Welcome to the
City of Florence
Message Center  

Alabama's Renaissance City




In This Issue
Message from Mayor Holt
CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY, JULY 4
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JOIN US IN BEAUTIFUL McFARLAND PARK
FOR A FUN-FILLED DAY! 

Family Activities/Games at Shelter #1 and Beach Area -  1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Music/Entertainment -  Starting Early Afternoon until Fireworks Show 
Spectacular Fireworks Show - 9:00 p.m. 

C ITY OF FLORENCE NEWS
The Florence City Council meeting has been moved from the 3rd to
TUESDAY, JULY 10
4:00 p.m. Work Session / 5:00 p.m. Council Meeting
City Auditorium, 103 South Pine Street

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
 
FLORENCE-LAUDERDALE
ANIMAL SHELTER
The Shelter will be closed
for animal intake
from Saturday, June 23,
through Wednesday, July 4,
and will not be accepting any animals
during this time.
 
Adoptions will be available
Monday / Wednesday/ Friday
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
at the Shelter.
 
Fees will be waived for
adoptions during this time.









Music in the Park 2018
Wilson Park
Wednesdays
11:30 am -1:30 pm

 
***********************************************
Friday, June 29
MOVED TO RIVER HERITAGE PARK
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Featuring - Salt & Light
 

WE ARE 200 YEARS OLD!


On March 12, 2018, the City of Florence was officially 200 years old - making it one full year older than the State of Alabama!
 
It was a GRAND Bicentennial Celebration on Monday, March 12, in Wilson Park, and now we have an entire year of exciting events planned to highlight the different sectors that helped form our wonderful City.



JULY
We celebrate America's birthday in style and pay tribute to the father of blues with the W.C. Handy Festival. Quite simply, music is a part of everything we do, which is why it makes sense that the theme for this month's Bicentennial festivities is MUSIC!

HERE'S THE SCHEDULE :
  • Wednesday, July 4 - INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION -The Florence Fourth of July celebration will take place in McFarland Park and will feature vendors, along with family activities, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM, at Shelter #1 and on the beach lawn.  Live entertainment will include our own local talent and the evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display starting at approximately 9:00 PM.   Event is sponsored by KISS 102.7, the Mayor/Council Office, and the Florence Parks and Recreation Department.
  • Friday, July 6, 5:00 to 8:00 PM - FIRST FRIDAYS -Downtown Florence
  • Tuesday, July 17, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM - FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, open archives and church tour
  • Friday, July 20-Sunday, July 29 - W. C. HANDY MUSIC FESTIVAL 
    • Sunday, July 22, 6:30-8:30 PM - OPENING BICENTENNIAL CEREMONIES 'N HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT - held on the W. C. Handy Home & Museum Front Lawn, West College Street (Rain Location: Mt. Moriah PB Christian Life Center, West Irvine Avenue) 
    • Thursday, July 26, 6:30-8:30 PM - BICENTENNIAL BEALE STREET BLUES 'N HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT - held at Lewis Field, Florence (Rain Location: Burrell-Slater Gymnasium) 
    • Friday, July 27, 5:00-10:00 PM - RIVERSIDE BICENTENNIAL JAZZ 'N HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT - held at McFarland Park (Rain Location: Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum)
A full events calendar and list of performers of the Handy Festival
  • Monday, June 18, through August 9 - HOUSE & HOME EXHIBIT on loan from Washington, DC, featuring the housing evolution of the United States.  Stop by to see this grand exhibit at the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, open Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. (See information under the Arts & Museums Section below.)
For a full list of Florence Bicentennial events, visit  www.florence200.org

(Including an online store - Click on "Shop" from the menu)
(Here are a few of the items for sale...)









(Updated Schedule as of May 22, 2018)

We are indebted to our wonderful  Sponsors who
helped to make the celebration possible!

Memorabilia is for sale in the Mayor's Office and includes:  Christmas ornaments, canvas tote bags, coasters, ball caps, coffee mugs, insulated tumblers, throws, coins, tee-shirts, polo shirts, golf balls, fans, window decals, lapel pins, screen wipes, and koozies, and the beautiful 2018 Bicentennial Calendar published by The Design Committee of Florence Main Street and  features interesting information about Florence's fascinating history, along with details of the commemorations that will take place monthly from March through December.  

Bicentennial Office - 256-760-6689
Mayor's Office - 256-760-6400
Mayor's Office
Florence-Lauderdale Government Building
102 South Court Street - Second Floor


Jack's Place Bistro
118 W. Mobile Street (former Dish Cafe location)
 
Jack's Place is conveniently located in eclectic Downtown Florence.  Jack White, the Food Stylist, will have you coming back again and again.  Check out their Facebook page for daily specials at https://www.facebook.com/JacksPlaceBistro/.




