News for February 1st 2010

It’s Valentime’s Day….get away!

If you are like most married couples, a night out on the town sans kids is a rare but much needed and welcome treat. BirminghamMommy.com has some ideas for you, just in case you can manage a few precious moments of kid free time for Valentine’s day.
Check out Treasure Island Bed and Breakfast for their Valentine Specials.
Hosted by the Children’s dance Foundation. “Takes Two to Tango” will help you think outside the box of chocolates… Mesmerize your partner with a close embrace of staccato steps that is the mysterious and passionate Tango. You will enjoy dessert, drinks and a Tango lesson taught by none other than Dancing with the Stars, Fabian Sanchez!! And no ladies, you can’t leave your husband at home for this one… It’s $75 per couple, and proceeds benefit the Children’s Dance foundation. It is limited to 30 couples so make sure you register soon. Saturday February 13th, 7:00p – 9:30p * FINE PRINT: guest artist is subject to change in the event of an unexpected media engagement.

Two left feet? Check out the Valentine’s Special going on at the Alabama Theater. Cuddle up next to your Valentine and listen as the Organist plays love songs just before showing Casablanca. The music will begin at 6:30, followed by a cartoon sing a long and the movie immediately following. February 13, 7:00pm All seats are $7.00 and available at the box office 1 hour before showtime.

If you’re one of those couples fortunate enough to have a spend the night sitter, (we won’t hold it against you) how about a romantic spend the night at the beautiful Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort and Spa? Book a room and take advantage of one of he spa’s Valentine’s Specials. A massage, pedicure or body scrub would be a nice relaxing way to spend this holiday. Really, can you think of anything better? We can’t. Packages range from $140 for the “Puppy Love” Massage, up to $425 for the “Forget me Not” which includes a 75 minute couples massage, with 2 Ross Bridge Robes in your color of choice.

Once you’ve been massaged and scrubbed, have dinner at the Resort. Try Brock’s, a Mediterranean restaurant, boasting an array of tapas and an extensive wine list. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Many, local restaurants offer special Valentine’s Day menus. Check Bottega, Satterfields, Shula’s, or Veranda on Highland. The menu’s look incredible, but make sure to get your reservation in early, they are sure to fill up. Should you choose Shula’s think about making a romantic overnight stay at the Winfrey Hotel. A safe way to enjoy some wine and not have to worry about driving.

Unfortunately not everyone will have the chance to get out of the house this Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a romantic night at home. Give the kids an early dinner (may we suggest something high in Tryptophan?) put them to bed early, then enjoy a nice romantic evening at home. Pick up a special sweet from Crave Chocolatier, order dinner in, or try your hand at cooking together. Get out those neglected massage oils (you know you have them, stop blushing.) and have fun. It’s all about being together with the one you love, no matter where you are.

Have something special you can share? What’s your favorite date night spot? We would love to hear your ideas!

Edited: February 1st, 2010

Daily Home Editor and Publisher Carol Pappas to Resign

Daily Home Editor and Publisher Carol Pappas announced Friday she has resigned her position with the newspaper, effective Feb. 26.

Her resignation includes retiring as a member of the Board of Directors for Consolidated Publishing, the Anniston-based parent company of The St. Clair Times.

Pappas has served as publisher of The Daily Home since 1997 (the Times began production in 1999). She joined The Daily Home as a reporter for the Pell City Bureau in 1981.

“This was the most difficult decision of my life and my career because everyone I work with has been like family to me,” Pappas said. “Twenty eight years at one newspaper is a long time, but I knew it was time to close one chapter and open another one.”

Pappas is taking on another career — one as an entrepreneur. She has incorporated a multimedia marketing firm, Partners by Design, and will be taking the reins as president and CEO of the Pell City-based company full time on March 1.

Joining her in this new venture is Daily Home Managing Editor Graham Hadley, who will be vice president of the Creative Division.

Hadley also announced his resignation from The Daily Home Friday, effective Feb. 10.

“Leaving The Daily Home is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make,” Hadley said. “I began my career in journalism here in 1996 as an intern. In the years since, I have again and again been reminded of what a unique publication this paper is. But after careful consideration, I think now is the right time to take my career in a new direction.”

Ed Fowler, Consolidated Publishing vice president of operations and former editor and publisher of The Daily Home from 1992 until 1997, has been named interim publisher for the newspaper.

“Carol Pappas will be missed,” Fowler said. “Her zeal for journalism, combined with a savvy and creative business sense, marked her tenure at The Daily Home.”

Of his role as interim at The Daily Home, Fowler, who is also a former Alabama Press Association president, said, “I look forward to working with our staff in Talladega, Sylacauga and Pell City. They are true professionals who produce first-class newspapers that serve a diverse community. We will work hard to continue that during this transition period.”

