280 Living November 2016 by Starnes Media

280 Living

November 2016 | Volume 10 | Issue 3

neighborly news & entertainment

Picklesimer takes the baton On new mayor’s to-do list: Address trafﬁc, safety, business growth

Matt and Robyn Lyons, owners of Catn-Bird Winery, are opening their tasting room in the basement of their home. Photo by Erica Techo.

Chelsea couple to open winery on Old Highway 280 By ERICA TECHO

By ERICA TECHO

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Tupelo, MS Permit #54

pening the mail every day. It sounds like a simple, sometimes irritating task, but Tony Picklesimer said it is the way he will start to acquaint himself with the day-today operations of Chelsea. “Really, all I’ve had to this point is pomp and circumstance,” Picklesimer said about the week following the runoff mayoral election in Chelsea. “That’s really not what this job is about at all. I need to learn the

day-to-day operation.” Picklesimer has been on the Chelsea City Council for 10 years, but he also maintained a full-time job during that time. The period between being elected and taking his oath of ofﬁce Nov. 7 is a time to learn as much as he can from Mayor Earl Niven, he said. “I’ve been assigned to be chief steward of the citizens’ money, so I need to learn where it comes from, and I need to learn where it’s going,” Picklesimer said.

INSIDE

INSIDE ► Growth on the horizon: Chelsea City Council, Planning Commission consider two new neighborhoods, A6 and A11

Walking onto a winery property typically means seeing acres of grapevines. Walking into an Alabama winery typically means sweeter wines. At Cat-n-Bird Winery in Chelsea, however, guests won’t ﬁnd either of these things. Owners Matt and Robyn Lyons said they plan to steer away from the muscadine wines Alabama wineries are known for, opting to order their grapes and juice from other areas of the country. “There’s a lot of risk with the Alabama weather,” Robyn Lyons said, noting that is why wineries are limited in the type of grapes they can grow. Taking this approach, however, allows the chance for a wider variety of wines — and more of the wines they enjoy most.

See WINERY | page A29

See PICKLESIMER | page A30 Sponsors .............. A4 280 News ............. A6

Business .............. A13 Chamber............. A22

Faith ....................A25 Opinion ...............A28

Events ....................B7 School House ..... B15

Sports ................... C4 Calendar .............. C13 facebook.com/280Living

Pursuing a Dream

Bright Future

Distinguished Young Women program pushes Oak Mountain alumna to shoot for Switzerland.

Present and future on the hardwood looking good for Spain Park senior and Memphiscommit Jamal Johnson.

See page B22

See page C1

A2 â&#x20AC;˘ November 2016

280 Living

280Living.com

November 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ A3

A4 • November 2016

280 Living

About Us Editor’s Note By Erica Techo When I think of November, I think of two things: Thanksgiving and my mother’s birthday. Because my mom was born Nov. 24, those days line up about once every seven years and my family gets two celebrations in one. Holidays can always seem hectic and hard to manage, and after graduating college and moving out of state, I realized the chaos ramps up when you add a few hours on the road and two dogs in the back seat. My road trip back to Georgia this Thanksgiving means I probably won’t have time to prep a masterful dish or side for my family’s meal unless I raid my mom’s refrigerator. For anyone else short on time, or looking to reserve a little more for family bonding, check out our guide on where and how you can supplement your Thanksgiving menu, whether you choose to cater, order a few fixin’s or just opt for a dinner out of the house (A24). Thanksgiving also means football for my family. While we might not watch the NFL games on Thursday, we’re almost always arguing over who will win the big game on Saturday. For any fans of the high

school teams on U.S. 280, make sure to check out our preview of high school playoff season on page C6. As the leaves change and the weather hopefully cools off, the corridor can expect to see a few more changes as well. Tony Picklesimer was elected the new mayor of Chelsea in early October, and he will take his oath of office alongside the new Chelsea City Council on Nov. 7. Read more about his plans for the city on A1. Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey said although he lost his re-election bid this year, he has no regrets about serving the city. He sat down with us to talk about the last 12 years in office, his favorite memories and some of the city’s successes (A12). The corridor has also seen several new businesses open up this season, including a rock climbing facility (A18), a new children’s clothing store (A17), new boutiques (A20 and 21) and a new restaurant (A16).

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Please Support Our Community Partners Aesthetic Dermatology (B21)

Hydro-Ponics of Birmingham (A28)

Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (B1)

Issis & Sons (B5)

Alabama Eye and Cataract (B23)

Junior League of Birmingham (C9)

Alabama Orthopedic, Spine & Sports Medicine Associates (B19) Alabama Outdoors (A18)

Kete Cannon, RE MAX Southern Homes (A14)

Arbor Place Merchants (B3)

Kirkwood by the River (B15)

ARC Realty (B18)

Lamb’s Ears, Ltd. (A19)

Asbury United Methodist Church (A9)

Leaf & Petal (A19)

Backyard Adventures (B16)

Moss Rock Festival (A27, C7)

Bedzzz Express (C16)

Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church (B20)

Ben Franklin - One Hour (A29)

Outdoor Living Areas (A21)

BenchMark Physical Therapy (C4)

Paige Albright Orientals (A17)

Bloom and Petal (A24)

Pastry Art Bake Shoppe (A31)

Briarwood Christmas Shop (A13)

Cabinetry Refinishing & Restoration (A1) Cahaba Glass (A30) California Closets (B8) Carbon Recall (B13) Carden Heating and Cooling (C5) Cash World Pawn (A20) Chelsea Wedding Chapel (A23) Children’s of Alabama (C6) Chiropractic Today (B2) Christmas Village (C13) Closets by Design (A11) Danberry at Inverness (B6)

Publisher: Managing Editor: Design Editor: Director of Photography: Director of Digital Media: Sports Editor: Page Designers: Community Editor: Community Reporters: Staff Writers: Copy Editor:

Dan Starnes Sydney Cromwell Kristin Williams Sarah Finnegan Heather VacLav Kyle Parmley Cameron Tipton Emily VanderMey Erica Techo Jon Anderson Lexi Coon Jesse Chambers Emily Featherston Sam Chandler Louisa Jeffries

Advertising Manager: Matthew Allen Sales and Distribution: Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Brittany Joffrion Rhonda Smith James Plunkett Jon Harrison Gail King Eric Clements Contributing Writers: Leah Ingram Eagle Sarah Cook Alyx Chandler Gary Lloyd Caroline Carmichael Sarah Tuttle Rick Watson

280 Living

neighborly news & entertainment

Contact Information: 280 Living PO Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@starnespublishing.com

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: sydney@ starnespublishing.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253

Published by: Starnes Publishing LLC

For advertising contact: dan@starnespublishing.com Legals: 280 Living is published monthly. Reproduction or

use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. 280 Living is designed to inform the 280 community of area school, family and community events. Information in 280 Living is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/ photos submitted become the property of 280 Living. We reserve the right to edit articles/ photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

Please recycle this paper.

Mantooth Interiors (A30)

Bellini’s (B23)

Bromberg & Company, Inc. (B11, C8)

Ms. Schauwecker’s kindergarten class poses with their scarecrow outside of Inverness Elementary school. The classes each build different scarecrows to represent characters from books they read. Photo courtesy of Cassandra Hopkins.

JaWanda’s Sweet Potato Pies (B16)

David J Putman for Congress (C3) Decorating Dens Interiors (C12) Doorstep Delivery (C5) Dreamscape Landscape Development, LLC (C1)

Pak Mail (C13) Pure Barre 280 (B4) R & S Wood Flooring (A8) Red Mountain Theatre Company (A3) Renew Salon (A7) Revolve Kitchen (C6) River Highlands of Birmingham (C15) Royal Automotive (B24) Seasick Records (B13) Shades Valley Dermatology (A12) Shuttlesworth Lasseter LLC (B12) SiteOne (B15) Southeastern Jewelers and Engravers (A31) St. Vincent’s Health Systems (A32, B16) Tenet Physicians Resources (B22) Terry Crutchfield, e/MAX Advantage South (A6) The Highlands Community (B2)

Drew Taylor, Re/MAX Southern Homes (C7)

The Insurance Place (B4)

Encore Rehabilitation (C11)

The Tile Cleaner LLC (B7)

ENT Associates of Alabama (A24)

The UPS Store - Cahaba Heights (B14)

Expedia CruiseShipCenters (A7)

Therapy South Greystone (A25)

EZ Roof & EZ Restoration (B9)

Town of Mt Laurel (B17)

Fancy Fur- Paws and Claws (C8)

UAB Callahan Eye Hospital (C2)

Flat Fee Real Estate (A10)

UAB Health System (A2)

GASP - Clean Air, Healthy Communities (A14)

Uptown at BJCC (C13)

Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce (C9) Grout Superior (A28) Hanna’s Garden Shop (B14) Healthy Smiles of Birmingham (C10)

The Maids (A1)

Uptown Nail Spa (A29) Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church (A22) Village Dermatology (C14) Volunteer Mortgage (A13) Wedgworth Construction (A15)

Highland Dentistry (A22)

Weigh To Wellness (A26)

High Point Climbing and Fitness, LLC (A5)

Window Decor HomeStore (B8) Wok N Roll Inverness (A16)

Hutchinson Automotive (B20)

Your Good Neighbor (C8)

Hutsler Law Firm (A16)

Zoe’s Forrest Park (B6)

280Living.com

November 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ A5

A6 • November 2016

280 Living

280 News Chelsea council recognizes retiring mayor pro-tem Mayor Earl Niven (right) presents council member Juanita Champion with the “safety award” at the Oct. 11 Chelsea City Council meeting. Photo by Erica Techo.

By ERICA TECHO Juanita Champion has attended 287 Chelsea City Council meetings. In her 12 years serving on the city council, Champion has not missed a meeting. In fact, one meeting was moved to her living room so that she could maintain her perfect attendance. “We are very proud of the service she has provided to the city of Chelsea, and we’re proud that you were on board,” said Mayor Earl Niven. “… You have been an asset to the city for the last 12 years. And you know, she has done so much work for the city.” During the Oct. 11 Chelsea City Council meeting, Champion and Niven’s second-to-last meeting before the new council and mayor take office, Niven and the sitting council recognized Champion for her service and dedication to the City of Chelsea. Niven also announced the city’s museum would soon be renamed the City of Chelsea Historical Museum, established by Juanita J. Champion. As a nod to the minor injuries Champion has sustained during the last 12 years, Niven also presented her with the “Safety Award,” reflecting on old jokes had on the council. “I don’t know of any other city council that has the fun we have,” he said. The council also certified a certificate election for Tony Picklesimer, who won the runoff election for mayor on Oct. 4. Anyone on the council or audience who supported certifying the resolution was asked to stand, and everyone present at the meeting did so. “I told him [Tony] this was going to be a great journey for him,” Niven said during pre-council. “He is thoroughly going to enjoy every minute of it. Well, not every minute — but quite a few. Just remember the purpose is

to provide service.” While reﬂecting on his 20 years as mayor, Niven said he has enjoyed his time serving Chelsea as well as the variety the position offers. “There is no normal day in the life of a mayor because you never know what’s coming up,” he said. “But you know more now than what we did 20 years ago because we had no idea. Everything that came up was new.” After 20 years at the helm of the city, Niven said he is proud of where he will leave Chelsea, and looks forward to what the new council and mayor will do. The new council and mayor will take the oath of ofﬁce on Monday, Nov. 7.

Also at the meeting, the council: ► Approved a manufacturing and retail table wine license for Cat-n-Bird Winery. ► Approved a resolution to dedicate a portion of the roads outside of the new sports complex — Grand Slam Drive and Sports Highland Parkway — as public right of way. ► Accepted rezoning requests for a 196.9 acre property on County Road 11 and for a 1.84 acre property on Old Highway 280 behind Publix. The ﬁrst property asked for rezoning from agricultural residential to planned residential development for a subdivision called “The Highlands of Chelsea,” and the latter asks to be rezoned from residential to general business.

There will be a public hearing for each request before they are formally approved. ► Discussed the signage for the city’s new sports complex. Niven said a representative will have a demo of the different resolutions of signage on Thursday, and the ﬁnal decision will roll over to the new council and mayor. The sign is a “generational decision,” which will be standing and seen for several years, Picklesimer said. ► Looked at the newest transport unit for Chelsea Fire & Rescue Department. The unit will go into service on Saturday, said Chief Wayne Shirley, and Niven prayed over the unit, asking for safety.

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280Living.com

November 2016 • A7

The Chelsea Fire and Rescue Department was one of the highest line items on the city’s 2016-17 general budget. In 2016, the city invested in a new transport unit for the ﬁre department, pictured here. Photo by Erica Techo.

Chelsea approves nearly $8 million budget for 2016-17 By ERICA TECHO The city of Chelsea has come a long way since its first budget of $32,000. “And that was mainly franchise tax from Alabama Power,” said Mayor Earl Niven during the Oct. 11 Chelsea City Council meeting. “Of course we didn’t have much expense, as the mayor’s office was one of our bedrooms turned into an office.” On Sept. 27, Chelsea passed a $7,784,000 budget for fiscal year 2016-2017. The franchise tax portion of the city’s revenue is estimated to be about $525,000 in the new fiscal year, which started Oct. 1. The city’s main revenue source is sales tax, estimated to reach $6.2 million this year. Chelsea’s City Council only approved the general budget, with Niven noting he would leave the capital budget up to the next mayor. Tony Picklesimer will take office Nov. 7. “I know this next council is going to keep their hands on it [the budget], making sure that Chelsea gets a dollar’s worth for every dollar you spend,” Niven said. One item left off the city’s projected revenue is the revenue that the County 11 Chelsea Sports Complex is expected to generate. Tournaments and concession stand sales are expected to bring in revenue, said City Councilman David Ingram, but they did not have estimates on what amount of revenue that might be. Fire and police protection is the most expensive line item on this year’s budget, hitting $2.63 million. That cost breaks down to $500,000 for contract deputies through the Sheriff’s Office — including an additional deputy for the city’s role in COMPACT 2020, $160,500 for an education resource officer, $1.95 million for

“

I know this next council is going to keep their hands on it [the budget], making sure that Chelsea gets a dollar’s worth for every dollar you spend.

”

EARL NIVEN

fire and rescue and $20,000 for the Citizens on Patrol (COP) program. “Our fire department shouldn’t have anything to complain about. You look at all that equipment they have, the new transport we just bought,” Niven said during the Sept. 27 meeting. “$Two million for a fire department for a city our size? We have looked out for our people in Chelsea.” The budget also includes a $819,462 expense labeled “contingency fund.” Niven said that money is what the city anticipates will be left over if all other expenses fall as they are expected to. “This is money in the past we have said we’re going to put it in capital projects,” Niven said. The contingency fund money can be used if needed, and transferred to the capital budget at those times. Otherwise, Niven said he suggests keeping it in the general budget until it is needed. Mayor-elect Tony Picklesimer said, as of press time, he is still working on the capital budget for the city of Chelsea.

A8 • November 2016

280 Living

Concerns about high-speed internet access raised during public forum By ERICA TECHO A handful of Shelby County residents are concerned with a lack of high speed internet connection in their neighborhoods. During a public forum on the county’s cable franchise renewal agreement, which was held during the commission’s Oct. 10 meeting, residents voiced their concerns on the monopoly of service, lack of options and seemingly arbitrary divisions of territory. Reginald Holloway, manager of community services for the county, introduced the public forum as well as residents who were present and signed up to comment. Holloway’s responsibilities include managing the county’s cable television franchise agreements with Charter Communications, AT&T Alabama and Zito Alabama as well as addressing conﬂicts between cable providers and customers and providing performance notices to cable providers. “We have all of our providers present, and we have three individuals, three citizens who would like to speak,” Holloway said. “They are concerned about the cable agreement at this time.” Terry Stiles Harrison, a real estate agent for the greater Birmingham area who also lives near the town of Mt Laurel, said she attended to voice concerns on internet providers and service she has as a resident and concerns she has for her clients. “What I’m hearing from my clients is either there is no service, or all around us, we have service, but we have a monopoly. We are at the mercy of whoever the developer decides to put in,” she said. When clients sign up for service they have to sign a contract, have issues with billing and end up seeing price increases without notice, she said. Some clients are surrounded by homes that have internet access, she said, while they

Above left: Robert Smith with Charter Communications speaks at the Oct. 10 Shelby County Commission meeting. Above right: Robin Dickinson, right, and Iris Jacobson speak about their concerns regarding internet service in their area of the county. Photos by Erica Techo.

have none. Others will only have access to DSL or dial-up, she said. “They’re in the middle of people that have it, and they don’t have it, and they don’t know when they’re going to get it,” she said. “And we’re not rural, guys. We’re in a high-growth area of the county.” Stiles Harrison asked the commission to consider internet when it goes to renew, encouraging them to think of county residents as the customers of that service. “We are the customer. We do vote you in, and we need some options,” she said. Before introducing the next person who signed up for public comment, Holloway noted that the franchise agreement only includes cable television, not internet. “We don’t even cover telephone, it’s just the television part of it,” he said. “The FCC did not hand down to the local level for the commission to govern internet service.” Robin Dickenson, a Dunnavant Square resident, said her concern for the lack of internet service is mainly for her two high school-aged

children. They need high-speed internet to complete their classwork and access other materials, and Dickenson said she had to get an unlimited data plan for her children’s cellphones so that they can complete their work that way. Iris Jackson echoed these concerns, adding that when she moved to Dunnavant Square, it never occurred to her to have to research whether or not high-speed internet was available. “Internet’s basic,” she said. “It’s a basic need now.” Representatives of all three cable providers were present and said they would address questions from residents. Terri Williams with AT&T said there is a focus on providing television options to customers, as AT&T has merged with DirecTV. Robert Smith from Charter told residents they can come to him with questions, and an attorney representing Zito Media said he would bring notes, questions and concerns back to Zito. A decision on the cable franchise agreements

will likely be made in late November or early December. Also at the meeting, the commission: ► Approved a bid for wood waste chipping. ► Approved an application for airport improvement funding assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration and the State of Alabama Department of Transportation. Proposed improvements include the design and construction of a 12-unit hangar. ► Approved a resolution adopting Act No. 2016-127, which made the commission responsible for securing legal council to represent the state and the county in property tax cases. The resolution also agreed to employ the ﬁrm of Ellis, Head, Owen and Justice of Columbiana, Alabama, as legal council for property tax appeals. ► Approved and accepted right of way acquisitions for the bridge replacement on County Road 264. ► Approved a resolution thanking Harpersville Mayor Theangelo “Theo” Perkins for his public service.

280Living.com

November 2016 • A9

Rezoning request to permit Valleydale Road facility denied A rendering of the proposed self-storage facility, which had its rezoning request denied during the Oct. 3 Shelby County Planning Commission meeting. Courtesy of Eight18 Properties LLC.

By ERICA TECHO The Shelby County Planning Commission unanimously denied a rezoning request that could have permitted a storage facility on a property along Valleydale Road. During the Oct. 3 Shelby County Planning Commission meeting, a crowd of nearly 70 attended to hear discussion and voice concerns regarding the proposed rezoning from general business and office and institutional district (B-1 and O-I) to general business district (B-2). The request was submitted for a 6.16-acre property on the northwest corner of Valleydale Road and Hillandell Drive, about 0.6 miles away from Caldwell Mill Road. Brent Fields of Eight18 Properties submitted the request with the intention that, if approved, self-storage facilities would be constructed on the property. Senior Planner Sharman Brooks presented the request and staff findings to the planning commission, noting that the property was rezoned to B-1 and O-I in 1990, when the property owner proposed a development that included businesses near the road with office buildings behind. Those plans never came to fruition, she said. The development proposed by Fields would include three self-storage buildings, including one 47,000-square-foot, two-story climate controlled building and two non-climate controlled buildings, Brooks said. There would be no outdoor storage of boats, vehicles or other items permitted on the property, and there would be gated security access. While the self-storage facility was not “incompatible” with surrounding properties, it was “different,” Brooks said, and she noted the planning commission has always been careful when it comes to rezoning decisions along Valleydale Road — a highly congested area as-is. The traffic produced by a self-storage facility would generate traffic patterns that are more compatible with office-type uses, Brooks said, but a B-2 rezoning allows for developments that

would have potentially higher traffic uses. Other B-2 uses include anything permitted under B-1 as well as a public garage, frozen food locker, hospital or clinic for animals, retail store or shop, used car lot, a shopping center and other uses, according to Shelby County zoning regulations. Staff recommended the consideration of a special district, which would limit the rezoning to only a self-storage facility, rather than the other uses allowed in B-2, but the applicant said there would not be enough time to gather the necessary plans for that sort of application, Brooks said. Planning commissioners Bob Land and Jim Davis both noted concerns that the self-storage facility was the only B-2 use that was not incompatible with the surrounding area, and that the rezoning to simply B-2 might open up the site to undesirable developments. When Fields presented his plan for the property, he emphasized that a self-storage facility is his only plan for the property, and that the expected tenant mix for the property “definitely fits” for a residential area. Plans for the building included materials which would fit with a “residential aesthetic,” said architect Chuck Penuel, giving the climate controlled building an appearance more similar to an office building. There were also buffers

along all four, said civil engineer Brian Harris. There would be 600 units in the climate-controlled building, Fields said, a number that drew a murmuring from the crowd gathered at the meeting. One of the other buildings would include 60 drive-up units, and the smaller building would include 40 units. Tom Crawford, the property owner of an adjacent property, spoke in favor of the rezoning, noting the self-storage facility would be better than the fruit stand and other things currently on that land, but several others voiced their concerns and disapproval at the meeting. One resident read a letter from Shelby County Commissioner Mike Vest, who was unable to attend the meeting but is the commissioner over the area in question as well as a resident of the area. “Residents surrounding this aforementioned property reached out to me and asked for my assistance in their concern,” the letter read. “As their commissioner and neighbor, I support their efforts in the opposition to the zoning change request.” Concerns included the potential noise of large trucks going in and out of the facility during the proposed hours of 6 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m., the buildings being “ugly” and hurting property values, the lack of a buffer compared to the current zoning and potential effects on

water runoff and wildlife. Branscomb Beavers, representing the Havenwood Park homeowners association, said the neighborhood was in complete opposition to the storage facility and to the B-2 rezoning. “Sure, it’s a class A facility, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a storage facility,” Beavers said. Beavers asked the neighbors in opposition to the plan to stand, and most of the 70 individuals in attendance — who were not already standing — stood up. After around an hour of discussion, planning commission chairman Ken Wilder addressed Brooks, saying “What we’ve got is a B-2 [rezoning], up or down,” noting that it was not possible to add on a special district because the proper submittal wasn’t included and that tabling the request would be ineffective. “I don’t think the problem is with the facility because I’ve seen facilities like this in Atlanta and Dallas and very, very nice neighborhoods, and they actually add to the area,” he said. “… I think the facility is nice, I think it’s good. But we have no guarantees that’s what they’ll do. If somebody came in and offered you $1 million tomorrow after we approve this, you might put it in the bank tomorrow and say, ‘Bye.’” Commissioner Land made the motion to deny the request, which was seconded. The planning commission unanimously approved the motion to deny the request. In other business, the planning commission: ► Approved a resurvey on a property in Mooney Estates near Columbiana. ► Approved preliminary plats for Griffin Park at Eagle Point, Sectors 1 and 2. The approval is conditional on the developers meeting staff concerns regarding engineering, meaning the developers will have to address engineering and staff comments on their most recent proposed plat before future steps can be taken. David Stovall, representing the developer, said they were willing to continue working with the county to meet any concerns.

