Envision Opelika

Here’s the results for this past weekend’s Unity Race: Click Your Race for Details! 5 K Race 1 Mile Fun Run

No Comments »

Confidence is the Character Word of the month at the Opelika High School and the Opelika Middle School and throughout the City of Opelika via the Envision Opelika Character Council.  You will see it on the Charter Bank marquee and on the First United Methodist Church marquee. It is in the Lee County Youth Development newsletter and on e-mails from the Boys and Girls Club as well as the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.  The Character Council strives to emphasize the character trait each month everywhere that it can.  Don’t hesitate to let us know if you would like to include it on your e-mails or in your newsletter. 

 I saw a lot of confidence exhibited in the Opelika High School production of Guys and Dolls.  I also saw a lot of confidence and passion in Brian Blackmon as he spoke about the Character Education program in the Opelika Schools at Ladies Night at the First United Methodist Church.  Confidence is an important trait as you make your way in the world.  Most all of us have to have some confidence or we would isolate ourselves and never step outside but we can also build on that small amount of confidence as we develop skills, make those decisions, take advantage of opportunities, and set those goals that are achievable.  Norman Vincent Peale said: “Believe in yourself!  Have faith in your abilities!  Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”

There are a multitude of self-help materials available to build confidence. Not only written materials but motivational and inspirational talks, tapes, and seminars as well. The computer certainly makes a world of information available to all who use this device or, if you’re fortunate enough, to get others to do the research for you.  I have looked at some of the information posted on the internet that deals with improving your self-confidence and found a very good site from Texas Woman’s University Self-Help Library.

TWU says, and I have heard it said before, that we should emphasize our strengths and not focus so much on our weaknesses.  That’s good advice for building confidence.  Focusing on what you can do, strengthening those qualities, accepting current limitations comfortably, and considering what strengths you might want to develop next are good building blocks for a better confidence foundation.
 
I have also learned a new word – perfectionistic. Perhaps it’s not really a word but it was used to say that if we don’t establish realistic goals instead of perfectionistic goals for ourselves, we are inviting stress and failure.  That’s not to say we shouldn’t work to reach our full potential but it may be a step by step process.
 
Sometimes we do have to take a chance and try something new and different that we have not done before.  There will possibly be mistakes in the process but self-confidence should improve just by knowing that you tried something new and you learned a little more about yourself and about life. 

We can all lend a helping hand to others in instilling confidence. Helping others feel confident and worthwhile will not only help them but it will help us also. I like Richard Evans quote: “Don’t let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.”

No Comments »

We want to keep the OA News readers up to date with the work of the Envision Opelika Race Relations/Cultural Diversity Task Force and the Opelika Character Council, an outworking of the Task Force.  The Task Force is sponsoring the Two by Two Unity Run, which will be held this Saturday, March 29.  The purpose of the effort is to strengthen relationship among citizens of all cultures in our community.  Proceeds will benefit Character Education in Opelika, the Miracle Field, and Keep Opelika Beautiful.  This is the same day as Keep Opelika Beautiful “Garden in the Park,” which is held in Municipal Park, and the Opelika Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, which is held at the Opelika Municipal Recreation Center. 

The Two by Two Unity Run will feature a 5K Run starting at 8:00 a.m., and a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk/Wheel at 9:30 a.m.  Pairs of runners of different races or cultures are offered the opportunity to be linked together at the wrist (Velcro links provided), designed to promote teamwork and build relationships.  There are discounts for runners who choose this option.  The course starts and ends at Municipal Park in Opelika.  All ages are encouraged to participate.  Wheelchair participants are welcomed.  No other wheeled devices such as skateboards, scooters, bicycles, or skates are allowed in the events.  Applications may be obtained on line at barbara@envisionopelika.org or auburnrunning.org.  Participants may also register the day of the events.

We are very appreciative to the following for sponsoring the Two by Two Unity Run:  Associated Realty, Auburn Bank, BancorpSouth, Best Copy Products, BMB & Associates, Brunos, Chick-Fil-A, East Alabama Medical Center, Envy Salon, First American Bank, First Baptist Church, Hair Expo, Hilyer Consulting, May Refrigeration, Russello’s, Scott Bridge Company, State Farm (Rusty Sheehan, Bill White), L & L Machine, V3 Media Group, Whispering Oaks, and Winston Smith T Building Supply.