Mike Doyle, Gas & Water/Wastewater Manager,
presented the
2017 Years of Service Awards
to these  City Employees!
 
CONGRATULATIONS!


Robert Gann
40 years

Chris Kasimere
25 Years

Randy Givens
25 Years

Richard Howell
5 years

Christopher Pitts
Perfect Attendance

Jimmy Duncan
Perfect Attendance


Scott Dorroh
Perfect Attendance
BENEFIT FOR BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Shoals, Inc.
Serving Colbert, Franklin & Lauderdale Counties
505 N. Columbia Ave.
Sheffield, AL 35660
office 256-248-1931
Madagascar, JR.
Thursday-Saturday, June 28-30 @ 7:00 pm
Sunday, July 1 @ 2:00 p.m.
Shoals Community Theatre
 
Come join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo, the plotting penguins and many more lovable characters as they escape from their home in New York's Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien's Madagascar.
 
Shoals Community Theatre
123 N Seminary Street
Phone:  256-764-1700


Rummage Sale to Benefit Chloe's Fund
Helping  Florence-Lauderdale Animal Shelter Animals
with Medical Needs!

Saturday, June 30 - 6 am to 12 pm
209 Bainbridge Road, Florence

There is an ongoing need for non-budgeted medical attention and medicine for the Florence Lauderdale Shelter animals; Chloe's Fund was created specifically to meet these needs and must constantly replenish monies spent. A Rummage Sale will be held on Saturday, June 30, from 6am-12pm, at 209 Bainbridge Road, Florence, all proceeds will benefit Chloe's Fund.

Donations will be accepted until June 29. Please call 256-740-2386 or 256-648-0221 for drop-off information. On June 30 at the Rummage Sale, we are also accepting donations for the Animal Shelter. Items needed are: dog and puppy food, kitten and cat food, wet or dry; kitty litter; Dawn Dish Detergent; dryer sheets; laundry detergent; and bleach. Anyone donating shelter items can draw for a discount coupon off their purchases.

Chloe's Fund was started in March of 2017 after Shelter volunteers, Glen and Debby Nelson, lost their beloved dog of 16 years, Chloe. After Chloe's passing, Debby set out on a mission to help as many sick and injured Florence-Lauderdale Animal Shelter animals as possible. 
Death by Chocolate, by Paul Freed, will be presented at The Z, 416 N. Court Street on Thursday-Saturday, June 28-30 at 7:30 pm, and on Sunday, July 1, at 2 pm.
Death by Chocolate is a comedy murder mystery set at a health resort
which has staff members dying at an alarming rate.  It is up to the new resort
manager and a mystery writer guest to find the culprit. 
 
Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and will be available at the door beginning 30 minutes before curtain or online at  www.TheZTickets.Store. For additional information, email  administrator@historiczodiacplayhouse.com or call 256-768-5586.

JOIN US FOR THE 
Fifth and Final
Renaissance Man Triathlon
Sunday, July 8
7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Starts at McFarland Park
We need help rounding up volunteers. 250 + triathletes will be biking and running through historic downtown Florence and we need enough volunteers to guide them in the right direction and cheer them on. We need your help to leave a great impression on these athletes from all over the southeast. Please share this volunteer link with your social media followers and newsletter. It lists volunteer positions with details and times for each.   http://www.signup.com/go/VCyDibo .  

Bradley and Jordyn Dean
GIVE. DO. BE MORE.
256-468-1487


UNA Summer Theatre presents
Hairspray
July 20 & 21, 7:30 p.m., Norton Auditorium
For tickets visit www.una.edu/summertheatre
or visit the Lindsey Theatre Box Office (T, W, Th 12pm to 3 pm)

More Information and applications are available at
  
For further questions, please contact Bob Garfrerick at 256-765-4369.
ARTS & MUSEUMS DEPARTMENT

KENNEDY-DOUGLASS CENTER FOR THE ARTS is located at 217 East Tuscaloosa Street,
Florence, and is open, free of charge, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  
Call 256-760-6379 for information on City museums and art events or  Click here.

****************************************************

House and Home: The NEH on the Road Exhibition
Comes to Florence for the City's Bicentennial
June 18 - August 9
 
The National Endowment for Humanities On the Road Exhibition, House and Home, will fill the galleries of the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts from June 18 - August 9. Sponsored by the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums and the City of Florence Bicentennial Committee, House and Home comes to Florence from the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., in partnerships with the Mid-America Art Alliance to tell the story of American housing and neighborhoods. 
The NEH on the Road version of  House & Home draws on themes originated by the National Building Museum to encourage visitors to explore how our ideal of the perfect house and our experience of what it means to "be at home" have changed over time. The exhibition includes domestic furnishings and home construction materials, photographs, "please touch" interactive components, and films. Together, the objects and images illustrate how transformations in technology, government policy, and consumer culture have impacted American domestic life.
 
