UPDATE: Free Trolley on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

This is fantastic! A friend and I rode the trolley last night, and the loop takes only 30 minutes. You can hop on at Pratt and Russell, jump off at your favorite restaurant anywhere along the route, not worry about parking, eat and drink (if you are so inclined), and jump right back on the trolley to take you (near) home. The driver was friendly and helpful. This is an under-used resource that we should all take advantage of. Oh, and there is a lift for wheelchair users! Truly wonderful!

According to the Huntsville City website, the trolley stops at 1872 East at approximately 20 minutes past the hour and 50 minutes past the hour. Then it stops at Thai Garden at 21 and 51 minutes past the hour. It goes to the Lumberyard, down Church Street to Clinton Avenue and then around the square, to the Huntsville Museum of Art, the Von Braun Center, the hotels downtown, back to the square, and then home to Five Points.

Check details on http://www.hsvcity.net/PublicTran/maps/Downtown_2012.pdf

Local Entertainment: Hunstville Symphony Orchestra

 

What a fantastic gift we were given over 50 years ago when a handful of music lovers committed to spend energy, time, and money to develop a local orchestra. It still thrives today. You can buy single tickets, season tickets, or a combination of several tickets. But, whatever you do, you certainly don't want to miss out on this fabulous community treasure.

 

See the schedule and other details at http://www.hso.org/

The Public Library

You can see why the Huntsville Madison County Public Library downtown location has been called "Fort Book." And, as forts do, this "outpost" has provided refuge for many. A center for community education, our library not only provides typical book-lending services, but also hosts lectures, demonstrations, musical events, art exhibits, and classes. Additionally, they have a used book store, have acquired an extensive collection of local documents that are available for researchers, and house the Subregional Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped. As far as checking out books--you can either drop in and take out or log on and download.

Here is the link: http://hmcpl.org/

UPDATE: Free Little Libraries

 

It’s the middle of the night and you can’t sleep. You don’t want to read from your tablet in case you fall asleep reading, roll on top of it, and crack the screen. You are bored to death with the books at home. Fort Book (aka the Library on Monroe), Books a Million, and B&N are closed. I have a solution: Trot over to one of the “Little Free Libraries” in Five Points and trade one of your now-boring books for a new, exciting read. These libraries are located on both the north side and south side of the 1000 block of Pratt and on the south side of the 1200 block of Clinton.

UPDATE: Fun in the Neighborhood: Vintage Bike Rides

UPDATE: I missed the bicycle ride on Sunday but heard it was great and ended at Star Market for ice cream! Stay tuned for information on the next neighborhood ride. I think that they are usually on Sundays at 2 p.m. My cousin describes it as a “casual, often vintage, bike ride, leaving from Huntsville Middle School. Distance is 6-8 miles and the goal is to socialize and perhaps end up at a coffee shop."

Five Points joins National Register of Historic Places

AL.com reports that Maple Hill Cemetary and Five Points have been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

This is the link: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2013/09/two_huntsville_treasures_--_fi.html

Support Local Business: Marie's Hallmark at Five Points

Customer Service reigns at Marie's. When Hallmark still had a customer reward program, I think that everyone in a five-mile-radius had their reward card on file at Marie's. Owner Theresa Carlisle remembers her customers' tastes and family, helping shoppers choose the "just right" card and gift for every occasion. Dogs are welcome and might be greeted by fellow canines Pixie and Daubi. After closing, guard cat Spook makes sure that the resident giant stuffed animals don't wreak havoc.

716 Pratt Avenue

256-534-5854

maries.hallmark@gmail.com

Monday-Friday 10-6
Saturday 10-5
Sundays usually not open

Support Local Business: Al Christoper Gifts

Need the perfect gift? Al Christopher Gifts has jewelry, gifts, and clothing. And, for a non-shopper such as me, a wonderful staff. Who else can you call and say, remember last year when I gave so-and-so the lemon kitchen cleaner and she loved it? Well, will you select another winner for her? Then you simply pick up the gorgeously wrapped gift, pay them, and scurry along to another successful gift-giving event.

Al Christopher Gifts has relocated from Pratt Avenue to

 812 Wellman Avenue

 256-539-2595

 

Monday-Friday 10-5:30
Saturday 10-4

Local Entertainment: Independent Musical Productions

Always a treat, IMP performs on the new Lee High School stage. Keep up with their season schedule so you won't miss any of their fantastic productions.

http://www.imphuntsville.org/coming.html

Support Local Business: Letha's Framemakers Etc.

Another Five-Points gem is Letha's Framemakers Etc. Owner Annie frames certificates, precious family photos, artwork, and, I imagine, everything else in her own, unique style that enhances everything she touches.

256-536-2088

710 Andrew Jackson Way NE

Support Local Business: Bishops Flowers

I spent years away from my Huntsville kin, but always knew I could count on Bishops to create exquisite arrangements to deliver to my mother and other relatives on special occasions. They have now moved from Meridian Street back to Five Points, on the corner of Bierne and Andrew Jackson Way.

http://www.bishops-flowers.com/

Support Local Business: Garden Cove Produce

Organic produce and other groceries

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Garden-Cove/274770842536758

Propst Drugs

A local pharmacy that hosts a post office and a Quick Care urgent clinic!

http://propstdrugs.com/

Support Local Eateries: Ted's Bar-B-Q

http://tedsbar-b-q.com/

Support Local Eateries: Tenders

http://www.tenderschicken.com/Home.asp

Suppoprt Local Eateries: Emma's Tea Room

http://www.emmastearoom.com/

Support Local Eateries: Po Boy Factory

Po Boy owners Donny and Marie (really, Donny and Marie) hail from New Orleans and bring their home cooking with them. They serve great food and great fun. (And I heard they took the displaced New Orleanians (after Katrina) under their wings and fed them cajun comfort food.)

http://poboyfactory.com/

Huntsville City Schools' Official Website

To find school calendars and other school information, go to http://www.huntsvillecityschools.org/

Official Government Website for Huntsville, AL

Find your council person or other city personnel, along with updated information regarding the city of Huntsville at http://www.hsvcity.com/

Support Local Business: Creative Healing

http://creativehealingonline.com/

Support Local Eateries: 1892 East

http://www.1892east.com/

Support Local Eateries: Thai Garden

Thai Garden is a long-time neighborhood favorite to take out or dine in.

http://ilovethaigarden.com/I_Love_Thai_Garden/Thai_Garden_Restaurant.html