Dear Madison and Jefferson County Community:

As life today becomes more challenging for children and adults of all populations within our society it is imperative that taking care of self and family stand primary.  The challenges of today come from a constant increase in violence and crime, children being exposed to and confronted with life pressures at earlier ages, societal issues concerning human moral and ethics, and the impact of everyday life, time, and world changes—for better or worst.  These challenges of today seem to have taken a toll on ourselves and our families, decreasing how well we cope and alleviate our problems.  However, there is good news.

September 4-7, 2007 11:45-1:00 p.m.

The Sirote & Permutt law firm will present a seminar Aug. 30 to update certified public accountants on recent developments in estate and tax planning.

The seminar will be conducted at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 800 Monroe St., Huntsville, from 1 to 5 p.m. The program has been approved for continuing professional education credits by the Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy.

Downtown trolley tour, guided tour of downtown Huntsville by Jacque Gray Reeves, start at Alabama Constitution Village, 109 Gates Ave., 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., $7, wheel chair accessible, 564-8100.  

Outdoor marketplace for kids stuff, downtown Madison, 8 a.m. to noon, justkidsstuffmadison.com or 527-7417.

Open observing, tour of facilities, observation of Perseid meteor shower and possibly galaxy, nebula, star cluster and planet, presented by John Young, Von Braun Astronomical Society Planetarium in Monte Sano State Park off Nolen Avenue, 7:30 p.m., $3, children 11 and under $2, members free, vbas.org or 539-0316.

A recent study by Housing Market Analysis conducted by National City Corp reveals there are many real estate markets nationwide with drastically inflated housing prices. One of the worst cases is Naples, Florida, which boasts prices that are 84% higher than they should be, according to CNNMoney.com. "National City arrives at its estimates of what the typical house in these markets should cost by examining the town's population densities, local interest rates, and income levels. It also factors in historical premiums and discounts for each area," states the CNNMoney.com site.

WBCNA Loan Clinic is August 15 [HUNTSVILLE, AL] - The Women's Business Center of North Alabama (WBCNA) provides assistance to start-ups or existing businesses who need to borrow money for their small business. To date, the WBCNA has helped small business owners in North Alabama receive over $1,500,000 in small loans. Small business owners continue to have difficulty in accessing capital from traditional lending markets.

 To assist these small businesses, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) developed the Community Express loan program, an innovative approach to bring SBA financing to areas where commercial loans have been difficult to get.

Feeling lucky? Well, are you?

If so, Huntsville Young Professionals is holding its second annual Casino Gala Friday night to benefit the National Children's Advocacy Center.

The event will be held at the NCAC at 210 Pratt Ave. and a suggested donation is $20 advance, $25 at the door. The entry fee includes three drink passes, hors d'oeuvres by Bubba's Catering and chips to play poker, roulette, blackjack, craps and other fun games. Door prizes will be given away.

SUMMA Technology Inc.*, Huntsville, Ala., was awarded on July 11, 2007, a delivery order amount of $26,912,818 as part of a $78,016,971 firm-fixed-price contract for the Container Roll In/Out Platform. Work will be performed in Cullman, Ala., and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were an unknown number of bids solicited via the World Wide Web on Dec. 21, 2005, and six bids were received. The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-D-0269).

BIRMINGHAM (AP) — Alabamians have donated more than $1.2 million to presidential candidates so far, with Democrat John Edwards and Republican Rudy Giuliani leading the fundraising in Alabama.

The Birmingham News reported that campaign finance reports show that Edwards, a former U.S. senator from North Carolina and former vice presidential nominee, has raised $394,137 in Alabama.

His contributors include some of Alabama's best known lawyers, including former Lt. Gov. Jere Beasley and Southern Poverty Law Center founder Morris Dees.

Harry Potter "Deathly Hollow" party, Princess Theatre, 112 Second Ave. N.E., Decatur, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., free, princesstheatre.org or 256-340-1778.

"Mr. Roberts," starring James Cagney, Classic Film Fridays, Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, 915 Monroe St., noon, free, 532-5940.

Big Bird Fly In, Rocket City Radio Controllers, radio-controlled model aircraft club. Capt. Trey Wilbourn Field, south end of Leeman Ferry Road, noon to 5 p.m., spectators free, entries $25, 256-509-4276 or e-mail bigbird@rocketcityrc.com.