The City of Florence has received a National Endowment for the
Humanities grant for special public programming that will accompany the exhibition.

The first program Our Neighborhood will take place at the
Florence Indian Mound Museum  on Thursday, July  12at 6 PM.
This program will be a panel question and answer session with experts on community planning. Alabama Historic Commission preservation planner, Mary Shell; Florence's own City Pl ann er, Melissa Bailey; planning consultant from KPS Group in Birmingham, Jason Fondren; will give insights into long-term neighborhood planning and relationships.
 
Our House is a free book-making session at the
Florence-Lauderdale Public Library on Saturday, July 14, at 1 PM.
Preregistration opens June 14 at the library for homeowners and families who would like to make a book and share stories about their homes. Each registrant will receive a worksheet to help lead them through the story of their house and make a beautiful memory book. Space is limited so please sign up quickly! 
Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is located at 217 E. Tuscaloosa St., Florence and is open Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is free. For more information call 256-760-6379.


The 2nd Annual Chillin' with the Cramer Children FREE BLOCK PARTY will be taking place on W. Tennessee Street between Locust and Cedar in front of the Cramer Children's Center and the Florence Housing Authority's Magnolia Gardens here in Florence, AL!!!! All are welcome for this FREE Handy Music Festival Event! There will be games, FREE SHAVED ICE, FREE LIVE MUSIC and Food Vendors! Hope to see you all there!
Kids Idol Winners @ 4:00 pm
Mary Mason Band @ 4:30 pm
Midnighters @ 6:00 pm






There is a brief description available on the flyer, and our website link
for registering is:   www.leagueofoutdoorwomen.com


Don't Forget to Visit our Farmers' Markets!




College Street Farmers Market
will be open at the Singin' River LIVE
526 East College Street - Covered Facility
May thru November - Every Thursday - 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
with local vendors, live music, and food.
Contact:  Allison Mackey 256-762-1760
Website:   www.collegestreetmarket.org  


Florence-Lauderdale Farmers' Market
451 Fairground Road - Covered Facility
May - Saturdays - 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
June thru September - Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays - 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
October - Saturdays - 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.



JACK-O-LANTERN FARMS
123 East Mobile Street
(256) 712-2383
Monday - Friday: 10:00am to 7:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am to 4:00pm
The CLUB   is coordinating a trip to Nashville...
The Public is invited to join them...
JUST A FEW PLACES LEFT
Nashville Show Trip
  • 3 Days - 2 Nights
  • July 30 - August 1, 2018
  • $365 pp/Double Occupancy
This Tour Includes:
  • Motor coach transportation
  • 2 nights lodging
  • 4 meals: 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners
  • Guided Tour of NASHVILLE
  • Admission to the GRAND OLE OPRY BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR
  • Visit to Opry Mills
  • 2 Great Shows: THE GRAND OLE OPRY and NASHVILLE NIGHTLIFE DINNER THEATER
  • Ride on the DELTA FLATBOATS inside the OPRYLAND HOTEL

For Information & Reservations Contact:

Fran Davis @ (256)760-6642
The Club @ (256) 760-6420
You can also email me at franfish@comcast.net

 

Departure:

The Club, 450 Country Club Dr, Florence, AL @ 8 am

 

Additional Payment Information:

$75 Due Upon Signing. *Price per person, based on double occupancy. Add $89 for single occupancy.   
Click here for Itinerary and Full Details:



CITY BOARDS
 
The City of Florence has numerous boards and commissions through which our citizenry can get involved.  We depend upon you to help us make wise decisions and we solicit your advice and ideas.  Your service is invaluable in helping us continue to build and prosper as a progressive City. 
 



If you are interested and willing to serve on one of these boards,
you may: 

Pick up an application from the Mayor/Council Office or
download a simple application that is available on the City's website at

A description of each board, along with the resolution
detailing the guidelines  for serving, is also posted on the same website.  Applications stay  on file for one year.  After one year, you will need to reapply or  let us know to update your application that is on file.   



 

   


PET ADOPTION

The Florence/Lauderdale Animal Shelter has

DOGS AND CATS available for

ADOPTION OR FOSTER.

 

Click here for the Quarterly Newsletter...

 

 

 

 

NEW SHELTER HOURS - The Shelter is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.  