A10 • November 2016

280 Living

Left: Citizens view maps of ALDOT’s proposed project to reconnect Cahaba Beach Road. Above: ALDOT has ﬁve major alternatives for the route of the proposed Cahaba Beach Road reconnection. Photos by Sydney Cromwell and courtesy of ALDOT.

Residents share input on Cahaba Beach Road project By SYDNEY CROMWELL Traffic and environmental impact were among the top concerns for residents at the two public involvement meetings held in October on a proposed reconnection of Cahaba Beach Road. The Alabama Department of Transportation’s meetings included presentation of ﬁve major alternatives, some with minor variation options, to connect U.S. 280 and Sicard Hollow Road in the Cahaba Beach Road area, with a new bridge over the Little Cahaba River. Studies on the area for the proposed roadway were included in packets for meeting attendees. According to those results, the road would serve over 8,000 cars daily between Swan Drive and the river, and around 9,000 cars between the river and Sicard Hollow Road. The different road options vary in length from 8,400 to 11,100 feet, with most of them just over 9,000 feet. Depending on location, the bridge could be anywhere from 290 to 860 feet. According to the studies presented, none

of the alternatives would have an environmental impact on wetlands, streams, threatened and endangered species or archaeological and historic sites. Cost estimates ranged from $10 million to $21.6 million. The Cahaba River Society and other community members have expressed concern about the ecological and health impact of destroying the unused bridge currently on the Little Cahaba River and constructing a new one. This included Southern Environmental Law Center staff attorney Sarah Stokes, who attended the public involvement meeting. Stokes’ concern is that construction runoff into the river, plus the addition of pollution from thousands of cars passing over the river, could have unwanted consequences for the Little Cahaba River’s plant and animal life. She noted that the intake for much of the area’s water supply is downstream from the proposed sites. “I’m concerned about our drinking water intake,” Stokes said.

She added that connecting the road could encourage more development in an area that mostly remains wooded and untouched. As they looked at maps in the LPMS cafeteria, a few other attending residents voiced their opinion that the area should be left undeveloped. Brook Highland resident Mike Chanslor, who formerly lived in Liberty Park, said he would prefer to promote an environmentally conscious plan rather than prevent any development of the road. He recalled driving over the Cahaba Beach Road bridge as a kid and has taken his own children to enjoy the Cahaba River, so keeping the river clean is signiﬁcant to him. “I feel like I’ve grown up in just this area,” Chanslor said. However, Chanslor said he felt “very positive” toward the idea of the project overall as long as the safety of the surrounding habitat was preserved. Residents at the meeting had multiple concerns about trafﬁc. Some felt that the Cahaba

Beach Road project would bring more trafﬁc to Sicard Hollow Road and the surrounding neighborhoods, adding congestion to an already busy roadway. Others were concerned that not enough drivers would need or want to use the road to travel to and from work or school, thus developing the area unnecessarily. ALDOT spokesperson DeJarvis Leonard said the goal of public involvement meetings is to gather exactly this sort of resident feedback “in order to make an informed decision” before a project moves forward. After gathering all public comments, Leonard said ALDOT would study the feedback to narrow down its alternatives for the project. “That decision would be based on the comments we received today,” Leonard said. The short list of possible sites for the project would be presented in another series of public meetings, likely in summer 2017 or later, he said. Comments from that second round of meetings would be used to make a ﬁnal choice on the layout of the project.

280Living.com

November 2016 • A11

A rezoing request for a 196.9 acre property on County Road 11 was approved the by Chelsea Planning Commission and Chelsea City Council. The property will be the future location for The Highlands of Chelsea. Rendering courtesy of the city of Chelsea.

Commission considers rezoning for 2 residential developments By ERICA TECHO Chelsea’s residential areas are continuing to grow. During the Sept. 26 Chelsea Planning Commission meeting, the planning commission considered rezoning requests for two new developments. One request from developer David Brogdon was to rezone a 196-acre property from agricultural residential to planned residential development. The subdivision planned for the property includes a total of 82 houses as well as a business development toward the front. “They want it to be a Mt Laurel type of development,” said City Engineer Keith Hager. Matt Gullab with Insite Engineering, the engineering ﬁrm for the development, said there is a plan for three commercial lots. The neighborhood also will connect with the Highlands development in Pelham, and the two subdivisions will share amenities. The rezoning was approved, and Hager noted that before commercial development could begin, it would have to come before the planning commission. This rezoning recommendation was received at the Oct. 11 Chelsea City Council meeting, and a public hearing will be in November.

The planning commission also received a rezoning request from Scott Weygand to rezone portions of a parcel at County 336 and Dogwood Drive from agricultural residential to residential. The total land rezoned was 61 acres, and a 52.6-acre portion remained zoned as agricultural residential. Weygand said the plan for the development is a subdivision called Chelsea Preserve. As Weygand is the chairman of the planning commission, he abstained from voting. The rezoning was received by all other members of the commission, and a public hearing was set for the planning commission’s next meeting. Other actions included: ► The commission approved a major home occupation special permit application for Cat and Bird Winery. This permit was also approved at the Oct. 11 Chelsea City Council meeting. ► The commission approved a rezoning for a property on Old U.S. 280 behind Publix. The property was rezoned from residential to general business. ► The commission approved a variance for a property on Helms Drive. ► The commission received a rezoning request for a family subdivision.

This map from 2004 shows proposed changes to the U.S. 280/I-459 intersection. The ﬂyover, in green, and ramp changes, in yellow, will be reconsidered as an updated version of the project is designed sometime in late 2017 or early 2018. Map courtesy of ALDOT.

U.S. 280, I-459 flyover to be reconsidered next year By SYDNEY CROMWELL Plans to build a flyover ramp connecting U.S. 280 traffic to Interstate 459 will be taken up again in 2017, according to Sandra Bonner at ALDOT. The project, which would remove the intersection where westbound 280 traffic merges onto southbound I-459 and replace it with a flyover ramp, was first proposed in 2004. It was part of a multistage improvement plan for the intersection, some of which — such as widening the 280 bridge and creating a new exit ramp for northbound I-459 drivers to merge onto 280 — already have been completed. Phase III has not been completed and includes the flyover and reconfiguring Colonnade Drive on the east side of 280 to connect with Grandview Parkway rather than directly into the highway. Bonner said that new design work for the project will begin within a year or a year and a half. Though there are new factors to take into account, such as the addition of Grandview Medical Center and additional

traffic, Bonner said designs will start with the 2004 plans. “We’ll start there and see how much can be salvaged and reused,” Bonner said. After the new design is complete, Bonner said ALDOT will hold public-involvement meetings and coordinate with local property owners to determine interest in and feasibility of the plans. The flyover project is part of ALDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program. A document on the ALDOT website lists projects that are part of the STIP from 2016 to 2019, which includes a 2018 plan to create a third left turn lane from 280 onto I-459 southbound and changes to the exit ramp from I-459 northbound onto 280. It also lists a Colonnade Drive relocation project in 2019. The flyover project, if approved, would have to be added onto the STIP and would likely take a longer time frame than 2019, since a full slate of other projects around the state are already lined up. Bonner said more information will become available once the design process begins.

A12 • November 2016

280 Living

Ivey reﬂects: ‘I’m proud of what we did’

“”

By JON ANDERSON Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey may have lost his re-election bid this year, but the 61-year-old city leader said he has no regrets about his 12 years as an elected official. “I’ve enjoyed serving this city,” Ivey said as he prepares to pass the torch to incoming Mayor Frank Brocato on Nov. 7. “I wish Frank the best in his oncoming term. I’m not bitter about it. Anything I can do to help with the transition, all he’s got to do is call me.” Ivey, who served seven years on the City Council and five as mayor, said he was disappointed in the turnout for this year’s election, given the city’s population. The U.S. Census Bureau last year estimated Hoover had about 85,000 residents, yet only 13,761 people voted in the mayor’s race. Ivey said the city election this year “became a schools vs. sports deal, and the sports people didn’t get out” to vote. He focused his campaign largely on the city’s plans for the $80 million sports complex being built next to Hoover Metropolitan Stadium and the city’s ability to maintain a strong financial position and balanced budgets, but it wasn’t enough, he said. School supporters wanted a tremendous amount of money for Hoover schools, and he thought other city needs were more important, he said. Schools are an important part of the city, but so is public safety, garbage pickup, streets and sanitation, parks and courts, he said. “I think you have to fund all of that,” Ivey said. There’s a tremendous amount of work and money that goes into maintaining a balanced city, and “I’m proud of what we did,” Ivey said. “I’m proud of the way we left the city.” That said, he wishes the new mayor and City Council success with the projects they want to undertake, he said. “I’ve known Frank for 30 years,” Ivey said.

I hope we made a difference up here. I feel like we have.

GARY IVEY

Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the $80 million sports complex being built next to Hoover Metropolitan Stadium on June 14, 2016. Photo courtesy of Lance Shores/City of Hoover.

“I wish Frank the best. I hope he does well with it, and I’m sure he will.”

BEST MEMORIES

Some of Ivey’s best memories in city government include the development of Veterans Park, construction of the Hoover Senior Center and additions to the Hoover Public Library, he said. He also is proud of the sports ﬁeld built at Hoover Sports Park East for children and adults with special needs. “I think that’s incredibly special and badly needed,” he said. Other accomplishments he regards as significant include the widening of U.S. 31 between Interstate 459 and Data Drive and helping important private-sector projects become a reality. Some of those projects include the renovation of the Riverchase Galleria and the construction of the Field & Stream store in Patton Creek and two freestanding emergency

departments, he said. Allen Pate, who is retiring as the city’s executive director, said each of the ﬁve mayors with whom he has worked has been a good mayor in different ways. Ivey was not as outspoken and in the public eye as much as his predecessor, Tony Petelos, but he has a great business mind, Pate said.

FANS AND CRITICS

Tynette Lynch, the CEO of Aldridge Gardens whose husband contributed to Ivey’s campaign, said she thinks Ivey has done an excellent job as mayor. “He represented the people well,” she said. “I think he represented businesses, small businesses and large businesses, well.” As the president and CEO of Crest Cadillac, he knows the challenges facing businesses, she said. Ivey loves the city and wants to continue to

see it flourish and grow, Lynch said. “I think he’s been a great leader and a strong leader.” Others, such as Bluff Park resident Dan Fulton, have been more critical of Ivey. Fulton said Ivey for too long failed to acknowledge the financial problems facing the Hoover school system. “That was a top priority for the residents of Hoover,” Fulton said. But Ivey took no initiative to address the failed plan to eliminate school buses or help with financial issues, he said. “I believe if he had showed more interest in helping schools, the outcome might have been different.” The Hoover City Council in December passed several measures to increase the city’s contribution to schools by an estimated $1.3 million to $1.5 million a year, but it wasn’t enough to address the problems, Fulton said. “It just seemed like a drop in the bucket. It didn’t seem sincere,” he said. Ivey was counting on the new sports complex to get him votes, but Fulton believes it didn’t work because of the way it was pushed through with little public input and public notice. “I think that’s what really did him in,” Fulton said. The public was irate at the lack of transparency and failure to communicate, he said. Ivey is convinced he did what was best for the city as a whole but said he accepts the election results and will plug himself back into his car dealership. “I hope we made a difference up here,” he said. “I feel like we have.”

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280Living.com

November 2016 • A13

Business

David Stovall speaks on behalf of his client, requesting the planning commission approve their preliminary plat instead of requiring them to resubmit for Nov. 21. Photo by Erica Techo.

Preliminary plat for Grifﬁn Park at Eagle Point approved, pending staff revisions By ERICA TECHO The preliminary plat for a development on the former Eagle Point golf course has been approved, but developers still have to meet staff recommendations before its ﬁnal approval. The proposed development has two sectors — one with 123 lots and the second with 183 lots, and preliminary plats for the development were submitted during the Oct. 3 Shelby County Planning Commission meeting. When Senior Planner Sharman Brooks presented the plats, she noted that staff said the application does not meet minimum requirements for approval. Drafting items were the main items noted by development services, Brooks said, but engineering had redesign notes that also needed to be addressed. John Slaughter with the county engineering department said the request to not approve the preliminary plat came from a concern about the ripple effect redesigns might cause. “In my opinion, when there’s a redesign of structure or redesign of roads, they have a ripple effect through the plans, and it’s not as simple as a drafting comment where you’re just adding a notation,” Slaughter said.

Changes to storm drain pipe sizes or other things along those lines may or may not affect another portion of the plans, he added, and it is therefore easier to hold off on approval. David Stovall with the engineering design group for the development said they had addressed drafting and clerical ﬁxes on the plat, and said some of their calculations in regard to pipe size differed from the county, but they resolved the major issues. He added that he and his client hoped to start as soon as possible, before the ground got hard in the winter season. Slaughter said the planning commission could approve the preliminary plat and have staff address concerns after the fact, which is sometimes difﬁcult to do. “Approval of the preliminary plat gets them one step closer to hiring people and getting them on the job site,” Slaughter said. “The closer you get to putting people on the job site, the harder it is to stop the ball rolling.” The planning commission ended up approving the request as long as staff comments were met because it would not be able to hear the case again until Nov. 21. Planning commissioner Amy Smith voted in opposition, with all other commissioners approving.

The trampoline arena includes Cirque du Soleil “SuperTramps.” Photo courtesy of CircusTrix.

‘Extreme’ recreation park coming to 280 By SYDNEY CROMWELL Trampolines, rock walls, a ﬂying trapeze, slacklines and an obstacle course — all are in store for U.S. 280 in 2017. CircusTrix, a national company that owns the AirWalk in Lee Branch, has announced its intention to replace the trampoline arena with Next Levl, a larger facility with more “extreme recreation” options, located at the intersection of U.S. 280 and Highway 119. CEO Case Lawrence said the facility will be 30,000 square feet, roughly three times larger than AirWalk, which will close when the Next Levl opens in early 2017. Next Levl will include Cirque du Soleil trampolines, bouldering and rock climbing, an American Ninja Warrior course, parkour course, aerial

silks, flying trapeze and slacklines. “CircusTrix parks are built with people of all ages in mind and include a wide variety of activities — some more suited for young children and others for the teenage [and] young adult crowd. Our parks are very inclusive and we want everyone to have a good time,” Lawrence said. Lawrence said this will be the first time some of these activities have been commercially available in Alabama. There will also be special programs such as fitness classes, Family Night, Kid Jump, Club Night for teenagers and College Night. According to a press release, Next Levl should be completed in January 2017, but a grand opening date has not been set. Visit circustrix.com for more information.

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280Living.com

November 2016 • A15

Now Open 1

Renew Salon & Spa, 13521 County Road 280, Suite 241, is under new ownership. Betty Wimbish is the new owner. The business offers a wide range of salon and spa services. 991-5951

Domino’s Brook Highland, 5285 U.S. 280, Suite 105, is now open. 408-8100, dominos.com

LAX Unleashed, a new lacrosse store at 510 Cahaba Park Circle, is now open. The store carries a wide range of lacrosse equipment. 900-8005

Coming Soon

Anniversaries Hilltop Montessori School, 6 Abbott Square in Mt Laurel, celebrated its 20th anniversary in September. 437-9343, hilltopmontessori.com

UAB’s Callahan Eye Hospital will open an off-site clinic in Vestavia Hills at 2801 Old 280 Court, off Cahaba River Road. The clinic is scheduled to open Nov. 1. The clinic will offer cataract and glaucoma screenings, diagnostic imaging and general eye exams, and it will also operate an optical store for glasses and lenses. The clinic will treat pediatric and adult patients. 325-8100, uabmedicine.org/eye

Salon 12, 8000 Liberty Parkway, Suite 110, is celebrating its third anniversary in November. 977-3812, thesalon12.com

CircusTrix, a national operator of extreme recreation parks, will open Next Levl at 7155 Cahaba Valley Road in the Tattersall Park development, the company has announced. The multilevel facility will house a ﬂying trapeze, an American Ninja Warrior course, and many more attractions. The facility should be open sometime in 2017. circustrix.com

Sur la Table, 115 Summit Blvd., is celebrating its fourth anniversary in November. 968-7664, surlatable.com

The Phoenix at Eagle Point, a new senior living community, will be constructed on U.S. 280 at the intersection of Eagle Point Parkway. The development will have a mixture of independent living units and assisted living units. Construction is expected to start in December with completion by late spring 2017. phoenixsrliving.com

Greystone Shell, 5408 U.S. 280, is celebrating its third anniversary in November. 991-5322

High Point Climbing and Fitness will open this month at 4766 U.S. 280. highpointclimbing.com

News and Accomplishments Cathy Galbreath Buzbee, owner of ABSCO Fireplace & Patio, 4643 U.S. 280, was recognized at the International Casual Furnishings Association’s annual gala in Chicago in September with the association’s Apollo Award, which recognizes retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings. The award is given in two categories: single-location retailers and multiple-location retailers. ABSCO was awarded for the multiple-location retailer category. 995-1477, abscoonline.com

The Walmart Supercenter locations at 5335 U.S. 280, Hoover, and 16077 U.S. 280, Chelsea, are now offering online grocery orders at their stores. Customers can visit walmart.com/grocery to choose items that will be available to be picked up at a later time. walmart.com/grocery

Wrendon Davis, owner of Davis Plumbing Company, 5600 Cahaba Valley Road, was inducted into the Alabama Building Industry Hall of Fame with the Home Builders Association of Alabama. 991-2022, davisplumbingcoinc.com

Berk Cleveland Rathmell Wealth 10 Strategies, 1952 Urban Center Parkway, has announced that it will start a new division focused on employer-sponsored retirement plans. 298-1234, bcrwealth.com

New Ownership

Ground Up Coffee & Smoothies, 15582 U.S. 280, Suite 100, Chelsea, celebrated its fourth anniversary in October. 678-3899

Willpower Fitness Gym, 16233 U.S. 280, Suite A, Chelsea, is celebrating its third anniversary in November. 903-8591, facebook.com/willpowerﬁtnessgym

Danberry at Inverness, 235 Inverness Center Drive, celebrated its seventh anniversary in October. 286-5512, danberryatinverness.com

Hirings and Promotions Ben Vaughn has been hired as the

20 executive chef at Inverness Country

Club, 1 Country Club Drive. He has been featured on Food Network as the host of “Health Inspectors,” and is the author of the cookbook, “Southern Routes: Secret Recipes from the Best Down-Home Joints in the South.” 991-8608, iccalabama.com Child’s Play Therapy Center, 48 Chesser Crane Road, Suite I, has hired Jaime Pears as a certiﬁed speech language pathologist and Miriam Godoy as ofﬁce administrator. 618-8095, childsplaytherapycenter.com

Alan Martin has been hired as executive chef at Greystone Golf & Country Club, 4100 Greystone Drive. 986-5120, greystonecc.com

Nicole Barbee has joined the Merrill

23 Lynch branch ofﬁce at 100 Grand-

view Place, Floor 2, as a financial advisor. She joins the office having previously worked in Merrill Lynch’s Pensacola, Florida, office. 298-7416, local.ml.com/birmingham_south Surgical Dermatology Group,

24 2000 Stonegate Trail, Suite 112,

has announced the addition of Drs. Jonathan Cappel and John Huber to their practice. Both physicians are board certiﬁed by the American Board of Dermatology, and both are members of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. 977-9876, surgicaldermatology.com

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Birmingham Colonnade, 3950 Colonnade Parkway, was recently purchased by Atlanta-based Peachtree Hotel Group. 969-8099, springhillsuites.marriott.com

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A16 • November 2016

280 Living

Deep-dish pizza restaurant opening in Hoover By SYDNEY CROMWELL Patrick Decker is taking pizza to a deeper level with Deep Dish Pizza and Italian House, which opened in October at 3000 Meadow Lake Drive. Decker is the owner of several Jersey Mike’s franchise locations around Birmingham, as well as an ice cream and snacks shop in Homewood called Scoops, which opened Sept. 23. He said a pizza restaurant has been on his mind for a while. “I just always wanted to be in the pizza business, and I’ve always loved Chicago-style, stuffed crust pizzas, and there’s really not a big presence of that in Birmingham,” Decker said. The menu includes classic Italian and Chicago-style foods, such as meatball subs, Italian beef sandwiches, stuffed crust pizzas, baked ziti and other pastas, soups, salads and sides such as prosciutto-wrapped green beans. Deep Dish chef Johnny Harrington said the menu features Alabama produce when possible and everything from dough to sauces and toppings will be made in-house. “We’re a truly scratch-made kind of place, and we pride ourselves in that,” Harrington said. The restaurant will also serve gelato made at Scoops. The menu is family style, Decker said, which means pizzas and other menu items meant to serve the entire table. Even single-person meals will have big portions, he said. Deep Dish offers delivery services and catering. “We really want to fill that gap in the market here, and believe a lot of our potential guests will appreciate the option for delivery,” Harrington said. Renovations are underway at the restaurant, and the finished product includes an outdoor patio and a window for diners to watch the chefs in the kitchen at work. A final opening date in October has not been set, as Decker said he wants to wait for renovations to be complete and to receive his license to sell beer and wine. Decker said he’s enjoying “creating something from nothing” with this new restaurant, and if it is successful he could see it becoming a franchise in the future.

