Will Clements & The Will Clements Band, Lakeside Summer Concerts at Civitan Park, Guntersville, 6:30 p.m., donations, 256-582-1454.

Banjo, workshop, slow jam and lessons, Coffee Tree Books and Brew, 7900-A&B Bailey Cove Road, 7 p.m., 880-6464.

"The Journey Home," musuical drama about the dangers of gun violence presented by YES Ambassadors, a theatrical youth troupe sponsored by the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity, Elmore Gymnasium, Alabama A&M, 8:30 a.m., free, 205-320-7025.

Summer cross country runs, 1, 2 and 3 miles, Huntsville Track Club, Huntsville Running Park, John Hunt Park, 2060 Airport Road, 6:30 p.m., 25 cents, 534-9458 or huntsvilletrackclub.org.

The Associated Press
Public health officials are trying to find the source of 14 cases of E. coli that have been confirmed in north Alabama in the past week, including seven Monday, most apparently linked to a Huntsville restaurant.

Debra Williams, assistant health officer for Madison County, said seven cases were reported over the July 4 holiday and the department received confirmation of at least seven additional cases Monday morning. Three were described as severe enough to threaten kidney damage, and more cases are expected to be confirmed.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama brought his presidential campaign to Birmingham and Huntsville Monday, raking in more than $100,000 to add to a war chest that already has topped $50 million.

And the Democratic candidate's swing through Alabama convinced some uncertain voters to come off the fence and support him.

Obama began his day in Alabama with a $1,000-a-plate luncheon at the Heritage Club in downtown Huntsville attended by 70 donors. The Huntsville event was closed to the public but a small crowd gathered outside the event caught Obama's attention. It included two men holding signs that read: "Anybody but Hillary Even You," a reference to Obama's main rival for the Democratic Party nomination for the White House, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

HUNTSVILLE, AL] - The Women's Business Center of North Alabama (WBCNA) is offering a workshop on Monday, July 23, 1:00-5:00 p.m., entitled "Accounting 101 for Small Business Owners."

The fastest, easiest way to learn the basics of bookkeeping and accounting! This 4-hour seminar will include explanations of common accounting terminology, overview of business financial statements, double entry accounting, and LOADS more.

[HUNTSVILLE, AL] - The Women's Business Center of North Alabama (WBCNA) is offering a workshop on Thursday, July 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m., entitled "QuickBooks Point of Sale (POS) Overview."

In this one-hour overview, retailers will learn about the QuickBooks product that turns your PC into an inventory, sales and customer management system. This class will demonstrate importing data from spreadsheets, receiving inventory, selling inventory and generating reports.

Sports Staff mike.easterling@htimes.com
Games, clinics bring in 2,500 visitors for $1 million impact

The number of high school players, coaches and vendors as well as friends and family of those participating in Alabama All-Stars Sports Week will total about 2,500.

The total amount of money those folks will spend resides in a neighborhood far beyond that number.

The 11th annual Sports Week, which features rising seniors in five sports and graduated seniors in football who will compete in a North-South format, promises to be a financial boon for local businesses as teams start reporting today.

The week, which features not only the games but coaching clinics, concludes with the football game Friday night. Football returns to the end of Sports Week after being held in December the previous three years.

"About a million dollars is the annual economic impact,'' said Ralph Stone, executive director of the Huntsville Sports Commission.

By ANNA THIBODEAUX
For The Times htimes@bellsouth.net
Tax deductions also help you buy property to rent

Most people buy a house because they like the kitchen or number of bedrooms, or it just feels right, but you should also consider how this investment can help build your personal wealth.

"Most people buying homes to live in will purchase for their present needs or for the near future, with the hope that the property will increase in value," says Tom Hale, Realtor with Distinctive GMC in Huntsville. "But a home purchase is usually the largest single-priced item that someone usually buys. By definition this qualifies as an investment. A car purchase is also an investment, but usually a pretty bad one, since almost always cars go down in value with time."

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was scheduled to visit Alabama Monday for fundraisers aimed at the average citizen and those with plenty of money.

The Illinois senator was expected to attend a $1,000 a plate fundraising lunch at the Heritage Club in Huntsville, about fifty people are expected there. Obama then goes to Birmingham for a $25 per person evening fundraiser at the downtown Sheraton Hotel.

Obama was elected to the senate in 2004 and is running against democratic frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, for president.

McCARTERTimes Staff Writer p

Portions of some downtown streets may be blocked off this afternoon as presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama attends a fundraising luncheon at the Heritage Club.

Obama, D-Ill., asked for protection by the Secret Service a couple of months ago, citing security concerns during his campaign. It's expected that part of Washington Street, and perhaps other streets, will be closed as the senator comes and goes at the $1,000-a-plate event from noon until 2 p.m.

An estimated 50 people will dine with Obama and visit with him during a $2,300-a-person pre-lunch reception.

"We've had a tremendous amount of support expressed from all segments of society here," said local Democratic fundraiser Yolanda McLain.

Starlight Gospel Singers and Wing & A Prayer, Concerts in the Park, Big Spring International Park, 200 Church St., 6:30 p.m., free, bring chairs and picnics, sponsored by city of Huntsville and Arts Council, 519-2787.

Mike Ball and the Madison Mountaintop Band, bluegrass, Gazebo Concert, Village Green, downtown Madison, 6:30 p.m., free, bring chairs and picnics, sponsored by Madison Arts Council, madisonal.gov.

Bluegrass, Robert Montgomery at 6 p.m. and Dixie Bluegrass Boys at 7 p.m., Paul Stroud Concerts by the River, Rhodes Ferry Park, Decatur, 256-341-4904 or decaturparks.com.

Wildlife and nature photography, speaker Robert Falls, professional photographer, Huntsville Photographic Society, Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, 915 Monroe St., 7 p.m., free, huntsvillephotographicsociety.org.

"Battle of Nashville and Stabilization of Union Fort Negley," speaker Dr. Paul Schumann, history instructor at UAH and Calhoun Community College speaking to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, C.S.A. Military Store, 13710 U.S. 231/431 North, Hazel Green, 7 p.m., free, 256-828-5115.

Rocket City Cloggers, Optimist Park, 703 Oakwood Ave., 6:30 p.m., 256-498-5878.

Country and Western line and partner dance lessons, VFW, 2900 N. Memorial Parkway, 7-9 p.m., $4, no partner needed, bernieb53@comcast.net.

Bellydance intro, 1219-C Jordan Lane, 6-7 p.m., $10, 637-0169.