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Floodplain Management 101

Community floodplain administrators and mayors filled the Theo Ratcliff Activity Center on August 25 to learn how to make Alabama and its citizens less vulnerable to the impact of flooding. The State of Alabama’sOffice of Water Resources, the agency responsible for the protection and management of Alabama’s water resources, sponsored the Floodplain Management 101 seminar for community leaders from Marengo, Dallas, Butler, Wilcox, Perry, Sumter, Choctaw, Clarke, andBibb Counties. The training provided the community representatives with website resources of the most up-to-date community flood maps in a digital format. Participants were introduced to the basic elements of the mapping program such as flood maps, FloodInsurance Study report, ordinances, and elevation certificates.

The Floodplain Management 101 training is intended to broaden each participant’s awareness of floodplain management strategies that can be applied in the community. The hands-on training opportunities provided a means to develop a better understandingof the importance of administering each community’s local floodplain management program.

Education is an integral aspect in achieving the protection of the State of Alabama’s citizens through the administration of the community's floodplain management regulations.

Rita M. Nichols, CFM

State of Alabama

Office of Water Resources

401 Adams Avenue

Montgomery, AL 36103

Phone (334) 353-1966

E-mail Rita.Nichols@adeca.alabama.gov

Basketball Camp 2011 SlideShow

A Genius In The Making


Learning Electronics and Digital Logic Gates	Programming Virtual Robots

When visiting 8th Grader J.R. Collier told Jonathan Jones, IT Instructor at the Center, that he wanted to design video games, Jonathan decided to take him under his wings and teach him the basic of Digital Electronics and Computer Programming. A knowledge of both these skills are necessary to build the hardware and software required for Gaming. J.R. learned Binary, Hexadecimal, Octal and Decimal numbering systems as well as how to convert between these systems. In addition, J.R. combined various logic gates to implement the binary results. Logic Gates are the building block of computer hardware design.

Once J.R. understood the relationship between the Binary, Hexadecimal and digital logic gates, he was ready to learn computer programming. In this phase of the training, J.R. created Virtual Robots and programmed them to perform various tasks. Virtual Robots are software-generated robots and exist only in the memory of the computer. Once the programs are tested and working, they could then be converted into Binary and stored in the memory of physical robots.

"I've never trained kids in this subject matter before. I thought it would be above his level of comprehension -- he sure surprised me.", said Jonathan. "He is one of a kind."

J.R. lived with his grandfather, Mr. Carnell Collier while here in Demopolis but will return to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Collier, in Cleveland, Ohio at the end of the summer. I hope he will continue his interest in the world of computers and robotics. He has what it takes to be a future Software Engineer.

Older American's Day

Ashley Glover Completes Computer Classes

Ashley Glover receives Certificates of Completion from Edward Ward, Jr., Director of the

Theo Ratliff Activity Center. Ashley completed both Basic Computer Skills and Basic Microsoft Excel courses taught by IT instructor Jonathan Jones (shown right).

Theo Honored at All-Star 2011 Event

T. R. A. C. Holds Job Fair 2011

"And The Winners Are..."

Drawing for the NBA Players Signature Sneakers and Theo Ratliff Jersey was held here at the Center on Thanksgiving Day. Conducting the drawing was: Edward Ward, Jr., Director of the Theo Ratliff Activity Center, Aggie Perry and Camillia Ratliff-Eatman of The Friends of Theo Ratliff Activity Center organization, and Mr. Dennis Eatman.

The winners were as follows: Grand Prize (Kobe Bryant sneakers), Fitz-Gerald Clinic, Demopolis, Al; 1st Prize (Theo Ratliff sneakers and jersey), David Reivley of Chattanooga, TN; 2nd Prize (Derek Fisher sneakers), Pat Gaddell of Trussville, Al; and 3rd Prize (Pau Gasol sneakers), went to Felita Hood of Gallion, Al.

Congratulation! to all the winners and many thanks to all who supported the Theo Ratliff Activity Center via this raffle.

Win Theo Ratliff, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher or Kobe Bryant

Signature Sneakers

Theo Now With the L. A. Lakers

Click Here To Visit Lakers Website

Theo Ratliff Center lands $10k grant

Pictured: Director of Theo Ratliff Activity Center, Edward Ward, Jr., Mark Pettus, Directors of Demopolis Parks and Recreation, Grant presenter A. J. McCampbell, and Demopolis Mayor Mike Grayson.

Click here to read article

Photo courtesy of Demopolis Times

Fellows of Project Horseshoe Farm visits TRAC

Project Horseshoe Farm is a non-profit service, leadership development, and educational initiative located in Greensboro (Hale County), Alabama that was formed in October, 2007, and began full operation in the summer of 2009.

The project has three main goals: Service, Leadership Development and Education, and Community and Citizenship.

Click the following Link to read more...: Project Horseshoe Farm

The Fellows were introduced to TRAC by Michael Lynch of Bill Mackey Real Estate located here in Demopolis, alabama.

Left to Right: Jonathan of TRAC, Komal Nick, Jodie and Garwen (not pictured), Fellows of Project Horseshoe Farm.

Classy Senior Citizens Visit Choctaw Indian Reservation

On behalf of the Theo Ratliff Activity Center's Classy Seniors, we would like to thank the Choctaw Indian Seniors for their kindness and hospitality shown during our visit. This educational encounter allowed us an opportunity to learn and appreciate each other's culture and the hardships endured by both the Choctaw Indian and African American people during the early years of this country.

We also observed and participated in Choctaw historical dances (e.g. The Snake Dance and The wedding Dance), the discussion of nutrition, and healthcare issues that affect us all. We are proud to extend an invitation to the Choctaw Indians to visit the Theo Ratliff Center here in Demopolis, Alabama.

This visit also reinforced our beliefs that we are all GOD'S children. Though we are of various colors and cultures, we must love, accept, and respect one another's history.

Thanks again to the Senior Citizens of the Choctaw Indian Tribe of Philadelphia, Ms.

Visitors To The Computer Lab

TRAC Makes Donation To

Marengo County Dept. of Human Resources

The Friends of Theo Ratliff Activity Center donates $500.00 to support the Marengo County Department of Human Resources' "Toys For Tots" Christmas project.

Pictured above are Edward Ward, Jr., Director of TRAC, and Mary Sue Henry of Marengo County Department of Human Resources.