Deep Dish Pizza and Italian House is slated to open in October. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

280Living.com

November 2016 • A17

Chelsea mom opens new boutique By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE For the first six months after giving birth to twin girls, Jordan Gilliam was a stay-at-home mom. She then decided to start an online boutique, 2 Girls & a Dog, so she could continue to spend time at home with Madison and Abigail and their dog, Mojito. Her interest in a children’s clothing business came after her daughters were born and she received a KicKee Pants outfit as a baby gift. She said she fell in love with the brand. Gilliam grew her online business by advertising on buy-selltrade boards on Facebook. In the last year, her business has grown so much that she needed to transition to a brick-andmortar location. She was initially planning to rent a space at Somewhere in Time in Chelsea, when she found out that their next-door tenant was moving. “Once I found out Sew Precious was leaving, I knew Chelsea needed another children’s store,” Gilliam said. She acted fast and signed a lease on the 1,600-square-foot space and moved in on Sept. 1 — exactly a year to the day from when she started the business. Gilliam hand-picks products for the store that she said her kids will love, and offers lines of children’s clothing from newborn up to size 14. Her inventory also includes baby gifts, blankets, shoes and some women’s clothing, including matching mommy-and-me pajamas. 2 Girls & a Dog carries brands including Cyte Baby, Silkberry Baby, KicKee Pants, L’ovedbaby, Wubbanub, Izzy & Ollie, RuffleButts and Hayden Los Angeles. “We specialize in matching twin outfits, brother-sister coordinating outfits, birthday and holiday outfits and smocked outfits for all occasions,” Gilliam said. She said she also carries Elephants & Owls brand blankets, and their owner does all the monogramming, appliquéing and vinyl for customers with a three-day turnaround. Customers can also bring in their own items as well. Gilliam is able to take her daughters to work with her and has the store set up in a child-friendly fashion, with a train table and toys and books. She has hired someone to help on an as-needed basis, but she said she is there the majority of the time. “As a mom, I want parents to know they can come in and shop and bring their children,” she said. Gilliam said she strives to get orders out the same day they’re placed, and she adds that 95 percent of her online orders are not from in state. Gilliam is hoping to change that. “I wanted people in Alabama to be able to come to a store,” she said. “So many items we carry, people love once they get one

Madison and Abigail Gilliam stand near a photo of their dog, Mojito, at 2 Girls & a Dog Boutique. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.

piece. Most are made of bamboo or organic cotton.” The ofﬁcial grand opening for 2 Girls & a Dog Boutique is scheduled for Oct. 1 and will feature hot dogs, drinks and giveaways. The ribbon-cutting with the South Shelby Chamber will be Oct. 6. Upcoming plans are to add size 16 apparel for the spring and to add baby registry within the next month. Gilliam said she will also be getting in items for boys sizes 4-12, including dress

pants, button-downs and everyday T-shirts. “I wanted people to be able to shop local,” Gilliam said. “Even if we aren’t able to help someone, we want to be able to send them to get what they need.” 2 Girls & a Dog is located at 16161 U.S. 280, Suite 2, in Chelsea. It will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 677-2225 or go to 2girlsandadog.com.

A18 • November 2016

280 Living

High Point Climbing and Fitness’ premier climbing room, which will sport climbing walls 55 feet in height, will be located on the left side of the facility. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

Climbing into a ﬁt business 32,000-square-foot High Point Climbing and Fitness facility created to meet demand of growing trend By SARAH COOK It’s hard to put into words the thrill of scaling massive rock formations thousands of feet above the ground, Tony Levy said. Amazement, exhaustion — and a heavy dose of fear — are all a part of the sensation. And while most feel as if this kind of thrill can only be captured from remote mountain peaks accessible to a lucky few, Levy said locals will soon get a taste of this rush. High Point Climbing and Fitness, a gym that began in Chattanooga, will soon open its doors in Birmingham off U.S. 280 in the former Next Total

Fitness location. Levy, general manager of the High Point Climbing and Fitness Birmingham location, said locals can expect a little bit of everything from the facility. “Exercise, mental relaxation, stress relief — it’s a complete body workout,” he said. “It’s kind of addictive once you’ve gotten a taste for it.” Almost every inch of the 32,000-square-foot space will be used for climbing and other ﬁtness activities, Levy said. Upon walking in, guests will be greeted at the front desk where a gear shop will also be located. The gym’s premier climbing room, which will sport climbing walls 55 feet in height,

280Living.com

November 2016 • A19 The lobby of High Point Climbing and Fitness lobby. The climbing and ﬁtness complex will also have bouldering areas, a kids’ zone and areas speciﬁcally for weightlifting, cardio and yoga.

will be located on the left side of the facility. “This will be our rope and route area,” Levy said. “We’ll also have at least six auto belays in here.” (Auto belays work by picking up slack as a climber ascends, and safely controls the descent when the climber lets go or falls.) The climbing and ﬁtness complex will also have bouldering areas, a kids’ zone and areas that cater speciﬁcally to weightlifting, cardio and yoga. The bouldering areas, Levy said, won’t have high climbing walls, but shorter heights that involve more advanced movements to navigate the structure. All areas, he said, will meet proper safety precautions to ensure climbers are as safe as possible throughout their experience. “We do our best to minimize the risk as much as possible,” he said. Because of the growing climbing trend, Levy said the demand for gyms like High Point have also grown in a short amount of time. “We felt like the climbing community in

“

The overall concept of climbing — journeying with others and enjoying the same passion and fear that it brings — is what we’re here for.

Birmingham was something we could contribute to greatly and help develop,” said Levy, who began climbing at age 14 and has traveled all over the country pursuing the hobby. “It’s developed so much and has changed with new technology — and I have no doubt it will continue to adapt and grow.” Along with day passes, High Point will offer memberships, which give full access to the gym’s amenities. Since climbing can be intimidating to those who have never participated in the sport, Levy said there will be on-site instructors who will give step-by-step guidance on how to safely scale the gym’s many

”

TONY LEVY

climbing areas. “Everybody will go through an orientation if they’ve never been to the facility,” he said. “Once we feel as if they’re able to go about the facilities in the best manner, minimizing inherent risk as much as possible, they can go about it by themselves.” The kids’ zone, Levy said, will feature kidfriendly climbing and playground-style equipment where kids can navigate volcanoes, space ships, life-size spider webs and more. “It’s where we’ll be able to control as much of the chaos as possible,” said Levy, noting that parents must monitor their children in the kids’

zone. “This will be a place where we hope to eventually teach classes, too.” Party rooms, yoga classes and a cardio space will be housed upstairs, Levy said, and can be accessed with day passes and memberships. The cardio room will house treadmills, elliptical machines, rowing machines and Stairmasters, he said. Once patrons discover the health beneﬁts of climbing — along with the mental beneﬁts and stress relief — Levy said he expects Birmingham and the surrounding areas to catch on to the climbing craze. “The overall concept of climbing — journeying with others and enjoying the same passion and fear that it brings — is what we’re here for,” he said. “It’s a complete body workout in a way that you don’t feel like you’re working out while you’re doing it, then afterwards, you can’t hold on to anything or write your name or driving home because you’re so sore. It’s great.” For more information on High Point Climbing and Fitness, visit highpointclimbing.com.

A20 • November 2016

280 Living

Fun, fashion and faith 3 Generations Boutique owner hopes to share more than clothing By ERICA TECHO About a year ago, Patricia Stoddard was at a faith convention when a stranger approached her. “Someone came to tell me that God was going to deal with me in fashion,” Stoddard said. At the time, she did not know what that individual meant, but it ended up being the spark that led Stoddard to opening 3 Generations Boutique in Greystone Centre. Opening the store was centered on Stoddard’s faith, and she prayed about the idea of opening a store as well as the location where she would open it. After praying about the Greystone Centre location, Stoddard said she had a dream that showed her it was the right place. “That same night I had a dream, because I had already seen this location, that I was in this location, dressing the walls and hanging clothes everywhere,” she said. Since opening in July, Stoddard said she has seen great foot trafﬁc in the store and is thankful for the

3 Generations Boutique • WHERE: 5510 U.S. 280, Suite 109 • HOURS: Monday, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • CALL: 326-7333 • WEB: 3generations boutique.com

women of Greystone and off U.S. 280 who will stop by to shop or just talk. “Sometimes people need to just talk,” Stoddard said. “We’re not just using it [the store] to sell the clothes; we’re using it to talk.” Conversation is a vital part of the shop and its message, which Stoddard said is one of encouragement. The store’s name — 3 Generations Boutique — was selected

Patricia Stoddard said she hopes her boutique can help women gain conﬁdence in themselves and their fashion choices. Photo by Erica Techo.

because the number 3 representing the beginning, middle and end, and “generations” represents a desire to pass a message of positivity between generations. “The number 3 kind of identiﬁes us as our past, our present and our future, and it’s just to be sure that where we are on this day, we are embracing ourselves completely and fully,” Stoddard said. One way Stoddard promotes a message of conﬁdence in shoppers is through the store’s wall of fashion confessions. “[A fashion confession is] that one

fear we may have, or we may have three or four, so we confess, ‘This is something I will not put on,’” Stoddard said. “And then we’re going to do a challenge for seven days, to wear it. Then, you never know how it turns out, but it will eventually lead to that confidence.” While confidence in fashion might seem like a minor step, Stoddard said she believes it can flow into other areas of life and can lead shoppers to face other fears. Overall, Stoddard said she hopes to help women express themselves through the clothing in 3 Generations

Boutique. She selects mainly contemporary pieces and said she looks for good fabrics and items she typically wears. Women face criticism in fashion all the time, Stoddard said, but dressing conﬁdently is a way to ﬁght against that. “We have freedom of speech in America; our voice is dominant in so many ways in our lives, so I feel like fashion is our voice, and I think we should wear it,” she said. For more information about 3 Generations Boutique, go to 3GenerationsBoutique.com or search @3gensb on Facebook.

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November 2016 • A21

Friends open new clothing store in Chelsea Christy Mock and Casie Bynum pose inside their clothing store, High Cotton Boutique. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE What Christy Mock started four years ago as a way to bring affordable clothing to her family and friends has grown into a thriving business with a new location in Chelsea. Mock started High Cotton Boutique in 2012, running it out of her home and selling her items on Facebook and Instagram. As the business expanded to boutique shows and school shows, its clientele base continued to grow. Meeting people to deliver its orders got hectic. It was then Mock realized it was time for a store-front location. She became friends with Casie Bynum through their children, who attend Coosa Valley Academy. Bynum began helping Mock over a year ago and became her business partner at the beginning of 2016. Since both women are from the Chelsea area, it was an obvious choice for them to open their store there. It also provided a central location for their customer base between Birmingham and Sylacauga. “We spent a day looking at places and loved this one the most,” Bynum said. “The spot had character to it. We did the build-out ourselves in about three weeks. Having an actual store will make it easier for our customers to buy our products, and they can come and meet us, and we can communicate with them.” High Cotton Boutique opened its doors in Chelsea at the end of August. Mock and Bynum ﬁnd the latest fashion trends and offer them at customer-friendly prices. They carry modern, sophisticated clothes for teens and women, including plus sizes. They also carry holiday and game-day clothing, along with shoes and accessories such as scarves, hats and jewelry. Even with their new location, the business continues to use social media and have all its products online as well. Mock said it’s also a great way to keep in touch with their customers.

“I post everything on Facebook and Instagram. That part is sailing,” Mock said. “We do the packing and shipping out of the store, usually the same day.” High Cotton Boutique is open longer hours than other stores and also can take shopping appointments outside regular business hours. “We open earlier and close later for our customers,” Bynum said, who works at the store during the week and splits Saturdays with Mock. The store also offers private parties where women can bring their friends to shop and also

earn a discount on their purchases. Mock and Bynum are also happy to assist and help shoppers with their clothing selections. “A lot of women have no idea how to pair clothes. We are always here for advice,” Mock said. The two said they have plans to eventually expand but are planning to enjoy their new location in Chelsea. “We love being right here,” Bynum said. “We love our neighbors in this shopping center. We post new arrivals almost daily, so there’s always something new and fresh for you to see.”

High Cotton Boutique • WHERE: 10699 Old U.S. 280, Chelsea • CALL: 677-2200 • WEB: highcottonboutique.com; Facebook @HighCottonAL

A22 • November 2016

280 Living

Chamber Chamber recognizes outstanding firefighters, police officers By ERICA TECHO The Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce recognized and thanked the men and women who keep Shelby County residents safe at its September luncheon. Fire and police departments from around the county were invited to nominate a firefighter, police officer or sheriff’s deputy for the 2016 Safety Awards, an annual award ceremony hosted by the chamber. Around 200 individuals, including the nominees, family members and representatives of the departments, attended the Sept. 27 luncheon at the Pelham Civic Complex. “Sometimes I think we take for granted the many advantages we have as Americans, oftentimes forgetting that they come at a cost,” said Leroy Nix, a representative of luncheon sponsor Alabama Power, “but you and your families recognize that your service to others is not free. It’s not free of commitment, it’s not free of sacrifice, it’s not free of worry, it’s not free of danger.” Nix thanked the public safety officers at the luncheon for their service and all they do in the county. Chamber CEO and President Kirk Mancer also thanked the firefighters and law enforcement officers in Shelby County for their hard work. “All of us who live in Shelby County know the tremendous quality of life we’re fortunate to have,” Mancer said. “A significant part of that is the outstanding men and women who serve in law enforcement and as firefighters.” In addition to the individuals who were recognized at the luncheon, Mancer noted

that it takes great teamwork to run a successful public safety department. A representative from each fire and police department present at the luncheon gave a brief introduction of the award winner, offering examples of their dedication. Officer Paul Williams of Chelsea Fire and Rescue said Lt. Taylor Gunnels, Chelsea’s recipient of Firefighter of the Year, remains committed to the community through several programs, including CPR instruction. Gunnels has nine years in the fire service and also serves as a firefighter with the Cahaba Valley Fire Department. “Taylor and I have worked together, side by side, as firefighters,” Williams said. “He’s an excellent medic. … We love to serve, and that’s why people like Taylor and all of these other guys ended up finding their way to do this. They have a servant’s heart.” Gunnels goes above and beyond and shows pride in his work, Williams said, and has helped grow the department’s automated external defibrillator program. “He’s really accomplished a lot in his life as a firefighter. We’re very proud of him,” Williams said. Sheriff John Samaniego recognized Deputy Terry Gowers, who has 19 years of service under his belt. Gowers started his career at the Shelby County Jail and has quickly moved up to patrolling as a deputy sheriff, Samaniego said. “I could list tons of things, but he has been very active in his job and does an absolutely impeccable job every time [a task] is given to him,” he said.

Gowers also has a great relationship with the community, including the South Shelby County area where he mainly patrols. With the Sheriff’s Office, Gowers has served as a tactical officer, field training officer and in several other areas. “I’m proud of Deputy Gowers, more than he’ll ever know. He serves the citizens of Shelby County with a degree of professionalism, integrity and respect. It is my honor and privilege, Terry, to nominate you for this award.” As other individuals spoke on behalf of their nominees, they noted that individuals serving in public safety do not do so to receive awards or recognition. Rather, they do it with a basis in a servant’s heart and to help those around them, said Deputy Chief Jeff Anthony with the City of Alabaster Police Department. The 2016 Safety Award winners included: Firefighter of the Year ► Robert Crawford, City of Alabaster ► Ryan Tallie, City of Calera ► Taylor Gunnels, City of Chelsea ► Brett Ashworth, City of Columbiana ► Bill Mayfield, City of Helena ► Buddy Ingleright, City of Pelham Officer of the Year ► Chris Cannon, City of Alabaster ► Robert Grant, City of Calera ► Sasha Lilly, City of Columbiana ► Charles Hudson, City of Helena ► Jacob Strawn, City of Montevallo ► Carl Perkinson, City of Pelham ► Cleon Williams, Town of Harpersville ► Terry Gowers, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office

Preview of

November Luncheon

In lieu of its usual luncheon, the Greater Shelby Chamber will host a prayer breakfast in the month of November. The chamber’s Annual Prayer Breakfast is a way for members to come together to fellowship, celebrate and give thanks, and this Chapman year’s breakfast is set for Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Like the chamber’s luncheons, the breakfast will feature a guest speaker and be held at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena. Food from Jim ’N Nick’s Bar-B-Q will be catered in for the breakfast, and Shelby Baptist Medical Center is sponsoring the event. This year, Beth Chapman will be the guest speaker. Chapman is the owner of Beth Chapman & Associates LLC and is a nationally recognized, award-winning writer, public speaker and leading authority in political and public relations. Reservations are requested by noon, Friday, Nov. 18. The cost for investors is $20, and the cost for “future” investors is $30. Register online at shelbychamber.org or call the chamber ofﬁce at 663-4542.

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November 2016 • A23

Shelby County mayors discuss cities’ triumphs and challenges at South Shelby Chamber luncheon By ERICA TECHO Despite traffic and roadwork issues and general growing pains, the cities of Shelby County have a good bit going for them, at least according to their mayors. Mayors or representatives of eight Shelby County cities gathered at the Oct. 6 South Shelby Chamber of Commerce luncheon to give updates on their cities and ongoing projects. Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven was unable to attend the luncheon, and Mayor-elect Tony Picklesimer gave the city’s update in his absence. “It is a new day in Chelsea, and I mean that in a very positive way,” Picklesimer said. “… All five of the council members, my teammates are here today, and we’re so excited and looking forward for the opportunity to continue to move Chelsea forward.” Chelsea is one of the fastest growing communities in the state, Picklesimer said, and they expect a lot of residential growth. At the city’s most recent planning commission meeting, three subdivisions were approved. “The people are coming, guys and girls, and we have a responsibility to grow our infrastructure and our retail base in order to serve them well,” he said. The city is also proud of the Chelsea Community Center, which will soon celebrate its first birthday, Picklesimer said. As his third term on the council comes to an end and his time as mayor draws closer, Picklesimer said he is excited to see Phase 1 of the Chelsea Sports Complex on County Road 11 open. The sports complex will be a positive asset to the community, and he said he looks forward to seeing future phases and growth. “With all the growth, with all the good things that are happening in Chelsea, comes a tremendous responsibility to me and the

Chelsea Mayor-elect Tony Picklesimer speaks at the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce luncheon Oct. 6. Photo by Erica Techo.

team of city council members, and I want you to know that I don’t take this lightly,” he said. “… We will do our best for the city of Chelsea.” Other mayors and representatives discussed the triumphs and challenges their cities were facing. Mayor Ray McAllister from Vincent said they are currently on “cloud nine” because White Rock Quarries recently broke ground on a project that will bring more than 125 new jobs to the city. Montevallo Mayor Hollie Cost said the city is working on “growing in the right way” by investing in things such as a main street project, which is underway. The city also hopes to work to improve its website and communication to help attract people to its many city events. Helena Mayor Mark Hall said their city

is experiencing “growing pains,” but along with that come successful projects that have positive results. “It’s just a great time to be in Shelby County as a whole. Every city is seeing tremendous activity, growth and prosperity, and that is a direct result of the people who choose to live here in this county,” he said. Pelham Mayor Gary Waters said his city’s projects consistently produce one group of happy people and one group of unhappy people, depending on the project, but the “rising tide [of Shelby County] ﬂoats all boats.” Jon Graham, mayor of Calera, said he was excited to announce that Chick-ﬁl-a and Jack’s plan to open locations in Calera, and that a road-widening project that has been delayed for about a year should start soon. The mayor of Alabaster could not attend

Preview of

November Luncheon

The South Shelby Chamber will hold its second spotlight on nonprofits this November. The luncheon will feature booths from local nonprofits as well as guest speaker Mike Vest, the District 6 Shelby County commissioner. In addition to spotlighting nonprofits, Chamber Director April Stone said they will also collect donations for Jimmie Hale Mission. Jimmie Hale Mission is in need of packs of men’s underwear and T-shirts, and anyone who brings donations of that kind will have $2 taken off of their luncheon cost. The luncheon will be Nov. 3 at Columbiana First Baptist Church from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $12 per person, and no RSVP is required.

the luncheon, but Council President Scott Brakefield said the city is seeing strong economic growth and is progressing in its construction of a new high school, which is helping bring in more new businesses as well as revitalizing “dormant” neighborhoods. The final mayor to speak was Columbiana Mayor Stancil Handley, who said was honored to sit at the table with so many of Shelby County’s leaders. While Columbiana doesn’t expect to get a Chick-fil-a or quarry within city limits anytime soon, Handley said the city is consistently working on its infrastructure so that it will be ready as new businesses come that way. Chamber Director April Stone thanked all of the mayors for speaking at the luncheon, noting Shelby County has a lot to celebrate. “In other parts of the state of Alabama, they don’t have good news like this,” she said.

A24 • November 2016

280 Living

Don’t want to cook for Thanksgiving? Restaurants, caterers available to help By JESSE CHAMBERS Many Americans have given up the traditional cook-at-home Thanksgiving feast in recent years. To save time and stress, an increasing number of people go to restaurants, and even more pick up prepared dishes or call caterers. The U.S. 280 Corridor is no exception, with big crowds expected for Thanksgiving dinner at the Cracker Barrel at The Colonnade. Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for the Cracker Barrel chain, according to Breeanna Straessle, manager of corporate communications. “The number of guests who choose to join us [at Thanksgiving] continues to rise each year,” she said. And caterers are seeing more Thanksgiving business, according to Rachel Peeks, a caterer with Bellini’s restaurant. “You are already hosting so many, and you have to clean the house and do other chores,” Peeks said. “It’s so nice to have big pans of good Southern food. You can focus on family instead of what may be burning in the oven.” Many people still cook their own turkey but order sides, said Branden Saccomani of Bellini’s. Thanksgiving options near U.S. 280 include:

RESTAURANTS

► Cracker Barrel, 3415 Colonnade Parkway, will offer turkey and dressing, gravy, a sampling of sugar-cured ham, sweet-potato casserole, cranberry relish, biscuits or corn mufﬁns, a choice of a country side, beverage and pumpkin pie. $12.99 for adults; $7.99 for children. (The children's meal does not include ham or casserole.) No reservations needed. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 969-1126. crackerbarrel.com. ► Seasons 52, 245 Summit Blvd., will offer turkey, stufﬁng, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, green beans, cranberry relish and

pumpkin pie. $26.95 for adults; $12.95 for children. Reservations will be taken until the day before Thanksgiving. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 968-5152. seasons52.com. ► Applebee's, 89 Chesser Plantation Lane, Chelsea, will be open on the holiday for regular hours. The restaurant won’t offer Thanksgiving dinner but will serve its usual hearty American food. 678-8800. applebees.com.