Brandt Ayers, chairman of the board for Consolidated Publishing and publisher for The Anniston Star, said, “Carol has risen on the strengths of her talent to lead a daily newspaper, head her professional associations and create a statewide group of admiring friends. She has many talents but the rarest and most highly prized is to give her superiors inconvenient facts they don’t want to hear, but that change the game and make the organization better. She’s a great leader, and my bet is that she’ll do well in her new venture.”

Phil Sanguinetti, president of Consolidated Publishing, said of Pappas, “We wish her the best of luck in her new endeavor.”

Pappas is a Birmingham native and graduate of Auburn University. A longtime member of the Alabama Press Association, Pappas was president of the organization in 2006, only the third woman to hold that title. Felicia Mason, executive director of the Alabama Press Association, said Friday, “Anytime a seasoned professional leaves our industry it’s a sad day.”

“I have enjoyed my time as editor and publisher at The Daily Home and St. Clair Times because this staff has been amazing to work with over the years,” Pappas said. “We have produced many quality products together — Lakeside Living, Coosa and Hometown Marketplaces, Coosa Valley Advantage and a host of magazine publications.

“This has been a team in every sense of the word, and I am sad to leave the people I consider to be my family. I have been proud to be associated with them because they understand what it means to be a true community newspaper, one that understands its readers and advertisers and serves them well.”

Pappas started her tenure at The Daily Home in 1981 as a reporter in the Pell City Bureau. She rose through the ranks, serving as bureau manager, city editor, managing editor, general manager and publisher.

Before coming to The Daily Home, she worked as reporter and photographer for one weekly newspaper and editor of another.

Pappas is involved in numerous professional and civic organizations throughout the area and around the state.

She is a past president of the Alabama Associated Press Managing Editors, vice chairwoman of the Auburn University Journalism Advisory Council, a member of the Auburn University Alumni Magazine Advisory Board, co-founder of the Talladega County Community Improvement Foundation, chairwoman of the Pell City Center for Education and the Performing Arts, a member of Talladega Kiwanis Club, a member of the Board of Directors for the Alabama Association of Non-Profits and a member of the HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Pre-School Youngsters) advisory board in Sylacauga.

She is a graduate of Leadership Alabama, Leadership Talladega, Leadership Sylacauga and Leadership Pell City and served on the steering committee for Leadership St. Clair County.

Hadley served as president of the Alabama Associated Press Managing Editors and two terms on the Alabama Press Association Foundation. He also has served on the Jacksonville State University Communications Department advisory panel, and on local boards including Red Cross, Antique Talladega Mardi Gras Committee, Chamber of Commerce, and Talladega City Schools Foundation. He is a graduate of Leadership Talladega and is president-elect of the Talladega Rotary Club.

Hadley said his years at The Daily Home were rewarding ones.

“Thank you to everyone at the paper and Consolidated Publishing and in our communities for making my career here such a rich experience,” Hadley said.

Pappas said she has many good memories of her years with Consolidated Publishing.

“The people I have met over the years, the memories of news stories that made a difference, hard-hitting editorials that were agents of change for the better and fighting for freedom of information issues are what I will always carry with me,” Pappas said. “This has been a great career and Talladega and St. Clair counties have been wonderful places to work.”

Edited: February 1st, 2010

Talladega test proves ARCA Racing Series Drivers Serious about Daytona

With a record five ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards victories at Daytona (not to mention four consecutive pole awards) there is no doubt that Bobby Gerhart is serious about his superspeedway racing program.

In order to increase his chances of becoming a six-time Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 race winner at Daytona, Gerhart has rented Talladega Superspeedway for a full day test session on Saturday, January 23. He will be joined at the test by several other drivers looking to get an edge on their superspeedway racing program, including Tom Hessert (driver of the No. 77 Dodge for Cunningham Motorsports and a former pole winner at Talladega Superspeedway), Dakoda Armstrong (driver of the No. 22 Dodge for Cunningham Motorsports and a Penske Development Driver), Milka Duno (driver of the No. 90 Great Clips Toyota attempting to make her stock car debut at Daytona this year), Frank Kimmel (driver of the No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford Fusion, a nine-time ARCA Racing Series Champion and former race winner at Talladega), James Hylton (driver of the No. 48 Hylton Motorsports Ford and the series’ oldest Daytona entrant at 70 years old) and Hal Martin (Mark Gibson Racing driver and Southern-based Late Model ace).
Talladega Superspeedway has long provided ARCA Racing Series teams an avenue in which to test cars and setups in preparation for race events at Daytona. The series has been a staple at the 2.6-mile superspeedway since the track was constructed in 1969. For some, the Talladega opportunity provides one final shake down following a three-day ARCA Racing Series test at Daytona in December. But for those who missed Daytona Testing, such as Kimmel, the Talladega test provides the first opportunity to work on the 2010 Daytona race setup under real life track conditions.

The 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards kicks off with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona Int’l Speedway on Saturday, February 6, 2010. The race is live on SPEED beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern.

Edited: February 1st, 2010