I applaud most of today's home buyers. Seriously. They take the time to educate themselves, even before contacting a Realtor, making our jobs easier. They go on the internet and search diligently on Trulia and Zillow and a thousand other sites to see what is available. That way they are armed with all the information possible. By the time they contact an agent (if they do), they are aware of everything that is out there and only need access. Right? WRONG! The media tells us how popular sites like Trulia and Zillow are, but what they don't tell you is how inaccurate they can be. It wasn't until I began tracking my listings on these sites that I became fully aware of the problems.  I was marketing several homes on both sites. I have created a website for each home through a sponsoring web... 07/26/2011

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 And HandyFest marches on…here is today’s schedule.  There are 25 different events today, PLUS 17 venues sponsoring Handy Nights tonight. I guarantee there is something you will enjoy doing, whether it takes place inside or outside! You can also go by the Kennedy-Douglass Art Center to pick your 30th Anniversary Handy T-shirts and other memorabilia. I also understand that FloBama, a new restaurant in downtown Florence, is planning to open tonight, bless their hearts. They have been working hard to make it happen, so go by and give them a pat on the back…for guts, if nothing else! Other than Handy events, there are a few things going on. Springer’s Yarn Nook in Tuscumbia is offering a free knitting class again from 5-7 pm. Contact Pat Springer at 256-314-4410 for mo... 07/26/2011

Just saw this online... "For everyone out there who was not lucky enough to get tickets for the Civil Wars July 25th show, we have a surprise for you.Since there are so many fans in the area that couldn’t get tickets, the Civil Wars have planned a FREE in-store show. John and Joy will be performing a short set followed by a meet & greet at Pegasus Records on July 25th at 5pm. This is a free all-ages show. Everyone welcome. Feel free to call us for more info 256.767.4340"   This is TODAY! So if you haven't been able to get to a show by the Civil Wars yet, go by and check it out! 07/25/2011

I saw a beautiful house on my office caravan last week...I think.  The outside had a manicured lawn and lovely landscaping. The garage storage and workshop were meticulously organized.  Then I walked inside and was assaulted by the huge amount of furniture and knick-knacks EVERYWHERE! Every inch of space contained something. Individually, all of it was beautiful and absolutely spotless. However, there wasn't a surface or an inch of wall space that didn't have a piece of furniture covered in knick-knacks on it. I asked the listing agent if the homeowner was going to declutter and she said, "I've talked to here about it, but I don't know if she's going to do anything about it." After further conversation, I found out that the sellers are downsizing to an apartment. (Where are they going t... 07/25/2011

Monday, July 25, 2011 Art Works, an annual exhibition of work by the Tennessee Valley Art Association artist members, is at the Tennessee Valley Art Museum in Tuscumbia right now. Audiences may expect to see two and three dimensional works in watercolor, oil, acrylic, clay, metal, fiber, glass and more. The exhibition illustrates a vast range of art media by the multi-talented artists from the northwest Alabama region. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students.  Exhibition hours are Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Contact: 256-383-0533 for more information. Today is the beginning of the UNA Basketball Camp 2011. The camps are July 25-28 and August 1-4.  Each individual skills camp will be $160. Each camper must provide their own basketball s... 07/25/2011

Sunday, July 24, 2011 Handy Fest has taken over! J Today’s events are almost all connected to the Handy Festival, so go check out the schedule online. Other events include… Services at Cowboy Church of Colbert County at 10:30 am.  You're invited! Come as you are! Promoting Church for the Unchurched, New Christians & Mature Christians through Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Bible. Celebrating the Western Culture while trying to reach Arena Cowboys & Cowgirls, Horse People and Cowboys at Heart! GOD WANTS YOU IN HIS ETERNAL ROUNDUP. More fishing…Morning Takeoff  - Enjoy coffee and donuts as anglers for the Wal-Mart FLW Tour Major take off at McFarland Park at 5 a.m.  Wal-Mart will have the Fun Zone from 12-4 pm, with weigh in at 4 pm. One Handy event that I can guarantee will be wond... 07/24/2011

Saturday, July 23, 2011 Weekends start early around here. At 5 am, you can enjoy coffee and donuts (sponsored by Folgers) as anglers for the Wal-Mart FLW Tour Major take off at McFarland Park. The tour is also sponsoring a Fun Zone and Pets and Pros from noon to 4 pm at Wal-Mart in Florence, followed by the weigh-in by the competitors at 4. The Florence-Lauderdale County Farmer’s Market, at the  intersection of Chisholm Road and Cox Creek Parkway is open from 6- noon. Fresh, Shoals-grown produce including mustard greens, turnip greens, collards, poke salad, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, etc. will be available. The Jack-O-Lantern Farms Greenhouses Indoor Farmers Market is also open today from 9-2, across from the old Holiday Inn in Sheffield. Items available include hydroponi... 07/23/2011

