The Badin Villager is a free monthly newsletter available on the first of the month at the Badin Post Office, the Badin Town Hall, the Badin Library and West Badin Community Center. It is also published online at www.visitbadin.com. For more information contact info@visitbadin.com

Downtown's New Sidewalk

A $250,000 Economic Development grant from the Alcoa Foundation is being put to good use in Badin’s commercial district. Projects completed or nearly completed include a Badin video, the Town Hall façade, the Vann Memorial Library, street trees, and new sidewalks. Possible future projects will include the Post Office parking area, a new sidewalk on Roosevelt Street in West Badin, a renovation of the gateway to the town at the junction of Falls Road and Highway 740, landscaping around the library and a new crosswalk. “We will choose projects from this list and complete them as money allows,” says Town Manager Jay Almond. Another downtown renovation project is near completion. Alcoa’s Conference Center is benefiting from $45,000 in improvements, including restoration of the building’s single-pane windows, fresh paint on the interior and an exterior pressure wash. Repointing and sealing bricks on the exterior will be completed in the coming weeks. “The Conference Center provides an important service to the community,” says Mark Stiller, Alcoa’s Director of Asset Management. “The project protects this historic building and ensures it will be available for years to come.” Built in 1916 as the Badin Hospital, Alcoa spent $288,000 in 1988 to complete a historically correct renovation to convert it into a conference center and training facility. Since that time, the facility has been used by Alcoa, the Town of Badin, group meetings, and the monthly planning sessions of the town’s Strategic Planning project.

Above: Town Manager Jay Almond shows off the new sidewalk to Dee Bennett and friends.

In the last few weeks the Villager’s website and blog, www.visitbadin.com, has had comments posted from Pakistan, France and Australia.

Scott from Australia writes: Hi, I feel for your quaint little town. I work at an Alcoa site in Australia and I often wonder about what my town (Mandurah) would be like when the refinery inevitably closes down. All the best for the future and I hope that it is rosy. Badin Betrand from France writes: Bonjour. Votre ville est très joli et porte le même nom que moi je ne connaissais pas du tout. Un petit bonjour a tous les habitants de BADIN cordialement. Waheed Lakho from Pakistanwrites: Wow its nice to see Badin city. I am amazed to see development in this area. But in our city Badin in Sindh Pakistan, there are no such infrastructures and facilities. Both cities have same names but their fate is totally change.

These are just three who have left comments. Makes one wonder how many find us and don’t leave comments. It’s a small world.

Bridget Huckabee, Editor

Better Badin goes back well before the incorporation of the town. A unique organization, it has long provided volunteer help to take on extra duties that are beyond the town’s limited time and staff, duties that enhance the quality of our village life. It provided the impetus for the incorporation. For years it has organized the Best of Badin Festival. The triathlon, the Poor Man’s Supper, the Christmas Program and a tour of homes are just a few of the events put on and staffed by willing volunteers. Each January there is a “changing of the guard” as one slate of officers step down and a newly elected slate takes their place. In 2011, Better Badin will be led by chairman Bill Harwood, long-time Badin resident and a former US Airways pilot. “I have no personal material goals for Better Badin,” says Harwood. “But I do have conceptual goals.” His top priority is to attract new members to continue the legacy of the past. Harwood plans to explore grants to accomplish material goals, and hopes to expand event sponsorships. He will welcome new ideas and plans to “tighten” meetings by introducing a little more formality, leaving discussions to committees. Better Badin meets the second Monday of each month at 7 pm at the Badin Town Hall. “Everyone is encouraged to attend,” says Harwood.

The popular Pickin on the Porch continues every Friday night from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. New this year is a Karaoke night in the restaurant every Thursday from 6 pm to 9 pm. On Wednesday January 19, 2011, the Inn will introduce a Trivia Night. Attendees can test their general knowledge skills individually or working as a team. There is a $5 fee to take the pop quizzes and prizes for the winners. Future plans are for a monthly Casino Night. Poker or other games will be played at tables in the restaurant with servers doubling as dealers

The Sunshine ClubBadin’s inter-denominational seniors club announces new meeting days for the coming year: 10:30 am on the second Tuesday of November and December, and the fourth Tuesday of the month from January to October. Bring a covered dish, one dollar and a friend and enjoy the programs and fellowship of this cheerful group.

Badin Garden ClubThe first meeting of the Badin Garden Club is scheduled for Thursday, January 6th, 2011 at 6 pm in the 1913 Room at the Badin Inn.

Badin VideoA promotional video of Badin can be viewed at www.visitbadin.com. The video was made possible by a grant from the Alcoa Foundation and pro- duced by John Westbrook of JS Media1.

School Calendar01/17/11 Holiday 01/20-21/11 Professional Days 02/14/11 Professional Day 04/1/11 Professional Day 04/22/11 Holiday 04/25-29/11 Vacation 05/30/11 Holiday 06/09/11 Last Day