Keep Opelika Beautiful is proud to announce an addition to the Adopt-A-Mile program. Afni, located at 1000 Jeter Avenue, has adopted the mile along Jeter Avenue in front of their business.

Opening in January 2001, Afni employs over 500 employees, making it a top employer in Opelika. Afni’s Human Resource Manager, Kirstin Willis says “Through community involvement, we are able to give back to the area we all live and work, build a trust and partnership amongst our neighboring businesses and leadership and hope to maintain a lasting foundation to continue and grow our own organization.” The company is also invovled in March of Dimes, Red Cross, LifeSouth and assist with toy drives and food drives during the holiday season.

Afni joins several other civic clubs and organizations in the Adopt-A-Mile program.  It is a litter prevention program sponsored by Keep Opelika Beautiful, Inc. in the City of Opelika to attract public involvement in picking up litter along the streets. Sponsors of the program agree to a minimum of four cleanups over a period of one year, with one of them coinciding with Keep Opelika Beautiful’s Citywide Cleanup.

For more information on Keep Opelika Beautiful’s Adopt-A-Mile program, please call (334) 749-4970.

Takin some pictures, and I’ll get them posted on Monday. Sorry, that darn cable to connect to the computer is anywhere but here.   

It’s not a stretch to say that no Sundilla performer has enjoyed the success that Jim Photoglo has. Until now, only Steve Forbert has actually had a Top 40 single; Jim has had two. As a writer, Jim has been even more successful, with two Number One hits, and so many other songs covered by different performers that I didn’t even bother counting. (Some of the names: Kenny Rogers, Brenda Lee, Faith Hill, Dusty Springfield, Kathy Mattea and The Everly Brothers.)

And Jim even managed to find success as part of a comedy act; Run C&W took classic soul tunes and performed them bluegrass style, and garnered more than a little national acclaim in the process. Some of Jim’s tunes even found their way to the big and little screens; the final tune of the final episode of the great series Mad About You was one of Jim’s songs. He toured Asia, saw the world as the opening act for the Beach Boys, and was a band member for the likes of Andy Gibb and Dan Fogelberg.

Perhaps the oddest– and, if you’re a specific age, coolest– project that Jim was associated with happened back in the late 1970s or early 80s. John Belushi wanted to do his famous Joe Cocker imitation at Paul McCartney’s birthday party. But, he needed a band to perform with; he called upon Jim Photoglo to organize that band. (There was a time when “on a first-name basis with Belushi!” would have been about the most impressive credential anyone could flash, at least in my circle of friends.)

After surviving life as a friend of John Belushi, an early-80s pop star, a Nashville songwriter and the member of Run C&W who wore a fat-suit on stage, Jim has finally slowed down a little. But the success has continued. He frequently tours as half of the duo “Freebo and Photoglo (fans of Bonnie Raitt should remember Freebo) as well as solo. As a solo performer, her has released three CDs in the not-too-distant past; the latest, “Is It Me?”, was the Number One CD among folk DJs last June, placing it ahead of releases by the likes of Nanci Griffith, Cheryl Wheeler, Alison Brown, Steve Earle and Elvis Costello. (Alas, on the list of Top Artists for that month, Jim could do no better than fourth– behind Nanci Griffith, Cheryl Wheeler and Bob Dylan.

You wouldn’t think that someone with a resume like that would be the typical down-to-Earth nice guy that Sundilla usually brings to town, but Jim Photoglo is. Let’s fact it, you wouldn’t think someone with a resume like that would be coming to Sundilla anyway. But Jim Photoglo is coming here, and it was even his idea. So let’s be sure to give him the welcome he deserves: a full house!

Again, Jim Photoglo will be appearing on Friday, March 5, at the AUUF. Showtime is 7:30 and admission is just $10, $8 for students, and free for children 12 and under. We’ll have free coffee,tea, water and food, though as always you are welcome to bring whatever food or beverage you prefer. As always you can find more information at www.sundilla.org, and don’t forget the appearance with Wildman Steve at 3:00 Friday, or the podcast on www.offbeatauburn.com.

It was at Folk Alliance two years ago that I first heard Miche Fambro, and immediately put him on my “gotta get this guy to Sundilla!” list. And finally, we have; Miche will be performing this Friday, February 26. Showtime is 7:30, and admission is just $10, $8 for students, and free for children 12 and under. We’ll have free coffee, tea, water and food, though as always you are welcome to bring whatever food or beverage you prefer. AND– I’ll mention this again later– you can go to www.offbeatauburn.com and hear an interview that our own Kelly Walker did with Miche. It’s a great way to get a handle on just how engaging and entertaining Miche is… though it’s only a fraction of the whole Miche experience.

Miché Fambro is known by many different people for very different things. Some know him as the dynamic band leader of one of Upstate NY’s most popular bands a few years back. Others know him as an extraordinary guitarist/vocalist singer-songwriter touring through their small town (”Why are you here??”), performing with the energy and sound of a full band on his single instrument. And, still others recognize him as a jazz crooner, lending his fluid voice to beloved classics. His grandfather, a Vaudeville “hoofer,” knew him as the boy who wouldn’t listen, and chose to shape his life around music/entertainment despite the experienced advice of his elders.

As a kid in Philadelphia, Miché played the drums. At 14, he picked up a guitar and taught himself to play, left-handed and upside-down, tuned down a whole step in ascending fourths.  Ooops.  But it never mattered.  Miché is intricately involved with the percussive nature of his instrument.  He sure bangs the heck out of his guitar!  His critically acclaimed CD My Canvas is recorded live with no overdubs.  You might think you’re hearing a drummer accompanying him, but you’re not.  It’s all Miché all the way.

