Great apps drivers can use

      

 

       Smartphones are a convenient tool that few people can now imagine living without. Smartphone-toting parents know they always have a camera on hand to take quick snaps of their youngsters, while foodies rely on their smartphones to find nearby restaurants or read reviews of eateries while out on the town. But drivers also can benefit from smartphones thanks to the following apps:

·         Waze: Commuters who download Waze to their smartphones might wonder how they ever real-time traffic and road information with their fellow motorists. Drivers can use Waze to save time and gas money and make their commutes less stressful. Drivers who use Waze can actively report accidents and find the least expensive gas prices posted by fellow drivers in their community.

·         GasBuddy: While fuel prices dipped in late 2014 and stayed low into 2015, today’s drivers still are conditioned to find the most affordable gas prices around. The GasBuddy app makes it easy to do just that, as users can share gas prices in their community, which drivers then can peruse to find the most affordable filling stations along their driving routes. Creek Convenience Stores in Atmore and Wetumpka, along with Creek Travel Plaza, all can be found on GasBuddy with current, accurate prices. Drivers can even enter their city, ZIP code or postal code to find the cheapest gas in their vicinity.

·         AAA Mobile: AAA members can use the AAA Mobile app to access AAA services on their smartphones. Such services include trip planning, member discounts and roadside assistance. The app also includes a mobile version of the motor club’s popular TripTik Travel Planner, which makes it easy for smartphone users to find club-approved hotels, restaurants and attractions. Drivers can even create and share trip itineraries between their desktop and mobile devices. 

·         Insurance: Almost every auto insurance provider now offers its own mobile app to policy holders. Such apps can allow drivers to pay their bills, view their insurance identification cards, peruse their policies, arrange for roadside assistance and report claims, among other things. These apps put your auto insurance provider at your fingertips and can make it much easier to manage your policy.

                                                                                                       — MetroCreative content
                                                                                                      Artwork by Jen Peake

HONORING VETERANS: Motorcycle escort for The Wall That Heals ... let's celebrate our freedom by honoring those who gave all

The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) handled the motorcycle escort of The Wall That Heals from Creek Travel Plaza to Battleship Park.

On Veterans Day 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) unveiled a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., designed to travel to communities throughout the United States. Since its dedication, The Wall That Heals has visited more than 400 cities and towns throughout the nation, spreading the Memorial's healing legacy to millions.
Bringing The Wall home to communities throughout our country allows the souls enshrined on the Memorial to exist once more among family and friends in the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings. The traveling exhibit provides thousands of veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of facing The Wall to find the strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin.
It is approximately 250 feet in length, and like the original Memorial is erected in a chevron-shape. The replica is constructed of powder-coated aluminum, supported by an aluminum frame, and is made up of 24 individual panels
As on The Wall, the names on The Wall That Heals are listed by day of casualty. Beginning at the center/apex, the names start on the East Wall (right-hand side) working their way out to the end of that wing, picking up again at the far end of the West Wall (left-hand side) and working their way back in to the center/apex, joining the beginning and end of the conflict at the center.

Multiple law enforcement agencies and first responders participated in the event, including the Atmore Police Department, ALEA, Tribal Police Department, Atmore Fire Department and others. Thank you to all who serve in the military and law enforcement!

The bikers got food and refreshments during their stay at Creek Travel Plaza, along with complimentary items from the managment.

Summer fun in the South: Plenty to do at Magnolia Branch

     As Alice Cooper sings, “School’s out for summer!” And so it begins when students and adults alike are looking for fun things to do to stay occupied and enjoy each other’s company during the summer months.

     In Southwest Alabama, there are many activities for families to enjoy, and most are within a short driving distance. At Magnolia BranchWildlife Reserve in Atmore, Ala., the case for having fun is already won.

     Beginning every May (the unofficial beginning of summer for most of the South) and lasting through Labor Day (the unofficial end of summer), Magnolia Branch opens all of its water activities for people to enjoy. Those include tubing, the waterblob and zip lines. Canoeing and kayaking can be done year-round, so let’s not forget those, too.

     And for the nature enthusiasts, take advantage of the hiking trails and horse riding trail all summer long as well. Magnolia Branch offers a 7-mile trail and a 10-mile trail. Equestrians also can camp with their horses and utilize our stable, which has 10 stalls to accommodate your horses.

     But there is so much more to do at Magnolia Branch. Bring the whole family or gather up a group of friends and spend a few nights camping in the park. There are 82 total sites. Camp in a tent or bring your RV. If you feel like “roughing it,” there are unlimited primitive campsites — meaning no water or electricity. But if you need a few creature comforts, there are 15 tent sites with water and electricity.

     For RV lovers, Magnolia Branch has 67 spots for campers: 47 sites come with full hook-ups and 20 sites have water and electricity only. For those with large RVs, there are 13 pull-through sites (full hook-ups) to accommodate your vehicle.

     But wait; there’s more! There is a playground for children to enjoy, a beach area and a large, covered pavilion for picnics, receptions and other get-togethers. Magnolia Branch also rents bicycles by the hour and offers free, keep-what-you-catch fishing in the lake. Stocked fish include blue gill, catfish and shell cracker.

     And of course, there are laundry, showering and rest room facilities available, as well as vending machines for those late-night cravings.

     Come on out this summer and soak up the sun having fun and enjoying a little piece of hidden nature. For pricing details, visit magnoliabranch.com/page/Pricing.