Here’s a look at what we’re working on for the Wednesday, June 24, 2009, edition of The North Jefferson News. Be on the lookout for a new North Jefferson Vision Magazine Saturday. And, make sure you catch our special “how-to” automotive guide on Satuday.



Fultondale mulls jewelry measure



Gold buyers looking to set up shop in Fultondale’s hotels may soon have a harder time doing so.

City leaders are looking at revising business license application procedures to extend to jewelry buyers and sellers who do not have a storefront, but instead operate out of hotels.

Atlanta-based Gold Buying Team, LLC, has hosted gold buying events at the Holiday Inn at 1733 Fulton Road on the weekends of June 13-14 and June 20-21.

On Monday, Gardendale jewelry store owner Jeff Dennis told the council such events may give jewelry thieves a chance to sell stolen merchandise.

Dennis, who lost about $50,000 worth of merchandise in a burglary earlier this year, said he was concerned the group may be buying some stolen items if allowed to operate without oversight by city officials.



Teachers tackle summer AMSTI training



A small group of teachers were as delighted as children Thursday as they used a classroom door to make a guitar.

It was just one string, but the instructor used it to teach a “physics of sound” module during the annual Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) training.

About 450 elementary and middle-school teachers attended the training at North Jefferson Middle School June 8-19. High-school teachers attended AMSTI training at Oak Mountain High School.

The training was facilitated by the UAB AMSTI in-service site, directed by Karen Wood.



Senior centers safe from county cuts, for now



For now, senior centers in north Jefferson County will continue to provide their members with low-cost meals five days a week.

The Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens Services (OSCS), a division of the Jefferson County Commission, was recently on the list of county departments eligible to be shut down because of severe county budget problems.

Through OSCS, about 1,000 senior citizens age 60 and older receive a nutritious, hot lunch Monday through Friday, according to OSCS director Bill Voigt.

The meals cost $2.85. Most centers ask their seniors to pay $1, but do not require payment if the seniors cannot afford it. OSCS pays the remainder of the fee.



Magnolia Festival adding pageant competition



Gardendale’s Mag-nolia Festival took place on April 25, but the spirit of the festival continues with a new pageant event.

On July 26, the inaugural Miss Gardendale Magnolia Festival Pageant will be held at Fultondale Elementary School at 5 p.m. The event is a preliminary competition for the Miss Alabama Pageant in June and top contestants will also receive scholarship money.

Proceeds from the annual Magnolia Festival provide 10, $1,000 scholarships to north Jefferson County high school seniors.