Saturday, March 29, will be a wonderful day in our community for everyone.  Don’t miss this opportunity to be with family and friends.

The Opelika Character Council has two projects they are working on.  There is the ongoing effort to publicize selected character traits throughout our community.  These traits are being taught to our children in the Middle School and High School.  Organizations and businesses that are cooperating in this effort are:  First United Methodist Church; Charter Bank; Lee County Youth Development Center; Boy and Girls Club of Lee County; Opelika City Schools; Opelika Chamber of Commerce; Lee County Red Cross; churches in Opelika.  We will continue to enlarge the number of participants in publicizing the “Character Trait of the Month.”

The second effort we are working on relates to one part of the Character Council’s plan of action:  Identify resources to assist entities in the development of excellence in character among groups and individuals.  We offered the CharacterFirst! Management Training Seminar in Opelika on February 28 that trains managers and supervisors to emphasize, require, and recognize excellence in character within the operation of their organization or business.  Representatives from the following organizations and businesses have been through the training:  Hilyer Consulting; Pawn City; Associated Realty; Opelika Utilities; Boys and Girls Club of Lee County; office of the Lee County Revenue Commissioner; East Alabama Medical Center; ESG Operations; City of Opelika; Lee County Commission; Jeffery A. Hilyer, CPA; and Envision Opelika, Inc.

If you have comments or questions about our work, please contact us at 705-5138 or barbara@envisionopelika.org.

No Comments »

A Unique Run with a Great Mission:  To strengthen relationships among citizens of all cultures in our community.  Proceeds benefit Character Education, the Miracle Field, and Keep Opelika Beautiful.  Unique Feature of the 5K and 1-Mile. We encourage pairs of runners of different races or cultures to be linked together at the wrist (Velcro links provided) promoting teamwork and building relationships.  Discounts for runners who choose this option.  Read More Here or Download Information/Registration Form Below. 

Download Race Application & Information Here!

No Comments »

If you missed it last month, the Opelika Character Council is beginning a campaign to promote character traits in our citizens that will improve life in the community.  The character traits are the same ones that the Opelika Middle School and the Opelika High School are emphasizing.  Last month the character trait was Patience and this month the character trait is Persistence. John Quincy Adams said of both these traits: “Patience and perseverance (persistence) have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”

There are many definitions of Persistence out there.  Some of those are “persevering application, tenacious, industrious, and perseveringly attentive.”  Character First which is a program that the Opelika Character Council has reviewed and finds its materials well thought out and well presented defines persistence as “investing my time and energy to complete each task assigned to me.”  We certainly know that to be successful in school students must complete their assignments and employees must complete tasks assigned to them for a business to be successful.

Perhaps you have seen the marquee at Charter Bank with the character trait of the month displayed.  The trait is also in every Friday Facts that the Opelika Chamber of Commerce sends out. If you have a newsletter, a billing that allows space for such as this, or any means of communication that would help publicize and bring attention to these traits, we would appreciate your help in this effort.

Customer service is a hallmark of a good business and it is important for customers to be satisfied with a company’s service or they will stop doing business with them.  Not only will they stop but they will spread the word to others about their unhappiness with the company. A company should follow through and deliver on the service it proclaims or the product that it is manufacturing.   That’s where persistence comes in. Persistence means following through on those guarantees for the customer.

Calvin Coolidge said:  “Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence.  Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.  Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.  Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.  Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.  The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”  Persistence is a trait that means pursuing and completing but does it mean to never give up.  I don’t think that is the case.  It’s not necessary to continue to pursue a plan that is out of date.  It is not necessary to pursue a goal that is no longer relevant to the big picture. Sometimes it is necessary to change direction and leave some things unfinished in order to pursue others. But as Thomas Alva Edison put it: “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up” and Jane Addams said: “Nothing could be worse than the fear that one had given up too soon, and left one unexpended effort that might have saved the world.”