CATERERS

► Whole Foods Market, 3100 Cahaba Village Plaza, will offer a Thanksgiving catering package, with menu and prices available at wholefoodsmarket.com by Nov. 1. 912-8400. ► Bellini's, 6801 Cahaba Valley Road, is closed Thanksgiving but will cater side dishes, including dressing, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and several casseroles. A full pan, which feeds about 15-20 people, is $60; a half pan, feeding 8-12, is $30. Bellini’s will offer several desserts, including carrot cake and pecan pie. Hams and turkeys can be special ordered. Orders must be placed by Nov. 18 and picked up by Nov. 23. 502-7272. ourbellinis.com. ► Cowboy Chicken, 830 Inverness Corners, will be closed for the holiday but is catering a meal with a whole turkey or chicken, gravy, a half-pan of twice-baked potatoes, one side from the restaurant’s usual selection and apple or peach cobbler. The price with turkey is $94.99. Orders must be placed by Monday before Thanksgiving for a Wednesday pick-up. 637-5400. cowboychicken.com. ► Cracker Barrel will also offer Thanksgiving catering packages. The Homestyle Turkey ’n’ Dressing Family Meal To-Go, which serves six, is $67.99 and is available Nov. 21-29. Customers can place their orders online 24 hours in advance of pick-up. There will also be a heatand-serve version, which serves up to 10. It can be ordered online and picked up from Nov. 22-24. 800-333-9566. crackerbarrel.com.

Seasons 52 and Cracker Barrel are two U.S. 280 restaurants that will have Thanksgiving favorites on the menu. Photos by Erica Techo.

280Living.com

November 2016 • A25

Faith Life Actually By Kari Kampakis

A new book for teen girls When people talk about teenage girls today, the conversation often turns to how addicted they are to their phones. But what nobody seems to ask is, “Why?” Why are girls addicted to their phones? Why do they obsess over Instagram “likes” and social media numbers? Why can’t they put their phones down, even in the company of friends? If you ask me, there isn’t one obvious explanation, but rather a combination of forces. And if we want to understand the dynamic, we should consider the heart and the mind of a teenage girl, and think about what’s important at that age. For instance: ► Friendships are important — so important that they can make or break a girl’s high school experience. Technology gives girls an easy way to connect with friends and stay in touch even outside of school hours. ► Love and acceptance are important. Achieving a lot of “likes” on Instagram makes a girl feel love and accepted. It offers tangible proof, in her mind at least, that her life matters. ► Belonging is important. Social media creates an automatic community. It gives girls something to be part of that is bigger than themselves. ► Impressing people is important. The quest to impress has always existed, and now girls can take their quest online. They can curate a perfect image and test-drive identities until they ﬁnd one that draws attention and applause. ► Entertainment is important. Boredom is solved quickly by pulling out a digital device and seeing what everyone is up to. ► Being liked is important. And let’s be honest: We all desire this on some level. We all want to be liked and afﬁrmed. And if we’re on

social media, we too are probably guilty of posting things to elicit praise or make people think we’re something special. The thing about teenage girls is, they’re very relational. They care deeply about what other people think. While praise can go straight to their head, criticism can go straight to their heart. What results is an emotional roller coaster that can put them at the mercy of what other people say and think about them. My goal as a writer for teen girls is to help end this roller coaster. I hope to equip girls with truth and empower them through faith so that regardless of what the world says, they stay true to their identity in Christ. And I’m thrilled to announce that on November 15, I’ll release a new book designed to help girls with this mission! Published by Thomas Nelson, it’s called “Liked: Whose Approval Are You Living For?” This book is close to my heart because it addresses the biggest issues girls struggle with and the unprecedented challenges of growing up in the digital age. It’s packed with Biblical truths and practical advice related to identity, friendships, social media and a relationship with God. By reading “Liked,” girls will learn to launch their life in a positive direction. They’ll understand the difference between human approval and God’s approval, online friends and real friends, and living to make a temporary splash and living to make an eternal difference.

If you enjoy my column and like the message behind “Liked,” I’d be SO incredibly grateful for your support. Here are a few ways to help: ► Pre-order the book online now at Amazon, Books-AMillion, Barnes & Noble or Christianbook.com. My publisher has created great pre-order incentives (like printables for your daughter) available at liked-book.com for early buyers. ► Order “Liked” at your local bookstore. If they don’t have it in stock, ask them to order copies. ► Consider leading a small group study of “Liked” for your daughter and her friends in 2017. All you need is a passion for girls and a few moms to help with logistics! My ﬁrst book, “10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know,” has been used widely across the country for small group studies. I’ve heard fantastic feedback about the girls growing closer to Christ and each other, and my prayer is that “Liked” will have a similar impact. ► Talk about “Liked” with your pastor, priest, youth leader, school counselor, cheer sponsor, dance instructor or anyone who works with young women and cares about who they’re becoming. Suggest a small group or church youth group study in 2017. ► Pray for my young readers and the women leading studies. Ask God to open up their hearts to the messages He wants them to hear. ► Spread the word on social media about “Liked.” Tag me in your post and use the

hashtag #likedbook. ► Write a book review on Amazon and Goodreads if you like the book. Positive reviews can make a big difference in swaying potential buyers to try a book. ► Follow me on Facebook or Instagram to keep up with the latest news and announcements. Today’s girls are smart, talented and full of potential. While they may be glued to their phones and take a few too many selfies, I believe it’s important to look beyond the surface and reflect on the desires in their hearts that drive their search for approval and help explain the trends we see. I’m so excited about sharing “Liked” with you and that special girl in your life. I’d love for you to join me in rallying around this message that can change lives and empower girls of all ages to live boldly and bravely for Christ. Our girls deserve more than the superficial lifestyle this world pushes on them. Let’s help them dream beyond getting a lot of “likes” on Instagram, and let’s encourage them to value their worth not on how widely liked they can be, but on how deeply loved they already are. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Birmingham mom of four girls, columnist and blogger for The Huffington Post. Her first book, “10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know,” is available everywhere books are sold, and her new book, “Liked,” will release Nov. 15 and is available for pre-order through Amazon, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble and Christianbook.com. Join Kari’s Facebook community at “Kari Kampakis, Writer,” visit her blog at karikampakis.com or contact her at kari@karikampakis.com.

A26 â&#x20AC;˘ November 2016

280 Living

Going to the next level 4 BMX riders take Oak Mountain State Park training to Grand Nationals race in Oklahoma

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE ak Mountain State Park is home to the oldest continually running BMX track in Alabama. Established in 1979 inside the park, the USA BMX-sanctioned track offers racing for kids ages 2 and up. Four of the riders from the track are heading to the Grand Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. While competing for their NAG (National Age Group), they will receive a special number plate. Sawyer Holly (13), Connor Gortney (12), Reilly Oberding (11) and Jarrett Smith (8) are all ranked in the expert class, having advanced from novice and intermediate classes.

“

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November 2016 • A27

It’s a great experience. You get to meet people from all over the country and get to see older people race that you look up to.

”

CONNOR GORTNEY

Above: A BMXer gets some air coming up over a hill during a practice run Oct. 1 on the Oak Mountain State Park BMX track. Right: Brandon Pyper, right, discusses the layout of the track with his son Carson, 9, at a singles kids’ race. Opposite page: BMXers turn a corner during a race. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

Connor Gortney’s father, Jay Gortney, is in his ﬁrst year as the track operator. He said the track is mostly self-funded through race fees, and the upkeep of the track can get expensive. Also funded partially through donations, the track receives additional help from Shelby County and the city of Pelham. The county recently provided the track with a brand-new gate, and the city helped with installation. “We use the money we raise for items such as tools, rakes, shovels, dirt and heavy equipment,” Gortney said. “We have to roll the track with asphalt roller, bobcat skid steer. The county lets us use theirs. It’s been a great relationship with Shelby County.” Track President Rich Bowman added they have a good partnership with not only Shelby County, but the city of Pelham, as well as Oak

Mountain State Park. “We maintain everything inside the fence, and they classify us as a partner because we draw people into the park. They work well helping us out with major events by maintaining the grounds outside the fence and cleaning up,” Bowman said. Gortney said there are future plans that include a redesign of the track, which is over 90 feet, and also asphalting the turns. "We want to take it to the next level, like the Olympic style,” he said. “All the tracks that hold national races are asphalted. We hosted a

regional event [The DK Gold Cup qualiﬁer] in July, which brought in 173 riders. People came from all over the Southeast. Those events are a huge help and are exciting for the kids and spectators.” The four riders heading to nationals shared what they are looking forward to most. Gortney’s son, Connor, said his favorite part of BMX racing is getting to compete with other kids his age and riding a bike on obstacles. “It’s a great experience. You get to meet people from all over the country and get to see older people race that you look up to,” Connor

Gortney said. Reilly Oberding said he enjoys nationals because it provides good competition. “I like nationals because you’re racing a lot of people you don’t know, and some are faster than you, and you can get better at racing and see how fast they are, so at the next nationals you’ll be prepared to race,” Reilly said. Sawyer Holly, the oldest in the nationals group, said he enjoys racing people from all over the country. “I want to go back to see how much I’ve progressed and what I need to work on,” Holly said. For anyone interested in getting into BMX racing, just visit the track on a Tuesday night or race day. The Oak Mountain BMX family is always willing to help inform anyone who has questions. After the race is completed, the track is open for anyone to ride. All that is needed is a bike, long pants, long sleeves and a helmet. “One of the good things for the public is that the track is open whenever Oak Mountain State Park is open. A lot of people come and ride here and get the beneﬁt from our labor,” Gortney said. Although BMX bikes can cost anywhere from $100-$3,500, Connor Gortney says you don’t have to start out on an expensive bike. “Just come out and start riding. You don’t have to be the best or be able to jump,” he said. “It’s all about fun.” For more information, visit oakmountainbmx.com.

A28 • November 2016

280 Living

Opinion My South By Rick Watson

Old dogs November is Adopt-a-Senior-Dog Month, which is an back for their dogs, but that didn’t happen. It became evident idea I can embrace. I’ve written about our pets in the past. after several days that they would not return. They’ve all been remarkable, but none of them have given Jilda put bowls of food and water at the edge of our yard so us more joy than the old dogs. the dogs wouldn’t go hungry. Charlie spent most afternoons We’ve never bought a critter. Often when our dogs chose at the end of our drive looking off into the distance. I can us, they were in the late autumn of their lives. People are imagine that he wondered where his friend had gone, and hesitant to adopt older dogs because they fear failing health why she left him behind. will take them too soon. It’s hard to argue this point, but it It took over a year for Charlie and Dawg to adopt us. They leaves a lot of great dogs out in the cold. probably were thinking, “These people are old, and it’s going We all love puppies and rightly so. They are beautiful, fun to take some time. I hope they’re potty trained.” I could write loving and vivacious. With a little care and a lot of love, they a book about those two. can thrive for years. Another dog that came to live with us looked like a fullBut caring for older dogs can be challenging. Their bodies blooded Labrador retriever, and we named him Wheezer. He Watson change and often need more attention to keeping them was an elderly dog with health issues. Instead of euthanizing healthy. And in the end, it’s painful losing an old friend, but I believe you their old friend, which would have been the humane thing to do, his former will cherish the time they spend with you. owners dumped him on the road near our house. He only lived a few months, but his last days were comfortable with plenty I think most people do right by their pets, but there are some who can’t to eat and a warm place to sleep. He died in the doghouse in the backyard, be bothered with frail or sick animals. So, they dump them and move on. Several years ago a family with small children moved into the place and we buried him along with our other beloved pets we’ve lost through up the road. They had two older dogs that they had owned for a while. In the years. Wheezer was one of the most loving dogs we’ve ever cared for. the evenings I could hear the little girl stand on their front porch and call, Many of the older dogs that lived with us weren’t much to look at, but “Charlie, Charlie, come home.” A while later a dust mop of a dog would they had a lot to offer. They were all great with small children, and they amble up from somewhere behind the house and play with the little girl seemed to know intuitively when either Jilda or I weren’t feeling well. until it was her bedtime. All of our old dogs were gifts, and I admire anyone who opens their We met the family, but they kept their distance from neighbors. They home and hearts to a senior dog were here for over a year before moving off suddenly. They left their two Rick Watson is a columnist and author. His latest book, “Goes On,” is dogs. available on Amazon.com. You can contact him via email at rick@homeWe assumed that once they settled at their new place that they’d come folkmedia.com.

280Living.com

November 2016 • A29 Left: Winemaking equipment at Cat-n-Bird Winery. Far left: The name “Cat-n-Bird” was a play on Robyn and Lyons. While their first logo was just intended for homemade wine, the Lyonses plan to refine the logo for official winery merchandise. Photos by Erica Techo.

WINERY

CONTINUED from page A1 “There is such a wide and deep variety of wines out there that no one ever explores,” Matt Lyons said. “So one of the things we’re really going to specialize in is the nonstandards.” Those wines include Gewurztraminers, which Matt Lyons said he recommends to chardonnay lovers, and Barolo, which he recommends to those who like cabernet sauvignon. The winery will have white

and red wines of varying styles and ﬁnishes, although the variety will have to grow as time progresses. The Lyonses said they hope to wrap up the approval process by early November, start producing wine and be open for bulk sales and wine tastings in the ﬁrst quarter of 2017.

IN THE MAKING

Matt Lyons started making wine about three and a half years ago. After a trip to Atlanta, he saw a woman examining her wine carefully. He asked if she was a sommelier. She

wasn’t. She made her own wine. He stopped at a local beer and wine store in Atlanta following his meetings, talked to the owner about the basics of wine making and was almost instantly hooked. “I started tasting a few of the wines he made and was just amazed, so I bought a kit,” Matt Lyons said. “And that’s really a place most people start, is a real basic kit. It costs a few hundred dollars, and you make a few bottles to start with.” After Matt and Robyn Lyons met a few months later, they got involved in the process, and it progressed to a point where they thought about opening a winery. The brainstorming started in April, around the time they bought their house on Old U.S. 280. “This one came open, and the ﬁrst time we saw it, we walked through it and thought, ‘We can do this,’” Matt Lyons said. During the home buying process, they did research on what was necessary to open a winery. A week after buying the property, they started the application process. In mid-October, their manufacturing and retail table wine license was approved by the Chelsea City Council, and they have all federal approvals. The only remaining steps include a few tweaks around the

house prior to a ﬁnal health inspection and a ﬁnal inspection by the local ABC board.

A NONSTANDARD WINERY

In addition to stepping away from the wines seen on grocery store shelves, Matt and Robyn Lyons hope to offer a nonstandard winery experience. Most wineries are standing room only, Matt Lyons said, and the goal is to taste wine, buy wine and leave. “Ours is going to not be a restaurant or a bar, but it’s going to be more ‘come in and sit down,’” he said, adding there will be a pool table and opportunities for people to bring their own food. “It’s really going to be like a social experiment. Enjoy it, have fun. We just want to meet people.” Wine will be available by the glass or in a flight — four smaller glasses that have samples of a variety of wines. Tastings offer a chance for a wine education, Matt Lyons said. For example, chardonnays come in several styles and flavors — oaked an unoaked, aged in different types of oak and made with different grapes — so a flight could include the same type of chardonnay oaked in multiple types of oak. “Then if you want to do a wine tasting, you’ll actually taste all four

at the same time,” he said. “The goal is not to just do a wine tasting for how this one compared to the one you had last night.” The winery is a passion project for the Lyonses, and neither is quitting a day job just yet. Both work fulltime with ﬂexible schedules, allowing them to focus on quality rather than worrying about having to pay the bills with their wine. “We don’t have to feed kids with a winery — this is just because we love to make wine,” Matt Lyons said. “If it blows up, then great. If it doesn’t, then we’ll just drink the wine downstairs. The worst case, we still win.” Their jobs take off the pressure of starting a winery, Robyn Lyons said, making the process less of a leap of faith. “To me, it hasn’t really been scary at all,” she said. “I think having a job, it has made it to where we aren’t relying on it.” The tasting room will be open on Saturdays, by appointment and for private parties. They might open for “wine down Wednesday,” offering a few hours in the tasting room during the week, Matt Lyons said, but no plans are ﬁnal. For more information, and to stay up to date on progress, go to facebook.com/catnbirdwinery.

A30 • November 2016

280 Living

Above: Tony Picklesimer was elected as the new mayor of Chelsea with about 57 percent of the vote. Right: Picklesimer stands with members of the 2016-20 City Council, from left: Casey Morris, Scott Weygand and David Ingram at his election watch party Oct. 4. Photos by Erica Techo.

PICKLESIMER

CONTINUED from page A1 “So that’s one of those things that I’ll do from the outset — just opening the mail every day to see what I can learn.” Throughout the campaign process, Picklesimer heard and discussed Chelsea residents’ concerns on multiple issues affecting their city. Three of those topics were trafﬁc and road issues, public safety and bringing in new businesses. The ﬁrst step for these matters is establishing relationships, Picklesimer said. There are already personal relationships established, but as mayor, he plans to establish professional and business relationships at the county and state levels. After serving with Picklesimer on the Chelsea City Council, David Ingram — the sole

incumbent on the 2016-20 council — believes Picklesimer can build on the city’s relationships and continue its forward progress. “He’s a good team builder, and it comes from his work experience,” Ingram said. “He’s a good leader. His key to success is going to be surrounding himself with good people and allowing them to put his expertise to work.” Chelsea beneﬁts from a positive legacy left by Niven, Ingram said, where key leaders respect the city for its ﬁscal responsibility and willingness to step up on new projects.

TRAFFIC ISSUES

U.S. 280 is the heart of Chelsea in many ways. It brings shoppers and diners through the city, and it is the location of many of Chelsea’s larger retailers as well as locally owned shops. But it also brings trafﬁc issues. Problem areas include the intersection of

County Roads 39 and 47 in front of City Hall, the intersection in front of Chelsea Park and the intersection in front of McDonald’s. The CR 39/47 intersection is “a major artery” for Chelsea, and the bottleneck in that area also causes issues in front of Chelsea Middle School. Because they are county roads, however, the city cannot jump-start projects to ﬁx them. “The county will take the lead in those projects,” Picklesimer said. “What I want them to realize is that I am eager to partner — Chelsea will do its share. We’re not the little brother that always has his hand out. We will do our share.” Because the county will head up these projects, Ingram said the city can speak up without the extreme ﬁnancial commitment. In his opinion, it is the council and mayor’s responsibility to voice the city’s needs. After all, they will see the issues on a daily basis, while ALDOT and

the county may not. “We have to be advocates for the city and push the issues, but it’s not a big ticket item on our budget because those are state highway department-type issues,” Ingram said. “We’ve just got to let our voice be heard to the department of transportation.”

PUBLIC SAFETY

Providing city services serves a twofold purpose in Chelsea, Picklesimer said. Not only do sheriff’s deputies and an active ﬁre department keep residents safe, but they also make the city more appealing. “The parcels that touch us, that aren’t in the city, these people can come into the city if they want to,” Picklesimer said. “Offering protection and city services to them is really the only motivation that we can create for them to come into our city.”

280Living.com

November 2016 • A31

Tony Picklesimer attends his ﬁrst ribbon-cutting as mayor-elect for the city of Chelsea. Two days after he was elected, Picklesimer reached out to a commercial recruitment ﬁrm about presenting to the new council. “We need people to come to Chelsea and stay in Chelsea and eat in Chelsea,” he said.

One goal for public safety is to close the city’s circle of fire coverage, Picklesimer said. A fire station for the southwest side of Chelsea is one of the first projects Picklesimer plans for the city’s 2016-2017 capital budget. Shelby County Sheriff’s Office also factors into public safety. As the city continues to grow, the city’s contract for service needs to grow as well, Picklesimer said. “They do a great job, but we have outgrown our coverage model, so I want to sit down with them [Sheriff John Samaniego and Chief Deputy Chris George] and work to get our coverage model caught back up and to exceed [our needs],” he said.

With Lt. Cody Sumners in the Place 1 council seat, Picklesimer plans to lean heavily on his knowledge when re-engineering the city’s coverage. “I know this will be an example where Tony will turn to Cody Sumners,” Ingram said, noting Picklesimer has plans of using the expertise of each council member and employee. “Cody has been running this beat — Chelsea, [U.S.] 280 — for 15, 20 years. He knows what we need.”

ATTRACTING BUSINESSES

Chelsea does not have a property tax, and its main source of revenue is sales tax. This makes bringing in new businesses a high priority for

Picklesimer and the council. Two days after he was elected, Picklesimer reached out to a commercial recruitment ﬁrm about presenting to the new council. Chelsea has “sat back” and waited on businesses in the past, Ingram said, but plans to be proactive going forward. “It takes people getting out and advertising Chelsea all over the country to businesses, and that’s what we’re going to have to do,” he said. Hiring a recruitment ﬁrm is “early on the agenda” for Picklesimer, as is familiarizing himself with the property available and the city’s needs. “Our new athletic complex will really create

some opportunities for our city, it really will,” he said. “We need to be ready with restaurants. We need to be ready with a hotel. We need people to come to Chelsea and stay in Chelsea and eat in Chelsea. That’s another way to grow our tax base.” As Chelsea moves forward with new leadership, it is important to continue the practices keeping the city successful, Ingram said. “The foundation is there,” he said. “It’s not going to be a totally different city because we have a new mayor or a new council … we just have to continue what we’re doing and be ﬁscally responsible while we’re managing the growth.”

