Great Shoals music

Thumbs up to several Shoals-connected musicians for receiving Grammy award nominations. A song written in a collaboration with Greenhill native Chris Tompkins was nominated for Country Song of the Year. The song is "Blown Away" performed by Carrie Underwood. The Civil Wars, featuring Florence resident John Paul White and Nashville's Joy Williams, was nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for a collaboration with Taylor Swift called "Safe & Sound." The Alabama Shakes, who live in Athens, were nominated for Best New Artist and Best Rock Performance.

Lost in space

Thumbs down to President Barack Obama for allowing NASA to languish without clear direction. A panel of the distinguished National Academy of Sciences said the space agency doesn't have a clear sense of where it is going. The president announced more than two years ago that he wants to send astronauts to an asteroid, but little effort has been made to reach that goal, according to the report. NASA needs strong leadership, starting with the White House.

Bead For Life

Thumbs up to the Women's Center at the University of North Alabama for its participation in the Bead For Life program. The program involves selling jewelry made by women living in poverty in Uganda. The women spend hours hand-making beads from paper. The beads are strung together into necklaces, bracelets and earrings. The bead sale continues through Tuesday at the UNA Women's Center. For more information, call 256-765-4380.

Help solve murder

Thumbs up to Gov. Robert Bentley for approving a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever killed an elderly Tuscumbia man at his home this summer. Elbert Farley "Possum" Davis Jr. 88, was killed during a home invasion on High Street. Someone also stole his wallet and medication. Anyone with information about the case should call the Tuscumbia Police Department at 256-383-3121.