In our journey in life, persistence is important in growing and developing into the person we would like to be.  Be persistent, to quote Opelika schools, in being the best that we can be.  - Barbara

No Comments »

PATIENCE is the Opelika Character Trait of the month being emphasized in the Opelika City Schools for January.  That word brings so much to mind in my life and I’ll bet it does in yours.  It is probably a trait that everyone knows needs strengthening, even if that person considers himself to be a patient person.  I don’t think anyone would argue that we don’t all need to learn the art of patience.

What comes to mind when you think about the word “patience”?  Wikipedia defines patience as the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties with the opposite of patience being impatience.  See if you agree with this statement from Brian Adams:  Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure.  Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success. 

There are many notable people that have given us quotes on patience which give direction and “food for thought.”  Isaac Newton said, “If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent.”  Helen Keller said, “We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.”  Saint Francis de Sales said, “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.  Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them – every day begin the task anew.”  Elizabeth Taylor said, “It is strange that the years teach us patience – that the shorter our time, the greater out capacity for waiting.”  There are many others but I selected these because they point out to me that to be successful patience is an important character trait, that one must be patient with oneself and not get discouraged, that one gets to begin again every day to improve oneself, that life is not all joy, and that there is progress in developing and growing but the journey is forever.

For a tool to help with developing patience, I found a website that seemed to be good resource. Coping.org is the Public Service of James J. Messina, Ph.D. & Constance Messina, Ph.D.that gives Tools for Coping with Life’s Stressors and will take one through steps on developing patience.  In the steps, it outlines some negative consequences of impatience, outlines how people respond to impatience in others, asks you how you feel when you are impatient, tells you some new behavioral traits that could be needed to help you increase the level of patience in your life, and, lastly, gives you some steps towards developing the skills you need to grow your patience. 

The Opelika Character Council is working to promote character in all sectors of the city. As a part of the efforts, it wants to emphasize throughout the community of Opelika the character traits that the schools are using.  The Chamber of Commerce has already begun this process but to expand the reach to remind each of us to think about this trait and how we can improve upon it in our own lives, the Character Council is in the process of seeking every available means to publicize the Character Trait of the Month.   You may be contacted to help with this effort and, if you are, I hope that you will be receptive to the idea.   Also, you don’t have to wait to be contacted, you can call us (705-5138) at the Envision Opelika office and let us know that you would like to help “spread the word.”  - Barbara

No Comments »

Tom Tippett, the Chairman of Envision Opelika’s Character Council, and I had the privilege of speaking briefly at the Kickoff Ceremony for the Annual Character Counts Week Celebration (October 21-27) at the Potter-Daniel Unit of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County and were both so impressed with the attentiveness and the manners of these boys and girls.  Clay Crowe, as the Program Director, has a mammoth responsibility and does a wonderful job. This Unit serves youth between six and eighteen years of age and, currently, there are about 115 active members.  I don’t know how many were there for the Kick-Off but I do know there were rows and rows of young faces.   Wanda Lewis, the Executive Director, was also in attendance and I’m sure she was in and out all week long during these activities.

There are six core ethical values that form the foundation of Character Counts and they were focusing on those this past week.  These six pillars are Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness; Caring, and Citizenship. Using the first letter of each of these values forms an acronym that they learn and helps them remember that people with good character are terrific(TRRFCC). These young folks will be terrific as they carry what they have learned throughout the year and throughout their lives.

There is also a color scheme that connects to each of the pillars and reminds them of each one.  Trustworthiness is the color blue which goes along with “true blue”, being loyal, doing what you say you’ll do, being reliable, not being deceitful, cheating, or stealing.  Respect is the color gold that shows the relationship to the Golden Rule, being considerate of the feelings of others, being tolerant of differences, using good manners and working out disagreements peacefully.  Responsibility is given the color green, illustrating being solid and reliable as a tree, being self-disciplined, being accountable for choices, and doing what you are supposed to do.  Fairness is orange and is illustrated by dividing an orange into equal sections to share with friends, taking turns, playing by the rules, not taking advantage of others, and being open minded.  Caring is red like a heart, being kind, compassionate, showing you care, expressing gratitude, helping those in need, and being forgiving. Lastly, Citizenship is purple, representing the state and teaching being involved in community affairs, staying informed, voting, respecting authority, obeying the laws, and protecting the environment.

