On February 2nd, 2012, Alabamians will come together for 24 hours of giving with a collective goal to raise a record amount of money for hundreds of participating nonprofits statewide. Individuals may choose from our list of participating nonprofits to benefit from their online gift. It’s easy, it’s safe, it’s rewarding and your gift matters!
Makita and his gal Kim, got me into NASCAR in a big way. He lives up there in the land of ice and snow and at a recent hockey game, he (Center of first picture) was approached by the squad about hanging out after the game. Lucky for him, he was able to get away and went home with the girl in the second picture. (Love ya Kim)
Just a quick post. Opelika is working steady on it’s new Fiber to the Home plan with phone, Internet and television service at least a year away. I just added Charter (yea, I know) Internet at the house. Pretty fast compared to the AT&T which I cancelled today. If you miss seeing Richard Patton (Eighth & Rail) behind the bar, he’s doing a few night shifts over at Ma Fia’s. It’s Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday I believe. By the way, they are doing domestic beer at $1.50 from 4-6 PM Monday thru Thursday. Others too, so ask Richard when you see him. My diet continues slow and steady. It’s 40 pounds since October 4th. More on that later. And there’s a Winter Brewfest (Beerfest) over at the Event Center Downtown on Friday Night (Details on the event calendar). [If the photo made it to this post, that the contract crew handing those new fiber cables in front of the house on South 8th on Thursday!
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!
So what’s new for 2012 here at the Opelika Daily News? First, some minor changes to this home page, nothing at radical as the Facebook Timeline, but some subtle changes to freshen the look at bit. Opelika’s South Railroad Avenue, pictured in the header banner has certainly changed a lot in the past two years, so it’s time we do. A couple of new features will become regulars and you’ve already seen several of those post. First, time to learn about the Rolex and Continental Race Series, as Opelika’s APR Racing will be in the full series of some of those races. Second, time to find that perfect App for your iPhone or iPad. Our mission is to educate you on both! And finally, some things done in the past will return with a more regular posting. So with 2012 officially here, let the posting begin! Happy new Year Everyone.
I’ve found that lately I’m just getting overwhelmed with too much information. I counted ten to fifteen newsletters I get on a daily basis via email, several magazines are delivered each week by the post office, a stack of vendor catalogs at the end of each month, not the mention various apps on the iPad2 or iPhone that seem to require my daily, if not hourly attention. My “To Do” list is out of control and things I should do seem to get missed on a more regular basis that those items getting completed. And then a new addiction has surface the past few months, my daily (if not more) desire to see the latest available Apps from the iTunes Store. Searching for an app to increase my productivity has almost brought my productivity to a stop. And between four blogs and a like number of Facebook pages, not to mention Twitter that should require regular attention, well you should get the point by now. And then there are my regular articles (up to several months ago) in the OA News, which I seem to have ideas for, just no time to put them to paper. Not to mention the TV, with hundreds of channels to choose from, I’ve settled for watching the complete season of Star Trek Voyager (on Netflix), which I seemed to miss the first time around. And the dogs could use a bath.
But all is not lost. I’ve got several plans to bring my crazy life into compliance with a perfect order. I’ll share those with you here in coming days and weeks.
The last of the staff of the Opelika Daily News rolled back into town early last night after a three day trip to Kansas City to see what was up with Farm Broadcasting. Okay, so there is no staff and it was just me. An interesting three days in which I met “Tall Paul” doorman at the Weston for 31 years and former player on the Harlem Globetrotters. He must remember every Farm Broadcaster that’s been coming to convention for years because he greeted them by first names as we arrived on the shuttle on Wednesday. Also “Guns N Roses” were in town for a concert on Saturday Night and the Roadies for the show (about 60 of them) were also at the Weston. Shared more than a few drinks with them, albeit too late. Thanks to Sarge and his friend for a good time. Then there was the very pretty dancer from Los Angeles who offered to “Hang Out” later for a “Donation”. She sent me a text with the offer. Please don’t ask how she got my number, but that thing happens a lot to me when I travel. It’s funny how a girl from LA had a local number. Can you say “Vice Squad?” Also made it over to the Nations only World War One Museum on Veterans Day for my daily walk. American’s don’t build beautiful old monuments like that anymore. Oh, I also did some real work business too. I’ll share some of that in a later post.
