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Good morning, readers, take a look at what’s going on today:

Traffic:

The Cullman City Street Department’s patch crew will be working on Brookridge Lane SE and Douglas St. SE.

Drivers out in the county may want to watch for fallen branches in the road, debris that might be in the way, and report any major problems to the Cullman County Road Department.

Weather:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 a.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 58. South wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Best bets for today:

Therapeutic bowling night: Family members and individuals with disabilities/delays can enjoy a night of bowling (6 to 8 p.m. today) at the Cullman Bowling Center, 1710 Tally Ho St. NW, Cullman 35055. Cost is $3/person, person with disabilties must be present for family members to bowl. Info: Civic center at 256-734-9157 or Rhonda Davis at 256-962-2208.

Book fair: CRMC Auxiliary hosts spring book fair: Cullman Regional Medical Center Auxiliary will host its Spring Book Fair from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, in CRMC’s Col. Cullman Room, 1912 Alabama Hwy 157, POB II, Cullman 35058). Proceeds benefit the CRMC Auxiliary; cash, check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit card payments are accepted.

Cantanti della donna concert: Cantanti della donna, Cullman’s premier women’s ensemble will present their spring concert, “There’s No Place Like Home”, at 7 p.m. today, at Hartselle First Baptist Church (210 Woodland St. NW, Hartselle 35640). This concert is free and suitable for all ages. Join Cantanti della donna as they celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz. Info: Deb Laslie at 256-736-2622.

Looking ahead:

Masonic scholarship deadline: Applications for the Robert Bates Masonic Scholarships are available for seniors in both city and county schools. Students should contact their guidance counselor or contact Jerry Goldin at 256-796-8914. Deadline for Submission is Wednesday, April 30.

Strawberry Festival: Cullman’s 2014 Strawberry Festival will be May 9-10, at the Festhalle Market Platz. The farmers’ market and the Cullman County Museum will be open at 8 a.m. There’ll be music, arts and crafts, tractor/classic car show at 9 a.m. Historical tours will be given by the Cullman County Museum volunteers and staff. A cooking demonstration will be held at Festhalle; strawberry daiquiris and margaritas will be available at the biergarten.

Live music for Friday to include The Burks (gospel), Roy Crawford and the Cullman County Bluegrass, Three On A String, Burke Buster, and Round 2.

Live music for Saturday to include Mean Mary, Cullman Community Band, Cullman High School Choirs, Cullman High School Jazz Band, The Troupe, Ave. G, Overtones, Coal Rain, and MP4.

Friday is Senior Day, sponsored by the Cullman County Commission On Aging.

Also, So Southern-the Seven Keys to Cullman, a one-person comedy, will be showing at the Train Depot. Limited seating.

Survivors’ breakfast/dinner: The Relay For Life Survivors Breakfast will be at 7 a.m.  Wednesday, April 30, at Cullman Church of Christ, 4345 Highway 157, Cullman 35058.

The Survivors dinner will be at 5 p.m. May 2, at Cullman County Fairgrounds on Sportsman Lake Road, just off of Highway 31. Opening ceremonies will begin at 6:30 p.m., with survivors’ first lap at 7 p.m.

All survivors and caregivers are invited to attend these activities. Info: Jan Pierce at 256-796-8990; or Linda Walker at 256-462-3140.

Rummage sale: Trinity Lutheran Church, 505 Commercial St., Hanceville 35077, will hold a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 2, and from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. May 3. Funds raised will go to sanctuary repairs and will be supplemented by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Spaghetti dinner fundraiser: The Cullman Area Career Center’s Culinary Arts competition team is hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser, with all proceeds going to pay for their trip to the national competition in San Antonio in July 2014 (they won first place in the state at Birmingham). The dinner is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at the center on Highway 31 N in Vinemont. Dine in or take out, cost per plate is $10/adult and $5/children.

Bingo! Parkside School will host a Bingo night from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, in the school lunchroom, 12431 Highway 69 N, Baileyton 35019. Cards are $1 to $5, with Bingo markes available for purchase. There will also be door prizes and a silent auction. Concessions available. All proceeds to go to the school.

Plant sale: The Holly Pond FFA greenhouse is now open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the school (160 New Hope Road, Holly Pond 35058). Bedding plants, geraniums, hanging baskets and tomato plants available. Several colors and varieties to choose from. All proceeds go to help fund FFA activities. Info: School office at 256-796-5120.

Cinderella coming to St. Bernard: St. Bernard Prep School’s Abby Byre Center for the Performing Arts will present a production of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” at 6:56 p.m. May 1-3; and at 2 p.m. May 4, at 1600 St. Bernard Dr. SE, Cullman 35055.

General admission tickets are $5 and may be purchased at Farmers Home Furniture on Highway 31. Tickets may be reserved by contacting the Box Office at 256-727-8598. All proceeds to benefit the Abby Byre Center for the Performing Arts.

On Thursday, May 1, St. Bernard’s will host an anniversary celebration of the one-year opening of the Byre with gourmet desserts. Drinks will be coffee, iced tea and water. Price of show is included in the tickets. Only 30 tickets will be sold for this event.

Today’s tidbit:

Still have some turkey or ham left over from Easter? Looking for a new way to pair it with veggies without having to have the same ol’, same ol’? Here’s a new twist on veggies you might already have on hand:

Spinach with Garbanzo Beans

Takes only 25 minutes; makes 4 servings

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 onion, diced

10 ounce box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well

12 ounce can garbanzo beans, drained

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the garlic and onion in the oil until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach, garbanzo beans, cumin, and salt. Use your stirring spoon to lightly mash the beans as the mixture cooks. Allow to cook until thoroughly heated.

Serve with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. And chocolate cake.

10 Things to Know for Today

By The Associated Press

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. MORE THAN TWO DOZEN DEAD IN SEVERE STORMS IN US

Tornadoes, flash floods, hail and thunderstorms rampage through the Midwest and South, leaving behind a wide swath of destruction and death.

2. OBAMA RATCHETS UP PRESSURE ON RUSSIA

Washington and the European Union impose new sanctions on Moscow over the escalation in Ukraine.

3.  MORTAR ATTACK ON CENTRAL DAMASCUS KILLS 14

Four shells exploded in the middle of Syria’s capital one day after President Bashar Assad announced he will run for a third term in the June elections.

4. SEOUL SAYS NORTH KOREA CONDUCTED LIVE-FIRE DRILL

Pyongyang’s military exercise could reflect its frustration at receiving little international aid.

5. WHAT’S UNUSUAL ABOUT N.C. GAY MARRIAGE LAWSUIT

A coalition of clergy members challenge the law saying they would like to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, but the “unjust law” violates their right to religious freedom.

6. KERRY DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM ‘APARTHEID’ COMMENT ON ISRAEL

The top American diplomat was criticized for saying the Jewish state could become an “apartheid state” if it doesn’t reach peace with the Palestinians.

7. POSITIVELY  RIVETING

A group trying to save part of the Michigan factory made famous by Rosie the Riveter needs a million dollars this week to save the former bomber-building plant from demolition.

8. NBA ANNOUNCEMENT ON CLIPPERS INVESTIGATION IMMINENT

Commissioner Adam Silver will reveal whether any disciplinary action will be taken against Donald Sterling for purportedly making racist comments.

9. WHY DOUBTS ARE RAISED ABOUT CONDEMNED INMATES

About one in 25 people imprisoned under a death sentence is likely innocent, according to a new study.

10. WHICH ACTOR HAS TAKEN HIMSELF OFF THE ROMANTIC MARKET

George Clooney is engaged to Amal Alamuddin, a 36-year-old international law attorney.