Hello everyone. It’s news time again, and I hope everyone is well.

Thought for today: There is too much hate and bitterness between people. What can pull us together as a nation? If you ask me, it would be getting back to God.

Birthdays: Special birthday wishes go out to my grandson, Daniel Adams and to my great-grandson, Sam Adams, and his cousin, Ethan Box, Cathy Tims, Winter Knowles, Treasure Clolinger, Donna Newman, Dennis Bowman, Tina Stallings, Linda Vaughan, Gloria McLeod, Sharon Gant, Carrie Stallings, LaRae Williams, Barbara Hale, Beth Sims, Janet Smith, Rick Tice, Beth Hullett O’Donnell, Shannon Cochran, Maddie Cochran, Flora Bryant, Meg Clements, Lauren Luker, Samuel Golden, Betty Butler, Debbie Hodgens, Daniel Cain, Val Hall, Christa Bryant, Cheryl Fagan, Nate Partridge, Christian Peavey, Faye Wang, Savanah Church, Lunden DeLoach, Abigail Minor, Mike Watkins, Kim Price, Jude Powell, Joey Blackman, Ann Sweatt and Tracy Gray Sargent.

Also, special birthday wishes to my friends Shirley and husband Steve Sargent, who both celebrate their birthdays on the same day.

School: PCHS Homecoming Dance will be on Saturday this year, on Sept. 21, from 7-11:30. So glad they changed it from Friday after homecoming game to Saturday. This gives those who play football, cheer and otherwise participate in the Homecoming Game a chance to enjoy the dance. It will be at the CEPA, featuring DJ Epic. Attire is semi-formal and sneakers.

Sports: Anglers can now register now for the 7th Annual God is Bigger Movement Bass Fishing Tournament, which promises to be a day filled with fishing, faith and fun. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14, at Pell City’s Lakeside Park and will benefit the God is Bigger Movement, a non-profit organization created to “offer hope and prayer to a broken world.” Six thousand dollars in guaranteed prize money will be paid to 16 winning places–12 individuals, two couples and two parent/child teams–with the first place individual to receive $1,500. There will also be a “No Weigh-In Drawing” for a chance to win $125 plus tons of other prizes. Winners must be present to receive prizes. Best-selling author Russell Estess will be the guest speaker at the tournament, sharing his testimony of how the God Is Bigger Movement has impacted his life and the lives of his fans. Christian Singer/Songwriter, Shawn Dennison will also perform at the tournament from 1-2 p.m. The entry fee is $130 per boat, which includes $10 for Big Fish Pot and participants can register online at gibmovement.com. Those who pre-register by 7 p.m., Sept. 12, will be entered for a chance to win a Blackstone 36 Griddle. Breakfast and lunch will also be provided to paid anglers.

Local: Pell City Chamber of Commerce is offering several virtual workshops. First will be “Multigenerational Dynamics in the Workplace.” Explore the complexities and opportunities presented by having five generations working side by side in today’s work environment. This session will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools needed to leverage diverse experiences and skills across generations, fostering innovation, productivity and cohesion in your workplace. This will be Tuesday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Registration deadline is Sept. 16, at 8 a.m. Register online at catalystcenter.ecenterdirect.com/events/972594.

The next virtual event is “Using Your Personal Brand to Get More of What You Want.” In this workshop, you’ll learn more about what having a personal brand really means, how to build your own and how to use it to get more of what you want. This will be on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7:45-8:45 a.m. Registration deadline is Sept. 18 at 8 a.m. Register online at catalystcenter.ecenterdirect.com/events/972592.

The virtual event “Marketing Plan 103: Tools & Tips for Success” will be Thursday, Sept. 19, from 10-11 a.m. Having a solid marketing plan is critical to businesses in all stages. Join the Catalyst’s Austin Goble in the first of a three-part series as he breaks down your marketing plan into key concepts (and keeps it to 2-3 pages). Registration deadline Sept. 19 at 8 a.m. Register online at catalystcenter.ecenterdirect.com/events/972425.

Get ready for Great Alabama 650, the longest paddle race in the United States. See racers cross the state Sept. 21-Oct. 1, Weiss Lake to Ft. Morgan. Twenty paddlers from around the world converge on Alabama for the 6th edition of the Alabama Scenic River Trail’s Great Alabama 650 race. Starting off in Northeast Alabama at Weiss Lake Sept. 21, spectators can cheer for racers on riverbanks in Gadsden, Pell City, Wetumpka, Montgomery, Selma, Fairhope and more. The ASRT extends from Weiss Lake in North Alabama to the Gulf at Ft. Morgan. Racers have ten days to finish the 650-mile race and can use kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards interchangeably throughout the event. Spectators can also follow virtually at AL650.com, where ASRT will post a live map reporting up-to-the-minute updates on each racer’s progress.

See you next week. Contact me at 205-338-5590 and leave a message with your information. Have a blessed week. You can email info to annette_snow@yahoo.com.