Huntsville Insider Info 012212

There are a lot of things to learn about a city in order to live there successfully. Sometimes it takes years to find out some of the "secrets" and tricks to living a comfortable life in Huntsville. I'm here to help make that easier for you. If you missed last issue's tips, you can check them out here.

• Mark your calendar for Sunday, January 29, 2012. SPACE CAMP® will be featured in a heart-warming Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, "A Smile As Big As the Moon" that will air on ABC at 8 p.m. Central Standard Time. The movie is based on a true story about the first special needs students who attended SPACE CAMP® in 1988. Mike Kersjes, a Grand Rapids, Michigan, high school football coach and special education teacher, helped his students achieve their impossible dream of attending SPACE CAMP.
• AAUW and Sarah Savage will present an exciting and motivational presentation entitled: "Walking the Tightrope: Women in Leadership" on March 9th. Sarah is the Executive Director of Leadership Huntsville-Madison County. Invite your friends to join you. This is an event for the whole community! Tickets are on sale now for $30.00 and may be purchased from Ellie Lienau at 256-852-4802.
  AAUW is a 130-year old organization that has sought to Break through Barriers for women and girls through Research, Education, Advocacy, and Philanthropy. The studies, that show that women make 77 cents on the dollar compared to men? AAUW. When Marie Curie could find no funding merely because she was a woman, AAUW made a research grant of $200,000, a large sum in the 1800's.
• On Friday, May 11th, the Huntsville Stars host a Disabled American Veterans/Armed Forces Day salute in honor of the annual Armed Forces Day. The 3rd Saturday in May is Armed Forces Day and the Stars will be on the road, so they are moving up their tribute to Friday, May 11th. All veterans and their immediate family members will receive free admission. Immediately following the game they'll have post-game fireworks and the annual Alexander Jewelry Diamond Dig.
• Register Now for the 2nd Annual Huntsville Botanical Garden Bow Wow--a 5k Race for Top Dog and/or the 1k Fun Run on Saturday February 4, 2012. 5k Begins at 8:00 a.m., 1 mile Fun Run at 9:00 a.m. NEW certified course. Prizes in 7 categories and overall winners for male and female finishers. Discounts for registering before January 25th.
• HUGE Rummage/Bake Sale to benefit Bob Jones Drumline on Saturday, February 4th from 7am - 1pm. Includes Furniture, housewares, bikes, clothes, books, baked goods, etc. You name it, they're probably selling it. Indoor -- RAIN or SHINE! West side of Bob Jones High School. Look for the crowd.
• Have medical equipment that you no longer need (wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, etc)? First Methodist Church downtown accepts donations of medical equipment in good condition. The Love Exchange is operated by the First United Methodist Church at 120 Greene St. Call 256-539-7606 for more info. They also loan out the equipment to those that need it at no charge and for as long as you need it.