it and if you don’t like it I’ll buy it back from you…how’s that? Have a supergreat wonder fulfantasticmarvelous day.
• Will Overby on 01 Dec 2011 at 7:02 am # - This is the collection A&J fans have demanded for years! One of the funniest and smartest comic strips ever.
• russ on 01 Dec 2011 at 7:19 am # - There really isn’t any thing to say, if you like/love Arlo and Janis, then you have to buy the book. If you don’t know who they are and you are or have been single, married, a teenager, an adult, a cat lover, a dog lover, a cat hater, a dog hater, like sailing ships, have ever read a book, don’t read at all or somewhere in between, then you probably ought to give this book a try… oh, and did I mention, the book has pictures.
• hc on 01 Dec 2011 at 7:30 am # - A wonderful look at the simple every day occurances of life – with many chuckles along the way. The book also includes an insightful introduction and two additional interludes to keep the reader up to date with the journey of the author – starting in 1985 and ending with 2010.

Annual Freedom Celebration is Friday July1st at the OHS Football Practice Field with Fun begining at 6:30 p.m.

This family night of fun and excitement includes giant inflatable games and activities for the kids, musical entertainment, skydivers, food and the largest fireworks display in the area. Bring the whole family, a lawn chair or blanket and relax on the grass!

Enjoy the special musical entertainment provided by MUSE – Enjoy a picnic supper (food is available for purchase or you can bring your own).

At 7:30 p.m. the amazing Buddy Blue and 3 other Skydivers will bring down the Stars and Stripes when they land on the adjacent baseball field. Earlier in the evening the kids put their name on a paper plate and if a skydiver lands on his plate, that child wins a prize.

Prepare to be amazed at dark with the area’s largest and most impressive Fireworks Show. Don’t miss this family night of fun. It’s a free public event

Opelika Main Street gets new Director.  Pam Powers-Smith, co-owner of Flip Flop Foto was selected from about a dozen candidates for the position recently vacated by Velinda Wheels.   Pam has been active with the group, serving as secretary from 2001-2003 and president from 2004-2007.  Along with being one of the inaugural members of the “20 Under 40 Leaders” in 2006, Pam credentials read like a Who’s Who when it comes to community events and organizations.  On The Tracks, the Food & Wine event that draws hundreds to downtown Opelika was founded organized and funded thru fundraising efforts by Pam, along with Richard Patton in 2004.   She has worked with the Lee County Chapter of the American Red Cross as a Heroes Volunteer, Envision Opelika on the Downtown Redevelopment Empty Buildings Task Force, Lee County Literacy Coalition, Lee County Boys and Girls Club to mention a few.  Pam is a 2001 Graduate of Auburn University, working with the Auburn/Opelika Tourism Bureau as Communications Coordinator from 1998 to 2002.  Congrats goes to Pam from the Opelika Daily News, she been a good friend and we know she’ll bring many great things to the group.

Pam had this to say to the Opelika Daily News. “I look forward to the ever changing future of Mainstreet and am glad that I’ll be a part of it! I care so much for this downtown and want to see it become everything that it can be. And I hope that merchants and other downtown players never hesitate to stop me with comments and suggestion.  Stacy Money a member of the board had this to say, “We are excited about the future of Opelika Main Street with Pam Powers-Smith serving as our director.  She has a passion for Downtown Opelika and is a great fit for our organization”.  

Don’t know if you made it to Opelika the last several nights, but the town was a hopping.  Christmas in a Railroad town had record crowds from my perspective. Friday Night the streets were blocked and filled with families enjoying the activities and doing some shopping as well.  Weather was cold, but not the bitter cold we’ll see the next few days. The Front Porch Tour also had big crowds early and got some first view of several new displays at home along the way.  Some of those crowds packed into local pubs to catch the announcement of Cam Newton winning the Heisman and stayed to hang with friends.   Several top hatted Victorian era citizens wander down for some Irish Coffee before the night was done.  The rain did come in and hard, but waited for the festival to finish on the north-side.

About the photo.  I was looking for some downtown picture I’d not used before and came across this on on George Thomas’ flick account.  The original is pretty cool and there are a few other Opelika pictures you may enjoy.

Downtown is hopping from 6-9PM on Friday Night, with this annual event.  Santa, Mrs. Claus, Pony Rides, Train, inflatables, face painting, balloons, Childrens Village, a Mask Hunt.  Get the idea, Great fun for the kids.  And don’t forget the Christmas tradition of getting your cards “Hand Cancelled” at the Museum of East Alabama.  Grab a ride on a hay wagon thru the Front Porch Tour as well.  And look out for a few Victorian folks, both live and ghost!

By the way, The Event Center Downtown will host a Christmas Open House featuring renowned artist Dr. Ronald McDowell. Dr. McDowell will be readily available to do live individual or group sketch portraits from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m (All Day Friday). Individual portraits are $60. Additional people are $50. These prices are a one-time only Event Center Downtown holiday special. Individual sketches are drawn in an approx 15-20 minute time frame. Live music starts at 8:00pm by the talented group The Southern Gentlemen. Complimentary little bottles of coca-cola’s and coffee served.  The open house is free. Come tour the former Coca-Cola Bottling Company re-invented!

The Front Porch Tour get underway on Wednesday Evening thru Saturday, with driving tours now thru Friday.  It’s 8-10PM each night, and the Walking Event on Saturday from 6-9PM

Well, Here’s the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour Entertainment Scheduled for Saturday, December 11  from 6 to 9 p.m.

And there’s more!  Don’t forget to stop at Trinity United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church for fellowship and refreshments.  There will be wassail and cookies at the Brownfield House.  The Heritage Carolers will be caroling throughout the neighborhood after their performance at the Brownfield House.  Streets close at 5:30 p.m. and reopen at 9 p.m.