But  mastery of the guitar is not his only forte; Miché is an amazing singer with skills that equally match that of his guitar playing. He’s got a soaring tenor, and a talent for writing poignant songs only adds to the equation. And you don’t get the final result until you factor in the way that he fuses elements of flamenco, jazz, classical, pop and soul into a style all his own. Put it all together and you’ve got what one critic described as “a fantastic performance unlike any I’ve ever heard.”
Miché has toured the U.S. and Canada during the past several years, finding enthusiastic audiences in both major cities and tiny towns.  He brings a professional attitude, a light-hearted sense of humor, and a musical show that is often called “a breath of fresh air” to festivals, concert halls, house concerts, coffeehouses and colleges everywhere and anywhere. Miché radiates energetic happiness and a generous spirit, the power of a man following his own compass. The bottom line is that Miché knows how to entertain; and he does it well.

No less than Rolling Stone Magazine dubbed Miché, “…a quiet storm,” and Dirty Linen magazine said “he sometimes sounds strangely reminiscent of an improvisationally-inclined James Taylor who’s had a strict musical upbringing.”

If there is a knock on Miche, it’s that he hasn’t played in our part of the world much. That makes him something of an unknown around here, and people don’t seem to like to take chances on unknowns. But we’re hoping that all of you think about some of your favorite Sundilla performers, people that you would stand in line to pay extra money to see. At one time, those performers were unknown to you, too; aren’t you glad you took the chance on them? Why stop now? You’re on a roll!!

So please take a chance this Friday, and come experience Miche Fambro at Sundilla. Showtime is 7:30, and admission is still just $10, $8 for students, and free for children 12 and under. We’ll have free coffee, tea, water and food, though as always you are welcome to bring whatever food or beverage you prefer. For more information, go to www.sundilla.org, and to hear that wonderful interview, go to www.offbeatauburn.com.

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller sent along this email this afternoon regarding the funeral of Col Howard…

On behalf of the citizens of Opelika and the City of Opelika it was my honor to attend the memorial service and burial of Colonel (R) Robert Lewis Howard today.  The service was held at Memorial Chapel on FT. Meyer, Virginia and then the body was placed on a caisson with one riderless horse to the burial site not far from the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery.  As most of you know Col. Howard was born in Opelika on July 11, 1939 and died on December 23, 2009.  Most believe he was the most decorated soldier of the modern era.  Many Medal of Honor soldiers attended his service and two of them, Gary Littrell and Mike Thornton offered a eulogy for Col. Howard.   It was, in my opinion, a most appropriate service for this great American and hero.  Of course there was a 21 gun salute, Army Band….they did the whole thing…  I’m not sure they do that for all burials at Arlington, but I don’t know.  The Rt. Rev’d Frank M. Gentsch, Jr., Bishop Suffragan, Anglican Diocese of the Chesapeake was the Officiant and mentioned in his remarks that Bob was born in Opelika, Alabama….and, bless the Bishop’s heart, pronounced Opelika correctly.
 
I did get to speak to his son, Sgt. Bob Howard after the service at Arlington.  He remembered me from the service last week at Ft. Benning and expressed his appreication for me being there.  I also spoke with Gen. Repass and he introduced me to his boss who is a three star but I can’t remember his name.  Gen. Repass is only a two star.  There is no question Bob Howard was held in very high regard and esteem for his bravery.  There was a lot of brass present.
 
Bob Howard was a brave and gallant soldier who distinguished himself on many occasions.  As a Medal of Honor receipent he brought great honor to his family, Opelika and most importantly, to the United States of America.  He was a real hero and may he rest in peace.
 
Gary

For those that may not know the story of Colonel Howard, here’s a quick Bio…

Retired Col. Robert Lewis Howard died on December 23 around noon at a hospital in Waco, Texas. He was battling with pancreatic cancer and was admitted in the hospital for three weeks before his death.

Col. Robert Lewis Howard �” An Account of his Military Services

Robert Lewis Howard joined U.S. army at Alabama in 1956 and retired from the army as a colonel in 1992. He was awarded with nation’s most esteemed award, Medal of Honor, for his services during the Vietnam War. Col. Robert L. Howard was nominated three times for this award.

In 1967, Sergeant First Class Howard was leading a platoon in Laos. While the main enemy body was destroyed, Howard’s team stumbled upon four Vietnamese troopers. His team was attacked by heavy machine guns. Howard targeted the machine gun occupant and killed him. Moments later, a second machine gun opened its fire on Howard’s team. He crawled towards it and destroyed it by throwing a hand grenade towards the machine gun. The enemy didn’t quit and another Vietnamese trooper took over the machine gun. Howard stood up in the open fire and targeted the gun with a light weapon. He helped the team to successfully escape. For his bravery Robert L. Howard was nominated for the Medal of Honor. This was his first nomination.

In 1986, Howard was once again battling against the Vietnamese troopers in Cambodia. Howard and his team were searching for Robert Scherdin, who got separated from his recon team. Col. Howard was wounded severely during this rescue mission and was awarded with the well-deserved Medal of Honor. Col. Robert Lewis Howard was wounded 14 times in the Vietnam war.  He has been awarded with more than 30 awards and honors including Medal of Honors, Purple Hearts, and Air Medal. Col. Robert Lewis Howard retired from the army in1992 after 36 years of vigorous service.

Lots of events on the calendar in coming days, that I’ve already posted here.  If you don’t have the time to dig thru the post of the past weeks, I’ll summaries them sometime on Monday Night.  Have a Great Week!