One of the highlights and hallmarks of Zoo Weekend is MISS BETTY’S ZOO WEEKEND BAKE SALE.  Miss Betty and her dedicated helpers have been holding the annual Zoo Weekend Bake Sale since 1996.  Over the years, Miss Betty’s Bake Sale has raised tens of thousands of dollars for Montgomery Zoo improvements and expansions. 

In order to make this year’s bake sale another huge success, Miss Betty needs a lot of creative bakers to donate cookies, brownies, rice crispy treats, cake slices, cupcakes and any other delightful treats you can imagine.  So, wrap on those aprons, grab some oven mitts and let’s start baking. 

If you would like to make a donation to MISS BETTY’S ZOO WEEKEND BAKE SALE, here are a few hints to help you along the way:

• Please label and bag all donations
• 2-3 small treats per bag
• If treats are large, please limit only one per bag
• No icing and items that will melt
• Please label you

February 1 marked the return of fishing season at 20 of Alabama’s 23 State Public Fishing Lakes. Commonly known as state lakes or county lakes, these waters are noted for their amenities and their quality fishing for bream, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie (in some lakes). Because these smaller lakes warm more quickly than larger reservoirs, early spring fishing can be excellent. Anglers may fish from the pier, bank, rental boat or personal boat.

“State public fishing lakes are the ultimate family fishing destination,” said Jack Turner, State Lakes Supervisor for the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF). “All lakes except Pike County Lake have a concession building with snacks, drinks, restrooms and personnel who provide fishing advice. The concessionaires have mowed areas along the shoreline for fishing.

Church safety and crime prevention for communities of faith are the focus of a special training opportunity being offered this week by the Montgomery Police Department.

MPD’s Community Policing Bureau will conduct sessions specifically designed to educate church staff regarding current crime trends and provide safety tips that can help increase crime prevention awareness for communities of faith. The Rev. Baxter Morris and First Baptist Church will host the training at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, at 347 N. Ripley St.

Topics for discussion include:

• Cash handling and deposit drops;
• Handling suspicious and criminal activity;
• Developing emergency response plans; and
• Taking advantage of available resources through MPD’s crime prevention programs.

MPD extends an invitation to all Montgomery-area churches to attend.