Friday, July 22, 2011 TGIF! This is a particularly big Friday for events, because this is the first day of the 30th Annual W.C. Handy Music Festival. There are so many events scheduled for the Handy Fest, there is no way I can include all of them here. Instead, go check out the full schedule online. There’s a link at the bottom to print out a schedule if you like. If you get up really early, you can enjoy coffee and donuts as anglers for the Wal-Mart FLW Tour Major take off at McFarland Park at 5 a.m. from McFarland Park. It is free, and for more information call 256-740-4141. You can go back at 2:30 to see the weigh-in. At noon, you can hear Hugh Banks & Caleb Banks at McGraw’s Coffee House. Enjoy lunch while you’re there or get a goodie, then take a stroll through the Artisan Gallery ... 07/22/2011

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 This morning at 10:30 am, the library has a 2 hour class on Internet Searching 2. You have to preregister, so give them a call before you go. Also at 10:30, is Story Time for babies through pre-schoolers. McGraw’s Coffee House is continuing their live lunchtime music series today with Kate Tayler Hunt and Kimi Samson. They start at noon and of course, admission is free. They would be really happy if you bought lunch while you were there, though! Back to the library in the afternoon! Elementary students will be looking at Mexico in the Myths, Stories, and Legends today at 2 pm. The Summer Reading Program Store is open immediately after from 3-4 pm.         Live music tonight: Byron Green – 5-7 p.m., Swamper’s – Inside Marriott Shoals Mitch Mann – 8-11 p.m., Swam... 07/20/2011

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 July in Alabama. Its hot and humid, but that doesn’t keep us holed up at home! Aqua Zumba is Latin Dance and aquatic aerobics in the pool.  Classes are currently being offered at Royal Ave and Handy Rec pools with instructor Angela Vanderford. Royal Ave. Classes are Tuesday at 10:15am and Wednesday at 5:45pm.  Handy Pool classes are Wednesday and Friday at 9am. Classes are $5 each.  For more information call: the Royal Ave. Rec Center at 256-760-6425 or the Handy Rec Center at 256-760-6435. McGraw’s Coffee House is continuing their Live Lunchtime Music series with Max Russell today. Free admission. Today’s lunch special is quiche with greek pasta salad. Hey, while you’re there, be sure to check out the Artisan Gallery that adjoins the coffee house. It’s all local... 07/19/2011

Monday, July 18, 2011 Wow, there was so much going on last Friday, it just wore me out! Sorry I didn’t get to post over the weekend. I’m trying to figure out how to carve out the time to get ahead on my posts, so I don’t have to worry about it on the weekend. Wish me luck! Now on to today’s events… The library in Florence has their Teen Tech Crave Event at 11 am today. They are going to be learning about internet searches in this class for 11-15 year olds. This afternoon, the Let's Visit a New Land program for K-4th graders will be focusing on Mexico. The program is from 2-2:45 pm.     This month and in August, Rivertown Coffee in downtown has a photography exhibit by Abraham Rowe. They are pretty cool…you should check them out! The exhibit is called “balance” and uses black and white ... 07/18/2011

  Friday, July 15, 2011 Wow…it took me 45 minutes just to collect the information for all the things happening today!! This is going to be a long one, so just hang in there. You can start out the day with the Babies Love the Library program at 10:30. It is designed for babies from infants to 24 months and their caregivers.  Later on, elementary school kids (K-4) have their weekly International Music program from 2-2:45. Today the music is from Russia.   MOPS’ Mommy & Me “Fun Camp” is currently taking place at First United Methodist Church of Florence. “Fun Camp” meets on Fridays in July (15, 22, 29) from 9-12 and is free to any mothers with children between the ages of birth thru kindergarten.  Join us as we enjoy the “Art & Science of Mothering “through  music, sensory play, crafts, an... 07/15/2011

Thursday, July 14, 2011 It’s a little cooler today…only 95 degrees! J You have your choice of both indoor and outdoor activities today… The library is hosting a Basic Genealogy computer class from 1-3 pm today.  It doesn’t matter if you are an expert genealogist or just getting started; this class is designed to teach you how to effectively do your research online. As usual, you have to preregister for computer classes, so call Abby Carpenter, 256-764-6564 ext. 27. At 2 pm, Youth Services at the library is hosting Tastes Around the World, followed by the Summer Reading Program Store at 3 pm. The dish today is wheat porridge from Russia. Finally, at 5 pm., Crave Nights will take a vote on your favorite Harry Potter movie, then watch it while enjoying popcorn. The Spring Park Market: Ups... 07/14/2011

