What:      Approximately 550 students in the Jefferson County and Shelby
             County school systems who are mentally, physically and
             medically challenged will be looking for the perfect catch
             during this year's Exceptional Anglers Fishing Tournament.

  When: Wednesday, May 9:
             Shelby County School System

             Thursday and Friday, May 10-11:
             Jefferson County School System

             8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. all three days

  Where:     Beaver Lake at Oak Mountain State Park

  Contacts:  For more information on Shelby County School System events,
             please call Leela Haynes at (205) 682-5800.

             For more information on Jefferson County School System events,
             please call Treva McDougal at (205) 305-8945.

Background: This event was created seven years ago to provide sporting and recreational opportunities for exceptional students who are unable to take part in traditional physical education programs due to health concerns and disabilities. Ranging in age from 5 to 21, many of these "exceptional anglers" have never before had the opportunity to catch a fish. As part of this tournament, they learn how to catch fish, clean them and even cook them to enjoy a fish fry.

Sponsors of this year's tournament include the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources -- Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and State Park Division, Alabama Power, Jefferson County School System, Shelby County School System, Alagasco, B.A.S.S. Federation, Coca-Cola, Disabled Sportsmen of Alabama, Ebsco Industries, Golden Flake, Hoover High School's Outdoors Club, Jefferson County Department of Transportation, Jefferson County Education Department's supervisors and therapists, Jefferson State Occupational Therapy Assistant Program and Physical Therapy Assistant Program, John Phillips of the Birmingham Post-Herald, Ken's Bar-B-Que, Kimberly Clark, Lee and Martha Humber and friends, Pelham Dairy Queen, Pelham Police and Fire Department, Southern Pride Catfish, Steve Staggs, Syx Bait and Tackle, and Waste Management of Alabama.

Alabama Power provides affordable, reliable electric service to 1.3 million customers in the lower two-thirds of Alabama. Alabama Power owns and operates a total of 22 electric generating plants. Alabama Power is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company , which operates more than 32,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity in the Southeast. Southern Company is one of the largest producers of electricity in the United States.

CONTACT: Sandi George of Alabama Power, 205-257-4155, or

skgeorge@southernco.com

PRNewswire -- May 7

SOURCE: Alabama Power