From Staff Reports

The Montevallo Sister City Commission will hold a Jail & Bail Fundraiser on June 5 from noon to 6 p.m. at Eclipse Coffee and Books. Funds raised will go toward the upcoming student trip to Japan in July.

In the fall of 2008, the City of Montevallo culminated a 15-year journey by formalizing Sister City relations with Echizen, Japan. On alternating summers, the citizens of Montevallo and the citizens of Echizen, Japan host student groups from the other’s country. This has allowed students from each country to experience each other’s cultures firsthand.

Local students ages 12-16 are selected through an application and interview process conducted by the Commission. Criteria for selection include maturity, leadership, academic performance, interest in cultural diversity and overall positive disposition.

The Commission believes these exchanges will celebrate cultural diversity and broaden individual students’ global understanding, interpersonal communication and intercultural knowledge, thus strengthening the foundation for peace and tolerance as the Montevallo community moves toward a more internationalized citizenry.

The Commission will be locking up prominent city figures for the MSCC Jail & Bail. The detainees will be held in a mock jail at Eclipse Coffee and Books until they can convince others to donate enough money to cover their bail. To add to the fun of the afternoon, there will be opportunities for bystanders to add to the jailed individuals’ sentences or select additional detainees. Donations will be accepted during the event or can be made prior to the event by contacting the City of Montevallo.

Jailbirds for the event include Mayor Hollie Cost, University President John Stewart III, City Council member Rusty Nix, Chief of Police Jeremy Littleton, Eclipse owner Cheryl Patton, owner of Blue Phrog Art Gallery and Falcon Art Supply Phil Hurst, Fox & Pheasant owner Janice Seaman, Montevallo Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Steve Gilbert, State Farm Agent Bob Butterworth, former MES principal Annie McClain, Mike Jones of Ovation Media and Carol Bruser, coordinator of Leadership Shelby County and UM community relations manager. More detainees may be added in the coming days.

Learn more by contacting montevallosistercity@gmail.com or following the City of Montevallo on Facebook and Twitter.