Don’t do this

By Joe McAdory

Caught in a horrific rainstorm Thursday night in Auburn, I drove several miles to my abode in the Salem woods without the help of wipers. You see, wipers in my old Pontiac function only when my left turn signal is on.

You ask, “Well, why didn’t you turn the blinkers on?

I didn’t want to drive around with the blinker on and not turn. Then I’d look like an idiot.

Instead, I peered through the glass the best I could and tried not to hit any other vehicles or telephone poles on the way home. I took the picture above while driving. Is that against the law? That was my view. Pretty stupid, huh? I’ll try not to do that again and I don’t recommend it.

Jordan grave modest, special

By Joe McAdory

Ever stumbled upon something and couldn’t believe where you were standing? That happened to me Wednesday evening.

Part of a long walk I took through a few Auburn neighborhoods included a path through Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery. I veered off the main path to walk among the grave markers, just checking out a few names. Then one name caught my eye.

James Ralph Jordan.

Is that? No. Yes? The most celebrated coach in Auburn football history is laid to rest right here. I didn’t realize a grave of someone so legendary would be no different than anyone else in a cemetery. I guess I figured he’d have something elaborate. Then I thought about it. No, Shug, as folks call him, didn’t want all the glamour and attention. He was a man just like anyone else.

I always respected coach Jordan, though I never met nor saw him. Heard some great things about him. After seeing his modest grave marker, I respect him even more.

Opelika’s most treacherous intersections

By Joe McAdory

After I wrote my five-most dangerous intersections in Auburn blog the other day, I got to thinking: most of those intersections are simply more prone to fender-benders because of high volume rather than high-speed accidents. Oh well. Maybe this should be referred to as “accident prone” rather than “dangerous.“ Regardless, here’s my list of the five-most dangerous or accident-prone intersections in Opelika, in no particular order.

* Anything around TigerTown: Lots of roads here. There’s Gateway and Frederick, Gateway and TigerTown, Gateway and Enterprise, etc. TigerTown is a center of commerce, which obviously creates traffic—in many different directions.

* I-85 entrance ramp from U.S. 280/431: Cars/trucks gotta merge with high-speed traffic. Now here’s a recipe for disaster.

* Veterans Parkway or Grand National Parkway and U.S. 280: Good thing there are red lights here now. Still, 280 is a high-speed situation, which lends itself to the potential for bad accidents.

* Gateway Drive (280) and Pepperell Parkway: High traffic volume, often slow, but most dangerous aspect is people rushing to beat red lights.

* South Long Street and Frederick Road: No stop signs on South Long Street, while motorists on Frederick Road often turn onto South Long. The chance for a driver to pull out in front of another is high.

I’m sure there are others, probably a few I didn’t think about.

Purple ribbons represent Relay for Life

By Joe McAdory

If you’re wondering why the Second Avenue Bridge in Opelika is adorned with pretty (I can’t believe I just used that word. Please, somebody fix me a steak and taters) purple ribbons, I’ve got the answer. The ribbons are in place to remind folks about the upcoming Relay for Life of Lee County, which will be Friday at Southern Union’s track and athletic field.

Word has it that ribbons are also being placed on Opelika city hall. There may be purple ribbons elsewhere across the county, but I haven’t noticed them.

The Relay for Life is an event that helps raise funds in the fight against cancer. The event begins at 6 p.m. Friday and lasts through 6 a.m. Saturday.

For more information about Relay for Life, email Robbi Beauchamp at or call (334) 742-0011

Auburn’s most dangerous intersections, maybe

By Joe McAdory

Driving across town the other day, I couldn’t help but remember how much traffic has greatly increased in the area over the last 10 years. Obviously, Lee County is an attractive place to call home because so many people continue to flock to our little oasis in Alabama. But traffic isn’t always a good thing, particularly when you’re as impatient as I. It can be dangerous too because the more people on the road means an increase in the number of people incapable at safely operating a vehicle.

Then I began to think (scary, huh?) ... what are the most dangerous intersections in the area? Tonight I’ll try to come up with Auburn’s five-most dangerous. Tomorrow, it’s Opelika’s turn.

Without further adieu and in no particular order, here are what I believe (with no statistical data other than driving experience) are the five-most dangerous intersections in Auburn:

* East University and Opelika Road: The mall and Flint’s crossing generate crowds to an extent, but these are major arteries coming together. The speed limit is 45 mph, so that doesn’t help. Bumper-to-bumper congestion can also create a low-mileage fender-bender or two if folks aren’t paying attention waiting for a green light, not that these minor dents will result in broken necks.

* Magnolia and South College: When you mix lots of cars and lots of people, you get a recipe for potential bad things. It’s a good thing electronic crosswalks are installed. But that doesn’t mean folks use their brains all of the time.

* South College and East University: Two main roads, once again. At 5 o’clock, it’s crowded and people want to get home.

* North College or Donahue and Shug Jordan: This may be a stretch, but North College and Donahue’s intersections on the loop road are pretty much the same—high speed. If there’s an accident, it’s got a good chance at being a bad one.

* Glenn and Gay: Speed limits aren’t high, but congestion can be in this area close to Auburn’s downtown. I wouldn’t think a Life Flight helicopter is in order for anything at this intersection, but it might help keep a few body shops in business.

I’m sure there are others, but these came off the top of my head. What do you think, and what can be done to remedy the problem?