 

Friday Evenings the Shelter is open for Pet Adoption - 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

Weekend hours are:

 Saturday, open to the public and volunteers,

from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and

Sunday, closed to the public,

but open to volunteers from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon.

 

Volunteers are always welcome!

 

 

 

 

PET LICENSING ORDINANCE 

The City Council adopted a  pet license ordinance

for certain dogs and cats. 

The ordinance became effective May 1, 2014.

 

Florence Parks & Recreation Department
 
For an updated listing of the monthly activities at the
Royal Avenue Center
421 North Royal Avenue
256-760-6425

PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
 
The CLUB 
SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER
"Where Boomers and Seniors Come Together As ONE"
450 Country Club Drive
(Savannah Highway/Hwy. 20)
Florence - 256-760-6420
***The Club is a drug free, alcohol free facility***
 




2018 Weekly Schedule of Events

 

 
O n FRIDAYS , the Boomers and Seniors wear RED to show support for our service men and women.  Get your " CLUB " shirt the next time you visit.
 
 
 
"JOINTS IN MOTION" CHAIR EXERCISE CLASS will help you with your activities of daily living.  Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.  No age limit. Men, women, friends and family are welcome to join us at The CLUB .  No fee.  Class Leader:  Fran "fish" Davis.
 
Also, the Joints in Motion Class offers the opportunity for you to join them in prayer around the flagpole each Monday morning after class at 9:50 a.m. to pray for our community, city, nation, first responders, troops, and families and friends of The CLUB .
 
THE NUTRITION PROGRAM is a NACOLG/State program which serves lunch each Monday-Friday, at 11:00 a.m., at The CLUB .  Suggested donation $1.  This program is based on age and not financial need.  Limited seating (35) available on first come basis.  You must be seated by 10:30 a.m.  Feel free to come check it out.
The only requirements are:
1) Must be 60 years of age, and
2) Must sign in and be seated by 10:30 a.m.
 
BOOMER'S & SENIOR'S TUESDAY NIGHT DANCE at The CLUB , 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., each week.  The doors will open at 6:00 p.m.  $6 per person.  Singles & couples are welcome.  21+ years old.  Music spanning the decades is performed by The Browns.   For more information please call The CLUB at 256-760-6420, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 
Alabama's state dance is Folk and Square Dancing.  It's a healthy challenge that will have you stepping to the music and enjoying your new dance family.  The Singing River Squares will happily be your square dance angels during your BEGINNING SQUARE DANCE CLASSES that begins approximately every 12 weeks. The Singing River Squares WELCOMES you to give it a try.  Singles, couples, families...anyone with the desire to learn is welcomed.  For more information call Fran at The CLUB , 256-760-6642.  The seasoned dancers will dance PLUS TIPS in between the beginners tips.
 
BINGO is offered at 9:30 am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  No fee for BINGO.  Expendable type prizes are appreciated such as paper products, toothpaste, mouthwash, lotion, soap, puzzle books, unopened snack foods. If you'd like to make a donation our guys & gals they would greatly appreciate it.
 
BOARD GAMES, ROOK, CARD GAMES, DOMINOES and fun with friends each morning & afternoon at The CLUB .  9 am to 4 pm.  No fee.
 


 
We attend
Senior Citizens Appreciation Day (SCAD)
each spring!

We have picnics at The Club throughout the year. Feel free to give us a call for the schedule. Due to thunderstorms that roll through our area we have to postpone our outdoor events occasionally.
 
The DULCIMERS play each fourth Thursday at The CLUB , from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Come and enjoy their music!
 
We enjoy MYSTERY TRIPS and overnight trips with our friends from The CLUB .  The Dam Fall Color Tour and Touring for Christmas Lights are two of our favorite annual tours along with Reelfoot Lake, the Earthquake Lake, Tiptonville, TN during bald eagle season.
 

Our vegetable garden at The Club

Have a great weekend!

Mayor Steve Holt

How to Submit Your Event, News, or Announcement:

  • Public and community events or announcements can be in an email, Word document, PDF, or JPG file suitable for viewing on the web.  Include graphics in JPG or PNG if possible.
  • Along with your information, include your name, phone number, event name, location, date and time, and a brief description.
  • IMPORTANT:  Please submit your information no later than Tuesday of each week (preferably sooner).  Submissions after the deadline will be added to the next week's publication.  The newsletter is posted on Thursday afternoon.
  • Send your information to: smorgan@florenceal.org or call Sandra Morgan with questions at 256-760-6408.

 

City of Florence | 256-760-6300 | mayorholt@florenceal.org | http://www.florenceal.org
110 West College Street
P.O. Box 98
Florence, AL 35630