Huntsville Insider Info

Here's some things I learned in Huntsville this week: (1) Back to school should be a little easier on the pocketbook this year: Gov. Bob Riley has signed a bill to waive the state sales tax on back-to-school purchases during the first weekend in August. He's encouraging cities and counties to waive their taxes also in order to keep us out of the nearby states that already have no sales tax holidays: Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee.

(2) The first Meet & Greet for a brand-new adoption group, The Greyhound Group of Alabama, will be held at Tractor Supply on North Memorial Parkway this Saturday, April 29th, from 10 am-2 pm. If you have one of these sweet dogs or want to learn more about them, just show up and find out.

(3) If you're 13-21 years old, you might want to enter Goody's search for a model to star in their ad in the December issue of Seventeen Magazine. Deadline for entries is June 1st. Pick up application at the store.

(4) If you're a diehard fan of "American Idol," then you probably already know that the summer tour with the Top Ten contestants (including Alabama's Taylor Hicks!) will be in Birmingham on August 8th and in Nashville on August 10th. Last year's winner, Carrie Underwood will be in Huntsville July 21st.

(5) Honda was named Alabama Manufacturer of the Year by the Business Council of Alabama, the Alabama Technology Network and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, based on excellence in leadership, performance, profitability and work force relations. Honda is also active in community organizations and has donated more than $3 million to local and state charities and non-profit organizations.

(6) Huntsville has been selected to host 2007 USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championships at AMF Pin Palace Lanes on May 20-22, 2007. A&M University women's bowling team was runner-up at the 2006 championship, which features the top collegiate bowlers in the country competing for national titles. ...More Tips... Be kind--don't leave your friends out in the dark...let them know aboutthis newsletter to them!