During this week the children had a Make a Difference Day in partnership with Keep Opelika Beautiful.  They had a Cultural Diversity Project, a Member Recognition Ceremony, a Music Extravaganza, and Presentations and Skits throughout the week. A very busy time!

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County has always endorsed high academic and athletic achievement among the youth they serve and strengthening character is an integral part of its program.  Since 2005, they have been using the Character Counts curriculum.

Envision Opelika through the Opelika Character Council is working towards having Character Programs in all segments of the community and towards reminding all of us that character is the most valuable part of who we are and building character is a life-long journey.  Character, like a diamond, has many facets and the more it’s polished, the brighter it shines. Kudos to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County for their instilling and polishing!  - Barbara

No Comments »

Downtown Opelika continues to evolve and change and it is again becoming more and more an attraction for the community. Downtown is becoming an experience – a place to go for music or an event, to enjoy a unique shop and/or an evening out, a place to see and be seen.

A recent poll conducted by the Monmouth University Polling Institute asked adult residents of the state of New Jersey about downtowns and the results of the poll might mirror what we would find in Alabama and in Opelika but then again it might not. See what you think.

The downtowns were broken down by region and each region’s list included a mix of traditional urban centers, active destinations, and quiet residential communities. The survey found that each successful downtown in the state of New Jersey appealed to a specific segment of the population and a lot of the downtown areas there were not rising to the top of the favorites list because they really didn’t have an identity and they also lacked cohesiveness in terms of a niche market. The poll found that there is a downtown for everybody, but they are not all in the same place.

They also found that downtowns cater to niche markets much more than they did in the past. We knew that, didn’t we? People are not going downtown for their everyday needs but they are looking for an “interesting experience” so the shops should be unique and be appealing to them. It also found that people are not going to go downtown to go to just one shop so there should be a variety of them in that similar marketplace. That’s sounds familiar also.

The question was asked: “What aspects of downtown do people value?” About 71% said good restaurants are a very important factor in getting them to visit a downtown area. 59% named nice landscaping and 54% said that locally owned unique shops were important qualities. Frequent and infrequent visitors both chose the same qualities to make downtowns attractive. These percentages were an average of age groups beginning 18 and above and three blocks of income groups that would include everyone.

The poll also showed that downtowns have their core base of people that love walking and being in the downtowns, the “sometimers” who appreciate what it offers once a week or once a month, and those that will never be attracted to what is offered. Four in 10 said they visit a downtown at least weekly and that included 16% who shop or dine downtown every few days. Another 30% were monthly visitors and 21%, occasional visitors. 8% said they never shop or dine at a downtown area in the state. Which one are you? What would make you change?

The survey said downtowns need to address a lot of different audiences – residents of the town, current business owners and stakeholders in the town, and also the market that you want to appeal to. Envision Opelika’s One Voice did one survey with the downtown merchants. Perhaps it’s time to do another one with a broader scope and to include telephone interviews and street intercepts along with a written survey. Our downtown should be a draw with appeal to those who want to frequent it. After all, it is our heart.

No Comments »

Last year, the Envision Opelika Cultural Diversity/Race Relations Task Force began considering the idea of Opelika becoming known as a City of Character. We looked into an organization that promoted the concept and provided assistance in the process. The idea was presented to the Envision Opelika Board of Directors who endorsed the plan as did the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. At the annual Chamber banquet in February, Bob Young, former mayor of Augusta, Ga, now executive director of the Southeastern U. S. Department City of Character, spoke about Augusta becoming a City of Character while he was in office.

