Signs, Signs (150th Battle of Selma)

Signs promoting the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Selma are everywhere,

 even hanging from this balcony at the St. James Hotel

 during last week's Alabama River Chili Cookoff. 

Battle Weekend begins with living history tours for school children April 23 and 24

 and continues with a writers' forum, pre-battle skirmish, sutler settlement,

 Battle of Selma Ball and the main battle re-enactment on Sunday, the 25th.

Linking to Signs, Signs

and City Daily Photo Blogs

The Battle of Selma Historic Trail

Several Battle of Selma historic markers have been installed around town

 in recent weeks, and more will be erected before April's 150th anniversary

 of one of the last battles of the War Between the States. 

This marker is located at the St. James Hotel and tells the story

 of its occupation by Union Gen. James H. Wilson. The hotel, known back then

 as The Gee House Hotel, was managed by Benjamin Sterling Turner,

 a slave who was freed after the battle and went on to become

 the first African American U.S. congressman from Alabama. 

Turner is buried in Old Live Oak Cemetery.

 The cemetery will open Saturday evening during Spring Pilgrimage

 for "ghost tours" as its residents tell their stories.

 Also, visitors can follow the battle trail via these signs. 

Linking to Signs, Signs

and City Daily Photo Blogs  

Icy Cover

One of the horses in the fountain outside the St. James Hotel looks a bit shocked

 as his eye  peers between slabs of ice! This week, Selma had its coldest weather

 in maybe 20 years with temperatures remaining below freezing

 (all the way to a low of 8 degrees)

 from Sunday night until Wednesday morning. 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

Washing Windows

Here is the guy who keeps the sparkles in the windows at the St. James Hotel.

Linking to Weekend Reflections and City Daily Photo Blog

Under Purple Blossoms

Even on a damp day, this spot on the terrace behind

 the St. James Hotel is mighty inviting!

Linking to Friday Fences and City Daily Photo Blogs

The Four Horses

The four horses of the fountain by the St. James Hotel

 seem to be riding into and away from the sunset.

Linking to Weekly top Shot and City Daily Photo Blog

St. James from the River

Here's how the St. James Hotel looks from Riverfront Park and the Alabama River.

 Guests get to enjoy a beautiful view of the park, the river,

 the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the railroad bridge from the back balconies.

 Meanwhile, we've got clouds moving to town this weekend, 

and a few showers are expected.

Linking to Skywatch Friday 

St. James Streetscape

White crepe myrtles lend a soft yet showy touch to the streetscape

 in front of the St. James Hotel on Water Avenue. 

The St. James Hotel

Here's a winter shot of the St. James Hotel on Water Avenue.  

Posted for The Weekend in Black and White

Phoenix Park Opens

Welcome to Phoenix Park!

Its grand opening arrived Friday with colorful balloons, speakers, refreshments and the installation of locally manufactured patio furniture.

Originally the idea of George Needham, who drew plans for beautification of the lot once occupied by the Phoenix Building, a modified version designed and sponsored by individuals, businesses and the city of Selma gives people a place to relax and picnic on Water Avenue.  It also affords a better view across the street from the St. James Hotel. The patio furniture and umbrellas were donated by Plantation Patterns, a company located at Craig Industrial Park.

River and Roses

There are still a few pink roses blooming along the trellis and iron fence behind the St. James Hotel. While these are a hardy variety, I wonder how they will fare in temperatures in the teens. We'll soon find out!

St. James at Dusk

As the sun sets late one evening in August, it casts a warm glow on the St. James Hotel.

Fountains, The Horseheads at the St. James

The heat index in Selma is forecast at 110 F today, so what better way to attempt a cooldown than to post a black and white photo of the horsehead fountain on Water Avenue!
(Click the photo for a larger and even cooler view.)

Market Day Wares

Canvas art was among the many wares for sale at last year's Riverfront Market Day. This year's market activities are Saturday, Oct. 11. There will be music, food, arts, crafts, antique cars, pony rides, a strolling musician and much more!

This section of Water Avenue is the entrance to Lafayette Park and leads to the St. James
Hotel entrance, Bridge Tender's House and The Frame Shoppe.

Through My Eyes...Selma's Historic Architecture

All you photographers out there...get your cameras ready or sift through that portfolio. There's a contest coming up to show off your creative skills and Selma's architecture!

Arts Revive is again sponsoring a photography contest to coincide with Riverfront Market Day. The theme is "Through My Eyes...Selma's Historic Architecture," and my goodness, Selma does have some unique architecture! Just choose a corner, and take your pick!

Here's the rules:
1. Follow the theme.
2. The photos must be a view of all or some part of one of Selma's historic buildings.
3. The photos must include architecture but may also include anything in the surrounding landscape such as gardens, trees, river, wildlife.
4. All entries must be at least 8x10 and must be matted and clear wrapped or framed.
5. No digitally enhanced photos are eligible.
6. Photos should focus on the local beauty of our area.
7. Unusual shots are encouraged.
8. Photos may be either color or black and white.
9. All photos will become the property of Arts Revive and will not be returned.
10. Prizes will be awarded in both the adult and student divisions. ($100 first place, $50 second place, Riverfront Market Day T-Shirt, third place and People's Choice Award.
11. Deadline for submission is October 1, 2008.
12. Submit entries to the Real Estate Gallery at 706 Broad St. between 9 AM and 4:30 PM. Its phone number is 334-874-8182.
13. All entries must be labeled on the back with the a) Title of Photo b) Photographer's Name c) Phone Number d) Category (Adult or Student) e) School - if applicable

Covered in Kudzu

Here's KUDZU, the stuff that strangles forests, traps vehicles and stalls military tanks.

And NO, I'm not kidding!

This vine grows a foot or more a day in the southern U.S. and elsewhere around the world. Here, it covers the riverbank behind the St. James Hotel. If you dare to brave this abode of copperhead snakes, be sure to collect its wysteria-like blossoms in August, and make jelly!

Homegrown Tomatoes

Nothin' beats homegrown tomatoes in the summertime!
I spotted these little tomatoes ripening in cages just outside the St. James Hotel terrace.

The Horsehead Fountain

The horsehead fountain outside the St. James Hotel lends charm to its entrance and makes a great focal point for photographs, especially with colorful flowers in the background. The riverfront hotel was renovated this past year, and back in the 1800s, it thrived with river and rail traffic.

O Christmas Tree!

The newly renovated lobby of the St. James Hotel on Water Avenue is ready for Christmas. I left the ceiling and chandelier in the photo since they are decorative as well.

The St James at Christmas

The St. James Hotel is decked out in Christmas wreaths, and the fountain out front is filled with poinsettias. The hotel on Water Avenue has recently undergone renovation, and its restaurant is expected to reopen just before Christmas. The hotel, originally built in the 1800s, was gutted and rebuilt and reopened in 1997. For a view last May, link here.