280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

SECTION

Events B7 School House B15

NOVEMBER 2016

‘He built this city’ Allen Pate, Hoover’s executive director, is retiring after 29 years By JON ANDERSON

hen Allen Pate first came to work for the city of Hoover in February 1988, it was supposed to be a one-year job of overseeing construction of Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. But former Hoover Mayor Frank Skinner saw Pate had more to offer the city. He put him in charge of other projects, such as the construction of Hoover Fire Station No. 4 off Municipal Drive. By the time the Hoover Met was completed, Skinner asked Pate to stay on as director of operations. Pate ended up staying with the city for nearly 29 years, serving most of that time as the city’s executive director — a position similar to city manager. He announced in mid-September he is retiring. He left the office in late October and is officially retiring at the end of January after taking unused vacation and leave time. “I have enjoyed working with all the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with over the years,” Pate said, but he thinks it’s time to let someone else come in with new ideas. Pate, who turned 73 in May, said his wife, Edna, retired a year and a half ago, and “if I’m ever going to have any time while I’m still in reasonably good health, I need to do it.” Pate has served five mayors and seen many City Council members come and go, but he’s been a consistent presence at City Hall and played a major role in the city’s development over the last 29 years. “He built this city,” said Councilman Jack Wright, who announced in July he was not seeking re-election after 20 years on the City Council and who served with Pate on Hoover’s Industrial Development Board prior to joining the council. “Allen Pate is really the inside mayor. He’s the one who runs the city

See PATE | page B21

Allen Pate was hired by the city of Hoover to oversee construction of the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in 1988. He eventually became the city’s executive director, and in September of this year, not long before he announced his retirement, the Hoover Parks and Recreation Board put his name on the press box. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

B2 • November 2016

280 Living

Your Health Today Knowledge is Power! By Dr. Irma Leon Palmer

In many of our past articles, we have discussed the need to support your overall health through nutrition, chiropractic care, increased physical activity, and stress reduction. These are vital and irreplaceable building blocks of health, but they only scrap the surface of the vast resources available to you in your pursuit of true wellness and vitality. We often here from individuals that trying to “get healthy” can be an overwhelming process. Learning a whole new way of life is no small task, and the weight of that personal responsibility can be daunting when you walk down the aisles of a health food store and look at shelves covered in supplements, vitamins, herbs, vegan protein powders, tonics, etc and wonder…. where do I start? We have found that the task of recovering health becomes much more manageable when individuals have good support, take one small goal at a time, and educate themselves! We hope to always assist you in that third component. Knowledge is power. We’ve heard that many times. However, try not to obtain so-called knowledge from mainstream media, Facebook ads, commercials or celebrity-endorsed packaging and products. Could these sources be valid? Of course, but we have some resources we would like to offer you to give you a good running start. This articles would be ten pages long if we listed all available sources such as books, blogs, podcasts and websites. In our culture, our ﬁrst line of information usually comes through our phones or iPads, so here are the top websites in which you should spend your time. An endless source of health articles and videos is www. Mercola.com. Dr Joseph Mercola is a highly respected

physician and surgeon who left his private family practice in the early 1990’s, frustrated that prescribing drugs was not producing healthier patients, but only suppressing symptoms until new symptoms appeared. He began exploring natural medicine, dietary overhaul and increased physical activity, and watched his patient’s bodies begin to truly heal from the inside out. He states, “I changed the way I practiced medicine. My passion is to transform the traditional medical paradigm in the United States…My motivation..is to make you as healthy as you can possible be. This involves providing the most up-to-date natural health information and resources that will most benefit you and, exposing corporate, government, and mass media hype that diverts you away from what is truly best for your health.” The topics on Mercola.com are endless, ranging from artificial sweetener and fluoride warnings, recipes, interviews with wellness field experts, and antibiotics effects on the body. We highly recommend you spend time on this site and turn here when researching the best options for your health. The second web-based resource we recommend is www. NutritionFacts.org, led by Dr Michael Greger. Here you will find interesting research on hormone therapy, the cholesterol myth, pregnancy, depression, diabetes, correct supplementation and so much more! We also highly recommend Dr Greger’s book “How Not to Die”, available in the Chiropractic Today library for rent. The website notes, “The vast majority of premature deaths can be prevented through simple changes in diet and lifestyle. In How Not to Die, Dr. Michael Greger, the

internationally-recognized lecturer, physician, and founder of NutritionFacts.org, examines the ﬁfteen top causes of death in America—heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Parkinson’s, high blood pressure, and more—and explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can sometimes trump prescription pills and other pharmaceutical and surgical approaches, freeing us to live healthier lives”. Lastly, we turn to the chiropractic world and Dr Josh Axe’s website, www.DrAxe.com. Dr Axe, a personal friend of Chiropractic Today and Dr Palmer, is a board certiﬁed doctor of natural medicine and a chiropractor, which gives a wonderful insight from the perspective of nervous system health. He has a large focus on the food you put in your body, and what it produces. His informational videos cover essential oils, recipes, exercise tips and training, and so much more. Check out his YouTube and website, download free eBooks, detox juicing guides, and grocery shopping guides. These resources are all helpful and can truly change your life if you dig in deep and put into practice the recommendations they suggest. Just remember that health starts in your mind. A determined new perspective to see change become a permanent reality, and believing in yourself to accomplish your goals is key! If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got. Excuse the improper grammar, but our true passion is to help you see a new life come to fruition. Get a good support system around you of wellness practitioners and family. We would love the opportunity to be that for you. Call us today to schedule a complimentary consultation – 205.991.3511

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November 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ B3

B4 • November 2016

280 Living

Pastor’s retirement brings chance for travel, continued faith By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL After 30 years behind the pulpit of Faith Presbyterian Church, Pastor Alan Carter, known by many as simply “Alan,” is retiring. “This is a challenging season for us as a congregation,” Executive Pastor Martin Wagner said. “But our vision and mission as a church is what will allow us to endure the change.” In a ceremony honoring his faithful ministry to the 500-member church, Carter officially resigned as pastor on Aug. 28 — almost 30 years to the day after he first stepped onstage to deliver a sermon to the Valleydale congregation in 1986. Reflecting on his time as pastor, Carter described the various challenges and rewards of his ministry. “I like pastoral ministry,” he said with a smile. “I like preaching Jesus. I tolerate administrative things.” The responsibilities, he said, were at times difficult to balance. “Ministers by definition have to wear a lot of different hats,” he said, adding they must be “good to excellent in a lot of different fields.” He referenced Charles E. Hummel’s “Tyranny of the Urgent” when explaining his prioritization. “You know, there’s a lot of urgent things,” he said. “But urgent things might not be the most important things you’re supposed to do.” If his ministry with the church was not a 60- to 70-hour-per-week job, Carter said he might not be retiring. “And so I think it’s time for me to transition to some other type of ministry that’s a little bit less demanding, that’s a little less time-intensive,” he said. “I’m 67,” Carter said, “and as I’ve told the congregation, I’m not physically or mentally quite what I used to be.” For now, Carter said he is not sure where life will take him. “I’d really like to know what the next step for me is going to be,” he said. “And I don’t know.” Carter said that as a man who prefers an ordered form of life, the ambiguity of his future

is unnerving. But for now, he and his wife, Sally, are content to spend 10 months away from home, ﬁlling the ﬁrst pages of their new life chapter with memorable adventures. These adventures will likely include going to the beach, visiting family on the West Coast, visiting missionaries, going to Israel and lecturing at a Bible college in Athens, Greece, Carter said. He’d also like to take his wife to see the tulips bloom in the Netherlands next April. The Carters tentatively plan to return to Birmingham early June 2017. As for afterward, they wait on God’s further direction. Carter said his greatest challenge in retirement will be to die to himself daily, as commanded by Jesus Christ. “The world constantly tells us, ‘Well, to be happy you’ve got to live for yourself,’” he said. “I think that will lead to misery.” Rather, Carter said he believes the only way to be happy is to die to self and serve. Although he is stepping away for a time, Carter leaves his position with continued dreams for his congregation. “Everybody has legitimate needs...” he said. “But I want the church to have a ‘sent’ missional mindset. We’re always on mission. We’re always sent.” Beginning Jan. 1, Faith Presbyterian Church will be led by Pastor Jason Silver, current campus minister at the University of Mississippi and previous Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) minister at Samford University. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the Lord will use him to help us further our mission as a church,” Wagner said. “I sense that the congregation is enthusiastically ready to welcome Jason as our new pastor.” While Wagner will preach half of the Sundays throughout the remainder of the year, Silver and other guest speakers will alternately occupy the pulpit. Faith Presbyterian Church is located at 4601 Valleydale Road, 35242. For more information and service times, please visit faith-pca.org.

Alan Carter ofﬁcially retired from Faith Presbyterian Church in August, but he leaves the church ready to welcome a new pastor. Photo courtesy of Faith Presbyterian Church.

280Living.com

November 2016 • B5

Shoal Creek golf course renovates for upcoming international tournament By ALYX CHANDLER Even 18 months out from hosting an international golf tournament, Shoal Creek is well into the process of making sure the golf course is picture perfect for the big week. “This is going to be the biggest region tournament in the world that year. I think that’s a really amazing thing, and we’re really excited,” said Chris Graham, general manager of Shoal Creek golf course’s club. Shoal Creek was selected by the United States Golf Association to host the 2018 Women’s Open Championship from May 31 to June 3 in 2018. Caroline Little, president of Shoal Creek Properties, said one way they have started prepping for the event is through renovations. “Speciﬁcally, there have been some golf course renovations headed up by the Jack Nicklaus team. It’s mostly completed, but there are still a few things he’s got to do to prepare for the 2018 USGA Women’s Open tournament,” Little said. The Shoal Creek golf course originally was opened and designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1977. Seven years later, the Professional Golfers Association Championship was at the 7,154-yard course. In 1984, Shoal Creek hosted another PGA Championship, as well as the 1986 U.S. Amateur and the 2008 U.S. Junior Amateur. From 2011 to 2015, it also hosted the Regions Tradition on the Champions Tour. “We are delighted to have that international exposure so that people can see what our communities are about,” Little said. “I think the 2018 tournament is not only going to be great for the community but Shelby County and Birmingham, too.” Little said new homes are being built around

the golf course during the next month, some individually owned and some custom-made. With the Shoal Creek area being a low-density community, Little said they take pride in how everything has been developed over time and work to ensure nothing is clear-cut. “I think what might be different about Shoal Creek is it’s not just a golf course in the sense for the community. You’re in the woods. The golf course is wonderful, but it’s not the sole reason why a lot of folks move out there,” Graham said. The Shoal Creek property area is a wooded area in the southern foothills of the Appalachians. The golf course has mountain and cottage lots near the water, a swimming pool, tennis courts and fishing lakes. Every year since the Great Recession, Little said the Shoal Creek community has improved, and it has more activity than ever. This is the momentum she said they definitely hope to continue to build on and move forward in the years to come. Little said they take pride in the growing gated community and how secure and private it has stayed even as the traffic in the area continues to grow. “I did hear that Eagle Point is closing, and that’s happening around the country. You hate to hear it for the community, for the people that live there,” Little said. Little said Shoal Creek was really fortunate to stay afloat. In many ways, she said Shoal Creek was slow to grow, and that ultimately proved to be helpful for their community. Little said because they are a gated community, a lot of people don’t know what is behind the gates. If anyone is interested in touring the new development and custom homes they are building, Shoal Creek would be happy to showcase their property.

Shoak Creek is renovating the golf course to prepare for the 2018 USGA Women’s Open tournament. File photo.

B6 â&#x20AC;¢ November 2016

Paws for the Cause

280 Living

Photos by Shay Allen.

280Living.com

November 2016 • B7

Events

Fall ﬁlled with runs and walks along 280 corridor By JESSE CHAMBERS Several walks and runs are planned for the 280 corridor in November, giving participants an opportunity to enjoy the late fall weather, get some exercise and, in most cases, support some great causes.

OUT OF THE DARKNESS COMMUNITY WALK

The Out of the Darkness Community Walk — with proceeds beneﬁting research and education by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — will be at Heardmont Park, 5458 Cahaba Valley Road, Nov. 6 at 2:30 p.m. Registration is at 1 p.m. AFSP programs increase awareness of depression and suicide and provide support for survivors of suicide loss. For registration, go to afsp.org/birmingham.

THE HOPE RUN 5K

The Hope Run 5K — formerly the Run Away From Domestic Violence — will be at the King’s Home Chelsea campus Nov. 12 at 8 a.m. The event supports King’s Home, which provides support to abused youth, women and children and operates 22 homes in Alabama. Registration is $25. Cash prizes will go to male and female winners in several categories. Registration and packet pickup is at 7 a.m. The annual Kampfire for the King, featuring inflatables, a fishing rodeo, live music and hayrides, follows the race. To register, go to hoperun5k.racesonline.com.

CENTRAL ALABAMA HYDROCEPHALUS ASSOCIATION WALK

The Central Alabama Hydrocephalus Association WALK will be at Oak Mountain State Park Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. Proceeds fund research at Children’s of Alabama to improve the lives of those affected by hydrocephalus and to ﬁnd a cure, according to event co-organizer Nalini Patel. “The only current treatments involve brain surgery,” she said. There is no registration fee, but participants are encouraged to

Participants at last year’s Central Alabama Hydrocephalus Association WALK continue despite some rain. Photo by Bill LaRiviere, courtesy of Central AL WALK.

make their own donations and to ask friends and family members to sponsor their participation. The event will feature music, face painting and other kids’ activities beginning at 11 a.m., as well as lunch and a T-shirt contest. “It’s a fantastic family-oriented event,” Patel said. To register, go to hawalk.kintera.org/alabama.

BLOOD ROCK 50 MILE, 50K AND 25K

The Blood Rock 50 Mile, 50K and 25K Trail Races — the

final events in the 2016 Southeastern Trail Series — will be at Oak Mountain State Park Nov. 19 at 6:30 a.m. The Oak Mountain course is demanding, according to race director David Tosch. “I try to design the course [to be] fun and interesting to run,” Tosch said. “I also want it to be difficult, sometimes very difficult.” For details, go to southeasterntrailruns.com/STRRaceSchedule. html.

B8 • November 2016

280 Living

Market Noel changes location, dates By LEXI COON The Birmingham Junior League’s holiday shopping event, Market Noel, will return this year with new dates and a new location. Moved to just after Thanksgiving, this year’s event will be from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, a larger and more central venue compared to the Cahaba Grand Conference Center. “In addition to having three times as much space, I’m really excited to be in Uptown and be surrounded by all of those great restaurants,” said event chair Julia Meyers. “I think we’re going to be even more successful than we’ve ever been.” With the later dates, shoppers are encouraged to follow the sentiments of their hashtag “#avoidthemadness” by foregoing spending their money on Black Friday sales and to instead “#shopthemagic” during their event the weekend after.

As one of the three main fundraisers that the Junior League of Birmingham hosts annually, this year’s Market Noel will have more than 100 local vendors who are all chosen carefully. “We’re not just cramming in vendors,” Meyers said. In addition to the vendors, other events will include: ► Preview Noel, Nov. 30. ► An art show featuring local artists, Dec. 1. ► Market Bliss, a girls-night-out themed event, Dec. 2. ► Rock the Runway: Couture for a Cause, Dec. 3. While Preview Noel and Market Bliss are for guests 21 and older, children are welcome to visit with their families during the rest of the events. Money raised from this event will go toward the Junior League of Birmingham’s community-funded projects. To purchase tickets, go to marketnoel.com.

Market Noel is an annual fundraiser that brings more than 100 local vendors to one area. File photo.

OMHS student Blake Randle achieves Eagle Scout rank Blake Randle, a member of Troop 538 chartered by Asbury United Methodist Church in Shelby County and under the leadership of Scoutmaster Scot Pitman, was recently awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America. He will be honored for his accomplishment during his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. His Eagle Scout project consisted of rejuvenating the Frison Chapel A.M.E. Church cemetery by clearing the grounds of overgrown weeds, and designing and building park benches to be used by the members, family and friends of the church.

Randle is a senior at Oak Mountain High School, where he is a four-year varsity starter for the wrestling team. He is a three-time AHSAA 7A state qualifier. Last season, he placed third at the AHSAA State Wrestling Championship. He has achieved many top three finishes and many first place finishes in multiple, significant tournaments around Alabama and the Southeast. Randle also participates in club wrestling with the Alabama Wrestling Club, where he trains year-round. Randle said, “In addition to my academic studies, my dedication to wrestling and Scouts

Blake Randle, a senior at OMHS, was recently awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. Photo courtesy of Leane Randle.

has taught me conﬁdence, mental toughness, leadership skills, and what it means to be a good citizen.” He also notes the importance of the mentors he has been blessed with who have helped him along the way, saying, “I couldn’t have done it without the people who have taken the time to help me achieve these goals.” Randle said he plans to complete college, become a productive citizen, and do his best to make a positive impact on his community and country. – Submitted by Leane Randle.

280Living.com

November 2016 • B9

Highland Lakes resident presents Sheriff’s Offi e with check

Kelly Burley and Sunny Gilliam present Sheriff John Samaniego with a $1,403 check. Photo by Erica Techo.

By ERICA TECHO Highland Lakes resident Sunny Gilliam knew she wanted to give back to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, but she wasn’t sure how. “I thought, ‘I’m just one person, what can I do?’” Gilliam said. She was first inspired to give back and show her support after the July shooting that killed five Dallas police officers, Gilliam said. While she felt she could not give back on a national level, Gilliam said she wanted to help out local law enforcement officers. Eventually, she decided to reach out to her neighbors to see if anyone would be interested in also showing their support. “[I said] would anyone be interested to do bows on our mailbox just to show our support to law enforcement? And within 20 minutes, my [email] was going bing, bing, bing,” Gilliam said. Gilliam also approached Kelly Burley, owner of Main Street Florist in Mt Laurel, about making the bows. “She never questioned how many bows are you going to need,” Gilliam said. “How long is this going to take ... it was all about, ‘Yeah,

I’d be happy to.’” The bows have received positive feedback from the community, Gilliam said, including from one individual whose dad is retired from law enforcement. Every time he comes to visit Highland Lakes, that resident said her dad feels appreciated. Burley started making bows in July, and they will continue to hang in Highland Lakes until Oct. 1. Overall, they sold more than 330 bows and raised more than $1,403. The check was presented to Sheriff John Samaniego at Main Street Florist on Sept. 23. “We’re very appreciative,” Samaniego said. The money will likely go toward Project Lifesaver, Samaniego said, a program that uses technology to assist those who care for individuals with special needs or with Alzheimer’s or other related mental dysfunction disorders. “It gives them a kind of security blanket,” Samaniego said, noting the wristbands they distribute allow the sheriff’s office to track individuals who have wandered away from home. The program has about 40 clients and 18 specially trained deputies. The money will go toward funding more tracking devices or wristbands, Samaniego said.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Amendments to give communities control Four state amendments that will give control of local government to the communities involved will be on ballots in November. State amendments 3, 4, 5 and 6 resulted from a statewide nonpartisan commission chaired by former Gov. Albert Brewer. Amendment 3 restricts legislators from forcing all voters in the state to vote on an amendment that affects only one county. In the first vote on a local amendment, legislators will decide if the amendment has merit. If they approve the amendment, then they will vote on whether it will be on the ballot of only the county affected. This is a change from current practice in which a single legislator voting against the merits of a local amendment forces it to a statewide vote. Amendment 4 gives components of local government to the communities by allowing counties to establish programs, policies and procedures related to county government. The amendment will not allow counties to increase or levy new taxes, nor will it allow counties to amend or repeal an existing local law. This is a change from current practice in which local governments

must rely on the Legislature, through constitutional amendments, to establish programs and procedures related to county government. Jefferson County is exempt from this amendment because of legal activity still pending about the sewer rate schedule, but the amendment will be on Jefferson County ballots even though it won’t apply to Jefferson County. Amendment 5 will simply modernize the language in the Constitution by renaming the “departments” of governments into “branches.” Amendment 6 provides that two-thirds of the Senate must vote to approve an impeachment, a change from the current constitutional language which does not specify the percentage required for impeachment. Amendment 6 also will bring the Constitution in line with current practices by limiting the list of those who may be impeached to elected officials, removing an appointed position from the list. We hope your readers will vote “yes” on all these amendments. Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform ► Brunson White, Vestavia Hills ► Lenora Pate, Birmingham ► John Northrop, Homewood ► Nancy Ekberg, Vestavia Hills ► Kate Nielsen, Mountain Brook

B10 • November 2016

280 Living

CHELSEA NATIONAL NIGHT OUT The parking lot of the Chelsea Walmart Supercenter saw more than just its normal share of vehicles Oct. 4. Firetrucks, ambulances, a police boat and a tactical response truck were parked near the back of the lot in a roped-off area, and community members were invited to come and interact with law enforcement and rescue teams during Chelsea’s National Night Out event. Children as young as 2 years old were climbing into the front seats of vehicles for an up-close look at how some of Shelby County and Chelsea’s public servants work on a day-to-day basis. Chelsea’s firehouse dog, Hero, was also on the scene to greet kids.

Clockwise, from top: Riley James Burnham adjusts his fireman hat while sitting inside a Chelsea firetruck Oct. 4 during Chelsea National Night Out. Brady and Trent Clark are introduced to Hero, the Chelsea firehouse dog, by Chelsea Fireman Don Williamson. Colby Faulkner of the Chelsea Fire Department helps Maximus Sims out of an ambulance. Jackson Parr pretends to drive a police boat while Andrew and Riley McGuire investigate the rest of the interior cabin. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

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B12 • November 2016

280 Living

Going ham

Chelsea residents ﬁnd their niche with other Shelby radio hobbyists By SYDNEY CROMWELL

Jim McLester with his ham radio equipment in his Chelsea residence. McLester, whose call sign is W4YXU, is one of many hams in the Shelby County Amateur Radio Club. Photos by Sydney Cromwell.

Jim McLester knows you don’t need to see someone face-to-face to have a good conversation. The 30-year Chelsea resident has been involved in amateur radio, often called ham radio, since 1952. Ham radio operators are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast on certain airwaves under a unique call sign. Amateur radio often plays a role in disaster situations, enabling emergency personnel and humanitarian groups to communicate without telephones, electricity or internet. However, from day to day most hams use their equipment to talk with other operators around the world. “There are those of us more interested in it technically, and working on it … and people who like to use it for communication as far as they can get it,” McLester said. McLester, whose call sign is W4YXU, is one of many hams in the Shelby County Amateur Radio Club. He got started in amateur radio as a young teenager and went on to help found the University of Alabama radio club and make a career in broadcast engineering. Now retired, McLester returned to ham radio about a decade ago after a 20-year absence from the hobby. Ham radio has changed a lot since he ﬁrst got his novice license on Dec. 31, 1952. At that time, operators had to be able to communicate in Morse code at ﬁve words per minute. That requirement has been

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November 2016 • B13

April 27 [2011] is where this area really showed what we could do … There were a lot of areas that had no communication, no cellphones, the towers were down, no internet, nothing. How did they talk to everybody? Through us.

”

TERRY CHRISTIAN

dropped, McLester said, and most radios rely on computers to communicate across hundreds of miles. He used to be more active in building radios, but since his retirement McLester said he enjoys “just ﬁddling with it.” Finding a stranger’s voice on the radio and starting a conversation might seem disconnected, but McLester said the ham community is friendly to lifelong radio enthusiasts and newcomers alike. It’s also a way to strengthen friendships across city and state lines. McLester is on the radio at least two times a week to talk to the hams he has met over the years, including several from his college radio club who have moved away from the area. “Ham radio is probably one of the least discriminating hobbies,” McLester said. McLester also meets his amateur radio friends a few times a month for SCARC meetings or just for a bite to eat. Among them is 31-year-old Terry Christian, a lifelong Chelsea resident who has been a ham since 2009. Ham radio is highly dependent on an operator’s surroundings. Solar ﬂares, geography, cloud cover and signal strength all factor in how far a ham’s broadcast can reach, and none knows that better than Christian.