In March, a presentation was made by the CD/RR Task Force to citizens from all segments of our community. The response was very favorable and most committed to being involved in the effort to form a character council. Since then, three meetings of the Opelika Character Council have been held. During those meetings, a Resolution was written and has been accepted by the Chamber of Commerce Board, the Board of Education, and the City Council. Here is the Resolution:

Whereas, we as human beings are not to judge each other based on race, color, gender, or national origin, but by the content of our character; and

Whereas, there is a growing need to emphasize the value and worth of each human being in all sectors of our community; and

Whereas, in the American culture and in our community there is a growing diversity of cultures that may lead to pluralism, not integration of cultures, creating a great need for foundational, principled, and common truths to serve as a unifying element in our community; and

Whereas, there is the potential within a culturally diverse community for its citizens to agree upon certain ethics, values, and character traits that would enhance the worth of every person, and improve life in a community; and

Whereas, there are certain character traits such as honesty, integrity, and truthfulness that all would agree as admirable and desirable human qualities, transcending age, position, financial status, culture, education, gender and personality; and

Whereas, there are already efforts in our schools, organizations, and certain businesses within our community that are educating and promoting character development;

Therefore, be it resolved that by this resolution the leaders of family, government, education, business, industry, media, civic and private organizations, and faith-based organizations, are encouraged to educate and promote character development as a vital ingredient to their operation as a successful enterprise, and for the purpose of creating and preserving a community that is known for valuing the worth and contribution of each person to the effective operation of a family, system or organization.

Be it further resolved, that by joint action of the Mayor and Opelika City Council, Opelika City Schools Board of Education, and the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, that each of these entities hereby agree to actively pursue the resources and programs that are available to have the City of Opelika be known as a city that values the dignity and worth of each of its citizens.

The Opelika Character Council is very encouraged by the response we have received. If you are interested in being involved, you are invited to attend the next meeting of the Council which will be this Thursday, May 10, 5:30 p.m., at the Opelika Depot.

Article from Tom Tippet, Chairman of the Race Relations Cultural Diversity Task Force of Envision Opelika & the Character Council.

No Comments »

You may recall an article in this column written about Envision Opelika’s Kick-Off Event in October, 2005 for the Redevelopment of the Miriam S. Brown School into a Cultural Center. Barbara Keel, the artist, was one of the speakers that day and after the event she whispered to me that she was writing a book about growing up in Opelika.  I said “how wonderful” but thought it would be a long time coming.  But it’s here or soon to be!

Barbara brought her draft book to me to read last week and it is truly fun and wonderful.  Because of her memories of her days at the Brown School, she has offered to give a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her book to go towards its redevelopment.  That, too, is exciting!

Barbara has a web site and there you can find one of the chapters from her book, My Back Yard, there. You will also find introductory information on the site that will entice you to want to read it.  It says, “This book is for the child in all of us, the part of us that longs to go back to the days of endless play and stretching our hours to last all summer.” It also says it is, (and it is) “Southern History at its best, from a very imaginative child’s point of view. This book will allow you to “Travel through time, back to 1950’s Opelika, Alabama” and see how “one little girl tries to get every inch out of life in the streets of her own backyard.” Barbara’s backyard had everything a child could have asked for – “playmates, other worlds, adventure, and excitement.  The only thing she would have wished to have done without was the dadblasted switch bush.”  I remember one of those too. Do you?

Let me give you one paragraph that might bring back a remembrance of Opelika or a remembrance of a town that you grew up in: 

Our house was downtown Opelika, Alabama and there were no other houses with kids anywhere near us.  The bus station was to the right, a big white building with one central room filled with uncomfortable chairs and a juke box that churned out every Elvis song on record. There was an office to the rear and a small café to the left of the big plate glass windows flanking the front door.  The comic book stand was there, next to the café, along with candy, gum and newspapers.

The whiskey store and a furniture store were across the street from our house and a little grocery store sat on the corner one block past it, next to the courthouse.  The little grocery had wooden floors, sprinkled with sawdust – fun to mark trails with my shoes as I entered and looked at all the candies and treats.  The drink machine was just a long, low chest that blew out cold air that was visible and held row after row of icy bottled drinks for hot summer quenching.

Look for an announcement soon of a book signing, you don’t want to miss it.

No Comments »