  Wednesday, July 13, 2011 Another hot one today! Don’t let the 105 heat index keep you down…most of these events are inside where it’s cool! I’m not sure if it’s too late to do this or not, but the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) “Mommy and Me Fun Camp” is now open for registration to children ages birth-Kindergarten.  Fun Camp will meet from 9am-Noon on July 13, 20 and 27 at First United Methodist Church in Florence.  The theme is “Art and Science of Mothering” through music, sensory play, crafts, and science.  The camp is free to attend.  Please call 256-764-5072 to register. At the library today, they begin with Story Time for babies and pre-schoolers at 10:30 am. Today’s book is The Elf's Hat by: Brigitte Weninger. Also at 10:30 is Internet Searching 1. This class is for beginners a... 07/13/2011

  Tuesday, July 12, 2011 Things seem to be settling down a little, now that the holiday is over. I guess everyone needs to rest a little before the Handy Festival starts! For those who never need to rest, though, there are still things going on! The library, as usual, has assorted activities today. The Teen Book Club meets today and will be talking about The Hunger Games. They will be having pizza and prizes, as well. Their website says it is from 8 am – 5 pm, but I somehow think that isn’t right.  You can call Jessica Hill (256) 764-6564 ext. 14 to get more information. The elementary kids (K-4) have their weekly Holidays Around the World program today from 2-2:45. This week’s country is Russia. The Summer Reading Program Store is open immediately after from 3-4 pm. If you just graduat... 07/12/2011

Sunday, July 10, 2011 The library in Florence is busy this afternoon! There are 3 different activities going on.   First, the Screening Room presents That Entertainment! (1974) – A Documentary of the celebration of golden age of movie musicals at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer at 2 pm. In honor of The Year of Alabama Music, FLPL is hosting a monthly concert series, Serenades from the Shoals. For this event, big band Jus' Jazzin' will perform. Enjoy big band, jazz, and swing standards as well as jazz versions of well-known hymns. The concert is at 2 p.m. While you are listening to music or watching a movie, the kids can also watch a movie at Movies Around the World in Youth Services. This week’s movie is Anastacia, to start the week’s focus on Russia. The movie starts at 2, and popcorn is provided... 07/10/2011

Saturday, July 9, 2011 It’s Saturday in the Shoals and there are LOTS of things to do! You can start the day at the Florence-Lauderdale County Farmer’s Market at the Intersection of Chisholm Road and Cox Creek Parkway, from 6 am to noon. Then you can head across the bridge to the Jack-O-Lantern Farms Greenhouses Indoor Farmers Market for hydroponically grown vegetables, Amish sweet cream butter, local honey, Shoals Culinary Center products, freshly baked breads, and a variety of local fruits and vegetables, homemade jams & jellies, and fried pies., They are open today from 9 am to 2 pm., on Garage Rd., across from the Holiday Inn in Sheffield. Muscle Shoals Amateur Radio Club is meeting at the Florence Harbor Marina Restaurant at 9am. A regular program of interest follows a short busin... 07/09/2011

  Friday, July 8, 2011 Friday is finally here and there’s plenty going on this weekend! Give your babies an early love of books and the library…take them to Babies Love the Library at 10:30 this morning at the Florence Library. The program is for infants up to 24 months and their caregivers, and includes music, finger plays, nursery rhymes and book exploration. AND it keeps them occupied for 30 whole minutes! Its hard to believe that football season is just around the corner! Today is the deadline at Tuscumbia Parks and Recreation to register your 5-12 year-olds for youth football. Fees are $50 per child. For more info call 256-386-5655. If you are downtown today or tonight, go by Makadoo’s, the newest downtown business. Today is their grand opening, so stop by between 11 am and 11 pm. ... 07/08/2011

  Thursday, July 7, 2011 ts about to be that time of year again…Handy Festival time! Even though the festival isn’t until the end of the month, Kennedy Douglass Center for the Arts is already getting people in the mood with the Mostly Blues Art Exhibit. Area artists create paintings, drawings and sculptures with a musical flair to celebrate. It is today and tomorrow from  9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free. I’ll try to get by there today and let you know how it is. The Florence Library is offering a class for gardeners today: Get Dirty at the Library: Organic Gardening. It is taught by Christ Becker of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and geared toward getting started with organic gardening. The class is from 11:30 to 12:30 in the conference room. No pre-registration required. If... 07/07/2011

Wednesday, July 6                  Wow, its hot out there! But don’t let the heat keep you from getting out…there’s plenty to do!   The Florence library today is having Story Time  for Little Ones (Babies - Preschoolers) from 10:30am - 11:00am. Today’s story is  A Tale of Two Pandas by Adrienne Kennaway. From 10:30-12:30, they are offering a Computer Basics class. Preregistration is required, so contact  Abby Carpenter at 256-764-6564 ext. 27 to sign up.   When you get hungry, stroll over to McGraw’s Coffee House on Court St. to hear Kate Tayler Hunt and Kimi Samson perform live. They start playing at noon and its FREE   After lunch, take your kids back to the library for the Myths, Stories, and Legends program in the Youth Services department.  It runs from 2-2:45 and this week’s focu... 07/06/2011