Terry Christian is an amateur radio operator and certiﬁed storm spotter.

On a good day, his radio can reach to downtown Birmingham, St. Clair County and even Chilton County. On a bad day, due to the position of his house, Christian can’t get any signal out at all. Christian got involved in ham radio because he’s interested in storm spotting and weather observation. Though he also talks to local hams and meets up with them regularly, Christian’s love for the hobby stems from its emergency practicality. “Most of us are certiﬁed storm spotters through the National Weather Service,” Christian said. “That’s why I got into it. That’s the

biggest reason.” When bad weather disrupts phone and internet connections, a group of hams with reliable radio equipment can relay information to news stations, the NWS and even emergency personnel around the area. A group of Birmingham-area operators recently went to South Carolina to help after Hurricane Matthew, Christian said, but the tornadoes that struck Tuscaloosa and Birmingham in 2011 brought radio operators out in force to assist ﬁrst responders. “April 27 [2011] is where this area really showed what we could do … There were a

lot of areas that had no communication, no cellphones, the towers were down, no internet, nothing. How did they talk to everybody? Through us,” Christian said. Christian said he would like to eventually have the high frequency radio equipment that would allow him to communicate across the world. However, he echoed McLester that the friends he’s made through Shelby County Amateur Radio Club have made the hobby even more enjoyable. “They’re awesome,” he said. To learn more about amateur radio in Shelby County, go to w4shl.com.

B14 • November 2016

280 Living

Making a difference Briarwood junior raises awareness, support for brother’s Type 1 diabetes By ALYX CHANDLER Elizabeth Bailey was 8 years old when her brother Chris, then 12, was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes, a disease neither one of them had heard of before that day. “It’s a life-changing experience for the whole family,” said Susanne Bailey, Chris and Elizabeth’s mother. “It’s a new normal. You don’t ever expect it in your family.” Type 1 juvenile diabetes is a disease that causes the body to attack the pancreas and kill insulin-producing cells, making people insulin dependent for life. If their blood sugar gets too high or low, then they can faint, have a stroke or other life-threatening situations. There is no cure. That’s why they have to regularly check blood sugar. “At first, he had to do three to four shots every day so that his meals would be able to digest,” Elizabeth Bailey, now a junior at Briarwood Christian School, said. With further research developments on the disease, Chris Bailey was able to eventually switch to what his family refers to as a pump, — a device attached to the hip that automatically checks insulin levels and adjusts them without the use of shots. “The most difficult thing I’ve seen with children with Type 1 is it’s a 24-hour, seven-day-aweek, 365-days-a-year disease. There’s never a break, never a vacation. They can never not manage their disease,” Suzanne Bailey said. After a year of her brother having the disease, Elizabeth Bailey decided to make her first walk team to raise money for Type 1 diabetes research. She asked all her friends to walk with her and

Members of Team Chris at this year’s JDRF Walk. Photo courtesy of Susanne Bailey.

donate to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) instead of buying her gifts for her birthday that year. She went door-to-door around the neighborhood explaining to people about the disease and seeing if they would want to donate. “She, at such a young age, took such a guardianship over Chris and could probably understand his highs and lows as well as he could,”

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Suzanne Bailey said. Since then, Elizabeth Bailey has led multiple walks. This year, she said the group of friends and supporters has gotten even bigger. She said she has raised more than $19,000 for research funds, not counting the funds from this year. The money from the walk and 5K this year, which was Sept. 25 at Veterans Park, are going to fund research for an

artificial pancreas. Elizabeth Bailey said this year her team of friends made T-shirts and stands to educate people about the research and where the funds go. She also said she wants to make sure people know that Type 1 diabetes can be a misunderstood disease, and it isn’t caused by diet or weight. “That’s a different type of diabetes,” Elizabeth Bailey said. “Once people know, I think they understand it differently and have more of an empathy when they finally understand what it is and what the people go through.” Chris Bailey, who is a senior at Samford University this year, also attends the walks, along with some of his friends from high school and new friends from college. “When he was first diagnosed, a lot of people like ostracized him, because they didn’t really know what it was and stuff like that, so to see all of these people and his friends and my friends coming to support him, is like a really big encouragement to him,” Elizabeth Bailey said. She said she feels like the walks have affected Birmingham’s understanding of Type 1 diabetes in a positive way. As a junior at Briarwood Christian High School this year, Elizabeth Bailey is also the president for JDRF for the school. “I had to grow up watching him go through it, and it’s really just impacted my life. I definitely want to do something with this organization when I’m older because I’ve seen how it can affect a family,” Elizabeth Bailey said. She said she hopes more people continue to participate each year and make a difference.

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November 2016 • B15

School House Oak Mountain students named National Merit semiﬁnalists By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL

2016 was the fourth year for the Shelby County Leadership Summit. Photo courtesy of Shelby County Schools.

670 students attend 2016 Shelby County Schools high school leadership conference About 670 students from schools across Alabama attended the Shelby County Leadership Summit to learn how to lead positive change in their schools. This marked the fourth year for the event, which was originally inspired by eight Oak Mountain High School students in January 2013. The event has since impacted over 1,000 high school students and has continued to grow each year, including this year’s record-setting attendance of 670 students. Program Director John Milton, who assists in student leadership development at Oak Mountain High School, said the students who attend the Leadership Summit are part of a collective of student leaders who will lead positive change within their communities this school year.

“Leadership is a call to action, and it is my hope that today you will be inspired to live your life to make a difference in the lives of others,” Milton told the students through the program booklet. Kevin Paul Scott, co-founder of ADDO Worldwide and the ADDO Institute, was the presenter for the sessions. Matt Peele and Katie Bersinger, with Elevate Live Events, also helped facilitate the summit. Mandy Kelly, an Oak Mountain High School graduate who currently serves as a Senator At-Large with the Student Government Senate at Auburn University, also shared what she has learned about leadership. – Submitted by Cindy Warner, Shelby County Schools.

Four Oak Mountain High School students have been named National Merit Semifinalists for the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program competition. Among the semifinalists are students Armeen Barghi, Kathryn Holt, William Laycock and Colby Wetzel. “We are incredibly proud of our students,” Principal Kristi Sayers of Oak Mountain High School said. “To receive such recognition,” Sayers said, “is a testament to the students’ academic ability as well as their commitment to academic success.” Qualification for entrance in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program was based on high school juniors’ scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. “As a community,” Sayers said, “Oak Mountain has high expectations for all of our students. Beginning in our elementary schools, parents, teachers and students expect our students to be academically prepared and academically challenged.” “These students,” she said, “have certainly met the challenge.” If they so desire, these honored high school seniors may continue in the competition for consideration of 7,500 National Merit Scholarships amounting to more than $33 million total. In order to advance to finalist standing, each semifinalist must submit an application and essay, receive endorsement and recommendation by a high school official, maintain an outstanding academic record and earn an SAT score confirming his or her preliminary performance. Applicants are assessed according to their projected success in rigorous studies, as determined by the quality of their skills and accomplishments. An estimated 15,000 semifinalists of the approximately 16,000 semifinalists across the United States of America are expected to advance to the finalist level. Finalists will be announced in February 2017.

B16 • November 2016

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OMHS student named to state Superintendent Advisory Council Caleb Van Geffen, a senior at Oak Mountain High School, has been selected to serve as a member of the 2016-2017 State Superintendent Student Advisory Council. The State Superintendent Student Advisory Council is a group of 16 middle or secondary school students who discuss how decisions are made at the state level and affect students throughout Alabama. These students will meet up to three times per year and will provide input to the State Superintendent of Education on issues that affect them. The members are advisers and act as liaisons between the Alabama Department of Education and the students of Alabama. Van Geffen is an active student athlete at OMHS where he is an all-county cross country runner (and two-year captain of the team), a member of the state and national championship boy’s soccer team, and the varsity track and indoor track teams. Van Geffen is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society and Rho Kappa Honor Society. He has been active in the OMHS Student Government Association all four years of high school. He also served as the 11th-grade class treasurer, the 12th-grade executive council vice president, Key Club parliamentarian, and has been a member of the Master’s Program for three years. He is also an active member of the French Club. He is an involved member of Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church, where he serves as a Sunday school and vacation Bible study volunteer and in the student youth group. He also started a Bible study with his peers that meets every Friday morning before school. In his letter of recommendation, math

teacher and head soccer coach Daniel DeMasters noted that Van Geffen is not only an important contributor on the field but off the field also. “Off the field, he is an amazing student, helps others with school work, gets along with all his peers and Van Geffen most importantly does the right things for the right reasons,” said DeMasters. “Caleb has a cumulative GPA of 4.40 and is a very mature and professional student. I know that his good habits will continue to grow as a person and a student. On the field, his preparation, physical fitness and game execution makes him a player you want on your team and his selflessness and drive to make others better is second to none.” His characteristics of honesty and integrity, along with other strong leadership abilities, make him an excellent representative for the State Superintendent’s Leadership Council, DeMasters said. “Caleb certainly ‘walks the walk,’” DeMasters said. “Our school, community, and soccer program benefit having Caleb be a part of it! I would even venture to say that if there were more people like Caleb in this world, the communities we live in, would be such a better, friendlier and effective place to live and be a part of.” – Submitted by Shelby County Schools.

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November 2016 • B17

Chelsea High School students presented checks to aTeam Ministries and Children’s Hospital. Photo by Erica Techo.

Chelsea students donate $4,000 for cancer research, awareness By ERICA TECHO Chelsea High School students chose to “Go Gold” for the month of September. Through a fundraiser led by Chelsea High School’s peer helpers, students raised $4,000 to benefit pediatric cancer research and awareness. During a “Go Gold” pep rally on Friday, Sept. 30, peer helpers presented a $2,000 check to aTeam Ministries and a $2,000 check to Children’s Hospital. Katie Jennings, president of peer helpers, said their group wanted to raise money for pediatric cancer after seeing one of their classmates and a teacher’s child diagnosed. “We decided because it was something we were passionate about, that we wanted to help,” Jennings said to an auditorium full of students. Ally Nelson, now a junior at Chelsea High School, is a two-time survivor of cancer. Kenna Parramore, daughter of Chelsea High School English teacher Kelli Parramore, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 2. Both girls appeared in a video created by peer helper Pat Marshall, which encouraged everyone to “Be Bold, Go Gold.” “We wanted to do something to benefit Go Gold because we have two of our own that have been through that [cancer],” said Sid Ridgeway, community service chair for peer helpers. After coming up with the idea of selling “Go Gold” T-shirts to support their fundraiser, Ridgeway said they received a lot of community support. “With the help of the community, we exceeded our goal by a lot,” he said. “I looked at the final [number], and it was crazy.” The event included a performance from Chelsea’s Out of the Blue show choir, which sang two songs — one that centered on a theme of peace and one that centered on a theme of courage. Guest speakers at the event included Christina Nelson, Ally Nelson’s mother, and

aTeam Ministries co-founder and president Andy Thrower. Nelson said when they took her daughter in for an MRI because she had been limping, they did not expect the diagnosis would be cancer. While her husband is normally the “protector” of the family while she is the “nurturer,” Nelson said she had to take on the protector role after they heard Ally’s diagnosis. “That peace that God can only give you came over me,” she said. Seeing the support from students and knowing they are giving back to deserving organizations such as aTeam Ministries is powerful, Nelson added. “I want to thank the peer helpers because you have no idea what you’re doing,” she said. “I don’t think you know the magnitude of how amazing this is. … Childhood cancer awareness month is just a month, but for me, it’s never going to end. Because as long as I’m breathing, I’m going to make sure I raise awareness.” Thrower also thanked the peer helpers and students for their help. His son was diagnosed with leukemia in 2009 at 16 months old. He is now a third-grader, and following their son’s diagnosis, Thrower said their family took the opportunity to minister to other families and assist them emotionally, spiritually and ﬁnancially when possible. “Pediatric cancer isn’t something you get an antibiotic for,” he said. “ … That doesn’t necessarily happen in the world of pediatric cancer, so it’s a lifelong journey that goes throughout the child’s life, throughout the parent’s life, throughout the extended family.” By wearing the T-shirts to support the Go Gold initiative, Thrower said every student was helping make an impact. “One of the greatest ways you can honor a cancer family or a physician who spends and dedicates their lives, or a nurse in pediatric cancer, is raise awareness,” he said.

Mt Laurel Elementary School hosting Turkey Trot 5K By ERICA TECHO Mt Laurel Elementary School is once again hosting its Turkey Trot one-mile fun run and 5K. This year will be the 10th annual fun run for the school, but the ﬁrst time the even also includes a 5K. The run will take participants from Mt Laurel Elementary School through the town of Mt Laurel, and the course is a certiﬁed 5K. The 5K will start at MLES at 8 a.m., with the fun run starting at 9 a.m. Online pre-registration is now open. Pre-registration for guaranteed T-shirts was available through Oct. 18, and while there will be more available after that date, a T-shirt is not guaranteed. Walk-up registration will be available the day of the race, starting at 7 a.m. Prizes will be available for the 5K and fun run, and the overall male and female winners will receive a Thanksgiving turkey. The top three runners in each age group will receive

Runners smile before the start of MLES’s Turkey Trot. File photo.

medals, and all school-age children will receive participation ribbons. The Turkey Trot is an annual fundraiser for MLES, and this year the money raised will go to the physical education department at the school as well as toward the PTO’s technology initiatives. For more information, go to runsignup.com and search Mt Laurel Elementary Turkey Trot.

B18 • November 2016

HOMECOMING BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN Photos by Sarah Finnegan and Todd Lester.

Clockwise from above: Senior Katie Green is crowned homecoming queen at halftime during Briarwood’s Oct. 7 football game against Woodlawn at Lions Pride Stadium. Briarwood girls participate in the Powder Puff football game Oct. 6 as part of Briarwood’s homecoming celebration. Photos by Todd Lester. Young Briarwood students cheer on the homecoming parade Oct. 7. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

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November 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ B19

HOMECOMING CHELSEA HIGH SCHOOL Photos by Cari Dean.

Clockwise from above: Chelsea High School 2016 homecoming court (from left): Lee Rickard, Evans Shaw, Zalon Reynolds, and Zac Young. Chelsea High School held their homecoming pep rally on October 4, 2016. Senior Olivia Moody is crowned Chelsea High School homecoming queen at the homecoming game.

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HOMECOMING OAK MOUNTAIN Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

Clockwise from left: Senior Kate Harris is crowned homecoming queen at Oak Mountainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game on Friday, October 14, 2016, at Heardmont Park. Oak Mountain students participate in the homecoming dodgeball tournamament. Oak Mountain students lift football coach Cris Bell into the crowd during the homecoming pep rally.

280Living.com PATE

CONTINUED from page B1 on a day-to-day basis and has for probably two decades,” Wright said. “It makes the council’s and mayor’s job much easier.”

CONSTRUCTION GURU

Pate, a construction guru, has overseen the development of new roads, parks, athletic facilities and city buildings, Wright said. “He’s extremely smart. He’s extremely lowkey. You never see him beat his chest or take credit for anything. He always gives credit to his team,” Wright said. “He’s got a very small ego and a very big capability.” Skinner said he knew Pate from church when he hired him nearly three decades ago. The city needed professional help to oversee construction of the Hoover Met, and Pate was a natural fit, he said. Pate started his career with Brice Building Co. and then served as director of the Birmingham Carpenter Apprenticeship Training Program for 11 years. Former Gov. George Wallace made him the state’s labor commissioner from 1983 to 1987. Pate said he took the job to oversee construction of the Met because he knew it would be a challenge. He had 14 months to get the stadium built and ready for the Birmingham Barons’ first game there, he said. “There were no utilities here, no nothing,” he said. Art Clarkson, the former owner and general manager for the Birmingham Barons who moved the baseball team from Birmingham to Hoover, said that without Pate, it would have been difficult to get the Hoover Met built, but Pate got the job done. “He is one special human being,” Clarkson said. Skinner said Pate did such an outstanding job, he decided to hire him permanently to help tackle other projects for the fast-growing city. Not only is he knowledgeable, he also knows how to deal with people, sometimes in adversarial positions, Skinner said. Pate is a fair, understanding person, but he

November 2016 • B21 doesn’t lose sight of the mission that needs to be accomplished, Skinner said.

‘INCREDIBLE NEGOTIATOR’

Mayor Gary Ivey said Pate’s retirement is a great loss for the city. He has tremendous knowledge and extensive contacts and is an incredible negotiator, Ivey said. He has been the go-to person when the city interacts with outside entities, such as state agencies, other cities and organizations such as the Southeastern Conference and Alabama Sports Council, Ivey said. “He was an incredible asset to me,” Ivey said. “He’s an incredible man and does an incredible job for this city.” Frank Brocato, the retired Hoover ﬁre marshal who takes over as mayor Nov. 7, said he has worked with Pate for 29 years and watched his demeanor, the way he handles people and puts deals together. The city is losing a lot of institutional knowledge with his departure, but it’s good to know he will be nearby and available for consults as needed, Brocato said. Pate said his departure had nothing to do with the change in administration. He started thinking about retirement well over a year ago, but Ivey asked him to stay on until after this year’s election, and he agreed. “I would have thoroughly enjoyed working with the new mayor,” he said. However, he knows it’s time for him to go, Pate said.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CHALLENGES

When asked what makes him most proud, Pate said the Hoover Met. He has worked hard to keep the stadium in good shape and keep the SEC Baseball Tournament in Hoover the past 19 years. The 155,000-square-foot indoor event center being built next to the stadium helped convince the SEC to keep the tournament in Hoover at least another three years. But the new $80 million sports complex being built next to the Met is most important because it alleviates a shortage of athletic ﬁelds in the city, Pate said. That is one area where the city has not kept up with its population growth, he said.

Pate also is proud to have played a part in getting the Riverchase Galleria renovated by negotiating a tax incentive deal to encourage investment in the mall. More than $120 million was spent to redevelop the Galleria campus in recent years, and the city agreed to rebate 50 percent of extra sales taxes generated on the campus over 10 years. The total rebate cannot exceed $25 million, but Pate expects it to be much less. He’s also proud the city was able to complete almost all the projects in the 2010 traffic plan that was created in 1995, he said. That includes the Interstate 459 flyover exit to John Hawkins Parkway, the extension of Stadium Trace Parkway past the Hoover Met and a new connection from Chapel Road to the Riverchase Galleria. There are a few projects Pate said he regrets have not gotten done, such as a new I-459 exit near South Shades Crest Road, but Pate said he is encouraging Brocato to breathe life back into that project. He also wishes the city could have gotten the Hoover school board to add lights to more athletic fields and allow the city to use them when schools are not, he said. Perhaps the toughest challenge he faced in 29 years was getting approval for the Colonial Promenade at Hoover shopping center (including a Wal-Mart Supercenter) on John Hawkins Parkway, he said. “The community was totally opposed to it,” he said. But Pate was convinced it would be a good addition to the city, and the deal eventually won approval. Getting approval for the Patton Creek shopping center also was a challenge, particularly because the owners of the Riverchase Galleria didn’t want the competition, Pate said. “I did lose a friend for a period of time, but I got him back,” Pate said.

SURVIVOR

Pate also has been a survivor, keeping his job through ﬁve different mayors. He said the key was just learning to adjust to each one, all of whom were good mayors in different ways, he said. All had their way of doing things, Pate said.

Brian Skelton, Tony Petelos and Gary Ivey all were satisfied if Pate kept them informed and called them when he needed them, he said. Barbara McCollum, when first elected, took a more hands-on approach, Pate said. She insisted that department heads report directly to her, then gradually over time shifted responsibilities back to Pate as he gained her trust, he said. “For most of 3½ years, we had a good working relationship,” he said. Some residents have criticized the city for its fast growth over the years, but Pate, who also has served on the Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission, said he believes the city has for the most part made sure its infrastructure kept up with the growth. About 10 years ago, the city was adding about 900 single-family houses a year, which may have been a bit too much, Pate said. The downturn in the housing industry put a big dent in that, but Hoover still maintained no less than about 200 new houses per year, he said. More recently, the city has been adding about 425 houses a year, which is about where it needs to be, he said. Pate expects to see the city’s growth slow down some, both residentially and commercially, but he hopes new city leaders continue to promote commercial growth. “I think when a city stops growing, it starts declining,” he said. However, he’s excited about Hoover’s health, both financially and otherwise, he said. The city’s roads are in good shape, and money has been set aside to handle all capital projects that have been approved, he said. The city’s finances are excellent, he said. Even though the city just borrowed $69 million to build the new sports complex, its annual debt payments will drop from about $9.5 million now to less than $7 million in just a few years, he said. Pate said he has thoroughly enjoyed his time with the city of Hoover and will miss negotiating deals and being able to work with so many good people. “The city has been good to me and my family, and I wish them the best in the future,” he said.

B22 • November 2016

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Distinguished Young Women program pushes OMHS grad to pursue ‘pipe dream’ By ALYX CHANDLER

Ali Wood thought attending a master’s program in Switzerland was a pipe dream, but it turned out to just be the beginning. Photos courtesy of Ali Wood.

Switzerland, it turns out, really ﬁts Ali Wood’s personality. “It’s very tidy and clean and prepared,” Wood said, which works out great for her, considering she isn’t planning on leaving any time soon. When Oak Mountain High School graduate Ali Wood applied to the master’s program at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology with her husband, in addition to applying to seven other master’s programs in the U.S., they reminded themselves to be realistic. Not only was it all the way in Switzerland, but it was also consistently ranked in the top 10 technology universities in Europe. Both were research assistants and graduating with an electrical engineering degree from Brigham Young University. “Graduate school was something that we both really wanted, but we didn’t want the ‘normal’ grad school experience,” Woods said. “It [Switzerland] was really a pipe dream.” When both Wood and her husband were only accepted to their dream program in Switzerland, along with Brigham Young’s master’s program, but none of the other schools, they knew it was meant to be. “It was pretty cut and dry then,” Wood said. “So we made the decision to move abroad about four months later. We sold everything we had, ﬂew to Switzerland with a couple suitcases, and now we’ve been here for two years.” Much of her commitment to pursuing her dreams she credits to strong academics and the Distinguished Young Women program, previously called America’s Junior Miss, where she got to know dozens of other young women who wanted to make a difference in the world. The Distinguished Young Women’s program is the largest and oldest scholarship opportunity for

280Living.com high school girls, where they participate first in local chapters, then statewide and finally in national competitions. It consists of different competitions in categories that include interview, fitness, scholastics, self-expression and talent. “I fell in love with the program. It promotes being well-rounded, smart and intelligent and a successful human being in all aspects in my life,” she said. Through it, she was also awarded enough money to pay for her first year of college. Woods got her initial taste of adventure when she spent her first year of undergraduate education studying in Hawaii after she was awarded a vocal performance scholarship. She spent her next three years at college in Utah. Both of these experiences contributed in easing the inevitable culture shock she experienced after moving to Switzerland, she said. Since coming to Switzerland two years ago, she said she fell in love with the culture and her master’s program. Her program focus is in robotics, specifically in micro and nanobiotics, which have to do with smallscale equipment and robots, often in the healthcare field. “It puts me in a really unique position here,” Wood said. She explained that although there’s a trend in the United States in developing medical home diagnostic tools, the trend hasn’t quite taken off in Europe, so it allowed her a more open field. Wood also took several courses and worked on projects in entrepreneurial engineering, which ultimately led her to begin work on developing a new venture — her own venture — focused on infant health care. She worked with the medical school and is almost done writing her final thesis addressing home diagnostic tools for families to use to eliminate the trips and bills incurred with doctor visits. Although at the moment, she said she has put her thesis on hold to prepare for another

“

November 2016 • B23

Graduate school was something that we both really wanted, but we didn’t want the normal experience.

