Auburn fans flock to stores to celebrate SEC win

Published: Sunday, December 05, 2010, 6:58 PM ??? Updated: Sunday, December 05, 2010, 7:52 PM

Riding the wave of their team's SEC championship win, Auburn fans flocked to area stores Sunday in search of souvenirs -- and a little bit of validation.?

"It's been a long time coming," said Alfred Lawrence, 40, of Irondale, as he looked through SEC Championship shirts at the Bama Fever/Tiger Pride store at the Pinnacle in Trussville.

Along with winning the championship, which it last did in 2004, Auburn cinched a spot in the Jan. 10 BCS title game against Oregon, it was announced Sunday night.

Those shirts -- $21.95 for an adult long sleeve -- were flying off the shelves all day, said store manager Aindria Snell.??About 1,500 arrived at 8 a.m. and around half had already sold by late afternoon. The store, which is usually open from 12:30 to 6 p.m. on Sundays, opened early, closed late and was packed all day.

Late afternoon, cars laden with orange flags and tiger tails dotted the parking lot as fans flooded in to stock up on the brand-new shirts and other merchandise, from pink AU license plates to tiger-striped purses. The Alabama side of the store, usually busier, was quiet, employees said. ?

"It has been wild," Snell said. ?

This story was updated at 7:50 p.m. to include official announcement of Auburn's BCS championship berth.

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Families celebrate adoptions of 58 foster children in Jefferson County this year

Published: Saturday, November 20, 2010, 5:40 PM ??? Updated: Saturday, November 20, 2010, 5:42 PM

For LaDarius Raybon, one word sums up his and his twin brothers' adoption this year: "Perfect."
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? After being in foster care since he was a toddler, LaDarius, 12, was happy that he would no longer have to worry about being taken from his foster parents of 10 years, the Raybons.
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? LaDarius, KeShun, DeShun and their parents, Tom and Olivia Raybon of Northport, celebrated in Woodlawn today with other new adoptive families.
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? The Jefferson County Department of Human Resources put together the event to recognize the 58 Jefferson County foster children adopted in 2010 and their families, said Shuereaka Holston of DHR.
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? Families took part in games, arts and crafts and pony rides, and ate lunch at Birmingham Dream Center.

? Olivia Raybon said even though she has cared for the boys for most of their lives, the adoption in May gave her a newfound bond. "I knew then that they were really mine," she said.

? The Raybons, who have 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, said they are still foster parents and open to caring for at least two more.

? There are about 914 children in foster care in Jefferson County, according to DHR officials. Of that group, 63 children are waiting for adoption.

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