”

ALI WOOD

dream: having a baby. She plans to finish her thesis after her leave of absence. “I will be living my customer’s life, so I’ll have to be motivated,” she said, laughing. The ultimate goal is to be a stay-at-home mom and own her own company, though she knows it’s going to be difficult to do both, Wood said. “I want to give my children some of these experiences I had, to open their eyes to all the possibilities, so that they know there’s not just one place in the world,” Wood said. “We want to introduce them to different cultures and different experiences, and to be successful financially so that we can do that. But we also want to give back.” Wood said the goals for their family are to one day contribute scholarship money so that other kids in Birmingham or Utah would be able to have some of the rare opportunities they did. Funding startup companies, especially companies like the one Woods is trying to create, would be another way she wants her family to give back one day. “That’s the real dream,” she said. As far as dreams go, Wood said that the most important thing is to simply be brave enough to have one and to take baby steps toward it. “That’s what really matters,” she said.

Ali Wood and her husband moved to Switzerland two years ago.

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Real Estate C12 Calendar C13

NOVEMBER 2016

Present and future bright on the hardwood for Johnson By KYLE PARMLEY Tubby Smith probably didn’t think he had a shot at Jamal Johnson. The coach who won the NCAA Championship in 1998 as the head coach at the University of Kentucky was on the Spain Park High School campus last year, at the time coaching at Texas Tech. He was primarily looking at Austin Wiley, the talented 6-foot-10 forward who is committed to Auburn University and attended Spain Park through last school year. “They were really here looking at Austin, then they saw Jamal play, and they were like, ‘Dang, who is this guy?’” recalled Spain Park head coach Donnie Quinn. That impression of the athletic combo guard for the Jaguars stuck with Smith, who was hired at the University of Memphis in April. One of the first things Smith did upon getting the job was call about Johnson. “When they got the job at Memphis, they offered me right then,” Johnson said. Johnson took an official visit to Memphis the first weekend of September, a trip that left no doubt in his mind about his future. “It was a great visit,” he said. “I bonded with the team well. Coach Tubby and (assistant) coach (Joe) Esposito, I just felt like I could trust them the most. I feel like this team was the best fit for me, and I just wanted to make it happen.” Josh Pastner spent the previous seven seasons as the head coach at Memphis before taking the Georgia Tech job in early April. In

those seven years, Pastner won plenty, but the Tigers never regained the success as in John Calipari’s years as head coach, when they went to the Elite Eight twice and the national championship game in 2008. Calipari’s team only lost 14 games total in his final four years before he accepted the Kentucky job. Johnson said he feels like he is part of the solution to restoring the Memphis basketball program to its previous heights. “Memphis is a big basketball school and a big basketball city,” Johnson said. “I feel like with coach Tubby and his staff, they can turn it back around and make it better.” Johnson’s current coach is happy with the decision for a pair of reasons. It is the fulfillment of a lifelong goal for Johnson, and it allows him to focus solely on basketball in his senior season. “I’m just proud for him because it’s been his ambition since he was a little kid,” Quinn said. “If anyone deserves it, it’s him. He’s worked really hard. I think Memphis is glad to have him. I think they’re lucky to have him.” Speaking of focusing on his final high school season, Johnson faces a bit of an adjustment. During the 2015-2016 season, Johnson, Wiley and Justin Brown were the focal points of the team, especially offensively. If defenses planned on shutting down one or two of those three, any of the three proved more than capable of carrying the team on his shoulders down

See JOHNSON | page C11

Jamal Johnson averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists per game as a junior. Photo by Ted Melton.

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November 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ C3

C4 • November 2016

280 Living

Sports

Running with a bigger picture By SAM CHANDLER Heartbreaking could describe the way the Westminster School at Oak Mountain girls cross-country team lost the 2015 state title. But head coach Leslie Callahan would disagree. After her team’s one-point loss to Class 1A-2A rival St. Bernard Nov. 14 in Oakville, Callahan said she and her Knights celebrated the culmination of a hard-fought season by exploring Cullman and singing Christmas carols on the trip back to Birmingham. “We didn’t leave with our heads hung,” Callahan said. “It was like, ‘What a season, girls, what a season.’” Her positive reaction to what would conventionally be viewed as disappointment signifies the essence of the Westminster cross-country program. Accolades are to be enjoyed, Callahan said, but winning hardware is never the sole emphasis. “That’s why I coach. It’s way more than just the end result,” she said. “It’s about the process. It’s what they learn about themselves that they’ll keep for life.” Part of that approach is by design; part is by necessity. Since Callahan took over as head coach in 2012 at the K-12 school of about 500 students, the Knights have evolved into annual state title contenders in their classification. Prior to the runner-up finish in 2015, both the Westminster girls and boys posted runner-up performances at the 2014 state meet. In 2012 and 2013, the girls managed to crack the top

Westminster coach Leslie Callahan said winning trophies is not the sole emphasis, but she focuses on the process as well. Photo by Sam Chandler.

three. “I think the biggest thing is just loving each other and making each other better,” said senior Camryn Neal of the team’s success, “So the ﬁrst person pushes the second person, and the second person pushes the ﬁrst person, and we all pull each other up and up and up until all our times are better.” The competition helps, too. Callahan, a former coach at Oak Mountain High School,

said she frequently puts her Westminster teams in races that feature schools from larger divisions. While other teams may outnumber her 44 middle and high school runners, Callahan said her squads’ talent compensates for their lack of depth. “I didn’t train them to win in their small ﬁsh pond,” Callahan said. “I trained them to be the best that they could be on any level.” Even amidst the sustained success, Callahan

said one of the chief challenges she continually faces is runner retention. Due to the degree of her athletes’ involvement in various activities outside of running — namely the school swim team, theater and club soccer — her participation numbers begin to decline as the season climbs toward its peak. In past years, Callahan said key contributors have missed the state meet due to other obligations. Their presence, it seems, could have provided a critical boost in the team standings. But the ﬁfth-year coach isn’t concerned with what-ifs. Rather, she’s focused on the everyday grind — the process — that has catapulted her school onto the cross-country map. “What I’m proud of is the little things they do day-to-day. When you do all those little things right, the end is just a byproduct of all those little things,” Callahan said. “So at the very end, if half have to go play soccer, it doesn’t change the season. It doesn’t change how hard they’ve worked. It doesn’t change what they’ve found out about themselves.” The AHSAA State Cross-Country Championships will be Nov. 12 at Oakville Indian Mounds Park. As long as their top runners are ready to go on race day, the Westminster boys and girls are both positioned to make runs at a blue trophy. Senior Maddie Hoaglund, a four-time All-State performer, will pace her girls as they seek a victory over St. Bernard. “I think as a team we’re really in a good place this year,” Hoaglund said. “I’m super excited for all of us.”

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November 2016 • C5

Horton’s high energy brings excitement to court By KYLE PARMLEY High school volleyball is played in a best-of-five set format. A team must reach 25 points to win any of the first four sets, while the fifth is played to 15. That leaves the possibility for over 200 points in a tight match. So, why, at 5-4 in the second set, does Spain Park’s Caroline Horton feel the need to scream like her team just won the state championship? “Because it’s exciting,” she exclaimed. “Every single point matters, so you treat every point like it’s game point. You have to get that excited for every point.” Horton, a junior, plays on a Jaguar team that is senior-laden, with eight players who will be graduating at the conclusion of this school year. Due to that fact, her on-court impact will reach its peak next season. That’s not stopping her, though. Any point the Jags win, Horton is out of her seat, celebrating along with the rest of the team. She’s certainly the catalyst behind the spike in the decibel meter after each Spain Park triumph. “I think my personality brings energy to the team,” Horton said. “I’m always enthusiastic and screaming.” Whether on the court or the sideline, junior outside hitter Marlee Johnson contends each team needs the exuberance of every person after a point. “It’s a team sport, more so than any other sport. I get more excited for other people who get kills, because in some way, everyone is a part of that and every point matters,” she said. Johnson also sees the effect on her team when the opposition runs off a few points in a row. “The swing of volleyball is so big

“

When you hear your teammates — who you work hard with every single day — cheering for you when they’re not out there doing it, it makes you want to work even harder.

”

CAROLINE HORTON

from side to side,” Johnson said. “If you don’t have the momentum, you can’t win, because the other team will get in your head.” Horton added, “Energy keeps your team up. If you play without energy, you play dead and it seems like you don’t want it as much.” Horton also knows from experience how gratifying it is to make a big play during a match and to have the bench get excited for her. “Oh, it makes you even more excited and motivated to keep doing great,” she said. “When you hear your teammates — who you work hard with every single day — cheering for you when they’re not out there doing it, it makes you want to work even harder.” Those sideline antics? She admits they are not all spontaneous. “We’re over there saying, ‘Alright, next point, we’re going to get up and scream,” she said. “Everybody on this bench better be standing up screaming, slapping the ﬂoor. “That’s what we talk about; how we’re going to get the team excited.”

Caroline Horton, No. 10, brings the energy for the Spain Park volleyball team. Photo by Kyle Parmley.

C6 • November 2016

280 Living

Football Fridays to stay busy

By KYLE PARMLEY

Briarwood is in the playoffs for the 24th straight season. Photo by Todd Lester.

he U.S. 280 corridor looks as if it’s going to stay busy due to high school football on Friday nights, at least for the first few weeks of November. Briarwood Christian School and Chelsea, Spain Park and Oak Mountain high schools have all put themselves in position to qualify for the postseason, and all of them have the potential to make it past just the first round. Briarwood clinched its playoff berth by winning its first five games in Class 5A, Region 5. It is certainly not an abnormal sight to see the Lions in the postseason, as 2016 is the 24th consecutive season that Briarwood has advanced to the state playoffs. “We like that thought,” Briarwood coach Fred

Yancey said of his team securing a postseason berth. “It’s been a bunch of years in a row that we’ve been able to do it, and kids take a lot of pride in that tradition. We ﬁnd a way to get in the playoffs every year. It’s for hard work and a lot of effort on their part.” Among those 23 previous consecutive postseason appearances, Briarwood has won at least one game in 19 of those seasons, including state championships in 1998, 1999 and 2003, according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society. Due to the private school multiplier, Briarwood even jumped to Class 6A for the 2014 and 2015 season, and were probably slightly overmatched in terms of depth. But the Lions still managed to make the playoffs in both seasons and pulled off an upset of Fort Payne in the ﬁrst round last year.

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Chelsea’s success this fall has given the Hornets their second consecutive playoff berth, Chelsea’s first two since ascending to 6A in 2012. In Chris Elmore’s fourth season at the helm, his program has risen to the point where it now expects to have success in the playoffs. Last fall’s 7-3 regular season record led to a first-round matchup with Blount, where the Hornets hung close but lost 41-28. They admitted to feeling some stress due to never being in that situation. Quarterback Matthew Marquet and running back Zalon Reynolds are two of the leaders of the Chelsea team, and both have said they expect a different result this fall. “When we make it to the playoffs, we know that we’ve been here, and we’re going to come out with a win,” Marquet said before the season began. Chelsea’s defense has proven opportunistic and has shown a penchant for making a play when called upon. That trend will need to continue into November if the Hornets are to win one or multiple games in the playoffs. Spain Park’s task was not easy coming into the 2016 season, following a state championship berth in 2015. Last year marked the second time the Jaguars have reached the title game, also doing so in 2007. However, Spain Park followed that season up with a 4-6 mark and

November 2016 • C7

failed to make the postseason. According to AHSFHS.org, the Jags are 14-9 all-time in the playoffs. Head coach Shawn Raney alerted his team of that piece of history during the summer, determined to not have that happen again. Back-to-back losses to Hoover and Mountain Brook following a 3-0 start put the Jags in a tough spot, prompting Raney to emphasize to his team that the Huffman game on Sept. 30, coming off the team’s bye week, began the “playoffs” for Spain Park. Given that mindset, the real state playoffs will not require any shift in focus for the Jags. Of the four schools mentioned, Oak Mountain had by far the most difficult road to advance to the postseason. After faltering to an 0-3 start on the season, the Eagles picked themselves up and won two crucial Class 7A, Region 3 games against Vestavia Hills and Thompson, two victories that proved to be the difference maker in their season. Starting quarterback Wyatt Legas went down with an injury in the second game of the season and was replaced by Jackson Kimbrell, who led the team to those two wins: a blowout of Vestavia and a last-second touchdown pass against Thompson. Be sure to keep up with each team’s playoff run online at 280living.com.

Above: Spain Park is back in the playoffs after a state title appearance last year. Photo by Ted Melton. Left: Chelsea has looked impressive this season, while Oak Mountain fought for some key victories to propel the Eagles to the playoffs. Photo by Todd Lester.

C8 • November 2016

280 Living

Briarwood QB will leave legacy of hard work, encouragement Briarwood head coach Fred Yancey said William Gray, 10, cares as much as anyone he’s ever coached. Photo by Todd Kwarcinski.

By GARY LLOYD After a resounding 23-14 win at then-No. 4 Mortimer Jordan on Sept. 23, Briarwood Christian head coach Fred Yancey was asked about his senior quarterback, William Gray. Yancey responded in typical coach-speak, praising Gray’s ball protection, tight spirals and tough runs. But then he took it a little bit further. “He cares probably as much or more than anybody I’ve ever coached,” Yancey said. “He cares a lot. He would do anything to get the W. If he ever makes a mistake, he doesn’t stay down over it. He bounces back fast and regroups.” Through Briarwood’s first five games of the 2016 season, Gray had completed 32 of 51 passes for 528 yards and eight touchdowns against just three interceptions. That equates to 16.5 yards per completion. He had also rushed for 182 yards and three scores. He passed for 189 yards and two touchdowns in the win at Mortimer Jordan, a statement victory for the Lions. “I think it proves that we’re legit, and it’s just not easy stuff that we’re winning,” Gray said, who also rushed for 63 yards in the win. “I think it sends a statement to the rest of the state that we’re coming, and we’re real.” Gray plays with a fearlessness on the field that at times seems unmatched. He inspires his teammates through his actions and work ethic. “He’s always an encourager,” said Briarwood wide receiver Luke Miskelley. “He’s a leader. He’s always pushing me to get better in practice. He’s a great leader. That’s what makes him be able to do this type of stuff out here.” Gray isn’t the biggest quarterback around, but he’s certainly not the smallest. Through

five games, he was averaging just 2.6 yards per carry, but he seems to save his most bruising runs for the most crucial moments. “I’m thinking that no one guy can tackle me,” Gray said. “I’m running angry, and I’m running to gain good yards for the team. I know that I’m the bulldozer back. I love that role, so whenever I get to run the ball, I try to get the tough yards.” Against an overmatched Moody team on Sept. 2, he completed all five of his passes for 190 yards and four touchdowns — in the first half alone. Against a stout Wenonah team a week later, he led a second-half comeback to win, 15-14.

“A lot of good moments,” Gray said. It was mentioned to Gray that it seemed as if most of his favorite memories of high school football came through the ﬁrst half of the 2016 season. Gray grinned. “Winning helps,” he said. Gray said all of the Lions’ goals are in front of them. They want to be Class 5A, Region 5 champions. They want to continue the tradition of making the playoffs, which Briarwood has accomplished every season since 1993. The Lions also hope to hoist a state championship trophy in early December. “That’s got to be the goal for every team,” Gray said.

Yancey said Gray is one of the hardest-working players he’s ever coached. When you mix talent with a strong work ethic, the results are incredible. “He’s a real leader of this team,” Yancey said. Gray will continue to lead this team. Whether it is sometime in the Class 5A playoffs or with a trophy on the Jordan-Hare Stadium turf in Auburn, his high school career will soon come to an end. “I want to be remembered as a nice guy that always encouraged the younger guys and really left a mark, and left a positive attitude and positive atmosphere at Briarwood, an atmosphere of working hard,” he said.

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Pick your poison Matthew Marquet and Zalon Reynolds combine to give Chelsea an explosive 1-2 punch

Chelsea High School quarterback Matthew Marquet (5) fakes a handoff to Zalon Reynolds (1) during a home game against Gardendale on Sept. 23, 2016. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

By KYLE PARMLEY Chelsea High School senior quarterback Matthew Marquet’s job could be so simple. Hand the ball to his running back, Zalon Reynolds. One has to take the game in from multiple vantage points to see the story of Reynolds’ dynamic ability on the football field. Stand in the end zone behind a kickoff return, and one can see Reynolds sprint to the sideline and stop on a dime, as multiple defenders fly past and give him room for extra yardage. Stand in front of a play, and one can see Reynolds take a handoff and seemingly freeze time as he surveys the field. Before most are able to process what happened, Reynolds already has shot through the hole with a burst of speed that could rival a sports car. “It’s nice to have a guy of his caliber on our team,” Marquet said. “It’s really nice.” However, if he were the Hornets’ only weapon, defenses would have a better chance of slowing down a Chelsea offense that puts up points by the truckload. Reynolds is not the only ball carrier who does damage. Marquet inflicts a great deal himself. It is not uncommon for Marquet and Reynolds to both crack the century mark on the ground in the same game. Marquet and Reynolds have played together in the same backfield since both were in sixth grade, allowing several years of experience to culminate in an explosive offense in their final high school seasons. Marquet has performed at such a high level and earned the trust of his coaches that he is afforded a freedom rare among high school quarterbacks. Option plays have become a staple of the offense, and Marquet is the one entrusted with making the correct read. Opposing defenses know they have to stop the running game when playing Chelsea, but if they hone in on Reynolds, the option comes into

play and leaves would-be tacklers grasping at air. “The beginning of the game is when it’s most effective, because those outside linebackers don’t really see the pull coming,” Marquet said. “Because Zalon is such a good player, they’re worried about stopping him. Whenever I pull it out of Zalon’s stomach, I’ve just got a bunch of open grass.” The Hornet offense features mainly two variations of the option. One of those mirrors the zone read play that has become commonplace in college football with athletic quarterbacks. Marquet has the choice to either hand the ball to Reynolds himself or fake the handoff and keep it himself. The other option play is a run-pass option play. Marquet can either hand the ball to Reynolds or pull it and throw a pass. Whatever the scenario, defenses are kept on their heels all night. “I’m glad he’s on my team, as I say all the time,” said Chelsea head coach Chris Elmore. “I’d much rather play with him than against him.” Marquet has every intention of making his ﬁnal season a success. After a strong regular season, the Hornets will take to the postseason, where they will look to avoid the shellshock they experienced last year. In its ﬁrst playoff appearance in four seasons as a Class 6A program, Chelsea traveled to Blount and lost 41-28. “This year, we’re going to go and take care of business because we know we’ve been there, and we’ve been in that situation,” Marquet said. “I think we’re a lot more mature this year, and we’ve got a lot of seniors, so I think we’ll be good.” As for Marquet’s future, he will play basketball at Chelsea in the winter, but has no immediate plans to do anything other than be an “average Joe” at the University of Alabama, unless a collegiate football offer gives him something to consider.

November 2016 • C9

C10 • November 2016

280 Living

Jack Ronilo ﬁnds his beat OMMS 6th-grader down on sidelines as Sports Illustrated Kids reporter By ERICA TECHO

Oak Mountain Middle School sixth-grader Jack Ronilo at the Alabama vs. USC game. Photo courtesy of Beth Ronilo.

Jack Ronilo has sat in the press box at college football games, been caught on camera in the background of a post-game interview with Nick Saban and asked a question at SEC Media Days — and he’s only 11. As a sixth-grader at Oak Mountain Middle School, Jack Ronilo already is working as a reporter for Sports Illustrated Kids. His work as a kid reporter is part of a one-year program he applied for, not totally expecting to be selected. Jack Ronilo first heard about the program in his Sports Illustrated Kids magazine, and with the support of his parents, he applied. “This has been tremendous because when he first wanted to do it, I’m a realist, so I said, ‘Well, Jack, there are probably a bunch of people. Don’t get your hopes up,’” said Beth Ronilo, Jack Ronilo’s mom. The application included a 400-word essay on a sporting event, team or athlete that affects his community as well as a 200-word essay on why he wanted to be a kid reporter. Jack Ronilo selected the Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger/Beat Bama, Beat Hunger food drive as the center of his article and interviewed individuals from local food banks. A few weeks later, Jack got an email saying he was one of the 14 students selected for the program, and it was time to start reporting. “Twice a month, we call my editor from Sports Illustrated that they give me, and I pitch story ideas for credentials,” he said. “Then he’ll apply for credentials.” Jack Ronilo has written stories on Chelsea High School graduate Jake Ganus, the Alabama vs. USC game, being a TV analyst for the SEC Network and Auburn University softball in his first

few months as a kid reporter. When he applied for and started the program, Jack said he did not think he would have the chance to talk to the individuals he has met, including Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen and Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason. Most of his friends think being a kid reporter is cool, but not everyone believes the opportunities he has received. “Most of my friends don’t believe me, but there’s a picture in the library of me with Dan Mullen,” Jack Ronilo said, laughing. “I don’t know how it got there, but it did. And I think a bunch of people saw me stand behind Nick Saban in his [Alabama vs. USC] post game.” SEC Media Days has been one of his favorite events to cover, Ronilo said, including asking Mason a question in front of a crowd of people. “He got up in front of a crowd of, what, 200 reporters at [SEC] Media Days and asked Derek Mason a question,” Beth Ronilo said. “I wasn’t in town, and I got the video, and I was like, ‘I can’t believe he did that.’” The experience has also been a worthwhile commitment. Jack said he has learned more about writing and the world of reporting, and he is glad to get the field experience at a young age. “I’ve learned a lot about the career and how a story you write in February might not get pitched until June or July,” he said. “It’s not frustrating, but it is a little.” His parents also agree that the job experience and opportunity to make contacts in the field are beneficial, even at age 11. “We’re only in sixth grade, and we’ve got a lot of time to decide what we want to be when we grow up, but he knows; he’s gotten a little taste of it, what parts he likes and what parts of it he doesn’t,” Beth Ronilo said.

280Living.com JOHNSON

CONTINUED from page C1 the stretch of a game. The Jags advanced to the state semiﬁnals and ﬁnished with a 23-10 record. Wiley led the team in scoring, averaging a double-double with 21.7 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. Johnson averaged 18 points per contest, seven rebounds and four assists. The third force in that potent offense was Brown, who chipped in 12.5 points per game. Brown graduated, and Wiley transferred to The Conrad Academy in Orlando, Florida, leaving Johnson as the unquestioned leading returner. Despite that fact, Johnson feels like the upcoming season has a good chance of being successful. “We made it pretty far last year, and we got a lot of players back,” Johnson said. “I feel like we can make another run for it. Everybody’s focused and determined to try to get back to that stage and to try to win it all this year.” Johnson will be the focal point of every opposition. To counteract that, Johnson said he has to “keep progressing as a player.” He also emphasized playing together as a unit and not attempting to carry the load on his own. “I think that we’ll be a better team if we’re all as one instead of one player being a great player,” he said. If that team concept is to come to fruition, Johnson will have to be the one to take the bull by the horns, according to Quinn. “It all comes down to leadership,” Quinn said. “His leadership skills, if they can be better, he can really lead our team and have those guys play around him and for him. That’s what’s going to be the difference for us. I think we’ve got a really good

November 2016 • C11 team, some really good players, but will they gel? Will they play well together? Will they have the same goal as each other? If they do, we’ll be ﬁne.” Some of those players who will aim to provide production surrounding Johnson are Xavier Blanchard, who was ineligible last year, forwards Justice Canady and Ronald Fortson, Parker Boswell and Johnson’s younger brother, Trey. “They’re sleeping on some of the guys on our team,” Johnson said. “Once (other teams) realize that they can step up, they’re going to have to guard these players on our team, too.” Quinn also noted the team’s game plan has always been built around Johnson to a certain extent, so he does not envision the team’s playing style to change dramatically. He also does not worry about Johnson potentially pressing or trying to do too much. “I don’t think pressure bothers him,” Quinn said. “I don’t see that as an issue for him. I think he looks forward to that, actually. That doesn’t concern me at all.” If there is one guy who can prepare Johnson for what is to come this year, it’s his father, Buck Johnson, who starred at Birmingham’s Hayes High School from 1979-1982. He won “Mr. Basketball” his senior season and then went on to play at the University of Alabama from 1982-1986. He was drafted in the ﬁrst round by the Houston Rockets and spent seven seasons in the NBA. “He’s been my only consistent trainer,” Jamal Johnson said. “He has been telling me to stay aggressive and to keep a positive mindset. With everything that happens, all the little triumphs you have, always keep a positive mindset and stuff will work out for you.”

Johnson committed to the University of Memphis in September and will play for legendary coach Tubby Smith. Photo by Ted Melton.

C12 • November 2016

280 Living

280

Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

764630

35242

8237 Castlehill Road

New

$799,900

764580

35242

405 Castlebridge Circle

New

$590,000

765102

35242

5478 Villa Trace

New

$359,900

765084

35242

1473 Bristol Manor

New

$365,000

765064

35242

465 North Lake Road

New

$259,900

765006

35242

3513 Meadow Brook Circle

New

$349,000

764971

35242

2033 King Stables Road

New

$659,900

764932

35242

5004 Shandwick Circle

New

$465,000

764891

35242

310 Highland Park Drive

New

$544,900

764829

35242

8014 Greystone Green

New

$464,500

764741

35242

131 Emily Circle

New

$368,000

765071

35242

136 Shefﬁeld Lane

New

$385,000

764697

35242

518 Talon Court

New

$239,900

764686

35242

637 Meadow Ridge Drive

New

$298,500

764634

35242

3009 Brook Highland Drive

New

$414,900

765051

35043

341 Chesser Loop Circle

New

$189,900

765026

35043

352 Grayson Place

New

$276,900

765000

35043

1018 Preston Place

New

$159,900

764950

35043

522 Highway 39

New

$169,000

764719

35043

612 Polo Circle

New

$204,900

Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on Oct. 17. Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

8237 Castlehill Road

136 Shefﬁeld Lane

280Living.com

November 2016 • C13

Calendar 280 Area Events Thursdays nights through Dec. 10: GriefShare. 7 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Faith Presbyterian Church (Room A103), 4601 Valleydale Road. Trained facilitators who have experienced grief just like you will guide you through one of life’s most difﬁcult experiences and provide you with the tools to move forward. $20 registration fee. Visit griefshare.org/ groups/58606. Nov. 1: Greater Shelby Chamber- Small Business Mentorship Program. 8 a.m. Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce, 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham. Visit business.shelbychamber.org. Nov. 2: Greater Shelby Ambassadors Work Group. 11:30 a.m. Greater Shelby Chamber, 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham. Visit business.shelbychamber.org.

Nov. 2: Greater Shelby Chamber Small Business Work Group. 4 p.m. Location varies. Visit business. shelbychamber.org. Nov. 3: Warrior Tip Off & Taste of Alabaster. 6 p.m. Thompson High School Gym. $10, ages 5 and under, free. Visit business.shelbychamber.org. Nov. 3: South Shelby Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Columbiana First Baptist Church, 208 North Main Street, Columbiana. Visit southshelbychamber.com. Nov. 6: 10th Annual Out of the Darkness Walk. Check-in/registration (1 p.m.), walk (2:30 p.m.), Heardmont Park. There will be 1-mile, 5K and 10K options and a post-celebration featuring food, beverages, live entertainment and a costume contest for both runners and kids. Registration fees

are $10 (mile), $35 (5K) and $40 (10K). Visit afsp. donordrive.com/event/Birmingham. Nov. 8: Greater Shelby Chamber Education Work Group. 8:30 a.m. Location varies. Visit business. shelbychamber.org. Nov. 9: Greater Shelby Chamber Existing Business & Industry Work Group. 8:30 a.m. Location varies. Visit business.shelbychamber.org. Nov. 11: Greater Shelby Chamber Health Services Work Group. 8:30 a.m. Location varies. Visit business.shelbychamber.org. Nov. 10: Meet the New Chelsea Leadership. 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Law Ofﬁces of Boardman, Carr, Petelos, Watkins & Ogle. 400 Boardman Drive, Chelsea. Featuring the newly elected Mayor and City Council.

Visit southshelbychamber.com. Nov. 14: Run Away From Domestic Violence Race. 7:30 a.m. (Registration), 9 a.m. (5K), 9:15 a.m. (One Mile Fun Run). 221 Kings Home Drive, Chelsea. The event will feature a competitive 5K race and a one-mile fun run. Registration fees are $35 for all 5K participants, $25 for one mile participants 13 & older and $10 for participants 12 and under. Visit runsignup.com. Nov. 15: Kampﬁre for the King. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Kings Home, 221 Kings Home Dr., Chelsea. 5K run, ﬁshing rodeo, hayrides, live music, kids’ zone and more. Visit kingshome.org. Nov. 24: Greater Shelby Chamber Governmental Work Group. 8:30 a.m. Location varies. Visit shelbychamber.org.

North Shelby Library Events Kids Mondays, Nov. 7 & 14: Toddler Tales. 10 a.m. Stories, songs, ﬁngerplays and crafts make up a lively 30-minute program designed especially for short attention spans. Ages 19-36 months. Registration required.

lots of music for every member of the family. All ages. No registration.

card to thank our veterans for their service. Letters will be collected and delivered on Dec. 2.

Thursdays, Nov. 3, 10 & 17: PJ Story Time. 6:30 p.m. Come in your PJs, have milk and cookies, and hear some wonderful bedtime tales. All ages. No registration required.

Nov. 5: Lego Club. 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Drop in to build creations that will go on display in the Children’s Department.

Tuesdays, Nov. 1 & 15: Baby Tales. 10 a.m. Story time for babies and their caregivers. Birth to 18 months. Registration required.

Fridays: Open Gaming. 3:30 p.m. Teen Department. Participants must have a parent permission slip on ﬁle to attend.

Nov. 8: Picture Book Club. 10 a.m. Stories, games, crafts and snacks featuring a different favorite book character each month. All ages. Registration required.

Wednesdays, Nov. 2, 9, 16 & 30: Mr. Mac (Storyteller Extraordinaire!). Stories, puppets, and

Nov. 1-Dec. 2: Thank You, Veterans! Drop by the Children’s Department to write a letter or make a

Nov. 16: Homeschool Hangout. 1 p.m. Long May She Wave: The American Flag. Ages 7-12. Registra-

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tion required. Nov. 18: Harry Potter Craft. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Drop by the Children’s Department for a Harry Potter craft to celebrate the opening of the new movie by J. K. Rowling, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. All ages. Teens Nov. 8, 15 & 22: Tuesday Tech: Batteries. 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Fun things to make with household batteries.

C14 • November 2016 Nov. 12: Teen Volunteer Day. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Earn community service hours. For 6th-12 graders. Registration required. Nov. 14: Anime Night. 6 p.m. For 6th-12th grades. Nov. 17: Teen Leadership Council Meeting. 6 p.m. For 6th-12th grades. Nov. 17: Teen Murder Mystery. 6:30 p.m. Registration required. For 6th-12th grades.

280 Living Adults Nov. 3: Reverse Mortgages. 10:30 a.m. Meeting Room. Facilitated by John Littleford, Reverse Mortgage Professional. Nov. 12: 2nd Annual Holiday Bazaar & Book Sale. 9 a.m. -4 p.m. Meeting room. MT. LAUREL LIBRARY

Nov. 4 & 18: Story Time with Ms. Kristy. 11 a.m.

Chelsea Library

Nov. 7, 14 & 28: Legacy Writing Class. 6 p.m.

Wednesdays: The Tot Spot. 10:30 a.m. A 30-minute story time for preschoolers. We read, sing, dance and sometimes craft. Visit chelsealibraryonline.com/calendar.html.

Nov. 12: Crafty Saturday. 10 a.m. Meeting room. All ages. Nov. 15: Picture Book Club 4 p.m. Eric Carle books with story, games and craft.

Nov. 4 & 18: Toddler Tales. 10 a.m.

Fridays: BYOC- Bring your own crochet (craft). 10 a.m. Audio/Reading room. Visit chelsealibraryonline. com/calendar.html. Nov. 12: Lego Club. 9:30 a.m. For ages 5 and up. Visit chelsealibraryonline.com/calendar.

St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Mondays: Next Chapter Book Club/ Greystone Chapter. 4:30-5:30 p.m. The Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) offers weekly opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to read and learn together, talk about books, and make friends in a relaxed, community setting. This group meets at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen in the Wellness Area. The current book the group is reading is The Never Ending Story by Michael Ende. For more information, please visit facebook.com/nextchapterbookclubgreystonechapter. Wednesdays: Wellness Wednesdays. To promote healthy living and to highlight the wide range of services and offerings here at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, we have started Wellness Wednesdays! Stop by the Fitness Center for the following events: November 2: Know Your Number – Urgent Care will be taking blood glucose levels; November 9: Healthy stews and soups; November 16: Thanksgiving workout you can do at home; November 30: Spa promotions for the Holiday Open House. Wednesdays: Baby Café. 10 a.m.-noon. We invite breastfeeding moms to join us for our lactation support group meeting. Moms will have the opportunity to meet with a lactation consultant, as well as network with other breastfeeding moms. The group is designed to give breastfeeding moms encouragement and support, as well as helpful information and tips from our expert. This event is free, and registration is not required.

Nov. 5: Lupus Support Group. 10 a.m.-noon. This group supporting lupus patients and their families will meet the ﬁrst Saturday of every month. This month a discussion will take place on alternative methods to wellness. This event is free and is sponsored by the LUPUS Foundation of America-MID-SOUTH Chapter. Call 1-877-865-8787 for more information. Nov. 8: Blood Pressure/Body Mass Index Screening. 8-11:30 a.m. A representative from Wellness Services will be screening for blood pressure and BMI in the front entrance. These screenings are free. Nov. 10: Cuisine at One Nineteen - Healthy Holiday Sides. 6-7:30 p.m. Join Chef Sean Butler from Resolve Kitchen and Brew as he demonstrates healthy sides for your Thanksgiving table. He will bring his delicious smoked turkey and prepare toasted hazelnut Brussels sprout salad with a grapeseed oil vinaigrette and acorn squash hash with a roasted pablano sauce. For dessert, sample roasted pumpkin mousse with pecan brittle. Bring a friend and a bottle of wine and enjoy a relaxing evening. Call 408-6550 to register. The cost is $25 per person. Nov. 14: Breakfast with the Doc – The When, Why and Where of General Surgery. 8-9 a.m. Join Justin Gerth, MD, a general surgeon with Eastern Surgical Associate, as he discusses common surgery procedures, such as hernias, thyroids and

gallbladders. He will cover when is the best time to schedule a surgery, why you shouldn’t postpone a surgery and explain minimally invasive technology and options. Bring your questions and enjoy a light breakfast. This event is free but please call to register 408-6550. Nov. 15: Comprehensive Diabetes Education. If you have diabetes or are at risk, this seminar is a must. A physician’s referral is required. Pre-assessments are given preceeding the class time. To register, please call 939-7248. Nov. 16: Holiday Swaps. 11 a.m.-noon. Holidays can begin days of eating with abandon, so registered dietitian Donna Sibley offers help with healthier holiday sides instead of fat and salt laden dishes that often adorn our holiday tables. Taste and receive healthy recipes just in time for the holidays. The cost is $12 per person for tasting and recipes. Please call 408-6550 for your reservations. Nov. 17: Tiny Tot Chef Club. 9-10 a.m. This fun tot class for three to four year olds will feature the book The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food. Your little chef will make and decorate teddy bear toast and a cornucopia. Help your child get started eating well for a lifetime. The cost is $10 per child, with an eight child minimum. Please call 408-6550 for reservations. Nov. 21-Jan. 4: Healthy Holiday Challenge. Weigh-in: November 21, 22 or 23, during normal

operating hours; weigh-out: January 2, 3 or 4, during normal operating hours. Is your goal to maintain your weight during the holidays? If so, sign up for a holiday challenge to keep you accountable. The challenge begins with a weigh-in during Thanksgiving week at the front fitness desk weigh-in station. With your permission, we will send you nutrition and fitness tips throughout the holidays to keep you on task. Look for holiday recipes and tastings throughout the challenge in the fitness center. The challenge ends with a weigh out in January. If you haven’t gained any weight during the challenge time frame, you’ll qualify for one of four fabulous prizes. Check in at the fitness center 18 times (average of three days per week) and you will be entered a second time for the prizes. The challenge is free and registration is not required in advance. Nov. 29: Medicare Educational Meeting. 10 a.m.noon. Blue Cross/Blue Shield will hold a meeting to inform customers about senior products. This meeting is open to the public and free of charge, but please register by calling 1-888-346-1946. DISCLAIMER: The person discussing Medicare plan options is employed with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and will be conducting a sales meeting to present Blue Advantage, Blue Rx, and C Plus. Plan information and applications will be available. Blue advantage is a Medicare Approved PPO plan. Blue Rx is a Regional Medicare Prescription Drug plan. C Plus is a Medicare Supplement Select Plan B.

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Area Events Nov. 1: 10th Annual Out of the Darkness Walk, 2:30 p.m. at Heardmont Park. Registration at 1 p.m. Nov. 2: UAB Jazz Ensemble Concert. 7:30 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. Free. Visit alysstephens.org. Nov. 2: Dia de los Muertos Festival. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Cahaba Brewing Company. Day of the Dead Festival. Visit barehandsinc.org. Nov. 3: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5 p.m. Downtown Birmingham. Meet local artists and performers. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com. Nov. 3: 27th Annual Wine Auction Beneﬁting Alabama’s Children. 6 p.m. Wine tasting and silent auction. $75 per person. Visit tumtumtreefoundation.org. Nov. 3-6: Christmas Village Festival. BJCC Exhibition Halls. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $12 adults, children 6-12, $5, 6 and under: free. Visit christmasvillagefestival. com. Nov. 4: Bonnie Raitt. 7 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. Tickets $129 and up. Visit vividseats.com. Nov. 4: Jeff Dunham Perfectly Unbalanced Tour. 8 p.m. BJCC Legacy Arena. $51. Visit jeffdunham. com. Nov. 4: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Coffee Concert. 11 a.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. $19-$36. Complimentary coffee and pastries before concert. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Nov. 4-5: Alabama Symphony Orchestra EBSCO Masterworks Series. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $25-$74. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Nov. 5: Southeastern Outings Moderate Dayhike. Cloudland Canyon State Park, Trenton, GA. Depart 9 a.m. from Applebee’s in Trussville. For information, contact seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205-631-4680. Nov. 5: Vulcan Run 10K. 8 a.m. Boutwell Auditorium. $40 race fee. Visit runsignup.com. Nov. 5: Miles vs. Tuskegee football. 5 p.m. $25$30. Visit milesgoldenbears.com. Nov. 6: Estampas Portenas. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. Buenos Aires Tango Company. $28-$45. Visit alysstephens.org. Nov. 7: BAO Bingo. 7 p.m. Birmingham AIDS Outreach. $15 for 5 games. Visit birminghamaidsoutreach.org. Nov. 7: Brand New. 7:30 p.m. Alabama Theatre. With guests The Front Bottoms and Modern Baseball. $31-$46. Visit ﬁghtoffyourdeamons.com. Nov. 7: UAB Percussion Ensemble. 7:30 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. Free. Visit uab.edu. Nov. 8: UAB Jazz Combos Concert. 7:30 p.m. Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall. Free. Visit uab.edu. Nov. 9: UAB Brass Chamber Ensemble concert. 7:30 p.m. Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall. Free. Visit uab.edu. Nov. 9-19: Vinegar Tom. Alys Stephens Center. Nov. 9-12 and Nov. 16-18 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. Visit alysstephens.org. Nov. 10: UAB Faculty Recital. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. Featuring Denise Gainey, clarinet and Yakov Kasman, piano. Free. Visit uab.edu. Nov. 11: Veterans Day Parade. 1:30 p.m. Downtown Birmingham. Visit nationalveteransday.org. Nov. 11: Gucci Mane and Friends. 7 p.m. Legacy Arena at BJCC. $28.50-$78.50. Visit bjcc.org. Nov. 11: Kip Moore with special guest Jon Pardi. 8 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $28.50-$32.50. Visit alabamatheatre.com. Nov. 11: UAB Computer Music Ensemble Concert. 7:30 p.m. Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall. Free. Visit uab.edu. Nov. 11: Magic Men Live! 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. $22-$77. Visit magicmenlive.com. Nov. 11-12: RMTC Veterans Day Celebration.

RMTC Cabaret Theatre. Performance by Three on a String and The Seasoned Performers. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $15. Visit redmountaintheatre.org. Nov. 12: Southeastern Outings Dayhike. Limestone Rail Trail, Elkmont. Depart 11:30 a.m. from the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride. For information, contact 205-637-0942. Nov. 13: Southeastern Outings Second Sunday Dayhike. Oak Mountain State Park. Depart 1 p.m. from the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot. For information, call 205-317-5868. Nov. 13: Basetrack Live. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $28. Visit alysstephens.org. Nov. 14: Carrie Underwood. 7 p.m. Legacy Arena at the BJCC. $44-$74. Visit carrieunderwoodofficial. com. Nov. 14: UAB Gospel Choir presents “The Classics” 7 p.m. $7 general admission, $6 UAB students, faculty and staff. Visit uab.edu. Nov. 15: Bob Dylan and His Band. 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. $62 and $92. Visit bobdylan.com. Nov. 15: UAB Piano Studio and Piano Ensembles Recital. 7:30 p.m. Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall. Free. Visit uab.edu. Nov. 16: UAB Student Recital. 12:20 p.m. Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall. Free. Visit uab.edu. Nov. 17: Chamber Music @ AEIVA. 5 p.m. UAB Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts. Reception and concert. Free. Nov. 17-18: UAB Opera presents “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” 7:30 p.m. $10-$20, $5 with student ID. Visit uab.edu. Nov. 18: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Coffee Concert. 11 a.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Complimentary coffee and pastries. $19$36. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Nov. 18: Alabama Symphony EBSCO Masterworks Series. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. $25-$74. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Nov. 19: Southeastern Outings Dayhike. Point Mallard Park and Dancey Bottoms near Decatur. Depart 9 a.m. from Hayden/Corner Park and Ride. For information, call 205-529-2253. Nov. 20: Southeastern Outings Wildflower Walk. Forest Preserve, Homewood. Depart 2:30 p.m. in the Homewood High School east (nearest Brookwood Village Shopping Center) parking lot. For information, email seoutings@bellsouth.net or call 205-631-4680. Nov. 23: The 1975. BJCC Concert Hall. 8 p.m. $39.50-$52. Visit the1975.com. Nov. 25: Festival of Praise Tour 2016. 7:30 p.m. Legacy Arena at the BJCC. $29-$59. Visit festivalofpraisetour.com. Nov. 25: Casting Crowns with Matt Maher and Hannah Kerr. 7 p.m. Boutwell Auditorium. $25-$75. Visit premierproductions.com. Nov. 25: Moon Taxi with The Soul Rebels. 8 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $25.50-$35.50. Visit ridethemoontaxi.com. Nov. 26-27: Great Southern Gun & Knife Show. BJCC Exhibition Halls. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. $9 adults, $2 children ages 6-11. Visit greatsoutherngunshow.com. Nov. 27: Southeastern Outings Dayhike. Horse Creek Trail, Dora and Sumiton. Depart 1 p.m. from the now closed Kmart Green Springs or meet at 1:30 p.m. in the lobby inside the Wal-Mart Super Center in Sumiton. For information, email seoutings@bellsouth.net or call 205-631-4680. Nov. 27: Goo Goo Dolls. 7:30 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. $36-$61. Visit googoodolls.com. Nov. 29: UAB Music presents Elaine Liaw Senior Flute Recital. 7:30 p.m. Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall. Free. Visit uab.edu.